The city's skyline shimmered under Akira's blazing crimson aura, her blood constructs now fully alive, semi-sentient extensions of her will. Rank 12 had been mastered… but a pulse deep within hinted at Rank 13 potential, a level of power beyond even her wildest imagination.
From above, a sudden rift opened—a rogue blood wraith, an unpredictable enemy sent by the Architect's secret forces, lunged at her with blinding speed. Akira smirked, crimson tendrils snapping forward, catching it mid-air. "Always dramatic, aren't you?" she teased, flipping gracefully through the air and turning the wraith's momentum against it.
Takumi called from below, panic and awe in his voice: "Akira… it's—"
She grinned, cutting him off with a playful glance. "Relax… I always enjoy a little chaos." Her constructs swirled, splitting, striking, and reshaping mid-flight, effortlessly taking down the wraith while performing an elegant mid-air spin that sent debris flying like fireworks.
But the thrill of the chase wasn't just for show. As she landed, energy pulsed through her veins—a hint of Rank 13 awakening. Her aura flared, blood constructs twisting into intricate new forms, moving faster, hitting harder, adapting instantly. She flexed her fingers, letting crimson lightning surge through her body, and for a split second, the city itself seemed to respond to her power.
A whisper echoed in her mind: "Beyond… Apex…"
Her lips curled into a dangerous, teasing smile. "Rank 13… is that all you've got for me?" she murmured. The blood constructs around her coiled like serpents, ready, intelligent, and deadly. The battlefield had become a playground, and Akira… its apex predator.
🔥 Cliffhanger: Akira taps the first hints of Rank 13 potential, showcasing insane adaptability and power, while a mini-chaotic battle keeps readers entertained and hyped. The Architect's looming threat promises even higher stakes, leaving everyone craving the next chapter.