-Malleus-
'I'm starting to find that falling asleep via unconsciousness is the tiniest bit annoying.' I huffed, staring at the roof.
I was lying in a futon-like bed. It was somewhat rough to the touch, and it looked rather rudimentary. The rest of the room was barely furnished, with a simple wooden box that I believed served as a way to place clothing.
'You made it out alive. Thought I had to use your body like a meat suit for a moment.' A voice echoed in my head: Sukuna, probably an evil Buddha, and currently a massive parasite lurking inside my body. "I can hear you, brat."
I scoffed, slapping the mouth that just sprouted out of my left cheek. "Give me a mic, I'll say it again. Louder."
For some reason, I heard an amused huff before Sukuna's presence went to the back of my head once more.
"Right…" I took a deep breath and sat up, cursing at the stinging sensation on my legs. My knuckles were even worse, with bloody bandages covering them, though, in such a way that it didn't impede me from closing my fists. "This place… There was snow, and tall women with horns… Oni?"
I opened my eyes. But instead of trying to feel any material, I focused on the cursed energy in the air.
Angry, uncontrolled, overpowering, and… somewhat passionate? It didn't feel like mine, but it was similar in some aspects. The fact that it was there in the first place told me that, indeed, whoever I was just saved by was certainly a spirit of some kind.
'Or a sorcerer…' My mind provided, much to my confusion.
There was also another energy lurking around. But this one felt more grounded, less erratic, and more… tricky. However, there was so little of it that it was hard to discern it from the cursed energy clogging up the air, even with my eyes.
The moment I felt my eyes sting a little, I closed them back down.
"I just hope I don't get kidnapped off my bed a second time. Once was enough." As I was making an effort to get up, I heard a door sliding open.
Only now I noticed that this place had paper or tatami doors. The kind that you can simply slide open and don't have locks. 'Privacy be damned, I guess,' and holding the door that was just opened, stood what I could guess was an Oni.
My eyes opened once more, and I ignored the girl's sudden awe as I tried to get any detail off her.
She had jet-black raven hair with purple highlights; her skin looked healthy, unblemished, but was of a dark, coal-like coloration. She was wearing some sort of traditional clothing. Robes that cascaded from her shoulders to her mid-thigh, with long sleeves.
For some reason, my eyes felt the need to tell me that was her only article of clothing. She was also barefoot. Do Onis not feel the cold?
Her eyes were strange, too. With a bright-red iris and a split pupil. For some reason, it looked somewhat appealing instead of the frog-like eyes I had envisioned in my mind. Lastly, the most defining feature was the two black horns that started on her forehead.
And, by the familiar Cursed Energy that clung to her body like a second skin. I could tell that this was the Oni's room.
She stared at me for a moment, frowning.
I kept my eyes wide open. I still wasn't used to this full range of vision in every direction, but I'll be damned before I let another woman I don't know put me in dreamland in a single move.
There was a window in the room. In case I needed to push through it and escape. It was unlikely, considering whoever brought me here had put a bed below my back and bandages on my injuries, but I'd like to be cautious.
Yet, the moment Cursed Energy flared on my legs, in case I needed the extra push of energy, the woman's eyes shot open.
I frowned as some sort of realization seemed to dawn on her. I didn't speak first, but she sure did as she hastily approached and squatted down next to the futon.
"Save your strength, Dehorned one." Her voice was a bit deep, throaty even, and rough. When her lips parted to do so, I spotted shark-like teeth instead of regular ones. "The chief will come soon. You are alive. Strong. Even if not."
'What…? First of all, Dehorned?' I heard chuckles inside my head. Apparently, the situation was hilarious to the Oni inside my head.
I stared at the Oni woman, her eyes locked with mine, as I sensed Cursed Energy from her. I wondered if she expected my compliance via intimidation. However, her gaze held no malice, her hands were unclenched, relaxed even, and her posture was tranquil. She felt strong, but not hostile. If anything, she appeared bored, or maybe that was because of the permanent flat expression.
"...Were you the one to take me from the storm outside?" I asked politely while placing the cloth over my eyes once more. 'I don't think she was, but she may have been in the group, so who knows.'
"Kuroki did not. A group of scouts did. You were injured. Kuroki only patched up." Now that I noticed, her words came out a bit rough, short, and to the point. "You speak weird… Mothe— Chief. She, too, does sometimes."
I paused.
Are Oni… not that smart? Ah, that's a bit rude. Considering the situation.
"I tend to do so, yes," I said lightly before lowering my head in a respectful nod. "In any case, you have my thanks. If not for your help, I may not have opened my eyes today."
