Chapter 70: Source Blood of the Demon
Vincent, or rather, Ryuji Akiyama, had never believed that a person could remain unchanged forever.
Just look at himself. He had once been a diligent employee at a large corporation with what could be called a golden rice bowl of a job. His daily routine had been set in stone. But one day, during the most mundane part of that routine, he had on a whim visited the underground shopping arcade next to the train station. In a poorly-maintained public restroom, he had glanced into a filth-covered mirror.
His life was completely changed.
He had been given a chance—a chance to transcend his unchanging daily life, to transcend class. Ryuji Akiyama became a Reincarnator.
But the power he had imagined did not come immediately. Instead, he was faced with an endless series of deadly missions and crises. Ryuji fell into despair once again. Using the skills of observation and disguise he had cultivated over many years in the corporate world, he crafted a new persona for himself, the kind of teammate that everyone in the Nexus needed: a [Defense-Specialized] Reincarnator.
It was the role with the highest mortality rate and the lowest rewards. No one wanted to be that kind of Reincarnator, but everyone wanted that kind of Reincarnator on their team.
"Vincent" began to get some attention.
He used this opportunity to find a very promising teammate—a woman who called herself [Elizabeth]. Vincent had noticed her arrogance. He didn't dislike arrogance. On the contrary, in a place like this, people who could afford to maintain such an attitude usually possessed considerable talent.
Talent meant opportunities. Opportunities meant resources.
His past experiences made Vincent subconsciously strive to stay by the woman's side. To do so, he was willing to cover her retreat in various missions, even throwing himself in front of attacks for her. He earned her trust, and they began to build a rapport as a fixed team. Ryuji felt that the opportunity to change his fate as a Reincarnator would soon arrive.
In fact, that opportunity came much faster than he had imagined. He had originally planned to wait a few more missions, to completely win Elizabeth's trust, and then to orchestrate a perfect kill in the real world to seize all of her assets. But in this mission, an even better opportunity had presented itself.
After that terrifying special Reincarnator, "Mercenary Tao," had made the insane decision to burn down the mountain, Ryuji, who had planned to stay on the Demon Slayer side to provide support and avoid the main battlefield, had used the optical equipment the team had given him to observe from a distance. He had seen "Mercenary Tao" snatch a [Blue Spider Lily] just before the fire had spread.
In that moment, it was as if a bolt of lightning had struck his mind. He instantly understood his opponent's intentions. Perhaps it was because Ryuji had always been good at guessing the intentions of his superiors, but in that instant, he was certain: "Mercenary Tao" was planning to keep the [Blue Spider Lily] to make a deal with Muzan Kibutsuji.
"Mercenary Tao" was planning to play both sides!
He wanted to collect the rewards from the Demon Slayer side, and at the same time, exploit Muzan Kibutsuji's lack of principles to seize rewards from him as well!
Ryuji's heart pounded. On pure instinct, he had rushed into the mountains and, just before the sea of flames arrived, had managed to find and hide another [Blue Spider Lily]. After that, having separated from the team, it was as if Ryuji's own mind had been "enlightened." He had a gut feeling that this mission would be the turning point for his rise to power.
Although Muzan Kibutsuji was the "scum of the earth" with no principles or bottom line, Ryuji knew that even so, Muzan would still be more willing to deal with him than with someone like "Mercenary Tao," who possessed the power of Hamon.
After leaving the Demon Slayer Corps that night, Ryuji had stealthily made his way to Kyoto and had been waiting for the perfect opportunity. He had claimed to be a [Defense-Specialized] Reincarnator, but he had no real abilities to back it up. However, because the demand for survival-oriented abilities was so high in the Nexus, no one had doubted him. His Constitution was indeed his highest stat, at 13 points.
Ryuji's greatest trump card was a superpower called [Doppelgänger], derived from the special drug [Compound V] from the world of The Boys. The Nexus had stabilized the formula, removing the side effects but also limiting the ability. He could only parasitize an individual whose [Constitution] was no higher than his own. And if the target's [Spirit] attribute was higher than his, they could potentially resist and seize control. It was an ability Ryuji dared not use lightly on other Reincarnators.
Now, he had used it to parasitize an ordinary geisha in Kyoto, waiting in the shadows for the perfect chance.
At the moment when Muzan was about to make a deal with "Mercenary Tao," he had decisively shown himself, holding the [Blue Spider Lily], and announced, "Lord Muzan, perhaps you don't need to make a deal with him."
BOOM!
Vincent's eyes were still fixed on the overjoyed expression on Muzan's face. He was thinking, I was right. Compared to "Mercenary Tao," Muzan is much more willing to cooperate with me.
But a foul, cold wind howled in his ears. The Kyoto night seemed to instantly grow darker.
In his final moment, Vincent finally realized what was happening. He looked up and saw only an impossibly huge mouth, descending to bite down not just on him, but on the entire street.
In the last instant of his consciousness, all he felt was a stream of cold blood, piercing into his neck.
CRUMBLE!
The exquisite wooden district and the stone road were instantly obliterated. The terrifying, giant fox had completely pulverized everything within a radius of several hundred meters with a single bite. An entire row of streets had simply vanished. The horrific fox opened its maw as if to swallow the very earth, its body covered in crimson eyes.
The tremendous commotion instantly drew everyone's attention, especially the Professor and his group. They were already on high alert against "Mercenary Tao." A disturbance of this magnitude… other than the Upper Rank demons, only he could have created it.
Gyomei Himejima was the first to arrive, followed by Kanae Kocho and the other Reincarnators.
"Has Muzan appeared?!"
"What is that… monster…"
Everyone was on high alert, but for different reasons.
Elizabeth's face was pale. She was staring at a clear team notification.
[Team member YU15169987 (Vincent) is under attack. Based on the difference in Spirit, you have obtained partial information.]
[Reincarnator EX051 (Mercenary Tao) has attacked your team member. YU15169987 (Vincent) is in a near-death state.]
[YU15169987 (Vincent) has used the ability Doppelgänger. YU15169987 (Vincent) is currently in a restricted state.]
That guy, Mercenary Tao… he really attacked us?!
She instinctively started to raise her firearm, but the Professor suddenly put a hand on her arm, and Yanagi simultaneously blocked her with the hilt of his sword.
Kaito stood at the foot of the giant fox. The fox's mouth opened, and it spat out the mangled remains of Muzan Kibutsuji. Kaito reached into Muzan's chest and pulled out a solidified, amber-like orb of blood.
[You have obtained the item: Source Blood of the Demon (Purple)]
"Hah. I have lost today," Muzan rasped. "But you and I both know that from this day forward, you are no longer my nemesis."
"Don't worry. I will properly prepare that greedy little bug for you. Consider this Source Blood a gift, for being the last person to grant me a measure of suffering before my ascension."
Squelch!
"Tsk. Stop posturing, Muzan," Kaito said, pulling his hand from Muzan's chest. "This is not a gift. This is a testament to your fear of me."
"You." Kaito pointed his index finger at Muzan's forehead, his smile mocking. "You were so afraid of me that you prepared this tribute for your defeat before you even showed up today, didn't you?"
"As for that little bug who tried to steal my prize… heh. Don't worry, Muzan. He will escape from your clutches. And eventually, he will die at my hands."
Stab!
Kaito's finger plunged into Muzan's skull. The last bit of life faded from this body.
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Guys We cross the 1400 power stone goal and as promise here the bonus chapter
Next goal 1500 power stone,come on guys you'll can do it, good luck.
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