pillar man 2.0

Chapter 41: Illusory Battle, Part 2

Kokushibo stands outside the chief's house, engaged in a fierce battle against numerous enemies. Normally, this would be manageable, but he must also protect Soloctis.

As time passes, Kokushibo notices something strange about his enemies.

*"Strange… While I do have to defend a few strikes aimed at Soloctis, their attempts are far fewer than expected. If I were in their place, I'd focus all my attacks on him. What are they trying to achieve?"* Kokushibo thinks, puzzled by their behavior.

"Hey, you stay here. The rest of us will go help the Matriarch," one of the demons says before running off with four others.

This statement enrages Kokushibo.

Firing a bone bullet at them, he roars,

*"If you think you'll get past me while I'm here, you're gravely mistaken!"*

Fueled by anger, Kokushibo attacks with ferocity. Each strike is as precise as a surgeon's, severing tendons and joints in his opponents' legs. For those he cannot immobilize, he uses his Transparent World ability to target the gaps between their vertebrae.

Unfortunately, the sheer number of enemies and their well-coordinated tactics prevent Kokushibo from finishing anyone off.

The demons do not hold back either. Kokushibo has endured multiple attacks—most of which he absorbs to protect Soloctis.

Soloctis's crying only aggravates Kokushibo further.

*"Filthy creatures, I will cleanse this land of you!"* he shouts, channeling his rage into increasingly stronger and faster strikes. But with his precision compromised, his attacks begin to falter.

"Hikaru, let's hit him with everything we've got! His recovery can't keep up anymore," says a demon with long braided hair.

This apparent underestimation infuriates Kokushibo further. Even the slightest reduction in his accuracy becomes a problem, as strikes that miss their mark get caught in bones or fail to disable his enemies.

Kokushibo unleashes everything in his arsenal—freezing veins, burning his enemies, dual-wielding his katana and bone sword, firing bone bullets, activating his Hunter's Mark, and using the Transparent World. Yet none of it is enough.

It's one man against an entire battalion, with a significant handicap. His situation grows increasingly dire, and even his exceptional regeneration cannot keep up with his mounting injuries.

In a moment of distraction, Kokushibo loses track of Soloctis, who is captured by the demons.

*"No! Soloctis!"*

"Aiko, we've captured the $%%#* __ ÷×_>_%."

*(Author's note: Why did I censor this name? Mwahaha!)*

Kokushibo's fury peaks as he realizes his failure.

*"Damn it! I'm so useless. I couldn't complete a simple mission against these lowly demons."*

At that moment, Kokushibo's anger evolves into a cold, silent fury—a silence that brings death. His mind clears, consumed only with thoughts of inflicting pain and suffering on his enemies.

He charges at a female demon, slicing her chest. She freezes in fear, unable to react.

*"Aaaaah! Yumi, help me!"* she screams. The sudden development catches everyone off guard.

Hearing this, Yumi runs to her aid, but before she can reach Kokushibo, veins erupt from the ground like a trap.

Kokushibo raises his blade to finish the demon.

*"Please, don't kill her! I'll do anything you want, even return the—"*

Yumi stops mid-sentence as Kokushibo's blade descends. His mind is utterly devoid of any thought beyond killing.

*"Stay still!"* Another demon leaps at Kokushibo—a massive figure both in height and weight. Despite his size, the demon seems to defy gravity, crossing Kokushibo's trap with a single bound.

Sensing the danger, Kokushibo halts his attack and prepares to defend himself. The impact of the demon's strike is immense. If Kokushibo were an ordinary human, his arms would have shattered.

*"Sakura, get up and leave!"*

*"But Taro, you'll face him alone—"*

*"Shut up! If you die here, what will happen to Yami?"*

Understanding Taro's concern for her and the others, Sakura obeys.

*"Go help the Matriarch. I'll handle him alone."*

*"Taro, thank you so much,"* Yami says, tears streaming as he reaches Sakura's side. His gratitude is immeasurable.

*"Yami, if you don't marry her after this, I'll kill you myself,"* Taro jokes with a wide grin on his round face. The grin vanishes as Kokushibo's kick lands squarely on his face.

Kokushibo stands emotionless, his gaze piercing through souls, radiating a murderous aura that terrifies the weak.

*"You bastard, I'll show you your grave tonight,"* Taro snarls, furious at being caught off guard. He charges at Kokushibo, but Kokushibo's heightened senses allow him to dodge.

Kokushibo counters with relentless strikes from his dual blades. When one attack misses, the other compensates with lightning speed.

Despite his bulk, Taro moves with surprising agility and strength.

From the corner of his eye, Kokushibo sees the demon carrying Soloctis hand him over to an elderly woman in a nearby house. She accepts the child with a smile.

After delivering Soloctis, twelve demons enter the chief's house.

Kokushibo tries to stop them, but Taro proves an impenetrable wall.

Taking this as another insult, Kokushibo's intensity grows.

Taro's attacks are like hammer blows—heavy and powerful. During the battle, one of his strikes demolishes a nearby house, leaving it in ruins.

Using the rising dust, Kokushibo blinds Taro momentarily and strikes his Achilles tendon.

Taro collapses like a giant felled by a single stroke. Kokushibo seizes the opportunity, delivering countless cuts.

In the chaos, Taro disarms Kokushibo of one weapon. While Kokushibo retrieves it, Taro heals his tendon and rises.

Throughout the fight, white smoke with a pungent smell begins to emanate from Taro's body, especially his mouth. His once-bulky frame slims down, muscles becoming defined and chiseled.

Kokushibo grows weary from the prolonged battle, each of Taro's movements potentially fatal. But his Transparent World keeps him sharp, ensuring his exhaustion does not hinder him.

Taro, however, seems unstoppable, exuding boundless energy.

As his muscles shrink further, disappearing along with the smoke, Taro's strikes remain just as powerful.

(Author's note: In the next chapter, I'll explain Taro's abilities and why his body is changing like this. Kokushibo's strategy to blind Taro follows basic street-fighting principles: 1. Blind your enemy. 2. Use any weapon available. 3. Leverage your environment against them.)

Hope you enjoyed it.

End of Chapter