Knock knock!
The sound of a door rattling softly made Kanashi rustle in his futon.
Knock knock!
“Just another ten minutes!” Kanashi groaned, rubbing his eyes.
“But you’re already late for school!” A voice on the other side of the door called out.
“!” Kanashi literally leapt out of his futon in response. His eyes shot wide open and muscles flexed. Then he realized it, he graduated from high school last year. Not only that but he wasn’t even at his house. He was in Edoland inside a police officer's guest room.
“Awake now?” The voice on the other side of the door laughed.
“Yeah…” Kanashi grumbled, walking over to the door and sliding it open.
“Well then good morning!” Kenken said with a warm smile.
“Yeah, good morning.” Kanashi sighed with a stretch.
“My wife made some breakfast so get dressed and then come meet us.”
“Yes sir.” Kanashi yawned, sliding the door closed.
# # #
The smell of syrup and eggs quite literally dragged Kanashi by the nose into the house's kitchen. When he entered he saw the table set with Kenken and his wife already seated and smiling.
“Good morning.” Kenkens wife Kaeri said with a smile. Her Shinkai was not nearly as good as Kenkens but she could still hold a decent conversation.
“Good morning.” Kanashi laughed nervously, taking his seat. “What's up with the western style breakfast?”
“You said you didn’t like Edo style breakfast the other day so she made you something to fit your palette.” Kenken said, taking a sip from his coffee.
“Ah, you didn’t need to go out of your way for me like this, Kaeri-San!” Kanashi said, turning to Kenkens wife.
“It’s fine, you’re gonna need a full belly to fight!” Kenkens wife laughed.
“Oh… yeah.” Kanashi muttered looking at the plate in front of him. It was stacked with pancakes, eggs and sausage. It was the most cartoonish western style breakfast you could imagine. You wouldn’t be a fool to expect Kanashi to complain about being late to school and only grabbing a single piece of sausage before sprinting out the door as techno music plays.
Okay it wasn’t that crazy but still, this was an impressive amount of food.
She must have thought I would still be hungry like I was last night… Kanashi thought while taking a bite of the egg. They were scrambled of course and tasted different then what he remembered having in Azhar. Perhaps the breed of chicken was different? Either way it was still a fine taste, just a bit more savory and with a thicker texture.
“...”
“What’s wrong Kanashi, not feeling well?” Kenken asked, seeing Kanashi stare at his plate with hollow eyes.
“No… It just feels kinda weird to eat breakfast like this even though we’re gonna fight later… we could die and yet I’m here eating pancakes…”
“Do you not like them?” Kenkens wife asked with a frown.
“No! They’re delicious, believe me! It just feels wrong... Like we should already be fighting or something.” Kanashi sighed.
“Hm, I see.” Kenken nodded.
“You do?” Kanashi hummed nervously.
“Yes I do.” Kenken affirmed. “NOW EAT!” He screamed out so loud that the entire house seemed to shake.
Kanashi flinched and threw his arms up to block any incoming swing.
“...”
“?”
Kanashi peaked out behind his hands and saw Kenken trying not to laugh while his wife smacked him on the shoulder with her slipper.
“Sorry Sarumalder-San, it’s just.” Kenken erupted into laughter clutching his stomach as if this was a gut busting joke.
“Just what?” Kanashi growled, feeling embarrassed at his cowardly display.
“You need to eat! If you feel wrong for eating that’s fine with me! Starve and be weak! Die in your battle today while fighting a two faced war! One against your own body and the other against a powerful opponent. But don't you dare make my wife's cooking go to waste!” Kenken said firmly before breaking out into another fit of laughter.
“...” Kanashi sat there thinking about what he just said.
He’s right, I need to eat. I’ll only hurt others by giving into these absurd and selfish feelings.
With that decided Kanashi devoured the food on his plate . Every piece and crumb until he felt ready to explode.
“...”
“...”
“I know I said eat but you still need to be able to walk…” Kenken sighed, staring at the inflated Kanashi.
“I’ll burn it off when using magic.” Kanashi grumbled feeling his shirt about to rip.
“Hm, I guess you’re right. I can’t use high level magic so I wouldn’t know about it but I’ll take your word for it.” Kenken said putting his uniform on over his button up shirt.
“High level magic?” Kanashi questioned, raising his brow.
