A cold, rainy evening during the summer season, in the country of Hanran.
On a bed in a fairly large house lies a small boy with black hair and black eyes.
His hair is long and straight, reaching his shoulders.
The boy's name is Jigoku.
He lies on his back, his hands tucked under his head, one leg bent at the knee, the other resting on it. He swings the raised foot energetically. He stares at the ceiling, lost in thought.
The house is rectangular, inconspicuous from the outside, simple, austere, with a flat roof.
Inside, everything is equally geometric, one large open room in the shape of a perfect rectangle, with a floor made of dark, old wood.
The walls are white and plain, without decorations.
The room has no separate rooms. Instead, the space is divided by brown curtains made of thicker material.
On the left side, under one of those curtains, stands a simple bed. It is on that bed that Jigoku lies.
Suddenly, there's a knock at the door.
Jigoku's father opens the door.
The man is tall, has long straight white hair and a long white beard, he is quite old but muscular.
He is dressed in a white bathrobe.
Lying down, Jigoku lifts his head and looks toward the door.
*Jigoku: Who could it be at this hour?
In front of the door barely stands a white-haired boy. One eye is white, the other red. He is soaked and covered in blood.
Rain pours from the sky, making noise.
The boy faints and falls into the man's arms.
The next morning, the white-haired boy wakes up clean in a bed, dressed in clean clothes.
Jigoku is sitting next to him on the bed, staring at his face.
The boy opens his eyes.
*Jigoku: Dad, he's awake! Finally! – he shouts joyfully.
Jigoku's father walks over to the bed where the boys are.
*Father: I am Mafin, this is my son Jigoku, and over there at the table sits my student Desu.
Desu looks to be slightly over 20 years old.
Desu is dressed in a black bathrobe, has dark eyes and short black hair, which is a bit longer at the front and hangs down the sides of his forehead.
Desu sits with his arms crossed, ignoring the rest.
*Mafin: You must be hungry?
*Breakfast is ready, let's go to the table.
A moment later... everyone is sitting at the table.
Mafin sits next to the boy.
*Boy: My name is Uso, where am I?
Mafin looks at the boy.
Mafin: Hmm, strange... one eye is completely white, and the other like blood.
*Mafin: You're in our home, long ago this used to be my dojo.
*How did you get here?
Mafin sips tea with satisfaction.
*Uso: Yesterday, my village was attacked.
*Mama told me to go buy fish at the market.
Uso looked down with a sad expression.
*Mafin: Which village are you from?
*Uso: I think I came from the north.
*I don't remember...
Mafin looks suspiciously.
*Mafin: Something smells off here. We're deep in the forest, it's not easy to get here.
*But well... it's just a child, maybe I won't press him...
*Mafin: Did you live alone?
*Did you have any loved ones?
*Uso: I lived with my mom.
*Mafin: Where is your mom?
*Uso: She told me to go buy meat for dinner, so I went.
*When I came back, I saw our house from a distance — it was all destroyed and in flames.
*I went inside, I saw mom on the floor all covered in blood. She saw me and told me to run.
Jigoku makes a surprised face.
*Jigoku: And what then?
*What happened to your mom? — he asks, clenching his fists with curiosity, determined.
Uso makes a sad face, as if he's about to cry.
*Uso: I went into what was left of our house and saw her on the floor.
*She told me to run the moment she saw me.
*She had one hand cut off, a burnt face, and broken ribs, her insides were visible...
*I hugged her... I couldn't leave her like that, but then she lost consciousness and I decided to run away.
Uso already has tears in his eyes.
*Uso: I ran into the forest and…
*Mafin: That's enough. – he interrupts him, seeing his behavior.
*You did the right thing, you were brave.
Mafin pats him on the head and smiles.
*Mafin: You're safe here, little one. You have nothing to fear anymore.
*Uso: Thank you.
Jigoku looks at Uso with curiosity.
*Jigoku: Hey, Uso, how old are you?
*I feel like we might be the same age…
Jigoku makes a thoughtful face.
Uso looks at Jigoku.
*Uso: I'm 6 years old, and you?
Jigoku tips over with his chair and falls onto his back, then gets up and jumps, punching the air with excitement.
*Jigoku: That's awesome!
*We're the same age, no way!
Mafin smiles while sipping his tea.
*Mafin: Tell me, Uso, do you have any other family besides your mom?
Uso puts his index finger to his chin and looks up with a thoughtful expression.
*Uso: Hmm… It was always just me and my mom…
*Mafin: And your dad? What about him?
*Uso: I never had a dad… my mom raised me alone.
Jigoku, excited, stands on the chair and asks in an official voice.
*Jigoku: Dad, can he stay with us?!
Jigoku looks at his father with a focused expression, full of determination.
*Mafin: I don't see a problem, if both of you behave…
Jigoku smiles, grabs Uso's hand, and pulls him toward the fridge.
*Mafin: Hahaha, here we go, watch this Desu!
Desu gets up.
*Desu: I'm leaving. – he says with disgust.
*Mafin: Don't be mad, they're just kids. – he says with a laughing voice.
Desu: Fucking hell, another devil.
Desu leaves the house.
Jigoku and Uso are already standing by the fridge.
Uso is looking into the fridge, and inside there are only jars.
Jigoku takes one out and unscrews it. Then he starts smelling what's inside. He savors the scent.
*Jigoku: This is paprykarz, do you feel that power?
Jigoku brings the jar to his nose to smell it.
Uso looks with a confused face, not understanding what's happening.
*Jigoku: This is paprykarz, paprykarz is only mine.
*You were a witness just now — only I ate paprykarz during breakfast.
*In this house, there's only one rule: paprykarz is only mine.
*If you agree to be my friend, I'll be willing to share it with you.
*So...? Friends...?
Uso smiles.
*Uso: Sure, brother!
Jigoku smiles.
Two months later…
Jigoku is sleeping like a log and snoring in his bed.
Above him stand Mafin, Uso, and a woman named Mizumi, who is about the same age as Desu.
Mizumi has long snow-white hair down to her waist.
At the top of her head, her hair is tied back.
She's wearing a white, airy dress that goes down to her knees.
The woman is holding a cake with lit candles.
Everyone starts shouting:
*Happy Birthday! Happy Birthday!
Jigoku keeps sleeping, paying no attention to anything.
Mizumi smiles with an annoyed expression.
She gives the cake to Mafin and starts tickling him.
*Jigoku: Hahaha, stop, stop…
Jigoku looks to see who is tickling him.
*Jigoku: Mizumi? – surprised.
Jigoku throws himself at Mizumi and hugs her.
*Jigoku: What are you doing here?
Mizumi smiles, hugging Jigoku.
*Mizumi: Did you forget? Today is your birthday, bubble.
Jigoku, while hugging, looks at Mafin standing with a cake and Uso yawning beside him.
*Jigoku: What? That's awesome!
Jigoku jumps out of Mizumi's arms and blows out the candles on the cake.
A moment later, everyone sits at the table.
Jigoku, excited, rubs his little hands together.
*Jigoku: I'm eating first!
Mizumi cuts the cake and puts a piece on Jigoku's plate.
*Mizumi: By the way, where's Desu?
*I thought he'd be here…
Mizumi makes a surprised yet slightly sad face.
Jigoku smiles, rubbing his little hands with a red face, then whispers to Uso.
*Jigoku: Hehehe… He ran away, he probably knows I'm the God today.
*And besides, he can't handle being around Mizumi hehe…
Mizumi looks at Jigoku, confused.
*Mizumi: Huh?
Mafin makes a serious face and looks at Jigoku.
Mafin: I'll regret it if I don't do anything. – he thinks.
*Mafin: I promised myself I would keep you safe. – he says officially.
*That's why I made a decision, today you turned 7.
*That's old enough to start learning how to fight.
Jigoku lisps with his mouth full,
*Jigoku: That's awesome! I'll be strong like Desu!
Mafin smiles.
*Mafin: How's Mr. Grumpy? – Mafin snorts with laughter.
*Probably gonna be even stronger! – he raises his voice.
Jigoku makes an interested face and shoves the rest of the cake from his plate into his mouth in one go.
Jigoku: Awesome, when do we start? – he asks with a full mouth.
*Mafin: If you fight like you eat, I give up – he bursts out laughing.
*Tomorrow morning, in front of the house, both of you better be ready!
*And you too, Uso, no excuses.
Mafin smiles and sips his tea.
The next morning, the boys are already waiting in front of the house.
