Chapter 35: The Killer Demon

Kunoichi

In addition to all abilities of Joyo-Ninja:

Super Stealth Master of Disguise Super Parry Super Evasion

Super Evasion could dodge 99% of attacks head-on, while Super Parry could block the majority of attacks within a certain range... most of the time.

-

Both fodder types had impressive attributes. Serenade glanced at them with great satisfaction, especially the Kunoichi. In video games, these types of fodder were always among the most annoying.

Oath of Judah didn't have much effect on them; even with its power, they could escape. Moreover, they could fend off most of Oath of Judah's signature spears with ease.

They were truly formidable...

However... as Serenade gazed upon the two fodder before her, she realized... fodder weren't just limited to girls—they had to be beautiful too?

The two fodder in front of her were unexpectedly quite cute.

After being summoned by Serenade, the two zombies stood in stark contrast to the dazed Honkai Beasts. Without hesitation, they knelt down and bowed to her.

"Rise!"

Only upon hearing Serenade's command did the two zombies stand up, awaiting her orders.

"Hmm... I want you to go inquire about any information related to yokai and Honkai Beasts in the surrounding countries," Serenade instructed, her mind turning as she often found herself at loose ends in Yae Village. Having spent much of her time there, she was largely unaware of events beyond Shinano.

"..."

The two zombies didn't speak a word. Instead, they bowed once more, then vanished like a pair of ninja, their bodies flickering out of existence in a flash.

Serenade had complete faith in the capabilities of these two...

In this era, Honkai Beasts and Honkai energy were still relatively rare, with most individuals being ordinary humans. No mere mortal could stand against the zombies.

Even when faced with a Valkyrie, a Kunoichi might prove to be a worthy opponent. After letting the two fodder depart, she had the knight-type Honkai Beast guard the perimeter of Yae Village, preventing any danger from approaching.

When only one giant mosquito-type Honkai Beast remained by her side, Serenade glanced at the two Titan summoning cards in her hand. After a moment's thought, she decided against summoning any more, opting instead to lead the charge-class giant mosquito back towards the village.

This Honkai Beast would make the perfect pet for Rin, she mused.

In the Warring States period of Japan, sixty-six countries were locked in a brutal conflict that inflicted untold suffering upon the common folk... reducing them to destitute refugees.

In this tumultuous era, the most numerous and influential class... the largest profession... was that of the... warrior.

Even the humblest wandering samurai possessed the right to kill with impunity. To these warriors and nobles—these powerful lords—the common people were like weeds, to be cut down at will...

Only in isolated places like Yae Village, shielded by their unique geography, could the common folk find respite from the endless strife. Elsewhere, life was little more than a relentless struggle for survival.

Shinano province, though small, was far from an exception. It lay hemmed between the powerful Takeda clan of Kai province and the formidable Uesugi family of Echigo province. The rival claims of these great houses had transformed Shinano into little more than a battleground.

As yet, limited resources had prevented any large-scale conflicts. But even so... this tiny subregion known as Shinano was carved into a patchwork of nine distinct counties.

In those times... a friction arose between the daimyos of Shinano's Takagi and Mizuchi regions.

Neither region had formidable military strength, each with barely over a hundred warriors. However... the daimyo of Mizuchi received external assistance, swelling their ranks by more than fifty samurai.

Filled with confidence, the daimyo sought to vanquish their arch-rival in one fell swoop, aiming to unite both regions under their banner. And so, "war" commenced...

Though it bears little resemblance to the grand conflicts often associated with the term. When combined, the military personnel of both sides scarcely exceed one thousand souls.

Only by including the conscripted foot soldiers do the combined "fighting forces" of both regions reach a modest two to three thousand.

Outside the battlefield, Daimyo Suino sat before a massive tent. A perimeter of about twenty fully armed soldiers guarded the area, and before the daimyo himself stood a group of some dozen warriors.

Daimyo Suino gazed at the warriors before him, picked up the water from the table, and took a sip, his heart brimming with anticipation.

He commanded so many warriors, while his old rival could barely muster ten men.

It was clear that victory was within reach. Though those lending him aid would claim the lion's share of the spoils, securing this territory made it more than tolerable—sacrificing a portion of the rewards would not be insurmountable.

"Report!"

At that moment, a warrior suddenly approached Daimyo Suino in a state of panic.

As he drew near, he was halted by two soldiers who blocked his path with their weapons.

Seeing the situation, Daimyo Suino waved for the soldiers to allow the warrior to approach.

"What's with the panic? What seems to be the problem?" Daimyo Suino shot an irritated glance at the bowing warrior, his eyes filled with displeasure.

Though the warriors held considerable power, as their ruler, the Daimyo's authority reigned supreme.

"Sir, a... a terrifying killer has appeared outside! The s-soldiers... all of them have been cut down!" The warrior spoke with palpable dread, as if still in the throes of fear.

"A killer? From where does this killer emerge? How could a lone killer dispatch my thousand soldiers without raising an alarm? You realize the crime you're committing by spreading such disheartening news," Daimyo Suino rebuked.

Hearing this, Daimyo Suino's hand slammed against the table, propelling him to his feet. His face was contorted with fury, his disbelief at the warrior's words clear.

Though his soldiers had predominantly been forcibly conscripted, the sheer impossibility of their swift annihilation by a single foe was undeniable.

"My lord, I speak nothing but the truth..." The warrior began to protest, but the clamor of the soldiers outside cut him off.

"Ah..."

"Such terror!"

"It's the Mountain Ghost! She's the Mountain Ghost... we stand no chance against her."

"Who will deliver us from this demon?!"

"What's with the panic? You're heading to the battlefield anyway. What harm could a little contest with me do?"

Amidst the soldiers' terrified screams, a girl's voice cut through the air. Her tone was as cold as ice, yet it dripped with a bloodlust that could chill the bravest heart.

"You... you're a monster..." a soldier's voice quavered, filled with raw fear.

The girl's laughter was like the clink of bones, sending shivers down the spine of every man present. "So, you call me a monster, do you? How very... human of you. But then again, what right do you have to call me that? You don't even know who I am!"

One of the soldiers, his voice seeping with hatred, spat out, "I don't care who you think you are! You're nothing but a... a abomination!"

"Abomination, am I?" the girl mused, her voice now taking on an air of disdain. "Well, if the boots I wear fit, I suppose I must wear them. I have no time for idle chitchat; I'm already late for my own funeral. Don't get in my way now, monsters! You wouldn't want me to be late, would you?"

The girl's voice turned imperious as she ordered, "Run! Go on, run for your pathetic lives! I'll be along in a moment. Have fun at my funeral!"

As her voice faded away, echoing through the desolate landscape, the soldiers could only stare after her, their eyes wide with a terror they had never known before. The world around them seemed to darken, and their footsteps faltered as fear turned to despair.

"Seeing as you're all destined for death, why not die by my hand? Attack!"

"S...Save me... gasp..."

The screams of the soldiers and the unfamiliar girl's voice struck panic into the heart of Great Lord Suino. However, glancing at the samurai surrounding him, he managed to compose himself somewhat. With so many warriors here, how could they possibly fear a lone girl?

"My lords, we are all mighty warriors. Let us join forces to vanquish this murderous fiend who has dared to invade our ranks!" the Great Lord Suino hastily exhorted his samurai.

"At once!" came the resolute response from the assembled warriors.

Just as the samurai were about to spring into action, the maiden who had slain the soldiers earlier strode in. Her blade and clothes stained with blood, she stood within the hall.