When he killed the demon, he started to go back from there. A villager and his wife came in front of Yochiro.
Mother: I have no words… how can I thank you?
Father: You saved my son's life. Please, tell me what you need — money, anything — I will give it to you.
Yochiro: No, I don't need anything. I didn't help you. I only kill demons. You don't need to bow your head in front of me.
Suddenly, some villagers came and shouted, "Stay away from this cursed child! Otherwise, he'll kill you too!"
Then some people came from the other side and asked the people who called Yochiro cursed, "Why did you call him a cursed boy?"
Person 1: Have you gone crazy? Didn't you see that he risked his life to save them?
Person 2: He doesn't do all this to save us. He only kills demons for his own fun. There's no knowing when he'll kill us or anyone else. He's a cursed child — whoever stays with him… dies.
Father: But mister, he saved my kid! No, he is not a cursed boy. He is the protector — the one who saved us many times.
The villagers looked at each other, unsure whom to believe. The air around Yochiro was heavy, filled with silence and fear. His red eyes glowed faintly, reflecting the dying firelight of the demon he had just slain.
Some people still refused to listen. They stepped back slowly, whispering among themselves.
Villager (muttering): "No matter what you say, death follows that boy…"
The father clenched his fists. "You're wrong," he shouted, his voice shaking. "You call him cursed, but without him, all of us would be dead!"
> "But that group of people didn't admire him and shouted, telling Yochiro to go away from there — calling him a cursed boy."
Yochiro hit his foot on the floor forcefully and shouted,
"STOOOOOP!"
All the people went silent. The leader of the group looked at Yochiro's glowing red eyes — fear ran through his body like a cold wind.
Yochiro: "Now… if anyone dares call me a cursed boy again… I'll kill him."
The villagers froze, unable to move or speak. The air around them felt heavy, almost burning from Yochiro's demonic aura.
Leader (trembling): "W-We're sorry… please, don't hurt us…"
Yochiro slowly walked toward the father of the child and asked calmly,
Yochiro: "Take this kid and go somewhere safe. They'll come again for him… and next time, I won't be here."
The father nodded nervously, holding his son close.
Father: "Thank you… Yochiro. I'll never forget this."
Yochiro (quietly): "Forget me. Just protect your family."
As Yochiro turned to leave, the father suddenly called out to him, his voice trembling but filled with gratitude.
Father: "Wait! Please… stay here for a moment! I—I have something for you."
Yochiro stopped and looked back silently, his glowing red eyes dimming to a soft ember. The man quickly ran toward his small wooden house, disappearing inside. The villagers watched quietly, still shaken from the intense aura that had just filled the air.
Moments later, the father returned — his hands carrying a sheathed katana and a small bundle of food wrapped in cloth. His wife followed behind him, eyes wet with emotion.
Father: "This sword… it belonged to my ancestors. It carries the honor and pride of our family. My forefathers were warriors — brave men, just like you. Please… accept it."
He held the katana out with both hands, bowing his head deeply. The steel gleamed faintly in the sunlight, old yet majestic — a weapon that had seen generations of battle.
Yochiro looked at it for a long moment, his expression unreadable.
Yochiro: "I don't need this. Keep it. A warrior's sword belongs to his bloodline."
But the father stepped closer, his voice firm and sincere.
Father: "No… this sword belongs to courage — and you have more of it than anyone I've ever met. Please… take it. Let it protect you, as you protect others."
For a brief moment, the wind carried silence between them. Finally, Yochiro sighed softly and took the sword with both hands.
Yochiro (quietly): "I'll accept it… then. Thank you."
The father smiled faintly, tears in his eyes. He handed the food bundle to Yochiro.
Father: "There's not much, but it might help you on your journey."
Yochiro nodded once. Without another word, he turned and began walking back toward the mountains — the place he came from. His dark cloak swayed with the wind, and the villagers watched in silence as his figure slowly disappeared into the distance.