On a rainy night, a man leans against a twisted willow tree, silently facing a row of tombstones before him. A flash of lightning reveals the names engraved on the tombstones: all exorcists, their epitaphs all written by .
Ghostly hands emerge from the shadows of the tombstones, and the chilling wind carries countless angry curses:
"You treacherous wretch!"
"Why do you still live? Die with us!"
"We were partners! How could you kill me?"
In an instant, countless vengeful hands overlap, and opens his eyes, returning to the real world. The surroundings are calm; he's resting in an abandoned house, with his current partner beside him.
The rain seems to have stopped…
For some reason, it always rains when is on a secret mission.
's target this time is a renegade exorcist named Qi, and his traveling partner.
It's been three days since he received the mission, and apart from some minor demons, there has been little progress. puts away his weapon, his mind preoccupied during the recent battle, and his gaze lingers on the sword his partner carries.
This small, seemingly insignificant movement does not escape his partner's notice.
They find themselves in a deserted seaside town on the outskirts of Wood City. The town's residents have long since moved to the bustling city center. steps on the damp sand, seagulls circling low above the water, and memories of the past resurface.
spent his childhood in a town like this. Many years later, memories of the people and events, as well as the chaos surrounding "monsters," have faded away with the decline of the town.
never knew his biological parents. He could see strange spirits that others couldn't, but no one believed him. His bizarre behavior led to him being regarded as a "monster.”
At the age of eight, was adopted and brought into the Association of Exorcists, where he found others like him—the exorcists.
In the long battle against demons, some exorcists were inadvertently corrupted by demonic malice, eventually succumbing to possession. The Association could not accept the corruption of its members. Those exorcists at risk of demonization would be assigned special partners who would execute their comrades when the time came.
was one such partner, with a unique ability to absorb the spirits corrupted by demons, making him not only an executioner of the corrupted but also a vessel for absorbing their tainted power.
This role, however, was destined to be unpopular. earned the nickname "Farewell Companion", as those who ventured with him would ultimately perish in battle…
had personally witnessed the deaths of numerous companions, their souls still residing within him. These vengeful spirits cursed him relentlessly, accusing him of betrayal day after day.
understood that he, too, was a potential risk: if anything went wrong, the malevolent spirits buried within him could escape and coalesce into an unimaginably powerful Soul Eater.
Thus, had no friends, believing that as a "living tomb" for the vengeful spirits of fallen exorcists, he didn't need any.
This time, 's partner to bid farewell is , a top exorcist in the Association of Exorcists and the leader of the Hikage Clan, known to members of the Association as Dark Ninjas.
The bond between and dates back five years.
was ordered to head to a stronghold of the Shadow Council to assist the Hikage Clan in eliminating the threat posed by the council. Upon arriving at the scene, witnessed the aftermath of a fierce battle: aside from the unconscious , all the other Hikage Clan members who participated in the operation had perished.
brought and an eerie longsword emitting purple light back to headquarters.
Shortly after, received new instructions: had sealed the Serpent King within himself, and from now on, would partner with , prepared to lay him to rest when necessary…
From then on, the two began to work together, undertaking numerous life-and-death missions.
At first, maintained a cynical attitude, keeping his distance from his partner who was fated to die by his hand.
seemed cold and calculated, which silently appreciated. However, as they fought together time and time again, realized that wasn't emotionless—he was a devoted ninja who, though quiet, was willing to trust his partner with his back.
This trust made waver; he could feel his own heart dangerously melting, but he was powerless to stop friendship from gradually blossoming within his broken heart.
began to rationalize to himself: maybe would never lose control? Perhaps he had found a way to suppress the Serpent King?
But with each relentless battle, eventually noticed a hint of change in —a sign of impending demonization that made his heart sink.
At this moment, and received new orders: find the strongest renegade exorcist—Qi.
On a rainy night by the seaside, , who was walking ahead, suddenly stopped. In a voice only the two of them could hear, he whispered, "I want to go home, to see something..."
looked at , whose face bore a sense of relief as he gazed at the distant horizon.
"Alone." He added, as he walked towards the coast on his own…
's customary smile faded, replaced by worry and reluctance in his eyes.
After a brief pause, resumed his usual carefree demeanor, his mind made up.
"I'll wait for you to come back, partner."
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