Chapter 192
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...
A soft sound, like a blade piercing flesh, cut several neat slits vertically.
A few rays of light pierced through the darkness through these gaps, expanding until they completely illuminated this empty and void prison.
—But these commotions seem to be nothing more than Kazuma Hagoromo's illusions.
Being in this space feels like falling into a bottomless abyss. Time passes extremely quickly, so quickly that months and years seem to fly by in the blink of an eye, while the outside world has undergone tremendous changes. Yet time also passes extremely slowly, so slowly that every second feels agonizing, and one's spirit and will are being slowly and painfully worn down.
A flame is burning, fueled by this pain, growing ever stronger.
[Current Hidden Quest: The Curse of Yuuta Otsuki, Completed.]
[Reward: Unlocks the skill .]
A notification that the commission had been completed suddenly popped up, shimmering faintly before Kazuma Hatori's eyes.
"Mr. Kazuma!"
What followed was a genuine call that brought the black-haired youth, who had been trapped for an unknown amount of time, back to this world with light, sound, and the flow of time.
It is Yi Gu You Tai.
He gripped a samurai sword almost completely, his hair sticking to his temples with sweat, his white college uniform shirt stained with dust and dark blood—he was even struggling to catch his breath, clearly having just gone through a fierce battle.
But since he finally defeated the enemy, those battles are no longer the focus.
The key is Mr. Ichishin's current condition.
Before the seal of [Prison Gate] was broken, Egoku Yuta was told that [time does not pass inside, and a second can be mistakenly perceived as a thousand years; if the seal is broken, the mental state of the trapped person will be an unpredictable and extremely unstable factor].
After hearing this, Gojo-sensei still insisted on rescuing Mr. Kazuma and breaking the seal, while stating that with him around, Mr. Kazuma could never become a "destabilizing factor".
But that happened a long time ago...
In this situation, Yuta even hopes that Mr. Kazuma is really, as those people say, a demon king who doesn't care about anyone except Gojo-sensei.
Because even standing on these ruins and looking up, all you can see are even larger ruins, an endless desolation and scars.
Mr. Yizhen, who emerged from [Prison Gate], never uttered a single word; only his dark eyes, which gazed at him, remained indifferent and unfathomable, revealing no emotion whatsoever.
It is also impossible to fathom Mr. Kazuma's thoughts.
Only when he is with Gojo-sensei does his facial expression become a little more lively; even the smile he shows is faint but genuine, and that frosty sense of aloofness completely melts away, transforming into a more composed and gentle approachable demeanor.
However, at this moment, Mr. Kazuma did not have Mr. Gojo by his side—or rather, he had probably already guessed the terrible situation he was in.
"Mr. Kazuma, you still..."
Yi Guyou took a deep breath and carefully considered starting by asking about the other party's situation.
"Get to the point. Keep it short."
Kazuma Hatori coldly interrupted Yuta Otsukoshi's greeting, his face expressionless.
"Today is November 24th. On November 1st, Xia Youjie activated 10 [Death Return] barriers, releasing tens of millions of cursed spirits, ancient sorcerers who awakened after unsealing cursed objects, and modern sorcerers who underwent [Non-Action Transformation] into them."
"Mr. Gojo barely rested, breaking through eight of the barriers by himself. He not only exorcised at least three-quarters of the cursed spirits, but also killed a large number of ancient sorcerers."
"But Xia Youjie took the opportunity to use his ability to save Fushiguro Miki as a condition to force Fushiguro Megumi to do something. He wanted Fushiguro Megumi to pull Yujin... no, to be precise, to pull the Ryoumen Sukuna inside Yujin into the subjugation ritual of Makuro."
With a burning desire in his heart, Yuta Otsuko gritted his teeth and spoke faster and faster, “I was also helping to calm the barrier at the time, and I didn’t know exactly what happened. When I came back, I was told that Ryoumen Sukuna had taken over Fushiguro Megumi’s body and made a pact to fight to the death with Gojo-sensei who had rushed over.”
"The higher-ups want Gojo-sensei to handle this himself, because he was the only one who opposed Hisahito's death sentence, so he has to clean up this mess himself."
"My colleagues, including Yuujin and the principal, who wanted to support Gojo-sensei, were all ordered by the higher-ups to be locked in cells covered with talismans. They were forbidden from resisting or escaping, or they would be treated as curse masters and executed immediately."
Kazuma Hatori, who had remained expressionless until he heard this, slightly turned his dark eyes and looked seriously at Yuta Otsuko.
"Then how did you get out?"
With one hand, Yuta Otsuko held the samurai sword, still stained with blood, and with the other hand, he pointed to his hair.
“A strange young man, about the same age as Mr. Gojo, with dyed blond hair and many earrings, secretly let me out. He was muttering something like, ‘I really don’t want to do this kind of risky, unprofitable business,’ and told me I absolutely couldn’t tell the management. Ah, he did say I could tell Mr. Kazuma.”
"In addition, he said he would try to contact Tsukumo Yuki to ask if she would be willing to come back from abroad to support Gojo-sensei, but don't have too much hope... Since the activation of [Death Annihilation Return], all the ways to come to Japan have been blocked by foreign countries, and Yuyu's technique requires marking in advance to move."
