I chew over her words.
She’s right—it is simple.
No tricks. No strategy. No finesse. Just raw strength and grit.
“That’s really all there is to it?”
“Indeed. You’re not seeking power. You’re atoning for the sin of making me misunderstand. So the price I demand mustn’t be excessive. That wouldn’t be reasonable.”
“Am I allowed to defend myself?”
“No.”
“Then can I dodge?”
“Absolutely not! Take it with your body! Any violation means disqualification!”
She puffs up like a cat who’s had her tail stepped on.
“Meow!”
“It’s okay, Lady Ayano. Leave this to me.”
“Heh heh heh… Then let’s decide who goes first. I’ll toss this axe, and whichever way the handle—”
“Not necessary. You can go first, Axey.”
“...Huh?” She blinks, thrown off. “You sure?”
“I feel bad about the misunderstanding too. Didn’t know magical tools could have this much free will.”
“You think showing magnanimity will make my heart waver?! Hmph! If you believe this will make me reconsider and let you leave, you’re dead wrong!”
“That’s not what I’m aiming for.”
“That axe toss was rigged anyway—the handle always lands pointing at me. I was going first regardless! You didn’t have to yield!”
“Don’t brag about cheating.”
“Fuhaha!” She puffs out her flat little chest like she’s proud of it. “How do you feel right now? Frightened? You powerless, magic-less commoner?”
“Get on with it already. You’re wasting time.”
“Rrgh, you’re irritating at every turn! Fine! Make those your last words as you die spilling your guts!”
The cracks running down the axe regenerate in an instant.
The thick blade gleams as it comes swinging toward my side.
There’s no way that’s a girl’s arm strength. This thing is just wearing a girl’s shape.
The axe hits hard, its edge sinking deep into my internal obliques.
“Heh heh heh, foolish human. Did you think you could endure it? Curses and resentment. Soaked in blood. Growing darker, more twisted with time.
Nine centuries. That’s how long I’ve passed from hand to hand, accumulating power. A magic-less commoner like you could never withstand—”
“That hurts.”
“...Huh?”
She stares, blinking.
Looks at my face. Then down at the axe. Then back again.
She yanks at it with her little hands.
“Ngh, it won’t come out?! What the heck?!”
“Don’t you know? Ikaku’s obliques don’t let go of what they grab.”
“How the heck would I know that?!”
I flick her forehead and shove her back. Grip the axe still lodged in my side and yank it out.
There’s a cut in my abs.
“Correction. You’re a good axe. Cutting this deep while I was flexed...? That’s about two centimeters in. Better than I expected.”
“Ah...”
“Well then, my turn.”
I heft the axe overhead. Take a wide stance. Slam my foot down with Seismic Kick.
The shock rips through my frame, turning my whole body into a spring.
The energy gathers at the axe tip.
Ikaku Style Eightfold Soulfist Secret Technique: Cannon Strike.
Redirecting the output from fist to axe isn’t hard. Chinese martial arts already blends weapons into the system.
My version 2.5 Eightfold Soulfist even integrated firearms. An axe’s just another extension.
“Waaaaah—”
Her lips quiver. Eyes welling up. Knees knocking together.
“W-wait, please wait...!”
“No can do. Rules are rules.”
“Meow!”
I bring the axe down on her head.
Then the world snaps.
Now I’m standing in front of the factory again.
A dead Demon lies nearby. Exorcists cheer in the distance, alive and grateful.
I scan for Lady Ayano. Not here. She’s in the car, peering out from the passenger seat with a confused look.
Judging by her expression, that vision was for me alone.
A whisper cuts in.
I glance at the axe in my hand. It’s darker now. Meaner-looking.
Nine centuries, she said? Looks like time did a number on it.
Hmph! You’ll take responsibility for this!
In the sheen of the blade, I see the girl. Arms crossed and cheeks puffed.
“I’m still at fault? Thought we cleared that up.”
Oh, the way you keep saying things that make my heart waver...!
“I have no such intention.”
A man like you is a first for me. Taking my blade and walking it off...
It can’t be helped, no indeed. I’ll acknowledge it. I’ll grant you my power—
Stop granting me things without asking.
“Hey. I said I don’t want it. You’re gonna demand payment, aren’t you?”
She vanishes from the axe. Silence answers me.
The silent treatment? Fine.
I hurl the axe into the Demon’s corpse. It punches through bone and buries itself deep.
“Take care.”
I turn to leave.
The axe rips itself free and comes flying back.
I snatch it from the air just in time. The blade stops inches from my nose.
Inside the reflection, she’s grinning.
I can’t be discarded. I’ll always come back. I’ll find you wherever you go.
I won’t let you escape anymore...
Great. Just what I needed—a clingy weapon spirit.
***
Three Hours Later
***
I drive to the Akai Gun Shop in Sakura District. The place is back in business.
Western-style architecture straight out of the Meiji era, calm and quiet despite the arsenal inside.
At the counter, a sharp-eyed old German polishes a pistol, monocle gleaming.
“Welcome, Mr. Akamuro.”
“Good day, Wolfgang.” I place my Type 20 rifle and Desert Eagle on the counter. “I want something stronger than these.”
“Not satisfied, I take it.”
“And I’ll need a holster for this.”
I set my new axe on the counter. Black and sinister.
Wolfgang adjusts his monocle and leans in. Handles the weapon with delicate fingers. Examines it like a relic from the underworld.
“Seems you’ve been claimed by a lovely lady.”
The gunsmith carefully places the axe back down and smiles cheerfully.