The river was calm that evening.
Ren practiced near the water, his sword moving slowly. His arm still hurt, but he didn't stop.
"…Okay," he muttered,
"…just ten more swings."
A small splash broke the quiet.
Ren froze.
A child stood near the river—younger than him. Barefoot. Playing with the water, unaware of anything else.
"…Hey," Ren said softly,
"…you shouldn't be here this late."
Before the child could answer—
The air changed.
The water rippled.
A shape crawled out from the shadows near the trees.
A demon.
It was small. Thin. Its movements were slow and uneven.
But it was real.
The child laughed, thinking it was a game.
Ren's body moved before his mind did.
His leg stepped forward.
His sword rose.
Fear came later.
"Get back!" Ren shouted.
The demon turned toward him.
It hissed and rushed forward.
Ren swung.
Not clean.
Not perfect.
But the blade struck.
The demon cried out and stumbled back. Dark liquid spilled onto the ground.
Ren's heart pounded.
"…It worked," he whispered.
The demon attacked again.
Ren blocked clumsily. The force knocked him to one knee, but he stayed up.
The child screamed.
Ren stood.
"I said—stay away!" he yelled.
He struck again.
This time harder.
The demon screeched and collapsed, its body breaking apart into smoke.
Silence.
The child stared.
"Wow!" the child said.
"That was amazing!"
Ren blinked.
"…It was?" he asked.
His legs finally started shaking.
"…Okay," he added quietly,
"…now I'm scared."
The child ran back toward the village, laughing.
Ren leaned on his sword, breathing hard.
Far away, hidden in the fog, Shirugami watched.
"…You forgot your fear," the spirit whispered.
"…And chose to protect."
His form flickered.
The Nanaira Mask glowed.
Two marks shone faintly.
Ren looked toward the forest.
"…I don't know who you are," he said softly,
"…but I won't run."
The fog drifted.
The second test was complete.
🎭