Offering Myself as a Token

The young girl, her body covered in scars and malnourished from years of neglect, appeared extremely frail—so fragile it seemed she might be blown away by the mere wind.

At this moment, she bit her lip and curled into herself, her thin, swollen arms attempting to shield her body. Yet, her fragile frame stood no chance against the barrage of stones being hurled at her. Each time a stone struck her, a sharp, stabbing pain wracked her body, forcing soft cries of pain from her lips.

But the people around her showed no intention of stopping. On the contrary, they continued to pelt her with stones, their attacks relentless.

As time passed, the frail little girl began to lose her strength. Her mind grew hazy, the pain dulling into numbness. The biting cold and the accumulating injuries finally took their toll, and her delicate body could hold out no longer.

At last, she collapsed, her head tilting to the side as she lost consciousness.

Yet, even then, the surrounding crowd showed no mercy. They continued to hurl stones at her limp form, their loud curses echoing through the frigid air.

"Kill her! Kill this jinx!"

"Kill her!"

"She's the reason for all of this!"

"She's a calamity! We can't let her go!"

"She's just pretending to be dead! Don't fall for it!"

"You think you can play dead to escape punishment? Dream on!"

Suddenly, a figure appeared among them, her presence abrupt and unexpected. The stones hurled at the girl seemed to collide with an invisible barrier, rebounding harmlessly to the ground.

The crowd froze, exchanging bewildered glances. None of them had seen how this newcomer had arrived; it was as though she had appeared in the blink of an eye. And when their gazes settled on the silver-haired girl now standing before them, they were struck dumb.

They had never seen anyone so stunningly beautiful.

The silver-haired girl was breathtaking. Her long hair shimmered like a cascade of silver, her skin pale as snow and flawless, seemingly smoother than the finest porcelain. Her slender fingers, delicately poised, matched her finely sculpted features. Her exquisite beauty seemed almost otherworldly, as if she had stepped straight out of a painting. Yet her gaze, cold and unyielding, exuded a chilling intensity that made those around her shiver.

Kaguya approached the unconscious girl and gently picked her up, cradling her frail body in her arms. With a soft touch, she wiped the dirt and blood from the girl's face, revealing familiar features beneath.

She had long, flowing hair and a delicate, refined face. Her eyebrows were neatly shaped, her lips soft and rosy, and even in her current fragile state, her beauty shone through. Though the young girl still bore a youthful innocence, her appearance was unmistakably similar to someone Kaguya knew.

If she wasn't mistaken, this girl was Kurumi Tokisaki.

The resemblance was uncanny, as though this child were a miniature version of Kurumi herself—a perfect mold cast from the same template. It was impossible not to draw the connection.

However, her current state was pitiful. Her skin was tinged with purplish hues from frostbite, and her body was riddled with wounds. Some cuts were so deep that blood had seeped out, freezing into dark crimson crystals under the harsh cold.

But the most severe injury was to her left eye. Struck by one of the stones, the eye had sustained grievous damage—its surface nearly ruptured. Even with the most advanced medical technology ten years into the future, it would be nearly impossible to save her from permanent blindness.

"Who are you? Why are you protecting her?" a voice suddenly challenged.

"Get out of the way! Stop shielding that cursed child!"

"Do you want to make enemies of us?"

"We're doing this to rid the world of her evil! If you don't leave, we'll take you down with her!"

Snapped out of their stupor, the children and teenagers began to shout angrily. Perhaps Kaguya's beauty had softened their tone somewhat, but their hostility remained palpable.

Kaguya didn't turn to face them. She simply asked coldly, "So, you're the ones responsible for this?"

"Of course! A wretched jinx like her can't be allowed to live. Keeping her alive only invites more disaster!" a boy stepped forward, shouting with fury.

"You said," Kaguya finally turned to them, her voice frosty, "that she's a jinx. What do you mean by that?"

"This town used to be peaceful," the boy began, his tone indignant. "But ever since she and her family arrived, calamities have plagued us. Townsfolk have suffered constant misfortune, crops have failed miserably, and now this snowstorm—it must be divine punishment for her sins!"

"Is that all?" Kaguya's expression remained indifferent.

"Isn't that enough?" The boy's frustration boiled over, his voice rising. "You're an outsider. What could you possibly understand about living in a place cursed with disaster?"

Kaguya turned away, her tone icy. "Your lives have nothing to do with me."

Her words sent the crowd into an uproar.

"She said something that irresponsible?"

"A stranger dares talk to us like this?"

