Same Day – Tenjin Street, Yozawacho, 2:15 PM
"What… what the hell is going on!?" Norika's eyes widened in disbelief as she shouted.
Before her lay a vast area nearly reduced to rubble, the ground stained everywhere with blood.
"Lieutenant Hoshizawa! The creature's up ahead!" A member of the Yagari-tai pointed forward, his voice trembling with urgency. "We've confirmed it—It's a Kami-rank monster!"
"What!?" Norika's face turned pale, stunned.
(A single Maga-rank is enough to wipe out a town… A Kami-rank could level an entire city… What the hell is one doing here…!?)
"Where's Captain Tojo!?" she demanded, eyes darting across the panicked squad members.
"We don't know…!" one of them replied, visibly shaken, sweat beading on his forehead.
"Dammit…" Norika gritted her teeth, brows furrowed, knowing full well there was no more time to waste. "Get out of here and call for backup from the neighbouring Yagari-tai units! We can't cover this up anymore—start evacuating the civilians!"
"Y-Yes, ma'am…!" The team scattered into action, their steps flustered but resolute.
(The Maga-class last night was already that strong…) Norika looked down at her hands. Her palms were soaked, her fingers trembling.
(Don't be afraid… Don't be afraid… You must not be afraid… Just hold out until help arrives…!)
She took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay calm. Then, thrusting one hand forward, a blade shimmered into existence—born from the pulse of her Reiki—gleaming with a cold, lethal glow.
"…Let's begin." She whispered the words to herself, then kicked off the ground and shot toward the monstrous presence ahead.
Norika darted through the ruins of collapsed buildings, Reiki surging wildly inside her like a tempest. The sinister pressure ahead gnawed at her senses, thick enough to choke on. Wind howled past her ears as she gripped the hilt of her blade—her palms slick with sweat, the Reimetsutou slippery in her grasp. But there was no time to worry about that.
She turned the final corner—and the view exploded into chaos.
In the middle of the ravaged street, a massive ogre loomed amidst the wreckage. Its black-violet skin twisted and rippled grotesquely, limbs covered in vicious claws. Eyes burned a searing crimson, crackling like flames, radiating a suffocating aura of evil. Just like last night's creature… only worse. It slowly turned to face her.
Norika tightened her grip on the blade. Her heartbeat roared in her ears, and the crushing pressure from the creature's Reiki made it hard to even breathe. The goblin was enormous—towering, with mottled grey-violet skin. Its frenzied gaze cut into her, sending icy dread straight to her core.
(So this is a Kami-rank…? This pressure—it's like I can't even breathe…)
The goblin's voice rumbled from deep within, low and oily, laced with mockery. Its eyes slowly scanned over Norika, and its mouth twisted into a cruel grin.
"Well, well… look what we have here—a pretty little woman."
"You… you can talk!?" Norika blurted out, disbelief flashing in her eyes.
The goblin's smile deepened, curling with wicked delight. Its voice dripped with provocation.
"Hehehe… A perfect broodmare. Why don't you come back to my nest… and share some fun with my sons?"
Norika's face turned ghostly pale—but a moment later, it was flushed with a fury she could no longer suppress. Her fingers clenched the hilt of her blade so tightly they trembled. Her voice shook with rage.
"You… how dare you say something so vile…!"
With a swift motion, she drew her blade—its hilt wrapped in deep violet cloth, the long, razor-sharp edge glinting coldly in the air. She gave it a light swing, adjusting to the weight, then raised both hands and dropped into a ready stance.
The goblin burst into arrogant laughter, throwing back its head with wild abandon.
"HAHAHAHA! That little toy? You think you can fight me with that? Don't make me laugh!"
"You—You dare mock me!?" Norika growled, teeth gritted, eyes ablaze with fury. "I'll slice off that disgusting thing of yours!"
As the words left her mouth, she launched herself into the air, cutting through the wind in a sharp arc. Blade raised high, she descended with deadly intent, aiming to sever that grotesque organ between the monster's legs—
But then—
"What—!?"
The Reimetsutou came down, but it felt like striking unyielding steel. There wasn't even a scratch.
