Episode 249: Demon King Muzan Suddenly Feels an Inexplicable Sense of Dread
『 After speaking, Ereshkigal looked at the two companions before her with a hint of expectation, her eyes revealing an expression like a child longing for praise.
She hoped they would quickly pick up this method and feel free to explore even more in this brand-new environment.
"Although… although it feels like it needs a bit of a trick…" Fujimaru said with some hesitation, as if estimating the difficulties he might encounter on his first attempt.
But even so, he maintained an optimistic attitude, believing that through constant practice, he could eventually overcome any challenge.
"But as long as you get used to it, it'll be fine…" Mash added immediately, her voice carrying a trace of comfort and encouragement.
Even though she still felt lingering fear from that heart-stopping falling experience, the most important thing now was to learn to adapt and fully utilize the current situation.
Although Mash still felt a lingering sense of terror after the falling experience that felt like it would never end, she did not let this negative emotion affect her for long… This was an experience of landing safely after a dangerous event.
It was evident that she wasn't the only one with similar feelings; even the usually unflappable Fujimaru Ritsuka revealed a sense of relief and emotion on his face, like someone who had just survived a disaster.
However, fortunately, this sudden unease was quickly overcome.
To shake off the shadow remaining in their hearts, Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash soon pulled themselves together and threw themselves back into the following actions.
The results showed that their efforts were not in vain: it didn't take long for the two to master the technique of freely maneuvering and moving rapidly in the air. With the support of this new power, they undoubtedly had more confidence when facing various situations in the future.
"Really, really, really can't do that again, okay…" Seeing her good friends with faces overflowing with joy, Ereshkigal couldn't help but say with a smile.
As she spoke, she gently brushed a strand of smooth hair hanging in front of her forehead to emphasize, looking completely adorable.
At this moment, a surge of indescribable gratitude welled up in Fujimaru Ritsuka's heart. Looking at the girl who had offered help and always treated them kindly, he deeply understood what it meant to see true feelings in times of adversity.
"Yeah! Thank you for saving us… Ereshkigal." Fujimaru expressed his thanks sincerely, his tone gentle and full of sincerity.
Hearing her Master express gratitude with such solemn and earnest words, Mash was deeply touched, and immediately imitated Fujimaru Ritsuka, bowing a standard ninety degrees to Ereshkigal as a return.
"Thank you very much!" Mash repeated the same words, equally filled with respect.
"Ao…"
Fou, who had been in Mash's arms, was also barking continuously, as if thanking her.
"Is… is that so… that's good…"
Seemingly feeling their sincere gratitude, a blush slowly appeared on Ereshkigal's face.
Just as everyone was immersed in this joyful atmosphere, a sudden tremor pulled them back into a combat state.
Tiamat was the one they needed to deal with before them.
BOOM—!
Once again, the earth of the Underworld shook violently.
A serious look slowly appeared on the faces of Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash.
"This… this vibration is…"
"Come… Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash… look over here!"
In the direction Ereshkigal pointed, Tiamat's massive body appeared before their eyes.
Beams of cyan light continuously covered Tiamat's body. Feeling the powerful pressure, beads of sweat the size of beans appeared on Fujimaru Ritsuka's face.
At this moment, Tiamat was lying on the ground of the Underworld, continuously making "AAAA" sounds.
However, this sound had no aggression.
Everyone realized that the creator god named Tiamat had been lured by Ereshkigal onto the land of the Underworld.
"So amazing…"
Fujimaru Ritsuka couldn't help but praise. Even though everything was just as they planned, realizing it was truly implemented made him understand how difficult it was.
But… what exactly were those cyan beams of light? This question plagued them.
This doubt lingered in the hearts of Fujimaru, Mash, and Ereshkigal, like an unsolvable mystery.
BUZZ—!
However, those mysterious cyan beams of light did not launch any attacks on the two but instead continuously bombarded Tiamat's massive body. With every impact, dazzling sparks and deafening thunderous sounds were triggered.
Such an unexpected situation made them feel even more bewildered and surprised.
What was going on… attacked without any warning… Tiamat… what kind of disaster have you encountered?