Around the house there is an empty square with stone tiles, there's quite a bit of space. Surrounding the house and the empty space is a great wall. A clearer stone path leads straight from the door of the house to a large gate, on the wings of which figures are carved. On the left wing, a warrior fighting hand-to-hand, and on the right, the same one. They are in attacking position, and where the gate meets, their elbows collide.
Mafin stands in front of the door inside the house, ready to leave, and in the background at the table sits Desu, drinking some beverage from a cup.
Mafin closes his eyes.
*Mafin: How about we train them together? – he asks suspiciously.
You were my student, I'm sure you'd manage as a master of one of them.
Desu sips and silently ignores the old man.
Mafin covers his mouth with his hand and turns his head toward Desu.
*Mafin: Oh my, I wonder what Mizumi would say if she saw a certain someone training a child, and on top of that "taking care of him".
She probably would've wanted to have children someday…
But probably with someone who knows how to take care of them, too bad there's no one like that here…
Mafin turns his head back toward the door, then smiles wickedly.
Desu, with a vein already bulging on his forehead, grabs his katanas and passes Mafin in the doorway, grumpily.
He closes the door behind him, leaving Mafin inside.
Mafin follows Desu.
Desu walks up to Uso, who is already waiting in front of the house and looks at him from above, with disgust.
*Desu: Can you walk?
Uso looks up at Desu, surprised.
*Uso: Uhhh, yes?
*Desu: Then let's go.
Desu turns and walks confidently through the gate leading off the grounds where the square in front of the house lies, and Uso runs after him.
A moment later, Jigoku is already standing next to Mafin.
*Jigoku: Dad, where did they go?
*Mafin: Hopefully to get some sense hehe. – he smiles.
*Mafin: They went to train. We will too.
A moment later...
Mafin stands in front of Jigoku and looks at him.
*Mafin: Do you know why all of this? Why we train?
*Jigoku: To be strong!
*Obviously, that's what men do — a man has to be strong!
*Mafin: Exactly. And more precisely, I'll teach you everything so that you survive.
*You've already heard the story that Uso lived through — the world isn't as colorful as it may seem to you.
*Jigoku: You mean bad people?
*Mafin: People are people, sure, but there are far worse things in this world.
*Mizumi taught you how to write, read, and count. She also taught you history, right?
Jigoku jumps, punching upward with his fist.
*Jigoku: Yes!
*Mafin: Then tell me, what is Mujo?
*Jigoku: They are beings whose origins are unknown. They are powerful, brutal, and anti-human. *They are the main threat to humanity and rule over the northern part of the planet.
*No one knows where they came from — since the dawn of time, they have sown chaos and devastation.
*Legend says they are so powerful they can tear apart the sky and the earth.
*At their peak stand the Gishin, who have achieved absolute domination.
It is said that the more they resemble humans, the stronger they are — but that's just a rumor.
*Mizumi mentioned it to me, but no one has any proof. No one has ever survived an encounter with a Gishin, which is why their appearance, abilities, or even number remain a mystery.
*There are legends that say the Gishin are the creators.
*Mafin: Very good, but know this — if every Gishin is a god, then certainly not a good one.
*Mafin: Alright then, what is Jiko?
*You talked about it with Mizumi, right?
*Jigoku: Yes! Jiko is the core of our power — it's our heart.
Jiko is the type and shape of our power.
*Everyone has their own, their own heart, so everyone has different abilities and possibilities.
*Mafin: How do we shape Jiko and its potential?
*Jigoku: Through hard work and training.
*Mafin: And?
*Jigoku: Creativity and imagination.
*Mafin: And the mind.
*Very good. I'm proud of you for remembering so much.
Jigoku smiles and looks down, blushing.
*Mafin: Everyone should know what they're capable of, what kind of Jiko they have. After all, it reflects our disposition.
*I specialize in hand-to-hand combat, as you know, I can spot vital points and read everything around me with aura.
*Desu, on the other hand, fights using a large number of katanas and can control shadows.
*Try doing something.
Jigoku jumps, punches the air, and twists around.
*Jigoku: I'd like to have lightning powers, I'll destroy everything in a second.
Jigoku stops in place, stretches his hand forward, clenches it into a fist, turns it, straightens it, extends each finger one by one.
*Jigoku: Dad, nothing's happening.
Mafin stands deep in thought.
*Mafin: Hmm, that's strange, Jiko should be released instinctively, like breathing.
*Maybe it'll work after a while. Let's keep trying a bit more.
Two hours pass and still nothing.
*Mafin: Alright, we'll start with meditation.
*Jigoku: Meditation? But that's boring, we were supposed to fight… – he says disappointed.
*Mafin: Through meditation you'll find yourself, improve your senses, reflexes, awareness of your surroundings, and you'll be able to notice what's happening within and around you.
*There are also people who can train during meditation, but that's a very rare talent.
Jigoku sits down and begins to meditate.
*Mafin: Pff… not here, that would be too easy…
*Jigoku: Then where?
15 minutes later, somewhere in the forest.
Jigoku is sitting under an icy waterfall, which flows into a hot spring where Mafin is lounging.
*Mafin: How's it going?
Jigoku, frozen and annoyed, meditates under the waterfall.
*Jigoku: What?? I can't hear anything! This is stupid! Stupid training!
Jigoku shivers from the cold.
*Mafin: No pain, no gain. Maybe later I'll let you into the spring.
*Remember, focus, you shape yourself! – he shouts, unbothered.
The next day Mafin stands in front of the house with Jigoku.
*Mafin: Today we'll practice fighting. One day we fight, and the next day we meditate, and so on in a loop.
Worn-out Jigoku stands with a grimace.
*Jigoku: Oh no, this again tomorrow? And every other day? Not meditation again…
*Mafin: You'll get used to it.
*What do you want to fight with?
Jigoku stands thinking.
*Mafin: A weapon could even be a hairpin. Think carefully.
Jigoku looks at his father, surprised and smiling.
*Jigoku: Don't be silly, dad…
*I think I'll stick with my hands. A sword is cool, but I won't always have a weapon with me.
*I feel like I should become the weapon myself.
Mafin stands in shock, raising his eyebrows, surprised.
*Mafin: I'm impressed you have thoughts like that.
*Alright, I'll teach you hand-to-hand combat.
*Attack me!
Mafin stands still, hands behind his back.
Jigoku charges at him with a clenched fist.
Jigoku throws a punch but stops his fist in front of his father's face.
Mafin hits him in the stomach, slightly bending his knee at high speed, and Jigoku falls and curls up in pain.
*Mafin: Why did you hold back your punch?
*Jigoku: Oww, why did you do that? You weren't defending yourself. I didn't want to hurt you.
Mafin looks at him seriously and menacingly.
*Mafin: You're too weak to do anything to me. If you hesitate during a fight — you'll die! — he yells.
*Remember that! — he shouts.
*Jigoku: Yes, sir!
Jigoku stands up, determined.
*Jigoku: I won't give up!
*Mafin: That's right! Men don't give up!
9 years later, Jigoku and Uso are already 16 years old.
Jigoku is muscular and has long black hair past his shoulder blades.
Uso is slim, slightly muscular, and still has short white hair.
Jigoku is sitting under a waterfall and meditating.
Jigoku: It's already been so many years.
I hear every drop, every rustle, I'm able to perceive almost everything.
I notice the falling leaves and the sound of the wind that lifts them.
Incredible.
Suddenly, Jigoku hears footsteps…
Hm? What's that? Footsteps? Something's moving.
A deer? A stag? No, I hear only two limbs, I think...
Suddenly, a small rock flies toward Jigoku, at high speed, in a straight line.
Jigoku opens his eyes and catches it in his hand.
In front of him stand Mafin and Desu.
*Jigoku: What is this?
*Mafin: See? I told you mine was better.
*Desu: Pff, mine is a killer. – he replies with indifference.
*Jigoku: What are you doing here? What's going on? Are you disturbing me on purpose? Are you bored?
Mafin smiles.
*Mafin: It's good that you're so focused and eager, but we were just checking how much you've improved over time.
*Jigoku: What kind of people are you, I can't believe it.
If this keeps up, I'll have to report it to you-know-who, "Mister Desu."
Desu snorts and vanishes, turning into a black shadow, and dissolves.
Jigoku closes his eyes and continues meditating.
The next day, Jigoku is meditating again.
Jigoku: Ahh, a moment of relaxation, away from the dumb and dumber.
The lunatics have nothing to do, but today I have a moment to myself.
Easy on them, amateurs and idiots.
Silence and peace.
Jigoku opens his eyes, and his gaze immediately registers a speeding silhouette. A man, surrounded by flickering blue lightning, is rushing toward him at tremendous speed. The air trembles, and sparks jump in every direction, as if the earth itself rebelled against his presence. In a split second, the opponent's knee, charged with electric power, approaches inevitably toward its target, ready to crush everything in its path.
