Chapter 9: Mysterious Lady

**Mysterious Lady**

"She clearly said they were coming; maybe they got lost?" one of the men muttered.

"Doesn't matter. One of them's incredibly sharp—better watch yourself," another warned, his tone laced with a hint of unease.

"Hmph! It's just a bunch of kids. What's there to be afraid of?" The leader scoffed.

They took a long look at us, sizing us up, before quickly turning and heading off. That was the plan. Let them get a glimpse of us, then follow them to their hideout. I didn't bother with their idle chatter—I already knew exactly what was going on.

I felt the familiar hum of magic stir within me as I activated the complete hypnosis of *Kyoka Suigetsu*.

What's the difference between this and the partial hypnosis?

With a surge of concentration, I split the hypnosis into two distinct phases. The partial hypnosis only affects one of the senses—like when I limited it to their vision earlier, making them susceptible to the illusion. But now, I was about to engage the full power of *Kyoka Suigetsu*.

I disabled all five of their senses—sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste. With this, we were cloaked in perfect stealth. Our presence, like shadows in the dark, was entirely undetectable.

While trailing behind them at a safe distance, I turned to Cana and spoke in a low voice, "Listen, Cana, when we reach their hideout, we're going in to eliminate them. We'll spare only one to gather intel but that's my role. Are you ready to take a life?"

I already knew her resolve was strong—at least, it had been when she first joined me. But people can change their minds, especially when faced with real danger. It wouldn't alter my plan, but her decision would be crucial for her growth.

She gave me a firm nod, signaling her readiness. Satisfied with her answer, I reached into my space and pulled out a card.

"Why a card?" you might ask. The choice seemed strange, but I had my reasons. I could easily choose between a katana or a more traditional weapon, but the card—yes, the card—was my weapon of choice. The inspiration behind it came from two figures in my life: Gambit and Hisoka.

Back when I hunted dark guilds, I had come across a magic book that taught me a technique using a string to attach and manipulate objects from afar. Another book granted me explosive magic. But cards... cards could be destroyed, yes, but they had their own unique appeal. The image of me tossing a card toward an enemy and then recalling it with the string, much like Hisoka's bungee gum, felt oddly satisfying. It reminded me of things I used to do in a different life—

The class had just handed out condoms—not to promote relationships, but as part of sexual education. I didn't think much of it at first. It seemed like a standard thing to do, right? Just educational materials.

I tore open the packet and the faint scent of strawberry hit my nose. The condom was pink and stretchable. My seatmate, the class representative, watched me with interest. She was a fan of *Hunter x Hunter* and always had a soft spot for Hisoka. The moment she saw the condom, I could tell her mind was already working through some of Hisoka's iconic moves.

I couldn't resist the urge to make a joke. Grinning, I stretched the condom between my fingers and said in a dramatic voice, "Bungee Gum possesses the properties of both rubber and gum!"

It felt like the right thing to do at the time. Maybe I was channeling my inner Hisoka, but then... the condom slipped from my fingers. It caught the air and... well, it hit her right on the cheek.

*Whack!*

I didn't mean for it to happen, but there was no denying the situation. She stared at me with wide eyes, and it was clear she didn't buy the whole "it was an accident" excuse. I wasn't sure which was worse—her glare or the inevitable consequences of what had just happened.

That was the day I got a reminder I'd never forget: a three-day suspension for "inappropriate behavior," and a beating I could only describe as close to life-threatening.

The past was a distant memory, one I'd prefer to forget, and yet, it still lingered in the corners of my mind, haunting me with its embarrassing weight. Why had I done that? I didn't know. But I pushed the thought aside and focused on the present. Cana and I had arrived at the hideout— a cave that reeked of darkness and secrecy. Inside, a number of prisoners, most of them children, were huddled together. I took in the scene, confirming everything I had suspected.

"I see," I muttered, mostly to myself. "They were using a simple commission to meet their quotas. Perhaps, there are other meticulous methods too?"

