Kapitel 14: Chapter 14

Muzan, who had been forcefully smacked away by Ginryu's powerful blow, had felt a surge of immense pain shoot through his body.

The impact had almost crushed the entirety of his skull, causing excruciating agony that reverberated through his multiple brains and organs.

It took him a mere five minutes, although it felt like an eternity, to fully recover from the devastating shockwave.

As Muzan regained his composure, he grimly assessed the damage done to his torn clothes and upon seeing it, veins started bulging around his body.

His anger burned hotter than ever before, fueling his desire for revenge. With each step he took, his seething rage echoed ominously, drowning out any other sound in the vicinity.

Back at the village center, a chilling silence enveloped the area. The only audible noise was that of Ginryu voraciously devouring his catch, tearing flesh apart and gnawing on bones.

The heaping piles of severed and still twitching demon parts surrounded him, their desperate attempts to escape the clutches of the ravenous monster proving futile.

The demons that were somehow still intact and alive kept their distance, paralyzed by fear of becoming his next meal.

Caught between their terror of Muzan and Ginryu, the demons found themselves unable to run away or continue their assault.

Their minds were paralyzed by the sheer horror of the situation, unable to discern which of the two terrifying beings was the greater threat.

Thus, they remained frozen in place, unable to escape the clutches of their impending doom.

Unaffected by the demons' plight, Ginryu continued to feast on the demon parts before him, crunching on bones and devouring flesh with insatiable hunger.

Crunch! Crunch!

The resounding sound of Muzan's slow footsteps across the snow sent an ominous echo through the area as he angrily made his way towards Ginryu.

As Muzan reached the center of the village, he was taken aback by the sight that greeted him.

Muzan, who had always treated humans as mere livestock, now found himself face-to-face with a monstrous being who viewed his own kind as nothing more than prey.

It wasn't a matter of bias on Ginryu's part in his enraged state; it was simply because the only source of nourishment available at the heart of the village were demons.

Upon witnessing this, Muzan arrived at a startling conclusion – Ginryu was akin to him or something similar.

He believed that Ginryu had consumed the blue spider lily, which had reacted unexpectedly to his blood, ultimately transforming him into the monstrous creature he had become.

This was perhaps the only way Muzan could comprehend the sheer madness that unfolded before his eyes.

Nevertheless, despite arriving at such a conclusion, Muzan's arrogance and belief in his superiority persisted.

He remained utterly convinced that victory was his and that he could not possibly be defeated and he was resolved to prove his superiority here once and for all

Sensing Muzan's approach, Ginryu still remained focused on replenishing his energy, instinctively deeming the other demons less threatening than the other looming presence.

However, as Muzan drew closer, the demons, who previously cowered in fear, erupted into cheers, believing their creator had arrived to save them.

Their hopes were quickly shattered when Muzan, with a flick of his fingers, caused most of the remaining demons to convulse and twist in grotesque contortions.

Bones cracked, and flesh warped into unnatural shapes until all that remained was a writhing ball of flesh, which ultimately exploded into a crimson mist.

Muzan absorbed their essence, disdainfully dismissing them as a useless bunch.

"What a useless bunch, cant even take care of one dog" Muzan sneered before turning to face Ginryu.

The demons' desperate cries turned into horrified silence as they watched their brethren reduced to nothingness.

Their faith shattered, they realized Muzan's true intentions were far from their salvation. Yet, in this moment of despair, they couldn't help but feel a glimmer of admiration for the sheer power and ruthlessness exhibited by their creator.

Ginryu, witnessing this gruesome spectacle from the corner of his eyes, abruptly halted his feasting, his snarl resonating with fury and frustration.

To him, his prey had vanished before his eyes, stolen by an unknown predator. The rage within him ignited with an intensity unmatched before.

How could he allow such a thing to happen? How could he let someone rob him of his rightful kill?

Driven by his primal instincts and consumed by an all-consuming wrath, Ginryu let out a thunderous snarl, his menacing growl echoing through the air.

Without hesitation, he charged at Muzan, his claws slashing through the air with a terrifying ferocity.

However, Muzan, calculating and observant, had anticipated Ginryu's attack and swiftly evaded the onslaught.

"So you've lost your sense of reason," Muzan remarked, his voice tinged with a mix of condescension and amusement. "Your attacks have become predictable."

With lightning reflexes, Muzan's hand bulked up in muscle mass, enhancing his agility as he artfully dodged Ginryu's wild assaults.

He swiftly maneuvered around the frenzied strikes, closing in on Ginryu's vulnerable blind spots. His confidence grew as he realized that Ginryu's lack of reason had made him susceptible to strategic analysis.

Appearing at Ginryu's side after he had made a wide swing, Muzan poised himself to deliver a devastating counter-attack.

However, Ginryu's heightened instincts alerted him to the imminent danger, prompting him to swiftly step back, putting a safe distance between them.

The clash of their predatory gazes intensified, each observing intently, trying to gauge each others next move.

"I see now," Muzan murmured, a hint of begrudging respect laced within his words. "Your reflexes and strength, are almost, if not equal to mine."

