NOVEL NEXT Chapter 48: NO. 48 - Awakening of the Fallen
AN:
A quick word from me before we get into the heat of things.
It seems that there has been a lot of negative feedback in the last few chapters regarding the flow of events and character decisions.
I was going to write a long list of why I did what I did, but that would be pointless. My reasoning over why the events from the Overhaul fight happened the way they did is in the writing. Whether some of you are able to comprehend that isn't something I can help. ┐(´ー｀)┌
If you decide to drop the story because Souta isn't some omnipresent, overpowered, emotionless, super genius, perfect protagonist, that's okay. I'm sure you'll find another story on WebNovel that will tickle your fancy.
For all of you who are enjoying my story for what it is, thanks for your continued support and comments. It's what keeps me writing! (๑˘︶˘๑)
Now then, without further ado. Let's get on with the show!
-
[General POV]
Bubaigawara Jin's Quirk was called, Double.
It was a Quirk that allowed Jin to create an exact duplicate of anything, living or not. To duplicate something, he first needs to know its precise measurements and characteristics.
When they receive enough damage, the clones Jin creates will disappear. However, instead of disappearing into nothing, they decayed into a mud-like substance. The duplicates created were less durable than the original, and the second duplicate was even less durable than the first. This continues with each new copy made by a copy.
When Jin creates a duplicate of a person, he personally has no control over the clones because they have their own autonomy, personalities, and abilities that are utterly identical to the original.
"Take this! My ultimate attack!" Jin yelled as he pointed a finger at Kai. "Sad Man's Parade!"
Up on the rooftops, the small legion of Kaina clones all lifted their rifles and fired their weapons at the momentarily stunned Head of the Yakuza. Bullets rained down on Kai, with dozens of loud cracks filling the sky.
"What is this?! Is this your Quirk?!" Kai yelled as he raised a golden barrier over him to defend himself from the hail of bullets.
Due to the constant onslaught of powerful gun fire, the barrier over Kai began to crack fast until it shattered. Dashing to the side, Kai evaded the wave of bullets, but a few shots struck true.
Grunting in pain, Kai quickly broke down and repaired his tattered arms. Sending a wave of excruciating pain through him, as his Quirk always did whenever he used it on himself.
"Damn pests!" Kai spat out.
"You're the pest!" A small army of Jin clones dashed toward Kai with anger in their eyes. "Yeah! We're gonna kick your ass until there's nothing left!" Another clone roared as he drew out his katanas. Several yells of agreement rumbled through the crowd of clones.
"I'm going to shove my sword up your ass!"
"Let's give him the people's elbow!"
"Spit in his cereal!"
Running at high speeds, several clones leaped at Kai and swung down their respective weapons. Glaring at the large number of clones, Kai swiped three arms at the nearest group. As his fingers brushed past the clone's bodies, Kai activated his Quirk, forcing them to explode violently.
Looking down, Kai growled in annoyance as a mud-like substance poured over the ground from where he killed the seven clones. 'They're not made of flesh and blood.' Kai thought.
"Those barriers of his are tricky." A Kaina clone said as she tore off a strand of her hair to turn it into a long bullet. Loading it into her arm, she raised her sniper and adjusted her aim. "Even so, I'll make you pay for what you did, you piece of shit."
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Moving back to dodge another wave of bullets, the young Head was given no time to collect himself as he was either assaulted by a hail of bullets or a swarm of Jin clones.
Down the street, away from the battle, Himiko seized the opportunity and snatched up the surprised Eri from the ground despite her mental turmoil. "It's time to go, Eri-chan!"
"W-what about them?" Eri asked as Himiko limped away from the battle.
"They'll be okay! We just have to-"
"I don't think so!" Kai yelled as he pressed his hands onto the ground.
Within seconds, an expanding wave of huge spikes erupted from the ground. Skewering several incoming waves of Jin clones and destroying the surrounding buildings into pieces. The Kaina clones above tried to move back before they toppled down with their respective perches, but only half of them were successful in retreating into safety.
"Shit." The original Kaina muttered as she ran behind the alleyways, catching glimpses of the destruction Kai caused with a single move. Behind her, the original Jin did his best to keep up despite his injured thigh. "This fucker is strong."
"He was a lot stronger before," Jin said between huffs. "Souta… Souta was able to force him into the form he's in now. I don't think we'd stand a chance against that monster form of his. Hold on! Can he still turn into that!"
"Let's hope not." Kaina and Jin turned the corner and continued running. "But taking down Overhaul isn't our objective. It's getting Eri-chan out of here."
Exiting the alley, Kaina looked around and spotted Himiko and Eri struggling to get away across the street.
"Himiko-chan! Over here! Hurry." Kaina yelled as she looked down the street, where hundreds of Jin clones rushed Kai despite being obliterated. Up above, the remaining Kaina clones fired off rapid-fire shots at the six-armed man. "We need to use this distraction while it lasts. At this rate, it won't be long before he runs out of clones to kill."
"Kaina-Oneechan! Jin-kun!" Himiko smiled as she dashed toward her two friends from behind the car they were using as cover.
"We're using our backup escape route." Kaina told Himiko as she and Eri reached them. Holding her arms out, Himiko handed Eri to Kaina. "Move fast and stay low. Let's go."
"Right."
Feeling a far-off explosion rumble through the streets, the four began moving once again. As they traveled through the streets using the chaos as cover, Himiko approached Jin with an anxious expression.
