For the full chapters (not broken into parts,) please go to "OniKen: Building a civilization with my demon blade system" on webnovel
"It's not our fault, okay?! The kid's just crazy strong!" Ryoshu cried, pressing his forehead against the cold granite floor as he begged at the feet of a man towering above him. His fingers were splayed desperately, knuckles white against the stone as his whole body quivered.
The room around them was dark, only filled with Ryoshu's pitiful whimpers as he continued to grovel. Sweat dripped from his brow, pooling near his nose as he dared a glance upward.
"Please! Forgive us this once! I beg of you!" he cried, his voice cracking. "We'll make it right, I swear!"
The room sank back into silence, cold and cutting. Ryoshu swallowed hard, his heart pounding in his ears as he awaited judgment from the man shrouded in shadow.
"Rise," the man finally uttered, his voice heavy with a gravitas that seemed to press down on Ryoshu's very bones. Swallowing again, Ryoshu forced himself to his feet, his gaze straight ahead. In the darkness behind the man, he could make out other figures lurking, watching his every move.
His stomach twisted, and his palms were slick with sweat as he tried to keep his composure.
"Upon gaining my help, you knew you would have to repay me with your lives," the figure began, his voice low and simmering. "Yet someone threatened my territory—my reputation—and you fled?" His fist tightened around the arm of his chair, his knuckles creaking with tension.
"Yes, but—" Ryoshu's attempt at a defense was cut short as a blade flashed out from the shadows, stopping mere inches from his face.
"Are you trying to swindle me?!" The man's voice boomed, rattling through Ryoshu's chest as the man slammed his fist against the arm of his chair. Ryoshu's jaw trembled, his throat dry under the weight of the man's fury.
"But sir," he stammered, barely able to meet the man's gaze, "he doesn't even know we work together, so—"
"Silence!" The command echoed through the room, silencing Ryoshu instantly. The blade was withdrawn, but the threat lingered, cold and heavy in the air.
"That boy is aware," the man continued, his voice slicing through the silence. "He saw you both flee, humiliated at the hands of a mere youth. And what does that say about the employer?"
"S-sorry, sir," Ryoshu whispered, his gaze falling to his feet. His shoulders slumped, the weight of his failure pressing down like a stone.
"A mere sorry is not enough," the man said, extending a hand. One of his warriors in the shadows placed a blade in his grasp.
"I want that boy killed for interfering," he muttered, rising from his chair and casting a shadow over the trembling bandit. "And you…you will be made an example."
The blade hung just above the floor before Ryoshu, his reflection marked on the blade, sealing his fate.
"Oh? Who's this?" A woman who seemed to be in her mid thirties pondered, her eyes wide in curiosity to the white haired stranger who stood before her home.
"His name's Mirai! He helped me get my blade back!" Shou introduced, a wide grin on his face as he helped himself inside.
"Excuse me," Mirai muttered as he followed suit, his head downcast as he looked around him. It was a Mikado styled house, the wooden walls locked firmly in place. The sun shone through the open window with the company of chirping birds that carry on with their day.
The place smelled of Sencha green tea, the scent seeped into the wooden walls, filling the room with its delicious aroma.
"Is that so? Well any friends of my little Shou are friends with me," On a closer look the woman's facial features were warm and welcoming, a soft youthful face despite her age, her eyes were a soft golden hue, with long hair that's a sea of brown.
"Why don't you come sit? Have a drink with us, do you enjoy tea?" She pondered, her voice soft and caring even towards such a stranger.