Chapter 39 : Wagi Kai
The Wagi Kai Chamber, deep within the Demonic Arrancar Royal Palace, featured a platform with polished tiles that gleamed under the glow of magical beads embedded in the walls. These fluorescent beads provided a soft, eerie light that set the stage for the deadly duels held here. The arena, complete with grand seating for a large audience, was the place where disputes were settled and ranks determined within the palace.
Wagi Kai, the demon duel, was an ancient tradition of the Demonic Arrancar Clan, a brutal and revered practice that had entertained and resolved conflicts for centuries. Once challenged to a Wagi Kai, refusal meant disgrace—a stain on one's honor that could never be erased. But accepting the challenge meant stepping into a battle that could easily be one’s last, as mercy was a rare commodity in these duels. The duel was meant to be a final resort, a way to settle matters when all else had failed.
In this case, the Demoness had decreed that the leaders of the First and Third Arrancar Squads had the right to challenge for the rank of Arrancar Knight/General. The Arrancar Grandmasters, underestimating the Half-breeds, suggested the duel, believing they were unworthy of such a title. Yet the Demoness had her reasons—she intended to position them as leaders of the ‘Thirteen Guard Squads of the Supporting Units,’ elite warriors with titles derived from the Demon God’s might, such as 'Soaring Heaven Equal Unit' and 'Charred Eden Rebel Unit.'
To many within the palace, this decree seemed excessive. Still, the Demoness granted the two Arrancar Squads the right to choose their opponents from the High-end Vikings or Arrancar Knights/Generals. After careful consideration, Clare made her choice.
The selected Arrancar, initially confident that Nin wouldn’t choose him, was stunned when she did. His disbelief quickly morphed into rage as he realized the implications. Even if he lost or surrendered, his honor and the reputation he had built over the years would be irreparably damaged. Trembling with fury, he spat out his contempt. “You, fucking Nin!”
Clare stood across from him on the platform. The spectators—Arrancar Grandmasters, Grand Rooks, and Arrancar Knights/Generals—were seated in grand chairs surrounding the platform. The Demoness sat on an even more magnificent throne, while other squads, including SETH, DALETH, and GIMEL, filled the regular seats, eager for the duel to begin.
Toriel da-bang, the "Ghost Demon of Dancing Spears," was eager to kill the Nin who had dared challenge him. Two short horns jutted from his forehead, and sharp fangs protruded slightly from his lips. His glare, filled with murderous intent, was locked on Clare. He was certain she had chosen him because she considered him the weakest among the Arrancar Knights/Generals. In his mind, that was the only explanation.
Of course, his judgment wasn’t entirely off. Clare would have preferred a stronger opponent, but not today. She knew better than to reveal her full strength in front of the Demonic Arrancars, especially with the Demoness watching. Her goal was simple: to secure the rank of Arrancar Knight/General by defeating an opponent she could easily handle. She wasn’t after glory, just status.
Unaware of Clare’s true intentions, Toriel flexed his limbs and unwrapped his weapons. His dual spears buzzed with Demonic energy. “I’ll show you how strong an Arrancar Knight/General really is today.”
It was a similar line, one she had heard during the ‘Fight for Poseidon’s Box.’ Clare couldn’t help but laugh at the cliché. Compared to CHETH, who had been naive and ignorant of Salamander’s true might, this Arrancar was laughably drunk on his status. Even CHETH, seated among the spectators, sighed in embarrassment at such a cheap line.
“You dare laugh? Tsk, I’ll cut out that tongue and feed it to my hyenas.”
Toriel’s face twisted further with irritation at Clare’s laughter, her defiance fueling his anger. Unable to stand the humiliation any longer, he launched himself at her with blinding speed, his spears aimed to kill.
But—
“Wait a moment,” the Demoness commanded, her voice pressuring the whole of the chamber like thorns of blades.
Just a second before the warning, Clare’s ears switched to the impending danger. Her bushy tails tensed, and she instantly unwrapped her scythe, ready to counter Toriel’s attack. But the Demoness’s authority was absolute. The force of her command froze the combatants in place, their weapons halted mid-swing.
The Demoness’s golden eyes locked onto Clare’s scythe, its curved blade gleaming ominously.
