Morizuki: "Engetsu! Hurry! We have to help him."
The two rushed forward, examining Hyōgetsu's tracks. It looked as though he had been dragged face-down by the leg. They followed the trail side by side.
Morizuki: "I want to help my friend, but… if only Master Yōtsuki were here. He seems strong, but we've only just learned how to use Reikyō."
Engetsu: "Don't fall into despair. I'll beat him so badly he won't be able to move again."
As they moved forward, fallen trees appeared along the path—some scarred with deep chain marks. A faint fear crept into their chests. Turning back was no longer an option, nor did either of them wish to.
Engetsu carried his katana.
Morizuki did not.
If he had to fight, he would fight bare-handed.
Despite the fear tightening his chest, the instinct to protect his friend burned stronger.
Morizuki: "The tracks… they're right ahead."
Engetsu: "Yeah. The path is clear. The destination obvious. Yet we're moving slowly."
He tightened his grip on his sword.
Engetsu: "Fear does that. No matter how small or great it is, its mere existence slows you down. When you know where to go and urgency drives you, you should run. Hesitation only wastes time."
Morizuki: "Engetsu…"
Engetsu: "Yeah?"
Morizuki: "Run! Engetsu, run!"
Engetsu: "That's more like it—hahaha!"
They burst into a sprint, charging down the uncertain trail ahead for their friend's sake. Even if it meant collapsing from exhaustion, Hyōgetsu was worth it.
Along the path stood an old, cracked sign:
"NekryonVarys."
It pointed deeper into the woods.
They pressed on.
Mud and blood soon stained the ground. A heavy, foul stench filled the air—thick, rotten, suffocating.
At the end of the trail stood a house.
As old as the sign itself.
The roof was cracked, the walls split and filthy. Chain marks scarred the surroundings, embedded everywhere. Whoever lived here had an unnatural obsession with chains.
A shack.
Shabby. Rotten.
But there was no other choice.
Morizuki: "Since you're not scared, you go first. Hehe…"
Engetsu: "Who said I wasn't scared?! Wait—no. I'm not scared. You'll see."
Katana ready, Engetsu stepped inside, scanning the area.
Silence.
He turned back.
Engetsu: "Hey! Morizuki, the place is emp—Morizuki?"
But Morizuki was gone.
Morizuki: "Aaah—!"
Engetsu: "That was Morizuki! Where are you?!"
No reply.
(Chain rattling)
A chain snapped around Engetsu's ankle—but he reacted instantly, slicing it apart with his katana.
??: "Well, well… sharp one, aren't we? Then let's play a little."
(Licking sound)
Engetsu activated his Reikyō and turned toward the voice.
Engetsu: "What's your goal?!"
??: "Goal? Pleasure."
Engetsu charged in fury, swinging his blade.
(Chains clashing)
The man blocked the strike with chains.
Engetsu's inner voice: "Is he… producing chains from his arm?"
A kick sent Engetsu skidding backward.
??: "How rude. Do you always attack strangers like that?"
He smiled.
Nekryon: "My name is Nekryon Varys. A pleasure."
Engetsu: "Not a pleasure at all, you filthy bastard! Where are my friends?!"
Nekryon: "Friends? They're completely mine now."
(Licking sound)
Nekryon: "They belong to me."
Engetsu: "Belong to you?! What did you do to them? Speak—now!"
Nekryon: "Nothing. Yet."
A twisted grin.
Nekryon: "Would you like me to?"
Engetsu: "You—!"
He attacked again.
Every strike was blocked.
Nekryon: "Helpless child."
A chain slammed into Engetsu's face. He hit the ground instantly, blood pouring from his nose. Gritting his teeth, he forced himself up—
But Nekryon had vanished.
Silence.
No presence.
Engetsu scanned the area. His options were limited: search outside, or enter the house.
Inside was faster.
He stepped in.
Blood stained the walls and floor. The stench was unbearable. The place looked abandoned—used by drifters, then discarded.
Engetsu hated every second.
But his friends were here.
Down the hallway stood a locked door.
He opened it.
The smell struck him like a wall.
Inside, illegible markings covered the walls—something resembling the word "Thanatox."
The floor was layered with corpses. Mostly women. Some wrapped in plastic.
Chains. Blood. Rot.
Engetsu slammed the door shut, trembling with rage.
Engetsu's inner voice: "I'll destroy you. I'll make you regret everything."
Engetsu: "Come out! Bastard!"
A muffled voice answered:
??: "Eng—"
Engetsu: "Morizuki! Where are you?! Hyōgetsu!"
Nekryon appeared atop the staircase, two knives in hand.
Nekryon: "Here."
The knives flew.
One pierced Engetsu's right shoulder.
Engetsu screamed.
Nekryon: "Ahh… lovely. I'm getting excited."
A chain struck the embedded knife.
Engetsu screamed again—but charged.
Nekryon dodged the punch.
Engetsu ripped the knife from his own shoulder and stabbed.
Nekryon failed to evade—but caught Engetsu's wrist with chains, flipped him, and hurled him down the stairs.
Then he fled upward.
Engetsu tore his clothes, stopping the bleeding, and followed the trail of blood.
A long corridor.
(Chain rattling)
Chains burst from the walls. One after another.
Engetsu deflected them desperately. Blood soaked his clothes. His strength faded.
Engetsu: "Are you too scared to face me?!"
The trail led upward—toward the roof.
Suddenly, a wall of chains blocked his path.
He couldn't break it.
Doors lined the corridor.
Left door—opened.
The same stench.
A corpse.
Right door—locked.
He forced it.
Nothing.
Weak.
(Door slamming)
The door locked.
Engetsu kicked it again and again.
Nothing.
Exhausted, he collapsed.
Inside the room remained one corpse—
And Engetsu.
Soon to become one himself.