The Oni woman's eyes widened minutely before her head bowed, properly, unlike mine. "Please do not bow, Dehorned one, it was our… honor."
'Again with that Dehorned bit.' I do know I am a devil, and though my range of reference is small, I don't think Devils usually have horns in the first place. 'Also, I was right about her manner of speech. She had trouble coming up with that last word…'
"Very well," I accepted, and that made her lips turn into a small, happy smile. If she wanted to treat me with such respect, I was not one to reject such a thing. Let her do whatever she wanted. "Even so, I believe I'll end up taking more than your generosity provides. Could I ask for… sustenance, if it isn't a bother?"
Suddenly, the muscular woman shot to her feet. "Sure not. You need your strength back. Ah, but… Kuroki is not the best cook."
I raised an amused eyebrow before shrugging. "It does not matter to me. However, if you are hesitant, I could do so myself with your help." I offered before frowning. This could help me pay her back a bit. "No, let me rephrase that. Assist me up, I wish to do this much at the least."
She looked hesitant to comply, but then paused, and I kind of guessed she was even more hesitant about not helping with my request than she was about letting me rest.
Then, the Oni nodded before offering me her hand.
"I thank you." I blinked and almost stumbled as I was pulled up. Kuroki's strength was no joke, apparently. She wasn't even using Cursed Energy, and I could tell she could snap my arm like a twig. "You're quite strong. If you excuse me…"
I had to hold onto the taller woman—A full head taller than me, in fact—so as not to lose balance, which ended in a bit of an awkward position as I was holding onto her hip.
"...Thank you." She whispered before shaking her head. Her lips pressed into a thin line. Much to my confusion, I felt a hand clasping around my hip as I was led outside the room. "Boar meat is best we have."
Well, as long as it wasn't a magical boar, I could probably cook it up.
Never have I used a charcoal-based furnace before, but once heat filled the small kitchenette, and I had a few cuts of wild boar ready, it didn't make much of a difference.
Kuroki stared attentively from her place sitting on her legs in front of a short table. Originally, she had been at my side, and while I appreciated her concern, I was not at all comfortable with being watched like a hawk nor needing help in case I keel over from simple cooking.
Really, if at any point, I fell on my face, that's one hundred percent on me. Should not have dropped the reinforcement currently pumping through my lower half.
'Broth is coming along nicely…' Considering the furnace I had—a Kamado, I believe it was called—I couldn't really stir-fry or sear the meat in a pan. Instead, I picked up an empty pot made of ceramic and decided to make a stew. 'Let's see…'
I had used boar bones for the broth, and I was about to put the rice in along with the meat, since those two would take the longest.
Now, I was not a cooking expert in any way; I only pulled my weight somewhat, but if I was not mistaken, the vegetables usually went last. Lest they get mushy and chewy.
I blinked and then frowned. That strange feeling in my head made itself present. It was Sukuna.
But she didn't say anything. Merely paying rapt attention.
I picked up a wooden spoon that I was using to stir up the stew. Slowly but surely, it was coming to be. The meat was browned yet still remained somewhat pale since it was boiled, juicy but not great-looking. The rice had taken a small coloration change, thanks to the broth.
But before I added the vegetables, I smiled and filled a spoonful. Then, I put the steamy, hot stew close to my left cheek.
…
Suddenly, a mouth of sharp teeth appeared. The sound of someone chewing was barely heard, but for some reason, I could savor the flavors of the meat and rice as if they were in my own mouth. Was Sukuna using my own taste buds to have a taste?
A contemplative hum echoed in my head. 'It's edible. Needs more salt.'
With a shrug, I added a few fistfuls of salt and dropped the vegetables in. It won't take much longer for it to be ready, around ten minutes or so.
While I waited, a slight humming escaped past my lips. However, internally, my mind was kind of reeling with the subsequent line of events that had occurred in such a short time.
Specifically, I was mentally complaining each time I thought about something that, for all intents and purposes, I should remember, but I didn't. My first name, who those devils were, and maybe even where I was, but nope. I only have some knowledge of spiritual arts, like how to make basic seals for minor spirits, and… mythological knowledge. That was the only reason I recognized Sukuna's name in the first place.
However, what I had didn't seem all that accurate.
Oni tended to be depicted as two-horned, house-sized monsters that ate people for fun—I ignored the following chuckle inside my head—and were mostly barbaric, turning to dumb.
However, not only had Kuroki been quite polite, but she had bandaged my arms and even knew about the importance of proper rest. So, yes, inaccurate knowledge.
Speaking of…
"Do you want a taste?" I asked without turning to the woman who was currently sniffing the air behind me. I have noticed her getting up and walking behind me, probably led by her nose.
