Chapter 6: Chapter 3:Tower and Future

I stood in front of the imposing wall and stared at the tower, reaching high into the evening sky, its end indiscernible. "What kind of tower is this?" I wondered aloud. Turning around, I walked along the street I had taken earlier. My steps felt somewhat sluggish, as if carrying a heavy burden.

Returning to the main street, I saw people entering their homes. A few children ran across the street, while some soldiers chatted with the locals. Back in the tavern, I noticed no customers. "Strange, it should be crowded at this time," I thought, heading to the kitchen. But no one was there. A sense of unease crept over me, and I hurried back to my room. There, I noticed my door ajar. "Huh, why is my door open?" I wondered confusedly. Entering my room, I discovered a note hanging on the windowsill. I approached the note and tore it off. "Hey, kid, the shop is closed today. We got invitations to the grand library, that big white tower. If you want to come, put on your suit, and your invitation is under the pillow." Without hesitation, I quickly lifted my pillow to retrieve the yellow-red piece of paper with a silver border.

I swung open the wardrobe doors and put on my suit. "How did I overlook this?" I mumbled absentmindedly.

With a loud bang, I slammed my room door shut, ran down the corridor, the wooden floor creaking beneath my steps. I leaped down the stairs; my legs felt somewhat numb, but I continued running like a man possessed. Standing in front of the towering wall again, I gasped for breath and knelt down to rest for a moment. After a brief pause, I gathered myself, sprinted toward the wall, and just before colliding, I leaped, grabbing the edge and pulling myself up. Then, I jumped down from the wall. "Why is there even this wall if it's so easy to cross?" I thought confusedly as I walked along the wall and eventually reached a brown-red door. I knocked on the door, and after a few seconds, an Arachne with a leather chestguard opened it. "Yes, may I help you?" she asked. Startled, I flinched and stammered like a child, "Uh... yes, I have an invitation, and, um..." I pulled out the piece of paper and handed it to her. After reading it, she let me in. Entering the tower, dizziness overwhelmed me, and I fainted.

Slowly opening my eyes, I found myself in a strange environment. Three people surrounded me. A little boy with pitch-black hair wore a blue and white T-shirt with a pirate motif. A man with black hair donned a brown sweater, and the woman, in a black T-shirt reading "Never lie or die," immediately caught my eye. Looking around, I realized I wasn't in the tower anymore. It was a world unfamiliar to me. One of the individuals addressed me, "All good, Luke?" Confused, I asked, "L... Luke?" The woman laughed and said, "Don't tell me you forgot who you are?" To defuse the situation, I forced a laugh, saying, "Oh, no, I was just trying to mess with you."

As I glanced around, I noticed the little boy stuffing a piece of toast into his mouth. The man pointed out, "You got a bit of jam on your mouth, Zero." When I looked more closely, I froze in shock. It was my younger self. Looking at the other two, I was astonished to recognize my mother in the woman. I stammered, "Is something wrong, Luke?" Quickly regaining composure, I shook my head, "No, everything's fine, I just thought I saw something behind you." My mother looked concerned, "Are you sure? You look a bit pale." I denied it and watched as my younger self stood up, took his plate and cup, and left. I finished eating, took the plate and cup to the kitchen.

Suddenly, I blinked and found myself on a bustling shopping street. I looked around wildly and noticed my younger self behind me. "Everything okay?" he asked, and I nodded. We walked along the street together, but suddenly, I stumbled and found myself in a vast library. A voice spoke to me, "Ah, you're awake." I looked up and saw a figure half-human, half-spider. "W... what was that?" I asked, confused. The Arachnide replied calmly, "That was your daydream or, better said, the life you wish for." I sat down and asked, "A life I wish for? But why was it shown to me when I entered the tower?" The Arachne extended one of her legs and answered, "On the second floor, you see the most probable future..."