"She's definitely in league with that cursed girl! That's the only explanation!"

"Yes, that's it! Why else would she defend her?"

"Let's grab her! Take them both down!"

"Kill them both! That's the only way to appease the gods!"

"Right, seize them now!"

"You think you're a match for me?" Kaguya's lips curved into a mocking smile.

"How dare you look down on us!" a young man's face turned red with anger. "Get her! Let's show her what we're made of!"

"Yeah, let's take her down!"

With a rallying cry, the crowd surged forward, a chaotic tide of fury aimed at Kaguya.

"Fools."

Kaguya didn't so much as glance at the approaching mob. She turned and began walking away, her calm demeanor as if the angry throng didn't exist.

Incensed by her indifference, the mob's rage escalated. Some picked up chunks of ice, others grabbed stones, and a few even armed themselves with wooden clubs prepared in advance.

But the moment they reached Kaguya, their movements froze—literally. Their bodies halted mid-motion, as if bound by an invisible force. Their eyes went blank, their limbs stiff, and they became statues in the whirling snow.

Kaguya didn't spare them a second glance. She walked toward the edge of the town, her pace unhurried, her figure soon swallowed by the darkness of the night.

When her figure disappeared into the shadows of the night, the frozen townsfolk exploded with a resounding bang. Their bodies shattered into countless fragments, scattering flesh and blood into the frigid air, staining the snow crimson with a mist of gore.

The little girl slept soundly in Kaguya's arms, showing no signs of waking. Her breathing gradually steadied, and her pale complexion turned a healthy rosy hue. Her soft, tender cheeks seemed so delicate they could be pinched and squeezed for water—utterly endearing.

Kaguya smiled knowingly. She hadn't expected that young Kurumi Tokisaki would be this adorable.

What Kaguya hadn't anticipated, however, was the tragic nature of Kurumi's childhood. No wonder the ever-smiling Kurumi never spoke of her past. With such a traumatic history, who would want to bring it up again?

At that moment, young Kurumi wriggled slightly in her sleep, turned over, and snuggled closer to Kaguya, continuing to slumber peacefully.

Kaguya chuckled softly. Holding Kurumi close with her left arm, she stretched out her right hand, placing it gently over Kurumi's small body. A faint, radiant light emanated from her palm as a stream of pure energy flowed into Kurumi's frail form.

Under the cleansing effect of Kaguya's pure energy, Kurumi's wounds began to heal rapidly, visible to the naked eye. The bruises, cuts from sharp ice shards, and other injuries vanished in an instant. Her pale, scarred skin transformed back to a flawless, pearly white, so smooth it seemed to beg for a gentle pinch.

At that moment, young Kurumi's long eyelashes fluttered slightly before she opened her beautiful eyes. However, only her right eye was intact. Her left eye, gravely injured earlier, was a gruesome mess—shattered and bloodied beyond repair.

"Big sister, was it you who saved me?" Kurumi asked, her voice unexpectedly calm. Unlike most children her age, who would likely cry or panic in the face of such a situation, her demeanor carried a surprising maturity, more akin to that of a little adult.

"Yes," Kaguya replied, her gaze lingering on Kurumi's left eye as her brows furrowed slightly.

Those villagers had gone too far, committing such inhuman acts. Even now, Kaguya regretted letting them die so swiftly. She should have made them endure the pain Kurumi had suffered.

"Thank you," Kurumi said politely, her voice soft and sweet.

Watching the girl's endearing demeanor, Kaguya couldn't help but compare her to the current Kurumi. It was hard to imagine that this once-polite and well-behaved child had grown into someone so cheeky, bold, and unashamed, often leaving even Kaguya at a loss for words.

Sensing Kaguya's gaze, Kurumi quickly covered her left eye with her small hand, her expression flustered. "S-sorry for letting you see this."

"It's nothing," Kaguya reassured her, gently ruffling her hair. "This isn't your fault."

Kurumi seemed to relax a little but then appeared hesitant, as if something weighed on her mind. Finally, she asked, "Big sister, why did you save me?"

"Why wouldn't I save you?" Kaguya replied with a hint of amusement in her tone.

"Because…" Kurumi hesitated before stammering, "Because I'm cursed. My existence brought death to my parents and disaster to the town. It's all because of me…"

"Enough." Kaguya's stern voice cut her off.

Kurumi flinched, looking at Kaguya with anxious, wide eyes, uncertain why she was angry.

Realizing her tone might have been too harsh, Kaguya softened her voice. "You are not cursed. You don't bring misfortune to anyone. Those are just excuses weak humans tell themselves to shirk responsibility."

