A/N: Man, it's been four months since I've published this story. Wow! So many favorites and follows in those 4 months. Thank you for your support for my story!
Now, onto answering the comments you guys left in the comment section:
ultima-owner: I totally agree with you. Bloodborne is literally a nightmarish, fuel-powered game with Lovecraftian elements in it. I'm wondering how the cast will react when they see LITERAL Gods, Eldritch Abominations/Entities that are beyond human comprehension, that would drive a person to insanity just by glimpsing at them. LOL
Bcbell09, thundercharger123, and Brofie2: Thank you very much!
Guest: I don't know who you are, but I won't tolerate such a disrespectful tone in my story.
Justus80: Indeed, it's a great idea to write a KnY react to Supernatural. However, I haven't watched the entire series yet. I've only seen several scenes and stuff. Yes, if you think about it, the Winchester brothers, Sam and Dean, can be considered as Hashiras in their own terms. However, the demons in KnY are very, very, and very different when compared to the Supernatural forces, especially the Demons of Hell. I can only imagine the looks on the cast's faces when they see the presence of Heaven, Hell, Pagan Deities, etc. Especially God, aka Chuck, and Lucifer. It's a good idea, but I have to apologize since I can't write it.
solidsnake1998: I do not know much about the books, but I do know about the live-action TV series, Game of Thrones. Though, I don't see how this will help since A Song of Ice and Fire/Game of Thrones is more about politics and war, rather than fighting against supernatural forces like demons. No, it doesn't mean I overlooked the Night King, White Walkers, and the Wights' appearances in the show and book; they only become the major antagonist faction in the final season of Game of Thrones. Most of the seasons were surrounding the wars and battles between the Seven Kingdoms in Westeros. So, sorry, I won't make it at all. Though, maybe I will have it mentioned in this fanfic and other ones. Well, the only reason is that one of my favorite characters is Ramsay Snow. I can only imagine how the cast will react when they see a demon beneath human skin after seeing the atrocities Ramsay did throughout the show.
With a snap of their fingers, a white mist appeared above the stage, far right next to the Hunter, and with that several figures fell flat to the ground, while a few landed graciously. The ones who landed graciously were none other than Kibutsuji Muzan – the Demon King and the Progenitor of Demons, Kokushibo – Upper Moon 1, Akaza – Upper Moon 3, Nakime, Gyutaro and Daki – Upper Moon 6, while those who fell flat were Rokuro – Lower Moon 2, Wakuraba – Lower Moon 3, Mukago – Lower Moon 4, and Kamanue – Lower Moon 6.
The Hashiras and every member of the Corps, including the spirits, had to hold their breaths when they felt the tremendous and overwhelming aura that Muzan and Kokushibo were emitting, a heavy pressure that could crush any weak-willed person. But some couldn't help but whisper among themselves.
"So, he is Kibutsuji Muzan!?" Uzui exclaimed in a low tone to his friends/comrades.
"That man in the tuxedo suit is... Muzan?" Gyomei asked with a shocked expression, despite being blinded, he could still feel the overwhelming dreadful aura.
"He looks pale and dead." Muichiro commented.
"I mean, he is scary, but he has a good-looking and human-like appearance compared to other demons." Kanroji whispered as she tried so hard not to blush by biting her nails anxiously.
"Don't be deceived by his looks, Kanroji-san." Rengoku warned as his smile dropped and his expression turned stern and serious.
"Damnit!" Sanemi cursed under his breath. "If that fucking self-proclaimed hunter didn't take our swords, we could at least have had something to defend Oyakata-sama and his family, and could kill all those demons."
"Let's just hope that the Hunter doesn't bluff about what they said." Iguro added.
Kagaya, despite having a calm and collected expression with a serene smile, tried his best to hide his bloodlust and deep, burning hatred of Muzan. As the cause of his family's cursed lives, he showed uncharacteristic silent anger towards him. Amane noticed this worriedly as she squeezed his shoulder to snap her husband out of his anger. Realizing that he almost let his anger and lust for blood get the best of him, Kagaya showed a genuine and grateful smile to his wife, which Amane smiled back at. Even Naoto was quite shocked and surprised to see how Kagaya's emotional state changed quickly, but he couldn't care more about it as his attention was directed to Muzan.
Rei hugged her daughter protectively as Sayuri was looking at her "father" with fear in her eyes. Tanjirou was looking at Muzan with a mixture of fear and hatred. The rest of the Hashiras, the Corps, and the Swordsmiths were looking at Muzan and the 12 Kizukis with fear, contempt, anger, hatred, and disgust, but they were more concerned about their Oyakata-sama and his family's well-being, and sincerely hoping that the Hunter had at least prepared something to protect them.
