Multiversal Manifestation System

Wang Zi felt very excited just learning that he would get to talk to the characters he thought were only works of someone's mind in the past. But it seems the system hinted otherwise.

"That's right. Since the system said 'their own world' then they must exist. Multiverse huh." Wang Zi thought.

"Whew, one thing at a time. First I need to focus on the freshman competition. Now there's just a little surprise left to boost my SP a little bit before I start preparing for it."

And as Wang Zi was thinking about his next move, he heard the system's beautiful sound,

"DING!

Quest 2 completed.

Quest 2: Get popular.

Objective: Have you work be read by more than 10.000.000 people.

Reward: Unlock character manifestation with SP for the work's world. Ability Selection Card(S)x1, Combat Manifestation Card(S)x1, Item Manifestation Card(S) x1."

Would the host like to use the rewards now?"

"I knew it, this episode would be enough to finish this. That's good, it makes things easier for my little surprise." Wang Zi then ordered, "Use the Item Manifestation Card(S) first system, it should be usable on a nichirin sword right?"

"Yes Host. What sword would you like the system to manifest?"

"Heh, is that even a question? Give me Rengoku's sword. Even though I don't plan on using swords in the long run, its not bad to have a weapon at the start. My body is still not good enough for me to not use one."

"Affirmative Host. Manifesting Rengoku Kyojuro, the flame Hashira's Nichirin Sword... Manifestation completed. Item stored in inventory."

Wang Zi wanted to immediately grab the sword, but he managed to control himself. He was going to use all the rewards first, before he got to the good parts.

"There's enough time for that. I need to think now..." Wang Zi was seriously thinking about what to do next.

"System can the Combat Manifestation Card(S) be used to manifest Rengoku to fight?"

"Negative host. Rengoku Kyojuro is of the SR tier."

"Sigh." Wang Zi wasn't too surprised, "I should have expected it. He was strong and had a great influence in the world after all."

"What about Ability Selection Card(S)x1? Can I get his mastery of the Flame Breathing through this card?"

"...Yes Host. Rengoku Kyojuro's experience using the Flame Breathing is S tier. Does the host want to use Ability Selection Card(S)x1?"

"Wait." He suddenly thought of something, "system, since Flame Breathing was simplified from Sun Breathing, is the price still the same if I learn Flame Breathing before buying it??"

"No Host. The cost will be reduced by the amount the Flame Breathing costs."

"Very good. Then everything's settled, my plans can move foward." Wang Zi was happy with the results. Although he couldn't fight alongside one of his favorite characters for now, the future was still there.

"System, use the Ability Selection Card(S) and get me Rengoku's mastery over the flame breathing method. Then display what characters I can use the Combat Manifestation Card(S) on."

"Affirmative Host. Manifesting..."

Wang Zi then felt a surge of information entering his head. He was ready for the pain, but he didn't feel any, he just felt like he had extra memories that seemed to have been there before, just not accessible.

"Huh. I guess skipping the pain isn't all bad. Once again the novels lied. Or maybe its because of the Rinnegan boosting my soul's power? Whatever."

"Flame Breathing... Fascinating. I'll have to see if I can use it instead of the Basic Breathing Method ASAP. Now the character card..." Wang Zi quickly refocused on the system panel hovering in front of him.

"List of characters for Combat Manifestation Card(S):

[Wind Hashira] Sanemi Shinazugawa;

[Serpent Hashira] Obanai Iguro;

[Love Hashira] Mitsuri Kanroji;

[Mist Hashira] Muichiro Tokito;

[Insect Hashira] Shinobu Kocho;

[Beast Breathing] Inosuke Hashibira;

[Thunder Breathing] Zenitsu Agatsuma;

..."

"As expected, none of those who are actually useful to me are there... Demon Slayer's combat power ceiling is kind of low after all, after the freshman competition none of them will probably be of much use. If I had gotten an SR it would have been better."

"Maybe Zenitsu's speed could play a role... Sigh. System can the card only be used in this world? Or can I save it for later use?"

"The card can be used in any world the host has brought to reality."

"Yeah, I'll probably hold on to it then. The Hashira's characters are good, and they would be reliable allies, but their power ceiling is just too low. Its mostly the world's fault, but still... I'll have to see if I can bring them over, at least the ones that died."

"Okay system, I'll keep the card and not use it." Wang Zi decided.

"Yes, Host."

As Wang Zi closed the system panel, he brought the newly manifested Nichirin Sword out of the inventory. With a swoosh, it showed itself already in his grip.

"Beautiful craftsmanship indeed..." Wang Zi said as he caressed the sword, "even though swords aren't really my thing, it doesn't make it any less beautiful!"

