The night air was crisp as Rinne and Shigure stepped out of the office building. Rinne kept her gaze fixed ahead, but the slight furrow in her brow showed her simmering annoyance. Shigure had, once again, stolen her kill, and the thought of it gnawed at her pride.
Shigure walked beside her, hands tucked nonchalantly into his pockets, his katana swaying gently at his hip. He glanced sideways at Rinne, a subtle smirk playing on his lips, but said nothing. The silence stretched, taut with unspoken words.
As they approached the street, they both halted abruptly. Standing under the soft glow of a solitary streetlamp was a man they had never seen before. He possessed an arresting presence that was impossible to ignore. His shoulder-length hair cascaded like silver silk, framing a chiseled face with sharp cheekbones and a strong jaw. His eyes were a piercing blue, holding a depth that seemed to see right through them. Dressed in an elegant white robe that trailed in the soft evening breeze, he exuded an air that made Rinne confuse him for an aristocrat for just a brief moment. In his hands rested a worn leather-bound cross-covered book, its edges frayed and pages well-thumbed.
The man's lips curved into a polite smile as his gaze settled on the armbands emblazoned with the Nightguard star. "Good evening," he greeted, his voice smooth like velvet yet carrying an undertone that set Rinne's nerves on edge. "I couldn't help but notice the esteemed Nightguard's presence. Word has it you've recently welcomed new recruits."
Rinne exchanged a quick glance with Shigure. There was something off about this man—the way his eyes lingered just a moment too long, the subtle tension in his posture that belied his cordial demeanor. His smile didn't quite reach his eyes, and there was a glint there that hinted at concealed intentions.
"We're a bit occupied," Shigure replied tersely, his body subtly shifting into a defensive stance. His hand moved to rest lightly on the hilt of his katana, fingers flexing ever so slightly. Rinne noted the change with a flicker of surprise; she'd rarely seen him this alert, his usual carefree attitude replaced by sharp focus.
The man's smile widened, revealing perfect, unnaturally white teeth. "Straight to business, then. I was curious to see the caliber of talent the Nightguard has gathered. Consider this a... friendly assessment."
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Without another word, he opened his book, the pages rustling like dry leaves in the quiet night. His movements were fluid, almost theatrical, as he selected a particular page. With a swift tug, he tore it free, holding it delicately between his fingers. The page began to smolder at the edges, embers dancing along the parchment.
"Contract Materialize: Kitsune," the man whispered, his voice like a breath of wind.
The page ignited with a sudden whoosh, fire racing across its surface in a voracious blaze. The flames licked hungrily at the edges before collapsing inward, leaving behind a plume of ashes that twisted unnaturally in the air. From the swirling remnants, something began to take shape—a figure bathed in an eerie, shifting light that seemed to defy the natural spectrum.
When the glow finally dimmed, she was there, standing beside the man. She was beautiful—though that word felt clumsy, like trying to capture a storm in a teacup. Her silken black hair spilled over her shoulders in waves that shimmered, catching what little light the evening offered. Her kimono was a riot of gold and crimson, patterns coiling and shifting like living things, refusing to settle.
Then there were her eyes. Amber, bright enough to sear, and filled with a mischief that tugged at the edges of her smile. It wasn’t a kind smile. Not entirely. It was the kind that made you want to take a step closer even when every survival instinct screamed at you to back away. Behind her, a fox tail swayed lazily, its movements unhurried, as if the world had all the time to watch her.
Rinne's breath caught in her throat. "Did he just summon a Genju?!!!”
For the second time this night, before she could react, Shigure moved. He launched himself forward, mana surging around him like a veil of flames. His katana sliced through the air in a whistle. The Kitsune barely had time to widen her eyes before she was cut down, her form disintegrating into a shower of fragments that dissipated into the night.
The silver-haired man didn't flinch. Instead, he closed his eyes briefly as a gust of wind stirred his robe—the only sign of Shigure's swift passage. A sly smile curved his lips as he reopened his eyes, now gleaming with amusement. "So fast," he mused, his tone dripping with mock admiration. "Unbelievably fast."
Shigure landed smoothly, turning to face the man with his katana still at the ready. "Stop it with the flattery. You’re next.”
The man chuckled softly, a sound that sent a chill down Rinne's spine. "Ah, but it's not over yet." He met Shigure's gaze, his own eyes narrowing with cunning. "You've already fallen under Kitsune's curse."