Raiden stood on the steps not far in front of Doma, quietly watching as Doma's severed arm healed itself again.
"It's time to end this, continuing would only be a waste of time," Raiden said quietly, uncertain whether he was addressing Doma or speaking to himself.
At those words, a chill crawled through Doma's body, one that reached deep into his soul. He had felt this sensation once before, the first time he had met Lord Muzan.
Doma gently waved his fan and fine ice crystals drifted toward the mountain forest.
The situation had veered far from his expectations. Raiden in his Transparent World state was not someone Doma could stall. His plan would have to change. He would use a clone to escape and destroy the Swordsmith Village first.
"Don't use the same trick twice," Raiden said.
Almost at the same moment, golden lightning streaked across the sky like a falling star, striking the ice crystals Doma had released. The lightning shone with blinding brilliance and roared so loudly the entire valley seemed to tremble.
The lightning's impact shattered the ice crystals into countless shards that carved brilliant arcs through the air as they scattered. The power of the lightning was immense; the surrounding air heated instantly, dispelling the chill in the mountain forest. The massive ice wall was utterly destroyed, reduced to smashed fragments beneath the thunder's aftermath.
Doma watched his own techniques get pulverized by Raiden and felt his heart sink.
Not only had Raiden's strength increased dramatically, his perception and insight were noticeably sharper as well. In the Entertainment District, Doma had escaped using ice crystals without the opponent noticing at all—yet now…
"You are the first witness to this Breathing Style of mine. You are very fortunate," Raiden said, his eyes briefly covered in a faint reddish-gold glow.
The sky shifted suddenly. Golden lightning bolts, like divine wrath, appeared out of nowhere and tore through the heavens with thunderous roars. The lightning circled Raiden, bowing almost as though it were paying respect. At the edges of the lightning, flames burned like a furious inferno, not ordinary fire but reddish-gold flame that radiated scorching heat.
Flames merged with the lightning, creating a terrifying and magnificent spectacle of searing energy. The commotion drew the attention of Gyokko and Muichiro, halting their battle as they watched.
Gyokko's cheek mouths parted slightly. What was happening? Was this still the same Raiden they knew? He had seen Thunder Breathing swordsmen before, even warriors as strong as the Sound Pillar, but those fighters were like flickering lights compared to the brightness of Raiden's power now.
Gyokko's mouth felt dry. Could Doma handle this? He didn't know—but he understood that if he were in Doma's place, no matter how many jars he had left on this mountain, they would all be dust under such power.
Raiden now looked like a god.
Muichiro's pale green eyes widened, his gaze filled with awe. "Such a powerful Breathing Style…" he murmured. Normally uninterested in anything beyond demon slaying and his master, the sight compelled his attention. Even if he could not fully comprehend the terror of the technique, its sheer display was unmistakable.
"Thunder Flame Breathing, First Form, Thunder Prison!" Raiden called.
As Raiden swung his Nichirin blade, a low rumble echoed between earth and sky. Thunder and flame intertwined, merging into a terrifying spectacle. The lightning coiled around him like majestic beasts responding to their master, shining with raw power and honor. Each bolt radiated violent energy that seemed capable of reducing the valley to ashes. The flames burned with an intensity that released endless heat and force.
Thunder and fire intertwined, creating a colossal scene that enveloped the mountain forest. It was as if heaven and earth were being torn apart, the mingling lights burning like hellfire.
Doma's expression darkened as he watched the infernal spectacle approach. He unleashed his Blood Demon Arts with frantic intensity, his fan moving faster and faster.
Blood Demon Art: Freezing Cloud. Withered Garden Snowfall. Manrenge. Fierce Cold White Princess. Ice Lotus Bodhisattva.
Using nearly all of his Blood Demon Arts, Doma layered them in desperate defense. Soon, a ten‑meter radius around him became an ice domain, bone‑piercingly cold.
Yet that bitter cold proved fragile against the Thunder Prison. It melted instantly, offering no resistance. The Thunder Prison continued to spread and shrink Doma's ice domain. As it tightened, Doma's iron fan blurred in motion.
He was still fighting. He was chosen for greatness. Countless people were awaiting his salvation and had yet to know true paradise—he could not die now.
The voices of the suffering, the faithful, echoed in Doma's ears. For the first time in his existence, emotions he did not understand began to surface—unwillingness, confusion.
"Goodbye, Doma," Raiden said, his voice clear and calm.
Doma's gaze lingered, but there was no anger, no hatred. Just an eerie stillness before his vision began to spin. As his consciousness slipped away, his last sight was Raiden before his body hit the ground. Then the mountain forest fell silent.
Gyokko watched Raiden's back with terror in his eyes. Doma was dead, just like that. Raiden had used only two techniques and killed an Upper Moon Two.
If even Doma could not withstand him, what hope did Gyokko have? He looked around wildly. There was no escape. Competing in speed against Raiden was a death sentence—one blink, and he would be cut to pieces.
Cold sweat streamed down Gyokko's back as dread consumed him. He had planned this mission thinking three Upper Moons destroying the Swordsmith Village would be as trivial as an elephant stepping on an ant. Now all expectations lay shattered under Raiden's power.
Since when had the gap between Upper Moons and the Pillars become this vast? Was this kid even human?
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