And as Wang Zi started using fire breathing following his new memories, the sword came alive, seemingly turning into a blade made of fire, its flames drew a beautiful yellow and orange-ish trail as he swung his sword around.

"It feels... Unbelievable. To think that one day I'd be able to do this!"

"Its like the fire is flowing around the sword... So cool..."

Unfortunately for Wang Zi, he had no idea how to use a sword, so he was just swinging it around randomly. But he had his plans to fix that.

"Breathing like this poses no problem for my body, probably because of the high stats. Mana makes us surpass human limits after all. It seems the efficiency of Flame Breathing is quite a bit higher than the basic method the principal gave us. I'll stick with it until I get SP to get Sun Breathing then... It should be soon. But first-"

"System, how much SP for Rengoku's swordsmanship? I need it to pair in Flame Breathing. It'll be my main weapon in the freshman competition."

"Scanning...

Swordsmanship Insights: Advanced-level techniques and philosophies gleaned from Rengoku Kyojuro's swordsmanship. This includes insights into timing, precision, and the philosophy of the blade - principles that make Rengoku a master swordsman.

Cost: 15.000.000 SP."

Wang Zi quickly glanced at his system points - System Points: 18.119.377.

"Phew, good. It seems the episode had more of an impact than I thought. I can save up for Sun Breathing quite quickly I think. But to think just swordsmanship insights would cost so much, how much would getting Rengoku out actually cost? System?"

"If Rengoku has been manifested via a Combat Manifestation Card(SR), and if he agrees to be revived, the cost would be 250.000.000 SP (250M). That includes a new body."

"PFFFFFFFFFT-" Wang Zi spat out his drink, "CLOSE IT, CLOSE THE WINDOW!" he hollered at the system - "Yes Host."

"Ugh, oof, oof... My poor heart! Just give me the insights system, forget I asked anything!"

"Affirmative Host. Manifesting..."

The familiar feeling came over Wang Zi, giving him experience with a sword. He tried swinging his sword around, and this time it felt much more natural.

"Very good. With this, all the pieces are together for my little surprise," said Wang Zi as he got his new body moving around, "I just have to give my new body a few days to actually adapt and sync with the new stuff, and I should be good to go."

"Hua'er, you didn't forget to reserve the character names for me did you?"

The little fairy suddenly showed up, "No master! I've reserved the names of the characters of your work. With the system's help it was easy. Japanese names don't seem very common for some reason. Even if they were, the system would just forcefully take them!" Hua'er explained.

"Alright, get me a new avatar in the V.B., and make it look exactly like Rengoku, clothes included. Also get me a big cloak to cover up. I'm about to let the people of the future meet the 'Flame Hashira'! It will make it easier for me to manifest him later on aswell."

"Okay master! When will you be using the avatar?"

"I'll need 2 or 3 days to get my body used to the sword." Wang Zi thought. "Just get it ready for me and I'll let you know."

3 days later...

Otto, a level 14 warrior, was still hyped up from the latest episode of Demon Slayer.

He had just watched the latest fight between Rengoku and Akaza, and his blood was still boiling from the battle.

The way Rengoku fought, his flame-like swordsmanship, the unshakable will - it left a mark on him. Otto knew he couldn't just sit around. He needed to release all the excitement that was building up inside him.

So he entered the Virtual Colosseum, the most prestigious combat arena in the virtual world. His mind was filled with the desire to test his own strength, to see how far he could push himself after witnessing the Flame Hashira's fiery battle. With his sword drawn and his armor gleaming in the digital light, he entered the queue for the ranked matches, ready to test his skills.

The system soon announced the start of the match, and Otto took his fighting stance. As the arena gates opened, a strange chill ran down his spine.

There was something off about his opponent. He was covered in a large black cloak and stood motionless at the other end of the battlefield.

There was a name above his head - Rengoku Kyojuro.

At first, Otto thought it was just another random fan boy who wasn't worth his time. But when he saw the flickering red and orange robe and sword from underneath the cloak, something inside him stirred. The warrior's instincts kicked in.

"This guy is strong!" Otto thought.

As the fight began, Otto rushed forward, brandishing his sword with practiced ease. He attacked with a horizontal slash, aiming for the cloaked figure's side, expecting to make quick work of his opponent.

But what happened next stopped him dead in his tracks.

"Flame Breathing: First Form: Unknowing Fire!"

He heard his opponent say some words, and then...

The cloaked avatar twisted and met his slash with a single, controlled parry, sending Otto's blade flying back. Otto barely had time to react as the avatar executed a flame-infused counterattack, a fast and aggressive strike, almost like a whirlwind of fire. It was all so quick, precise, that he had no time to react.

And that was it. His avatar disintegrated into starlight. He had lost.

