Chapter 74: The Finale and the Afterglow
The rampant smile on the Gargoyle's face instantly froze, its sharp beak trembling slightly as it stared in disbelief at the black-red Cursed Energy erupting around Rin.
That was the fluctuation of a "Domain" it was incredibly familiar with, yet it was more oppressive than its own [Eternal Stone Coffin Garden].
"This is a Domain Expansion? How is this possible! No!"
Before the terrified roar subsided, the Gargoyle violently flapped its remaining body, and the sound wave instantly spread everywhere:
"Myriad Stone Golems! Kill him!" It clung to a final shred of hope. As long as those Golems could interrupt Rin's Domain maintenance, in ten more seconds, Petrification would completely consume Rin, and the battle would still be its victory!
But the next second, the hope in its eyes shattered into dust.
The group of Golems surrounding Rin seemed to be crushed by an invisible force, instantly turning into a sky full of stone fragments, dissipating into the air.
The "collection" of the [Eternal Stone Coffin Garden] had no ability to resist whatsoever under the fluctuations of Rin's Domain!
"No... impossible!" The Gargoyle completely lost its composure, its remaining two legs stumbling backward as it frantically calculated in its mind.
The Domain was still in a contest state, and Rin's Petrification had already covered half his face. He couldn't kill it in ten seconds! As long as it endured this phase, it would still win!
But before it could retreat three steps, the surrounding environment suddenly turned upside down.
The originally thick, inky sky was visibly stained blood-red, like a bloody twilight when the sun sets. The gloomy, damp stone sea vanished, replaced by dry, cracked earth. The air was filled with the pungent smell of gunpowder smoke, mixed with the scent of rust and explosives.
In the distance, the clanking sound of Tank treads crushing the ground could be heard. The stand for the Katyusha rocket launcher was erected on the ground, and the roar of propellers even sounded in the sky. Although they had no physical form, they made one feel truly immersed in the core of the Second World War Battlefield.
"This... my Domain..." The Gargoyle's voice was tearful.
It could clearly feel that its control over the [Eternal Stone Coffin Garden] was rapidly draining away. This space was being completely swallowed and reformed by Rin's Domain.
It finally panicked. The massive disparity overwhelmed its mind. One second it was certain of victory, the next it had become prey within the Domain.
It forgot that it could still mobilize the residual Cursed Energy of the Domain, forgot that the Petrification Cursed Technique was still in effect, and only thought about escaping this suffocating "battlefield."
"Run! Run fast!" The Gargoyle turned, intending to flee, but just as it moved its body, a deafening roar suddenly came from the depths of the battlefield.
The Weapons of Wars suspended in the space suddenly aimed at it! The Tank muzzles glowed red, the warheads of the Katyusha rocket launchers gleamed coldly, and even the "virtual" Fighter Jets in the sky dove down, aiming their cannons at its body!
"No!"
The Gargoyle's shriek tore through the battlefield but was completely drowned out by the roar of artillery fire.
First, its legs instantly disintegrated amidst the dense bullets and shells. The black-purple Cursed Energy fluid evaporated due to the high temperature before it could even hit the ground.
Next was its torso; the Cursed Energy shells from the Tank cannon directly pierced it, shattering its core.
Finally, its head. The Fighter Jet's cannon strafed across it, preventing it from even fully uttering its last cry.
The black-purple Cursed Energy dissipated in the gunfire, and the Domain of the [Eternal Stone Coffin Garden] completely collapsed, leaving only Rin's [Second World War Battlefield] still faintly trembling.
Rin maintained the hand sign posture. The Petrification on half his face had not yet faded, but his gaze was fixed intently on the direction where the Gargoyle perished.
Only after confirming that the Cursed Spirit's presence had completely vanished did he slowly release his hand. The black-red Cursed Energy receded like a tide, and the phantom image of the battlefield gradually faded.
The cold sensation of Petrification began to fade. He stumbled, supporting himself on the ground to stand up, watching Miguel's stone statue in the distance gradually regain color. Finally, he collapsed onto the ground in exhaustion. This life-or-death Domain Clash, he had won... "Ah—!"