My steps echoed in the library with each stride. It was an impressively large library that fascinated me. I wondered why there was such an extensive library and what significance it held. Suddenly, questions about my own past and what the future held for me filled my mind. "Um, what is this tower, actually?" I asked the Arachne accompanying me. She looked at me and replied, "Good question, I'm not sure. The lower levels are libraries, and anyone who enters a level is shown something they desire or something they shouldn't wish for." Confused, I tried to understand what she meant.

As we stood before a spiral staircase, the Arachne suddenly held me back. "I can't go any further from here. Please be careful when you go upstairs. I don't know how you'll handle the future." I nodded, curious about what could be dangerous in the future. I climbed the spiral staircase. Pausing briefly, I saw the cabinets from above and noticed a huge chandelier hanging from the ceiling, illuminating the entire room. I decided to continue ascending the spiral staircase, and with each step, a sense of unease crept over me. When I finally stood four steps from the second floor, I took a deep breath and climbed the last steps. Suddenly, nothing happened. I couldn't discern any changes or special events. "Ha, nothing happened," I thought, about to turn around. But suddenly, I lost consciousness. When I came to, I was in front of a red door. Curiously, I opened the door and stepped through.

A loud crack echoed through the room as the wood in the fireplace popped and crackled. The warm sunlight poured through the window, illuminating the room. My eyes immediately fell on the rocking chair at the center, with a mysterious human silhouette sitting in it, features hidden in the half-shadow. Two majestic swords leaned against the wall right next to the chair. Suddenly, a voice came from nowhere, "I know you're here, so I ask you, stay away from ####." Confused, I tried to understand the meaning of these words. Before I could find an answer, a blood-curdling scream shattered the silence: "Fire!" The scream shook me, making me flinch. The silhouette slowly raised its arm and uttered the word "Clock." A metallic sound filled the air, as if something magical had been set in motion. The person grabbed the two swords leaning against the wall and decisively headed

for the door. Her movements were fluid and practiced, as if she were a warrior with great experience.

Suddenly, everything around me turned black. Darkness completely enveloped me. But then, a bright red character appeared in the blackness. It seemed to float before my eyes and formed the words: "I hope you won't be lazy, hero."

I opened my eyes and saw a little girl with emerald-green eyes in front of me. She wore brown clothing and a large hat with green stripes. "Is he awake? He's awake, he's awake!" she exclaimed excitedly. I couldn't quite understand what she meant.

As I sat back down, I flinched as something stabbed my head. The girl pleaded with a worried look for me not to move. "Why are you talking so strangely, and what happened?" I asked confusedly. The girl stood up and approached me. She took off her left red glove and said determinedly, "I will heal you, heal you I will." With her warm, small hands, she gently touched my forehead. I felt a slight tingling, and shortly afterward, a green-yellow light emanated. After a short time, the intense pain in my head disappeared.

"Everything okay, still hurting?" the girl asked with concern. I nodded and cautiously touched the back of my head. Looking around, I noticed that the view of the second floor was somewhat different from the first. The bookshelves seemed closer together, and the light was not from a chandelier but from lamps attached to the sides. In the middle of the room were nine tables and five hammocks. The atmosphere felt altered, yet it was still a peaceful and inviting place.

As our steps echoed in the library, and I could see the spiral staircase ahead, I turned to the little girl and asked the question: "Why are these dreams shown and gradually fade away?" The girl touched her hat and answered, "We don't know exactly. We just know that these dreams exist." It seemed she had dropped her peculiar way of speaking, which relieved me. The girl's response left me in the dark about why these dreams appeared and then slowly disappeared.

After standing before the spiral staircase for a while, I thanked the girl and was surprised when she suddenly approached me and hugged me. Confused, all I could say was, "Huh?" as I had only known her for a few minutes. She finally let go, and her face turned bright red. Without saying another word, she ran off before I could stop her. "Hey, wait," I called after her, but it was already too late.

After some time, I decided to continue climbing the stairs. Stopping again, I observed the many bookshelves that filled the room. In the middle of the room was an open space with tables where people sat and laughed. I hurried to climb the last steps until I reached the second-to-last step. Taking a deep breath to calm myself, suddenly dizziness struck again, and I fell over.

