My Cheat Skill Lets Me Copy Powers....But only if i kill-Chapter 28: Crossroads Of Blood

Chapter 27 - Crossroads of blood

Renji stood frozen, his eyes locked on the last hooded figure as she slowly lowered her cloak. Silver hair caught the light, framing a face that had haunted his memories — elegant, cold, familiar.

His heart thudded in his chest.

"Reina...?" His voice was hoarse.

Her silver eyes met his, unreadable. "It's been a while, Renji."

He took a shaky step back, shaking his head. "No. This doesn't make sense. You... you can't be here."

"I am," Reina replied simply. "I was summoned. Chosen."

Renji stared, thoughts spiraling. The last time he'd seen her... before his summoning, before everything changed. He'd thought she was safe.

"You were supposed to be home."

Reina's voice was calm, devoid of warmth. "Home? There's no home left. Only this world... and you."

The forest air thickened, the tension palpable.

The demon girl scoffed, stepping forward. "Oh, how precious. A family reunion."

Renji turned sharply. "Stay out of this."

She laughed, eyes glowing red. "Why? You're about to die anyway. Shouldn't you say goodbye?"

Kiera's voice cut in. "He doesn't have to die — if he chooses the right side."

Renji spun to her, disbelief in his gaze. "You too? What 'right side'? You were supposed to be my ally!"

Kiera's grip tightened on her blade. "I never lied. I was ordered to watch you — to ensure you didn't fall into enemy hands. And look where we are."

Renji's fists clenched. "You think I've betrayed you?"

Kiera's voice was quiet but strained. "I don't know what to think anymore."

Silence fell.

Renji turned back to Reina. "And you? Why now?"

Reina's gaze didn't waver. "Because I was sent to find you. To determine if you're a threat... or worth saving."

The words hit like a blow.

"So that's it," Renji muttered. "No one trusts me."

His voice rose. "I've fought for my life in this world. I've done nothing but survive. And now everyone wants to kill me?"

The demon girl stepped closer, hand on her weapon. "If you won't join us, then yes."

Kiera followed suit. "You've made your choice."

Reina said nothing.

Renji exhaled, cold fury in his veins. "Then I'll make it clear — I'm not joining you. Any of you."

The air snapped with tension.

No one moved.

Then Renji reached into his item box and pulled out a piece of bread, taking a bite.

Everyone stared.

"You're eating? Now?" Kiera demanded.

Renji shrugged. "If I'm going to fight for my life — I need energy."

The demon girl lunged, knocking the food from his hand.

Renji's eyes flared silver.

"That. Was a mistake."

Back in Valkris, the streets were alive with midday energy — merchants barking out deals, armor clinking as adventurers moved between stalls, and the sweet aroma of baked pastries drifting from nearby carts.

Elara and Lena wandered through the bustling market, dodging children chasing each other and adventurers boasting loudly of their latest quests.

Lena grinned, tugging Elara toward a cozy clothing shop tucked between a potion vendor and a leatherworker.

"Let's get Renji something new," she said. "He's been wearing that same black outfit for weeks."

Elara laughed. "He likes black. Brooding types always do."

Inside, the shop was filled with rows of cloaks, neatly folded tunics, and shiny new boots. A tailor with spectacles greeted them with a polite nod, then returned to stitching a dark green cloak.

Elara ran her fingers over a rack of shirts. "What about this?" She held up a deep crimson tunic.

Lena tilted her head. "Hmm... too flashy. Renji's more 'dark, mysterious mercenary' than 'royal prince.'"

They giggled, moving deeper into the shop.

Lena pulled out a sleek black shirt with silver trim. "Now this is him."

"Agreed." Elara nodded, then grabbed a matching pair of gloves. "Simple, sharp, and brooding. Perfect."

They tried on cloaks themselves, admiring each other in a tall mirror.

"You think Renji likes a girl in a cloak?" Lena asked, twirling.

"He'd probably like one without the cloak," Elara teased.

Both laughed as the shopkeeper shook his head, muttering something about "young love."

After buying their picks — the shirt, gloves, and a black scarf — they exited the shop, bags in hand.

"Think he'll appreciate it?" Lena asked.

Elara smirked. "He'll act like he doesn't care... then wear it every day."

As they turned the corner, lost in conversation, they collided with someone.

