Chapter 204: Fushiguro Megumi: Special Effect, Activate!
Thanks to the [Binding Vow] left behind previously, [Round Deer] was able to be Specially Summoned at the moment Fushiguro Megumi received fatal damage, allowing it to take the brunt of that lethal blow on his behalf. Otherwise, he truly might have perished instantly from that single attack.
This was precisely the greatest weakness of the [Ten Shadows Technique] after being modified by the [Binding Vow]. In the early stages of a battle, Fushiguro cannot fully rely on its power, making it easy for an enemy to find an opening and defeat him directly.
However, once the dangerous early phase of combat is bypassed, Fushiguro's combat capability begins to grow exponentially as the shadow shikigami increase in number.
Just now, it was thanks to [Round Deer] sharing the injuries that Fushiguro survived an attack capable of charring him to a crisp. The price was that [Round Deer] dissipated almost as soon as it was Specially Summoned because it absorbed too much damage.
But no matter. As long as he was still alive, the price paid did not matter. Furthermore, wasn't this exactly the moment Fushiguro was about to start exerting his real strength?
Thanks to Itadori Yuji stalling the enemy for a sufficient number of turns, Fushiguro could now not only summon [Piercing Ox] but also summon another shadow shikigami simultaneously.
Turns can be accumulated!
"Due to your multiple defensive and offensive actions just now, it is still my turn... I choose to Normal Summon the Shikigami, [Escape Rabbits]!"
Since summoning shadow shikigami now only required Fushiguro to perform the hand seals, by the time he finished speaking, the massive [Piercing Ox] and the swarm of [Escape Rabbits] were already flanking him.
Judging purely by numbers, it seemed they now held a total advantage. But this superficial advantage was not what Fushiguro was after; he had to push for even more—
"The special effect of [Escape Rabbits] when it is Normal Summoned during a new turn: it can Specially Summon a shikigami that has already fallen into the Graveyard.
The shadow shikigami I will Specially Summon from the Graveyard is... [Round Deer]!
Come forth, [Round Deer]!!!"
As everyone knows, strength in a "card game" isn't just about the power of the cards and techniques; an equally important point is that the louder the Duelist shouts, the stronger their monsters become.
Whether this rumor was true or not, Fushiguro didn't know, but publicly announcing the effects and processes was a genuine way to further enhance the power of the [Binding Vow].
Fushiguro believed these enhancements were necessary when facing an enemy as powerful as the one before him.
Besides... the opponent wouldn't necessarily understand what he was saying anyway.
After a series of precise operations, another tall shikigami successfully materialized behind Fushiguro, nearly crowding the underground passage to its limit.
The situation seemed to reverse inexplicably in an instant.
"...?"
Just as Fushiguro thought, Jogo was indeed confused by what was happening.
Why was the opponent not killed by his attack?
Why did he stand back up and shout a bunch of nonsense that sounded intimidating but made no sense to a Cursed Spirit, and then suddenly summon a horde of shikigami?
What kind of technique was this, to summon shikigami in such a manner and in such numbers? Judging by their presence, these didn't look like weak, hollow spirits either...
And most importantly: he had clearly hit the boy. He had felt the sensation of flames searing flesh. Why did his injuries now look like mere grazes?
Was a human's [Reverse Cursed Technique] really this powerful? No, even with RCT, it shouldn't be able to restore clothing.
This was clearly a transfer of damage through a method he didn't understand.
But it didn't matter. Whatever the truth was, as long as he burned everything to ashes, all problems would be solved.
"Who cares what you're tinkering with? None of it will work against me.
So... I'll just kill you!"
As the words fell, Jogo hooked his fingers toward Fushiguro. Several volcano-like vents immediately grew on the walls behind him, violently erupting massive amounts of fire and lava.
In terms of terrain, the advantage was firmly on Jogo's side. His technique wasn't just about fire; it included lava that could assimilate the surroundings to a certain extent.
In the confined space of a subway tunnel, the ground covered in lava would remain at lethal temperatures for hours, making cooling impossible—which was why Kugisaki Nobara and the others hadn't arrived yet.
Furthermore, the enclosed environment would gradually heat up and fill with toxic gases until a normal human couldn't survive for even a few seconds.
Without mastering [Reverse Cursed Technique], even a sorcerer's body—though stronger than a normal human's—had limits. They relied mostly on the physical enhancement of Cursed Energy.
Fushiguro and Itadori only had two options: end this quickly, or find a way to change the battlefield.
"[Escape Rabbits], get in position!"
Before the flames fully erupted, Fushiguro commanded the swarm of rabbits to gather in a single spot, creating a barrier in the center of the tunnel. Even though they had no real resistance to lava, Fushiguro didn't intend for them to block the damage—he only wanted them to obscure the enemy's vision.
To Jogo, it looked like his attack easily tore through the surging swarm, the terrifying heat preventing them from reforming. However, behind the hazy mist in the massive crater, he momentarily lost track of his enemies' exact status and position.
"Itadori, we can't defeat it with just the two of us, and we can't stay here long.
From now on, don't make attacking or damaging the enemy your primary goal. Just focus on defending against its attacks and advancing my turn count... It's impossible for it to realize how to break my technique in a short time.
Once I've gathered all the elements, the scales of victory will finally tilt toward us."
Hidden behind the screen of smoke and rabbits, Fushiguro quickly explained the situation and strategy to Itadori. He had considered leading the enemy outside to reduce the pressure, but after some thought, he rejected the idea.
Aside from being thirty meters underground with another level above them... there was a more important factor: the city streets were filled with a high density of ordinary people. If they suddenly saw lava and fire raining from the sky without even being able to see the Cursed Spirit, who knows how much chaos and death would result?
While Fushiguro could be cold and cruel to villains who deserved it, he would never actively cause such a catastrophe.
"No problem, leave the defense to me... Fushiguro!"
Itadori was in high spirits—not just because his friend wasn't seriously injured, but because they could finally fight side-by-side against a powerful foe.
Having seen Fushiguro get hurt once, Itadori was determined not to let it happen again!
"Yeah, I trust you..."
BOOM—!!
Just as Fushiguro spoke, a terrifying blast of high-temperature flames erupted, incinerating all the [Escape Rabbits] in an instant.
"You two brats!!!"
Jogo charged through the lava toward them. Itadori, now in a state of high excitement, swung his Charge Blade to meet him.
"I won't let you have your way!"
BANG—!
The shockwave from Itadori and Jogo's collision cleared the thick smoke, instantly revealing the surroundings. Fushiguro did not waste the precious time Itadori had bought him.
"Special effect of [Escape Rabbits], activate!"
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