The "Full-Domain Combat Test" had been underway for a day and a night. The academy was in disarray, alarms blared incessantly, yet they couldn't conceal the scent of blood permeating the air. Rin and Ye Xue maneuvered through the abandoned areas, successfully evading most of the pursuit, but the wound on Rin's chest and the fatigue on Ye Xue's face reminded them that time was running out.
Just as Rin and Ye Xue were preparing to find their next hiding spot, an indescribable sense of oppression abruptly descended, as if the entire space had solidified. It was a killing intent purer, stronger, and carrying an ultimate destructive aura than even the "Central Adjudicator" and the A-rank hunters.
Rin abruptly stopped, pulling Ye Xue behind him. His pupils sharply constricted—this aura, he knew it too well!
A tall figure slowly emerged from the shadows deep within the abandoned training grounds, shrouded in night. He wore a flowing blood-red robe, its edges fluttering in the night wind. His face was unmasked, revealing a chiseled, stern countenance with a few old scars. His eyes were as black as an abyss, yet two points of crimson light shimmered within them, as if capable of seeing through all illusions.
He was one of the organization's core executives, codenamed [Scarlet Mark]!
Scarlet Mark's appearance caused all pursuers in the academy to momentarily halt. They stopped in their tracks, bowing respectfully to him as if facing a supreme monarch.
"'Blade of Demise,' 'Cold Moon,' long time no see," Scarlet Mark's voice was deep and oppressive, every word carrying an irresistible authority. "I didn't expect this remnant of yours to 'awaken' again."
He slowly walked towards Rin, each step carrying an aura of death.
"I have come here to initiate the 'Blade of Demise Reclamation' plan," Scarlet Mark's gaze fell upon Rin, carrying a cold scrutiny, as if looking at garbage about to be re-collected. "Either we regain control of you two, or we eliminate you completely."
Rin's face was pale, but he still stood straight, fully shielding Ye Xue behind him. Scarlet Mark's appearance meant the organization now viewed them as their greatest threat, no longer playing cat and mouse, but intending to eradicate them completely.
"The day you betrayed us, I personally burned you to ashes," Scarlet Mark's voice grew even colder, each word like a hammer striking Rin's heart. "You should have stayed dead."
No sooner had he spoken than a crimson light flashed violently in Scarlet Mark's eyes. A powerful, scorching aura instantly erupted from him, and the surrounding air seemed to ignite! This was Scarlet Mark's signature skill, a terrifying power capable of incinerating targets!
Rin's pupils sharply constricted! This scene…
He suddenly recalled the burnt photograph in his memories, the desperate eyes of his sister (Shadow) before she died, and his own "death" being consumed by raging flames!
It turned out that his "death" in his past life was not a simple execution, but an incineration personally carried out by Scarlet Mark!
However, just as Scarlet Mark was about to act, Rin suddenly spoke, his voice unusually calm, yet carrying an unspeakable pain and doubt, aiming directly at the depths of Scarlet Mark's mind:
"Then why…" Rin's gaze was fixed on Scarlet Mark, his eyes gleaming with painful yet clear light. "Do I still remember the shot you fired that killed her?"
These words, like a bolt from the blue, struck Scarlet Mark violently.
Scarlet Mark's body stiffened abruptly. In his crimson eyes, arrogance and killing intent instantly froze, replaced by a trace of imperceptible astonishment and confusion! The scorching aura emanating from him also experienced a momentary disruption.
"You… what are you talking about?!" For the first time, emotion flickered in Scarlet Mark's voice. He seemed unable to believe that Rin would bring up that past event, which was classified as the highest secret by the organization.
Rin's words referred precisely to the scene in his memory fragments where his sister (Shadow) was executed by the organization! That shot was fired by Scarlet Mark himself, aimed at Rin's sister, codenamed "Shadow"!
This secret was a top-level classified matter known only to the organization's highest echelons, a taboo that even the "Central Adjudicator" had no right to know!
Rin saw the astonishment on Scarlet Mark's face, and his heart jolted! He knew he had gambled correctly! Scarlet Mark was not merely an executor; he had a deeper connection to his sister's death and to this entire situation! His so-called "memories" were not just illusions!
Ye Xue felt Rin's trembling body and the pain in his voice. She said nothing, just tightly gripped Rin's hand. Her subconscious resonated; she knew Rin was touching upon a massive secret.
The astonishment on Scarlet Mark's face was fleeting, replaced by an even more intense killing intent. He knew that Rin's memories had recovered to an unimaginable extent. This "Blade of Demise" could not be allowed to live!
"It seems you've done more than just 'awaken'," Scarlet Mark's voice became exceptionally low, carrying an unprecedented danger. "You've also recovered memories that you shouldn't have. There's even less reason for you to remain."
He stopped wasting words. The red mist around him erupted with an intense glow. He intended to use the most thorough method to completely eliminate Rin and Ye Xue, along with all the memories that shouldn't exist!
Rin tightly shielded Ye Xue, a cold light glinting in his eyes. He knew that the true battle to the death had only just begun at this moment. He had touched upon the core secret; he had to survive, he had to expose all of this to the world!
Under the shroud of night, the abandoned academy area was about to become a bloody battlefield that would be recorded in history.