(???'s POV)
"Ah! Seriously, the boss can be a real demon when he wants to be," I muttered to myself as I trudged home after another grueling day at the office, every muscle in my body aching from the endless hours hunched over my desk. My boss had us working like slaves, pushing deadlines that seemed impossible. Still, despite the exhaustion weighing on me, I couldn't help but smile at the thought of dinner with my family. Chiaki always made the best meals, and I wondered what delicious dish she had prepared tonight. I hoped Yumi had a good day at school. She always shared the brightest stories that could light up any room.
As I got closer to our house, an uneasy feeling began to settle in my gut. The lights were off. That's strange, Chiaki and Yumi should have been home by now.
My steps quickened, heart pounding louder with each one. When I saw the front door ajar, panic seized me. I sprinted inside, my mind racing with fear. Please, let it not be what I think!
I stumbled into the dining room, and the sight before me made my blood run cold. There, lying motionless on the floor, were Chiaki and Yumi. Their eyes were open but lifeless, staring into nothingness. The table was set for dinner, plates filled with food now cold and untouched. Blood spattered across the room, a stark contrast against the once-welcoming walls.
My knees buckled, and I collapsed to the ground. Tears streamed down my face as I crawled toward them, my hands trembling. I reached out, touching Chiaki's cold hand, hoping for any sign of life. But there was none, the reality hit me like a sledgehammer.
"Why... Why... Why... Why... Why... Why... Why... Why... Why... Why... Why... Why... Why... Why... Why... Why... Why... Why... Why... Why... Why. Why! Why!! Why!!! WHY!!!" I repeated, my voice growing louder and more frantic with each word, escalating into a chant of despair.
"AAAAAAHHHHHHH!" I cried out, my voice echoing through the empty house until my throat was raw and my voice gave out, leaving only the haunting silence of the room.
.
.
.
I woke up in a dingy bed, the threadbare sheets sticking to my clammy skin. The room was decrepit, the building falling apart around me. Through the cracked window, I could see the landscape of ruins stretching out into the barren desert.
"This dream again..."
----------
(Minoru's POV)
"Hmm... What to do now?" I muttered to myself, breaking the silence. Now that I had accepted the mission, I needed to think about my plan of action. No eminence in shadow worth their salt would charge headfirst into a target without a solid strategy. According to the given information, Kurogane should be in the Mitaka zone within the Vortex World. Although that might have changed, I'd bet on my luck, which, after all, is my highest parameter.
I also needed to procure some Zio Stones or Kouha Stones to deal with the Daemon more efficiently. The problem was, I didn't have any money. Wait! If I can't buy them, why not recruit a demon that has one of those skills?
I headed towards a seating area in the club-a semi-circular couch perfect for planning. I settled in and opened the Demonic Compendium, scanning through it to find a demon that met my criteria.
Alright, let's see what we have here. Kodama, no. Onmoraki, no. Sandman, no. Gremlin, hmm... Yes, this one might work. It has the Zio skill and is more oriented toward magic. Though I would've preferred one that fights hand-to-hand and can use magic in tandem, you can't have everything in life. The demon on the screen has a light blue, elongated, and ghostly body that tapers to a point at the bottom. Its face features a mischievous grin with dark eyes and a small mouth. It holds a wrench in one hand and a hammer in the other. I seriously wonder when I'll get some demons that look cool because so far, all the demons I've recruited are female, and the next one is cute.
Well, it's not like I have all the time in the world. The demon won't recruit itself. I stood up from the couch and looked around to see if Akao was there, but there was no sign of her. So, I left Club Cretaceous.
To get to the Vortex World, Captain Aaron told me to go to the tower made of Magatsuhite that looks like an Amala Drum named the Tower of Ivory, even though it contains zero percent ivory. I really wonder how they built it because it's the first time I've seen Magatsuhite, but I can tell from a distance that's what it is. When I asked why the tower wasn't entirely red since, according to Burroughs, Magatsuhi in its physical form, Magatsuhite, is a red crystal, Aaron explained that by following a certain process, the appearance of Magatsuhite can be shaped at will. That's why the Tower of Ivory has this appearance.
The tower stood tall, its structure predominantly white with fine, bright red lines running through it. The red lines pulsed slightly, giving the entire structure an almost organic, breathing quality. It was both mesmerizing and slightly unnerving. As I approached, the immense size of the tower became more apparent, its towering height seemingly touching the sky.
