Yuriko's blood dripped into the river, swirling crimson in the icy water.
"Kami-sama, huh?"
She clutched her wounded arm, her breath ragged.
Blood dripped from her wounded arm, staining the water crimson. She lifted her dagger, the blade catching the sunlight like a grim smile.
"You think some hidden witch suddenly makes you my equal?" she spat. "Let me show you real power."
Before Aiko could react, Yuriko slashed her palm open with the dagger.
Blood poured into the river, swirling in unnatural patterns. The water hissed and bubbled as she chanted.
"Blood of my flesh, bone of my foes—reshape this blade into vengeance!"
The dagger melted.
Metal twisted and stretched, morphing into a jagged katana. Black smoke coiled around Yuriko's arm, her veins bulging like worms under her skin. Her eyes glowed red.
Aiko froze. She's using the Ryūjin's Pact. The forbidden technique that traded years of life for temporary power. Yuriko had once told her she only used this ritual once—to save her father from assassins.
Now, she wielded it against his daughter.
Michael's phone buzzed with alerts.
[Yuriko Hattori - Stats Surge!]
[Warning! Enemy entering Berserk State!]
"Oh crap," Michael muttered. His remaining balance was $404.83. The Blade of the Tempest had 7 minutes left. Aiko's curse break is 6 minutes. He needed to end this fast.
Yuriko moved.
One second she stood across the river; the next, her katana screamed toward Aiko's neck.
CLANG!
Aiko blocked, but the force knocked her backward. Her boots skidded on wet rocks. The Blade of the Tempest's runes flickered—barely holding.
"Still holding back?" Yuriko sneered, pressing down with inhuman strength. "Where's your kami now?"
Michael's thumb stabbed the in-game store.
[Ice Trap - $1.99]
[Freezes ground in a 10ft radius.]
He slapped it under Yuriko's feet.
The riverbank iced over. Yuriko slipped, her swing going wide. Aiko lunged, slashing at her ribs—but Yuriko twisted mid-fall, kicking Aiko's knee.
CRACK.
Aiko cried out, stumbling. Her health bar dropped to 70%.
"Think cheap, think cheap!" Michael scrolled frantically.
[Thunderstone - $4.99]
[Stuns enemies for 5 seconds.]
He bought it and hurled it at Yuriko.
BOOM.
Electricity arced through the water. Yuriko spasmed, her muscles locking—but the Berserk State negated the stun after 2 seconds. She roared, charging again.
Aiko parried another strike, her arms trembling. Every clash sent shocks through her bones. She's too strong. But the Blade of the Tempest hummed in her grip, its wind magic whispering strategies.
Use the river.
As Yuriko's katana came down, Aiko sidestepped and sliced at the water. The Blade's wind sent a tidal wave crashing into Yuriko, knocking her off-balance.
Michael seized the opening.
[Quicksand Pit - $2.99]
[Remaining Balance: $394.86]
The riverbed beneath Yuriko liquefied. She sank to her waist, snarling.
"Now, Aiko! Finish her!" Michael yelled, though she couldn't hear.
Aiko raised her sword, aiming for Yuriko's heart—but hesitated.
This woman trained me. Carried me on her shoulders. Bandaged my scraped knees.
Yuriko saw the pause and laughed. "Weakling!" She plunged her hand into the quicksand, flinging mud into Aiko's eyes.
Blinded!
Aiko staggered, swiping wildly. Yuriko yanked herself free and slashed.
CRITICAL HIT!
Aiko's face turned into white as the katana bit into her side. The Phoenix Feather icon flashed—absorbing the lethal damage—then shattered.
Aiko's side burned where Yuriko's blade had struck, but the fatal wound was gone.
"$99.99 for one block?!"
Michael's relief lasted half a second before Yuriko reared back for another strike.
"Pathetic!" Yuriko's blood-drenched katana gleamed.
Aiko hesitated—again—and it nearly killed her.
The Blade of the Tempest hummed in her grip, its wind magic whispering trust your instincts. But instincts required clarity, and her mind was a storm of betrayal.
