In a distant landscape lies Yukihana, the second-largest city on the Asuka Continent. The city is situated in the extreme north of Asuka, where it snows almost every day. Yukihana is highly developed and maintains good relationships with cities and noble houses across the continent.
Specialized in Asuka's water-filtering system, Yukihana is an extremely wealthy city where, much like in Hinosca, most citizens are considered well-off, with a poverty rate below five percent.
The Yukihana Clan, which leads the parliament of Yukihana City, is also known as the birthplace of some of the strongest individuals ever seen. The family inherits both the Water Mark and the Snow Mark.
The current leader is Yukiko Yukihana, the 14th leader of the family: a matriarch and tyrant who wields immense power and status. She has long black hair, purple irises, and a striking beauty, with soft feminine features and a naturally curvy figure.
Yukiko sits in the grand council hall alongside her husband, Sai Yukihana, a man of strong determination, honor, and an imposing build, with a serious face and considerable experience among the city's noble elite.
She decides to break the silence.
"My son is alive. He's our last hope. Even though we exiled him, we can bring him back and marry him off to a noblewoman. That will secure the succession of our clan."
Sai is shocked and reminds her that they both banished Hikari, even declaring him a criminal, and argues that giving the inheritance to his younger brother would be better.
"We even sent bounty hunters. Why not follow the idea of criminalizing him? It would be easier than trying to follow him and discover where he is, and Noro could assume the position of heir," says a noble called Frontina, one of the most influential people in the city.
"I refuse," says Yukiko.
The other nobles fall silent in shock. Sai also supports Yukiko.
"We all know that Noro became unstable after his years with Sengoku. The only person who can assume the position must be Hikari," says Yukiko.
The nobles murmur in discontent. The second son might possess the clan's Marks, but he is too unstable, known for brutally slaughtering criminals. To them, he is a predator the Yukihana Clan's personal attack dog, not a leader.
Yukiko smiles coldly.
"Lord Frontina, let's make a bet. If I win, your daughter will leave your family and join the clan. If he's a predator, then we'll give him prey."
Before Sai can respond, she continues.
"Noro's target will be his older brother. If Noro wins and kills him, he will receive the inheritance and my support. If Hikari wins, Lord Frontina must capture him," says Yukiko as she leaves the council hall.
Frontina turns red with anger. He cannot lose his daughter to this woman. He knows he cannot openly go against Yukiko or Sai, but he still refuses to accept the situation.
The room then applauds: a clean solution with no wasted resources.
Back in Hinosca, Hikari jolts awake, gripping Onoko after sensing danger. Annoyed by the rock-like bed, he heads to the Guild's training grounds. Downstairs, he hears a voice he knows well yelling.
Eto Yaruzu is arguing with a beggar.
Eto Yaruzu
Stands at about 1.50 meters.
14 years old and an extremely talented blacksmith.
Short-tempered and headstrong.
Determined to reach Tier 3 of the Blacksmith's Mark.
[...]
Hikari approaches.
"Who's this punk bothering you?"
"Name's Yoshimura. Pleasure, Wanderer."
Hikari stops, recognizing the beggar from Hinosca's gates.
Yoshimura explains that he used the distraction caused by Hikari at the gates to enter Hinosca.
"Please, Miss Eto, make daggers for me. I have the minerals."
"That is impossible. Diamonds do not melt, and these diamonds are not real ores!"
"Diamonds?" says Hikari, trying to understand the situation.
"I have the Mineral Mark of Diamonds or just call it the Diamond Mark, Tier 1."
Eto snaps.
"His materials vanish over time! They're unstable!"
Yoshimura, bored, decides to grab some quests, but the Guild only grants official quests to registered members. Since he is an outsider from Hinosca and is not enrolled in the Guild, he can only join missions if someone invites him to help, Ms. Lucy explains while grabbing quests and organizing documents.
Hikari sees this as an opportunity for a good warm-up and invites Yoshimura to join him on an expedition.
