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Chapter 23: Execution!?
Chapter 23: Execution!?
Chapter 23: Execution!?
Inosaki is a master exorcist of the Tenshi no Y?kai organization, formerly a master exorcist within the Kuroyami clan. After the grand purchase, he was transferred to the association. He had been in charge of Kenji's training throughout his childhood.
....
Kenji stared at him, trying to grasp the situation. He eventually lowered his head, attempting to ignore the incessant voice of Kurozai, who had been bothering him for some time.
"This era is lovely—women and children scurry about the streets like cockroaches. Just enough to keep me fed for the next three months! I can't believe it... What are you, brat? You think you can suppress me? Fine, let's make a deal!"
Kenji sighed in frustration, shaking his head, hoping Kurozai might finally shut up. "Can you just be quiet? I'm the boss of this body, and I decide what to do with it! It would be an honor for me to personally exorcise you! Darn you!"He blurted out, momentarily forgetting that Inosaki was still there with him.
"Huh? So you're... Kenji. Great. Anyway, it's been decided. Under the Tenshi no Y?kai regulations, you're to be executed."
Kenji's eyes widened in horror at the words he had just heard. Would he really die at such a young age? He felt far too young to face death. But did that even matter, that's the regulations.
The regulations of the Tenshi no Y?kai organization are strict and unforgiving, especially when it comes to harboring a dangerous soul.
Since Kenji had recently become the unwilling host of a special rank soul—a Celestial of Madness, the most feared entities in existence.
His presence is detectable even from two hundred meters away, radiating an aura that instills fear in those who sense it. This Celestial is stronger than Gojin. However, Kurozai's predicament is complicated. Even if he were to successfully consume 15 more fragments of his essence, he would still be significantly weaker than Gojin. Yet, the residual power could grant him enough strength to inflict some damage, albeit minor.
The organization's regulations dictate that any host harboring a soul poses a severe threat to both themselves and others. As a result, execution becomes a necessary measure to prevent potential chaos and destruction.
"However, I choose not to execute you. Gojin and Sakura also declined, so we won. Instead, your execution will be delayed."
"Delayed?" Kenji asked, unsure of what Inosaki meant. A grin spread across Inosaki's face as he pulled a piece of flesh from his pocket and held it up for Kenji to see.
"I suppose you recognize this as one of his fragments. While the execution is still on the table, as I mentioned, it will be suspended for now. The reason? The souls have been growing stronger day by day because of this!" He gestured to the flesh.
"We possess three of it. And as you know, we can't destroy them so that's where you come in; when you die, the soul inside you will die, as well. The clan heads are cowards, except L. The remaining two are demanding we kill you, and yes, your clan also. But won't that be a waste? Just like Gojin had said, there's no guarantee that another vessel capable of harboring Kurozai will be born."
This is practically true.
The essence of Kurozai is exceptionally powerful, and it poses a lethal threat to anyone who attempts to harbor it. In fact, for most individuals, the moment they come into contact with Kurozai's fragments, it acts like poison, instantly killing them. This highlights just how dangerous and potent Kurozai's essence truly is.
What makes Kenji's situation astonishing is that he does not possess any Ki. Without Ki or even with it, they would not only fail to suppress Kurozai but would also die immediately upon attempting to harbor him. Sounds like a repeat of what I just explained in the previous paragraph, right?
However, Kenji has managed to not only harbor Kurozai within himself but also to suppress his influence. This indicates an extraordinary level of resilience and mental fortitude. His ability to withstand and control a force that would normally be fatal is truly jaw-dropping, suggesting that he possesses unique qualities or circumstances that allow him to defy the odds apart from the bracelet and ritual.
"So this is what Gojin and Sakura proposed: you need to find and consume all his remaining pieces, and then we can awaken the full potential of Kurozai. At that point, Gojin will be the one to execute you since he is the strongest exorcist for the job."
Kenji nodded, having already accepted the fact that he was going to die if it meant keeping the world safe. He would gladly embrace that fate.
"I take it you've accepted this," He continued. "Now, do you want to know how you got here?"
"Of course! I was inside the cave with Gojin and Sakura, and then suddenly I was here. How did that happen?!"
"Gojin manipulated reality—he theoretically changed your location and distorted your thoughts. In simpler terms, all of you were teleported back to the school while you appeared here. Your perception and thoughts were also influenced, so you've actually been here for the past two days. Quite astonishing, right?"
Kenji's eyes widened. "Whhhhhaaaaattttt!?" As the chains that held him began to fall away, Inosaki left the interrogation room. Practically, that's what it was—just beneath the school building.
He stood up from the ground, rubbing his hands and realizing that what Inosaki had said was true. His ankles had reddened, a sign that this discomfort hadn't just appeared in a matter of minutes. It felt like it had been over a day. "Gojin! This is amazing, I have to meet up with them," he declared, rushing out of the room.
As he stepped outside, the sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the ground. The air was thick with the scent of impending dusk, a mixture of coolness and the fading warmth of the day.
Gojin and Sakura stood outside, arms crossed, their faces were serious against the backdrop of a sky painted in hues of orange and purple. Gojin tossed the rotten flesh that Inosaki had given him, the grotesque piece of meat landed on Kenji's hand.
It was time for Kenji to consume the second piece. Staring at it for a moment, his stomach churning at the sight. It was repulsive, and he felt bile rise in his throat. Gojin and Sakura rushed to him. Gojin pressed him against the wall, while Sakura seized the flesh and, with a determined push, forced it into his mouth, urging him to swallow.
Eventually, he did. In an instant, the familiar red energy enveloped him, swirling around like a tempest before vanishing just as quickly. Kurozai stirred within him, attempting to seize control after the boost from the second piece, his strength had momentarily heightened. But Kenji held firm, resisting the takeover with ease. That settles a bit of the threat he might pose in the near future.
"Since that's settled, shall we head to our next two sites for the day?" Gojin said, glancing at the horizon where the last light of the sun flickered.
"It's getting late. I'll take one, and you two can handle the other." Kenji and Sakura nodded. The three of them proceeded to their daily clearing.
However, the fact that Kenji was harboring Kurozai didn't mean they wouldn't still enter the realm after the thirty days of experience. It was only day two since Kenji's interrogation had cut their mission short by two days, leaving them with more time on their hands.
"Darn you, Kenji! You just had to consume that first piece, didn't you? Are you foolish every day?" Sakura shouted, slamming her hands onto Kenji's head with such force that it nearly made his eyes pop out. He spat out a little saliva in pain as they walked toward the academy's exit.