"Hexed Mirror Realm." - Chapter 118 

"Hexed Mirror Realm." - Chapter 118 

Geto rushed down, descending like a hawk with the Playful Cloud raised high in his hands. His aim was clear: end it in one clean strike. Ren was falling. Ren wasn't even moving his arms. Easy kill.

But then—

Ren smiled.

Not a pained smile. Not desperation.

A smirk.

And then Ren puffed up his cheeks.

WHOOSH!! BOOM!!!

A massive jet of cursed water erupted from his mouth like a cannon.

"Flood Maw—Second Technique: Water Beam!" Ren thought, eyes wide and unblinking.

The beam surged upward with tremendous force, blasting toward Geto's face at full speed.

But Geto moved just as quickly. His mouth twisted into a command.

"Mirror Yokai (Kagami no Yōkai)!"

CLANG!!

A translucent, floating mirror appeared instantly between them, conjured from cursed energy—and in its surface, Ren saw his own reflection, distorted slightly by the arcane glass.

His own attack struck it.

CRACK!!!

The mirror shattered into hundreds of gleaming shards, falling around them like a glassy rain.

But then—

BOOM!!

The water beam came back, reversed completely, and blasted toward Ren!

Ren yanked his red stitch fast, pulling himself hard to the side midair. The water beam scraped past, barely missing him.

But his legs were still moving.

Jerking. Twitching.

Dancing.

Ren had no control over them. His body floated only due to false gravity—his own limbs weren't cooperating.

His mind was a burning fire.

'My legs… my legs still aren't under my control. This is that goddamn "Yūrei no Mai"—it"'s forcing me to dance! This is absurd!'

He glared down at Geto, who was still falling but with a new presence behind him.

A small creature, no bigger than a child's torso, floated in the air, made of hundreds of glass shards suspended in a vague humanoid shape. It grinned wide, eyes glittering.

A Shattered Imp.

Jagged. Sharp. Chaotic. And too fast.

Ren's brain screamed.

'What the fuck is "Mirror Yokai?! What is this "Shattered Imp"? That thing summoned a mirror and reflected my own technique?! And then there's that Yūrei no Mai—it's screwing my whole stance!'

His chest rose and fell. Everything was wrong.

'And Tamamo-no-Mae… that one's the true threat. A special grade… and I still don't even know what it does. The others might be first-grade or semi-special, but that one—!'

His fists clenched.

'Why didn't Geto use any of this against Yuta?! What the hell were we reading in the manga?! This is—!'

Before Ren could think further—

FLASH!!

A white blur slammed into Geto, crashing through curses and smashing the man sideways.

MAHORAGA.

The Divine General had adapted again. Its arms moved like coiled springs, wings folded back. It dived.

Ren's eyes snapped to it.

It came at him.

The Sword of Extermination gleamed as Mahoraga lunged at full force, blade raised overhead.

It was too fast.

Ren couldn't dodge.

So he pushed it.

"OVERDRIVE!!!"

Ren's cursed energy ignited, red and roaring, as his whole body surged with destructive force.

He raised his sword.

CLANGGGGG!!!!!!!

The swords collided.

A shattering sound rang out, echoing over the battlefield.

Ren and Mahoraga were both blasted apart by the impact.

Their cursed energy rippled through the sky.

Ren's entire body spun. His earrings ripped free. His shoulder bled. His fingers were numb. His teeth were clenched hard in pain.

But—

He had blocked the hit.

He survived.

Ren growled and didn't stop.

Red Stitch burst from his hand, pulling him like a hookshot straight toward Geto—who was now suspended midair, curses floating around him like armor.

Three curses surrounded Geto, protecting him.

But Geto was ready for more.

He didn't even flinch. His foot stepped onto one of the smaller courses, using them like stepping stones.

He stood midair.

And then—he grinned.

"Tamamo-no-Mae… Use it!" Geto spoke clearly and loudly.

"Domain Expansion: Hexed Mirror Realm."

A wave of energy erupted around him.

Ren and Mahoraga both froze.

In a split second—everything began to change.

And—