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With a single, merciless slash, Jason carved through the dome shielding Despero's army.
The barrier split apart like fragile glass, cursed energy screaming as it collapsed inward. Jason didn't slow down. He stepped through the breach without hesitation, the others pouring in behind him. There was no need for caution. No need for restraint. Despero was waiting, and Jason intended to answer him with overwhelming force.
From within the command spire, Despero watched the dome shatter. His lips twisted in fury as alarms wailed.
"All Manhunters!" he roared. "KILL THEM ALL!"
Thousands of Manhunters surged forward at once.
Jason grinned.
He became a blur of motion, slashing through metal bodies like paper, cursed energy tearing arcs through the battlefield. Manhunters fell in pieces before they could even adjust their targeting systems. In seconds, Jason was already there, standing face to face with Despero.
Despero barely managed to raise his guard. He hadn't expected Jason to be that fast.
Too late.
Jason's kick slammed into his chest, the impact launching Despero backward like a meteor. He crashed through reinforced walls and was hurled deep into the massive structure where the Manhunters were manufactured, rubble collapsing around him.
Jason turned his head slightly. "Hold them back for a bit," he said calmly to his team. "I'll deal with him quickly."
Then he leapt into the hole he had just created.
Inside the ruined facility, Despero rose from the debris, brushing dust and broken metal from his armor.
"You know," Despero said, his voice low and disdainful, "everyone in space fears you. But I don't see it. You're strong, yes. But is that all?"
Jason raised an eyebrow. "Confident, are we?"
"Of course," Despero replied, stepping forward. "Killing you won't be difficult. I've fought beings far stronger than you. And I'm still standing, aren't I?"
His third eye snapped open, glowing with terrifying intensity.
"Watch closely," Despero continued. "I'll win this battle without ever truly fighting you. A battle lost in the mind is already lost in reality."
His psychic power surged.
Despero forced his way into Jason's mind.
Immediately, something felt wrong.
Most minds had a single path, a clear structure he could dominate and overwrite. Jason's mind had two.
Despero turned left first.
A massive red eye stared back at him from the darkness. Devilish. Ancient. Its slit pupil narrowed as if daring him to take another step.
For the first time, Despero hesitated.
He turned away.
The other path was lined with shrines and countless skulls, stacked and arranged like offerings. The air itself felt heavy, oppressive. Despero pressed on until he reached the core of the mind.
And froze.
A man sat on a throne.
He looked like Jason, yet utterly different. Four arms rested lazily at his sides. Four eyes regarded Despero with bored amusement. Power radiated from him so densely it crushed thought itself.
"You chose this path because you feared the other," the figure said, standing slowly. "How foolish."
The pressure intensified.
"Kneel."
Despero's legs buckled.
"You… how can you control your mind so easi—"
Something tore through the space beside him. Pain exploded as the fins on his head were sliced halfway through. Despero dropped fully to his knees, shaking.
"Don't speak," the figure said coldly, "unless I give you permission."
Despero's eyes widened in terror.
"Now then," the figure continued, tilting his head. "We can't have people thinking it's acceptable to enter Sukuna's mind. But killing you outright…" he clicked his tongue. "Helping that brat is disgusting."
Sukuna smiled.
"We'll do this instead. I'll take your eye as payment. And your army as well."
Despero tried to protest. "Great master, I didn't—AGHHHHH!"
The world shattered.
He was violently expelled from Jason's mind, consciousness snapping back into his body. Despero staggered, screaming, blood pouring freely from his third eye, now mangled and ruined.
"What… what are you?" he gasped. "What was that? Who was he—"
Jason sighed.
"You tried to invade my mind?" he said flatly. "Foolish. That was Sukuna's work, I suppose."
He stepped forward, placing a palm against Despero's chest.
"Let's not make you suffer any longer," Jason said quietly. "Die."
"Cleave."
Despero's body split cleanly in two.
As he collapsed, his eyes locked onto Jason in disbelief. "The… Manhunters… that man… inside you… he—"
His voice faded.
Despero was dead.
....
As Jason turned to return to the battlefield, the wall above him exploded inward.
Kara crashed down like a meteor, pulverizing the floor beneath her. She rolled once, twice, then forced herself upright, breathing hard, sweat streaking her face.
