"Holy crap, did he just one-shot it?"
"Did anyone catch how that strike landed?"
"Monster: I spawned, got one-shot. Nothing more to say."
In Tong Gu's livestream, the oppressive atmosphere caused by the terrifying presence of the bone-clad Nurarihyon was instantly swept away when Tong Gu decapitated it in one clean stroke. The mood shifted to exhilaration, the tense energy now released in an explosion of excitement.
The audience seemed to double down on their previously restrained emotions.
[Wu Zhengyang posted a highlighted comment (CNY 100): That was iaijutsu—a masterful sword-drawing technique. It seems Kirigaya has truly made progress in this world.]
Guo Dengyuan, poised to post a cheeky comment, froze upon seeing this serious explanation. When he checked the sender's ID, he nearly leapt out of his chair. Wu Zhengyang?!
Holy crap, the Savior Wu Zhengyang himself!
A veritable national treasure and a titan among players, Wu Zhengyang's appearance caused an immediate frenzy in the livestream chat.
"Holy crap, the Savior is watching this with us?"
"This is insane…"
Li Mei's cheeks flushed with excitement, her fingers flying across her keyboard as she spammed nonsensical strings of characters in the chat. It was her way of releasing the fiery thrill bubbling inside her. In this moment, all thoughts of the terror and despair of the Game of Fate vanished. She felt like she was simply part of an audience enjoying a spectacular performance.
In a sterile, empty room, a crystalline girl sat watching the stream, her delicate skin glowing faintly in the screen's light. She was brimming with excitement. Even when the chat despaired, she remained unwavering in her belief:
In her heart, that man was invincible.
---
Unlike the jubilation in the livestream, Tong Gu remained acutely aware that the Nurarihyon wasn't truly defeated. If anything, it was likely adapting to counter his swordsmanship.
From his past life, Tong Gu knew all too well about Nurarihyon's abilities. Detailed analyses of the Osaka arc, where the boss gained infamy, outlined its formidable powers: regeneration, shapeshifting, lasers, telekinesis, rapid learning, and more. This boss was a juggernaut, virtually impossible to solo.
Its regeneration was particularly nightmarish. It could heal from any attack it comprehended, sometimes regenerating mid-strike. Only attacks it couldn't predict or understand could cause meaningful damage.
Worse, it adapted to its opponent's combat style. Snipe from a distance? It would grow devastating laser weapons. Engage in melee? It would become unnaturally agile.
The creature's learning ability was equally terrifying—it could grasp your techniques during battle. Combined with its telekinesis and destructive laser attacks, it was an unparalleled adversary.
But like all bosses, it had weaknesses. Tong Gu glanced at the shattered enhanced X-Gun on the ground. He wasn't sure when the Osaka team would arrive, but their heavy-duty gravity gun was key. By attacking from multiple directions, Nurarihyon could be overwhelmed before it could adapt.
Suddenly, a massive gust of wind roared. Tong Gu's expression darkened.
"Are you waiting for them?"
A surprisingly calm male voice spoke. Tong Gu turned to see a massive humanoid creature, draped in a white onmyoji robe and wearing a ceremonial hat. It had retracted its wings and now stood beside the Nurarihyon's corpse.
Though humanoid in shape, its head resembled a large, white dog.
The Inugami.
Tong Gu's frown deepened when he noticed what the Inugami was holding—a half-torn human torso. The black combat suit was shredded at the waist, and the lifeless body belonged to none other than Osaka team member Nobuo Muroya, who had achieved four 100-point rewards.
A moment later, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed. Blood-soaked and disheveled, the massive Tengu emerged from a distant street, clutching a severed head.
The Tengu was visibly injured, its body bleeding and wings gone. However, the head it carried belonged to another top Osaka player, Shimaki, who had earned three 100-point rewards.
The Tengu's mouth still held traces of flesh and blood, and its eyes glowed crimson with murderous intent. It joined the Inugami beside the Nurarihyon's corpse.
At that moment, the bone-clad Nurarihyon's body began to tremble. A pale, human-like hand burst from its chest. With a tear, a man of Tong Gu's stature emerged, his features eerily similar to Tong Gu's.
The human form Nurarihyon extended his right hand, and a blade made of bone slowly grew from his palm. His long hair swayed as he stood amidst the two monstrous guardians, his eyes cold and emotionless as they locked onto Tong Gu.
"This is impossible…"
"All three of them are bosses? And they're appearing together?"
"Forget it. The Game of Fate just wants us dead. There's no way out of this."
The sight of the Nurarihyon, Inugami, and Tengu standing before Tong Gu left the livestream audience in despair. Some were furious, others were resigned, and a few were utterly broken.
Yang Yuanping, staring intently at his monitor, racked his brain for a solution.
There had to be a way.
Tong Gu couldn't die here!
Behind him, unnoticed, more colleagues had gathered. They too clenched their fists in anger, their eyes fixed on the three creatures radiating hopelessness. Gong Li was trembling, her hands balled into tight fists.
"Do you despair?"
"Humans."
The Nurarihyon's human form spoke in a detached tone, tilting his head slightly as he looked at Tong Gu with disdain. The Tengu and Inugami flanked him silently, their intent palpable.
Yet amidst this suffocating presence, Tong Gu felt a blazing heat in his chest—a fiery sensation spreading through his lungs, searing him from within.
He glanced at the lifeless bodies of Nobuo and Shimaki and chuckled softly.
"Heh."
How many times had he fallen into this trap? Habitually planning, calculating, and strategizing—only for Fate to shatter it all.
When would he learn?
Fate wasn't something you could plan for.
Fate wasn't something you waited for.
Fate was something you broke.
Tong Gu exhaled slowly, his breath so hot it scorched his lips.
"Despair?"
"Heh… hahaha!"
The Nurarihyon paused mid-step, sensing a shift in the human before it. His quiet chuckle grew louder, more unrestrained, until it became a wild, manic laugh.
Tong Gu clutched his face with his left hand, his laughter bent his body forward. The nano-blade in his right hand pointed lazily at the Nurarihyon.
"You lot… have you grown so accustomed to being kings of this tiny world that you've forgotten—"
"That's all you are."
"Did you really start believing your own hype?"
"Across the infinite worlds, countless beings stronger than you exist. And yet you, mere yokai, dare to call yourselves gods!"
With a deep inhale, Tong Gu's blood surged like boiling magma. He raised his sword, the earth trembling in rhythm with his heartbeat, his overwhelming aura condensing into his blade.
Earth Breathing, First Form: Gate of Hell!
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