With his heart pounding in excitement, Hayashi drew out Asuramaru. The moment the blade left its sheath, a wave of oppressive energy surged through the air.
Before his eyes gleamed a long, elegant sword — ancient, traditional, yet oddly mesmerizing.Its blade shimmered with an eerie green light, sharp and alive with power.
"They're back… all of them are back!"
Seeing the familiar sword, Hayashi's eyes lit up, a rush of nostalgia flooding him.It felt like his youth — reckless and wild — had returned.
"Asuramaru, I command you to show yourself."
His voice came out calm and cold, almost ceremonial.
In the next instant, a small, ethereal figure began to take form before him.
A long-haired youth floated in midair, barefoot, with pale white feet and sharp red eyes. He had the delicate beauty of a young maiden — soft features, long violet hair swaying in the unseen wind, and a faintly glowing presence that blurred the line between dream and nightmare.
He wore a short white skirt paired with a black, sleeveless top that exposed his shoulders — elegant, but with a hint of dangerous allure. Golden accessories adorned his head, shaped like a circlet with small white horn-like ornaments. Despite his delicate form, an ancient aura emanated from him — deep, heavy, and powerful.
This was no mere spirit.
This was Asuramaru, the legendary weapon itself.
"…You actually exist?" Hayashi couldn't help but mutter in disbelief.
He had expected just a sword — not a sentient being. But clearly, his system had gone beyond expectations.
"You are my new master?" Asuramaru's crimson eyes glimmered with curiosity and a hint of confusion.
"That's right," Hayashi replied with a faint smile. "My name is Hayashi. From today on, I'm your master."
It seemed she didn't need to form a ritual or sign a contract — the bond had already been forged when he received the blade. From this moment forward, Asuramaru was his and his alone.
"Hayashi… I like that name."Asuramaru's voice softened, a flicker of joy in his gaze.
"I'm Asuramaru. From today on, please take care of me."
Hayashi nodded with a gentle smile. Beautiful, otherworldly, and almost too elegant to be real — if not for the faint androgynous tone, anyone would've mistaken Asuramaru for a beautiful girl.
Tokyo's artists really were masters of the "draw a girl, call it a boy" technique. But whatever — he was fine with that. The appearance didn't matter. Power did.
"Hayashi," Asuramaru suddenly said, his tone curious, "do you wish to become a demon?"
"A demon?" Hayashi's brow arched in interest.If he remembered correctly, Asuramaru had once tried to turn his previous wielder into one.
"Sorry," Hayashi said calmly after a moment, "that's not my goal."
"…I see." Asuramaru lowered his head slightly, his voice carrying a trace of disappointment.
"Because one day," Hayashi continued, his tone firm but serene, "I will become a god — the one who rules over everything."
The moonlight caught in his red-brown eyes as his long hair swayed in the cold night breeze.There was confidence there — and something terrifyingly divine.
"A god who rules over all…?"Asuramaru blinked, momentarily stunned.
He had met many masters across countless lifetimes — warriors, monsters, kings —but never one who spoke of becoming a god with such certainty.
"Yes," Hayashi said, smiling softly as he extended his hand.
"Would you like to see it? To witness the glory of a god by my side?"
"Witness… a god…" Asuramaru murmured the words, his own hand instinctively reaching forward.
When their fingertips met, a strange pulse ran through them — a bond forming, invisible yet unbreakable.
It was done.Their connection — soul to soul — was complete.
"Then from now on… please take care of me, Master." Asuramaru whispered, before his form dissolved into light and sank back into the sword.
Hayashi gently ran a hand along the blade's surface, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"Don't worry," he said softly. "Someday, I'll show you exactly what that means."
And so, the legendary weapon — Asuramaru — truly became his. His second blade.