“To have let the battle proceed would have seen your scythe’s blade sundered beyond repair by the force of friction.”
It seemed like an absurd reason to halt the Wagi Kai, but for the Demoness, it was more than enough. None of the spectators dared question her decision. Toriel da-bang grudgingly retracted his spears, exhaling sharply.
The Demoness reached out, and Clare’s scythe shimmered slightly before floating into her grasp.
Clare exhales sharply.
Energy Interactive Proficiency!
Right, it was a skill naturally acquired upon reaching the rank of Transcendent, particularly by those with significant reserves of Demonic energy. This ability allowed its wielder to snatch distant objects out of the air or deflect incoming arrows and bullets with ease. However, it was known to consume vast amounts of energy.
Yet, the Demoness wielded it effortlessly.
Yue Mingkong Gu’s expression remained placid as she regarded the spear with an unchanging, indifferent gaze.
"I remember you gained favor by aiding the Second Squad. A weapon shall be your reward in due time. But for the moment..." Her calm words trailed off as she touched the distorted and rough, curved blade of the scythe with her palm. With a mere brush of her jade-like fingers, sparks of friction ignited. She began reshaping the Legendary Cold Titanium Steeled Scythe. Within moments, a new curved blade emerged, smooth and gleaming as if it had just been forged.
“…this will suffice.” The Demoness nodded, a hint of satisfaction flickering in her eyes. A sigh slipped from her pink, plump lips as she casually tossed the scythe back to Clare, discarding it with the ease of tossing away a low-rank weapon. Despite the effortless throw, the force sent Clare off her feet. She gripped the hilt with determination, her landing graceful.
Clare struggled briefly to steady herself and secure the scythe in her grasp. She masked her surprise as she examined the newly crafted blade. Some of the weight had been shaved off, making it even more balanced and lighter in her hands. She swung the weapon a few times, noticing that the center of gravity remained perfect.
A thin red line appeared on Clare’s finger as she brushed the blade—it was sharp enough to draw blood with the slightest touch. It would have been unbelievable that the Demoness had remodeled the scythe in a heartbeat if she hadn’t done it right before her eyes.
“Let the Wagi Kai commence once more!” the Demoness commanded, her voice cutting through the air.
At the same time, Clare removed one of her alloy steel bracers. The bracer plummeted to the ground, creating a small, deep crater with a resounding impact.
Strictly speaking, Toriel da-Bang was two tiers weaker than the Fairy Saint. However, Clare had significantly increased her odds against the Fairy Saint through "Inner World Training." With that in mind, a single bracer should be more than sufficient.
In an instant, both Clare and Toriel da-Bang flickered and vanished, leaving only a perfect silence in their wake. The battle that followed was almost beyond comprehension. Frenzied movements erupted from both sides as their weapons hung suspended in the air, blades reflecting the tense faces of the spectators.
Although the scene appeared blurry to some, everyone in the audience—except a few Arrancars, particularly those in the three Squads who weren’t particularly among the elites—could clearly follow the action.
Shockwaves burst out, and sparks flew as their weapons collided, the force of their blows reverberating through the Wang Kai chamber.
Thus, the Wagi Kai began.
— — — — —
As the Nin's scythe collided with the Arrancar Knight-General's spears, sparks flew, and shockwaves rippled through the air. The Nin pressed her feet into the ground, tightening her grip as she swung the scythe from left to right, piercing her opponent's defense.
Toriel da-bang’s horn tingled with caution, a moment of puzzlement flashing across his face. With quick reflexes, he swung his other spear. His two spears spun in front of him, creating a defensive shield. One spear tip sliced through the air like a thunderbolt, aimed at the Nin. He believed she was on the defensive.
Clare's bushy tails curled in anticipation as she nimbly stepped back, avoiding the attack. Toriel da-bang also retreated, sighing.
Clare coolly assessed her opponent's skills. His attacks were swift and unpredictable, almost like an Asura with multiple arms, all while maintaining distance. It wasn’t as easy as Clare had thought. But there was no need to use the Mana of Fossilization or even basic scythe-manship. She had reached a new level of “The Power of Three Absolute Explosion Techniques” after reviewing her fight with the Fairy Saint. She hadn’t used it in the actual fight but had practiced it in her "Inner World Training."