"Time to go demon hunting, no or rather demon recruiting." I muttered to myself as I stepped inside the tower. The interior was even more awe-inspiring, with the red lines forming intricate patterns along the walls. The air was thick with the energy of Magatsuhi, making my skin tingle with anticipation.
Inside, the Tower of Ivory was bustling with activity. Devil Summoners were everywhere, some engaged in intense discussions, others quietly focused on their own tasks. Receptionists were stationed at various points, assisting summoners with information, missions, and general inquiries. The atmosphere was a mix of urgency and calm efficiency, the perfect blend for a place that dealt with both mundane and extraordinary matters.
approached one of the receptionists, picking the line with the shortest wait time. When my turn came, the receptionist greeted me with the same practiced, polite smile she had given the others before me.
"Hello, welcome to the Tower of Ivory. How may I assist you today, sir?"
"Hello, I'm Minoru Kagenou, a new recruit from the Tenth Division. I'd like to access the Vortex World, specifically the Musashino area."
Musashino, after all, was the place where I could most easily find Gremlins, according to the Demonic Compendium.
"Please wait a moment," she replied. Her irises glowed faintly red for an instant. It was barely perceptible, but I was sure I saw it.
"Your request has been accepted," she said, handing me a red talisman. The talisman had white inscriptions running vertically on both sides, written in a language I couldn't recognize. "Enter the elevator while holding this talisman, and you will be taken to an Amala Drum. Use it to reach Musashino in the Vortex World."
I nodded my thanks and made my way to the elevator, feeling a mix of anticipation and excitement. I navigated through the labyrinthine corridors of the tower, guided by the faint glow of the Magatsuhite lines. The intricate patterns on the walls seemed to pulse with life, casting eerie yet beautiful shadows. The air was filled with a low hum, the sound of the energy coursing through the Magatsuhite. When I reached what they called an "elevator," I was taken aback-it looked more like a teleporter from a science fiction movie.
The elevator was circular, about ten meters in diameter by my estimation. The circle was made up of two colors: white and green. Jade green took up most of the circle, but there was a smaller white circle, about three meters in diameter, in the center. Three glowing red bars surrounded the circle, supported by small, curved white pillars.
They must have spent a fortune on this. I wonder how they fund all this. Then again, Termiboros Mercurius can create universes, so making things like this is probably child's play for him.
As I stepped onto the platform, the talisman began to glow and then disappeared. The elevator ascended, and for a moment, it felt like my senses were completely cut off. When I came to, I was standing in front of a spherical door with a futuristic design, glowing red lines running across its surface.
"I knew it. This thing is definitely not just an elevator."
Exiting the "elevator", I opened the door and found myself in a small corridor. At the end was an Amala Drum. I turned it, and as usual, it shone with a blinding light and I felt a familiar sense of weightlessness. The next moment, I was in a round room with just the Drum and myself.
"Let's see what Musashino looks like here."
I opened the door to the room and found myself in a park. Seriously? A park? Whoever decided the placement of these Amala Drums needs to reconsider their choices.
Lost in my thoughts, I noticed a blue figure in the distance. It looked very much like a Gremlin.
Don't tell me I've already found one? Thank you, my C- ranked luck!
As I approached the silhouette, I pondered whether I needed to summon a demon to deal with it. But then I remembered I was here to recruit, not to fight.
I approached the blue figure cautiously, my heart pounding with a mix of excitement and apprehension. The closer I got, the more certain I became-it was definitely a Gremlin. Its appearance is just like in the Demonic Compendium
Alright, here goes nothing. As I stepping into the open to make my presence known. The Gremlin's eyes snapped towards me, its grin widening as it hovered in place.
"Great, another human! The last one who came through was really unpleasant. Oh, and I'm Gremlin. Who are you?"
The last one? I know Kurogane is in the Mitaka zone, which is relatively close to here, but what would he be doing in this area? Anyway, I came here to recruit a Gremlin. I can ask questions once I've done that.
"Hello, I'm Minoru. Would you like to join me?"
The Gremlin's eyes sparkled with curiosity and amusement. "You think you can just recruit me like that?" it asked, its voice high-pitched and echoing slightly.
"Well," I replied, "we can always negotiate. What do you want in return for joining me?"
The Gremlin considered this, its expression turning thoughtful. "I want shiny things. Lots of shiny things!"
Shiny things? What kind of shiny things
"Uh, can you be more specific when you say shiny things?" I asked.
