“Goodness, my head is pounding,” she muttered to herself, lifting her head and shoulders off of the ground. Leaning to the side, she glimpsed her legs. They were thin and muscular, a sharp contrast to her pudgy ankles she had grown to love over the years. Her thin muscular ankles shown beneath her wide-legged blue pants. Taking in her full uniform, she realized that they dressed her in civilian clothes, wearing a vertical striped poncho. While she raised her head, she felt the chest plate underneath cut into her torso.
She moved her feet by rotating her ankle and instantly felt the muscular power she held within her thin and compact structure.
The air smelled of salt as a cool breeze brushed across her cheeks. There, she saw the most picturesque site she had ever seen. The purple and crimson fog rolled from the mountain tops and descended on the main castle tower. “Wow!” she muttered in amazement. She took a moment to gather where she was. It seemed the figured dropped her amid grassy knolls that were located outside the gates of Nara.
The faint smell of sea salt and ocean spray filled her nostrils as she climbed to her feet. Standing lower than she was used to when she was Ayuka, she realized that she was no longer her. Ayuka had a large stature, standing around a five-foot, eight inches. No, she gathered she was only around a five-foot, maybe two inches.
While she examined her hands, noticing the thin and muscular build that they had, encased in black gloves, she realized that she was no longer Ayuka, but now she was Hikari, the character she developed in Kunoichi Online: Blade Wars.
For a moment, Ayuka missed her large physique, realizing that being taller than most females had its advantages. Her view from her smaller frame did not allow her to see as far over the horizon than she was normally used to.
She found that if she looked to the far right of her vision, she could see her player character’s character sheet. Then she realized that this was not her player character, but instead, it was her. It read:
Character Stats: Hikari Himukai
Age: 19
Sex: Female
Faction: Erīto Preparatory Academy
Cover: College Student
Conviction: Loyalty
Rank: Chunin - Level 4
Skills: Analysis, Tactics, Encryption, Poison, Blade, Multiplicity, Rumor Mongering, Interrogation Diversion, Hypnosis, Shaming, Slight of Hand, Contortionist, Speed, Aerial Arts, Acrobatics , Hand to Hand, Blade
Ninpo: Assassin (Blade), Shadow Clone (Multiplicity), Cross Cut (Blade)
Interesting. Hikari was a member of the Erīto Preparatory Academy. The notion that she would head there for her training was enough to make her gag. Nearly vomiting in her mouth, she curled the urge, and snapped back at the task at hand, joining the Kanga Clan. Looking over the character sheet further, Hikari assessed that this was close to the skills that she had earned in the game. Hikari was an expert at using a blade, mixing and concealing poisons, and the use of pyromancy. Hikari was reluctant to begin again in the Erīto Preparatory Academy, when she had earned herself a spot in the Kanga Clan, in Kunoichi Online, but that was the deal she made, and she would adjust accordingly.
Hikari remembered the six attributes and the eleven skills under each attribute. She could view them on a separate screen in her vision if she looked further to the right, past her character sheet.
Kunoichi Online Attribute and Skills
Advancements
-Acupuncture
-Pyromancy
-Torture
-Advanced Armor
-Rope Work
-Hydromancy
-Hidden Weapons
-Medicine
-Demolition
-Farming
-Engineering
Manipulation
-Poison
-Seduction
-Trapping
-Intimidation
-Deception
-Performance
-Rumor Mongering
-Interrogation
-Diversion
-Hypnosis
-Shaming
Tactical Combat
-Slight of Hand
-Footwork
-Contortionist
-Speed
-Endurance
-Aerial Arts
-Acrobatics
-Hand to Hand
-Blade
-Strength
-Athleticism
Covertness
-Escape
-Evasion
-Interception
-Ventriloquism
-Invisibility
-Disguise
-Multiplicity
-Concealment
-Craftiness
-Fraudulence
-Burglary
Methodology
-Husbandry
-Analysis
-Memory
-Contacts
-Encryption
-Signal
-Insight
-Tactics
-Perception
-Nature
-History
Dark Arts
-Necromancy
-Illusion
-Domination
-Summoning
-Conjuring
-Transmutation
-Transformation
-Clairvoyance
-Curse
-Channeling
-Possession
The skills she had in the Methodology attribute seemed like what she remembered. Obviously with Hikari being downgraded to a different clan than the Kanga Clan she lost some advancements she had made in Kunoichi Online.
