I think I shouldn't have toyed with my opponents. Sukuna thought, panting after being struck by Artoria Lancer's Noble Phantasm. This has been so damn embarrassing, getting hit like that.
Sukuna briefly looked at himself while the smoke partially obscured his vision. Fortunately, the wounds he suffered weren't serious—nothing he couldn't fix with his reversed cursed technique.
His clothes were slightly singed and a bit stained with blood. Blood dripped down his face from a wound on his forehead, but the most serious injury was that his right arm had been completely torn off. The wound was bleeding profusely, staining the pristine white floor with a deep crimson.
He immediately began to heal his injuries. The wound on his forehead closed completely, stopping the bleeding, and his arm started to regenerate, restoring itself fully within just a few seconds.
Rhongomyniad had taken him by surprise. He had expected the activation of the Noble Phantasm to take some time, but Rhongomyniad's release was much faster than anticipated—almost instantaneous. Not to mention, he hadn't expected the appearance of the horse, let alone a Lancer-class servant.
Sukuna should have seen it coming, knowing how calm BB appeared despite her apparent disadvantage throughout the battle against him. He was aware that although BB wasn't physically strong, her intellect as an AI was not to be underestimated.
Not that it matters, Sukuna thought with amusement at the situation. BB had also made a mistake, so it didn't matter where she tried to run after escaping. He could always make her pay after dealing with Artoria Lancer and Mash.
Sukuna pointed his arm in the direction where he felt Artoria Lancer's magical signature. He was sure they were still on alert, but it didn't matter—he would act quickly before they could react to his attack.
I hope Ritsuka takes responsibility for what I'm about to do. Sukuna thought.
"Kai," Sukuna murmured. Fortunately, he didn't need to recite the longer incantation for this attack.
He only needed to make the Enmaten hand sign to perform the Slash that cuts the world. However, he had made a binding vow that, to make the attack slightly faster than usual, he would perform a short chant as part of the attack.
Then, the attack was unleashed.
.
.
.
Mash straightened up with effort, her legs trembling as she looked toward where Rhongomyniad's attack had struck Sukuna. Her heart pounded violently, almost choking her, as the dust began to settle, slowly revealing the remnants of the devastating explosion. Her shield vibrated slightly in her hands, reflecting the tension coursing through her body after enduring the force of the impact. The atmosphere was heavy with an unsettling silence, broken only by the echoes of destruction reverberating through Chaldea's corridors.
The sight of the damaged battlefield before her was terrifying. Fragments of the previously pristine white floor were now shattered and stained crimson. The walls bore deep cracks as if they had weathered an impossible storm.
Artoria Lancer, who had been incapacitated and unconscious on the ground moments earlier, had suddenly leaped up on her one remaining leg, using her arms to summon her horse and quickly mount it. At the same time, she activated her bloodied lance and Noble Phantasm, Rhongomyniad, aiming to finish off Sukuna.
Now, Artoria Lancer stood beside Mash, surveying the results of Rhongomyniad. And though Artoria seemed confident in her victory after landing a direct hit, Mash sensed something wrong in the air.
Then she felt her muscles tense as cold sweat ran down her forehead. Her instincts screamed that something was wrong, that the danger hadn't passed. Her heart, which had begun to calm, started racing again in a frantic rhythm. Then, whatever she had sensed in the smoke hit with full force.
A malevolent, overwhelming, and unnatural energy cut through the smoke rising above Chaldea. This energy seemed to drain all hope from its surroundings. Mash raised her voice in a desperate shout that barely escaped her lips.
"Watch out!"
But it was too late.
Before Artoria could react, a slicing sound tore through the air. It was a sharp, clean, utterly brutal sound, like a divine guillotine falling with precision. Mash couldn't clearly see the origin of the attack, but the result was undeniable. Artoria Lancer and her faithful horse froze for a moment as if time itself hesitated to register what had just happened. Then, suddenly, both were split vertically in two.
