Chapter 6

The stomping of the creature within the cave is like thunder roaring, every step it makes echoes within Jintetsu and the girls emotions.

With fear getting a hold of them, the 3 kids froze on the spot without moving an inch.

With their eyes staring straight at the cave, a big hulking hand grabs the corner of the cave.

And finally, the creature shows itself.

[???] “ROOOOOOAAAAAAAAR!!!”

The creature stood in about 13 feet tall and its shoulder spread is about 6 feet wide.

It has short legs with long arms. Its forearms are 12 inches thick and with its first two joints in its finger clenched, it stood on all fours.

Its back, legs, arms, shoulders and all the way to the back of its head are covered in rusty red fur while its hands is colored mud brown with black gleaming claws.

Under its neck, chest and stomach has the same color as its hands, mud brown. But the only difference is, instead of having thick skin like its hands, it’s covered in plate like scales.

As if its size itself wasn’t intimidating enough, it has two thick horns growing out from its shoulder blades, both making a curve that looks like a circle.

And now, its head is like a scaly lizard but only with a very thick lower jaw with small sharp teeth popping out from its closed mouth.

Seeing Jintetsu and the girls shaking on the cold ground, it stood on its hind legs and bashes its chest like a drum while making a gigantic roar.

Still stunned on the ground, Jintetsu starts to think of ways to get everyone out of the predicament, but the first thing he needs to do is to get his body to move again.

Fortunately for him, the creature is still observing them, giving a bit more time for him to think.

While Jintetsu is still in his thoughts, Aletta, who was still holding on to Yuina, ties to lower her body at the same level as Yuina.

[Aletta] “Hyaa!?”

But due to the snow as well as her still stunned state, Aletta’s trembling right leg slips from the snow, causing her to make a small yelp.

And because of her sudden movement, the creature got startled and thus raises its right arm, attempting to crush Yuina and Aletta.

Seeing this, Jintetsu’s instinct quickly kicked in.

Jintetsu bit his lip so hard, blood started to drip down his chin. And with the great pain he is feeling, his stunned body quickly regains its control.

He then gave the snowy ground a powerful kick, causing to dash towards Yuina and Aletta.

Before the giant fist of the creature hits them, Jintetsu grabbed the two by their collar and they barely dodged the creature’s fist.

But even so, the fist that was swung down, making a powerful shockwave, making the kids flew a few steps away from the creature.

Seeing this as a chance, Jintetsu quickly gets up and grabs Yuina and Aletta’s wrist and run.

[Jintetsu] “Come on, we need to run faster!”

Though Yuina clearly heard Jintetsu’s words, as soon as she put some weight on her left leg, a sharp pain came rushing, thus making her trip ontothe ground.

[Jintetsu & Yuina] ““Yuina!!””

Both Jintetsu and Yuina were about to run to Yuina’s aid, but with a single leap, the creature lands near Yuina.

The creature then swings its left arm back and readies its attack.

With the appearance of the creature, Aletta is once again covered in fear and stopped on her track.

But Jintetsu didn’t let that feeling get into him again, he continues to dash to Yuina. And as soon as he got to her, he grabs Yuina’s collar and throws her back.

[Jintetsu] “Aletta!”

With Jintetsu’s loud shout, Aletta snaps back and caught Yuina with her arms.

[Aletta] “Jin, I got her! Let’s get—!!!”

With Yuina in her arms, Aletta lifts her head towards Jintetsu. But what she found was Jintetsu trying to guard the creature’s fist with the sword he got from the shack, but only to be blown away and ramming his back against a tree.

[Jintetsu] “Guuhaack!”

As if all the air in his lungs blew out of his mouth all at once, Jintetsu spun in the air and eventually falling and rolled in the ground, unmoving.

[Aletta] “J—Jin? Jin!”

[Yuina] “Jin-kun?”

Even though Aletta shouted his name, Jintetsu still remain on the snow.

Thinking Jintetsu is already gone; the creature then turns its head towards Yuina and Aletta and slowly moves closer.

While watching the creature move closer to them, Aletta though of something and looks at Yuina who is in her arms.

[Aletta] Wh—what in the world am I thinking!? How could I even think about that!?

