What Do Humans Fear the Most?
Is it getting lost? Losing money? The darkness? Or is it losing everything—no, it's death itself. No matter what you do, it will catch up to you. That fear takes the form of a samurai, one who pretends to be kind, but once he gets a hold of you, you will die.
Samurai were warriors known for their bravery, loyalty, virtue, and physical strength. To become a samurai, one had to master a specific kind of power—Ki, known for its destructive force. Not just anyone could become a samurai, and due to the brutal training, which led to the deaths of most beginners, many buried their dreams of becoming one. Some tried but perished in battle.
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A Village on a Mountain
A bandit raid. It seems the villagers have all been slaughtered.
"Most of them ran away, boss. What do we do now?"
"We camp here. It's night—we can't fight the Yokai in the dark."
One of the bandits scoffed. "If you ask me, Yokai are just myths. There's no proof they exist."
Their leader smirked. "That doesn't mean they aren't real. Since you spoke up, you'll stand guard tonight. If you die, well... that proves you wrong, doesn't it?"
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An Hour Later
"Fools… believing in these old legends. They think Yokai are real… If only strength mattered in this world."
A strange sound.
"Who's there?"
A shadow stood behind him, wearing a ronin's hat.
"Must be my lack of sleep making me imagine things…"
The shadow moved closer.
"Who are you?! Show yourself!"
As the shadow advanced, the bandit panicked and ran.
"I'm not imagining this! I have to warn them—"
Before he could finish his sentence, his body was sliced in half.
---
The bandit leader frowned. "I made a mistake attacking that village. If anyone survived, they'll alert the samurai."
Suddenly, a cry from his men:
"We're under attack!"
The leader gritted his teeth. "So someone did survive and called them…"
The village was now covered in corpses—but not of villagers. These were bandits, slain in moments.
"What kind of monster could do this? Even a samurai couldn't kill this many in such a short time…"
A shadow approached. The bandit standing beside the leader suddenly lost his head.
The leader's grip tightened on his sword. "Who are you?"
Silence.
"So talking won't work, huh?" He drew his blade. "Then let's speak through our swords!"
He slashed, but the shadow blocked it effortlessly. Before he could swing again—his head was gone.
Under the moonlight, the shadow was revealed—a samurai with long silver hair and crimson eyes.
His name was Akiyama.
Akiyama chuckled. "What a bunch of weaklings."
They really thought I came for them?
But there is a Yokai here. The only time the samurai are sent to handle a Yokai is when it can wield Mana, a magical force used to control the elements.
"They sent me on this mission, certain that I would die. Well then… come out, you hiding beast."
A giant wolf emerged from the shadows.
Akiyama smirked. "Looks like you'll be a bit of a challenge."
From his hand, flames erupted. "Let's see what you've got."
With one attack, the wolf demolished the entire village, aiming to crush Akiyama.
But he dodged with ease.
He slowly reached for his sword.
"That's all you have?"
With a single slash, he split the wolf in two.
As the destroyed village lay in ruins, filled with corpses, Akiyama simply smiled.
"Looks like this is just the beginning."