Jigoku, at the last moment, shields himself with his arms, takes the hit, and breaks through the surrounding waterfall. The opponent's knee struck with incredible force, and the energy of lightning exploded upon contact with his body. The sound resembled thunder, and the surrounding waterfall shattered into chaos. Water, rocks, and scraps of vegetation flew into the air like bomb fragments. Jigoku, though crushed by the impact, burst through the wall of falling water and was flung backward, feeling the world around him turn into a turbulent vortex of destruction.
Jigoku barely catches his breath when suddenly the opponent appears right in front of him, so fast that the space around seemed to crack under the pressure of his speed. Time slowed for a brief moment, and Jigoku saw only the outline of a blurred figure and... a burning, demonic, blue-black smile. The opponent's face, lit by sparkling light and a trailing flame, was like a specter from hell—grotesque, triumphant, terrifying. But before Jigoku could react, the apparition vanished, leaving behind only a wave of heat.
Jigoku: Holy fuck! What the fuck is that?!
Jigoku runs, and each step brings him closer to the gate leading to the house grounds. His breath quickens, heart pounding like crazy, the goal already in sight. Suddenly, the sky lights up with a blinding flash, and the ground shakes from a terrifying boom. Like an angry thunderbolt, the man descends from above and crashes into the earth with cataclysmic force. A wave of lightning spreads in all directions, tearing the ground to shreds and filling the air with a deafening crack. The torn-up earth rises for a moment, and from its cracks erupt blue flames charged with electricity, creating a hellish spectacle of chaos. Jigoku stops abruptly, squints his eyes, trying to shield himself from the heat and rising dust, as the silhouette of the opponent slowly emerges from the abyss of fire.
Jigoku barely manages to catch the opponent's movement. The man disappears from his field of vision, only to appear in front of him like a blurred lightning bolt. However, before he can react, the opponent disappears again, this time appearing behind his back. In a split second, he feels a crushing blow to the back of his head. The world spins, sounds fade, and the image blurs into blackness. Jigoku collapses to the ground, his body falling silently, and his mind sinks into darkness.
Some time later that same day.
Jigoku wakes up in bed.
His arms and head are wrapped in bandages.
At the table sits the Man who did this to him, and on the other side of the table sits Desu. The man has long black hair reaching almost to his waist, is muscular, and sits shirtless in tattered, scorched shorts.
Both sit across from each other, arms crossed, staring into each other's eyes with a menacing gaze.
Between them sits Mafin, who, completely unfazed by the aura of dread, sips tea from a small cup. His demeanor is surprisingly carefree, as if he doesn't notice the tension hanging in the air at all.
On the other side of the room, right by the bed, sits Mizumi. She's wearing a blue dress.
When Jigoku begins to stir, she leans over him with concern.
Jigoku slowly opens his eyes, his mind still foggy.
*Jigoku: Mizumi? Where am I? What happened?
Jigoku touches his head.
*Jigoku: Ow, fuck, holy shit what a pain.
Jigoku tries to get up and sees the people sitting at the table, he sees the man with black hair.
*Jigoku: Oh fuck it's that bastard! What is he doing here?! What the fuck?!
Mizumi pushes him back into the bed with both hands.
*Mizumi: Calm down, lie down, don't get up, I'll explain everything to you in a moment.
*That's my brother, I found out you're having trouble unlocking your Jiko, you can't use any power.
*So I suggested that I ask my brother for help, to check you.
*You didn't know him before and he's much stronger than me, he's one of the generals of this country.
*I thought maybe under pressure you'd unlock your potential, and my brother was also curious.
Mizumi hugs the lying Jigoku.
*Mizumi: I'm sorry, little one. – She says with a sad face.
Jigoku looks at the man.
*Jigoku: Mizumi, what's his name? – he asks quietly.
Mizumi smiles.
*Mizumi: That idiot? Bunsho.
Bunsho and Desu keep staring each other down as Mafin pours himself more tea.
*Bunsho: Pff… I won't give you my sister for anything. – he says with a confident smirk and closed eyes, as if he's certain that nothing and no one can defeat him. His tone is full of arrogance, as if what he says is already decided.
*Desu: Pff… I'll fucking kill you anyway. – he says with the same confident smirk, and his voice sounds like a cold announcement of an inevitable fight. Desu's eyes are closed, but in his posture lies an undeniable confidence that he'll come out of this confrontation victorious.
Bunsho flashes a mocking grin.
Desu does the same.
Mizumi, who had been sitting next to Jigoku until now, suddenly stands up. Her face lights up with a bloodthirsty smirk, as if she knows the moment has come to play her part. She gracefully approaches Bunsho, her steps are confident and swift, and her whole posture radiates confidence. Suddenly, without warning, she slaps him on the head with an open palm, with such force that the sound shakes the whole room. Bunsho sways for a moment, stunned, with eyes wide open, but quickly regains his balance, not expecting that it would be her to land the blow. Mizumi doesn't look at him any longer, her gaze immediately shifts to Jigoku, who is still lying on the bed and watching the situation in surprise. Mizumi instantly walks back and sits next to Jigoku.
*Mafin: What a perfect family atmosphere... – he says with a slight smirk in a grandpa-like voice.
*Tea tastes best in moments like these.
Slowly, with complete calm, he raises the cup to his lips and sips the tea, as if this whole situation was something ordinary to him, or maybe even amusing.
*Mizumi: Remember Jigoku, never let anyone walk all over you.
*Always do things you won't regret and that you'll consider right.
*Just be good to yourself.
*Do whatever you like.
A few days later, Jigoku, Uso and Mafin are sitting at the table.
Jigoku is spreading paprykarz on bread.
*Jigoku: You know what's weird? That day I didn't sense at all that someone was approaching me, how is that possible? Am I weak?
Mafin sips his tea.
*Mafin: You're definitely much weaker than Bunsho, that's probably why you couldn't detect him.
*Bunsho said you managed to block his first attack, he was impressed.
*Even though he was going easy on you, you still did well.
Jigoku looks at his father, surprised.
*Jigoku: Going easy? What do you mean going easy? Who is he, a god or something?
*Mafin: Mizumi's brother. – he replies with a smile.
*They're called the twin dragons, but Bunsho is much stronger than his sister.
*He's definitely one of the strongest in this country.
*Jigoku: Who's stronger, Bunsho or Desu?
*I heard them at the table.
*Mafin: Certainly both of them are very powerful, but Desu has too many secrets even I don't know about.
*At least that's what I think, even though he's my student, he has many secrets.
*Desu matches him in skill, just with a completely different fighting style.
*Bunsho is literally a beast when it comes to fighting style, a true machine of destruction.
Jigoku widens his eyes.
*Jigoku: Do you think I could become his student?
*Mafin: It's already too late for that, we leave tomorrow.
*Jigoku: What? Where?
*Mafin: We still don't know what lies within you, what you are.
*That's why we're going on a journey to my old friend.
*He will reveal the shape of your being.
*Jigoku: Friend? Father, you don't even have buddies, let alone friends...
Jigoku starts laughing loudly.
Mafin closes his eyes tightly and sips his tea.
The next morning, Jigoku wakes up in his bed.
Jigoku gets up, stretches, then looks to the left with a nod of his head and sees a letter next to his pillow.
He approaches, bends down, picks up the letter and starts reading.
"I'm waiting by the destroyed waterfall, come alone."
Jigoku: Who is it? – he thinks with worry and curiosity.
Without a moment's hesitation, Jigoku quickly gets dressed and leaves the house.
He's already reaching what's left of the waterfall. What once was a picturesque landscape now resembles a disaster zone. The place looks like a comet literally struck it.
In the very center of the destruction floats Bunsho. He levitates in a meditative position. His silhouette radiates incredible energy. Blue lightning dances around his body, intertwining with ethereal flames that seem to both consume and illuminate the surroundings. Bunsho's head is surrounded by intense blue fire, resembling a crown of energy that burns upward like a bonfire. His arms are slightly raised, and his hands rest on his knees.
Jigoku walks closer.
*Bunsho: You came, that's good. – he says calmly, not even opening his eyes.
*I'd like to talk with you.
Bunsho stops levitating and stands on his feet, the atmosphere calms down.
*Jigoku: What's up? We're leaving soon, I don't have much time.
*I even woke up too early and came before my morning shit, I hope this is something important. – he says, still groggy.
Bunsho looks at the sky.
*Bunsho: Mizumi liked this spring.
