Author's note: "Many readers may compare this chapter to the next five chapters of JJK, and that's valid. However, all of this serves to develop the story. After these chapters, the originality will resume starting from chapter 26."
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As they fixed their gaze on the decapitated body in utter bewilderment, a sudden laughter erupted from behind them, followed by sharp tendrils. Gojin sensed it instantly, not bothering to turn around. He seized the tendril, dragging it forward and detaching it from the soul.
"You two can clear the other site; this is a grade 3, radiant soul. You'd only slow me down. Go."
Without objection, they fled to the next location, knowing Gojin could easily handle the soul. It would be a waste of time to join him when they could tackle another challenge.
They hurried out of the partially constructed building, navigating through the scattered debris and exposed beams. As they reached a large opening on the second floor, Sakura activated her technique. In an instant, they leaped into the air, their bodies suspended for a brief moment before vanishing in a swirl of shimmering dark light.
When they reappeared, they landed gracefully on the ground below, the impact barely made a sound. Without missing a beat, they took off running towards the next site.
....
The radiant soul loomed before Gojin, its form disfigured and far from anything they had encountered. It was a grotesque mass, with twisted, amorphous shapes that barely suggested a human figure. The surface rippled and shifted, as if it were made of a dark, swirling mist rather than flesh. Jagged protrusions extended from its core, giving it an unsettling, monstrous appearance.
"For the murder you just committed, I won't use my techniques on you since it would be giving you an easy death. I'm going to teach you some martial arts and make sure your... should I call it a head? Well, yes. I will make sure your head falls off," Gojin declared, cracking his hands with fierce determination.
In less than a second, he closed the distance between them. The ground beneath him shattered as he sped forward, cracks spiderwebbing outward, dust swirling violently around him.
The radiant soul twisted in shock, realizing the futility of its situation. Radiant souls obtain more than fifty percent of Ki even at the lowest grade. However, despite its formidable power, it was no match for Gojin.
As Gojin unleashed a flurry of strikes, each blow resonated with devastating impact. He began with a swift kick to the side of the creature's mass, sending it sprawling. The disfigured form quivered and writhed with each hit, struggling to maintain its shape.
Gojin followed up with a series of rapid punches, each landing with precision. He ducked under a wild lash of tendrils, countering with an uppercut that sent the soul reeling back, its grotesque form distorting further. The creature attempted to retaliate, but its movements were sluggish, unable to keep up with Gojin's relentless assault.
With a swift motion, Gojin spun around, delivering a powerful roundhouse kick that connected with the mass. The impact sent shockwaves through the air, but Gojin pressed the attack, launching into a series of devastating knee strikes. The creature convulsed, its form flickering as if battling to hold itself together.
Gojin's movements were a blur, a masterful display of martial arts that left no room for the soul to respond. He dived low, sweeping the ground and knocking the creature off balance before springing back up with a powerful thrust of his palm. The force sent the soul crashing into the remnants of the building, debris exploding outward in a chaotic spray.
The radiant soul struggled to rise, but Gojin was relentless. He closed in again, delivering a barrage of punches that echoed like thunder. Each strike landed with devastating force, the creature unable to lay a hand on him. It writhed in agony, its form began losing coherence as Gojin continued his assault.
Finally, with one last powerful strike, Gojin aimed for the core of the creature, his fist colliding with a resounding crack. The mass jerked violently, and as the dust settled, the soul hung limply, its grotesque form defeated. Before it could fall onto the ground, Gojin made sure to keep his promise.
He placed his hands on its head, and tore it away from the body, splattering blood around. The remaining body turned into ashes, and so did the head.
"What a failure!" Gojin exclaimed,grinning widely.
***
After a grueling 20-minute run, Sakura and Kenji arrived at the base of a hill, breathless but determined. They quickly assessed their surroundings and spotted a cave nestled beneath the overhang.
Sliding down the hill, they entered the cave, which was surprisingly illuminated by glowing white stones. An unsettling silence filled the air before a grade 2 exile soul shot toward them.
Kenji drew the dagger, while Sakura activated her shadow technique. The soul lunged, moving with unnatural speed. Kenji slashed at it with the Shadowfang, landing a deep gash, but the creature retaliated with dark tendrils that struck Kenji, sending him sprawling and drawing blood from his mid region.
Sakura summoned her shadows to form a barrier, absorbing some of the impact but still staggering back. The soul charged again, focusing on her. She redirected her shadows but struggled to maintain control as the creature slammed into her barrier.
Kenji, recovering quickly, leaped onto a rock for elevation. He threw his dagger into the air, positioning himself as if preparing for a ball shot. As the dagger fell, he maneuvered in mid-air, readying for a kick. Sakura infused dark energy into his leg, doubling the force.
When the dagger reached his leg, he executed a powerful kick at the hilt, sending it flying toward the soul with slicing speed. It struck the core.Kenji and Sakura quickly dashed toward it. He plunged out his dagger while Sakura formed a shadow whip.
They began cutting down the soul from different angles with speed and determination, tearing it limb from limb, splattering dark energy across the area.Just as they were about to finish, the soul vanished and reappeared behind them, holding a piece of rotten human flesh.
"Fuck,"
"That's Kurozai's body fragments! If it eats it, then he's going to gain some of Kurozai's powers and evolve into a radiant soul!" Kenji shouted. Sakura's eyes widened in horror at his words.
Kurozai had once been a revered deity, but his insatiable thirst for power had led to his downfall. Sealed away by ancient Exorcists—about 50 of them, from grand Exorcists to masters, seniors and juniors—only two had survived the battle.
The day he fell was catastrophic; over 700,000 civilians perished, and 48 Exorcists lost their lives while Kurozai wreaked havoc. That same day - four hundred years ago, he had brought an entire continent to its knees, crumbling multiple realms and timelines.
Now existing as a fragmented entity, Kurozai was sliced into 30 pieces: 15 fingers, 10 flesh fragments, and 5 cursed runes that once adorned him. Anyone who consumed any part of him would take on his essence. He was known as the strongest god—the King of Souls, an Elysian soul of infinite class, among many other titles.
Without wasting another moment, Kenji dashed toward the soul, tearing the hands off that held the flesh. He darted forward and snatched the piece just as the soul attempted to attack again.
In a reckless move, knowing the risks, he threw it into his mouth and swallowed.
Sakura froze in shock, but still finished off the soul, then turned to Kenji, who stood still, his head bowed, red energy swirling ominously around him."Why would you eat rotten flesh? What did you do?" she shouted, keeping a safe distance, unable to comprehend what was happening to him.
Suddenly, dark veins began to spread all over Kenji's hands and neck, creeping up to his face. Sakura took another step back, fear coursing through her.
A menacing laughter erupted from him, deep and unsettling. His fingernails elongated, turning a deep black, while his eyes glowed a fierce red. He raised his head and stretched his hands outward in excitement—Kenji had now been possessed by Kurozai, a soul with limitless Ki and endless sovereignty over life and blood.
"This is... gorgeous! I'm back!!!!" he shouted with a raspy voice.