A young girl, no older than fifteen, stumbled back, clutching a small leather satchel.

"Oh! I'm sorry!" Lena said, steadying her.

The girl bowed slightly. "No, I wasn't looking... I apologize."

Elara smiled. "All good. You okay?"

The girl nodded, then hesitated. "Actually... I'm looking for someone. A man named Renji Hurozawa. Do you know where I can find him?"

Both girls tensed, exchanging a glance.

"Why?" Elara asked, tone light but curious.

The girl hesitated again, glancing around. "I... I have a letter. From Princess Seraphina Valenhardt. She instructed me to deliver it to him personally."

Lena blinked. "You're serious?"

The girl nodded. "Yes. She said it's important."

Elara stepped closer. "We're in his party. He's not here at the moment, but we can deliver it."

The girl clutched the letter tightly. "Are you sure? It's... very important."

Lena smiled reassuringly. "We promise. He trusts us. We'll get it to him today."

After a pause, the girl handed over a sealed envelope, the royal crest embossed in gold on the front.

"Thank you," the girl whispered. "Please... make sure he reads it."

She turned and disappeared into the crowd.

Lena stared at the envelope. "Why is she sending him letters?"

Elara frowned. "No clue. But I don't like it."

They walked on, the letter between them like a silent question neither could answer.

The air was razor-thin, the forest around them silent, as if nature itself dared not interrupt.

Renji stood tall in the clearing, sword drawn at his side. Kiera, tense and conflicted, had her weapon ready, while the demon girl's crimson eyes gleamed with bloodlust. Reina, still cloaked in calm, watched it all — not moving, not speaking.

Renji's gaze darted between them. "You're really here, Reina. After all this time... and you're with them?"

She stepped forward slightly. "I'm with no one. I was summoned, like you. I'm here to observe... and decide."

His grip tightened on his blade. "Decide what?"

"Whether you're a threat."

The words hit him like ice.

Kiera's voice rose, brittle and strained. "You've been meeting with the enemy. The demon army. I was ordered to act if you strayed. I didn't want to believe it, but here we are."

Renji growled. "You think I've sided with them?"

"You've refused to choose us," Kiera shot back.

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The demon girl laughed. "You humans always need sides. He should choose us. His power belongs to the demons."

Renji turned to her, voice sharp. "I've told you — I won't join you."

Her eyes narrowed. "Then I'll take that power by force."

A heartbeat passed.

Renji looked at each of them — Kiera, Reina, the demon girl. All against him.

He sighed deeply. "I didn't come here to fight. But I will if I have to."

Silence fell.

Then Kiera moved first, slashing toward him with a cry. "Forgive me!"

Renji deflected her blow. "You don't want to do this."

"I have to!"

The demon girl struck from the other side, her blade seeking Renji's throat. He ducked, parrying hard, forcing her back.

Their blades clashed again and again, the forest echoing with steel on steel. Renji moved like a storm, his strikes fast, controlled, never lethal.

Kiera faltered, panting, blood trailing from a cut on her arm.

"Why won't you fight me seriously?" she shouted.

"Because I don't want to hurt you!"

On the edge of the chaos, Reina didn't move. Her eyes followed every swing, every dodge, calculating.

Reina's Thoughts

"Still holding back. Even with two opponents. Foolish... or noble?"

"He's powerful. Efficient. But restrained. Interesting."

She watched as Renji disarmed Kiera, sending her crashing to the ground.

Renji spun to meet the demon girl's next assault. She was relentless, her attacks savage.

"You should've joined me!" she hissed. "You could've had everything!"

Renji gritted his teeth, dodging low, then countering with a hard slash across her shoulder. She cried out, stumbling.

But she didn't stop.

She came again.

Renji growled, using Quickdraw and Dual Strike, overwhelming her, forcing her back with a gash to her leg.

Still, she glared. "You're mine—"

Just as Renji raised his blade a low hum vibrated through the air, deep and unnatural — like the growl of a beast echoing through the earth itself.

The forest seemed to freeze. Birds fell silent, wind ceased. Even the leaves on the trees stilled, suspended in a moment of unnatural calm.

Then the shadows at the far edge of the clearing twisted and tore, warping like black fire. A rift opened mid-air, a dark portal pulsing with malevolent energy. The temperature dropped sharply, breath visible in the air.

