After the train came to a screeching halt and Enmu's grotesque influence was eradicated, Mitsuri and I began helping the passengers disembark. The chaos had subsided, and thanks to our combined efforts, there were no casualties.
Relief was visible on everyone's faces, though weariness lingered from the nightmare they'd endured. As Mitsuri assisted a child down the steps, I suddenly felt it—an aura, cold and oppressive yet electrifying. It was the presence I'd been anticipating.
Mitsuri froze mid-step, her cheerful expression replaced with tension. "Alex-san, someone's coming. Their aura... it's—"
"I know," I interrupted with a calm smile. "I've been waiting for him."
Her brows furrowed in confusion. "You know who it is?"
"Not by name, no." I stepped forward, my gaze fixed on the distant treeline. "But I know what he represents. Don't worry, Mitsuri. Leave this one to me."
Mitsuri's hesitation was evident, but she nodded, gripping her sword tightly.
As the presence grew closer, my excitement only heightened. Today, I would have the opportunity to face Akaza, the Demon Moon who embodied martial arts at their peak. While he hadn't fully achieved the fabled "Transparent World," he was the closest any demon had come.
This was my chance to test myself against a true martial artist. However, for the fight to be meaningful, I needed to level the playing field. My innate strength, magic, and vampiric abilities far outclassed his. If I used my full power, the fight would be over in an instant, and that was not what I wanted.
Warrior Takemikazuchi's words echoed in my mind: When you meet a true warrior, give them your respect.
Taking a deep breath, I reached inward and began sealing my power. My magic, summoning skills, a significant portion of my stats, and even my vampiric abilities were all suppressed. I felt my aura diminish until it aligned closer to that of a mortal martial artist. Satisfied, I cracked my knuckles, feeling the raw thrill of the challenge ahead.
Akaza emerged from the shadows of the forest, his towering figure illuminated by the pale moonlight. His aura was suffocating, a blend of bloodlust and an unrelenting warrior's spirit. His wild grin revealed sharp fangs, and his fiery orange eyes locked onto mine with predatory focus.
"So, you're the one who killed Enmu," Akaza said, his voice a mixture of amusement and menace. "You don't smell like a Demon Slayer. What are you?"
I returned his grin with one of my own. "I'm someone who's been waiting for a fight like this."
Akaza tilted his head, intrigued. "You don't fear me. Good. Fear is useless in battle. Show me your strength!"
Without another word, he lunged at me, his speed blinding. His fist hurtled toward my face, carrying enough force to pulverize stone. I sidestepped at the last moment, feeling the wind of his strike graze my cheek. My own fist shot forward, aiming for his chest. He blocked with his forearm, the impact sending a shockwave through the ground beneath us.
The fight began in earnest.
Akaza's attacks were relentless, each strike a precise blend of power and technique. His movements were fluid, almost hypnotic, as he transitioned seamlessly from offense to defense. I met him blow for blow, my body moving on instinct. Each clash of fists sent echoes through the night, and the ground around us cracked and splintered under the force of our battle.
"You're good," Akaza admitted, a wild grin spreading across his face. "Better than I expected."
"You're not bad yourself," I replied, ducking under a spinning kick and countering with an uppercut that connected with his jaw. The impact sent him skidding back, but he recovered instantly, his excitement only growing.
Mitsuri watched from a safe distance, her expression a mix of awe and concern. "Alex-san… he's holding his own against a Demon Moon," she whispered to herself.
The hours passed in a blur of strikes, counters, and dodges. Neither of us held anything back, and the sheer intensity of the fight pushed my physical limits. Akaza, however, seemed tireless, his demonic endurance allowing him to keep up his assault without faltering.
As the first rays of dawn began to crest the horizon, Akaza's movements slowed slightly. He glanced toward the lightening sky, a look of frustration crossing his face.
"Tch. The sun…" he muttered, stepping back. "I'd love to continue this fight, but my time is up."
He turned toward the forest, clearly intending to retreat.
But I wasn't done yet.
"Where do you think you're going?" I said, stepping into his path.
Akaza growled, his eyes narrowing. "Do you want me to die here? The sun is rising. Our fight is over."
I smirked, raising my hand. "Not quite."
A massive magic circle appeared in the sky above us, its intricate patterns glowing with an ominous light. The air grew heavy, and the ground trembled as the sheer magnitude of the spell unfolded. Mitsuri and Akaza both froze, their faces pale as they stared at the towering structure of energy above them. The world itself seemed to hold its breath, and I could feel the ripple of power spreading across the land.
"W-what is that?" Mitsuri whispered, her voice barely audible.
Even Akaza, who had faced countless battles, looked unnerved. "What… what are you?" he demanded.
I didn't answer. Instead, I spoke the name of the spell. "Super-Tier Magic: Eternal Darkness."
The circle activated, and the sky darkened once more, swallowing the morning light. It was as though the sun itself had been extinguished, plunging the world into an unnatural night.
"There, No Sun. Now we can continue our fight." I said with a wide grin.
Akaza's unease melted away, replaced by a wild grin. "Hah! You really are something else," he said, stepping back into a fighting stance. "If the sun won't stop us, then let's finish this! One of us will fall here."
"Exactly what I had in mind," I replied, matching his stance.
~~~
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