Since Erīto Preparatory Academy specialized in Methodology, three of her skills came from that attribute. They were Analysis, Tactics, and Encryption. Hikari thought back to when she was Ayuka, choosing the skills. In Kunoichi Online, a player character chooses three skills from their clan attribute and three skills of their choosing. Since Ayuka’s goal was to become a member of the Kanga Clan, she planned her skills to align with that clan’s focus. Ayuka had chosen Multiplicity, Poison, and Blade for her additional skills. The Kanga Clan specializes in the Manipulation attribute. When Hikari would be recruited to the Kanga Clan, she would then exchange her Methodology skills for Manipulation skills.
The six skills, three from the clan’s focused attribute and three of the player’s choosing were known as the Assigned Skills in Kunoichi Online. These skills activated the Ninpo with a successful skill check. Hikari remembered that she was limited her to one Ninpo action per round when engaged in combat. As Hikari would advance and level up, there were Advanced Ninpo that she could gain. It disheartened Hikari that she had lost several of the Advanced Ninpo that she had earned when Ayuka was playing her. However, she resolved to gain those skills back and become a member of the Kanga Clan.
Then Hikari looked to the far left of her vision. That is where she found her Stats.
Abilities
Hikari Himukai
Strength: 12 (+1)
Agility: 12 (+1)
Intelligence: 0 (-5)
Stamina: 24 (+7)
Luck: 12 (+1)
Attack: 24 (+7)
Accuracy: 0 (-5)
Defense: 9 (-1)
Evasion: 18 (+4)
Then Hikari remembered how these mechanics, abilities, fed into the Attributes and ultimately the Skills followed by the Ninpo. It comprises each of the Attributes of two Stats.
Looking at her abilities, she grew concerned over her Accuracy Ability. Judging by that low score, it worried her that she could not hit the broad side of a barn. However, the remaining stats appeared to be solid. She well knew that she could get around that Intelligence Ability score and the Defense Ability could be managed. This revelation was not an entire let down. To get into the Kanga Clan, she knew that she would need to increase all the scores. That would come naturally as she leveled up.
The modifiers looked good to her, except the accuracy, which still worried her. Hikari knew that they calculated the modifiers from the total score possible, which was 30. Each score increase would increase the modifier. Essentially, the rule of thumb for calculating a modifier was to divide the Attribute Score by 2, subtract 10 and then round to the nearest integer.
Hikari looked forward to joining the Kanga Clan because they excelled in just about every Attribute and Ability. Remembering from her gameplay, the Kangas had members who specialized in potions, poisons, technological advancements, martial arts, strategy, and of course the art of persuasion. Some were even sorceresses, who practiced some Dark Arts. They taught each other what they knew since they abandoned their initial clan.
The Kangas specialized in all the Attributes, unlike the other clans. Therefore, once Hikari would be initiated into the clan, the Advancement Attribute would naturally increase as she would be granted access to the advancements of the clan.
Attributes Based on the Ability Score Average
Attributes are determined by the average of the ability scores.
Advancements: Accuracy + Intelligence
Manipulation: Luck + Evasion
Tactical Combat: Strength + Agility
Covertness: Evasion + Defense
Methodology: Stamina + Attack
Dark Arts: Intelligence + Evasion
Attribute Score
Advancements: 0 (-5)
Manipulation: 15 (+2)
Tactical Combat: 12 (+1)
Covertness: 13 (+1)
Methodology: 24 (+7)
Dark Arts: 9 (-1)
*Scores are rounded down to the nearest integer.