Jason glanced at her, unimpressed."Wow. I didn't expect the Manhunters to do that much damage to you," he said lightly.
Kara snapped her head up, fury blazing in her eyes."It's not the fucking Manhunters!" she shouted. "It's Sinestro! And some bitches he brought with him! He betrayed us!"
She didn't wait for a response, launching herself back into the sky.
Jason's eyebrow rose.
"I see...Well...Let's take a look"
He leapt out after her.
The moment he emerged, the battlefield revealed itself in full.
An army of Yellow Lanterns, nearly two hundred strong, hovered in formation, their constructs crackling with fear-fueled light. At their center floated Sinestro himself, arms crossed, expression calm and confident.
Beside him drifted an old woman, hunched yet radiating authority and cruelty. Flanking her were three young women, each exuding monstrous power.
Sinestro smiled when he saw Jason.
"Ah… Jason Anderson," he said smoothly. "While I did appreciate our agreement, it seems someone made me a better offer. I apologize, but… you must die."
The old woman stepped forward, her eyes cold and merciless."So you are Jason Anderson. I have heard much about you. My Lord considers you a problem." Her lips curled. "I will kill you here."
Jason chuckled."I recognize you from that show on tv...About orphans and all... Granny Goodness, right? Funny name. I don't see any goodness in those eyes."
Granny laughed loudly.
Before she could respond, one of the younger women surged forward eagerly."HAHA! I like him, Granny! I'm taking this one!" she declared. "You there, human! You face me! I am Grail, daughter of Darkseid!"
Another stepped out, her grin sharp and unhinged. Green hair framed yellow skin as she pointed a finger toward Raven."Well then… I'll slice that one over there."
The last of the three, massive and towering, stomped the ground."If Mad Harriet gets to choose, Stompa chooses too," she said proudly. "Stompa will fight the woman there."She pointed directly at Diana.
Jason exhaled slowly.
Yellow Lanterns.Granny Goodness.The Female Furies.And now the Manhunters, turning their glowing eyes toward him.
They spoke as one, their voices metallic and distorted.
"For Sukuna… kill Jason.""For Sukuna… kill Jason."
Jason clenched his jaw.
'You really had to do this?' he asked silently.
"So you can learn your place" Sukuna replied lazily.
Jason snorted. 'Still salty I used Yuji's Domain? The same one that killed the so-called King of Curses?'
Sukuna didn't answer.
Jason sighed and turned his head slightly toward Raven."Prepare it," he said. "We're going to need it."
Diana tightened her grip on her weapon."This is problematic," she admitted. "This will be one hell of a fight."
Jason smiled, sharp and confident."Don't worry. Our friends are here."
As if summoned by his words, the battlefield split open.
A wave of crimson light flooded the area as a massive army surged forward, their rings burning with rage. At their head stood Atrocitus, towering and furious.
He glared straight at Jason.
"YOU!" Atrocitus roared. "WHAT IS THIS? You promised me vengeance! Why are Yellow bastards and Darkseid's dogs here?!"
Sinestro reacted instantly."Atrocitus! What are you doing here?! This is not your fight!"
Atrocitus snarled."Foolish one! All fights are Atrocitus's fights!"
Jason stepped forward, voice calm yet cutting."Atrocitus. Welcome. You wanted revenge, didn't you?"
He gestured toward the Manhunters.
"There they are. Creations of the Guardians. The ones who slaughtered your sector."His smile widened. "And as a bonus, you've got Sinestro here. Former Green Lantern. Current Yellow Lantern. Trying to control them and steal the Manhunters away from you."
Jason tilted his head."You going to allow that?"
Atrocitus's rage exploded.
"SINESTRO!" he bellowed. "YOU DARE?!"
He raised his fist.
"RED LANTERN CORPS! KILL THEM ALL!"
The Red Lanterns charged.
Sinestro didn't even have time to argue.
Chaos erupted as red and yellow light collided, rage crashing into fear, the battlefield dissolving into pure war.
Jason watched it all, satisfaction curling in his chest.
"Well then," he said softly, eyes gleaming."Let the war begin."
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If you Like this story! Check out my other story ! Shadow Monarch in Danmachi!
AND
If you wish to read more or simply support me just because ? than check out my patreon at
"https://www.patreon.com/Riadooo"
You can Get Access to 3 More Chapters OR 7 More Chapters if you want !