"This…"
"Where do these beams of light come from…"
Seeing this scene, the expression on Fujimaru Ritsuka's face immediately became extremely confused, his brows tightly locked, completely unable to grasp the situation.
Meanwhile, inside Chaldea, Dr. Romani, who was conducting remote observation and guidance, began to analyze the data while witnessing all of this, attempting to understand the current event and its implications.
"According to the information I have obtained so far, this is a powerful Noble Phantasm released by Ishtar that is continuously causing damage to Tiamat."
Hearing the explanation transmitted by Dr. Romani through the communication device, a joyful smile bloomed on Fujimaru Ritsuka's face, which had previously been in a state of bewilderment. 』
『 .....』
〜Demon Slayer World〜
"Nani? Isn't this feeling just like when Yoriichi Tsugikuni slashed a few scars on me back then, and the pain lingered for a lifetime? Are you telling me this trashy goddess can do it?"
At this moment, the Demon King Muzan expressed that he was very unhappy.
Why did a god who looked like trash before suddenly become so powerful?
(But what Muzan didn't know was that a god, at the very least, is still a god, and not something a demon can touch.)
—
『 The two companions beside him were also infected by this happiness, because such positive news undoubtedly boosted everyone's spirits.
Even while listening to Dr. Romani further clarify the course of events, despite being filled with excitement and thrill deep down, the three of them appeared in a dazed, silly state on the surface, or one could even say they stood there in circles as if frozen.
Thinking of this, they couldn't help but ponder whether they could consider that Ishtar was making up for her mistake of losing the "Bull of Heaven" in this way?
Thinking about it carefully, this speculation actually wasn't unreasonable.
Although the lethality of these lights might not look as astonishingly spectacular as the skills displayed by the previous goddesses, the power they possessed to destroy all obstacles like dry wood, combined with the ability to strike the target with absolute precision and zero deviation…
Recalling it now, even someone as brave as Fujimaru Ritsuka couldn't help but feel a chill down his spine and goosebumps all over his body.
It could only be said that Ishtar was a goddess with the same name as the Three Goddesses, so it wasn't strange for her to have a little power.
After all, her mythological background and various legendary deeds made such abilities appear reasonable and natural for her.
It could only be said that the previous her was hiding too deeply. Her strength was not easily displayed to others, and not even the people closest to her had fully perceived this, showing how deep her concealment was.
It's just unknown where Ishtar flew off to after launching this strike.
Perhaps she returned to the place where she usually resides, or maybe she is looking for the next place where she needs to take action.
And behind those beams of light, streaks of equally cyan lightning actually merged with the beams released by Ishtar, slowly covering Tiamat's body.
This scene left all the spectators dumbfounded, as if two different attacking forces had reached a kind of harmony at this moment.
"What… what is this lightning again…" Fujimaru Ritsuka thought.
Compared to Ishtar's scorching just now, Tiamat seemed to show signs of greater pain now.
Clearly, the newly appeared power caused a heavier blow to the latter.
But… where did this lightning come from… this was indeed a puzzling question.
Without any warning, they just appeared suddenly, and even exerted unexpected effects.
It was really inexplicable…
And Dr. Romani, this time, also began to analyze Tiamat's damage situation again.
Although this was not his first time facing this situation, he always appeared particularly serious and professional whenever such moments arrived.
It was just that this situation was much more complex than before.
It was fine not to check, but upon checking, it left him astonished.
"These attacks… You have to ask Ereshkigal beside you…" Romani said in a tone of disbelief, yet slightly calm.
"I can only say that every streak of lightning here has the power not inferior to Ishtar's full-power strike just now…" 』
『 .....』
〜One Punch Man World〜
After hearing Dr. Romani's analysis, Genos stood rooted to the spot, woodenly.
It was as if… he had crashed.
"Genos… what are you doing!"
Hearing his teacher call him, Genos finally came back to his senses from that sleepwalking state.
"So… what's wrong…"
Saitama tilted his head, casting a puzzled gaze at Genos. In front of his teacher, Genos always spoke the facts as usual.
"Just now… when that so-called Ishtar launched the attack, I secretly did a data comparison…Data comparison again…"
Before Genos could finish, Saitama complained from the side.
