Chapter 44: JUTSU


    <hr>


    I gasped for air, the vivid and haunting vision of Katorro''s transformation still fresh in my mind. My head spun as I tried to process what I''d seen.


    "You were there when I entered the vessel," I said. "Why didn''t you tell me?"


    The old man turned his sightless eyes toward me, a sad smile on his weathered face.


    "You have seen it, then," he said.


    "Yes."


    "I needed to be sure that you were the one."


    "I don''t understand."


    "Only the chosen vessel would share my vision. You are the one who seeks a champion from another world."


    "Who is she?" I asked. "The vessel I''m in right now."


    "One of our bravest Ninjas," he replied. "And a mother."


    My heart stopped.


    "Don''t tell me—she had a child—" I stammered.


    "Yes. That mission was hers and on behalf of the other families in our village. The Overlord had been kidnapping children for months from across the kingdoms—even the Amazons."


    "Why did you sacrifice yourself? You could have stopped Edric. I''m not strong enough."


    "Did you not see our attempt?" Katorro sighed. "My time was ending. I saw someone who would turn the tide against the Jingozi in you."


    "Me?"


    He nodded slowly.


    "The Jingozi intervened for reasons I do not know, but you are now the only hope," he trailed off, his unseeing eyes clouding.


    "Why was he taking the children?" I asked, dreading the answer.


    "That, I do not know. But it is nothing good."


    "What do I need to do?" I stood up, pacing the small room.


    "Complete your training."


    "How am I supposed to get strong enough to challenge Edric?"


    "We start with this," he replied, opening his hand to reveal a power card, which floated up to my eye level.


    "How''d you do that?"


    "I saw it and took it when we shared visions," he stood with me. "There is more than one way to be your champion."


    I plucked the card out of the air, bracing myself for what always came next.


    Nothing happened except for a notification.


    Death Strike


    <ul>


    <li>


    PVP: Pay 1 Zii to plus +1 attack/risk or defend/reward (maximum +5).


    </li>


    <li>


    PVP: Pay 1 Zii to plus +1 attack/risk or defend/reward (maximum +5).


    </li>


    </ul>


    "We will continue this conversation when it is time," Katorro said. "For now, I must pray."


    * * *


    "He was there, Crag," I said. "Katorro was with my vessel when the Jingozi brought me here. So was the Jingozi that chose my vessel."


    Cragmarr nodded, mulling over my revelation. We were perched atop the ramparts of the Radiant Temple, gazing out at the wooded vista before us. The weather was mild, with a refreshing wind and the smell of pine in the air.


    "Indeed very strange," he said. "The Jingozi are always discreet. They would not reveal their plans in such a manner, especially to a champion. I confess I have not seen such circumstances in half a millennia."


    "Five hundred years? How long have you been doing this?"


    "I am assigned a charge every seventy years. You are my eighth."


    "And what happened to the seven before me?"


    "They all died."


    "What?" I exclaimed. "You better be joking."


    "Unfortunately," he hung his head, "I am not."


    "How could you keep that from me?” I fumed.


    Cragmarr stayed still without a word.


    "I can''t tell you how furious I am, Crag. That you didn’t tell me I’m as good as dead."


    "Em…"


    Before Cragmarr could utter another word, I blinked to the Jingozi arena. Stepping outside my physical form, my gaze fell upon the frozen scene reflected on the obsidian-like floor—the tension between me and Cragmarr, suspended in time.


    My face contorted with anger, fists clenched at my sides, while Cragmarr''s expression was dark with regret and resignation. I seethed, my emotions threatening to unleash words I''d later regret.


    "Is it true?" I asked Alphathir. "Every player before me is dead?"


    "Yes," he replied, "the Golem would not lie to you."This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    "Did you know any of them?"


    "Yes, I knew every intimate detail of them all. But you''re the only one who knows me."


    "What makes me so different?"


    "You were chosen. I have given the Jingozi seven chances. And now they must listen…to you."


    "Listen to what?" I waved my clenched fists into the sky. “Make it make sense!”


    "It''s not meant to make sense. There is a greater story here beyond your understanding."


