Even if it was only an incomplete Supreme Realm, Akaza couldn't comprehend why such power would manifest in a teenager like Lucas.How was this possible?It didn't make sense. He could only assume Lucas had used some forbidden technique—one of those temporary power-boosting methods that came with intense backlash and short durations.If that were the case, all he had to do was endure. Wait it out. Eventually, the strength would fade, and then Lucas would be his for the taking.Easier said than done.Lucas was relentless.Akaza, an Upper Moon demon, was being pushed—no, dominated—by a human boy.It gnawed at him.Each passing second, the fury in Akaza's heart intensified.Why?Why was he being suppressed?Why should someone so much weaker than him force him into a corner?It was unbearable.Grinding his teeth, Akaza focused, recalibrating to Lucas's attack rhythm.Then, during a slight pause between Lucas's blows, he acted."Destructive Death: Crushing Style — Ten Thousand Leaf Flashing Willow!"A devastating move—perhaps his strongest in this state.He channeled all his demonic energy into one arm, directing the force through a unique circulatory path in his body. With a roar, he unleashed the attack, generating a massive explosion of energy from his fist.The shockwave spread like veins, branching out with destructive power. It wasn't meant for a single target—it could strike multiple enemies in one blow. With its wide area of effect, even someone as fast as Lucas shouldn't be able to avoid it.This was the move that would turn the tide.With a thunderous boom, Akaza's energy rippled through the battlefield. The pressure in the air shifted, compressing like a bomb about to explode.He watched as Lucas appeared to retreat—just as he expected.Yes, Lucas was falling back.Good.Akaza smirked. The kid wouldn't dare face this head-on.Except—wait.What was Lucas doing?He wasn't retreating… he was charging straight toward him?Akaza's confident smirk froze.Was Lucas trying to trade blows?Was he that reckless?Fine. Let him try.If Lucas wanted to gamble on a direct hit, he'd suffer for it. No one survived a head-on clash with Crushing Style.The energy roared toward Lucas.But then—Lucas vanished.No, not vanished—he slipped through.Like smoke dancing between fingers, Lucas weaved through the very edge of the destructive energy, skimming past the weakest point of the attack.He hadn't just dodged it—he had predicted it. Exploited the one opening Akaza himself couldn't even see.And he was already beside Akaza.Too late.Akaza barely had time to react.Lucas's weapon gleamed."Too slow," Lucas said quietly, as if stating an undeniable truth.A flash of silver arced through the air.Pain.A scream tore from Akaza's throat as one of his arms was sliced clean off.Blood gushed in a high arc.He stumbled back in disbelief, staring at the severed limb on the ground."How... How is that possible?" Akaza muttered, clutching the stump.The Crushing Style had failed. And Lucas hadn't just avoided it—he had turned it against him.Akaza reeled in confusion.That attack—its angle, its precision—it was impossible unless…Was Lucas capable of sensing the smallest fluctuations in his energy?Was this the power of the Transparent World?On the distant train, Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke were all staring with wide eyes.They had been watching the battle unfold from their window, but this—this was something none of them expected.Just a moment ago, Akaza had been dominating both Lucas and the Flame Pillar, Kyojuro Rengoku.Now?Now it was Lucas suppressing Akaza—alone."…Lucas is actually winning?" Inosuke mumbled, disbelief etched across his face.Zenitsu wiped the sweat from his palms. "I almost ran out there to help him earlier... Thank God I didn't."Tanjiro clenched his fists. "So this is his true strength..."As the minutes ticked by, Akaza's body accumulated more wounds—small but many. Slashes, cuts, burns—each one gnawed at his stamina.His regeneration still worked, but it was slower now.Because Lucas's attacks weren't just physical—they carried a heat, a pressure, that disrupted even Akaza's demonic healing.Still, Akaza was a veteran. His battle senses were sharp.Even under the barrage, he noticed it—Lucas's breathing faltered ever so slightly. His stance wasn't as firm. His attacks, while fast, weren't as clean.He's slowing down.He's fading.It's happening.The power boost is about to wear off.Akaza's grin returned.His body bloodied, but his spirit burning.He wiped his mouth with his remaining hand and sneered, "Seems like your little power-up is running out, huh?"His voice dripped with venomous sarcasm."You've done well, I'll admit—but it's over now. You're nothing without that borrowed strength."Lucas didn't flinch.His expression remained calm, unmoved.He knew.Akaza's words didn't matter. Lucas had already accepted his limit.He never intended to defeat Akaza through brute force—not entirely.He was only buying time.Just a bit longer.Less than a minute.That was all he needed.Akaza stepped forward, fists clenched. "Once your strength fades, I'll twist your neck off with my bare hands. You'll be powerless."His voice was sharp with fury. He had endured too long under Lucas's suppression and was eager to reclaim dominance.And yet…Lucas smiled.It was subtle, but undeniable.Not the smile of arrogance.A smile of quiet triumph."What a shame," Lucas said. "You'll only get the chance to try... next time."Akaza's brows furrowed."…What?"He tilted his head, confused.What did he mean, "next time"?Then—a warmth on his back.He froze.Turning sharply to the east, he saw it:The horizon.A faint light had begun to bloom, soft and pale. The deep black of the night gave way to shades of lavender and rose.The first signs of dawn.The sun... was rising.Realization hit Akaza like a hammer.That's what Lucas had been doing all along.He wasn't trying to kill him.He had never expected to win in a fair fight.Lucas had been stalling for time.He had danced through the battle, forcing Akaza to engage him over and over again, all to delay—just until the sun rose.Akaza's pupils shrank.He looked back at Lucas, a mixture of awe and fury boiling inside him."You…!"Lucas stood there, swaying slightly from fatigue, but steady nonetheless."You're insane," Akaza growled. "You put your life on the line for a stalling tactic?"Lucas didn't answer. His silence said everything.The sky grew brighter.A golden edge pierced the horizon.Sunlight.Akaza's greatest weakness.In an instant, panic seized the Upper Moon demon.His time had run out.
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