บท 61: Let’s Spin-Off!

'Huh, this is…?' Hao was observing the new skill description that had popped up in his unique vision.

Without spending any Tunes, he unlocked a skill called Spin-Off. This ability transformed Vibe Edge into a spinning whirlwind, a blur of blue arcane energy radiating from its outer edges like a deadly guillotine. Hao's hand couldn't touch the sword while it was in motion, but a coat of blue aura surrounded his arm, signifying the existing link that allowed him to control the sword from a distance. With a range of only three meters, Spin-Off's momentum would last for only six seconds before snapping back into his grasp.

Inner Voice: <Spin-Off is ready to be utilised -> Waiting for user's action>

Whoosh!

Soon after acclimation, the world started returning to its normal pace, the bandits grew more aggressive with their assault. Hao, now armed with his new skill, unleashed Spin-Off to defend against the barrage of bullets.

"Go!" He tossed the sword behind him, still clinging to the Bastian's tail with one hand. The sword transformed into a whirlwind of blue arcane energy, its lethal edges were cutting through the air as it moved away from him.

"Huh! What the hell?" The bandits were in disbelief as they looked at the spinning blade intercepting their bullets with impossible accuracy.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Spin-Off seemed to have a life of its own, darting and weaving between the storm of projectiles. While this was happening, Hao could feel the vibrations of the sword through the link, guiding it with his thoughts and the assistance of Vibe Seeker. The bandits' previous laughter and taunts were now replaced with astonished gasps and frantic yells as they tried to avoid the deadly whirlwind that threatened them.

"Tsk, fall back!" Shortly after the bandits retreated, they realized that the cutting-edge sword couldn't come any further. Knowing this, they smirked and circled to the side where they recommenced their deadly fire.

Bam! Bam! Bam!

Hao used the momentum of the Bastian's tail to evade even more bullets as he danced with death. He felt the tension in his arm as Spin-Off reached the end of its range, and with a sudden snap, the sword returned to his grasp. Seeing this, the bandits recoiled, wondering if he was going to pull off that technique again.

"Tsk, those useless idiots. Give them one simple task and they can't do it." Kiera gritted her teeth in anguish upon realizing that her plan to have the bandits shoot Hao off her tail had failed spectacularly.

"What are you waiting for? Finish him!" she screamed at her flustered cohorts.

"But big sis…" The bandits hesitated, their confidence was shaken by Hao's incredible display of skill and control of his Blade Edge. They had underestimated the young warrior, and now they were unsure if they could defeat him.

Despite his success in fending off their attacks, Hao knew that he couldn't keep this up indefinitely. He needed to find a way to turn the tide of the battle and seize the upper hand, and the only way for him to do that was for him to find solid ground. With Vibe Edge back in his grasp, he prepared himself for the next stage of this high-stakes confrontation, his keen sight locked on Kiera as well as the bandits simultaneously with unwavering resolve.

With that being said, Hao sheathed Vibe Edge at his waist and used this brief opportunity when the bandits had temporarily ceased fire to quickly climb up the Bastian using both hands. His muscles strained as he hauled himself up, hand over hand, his legs searching for purchase on the beast's scaly hide. He moved with a fluid grace and agility, despite the constant jerking and twisting motions of the Bastian in flight.

"Huh!" Kiera, sensing the change in Hao's movements, glanced back just in time to see him ascending the beast's body. Her eyes widened in alarm before she barked a challenge at him, "You're relentless, aren't you? Fine, let's finish this!" Her balance was shaky atop the undulating Bastian, but she stood, brandishing her Serpent's Lash.

Finally reaching her position on the beast's back, with a curt and courteous bow, Hao zoomed in on her then asked, "So you're ready to have this final dance, my lady?" He kindly offered his hand for it to be grasped, but Kiera had other plans.

Slash!

Kiera swung the sword at him, almost severing his extended arm, but Hao deftly dodged the attack by slipping alongside the beast in an arc until he was now standing at its anterior.

