Morizuki: "Engetsu! Hurry! We have to help him."
The two rushed forward and examined 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 about the 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, they saw fallen trees along the path. Some had chain marks on them. A faint fear crept into their chests, but it was already too late. There was no turning back, nor did they intend to. Engetsu had his katana with him, but Morizuki did not. If he had to fight, he would fight with his bare hands. Despite the helplessness and fear tightening inside him, the instinct to protect his friend was stronger.
Morizuki: "The tracks are ahead."
Engetsu: "Yes, right ahead. The path is clear, the destination obvious. Yet we're still walking slowly. Whether our fear is small or great, its mere existence slows us down. When you know the way and have urgency, you should move quickly—but fear breeds hesitation."
Morizuki: "Engetsu…"
Engetsu: "Yes?"
Morizuki: "Run! Engetsu, run!"
Engetsu: "That's more like it—hahaha!"
The two burst into a sprint, running over the uncertain trail before them for the sake of their friend. Even if it meant running until they were gasping for breath or collapsing from exhaustion, their friend was worth it.
They saw a sign that read "Nekryon Varys." The sign was old and cracked, pointing toward somewhere deeper down the path. The two continued following the trail. Mud and blood began appearing along the way, and a heavy, foul stench filled the air—thick and revolting.
At the end of the path indicated by the sign, and where the tracks ended, there was a house. It was at least as old as the sign—roof cracked enough to flood if it rained, walls split, surroundings filthy. Chains marks were everywhere. This fascination the person had with chains was bizarre.
It was a shabby shack. They had no choice but to go inside. There were no visible traps around.
Morizuki: "Since you're not scared, you go first. Hehe…"
Engetsu: "Who said I wasn't scared, huh?! Wait—no, I'm not scared. You'll see."
Engetsu walked forward with his katana at the ready, scanning the area. As expected, it was silent. He turned around.
Engetsu: "Hey! Morizuki, the place is emp—Morizuki?"
But Morizuki was gone.
Morizuki: "Aaah—!"
Engetsu: "That's Morizuki's voice! Morizuki, where are you?!"
No reply.
(Chain rattling)
A chain suddenly wrapped 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, angered, charged and swung his blade.
(Chains clashing)
The man blocked Engetsu's strike with chains.
Engetsu's inner voice: "Is he… producing chains from his arm?"
The man kicked Engetsu back, sending him skidding.
??: "How rude. Do you always attack strangers like that? 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. They belong to me."
(Licking sound)
Engetsu: "Belong to you?! What did you do to them? Speak—now!"
Nekryon: "I haven't done anything. Yet. Would you like me to? Mhmhahah…"
Engetsu: "You—!"
He charged again. Nekryon blocked every strike.
Nekryon: "Helpless child."
Nekryon struck Engetsu's face with a chain. Engetsu hit the ground instantly, blood pouring from his nose. He forced himself up and prepared to attack again—but Nekryon had vanished.
Engetsu looked around but saw no one. Silence fell once more. His options to find his friends were limited. He could either enter the house or search around it. He decided going inside was the faster route and stepped in.
The interior was a mess—blood on the walls and floor, a suffocating stench. The place looked abandoned, the kind of place drifters might occupy from time to time. Engetsu hated being there, but he had to rescue his friends.
He moved down the hallway. There was a door—locked. Curious, he reached for the handle, opened it, and was immediately hit by an overwhelming stench. It churned his stomach. Still, he looked inside.
On the walls were illegible markings, something like "Thanatox" The floor was covered with corpses—mostly women—and bodies wrapped in plastic bags. Blood and chain marks covered everything. Engetsu slammed the door shut and trembled with rage.
Engetsu's inner voice: "I'll destroy you. I'll make you regret everything."
Then Engetsu shouted.
Engetsu: "Come out! Bastard!"
A muffled, raspy voice: "Eng—"
Engetsu: "That's Morizuki's voice. Where are you?! Morizuki! Hyōgetsu!"
Nekryon appeared at the top of the staircase, holding two knives.
Nekryon: "Here."
He threw them instantly. Engetsu noticed but not fast enough. One knife pierced his right shoulder. Engetsu screamed in pain.
Nekryon: "Ahh… lovely. I'm getting excited."
Nekryon extended a chain from his arm and struck the knife embedded in Engetsu's shoulder. Engetsu screamed louder—but he did not stop. He activated his Reikyō and lunged. Nekryon dodged the punch, but Engetsu had another move—he ripped the knife from his own shoulder and stabbed Nekryon with it.
Nekryon failed to evade, but he caught Engetsu's wrist with his chains, flipped him, and threw him down the stairs. Then he darted upward and fled.
Engetsu tore his clothes to stop the bleeding. He followed Nekryon's blood trail. It led him to a long corridor. He kept moving.
(Chain rattling)
Nekryon attacked with chains bursting from the corridor walls. Engetsu tried to deflect them with his katana. The chains came one after another. His bleeding worsened; he grew weaker.
Engetsu: "Are you too scared to face me?!"
He kept following the blood. The trail went upward, toward the roof. There was no choice but to continue. Suddenly, a wall of chains appeared before him. He tried to break it but failed. He scanned the area—there were doors in the corridor.
He opened the door on the left. The same awful stench hit him again. He checked inside—nothing useful. Only a corpse on the floor.
He went to the door on the right, tried to open it, but it wouldn't budge. He tried to force it open, but his strength was not enough. His last option was to find a key. He returned to the left room, searching every corner.
(Door closing)
The door slammed shut behind him and locked. Engetsu kicked it repeatedly, trying to force it open. He couldn't. Exhausted, he collapsed to the floor.
Inside the room remained one corpse… and Engetsu, soon to become one himself.