In an instant.
Countless light patterns lit up on the ground.
Those light patterns spread out, forming a massive array beneath Magatsuhi's feet. The patterns were complex and dense, with every line emitting a blinding white light.
"This is..."
A look of terror appeared on Magatsuhi's face for the first time.
"The Four Spirits Sealing Array?!"
"You intend to seal me completely?!"
"Impossible! When did you—"
Kikyo did not answer.
She merely raised her hand, and a bolt of spiritual power shot from her fingertips, activating the core of the array.
Boom—
A white light shot up into the sky.
Countless chains of light surged from the array, winding around Magatsuhi's body like vines.
Magatsuhi struggled wildly, all those faces twisting into hideous expressions, emitting ear-piercing screams.
"Let me go! Let me go!"
"I have waited five hundred years! Five hundred years!"
"You despicable human—"
"You are the same, Midoriko is the same, all of you, you are all deceiving me!"
But those light chains wound tighter and tighter.
Every chain was inscribed with dense sealing incantations, a binding technique specifically targeting Magatsuhi.
Kobe Hikaru, watching this scene, felt a sudden realization surge in his heart.
She had known all along.
Known from the very beginning.
That Magatsuhi would try to escape on the night of the full moon.
Perhaps every time the guardian of the shikon jewel changed, Magatsuhi would attempt to escape.
This was its only chance.
But every time, it failed to seize that opportunity before being suppressed.
And Kikyo—
She did not try her best to suppress the shikon jewel like the guardians before her.
She was 'waiting' for Magatsuhi.
The previous suppression actions were all just for Magatsuhi to see.
To make it think there was an opening.
To make it lower its guard.
To make it jump out on its own.
And then—
Catch them all in one fell swoop.
Although pure and innocent, Kikyo had always been wise.
But Kobe Hikaru had no time for sentiment.
Because Kamaitachi's attack had arrived.
The gale was like a blade.
At this moment, Kikyo's entire focus was on suppressing Magatsuhi; she had no time to attend to what was behind her. If she were hit by this attack—
Countless images flashed through Kobe Hikaru's mind.
The Kikyo from the original story.
That lonely priestess.
She guarded the shikon jewel alone.
Facing countless demons alone.
Bearing all the burdens alone.
No one helped her.
No one could stand by her side.
Perhaps this was why she was taken advantage of and ultimately died because of it?
He also suddenly understood: if he were not here tonight, Kikyo might still have managed to cope—or rather, she would definitely have managed—but it would never have been easy. She would definitely have been severely injured, she would have realized she was not absolutely invincible, and she would have begun to long for someone to rely on...
But.
There are no "ifs."
Because, Kobe Hikaru is right here!
Anything else no longer exists, cannot appear, and naturally, does not matter.
His body moved.
He naturally had to move, even if only for his own gain.
[Ghost Step] activated.
An afterimage flashed and vanished in the air.
The next moment, he appeared behind Kikyo.
Appearing on the trajectory of Kamaitachi's attack.
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.
Kobe 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."
Kobe 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 Kobe 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.']
Kobe 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."
Kobe 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].
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