Scene — The Craftsman of Takayama
We see Tonakama and Yochiro arriving in Takayama.
The night air of Takayama was cold, the kind of chill that crept under the skin. The moon hung high, casting silver light over the quiet mountain paths.
Two figures moved through the shadows — Tonkama and Yochiro, walking a few steps behind, eyes sharp and alert. They slipped through narrow alleys, their footsteps soundless.
Finally, they stopped before a small, weathered house . Its paper windows glowed faintly from the firelight within.
> Tonkama whispered, "Ha, boy. This is the place."
Yochiro see the door — wooden, scarred.
> "This is where that craftsman lives?" Yochiro asked .
"Exactly," Tonkama said, puffing his chest. "The greatest craftsman in Takayama — and an old… acquaintance of mine."
He grinned confidently, brushing dust off his sleeves.
> "Ha boy, see? When he sees me, he'll lose his mind! The man will probably start crying tears of joy and bowing to my greatness! He knows what kind of living legend stands before his door!"
Yochiro sighed, unimpressed.
> "You really think everyone's grateful to you, huh?"
"Of course! It's natural," Tonkama replied with absolute confidence." Your are only jealous of me because all people respect me ha ha .
He raised his hand and knocked three times.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
A pause.
The faint shuffle of footsteps came from inside.
The door slid open slowly, revealing a middle-aged man with soot-stained hands and tired eyes. His face froze — eyes widening as if he had seen a ghost.
> "You…" the man whispered, his gaze flickering between them.
Tonkama placed his hands on his hips, flashing a wide grin.
> "Ha! Shocked, aren't you? I understand. It's not every day you get to see a living legend! But please—" he raised a hand dramatically, "—no need to throw yourself at my feet out of respect. I know it's an honor to meet me, but—"
He stopped mid-sentence.
Because the man wasn't looking at him.
He was staring — wide-eyed, trembling — straight at Yochiro.
Yochiro blinked, equally confused.
And then —
the man ran forward and fell to his knees before the boy, head bowing so low his forehead touched the floorboards.
Tonkama's jaw dropped.
> "H-Hey! Wait! What are you doing? He's the apprentice — I'm the legend here!"
But the man didn't even glance at Tonkama. His voice shook as he spoke, still kneeling.
> "You… you saved my son… you saved my family."
Yochiro's eyes widened. The memory returned — the screaming, the blood, the demon he'd slain to save a child and his parents.
> The craftsman continued, his voice heavy with emotion.
"My son still breathes because of you. My home still stands. My family still laughs…"
Yochiro's expression softened slightly, though his tone remained calm.
The man shook his head.
> "No… you did what no one else could."
He looked up at Yochiro
> "I never imagined the one who saved us would stand before me again."
Tonkama crossed his arms, muttering under his breath.
> "Unbelievable… completely unbelievable… I'm standing right here! What kind of world is this where the legend gets ignored?"
Yochiro glanced at him, hiding a faint smirk.
> "Guess the world's moving on, old man."
"Don't 'old man' me, brat!" Tonkama barked, glaring. "This is just… temporary imbalance in respect, that's all!"
The craftsman stand .
He lowered his head infront of Tonakama.
"Forgive me, Tonakama-sama… I am emotional to see Yochiro. He saved me… and my family's life."
Tonakama's eyes blazed with anger.
"There's no need to lower your head in front of me now — it's useless!"
Yochiro spoke gently, his gaze steady.
"Old man… there's no need to show fake anger."
Tonakama loudly." I am not showing fake angry you useless kid .
Yochiro began teasing Tonakama, a playful glint in his eyes.
The man couldn't help but smile at the sight.
"Please… come in," he said warmly.
On the other side
---
Hinokawa — The Night of Destruction
The moon shone softly over Hinokawa, a peaceful village surrounded by quiet hills and small rice fields. The night was calm; only the faint sound of wind brushing against the rooftops could be heard.
A few lamps glowed through thin paper windows, and the smell of warm tea and burning wood drifted in the air.
Children had gone to sleep. Dogs barked lazily at the shadows.
It was a night like any other—
until the ground began to tremble.
---
The First Sign
A low growl came from deep within the forest.