A flicker of uncertainty crossed Ginryu's eyes, his instincts warning him of the impending danger.

The air crackled with an electric tension, their predatory auras intertwining in a deadly dance.

A smirk tugged at the corner of Muzan's mouth as he taunted Ginryu, his voice dripping with arrogance and confidence.

"You are worthy of witnessing the full extent of my power," he declared, sensing the hesitation from his opponent.

Muzan's transformation began, his body contorting and morphing into a fearsome abomination. Strange appendages resembling twisted muscles emerged, adorned with razor-sharp bones that exuded a macabre beauty, further intensifying his already menacing presence.

Ginryu's muscles quivered as he crouched lower, readying himself for the battle that lay ahead. The snow beneath his powerful frame crumbled beneath his immense weight, his heavy breaths scattering the fine powder in an almost poetic display of his impending fury.

It was a confrontation between two monstrous beings, a clash of wills and strength that promised to be nothing short of catastrophic.

The intensity of their gazes locked in a deadly stare, turmoil and violence brewing beneath the surface of their hardened exteriors.

The stage was set for a gruesome battle that would leave a trail of blood and carnage in its wake.

..........

Meanwhile, earlier not too far from the center of the chaotic battleground, the captured villagers had managed to escape their captors.

Disoriented and terrified, they scattered in all directions, seeking safety from the carnage that surrounded them.

Unbeknownst to them, the weaker demons that had fled from the center were now on the hunt, driven by their insatiable hunger for human flesh.

Among the fleeing villagers, some unknowingly called out to their loved ones, unaware that they had succumbed to the demonic curse.

These inadvertent cries for help only served to make it easier for the demons to locate and feast upon their unsuspecting prey.

Panic and despair gripped the villagers as they realized the dire predicament they were in.

In the midst of this chaos, Hana, Ginryu's childhood friend, emerged as a beacon of hope at least to her siblings.

Though still young, her close association with Ginryu had endowed her with a bit of maturity that surpassed her peers.

With an acute sense of the danger that lurked around them, Hana swiftly gathered her remaining siblings and led them to an abandoned dried-up well near their house.

This well had once been a place of joy and laughter for Hana and the other children, but now it would become their sanctuary.

Drawing from the lessons learned during a game of hide and seek with Ginryu and their friends, when one of them fell into the well.

Hana took measures to ensure their safety. At the bottom of the well, she placed soft furs to cushion their fall, along with dried food and a length of rope.

As snow blanketed the ground, she left a trail leading towards the well but took care to erase any obvious signs of their presence, relying on her wits to outsmart the demons.

By a stroke of luck, Hana had not encountered any demons during her preparations. Now, huddled together with her siblings in the confined space of the well, she could only hope that they remained undetected.

Fear permeated the air as they anxiously awaited the demons' departure or the arrival of their mother, who would surely be searching for them amidst the chaos.

Carefully covering the top of the well, leaving just enough space for air to circulate, Hana did her best to seal off their hiding place from prying eyes.

The darkness enveloped them along with the heavy silence hung in the air, broken only by the sound of their own hushed breaths.

In this bleak moment, life and death danced on a razor's edge, and the fate of Hana and her siblings hung precariously in the balance.

As the battle raged on, the world outside grew increasingly gory and gruesome.

The clash of weapons, the screams of the dying, and the guttural roars of the demons echoed around.

The smells of blood and decay mingled in the air, a sickening reminder of the horrors that awaited those unfortunate enough to be caught in the crossfire.

In the midst of this horrifying spectacle, Hana clung tightly to her siblings, their small bodies trembling with fear.

The realization that they had nowhere left to run sank deep into their souls, fueling their desperation to survive.

Each passing moment felt like an eternity, and the darkness of the well became both their shield and their prison.

Hope and terror waged a battle within Hana's heart. She yearned for her mother's embrace, for the safety and comfort that only a parent could provide.

But at the same time, she knew that venturing outside could mean certain death.

In this twisted reality, the line between love and self-preservation blurred, leaving Hana to grapple with the impossible choices that confronted her.

...............…..

Meanwhile, at the heart of the battleground, Muzan and Ginryu engaged in a relentless and blood-soaked confrontation.

Their eyes locked in a deadly stare, each searching for the slightest weakness or opening.

Without warning, Ginryu unleashed a ferocious assault. He dug his claws deep into the snow, flinging it high into the air, creating a blinding blizzard as he charged towards Muzan.

But Muzan, undeterred by the display, utilized his Biokinesis, hardening his whip-like appendages made of muscle and bone to defend against Ginryu's attack.

Using the snow as cover, Ginryu stealthily maneuvered behind Muzan, his lethal claws poised to tear his opponent apart.

Unbeknownst to Ginryu, Muzan had created a set of eyes behind him, allowing him to track every move.

With his elongated appendages, Muzan launched a counter-attack, aiming to strike Ginryu's heart.

Evading the attack with lightning-fast reflexes, Ginryu narrowly avoided a fatal blow, but not without suffering a deep gash along his side.

