「Chapter 2」
he world shook.
Kaito staggered, his breath ragged, the mark on his chest burning like molten iron. His arm—still wrapped in chains of crimson sigils—throbbed with power far beyond his own strength. The air shimmered with heat, as if reality itself warped around him.
Across the street, the robed man didn't flinch.
Instead, he lifted the prayer beads higher, murmuring words in a language older than stone. The air split open, and from the rift crawled shadows shaped like blades.
> "Return to nothing, vessel."
The command cracked like thunder.
Shadows lunged.
Kaito's body moved before his mind caught up. His chained arm swung upward, slashing across the air. The chain extended unnaturally, whipping through the shadows with a roar. Sparks of black fire scattered, devouring the creatures instantly.
He gasped, staring at his own hand.
That… wasn't him.
> You adapt quickly, the voice whispered inside him. Good. Otherwise, you would already be dead.
Kaito froze.
"You again—!"
But no time. The exorcist was already in front of him, faster than thought. A fist slammed into his chest, knocking the air from his lungs. He hit the pavement hard, pain splintering through his ribs.
The man stood over him, beads glowing, eyes sharp as frozen light.
> "You don't control that thing inside you. You are a danger. Better to end you now."
Kaito's vision swam. The world tilted. Yet even through the haze, something deep inside snarled—anger, defiance not his own.
Chains erupted from the ground, spiraling upward to block the exorcist's next strike. Sparks rained as beads clashed against metal sigils.
> Fight back, contractor, the voice hissed. Or you'll be erased like the others.
"I—I can't—!"
His hand shook, yet the chains moved, lashing out like predators unleashed. The exorcist twisted, barely avoiding the strike. The pavement cracked where the chains landed, leaving black scorch marks.
The man frowned.
> "So the rumors were true. A Forgotten Realm sigil."
Kaito's chest tightened. Forgotten Realm?
Before he could ask, the exorcist pressed his beads together. Light flared, forming a barrier that shattered the chains mid-air. The backlash threw Kaito into a wall.
Blood filled his mouth. His limbs trembled. His body wasn't meant for this.
But the voice was merciless.
> Weak. If you die now, I'll simply choose another vessel.
Kaito's teeth clenched. "Shut up…! If you want to use me, then—help me survive!"
Silence.
Then a laugh. Low. Cruel.
> Very well. Let's make this interesting