Arc 1: Kumoshima 1
1760 Words
Kumoshima Part 1
(A/N: Time skip. You’ll learn soon enough what actually happened. Have fun reading!)
Dizzying lights swirled like a kaleidoscope, spinning faster and faster. Like a powerful suction, it felt like it was pulling yet crushing his body and soul into one, forcing him inside something unexplainable. Fragments of memories floated past him one after another, images forming inside his head. As time flew by, the force felt lighter until the surrounding turned blurry and bright, until everything turned clear bit by bit….
As Nephrite took in the surroundings, loud noises enough to break a child’s eardrum started to penetrate his eardrums, causing sudden discomfort.
"We're being attacked!"
Nephrite blinked in confusion. He did not have a chance to register where he was before the shout of the people with him took his attention.
Sword-clashing sounds could be heard outside the wagon, an iron-like scent already suffused in the air. Voices of men outside were rough and panting as if tired from prolonged fighting.
Nephrite realized he was holding a sword. He stopped wasting time. He pulled out the sword from its scabbard as he summoned the vessel's backstory.
A blue rectangular light appeared in front of Nephrite. Other than himself, nobody from this world can see it. Gripping the hilt of his sword tight, he looked through the information on the holographic virtual panel.
[World Entry Successful: Partner Key Ability Access granted]
[Soul Hunter ID: 23011407252126080514]
[Loading Information: 100%]
[Loading Completed]
[Vessel’s name: Saikyu, Keisuke]
[Vessel’s ID: 11050919211109052101112521]
[Mission: Obtaining the world’s fragment]
[Side Mission: Fulfilling Keisuke’s design and save the last bloodt of their family.]
[Memory Fragment: ???]
[Welcome to the Kumoshima]
Nephrite raised an eyebrow as he gave it a quick scan.
The original owner of the body was called Keisuke, the only son of the Saikyu Family, a family of merchants.
At first, the Saikyu family did well. Trading in this small town of Bara in the Rose Valley flourished. They were part of a political family, the Akaha Clan, but the Saikyus were far from the main branch.
Keisuke's uncle was the Lord of the whole Rose Valley. He and his stewards were fair and good people. Despite his rank, he gave almost equal status to Keisuke's father, who was a former military personnel. But even as the Bara Town's Lord, Keisuke’s father demands people call him Master only.
They didn't demand high tariffs. The farming and harvest were also good.
It was said that a foreigner once taught Keisuke's father some knowledge of farming. Since then, farming and harvest growth has become commendable. Rose Valley became number one in agriculture.
The water supply was also sufficient. Both water and land trade routes were easily accessible. There were also local artisans, so trade was going smoothly.
Yet, a perfect place like this can attract different kinds of enemies.
Soon after, carriages and boats were attacked by bandits. These were common in this era. So, aside from hiring mercenaries or guards to protect their products. No one bothered much about investigating the problem.
Nephrite frowned. Is this already “that” bandit attack?
He waved his hand, closing the panel. He will deal with the other things later. For now, he also needed to fight.
It was a good thing that Keisuke’s father was part of the military before. Despite this body’s meek appearance, it was actually fit with a good muscle tone. Guess his father trained him enough to protect himself. Not bad.
Nephrite heard a rustling sound. He quickly picked up a wooden box of cabbages, waiting.
"What the hell!?"
The moment the enemy lifted the wagon's cover, Nephrite threw the box of cabbage on his face and kicked him before swiftly jumping out of the wagon. Nephrite rushed forward, eyes alert.
The man pulled himself up and propelled his sword in time to block Nephrite's attack.
"You bastard," the man gritted his teeth.
Nephrite smiled menacingly at this person. During his transition, he got a few of Keisuke’s memories. He would never forget this person.
At this point, Keisuke still did not know this person’s identity, so Nephrite could not reveal a single thing. Yet, Nephrite felt his chest grow heavier as he stared at this man. Keisuke will never forget the person underneath the mask, a wandering assassin named Yattsu. Even Nephrite could feel Keisuke’s lingering hate for this person.
Their blades collided as they launched their attacks, trying to overwhelm the other.
One of the bandits noticed Yattsu’s situation. He aimed his arrow and shot.
Nephrite sensed something coming to his side. He swiftly kicked Yattsu. He then swung his sword, cutting the arrows, then turned back, blocking Yattsu's attack in one fell swoop.
Yattsu got frustrated, "It seems like Master Keichi's sheep is actually a wolf cub."
"Nephrite pretended to frown, “You know my father?"
Yattsu didn't answer. He aimed a kick at Nephrite but the latter quickly dodged it, jumping two steps backward.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Yattsu dealt consecutive attacks to Nephrite.
However, the difference between them was very obvious. Both Keisuke's good body and Nephrite's natural keen senses are not enough to deal with someone as skilled and conniving as Yattsu.