In the next instant, it recoiled with violent force— A grotesque snap of raw energy erupted as the obscene thing whipped back, smashing into Norika and hurling her several meters away. She hit the ground hard, the impact knocking the breath out of her lungs.
Norika struggled to her feet, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth. She wiped it away with the back of her hand—her legs trembled, but her eyes remained sharp and unyielding.
"Tch…" she clicked her tongue under her breath, startled by the sheer force behind that thing.
The goblin's grin grew ever more insolent. It spread its arms wide, as if reveling in its overwhelming advantage.
Then, raising one massive claw, it gave a grotesque shake of that revolting, oversized organ—its crimson eyes gleaming with cruel amusement.
"Remember the name of your king—King Agodada!" the monster roared, voice thick with madness. "You'll be serving me soon enough! You'll be nothing more than a plaything for our brood!"
"Shut up! Shut up! ...You disgusting monster!" Norika gritted her teeth, her eyes burning with anger and revulsion.
"Fujizukika, Kaiho[1]!" Norika cried out, holding her blade forward, as violet light erupted from the blade in an instant.
"Oh? Is this magic?" Agodada mocked, his voice dripping with amusement.
"Don't be foolish, there's no such thing as magic. This is the power of my Reimetsutou," Norika responded coldly, swinging the blade casually. "Fujizukika, my Reimetsutou. Don't be fooled by its beautiful appearance. Once it strikes, it will instantly poison its target."
(This level of Reimetsutou is nowhere near enough to deal with a Kami-rank monster... but in this situation, it's the only choice I have...)
"You'll have to hurt me first!" Agodada laughed maniacally, his arms wide open, showing no fear.
"Tch..." Norika leaped lightly, her figure instantly disappearing from his sight.
"What!? A teleportation spell!?" Agodada froze for a moment, a hint of surprise flashing in his crimson eyes.
Suddenly, Norika's figure appeared above his head, and the violet glow of her blade reflected in his fiery gaze.
"No, it's just rapid movement." Norika spoke coldly, her tone devoid of emotion.
Before the words had fully left her lips, she raised her Reimetsutou, the purple light flashing brightly. In the next instant, the blade slashed toward Agodada's neck with lightning speed—
"Clang——!"
The blade struck Agodada's neck hard, but instead of cutting, it rebounded, sending sparks flying. Norika's body was also pushed back slightly by the force.
"Hahaha! Useless!" Agodada laughed wildly, casually patting his neck, completely unharmed. "I have the toughest, ultra-hardened skin. Your little knife can't even scratch me!"
Norika furrowed her brows, her hands trembling slightly— the impact earlier had caused a dull pain in her palms.
"Now it's my turn." Agodada grinned wickedly, revealing his sharp fangs.
Before Norika could react, he suddenly pushed off the ground with one foot, and the earth exploded beneath him. His massive body shot toward Norika like a cannonball.
"Wha—!" Norika's pupils constricted, and before she could dodge, his iron fist was already upon her.
Instinctively, she raised her blade to block. "Clang——!" The deafening sound of steel clashing filled the air, reverberating violently.
However, the overwhelming force still mercilessly sent her flying. Her body shot through the air like an arrow from a bow, crashing into the nearby ruins of a collapsed building—"Boom!" Debris scattered, and dust filled the air.
Norika let out a low groan, the sharp pain radiating from her back. She gritted her teeth, desperately fighting the urge to faint, her hands gripping the blade hilt tightly as she forced herself to stand.
(It hurts... my ribs... they feel like they're broken... I can barely hold on... my body... I'm about to give out…)
"Hey, woman, what's wrong? Can't take it anymore~?" Agodada sneered, his crimson eyes glinting with a cruel light.
(Damn it... I barely lasted five minutes... I can't fall here... I can't...)
Norika gasped for breath, barely managing to steady her wobbling body. Her fingertips were losing strength, and the Reimetsutou slipped from her grasp, the tip of the blade stabbing into the ground with a soft hum.
"It's not over yet..." She gritted her teeth, forcing out a weak sound.
However, before she could finish her words—"Cough—!"
