It was a picturesque morning in the quiet mountain village of [上山：Joyama]. The name which aptly meant “Atop mountain” was rarely and unofficially used for the village which Shouten Yuya called home.

  It'd been only a few days since the return of Yuya and introduction of Kanashi, the boy who seemed to have taken everyone's mind by storm. His tale, already being inflated despite everyone seeing what exactly happened.

  Slaying the giant boar which stalked their path for years blocking trade from the small town of Kitetsu below, defeating Wabuko the mayor's grandson. The prodigy of their population and one who they thought could soar into the heavens. Traveling not once but twice through Renshou valley and slaying thousands of Kamaitachi.

  Surly for the next decades to come as long as Joyama was a rural mountain village with next to zero visitors Kanashis name would go down in legend. For the mere fact that he brought a new experience to the village. That of hope in the outside world.

  Unfortunately for Kanashi and the villages however, his name would quickly become one which brought the premonition of death and destruction. For following in his footsteps, tracing his path was a creature of disgusting composition.

  A man whose power was like that of a walking calamity.

  Sumiyoshi Domushi had entered the village of Joyama when the sun had just begun to rise, and he crushed it under his foot.

  # # #

  Cries, screams, begs for mercy. Man, woman, child they all sounded the same. Some tried to fight back at first, one being a boy who leapt at the invader with a katana. An old rusted thing which would have killed someone from tetanus before slicing their head off.

  Though its wielder was someone of note due to their speed and precision they were no match for the invader, the calamity Sumiyoshi Domushi, the one who prided himself at the strongest of the Toumeikan.

  With but a flick of his finger and a flash of red the defender of the village had a hole the size of a basketball ripped through his chest and stomach. The wound was not clean, it looked like hundreds of sand grains had been shot at him like a machine gun, ripping through his flesh and severing his life short.

  “Wabuko!” One yelled upon seeing the boy's death.

  A few others tried to intervene or fight back as well. But with an expression of boredom and a flash of red they too were mutilated by the man who walked through their village asking the same question over and over again.

  “Where’s the Gaijin with the black arm and scar?”

  That simple question was one which he repeated endlessly. A few people tried to come up with an answer but if they took a second too long or strayed off topic they too were met with a brutal death.

  A little over three hundred called the village of Joyama home, and out of those three hundred at least thirty had been killed.

  Children who ran were blown apart, their little bodies exploding into chunks of gore which rained down upon the village. Their little arms crashing into wooden walls and their eyes popping like grapes against rocks.

  Women had their breasts inverted, their neck crumpled and rib cage forced through their back like a pair of wings.

  Perhaps the men had it worst of all, especially those who tried to fight the invader in vain. Their legs were ripped out from under them made to look like sliced cheese filled with holes. Like a series of bombs had gone off in their intestines they too exploded outwards from both the front and the back of their bodies. An experience of immense pain which they slowly bled out from, not an instant death like the woman and children had suffered.

  No one was safe from the carnage the invader had brought.

  And yet as if strolling through the park on a Sunday afternoon he repeated his question once more, “Where's the Gaijin with the black arm and scar?”

  “Stop!”

  The voice, though faint and hoarse, carried about enough weight to garner Domushi's attention, slowly turning around whilst scratching his armpit, he looked to the voice's owner.

  “Hmph.” Upon seeing the short and elderly man with a bald head full of wispy hairs Domushi let out a chuckle, his face creased. Just like before but perhaps even slower as to extend the suffering of the one who’d tried to command him Domushi reached into his pocket. From which he pulled out a few grains of gravel and sand.

  By using his blessing to [Negate] the inertia of the grains in his hand when he threw them they no longer were forced to follow the rules of inertia and movement. They simply moved both impossibly fast and with enough power to turn a mountain to dust. Any human the grains struck would be quickly turned to swiss cheese, full of holes and bleeding their entire bodies worth of blood out in moments. Just like the others in the village who’d already been slain by Domushi this old short man would too face a brutal death, his little body exploding apart just the children which had tried to run before him.

  “I know who you’re speaking of!” The old man cried out falling to his knees and bowing his head.

  “...” Domushi, hearing this pause, didn’t throw the grains of debris in his hand, instead letting his posture slouch whilst he tossed the sand up and down in his hand like one would a bunch of coins he waited for the elderly man to continue.

  “I am Gaigakuji Youda, elder of this village and-”

  “Don’t care.” Domushi yawned, stretching his jaw. “Tell me what you know or I’m killing you too”

  “The one who you speak of passed through here but a few days ago!”

  “I know that, why the hell else do you think I’m here? I wanna know where exactly he went.” Domushi snorted.

  “To that question I have no answer. But we do have someone who might!” Youda shouted, his head slammed against the floor in a complete bow.