Keisuke wasn't heavily trained to use swords. This turned out to be a problem for Nephrite.
The people with Nephrite had their hands full, as well. Yattsu brought a large group of bandits and they couldn't approach their young master to help.
As Yattsu aimed his sword at Nephrite’s arm, a silver light flashed in front of Nephrite. A loud clang resounded.
A young man wearing a cone hat deflected Yattsu's sword.
He didn't waste any more time and attacked Yattsu.
He brandished his sword skillfully, showing how adept a fighter the man was.
The tide changed fast. Yattsu's men have fallen one after another.
Yattsu was only paid to steal goods and instill fear by using this young master to “teach a lesson”. Being killed was not part of his job.
Yattsu gritted his teeth. He could only defend himself from his opponent when something suddenly caught his eye.
Yattsu noticed his own enemy's eyes kept drifting to Keichi's son as the latter fought one of his men.
Seizing the opportunity, he pulled three kunai out and threw them at Nephrite.
As he suspected, the mysterious man dashed forward and deflected those weapons.
Yattsu did not waste time anymore. He threw smoke bombs and escaped.
Once the smoke dissipated, Yattsu and his still-alive men were gone.
The chaotic battle ended just like that.
“Young Master!”
“Young Master Keisuke, are you alright?”
An old and young man ran towards Nephrite. He smiled at them, “I’m fine. Anyone injured?”
“Young Master Shier and the others are.”
Nephrite glanced at their savior who was currently wiping the blood on his blade, “ Go help them first, I’ll just talk to him first,” he said as he pointed towards the man.
Nephrite approached the man wearing a cone hat and gave him a deep bow. "Master, thank you for your generosity towards us."
The man removed his cone hat, revealing his jet black hair and equally dark, phoenix eyes. He gave Nephrite a low nod. "It was nothing," he then gestured for the other to raise his head.
He observed the man in front of him. Nephrite admired the way the other person fought earlier. His movements were fluid and his sword skill looked beautiful. Obviously, the man was skilled at it. However, the other person looked as young as his vessel. Wait…could it be?
_____
"What happened here?" Kazuyuki inquired. It has been a while since the sudden disruption of supplies for Silver Rain City from Rose Valley. His father asked permission to investigate it for quite a while now. It was only yesterday that the head of Miyazuya Clan approved it,
Silver Rain was a prosperous center of the south's trade. It was also a gathering point for people from different classes.
Rose Valley merchants were one of the top traders in their city. But since a few months ago, only a few merchants would turn in to deliver or sell supplies. This worried his father, Miyazuya Yukiya. He requested an investigation. Now that they received approval, Yukiya sent his son, Kazuyuki to deal with the matter.
"It has been a while since bandits attacked merchants from our Rose Valley. Despite Lord Yasuwari's efforts to capture them, once their job is done, they will escape."
Nephrite gave his now wrecked wagon a pitiful glance and returned his eyes to the man in front of him.
He didn't act cautious nor doubt this person. Because, for some reason, he could feel that the man in front of him was the person who had come with him into this world. It was probably the invisible connection as a result of being "partner keys" that he could tell at first glance. Knowing this, he didn't restrain himself from giving information despite not even hearing his name.
Realizing this, he asked, "May I have the privilege of knowing this young master's name?"
Kazuyuki would not casually tell his name to anyone. But before he could even stop himself, he responded, "Miyazuya, Kazuyuki."
"Young Master Miyazuya, it is a pleasure to meet you. I am Saikyu, Keisuke."
Kazuyuki nodded. He recognized Keisuke's family name.
"I see. Are you Master Keichi's son? My father is acquainted with him."
He still had some things to deal with, so he bid farewell after the introduction.
This action shocked Nephrite.
What? That's it?! Wait, what is happening? Panic struck Nephrite's chest. He played along with the courtesy, thinking it was needed to stick with their roles, but now, it seemed like something was wrong!
Thinking about this, he suddenly grabbed the man's wrist. Not caring if he seemed disrespectful, Nephrite dragged him behind a nearby tree.
Kazuyuki just let Keisuke grab him, not feeling repulsive at all.
Once they reached the tree, Nephrite couldn't take it anymore.
"Xei, can you stop playing around?! I thought you would help me?"
Kazuyuki raised an eyebrow, "Saikyu-san, did you mistake me for someone else?"
Nephrite gaped in shock. Did Xei forget everything?!
He could not help but think back to what happened before he agreed to this unexpected, messy situation.
______
Kumoshima Arc Notes:
Current Characters:
Nephrite as Keisuke Saikyu
Keys - an ability used to enter locked worlds
Partner(of the) Keys - a rare ability/situation where the Key ability requires another person.
- Writer