Otsuyuu didn't know who the unfamiliar young man who spoke in a manner that was half polite and half sarcastic was, but Mr. Kazuma clearly recognized him, because he didn't press the matter further.
"Today is the day of Gojo-sensei's duel with Ryomen Sukuna. Miss Meimei is helping to broadcast it live using a spell. I originally wanted to join the battle, but Gojo-sensei said I couldn't be there. Instead, she asked me to come to the barrier in Iwate Prefecture to find Natsuyuki, saying that this is the only place he hasn't been. Natsuyuki must be hiding in this barrier. If I defeat him, I can unseal [Prison Gate] and release you..."
Ekiku Yuta hurried to continue, but was interrupted again by Hatori Kazuma.
Where will the final battle take place?
“Shinjuku,” he answered immediately, “Shinjuku.”
After a moment of silence, Otsuko Yuta looked at Mr. Kazuma and asked only one question.
"Since it's being broadcast live, it means not all mages are locked up. Why aren't those people going to help?"
Yi Guyou was stunned for a moment, unsure of the correct answer—but he could only tell the truth.
"As for the others, some felt that they were not strong enough and it would be too dangerous to participate in the battle of top magicians; some felt that they could rest assured as long as they left it to Teacher Gojo; and some had already fled to the safer overseas... In short, Senior Riki was suspended from school for opening an underground boxing casino, so I asked him to go to Shinjuku to help deal with Rime, one of Ryoumen Sukuna's subordinates. The outcome of the battle is still unknown."
"..."
After listening, Mr. Ichijin remained silent for an even longer time than before, and his face showed no thoughts or emotions.
Yi Gu You Tai had a vague feeling that... Mr. Yi Zhen was in an extremely unstable state at this moment.
"Is there a way to get back to Shinjuku immediately?"
He finally heard Mr. Ichijin speak.
“Yes,” Yuta Otsuko nodded. “Although Rika, who could use the spell, disappeared just now because of my dispelling the curse, I spent a lot of money to ask Yuta, who has a long-distance teleportation spell, to come with us. He can take us back to Shinjuku.”
In fact, it could be said that without Rika, he has completely lost his fighting ability, and even if he goes back, he will not be able to help Gojo-sensei deal with Ryoumen Sukuna.
This is also why Yi Gu You Tai insisted on unsealing [Prison Gate] no matter what.
The only person left who could still help Gojo-sensei and was willing to support him was Mr. Kazuma.
"Okay," said Kazuma Hatori calmly, without asking another question.
Give me the knife.
“Ah,” Yuta Otsukotsu quickly handed over the katana he was holding, “but it’s just an ordinary sword, not some kind of cursed weapon…”
Because swords are consumables for him, Yuta Otsukoshi tends to just grab any samurai sword and use it as is, usually pouring his magical power directly into it during battles.
"Yes, that's how it should be."
Kazuma Hatori brandished the rather unsuitable katana, without uttering any further words.
He was utterly disillusioned with the entire world of sorcery.
Yu Yu's long-distance teleportation spell worked flawlessly, and they successfully returned to Shinjuku, which was also in a state of chaos.
A faint rumbling sound came from a direction a little further away—it was the noise created by Gojo Satoru as he fought against Ryoumen Sukuna, accompanied by the collapse of countless destroyed buildings.
"Oh, right, there's another piece of news. I don't know if it will be helpful to Mr. Kazuma."
Just as Mr. Kazuma was about to set off for the battlefield, Yuta Otsukoshi remembered something else.
"The Ryomen Sukuna, possessing Fushiguro Megumi, successfully attacked the High Specialized Relic Library through the connection between his fingers, consuming all the fingers stored there; Rime also most likely helped him find the rest... In other words, the Ryomen Sukuna possesses the power of at least 19 fingers."
"In addition, Professor Gojo also mentioned that he had tried to discuss the protection matters with Lord Tengen of Ryousei-no-miya in advance, but he found nothing there."
"Yes, thank you, that's very useful information."
Kazuma Hatake paused slightly, but after hearing this, he continued walking without looking back.
The samurai sword was held in his hand, and bloodstains slowly slid down the silver-gray spine to the tip of the blade, where they gathered and then suddenly dripped into the dust.
He didn't care at all how dense the cursed energy was on that battlefield, or how dangerous it would be to fight against the so-called [King of Curses] Sukuna on both sides.
He simply went to the only person he cared about.
Faster, faster!
Gripping his katana tightly, Kazuma Hatori charged towards the center of the battle, stepping over the crumbling rubble and ruins. Several crows circled in the sky, seemingly replacing the onlookers sitting in front of the screen, their eyes coldly reflecting the scene below.
There, just as Hato Kazuma reached the edge, he saw Gojo Satoru's chest slashed open with several deep wounds. Gojo was slowly tilting backward and falling, lying quietly in the dust, just like the dripping blood.
Like a high mountain, it slowly topples under tremendous force.
"Enlightenment...!!!"