"Obviously, I mean this." The Gremlin made a shiny black stone appear before him. It emanated a dark aura. While I didn't recognize the stone exactly, I could tell from its aura and color that it was either a Mudoo Stone or an Eiha Stone.
Hmm, do I still have any of the stones that Sosome gave me to deal with that Oni?" As I checked the COMP's storage space, I noticed the demon growing impatient.
"Well, do you have one of those shiny things or not? If you don't, I can just go back to my search!"
"It's fine! Here, how about a Dia Stone?" I pulled the Dia Stone from the COMP storage and showed it to the Gremlin.
The demon's eyes lit up, and it darted forward, snatching the stone from my hand. "Great! A new one!" The Gremlin made circles in the air, celebrating its new acquisition. "This will do nicely."
"I'm Jaki Gremlin. I hope we have a good time together," it said with a mischievous grin.
With that, a red light emanated from Gremlin, shooting toward my COMP. Burroughs' voice followed, "Jaki Gremlin has become an ally. The contract is in effect."
Just after that, Gremlin transformed into a ball of red light and entered my COMP. I took a moment to glance at its parameters.
---------------------------------------------
Name: Gremlin
Race: Jaki
MP: 200/200
Resistances: [Ice][Electric]
Weakness: [Fire][Force]
Strength: E-
Endurance: E-
Magic: E
Agility: E
Luck: E
Skills: [Dustoma][Zio]
---------------------------------------------
There was no difference between its parameters and those listed in the Demonic Compendium, unlike the demons of Kurogane. The reason for this is probably because they've been with him from the beginning. Since the first time he made himself known, those two demons have always been by his side. It's no surprise that their parameters are a rank higher than they should be.
After finishing my observations, I resumed my journey towards Mitaka.
Along the way, I encountered a few demons, but most were not inclined to talk. Those who could speak showed no interest in negotiating. It was a stark reminder of the harsh realities of the Vortex World.
As I traversed the varying landscapes, I eventually stumbled upon a desolate expanse. The desert stretched out before me, littered with the ruins of once-towering buildings. Crumbling structures loomed like the skeletons of a forgotten civilization, their shadows cast long and eerie in the dim light. The ground was a mix of sand and debris, with the occasional twisted metal beam protruding from the earth. It was a hauntingly beautiful sight, the stark contrast between nature's reclaiming touch and humanity's abandoned creations.
The silence was almost deafening, broken only by the occasional whisper of wind through the ruins. It felt like the land itself was holding its breath, waiting for something-or someone-to disturb its peace.
I pressed on, keeping my senses sharp. The ruins provided ample cover, but they also hid potential threats. My thoughts drifted back to the mission. Kurogane was known to frequent the Mitaka zone, and this desert of ruins seemed like a perfect place for someone to hide.
I quickly made my way into one of the ruined buildings to set up an ambush for Kurogane if he appeared. The structure provided enough cover and vantage points, making it an ideal spot to hide and observe.
After what felt like a good ten minutes of waiting, I noticed a middle-aged man with shoulder-length black hair. His lifeless black eyes seemed to speak volumes about his past experiences. He was dressed in a typical salaryman suit, though it was a bit tattered. The entire right sleeve was missing. On his left arm, he wore a COMP similar to mine, though it looked older and was a dull grey color. As I observed the man, who was most likely Kurogane, he suddenly turned his head towards my hiding spot.
Damn, I've been spotted! As I scrambled to get out of the building, I saw a fireball hurtling towards me through the window.
BAM!
A massive explosion obliterated the building I had been in just moments ago. The force of the blast sent debris flying in all directions. I barely managed to roll out of the way, feeling the intense heat and the shockwave of the explosion. Dust and rubble filled the air, making it hard to see and breathe.
I quickly gathered my wits, knowing I had to act fast. Kurogane was not going to give me a second chance. I needed to find cover and formulate a new plan, and fast.
I quickly summoned my demons: Pixie, Mermaid, and Gremlin emerged from their summoning circles, ready for battle. Across the rubble, I saw Kurogane doing the same. I recognized his first two demons from the dossier, but the third was a different story entirely.
The demon had a grotesque and menacing appearance, resembling a monstrous spider. Its face was humanoid with a fierce expression, glowing green eyes, and two long, twisted horns protruding from its forehead. It had long red hair and sharp, tusk-like teeth. Its limbs were muscular and covered in a rough, bluish exoskeleton, ending in large, curved claws that looked deadly and sharp. The creature was massive, standing just under three meters tall and spanning about five meters in width.