Aletta shakes her head and puts Yuina behind her; she then draws her face closer to Yuina’s ear and whispered…

[Aletta] “Yuina, get out of here.”

[Yuina] “B—but what about you and Jin-kun? I can’t jus—”

[Aletta] “Don’t argue with me and just go……please.”

After saying those words, Aletta puts down the bag full of herbs and unsheathed the two blades on both sides of her waist.

[Aletta] Speed…as long as you have speed, its attack won’t connect.

With those thoughts in mind, Aletta dashes towards the creature.

Seeing Aletta running towards it, the creature waits for Aletta to get closer.

And as soon as she was in range, the creature gave a straight right punch downwards, attempting to crush her.

But Aletta quickly did a side step to the right, dodging the creature’s attack. She then gave the side of the creature a vertical slash with her left katana, followed by a right stab.

[Aletta] “N—no way…”

That attack would have worked on any other beast, but the creature’s body was tougher than solid stone, making her attacks useless.

While still in a stunned state, the creature clenches both of its hands and hammers them at Aletta.

But out of nowhere, Jintetsu rushes to Aletta and blocks the creature’s attack with his katana.

With his right hand desperately holding onto the handle while using his left forearm pushing the flat part of the blade, using the katana as a makeshift shield.

But with the powerful force that came all at once did something to Jintetsu.

Crack!

[Jintetsu] “Graaaaaaaaaaahhh!”

His left arm is broken by the creature’s heavy attack.

His knees was about to give in, but he quickly remembers Aletta, who is still stunned behind him, so he ignored the pain and stand his ground.

[Jintetsu] “Aletta, get ready to jump back…on 3…2…1!”

With Jintetsu’s signal, Jintetsu and Aletta jumps back again and again, distancing themselves about 15 feet away from the creature.

[Yuina] “Jin-kun, y—your arm, it’s…”

Aletta wanted to ask why Yuina was still here, but when she mentioned Jintetsu, Aletta looks at the same direction where Yuina was staring.

[Jintetsu] “D—don’t worry about it, forget about my arm, that big Monster comes first.”

Though he said not to worry, the two girls couldn’t forget Jintetsu’s forearm that is flailing, resembling an arm of a puppet that had its strings cut off.

[Creature] “Rooooooooaaaaaaarr!!!”

[Jintetsu] “It’s coming!”

The creature once again dashes towards them, ready to crush Jintetsu and the girls with its fist.

Thinking of a way, Jintetsu looks around the area, hoping to find something that could help them.

[Aletta] “Jin, Yuina, over there.”

Following where Aletta is pointing at, Jin and Yuina find a burrow on the ground, mostly used by mid-sized animals.

The three run towards the burrow with all of their strength, but…

[Jintetsu] This is bad, this creature is moving too fast, I need to—“Huh?”

Looking at the monster coming towards them, Jintetsu finds a cliff next to the creature with a good amount of snow piling up.

With his katana in hand, he throws the weapon at the edge of the cliff, causing a small avalanche.

[Creature] “Roooooooaaaa—!!!”

The creature is then buried by the snow…

[Jintetsu] “Now’s our chance, get into the burrow!” I’m sure that snow won’t be able to hold it off for long.

And he was right, the snow could only stop it for a few seconds and it is now making its way out of the pile.

It then jumps out of the thick snow pile effortlessly, blocking Aletta and Yuina’s way.

[Creature] “Rooooooaaaaaaaarr!”

Once again doing a powerful roar, the creature raises its right arm with claws bare.

[Yuina] “Aletta!”

With Aletta unable to move due to her panicking, Yuina, who was being helped by Aletta to walk, pushes her away.

[Yuina] “Kyaaaaaaaa—”

So the claw didn’t hit Aletta but instead, Yuina got a big cut from her collarbone to her right shoulder.

Her body then flies a few feet away then rolls while leaving red stains on the white snow.

[Aletta] “Y—Yuina...............................Graaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh!”

Brandishing both her Katana with both her hands, Aletta rushes towards the creature full of anger.

[Creature] “Rooooooaaaaarrr!”

