The fire in Kazuki's room had burned low, casting flickering orange patterns across the walls like dancing ghosts. Aria had already gone to sleep in the room next door, unaware of the storm her very existence now stirred within Kazuki's thoughts.
> "Your enemy wears the face of your ally."
The system's cold phrasing lingered in his memory. His heart told him Aria was innocent—but logic whispered otherwise. A twin, raised differently, shaped by darkness instead of pain? It was possible. Too possible.
He opened his [Create] interface and stared at the slowly regenerating MP bar.
MP: 138/220
"Still not enough to make something huge," he muttered. "But maybe…"
His thoughts drifted back to the fight. The assassin's sword style had been fluid, adaptable, but not overwhelming. He'd held his own, yes, but only barely. The difference had been instinct, not skill.
> [Create] Skill Initiated
Concept: "A sword technique made for slicing through energy, illusions, magic, and even souls."
Name: Soulcut
Result: Active Skill
Effect: Infuse blade strikes with condensed willpower. Can damage ethereal, spiritual, or intangible targets.
MP Cost: Passive drain while active. High MP cost if charged for a finisher.
Additional Effect: Can disrupt magical abilities and illusions temporarily.
He had created Soulcut earlier, sure—but that had just been the idea. Now it was time to hone it.
He stood, stretched, and drew the blade from its sheath. It glimmered faintly even in the dying firelight.
Out behind the inn, the night air was cool and still. The alleyway was empty—perfect.
Kazuki slashed forward.
A pulse of purple-blue energy hummed through the air.
Again.
And again.
Each strike carried more focus, more precision. He wasn't just swinging a weapon. He was engraving his will into every arc. With each movement, Soulcut became less of a skill and more of an extension of his own thoughts.
> [Soulcut] Skill – Proficiency Increased!
Level: 3
Trait Unlocked: Whisper Slash – Strikes now emit a vibration that can briefly delay enemy spellcasting.
Kazuki smirked. "Now that's more like it."
Just as he turned to head back inside, the hairs on his neck stood up.
A presence.
Someone was watching.
He spun, eyes scanning rooftops, shadows, windows.
Nothing.
No system alert. No sound. Not even magic.
"…Not good," he muttered. He returned to his room in silence, sliding the lock shut behind him.
---
The next morning arrived with an eerie calm.
Kazuki joined Aria in the dining area of the inn. She was already mid-bite, scarfing down toast and eggs like someone who hadn't eaten in a day. Which, given their schedule lately, was probably true.
"You look like you got dragged by a horse," she said between bites.
Kazuki sipped his tea. "Just some night training. Helps me sleep."
Aria tilted her head. "Kazuki, I know I can't ask for full honesty—but I need to know you trust me."
Kazuki set his cup down and looked her dead in the eyes. "I trust you."
That was true.
He just didn't trust the world around her.
---
Later that day, they walked the outer district of Grendel. Here, the walls were crumbling, the guards were lazy, and the shadows were thick with whispers.
"This is where your brother used to operate?" Kazuki asked, eyes scanning alleyways.
"Yeah. Elias thought the slums would be the best place to hide resistance efforts. Lots of people ignored, lots of space to hide. Turns out it was also the best place to get stabbed in the back."
Kazuki glanced at her. "Figuratively?"
"Not always."
They passed a rundown alchemy shop. Aria gestured subtly. "That place. Rumor has it the Watcher met with a contact there once. We go in, we act normal. You're my... traveling sword-for-hire. Name's Rai."
Kazuki grunted. "Rai? Really?"
"It's either that or Sweetcheeks."
"…Rai it is."
Inside the shop, the scent of herbs and burnt metal clashed like two arguing drunks. A hunched man with a nose like a hawk eyed them as they entered.
"Buy somethin', or piss off," he growled.
Aria smiled sweetly. "Looking for spiritroot powder. And answers."
The man's eyes narrowed.
Then he reached behind the counter—and pulled out a small vial filled with red dust.
"Careful," he said, setting it down. "You never know what spiritroot might reveal."
Aria slid a silver coin across. "That's the point."
As they left, Kazuki whispered, "That was a coded exchange, wasn't it?"
"Yup. 'Spiritroot' is slang for secrets. He just confirmed Watcher's been here… and she's coming back tonight."
Kazuki's fingers tightened slightly on the hilt of his blade.
> [Quest Updated – Brother in the Mist]
Objective: Stake out the Alchemy Shop tonight.
Danger Level: High
Bonus: Intercept the Watcher.
---
That night, Kazuki stood in the shadows across from the shop. Aria waited nearby on the rooftop, her crossbow loaded and her heart pounding.
A cloaked figure entered the shop.
Minutes passed.
Then another figure arrived—taller, radiating cold malice even through a cloak.
Kazuki's system pinged.
> [Danger Detected – High-Level Entity Nearby]
Classification: Unknown
Warning: This presence is related to the Demon Emperor.
Kazuki's breath caught.
Not the Watcher.
Not yet.
This was worse.
"Celestia," he whispered. "What am I sensing?"
The goddess's voice was low. "An advance general. The Demon Emperor has begun moving."