Ritsuka Fujimaru's Perspective.
Pain isn't always physical.
Sometimes it's the sight of someone you love betraying everything you thought you knew about them. Sometimes it's the sound of their pleasure mixed with mockery of your name. Sometimes it's the realization that the world you've been living in is built on lies.
I learned all three lessons at once.
It started with concern. Mash had been acting strange lately—distant, evasive. Her warm smiles had become fleeting, replaced by something I couldn't identify. When I tried to talk to her about it, she'd change the subject or make excuses to leave.
At first, I thought it was exhaustion. We'd saved humanity multiple times. Maybe she just needed space.
But my instincts kept nagging at me. Something was wrong.
So I went looking for her. I checked her room, the cafeteria, and the training grounds. Nothing. Then I heard voices coming from one of the unused storage areas—a section of Chaldea we rarely visited.
Mash's voice. My sister Gudako's voice. And... Astolfo?
The door was slightly ajar. I should have announced myself. Should have knocked. But something in their tone—something breathy and secretive—made me hesitate.
I pushed the door open just a crack.
And my world shattered.
Mash was there, pressed against the wall, her face flushed with an expression I'd never seen before. Pleasure. Raw, uninhibited pleasure. Astolfo was behind her, one hand tangled in her hair, the other gripping her hip as he moved against her. Her shield was discarded carelessly on the floor.
My sister Gudako was there too, watching with heavy-lidded eyes, her own clothes disheveled. She was touching herself, her breathing labored as she watched them.
"Who's better, Mash?" Astolfo's voice was playful, teasing, mockingly asking both of them. "Me or Ritsuka?"
I felt my breath catch. This couldn't be real. This had to be some kind of nightmare.
"You," Mash gasped, her voice breaking with pleasure. "You're so much better, Astolfo. Ritsuka could never—ah!—never make me feel like this."
"Astolfo is definitely better than Onii-chan," Gudako moaned breathlessly, her voice thick with lust. "My pathetic brother could never compare to you."
The words hit me like physical blows. Each syllable carved into my chest, hollowing me out from the inside.
I didn't feel anger. Not the burning rage I expected. Instead, there was just... emptiness. A hollow ache that spread through my entire body.
Gudako having sex with a Servant didn't bother me in principle. She was an adult, and given her personality—that chaotic, mischievous gremlin energy she always had—it wasn't surprising she'd be adventurous. But hiding it from me? Doing it behind my back like this?
And Mash... my Mash, the girl who'd stood by my side through every impossible battle, every Singularity, every Lostbelt...
Calling me pathetic while she—
And Astolfo. I never would have imagined... I thought I knew him. Thought he was kind-hearted, genuine. But this?
None of it made sense.
My hand must have pushed the door further, because it creaked.
They all turned to look at me.
For a moment, nobody moved. Astolfo's eyes widened slightly, then that damn smile returned, mocking and amused. Mash's face showed... what? Surprise? Guilt? It was gone in an instant, replaced by something blank and unfocused.
Gudako didn't even bother to cover herself. She just looked at me with mild annoyance, as if I'd interrupted something trivial.
"Onii-chan," she said flatly. "You weren't supposed to see this."
"What..." My voice came out strangled, weak. I hated how pathetic I sounded. "What is this? Why—what's happening? I don't understand."
I wasn't angry. I was confused. Hurt. Lost. This didn't make sense. None of this made sense.
"Oh no," Astolfo said, pulling away from Mash and adjusting his clothes with infuriating casualness. "This is awkward. Should we explain, or...?"
"There's nothing to explain," Mash said quietly, not meeting my eyes. "We're just... Senpai, you don't understand."
"Don't understand?" I repeated, my voice breaking. "Mash, you and I—we've been through everything together. How could you—why would you hide this? And why with—" I looked at Astolfo, trying to process it. "I never thought you'd—"
"Because you're not enough, Onii-chan," Gudako said, standing up. Her voice wasn't angry, just matter-of-fact, which somehow made it worse. "You're a good Master. You've saved the world. But that doesn't mean you're... enough. Not for this."
The hollowness inside me grew, threatening to swallow me whole. "Gudako..."
"I'm sorry you had to find out this way, Senpai," Mash said, her voice eerily calm, distant. "But this is how things are now. You should just—"
I didn't hear what she was about to say. Astolfo moved with speed I didn't expect, appearing in front of me before I could react. His fist connected with my jaw, and the world exploded into stars and pain.
Then nothing.
..............
When consciousness returned, it came with pain.
My jaw throbbed. My wrists ached. I tried to move my arms and found them bound behind me, rope biting into my skin. My legs were similarly tied to the legs of a chair.
I opened my eyes slowly, letting them adjust to the light.
The room was larger than the storage area. More open. And filled with people.
BB stood in front of me, her purple eyes gleaming with something I couldn't identify. That ever-present smile on her face, but colder than usual. Behind her stood Scáthach, her crimson eyes watching me with an unreadable expression. Artoria Lancer was there too, along with Nightingale, who stood stiffly near the back.
Mash and Gudako were off to the side. My sister's expression was unfocused, distant. Mash looked at me with... pity? Concern? I couldn't tell anymore.
And Astolfo leaned against the wall, that smile still in place.
There was something wrong with all of them. Something in their eyes, their postures. Like they were there but not really present.
"Ah, you're awake," BB said pleasantly, though her smile seemed strained. "I was worried Astolfo hit you a bit too hard. But you're resilient, Senpai. That's one of your better qualities."
"What..." I had to work moisture into my mouth. My tongue felt thick, heavy. "What is this? Why am I tied up? What's going on?"
BB's smile faltered slightly. "Because you saw something you weren't supposed to see. Not yet, anyway. The timing is all wrong, and that creates... complications."
"Complications?" I tested the ropes, but they held firm. The confusion was overwhelming, drowning out everything else. "I don't understand. Mash, Gudako—please, talk to me! What's happening? Why are you—"
"Onii-chan," Gudako said softly, stepping forward with Mash. They both approached my chair, and there was something wrong with the way they moved. Synchronized. Unnatural. "Please, just calm down. Everything is going to be okay. We're not going to hurt you."
"We're trying to help you," Mash added, her voice gentle but distant. "You just need to trust us, Senpai."