Seeing Aletta approaching it, the creature swings his right arm and does a backhand swing.

But the attack was dodged, Aletta makes a side flip, completely avoiding the attack. And as soon as she lands, she proceeds forward and attacks the creature’s body, making a vertical “V” with her left Katana.

Though her attack didn’t even leave a scratch on the creature’s scale plated chest, she is still about to give another slash with the Katana in her right hand.

But the hulking creature quickly notices the incoming attack and gives another backhand swing with its left hand.

[Aletta] “Kuhh!”

With such a strong force hitting Aletta’s right Katana, her right hand weakens its grip and lets go of the Katana, making it fly, spinning into the air.

But without a second to waste, Jintetsu jumps into the air and perfectly catches the spinning Katana by its handle with his right hand while still in the air.

With such a sudden surprise, the creature wasn’t able to react fast enough.

Jintetsu points the Katana downwards and stabs the creature’s left forearm.

[Creature] “Rooooooooaaaaaaaarrrrr!”

Landing on the creature’s forearm, Jintetsu continues to grip the stabbed sword’s handle, and seeing as the creature’s face close up, Jintetsu attacks its face with a dropkick.

With the creature making a few steps backwards, Jintetsu takes out the Katana and did a backflip from its forearm.

And as if she was waiting for Jintetsu to land, Aletta charges in along with Jintetsu next to her.

With the two about to attack it, the creature holds both its hand and hammers at Jintetsu and Aletta.

But the two quickly split away, running on opposite sides. Jintetsu running to the creature’s left while Aletta runs to its right.

As though he felt no pain for having his left arm broken, Jintetsu charges towards the creature with fluent movements.

With its hulking right arm, it turns towards Jintetsu and gives him a right straight punch.

Being controlled by instinct and the will to take down the creature, Jintetsu leans down, dodging the punch and then swings the Katana at its belly.

But like Aletta’s attack, Jintetsu’s slash didn’t give it any damage.

With Jintetsu now behind the creature, it turns around, ready to strike with a left punch.

Supposedly, Jintetsu’s back is the first thing the creature sees when it turns, but the face of Aletta’s angered look was the first thing it sees.

And without holding back, Aletta swings her katana, aiming for the creature’s eyes.

But the creature was on guard, it quickly defends itself with its left arm, blocking Aletta’s attack.

While still in the air, Aletta kicks the creature’s arm, and did a backflip, backing away from it.

When Aletta backs off, Jintetsu strikes.

And when Jintetsu backs off, Aletta strikes.

The two relentlessly continue their attacks on the creature, as if their anger has now completely took control over their body.

But even though they are doing well with their attacks, it was still useless against the hard scales of the creature and it only made the creature irritated.

Thinking that it had enough, the creature raises its back, pointing the ore like horns on its back towards the sky.

The two horns on its back then then shines blue and sparks started to appear around it.

[Creature] “ROOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAARRRR!!!”

[Aletta] What!? That can’t be, this monster is using Reiki!

She has been training her Reiki for years, and with Yuina training with her, who has an amazing control, she could tell if someone is using Reiki.

It then raises its hands into the air and hammers the snow covered ground.

With a powerful force booming around the creature, the surrounding snow not only was blown away, but also evaporated due to the electricity circling the area, spreading around 6 meters wide.

[Aletta] “Kyaaaaaaaaaaaa!!”

Aletta got blown into the air and also got hit by electricity.

Her body then hit the ground hard and rolls a few feet away from Yuina’s body.

[Aletta] “Gnnnn…khhhh….n…”

With a few moans of pain, Aletta tries to get up, but all of her strength quickly fades along with her consciousness.

But as for Jintetsu…

[Jintetsu] “What in the world was that?”

Even though Jintetsu flew off the ground due to the attack’s powerful force and got hit by electricity, Jintetsu is still doing fine.

The skin of an Oni is special and almost immune to elemental type attacks, so getting hit by lightning or fire won’t hurt his body.

Getting back up and brushing off the snow from his shoulders, Jintetsu looks around and finds Aletta lying down on the cold snow.

And of course when he saw Aletta, he also saw the unmoving Yuina.

Fear has once again filled his body.

