Hunter 100: The Encounter

Joseph and Caesar exchanged glances, smiling bitterly as they pulled out the specially prepared ropes. Lisa Lisa and Messina also took out similar ropes.

According to the original plan, the four Hamon warriors were to focus on restraining Kars' movements and providing support, while the main offensive was left to Lin Jiu. However, the young and energetic Joseph and Caesar naturally couldn't accept just playing a support role.

Lin Jiu suggested that they try attacking first. As he predicted, Kars would likely not dodge Joseph and Caesar's attacks and would probably show off his powerful Hamon technique to demoralize them. This would, in turn, make Joseph and Caesar willingly take on the support role.

Lin Jiu was already contemplating how to exploit Kars' inflated ego.

Lin Jiu dashed toward Kars with the lightness of a swallow. His wrist moved gently, and his sword, [Dawn Shadow], flashed like lightning, the blade gleaming.

Seeing his enemy approaching, Kars transformed both his arms into blades and lunged at Lin Jiu. In Lin Jiu's hand, [Dawn Shadow] seemed weightless, and as the blade swiftly struck Kars' arm-blades, sparks flew, and the sound of metal clashing echoed. Even Kars' tough arm-blades bore white sword marks.

Lin Jiu could feel the immense strength in Kars' arm-blades. Despite his downward slash, Kars effortlessly blocked it. The difference of 10 points in strength was significant!

"Heh!"

Kars sneered, blocking Lin Jiu's sword with one hand while thrusting the blade of his other arm toward Lin Jiu's abdomen.

Lin Jiu exerted force with the sword hand, pressing down on Kars' blade, and used the rebound to flip upward, kicking toward Kars' head.

Kars dramatically bent his head back at an angle over 90 degrees, easily dodging the kick.

Just as Kars was about to smirk in satisfaction, a Hamon-infused rope suddenly looped around his neck, pulling him towards the ground.

The rope came from Lisa Lisa, who had seized the opportunity, causing trouble for Kars.

At that moment, Kars was like a duck ready for slaughter, his neck fully exposed to Lin Jiu's sword.

Naturally, Lin Jiu didn't miss this chance, decisively slashing [Dawn Shadow].

Sensing the sharp threat, Kars, unable to move his head because of the rope, quickly raised his blade-like arms to shield his neck.

However, to Kars' surprise, Lin Jiu didn't aim for his throat. The instinct to protect one's throat is natural, and Lin Jiu wouldn't fall for such an obvious trap.

While Kars instinctively guarded his neck, Lin Jiu's sword pierced through his left chest. The sharp [Dawn Shadow] ignored Kars' protective outer shell.

In a critical moment, Kars manipulated his muscles to prevent the sword from piercing his heart.

Though he had become the Ultimate Being and could heal a pierced heart in less than a second, an instinct told him that if his heart were pierced by this sword, the consequences would be severe.

As expected, even though Kars' muscle wound healed quickly, he found he couldn't control it. Some energy, entirely different from Hamon, was severing the connection between his mind and his flesh.

Had his heart been hit earlier, though it wouldn't have killed him, he would have lost control over it—a terrifying prospect! Losing control over his heart would also mean losing control over his circulatory system.

Seeing Kars raise his hand, Lisa Lisa, experienced as she was, swiftly retracted the rope before he could cut it.

"You all…!"

Before Kars could finish his sentence, Lin Jiu was already charging at him again.

Kars' personality was entirely different from Muzan Kibutsuji's, so Lin Jiu didn't worry about not being able to get close. Kars wouldn't try to keep him at bay—instead, he would be eager to kill Lin Jiu to restore his dignity.

Lin Jiu swung his sword, and as it clashed with Kars' arm-blades, [Dawn Shadow] suddenly stuck in place. Lin Jiu pushed with all his might, but the sword's tip wouldn't budge an inch.

Kars had transformed his arm-blades into another material at the moment of contact, attempting to trap Lin Jiu's sword.

Lin Jiu reacted swiftly, rotating the sword's blade, kicking Kars, and quickly withdrawing [Dawn Shadow] as he leaped backward.

Kars wanted to pursue him, but ropes from either side suddenly bound him for a moment before swiftly retreating.

"Damn it!"

Kars hadn't expected to be so embarrassed after evolving into the Ultimate Being, and his face twisted with rage. He surged his Hamon energy to counteract the unknown energy, hoping to regain control.

Unfortunately for him, the soul energy remained unwavering. Lin Jiu had long known that his [Reincarnator] class was a late-game powerhouse but lacked offensive capabilities early on.

Soul Slash was simply a property of soul energy; it wasn't inherently aggressive. This trait made the energy stubbornly resistant to being dispelled once it entered an enemy's body.

Lin Jiu had been puzzled for a long time after first discovering these traits in the Demon Slayer world. Soul energy was supposed to be gentle, so why did his awakening feel as painful as when a Mage Hunter awakened the highly aggressive Steelshadow energy?

Only after fully awakening his class did he realize that it was because the process involved tearing apart his soul using a unique method, preparing him for [Reincarnation].

"Lowly creatures!"

Kars glared furiously at Lisa Lisa, Caesar, and the others. Their interference was infuriating, but he dared not shift his focus onto them. The human he was currently facing undoubtedly had the power to end him.

Kars believed that nothing on Earth could kill him. He didn't consider Lin Jiu's power to be of this world.

"Watch out!"

Stroheim, who had been relegated to a commentator role, suddenly shouted in warning.

Kars' arms transformed back into wings, and the feathers turned into scales that shot out in all directions, primarily targeting Lisa Lisa and the other supporters.

Lin Jiu protected his vital points and charged toward Kars, despite being showered by the scale projectiles like bullets.

By the time he reached Kars, Lin Jiu was covered in blood, but the passive abilities of the [Fighting Demon] had given him a total of 8 points in attribute boosts. Linda, hidden in a corner, kept a close eye on Lin Jiu's health.

If Lin Jiu died or if she found herself in mortal danger, she could choose to return to the Reincarnation Paradise. But all of this depended on her following the contract's rules.

She knew that if she had any other thoughts, this guy would probably abandon Kars and kill her first.

Seeing this bloodied human charge at him, Kars couldn't afford to continue attacking Lisa Lisa and the others. This spared them from any major injuries.

"Are you in such a hurry to die?"

Kars said coldly at the bloodied Lin Jiu.

Lin Jiu didn't have time to respond, as he entered a state of extreme concentration. He plucked a scale embedded in his wound with his left hand and flicked it toward Kars' eye.

Kars could still control the detached scale, but as he focused on it, Lin Jiu seized the opportunity. [Dawn Shadow], moving with grace and fluidity, suddenly appeared in front of Kars and, with ruthless precision, slashed upwards, leaving a long wound.