Chapter 39

I really had to stop waking up like this. Once again, I was in the operation room. Getting up was harder than last time.

Looking around, I noticed that this time, no one was here. I forced myself to sit up, the effort making my body protest, and undressed from the clothes I was in. Nearby, I found a familiar black kimono. 'Seems like they fixed it up' I thought as I began dressing.

As I pulled the kimono over my shoulders, I glanced down at my body. Where my right-side scar once started from my lower ribs and trailed toward my waist, it now stretched further, covering most of my ribcage. The spot where Zeus had hit me was darker than the rest, subtly aching with every movement.

Once dressed, I headed out of the room and made my way toward where Brunhilde watched the fights.

'Why is my luck so shit?' I thought as I turned a corner, coming face to face with two goddesses.

The one on the left stood tall at 6'5", her face partially obscured by a white cloth. Black hair cascaded down her back, and burn marks in the shape of flames marred parts of her face and chest. She wore a red and yellow kimono that complemented her fierce appearance.

[Pic]

The goddess on the right was slightly shorter at 6'4", her black hair tied in a bun with strands falling over the side of her face. She wore a white kimono, and around her neck hung a wooden pearl necklace. From what I could see, there was kanji inscribed on the pearls. 'Shinto?' I wondered.

[Pic]

The goddess in the white kimono spoke first. "Where is that katana, boy?"

Muramasa? Why does she want to know? I frowned, meeting her gaze. "Somewhere" I answered cautiously. "Why, and who are you?"

An amused look spread across her face, but it was the taller goddess who responded. "I am Kanayagoshin, Goddess of the Forge. This is Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess. I asked her where you were because I wanted to meet the katana you possess."

I started walking past them. "No."

I had barely taken ten steps when the heat suddenly intensified, oppressively hot, as if I'd stepped into the heart of the sun. I stopped and turned my head slightly, finding Amaterasu right behind me.

"That's quite rude," she said calmly. "She only wants to take a look."

I met her gaze, my tone dry. "So? If I wanted to see your most intimate areas, would you show them?"

I heard a subtle laugh from Kanayagoshin behind me. "Fufu~ he has you there, Amaterasu. How about this, I offer you something in exchange if you let me examine your katana?"

I turned fully toward Kanayagoshin, considering the offer. "Alright. In exchange, teach me the basics of blacksmithing."

She laughed again, the sound lighter this time. "Very well. Shall we go somewhere more appropriate?"

I nodded, leading them to a quiet garden I knew would be suitable for this unusual encounter.

Once seated in the garden, I summoned Muramasa and handed it over to Kanayagoshin. As she studied the weapon, Amaterasu leaned in, her gaze sharp. "What a potent curse."

Kanayagoshin nodded in agreement. "Indeed. I'm surprised you've stayed so sane."

She attempted to draw the blade from its sheath but couldn't. I held out my hand, and she passed it back to me. Without hesitation, I drew Muramasa and handed it back to her. She frowned as she examined its condition.

"Remarkable that it hasn't snapped yet," she said, her tone turning critical. "Do you even take care of it properly?"

I snorted, drawing her attention. "I used to, back when it still looked like a normal katana. But when I realized it kept 'degrading' I stopped. It didn't seem to matter since I haven't noticed any problems when using it."

Both goddesses twitched. Amaterasu's eyes widened. "Muramasa? As in the cursed katana, Muramasa?"

"Uh, yes?" I answered, a bit confused.

Amaterasu suddenly burst into laughter, and I raised an eyebrow. Kanayagoshin, chuckling as well, explained between her laughs. "She hates the Greek pantheon, so knowing they've lost to a cursed katana brings her... quite a bit of joy."

After Kanayagoshin and Amaterasu had their fill of laughter, Amaterasu turned to me, a glimmer of joy still in her eyes. "I haven't had such a great laugh in a while. When you're free next, be sure to visit me."

With that, they departed, leaving me alone in the garden. I took a moment to appreciate the vibrant flowers surrounding me.' Not long now, everyone.' I got up and made my way to find Brunhilde.

After wandering for a bit, I finally spotted her deep in conversation with someone I hadn't expected to see yet, Buddha. They both halted when they heard my footsteps approaching.

Brunhilde spoke first, her surprise evident. "Ryou! I didn't think you'd be up yet."

"Well, I'm here. Everything okay? Need me to do something again?" I asked.

Before she could respond, Buddha stepped forward, his demeanor relaxed yet commanding. "No need~ I'll be fighting next for Humanity. Brunhilde, go on ahead, I want to talk to Ryou here."

Brunhilde hesitated, her uncertainty clear, but she ultimately nodded and left us.

I turned my full attention to Buddha as he approached, a serene smile on his face. "Pleasure to finally meet you, Ryou~ Your fights have been quite the spectacle." He extended his hand, and I shook it firmly. But as we broke the handshake, I noticed a shift in his expression, his smile faded into a frown, and his gaze felt like it pierced through to my very soul.

"That's quite the life you've had so far," he remarked, his voice low and contemplative.

My eyes widened in confusion. "You know who I am, right? I'm The Enlightened One."

Before I could elaborate, he interrupted, his tone serious. "You should also stop relying so much on that weapon. It's stripping you of your life."

With that cryptic warning, he walked away, leaving me standing there, bewildered. 'What?' was all I could think as his words echoed in my mind.