Chapter 161 - #160 Zank the Beheader 2 (2/2)

'I see...Akashi Nii-sama said that I should become unpredictable if I meet anyone who can read my attacks but I didn't take into account that this man can't read my attacks but all of my movements. Unrefined and unpredictable attacks leave a lot to improve therefore you also make some premature moves making it even easier for him to read my next attack.' Kurome now realized what she was doing wrong but becoming completely unpredictable while using refined attacks was still beyond her current capabilities.

”That was only 1 weapon, 3 more to go” Akashi said while taking another spear on his back into his hand.

'Are those weapons, the weapons of those guards I killed last night? Doesn't matter, it had to be a coincidence, Spectator can't be wrong!' Zank thought while using another ability 'Clearsight' to check if Akashi doesn't have any hidden weapons under his clothes.

Akashi once again moved out and this time, their exchange was longer and Zank even got to perform one attack before Akashi's spear pierced his other foot and Akashi once again retreated to his original position. Just by doing this, he was extremely mocking Zank, adding into it his stoic expression, it angered Zank even more.

”2 more to go” Akashi said while drawing out both of the shortswords.

Akashi once again moved without giving any time to Zank to recover some stamina, thanks to dual-wielding, Akashi's attacks became even worse to predict for Zank. Although Akashi never really trained in dual-wielding, he had perfect control over both of his arms so he has no problem using both of them at the same time.

The exchange once again ended with Akashi getting some of his hair cut off while Zank got his arm pierced but this time, instead of retreating, Akashi let go of that sword and continued his attack with the last shortsword.

'If this keeps up, I will die! I need to catch him off-guard!' Zank thought with a slightly panicked expression while blocking onslaught of Akashi's piercing attacks.

When the onslaught of Akashi's attack ended, he prepared to perform stronger overhead slash than his usual attacks but when his hand was still facing the sky, Zank suddenly disappeared and was replaced by a black-haired beauty smiling at him.

”Akashi Nii-sama?!” Kurome shouted at Akashi once she noticed him stop for a moment.

Zank who was now projecting Akashi's most precious person in front of him finally attacked Akashi, releasing his bloodlust.

The moment, he released his bloodlust, Akashi's stoic expression changed to a cold and ruthless one as he swung down with the shortsword without any hesitation.

'Wha?!' Zank gritted his teeth as he crossed his hand blades in front of him to block Akashi's attack but upon the clash, his hand blades completely shattered and a large cut appeared from his shoulder to his waist.

*Splash* ”Agh” Blood spurted everywhere while Zank just ġrȯȧnėd with a disbelieving expression.

*Thud* His body became cold and he has fallen on the ground on his back.

”H-How? You were supposed to see the most precious person to you!” He asked in a low voice while occasionally coughing out blood.

”You should have never posed as her. You are unworthy to even imitate her. She is someone far stronger than likes of you.” Akashi said in cold tone while glaring down at bleeding Zank.

”That's not how it works...Spectator's illusion is absolute, once you get caught in its illusion you will still feel like cutting down your loved one even if you know it is me.” Zank complained with a dissatisfied expression.

”It indeed felt like killing her but she would have never released a bloodlust towards me, I cut down anything that wants to kill me. Plus your illusion has limitations, as I said before...she is much stronger than likes of you. You can't create a perfect illusion of someone who is much stronger than you, plus my mind isn't that weak to be completely affected by the Spectator.” Akashi explained before he proceeded to pierce his last shortsword through Zank's neck, finally killing him.

'I see...I can't hear anything...haha, so happy.' These were Zank's last thoughts before he died with closed eyes and a smile on his face.

”Finally, avenged all 4 of them.” Akashi muttered while looking at Zank's bloodied body.

'Still, his illusion made me think of her a bit more...I really miss her, don't I? Tch! He only made me think of unnecessary things, I should have killed him quickly without giving him any chance to defend.' Akashi thought with a slightly sad expression before it was replaced by irritated expression as he took Spectator off Zanku's forehead.

”Hey, I think it is finally time for you to show yourself.” Akashi suddenly said aloud with a bored expression while looking towards the dark alley some distance away.

Both the guards and Kurome looked there too with a confused expression.

”I told you that we should leave!”

They weren't able to make out what these voices were saying but it was apparent that they were arguing. The guards and Kurome's expression immediately changed to a blank one.

After a few more seconds passed by, 2 feminine figures walked out of the dark alley.

”H-Hi! What a coincidence to meet you here, Akashi!” It was Leone in her transformed form, waving at Akashi with an awkward smile.

”H-Hi...” The other person was Sayo who was looking sideways, most likely embarrassed by Leone.

”Yes, what a coincidence...Were you hoping that I would leave this on the ground?” Akashi asked while waving around with the Spectator.

”Well...Maybe?” Leone replied while scratching back of her head.