But Otto wasn't even thinking about his defeat, there was something else in his mind. Having just finished watching the latest double episode of Demon Slayer, Rengoku's swordsmanship was fresh in his mind.

Otto took a step back, his mind racing. His heart was beating faster than ever, the excitement from the anime merging with the adrenaline of the fight. He couldn't help but stare into the sky in disbelief. His opponent was using Rengoku's moves - Breath of Flame, First Form: Unknowing Fire.

"Is that...!!!" Otto's heart was about to explode. He was determined to find out if his guess was right.

So he began to spectate Wang Zi's fights. He'd realized something: there was more to Wang Zi's moves than just perfect execution.

The techniques felt alive, almost like they had been honed over the years, learned from the very world of Demon Slayer itself. Otto became a constant spectator in Wang Zi's subsequent matches, intrigued by his mastery of the flame-based techniques.

And he was right on the money. That was indeed Wang Zi, posing as Rengoku. He had no idea someone was already onto him though, not that he cared.

"Nice. The techniques are finally flowing nicely. These people are kind of weak though. Shouldn't warriors be good in face to face combat? I guess its because the levels are still low..." Wang Zi was flabbergasted. He couldn't see other people's status screens, so he had no idea how his stats were compared to other classes.

But an Artist had to be weak in physical stats right? Why were Warriors so weak?

"Whatever, I'm sure I'll find out later. According to Hua'er, after 10 wins in a row the colosseum will send out a message to the surrounding V.B.'s, and at registered members. That should be enough publicity for me." He thought.

Wang Zi's fifth fight was against a level 17 warrior. This time, things were a little different. The opponent was faster, with more tactics. He seemed to sense Wang Zi's reliance on only one move per fight and decided to challenge him head-on. The battle quickly escalated into a clash, but Wang Zi still maintained his edge with the Flame Breathing style.

He opened with Fourth Form: Blooming Flame Undulation, a wide arc of flame that cleaved through his opponent's defenses. But this time, the fight didn't end in a single move. The warrior, although clearly weakened, managed to parry a few solid blows from Wang Zi.

The Colosseum announcer sounded off as Wang Zi blocked and retaliated with Fifth Form: Flame Tiger, sending the enemy flying back. It wasn't a one-move victory, but it still ended quickly.

After that, Wang Zi kept his streak alive. His fame in the Colosseum began to spread. Otto's quiet observations turned into whispers among the other warriors. The fights were going viral.

As Wang Zi climbed through the ranks, his opponents started getting stronger, but none of them could seem to match the power of Flame Breathing.

By his tenth match, the Colosseum announced a special broadcast.

"Attention, warriors! We have a player on a nine-win streak! Come and watch the flames in action - our very own mysterious fighter will face off against a level 19 challenger. Don't miss it!"

The broadcast immediately attracted a massive audience. Alexander had been hearing rumors about this mysterious "Flame Fighter", and when he saw the announcement, he couldn't resist. He logged in, made his way to his private room at the colosseum, and started his stream, eager to watch.

Wang Zi stood in the Colosseum, cloaked and ready. This time, his opponent was a level 19 fighter, and by their face, Wang Zi could tell they weren't planning on holding back.

Wang Zi's eyes narrowed. He had also heard the announcement, and he could tell just by looking around that the place was full.

"This is it. There's enough people. Only one move left to try... Let's end it before giving him a chance. He's got 8 levels on me after all."

He stepped forward, lifting his Nichirin sword high, and shouted:

"Flame Breathing: Ninth Form: Rengoku!!"

In a single fluid motion, a powerful flame erupted from his sword, swirling around him in a glorious display of fire. The flames shot outward in all directions, with a blinding flash that lit up the entire Colosseum.

With an unbelievable fast dash, Wang Zi moved towards his opponent, the flames forming a raging fiery dragon that cloaked him and his blade, before smashing into his opponent!

"HA!" he couldn't help but shout as he slashed down!

BOOOOM!

The fiery dragon exploded on the place that warrior was at and then - then there was nothing. He was gone. 

The force of the blow lifted the cloak from Wang Zi's avatar, just enough to reveal the flame-red colors of Rengoku's clothes underneath, and a glimpse of his face - eyes sharp, long blonde hair with red tips...

As the fire dissipated and the fight ended, Wang Zi let out a quiet exhale, "That felt good... Real good."

He stood in the middle of the Colosseum, surrounded by the remnants of the flames. His robe fluttered slightly in the wind, and the quiet murmur of the audience filled the air.

Wang Zi knew they were all focused on him, so he decided to finish this with style - with Rengoku's style.

So he grinned and said, in a way that everyone could hear... 

"The flame still burns strong! My heart is still ablaze!" Before vanishing from the crowd's eyes.