Chương 30: Joining Forces to Slay Upper Rank Three

Clang, clang, clang, clang. The twin swords kept colliding with those iron fists. Cael no longer knew how many times he had cut off Akaza's hands. Because their exchange was so fast, the surrounding scenery had blurred completely. In his vision, only Akaza remained. Fast. His technique was extremely refined, and his battle experience was frighteningly rich. Even with so many Skills, Cael had not gained a clear advantage.

Even after seeing through Akaza's body, predicting his movements, and identifying his weak points, Cael was not faster than him, and his battle instincts were not better. Each time, Akaza avoided the decisive blow. But Cael had not fallen behind either. Relying on everything he saw through Transparent World, the slowed perception, and his predictions, he dodged all of Akaza's fatal attacks. The most serious hit had only scraped his shoulder, leaving a bruise without drawing blood.

"You have clearly reached the supreme realm of martial arts. Why is it that you cannot suppress me, even though I have not reached that realm?" Akaza continued attacking as he spoke. He kicked out, and although his foot was instantly cut off, it regenerated immediately and attacked again. He showed no fatigue and did not treat this as a fight to the death at all.

"Because you are human. Your fragile body limits your strength. No matter how profound your swordsmanship or realm is, that weak body restricts you. I cannot stand it."

"I cannot bear the thought of a strong fighter like you growing weaker in a few decades. That would be blasphemy against your talent and achievement." Cael did not answer any of Akaza's words. He focused seriously on finding his own shortcomings in battle. He could not deny that his arms were already trembling slightly. His breathing had begun to fall out of order, and his body could no longer keep up with this sustained battle. This was completely different from fighting in the Dungeon.

In the Dungeon, he only needed to give everything he had. Monsters had no technique. They simply attacked with full force, and as long as he dodged and counterattacked during their openings, he could win. People were different. Technique, tactics, psychological interference, and even countermeasures built around his abilities. Those all mattered. Every time he clashed with Akaza, his arms trembled. Now even the edges of his blades were shaking. This was the result of not knowing proper force control.

When his sword struck, he also endured the recoil.

"The hands holding your swords are already shaking. If this continues, the moment the swords leave your hands will be the moment you die. Become a demon, strong fighter!"

"Heh. A rat that can only live in the gutter and hide from the sun is this proud?" A mocking smile appeared on Cael's lips. If these swords were replaced with Nichirin Swords, he could activate Starburst Stream and take Akaza's head by surprise. The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. Besides, the Flame Hashira would not simply stand by and watch. The result was certain. The Flame Hashira and Cael would join forces to bring Akaza down.

There was even a strong chance they could kill him outright. One Hashira against an Upper Rank demon would most likely fail. Two Hashira could kill an Upper Rank by paying a price. Three Hashira could ensure a clean kill without casualties.

"Flame Breathing, Third Form: Blazing Universe!" At that moment, a blade wreathed in flame swung down through the gap in Cael and Akaza's exchange. Akaza and Cael instantly retreated, ending their deadlock.

"Second Form: Rising Scorching Sun! Aaah!" A half-moon blade of flame rose from below toward Akaza, forcing him back as he tried to continue attacking.

"Such incredible fighting spirit. Even with wounds that severe, you still have this much force. Hahahaha! Wonderful. You truly are wonderful. To meet two strong fighters in one day!"

"Both of you should become demons. Gain demon bodies, release the full force of your martial arts, and pursue the ultimate realm with me!"

"My answer remains the same. I refuse." Rengoku answered without hesitation, then threw two Nichirin Swords toward Cael.

"Nichirin Swords. Blades that can slay demons."

"How long can you keep going in that state without dying?" Cael sheathed the two white swords and caught the Nichirin Swords as he asked. Sometimes, communication between men was that simple. No complicated words were needed for them to understand one another.

"For a short while, I will be fine. My name is Kyojuro Rengoku."

"I am Cael Veyren." Cael swung the Nichirin Swords. They did not fit his hands, but he could use them.

"You take the front and restrict his movement. I will pressure him from the flank and look for an opening."

"Understood. Leave the front to me. Then I will go first!" Rengoku answered with absolute confidence, then rushed toward Akaza. His speed was so great that an ordinary person could not follow him with the naked eye. In an instant, red blade light and the sound of clashing metal rang out again. Clang, clang, clang, clang.

"It is useless, Kyojuro, dual-sword fighter. As a demon, no matter how badly I am injured, I recover instantly. What about you? If this continues, you will only die."

"Destructive Death: Disorder!" Shockwaves struck the red blade. Rengoku was knocked back and coughed blood, but an instant later, Cael appeared from the side and slashed both swords toward Akaza's openings. Clang. Clang. The twin impacts rang out as iron fists struck both blades. The swords were knocked away, but before Akaza could continue attacking, Rengoku pressed forward from the front again.

"Flame Breathing, First Form: Unknowing Fire!" A horizontal slash cut toward Akaza's neck.

"Why is that? I have killed many Hashira before now, yet not one accepted my invitation. Becoming a demon is an opportunity granted only to the chosen." Akaza instantly lifted his head and bent backward to avoid the horizontal slash. Opportunity.

"Starburst Stream!" The instant Rengoku's slash went out, the instant Akaza dodged and left a gap, Cael's eyes sharpened. He had found his opening. Because Akaza had held the upper hand through the long battle and had not treated Cael and Rengoku as opponents in a true life-or-death fight, habit guided his response. That instant of habitual thinking was exactly what Cael wanted. Starburst Stream activated. His Strength, Agility, and Dexterity instantly rose to S 999.

Although they were not doubled by Bravery, it was enough to catch Akaza off guard for a single moment. Once that happened, the chance to seize the advantage was perfect. The twin blades split the airflow. Even a battle invisible to ordinary eyes became nearly motionless in Cael's vision.

"What?" In that instant, Akaza's eyes widened. His aura shifted completely. It was as if he had become another person. Bad. Akaza had never predicted this situation. There was no time to react. Cael appeared in front of Akaza in an instant, giving everything he had. The airflow split before the swords, and the blades cut toward the opening Akaza had revealed. First strike. Horizontal slash. A strike powerful enough to split a thick stone wall landed against Akaza's ribs and waist with a violent gust.

The blade cut straight through, and the wind tore away chunks of flesh. A huge gap opened in Akaza's side, as if a beast had bitten out a piece.

"Aaaah!"

"Flame Breathing, Second Form: Rising Scorching Sun!" At that same instant, Rengoku changed forms. An upward semicircle of blazing flame split Akaza's front in two. Hit by two unexpected slashes in succession, Akaza's battle posture collapsed completely. For an instant, his mind went blank. Opportunity. Cael and Rengoku realized it at the same time.