Tengoku e no Hangyaku - Rebellion against Heaven (english version)

Chapter 7: Flames of Rebellion

The wind whistled through the rubble as Aiko staggered, her body covered in wounds and her breath ragged. The pain was a burning fire in his veins, but his determination was a much fiercer flame.

Daichi, Kenta, and Haru surrounded her like predators stalking their prey. There was blood on their weapons, their blood. And yet, she smiled. A crooked, defiant smile that made Kenta frown in annoyance.

"You're still smiling," Kenta spat, clenching her fists around the handle of her scythes. You're a cockroach!

Without warning, Kenta leapt toward her with both scythes descending in a lethal arc. Aiko barely had time to react. He rolled to the side, feeling the edge of one of the blades brush against his right arm, tearing at the skin. The burning was unbearable, but he didn't have time to think about it. He used the momentum of his fall to grab a rock from the ground and throw it at Kenta. It wasn't a hard hit, but it was enough to throw him off balance for a second.

A second was all I needed.

Aiko pushed herself with whatever force she had left and landed a straight elbow to Kenta's jaw. A sharp crack echoed through the air as his head was thrown back by the impact. The fury in his eyes was almost demonic.

"Damn it, Aiko!" He roared, wiping the blood from his mouth with the back of his hand.

But before she could strike back, an arrow whistled in the air, and Aiko was barely able to turn her torso in time. The tip was stuck in his left side. The pain was so acute that he almost fell to his knees. His breath ragged. Haru smiled with satisfaction.

"You have guts, but that's not enough," the archer said, reaping another arrow.

Daichi wasted no time. His spear flashed with a sinister glow as he raised it above his head, ready to deliver the final blow.

(But then, the air changed.)

Aiko felt a heat run through her body. It wasn't just adrenaline. It was something else. Something old. Something dangerous. A strength that resonated in his chest, as if it were responding to his despair, to his fury.

Aiko's eyes flashed with a scarlet glow.

Before the spear descended, Aiko moved her body with a speed that even she herself did not expect. He turned at an impossible angle and, with brutal force, caught the spear with his right hand. The skin on her palm was torn, blood rushed down her arm, but she didn't let go of the gun.

"It can't be!" Daichi exclaimed, trying to break free, but Aiko gritted her teeth and pulled the spear with a ferocious jerk.

Daichi's body leaned towards her, and before she could react, Aiko spun on her axis and dug her knee into her stomach. A muffled growl escaped Daichi's lips as his body was thrown backwards. He couldn't help but fall backwards, rolling on the ground.

Haru let out a curse and fired another arrow, but Aiko deflected it with a slap. His movements were faster, more precise. It was as if something inside her had awakened.

Kenta, rage clouding his judgment, lunged at her with a battle cry, his scythes tracing lethal arcs in the air. But Aiko was no longer the same one who minutes ago had been on the verge of defeat.

He ducked at the last second, avoiding both leaves. Then, with a quick turn, he landed a punch straight to Kenta's throat. The impact made him back away, coughing and putting his hands to his neck.

"What the hell is going on!" Haru shouted, his eyes widening in surprise.

Aiko felt the burning in her body intensify. His wounds were still there, but the pain was gone. His blood boiled with an energy he had never felt before. No, it wasn't normal! This was something else!

"I was underestimated," he whispered, his voice deeper, sharper.

Daichi, Kenta, and Haru exchanged glances. For the first time, a shadow of doubt settled in his eyes. Something had changed in Aiko, and they weren't sure that they would be able to beat her this time.

The hunt had changed from hunters to prey.

Aiko stepped forward, the wind stirring her bloody hair. His gaze burned with a fierce glow as his enemies recoiled, feeling for the first time the taste of fear.

"My turn," he whispered.

And with that, he went on the charge.

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