Hardcore Exorcist: Reborn to Grind-Chapter 136 : The Four-Armed Demon, Part Two

In Ikaku’s hand was the black sword seething with rage—the Blade of Homura.
Teetering on the brink of death just four days ago, the man rotated the wrist holding the blade, as if to test his body’s condition.
The sword, etched with crimson cracks, turned slowly, leaving an eerie trail in the air.
I feel a little off, but my body’s in good shape, all things considered. I remember what a Category 3’s speed feels like from my fight with Imito Kurenagi…
Still, this one’s different. Master did say I should treat every Demon with abnormally developed parts as a completely different creature.
Ikaku Akamuro revealed no openings, constantly waiting for a chance to counter.
A Category 3 Demon versus a mere mortal with no mana. In terms of sheer physical output, the gap was as wide as that between an adult and an infant.
The four-armed Demon watched Ikaku warily.
Just as he had guessed, it possessed a degree of reason. Enough to recognize a weapon for what it was.
These vestiges of its former humanity allowed it to comprehend weapons like swords, axes, and guns. As long as Ikaku held that sword, it wouldn’t try a ranged attack.
The Demon decided to wait a moment and heal.
“Graaa, aaa…”
The wound carved into the Demon’s chest sealed shut. The wrist of its second right arm, annihilated by the slug round, reconnected.
The whole process took just under five seconds.
Ikaku’s eyes widened as he witnessed it.
It regenerates that fast? You’ve got to be kidding me.
“Graaa-raaa!”
Its wounds healed, the Demon lunged at Ikaku.
This time, it wasn’t a simple charge relying on raw speed. It swiftly closed the distance to about five feet, then started swinging the handaxe it gripped, unleashing a wild assault on Ikaku.
Waaah! Ikaku, dodge it!
“Tch.”
Frozen in terror, the Exorcists raised their guns to provide backup.
Mr. Akamuro’s going to be torn apart! We have to cover him!
But they couldn’t fire into the narrow corridor while their ally was locked in close-quarters combat. A wave of helpless frustration washed over them.
There was no technique to the Demon’s assault, only raw, violent power. It unleashed massive, full-body swings left and right, generating a vortex of air.
Yet Ikaku Akamuro dodged the demonic tantrum of a barrage by a hair’s breadth. Judging the distance, backing away, and ducking.
With her finger on the trigger, Sumire could only stare, dumbfounded.
Mr. Akamuro… he’s dodging the Demon’s attacks…? H-How?!
As the ninth full swing tore through the air with a ferocious gale, Ikaku read its timing completely.
“Haah!”
Ikaku’s scorching slash connected in a flash of crimson brilliance, the first few inches of the blade biting into the forearm holding the handaxe.
By the time he followed through with the swing, the Demon’s second right arm—the one sprouting from its back—was gone from the elbow down.
The creature stumbled, its balance shattered.
But it didn’t fall. Instead, it snapped its maw wide open, revealing rows of sharp fangs as it tried to bite him.
The instant its mouth gaped, Ikaku clenched his free hand and threw a left hook. A hook loaded with a
Surge strike
.
The force of a
Seismic Kick
exploded from his fist, violently dislocating the Demon’s lower jaw.
The impact rattled its brain. The creature lost its sense of balance.