Dual Souls, The Other Half is Bronya

But Morohoshi recognized it!

This moment, he had waited for for so long. He gripped his spear tightly and raised it high, "Aaaah—!!! Pierce everything—Tiger King!!!"

With all his might, Morohoshi threw his spear at Bronya, his fervent will seeming to ignite.

"A thrown spear, then bring it on."

Bronya spun her spear, raising her right hand behind her, her entire body like a taut bow.

A faint blue stream of light flashed and disappeared, like a meteor in the sky, directly colliding with Morohoshi's Tiger King.

"Clang—"

As expected, both spears were sent flying. But Bronya still had energy to spare. She leaped gracefully to catch her spear, and then... a thrown spear descended.

"..."

The venue fell almost silent.

—The light blue spear pierced Morohoshi, seemingly pinning him firmly to the arena!

"Alright Morohoshi, how does that feel?"

Bronya walked forward and pulled out her spear, Truth. In the silent venue, her unique voice was exceptionally clear.

"Ah, I thought I was going to die..."

In the final blow, Bronya switched to her illusionary form, thus only draining his stamina and not causing fatal injury.

"Controlling your strength is the most basic thing, isn't it? Go comfort Koume, she looks a bit scared."

With a flash of magic power, Bronya deactivated her Divine Key and walked past Morohoshi:

"Morohoshi, it's not just about spears. No matter the weapon, whether a person has killing intent or not makes a world of difference."

◆ Just as Feng Yuxiu said:

Kung fu is a killing technique.

— From "Kung Fu Jungle"

62. Reflect Properly

"I told you it's fine, didn't I?"

In the spectator stands, Byakuya, looking pale, tried to explain. Koume's eyes were teary—she was genuinely terrified.

"Okay, okay~"

As he spoke, Byakuya reached out to Koume, attempting to comfort her, but she unceremoniously pushed his hand away. "Fine, let's go to the backstage area, Morohoshi should be waiting for you."

Byakuya didn't need to say anything more. The mention of Morohoshi sent Koume running, straight from the stands to the backstage.

Meanwhile, with Bronya's departure, the oppressive killing intent finally dissipated, and the atmosphere gradually recovered.

"The m-match is over!!!"

The commentator finally snapped back to reality and announced Bronya's victory with an impassioned tone, "To everyone's surprise, contestant Bronya has won with an absolute advantage!"

"She was hiding her strength too well! While she had some fame in the past, it was mostly secondary, a supplement to Yakushi Kiriko."

"But this time, after this battle, I believe everyone will remember her name—Bronya!!!"

(A string of further praises followed, also omitted here)

And then there was Morohoshi Yudai.

Although he was defeated in the first match, his tenacious will still earned him the respect of the people. As he was carried off the stage, he was met with thunderous applause.

Of course, the most important point.

—Carried to the backstage, Morohoshi finally saw the person he had been longing for: Morohoshi Koume!

"Brother, you did very well," Koume quickly ran to Morohoshi's side, her small hands gripping his rough ones as she spoke softly.

"Koume..."

Hearing his sister call him again, even though he lost the match, Morohoshi was still smiling happily.

And at that moment, he saw...

—Behind Koume, Byakuya was leaning against the corner. He brought his right hand, fingers together, to his forehead, then gently waved it towards Morohoshi Yudai in a salute.

He didn't disturb the two any further. Byakuya leisurely turned around and quickly disappeared around the corner.

Thank you for your help this time, Byakuya... Morohoshi kept it in his heart, determined to treat him to a good meal once he recovered.

It's just...

In a place Morohoshi couldn't see, Byakuya's expression turned somewhat grim after he turned around.

There was one match today that was special to him, and to Bronya.

—Yakushi Kiriko VS Shinomiya Amane!

"Where are you?" (Byakuya)

"We're almost at the hospital. Should I tell Kiko what's about to happen?" (Koume)

"...No, that's not necessary." (Byakuya)

The ability to manifest thoughts into reality was tricky, even for Byakuya. Even if he handled things at the hospital, who knew what other accidents might occur?

Stella was absent from the subsequent matches, just as in the original story. However, Byakuya didn't need to concern himself with such matters—she was a major favorite, and it was the organizers' problem to worry about.

Next, Kurashiki Kurato had good luck this time and was matched with Ikki as he wished, only to be defeated as expected.

The matches proceeded as scheduled, until this one... Due to a collective pathological change among the hospital patients, Yakushi Kiriko was absent.

"Bronya, what are you doing here... I see. Did you witness something again?"