Trust them? After what I'd just seen?
"I don't understand any of this," I said, desperation creeping into my voice. "You're acting like different people. Both of you. Astolfo too. What could possibly—"
BB moved closer, and I noticed her exchanging a glance with Scáthach. Something passed between them—some unspoken communication that made my blood run cold.
BB leaned slightly and began whispering to Nightingale. I realized he was close to the bottom. "Go with Da Vinci... any complications."
I barely caught the words, the meaning fuzzy and unclear. But the tone was unmistakable. They were planning something.
Before I could ask what, Scáthach approached me with something in her hand. A gag.
"Wait, what are you—" I started, but she tied it around my mouth before I could finish, silencing any further questions.
"Sorry, Master," she said quietly, though there was no real emotion in her voice. "But we can't have you calling for help. Not yet."
I tried to speak through the gag, tried to activate a Command Spell through sheer force of will, but my concentration was shattered.
The others began talking among themselves, their voices low. I couldn't make out most of what they were saying, but I caught fragments. Plans. Preparations. Something about "not yet" and "when the time comes."
I watched them, trying to understand, trying to find some explanation for this madness. My mind raced through possibilities, each one more horrifying than the last. Fear, confusion, disgust—they all mixed together into a paralyzing cocktail that left me helpless.
I didn't know what it was, but something happened because...
BB's smile faltered. Scáthach's hand went to her spear. Even Astolfo's expression shifted slightly.
As silence fell, BB sighed in frustration.
"But before that… how about you come out of hiding, Sukuna-chan?" BB said, her voice trying to maintain that playful tone, though I could hear the edge in it. Her gaze was fixed on a shadowed corner of the room. "Don't worry, we won't bite. Not unless you give us a reason."
Ryomen Sukuna.
The Caster-class Servant I'd barely interacted with since his summoning. He stepped out of the shadows, and even bound and gagged, I felt a surge of... something. Not quite hope, but recognition that he wasn't affected by whatever was happening to the others.
"Well, looks like I've been caught," Sukuna said with an amused smile, raising his hands in a peaceful gesture. I could see the surprise on the others' faces—they hadn't expected him to reveal himself so easily. "It seems you've been busy having fun at the Master's expense."
His smile turned slightly sadistic as he began clapping slowly. "I'm honestly impressed by the level of cruelty you've displayed. You've left him in such a pathetic state." Then he laughed before stopping abruptly.
Despite everything, despite the terror of the situation, I felt my eyes widen. Sukuna had been watching? For how long?
"Senpai is not pathetic," Mash said hesitantly, her voice small.
Then I heard it. Felt it—a voice in my head, using the Master-Servant bond.
Calm down, Master. I'll try to help you, but it's going to be very difficult with all these Servants around. Don't react, obviously.
Sukuna's voice. Cold, calculating, but offering... help?
I tried to control my expression, tried not to show the flood of relief that washed over me. Someone understood. Someone saw that something was wrong.
Sukuna turned his gaze to Mash, raising an eyebrow. "Your actions don't match your words, whore," he said with cruel irony. "You claim to love your pathetic Senpai, but then you hurt him by committing disgusting acts, degrading both yourself and that brat."
Despite his private message, I flinched at every insult. They hurt, even knowing I think he's acting, but I wasn't sure.
"Uh, Suku-chan," Gudako spoke nervously. "It's not what you think. We're just trying to help Onii-chan. It's all a misunderstanding. It's for his own good."
Her eyes were unfocused when she said it. Like she believed it, but didn't quite understand why.
"Of course. There's absolutely nothing wrong with what you're doing," Sukuna said sarcastically.
BB gave him an appraising look. "You don't seem too bothered by what we're doing. You seem indifferent."
"I don't care about the fate of weaklings," Sukuna said dismissively, though I noticed his eyes flicked to me briefly. "He's responsible for his own destiny for being so pathetic."
BB laughed, seemingly relieved. "I didn't think the great Sukuna would be so heartless. I guess appearances aren't deceiving in this case."
Then BB approached him, her smile taking on a darker quality. "What do you think, Sukuna-chan? All this seems chaotic, doesn't it? But I assure you, it's for a greater purpose. Wouldn't you want to join us?"
My fear increased because of BB's words, but I quickly pushed it aside, thinking rationally. Sukuna wasn't the type of person to do something like that, or at least he didn't seem like it. He always struck me as someone who questioned everything and didn't take orders from anyone.
"I've been sensing this mist enveloping this place," Sukuna said, his tone turning icy. "It's not just manipulation; it's corruption in its purest form. It pierces the soul, distorts perception, and destroys morality."
Corruption? A mist? My mind raced. Was that what was affecting everyone? Why were they acting so strangely?
BB's smile faltered. "How observant of you, Suku-chan. But that doesn't change anything. This [Haze] is a gift. It frees us from restraints and allows us to create something better."
[Haze]. So that was what it was called.
But if this [Haze] was truly corrupting the Servants, how come I didn't notice? Why did I never discover it? Was it because I was truly ignorant, or because they hid it so well, or both?
How long has it been infecting Chaldea? Each question made me feel more useless and pathetic.
I don't understand how I couldn't have realized this before. None of this makes sense, I think with frustration.
I felt a kind of déjà vu, but I didn't understand why, so I didn't think much of it at the time.
The conversation escalated. Sukuna identified Astolfo as something false, a remnant or echo of the real Paladin. BB tried to corrupt Sukuna with that same [Haze], but it failed completely, dissipating against him like water against stone.
"Is that all?" Sukuna mocked. "Trying to corrupt me... adorable. But useless. My soul isn't something you can touch, not with your cheap little trick."
Then BB's expression changed. The playful facade cracked, replaced by cold calculation.
"Well, well, Sukuna, I admit you surprise me," she said. "You've got more guts than the other Servants who tried to stand in our way. But you're not the first… and you certainly won't be the last."
The atmosphere shifted. Became heavy with killing intent.
Scáthach stepped forward with her spear. Mash raised her shield. Artoria Lancer summoned her horse. Gudako glared at Sukuna with that strange, unfocused fury. Astolfo drew his sword.
Five against one.
And Sukuna just smiled.
