Chapter 7: War Of The Soul Seals
Prologue
Summer Break, a break that occurs at the start of July until the start of August. It's a one month vacation, where youth almost spends their times. Although, this is bliss for other high school students, this summer break will be hell for the existence named Kazuya Satoru.
Chapter 7
While flipping the pages of his beloved Light Novel, Kazuya Satoru spends his summer break at his house, reading light novels.
"Master, can we buy an aircon? It's so hot! In my world, it's not that hot! Besides, this electric fan is already broken."
"My Disciple, my money only comes from Monthly Pension, so there's no way I can even buy an aircon."
With his Master's reasoning, there's no way Kazuya can still urge him to buy an aircon. That's why Kazuya made a proposal.
"Then, Master, I learned about something called a Part-Time Job. Where you can work for only 4 hours then have money!"
"If you want to work, I won't stop you. You have your own mind after all."
With that, Kazuya decided to work and buy an aircon. Tomorrow after, he asked Hajime to accompany him at work. Meaning, they will work together.
"Sorry for making you work at summer break."
"It's okay Kazuya. Besides, It's good to have an extra cash."
Hajime and Kazuya have gone to their work. They already had their job interviews, so it's okay! They just have to go to the workplace. It's the famous fast-food restaurant, McDonalds.
"Hey, your the newbies, right?"
At the McDonald's staff room, they were entertained by a staff named Kaze. His name tag says so.
"You can start now, I will teach you the instructions. So go change at our uniform."
"Yes, sir!"
The two did as Kaze said, and they changed into their uniforms. After they got out, the instructions and their places was instructed by Kaze. When they already instructed what to do, they just sat at a chair while waiting for the opening hour.
An hour passed, it means that the opening hour has come! Kazuya and Hajime have gone to their places and the work has begun!
+++++
"I'm so tired! I don't know that working 4 hours will get me exhausted. You have it easy, Kazuya! When were asking orders, your so fast that I couldn't even see your moves."
Kazuya just let out a chuckle at Hajime's statement. Kazuya's payment is still 2 weeks from now. But he can see that he will truly gain money. While still walking towards their homes, they talked about meaningless stuffs.
But while they're talking about meaningless things, Kazuya felt a sensation that similar to past cases, just now, he felt a Soul Seal.
"Hajime, please look around. I just felt a Soul Seal, nearby. Is there anyone looking depressed or anything?"
"I can see nothing. At this hour, no one passes at this street."
While they're looking around, Kazuya felt something bad.
"This presence, This presence is... No, there's no way he could be here."
Kazuya is looking at his surroundings very carefully, like a tiger observing his prey. Suddenly, a vibe suddenly reached him.
"Hajime! Dodge!"
The moment he shouted that to Hajime, a building collapsed in front of them. No one passes at this street, so no civilians was injured. If someone passed by, they will probably think that a earthquake just happened.
Kazuya stared at the fallen debris of the building and he saw a figure of a girl with pigtails and holding a sword. Her uniform was not from Edogawa High School, but no doubt that she was a high school student. After some minutes, the girl rushed in to Kazuya and attempted to slash him with the sword.
Kazuya was agile enough to dodge the attack. After he dodge, he asked some questions.
"Why are you attacking me?"
"None of your business."
With an emotionless voice, she replied to Kazuya, and after that, she has gone offense again. Kazuya remembered that Hajime was still at the scene so he immediately turned his head to see. When he saw Hajime still standing there, and not running away, Kazuya immediately shouted while still dodging the attacks of the girl.
"Hajime, run!"
"I refuse! I refuse to leave you alone!"
"I can't fight while protecting you!"
"Then, don't mind me, and concentrate on your fight!"
Kazuya looked at Hajime's eyes and saw a firm resolve to never leave. He soon gave up and whispered something to the girl.
"I've been dodging here, but you're still struggling just to slash me. If I get serious, you will be seriously hurt."
Kazuya stared at the girl with eyes similar to a tiger. Kazuya was just bluffing. There's no way for him to get serious since his Soul Seal's are still 3 pieces. But if this girl buys his bluff, he can escape this fight with peace.