"Ugh... my head, I really should wear a helmet," I mumbled, rubbing my temples as I struggled to get up. Upon standing, I saw a dune in front of me. A shiver ran down my spine as I thought about how hot it would be there. Nevertheless, I entered the dune and immediately felt the heat on my skin. I had to shield my eyes from the blinding sunlight. "It's so hot!" I exclaimed as sweat poured from all my pores. I took off my jacket and tied it around my face to protect myself from the merciless sun. Loosening my shirt a bit, I continued walking under the scorching sun. The heat was unbearable, but I pressed on bravely. Seeing an oasis in the distance, I sprinted towards it, hoping to find some refreshment at last. However, when I thought I had reached my destination, I realized it was just a mirage. Frustrated, I lay down on my back and stared at the searing blue sky. "Damn it! Who the hell creates such a tower of suffering? Either he's a sad*st or a masochist." My anger gradually subsided, and I stood up again to continue my journey. "I should experience a real adventure. Fight monsters, save people. But no, I work and go on these strange excursions. An unknown monster ate my leg. I'm so pathetic, pitiful, a failure, a loser. I'm doing exactly what I could do in Japan." Suddenly, I remembered my status window and tried to open it to check my abilities and attributes. As I repeated the command "Open status," I was informed that the 14-day deadline had expired, and the status window had been removed. Suddenly, a cracking sound, similar to the breaking of ice, echoed, followed by loud bell chimes. The window shattered into countless small pieces, eventually transforming into sparkling light particles.

I was speechless; my brain could barely process what had just happened. A mixture of confusion and loss engulfed me. What did it mean? How would I now obtain information about my abilities and attributes? Slowly, I sank to my knees, and my face fell into the hot sand. I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by despair. "Why is something like this happening to me? How am I supposed to use magic if I don't know the conditions I need to fulfill? How do I know what level I am?" The questions circled in my mind as I struggled with my own helplessness.

Night fell, bringing cooler temperatures. I opened my eyes and noticed that my entire clothing was filled with sand. Even in my pants, the sand had accumulated. The coolness of the night brought some relief, and I felt gradually calmer. Without a goal, without a plan, I simply continued walking.

After five days and four nights, I suddenly stood in front of a purple door. Curious, I turned the knob and entered an old-looking room. The fireplace crackled softly, and the scent of resin filled the air, mixed with a hint of cinnamon. I entered the room, and the wood of the floor creaked under my shoes.

My gaze wandered around and finally fell on a bookshelf full of books. Something inside me told me that I should read one of them. I pulled out a book with a white and red cover and read the title aloud: "Blood Oath." Curious, I opened the book and immediately immersed myself in its pages. It felt like I was being drawn into the story.

I read chapter after chapter without interruption. It was as if the words came alive and transported me to another world. A warm feeling flowed through my hands, and when I looked at them, I saw that they were soaked in blood. Surprised, I pulled my hand back and felt no pain. But the question remained: Why was I bleeding without feeling any pain?

As I looked at the book again, I noticed a specific passage in the fourth chapter. I opened the book and searched for the page that had come to mind. "Here it is," I murmured quietly. "The hands of the murderer are smeared with blood. The hands of the sinner can create weapons and shields with the blood of his victims. With an image, he creates the weapons and kills both adults and children." I furrowed my brow. It seemed like I only understood half of it.

Determined, I tried to imagine a wooden scythe. I pictured the weight, appearance, color, and size. I concentrated intensely and felt the blood on my hands starting to change. Carefully closing my eyes and trying to intensify my concentration, when I felt something in my hand again and opened it, I saw a scythe that was only the size of a pencil. I couldn't help but laugh. "It's tiny, like a doll," I joked and placed the small scythe on the table. The blood that enveloped my hands had already dried.

I went to the bookshelf again. But when I tried to take a book, I simply passed through it. Confused, I tried again and again, but the result remained the same. I thought I was going crazy and couldn't take a book from a shelf. Suddenly, my vision became completely blurry. Before everything around me turned black, I could see a person kneeling in front of me. "I hope you save me, my hero," I heard her words before darkness enveloped me.

