Shin's vision got dark at the edges, breath coming in ragged bursts that scraped his throat raw. Every nerve screamed. Every muscle trembled. He could feel his strength leaking away with each heartbeat.
Then he felt a pulse. His heartbeat accelerated, and his body regained strength to fight. Finally, his secondary system was fully awakened.
Sakuraba still held him by the hair, tilting his head like a hunter examining wounded prey.
"Heroes die first, you know." He said.
Shin's fingers twitched. With a hoarse shout, he drove his fist upward into Sakuraba's ribs. His enemy, who had arrogantly lowered his defense, felt the full force of the blow.
Sakuraba was forced to take several steps back, his vision wavering. "I didn't expect you would still have an ace up your sleeve," he murmured.
Shin dropped to one knee, clutching his stomach, yet he could feel it now, a faint but undeniable surge moving through him like fire in his blood.
Lines of light shimmered across his vision.