"Your just bluffing. You only have 3 Soul Seals, there's no way you can defeat me. Even if your a legendary samurai, if you don't have enough Soul Seals to defeat me, then your as good as trash."
The girl saw through Kazuya's bluffing. But that's not the reason why Kazuya is shocked. He is shocked that this girl knew about the Soul Seals, that he is a samurai, and the fact that his Soul Seals are only 3.
"Just who is this girl?"
That question echoed at Kazuya's mind so many times that he forgot about it. If this girl knew information about me, then don't tell me that... he came from that world? If she really came from there, then there's a chance that she knew how to go back too.
"No, I don't need all of my Soul Seals just to defeat you. I only need 3 Soul Seals."
Kazuya decided to defeat this girl if he want information about how to go back. Even with Kazuya's taunting, the girl's emotionless face didn't even changed and just goes back to her initial sword fighting stance.
"Oh, The Great Tiger, Respond to my call. Those who stand in my way will face the The wrath of a Tiger! Come, Tiger Saber!"
Kazuya summoned the Tiger Saber. It has the length of a knife. Because he already acquired 3 Soul Seals, it's sharpness and durability raised. But the fact doesn't change that it's still a knife with chips at the blade.
The girl rushed in to Kazuya to attack him, but Kazuya repelled it with his knife. Kazuya used his agility to move beside the girl, and attempted to slash her. But Kazuya's range for attacking is the range for a sword. That's why Kazuya won't reach her in time. Just before Kazuya landed the attack, the girl already dodged.
This is the difference between a knife and a sword. Kazuya is not used to fight with a knife, and his battle styles are for swords. Adding to that, his opponent uses a sword. This is a disadvantage for Kazuya.
"Now, do you have any idea that there's no way you can win from me? Just surrender."
Although, Kazuya doesn't know why this girl wants to kill him. He don't want to die, not until he goes back to his own world and save the depressed people that has Soul Seals.
"No, there's still a way to win. Just watch. I'll erase that confidence from you!"
Kazuya goes back from his initial sword fighting stance. The girl was just staring at him with dead eyes. But Kazuya is taking a long time just firming his stance. When the girl's patience ran out, she rushed in towards Kazuya, and slashed him.
But when she slashed him, he immediately disappeared from thin air. But suddenly, Kazuya was there, beside her. The girl didn't saw it coming so she can't dodge, that's why she received a blow from Kazuya. Kazuya slashed her right shoulder. She immediately took a step back, away from Kazuya while still holding her injury.
"Don't worry, it's a shallow wound, it's not fatal. But you just took a blow from me, and much worse it's a right shoulder. I'm sure you can't fight anymore."
From Hajime's perspective, seeing that whole fight was just like a fantasy anime he watched. He scratched his eyes to see if it's true, then he realized that it's actually true.
Even though her right shoulder was injured, she still attempted to fight by holding her sword on her left hand. Seeing the girl struggle just to kill him, Kazuya asked.
"Why do you want to kill me so bad?"
"I have no reason to tell you."
"Look, I can't help you if your not going to tell me the problem. I can sense that you have a Soul Seal on you, and you can control it to fight. So your depressed, right?"
The girl looked at Kazuya's eyes and saw that he is not lying. But she still refused to get help from Kazuya.
"I don't want your help. Since I lost today, I'm going to retreat, but don't think you got away with this."
"Wait... I still have some few questions."
Just when the girl attempted to leave and Kazuya attempted to stop her, a loud laugh can be heard from the debris of the fallen building.
"I watched from the sidelines and gone as far as to erase my presence to see your fight, but what I saw is a disappointing fight."
The girl was shocked by seeing this certain man. But Kazuya is the one who was really shocked by the sudden turn of events. The certain man was wearing a black leather jacket as if he was the boss of a biker gang. The certain man that has appeared before them, is none other than... Kakuju!
The samurai Kazuya fought before coming to this world, the former bodyguard of Tokugawa Ieyasu. Kazuya can't talk from shock. He's just staring at him, wide-eyed, and can't do anything.