Without wasting a moment, I materialized an ice spear and hurled it towards the unknown demon. As it flew through the air, a fiery lance shot out from Kurogane, colliding with my ice spear. The clash of elements sent shards and sparks flying, but it wasn't enough to intercept my attack completely. The ice spear continued its path, though weakened, and struck the demon.
The impact caused the demon to stagger back slightly, but it quickly regained its balance. Kurogane's expression remained calm and calculating, as if he had anticipated this move. I needed to think quickly, my mind racing to come up with a new strategy.
"Pixie, heal us if needed. Mermaid, use your magic to keep the pressure on Kurogane's demons. Gremlin, focus on disrupting their attacks."
Mermaid began to chant, though the sound was more like a high-pitched wail. Moments later, dozens of spiked ice balls materialized and rained down upon Kurogane and his demons. The barrage was relentless. Zhu Tun She, the reptilian-like demon, withstood the onslaught with surprising resilience. In contrast, the unknown demon struggled, its grotesque form battered by the ice. It seemed clear that it had a weakness to ice. The Daemon did its best to shield itself, while Kurogane dodged the attacks with a disconcerting ease.
As the ice storm subsided, the unknown demon, now in a pitiable state, retaliated by releasing a cascade of lightning bolts that struck towards me and my demons. The air crackled with electricity, and the ground around us sizzled. I managed to dodge the bolts, but my demons weren't as lucky. The lightning struck Pixie, Mermaid, and Gremlin, each reacting differently.
Gremlin absorbed the shock with relative ease, its body momentarily glowing with the energy. Mermaid, on the other hand, was nearly brought to her knees. She trembled, barely holding herself together, her once vibrant glow now dimmed and flickering. Pixie managed to stay aloft, though she was clearly struggling.
Seeing Mermaid in such a state, I knew we needed to shift our strategy. "Pixie, heal Mermaid now! Gremlin, target the Daemon. Mermaid, hang in there and keep attacking when you can."
Pixie nodded, a soft light emanating from her as she cast Dia on Mermaid. Slowly, Mermaid's wounds began to close, and her energy seemed to return, though not fully.
Gremlin and the Daemon clashed fiercely, their battle a whirlwind of chaotic energy. Bolts of electricity crackled through the air as Gremlin deftly dodged the Daemon's heavy strikes, each movement quick and calculated. Gremlin's grin grew wider with every dodge, its eyes gleaming with wicked delight. It struck back with a flurry of precise blows, each one landing with perfect accuracy. The Daemon staggered under the relentless assault, its dark energy wavering as it struggled to keep up with Gremlin's speed. With one final, powerful strike, Gremlin sent the Daemon crashing to the ground. The Daemon let out a final, defeated growl before dissolving into a cloud of Magatsuhi, its essence scattering into the air.
Meanwhile, I focused on Zhu Tun She, gathering dark energy into my palm. "Eiha!" I shouted, releasing a sphere of malevolent darkness that shot towards the reptile-like demon. Upon impact, a massive pillar of jet-black shadows erupted from the ground, engulfing Zhu Tun She completely. When the darkness dissipated, nothing remained of the demon.
Perfect! Only one demon left, and it's already in bad shape. This mission is going better than I predicted.
"Mermaid, do it ag-"
Suddenly, Kurogane appeared in front of me, his fist rocketing towards my face. I barely had time to react, instinctively raising my arm to block. The force of the punch, enhanced probably by his Lunge ability, shattered the bones in my hand with a sickening crack.
"Ah!" I gasped in pain, my eyes widening in shock.
I could feel my life force draining away, siphoned off by I think Kurogane's Life Drain skill. My strength ebbed, and my vision started to blur. My grip weakened, and Kurogane pulled back.
He quickly formed a fireball in his hand and launched it towards Gremlin, who was still engaged with the Daemon. As the fireball flew through the air, it split into four smaller projectiles, each targeting one of us-Gremlin, Pixie, Mermaid, and myself.
"Watch out!" I yelled, diving to the side to avoid the incoming fire. Gremlin wasn't as lucky. The fireball struck it directly, exploding with a deafening bang. The force of the explosion sent Gremlin flying, its ghostly body disintegrating into particles of Magatsuhi. The same fate befell Mermaid, who was too slow to dodge her fireball. She let out a pained cry before dissolving into a cloud of Magatsuhi as well. Two spheres of red light, representing their dispersed essence, zipped into my COMP, their presence now nothing more than a memory.