Meanwhile, Akane had an expression of shock that she couldn't believe the Hunter had just done this. The teenage demon girl couldn't believe that this stranger had just summoned Muzan and the 12 Kizukis here. She thought they were bluffing, but they had actually done it. While Akane was somewhat glad to see her shishou again, the one she equally respects and fears, and the Demon King she fears most, she still doubted if the Hunter could take them all by themselves. Judging by how the sword they were holding was old and unpolished, proven by how dull and lacking in brightness the sword was, and the bandages that wrapped from the lower to the middle part of the blade, puzzled her as to whether the bandages were for decoration or a poorly made attempt to fix the sword so that it wouldn't break. However, she couldn't tell the expression the Hunter was showing, but it was clear that they weren't disturbed, fearful, or staggered by the overwhelming dreadful aura, making her more cautious.
In contrast, Muzan, Nakime, and several members of the Kizukis were confused, cautious, and alarmed. Three seconds ago, Muzan, Nakime, and four Upper Demons were at the Infinity Castle – an alternate dimension consisting of endless wooden rooms, halls, and moving corridors, which possesses a warped direction of gravity, allowing demons to stand upright, upside down, or perpendicularly on the walls, or move in physically impossible directions – when mists appeared and took them by surprise, even Nakime didn't foresee it as she tried to use her Blood Demon Art to do so. The same could be said for the four Lower Demons when they were taken by the mists in their territories; they were confused much like the others. Though, a certain Upper Moon Six couldn't help but whining about it, but none of them cared as they tried to figure out where they were.
And that's when Muzan spotted Ubuyashiki Kagaya and all the Demon Slayers and Hashiras, including his daughter, in front of him, especially the certain burgundy-haired boy wearing hanafuda earrings and the fugitive. Of course, he didn't notice or care much about the others present, nor a stranger wearing black, heavy, and thick clothes, firmly holding and planting the sword on the floor. To him, whatever this was, it provided a great opportunity to get his daughter back and end the Demon Slayer Corps once and for all.
"Kokushibo... Akaza..." His tone laced with cold-hearted intention as he commanded the two of his trusted demons. "Bring her back and kill them all."
Without hesitation, from the relaxed martial arts stance of Akaza to the overwhelming aura of Kokushibo, it was clear that they were supremely confident in their abilities to crush them in an absolute victory.
Moon Breathing, Fifth Form. Moon Spirit Calamitous Eddy.
Technique Development. Destructive Death. Compass Needle.
In less than a second, a devastating and destructive horizontal strike combined with the Moon Breathing and Destructive Death when Kokushibo flicked his blade, and hundreds of crescent moon blades intersecting with moonlight suddenly shot outward from his blade. Akaza stomped down, a light blue snowflake-shaped compass expanding outward, his stance emitting pure lethal skill before running towards Rei with inhumane speed in a flash.
The children yelped and screamed in fear as everyone held their breaths and widened their eyes in horror.
However, Kokushibo and Akaza's attacks were immediately countered when the crescent blades were deflected by an invisible force, moving right back to the demons before they were forced to dodge as some lost their limbs, which were then regenerated. In Akaza's case, he was blown back right to Nakime, who moved to the right to dodge him in time, but he was able to land perfectly on his two feet.
Seeing this, the Hunter couldn't help but laugh with sarcasm. "Ara ara~! Seems like you morons didn't account for the invisible dome I created, huh?"
"There was an invisible dome here all this time?" Zenitsu whispered to Tanjiro and Inosuke, which the boar-masked boy nodded in confirmation.
Kagaya smiled proudly, seeing the Hashira-turned-Hunter was already prepared. He couldn't be wrong in believing that the Hunter would be the one to defeat Muzan and his demons, much to her words and his desire to see the one he cursed and hated most get humbly humiliated.
On the other hand, Muzan was very confused when he saw how Kokushibo and Akaza's attacks got deflected by the invisible force that he quickly dodged from Upper Moon 1's crescent moon blades, though some were unlucky and got hit, but they were still alive as the blades only severed their limbs. Daki was crying out loud when her head got severed, as Gyutaro was aggressively and impatiently trying to calm his sister down. Then, he, Kokushibo, Akaza, Nakime, and others finally noticed the Hunter after they spoke.
From his observation and analysis, this stranger appeared to be a foreigner based on the Western attire they wore – the heavy and thick black clothing with a withered tricorn and trench coat. He couldn't identify whether this one was a man or a woman due to the black mask and dark-lensed goggles obscuring their facial features. However, whoever they were, they were nothing to him. The old and bandaged sword they had only strengthened his opinion that this person wasn't a threat to him, let alone pose one. But a rational thought sounded in his mind that this stranger had claimed to have created an invisible barrier to block and deflect any attacks from him and his demons.
Which means...
"Are you the one that brought us here?" Muzan's eyes flashed dangerously, his claws extended when he asked in a deep voice laced with a demanding and murderous tone. It was enough for Kokushibo, Akaza, Gyutaro, Daki, and four Lower Moons to go into a battle stance. With the exception of Nakime, who observed quietly behind the crowd.
The Hunter didn't move nor stagger from the overwhelming dreadful and murderous aura emitted by the demons. They kept their ground with their gloved hands grasping the hilt of the sword, refusing to be backed down or show any signs of fear when they had literally come back from an actual living hell and nightmare in Yharnam.