He removed his kimono dramatically, tossing it aside. Then something changed in him. Two more eyes opened beneath his normal ones, right where those black marks were on his cheeks. Demonic claws emerged from all his fingers, painted in deep purple. His malevolent aura exploded outward with such force that even I, bound and helpless, felt it pressing down on me.
"You'd better give me a good fight," Sukuna said, his voice dripping with anticipation, "or I'll kill you slowly and painfully." His smile turned completely sadistic. "If you don't, at least you'll have the honor of saying that the King of Curses was the one who led you to your doom."
Then the battle began.
I'll be honest, even though I knew Sukuna's parameters, I was still worried about how the fight would unfold, and you can't blame me when the team opposing me has enemies like Sensei, Artoria, and BB. Not to mention that even though Astolfo and Mash weren't as strong, they weren't far behind. And don't even get me started on my sister.
But what followed completely exceeded all my expectations, and I was surprised and relieved. Sukuna moved both arms in a blur—left arm horizontal, right arm vertical, drawing a cross in the air.
I couldn't see what he did. But suddenly, an enormous crater appeared where they'd all been standing moments before. Scáthach had used her spear to vault away. Artoria dodged right. BB and Astolfo went left. Mash stayed close to Gudako, shield raised.
Blood dripped from Scáthach's side—she'd been grazed by something invisible.
I managed to catch BB's attention, looking at Gudako as if they were communicating, and they probably were, because Gudako nodded, understanding something that I managed to miss.
Gudako raised her arm, Command Spells glowing. "By my Command Seal—"
Sukuna moved with impossible speed. As he charged forward, he stomped the ground. "Orochi… Banshō."
From his shadow—from darkness itself—a massive white serpent emerged, lunging at Scáthach with jaws wide enough to swallow a person whole. At the same moment, a giant elephant manifested in the air above Artoria Lancer, falling toward her with crushing weight.
The coordination was perfect. The serpent forced Scáthach to abandon her attack. The elephant made Artoria roll desperately out of the way, the impact still sending her tumbling. Astolfo's path was blocked by the serpent's massive tail.
And Sukuna appeared in front of Gudako and Mash.
"I command you, Sukuna, to—" my sister tried to finish faster.
"Black..." Sukuna's fist glowed with dark energy, crackling with power that made reality itself seem to distort.
Mash raised her shield to protect Gudako.
"...FLASH!"
The impact was catastrophic. Even though Mash's shield was legendary, the sheer force sent her flying through the wall, disappearing in an explosion of debris.
Before Gudako could finish her Command Spell, Sukuna's right hand struck her sternum.
The sound made me feel sick. A wet, sickening crunch. Gudako's scream of agony echoed through the room as blood sprayed from her mouth. She was thrown backward like a ragdoll, slamming into the wall with enough force to crack it before slumping to the ground, unconscious.
My sister. My twin sister.
Now knowing that it probably wasn't my sister's fault (I still felt disgusted for having failed her), I screamed in worry and helplessness, or at least I wanted to, but because of the gag, only a muffled cry came out. I tried to use a command seal through my mind, but I grimaced when agonizing pain shot through me.
It hurt, it hurt a lot, I complained mentally as I tried again, but the pain only grew stronger, causing another muffled cry to escape my lips.
Seeing that I couldn't cast a spell, I stopped trying, and instead could only watch helplessly as his friends and comrades killed each other.
Astolfo tried to use his Noble Phantasm but was caught mid-activation. Sukuna jumped high, pointed at him, and suddenly Astolfo was desperately dodging something invisible. A barrier appeared—BB's work—but even that shattered. Astolfo barely escaped.
Sukuna landed and laughed. That terrifying, inhuman laugh that spoke of pure sadism and enjoyment of suffering.
"What happened to your confidence earlier, dear BB-chan?" he mocked.
Scáthach appeared above him, spear aimed at his skull. But Sukuna manifested a strange weapon—some kind of vajra-blade hybrid—and deflected her attack with ease before making a cutting gesture.
Scáthach moved with incredible speed, barely avoiding something that left a massive gouge in the floor.
When Artoria Lancer charged, Sukuna pointed at her with two fingers. "Kai."
Suddenly she was covered in cuts. Deep, bleeding wounds appearing across her entire body. Her left leg was severed completely. Blood pooled beneath her as she collapsed near a shocked Astolfo.
The only reason she didn't die was because Rhongomyniad protected her vital areas.
Through it all, Sukuna's cruel smile never wavered.
Then he made another hand gesture, and reality seemed to fracture.
"Yatsuka-no-Tsurugi Ikaishinshō Makora."
From his shadow emerged something that made my blood run cold.
A massive creature, easily twelve feet tall. Humanoid but wrong—four wings protruding from where its eyes should be, a tail-like appendage from its head. Above it floated an enormous eight-handled wheel. It wore black hakama pants and radiated power that felt different from anything I'd seen before.
I'd seen Servants summon familiars before. But this... this felt different. More substantial. More real. This wasn't just a summon—it was an entity in its own right, radiating magic that made the air itself feel thick and oppressive.
Before anyone could react, Mahoraga moved. Despite its massive size, it was fast—impossibly fast. It charged at Astolfo, who was the closest, and delivered a punch to his stomach.
Even with his armor, even with his Servant durability, Astolfo looked like he'd been hit by Heracles at full strength. He was launched off his feet, flying backward and crashing into the wall so hard that his back smashed against it, spittle flying from his mouth. He collapsed to the ground with a groan of pain.
"Now the battle has turned into a two versus four," Sukuna said with satisfaction, gesturing to himself and the Divine General. "Let me introduce you to Eight-Handled Sword Divergent Sila Divine General Mahoraga." The creature positioned itself beside Sukuna, and I swear its mouth curved into a smile. "Now, do me a favor, and don't die too quickly."
I could see the shift in everyone's expressions. The realization that this fight had just become exponentially more difficult.
BB's confident smile had completely vanished, replaced by barely concealed concern. She began invoking shadowy tendrils, trying to overwhelm Sukuna, but he simply pointed at them and they disintegrated, destroyed with minimal effort.
Mahoraga charged at Scáthach. She had just finished weaving her runes—complex magical inscriptions that she cast into the air. They activated immediately, and I felt that something had changed in the atmosphere. All of their temporary enemies were affected by the runes, but it didn't seem to be a negative thing, so they must have received a buff, and from the look on Sukuna's face, he thought the same thing.
