The air in the arena buzzed with tension as Renjiro squared his shoulders, his wooden training blade held firmly in his grip. His sharp eyes gleamed with an unshakable resolve as he faced his opponent—a towering soldier clad in shimmering, enchanted armor. The crowd, a sea of wide-eyed villagers and skeptical onlookers, murmured among themselves, their voices a low hum beneath the weight of anticipation.
"I won't give up easily," Renjiro declared, his voice cutting through the murmurs like a blade through silk. He shifted into a low stance, his feet planted firmly on the cracked earth of the training ground.
Across from him, Tetsuya, the village commander, folded his arms over his chest, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "I love your confidence," he said, his tone smooth yet laced with mockery. "Tell you what—if you win this match, I'll give you a reward."
Renjiro tilted his head, his curiosity piqued despite the intensity of the moment. "What kind of reward are you going to give me?"
Tetsuya's smirk widened into a grin, his eyes narrowing as he leaned forward slightly. "Do you really think you can win against me?"
Renjiro's response was immediate. His lips curled into a wicked smile, his eyes widening with a glint that sent a shiver through the onlookers. "Yes, yes, I am going to win this battle."
The crowd fell silent, stunned by the audacity of his words. This was no ordinary challenger—this was Renjiro, a boy barely past his teenage years, speaking so casually to Tetsuya, the village's most formidable warrior. Whispers rippled through the stands.
"He's just a little boy. He won't last long against Tetsuya," muttered one villager, shaking his head.
Another scoffed. "He's got guts, I'll give him that. But guts alone won't save him."
The soldier, acting under Tetsuya's command, stepped forward, his armor clanking with every movement. Without a word, he lunged at Renjiro, his blade whistling through the air. Renjiro met the attack head-on, their wooden swords clashing with a thunderous crack that echoed across the arena. Sparks flew—not from steel, but from the sheer force of their collision. The ground trembled beneath their feet, a testament to the power behind each strike.
In the stands, Selena gripped the edge of her seat, her knuckles whitening. Her younger brother's reckless determination gnawed at her nerves. She turned to Haruto, her voice trembling slightly. "Is my little brother really okay?"
Haruto, leaning back with his arms crossed, raised an eyebrow at her. "I've never seen you care about him this much. Why are you suddenly asking if he's okay?"
Selena bit her lip, her gaze drifting back to the battlefield. "I've never seen him like this. He's never gotten this excited before."
Haruto nodded slowly, his eyes narrowing as he watched Renjiro dodge a brutal swing from the soldier. "It's understandable. Renjiro's always been uninterested in everything—aloof, detached. But now? This isn't just a mock battle to him. He's thrilled. I think he's fine—more than fine, actually."
Yuki, sitting beside them, tilted her head, her voice soft but tinged with unease. "I don't know. I've never seen Renjiro smile like that. It's… unsettling. It makes me a little afraid."
Takeshi and Himari, perched on the row behind them, exchanged a glance. "We feel the same," Takeshi admitted, his brow furrowing. "He's never been like this. It's like he's someone else entirely."
Himari nodded. "That grin… it's not just confidence. There's something darker in it."
As their conversation unfolded, the battle below grew fiercer by the second. Each time Renjiro and the soldier crossed blades, the impact reverberated through the arena, a deafening clang accompanied by tremors in the earth. The soldier, towering and relentless, swung his fist in a sudden arc, catching Renjiro square in the stomach.
"Damn!" Renjiro grunted, the force of the blow sending him flying. He crashed into the stone wall at the edge of the arena, the impact leaving a spiderweb of cracks in its surface. Dust billowed around him as he slumped to one knee, clutching his midsection.
He's holding back, Renjiro thought, his mind racing even as pain seared through his body. Even with him holding back, that punch was immense. And that armor—it absorbs every hit I land and regenerates the damage. How am I supposed to break through?
Before he could fully regain his footing, the soldier charged again, his fist aimed at Renjiro's head. Renjiro rolled to the side, the attack grazing past him by mere inches. "Too close," he muttered, springing back to his feet. "That would've smashed my face."
Before he could fully regain his footing, the soldier charged again, his fist aimed at Renjiro's head. Renjiro rolled to the side, the attack grazing past him by mere inches. "Too close," he muttered, springing back to his feet. "That would've smashed my face."