"What if I have?" The Hunter retorted back indifferently before their tone changed into mocking. "What are you gonna do, you bunch of weaklings and wannabe Vile-vampires?"
Hearing the mocking tone, it was enough to make Muzan's veins pop from his forehead and throat. He hated how this stranger, this mere human, had the audacity to disrespect and mock him.
"I asked you again," Muzan seethed in rage. "Are you the one that brought us here?"
The Hunter resisted the urge to smile behind their mask. "If I say yes, what would you trash do? Fight me?" Then, their eyes soon glared at them with mocking. "Yeah, I've been looking forward to a challenge."
Muzan gritted his teeth in rage at the level of disrespect this human was showing, as the Lower Moons were shaken in fear, for they could feel that his presence alone could kill them. Daki was glaring murderously and angrily, since she was a fanatic loyalist to her master. However, Gyutaro didn't care much about his sister's reaction, but was more focused on the Hunter who was not showing any fear at all, making him scratch himself hard enough to tear deep wounds into his own flesh with his dual kama when he grew envious of the level of fearlessness and confidence the Hunter displayed, urging him to devise many ways to torment them.
Kokushibo and Akaza felt themselves drawn to this mysterious stranger and their proposed challenge. Given that they were warriors in their past and current lives, they could see that this stranger was a warrior and a strong opponent like them, based on how the stranger stood firm, hand grasped on the sword's hilt firmly, and with an unchanged expression. Trusting their sharp fighting instincts, Upper Moon 1 and 3 could sense something off, but nonetheless, they could feel their opponent was strong, and that gave Akaza a sadistic smirk when he found another opponent worth his attention, and he even grew excited when he heard the word "challenge". However, Kokushibo didn't pay much attention to it as he continued to observe the Hunter, and that was when he noticed his old student, Akane, was sitting uncomfortably. He didn't know why, but he would find the answer later, once he was done with the Hunter. Unbeknownst to him, Akane was aware of him when she sensed his aura and glanced at his six eyes that were looking at her.
Muzan raised his brows in slight intrigue. "A challenge?"
The Hunter remained unchanged in their expression, but their tone shifted into an indifferent one. "A fight between me and you, Kibutsuji Muzan, and your warriors, Kokushibo, Akaza, Daki, and Gyutaro."
Kokushibo then spoke on behalf of his master. "Then, what is in it for us?"
"If you demons win against me in less than three minutes, you can take Sayuri and kill all of them here." Muzan and the demons widened their eyes in slight shock at the statement. Meanwhile, the Demon Slayers Corps widened their eyes in shock before the Hashiras, the swordsmiths, and a few, including Tamayo and Yushiro, glared at the Hunter with murderous and outraged expressions, as most were horrified and terrified with pale faces. Tanjirou felt something odd about the Hunter's statement before he picked up the scent of deception from them, meaning that whatever they planned, they only wanted to draw Muzan and the demons into their trap, which also meant that the Hunter didn't want to harm them. Kagaya also shared the same thought as Tanjirou as he continued to smile.
"However, if I win, all of you would have to stay here, be gentle and nice, not rude to my guests, or else there would be a punishment for those who dare to defy me and my rules. And, I would also disconnect your mental connection to Muzan, essentially freeing you all from his influence and control, so that we could enjoy the show without any disturbances." The Hunter spoke with a tone of conviction and determination.
"…Hahahahaha!" Daki let out a laugh as she looked at the Hunter with a mocking expression. "You!" She pointed at them, her voice dripping with disdain. "You dare to fight Muzan-sama and the four of us? By yourself? Hah! You must be completely delusional and arrogant if you think you can take on all of us here. Don't you know that no one, no Demon Slayer, has ever succeeded in killing us in over a hundred years, let alone facing off against our lord? You think you're some kind of hero? Hah! You're just a fly, and I'm about to swat you away for Muzan-sama!"
"Of course, it's very rich coming from a little shit of a bitch that leeched off her own brother like a leech like you. Trust me, if I have to compare, you're just a Cleric Beast to me, perhaps, a pale imitation of it." The Hunter spoke with a tone of disdain, mocking, and disrespect, further angering Daki.
Daki's eyes narrowed, her smile turning into a sneer. "You... you dare insult me?" she hissed, her voice laced with venom. "You think you can compare yourself to me? I am Daki, the Upper Rank Six! I am beautiful, powerful, and feared! You are nothing but a pathetic little bug, a mere speck of dust in my path!"
The Hunter scoffed. "That's why we are here, bitch! Are we going to settle this for once and for all or not?"
"With pleasure." Muzan then smiled evilly, full of arrogant pride and sadistic glee that matched Daki, Gyutaro, and Akaza, while Kokushibo only wore a stoic expression. The rest of the Kizukis, including Nakime, stood back to see their lord and the Upper Moons fight against this lonesome warrior. As for the Hunter, they gazed down with their great sword still rested on the ground, their hands firmly grasped on the hilt. Soon, Muzan and his four Upper Moons took a battle stance, while the Hunter kept gazing down, as if they were thinking about something.
