Under the broad canopy of a towering tree, Robert stood silently, his eyes fixed on the ruined cities of Wraithus below. The once thriving metropolis was now a wasteland, devoid of human life and teeming with monstrous creatures. The remnants of buildings stood as silent witnesses to the devastation, their skeletal frames casting long shadows in the twilight.
"This is not work for a shadowed warrior," Robert declared, his voice calm yet resolute.
As he spoke, shadows began to swirl around his feet, rising up his body with an almost sentient fluidity. The darkness wrapped around him, morphing and solidifying into the intricate details of a traditional outfit. The shadows formed a flowing kimono with a hakama, dark and sleek, its edges highlighted with a subtle, otherworldly glow. A pair of zori sandals materialized on his feet, completing the attire.
A katana appeared at his side, its hilt ornate and ancient, seemingly forged from the shadows themselves. His hair transformed, lengthening and turning a silvery black, falling around his face in a style reminiscent of a samurai warrior. The transformation was swift yet detailed, each element of his new attire crafted with precision.
As the transformation took hold, Kage recalled the book he had once read, filled with the wisdom and history.
"In ancient times," he began, his voice now imbued with a deeper resonance, "there were warriors. They rose to prominence during the late 12th century, serving as retainers to powerful lords.
During invasions in the 13th century, they demonstrated their formidable military prowess, defending their homeland with unparalleled bravery. The era was followed by another period, an age of constant warfare among rivals. They served as retainers, mercenaries, and even landowners, their influence growing ever stronger.
Another period brought stability and a formalization of the warrior class. They became stewards and chamberlains, their status hereditary, with some commoners ascending to their ranks through service or adoption. A code, emphasizing virtues such as loyalty, courage, and honor, guided their actions and defined their existence. Ritual suicide, or something called... seppuku, was a respected alternative to dishonor, embodying their commitment to these principles.
However, with the Restoration came modernization, and their political power waned. By the late 19th century, their class was formally abolished, and many of us transitioned into new roles in a rapidly changing society.
Despite these changes, the legacy of their endures. They left an indelible mark on their land, from martial arts to literature and societal values. Even today, their spirit and the discipline they lived by continue to inspire.
I, too, walk this path," Kage continued, embodying the principles and skills honed over centuries. "The battles I face may be different, but the resolve and honor remain the same."
With the transformation complete, Kage glanced back at the ruins of Wraithus and then at his reflection in a nearby pool of water. He turned back to the desolate city and declared, "From now on, I will be known as Kage. This transformation is to push myself to the limits, relying solely on my physical strength and skills."
Ready to face the monstrous hordes that infested the ruins, Kage stood poised, embodying the spirit of the samurai. His resolve was unyielding, and with the shadows as his ally, he prepared to restore order to the chaos that lay before him.
Alex, trailing behind as always, called out, "Robert, wait!"
Before he could say more, Kage turned and raised a hand to stop him. "Kage is my name now," he said calmly, his voice carrying a new authority and resolve.
Alex's eyes widened in surprise. The transformation had not just altered Robert's appearance but also his very presence. The seriousness in Kage's expression and the weight of his words left Alex momentarily speechless.
As Kage descended further into the desolate city of Wraithus, he noticed Alex keeping pace behind him. The ruins loomed around them, the silence broken only by the distant growls of monstrous creatures.
Kage paused and turned to face Alex, his expression calm yet firm. "Alex, why have you come here?" he asked, his voice carrying the weight of his new identity. "A samurai must walk alone, Use your portable portal," he instructed. "If you wish to stay, take your own path and do not track me down anymore."
With a respectful nod, Alex activated the portable portal, understanding that this journey was one Kage needed to undertake alone. Kage's resolve was unwavering, and Alex knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, Kage was ready to face them with the spirit of a true samurai.
As Kage ventured deeper into the desolate city of Wraithus, the eerie silence was suddenly broken by a low, guttural growl. Emerging from the shadows, a massive creature crawled into view, its presence both formidable and grotesque.
The beast was an unnerving fusion of spider and mammal. Its body was covered in dark, matted fur that bristled with each movement, while its eight long, segmented legs ended in razor-sharp claws that clattered against the stone ruins. Two pairs of glowing red eyes peered out from beneath a grotesque, fanged maw that dripped with venom.
