Chapter 21: Broken Bones and Begging
Mikuri coughed blood.
The air was thick with his own fear.
Yusuke's aura burned red-hot, the kind of rage that made demons tremble. The ground cracked beneath his feet.
"You wanted her helpless."
Yusuke grabbed Mikuri by his blood-soaked hair, yanking his face close.
"You wanted her scared."
His fist buried itself into Mikuri's face.
CRACK.
The demon's head snapped back.
More blood. More broken teeth.
"You wanted her to beg."
Yusuke's fist slammed down again.
BOOM.
Mikuri screamed.
The floor gave in.
Mikuri's body shattered stone as he crashed through the ruins of the chamber.
Yusuke didn't stop.
He followed.
Jumped down after him.
Landed right on his chest.
RIBS. SNAPPED.
Mikuri let out a sound that wasn't even human.
But Yusuke wasn't done.
He grabbed the demon's wrist—
TWIST.
POP.
Mikuri howled.
His arm hung at an unnatural angle.
"Yeah," Yusuke growled, cracking his knuckles.
"Not so fun when you're the one on the ground, huh?"
Mikuri's breath was ragged. His body convulsed.
But Yusuke saw it—
That faint grin.
Mikuri's eyes flicked upward.
A portal.
That sneaky little shit.
Yusuke's eyes narrowed.
Mikuri was trying to escape.
Not today.
Yusuke grabbed his broken arm.
Mikuri screamed.
Then—
A SPIRIT GUN TO THE LEG.
BOOM.
Mikuri howled.
His leg was mangled, burned beyond healing.
No running.
No escaping.
Just pain.
Yusuke knelt down, grabbing Mikuri by the jaw.
"I want you to remember this."
Mikuri panted, shaking.
"You laid a hand on her."
Yusuke's aura surged.
"And now you'll never touch anything again."
BAM.
Yusuke slammed Mikuri's head into the floor.
The demon went still.
Not dead.
But he'd wish he was.
Yusuke stood, exhaling.
His aura flickered.
His hands shook.
Then—
"Yusuke."
His chest tightened.
He turned—
Keiko.
She was on her knees, trembling, bloody, barely breathing.
Yusuke was at her side in an instant, pulling her into his arms.
"Keiko…"
Her body was so light.
Too light.
Her hands were ice cold.
His heart slammed against his ribs.
She was too quiet.
"Keiko?!" His voice cracked.
No. No, no, no—
Her lips parted.
A whisper.
"…you came."
Yusuke held her tighter.
"Always."