“…It’s up to you.”

The black coat framed the young boy’s innocent face, calm and terrifyingly indifferent. Just as when he witnessed Mori’s assassination, working with Black Doctor, his heart remained unaffected. He didn’t consider himself a good person, nor did he sense anything amiss in observing from the sidelines.

He, just him.

He wouldn’t become anyone’s example or object of imitation.

As he gazed into Hyakki’s eyes, a hint of childlike purity remained in his gaze, curious about the unfolding events yet deducing the outcome with his sharp intellect.

Hyakki did not disappoint him. He looked over at Nakahara, his high ponytail and yukata fluttering in the wind, the large swathes of bandages on his body bearing witness to past injuries. The sense of confusion stemming from innate goodness vanished from the black-haired youth, replaced by a determination to hunt down the demonic god.

“I’m sorry.”

“Having wrongly accused you for so long, watching you engulfed by the power of the demonic god.”

“You must be a person of unwavering conviction, born in troubled times, possessed by the demonic god for so long, your flame of life tainted by only a few killings, not even as much as a bandit leader…”

In the midst of overwhelming murderous intent, Hyakki grasped his right arm and pulled at the joints.

“Please rest in peace.”

“I will—”

“Do my utmost to free your flame of life from pollution.”

After the black-haired youth’s arm was detached, the illusion covering the prosthetic limb disappeared, revealing once again the inner samurai sword. His arms were discarded on the ground, under the watchful eye of “Dororo”, as his body shot out like a propelled arrow toward his own battlefield, relentlessly seeking to vanquish such monsters.

For the sake of what he had lost and the mission entrusted to him by the world of “Dororo”.

In his heart, only the blazing flames of the demonic god remained!

Dazai unconsciously smiled.

Humans, always capable of breaking conventions, embracing challenges, and pursuing goals worth sacrificing their lives for.

He glanced at the stranger approaching, whose phoenix-like eyes held no fear, only reverence for power and a desire for battle, as if proving how many people in this world refuse to settle for mediocrity.

Life should shine brightly, not be overshadowed by others’ brilliance.

Dazai sat down on a set of steps, contacting both his phone and the Special Ability Department, selling the same intelligence to both sides, reaping the benefits of being a double agent.

This little guy… definitely has an extraordinary background…

“Hyakki…?”

Deep within Hyakki’s psyche, in a place invisible to both illusionists and psychics, a gray pop-up suddenly appeared for a minute, emitting a dangerous alert sound.

【Version ■■■ external auxiliary system, high-level danger alert! Mission auto-prompt function online!】

【Function forcibly unlocked for one minute.】

【Reminder to trainee, this enemy exceeds your capabilities, estimated energy level and attributes equivalent to a high-ranking demonic god in the world of “Dororo”, trainee please flee, please flee…】

【Escape failed.】

【Activating trainee host’s full potential, activating “Child of Heaven” hidden setting successful.】

【Activating one-time protective power against dark side demonic gods, power of purification.】

【Evil will never prevail over righteousness.】

【Please continue to strive for excellence.】

The effects of the contract manifested at this moment.

 After the external auxiliary system provided support to the trainee, all functions dimmed.

    The emergence of the power of purification instantly cleansed the life flames tainted by the power of the demonic god. Even the fleeting moment of ease brought about a sense of almost overwhelming emotion.

    Survive and complete the mission!

    His faith was unprecedentedly firm, overcoming Hyakki with his own destiny and determination.

    After experiencing numerous failures, Hyakki continued to wield his sword with his body, invisible radiance surging within his life flames, constantly empowering him, making him seem almost divine as he battled against the god with god-like power! Breaking through the defenses of Hyakki’s power, his damaged body unleashed a strike with all his might in mid-air!

    Even the weakest bird can unleash the power to strike down an eagle!

    The fate of the Child of Heaven to vanquish the demonic god emerged with a counterattack from the limits of life, and Hyakki found himself in the most dangerous situation close to death. Dazai’s face tightened, ready to rush forward to seal Hyakki.

    With a single sword stroke.

    The dark red energy was slashed apart!

    Equivalent to a samurai sword, a plain ordinary sword of a mere mortal, severed the distance between man and god!

    The half of the orange-haired youth’s body tainted with blood, his beastly pupils contracted, and a hint of relief appeared on his scarred face as he fell from the sky, his confused consciousness briefly clearing.

    “Even the Hyakki … has its nemesis…”

【It’s… Over…】

There’s no need to further destroy this land, no need to act as the vicious black beast and kill everyone.

The consciousness of Nakahara returns to the darkness.

After a high leap, Hyakki falls to the ground, limbs scattering from the intense impact. His sword serves as his hand, his prosthetic limbs as his legs. His inner sight does not observe the world but is immersed in the external auxiliary system. The most significant change is the pinned mission in the task channel, showing a small progress. The external auxiliary system mechanically judges the successful vanquishing of a demonic god based on the eruption of power from both sides.

【Main Mission: Vanquish Twelve Demonic Gods (1/12).】

Crossing Sages, you guys still don’t have a reliable external auxiliary system!

Shortly after.

At the scene summoned by the government, Akiko Yosano stands with arms akimbo, wielding a large cleaver and stepping on high heels, looking ferocious as if she’s about to charge into Leibo Street and dismember everyone.

“Who needs treatment?”

Dazai looks troubled as he squats beside the three individuals. “Sorry to trouble you, Miss Yosano, they all do.”

The situation’s main participants, such as Hyakki who can’t move, Nakahara severely injured and dying, and Rikodu mentally devastated, can be considered as mutually destroyed. It just lacks someone alive to deliver the final blow.

Unfortunately, Hyakki hopes for Nakahara to survive.

Yosano Akiko is the first to approach the fallen Hyakki, ignoring Nakahara and Rikodu, expressing anger towards the family members of severely disabled patients in her capacity as a doctor. “Why didn’t you protect him?”

“…”

Dazai silently recalls the combat capabilities of the three individuals.

As feeble as he is, he still possesses only one ability: “Disqualified from Humanity.”