Pixie managed to dodge the fireball aimed at her, but she wasn't completely unscathed. The blast wave caught her, sending her tumbling through the air. She fluttered back to her feet, wings singed and tiny cuts marring her usually pristine form. She was still with me, but just barely.
As for me, I narrowly avoided the fireball intended for me. The explosion, however, still caught me on the left side. The intense heat seared my left arm and leg, sending waves of pain shooting through my body. My left cheek and the side of my face were also scorched, but thankfully, the burns weren't severe. I gritted my teeth against the pain, forcing myself to stay focused.
With Gremlin and Mermaid gone, and only Pixie remaining, the odds had shifted drastically against me.
I couldn't afford to lose focus now. Summoning every bit of strength I had left, I cast Bufu on the spider-like demon. The spell struck true, encasing the creature in a solid block of ice before shattering it into pieces. The demon collapsed, its form dissipating into Magatsuhi as it was destroyed.
"Perfect, now it's just Kurogane," I muttered to myself, feeling a small surge of satisfaction. But I couldn't let my guard down yet. Kurogane was still standing, and he was far from defeated.
"Pixie, heal me," I ordered, keeping my eyes on Kurogane.
"Right away, Minoru!" Pixie replied, her voice as bright as ever despite the grim situation. She fluttered over to me, casting Dia, her healing light enveloping me. I could feel the burns on my arm and leg beginning to mend, the pain subsiding as my wounds slowly closed. The relief was immediate, but I knew it wouldn't last long if Kurogane had anything to say about it.
As Pixie worked her magic, Kurogane wasted no time. He dashed toward us with alarming speed, his movements almost a blur. Suddenly, a thick, oppressive mist began to emanate from his body, rapidly spreading out and enveloping the entire area. The fog was dense, a swirling mass of dark energy that clung to the air like a heavy veil. It was more than just a visual obstruction-my senses were being scrambled, my vision blurring, and even the sounds around me became muffled and distorted.
I struggled to focus, trying to keep track of Kurogane's position, but it was like trying to see through a dense, choking fog. The usual sharpness of my perception was dulled, leaving me vulnerable in a way that was both unfamiliar and terrifying.
"Pixie, stay close!" I called out, but even my voice felt distant, as if I was hearing it from underwater. I knew we had to be quick, had to strike before Kurogane could close the distance, but in this haze, it was nearly impossible to pinpoint where he was. All I could do was brace myself and hope I could react in time.
As I strained to catch even the slightest hint of Kurogane's position, a flash of red light caught my eye, darting into my COMP. My heart sank-Pixie had been taken out. Kurogane had gotten to her, leaving me alone in this fog of confusion.
I forced myself to focus, knowing that I couldn't let the situation overwhelm me. Then it hit me-if I couldn't find him, I could just obliterate everything around me. That way, he wouldn't have anywhere to hide.
Summoning all the dark energy I could muster, I channeled it into my hand. The shadows coalesced, swirling and condensing into a sphere of pure darkness. It grew larger and larger until it was the size of a cannonball, heavy with destructive power. The oppressive energy seemed to suck the light out of the surrounding mist, making the air hum with tension.
Just as I was about to unleash the devastating attack, a sudden presence materialized beside me, too close to ignore. My instincts screamed a warning, but it was too late. Kurogane appeared out of the fog, his hand latching onto my arm with a vise-like grip. His sudden appearance startled me, and I tried to pull away, but his strength was overwhelming.
With a swift motion, Kurogane forced my arm upward, redirecting the dark energy that I had gathered. The shadows, no longer under my control, erupted from my hand, shooting skyward. The blast of darkness tore through the air above us, shredding the mist and leaving a trail of black energy in its wake. The sheer force of it sent shockwaves rippling outward, shaking the ground beneath my feet and causing debris to rain down from the ruins around us.
The mist cleared slightly, the violent release of energy dispersing some of the fog, but Kurogane's grip remained firm. He looked down at me, his expression unreadable, as if this was all just part of his plan. My heart pounded in my chest as I realized that I had just wasted a critical attack.
Kurogane's grip tightened, and before I could even catch my breath, he launched a brutal assault. His fist connected with my ribs, sending a shockwave of pain through my body. Another strike followed-a sharp blow to my stomach that nearly knocked the wind out of me. I could barely keep up, each hit driving me closer to the edge. But something gnawed at the back of my mind-despite the ferocity of his attacks, he wasn't going for the kill.
He was holding back.
The realization hit me like a slap in the face. No... he wouldn't do that. He wouldn't toy with me like this, would he?
