Why Do I Feel Like I Got the Short End of the Stick When I Was the One Who Set the Price?

Although Akasaka's mana had been restricted, and he had used up 50% of it earlier today—before coming here—to make a mana potion, that did not mean he could not use Amaterasu or the Kaleidoscope Sharingan.

Even if his original body's stamina were cut in half, he could still use that move.

Amaterasu immediately burned toward Kirito without hesitation.

With his back to Akasaka, Kirito tore off his coat just before the flames could reach him, using it to block Amaterasu's spread and obstruct Akasaka's line of sight.

To burn someone with Amaterasu, he had to focus his gaze on them.

And Kirito's move had happened to block that line of sight.

Akasaka was slightly surprised. "Pretty quick reaction." But his movements did not pause in the slightest. He immediately activated Kagutsuchi with his right eye—the shape transformation of Amaterasu—directly controlling the black flames and forming them into a giant black hand that reached for Kirito.

As Kirito ran, he gritted his teeth, instantly spun around, drew the twin swords from his back, and unleashed Starburst Stream, slashing the giant black hand into fragments.

Smiling, Akasaka continued using Kagutsuchi, gathering the shattered fragments of Amaterasu scattered around and reconnecting them.

It looked like he intended to form a cage and trap Kirito inside.

But Kirito's reflexes were incredibly fast. In less than a second, countless thoughts had already passed through his mind.

His first thought was to look down. Beneath his feet was a floating island, and he was standing at its edge. If he jumped, he could leave the island—but he would also be dead for certain...

Looking at the bottomless blanket of white clouds below, Kirito immediately sheathed his swords and raised his hands in surrender.

There was no way he could escape anyway, so he might as well