The sky was still dark when I said my goodbye.
Urokodaki didn't say a word.
He just placed a hand on my shoulder, handed me a map, and nodded slowly.
Maybe he didn't want to show what he was feeling.
Maybe he didn't know if he'd ever see me again.
Or maybe… he simply didn't know what to say.
I strapped my swords to my waist, adjusted the mask on my face, and left.
The cold felt stronger that day, as if the mountain itself didn't want to let me go.
---
The journey was peaceful — for a moment, I even thought the trial wouldn't be as hard as I had imagined.
But the ache in my legs, the weight of the swords, and the wind cutting my cheeks reminded me it would be.
By late afternoon on the second day, I reached the base of the mountain.
It stood before me like a sleeping giant — tall trees, dry trunks, colorless leaves.
The forest felt dead… and yet far too alive.
There were others there.
Boys. Girls.
All with serious faces, dark clothing. Some had improvised weapons. Others had real swords.
Some were silent.
Others tried to hide their fear with empty chatter.
No one held eye contact for long.
I was one of the smallest — maybe the youngest.
But no one mentioned it.
Maybe because, unlike me, they didn't know what to expect.
Or maybe… because they knew exactly.
---
Not long after, two attendants appeared.
Both wore the standard uniforms, masks covering their faces.
They spoke quietly, but every syllable felt like a warning.
— "Welcome to Mount Fujikasane."
— "You will remain here for seven nights."
— "Survival is your only mission."
No explanation about how many demons were inside.
No map. No promises.
Just this: survive.
The forest gates opened.
One by one, the candidates began to enter.
No one said goodbye.
No one wished anyone luck.
When my turn came, I walked to the entrance without hesitation.
I placed my fox mask on.
Adjusted my swords.
And stepped inside.
---
The sound of the gate closing behind me was like a muffled thunderclap.
The forest was dense. Dark. Suffocating.
The snow didn't fall here — it was already on the ground, packed down by the weight of years.
And the cold… it was different.
It didn't hurt. But it pressed down on me.
I walked for several minutes in silence, breathing slowly.
I heard footsteps in the distance.
Short screams.
Then… nothing.
In that place, even time seemed trapped.
---
I walked for hours.
The sky stayed the same: a pale, sunless gray.
I marked the path with small scratches on stones and trees.
Avoided open areas.
Hid from sound, letting the snow muffle my footsteps.
It didn't take long to hear something that wasn't the wind.
It was a wet sound.
Heavy.
Like teeth tearing through flesh.
I crept closer, hiding behind a thick tree.
I saw a boy — he must've been about fifteen — on the ground.
A demon crouched over him — thin body, long nails, lifeless eyes.
The boy still moved. Trying to reach his sword.
I could've run.
Could've hidden.
But my feet moved on their own.
I adjusted my stance. Gripped both swords without drawing them.
My breathing was slow. Counted. Controlled.
I placed the mask on.
— "First Form…" I whispered.
My feet slid over the snow, and the world seemed to spin.
— "Snow Blossom."
A spin. A sideways cut.
The swords crossed like petals in motion.
The demon turned, surprised — one of its arms already severed.
It roared, leapt.
But I was already low to the ground, ready for the next form.
— "Second Form… White Wind."
I surged forward like the air itself pushed me.
Crossed my blades upward — the demon stumbled back, off balance.
I seized the pause.
— "Third Form… Frozen Interval."
I stopped. Just for a moment.
The demon hesitated, trying to read me.
That was its mistake.
Three diagonal slashes struck almost at once, and it shrieked, falling to its knees.
I prepared for the final blow.
— "Fifth Form…"
Silence.
The demon rose again.
But my eyes had already drawn the line.
— "Silent Snow."
I moved only once.
A clean cut. Right through the neck.
The head fell into the snow.
The body staggered for a step, then collapsed, like a tree finally giving in to time.
The boy behind me was trembling, but still breathing.
I turned to him.
— "Can you walk?"
He nodded, barely able to speak.
— "Go south. Avoid noise. Don't separate from the forest. If you reach the wall, stay there. Don't return to the center."
— "Understand?"
He nodded again, terrified, and limped away.
I took a deep breath.
My swords were still steady in my hands.
The blade's cold was nothing compared to the wind.
And the scent of blood no longer made me tremble.
If the first night was like this…
I didn't want to imagine the sixth.