From Demon Slayer to the Multiverse: The Ultimate Exploiter

At some point, the transformed Tamamo-no-Mae had reverted to human form, silently returning to Tong Gu's side. Though both were classified as special-grade curses, the gap in strength between Tamamo-no-Mae and Jogo was immense.

Jogo glanced disdainfully at the towering human figure by the bridge. Though he despised humans, Mahito and Dagon believed collaborating with Suguru Geto had its merits. After hearing Geto's elaborate plan to dismantle the Jujutsu world, Jogo begrudgingly acknowledged that this seemingly kind human harbored an insidious core.

When Jogo's gaze fell upon Cao Qi, there was no killing intent in his singular eye set atop his volcanic-like head—only detached indifference. With a flick of his hand, glowing embers resembling fireflies floated toward the immobilized man.

Despite his apprehension, Cao Qi leaped aside with a powerful push, evading the glowing projectiles. However, as a wave of searing heat washed over him, he barely had time to react before a blackened leg struck toward him.

His honed reflexes allowed him to block the kick with crossed arms. Redirecting the force through a series of spins, he landed steadily on his feet, realizing that Jogo's raw power wasn't as overwhelming as feared.

Even so, Jogo's expression darkened. He hadn't expected a human's combat skills to be this formidable. Letting out a cold snort, he unleashed an eruption from the volcano on his head.

Technique: Ember Beetles!

Purple, mosquito-like insects burst forth and rapidly swarmed toward Cao Qi, their wings vibrating ominously.

Encased in his own cursed energy, Cao Qi transformed into a whirlwind and surged headlong into the swarm.

Tooth Fang Strike!

The dark-red whirlwind collided with the purple beetles, scattering them with sheer force. Yet to Cao Qi's dismay, these tiny creatures hit with surprising strength, breaking apart his spiraling form to reveal his crimson figure beneath.

Tearing the wings from one beetle, he prepared to retreat—only to see it start glowing ominously.

Boom!

Black smoke rose as Cao Qi crashed to the ground, blood spilling from his mouth as his footing faltered. The remaining beetles buzzed toward him, forcing him to brace himself with every fiber of his being.

Six Styles: Iron Block!

A deafening series of explosions followed.

"Aaaaargh!"

Blood gushed from Cao Qi's mouth as his body charred under the relentless assault. He struggled to comprehend how Tong Gu had summoned such a formidable curse spirit—and worse, why the spirit obeyed him so willingly.

None of their missions had ever mentioned such a curse spirit, not even during the chaos of the Hyakki Yagyo.

Jogo, observing Cao Qi's resilience, felt a rare hint of admiration.

"Your vitality is impressive."

Extending a hand toward the ground beneath Cao Qi, Jogo summoned a wave of devastating energy. Sensing imminent danger, Cao Qi tried to move, but his carbonized legs refused to respond. Watching the smug spirit turn away, and the indifferent Tong Gu observing from a distance, he surrendered to his grim fate, a twisted smile forming on his bloodied face.

Tong Gu, ever vigilant against skilled players, noted a sudden flash of danger as a blackened card materialized in Cao Qi's right hand.

The earth quaked violently under the duel forces clashing. Tong Gu vanished in a blink, and Jogo turned just in time to witness a blinding white beam dissolve the rising flames beneath him.

Boom!

Jogo clutched his chest in disbelief, finding a gaping hole where flesh should have been.

Cao Qi, barely clinging to consciousness, tightened his grip on the card. He had one more shot left! But as he scanned for Tong Gu, the figure had already vanished.

A clear sword hum filled the air as Tong Gu appeared at his side in a flash, far too quick for Cao Qi to react.

The silver blade gleamed under the moonlight, and all the pain faded away as his decapitated form collapsed. Despite his blood-soaked demise, a peculiar sense of relief washed over his fading consciousness.

Even with his decapitation, the cursed red energy clinging to his body sought to devour every last drop of blood, but Cao Qi's severed head bore no will to continue the fight.

His dimming vision beheld the figure wielding the silver blade.

"A remarkable youth..." Cao Qi thought as the last remnants of life faded from his eyes. "Yet blinded to the world's truths... how pitiful."

Tong Gu's keen hearing caught the faintest murmurs from the fallen player's lips, his expression shifting subtly.

"Gods... are real..."

[System Notification]

[You have slain Player UD320851543.]

[You earned 1 Kill Point in the Slaughter World. Current Kill Points: 2.]

[The slain player held 15 Kill Points. You gain an additional reward drop.]

Tong Gu mused silently, acknowledging Cao Qi's formidable strength. Despite his loyalty to the Death Heralds, he was no ordinary survivor scraping by in the Game of Fate.

The final cryptic statement lingered in Tong Gu's mind. Shaking off the distraction, he refocused and chose Abilities for the first reward drop.

[You are eligible to draw one ability from Player UD320851543.]

[Due to your "Enhanced Reward Gain" privilege, you may draw two abilities instead.]

The first result appeared swiftly.

[You have obtained: Dark Blood Cursed Technique (B).]

[This technique is incompatible and cannot be used.]

Tong Gu frowned but quickly recomposed himself as the second draw completed.

[You have obtained: Six Styles – Iron Block (C).]

[Through rigorous training, you can harden your body to resemble iron.]

"Not bad." Tong Gu appreciated the practical nature of the defensive technique, even if it was underrated in its original world.

For the second drop, Tong Gu shifted his focus to Items, recalling the ominous card Cao Qi had wielded.

[You may draw four items due to your "Enhanced Reward Gain" privilege.]

The first two results made Tong Gu grimace:

[You have obtained: A stack of currency.]

[You have obtained: A pack of cigarettes.]

He reminded himself that seasoned players often carried mundane distractions in their limited inventory spaces. His persistence paid off.

[You have obtained: A Fragmented Sword Sheath.]

[You have obtained: Magic Card – White Light of Destruction.]