How long has it been? Skulking through the back alleys, scraping by... getting used to fights where people actually die.
"Gah! You little brat!!"
Ugh... the copper taste of blood...
I hit them from the rear, yet they still managed to counter. I ignored them at first, thinking they were just more trash drifting into the alley, but are they actually a proper organized syndicate?
"Oi! It's just one kid! How the hell are five of you already on the ground?!"
The alphanumeric code flashed through my mind, irrelevant noise in the heat of battle.
"He's too fast—urgh!!"
That's another one down. Now, only the one who looks like the loudmouth leader is left.
Clang! Clang!
'How can a kid move like such a wild beast?!'
The screech of silver blades colliding rang out. The tattooed man had the advantage in everything but speed, yet he couldn't land a single cut on the small boy.
It wasn't pity holding him back. Both of them knew that in the back alleys, those who relied on compassion were the first to die.
"Hmph!"
The man raised his sword to block a surprise kick, but his stamina was failing. Between the exhaustion and the blood flowing from his wounds, he could barely keep his focus.
"Haa... To think I'd struggle against a kid who looks barely ten... You. Want to join the Kurokumo Clan? Not that you have a choice."
"...Go... to hell..."
I don't know where this guy rolled in from—Kurokumo Clan or whatever—but I know exactly how they use people up.
"Well then... so long—"
"It would appear you shall be the one departing first."
A blade burst through the man's chest. The blood spraying from the steel soaked my face.
"Hm? To find a child in a place like this. What a peculiar occurrence."
"Yi Sang. It seems you have splashed blood on his face."
"Hmm... My apologies. Yet, he does not shed a tear. A truly curious child."
"Five bodies slashed apart on the way in, plus this one makes six. It is evident that this child's rusty blade is responsible."
"Aha?! Come to think of it, that hair color! A mix of white and black—he looks exactly like the ghost from the rumors in the marketplace!!"
"H-huh? He looks kind of like me?"
"Indeed. I have heard rumors of an elusive black and white ghost, but is this one not too young?"
I didn't understand what they were blabbering about, but in this alley, people standing over a dying person usually didn't have anything nice to say.
'I can't just die here.'
—Clang!
Once. In just a single clash, my sword snapped in vain. But that didn't mean I couldn't win. The freshly made corpse had dropped an Eastern blade.
"Situational awareness, hesitation, speed... you receive passing marks in all aspects. However, your swordsmanship is too raw. You are easy to read."
It was strange. I was moving at my top speed, yet he blocked my attacks with such simple movements.
"I do not know why a creature of good omens is slaughtering people in a back alley... but if you wish to learn the sword, will you come with us?"
"...Kuh..."
"He has lost consciousness."
"Yes. He's out cold."
"What shall we do? Keep him? I dislike adding brats to the roster."
"Me!! I wish to take him in and raise him!!"
"Don Quixote... This isn't like picking up a stray cat!!!"
"....We are taking this child. Yi Sang."
"Mm..."
"Yi Sang, you carry him."
"Ugh..."
"Faust knew this would happen."
It seems... I've been picked up by a weird organization.