Her wounds were fully healed, and her energy overflowed.
Clare moved casually, her light steps making her seem like a falling leaf from a sacred tree. She took a deep breath, releasing tension as the air trembled. Then she rushed toward her opponent like a gust of wind.
An explosion erupted as the Arrancar Knight-General's dual spears clashed with her scythe, sending sparks flying.
Toriel da-bang's spears were weak offensively due to his style of switching between defense and attack, leaving gaps in his defense. Clare tightened her grip, swinging her scythe in wide arcs that erupted in explosions aimed at those gaps without hesitation.
Toriel da-bang was pushed back, trying to escape the onslaught of explosions that blinded him every time he attempted to counter. Clare pursued relentlessly, swinging the scythe from sky to earth.
“That’s an unexpectedly pressuring fighting style,” someone remarked.
“Right, a style that suits such a cunning race,” another agreed.
“What will Toriel da-bang do now?”
The other Arrancar Knight-Generals already knew who was better. The Half-breed Nin was clearly superior. Many in the audience were uneasy. Clare had chosen to fight a seemingly weak Arrancar Knight-General, but there were others weaker than him. Toriel da-bang ranked around 125 among the Arrancar Knight-Generals, so many of his peers were nervous about the emergence of a new Arrancar with Kitsune blood, known as GIMEL.
Meanwhile, Clare continued to drive her opponent into a corner with relentless explosive attacks. Fireworks lit up the platform, shaking it to its core. The most terrifying aspect was her unique fighting style combined with precise scythe-manship. She used simple moves with her explosion technique, yet each attack landed with pinpoint accuracy—a result of her training after the fight with the Fairy Saint.
Clare adjusted her stance little by little, redirecting the scythe’s blade with calm precision. She wasn’t rushing, carefully setting the stage for an effortless victory. Her attacks became increasingly difficult to dodge, and when Toriel da-bang managed to avoid them, an explosion followed. If he evaded the explosion, the curved blade unleashed another attack, leaving him tangled in the cobweb of uncertainty. His senses screamed danger, but he struggled to respond effectively.
Clare’s appearance was that of a seasoned combatant, one who had reached a pinnacle and continued to learn and forge herself. Suddenly, she moved faster, tightening her grip and changing momentum. Her eyes glinted with calm focus, devoid of arrogance or underestimation. The Demoness watched closely, and Noir, with a faint creepy yet gentle smile, seemed amused as if her beloved was merely toying with her opponent. Perhaps Noir was wrong, but she didn’t care. Those who had seen Clare's fight with the Fairy Saint knew that GIMEL was beyond the level of the Arrancar Knight-Generals.
Of course, the graduates were at best mid-level Vikings, with Noir slightly higher—but not at the highest level unless they used their trump cards. CHETH was similar to Noir without her trump card, but who knew what secrets he held?
SETH knew the gap between GIMEL and herself had widened again. It had only taken a week. But she wasn’t discouraged, even knowing it would continue to widen unless she took action. Her fist clenched with determination.
SETH glanced at the Demoness, her mother. She seemed uninterested, but her eyes still followed the Nin's movements. SETH needed more skill and proficiency to be recognized by her mother. She needed to work harder and train smarter. A full year in the 'Inverted Peak of Despair and Terror' would be necessary to gain more proficiency and abilities.
As the flames of determination burned in SETH, explosions—seemingly made of flame yet not—dispersed across the Wagi Kai’s platform, crackling in all their glory. It was as beautiful as art. Even whoever Deldera was, would undoubtedly be proud to witness such a glorified masterpiece.
And so, the fight between Clare and Toriel da-bang was slowly reaching its conclusion.
Yet, it wasn’t as easy as it appeared. Clare sighed to herself as her fluffy tails followed her momentum in anticipation, her ears alert. She regulated her breathing, driving her opponent into a corner with more explosions and rapid chained attacks. No Mana of Fossilization, no basic scythe-manship, not even “The Power of Shockwaves” or other techniques were used, and she still wore three alloy-steel bracers. Plus, she used only one of the three absolute Explosion techniques. It really wasn’t easy for Clare to push an Arrancar Knight-General into this state.
