The blade slashed upward, black blade aura tearing through the air, meeting the gale capable of tearing everything apart.
"Clang—!"
The sound of metal clashing rang out.
Hikaru's arms went numb again, and his body was pushed backward by the immense force.
The blue bricks beneath his feet shattered, leaving two deep grooves.
But he blocked it.
Kamaitachi's attack had been blocked by him.
"You...?"
Kikyo's voice came from behind him.
She did not turn back, because she could not.
Magatsuhi's struggle was becoming increasingly violent, and those light chains could snap at any moment.
She had to be completely focused.
"Focus on what you are doing."
Hikaru's voice was calm, but the sword in his hand was trembling.
Not from fear, but from using too much strength.
Kamaitachi's strength far exceeded his imagination.
This attack was only a probe, and it had already caused his internal organs to be injured again.
If it were a full-power attack...
He would probably be torn to shreds.
But he did not retreat.
"Leave your back to me."
He said.
He added: "I have a way."
Kikyo was silent for a moment.
She did not release her hand seal, and spiritual power continued to flow into the array without pause.
But Hikaru could feel her body relax slightly.
The stiffness that had been stretched to the limit dissipated.
She trusted him.
She let go of her vigilance regarding what was behind her, no longer hesitating.
She trusted him even more than before.
[shikon no tama: naohi: Favorability +3]
[Current Favorability: 26]
[It conveyed a message to you: '...Thank you.']
Hikaru ignored the panel.
He gripped the sword hilt tightly, looking at the three-zhang-tall Kamaitachi in front of him.
That giant beast was staring at him with those hollow eye sockets.
No anger, no disdain.
Only...
Confusion?
It seemed not to understand why a small demon of the Physical Transformation stage dared to stand in front of itself, a being of the Qualitative Transformation stage.
This was unreasonable.
This did not conform to the survival laws of demons.
The weak should flee.
The weak should submit.
The weak should not block the way.
"...You are different from ordinary demons, aren't you?"
Kamaitachi spoke.
Its voice was like a howling wind, carrying a hollow texture like a vortex.
"You have the scent of a human on you; you are not an ordinary demon."
Hikaru did not answer.
He merely adjusted the angle of his sword.
And then—
The Demonic Qi within his body began to boil.
Blood surged madly through his veins.
This was the power of [Blood Transformation].
His Sixth Transformation.
The perfection of Physical Transformation.
At the same time, he also activated the special ability left behind after merging with demon blade muramasa.
[Bloodthirsty Madness].
Strength, speed, and reaction time, all improved by 30%.
Although not enough to bridge the gap with the Kamaitachi, at least—
it was enough for him to block a few more blades.
"Come on."
Hikaru said.
There was no fear in his eyes.
Only fighting spirit.
In that moment, [Sharp Body Transformation], [Sharp Eye Transformation], [Archer Transformation], [Spear-Waist Transformation], [Shield Bone Transformation].
[Blood Transformation].
Six Transformations added to his body.
Demonic Qi surged—
Oni Aura, spreading!
Then,
with a crunching sound, the armor covering Hikaru expanded as if it had suddenly grown, becoming larger, thicker, and heavier.
The armor was jagged, protruding on all sides, with a crimson Oni mask and pale hair rising up, making him look like an Asura.
Like a god, and even more like a demon!
This is...
"To think you could possess Oni Aura of this quality—!?"
The Kamaitachi's hollow voice revealed surprise for the first time.
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