“Yeah, spells and the like. To someone like me you’re an olympic athlete of magic. I can barely get my head around the three basics.”
“...”
Maybe I’m taking my abilities for granted… I expected to encounter a lot more powerful magic users on this trip so far and while I have it’s still a pretty low number. Out of the thousands of people I’ve seen I can count the number of competent magic users on my two hands… It’s like Rebecca said. I’m still trying to compare myself to monsters like Jin, Hayai and Julius…
“Well then it’s time to go. Are you ready to go Sarumalder-San?” Kenken asked, grabbing his car keys.
“Yeah, I’m ready as I’ll ever be.” Kanashi grunted, jumping to his feet. But I probably shouldn't have eaten so much… He thought feeling his stomach hurt from being so full.
“Sarumalder-Kun…” Kenkens wife whispered, grabbing Kanashis sleeve.
“Yes?” Kanashi hummed, turning to her with a smile.
“Take care of my Kensuke for me. Make sure he gets home safe.”
“...” It was like the entire world broke around Kanashi, his heart dropped and he felt as though he was ready to vomit.
Take care of Kenken? Make sure he gets home safe? She’s trusting me with that…? I-I can't even promise to keep myself safe. W-what if something goes wrong and he gets hurt? Will she blame me for it? Will she be mad I didn’t protect him? Can I make such a promise if I know I can’t possibly keep it…?
“Honey, don't pester him with such things!” Kenken said in Edogo.
“But I know how reckless you can be! You’re getting older now and can’t keep up with these youngsters!” His wife argued back in Edogo.
They continued to bicker back and forwarth for another few seconds before Kanashi cleared the air by grabbing Kenkens wife by the shoulders.
“!?” Kenkens wife jumped at the gesture but quickly settled down once she saw Kanashis wide smile.
“I’ll keep him safe. I promise!” He said with a toothy grin.
# # #
“The Blue Hawk hotel's penthouse is truly the most pristine location in all of Midorigawa. It’s a shame it’s in such a backwater city. I’d make into my main base if It was just a bit more full.” Sighed a dark skinned man. He had ruffled short blonde hair and a pair of dark sunglasses which glistend under the jeweled chandeliers light. This man was large, extremely so. He stood nearly seven feet tall and had a girthy build with wide shoulders that sprouted up into an equally wide and powerful neck. He wore nothing on his chest leaving his rippling muscles open and exposed to the hotel room's cool air.
He reclined arrogantly on the luxurious suede sofa and had his feet up on the fine China table top. Everything about this man gave off the aura of pride. It wouldn't be a stretch to argue he was only second to only Jinen Lutece himself in this aspect.
This pride-filled man was none other than Chujou Ugoki, the man in charge of monitoring Izumikas borders. Across from him was another man. One with a wretched appearance more befitting a demon or ghoul from a horror movie.
“You’re preaching to the quier here Ugoki.” The ugly man grumbled tapping his long and twisted fingernails on the china table top. To call this man ugly would be an understatement. He was not only ugly physically with a rat-like face and long unnaturally stretched limbs but his soul reflected his outside appearance. In fact his soul was infinitely more grotesque. Yes grotesque, that was a truly befitting title of this man. Honeitsu Guro the serial killer, spoken of in whispers by those unlucky enough to hear of his crimes. A cannibal who ate the raw intestines of his victims after mutilating them with his dull and rusted sickles.
“Tch’ what’s an ugly bastard like you gotta complain about here? Not like you’re gonna go outside looking for a woman or anything.” Ugoki grunted.
“This is too small of a town for me to do as I normally would. In a city like Tousen I can eat everyday without worry but here in this ants nest I’m already being searched for.” Guro complained with a whimper.
“Then stop being a freak and eat food like a normal person! I have the finest of boos and the richest of meats here yet you’d rather eat the shit of strangers.”
“I’d rather starve than eat that filth raw! The rich bitterness of one's innards and the differing textures are truly an unmatched delicacy. The smell and color only add to the experience! If it wasn’t for you dragging me to this place I’d be living the high life instead of starving!” Screeched Guro.
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
“Drag you here!? If it wasn’t for me you’d be dead already you little mongrel!”
