*I LIVE IN ISEKKAI* ARC 19 : ECHOES OF THE PAST ARC
Chapter 87: "The Seven Sin Chasers"
Tadashi handed Michi a small piece of paper with the location scribbled on it. "Good luck, Michi. You're going to need it. The journey ahead will be treacherous, but I have faith in you."
Michi nodded, his heart racing with anticipation. He made his way to the location, using the underground tunnels to avoid detection. The air was thick with tension as he emerged into the sunlight.
As he approached the old grave, he saw seven broken gravestones, each with a name etched into it. The names seemed to whisper to him, echoing in his mind. Suddenly, his forehead stone turned dusk, and his spirit powers surged to life.
The seven gravestones began to glow, and seven spirits rose from them. Michi watched in awe as four male and three female spirits looked at him with serious faces.
"Hello Michi," said the first spirit. "We've been following you for some time now. We know you're a pure soul, not evil. You're trying to save everyone. We've been waiting for you."
Michi tried to speak, but the spirit continued, "We'll tell you everything we know to help you. But first, you need to gain our bonds. You need to fight us. It's the only way to prove yourself worthy."
Michi's eyes narrowed. "How? What do I need to do?"
The spirit smiled. "You have to defeat us. If you do, we'll acknowledge you and give you our powers to control the stones properly. And don't worry, we can generate our puppet bodies for you. But be warned, Michi, we won't hold back."
Michi looked at them with determination. Suddenly, another spirit spoke up.
"I'm Viz Glothing, the original bearer of the sloth stone. Michi, the challenge is to wake me up. If you can, I'll acknowledge you. But be warned, I won't be easy to wake."
Viz closed his eyes, and Michi looked confused. But he used his shadow powers and unleashed a powerful scythe blast at Viz. It didn't affect him much.
The first spirit, Tristan Lopez, spoke up again. "Before the challenges, let me tell you everything. We were the ones who defeated King Isiya Uradhara when he tried to dominate the world. But it was all part of his plan."
Michi listened intently as Tristan told the story of how they took the stones and protected them, only to be attacked by Isiya's clones.
"We died, but we turned off the stones. But the clones took them and said they would wait for 1000 years for a new hero to rise and become the new King of Sins. And that's you, Michi."
Michi's eyes widened in shock. "I won't let that happen. I won't let him win."
Tristan nodded. "We know. That's why we're here to help you. But you need to accept our challenges and get strong. Isiya is still alive, waiting for you. He's powerful, Michi. Don't underestimate him."
Michi steeled himself, determination burning within him. "I'm ready. Let's do this."
And with that, the first challenge began. Michi faced off against Viz, his shadow powers clashing with Viz's sloth stone. The battle was intense, but Michi refused to back down.
Chapter 88: "Envious Encounter"
Michi woke up Viz, and the spirit acknowledged him. "Good job, Michi. You now have full control of the sloth stone."
Michi smiled, feeling a sense of accomplishment. But his joy was short-lived, as another spirit appeared before him.
"I am Maya Dahlia, the bearer of the lust stone," she said, her voice sultry. "Michi, you have to show your love for Airi to defeat me."
Michi was taken aback. "How do I do that?"
Maya smiled. "You need to think about Airi, and I will sense it. If you can make me blush, I will acknowledge you."
Michi nodded, closing his eyes. He thought about the moments he shared with Airi, the laughter, the tears, the adventures. Tears began to fall from his eyes as he remembered the pain of being separated from her.
Maya noticed and sensed everything. "That's it, Michi. You have got my acknowledgement. The lust stone will be in your control now."
Michi opened his eyes, smiling. "Thanks, it seems easy."
But his celebration was cut short by a rageful spirit. "You think it's easy, huh? I am Drake Frank, the bearer of the envy stone. Defeat me in a real fight, then!"
Drake's eyes blazed with anger. "I hate your being, Michi. You're the same as that bastardization Isiya, using sins to kill all. He killed my wife and daughter in front of me. Now come on, Michi, let me see your strength!"
Michi took position, ready for the fight. Drake charged at him, his fists flying. Michi dodged and countered, but Drake was relentless.
The fight was Intense, with both spirits exchanging blows. Michi received a lot of damage on his face and chest, but he refused to back down.
Drake's envy stone glowed brighter, fueling his rage. Michi stumbled back, his vision blurring. But he remembered Airi's words, "You're strong, Michi. Don't give up."
With newfound determination, Michi launched a counterattack. Drake was caught off guard, and Michi landed a critical hit.
Drake stumbled back, his envy stone fading. "No…it can't be…"
Michi stood tall, his chest heaving. "I won't let you win, Drake. I won't let Isiya win."
Drake's expression changed, his anger replaced by a hint of sadness. "You're not like Isiya, Michi. You're different."
Michi nodded. "I'm fighting for Airi, for my friends, for the world. I won't let envy consume me."
Drake nodded, a small smile on his face. "You've got my acknowledgement, Michi. The envy stone is yours."
The fight had lasted for hours, with both spirits giving it their all. Michi was exhausted, but triumphant. He had overcome another challenge, another spirit.
