《Lord Of Doom!Reincarnated Into a Novel as the Strongest Side Character》


 Chapter 1: Doom has been born.

    Chapter 1: Doom has been born. Chapter 0.


    "SO DEEP!!"


    A boy exclaimed in shock as he dipped his hands into a coat pocket, lined on a movable hanger with other clothes inside a dressing room.


    "You actually didn''t know that?"


    Another boy standing beside him asked, tapping on his tablet. He wore a green shirt over white trousers, and with his blue eyes, he almost resembled a K-pop idol. His name was Eden.


    "No! Though I should have guessed since it''s a longer coat than the last one Brian wore for the shoot."


    Judging by their appearance and conversation, the two were just 22-year-olds working as stylists for an entertainment company called "LN Entertainment."


    They were in the dressing room to pick out an outfit for a show featuring a popular singer who was set to be interviewed by a reporter. The singer needed to change his coat because the fans didn''t like what he had originally worn. S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Since we''ve got the requested one, let''s go," Eden replied, urging the other boy. They quickly packaged the coat and rushed out of the room, down the hallway. Several posters were plastered on the walls.


    A few minutes later, they arrived backstage, filled with crew members bustling about.The moment the girls spotted Eden, they rushed toward him.


    "What do you want to eat? Are you hungry?" one girl asked, flashing a bright smile. Another girl stepped in front of him, playfully placing her hands on his shoulders. "Let''s go out when you''re free tonight, okay?"


    Eden nodded with a smile, gently extricating himself from her grasp as he walked away with the other boy. They approached a boy seated in a chair, surrounded by makeup artists, each specializing in different features. Eden was undeniably better looking than the singer.


    One of the girls collected the coat from Eden and admired his looks before turning around with a shy smile. The singer shot Eden a disgusted glance.


    "You look like a sheep! You''re not as handsome as me," he said, standing up and snatching the coat from the girl with an irritated expression.


    "Who asked a goat who got lucky to be a singer?" One of the crew thought, staring at the singer with an annoyed expression.


    As he reached the stage door, his demeanor shifted to a bright smile as he began waving at the audience, who cheered his name.


    "He applied for the wrong career; he should have been an actor instead," his colleague whispered into Eden''s ear, causing him to chuckle. The sound made the girls'' eyes widen in awe.


    "So pretty, not handsome but pretty. Can he be my husband?" a female thought, tightening her grip on the coffee cup she held, she seemed horny.


    "Welcome, everyone! Today, we have a special guest," the host announced, "Let''s give a warm welcome to the one and only, Jason!"


    Jason strolled onto the stage, he waved to the crowd once more. The host gestured for him to take a seat on the plush armchair, positioned center stage under the bright lights.


    "Jason, it''s great to have you here!" the host began, flashing a charming smile. "Your latest single has been a massive hit. What inspired you to write it?"


    Jason leaned back with a smirk, "Well, it''s all about capturing those moments when you feel alive. I wanted to convey that rush of emotions, the highs and lows we all experience."


    The host nodded, clearly impressed. "That''s fantastic! You really know how to connect with your fans. Speaking of which, how do you handle the pressure of being in the spotlight?"


    Jason paused, his expression momentarily serious. "It can be overwhelming at times. But I remind myself why I started this journey¡ªto share my music and connect with people. That keeps me grounded."


    ****


    The interview ended after about an hour, the audience began dispersing so did the crew. Two girls rushed to Eden''s side, pushing his colleague away. He shook his head as he walked behind the three, chatting and laughing.


    "Girls." He muttered.


    Suddenly, rain began to pour in heavy sheets, quickly forming a small pool on the floor. Everyone used their bags to shield their heads. The two girls waved goodbye to Eden as they left with his colleague.


    Eden, with a crossbody bag slung over his shoulder, shoved his hands into his pockets and started walking towards the dark road, preparing to cross to the other side.


    A sports car sped down the empty street, the driver honking wildly and laughing as if under the influence. The car drifted dangerously close, its headlights blinding Eden.


    "What the heck?!" he shouted, just before the vehicle struck him, sending his body flying into the air before crashing back to the ground. Blood pooled around his head as his vision began to fade, his thoughts slipped away.


    Two men emerged from the car, their faces was obscured by the rain.


    "What a waste. What should we do about this?" the driver asked, devoid of remorse.


    "I''ll handle it, boss," the other man replied, rushing to the car to grab a spanner. He approached Eden and struck him in the head, killing him instantly. It was a cruel and senseless end.


    ******


    "That''s the end for me. It was fun while it lasted."


    Strange noises filled the air as Eden slowly opened his eyes. A man quickly approached the woman and placed a black blindfold over the eyes of the baby in her arms.


    The man was clad in a traditional hakama. The fabric was a deep indigo, contrasted sharply with the crisp white kimono beneath. The hakama''s pleats were meticulously pressed, giving it a refined appearance, while the wide legs allowed for ease of movement.


    His hair was tied back into a neat bun, revealing a strong jawline and high cheekbones. A pair of sharp eyes peered out from beneath slightly furrowed brows. He wore a simple obi, cinching the hakama at his waist.


    "It''s a boy¡ªthe last blood of our clan," the man said, gently taking Eden, who appeared to have been reincarnated as a baby. He lifted him from the arms of a woman lying on a luxurious bed, flanked by two other women.


    The woman had long black hair with an egg shaped face. Under her eyes were two huge black bags, but even though she looked tired, a warm smile still broke through. Eden couldn''t see the remaining people cause of the blindfold.


    He tried to lift himself up but found himself too weak to do so. He wiggled his legs, but there was still no response. "Did i reincarnate as a baby? Wait, i reincarnated? Does that phenomenon even exist? Fuck, who are this people?" Different thoughts came to Eden''s mind.


    "His eyes need to be covered at all times. You have just given birth to doom, and those eyes will bring about negative consequences if¡ª" Before the man could finish, a young man slid open the fusuma, the traditional doors covered with paper and framed in wood. The room was adorned with tatami flooring.


    In short, it was a Japanese traditional room style setting.


    The young man, wearing sunglasses that he quickly removed, said, "No wonder my little brother is here. A Ki pillar has just collapsed, elder." The woman''s expression shifted to one of disappointment.

 Chapter 2: The Seren Clan

    Chapter 2: The Seren Clan Chapter 1.


    "Doom? Me? What does all this even mean? Am i to be isolated? I don''t understand." Eden tried speaking out but his mouth was too heavy for him to move.


    "Fuck the baby body. So weak and useless!!" He screamed inside his mind, trying to make a fuss. His body got weaker the more he tried and he was slowly falling into sleep.


    "NO!!!" His eyes closed and he began to sleep like the baby he was.


    "Continue. Where is the clan head?" Satoshi, which was the strange man''s name asked, holding the baby and stepping out of the room with the young man, Taro. The two of them along with Eden in hand, walked down the wooden floored hallway.


    "Will the clan head be happy about this though?" Taro asked, staring at Eden who was sleeping softly on the man''s hand.


    "Doom was born and all we have to do is keep him from destroying all the pillars at the same time, protect him from dangers. The souls will be attracted to him surely. Even the other clans might began spreading out to kill him."


    Satoshi replied, halting at another paper door and handing Eden over to Taro. The both of them proceeded into the room after knocking and getting permission for entry.


    Another set of tatami mats covered the floor with a low wooden table sat at the center, which had a delicate arrangement of seasonal flowers in a simple vase. The walls were plastered with shoji screens.


    At the far end of the room, a figure sat behind a white curtain, obscuring their face. The only other occupant was a woman standing at the edge of the room.


    She held a katana, slightly different from the normal ones¡ªa blue edge starkly against a red sheath, clearly sealing a strong energy beneath it.


    "Is this the baby''s aura?" A thick male voice asked, the head of the Seren Clan. His name was L, no-one had ever saw his face but only the clan members knew he was a male.


    The Seren Clan, renowned as the most powerful clan in this realm. Their reputation was built upon a legacy of unmatched strength and skill in exorcism, possessing the greatest number of exorcised souls among all clans. The clan members were trained rigorously to harness their abilities and destroy the evil souls from the age of 5.


    The Clan''s main purpose so as the others was to combat evil souls¡ªentities that was born out of people''s despair, anger, vengeance, grief, sad memories.


    They sought to disrupt the harmony of existence, causing death and turmoil wherever they manifested.


    The exorcists of each clans dedicated their lives to seeking out these corrupted souls, employing a combination of energy called Ki and infusing them with weapons or sometimes creating techniques.


    Ki is a vital energy that flows through all living things. Not all humans can awaken it and the few one who did were called, Exorcists.


    Users focus on harnessing and directing their "ki" to enhance their performance, balance, and overall effectiveness in their techniques. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Reiki involve channeling "ki" for healing. Users believe that by tapping into this life force, it can boost their skills and enhancement, potentially even life force.


    Fortunately, Eden had reincarnated with almost all of the Ki inside him. His birth had caused a pillar to fall, creating a gateway for souls to evolve into form through negative emotions.


    "I want him to be named Gojin Yamamoto, keep him safe till he reaches the age of ten. Do whatever to make him safe, even if it''s to throw him out of the clan. Once he is five, take him out of the clan."


    L commanded, with that, the two of them sprang up to their feet and bowed their heads a little while moving backwards. Few inches away, they exited the room.


    Taro stared at Eden now Gojin''s blindfolded eyes, his expression changed to that of saddened as they walked down the hall back into another room, seems like his mother was no longer useful from here on. Gojin was banned from meeting her ever, his father''s name or looks were not told.


    ******


    Few hours later, Gojin began to open his eyes. Everything was blur at first but it later came into a clear view. He was placed on a bed inside a room, supposedly now his room.


    A bulb was in the middle of the room which meant it wasn''t in a traditional setting but the house was designed so, mostly likely as a culture.


    "I got reincarnated, accepted! But where in hell did i reincarnate into? This seems like some kind of Japanese home, am i in the past? Or..." Gojin realised something in an instant.


    "It can''t be, I only saw the advertisement and managed to read only two Chapters. I reincarnated into Safekeeper - though, I find the author stupid for naming the book such a dumb name; one of the reason I didn''t read it but now am regretting that decision."


    The Safekeeper was a completed webnovel, known and read by about thirty million readers worldwide with a fan base of twenty million; Gojin never bothered to check it out just for the name. He found it stupid but now who''s stupid? He thought.


    The main character name was Kenji and he was just a side character, a friend of Kenji but somehow the author managed to make the main character stronger than him. As illustrated in the book, Kenji was born into another clan, ranking second in techniques and exorcists.


    Eden knew his name was Gojin since he was introduced in the first Chapter even before the main character, who was born a year after him. Most readers had thought Gojin was the main character.


    The Exorcists and souls were ranked;


    Exorcist Ranks


    Grand Exorcist


    The highest rank, possessing unparalleled skills and knowledge. They lead major exorcism missions and train others.


    Master Exorcist


    Highly experienced and capable of handling powerful entities. They often mentor lower-ranked Exorcists.


    Senior Exorcist


    Skilled and reliable, they can manage complex cases independently and support Master Exorcists.


    Junior Exorcist


    In training, they assist higher-ranked Exorcists and learn the intricacies of exorcism.


    Acolyte


    Novices who are just beginning their journey, learning the basics of exorcism and spiritual combat.


    Initiate


    The entry-level rank, focused on understanding the fundamentals of the spiritual realm and basic rituals.


    The Souls were divided into only three ranks: Elysian Soul, the most powerful though none had ever been seen; Radiant Soul, similar to the former but mostly limited at some point; and Exile, the weakest soul, born out of the tiniest human negative emotions, even tears.


    "Darn, how the heck will I begin as a baby? Starting with the most rigorous training since I''m in the craziest clan. These dudes shall know my wrath when they show me theirs!!"


    "Thank God I was born with the most powerful ability, but how will I utilize it without ruining certain things? Maybe I''ll be able to get this blindfold off my eyes. Currently, my hands are too heavy and short to reach it¡ªfuck babies!!"


    In Gojin''s mind, he was raging, convinced that everyone could feel his wrath.


    Meanwhile, the sound coming from him was nothing more than a mere cry.


    "Stupid exorcists, you shall pay for this cruelty! I will surpass the MC and make this story revolve around me," Gojin thought, trying to wiggle his hands.


    Suddenly, a strange sound entered his hearing:


    [Ding!]

 Chapter 3: Awakening

    Chapter 3: Awakening Chapter 2.


    [Ding!]


    [You have obtained the Doom System]


    "Huh? What is this weird floating screen?" Gojin thought, noticing he could see through the blindfold clearly. He stared at the screen with confusion etched on his face.


    [Special ability! Host has the special eyes from birth: Doom]


    [Ding! Reversing weak aura into EXP: 10]


    "Oh, a system? Just like in those shity fictional stories. Well, I guess I''m in that kind of world now." Gojin''s spirits lifted.


    "System, what''s my status?" he thought, since his mouth wouldn''t cooperate. To his surprise, the system responded.


    [Book Tab]


    [Host character name: Gojin]


    [Character: Strongest Exorcist, Support Character]


    [Other Characters: (First Young Master of Host''s Clan: Ryu) (First Young Miss: Yuki)]


    [Main Character of the Book: Kenji]


    "Okay, got it. What about my own stats?" S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [No information will be shown yet!]


    [Host is required to reach the age of 2!]


    "Trash! Complete nonsense. System, tell me more. I''m too dumb for this!" Gojin grumbled, frustrated by the lack of information. He wanted to learn more about his stats to understand how strong he truly was.


    He later grinned evilly with his baby lips; he was all about the fun and how he wanted to surpass the MC in strength.


    Just then, Taro entered to play with Gojin, who instantly pretended to be sleeping.


    "Oh, the cutie is asleep. I''m going to miss you, Gojin. You''ll be leaving the Clan when you''re five for your safety. I promise to protect you from the shadows."


    "Who the heck is this dude calling ''cutie''? Accepted, though. Wait, is he serious about me leaving the clan once I''m five? Woah, that''s like a dream come true!" Gojin thought, keeping his eyes shut, though no one could tell if they were open or not.


    Taro was a master exorcist in the clan, known for his exceptional skills but also for his laziness, which kept him from going on quests. While other exorcists were out on missions, Taro preferred to lounge around, enjoying the peace of the clan since he wasn''t required to train unlike the ranks below him.


    Two minutes later, a knock came at the door. Taro commanded their entry while his gaze remained locked on Gojin.


    "I can''t imagine wearing a blindfold all the time," he thought.


    Two kids entered the room, around three years old. Ryu had short, tousled black hair and bright, inquisitive eyes. He stood at about three feet tall.


    Yuki had a long, silky hair tied in pigtails along with blue eyes and a cheerful smile. She was slightly shorter than Ryu, at about two and a half feet tall.


    "Children, this is painful. They''re older than me in this world, but they''ll still bow to me since I''m the strongest!" Gojin was determined to surpass every character in the book.


    "Is this the baby?" Ryu asked with an elegant voice, turning his little eyes to Gojin. Suddenly, Gojin began floating in the air, slowly moving toward Ryu.


    Yuki flicked her tiny fingers, and Gojin appeared on her arm.


    Surprisingly, she could carry him with ease. Ryu walked over to her with a furious expression and dragged Gojin out of her hands. Yuki quickly grabbed his leg, pulling him back.


    The two of them began to fight over Gojin, nearly splitting him in two."He is mine, and I shall train him!" Yuki argued.


    "No, I shall! We are both men, and men should teach men because we would understand each other!" Ryu replied.


    "I kinda like this one. His name is Ryu, I think. But I''m the boss. Ouch, my leg..." Gojin thought as they argued over him; His body was too fragile, his eyes began to slowly fill up with tears. He let out a fake scream, mimicking a baby''s cry though it sounded real.


    Taro intervened, collecting Gojin from their hands and placing him back on the bed gently.


    "You guys should be careful. He''s a newborn, so you can''t handle him that way."


    The two of them shrugged and waved goodbye to Gojin before leaving. They exchanged intense gaze the moment they got outside; They were enemies, never agreeing to each other.


    "Thank you, Taro. I would have died," Gojin thought, relieved to be back on the bed.


    Taro turned around to also leave the room, he switched off the bulb before leaving. Different thoughts and ideas began to come into Gojin''s mind though he couldn''t take much load but seriously, a grown up reincarnated into a baby; the body has to learn how to adapt cause he would be planning tricks a lot.


    "I have to learn a lot about the characters and world-building. I''ll start by taking notes on everything, especially since the system classified me as a side character in the book.


    From what I gathered in the first three Chapters, this system never existed in the original story. So, did it bring me here, or is there something else at play? This isn''t just a phenomenon; there must be a middleman involved, and I need to figure that out."


    Gojin gradually became weak as a smoke filled the room, it was called a sleep doze; Mostly for protection as it keeps someone hidden by making them fall into slumber for a while.


    "Fuck! Not again."


    _________


    Support by voting with power stones; Time skip is coming. Hope you are enjoying the book so far, leave a comment and a stone or two if so.

 Chapter 4: Three-years later

    Chapter 4: Three-years later Chapter 3.


    Three years later.


    A little boy with spiky green hair, a little short for his age, walked down a street filled with people going about their daily chores. He was about three feet tall, his eyes covered by a blindfold.


    Dressed in a navy blue shirt and a sea blue top, he moved through the crowd as some stared and whispered.


    "Such a cute kid! He''s so handsome at this age. But why are his eyes covered? Does he have a sickness?" a high school student whispered to her friends as they passed by.


    Suddenly, two men began to run, searching for someone in a panic. In the middle of them was Taro, who scanned the street and noticed the green-haired boy walking gently.


    "Gojin, you can''t be out on the street!!" Taro shouted.The young boy heard his voice and began to run away.


    "I''ve never been stuck in that old palace for two years without seeing the outside world! I am not going back!" Gojin muttered, sprinting. He was surprisingly fast for his age.


    The three men chased him, running as fast as they could. Passersby stared, some even thinking the boy was being kidnapped as he ran.


    Taro increased his speed and eventually caught Gojin by the top, lifting him off the ground as he began walking back to the other two men.


    Gojin wiggled his body, trying to escape from Taro''s grip, but it was all in vain. He crossed his arms in anger as they took him away, back to where they had come from.


    ****


    Earlier that day, Gojin had woken up as early as 7 AM, which was quite surprising since he usually slept until noon. He began planning his escape while the workers inside the large mansion¡ªmore akin to a palace¡ªwere busy with their chores.


    The estate was massive, with beautiful gardens and high walls that kept him confined. The walls were always being added cause of Gojin, always trying to escape. They had even assigned guards to watch him.


    The workers were cleaning and attending to their duties while the exorcists held a meeting nearby.


    Ryu and Yuki had helped Gojin devise his escape plan. He promised them he would return in three hours, just wanting to see the world beyond the house walls.


    Since he was their beloved younger sibling, they agreed to let him go for the short while. The two distracted the guards who were always watching, allowing Gojin to slip away.


    However, he had been gone for more than three hours, which made Ryu and Yuki worry. Now six years old, they ran to find Taro and informed him that Gojin had escaped, prompting the search.


    ****


    Two minutes later, they arrived at a park where two luxurious black cars were parked. The two men entered one vehicle while Taro and Gojin climbed into the other. Inside, a driver was waiting, along with another man in the front seat.


    "Let''s head back; we''ve caught him," Taro commanded. The driver started the car immediately, and they drove off, the other car following closely behind.


    "If you don''t try to escape again¡ªthis is the third time this month¡ªI might take you on my next quest. Would you like to go?"


    Gojin, who had been furious just moments before, felt a grin spread across his face. He turned away from the window and looked at Taro. "Yes!" he replied in his squeaky voice.


    "Good. I have a raid this afternoon, but you have to promise me you won''t escape anymore. Ryu and Yuki will be following the other exorcists since they''re beginning their training soon, and they''ll be going to the academy in a year. You need to grow fast," Taro said, patting Gojin''s head.


    All the children of the clan, along with those from other clans, were required to complete a year of training before heading to the Exorcists Academy for a full-time program lasting six years, plus an additional two years for exorcism of low-ranked souls. Only then could they finally be independent and called exorcists. The academy was known as K¨­kai Gakk¨­.


    Thirty minutes later, they arrived at the front of a large gate¡ªthe Seren Clan''s palace. The man beside the driver stepped out and opened the door for Taro and Gojin to exit.


    They proceeded into the palace while the two cars drove away to park in the designated garage for the clan''s vehicles.


    Ryu and Yuki noticed the two and ran to them with worried looks, each grabbing Gojin by a hand. The two were now taller than him, standing about two feet taller.


    Taro released Gojin to them and headed off to meet Satoshi and the Clan''s head to notify them that they had found Gojin.


    "You said three hours but went out for six. I won''t let you go out again, Gojin," Yuki declared firmly.Ryu instantly replied, "We''ll be out for a while, so you have to obey the rules. If you do, I''ll let you play a VR game with me."


    Gojin''s excitement grew, and he decided to heed their rules, knowing that freedom awaited him as a reward. The two dropped Gojin off in his room before heading to the relaxation hall. In about two hours, they would be heading out.


    Gojin moved over to his tiny chair, a desk at the same height placed in front of it, adorned with six books that were above his reading level¡ªthough he could read them just fine. In spirit, he was beyond his years.


    "Stats!" he requested from the system.Two small screens appeared in mid-air, right in front of him:


    [Name Given: Gojin Yamamoto]


    [Title: God of Doom and Chaos]


    [Rank: Special Rank]


    [Ki present: 89, still able to obtain more]


    [EXP: 10]


    [Techniques: None]


    [Skills: The Heavenly Six Eyes: Doom]


    [Host can go on quests to receive more EXP, techniques, and skills]


    The other screen displayed:


    [Store: Locked!!]


    [Book Tab: Currently unavailable]


    [Main Goal: Become the acclaimed Celestial in a God''s rank]


    [Level: God Beginner]


    [Vault: Reach level! The OverLord]


    "That''s understandable. So can I control or even restrain my eyes'' gaze?"


    [Yes, Host can restrain the power that the Heaven''s Eyes hold. Host has to obtain a special technique called RUNO for restraint.]


    [Difficulty in obtaining: Easy]


    "Yes!! So if I go on quests, I will be able to get the technique. But when will I receive quests?"


    [When Given by the system]


    Gojin shifted his gaze away from the screen to look outside the window. He stood up from the chair, closing the system tab with just a thought.


    A teddy bear was tied to his bedside; he had done this himself. Moving over to the teddy, he bent down to its height. Gojin proceeded to open one side of the blindfold¡ªthe left side¡ªrevealing a green eye, resembling a glowing emerald.


    The moment his gaze fell on the doll, it instantly squeezed and exploded, scattering soft stuffing around the room. Gojin quickly closed his eyes and lay down on the warm floor, contemplating what to do next.


    The sliding wooden door opened, and Taro entered with a smile and a katana in his hand.


    "It''s time; let''s go."


    Gojin became overjoyed and hurried to grab his notepad, where he kept details of everything he saw. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 5: Wide range Exorcism

    Chapter 5: Wide range Exorcism Chapter 4.


    The two of them arrived at a sewer, damp walls along with moisture on it. Water trickled down the uneven floor, leading into a dark and empty tunnel.


    "How are we going to find souls in here? Wait, what rank?" Gojin asked, his pen resting between his teeth. He glanced at Taro with curiosity.


    Taro replied, placing his katana on his shoulder, "Exile, since most people come here to cry their hearts out after a breakup with their partner." He smiled.


    Gojin shook his head awkwardly. "In my past life, I did the same after my breakup with Lila. Thank God these things don''t exist in the real world," he thought.


    Suddenly, a cry mixed with laughter echoed through the tunnel. Taro grinned and ran deeper into the passage alongside Gojin.


    As they ventured further, they encountered a Exile soul, a disfigured form of flesh with an uneven head and a twisted eye. Upon noticing them, it began to charge forward. Taro stood calmly while Gojin busily noted its appearance, unbothered by the sight.


    Taro was amazed, as most kids would have been trembling in fear. "So this is an Exile soul? Nice," Gojin exclaimed as Taro used the hilt of his sword to slam it onto the creature''s disfigured head. It exploded instantly, red blood splattering the ground along with chunks of flesh.


    "Yeah, and only Ki users can see them. Sometimes, higher-ranked souls can possess humans and grant them abilities, but those are only Elysians, and none have ever been encountered," Taro explained.


    "I know all that!" Gojin replied, crossing his arms.


    As they were about to leave the sewer, Taro suddenly halted, turning around and drawing his katana. A black blade was revealed with purple energy swirling around it, which vanished moments later.


    "Hahahaha," a strange laughter echoed through the tunnel. Something sped toward them faster than sound, but Taro slashed it before it could reach them.


    It fell to the ground¡ªa less disfigured soul than the last one¡ªbeginning to vanish into thin air.


    "Is this also an Exile soul? It looks similar," Gojin asked.


    "Yes, although this one was born from stronger emotions¡ªtears of mourners grieving a beloved person''s death," Taro explained, but before he could finish, a swarm of souls rushed toward them.


    Taro sighed, "Watch how it''s done. Do not remove your blindfold; it''s transparent, so you can see well enough."


    He dashed toward the swarm of fifteen souls, moving like a blur. In an instant, he slashed through them all and returned to Gojin, who was stunned by his speed. He had exorcised them in just two seconds.


    "Wow, this is what a master exorcist can do. I wonder how strong Satoshi is, being a Grand Exorcist," Gojin mused.


    Taro sheathed his katana and lifted Gojin onto his shoulder, holding the katana with his other hand. In an instant, they vanished, reappearing in front of a black car. Gojin''s eyes widened in awe as Taro set him down.


    "Am tired. Let''s head back. Call the Junior Exorcists to clear the sewer; there are more souls inside," he ordered the man sitting in the driver''s seat.


    The driver, named Haruto, had sharp facial features, with neatly combed black hair and brown eyes behind stylish glasses. He wore a tailored black suit that accentuated his lean frame, and he was focused on a tablet in his hands.


    Haruto nodded and continued typing, contacting the other exorcists¡ªonly three, though. They would be able to clear out about ten to fifteen Exile souls, but not as quickly as Taro; it would take them around thirty to forty minutes to finish.


    As the car drove away, Gojin stared out the window while Taro pulled out his phone, scrolling through social media.


    "Will Ryu and Yuki be back by now? I want to start training," Gojin inquired.


    "In about ten minutes, they should be back, so when we get home, they will be ready," Taro replied.


    [Ding! User has obtained a bell technique]


    [Bonus for experiencing an exorcism]


    [EXP 5 added! EXP: 15]


    "I can also receive rewards only by just experiencing an exorcism? Great, i wonder what the bell technique can do." Gojin decided to test it out once he gets back to the palace.


    ****


    They had arrived, Taro went back to his special quarter while Gojin went to the training ground, hoping to meet Ryu and Yuki there.


    As Gojin approached the training ground, he spotted two young boys around Ryu and Yuki''s age emerging with their hands behind their backs.


    They were dressed neatly in kimono, and though they were not members of the Seren clan, they belonged to the Kuroyami Clan¡ªnotorious for their ruthless ambition and willingness to betray even their own kin to achieve their goals.


    The two boys were the young masters, Haruki and Shinji. They had followed one of their clan''s top exorcists, who was there to meet the clan''s head.


    Haruki and Shinji looked Gojin up and down before bursting into laughter. Mistaking him for a lowly servant due to his casual attire, Gojin felt a wave of disgust wash over him.


    "Who are these fools? I wish I could just wipe the smirks off their faces, but I''d only be destroying something more significant than this trash." He thought.


    "What is a slave doing, wandering around instead of cleaning something?" Haruki asked, composing himself.


    "Oh, I know him. He''s that cursed child, born with the power of doom¡ªthat''s why his eyes are covered. What a pity," Shinji added sarcastically.


    Gojin was about to confront them when a voice came from behind him.


    "He is not cursed but blessed with a power that could end all evil souls and create the balance we''ve been seeking for over 500 years," Ryu said, handing Gojin a juice box.


    Ryu approached the two boys with an annoyed expression. "You need to learn not to curse my little brother again. Don''t you ever talk to him that way." He rolled up his sleeve, grabbed Haruki by the collar, and punched him in the face.


    Haruki fell instantly, clutching his nose and crying.


    Shinji, ready to flee, was caught by Ryu, who threw him to the ground, slamming his face repeatedly until blood trickled from his nose. The two boys lay on the ground, covered in dust and tears.


    Gojin, filled with a desire to join the fray, was dragged back by Ryu.


