Jack dug into his pack, fingers curling around a heavy-duty snap hook. Finally, he thought, heart thudding. "I can't believe I get to make my specialty weapon... Been training in kasurigama since I was eleven." He paused, jaw tightening. "RIP, Sensei Tasiguri. I will find Renjiro—the bastard who killed you."
He flipped the scythe in his grip, revealing the loop at its base. With a crisp click, the snap hook locked in. The chain—gleaming with purpose—slid into place. One fluid motion, and the weapon breathed to life.
Jack froze.
A chill crept along his spine.
Something watched.
"Let's test you out, shall we?" he whispered, voice falling like ritual. He picked a pine. "That one."
Three quick steps. Then—airborne. A back handspring. Mid-air, a hack twist—the storm gathering in his body. At the apex, he released. Thunk. The scythe buried into bark exactly where he aimed. "Right where I wanted it," he muttered, proud.
Then— A rock sliced from the forest, fast as thought. Jack's hand darted up, catching it inches from his temple. "What the hell..." he growled, yanking the scythe from the tree.
No hesitation. He grabbed his keys and straddled the bike. "I'm going to find you."
Fog began to gather, crawling over the forest floor like breath from beneath the earth. Jack slowed, unease prickling along his neck. He pulled the brakes and kicked the stand down.
"I thought you'd never stop," came a voice—low, cold, familiar. A black figure emerged from the mist.
Jack staggered from the bike. "Wait… I know that voice." His eyes narrowed. "Renjiro, you bastard. Why? To join a gang?"
Renjiro's chuckle was sharp and hollow. "That wasn't the only reason." He stepped forward, face half-veiled by fog. "I killed Sensei Tasiguri to be the strongest." His chuckle changes tone
Renjiro's form began to melt into the mist, steam curling from his fingertips like venom. "You're still playing apprentice," he said, voice thick with contempt. "I shed that skin the moment I took our master's life." Jack gritted his teeth, the scythe humming in his grip. "You didn't kill him to be strong. You killed him because you were weak. Afraid." "Afraid?" Renjiro's shadow trembled, growing larger. "No… I've become fear itself."
Jack now realizing this is now a fight gets ready, his kasurigama in hand