  “Bring em here.”

  “Of course!” Youda, raising himself up from the floor on his knees, prepared to guide Domushi but he was quickly forced back down the ground, his leg like swiss cheese covered in holes which began to spray blood.

  “I said bring him to me, not bring me to him.” Domushi scoffed, his mouth curved up into a toothy scowl.

  “Guraaaaah!” The scream which left the elders mouth was like that of a baby being born, his eyes glazing over as he fell down clutching his destroyed leg.

  “It’s Yuya!” Cried out a woman from the side lines.

  Domushi turned and looked at the woman, one of his large stumpy brows raised high. “Yuya?” he repeated.

  “Yes! He brought the foreigner here!” The woman cried out, her legs trembling and bowing under her as tears poured down her cheeks.

  “Bring him to me.” Domushi ordered, pointing his finger at the woman.

  The woman's expression seemed to light up at the prospect of the nightmare ending, forcing her straight; she tried to run to where Yuya's house was, though her movements were akin to a newborn giraffe stumbling over its large legs.

  “Tch, the hot ones always suck at anything but sex.” Domushi complained aloud, paying no mind to who heard his awful remark. Turning back the elder who silently writhed on the ground he lifted his hand ready to strike down upon on him death.“Looks like I’ll be able to find that rat and make his squeak after all~”

  “Take that back.”

  Hearing the sudden demand Domushi couldn’t help but let a smile escape his face as he turned around, ready to deliver a horrible death to whoever dared command him.

  However, standing there was not the heroic type by any stretch of the imagination. Bone thin with pale skin and square spectacles was a man of maybe twenty or so years old. His face one with light stubble and bags under his eyes he appeared to be someone you’d have picked on in the school yard.

  “And who’re you supposed to be?” Domushi asked with a whistle.

  “Yuya, Shouten Yuya! ” The man declared, stomping his foot down. “And take back what you said about my master!”

  Though he tried to appear brave it was clear he wasn’t one for the role. His body trembled and his teeth chattered as he stared death in the face.

  Domushi made a puzzled expression at the man's introduction but quickly shook his head to regain his composure. His shaggy and oily dirty blonde hair fluttering around.

  “Ha- your master huh? Now isn’t this just getting more complicated.” He complained, putting both hands in his dirty jeans pocket and walking towards Yuya. “You’ve got some big balls on you kid, and I can’t say I don’t like it…. Hm wait, maybe that came out wrong.” Domushi frowned, repeating the last part of his sentence in his head with a cringe.

  “I told you to take it back.” Repeated Yuya staring at Domushi.

  “Take what back? Calling him a rat? Well sorry to rain on your parade but that guy is the dirtiest little rat I’ve ever seen. A dirty little rat who’s managed to slip through our fingers right when we’re about to catch him. He's diseased and spreading his infection where he goes, and it looks like you guys are just the victims of it. Thank him for this.” Smiled Domushi, a cruel thin smile.

  “...” Yuya stayed silent, his body still trembling and he made not a sound as he continued to stare at Domushi.

  “Smart kid, looks like ya caught on.” Domushi laughed, putting his hand onto Yuya's shoulder.

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  “!”

  The feeling alone was like a loaded gun placed to your temple, or being slowly carried across a belt to a furnace. One which warned of an incoming death.

  But Yuya managed to crack a smile, not even he was sure why he was able to remain somewhat composed in this situation, but he felt good, he felt brave and confident.

  “Now, tell me where this rat master of yours went, my little turtle?” asked Domushi, tightening his grip on Yuya's shoulder.

  “Tousen.”

  “...”

  “...”

  The answer was so quick that even Domushi was stunned, simply staring at Yuya with his mouth stern. “Hahahahaha!” The laughter which came from the pits of his gut erupted into the air and Domushi clutched his stomach which cramped from laughing so hard. “Wow, I- I can’t believe it. You might just be the most pathetic person I’ve ever met until now!” Continuing to laugh and mock Yuya, Domushi nearly fell to the floor, his legs shaking so hard. “Agh, I think I just peed a little~” He hummed as his laughter died down, rubbing a tear from his left eye.

  “...” Yuya continued to glare at Domushi, his face one of fearful determination.

  “Say, what did this guy even do to make you like this for him?”

  At this question a smile slept through the expression of Yuya, his eyes turning warm. “Because he listened to me when no one else would. When I was down on my luck, ready to give up and ready to surrender my dreams, he alone was willing to read my manga. And only that but he spent what seemed like hours ranting and raving about all of it’s flaws and how I could improve… no one else had ever done anything like that. They just waved me away and told me it was bad without any clarification. Then using his advice I was able to get published, my dream that I’ve been working for so long towards. The thing which I thought impossible and was ready to give up on. He helped me achieve it. So even if he feels as though he didn’t do much for me, and even if he might feel like my devotion to him is unearned I will still respect him the most. Because he alone is the manga master.”