    "Curse you! Come on, bastards! Call me cursed again, you stoneheads! Freaks in hakama or whatever you are wearing, go learn the latest fashions if you even have a social account, which I know you don''t!" He shouted as he was dragged away.


    "You will pay for this!" Haruki yelled back, but Ryu ignored them, focusing on Gojin, who still felt the urge to fight.


    Two grown men rushed to the boys, presumably their guards. They lifted them from the ground with worried expressions.


    "Young Masters, are you okay? Who did this to you?" one asked, brushing dust off their clothes.


    Shinji pointed toward Ryu and Gojin, who had walked further away. One guard caught sight of Gojin.


    "That''s the child. We should inform the master once we get back," he whispered to the other as they led the boys away, both angry and still clearing their tears.


    S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 6: Training

    Chapter 6: Training Chapter 5. sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Inside the Kuroyami Palace.


    A woman named Akiko sat behind a low table, she had long, dark hair cascaded down her back, and a brown eyes. She wore a flowing kimono with patterns of cherry blossoms, the fabric was a deep shade of indigo. She sat on a pink cushion - it resembled a flat pillow.


    They were three jade cups on the table, each contained a fragrant herbal tea.


    Two men sat across from her, holding a scroll, their expressions were tense as they awaited her words.


    "So the child really exists? I had always thought it was a mere facade, even after a Ki pillar fell and released a new wave of souls just three years ago. He is truly the lord of Doom," Akiko said, taking a sip of her drink and gazing thoughtfully out the window.


    "Madam Akiko, shouldn''t we get rid of him before he grows stronger? He might unleash Chaos again," the first man argued, rifling through his scroll to point out a specific text that supported his stance.


    The other man nodded in agreement.


    "I concur, Madam. Just yesterday at noon, a wave of Ki was detected coming from the Seren clan palace. Our only conclusion is that the child removed the blindfold for a while; he may attract even more powerful souls if he isn''t executed."


    "We should place a bounty on his head with a reward of ten million yen," the first man suggested, but Akiko halted him with a raised hand, and a smile as she set her cup back onto the table.


    "I won''t kill a child that age; I''m not as ruthless as you believe. I will decide when to deal with him. Ensure the clan head and the grand exorcist don''t hear about this. You may take your leave."


    The two men exchanged skeptical glances before standing up and exiting the room.


    "I wonder if Kenji will be able to surpass Gojin," she muttered, taking another sip of her drink and leaning back against the cushion.


    ___________


    "Is she serious? How could we let danger roam free?" the two men discussed in the general hall, both nursing another set of drinks.


    "Let''s just wait and see what happens next. She may not act, but we will once we''re certain no suspicions are raised against us," the older-looking man replied, folding his arms.


    ________________


    Seren Clan''s Palace.


    Ryu and Gojin were in the training hall, a spacious room with tatami mats covering the floor and wooden beams overhead. Sunlight streamed through the shoji screens.


    In one corner stood two mechanical dolls for training.


    "I heard you want to begin training," Ryu said, activating one of the dolls. Gojin stared at it, his mouth agape in shock; it towered over him by about four inches.


    "Did you read the martial arts books I gave you?"


    "Yes, just finished the third volume yesterday," Gojin replied, slowly backing away from the doll, its blue eyes were fixed on him.


    Ryu had been supplying Gojin with numerous books to enhance his academic skills. He often taught him, while Yuki tutored him in other areas. They were both exceptionally knowledgeable for their age.


    Taking a wooden sword from the weapon stand, Ryu handed it to Gojin, reminding him to keep his blindfold on at all times. Unknown to Gojin, Ryu and Yuki were also searching for a way to help him control his powers so he wouldn''t always need to wear the blindfold. Ironically, each year, Taro''s birthday present to Gojin was yet another blindfold.


    They had been doing this for over a year, but their access to information was limited until Gojin could defend himself.


    Ryu left Gojin in the training hall to attend to his own tasks. "I will be back in two hours. Make sure you''ve defeated it. I did it twice today!"


    The doll was set to level one. Gojin tightened his grip on the wooden sword, trying to recall the moves he had learned from the books and the Junior Exorcists. He always watched them train while taking notes.


    "Why do I have short legs and arms?" Gojin questioned himself, preparing to charge at the doll while shouting, "Ahhhhhhh!"


    Gojin lunged forward, swinging the wooden sword with all his might. The doll responded, effortlessly parrying his strikes. Each time Gojin attacked, the doll countered, knocking him back to the mat. Despite the repeated defeats, Gojin picked himself up with determination to win.


    He swung again, his small body was moving with surprising agility, but the doll''s programmed reflexes were too hard for him.


    He stumbled and fell, but without hesitation, he sprang back to his feet. Sweat dripped from his brow as he continued to fight, his wooden sword clashed against the doll. Each defeat only fueled his resolve; he would not give up.


    ****


    Meanwhile, Satoshi and Taro were passing by when they heard the commotion from inside the training hall. Satoshi opened the sliding door slightly, peering in. He saw Gojin engaged in a fierce battle against the doll, which repeatedly bested him.


    Stunned, he remarked, "He is stronger than his age; I can''t believe he''s actually just three years old. Some initiates wouldn''t even be able to hold a wooden sword like that."


    Taro smiled, replying, "I''m also quite surprised. Most kids would have been scared at the sight of a soul, but Gojin is different."


    Satoshi closed the door slowly and continued walking away with Taro.


    "You''re to keep an eye on him, and Ryu and Yuki..." he paused with a smile spreading across his face, "They will surely protect their younger sibling."


    ****


    "I have brains, why can''t I think?" Gojin thought, retreating a few steps before turning to face the doll again. He wanted to study its movements closely. As he observed, Gojin realized that the doll had been repeating the same moves each time, never altering its strategy.


    He began to formulate a plan. "If I can anticipate its moves, I might be able to counterattack effectively," he mused. Gojin recalled the techniques he had read about in the martial arts books¡ªfeints, dodges, and counters.


    He decided to bait the doll. Gojin took a step back, raising his wooden sword in a defensive stance. "If I can make it think I''m vulnerable, it might attack with its predictable strike," he reasoned. He would then sidestep and strike while it was off-balance.


    Gojin took a deep breath,"I need to be quick. Quick," he reminded himself. He watched the doll intently, ready to react.


    Suddenly, the doll lunged forward, executing its familiar attack pattern. Gojin feigned a stumble, drawing the doll in. As it swung, he sidestepped, narrowly avoiding the blow, and swung his wooden sword with all his might. A single touch on the doll''s chest would deactivate it, the wooden sword clashed onto its chest.


    "Whirrr" It instantly deactivated the doll.


    [Ding! Host has defeated a level 1 training doll]


    [EXP 5 +! EXP: 20]


    "I get rewards for defeating a doll!" he exclaimed, sitting on the mat to catch his breath.


    "I have a question, system. What does the bell technique do?" he asked.


    Suddenly, the already shut-down doll began to reactivate, and this time, it powered up to level 2.


    "Fuck!" Gojin shouted.

 Chapter 7: Ki tapping

    Chapter 7: Ki tapping Chapter 6.


    Gojin sprang to his feet, grabbing his sword just in time to block the first attack. The force of the blow sent him stumbling backward until he fell. Just as the doll prepared to strike again, Yuki appeared out of nowhere.


    She slammed her hand against the doll''s chest, causing it to deactivate instantly.


    "It seems the doll must have malfunctioned; it wasn''t supposed to reactivate automatically after being defeated," she said, helping Gojin up.


    He stared at her for a moment, wondering how she was able to teleport like Taro.


    Without hesitation, he decided to ask, "Yuki, how did you do that?"


    Yuki turned her gaze toward him and laughed. "Did you read everything about Ki in the second book I gave you?"


    Gojin instantly recalled the technique book titled "Ki no waza" (Ki techniques) that she had given him. While he understood the basics, most of the critical knowledge remained a mystery, and he hadn''t read the book¡ªhis focus had always been on martial arts texts.


    "No, I should start reading it ASAP," Gojin replied, scratching his head and chuckling.


    "As soon as possible?" Yuki asked, confused by Gojin''s abbreviation.


    "Yeah. But I still need to know how you did that. Taro could also do it, and I''m sure Ryu¡ª" Before Gojin could finish, Ryu appeared with a worried expression.


    His back was to them as he scanned the training room in a panic. "Gojin! Gojin! Gojin!!" He placed his hands on his head and knelt on the ground, tears streaming down his face. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Junior Exorcists had informed him that the training dolls were malfunctioning and wouldn''t be fixed until tomorrow.


    "I''m here."


    Ryu turned his head around instantly, mucus dripping from his nose. He stood up and rushed toward Gojin, gripping his shoulders and staring at his blindfold.


    Yuki folded her arms, watching Ryu make a fuss.


    "Gojin, next time, I won''t let you train all by yourself! I thought something bad might have happened to you, maybe even that you removed your blindfold!" Ryu complained, crying like a child he is.


    "I''m okay, seriously."


    Yuki shook her head, "I was about to explain something to him before you jumped in."


    Ryu''s jaw dropped; he hadn''t noticed Yuki was there all along. He quickly wiped his tears and composed himself.


    "Well, you may continue. Since Gojin is fine, I''ll head back to training with the Junior Exorcists. Drop Gojin off and come back," Ryu commanded, vanishing into thin air.


    "That''s called Ki tapping," Yuki explained.


    "Overusing Ki can lead to fatigue and other problems, so it''s not something we can rely on all the time. Anyone can learn the technique. Just think of Ki users as omnipotent; we can do almost anything, but it depends on the amount of Ki we have."


    Gojin''s eyes widened in shock, his mouth forming an ''O.''


    "Omnipotent? So you can do literally anything, but only based on the Ki present inside the user?" Gojin repeated.


    "Yes, although we''re limited to some extent. Unlike you, the Ki in you is more than 70% because you were born a God, with one of the special eyes: Doom. Did you know that''s just one part of what you can do?" Yuki said, leading him out of the training hall.


    "Really? I can do more?"


    "Yes, but I''ll leave that for you to discover. You''re even close to being..." She paused for a moment, ruffling his hair.


    "More for you to figure out." She waved goodbye and walked away, returning to her training while Gojin sped toward his room, eager to read all the technique books.


    "System, am I really able to become omnipotent? Does this mean I''m not strong yet, even with this insane ability?"


    [The answer to your first question: No information will be revealed to the host yet. Now for your second question: Yes, host isn''t strong enough and must develop further by acquiring more techniques and leveling up.]


    "And I thought I was overpowered, starting from a God rank. Then I will get stronger. I still don''t know what the main character can do; was he also born a God?"


    ****


    Ryu and Yuki stood side by side, facing a level 3 doll, ready to fight barehanded. Two junior Exorcists, Yoshito and Saki, watched from one corner both around 18-year-old.


    The doll powered up and lunged at them. Ryu dodged to the side, avoiding a punch, while Yuki quickly countered with a kick aimed at the doll''s midsection. The blow landed, but the doll absorbed the impact and retaliated with a jab that sent Yuki stumbling back.


    Ryu rushed to her side. The doll charged again, targeting Ryu this time. He ducked under its swing and pivoted, delivering a punch to its side. Yuki followed up with a spinning kick, catching the doll off guard.


    However, it remained standing. They positioned themselves on either side of the doll.


    As the doll swung its arm toward Ryu, he ducked and rolled away, creating an opening. Yuki launched forward at the doll with a kick that sent it crashing to the ground.


    The two junior exorcists cheered them.


    Although the two; Ryu and Yuki were often bickered, when it came to defending one another, they were an unstoppable team.


    ****


    A young boy, around two years old, sat in front of a woman - meet Kenji. He had dark hair that framed his round face and black eyes. Kenji belonged to the Kuroyami Clan, but his existence remained a secret.


    In his small hands, he held a bracelet that appeared to have been given to him by the woman in front of him.


    "Kenji, put on the bracelet," the woman commanded, her face was obscured by a black veil.


    The bracelet, known as "Tamashii no shikabane" (Soul Chaser), was formed using an unknown technique designed to prevent souls from possessing a body.


    Kenji was born without Ki, rendering him vulnerable to such threats. This was merely a precaution, as a soul known at the Elysian rank had yet to be discovered.


    "You''re going to Shibuya for the final ritual three years from now. Just so you know, you are not useless until we declare you so."

 Chapter 8: A normal day as a child

    Chapter 8: A normal day as a child Chapter 7.


    Gojin was rampaging through his shelf, located in another room specifically for his books. This room was a bit smaller than his bedroom, resembling a mini library, lined with dark wooden shelves.


    It was about the size of a mansion''s master bedroom, filled with around 100 books. Each book was meticulously organized, primarily focused on techniques, martial arts, and some history between exorcists and souls,which he kept on a timer for later reading.


    The shelves were mostly empty. Gojin had a voracious reading habits since he was just one year old. It was quite surprising to the whole clan how a child so young could comprehend such complex material.


    As he rummaged through the shelves, his fingers brushed against a brown-covered book. A thin white paper was on it, which read "Ki no Waza."


    He picked it up and dashed back to his desk, clearing away the scattered books to make room for his new find.


    Opening the book, he flipped to the contents page, quickly locating "Ki Tapping" listed as page 15. He turned to the page with eager anticipation.


    The page read: Ki tapping is possible for anyone who has Ki, although it might be limited based on the user''s innate abilities....


    Gojin skipped the page.


    He turned the next page, "Boring."


    Yuki had already explained much of this. He was eager to learn the steps, not the history.


    The steps were straightforward: Just clear your mind, think of where you want to appear, and focus solely on that. The Ki within you will begin to gather, and then¡ªbam! The magic happens.


    "Wow, that''s so easy," Gojin exclaimed.


    Suddenly, a notification flashed in front of him:


    [Host has learnt a new technique: Ki Tapping]


    [No reward will be given]


    [Improving technique by 20¡Á]


    [Improving by 50¡Á]


    [Improving by 99¡Á]


    [Techniques: Ki Tapping (KT)]


    Gojin frowned at the lack of a reward. "No reward for learning a new technique? It''s not like I knew I could learn and not just gain," he grumbled, scanning through the notifications again.


    He absentmindedly began patting his own head, a habit he had picked up from those around him always doing it to him.


    "It improved the technique by 90¡Á, so I''m really overpowered by the plot, but I still haven''t gotten strong enough. Although, I''m still confused about why a system exists inside the novel; it had no system tag."


    Shaking off the thoughts, Gojin focused on what mattered most. He cleared his mind, visualizing the training area where Ryu and Yuki were honing their skills.


    Moments later, he vanished and reappeared right in front of Saki, one of the Junior Exorcists. Oddly, Saki didn''t seem to notice him, leading Gojin to grin mischievously.


    He remembered their last encounter when he had chased Saki out of the training hall simply because he was two years old.


    Gojin tightened his fists. Saki''s leg was as tall as he was, but that only made what he was about to do more easy to him. He launched a blow aimed at Saki''s groin.


    Saki''s eyes widened in shock, and he doubled over, gasping in pain. Before he could recover, Gojin delivered another blow. The force was so powerful that it sent Saki skidding across the ground, crashing into the wall about ten meters away. Two of his ribs were also shattered.


    Ryu, Yuki, and the other junior exorcist; Yoshito rushed to Haruki''s side.


    "Sakii!" Yoshito shouted, his voice was filled with concern as he knelt beside him. Yuki''s eyes darted around, searching for the source of the attack, while the Ryu and Yoshito looked on in shock.


    Gojin rubbed his hands together, cackling. Yuki suddenly turned the moment she heard the cackle.


    Realizing he had been heard, Gojin quickly vanished, reappearing back in his room. He dropped to the ground, sighing in relief.


    "The one technique I really want to learn is..." He paused, a grin slowly spreading across his face.


    "A time control technique. I''m sure I can do get all that with ease, but it''s only a matter of time."


    A knock came at his door, and Gojin instantly jumped off the ground and dove into his mini library, not caring who was knocking. He feared they might have caught on to him, but so soon?.


    He pretended to search for a book that wasn''t even on the shelf.


    At the door was Taro, holding a paper bag with a restaurant logo on it. After knocking for a while without a response, he burst into the room, worried that Gojin might be in danger. His eyes scanned the room until he noticed the other door open.


    He walked in and found Gojin staring intently at a book.


    "Gojin, I bought your favorite snack!" Taro exclaimed, revealing a bag of onigiri¡ªtriangular rice balls wrapped in seaweed, filled with savory ingredients.


    Gojin immediately rushed out of the room and snatched the bag from Taro''s hand with excitement.


    He had fallen in love with these snacks and couldn''t go a week without them; even after breakfast, he always requested them, and Taro never failed to oblige.


    Usually, he, Ryu, and Yuki would eat together, but they were currently busy training for their upcoming entry into the academy in less than a year. Until they turned eleven, their classes would mostly be practical. The real six-year journey begins after then.


    Although, Some clans, like the Kuroyami clan, preferred their children to start the academy at that age.


    As Gojin dug into the snacks, Taro patted his head and reminded him to come for lunch at the special dining hall.


    This hall was reserved forthe clan children; Ryu, Yuki , Gojin and top exorcists: Senior, Master, and Grand Exorcists, while the rest had a different dining area.


    The clan head had his own private room for meals.


    Suddenly, Taro''s phone rang. He picked it up, the urgency as he sped out of the room indicated it was important.


    A soul (Low ranked but multiple) had been detected, but Taro wasn''t heading there himself as normal; instead, he went to relay the details to the Junior Exorcists.


    Two minutes later after Taro had left, Gojin finished the snacks and decided to return to his reading, focusing on learning new techniques rather than martial arts skills, although he planned to get back to that soon. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Just then, a sudden tap on his shoulder made him turn around in shock to see...

 Chapter 9: Possibly stronger than anyone

    Chapter 9: Possibly stronger than anyone Chapter 8.


    No one was behind him, leaving Gojin confused. He began to wonder if another member of the clan might possess his technique, but that seemed impossible. Suddenly, the system chimed in:


    [Host has no sensitivity yet]


    [Checking possibility of acquiring in two years]


    [Result: Invalid]


    "Uhhn? What is this screen rambling about?" Gojin paused, a realization hitting him.


    It was the system that had visualized the strange tap; it was some kind of test for his awareness¡ªlike knowing when someone was sneaking up on him.


    He continued to scan through the technique book, ignoring the other notifications from the system. S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Without it, he was already the strongest from birth; the system was merely a guide for him to tame his power.


    "What does this world have to offer? I can''t wait to leave this clan, but there''s one question: where am I being taken?" Gojin muttered, getting lost in his thought.


    He leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, contemplating how strong he could become, as he didn''t feel all that powerful yet.


    "Also, when am I going to meet the weakling?" he referred to Kenji.


    "I should have read this novel more, but my work didn''t allow me."


    "Whatever. I need to forget about the real world and focus on this one. Only then can I become the most honored, second only to the Almighty," Gojin thought.


    Suddenly, his green eyes glowed brighter, reflecting through the blindfold. The table began to shake as a crack slowly stretched across its surface.


    He calmed himself, and everything stopped as his eyes returned to normal. Gojin decided to tighten the blindfold further.


    ***


    Two years later, Gojin had grown taller than most kids his age, even surpassing Ryu and Yuki when they were six.


    The two had left for the academy a year ago, and surprisingly, he learned that the academy had a hostel¡ªsomething no one had bothered to tell him.


    Today was the day he would finally leave the clan, as was decided at his birth. He felt a rush of happiness as he prepared, a smile lighting up his face.


    A knock came on his door, and he rushed to answer it, finding Satoshi and Taro standing there. Taro wore a wide grin, as if he had just heard some exciting news.


    Gojin''s grin widened. "It''s time! This is a dream come true. I''m finally leaving this prison¡ªthough to who knows where. Like I care, as long as I escape this place!" he thought.


    "Exciting news: the clan head has decided for you to stay since you''ll be safer with us, and also¡ª"


    Taro''s voice began to fade away from Gojin''s ear, everything went silent. Gojin''s grin vanished, replaced by a sad expression.


    "What''s this? I don''t need protection! I''m strong enough to take down a whole city at this rate. I''ve learned two new techniques in two years¡ªslow, but it''s an improvement. Ugh, who am I kidding? This is hell," he thought bitterly.


    Taro laughed at the sadness in Gojin''s eyes.


    "Don''t worry! You''ll be training with me for the next two years until you start at the academy."


    Satoshi added, "So you better focus on improving your martial arts skills and learning new techniques. Only then will you be able to escape this so-called prison."


    Gojin''s spirits lifted at Satoshi''s words.


    "Consider that done, old man," he replied, shutting the door and heading to gather his training gear. He was eager to start right away.


    "Did that brat just call me old? Am I really getting old, Taro?" Satoshi asked as they walked away from the door.


    Taro chuckled, replying, "No," though it was an obvious lie; Satoshi was already well past middle age, with wrinkles across his face.


    ______


    Gojin tightened his fists, opening the system tab to check his techniques.


    [Techniques: (Ki Tapping) (Barrier) (Backfire - Uke no H¨­kai)]


    "At least these two new techniques are powerful. The Barrier protects me from attacks, making me practically unkillable, while Uke no H¨­kai bounces the attack back to the opponent. Not much different from the formal technique, though," he mused.


    Grabbing a wooden sword from his bedside, he headed outside toward the training hall, expecting Taro to already be there.


    He approached the hall, instantly badging in. He saw Taro standing on one side of the hall, who turned to look at Gojin and smiled.


    "Shall we commence the training? First, once you defeat all the dolls, I will be setting them at level 4 since I''m sure you can handle them."


    Gojin nodded with a mischievous grin while Taro went to activate three training dolls. Well, the dolls were still taller than him.


    Taro then proceeded to take a seat as he switched on a timer to track the time Gojin would spend before defeating the dolls. He was confident that Gojin would take them down.


    He had also changed Gojin''s blindfold to a white one, so it would be more stylish on him.


    **


    Unmentioned: Each time they wanted to change his blindfold, they took him to an underground cell. Supposedly, it could absorb the effects of his gaze, keeping it only within the room but causing a lot of destruction inside.


    Although he was the only one who could change his blindfold, no one else could get close to him once it was off his eyes.


    Apart from the gaze meeting a person, it could also cause mass destruction if not covered back instantly. The destruction could take down the whole palace and even spread wider.


    **


    The three dolls dashed toward him, moving at the speed of a wild boar. He stood calmly with a menacing grin, and Taro was quite surprised by his calmness.


    "How strong can he grow?" he wondered, he could see Gojin''s aura was far more powerful than a senior exorcist if not more powerful than him.


    Gojin crossed his fingers the moment they got closer, and as they were about to hit him, their fists halted four meters away, landing on an invisible barrier that seemed to slow down their attacks.


    Gojin grinned and flicked his fingers again, not even bothering to use the wooden sword anymore. The expected attack bounced back to the dolls, causing a dent in them.


    Taro''s eyes widened in shock. "I''ve never seen such a technique."


    Gojin walked closer to the three dolls as they staggered backward, a force began pushing them backward while he continued grinning and walking forward.


    They ended up getting pushed to the wall, and slowly, their metallic bodies began to crack open, tearing them apart until they eventually exploded.


    Surprisingly, the little flames and metal parts didn''t touch him; the barrier also halted it. He turned to Taro with a grin.


    "How was that for a start?"


    Taro could hardly contain his excitement.


    "Incredible! You''ve mastered the technique far beyond what I expected. If you keep this up, you''ll be ready for the academy in no time!"


    "Now, let''s see how quickly you can take down the next set of dolls," Taro said, resetting the timer and activating three more dolls, this time at level 5.

 Chapter 10: Kokai Gakko

    Chapter 10: Kokai Gakko Chapter 9


    *Alarm ringing*


    Inside a large, empty room, there was only a single wardrobe, a short shelf holding an alarm clock, and a spacious bed wide enough for three people to sleep comfortably.


    Ryu lay on the bed, facedown, with the blanket thrown carelessly to the floor. He wore only a pair of boxers over a white top.


    The alarm continued to ring loudly, but Ryu didn''t even lift a finger.


    Instead, he stretched out his palm toward the alarm, using telekinesis to crush it into tiny pieces.


    "Try to shut up."


    A young man in his mid-twenties burst through the door with worry. His expression shifted to shock as he took in the sight of the crushed alarm and Ryu sprawled carelessly on the bed.


    "Ryu!!!! You brat. Why? Again!!"


    Just then, Yuki, who was about to enter the hall where Ryu and Denji were, she heard the commotion and instantly hid behind the wall, chuckling to herself.


    "He broke an alarm again. What a waste. I told Denji-sensei to use a trumpet instead." Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ____


    Ryu stirred awake, stretching his arms as Denji continued his tirade, kneeling in front of the shattered alarm and lamenting as if he had lost a dear friend.


    "This is the third time this week that you crushed an alarm. It''s not free!"


    Ryu shrugged, standing up from his bed.


    "You''re not paying for it anyway, so why make a fuss about it?"


    Denji turned to Ryu with an intense glare, striding over to him. Ryu felt small under Denji''s towering 6''6" frame, as if he were staring up at the ceiling.


    Denji stretched his arm, almost like he wanted to snatch Ryu''s head right off his shoulders. He groaned, and stormed out of the room, fuming.


    "You better have arrived at class in the next hour!" Denji shouted back.


    Ryu sighed, glancing at the ceiling. "I can''t believe there will only be six students in the whole academy. But I guess it makes sense; there are only three clans, and they can''t be giving birth like pigs."


    Currently, each were from different clans. Two were from the Kuroyami clan¡ªHaruki and Shinji¡ªand the other two belonged to the Shadokai, known for their use of shadow techniques.


    Their backgrounds remained shrouded in mystery, only the usual goal was known - to destroy all the souls.


    Yuki emerged from her hiding spot and dashed toward Ryu''s room. Hearing her footsteps, Ryu quickly shut the door before she could reach him.


    "Aish, we''ll meet in class, dumbass!" she shouted, grumbling as she walked away.


    After an hour, Ryu finished preparing and stepped out of his room. He wore the academy''s uniform: a black jacket with high collars and a fitted design, paired with dark pants, tapered at the ankles. The outfit also had a subtle sheen.


    He walked outside the hostel, which was large enough to be called a five-star hotel, despite only six students living there. The academy was divided into six years, with each building located in different parts of Tokyo.


    (Note: The academy wasn''t exclusive to only clan members; it welcomed all Ki users. However, students were selected discreetly through observation and evaluation of their abilities. The academy''s staff monitored potential candidates in their daily lives, looking for signs of exceptional talent or unique skills before extending an invitation to join.)


    At this point, all first-year students were considered Initiates, regardless of their Ki levels.


    Ryu arrived at class after a straightforward 30-minute walk. The first-year academy was over 30 acres, just like the other year buildings. Who sponsored all this? The three clans. How they get their funding remained a mystery.


    As Ryu stepped into the classroom, he spotted Denji lounging at the front, engrossed in a game on his phone, completely oblivious to Ryu''s entrance.


    Yuki, Shinji, and Haruki were already inside, chatting idly, though Yuki kept to herself. Ryu and Yuki had a rivalry with the other two, stemming from the past incident involving Gojin.


    Ryu took a seat at the back, and Yuki quickly sat beside him, a few meters away. The other two students hadn''t arrived yet, leaving Denji to lazily occupy his time.


    "Where are the rest?" Ryu asked.


    "They should be here in a few minutes," Yuki replied.


    Shortly after, the two students entered. A boy named Riku, he also wore the academy''s uniform with a slightly oversized jacket.


    Beside him was Sore, a girl. She always kept a smile on her face while her brother was the opposite.


    "Let''s begin class for today," Denji said, still focused on his phone.


    ________________


    INSIDE THE SEREN CLAN PALACE.


    Gojin was in the training hall, effortlessly battling three level-four dolls. The barrier was active, shielding him from their attacks, while Taro watched from the sidelines.


    Gojin moved faster than before, easily landing blows on the dolls, that struggled to keep up with his speed.


    The backfire bounced their attacks back to them and causing severe damage.


    Gojin dodged their swings and landed blows, creating holes in the dolls. It was almost too easy for him.


    Taro observed from the sidelines.


    "He''s already on the rank of a grand exorcist; it''s time his training gets harder," he mused, standing up and deactivating the dolls with a wave of his hand.


    ....

 Chapter 11: A Grand Purchase

    Chapter 11: A Grand Purchase Chapter 10.


    Taro tossed him a wooden sword as he dropped his own.


    He stared at Gojin for a moment before channeling his Ki, focusing it into his fists. A blue aura ignited around his hands like flames.