She looked down at her palm. The fresh red blood spread across her trembling hand, a horrifying sight, before she collapsed weakly to her knees.
"Boring... Alright, let me take you back to my lair, hee-hee." Agodada said, extending his hand toward Norika.
(No... I'd rather die... than be taken back to his lair... but... I don't even have the strength to hold my Reimetsutou anymore...)
Just as Agodada's hand was about to reach Norika—
"Whoosh—!"
A sharp flash of blade light cut through the air, and a deep wound appeared on Agodada's palm. Blood splattered everywhere, and he staggered backward, growling in surprise, "Who is it!?"
A tall figure appeared in front of Norika. A middle-aged man, with a slight stubble on his face, his long black hair waving gently in the wind. On his left arm, he wore an armband symbolizing the Yagari-tai.
"Captain Tojo…!"
Blocking in front of Norika was the captain of her Yagari-tai—Tojo Zanjirou.
"Yo! Norika-chan, are you alright~?" Tojo's voice was lighthearted, and his usual grin was on his face, as if the battlefield before him was just another casual stroll.
Norika gave a weak smile, gasping for breath as she responded, "Seriously... what do you think?" Her voice, though weak, still carried a hint of resilience.
Agodada shook his wounded hand, blood dripping onto the ground. He squinted and sneered, "Hmph, you actually managed to hurt me... You're a little more impressive than that woman."
Tojo gently waved his blade. The edge of the Reimetsutou gleamed with a cold, icy light. His smile faded slightly as he spoke in a low voice: "Next time, I won't be cutting your hand, but your life."
"HaHa, don't make me laugh. You've barely scratched me, and you're already spouting nonsense." Agodada's laughter was full of contempt, and his eyes gleamed with provocation.
Tojo smiled faintly, his eyes flashing with a cold light. He didn't speak further, instead murmuring under his breath: "Yusuiso, Shi no Kaiho[2]!"
With a gentle motion of his fingers across the blade, a cold stream of water surged forth, as if living water, swirling around the edge of the Reimetsutou. With each movement, the blade transformed from a mere tool into flowing water, emanating a terrifying aura. The undulations of the water carried a subtle threat of death.
"Hmm...? This time, it's magic, isn't it? It's completely different from that woman's blade over there." Agodada glanced sideways at Tojo, his tone laced with disdain.
Tojo coldly smiled, the corner of his mouth curling into a contemptuous arc. He extended his blade slightly forward, his voice chilling as he spoke: "What nonsense are you talking about…? How could there be such a thing as magic in this world? The Reimetsutou has five stages of Kaiho: Da, Zan, Kari, Shi, and Metsu. Fujizukika is at the 'Zan' stage, while my Yusuiso is at the 'Shi' stage."
He shifted his tone to a stern one, a murderous gleam flashing in his eyes: "And now, this is 'Jinsen'."
With that, Tojo's figure vanished in an instant, appearing like a ghost at Agodada's feet. His eyes gleamed coldly as he uttered two chilling words: "Suiryuu Zan[3]."
Tojo reversed his grip on the blade and swiftly swung it from below, cutting upward. In an instant, a sharp flow of water, like a blade, sliced through the air. A flicker of fear flashed in Agodada's eyes as he quickly retreated, but it was already too late. The blade sliced through, severing Agodada's arm, blood splattering as his hand fell to the ground.
Tojo's eyes gleamed coldly as he spoke: "Water can not only penetrate your body but also tear you apart."
"Ah!!!!" Agodada screamed in agony, clutching his severed arm, his voice filled with shock and rage. "You… you cut off my hand… my hand…!"
Tojo sneered, responding with disdain: "Hmph, who told you to bully my dear Lieutenant. Now…," however, he didn't finish his sentence, when suddenly—
"Pa—!" A loud sound echoed. Agodada's hand swiftly regenerated, seemingly repaired by an invisible force. "Just kidding!" He grinned, his tone laced with provocation.
"However, to think that you could make me feel pain, that is unforgivable—!" Agodada's eyes flashed a crimson red as he shouted in rage. His arms swelled with muscle, and waves of power radiated from his body. His skin grew increasingly damp, as if intense heat was erupting from within. The air around him became heavy, and steam began to rise, enveloping his entire body.