"That is boring as shit," says Yoshimura.
"I want easy things," he adds.
"So fight me in a duel," says Hikari.
Yoshimura accepts the fight and moves into the training grounds, an open terrain marked with detailed white stripes. Hikari wears a purple kimono and holds Onoko, while Yoshimura uses his daggers.
Yoshimura decides to attack first, charging at full speed without a proper stance or technique, relying only on street-level fighting. He swings at Hikari, an attack that would catch most people off guard—but not him.
Hikari dodges Yoshimura's attack and moves behind him, grabbing Onoko and preparing to strike his back. Yoshimura quickly covers his body in diamonds, making Onoko unable to cut through.
Realizing the fight will be harder than expected, Hikari changes into a completely different stance. Yoshimura's attacks rely on catching opponents off guard, but when someone fights while appearing completely exposed, their movements become unpredictable.
Using that opening, Hikari kicks Yoshimura, dealing heavy damage. Lucy and Eto, observing the fight, realize that Yoshimura is getting into trouble. Still, he does not give up. With almost supernatural reflexes, Yoshimura dodges and counterattacks Hikari, who defends himself using Onoko.
When Hikari finally starts getting serious, Yoshimura raises his hands and gives up in the middle of the fight.
"Whaaat?! Are you a ghost?!" says Eto desperately, clearly disappointed because she had been enjoying the fight.
Hikari also looks disappointed, but Lucy grants him the victory.
"You are strong," says Yoshimura while breathing heavily.
"Why did you give up so easily?" asks Hikari.
Yoshimura explains that his Mark is only Tier 1, meaning he is more limited and burns through much more stamina than someone at Tier 2. He also explains that covering his entire body in diamonds is considered a desperate tactic. Marks that can cover or protect the body must be mastered so they are activated only moments before an incoming hit instead of being maintained during the entire fight.
Hikari nods and invites Yoshimura to the expedition quest.
Yoshimura accepts, firmly shaking Hikari's hand and forming a collaboration. Eto joins the new group as well, but just as they are ready to take the quest, Lucy intervenes and explains that it is a long expedition and requires a minimum of four people.
The group, which had been ready to leave, is disappointed. Eto decides to go back to her forge, but then someone appears.
"Can I join?" asks the tall figure.
"Wait... is that you, the guard?" asks Hikari.
"Why are you wearing a ballerina outfit?"
"That doesn't matter. I first came here to thank Eto for the new arm she crafted for me."
Hikari then remembers that he was the one who dismembered the man's arm.
"It's fine. After all, you paid really well."
"Uh... your name is Hoan, right? Wanna join us?"
Hikari is shocked by how fast everything is happening, but Yoshimura immediately starts talking casually with Hoan. After all, Hoan was the one who helped him get inside Hinosca.
A little uncomfortable, Hikari decides to simply observe, but Hoan approaches him.
"Hikari, you know that after the humiliation I suffered, they kicked me out of the military, right? I lost my arm and the last support of my family," says Hoan, looking directly into Hikari's eyes.
"Yes."
"But right now, I can't do anything. One day, I will repay you. I hate you with all my strength, but I still can't do anything. So I'll become stronger and defeat you."
After buying his new arm, the only clothes Hoan had left were his sister's ballerina clothes. He is not ashamed of them. He knows this is a new start, and that is why he wants to join the expedition.
Hikari, Eto, and Yoshimura nod, accepting the new member of the squad.
"That's perfect. The squad is formed," says Ms. Lucy before giving them information about the expedition.
It will be a journey through the mountains, heading toward the area near the Old Continent of Eldoria to track routes.
The group agrees to leave the next morning.
Yoshimura, who has no place to sleep, goes to Hoan's carriage to sleep with him. Eto returns to her forge, and Hikari goes back to his room.
Yoshimura
Lived as a beggar across several cities before deciding to move to Hinosca as a mercenary, living for himself while hiding the fact that he had previously been a scammer who sold his unstable diamonds.