It was not human.
It carried something danger and hateful.
Then came another sound—heavy, slow steps crushing the earth, one after another.
The animals ran, the trees swayed, and even the wind seemed to stop.
Something was coming.
And then it spoke.
> "Heh… I smell life. So warm. So fragile. Let's end it."
The voice was rough, like iron grinding against stone.
Out of the darkness stepped a Chaos Demon — tall and broad, its body covered in gray, cracked flesh that glowed red from the inside, like burning coal beneath rock. Three eyes glimmered faintly — two on its face, and one in the center of its forehead.
Its claws were long enough to pierce through armor, and black smoke escaped its mouth each time it exhaled.He walked alone through the ruins, each step echoing like thunder.His footsteps carried the weight of dominance, his gaze slicing through the air like a blade
Behind it, dozens of demons crawled and walked, each twisted in form—some with sharp bone wings, others with creepy faces or extra limbs.
The night of peace had ended.
A brother and sister — Ren and Hina — slept beside their mother. Ren's small hand clutched a wooden toy sword.
Outside, their father — a swordsman of the village guard — watched the stars fade behind clouds.
Ren and Hina — slept beside their mother. Ren's small hand clutched a wooden toy sword.
Outside, their father — a swordsman of the village guard — watched the stars fade behind clouds.
Then… it began.
A low rumble rolled across the ground. Birds screamed from the treetops. Windows rattled.
The father turned, eyes wide — and through the thin paper window, he saw them.
Demons.
Dozens.
No — hundreds.
The first voice to break the silence was deep, wet, and monstrous.
> "Insects… come out. Don't make me tear down your little nests."
The Chaos Demon smirked, his voice dripping with malice.
"Looks like I'll have to give them... a little demonstration."
And then, the sky exploded when .
The Chaos Demon leapt high above the village — his massive body cutting through the air like a meteor — and punched down with a roar that shook the village.
The impact shattered a row of houses instantly. A wave of destruction tore through five more, splintering roofs, collapsing walls, and sending terrified screams echoing into the night. Fire burst from fallen lanterns. Dust, blood, and smoke filled the streets.
Ren's mother screamed, clutching Hina. Their father drew his blade.
> "Stay here. Don't come out, no matter what happens!"
He forced a smile, though his eyes trembled.
> "They're just demons, my little Hina. They're strong, but not stronger than your father."
Ren looked up, eyes wide. "You'll win, right, Father?"
He nodded once. "I will."
Then he stepped into hell.
---
Outside, chaos reigned.
Villagers stumbled from their homes, clutching whatever they could — spears, hammers, even farming tools. Their faces were pale, trembling, but they stood together.
At the center of the village stood Hakuna, the captain of the sword guard — a man known for cutting down bandits and demons alike. His blade shone under the flickering flames.
> "Everyone! Protect your families! Don't let a single demon through!"
Men shouted. Women cried.
The Chaos Demon watched from atop the ruins of a house — one foot resting on the broken wall, his three eyes scanning the scene like a predator toying with prey.
A child's body lay beneath his feet— crushed, lifeless. The demon bent down, lifted the body and opened its mouth wide — and with merciless hunger, devoured him in a single bite.
> "Haa… soft. Fresh."
Blood dripped down his chin.
The villagers froze. Hakuna's hand on his sword.
Asked loudly..
> "You monster…!"
"You've made the biggest mistake of your life — I'll make it your biggest regret."
The Chaos Demon smiled wider.
> "Monster?
Demon creepily : "Oh, human... you talk quite impressively. But I wonder—can you actually back up those words, or are you just all talk?"
Hakuna roared and runs toward choas demon and lunged.
He sprang into the air, katana flashing — three, four, five furious arcs shredding the space between them. Then, gathering every scrap of strength, he funneled it into one single, earth-splitting blow and launched it full force at the Chaos Demon's neck.
The Chaos Demon didn't move and deliberately, he drew the attack toward himself.
Steel met flesh — and stopped.
The blade quivered, trembling against the demon's neck — but left not a single mark.
Hakuna's eyes widened.
> "What… what is this…? Impossible…!"