It was apparent that since her Attributes and Abilities were skewed toward Methodology (Attack and Stamina) that was also the specialty of the clan she was begrudgingly a member of, the Erīto Preparatory Academy. The World of Shadows knew them for their abilities to win missions and battles based on their ingenuity. They possessed strong analytical minds and demonstrated excellence in command on the battlefield. Too bad her Intelligence Ability did not follow this. Perhaps she would gain experience in that Ability by learning from others.
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
Hikari looked further to the left and found more information regarding her level and health.
Hikari Himukai
Class: Ninja
Level: Level 4 - Chunin
Honor Beads to Next Level: 10
Health: 6 LP
Armor Class: 5*
Magic: 18 MP**
Alignment: Chaotic Neutral
Ninpo per Round: 1
*[Level (4) multiplied by Defense (9)]/8 rounded up to the nearest integer.
**Intelligence + Evasion
Looking even further to the left, Hikari could gather even more information about herself. “Level Chunin!” she muttered in astonishment under her breath. No good deity made a rotten deal. What she was starting with was embarrassing. That deity lied to her to get her to take the deal, and now she was left at Level Chunin, with hardly any armor. Forget about performing any magic or spells with that low of Magic Points, but based on the Evasion Ability Score, which yielded her a respectable amount of MP (Magic Points), it appeared that Hikari would eventually have the ability to perform some sorcery. The Life Points were decent and seemed to be on the par for the level she was at. The Amor Class was low, but that was because of her low level.
She remembered that Ayuka had left off with Hikari at Level Jonin-Gashira, in the Kanga Clan, one of her biggest accomplishments. That was the level under Kage, the leader of the clan. Hikari felt taken advantage of, however, she knew how to level herself up quickly and knew how to get the Kanga Clan to recruit her. This was a mild setback from what she was expecting.
Hikari was grateful that she was in her favorite game playing as her favorite character. For a brief moment, she thought back to her old life as Ayuka and wondered how she could go back. Failing a math class that she didn’t need, to get a degree she didn’t need, to get a job she didn’t want. She wanted to design video games, but she would probably get a job with Google, coding apps. She only wanted the job with Google to make her parents proud. Her real passion was gaming and now she was living fully immersed in her passion.
Inventory
Equipped:
Pouch
2 Gold Coins
4 Shuriken
Civilian Clothing: Travel Cape with Hood and Pants
Armor: Karuta Chest Plate
Not Equipped:
Black Shinobi Ninjutsu Stealth Uniform
Black Tabi Boots
Black Tabi Socks
Arm Gauntlets
Hood with Mask
Ninjatō
She yearned for the red robe she had gained when she was initiated into the Kanga Clan. She had her first mission. Seeing that she would wear a black stealth uniform made it troublesome for Hikari, her existence became wrapped up in being a member of the Kanga Clan. She vowed to get out of the Erīto Preparatory Academy as soon as possible and get recruited into the Kanga Clan. However, with her low status, low abilities, and minor attributes, she was would be benched in any junior varsity squad of any ninja clan, let alone the be recruited by the elite Kanga Clan. Hikari realized that she would require to level up and do so quickly.
Materializing in the verdant knolls located outside the gates of Nara, Hikari found herself alone. That was done deliberately since this had to look awkward at best.
* * *
Before Hikari could realize what was going on, she noticed three gusts above her skull. She recognized what those were. Shuriken. Throwing stars, but from where? Scared to lift her head any further, attempting to make herself a broader target than she already was, but she would have to move quickly.
Armed with her breastplate and four Shuriken, she had no option but to confront whatever threw the stars at her. Spring up, using a nip-up by placing her palms flat on the ground on either side of her head and lifting her legs and spine into the supine position, she propelled her body from being flat on her back to now on her feet.
* * *
Surveying the lush hills from where she transpired, she saw nobody but the mist clouds rolling down from the mountain. Strange. Hikari well recognized that she felt the bursts of airflow above her head, narrowly missing the bridge of her nose, the sound of spinning shuriken was indisputable. Instinctively, she reached for her Ninjatō, which would normally be strapped to her back, hidden beneath her civilian clothes. Right. It was not equipped. Internally, Hikari panicked. What to do?
Then, through the fog, she witnessed three black-masked figures appear from the hazy cloud a hundred yards from where she stood in her fighting stance. Hikari reached into her pouch and took out one of the shuriken.
Hikari relied on her hours of practice as she felt the cool steel in her hand. Knowing that she only had four on hand, that throwing multiple shurikens at moving targets was the most effective technique for this situation.
In a rapid series, Hikari threw her first shuriken followed by the next at the approaching figure that led the charge, missing him. She took a deep breath when she saw the second one pierce the throat of the figure cloaked in black; the blood spraying in two directions as the shuriken pierced the flesh of the attacker.
Grabbing the other two shurikens in each of her hands, Hikari would use the last two as a fist load weapon for close-in fighting that would soon ensue. Hikari took a deep breath and braced herself for the attack.
Hikari swiped her fist across the attacker was within striking distance of her with the arms of the star protruding from her knuckles. Relieved she made solid contact, the rush in her body eased. Expecting a strike from the assailant, Hikari avoided the hand of the initial black-cloaked creature by inches as he encroached on her. Within an instant, Hikari’s vision went black, and she fell to the ground, landing on the side of her head. The error in her preparation cost her seventy LP, she watched the update come across her vision.
The attack went so fast that she did not know what happened to her. Her eyes squinted open, and she witnessed a civilian-cloaked ninjitsu practitioner with a long staff weapon battling the two remaining ninja attackers. While her head settled on the ground, her temple buried between the grass blades, she looked at a symbol on the sleeves of one assailant. The Kagaku Clan. Why would they bother with an attack on her?
Meanwhile, she watched the frail, old, ninjitsu practitioner wield the long staff, striking one in the head, and with the other end, striking the other in the back. The practitioner then returned the staff to the first assailant, hitting him dead in the rib cage and whacking him over, the assailant’s body falling over the long staff. The master then speared the head of the selling assailant, the staff impeded into the ninja’s eye socket.
The master pulled the staff from the shinobi’s skull; the master had one last assailant to beat. The two squared off, and the master took a deep sigh before unleashing an onslaught of offensive attacks. Striking with one sector of the long staff then the other, the assailant blocked each attack, keeping in step with the practitioner. Finally, the practitioner performed two wrist rolls with the staff with both hands before he then did two helicopter spins overhead before striking the remaining ninja. First, with the front side of the staff in the chest and with the backside of the staff, hitting the back of the assailant’s skull. The practitioner knocked the ninja out cold from the head strike, then he speared the final assailant’s brain with the tip of the staff. He then trod on his head to pull out the embedded staff.
Hikari came to complete consciousness while caught the bearded man bludgeon the last ninja attacker the long staff to the eye socket and pulled out the staff. Who was that? She watched through her squinted eyes, regretting her decision to come to this world. This was tougher than she expected.
Across her vision she watched:
Ability increase: Intelligence 1 for genius use of using shuriken as a fist-loading weapon.
DMG = (20 + 12) * 6/8 - (9 + 18) * 4/8
Hikari took damage
LP decrease to 5
Lost Attribute: Advancement
MP increase to 19
As the last ninja attacker laid on his back, lifeless, the old, beard man approached Hikari. “Child, get up,” he commanded.
Hikari took a moment to determine her physical competence and realized she could sit up. Sitting on her sit bones, she took in the mystical man. His white, long goatee braided into two strands connected at his chin, moved as he walked and spoke. He cloaked himself in a white kimono secured with a tie with a white sash and had a bald head. His wrinkled skin had the worn look like leather, signifying his age. Hikari took a moment, not wanting to insult the man, but wanting to know why he took his time to save her. “Thank you,” she muttered.
“Get up!”
Hikari was taken aback by the man’s persistence in her moving, especially when all she wanted to do was lay there. Reluctantly, she rose to her feet.
“We must leave, now!” the man said with urgency in his voice as he grabbed the hand of Hikari pulling her across the field, far from the gates of Nara.
Without hesitation, Hikari followed the old warrior, running behind him. They crossed the grassy field, to the other side of the valley, opposite from the looming mountain range. Hikari looked behind her to see that more and more white clouds continued to roll down the mountainside, misty white ominous clouds continued like puffs of smoke filling the valley.
When they reached a cavernous area full of carved rocks, the two slowed and came to a stop. Hikari became impressed with her physical ability to run a long way at a rapid pace. She had the training of a ninja, and it was a sharp contrast to the physical condition of Ayuka, who panted walking to class.
The man led Hikari through a maze of caverns, deeper into the shallow hillside that lined the other side of the grassy valley. Hikari followed, trusting this man since he saved her. When the pair stopped at the entrance of a dark cave, the man said, “I am Shinobu Nanahoshi,” bowing to Hikari.
“I am Hikari Himukai,” answered Hikari bowing in reciprocity.
“This is my home, come in.”
Hikari followed the man into the dark cave where sconces of lit candles lined the walls. A fire was at the end of the cave where folded blankets laid next to it. Shinobu took a pillow from the corner of the cave and sat on it, maneuvering his legs into the lotus position, sitting with his legs awkwardly crossed, his palms resting on his knees. His back toward the fire and he closed his eyes.
Hikari, uncertain what to do sat on the ground facing him. She crossed her legs and put her palms on her knees, following Shinobu’s posture.
What felt like an eternity passed, as Hikari wondered who this man was and what she was doing there. Let alone why they had to vacate the area when they had defeated the enemy. So many questions swirled around in Hikari’s head, she burst at the seams. She used this time to look around. She opened the side corner of her eye and monitored the man who sat in front of her. A skilled ninjitsu practitioner, yet frail and thin. She looked to the side of him and saw incense burning by the fire. She had previously smelled something beautiful but did not know the source. The scent of burning jasmine filled her nostrils, assisting in her relaxation, despite this situation being awkward and anxiety-inducing.
She also saw by the fireplace, several weapons. Staff, ropes, several styles of sickles lined the wall near the fireplace. This guy had gear.
A few more moments passed by, and Shinobu opened his eyes. He said in a calm tone, “I must meditate after each battle, it helps calm my body and perfect my technique,” he explained. “I hope you did. It will keep your coordination sharp.”
“I did,” responded Hikari, fibbing slightly as meditation was foreign to her.
“You will get better at it, child.” Continuing, he said, “You are our future, child. I must cultivate and protect you, as your contributions to Nara will one day be greater than my own. Here, let me teach you how to do meditation.”
“All right.”
“Fortunately for you, I can teach you how to access your Focus and can show you how to direct your energy to broadening your abilities,” explained Shinobu.
Hikari did as Shinobu instructed her, pressing her eyes shut tightly and delving deeply inside herself, searching for the flowing focus that burned inside of her. Tapping into her internal power, she drew closer to the energy within. In her mind’s eye, she saw shifting colors and blurred lines weaving in and out of themselves. Radiating, like the cosmos, from within her she felt a warm fire burning inside her belly. As if comets and other celestial bodies produced atomic fission inside of her, resulting in pulsating energy. The energy grew at an exponential rate that Hikari turned fearful of what it might do. She opened her eyes in a panic, frightened at the explosions she could feel within her body.
“That’s it, child,” interrupted Shinobu. “That’s how you summon the ninja within.”
“Wow! I’ve never felt such a thing.” Hikari astonished by the power that she felt. She licked her upper lip to find a sheen of perspiration on it. The inward heat had made her sweat. As Hikari tasted the salt on her lip, she saw the words flash across her field of sight.
Being led through a guided meditation has yielded 1 increase in Intelligence. Intelligence 1 (-5).
Lost LP and Attribute Restored.
Guided meditation seemed to influence the Ability Scores. She did not remember this from the game. Perhaps this was one difference between life in Kunoichi Online and playing the game.
“I will be here to guide you as you need,” interjected Shinobu. “But you must see me every day.”
“Every day?” Hikari challenged, perplexed by the requirement.
“Right, every day. Do not let the dawn rise before you see me. I fear that there will be nights that will go late, but you must show your dedication.”
“That seems like a difficult task. I mean this place is several miles from Nara, and I’ll be at the Academy,” countered Hikari.
“Right, and you must make time.”
Not wanting to look a gift horse in the mouth, but still confused Hikari stopped fighting what seemed to be presenting itself to her. “Well, thank you for saving me,” said Hikari, once again.
“Now let’s get to that,” responded Shinobu. “I am called to mentor you. I am the former Kage of the Himitsu Agency, one of the critical forces trying to stop the summoning of Amun-Ra and the Clan of the Black Harvest.”
More words came across Hikari’s field of vision.
Mentor gained.
Being trained by Shinobu Nanahoshi will increase your abilities. Miss a day and you will suffer the consequences.
Hikari did not remember this part of the game either. There were no mentors in the game, but the user interface taught her what she needed to know and how to perform combat attacks. Perhaps Shinobu took the place of that.
“You’re a former Kage?”
“Yes. Of the Himitsu Agency.”
“So you worked for the Crown Prince?”
“Correct,” answered Shinobu. “Given my age, it was time for me to step aside and allow new blood to lead the clan. They must teach you well at Erīto Preparatory Academy.”
“They are.”
“Very well. I live now as a renunciate, in my cave away from all the villagers of Nara, the very ones that I spent my entire life protecting. I still love those who I protected from the shadows, but I have found that my mind wanted less stimulation, so I built this home in the caves here.”
“It’s lovely,” confirmed Hikari.
“So now, let’s get to why you’re here.” Shinobu paused, taking in deep breaths. Then he explained, “I’m sure you’ve heard of the kunoichis, the members of the Kanga Clan?”
“I have.” Hikari not sure if she should reveal that she knew the secret clan even in the World of Shadows.
“I thought you might have,” answered Shinobu to Hikari’s relief. “Over my time working with the government of Nara, I had run across circumstances of were strange and mystical things happened with no explanation. It was not until I married, that my dying wife told me her secret and asked me to keep it until I knew to tell it.” This story was getting a little deep for Hikari.
“Would you like to know what the secret is?” Shinobu asked.
“If you would like to tell me,” replied Hikari.
“Unbeknownst to me, my wife was a kunoichi and a member of the Kanga Clan. Even though I told her I worked for the government of Nara, she knew that I was the Kage of the Himitsu Agency from her connections in the Kanga Clan.”
“You must have been surprised by this revelation,” affirmed Hikari.
“To say the least. Now, let me explain further. Long before your time, the Crown Prince had an older brother and he would be the rightful heir to the throne of Ukiyo Komorebi and rule in Nara.”
“I wasn’t aware,” relented Hikari.
“Understandable. They tend to skip this part in schools. Anyway, this older brother was found to be evil and vile. He ascended to become the leader of the Clan of the Black Harvest, essentially creating the clan himself. Reports came into the Himitsu Agency that he murdered his father one night so he would gain power.”
“Fascinating!”
“Amun-Ra, the wicked founder and leader of the Clan of the Black Harvest, was on the verge of seizing Ukiyo Komorebi and by killing the King, he would completely rule the entire land.
“Wow!” Hikari exclaimed.
“That night, the Himitsu Agency invaded the temple where he lived to seek justice. As I approached his quarters, I was a Chunin at the time sent on top missions such as this, I witnessed something incredible. As I came down the smoke passage of the fireplace in his quarters, spying, I saw my first exposure of the Kanga Clan. Before Amun-Ra could take control of the kingdom, the leader of the Kanga Clan, Kikyo Minamoto KangaKage banished him and turned him into an enenra, a smoke creature, trapping him in an urn. She left with the urn. Rumor has it she then hid the urn in a faraway place, not to bother Ukiyo Komorebi again.”
“Whoa!” Hikari exclaimed.
“At the time, I did not know who this woman was, the one who saved Ukiyo Komorebi from the maniacal evil of destruction Amun-Ra displayed. Not until my dear, dying wife, Mina told me I put the pieces together. You see, the Kanga Clan is solely responsible for preventing the return of Amun-Ra. Over the years, it was thought that Amun-Ra developed a following as he practiced the Dark Arts, cultivating the Clan of the Black Harvest is one of his devotees. Over the years, he became the leader of the Clan of the Black Harvest.”
“I see.”
“Fast forward some time. Just a few years ago, the Clan of the Black Harvest, in an attempt to obtain the ultimate power of Ukiyo Komorebi and Nara, conducted a sacred dark ritual to bring Amun-Ra back. This ritual was designed to revive Amun-Ra as the ruler of Ukiyo Komorebi.”
“Interesting,” answered Hikari. Not wanting to allow that she knew that the Clan of the Black Harvest was the clan trying to revive Amun-Ra.
“Right. Well, the ritual that the Clan of the Black Harvest performed should sacrifice thousands of the residents of Nara, using their life force and sacred energy to summon Amun-Ra and bring him back from his enenra state.”
“Well, what happened?” Hikari asked, intrigued by the story as this part she did not know.
“The Kage of the Clan of the Black Harvest along with sorcerers in the clan could open a gate, summoning Amun-Ra through it. During the ceremony, the Kanga Clan realized the ceremony, and they ambushed the ritual, ending it. That is where my Mina died. The Kanga’s brought her back to my home and placed her in her bed as she died. I came home from work to find her. That is when she explained all of this to me.”
“I’m so sorry for your loss.”
“During the ambush, the incomplete ritual propelled uncontrolled dark magic in every direction, dispersing it across the capital city of Nara. This resulted in dwellers around the city transforming into Manicentients, the vilest and horrifying entity imaginable. They are the foulest creatures that roam this world. They infest dark places, take pride in decay, and drain all peace, happiness, and worst of all, hope from the surrounding people.”
“Manicentients?” Hikari asked.
“Right. The Manicentients are essentially wraiths that roam in this world. Dark creatures that fed on the souls of enlightened beings, but everyday villagers would suffice if that was all they could find. They are the deepest evil imaginable, however, they can present as their old villager body that they once inhabited, revealing themselves as the wraithlike being they are once they had convinced their prey to trust them.”
Hikari looked pale, and unable to speak, taking in the tale being told to her. Shinobu continued, “Now, the Clan of the Black Harvest is after the three holy relics of Ukiyo Komorebi. These holy relics can supply the power to revive Amun-Ra.”
“I see,” Hikari muttered. “What are they?”
“The three relics are the Sword of Valeria, the Mirror of Purity, and the Jewel of Prosperity. These are powerful and the Crown Prince’s sole purpose was to safeguard these treasures. Except they have been stolen, and no one knows where they are,” explained Shinobu.
“Oh, dear.”
“Through meditation, you came to me in a dream. That was when I found you in the grass being attacked. I believe you are the one to join the Kanga Clan and to help them find the holy relics. Mina often comes to me in my dreams and during meditation, and she guides me.”
“Me?” Hikari asked.
“Yes, you. Under my guidance, you need to be the next initiate of the Kanga Clan. I must prepare you for such a feat as the Kangas are extremely well trained and well prepared for their charge.”
“How will we accomplish this?”
“Leave that to me. For right now, you must return to Erīto and pretend like nothing is going on. I believe you have a mission tonight, so go on like nothing is amiss.”
Hikari rose from her seated position and left Shinobu seated in front of the fireplace as he closed his eyes once again.
Hikari bonded to Shinobu by faithfulness.