Seeing his two motionless friends on the snow, reminds him that he has no chance of winning against the creature.

[Jintetsu] No way, we can’t even make this thing kneel when Aletta and I were attacking it, so there is now way I could do it alone!

Am I going to die here?

I won’t be able to fulfill my dream.

I won’t be able to make my own swords like Tatara-jii-san.

I won’t be able to see other lands.

I won’t be able to see my family again.

I won’t be able to play with Yuina and Aletta any more.

…….

………..

………………

…………………..

………………………………NO…

No, I don’t want that to happen! Not now, not ever!!!

Jintetsu picks up the sword next to him and once again charges towards the creature, ready to fight again.

This action isn’t because he no longer has any fear inside him, it’s actually the opposite.

The fear residing within him is now greater than ever.

But the reason as to why he is still charging forward even though he was scared is because the fear within him is no longer directed to the creature, instead, the fear of losing everything, including the future he is yet to have.

[Jintetsu] “No way will I let myself die here! I still have the whole world to see! And I’m not going to let you get in my way!!!”

A young boy rushing towards a hulking monster, if anyone saw this, they would most likely think Jintetsu is a courageous youngster.

But the truth is that Jintetsu, though it may sound pathetic, is still scared, as well as desperate.

Putting all of his strength in right arm, Jintetsu readies a powerful swing, aiming for the creature’s neck.

[Jintetsu] “GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA—Amph!?”

But all of his effort quickly shatters. Once again using its Reiki, the creature easily caught Jintetsu by his head.

[Jintetsu] “Kuh~ damn it!!!”

He points the sword to the creature’s hand and is about to stab it.

But the creature won’t let Jintetsu get another hit, before the Katana even touch the creature’s right arm; it grabs Jintetsu’s katana, then pulls.

Crack!

When the creature pulled away Jintetsu’s katana, his wrist was also pulled along due to the creature’s 12 inches wide fist, causing his right shoulder to dislocate.

[Jintetsu] “AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!”

Jintetsu’s scream of pain echoes throughout the snowy mountain which only the wildlife on the mountain called Eien Yuki could hear.

Being held by the head while having both arms no longer usable, one would most likely given up by then, but Jintetsu’s fear rose even more and started kicking the creature’s arm.

This was the only thing he could think of in such desperate times.

While still having Jintetsu’s head in its grasp, the creature looks at Jintetsu and gave off a somewhat amazed look.

For such a small thing, it has quite the fighting spirit.

But after a few while, Jintetsu’s kicks grow weaker and weaker, eventually stopping.

………

…………

……………

Years ago, back when Shiranue was nothing more than a little girl, he was once told by her Mother a story of her Grandfather.

How her very own Grandfather was feared by his enemies and how trusted and respected he was by his friends and comrades.

But the thing that stood out the most about Shiranue’s Grandfather was his Title or the name he was called in the battlefield.

The Six Armed Oni

Shiranue found it strange.

Why would people call her Grandfather that? Her Grandfather has 2 arms, not 6. With curiosity fill her mind; she directly confronts her Grandfather, Shuten-Doji.

With such rumors spreading around their country about her Grandfather, one would think that Shuten is someone you would try to avoid.

But in reality, he was nothing more than a gentle old man.

He especially adored his young family members.

So if he is not in the battlefield, he was just a doting Grandparent.

With such a grandfather, Shiranue quickly asks him about his Title, without restraint.

Hearing his Granddaughter asking with such zest, Shuten simply gave out a loud laugh while slapping his lap in amusement.

Since the man stood in about 7 feet or more with the body width of 4 feet, he was an outrageously large man, so he slowly leaned down and asked…

[Shuten] “Is Shiranue curious?”

Shiranue simply noded a few times while still carrying the same eyes she showed him.

As a doting Grandfather, he couldn’t help but want to look amazing in front of his adorable Granddaughter.

So he told Shiranue to take a few steps back and watch him.

Within only minute, the air around Shuten got hotter and his black horns glowed bright red.

And what came after made Shiranue’s eyes spread wide open.

Four red and translucent-like arms came out of Shuten’s back.

Back then, Shiranue was also being taught about Reiki and was considered as a genius, so she knows Reiki if she felt it.

