The cold river water bit at Yowai's skin as he plunged beneath the surface, lungs straining against the crushing pressure. Every second felt like minutes. His body screamed for air, but he held it, gritting his teeth against the burning sensation in his chest. When he finally broke through, gasping for breath, water streamed down his face, and he coughed violently.
On the riverbank, Lord Fuga sat atop a massive stone, arms crossed, eyes piercing the water like he could see every fiber of Yowai's being. "Go back," he said, calm, unflinching. "Two minutes isn't enough."
Yowai wiped his face, glaring at him. "What is this going to help with? I'm not going to drown, so why—"
"I don't care if you drown or not," Fuga interrupted, voice as cold as steel. "I am responsible for your training. I will do as I please."
A flash of frustration crossed Yowai's face, but he sank beneath the surface again. Countless attempts blurred together over the next days. Each time, he fought the rising panic, each gasp for air threatening to drag him under. Two weeks passed. Two weeks of endless struggle until he could hold his breath longer, until his body began to resist, until he could almost… conquer the river itself.
Then Fuga's voice cut through the cold. "Time to run."
Yowai's eyes widened. "Run? Out of the water first?"
"No," Fuga said simply. "Run… under it."
Yowai froze, staring at the rushing current leading to the waterfall. "No! That's impossible! The current… it'll rip me apart. No normal human could—"
"Are you normal?" Fuga asked, voice unshaken, gaze sharp as a blade. "You have a demon lord in your system, a vessel of his strength. I'm just asking. Are you normal?"
Yowai swallowed hard, the challenge settling deep in his chest. He shook his head. "Nah… I'm not doing that."
Fuga's lips curled slightly. "Very well… your first refusal." His hand traced a small arc in the air. "Binding Vow: Order Denied."
Instantly, Yowai's body erupted in flames, water around him hissing and turning to steam, yet failing to quench the fire that consumed every inch of him. Screams tore from his throat as agony radiated from his bones, muscles, and marrow. He could feel each cell ignite, every nerve screaming in protest. Pain like he had never known; agony that felt infinite.
"This is the penalty," Fuga said from the shore, voice calm, almost clinical. "The Binding Vow enforces obedience. Fail to follow a command… and this is the cost."
Yowai's vision blurred, the fire in his body intensifying with every second. He could not feel his arms, his legs, his torso—only heat, only pain. But somewhere, in the corners of his mind, determination sparked. I can't… let this stop me… I have to run… I have to obey.
He forced his legs forward, screaming a deathly scream as each movement tore through him like knives. Step by step, he pushed against the river's current, each stride faster than the last. The flames began to recede as his willpower overcame the punishment. With one final, desperate leap toward the waterfall, he soared through the torrent, pain subsiding as he plunged into the calmer waters below.
Fuga's voice echoed across the riverbank. "Good… 882 more times, Yowai."
Two months later, after countless runs, Yowai finally rested. Burned, exhausted, but alive. Fuga's gaze softened slightly. "You've done well… but there's still more to learn."
Yowai looked at him, sweat and ash clinging to his skin, chest heaving. "It's… incredible. I have regeneration, or I'd be… a walking corpse. That penalty… it's insane. I could have died."
Fuga smirked. "One day, you'll return the favor… in actions, not words."
Yowai shot him a look that said, bruh.
A rustle in the trees announced a messenger ninja. "Greetings, General," the ninja said. "I have a lead on the whereabouts of the Kingdom's unknown enemy."
Yowai took a deep breath, steadying his body still sore from the Binding Vow. "Where is he?"
"The Kingdom of Sun," Nazima replied. "City of Laro. We believe he is there… Sintsu Ariyo, a member of their royal family."
Fuga raised an eyebrow. "So we burn down a kingdom?"
"No," Yowai said firmly. "If it were that easy, he wouldn't be the mastermind. King James of Sun is a peace-loving ruler. We catch Sintsu and get the information we need."
Nazima nodded and disappeared into the night.
The city of Laro bustled with life, unaware of the approaching storm. Fuga and Yowai walked through the streets, trying to blend in. Coins of gold fell from Fuga's hands like rainfall, and the people scrambled to collect them.
"Where are you even getting these?" Yowai asked, eyebrows raised.
"I am Lord Fuga," he said casually, his aura subtle yet terrifying beneath the gold-strewn chaos.
Their steps led to a lively bar. Laughter, music, and the clinking of mugs filled the air. A beautiful waitress, Akani Mashimu, carried a tray of frothing cups to a group of rowdy adventurers.
One adventurer, emboldened by drink and arrogance, reached for her, his intentions clear. The room clapped, not in amusement, but in fear of the man's perceived strength.
Before he could touch her, a golden coin flew from Fuga's hand, striking the man and sending him crashing into the wall with a hole through it. Silence fell, broken only by the creaking of the bar doors.
Yowai stepped forward, aura blazing subtly, his general's uniform commanding respect. He grabbed Akani's hand. She felt warmth, a strange pulse of courage, and gratitude.
"Who… are you?" she whispered, wide-eyed.
"Someone who cannot stand by when innocents are harmed," Yowai replied, his voice calm but deadly. "A man must always do what is right… for a lady, for anyone in need."
The adventurer, Sir Jin, stepped forward, aura flaring. "I don't care who you are. That's my worker. I'm stronger than you."
Yowai's eyes glinted red, fury and justice intertwining. His fist smashed into the air, blood dripping slightly, aura radiating outwards. The bar's patrons froze, terrified. "We?" he spat. "There was never a 'we' here. Only I."
Sir Jin screamed, pain searing his body as Yowai's aura pressed down. Every adventurer felt the weight of power, their courage crumbling like sand. Yowai's anger receded as quickly as it appeared, and he turned to Akani, smiling softly.
"You're safe now," he said. "From now on, you'll join me. Learn to fight. You'll have shelter, food, and training. I'll protect you, but you must grow strong."
Akani bowed, tears in her eyes. "Thank you, Master Yowi. I'll do my best, never leave your side."
Yowai chuckled. "Stop bowing. Friends, not servants. And yes… call me Yowi."
The night deepened. Fuga sat atop a mound of gold coins, aura farming subtly, watching people receive his gifts. Gratitude and respect flowed toward him, a new feeling stirring in his heart.
Yowai watched the stars, his father's face reflected in the constellations. Nazima appeared silently. "General, we found a location. Sintsu is creating monsters from human kids and the homeless at the city's edge."
Yowai's stomach churned. "Unholy minds… no expectations anymore. Time to give them punishment suited to their crimes."
Akani appeared quietly, bowing. "Thank you again, Master Yowi, for everything."
Yowai smiled. "Go get some rest. Big day tomorrow."
The final scene lingered on a figure on the hotel roof, only their back visible. "Sa…to…" they whispered.
Next episode: Tales of Sintsu's Creation.