Epic Of Caterpillar

Chapter 2827 - 2828: Moving Mountains, Life Explosion

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Kireinaʼs Martial Ascension Realm Aura surged with a power equivalent to at least one and a half realms above, fueled by the sheer energy within her. By combining Martial Arts with the Arcane Path, her Mana Entanglement merged with her Martial Aura, expanding her power rapidly around her.

This was a force unlike any other, leaving Ruby, Sapphirine, and by extension Surtr and Poseidon astonished, as they had never seen Kireina wield such strength before.

Her fists rushed forward, techniques unleashed one after another. Each palm strike generated potent shockwaves that rippled through space itself.

Yet the Esper resisted, their eyes glowing with chromatic light, their shimmering hair radiating brilliance.

Kireina longed to draw upon the depths of her Soul, to reactivate her System or call upon her Cosmic Egos. But she had promised herself to train without relying on them as much as possible. Ruby and Sapphirineʼs presence was the only exception.

”I need more power than this...! Wait, right—I have that as well!”

Her consciousness shifted as her Martial Aura and Arcane Path converged even deeper with a third power she had studied, though not yet mastered. She had practiced it, learning to combine supernatural energies, forcing Mana to converge with the elements of the world.

Alchemy.

”Enslave my own energy and force it to advance beyond my limits...!”

Chaotic Essence leaked from Kireinaʼs body. Her aura and form shifted, her garden of dark flowers transforming into a chaotic forest of black trees bearing red eyes as fruit. The sky above turned to night, glowing crimson stars shining brightly.

Her friends gasped in awe as Kireina pushed herself further, synthesizing her Lifeforce and Mana, weaving them together into the result she desired—combining the Three Major Paths:

The Martial Path

The Arcane Path

The Alchemy Path

FLAAASH!

For a moment, Martial Power, Arcane Magic, and Alchemy fused into a triple-colored halo behind Kireina, glitching constantly.

”HAAAAAH!”

Drawing upon her knowledge and everything she had lived through, Kireina pushed herself to her limits and beyond. Her body suffered tremendous damage, blood spilling from her seven orifices.

In that instant, she glimpsed her entire life flashing before her eyes. Freed from the Systemʼs aid, she began to grow beyond her own understanding.

”Martial Arts is the unity of Mind and Body.”

”Arcane Magic is the unity of Man and the Supernatural.”

”And Alchemy is the unity of Mana and the Elements.”

Mind and Body.

The inexplicable Supernatural.

The Elements that shape the world.

Her eyes shone brightly. Her Demonic Armament of Demise grew larger, both gauntlets expanding to compress the immense energy.

This was not a skill, nor equipment, nor artifact—it was Kireina wielding her pure energies, combining all her teachings.

She felt ready to go further.

”Records of the Man Who Went Against the World.”

”First Form – Relentless Pursuit.”

”Second Form – Volcanic Rise.”

”Third Form – Rice Harvest.”

”Fourth Form – Hill Climbing.”

”Fifth Form – Hunterʼs Knife.”

And...

”Sixth Form – Moving Mountains!”

RUMBLE!

Before Kireina appeared not relentless energy, but an unmovable mountain.

This mountain was impossible to move.

And yet the man behind this Martial Art had created a technique to move mountains.

To push through hurdles, to press forward with the unrelenting human spirit.

What is the human spirit?

Kireina, who had never truly been human, finally began to understand.

From insect to fairy, vampire, demon, monster, deity, goddess, chaotic outer being...

To now, a human.

Her eyes glowed brightly, her clothes torn, her body bleeding.

In this moment, her Lifeforce blossomed most beautifully.

She pushed further.

”Seventh Form – Lifeʼs Explosion.”

Her countless memories transformed into power. A bright light of countless colors and intents converged. Kireina grasped it with her hand, turning it into infinite strength.

BOOOMMM!!!

With her fists, Kireina shattered the power fueled by another dimension. The Esperʼs Psychic Energy vanished as they bled from their nose, wracked by an intense headache.

Half the cave exploded into countless fragments. Everyone watching saw Kireina standing before the cracked Spirit Core, her body drenched in blood, gasping for air.

She had, quite literally, wielded her own life and detonated it against her foe.

An ultimate technique—the final teaching of the Records of the Man Who Went Against the World.

In that moment, Kireina felt it.

Her mastery of the book skyrocketed to 100%.

She was, indeed, a talent among talents.

And yet, it no longer felt unearned. It felt earned. Every piece of that power felt right to wield.

Despite her terrible state, Kireina smiled.

”I saw it... the next realm...”

The Fourth Stage of Martial Arts.

Martial Evolution.

She had already begun to grasp its deeper meaning.

Upon witnessing her feat, everyone recognized Kireina as an incredible Martial Artist.

So young, so beautiful, yet so powerful—it was shocking.

Her appearance, akin to a young princess, carried unimaginable strength.

”Haaa... Hahahah...!”

Kireina laughed with a wide smile, collapsing onto the floor, arms spread as if nothing else mattered.

”Kireina! Are you okay? W-What was that just now?” Matsuo rushed to her side, using a healing scroll.

”It was...! Just how much Martial Arts have you learned in your life?” Harumi asked.

”Ahh... I started not so long ago...” Kireina laughed. ”I just feel so happy when I move forward... The best way to evolve is through life-or-death situations, huh? Only then can one grow...”

”But youʼre almost dead!” Frank used Gift of Life on her.

”Have you never heard?” Kireina asked.

She looked at Frank, Matsuo, Harumi, Erika, and Mammon.

”A man that understands the Dao in the morning can die contentedly in the evening.”

Her words left everyone silent, as if they too had gained something from them.

Slowly, Kireina stood.

”I may be a woman, but it applies to me too, right? Well, to everyone... Whatever the case, these are just the ramblings of a delusional person like me, so donʼt take them too seriously.”

”N-No, I mean, it wasnʼt bad...” Matsuo nodded. ”If anything, it was enlightening. Wow. I feel like something clicked... even my internal energies shifted.”

”Hm, maybe we can train together later, Matsuo,” Kireina smiled gently.

”I would gladly...!” Matsuo nodded eagerly.

”But now we have something more important to do,” Kireina said. ”Frank, are you there?”

”Yeah, sorry, I was just thinking about what you said. That power I attained before—I couldnʼt channel it again, but after what you said, it feels closer to me now,” Frank admitted.

”That was a Martial Manifestation,” Kireina explained. ”A fusion of the Martial Path and the Arcane Path. It isnʼt magic—itʼs closer to a manifestation of your very Soul, Mind, and Intent. Your consciousness given form.”

”Oh...!” Frank realized. ”Somehow it feels like I never obtained such a power before... why?”

”Hahah, well, who knows?” Kireina wondered. ”Shall we go meet our Esper friend now?”

”Yeah, letʼs go,” Frank nodded, walking forward.

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