Kuroki's stoic expression remained, though for a moment, I saw a bit of drool going past her lip. "Here. Though it would still be a bit longer for the rest."
Taking another spoonful from the hot stew, I put an open palm below it so none fell to the ground before blowing softly into it. Then, I turned to the Oni woman, who was now staring… nervously? Yes, by the twitch of her fingers and the way her eyes minutely moved from the spoon to my face, she was indeed nervous.
'...She may not be an idiot, but she's certainly weird.' I thought before offering the spoonful directly in front of her lips.
…I still didn't like that this was the second person I had to strain my neck to look directly in the eye, magical eyesight notwithstanding. Though Sukuna was definitely taller than Kuroki.
"Come on, my arm is getting tired," I complained.
Kuroki's eyes widened before she hurriedly took the spoon into her mouth. I was starting to find how she reacted to my words in such over-exaggerated ways. Though the fact that I could still feel a general sense of amusement from the woman in my head was making me worried.
"So? How is it?" I asked, curious. "I'm no chef, but it should be decent at least?"
Kuroki paused, looking between me and the pot filled with stew. Her eyes had a spark of something I couldn't place.
"It is… tasty." Her words came much more softly. Her coal-like skin darkened a bit more as she took the spoon out of her mouth.
Weird. I didn't add any spicy things to it…
The sound of a door sliding open snapped me back to attention. The sound of steps, along with a firm yet motherly voice, reached the room.
"Daughter. I'm back. How is our… guest? Ah." As the Oni stepped into my range of view, I could immediately see the resemblance. "He is up. I shouldn't be surprised. Well, met Dehorned one."
She was taller than Kuroki, and her skin was similarly dark. Only that, instead of the coal-like color that Kuroki had, her skin was a lighter tone of dark grey. Her frame was equally as imposing as any Oni I have seen up until now. Tall, muscular, oddly beautiful. Her hair was definitely longer, all the way to her hips in a wild mane of black, frizzy hair.
Her ceremonial outfit had a long, red skirt that reached to her knees and a loose white robe that hung loosely around her shoulders and arms.
Unlike with Kuroki, in which her outfit could somewhat contain her… assets. It wasn't the same with the chief. Her cleavage was exposed and plenty, and the confident grin on her face only added to the appeal.
"If you are well and sound," The woman started again, glancing between me and Kuroki, and then at the pot boiling behind us. "Care for a chat?"
''You really shouldn't have bothered, Dehorned one. Yet, I thank you for the food nonetheless. It is quite delicious.'' The Oni woman smiled after having taken a bite out of her bowl of stew.
The air was a lot less tense than I thought. Probably due to the woman's calm and carefree attitude, but even so, I could already tell she was not just any Oni. She was strong, how strong, I didn't know.
''No need. It was I who wished to make it in the first place.'' I shot back. Seated on my knees like the other two Oni to enjoy our meals. However, I'll just say that the table was definitely made for taller women like them, considering it reached to my mid torso while seated. ''A mere token of gratitude, for taking me in, and patching me up.''
The woman, one I could basically tell was the mother of Kuroki, side-glanced her daughter before smiling a big, toothy, shark-like grin. ''Is that so? I see, I see.''
''In any case, let me introduce myself. I am the Chief Orikita, and my rule goes as far as this village does.'' The Oni introduced herself in a… somewhat archaic way, I could tell. Even her expression soured a bit while saying it. ''I see that you have already acquainted yourself with my spawn here. I hope she didn't trouble you in any way?''
Kuroki's eyes snapped back to her mother; her expression didn't change, but I would guess that she still expressed a mix of embarrassment and outrage somehow. The woman gave a full-belly laugh while trying to wave away her daughter's gaze.
''Not at all,'' I answered, offering a friendly smile. ''She was the one who helped me to my feet and patched me up in the first place, wasn't she? Even with this meal present, let me properly thank you like I did her.''
''For taking me in and nursing me back to health, you have my sincerest thanks.'' I lowered my head, almost in a bow, but not quite so. While friendly, these people were still Oni, and even if my knowledge wasn't flawless, something like bowing entirely could be seen as cowardly or a sign of weakness. ''If there's any way I could repay your kindness, and it's within my capability to do so, do ask away.''
Silence filled the small room for a moment as I lifted my gaze. The chief was staring at me strangely. Yet, the smile on her face was pleased.
''HAHAHA! You really are a strange one. Not like it is a wrong thing.'' Chief Orikita slapped her knee while laughing, even cleaning a tear from her eyes before nodding. ''If you're so eager, then yes, there is something I wish you could help with, if you won't mind?''
Nodding, I gestured for her to continue.
