JJK X FATE: Chapter 71/72

Chapter 71: Domain Expansion

Not long after Eichi entered the cave, a dark shadow locked onto him.

As he advanced, Eichi swept the flashlight across the cave, carefully observing his surroundings.

"Strange, something just swam past."

The next moment, arcs of electricity crackled across Eichi's body.

The surrounding darkness was instantly dispelled, revealing a figure lurking in the shadows.

"A Shadow Crocodile?"

Eichi saw the creature creeping up behind him and raised his hand, preparing to unleash lightning.

But he suddenly stopped.

Swoosh.

The Shadow Crocodile struck.

Eichi leaped back, shining the flashlight at his left hand as he moved.

Splat.

The sound of tearing flesh rang out.

The Shadow Crocodile's claws had grazed his left arm, ripping a small chunk of flesh.

Eichi activated Reverse Cursed Technique.

Within his shadow, Mahoraga began adapting.

According to both Shijima Naji and Jujutsu Headquarters, Shadow Crocodiles had both Clones and a main body.

Since the one before him was a relatively weak Clone, it was better to let Mahoraga adapt now. That way, he could reduce the adaptation time later when facing the true body.

The Clone's attack methods were similar to the main body's.

Positive energy from the Reverse Cursed Technique surged toward the wound, countering the curse at the site.

"The curse is interfering with healing? Fortunately, it's a shallow wound."

Eichi increased the Reverse Cursed Technique's output, and the wound closed quickly.

While dodging, Eichi once again shone his flashlight, casting the shadow of his left arm toward the Shadow Crocodile.

Splat.

Ding.

The wheel turned.

The curse of the Shadow Crocodile was successfully adapted to.

Not long after, the sound of the wheel turning echoed again.

"Huh?"

Eichi sensed a change in his shadow. Mahoraga transmitted a method for resisting the Shadow Crocodile's shadow-based attacks.

When the Shadow Crocodile bit at his shadow a second time, Eichi noticed it seemed to move on its own, dodging instinctively.

It reminded him of Tom from the cartoons, leaping skyward after being pricked.

His shadow reacted. It felt... alive.

Mahoraga transmitted usable methods for countering shadow-based attacks, strengthen the shadow's defense with Cursed Energy, or embed a Shikigami within the shadow to retaliate when bitten.

Eichi casually unleashed lightning and exorcised the still-attacking Shadow Crocodile.

He then looked at his shadow, falling into thought.

Moments later, more Shadow Crocodiles appeared in his line of sight.

"Tsk. You all have no idea how to lay low. Guess I'll clean you up first."

Electricity coursed over Eichi's body as he dashed forward, wiping out Shadow Crocodiles one after another.

Soon, he reached the depths of the cave—the Shadow Crocodile's lair.

"This should be the place."

He spotted the remnants of a broken Seal in the center and a katana lying abandoned nearby.

The Jujutsu Sorcerer sent by Headquarters had likely died here.

Eichi looked up at the cave walls, the ceiling, the floor, Shadow Crocodiles filled every corner.

"There really are a lot of them."

From within Eichi's shadow, Mahoraga rose slowly.

The Sword of Exorcism was swung, carving deep gashes across the stone walls.

Soon, the lower-ranked Shadow Crocodiles—around Grade 2 or 3—scattered and fled, only to be replaced by Rank 1 and higher-grade Clones surrounding Eichi and Mahoraga.

"So this is it. All those were just warm-ups for the Rank 1 Clones."

The lightning, which had dimmed to mere illumination, flared again.

Battle resumed.

Eichi and Mahoraga, both protecting their shadows with Cursed Energy, had high resistance to shadow-based attacks.

Shadow Crocodiles fell one after another beneath their attacks.

"The previous Grade 1 Sorcerer must've died because he didn't know how to protect his shadow."

Eichi thought to himself.

Suddenly, a massive shadow slithered out from the well at the center. The true master of the cave had awakened.

"That's the main body?"

Eichi looked at the enormous Cursed Spirit, surprised.

Tens of meters long.

Petal-like fins extended from its lower body, and its jaws didn't open vertically but split sideways.

Its body was covered with numerous eyes, some already shut.

Mahoraga skewered another Shadow Crocodile with a strike.

Eichi noticed one more eye on the main body slowly close.

"So that's it. Those eyes are the enslaved Cursed Spirits it's absorbed."

A golden piece appeared in Eichi's hand.

[Spiritual Base: Shadow.]

A cloaked female figure draped in a purple robe appeared at Eichi's side.

"Medea, deal with the small fry. Mahoraga, focus on the main body."

Medea's robe unfurled into wings.

A barrage of magical bombardments launched at the Shadow Crocodiles on the walls.

