The special training Charles had designed for the two was carefully thought out.

First, he focused on improving their physical endurance with gravity adaptation training. No matter the system, a strong physique was the foundation of everything.

Then, Charles trained their control over jūryoku.

Both of them carried the purest Yin and Yang energies of this world—endless potential. And precise control over jūryoku was the best way to unlock that potential.

Their greatest trump card was Resonance. To fully unleash its power, improving their jūryoku control was essential.

The two of them were pushed to their limits by Charles's magical devices, but luckily, all the Impurities in this area were weak—none even large-class.

So despite the difficulty, they managed to exorcise all the Impurities.

Panting and gasping, they returned to Charles. Rokuro spoke first: "We're done!"

Charles nodded. "I saw. It wasn't great—but passable, I guess. Take the wristbands off now. Your next opponent won't be something you can handle while wearing them."

The two immediately understood and quickly removed the devices, their eyes scanning their surroundings.

Then a calm, gentle-sounding voice echoed.

"Was I discovered? How rude of me. It seems I've failed to entertain properly."

A man wearing an impeccably tailored suit stepped out from the thick miasma.

He had long, flowing hair, and wore a monocle—at first glance, he could easily be mistaken for a nobleman from somewhere.

But his dark skin and the red pupil in his black eye made it clear—like Kamui, he was one of the highest-level Impurities: a Basara.

The Basara gave an elegant bow. "Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Oni-nashi. As Dark Void predicted, you are indeed a dangerous guest."

"A Basara…" Rokuro instantly recognized the man's identity. Clenching his fists, he charged forward.

"Meteor Fist!"

Drawing a pentagram, Rokuro launched a punch. A beam of jūryoku shot out, blasting Oni-nashi into a crater on the hillside.

But that wasn't the end. Benio was already in motion.

"Dance of the Phantom Lotus!"

Using the power of her Impure legs, Benio danced through the air, leaving behind brilliant arcs of light as she slashed at Oni-nashi's location.

After countless strikes, she landed beside Rokuro.

"How is it?" Rokuro asked.

"Every hit landed," Benio replied. "It should've done some damage. But to finish him off, we'll need to use Resonance."

Just then, footsteps rang out.

From the dust and miasma, Oni-nashi emerged—completely unharmed.

"No way…" Rokuro couldn't believe it. They'd attacked with everything they had—how could it have done nothing?

"Tell me, was this feast to your liking?" Oni-nashi asked with a smile.

"What are you talking about?" Benio demanded coldly.

Hand on his chest, Oni-nashi explained, "I refer to your 'battle' as a form of hospitality. I possess the strength to instantly kill most exorcists—but to do so against guests who came all this way to slay me would be disgraceful.

The attacks you unleash, the strategies you devise, your desperate resistance when faced with crisis—I accept all of it, to let you fully savor the joy of battle. This is how I offer my sincerest welcome.

Now then—please, enjoy yourselves to the fullest."

As he spoke, Oni-nashi casually blocked Rokuro's next punch and sent him flying with a single slap.

Benio hadn't even gotten close before a whip appeared in Oni-nashi's hand—he lashed it once, sending her crashing away.

The two of them, lying on the ground, exchanged glances. They understood each other's thoughts perfectly.

They leapt into the air and met midair, joining hands.

"Resonance—Crimson Meteor Fist!"

A massive beam of jūryoku shot down from the heavens, crashing into Oni-nashi.

They landed and stared at the smoke, hoping it had worked—but their hope was crushed. Oni-nashi emerged once again, completely unscathed, his calm smile unchanged.

"Are the guests now ready for the main course?" he asked cheerfully.

In the blink of an eye, Oni-nashi was upon them. Raising his whip, he prepared to strike.

But in that instant, Charles appeared between them.

Oni-nashi's pupils contracted—he hadn't even noticed Charles's movement.

"Don't forget—I'm still here," Charles said coolly.

Oni-nashi immediately backed away, leaping dozens of meters in retreat. Charles made no move to pursue.

He looked back at the two and said, "I know you've fought Kamui before. But with his personality, he probably wasn't serious at all.

What you're seeing now is the real power of a Basara. You feel the gap now, don't you? From here on out, enemies like this will keep appearing. Understand how wide the gap is—and work hard to close it."

This was Charles's entire purpose. Otherwise, how could he have tolerated Oni-nashi's endless monologue?

Turning to Oni-nashi, Charles said, "Honestly, your luck's bad. If you'd run into me two years ago, maybe things would've ended differently.

But now… I'm done with your disgusting sense of 'etiquette.'"

Oni-nashi's so-called "hospitality" was just his way of savoring the despair and death he inflicted on others.

Two years ago, if Charles had met Oni-nashi while still in the wrong headspace, he might've ignored him altogether—as long as Oni-nashi didn't provoke him first.

But now, Charles had regained his respect for life. And that meant people like Oni-nashi were out of luck.

Oni-nashi composed himself and said, "I don't quite understand your words, but they won't interfere with your reception.

For a guest like you, it would be unseemly to begin with close combat. Allow me to start over."

With that, he conjured an ornate rifle and aimed it at Charles, pulling the trigger.

Charles tilted his head slightly, dodging the jūryoku bullet. It struck a tree behind him, leaving a smooth, fist-sized hole. The power of that bullet was clear.

Charles glanced at the hole—then calmly stepped toward Oni-nashi.

The Basara kept firing, but Charles didn't even bother dodging. He casually swatted away the incoming bullets with his palm.

The final one—he caught between his fingers and crushed it.

In the next instant, he was in front of Oni-nashi.

Grabbing the Basara's head, he slammed him into the ground.

"What kind of hospitality is this?" Charles mocked. "This isn't even enough to fill my teeth, let alone my stomach.

I'll give you one chance—where is Dark Void? Tell me, and I'll give you a quick death."

Oni-nashi's face was pressed into the dirt, but he still spoke calmly. "How rude of me. I cannot satisfy you—nor can I answer that question."

"Is that so?" Charles's voice turned cold. "Then you're worthless."

Flames erupted from his palm, engulfing Oni-nashi.

Even as he burned, the Basara wore the same composed expression, seemingly unaffected by the searing pain.

Charles turned away, not bothering to watch him turn to ash.

Compared to Oni-nashi, what concerned Charles more was Dark Void.

Had that man already realized he was being hunted?

------------------

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American Detective: From TV Rookie to Seasoned Cop (Chapter 1316)

American TV Writer (Chapter 1402)

I Am Hades, The Supreme GOD of the Underworld! (Chapter 570)

Reborn as Humanity's Emperor Across the Multiverse (Chapter 660)

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