"You lost your edge, Tiger, or should I say Kazuya Satoru? Doesn't matter. My point is... you've gotten weaker. In the past, your bloodlust and desire to kill cannot be measured by anyone. What the hell happened to you, huh? Is the toxic peace in this city poisoned you?"
It took a while for Kazuya to regain his senses, but he soon realized that there's no point getting shocked over him.
"Why are you here in this world?"
Kazuya asked Kakuju with eyes full of bloodlust. He won't hesitate even for a minute to kill Kakuju. Kakuju just laughed it off and didn't took it seriously. Kazuya pointed his finger at the fallen building and said:
"That building... why did you made it fall? It's a relief that there's no one in there since work hours has passed but... if there's even a single person in there, I won't forgive you!"
Kazuya stared at Kakuju again with eyes that has stronger bloodlust than before. Again, Kakuju didn't paid it any mind and just continued to laugh, and said:
"What's this!? A murderer, getting angry for a person dying?! It's too funny! My stomach will explode! Seriously, what did you do in this world that made you value human life?"
"Remember, Kakuju, I didn't killed any of the innocent people. I didn't killed for fun, not even once! I only saw sword fights as a way to ease my boredom but I didn't used it to kill even one innocent people!"
With that reasoning, Kakuju stopped laughing and gave back the stare Kazuya was giving him earlier.
"Seriously, what happened to you?"
"This world showed me true peace and kindness. I learned to value human life. I saw different people who has depression and problems in life. But even though they're suffering, they still continue in life. They don't have a clue what would happen at the future but they're still moving forward. I have no right to end their lives when they're here and struggling for themselves! I never realized that when I'm in that world, because all I'm doing is to fight people who challenges me and kill people. If I realized this thing sooner, I wouldn't have suffered that day. That's why Kakuju, if your planning to disturb this world's peace, then you have to face me first."
Faced with Kazuya's statement, Kakuju just raised his shoulders and sigh. As if a mother who has given up on his stubborn child.
"Unfortunately, I don't have any plans in disturbing this world's peace, it's a lot of a bother, you see. But I'll do anything to disturb your peace! That's why... let's meet again here at midnight. Your pretty worn out, so I would be glad if you can have plenty of rest."
Kakuju flicked his right finger and six people suddenly appeared beside him. Two women and four men are their genders. But when Kazuya stared at the 6 people beside Kakuju, he sensed Soul Seals from them. Just from that, he gained a conclusion.
"You bastard! You didn't extracted your Soul Seals from their hearts, instead you taught them how to control it!"
"As expected of the legendary Tiger, you got that correct. When I got here, I noticed that my power is gone. It means that my Soul Seals are gone too. Although, I'm feeling strange about this world, I didn't gave any care about it and just went to search for my Soul Seals. When I sensed one, I realized that it's a bother for me to extract it, so an idea enters my head. I just went and trained this guys so they can wield the Soul Seals. My idea is great, right?"
Kakuju's explanation lit a fire at Kazuya's anger.
"You went ahead and robbed their peaceful lives just because it's a bothersome for you to extract them!? Much worse, a person who has Soul Seals will have to face depression and suffering! By training them, you just added some more to their suffering! I can't forgive it! I can't forgive you!"
Kazuya shouted that to Kakuju. Hajime was scared for a second about what's happening. It seems what he's seeing right now, is a scene from a manga, but no doubt that it's real. The girl Kazuya fought earlier, was too shocked at the sudden turn of events. Kakuju just laughed at Kazuya's anger.
"Yeah, so what?! I don't care about their suffering even one bit! Everything can be controlled by fear, and you'll soon be one! But, if you want to save this guys, you have to come at midnight."
"I will, and I swear that I will defeat you!"
With that, the fated fight will happen at the exact time of midnight.
+++++
The two samurai parted ways and just getting ready for midnight. The girl who fought Kazuya, followed Kakuju, it seems she was one of his Soul Seals.
"What the hell are you thinking!? You could just ignore his invitation and just lead a peaceful life! Extract the Soul Seals, after that, live a peaceful life! If you're going to fight Kakuju with only 3 Soul Seals, your doomed!"