Behind her vicious, relentless offensive was careful calculation. Clare’s feet moved with elegance as her scythe rained down violence, like a hurricane set to strike down the arrogant.
“You damned Kitsune!” Toriel da-bang cursed.
Swirling currents of explosions swept around him as he swung his spears, creating a storm of attacks. He tried to slash away the scythe's explosive power.
But no matter how hard you try to slash away a hurricane, how much wind can you actually cut? An eerie silence filled the Wagi Kai’s chamber, broken only by the spark of explosions.
Clare had completely trapped Toriel Da-Bang, who struggled to counter her attacks, cursing under his breath. "Damn, damn, damn," he muttered. Clare pressed her feet firmly into the ground, tightening her grip on her scythe. She reduced the space Toriel could move within, then swung her scythe in a powerful crescent arc. The attack unleashed an explosion that burned his fist, causing him to cry out in agonizing pain, lose his grip, and drop one of his spears.
Clare quickly retracted her scythe, aiming the curved blade at his upper body. The blade hovered dangerously close, almost touching him, as another explosion erupted in sync. The blast blurred his vision and left his ears ringing. "Huh?" was all he managed to say before he stumbled backward, falling hard to the ground. The scythe's blade now rested at his neck, a clear threat. One push and Clare could have ended his life, carving deep wounds over his body.
Toriel Da-Bang knew what it meant to fight a Wagi Kai—his honor, life, and status were all on the line. But if he didn't surrender, he would lose more than just his honor. His fists clenched, blood seeping from them. He knew he would lose his life. The reflection of his neck on the scythe’s blade only emphasized this reality. His limbs trembled. He couldn't do anything in this situation, and he valued his life too much to risk it.
"You win," he finally admitted, his voice heavy with shame.
Toriel Da-Bang was the first to concede defeat, a bitter expression on his face. According to the traditions of the Wagi Kai, he would now be labeled a weakling and demoted to a lower rank. All the status and reputation he had built up would be wasted. But was it worth losing his life over? Even if he hated to admit it, a half-breed Nin had shown him mercy—something other Arrancars in Wagi Kai history lacked.
As Toriel Da-Bang surrendered, he glanced at the other Arrancar Knight/Generals in the spectators’ seats. A sly smile crept across his lips as he met their disappointed gazes. He didn’t care, though. His lips moved slightly, barely whispering a warning that he would return to his rank and take one of them down. Indeed, he would be back sooner or later.
Some of the weaker Arrancar Knight/Generals flinched at his smile and inaudible words. Clare slowly moved her scythe away, resting the hilt on her shoulder as her fluffy tails swerved in relief. What the weaker Arrancar Knight/Generals thought didn’t matter—she had already achieved her goal.
Steadily, Clare’s breathing, blood pressure, and heartbeat, which had gone haywire while using “Explosion is an Art,” evened out. She smiled faintly, satisfied.
Arrancar Knight/General.
It was a rank that matched her skills—a gradual growth she had demonstrated even to the Demoness, all to become the “Visored,” which required both skill and contribution. Clare had proven she had both.
The atmosphere in the Wagi Kai Chamber shifted as the Demoness’s presence distorted the air. The once-muttering spectators—stronger Arrancar Knight/Generals bickering over how Toriel Da-Bang had been a weakling from the start, and the weaker ones discussing how to avoid becoming victims—fell silent.
A deathly silence pervaded the chamber.
Letting out a short sigh, the Demoness spoke, looking at Clare. "You have attained the rank of Arrancar Knight/General at a tender age, despite the cunning blood that flows within you. Well done."
It wasn’t an insult but a compliment—really. Clare, having regulated her body after the fight, bowed her head and thanked the Demoness. “Thank you, my Demoness.”
It was awkward, but she had no choice. It was better than being knocked to her knees. After all, she was an Arrancar, though a half-breed in this life.
The Demoness then addressed another spectator, who leaped onto the platform and bowed.
“You also deserve to challenge any Arrancar Knight/General of your choosing. Whom do you wish to face?”
DALETH—Lee Won-bin’s abilities were inferior to those of an Arrancar Knight/General, making it hard for him to gauge their strengths. He was unwilling to gamble. This fact bothered him greatly. However, there was one Arrancar Knight/General currently weakened from a previous fight.