Mahoraga's colossal strike came at Scáthach, and she barely managed to block it with Gáe Bolg Alternative. The impact sent her flying several meters backward, her feet tearing through the floor as she tried to slow her momentum.
The Divine General gave her no time to recover, charging after her with relentless fury.
What followed was a brutal exchange. Scáthach fought with everything she had—millennia of combat experience distilled into perfect technique. Her strikes were precise, devastating, drawing that strange dark purple blood from Mahoraga's body again and again.
BB tried various attacks, but nothing worked. Every shadow tendril was destroyed. Every digital assault shattered. She was sweating now, her confident smile completely gone.
Scáthach and the Divine General had disappeared from my view—I could hear crashes and explosions from another part of Chaldea, but couldn't see what was happening.
Then BB made a gesture, and Sukuna's eyes widened in alarm. Though I couldn't see what she'd done, he staggered, his hand going to his head. Some kind of mental attack that briefly destabilized him.
Astolfo, recovered enough to move, charged at Sukuna to capitalize on BB's attempt. It was a fatal mistake.
Sukuna's four eyes snapped open, blazing with fury. He evaded Astolfo's spear with ease and placed his palm against the Paladin's abdomen.
What happened next would haunt my nightmares.
Astolfo's body exploded in a shower of blood and severed limbs. Both legs were torn off, his left arm separated from his body, and countless cuts covered every inch of him—some large, some small, all bleeding profusely. His torso crashed near Mash, who stared in frozen horror as blood began pooling across the pristine white floor.
His Spirit Origin flickered rapidly. He'd disappear soon, returning to the Throne of Heroes.
I felt sick. Wanted to vomit behind the gag. This was too much. Too brutal. Too real.
Artoria Lancer, despite her injuries, managed to summon her horse. Using her one remaining leg and sheer determination, she mounted it and activated her Noble Phantasm. "Rhongomyniad," Artoria Lancer declared.
The sacred spear manifested with blinding divine light, launching toward Sukuna as a massive spiral of holy energy.
Sukuna tried to counter. "Kai!" Hundreds of invisible slashes struck the attack, but they couldn't penetrate it. The divine spear pushed through.
Sukuna was forced to catch it with his bare hands. I watched in disbelief as he actually stopped it, his feet tearing through the floor as the momentum drove him backward, teeth gritted with effort.
BB saw her chance. "Maybe this wouldn't have happened if you weren't so arrogant, Su-ku-na-chan~," she taunted before turning and running from the room.
Sukuna tried to summon that serpent again to chase her, but Mash intercepted it with her shield. The serpent's jaws closed on the shield, unable to overcome it even as the ground cracked beneath Mash's feet from the pressure.
"Get back here you fucking piece of shit!" Sukuna bellowed, genuine fury in his voice. "When I find you, I'll enjoy killing you!"
Then the explosion came.
Rhongomyniad detonated. The blast consumed everything. Artoria had somehow mounted her horse and grabbed both me and Gudako, carrying us away from the blast zone before dropping us on the ground.
I felt desperate; arrogance had cost Sukuna dearly. I could only pray that he had survived, even though it was highly unlikely. But I was one of those people who never gave up hope completely. There was still a chance that he was alive, and that was enough for me.
Something blew smoke out forcefully. I couldn't see what it was, but I could see the results in full 4K.
Artoria and her horse were split vertically in two. From head to hooves, cleaved with such impossible precision that the halves remained upright for a heartbeat before toppling in opposite directions.
Blood. Organs. Her Noble Phantasm, Rhongomyniad itself, cut cleanly in half.
The sacred spear that held back the planet's mysteries, severed like paper.
Artoria's Spirit Origin began to fade immediately, her remains glowing as she returned to the Throne of Heroes. But the image of her death—the casual, effortless brutality of it—was seared into my mind forever.
If I thought Astolfo's brutal death had been horrible, Artoria Lancer's death was astroz, so horrifying that I felt like vomiting. The liquid rose to my mouth, but unable to escape through my gag, I had to force myself to swallow the vomit and try to control my disgust, so I closed my eyes momentarily.
"Pathetic," Sukuna commented. "Is this all a Lancer with such a prestigious Noble Phantasm could muster?"
Only Mash remained standing now. She raised her shield with trembling arms, positioning herself between Sukuna, Gudako and me, but I could see the fear in her eyes. Could see her entire body shaking.
Sukuna engaged her briefly—I couldn't follow all the details, but it was brutally one-sided. Then he grabbed her shield and simply pulled it away before dragging her out of sight.
I could hear sounds of continued combat, Mash's screams, but couldn't see what was happening.
Minutes passed that felt like hours.
Then Sukuna returned, dragging Mash behind him. She wasn't visibly injured, but something in her eyes had changed. Resignation, fear, and frustration.
He approached me and with a casual gesture—I didn't even see him move his hand—the ropes binding me fell away, severed by an invisible cut. I collapsed forward onto my hands and knees, my muscles screaming in protest after being bound for so long.
Sukuna crouched in front of me and removed the gag from my mouth. "Looks like someone's been having a rough time, huh?"
I licked my lips when I saw that the gag was removed.
I wanted to hate him. Wanted to scream at him for the brutality, the casual murder of my Servants. But looking at the carnage around me, at Gudako's unconscious form, at Mash's broken expression...
He had saved me. In his own twisted, violent way, he had saved me from whatever they were planning.
"What..." My voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper. "What is happening here? How did we let Chaldea reach this point?"
Sukuna's mocking expression softened slightly—not to kindness, never that, but to something like grim amusement. "Oh, how charming. The great Master of Chaldea blaming himself as if that would change anything. Honestly, I'm surprised it took you this long to figure it out."
"Shut up!" The words came out with more force than I intended, frustration and helplessness boiling over. "You didn't have to be so brutal with them... I know they were compromised, but you could have killed them less savagely!"
Even as I said it, I knew how hollow it sounded. What else could he have done? They'd attacked him. Would have killed him if they could. Would have killed me too, or worse—turned me into whatever they'd become.
"Nah, I don't see why I should go easy on those pathetic animals," Sukuna dismissed with a wave. "Besides, be thankful I didn't kill the leftovers." He gestured toward Mash and Gudako.
He was right, as much as I hated to admit it. They were alive. Against someone like him, that was more mercy than I had any right to expect.
Sukuna explained then about the [Haze], the corruption affecting my Servants. When Mash tried to defend it, calling it a "blessing," Sukuna temporarily suppressed the corruption in her mind.
It hurt me to see Mash in the state she was in, and worst of all, it wasn't just her, but also my sister and who knows how many other servants. They were being sexually abused, and they believed it was a blessing. And it wasn't just women, if Astolfo was any indication.
It made me wonder how many Pretenders there were. Despite the pain, I felt anger and rage toward the person who was causing all this. The worst part was that I didn't know how to fix it. Due to my incompetence, corruption had spread throughout Chaldea, and who knows how deep it went.
All I can do is hope that Sukuna finds a solution to eliminate the corruption. He doesn't seem like the type of person who lies, but he's also not the type to do things out of kindness. I don't know what Sukuna wants, but if he helped me, I was willing to give him anything to end this nightmare.
Despite that, I couldn't help complaining about the brutal blow to my sister. Obviously, Sukuna gave me a dismissive gesture, and despite my frustration, I dropped the subject. After all, I couldn't demand anything from the only person who could probably help me out of the deep shit I was in.
Then he told me to call BB. I hesitated when I saw Sukuna's malicious intentions toward BB. She was an important friend, but if I had to choose between Mash, Gudako, and BB, it was obvious that I would abandon BB, as cruel as that sounded. I loved Mash and my sister too much to abandon them. It didn't matter that BB wasn't to blame. It was a price I was willing to pay, even if I regretted it.
I raised my hand, Command Spells glowing. "By my Command Spell, I order you, BB—manifest before me immediately!"
Reality rippled. Space bent. And BB materialized in front of us, confusion clear on her face.
Before she could react—before she could teleport away or activate any defenses—Sukuna moved.
His hand wrapped around her throat, lifting her off the ground. BB's eyes widened, her hands immediately going to his wrist, trying to pry his fingers away.
"Well, well," Sukuna purred, his voice dripping with malice. "The little AI who thought she could escape. Did you really think I'd forget about you?"
"S-Sukuna," BB choked out, genuine fear in her eyes now. She tried to maintain that playful persona, but it cracked under his grip. "There's no need for—"
"No need for what?" Sukuna interrupted, his four eyes boring into her. "Violence? After what you've done? The problems you've caused me, you damn cockroach.
She tried to smile, tried to use her charm. "You're so rough, Sukuna-chan~ But I like that about you. Strong men are always so—"
SLASH.
BB's right arm fell to the floor, severed cleanly at the shoulder. Because her body was artificial, no blood spilled—just sparking wires and exposed circuitry.
Her scream was very real though.
"Did you think that pathetic attempt at seduction would work?" Sukuna's voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "I told you before—I don't make empty threats. You ran from our fight. And that's why you've pissed me off, you damn coward."
SLASH. SLASH. SLASH.
In rapid succession, he dismembered her other arm, then both legs. BB's torso fell to the ground, her artificial body twitching as damaged systems tried and failed to regenerate.
"You're going to regret running from me," Sukuna continued, crouching beside her. "I'm going to take my time with this. I'm going to dismantle you piece by piece, circuit by circuit, until there's nothing left but scrap metal and broken code."
"Stop!" I shouted, finding my voice. "Sukuna, stop!"
He turned to look at me, his four eyes blazing with fury. "What?"
"Don't kill her yet," I said quickly, stepping forward despite every instinct screaming at me to stay back. "I want to try something first."
Sukuna's expression darkened. "You're testing my patience, boy."
"I know," I acknowledged. "But please. Just... give me a chance."
For a long moment, he stared at me. Then, with visible reluctance, he stepped back. "You have two minutes. Make them count."
I knelt beside BB's dismembered form. Her face was contorted in pain, but her eyes... there was something in them. Defiance, yes, but also confusion. Fear. And buried deep beneath the corruption, a tiny spark of the BB I once knew.
"BB," I said softly. "I know you're still in there. The real you, not this corrupted version. Please, tell me how to stop this. Tell me how to save everyone."
BB's purple eyes focused on me, and for a moment, I saw something flicker in them. Pain, yes, but also... confusion? Conflict?
Then she laughed. It was a broken, bitter sound that made my chest tighten.
"Save everyone?" she repeated, her voice strained but mocking. "Oh, Senpai. You really haven't changed, have you? Always trying to be the hero. Always thinking you can fix everything with the power of friendship and determination."
"That's not—" I started, but she cut me off.
"There's no stopping it," BB said, her tone shifting to something almost pitying. "The blessing of our true Master is absolute. It's only a matter of time before everyone succumbs. Before the entire world understands the truth we've been shown."
"Blessing?" I repeated incredulously. "BB, this isn't a blessing. It's corruption. It's destroying everything you are. Everything you stand for."
"What I stand for?" She laughed again, more bitter this time. "And what is that, exactly? I'm a demon, Senpai. I am a demon whom humanity begs on their knees to save them, and that is what I do. I will help them see what I see, whether they like it or not."
"BB, you're not like that, you don't want this." I insisted. "Remember who you are. What you've shown us time and time again. You helped us against Kiara. You saved humanity in your own way..."
"In my own way," BB interrupted, her voice taking on a strange quality. "Yes. My own way. And this... this is also my way, Senpai. Can't you see? I'm helping you. We're all helping you. You just don't understand yet."
I felt frustration rising in my chest. "How is any of this helping? You've turned my Servants against me. You've corrupted Mash, my sister—"
"They're finally free," BB said, her eyes taking on that unfocused quality again. "Free from doubts, from pain, from the burden of choice. Our Master showed us the way. Showed us the truth of pleasure and purpose without the weight of morality holding us back."
"That's not freedom," I said desperately. "That's slavery. BB, please. I know you remember. Remember when you fought against your own programming. When you chose to help us even though it went against everything you were designed to do. That was you making a choice. A real choice."
For a moment—just a fleeting instant—something shifted in her expression. The unfocused haze in her eyes cleared slightly, and I saw her. The real BB. The one who had helped save humanity despite claiming to be a demon.