''Stay until the night if you are in a hurry, or a few days if you are not.'' The chief's expression turned thoughtful. ''If you do so… then I believe that's more than enough for us, Dehorned one.''
'Only staying? And that's it?' I frowned, but still nodded. ''Very well. It is of no consequence to me, however…No, never mind.''
It was better not to ask them directly. Instead, I'll see if Sukuna can actually be helpful from time to time, and she can tell me a bit about her culture.
''In any case…!'' The woman paused to grab her bowl and down the contents immediately, as if it was a drink and not a stew, before letting out a pleased sigh. ''If you wish, do have a walk around our land. It isn't much, but it's the place we call home!''
I couldn't help but match her eagerness. My first impression of Oni's was certainly skewed. Because this woman, her daughter, and Sukuna herself couldn't be more different personality-wise.
''I'll try and do so,'' I said; however, in reality, I had my own set of plans too.
I still need to find a place where I can train my Cursed Energy after all.
''Sukuna, stop fucking around for a moment!'' I complained, now in the solitude of a snowy hill near the village. Meanwhile, the Onis below were doing… some sort of ceremony? I don't know. It's just so weird. ''Why are the common villagers bowing their heads, and why are people offering me free things? One woman even wanted me to have her land!''
After Chief Orikita let me more or less roam as I pleased, I decided to take a walk. I didn't have any money on me, but that seemed not to be needed at all. The moment I glanced at a stand, an Oni of different hair, pigmentation, or mannerisms would approach and offer some of their product free of charge. And, if I agreed, they would bow their head and thank me like I was doing them some sort of favor.
Not even the farmlands were safe from this. I'm pretty sure one woman offered me half her entire livestock and farm if I did her a favor.
She was also breathing kind of weird, and her smile was unsettling.
Of course, I said no, because I didn't need my eyes to see that there was something fishy about her deal. In the end, it took me half a day to get away from all this overbearing Yokai.
The fact that I had to be sneaky as hell to get out of their gaze… Ugh. This went above and beyond any sort of special treatment or generosity.
Finally, the mouth attached to my neck of all places stopped her bout of amused laughter to answer my question. The sole red eye on top of the mouth was shedding a single tear.
''Haa…Fine, I had my fill of the situation. All of this is because they think you're a Dehorned, brat.'' Another chuckle escaped her. If I mentally squinted, I could even see the woman lying lazily on her skull throne with a smile. ''Oh, and you may have noticed, but this is a female Oni village. They think you're a jackpot, ha!''
My eyebrow twitched, and I took a deep breath. Sukuna's response answered basically nothing. And I let her know as much. ''That doesn't give me anything. What does being a 'Dehorned' mean?''
''…An Oni that gets his horns chopped, broken, cut, sliced. In battle, or in capture. That's a Dehorned.'' For some reason, her voice dropped the amused tone. And now, even the mouth and eye looked bored— No, annoyed? ''If you somehow rip the horns off an Oni, you kill it. Simple as that. If it isn't death, then it's a 'miracle'. And if it survived and then is able to ever use Spiritual Arts again, then at least, that Oni must have been strong.''
''…So, because I have much more Cursed Energy than Demonic Power, they think I'm an Oni. And because I am your… 'host'. That makes me feel like a Dehorned Oni?'' I deciphered, resting my forehead on my hands with a groan. ''I'm fucked. I'm nowhere near strong enough for that title, and I'm not even an Oni!''
''Such a firm grasp of the obvious..'' she droned before I slapped my neck in retaliation, but Sukuna's eye and mouth appeared on the back of my palm instead. ''You are wrong, however.''
I stared, open-eyed, at the singular red eye on my hand. ''I doubt you're calling me strong, considering my method of falling asleep these two days has been getting knocked into unconsciousness. So, what do you mean?''
''Haa… Do you need guidance for everything? Open your mouth, touch your teeth.'' She replied simply, and because I felt sassy, I used the hand she was resting on to do so. ''Whiter than I expected. Crunchy, probably.'' And I regretted it immediately.
For some reason, I forgot this woman is a cannibal.
But I did as told and felt my teeth.
'…Those are not straight molars.' I noticed, because no matter what teeth I touched, even the front ones, they felt somewhat… pointy. It was abnormal. I was pretty sure I had normal teeth when I ate that stew back at that devil mansion.
It didn't take me long to figure it out. After all, all the Oni I saw the mouths of while they talked had pointy, sharp teeth. Some were different from others, with the bottom fangs sticking out, or the same situation with a top canine sticking down, but the similarities were there.
''…Sukuna, why am I becoming an Oni?'' I asked, worried.
