The battle in the "City of Broken Bonds" had escalated into a true "hunting war." As Rin's clashes with [Scarlet Mark] grew more intense, not only did the organization dispatch more pursuers, but the underground factions entrenched in the city also began to stir, joining the encirclement either for the organization's bounty or to eliminate Rin, the "former organizational remnant."
"Boom! Boom!"
Rin's fist-wind, carrying a tearing sound, continuously collided with Scarlet Mark's flame energy; the entire data center trembled precariously. However, Rin's mind grew increasingly calm. He knew that if they delayed any longer, they would be completely trapped. He had to break through!
Just then, an aura even more powerful than the previous pursuers rapidly approached from outside the data center!
"It's the 'Restorer' unit!" Rin's expression changed. This was a highly secretive unit within the organization, specialized in dealing with "out-of-control" test subjects or retrieving critical projects. Their target was clearly Rin and Ye Xue!
"Blade of Demise, surrender." Scarlet Mark sneered, noticing the urgency in Rin's eyes.
Rin held nothing back. For Ye Xue, to escape this cage, he had to give his all!
He violently unleashed the suppressed power within him; the "Blade of Demise's" killing instinct surged like a tide. His figure moved like a ghost around Scarlet Mark, each strike carrying the force of thunder.
"What?!" Scarlet Mark's expression abruptly changed. He felt the familiar yet even more powerful force within Rin!
Rin's figure left countless afterimages in space, the short blade in his hand like a meteor streaking across the night sky, precise and deadly.
「Shadow Severance Chain Kill」!
This was Rin's exclusive technique from his past life, utilizing extreme speed and erratic trajectories to unleash a continuous flurry of slashes in an instant, leaving enemies defenseless. Scarlet Mark's surrounding flame shield was instantly torn apart, and numerous small wounds appeared on his body.
Scarlet Mark let out a painful roar; he hadn't expected Rin to awaken to such an extent!
And just as Scarlet Mark was suppressed, Rin seized the opportunity, suddenly leaping into the air, his body twisting mid-air. A cold blade light, like lightning piercing the sky, sliced through space.
「Realm Split in an Instant」!
This was the "Blade of Demise's" most terrifying killing blow, capable of severing the enemy's connection to space in an instant at the cost of some life energy, creating "realm wounds" that were almost impossible to heal.
Scarlet Mark's body violently trembled. He felt an irresistible force, as if about to completely tear his body apart! He roared, unleashing all his flame energy, attempting to resist, but the blade light of 「Realm Split in an Instant」, like cutting through tofu, carved a deep, bone-deep wound directly into his chest!
"Gah!" Scarlet Mark let out a painful grunt, stumbling backward, crimson flames flickering violently around him, clearly severely wounded.
However, Rin also paid a huge price. His internal energy was almost depleted, and the wound on his chest had split open even more severely, blood staining his clothes. But he didn't stop, because he knew this was just the beginning.
He burst out of the data center, where gunfire already filled the air. Dense swarms of pursuers had completely blocked the exit.
"Rin!"
Just then, a cold yet familiar voice sounded. Rin abruptly turned his head, seeing Ye Xue standing beside him, he knew not when.
Her eyes were still indifferent, but an astonishing power surged around her. A transparent energy fluctuation seemed to surround her body, twisting and deflecting the bullets and energy beams aimed at her!
Rin instantly understood that this was a brief, peculiar "balance" achieved between Ye Xue's two personalities amidst their violent conflict! The current "Ye Xue's" desire to follow Rin, combined with the "Terminator" persona's pure combat instincts, had achieved a temporary fusion under extreme pressure!
Ye Xue moved. Her speed was incredibly fast; her figure moved like a phantom among the pursuers. Every one of her movements was precise, every strike aimed at vital points. She showed no superfluous emotional fluctuations, yet displayed an astonishing supernormal combat instinct!
Her dagger was no longer just a cold weapon; it seemed to carry some kind of energy, capable of easily tearing through enemy defenses. She avoided fatal attacks, yet in the fastest, most effective way, struck down one enemy after another.
She wasn't "killing people," but "clearing obstacles"!
With her assistance, Rin's pressure significantly decreased. He and Ye Xue stood back-to-back, like two indestructible blades, carving a bloody path through the enemy ranks.
"How is this possible?! This power…" Scarlet Mark watched Ye Xue in disbelief. He had never seen "Cold Moon" display such a perfectly flawless combat stance.
However, this fusion was not without cost.
The moment they broke through the encirclement, Ye Xue's body suddenly stiffened. The brief light in her eyes rapidly dimmed, and the powerful energy fluctuation instantly dissipated.
"Ye Xue!" Rin, quick as lightning, swiftly caught her.
Ye Xue's body, like a marionette with severed strings, collapsed from exhaustion. She had fallen into a coma again, deeper than ever before, and her life force became even fainter. Clearly, that brief "personality fusion" had exacted a tremendous toll on her.
Rin's heart ached fiercely. He knew that Ye Xue was using her life to help him!
He didn't hesitate for a second, picking up Ye Xue's frail body, his eyes gleaming with unprecedented determination. Behind him, Scarlet Mark roared in pursuit, followed by an endless stream of pursuers.
"Go!" Rin growled. He had to get Ye Xue out of here and find the "Eye of Demise"!
The night in the "City of Broken Bonds" was illuminated by gunfire and explosions. Rin, holding Ye Xue, broke through the encirclement in despair, officially embarking on the final journey to find the "Eye of Demise." He knew that the road ahead would be even more perilous, but he was no longer alone.
His and Ye Xue's destinies were now completely intertwined.