Yushiro (8)

We were sprinting toward the village at full speed. Kenji led the charge, his body a blur of motion, while Takahiro followed closely behind him. My eyes scanned the area, taking in the chaotic scene unfolding ahead. Bandits were pouring in from the east, some surrounding the village while others had already breached its defenses.

Interesting… they're actually organized.

Adjusting my route, I veered into the forest, sharpening my senses as I slipped into the shadows. The woods pulsed with movement—scattered figures darting through the trees, weaving in and out of sight. I wasn't as fast as Takahiro, but I had to move swiftly.

Way of Nature Technique: Flow.

Melding into my surroundings, my form blended seamlessly with the darkness. My uniform camouflaged against the shifting moonlight as I leaped from branch to branch, silent as a whisper. I caught sight of a villager trembling behind a tree, their body barely visible against the thick undergrowth. I moved past them, undetected.

Then, a cruel laugh rang out through the trees.

Perched in the canopy, I spotted a bandit—a wicked grin stretching across his face, a knife glinting in his hand. Without hesitation, I descended like a phantom. Every movement was measured, every step deliberate. I controlled my weight, ensuring no sound betrayed my presence. My katana whispered through the air, slashing across his throat with chilling precision. The bandit crumpled, dead before he could register his final breath. I resheathed my blade in one smooth motion and continued.

By the time I halted my hunt, I had slain eight bandits and saved fifteen villagers. But there was no time to linger.

Scanning the area once more, I detected four figures in the distance. I moved. Flow. Seven minutes passed before I reached them. The scene before me sent a wave of disgust curling through my gut.

A girl lay on the ground, her face bloodied as a bandit loomed over her, his fist raised for another strike. Beside them, a hulking brute of a man straddled another girl, his intentions sickeningly clear.

I moved without thought.

Unsheathing my katana, I drove it through the first bandit's back, the blade piercing his heart in a single, calculated thrust. Before the brute could react, I pivoted low, my katana slicing through the air—his leg severed in one clean motion.

He collapsed, howling in agony. I stared down at him, revulsion churning in my chest. A pathetic, inferior thing. He clawed at the dirt, trying to crawl away. A dark glee coiled within me. My lips curled into a sadistic grin as I advanced, slow and deliberate.

He begged. A pathetic, fat peasant.

Truly disgusting.

With one decisive thrust, I plunged my katana into his skull, silencing him forever. I left the blade buried in his head.

As I turned, my gaze met that of another girl—a striking figure with impossibly long hair, pale skin, and a delicate frame. But it wasn't her beauty that intrigued me. It was the Hashi around her, an energy different from the rest.

I stepped closer, pushing the strands of hair away from her face. Half of it was deformed, a striking contrast to the rest of her delicate features.

Interesting.

But I had other matters to attend to. After questioning her briefly, I left her behind and pressed forward.

Despite my efforts, I hadn't saved them all. Corpses littered the ground, their lifeless forms marking the path I traveled. I didn't stop to grieve. I didn't look back.

Something else demanded my attention.

Throughout the battle, I had sensed a stronger Hashi presence lurking elsewhere. The bandits had executed their assault with surprising strategy—some had stormed the village head-on, while others circled around to cut down fleeing villagers. But this presence... this was different.

Kenji and Takahiro were already locked in combat with the bandit leader at the village center.

I need to finish this before they do.

Flowing through the shadows, I followed the unseen force to the east. And there, perched above the carnage, was my target—a lone figure observing the village from afar.

I smirked, stepping into view.

"It's quite interesting, isn't it?"

The figure tensed, startled.

"Hi."

Judging by her frame and aura, she was a woman. She was cloaked in black from head to toe, her face concealed, a bow and quiver strapped to her back. Her wary stance betrayed her fear.

I pushed off the tree I had been leaning on, drawing my short double-edged katana. The woman reacted instantly, nocking an arrow and firing.

I vanished.

The arrow sliced through empty air. Channeling Hashi into my blade, I lunged forward. She rolled away, creating distance, then fired another volley. I dodged lazily, her desperation bleeding through every shot.

She was scared.

I chuckled, watching her tremble as each arrow missed its mark.

Scooping up a few stones from the ground, I flicked them toward her ankles with lethal accuracy. She crumpled, pain flashing across her face as she clutched her injured limb.

I approached her with unhurried steps, exuding nothing but calm.

She refused to give up. Despite her agony, she raised her bow again, trembling fingers barely managing to nock an arrow. I batted it aside effortlessly.

Then, I was upon her.

My blade struck the ground an inch from her face. She flinched, squealing in terror. I grinned. Pinning her arms beneath my knees, I leaned in, my voice eerily gentle.

"I have a few questions. Do you mind answering?"

She stammered, trying to maintain her composure. "I-I won't t-tell you anything!"

Something about the hope in her eyes irritated me.

But before I could respond, the presence I had sensed earlier emerged—twelve more bandits surrounding me from all sides. Armed. Armored.

Perfect.

The ghosts that followed me, unseen by the world, whispered one thing.

Kill.Kill.Kill.

Not three minutes later, the ground was soaked in crimson. Lifeless bodies surrounded me. My katana dripped with their remains, yet not a single drop of blood touched me.

I turned back to the woman. She cowered, shaking.

Grabbing her nose, I yanked it sharply to the side—crack. Her scream was shrill.

I plunged my katana into her shoulder, twisting the blade until her shrieks echoed through the trees.

"Do you mind answering now?" I asked, my tone sweet, innocent.

"I—I will tell you! I'll tell you everything!" she wailed, thrashing beneath me.

How boring. She broke too easily.

She must have thought I would kill her like I did her comrades. Maybe I should have. But I had what I needed.

I stood, glancing over my handiwork. Bodies scattered like discarded dolls, some cut in half, others skewered beyond recognition. A masterpiece of carnage.

As a parting gift, I stomped down on the woman's ankle and knee, a sickening crunch splitting the air.

She screamed, writhing.

I turned and walked away, leaving her to whatever fate awaited. Beasts would come. The scent of blood would lure them.

I grinned to myself.