With a crack and a jolt, the Ice Blade snapped clean in two, leaving part of it lodged inside Ghoul Eater's box-shaped shell.
Although the kakuja shell resembled armor, it was still made of kagune that could change shape, easily breaking the Ice Blade once it had pierced the shell.
As though Louis had lost his means of threatening him, Ghoul Eater suddenly erupted into motion. Several cracks rang out as he broke free of multiple ice chains, thrusting all four rinkaku forward at once, seemingly intent on eliminating this meddler first.
A mass of crystals burst out around Louis. There was no technique to it; he simply wanted them to absorb some of the impact.
Even crystals formed with all his strength could not fully withstand those attacks, let alone these hastily formed ones. With a crack, a great sheet of shattered ice crystals went flying, and rivulets of blood seeped from the gaps.
Louis gritted his teeth as he looked at the rinkaku that had slashed across his waist, its rough surface leaving the wound ragged.
Several more substantial wounds marked his waist, shoulder, and arm. The cold could no longer conceal his scent. Even Ghoul Eater seemed stirred by that strange smell, and a slit opened in his kakuja mask as he lunged in to bite Louis.
Another whistle of rushing air reached his ears. Fortunately, it did not come from Ghoul Eater. Two jointed, bone-like kagune swept in from either side, passing around Louis's head before plunging into Ghoul Eater's chest with a wet thud.
Louis felt a spray of scalding blood hit his face.
The kagune shell was pierced with ease, and both kagune stabbed directly into Ghoul Eater's actual body.
At the sight of those familiar kagune, Louis immediately felt much more at ease,