Just watching the time of this video, he had heard no less than ten data comparisons…
And now… another one…
However, it didn't matter. Originally, this video was just for killing time for Saitama, and listening to Genos's analysis was becoming more and more addictive.
"So… what did you analyze…"
"In terms of destructive power, currently I analyzed from a radius of several miles…"
"Stop, stop, stop!"
Although Saitama was prepared, when Genos started speaking, he still couldn't hold it in.
"You'd better just say what you analyzed…"
"Teacher, like this… from her abilities and magic power…"
"STOP!!"
Saitama was speechless. How come Genos just didn't understand his meaning…
"I mean… who is stronger, you or that goddess…"
"It's a draw…"
"Oh oh, that's good… huh?"
Saitama's face suddenly became very shocked.
"You… you can rival that attack?"
"From the data… yes…"
Saying this, Genos kept pulling out data from the analysis panel and displayed it visually for Saitama to see.
But Saitama was clearly not interested.
He just wanted to say, you can completely go out and work alone…
"It's just that, such an attack, although flashy, basically cannot hurt the Tiamat in front of us. Even those lightning bolts, it's the same, no matter who released them. Tiamat's exaggerated attributes and settings are placed there; it's simply impossible to defeat."
"Actually saying it's flashy…"
Saitama said so, but in his heart, he thought that every one of Genos's attacks was not much different from the ones in the video…
No wonder One Punch Man couldn't film a Third season; it was this guy who burned all the budget.
Actually saying such flashy nonsense, really… this guy must have wanted to go out and work alone long ago.
Saitama kept complaining about Genos's words in his heart.
But it must be said, the video in front of him was truly too exciting.
Although he knew very well that under Tiamat's absurd settings, it was basically impossible to be defeated… one could even say that Saitama couldn't think of any way to defeat her head-on.
However, just by thinking that every streak of lightning here had the power of Genos's full-power strike, Saitama's heart ignited inexplicably.
Do you remember his wish? He really wanted an opponent he could fight to his heart's content.
Before, it might have been a bit difficult; after all, he had to be careful not to let the Earth be blown up by his own punch, and he had to find an opponent with strength. That kind of difficulty was truly harder than reaching the sky.
But now, with this simulated battle system, not only could he fight in a virtual scene, but he could also fight across dimensions. Saitama's heart was already eager to try.
What kind of opponent, what kind of opponent, what kind of strength, is it an opponent or not? That feeling hadn't appeared in his heart for a long time, but now…
Everything was possible.
(Except for the previous Immortal King and other superpowers, because he can't fly.)
—
『 "Huh?" When hearing this sentence, everyone was shocked. This meant that the power currently continuously damaging Tiamat actually possessed the powerful energy comparable to the full-power burst of the Goddess of Venus?!
Not inferior to Ishtar's full-power strike just now? Every streak of lightning? Almost everyone thought it was too astonishing that such a powerful attack could be unleashed silently and without a sound.
In comparison, the power Ishtar displayed just now, although strong, seemed somewhat flashy.
Upon hearing this news, the two were clearly stunned, their mouths wide open.
Their gazes turned to Ereshkigal's direction simultaneously.
Under their long gaze, Ereshkigal's face gradually turned red, like it had been dyed by the evening glow, and her cheeks presented a bright rose color.
"Alright, alright… actually… this is the defense mechanism of the Underworld… specifically used to deal with those creatures or beings who enter the Underworld without permission," Ereshkigal said with a smile, trying to keep her voice calm.
However, as Ereshkigal's voice fell, Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash felt a chill run down their backs even more.
It turned out that every beam of light emitted here could rival or even exceed the fatal Noble Phantasm Ishtar used earlier. Recalling the destructive power displayed at that moment, they couldn't help but swallow their saliva—if Ereshkigal hadn't appeared in time to stop the situation that might have escalated further, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
Comparing like this, Ereshkigal, as the master of the Underworld, was truly low-key to the extreme.
"Any living being will suffer a thunderous strike once they step into my domain without approval. Even facing an ancient existence like Tiamat is no exception." She continued to add, "This is the rule here." 』
『 .....』