She taught me to hold a sword. Bandaged my wounds. How can she—
Yuriko didn't let her finish the thought.
The corrupted katana came down in a black blur. Aiko blocked on reflex, sparks flying as the blades shrieked. Her boots slid backward through the river, water soaking her ragged clothes.
"Still sentimental?" Yuriko sneered, pressing her weight into the strike. "Your father should've cured you of that weakness years ago!"
She's right, Aiko realized with cold clarity. The Yuriko I knew died with Father's honor.
Michael's mind raced as he scanned the store. $404.83 left. His eyes darted to Aiko's timers—4:12 on her curse break, 5:30 on the Blade of the Tempest.
He bought a [Thunderstone - $4.99] and hurled it at Yuriko's feet.
BOOM!
Electricity crackled through the water. Yuriko's snarl froze mid-sneer.
Aiko swung hard—but Yuriko's Berserk State broke the stun early. She ducked, the Blade of the Tempest slicing off a chunk of her matted hair.
"Cheap tricks won't save you!" Yuriko lunged, her strikes wilder, fueled by rage.
Aiko parried, each clash sending shockwaves up her arms. She's faster now. Stronger. The river's current threatened to disrupt her footing.
Michael's thumb jabbed the [Tree] icon repeatedly, creating a glowing path upstream.
"Aiko, move!"
Aiko spotted the ethereal lights and broke away, sprinting toward a rocky waterfall. Yuriko gave chase, her boots sloshing through the rapids.
"Running again?!" Yuriko hurled her dagger.
Aiko twisted, the blade grazing her cheek. Blood trickled, but she didn't slow. The waterfall roared ahead, mist stinging her eyes.
What is Kami-sama's plan here? she wondered, leaping onto a mossy boulder. Below, the river plunged into a frothing pool 30 feet down.
Michael's idea was simple: environmental hazard.
He bought a [Grease Slick - $1.99] and slapped it on the rocks behind Aiko.
Yuriko skidded into the trap. Her boots lost traction, sending her careening toward the waterfall's edge. She stabbed her katana into the rock, stopping just short of the drop.
"Now, Aiko!" Michael yelled.
Aiko didn't need divine guidance. She leapt, bringing the Blade of the Tempest down in a shimmering arc. Yuriko raised her sword—
CLANG!
The corrupted blade cracked. Yuriko's eyes widened as the wind-enchanted katana bit into her shoulder, drawing blood.
"You… idiotic wretch!" She kicked Aiko's chest, sending her sprawling.
"Stop hesitating!" Michael wanted to scream.
He mashed the [Sword] symbol. Onscreen, Aiko's blade flared blue. She swung, releasing a wind slash that carved a gash into Yuriko's thigh.
Yes!
But Yuriko didn't scream. She laughed.
"Remember this spot, Aiko-chan?" Yuriko grinned, blood dripping from her lip. She gestured to the waterfall with her cracked sword.
"You begged me to teach you swordplay here when you were six."
Aiko's grip on the Blade of the Tempest faltered. The memory flashed—sunlight filtering through the falls, Yuriko adjusting her tiny hands on a wooden practice sword.
"Elbow up, little sparrow. Or you'll drop your weapon."
The glowing [Sword] symbol pulsed in Aiko's vision—Kami-sama's command. But her arms felt heavy.
Yuriko's voice softened. "I carried you home when you scraped your knees. Bandaged your wounds. Does that mean nothing?"
Aiko's chest ached. "You… you were like a mother."
"Then listen," Yuriko hissed, stepping closer. "Himari's spies are everywhere. If I return empty-handed, she'll kill me. But if you surrender…" She sheathed her sword, palms open. "I'll fake your death. You can live in peace. No more running."
The [Fire] symbol blazed suddenly in the air—Kami-sama's warning. But Aiko's eyes stung. Could I trust her?
"You… swear it?" Aiko whispered.
Yuriko smiled. "On my father's grave."
Aiko lowered her sword an inch—
Yuriko's dagger flashed from her sleeve.