I'd poured my whole strength into that blow — and it barely even nicked him. It was as if my katana had slammed into a slab of stone.
The demon's grin stretched unnaturally.
> "Is that your best?"
"So disappointing. I expected more. My mistake — now it's time for your death."
He moved so fast that even Hakan's eyes couldn't track him. In the blink of an eye, he was behind Hakuna and swung his claw.
For an instant, no one saw the motion. Then — silence.
Hakuna's head rolled across the dirt.
His body collapsed a moment later, blood spraying in a red arc across the burning street.
Gasps, screams, sobs — the sound of an entire village losing hope.
The Chaos Demon raised Hakuna's severed head high and ask creepily.
> "Your strongest..? the strongest insect this place has to offer? How pathetic."
"I'm very disappointed — you didn't even see my attack."
He threw the head aside.
> "Now listen, humans. I've brought you a gift — the most beautiful gift you'll ever receive."
He spread his arms, smiling like a priest. "Death."
"If anyone objects , let them step forward — they will suffer the same fate."
Some villagers fell to their knees, begging.
> "Please! Spare us! Please, we'll do anything—"
"Please forgive us!"
The demon chuckled. It started soft, then broke into a cruel laugh.
> "Yes… yes! That's it! Beg. Cry. The sound fills me with joy."
He turned his head where demon was standing beside him, its eyes burning with rage.
Without a word, the creature suddenly moved, sprinting forward — and then dropped down like a chair.
The Chaos Demon stepped closer, calm and cold, and sat upon its back as if it were a throne.
He leaned down, his three eyes staring at the crowd.
> "I'll make it fun. Let's play a game."
"Alright then… let me give you all a fair offer."
> "You fight each other the fight for your life. Whoever kills one of their own, I'll let him live. Him and his family."
The crowd gasped. Everyone turned to look at one another.The crowd erupted in panic — fear spread like wildfire through the herd of people.
One man shouted, desperate:
> "Don't listen to him! He's a liar! He'll kill us all no matter what we do!"
"There's only one way to survive this — fight together!"
But another screamed back:
> "Are you insane?! Did you not see what he did?! He killed Hakuna like a bug!.Over top tier fighter .
"Even if we somehow defeat him, what about the hundreds of demons standing behind him? No matter what we do… we won't survive this."
"He said he'd spare us— I'll do it!"
" I will do what he asked"
He turned, knife trembling in his hand, and stabbed the man beside him.
The Chaos Demon clapped.
> "Beautiful! Humans killing humans — my favorite thing."
He pointed lazily to one of his followers.
> "That one. Finish the loud one for me."
A demon rushed forward, grabbed the pleading man by the chest — and ripped him apart, flesh and bone snapping like wet wood.
Blood sprayed across the dirt.
The Demon King laughed, a chilling sound that echoed through the battlefield.
"Fight… or you'll end up just like him."
But instead of fighting each other, the people turned their weapons toward the demons — launching a desperate attack.
The Chaos Demon's eyes flared with rage . Chaos Demon spread his arms once more.
> "Enough mercy. The offer's over."
The man who had killed his own people with a knife ran toward the Chaos Demon, trembling.
"Demon King… please… forgive me! I—I did that you asked ! I killed my own village… that you asked ! How could I have done anything else?"
"Please… spare me."
The Chaos Demon let a small, cruel smile curl on his lips. He raised his claw and pressed it against the man's head.
"Yes… why not, human? You did exactly as I asked. I won't kill you — I am a demon of my words.
The man forced a trembling smile, fear etched into every line of his face.
"Th… thank you, Demon King… thank you…"
The Chaos Demon's lips curled into a creepy smile once more.
"But… there's a small problem." His eyes scanned the trembling man. "I don't like disloyal people."
Without warning, the Chaos Demon sank his claw into the man's head. Slowly, deliberately, he spread his fingers — and the man's head exploded under the pressure.
All the villagers froze, trembling in terror. The Chaos Demon slowly raised his hand, letting the dripping blood fall to the ground.
"This man… so disloyal," he said, his voice calm. "He killed his own villagers. Humans… truly, you are pathetic."
He raised his claw.
> "My sons… feast."
The demons roared in unison and charged.