With that cry, Kazuma Hatori screamed with all his might—Gojo Satoru fell backward to the ground, but the corners of his lips seemed to be curving into a comforting smile for his lover.
But in those nearly unfocused, pale eyes, there was a hint of disapproval, as if questioning why he had come.
Not far away, the two-faced Su Nuo had half his face covered in blood and looked extremely disheveled; but he was still standing, with several woven black ropes wrapped around one of his wrists, the ends of which had many burn marks.
It is a black rope that can disrupt the effects of spells.
Knowing that it could be used to counter Gojo Satoru's technique, Xia Youjie somehow managed to transfer it from Miguel to Ryomen Sukuna. At the crucial moment of the duel, Ryomen Sukuna used it in conjunction with his own technique, unexpectedly delivering a fatal blow to Gojo Satoru.
"It's rare that I'm in such a good mood right now."
Seeing the guy who had once blocked his spells now barging into the battlefield, Ryoumen Sukuna frowned, extremely displeased.
However, he did not underestimate this enemy with his unique technique and remained on high alert, waiting for Kazuma Hatake to make the first move.
Rather than striking first and then being blocked, the most effective strategy is for this guy to break through a certain space first, and then for him to take the opportunity to bypass that broken space and launch a counterattack.
Or, by delaying him for a little longer until he recovers, we can still use [Demon-Slaying Chef] to secure victory.
"If you want to come here to die, I can grant your wish right away."
However, Kazuma Hato did not immediately engage in the battle with Sukuna Ryoumen.
He remained silent, kneeling beside Gojo Satoru, one hand gripping the katana he had obtained from Otsukoshi Yuta, the other hand resting on Gojo Satoru's heart—there was a deep gash there, as if he had been cut open and pierced through, just like the hallucination he had in [Prison Gate].
Or rather, it is the deepest fear that one is unwilling to face.
"You still don't know how to expand your domain, Ichijin."
Gojo Satoru tried to persuade his lover, whose mental state was clearly off, but the moment he opened his mouth, he coughed up a lot of blood with his intermittent words, and even breathing became a torture to his lungs.
"Get out of here quickly, don't fight Sukuna... you'll die."
It doesn't matter if he dies right now, as long as he can survive.
Yuta successfully rescued Kazuma! That's great, I haven't even had a chance to thank him yet...
"I know."
"It was Kazuma Hatori who replied in a low voice."
The title of "[Strongest]" is not a supreme honor, but rather a cruel and incomprehensible curse.
Born as a weapon, and died as a weapon.
He rejects such a world and will never reconcile with it.
"But there is a way that will allow me to expand my domain immediately."
Kazuma Hatori maintained his posture, only raising the katana vertically with his hand behind his back. The cold light flowing from the blade reflected in his dark eyes, as if illuminating a deep, silent purgatory.
"Wu, do you love me?"
Kazuma Hatori asked the first question.
Gojo Satoru's azure eyes widened slightly, trembling with disbelief.
Is love a curse?
Kazuma Hatori asked the second question.
"Then curse me."
Kazuma Hatori spoke his third sentence.
The katana held in the palm of the hand has been turned upside down, the blade held horizontally across the neck, the forearm pulled back, pressed tightly against the skin.
"Curse me, Satoru."
Kazuma Hatori closed his eyes.
Yes, having been tempered by countless fires, it is sharp enough, gleaming with the unique silver-gray luster of cold, hard metal, and can easily sever life and death in the instant of exertion.
Blood gushed out in a frenzy, quickly sliding down the spine of the blade until the fragile life was completely extinguished.
If Eto could curse the deceased Rika into a top-tier cursed spirit, there's no reason why Satoru couldn't do the same.
Come and curse him, Wu.
—In that instant when my breath stopped, a lighter, floating sensation replaced the not-so-intense pain.
He seemed to suddenly sense that something else special existed around him, flowing like miasma, omnipresent and lingering everywhere.
Ah-ah, so this is what they call [cursed power]?
At the same time, an even greater rage erupted in Kazuma Hatori's heart, like an endlessly burning flame—but more savage, more unrestrained, he wanted to unleash it completely, to ignite the world completely—he wanted to burn it to ashes and then completely reshape it!
A faint, distant phoenix cry drifted over, like a ball of blazing white flame slowly falling from the sky.
The realm of life, now fully unfolding, has frozen everything—the wind has stopped, the air currents have ceased, and all sounds have vanished completely, as if frozen into an eternal, unchanging film.
This is the area of existence that automatically expands upon by the [Special Grade Cursed Spirit - Kazuma Hatori].
[The Realm of Birth - The Realm of True Dharma].
The absence of duality is called oneness, and the absence of falsehood is called truth. When they interpenetrate and merge, they are called the Dharma Realm. This is the equal Dharma Body of all Buddhas, which from the beginning is neither born nor dies, neither empty nor existent, beyond name and form, without inside or outside, the only true reality, inconceivable. This is called the "One True Dharma Realm".
[Future simulation collapse rate: 90%. Exceeded the limit.]
[Data archiving begins.]
Data transfer has begun.
Data transfer failed.
[Time reversal will begin automatically, starting at [Heisei 1st year].]
[This week's run is over.]
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