Muscular and agile, the creature moved with a predatory grace, its every step sending shivers through the debris-laden ground. Its size was staggering, easily towering over Kage, and the sheer malevolence in its eyes betrayed a fierce intelligence.
Kage stood his ground, his hand instinctively moving toward the hilt of his katana. He took a deep breath, deliberately choosing not to use his inspect skill. This encounter would test his physical abilities and his spirit.
As the massive beast lunged forward, one of its long, segmented legs swung down with deadly intent, aiming directly at Kage. Reacting swiftly, Kage drew his black katana, the blade shimmering with a dark sheen. With a practiced motion, he parried the incoming strike.
The impact was fierce. Sparks flew as the katana met the beast's clawed leg, illuminating the immediate area with brief flashes of light. Despite his skillful defense, the sheer force of the blow sent Kage skidding backward across the ground, his feet digging into the rubble to regain balance.
Kage's eyes narrowed as he steadied himself, recognizing the formidable strength of his opponent.
Undeterred, the beast swung its leg again. This time, Kage's movements were a blur. Just as the leg was about to connect, he vanished, reappearing behind the creature with lightning speed. With a swift and precise motion, Kage struck at the beast's back. However, the blade met the creature's hardened shell, sending him flying backward. He twisted gracefully in mid-air and landed nimbly on a half-destroyed wall.
Kage took a deep breath, centering himself. The beast, undeterred, prepared to strike again. But this time, Kage was ready to show the full extent of his samurai skills.
In an instant, he moved with lightning speed. To an outside observer, he seemed to vanish, only to reappear at different points around the beast in rapid succession. His black katana flashed in the dim light as he attacked from every angle, a blur of motion and precision.
Kage struck the beast's legs, its flanks, and the joints of its hardened shell. Each attack was delivered with perfect accuracy and incredible speed, leaving the beast confused and struggling to react. Sparks flew as the katana clashed against the creature's shell, filling the air with the sharp sounds of battle.
Despite the beast's attempts to defend itself, Kage was relentless. He moved so quickly that the creature could hardly track his movements. One moment he was behind it, the next he was at its side, then above, raining down blows with unmatched skill.
As he attacked, Kage's focus was absolute. He used his agility and swordsmanship to exploit every weakness, every small opening in the beast's defense. His strikes were not random but calculated, each one intended to wear down his formidable opponent
With the beast reeling from his relentless attacks, Kage knew the moment had come to deliver the final blow. Steadying himself, he sheathed his katana with a deliberate, fluid motion. His eyes locked onto the beast's fiery gaze, a silent declaration of his unwavering resolve.
The creature, sensing its imminent demise, summoned a glob of acid from its maw, its fangs dripping with the toxic substance. The air around them thickened with tension as the beast prepared to unleash its deadly attack.
Kage took a deep breath and assumed a stance, his body perfectly still but his mind razor-sharp. In that brief, suspended moment, time seemed to stretch. The beast released its acid, the deadly liquid hurtling toward him.
In an instant, Kage moved. With a speed and grace that defied the eye, he unsheathed his katana. The blade sliced through the air with a sharp, resonant sound, cleaving through the acid and the beast in one seamless, fluid motion.
The creature's body was split cleanly in half, the acidic liquid evaporating harmlessly as it fell to the ground. The monstrous halves toppled to the ground with a thunderous crash, the battle concluding as swiftly as it had begun.
Kage stood amidst the wreckage, his katana gleaming with a faint, ethereal light before he sheathed it once more. The silence that followed was profound, a stark contrast to the fierce battle that had just taken place.
[System Notification]
[Enemy Defeated: A-Rank Beast]
[XP Gained: 2000]
[Current XP: 502,000 / 1,000,000]
[Remaining Experience Points Needed: 498,000]
Kage reached into his kimono and pulled out a small, intricately designed cube—the portable portal. Holding it in his palm, he activated it with a simple, deliberate gesture. The cube hummed to life, emitting a faint blue light that expanded into a swirling vortex before him.
The portal shimmered, casting a gentle glow on the surrounding debris. Kage took one last look at the devastated landscape, the city that had once been vibrant now reduced to rubble and inhabited by monstrous creatures. His mission here was complete, and the time had come to seek new challenges elsewhere.