"But I can't leave those people alone! They're scared at Kakuju, that's why they're following him! They were robbed of their peaceful lives and were forced to fight even though they don't want to. I'm seeing myself to those guys."
Kazuya and his Master are arguing about what to do at midnight. They're having their meeting at Master's house. Retreat or Advance? This is the two choices the two debating about.
"Master, I have something to say. Actually, I'm planning to go back in that world."
Kazuya's statement was heard loud and clear by his Master. But his Master can't understand his own disciple's thoughts.
"Why?! After seeing this peaceful environment, you actually want to go back!? What's wrong with you?!"
"I know! This peace! I want it! I want it so badly that I don't want to go back! In that world, so many bloods are spilling. Killing everybody. I don't want it anymore! I'm sick of it! If my world is as peaceful as this world, she wouldn't have to die like that! But, I have to go! This is not my world! Intruding like this is bad, it's not right! A murderer like me has no right to be in a place like this."
Kazuya told his reason for going back. His Master just stared at Kazuya, as he look at the ground out of frustration. Seeing that, Master asked:
"Then, Kazuya, why are you saving them? Hideko, Hajime, and Haruka, why did you save them? You are a murderer like Kakuju, so why? I don't understand it."
Facing such a question, Kazuya rose his head and looked at his Master's eyes:
"Master, do you know? In the first place, I don't want to fight. My dream is to lead a very peaceful life. Despite all the bloodshed, I still believed that it will come true. I'm still not ready to talk about the reason I became a murderer, whenever I try to talk about it, I'm feeling nauseous, dizziness, and I have a hard time at breathing. So I can't tell you yet. I said to you that I want to repay my sins by helping them, but it's a lie. It's just an excuse to cover myself. But this is the main reason, why I'm helping others. I don't want anyone to end up like..."Sakura."
Master's face was full of shock, as if he was suddenly enlightened. Kazuya's reason for helping them has come to light. The existence named "Sakura" is his reason for pushing ahead. As if he understood everything, Master just granted his permission for Kazuya to fight Kakuju.
It's already 11:00 PM, one hour left until midnight. Kazuya ran towards the place where the battle will begin. Will Kazuya succeed?
Meanwhile, at Hajime's house.
"What I saw earlier is like a scene out of a manga series. At exact midnight, Kazuya was going to fight thay scary leather suit guy, in order to save those seven people. I promised Kazuya that I will help him, yet I can't help him in this situation. If I go there, I will only be a burden. Damn It!!!"
Out of frustration, Hajime punched the floor. While uttering the words "Kazuya, don't die."
+++++
It's already 11:50 PM, and Kazuya was already waiting at the meeting spot. He's just standing there, not moving. He's trying to sharpen his senses. After 10 minutes, the man who invited him, Kakuju has now came.
"Sorry for the wait. Tiger, then, have you settled on this? You really want to save this people, huh?"
"Yes, I will save them! I will not let them suffer any longer!"
The seven people behind Kakuju reacted to that speech. Kakuju noticed it and he grinned. He looked at Kazuya while grinning and proposed something.
"Then, Tiger, let's have some rules on this game."
"Rules?"
"You know, So things can be arranged. Let's see, the rules is... we're going to fight one on one, and were fighting for 7 rounds. The first one to inflict damage to their enemy will win the round. If you won one of the rounds, I will free one of my Soul Seals. So in order to save them all, you need to win all 7 rounds! Can you do it?"
Kazuya wiped the sweat from his mouth with his arm, then shouts his reply:
"I'm in!"
Hearing Kazuya's reply, Kakuju just grinned, as if his smile has reached his ears. The rules are already set. Kazuya Satoru, a samurai who only has 3 Soul Seals. Kakuju, a samurai who doesn't even have any Soul Seals on his body.
"Oh, The Great Tiger, Respond to my call. Those who stand in my way will face the The wrath of a Tiger! Come, Tiger Saber!"
Kazuya summoned the Tiger Saber and formed a sword stance. Kakuju flicked his right finger, and a katana flew to his hand. It was threw by the man on the left corner. Before starting their fight, Kazuya asked something:
"Are you ready? Having cold feet now? Because your trembling, you know?"