    "This is something anyone can learn. It enhances the impact of a specific part of your body, increasing the damage it can inflict."


    "Now, I want you to use your technique alongside the wooden sword. Attack!" Taro commanded.


    Gojin tightened his grip around the wooden sword and lunged at Taro, swinging the weapon from the right with lightning speed.


    Despite his height, if the blow connected, it would deal serious damage. Somehow, Taro dodged the attack and appeared behind Gojin, ready to deliver a punch.


    [Alert: Barrier broken]


    "What the fuck?" Gojin thought as the blow was about to land. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Suddenly, Taro halted just inches from Gojin''s face. The rush of wind from his sudden stop made Gojin stumble backward.


    "You need to master your technique to the fullest. I believe that''s called a barrier technique," Taro said with a smile, turning to leave the training hall.


    "That''s the end of today''s training. You can keep practicing. One day, you''ll master all your techniques," he added, stepping out of the room.


    Gojin was still in shock. How had the barrier broken? He knew it was Taro''s doing, but how? With just a fist? Was he really that strong?


    "Why did the barrier break? Was it because of the Ki he gathered in a specific part of his body?" Gojin asked the system.


    He waited for a reply, but none came, which meant the system either had no explanation or was ignoring him.


    "What the heck is wrong with this system? Where''s your control center? You need a reset!"


    Frustrated, he began swinging the wooden sword wildly in different directions until it broke apart in his hands.


    "I should have used the backfire technique; why didn''t I think of that? One thing I know for sure is that Taro is strong¡ªnot just from this experience, but from the last one as well. I understand why he doesn''t take on missions anymore; the souls they usually encounter are weak, making the battles boring. I''d feel the same way if I were in his position."


    Gojin dropped the wooden sword, deciding to get some sleep since it was already late. As he left the training hall, he was about to turn toward the route to his room when he saw a figure dart by like a rat.


    Instinctively, he tailed the person, knowing that no stranger or thief could infiltrate the palace. It had to be one of the clan exorcists or a worker.


    Soon, he caught up and caught a glimpse of the individual: a man in his mid-30s with gray hair and a chiseled face. He wore a white jacket over black trousers and boots that reached just above his ankles.


    Standing at about 6''4", the man looked left and right. When he glanced to the right, he noticed Gojin and jumped in shock.


    "What are you doing here? Aren''t you supposed..." He halted abruptly, realizing he was about to say something that could expose him.


    Gojin recognized him immediately from his voice, and his aura was even stronger than Satoshi''s.


    "You''re the clan head, right?"


    "What? No! I''m a Senior Exorcist, here to collect something before heading back," the man stammered.


    "Nah, you''re dressed like you''re going to a club, and you were literally sneaking out of the palace. You''re definitely the clan head."


    "This is a breakdown of everyone in the palace, and I know all their faces. The ranks below Junior Exorcists are currently still students at the academy, so we have ten Junior Exorcists, six Senior Exorcists, one Grand Exorcist, and one Master Exorcist, which leaves you as the clan head."


    L stared at Gojin, bewildered.


    "Why is this child so smart? Being the God of Doom shouldn''t make him this clever. I knew it was trouble when children started reading and understanding at the age of one; it makes them wiser than expected."


    Gojin grinned mischievously, resembling a smiling raccoon, making L think he might have lost his mind.


    "Let''s make a deal. I know you''re going to the club, but if you don''t want me to expose this, you have to do what I want. It''s just one thing: I want to explore the city for three days. I need a pass to go outside whenever I want."


    L''s face fell in shock, stunned by Gojin''s audacity.


    He seemed like an experienced businessman.


    While L could easily decline the offer¡ªafter all, no one would cares if he went outside¡ªthe only problem was that the workers and exorcists might know his identity. Satoshi definitely knows his face, but Taro definitely didn''t.


    After a moment of contemplation, L realized there was no way he could decline the offer; his identity was at stake.


    "Only one day, not three. It''s not safe out there, but I''m giving you a chance at freedom. I could erase my face from your memory, but that would be a waste of time. Get some sleep; it''s 9 PM now."


    L walked past Gojin, vanishing into thin air.


    Gojin''s eyes widened as L''s words echoed in his mind. He could do what? Erase my memory?


    He held his head, shaking it in disbelief. "How many things can they do with Ki?" he wondered, running to his room with a worried expression.


    ____________________________


    The Kuroyami palace.


    A man was walking through a garden with beautiful cherry blossoms trees. Likely, this was the clan head. He was a old man with long blonde hair and a wrinkled face. His name was Shota.


    Beside him was Akiko, who wore a black leather jacket over a white crop top along with a high-waisted jeans and thigh-high boots. She was a grand exorcist.


    "It''s been a while since I''ve heard about the Seren Clan and Shadokai Clan. What have they been up to?" he asked in a low voice.


    "I suppose they''ve been doing well. The number of souls is increasing, and they''ve become more frequent in various places," she replied.


    Shota paused, considering her words.


    "Then let''s make a Grand Purchase. Inform the other clans about a meeting. I knew this day would come."

 Chapter 12: Forming an exorcist organisation

    Chapter 12: Forming an exorcist organisation Chapter 11


    The Grand Purchase refers to the formation of an organisation where each clan unites, similar to the establishment of the academy.


    However, an exorcist organisation differs in that, once formed, all exorcists from each clan must leave their clans to become members of the association, with only the Grand Exorcist remaining.


    As a result, no clan is eager to pursue a Grand Purchase. Yet, in this era of souls risimg in numbers, they find themselves with no other choice.


    ___________


    Two days later, nine people gathered in the meeting room: the three clan heads, the master, and the Grand Exorcists.


    The head of the Seren Clan wore a black mask that obscured his face.


    The room was spacious with a wide layout, and a long table, stretching about 10 feet across the center, where all nine were seated.


    Souta, the head of the Shadokai Clan, dressed in a black hakama, was of similar age to the Kuroyami Clan head.


    "With the rise in the number of souls, we must proceed with the Grand Purchase. We can''t afford for new ranks to emerge. Show them the increase rate, Akiko," Shota commanded, addressing Akiko.


    A projector screen was positioned on one side of the room, ready to display the critical data.


    She stood up and approached the screen, holding a small remote in her hand. With a click, it powered on, displaying the statistics:


    ?Occurrence: 67% (Yesterday)


    ?Missing Reports Over the Month: 1,200 People (+7% each day)


    ?Locations: Tokyo, Shibuya, Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Sendai.


    "That''s actually high, but the..." L pondered for a moment before deciding to agree. The two of them glanced at Souta, awaiting his response.


    He cleared his throat and placed a hand on the table.


    "Since you''ve all agreed to this, and it''s to safeguard the citizens, let''s proceed."


    Taro stood up, raising the tablet in his hand.


    "Total funds saved: 30 billion Yen. Five billion will go towards building the headquarters, and seven billion a year for the salaries of the exorcists. The remaining funds will sponsor each mission, cover accommodations, vacation bonuses for the exorcists, and maintenance."


    "I''m definitely looking forward to that vacation bonus," Taro thought.


    The remaining eight stood up as Hiro, the Grand Exorcist of Shadokai, declared the final line. "It has been decided; we shall name the association Tenshi no Y¨­kai, meaning ''Angels of Exorcism.''


    "The three clan heads shook hands with smiles, but this did not signify reconciliation; each clan remained poised to vie for dominance over the others.


    As they exited the meeting room, chatting and laughing, rows of cars awaited outside¡ªthree for each clan.


    "We shall see," Souta remarked.


    They climbed into their cars, and the drivers pulled away, going in different directions back to their palaces.


    __________


    Ryu and Yuki were inside the classroom with the others, waiting for Denji, who had yet to arrive. A few minutes later, he burst into the room, looking as if he had just won the lottery.


    "Exciting announcement: An organisation has been formed earlier this morning! You want to know the best part? I now have a vacation bonus, and my salary has been increased!" Denji exclaimed.


    "See ya! I have a clearing to do. You can go train or do something fun; the academy is large enough."


    Just as Denji turned to leave, Ryu quickly halted him, rushing to catch up.


    "Is there an open site? Can I follow you? I can clear out some souls, and we might come across a radiant one. I''m sure you can''t take it on alone with other souls around, so you might need my help."


    Denji sighed and accepted.


    Ryu was right; he wouldn''t be able to take down a radiant soul while dealing with others. As a senior exorcist, he needed backup. Plus, Denji would receive a bonus of 1,200,000 yen for taking down a radiant soul.


    "Uhhm, can I tag along too?" Riku asked, raising his hand.


    Denji sighed with frustration.


    "Let''s go. The rest of you can do something productive. I don''t want to see anything destroyed by the time I get back," Denji said, heading out of the classroom with Riku and Ryu.


    It took them approximately ten minutes to reach the academy''s exit gate.


    "Don''t tell me there''s no car taking us there. Is this for real, Sensei?" Ryu asked, scanning the area. He scuffed and shot an annoyed glance at Denji.


    "Yeah, we''re walking. It''s a beautiful evening anyway. Just look at all those lovely people going about," Denji replied, starting to walk away. Riku instantly followed him. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Ryu reluctantly trailed behind.


    As they walked, crowds passed by, and several hubs had already opened, filling the area with people. Denji strolled along with his hands in his pockets, dancing to unheard music, appearing crazy.


    Passersby steered clear of him, while Ryu and Riku veered off in different directions, pretending not to know him.


    Twenty minutes later, they arrived at an empty street lined with a few houses had their lights turned on. The street lamps twitched sporadically.


    "Is that the site?" Riku asked, pointing ahead. Denji nodded and approached the large gate, kicking it open with a single powerful kick.The two of them joined him.


    Denji halted in the middle of the school compound.


    "I need to cast a field; there are too many souls here, and we don''t want any escaping."


    "This is a school; many negative emotions come from here," Ryu thought, folding his arms.


    A field is like a barrier that contains and isolates the area from the outside. It takes a large amount of Ki to cast, and only a few skilled users can perform it effectively.


    A field actively prevents any human or soul from leaving the area until it is lifted by the person who casted it.


    Denji clapped his hands together.


    Instantly, a blue energy began to flow down from him, radiating outward and spreading across the ground.


    The energy expanded, enveloping the entire school, even rising up to the rooftops. Moments later, the whole school was covered in this ethereal blue light, but only those attuned to Ki or souls could perceive the field.


    "Now let''s proceed into the building. Make sure not to pee on yourself. Normally, you aren''t supposed to be going on missions, but whatever, let''s go," Denji said.


    "How many souls, exactly, are we clearing?" Riku asked.


    "Above six, for sure. So stay behind me,"

 Chapter 13: Too much!!

    Chapter 13: Too much!! Chapter 12.


    "Why is it so dark in here? Sensei, can''t we get a torch or something?" Riku asked, scanning the school hallway.


    There were three classrooms along the hallway, each shrouded in darkness, with rows of tables and chairs stacked together with a polished wooden entrance.


    Short windows lined each room¡ªtwo in every classroom¡ªone facing the hallway and the other looking outside.


    Another set of larger windows beside them in the hallway had thin wooden planks dividing them from top to bottom.


    The three were about to turn into the next hallway, searching for the souls, when suddenly, a screeching sound echoed from behind them.


    They turned quickly with Denji already running toward the source of the noise.


    In an instant, a large monstrosity burst through one of the classroom windows. It was a disfigured mass of flesh with a bleeding eye, roughly the size of a fully grown sea lion, weighing around 800 pounds.


    Denji slid back with a grin.


    "Low rank soul, but strong enough for a good bonus!"


    A short dagger materialized in his hand as he leaped toward the creature, trails of fiery flakes followed him.


    He stabbed the left side of the soul, purging a torrent of red blood. He moved to the other side with blinding speed, and stabbed again.


    A blue energy began wrapping around the dagger.


    "It''s time for exorcism, cutie!!" he shouted, slashing at the soul with lightning speed from multiple angles. Blood poured out like a fountain, splattering the walls and floor.


    Soon after, the creature fell, beginning to evaporate into ashes. The blood remained, but they had a cleanup team for that.


    "Let''s keep moving, kids," Denji said, bouncing back to Ryu and Riku, who stared in awe.


    They had never seen Denji fight like this or rather even try to; he had always been perceived as a incompetent teacher, but now he revealed a power they hadn''t expected.


    They hadn''t even walked for two minutes before another soul burst through the left hallway, resembling a massive earthworm, even larger than the last one. It stretched an impressive length of about 10 feet.


    Denji was about to lunge at it, but froze, his eyes widened as he noticed the creature expanding even further.


    "What kind of emotion formed this? Bully or what the hell is this?" Ryu shouted, stretching his hand forward, and swiping it in a slash form.


    An invisible slash sliced through part of the soul''s body, but it only seemed to grow larger from the strike.


    Denji quickly grabbed both Ryu and Riku by their clothes, quickly throwing them out of the window just as the soul lunged toward them.


    Ryu and Riku''s eyes widened in shock, their mouths forming an "O" as they plummeted toward the ground, screaming.


    In an instant, a wave of wind cushioned their fall, gently easing them into a grassy area below while Denji landed beside them, unscathed.


    The soul plunged out of the building, breaking bricks as it fell, crashing to the ground from three floors up.


    Almost immediately, another set of souls¡ªabout ten or more¡ªbegan to emerge from different parts of the school compound, smaller in size.


    Denji turned to Ryu and Riku, who were just rising from the grass, brushing leaves off their clothes.


    "Didn''t you say you wanted to help? Deal with those while I take on their dad!" he commanded.


    The two nodded, and sprinted toward the swarm of smaller souls.


    "Am sure they could take on the soul with¡ª" Denji started, but before he could finish, the large soul attacked. He quickly dodged, the dagger reappearing in his hand.


    He leaped into the air, maneuvering his body with ease, and landed on the neck. He then stabbed it multiple times, dragging the dagger backward and creating a long, deep slash.


    Blood poured out, staining the ground beneath him.


    "Let''s go, Biggie," he taunted, grinning at the soul.


    Ryu swiped his hands again, unleashing an invisible slash that cut down three of the smaller souls instantly.


    While Riku closed his eyes for a moment, a shadow shikigami appeared behind him, taking the form of a black tiger, shadows swirled around it like waterfalls.


    He directed the tiger toward the smaller souls, and in an instant, it appeared beside each one, slicing them down with ferocious speed. Riku infused his hands with dark energy, launching powerful fists at the remaining souls.


    ___________________


    Gojin sprang up from his bed and looked out through the window, staring at the dark sky. He took it as the best time to explore the city; it''s not like he could get kidnapped or hurt.


    He also had a plan: Gojin intended to sneak out of the palace tonight and still get a pass from the clan head to go outside tomorrow.


    "I can easily use Ki tapping to escape into the city, then get back here after three hours and still secure a pass to explore tomorrow," he thought, laughing mischievously.


    He quickly placed his two pillows in a straight line and used his blanket to cover them, making it seem like he was still in bed if anyone decided to check on him.


    Once that was done, he vanished and appeared in an alley in Harajuku, Shibuya, a little off from where he was supposed to appear. The clan palace was in Kyoto, so how did he end up in Shibuya, where the first-year academy was?


    Simple: he hadn''t focused on a specific place to appear, so he randomly ended up in Shibuya¡ªthough he didn''t know this yet.


    Stepping out of the dark alley, he saw a crowded street filled with hubs, shops and couples passing by. His face fell in shock as he began to realise that he wasn''t in kyoto anymore.


    "Where is this place? How the hell did I end up here?" He thought.


    Gojin began to walk along the crowded street, glancing left and right in his blue pajamas. Teenage girls and boys, even adults, stared at him, exchanging whispers.


    "What is a child doing out here at night? It seems like he got lost from home," a teenage girl whispered to her male friend.


    Gojin overheard them and groaned.


    "What is a teenager doing out here instead of helping her parents or sleeping? Kids these days are just spoiled," he thought. S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Suddenly, another teenage girl approached him, bending down to his height. She noticed the blindfold over his eyes and reached out to remove it.


    Gojin quickly pushed her hands away and stepped back.


    She had long dyed blue hair, an oval face, and a sharp nose. Wearing a short skirt over a white crop top, she stood about 5''6".


    She chuckled softly.


    "Why are you wearing a blindfold? What are you doing out here at night? Are you lost? Where are your parents?"Gojin moved closer with a grin, stunning her with his confidence.


    "Nothing, just exploring the city a little. Where am I?"


    She stared at him for a moment before replying, "Shibuya, Harajuku. Does your mother know you''re here?"


    Gojin felt shocked and confused but hid it, maintaining a calm expression.


    "Yes, she does. She''s inside that store over there, so I just wanted to get some fresh air," he lied, darting past her.


    She called after him, but he didn''t respond. She started running after him, though Gojin was faster.


    He sprinted ahead, eventually losing her as she panted, trying to catch her breath.


    "Where''s he going?" she muttered.


    ....


    "What the heck? Why was she running after me? So dumb. Go find something to do if you''re bored, you little girl," Gojin thought, glancing back to see if she was still pursuing him.


    His hidden frustration began to surface; he screamed and held his head.


    After a moment, he calmed himself down.


    "Since I''m in Shibuya, Ryu and Yuki should be around here somewhere. I have to find the academy; I''m sure that''s where they are."


    He resumed his walk, moving for about 20 minutes. He passed a dark street where a streetlamp was flickering on and off.


    "There might be some souls in here. I can test out my skills on them before continuing my search for the academy."


    He turned around and entered the dark street, walking about two hundred meters before spotting a school building ahead¡ªquiet and seemingly abandoned.


    "I''m sure many souls will be residing there since that''s where negative emotions are created: childhood horrors."


    He ran to the front of the academy and saw a black veil covering the entire school.


    "Huh? What is this? A field?" he questioned, placing his hands against it. They passed right through. He tried again with his other hand, and the same thing happened.


    He moved inside and saw Ryu and Riku facing off against hordes of souls. He didn''t recognize Riku, but the other adult was battling a large soul, likely someone Ryu knew.


    Unsure of what to do at first, Gojin caught Ryu''s eye. Ryu''s eyes widened in shock.


    "How did Gojin get here? Am I seeing things?"


    Distracted for a moment, Ryu was suddenly attacked by one of the souls, sending him skidding across the ground.


    Gojin rushed to his side, while Riku also came over. The number of souls was already dwindling anyway.


    The souls began to approach them with a sound of laughter and tears mixed together. Ryu instantly stood up, ready to attack alongside Riku.


    Suddenly, their bodies erupted in a powerful explosion, creating a large crater and destroying the structure behind them.


    Ryu and Riku turned their gaze to Gojin, who was putting his blindfold back on.


    [50 EXP rewarded!]


    [A New Technique has been rewarded!]


    [Bonus for Defeating a certain number of souls! Host has received the fifth heavenly eyes!]


    [.....]

 Chapter 14: Obtaining only the real most powerful powers!!

    Chapter 14: Obtaining only the real most powerful powers!! Chapter 13.


    [50 EXP rewarded!]


    [A New Technique has been rewarded!]


    [Bonus for Defeating a certain number of souls! Host has received the fifth heavenly eyes!]


    [Heavenly eyes: Reality]


    [New technique: Runo]


    Gojin''s eyes widened in awe; this was beyond his imagination, he could never had thought he could get this one day. Not the Runo technique but the eye of reality, he had read about it before.


    The Eye of Reality grants its bearer the ability to manipulate the very fabric of existence, reshaping time and space with a mere gaze. It allows the wielder to alter events at will.


    However, using the Eye drains a significant amount of Ki, requiring time for recovery. As a result, it is not a power that can be wielded carelessly.


    "I told you not to remove your blindfold, no matter what! Thankfully, that didn''t cause too much damage. Now we have to help Sensei!" Ryu exclaimed, dashing toward Denji with Riku while Gojin remained where he was.


    "So he''s their teacher. From the looks of it, he''s just a senior exorcist, which is why it''s taking him so long to exorcise that monstrosity," Gojin thought.


    ...


    "Enough playing around, big daddy! Let''s take you back to where you came from¡ªhell!" Denji shouted as blue energy began to wrap around his dagger again.


    He leaped back, creating some distance from the soul, halting Ryu and Riku in their tracks. He tossed the dagger into the air, catching it by the grip and positioning it like a dart.


    He then hurled it at the soul''s disfigured head. A torrent of blood erupted, and in an instant, the soul turned to dust, taking the dagger with it.


    The dagger was the creation of a technique known as Toolbinder, it allowed anyone to summon tools of any kind.


    Denji turned around. "I told you guys not to jump into any battle without being ready! Well, I didn''t actually say that, but you should know better."


    He noticed Gojin removing his blindfold, and a sudden realization hit him. Without wasting a second, he dashed toward Gojin and stopped him from fully removing it.


    "You''re that kid, the Lord of Doom! That''s what I call you¡ªand probably everyone else," he said with a grin.


    In an instant, Gojin vanished and reappeared behind him, fully removing the blindfold. His emerald eye shone brighter, but surprisingly, it didn''t cause any destruction since he had already activated his technique.


    Meanwhile, Denji''s life flashed before his eyes. He felt Gojin''s overwhelming aura, which left him momentarily traumatized¡ªalmost peeing himself.


    However, he didn''t assume Gojin would hurt him; it was just the sheer intensity of the aura that rattled him.


    Ryu rushed to Gojin, checking to see if Denji was really still there or if he was just imagining things.


    He was stunned to find Gojin''s blindfold off and everything around him still in place¡ªit seemed unbelievable.


    "Did you... learn how to control the gaze?" Ryu asked, stammering as he stared into Gojin''s eyes.


    He also felt the imposing aura but managed to keep his composure.


    "Yeah, somehow I figured it out."


    "But now, I have to go back." Gojin turned around, trying to visualize his room. Ryu interrupted, eager to ask another question.


    "How did you get here? From Kyoto to Shibuya? Ki tapping can''t go that far; it''s limited to a 200-meter radius. Unless... you have limitless Ki, but... just get back to the clan and stop making a fuss every time."


    He bid farewell to Gojin while Denji was still trying to regain his composure, staring as Gojin vanished into thin air.


    "That kid really is Doom. I can''t wait to be his teacher! I''m so excited for that day. You guys should hurry up and grow up so you can move on to the next year."


    ...


    Gojin appeared right inside his room and instantly jumped onto his bed as soon as he heard footsteps coming down the hallway. He pretended to be asleep.


    The door slid open slowly, and it was the clan head peeping at Gojin. He grinned and went in.


    "I know you''re not asleep, and you went out to Shibuya, where Ryu and Yuki are. You encountered them¡ªRyu, some other kid from the Shadokai clan, and the teacher, Denji¡ªat a site where you used your gaze to kill some of the souls. And to top it all off, you''ve managed to control your gaze now." L said, grabbing Gojin''s chair and taking a seat. It was so short that he had to extend his legs forward to feel comfortable.


    (Note: Gojin still had his blindfold on)


    L used a technique that allows him to know everything without being physically present - it was called the Omnipotent insight.


    L could interpret the auras of others, making him able to gleam information about their recent actions, emotions, and experience. The only thing he couldn''t see was the system. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gojin sprang up from his bed and turned to L, "How did you know all that? Impossible, did you just read me?"


    L didn''t answer his question, he continued grinning instead while clapping his hands at the same time.


    "Now, you just used your one day exploration. Good bye to that." He chuckled before instantly vanishing like a ghost.


    "What did he just do? He read my whole past. I want that technique also, I want everything. Fuck, am I stupid?!! I just lost my extra hard earned exploration."


    .....


    The Next morning.


    "New announcement, Gojin. A decision has been made about you entering the academy next year." Taro shouted as he barged into Gojin''s room.

 Chapter 15: Growing up! Twelve years later!

    Chapter 15: Growing up! Twelve years later! Gojin was still sleeping when Taro barged in. The announcement was important, so Taro had no choice but to wake him up.


    He stepped outside the room and used his technique to vanish, reappearing in the clan''s kitchen, which was seemingly larger than a four-bedroom flat.


    Inside, three female servers and two female chefs were busy preparing a variety of breakfast dishes for the clan members.


    Taro instantly went to the snacks, picking up a pouch filled with four muffins.


    He knew Gojin would do anything for food, even in his sleep.


    Taro reappeared in Gojin''s room and opened the pouch. A sweet chocolate aroma wafted from it. He held it closer to Gojin''s nose, and instantly, Gojin shot up from sleep, looking as if he were under a spell.


    He seemed more agile than ever.


    "What''s that sweet smell?" Gojin asked, turning to see Taro standing there with a wide grin, holding the muffins in one hand.


    "Morning! Food is ready and set in the dining area, but first, I have an announcement. The decision was just made yesterday due to the rising¡ª"


    Gojin''s yawn interrupted him. Taro sighed and continued.


    "Firstly, you will be delayed in your entry to the academy until you turn 17. It''s not practical for us to allow kids under the age of 10 to enter when there''s literally nothing for them to do until they reach 16 and start exorcisms. So, once you begin the academy at 17, you''ll also start exorcism training, and by the age of 19, you will graduate as an acknowledged exorcist. Yes, the training period has been shortened to two years, which includes test exorcisms." S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Ryu, Yuki, and the other students already enrolled will continue and graduate earlier at 17, starting their journeys. Unfortunately, you and many others who were supposed to enter next year will be delayed by 12 years. Now, let''s go eat! Here are your muffins¡ªenjoy them with us for the next 12 years; you''ll be more talented by then."


    Gojin paused, a barrage of thoughts swirling through his mind before it all went blank, like an abyss.


    Taro had already vanished, leaving Gojin trapped in thoughts and nightmares to come.


    "Is the author crazy? I know I promised not to talk or think about the real world anymore, but this is just too gruesome¡ª12 years?? 12?? What kind of plot twist is that? Is he trying to turn me into an introverted bastard and then a psycho? Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!!!"


    Gojin used a pillow to muffle his scream, his fury so intense that a crack appeared on the wall behind him.


    "Fine then! I''ll endure these 12 years, and along the way, I''ll maximize my potential. Oh, and I have a question for the system."


    His furious expression shifted to an evil grin as he removed his black blindfold and replaced it with the white one.


    "System, these heavenly eyes, along with the techniques I''ve learned and my current level¡ªdo they all belong to me? If you get deactivated, will I still have them?"


    [Yes, all this belongs to the host. Since you already possess this potential, remember: you weren''t bound to the system, so this is all for you. If the system deactivates, you will retain everything.]


    Gojin''s eyes widened in awe. He tightened his fist and yelled, "Yes!!"


    "So can I get more without the system? And how can the system be deactivated?"


    [First Question: No, the system serves as the base for collection. Second Question: There is no definite answer for this.]


    "That''s good, though. Once I obtain all six heavenly eyes, I''ll find a way to get rid of this system. It feels like a waste of time to me."


    "Man, I''m hungry. I have to go eat now."


    Gojin sprang up from his bed and dashed outside the room in his pajamas.


    (Time Leap >> 12 Years Later)


    Gojin, now 17 years old, strolled through the palace garden, he wore a black round sunglasses over his eye. He was now about 6''4" tall, he had undergone a remarkable transformation, his potential had soared as he mastered more than eight techniques within the last years.


    Yet, to him, that progress felt painfully slow. Despite his efforts, he hadn''t acquired any other heavenly eyes or leveled up; being confined within the palace walls had stifled his growth.


    Tomorrow marked a pivotal moment¡ªhe would finally leave the clan and embark on his journey at the academy. The thought both excited and unnerved him although he wasn''t ready to mingle with the others.


    He had learned countless new things, far beyond his initial expectations. One of the most astonishing was a delayed aging technique, allowing its user to extend their lifespan by up to 200 years without aging.


    To his surprise, the clan head had been using this very technique, albeit at a tremendous cost of Ki¡ªover 60 just to stave off 20 years of aging.


    It was no wonder the clan head still appeared as youthful as he did a dozen years ago.


    Taro and Satoshi had also adopted the technique, though Satoshi had only recently begun. The stark contrast in their ages was striking; L was now 54, always quick to remind others of his actual age, while Taro was 39, and Satoshi, despite being 78, still looked like a man in his 50s.


    ....


    "Oh man, can''t wait till tomorrow. It''s 2pm now, what will I be doing till then?" Gojin wondered.


    He stretched his hands forward, and wanted to try one of his technique just for fun. He then raised his hands toward the sky, focusing his Ki.


    A swirling mass of golden energy began to coalesce around his palms, it resembled flames but more brighter.


    "Tensu!!" Gojin muttered. This meant "Celestial grasp."


    The golden energy expanded into a brilliant sphere of light, and a heavy wind rushed past him.


