Yomi crouched in the shadows, his presence so utterly erased it was as if he had become one with the darkness itself, a skill he used when they passed the ancient doors. The small beast girl trembled in his arms, her soft fur brushing against his skin. Her crimson eyes darted nervously toward the carnage unfolding just beyond their hidden vantage point, where the Ravager party had plunged headfirst into chaos.
This technique, employed by Shinobi, was an art Yomi had perfected long ago in his realm, among the numerous skills imparted to those who tread softly in the shadow of death.
It enabled him to merge flawlessly with his environment, his Ki reduced to a mere murmur, undetectable even to the most acute senses. The creatures that roamed the chamber, grotesque amalgamations of reptilian savagery and demonic spite, disregarded him as they tore through the others.
The beast girl whimpered softly, and Yomi tightened his hold on her. "Hush," he whispered, his voice steady and reassuring. "They can't see us. You're safe."
Her trembling slowed, though the terror in her eyes remained. Yomi, however, was far from shaken. He observed the scene before him with a cold detachment, his sharp eyes studying every movement. These creatures were unlike anything he'd faced in his world—spiked carapaces, glowing crimson veins, and jaws filled with serrated teeth. They exuded an aura of raw menace, and yet, Yomi found himself... intrigued.
Interesting, he thought, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. The hunt had always stirred something primal within him, a part of him that thrived in the dance of life and death. If this new world was filled with abominations such as these, then his path forward would be both perilous and exhilarating.
His musings were interrupted by Milner's agonized scream. Yomi's gaze shifted, watching without a shred of empathy as the brutish man was swarmed, his body ripped apart in a gruesome display of claws and teeth.
Not far away, Thanir stumbled backward, his panic evident as a monster's tail impaled him clean through the chest. He fell to the ground, gasping and pleading, only to be silenced as the life drained from his eyes.
Yomi didn't flinch. He felt no pity for these men—not because they had enslaved him, but because they were cowards. In Yomi's eyes, cowardice was the lowest form of existence, and such mongrels deserved nothing more than the fate they now faced.
"Please..." A tiny voice broke his focus. Yomi looked down to see the beast girl tugging at the collar of his tunic, her wide eyes glistening with tears. "Mister, please... save them. Aeloria and Lirien... they're good people. They don't deserve this."
Yomi frowned, his initial instinct to refuse. He owed them nothing, and risking himself for others was a fool's errand. "Not my problem," he muttered under his breath. But the beast girl's tears broke through his resolve. She sobbed quietly, her small frame shaking as she clung to him.
Yomi sighed, running a hand through his hair. He had never been able to stand the sight of a crying child. "Fine," he said at last, placing her gently on the ground. "Stay here and don't move. I'll handle it."
The beast girl's face lit up with gratitude, though her tears continued to flow. Yomi turned away, stepping out from the shadows, his mind already calculating his next moves. He had stayed out of this mess long enough.
Now, it was time to act.
****
"You begged," he said simply, his voice devoid of emotion. "I answered."
Lirien froze, her sword trembling in her hand as she watched the scene before her. Yomi stood amidst the carnage, his fingertips still glowing faintly with residual energy from the attack that had obliterated the monster's head. The strange, concentrated orb of power—something she had never seen before—hung in her memory like a phantom. She tightened her grip on Aeloria, whose pale face rested against her chest, her breathing shallow and weak.
"Dra'kesh..." Lirien whispered, her voice wavering. The words caught in her throat as she felt Aeloria's body growing colder. Panic swelled within her as she began to shout at the unconscious mage. "Aeloria, no! Stay with me! Open your eyes, damn it!"
Yomi turned toward her, his piercing gaze locking onto Lirien. His steps were slow, deliberate, as he approached her with the air of someone completely unbothered by the chaos surrounding them. When he stopped in front of her, his hand shot out, tangling in her pink hair, yanking her head back to force her to meet his eyes.
"Why should I listen to you?" Yomi demanded, his voice low and venomous. His dark storm eyes burned with an intensity that made Lirien's heart falter. "Why should I take orders from the weak?"
Lirien stared at him, stunned into silence. Her mind raced, searching for a reply, but she couldn't find the words. She was an ex-noble who had failed to protect her family, failed to uphold her principles. She could feel the weight of his contempt—not just for her weakness but for the betrayal she had been complicit in. Perhaps he hated her for using him and the others as bait. Yet, as he stared into her soul, she realized he didn't care about that.
What he hated was the look in her eyes—the hopelessness of someone who had given up.
"Look at me," Yomi commanded, his voice sharp enough to cut through her despair. "That pathetic resolve of yours... It's the reason your companion is dying in your arms. Is that how a swordswoman carries herself?"
Lirien's breath hitched as his words pierced her more deeply than any monster ever could. Her gaze fell for a moment, catching the glint of the iron collar around his neck. She realized, with sudden clarity, that if she could command him—if she could give him a reason—he might save Aeloria. But such an act would be unforgivable. It would shatter whatever was left of her dignity and push her beyond saving.
Her lips trembled as she uttered the only thing she could think of. "I'll do anything... Anything you want. Just... save her."
Yomi raised an eyebrow, skepticism flashing across his face. He leaned in, his expression unreadable, until his lips met hers.
Lirien's eyes widened in shock, her entire body stiffening. She tried to pull away, but something strange coursed through her—a foreign energy slipping into her body, igniting her senses. It wasn't mana or aura; it was something else, something ancient and primal.
As Yomi pulled back, leaving her stunned and breathless, he bent down toward Aeloria. Without hesitation, he pressed his lips to hers. Lirien watched, her mind spinning. What is he doing? Is he some kind of pervert? But then she noticed the change.
Aeloria's pale complexion began to regain its color, the faintest flush returning to her cheeks. Her breathing grew steadier, and her body, once cold, started to warm. Lirien's disbelief turned to awe as she realized Yomi had done the impossible.
"What... what did you do?" Lirien asked, her voice barely audible.
Yomi straightened, his expression as calm and unreadable as ever. "That will have to do," he said dismissively, his eyes shifting toward the encroaching threat.
In the distance, the horde stirred. The monsters had regrouped, their glowing eyes fixated on the trio. Drool dripped from their open mouths as they began to lunge forward, their hunger palpable.
Yomi cracked his knuckles, a dangerous smile playing on his lips. "Stay behind me," he said, his voice carrying a quiet authority. "It's about to get messy."
****
A/N: sorry guys, more chapters are on the way! Hang tight, and happy reading until then.