After putting on his clothes and lifting the axe from the ground, Tatsuo exited his room. He returned the key to Kazuki and joined others who were waiting for him outside.
Without wasting time, they set off toward their next destination:- Kirishima Village.
As they walked through the sakura forest, the early morning mist clung gently to the delicate pink petals. The cool air carried the faint scent of blossoms and damp earth. After about thirty minutes of walking, the dense sakura forest began to thin out, and the group emerged into a clearing.
They continued down a dirt path, and after walking for another half-hour, a small village appeared on the horizon. Detouring slightly, they entered the village and stopped at a humble restaurant to eat. Kenji paid for everyone's meal.
Once rested and full, they resumed their journey. When they later stopped again to rest and refill their canteens with fresh spring water, Tatsuo turned to Kenji with a question.
"So... what happens if a Fleshbound appears in a village when there are no Fleshcutters?" he asked, curiosity glinting in his eyes.
Kenji replied in a calm, measured voice, "There's always at least one Fleshcutter stationed in every village."
"But Kuruo-san told me that the Regiment can choose whether or not to send Fleshcutters to a village?"
Asami responded this time, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Because he didn't tell you the whole story. It's true that the Regiment decides where active teams are deployed, but by rule, there must always be at least one or two Fleshcutter assigned to each village."
"Then… doesn't that stretch the Regiment's manpower?" Tatsuo asked, tilting his head slightly.
Kenji gave a smirk. "It does, honestly. But the ones stationed in villages permanently aren't always part of the active Fleshcutters and Some are there because they're in the middle of recovery."
Tatsuo furrowed his brows. "What do you mean by, 'not part of the Fleshcutters'?"
"You've met Kazuki-san, right?" Kenji explained, his expression relaxed. "He's working at the Sakura Village branch while recovering from an injury. And when I say 'not part,' I mean they aren't currently part of the active forces. They've stepped back due to injury or other reasons. Even so, they're strong enough to protect the village—at least long enough to hold off or drive back a Fleshbound. You'll learn more about that during training."
Tatsuo nodded slowly, beginning to understand.
Then another question came to him. "I heard Kuruo-san talking about some kind of training... and now you are too. What exactly is this training?"
Kuruo laughed at that, and even Asami chuckled softly beside him.
Kenji began explaining, his voice steady and deliberate. "You'd normally learn about this after applying to become a Fleshcutter, but I'll give you a head start. Before officially joining, every Fleshcutter undergoes a year-long training period. The first month is mostly theory lessons on the Regiment's structure, combat history, and the biology of the Fleshbound."
He paused briefly, then continued.
"After that, the real training begins. Six months of intense physical and combat preparation. Then, a two-month period where you assist the Regiment in various tasks. That helping phase can be done at any time during your training, but it's mandatory. Afterward, there's another two months of advanced training—much harder than before. Finally, you'll spend one month in seclusive training, away from others, to test your resolve."
Tatsuo's eyes widened slightly. "That's… a lot."
Kenji gave a light chuckle. "That's nothing. You'll see once you begin your first month. There's a lot more waiting for you."
After a few minutes of light conversation, they resumed their journey. Hours passed, and by now, the sun had begun its descent, painting the sky in hues of orange and gold.
Subtle fog started creeping across the landscape, curling around their feet and drifting between the trees.
Tatsuo furrowed his brow and asked, "Why is there fog here now?"
Asami responded with a note of pride in her voice. "That's because we're entering the territory of Kirishima Village."
Just then, Kenji called out, "Asami! Take the lead."
"Yes, Leader," she replied promptly.
Asami moved ahead of the group, pulling a torch from her pouch and lighting it with practiced ease. Kenji and Kuruo also ignited their own torches. The three of them formed a line—Asami at the front, then Kenji, followed by Kuruo. Tatsuo walked between Kuruo and Kenji, surrounded by flickering flames.
As they moved deeper into the fog, it thickened, growing heavier and more suffocating until it felt like the very air had turned to mist. Soon, nothing could be seen except the faint glow of the torches, their flames dancing like spirits in the haze.
Tatsuo glanced around in disbelief. "What kind of fog is this? I've never seen anything this dense."
"That was my first impression too," Kuruo replied with a nod. "You get used to it."
"Oh! So you've already been here?" Tatsuo asked.
Before Kuruo could reply, Asami whispered sharply, "Shh... quiet. We're here."
Tatsuo looked ahead and noticed dim lights flickering in the distance. "But… isn't the village still far off?" he asked.
"It sure is," Asami replied, a teasing smile on her face.
"Then why are we stopping?"
She chuckled softly, then bent down and picked up a small rock. "Because of this." With a flick of her wrist, she tossed the rock into the distance.
A moment later, a distinct splash echoed through the mist.
"Huh?! There's water here?" Tatsuo exclaimed.
"That's right," Asami said, clearly enjoying the moment. "Just like its name suggests, Kirishima Village is nestled between waterways and hidden within fog. It's the perfect natural fortress."
Kuruo rolled his eyes. "Oh come on. Just because you're from here doesn't mean you get to brag every time."
"Oh! So Asami-san is from here?" Tatsuo asked.
"That's right, Tatsuo-kun," Kenji answered. "And it looks like our ride is here, too."
A soft, glowing light emerged through the fog, slowly revealing the silhouette of a small boat. As it approached, the shape of the boatman rowing it became clear, his lamp casting golden ripples over the water.
They all boarded the boat silently. As the boatman began to row, the world around them transformed. The water was still, like a polished mirror, and the fog hung like a silken veil. Distant village lights shimmered faintly, their reflections dancing on the surface. The quiet splash of the oars and the occasional whisper of mist brushing past their faces added to the dreamlike atmosphere. Tatsuo felt mesmerized. It was beautiful and hauntingly so.
