The night air grew colder.
Ryuji's grip on his sword tightened. His body was still weak from the curse's awakening, but his instincts screamed—this man was dangerous.
Akari, despite her exhaustion, forced herself to stand beside him. Her katana gleamed under the moonlight, her breath steady but sharp.
The man in black armor took another step forward. His movements were relaxed—too relaxed. His presence felt unnatural, like a predator who already knew how this hunt would end.
"Who are you?" Akari's voice was sharp, laced with caution.
The man smiled faintly. "A wanderer. A seeker of strength." His eyes flickered to Ryuji, almost… amused. "And you, boy, are quite the specimen."
Ryuji's stomach twisted. "What do you want?"
"Simple." The man spread his arms. "I want to see how strong you really are."
The moment the words left his mouth, he vanished.
Ryuji's heart skipped a beat.
Then—steel clashed.
Akari had reacted instantly, blocking a dagger strike aimed straight for Ryuji's throat.
"Tch—!" She gritted her teeth as the impact sent her sliding back.
The man appeared right between them, his dagger spinning in his hand.
"Fast." Ryuji's pulse pounded. He hadn't even seen him move.
The hunter tilted his head. "Disappointing. I expected more."
Then—he struck again.
Ryuji barely had time to raise his sword. A flurry of blows rained down on him—daggers, kicks, precise and ruthless. Each strike forced him back, every movement faster than his eyes could track.
"Ryuji!" Akari dashed in, her katana flashing in the moonlight.
The man dodged—not blocked, not parried, but simply stepped aside. Effortless. As if their attacks were nothing.
"Sloppy."* His voice was calm. Mocking.
Then—he countered.
A brutal palm strike to Akari's stomach.
"Guh—!" Akari's body lurched backward, crashing against a tree.
Ryuji's vision blurred red.
Something inside him snapped.
A sharp pulse of dark energy erupted from his body, his cursed markings flickering. His breath was ragged, his sword trembling in his grip.
The hunter's eyes gleamed.
"Ah. There it is."
He lunged.
Ryuji reacted on instinct.
Their blades met, but this time, Ryuji didn't retreat. His cursed energy surged, fueling his strength. He swung his sword—harder, faster. Each strike carried a force that cracked the ground beneath them.
But the hunter still smirked.
"Yes… show me more."*
The clash of steel roared through the forest. Sparks danced between them.
Then—
A shift.
The hunter's movements suddenly changed.
Instead of attacking, he stepped into Ryuji's range, too close.
Then—he whispered.
"Tell me, boy… how long until you lose yourself completely?"
Ryuji's body froze.
A mistake.
The hunter's dagger struck deep into his side.
"Gah—!" Ryuji coughed, stumbling back, blood seeping into his clothes.
The pain was instant, searing. His legs trembled, vision swimming.
Akari's voice broke through the haze.
"Ryuji!"
She moved, her blade aimed at the hunter's throat—
But he was already gone.
The man stood a few feet away now, completely unharmed. His dagger gleamed with Ryuji's blood, and his expression was… disappointed.
"Tch. Not enough.*" He sighed, turning his back on them. "Perhaps next time, boy. If you survive."
Ryuji collapsed to one knee.
His breath was shallow. He couldn't move. The curse had drained too much from him.
Akari rushed to his side, pressing her hand against his wound, her face pale with worry. "Stay with me, idiot. Don't you dare pass out."
The hunter chuckled as he disappeared into the darkness.
His final words echoed in the wind.
"Try not to die before our next meeting, Ryuji."*
Then, he was gone.
Akari's hands trembled. Blood stained her fingers.
Ryuji's consciousness faded.
Darkness swallowed him whole.