    Gojin released the sphere into the sky, the movement alone created a thunderous sound and leaving a slight crack in the ground below.


    As it struck the sky, a larger roar echoed. A grin spread across Gojin''s face.


    "Just my kind of hit! Let''s see who''s the strongest."


    This was merely a glimpse of the eight new techniques Gojin had mastered; the rest? Let''s not even begin with those yet.

 Chapter 16: Entry! Meeting Kenji!

    Chapter 16: Entry! Meeting Kenji! Chapter 15.


    Gojin sprang from his bed and grabbed his phone from the desk behind him.


    "7:25 A.M.," he muttered with a grin. He quickly dashed into the bathroom and took a bath.


    Forty-five minutes later, he emerged¡ªyes, he took his time.


    After drying off, he dressed in a blue leather jacket and white trousers. He pulled out his black blindfold and secured it in place before slipping on his black boots.


    A knock came at the door. "You''re going to be late; the car is waiting!" Taro called out.


    "Nah, I won''t need the car. I''ll be on my way. Goodbye, Taro. I''ll be coming by once a month. Tell L, Satoshi, and the others I''m gone," Gojin replied from behind the door before vanishing instantly.


    "Wait! What???!!" Taro shouted, swinging the door open. Gojin was nowhere to be found.


    "Did he really... Woah!"


    Taro brought out his phone and called the driver waiting outside, he cancelled the ride and went back to his own bids.


    "That kid really is the strongest. I can''t wait to see what he does next." He muttered.


    ....


    Gojin appeared right in front of the first-year academy with only a backpack. He had secured a room the night before, and most of his essentials were already there.


    Suddenly, the academy''s double gates swung open wide as Denji dashed out with a grin, grabbing Gojin''s hands and shaking them vigorously.


    "Welcome, Gojin! Meet the others inside. I have somewhere to be right now. There''s an open site, so..."


    Gojin interrupted him, a grin spreading across his face. He placed his hands on Denji''s shoulders and handed him his backpack.


    "Where''s the open site? Let me go there. Tell the others I said, ''Wait for me outside''."


    "Huh? Yeah, yeah, bye. I was looking for someone to go anyway, but everyone kept declining. Here''s the location."


    Denji handed Gojin a small piece of paper with an address on it.Gojin sprinted away, vanishing after reaching a certain spot.


    "Finally, I can rest for the day," Denji said, turning around. He jumped in shock when he saw a boy standing behind him like a ghost.


    The boy had black spiky hair, deep black eyes, and a chiseled face with a pointed nose, giving him a pretty-boy look. He was at the same height with Gojin.


    He wore the academy''s uniform; A fitted black jacket with high collars and silver linings while the trousers were sleek and tapered.


    A dark belt cinched at his waist, and he also wore a black boots.


    "Kenji, why were you standing behind me like some kind of ghost?" Denji asked, regaining his composure.


    "Isn''t that Gojin? The boy who came by yesterday from the Seren clan, the Doom Lord?" Kenji exclaimed with excitement laced in his voice.


    "Yes, he went¡ª"


    Before Denji could finish, Kenji sprinted past him. He had already seen where Gojin was heading and wanted to witness him in battle.


    Denji sighed as Kenji dashed away. He turned and closed the academy gate behind him.


    .....


    Kenji ran as fast as he could, weaving through the crowd as people cleared the way for him. He turned onto the next street and continued running, knowing he still had about 800 meters to go.


    Lacking any Ki, he couldn''t use the ki tapping technique or any other abilities. He had been admitted to the academy solely because he was a member of the Kuroyami clan and possessed the rare ability to see and touch souls, which was truly jaw-dropping.


    Finally, after running for four minutes, he arrived at a old mansion. The large iron gate was locked with a large chain and padlock, a red talisman was also placed on the lock and all over the fence.


    "So you were following me?"


    Kenji turned at the sound of the voice and saw Gojin perched atop a fence on the other side of the street.


    Gojin had sensed someone trailing him; he had noticed Kenji eavesdropping on his conversation with Denji and had correctly guessed that Kenji would follow him.


    Kenji was stunned as Gojin jumped down, exuding an air of confidence. He walked past Kenji and stretched out his hands, causing the old, weathered door to swing open with all the locks falling apart.


    "I see you possess no Ki, but I''m sure you''re skilled in martial arts. Follow me, but be warned: a stronger aura is coming from inside the house."


    "If you die, don''t blame me for your death; just accept it. Also, take that bracelet off. You went through a ritual when you were little, right? From what I know, that ritual keeps souls away from you, so you don''t need it."


    Gojin stepped into the house.


    "I can''t believe I still have this on. I think it has grown on me, but I''ll just take it off for now..."


    Gojin dashed back outside, halting him. "I knew you were dumb."


    "Did you really think that was what the ritual did? I know nothing about what it was for so you have to keep that thing on if you don''t want to get any soul in you. I knew you would be dumb but not up to this point."


    Gojin stepped back inside, with Kenji following closely behind like a loyal dog. This was their first time meeting face-to-face, but they had already established a certain camaraderie.


    Both Gojin and Kenji were not the introverted type.


    Gojin possessed a proud mindset, believing he was the strongest and that only he would continue to be so. He doesn''t tolerate even the slightest hint of weakness.


    .....


    A large wooden door stood at the front¡ªthe entrance to the mansion¡ªadorned with numerous red talismans.


    Gojin blasted it open as soon as he removed his blindfold, clearly showing off his abilities. Kenji was stunned, and Gojin could see it was having the desired effect.


    He quickly covered his eye again and stepped into the building.


    Inside, they were met by a long, seemingly endless passageway, thick with cobwebs and crumbling structures. Dust hung in the air, settling everywhere around them.


    A strange feeling shot at Gojin, prompting him to flick his fingers.


    Instantly, the dust cleared, and multiple wooden doors along the passage shattered.


    Suddenly, the passage began to elongate, and a weird laughter echoed from various directions.


    In an instant, they found themselves in another part of the mansion¡ªinside a large parlor that was stark and empty.


    Kenji tightened his fists, bracing himself for whatever threat lay ahead, while Gojin remained calm, a wide grin spreading across his face.


    "A special cast? Finally, something worth raising a hand for," he muttered.


    Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 17: Special Cast

    Chapter 17: Special Cast Special casts are created by souls that aim to capture their victims. However, this type of soul is almost at the level of a Radiant, but to sum them all up easily:


    Exile souls range from Grade 6 to 1, with Grade 1 being the strongest type in this rank. For Radiants, they are ranked from Grade 3 to 1. For Elysian souls, there''s only one type, which makes it a special rank¡ªprobably the king or queen of all souls, meaning the strongest.


    A cast can be placed by a Grade 1 Exile soul.


    Inside this cast, time flows differently¡ªminutes inside can equal hours outside. Approximately, if they had spent ten minutes inside, it calculates to two hours outside.


    Additionally, the strength and abilities of those trapped within gradually drain, making them weaker and more vulnerable. This creates a psychological advantage for the soul controlling the cast, allowing it to prey on its victims effectively.


    The reason it is called a special cast is that it lasts much longer than a normal cast, which only lasts for a few minutes and increases the strength and abilities of the user. Inside that cast, it becomes nearly impossible to be beaten by the opponent.


    ...


    Gojin placed a hand on his face, chuckling. The laughter grew and grew until it became a menacing cackle, making Kenji stare at him, thinking he might have a screw loose.


    "This weak peasant really thinks this can hold me down. What a shame!" he muttered, turning to Kenji.


    "In a minute, we''ll be back in the hallway. Once we get there, run straight while I go the other way. I need to use a technique, and it requires space."


    "Are you sure about this?"


    "Just do it. No questions asked."


    As expected, the room shifted again, and they were back in the passage. Instantly, Kenji ran straight down the hall while Gojin took the other side.


    The locations were set to switch every five minutes, while outside, it was one and a half hours.


    Gojin arrived at a dead end, confronted by a wall with strange writings in red. He took a step back, not caring about the inscriptions.


    He removed his blindfold, and almost instantly, a green aura began emitting from the left side of his eye. His hair started to rise, flowing like a river.


    A purple energy swirled from his feet up to his entire body, twisting like a vine around him.


    "Reverse fate!"


    This is a technique that grants the ability to reverse the outcome of a single event in battle, turning a loss into a victory or nullifying a fatal blow.


    The space around him began to twist and contort, making him float in mid-air. The walls began to shatter and crumble, creating a swirling mass of destruction.


    In an instant, a black line appeared in front of him, breaking like glass and opening up to reveal something.


    A disfigured soul with a large build, it had a human figure, but its whole body was contorted with twisted limbs and one leg. It had a triangular-shaped head, with two short tendrils flowing down from it.


    "So you are the troublemaker?" Gojin asked rhetorically with a menacing grin on his face that made him look even scarier than the soul.


    The soul began to tremble, and its face fell in fear as its eyes met Gojin''s.


    "Lift Runo! Absolute doom!"


    It let out a short cry as its body shattered, along with the whole structure behind it crumbling.


    Everything began to explode, and the soul''s blood splattered out, halting midway toward Gojin due to his barrier.


    Luckily, Kenji would have already escaped since Gojin had reversed fate, finding a doorway to the outside. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The whole mansion exploded abruptly; Gojin raised his hands, and all the structures disappeared, leaving behind just an empty expanse of land.


    He had simply made the structures vanish and reappear wherever he chose¡ªa faraway wasteland.


    This was due to his Ki tapping evolving by 99 times, allowing him to easily manipulate space, as it evolved into void manipulation and tripled its power.


    [Ding! Congratulations, Host has completed an exorcism and some mass destruction!]


    [Host has been rewarded 1000 Exp]


    [Doubling it by 20x]


    [EXP: 20,000]


    [180,000 more to level up to the next rank!]


    "It doesn''t normally double the exp rewards, and this is quite a lot since I normally get below 100, I guess it updates the older I get." Gojin thought, staring at the screen in front of him.


    "Open Book tab!"


    [Book Tab: Currently unavailable]


    "It''s still unavailable, I wonder when it will be available again. Now where''s that dumbass?"


    Gojin scanned the area for Kenji and soon spotted him lying on the ground, panting. He approached him.


    "Let''s go; we''re done here. Luckily, this is an abandoned area, so nobody would have seen this."


    Kenji lifted himself off the ground and walked behind Gojin with a relieved expression.


    "He''s really the strongest exorcist. I can''t imagine how many techniques he might have," Kenji thought, staring at Gojin''s back.


    He walked like someone who had just won the lottery.


    ""I can''t walk anymore," Gojin said, turning around. He held Kenji by the shoulder, and instantly they vanished, appearing right in front of the academy.


    "Now let''s go greet the remaining weaklings."


    "Uhhm..." Kenji cleared his throat before continuing, "We''re actually the only two students in the academy. I think Denji-sensei mentioned a new student coming tomorrow, but she isn''t from any of the clans. After her, there are no other expected students for this year."


    Gojin halted a few inches away from opening the gate. He turned around slowly to look at Kenji with a sharp glance.


    "Did you just say we would be only three!?" he asked as he put his blindfold back on.

 Chapter 18: Tour

    Chapter 18: Tour Chapter 17.


    (The Next day. 10:30 A.M)


    Gojin sat at the top of the stairs overlooking a wide, empty expanse of land about the size of a plot at the academy, scrolling through his phone.


    Meanwhile, Kenji was busy running a 500-meter lap around the entire area, panting heavily.


    This area was generally just open land within the academy, primarily used for exercise.


    The entire academy spanned about five acres and featured only two large buildings along with a training ground, which occupied another quarter of the space.


    Each student had their own room, but the building was unnecessarily large¡ªa literal waste of funds.


    The same was true for the buildings scattered across the city, housing the upperclassmen.


    The second-year building were about six in number, yet none of the students hailed from any of the clans. Also a reminder that Yuki, Ryu and most of the others had graduated and though became a exorcist - Junior Exorcists for now.


    ***


    They were on their way to class to meet Denji, who was surely slacking off. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Before reaching the classroom building, they spotted Denji strolling outside.


    "She''s in Shibuya, but it seems she''s lost. Can you both go get her?" Denji asked as he approached them.


    "Can''t she figure her way around the city? There''s something called a map, you know," Gojin replied with an annoyed glance.


    "Let''s just go meet her," Kenji suggested with a grin.


    Denji quickly sent a photo, name, and current location through SMS to Kenji''s phone before vanishing into thin air. He was playing an online combat game on his PC and wanted to get back to it quickly.


    After receiving it, Kenji prompted Gojin to follow him. He reluctantly obliged, wearing a weary expression.


    "I''m only doing this for my own gain¡ªgetting to know this new girl and seeing if she''s smart, unlike you."


    They walked back outside and headed toward the academy''s exit. A long walk - approximately fifteen minutes to get there.


    ***


    The two strolled calmly down the busy street, attracting the attention of several girls who stared at them like they were idols. Gojin had swapped his blindfold for sunglasses.


    A few minutes later, they arrived at a restaurant where she was currently located.


    They entered the restaurant, scanning for her while glancing at the photo.


    The place was relatively quiet, with only four tables occupied, but it was spacious, featuring high walls and plush couches.


    Finally, they spotted her seated on one of the couches, two luggage bags beside her and a backpack at her feet.


    She was enjoying a shortcake.


    As they approached, they noted her live features: She had striking red-dyed hair that fell just below her shoulders, framing her face.


    She had bright green eyes. Standing at 5''5", her figure was slender. Her casual outfit - a short black skirt and a black top.


    "You''re Sakura, right?" Kenji asked with a charming smile.


    Sakura turned her head, dropping the fork and rising up from the couch. Her eyes began widening in awe as she stared at the two. She felt a tingling sensation inside of her - literally butterflies, but that didn''t last long.


    Instantly, she picked up her luggage bags and gave each of them one to carry, creating an awkward silence which she broke again by going up to the restaurant''s counter.


    "You see that guy over there with the green hair? He is paying for the cake while the other dark hair is paying for the coffee am about to collect now. I would like an Iced Americano with milk."


    The barista expertly began preparing the coffee. He pulled two shots of expresso into a paper cup. Added cold water to dilute the expresso, creating a balanced flavour then he poured in steamed milk, holding back the foam with a spoon before stirring gently and handing it over to her.


    Sakura confidently ordered from the counter and walked out to wait for them outside.


    Gojin and Kenji exchanged stunned glances. Meanwhile, the cashier kept a fixed gaze on them. They slowly walked to the cashier with the luggage in hand.


    "That would be £¤1,300 in total."


    Gojin hastened Kenji to pay, he reluctantly brought out his phone and scanned the QR code displayed on the payment terminal. He then entered the amount to transfer before authentication of the payment using his pin.


    The payment was received instantly and they were handed over a receipt.


    A message came in on Kenji''s phone: (Balance: £¤20,300,900)


    He sighed and walked outside with Gojin, who was about to begin cursing at Sakura but was halted by Kenji, who also had what he wants to do in him. That wasn''t nice, she made them resemble fools on their first encounter.


    "Did you know that without a pen, you wouldn''t be able to walk around Shibuya freely cause everyone had it and people who don''t are given distance." Gojin lied, he wanted to confirm how smart she was.


    "You''re serious? Where do I get a pen? where!?"


    "Woah, she is naive. That''s so...am speechless." Kenji replied, walking behind Gojin and leaving her behind though they still carried her luggage.


    She yelled, "Let''s go for a little tour, I will pay for any expenses this time around."


    The two of them swiftly turned around not wasting a second , they ran back to her.


    "Since you''re new in Shibuya, we''ll show you around some places but that''s after we get back to the academy and you tell us a little about your history. Agree?" Gojin asked with Kenji supporting the question.


    "Okay, no problem."

 Chapter 19: Showing Sakura...around

    Chapter 19: Showing Sakura...around Chapter 18.


    They had arrived back at the academy. Denji welcomed her in and showed her to the room specifically prepared for her.


    Meanwhile, Kenji and Gojin waited at the academy''s gate, allowing her time to get settled before they would begin the tour and help her spend 90 times the amount of money she had made them spend - Kenji''s money, actually.....


    ***


    A few minutes later, Sakura came to meet them at the gate. She wore a red tracksuit and had a headphone draped around her neck.


    "Where are we going first?" Sakura asked with a smile.


    "I have a question; what technique do you have?" Gojin asked, staring into her eyes and moving close. He removed his sunglasses, revealing his emerald green eyes.


    The strong and overwhelming aura came on her and even Kenji this time around.


    "You''ll know soon, I don''t just show what I can do for fun." She quickly replied.


    Gojin put on his sunglasses back, smiling weirdly. Kenji came in between them and placed a hand on Sakura''s shoulder.


    "Alright, let''s start our Shibuya tour! First, we''ll check out: Shibuya crossing. Then, we''ll head to Takeshita street. Next up, omotesando."


    "Shall we start our adventure for the day?"


    Sakura nodded, and the three of them instantly resumed their walk to all the mentioned places. Suddenly, Denji appeared behind them.


    "Buy ''Destruction Valley'' game''s disk when you get to Takeshita!" He shouted behind them, waving his hands in urgency.


    ***


    The trio walked along Takeshita street, surrounded by multiple shops and lively chatter. They passed by boutiques, and snack stands. Gojin and Kenji enthusiastically dragged Sakura into a popular crepe shop.


    "Let''s try some delicious crepes!" Gojin exclaimed, smiling michevioulsy while staring at Sakura along with Kenji.


    Inside, they ordered a variety of crepes, and Sakura payed £¤12,000 - that was just the beginning of the heavy cash she is going to spend.


    Next, they visited the Shibuya 109 department store. Sakura browsed through the fashionable clothing racks - the cheap ones, while Gojin and Kenji tried on silly hats and sunglasses - overpriced ones which they knew so.


    At the cashier, Sakura handed over £¤19,000 for their impulsive purchases.


    "Am about to die, this is a Nightmare." Sakura thought, staring at her balance. She had only £¤1 million remaining, her two million monthly budget was dwindling rapidly. However, she could earn another one next month since all students receive a monthly allowance of £¤10 million, but this was her money that she had came with.


    The group continued their tour, now strolling along omotesando''s upscale shopping avenue. They popped into luxury brand stores with Sakura trying to stop them from buying anything.


    She treated them to gourmet coffee at a cafe, costing £¤3000 - they were too young for coffees, but who knows about their age when they seemed even taller than people at the age except from Sakura, who literally looked like their younger sister. She was the same age with Gojin.


    As the sun began to set, they walked toward Yoyagi park before heading to Nonbie Yokocho alley - filled with hubs and izakayas.


    Izakayas are social gathering places where people come to enjoy food and drinks, socialise with friends and relax after work.


    As the afternoon settled in and the night began to fall, Sakura''s debit alert became more frequent. Gojin and Kenji remained oblivious, laughing and joking as Sakura''s anxiety grew.


    Debit alert after Debit alert flashed on her phone, each one made her wince and almost let out tears.


    £¤10, 000 gone here, extra thousands gone there while Gojin and Kenji carried ridiculous things. They had also bought what Denji told them to - the game disk which had cost over £¤19, 980 since they bought the collector''s edition.


    The collector''s edition includes: the base game, season pass, exclusive in-game items, soundtrack CD, artbook and a collectible figurine.


    Sakura''s eyes widened as her balance was getting to the red with every purchases made.


    Gojin and Kenji smiled, happy and carefree, as Sakura cried inside, thinking, "I''m going to die."


    ***


    Now heading back to the academy, Gojin halted at the front of an abandoned warehouse in a quiet street, not many people were around. He sensed a soul clinging by.


    "Well, since you''ve just got here, why don''t you show us what you can do? Inside that warehouse, there''s a grade 3 Exile soul - If you know what Exile souls are, I don''t care as long as you can see them and have some little experience in martial arts or your technique. Kindly exorcise it, we''ll be watching from overhere - the outside." Gojin said.


    She grinned, almost like she was ready for it. Suddenly, the darkness around started to creep onto her hands and legs till they surrounded her whole body like it were greeting her.... Soon after, it moved onto her hand, forming a tool - shadow mallet.


    She then vanished into thin air, appearing inside the large warehouse. Inside, multiple pallets and crates were scattered around with a warning sign at another door ''Something dangerous is here, Keep away.'' She proceeded into the room.


    "She is using a shadow technique!? How did she even learn it? She isn''t from any clan." Kenji questioned.


    He and Gojin held three tote bags each while waiting outside for her to be done - If she was talented enough, it wouldn''t take her more than two minutes.


    "Maybe she was born with it or something like that, we both know she possess Ki. Get smarter by reading more, you could do better in using your brains." Gojin replied, jokingly.


    Suddenly, the disfigured soul leaped out of the warehouse through the upper window with a terrified look and cries, it began running away. It seemed like it was scared of Sakura, and now running away instead of attacking.


    Kenji and Gojin didn''t bother to chase after it, and only waited for Sakura to come out and do her deed. Instantly, she leaped out of the same window and launched multiple shadowy tendrils at it before it could run any further. The tendrils stabbed it all over, and the soul began dispersing into ashes.


    ....Kenji and Gojin both clapped together, clearly teasing her for the victory. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Who knew you could hunt?" Gojin teased.


    A message came into Kenji''s phone.


    Denji - sensie: "Aren''t you guys suppose to be back by now? Make sure you bought the game disc I asked for. "


    "Oh, we would have to get back now...." Kenji suggested, putting his phone back into his pocket.

 Chapter 20: Full-time Raid

    Chapter 20: Full-time Raid Chapter 18.


    Early in the morning, Gojin washed up in his private bathroom inside his room. The room was large enough to be called a meeting room if not larger at this point. He came out with a white towel draped around his waist...


    The room had a modern style with a luxurious look - plush grey carpeting, floor - to - ceiling windows, and a black sleek wooden desk. A king sized bed with storage with a tufted headboard. The luxurious touches included automated closet organisers and a marble nightstand. The layout was repeated in the others room.


    Thinking about what to do next since he always planned on the whole day movement before heading outside of his room. Gojin picked up his phone on the desk, aiming to check the current time before changing into his cloth and heading to the cafeteria then class next..It''s not like anyone was going to complain or lecture him about time management.


    "8:16, so it''s food first then."


    .....He got dressed in the academy''s uniform, checked himself in the five meters wide mirror then out he went. Minutes later, he arrived at the cafeteria. With a calm walk in while putting on his blindfold, a spoon flew towards him. The barrier halted it from touching him, but that didn''t stop what he was going to do next.


    The spoon backfired and flew back to who had thrown it - Sakura, but she had managed to swiftly dodge it. It struck the wall, few meters behind her and caused a cleff on it.


    "You could have killed me! You broken brat!" Sakura shouted with her hands raised high in anger. Gojin shunned her.


    "Where''s Denji-sensei?..." Gojin asked, scanning the empty cafeteria with only the three of them in. He walked to where the other two were seated, and sat behind Kenji.


    The cafeteria was dimly lit, with soft morning sunlight filtering through the large windows. The spacious hall was quiet, except for the gentle hum of refrigerators and the occasional clinking of utensils. Only two students, Kenji and Sakura, occupied the tables.


    They sat at a corner table near the window, enjoying their breakfast. Before them lay steaming plates of delicacies: Kenji had a hearty Tonkatsu bowl, while Sakura savored a delicate Salmon Sushi roll. A bowl of steaming Miso soup accompanied their meals. Gojin instantly stole the Miso soup from Sakura and two Salmon Sushi roll from Kenji.


    "Hey! That''s mine!" Sakura opposed, staring furiously at Gojin, who didn''t mind her and instead digged in like a ferocious cat.


    The young chef, dressed in a crisp white apron, stood behind the counter, intently focused on phone. He had prepared the breakfast spread, but allowed students to serve themselves. Currently, he was engrossed in an intense online gaming session with Denji, who sat beside him, their eyes fixed on the screens as they engaged in a fierce one-versus-one battle.


    ***


    Tons of minutes later, the three cleared their bowls and walked over to where the young chef and Denji was - still in a gaming session.


    "Aren''t we going to learn some few things today...? Lessons or training?" Sakura furrowed her brows with her arms crossed. Denji jolted up from his seat, startled along with the chef. They were too engrossed, and didn''t notice the three.


    And that''s how he finally got off his gaming session, and lead them to class with this "I need to buy a new character....Levi seems to have gotten weak or is the game that''s making him lag?" Only about his gaming life.


    ***


    The three of them were now in class, seated with Denji at the front, preparing to start an explanation. He grinned and slammed his hands onto the black board behind him - what was that for?


    "Now let''s talk about the one thing you guys never knew - am hundred percent sure of that... Have you heard of a full-time Raid?"


    The three of them exchanged glances, clearly they had never heard of it even Gojin that loved reading couldn''t bring up the meaning. They turned their gaze back to Denji, who was still smiling.


    "I can see you know nothing about it. A full-time raid refers to a mission whereby you venture into a realm known as Lamentia, believed to be the source of wandering souls..... To access this realm, exorcists must undergo a special ritual called the Reget..."


    The three of them listened effectively without making an attempt to diverse from the lecture.


    He continued, "Despite their strength, even the most powerful exorcists¡ª Grand Exorcists¡ªmust prepare for this journey through a rigorous five-week training period. This preparation involves completing various quests to vanquish souls, allowing them to gather essential experience and skills. For over 200 years, a law has mandated that all exorcists undergo this preparation, though the reasons behind this requirement remain shrouded in mystery till now. Any questions?"


    Sakura was the first to raise her hands. "So are we required to also undergo this?"


    Gojin turned to her before Denji could even reply, "Yes! Didn''t you listen to what he just said?... And by the way, we would begin this so called preparation as of now." He turned around to Denji. "How many open sites do you have in hand, Sensei? We will begin starting now..."


    Denji smiled once again then brought out his phone and went through a list of open sites that he keeps on the note app. He was very happy to hand over all of it to them cause he would also have tons of free time to slack off while they complete the quests.


    Denji quickly shared the list to Sakura''s phone, which contained about 60 open sites in sixty different neighbourhoods inside Shibuya - Harajuku, their current location. Daikanyama, Ebisu, Nakemeguro, Kogoshima, Shoto, Aoyama. If they were to clear two sites per day, it would take them 30 days....


    ....However, this was what Gojin had decided on; they would be clearing two sites per day. Hurriedly, they confirmed the sites while Denji marked it as ''Taken'' so as to notify other exorcists in the organisation that the following sites is now active to a set of exorcists.


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    On their way out to the first site of the day - the two were in Aoyama. Sakura asked Kenji if he had a tool since she didn''t notice him with any tool nor did he seem to possess Ki, she was quite quick witted to had noticed this.


    "No, I use my fists...." Kenji replied, demonstrating by throwing punches in the air and following it up with multiple spinning kicks which showed that he was good in martial arts. She didn''t ask or do anything after his demonstration.


    Gojin wasn''t ready to go on feet to the first site so he placed his hands on the both of them shoulders and vanished along with them.


    ...Instantly, they appeared inside a partially constructed building on the fifth floor.


    Gojin realised that he couldn''t sense the aura of any lingering souls. A tiny swirling portal appeared in front of Sakura, normally called a shadow vault and only shadow technique users could open this. They could store literally anything inside this vault.


    ''A dead body included...''


    Sakura brought out a short dagger and handed it over to Kenji. "Make sure this doesn''t get lost cause it belongs to my hero, someone dear to me..." Kenji and Gojin stared at the dagger for a while. Suddenly, a realization hit the both of them.


    "Isn''t this the Shadowfang? How the heck did you get it on your hands?" Gojin asked, bewildered also keeping a silenced gaze at it.


    The dagger had a sleek, curved blade made from a rare, obsidian - like material that shimmered with an ethereal glow. Its edge was serrated, allowing it to slice through practically anything, threatening to even tear the human body into two, depending on the wielder''s strength. The hilt was wrapped in dark leather. The gaurd was shaped like a pair of outstretched wings.


    Embedded within the pommel was a small, blue and irrelevant stone. When gripped tightly, the Shadowfang grants the user heightened agility and reflexes, allowing them to move swiftly and strike with deadly precision.


    This dagger once belonged to Kaito Shadokai, the first clan head of the clan - more than 300 years ago. Kaito protected his people during a tumultuous period in the ancient times, when rival clans sought to dominate the land. They were actually more than seven clans in the past, but most of them had died off cause they unable to.. (Suspense, will be explained another time)


    However, during a fierce battle against a rival clan, Kaito was gravely injured..later killed off. The Shadowfang had been long lost after his death. So how the hell did she get the dagger....utterly ridiculous no matter what explanation she was about to give.


    ....