"But… but…" Kurumi stammered, unsure how to respond.

Kaguya gripped her shoulders gently but firmly, meeting her gaze with unwavering seriousness. "No one is cursed, and no one naturally brings disaster to others. Do you truly believe all those events happened because of you?"

"Yes," Kurumi whispered.

"Do you really think so?" Kaguya pressed, her tone heavy. "Do you honestly believe you caused your parents' deaths?"

Kurumi hesitated, biting her lip, before finally shaking her head slightly, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

Seeing her tearful expression, Kaguya felt a wave of relief. If Kurumi still harbored doubt and defiance, she could be saved. The true danger lay in her fully accepting the villagers' cruel narrative, truly believing she was the cause of everything. That would have been far harder to undo.

"How's your eye?" Kaguya asked. "Can you still see anything?"

Kurumi shook her head, her expression darkening. She already understood her left eye was beyond saving. Even at her young age, she grasped the significance of this loss, though she hadn't yet fully comprehended the impact it would have on her life.

Kaguya fell silent for a moment before speaking again, her voice steady. "Do you hate them?"

Kurumi hesitated before shaking her head.

"Is that really how you feel?" Kaguya's brows furrowed slightly.

Kurumi pressed her lips together tightly, remaining silent. But her small fists clenched so hard that her knuckles turned white.

Kaguya's voice turned icy. "Listen carefully. This world doesn't care about right or wrong. The only thing that matters is power."

"Power?" Kurumi echoed, her tone laced with confusion.

"Yes, power," Kaguya said firmly. "Right and wrong are shackles meant to restrain the weak. With power, you can break free of those chains. Think about it—if you had power, would they still dare to treat you this way? Would they dare to slander you so cruelly? If you had power, would your parents have died so easily?"

Though Kaguya's voice was calm, her words struck Kurumi's young heart like a thunderclap, shattering her worldview. No one had ever said such things to her before. No one had ever planted such thoughts in her mind. And yet, the doubts and questions she'd carried for so long suddenly felt as though they'd been answered.

Why had she been bullied? Why had she been labeled a curse? Why had she suffered so much pain?

It was because she lacked power.

If she had power—if only she had power—none of this would have happened. Her parents wouldn't have died, and she wouldn't have become an orphan.

With her thoughts racing, Kurumi looked up at Kaguya, determination flickering in her wide, tearful eyes. Clutching Kaguya's sleeve tightly, she whispered, "Please, help me. If you can give me power, I'll do anything you ask."

"Is that so?" Kaguya's lips curled into a slight smile. Leaning closer, she whispered into Kurumi's ear, "Then, I'll have you…"

Kurumi blinked her large, beautiful eyes, tilting her head in confusion. "Six-nine? What does that mean?"

he night had deepened, and the dark, vast sky was shrouded in inky-black clouds. The stars and the bright moon peeked intermittently through the dense overcast, only to vanish again into the gloom.

A fierce wind howled, stirring up a storm of snowflakes that danced and swirled in the air.

A dark night, a stormy wind—a perfect night for murder.

The once-thriving town had been reduced to an inferno. Everywhere lay ruins, engulfed by roaring flames. Corpses were strewn haphazardly across the ground, their bodies stiff and cold. The crimson blood seeping from their wounds had frozen into icy crystals, gleaming eerily in the flickering firelight.

Their bodies bore wounds of varying severity, their faces frozen in expressions of terror. In the dancing shadows of the fire, these features appeared even more grotesque and chilling.

"Ah! No! Spare me, please!" a desperate voice pleaded.

The gleam of a blade flashed in the dim light, followed by a splatter of blood.

A piercing scream tore through the night air, only to be abruptly silenced.

A crimson fountain of blood sprayed skyward, transforming into a mist of blood droplets. Before they could touch the ground, they crystallized into glittering shards of ice.

With a dull thud, a severed head rolled to the ground, tumbling several times before coming to a stop at the feet of a pair of small leather shoes.

The one wielding the bloodstained katana was none other than Kurumi Tokisaki. Her petite frame was dwarfed by the length of the sword, making it somewhat awkward for her to handle. Yet the contrast between her small stature and the weapon's lethal presence lent her a peculiar charm, though it was slightly marred by the black eyepatch covering her injured left eye.

"You will all die," Kurumi declared coldly, her delicate face stained with blood but devoid of emotion—colder even than the icy winds of the night.

Clap. Clap. Clap.