Jigoku raises one eyebrow and looks surprised.
*Bunsho: Back when you weren't even born yet, we used to come here and play with Desu.
Bunsho sighs, takes a deep breath in and out.
*Bunsho: Your old man was always rushing us and yelling like the whole world was falling apart. – he smiles.
Jigoku looks surprised.
*Jigoku: What's going on? What is it? Did something happen? – he asks with concern.
Bunsho looks seriously into Jigoku's eyes – you can see sadness in them.
He walks up and grabs him by the shoulders with both hands.
*Bunsho: My sister saw potential in you, I saw how she looked at you.
*She loved you like a younger brother. – he adds, and his gaze softens.
*If Mizumi were here, she'd definitely want me to support you. – he says with determination and sincerity.
Bunsho removes his right hand from his shoulder, turns his head and looks at the sky.
*Bunsho: I don't wish this upon you in a way, to experience it, but this world is really fucked up. So fucked up I can't even imagine it.
*Be strong and never give up, but also know your limit.
*I know you're leaving, that's why I came.
Bunsho removes the other hand from Jigoku's shoulder, then turns around, stands and clenches his fists.
Light blue flames and lightning emit from his fists. The atmosphere becomes slightly heavier.
*Bunsho: I've always fought for Hanran and I still will, but now I'm really fucking pissed.
*Idiots from the Country of Joraku think they'll have peace. – he says angrily.
*Be careful who you trust. Always. – he says in a serious tone.
*In this world, there are such cunts you have no fucking idea about.
*You have… no fucking… idea.
Jigoku looks at Bunsho, shaken and sad.
Bunsho turns and looks at Jigoku.
*Bunsho: The Country of Joraku is letting hordes of Mujo from Shingan through the border.
*Joraku is the only country between us and the Gishin territory.
*Two days ago I got a mission to check a certain area.
*Since Mizumi always liked helping me, she told me to take some time off and that she'd take care of it. – he continues in a heavy, serious voice, not averting his gaze from Jigoku.
*She hasn't come back since then. I've realized she probably won't come back. – he says with weight and a quieter voice, his voice vibrating with anger, as if it were his weakness.
Jigoku looks at him, shocked, with clear sadness in his eyes, his eyes have become wet.
Bunsho sees Jigoku softening.
*Bunsho: You can't cry, you have to have a strong mind and a tough body. – he says angrily, his eyes glowing with blue lightning.
*You can't be weak, no matter how many loved ones they kill, no matter what harm and pain they do to you.
*You must remain unbreakable, undefeatable, remember that. – he says the words firmly.
*Remember that, fuck! – he shouts strongly, like giving a command.
*Learn to control your emotions, or you'll die. Emotions make you weak. Control over anger is the key to victory.
Jigoku lightly wipes his falling tears.
Bunsho grabs him by the neck with one hand and brings his face close to his.
*Bunsho: I believe in you too. – he says in a calm and sincere voice.
*I want you to promise me something.
*One day we'll meet again and you'll show me how strong you are, because you are strong, you just have to realize it.
Bunsho removes his hand from his neck.
*Bunsho: You were like a brother to Mizumi, so to me you are too. – he says with care, looking straight into his eyes.
Jigoku looks at him with an expression of compassion and sadness.
Bunsho looks at Jigoku one last time for a moment, looks him sincerely, deeply in the eyes, then turns around, walks away slowly a few meters and salutes with one hand.
*Bunsho: Take care… "brother."
At that moment a bright flash descends from the sky, and the thunderclap tears through the air so violently it feels like the very air has split. The lightning strikes Bunsho, surrounding him in a blinding glow for just a split second. For a moment his silhouette is clearly visible in the light and then vanishes.
Jigoku stares at the spot where Bunsho was just standing.
All that remains is a faint echo and a quiet, serpentine hiss.
The air vibrates with the accumulated electricity, and a sharp smell of ozone lingers… and something that resembles burnt underwear.
*Jigoku: Thank you. – he thinks, his mind filled with sorrow and at the same time overflowing with hope.
About 30 minutes later Jigoku is already at home.
Jigoku walks up to the sink above which there is a mirror. He leans down, scoops cold water into his hands and washes his face. Then he leans all his weight on the sink with his arms and stares straight into his reflection. Water drips from his face, and the emptiness merges with his mind. In his head he feels high pressure, as if he wasn't really here. Suddenly Mafin's voice can be heard in the background.
*Mafin: Jigoku, are you up already? – he shouts loudly.
*Jigoku: Yeah. – he says in an alert voice, and his mind immediately returns to normal.
Jigoku walks away from the sink, through the curtain and sees his father, Uso, and Desu packing.
Mafin, kneeling and packing things into bags, looks at Jigoku.
*Mafin: Have you packed yet?
Jigoku stands and looks at his father. His face is sour.
Mafin notices it immediately.
*Jigoku: Yeah, I packed yesterday. – he says with a cracking voice.
*Mafin: Did something happen? – he asks sincerely.
*Jigoku: No, nothing. All good. – he says in a normal voice, confirming.
Jigoku goes to get a large bag, then walks up to the fridge.
He opens the fridge, which is full of paprykarz jars.
He loads all the jars into the large bag.
Then he slings the large bag over his shoulder.
He stands in front of the packing family in the middle.
*Jigoku: I'm ready. – he says in a serious, confident voice.
Mafin bursts into laughter, and Uso smiles. Desu, as usual, ignores him and continues packing.
Seven days after leaving home, they arrive at a certain village in the country of Hanran.
A beautiful, majestic, small village. The center of the village is a large cobblestone circle around which there are houses and roads leading to different districts of the village. In the middle of the large circle, there is a beautiful fountain from which water spurts from the top. On the sides of the circle, by the buildings, there are stalls set up with various items. The air is warm and the sun shines radiantly. In the background, the chirping of birds and the conversations of people can be heard.
Mafin sighs.
*Mafin: Just look at this village, I haven't been here in a long time.
*Nothing has changed, it's still beautiful.
One of the buildings around the center is a tavern, which looks like a large barn.
Everyone enters the tavern.
In the tavern, straight ahead is a bar, where you can sit and have a drink. To the right of the bar, there are stairs that lead upstairs. Behind the bar is a kitchen, from which the smells of freshly prepared dishes are coming. On the upper floor, above the kitchen, guest rooms are located. In front of the rooms, there is a narrow hallway with a railing, from which you can see the entire tavern. On the sides of the main hall, large tables with connected benches are arranged, creating cozy spots for feasting. In the background, loud melodies can be heard, played by musicians somewhere in the back of the tavern.
Everyone sits at one table on the left side.
Desu opens the menu.
*Desu: I wonder if they have dumplings.
Mafin opens the menu.
*Mafin: I wonder if they have tea.
Jigoku makes a reluctant face.
*Jigoku: I wonder if they have doctors.
Suddenly, Jigoku and the others hear a conversation of several men at the next table.
*Men: Did you hear who joined Kagura?
*Who? – asks one of them.
*SHISO. – replies firmly, with a frightened voice.
*Shiso? Are you sure?
*Isn't that the one who wiped out his own clan?
Jigoku lays his arm on the backrest and turns his head toward them while sitting.
*Jigoku: Sorry, I accidentally overheard…
*What is Kagura, if I may ask?
The men look at him in disbelief, shocked.
*Men: You really don't know?
*It's the famous sect known all over the world.
*You wouldn't want to meet them, kid…
*Jigoku: Sect? And what do they do?
The men are surprised, full of fear and awe.
*Men: It's a group of people—if you can even call them that—that numbers a few to a dozen members.
*All of them are real nutcases, I don't know where such people come from.
*At their head stands someone called Zeroth.
*Nobody knows what their goal is, at least we don't.
*Each of them is unique and powerful.
*Nobody knows what they're capable of, but everyone fears them, because no one has survived an encounter with them. At least I've never heard of anyone. If they target someone, it's over for them.
*They wear gloves on their hands, it's their trademark. On the gloves is a symbol of a reaching hand, as if it's reaching for you, as if it's reaching for your soul.
*Even the thought of it is terrifying.
*They are exceptionally brutal, as if sheer brutality created them. – he says, terrified.
*Jigoku: Alright, and this Shiso? Who is that?
Jigoku grimaces in thought.
*Jigoku: Honestly, I don't even know why I asked, I don't care anyway…
*Men: He's a real monster and the last of a cursed family of assassins.
*He wiped out his own clan and keeps on killing.
*Swear to God, I wouldn't want to meet him or any of those devils! – he shouts.
The man stands up in terror, with tears in his eyes.
*Swear to God! – he shouts.