"What are you saying? I'm trembling from excitement!"
The moment Kakuju shouted that, the two samurai, rushed in to each other. As if Kakuju's shout was they're signal to start.
They hit each other's swords and knife. The hitting emitted a noisy sound. The two continued to hit each other swords. But there's one fatal mistake Kazuya has made. Kakuju realized it, and continued to hit Kazuya's knife.
Kazuya still fights with a sword style, even though he uses a knife. It's only natural, because the only thing he learned are sword styles, not knives style. That's the fatal mistake he made.
Kakuju stopped hitting his knife and took a three step back away from Kazuya. Kazuya didn't paid it any mind since he can still reach him. That's what he thought. But he remembered that he was using a knife all this time. He can't reach Kakuju. Because of that, Kazuya left an opening.
Kakuju took advantage of it, then attacked him. As a result, Kazuya took a damage on his left shoulder. It's not Kazuya's dominant hand, so he can still fight.
Kazuya is not bothered by his injury at all. He's bothered about the fact that he already failed to save one of the Soul Seals.
"It's okay. I will win the remaining six rounds, then confront Kakuju again the next time we meet. Everything's fine! I can still save the remaining six!"
Although, Kazuya was thinking like that. He's starting to think negative.
"What if I failed to save even one of them? Do I still have the right to come back for them? Even If I lose and decided to come back for them, I will only prolong their suffering. I don't want that! No matter what, I have to win!"
Determination and Fear has been mixed inside Kazuya. It's not a good combo and it will only spell trouble.
For example, your determined to confess your feelings for a certain someone. But fear has suddenly enveloped you. True, you want to confess, but fear has holding you back.
This has applied to Kazuya. Even though he wants to fight, the fear of losing will hold him back. Kazuya learned fear a long time ago, but he was able to stay focused and defeated the enemy.
But now, he was burdened by the fact that if he lost, the six will suffer. Kakuju knew the fact that Kazuya is scared, that's why he grinned and took advantage of it.
"Now, Tiger, We will now start the Round 2! Are you ready!?"
"I am ready!"
With Kazuya's shout, Kakuju immediately rushed in towards Kazuya. Kakuju spread his arms and attempted to slash Kazuya's knee. Kazuya had read his movements, so he prepared to block his attack.
But surprisingly, Kakuju's move was just a faint. He took a sidestep then slashed Kazuya from behind. With that, Kazuya lost the second round as well. There is a fatal mistake Kazuya did.
He knew that Kakuju was going to attack his knee, so he tried to block it. He attempted to block too early. If he blocks too early, the enemy will know that he's about to block. So he can still change his aim to evade the block.
For the second time, Kazuya lost again. He already failed to save two Soul Seals. If he continues to lose, he will fail to save even one. Still enveloped by fear, Kazuya stood up once again. Not minding the injuries he sustained.
Kazuya stood again with his sword stance.
"Now, for the 3rd round. Ready?"
"I am!"
Again with Kazuya's shout, Kakuju rushed in again towards Kazuya, repeating the same move he did earlier. Kazuya is not a fool to fall for the same trick again.
He took a step back, then waited for Kakuju at the right distance. When Kakuju is in the right distance, Kazuya slashed him in the abdomen. But... Kakuju is not there anymore. The one Kazuya slashed just now was just an afterimage made because of Kakuju's agility.
Kazuya tried to find the real Kakuju, but... before knew it, he was slashed again at the back. This is Kazuya's third loss. This loss continued for the next three rounds. Meaning, he failed to save all of them.
Kazuya is now at the brink of despair. He don't know what to do next. He is now kneeling at the ground, as if his lost has already been decided. Kakuju just grinned at him. Just when Kazuya was going to give up, a word of encouragement came to him.
"Don't give up! There's still one round left! Win this!"
The one who shouted this was the girl Kazuya fought earlier. In her heart, she believes that Kazuya can save at least one of them. When she shouted, the six Soul Seals shouted words of encouragement.
As if their cheers were power-up, he stood once again, took a sword stance and took a deep breath.
"Silence!!!"
Kakuju was already irritated to the cheering so he made them stop. But that cheers made Kazuya stood and fight once again.