Cana, who had been following me closely, looked at me with a blank expression. She clearly didn't understand.

"The elder's commission was designed for children. They post a harmless task, and when the children arrive at the forest, the dark guild members abduct them. It's a clever plan, but it has flaws. First, it involves the elder's environment, and second, the forest itself." I paused, thinking. "The commission is aimed at kids, and they probably don't realize the risks. It's a perfect trap, yet too simple for their own good."

I glanced around, my suspicion growing. This was the place mentioned in the C-rank commission. There was no doubt in my mind now. Something wasn't right.

Cana's eyes flickered with anger as I explained. The injustice of it all seemed to fuel her rage. She understood the weight of losing a child; Fairy Tail was supposed to help, to protect, not leave people vulnerable to these kinds of schemes.

She clenched her fists tightly. "If other guilds fail to take commissions like this, the consequences could be deadly." Her voice trembled with resolve. "I won't let them get away with it."

I nodded. "Let's proceed."

I activated my Kyoka Suigetsu, turning us into invisible mosquitoes in the eyes of the prisoners. They wouldn't even notice our presence. With a signal to Cana, I motioned for her to take out the dark guild members.

There were only two of them here—no guards, no reinforcements. It seemed like a small faction of a larger organization, or perhaps just the beginning of a new dark guild altogether. Either way, they weren't a threat we couldn't handle.

"Make it quick," I whispered. "We need to finish this before they can react."

And with that, Cana moved silently, ready to strike.

Cana lunged forward, her movements sharp and precise, closing the distance between her and the dark guild member in the blink of an eye. The man, probably in his early forties, didn't even see her coming. His grizzled face, covered in a patchy, graying beard, twisted into a snarl as he gripped the rusted dagger at his side. His clothes were mismatched—ragged, dark tunic and faded trousers, stained with the grime of a life spent in the shadows of society. A faint smell of sweat and cheap alcohol clung to him, a byproduct of years spent drinking away his misdeeds.

His eyes were dull but wary, showing signs of a man who had survived more than one close call in his life. They flicked around the cave, probably searching for any signs of an ambush, but he clearly wasn't prepared for what was coming.

With a swift motion, Cana plunged the katana deep into his back, piercing the worn leather of his vest and cutting through to the heart of the matter. His eyes went wide with shock, his lips parting as if to let out a scream, but the sound was muffled by the blood rushing into his throat. The man's body spasmed once, then collapsed, his knees buckling under the sudden weight of death.

The once-grizzled man, who had probably survived a thousand skirmishes, now lay dead at her feet. His body crumpled like an old, discarded doll—his hand twitching uselessly as the rusty dagger fell from his grasp with a soft clatter on the stone floor. A small pool of blood began to spread, dark and thick, staining the dirt beneath him. The faint, acrid scent of iron lingered in the air, a reminder of the fragility of life.

I'd intended to give Cana a card, perhaps to match the style of my old life, but I'd changed my mind at the last moment. The katana felt like a more fitting choice for this moment. The feel of it in her hands, the way she wielded it with growing confidence—this was real. It wasn't just about cutting down an enemy; it was about understanding the weight of each action.

I watched her as she stood over him, breathing heavy, her face unreadable. There was a grimness in her expression that hadn't been there before. I could see it in her eyes—this wasn't just a lesson; it was a step toward the person she was becoming. And while it was necessary, I couldn't help but feel the weight of it too. This was the world we lived in, and there was no room for hesitation.

I gave her a nod, silent approval passing between us. One down, but there were more to come.

I activated Tsukuyomi on the remaining dark guild member, a calm, deliberate action that shifted the atmosphere.

*Tsukuyomi.*

This was no ordinary illusion. My Tsukuyomi was a unique blend of magic, tailored to my specific needs, and I made sure to maximize its effectiveness. It wasn't just about manipulating space and time—it was about making them feel the absolute weight of their decisions.