As I slowly regained consciousness, my boss stood in front of me. She looked relieved and said, "Well, little one, you're finally awake. So, you've reached the third floor. What did you see there?" I collected my thoughts and began to tell her everything that had happened in the desert before the memories slowly faded.

Asia extended her hand to me, and I gratefully took it as she elegantly helped me up. Although she was smaller than me, her overwhelming strength surprised me. A radiant smile adorned her face as she jokingly remarked, "You're arriving quite late; did you take your time shopping?" My lips formed a broad smile, accompanied by a nod, and I was relieved that she took my slight delay in good humor.

Together we continued our way until we stood in front of a smooth wooden door with shiny silver handles. The door exuded an irresistible elegance and a mysterious flair that heightened my curiosity to immeasurable levels. It was obvious that something important and meaningful hid behind this door. Every pore of my body seemed to tingle with excitement as I absorbed the aura of mystery deep within me.

With a graceful gesture, Asia reached for one of the silver handles and opened the door slowly. A soft creak accompanied the movement, and immediately, the gentle scent of old wood and books wafted into my nose. It was a familiar yet fascinating smell that invigorated my senses and filled me with anticipation.

As I stepped through the open door, a surprising scene revealed itself. Several people, including some from the tavern, had gathered here. A pleasant noise level filled the room, accompanied by cheerful chatter and the clinking of glasses. The room spanned several levels, and I could catch a glimpse of a bar and a balcony that offered a breathtaking view of the glittering city. My heart skipped a beat as I heard some voices calling out, "Zero is here!" I flinched, feeling a mix of surprise and joy. My face lit up with a faint smile, and I waved to my acquaintances who had gathered around the bar. It was a moment of warmth and welcome.

I headed to the bar and ordered a "Magic Eye" cocktail. The cyclopean bartender nodded understandingly and skillfully began preparing the drink. Meanwhile, I noticed that Shinoa was already drunk on the floor, murmuring to herself. It seemed she had already had a lively time. Meanwhile, a group of half-naked, muscular men surrounded Mirajane, attempting to defeat her in arm wrestling. It was a truly impressive spectacle that briefly captured my attention.

Finally, I received my finished drink and made my way to a bookshelf. There, I picked a book titled "Tales from Lavara" and began reading it aloud. The words floated in the air like music, and I could practically feel the captivating magic of the stories.

Afterward, I went to the balcony and took a seat on a comfortable chair. From there, I enjoyed the stunning view of the sparkling city, savoring my cocktail to the fullest. The moment of tranquility and literature surrounded me like a gentle breeze, and I felt completely content and happy in that moment.

After a while, I stood up from my seat and stretched extensively to loosen the stiff muscles. The pleasant silence was suddenly interrupted as my gaze happened to fall on a girl with silky black hair. She wore a bright red dress with ruffles that embraced her delicate body. But what captivated me the most were her green-blue eyes, overflowing with tears, and the pained expression on her face.

Confused and concerned about her obvious emotional reaction,

I took a step toward her, trying to hide my worry: "Uh, is everything okay?" My words hung in the air as I attempted to attract her confused attention.

Without warning, the girl suddenly ran towards me and hugged me tightly. Surprised by her sudden proximity and the intensity of her hug, I froze for a moment as my mind tried to grasp the reason for her behavior. Hesitant and unsure, I wrapped my arms around her, trying to understand what was happening in my presence.

"Huh?" I exclaimed confused, struggling to find words to clarify the situation and figure out why she had broken down in my presence. The moment seemed to last an eternity as we both lingered in our unusual embrace, and I waited for her to find her voice.

Finally, she calmed down a bit and looked directly into my eyes. The tears had stopped flowing, and a touch of embarrassment lingered in her gaze. "I'm sorry for hugging you without warning, but you looked like someone I once knew," she said softly, as if choosing her words carefully.

I was overwhelmed by the situation and didn't know how to react appropriately. The connection to an unknown past that she saw in me confused me and set my mind speculating wildly. Despite my own uncertainty, I tried to remain calm and accept her behavior empathetically.