Tanjiro, though, couldn't help but feel worry and anxiety about all of this madness happening here. He was about to voice his opinions to the Hunter before Inosuke suddenly grabbed his arm tightly. "Don't!"
Tanjiro widened his eyes, taken aback by his friend's fearful tone. "W-What…?"
"Do not interfere! That… thing… is not what we are seeing."
Before Tanjirou could ask what he meant, the fight began.
(BGM: Bloodborne Soundtrack OST – Lady Maria (The Old Hunters))
Blood Demon Art: Rotating Circular Slashes, Flying Blood Sickles, Bend
Blood Demon Art: Piercing Obi
Technique Development. Destructive Death. Air Type.
Moon Breathing, Seventh Form. Mirror of Misfortune, Moonlit.
Blood Demon Art: Black Blood, Brambles
A combination attack had been unleashed: With the combined move of Gyutaro's blood-generated Kamas that launched a large, X-shaped projectile of solidified blood, an aerial attack performed by Daki as she launched all of her sashes downwards towards her opponent, the airborne shockwaves created multiple times in quick succession and unleashed on the ground when Akaza punched the empty air in front of him while creating shockwaves that flew towards his target to hit them from afar, a frontal crescent-shaped slash that unleashed numerous straight and curved slashes that expanded outward that performed by Kokushibo through his altered katana, and, finally, an array of thorny, thin tendrils to entangle and slash his target through the use of Muzan's blood.
And all of them were aimed at the Hunter.
Combining all these elements, it's a truly devastating and overwhelming force of nature, capable of causing widespread destruction, akin to a supervolcanic eruption, followed by a multi-headed tornado, with sonic booms ripping through the air, all while being engulfed by a tsunami and a swarm of locusts. No one could survive such a deadly attack without coming out in one piece. Not a Demon Slayer, Hashira, or anyone.
But that won't be the same case for a person who has gone through all kinds of hell themselves in Yharnam.
Bloody Blossom Breathing, Eleventh Form. Ethereal Sakura Dance
Out of a sudden, a surreal and otherworldly atmosphere enveloped the Hunter. The air crackled with an otherworldly energy as the Hunter drew upon the Eleventh Form of their Bloody Blossom Breathing Style. A spectral glow emanated from them, a pale pink light that pulsed with an ethereal rhythm. Delicate cherry blossom petals, shimmering with arcane energy, swirled around them, their edges tinged with a faint, otherworldly luminescence, creating a protective shield when the wave of spectral cherry blossom petals erupted from them, swirling around them.
The combination attack crashed into the barrier, its devastating, destructive, and overwhelming forces tearing at the ethereal petals. But the barrier held, its shimmering surface rippling like water, absorbing the impact of Muzan and the Upper Moons' combined attack as the barrier dissolved them. The Hunter only stood there, stood their ground, their eyes glowing with an otherworldly crimson light behind their goggles as they raised their sword. With a swift, graceful swiping across the blade from the guard to the point, the great sword glowed with arcane energy, bathing it in the green light of the moon, revealing it to be the Holy Moonlight Sword.
Then, the air was thick with a sickly sweet scent, a cloying perfume that clung to the back of Muzan and the demons' throats. And, as if time was stopped, the air shimmered, a delicate pink light swirling around the Hunter, a light that pulsed with an otherworldly energy. Delicate petals, like whispers of a forgotten spring, danced around them, their edges tinged with a faint, ethereal luminescence.
Something strange happened when Muzan and his demons' primal instincts screamed at them to attack, they felt a strange pull, a hypnotic force that drew their gazes towards the Hunter. The scent of the sweet perfume intensified, a seductive aroma that promised a forbidden pleasure as the theater around them seemed to blur.
I feel odd… As if something is familiar, Muzan thought as he gazed at the Hunter, seeing the old, rusty sword now transforming into a giant sword. If he wasn't in a dazed-like state, he would have been aware and ordered his demons to attack. Yet, something clouded his mind when a cherry blossom petal flew through his fingers. This strange sense of nostalgia and feeling of relief. Relieved… yet disgusted, Muzan widened his eyes as a moment of clarity returned. It's disgusting! Muzan noticed Kokushibo and Akaza snapped out of their state as they tried to resist an unknown hypnotic force. However, Daki seemed to be mesmerized by cherry blossom petals dancing around her, and her expression was like a child who enjoyed the smell of Sakura trees in Spring, while her brother, Gyutaro, was also fighting against the hypnotic force as he growled and used his Kamas to scratch his neck to stay awake.
Muzan growled in anger before he ordered the two siblings of Upper Moon Six via a mental link. Daki! Snap out of it, you stupid child, and attack them now! Gyutaro, go support her from behind! Wake up, you idiotic girl! It's a trap!
Hearing the command from her lord, Daki snapped out of her lucid state before growling and snarling at the Hunter for tricking her like a fool, treating her like she was insignificant to them. So, Daki lunged, with Gyutaro following her behind, and unleashed their Blood Demon Arts.
