In the dim tunnel, the few remaining light tubes shattered one after another beneath the wantonly unleashed spiritual pressure. Red-black aether spread through the air like the shadow of the God of Death, invading the cramped space.
Crimson of Pain—or rather, Touko Aozaki—advanced step by step over the rubble and chunks of concrete. Her cold features were taut, and her orange-red eyes looked down upon her opponent with undisguised killing intent.
After leaving Misaki City, she had entered the Clock Tower to study according to the original plan.
Near graduation, during the Mage's Association's contest for the Three Primary Colors, she had wanted the title of "Blue." Aozaki originally meant "blue," and she had wanted a color that matched her surname. Yet through a twist of fate, she had only received the title of "Orange."
Since orange was not a pure color, close to "red" yet not quite "red," coupled with her aloof personality and unconventional conduct, people privately called her Crimson of Pain—the flawed, imperfect crimson.
For Touko Aozaki, who sought perfection in everything, it was undoubtedly a tremendous irony.
Thus, she hated the name intensely. Since her academy days, she had sworn to kill anyone who dared mention that alias in front of her. Under the pressure of her overwhelming strength, those gossiping tongues had naturally become much more obedient.
After all, anyone who had dared to step forward and tear open that wound had been beaten to death on the spot.
But she had never expected that, years later, after leaving the Clock Tower, someone would still dare violate this taboo to her face.
Had I gone too long without killing anyone?!
As Touko Aozaki advanced, she extended her right hand and used her fingers as a pen, sketching in the air. Several Rune symbols took shape.