Once we had settled into a cozy spot, I felt a subtle change in the atmosphere, as if an invisible bond had formed between us. Her gaze fell on the book I had recently read, and I could practically see her curiosity being piqued. The book was profound and moving; it had emotionally touched me and left a lasting impression.

"That's a pretty sad story," she remarked, her voice slightly muffled by the hint of emotional depth the book contained. I nodded in agreement and smiled gently. "Yes, that's true. It's definitely a story that makes you thoughtful and can weigh heavy on the heart. But despite all the sadness, it has something beautiful and captivating about it. It shows us human nature in all its facets, and that makes it beautiful in its own way."

I felt my words trying to underline the significance of the book. It wasn't a superficial story that glided over the surface; instead, it delved deep into the human psyche, evoking profound emotions.

"Oh, I actually didn't ask you for your name," she suddenly said, looking at me with a warm smile. "I'm Aestina Noctara, the daughter of Caelum Noctara." I was a bit surprised that she mentioned her father's name, but I decided not to dwell on it as there might be personal reasons why she did.

"Now let me introduce myself," I continued to keep the conversation going. "My name is Zero Amane, and I am the son of Ken Amane." The conversation about the book was abruptly interrupted as more people entered the terrace, eventually drawing everyone's attention to the sky. Aestina seemed troubled and whispered almost inaudibly, "Is it already time?" Her words left me confused, and I followed her gaze to figure out what she was talking about.

Along the terrace's wall, I noticed a row of cannons, all aimed at the cloudy sky. A muffled sound caught my attention, and suddenly, four red fireballs shot into the air, followed by three green and two blue fireballs. The scene transformed into a spectacular display of colors. The red, green, and blue flames merged, creating new hues. The air trembled with a loud bang, and the night sky illuminated in breathtaking, vivid colors. The green and red flames merged into a radiant green, while the combination of blue and red produced a beautiful pink color. The night was illuminated by this unexpected fireworks, and the colors danced in a magical interplay across the sky. It was as if the flames were painting the stories of the book into the night sky, a representation of emotions and the complexity of life.

The people on the terrace marveled and admired the unexpected spectacle, filling the air with a touch of magic. I felt like I was in a dream as I watched the radiant colors blending and transforming the sky into a enchanting backdrop.

The scene on the terrace took a completely unexpected turn. As I turned back to Aestina, I noticed that most people were raising their arms as if reaching for the sky. I was confused and asked, "Huh, what's happening now? The fireworks are already over." But before I could get an answer, I heard the crowd collectively say, "Three! Two! One! Fire!" A chorus of voices echoed through the night, and suddenly, fireballs shot into the sky. It was as if the terrace itself had become a place of magic and wonder. Gradually, the fire magic took the form of a giant dragon, hovering majestically above us. The crowd was filled with enthusiasm and admiration as the dragon was drawn in the night sky. Another cannon sounded, and this time, it fired two black, three white, and one purple fireball. As the rising dragons made contact with the fireballs, their colors changed. The lower part of the dragon shone in white fire, while the back was surrounded by black flame. The dragon's eyes glowed in a mysterious purple.

An amazed "Wow" escaped my lips, and I couldn't take my eyes off the impressive spectacle. The combination of fire magic and the impressive skill of the magicians brought the dragon to life. It was as if a mythical being had risen into the sky, enchanting us all with its presence. The people on the terrace cheered and applauded the magicians for their masterful performance.

After the mood gradually calmed down, and some people started leaving, Mirajane approached me with the slightly intoxicated Shinoa on her back. She patted me on the shoulder and suggested that it was time to leave. I agreed and bid farewell with a smile to Aestina, who also gave me a smile. I picked up my glass and the book I had left on the table and followed Mirajane. At the bar counter, I placed my glass and returned the book to its original place.

