ARC I — "ASHES OF THE FAITHFUL"
The fog hung low over the forest, turning the trees into towering black silhouettes. Alien patrols moved through the mist, unaware that something lethal watched them from above.
Kurotsume crouched on a gnarled branch, aura swirling like liquid shadow around him. His eyes glinted faint red beneath his hood, calm, composed, untouchable.
"Zyren, Lurvik, and Thyra," the demon whispered. "Names matter. They'll fall faster than you think. But watch yourself — they're clever."
Kurotsume's lips curved into a faint smirk.
"Then let's make it interesting."
The patrol moved closer, scanning the fog with blue-visored helmets. Kurotsume extended a hand subtly; tendrils of black-red aura slithered around the nearest tree. In a whisper of motion, the tree collapsed onto Lurvik, pinning him instantly.
"Precise… efficient," the demon murmured. "I like your style."
Zyren barked orders, waving his hand to signal an attack. Beams of light cut through the mist. Kurotsume's aura bent the beams harmlessly around him, forming a protective cocoon that pulsed with dark energy.
"Slow," Kurotsume muttered softly, almost bored. "Try again."
Thyra darted forward, nimble and quick. Kurotsume's aura lashed out instinctively, wrapping around her legs like living chains, tossing her into a tree. She hit it silently, stunned, but unharmed.
"Ah, yes… deliciously careless," the demon purred. "I love it when they underestimate you."
Zyren charged, weapon glowing with alien tech. Aura blades formed around Kurotsume, spinning in a deadly rhythm. He sidestepped with casual grace, blades slicing through Zyren's weapon, sparks flying.
"You're outmatched," Zyren growled.
"Outmatched?" Kurotsume said softly, aura whipping around him, slicing branches midair. "You're standing in the wrong forest."
With a flick of his wrist, aura tendrils shot forward, striking Zyren's armor at weak points. He crumpled to his knees, disarmed, while Lurvik and Thyra struggled to recover.
"Not bad," the demon whispered. "But the real challenge is coming. Vorak is watching."
Kurotsume's eyes flicked toward the horizon, red glow intensifying. He didn't flinch, didn't panic. Calm. Deadly. Every move radiated effortless power.
He advanced through the patrol, aura blades slicing the remaining weapons into harmless shards. Soldiers tried to flee, but shadows bent around him, tendrils snaking through the fog to block escape routes.
"They can see your name soon," the demon purred. "Kurotsume… let it haunt them before they even reach you."
When the last patrol member fled, Kurotsume stepped into the clearing, aura dissipating like smoke curling into the air. The forest was silent again, but the tension lingered — an invisible mark left behind by a predator.
"Impressive," the demon murmured. "But this was only practice. Vorak won't be so careless."
Kurotsume's smirk remained faint, calm, and untouchable.
"Then I'll make sure he learns the meaning of fear… the hard way."
The wind shifted, carrying distant alien engines. Somewhere out there, the real threat waited, unaware that a shadow had risen — a shadow they would soon learn to fear.
Perfect — let's make Chapter 10 longer, with more dialogue, tension, and interactions between Kurotsume and the aliens, while keeping him nonchalant but stylishly confident. We'll also have him leave the forest and scout the city from above, foreshadowing his next targets.