“Geh!” Spat Guro, turning his head in anger. But even if he’d liked to forget it, Ugoki was telling the truth. After he’d failed to kill a high ranking member of the Toumeikan he was captured and imprisoned in an abandoned warehouse along with all the Yakuzas other prisoners. Subjected to the most brutal of tortures which his body still has the markings from, he was only saved by Ugoki seeing his usefulness.
They’d worked together for twelve years now yet they never once could see eye to eye. The arrogant master and the untameable servant, a powerful yet undesired combination.
“Well, at least my boredom will end soon.” Ugoki groaned, jumping up from the sofa and walking to the wall sized window which overlooked the city below.
“Can I eat my prey?” Guro asked, slithering behind Ugoki. “You know it’s frowned upon for a hunter to not eat his kill.”
“As long as you keep it hidden I don't care.” Ugoki barked, smacking Guro away. “If you play your cards right you’ll have plenty to eat down there, just make sure you don’t touch the old man. He’s mine.”
“Oh? Miyagami the God Of Karate? I didn’t know you were a fan of his~” Guro cackled.
“Think of it as a graduation ceremony, one long overdue… Now go and assume your position. Things will be starting shortly…”
“Okay, okay!” Guro sighed, rolling his eyes and slinking out the hotel's balcony door. Like a spider he climbed up the hotel's exterior wall and then leapt to the building across where he’d wait for his signal.
Now alone Ugoki let out a sigh and rubbed the crease between his brows. “To think you’d underestimate me so much Miyagami, betting it all on a simple barrier imbued with subpar illusionary magic. Did you forget who I am?” He said aloud for no one to hear. “But what was I expecting? That habit of yours led to where we are now…”
# # #
Kanashi sat in the alley across from the Blue Hawk hotel with a frown. To be honest he was expecting a lot more excitement than what he was getting at the moment.
After a meeting that morning at the police station they went to the location of the raid and split up. Kanashi was in charge of making sure nobody who attempted to flee was successful. Of course in a situation like this things being boring means they’re going well but he couldn’t help but feel disappointed.
His anxiety didn’t warrant this level of action. He was anticipating something much worse. Well things hadn’t truly begun yet so maybe he was counting his eggs before they hatched.
But this is weird, I feel like it should have started already… Kanashi thought. He looked up at the hotel waiting for the signal. Otsuga would use energy manipulation to send a large amount of tear gas up and into the penthouse where he, Sakashima and Naori would raid it.
Naori with help from a grimoire was able to cast a barrier infused with basic illusion magic. To those outside the barrier they saw the streets as empty instead of full of police officers.
Illusion magic was an extension of the Clairvoyance magical category. Clairvoyance might seem like a weak category but when taken to its limits it is one of the most useful. Controlling the information of the world can be a truly powerful weapon.
Kanashi checked the time on his phone and felt his heart skip a beat when seeing that Otsuga was three minutes late.
Did something happen? Did it go wrong? Kanashi wondered, feeling his stomach turn. Just then as if on cue there was an explosion. One from the side of the hotel near the 5th floor. A blast of fire and mana rippled through the atmosphere like a bomb had exploded.
“Kanashi!” The sound of a worried Kenkens cry called Kanashi out of his thoughts and made him look behind him.
“Get down!” Kenken yelled, jumping on Kanashi.
SLASH!
There was a sudden flash of red and the sound of a metal chain clacking. Blood sprayed through the air and Kenkens torso fell from his lower half.
It all happened too fast to properly process. Kanashi could only stand there with a blank expression as Kenkens blood trickled down his cheek. He slowly looked down and saw the man he swore to protect lying there.
He was nearly split into two. Only vaguely connected by his spine and some flesh.
“Kenken?” Kanashi muttered with his eyes widened.
“Tch, I was hoping to take you both out with that.” A voice came from above.
Kanashi looked up at the voice's owner to see a hideous creature of a man. His face was like a rats and he was abnormally thin with elongated limbs. Hanging from his hand was a chain with a short sickle at the end of it. The sickle dripped fresh blood into the alley, this was Honeitsu Guro.
[Itachi!]
In a rage Kanashi conjured Itachi and clutched it hard enough for his knuckles to turn white.
Almost instantly after Kanashi conjured Itachi and faster than one could blink, Guro threw his sickle and chain at Kanashi.
“!”
Kanashi's observation flashed red and he dove to the side, narrowly dodging the attack.
