The passageway was quiet and dim, lit only by two human-shaped sources of light. Their glow made it just possible to see what lay inside.
Senju Kyogawa's entire body was covered in flames. Sitting cross-legged, he used Breathing Technique to stop the bleeding from his wounds.
After mastering Breathing Technique, Senju Kyogawa gradually realized that every part of his body was affected by his breathing. And as long as he used his breathing well, he could finely control his muscles and blood vessels.
Although Senju Kyogawa was still only a beginner, he had a natural talent for learning Breathing Technique. He had already become proficient at controlling his muscles and blood vessels with his breathing, and thus controlling how much he bled.
With their fierce standoff over, silence returned to the passageway. It was so quiet that even their breathing sounded crystal clear.
When Senju Kyogawa didn't attack, the "Senju Kyogawa" opposite him simply stood there without attacking either.
A faint chill seeped through his pants and into Senju Kyogawa's skin, temporarily calming his tense, anxious thoughts.
Senju Kyogawa's breathing gradually steadied and deepened.
The flames covering his body burned more brightly, helping him illuminate more of the passageway so he could study its details more clearly.
Senju Kyogawa still didn't dare act rashly. He sat where he was, looking up as he examined the passageway from top to bottom and from left to right.
Most of the stone walls inside had been shattered into rubble during their fierce battle, the pieces piled in corners across the floor. Only the wall where the passage began and the "Gate" leading out remained intact. They looked so sturdy that no force could destroy them.
And that did seem to be the case. The wall at the entrance had been caught in the fighting several times, yet it remained undamaged. As for the "Gate" at the exit, the battle between Senju Kyogawa and "Senju Kyogawa" hadn't touched it at all. How could it have been damaged?
Naturally, Senju Kyogawa hadn't noticed anything unusual except for those two "Gates."
Senju Kyogawa fell into thought.
If this place supplied "Senju Kyogawa" with energy, then surely "Senju Kyogawa" would react strongly if its energy source were attacked or damaged.
So far, there was only one place in the passageway that could provoke such a strong reaction from "Senju Kyogawa"—
The "Gate" leading out.
Senju Kyogawa narrowed his eyes as thoughts turned in his mind.
He couldn't help rubbing his fingertips together, an unconscious habit whenever he was thinking or nervous.
He wasn't sure whether the "Gate" really was the energy source, or whether the energy source had to be somewhere outside rather than within "Senju Kyogawa." Even so, Senju Kyogawa wanted to try.
But if he failed this time, his Nichirin Sword might not hold together any longer.
What should I do? Should I risk it? Senju Kyogawa grew restless. He had always been impatient, and being trapped in the darkness for so long was wearing down his patience.
In the distance, Ugly Monster suddenly twitched. Its fleshy wings shuddered, rolling it over.
Ugly Monster slowly crawled over to Senju Kyogawa, curled its tail around his wrist, and absorbed the flames there to replenish its energy.
[Master, that "you" has a strong space-time scent. It was masked by the stench before, so I didn't notice it. He was injured while fighting you just now, and the space-time scent leaked out. That's when I smelled it.] Ugly Monster quietly spoke to Senju Kyogawa through their link.
[Space-time scent? Ugly Monster, can you detect where his energy comes from?] Hearing Ugly Monster's words, Senju Kyogawa couldn't help feeling a glimmer of hope.
[Where it comes from? I don't know... But it definitely isn't under his own control. A puppet without a consciousness can't control the power of space-time!] Ugly Monster said with certainty.
Senju Kyogawa felt a little disappointed when he heard that Ugly Monster couldn't identify the source of the power. But now that he knew the energy source was external, the chances that the "Gate" was the source had gone up.
Should he try, or hold back for now?
The next second, a sharp gust of wind swept past. Senju Kyogawa charged forward again, Nichirin Sword in hand, stirring up a rush of air.
This time, Senju Kyogawa was so fast that he was only a blur as he charged ahead, unstoppable. But his target wasn't "Senju Kyogawa." It was the "Gate" behind him.
Life's all about stepping on the gas now and then! Senju Kyogawa thought.
Seeing Senju Kyogawa charge, "Senju Kyogawa" immediately raised his Nichirin Sword and used the same move.
Senju Kyogawa gripped the Nichirin Sword with both hands.
"Sun Breathing: First Form: Waltz."
The flames burning along the Nichirin Sword lit up Senju Kyogawa's delicate, adorable face. His young features were set with determination. The vivid scarlet flames flickered in his black eyes, making them shine even brighter.
But this time, Senju Kyogawa deliberately angled his Nichirin Sword an inch to the side. The moment "Senju Kyogawa" drew near, he used his incredible control over his body to release his left hand from the hilt, twist aside to evade the attack, and strike at the "Gate."
With a sharp crack, the fissure in the Nichirin Sword widened. Silver-white cracks spread across its pitch-black blade, leaving it on the verge of falling apart.
But Senju Kyogawa saw a crack appear in the "Gate" too.
"Senju Kyogawa" paused for an instant, almost imperceptibly, then angrily swung his Nichirin Sword at Senju Kyogawa.
Senju Kyogawa drew a deep breath, letting his strength settle. The instant "Senju Kyogawa" attacked, he dodged to the side.
Carried by its momentum, "Senju Kyogawa" brought its blade straight down on the "Gate." Enormous force erupted as metal struck stone, creating a powerful shock wave.
"Senju Kyogawa" dispersed in the blast, while Senju Kyogawa was sent flying by the shock wave.
At last, the wall shattered.
Senju Kyogawa landed outside the "Gate." The moment his Nichirin Sword touched the ground, it broke apart completely, dissolving into specks of starlight that faded into the air.
In his daze, Senju Kyogawa felt someone lift him up. So warm, so steady, so reassuring.
The person wiped the blood from the corner of Senju Kyogawa's mouth. Their gentle manner was just like Senju Haruko's...
[Mom...] Senju Kyogawa mouthed silently, then sank into unconsciousness.
[ Ding!] [Host has completed the mission! Scattered energy fragments from another world have been recovered...] [Issuing rewards...]
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