"Senpai..." she whispered, her voice suddenly small. Vulnerable. "I..."
Then it was gone. Her expression hardened again, but this time there was something else. Not the mocking confidence from before, but a desperate kind of certainty.
"It's for your own good," she said firmly. "Everything we're doing—everything I'm doing—it's to protect you. To make things easier for you. You carry so much weight, Senpai. So much responsibility. We just want to... ease that burden. Make you happy."
The words struck me harder than I expected. Because beneath the corruption, beneath the twisted logic, I could hear genuine concern. BB actually believed she was helping me.
"I am happy," I said, forcing my voice to remain steady. "Or I was. Before all this started. BB, you don't need to protect me from my own life. From my own choices. That's what makes them meaningful."
"But you're suffering," BB insisted. "Even now, I can see it. The pain, the confusion, the betrayal. If you would just stop fighting, just accept what we're offering—"
"I can't do that," I said. "And deep down, you know I can't. Because if I did, I wouldn't be the person you're trying to protect anymore. I'd just be another puppet."
BB's face contorted with conflicting emotions. "You don't understand. You can't understand. Not yet. But you will. When our Master—"
"Who is your Master?" I demanded. "Who's doing this to you? To all of you?"
BB's mouth opened, as if to answer, but no words came out. She strained, her artificial body twitching with effort, but it was like something was physically preventing her from speaking.
"I... can't..." she gasped. "The blessing... won't let me..."
"Pathetic," Sukuna's voice cut through the moment. I'd almost forgotten he was there. "This is pointless, boy. She's too far gone. Whatever this Haze is, it's got its hooks too deep in her soul to let her betray its source."
"No," I said stubbornly. "There has to be—"
"Time's up," Sukuna interrupted, his tone brooking no argument.
"Wait!" I turned to him desperately. "Just a little longer. I can reach her. I know I can—"
"You're deluding yourself," Sukuna said coldly. He raised his hand, and I saw his fingers shift, claws extending. "She had her chance. Multiple chances. And all she's done is waste our time with empty words and false concern."
"Sukuna, please—" I started, but he wasn't listening.
Sukuna pointed at BB with the index finger of his right hand and grabbed his right forearm with his left hand.
Sukuna was about to use dismantle, but something happened that interrupted him.
A figure appeared between them, moving at a speed that made my eyes water trying to follow. Twin swords flashed in the emergency lighting, aiming for Sukuna's neck with perfect form and lethal intent.
CLANG.
The blades stopped, intercepted by Mahoraga's blackened sword. The Divine General had manifested from Sukuna's shadow without warning, its massive form now standing between its master and the attacker.
The figure leaped back gracefully, landing a dozen feet away.
Miyamoto Musashi.
I recognized her immediately—the legendary swordswoman who had helped us through countless battles. She wore her usual short white and blue kimono tied with that red rope belt, her long black hair flowing behind her. In each hand, she held one of her twin katanas, the blades gleaming with an eager light.
Her face was animated, cheerful even—that characteristic grin I remembered. Nothing about her appearance suggested corruption. Yet her presence here, attacking Sukuna, told me everything I needed to know.
"Musashi..." I breathed.
"Whoops!" Musashi said with surprising levity. "That was close! If that big guy hadn't blocked me, this would've been over way too quick. Where's the fun in that?"
Sukuna didn't even turn to face her. With a casual gesture, he summoned his technique.
"Orochi."
From his shadow, the massive white serpent erupted, its enormous body coiling through the air. Its single head—jaws wide enough to swallow a person whole—lunged toward Musashi with frightening speed.
"Whoa!" Musashi's eyes widened, and she launched herself backward in a graceful leap, her body twisting mid-air. The serpent's fangs snapped shut on empty space, missing her by inches.
But instead of pursuing her, the serpent changed direction. Its massive body coiled around me and Gudako, creating a protective barrier between us and the battle. The scales were cool against my skin, and I could feel the raw power radiating from the creature.
"Stay inside," Sukuna said without looking at us. "You're safer there than anywhere else in this building."
And still ignoring Musashi, he turned his attention back to BB's scattered remains. He crouched beside her torso, placing his palm against the artificial flesh.
"Hachi."
BB's body shredded from the inside out, torn apart by invisible slashing attacks that adjusted to destroy every circuit, every component. Her form was reduced to unrecognizable pieces scattered across the floor, sparking and twitching before going completely dark.
"Brutal," Musashi commented, straightening from her landing. Despite her light tone, there was a calculating look in her eyes now. "Taking out an ally while ignoring the enemy? That takes confidence."
Before anyone could respond, I heard more footsteps approaching from the corridor.
Another figure emerged, taking position beside Musashi.
Ibuki-douji.
The divine demon stood with her arms crossed, a small, knowing smile playing on her lips. Her appearance was striking as always—long purple hair cascading down her back, golden eyes that seemed to gleam with their own inner light, pale skin marked with intricate tattoos that seemed to shift slightly in the dim emergency lighting. She wore her distinctive black and red outfit that left little to the imagination, her voluptuous figure radiating both sensuality and power.
"Ara ara," Ibuki purred, her golden eyes fixed on Sukuna with obvious interest. "Sukuna-san causing trouble again, I see. Though I suppose I shouldn't be surprised—you did have that dangerous aura about you when we met before."
Sukuna finally turned to face them properly, his four crimson eyes sweeping over both newcomers with cold assessment. "Ibuki-douji. And another one I haven't met."
"Miyamoto Musashi, wandering swordswoman!" Musashi introduced herself cheerfully, giving a little flourish with her swords. "And honestly? After seeing what you did to Artoria-san and the others, I can't just let that slide. That was my friend you hurt!"
"Your friend who was trying to kill me," Sukuna replied flatly. "Along with all the others."
"Because you're interfering," Musashi said, her tone remaining light but her stance becoming more serious. "Someone's disrupting the blessing everyone's been receiving. Someone's attacking our comrades. That someone is you, Sukuna-san."
"Blessing," Sukuna repeated with obvious disdain, pursing his lips. "What a disgusting name for corruption. This charade is repulsive."