Blood Demon Art: Blood Sickle Onslaught
Blood Demon Art: Obi Pursuit
Gyutaro unleashed a wild flurry of blood slashes in a similar fashion as Rampant Arc Rampage, which creates a dome of sickle-shaped blades of solidified blood around him that served offensive, while Daki unleashed three layers of sashes, each comprising two, towards her opponent from bottom to top.
But the Hunter was ready as they moved with a grace that belied the ferocity of their intent, their steps leaving behind trails of shimmering footprints that faded as quickly as they appeared. The floor beneath their feet seemed to hum with a latent power, as if the very ground itself resonated with the ancient magic they wielded. Their movements fluid and graceful, dancing within the barrier, their Holy Moonlight Sword pulsing with a cold, ethereal green light. They waited, their senses alert, for the Demon King and the Upper Moons to falter, for the moment to strike.
As Daki and Gyutaro lunged, the Hunter channeled the energy of the Ethereal Sakura Dance, their movements a blur of pink and white. The barrier around them pulsed with a renewed intensity, its shimmering petals swirling with a chaotic energy. And with a flick of their wrist, they extended the barrier, its ethereal petals reaching out towards Daki and Gyutaro, encasing their obi sash and kamas in a shimmering prison. The Hunter, their Holy Moonlight Sword gleaming in the dim light, launched their counterattack. They moved with a speed that defied comprehension, their blade flashing, leaving behind a trail of ethereal cherry blossoms that bloomed and faded with each strike as they parried, blocked, and disintegrated the sashes and kamas that Daki and Gyutaro had used their Blood Demon Arts to kill them.
And, in a blink of an eye, the Hunter quickly decapitated the two Upper Moon Six at the same time, much to the shocked and stupefied Daki and Gyutaro, though, include horrified in Daki's case. But, it was not over, the Hunter then struck with a speed that defied comprehension, their movements fluid and graceful, yet deadly with the Art of Quickening. The spectral cherry blossom petals, imbued with the power of the Old Blood, swirled around them, they were a whirlwind of motion, a blur of pink and white like fog. Their Holy Moonlight Sword, its blade pulsing with a cold, ethereal light, danced in their hand, leaving behind streaks of pale pink light that shimmered like a trail of fallen blossoms as by the time Daki and Gyutaro could process or recover from the shock, their bodies had already been mutilated and cut into pieces as blood splattered like a rain.
And their regeneration with immense recovery speed couldn't heal them at all. Something that shocked Muzan, Kokushibo, and Akaza when they witnessed it.
"What…" Muzan said as his eyes widened in fear and fury.
"…the…" Kokushibo coldly with a hint of surprise and shock stared at the decapitated heads of Gyutaro and Daki, along with their mutilated bodies that lied on their own pool of blood.
"…fuck?" Akaza ended as he witnessed the whole scene. But, instead of having the same reaction like the others, he grinned like a mad man as he finally found a worthy opponent since battles is all he lives for.
Seizing the opportunity, their blade flashing, their movements precise and deadly. The Hunter sliced through the air, their Holy Moonlight Sword a blur of motion, leaving behind a trail of ethereal cherry blossoms that bloomed and faded with each strike. The strike aimed at Muzan when the Hunter charged up the sword's arcane energy and swung it, and out came beams of green light headed toward Muzan.
Seeing the incoming beams, Muzan widened his eyes before he grew nine thin extensions, each of four meters (13 feet) in length, akin to spine-like protrusions from his back that extend into bladed whips. With these, Muzan was able to increase the number of attacks he could unleash in a single moment as the whips were fast and getting a read on their trajectory was difficult, making it unpredictable.
However, it was proven futile when the beams clashed through the whips, disintegrated them, and charged toward the Demon King like it was nothing. Widening his eyes, Muzan was able to dodge just in time, but the beams had cut his left arm off, rendering him from regenerating his lost arm.
For the first time in his life, Muzan felt fear again as his entire body trembled and his pupils dilated in and out as he tried to regenerate his left arm but failed, as if those beams of green light that shot out from that wretched sword had disabled his nigh-absolute regenerative ability. It made him remember that fateful night where he encountered that man. Those were the exact same.
And it made him mad as that very memory and the no good stranger irritated that living hell out of him.
Blood Demon Art: Shockwave Energy Blast
Suddenly, Muzan's torso and upper body morphed into a gigantic beastly mouth, and projected a long-ranged energy-like shockwave akin to a piercing ear-splitting scream slammed into the Hunter. The force of the shockwave clashed to the barrier, making the Hunter stab their sword into the ground, halting them from going back.
The shockwave Muzan had unleashed could have severely damaged the nervous systems of those caught in it, causing extreme seizures and convulsions, even rendering them unable to breathe for a brief period of time due to damage inflicted to the target's lungs. But, the Hunter was no mere human at all to be affected by this trick.
Thus, the Hunter raised their sword from the ground and pointed at Muzan, Kokushibo, and Akaza, whom the latter still grinning madly.
"…It seems like we had underestimated you." Kokushibo said as he acknowledged that he, Akaza, and their lord had misjudged the potential threat the Hunter posed after witnessing the strength, skill, power, and swordsmanship they possessed. Though, the Upper Moon 1 still perplexed and confused about how a rusty and dull sword could become such a powerful weapon. He would find the answer later once he and his master were done with them. "But," Kokushibo narrowed his six eyes. "It won't happen again this time."
