[Check Out My P4treon For +50 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!! And get chapters before publishing them here for free on my p4treon][https://p4treon.com/roaverse]
===
"I've told you, and that woman, many times already. I am Dan Heng, and I have nothing to do with your past."
Dan Heng's voice was like ice, firm and unyielding.
Upon hearing this, Blade flicked a glance toward Kenta and Kafka. Seeing that the "troublesome duo" were preoccupied with their own twisted game of cat-and-mouse, he refocused his blood-red gaze on Dan Heng.
"Dan Heng... do you truly believe that by shedding your scales and adopting a new name, your sins are washed away? You... you haven't even tasted 'death'..."
Blade closed his eyes for a heartbeat, then snapped them open. The madness within was swirling like a dark nebula. "I'll make you feel it, Dan Heng! I'll make you understand the agony of 'death'! And as for Kenta... you don't deserve to stand by his side anymore!"
Dan Heng's knuckles whitened around the grip of his spear, Cloud-Piercer. But just as the air began to hum with killing intent, a youthful, arrogant voice rang out from behind him.
"Hmm? Trying to harm innocent people right under my nose? That won't do."
Both men turned. Standing at the edge of the ferry dock was Yanqing, his flying swords already circling him like a protective school of silver fish.
"Today, you won't kill anyone, wanted criminal, because you're coming with me! I'll escort you to the Shackling Prison myself... Hmm? Why is Senior Uncle Kenta here too?"
Yanqing's heroic pose faltered. He blinked, watching Kenta awkwardly zigzagging around the harbor to avoid Kafka's persistent approach.
What... what are they doing?
Suddenly, a flash of "astonishing wisdom" struck the young boy. His face turned beet-red with fury. "You despicable Stellaron Hunters! How dare you target Senior Uncle Kenta! Perfect—I'll apprehend all of you at once!"
Blade let out a long, weary sigh, clutching his forehead as if a migraine was setting in. "Jing Yuan's little follower... didn't the General ever teach you to size up the situation before shouting?"
But Yanqing was already in motion. He looked at Dan Heng. "Hey, you! Get back! My swords don't discriminate once they start flying—huh?" He squinted at Dan Heng's face. "Your appearance... it looks a bit familiar..."
Before he could piece together the history books, a streak of black and red steel cut through the air.
"Watch out!" Dan Heng shouted, swinging Cloud-Piercer to parry Blade's heavy strike.
CLANG!
"Hahahahaha! Not enough! Not nearly enough!" Blade laughed, his movements becoming more erratic and violent. "Don't hide it! Show your true form!"
Yanqing, realizing the "civilian" was actually a formidable combatant, didn't hesitate. "Stop!" He charged into the fray, only to be swatted away by two heavy blows from Blade that sent him skidding across the stone floor.
A Few Meters Away
Kenta was effectively cornered by Kafka against a stack of cargo containers. Seeing no physical escape, he squeezed his eyes shut and began reciting the Heart-Cleansing Mantra as if his life depended on it.
"Clear heart like water, clear water is the heart... No, blue water? Where is the blue water? Stay calm, Kenta, stay calm..."
"Darling~ Why don't you dare open your eyes and look at me?" Kafka's voice was a purr right against his ear. She circled him slowly, her presence like a silken trap.
Kenta's mouth twitched. "Kenta is a Trailblazer now. We are strangers to you, Miss Kafka. We are... impossible. There is no 'us'."
Kafka leaned in, her breath warm against his skin. "You say we're impossible, yet you keep your eyes shut so tight. If you truly felt nothing... you would be able to look at me without fear."
Kenta cursed inwardly. Damn it, this woman is a professional. But the sound of a heavy impact and Dan Heng's muffled grunt broke his concentration. He snapped his eyes open, his gaze instantly bypassing the alluring woman in front of him to see Blade repelling Yanqing and lunging at a vulnerable Dan Heng.
"!!!"
Kenta didn't think. He pushed Kafka aside—literally shoving her out of his personal space. "I don't have time to mess around with you!"
With a burst of Black Flame, he vanished.
Kafka stumbled back, a small, sad smile playing on her lips as she smoothed her coat. "Sigh~ you still value your companions more than anything else..." She began walking toward the battle, her steps as light as a waltz.
The Battlefield
Dan Heng was on one knee, using Cloud-Piercer as a crutch to keep himself upright. Blade stood over him, raising his shattered blade for a finishing blow.
"Hahaha! Still pretending?!"
BOOM!
"BURN!"
With a low roar, Kenta materialized directly between them. He raised the scabbard of Shard of the Void, catching Blade's strike with a shower of sparks and black cinders.
Blade was startled by the sudden interference. He instinctively pulled back his strength, allowing Kenta to shove him back.
"Are you alright, Dan Heng?" Kenta asked urgently, his eyes fixed on the Stellaron Hunter.
"Yes... I'm fine," Dan Heng gasped.
On the other side, Blade stumbled back, the red light in his eyes intensifying into a murderous glow. "Dan Heng! I'll make you pay!" He roared, charging again.
"Hey! I'm still the one standing in front of you!" Kenta prepared to intercept, but his body suddenly locked up.
"[Listen to me], Kenta. You cannot take any action for three seconds."
The familiar weight of the Spirit Speech slammed into Kenta's nervous system. His feet felt like they were cast in lead.
"Damn it! Kafka, you are the most annoying woman in the galaxy!" Kenta screamed, his eyes darting to the side. "Yanqing! It's up to you! Stop playing dead and move!"
Yanqing scrambled to his feet, his face set in a grimace as he sprinted toward Blade—but he was too far.
In that frozen moment, Blade didn't swing. He threw his Severing Blade. The weapon whistled past Kenta's ear, shearing off a lock of his hair, and struck Dan Heng directly in the chest.
Kenta's world slowed to a crawl. "DAN HENG!!!!"
===
Note: This story is currently available up to chapter 80 on my Patreon, go check it out.
exclusive 18+ character images, and early chapters, please visit my Patreon. Thanks for your support!
https://p4treon.com/roaverse
if you want more updates == supports with power stones
Every 20 Power Stones==Bonus Chapter
every three 5-star reviews == Bonus Chapter