*Jigoku: I'll remember that, thank you, gentlemen.
Jigoku turns back to the table and leans on it with his elbows.
*Jigoku: I wonder what kind of douchebags these are… Kagura… Honestly, sick name. It'd be awesome to be in a group like that… All badasses… Fuck…
After a moment Jigoku sees, on the other side of the tavern, two people playing cards.
One person is dressed in black, armor-like clothing, which appears richly decorated with golden elements and delicate, intricate details that give it a majestic and almost royal look. Over the head is thrown a white hood, finely finished with golden patterns, smoothly transitioning into a cape that falls down the back. The clothes on him are slightly too large.
From under his left elbow a chain protrudes, connected to a sword on his left side. From under his right elbow a chain protrudes, connected to a sword on his right side. Both swords are one-handed and single-edged. The sword on the left side is completely white, so beautiful it reflects light and shimmers like radiance. The sword on the right side is completely black like tar, nothing reflects in it. From the face and build, it seems this is a boy about the same age as Jigoku.
The person he's playing cards with emanates a mysterious red aura, visible to the naked eye. He has messy red hair that looks like an upright flame shooting upwards. In his dark red eyes are diamonds, with smaller diamonds inside. The smaller diamonds in his eyes spin in sync with his thoughts. He's wearing a robe, and on the front of it, under his neck, hangs a symbol of a purple star. He looks to be about 20 years old.
Jigoku looks at his family at the table.
*Jigoku: They're playing cards over there. – he gestures.
*I'm gonna go check it out, you coming Uso?
Uso is staring at the menu.
*Uso: Nah, I don't care.
*Jigoku: Screw these old folks, I'm going.
Jigoku stands up and walks over to them.
He jumps over the bench behind the person with the swords and sits next to him on the right side.
*Jigoku: Yo, I'm Jigoku. I'm not interrupting, am I? What are you playing? – he asks, curious.
*No, it's chill. I'm Almi. – says the figure with the swords, focusing on the cards in his hands.
*I'm Chiki, nice to meet you, oh yes very nice. Oh yes yes. – says excitedly, like he's climaxing, staring into the cards.
*Almi: Fucking hell man. I can't fucking play like this. Keeps giving me shitty cards. – he says in a whining tone.
*Fucking hell. – he whines.
Jigoku leans back against the wall at the end of the bench and looks on surprised, one eyebrow raised.
*Jigoku: Dude chill out, it's just a game, what the fuck is even going on here?
*Almi: So what the fuck, it still gives me fucked up cards. – still whining.
*So basically this game is about token ranking, stronger cards win. The game's called The Division. When someone starts, everyone gets a bronze token, that's the weakest rank. Then it's silver, gold, platinum, diamond, and master tokens.
If, for example, I don't know... you're bronze and you play someone else who's bronze, you play for one bronze token. You need five bronze tokens to face someone with silver tokens. The person who has silver and you have bronze has to accept your challenge, that's the rule.
You can't fight someone in silver if you don't have five bronze tokens, and you can't fight someone in gold, and so on...
You must be separated by one division max, and you always have to have five tokens to fight for a promotion.
*Jigoku: Fucking hell, what a fucked-up game, pfu... – he says, surprised and disgusted.
*Fuuuuuck. – with a slightly raised voice.
Almi loses another round.
*Almi: What the fuck is this, fucking hell man. – he whines, outraged.
*Jigoku: So what rank do you even have?
*Almi: I fucking dropped back to silver again. All my gold ones just went to shit. – he whines.
*Fucking hell... fucking fuck. – he raises his voice.
Jigoku puts his left hand on his shoulder.
*Jigoku: Chill man, fuck this game. It's fucked up as hell. – he says sincerely.
At the same time, Chiki shuffles the cards using magic — the cards on the table float up and fly into his card box, which he keeps in a leather bag. He then lowers his head toward the table and looks at them.
Chiki: I can't believe I met someone like this here. – he thinks excitedly.
*Chiki: Do you know what the cards told me? – he says in a fascinated voice.
Jigoku removes his hand from Almi's shoulder and looks at Chiki, confused.
Jigoku: What a fucking weirdo, fucking hell. What the fuck is even going on here.
Chiki looks at Almi.
*Chiki: When the sun and the moon merge into one pole, an eclipse will be born. – he says in a very serious voice, and the diamonds in his eyes go wild.
Then Chiki looks at Jigoku.
*Chiki: When pain, suffering, and sorrow become one, the end of the world will come, which will mark a new beginning. – the diamonds in his eyes disappear and reappear.
After saying those words, Chiki smiles at them and then laughs joyfully.
*Chiki: Hihihi, I gotta go, take care, thanks for the tokens Almi. – he says happily.
Chiki stands up and walks away.
*Chiki: 'Til next time! – he yells as he leaves.
Jigoku covers his face with his hands.
*Jigoku: Fucking hell, what the fuck was that guy. – he says in a repulsed tone.
*Jigoku: You've got no one to play with? Fuck me… fuck.
*Almi: I play for tokens, I basically play with anyone.
*I wish I could one day play 2vs2 with someone, but no one I know plays this game.
*Jigoku: Fuck me, give me a break, you seem like a cool guy. What are you even doing here?
*Are you from around here? – he asks curiously.
*Almi: No, I come from far away. I'm looking for someone.
*Jigoku: Who? Maybe I can help, maybe I know them. – he asks, thoughtful.
*Almi: I'm looking for my friend's brother, his name is Kiperu.
*Jigoku: Who's named that? The brother or the friend?
*Almi: His brother.
*Jigoku: Oh right.
*Jigoku: What does he look like?
*Almi: I don't know.
*Jigoku: I don't know anyone like that.
*But if you don't know what he looks like, how are you gonna find him?
*Almi: I don't know.
*Jigoku: Aha.
*You hungry? Maybe we grab something to eat?
*Almi: Yeah, I guess I could eat something.
Jigoku looks at his swords.
*Jigoku: Sick swords by the way, fucking awesome, holy shit.
*Almi: Thanks, they mean a lot to me.
Jigoku nods toward the table where Mafin is sitting drinking tea, next to him Desu is eating dumplings, and on the other side of the table Uso is munching on a beef sandwich.
*Jigoku: Look at those pigs over there, that's my family. That nutjob with the katanas is already on his third, if not fourth plate of dumplings.
Almi looks in their direction.
*Almi: That's nice, I don't have a family, only my friend's left.
*Actually, that's why I'm here.
Jigoku places a hand on Almi's shoulder.
*Jigoku: I knew you were a solid guy.
*Friends are the most important thing, you gotta take care of the ones close to you.
Almi looks at him and smiles.
*Almi: Of course.
Suddenly, a young teenage waitress walks up to them.
"Hey boys, what can I get you?" – she says in a sweet voice.
Almi stands up and runs out of the tavern.
Jigoku looks at the front door he ran out through.
*Jigoku: What's with him? I was just about to ask how old he is… maybe something came up... Fuck it...
Jigoku looks at the confused waitress.
*Jigoku: Something came up for my buddy, sorry about him. – he says with a grimace.
*Waitress: Oops, and I thought it was because of me. – she says, smiling.
Jigoku walks with the waitress over to the table where his crew is sitting.
The whole table is dirty, with crumbs and food scraps everywhere.
Desu is wrecked by dumplings, his belly full and bloated.
Uso's whole mouth is stuffed as he's chewing on a second beef sandwich.
Mafin is sipping tea, soaking in the atmosphere.
Jigoku sits down next to Uso and looks at the waitress.
*Jigoku: Do you see what I go through, ma'am? My whole life surrounded by pigs like in a pigsty.
The waitress bursts into loud laughter.
*Jigoku: Do you guys have any sandwiches with paprika spread?
*Waitress: Ahh… as a matter of fact, we do. – she smiles at Jigoku.
*Jigoku: Then I'll take one. – he returns the smile.
The waitress walks away.
Mafin looks at Jigoku.
*Mafin: That guy you were talking to, did you notice anything strange? – he asks suspiciously.
*Jigoku: Super weird dude, forget it, not worth talking about.
*Mafin: He had the symbol of this country on his neck, he was one of Hanran's generals.
*If I remember right, that was Chiki. A card player who can see the future through cards. – he says thoughtfully.
Jigoku sits in shock.
*Jigoku: A general... that crazy?
*Fuck me, and he sees the future too, but the fucker probably scammed him in cards.
*Mafin: We'll stay here for the night and head out again tomorrow morning.
Mafin stands up, walks over to the bar and books a room for four.
Then everyone leaves the tavern, except for Desu.
After a moment, Desu comes out of the tavern after them.
