[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-from-thunder-breathing-to-the-multiverse":3,"chapter-from-thunder-breathing-to-the-multiverse-from-thunder-breathing-to-the-multiverse-chapter-18":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","From Thunder Breathing to the Multiverse",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1676052,2141,"Chapter 18 18: The Infinity Castle","from-thunder-breathing-to-the-multiverse-chapter-18",18,"\u003Cp>\"Akaza-sama, thank goodness you're safe... It's been over eighty years since we last met, hasn't it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I truly feared the worst... My heart, oh, it was simply shattered!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A shrill, almost sickening voice echoed from a porcelain vase adorned with painted flowers, lying oddly on the floor of the Infinity Castle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments later, a grotesque creature slithered out of the narrow mouth of the vase—like a bloated worm that had grown far too large for its shell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its upper body resembled a human's, but from its shoulders and neck sprouted eight tiny, infant-like arms. Its lower body, still jammed inside the vase, was shaped like a snake's tail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This abomination was none other than Gyokko—Upper Rank Five of the Twelve Kizuki.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Akaza stood still, arms crossed over his chest. He didn't even bother to glance at the revolting creature.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From another corner of the castle, a trembling voice rang out, soft and riddled with fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"S-so scary... So terrifying… Gyokko can't even count properly anymore…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's been one hundred and four years since we were last summoned…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That pitiful mumble came from a small, horned figure—like a demon from an ancient painting—tiny, hunched, and visibly shaking. It was Hantengu, Upper Rank Four.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the far side of the room, Daki—one half of the Upper Rank Six pair—stood in silence, casting a tired glance around the others. Not a single face here did she want to see.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She gently clutched her older brother's hand and whispered,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Onii-chan... I'm wearing something new today. Do you think Muzan-sama will like it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gyūtarō, with hair dangling like seaweed and lifeless, fish-like eyes, stared at his little sister with affection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course… Daki is the most beautiful in the world.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm sure Muzan-sama will love it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Really?\" Daki's eyes sparkled, cheeks flushed with excitement like a girl in love. Her joy was short-lived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because then—he arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A handsome man in a flamboyant red outfit, wearing a round, peculiar hat, suddenly appeared beside Akaza.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His multicolored eyes gleamed like gemstones, and etched into them were three undeniable words:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upper Rank Two — Dōma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dōma gently patted Akaza's shoulder, a concerned look plastered across his face—but it was the kind of concern that felt fake, like an actor trying too hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh no, Akaza-kun!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you know how worried I was about you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank goodness you're safe! But... aren't you worried about me too?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because we're all best friends, aren't we? Not one of us should be missing!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment Akaza saw him, his expression twisted. His breath grew heavier, eyes sharp with unbearable disgust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why aren't you dead yet, Dōma!?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Akaza was never the patient type. Especially not with idiots.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To him, foolishness was a sin—and Dōma was its embodiment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without warning, Akaza's left fist swung upward in a clean arc, slamming square into Dōma's pretty face. The sound of the hit echoed like a hammer against glass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dōma's head snapped back, his face crumpling like a train wreck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ow~ Akaza-kun…\" Dōma muttered, blood dribbling down his face. \"You've gotten a little stronger, haven't you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just a bit, though. Sadly... still not strong enough to kill me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His shattered features began mending almost instantly. The flesh re-knitted itself, bone shifting back into place. Within seconds, it was as if he'd never been hit at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Akaza's fury reignited. His knuckles cracked with restrained rage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before another blow could be launched, a calm voice interrupted—gentle, yet firm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound came from a woman sitting serenely with a biwa across her lap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nakime, the Infinity Castle's space-warping conductor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Akaza-sama, please restrain yourself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I summoned Upper Rank One first. Kokushibō-sama has been here from the beginning.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Akaza froze. His eyes darted across the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kokushibō…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dōma might've been annoying, but Kokushibō? He was fear itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Akaza could convince himself he might surpass Dōma one day. But Kokushibō?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn't even glimpsed the man's limits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And there he was—atop a raised tea room in the upper floors of the castle, watching them all in silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With his long red hair tied back neatly and a calm, human-like face, Kokushibō seemed composed…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until you noticed the six symmetrical eyes lining his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Red markings ran down his forehead and chin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was a monster among monsters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he spoke—his voice low, almost like a whisper through iron.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No need to search for me. I'm here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Muzan-sama has arrived.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And with that...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demons gathered below all fell to their knees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Except for Gyokko, who was still half-stuck in his vase and bobbing slightly in mid-air, wearing a grotesque grin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— — —\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air twisted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Darkness crept like fog over the flipped ceiling of the chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—Kibutsuji Muzan emerged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Draped in a wine-colored kimono styled for a noblewoman, his figure was elegant, his long black hair tied neatly behind his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stood at the highest platform, looking down on the demons he had created.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was smooth—yet colder than ice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You have all... disappointed me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not one demon dared speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Except for one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dōma tilted his head innocently and asked in a voice as soft as a breeze,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Really? We're terribly sorry, Muzan-sama... But um, in what way exactly have we disappointed you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dōma, void of emotions, lacked the very capacity to understand fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn't feel dread.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because he had no idea what it even felt like.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muzan stared in silence. If not for Dōma's usefulness, he might have been erased on the spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The silence lingered—then Muzan continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where is the Blue Spider Lily?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Centuries have passed, and you still haven't found it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And what have you accomplished?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Ubuyashiki family still lives.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For the first time in hundreds of years, lower rank demons were slaughtered in rapid succession.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're all becoming liabilities.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hantengu collapsed completely, sobbing and trembling into the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kokushibō exhaled quietly, almost regretfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They're experts at hiding. We've lost their trail.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Dōma giggled lightly, brushing his cheek.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Aww~ I'm just not that good at tracking. What a shame~\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his mind, only one question lingered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm… how many humans should I eat tonight?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only one who stayed standing—was Akaza.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He locked eyes with Muzan and declared with unwavering resolve:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Muzan-sama! I swear, I will eliminate the entire Demon Slayer Corps for you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muzan looked back, unmoved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is that so?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then bring me the head of the Thunder Hashira…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He's been the most troublesome in the past year.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And with those words, Muzan's figure dissolved into the shadows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence returned to the Infinity Castle—heavy and suffocating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— — —\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>✨ Special thanks to my newest Patreon supporters!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Your support keeps this series alive and growing!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Joseph Sepulveda, Big Brizzz, Michael Thomas, Austin, Just Some Guy With A Mustage, Kloud Paradizo, Hamza Ahmed\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>📚 Want to read more chapters or get early access?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Join my Patreon here:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>🔗 patreon.com\u002FFaaanzKun\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>✅ Enjoy 25+ chapters ahead of WebNovel\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>✅ Get 2 new chapters every day exclusively on Patreon\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>> Already caught up with the latest chapter on WebNovel?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Continue the journey early for just:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>$5\u002Fmonth\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Join now and dive deeper into the story—weeks ahead of public release!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thank you for your amazing support 💖\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— — —\u003C\u002Fp>",1227,"2026-06-06T13:14:23.720Z",1,"novelbin.me","3e7a0f788ecd2c553502154d8c9eeb62d5cfcd9e91123df6f1d6ed0f50064660","from-thunder-breathing-to-the-multiverse-chapter-19","from-thunder-breathing-to-the-multiverse-chapter-17",389,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Ffrom-thunder-breathing-to-the-multiverse-cover.jpg"]