The Asynchronous Dream Space was not a paradise of rest; it was an overheated server.
Jonathan's eight avatars stood upon the platform of dark crystal.
Alpha. Beta. Gamma. Delta. Epsilon. Zeta. Eta. Theta.
Eight lives.
Eight worlds.
Eight sets of physical laws.
At the center of them all, the Sage Core processed information, projecting an immense tree of abstract syntax that represented Unified Energy.
Compilation of Unified Energy completed in its theoretical phase, the Sage Core announced, its voice resonating in all eight minds simultaneously.
The fundamental principles of Ki, Falna, Chakra, Ethernano, Haki, and Nen have been decoded and intertwined. The equation is perfect.
The avatars observed the diagram.
It was a masterpiece of metaphysical engineering. It showed how will (Haki/Nen) could pressurize vitality (Ki/Falna) to manipulate matter (Chakra/Magic) without stamina loss.
Delta extended his hand toward the diagram.
Before he could touch it, red warning lines crossed the projection.
Critical structural warning.
The theory is absolute, but the organic hardware is deficient.
Knowledge has been distributed to all nodes, allowing the inference of basic abilities.
However, attempting to execute advanced techniques without prolonged physiological conditioning will result in user self-destruction.
Beta crossed his arms, his face hardened by years of blows in the dojo.
"In other words," he said, "knowing how to build a nuclear engine doesn't mean we can install it in a wooden chassis."
He looked at the others.
"We can use the basic principles. Controlled breathing. Surface hardening. Things our human anatomy can tolerate."
Alpha nodded slowly.
"But destructive techniques… will require years of cellular adaptation."
He remembered the day he had nearly died under the extreme gravity of his first world.
"If Epsilon tries to fire a Saiyan-level Ki blast using his current Chakra channels, his meridians will incinerate."
Affirmative, the Sage confirmed.
Higher-level abilities will require local research, technical development, and a prolonged regimen of micro-fractures and regeneration.
Gamma lowered his gaze to his hands.
"Then the theory gives us direction," he said, "but blood will pay the toll."
He raised his eyes.
"Disconnect. We have work to do."
The crystal space shattered into a million pieces.
The Snow
In a forest of frozen fir trees, beneath a waning moon hidden behind storm clouds, real time resumed for Gamma.
The freezing air entered his lungs like ground glass.
He was thirteen years old biologically. He wore the uniform of the Demon Slayers. His dull gray Nichirin sword was drawn.
Ten meters away, a grotesque creature drooled dark blood onto the snow.
It was not a Demon Moon.
But it was an anomalous mutation.
The demon had four arms ending in bone blades. Its skin possessed a density that had chipped Gamma's sword during the first clash.
Behind him, leaning against the trunk of a tree and breathing with difficulty, was a young slayer.
Her haori bore the pattern of butterfly wings.
Kanae Kocho.
Her sword was cracked.
The demon had ambushed her before Gamma intercepted the killing blow.
"Retreat…" Kanae whispered, coughing blood.
"Its bones are harder than steel. You can't cut its neck."
Gamma did not move.
His eyes remained locked on the demon.
Target analysis:
Mutant demon.
Estimated subcutaneous bone density: 4.5 on the Mohs scale.
Conclusion:
Standard Water Breathing cuts will not exceed the neck's surface tension.
Suggestion:
A massive increase in impact force is required.
Gamma thought.
If strength isn't enough… I'll use inertia.
Sage Core, he thought, integrate Eta's Soru for movement. Combine it with Epsilon's Lightning Chakra to eliminate muscular latency.
His intention was simple.
Decapitate the demon before it could see the movement.
Severe medical warning:
Your muscles are not conditioned to withstand ten supersonic kicks.
Probability of massive tearing and neural burns: 97%.
Gamma answered without hesitation.
"Execute."
The Error
The demon roared and charged toward him.
Four bone blades sliced the air, forming a deadly net.
Gamma inhaled deeply.
He forced the technique.
The pain was instant.
His legs felt as if sulfuric acid ran through his veins.
The muscles in his thighs tore internally with a sound even Kanae heard.
Gamma vanished.
A sonic burst shattered the snow.
The demon attacked… empty space.
Gamma appeared in its blind spot, in midair, his sword descending toward its neck.
But his body collapsed.
His right leg spasmed violently.
His center of gravity broke.
The cut lost power.
The sword struck the demon's neck…
And lodged halfway through the bone.
The demon slowly turned its head.
It smiled.
It raised a blade to impale Gamma.
Structural failure detected.
Right leg disabled.
Lethal impact in 0.2 seconds.
Back to Basics
Gamma's mind entered Cognitive Acceleration.
Go back to the basics.
Forget magic.
Use physics.
He released the sword with his left hand.
He used his right arm as a pivot over the demon's back.
He spun in the air, dodging the claw by a millimeter.
While rotating, his free hand closed into a fist.
He used no magic.
No energy.
Only biomechanics.
Beta's rooting technique channeled his entire body mass into a single point.
To that he added the simplest principle of Haki:
a micro-hardening of the skin over his knuckles.
He struck the hilt of his own sword.
Like driving a nail.
The impact acted like a pneumatic hammer.
The pressure shattered the demon's bone.
The blade passed completely through the neck.
The demon's head fell onto the snow.
The body staggered before disintegrating into ash.
Consequences
Gamma fell to the ground.
His right leg was destroyed.
The torn muscles bled internally.
His left arm trembled from the recoil.
The sword lay warped in the snow.
Post-combat:
Target eliminated.
Grade 3 tear in right quadriceps.
Micro-fractures in left metacarpals.
Note:
Use of unconditioned variables nearly terminated the subprocess.
Gamma closed his eyes.
I know.
Lesson learned.
He heard footsteps in the snow.
Kanae crawled toward him and knelt.
Her hands trembled as she applied bandages.
She pressed pressure points to stop the bleeding.
"You're an idiot," she murmured.
"You broke your own leg just to move like that."
Her voice trembled.
"No one fights like that. It's suicidal."
Gamma opened one eye.
"If I hadn't," he replied hoarsely,
"the angle of its claw would have cut you in half."
Pause.
"Bones heal. People don't always."
Kanae fell silent.
Her violet eyes met his.
In the world of the Demon Slayers, sacrifice was common.
But the calculated coldness with which Gamma had destroyed his own body to win…
unsettled her.
She tightened the bandage more than necessary.
Gamma hissed in pain.
"Make sure you survive long enough for those bones to heal, swordsman."
Kanae looked away.
Gamma nodded.
Snow began to fall.
It slowly covered the demon's ashes.
Lying on the ice, Gamma understood the truth.
Unified Energy existed in his mind.
But for his body—and the bodies of his other seven selves—to withstand it…
they would have to pass through physical hells in every world.
They would study the limits of flesh.
Forge new techniques.
And bleed for every drop of real power.
The Architect already had the blueprint.
Now the real construction began.