Orimo looked at Ryuki.
Orimo: "Let's go deeper."
Ryuki: "Sure."
The two of them walked into the forest. The ground was damp, the air thick with mist, and the trees loomed tall, their leaves whispering like they were hiding secrets.
Suddenly—fwip.
A piece of paper drifted down and landed on Orimo's head.
Orimo: "What's this?"
He grabbed it casually at first… but the moment his eyes registered the headline, his breath stopped.
> "Responsible for the massive explosion that separated continents into islands—causing global casualties.
The beginning of a Malevolent Generation.
First sighted: the outlaw Orimo and swordswoman Ryuki."
Ryuki's eyes widened.
Ryuki: "That's… all not true."
Orimo (jaw tightening): "Yeah. But that's how they framed it. That damn Daegmon Kira… I should've finished him. I wanted to teach him a lesson."
The forest grew quieter. Almost like it was listening.
As Orimo stepped forward, something glimmered in the moss.
A necklace.
Dark metal.
Radiating heat like a heartbeat.
Almost breathing.
Ryuki froze.
Ryuki: "Its presence… that's a Cursed Necklace."
Orimo: "What's that?"
Ryuki: "Cursed necklaces grant power. Power that comes from the Devil himself… beyond mantra."
Orimo: "Sounds useful."
He reached for it—and the moment his fingers touched it,
SHNK!
The necklace latched itself to his chest, embedding into his skin like it was always meant to be there.
Orimo (eyes widening): "That… was quick."
The forest wind stopped.
Like the world held its breath.