[25] The Destruction of the Under Eden Brothel

The battle in the brothel erupted into chaos, filling the room with the sounds of explosions, screams, and the metallic stench of hot steel. As Kaoru had predicted, without his presence, the two reckless Taimanin—Yukikaze and Rinko—would have been easy prey. They might have thought of themselves as heroes of their generation, but in truth, their arrogance was a dangerous trap.

The brothel, hidden beneath the city, served as a hub for the black market and a hideout for supernatural creatures and advanced technology. Every corner of the room was filled with terrifying demons and bio-engineered creatures, fiercely guarding the place. The ongoing battle was a tantalising spectacle for those who thrived on chaos.

Yukikaze, wielding twin pistols, struggled to keep control of the situation. Her ninja art, known as the "Art of Lightning," allowed her to generate immense amounts of electricity, capable of piercing through almost anything and destroying even the highest-ranked demons. However, despite her great potential, Yukikaze had not yet fully mastered her technique. Without the necessary weaponry to maintain better control, her electricity ran wild, expending energy recklessly and leaving her vulnerable to enemy attacks. Each time she unleashed her lightning, it did so in an erratic fashion, providing more opportunities for the enemy to target her.

Meanwhile, Rinko, with her gleaming katana in hand, fought with the skill of her Itto-ryu school. She utilised her ninja art known as the "Art of Void," which allowed her to manipulate space in various ways—from teleporting herself, others, or objects, to creating devastating vacuum slashes. Yet, Rinko's ability to manipulate space was still not sharp enough, and her attacks often missed their marks, giving her enemies the chance to dodge or counter.

Amidst the chaos, Kaoru stood as a calm but dangerous figure. Though he did not use Taiman particles or ninja techniques, Kaoru possessed a unique and deadly power—Aura. Aura was a form of life energy that could be manipulated into pure force. With this ability, Kaoru had no need for conventional weapons. His body itself was a weapon. He could create energy blades from his own Aura, which glowed with a crimson light, and every movement he made was a display of lethal elegance.

With his mastery of Aslan Swordsmanship, Kaoru dominated the battlefield with deadly grace, each movement like a dance filled with destructive power. The energy blade he forged from his Aura emitted a fiery red glow, each swing releasing energy waves that shredded his enemies to pieces. The supernatural creatures and bio-weapons swarming the narrow corridors couldn't withstand his brutal power. Every slash of Kaoru's blade cut through flesh, metal, and magic with ease, leaving inevitable destruction and emptiness in its wake.

The enemies crowding the narrow halls restricted the movements of the two Taimanin—Yukikaze and Rinko. They fought to hold their ground, but with less room to manoeuvre, their attacks were no longer as effective as before. Yet Kaoru, with his terrifying composure, advanced fearlessly, staring down the rushing enemies like an unstoppable tide. With a half-mad smile on his face, he raised his sword, preparing for an attack that would obliterate everything.

"Aslan Sword Style," Kaoru murmured in a low, confident, and simmering voice. "First form: Sword Dance."

In an instant, Kaoru began to move. His body glided as lightly as the wind, yet every motion brought death. His sword spun in a series of movements so fast they were almost invisible to the naked eye. Every rotation of his sword was a symphony of destruction, cutting down his enemies with deadly precision. The energy waves produced by the dance of his sword obliterated everything within reach, tearing through walls, slicing steel, and evaporating the flesh of the creatures attacking him.

The enemies, who had initially charged with confidence, now turned in fear. They tried to flee, but Kaoru gave them no chance. With a single leap, he was among them, his sword dancing around him, mercilessly cutting down his foes. Blood and metal flew through the air, creating a horrifying yet strangely beautiful scene of destruction.

"There is nowhere to run," Kaoru said in a cold tone, almost like the whisper of death. "You will all feel this sword until there is nothing left."

Yukikaze and Rinko could only watch in awe and slight fear. Though they were trained Taimanin, what Kaoru was doing was beyond their comprehension. Every step Kaoru took seemed perfectly choreographed, as if he were dancing on a stage filled with death. His smile, once soothing, had now twisted into a reflection of madness.

A hulking demon with steel-like skin approached with murderous intent, swinging its bio-weapon that radiated poisonous green energy towards Kaoru. But Kaoru, as if possessing a sixth sense, swung his sword backward without looking, the motion so swift and precise that the enemy's weapon was cleaved in two before it could touch him. With one lethal slash, the demon's head separated from its body, black blood splattering against the already ruined walls.

Kaoru turned slowly, his face once again calm, though a flicker of madness remained in his eyes. "That's right," he said in a flat tone, but filled with the lingering insanity behind his calm expression. He gazed at the two Taimanin behind him, Yukikaze and Rinko, who still stood tensely, shocked by the speed and power they had just witnessed. "There's something beneath this place," he continued, his voice growing more serious, though a faint smile still played on his lips. "Perhaps your father is down there," he added, his sharp eyes locking onto Yukikaze.

Yukikaze, who had been frozen in place watching the madness Kaoru had just unleashed, snapped out of her daze. Kaoru's words struck her consciousness, reminding her of the true purpose of her being here. "Right," she said with renewed determination, though her voice trembled slightly. She nodded quickly, steeling herself. "I came to rescue my father."

Without further hesitation, Yukikaze glanced at Rinko, who was already prepared with her katana. "Let's go, Rinko-nee," she urged, her voice now filled with newfound resolve. Both knew that whatever awaited them below, they would have to face it with everything they had.