From the head to the bodies, the cut sliced through Artoria and her mount with a precision that could only be described as inhuman. For a moment, the two halves stood upright, as if the impact had been too swift for gravity to take effect. Then, slowly, the halves tilted to opposite sides, collapsing with a dull, wet sound that echoed down the hallway.
Blood immediately began to flow, a crimson river staining Chaldea's floor. The innards of the noble steed and its rider spilled out alongside the remains, creating a grotesque scene that made Mash's stomach churn. Her shield trembled in her hands, and her legs nearly gave out as she stared at the horrific sight before her.
Not even her Noble Phantasm, Rhongomyniad, with which Artoria Lancer had tried to defend herself, could resist the overwhelming attack. The divine lance, a symbol of hope, was sliced in two without any resistance. The divine energy began to dissipate as Artoria Lancer's remains started to glow and slowly disappear, just as Astolfo had moments earlier.
"No… it can't be…" Mash murmured, her voice barely a whisper as she tried to process what she had just witnessed. Her hands shook violently, and her eyes, filled with horror, remained fixed on Artoria's remains. The blood kept flowing, staining the ground with an ever-growing pool of death and destruction.
Mash looked toward the massive crater that appeared behind Artoria Lancer's remains. A giant, gaping tear now stretched through Chaldea's corridors; the floor and ceiling had offered no resistance, leaving only the enormous crater. Wind from outside began to seep into Chaldea's hallways, emphasizing the dire situation they were in.
Mash clenched her teeth, fear and despair clouding her judgment. How could someone be so cruel, so ruthless? The precision of the attack and the sheer brutality with which Artoria Lancer had been eliminated left no room for doubt. This wasn't a battle; it was an execution. And the one responsible was there, emerging from the smoke like a king claiming his throne.
Sukuna stepped out of the smoke, walking toward them with a calm that was as unsettling as it was terrifying. His shirt was torn and soaked in blood, though Mash noticed he bore no visible wounds—as if mocking Artoria Lancer's sacrifice. His face maintained that mocking smile, his four eyes glowing with malicious crimson light.
With every step he took, Sukuna seemed to dominate the space around him. His presence was overwhelming, as if gravity itself bent toward him.
"What a pity," Sukuna finally said, his tone dripping with disdain. "Is this all a Lancer with such a prestigious Noble Phantasm could muster? Pathetic."
Mash gritted her teeth and raised her shield. "You... How can you—"
"Save your breath," Sukuna interrupted, his four eyes locking onto her. "You're next."
Before Mash could react, Sukuna vanished from her sight. A second later, a resounding blow struck her shield. The force was colossal—her arm trembled, and she was pushed back several meters, her feet scraping the ground.
Too fast! Mash thought, desperately trying to track his movements.
Another impact hit her side before she could recover. Her shield flew from her hands, spinning through the air before embedding itself in a nearby wall. Mash gasped as Sukuna appeared before her, striking her ribs with the back of his hand. She was sent airborne, rolling across the ground with dull thuds.
"Weak," Sukuna muttered, approaching with slow, menacing steps.
[You must buy as much time as possible for BB while fighting Sukuna. It doesn't matter if you get hurt in this confrontation.]
Mash's eyes momentarily lost their luster before snapping back. Despite the pain coursing through her body, she forced herself to stand, summoning her shield back to her hand.
Sukuna raised an eyebrow, mildly impressed. "Still haven't given up? Fine. Let me show you how futile your effort is."
He appeared before her again, striking her abdomen. Mash spat blood as the air left her lungs. She was thrown against a pillar, the impact partially shattering it as she collapsed.
I can't... give up... Mash thought, struggling to breathe. I have to... protect them...
She tried to stand, her hands trembling. Sukuna watched her with cold calculation.
"How much longer will you resist?" he asked, his voice devoid of emotion. "How much more can you endure?"
Mash didn't respond. She raised her shield again, facing him with wavering determination.
Sukuna sighed. "Tch. Fine."