A figure stepped through, tall and cloaked in obsidian robes, intricate crimson runes glowing faintly along the hem. His face was obscured by a hood, but from beneath it, two crimson eyes burned like coals.

The air itself seemed to bend around him, pressing down like a vice on every soul in the clearing.

Even Reina's posture shifted subtly, her hand brushing the hilt of her blade, eyes narrowing.

The demon girl froze, her confidence evaporating in an instant.

"Advisor..." she whispered, stepping back.

His voice was low, calm — and utterly unyielding.

"Enough."

It wasn't a request. It was a command that rippled with magical force, making the ground tremble faintly.

Renji tightened his grip on his sword, sweat trailing down his brow. This wasn't just any demon. This was a monster in human skin.

The advisor turned his gaze on Renji, as if sizing him up, reading every thought, every weakness.

Renji stared back, refusing to flinch.

"You are not to die here," the advisor said, his voice echoing. "Not yet."

The demon girl protested, voice thin. "He's a threat — we should finish him!"

The advisor didn't raise his voice. He didn't need to.

"The Demon Lord wishes him alive... for now. Return."

Silence.

A long, tense pause.

Then, reluctantly, the demon girl gave Renji one last hate-filled glare, her bloodied form limping toward the portal.

"This isn't over," she spat.

Renji didn't reply.

She stepped into the darkness, and the portal closed behind her, the shadows vanishing in a whisper, leaving a dead silence behind.

The pressure lifted. The clearing felt hollow in the aftermath.

Kiera collapsed to her knees, clutching her wound.

Renji exhaled shakily, his body relaxing only slightly, sword lowering.

The fight was over — but only for now.

The clearing was eerily quiet, the tension having broken, but leaving behind a dense stillness. The only sound was the faint rustling of leaves, as the forest slowly reclaimed its breath.

Renji stood alone at the center, his sword lowered but grip still tight, knuckles white. His breathing was slow, heavy, sweat and blood mingling as it dripped down his arms. His silver eyes faded back to normal, but the storm inside him hadn't.

Across the clearing, Kiera groaned, collapsing to her knees, blood seeping from a cut across her side. Her face was pale, breath shallow, hands trembling.

Renji didn't move at first. His eyes locked on her, not with anger, but with wary calculation.

She raised her gaze to him, pain written in her features.

"Renji..." she rasped, eyes wide, desperate. "I didn't... I didn't want this."

Renji stayed still for a beat longer, then stepped forward slowly, cautiously, sword still unsheathed in one hand. His stance wasn't aggressive — but not relaxed either.

He knelt beside her, not offering a hand right away. Instead, his eyes scanned her — the wound, her expression — searching for any sign of deception.

Only when he was certain did he extend his hand.

Kiera reached out, grasping it weakly. He helped her stand, but his grip was firm, impersonal, like lifting a stranger.

"You didn't hesitate," he said quietly, voice cool.

Her eyes widened. "I thought I was protecting people. I thought I had to—"

"By killing me?" Renji's voice cut sharper than any blade.

She flinched, looking away.

He sighed, letting her lean on him just enough to stand — no more. His eyes never left hers, distant now, cold where warmth had once been.

"You made your choice," he said. "I won't forget that."

Kiera said nothing.

Reina stepped forward, her presence as commanding as ever, though untouched by blood or battle.

"You're cautious now," she noted, watching him closely.

Renji didn't look at her. "I have to be."

Her expression didn't change. "Good. That means you're learning."

He turned to her, eyes hard. "You watched all this. Judging me from the shadows."

"I was assessing your strength. Your resolve," she replied, coolly.

He took a breath, tension surging again. "And your verdict?"

"You're strong. But you trust too easily."

He glanced at Kiera — injured, silent — then back at Reina. "Not anymore."

She nodded faintly, something like approval flickering in her gaze. "We'll meet again, brother. Be ready."

With that, she turned, disappearing into the trees, her cloak vanishing like mist.

Renji let Kiera's weight off his shoulder. She stumbled but caught herself.

He stared at her, voice low. "You need healing. Then answers."

She nodded slowly.

Renji turned his back to her, walking into the trees.

His thoughts churned:

"Enemies I understand. Traitors? That's harder."

"I won't be caught off guard again."

The wind stirred, cool and sharp — and he welcomed it.