(His Reiki is rapidly increasing...!) Norika watched in shock as this unfolded.
Tojo once again used Jinsen, appearing above Agodada. He raised his blade high and sliced through the air. "Bakusui Sen..."[4] With a low growl, the water flowing along his blade began to spin violently, gathering into a sharp stream of water that cut straight toward Agodada's head.
"Whoosh—!" The blade swiftly sliced through the air, but Agodada actually blocked Tojo's attack with one hand. The water blade of the knife collided effortlessly with his tough skin, creating a sharp sound of impact.
"Useless." Agodada sneered, his eyes filled with contempt. "My skin has hardened twenty times more than before."
Agodada bared his sharp claws and raised them, pointing at Tojo, a cold smirk flashing in his eyes.
(What is he planning to do...?) Tojo furrowed his brows slightly, his eyes locked onto his opponent as he quickly assessed the situation in his mind.
Suddenly, Agodada's claws extended rapidly like lightning, stabbing straight toward Tojo's chest.
"What!?" Tojo exclaimed in shock. Without hesitation, he swung his blade in reverse, blocking the swift attack with sheer force. With a loud crash, he was sent stumbling backward, his body colliding with the rubble behind him, creating a heavy thud.
"Captain!!" Norika cried out in panic. Despite the pain coursing through her body, she persisted in rushing to Tojo's side.
Agodada sneered, looking at Tojo with contempt. "Hmph, the captain is nothing special... Come on, hand over that woman, and I'll spare your life."
Tojo slightly raised his head, a cold light flashing in his eyes. Unyielding, he stood up, lips tightly shut, and whispered, "Suizo Reishiki, Hyaku Yu Suijin Kyocho."[5]
He swept his blade through the air. With a swift motion, a massive water vortex appeared beneath Agodada. As the water spun violently, Agodada was caught within, and the razor-sharp water blades relentlessly tore at everything around, emitting sounds like "Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh" as if blades were slicing through flesh.
Suddenly, an ear-splitting roar "Ah!" came from Agodada's mouth. The water vortex exploded with a deafening sound, scattering in all directions, instantly dissipating the giant water flow.
"Damn..." Agodada muttered angrily, blood dripping slowly from his wounds.
Tojo smiled faintly, his gaze locking onto the bloodied figure before him. "Heh, who said I couldn't cut you?"
"Tsk, it's just a superficial wound... What's there to be smug about?" Agodada snorted, his voice still defiant, but the fury in his eyes could no longer be concealed.
Tojo's lips curled into a slight smirk, his voice firm. "Oh, it matters... Because my goal is to make you suffer!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, he suddenly assumed a stance, and the water flowing from his blade surged again, rapidly extending and winding like a living creature, coiling toward Agodada. "Suiryu Sabaku![6]" The water instantly transformed into a tough chain, tightly binding Agodada's limbs and forcing him to remain in place.
"Norika!!" Tojo shouted loudly.
Without hesitation, Norika dashed forward, kicking off the ground and soaring into the air, her blade firmly gripped, heading straight for Agodada's wound.
(I must pierce him before his wound heals... This is the captain's order to me!)
However—
"Quit playing your petty tricks!!" Agodada roared, muscles bulging tight. In the next instant—snap!!—the water bindings burst apart. He tore through them with sheer brute force.
"Shit!! Norika, get out of the way!!" Tojo shouted.
Agodada's fist was already upon her, roaring toward her with devastating force.
(It's over... I can't dodge in time!!)
Norika's pupils shrank. The shadow of death loomed large—
But in that hair's breadth of a moment, Agodada's body froze in midair. His limbs locked up as if bound by invisible shackles, halting just inches from striking her.
(What!? Why did he stop all of a sudden? Whatever it is… this is my chance!)
Norika took a deep breath and twisted midair, adjusting her posture with precision. She landed firmly on Agodada's shoulder. At that moment, in the corner of her eye, she caught a flicker in the distance— Just ahead of Tojo stood a familiar white figure: a silver fox. It met her gaze for the briefest moment... and vanished.
