Chapter 1 – Dai
13 years later…
The mountain air was crisp, the morning sun just beginning to peek over the rocky horizon. Perched near the cliff's edge stood a boy with spiky black hair, a purple tank top clinging to his lean frame, black pants flaring with the breeze. His eyes—vivid and fierce, like flickering fire—mirrored the unmistakable glow of Rin Suske.
He narrowed them at the creature before him, crouched low on all fours like a beast—but there was something wrong about it. Too many eyes. Too many teeth.
"Is that… some kind of animal?" he muttered. "So this is my opponent for today's training, huh? Looks tough."
He cracked a grin and tightened the headband around his forehead. "But I've trained with Sensei Yami. This'll be a breeze."
From behind a nearby tree, a calm voice called out."Don't underestimate it, Dai. Now—show me what you've learned."
Dai nodded, lowering into a stance."Sensei taught me to be one with my sword… to become the perfect assassin. If I become one with my blade, it'll reveal my enemy's weakness… no matter who or what I'm fighting."
He closed his eyes, steadying his breathing. The world began to fade—replaced by darkness, stillness. Within that void, only one thing burned: the weak point of his opponent, glowing like a beacon.
"I see you."
He lunged forward, blade slashing toward the creature. It let out a guttural snarl and leapt backward, disappearing into the trees. Without missing a beat, Dai gave chase, leaping from branch to branch. Suddenly, the creature skidded to a halt, turned, and roared—a shockwave of force erupting from its jaws.
Dai's eyes widened as the forest shattered around him. He twisted mid-air, barely dodging the blast.
"Holy crap! That roar… If it hit me, I'd be toast!"
Yami's voice echoed from afar. "That's not just any animal, Dai. That's a demon."
"A DEMON?!"
"Yes—but a low-class one. They can only possess animals. Still, don't get cocky. Even low-class demons regenerate unless you strike their weakness. Now focus! And hurry up—you still have school."
Dai groaned. "Ugh, do I really have to go today? School sucks."
"Complain after you survive."
"Tch. Fine, fine…"
He closed his eyes again, slipping once more into the stillness."There… I see you again."
The demon roared again—another blast of force sending Dai tumbling through the air.
"Damn! That thing's stronger than I thought!"
He recovered in midair, flipping behind the demon and slashing across its back.
"How's that, ugly?!"
The beast screeched, split in half… then its pieces began to stitch themselves back together.
Dai's smile vanished. "Wait—what?! It can regenerate?!"
Yami spoke calmly. "All demons can regenerate unless you strike their weak point. You weren't focused enough."
"I was focused!"
"You weren't focused enough."
"Fine! One more try. But if I die, you better come slice this thing up before it eats me!"
With a deep breath, Dai entered the stillness once more.
"Your body should move without thought," Yami said. "Let the sword do the thinking. Focus only on the enemy's weakness."
Dai's eyes snapped open. "His heart… That's it."
The demon released a series of shockwaves, but this time, Dai weaved through them like water—calm, fluid, deadly.
"This is the end!"
He lunged, driving his blade straight into the demon's chest. A shriek tore through the mountain air as the creature dissolved into dust.
Silence.
Then—
"Yes!! I did it! Did you see that, Sensei?!"
Yami nodded, stepping into view with a faint smile."Well done, Dai. You've passed today's training… but don't let it get to your head. There's still much more to learn."
"I'm ready for it all, Sensei!"
"I like that spirit. Now go—run to school before I give you a worse beating than that demon did."
"Aww, man! Seriously?!"
Dai turned and sprinted toward the village, his headband fluttering behind him like a banner of fire.
End of Chapter 1
Written by Fainted