Anger fueled my next move.
As I stumbled backward, putting as much distance between us as I could, a surge of anger bubbled up inside me. My breath came in ragged bursts, my body trembling not just from the pain but from the realization of what had just happened. Seriously? Pity? I had survived because of that?
My fists clenched, the anger boiling over. "You've got to be kidding me..." I muttered under my breath, the words barely audible even to myself. But the rage was building, pushing past the pain and fear, pushing past everything else until it was all I could feel.
"Don't you dare look down on me just because you think I'm a child!" I shouted, my voice echoing off the shattered walls around us. The words tore from my throat, raw and jagged. I wasn't sure if I was yelling at him or at myself, but it didn't matter. I needed him to hear it. I needed him to understand.
Kurogane's eyes flickered, a mixture of surprise and something else-regret, maybe-crossing his face. But I didn't care. I couldn't afford to care.
I wasn't some helpless kid who needed mercy. I wasn't going to let him, or anyone else, decide my fate. Not now, not ever.
With a surge of adrenaline, I lunged at Kurogane, my grip tight around the hilt of my katana, aiming straight for his throat. He barely moved in time, narrowly dodging the blade as it sliced through empty air. In a fluid motion, he grabbed my wrist and swept my legs out from under me. The world spun, and the next thing I knew, I was flat on my back, the cold ground pressing against me.
"Zio," he murmured, his voice calm and almost emotionless.
An instant later, a searing bolt of electricity shot through my body. The pain was burning through every nerve, clawing its way through my muscles. My entire body convulsed, every muscle locked in agonizing tension as if my own bones were trying to tear me apart from the inside. The pain wasn't just physical; it felt like it was reaching deep into my very soul, cracking me open.
As the shock faded, I could feel the strength draining from me, leaving me limp, breathless. My vision blurred, darkening at the edges, and I could barely keep my eyes open.
The world tilted, fading into shadow, and the last thing I saw was Kurogane standing over me, his face unreadable.
----------
I found myself back in that familiar, dimly lit room. The silence was heavy, almost suffocating, and unlike the last times, the specters were nowhere to be seen. Instead, standing alone in the flickering torchlight, there was... a black cat. Its emerald-green eyes gleamed with an intelligence that seemed ancient, far older and sharper than any of the ghosts that had haunted me here before. There was something about the way it looked at me-a quiet power, a presence that felt almost overwhelming despite its unassuming form.
"Are you going to give up?"
The question came suddenly, breaking the stillness. The cat's mouth hadn't moved, but the voice echoed directly in my mind, steady and unwavering. Its gaze never left mine, as if it could see straight into the core of who I was.
I felt the weight of the question settle over me, the finality of it pressing down. For what felt like minutes, I said nothing, the silence stretching between us. But there was no doubt, not really.
"No," I finally answered, my voice quiet but firm.
I won't give up, not on myself, not on this fight. Whatever it takes, I'm going to win.
No sooner had the words left my mouth than the room began to fade, its walls dissolving into nothingness. Before everything slipped away, I caught one last glimpse of the cat-its emerald eyes glinting, and what looked like the faintest hint of a smile tugging at the corners of its mouth. Then, darkness swallowed everything.
----------
I jolted awake, a sharp pain throbbing through every part of my body. My vision was blurred, but I quickly made out the figure in front of me-Kurogane, his back turned, oblivious to my awakening. The weight of exhaustion pressed down on me, my muscles screaming, but I pushed through it, forcing myself to my feet.
Kurogane's head turned slightly, sensing the movement. He pivoted, his gaze landing on me with surprise flickering just briefly in his expression.
With as much strength as I could muster, I grinned through the pain and raised my stance. "Time for round two!"
---------------
Author Note: Thanks you for reading. If there are any errors, it would help me a lot if could tell me about them so I can correct them. Hey, it's been a while since I last published a chapter, and I hope you enjoyed it! Gouto makes his first appearance here, though it's a brief one. As for the publishing schedule, I'm not sure if I'll continue the story, but if anyone wants to take it over, they're welcome to. Feel free to contact me if you'd like more details on the storyline.
Here a picture:
- Tsuchigumo:
---------------------------------------------
Name: Tsuchigumo
Race: Jirae
MP: 250/250
Resistances: [Electric]
Weakness: [Ice]
Strength: E
Endurance: E
Magic: E
Agility: E-
Luck: E
Skills: [Mazio][Tarakuja][Bouncing Claw]
---------------------------------------------