While thinking about this, Heartless took out a jar and a few iron needles from his pocket. Unlike Bloodbath, his ability is not suitable for use with throwing weapons. His ability requires a process and once it leaves his body, it immediately disappears. It must make physical contact to be effective, unlike Bloodbath's ability which can be conveniently used with hidden weapons.

Therefore, he could only use this as a substitute. Of course, the needles were coated with poison, making them more effective against humans than regular needles.

Heartless threw the jar directly towards the spot where Ryuto was standing.

Shortly after, a loud "boom" could be heard as the jar exploded.

Immediately, a large amount of red smoke gathered on the rooftop, obscuring the view of both sides. However, it had no major impact on Heartless, as he had already memorized the opponent's position and had practiced many times for this kind of situation.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Heartless threw the iron needles towards Ryuto. Although the visibility was poor, Ryuto easily dodged them.

"Tsk..."

As expected.

But this was already anticipated. After throwing the needles at Ryuto, almost at the same time, he threw another set of needles towards Tensyoin Miyuki, who had been sitting on the ground unable to move. This is because Heartless's real target from the beginning was Tensyoin Miyuki, who Ryuto had been protecting all along.

...

At this moment, although Tensyoin Miyuki saw the needles flying towards her, she still had not recovered her strength. She couldn't dodge them, even if her body was not abnormal. Is it over already? That thought flashed through Tensyoin Miyuki's mind, and she naturally closed her eyes. But...

In the next moment, she felt something unusual on her body and opened her eyes abruptly. Huh? She discovered that she was being held by that boy.

Right at the critical moment, Ryuto had picked up Tensyoin Miyuki, who was unable to move on the ground, and avoided the incoming needles.

"Tsk..."

I never expected to be caught in the end. This guy is indeed a monster. Heartless deepened his judgment, but...

It's my victory.

Heartless shouted in his mind.

Ryuto released Tensyoin Miyuki in another place and prepared to stand up again, but...

An anomaly occurred in the next moment. Ryuto suddenly fell to his knees, losing his strength.

"Finally taking effect!"

Heartless was certain that his plan succeeded.

"Why? I don't think I got hit by any needles." Tensyoin Miyuki anxiously checked Ryuto's injuries, but she didn't find any place where he had been pierced by the needles.

"It must be the jar from earlier."

Despite the intense pain he was feeling, Ryuto still managed to give an answer.

"You're right. You discovered it so quickly. Indeed, it was the jar earlier. Although it looked like a smoke bomb, it wasn't. The colored gas was only meant to make people think it was a smoke bomb. Of course, the poison needles were just a decoy. To ensure accuracy, I deliberately used that woman as a hostage to distract you, so that you would inhale the poison gas from the jar. Looks like you only inhaled a little, but I assume you had already anticipated this smoke, right? Otherwise, it would've been difficult for you to get hit. But even if you didn't anticipate it at all, it doesn't matter. This is a highly toxic poison that can kill an elephant with just a small amount. Once poisoned, a person will first experience paralysis throughout their body and be unable to move, followed by coughing up blood, and ultimately be tormented to death. However, I will take care of you before that happens, so you don't have to worry."

"......"

Although victory was within reach, Heartless did not give Ryuto a chance to catch his breath and immediately launched an attack. After all, the night is long and dreams are plenty.

"What's wrong? Can't move anymore?"

Heartless quickly approached the target and delivered a flying kick with his right foot. This time, Ryuto couldn't easily dodge it and could only use his hands to barely block it.

But the impact was not completely neutralized, and his body naturally flew to the side. After flying for several meters, he crashed to the ground. However, it didn't end there. The strong inertia caused Ryuto's body to roll several times on the ground, and it took a while for it to come to a stop. Then, he didn't move again, just lying motionless on the ground.

In response, Heartless just showed a rather disappointed expression.

"Oh, is it over already? What a letdown."

"How could this happen..."

Tensyoin Miyuki clearly couldn't believe what she saw and muttered to herself with a somewhat blank expression.

Afterwards, Heartless turned around and announced the end of this battle to the stunned Tensyoin Miyuki.

"Alright, senior, the farce is over. Let's get to the main point now."