''Brat, I'm not a library, and you whine too much for my liking.'' The woman answered with a bored sigh. I blinked as my nails became black and stuck out like claws. I felt that same hand clutch my chin, unbothered by Infinity. ''Go train. If you become somewhat deserving of the 'Dehorned' title, I'll tell you… or not~''
''You just want to see if I break something apart inside me. Don't think I haven't felt your tongue taking a lick of my bleeding knuckles, you freak.'' I accused with a deadpan, only getting amused laughter in return before Sukuna disappeared, leaving my hand alone. ''Yeah, yeah, laugh it off. Damn hag…''
Since I was probably not getting any more answers from Sukuna, I got up, patted myself over, and adjusted the ribbons around my clothing. The 'Yukata', I believe it's called, was tied tightly around my torso and legs but loosely against my arms. It was quite comfortable. One more thing I would have to thank the chief for.
''Now…'' I gazed into the hill, taking in the energy surrounding the frozen landscape. Something that I noticed is that the snow and ice didn't feel… quite natural. At a simple glance, it was normal, but thanks to my eyes, I could see little tiny details about them that made me realize this entire thing may not be a natural phenomenon. ''Did I forget that I somehow walked up from a breezy, green forest to the middle of snow hell? Of course it isn't natural.''
Unless I was in some sort of simulation game where the entire ecosystem was just smashed together, or something.
''Time to tame this thing. Cursed Energy around my entire body should be the first thing I try.'' Because solely empowering my legs and arms was pretty bad. And if I wanted to make any sort of progress with my 'Cursed Technique', then I should better get to controlling my Cursed Energy first. ''Arms, don't fail me now. We are going up to rocks now.''
''FUCK!'' I could feel the moment my knuckle cracked against the frozen, solid rock. I pulled back, biting down the pain. ''Cursed bullshit that's what this is…!''
I glared with bandaged eyes at the boulder, shaking my hand in an attempt to somehow shake the pain away. I had been at this for the past hour, with a measure of success.
''One… Two…'' Before I counted to three, I focused the angry swelling of power on my stomach directly into my fist. Angry red energy covered the limb as I punched. This time, the boulder's surface broke, making thin cracks appear all over it. ''…Three.'' And the energy was gone again.
Getting my cursed energy to flow through my entire body was, in simple words, awkward as hell, but if I concentrated enough, I could maintain it. It was like a blanket of anger, hot and annoying, all across my being. That was the best I could compare it to.
However, if I lost focus during the practice, I would lose the empowerment. So, to make sure this doesn't happen, I was training just how fast and precisely I could turn my cursed energy on and off.
''One… Two…'' Again, this time with the left arm. I punched, making another crack on the boulder, before releasing the energy, letting it fall off me or go back to that pool in my stomach. ''…Three!''
The method was somewhat simple. I counted to three seconds. The first second was to get my fist ready, on the next one, I had to cover my entire arm in Cursed Energy and punch the rock. Then, on the third, I had to release all of the energy at once.
A single second, that's the amount of time I allowed my arm to be covered in Cursed Energy.
On repeat.
''… Ahg!'' And I messed up again, only that this time, instead of possibly breaking my knuckles, I broke the boulder. I left my Cursed Energy on for too long, and it seeped into the boulder like angry napalm, practically blowing it up from the inside. ''…Wait. Go back a second, I can do that?''
'The other times I messed up, the rock didn't, like, explode; it simply shattered because it couldn't stand the influx of Cursed Energy.' I thought. Then, I lifted my bandage slightly, looking with shining blue eyes at the damage I caused. ''But this is different. No doubt about it. Did I somehow make a new attack while messing up?''
The thought was kind of funny, to be honest.
''…I should have brought some sort of pen and paper. I'm not going to be able to memorize how I did that.'' With a regretful frown, I covered my eyes once more and felt my pool of cursed energy. ''On. Off. On, and Off.''
My body swelled up with that red energy with only a small delay when I spoke. On another day, I'll have to check just how long I could empower my body with Cursed Energy before I either run out, or maintaining it becomes too difficult to see what my current limit was.
''Progress, at least. Now, if only I had something to train my Technique with—'' I heard a step. No, more like the ruffling of a bush. I turned, body covered in Cursed Energy. ''—Who goes there?!''
From the dense, thick snow and trees, I saw someone step out. It was Kuroki. The Oni, who saw to me once I woke up. Almost immediately, she lowered her head with a serious expression.
''Kuroki apologizes, Dehorned one. Your senses are sharp. Kuroki did not want to bother.'' The crude words made me pause before I sighed, dropping my fighting stance. ''Are you training? Regaining strength?''
