Strange Smile?
Indeed, it was strange. Not the kind of strangeness that conceals hidden thoughts, but rather the pure stimulation of pain.
Although he had thrown that astonishing punch, the nature of the pain in Shinji's left hand did not change with a single movement. When he threw the punch, all his willpower was engaged in a battle against the pain, and he managed to resist it reluctantly.
But now, things were different. Shinji's whole being relaxed, and in this state, he clenched his fist in a moment of exuberance. It was not difficult to understand what kind of reaction would occur.
"Hmm, it aligns with the concept of asceticism in Buddhism," Shinji's smile had completely transformed from pride to a bitter smile. "To endure suffering without aversion, this is the path of the Buddha."
"The path of enduring suffering without aversion, this is the path of a warrior" is a line from the popular Japanese manga "One Piece," spoken by the swordsman Roronoa Zoro, and it serves as a self-portrait of his character. Shinji now used it as a self-deprecating joke, and it seemed quite fitting.
However, Shinji didn't expect that this self-mocking remark would trigger a phenomenon.
As soon as the words fell, an indescribable sensation shot straight from his left arm to his forehead. This strange feeling came so quickly that Shinji didn't have time to react, and his brain felt like it was struck by a heavy object, causing intense pain, followed by a brief moment of blankness.
Within this blankness, Shinji faintly heard a voice, initially indistinct but growing clearer.
This voice repeated one phrase over and over again: "May the Buddha's light illuminate the heavens and the earth."
Shinji didn't have much knowledge of Buddhism, so he didn't know exactly what "May the Buddha's light illuminate the heavens and the earth" referred to, but he was certain that it must be the name of a particular Buddha.
In Buddhism, whether it's reciting sutras or the so-called "mantras," they often begin with the proclamation of a Buddha's name. It's similar in intention to "Allah is great" in Islam or "God bless" in Christianity. The most widely known phrase in Buddhism, "Namaste," is also a Buddha's name, but with the multitude of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in Buddhism, each with their following, there is no unified belief like in the other two major religions. Therefore, Shinji was unaware of which specific figure it referred to.
However, this didn't hinder Shinji from experiencing the various wonders brought about by the relic. Within the repetition of these Buddha's names, the pain that plagued his left arm also alleviated to some extent. At least he didn't grimace with every movement.
Even more astonishingly, Shinji realized that he had regained control over his body.
Perhaps someone would ask, is the most important thing for a warrior to have control over their body? Shinji, who has been practicing for several years, can't even accomplish this?
Of course, he can accomplish it, provided that Shinji's body has not been enhanced through the use of relics.
Many people, especially boys, have fantasized in their youth about encountering adventures and one-day becoming superheroes, obtaining various magical abilities such as calmly shooting fireballs, demolishing buildings with a single punch, or jumping twenty meters high.
However, many people have not considered what would happen when a person, bound by the Earth's gravity for over a decade or two, suddenly gains such power.
Would they go on a rampage and become famous throughout the world?
No, the correct outcome is accidentally crushing someone's hand when shaking hands, inadvertently strangling someone with a hug, or unintentionally crashing into walls or ceilings. When Shinji collided with Riesbyfeearlier, she could stand firmly on the ground while Shinji ended up tumbling like a gourd. The difference lies not in strength but in body control.
Riesbyfe has gradually developed the ability to control her body through steady progress, while Shinji, relying on the amplification of relics, cannot. Riesbyfe's power belongs to herself, while Shinji's power is borrowed temporarily.
However, the incessant chanting of Buddhist mantras that echoed in his mind allowed Shinji to become capable of harnessing this borrowed immense power. Undoubtedly, this was a tremendous blessing. As long as he could control this power, he would be on par with Riesbyfe.
"So, this is what they call 'Magic Inscription.' Right, the inheritance of magic inscription techniques and experience... and now the relics are also imparting their own experiences. It's just that this experience is slightly different, considering that most of the saints in Buddhism are warriors."
Having confirmed this, Shinji no longer hesitated. He rushed towards Riesbyfe, who was dozens of meters away, at the fastest speed. He didn't know how long this strange "Golden Body State" would last, so he had to cherish every single moment now.
Shinji recovered, and his condition was much better than before. Naturally, Riesbyfe was no longer in a stiff state. The reason she didn't continue her attack as before was that she sensed the change happening in Shinji.
Setting aside the sudden burst of strange strength, many martial techniques have such explosive techniques, and body enhancement magecraft also includes similar techniques. It's nothing surprising. What truly caught her attention was the golden light emanating from this peculiar magus, a radiance that bore a resemblance to divine words.
This light, Riesbyfe has seen it before. It is the mystery of Buddhism, which is considered one of the world's three major religions alongside Christianity.
Faith is also a kind of mystery, so in a sense, the status of religions and their branches with a mysterious aspect is equal. Each religion has its own inherited mysteries and organizations similar to the Holy Church, although their scale and influence may not be as large as the Holy Church when considering the global context.
The scale and influence mentioned here are comprehensive considerations on a global scale. If we only discuss specific regions, then Christianity and the Holy Church may not necessarily be at the forefront. For example, in the Middle East, Islam, which is also one of the three major religions, holds absolute dominance, while in India, Hinduism surpasses all other religions.
Japan is a country with diverse beliefs. In 1998, the total population was 126 million, with over 100 million people practicing Shintoism and over 90 million practicing Buddhism. As for Christianity, there were only 1.7 million followers, which put it at a significant disadvantage.
One should not underestimate the local power, especially when dealing with a powerful local force. In Japan, when a rising star of the Church clashes with a skilled practitioner of Buddhism, even someone as single-minded and muscle-headed (foolish) as Riesbyfe knows it's not right.
Therefore, she hesitated.
When she saw Shinji rushing towards her, swinging his arm completely dyed in gold, Riesbyfe hurriedly shouted, "Stop!"
Just stop when I say stop - Shinji wanted to retort like that, but when he shouted stop earlier, Riesbyfe didn't make a move, giving him a face. As a gesture of reciprocity, Shinji also stopped.
"What's wrong? We just started feeling something, and now you don't want to play anymore?"
Just as he finished speaking, Shinji wanted to give himself a hard slap.
That was an incredibly terrible line.