As Akudama whispered to himself, "The reality is vast," he reflected on the recent departure of Yukiharu and Nozomi, who had left behind a trail of world-shaking events for the third time. Continuing his aimless wandering, Akudama couldn't help but appreciate the fine clothing he was adorned in. The garments he wore exuded elegance and style, adding a touch of sophistication to his appearance as he ventured through the unknown.
As Akudama continued his solitary walk, his mind wandered back to the small town he had once destroyed with a meteor. The scene of devastation lay far behind him, a haunting reminder of the consequences of his actions. Suddenly, a gust of wind began to swirl around him, and he sensed the approach of unfamiliar figures.
Four individuals emerged from the shadows, steadily closing in on Akudama. They introduced themselves as sorcerers and declared their purpose: to end lives due to the havoc he had caused in the city just two days prior. Surprisingly, Akudama noticed that they did not appear fearful in his presence, which puzzled him.
Struggling to find the right words, Akudama responded, "It was an accident. I never intended to cause harm or take lives. The events unfolded so rapidly, and it turned into a disaster beyond my control. I honestly don't know why it happened."
His explanation only seemed to further enrage the four sorcerers. Their anger intensified, fueled by his words.
As one sorcerer stepped forward, he addressed his fellow sorcerers, declaring, "I will handle this. I am the strongest among us, and I wish to defeat this demon on my own. He possesses immense power, capable of ending countless lives in that small town and even causing a devastating earthquake that shattered cities far and wide." The three remaining sorcerers nodded in agreement, acknowledging the perceived strength of their adversary.
As Ryūji, the strongest sorcerer, stepped forward and introduced himself to Akudama, tension filled the air. Akudama studied Ryūji's features—gray hair, dark brown eyes, and a height of approximately 180 centimeters. Ryūji was clad in a white cloak, donning a matching white outfit and boots.
In response to Ryūji's declaration, Akudama calmly replied, "Very well, I accept your challenge. Perhaps, if the opportunity arises, I may even spare you." Though his words carried an air of confidence, Akudama remained cautious, fully aware of the potential dangers posed by the formidable sorcerer before him.
As Ryūji closed the distance between himself and Akudama, he uttered unexpected words directly to Akudama's face, "Can I join you, Master Akudama?" The expression on Akudama's face turned to confusion, unable to comprehend Ryūji's sudden request.
One of the three sorcerers, filled with anger and confusion, confronted Ryūji, exclaiming, "Why would you want to betray us, Sir Ryūji? Why?!" The members of the group appeared furious, their emotions escalating, and it seemed like they were on the verge of attacking Ryūji for his surprising statement.
As Akudama stood there in confusion, one of the three sorcerers launched an attack on Ryūji, despite his superior strength. However, Ryūji calmly raised his hand and uttered the word "Bokenji." In an instant, a deadly poison at an absolute level materialized, transforming into spears that pierced the air with incredible velocity.
The spears of poison swiftly reached the bodies of the sorcerers, instantly claiming their lives. Akudama, witnessing the swift and lethal display, couldn't help but question Ryūji's actions. "Why did you do that?" he asked, seeking an explanation for the sudden and devastating outcome.
As Ryūji turned to face Akudama, he expressed his belief that Akudama possessed powers capable of annihilating humanity itself. Even if Akudama were to change his mind about sparing humanity, Ryūji vowed to sever him. Bowing before Akudama, Ryūji humbly requested, "Please make me your servant!"
Akudama, still perplexed by the unfolding events, let out a sigh and responded, "Very well then, you shall be my servant." Despite his confusion, Akudama made the decision to accept Ryūji's offer, perhaps intrigued by the prospect of having a powerful ally by his side.
As Ryūji continued to follow Akudama, the latter couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. However, Ryūji abruptly ran up to Akudama and complimented his clothing. Acknowledging the compliment, Akudama responded with a simple "Thank you," and they resumed their walk.
Unbeknownst to them, the city that Akudama used to live was unaware of Ryūji's betrayal of his previous companions. Oblivious to this fact, they ventured into the bustling town. However, Akudama noticed something peculiar—the people around them seemed to be indifferent, ignoring him entirely and showing no signs of fear or hostility.
Concerned about Akudama's well-being, Ryūji gazed at him with a worried expression and asked, "Are you alright, my master?" Akudama reassured him, replying, "Yes, I'm okay." Though he tried to dismiss his concerns, Akudama couldn't shake off the unsettling feeling that something was amiss.
As Akudama and Ryūji continued their walk, they witnessed a middle-aged woman being pursued by two malevolent individuals. Akudama's instincts kicked in, and he began to think about intervening to help the woman. However, before he could act, Ryūji stepped forward and expressed his desire to handle the situation himself.
"Let me handle this," Ryūji confidently declared, "I believe I am more than capable of dealing with them."
As Ryūji approached the two individuals and the frightened woman, he inquired about their actions with a stern tone, asking, "What are you doing to this woman?"
The two individuals appeared surprised by the encounter and quickly explained, "Oh, it's just a coincidence. This woman is our aunt who has some mental health issues. She escaped from the hospital, and we were trying to bring her back so that she can receive proper treatment and care."
Ryūji listened attentively, placing his hand on his chin as he contemplated the situation. After a moment of consideration, he simply responded with a nonchalant "Okay?"
The woman remained fearful, unsure of what would happen next. Meanwhile, Akudama, who was observing the scene from the back, remained unaware of the conversation between Ryūji and the individuals, leaving him puzzled about the unfolding events.
As Ryūji questioned the nature of the woman's injury, one of the individuals responded, "She has Apoptosis." Ryūji's hand instinctively went to his chin as he whispered to himself, "Apoptosis?"
After a brief moment of thought, Ryūji confidently declared, "I can cure it." The two individuals looked at each other, nodding in agreement. Ryūji approached the woman, reaching for the side of her belly. In response, she resisted, pushing him away.
Ryūji sternly warned her, saying, "Control yourself, or this will end badly for you." Fearing the consequences, the woman complied, allowing Ryūji to proceed. Placing his hand on the side of her belly, Ryūji uttered the word "Tsuonika." Miraculously, the cells within her body began to undergo a transformation, returning to a healthy state. The woman was left astonished by the sudden change taking place within her.
It appeared that Ryūji possessed the ability to negate the effect of Apoptosis, leaving both the individuals and the woman amazed by his power. Akudama, still unaware of the details, continued to observe the unfolding events with curiosity and intrigue.