    "Sounds like a bunch of bullshit to me," I spat. "Give me the truth! Stop gaslighting me!”


    Silence.


    Fuck.


    I blinked back to my conversation with Cragmarr. He caught himself mid-apology as I started walking away.


    "What would you have me do?" Crag called after me.


    "Train, Crag," I said without looking back. "We''re going to train."


    * * *


    For the next three days, I immersed myself in a grueling training regimen that pushed me to my limits. Katorro insisted we return to the foundations of the Ninja way, introducing me to Zii-Jutsu.


    "Zii-Jutsu is the discipline and technique of harnessing your Zii beyond what you believe to be your limitations," he explained. "You rely too heavily on your shurikens and defense-meta. When you know only one way, the enemy will also know the one way to defeat you."


    Sora stood beside him, presenting a sword. It was shorter than the katanas I was used to seeing during my time in Raishoto.


    “The katana is a beautiful weapon, Ember," Sora began. "A weapon of honor, of tradition. But it’s made for open battle, for those who wear the Samurai armor.”


    “And this?” I looked down at the sword


    “A ninjatō—a tool, not a symbol. The katana is long and curved for sweeping strikes, duels, and battlefield combat. But it is cumbersome. It takes longer to draw, longer to cut, and harder to conceal. The shorter and straighter Ninja sword is designed for speed and stealth.”


    She placed the ninjatō in my hands, its weight lighter than I expected.


    “With this,” she continued, “you move faster. You strike before your opponent sees. The straight blade is versatile for climbing, prying, and setting traps. You can carry it unnoticed. It’s made for the shadows, for efficiency. When you’re working from the darkness, you don’t need elegance—you need results.”


    “So, it’s not about tradition. It’s about survival,” I ran my fingers over the blade, feeling the cold steel. "Got it."


    "Good," Katorro grunted in approval. “The Samurai seek glory in battle. A Ninja seeks no glory—only the completion of the mission. We win not by strength but by the way of Zii-Jutsu.”


    I gripped the handle tighter, feeling the blade''s simplicity and practicality. It wasn’t ornate or flashy.


    "But wait," I said. "How am I supposed to hold a sword and use my Jingozi cards?"


    "You have two hands and a mind," Katorro replied. "Learn to use all three."


    * * *


    It didn’t take long to figure out the ninjato was more than just a weapon—it was a tool of distraction and misdirection.


    Sora demonstrated how to keep the blade in my right hand, not for killing blows but for feints, parries, and blocks. Its weight and speed let me keep my opponent’s eyes on the glint of steel.


    We sparred with the Monks. With each movement of my sword, I created small openings—moments to slip a card from my left hand and hurl it before they even realized I was using both weapons. But when they caught on, watching for my cards, I shifted tactics, using them to charge the sword with power instead.


    The fluidity of it—switching between sword and card—became second nature faster than expected. Katorro taught me how to apply the same speed to casting spells. Up to this point, I''d been casting spells manually. But if I focused, my hand would appear in my field of vision—on my interface. From there, I could mentally click to cast any card without relying on physical reaction time.


    "Visualize the cards in your mind and cast them," Katorro had instructed. "Your body will follow."


    I alternated between training sessions with Cragmarr, Sora, and groups of Monks in the temple. Each brought their unique style, forcing me to adapt and improvise. Cragmarr''s sessions were a mix of patience and raw power. The Monks pushed me in different ways, their fluid movements presenting different challenges.


    But at Thunder Temple, I became familiar with Cragmarr and Monks. It was Sora who truly tested my limits. She said nothing during our sessions, her silence more demanding than any shouted order. Every movement, every technique, had to be perfect. When I faltered, she made me pay, punishing every misstep.


    During breaks, I learned the most from watching Sora spar with Cragmarr. Her lithe form danced around the hulking Golem. Her strikes were precise and devastating. Cragmarr, for all his strength and endurance, couldn''t land a single blow. Sora was a force of nature, unstoppable and relentless.


    By the end of the third day, every muscle in my body forbade me from taking one more step. I''d never trained so hard in my life.