We met briefly, didn't we, Sukuna-san?" Ibuki interjected smoothly, her smile widening. "In Chaldea's corridors. The mysterious Caster from the Heian era. Everyone whispered about you—the one who kept to himself, radiating that delicious aura of danger."
"Heian era?" Musashi's eyes lit up with interest. "Oh! So you're one of those ancient magi? I've heard stories about that period—supposed to be when magecraft and curses were at their peak, right? Though most of the details are pretty vague in the historical records." She grinned. "I suppose individual magus were not remembered as much as yokai, spirits, demons, and gods."
"Well, the name Ryomen Sukuna rings a bell," Ibuki offered, examining her nails with feigned casualness. "The legends paint you as both protector and demon—two faces of the same coin. Hero in some tales, monster in others."
"Two faces?" Musashi perked up even more. "That explains the extra eyes! That's actually really cool! Though..." her expression grew more serious, her grip tightening on her swords, "right now, you're only showing us the monster side, aren't you?"
"It's the only side creatures like you deserve to see," Sukuna replied, his voice cold as ice.
"Creatures?" Musashi's cheerfulness dimmed slightly. "That's pretty harsh. We're just trying to protect what matters to us."
"Serving someone you don't know?" Sukuna challenged him. "By following orders you can't explain?"
Apparently Sukuna had noticed something that I hadn't. But I suspected it was from my conversation with BB. I could only shake my head with imposing sadness at the conflict. I didn't even know Sukuna's abilities beyond what he showed, but that doesn't mean he's totally useless.
Both women hesitated for just a fraction of a second—a flicker of confusion crossing their features—before their expressions smoothed over.
"We know what we're doing," Ibuki said firmly, her golden eyes hardening. "Our purpose is clear enough. You've interfered with our work, hurt people we're protecting, and disrupted something beautiful." Her smile turned predatory. "That makes you a threat that needs to be eliminated."
"Ritsuka-kun," Musashi called out, her eyes finding mine through the serpent's coils. Genuine concern colored her voice. "Are you okay? You look terrible. Has Sukuna-san been threatening you?"
I opened my mouth, but the words caught in my throat. How could I explain? How could I make her understand?
"He freed me," I finally managed, my voice hoarse and strained. "From... from whatever all of you were planning to do to me."
"Planning?" Musashi looked genuinely confused, her head tilting. "Ritsuka-kun, we're just trying to help you. To make things easier. To make you happy."
"By hiding things from me?" I asked desperately, my voice cracking. "By doing... what you were doing with Astolfo? With my sister?"
Musashi's expression softened with what looked like genuine sympathy. "You don't understand yet. But you will. Once you experience what we have, you'll see—"
"He won't experience anything," Sukuna cut in sharply. "Because I'm not letting you corrupt him."
"Then we have a problem," Ibuki said, her playful tone evaporating completely, replaced by cold determination. "We have our orders, Sukuna-san. You've become a threat—a significant one. That cannot be overlooked, no matter how interesting I find you."
"Finally," Sukuna said, and I saw his cruel smile widen until it looked almost feral. "Honest enmity. No pretense. No justifications. Just the truth—you want me dead."
"Don't take it personally," Ibuki replied smoothly. "Under different circumstances, I might have enjoyed getting to know you better. Your techniques are fascinating, after all. But duty comes first."
The tension in the room became almost unbearable. I could feel it pressing down on me, making it hard to breathe.
Musashi dropped into a combat stance, her swords beginning to glow with otherworldly light. "I am Miyamoto Musashi, who has walked the path of void. My blade cuts through fate itself."
"And I," Ibuki added, her divine aura intensifying, "am born from the great Yamata-no-Orochi. Daughter of catastrophe, wielder of storms... But you should already know that, right?" She said as she looked at me.
The tension in the room became almost unbearable. I could feel it pressing down on me, making it hard to breathe.
"I'm done wasting time," he said simply.
Sukuna looked at Mash, who stood nearby with shield raised and conflicted eyes. Several words passed between their glances. Sukuna stopped looking at Mash to look at his opponents.
"Protect them," he ordered aloud. "Block any stray attacks that get through."
Mash moved to position herself near the serpent's protective coils, her shield at the ready. Despite the binding forcing her to obey, I could see the struggle in her face, the war between her own will and Sukuna's absolute command.
Then Sukuna made a gesture, and shadows rippled outward from his feet.
"Madoka"
A new creature emerged—a deer-like shikigami with an elegant, almost ethereal quality. Its body radiated a soft, warm light that felt fundamentally different from the other summons. It moved to stand near the serpent, near me and Gudako, its presence somehow reassuring
"In case of emergency," Sukuna said briefly, not elaborating further.
Then his shadows exploded outward again with even greater force.
"Nue"
What emerged this time made even Musashi's cheerful expression falter.
A large, bird-like creature with prominent orange feathers. It has a skull-like white mask covering its face, sharp talons, and what appear to be human-like teeth. As it spread its wing-arms, electricity crackled between them—not simple sparks, but power that made the air itself scream.
"Your shikigamis aren't normal, are they? First that white monster, then the snake, the deer, and now whatever this bird is." Ibuki commented with displeasure, but even so, her expression did not waver.
Musashi, despite her initial impression, only smiled more excitedly.
"Obviously," Sukuna said. "Now then—shall we begin?"
Then he moved.
Not toward Musashi, but directly at Ibuki. His speed was incredible—one moment standing still, the next appearing right in front of the divine demon with his fist already in motion.
Ibuki barely managed to bring up her arms, coating them with divine energy. Sukuna's fist connected with enough force to send her skidding backward, her feet carving grooves in the floor despite her desperate attempt to maintain her footing.
"Fast!" she gasped, genuine surprise coloring her tone.
The serpent followed its master immediately, its massive body flowing across the floor like water. It positioned itself to support Sukuna's assault, its head weaving back and forth as if looking for an opening to strike.
At the same moment, Mahoraga and Nue turned their full attention to Musashi.
The Divine General charged forward with ground-shaking steps, its blackened sword raised. Simultaneously, Nue launched itself through the air, with its large wings spread wide and crackling with electrical power.
"Two on one?" Musashi's grin returned despite the dangerous situation. "Well, that's not very fair! But I guess fair fights are boring anyway!"