First, I manipulated space with my magic. I bent reality, creating an isolated pocket where I controlled everything—the light, the sound, the very air they breathed. The man found himself trapped in a space that had no boundaries, just endless, consuming darkness. It was a prison built entirely from my will.

Then, I applied my time magic. Time slowed, stretching, bending as if the very fabric of reality was unraveling. His perception of it was entirely altered; seconds felt like hours, hours like days. The pain began to draw out, intensifying as if time itself was savoring every moment of his torment.

Lastly, I added the touch-based illusion through Kyoka Suigetsu. It wasn't just about what he saw or felt—it was about what he *experienced*. I warped his sense of pain, diminishing his tolerance until every scratch, every cut, felt like a thousand needles piercing his skin. His body screamed in agony, yet the world around him remained eerily still, caught in the slow-motion grip of my illusion.

The magic was draining, consuming a significant amount of my energy, but it was necessary. My Tsukuyomi wasn't just for my own amusement—it was a spectacle in itself. If anyone were to witness it, they would understand the sheer power I wielded.

In just three quick stabs—each one slow, deliberate, and filled with precision—the man's will crumbled. His resolve shattered like glass under pressure. His confession came quickly, almost too easily. They were just a small-time group, starting out, not even part of any major dark guilds.

With the final confession, there was no hesitation. I ended his life swiftly, ensuring he wouldn't have a chance to reconsider. His body crumpled to the floor, lifeless, and the illusion faded as I released him from the grips of my Tsukuyomi.

Turning away, I moved to release the prisoners, my expression unchanged. The prisoners were scared, but alive. They owed their freedom to the fact that I could see beyond the surface, could spot the lies and manipulation before they ever had the chance to fully ensnare those who weren't prepared.

"Go," I ordered them, my voice cold but resolute. "You're free now."

They didn't hesitate. They ran—unsure, but thankful.

I looked at Cana, who had witnessed everything, but her gaze was steady. She wasn't the naive girl I had met at the beginning. She had learned, grown—she was becoming someone capable of handling the weight of this world.

Using the magic crystal given (stolen) to me by the dark guild, I eventually contact President Makarov and report the current situation. He immediately said the members of the council will eventually come as for the commissioner?

For some reason, before the council arrives to arrest her.

It's because of me. I used Kyoka Suigetsu on her. Yes, I can use it at long distance, but the consumption is a lot. If I had 6 stars worth of magic power, now I only have 1 after. Anyway, I let her witness Shub-Niggurath.

Using the enchanted crystal bestowed upon me—though truth be told, it was stolen from the clutches of the dark guild—I finally succeeded in contacting President Makarov. The moment I reported the unfolding events, he responded with urgency. The council, he assured me, would eventually intervene. But as for the commissioner?

Ah, that was another matter entirely.

For reasons inexplicable, before the council could arrive to carry out their arrest, the situation was already sealed. It was my doing. I had unleashed Kyoka Suigetsu upon her, an act both daring and reckless. Yes, the spell could be cast from a distance, but such power exacts a heavy toll. Where once I held the vast well of six stars worth of magic, I now languish with but a mere single star.

She had been forced to witness the horrors of Shub-Niggurath—a sight few mortal minds could endure without breaking. Yet, in the end, it was this very spectacle that sealed her fate.

After what seemed like an eternity, the council finally arrived, their presence punctuated by terse nods of gratitude for our handling of the dark guilds. Their praise was fleeting, a mere formality, as they quickly shifted their attention to the larger matters at hand.

But in the forest, moments after our departure, something far darker stirred. From the shadows, a figure cloaked in black materialized without warning, an unsettling calm accompanying her every movement.

She stood still for a moment, her eyes narrowing as she observed Cana and Suigetsu disappearing into the distance. But it was Suigetsu who commanded her attention, her gaze fixed intently upon him, as though drawn by some unseen force.

"Kyoka Suigetsu..." she whispered, the name leaving her lips like a curse. And then, in an instant, as if swallowed by the very air itself, she vanished—leaving only the faintest trace of her presence in the stillness of the forest.