As we found ourselves back on the main street, we let ourselves be carried by the crowd. Mirajane asked me how I liked this year's Dragon Festival. With shining eyes, I raised both hands and answered enthusiastically, "It was incredible! Honestly, I didn't expect that everyone would create a dragon out of fire together in the end. It was simply breathtaking!" Mirajane smiled satisfied and replied, "I'm really glad you enjoyed it. The Dragon Festival is always something special, and it's nice to see people enchanted by magic and community." The crowd around us was still in a festive mood, and the joy and excitement were palpable.

When we were alone on a secluded side street, I suddenly lost control of my steps and accidentally bumped into someone, causing me to fall to the ground. "Ah, I'm sorry, I didn't see you," I reflexively apologized, trying to hide my embarrassment. I quickly got up and tried to extend my hand to the person to help them up. However, when I attempted to do so, Mirajane swiftly slapped my hand away. "Better leave that be, or you'll end up like him," she warned me sternly.

I held my throbbing hand and tried to clarify my confusion: "What does that mean? I just accidentally bumped into him; I just wanted to help him!" As I looked into the person's face, I noticed strange black buttons sewn in place of his eyes, resembling holes. A cold shiver ran down my spine, and I sensed a menacing aura around this mysterious figure. "H-hey, what's with your eyes?" I asked, bewildered. Mirajane held me anxiously on the shoulder, as if she knew what I was about to do. "That's a slave," she explained with a serious tone. My confusion grew even further as she made this shocking revelation. "A slave? But what's with his eyes?" I continued to inquire, trying to hide my own shock.

Before Mirajane could give me an answer, a man in a blue suit and a black tie suddenly joined us. "Oh, here he is. I apologize if my slave has caused you any inconvenience," he apologized politely, as if it were a completely normal situation. I was so perplexed and couldn't believe that slavery existed in this fantasy world in such a grotesque and overt manner. I realized that I must have been naive or just plain foolish to think that fantasy worlds are always free from such dark elements.

As the man examined me closely, he seemed to notice my eyes and casually commented, "These eyes could fetch a good price." His gaze revealed greedy intentions, and I felt an uncomfortable threat emanating from him. But before he could take another step towards me, a red scythe suddenly appeared next to me. The scythe's handle was adorned with several skulls, and along the deep black blade, positioned right at the man's throat, appeared a eerie white smile. "Better not do anything foolish, slave trader," Shinoa hissed while still being carried by Mirajane. The threatening and determined tone in Shinoa's voice was palpable. The scene became even more eerie as the red scythe stood menacingly in the air, ready to strike at any moment.

The situation took a frightening turn as the cruel slave trader placed his hand over the back of the poor slave and effortlessly conjured a dagger with a curved blade. The dagger's handle was intricately designed, adorned with wavy engravings and blue-white stripes. Before I could comprehend what he was about to do, it was already too late. The dagger was brutally thrust into the slave's back, eliciting a pain-filled scream. I flinched, unable to comprehend the horror of this sadistic act. The slave trader, showing no emotions, instructed me with an emotionless voice to attack. But inside me, the anger boiled like an unstoppable volcano. Shinoa jumped off Mirajane's back and swung her scythe, attempting to put an end to the horror. However,

the slave trader skillfully evaded the deadly attack and hurled his dagger towards Shinoa before he could be hit.

Shinoa reacted quickly, kicking the handle of her scythe upwards, causing the oncoming dagger to shatter into a thousand pieces. The skull-adorned handles of her scythe began to laugh strangely and eerily, as if they had unleashed a mysterious power. An eerie laughter filled the street, seemingly coming from nowhere. The slave trader whistled impressed and commented, "That's new." His cold-blooded reaction to Shinoa's combat skills and the mysterious power of her weapon hinted that he must be familiar with supernatural phenomena—or at least used them as part of his trade.