She knows everyone has Reiki; it’s only whether one has the patience to learn how to release it.

So of course Shuten would also have Reiki.

But what makes this different from all the others is that Reiki itself doesn’t have a physical form.

Reiki is an aura or power that can only be put inside a specific tool or a person, is what Shiranue believed back then.

Seeing such an amazing sight, Shiranue couldn’t help but asked more questions.

And of course, being such a doting Grandfather, he answered Shiranue everything he knows.

Unfortunately though, Shuten has little knowledge about it himself and only told Shiranue that the ability can only be passed within their family and it happens very rarely.

And that particular ability is call the “Hizashi no Reiki”, Hizashi which means “Rays of the Sun”, indicating the four red arms glowing and shining out of Shuten’s back.

Shiranue looked at the Shuten and his four extra arms in astonishment.

With such an amazing scene, Shiranue could never forget how her Grandfather looked and still wishes to see those glowing red arms once more.

But seeing as there are only 4 Oni existing, she gave up from ever seeing it, thinking that it will never show up again.

Or at least that’s what she thought…

Jintetsu, who is still in the creature’s clutches, is still trying to fight back.

His small horns starts to glow red, his clothes on his back tore open, then two red light gushes out of his shoulder blades.

The red light then starts to take form.

To the creature’s surprise, two red glowing arms raises into the air.

Though the two red arms growing from Jintetsu’s back only has two fingers and a thumb, its size and length is similar to the creature’s.

The two red arms then clenches into a fist and the right arm gave the creature a powerful punch to its left cheek.

With such a powerful blow, the creature lost its grasp on him and lets him go.

As soon as Jintetsu’s feet lands on the snow, he uses his left Reiki arm to give the creature an uppercut to its chin.

He then grabs the creature by its shoulder with his right Reiki arm and then punches the creature’s gut with the left, again and again.

But of course, the creature won’t let Jintetsu’s punches to continue, so it grabs Jintetsu’s left Reiki arm with its right and is now about to punch him with its free arm.

But Jintetsu’s right Reiki arm quickly lets go of the creature’s shoulder and block its attack and then he hammers its shoulder.

The creature then falls to its left knee.

Seeing Jintetsu fighting the creature on equal terms, one would be impressed.

Unfortunately though, Jintetsu is actually unconscious and is not fighting with instinct but with the feeling of anger alone.

Or in other words, Jintetsu is in a Berserker state.

The feeling of pain on his dislocated right shoulder and broken left arm could no longer be felt, his eyes turn pure white, similar to the snow he is standing on.

While still near the creature, Jintetsu once again raises his right Reiki fist and hammers down another attack.

But the creature has already anticipated this, so before it gets hit, it swipes Jintetsu’s attack to the side.

It then grabs the Right Reiki’s forearm and with its overwhelming strength, prevented both Reiki arms from moving.

Though Jintetsu’s strength increased and gained two more arms due to Hizashi no Reiki, it doesn’t mean the his weight changed ether, so without effort, the creature lifts Jintetsu to the air while still grabbing on to His Reiki arms and then bashes him to the ground.

From where Jintetsu was slammed, the creature used it overwhelming strength so the snow that was supposedly cushioning Jintetsu dissipated; making him hit the hard ground.

And not only once, the creature did it twice, thrice relentlessly.

While the creature mercilessly continues, Jintetsu’s left Reiki suddenly disappeared.

[Creature] “Grunt?”

Wondering what happened, the creature lifts Jintetsu’s right Reiki arm and peeks at his face.

His eyes are now closed shut.

With the right Reiki arm fading, Jintetsu’s body fall to the ground, but this time, unmoving.

Seeing Jintetsu unmoving on the ground, the creature lowers its head and sniff Jintetsu.

And after a few seconds of observation, the creature stands on its feet and beats its chest.

[Creature] “ROOOOOOOOOAAAAAAARRRRRR!!!”

After giving a loud roar, the creature then casually leaves as if it has finish with its task and went back to its cave.

With the creature gone, the only ones left in the blistering snow are Jintetsu, Yuina and Aletta, all knocked out unconscious.