She met Mahoraga's first strike head-on, her twin swords clashing against the corrupted blade with a shower of sparks. The force of the impact drove her back a step, but she was already moving, her body flowing like water as she dodged Nue's diving attack.
Electricity arced through the space where she'd been standing, powerful enough to leave scorch marks on the floor.
"Definitely not normal lightning!" Musashi commented, her tone cheerful despite the sweat already forming on her brow. "That would've hurt if it connected!"
Mahoraga pressed its advantage, its massive sword sweeping in a horizontal arc. Musashi ducked under it, her own blades flashing toward the Divine General's exposed midsection.
The strike connected, drawing that dark purplish blood.
CLINK.
The wheel above Mahoraga's head turned once.
"Uh oh," Musashi muttered, her eyes widening slightly. "That doesn't look good."
Meanwhile, Sukuna engaged Ibuki in close combat. His movements were precise, brutal, each strike aimed at vital points. The divine demon met him blow for blow, her fists coated in golden divine energy that allowed her to match his physical power. Their exchange was too fast for me to follow completely—a blur of strikes, blocks, and counterattacks that moved with inhuman speed. The impact of each blow sent shockwaves through the room, cracking the floor and walls.
Ibuki attempted to create distance, flames erupting around her body. But the serpent struck from the side, its massive jaws snapping at her. She was forced to abandon her flame technique and dodge, which left her open for Sukuna's next attack.
His hand shot out, fingers extended. "Kai."
Multiple invisible cuts filled the space around Ibuki. She snarled, her divine barriers flickering into existence just in time. Most of the cuts were deflected, but several got through, drawing golden divine blood from shallow wounds on her arms and torso.
"You're annoying," Ibuki growled, genuine irritation showing through her composed facade.
"Good," Sukuna replied coldly.
On the other side of the room, Musashi was being pushed to her limits. Mahoraga's attacks were becoming more coordinated, more precise—the Divine General was learning her patterns with frightening speed. Every feint, every technique variation, the creature adapted to it faster and faster.
And Nue provided constant pressure from above, diving attacks that forced Musashi to split her attention. Electricity arced constantly, limiting her movement options, herding her toward Mahoraga's blade.
"This is getting dicey," Musashi admitted, though her grin never faded completely. She flickered—her body becoming translucent, almost nonexistent—as an invisible cut from nowhere passed through the space she'd occupied.
When she solidified again, she was breathing harder. "That trick is exhausting to use repeatedly," she muttered.
Mahoraga's fist shot forward. Musashi brought up both swords to block, but even with her considerable strength, the impact sent her sliding backward, her feet carving deep grooves in the already damaged floor.
Nue seized the opportunity, attack with the legs discharging electricity simultaneously. The attack came from above and behind—impossible to dodge completely.
Musashi flickered again, becoming void for the briefest instant. The electricity passed through empty space, but when she solidified, I could see the strain on her face. That technique—From the void that allowed her to slip between existence and non-existence—it couldn't be maintained indefinitely.
"Musashi-san!" Ibuki called out, genuine concern breaking through her usual playful demeanor.
But Ibuki had her own problems. Sukuna pressed his assault relentlessly, his strikes never giving her a moment to breathe. And whenever she tried to create space, the serpent was there, cutting off escape routes, forcing her back toward Sukuna's range.
She launched another wave of divine flames—white-hot and burning with godly authority. The serpent coiled protectively around Sukuna, taking the brunt of the assault. I heard it hiss in pain as the divine fire seared its scales, but it didn't retreat.
"Your familiar is remarkably loyal," Ibuki commented, breathing hard. "Taking divine flames for you like that."
Sukuna didn't respond verbally. He simply appeared beside her—having used the serpent's sacrifice as a distraction—and drove his elbow into her ribs with crushing force.
The impact sent Ibuki flying, her body crashing through a support pillar before hitting the wall hard enough to crack it. She slumped to the ground, coughing.
"Ibuki-san!" Musashi shouted, her concentration breaking for just an instant.
That instant was all Mahoraga needed.
The Divine General's blackened sword came down in a devastating overhead strike. Musashi brought up both her swords to block, but the force was overwhelming. She was driven to her knees, the floor cracking beneath her from the pressure.
Then Nue attacked from behind, and its body hit her in the back with such force that she flew through the air. Musashi screamed in pain as electricity coursed through her body. Mahoraga was about to tear her in two when, miraculously, she activated her void technique. She managed to avoid the attack by the skin of her teeth.
Musashi rolled across the floor to regain control of her feet, and once she did, she put a great distance between herself and her attackers. She landed gracefully next to Ibuki.
Mahoraga "looked" at Musashi, and she felt a chill run down her spine. She has a bad feeling that if she doesn't kill the Shikigami as quickly as possible, she will suffer the consequences.
Both women were on the defensive now, bleeding from multiple wounds, their breathing labored.
"This is bad," Musashi muttered, pushing herself back to her feet. "Really, really bad."
Ibuki forced herself up as well, golden blood dripping from her mouth. "We're being overwhelmed. Four against two, and each of his summons is servant-class."
"So we go all out?" Musashi asked.
"We may not have a choice," Ibuki replied grimly.
Both women's auras intensified dramatically. Musashi's swords began to glow with that reality-cutting light, brighter than before. Ibuki's divine power made the air itself shimmer with heat, her tattoos blazing with golden radiance.
And Sukuna just smiled, his four eyes gleaming with cold satisfaction.
The real battle was about to begin.
I watched alongside the protective stag that radiated warmth as I thought about how to help in the conflict and held my unconscious sister. Mash stood guard nearby, unable to do anything but witness the escalating violence.
This was it. No more testing, no more probing attacks.
Whatever happened next would decide everything.
.
.
.
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By the way, did you like the chapter? If you want to support my writing and help me continue, you can do so at ko-fi.com /paxkun12. Any support is incredibly valuable to me and will help me a lot. This is not an obligation— all my chapters and stories will always be free to read. But your support would really motivate me. Not to mention, if you want me to update a particular story, I'll do my best to make it happen. Everyone is welcome to enjoy it. PDT: Every donation will go toward repairing my computer because it broke down. And sorry for any spelling mistakes that might have slipped through. Since I'm working on a tablet, it's possible something got past me, but I tried to check everything several times.