DALETH smiled and asked, “Am I allowed to challenge any Arrancar Knight/General in the Wagi Kai Chamber?”
"Indeed. None here are exempt." the Demoness replied, smiling as she sensed the half-breed’s intentions.
“Then my opponent shall be this Kitsune.”
DALETH pointed at Clare, causing others, including his own squad members, to cover their faces in disbelief. They knew that their Squad leader was practically seeking his own death.
Clare’s tails wriggled slightly, whispering to her the stupidity of this brat.
But Clare merely shrugged, ignoring the inevitable. She walked over and picked up her alloy steel bracers. The opportunity had come sooner than she expected, but it was bothersome and annoying. Clare sighed.
Wagi Kai—everyone who stepped into it knew it could be their last fight if their opponent showed no mercy. Even if she showed DALETH mercy, he would be branded a weakling. The rules of Wagi Kai she had learned flashed in her mind. The fight to become an Arrancar Knight/General typically ended with the winner surviving, and the loser dead.
Yet, this brat named DALETH still wanted to challenge her. Did he think she would show him mercy? Her green gaze glinted with a hint of malice.
Just because she was a Heavenly Saintess, she had been letting her opponents off, yet they kept challenging her as if it were normal. Clare suddenly felt a surge of anger but quickly calmed down. She couldn’t let herself be rattled by this.
After all, brats like DALETH always needed a beating—or worse—to teach others not to be like him.
Her foxy side whispered not to forget that she had been looking for a chance to get rid of DALETH since he had stared at her with extreme bloodlust, despite her doing nothing to provoke him. Now, DALETH was offering his head on a silver platter.
In that split second, her demonic side took over. Extreme killing intent radiated from her cunning smile, revealing her canines.
DALETH had been pulling her tails, putting his hands in her maw. And now…
The sound of alloy steel snapping back into place echoed through the Wagi Kai chamber.
… the Demonic Kitsune, feeling violated and threatened, was ready to tear him apart.
“What are you doing?” Lee Won-bin frowned as he saw Clare putting her alloy bracers back on. Clare had clearly been chosen because she was presumed to be the weakest in the Arrancar Knight/General rank. “Do you think you can defeat me with those on?”
No matter what Lee Won-bin thought, Clare was free to do as she pleased. Why would a seasoned granny feel provoked by some brat? It was pompous, really. Helping the Clan get rid of someone as stupid and annoying as DALETH… even her Heavenly Saintess side didn’t feel bad at all.
It didn’t matter whether GIMEL was tired or not—that was how vast the gap between them was. Everyone could feel the difference between the Nin and DALETH, except for DALETH himself, blissfully unaware of his own shortcomings.
“This Bitch… You do realize this Wagi Kai is allowed to conclude with Death?” DALETH sneered.
“Of course,” Clare replied, her voice calm as a still lake, her movements as fluid as a breeze. She swung her white scythe in a wide arc, effortlessly switching it between her hands. Aiming the blade at DALETH, she added, “That’s why I wished you a good, normal life in Vinland.”
Lee-won Bin didn’t fully grasp her words, but Clare’s chilling, sly smile—revealing her sharp fangs—made her intentions crystal clear. She was ready to end his life.
“Motherfucker!” DALETH spat.
“How long will you keep barking like some cliché young master? Unless you’re a real Arrancar wielding your mouth as a weapon, draw your damned axes. Well…” Clare’s words faded as she stepped forward, her figure flickering. DALETH flinched, reacting instinctively and exposing an opening.
“…if you don’t come to me, I’ll come to you.”
Clare’s feet tensed, trembling as her bushy tails froze, anticipation coursing through her. In a sudden burst, she shot forward, her form blurring with speed.
DALETH’s arrow-like tail stiffened, his senses screaming danger. He yanked his dual axes from his back, adjusting his stance, and swung them defensively toward the impending threat.
Clare’s scythe descended from above, meeting the axes in a deafening clash. Shockwaves erupted, and the impact sent DALETH skidding backward. Clare pressed on relentlessly, her scythe carving through the air in a fierce arc from sky to earth. Sparks crackled and snapped, trailing explosions of dark energy in her wake.
But the Wagi Kai had just begun.