An extremely faint yet piercing cry suddenly rang out.
Without anyone touching it, the sword sprang out of the wooden barrel as though it were alive.
Its cold edge traced a pale arc through the air, carrying a chill as it sliced straight toward Isuka's wrist!
"Don't touch it!!"
Ipponmatsu leaped up behind the counter, shredding the newspaper in his hands as his face turned deathly pale. "Get out of the way! It's cursed..."
Isuka's pupils contracted sharply. Instinct urged her to retreat, but the sword was too fast-so fast it defied-
This deadly weapon seemed to have come alive, seeking a target on its own.
In the instant before the blade touched Isuka's skin.
A hand reached out from nowhere.
Without using Armament Haki, relying solely on strength and precise timing, that slender hand firmly caught the rapidly vibrating blade.
Blood seeped between the fingers and dripped onto the damp floor.
Lin Xuan held the wildly struggling demon sword without expression. His short black hair hid his eyes, but the corners of his mouth slowly curved upward.
At the same time, an aura far deeper and more savage than the demon sword's erupted from Lin Xuan without warning.
It was pure killing intent, honed through countless battles to the death.
The demon sword's humming stopped abruptly the instant that aura erupted, and even the light on its blade dimmed somewhat.
The temperature throughout the weapon shop plunged to freezing.
Isuka remained seated where she had fallen, staring blankly at the youth standing in front of her.
Behind the counter, Ipponmatsu had slumped completely into his chair. He pointed a trembling finger at Lin Xuan, his teeth chattering.
"Th-this feeling..." That suffocating aura vanished as quickly as it had come, instantly withdrawn into his body.
The terrifying pressure in the