"You're skilled I'll give you that, but, so am I!" In response, Kiera lashed her whip at his feet, forcing him to jump. When this happened, she dashed ahead and kicked him off her Bastian with a snarl. Hao, however, was not deterred. Using Night Tamer, he quickly teleported back onto the beast, this time latching onto its neck.

"Time to bring this beast down." With a swift, decisive motion, Hao plunged Vibe Edge into the beast's underbelly, causing it to shriek in pain. He then used his sword to steer the wounded creature towards the Skyship, its previously proud form was now an utter wreck. They were nearing a crash, the vessel's descent was accelerating as they drew closer to the city below.

Thud!

The Bastian's impact on the Skyship was immense, its massive body slammed into the vessel where the gun turret had been destroyed. Blood spurted from the dying creature, painting the air and the metallic surface of the Skyship with a gruesome, crimson hue. The force of the collision threatened to send Hao hurtling off the edge, but he managed to stab Vibe Edge into the Skyship's roof, using it as an anchor to prevent himself from falling.

Kiera who was slipping off the edge, however, reached out and grabbed onto the X-Class sword present at Hao's back. She was now dangling precariously from Judgment Day, but she used the sword to pull herself back up onto the tilted Skyship. She struggled to find her footing as she fought to maintain her balance on the shaky surface.

"Big sis, we've got Maelstrom!" One of her men called out triumphantly.

"Hmm…" Hao widened the range of his Vibe Sense to see the Bastian Bandits hovering away with the sedated beasts in the large cage and the Sword Fishes still attached, their movements were uncertain amidst the chaos. The bandits had secured thick chains to their flying Bastians, using their combined strength to lift the heavy cage.

"Good job you guys!" Kiera's face broke into a triumphant grin as she realized they had achieved their objective. "We need to get going before the OSD shows up!" she shouted, scrambling up the sloping surface of the Skyship. Reaching the edge, she leapt into the open air without any fear because she trusted her men to catch her.

"I've got you!" One of the bandits swooped in on his Bastian, snatching her out of the air with practised ease. He then went on and professed his excitement, "Woo-hoo that was glorious!"

Hao watched in annoyance as Kiera and her gang began to retreat with the captured beasts in tow. He gritted his teeth while his blood boiled over and flooded him with anger. "I won't let you escape with my prize!" He yelled, flipping to his feet and sprinting towards the opposite end. RUMBLE! The ship continued to lose altitude, turbulence buffeting him as he ran, yet he persisted, refusing to give up on the beasts he had won in the Hallows.

Kiera gestured to her men, signalling them to retreat. "Take us home."

"Say no more, big sis. We're getting the hell out of here. The others who are still having their fun aboard the ship will be joining us soon." Her underlings quickly obeyed, pulling back on their flying Bastians' reins and steering them away from the falling Skyship.

In the midst of retreating, Kiera climbed onto the back of one of the larger flying Bastians, she was satisfied but angry simultaneously. She had achieved her goal – or so she thought. Hao reached the edge of the Skyship and with a final burst of effort, used Vibe Edge to propel himself through the air.

He teleported onto the cage, his form reappearing on top of it through a vanishing dark noise. "I'm taking this back!"

<Spin-Off>

In one swift motion, he used Vibe Edge's new skill to sever the chains connecting the cage to the bandits' flying Bastians. The cage along with the contained beasts and Hao began to plummet towards Katana Creek below rather swiftly.

Clank!

The sound of the chains snapping loosely was brought to Kiera's attention. "What the…? Why did we become lighter all of a sudden?" Very soon she found out the answer. Her expression was replete with shock as she watched the cage, Sword Fishes, and Hao disappear below.

"Kyah!" Not knowing what to say, she released a deafening scream that screeched the ears of her underlings. Her victory had been snatched away in an instant, and her men could only stare in disbelief as the fruits of their labour vanished before their eyes.

"You're lower than a worm's belly!" She hollered hotly at Hao, clearly enraged.