One lunged toward Medea's shadow, but bit into a Barrier.

Medea had used a Barrier Technique to isolate her shadow.

"So that's another method."

Mahoraga left the scattered Clones and charged at the massive main body.

The Shadow Crocodile opened its sideways maw, unleashing a strange sound that echoed in Eichi's ears.

The next moment, the cave was shrouded in shadows.

Purgatory Shadow Hell.

"A Domain. Fallen Blossom Emotion."

Fallen Blossom Emotion, a defensive Technique passed down through the Big Three Families, allows one to release Cursed Energy as a counter when the Domain's sure-hit effect lands.

Naobito had given Eichi the usage method directly, so Eichi had studied and mastered it alongside his Shikigami and Barrier Techniques.

He had a strong foundation and excellent talent. With instruction, he picked up skills quickly.

Within the Domain, the Shadow Crocodile continuously bit at Mahoraga's shadow, trying to tear it apart.

But Mahoraga had already adapted to the Clone's shadow attacks, so the main body's assault barely left a mark.

Ding.

The wheel turned. Mahoraga adapted to the main body's technique.

Its frenzied attacks no longer had any effect.

Ding.

Not long after, the wheel turned again.

Mahoraga raised both hands, and its shadow followed the same motion.

Then, Mahoraga's shadow pried open the Shadow Crocodile's massive jaws.

Fallen Blossom Emotion was still active.

But the Shadow Crocodile had focused most of its attacks on Mahoraga, so Eichi hadn't been hit much.

At that moment, Eichi had a reckless idea.

He deactivated Fallen Blossom Emotion.

Immediately after, the Domain's sure-hit attack landed on his shadow.

"Hmph."

Heavy. The damage wasn't on the same level as before.

Even with his body protected by Cursed Energy, Eichi sustained injuries.

But he grinned.

Seconds later, more attacks struck his shadow.

For the first time, Eichi could feel his shadow so clearly.

Under the Domain's influence, it felt like a tangible limb, something his brain could fully perceive.

His thoughts raced.

Ten Shadows Technique. Barrier Techniques. And this Domain filled with shadow-based phenomena.

"Haha. Hahahaha. So this is what a shadow really is?!"

It felt like his brain was on fire.

Eichi had the sudden urge to dig his fingers into his temples to cool his mind down.

"I'm so high right now."

With a solid foundation, high talent, and the perfect opportunity...

Eichi evolved.

Domain Expansion: Abyssal Dark Garden.

His shadow surged wildly, transforming into an endless abyss that swallowed everything.

Within the abyss, a nest of countless Shikigami stirred.

"Come on. Devour each other, Shadow Crocodiles!"

(To be continued.)

Chapter 72: I Am a Sunny and Cheerful Boy

Annoyed.

Eichi was extremely annoyed right now.

His shadow surged wildly, expanding in all directions.

The pitch-black shadow transformed into the Abyssal Dark Garden, threatening to swallow everything in sight.

At the far edge of the Domain stood the Shadow Crocodile's Domain—Purgatory Shadow Hell—a place devoid of sunlight, drenched in darkness.

The surging Abyssal Dark Garden and the lightless Domain clashed violently.

At their boundary, countless Shikigami and Shadow Crocodiles tore into each other in a never-ending slaughter.

"Tch, did I just run into someone with the same kind of stand?"

Both Domains were clearly of the same type.

Both were constructed from shadow-based techniques. Both granted shadow summoning abilities.

In Eichi's Abyssal Dark Garden, he could bypass the limits of the Ten Shadows Technique. As long as his Cursed Energy held out, he could summon Shikigami without restriction.

And the Shadow Crocodile's Purgatory Shadow Hell worked similarly.

It was a shadow-filled hell with no escape, a space overflowing with countless Shadow Crocodiles ready to rip intruders apart.

Shadow against shadow.

Shikigami against Shadow Crocodile.

Although achieving Domain Expansion at his age was worthy of praise...

And although, given time, Mahoraga would surely defeat the Shadow Crocodile's main body...

Eichi was annoyed.

Incredibly annoyed.

This was his trump card. Why was this unknown Cursed Spirit still struggling so hard?

Why wasn't it lying down obediently, waiting to be exorcised?

Even if it surrendered, Eichi might not even exorcise it right away. He could have left it for Suguru.

But Eichi's current state was far from calm. Unlike his usual composed self, now he was overwhelmed by unstable negative emotions.

He didn't want to wait.

He just wanted to rip the Shadow Crocodile apart with his own hands.

Cursed Spirits are born from negative emotions.

Which is why most Jujutsu Sorcerers have abnormal personalities.

Eichi had never cared much about this.