In a flash, he delivered another devastating blow to her side. Mash fell, her vision beginning to fade.
Sukuna grabbed Mash effortlessly, lifting her away from Ritsuka and Gudako. She struggled to stay conscious, every fiber of her being screaming in pain.
"You think you're strong," Sukuna said, his voice low and mocking. "But here we are—you've fallen, and I'm playing with your life like a toy."
Mash fought to keep her eyes open, but the pain was dragging her down. Despite everything, something inside her kept her upright—that spark of determination refusing to be extinguished.
"Let me make you an offer," Sukuna said, his tone shifting to something more businesslike, almost casual. "A binding vow. Ever heard of it?"
Mash's half-closed eyes showed confusion through the pain.
"Of course you haven't," Sukuna continued with a smirk. "It's a pact between two entities—a promise that cannot be broken without severe consequences. Here are the terms: you obey me absolutely in everything I command. My word becomes law for you, overriding even command spells or that disgusting Haze corrupting your mind. Any external influence becomes irrelevant—only my orders matter."
He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in before continuing. "In exchange, you and Gudako live. And I'll work on purging that corruption eating away at your soul. Simple, isn't it?"
Mash's eyes widened slightly as she processed what he was saying. Her instincts screamed that she shouldn't trust this monster, but the desire to protect Gudako and Ritsuka made her hesitate.
"Never..." she whispered, her voice broken but resolute. "I won't... become your puppet... No matter what you—"
"Wrong answer," Sukuna interrupted coldly. Even in his eyes, there was a touch of irony.
Without hesitation, he used Dismantle. The technique was activated with surgical precision, cleanly severing Mash's hand at the wrist.
Mash's scream tore through the hall as blood poured from the stump, pooling on the floor beneath her. The world seemed to stop for a moment as the pain exploded through her nervous system.
"Ahhh! You... you damned—!" Mash gasped, unable to finish her words as agony consumed her.
"This is not a negotiation," Sukuna said, his voice devoid of emotion. He grabbed the bleeding stump and squeezed. Hard.
Mash screamed again, tears streaming down her face as the pain intensified beyond anything she'd experienced. Her body convulsed involuntarily, trying to pull away, but Sukuna's grip was iron.
"I don't have time for your heroic resistance," Sukuna continued, his four eyes boring into hers with cold calculation. "Accept my offer, or die here. It's that simple. And if you're still thinking of refusing..." He glanced toward Gudako's unconscious form. "Well, she goes first. I'll make sure you watch."
"You... won't... get away with it." Mash gasped through the agony, though her voice wavered with fear and pain.
Sukuna sighed, clearly annoyed. Using his Reversed Cursed Technique, he restored her arm in seconds. Mash stared in shock at her regenerated limb.
"That arm can just as easily be removed again," Sukuna said flatly. "And next time, I won't bother healing it. Now choose: accept my offer, or watch Gudako die slowly while you bleed out."
Mash felt her resolve crumble. The physical pain, the psychological pressure, the threat to Gudako—it was too much. She could barely think straight.
Sukuna sighed, clearly growing bored with her defiance. "You still don't understand your position."
Without warning, he released her stump and raised his hand again, pointing it directly at Gudako. The threat was clear—one gesture, and Ritsuka's sister would be cut down where she lay.
"No! Wait—!" Mash tried to move, but her body wouldn't respond.
Sukuna paused, lowering his hand slightly. "Oh? Changed your mind?"
Mash panted heavily, her vision blurring from blood loss and pain. She looked at her severed hand lying on the ground. Then, from a distance, she could see Gudako, who was still unconscious, and nearby was Ritsuka trying to see us, without success.
"I'll... I will accept it..." she managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper. "Just... don't hurt them..."
"Consider it?" Sukuna's expression darkened. "Wrong again."
Without consideration, Sukuna placed his hand back on her stump, causing her to groan in pain, and then he ended up using his Reverse Cursed Technique. Mash watched in shock as her flesh began to regenerate: bones, muscles, skin, everything came together in seconds until her hand was completely restored.
