As the mark activated, the power within Ren's muscles erupted instantly. His entire physique expanded, his back muscles bulging most prominently, swelling like a pressurized balloon.
At this moment, if anyone were behind him, they would see Ren's back resembling the face of a demon—wrathful and terrifying!
Upon activating the Demon Back, Ren felt power coursing through every fiber of his being. The fatigue from his frantic journey vanished in an instant.
Now, Ren could move even faster. He felt deep down that he could kill his version of a few minutes ago with a single punch!
"Hold on, Shinobu-san. Wait for me!"
Ren bolted forward like a shooting star, sprinting toward the Butterfly Mansion.
...
On the other side, within the Butterfly Mansion, Evernight began to take the fight seriously. Kocho Shinobu was immediately forced onto the defensive, her small, delicate frame soon covered in wounds.
As she continued to use her Breathing Style, she inhaled far too much of the blood mist. The high concentration of wisteria poison she had stored in her body was also completely depleted.
Right now, she was enduring the same agonizing pain as the other demon slayers around her.
Yet, despite being riddled with injuries, Shinobu remained standing with her sword in front of the slayers. Her unyielding and stubborn posture was enough to make anyone's heart ache.
"Hehehe, what a strong woman. It's a pity you're about to wither and perish."
"But don't worry, I'll send the others to follow you soon. You won't be lonely in the afterlife!"
"In your... dreams!"
Shinobu spat out a mouthful of blood. With staggering, unsteady steps, she raised her Nichirin Sword and pointed it at Evernight.
"I am the Insect Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps. If you want to hurt them, you'll have to go through my corpse!"
"What a beautiful sight. Like a crimson rose on the verge of wilting—truly dazzling. Since you're so eager to die, I'll grant you a swift end."
"Dark Combat Art: Night Curtain Star River!"
As Evernight swung his bone blade, several sharp strikes shot out, slashing toward Shinobu.
Seeing the whistling strikes approaching, Shinobu realized instantly that she couldn't block this move. She knew that today would likely be the day she died.
'Sister, am I going to see you now? That would be wonderful.'
'But Ren, I'm sorry. I haven't finished researching the drug to overcome the side effects of the mark yet...'
'After I'm gone, will you be able to live a good life?'
Seeing the strikes inches away, Shinobu couldn't help but close her eyes.
BOOM!
A massive explosion echoed. To Shinobu's surprise, the expected pain never came. Instead, she felt someone catching her from behind.
At that thought, Shinobu gently opened her eyes to see Ren already by her side, carrying her to safety.
"Shinobu-san..."
Watching her open her eyes, Ren finally let out a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness, you're still alive."
"I'm sorry. I'm late, and I let you get hurt so badly..."
WHOOSH!
The piercing sound of wind rent the air. While Ren's attention was entirely on Shinobu, Evernight swung his blade at him.
For some reason, upon seeing Ren, a sudden sense of crisis surged in Evernight's heart. It felt as though if he didn't kill this man now, he would be the one to die.
His very cells were instinctively fearing Ren. For Evernight, this was nothing short of a disgrace.
Taking advantage of Ren tending to Shinobu, he struck first, attempting to decapitate him in one blow.
Seeing Evernight attacking from behind, Shinobu's eyes widened. She wanted to warn Ren, but she suddenly realized her injuries were too severe—she couldn't even make a sound.
However, just as the bone blade was about to take Ren's head, Ren moved. He didn't dodge or draw his sword. He simply turned around and caught the bone blade with his bare hand!
Yes, he just turned back and grabbed the high-speed horizontal slash, remaining completely unharmed.
Although it seemed exaggerated, it was effortless for Ren in his Demon Back mode.
In this state, his muscles were as hard as iron, enough to easily catch a speeding blade.
"What? How is this possible!" Evernight gasped in disbelief. "You caught my bone blade with your bare hand!"
"You bastard, how dare you hurt the person I cherish most..."
Ren's eyes were blood-red, his murderous intent so intense it felt tangible.
With just a slight flex of Ren's arm, Evernight watched in horror as the blade in Ren's grip shattered into countless fragments.
'What kind of terrifying power is this?'
As his weapon shattered, Evernight immediately retreated to keep his distance, simultaneously activating his Blood Demon Art.
"Blood Demon Art: Crimson Toxic Mist!"
"Die in agony within my mist! Then, I will devour your body and become the strongest..."
BOOM!
Before he could finish, Evernight was sent flying by a massive impact. Ren moved like a bolt of lightning, his heavy fist slamming into Evernight's head like an anti-aircraft gun.
The immense power of the punch pulverized Evernight's skull. His head shattered like a watermelon slammed onto the ground!
However, as Upper Moon Zero, Evernight's regenerative abilities were extreme. In an instant, his head restored itself, his face etched with shock.
"Such speed, such power... And my mist doesn't even affect you?"
"Isn't that obvious? All the Berserk Demons were born from just a drop of my blood. Did you really think your Blood Demon Art would work on me?"
Ren sneered. With his physical stats surpassing 300 points, his poison resistance and healing rate were thirty times that of a normal human, making him immune to most toxic attacks.
As he spoke, Ren drew the Nichirin Greatsword from his back and lunged forward, slashing at Evernight with incredible speed.
With the Demon Back active, the moment he gripped the greatsword, it transformed into a scorching Bright Red Nichirin Sword, radiating intense heat.
Seeing Ren charging with his blade, Evernight's expression shifted drastically. He desperately gathered his power to unleash another art.
"It's useless! Witness my Blood Demon Art: Dark Sky—"
CLANG!
Before the words left his mouth, a streak of red light flashed across his neck. His world began to spin.
He realized instantly that he had been decapitated. His pupils dilated as disbelief filled his face.
"Light Combat Art: Shadowless Holy Light Sword."
Ren murmured as he sheathed his Nichirin Greatsword.
Upper Moon Zero, Evernight, was officially slain.
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]