16 Filtering Blood (2/2)
”Since you're so sweaty, should I wash your back for you?, she said in a mischievous tone.
”Regardless of the circ.u.mstances, you never even get dusty. Do you have an additional wind Apt.i.tude?”
c.r.a.p, Itsuki thought. He had been far too focused with Tailoring to the point which he would even forget to cook which was extremely uncharacteristic of him. He didn't even know why he became so enamored with creating clothes but looking at her wearing the kimono alleviated his concern for himself.
There were undeniable downsides to knowing someone for too long and having one's secretive behavior noticed was definitely one of them. He had gotten so used to her presence that he forgot to cover up his tracks.
”It..it's just-”, he immediately stopped stammering and held Kirei tightly against his chest. To her shock, he then heavily exhaled his breath which was refres.h.i.+ng with a hint of metal onto her.
Not expecting him to immediately reciprocate her intimacy, she heavily blushed. Her blush was immediately veiled by the Concealment Mask which he put on her.
He then turned around and shouted, ”If you come any closer, I will guarantee your demise”.
Itsuki cast his Spirit s.h.i.+eld on the dazed Kirei before instantly moving towards a location which was a few minutes away from his residence.
”Who are you?”, Itsuki said while pointing his blade in a menacing manner.
”I'm Haruto, your Darkblood Senior”, the person being threatened said without trepidation or any sense of danger.
”I've come to seek your help in blood tempering”
”Why should I help you?”, Itsuki said allowing his visage to convey his doubt.
Haruto smirked before gesturing to some people. A group of 200 people revealed themselves with weapons ready,
”You're surrounded. Do you really have a choice?”
Itsuki's expression visibly darkened before he said, ”Very well then”
After a few hours of being escorted, he led Itsuki to a hidden grotto which was small on the outside but gigantic on the inside.
The cavern walls were steeped in the color of blood and the stench caused everybody but the two Darkbloods to retch.
”Welcome to my Blood Reservoir”, Haruto said exuding his pride at owning such a possession.
”Filter all the blood here and I will let you live”, Haruto said as if he was certain that he Itsuki cornered.
Itsuki then sat down and under Haruto's watch, began to filter the blood. As gallons of blood were drawn in, Haruto could see large blobs of a dark substance form and begin to separate which convinced him of the effectiveness of Itsuki's filtering process. The filtering of all the blood went on for a total of 3 days before it was finally all filtered.
Haruto had already noticed that the key to filtering the blood wasn't Itsuki's ability but an exotic item which Itsuki had hidden well.
Excited to temper with his new treasure trove, he gestured for the next phase of his plan to begin.
Immediately two blades rushed towards Itsuki. One of fire and the other of water were ready to claim his head.
Ignoring the battle, Haruto began to draw in all the blood. Greed clouded his judgement as he gluttonously consumed all of the tempering material in the Reservoir. Suddenly, he began to spurt clotted blood and darkened essence.
He looked up to see Izumi and Yanagi who had both been brutalized to death.
”I thought you filtered the blood”, he growled in frustration.
”I did. Did you know dried blood is darker than normal blood? Probably not since you take in blood like an infant takes in milk”, Itsuki sneered.
Haruto's frown could only deepen as he began to regret how reckless he had been.
”You got me. I won't go down without a fight though”, Haruto exclaimed as his crimson eyes began to s.h.i.+ne and his skin began to become corrupted from the acc.u.mulated kegare.
Without a semblance of intelligence left, he let out a guttural roar and charged at Itsuki.
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