A round of crisp applause broke the eerie silence, and a stunning figure stepped out from the shadows—a silver-haired beauty whose radiance was breathtaking. It was none other than Kaguya.

"I must say, I'm impressed. I didn't expect you to go this far," Kaguya remarked with a smile as she approached.

The one responsible for the destruction of this town was none other than the petite, childlike Kurumi standing before her.

What surprised Kaguya, however, was that she had only infused Kurumi with power but had not manipulated her mind. For a child to mercilessly wipe out an entire town without flinching—this was a feat even hardened soldiers might find difficult. Kurumi, it seemed, truly possessed an innate talent for such deeds.

"Thank you, my benefactor. It was you who saved me and gave me the power to avenge my family," Kurumi said, kneeling before Kaguya, her face full of gratitude. "I cannot thank you enough."

Having witnessed Kurumi's mistreatment at the hands of the townsfolk, Kaguya couldn't stand idly by. These villagers had become the targets of her retribution.

Originally, Kaguya had planned to annihilate the entire town and reduce it to ashes. But in her investigations, she stumbled upon a shocking revelation.

After Kurumi's family moved to the town, their wealth had incited envy and greed among the townsfolk. Driven by jealousy and avarice, the villagers conspired to murder Kurumi's parents and seize their fortune. Kurumi had only survived because she happened to be out of the house that day, narrowly escaping death.

From that day forward, Kurumi became an orphan.

The villagers, fearing that the truth might leak, had considered killing Kurumi as well. However, the presence of security forces stationed in the town due to the emergence of Spirits and Spacequakes—along with numerous surveillance cameras—made such an act too risky. Judging that the young girl didn't know what had happened, they decided to let her live.

Yet they couldn't resist tormenting her, spreading malicious rumors that she was a harbinger of misfortune, a "cursed child" who had brought disaster to the town and caused her parents' deaths. The scene Kaguya had witnessed earlier was the culmination of this cruelty.

However, in a way, the villagers weren't entirely wrong—their calamity had indeed come. But this was a fate they had brought upon themselves.

Watching the grateful Kurumi, Kaguya stroked her chin thoughtfully. Am I corrupting this child?

But the thought quickly passed. A powerless child like Kurumi wouldn't have survived without learning to be ruthless. Better to teach her strength than leave her as prey for others.

"No need to thank me," Kaguya waved off her gratitude casually. "It was just a small effort on my part."

After all, Kurumi was one of her women now. Helping her was only natural—a husband's duty, so to speak. The corners of Kaguya's lips curled into a sly grin as she thought of how the grown-up Kurumi might repay her kindness.

Perhaps she wouldn't refuse those moves I've wanted to try?

"Absolutely not!" young Kurumi said earnestly. "You saved my life, so I must find a way to thank you!"

"Oh?" Snapped from her thoughts, Kaguya smirked. "If you truly want to thank me, you can offer yourself to me."

"Offer myself…?" Kurumi struggled to pronounce the unfamiliar phrase, clearly not understanding its implications.

Kaguya chuckled at Kurumi's puzzled expression. She tousled her hair affectionately and said, "You'll understand when you're older. Let's talk about it then."

Though Kaguya's words left Kurumi confused, the young girl nodded solemnly, committing the phrase to memory and vowing to repay her savior one day.

Little did Kaguya realize that her offhand comment would leave an indelible mark on young Kurumi, shaping her future in ways neither could foresee.

"Oh, by the way," Kaguya said, recalling something. She waved to the pondering Kurumi. "Kurumi, come over here."

Kurumi quickly approached, her curiosity piqued. "What is it, big sister?"

"Don't call me that anymore," Kaguya said.

"Why not?" Kurumi asked, her head tilting in confusion.

"From now on, call me 'darling,'" Kaguya replied seriously. She much preferred Kurumi addressing her as "darling," especially when she did so with those flirtatious, seductive eyes.

"Darling?" Kurumi repeated, blinking. "Why?"

"In my homeland," Kaguya explained with a straight face, "the word 'darling' means 'big sister.' So when you call me that, it's the same as calling me your sister."

"Oh, I see." Kurumi nodded, though the term still felt strange. But obediently, she agreed.

"Now, one more thing. Come closer," Kaguya instructed.

Kurumi obediently stepped forward. Kaguya reached out, gently removing the eyepatch covering Kurumi's damaged eye. Her finger lightly touched the ruined eye, and a surge of immense power flowed into it.

At that moment, a golden light shone brilliantly from Kurumi's eye.

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