He'd simply grown used to maintaining a certain level of negativity during combat to stay in peak condition.

But this time, after channeling all his knowledge and emotions into one burst, he'd overdone it.

"So annoying. Damn it, I need to let this out."

Bottling it up was dangerous.

At that moment, Eichi suddenly thought of Satoru.

Someone who always stayed true to himself, no matter what.

At least, he did before turning into a clown.

"I suddenly want to complain to Satoru about the newest manga chapter. Then the three of us, including Suguru, can go hang out at the beach again."

Memories of time spent with his friends resurfaced.

The manic smile on Eichi's face softened slightly.

He looked toward the Shadow Crocodile, which was now dodging desperately after Mahoraga had adapted to its every move.

His lips curled up further.

"I've decided. I'm still going to tear you apart, since you don't know when to quit."

Having made up his mind, Eichi began to retreat.

Soon, he reached the edge of the Domain.

"Here we are."

With his back against the outer edge, he carefully sensed for the entrance.

"Found it."

Eichi located the passage he had used to enter the cave.

"By my Command Spell—Saber, come to me immediately."

The crimson Command Spell on the back of his hand flashed.

Artoria, riding in a car at the time, immediately sensed the summons.

"I'll go on ahead."

She spoke to the Assistant Supervisor driving, then disappeared from the vehicle.

"Eh? Please wait, Young Miss Saber..."

The Assistant Supervisor blinked, staring at the now-empty rearview mirror in confusion.

"Not good."

Screech.

He slammed the brakes and pulled over, staring helplessly at the empty back seat.

---

On the other side, Artoria entered combat mode as soon as she landed.

Her blue-and-white dress armor and invisible sword were fully equipped.

"Attack this barrier?"

She received Eichi's message.

The Invisible Air shrouding her Holy Sword faded, revealing its golden blade.

Artoria raised the sword, pointed the tip at the Domain's outer wall, and stabbed forward with force.

Ssshhhk—

A grating screech echoed, like metal scraping glass.

The tip pierced the barrier.

A golden light enveloped the entire blade.

[Mana Burst.]

Boom.

Crack. Crack. Crack.

A massive hole was torn through the Shadow Crocodile's Domain.

Domains focus heavily on internal sealing, granting the caster enhanced effects like sure-hit techniques.

But the more they reinforce the interior, the weaker their outer barrier becomes.

Unless special measures are taken, most Domains can be broken through from the outside.

The instant the Domain shattered, Eichi immediately expanded his own.

The Abyssal Dark Garden surged through the rupture, consuming and collapsing the Purgatory Shadow Hell entirely.

Mahoraga stepped forward, pinning down the struggling Shadow Crocodile.

"Hahaha, finally."

"Let the feast begin."

Eichi stopped forming hand signs and stretched both arms outward, waving them gracefully like a conductor with a baton.

The Shadow Crocodile was swallowed by the abyss.

Then came the Shikigami.

The Divine Dogs ripped off its fins.

The Qiongqi bit into its tail.

The Giant Elephant rammed its tusks into the Shadow Crocodile's wide-open maw.

Then, with brute force, it snapped the lower jaw in one direction, shattering it.

Even Rabbit Escape and the Toad joined in the feeding frenzy.

Before long, the Shadow Crocodile was completely devoured within the Abyssal Dark Garden.

The Shikigami returned to their nests, waiting in silence for the next intruder.

The Domain began to fade.

Suddenly remembering something, Eichi clapped his hands against his face.

Slap!

The sharp sound echoed through the cave.

He had hit himself so hard, the skin on his face rippled. Red handprints immediately appeared.

His manic smile twisted in pain.

But Reverse Cursed Technique activated immediately.

The red marks vanished, and his pained expression returned to normal just as the Domain dissipated.

The next moment, Eichi—sunny, cheerful, bright—turned to Artoria with a brilliant smile.

"It's done. Let's go, Ria."

That was close. If Ria had seen that face just now, she'd think I was some twisted villain, wouldn't she?

No, I need to work on expression management from now on. Satoru is one thing, but I absolutely can't let Ria see that perverted look again.

"Are you... alright?"

Artoria asked, a little hesitant.

She had sensed something off about Eichi the moment she broke through the barrier.

It made her a bit concerned.

"Haha, I'm fine, I'm fine. Don't you trust in my strength? The Reverse Cursed Technique already healed everything."

Eichi laughed, brushing it off while hiding the panic in his heart.

She didn't notice, right?

"Oh, and that fight really burned a lot of energy. Let's get something to eat."

The moment food was mentioned, Artoria perked up.

"Let's go."

She decided to bring up what she sensed earlier... after lunch.

(To be continued.)