    LEVEL UPDATE


    Name: Ember [Doctrine Dealer]


    Tier: II [Bronze] Rank 5


    As I collapsed onto my bed that night, exhausted beyond measure, I couldn''t help but wonder if it would be enough.


    * * *


    I woke to a familiar weight on my chest and something warm and wet on my face. Kitty''s tongue tickled my cheek as she squealed with delight.


    "Kitty?" I couldn''t believe it. "How?"


    "Good morning," Kaito''s voice came from nearby.


    "Kaito?" I blinked, focusing on his grinning face. Without thinking, I reached out and pulled him into a hug. "How''d you get here? And how did Kitty…"


    "Sora brought us through the nexus," he chuckled, returning the embrace. "She used your familiar ring." He pulled back, fishing something from his pocket. "Here," he said, holding out my ring. "Sora said to give it to you when you woke up."


    My hand flew to my finger, finding it bare. I didn''t know how to feel—relief seeing Kitty and Kaito but unease at the thought of Sora taking my ring. I dismissed it as a gesture of goodwill. I slipped it on and scratched Kitty behind her ears.


    "Anybody can use the familiar ring?" I asked.


    "No. The companion must be willing to go with the ring bearer. Kitty is bonded to you, but she knows me and Sora. It wasn''t hard convincing her to come along."


    "Thank you, Kaito. I missed you both."


    "Oh, and don''t forget—you''ve still got that evolution enhancement charge," Kaito added. "Ask Cragmarr about it."


    "Yeah, I''ll save it for now." I hesitated, then asked, "How are you doing, Kaito? You know, since..."


    "Some days are harder than others," his smile faltered momentarily. "But I''ve been keeping busy. Taikumi had me help run the guild back in Raishoto."


    "That''s good," I said, impulsively pulling Kaito into another hug. This time, it lasted longer than I''d intended. I felt his body tense slightly. Realizing the awkwardness of the moment, I pulled away.


    Kaito cleared his throat, a faint blush creeping across his cheeks. He averted his gaze, suddenly finding the floor incredibly interesting.


    "So, uh... breakfast?" he asked, his voice slightly higher than usual. "I''m starving."


    "Yeah, breakfast sounds good." I nodded, feeling my own face heat up.


    * * *


    I followed Kaito to the dining hall, Kitty perched on my shoulder. The aroma of fresh buns and spices met us at the door. Master Xiang, Cragmarr, and Sora were seated at a long wooden table. Katorro never joined us for meals.


    My stomach growled, betraying my hunger, but I wasn''t in the mood to join anybody for a meal. The emotions from earlier were still simmering. Part of me wanted to retreat to my room and process everything alone, but I knew I couldn''t avoid the situation. And Kaito didn''t deserve to bear the brunt of my mood.


    "Good morning," Master Xiang greeted us warmly. "I trust you slept well, Ember?"


    I nodded, sitting beside Cragmarr, avoiding eye contact.


    "Better than I have in a while," I lied.


    Sora cleared her throat as we filled our plates with steaming rice and vegetables.


    "Now that we''re all here," she said, "we should discuss our strategy moving forward."


    "Agreed," Cragmarr nodded. "The Emperor faction believes Ember is dead. We should use that to our advantage."


    They all turned to me. I swallowed a mouthful of rice and a bun. Master Xiang studied me intently.


    "Taikumi wants us to focus on getting you to max level," Kaito broke the silence. "And while we do that, we can gather knowledge of the Emperor faction''s plans."


    "Especially the kidnapped children," Sora added, her face grim.


    I swallowed hard, watching Kitty annoy a trail of ants in the corner.


    "What will you do, Ember?" Master Xiang asked.


    "With you presumed dead," Cragmar turned to me. "Maybe you can—"


    I abruptly jumped to my feet, startling everyone. The hall went silent, waiting for me to say something.


    The doors to the dining hall burst open with a bang. A female monk stumbled in, her robes torn and stained with blood. Her eyes were wide with panic.


    "Master Xiang!" she gasped, struggling to catch her breath. "The mines... all the other monks... captured!"


    "Mei Ling, what happened?" Master Xiang rose to steady her.


    "They came without warning. We were overwhelmed. I... I was the only one who escaped."