    "That''s a long story...and uhmm..." Suddenly, a wailing cry came from behind them. A grown man wearing a hard hat and a high-visibility vest. The three of them turned around as soon as they heard the cries. The man was covered in blood.


    "Please...help me.." He muttered in a slurred voice. In an instant, his head exploded, red liquid spout out from the neck area - His carotid arteries and jugular viens. The decapitated body fell to the ground with a sickening thud.


    The trio eyes widened in utter bewilderment as they stared at the body....

 Chapter 21: Kurozai, a Being of Menace

    Chapter 21: Kurozai, a Being of Menace 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. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ....


    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¡ªabout 50 of them, from grand Exorcists to masters, seniors and juniors¡ªonly 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¡ªthe 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¡ªKenji 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.

 Chapter 22: This Celestial isn’t at his full potential yet!

    Chapter 22: This Celestial isn''t at his full potential yet! Sakura took another step backward, her gaze fixed on Kurozai. A large wave of fear washed over her as the laughter continued.


    "Uhhn? A human is... oh, an exorcist. This is where you die. I will make sure to kill all of you and destroy this verse." A red, blood-looking "X" began to form in front of him. He directed it toward Sakura, and judging by its appearance, it would be sharp enough to tear a human body into four pieces with ease.


    Suddenly, Gojin appeared in front of Sakura. The red "X" dispersed a few meters away from him, leaving Kurozai momentarily stunned - nothing could take down that attack.


    "Another one?! I guess that''s two birds on a platter of gold," Kurozai thought, staring at Gojin, who was smiling as if he had met his favorite idol¡ªhe seemed incredibly excited.


    "That aura, the power, and... I can''t find the right words; you''re simply incredible, Kurozai!!!!" Gojin shouted, his excitement palpable. Meanwhile, Sakura continued to back away, fear gripping her as if she had stumbled into a horror movie. Eventually, she collided with the wall behind her and fell to the ground, her eyes wide and trembling.


    "Is the fool going to die?" she wondered, thinking of Kenji. Would his soul vanish while Kurozai remained in control of his body forever?


    Gojin tilted his head toward her. "Stop being a baby and have some courage. He can''t fully control Kenji''s body because he isn''t at his full potential until all his pieces are found and merged. That''s when the most feared and menacing Celestial will truly return, and I will be there to bring him down."


    Turning back to Kurozai, Gojin continued, "I''m your biggest fan! I never imagined I would face you like this¡ªa Celestial, the one and only destroyer... after me. Let''s go for a test drive and see if you''re as 1% powerful as the history books claim!" he exclaimed, dramatically placing his hands over his face.


    "I can''t cause any damage to him because of Kenji, so I''ll have to stay on the defensive while showing off a bit of my power to make a good first impression on my favorite Idol," Gojin thought.


    In an instant, Kurozai lunged forward, a menacing grin stretching across his face. The sheer force of his power caused the ground beneath him to crack and deepen by about two feet.


    Gojin quickly followed suit, launching his own fist forward. Just inches away from colliding, the force of the wind generated by their movements caused the cave''s walls to crack and tremble under the pressure. Their fists met in a powerful collision, echoing like a thunderclap, and the ground shook once more, a wide crater forming beneath them.


    As Kurozai pressed the attack, he unleashed a torrent of super fast punches. Gojin, however, danced around the blows with an unmatched agility, dodging each attack with ease. He moved like a shadow, slipping past Kurozai''s fists that could shatter diamonds.


    Kurozai''s frustration mounted as he lunged again with deadly intent. But Gojin was always one step ahead, weaving and dodging with a grace that seemed almost effortless. Each time Kurozai thought he had him cornered, Gojin would pivot and evade, leaving Kurozai swinging at nothing but air.


    The cave trembled with each failed attempt, rocks falling from the ceiling, but Gojin remained composed, a playful smile on his face. He relished the challenge, using Kurozai''s aggression against him, turning the battle into a dance of sorts. With every dodge, he would occasionally counter with a light jab, just enough to keep Kurozai on his toes without causing any real harm.


    Suddenly, in a moment of overextension, Kurozai lunged forward with all his might, while Gojin instantly shifted to the left, causing Kurozai to lose balance. In a surprising twist, Kurozai found himself kneeling on the ground, now resembling a table beneath Gojin.


    With a triumphant grin, Gojin stood on Kurozai''s back, celebrating his unexpected - No, at Kurozai''s current shape, it was an expected victory. Kurozai looked up, bewilderment etched across his face as he faced Sakura directly.


    "Look at this, Sakura! Now, in five seconds, Kenji should be back in control. "


    "How strong is Gojin? At this rate, he seems to be a Celestial. Was that battle just child''s play for him?" Sakura couldn''t help but try to gauge Gojin''s power level. He wasn''t a Grand Exorcist; he was a special rank entirely.


    Surprisingly, just as Gojin had predicted, the dark veins began to vanish, leaving Kurozai momentarily stunned. Nobody should have been able to take over his body, even at his current potential; it was simply astonishing. Did this mean Kenji might have some power over him? Of course, the answer was clear. What was the purpose of the ritual and the bracelet he always wore? But this might not last forever....


    ....


    Seconds later, Kenji was back in control, prompting Gojin to jump off his back and throw his fists in the air, celebrating his easy victory. Sakura, on the other hand, began to regain her senses. She stood up from the ground, her gaze fixed on Kenji, who was still on his knees.


    "You''re back! Great! But what were you thinking, consuming the flesh when you could have killed the soul and taken possession of it? We could have found the remaining parts to keep them safe from the souls. But look at you now¡ªyou''re a vessel for Kurozai!" She laughed awkwardly, holding her head in confusion.


    Gojin turned around with a grin. "That''s enough for today. We should get you to Sensei. They''ll decide what to do with you: leave you as Kurozai''s vessel and consume all his remaining pieces to finally exorcise him again, or just kill you, which I find foolish. The former option is definitely better."


    Kenji picked himself off the ground, scratching the back of his head with a grin. "I agree with the former option because I''m also ready to destroy him at all cost as long as the world will be safe."


    Gojin shook his head in disappointment. "All this rambling about saving the world from its own self, it just makes me sick." He thought.


    ***


    Moments later, Kenji found himself in a dimly lit room, illuminated only by a flickering yellow bulb hanging from the ceiling....Confusion clouded his mind; just minutes ago, he had been conscious in the cave, and now he was here, disoriented and trapped.


    Gojin emerged from the darkness, his silhouette sharp against the weak light. He waved dismissively at Kenji as he exited, leaving the door creaking slightly ajar. As the door swung open wider, another figure stepped inside¡ªa tall man named Inosaki. sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He had a lean, muscular build and sharp features. He wore a fitted black shirt and dark trousers, both appearing slightly worn but meticulously clean. His jet-black hair fell in a neat fringe over his forehead, and his piercing grey eyes was fixed on Kenji.


    Haruto carried a sturdy wooden chair, its surface were scratched and weathered, yet solid. He placed it directly in front of Kenji, the legs scraping against the concrete floor, sending a jolt of sound through the silence.


    As he settled into the chair, his gaze locked onto Kenji once more with a mix of curiosity and scrutiny. Kenji, chained to the ground with heavy, double unbreakable chains felt a wave of helplessness wash over him.


    "What''s happening? Where am I? What kind of transition was that? And what the heck is Inosaki doing here, acting like a detective?" Questions swirled in Kenji''s mind. It also seemed like he knew the man all too well.


    "I''m sure you''re pondering the same things I am," Inosaki said with a subtle voice, a smirk on his lips. "So, which one are you now? The cute Kenji, or... Kurozai?"

 Chapter 23: Execution!?

    Chapter 23: Execution!? Inosaki is a master exorcist of the Tenshi no Y¨­kai organization, formerly a master exorcist within the Kuroyami clan. After the grand purchase, he was transferred to the association. He had been in charge of Kenji''s training throughout his childhood.


    ....


    Kenji stared at him, trying to grasp the situation. He eventually lowered his head, attempting to ignore the incessant voice of Kurozai, who had been bothering him for some time.


    "This era is lovely¡ªwomen and children scurry about the streets like cockroaches. Just enough to keep me fed for the next three months! I can''t believe it... What are you, brat? You think you can suppress me? Fine, let''s make a deal!"


    Kenji sighed in frustration, shaking his head, hoping Kurozai might finally shut up. "Can you just be quiet? I''m the boss of this body, and I decide what to do with it! It would be an honor for me to personally exorcise you! Darn you!"He blurted out, momentarily forgetting that Inosaki was still there with him.


    "Huh? So you''re... Kenji. Great. Anyway, it''s been decided. Under the Tenshi no Y¨­kai regulations, you''re to be executed."


    Kenji''s eyes widened in horror at the words he had just heard. Would he really die at such a young age? He felt far too young to face death. But did that even matter, that''s the regulations.


    The regulations of the Tenshi no Y¨­kai organization are strict and unforgiving, especially when it comes to harboring a dangerous soul.


    Since Kenji had recently become the unwilling host of a special rank soul¡ªa Celestial of Madness, the most feared entities in existence.


    His presence is detectable even from two hundred meters away, radiating an aura that instills fear in those who sense it. This Celestial is stronger than Gojin. However, Kurozai''s predicament is complicated. Even if he were to successfully consume 15 more fragments of his essence, he would still be significantly weaker than Gojin. Yet, the residual power could grant him enough strength to inflict some damage, albeit minor.


    The organization''s regulations dictate that any host harboring a soul poses a severe threat to both themselves and others. As a result, execution becomes a necessary measure to prevent potential chaos and destruction.


    "However, I choose not to execute you. Gojin and Sakura also declined, so we won. Instead, your execution will be delayed."


    "Delayed?" Kenji asked, unsure of what Inosaki meant. A grin spread across Inosaki''s face as he pulled a piece of flesh from his pocket and held it up for Kenji to see.


    "I suppose you recognize this as one of his fragments. While the execution is still on the table, as I mentioned, it will be suspended for now. The reason? The souls have been growing stronger day by day because of this!" He gestured to the flesh.


    "We possess three of it. And as you know, we can''t destroy them so that''s where you come in; when you die, the soul inside you will die, as well. The clan heads are cowards, except L. The remaining two are demanding we kill you, and yes, your clan also. But won''t that be a waste? Just like Gojin had said, there''s no guarantee that another vessel capable of harboring Kurozai will be born."


    This is practically true.


    The essence of Kurozai is exceptionally powerful, and it poses a lethal threat to anyone who attempts to harbor it. In fact, for most individuals, the moment they come into contact with Kurozai''s fragments, it acts like poison, instantly killing them. This highlights just how dangerous and potent Kurozai''s essence truly is.


    What makes Kenji''s situation astonishing is that he does not possess any Ki. Without Ki or even with it, they would not only fail to suppress Kurozai but would also die immediately upon attempting to harbor him. Sounds like a repeat of what I just explained in the previous paragraph, right?


    However, Kenji has managed to not only harbor Kurozai within himself but also to suppress his influence. This indicates an extraordinary level of resilience and mental fortitude. His ability to withstand and control a force that would normally be fatal is truly jaw-dropping, suggesting that he possesses unique qualities or circumstances that allow him to defy the odds apart from the bracelet and ritual.


    "So this is what Gojin and Sakura proposed: you need to find and consume all his remaining pieces, and then we can awaken the full potential of Kurozai. At that point, Gojin will be the one to execute you since he is the strongest exorcist for the job."


    Kenji nodded, having already accepted the fact that he was going to die if it meant keeping the world safe. He would gladly embrace that fate.


    "I take it you''ve accepted this," He continued. "Now, do you want to know how you got here?"


    "Of course! I was inside the cave with Gojin and Sakura, and then suddenly I was here. How did that happen?!"


    "Gojin manipulated reality¡ªhe theoretically changed your location and distorted your thoughts. In simpler terms, all of you were teleported back to the school while you appeared here. Your perception and thoughts were also influenced, so you''ve actually been here for the past two days. Quite astonishing, right?"


    Kenji''s eyes widened. "Whhhhhaaaaattttt!?" As the chains that held him began to fall away, Inosaki left the interrogation room. Practically, that''s what it was¡ªjust beneath the school building.


    He stood up from the ground, rubbing his hands and realizing that what Inosaki had said was true. His ankles had reddened, a sign that this discomfort hadn''t just appeared in a matter of minutes. It felt like it had been over a day. "Gojin! This is amazing, I have to meet up with them," he declared, rushing out of the room.


    As he stepped outside, the sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the ground. The air was thick with the scent of impending dusk, a mixture of coolness and the fading warmth of the day.


    Gojin and Sakura stood outside, arms crossed, their faces were serious against the backdrop of a sky painted in hues of orange and purple. Gojin tossed the rotten flesh that Inosaki had given him, the grotesque piece of meat landed on Kenji''s hand. Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It was time for Kenji to consume the second piece. Staring at it for a moment, his stomach churning at the sight. It was repulsive, and he felt bile rise in his throat. Gojin and Sakura rushed to him. Gojin pressed him against the wall, while Sakura seized the flesh and, with a determined push, forced it into his mouth, urging him to swallow.


    Eventually, he did. In an instant, the familiar red energy enveloped him, swirling around like a tempest before vanishing just as quickly. Kurozai stirred within him, attempting to seize control after the boost from the second piece, his strength had momentarily heightened. But Kenji held firm, resisting the takeover with ease. That settles a bit of the threat he might pose in the near future.


    "Since that''s settled, shall we head to our next two sites for the day?" Gojin said, glancing at the horizon where the last light of the sun flickered.


    "It''s getting late. I''ll take one, and you two can handle the other." Kenji and Sakura nodded. The three of them proceeded to their daily clearing.


    However, the fact that Kenji was harboring Kurozai didn''t mean they wouldn''t still enter the realm after the thirty days of experience. It was only day two since Kenji''s interrogation had cut their mission short by two days, leaving them with more time on their hands.


    "Darn you, Kenji! You just had to consume that first piece, didn''t you? Are you foolish every day?" Sakura shouted, slamming her hands onto Kenji''s head with such force that it nearly made his eyes pop out. He spat out a little saliva in pain as they walked toward the academy''s exit.

 Chapter 24: Prison Exorcism!? And You’re getting Tofu?!

    Chapter 24: Prison Exorcism!? And You''re getting Tofu?! Kenji and Sakura stood at the entrance of a deserted prison, where it was rumored that a grade 1 Exile soul roamed. Forty-five prisoners had died in a single night, their faces were distorted and bodies crushed beyond recognition.


    This horrific event led the local government to evacuate the remaining survivors. They still couldn''t guess who had done it, but this guys knew. Citizens within a 700 meter - radius had also been evacuated.


    "I''m really hungry; I hope we can get this over with quickly. My stomach is calling for sushi!" Kenji grumbled, glancing down at his belly.


    "God''s Tiger!" Sakura said as she flicked her fingers.


    Suddenly, a shikigami appeared in front of Sakura, startling Kenji. He instinctively drew his Shadowfang dagger, ready to defend himself. After a moment, he realized it was merely a shikigami¡ªit resembled a fully grown tiger with white fur.


    "It will help us find the soul."


    Shikigami are spiritual entities that can be summoned by practitioners of the shadow technique. Only those who have mastered this technique can summon a shikigami, and they must first tame these spirits to form a bond.


    This process typically involves a series of challenges that demonstrate the summoner''s strength and intent. Once tamed, shikigami can assist their summoners in various tasks, including combat and reconnaissance, making them valuable allies in dangerous situations.


    "Fool! Let''s go." Sakura said, holding Kenji by his top and dragged him along with her into the building, the Shikigami followed closely behind them.


    "Wait, can you cast a field?" Kenji asked, the soul might try to run away or even something even worse than that might happen. Sakura sighed, she simply raised her hands. Instantly, the dark field began to rise up to everywhere around the prison, street to about 1500 meters.


    "Woah! So terrific! How did you do that?" Sakura ignored his second question as they entered entered into the front gate which was already opened.


    ...


    Inside the deserted prison, an unsettling silence enveloped them, broken only by the echo of their footsteps. The walls were grimy and peeling, and rusted bars lined the windows with the cracked concrete floor. Few florescent bulbs were still on, creating light for them while some areas were dark, with broken fixtures hanging from the ceiling.


    As Kenji and Sakura ventured deeper, a musty smell filled the air, mingling with the dampness that seeped from the walls. Broken furniture lay scattered about.


    "Stay close to the Tiger," Sakura instructed while Kenji sighed in weary and hunger.


    The Tiger suddenly halted, it began turning sharply and darting down a side corridor, its paws were silent against the floor. Kenji and Sakura exchanged a glance before sprinting after it.


    As they rounded a corner, the corridor opened into a large, dimly lit room filled with broken chains and signs of what might have been a communal area for the inmates. Deep scratches with blood stains marred the walls, as if something had desperately clawed at the surface.


    The Tiger paused again, its gaze fixed on a shadowy corner. Kenji felt a chill run down his spine as an unsettling presence loomed closer.


    When they turned around, the entrance they had used was gone. Suddenly, the ceiling began to stretch into the darkness above, transforming into an endless abyss. "A special cast again? Darn!" Kenji muttered, staring into the void.


    "This one is quite large..." He paused, a realization hitting him. "No way! It can''t be... No, no. This wasn''t cast by a Grade 1 Exile soul, but rather a Grade 3 Radiant soul. It seems too large for an Exile soul; this is trouble!" Fear gripped them, and the two took a step back.


    "What are we going to do? Gojin isn''t here to help us; we''re doomed," Sakura exclaimed, gripping her hair tightly. There was no way they could survive against a Radiant soul. However, since they hadn''t encountered the soul yet, they decided to keep moving. If luck was on their side, they might find a way out of the cast.


    ''Breaking News: Impossible percentage (78%)''


    They held themselves tight and ventured deeper into the corridor, hoping the location wouldn''t change. But that prayer went unanswered.


    In an instant, they found themselves in a large lobby with rusted structures, slightly brown, surrounded by prison cells. The room spanned about 2,000 square feet. Inside, a bleeding man leaned against the wall, clutching his open stomach. Blood pooled around him, and he was growing pale. Kenji and Sakura rushed to him, fear etched on their faces as they worried about his condition. He wore an orange prison uniform with black stripes on the legs.


    Suddenly, the man''s head twisted grotesquely until it became disfigured, and he died, blood oozing from every opening on his face. The two gasped, retreating in terror. "What the heck is happening here?" Sakura furrowed her brow, scanning the surroundings for the source of the horror. Kenji instinctively readied his dagger.


    A few minutes later, Sakura suddenly vanished. Kenji''s eyes began to tremble; the dagger wavered in his grip, fear gripping him once more. Then, a laughter echoed throughout the lobby.


    In an instant, a monstrosity appeared beside him. It loomed as a hulking mass of dark, rotting flesh. Jagged limbs protruded at unnatural angles, each ending in razor-sharp claws. Its face was a nightmarish distortion, with hollow eyes that seemed to absorb light and a gaping maw filled with rows of jagged teeth, forever twisted in a silent scream. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Kenji quickly leaped backward, sliding across the cracked ground. His fear shifted to determination as he gritted his teeth and thrust the dagger forward.


    "Aish, I''m damned!"


    ***


    Meanwhile, Gojin sat in a small room with his legs crossed on a chair, scrolling through his phone. In front of him, a Grade 1 Exile soul quivered in fear, desperately trying to escape the room.


    The aura radiating from Gojin was so intimidating that it couldn''t even muster the courage to attack. After a while, Gojin yawned and decided to end its gruesome existence. With a swift motion of his hand, the soul exploded into a shower of flesh and blood.


    "Oh man, I need to grab a snack," he muttered, glancing at the clock. "It''s 8 P.M., so most of the snack stalls should still be open. Why aren''t Sakura and Kenji done with the other site yet?"


    He stood up from the chair and vanished, reappearing in an empty park. After walking a few meters, he arrived at a snack stall selling tofu. Gojin pulled out some cash and handed 10,000 yen to the woman behind the counter.


    "Let''s see... how much tofu can I get with this?" he mused, calculating. "That should be enough for twenty pieces!"

 Chapter 25: Switched again.

    Chapter 25: Switched again. The woman handed over twenty-four pieces of tofu to Gojin in a paper bag. He instantly took one out and began munching on it as he walked away from the stall. He decided to head to the prison where Sakura and Kenji were.


    A few moments later, he arrived at the front gate and noticed a field had been cast. "Who knew Sakura could cast a field? Well, that means they must be doing just..." He paused, sensing the aura of a radiant soul inside the prison.


    Taking out the fifth piece of tofu, he continued eating while contemplating his next move:


    "So they must have come across a radiant soul instead of an Exile. That''s epic. I shall leave them to their fate, as I need to finish all of my tofu before going in there. Or maybe I''ll keep some for them, because it''s tradition that when someone is leaving the prison grounds, tofu is to be given to that person. I''ll give them two pieces."


    Gojin knew it was impossible for them to defeat a radiant soul, but he was curious to see what would happen. He also sensed that a special cast had been used, thanks to one of his techniques, "Kankaku" - Sense, which allowed him to perceive everything within a 300-meter radius.


    He turned around, looking for a nice place to wait and enjoy his tofu. He would wait for one hour, and if they hadn''t escaped by then, he would help them out.


    "I hope they don''t die."


    ***


    Sakura plummeted down the seemingly bottomless, the wind whipped past her aggressively. Her expression was a mix of determination and fear, thoughts swirled in her mind:


    "What is happening?!"


    She instantly summoned another shikigami in mid air, "Hik¨­ry¨±" (Flight Dragon). The dragon appeared, shimmering with ethereal scales, its wings were expansive and powerful, ready to lift her from the abyss.


    The Flight Dragon soared deeper into the pit, and eventually it found a landing. She got down and dismissed the dragon instantly, scanning her surroundings with urgency.


    "Where am I? My location was switched and I..." Before she could finish, a Grade 1 Exile soul appeared, sprinting towards her like a frenzied specter. Instinctively, she formed a shadow chain blade, bracing herself to confront the oncoming threat with all her might.


    ***


    Kenji lunged forward at the radiant soul, which wore a smile that seemed locked in place. Just as he was about to land a cut, his arm¡ªholding the dagger¡ªsuddenly fell away. Blood sprayed out in an instant, and his eyes widened in shock. He was so stunned that he couldn''t even feel the pain. But that didn''t mean he was going to give up; he refused to lose to the soul.


    "Let''s switch; I''ll help you defeat it. You might die here, though I wouldn''t mind that¡ªbut I don''t want it to be at the hands of a maggot like you. Switch with me, and you can escape to meet those other brats!" Kurozai bargained, attempting to trick Kenji into exchanging consciousness with him.


    "You think I''m a fool? I won''t let you take over my body just so you can try to kill everyone! Shut up!! If I die, you will also die." Kenji shouted, gripping the spot where his arm had been severed.


    Kurozai cackled madly inside his head, taunting Kenji with the certainty of his impending death while the radiant soul reveled in the chaos it had created, mocking Kenji for his weakness. And deep down, Kenji understood this all too well. Now he was trapped with two monsters in the same place¡ªa living hell.


    "You know that even if this part of me dies, I still have other pieces around. It''s only a matter of time before I find another vessel. So I''m not like you. You might really need my help, don''t you?" Kurozai bargained, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.


    Kenji grumbled, thinking of what to do next. He wouldn''t be able to battle well with one of his arms sliced off.


    Suddenly, the soul launched an energy ball at him. He managed to dodge it just in time, and the energy ball collided with the ground, creating a massive crater and sending up a cloud of dust and smoke. If that energy ball had hit him, he would have been turned into a Kenji confetti explosion¡ªpieces of him flying everywhere!


    Funny thought: Imagine if Kenji became a legend, sliced into bits and pieces! If someone found his remains and decided to snack on them, they''d be in for a surprise¡ª"Mmm, tastes like chicken!" But really, who wants to be known as the guy who became a human charcuterie board?


    ''Talk about a grave mistake!''


    Kenji looked at the crater, he realized a shocking thing. "That isn''t Ki; he had just unleashed pure Shinkai energy.


    Shinkai is a unique energy source that embodies the essence of transformation and fluidity. Shinkai is drawn from the interconnectedness of all living things and the ebb and flow of emotions, much like the tides of the ocean.


    This energy can shift its form based on the user''s intent and emotional state, allowing for versatile applications. It can create protective barriers, manipulate water and air, or even enhance the user''s agility and adaptability in battle.


    However, harnessing Shinkai requires a deep understanding of one''s own emotions and the ability to synchronize with the surrounding environment. If misused, it can lead to chaotic whirlpools of energy that disrupt the balance of nature itself. Well, right now it''s being misused.


    Also, how did this soul manage to understand its surroundings? A question that will be kept for later.


    Kenji realised that he had no other choice than to switch with Kurozai. He gritted his teeth, while Kurozai let out a menacing laughter. Actually, Kurozai had another agenda unbeknownst to Kenji.


    The soul began to gather a swirling mass of fiery energy, crackling with raw power, into its outstretched hands. With a sudden, violent thrust, the soul hurled the blazing energy ball toward Kenji, the projectile streaking through the air like a comet, leaving a trail of shimmering embers in its wake.


    "Fine, let''s switch!!!" Kenji shouted, his voice barely rising above the roar of the impending blast as it hurtled toward him at an alarming speed.


    ...


    As the dust and smoke cleared, many would have thought that was the end of Kenji. Dark veins snaked across his body, and his eyes glowed a menacing red, while his fingernails darkened to black.


    In a shocking display of power, Kurozai effortlessly intercepted the destructive energy ball with one hand, Kenji arm¡ªpreviously severed¡ªregenerating before their eyes.


    He turned to the soul with a devilish grin, a glint of malice in his eyes. It was clear the soul had underestimated the force standing before it, momentarily stunned by Kenji''s survival of the blast.


    "Fool," Kurozai sneered, "I''m going to kill all those cheesy brats. This soul here seems a mere 2% worthy of being my weakest minion. Let''s go hunt some children, minion." S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Then, with a hint of surprise, he added, "Uhhn, I seem to have unconsciously reversed the damage to this arm." He flexed the newly restored limb.

 Chapter 26: Try harder!

    Chapter 26: Try harder! An absolute make of Jujutsu Kaisen, episode 4 and 5 so don''t complain.


    _________________


    The soul didn''t respond to Kurozai''s command; instead, it began to form another energy ball. But before it could launch the attack, Kurozai suddenly appeared in front of it. He delivered a powerful kick to its head, sending it crashing into the wall behind. He followed up with a flurry of kicks, each strike deepening the crater until, finally, the soul burst through the wall and fell into the next room.


    Stunned by Kurozai''s speed and strength, the soul struggled to regain its composure. It floated dazedly in the air. Kurozai lunged forward again, his fist began connecting with the soul''s midsection. The impact sent shockwaves through its body, causing it to recoil violently.


    Before it could recover, Kurozai spun around, delivering a swift roundhouse kick that struck the soul squarely in the side. The force of the blow sent it spiraling into a nearby pillar, splintering the stone and sending debris flying.


    As the dust settled, the soul attempted to gather its strength, summoning a flickering orb of energy.


    Kurozai dashed forward, his movements was a blur. With a powerful leap, he soared above the soul, delivering a crushing heel drop that shattered the orb and sent the entity crashing to the ground. The soul writhed in agony.


    Kurozai pressed the advantage, unleashing a series of rapid punches, each strike landing with precision. The room echoed with the sounds of impact, the walls trembling under the force of his blows.


    "What if I take a leg away from you? You''d like that, right?" Kurozai asked with a menacing grin. He flicked his fingers, and in an instant, the left leg exploded, dropping to the ground in pain and shock as its eyes widened. Kurozai let out a deep laugh and began walking calmly toward it.


    Suddenly, the leg regenerated with astonishing speed, which he found quite amusing for a weak soul like it.


    "Neither you nor this fool understand the true power of Ki. Should I give you a little lecture on it?"


    Kurozai raised his hands, weaving them through the air with practiced precision. He formed a series of intricate signs: first, he extended his right hand, fingers splayed wide, then curled his index and middle fingers down while keeping the ring and pinky fingers extended. With his left hand, he made a fist, bringing it to his chest before thrusting it forward.


    With a wide grin, he declared, "Cast! My valley of death!"


    A dark aura enveloped him and the soul, creating a cast that resembled a swirling vortex of shadows. It effectively froze the soul in place as if time itself had come to a standstill.


    With blurring speed, Kurozai began to tear at the flesh, each movement were fluid and merciless. He used the severed flesh as a vessel for his Ki, allowing the energy to flow through the pieces. By channeling his Ki into the flesh, he transformed it into a weapon that could directly interact with the soul.