However, Ginryu's wounds regenerated almost instantly, this level of damage proving to be trivial to both fighters.

Growling with fury, Ginryu began to circle Muzan, searching for another opening to strike.

But Muzan was not one to wait passively. He unleashed a relentless barrage of attacks from all angles, forcing Ginryu to rely on his enhanced reflexes and instincts to dodge each strike.

Though Ginryu managed to avoid any fatal blows, his fur was now littered with small gashes that regenerated almost immediately.

Muzan refused to give Ginryu any chance to attack or even approach him. The situation only fueled Ginryu's rage, compelling him to change his tactics.

Discarding defense, he focused on delivering a lethal blow. Creating some distance between them, he tensed his muscles and made a straight dash towards Muzan.

Anticipating Ginryu's intentions, Muzan wore a condescending smirk and attempted to increase the distance between them.

But to his astonishment, Ginryu's speed suddenly surged, closing the gap between them. With a fierce swing of his claws, Ginryu aimed to slash at Muzan's chest.

He had managed to accomplish this, leaving a deep gash on Muzan's chest along with damaged organs, but his attack was halted by Muzan's internal hardened bones.

Muzan enraged and determined to counter-attack, sought to impale Ginryu with his extended appendages.

However, Ginryu was not yet done. He lunged forward, aiming to sink his fangs into Muzan's skull. In response, Muzan attempted to pierce Ginryu's heart with his hand.

Ginryu's instincts flared, warning him of the critical damage he was about to receive.

While he could regenerate his heart, it wouldn't be instantaneous, taking such damage would undoubtedly temporarily weaken him, potentially leading to his demise against such a formidable opponent.

The heart was an organ that circulated blood along with energy, and he only had one. Heeding his instincts, Ginryu swiftly distanced himself from Muzan, bringing them to another stare down.

As the battle raged on, Ginryu's body became a canvas of wounds, his once pristine fur now riddled with gaping holes.

The odds appeared to be tipping in Muzan's favor, as Ginryu's larger size, which was meant to be an advantage, seemed to work against him.

The clash between Ginryu and Muzan intensified, reaching new levels of intensity and danger. The outcome hung in the balance, promising an epic showdown with potentially dire consequences.

With each relentless assault from Muzan, Ginryu found himself losing ground. His regenerative powers struggled to keep up with the speed and intensity of the damage inflicted upon him. Every wound drained his energy faster, pushing him closer to the brink of exhaustion.

"Is that all there is to you? How disappointing," Muzan sneered, his confidence growing as he believed victory was within his grasp.

Muzan himself was almost exhausted, he had taken damage to his vital organs several times, which consumed energy to regenerate.

Ginryu didn't leave him a chance to absorb his demon minions as it left him open to an attack.

But then, just as things seemed dire for Ginryu, a notification rang out within his consciousness, breaking through the chaos of battle.

"[Activating Lunar Wolf Ultimate Skill: Lunar Surge... Activating final phase: Full Moon]." It was a skill unique to the Lunar Wolf race, one that exponentially enhanced the user's abilities.

Its power depended on the phases of the moon, and at full power, it could double the user's abilities.

Tonight, under the light of the full moon, Ginryu was about to unleash its full potential. It was the worst possible timing for Muzan to face him.

The system had deemed it time to intervene, Ginryu's transformation time was running out.

Under the radiant light of the full moon, Ginryu's body began to radiate a shimmering silver glow, capturing Muzan's attention.

Sensing that something extraordinary was taking place, Muzan halted his relentless attacks and created a bit of distance between them. Ginryu's wounds immediately healed, leaving him as good as new.

But Ginryu's transformation was far from complete. His body convulsed, muscles and veins expanding and contracting with an eerie sound.

His physical mass decreased, yet his strength soared to unimaginable heights. His canines elongated, his head contorted unnaturally, and his limbs stretched, as if consumed by a newfound madness.

Before Muzan stood a humanoid wolf, its lean muscles and fur shimmering with an otherworldly glow.

A condescending smirk etched across Ginryu's face as his eyes locked onto Muzan, mocking him. In truth, Ginryu revelled in his overwhelming power, his madness fueling his confidence.

Muzan's instincts screamed at him to be on high alert and flee if possible. The creature before him was now different, more dangerous than ever.

His arrogance and power meant nothing in the face of this adversary.

Swish!

In a blur of motion, Ginryu dashed towards Muzan, tearing off one of his arms and leaving a gaping hole in his chest.

Despite being on guard and fully focused on Ginryu, Muzan barely registered his opponent's form disappearing from his sight.

Panic surged within Muzan as he frantically searched for Ginryu, only to hear a sickening crunch from his right side.

Turning his attention, he was horrified to witness Ginryu biting into his own arm, eating it.

The realization struck Muzan like a thunderbolt – not only had his arm been torn off, but there was now a gaping hole in his chest.

To make matters worse, his hand was being devoured by a creature he had foolishly underestimated as nothing more than a mere dog.

For the first time in his demonic existence, Muzan felt true fear grip his heart. Despite his arrogance and overwhelming power, he now faced an adversary he truly felt that he couldn't win against.