She stared at her regenerated limb, flexing her fingers in disbelief.
"That arm can just as easily be removed again," Sukuna said flatly, his tone matter-of-fact. "And next time, I won't bother healing it. I'll move on to the next limb. Then the next. I can keep you alive through it all." His smile turned cruel. "Or would you prefer I start with Gudako instead? I wonder how many pieces I can cut her into before you finally break."
The words hit Mash like a physical blow. The psychological pressure, combined with the lingering phantom pain from her severed hand, crushed down on her. She realized with growing horror that Sukuna wasn't bluffing—he would do exactly what he threatened, without hesitation or remorse.
Mash felt her resolve crumbling. It wasn't just the physical pain anymore. It was the knowledge that she was completely, utterly powerless. That no matter what she did, she couldn't protect anyone—not Gudako, not Ritsuka, not even herself.
I'll... find a way to break this later, she told herself desperately, grasping at any hope. Servants can break forced contracts... I just need to survive this. I just need time...
"I'm waiting," Sukuna said, his voice cutting through her thoughts. "And my patience is wearing thin."
[Do not accept under any circumstances.]
Mash thought of Ritsuka and remembered seeing the helplessness and anguish in his eyes (something that made her sick, but she convinced herself it was for his own good). Then, from a distance, she looked at Gudako, still unconscious and vulnerable.
Finally, with tears streaming down her face and her voice trembling with despair and resignation, she whispered, "I... accept. I accept your terms."
The moment the words left her lips, the world seemed to shift. She felt something cold and heavy wrap around her soul—invisible chains manifesting in the spiritual realm, binding her to her word. The sensation was suffocating, like iron shackles clamping down on the very core of her being. Mash's eyes widened as she realized with dawning horror that this wasn't like a Geass she could resist or a contract that she could try to break. This was absolute.
Sukuna smiled cruelly. "Now we're getting somewhere, Mash-san," he said in a mocking tone.
The binding vow had been sealed.
Sukuna released her, a satisfied smile spreading across his face. "Good choice. See? That wasn't so hard."
He extended his hand toward her, and Mash flinched instinctively. Instead of feeling pain, she felt warmth as Sukuna used his reversed curved technique to heal her completely. The technique went beyond simple healing—it purged impurities from her body, restored damaged organs to their natural state, and even cleared some of the fog that had been clouding her mind.
Despite the relief flooding through her body, Mash felt nothing but resentment and fear toward the monster before her.
"Stand up," Sukuna ordered, his voice firm and commanding.
Mash hesitated for just a fraction of a second, and immediately felt it—a primal warning screaming through every fiber of her being. Her instincts roared at her with visceral terror, as if her very soul was recoiling from the thought of disobedience. It wasn't compulsion forcing her body to move; it was the overwhelming certainty that if she refused, something catastrophic would happen to her. The binding vow didn't control her—it simply made the consequences of refusal crystal clear through pure instinct.
"First rule," Sukuna said, leaning closer. "You don't speak of this contract to anyone. Not a word. Understood?"
Her legs shook as she forced herself to her feet, cold sweat running down her spine. She realized with growing dread that she could technically refuse any order... but her instincts told her the price would be severe beyond imagination.
"First rule," Sukuna said, leaning closer until his four crimson eyes filled her vision. "You are not allowed to speak of this contract to anyone. Not a word, not even a hint. If you do..." He let the sentence hang in the air, the threat implicit. "The binding vow will exact its price. And trust me, you don't want to find out what that feels like."
Mash clenched her fists, unable to meet those eyes that seemed to pierce through her soul. She could feel it—that primal warning coiled around her being, ready to strike if she violated the terms. She nodded silently, the weight of her decision crushing down on her.
"Good. Now follow me." Sukuna turned away dismissively, walking toward where Ritsuka remained bound.
