The clash between Keitaro and Beelzebub was seen unfolding with ferocity so strong that it shook the foundation of the underground chamber to its very core.
Beelzebub was a cursed being, a curse that was born from humanity's deepest fear, long ago when Christianity came to Europe, he was formed.
The power of a curse that was born due to humanity's fear of a certain demon was terrifying, the curse might be showcased for all who wanted to see the might of one of the seven princes of hell.
Keitaro on the other hand was seen analyzing each and every single one of the curse strikes, he had noticed that every time he made contact with the curse, the body part that had made contact with the curse would have gotten infected.
Something else he noticed was the fact that the energy absorbed by the purple rash on his hand would then be fed to the beast.
Keitaro was now beginning to understand the creature.
Using curse energy to heal the wound would do nothing but worsen the wound, the curse seemed to be having a fun time with this, he was going to show this human who was underestimating him the true power behind his curse technique.
Beelzebub launched a barrage of strikes, each strike faster and more vicious than the one before it.
His monstrous fist crashed down with enough force to shatter the ground beneath them. The shockwaves that were created were strong enough to send a ripple through the chamber.
Keitaro met each blow with a swift parry, his blade becoming an extension of himself as he deflected the creature's blows with ease.
For a second it looked like he was playing with the beast.
The cursed energy in the air thickened as Beelzebub commanded a swarm of insects to attack Keitaro, the insects' attack seemed to become more and more ferocious.
The sound of buzzing could be heard alongside the sound of wings flapping as the bug rushed toward Keitaro.
He could tell that each of those insects had enough poison in them to kill humans, he could probably handle one of them just fine but there were thousands of them rushing at him, he would die in an instant if he got caught.
However the fear of death did not make Keitaro take the curse seriously, all that forced him to do was open a simple domain around himself, any creature that entered the simple domain range was cut in half, and considering he could kill about 1000 or so bugs a second, he should be fine.
The curse sensing that his usual tactics were not enough fused with the remaining insects, his form now shifting into something more grotesque, something more power.
'An insect armor!' Keitaro was excited as he saw it, why did he never think of that, insects were known for their endurance.
Once he gets back home, he will make sure to add insect armor to the stuff Edgar needs to learn.
Keitaro's curse energy reinforcement was still at the level of a grade one, he would use this chance to brush up on his speed and technique.
The two clashed all over the place, their strikes sent sparks flying through the air.
Keitaro ducked under a wild swing before delivering a powerful knee strike to the curse's abdomen, the power behind the blow was so great that it caused the creature to grunt in pain.
The curse retaliated by backhanding Keitaro with all of his might, Keitaro managed to jump out of the way before the blow could even reach him.
He was in no mood to get his head infected, something told him if that happened, he would have to end the fight quickly before he found out what happened when his brain got infected.
Keitaro suddenly had an idea, using the natural energy that he had gathered, he launched a powerful strike at the creature.
As the punch connected, Keitaro could feel the impact of the blow as the floor beneath them just shattered.
The blow was so hard it sent the curse crashing into a wall...managing to make a huge hole inside the stone wall. The creature staggered to his feet, blood dripping from his mouth as he sneered at Keitaro.
"You're strong, human, but you're just delaying the inevitable," Beelzebub growled his voice sounding quite low. "I'll tear you apart, and then I'll feast on your soul."
Keitaro in the meantime was just having a blast, this creature's technique was fascinating, if it wasn't so evil he would have considered making it a shikigami, his personal cursed tool carrier even, however, this was now just a pipe dream.
As the two continued their clash, Edgar who was watching the fight from afar noticed something...Keitaro wasn't struggling.
Matter of fact he seemed like he was studying the curse, no it looked like Keitaro was giving it a chance.
Was Keitaro making sure the curse died a fulfilling end.....dying fighting someone stronger than it?
Keitaro suddenly stopped, dodging a strike from Beelzebub with ease. He then asked, his voice sounding quite calm, "Do you have a Domain Expansion?"
The creature's eyes seem to widen a bit...so the human was aware of such arts."So, you want to see the depths of my power? Very well, human. I'll show you the true terror of the one they call the Prince of Flies."
"Domain Expansion The Plague Cathedral"
The atmosphere in the chamber shifted dramatically.
The air became thick with a noticeable sense of dread lingering in the air, the shadows seemed to lengthen and twist in unnatural ways.
Beelzebub's hands came together in a slow yet deliberate motion which was accompanied by an ominous aura that began to swirl all around him. The walls of the chamber started to tremble as the cursed energy built up, and then, with a deafening roar, the Domain Expansion activated.
The world around Keitaro and Edgar transformed instantly. They found themselves standing in a vast, decayed landscape—a grotesque mirror of reality twisted by the fear and madness of humanity.