    When he stabbed the soul with the flesh, the Ki-infused remnants acted like needles, delivering intense pain and disruption. The raw energy intensified the damage, causing the soul to experience agony.


    As he plunged a shard into his opponent, he felt a familiar energy coursing through it¡ªone of his own fragments, entwined within the radiant soul. He brutally tore it from the body.


    "So this is how you evolved into a radiant soul¡ªusing one of my fragments to enhance your potential! Well, well, thank you for this!" Kurozai said with a wicked grin as he consumed the flesh, savoring the power - three fragments consumed, twenty eight more to go.


    He waved goodbye to the frozen soul, then lifted the cast. In an instant, it disintegrated into dust.


    Kurozai then plunged his hands into his own chest, removing his heart to prevent Kenji from switching back. If he did, Kurozai would die, but he could easily survive without a heart. "Now let''s see how you save all your friends, brat!" Kurozai muttered, vanishing.


    ***


    "Huh? The special cast has been lifted. I guess Kurozai has taken over Kenji''s body. Time for me to help them out," Gojin said, disposing of the paper bag after finishing his tofu. As he was about to enter, Sakura dashed out with a frightened look.


    "Those things kept multiplying¡ª that darned grade 1 Exile soul!" she exclaimed, momentarily absent of Gojin''s presence. She looked up and saw his tall frame, startling her for a moment.


    "Where in hell have you been? And where is Kenji? The special cast has been lifted, so he should probably be out by now!!" Sakura said, gripping Gojin''s shoulder and shaking him with urgency.


    "That''s why I''m going in to help both of you," Gojin replied. Sakura sighed, then suddenly realized something from Gojin''s words¡ªit was just a guess, but she was correct.


    "Have you been outside all along, knowing we were in danger inside, but you just waited? We could have died¡ªno, we would be..."


    Suddenly, Kurozai appeared behind Gojin with a grin. Sakura''s eyes widened while Gojin remained calm, activating his barrier. The prison building began to burst from different angles, but only lasted for a few moments. It didn''t bring the structure down¡ªKurozai only destroyed all the multiplied Exile souls inside.


    "He had switched with Kurozai, this time I must make a devastating hit on this psycho!"


    Sakura instantly infused her hand with dark energy and lunged at Kurozai. As she got closer, she noticed his heart was missing, blood dripping from his chest nonstop. Her eyes began to tremble while Kurozai let out another laugh, appearing in front of Gojin, who just kept grinning despite noticing the missing heart.


    "He is the main character, so he can''t die yet. He has plot armor... for now. Who knows what kind of author''s world this is; he might kill off the main character, but it won''t be this soon," Gojin thought, staring at Kurozai before him.


    "Gojin Yamamoto!" Kurozai exclaimed. Expectedly, he knew Gojin''s name; after all, he was literally inside Kenji''s body and knew everything Kenji knew.


    "I just want us to talk! I can see the sheer power you hold just by looking at you; your aura defines you, and I¡ª"


    Gojin cut Kurozai short. "Let me complete that for you: you know that I''m stronger than you... forever!" The same kind of grin Kurozai had appeared on Gojin''s face.


    Kurozai sneered. "Anyways, I''m not interested in another battle since my primary motive has changed. This brat shall die. I will be taking him for a while." Instantly, Kurozai swapped consciousness with Kenji, the dark veins dispersing as he reclaimed control. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Uhhn?" Kenji muttered, looking down at his chest as blood dripped from his mouth. He then looked back up at Gojin, who now stood silently. "Thank you for¡ª" His words were cut short as he dropped to the ground.


    THUD.


    Tears began flowing down from Sakura''s cheeks. "Why? Why? He can''t be dead!" she shouted, her tears rushing out faster.


    Gojin picked up Kenji''s body and placed him on his shoulder. He could easily carry him; Kenji''s weight felt like a pillow. "How can you be an exorcist? You''re letting your emotions get the best of you. And no, he isn''t dead, so clear those droplets and let''s head back to the academy... I have to get some good sleep."


    Sakura''s tears dried instantly as she looked at Gojin, bewildered. There was not even a single sign of sadness within him - well, she couldn''t see his eyes due to the blindfold over it. Did he just say he wanted to sleep?


    "Do you even have a heart!?" she asked, her voice laced with annoyance. Gojin shrugged, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "He''ll be fine. Kurozai is just playing his games - he is holding him as an hostage. We''ll get him back, but right now, I need to recharge. You should too."


    Sakura shook her head in disbelief. "You''re infuriating! How can you be so calm in a moment like this?"


    "Because panicking won''t help," Gojin replied, his tone was steady. "Emotions can cloud judgment. Focus on what''s next."


    Sakura clenched her fists, frustration bubbling within her. "You make it sound so easy."


    "It''s not easy, but it''s necessary," Gojin said, starting to walk away from her. "We''ll find a way to bring Kenji back. Trust me." Sakura followed him instantly. They continued to argue loudly like babies fighting over a piece of candy.


    ***


    Morning light filtered through the bustling city streets, casting a warm glow on the pavement as people began their daily routines. A young man, wearing a white hoodie that hung loosely over his frame and black joggers, stood at the crosswalk, waiting for the light to turn green. He appeared to be in his mid-twenties, standing at about 6''2", with tousled brown hair that peeked out from under the hood. His sharp jawline and blue eyes.


    Around him, a small crowd of pedestrians fidgeted, glancing at their watches and chatting quietly. Among them, three figures loomed just behind the young man, invisible to the ordinary eye. These were grade 1 radiant souls, their forms resembling twisted human silhouettes.


    The first soul had elongated limbs, and its face was a distorted mask of emotions¡ªeyes bulging and mouth stretched into a grimace. "Were you testing out Kurozai''s current strength? Why did you have to waste a fragment of him like that? That soul was useless," it argued.


    The three grade 1 radiant souls, despite their deformed appearances, possessed mouths that allowed them to speak in clear, human voices. Their speech was surprisingly articulate. Each soul had a distinct tone and cadence, making their conversations sound eerily normal, as if they were simply people having a discussion.


    Their ability to communicate in normal human voices indicated a high level of intelligence and emotional understanding. They could express complex ideas and emotions clearly, allowing for nuanced conversations with the young man. This made their interactions feel both familiar and unsettling, as they navigated the line between the ordinary and the extraordinary.


    The young man seemed to understand them well, responding to their questions and comments as if they were old friends. This connection suggested a shared history or purpose, allowing for an easy flow of dialogue.


    The second soul stood slightly hunched, its body were covered in jagged, crystalline protrusions. Its features were less defined. It remained silent, observing the conversation with interest.


    The third soul was the most humanoid of the trio, but its skin appeared to ripple like water. It had a serene expression, almost calm. This one seemed to be contemplating the young man''s words, waiting for the right moment to interject.


    "Yeah, I was just checking his current potential," the young man replied with a low voice laced with a hint of amusement. "And it seems like he is still weak at this point but not to be crossed with, so we can''t meet with him just yet." A grin tugged at the corners of his lips.


    The crosswalk light turned green, and the group moved forward, the young man leading the way while the incoming cars came to a halt. The pedestrians around him didn''t notice the eerie presence of the souls, who glided past them.


    A few moments later, they entered a nearby restaurant, the scent of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods wafting through the air. The young man approached the receptionist, who greeted him with a polite smile.


    "Welcome, sir. One table?" she asked, her eyes were bright with the morning rush.


    "Yes, thank you," the young man replied, flashing a charming smile that lit up his features. He walked past the receptionist, the three radiant souls trailing behind him.

 Chapter 27: He is very much alive!

    Chapter 27: He is very much alive! Inside a dimly lit room, reminiscent of a mortuary, the atmosphere felt heavy and sterile. Bright fluorescent lights flickered above, casting a cold glow over the stainless steel table in the center. Kenji''s body lay there, covered with a simple white sheet.


    Ryu and Yuki entered, both now 20 years old. Ryu stood tall at 6''3", dressed in a fitted black jacket over a dark shirt and cargo pants. In his hands, he held a katana named Kage, its hilt were wrapped in deep blue cloth with silver patterns. The blade was known for its ability to absorb the energy of those it defeated, enhancing the wielder''s strength and speed in battle.


    Yuki, at 5''9", wore a sleek black leather jacket over a fitted top and jeans, her hands casually tucked into her pockets. She took a seat on a nearby stool, her gaze fixed on Kenji as Ryu stepped closer to the table. The both of them were now Senior exorcists under the Tenshi no Y¨­kai organization.


    "He isn''t dead, but the elders must be trying hard to get rid of him," Ryu said, examining Kenji''s still form.


    "They would do anything. Have you forgotten how useless and scared they can be? Luckily, he isn''t dead."


    "It''s been a while since we met Gojin. I heard he''s grown stronger. He even went toe-to-toe with Kurozai." She said with a proud grin.


    A smile crept onto Ryu''s face. "As expected," he muttered, pride evident in his voice.


    Just then, a man walked in, wearing a headset that covered his ears. He ignored Ryu and Yuki, moving straight to Kenji''s body. With a focused expression, he placed his hand above Kenji, checking for the faintest pulse of his soul.


    "I can''t feel his soul due to Kurozai. But I''m sure that if Kurozai agrees to regenerate Kenji''s heart, he would be back to life."


    ....


    Inside a pitch-black room with a single throne at the end, blood was pooling around it endlessly with multiple broken chains. Kurozai was seated on it, grinning widely while watching Kenji.


    Kenji lay on the dark ground, whittling a lullaby that echoed through the emptiness.


    "Hush, little baby, don''t you cry,


    The night will keep you safe nearby.


    The moon will watch with its gentle light,


    While shadows dance in the still of night.Close your eyes and drift away,


    Dream of fields where spirits play.


    The wind will sing a soft refrain,


    As stars whisper secrets of joy and pain."


    Kurozai sneered. "Continue the lovely lullaby, brat," He stood up from the throne with his hands behind his back. "The only way I''m going to bring you back to life is if you agree to make a pact with me."


    Kenji grinned defiantly at Kurozai. "Nah, if I defeat you, you''ll grant me access to tap into your Ki or, instead, grant me superhuman skills and bring me back to life. But if I lose, you get the pact, and I will let you take over my body for thirty minutes anytime you want, but just don''t try to hurt anyone, and you must bring me back to life."


    Kenji stood up from the cold ground, ready to face Kurozai.


    Kurozai''s grin widened as he stared at Kenji with intense curiosity. "Okay..." In an instant, Kenji''s body shredded into pieces without Kurozai lifting a hand.


    "Fool!! You''ll forget everything about the pact. Now what''s next...?" Kurozai thought, heading back to his throne and flicking his hands dismissively.


    ....


    Yuki was about to ask a question when she paused, her eyes widening in disbelief. Before her, Kenji''s heart began to regenerate, slowly forming a new heart from a purple energy. As the heart took shape, the surrounding tissue mended, sealing the gaping wound in his chest.


    The sight was both miraculous and eerie, as the flesh knitted together seamlessly, leaving no trace of the violent disintegration.


    "He is back to life, so we''re done here. Let''s go, Ryu. We have a site to clear; we''ll be visiting next week again," Yuki said, turning toward the exit.


    Ryu nodded, following her outside. They seemed to now understand each other now - maturity.


    The man who had been observing stared at Kenji as he rose from the stainless steel plate, a silent expression on his face. "Hehehe, did I miss anything?"


    "Get back to the others. Once every three days, come to meet me for a question session," the man said, exiting the room and putting his headphones back on.


    "But I don''t know who you are and where your office is!?" Kenji shouted, confusion etched on his face.


    "Whatever. Now I have to go meet with both of them and show them that I''m alive and well," he muttered to himself.


    He jumped off the plate, found his new uniform placed on another table, and quickly changed into it, then he ran outside instantly, a smile spreading across his face, thinking they would be so happy to see him.


    ***


    Running through the academy compound, Kenji spotted Gojin and Sakura heading outside. He quickly called out to them, "You told me that he wouldn''t die, but now I hate that fact!"


    Sakura whispered to Gojin, turning around to see Kenji running toward them with excitement. As he got closer, Gojin asked, "What deal did you make with Kurozai for him to bring you back to life? He wouldn''t do that without wanting something in return."


    Kenji shrugged, confusion crossing his face. He didn''t remember anything about the pact he had made with Kurozai, making Gojin suspect even more about what that devil was planning.


    Sakura frustration kept boiling as she began cursing at Kenji. "Why the heck are you always in a life-and-death situation? What''s your problem?! Are you always under the influence whenever you''re in a battle!? You could have just stayed dead since it seems like that''s where you belong!"


    Gojin took a moment to calm her down, reassuring her that everything would be fine. He then told them to head to the next site without him. This time, the organization had confirmed it was safe for them to go¡ªespecially for Kenji and Sakura. Gojin could easiky handle anything that came his way.


    As the two of them proceeded out of the academy, Gojin instantly opened up the system tab.


    [Exp: 98,000/200,000]


    [Host unlocked a new technique three days ago!]


    "Yeah, keep that for later. When the heck am I going to reach 200,000 Exp? Should I just head to an abandoned building and bring it to ground level while taking down a bunch of Grade 3 radiant souls? I could ask for those specifically," Gojin contemplated.


    [Ding! Congratulations, Host has just unlocked a mission]


    [Details: Cause absolute destruction and exorcise five Grade 1 radiant souls.]


    [Reward: 20,000 Exp (20¡Á)]


    [Host will be able to level up upon completion of the new mission.]


    "Now we''re talking," he said, a grin forming on his face. "I wonder what''s inside the book tab. Maybe accessing it will give me insight into what''s coming next."


    S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 28: Almost time

    Chapter 28: Almost time "I see, their relationship isn''t that strong." Gojin murmured, glancing at his phone as he walked down the bridge. It was currently nighttime.


    The bridge''s sturdy frame stood out starkly in the night''s darkness as it arched across the river.


    Beneath the bridge, the river traveled peacefully, its echoing lullaby of softly lapping water adding to the tranquil symphony. Icy blackness enveloped vast areas of land on both sides of the riverbank, and a dense forest sprang up not far from its other edge.


    The trees were tall; they stood so close together that their outstretched appendages could caress one another in the soft breeze that filtered through their thick foliage.


    He had just come back from an exorcism; only he had gone while Kenji and Sakura were probably snoring away on their beds.


    "I love when I walk at night. I find solace in this."


    Suddenly, a figure appeared in front of him. One of the three souls that had been trailing behind him back at the crosswalk, the one that kept arguing.


    "I heard you''re the strongest exorcist. Guess what? I''m here to show you that''s wrong, Gojin Yamamoto!!" he shouted, conjuring five energy balls in mid-air.


    Gojin stared at him with curiosity. "This is probably a grade 1 radiant soul. I never knew that any soul other than Kurozai could talk. But considering this one has some understanding... However, he doesn''t seem too smart. No entity in this realm is a match for me, especially something this weak." Gojin thought. "Well, I can''t stop scrolling through this because I might miss the parade launch, so I''ll take care of him while keeping an eye on the launch."


    ...


    Flashback.


    The three souls sat in the caf¨¦ with the young man, discussing their plans. He kept his voice low, careful not to draw attention and seem crazy since no one else could see the souls.


    "Kaze, what''s our next move?" the first talkative soul asked, urgency lacing his tone.


    Kaze sighed and leaned back in his chair. "From what I know, the exorcists have four of his fragments, and one has been given to the vessel, along with the one from that fish. You''ll know the vessel when you see him. Right now, Makato, there''s only one obstacle in collecting the fragments from the exorcists: Gojin Yamamoto, a god from birth. If you can bring him down, you''ll be good to go. Can you do it?"


    Makato chuckled confidently. "A god? I accept this quest! One thing''s for sure: he won''t last."


    Kaze shrugged, his demeanor reflecting distrust. He only wanted to employ Makato to test Gojin''s might, knowing full well that Makato could never defeat him - even in a million years.


    ...


    "Now I would love to see you burn," Makato sneered, launching a barrage of energy balls at Gojin. But Gojin remained unfazed, not even bothering to activate his barrier.


    "Backfire!" Instantly, the energy balls ricocheted back toward Makato. He dodged with agility, his eyes wide with astonishment at Gojin''s technique.


    Makato dashed toward Gojin at blinding speed, the ground cracking beneath him from the force of his charge. Just as he was about to land a devastating blow, Gojin vanished, reappearing behind him in an instant.


    Makato spun around with fury. He unleashed a powerful fist aimed directly at Gojin''s face, but to his shock, it met an invisible barrier that absorbed the impact.


    Confusion flickered in Makato''s eyes¡ªhe hadn''t anticipated Gojin''s defense.


    Gojin smirked,"Temporal Distortion!" He simply thought. Time instantly slowed down, and Gojin moved at the speed of light, landing a series of brutal strikes on Makato. Each punch landed like a meteor, sending shockwaves through the air. Before Makato could react, Gojin gripped him, flinging him high into the air.


    As Makato soared, Gojin followed him up, unleashing a relentless barrage of blows mid-air, leaving Makato gasping for breath, unable to retaliate. With a final, powerful kick, Gojin sent him crashing down into the forest below, the impact creating a massive crater.


    Gojin then landed gracefully, surveying the destruction. "I thought he wanted to show me how weak I am? Such a pity." He chuckled, pulling out his phone. "And am I getting popular among souls? That''s amazing! I wonder what that blabbermouth is planning; it seems like something is getting cooked up."


    He vanished into thin air.


    Gojin arrived back at the academy, walking in playfully. He noticed a bright light illuminating the hallway before his room, and decided to investigate. To his surprise, he found Denji and the chef set up with two PCs, headphones perched over their heads, engrossed in an online combat action game. They were locked in a fierce battle against local players, completely unaware of Gojin''s presence.


    He sighed, shaking his head as he walked past them toward his room, craving a good night''s sleep. His mind, however, remained preoccupied with thoughts of Makato. What could he be after? That was a question for another time; sleep was crucial.


    ***


    Makato appeared at the front of a flat where Kaze and two other souls resided. His left hand was severely damaged, one side of his head pressed in, blood pouring out. The damage began to reverse instantly until he was completely healed. He then proceeded inside.


    The flat had a modern style, with sleek furniture and minimalist decor. The living area featured a plush sectional couch in muted tones, a glass coffee table adorned with a few scattered magazines, and a large flat-screen TV mounted on the wall.


    A small kitchenette was tucked away in the corner, complete with stainless steel appliances and a stylish island bar.


    Kaze was seated on the couch, while the two other souls lounged on the second couch behind him.


    "I suppose you couldn''t complete the task. That doesn''t matter, though; it was expected," Kaze said in a calm, almost dismissive tone. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Makato groaned in frustration. "His techniques are simply unique. I can''t seem to lay a hand on him, and he backfired my attacks effortlessly."


    Kaze chuckled, a hint of amusement in his voice. "That''s why I called him an obstacle. Even Kurozai couldn''t land a hit on him, and you expect to do so? I will repeat: He is a Celestial, the Lord of Doom. Nothing at this point will faze him, unless we wait for them to venture into the realm¡ªLamentia. We will be preparing there, and Osamu has a special surprise for you all."

 Chapter 29: Last day

    Chapter 29: Last day On the day of their transmigration to Lamentia, Gojin, Sakura, and Kenji awoke feeling an unusual weariness that weighed heavily upon them. Despite their reluctance, they mustered the strength to rise and stepped outside. The air was cool and fresh, with a gentle breeze rustling the leaves of nearby trees. As they took in their surroundings, the first drops of rain began to fall, creating a soft patter against the ground.


    *Agg*


    Gojin felt a surge of annoyance at the rain and decided to change into his beachwear¡ªa rather foolish choice, considering he wasn''t heading to the beach.


    He climbed into some bright, flower-patterned swim trunks with bright blue palm trees and waves, the color of a sunny haven. He wore this with an oversized, short-sleeved Hawaiian shirt of light, airy material with highly contrasting floral prints that definitely did not match the somber weather. He finished the ensemble with flip-flops to complete the absurdity of his outfit as he prepared for the rain.


    Getting out of his room, Gojin encountered Kenji and Sakura standing in front, grinning widely. They were momentarily stunned by his outfit, and their smiles grew wider until they took on an almost unsettling quality. Gojin stared at them awkwardly.


    "Wow, we have the same thinking. Well, it''s for preparation because we might drop into a pond," Gojin said sarcastically as he passed by them. Instantly, they trailed behind him, still grinning. They made their way to Denji''s room¡ªactually, his game room.


    Sakura knocked lightly, waiting for a response after the first knock.


    Almost immediately, Denji appeared in the hallway, looking ready for the day. He wore a fitted black t-shirt and comfortable cargo shorts, complemented by a pair of sturdy sneakers. The ensemble was practical yet stylish, perfect for the journey.


    "We''re heading to Osaka, where the ritual will take place. I''ll fill you in on a few details along the way. We''re taking the plane; I''ve already booked the tickets, so let''s go. First, you''ll be meeting the second-years in Lamentia. They have six months left before returning to... beautiful EARTH," Denji announced cheerfully.


    Gojin merely clicked his tongue in response.


    As they stepped outside the building, Denji handed each of them an umbrella while he held one for himself. Gojin declined the umbrella without hesitation, and no one questioned him; they understood his reasons. Kenji, Sakura, and Denji led the way, their umbrellas stretched overhead to shield them from the rain, while Gojin confidently walked behind them.


    The rain seemed to pause just before making contact with him since his barrier was in effect.


    Coming out of the academy, they made their way through the rain-soaked streets, the sound of water splashing beneath their feet filling the air. Kenji and Sakura exchanged excited glances, while Denji animatedly thought what awaited them in Osaka. Gojin''s mind was wandering as they approached the bus stop.


    Once they arrived at the airport, the group navigated through the crowded terminal. The scent of coffee and baked goods wafted through the air, mingling with the chatter of travelers. They checked in and made their way through security.


    After clearing security, they found their gate and waited for their flight.


    As they boarded the plane, Gojin settled into his seat, the hum of conversations around him blending into a comforting background noise. The flight attendants performed their safety demonstrations, and soon the plane was taxiing down the runway.


    As the aircraft ascended into the sky, Gojin, Kenji and Sakura gazed out the window at the retreating landscape below. Clouds enveloped them, and the gentle vibrations of the plane provided a sense of calm. The journey continued smoothly, with Denji sharing more insights about Lamentia.


    "The second-years are in Lamentia to complete their training," Denji explained. "Once transmigrated into the realm, they have two years to adapt and do some clearings. They''ve spent a year and a half inside already. If you''re wondering how they''ve been surviving, all will be revealed once you meet them."


    Gojin raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "And what about the clan heads?"


    Denji''s expression turned serious. "That''s where it gets complicated. The clan heads¡ªexcept for L¡ªmight try to close the spiritual gate that allows you to return to Earth. They would want to eliminate two people: you and Kenji. Kenji is a vessel for Kurozai, and they''re afraid of what might happen if he''s allowed to roam free. As for you, they''re simply threatened by your strength¡ªan inferiority complex that''s foolish, but dangerous nonetheless."


    Sakura furrowed her brows. "How can those cats be in charge? And surprisingly, no one opposes their foolish deeds."


    Kenji sneered. "Forget about them, we won''t die there. That''s all I know."


    ...


    The flight had taken about 1.5 hours, but with check-in and waiting time, the entire journey lasted around 3 to 4 hours.


    Once they disembarked, the group navigated through the terminal, energized by the vibrant atmosphere of Osaka. The sun was shining brightly, and the streets were dry, thanks to a weather system that had passed through earlier in the day, leaving clear skies.


    Denji checked his watch. "Botan should be here anytime soon."


    Instantly, a white SUV drove up in front of them and parked, the driver pressing the horn multiple times as if he enjoyed it. They slid down the passenger seat window, where the driver peeked out with a smile.


    "Let''s get going, guys. We don''t have all day," Botan said. He was in his mid-thirties, with short black hair that framed his masculine features and a neatly trimmed black beard that accentuated his strong jawline. His plain shirt and black trousers gave him a casual appearance.


    Denji gestured for them to get into the car while he opened the passenger door and sat down, shutting the door behind him. The three of them settled in gently.


    As they pulled away from the curb, the SUV glided smoothly through the streets and into the expressway of Osaka. The sun cast a warm glow, illuminating the cityscape. Botan navigated through the traffic with ease, the hum of the engine blending with the sounds of the city.


    "So, why are you three wearing beachwear? It''s not like you''re coming here for a vacation," Botan asked, keeping a fixed gaze on the road ahead as multiple cars whizzed by.


    "Just a casual outfit. I''ve been wanting to wear this since we bought it with Sakura''s money," Kenji said, chuckling mischievously while turning to Sakura along with Gojin.


    Sakura sighed, ignoring them. "I won''t need money for the next two years anyway since we''re heading out of this world," she thought. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "That''s one astonishing feat you guys pulled off, buying something with a girl''s money. A very beautiful and new species of gentlemen," Botan replied sarcastically, which made Sakura smile.


    Denji went silent as soon as Botan said those words, realizing he had also made them buy a game disk for him with Sakura''s money. He quickly pulled out his phone and began scrolling endlessly, trying to avoid joining the conversation.


    Forty-five minutes later, they arrived in front of a traditional mansion. The exterior was stunning, featuring wooden beams and latticework. The roof was adorned with gracefully curved eaves. Beautifully manicured gardens surrounded the property, with cherry blossom trees and stone lanterns. The entrance was marked by a sliding wooden gate, leading to a serene courtyard.


    They all stepped out of the car, ready to go in.


    "This is where the opening would be taking place, prepare for the ritual." Denji commanded, scanning the surrounding with utmost urgency.

 Chapter 30: Golden arrival! ...In where!?

    Chapter 30: Golden arrival! ...In where!? Entering the building, a profound silence enveloped them. The interior of the mansion was adorned with wooden beams and carvings along with soft, diffused light filtered through the paper shoji screens, casting shadows on the polished wooden floor.


    Botan led them to a grand room that could easily accommodate hundreds of people. The high ceiling was ornamented with elegant chandeliers as bright as burning stars. The space was vast.


    Inside the room, five unconscious bodies lay on separate white beds, each draped in soft, ethereal fabric. Beside them, a blue glowing stone pulsed with a gentle light, its aura were keeping their bodies fresh and dormant until their souls returned. This stone also served as a gateway to the realm, drawing in anything placed within two meters of it¡ªtools, clothes, and more. In short, anything they had within two meters would be taken with them. Among the bodies were three girls and two boys, each one seemingly at peace.


    "These are the second-years who have transmigrated, and that glowing stone over there is the¡ª"


    "Gate!" Kenji, Sakura, and Gojin exclaimed in unison, their eyes wide with understanding. They had quickly deduced its purpose without needing further explanation.


    "So if it gets broken then we would be trapped inside the realm." Gojin added, almost like he had knew everything beforehand, rather he was just quick witted and smart. And he had also been gathering ideas and planning their next move once they enter the realm.


    "Since you all know that much, then that''s settled," Botan replied, his voice steady. "You will surely meet up with the second-years there, and they will explain the rest to you." He gestured for them to lie on the three other beds in the room, retrieving three stones from a heavily locked chest and placing them beside their beds.


    Just then, Yuki, Ryu, and Taro burst in with an air of confidence, like a mafia family. A smile crept onto Gojin''s face as he settled onto the bed.


    "We''re here to say goodbye to the three of you. Make sure you don''t die inside that darned realm. You''ll be surprised by a lot of things¡ªwe''ve been there," Yuki said, her tone was a mix of humor and warning.


    "You may begin the send-off," Taro ordered Botan. He nodded and approached Kenji first. Placing his index finger on Kenji''s forehead, the blue stone glowed brighter before dimming slightly. He repeated the process with Gojin and Sakura.


    A few minutes later, they all fell unconscious; their souls had now transmigrated into the realm.


    "Ryu, Yuki, and Denji, I want you to oversee the students to ensure those cats don''t do anything foolish. At least once a day, check on them. I''ll try to arrange accommodations for you in Osaka, as it''s prohibited for any conscious beings to roam freely here due to the dormant cell," Taro commanded as he headed out of the mansion.


    A car was waiting for him outside¡ªthe same one he, Ryu, and Yuki had arrived in. It zoomed off away from the mansion, and they were driving straight back to Kyoto.


    Dormant cells are spaces where conscious beings are restricted from existing or operating for a long period of time, they''re only allowed for eight hours. They are designed to prevent interference with the environment or processes occurring within, ensuring that only specific conditions or entities can exist to protect the unconscious bodies and their souls.


