Epic Of Caterpillar

Chapter 2820 - 2821: A Desperate Battle

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Although they were made of delicate paper, Paper Shikigami are ritual-bound spirits summoned by Onmyōji using enchanted paper, often folded into humanoid or animal shapes. They serve as familiars, spies, protectors, or even weapons.

Matsuo barely knew much about how to conjure them, relying mostly on his Martial Arts training as a Monk and some Elemental Magic. However, after that incident, his fatherʼs training became even stricter, and Matsuo finally learned how to form multiple contracts with Spirits and create many Shikigami to assist him.

By connecting together, their power intensified, momentarily sealing an enemy in place by chaining them with spiritual soul chains...

However, against this furious Yakuza—fueled by two different otherworldly energies—the Shikigami could only hold him briefly before combusting into flames and exploding.

”WRAAAHHHH!”

As the Shikigami burned, the Yakuza rushed at Erika, who was trying to catch her breath. His form grew larger, his left arm swelling grotesquely as he channeled all his power into it.

BOOOM!

”NGH?! DAMN BRATS!”

Harumi and Matsuo appeared just in time, forming barriers of their elements—a Blood Barrier and a Barrier of Light—to protect Erika.

”You guys!” Erika quickly stood up again. One of her legs was broken, but she continued fighting, relying on her regeneration to recover quickly. ”Ah!”

”Stop trying to stick together!”

”Thatʼll only make it easier for us to crush you all at once!”

The two other Yakuza, Mizura and Senko, reached Erika. Their giant Whale and Hydra Spirit Beasts roared—the Hydraʼs countless heads lunged at Erika, biting into her body and tearing off her fur and skin, while the Whale opened its mouth, unleashing a tsunami.

SPLAAASH!

”Guaaagh?!”

”Nngh! Damn it! Erika!”

Harumi and Matsuo were separated from their friend by the torrent, drowning in the water as the giant whale, ridden by Mizura, rushed at them, opening its maws to devour them both.

”Matsuo!”

”I know!”

Speaking through a Telepathy Spell, both nodded, unleashing their Auras one last time and rushing toward the surface. However, the Whale Spirit Beast widened its jaws, generating a powerful suction force to swallow them whole.

”Ugh!”

”D-Damn it! Weʼre going to drown!”

As they struggled, a blinding light surged from the skies. Erika, covered in bleeding wounds and with a broken arm, reached them both, grabbing them with her arm and tail, leaping toward the ceiling.

”E-Erika!” Harumi coughed, vomiting water.

”Youʼre too wounded! Here!” Matsuo quickly pulled out a Healing Spell Scroll and pressed it against Erikaʼs body, partially healing her and stopping the bleeding. Her broken arm and leg improved slightly, though not completely.

”Thanks, Matsuo...” Erika sighed. ”Ugh, damn it, this is so unfair. Those bastards got a bunch of powers!”

”Yeah, weʼve never faced Yakuzas who fought like this...!” Harumi said. ”But if we can destroy their Spirit Beasts, the challenge should decrease drastically.”

”I agree. Iʼve still got plenty of Shikigami! Come out, everyone—Dragon Formation!” Matsuo declared, forming hand signs. Over thirty Paper Shikigami emerged, unifying into a giant paper origami dragon spirit that roared. ”Come on, letʼs hop on it!”

”You can make a dragon?! Why didnʼt you do it before?” Erika demanded angrily.

”It takes time!” Matsuo snapped. ”I canʼt throw all my cards on the table right away. I need to assess the situation and how dangerous our enemy is first!”

”I guess heʼs not wrong... I should do the same,” Harumi admitted. ”My brother left this for me. He acts like he doesnʼt care, but he still worries—at least for me...”

Harumi quickly retrieved a weapon her older brother, Mammon, had placed inside her shadow. It was a dark blue, red, and black axe adorned with glowing crimson jewels, radiating Demonic Energy.

”A Demon Weapon?!” Erika gasped.

”I hate it, but Iʼll have to use it!” Harumi said. ”My Enchanted Knives were all crushed, and I havenʼt refined my Blood Soul enough to obtain a Blood Soul Treasure.”

”What are those?” Erika asked.

”Special Weapons—or sometimes Armor—that Vampires at a high enough level can materialize from their Blood Souls. Itʼs a Cultivation Method where we mix our Blood Energy into our Souls and refine them together to gain greater supernatural abilities,” Harumi explained. ”Thereʼs also the power of improving our Bloodlines, but for that Iʼd need to drink the blood of powerful beings... I havenʼt had the opportunity yet.”

”If you need powerful blood, take this!” Matsuo said, opening his storage portal and handing Harumi a large bottle of mole bear blood. ”I planned to use this to feed the Shikigami, but Iʼll find something else later...”

”Oh! Thanks!” Harumi said, opening the bottle and drinking.

At the same time, the three Yakuza saw the giant Origami Dragon rushing toward them. Smiling, their Auras erupted with blazing power as they leapt forward with sheer physical might. The Whale and Hydra Spirit Beasts followed closely.

”You think a damn dragon made of paper is going to stop us, brats?!” Mizura roared, sending his Giant Whale Spirit Beast forward, its massive jaws opening to swallow them all again.

”Shikigami Dragon Formation—Dragon Breath!”

Matsuo was ready. Forming hand signs, he activated one of the Origami Dragonʼs abilities. All the Shikigami composing it condensed their power into its maw, releasing a potent dragon breath beam.

BOOOM!

The beam was massive, striking the whaleʼs mouth and blowing apart its upper jaw. The creature groaned in agony, collapsing to the ground with deep cracks spreading across its body.

”Tsk! Damn it!” Mizura snarled, leaping toward the paper dragon and swinging his demonic claws, blazing with energy. ”DIE, DAMN ORIGAMI!”

As he swung, a crimson blur appeared in front of him, stopping his claws in place.

CLASH!

”...?!”

The Yakuzaʼs eyes widened as Harumi appeared suddenly, her axe absorbing her Aura and growing tremendously strong.

”Blood Demon Weapon Art!”

”First Form.”

”Shit!”

”Sanguine Murder!”

SLAAASH!

”Kuaaaaaggh?!”

The monstrous Yakuza screamed in agony as Harumiʼs axe dug deep into his chest, tearing through his torso. Using all her blood energy, she split him apart—blood and innards splattering everywhere as he fell gracelessly to the ground, shattering into pieces.

”M-MIZURA?!”

”DAMN IT! KILL THEM, AKIHITO!”

Senko panicked, using his six giant wings to fly higher with Akihito, sending his sworn brother toward the dragon. Akihitoʼs massive arm swung, punching Harumi and the dragon down, an explosion of spiritual demonic energy surging as he struck.

BOOOM!

The dragon and the three kids atop it plummeted from the skies, crashing into the ground below. Even as it burned, the Origami Dragon remained active, charging at both Yakuza, biting into their bodies and blasting them with one final dragon breath.

The Yakuza were blown away, crashing into the walls behind them. Matsuo, Harumi, and Erika rushed forward—only for a giant whale to emerge, blocking their path!

”GROOOHHH!”

”Itʼs that damn whale again!”

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