The sky above was a sickly yellow, it was covered in swirling clouds of insects that covered the sun. The ground beneath their feet was made of cracked, blackened earth which was littered with the remains of countless beings—both human and cursed—reduced to nothing more than bones and ash.
Monolithic statues of Beelzebub loomed in the distance, their eyes glowing with an eerie and malevolent light.
Rivers of putrid, bubbling sludge flowed through the landscape, filled with writhing, mutated creatures that screamed in agony. The air was thick with the stench of decay and the sound of buzzing, as swarms of flies filled every corner of the domain, their presence overwhelming and suffocating.
At the center of this hellish landscape stood Beelzebub, now towering over Keitaro, his form even more monstrous than before. His eyes gleamed with malicious glee as he spread his arms wide, the power of his domain flowing through him. "Welcome to my domain, human. Here, I am the absolute ruler. Every breath you take, every thought you have, is mine to control."
Keitaro's eyes looked at Edgar, he had his simple domain up...that was good.
"There are 3 ways to exit a domain" Keitaro added loudly enough so that his student could hear.
"One you could find the entrance of the domain and try to escape from there, however, that is not likely.
The second way is to have someone from the outside break the domain outer shell, which in our situation there is no one, so that can't work"
"The third way is by opening up your own domain and entering a domain clash, if your domain is more refined then you win, something there is some type of advantage but that is not our case here"
Edgar was listening to Keitaro's words carefully.
"Want to see my domain expansion"
The student immediately nodded its head up and down to which Keitaro just smiled before looking at his opponent.
The curse feeling its death incoming, rushed toward at Keitaro at full speed.
Keitaro clasped his hands together, palms facing inward. His index, pinky, and thumb fingers were extended outward
"Domain Expansion: Mirage Labyrinth"
As those words left his mouth, the curse domain instantly crumbled, it did not even put up a fight.
As soon as the curse domain shattered, the whole scenery changed to something way brighter.
Edgar saw the vibrant sunset paint the sky with hues of orange, pink, and purple, casting a warm glow over a vast expanse of fluffy clouds. Above, a starry night sky unfolds, filled with twinkling stars and a luminous crescent moon. A faint, ethereal galaxy stretches across the sky, its swirling arms shimmering with light. The scene is further enhanced by a series of bright, ethereal lines that crisscross the sky, adding a sense of mystery and wonder.
Keitaro pulled out his blade, using natural energy around his blade was seemed to be lightning seem to be crackling around the blade.
The curse who was now suffering from curse energy burn out could do nothing but look at the scene in awe.
Before he could do anything he saw his death, there was already a Keitaro infront of him.
As his head was chopped off, he expected to feel pain but he felt nothing.
As it opened its eyes it saw a vast field of vibrant blue flowers stretching out into the distance, illuminated by the soft glow of the moonlight. Above, a starry night sky unfolds, filled with countless twinkling stars and a luminous crescent moon.
Shooting stars streak across the heavens, adding a touch of magic to the scene. In the background, a distant city lights up the landscape, creating a beautiful contrast to the natural beauty of the field.
Infront of him, he saw Keitaro looking at him with a smile...oh, he had died and was now being welcomed into the other world.
It was being.....exorcized....this didnt feel too bad.
As the curse vanished, all that was left behind was just a Canaanite deity, the being looked at the young man with a grateful look.
Keitaro looked quite proud of himself as he watched the being finally being freed from the shackle of curse energy.
He felt fulfilled, this was what being a jujutsu sorcerer was all about.
A/N....So for anyone wondering how I came up with such an ability for the curse, I just did some light research and came up with this.
Name: Baal Zebub{ I chose this name as that was his previous name before Christianity came around, fun fact he used to be a Canaanite deity. He was associated with the Philistine city of Ekron and was often invoked for healing and protection.}
Curse technique: his curse technique is simple, he can summon a shit tone of insect, those insects can either be poisonous or could be used to extend someone's lifespan or to heal someone or some crops, the poison his insect carries feeds off curse energy and will transfer that energy back to him, that was my way of trying to showcase his greedy nature as he was the devil of greed and envy if Wikipedia was anything to go by.
He can become one with all of his bugs to create some sort of bug armor...and yes this is my way of making Keitaro think of using insect armor for the construction curse technique, couldn't make him pull it out of his ass.
The curse also possesses a domain.
Domain expansion The Plague Cathedral
I thought the name fit considering a cathedral is usually a place you pray to a god and he used to be a god before Christianity came around, and the reason the cathedral is plague is now due to him and also because he bring disease.
I know Keitaro didnt give him time to show his sure hit but basically, anything hit by the sure hit will be sucked dry, dryer than the Sahara desert in a second.
If I were to use any of my MC for an example, just imagine how dry Akeno is drying Takeo and that should give you an idea.
So yes, the sure hit is instant death and once you die the insect will feast on your corpse, and once they return back to the curse he will gain all of your memory and skill along with the curse energy amount, so yes....busted.