As he caught his breath, Michi realized that the journey was far from over. There were still more spirits to defeat, more challenges to overcome. But he was ready. He was determined to save Airi, to defeat Isiya, and to bring peace to the world.
Chapter 89: "Gluttonous Pride"
Michi was surprised when two spirits appeared before him. "Together, we are Miyamoto Kazuto and Miyamoto Kiliya, the bearers of the pride stone and gluttony stone," they said in unison.
Miyamoto Kazuto, the bearer of the pride stone, spoke up. "For the pride stone, Michi, you need to show us your most powerful spell. But don't attack us. We just want to see your strength."
Miyamoto Kiliya, the bearer of the gluttony stone, grinned mischievously. "And for the gluttony stone, we have a special challenge for you. Here is 10 kilos of food, including meats. You have to finish it all, Michi."
Michi's eyes widened in shock. He had never eaten so much food in his life. But he was determined to complete the challenge.
First, he turned his forehead stone golden and showed his golden sword move. Miyamoto Kazuto was impressed. "That's incredible, Michi. You have got my acknowledgement."
Then, Michi faced the enormous amount of food in front of him. Miyamoto Kiliya laughed. "Now, start eating, Michi. Show us your gluttony."
Michi began to eat, but it wasn't easy. The food was endless, and he started to feel full quickly. But he refused to give up.
As he continued eating, his belly started to grow. He looked like a stuffed animal, with food spilling out of his mouth.
Miyamoto Kiliya laughed so hard that he fell to the ground. "This is the funniest thing I've ever seen, Michi. You're so gluttonous!"
Michi's face turned red with embarrassment, but he kept eating. He ate and ate, until he couldn't eat anymore.
Finally, after what seemed like hours, he finished all the food.
His belly was enormous, and he could hardly move. Miyamoto Kiliya patted his back. "Well done, Michi. You have got my acknowledgement. The gluttony stone is yours."
Michi smiled, relieved that the challenge was over. But then, he felt a sudden pain in his stomach. He had eaten too much, and now he was paying the price.
Miyamoto Kazuto and Miyamoto Kiliya burst out laughing. "Haha, Michi, you should see your face. You look like a balloon about to burst!"
Michi's face turned even redder with embarrassment. He had never felt so humiliated in his life. But he knew that it was all worth it. He had completed the challenge and gained two more stones.
As he walked away, Michi heard Miyamoto Kiliya's laughter echoing in his ears. "I'll never forget this, Michi. You're the gluttoniest person I've ever met!"
Michi smiled, despite his embarrassment. He knew that he had gained two powerful stones.
Chapter 90: "Bearer Of Sins"
Michi was called by another spirit, a mysterious woman with piercing green eyes. "I am Nia Coasila, the bearer of the greed stone," she said. "Michi, I've noticed that you don't seem to have any information about your past and how you ended up here, right?"
Michi nodded, intrigued. Nia continued, "Despite that, you've found a good motive to save the world and be with Airi. You're very greedy, Michi, but I acknowledge you too. You can use the greed stone."
Michi thanked Nia, feeling a surge of power flow through him. He thought about how his desire to save Airi and the world had driven him to keep going, even when things seemed impossible.
But before he could celebrate, Tristan appeared, his eyes blazing with intensity. "Now, Michi, the final stone you need is my wrath stone," Tristan said. "I've seen you become furious many times, and sometimes you couldn't handle yourself. But I think you can do it now. Attack me with your most powerful attack, Michi."
Michi hesitated, remembering the words of his friends who had calmed him down. He thought about how they had taught him to control his emotions and respect others. "Sorry, Tristan, I can't. I've been taught to control my emotions and respect others."
Tristan smiled, impressed. "You've become better, Michi. You've learned to balance your emotions and thoughts. That's the true power of the wrath stone. Here's the last acknowledgement. You can control all seven sins stones."
The seven stones glowed brightly and implanted themselves horizontally on Michi's forehead, under his main stone. Michi felt an enormous power surge through him, like a river of energy flowing through his veins.
Nia and Kazuto warned, "Don't get too prideful, Michi. Isiya is too powerful. You need tactics too to defeat him. Remember, the seven deadly sins are not just powers, but also weaknesses."
Tristan added, "Remember, Michi, without the seven deadly sins, a person can't be a person. Bear them, use them as a weapon to move forward and create a new era. Don't let them consume you, but use them to guide you."
Tristan, Kazuto, Kiliya, Maya, Nia, Viz , and Drake all smiled and offered their encouragement, disappearing into thin air. Michi felt like he was surrounded by a supportive family, all cheering him on.
With his newfound powers, Michi contacted Tadashi, telling him everything about Isiya Uradhara's clone being the king. Tadashi assured Michi that they would be there to support him, and that they had a plan to defeat Isiya.
With determination burning within him, Michi moved forward to the castle where everything had begun. He was ready to face Isiya and save the world. The fate of the world rested on his shoulders, but he was not alone. He had the power of the seven sins, and the support of his friends.