Chapter 23

A sense of impending danger tingled at the edges of my senses, prompting me to act quickly. I had faced enough powerful foes to recognize the signs of an incoming attack.

The force that ripped through the Hero Association headquarters was immense, tearing through the building's upper levels like paper.

The pressure that surrounded my barrier was almost suffocating, like being caught in a vice grip. It was as if an enormous claw was attempting to crush me. The might of a Dragon-Level Disaster was child's play in comparison to Tatsumaki's power.

My barrier strained under the pressure, but I held firm, pouring every ounce of my willpower into its defense. As I maintained my focus, I couldn't help but taunt Tatsumaki with a cheeky remark, even in the face of her overwhelming power.

Despite her anger and the intensity of her assault, I couldn't resist pushing her buttons further. "You look hotter when you're angry. I mean way hotter."

Tatsumaki's frustration was palpable, and she increased the output of her psychic energy in an attempt to break through my defenses. Her attack was relentless, a display of her immense power and determination. But I wasn't going to give in easily. My telekinesis acted as a buffer, absorbing the brunt of her assault.

Tatsumaki's voice reached me, even though her psychic force was being kept away from Fubuki. Her words were a plea to her sister, a desperate attempt to halt her actions. She was onto my tactic of stalling for Fubuki's sake.

Meanwhile, the cracks in my barrier grew more pronounced as Tatsumaki concentrated her efforts on a specific area. I knew I was running out of time, but I needed to keep her occupied a little longer.

With Tatsumaki's attention fixed on me, I took a risky gamble. I asked her a question that caught her off guard, breaking her focused demeanor. "Hey, Tatsumaki. Do you love Fubuki?"

Her reaction was immediate. A small smile tugged at the corners of her lips, and her frown eased. The answer was evident in her expression. "Do you need to ask?"

My tactic was working. She was opening up, allowing me to delve into her emotions, something she rarely did. It seemed my charm was having an unexpected effect on her.

I continued my line of questioning, pushing further. "What about others? Is there anyone else you like? Um, like a boyfriend or girlfriend?"

Her irritation was evident in her response. "Why are you asking irritating questions? Just stop resisting and drop dead, pervert."

I chuckled softly, even as she focused on exerting more force on my barrier. Her anger was a clear indication of her embarrassment. Her attempts to break through my defenses intensified, and I knew my time was running out.

I shifted my gaze to Fubuki, who was channeling her psychic energy into the Dagger of Time. The turquoise energy surrounding her was a testament to her determination. The sand in the glass container on the dagger's handle indicated that she had successfully harnessed mana.

As the dagger floated from her hand, trembling with its impending power, I couldn't help but smile. "She learned to manipulate mana."

Tatsumaki's gaze shifted to Fubuki, her usually stern expression softening for a moment. Her sister's determination was evident, and it struck Tatsumaki that this wasn't the same Fubuki she had once protected from bullies or the Fubuki who had formed a faction with weaker individuals.

The urgency in Tatsumaki's heart only grew stronger. She needed to stop this madness before Fubuki used the dagger and paid a terrible price. Without hesitation, she yelled out, hoping to break through to her sister. "Stop!"

She abandoned her assault on Kai's barrier and sprinted toward Fubuki. She hammered her fist against the barrier, pouring her psychic energy into it in an attempt to blast it apart. She had learned during the battle that Kai's barriers had limitations in terms of durability. Tatsumaki's attacks were swift and explosive, targeting weak points with precision.

"What are you doing?!" Tatsumaki screamed and tried to rip the barrier. Fubuki was trying something dangerous, and had to be stopped. Thus, she raised her output further, shaking the entire city like the tremors of an earthquake. The barrier still wouldn't budge. "Argh, this piece of junk shit!"

Meanwhile, Fubuki reached out and caught the Dagger of Time as it floated in the air. Her gaze locked with Tatsumaki's, and for a moment, a heavy silence hung between the psychic sisters. It was a connection that transcended words, an unspoken understanding of the gravity of the situation.

Fubuki's mind raced as she looked at her sister. Emotions tugged at her heart, a mixture of sorrow and regret. She wanted to tell Tatsumaki so many things, things that she might never get the chance to say. She wanted to apologize for the conflicts between them, for the pain they had both endured. She wanted to break through Tatsumaki's self-imposed walls, to free her from the isolation that Blast had left her with.

But most of all, she wanted to stand by Tatsumaki's side as an equal, as an S-Class hero who could share in the responsibilities and burdens. She had dreams of making her mark in the Hero Association, of proving her worth and forging a new path for herself.

The weight of all these unfulfilled desires bore down on Fubuki, and a single tear slipped down her cheek. In that tear held the weight of countless emotions that she struggled to put into words.

"I'm sorry, Tatsumaki."

Fubuki's voice was barely above a whisper, but it carried a world of regret and longing. As the two sisters stood there, separated by the barrier that Asahi had erected, they shared a moment of vulnerability, a moment that had been a long time coming.

She gripped the dagger tightly and activated the heaven-defying ability of the Dagger of Time. The sand overflowed and swirled around her like a storm.

The wind buzzed in her ears as the world slowly did a rewind. She observed the whole place, including herself, as if she were a distant observer.

Tatsumaki returned to her previous location. The last scene was her past version starting an argument with kai while the city burned.

Then it all ended.

She opened her eyes to the clear, spectacular view of City-A. She was back on the Hero Association with the devil standing by her side. Her legs buckled as she stepped back from the edge and fell on her back.

Kai's eyes widened in shock as he saw the transformation that had taken place in Fubuki. He was taken aback by her sudden aging, her skin sagging and wrinkles forming as if time itself had accelerated within her.

"You? What happened to you? Why did you turn old all of a sudden?"

Fubuki's voice quivered as she struggled to respond, her voice trembling with the weight of her realization.

She slowly raised her hands, staring at them as if they belonged to a stranger. Her once youthful and vibrant hands were now frail and aged, lacking any vitality.

It was as if her very essence had been drained away, leaving behind only the remnants of a life well-lived.

The truth hit her like a tidal wave. She had paid the price for wielding the power of the Dagger of Time, and that price was her own lifespan.

The realization was a heavy burden to bear, and she curled into a fetal position as tears streamed down her cheeks.

Her heart was heavy with the weight of her decision. She had saved the city, yes, but at the cost of her own youth, her own future. The weight of the consequences crashed over her, and she silently cried as regrets and apologies swirled within her mind.

Kai couldn't help but feel sorry for her. She didn't exactly turn old since their current location was his dream. He brought her here to see her reaction to her old version.

It looked like he overdid it. She broke down, crying as she recalled her life that slipped past her hands. The decision was hers, and so were the regrets born from it.

A poke on her cheek didn't stop her tears, so he rubbed her head. She cried even more as if the warmth compelled her, and pushed his hand away.

"Go away. Sniff, leave me alone."

"Cry after you wake up."

"Wake up?" She revealed her face and stared at Asahi's cheeky smile. "What do you mean by wake up? Am I sleeping?"

Kai flicked her forehead, and the nightmare ended.