If Fushiguro Shin's Cats Cradle was still within the realm of Mahito's understanding,
then Flamboyant Shadow was undoubtedly an ability that, without explanation, Mahito could not comprehend on his own.
Troublesome, this was Mahito's first impression of Fushiguro Shin.
As Mahito rapidly regenerated himself, he spoke up: " I never expected someone so young to already feel no guilt over killing. Or do you also despise humans"
While attempting to distract Fushiguro Shin with words, Mahito morphed his arm into the shape of a gun barrel, preparing to abandon close combat and attack from range.
But before Mahito could take aim, Fushiguro Shin's figure vanished from his sight, replaced by a slash that pierced his chest from behind and cleaved him in two.
Fushiguro Shin knew perfectly well that Mahito was referring to the act of killing Yoshino Junpei.
But compared to the events that would unfold later at the school, if killing just one person could prevent all that, was there any better choice?
Fushiguro Shin replied without emotion: " I merely set them free, that's all."
Mahito, feeling the inhuman agony, violently vomited a large mouthful of blood.
Damn it, when did he get behind me?
Mahito realized it then, from the start until now, he hadn't laid a finger on Fushiguro Shin.
This was the first time Mahito felt as weak as those ordinary humans he used to toy with at his whim.
Mahito made a snap decision, splitting his body into countless fragments, each resembling an egg with legs.
He had to escape this underground space. Even if he hadn't figured out this guy's Cursed Technique, if it was related to shadows, getting out of the shadow-covered area was definitely the right move.
Watching Mahito scatter and flee in all directions, Fushiguro Shin said coldly: "I don't think I gave you permission to leave."
"Ten Shadows Technique: Wooden Man."
[Ten Shadows Technique: Wooden Man: After activation, if the target fails to move both feet out of the shadow's coverage within three seconds, they will be bound by the shadow.]
Wooden Man?
This was something Mahito knew about, a game human children play.
So, does it require the body to stop moving?
Thinking this, Mahito commanded some of his fragments to halt and stay put.
But unfortunately, three seconds later, all of Mahito's fragments were tightly ensnared by shadows.
Damn it, wrong guess? What the hell is up with this guy's Cursed Technique?!
Fushiguro Shin sneered coldly: "Hard to kill doesn't mean impossible to kill. Your regeneration isn't without cost either. So, let me experiment, how many times do I have to kill you to truly end you?"
Immediately after, Fushiguro Shin precisely controlled the range of Cats Cradle, subjecting each of Mahito's fragments to a continuous, meat-grinder-like shredding.
Feeling that 'familiar' sensation of being torn apart, Mahito couldn't help but think Fushiguro Shin resembled a curse or a Cursed Spirit more than a Jujutsu Sorcerer. This malice was too pure, untainted by any other impurities.
If this continued, he might actually be worn down and killed here!
As the main body of Mahito prepared to open its mouth, Fushiguro Shin's icy words rang out again.
"Trash, did I permit you to move? Ten Shadows Technique: Shadow Weaving · Self-Embodiment of Perfection."
[This kind of interruption only applies to techniques with obvious activation motions. It does not apply to hindering something like Fushiguro Shin's own Domain, which requires no preparatory action.]
Once Fushiguro Shin finished the activation, Mahito's mouth was forcibly sealed shut. The shadows within his oral cavity solidified, completely shredding the small hands that were about to complete the hand sign to unleash his Domain.
Mahito was utterly shocked. Why did he hear the name of his own Domain, which he hadn't even used yet, from Fushiguro Shin's mouth?
How did he know about Self-Embodiment of Perfection?
Moreover, his Domain Expansion was thwarted in less than a fraction of a second after starting. Did that guy anticipate his Domain Expansion in advance?
Countless questions mixed with the agony of having his flesh pulverized every moment. He couldn't figure it out, he just couldn't! Mahito felt he was going insane.
Despite the massive drain from his failed Domain Expansion attempt, even at the risk of depleting his Cursed Energy entirely, Mahito was determined to activate his Domain once more.
Ignoring his shredded mouth, spewing blood and screaming hoarsely, all his body fragments temporarily abandoned merging and regeneration. Instead, they unanimously transformed into as many arms as possible to unleash the Domain.
"Domain Expansion: Self-Embodiment of Perfection!"
This time, 'Fushiguro Shin' did not use Shadow Weaving again. Instead, he stood there silently, allowing Mahito to use Domain Expansion: Self-Embodiment of Perfection?
Mahito's Domain enveloped nearly the entire sewer.
Within the Domain, countless arms wove together to form a massive cage.
The Mahito who was regenerating his body laughed maniacally: " i truly want to thank you now!"
But the 'Fushiguro Shin' opposite him paid no heed. Instead, he vanished before Mahito's eyes.
Vanished in the literal sense, because that was never Fushiguro Shin's true body to begin with.
Mahito felt as if he had plummeted from heaven to hell. Frantically, he clawed at his own head, his gaze rapidly scanning every corner of the Domain.
"No... impossible... He was clearly brought in by me. He was clearly trapped inside my Domain!"
Due to the massive depletion of Cursed Energy, Mahito's Domain gradually dissipated. A familiar and terrifying voice echoed through the space.
"Are you finished? Then let's continue..."
Seeing Fushiguro Shin's cold, detached face once more, Mahito's fear completely overflowed, washing away the last shreds of reason in his mind.
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"
[Ten Shadows Technique: Shadow Concealment: In combat, people often unconsciously rely on vision and perception of Cursed Energy to fight.
Especially in environments like this one, and given Fushiguro Shin's astonishing agility, Mahito couldn't reliably track his location visually. Naturally, he would resort to sensing Shin's immense Cursed Energy to locate his enemy.
Shadow Concealment exploits this reliance on perception over sight. It uses Cursed Energy to create false afterimages, deceiving the opponent's senses.]
Upon detecting Mahito's intent to expand his Domain again, Fushiguro Shin immediately released Shadow Demon to retreat swiftly. During this process, he activated Shadow Concealment.
Furthermore, during this transition, he temporarily deactivated the Two-Way Heavenly Restriction. By lowering his own Cursed Energy as an additional measure, he made it even harder for Mahito to realize that the Shadow Concealment wasn't his true body.
...
Read advance chapters on p@treon
[email protected]/guilt_free_daoist
Join disc0rd link in synopsis.
GIVE ME YOU POWER STONES.