My Right Hand Was Throbbing, So It Couldn’t Be Helped

I let out a long yawn as I watched the morning sun glint off the black lacquer of the luxury carriage. The windows were obscured by thick curtains, so I couldn’t see inside, but I assumed my sister and her vampire friend were having some sort of private farewell party.

The crisp autumn air felt incredible.

A lot had happened, but the "True Progenitor Vampire Event" was finally over. I’d run into some unexpected trouble along the way that made things difficult, but I’d managed to pull off a recovery in the end. All’s well that ends well, right?

The only problem was that I hadn’t recovered all of my gold coins. At the peak of the haul, I’d been riding high on three thousand gold coins, but after everything that went down, I only managed to walk away with five hundred.

Five hundred gold coins—fifty million Zeny. It wasn't nearly enough to retire on.

Then again, I realized that this was actually plenty for now. The Lawless City wasn't going anywhere, and two of the towers were still standing. If I ever ran low on cash, I could just swing by again.

After all, the Lawless City is basically my personal piggy bank.

A few moments later, the carriage door opened and my sister stepped out.

Now, regarding my sister... things have taken a bit of a turn. To be honest, it’s getting serious. The incident occurred last night at the inn where we were staying.

Apparently, my sister got dragged into the whole vampire event because she was busy looking for me. I figured I should probably apologize just in case, so I went to her room. When I opened the door, I witnessed something I wasn't supposed to see.

I saw a cool-looking magic circle drawn on her right hand, and I caught her right as she was trying to hide it under a layer of bandages.

Then, she’d muttered the words: "My right hand... it throbs... I have a special power..."

I’d quietly closed the door without saying a word.

The magic circle, the bandages, the "special power" monologue—it was the ultimate triple combo.

Yeah, my sister has finally reached that age...

Walking away from the black carriage, she approached me with a somewhat melancholic smile. I did my best to sound like my usual, casual self.

"You all done?"

"Yes. Let's go."

We started walking, side-by-side. Then, out of nowhere...

"Cid..."

She suddenly hugged me from behind.

"...What is it?" I asked.

"It’s nothing... No, it’s not nothing. Actually... the truth is..."

Here it comes!

"There is a special power sleeping within me..."

It was a "Coming-Out Event." I knew I couldn't deny it. If you shut kids down too harshly when they're in this phase, they end up rebelling and turning to a life of crime.

"I know," I said. "I always knew you were special, Sister."

"I knew you'd believe me, Cid..."

She squeezed me a little tighter.

"I have to solve the mystery of this power. I have to find out who he is, and what I’m supposed to accomplish with this strength..."

"Yeah, I’m sure you’ll be fine. No matter what path you choose, I’ll be right there to support you."

"Cid..."

I’m sure she’ll have plenty of hardships to face in the future. She’ll worry, she’ll suffer, and eventually, she’ll have to face reality. But her right hand was throbbing, so there was really no other way. This is just part of growing up.

Whatever path she eventually takes, I intend to respect her choice. After all, the road she’s walking is a road I’ve traveled before.

I felt someone watching us and glanced back. A woman was standing in front of the black carriage, holding a large black parasol. The shade hid her face, but her beautiful crimson hair swayed in the autumn wind.

She gave me a single, graceful bow.

THE SPIRIT FOX, YUKIME

Yukime, the Spirit Fox, was waiting on the top floor of the White Tower. White moonlight poured in from the windows, and candlelight danced across a lavish spread of food laid out on the table.

Then, a dark shadow manifested within the dim light.

"So, you have come..."

Before anyone could register his presence, Shadow was standing before the sliding doors, draped in his jet-black longcoat.

"Lord Shadow, I have been expecting you."

Two beautiful women in revealing kimonos stepped forward to escort him. Shadow took a seat across from Yukime.

"Your business...?"

His voice sounded as if it were echoing from the depths of the abyss.

"I am truly in your debt for the other day. I only keep my life thanks to you, Lord Shadow."

Yukime bowed deeply. As she did, her ample chest—exposed by the daring cut of her kimono—swayed.

"Would you care for a reward? Natsu, Kana."

She gave an enchanting smile. The two beauties, Natsu and Kana, pulled open their kimonos and began to approach him.

"I believe I told you," Shadow said. "I had no intention of saving you."

"Do you dislike this sort of thing? How disappointing. Perhaps we should wait until we have become... closer."

At a signal from Yukime, the two girls left the room. Yukime snuggled up right next to Shadow and poured him a drink.

"This is the highest-grade Japanese sake."

Shadow didn't move a muscle.

"I told you to state your business."

"I simply wish to become intimate with you, Lord Shadow..." she whispered into his ear with a small giggle. "But I suppose intimacy takes time. In the meantime, I have brought you a tasty bit of information by way of a thank you."

Yukime pressed her chest against him as she continued.

"Are you familiar with the Mitsugoshi Company Encirclement? Several companies have panicked over Mitsugoshi’s rapid growth and joined hands to crush them. On the surface, I run a perfectly legitimate company of my own. It’s quite... large."

She let the double meaning linger with a sultry smile.

"Whether the Mitsugoshi Company or the Commerce Alliance wins, it will be the decisive battle for the future of trade in this land. For now, I have sided with the Alliance, but I don't intend for either of them to be the victor."

Yukime leaned in until her lips were practically brushing Shadow’s ear.

"The winners will be you and I, Lord Shadow. Let’s join forces and snatch the prize for ourselves."

She let out a soft breath and rested her head on his shoulder.

"Lord Shadow... why don’t you and I create a great organization in the shadows to rule the world of commerce?"

Shadow, who hadn't moved an inch throughout all of Yukime’s seduction, felt his ear twitch at that very moment.