Chapter 84, Level 18
Mount Kumotake.
From the shadows of the mountain valley, a figure emerged from the void, carrying a mangled, headless body.
Aoki's face beamed with a bright smile.
Success!
A whole day's planning had finally succeeded.
Initially, his target was indeed Nakime.
The reasons were simple.
First, Nakime was the weakest.
Nakime's direct combat ability was not particularly outstanding, and she had been forcibly elevated to Upper Moon by Muzan Kibutsuji; her strength was still somewhat inferior to that of a genuine Upper Moon.
Second, Nakime's Blood Demon Art was spatial; absorbing her would further enhance "spatial travel."
However, after discovering that Kokushibo was personally protecting Nakime, he immediately changed his target.
"Killing Nakime is the only way to escape the Infinity Castle"—this was merely Muzan Kibutsuji's perception; in reality, he didn't need to, and had no reason to be fixated on Nakime.
His true target was Akaza.
With the "Transparent World," dealing with Akaza was easier for him than dealing with Gyokko.
Therefore, he dragged out the battle, even using up both of his Qi and Blood Pills. During the fight, he also secretly targeted Akaza, depleting Akaza's stamina.
Furthermore,
he concealed his ability to control battle aura, paralyzing Akaza and creating an opportunity for the final blow.
The reason for this complexity was that even if he could defeat Akaza in front of Muzan Kibutsuji and the other Upper Moons, he wouldn't be able to devour him.
He had to take Akaza out of the Infinity Castle and find a secluded place.
"Space travel" could take other life forms with him, but it consumed even more energy, with one prerequisite: the other life forms couldn't resist.
Whether it was expending stamina, smashing his head, or breaking his joints, everything he did was to temporarily render Akaza incapable of resistance.
The plan was a success.
Although it cost two Qi and Blood Pills, and although he suffered countless injuries throughout the day, it was all worth it.
*Thud!
* An arm suddenly grew from Akaza's broken shoulder and slammed towards Aoki.
Aoki released Akaza and took a step back.
"As expected of an Upper Moon."
His decision to immediately teleport away from the Infinity Castle was absolutely correct.
Akaza hadn't lost consciousness or been unable to resist; he was simply immobilized due to all his joints being destroyed.
Thud! Thud! Several more arms grew from Akaza's body, manipulating his joints and treating his wounds. His injuries healed rapidly, including his head, which regenerated quickly.
As soon as his mouth opened, Akaza roared angrily, "Traitor, I won't let you get away with this!"
Aoki calmly replied, "Your strength was already nearly depleted, and you've suffered my attack. Even if your body recovers, how much fighting power will you have left?"
Akaza's mind gradually returned, his voice filled with unwavering willpower: "Even if my strength is about to run out, I can still defeat you! I absolutely will not, I absolutely will not fall here. I will become stronger; how could I stop here?"
A strong will and an obsession with survival are key to breaking through the limits of one's bloodline.
The top three Upper Moons were all close to their bloodline limits.
In the original story, Kokushibo successfully broke through, but unfortunately, under the attack of the Crimson Blade, his body reached its limit. Even though he could be decapitated and reborn, he ultimately died from his body's collapse.
Akaza also almost broke through, but on the verge of death, he recalled his memories as a human and realized that what he truly wanted to destroy was himself—himself—who had failed to keep his promise to his father and lover, and who had tainted his master's most important martial art, the Soryu Kenpo, with his blood.
He ultimately committed suicide.
"If I had the time, I'd love to have a fair fight with you, but alas, I have more important things to do."
Aoki raised his fist.
"Goodbye, Akaza, no, Komaji!"
The moment he heard that name, Akaza froze, even his regeneration halted.
"Komaji? Komaji? Who is Komaji? Why does that name sound so familiar?"
Aoki flashed, appearing in front of Akaza, fists, elbows, legs, knees—all attacks rained down, engulfing Akaza like a storm.
"Aoki Style, Storm!"
Bang bang bang! Akaza's body, which had just begun to recover, became even more battered and broken, but at this moment, he had no mind to care about anything else; only the name "Komaji" echoed in his mind.
I, I am Komaji! A flash of lightning struck his mind, and sealed memories began to resurface. Akaza trembled, feeling pathetic at his centuries-long, pointless pursuit of becoming stronger, disgusted by his relentless killing, and... "Mr. Komaji! Mr. Komaji! Mr. Komaji!!"
Akaza suddenly looked up and found a beautiful girl in a kimono standing in front of him.
He froze for a moment, then tremblingly reached out his hands.
"Koi... Koiyuki!"
"Mr. Komaji!" The girl's face held a hint of expectation.
The tattoo on Akaza's face, representing a sinner, gradually disappeared. His short, peach-pink hair and golden eyes gradually turned into black hair and blue eyes. The violent aura around him quickly dissipated, replaced by intense pain and regret.
He threw himself into the girl's arms and burst into tears.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I couldn't protect you, I'm sorry! I wasn't by your side when it mattered most, I'm sorry!"
...
Aoki withdrew his hand.
"Feeling the fluctuations of regret and pain, Akaza remembered himself. Did he see his fiancée?"
This world possesses souls.
With strong attachments, souls can exist for a long time.
Therefore, after death, there is a chance to see one's closest and dearest.
Aoki quickly put Akaza out of his mind.
System notifications began to flood the screen.
[Power +1.]
[Free skill point +1.]
[Killed Upper Moon Three, gained 1800 experience points.]
["The End of the Upper Moon" completed, rewards have been issued.]
[Congratulations, you leveled up!]
[Congratulations, you leveled up!]
[Congratulations, you leveled up!]
[Ended a battle, gained 500 experience points.]
[Congratulations, you leveled up!]
Aoki was overwhelmed.
He originally thought that leveling up three times in a row at level 8 was already amazing, but he didn't expect to do it again at level 15.
Moreover, this time, his "Martial Artist" skill also leveled up by 1.
[Name: Aoki]
[Strength: 21]
[Constitution: 19]
[Intelligence: 20]
[Agility: 19]
[Occupation: Hunter, White Walkers, Martial Artist]
[Free Attribute Points: 6]
[Item: Bat Wings]
...
[White Walkers]
Quality: ★★
Level: lv18 (313/1800)
Skills: Ghost Blood IV, Space Travel II, Transparent World, Devouring Ghosts II Quest: None
Free Skill Points: 8
...
[Martial Artist]
Quality: ☆
Level: lv4 (253/400)
Skills: Martial Arts Heart, Battle Intuition, Body Control (Not yet learned), Unyielding Will (Not yet learned)
Free Skill Points: 1
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(End of Chapter)