[Kyoyu Style: Yuuka!] As soon as Kanashi dodged he shot an emission of mana straight at Guro who grunted in surprise. He leapt down to the floor right as the window ledge he had been standing on was sliced in half.
Guro retracted his Sickle with a snap, the total length now being only a few inches. Guro stood hunched over himself with a sneer staring at Kanashi.
That chain's length can extend and shrink whenever he wants it to. Probably a transmuted weapon with some kind of vague condition for it to work. Is this Nobunaga? No, Nobunaga uses a sword, not a sickle and chain. It also wouldn’t make sense for him to be out here… is he a 3rd party? No, he was already here and waiting. He must be another member of the Toumeikan who was kept hidden.
“Hope you don’t mind me~” Guro said, sqatting down and taking a handful of Kenkens' intestines. “Itadakimasu~” He hummed, taking a bite out of the innards.
“Stop.” Kanashi hissed with flared nostrils. “Don't disrespect his body like that!” He roared, activating [Mudd].
“Gleh!” Guro growled, jumping back to avoid the incoming golems charge. The intestines still hanging from his mouth. “It’s such a waste to let good food rot on the floor.”
“That’s not food you sick bastard!” Kanashi cried with a large vein on his forehead.
Guro threw his sickle [Kamage] at the golems making it extend far enough to hit them. He then swung it as he did so, slicing through them all at once.
Kanashi, seeing his chance, jumped up and over the chains, sticking Itachi through one of the rings and casting stone at the base of the blade to lock the chain in place.
“Gah!” Guro grunted, feeling his chain unable to retract. “Hey no fair!” He cried.
[Hellstorm!] Kanashi threw out his hand and shot a car sized ball of fire towards Guro.
[Kamage!]
“!”
Sensing something coming in quickly, Kanashi ducked and rolled to the side right as a second sickle was thrown towards him.
He has two!?
“You made me bring out my second. And I don't like that!” Guro cackled, running straight through the fire.
He jumped through the fire to avoid the actual brunt of the explosion!?
As if to make things worse the Sickle and Chain suddenly shifted direction mid air defying physics.
“!”
Kanashi grabbed Itachi's handle and ripped it from the ground, he threw it up right as the sickle was about to hit his eyes.
Though he blocked the attack, the backside of his katana still smashed into his nose.
Now that the first sickle was free Guro ripped it back and then swung it at Kanashi again, this time aiming for his hip.
[Bog!]
Kanashi turned the floor beneath himself into a quagmire and sucked himself down. The Sickle going right over his head.
“You’re good!” Guro laughed.
The sickle which had aimed for Kanashis hip changed direction mid air and this time was aiming for the side of his ribs.
Kanashi pulled himself to the side as quick as he could but the end of the sickle still sliced his right arm's triceps open. “Gah!” He yelped, feeling the burning sensation of his muscle fibers being exposed.
Both chains retracted back to Guros hands where they once again shrunk to only a few inches in length.
“Ha-ha-ha…” Kanashi panted pushing himself out of the [bog].
“You’re clearly not a citizen like I’d thought so who exactly are ya bud?” Guro asked.
“I never go first.” Kanashi croaked out, wiping the sweat from his forehead.
I can’t lose my cool, if I freak out and act on impulse he’ll kill me. Then Kenkens death would mean nothing… Kanashi looked at Kenken who was lying still as a puddle of blood quickly formed under him.
I didn’t know him very well. We’re not friends or even acquaintances. We just met a few days ago… but he was nothing but nice to me. I won't mourn your death as hard as others would but I know that I’ll avenge you. I’ll arrest this freak even if I get a limb cut off in the process.
“Geh, how rude. The challenger is responsible for posing their name first. But I guess I’ll excuse your manners as being a foreigner. Since you asked, my name is Honeitsu Guro. At least Guro is the name they gave me.”
“So it’s not your real name?”
Guro didn’t try to respond, he threw his [Kamage] at Kanashi aiming for his neck, Kanashi threw up Itachi in time, deflecting the blade.
“...”
Kanashi kept his guard waiting to see if the chain would change direction but it didn't. Guro pulled it back and then threw his other [Kamage].
[Mudd!]
Slamming his foot down a half dozen frog golems spawned each using their tongues to restrain [Kamage]
“!”
