Chapter 313: Death of the Ghost Emperor
"What?!"
Sensing that its connection to the alternate dimension used for escaping had been severed, the Ghost Emperor's previously calm face finally betrayed a hint of panic.
The reason it had remained composed while facing Hikigaya Hachiman was precisely because it could use its mastery over space-time at any moment to instantly send itself back to that alternate dimension. But now, its path of retreat was blocked!
As it felt the surrounding space drift entirely away from reality, the panic on the Ghost Emperor's face settled back into a cold stillness.
"Humans really are incredibly cunning creatures," the Ghost Emperor said, staring coldly at Hachiman.
Despite having centuries of experience and being sufficiently cautious, it had still been outplayed by this human brat who looked no older than twenty.
"If I'm not mistaken, the only way for me to get out is to kill you, right?"
With a sweeping wave of its hand, a surge of black energy erupted from the Ghost Emperor's body, instantly enveloping all its remaining subordinates in the area.
Hachiman frowned as he watched the Emperor's movements, not daring to let down his guard. This was, after all, his first time facing a Ghost Emperor-class evil spirit at full strength.
The black energy slowly contracted, eventually condensing into a small orb that the Ghost Emperor swallowed.
Watching this transformation, Hachiman felt a pang of regret. He should have stepped in to stop it. However, because he had misjudged the situation—thinking the Emperor intended to buff the power of its minions—he hadn't acted in time.
The remaining spirits were worth an estimated 50,000 Spirit Coins. For Hachiman, whose coin balance was nearly empty, that was a very tempting amount...
"I got greedy," Hachiman sighed inwardly.
Sensing the Ghost Emperor's aura skyrocketing after swallowing the orb, he decided not to give it any more chances to consolidate its power. He immediately swung out several sword beam waves, activated Sun Breathing, and charged.
Clang!
The Demon Slayer sword struck the Emperor's arm—which existed somewhere between illusion and reality—producing a metallic screech. Hachiman wasn't at all surprised that the upgraded blade failed to sever the limb. After the initial strike failed, he used the momentum to slide the blade forward, aiming for the Ghost Emperor's neck.
A flash of wariness appeared in the Ghost Emperor's eyes. Clearly, it wasn't as confident in the durability of its neck as it was in its arms. Its arms suddenly elongated while its body leaned backward. Mid-fall, the Emperor's back bulged, and four more arms erupted from its torso.
By the time the Ghost Emperor stabilized its falling body and turned its head back to Hachiman, its previously human-like appearance had transformed into that of a complete monster.
With two hands firmly gripping the Demon Slayer sword to control it, the Ghost Emperor used its four new arms to deliver a brutal barrage toward Hachiman's face. The speed was so great it created sonic booms.
Failing to pull the blade free, Hachiman didn't hesitate. While using all his strength to twist the Demon Slayer sword in one direction, he ignited the Inari Divine Power within him.
The divine form, wearing a fox mask, appeared once again within this isolated space. With his strength vastly increased, Hachiman slowly turned the blade, cutting into the Emperor's arms. Simultaneously, countless chains made of divine power erupted from the void around him, firmly binding the four attacking limbs.
"Divine power?"
The moment the chains bound its arms, a familiar scent revived the Ghost Emperor's buried memories. Images of a woman in a magnificent kimono destroying Ghost Emperor and Ghost King-class spirits with a wave of her hand flashed before its eyes.
"Inari?!"
For the first time, the Ghost Emperor's voice was laced with pure terror. Sensing the Inari Divine Power inside Hachiman, it desperately tore through the divine chains, turned tail, and transformed into a blurred afterimage as it fled.
However, the entire space had already been partitioned off by Hachiman's Spirit Lock Formation. After a few seconds of trying to force its way out at the edge of the barrier to no avail, the Ghost Emperor gradually calmed down.
"That woman hasn't appeared for over a hundred years. Even if she's still alive, her current strength is likely a shadow of its former self. I have no reason to fear her!"
Thinking this, the Ghost Emperor turned to face the pursuing Hachiman.
"This brat is clearly human but possesses that woman's power. She must have weakened to the point where she can't even leave her shrine..."
At this thought, the Ghost Emperor steadied its nerves. The fear in its eyes lessened, replaced by resentment. Although it suspected Inari's power had faded, it still didn't dare seek revenge against the goddess herself. However, while it didn't dare touch Inari, it could certainly take it out on the people around her.
Hachiman, possessing her divine power, was the perfect target for its rage!
"Brat, if you want to blame someone, blame yourself for trapping me here!"
With a cruel smile and a heart full of spite for Inari, the Ghost Emperor charged at Hachiman with everything it had.
Yet, facing a Ghost Emperor whose aura was even more intense than when it was fleeing, Hachiman slowed his pace and walked toward it unhurriedly.
"What?!"
An invisible wall separated the two. The Ghost Emperor felt its full-power strike smash into a solid wall of air, unable to advance an inch.
"It's useless. With raw strength alone, it's impossible for you to break the Sheath's Barrier."
Watching the Ghost Emperor strike the barrier over and over, Hachiman shook his head helplessly. Once he felt the distance was right, he activated Sun Breathing and Mother's Aria simultaneously and lunged.
In the blink of an eye, an eleven-hit combo saturated with massive spiritual power and the purifying effect of sunlight sliced through the Emperor's hardened outer shell, piercing deep into its body.
The moment the Demon Slayer sword pierced the Emperor, the eerie green fire attached to the blade swarmed into its insides, using the spirit's body as fuel to ignite a raging inferno.
"AAAAAHHHHHH!!!!"
Unbearable pain surged into the Ghost Emperor's mind, and it finally broke, let out a piercing shriek of agony.
"It's over."
Showing no mercy for the creature's wails, Hachiman withdrew the Demon Slayer sword and brought the battle to an end by decapitating the Emperor with the first form of Sun Breathing: Dance.
"Ah, almost forgot..."
Looking at the monster's head flying into the air, Hachiman suddenly remembered something. He turned back to the Ghost Emperor's torso, thrust the Demon Slayer sword into its heart core, and twisted, grinding it to dust.
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