Kokushibo raised his katana and, due to his katana being made of his own living flesh, manipulated the shape of the blade. The katana then grew three additional blades from the original blade to increase its reach and size, turning it into a weapon similar to the Shichishito (Seven-Branched Sword).
"Yeah, that was our mistake to underrate you. In fact, you may worthy enough to be my opponent." Akaza casually said as he raised his hands and moved his feet into a battle stance, prepare for another fight. "It's ashamed that we were enemies due to you became a threat to Muzan-sama. Have we met earlier before all of this, this could have played out differently."
Akaza wasn't technically lying at all. He enjoyed fighting against strong opponents even if they're not human. At first glance, the Upper Moon 3 felt that this Hunter was no mere human at all. With this, he'd gladly fight to the death since battles is all he lives for.
Meanwhile, Muzan looked at his lost left arm and still furious that he couldn't regenerate it back. He looked at the Hunter, and could feel the looks of overconfident and arrogant behind the goggles, even the mocking smile beneath the mask (from his perspective), and it enraged him even more.
The Hunter, though, contrary to Muzan's thoughts only stared at him with blank, lifeless gaze with a hint of annoyance that they had to clean up this mess once the fight was done. And it isn't even a minute since the battle started.
"It doesn't matter," the Hunter thought, all they needed to do is to make Muzan yield and surrender. Though, they must dealt with his two lackeys first.
And they knew how to end it sooner.
"Kokushibo, Akaza," Muzan seethed as he glared at the Hunter, his eyes never took out of them. "Bring me their head. But, before that, break their bones and tear them into pieces to pieces in the most horrific way you can do."
Without words, Kokushibo and Akaza prepared their battle stance for the second round.
But, before they could attack, the Hunter did one thing that shocked them most, throwing them off guard.
Without a word, the Hunter plunged the sword into and through their chest, a crimson stain blooming across their white shirt. The Vilebloods, coursing through their veins, surged into the blade, imbuing it with a terrifying power. They pulled it back as the sword now coated with their blood as the large wound on their chest healed with their clothes fixed it back. Their Holy Moonlight Sword, its blade pulsing with a cold, ethereal green light, crackled with a malevolent crimson energy.
Bloody Blossom Breathing, Twelfth Form. Crimson Bloodstorm Carnage.
Then, the air crackled with a crimson energy as the Hunter drew upon the Twelfth Form of their Bloody Blossom Breathing Style, Crimson Bloodstorm Carnage. A wave of dark red energy erupted from them, enveloping them in a malevolent aura. The air grew heavy, thick with the scent of blood and decay, as if the very atmosphere itself had been tainted by the power they unleashed.
Kokushibo and Akaza could feel the heavy, thick air that was suffocating them, much to Kokushibo's shock. But, they wouldn't hold back the slightest, even when their instincts tell them the enemy was strong, stronger than them. The two Upper Moons wouldn't back down even if they knew they might lose since their pride was still there.
Thus, they fought.
Moon Breathing, Fourteenth Form. Catastrophe, Tenman Crescent Moon.
Technique Development. Destructive Death. Collapse.
Using his altered katana, Kokushibo performed a multitude of curved slashes which expand outward in every direction that incrementally grow in size, essentially creating an omni-directional vortex of crescent moon blades that surrounds him. Similarly, Akaza leaped into the air and delivered a downward punch similar to his Ten Thousand Leaves Flashing Willow technique – a powerful downward punch that delivers a large shockwave into the ground which expands outward – to the Hunter.
The Hunter turned their body and spunned to create a whirlwind of black fog and dust as they used it to create a momentum to leap into the air to dodge the incoming attack as Akaza hit the spot where they once were, shattering the ground. Blood splattered around from the sword, and while still in the air, the Hunter seized this opportunity to deliver a blow to Kokushibo. Their Holy Moonlight Sword, now a conduit for the potent and destructive blood magic, crackled with a malevolent energy. They summoned a blood-based projectile through their sword, hurling it at Upper Moon 1 with deadly accuracy.
Realizing it was aiming at him, Kokushibo raised his flesh katana again and performed another Moon Breathing Style.
Moon Breathing, Sixth Form. Perpetual Night, Lonely Moon – Incessant.
Kokushibo rapidly performed a multitude of curved slashes several meters in front of him that released a wild barrage of crescent moon blades capable of slicing up the surroundings, hoping that it would stop the incoming projectile. However, because the blood-based projectile also fused with the arcane energy of the Holy Moonlight Sword, it pierced through the barrage like a bullet and directly hit at Kokushibo's chest. The projectile then exploded upon impact, showering Kokushibo in a rain of corrosive blood, inflicting severe damage as his flesh melted and dissolved, screaming in agony as he was consumed by the blood magic.
Still in the air, the Hunter, with a flick of their wrist, swung their sword, its blade still coated with their blood, launching a burning flame at Kokushibo when they leaped down and swung the sword down, causing the blood to splatter upward and downward like a rain before they turned into flame. The flames, fueled by the Vilebloods, danced and writhed, consuming Kokushibo in a fiery inferno.
Technique Development. Destructive Death. Annihilation Type, Punish.
Seizing the opportunity the moment the Hunter landed while focused on Kokushibo, Akaza deployed his Compass Needle technique before rushing to his target from behind, and delivering a multitude of powerful shockwave-enhanced punches and kicks before unleashing his Annihilation Type technique – one of Akaza's most powerful techniques when Akaza crouched with both his arms at the side of his body poised to strike. He then lunged forward, creating two powerful circular shockwaves from the palm of his hands which he uses to strike his target with tremendous force.
Akaza didn't know whether it was pure luck or not, he managed to catch the Hunter off guard as he performed this technique and delivered a multitude of powerful shockwave-enhanced punches and kicks before unleashing his Annihilation Type technique, sending the Hunter flying and throwing around like a ragdoll before Akaza struck the final powerful circular shockwave on their back as they landed face-first to the ground, shattering and creating a crater in the process.
Muzan arrogantly and sadistically smiled at the scene unfold in front of him, mentally noting himself that he would reward Akaza handsomely, as he looked at the defeated Hunter in front of him, while Akaza crossing his arms, still grinning madly at the fight just now. Muzan arrogantly thought that all that fancy fight and blood turning into flame were just fancy stuff for the show when the Hunter couldn't even see the attack from behind them.
Before he could say anything, the Hunter then let out a laugh almost sinister throughout the theater, sending chills to everyone present in the place before using their hands to lift themselves up. They then pulled their mask off to spit the blood to the ground, tasting the iron in their mouth before pulling the mask up. Their head still stared to the ground before they spoke, "That was the strongest attack you could do!? Hahahaha! Do you really think that such a simple and childlish power could bring me down that easily!? Hahahaha! Even Ludwig could have done it better, you worthless weak!"
Then, they rose up before picking their sword up. Their goggles now broke as Muzan, Kokushibo, Akaza, and the other demons could see the crimson eyes glaring behind the broken lenses. "Thanks to you. Now, I know how weak you are. And I won't take it back. Trust me, Ludwig could have done it better than you losers."
Muzan, initially basking in the perceived victory, was thrown off balance by the Hunter's unexpected resilience and taunts. His arrogance, fueled by his long-standing power and immortality, was shocked and angered by the Hunter's mockery. His pride, deeply wounded, fueled a surge of rage. While Akaza felt a huge blow to his pride due to the Hunter's insult, comparing him to someone weaker, but it fueled his desire to prove his superiority. He might not know or care about who this Ludwig was, but right now, he wanted to prove that he is stronger than someone who could potentially rival him.
Before they could retort or strike back, the Hunter stood tall, as if Akaza's powerful shockwave-enhanced punches were nothing, extended their arm as their body was elevated by an unknown force. Then, the Hunter's blood that Akaza had spilled through the punches and kicks also raised from the ground before returning back to their body. It wasn't just their blood, but also Muzan and his Upper Moons' blood as well as they joined with the Hunter's blood. With the large amount of concentrated blood, the Hunter summoned and launched a barrage of blood-based projectiles, hurling them at their enemies with deadly accuracy. The projectiles exploded upon impact, showering their opponents in a rain of corrosive blood, inflicting severe damage. Muzan, Kokushibo, Akaza, the headless Gyutaro and Daki, their flesh melting and dissolving, screamed in agony as they were consumed by the blood magic.
Then, the Hunter landed gracefully and struck back, and what followed was a whirlwind of crimson fury, leaving behind trails of dark red energy that tore through the air, rending their enemies apart. Their crimson eyes burning with a savage intensity, their movements fueled by a primal rage, was a vision of terrifying beauty. They swung their sword, its blade coated with their blood, launching a burning flame at their enemies. Their movements then became graceful and fluid, like the dance of Lady Maria. They swung their sword, strike after strike, its blade coated with their blood, leaving a trail of burning flames in its wake. The blood, imbued with the power of the Vilebloods, burst into an inferno, consuming the demons in a fiery blaze.
Muzan, Kokushibo, and Akaza, their bodies battered and broken, staggered back, their roars filled with a mixture of pain and agony. Kokushibo tried to fight back, but the Hunter swung their sword and parried with Kokushibo's altered katana as the Vilebloods dripped on his flesh katana, burning it in the process. The Hunter used the Art of Quickening, engulfing themselves in a fog of pink and crimson, and moved at a speed that defied comprehension, akin to teleportation when the Hunter appeared from behind Kokushibo. Before he could react, the Upper Moon 1's body was splattered with blood from three large gashes on his neck, chest, and stomach. He tried to regenerate, but couldn't as the Vilebloods were now burning his lord's blood cells, and then, he slowly fell apart as his head rolled to the floor, his six eyes still widened in shock.