    Regarding Kenji, two souls had transmigrated into the realm: his own and that of Kurozai.


    "Ryu and Yuki! As your ex-teacher, I shall leave you to watch over them. I have a date in this beautiful, sprawling city¡ªa pretty lady awaits me," Denji declared, striding away with an air of confidence. The three stared after him, scanning him from head to toe.


    ***


    [Host has entered Lamentia, rather the an ancient era!] S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [Location of arrival: Falling into a large pond in two and a half minute!]


    "What!? I knew I was going to get dumped in the water, so the beachwear wasn''t just a casual outfit," Gojin thought, bracing himself.


    Suddenly, cold, fresh water engulfed him, splashing over him and soaking him to the bone. He glanced around, searching for Kenji and Sakura, who had also landed in the same spot¡ªa large pond surrounded by lush greenery and tall trees that swayed gently in the breeze.


    The pond was deep, its dark waters extending far below the surface, and it stretched out wide, with lily pads dotting the edges. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting patterns on the water.


    Gojin and Kenji were both confident swimmers cause they had been thought how to swim from the age of seven. They quickly assessed the situation, but panic surged as they noticed Sakura struggling.


    Sakura flailed in the water, her eyes wide with fear and she was trying to let out a scream, the water rushed into her mouth. She didn''t know how to swim, and the depth of the pond was overwhelming. The water reached her chin, and she was slowly sinking, her legs kicking desperately but not finding solid ground.


    Gojin and Kenji instantly dove deeper into the pond, the cool water enveloping them as they propelled themselves toward Sakura. Gojin reached her first, grabbing her arm firmly, pulling her toward the surface.


    Kenji swam alongside them, his strong strokes cutting through the water as he helped guide Sakura upward. With a final push, they broke through the surface, gasping for air. Gojin and Kenji hoisted Sakura between them, their hearts racing as they swam back to the edge of the pond.


    As they reached the shore, the two pulled Sakura out of the water, laying her on the grass. She coughed up water, her face pale but relieved a bit.


    The two of them picked themselves up off the ground, panting heavily as they scanned the bushy area. "Where the heck are we?" Gojin questioned. Sakura slowly stood, still trying to regain her composure as she looked around with them.


    [Ding! Location assessment has been completed!]


    [Host has arrived at the Heian Period! (794 - 1185)]


    ".....The what!? The Heian Era?!! We traveled back in time?!! So the realm of Lamentia is just the past world?!" Gojin blurted out, causing Kenji and Sakura to turn their gazes toward him, eyes wide with shock.

 Chapter 31: Heian Era...! Meeting the Second-year.

    Chapter 31: Heian Era...! Meeting the Second-year. During the Heian Era, the world was believed to be inhabited by soul reapers and demons, now called souls in the modern world. Soul reapers were tasked with guiding the souls of the deceased to the afterlife and maintaining the balance between the living and the dead. They wielded powerful abilities to combat this demons that threatened the peace of the living.


    Akuma (Demons), were malevolent entities that preyed on human souls, causing chaos and despair. These demons could take various forms, from grotesque beasts to deceptive apparitions, and were often associated with darkness and misfortune. They sought to consume souls or lead them astray, creating a constant struggle between good and evil.


    However, in the modern world, all the soul reapers had perished, leaving the exorcists to handle all the tasks alone. This was an era after the one in which Kurozai had nearly brought destruction, a gap of several decades. Now, this new age had awakened countless Akuma, threatening the lives of every citizen. If they could curb these malevolent forces here, they wouldn''t have to battle against souls in the modern world.


    This necessity was why transmigration into this realm¡ªor rather, this era¡ªwas made compulsory. Additionally, it offered the chance to uncover the remaining fragments of Kurozai hidden within this time.


    By doing so, they aimed to eliminate all the souls¡ªrather, the demons¡ªbefore this tragic event could unfold, thereby preventing the loss of countless lives. Humans had only just managed to survive, and the stakes had never been higher.


    ...Fortunately, some of the now-extinct clans might still exist in this era, as they had not yet begun to kill each other in the struggle for power.


    ***


    [Map unlocked: Proceed through the forest and continue straight on the path. A small village with a population of fifty people (Forty five confirmed citizens and five spiritual travellers) is located there.]


    [Village Name: Kurama, situated in the northern mountains of Heian-kyo (ancient Kyoto).]


    "Now, I can see all your worth. The five spiritual travellers are the second-years for sure. Let''s get going!" Gojin exclaimed as he pushed confused Kenji and Sakura forward.


    Stepping gingerly in the puddled grounds with much reluctance, Kenji, Gojin, and Sakura took their feet away from the pond area before taking the narrow trail into the woods and out of the puddles. The atmosphere was cool, crisp with the scent of damp moss and dry decaying leaves. From the top, the sun peeked through the trees, creating a bright light.


    They had walked for several minutes, the sound of rustling leaves and birds chirping close by made a pleasing atmosphere. The path was curved and had trees on both sides before being broken by small shrubs.


    The trees finally began to thin out, and after what felt like a century, the three stepped out of the woods into a small opening. Before them now lay the mountain village of Kurama. It was located due north as demonstrated by the system, in the mountains, and was built with traditional wooden houses and thatched roofs. Vapours, in the shape of thin clouds, escaped from the above the chimneys into the cold air of the mountains.


    The area around the village was green with blooming seasonal flower filled quite a few miniature farms. S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Additionally, there was a clean stream that flowed around the edge into sunlight. About twenty three people went around their daily tasks of agriculture, as well as warm and happy small talk, that transformed the atmosphere into that of sociable gatherings.


    In the background were towering range of mountains with cloudy tops.


    Kenji and Sakura exchanged an awkward chuckle. "Did we really... transmigrate to the Heian era!? This is definitely Kurama Village," Kenji stammered, bewildered.


    Gojin grinned as he removed his blindfold and tucked it into his wet pocket. He then reached for another blindfold he had stashed in his left pocket¡ªa white one. Tightening his grip on the wet blindfold, he used his Ki to dry it instantly.


    "What are we supposed to do next? We look like aliens in this era¡ªmost people are wearing hakama, while we''re stuck in beachwear," Sakura said, composing herself. They had two tasks: first, to blend in quickly, and second, to find the second-years.


    "Let''s tackle the first step: Based on my experience imagining places like this, there''s likely a line of clothing behind one of those houses. That''s where we can start blending in."


    "...However, there''s another issue: since the village''s population is relatively small, the locals will definitely recognize each other, making it hard for us to go unnoticed. So, let''s grab those clothes and find the second-years without drawing attention," Gojin said, instantly vanishing along with Kenji and Sakura.


    Fortunately, the villagers hadn''t spotted them.


    As they arrived at the backyard of one of the houses, they found themselves in a serene, secluded space. The air was fragrant with the scent of blooming cherry blossoms, and the gentle rustle of leaves. In front of them, clotheslines stretched between wooden posts, laden with an array of traditional garments.


    On one side, they spotted kimono and yukata hanging neatly with vibrant colors and patterns. The male garments included hifu jackets and hakama, while the female garments featured beautifully designed furisode, adorned with floral motifs.


    Sakura quickly snatched a furisode, its flowing sleeves and elegant design had caught her eye. Meanwhile, Kenji and Gojin grabbed hifu jackets and hakama. Surprisingly, the clothes fit them well.


    Sakura hid behind a tree to change into her outfit. When she emerged, she looked stunning in the furisode that flowed gracefully around her. The fabric hugged her figure elegantly, with the long sleeves framing her arms. The blue colors complemented her complexion.


    Gojin and Kenji changed on the spot, their outfits fitting them perfectly. Kenji wore a dark blue hakama that accentuated his athletic build, while Gojin donned a lighter-colored hifu. Gojin stood with his hands behind his back, striking a pose reminiscent of a palace official¡ªthough his blindfold somewhat undermined the official look.


    Suddenly, they heard the sound of five pairs of feet rustling through the forest, likely chasing something. Gojin swiped his hands in mid-air, and a spiral of blood splattered across the trees and grassy ground, halting the footsteps. A sharp shuriken shot out from the forest toward Gojin, but a barrier he conjured stopped it in its tracks.


    Moments later, a figure dashed out of the trees¡ªa young man around 19 years old. He wore a striking white kimono with black accents. His sharp jawline and piercing blue eyes were striking, and he had silky black hair that framed his face. He bore a resemblance to one of the unconscious bodies they had seen back in the mansion.


    Following him, four other figures emerged. The first girl, standing at 5''8", had long, silver hair and green eyes. She wielded a slender katana. The second girl, at 5''6", had short, fiery brown hair and amber eyes, holding a naginata. The third girl, 5''9", sported in a dyed blue hair tied in a bun, with sharp hazel eyes and a pair of twin daggers.


    The two boys stood tall at 6''1" and 6''3", respectively. The taller boy had spiky blond hair and a confident grin, wielding a large tachi.


    They all stared at Kenji, Sakura, and Gojin for a moment before lowering their weapons.


    "You''re the first years, right? Anyone would know you''re not from this era with those faces and hairstyles," the first boy said. "Thank you for killing that demon by the way. Follow us; we''ll introduce ourselves on the way and tell you more about this era."


    Kenji and Sakura exchanged stunned glances while Gojin was busy checking out the cloth he wore as the five of them began walking back into the forest. The demon Gojin had eliminated was a low-grade Exile, and its body was already disintegrating into ashes.


    As they walked deeper into the forest, the group began to introduce themselves.


    "I''m Kaito," the black hair boy said, his tone was friendly.


    The silver-haired girl smiled softly. "I''m Suki."


    The brown-haired girl chimed in, "And I''m Hana."


    The girl with the bun added, "I''m Yumi."


    The taller boy grinned. "I''m Ren."


    Gojin cleared his throat. "I''m Gojin." Kenji followed, "I''m Kenji." Sakura smiled and said, "And I''m Sakura."


    "Gojin, right? You''re that Seren clan young master with the doom ability? Fascinating that I finally met you. Is that why you keep your eyes covered?" Riku asked, his curiosity piqued.


    "I keep my eyes covered because it has other implications, like showing off my beautiful emerald eyes," Gojin lied, not wanting to reveal the real reason.


    The five of them turned their gaze toward Gojin, their expressions silent and curious. "So you can remove the blindfold?" Riku asked again.


    Gojin sighed, deciding to demonstrate why his eyes were always covered. Practicality is better than theory. He removed his blindfold and fixed his gaze on the five of them. A chilling cold and palpable fear enveloped them as his aura became detectable. Instantly, he placed his blindfold back on.


    "That''s the second reason," Kenji and Sakura said in unison, smirking.


    "Okay... that aura was actually incomprehensible. How strong are you? Do you have any other special techniques apart from causing destruction with a simple gaze?" Yumi asked, her curiosity piqued.


    "You''ll find out later," Gojin replied, feeling majestic as a rush of pride surged within him.


    ...


    In a few moments, they made their way through the woods and suddenly found themselves standing in front of a huge temple. The temple stood towering with beautiful wooden engravings. The roof, which was decorated with beautiful colored tiles, raised up in a vertical position curving toward the sky reminiscent of ancient history.


    In addition to the warm lighting offered by stone lanterns that lined the path and were strategically placed towards the temple, cherry blossoms trees adorned the temple''s vicinity with their flowers falling down as if a soft rain. And about the temple, there was nothing else: simply the thick wilderness that reached the end of the visible curve.


    "This is the Reikishi (Realm master) base; he is a soul reaper. This is the starting point of your journey in this era," Kaito said, moving ahead and crossing the large door of the temple.


    "Tsk, why do I have a feeling that this is going to be more enjoyable than I thought?" Gojin pondered.


    "In this era, I will have a retrial. I have never experienced this era, the beauty of everything, argh... Everything, I just want it, want it all, destroyed!!" Kurozai spoke with a wicked smile on his face in Kenji''s mind. He was on his throne, one hand on the arm rest looking fierce.


    ''How did he even get a throne inside Kenji''s mind?''

 Chapter 32: L’s Twin!? A history untold!

    Chapter 32: L''s Twin!? A history untold! Within the confines of the temple, one could feel the calmness and solemnity that had surrounded it. The hall was large enough, designed with tall wooden arches above, which increased the magnificence of the place. Sunlight came in through the shades of paper lanterns falling on the shiny wooden floor in soft designs. Slight vestige of incense agitates calmly the surrounding ambience.


    Seating at the fore of the hall sat a man who appeared to be miles away in thoughts, his back towards them. He was dressed in a long white silk kimono which fell perfectly on his frame. On his head was a short crop of grey hair which was well groomed. The sleeves of the kimono were hanging freely, and a plain but beautiful sash was tied around the waist enhancing the elegance of the man.


    Kaito, Suki, Hana, Yumi, Ren knelt onto the tatami mat, down into seiza position-on their knees, legs tucked beneath their bodies-straightbacked, heads up but with a respectful bow, hands laid upon their thighs. Gojin was the next to follow, then Kenji and Sakura, all sitting similarly, awaiting the man to finish his prayer.


    A few minutes later, the man finished his prayer, his back still turned to them. He took a deep inhale, followed by a slow exhale.


    With a low voice that surprisingly carried through the hall as if amplified, he spoke:


    "Are they the first-years that are expected?"


    Kaito nodded. "Yes, master. They''re¡ª"


    Reikishi cut him off. "Gojin, Kenji, and Sakura. Gojin is from the Seren clan, while Kenji is from the Kuroyami clan. As for Sakura..." He paused for a moment, turning around. "Her history is for later."


    Gojin stared at the man, stunned, feeling as if he might pass out. The man looked exactly like L¡ª in fact, he could be L''s twin. However, the others didn''t know this, as they hadn''t seen L''s face.


    "What the heck? L has a twin!? And they share the omnipotent insight," Gojin quickly realized. It seemed as if L''s twin had known who they were from meters away. Many hints had been dropped, including his pause when about to reveal details about Sakura, suggesting he had seen something he couldn''t disclose in front of them...


    It was also highly likely that he knew about Kurozai being inside Kenji but chose not to mention it, and the second-years seemed to share the same understanding. Kurozai''s aura was unmistakable; it couldn''t be ignored. The final conclusion was that they either wanted to avoid that discussion for some reason¡ª but why?


    "Welcome once again. The second-years were chasing after our Assit Akuma when they encountered you," Reikishi said.


    "Uh, Assit Akuma? Wait a second, you don''t mean¡ª?" Gojin and Kenji exclaimed in unison, their expressions a mix of shock and disbelief.


    Assit Akumas are classified as Exile grade, a grade 4. They are highly perceptive and can comprehend complex situations, making them effective training assistants¡ªor, better said, training dolls. The second-years had been engaged in combat with it without using any special skills, relying solely on the enhancement of their tools, as cutting through an Assit Akuma is nearly impossible. Yet Gojin had managed to do it with a mere swipe of his hand.


    "The five of you can continue with your training, and when night falls, feel free to do some hunting in the mountain area and also in Kamakura village, childrens have been going missing for over a month now."


    "The recruits¡ªreapers and exorcists¡ªhave been facing significant challenges combating this suspected Akuma there, often returning severely injured or even dead, with some missing altogether. I believe the five of you will be able to take them down," Reikishi said, gesturing for them to leave the temple.


    The five of them got up and exited, leaving only Gojin, Kenji, and Sakura with Reikishi.


    ....


    The new recruits of soul reapers and exorcists typically worked together on missions. The reapers guided lost human souls to the afterlife, while the exorcists fought against malevolent spirits. In this era, reapers were not permitted to assist in battle, but in the modern world, the reapers had all perished, leaving the exorcists to combat the Akumas¡ªsouls or demons.


    Without the special skills needed to guide lost souls, the exorcists could not help them reach the afterlife, resulting in these souls wandering the earth and becoming prey for the Akumas.


    Bored with merely consuming souls, the Akumas returned to their old ways of killing and devouring humans along with their souls.


    Again, In this era, an organization similar to the one in the modern world existed, but it had fallen due to the ongoing war between clans. This impending threat could not be halted, as human greed¡ªan insatiable desire for more¡ªhad persisted for countless centuries. The organization was called Kurokage, overseen by an unknown person, likely not a clan head or anything related to one of the clans.


    As was customary, all clans contributed their members to this organization.


    Reikishi, despite having experienced the modern era, could not foresee the fate of the clans. Similarly, Gojin, Kenji, and Sakura were bound to forget significant historical events, like epic battles and falls, as they transitioned between realms. This was one of the effects of transmigration, a safeguard against altering past incidents¡ªan effect not imposed by mere humans or gods, but by the Almighty.


    Revealing or intervening in past events could lead to greater calamities if not from the era, making such matters perilous. Rankings were established for soul reapers and exorcists, differing from those in the modern world:


    Soul Reapers:


    Guardians (High):


    Guardians are the highest-ranking soul reapers, responsible for chasing after runaway souls that are most likely to come into contact with demons. They ensure these souls are safely guided to the afterlife, preventing them from falling into the hands of malevolent spirits.


    Sentinel (Low):


    Sentinels support Exorcists by assisting in their missions and helping to escort lost souls. While they may not possess the same level of power, they are skilled and dedicated to their roles.


    Exorcists:


    Adept (High):


    Adepts are elite exorcists capable of facing the strongest Akumas. They possess advanced combat skills and a deep understanding of all energies apart from Ki, making them formidable opponents in battle. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Hunters (Mid-High):


    Hunters are experienced exorcists who actively engage in missions to eliminate Akumas. They have honed their skills through numerous battles and are respected for their determination and effectiveness. Getting to this rank is only about kill counts, eliminating 50 Akumas and 2, grade 2 or 3 radiant can get any exorcist to this rank.


    Wraiths (Mid-Low):


    Wraiths are intermediate exorcists who have some experience but are still developing their skills. They often work alongside Hunters and Adepts, gaining experience and training in the field.


    Occasionally, a high-grade Akuma, such as a Grade 1 Radiant, can form a pact with a soul. This pact grants the soul special abilities, but it also corrupts it, leading the soul to become increasingly hungry for more souls.


    As these corrupted souls grow stronger, they become too powerful for the Guardians to handle, necessitating their transfer to the Exorcists. The Exorcists then take on the critical task of eliminating these corrupted entities entirely, ensuring they are removed from existence to prevent further chaos and suffering.


    ....


    "Would the three of you follow me so I can show you around and provide some important information? Also, Gojin, in this era, training will be compulsory for you, as there are Akumas nearly at your level¡ªand Kurozai''s," Reikishi warned, turning to look at Kenji.


    He added:


    "Remember, believing you are the strongest can blind you to the truth. The mightiest are bound to face the toughest challenges. It''s not just about power; it''s how you rise to those obstacles that truly defines your strength. As they say, ''True strength is not the absence of struggle, but the ability to overcome it.''"

 Chapter 33: Half masked sensei.

    Chapter 33: Half masked sensei. "The key to survival is preparation and planning, which is what the three of you are about to experience. I''m sure that in the modern era, your training hasn''t been sufficient due to limited resources. Here, we have all the natural resources you need for your training," Reikishi said as Gojin, Kenji, and Sakura walked behind him.


    As they followed him, they ventured down a narrow, winding path that led away from the main temple. The air was still and quiet, broken only by the soft rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze. Towering trees loomed on either side.


    After a short walk, they arrived at a hidden village nestled behind the large temple. The village was quaint and harmonious, with wooden structures that blended seamlessly into the lush landscape.


    Around seventy inhabitants lived here, Soul Reapers and Exorcists. They were all going about their tasks, with some heading out on missions. Each wore the same uniform, the same one that the Second-years had worn.


    "This is Kurokage, your real beginning but don''t let it be your ending. Follow me to your new mentor, he would be in charge of your training." Reikishi lead them to a narrow path.


    Coming out of the path, one could see a house at the front. The house was built from sturdy timber with a thatched roof. Its walls were a warm, natural brown. Two wooden lanterns hung on either side of the door, about four trees surrounded the empty spaces around the house, meters away from each other with deep sword gashes on them.


    "Go on in; I have to continue with my prayer. Just tell him you''re the new recruits," Reikishi said, vanishing out of sight.


    The three of them sighed together.


    "I hope he isn''t like Denji-sensei," Sakura said as they stepped into the house.


    Inside, everything was completely dark, with no openings for light or wind to break in. Yet somehow, it was freezing¡ªso cold that white smoke billowed from their nostrils as they breathed. The three of them rubbed their hands together, trying to warm themselves up.


    "Why is it so cold in here?" Gojin asked, shivering.


    "Whoa, this is longer than we can see!" Sakura exclaimed in awe, her voice echoing through the room. Thanks to her shadow technique, she could see inside the dark house. It seems like a room, but stretched for about 1,000 meters long.


    Gojin began to think while Sakura and Kenji were busy imagining how something this long could look so small from the outside.


    "Her voice just echoed through the room¡ªno, it''s not a room; it''s an arena. The lights must have been turned off by someone, but I can''t sense any presence here apart from Kenji and Sakura. There has to be someone with us. Judging by the length Sakura just mentioned, there should be approximately eight lights on each side of the arena. If that''s the case, the ceiling must be deep, and about eight bright lamps should be hanging from it. All I need to do is infuse some flames since these are just normal lanterns that require natural fire," Gojin thought.


    He stretched his hands into the air, and instantly, fire began to ignite across the ceiling. His calculations were right¡ªeight bright lamps lit up, but they only brightened half of the arena.


    "Thankfully, Taro taught me this fire technique." Three years ago, Taro had shown Gojin how to use a fire infusion technique, allowing him to ignite anything, but only to a certain limit¡ªabout the size of a ball. However, the system had never leveled up this technique due to an error that occurred multiple times, causing delays in reflecting rewards from exorcisms and other tasks.


    At least now, he had a new incomplete quest, which he could use to see if the error still existed.


    Gojin scanned the dark space, contemplating the lighting situation. "Eight lanterns definitely won''t be enough to illuminate a place this long," he thought. "If this arena is truly 1,000 meters, I''d need a lot more to ensure it''s well-lit."


    He mentally calculated the spacing. "If I space the lanterns about 10 to 15 meters apart, I''d probably need around 70 to 100 lanterns along the length to get even coverage. And if these lanterns are brighter¡ªsay, 300 to 500 lumens¡ªI could manage with about 30 to 50."


    Gojin frowned. "I need to infuse a lot more fire to make this work," he concluded, determined to find a solution.


    Gojin focused intently, channeling more flames to ignite additional lanterns along the entire arena. As he did, Sakura and Kenji watched in stunned silence. One by one, the lanterns flickered on, illuminating the space until finally, 35 lanterns glowed brightly, banishing the shadows and brightening the whole arena.


    "You actually lit up the room¡ªI mean, arena!" Kenji exclaimed, his eyes wide with amazement.


    Clang!


    The sound of iron striking iron reverberated through the air, drawing their attention to the front of the arena. There, seated on a chair, was a man gripping an iron rod, which he had been using to tap rhythmically against the chair.


    He wore a half grim mask that covered the left side of his face, the mask had dragon patterns with a death mark on it - painted in dark hues¡ªblack, deep gray and dark purple. A hollow eye socket was present on it. His long, unkempt black hair cascaded down his shoulders, held back by a silver hairpin.


    A black hakama, patterned with serpents, draped around him."Hello, newbies. You''re the first set to ever turn on the lanterns in less than ten minutes. If you had taken longer, I would have carried out a stealth attack on you," he said, his voice deep and resonant.


    The three of them stared in shock at the man.


    "He was there? Gojin couldn''t feel his presence, and Sakura couldn''t see him! How is that possible?" Kenji contemplated, staring at the man.


    "I see you''re stunned by how I was here without you noticing. That''s just one thing you''ll learn later. My name is Takeshi, but please, don''t call me that¡ªcall me Sensei," he said, with a awkward grin.


    Suddenly, he appeared behind Sakura. "Nothing special, I suppose. Just a shadow technique. Name?" S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Sakura," she replied in a low, subtle voice.


    He then appeared in front of Kenji. "You possess nothing but Kurozai, that nuisance. Being a vessel for him is nothing more than a joke. But since you haven''t been executed, I suppose you''re being used to find all his remaining pieces. Then¡ªslash!¡ªyou''re done for. Surprisingly, I must inform you to expect something else: He is the King of Akumas, and you''ll see his true form for yourself. Since you have good resilience and can control him from taking over your body, I''ll watch how this unfolds. Also, remember that Kurozai isn''t the biggest threat; he might even be an ally against these dangers. I have nothing more to say. Name?"


    "Kenji."


    "The Kuroyami clan! bastards of ages," Sensei muttered. It seemed like he knew the clans in which they came from through their names.


    "Now you," he continued, turning to Gojin:


    "Your power is unmatched, beyond space and time¡ªa delicate tool capable of bringing heaven, hell, and the multiverse to its end. But you haven''t reached that point yet, even though you''re powerful enough to defeat Kurozai five times. Here, you will undergo my training, which is more powerful than both Kurozai and you. Name?"


    "...Gojin."


    "Wow, from the Seren clan¡ªthe real treasure among clans," Sensei thought, vanishing and reappearing back in his seat.


    "Bye-bye! See you in the training ground!" He flicked his hands, and suddenly the ground beneath the three of them opened up like a door. They fell in unprepared, and just as quickly, it closed behind them.

 Chapter 34: Zentai Asshuku Energy

    Chapter 34: Zentai Asshuku Energy Night time.


    Within the shrouded woods, the moonlit trees imprisoned them, creating murderous looking angles to the moon''s rays. Deep silence filled the atmosphere, breaking sometimes with the sound of moving leaves or with the hooting of a owl nearby.


    "This forest is so scary at night! I''m really frightened. That sound¡ªit''s terrifying!" A young boy, around 16 years old, said, trailing closely behind Kaito with wide, fearful eyes that darted around the darkened woods. He trembled slightly, clearly on edge.


    Kaito, holding his katana, walked steadily ahead with an emotionless expression, as if he were lost in an abyss.


    The young boy was a soul reaper, serving as Kaito''s assistant on their way to Kamakura village for the hunt. His role was to guide the pitiful souls to the afterlife while Kaito exorcise the Akuma.


    After an hour of walking the winding paths, they finally emerged from the oppressive darkness into the active village of Kamakura. Saito, the young soul reaper, was visibly exhausted, his breath coming in quick gasps as he took in the lively scene before him. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In stark contrast, Kaito appeared unaffected, his demeanor was calm and composed as ever, as if he hadn''t walked at all.


    The village was alive with activity; people moved about with purpose, their voices mingling in chorus. Stalls lined the streets, showcasing an array of goods¡ªfresh produce, colorful textiles, and crafts. The market was bustling, filled with commoners bartering and exchanging laughter, far more active than the quiet streets of Kurama Village.


    Walking among the crowded streets, Saito noticed the absence of children; most parents had kept their little ones indoors, wary of the lurking Akuma.


    Saito''s expression shifted to one of astonishment as he spotted a caravan embedded with beautiful, colorful lanterns for sale. The lanterns glowed warmly in the evening light, casting a ambiance that momentarily distracted him from their grim mission.


    Kaito kept moving forward, not even shifting a glance to any of the goods. Saito quickly followed him with urgency.


    ...


    As they made their way to the far end of the village, a grand mansion came into view, illuminated by yellow and blue lanterns that hung from its eaves, casting bright lights over the area. The lights created a whimsical atmosphere, likely to attract curious children, who might see it as a playground and venture inside - exactly what the Akuma wants.


    Kaito stepped closer, his senses on high alert as he tried to detect any presence of Akuma within. However, there was no discernible aura emanating from the mansion¡ªonly the soft, haunting notes of a shamisen.


    (The shamisen is a three-stringed instrument played with a plectrum called a bachi. It produces a unique, twangy sound and is commonly used in various forms of music and performances, including folk songs and theater.)


    "Can you feel any lost souls?" Kaito asked, glancing back at Saito, who trembled in place, unable to respond.


    A surge of frustration washed over Kaito. In an instant, he smacked Saito''s head hard twice, causing the young boy to nearly lose his balance. "How are you a soul reaper with this kind of attitude? Wake up! You''re pissing me off! Stay here and die, or wake up and do as I tell you, you dumb creature!" he yelled.


    It seemed like the Akuma didn''t hear it, or maybe it pretended to not.


    Saito shook his head vigorously, fear evident in his eyes. Kaito''s rage was more terrifying than any demon. "I... can''t feel anything... they all might have been... dev... dev..oured," Saito stammered, tears streaming down his cheeks.


    "That''s bad news. It means this thing is a lot more dangerous. From the looks of it, I can''t consider this a special cast; it seems like this is its home," Kaito thought grimly as he walked around the side of the mansion, the soothing sound of the instrument continuing to play gracefully in the background.