Mash had no choice but to obey—not because she was controlled, but because every instinct in her body screamed that disobedience would bring consequences far worse than submission. Her steps were heavy, each one a reminder of her humiliation and the terrible bargain she'd been forced to make. She could feel the binding vow wrapped around her soul like a coiled serpent, not forcing her actions, but waiting to punish any transgression with devastating consequences.
.
.
.
When they reached the spot, Sukuna extended a hand and, with a casual motion, severed the bindings holding Ritsuka.
Ritsuka winced as he rose unsteadily, managing to stay upright while leaning on his knees. He grimaced in pain, looking at the redness on his wrists from the restraints.
Sukuna observed him with a mocking smile before crouching slightly to meet his gaze. "Looks like someone's been having a rough time, huh?"
Ritsuka lifted his head, his face marked by guilt and exhaustion. "What… what is happening here? How did we let Chaldea reach this point?" His voice trembled, laden with frustration at himself.
Sukuna chuckled, a low, sarcastic sound that filled the silence of the room. "Oh, how charming. The great master of Chaldea blamed himself as if that would change anything. Honestly, I'm surprised it took you this long to figure it out."
Mash watched Sukuna and Ritsuka with a conflicted expression. She wasn't sure why they thought Chaldea was compromised. If it were, she would have noticed. And why was her Senpai treating Sukuna as if he weren't a monster after everything he'd done?
"Shut up!" Ritsuka snapped, but his voice lacked conviction. "You didn't have to be so brutal with them... I know they were compromised, but you could have killed them less savagely!" His frustration and helplessness showed in his clenched teeth. He hated seeing his Servants hurt, but considering the situation, re-summoning them might be the best course of action.
"Nah, I don't see why I should go easy on those pathetic animals. Besides, be thankful I didn't kill the leftovers," Sukuna dismissed him, giving Ritsuka a blank, apathetic stare.
Ritsuka sighed, feeling tired all over his body. "It doesn't seem like you care about what's happening in Chaldea," Ritsuka said, meeting Sukuna's malicious crimson eyes, which analyzed him like a lab rat. "Honestly... I don't understand what you're after."
"What I'm after, kid, is getting you out of your pathetic situation," Sukuna retorted with a tone that blended mockery and seriousness. "Believe it or not, I'm here to help. Not out of kindness, of course, but that doesn't matter now. What's important is that Haze—that thing rotting your Servants—needs to be dealt with."
Ritsuka rose slowly, rubbing his wrists where the ropes had left red marks. "Haze?" he asked, disbelief and guilt in his voice. "Is that what's controlling everyone?"
"Yeah, and it's pathetic that you didn't notice it sooner," Sukuna replied derisively. Crossing his arms, his eyes glinted with a mix of arrogance and calculation. "Let me guess: you were so busy trying to play savior that you ignored the signs right in front of you. And now look—your precious Chaldea is on the brink of collapse, your Servants, once loyal allies, are now corrupted, and you... You're here, relying on me to survive."
The words hit Ritsuka like a shockwave. He shut his eyes, clenching his fists. "You're right..." he murmured, his voice heavy with self-reproach. "I should have done more. I should have seen this coming."
"At least you admit your incompetence," Sukuna commented, slapping Ritsuka's shoulder hard enough to make him stagger. Before Sukuna could continue, Mash interjected.
"I don't understand what you're talking about, but Haze isn't bad, Senpai. You don't get it; it's a blessing we've been given. There's no corruption—it's just a truth. A truth you can't see, Senpai," Mash said with bravery, her eyes clouding over before regaining clarity. She blinked, looking confused, as though she didn't know what she had just said.
"Tch. I just fixed your damaged brain, but I suppose if I don't cleanse your corrupted soul, the taint will keep affecting your mind," Sukuna said, disgust evident in his voice. Unfortunately, he couldn't cure her entirely. He could suppress the corruption to an extent, but fully purging it would require manipulating her soul—something too risky without proper study.
Ritsuka rubbed the bridge of his nose, feeling sick over Mash's condition. He hated seeing her like this, but knew he couldn't cure her right now. "Mash, what you're doing is wrong. Don't let this control you."