Turns out everyone is standing in front of the tavern waiting for him.
Desu walks ahead, and everyone follows him.
Desu walks on, annoyed.
*Desu: Why the fuck is everyone walking behind me… – he thinks, pissed off.
A little later… Desu buys a raven black as tar, with a white spot above its eye.
Jigoku stands next to him, in disbelief, laughing under his breath.
*Jigoku: Why the hell do you need a raven? Gonna eat it?
Two people walk around the village.
Men in black suits and classic hats that cast shadows over their faces.
Suddenly, they walk up to Jigoku and Desu.
They hand Jigoku a flyer.
*Men: Long live the divine land of Yumeko! – they shout.
Then they walk away.
Jigoku reads the flyer.
"The land of Yumeko is a Divine place where endless life in abundance and luxury awaits you."
"Coordinates provided."
Jigoku looks at Desu and laughs.
*Jigoku: Shall we go?
That same day… Night, the whole group of four is sleeping in the tavern.
There are four beds, all by the wall in a square room.
In the background, crackling and shouting voices of people can be heard.
Jigoku wakes up, sits up and rubs his eyes.
*Jigoku: What's going on? – he asks in a sleepy voice.
He sees Uso fully dressed, standing by the slightly open door and listening.
Mafin wakes up.
*Mafin: Where's Desu? – he asks quickly.
Everyone quickly gets dressed and leaves the room.
They're already standing by the railing, from which the entire tavern can be seen.
Chaos is being spread in the tavern by people in black cloaks covering their whole bodies.
Around their necks they wear wide collars, across the whole collarbone, with five skulls. The middle skull on the collars is the biggest. Each one of them has a dagger.
On the sides sit crouched people over whom the attackers are standing. The young waitress who earlier took their orders has her hands stabbed to the table with a dagger, right in the middle of the tavern. Behind her she is being raped by one of the attackers in a black robe.
Jigoku: Fuck… what the fuck is going on. – he thinks, in heavy shock.
Without a moment's hesitation, a fiery blaze erupts above one of the attackers. From the flame, Uso emerges, giving the enemy no chance to react, slitting his throat in one swift motion. Before the body can hit the ground, another flame ignites behind the next enemy's back. Uso disappears and reappears in a split second to deliver another blow. After a brief spectacle of blazing massacre, all the attackers in the tavern lie dead. Uso sheaths the dagger into its vertical scabbard on the right side of his belt.
Jigoku runs up to the girl who was just being raped. Then he pulls the dagger out of the table, which exits through her hands. The girl quickly snatches the dagger from Jigoku's hand, the one he just pulled out of her pinned palms, and stabs it into her own neck from the left side.
Jigoku: Fuck!… – he thinks, terrified.
Mafin heads to the main exit.
*Mafin: I'm going to see what's going on, Uso watch these people.
*Jigoku: I'm coming with you! – he shouts.
Mafin and Jigoku, after leaving the tavern, see all the villagers kneeling on one side of the fountain, and around them people in robes.
The night is warm, and there's practically no wind.
On the other side of the fountain kneels a man, and next to him a woman — it's the Village Chief with his wife.
Above them stands a towering, humanoid figure—Muzabori—about three meters tall. Upright, arms crossed, he gazes down with an air of absolute dominance. His presence is terrifying; his massive, muscular frame is accentuated by taut, visible muscles across his chest and arms. Red markings wind across his skin. His face is fierce and demonic, with pale human-like skin, sharp cheekbones, and a pointed chin. His deep-set eyes glow with a piercing red light. His mouth is wide, filled with sharp, protruding teeth.
Two massive, curved horns protrude symmetrically from either side of his skull, arcing upward and then back like the horns of a hellish beast. He is bald. His legs are as thick and powerful as the rest of his body. Long, clawed fingers and toes add to his monstrous look. Strapped to his back is a massive two-handed katana. He wears nothing but tattered long pants.
Mafin and Jigoku crouch behind the tavern wall, watching the scene unfold in silence.
Next to Muzabori stands a hunched, grotesque creature. Its body appears burned and shriveled, like that of a malformed child. From its body extends a long, thin neck about a meter in length, topped by a large, blinking eye. The creature is completely naked.
The one-eyed being holds a book and writes something while barking orders.
*Eyed Creature: Separate the women and men. Women to the left, men to the right, now! – it speaks with a shrill, authoritative voice.
Figures in black robes kick and force the kneeling villagers into two groups.
*Eyed Creature: Lord Muzabori, you promised me one of the human females. – it says, its eye fixated on the towering monster.
*Muzabori: You can choose… after I'm done with them. – he growls in a deep, menacing voice.
The one-eyed creature trembles with excitement. Its body twitches, and its behavior becomes increasingly erratic and disturbing.
*Eyed Creature: Ahh, I can hardly wait… – it says in a breathless, eager voice.
Muzabori nudges a woman kneeling in front of him with his foot, knocking her onto her back.
*Village Chief: No, please! Not my wife! I gave you everything! You had what you wanted! – he cries in despair, eyes wet with tears.
*Village Chief's Wife: We should have known it would end this way. – she says calmly, smiling sadly at her husband.
*Muzabori: You really trusted us? – he sneers.
Then Muzabori steps down with full force on the woman's chest, crushing it.
The village chief stares in silence, as if life itself has been drained from him.
After a moment, Muzabori lifts his foot from her body. Crushed organs fall from his sole, and blood drips down, trailing along his foot.
*Village Chief: Bastard! I'll kill you! I'll kill you! – he screams in despair.
The village chief tries to stand up, but people in black robes run over and begin to hold him down. Meanwhile, Muzabori exposes himself and urinates obscenely on the woman's corpse. During this, Muzabori looks into the face of the already-dead wife of the chief.
Muzabori laughs with a heavy, monstrous voice.
*Muzabori: Would've pleased me, wouldn't you, woman? – he says confidently, full of dominance.
The weeping village chief struggles and tries to get up. Muzabori drives his outstretched, monstrous hand with sharp claws into the man's head, cracking open his entire skull with a smooth, precise strike.
Meanwhile, Desu sits on the toilet.
Desu: Damn, those dumplings really surprised me. Four plates, huh? – he thinks, curious and powerless.
And what's with all that noise? Not that I care… – he thinks, smoking a cigarette.
Mafin grabs Jigoku by the head with a strong, almost brotherly grip. Their foreheads touch, and their gazes meet in silence filled with unspoken emotion. Mafin looks straight into Jigoku's eyes.
*Mafin: Listen to me carefully now. – there's fear in his voice.
*It's Mujo. Do you know what that means? – he asks with complete seriousness.
*Jigoku: They're freakishly strong.
*Mafin: You take the ones in robes, I'll take the big one.
*Just don't die. – he says, full of worry.
*Jigoku: Alright.
Mafin lets go of his head and steps out from hiding, glancing once more at Jigoku as if to remember every detail of his face.
Mafin walks toward Muzabori.
*Mafin: Shall we duel, "Mr. Muzabori"? – he says in an annoying voice, like a sweet old man.
People in black robes start running toward Mafin.
Jigoku, without a moment's hesitation, charges at the enemies. His movements are quick, almost animalistic.
The first attacker, a broad-shouldered man, raises his dagger high above his head, ready to strike downward. Jigoku, however, wastes no time. The moment the blade starts to fall, he performs a lightning-quick dodge to the side.
Jigoku strikes with full force from below, upward, into the man's chin.
The blow is brutal and precise. Bones crack with a dull crunch, and the strike is so powerful that the attacker loses several teeth.
Jigoku doesn't stop. His movements are smooth, and adrenaline pushes him forward. Another opponent, seeing his comrade fall, charges at him with a wild scream. Jigoku rushes forward, crashing into him with full force. Before the attacker can react, Jigoku strikes him in the nose with his elbow, smashing it completely. Blood splatters, and the attacker jumps back, letting out a piercing cry of pain.
The next one attacks him from behind. Jigoku turns and delivers a high kick that lands squarely in the man's face. The power of the strike is so great that the attacker's body is thrown backward, and blood from his nose bursts into the air.
Another opponent lunges at him from behind, drawing a blade. Jigoku, almost instinctively, drops to his hands and spins his body in an acrobatic move, performing a circular kick. His foot strikes the attacker in the temple, sending him to the ground, dazed by the powerful hit. Without stopping, in the same position, Jigoku spins on his hands and kicks another attacker in the knee, throwing him off balance. Then, in a rhythm of battle-like dance, he grabs a dagger lying on the ground near one of the defeated foes and throws it, hitting another enemy directly in the heart.