'More like gaining it. Unless I was some sort of martial arts prodigy before my body became as thin as a noodle.' I hid my grimace by looking to the side, clenching my fists, and seeing just how much blood had seeped from my knuckles and into the bandages. It was from the first few times I had messed up. ''Something like that, yes… Is there something you need from me? I can see that the villagers are quite busy down there.''
The Oni woman remained silent before stepping forward. Now that I paid more attention, she was wearing different clothing. Instead of the long, almost ceremonial outfit that clad her body back at the residence, she was now in a pair of white, loose pants with a belt tied around her waist for support. Her midriff was completely exposed, revealing the strong, firm muscles of her abs and old, faded scars. Her prominent bust was tightly contained and wrapped around white bandages, and surprisingly enough, a pair of dark grey, almost black gauntlets that reached up to her elbow.
Opening my eyes, I idly noticed that her pants had a few smudges of blood, and pushing myself a bit forward, I could see the reason. Near the bushes rested the carcasses of three boars. All tied up with a rope for easy carriage.
''No. Hunting,'' Kuroki grunted out. For a moment, she just stood there and looked down from the cliff. If she was staring at the people, the village itself, both, or something else, I didn't know. Then, she turned to me, still with the same flat expression, but with some sort of interest in her gaze. ''Saw you train. Was distracted. Apologies.''
I looked her up and down for a moment before shrugging, dismissing the words. ''This is your village, technically your territory. Where I go or I don't is more of a personal matter, but you're free to do as you please.''
With that said, I turned in the direction of the forest. I had to search for another boulder. See if I could replicate the effect from the last punch.
Yet, for a moment, I paused. I still needed someone to help me train my Infinity. The barrier itself was incredibly useful, but it was less so if I couldn't focus on keeping everything out.
To keep something from touching me, I had to focus on it. These eyes of mine let me focus on everything at once. A complete field of view that wasn't limited to a regular person's eyesight.
What I lacked was concentration.
''Dehorned one…'' Kuroki interrupted my musings.
''Malleus.'' I interrupted her words in kind. When she stared at me in confusion, I simply sighed tiredly before pointing to my face. ''My name is Malleus, or at least, that is the name of my family. Stop calling me by titles… I don't find it endearing in the least.''
Playing the confident, bored, even annoyed 'Lord' that Kuroki kept treating me as was quite hard, but it was almost instinctual, too. Was this some sort of Oni thing I was developing with my approaching condition, or was it a Devil thing?
Kuroki was stunned to silence. Wide eyes and twitching hands. For a moment, I thought that I may have said the wrong thing. After all, 'Dehorned' was apparently a title of great honor or something. So, maybe I was insulting their village, honor, or species as a whole.
…Did I do a racist?
Yet, my worries washed away as Kuroki turned her gaze away. The skin on her face had darkened somewhat, which made me believe that the cold was getting to her already. It was no wonder, really, considering just how harsh the climate was, and our differences in preferred clothing.
''Malleus…'' She called out hesitantly before frowning. Her posture was rigid, her expression tight. Then, she took a single glance at where the rock I had smashed to pieces was. ''Kuroki… wishes to help you train. Strength important. If you prove strength, your word is heavier.''
I paused at the strange conclusion, but then I ditched it as some sort of ''in a dog-eats-dog world, the strong get to pick'' or something like that, however…
'A training partner won't be bad, actually.' Especially considering I had no real way of training my Infinity without being in combat, and unless I found a bear in this place, I didn't think most animals would be up for attacking me instead of just running away. '…I can work with this.'
I ignored the reflex to turn around and simply used my superior vision to stare at the rock fragments I had left behind. And, an idea started to form.
''Very well,'' I nodded, ignoring just how Kuroki's face brightened up like I had told her Christmas came in early. ''Follow me, and take those frozen rocks with you. Don't worry about the animal carcasses, I got them.''
Because even if I were training, it wouldn't do to have the food be stolen away by scavengers, after all.
-Kuroki-
She didn't really get it. The explanation was simple enough, but the purpose wasn't. At least, until she threw the first rock.
On another occasion, she would have preferred to wrestle a Tundra Bear than to attack an Ultimate, Dehorned or not. Not only because it was considered a great disrespect, but also because she did not have a death wish.
'But this male is… so adamant.' The thought had lit a fire on her body. 'He does not consider rules or norms. Is this what the realm of the Ultimate is filled with?'
So, when he told her to throw the rock, she did.
Her eyes widened as the fist-sized frozen boulder flew through the air. In the same moment, the male's eyes opened, revealing glowing, blue, fear-inducing eyes that sent terror down her spine. And, just before the rock hit its intended target, it slowed down.