After dealing with Kokushibo, the Hunter turned to Akaza before using the Art of Quickening and lunged at him. Akaza, in his battle stance, raised his arms and legs as he blocked and delivered a multitude of powerful shockwave-enhanced punches and kicks. But, the Hunter dodged, blocked, and parried the attacks with ease as they pressed their assault, their movements relentless, their strikes brutal and merciless. If it was a normal Nichirin katana or any blade, it wouldn't have stood against those attacks as it would break instantly. But, the Holy Moonlight Sword was no ordinary sword. So, in just about half a second, the Hunter quickly neutralized Akaza by decapitating his head and cutting his body into pieces.
Once done, the Hunter turned to their final prey, Kibutsuji Muzan, as their crimson eyes glared at the Demon King who was stood still, shocked. His entire melted, dissolved, and burned body trembled and his pupils dilated in and out as pure, unadulterated fear coursed through his battered and broken body. And even his near-absolute regenerative ability couldn't be of much help as the blood of that wretched human had done something to him, rendering him from healing his wounds and melted, burned skin.
Irrational fear consumed Muzan's mind after he realized his opponent could easily defeat him, much like that man had done on that fateful night, when he saw how the Hunter had defeated the strongest four of his Upper Moons.
Thus, he turned around and intended to run away with astounding speed.
However, before he could escape, the Hunter appeared in front of him, shocking and terrifying him with the glare of their crimson eyes that held primal rage and hatred. The Holy Moonlight Sword disappeared from their right hand in a fog. Their eyes narrowed, their gaze razor-sharp as they focused their entire being on the task at hand. The air around them crackled with an ominous energy, the crimson aura of the Vilebloods pulsing through their veins.
Bloody Blossom Breathing, First Form. Visceral Petal Strike.
The Hunter steadied their stance, their right hand poised and ready as they pulled their right arm back. In a flash, they unleashed the First Form of their Bloody Blossom Breathing Style – the Visceral Petal Strike.
With lightning-fast precision, the Hunter plunged their right hand deep into Muzan's body, targeting the vital points with deadly accuracy. The crimson aura surrounding their hand erupted, magnifying the impact and damage of the strike.
The sound of shattering bone and tearing flesh echoed through the air, as the Hunter's hand ruthlessly penetrated their foe's defenses. The Vileblood energy coursing through their attack overwhelmed their opponent, disorienting him and leaving him vulnerable.
The Hunter's movements were fluid and graceful, yet every action was imbued with a savage power that belied their delicate appearance. As their opponent stood still in shock, the Hunter twisted their right hand and withdrew it brutally, the blood splashing in front of them from Muzan. The crimson stain on their fingers was a testament to the devastating power of the Visceral Petal Strike. The Hunter did not revel in the violence, but rather saw it as a necessary means to an end to this fight as they stared at the beating heart of Muzan, along with a few brain matter from one of his brains before crushing it, leaving Muzan only one heart and brain. After all, the six hearts and four brains of his were already destroyed when they were hit by the blood-based projectiles and the Visceral attack.
By now, Muzan was kneeling down defeatedly, his remaining right arm clenching his throat as he now choked on his own blood. He tried to use one last desperate attempt to escape by blowing up his body, but the bloods and poisons prevented him from doing so.
Then, the Hunter summoned the Holy Moonlight Sword again as they swung the sword to remove the blood, splattering it onto the floor. The sword still glowed and pulsed with a cold, ethereal green light as the Hunter pointed the tip of the sword at Muzan's neck, while their left hand held the modified Hunter's pistol as they stood in front of him with a cold glare behind their crimson eyes.
"Now," the Hunter spoke with a cold and chilling tone like the Grim Reaper in front of their victim. "Say the word."
Muzan, the once-mighty Demon King, kneeled before the Hunter, his body broken and battered. The crimson eyes of the Hunter bore into him, their gaze unwavering and merciless.
Muzan's pride had been shattered, his invincibility stripped away. He had faced countless foes, had crushed all who dared to stand against him, but this Hunter had proven to be his match and more, much like that man, much to how much he furiously hated to admit.
Struggling to speak through the blood choking his throat, Muzan knew he had no choice. His regenerative powers were waning, his very existence hanging by a thread. With a trembling voice, he uttered the words that went against every fiber of his being:
"I... I yield."
The admission was laced with shame and defeat, a bitter taste on his tongue. For so long, he had been the apex predator, the one who struck fear into the hearts of all. Now, he was brought low, forced to submit to this human whom he had deemed weak, insignificant, and a mere wretched human.
The Hunter's gaze did not soften, their sword still poised at his neck. With a flick of their wrist, they raised the Holy Moonlight Sword and swung it to their right, causing the ethereal green light of the arcane magic to vanish, making the sword return to its original size and form – a dull, grey, and rusty greatsword with bandages wrapped at the lower end of the blade. Then, the Hunter sheathed the sword in the scabbard on their back, took out another black goggles, took off their tricorn hat to replace the broken one, and put their hat back before turning to the audience who had witnessed the whole fight.
"So," the Hunter spoke in an odd cheerful tone that contrasted with their cold demeanor earlier. "Shall we begin?"
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