Death Guns In Another World

Chapter 2069: Testing her

The dawn was soft and gold, the air still carrying the chill of the night before. Gentle sunlight streamed through the paper windows of their room, casting patterns on the floor.

Saeko stirred first, her eyes fluttering open to find herself nestled against Alexʼs chest. His arm was draped around her shoulder, his breathing calm and steady. For a fleeting moment, she simply lay there—listening to his heartbeat, feeling its quiet rhythm beneath her ear.

It had been an eventful night—quiet, but deeply human. For once, there were no blades, no monsters, no blood. Just peace.

A rare, precious peace.

But peace never lasted long in their world.

When Alex opened his eyes, he found her staring up at him with that same unreadable expression she always had after waking—half composed, half disarmed.

”Morning,” he said quietly.

She gave a soft nod, sitting up and brushing a strand of hair from her face. ”Morning.”

After washing up, they went down to the first floor of the inn. The aroma of baked bread and roasted meat filled the air. They ate breakfast quietly—Alex slicing through his omelet with surgical precision while Saeko devoured hers like a soldier late for battle.

When they finished, Alex leaned back in his chair. ”Ready?”

Saeko wiped her mouth and smirked faintly.

”Always.”

He tossed a few coins on the counter, and together they left the city of Velria behind.

Their path led them along a winding mountain road surrounded by towering pines. The air grew thinner, cleaner, and the sounds of the city faded into nothing but birdsong and rustling leaves.

Eventually, they reached a plateau—a natural clearing surrounded by ancient stones and low grass. From this height, they could see the entire valley below, the world spread out like a living painting.

The wind howled across the open field. Saeko took a deep breath, her hand resting on the hilt of her katana.

”So,” she said, her voice calm but her eyes burning with focus. ”You said you wanted to test me.”

Alex drew his sword with a slow, unhurried motion. The blade gleamed faintly in the morning light. ”Thatʼs right. Show me what youʼve learned.”

She smirked. ”Donʼt regret saying that.”

She stepped forward, the air around her shifting.

With a single breath, her stance changed—the easy calm she carried turned into sharp, controlled killing intent. The wind responded immediately, swirling around her feet, tugging at her hair and clothes.

Then she moved.

A flash of motion, faster than a blink.

Her katana sang as it cut through the air, sending a streak of compressed wind slicing toward Alex.

He didnʼt dodge. He didnʼt block. He merely raised his sword slightly—his blade catching the strike with effortless grace. The blast of wind exploded around him, scattering dust and leaves, but he remained unmoved, his boots still planted firmly on the ground.

Saeko landed, narrowing her eyes. ”Still holding back?”

Alex tilted his head. ”I thought youʼd like the warm-up.”

She didnʼt answer. Her body blurred again, vanishing into motion.

This time she appeared behind him—her sword descending like a lightning bolt.

Clang!

The sound rang out like a bell. Alex had parried again, not even turning to face her. His movements were almost lazy, but precise—each deflection perfect, each counter an echo of calm dominance.

Saeko gritted her teeth, launching another barrage.

One, two, ten, twenty slashes in less than five seconds—the wind distorted, each strike carrying the sharpness of a gale.

But Alex simply stepped through it all, his sword tracing invisible arcs, blocking, redirecting, or sidestepping without wasting a single ounce of energy.

He wasnʼt just stronger—he was beyond her rhythm.

Each time she changed her form, he was already there. Each time she pushed harder, he adjusted effortlessly.

”Come on, Alex!” she shouted, her voice carrying through the clearing. ”You said youʼd test me—not babysit me!”

Alex sighed softly. ”I am testing you.”

Her eyes flashed.

Then she vanished again—this time, her blade shimmering with condensed wind energy.

”Gale Form—Third Pattern: Tempest Cut!”

She dashed forward in a spiraling motion, a miniature cyclone forming around her blade as she struck. The sheer pressure of the air split the ground, tearing a line through the earth as her katana came crashing down.

Alex met her blade with one hand.

The impact sent shockwaves across the plateau, grass bending flat and dust exploding outward. The earth trembled.

But Alex didnʼt even flinch. His sword caught hers mid-swing, halting her strike in place.

Saekoʼs eyes widened.

”Youʼre still forcing your center of gravity forward,” Alex said calmly. ”Youʼll never overpower me like that.”

He twisted his wrist slightly—and Saekoʼs sword was wrenched free, spinning through the air before embedding itself in the ground several meters away.

She leapt back, landing lightly, her breathing sharp but steady. For a moment, she stared at him, then broke into a grin. ”I see. You really donʼt want to let me win.”

Alex sheathed his sword partway, his eyes calm but firm. ”Itʼs not about winning. Itʼs about seeing how far youʼve come.”

Her smile vanished. ”Then Iʼll show you.”

The air thickened.

Wind began to surge wildly, tearing through the clearing. Her aura flared—raw, vibrant, alive. She spread her stance again, her hand hovering over her katana.

For a moment, all was still.

Then the ground split beneath her feet.

She drew her blade in a blinding motion, faster than before—so fast it created afterimages. Dozens of them.

”Wind Art—Seventh Form: Divine Tempest!”

A thousand slashes of wind erupted outward, converging on Alex from every angle. The mountainside howled as trees bent under the sheer pressure. The attack consumed the entire clearing, turning it into a storm of cutting air and blinding white energy.

When it finally cleared—

Alex was standing exactly where he had been. His coat fluttered, his hair slightly tousled. That was all.

Saeko stood panting, sweat beading on her forehead. ”You… you didnʼt even move.”

He lowered his sword, its edge glowing faintly with the residue of energy heʼd dispersed. ”Youʼve gotten stronger. A lot stronger,” he said, voice calm. ”But…”

He looked at her then—not with arrogance, but with quiet authority. ”You still havenʼt surpassed yourself.”

She clenched her fist, lowering her head.

”…Damn it,” she muttered.

Alex walked forward, his steps slow and deliberate. ”You donʼt need to rush,” he said.

”The fact that youʼre even able to push your aura this far means youʼve improved faster than most people ever will.”

Saeko didnʼt look up. ”But itʼs still not enough to make you take me seriously.”

He stopped in front of her, the sunlight catching on his blade before he sheathed it completely. ”I already take you seriously,” he said quietly. ”Thatʼs why Iʼm here.”

Her eyes met his then—sharp, searching, uncertain.

He extended a hand to her. ”You donʼt have to prove anything to me. Not anymore.”

For a long moment, she just stared at that hand. Then she sighed, slipping her katana back into its scabbard. ”Youʼre still annoying,” she muttered, taking his hand anyway.

He smiled faintly. ”And youʼre still terrible at hiding when youʼre frustrated.”

”Shut up,” she said—but there was no venom in her voice.