(That fox from that night...? No—this isn't the time to think about that!)
Snapping back to the moment, she gripped the hilt of her blade tight. Purple Reiki surged along the blade, flowing wildly with an eerie, otherworldly glow.
"Chiri yuke — Gekka Kaei[7]!" she whispered sharply, the blade aimed straight at the wound on Agodada's shoulder, and drove it down with a fierce thrust!
The blade sank into flesh. A surge of purple Reiki poured into the wound, spreading like wild vines through his body.
Norika didn't dare linger. She yanked the blade free without hesitation and leapt backward, landing lightly beside Tojo, eyes locked on their enemy with unwavering alertness.
Agodada's body suddenly jolted. Regaining his mobility, he growled through gritted teeth, "What kind of sorcery... did you use on me...? I couldn't move at all! That's impossible!!"
Norika and Tojo exchanged glances. Both could tell—the force that immobilised Agodada hadn't come from either of them.
Tojo shrugged, letting out a cold chuckle. "No idea. Maybe you're just too injured to hold yourself together."
Norika, lips pressed into a thin line, wasn't convinced.
(No... it must've been that silver fox... but why...?)
Her eyes drifted toward Tojo again, unease growing in her chest. (It was right in front of him… but… did he not see it?)
Agodada sneered, a mocking grin tugging at his lips. "Hah! You think stabbing an open wound is enough to bring me down? How naive! It's useless!" Even as he spoke, the wound on his shoulder began to knit itself shut, muscle and flesh squirming until it appeared untouched.
Tojo, however, didn't seem fazed. He walked toward Norika, his voice calm and steady. "We never intended to bring you down that way."
He stopped beside her, turned slightly, and called in a low voice, "Norika."
Norika responded with a faint smirk, her eyes locked onto Agodada. "Hmph. Did you forget? I told you what my Fujizukika is capable of."
Agodada's expression froze, pupils shrinking. "Poison—!?"
"Remember now?" Norika lifted her Reimetsutou, a faint trace of violet still pulsing along the blade. "That strike just now… I already infused your body with Fujizukika's toxin. It seeps silently into your bloodstream, dismantling your nervous system… and then, it will slowly devour you from the inside."
Agodada coughed violently, blood gushing from his mouth like a fountain. Trembling, he reached up and spat out more blood. "Cough, cough...! Damn you—!!" The blood splattered onto the ground, but the fury in his eyes remained unchanged. "You filthy insects! Don't get too cocky!"
Norika and Tojo stood stunned, watching the spectacle. Agodada, ignoring the pain, reached for his face. His fingers touched his eye socket, and with a sharp crack, he ripped out his own eyeball!
"He... he just gouged out his own eye?!" Norika exclaimed in disbelief.
A twisted, maniacal grin curled up the corners of Agodada's lips, and his voice dripped with a chilling certainty. "I'll be back soon!"
Ignoring the excruciating pain in his eye, he clenched the eyeball in his hand and crushed it mercilessly. The orb instantly disintegrated into a cloud of black smoke, radiating ominous dark energy. Before the smoke even dissipated, Agodada's figure vanished without a trace.
Tojo stood in silence for a moment, his gaze sweeping across the battlefield, where the remnants of the fight still lingered—ruins and rubble with the scent of blood and ash hanging heavily in the air.
Norika gripped the handle of her blade, her fingers turning pale with the tension. She turned her gaze toward the ruined district in the distance, the destruction seeming all the more desolate under the moonlight.
(That silver fox... could it be Angelisya?) She thought quietly to herself, recalling the brief moment earlier, a frown forming on her brow.
(If it really was her... then why is she here?)
[1] To Translate in English:
Release
[2] English version maybe like:
Shi: Release (?
[3] To translate in Engelish:
Water Flow Slash
[4] To Translate in English:
Torrent Flash Fang
[5] To translate in English:
Aqua Burial Type-0: Hundred Wraiths’ Blade Tempest
[6] To Translate in English:
Aqua Fang: Sandbound Dragon
[7] To Translate in English:
Wither away — Moonlit Flower's Shade!