---IMPORTANT NOTE---

Hello everyone, I'd like to announce the end of the 3rd Volume on (P a t r e on).

So, as usual, I'll be taking a 1 or 2-week pause to plan the next volume.

The next volume will either be [Chainsaw Man], [Shakugan no Shana], or [Overlord]; However, there is a 75% chance that it'll be [Chainsaw Man]. (Leave your comments and recommendations)

Anyway, while I won't publish LoD chapters in this period of time, I'll try to write some LoD side stories about the new power system.

Moreover, I'll continue to write and post the (P a t r e o n) exclusive; Jujutsu Kaisen - Life & Death.

All in all, thanks to everyone who kept reading until now, I am truly thankful!

---Chapter Begin---

[Dream Path Authority: Deprive.]

The moment Lorien executed his authority, the power within Sukuna's body started shaking and destabilizing causing the newly transformed nightmare spirit to be unable to control himself.

Then, to make the situation even worse for him, this lack of control over his own power quickly turned into a lack of existence of power under his shocked and dreary eyes.

Not only was he unable to control his newly transformed CT, but his neutral energy also became unmovable while his physical strength was also greatly suppressed.

Right now, not to mention special-grade sorcerers, even any 1st-grade sorcerer might be able to beat him if they play their cards right.

'This?!!'

'What's going on???!!!'

From the highest peak of joy to the abyss of despair, such a sudden transformation caused even the 1000-year-old cursed spirit that didn't know what fear was like to feel this emotion for the first time since its birth.

However, this fear only lasted a fraction of a second before quickly becoming fuel for the dark emotions that replaced it — Indignation, anger, wrath, and finally madness.

Looking at these plathera of emotions that continued to flash across Sukuna's face, the look of interest which was endowed with a bit of malice that had been drawn on Lorien's face quickly grew wider as he couldn't help but say to the curse in front of him.

"Well, did you learn your lesson at least?"

"Only rely on your own power, and more precisely power that you created yourself."

"Stealing stuff like this might help you gain quick improvements, but you never know what you are truly walking into."

"But It seems that it's a bit too late now don't you think?"

Continuing to speak, Lorien didn't forget to pause after each sentence so he could take in Sukuna's expressions while he mocked him.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

However, to his disappointment, Lorien was soon unable to see any of it as Sukuna's facial expressions quickly became bleak not allowing his opponent to enjoy himself.

"Tsk, you're quite boring."

Saying this, Lorien who had waited for a response but got none decided to push things to the next stage to further stimulate his pray.

"Alright, now that I think of it, this whole situation seems a bit unfair to you as you didn't even have to chance to show your power, so let me give you a proposition!"

Noticing that he had attracted Sukuna's attention with these words, Lorien couldn't help but nod silently before continuing.

"How about I give you back your power and then fight you, I won't be using my authority as the path creator, and if you even scratch me, I'll allow you to live! What do you think?"

However, different from the response that Lorien expected, this only caused Sukuna to grow even more irritated as anger leaked from under his bleak mask.

"Scratch you? I am going to kill you brat!!"

"You've got great ambitions there buddy, keep it up!" Responded Lorien as if he was talking to some little child that he had met on the streets.

"..."

"So, can I consider this as an agreement?" He continued relentlessly.

"..."

"Well, silence is a sign of agreement as far as I know, so I'll take it as that." He finally declared.

Stating this, Lorien didn't waste any time as he raised his right hand and snapped his fingers causing the shackles that he had placed on Sukuna to crack and disappear.

It's just that as he did so, he didn't forget to mock his opponent even more as he stated.

"Oh, I forgot to say this, I won't be holding back in this battle, so you could also just kill yourself if you don't want to continue participating in my play, after all, I have never liked to force people to have fun with me!"

However, what Lorien received as a response this time wasn't words, rather, it was a space-dividing slash that went straight towards his face.

It's just that as a response to this attack, Lorien who had completely let go of any and all constraints and decided to fully utilize his reality-warping powers just extended his hand forward as a response.

But, the consequence of such a simple act was him easily holding the slash with his bare hand and then magically turning it into soap bubbles which he playfully blew away.

"Nice attack! However, is that all you got?"

*Swish*

*Swish*

The moment Lorien uttered this, he immediately received a couple more slashing attacks from Sukuna who then immediately began rushing forward toward Lorien trying to turn the theme of battle into hand-to-hand combat.

Seeing this, Lorien just glanced at the attacks not bothering to even move a muscle to respond to them.

However, even without him having to move, with his reality-warping power fully unfolding, these attacks were magically erased with no resistance to speak of.

Then, with his attention focused on Sukuna, Lorien gave off a long sigh before unsheathing his sword and holding it in front of him in a very relaxed manner.

This was just in time for the arrival of Sukuna who immediately began using his 4 arms to attack while also using his ability to launch surprise attacks between each physical attack.

However, all of this seemed to be for nothing as Lorien kept easily dodging all of Sukuna's attacks at a hard width and erasing any ability-type attacks that were released.

Doing so, Lorien didn't forget to slash forward from time to time causing bloody wounds to appear all over Sukuna's immense body.

"It seems that you have fallen into a misconception, having a large form doesn't mean that you'll have the advantage in hand-to-hand combat."

"You..."

"Have you not noticed? not only is your physical power below mine, but even your martial arts is."

Stating this fact, Lorien glanced at Sukuna's serious yet wrathful expression as the latter continued launching his flurry of attacks at him before continuing.

*Swish*

*Swish*

*Swish*

"Well, the only advantage you had over me was experience, however, thanks to you, that's not the case anymore!"

*Swish*

"What do you mean?!"

Dodging another attack, Lorien even had the time to shrug his shoulders before responding.

"While you tried to steal power from me, I also took the opportunity to steal a few things from you, however, it seems that I never had the chance to thank you, so, here we are, thanks I guess!"

"F*CK! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE YOU WHITE HAIRED BITCH!"