After several minutes, the boat reached the other side. They stepped off onto solid ground and began walking toward the lights ahead. Soon, a towering gate loomed out of the mist. As they neared, the gate creaked open on its own, revealing the hidden heart of Kirishima Village.
The village beyond the gate was a sight to behold. Lanterns hung from curved wooden posts, casting a warm amber glow over the mist-drenched streets. Narrow canals, lined the walkways, and arched stone bridges crossed over them at regular intervals. Houses were built with elegant sloping roofs and adorned with intricate wooden carvings. The soft sound of flowing water and the gentle hum of life gave the village a serene, almost ethereal quality.
As they made their way toward the Fleshcutters' Branch Office, Tatsuo noticed something different. This time, they weren't being stared at by curious villagers. Instead, many of the people walking the streets wore the distinctive uniform of the Fleshcutters.
When they reached the branch office, the gate guard, dressed in a blue uniform instead of the usual black greeted them with a nod.
'Is the blue uniform for guards?' Tatsuo wondered silently.
They entered the building, and the moment they stepped inside, a young woman sitting at a desk looked up from her writing. Her face lit up with joy.
"Kenji-san, welcome back! Asami-nee-chan, how have you been?"
Asami walked over and gave her a warm hug.
She then turned to Tatsuo and said, "This is my younger sister. Her name is Toyoda Mizuki."
Tatsuo bowed politely. "It's an honor to meet you."
Mizuki-chan returned the bow with a cheerful smile.
Then Mizuki leaned toward Asami and asked in a hushed voice, "Who is he, sister?"
Asami answered with a grin. "This is Tatsuo-kun. He's from Kuroki Village, and he'll be joining the Fleshcutters Regiment this year."
"Oh! That means he's going to be my junior!" Mizuki beamed at Tatsuo.
"Not so fast, sis," Asami said, her voice softening. "If you knew what he's been through, you might not be so quick to celebrate."
Mizuki tilted her head. "Eh? What happened?"
Asami's tone turned somber. "His mother turned into a Fleshbound… a powerful one. And yet, he killed her. Alone. With nothing but an woodcutting axe. Without any proper training."
Mizuki's eyes widened in shock. She looked over at Tatsuo, who was quietly observing the office's surroundings.
"I… I'm so sorry for your loss," she said gently.
Tatsuo nodded silently. Though his heart was a little lighter now—surrounded by naturesy beauty, warmth, and people who accepted him—there was still a part of him that felt hollow. A scar left not healed.
Afterward, they were each assigned a room, where they rested for the night following a warm meal. The quiet of the village, wrapped in mist and moonlight, lulled them into sleep.
The next morning, they all awoke early and gathered outside, ready to depart. Once they crossed the misty waterway and exited the village gates, Asami took the lead, guiding them through the fog-draped forest paths with confident steps.
As they walked, Tatsuo turned to her and asked, "Asami-san, I wanted to ask this yesterday but didn't get the chance. Why were there so many Fleshcutters in your village?"
Asami chuckled proudly. "That's because Kirishima is one of the few villages that specialize in training and producing Fleshcutters. It's all thanks to the natural blessings of the land. From the time we're born, we're trained to sharpen our other senses. Because of the thick fog, our eyesight becomes incredibly precise, and we learn to read movements others wouldn't even notice."
Tatsuo nodded, impressed by both her words and the quiet pride in her voice. "That's amazing…"
As they continued walking, the heavy fog gradually began to thin. Trees, sky, and light returned to clear view, and a fresh breeze brushed against their faces. Once they were out of the forest, Asami came to a stop.
"I'll part ways here," she said with a small smile.
Tatsuo blinked. "You're not coming to the Headquarters?"
Kenji answered for her. "Her home is here. And since the job's been done, even one of us reporting it is enough. There's no need for all of us to go."
"I see..." Tatsuo nodded, then turned toward Asami. "Thank you for everything."
"Good luck, Tatsuo-kun," she replied. "We'll meet again soon."
With that, Tatsuo waved goodbye and continued on with Kenji and Kuruo. The dirt path stretched ahead, warm sunlight now beaming from directly above as the day reached its peak.
After a few more hours of walking, a massive mountain came into view, rising like a sleeping titan against the sky. At its base, nestled in the wide valley, was what looked like a settlement.
As they approached, Tatsuo saw that it wasn't just a cluster of buildings—it was something far grander.
Towering golden gates stood at the mountain's foot. Two guards clad in striking black uniforms—not the blue ones from earlier—stood at attention, opening the massive gates with ceremonial precision as the trio approached.
Tatsuo was momentarily puzzled by the change in uniform of guards, but his attention quickly shifted to what lay beyond.
The Headquarters of the Fleshcutters Regiment wasn't a single structure—it was like an entire complex, more akin to a fortified village than a army camp. Dozens of buildings sprawled across terraced levels built into the mountain's slope. Stone staircases connected training yards, dormitories, administrative halls, and armories. Smoke curled gently from chimneys, while the sounds of metal clashing and shouted orders echoed in the air. Colorful banners fluttered on tall poles, each one bearing the insignia of different ranks and divisions.
"Welcome to the Headquarters of the Fleshcutters Regiment," Kuruo said with a grin. "Get ready to become one of us."
Tatsuo's gaze swept across the scene, his heart pounding. His grip on his axe tightened—not out of fear, but from a surging sense of purpose. His crimson eyes gleamed like lit coals, filled with fiery determination.
He was ready to carve his path.