At the same time, Mafin stands with his arms crossed behind his back. About ten meters in front of him stands Muzabori. Both of them look ready to fight.
*Mafin: What are you doing here?
*Muzabori: We kill, because that's what we live for, and we take human women. – he says in a terrifying, demonic voice.
*Mafin: Women? And why do you need them?
*Muzabori: You don't understand anything. Our race has no females.
*Thanks to human women, there are more and more of us. – he smiles demonically.
*But my Lord is different, he is not like the rest.
*He doesn't need women, so all of them are for me.
Muzabori smiles demonically, with contempt.
*Mafin: Now I understand. – he says seriously.
Mafin: If I hesitate, I'll die. – he thinks, fully focused.
Mafin positions himself in a combat stance.
His legs are placed slightly apart, wider than the hips. One leg is slightly forward. Feet firmly planted on the ground. Knees slightly bent. One hand is raised to face level, palm open with fingers slightly bent. The other hand is closer to the body, bent at the elbow. A white aura begins to emanate from his body.
Muzabori suddenly charges at Mafin, like a wild beast hunting its prey. Just a fraction of a second is enough for him to be right in front of him, his fist almost touching Mafin's forehead. Muzabori's movement is so fast that when he appears before Mafin, the air around ripples.
But Mafin is ready. His aura strengthens him — the closer the enemy, the faster Mafin becomes. At the moment Muzabori's clawed hand nearly slices through the air right next to his face, Mafin performs a lightning-fast dodge, even faster than Muzabori's assault.
Mafin, stepping back to the side and ducking under Muzabori's arm, starts delivering a series of powerful and fast punches straight into the monster's stomach. Mafin's aura allows him to see vital points, and he focuses all his strikes on a single spot on the monster's chest. At this moment, Mafin begins his destructive combo. His fists move with unimaginable speed, each of them hitting Muzabori's belly with force strong enough to crush rocks.
Each punch shakes the monster's body, lifting it higher and higher off the ground. The sounds around their battle resemble the cracking of breaking boulders. Every time Mafin strikes, the monster's body freezes for a moment, as if paralyzed, unable to respond. He hits the vital points with surgical precision. Every blow is stronger than the last. Muzabori, just moments ago so confident, now looks like a helpless puppet, tossed in the air by Mafin's brutal strength.
When the final punch causes Muzabori's body to hover slightly in the air, Mafin instantly jumps back, preparing for the finishing blow. His right hand begins to glow with a blinding white light. The energy in his hand pulses, as if the entire surroundings were concentrating into that one point.
He moves his left leg forward, rests his left hand on his knee, and pulls his right leg far back, stabilizing his position. Right next to it, in his right hand, the culmination of power begins to form. Mafin aims that hand at Muzabori.
The ground beneath him starts to crack, unable to handle the pressure of the focused force. The space trembles. The air becomes dense and tense.
Mafin screams... a long, drawn-out cry full of will and determination, and in that very moment he delivers the strike. The final one. The ultimate one.
"KOKAN!"
Mafin's fist hits directly into Muzabori's body. In an instant, light explodes, as if the sun itself appeared for a split second, only to immediately go out.
The air is torn by the sound of an explosion, resembling the simultaneous blast of a thousand lightning bolts.
Mafin's hand pierces into the monster's body with ease, as if pushing through soft clay. The energy of the blow pulses so powerfully that the ground around them cracks, forming radiating fissures.
Muzabori is thrown far away, like a projectile. He cuts through the air with a terrifying whistle, crushing trees that stand in his path.
The earth through which he flies is torn apart, forming a deep, jagged canyon, its line stretching far into the forest like a scar burned by the very force of the strike.
Mafin returns to a combat stance. His chest rises and falls with the rhythm of heavy breaths. Mafin still stands ready to fight.
After a moment, from the depths of the gaping chasm, in the direction where Muzabori was thrown, a deep, terrifying roar echoes. Muzabori's roar becomes louder and louder, as if fueled by rage and despair, as if he were charging with anger.
Eventually, the roar is so loud it feels like Muzabori is in a state of absolute rage.
A powerful wind rises in his direction, and the ground trembles slightly.
To the fissure caused by Mafin as a result of the blow to Muzabori approaches the Being with the Eye.
It looks in the direction Muzabori flew.
*Being with the Eye: Oopsie.
Muzabori, driven by unimaginable rage, moves at a speed that surpasses all limits of perception. His movements are lightning-fast, as if he becomes a pure wave of energy colliding with reality.
In his path stands his companion, the being with the eye. The companion's body is torn apart as it meets the unstoppable wave. The particles of the body explode in all directions, scattering into atoms, and from the place where it stood a moment ago, nothing remains except glowing remnants flashing in the air.
Mafin, seeing the oncoming danger, has no other choice. He raises his arms, crossing them in front of himself in a desperate attempt to block the blow.
Muzabori is right in front of him like a destructive soundwave tearing through space in a way no one has ever experienced. The ground beneath his feet trembles to the rhythm of his unstoppable speed, and the air around pulses, as if unable to keep up with the pace of his movement. His entire being focuses on one thing... on Mafin. He sees nothing else. Only him.
Muzabori's strike comes with a force that pierces through everything – the body, the ground, reality itself. At the moment of contact, a shockwave explodes, shaking the space. Dust and leaves are swept away in a radius of hundreds of meters, the air literally collapses, and the world around seems to fall silent for a split second in pure shock.
During the impact on Mafin, Jigoku suddenly feels an icy gust, falling on him like a whip of pure ice. At the same moment, the ground beneath everything around, including under him, begins to shake violently, as if nature itself responded to the incomprehensible energy spreading throughout the area. The vibrations are so strong that stones break away from the ground, and trees sway dangerously as if they're about to fall. Jigoku stands nearby and feels the ground beneath his feet slipping out of control. Every step is a struggle, he has to tense his muscles not to lose balance, as if space itself was trying to throw him off.
Mafin's aura is not enough. Taking Muzabori's powerful blow on the block, Mafin feels the incredible force piercing through his arms. In an instant, he loses connection with his own body, as if everything that was his begins to blur. He flies backward like a limp mannequin, crashing through waves of trees, breaking branches with dull cracks. During the flight, his eyelids fall, he loses consciousness. Moments later, his body hits a large rock, which finally stops him. Silence.
His arms are completely broken, bones stick out of them and drip with blood.
Jigoku charges at the monster, meanwhile Desu exits the tavern with a cigarette in his mouth.
*Desu: Jigoku no! – He screams terrified.
Jigoku, full of anger, runs toward Muzabori. He's already close enough, makes a powerful leap, rising into the air with clenched fists to add force to his strike.
With full strength, he kicks Muzabori in the back.
However, the effect is almost zero. Muzabori didn't even flinch.
Muzabori spins around instantly, at a speed nearly impossible for the human eye to catch. Before Jigoku can even think of his next move, Muzabori grabs him by the neck with his massive, terrifying hand. His grip is so strong it seems like he could crush Jigoku's neck at any moment.
Holding Jigoku high above the ground, Muzabori looks at him with an expression of pure, sadistic satisfaction.
*Muzabori: And what now, you human pile of shit? – he says with a smile.
Muzabori's other hand slowly rises. With cold precision, Muzabori drives his index finger, tipped with a horrifying claw, into Jigoku's right eye. The sound of tissue being pierced and Jigoku's scream of pain are nearly impossible to ignore. Blood immediately streams down Jigoku's face. The monster savors the sight, continuing to laugh. Jigoku thrashes, but he doesn't stand a chance.
Desu grabs the sheathed katana with both hands, holding it horizontally in front of him, and slightly draws a bit of the blade from its scabbard. He's facing Muzabori.
Suddenly, the hand holding Jigoku is sliced off, and Jigoku falls along with it.
Desu then slides the slightly drawn katana back into its sheath.
*Muzabori: Hmm? – he says in a deep, surprised voice.
Muzabori turns to face Desu, who stands before him.
Desu carries six katanas, all sheathed — four on his back and two at his sides near his legs.
The monster's severed hand returns to him, and the tissues reconnect — the arm is whole again, as if nothing had happened.
Muzabori stares at Desu and growls quietly. Meanwhile, Jigoku loses consciousness. Muzabori pulls a large two-handed katana from his back, which he wields with one hand. Their eyes meet — as if neither of them knows what's about to happen.
Muzabori moves first. His katana slices through the air with such speed that the ground beneath his feet erupts in a geyser of rubble and stone.
In the exact same fraction of a second, Desu disappears — he melts into shadow before the blade can reach him.
Silence. For a moment.