Another punch came, and Renjiro dodged again, this time retaliating with a swift kick to the soldier's legs. The armored figure stumbled, losing balance for a fleeting moment. Seizing the opportunity, Renjiro drove his sword into the ground for leverage, then launched himself forward. With all his strength concentrated in his left hand, he struck the soldier with a powerful blow.
The soldier crashed into the earth, his sword raised instinctively to slow his fall. But the punch, though forceful, barely dented the enchanted armor. Renjiro clicked his tongue in frustration. "Damn armor. It takes all the impact."
From the sidelines, Tetsuya's voice rang out, calm and commanding. "Just give up, Renjiro. It's useless. You can't win against me—not even with the core. It won't make a difference."
Renjiro straightened, wiping sweat from his brow as he flashed another defiant grin. "Say whatever you want. I'll prove everyone wrong. I can win—without the core."
The crowd erupted in disbelief. "He's fighting Tetsuya without a core?" one villager gasped. "How is that even possible?"
Another shook his head. "It's pure bravado. Tetsuya hasn't even gotten serious yet."
Tetsuya's expression darkened. With a subtle nod, he signaled the soldier. "Finish this."
The soldier surged forward, his movements faster and more precise than before. Renjiro tightened his grip on his blade, his mind racing. I need one solid hit—just one—at a weak spot. Wait… I've got it.
As the soldier closed in, Renjiro sidestepped the incoming strike, then pivoted sharply. With a burst of speed, he drove his left leg into the soldier's neck. The impact sent the armored figure hurtling into the air, a rare moment of vulnerability exposed.
The crowd roared, their shock palpable. Yuki's eyes widened. "I told you—he always finds a way!"
Haruto grinned. "There it is. He's going for it again—Phantom Step Slash."
In midair, Renjiro vanished, his form blurring as he reappeared behind the soldier. Tetsuya's eyes narrowed. "I won't fall for that trick again."
The soldier twisted, meeting Renjiro's attack with one of his own. Their strikes collided in a blinding explosion of force, smoke and dust billowing across the battlefield. Renjiro landed hard, his vision obscured by the haze. I need to watch for a surprise attack, he thought, steadying himself.
Then he saw it—a glint of light cutting through the smoke. An arrow, its tip shimmering with divine energy, streaked toward him. He twisted to dodge, but his reflexes, dulled by exhaustion, failed him. The arrow pierced his right chest, and a spray of blood erupted from his mouth.
"W-What…?" Renjiro rasped, staggering back. His gaze darted to Tetsuya, who stood with a bow in hand, his expression unreadable. "You… Why?"
Tetsuya lowered the weapon, his tone almost apologetic. "I thought you'd dodge it."
Before Renjiro could respond, the soldier charged again, slamming into him with brutal force. He flew back, crashing into the wall once more. Pain radiated through his body, but he forced himself to stay conscious.
Tetsuya stepped forward, his voice cold. "Playtime's over. I've had enough of your childish antics."
Renjiro coughed, blood trickling down his chin. Then, slowly, he began to laugh—a low, chilling sound that grew into a single, miserable cackle. With a trembling hand, he grasped the arrow embedded in his chest and yanked it free, ignoring the fresh gush of blood. He pointed it at Tetsuya, his evil smile widening. "You say playtime's over? Fineeee…"
Blood dripped from his forehead, staining the ground. He touched it, brought it to his lips, and tasted it. "It's blood… my blood…" His laughter returned, darker and more unhinged.
Selena's voice quavered as she gripped Haruto's arm. "Why is he laughing like that? I've never seen him like this!"
Takeshi shot to his feet. "Guys, we need to stop this match—now!"
But before anyone could act, Renjiro's demeanor shifted. His eyes widened, his grin stretching impossibly wide as he whispered, "Let's fight for real."
An overwhelming wave of bloodlust flooded the arena, a primal force that made the air itself tremble. Some villagers fainted, others clutched their chests, unable to withstand the pressure. Haruto's breath caught. "What is this bloodlust?"
Selena's voice was barely a whisper. "It's coming from Renjiro…"
Tetsuya's hands tightened around his bow, his body trembling despite his iron will. It's the same, he thought. That same bloodlust I felt on that street when I first met him. So it really was you…
The arena stood on the brink of chaos, the boy before them no longer just a challenger—but something far more dangerous.