"Dead Calm!"
With that move, he can at least calm a bit. Kakuju formed a sword stance again. This is the final round that will decide if Kazuya will be able to save at least one. Now, let the final round begin!
Unlike earlier rounds, Kazuya was the one who rushed in towards Kakuju while Kakuju himself stayed his feet at the ground. The two hit each other knife and swords.
"Berserk!"
He used Berserk and it's extra power to send Kakuju flying to the building. But Kakuju is injured so the fight continues. Kakuju clung to the nearest electric pole so he won't reach the building. You need super reflex to do this.
While Kakuju was trying to find Kazuya, he didn't realized that he was already behind him. Kazuya used Presence Erasure and Berserk. While using Berserk, he jumped towards the electric pole.
Kazuya attempted to slash him but Kakuju blocked it again on time. But he forgot one thing, Kazuya was on a Berserk. Because of that, his body has already surpassed the limits.
Like earlier, Kakuju was sent flying again towards the ground. Just before his head was going to hit the ground, Kazuya slashed him on the abdomen. In this round, Kazuya won.
+++++
"Tsk, it's my lost! Go ahead, save one of them! Just pick one!"
Kakuju said while still angry about his loss. At the moment, Kazuya was waiting for the Soul Seals to decide which one was going to be saved. While Kazuya and Kakuju just sitting at the ground. Breaking the silence, Kazuya struck a question at Kakuju.
"Kakuju, do you know this phrase? "Anyone who wields the Soul Seals has faced depression."
"Right. I heard about it."
"Then, have you faced depression? It doesn't make sense that you can wield the Soul Seals even though you haven't faced depression."
Kakuju didn't looked at Kazuya while he answers his question.
"Yeah, I faced depression. But that's all I can tell you. I don't have any reason to speak about my weakness."
"I see. I faced depression too. It's the whole reason why I became a murderer."
Kakuju heard that, and he seems shocked at first but completely ignored it later on. Kakuju stood up, removed the dirt on his pants then gone ahead to the group.
"Hey, It's taking too long for you to decide. If you don't decide soon, I will be the one to pick one."
"Master, We have decided."
Finally, they have decided who will be saved. The one they chose is the girl with pigtails from before, the one Kazuya fought. It seems she's glad that she escaped from Kakuju but she's sad too, because she's going to leave them.
The seven of them became close enough to be sad at farewells. The girl slowly walked towards Kazuya's direction. When she took a glance at them, they were gone. It seems they teleported already.
When she saw that they already left, she just let out a sad sigh. Kazuya saw it and put his hand on her hair.
"Your word of encouragement gave strength to me. That's why I fought again. Thank You. Don't worry! We will come back for them. That's why we have to become stronger, to save all of them. Aren't you agree?"
The moment she heard him, tears are flowing on her cheeks. As if the emotionless character she had shown earlier had disappeared.
"Then, what's you name? By the way, in case you don't know, I am Kazuya Satoru."
Kazuya gave a brimming smile to the girl. She wiped her tears and said her name.
"Suzumiya Akino! Everyone calls me 'Aki'! Thank you for saving me!"
"Now, Aki, please have your home a visit first then go to my house so we can talk about things."
Aki nodded twice before walking towards the left side of the road. Kazuya remembered that it's dangerous to let a girl walk at midnight so he escorted her. Kakuju might go back to get her again.
After she escorted her to her house, he heard cries and screams from that certain house. It seems that they really miss her a lot. Kazuya just smiled at them then goes off on his way.
When Kazuya was already a few meters away from his house, he suddenly punch a wall and head-butted himself to the wall.
"Damn it! I couldn't save them! Damn it all!"
Kazuya was acting brave in front of Aki, but he's really frustrated. It took a while for him to stop crying and goes to his home properly. He just added another injury to his head.
When he reached the front yard of his house, he saw the beautiful sunrise. Morning has already came. Kazuya clenched his fists and strengthen his resolve. He has to save the six Soul Seals and collect his own Soul Seals at the same time. With that in mind, Kazuya entered the house.
END OF CHAPTER 7
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone