Chapter 15

After arriving at the northern village, Akira spotted two women standing in the narrow, dimly lit street, their quiet conversation fading into the cool evening air. Their words died the moment they noticed Akira approaching. His presence—both commanding and serene—seemed to ripple through the atmosphere, drawing their attention as though his very essence radiated an undeniable allure.

Akira: "Excuse me, may I ask you something?" His tone was calm, respectful, but held an unmistakable edge of urgency.

One of the women, her curiosity piqued by the striking figure before her, eyed him cautiously. Though Akira's appearance was unthreatening, something about his aura hinted at power far beyond what she could comprehend.

Woman 1: "What is it, young man?" she asked, her voice slightly strained.

Akira: "Do you know why people have been disappearing from this village lately?"

At the mention of the village's mysterious disappearances, both women tensed. Their faces darkened, fear flickering in their eyes as they exchanged a glance, one of shared knowledge—or perhaps, shared dread.

Woman 2: "No, we don't know anything. We... we have to go," she stammered, her voice trembling.

Without waiting for Akira's response, the two women turned sharply and retreated into the nearest house, their steps hurried and their whispers quickly drowned out by the creaking of doors shutting behind them. The street fell into an eerie silence.

Akira frowned as he watched them vanish. Something's off. Whatever it is, they know more than they're letting on. He clenched his fist. Looks like I'll need to take care of this demon myself. Tonight.

Though his system map had already revealed the demon's location, he couldn't strike yet—daylight would draw too much attention. Patience, for now.

{Later that night}

The village lay beneath a canopy of stars, bathed in the pale silver of the moon. Shadows stretched across the ground as Akira hovered silently above the rooftops, his Wind Magic skill allowing him to patrol unseen. The air was thick with tension, as if the village itself was holding its breath. An occasional owl hooted in the distance, but otherwise, all was unnervingly still.

Akira's keen night vision scanned every corner, every alley, watching for the slightest movement. But then, his sharp eyes caught a troubling sight—a young boy, wandering the streets alone.

Akira's instincts flared. Why is a child out at this hour? He descended quietly, landing a few feet behind the boy.

Akira: "Child, you should go home. It's dangerous out here."

His voice was soft, reassuring. The boy looked up, startled, and nodded, turning to head toward his house. Akira watched as the boy began walking, but then something—a faint movement in the shadows.

There, in the darkness, The demon lurking. Its sickly yellow eyes locked onto the boy with murderous intent. Time seemed to slow as the demon prepared to pounce.

Suddenly, the demon lunged with terrifying speed, claws aimed directly at the boy's throat. But before the attack could land, Akira moved. In an instant, he was between the boy and the demon, blocking the strike with a single motion. he already knew the demon was there, but he was waiting for it to attack.

The demon's razor-sharp claws screeched against Akira's katana, its glowing blade reflecting the moonlight. For the first time, Akira unsheathed his new weapon, eager to test it. The blade—a mesmerizing blend of light blue and black—seemed to hum with energy, as if it thirsted for battle.

He shifted into a fluid battle stance, every movement graceful, every muscle coiled with lethal potential. The demon blinked, momentarily confused by the sudden turn of events. It hesitated, unsure where to strike.

Akira (irritated): "You're underestimating me," he thought, annoyed by the demon's hesitation.

With a speed too quick to follow, Akira closed the distance. His katana sliced through the demon's neck in a clean, elegant motion. For a second, the demon froze, its head tilted unnaturally before its entire body crumbled into ash, disappearing into the night breeze.

Akira sheathed his sword with a flick, turning to the trembling boy.

Akira: "Are you alright? Where do you live?"

The boy, wide-eyed and on the verge of tears, shakily pointed towards a small house at the end of the street. Akira knelt beside him, offering a comforting smile.

He walked the boy home, ensuring the child reached his door safely before continuing his path. His gaze lingered on the house for a moment longer before he set off to find an inn.

|Lolomo Inn|

Akira entered the village inn, greeted by the soft glow of lanterns and the quiet hum of the late-night hour. A young girl stood behind the counter, her eyes lighting up with curiosity as he approached.

Akira: "How much for a room for the night?"

Girl at the counter: "100 yen without food, 200 with food," she answered, her tone professional yet gentle.

Akira: "I'll take the room without food."

He handed her the coins, and she gestured to the stairs. "Room 201, second floor. First door on the right."

Tired but content with the night's events, Akira made his way up, found his room, and let the soft bed pull him into sleep.

{Morning}

Akira awoke with the first light of dawn, the village still quiet, but its weighty atmosphere had lifted slightly. The demon from the night before was gone, but his mission was far from over. There were whispers of a powerful demon named Kyogai—his next target.

Stepping into the fresh morning air, Akira began his journey towards Kyogai's lair, his mind already planning the next steps.

{Nightfall}

As Akira made his way through the forest towards Kyogai's house, he opened his map to check for any lurking demons. His breath caught in his throat as he spotted a familiar name—Kanae.

His heart pounded. What is Kanae doing here? He didn't hesitate. He broke into a sprint, moving swiftly toward her location.

(Kanae's POV)

Perched on a tree branch, Kanae gazed at the sky, the moonlight washing over her. Her thoughts drifted to her sister Shinobu and Akira. The night was calm, peaceful, but something tugged at her heart.

Kanae: "I wonder what they're up to right now," she whispered, a soft smile playing on her lips. "Probably off on their missions."

Suddenly, her gaze shifted, catching sight of a figure emerging from the shadows—a figure bathed in silver moonlight. His silver hair shimmered, his eyes like starlight. Kanae's heart fluttered.

Who is this beautiful figure?

To be continued...