Chapter 9: A Chill on the Wind
Morning broke gently over Windale, its golden light seeping through the wooden shutters of the inn. Kazuki sat at the edge of his bed, strapping on his boots with one hand while the other rested on the hilt of Soulcut.
The blade pulsed faintly, like it was eager.
He smirked. "Guess you're hungry too."
> System Note: Daily MP regen complete.
Current MP: 500/500
Status: Well-rested, mildly popular, overly stylish.
Celestia's voice chimed with amusement. "At least one of us gets to rest. You kept dreaming about fighting dragons again."
"I'm preparing," Kazuki said as he buckled his belt. "You never know when a fire-breathing reptile will decide to ruin someone's smile."
He stepped out into the crisp morning air, heading toward the guild plaza. Training dummies stood in the grass behind the building, well-used and dented. Kazuki drew Soulcut, its shimmer catching the morning light.
He exhaled. The world fell into focus.
One slash—clean, precise. The dummy didn't even fall until three seconds later, neatly bisected. The sword adapted, curved ever so slightly toward his momentum. It was learning.
> [Soulcut – Blade of the Self] Proficiency: 8% → 11%
Adaptive Edge bonus unlocked: Critical Slash – 10% chance to double damage on precision strike.
Kazuki grinned. "Nice."
Then he felt it.
The air shifted—thickened. The sun dimmed for just a moment, as if the world held its breath. Even the birds stopped singing. Soulcut vibrated in his grip, sensing something… wrong.
Then, a presence.
A figure appeared in the plaza—not from around the corner or up the road. Just… there, where no one had been before. Cloaked in deep crimson, face hidden beneath a silver mask etched with runes.
They walked with casual grace, footsteps silent despite the stone path.
Kazuki's fingers tensed around his sword.
"Friend of yours?" he whispered.
Celestia's voice was tight. "No. And he's not one of ours, either."
The figure stopped a few paces from him, staring silently.
"…Can I help you?" Kazuki asked, voice calm.
A low, velvety voice replied, "Just watching. I was told a 'Demon Lord from Another World' appeared in this town."
Kazuki shrugged. "Rumors get around fast. I hear he's very handsome."
"Bold too," the man replied. "And foolish."
Kazuki tilted his head. "Says the guy in a drama villain cloak. You here to start something?"
"No," the stranger said. "Only to pass along a message." He raised one gloved hand and held out a folded parchment sealed with black wax.
Kazuki didn't move. "You could just tell me."
"This is not a message meant for ears," the man said. "Only for you. The 'false king' who wears a demon's mask."
Kazuki's jaw tightened.
The man dropped the parchment on the ground, turned, and began to walk away.
"Hey," Kazuki said. "Who are you?"
The man paused. His voice dropped lower, colder.
"One of many eyes that see for the Emperor."
He vanished in a blink, shadows swallowing him whole.
---
Kazuki stared at the black seal.
> Warning: High-Grade Curse Magic Detected.
Do not open the message unless prepared.
Estimated Spell Type: Psychological Curse – Illusory Feedback
Celestia's voice returned, sharp and serious. "Burn it. Now."
Kazuki crouched and snapped his fingers. A small flare of flame danced on his palm as he dropped it onto the parchment. The moment the fire touched the seal, the paper screamed—a whispering cacophony of warped voices that vanished with the smoke.
Kazuki stood slowly. "Well… that's not unsettling at all."
"That wasn't just a curse," Celestia said. "That was a memory link. It was trying to drag your mind to his. Or worse—his to yours."
Kazuki felt a bead of sweat roll down his temple. Soulcut pulsed like a heart in his grip.
"So…" he asked, "that guy—an actual servant of this Demon Emperor you mentioned?"
"Yes," she replied. "A Seer. They walk the world in silence, watching, whispering. If he's shown himself, it means the Emperor knows about you."
Kazuki looked out across the town.
People were beginning to wake up. Merchants unlocking shops. Kids running down the alleys. All unaware that something ancient and malevolent now had eyes on Windale.
"They'll come here, won't they?" he asked quietly.
"Eventually."
He clenched his jaw. "Then I need to get stronger."
Celestia's voice softened. "You will. You're not alone, Kazuki."
"No," he said, lifting Soulcut. "But I'm the only one who can write my story."