And then... a cut. Muzabori's arm and leg fall off, as if the shadow itself had ripped him apart. The blood doesn't even have time to spill; the limbs return to his body, as if reversing time. They fuse back together silently, painlessly, without a trace.
Muzabori stands still, turning his head in every direction. Muzabori stands and scans the surroundings, searching for him. Searching. Searching where there is nothing... except shadow.
Muzabori lets out a deafening, heavy roar in all directions, like the sounds of the devil himself, angrier than ever before.
Suddenly... a flash of steel. Muzabori's hand — the one free from the sword — is severed. The blood doesn't even have time to fall before Desu appears next to him, literally emerging from the shadow, so fast it looks as if he teleported in a fraction of a second.
He doesn't waste time. He swings, aiming to slash Muzabori's throat in one decisive cut.
But Muzabori, despite the fresh loss of a limb, reacts. He turns with a speed that more than doubles Desu's attack. His two-handed katana whistles through the air, cutting through the path of the incoming strike and easily parrying it. Sparks fly from the point of contact, as if two bolts of lightning had collided.
The fight erupts instantly.
Desu moves first — precise, lightning-fast. His strikes rain down one after another like hail from the sky. With each movement, invisible shadows slash at the enemy's body, striking where his katana does not reach. Their blades are silent, merciless.
Muzabori parries every strike with an almost inhuman grace. His katana whistles through the air, becoming an extension of himself, slicing the space around him as if it were a storm. The gusts of wind tear apart the surroundings.
Desu's shadows do not relent. Invisible, immaterial blades slash Muzabori from all sides. Blood sprays from the wounds, cuts ripping into his body in a brutal dance of destruction. But Muzabori doesn't retreat.
He regenerates instantly. Every wound disappears as if it never existed. Skin seals shut, muscles tighten, and the katana moves again, cutting through everything in its path.
During Desu's attacks, Muzabori protects his head at all costs. Every strike from Desu aimed at it is met with an immediate, almost instinctive reaction.
Desu appears around Muzabori like a shadow, his figure emerging from different directions one after another — almost simultaneously — in a rhythm of intense attacks. And yet Muzabori parries each blow with crushing precision. His two-handed katana, though held in just one hand, seems weightless. His rapid regeneration is like an endless stream of energy, defying the laws of nature. Each invisible cut that passes through his body, each severed limb or wound, seems like nothing more than entertainment to him. The regeneration not only restores his lost parts but seems to strengthen his speed.
Muzabori, despite being under constant assault, becomes increasingly deadly. Instead of slowing down under the barrage of Desu's strikes, his speed grows, as if his body were adapting to the situation. The monster's movements are now even smoother and more precise — terrifyingly perfect.
Desu doesn't relent. His body becomes faster, nearly invisible, and the katanas in his hands cut through the air with such speed that shockwaves ripple around them. With every second, he increases the pace. The shadows multiply, creating a chaotic vortex of attacks surrounding Muzabori from every direction.
Suddenly, in a nearly imperceptible burst of speed, Desu appears behind Muzabori. His katana is raised high, blade pointed upward, ready to split the monster's head in half from top to bottom. Desu, full of determination, delivers the strike.
But Muzabori — he had already foreseen this move. He accelerates in a way that seems to break the very laws of reality.
*Muzabori:Too slow, he says in a demonic voice.
In one moment, Muzabori has his back turned, and in the next, he's already facing Desu with a raised fist, ready to deliver a devastating blow.
Desu, still descending with his blade aimed at Muzabori, doesn't even have time to react when the monster spins and strikes with all his monstrous strength. Muzabori's fist hits Desu square in the torso with tremendous force.
The impact is so immense that a shockwave spreads in all directions. Desu is thrown backward, and his flying body whistles through the air with a terrifying screech. The wind around Desu's airborne form destroys everything within several meters.
Desu finally crashes into a tree deep in the forest, his whole body slamming against it.
Desu:I'm not going to beat this fucker like this.
Desu quickly gets up, as if sensing what's coming, wounded and exhausted. Four black arms appear on his back, each grabbing a katana. Darkness begins to emanate from his body — an aura so black he now looks like a shadow himself.
He sheathes his two katanas in his real hands. In one of his hands, a large katana formed entirely of shadows appears. The katana radiates the same aura as Desu himself. Both the katana and Desu leave a trail of black light behind them.
A nearly-burned cigarette falls from his mouth.
At the same time, Muzabori watches from a distance — finally recognizing a threat he hadn't accounted for before.
Muzabori's eyes begin to glow with a scarlet light, leaving a luminous trace behind. Bright red markings start to form on his body like tattoos. A red aura bursts out from him.
In the palm of his hand — the one not holding the sword — an opening appears, capable of absorbing and releasing elements.
At this moment, both Desu and Muzabori surpass their limits.
Muzabori and Desu launch at each other with unimaginable speed, and their katanas clash with a sound like a thunderclap explosion. Each strike of their blades causes shockwaves to ripple through the air, destroying everything within dozens of meters.
Desu bursts from the shadows, attacking with a quick, precise upward slash. Muzabori parries the blade with such force that the ground beneath them cracks.
Muzabori swings downward at Desu's head. Desu dodges by tilting to the side and counters with an arcing slash toward Muzabori's torso. The katanas collide with immense power, and both warriors leap back several meters — only to immediately rush into battle again.
Desu, using the shadows, teleports behind Muzabori and makes a wide slash at his back. Muzabori turns with a speed beyond human comprehension and blocks the blow at the last second.
Their blades move so fast, they're almost invisible.
Desu attacks with all his strength, with precision and intensity aiming to cut Muzabori in half at the waist.
To his astonishment, his shadow katana slices through Muzabori's blade like butter — and cuts the monster in half at the waist along with his katana.
The sliced Muzabori, looking at his destroyed weapon, erupts in wild, inhuman rage. Instantly, his legs reattach to his torso. His aura explodes, and the ground around him begins to shatter, as if it can no longer withstand the weight of his power. His body practically embeds itself into the earth from the overwhelming force. Desu is thrown back.
*Muzabori:You fucker! he roars, his voice echoing through the entire forest like thunder.
His aura detonates with unimaginable might — the world around him seems to vanish, consumed by the all-powerful, pulsing energy of Muzabori. A red glow surrounds his body, as if he were the ruler of Hell itself, and the space around trembles, as though reality itself can no longer endure the weight of his existence.
Muzabori raises one hand in a gesture of absolute dominance, from which red flames burst forth, and the sky above them darkens. The air thickens with energy that seems to crush everything around.
At a speed that defies all comprehension, he charges at Desu. At the moment of impact, there's no time to react.
Muzabori's strike lands with the force of a meteor colliding with the earth. A blinding flash cuts through space, and the resulting shockwave instantly annihilates everything within the strike's radius. The ground splits open, unable to withstand the unleashed power — tearing apart as if the very structure of the world is crumbling under the pressure.
Rocks explode into dust. The air vibrates with a terrifying noise, like an incoming tornado — only louder, deeper, more primal.
Everything within a kilometer is turned to ashes.
Before Desu can take the hit, Jigoku vanishes like a shadow, dissolving into darkness.
Desu takes the full brunt of the blow. He manages to absorb part of the energy, blocking it with invisible shadows, which is the only reason he's still alive at all. The entire right side of his body, however, literally ceases to exist — his arm and leg vanish without a trace, and from his torn torso, jagged ribs protrude.
The shadow around him trembles, pulses, as if barely keeping him alive.
Desu kneels on his left knee, supporting himself with his left hand on the ground. Barely alive after taking the blow.
Muzabori stands above Desu and smirks mockingly, looking straight down at him.
Desu:This is the end. I have no choice, he thinks.
With the last of his strength, Desu wobbles on his knee, grabs his katana with his barely functioning left hand, and stabs it into his own torso — piercing his heart. Then he utters the word:
"HARAKIRI."
Muzabori receives the exact same wound as Desu — a hole appears in his chest, identical to the one in Desu's, and blood begins to flow from it.
*Muzabori:You think this will kill me? You humans really are pathetic, stupid, and inept, he says in a mocking tone.
While Muzabori's attention is distracted by his own speech and overconfidence, an invisible shadow blade from Desu slices off Muzabori's head. His head is simply severed.
Then, Muzabori's head drops to the ground with a thud, as if it weighed a ton, and the sound of it hitting the earth fills the dead silence around them.
Muzabori's headless body begins to tremble, as if still trying to regenerate. Then, his body turns to ash and is carried away by the wind.
Desu:You're the one who's stupid.
Desu smiles, then collapses to the side with the katana still piercing his chest — and dies.