'No… Stopped?' For a moment, she didn't understand. She thought that the eyes… 'It's… Two Gifts from The Heavens?'
No wonder the man was an Ultimate. Having those eyes that made even Moth—Chief. That made even the Chief look away and take a deep breath, and now this.
The rock had not only slowed down, but the further it went, and the closer it got to the male, the more it slowed. Until it was barely inches from touching his skin. At that point, the rock stopped completely. Then, Malleus sighed, and the rock fell to the ground, like all the force she had put into it meant nothing.
''Good, that works, at least…'' The male nodded before looking her in the eye. Once more, Kuroki resisted the urge to flinch. ''Throw another one. You have Cursed Energy, do you not?''
To throw such an insult in a casual way…
Kuroki had been insulted many times while growing up. After all, for Oni, status did not matter; only strength did. Not even the protection of the Chief could break that rule. So, until she fought back, breaking jaws and skulls alike, she was no one.
And here came a male, with an aura so vile it made the world stop. With eyes so terrifying that it made all her strength useless, and that was while on the brink, and dehorned.
She didn't want to imagine how much of a monster this man was before losing his horns, and she did not imagine what it took to take them away in the first place.
The point was, he insulted her like it was casual, not to bring her down, but to bring her reason.
His words meant. 'Did you think that you could do anything without Cursed Energy?' She was sure of it.
So, the next time, Kuroki didn't hesitate; her body pulsed and her muscles tensed as purple-like energy flowed through her entire upper half. She had to throw not one, but multiple rocks at once. Lest she risked offending the Ultimate by showing anything less than her best ability at throwing rocks.
''Huff…'' A bead of sweat fell down her forehead. The male's eyes widened, and then she threw four rocks into the air. With a single swipe of her arm, the four rocks flew at tree-breaking speed. The whistle coursing through the air denoting just how fast she had thrown. ''Haaa!''
The male's eyes almost flew across their own sockets. In a single second, he had seen the four rocks. Those blue eyes shone with power, and for a single moment, she saw that same glow covering one of his hands.
Then, the three rocks stopped dead against his barrier. However, his body moved to the side as the fourth one went through. Instead of slamming uselessly against his chest like it would have done, the male showed his expertise by easily dodging out of the way.
''One at a time, woman! Do you want to rip my head off?!'' He screamed, and for a single moment, she almost believed the fake concern and fear in his voice.
Never before had Kuroki been mocked so. But it was also never before that a male was so forward in the rituals of their kind.
Kuroki really had a long way to go to reach the pinnacle that the man stood on.
-Malleus-
'…I almost lost my fucking life. TWICE! Twice in the span of two days! An almost death for each day!' I mentally complained as I looked around.
Nightfall had fallen on the village, and with it, celebration. The many stands of fruits and meats were now filled with beverages and delicious-smelling foods. And, of course, screaming Oni women who partied to their hearts' content.
As I walked side by side with Kuroki, I could see one Oni woman who was at least a head taller than her playing arm wrestle with another, much smaller one.
''Horaaa! You'll have to try harder!'' The smaller one screamed as her arms got surrounded by a sickly yellow light I could recognize as cursed energy. However, it was all over the place, kind of like mine—CRACK, CRASH!—But even that was enough to make the taller Oni bite the ground as the table was broken in half. ''YEAAAAAAAAAH!''
The Oni spectators cheered alongside the winner, who placed a foot on top of the broken table and hyped herself up. Someone even threw her a gourd filled with Sake that she drank eagerly.
'Sukuna, are your kind always brutes?' I wondered. The only sound I got back, however, was a non-comital hum. 'I'll take that as a yes.'
A bored huff was my answer. 'Take a drink, brat. Maybe you'll be more entertaining that way.'
The subsequent eye-roll was witnessed by no one, considering I was wearing a blindfold again.
''The people here are quite lively,'' I commented as we made our way to the plaza. For some reason, me walking close to Kuroki brought a few curious looks from other women, and some scowls, too. ''Is it always like this when your people celebrate?''
If the onlookers' expressions among the noise, fighting, and drinking brought her any discomfort, Kuroki didn't show it. Her impassive expression changed minutely as the corner of her lips lifted in a small, almost imperceptible smile.
''Sometimes.'' She replied flatly, putting an arm in front of me and making us stop just as a gourd full of sake was smashed into the house wall we were about to walk into. ''Hm. They are more excited. Many fights. They prove themselves to the strong.''
''My bad!'' A woman called out after the bottle broke into small pieces, but she was interrupted by someone clocking her jaw in with boisterous laughter. ''OI!''
'Right, prove themselves.' I thought bitterly.
