Yami stood still, gripping his scythe tightly. The lingering presence of Sato Tengoku had faded, but his words still echoed in Yami's mind.
"I'll be looking forward to our next encounter."
Yami clenched his teeth. Damn him. He had been toyed with—completely overpowered. That golden chain wasn't just a weapon; it was an extension of Sato's will, shaping itself into anything he wanted. No matter how fast or strong Yami was, he had barely kept up.
Yami exhaled sharply, frustration boiling beneath his skin.
Lina and Rei stood behind him, silent. They had watched the fight, and they knew. Sato wasn't an opponent Yami could defeat—not yet.
After a long moment, Lina finally spoke.
"…Are you okay?"
Yami didn't answer at first. His mind was still replaying the battle, analyzing every move, every opening he thought he saw—only for it to be a trap. He had never felt this powerless before.
"I'm fine," he muttered, loosening his grip on his scythe.
Rei narrowed her eyes. "You don't look fine."
Yami sighed. "…I hate to admit it, but I wasn't strong enough." His voice was low, bitter. "That bastard was just playing with me."
Rei and Lina exchanged glances. They had seen Yami in plenty of battles, but this was different. Sato was the first enemy to completely outclass him.
Lina crossed her arms. "So? You lost this time. That doesn't mean you'll lose the next time."
Yami scoffed. "That's easy for you to say."
Rei stepped forward, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Then make sure you don't lose next time." Her voice was firm, steady. "You've come this far, Yami. Are you really going to stop now?"
Yami's eyes widened slightly. He looked at Rei, then at Lina.
Then, he chuckled. "Tch. You guys are annoying."
Lina smirked. "That's what we're here for."
The tension in the air eased slightly, but Yami's resolve only grew stronger. Next time, he wouldn't just survive—he would win.