Chapter 12: enter in the muzoraiko case
Muzoraiko — the hollow, barren dimension.
A sick wind drags green dust across black sand. Kon steps through first — black robe trailing, umbrella resting lightly in his hand. His eyes half-closed, faint smile on his lips. Behind him, Hazo, Victor, and Fuko appear like loyal wraiths.
Kon pauses — listens to the silence.
He breathes out, voice soft:
Kon: "I see… no living creature here. Except a few goblins… and four more, not human."
Hazo (head bowed, calm):
"Then what, my lord?"
Kon tilts his umbrella, rain dripping from its edge:
"Orge, Hazo."
Hazo nods once:
"Orge… by name?"
Victor folds his arms, glancing at the drifting ash.
Victor:
"An Orge — a legendary monster. Large, hideous, human-like — feeds on ordinary people, especially infants and children."
Kon smiles faintly, eyes narrowing on the empty dunes.
Kon:
"Correct. They look human… but they never are."
He shifts his weight, the umbrella creaking gently in his hand.
"As usual, you know what to do, Hazo."
Hazo:
"Seroiku. I see."
His blade slides from his sleeve — silver catching the ghost-light.
Then — the sky splits. Thousands of goblins pour down like flies, screeching. Claws out, jaws snapping.
Kon doesn't flinch. He doesn't even turn his head.
Kon (low, smiling):
"You know what I will say."
Hazo's eyes flicker crimson — he lifts his sword, calm as death.
Hazo:
"Sword Style: Eating of Mouth Eaten."
A red storm — goblin limbs severed mid-air, blood spraying like black rain. None touches Kon. His umbrella keeps him untouched, elegant in the gore.
A huge Orge slams through the dunes — eyes wide, iron chains dragging behind it. It roars — but Fuko darts in, shoulder smashing the beast aside. The ground cracks.
Fuko (grinning, sharp fangs showing):
"Lord, are you alright?"
Kon turns his gaze, voice mild — rain tapping the silk above his head.
Kon:
"Sure I am. Carry on."
He steps forward — black robe trailing through torn goblin flesh. His umbrella tilts slightly. His smile never fades.
Kon (whispers, to the sand, to himself):
"Let this dead place learn… cruelty walks beside me."