A suppressed low roar cut through the evening air. Miguel violently broke free from the petrified state. The moment his consciousness returned, he immediately grasped for the object beside him, but only touched half a length of cold black rope.
He hurriedly opened his eyes, his gaze rapidly sweeping the surroundings. The dark stone sea was gone, and the pungent Cursed Energy scent had faded, replaced by the evening breeze among the mountains and forests, and the slowly sinking sunset on the horizon.
Rin was sitting beside him, his back turned. His black jacket was still stained with the gunpowder smoke and stone fragments from the battle, and a lingering warmth of black-red Cursed Energy seemed to remain on his fingertips.
He sat there quietly, his gaze fixed directly on the distant sunset, seemingly not immediately noticing Miguel waking up.
Miguel was stunned; he had never seen Rin like this. Previously, Rin was either full of fighting spirit or displayed a casual composure, but at this moment, his silhouette revealed a trace of disorientation, as if he had just crawled back from the brink of death.
Since coming to this Jujutsu World, Rin hadn't been without danger.
Although the Cursed Spirits sent by Geto Suguru were fierce, they always carried a hint of "testing," and never truly intended to kill.
No matter how intense the sparring with Aoi Todo and Mei Mei was, it was merely a contest of strength between Jujutsu Sorcerers, always maintaining a degree of restraint.
In those times, Rin always had a sense of security. He knew he wouldn't die and knew where the bottom line of these "opponents" lay. Within the tension of battle, there was a hidden, subtle composure.
But this time was different.
Facing that Special Grade Cursed Spirit, which had only recently manifested but was utterly savage, he tasted the flavor of "despair" for the first time.
The helplessness as Petrification spread across his skin, the anxiety of his legs being sealed and unable to move, the suffocation of watching Miguel gradually turn into a stone statue, and the Cursed Spirit's rampant laughter of "certain victory."
Every second told him that this wasn't sparring, wasn't a test; it was truly "either you die, or I die."
"Where is the Cursed Spirit?" Miguel sat up, supporting himself on the ground, his voice still a little hoarse. "Did we win?"
Only then did Rin slowly turn his head.
The sunset light fell upon his face, reflecting a faint smile on his lips—the relaxed joy only present after surviving a catastrophe. Even the crimson in his eyes had faded slightly.
He didn't answer directly. Instead, he shook the un-faded Stone Patches on his wrist and asked with a smile:
"Now I have good news and bad news. Which one do you want to hear first?"
Miguel looked at his relaxed demeanor, his anxious heart finally settled. Yet, he deliberately put on a glum face and replied woodenly:
"Let's hear the bad news first."
"The bad news," Rin drew out the tone, a hint of slyness hidden in his eyes:
"The Cursed Spirit is thoroughly dead, so we didn't gain any extra benefits. Also, your heirloom black rope seems to only have half left."
"Those are clearly two pieces of bad news!" Even though Miguel wore glasses, he couldn't help but roll his eyes, raising the half-length of black rope in his hand, wincing in distress.
This black rope had been with him for over ten years. Even though he was mentally prepared for potential "damage," seeing only half of it remaining still made his heart ache.
"So what's the good news?" he asked again, his tone carrying a little expectation, though without much hope.
When Rin heard this, his smile instantly deepened, and his voice became lighter: "The good news is, both of us are still alive."
Miguel: "..."
He stared at Rin's serious expression, remained silent for three seconds, and then flopped back onto the ground with a thud, spreading his limbs out like a salted fish, having lost even the strength to complain:
"How is that good news! I knew we were alive the moment I opened my eyes!"
Watching Miguel's "collapsed and resigned" appearance, Rin didn't speak again, merely turning back to look at the sunset on the horizon.
The orange-red glow of the sunset soaked the clouds, and the evening wind carried the rustling sound of leaves, dispelling the last trace of battle tension.
He slowly raised his hand, his palm facing the sunset, as if reaching out to touch that warm light.
A salute to us, the survivors.
There were no flowery words, no passionate sentiments, only this silent tribute, hidden in the afterglow of the battle, hidden in the heartbeats of the two survivors.
.....
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