"Jin-kun," Himiko said in a small voice, causing Jin to look away. "Is it true? Is… is Sukuna-kun…"
"It's true," Jin muttered. "Souta is… he's gone, Toga-chan. He died… saving my life. It's all my fault. I'm so, so sorry."
Himiko's expression became crestfallen as she fought back a sob. "It's not your fault, Jin-kun. It's not… anyone's fault but Overhauls! I swear, I'll kill him one day! I'll gut him! I'll make him pay for what he did!"
"Pick up the pace, you two! We don't have a lot of time-"
Crack!
A large wall made of concrete and asphalt rose in front of the four, causing Eri's eyes to widen in terror as she realized they'd been found. Kaina cursed as she turned back to watch Kai walking over to them, his body covered in sliding mud. But what caught her attention was his burning golden eyes piercing at her.
"No, he's not looking at me," Kaina muttered as Himiko and Jin stood in front of both her and Eri.
"That bastard won't stop at nothing to get Eri-chan back."
x x x
[Shimizu Souta POV]
Turn a negative into a positive.
Multiply negative cursed energy by itself.
Combine them! Smash them together!
…
There it is.
The core.
Grab it. Hold onto it. Make it yours!
…
Finally.
The Reverse Cursed Technique.
Blinking, my surroundings slowly came into focus. I looked down and saw several concrete spikes stabbing deeply into my body. Using my only remaining arm, I pushed myself free and stumbled back. Due to the blood loss, my knees gave out from under me.
I looked down at the bleeding holes within my body and transformed my remaining curse energy into positive energy. Slowly, I began to heal myself with RCT, just to the point where I wouldn't die. Unfortunately, I didn't have enough left over to heal my arm back.
As my body healed and my blood recovered, I reached up and ripped off my bloodied white kimono top and tight black shirt, leaving me shirtless.
When I was sufficiently healed, I stood up on wobbly legs and stared at my newly healed but still bloodied body. Despite feeling the effects of CE exhaustion, I couldn't help but feel extraordinary.
"How wonderful," I muttered with a smile. "My mind feels so… so clear." Looking up, I enjoyed the feeling of the wind on my face. "Was this what Gojo felt?"
Once I felt my lightheadedness disappear, I finally noticed the floating screen in front of me, and a crazy grin stretched across my face at what I read.
[Congratulations on receiving over 900 SP in one go! You have unlocked a limited-time event! Any of your draws will now have an added 45% chance of winning one of your chosen Tier's highest-level prizes!]
[Time Remaining on Event: 00:00:55]
"Nothing says Gacha like a limited-time event." Snapping my fingers, I summoned my Gacha system and checked my current points.
[Total SP: 7491]
"Use 3500 SP," I spun the dial and waited. With a satisfying click, the Gacha machine's lid flipped open to reveal a glowing prize ball.
Lifting it tenderly, I snapped open the lid and grinned.
[You have pulled: Okkotsu Yuta's Curse Energy Reserves! Rank: Platinum.]
Without wasting another second, I immediately equipped Yuta's reserves of cursed energy. Restoring all of my lost energy and fueling myself with the second-largest reserves of CE from all of JJK.
With so much CE at my disposal, I felt an incredible boost of power fill me. Further boosting my current high.
If I were to compare Tsukumu Yuki's CE reserves with Okkotsu Yuta's, it would be like comparing a kiddie pool with a large pond! This is amazing!
"This won't do," I muttered, raising my right bisected arm. Immediately, a burst of steam rose out of my bicep as bone, flesh, blood, and skin grew. Flexing my new right arm, I grinned widely with euphoria. "Better!"
"Hah-hah! Again! Use 3500 SP!"
[...You have pulled: Ryomen Sukuna's Cursed Technique, Shrine! Rank: Platinum.]
At the sight of one of my most highly sought-after techniques after I first received my Gacha system, I began to chuckle. That chuckle soon turned to a small giggle before becoming full-blown laughter.
"The heavens must be smiling upon me today!" I yelled as I held my arms up and danced over my own spilled blood, splashing and spreading the crimson liquid around me while my tattoos burned to life.
"Now then… time for round two."
Turning my head, I listened and watched the chaos and destruction in the distance shake the surrounding area. With a grin, I brushed back my hair and stared up at the smoke-filled blue sky.
"…switch."
x x x
[General POV]
"Enough of these petty tricks!"
Kai roared as he slammed all his hands on the ground. "I'll just rip you all to shreds! I'll fix Eri once you're all dead."
"Incoming!" Jin yelled in panic as a wave of spikes rushed them. Running forward, Jin sent out a massive group of clones to try and slow down the wave of death. Unfortunately, the legions of clones were only able to slightly slow down the onslaught of rushing spikes.
"Kaina-oneechan! Take Eri and run!" Himiko yelled as she swung her blunted sword onto the wall, using the blade's imbued technique to break a small but large enough hole in the wall behind them. "Go! Hurry! We'll slow him down!"
"You're asking me to leave you both to die!" Kaina yelled in disbelief as she held Eri tighter to her chest. Causing the crying girl to cover her head with her hands. "There's no way you two can slow that down!"
"Just stop it! Let me go, and you all won't die!" Eri yelled in despair as the wave of spikes finally neared them all.
"No one's dying today."
A cold but calm voice said as a bloodied and shirtless figure blurred in between them all and the incoming wave of death.
Himiko, Jin, Eri, and Kaina watched in disbelief as a completely healed Souta swiped his right arm to the side.
"Dismantle."