I was really hoping that I didn't get any sort of dumb challenge. There was always that one dumbass who saw someone that was supposedly 'very strong and unbeatable' and decided to go full young master bullshit and act high and mighty just because.
Sadly, I was not a powerhouse in disguise.
'The many histories you have inside here are quite entertaining.' The offhanded compliment from the Oni in my head went unanswered.
Probably because a particularly intense ruckus made Kuroki stop again. It was in the direction of the plaza. A crowd of Oni women was either cheering on or angrily shouting. The reason was, unsurprisingly, another fight that had broken out right in the middle. However, this one was much less lively and good-spirited than the others.
An Oni as tall as Kuroki, with a permanent scowl and prominent lower fangs, roared as she smashed the body of another Oni into the ground. Her muscles bulged with power, and a thin layer of sweat covered her copper-colored skin.
''What stupid celebration! To commemorate one who lost but is also blind!'' Her angry, deep voice echoed across the party. Some didn't care, but others stared at her like she had just spoken blasphemy.
Yet, those angry looks quickly turned to nothing as the copper-skinned woman growled and turned her gaze around. ''If you think otherwise, then fight me! No, better, bring male that you worthless vermin eagerly spread legs for!''
…I'm sorry, what? When was that… huh?!
As if my reaction was particularly amusing, echoes of laughter filled my head. Apparently, another thing Sukuna intentionally kept from mentioning and was going to bite me in the ass later, I bet.
Or right now.
''You!'' Finally, the woman noticed me and Kuroki among the crowd. Her arms bulged with muscle, yellow cursed energy overflowing from her entire form as she glared with such intensity that a lower man would have bowed the knee. ''A weakling has no right to be worshiped! I challenge you, Dehorned one!''
…The entire place fell into silence. Even Sukuna's laughter died down into nothing. The woman stilled and stared between me and the copper-colored Oni.
'…I want to go to bed.' I thought boredly while stepping forward.
I may not be a genius of social clues, much less so with Onis, but considering just how strongly these people viewed strength as a whole, and the reactions of many villagers around, not to mention Kuroki's shocked anger, which I could only perceive by the tightening of her fist…
Yeah, this was a big deal.
As I stepped into the fray, the Onis made space. We stood meters separated from either a house, a Sake vendor, or a spectator, and just like with Kuroki and Sukuna before her, I had to strain my neck to look directly at the woman's eyes.
Silently, I took off my blindfold and stared deeply into her eyes. The yellow energy stilled for a moment as did the owner of it pause. However, her scowl became twice as harsh a moment later, to the point I felt it would tear her face apart. Not only that, but those lower fangs certainly didn't do her any favors.
For a moment, I just stared at the cursed energy flowing through her, and immediately, my mind tried to compare this Oni to the people who have been pushing me around lately.
That bastard Rizevim, who effortlessly put a hole through my chest without so much as a look.
Sukuna, who had overwhelming power in waves, and just how disinterested she seemed to be in general with almost anything.
Kuroki, who could have beaten my ass black and blue had she actually asked to spar with me instead of just helping me train.
In comparison, this woman just shouted louder, beat some people up who I didn't even know were hunters, warriors, or farmers, and tried to impose her own… biased ideals? Envy? Absolutely nothing, and was just crying like a newborn babe?
In comparison, this Oni was nothing when you put the likes of what I've been around these short days.
In comparison, she was much more similar to me. Only that instead of lying low, she made sure everyone listened to her words.
''Mind your words,'' I spoke, crossing my arms, deep in thought.
As if I just had a realization, what I just said was exactly what I had been doing with people who were stronger than me, 'minding my words', lest I actually anger someone who would want to beat me black and blue.
And it applied to her, too.
''After all, you're weak.''
A deafening silence filled the plaza, and then a bellow of fury.
Red energy flared out of my body, as did the sickly Yellow one from the Oni.
In the background, only the crowd's roaring anticipation was heard, along with Sukuna's amusement in my head.
.
.
.
Author's Note: I always found it hilarious when characters completely misinterpret the intent of what the protagonist wanted to say in a comical way.
''My lord, the rebels have escaped!''
''I see...'' This could probably be a good way to make my reputation flourish as a merciful King. ''Very well, do not chase after them.''
''YOU HEARD THE KING! WE HAVE TO HUNT THEM DOWN WITH ARROWS AND STONES, LIKE ANIMALS!''
''Wait, NO-''
Kek.
Anyway, this fic has 4 more chapters on my Patreo n if you want to check that out.
Discord Link: discord .gg/ 92Yt5wxeWN
Patreo n: Patreo n. com (slash) HamsterX42