Mash looked up at him, her eyes vacant and her voice fractured. "It's... not corruption. It's... a blessing. Everything we're doing is for the sake of Chaldea... for your sake, Senpai."
Ritsuka swallowed hard, a pang of pain stabbing his chest at her words. "Mash, this isn't a blessing. This... this isn't you."
Fed up with the unnecessary conversation, Sukuna immediately placed a hand on Mash's shoulder. She stiffened, the confusion in her head dissipating. She blinked, feeling her mind clear and calm. Mash looked at Sukuna with conflicted yet relieved eyes.
"Now stay quiet. Don't interfere, and don't speak unless I decide," Sukuna ordered in a low, gravelly voice before turning his eyes to Ritsuka. With a sigh, Sukuna crossed his arms and began to explain, as if to a child. "Lucky for you, I'm the only one here who's possibly unaffected by that filth. I can manage the corruption in Mash for now and keep it at bay. But purging it completely... that's going to be more complicated since it's embedded in their souls."
Ritsuka looked up at Sukuna, his expression a mix of hope and doubt. "Can you really do it? Purge the corruption?"
"Eventually," Sukuna replied with a grin that inspired anything but trust.
Their conversation was interrupted by a soft groan. Gudako lay unconscious on the ground, her face relaxed but pale from the recent events. Ritsuka glanced at her with a mix of guilt and worry, while Sukuna barely spared her a disinterested look.
"Was it necessary to leave her in that state?" Ritsuka asked, his tone accusatory.
"Of course it was," Sukuna answered without hesitation. "She was interfering with the fight, so I did what had to be done. Besides," he added with a mocking grin, "she's still alive. That should count as a favor."
Ritsuka gritted his teeth, trying to suppress his frustration. "Even so, you didn't have to be so rough with her, knowing she was being—"
"Spare me the moral lecture," Sukuna interrupted, turning to look him directly in the eye. "You've got one chance to fix this mess, and I'm willing to help you. But first, there's something we need to do."
"What's that?" Ritsuka asked warily.
"Summon BB," Sukuna commanded, his eyes glinting with dangerous intensity. "We've got unfinished business."
The mention of BB made Ritsuka tense up. "What are you planning to do to her? Are you going to... kill her too?"
Sukuna gave him a mocking smile that only heightened the tension in the room. "That depends on her. But what I do or don't do is none of your business. This isn't a suggestion, Ritsuka. It's an order."
The young Master hesitated, his eyes flickering with doubt and worry. "I can't let you hurt her. You've done enough damage already."
Sukuna stepped closer, placing a heavy hand on his shoulder. The pressure wasn't overwhelming, but it was enough to send a clear message. "Listen closely, boy. I'm not here to negotiate. Summon her, or I'll reconsider my offer to help you with this nightmare you allowed to happen."
Ritsuka hesitated, the memory of Sukuna's brutality fresh in his mind. He glanced at Mash, who watched silently, her eyes filled with warning and resignation. Finally, with a heavy sigh, he nodded.
"Fine... but I'm warning you if you do anything I can't justify—"
Sukuna laughed at the absurdity of Ritsuka's words. "I don't justify my actions, Master. So, you'd better summon her before I change my mind about helping you. For all you know, I'm your only safe option. After all, you don't know how many have been corrupted, or who's been affected." Sukuna tilted his head, a frown forming as he assessed the situation. "Not to mention, we don't know why BB got away; for all we know, it won't be long before this place is overrun."
Ritsuka mulled over Sukuna's words, swallowing hard. He finally nodded, lifting his hand bearing the Command Spells, which began to glow as he prepared to use one. "By my Command Spell..."
As Ritsuka began his command spell to summon BB. Mash watched silently, her mind struggling with the new orders and the uncertainty of what was to come.
Sukuna grinned with a sadistic, cruel smile. "That's better. Let's see if that arrogant AI is ready to face the real mons