Duan Mu's Misconception

Seeing Duan Mu, whose demeanor had drastically changed and who was exuding an overwhelming killing intent, Habutae, her face pale, couldn't help but freeze.

Although she had sent people to investigate Duan Mu after their last conflict and knew about the Yorozuya in West District 38 that would take any job for money, she found it hard to believe that Duan Mu would accept the commission so readily…

After all, not long ago, Duan Mu and she had been on opposing sides.

But then she thought about it again: the leader of West District 79, Daimaru, had died at Duan Mu's hands. Yet, he had turned around and helped the people of West District 79 against her.

His wavering stance was truly admirable!

"Are you a Soul Reaper??"

In the center of the field, Jiu Su stared at Duan Mu with cold eyes. As a follower of the great villain from southern District 80, Jiu Su was rough on the outside but meticulous within, possessing a sharp gaze.

The stranger before him had clearly used Kido.

And those who could use Kido were generally Soul Reapers. If it wasn't necessary, he didn't want to make an enemy of a Soul Reaper, especially now that their leader and 'Nishijin-ori' of West District 80 had both suffered severe injuries.

Moreover…

The commission fee?

In their conversation, these three words were the most significant to Jiu Su. The reason he hadn't immediately attacked this intruder was precisely because of these words.

Seeing that Duan Mu didn't answer, his gaze gradually turning colder, Jiu Su frowned. "Whether you're a Soul Reaper or not, if you hand over the two people behind you to me, I'll give you double whatever Habutae promised you!!"

Money was the least valuable thing in District 80.

Although his words sounded strange, this was the reality of District 80.

In a region with no shops, no entertainment, and no material needs, what use was money to them?

To buy food, buy clothes?

If they had the concept of 'buying,' they wouldn't have gathered in District 80.

Jiu Su's words made Habutae's expression change, and she quickly looked at Duan Mu in front of her.

"Don't…"

Before she could finish speaking, Duan Mu, who was in front of her, vanished. This scene made Habutae's face change, and her body tensed instantly.

He disappeared again!?

Seeing this, Jiu Su's expression also sharpened, and his Spiritual Pressure, comparable to that of a High-ranking Officer, erupted.

No matter what choice the other party made, he wouldn't let his guard down. Even if the other party killed Habutae and the other person now, he wouldn't relax his vigilance.

What's more…

He could clearly feel that the killing intent of the other party had locked onto him!!

Money was important, but compared to money, Duan Mu valued the experience points provided by Habutae more.

The surrounding environment blurred, and several meters were crossed in an instant.

But just as Duan Mu was about to close the distance and attack Jiu Su with Hakuda…

An anomaly occurred!!

A gust of wind whistled. Although it was very weak, due to the crisis awareness honed by centuries of living on the brink of death, Jiu Su reacted immediately. The Spiritual Pressure on his long sword erupted, forming a tangible radiance as he slashed horizontally.

This strike was like lightning, leaving a sapphire arc in the night sky.

Huh?

In the direction of the sword slash, Duan Mu's figure reappeared out of thin air.

The moment he appeared, Duan Mu pushed off the ground with his toes and retreated. The long sword, covered in powerful Spiritual Pressure, grazed past his chest.

After Duan Mu steadied himself, his eyeballs flickered. He glanced at his chest and saw that his front had been cut by a sword mark. If he had reacted a moment slower, his chest might have been split open by this strike!

This made Duan Mu's expression turn somewhat grim.

Ever since he learned Shunpo, this was the first time in combat that someone had seen through him, even predicting where he might appear in an instant.

No!

Rather than being seen through, it was more like the other party's rich combat experience had caused him to react instinctively.

Combat instinct!

This was a reaction awareness that could only be gradually developed by constantly being on the verge of life and death, and it was also what Duan Mu lacked the most.

He had been careless.

Because his first opponent, Daimaru, had the Spiritual Pressure of a 'High-ranking Officer' but his actual combat strength could only barely compare to a low-ranking officer, Duan Mu had always looked down on the villains of Rukongai, subconsciously believing them to be weaker than Soul Reapers of the same level.

However, that brief moment of contact made Jiu Su show him that not everyone was like Daimaru, possessing Spiritual Pressure but not knowing how to utilize it.

This realization made a look of concentration flash in Duan Mu's eyes.

After all, strictly speaking…

Whether it was Habutae, Jiu Su, or even Duan Mu himself, their Spiritual Pressure levels were the same as Daimaru's.

Without the advantage of skill, Duan Mu naturally no longer had the right to look down on his opponent.

What's more…

When both sides are evenly matched, these villains often gain a greater advantage in life-or-death struggles because they are extremely sensitive to death and possess exceptionally rich combat experience!

"You're asking for death! Kill him!!"

Jiu Su's suppressed killing intent finally erupted at this moment, but if one looked closely, they would notice a deeply hidden apprehension beneath his eyes filled with killing intent.

He dodged!!

The sword strike he just unleashed wasn't casual; it was a swordsmanship technique taught by their leader. It appeared simple, but it contained extremely high-level skill.

Although he didn't expect to end the battle with that single strike, being dodged so easily caused his heart to sink.

So strong!

Despite the opponent giving him an extremely immature impression, like those useless rookies who had just arrived in District 80, his fighting style felt incredibly dangerous.

At Jiu Su's command, over a dozen people who had been poised for action simultaneously lunged at Duan Mu.

The night instantly became incredibly肅殺.

The dense killing intent even cast a faint crimson hue upon the moon.

Duan Mu, standing rooted to the spot, suddenly raised his head.

Realizing his misjudgment didn't make Duan Mu cower; instead, it made his blood burn hotter.

What good are powerful combat techniques?

What good is extensive combat experience?

What if his combat instincts are inferior?

This was true combat, just like the first time he fought Daimaru. Duan Mu didn't dislike this kind of battle, where death felt imminent at any moment.

Duan Mu sharply raised his head, unleashing his Spiritual Pressure to its fullest. His azure Spiritual Pressure gradually turned deep blue due to its density, eventually even revealing a strange purple hue.

That face...

It was no longer indifferent but instead bore a bizarre, eerie, and terrifying half-smile.

He didn't dodge or use Shunpo. Instead, like a madman, he strode forward to meet the dozen or so individuals wielding swords.

Is he crazy?

This action caused everyone to freeze for a moment, but they quickly let out sinister grins, and their sharp weapons simultaneously attacked Duan Mu.

The first to strike at Duan Mu's face was an axe imbued with Spiritual Pressure. The sharp axe blade, amplified by the Spiritual Pressure, emitted a chilling glint. If this strike landed, even with Spiritual Pressure enhancing his defense, Duan Mu's head would surely be split in two.

And just as the axe blade was about to fall on Duan Mu's face, Duan Mu, who had been advancing, moved.

He dragged his foot backward, like ice skating, twisting his body and causing the axe blade to skim past his chest instead of cleaving it.

Seeing this, the axe wielder showed no surprise. He hadn't expected Duan Mu to stand still and let himself be hit. Almost simultaneously with Duan Mu's dodge, he twisted his thumb and four fingers on the axe handle, changing the axe blade's trajectory from a downward chop to a horizontal slash as it grazed Duan Mu's chest.

At the same time, the others' attacks arrived.

Some aimed for Duan Mu's head, some for his chest, and others slashed horizontally at his waist... Various weapons attacked from all angles, sealing off all of Duan Mu's escape routes!