  At Yuya's long winded explanation Domushi pursed his lips, seemingly thinking over the dialogue and mulling it in his head he turned to Yuya with a single simple question.

  “Then why would you rat him out so easily?” He asked.

  “Because I trust that he can beat you.”

  The answer was said so confidently, so matter of fact and absolute. As if it was a no-brainer that Domushi would be defeated by the rat, this man masters the forefinger with the scar across his face and a black arm.

  An expression akin to rage though more visceral spread across Domushi's face. An expression he’d only worn in his life enough to count on both fingers.

  And in that moment with a flick of sand Yuya's right hand which was covered in ink was annihilated, blown through completely

  “Gyaaaah!” Yuya fell to the floor, his eyes pouring tears as he clutched the remains of his hand.

  “Now how great is your rat master?” Snorted Domushi.

  To give Yuya death would be far too simple and kind, no Domushi knew he had to do something much worse. He wanted to hurt not only Yuya but Kanashi as well. Make them both suffer.

  As such he would rob away the dream which Kanashi had given Yuya, the thing which held them together so greatly. He would sever that connection and watch as both suffered for it. Yuya resenting Kanashi for burning Domushi to his home and Kanashi bearing the incomprehensibly heavy weight of his presence causing Yuya's collapse.

  “Hahhahahaha!” An evil laugh poured out of Domushi's gut and into his throat which it was expelled from, his eyes watering as they stayed wide open staring at Yuya who writhed on the ground in pain, gasping for air as he foamed at the mouth. “Ha… Looks like my time here is done, I got what I wanted~” He finished wiping his eyes with a sideways smile.

  “He’ll get you…” Yuya growled from the ground.

  At that utterance Domushi looked back down at Yuya.

  “No matter what you do to me he’ll get you.”

  “Tch, haven’t you learned your lesson yet? Do you want the other hand taken as well?”

  “Take my hands, my feet, my eyes, my ears, my life. It doesn’t matter in the end you’ll still be beaten!”

  Domushi grit his teeth, his hand spasming as veins ripples across its surface until…

  “You’re a real smart one aren't cha… well you’ve got some guts I’ll give you that… besides killing you ruins my evil plan.” Domushi sighed, creasing his brow and pushing his shaggy hair from his eyes. “But don’t test your luck too much, not everyone will be as nice as me~” He hummed, turning around and beginning to walk from the village.

  Just as quickly as he appeared ready to disappear.

  “Oh whoops.” He muttered. Flinging another handful of sand to his side.

  “!”

  With a flash of red and series of ear piercing bangs the line of houses which numbered at least seven were all blown apart into sprays of wood from the sand. The earth trembled from the destruction, all the debris which would have fell atop Domushi bouncing off him with a repeated series of red flashes.

  Yuya could only watch with his eyes wide as he saw the destruction and grit his teeth. Slowly he watched the back of Domushi wander off into the distance back down the hill as if nothing had happened, nothing at all.

  # # #

  “It’s your fault.”

  The voice came from beside him.

  “You did it.”

  The next followed equally filled with visceral hate.

  “I’m sorry!” Yuya cried, bowing his head to the ground as low as it would go.

  “My child, because of you he died!”

  “My husband!”

  “My dog!”

  “My house! My home! Now I’ll be homeless!”

  “My daughter and wife! Because of you! You brought him here! It’s your fault!”

  “I’m so sorry! I’ll do anything!” Yuya screamed, grinding his forehead into the ground until it bled.

  “Kill yourself.” Came a cruel snicker, like that of a sneer.

  “Yes kill youself.” Cackled another their voice like that of a hyena's call.

  “Kill yourself!”

  “Kill yourself!”

  “Kill yourself!”

  The repeated chants shook the earth, it sounded like that of a jet taking flight. Yuya only laid on the ground on all fours grinding his head into the ground, the gravel cutting into his head until only his frontal lobe was exposed, its pink dyed bone white color carved into.

  “I’m sorry! Please don’t hate me-

  # # #

  “...’

  “...”

  “...’

  The light was blinding as Yuya awoke, his head throbbed and his entire body was sore. The worst pain of all however being that of his hand. Throbbing with each heartbeat and burning as though pierced by a red hot poker Yuya barely held back tears as he looked down at his bandaged hand. No more than a stump.

  “You’re awake?”

  Looking up to the voice which came at him so calmly and coldly, Yuya saw the town doctor, if you wanted to call him that. In truth he had to get a license to be a doctor. He was nothing more than one in a long life of medicine men, the highest of care he was capable of being equivalent to a school nurse.

