The Strongest Transcendent In History Is The Strongest
Chapter 22: Stronger Enemy?
I reached out, gently patting her head in a soothing manner—a simple yet comforting gesture meant to cheer her up. "Alright?" I asked, my voice warm and reassuring.
Katsume looked up at me, a soft smile gracing her lips. "Thank you, big bro," she replied, her eyes sparkling with gratitude.
I nodded casually, replying, "Good to know." It was nice to see her spirit lifted, even if just a little.
After a moment of silence, Katsume tilted her head curiously and asked, "Can we go outside now? It's been a while since we've hung out together." The eagerness in her voice was unmistakable; she had a knack for making even the simplest activities sound like grand adventures.
With a smile spreading across my face, I responded, "Very well then." It was hard to resist her enthusiasm.
Katsume squealed in excitement, "Yay! You're the best, big bro!" She bounced on her toes and enveloped me in a tight hug.
I couldn't help but return her embrace, smiling softly. "Don't worry about it," I said, my voice gentle and filled with brotherly affection.
After a few moments had passed, Katsume finally released me from her enthusiastic grasp.
I took a moment to regain my composure, straightening myself up. "Anyway, it's time to head out, agreed?" I asked, wanting to refocus our energy.
Katsume nodded eagerly, her excitement palpable as she bounced up and down. "Yes! I can't wait to get some fresh air!" The joy radiating from her was contagious.
With a chuckle, I opened the door and stepped outside. However, the moment the door swung open, we were greeted by an unexpected sight. Standing before us was a tall man with long, flowing white hair that cascaded down his back, and striking green eyes that seemed to glimmer with a mysterious intensity. He wore a striking blue cloak that billowed around him, complemented by a blue scarf wrapped snugly around his neck and bright red pants that stood out vibrantly against his attire. "Hello, my name is Hanshasōsa," he introduced himself casually, a confident smile tugging at his lips.
"Huh? Let me guess, you're here for Katsume, right?" I inquired, a thread of suspicion creeping into my voice. It was always best to stay cautious about strangers.
Hanshasōsa nodded, his grin widening. "Good, you're catching on. It saves me the trouble of explaining it to you," he replied, his tone almost teasing.
"I must say, you do realize that I can't just hand her over, right? What do you even want with her anyway?" I pressed, skepticism etched across my features. My protective instincts were kicking in, and I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.
The grin on Hanshasōsa's face took on a twisted edge. "Well, that's none of your business, so just hand her over," he retorted, his tone taking on a more aggressive tone.
I shook my head defiantly. "I don't think so," I replied calmly, bracing myself for whatever was about to unfold.
Hanshasōsa's amusement faded, replaced by a frown as he said, "Hmm, I see. Well, if you can't listen to reason, I'll just take her by force then." His demeanor shifted ominously, signaling the potential for conflict.
"Oppose me if you dare," I warned, unwavering in my stance, my heart racing but my expression steady.
In an instant, Hanshasōsa seemed to flicker into motion, sending a decisive elbow toward my face. "Oh, I plan on absolutely opposing you," he taunted, a glint of excitement in his eyes.
I felt the impact as I was hurled backward and shattered against the wall, my body crashing through with a surprising force. Regaining my footing, I pushed myself back up, a determined look crossing my face. "Hmm, not bad. My turn," I declared, recalibrating my focus before launching a swift one-inch punch aimed directly at his chest.
With a devilish grin, Hanshasōsa effortlessly reflected my attack back at me. "Don't tell me you thought it would be that easy," he taunted, amusement dancing in his gaze.
I was taken aback as the force of my own attack propelled me backward through the wall once more. Dazed and slightly bewildered, I exclaimed, "What the heck was that?" Realization slowly set in as I wiped the dust from my clothing, and I looked up at him with wide eyes.
Hanshasōsa chuckled, his expression triumphant. "This is my special ability—reflection manipulation," he revealed, a proud smirk on his lips.
My eyes widened in shock as I stammered, "W-what t-the!?" The implications of his power sent a shiver down my spine, and I knew this was just the beginning of a far more intense confrontation than I had anticipated.
To be continued...