At Yakushi General Hospital, Bronya had arrived early. She was handling the patients' conditions alone, managing to calm everyone down.

"You're here, Kiko."

Seeing Kiko arrive, Bronya silently moved aside, letting Kiko take charge while she assisted from the side.

—She had known for a long time that the patients wouldn't be in serious danger, that they would only experience pain for a short while before recovering. As expected, after Kiko forfeited, the pathological changes ended.

"Fortunately, there are no serious issues."

Once everything was over, Kiko washed her hands with flowing water and then turned her gaze to Bronya. "So, Bronya, did you know something?"

"Nothing much, just a brat who's been acting recklessly, relying on their abilities."

Bronya shook her head and explained Shinomiya Amane's ability in detail to Kiko. "Luck is a part of strength. In a sense, that kid is quite strong."

"It's just a shame..."

Shinomiya Amane didn't receive the right guidance. So-called luck was the manifestation of his ability, but no one had ever acknowledged it, leading him down a twisted path.

In a narrow alley, Shinomiya Amane walked with light steps, showing no concern for the people following him.

"Goddess's Excessive Grace"—this move was powerful. Amane had absolute confidence in himself... or rather, in the so-called "Goddess"! That's why he wasn't afraid.

"Is this place good enough? Aren't you coming out yet?" Amane asked with a cute, friendly smile.

"BOOM—!"

Suddenly, the old building reached its limit and collapsed in one direction.

"Causality interference? You're strong, Amane."

A calm voice rang out, and Byakuya appeared behind Amane as if teleporting. "At least, you're strong enough in my eyes. After all, so-called luck is your ability."

"..."

Amane fell silent.

He had always hoped someone would acknowledge him, not just for his ability to make things happen.

He never imagined that the first time he was recognized would be in such a situation. What Byakuya said was true, but the person himself exuded malice.

"Unfortunately, you've grown a bit crooked."

As expected, Byakuya's gaze fell on him calmly, his eyes holding only a chilling coldness.

"I know your past, Shinomiya Amane. Or rather... Amamiya Shion."

!!!

At that moment, Amane's cute face contorted into a ferocious expression. His long-buried past was being unearthed. "Impossible! How do you know that name!"

"The special abilities of Blade Dancers were never scientific to begin with."

Byakuya materialized Myriad Phenomena and walked towards Amane step by step. A large-scale building collapse followed.

"Clang, clang—"

A sharp blade light flashed, shattering all the falling debris. Byakuya's pace remained unchanged as he continued to close in on Amane. "I know that no one has ever acknowledged you."

"Goddess's Grace? Ridiculous. Since when did a Blade Dancer's ability become something so vague and intangible?"

"Shut up! You don't know anything!"

The mask of pretense was torn away, and Amane roared in anger, his features becoming increasingly ferocious.

"It's you who doesn't know."

"Goddess? There's no such thing. What you've always wielded is your own power, but you've never realized it."

"I told you to shut up!"

Faintly, the power of Misfortune became almost tangible, extending black arms from behind Amane.

"Do you see? This is your power."

Byakuya slowly wiped his blade, even letting his guard down, allowing that power to strike him.

The powerful adaptability and burst of survival from Life Chronicle forcefully endured it. Even when his heart stopped, he thought, "You've got something. That's why I said you're strong."

"At least in my eyes, your only flaw is that your spirit is too weak."

"The external environment has caused you to start doubting yourself, pushing everything onto the Goddess. Shinomiya Amane, you are pathetic."

As he spoke, Byakuya suddenly took a step forward, appearing in front of Amane in an instant and delivering a powerful straight kick.

"BOOM—!"

Amane was sent flying backward, crashing heavily against the wall behind him and slumping to the ground.

"Crackle, crackle~"

Byakuya stepped over the shattered stones, approaching step by step. "Your past is indeed pitiable, but that has nothing to do with me. When you do something wrong, you must pay the price."

"In this world, there may indeed be someone who can give you salvation, but that person is destined not to be me."

Immediately after, Byakuya reached out a hand, grabbed Amane, and slowly lifted him up before smashing him hard against the wall. "Regardless, the patients in the hospital are innocent."

"It's just that nothing happened in the end, otherwise..."

Having vented his frustration, Byakuya released Amane's collar, letting the other person fall to the ground, and then turned to leave. "Reflect well on yourself, Amamiya Shion."

63. Quarterfinals

The competition continued.

"What, a change in the tournament format?"

After a round of matches, Byakuya, Ikki, and others gathered, reviewing the day's schedule.