  “Yeah…” Yuya choked out.

  “Good, because you need to get ready.”

  At this comment Yuya's eyes widened, his world seeming to slow down and the reality around him cracking apart like glass ready to shatter.

  “W-why?” He asked a question which he felt disgusted at himself for asking. Why even ask such a question when the answer was so obvious? “N-no never mind I know why…” He muttered out.

  “It seems you’ve truly matured. Yuya.” The doctor sighed, rubbing the wrinkled crease between his eyes. “Everyones dealing with their trauma in different ways, but they’ve all agreed not to pursue you as their target. In fact they think of your bravery and stopping him as condemnable.”

  “But they still want to banish me huh?” Yuya muttered, beneath his breath, a half hatred laugh present in his tone.

  “Banish you? No, Yuya, you need to go to the hospital, your hand was destroyed.” The Doctor scoffed, his head cocked back. “Perhaps you didn’t mature so much..” He muttered.

  “W-what!? Why not!? I-I’m the reason! The reason all this happened and I-”

  “No, you’re not.” The doctor said, his voice stone cold and sharp like that of a knife to the throat.

  “Why? Why don’t they hate me!? I don’t get it!?”

  “Because you would have appeared no matter what.”

  “...”

  “You said so yourself correct? That you merely passed by him on your way home? That he was traveling in our direction to find that madman with the sword?”

  “Y-yes he was… but still I-”

  “It was out of your control, of course resentment will still be held and that's a burden you need to bear. But losing your hand should be enough punishment for what little sins you committed.” Said the Doctor standing up and stretching his back. The bones popping like gravel under a rubber tire.

  “So that’s it huh…” He muttered with a weak smile. “What about my mom?”

  “...”

  At this the doctor seemed to freeze, his eyes glazing over.

  “W-wait what’s that look for?” Yuya asked, his face contouring into that of fear and horror.

  “I’m sorry Yuya… she… might not be able to live much longer if we don’t get her to the hospital.

  “!”

  Yuya grit his teeth so hard they nearly crumbled in his mouth, his eyes finally surrendering to tears, boiling hot thick tears which dripped down his face.

  “But not all hope is lost, there’s still some hope that she might make it… it’s just not 100% certain.” The doctor sighed before turning around. His hunched back stumbling out the door.

  “Be ready to leave within the hour, we’ll be taking a hike to Tetsuki to the hospital. From there we’ll explain what happens… if they somehow believe us.” The old man scoffed shutting the door behind him with a bang.

  “...”

  At that final comment by the doctor Yuya's eyes widened somewhat. At the time he hadn't thought about it but what that man who appeared, the one who accused all the destruction and robbed his hand had done was nothing short of incomprehensible. In the heat of the moment he was able to somehow rationalize what he saw and state his master's superiority However now that things came into view he began to doubt his choice of words.

  That man was nothing short of demonic, a demon god if you would. One who possesses magic real magic. Something Yuya had always dreamed of learning about, something he wished so hard his whole life to be real. Something he wanted and desired to harness. But that day never came, not until now. And what it brought was carnage and destruction.

  “!”

  What did I do!? His mind screamed at him. In his blatant hubris he’d sent that same death and disgusting monster straight for his master, boasting of his superiority. Something he had no right to know about. Sure Kanashi had something strange about him, he managed to do things which seemed incomprehensible maybe even magical but at the end of the day no matter how you looked at it he was nothing short of a human just like Yuya. And that monster had been sicked on him by the hands of Yuya.

  “Did I… just kill my master?” He muttered, clenching his blanket, though his hand which was already destroyed only leaked blood onto the white bandages during them red.

  “Hahahaha, I really am useless. He laughed under his breath. “I didn’t change at all.” He continued. pulling his knees to his chest and resting against them. “Now all I really can do is hope and pray that he succeeds. Now is when my beliefs really do matter.”

  [紹天雄弥] Shouten Yuya - I have retconned his name from being spelt with the Kanji for Bathhouse to 雄弥 which is a more realistic name meaning "All the more masculine".

  Yuya continues to grow and develop beyond what I could have ever imagined when I first created him! From a character I regretted introducing to now quickly becoming one my favourites I can’t wait to see how far he’ll continue to push his story! It’s like he’s actually forcing my hand to keep bringing him back and I honestly don’t hate it anymore. Though it is scary how much he seems to have a mind of his own…

  [亥岳地八田] Gaigakuji Youda- First Kanji is the sign of boar, second means Mountain peak, third means earth or ground. I thought it was fitting since there was the boar yokai and stuff. His first name Youda has the Kanji for eight and rice field. I think he looks the part too…