Chapter Text
---
Chapter Two: Observing the Enemy
-
"Fifty-seven meters behind, to the right..."
In a few moments, Kohaku would be a murderer, too. This wasn't a type of act that she had ever envisioned herself committing. After all, she had been hard at work for several years trying to save a life - a very particular life. Murder was the opposite of that.
But this man had done it first.
"...yes," the long-haired stranger continued. "There's only one person who's been following me quietly for two minutes..."
This isn't good, Kohaku thought grimly as she continued to crouch behind the berry bush.
On one hand, her large positional advantage and her small environmental advantage - her being behind him and on higher ground - were lost, because while they would have helped against an oblivious opponent, they would not help Kohaku against one who already knew of her presence.
But on the other hand, his statement had revealed important information about how well he perceived his surroundings. He had said that she had been following him for two minutes, but Kohaku knew that she had been trailing him for far longer than that. That this man heard her from fifty-seven meters away was impressive, to be sure, but it also showed Kohaku the limits of his range of hearing.
Unless that's what he wants me to think. For all I know, maybe he's saying he's only known about me for two minutes, but he actually sensed me even earlier than that.
"...and it's you. Who are you?"
The voice was deceptively light - and completely the opposite of the man she saw when he turned around.
Before, Kohaku had noted that he was a tall man wearing an unfamiliar animal pelt.
Now, she could see that with his height, he could tower over any warrior who could ever think to face him, and be able to see that warrior as helpless prey. His body showed evidence of years and years of intensive training in the hard lines of muscle in his arms, chest, and stomach. The animal pelt around him was still one she didn't know of, but it showed that this man was capable of defeating large animals with wicked, sharp claws that were longer than his own fingers. The fur was undamaged in the parts that she could see, which meant that he was skilled enough to aim for specific parts of the animal - after all, a less experienced fighter would have just swung his or her weapon blindly and hoped for the best - and kill it in a way that would not lower its quality when turned into an item of clothing.
He walked barefoot, which meant he had decided his feet did not need protection. Along with the forceful blow he had dealt with his hand to kill the gentleman sorcerer, it was highly possible that powerful kicks were also in this man's fighting arsenal. His weapon of choice was a short spear that had several secondary edges that jutted out from the body of the dark blade, with the tip shaped into a perfect point. Kohaku's own daggers were slim and had simple edges, perfect for slashing and slicing - but this man's weapon was made to drive into whoever he was fighting in one decisive thrust, and then maximize his enemy's pain with the irregular secondary edges tearing flesh and splintering bone as the spear's point was slowly taken out.
This man was so confident in his strength that he would let his enemies sneak up behind him and use a weapon that would prolong a battle.
Kohaku's weapons were meant for quick victories. The murderer's weapon was created to increase suffering.
She squeezed the handle of one of her daggers tighter, imagining it...
I could walk up to him, like I planned. Carrying beautiful flowers, walking slowly... he wouldn't suspect me of being dangerous until I reveal my weapons. Yes, he's already aware of me, but I'm the fastest person in the village. I could sprint forward, jump up, and slice into him before he can get to me. My first choice would be to cut off his genitals, but since I'd be up in the air, slashing his neck open would probably be easier to do.
Magma's disgusting speech at the Grand Bout about what he planned to do with Ruri-nee was the closest thing I'd ever heard to murderous intent, and even with my rage about the threat to Ruri-nee and Magma's boastful, undisciplined fighting, he still gave me a tough fight before I defeated him. Now, I'm facing an actual murderer, who committed his crime right before my eyes. If he were ruthless, I could fight him and win. If he were powerful, I could fight him and win.
But he's both.
If I fight him and I win, the sorcerer gentleman would be avenged, and there would be one fewer murderer in the world.
If I fight him and I lose, my death would mean that there will be nobody to bring the healing water to Ruri-nee everyday, and her health will get worse. Or, because of my actions, this man might look for Ishigami Village to take revenge on the people I love. Or maybe he won't seek the village out on purpose, but he could come across it by accident one day and use his strength to hurt the others. I wouldn't put it past a heartless man like him. My death would mean the loss of one of the strongest warriors in our village. And against a man like this, we would need everybody. Even Magma, even my father - even me. Because I have to protect my sister. Because the children must live on, the priestess must endure, the Hundred Tales must survive.
...and then Kohaku slackened her grip, so that she was now only loosely holding the dagger, which she then pressed to her heart.
I don't know if you can hear me, she thought, thinking of the noble sorcerer who had sacrificed himself to save that girl. You deserve to be at peace. I wish I could avenge you. But my sister is the most important person in my life. My death would mean her death.
She took a deep breath, laid the flowers she had collected on the ground, and stood up to look him in the eye, daggers in hand. After holding them in front of her in a defensive stance for a few seconds, she casually and deliberately raised her hands - the man bent slightly, eyes narrowed and cruel spear ready - and, without breaking eye contact, felt the grooves of her shield's straps and deposited both daggers in their usual places inside the curve of her shield, before letting her now weaponless hands fall back to her sides.
Which means I cannot let this man find out that I am actually his enemy.
"My name is Kohaku. And I'm very interested in knowing who you are, long-haired man."
-
(End of Chapter Two.) (23/May/2023.)
---