[Kamage] changed direction mid air, once again defying physics. It flew to the right avoiding the Golems tongues.
“Grab it!” Kanashi commanded his golems. He could only imbue a simple command such as [Grab that chain]. More complex programming would require [Manipulation] an intermediate skill Kanashi had yet to gain a foothold in.
The frogs obeyed and tried to restrain the chain and sickle once again but it changed direction mid air.
That’s two changes… there must be a limit to how many times it can shift like that… Kanashi thought.
“!”
The Kamage now changed direction for a 3rd time. Now smashing the golems from above in a single swing, Upon which it retracted.
[Kamage!]
Without pause Guro threw his second sickle and chain.
Kanashi once again deflected it with Itachi, Kamage bounced off his sword and changed direction but at the same time Guro threw his second weapon. Now the two [Kamage] were flying at him at the same time. One aiming for his neck and the other his left leg.
Kanashi pushed all his aura into his leg and leapt into the air above the weapons.
“!”
The two Sickles shifted direction following Kanashi upwards into the air. Kanashi kicked off the buildings wall next to him and flipped backwards. Avoiding the Sickles again.
“!”
The first Kamage retracted to Guro but the second, which was only on its second shift, followed Kanashi.
Kanashi was falling sideways through the air, the Kamage flew towards his chest and he swung Itachi to deflect it upwards. While it succeeded the sickle still managed to graze the side of his stomach slicing his flesh. Upon slicing him it retracted back to Guro.
Kanashi clutched his side which throbbed in pain.
[Shield: Rubber!]
Before falling to the floor Kanashi cast a shield and bounced off it like a trampoline. Falling to the floor with a skid, Kanashi gasped for air between shallow breaths.
“!”
The hole in his stomach had begun to ache in sync with the cut on his tricep and side. It was only a dull ache but if he continued to move like he just had the seal would break and he would be subject to that horrible pain once again.
But I got what I wanted out of this… Kanashi had analyzed Kamage and came to the following conclusions.
> Kamage can extend to a length of at least 15 meters
>It can change direction mid air up to three times
>Once hitting a target (human) it will retract
But how can I exploit this…?
“You never introduced yourself didya?” Guro asked.
“Kanashi, Sarumalder Kanashi.”
“Ho, A Saharian? I’ve yet to taste their intestines. Now I’m excited!” Guro threw both Kamage out at the same time. They each flew through the air changing direction rapidly.
Kanashi putting his Observation to the max was able to prevent any fatal wounds. His eyes burned and ears ached from their extraneous use. However the little cuts quickly stacked. Everytime Kamage would retract after slicing his skin Guro would not hesitate to throw it out once again.
“!”
Kanashi poured sweat and blood as he tried to defend with Itachi. Thankfully Itachi was a durable blade as it took these beatings like a champion. A normal katana would have shattered long ago.
[Bog!] Kanashi cast his spell and extended the range in a thin straight line aiming for Guro.
“Tch!” Guro jumped into the air to avoid the bog but was surprised when a massive tongue shot out of the quagmire and grabbed his leg. “What!?”
[Mudd!]
The massive tongue was in fact that of a frog which pulled Guro down towards the [Bog]. But right before he was swallowed, Kanashi deactivated [Bog] and Guro slammed down onto the hard concrete floor.
“!”
Guro bounced off the floor with a crash. Blood spewing from his head, nose, mouth and eyes.
“You bastard!” He croaked feeling his broken bones attempt to mend themselves.
Kanashi, not giving him the chance, charged forwards bringing Itachi over his head and swung it down onto Guro.
[Kyoyu Style: Yuuka!]
While Kanashi swung Itachi downwards he imbued it with mana which resulted in a blast which sliced the concrete floor itself a foot or so deep.
Guro still had his [Kamage] out and behind Kanashi, instead of retracting it towards him he had the Chain retract the sickle. He was able to avoid the attack by a sliver.
“Ha!” Guro laughed as he skied across the floor. Throwing his second [Kamage] out he wrapped it around a pole in the alley and pulled himself upwards getting a high point advantage.
He can retract it the other way too!? Kanashi gawked.
“This fight has made me really hungry so I'll finish it quickly.” Guro said with a disgusting grin.
“Try me.” Kanashi scoffed.