Kai reached out, almost hesitant, fingertips brushing the dark blade before gliding down to the hilt.
The handle was wrapped in the same black cloth he remembered, and nestled between the grip and the blade was a guard shaped like a cherry blossom—jet black, delicate, and slightly chipped.
It looked cheap at a glance. Unremarkable, even—if you didn't know what it was.
But Kai knew.
This was Kurozakura.
Matsumoto's pride. His legacy. The blade he wouldn't let anyone touch, let alone wield. Except now, here it was—without ceremony, lying on the floor like a forgotten trinket.
Kai smiled and picked it up, holding it with both hands like a long-lost treasure.
"Well... I don't know how strong an F-rank katana is in this world, but I'm guessing it's on the lower side. Still better than that glorified stick those goblins were throwing around."
The weight was familiar—slightly heavier than it looked, but perfectly balanced. He gave it a few test swings, feeling the whisper of air slice around him. A horizontal slash. A vertical arc. A little spin for no reason other than it looked cool.
And then—
A grin.
A chuckle.
Followed by full-blown maniacal laughter as he raised the blade high above his head, basking in the glorious chuuni energy that surged through his veins like a caffeinated storm.
"BEHOLD! THE BLADE THAT CUTS FATE ITSELF—KUROZAKURA!"
Yeah. His syndrome was flaring up hard.
BAM! BOOM!
"What the—?!"
Kai didn't even have time to lower his dramatic pose before the double doors across the hallway exploded open with a crash loud enough to rattle the chandelier above.
And through the chaos stumbled—
A boy.
Tiny. Tear-streaked. Face covered in snot and spit. Crying so hard he could barely breathe. Limping. Fragile. Completely out of place in a world full of goblin-spearing, monster-screeching madness.
Kai blinked.
"Why is he crying like tha—ohhh my god."
Kai immediately understood.
Behind the snot-soaked boy came a swarm of goblins—at least a dozen—cackling like they'd just stumbled into the best comedy show of their lives.
"Oh hell no—"
Kai grabbed the discarded "legendary" spear and took off running down the corridor. The kid followed close behind, flailing and sobbing, while the goblins gave chase with renewed excitement.
Not one human to play with—two. It was practically a holiday.
"Why'd you run this way, you idiot?!"
Kai shouted over his shoulder.
"I DON'T KNOW!" the boy wailed. "I didn't see anywhere else! They just started chasing me and I—AHHHH! PLEASE SAVE ME!"
He looked at Kai like a soaking-wet puppy in the middle of a hurricane.
Kai scowled and turned forward again, picking up speed.
"Great. Just great. I don't even know what I'm doing, let alone how to play babysitter!"
Whoosh—Whoosh!
More spears cut through the air.
Kai ducked and zig-zagged, adrenaline doing most of the thinking. The boy, meanwhile, just screamed louder and threw his hands over his head—somehow, miraculously, avoiding every flying spear.
Kai spared a quick glance.
"How the hell are you still alive?!"
"I DON'T KNOWWWW!!!"
Kai made a decision—he was getting the hell out of here.
Fast.
He didn't want any smoke. Not now. Not with a dozen goblins on his heels and some random snot-dripping kid adding to the chaos.
This was supposed to be his second chance at life, not a heroic death trying to save a walking tissue box he didn't even know.
"How the hell are you even in this castle?! Where'd you come from??"
"What?!"
The boy yelled back, looking utterly offended mid-chase.
Behind him, the goblins were having a damn fiesta. One of them pulled out a slingshot and fired.
Thunk!
A rock zipped past Kai's ear. He barely dodged it, then turned his head, incredulous.
"The same way you did, idiot!"
The boy yelled again.
They locked eyes mid-sprint.
Kai blinked. The boy blinked.
"Cool. Good luck with the goblins. Bye."
With that, Kai kicked it into high gear, burning every ounce of stamina he had left as he bolted down the hallway like he'd just stolen someone's sacred rice bowl.
"WAIT! PLEASE! I'M SORRY! DON'T LEAVE ME! I'LL BE NICE!!"
The boy's voice cracked behind him, full panic mode engaged.
Kai didn't slow down. Didn't look back.
He just shook his head.
"Disrespect me? I'm the goddamn wielder of the Kurozakura Blade. You better learn some respect, brat."
He didn't know where he was going—but at least he was going there with a sword and petty vengeance in his heart.
Kai had no idea how someone like this kid was still alive. Fragile body, zero stamina, and somehow not three but a dozen goblins chasing after him like he owed them money. It defied all logic.
But whatever. He'd already made his decision.
He didn't like the guy.
And that was that.
He wouldn't help him even if he claimed to be personally blessed by Lady luc—
"Lady Luck!" the boy suddenly shouted between sobs. "She chose me! Wherever I go, luck will follow me! That's my Blessing! So please, help me here!"
Kai skidded to a confused stop.
"...Huh?"
The boy caught up to him, panting, then kept running as if he hadn't just dropped a divine bombshell. Kai blinked and jogged beside him again, processing what he'd just heard.
They ran side-by-side now, and Kai found himself... thinking.
'Lady Luck, huh?'
That had to count for something. Like maybe they wouldn't get speared or eaten or turned into goblin stew. That sounded nice. People helped each other, right? That's what heroes did.
Not that he was scared or anything.
And not because having a divine blessing of probability manipulation on their side sounded like the best cheat code ever, or whatever.
No. He was just being a decent human being.
That was all.
Totally.
He glanced sideways.
The boy really did look helpless. His face was smeared with tears and snot, his skinny arms flapping like uncooked noodles. Leaving him behind would've been like kicking a puppy into traffic.
Kai sighed through his teeth.
"Say... you're an Outrider, right?"
The boy turned his head sharply, glaring like Kai had just called him dog poop to his face.
"How dare—!"
"Okay, okay, my bad," Kai muttered, eyes rolling.
Yup. He hated the kid. Still helping him, though.
Stupid conscience.