Mirajane watched anxiously as I hesitated in front of the slave, evidently unsure how to handle this difficult situation. "What should I do? This is a human, not an animal or monster," I murmured softly, letting my thoughts run free. Empathetically, Mirajane tried to reassure me, explaining, "If you want to save him, unfortunately, you'll have to kill his owner. Regrettably, this man will die due to a pact even if his owner dies." Her words didn't make the decision any easier for me, and I felt deeply uncomfortable at the thought of taking someone's life. Searching for alternatives, I desperately asked, "Isn't there any other way? For example, removing those buttons from his eyes?" My hope was that removing the buttons might give the slave a chance at a free life. Mirajane explained with a saddened expression, "The eyes are only sewn shut because the cruel trader ordered that he should see nothing anymore." Slowly, I felt my own despair taking hold, making it hard for me to breathe.

With determination, Mirajane held the slave while delivering a bitter truth, "Unfortunately, I'm not allowed to kill anyone unless Asia is in danger. I'm sorry that I have to burden you with this heavy task, but you have to kill him if you want to save him." The conflict inside me continued, and I didn't know how to make such a decision. The idea of taking a life to save another was unbearable, yet I wanted to help this poor slave achieve his right to freedom. The urgency of time only intensified my inner conflict.

As I desperately searched for a solution and felt the cobblestone beneath me, a wave of determination washed over me. I focused my mana and shaped it into an improvised knife from the cobblestone. My hands trembled slightly as I held the unusual tool, while the slave desperately tried to free himself from Mirajane's grasp. With deep remorse and a heavy heart, I bowed to the captive man. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry that I have to kill you. You don't have to forgive me," I whispered, hoping that he could hear my words, even though they could provide little comfort in this cruel situation.

With trembling hands and a sense of unease, I tightly held the stone knife, feeling my pulse pounding in my ears. I took a deep breath to collect myself, knowing that I had to act now to free the slave from his suffering. With a quick but hesitant thrust, I aimed for his heart and pressed the knife into his chest.

The knife pierced his skin, and I could feel the resistance of his body fading. A painful expression crossed the slave's face as red blood flowed along the blade and slowly dripped onto the ground. Mirajane's gaze showed sorrow and compassion, but she let me carry out the heavy decision because it seemed there was no other option. With each drop that wet the ground, I felt the weight of this cruel decision on my shoulders. Yet, simultaneously, I hoped that the man was now relieved of his suffering and that his spirit could find peace. The conflict between morality and necessity left a deep scar on my soul.

The encounter between Shinoa and the ruthless slave trader intensified as she transformed her scythe into a dangerous kusarigama. The red chain formed from the lower part of the scythe wrapped around the trader swiftly, holding him tightly in an iron grip. The trader fought desperately, trying to free himself from the chain, but his efforts were in vain. The chain seemed to hold him in an unforgiving stranglehold. However, that wasn't the only thing frightening him. As he looked down at the chain, he noticed something eerie—small, hungry mouths moving towards him. Horror filled him as he realized that these little mouths were snapping at him, threatening to devour him. The kusarigama seemed to have a life of its own and wanted to feed on him. He now fought not only for his freedom but also for his life.

The scene was marked by shocking violence as Shinoa resolutely approached the slave trader and, with a precise stab of her kusarigama's blade, severed his throat. The moment was characterized by uncanny speed and precision, and the trader's head was abruptly separated from his body. The lifeless body slumped to the ground, blood spurting from the fresh wound, covering Shinoa in red stains. The extent of the violence and the efficiency of her actions were staggering and demonstrated Shinoa's combat prowess. It was clear that she felt no mercy for anyone who caused harm or exploited the innocent. Her determination and strength were simultaneously impressive and frightening.

As the bloody act concluded, Shinoa turned her attention to her kusarigama, looking at it thoughtfully. However, before she could hold the weapon in her hands, something unusual happened. The kusarigama suddenly disintegrated into a series of small, glowing particles in blue and red colors. It was as if the weapon were dissolving and disappearing in a mysterious way. The silence that followed the fight was accompanied by the soft disintegration of the weapon. Shinoa seemed surprised by what had just happened, but she showed no signs of regret or remorse. Instead, she looked determined and ready to move on. The lifeless body of the slave trader now lay before her, and the reality of the brutal act she had just committed hung in the air. It was a moment of contemplation and self-reflection as Shinoa weighed the consequences of her actions and perhaps confronted her own inner demons.