    "This was built with Zentai Asshuku energy," he muttered, assessing the structure. "It must be bigger than it looks."


    Zentai energy could only be harnessed through complete concentration in darkness for three days¡ªessentially, staying in the dark and using every ounce of Ki to envelop oneself while fasting. This process created a dense energy within the cultivator, allowing them to craft objects that appeared small from the outside but were vast on the inside. Most Exorcists and Soul Reapers considered this energy useless, as it was primarily beneficial for stealth and lacked any special enhancements unlike a special cast. This same energy had been used by Sensei to create the mansion back in the hidden village.


    "Going inside is dangerous since I can''t gauge its size or depth, but there might be children trapped inside," Kaito said, taking in a deep breath.


    "I''ll need to avoid the music; that could be the Akuma. If we can get those children out safely, I''ll return for the Akuma. This might just be a grade 3, radiant."


    Saito stared at him, dread rising within him. "He isn''t really thinking of going into this death trap, right? We don''t even know how big this is, he thought, his body trembling with fear." He wondered.


    Kaito turned around and saw Saito, quaking with fear. He sighed and drew his sword, pressing the blade against Saito''s neck, threatening to slash his throat. Kaito''s cold glare pierced through the tension.


    "Stop being weak; I hate it. Stay here until I get back, and if I don''t, don''t hesitate to run back and inform Reikishi."


    Saito nodded slowly, his eyes wide as he trembled at the sight of the katana. He raised his chin, trying to avoid the sharp edge.


    In an instant, Kaito withdrew the blade and stepped into the mansion. He opened the entrance slowly and entered.


    Sling!¡ªthe shamisen played, and the wooden door closed behind him without a touch.


    Still, not a hint of fear crossed his face. He walked gracefully through the passage, where various arts and crafts adorned the walls.


    Arriving at another sliding wooden door, he opened it to reveal yet another passage, the same artwork lining the walls. This time, however, he heard the cry of a child. Kaito froze, closing his eyes for a moment as he tightened his grip on the katana. Fire began to swirl around the blade, twisting and growing fiercer.


    "Second fire blade technique, Fire Slash!" he declared, striking the air. A large line of fire erupted from the katana, slashing through the wooden door in front of him. The door shattered into pieces with an explosive sound, flames bursting from every corner of the frame.


    As the smoke cleared, Kaito''s eyes widened in horror at the sight before him¡ªa body splitting apart into two pieces, blood spilling everywhere.

 Chapter 35: The Technique-free room.

    Chapter 35: The Technique-free room. Sakura and Kenji crash-landed onto the wooden floor while Gojin floated in the air, reclining mid-air and chuckling at them as they picked themselves up. They surveyed the room, which resembled a cave with rocky walls and a few lanterns brightening the space. The only thing that stood out was the wooden floor beneath them.


    [All techniques are being restricted]


    [The current space is restricting all techniques]


    [...Temporarily, all techniques have been restricted]


    "Heck, a technique-free room!? I should have guessed just from the..." Suddenly, Gojin lost his balance and fell to the ground with a thud.


    Sakura and Kenji ignored him as he quickly stood up, dusted himself off, and cleared his throat.


    "Unfortunately, we''re in a technique-free room. This is likely where the training will take place. It''s actually the best way to train and learn martial arts skills. I''m sure Sensei here has countless untold techniques to teach us," Gojin said.


    A technique-free room is a controlled environment where all supernatural techniques and advanced martial techniques¡ªlike those used by Gojin, which are enhanced by the system¡ªare suppressed. This restriction compels individuals to focus on their basic skills and physical abilities, fostering a deeper understanding and mastery of fundamental combat techniques. Such rooms are often utilized in training to help practitioners develop resilience, adaptability, and a stronger foundation in martial arts.


    "So, how many floors are in this building?" Kenji asked, curious.


    "Four¡ªfantastic four layers, and you''re in the second one. Two others are also for training," Sensei replied, descending a stone staircase at the front.


    As he entered the training arena¡ªor rather, the cave¡ªa stone door closed behind him.


    "He''s a grand exorcist according to the modern era rankings. Here, he would be one of the strongest," Gojin thought, watching as Sensei approached them, an iron baton in hand.


    "Shall we begin? I will teach the three of you the six River Martial Art techniques, the use of sword art, and the nine forms of each elemental sword technique. Though you might believe you don''t need this¡ªespecially you, Gojin¡ªno knowledge is a waste. I suppose you''re smarter than that."


    "Of course! Even if you told me not to train, I would oppose it. I don''t care how strong I get or even if I become more powerful than a Supreme God. Without this knowledge, I wouldn''t be worthy of that title," Gojin replied, leaving Sakura and Kenji stunned. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He is literally the strongest in this era and all known eras, yet he still aspires to grow. To what point? At this rate, he has surpassed numerous gods. What is his final target?


    Sensei nodded, seemingly impressed by Gojin''s words.


    "These martial techniques were never mentioned in any book I''ve read, nor have I heard of them from anyone. An untold history, indeed," he mused. Meanwhile, Kenji shared the same thought, while Sakura just wanted to get started, unaware of the significance of the conversation.


    "Let''s begin with the first River Art: raw strength. This technique will focus on teaching you how to fight with immense strength without infusing any energy. In case you didn''t know, the human body has raw energy that can be unleashed with strong willpower. This raw energy can far surpass many other energies," Sensei explained as the three of them listened intently.


    He continued:


    "Try to awaken this energy by breaking the wall. Just so you know, even infusing 30% of Ki into your fist won''t leave a scratch on that wall, as it was built with a more powerful energy than Ki. Although Ki exists at all points as the pillars are infinite and its ability and uses are limitless, there are still weaknesses to it. You''ll learn about those too. Go on and try to land a scratch on the wall. I''ll be on the first layer. Three days from now, you should be able to bring it down if you try hard. Your rooms are on the last layer, and necessities will be provided upon request." Sensei said, moving toward the stone door, which opened as he approached, revealing the staircase once more.


    "Okay, it''s just about breaking this wall! Unh!" Sakura shouted, rolling up her sleeves and flinging back her cloth for added courage. She was the first to launch blows at the wall.


    The moment her fist connected, a jarring pain shot through her hand, like fire igniting every nerve. Blood welled up instantly, and she staggered back, clutching her throbbing knuckles.


    "Ouch, that was painful!" she cried, a mix of shock and frustration in her voice. Tears of frustration stung her eyes as she fought to regain her composure. Gojin and Kenji shook their heads, walking calmly to the stone wall.


    "Take care of your knuckles before throwing another punch with that hand; otherwise, it will crack next time," Kenji warned, concern etched on his face as he prepared to strike the wall alongside Gojin.


    Sakura quickly joined them, readying her uninjured fist, determined not to let the other one''s pain stop her.


    On the count of three, they struck the wall together. A low sound, inaudible to the human ear, resonated...


    A....


    ***


    In front of Kaito, he saw a boy hanging from the ceiling by a rope, his small body limp. A little girl clung to his leg, crying¡ªlikely his little sister.


    Suddenly, hurried footsteps approached Kaito from behind. He turned, ready to strike, but relaxed when he saw Saito, fear etched on his face as he rushed toward him.


    "Let''s stick together! The outside is way scarier," he begged, mucus dripping from his nose and his eyes swollen from tears.


    Kaito shook him off.


    "I told you to stay outside incase I can''t make it back! Whatever, take care of those children. The boy isn''t dead; his soul is still in him. We''ll take him back along with the girl. They don''t seem to be from this village. Stay in that room with them if you don''t want to get devoured. Once I''m done exorcising this Akuma, I''ll come back for you," Kaito commanded, stepping into the room and bursting through the wooden wall into another passage. The music continued to echo through the whole mansion.


    "I have a sword. I should defend these children and myself until Kaito returns," Saito murmured, gently patting the little girl to quiet her as he carefully brought her brother down from the ceiling. His face was already growing pale.


    "This Akuma is likely multiplying itself, and its main component is where that sound is coming from. It''s probably splitting itself up and devouring the children''s souls at the same time¡ªlike a spider''s web. I have to find the other children quickly before it devours them all and grows stronger," Kaito thought, sprinting through the passage with his unsheathed katana.


    ***


    Reikishi was deep in prayer when a sudden thought struck him, causing his left eye to turn purple and radiate an immense aura.


    He said:


    "What faith do you cling to in despair, believing the end is near when you still draw breath?"


    A dark...

 Chapter 36: Mystical Sherin Flame! All dead!?

    Chapter 36: Mystical Sherin Flame! All dead!? Kaito sprinted down the hallway, his katana trailing behind him. He burst into another room with urgency, only to find it empty. Without hesitation, he tore through the second wooden wall and pressed on.


    "This mansion is much larger than Sensei''s; it stretches to near infinity," Kaito thought, a mix of awe and urgency fueling his next move.


    Running faster, he spotted a door to his side and entered, but still no children were in sight. "Where could they be? Unless... the Akuma has kept them with itself?"


    His eyes widened in horror as worry for the children''s safety surged within him.


    Suddenly, an unbearable stench assaulted his senses, emanating from behind the room. Cautiously, he entered, ripping through the wooden wall. His entire body began to tremble; his head felt heavy as he covered his mouth in shock, nearly dropping his katana. He staggered backward, overwhelmed by an unbearable wave of sorrow.


    In front of him lay multiple lifeless bodies of children, both low-rank exorcists and soul reapers, piled along with their innocent souls that had been devoured.


    Tears streamed down his face, but he quickly wiped them away, tightening his grip on his sword. His sorrow ignited into unrestrained anger, a rare and unseen flame¡ªgrey in color. The mystical Sherin Flame began to engulf his body and katana, causing the walls of the room to crack slightly.


    The Mystical Sherin Flame is a legendary force passed down through a unique bloodline known as the Shinrin Blood. This lineage, though not a clan, consists of powerful individuals who possess this extraordinary flame. They''re are believed to had all died in a unrecorded incident before the Heian era, with Kaito as its last descendant.


    The Sherin Flame is said to grant its bearer immense power, allowing them to channel their emotions into formidable energy,


    "This damned Akuma shall die by my hands!Nothing will survive!" Kaito shouted in anguish. In that moment, he instinctively knew where the haunting music was coming from, and suddenly his speed surged¡ªhe moved as fast as sound. He burst into a room that would have taken him 20 minutes to reach, arriving in mere seconds, like a sharp bullet.


    His sword was already poised for an attack, flames dancing along its blade.


    The Akuma sat on a plush pillow, an instrument before him playing itself. Just as Kaito prepared to slash its head off and tear its body to pieces, the creature drew a string from the instrument and transformed it into a weapon, aiming it directly at Kaito''s head. He spiraled back, dodging the strike and skidding across the hallway floor as the door to the room shattered.


    The flames around him ignited further; Kaito had become emotionless¡ªneither pain nor anger resided within him. This absence of feeling caused the flames to burn brighter, as if he had reached a state of silence after experiencing intense emotion.


    The Akuma struck again, but Kaito dodged effortlessly and appeared behind it. In a low, emotionless voice, he said, "Grade 3 radiant or not, you won''t leave your own territory alive."


    The Akuma, stunned by his speed and agility, vanished and reappeared in the passage, wielding seven strings transformed into weapons. It began striking at Kaito, who evaded with ease, only further fascinating the Akuma.


    "I must be cautious; its technique, T¨­sen, turns anything it touches into a weapon. I need to move faster and reduce my flame usage, lest I be blinded by its light and torn apart by those weapons," Kaito reasoned, tempering his flames slightly. He began rolling his katana like a rope, his head bowed.


    "Limitless Sky Fire Slash, First star constellation!"


    A swirl of flames appeared in front of him, one line twisting into a sphere while the others sharpened like his blade, lined on either side. The Akuma''s face morphed into fear as it witnessed the formation. It instantly struck its strings at Kaito in a cowardly motion. But Kaito was gone again. The Akuma found him up close, his sword aimed and piercing through its disfigured forehead, blood spilling out.


    In an instant, Kaito was behind it again, stabbing his sword through its back and slicing through its insides before sliding the blade up to its head from the chest, then clearing the area. The flaming formation surged toward the Akuma, slicing and dicing its body mercilessly, like a chainsaw but more brutal. Moments later, nothing remained; the Akuma was reduced to dust.


    "I have nothing of importance in this mansion, apart from clearing the bodies," he muttered, dashing toward where he had left Saito and the two other surviving children.


    He found Saito, gripping his sword tightly in a defensive stance, fear still evident in his eyes. Upon seeing Kaito¡ªbloodied but not his own¡ªSaito felt a wave of relief, though he dared not touch him, afraid of his terrifying appearance. Even the young girl took a step back.


    "Let''s get out of here. We have no reason to stay. The cleanup team will handle the rest, and we''re taking the two children back with us. Let''s go." Kaito lifted the young boy, who still hadn''t woken, placing him on his back. He passed his bloodied sword to Saito, who escorted the little girl, following closely behind Kaito.


    Saito also didn''t bother to ask if Kaito had found any children since he could read the air around him, knowing something had happened and it was best for him to keep shut.


    A few moments later, they emerged outside the mansion. The villagers had all gone to sleep, allowing them to pass through the village unseen. However, night watchmen might patrol for thieves and other threats, though they were useless against an Akuma and would flee at the sight of one.


    Kaito exchanged a glance with Saito, who understood the unspoken message: they would take the forest route to avoid the night watchmen.


    Saito nodded and led the sulking little girl to the side of the mansion, where a forest path awaited. Kaito followed closely, carrying the young boy on his back.


    They arrived at the second forest, the path leading to Kurama Village and then to the hidden village.


    Making their way quickly and avoiding the usual route through the village at night after hunts, they pressed on toward the hidden village.A soul reaper and an exorcist stood guard along the path, on duty throughout the night while others would take over in the morning. Upon seeing Kaito, they cleared the way.


    Kaito approached a soul reaper still awake, staring at the night sky, lost in her thoughts. He called to her in a whisper and gestured for her to take charge of the little girl from Saito while he handed the boy over to him. They needed to take the children to the infirmary, where a single female healer¡ªknown as a Kusuriya stayed in charge. Though she would likely be asleep by now, at least the children could rest until morning, when treatment could begin.


    Kaito left the hidden village and headed back to the temple. As he departed, the two guards exchanged glances and began to gossip.


    "He''s literally bathed in blood," the first one said.


    "I can hardly see his face! Is that really Kaito, or a bloodied ghost?" the second replied, staring blankly at Kaito''s back as he moved steadily toward the temple, where Reikishi would surely still be.


    ***


    Inside the Technique-free room. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Sakura had given up for a moment, leaning against the wall with both fists bloodied, while Kenji and Gojin continued to throw blows at the rocky surface. Surprisingly, Gojin had managed to make a scratch, but it had taken him five hours. Remarkably, his fists weren''t bleeding, which was astonishing to anyone watching.


    Doesn''t he bleed?


    He was punching with immense force without any aid, relying solely on raw power. Although he could probably blast the wall apart, but his gaze could also wreak havoc on everything beyond it, potentially destroying the entire village, as his Runo technique was currently ineffective.


    The two continued their relentless assault. Kenji was bleeding profusely but didn''t stop despite the pain; his blood stained the wall.


    Sakura had now fallen asleep on the cold wooden floor. She had tried her best but didn''t want to risk breaking her knuckles at this point. She and Kenji would still have to head to the infirmary the next morning; they could at least endure a night with bleeding fists.


    A few moments later, the two collapsed onto the ground, overwhelmed, and decided to take a break. They lay on the floor, positioned at opposite angles from one another, along with Sakura.


    "I have to crack that wall!" Gojin and Kenji shared the same determination, even Sakura had felt it until pain and exhaustion took over....


    ***


    The temple door swung open, and Kaito stepped inside but didn''t venture further due to the blood on him; it was against tradition to enter a temple in such a condition, as purity is highly valued in worship culture.


    Those seeking to honor the deities within must be clean and respectful, reflecting the belief that impurity can disrupt the sacred space. He could only remain near the entrance, waiting for Reikishi to finish and for the incense smoke to dissipate, a reminder of the reverence owed to the place.

 Chapter 37:

    Chapter 37: "Binding!? Now!?" The incense faded as Reikishi stepped gracefully out of the temple. He passed by Kaito, and no words were needed to convey that he should follow. Kaito fell in line behind him, wearing a silent expression.


    They walked along the path back to the hidden village.


    "I ordered you not to let your emotions take over. While you managed to stay silent at the last moment, don''t make such a mistake again," Reikishi said.


    Kaito shook his head in response, about to speak, but Reikishi cut in again.


    "No need to explain what happened in there! The cleanup team is scheduled to discreetly handle the aftermath tomorrow. The parents of the children will be given a believable story, so go clean up and get some good sleep. Tomorrow shall bring new surprises."


    Kaito paused, waiting for Reikishi to enter the village before he followed - a norm that was compulsory to abide by, no matter the situation.


    Surprisingly, no one knew the location of Reikishi''s dwelling, even though it was in the same village.


    Moments later, Kaito sighed and stared up at the night sky. Stars twinkled like distant diamonds scattered across a vast, deep blue canvas, while a crescent moon hung low, casting a glow over the land.


    Every day really brings new surprises, but they are no worth being happy of as it''s always the bad gifts.


    ...


    The next day, morning broke.Gojin, Kenji, and Sakura had slept comfortably on the floor of the room. The three of them sprang up simultaneously, their eyes meeting with a hint of weariness. They slowly stood up and stretched their legs a bit.


    However, Sakura and Kenji noticed that their hands had gone numb from blood loss; they were now quite pale, almost resembling lifeless limbs. They could hardly feel their hands.


    "Morning, Sunless!" The stone door opened, and Sensei descended the stairs with a grin, though it was partially obscured by the mask covering the other half of his face.


    "I see you slept in here. You''re one step closer to awakening that raw energy apart from the unrestrained powers in you. Anyway, that''s part of today''s upcoming training, though your daily task remains breaking that wall."


    His eyes unexpectedly landed on Kenji''s and Sakura''s hands, clearly pale, almost as white as snow.


    "The two of you must have bruised your fists during the struggle. Gojin didn''t for some unknown reasons like one: He is the Lord around here," he said with a grin.


    Gojin felt no sense of pride from that remark, nor did the others try to awe him; this was something well known and already praised. He needed no introduction of any kind.


    "Get treatment before your hands become useless. The infirmary is just up the path past the old pine tree. You can''t miss it¡ªit''s the building with the red lanterns hanging out front. I will be waiting here on the first floor as always."


    He gestured for them to head up the stairs. Gojin decided to follow, eager to see the outside once more and maybe even explore further¡ªthough that would come after they bathed in ofuro, the traditional bath. sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Ofuro was a deep soaking tub filled with hot water, often made of wood or ceramic. Bathing was not just about cleanliness; it was a ritual of relaxation and rejuvenation, where one would soak away the fatigue in them.


    Afterward, they would change into fresh clothes or, rather, the new uniforms of this era.


    As Gojin, Kenji, and Sakura made their way up the path, the air was crisp and filled with the scent of pine. The village was quite scanty, with only a few Exorcists and Soul reapers moving about. Some were leaving their sections to tend to daily tasks, while others quietly chatted as they passed by. The towering trees stood like guardians, their needles whispering softly in the breeze.


    The trio walked in silence. The path wound through the village, leading them to a modest building nestled among the trees.The infirmary was a simple structure, its wooden walls were weathered. A sign hung above the entrance, adorned with kanji that read "Infirmary."


    Two red lanterns flanked the doorway just like Sensei had described it.


    Upon entering, they were greeted by the faint smell of herbs and antiseptic. The interior was bright yet calming, with sunlight streaming through the three windows.


    In one corner, a small wooden counter held various medical supplies, while the walls were lined with shelves filled with jars of herbs and remedies.


    In the center of the room lay two children, the young siblings Kaito and Saito had brought in. They were now resting, lost in their dreams, their faces were serene. Nearby, a single female physician tended to them. Her name was Dr. Aiko.


    She wore a plain, kimono, its soft fabric was a muted shade of indigo, cinched at the waist with a simple obi. Her hair was neatly tied back, and her gentle demeanor radiated warmth.


    Dr. Aiko had ethereal beauty, with high cheekbones and a delicate jawline. Her deep-set warm brown almond-shaped eyes were full of tenderness and grit. Her face was usually decorated with a placid smile while her blonde hair was tied back nicely, with a few stray strands tucked into her face.


    Dr. Aiko gently took Kenji and Sakura''s hands in hers. Their skin around it was pale and numb, as if they could barely feel their fingers. Aiko examined the injuries carefully, noting the signs.


    "Hello, I''m Dr. Aiko," she said warmly, looking into their eyes.


    Sakura smiled back, her enthusiasm was evident.


    "I''m Sakura, and these are my friends, Kenji and Gojin," she introduced, her voice bright with a hint of admiration for the physician.


    Dr. Aiko nodded, her expression softened. "It''s nice to meet you all. How did you injure your hands?"


    Sakura beamed and replied, "We were trying to break the stone wall in Sensei''s abode with raw energy! We''re planning to try again today, so is there a way this could heal before noon?"


    Aiko chuckled lightly, shaking her head. "I would have to use my healing technique, but it might take around an hour for your hands to be good as new. However, I must advise you not to punch hard again. No one has broken that wall before with raw energy."


    "We would be the first to then!" Gojin, Kenji, and Sakura replied in unison, their determination palpable.


    Aiko was momentarily stunned by their resolve. She could sense the immense aura radiating from Gojin, quite overpowered. As for Kenji, she couldn''t quite pin down his aura, but it was menacing and powerful, just a mere 15% below Gojin''s.


    This was Kurozai''s influence which he had just plotted so as to hide behind Kenji''s soul, unseen. But she could certainly feel the weight of his aura.


    "Alright, let''s get started," Dr. Aiko said, preparing her healing technique. "I''ll do my best to help you recover quickly, but promise me you''ll be careful."


    Meanwhile, Gojin stood by the door, staring out the third window. The view revealed a beautiful garden filled with calm flowers, their colors were bright and attractive. Yet, Gojin''s gaze was distant, as if he were searching for something beyond the beauty before him. He wasn''t planning to wander into the garden; instead, his mind was focused on a larger goal.


    I would have to find a small mountain far away from this village, likely could not be seen. Bringing it down and getting rid of any evidence of it ever being there would help me rank up and collect extra rewards from this error incarnated System - Gojin thought. All this was quite easy for him at this point as he could even bring down a larger mountain, get rid of the particles and explosion sounds before anyone could see or hear.


    Suddenly, a notification echoed in his mind:


    [All techniques are now unrestricted since Host has left the space]


    [Errors have been fixed]


    [Would you like to bind with the system and two more expected hosts for new rewards and...]

 Chapter 38: He brought down a mountain!

    Chapter 38: He brought down a mountain! [All techniques are now unrestricted since Host has left the space]


    [Errors have been fixed]


    [Would you like to bind with the system and two more expected hosts for new rewards and gain a new title?]


    Nice and wishful, but I can''t accept such an offer as binding is going to be quite a restraint on my techniques, and probably the heavenly eyes. - He thought.


    Gojin then confidently declined the binding offer, asserting his reasons:


    I rather choose to rank up and still get this new titles, rewards, and more techniques without the constraints of binding. True growth comes from freedom, not chains of rules to follow so ad to rise. The second tempting part is me being able to bind with two others.


    He turned his head towards Sakura and Kenji, who were still receiving treatment. Aiko''s hands glowed green as they rested on their bruised skin, making it hard to see the extent of their injuries but healing it in the process.  S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ___


    Unlike the healing technique, which restores vitality and mends minor wounds like sword slashes or bruises, the reverse technique possesses a unique capability to heal even the most grievous injuries, such as missing limbs (except for the head). While the healing technique focuses on repairing existing damage, the reverse technique siphons energy from the practitioner or others, allowing it to reconstruct and restore what has been lost.


    However, this comes at a significant cost: using the reverse technique drains the user''s own life force, making it a double-edged sword.


    ___


    If I were to bind with them, I would gain their techniques, which would be a good bonus. However, with Kenji, I''d be dealing with Kurozai, and while I might obtain his limitless techniques, he still is a different soul from Kenji. He would also obtain some of my techniques, creating a risky connection. If Kenji truly made a pact with him but forgot the details, there are two possible outcomes: either Kurozai wants to merge with Kenji into one soul as everyone thought it would be, but he might rather aim to collect all his fragments to forge a new body for he sees Kenji as a restraint to his free will just like how I would be if I were to accept the binding. Still...., while Kenji and Sakura are of little significance, Sakura''s shadow techniques are a true gem. If I can achieve limitless techniques akin to Kurozai''s and harness infinite Ki, I would potentially obtain the technique. I''m full of thoughts as of now.


    With a plan forming in his mind, Gojin resolved to rank up quickly.


    They''ll need about an hour to heal- plenty of time for me to find a small distant mountain.


    He turned to head outside, but Kenji halted him with a question. "Where are you going? You''ll be back before an hour, right?"


    Gojin simply nodded, continuing his walk. Outside, he gazed at the sky. Years of study had also taught him that the sky was like a map, revealing the locations of mountains and many other things through subtle signs. The shifting clouds and the way the light refracted indicated not just the presence of landforms but their sizes as well; the more vibrant the point, the closer and larger the mountain.


    He spotted a distant mountain, one that wasn''t even on the continent, far from the village or country. "In 30 seconds, I''ll be done and back." he muttered.


    Gojin''s speed was remarkable, capable of achieving his goal in the calculated time¡ªor perhaps even shorter, as he ran at the speed of light.


    Ensuring he was hidden from view, he dashed into the forest. As he moved, the world around him reacted to his incredible speed: trees blurred into streaks of green, their leaves rustling violently. The ground trembled as he sprinted, and the air crackled, bending around him like a wave.


    Gojin surged forward, faster than anything else in existence, unseen with the human eyes. His heart raced with exhilaration as he tore through the underbrush to free lands, and outside the country to outside the continent. The world around him was a mere shadow of his explosive momentum.


    In a heartbeat, Gojin arrived at his targeted location, the world around him blurred into a scope of colors. Coming to a sudden stop, the sheer force of his speed caused the ground a few meters away from him to crack deeply, fiery traces erupting along the fissures. Underneath him, the earth remained untouched - under his foot control, but as he stepped away to scan his surroundings, the ground erupted violently. The cracks deepened, tearing apart and sending rocks flying, forming a large crater¡ªso expansive it could be mistaken for a small pond.


    Gojin surveyed the barren landscape, a desolate expanse of cracked earth and scattered debris.. Dust swirled around him as he focused on finding the small mountain he had pinpointed.


    Ahead, he spotted it: a modest mountain rising abruptly from the flat terrain, standing at about fifty feet tall. Its rugged surface was dotted with jagged rocks and sparse vegetation, giving it a raw, untamed appearance.


    Gojin walked towards the mountain, his gaze fixed on the peak, where light shimmered just below it.


    "Yikes, this is so cruel of me to do this," he mused, a false note of pity lacing his voice. The word "cruel" felt oddly misplaced, as he reveled in the power he was about to unleash.


    "Time to bring you down; my 30 seconds are almost up. Just ten more seconds left... I suppose..."


    He activated his barrier before lifting one side of his blindfold, exposing his right eye. His emerald eye shone like a star as it locked onto the mountain.


    "Lift Runo, Absolute Doom!" he declared.


    The mountain trembled violently as his gaze and command met upon it. Cracks spiderwebbed across its surface, and with a deafening roar, it began to break apart. Rocks shattered and erupted into the sky, sending debris flying in all directions. The breeze whipped around him, carrying shockwaves that rippled through the landscape, uprooting the sands and scattering stones. The once-mighty mountain was reduced to tiny fragments, a cloud of dust and rubble swirling.


    Gojin stood unmoved, a pillar of calm amidst the chaos. The damage around him was immense, but not a single particle touched him. A wide, menacing grin spread across his face.


    "Why wasn''t bringing down a whole mountain as special as I thought it would be? Not that I thought it would be though, It wasn''t astonishing from the on-set."


    "However, one nature element down just for my growth! I''m so greedy! And I don''t want to be any less greedy!" Gojin exclaimed, his deep voice now taking on an unsettling tone of a psychopathic, dying squirrel.


    The system''s voice dinged in his head once more:


    [Mission completed]


    [Host has caused very significant damage. A mere 47% of the damage that could have been done in other, larger landmarks]


    [Host has successfully gained multiple rewards and ranked up to...]


    [System is now leveling up as per Host''s capabilities.]