Chapter 111- Fourth Floor: Double Damage

[Remaining Time: 59 minutes 36 seconds]

Rengoku looked at the intruder closely. Although he could tell that this entity was a human, there was something strange about him. First of all, he was able to tank those two devastating attacks without receiving any damage—all while with his eyes closed.

"W-Who are you?" while panting to regain his breathing, the Flame Hashira asked in a labored manner as he saw the Demon scrutinizing the new arrival with keen interest.

The boy moved, making Akaza and Kyojuro, stand on guard, however, soon Rengoku inwardly sighed upon facing the back of the boy.

"Rengoku Kyojuro, protect the others."

It wasn't a request but a statement—was what Rengoku somehow comprehended.

He was about to say something to the person wearing some strange clothes and without any Nichirin sword when suddenly it was the Demom who spoke up.

"You...what are you?" Akaza was looking at the human in front, yet it seemed the human wasn't there at all. Unlike Kyojuro's this new arrival didn't have a burning spirit nor did he seem duty-driven. However, one thing was for sure;

This human was here to hunt.

In response to the question, Haru didn't say anything and launched himself forward. The distance between himself and the Upper Moon was merely ten meters, which was covered in half a second before the black-haired teenager launched his fist toward the Demon's face.

Akaza didn't flinch before he raised his hand to block the punch and intended to counter Haru with a chop of his other hand. However,

**BOOOOOOM**

The moment Haru's punch landed on Akaza's raised palm, the demon's whole arm exploded and turned into a fine paste—splattering around the place and painting both parties' faces as well.

Haru used 'Saegeki', a form of Secret Sword Art, in which he enhances his physical strength for a particular moment and pushes his blade through the opponent's defense. However, Haru used the technique without the use of a blade.

He didn't miss the chance before holding Akaza's face with his bare hand and using his enhanced physicality to plant the demon on the ground.

**DHAAK**

The ground trembled and a cobweb of the crater formed around Akaza's body, as he felt the great impact delivered to him at double the speed compared to how the human moved a moment ago.

'Interesting...' A grin extended the Upper Moon's lips before he regenerated his arm and held Haru's collar before planting his upturned barefoot in his torso.

"KHUK!" Haru groaned as he felt his ribs being broken by the very first attack he received from the demon. The fact he no longer holds 'Infinity' greatly hampered his battle coordination as Haru let go of Akaza and jumped back.

Akaza stood back up with an elevated smile across his face and a strong aura radiating from his body.

Haru was able to use minimal RCT as he healed himself and stared at the demon.

'He is strong...brutally so...' Haru concluded, as he wiped the blood from the side of his lips.

Just as he removed the finger from his lip, the figure of the demon was already inches away from his body, with Akaza's straightened fingers aiming for Haru's heart.

The air extruding from the attack was fierce enough to make Rengoku flinch.

However, Haru had trained enough Ten'i Muhou to calmly evade the attack with minimal movement and hold Akaza's offered arm, before throwing the demon over his shoulder.

**BOOOM**

Another loud regeneration of shockwave occurred as the cloud of dust erupted from the place where Akaza was thrown.

"Hahaha!! Interesting!" Akaza's enthusiastic yet evil laughter resonated as he delivered numerous ariel shock waves of rapid punches toward Haru.

Haru was unable to discern the nature of the attack until it didn't hit him and the boy incurred heavy damage on his torso, chest, and face.

Akaza appeared behind Haru just the precise moment, his feet began to stagger. However, Haru was prepared for that, as he summoned his sword in a flash and pierced it right behind him.

"Hoo~" Akaza raised his brows as his hand halted upon feeling the shimmering black blade passing through his stomach. However, that didn't stop the Demon from slashing his hand diagonally and breaking Haru's collarbone.

"Ugh!" Haru gritted his teeth before taking his sword out, rotating in a circular movement and using the secret sword art, 'Madoka' he delivered the exact amount of damage to the demon, which the swordsman received.

Akaza's collarbone was split open as the sword plunged inside his skin. However, before he can break the sword with his bare hand, Akaza notices something.

His skin was rotting.

"Oi, oi. What is this all about?" After taking some distance from Haru, Akaza dug out the flesh around his rotting skin before throwing it away.

However, the Cursed Energy Haru applied to his blade was still actively withering the Demon and making him unable to let go of it.

Akaza understood that there was something in the sword that was making his flesh decay.

'Hmm?' Even Haru was surprised since he didn't think that his Cursed Energy imbued to the blade would have such an effect on the demon.

'Is he really decaying...no!' Haru realized that Cursed Energy wasn't just damaging the Demon but making that certain part, age at a rapid pace.

'The battle can become a lot easier in this way...' Haru wasn't confident to battle with Akaza in hand-to-hand combat, that's why he called forth his blade. And now, seeing the adverse effect of his Ittou Shura, he knew, he could finish the objective.

On the other hand, Akaza also realized what effect this energy was having on him as he no longer tried getting rid of his flesh. The growing effect of the damage was making his movement a little dull.

The most efficient and beneficial method for the Upper Moon would be to retreat right now and ask for his master's blood for recovery. Since sunrise was nearing and his opponent seemed to be way stronger than the Hashira, Akaza seemed to have a very clear option to escape.

But,

"Kukuku...I see. How interesting. Show me what you got and let's battle to death, human!" Bending his knees and taking a fighting stance, Akaza announced his intentions.

The real battle starts now.

*****

A/N:- I hope the fight isn't bland. Drop a comment if you are liking the story so far.