[104] Incident on the train

The Tower of Pleasure stood tall in the Taishō-ku district of Kyoto, a red-light area cloaked in mystery. From the outside, the building appeared to be a low-end brothel trying to attract attention with flashing neon lights. However, the reality was far different; the complex extended much further underground, concealed within the shadows of the night. This was where hidden powers gathered, and Kaoru was certain he would find clues about the Nine Child Naga Association here.

Kaoru opted for the bullet train to Kyoto, deeming it the quickest way to reach his destination. As the train began moving, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Passengers sat quietly in their seats, absorbed in their devices or casual conversations.

Yet, it didn't take long for something strange to happen.

A faint pink mist began appearing at the far end of the car, spreading rapidly throughout the train. Kaoru recognized the sweet, intoxicating scent—it wasn't an ordinary mist. The previously composed faces of the passengers started to change, their eyes glazed over as though they were sinking into another world. Soft laughter and sighs began to fill the car, luring everyone into a surreal state of bliss, except for a few who remained alert.

Kaoru sat in his seat, watching the scene unfold with a calm expression. His eyes narrowed as he observed the thickening mist with keen interest. "Tch," he muttered in annoyance, a sly smile curving at the corner of his lips. "Good thing you came to me. At least I don't have to go out of my way to find your hideout."

Out of the haze, a woman emerged with a serene stride, seemingly unaffected by the pink mist. Kaoru recognized her instantly. Yuyami, one of the key members of the Nine Child Naga Association, was notorious for her dangerous illusion-crafting abilities. She had long, sleek black hair, eyes that burned with a vivid red glow, and a figure that radiated an enticing allure. Her dark dress hugged her curves, accentuating her lithe form, with her ample chest barely contained beneath the fabric.

Kaoru rose slowly, leaning against a rail casually. "Yuyami, if I'm not mistaken?" he asked, his voice dripping with derision as it echoed through the strange atmosphere.

Yuyami smiled, a deadly charm in the upward tilt of her lips. "Correct, Kaoru Rasputin," she replied smoothly, though her voice carried a hidden threat. "I'm impressed you recognized me so quickly. Not everyone can stay conscious under the effects of 'Incubus Dream' mist."

Kaoru chuckled shortly, his tone still relaxed. "If a cheap trick like this could take me down, I'd have been dead long ago. You know I didn't come here to play games, don't you?"

Yuyami stepped closer with a slow, deliberate stride, her gaze never leaving Kaoru. "Oh, I know exactly why you're here, Kaoru," she whispered with a soft, almost seductive tone. "But you're wrong if you think I'm going to make this easy for you. You're here for the Star-Eye Relic, aren't you? Unfortunately, I can't just let you take it."

Kaoru raised an eyebrow, unsurprised by her words. "In that case, let's settle this right here," he replied, his voice turning icy. "I'm done dealing with all of you, and if you think you can stop me, you're in for a disappointment."

Yuyami chuckled softly, her crimson eyes flaring brighter. "You're overconfident, Kaoru. You haven't even seen what I can do."

The pink mist thickened, swirling and boiling like a storm of wild energy. The passengers who had been in a trance began to fade completely, sinking into the swirling haze. Kaoru felt an intense pressure bearing down on him from all sides. The space around him distorted, warping rapidly, and before he could react further, his surroundings changed drastically.

The once-crowded train car vanished, replaced by a shadowy, desolate forest. Tall, ashen trees loomed overhead, like ominous specters. The pink mist still lingered around him, and in front of him emerged a far more menacing sight—a colossal white serpent with gleaming red eyes, its scales shimmering sharply under the dim light.

Kaoru frowned, realizing he had been dragged into a stronger illusion. Without hesitation, he raised his hand, summoning his sword from his sub-space—a weapon that had been part of him for years. With one swift motion, he slashed at the giant serpent with all his might.

But his sword passed through the creature's body as if slicing through mist. The split parts immediately reformed, merging seamlessly as though they were made of flowing water. Kaoru took a step back, realizing his attacks were ineffective within this illusion.

The white serpent hissed, coiling around him like a predator toying with its prey. Its sinister voice echoed in the air, reverberating with a haunting tone.

"This isn't the real world, Kaoru," Yuyami's voice murmured somewhere within the mist, sounding both seductive and threatening. "You're in my domain now."

Kaoru narrowed his eyes, refusing to let himself falter. He quickly adjusted his stance, preparing a more effective attack. Lowering himself into position, he channeled his spiritual energy into his sword, ready to unleash a technique mastered by only a select few—the Aslan Sword Style.

"Then I'll tear this illusion apart from the inside!" he shouted, his eyes blazing with a vivid blue light.

He moved his sword in intricate, swift patterns. Each slash drew streams of energy from his body into the weapon. The Aslan Style was a sword technique that fused rapid, powerful strikes with deep spiritual energy—slashes potent enough to cut through anything, even the strongest illusions.

Kaoru spun swiftly, his sword dancing through the air like lightning. "Heaven's Cleave!" he cried, swinging the blade with all his strength. A powerful burst of energy erupted from his sword, aimed directly at the white serpent encircling him.

The serpent lunged at him, attempting to swallow him in one strike. But the slash from Kaoru's Aslan Sword Style tore the creature's body into multiple fragments, each segment quivering and dissolving into the air. The blue light from Kaoru's strike sliced through the pink mist, illuminating the darkness enveloping the area. The illusion began to shake, as though cracking under the force unleashed by his attack.

"It's not over yet," Kaoru said coldly, his face set with determination. He gave the illusion no chance to reform its shattered pieces. Charging forward, he swung his sword again with deeper focus, unleashing a series of attacks that destroyed the remaining fragments of the illusion.

The white serpent exploded in a burst of light, shards of pink mist shattering like broken glass. The once-shadowy world crumbled away, replaced by an all-encompassing darkness that swept everything into oblivion. Kaoru felt his body lift, pulled into a void that erased all sound and light.

In an instant, he was back in reality—standing inside the bullet train, with everything seemingly back to normal. The passengers who had been sound asleep were now slowly regaining consciousness, rubbing their faces as if waking from a long dream. The pink mist had vanished completely.

Yet Yuyami still stood before him, her smile gone. Her crimson eyes looked shocked, with a hint of fear beneath her attempt to remain calm. Her most powerful illusion had just been destroyed with ease by Kaoru, something that had never happened before.

"You…" Yuyami murmured in disbelief, "How did you break through my illusion?"

Kaoru smirked, pointing his sword at her with unwavering confidence. "You're not the only one who knows how to play in the dream world, Yuyami. Now, return the Star-Eye Relic, or I'll make you."

Yuyami's gaze turned cold, and she raised her hand, prepared to attack again. This battle was far from over.