The streets of Wado Town were unusually quiet that night.
A chill swept through the alleys, curling around flickering street lamps that cast long, crooked shadows. It was past midnight, and only a few souls roamed the concrete veins of the city — street sweepers, night vendors, and the unlucky ones heading home late.
On top of a crumbling rooftop, where neon lights failed to reach, a silhouette stood motionless. Cloaked in black robes stitched with strange patterns, he overlooked the town like a grim statue. His eyes glowed faintly — not red, not blue, but something... unholy.
From below, a soft sound echoed.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Someone glanced up.
At first, they saw nothing. Then came a whisper, barely above the wind:"Hey, innocents... I am your god. Let me put you out of your miseries."
A group of four people on the street froze. One man — older, wearing a work uniform — stepped forward with caution.
"H-Hey... who are you?"
The figure smiled. Not kindly.
"I am your death."
Before they could scream, the figure leapt. A black blur fell from the sky, and in his hand gleamed a long, cruel naginata, the curved blade glowing with a dark green hue.
The man's voice returned — darker, deeper. "Ashes to ashes. Screams to silence."
Steel met flesh.
The street was painted red.
In seconds, the strangers lay cold on the ground. One tried to crawl away, trembling, but the attacker stepped gently over and dragged his blade slowly across the pavement.
"There is no god in Ryuki... only me."
The Next Day — Ryuki Dojo Headquarters
Sunlight had barely touched the rooftops of Ryuki City when panic erupted.
The news spread like wildfire. Six were murdered in Wado Town. Witnesses? None — or so it seemed.
Inside the great Ryuki Dojo, Master Hoshin Maru sat quietly at the meeting table, sipping tea, eyes focused, unmoving. The silence was broken only by the distant echo of bells in the courtyard.
Then the heavy wooden doors opened.
A young officer walked in, pale and sweating, guiding an elderly man with shaky steps.
"He saw it, Master Maru," the officer whispered.
The old man collapsed to his knees before the dojo master.
"I didn't want to see it... I didn't want to..." he whispered, shaking violently. "I saw it from the crack in my curtain. I live just above that street. I—I saw everything."
Hoshin Maru gently placed his cup down. "Speak clearly. What did you see?"
The man's eyes widened as if replaying the nightmare.
"He stood there... like a demon. Not human. Not even close. His face—his face was scarred from his forehead to his cheek, right through the left eye. A massive cut. But he didn't bleed."
"A scar?"
"Yes... It glowed when the streetlights hit it. And his eyes... dark green flames. I swear to the gods, Master, I saw them burning like they were alive!"
The officer stiffened. Hoshin Maru rose from his chair.
"This is no ordinary killer..." he muttered.
"What else did you see?"
"A naginata," the man said. "Black, like ink. It sang when it moved. Not a sound I can forget..."
Later that afternoon, the city guards placed posters throughout the streets:WANTED – Unknown attacker of Wado Town.Do not engage. Report sightings.
Rumors twisted through the city like vines — some said a Yuzen assassin had returned. Others whispered of a cursed child of Ryuki, banished years ago. But none knew the truth.
And somewhere far from the noise, hidden among shadows and wind, the man stood again... watching the city he once called home.
"This is just the beginning," he said to himself, and vanished into the dark.
Hoshin Maru's eyes burned with fury as he turned to the trembling old man before him. His voice, though calm, was laced with cold steel.
"Don't worry, elder. Whoever this butcher is, he won't roam this land for long. I'll make sure of it."
He gave a nod to the officer beside him. "Escort this man home. Make sure he's protected. I don't want another innocent dying under our watch."
The officer saluted and gently led the old man away.
As the doors closed, Hoshin Maru stepped toward the center of the chamber and rang the ancient bell carved from dragonbone—a call that only summoned the elite mages of Ryuki.
Within minutes, the chamber was filled with the city's finest — warriors clad in enchanted armor, staffs humming with energy, and flames, water, wind, and shadows flowing like living extensions of their power. At the front of the group stood Veon Ryuki, his crimson coat fluttering slightly from the spiritual pressure in the room. His eyes were steady.
Hoshin Maru addressed them all.
"This is no ordinary killer. He's deliberate, strategic, and unafraid. The attack in Wado Town was a declaration of war on our peace. Each of you will be assigned a key district. Patrol with your full senses. If you find him—"
Hoshin's voice darkened.
"—end him."
Veon stepped forward, eager. "Master, where am I assigned?"
"Drake Town. Three days. You're young, Veon… but this is the time to prove you're a true Ryuki."
Veon saluted. "I won't disappoint."
Later that evening, Veon opened the door to his home, setting his staff by the entrance.
Ryden sat at the low table, quietly sipping his tea. The room was dimly lit, but the tension was warm—filled with unspoken pride.
Veon bowed slightly. "Father."
Ryden looked up, a subtle smile tugging at the edge of his lips. "What did Master Hoshin say?"
"I've been assigned to Drake Town for three days. I think… it's finally my time to show what I'm capable of."
Ryden set his cup down with a soft clink and rose to his feet. He placed a hand on Veon's shoulder.
"I believe in you, son. If you see that bastard… make him pay. For Wado. For our people."
From the hallway, hidden behind the slightly opened sliding door, Auren watched the exchange silently.
His heart ached—he is worrying about veon''
He turned away quietly and walked back to his room.
The moon sat high above Drake Town that night, casting a silver glow over the rooftops.
Veon stood on a tall watchtower, his black cloak fluttering. His eyes scanned the quiet town below — shops closed, lights dimmed, silence stretching across the horizon. His staff rested on his back, a small magical orb hovering near him to boost his perception.
Suddenly, a chilling voice broke the silence.
"Oh my meal… it's an honor to meet you… Veon Ryuki."
Veon turned sharply.
On a nearby rooftop, a tall man stood, draped in blood-colored robes. His face was obscured by a cracked white mask shaped like a wolf's skull. In his hand, a naginata glowed with violet energy, humming ominously.
Veon narrowed his eyes. "Who are you?"
The figure chuckled, tapping the base of his naginata on the roof tiles.
"Names are for the living. You won't need mine."
Without warning, the masked figure launched himself toward Veon like a bolt of lightning, the naginata slicing through the air.
Veon barely had time to summon a barrier. Sparks flew as blade clashed with magic.