《A WORLD CONSUMED BY SLAVES》 Idol to sloth One day, a woman named Lotus Lightwing gave birth. The doctor, holding the newborn, announced, "It''s a boy, Miss Lotus." Lotus smiled softly. and said, "He''s beautiful," Lotus said. "I think I''m going to name him¡ª" Before she could finish, A purple flash caught her attention. Horror spread across her face. "His alignment is Kage," she whispered, trembling. In a panic, Lotus screamed and threw her son to the floor. The baby started to cry as his father, Aster Lightwing, burst into the room. "What''s happening? Why is our son on the floor?" Aster demanded. "His... his alignment is Kage," Lotus stammered, fear evident in her voice. Aster''s face twisted in shock. "What? How? No one can know about this." Desperate, Aster grabbed the boy and took him to a dungeon, intent on killing him. He tried stabbing him, but the dagger broke. He tried drowning him, but the tank shattered. He tried shooting him in the head, but the bullet turned to dust upon impact. Finally, defeated, Aster abandoned the child in the forest, hoping he would die. Miraculously, a young boy named Imo and his mother Kunimutsu found the baby crying in the bushes. "Mom, look! It''s a baby," Imo exclaimed. "Oh my God, why would someone leave a baby here?" Kunimutsu wondered aloud. "Should we take him home?" Imo asked. "Yes, we will," Kunimutsu decided, picking up the baby and taking him to their kingdom. The kingdom''s people raised the boy, whom they named Zenji. The soft glow of morning light filtered through the wooden slats of their modest home, casting a warm, golden hue across the floor. Kunimutsu sat beside Zenji, her voice gentle but firm as she guided his hand over the parchment. ¡°Like this, Zenji,¡± she murmured, her fingers hovering just above his. ¡°Each stroke must have intention, just as each word must carry meaning.¡± Zenji¡¯s brow furrowed in concentration as he carefully formed the characters, the ink glistening as it bled into the rice paper. He glanced up at Kunimitsu, her serene face bathed in the amber light, and a faint smile tugged at the corner of her lips. She nodded in approval, and Zenji¡¯s heart swelled with pride. Later, the rhythmic sound of children¡¯s laughter filtered through the walls of his room. Imo¡¯s voice, bold and unrelenting, cut through the gentle hum of the day. "Zenji! Come out already, you hermit!" Imo shouted, his tone playful but insistent. The door to his room creaked open, and Zenji hesitated on the threshold, uncertain. Before he could retreat, Imo¡¯s hand grasped his wrist, pulling him into the sunlight. ¡°You can¡¯t hide forever. Come play with us!¡± Zenji stumbled out into the yard, where the other children giggled and cheered, kites soaring high in the air, their tails catching the wind. Kunimitsu moved through the busy market, her eyes catching the sight of a large, blonde woman working the dough with expert hands. The woman¡¯s face was flushed, her ample frame shaking slightly as she kneaded the dough. She smiled broadly as Kunimitsu handed over the coins, passing her three steaming buns, their golden crusts soft and warm to the touch. The sweet aroma of red bean paste filled the air as Kunimitsu quickly made her way back, knowing her sons, Imo and Zenji, would be waiting eagerly for the treat. In the open courtyard, Imo and Zenji stood facing each other, their bodies tense, poised for action. Both were drenched in sweat, their muscles rippling as they moved in perfect sync. The man watching them, his black hair falling into his sharp blue eyes, shouted commands as the brothers traded blows. Imo was quick and precise, his lean body darting around Zenji¡¯s more powerful strikes. Zenji, though heavier and stronger, countered with well-placed punches, the sounds of their bare fists colliding with flesh echoing in the training ground. Despite the intensity of the sparring, there was a clear bond between them, pushing each other harder but always with a sense of brotherhood. Later, the village erupted in cheers as the warriors returned from battle. The men were weary, their faces streaked with dirt, their bodies marked with fresh bruises and cuts. Also, Zenji and Imo would study science such as biology, chemistry, Physics and Natural science even tho Imo hated it, Zenji loved and enjoyed learning about science. On quieter days, Imo and Zenji joined the village children in games of hide and seek. Their laughter filled the air as they ran through the trees and around old buildings, ducking behind walls and corners. Imo, always quick on his feet, would hide alongside Zenji, their bond evident even in the playful way they teamed up to outsmart the other children. Zenji would press a finger to his lips, and Imo would stifle his laughter, the two of them waiting in silence, enjoying the game as only brothers could. At night, the two brothers would fall asleep side by side, sharing a small bed in their humble home. Imo''s arm would naturally fall over Zenji¡¯s shoulders, a protective gesture that never changed, no matter how old they grew. 12 years later Imo ( 17 years old) Zenji ( 12 years old) Imo was deep in training, his breath steady, muscles taut with focus, when a man with a bald head and a long, flowing beard burst into the courtyard, clad in battle-worn armour. His voice boomed through the air, thick with urgency. "We''re under attack!" Before Imo could fully grasp the words, a sharp whistle cut through the air-an arrow pierced the man''s skull, his body dropping instantly. The world seemed to slow as chaos erupted around Imo. A flood of monsters surged into the kingdom, their fangs dripping as they tore through the crowd. Screams filled the air as blood stained the stone streets. Imo''s heart pounded in his chest as he watched a plump, blonde woman beheaded with a swift swing from a bite, her lifeless body collapsing to the ground. He turned, tears streaming silently down his face as he fled. His mind barely registered. The black-haired man with blue eyes got his side chomped out, killing him. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Children shrieked, some devoured with brutal efficiency, others got their ate, where they stood. Imo forced himself to run, to not look back. He reached home, chest heaving as he slammed the door shut behind him, locking it with trembling hands. Kunimitsu, his mother, rushed down the stairs, her face pale but determined. "Good, you''re here," she said, her voice sharp. "Take your brother. Go to the basement. Hide!" Her voice cracked with urgency, but she tried to smile. "Don''t worry. I''ll be fine. Go, now!" Imo hesitated, but only for a second. He sprinted up the stairs to Zenji''s room, finding his younger brother unconscious, sprawled on the bed. Scooping Zenji up in his arms, Imo''s legs shook beneath the weight, but adrenaline pushed him forward. As he made his way down the stairs, a piercing scream echoed through the house. His mother. Imo froze, gripping Zenji tighter. "Mother, no!" he whispered, his voice breaking as tears blurred his vision. He stumbled to the basement door, shoving it open, and hurriedly placed Zenji down, hiding him beneath a pile of old boxes and tattered sheets. Imo crouched in the corner, barely daring to breathe. He clamped a hand over his mouth, his heart thudding wildly in his chest. The sound of the monster feet of the floor coming closer. The sound of objects smashing followed as a monster searched, his fury evident with every crash. Imo''s entire body trembled as the steps grew closer. The monster kicked through debris, overturning crates, until finally, He found him. Imo barely had time to react. The monster used its fangs to rip imo''s throat out. a searing pain flooding his senses as he crumpled to the ground, blood pouring from his mouth. His vision blurred, his strength fading. With his last breath, he whispered, "God... please protect Zenji..." Everything went black. Moments later, Zenji stirred beneath the sheets. Slowly, his eyes fluttered open, his mind foggy and disoriented. As he sat up, his gaze fell upon Imo''s lifeless body, blood pooling around him. A gasp escaped his lips before it turned into a choked sob. Zenji scrambled to his feet, stumbling out of the basement. He froze at the sight of Kunimitsu''s body, her form twisted unnaturally on the floor. The sight was too much-his cries grew louder and desperate. Zenji ran outside, but what awaited him was no better. The streets were littered with bodies and monsters laughing. Everyone was dead. He fell to his knees, wailing, his voice cracking through the stillness of death. A monster screamed, causing the army of monsters to rush toward Zenji, their faces twisted into demon-like smiles, their eyes gleaming with mischief in the evening light. Just as a monster''s claw¡¯s neared Zenji¡¯s left eye, the sound of a body exploding echoed through the air. His lifeless body hit the ground, its head reduced to nothing. Another monster screamed. Suddenly, an undead ice crow, its decaying feathers hanging in ragged clumps, with glowing hollow eyes and jagged talons, flapped its bony wings and landed on his face. The moment it touched him, the crow exploded, covering his face and it froze. His skin froze as he screamed in agony. The other monster screamed violently But before he could act, another crow exploded on his face, reducing him to a headless corpse. The remaining monster scrambled to attack, but a murder of undead crows descended upon them, landing on their faces. Panic ensued. Some tried desperately to pry the crows off with their hands, others flailed and accidentally stabbed their comrades. One even tried to stab the crow on his face but ended up killing himself in the struggle. Zenji¡¯s eyes drifted back to Kunimitsu''s body. In her cold, stiff hands, he saw a purple cloth. The memory surged forward in his mind: Kunimitsu had once placed a purple robe in a drawer, telling them that if the kingdom were to fall, the last survivors must wear it to honour the fallen. Imo''s voice echoed in Zenji''s head from years before. "We don''t need to worry about that, right Zenji?" With trembling hands, Zenji approached his mother''s body. He knelt beside her and gently took the ribbon from her grasp. Tears slid down his face as he held it close. When he wrapped the ribbon around the head, All the crow¡¯s exploded all at once causing the monster¡¯s to fall to the ground with their head frozen and scattered as it hit the ground. Without looking back, Zenji wandered away from the kingdom aimlessly. After Walking for what felt like hours through the dense woods, his legs finally gave out. Collapsing into the undergrowth, his body too weak to carry on, darkness began to close in around him. Just before he lost consciousness, a shadowy figure emerged from the trees, silent and watching. Hands lifted Zenji from the ground and carried him away. Zenji''s eyes slowly fluttered open, his vision adjusting to the dim light of the room. His body ached, but he had long grown accustomed to the pain. A woman¡¯s voice echoed from the shadows. Woman: "You¡¯re awake. About time." She stepped out from the darkness and into the soft glow of the flickering lamp. Her expression was cold, her eyes calculating. Woman: "Let¡¯s get to the point. You¡¯re now a slave soldier. You¡¯ll train, kill, and do whatever I command. And if you say anything other than ''Yes, ma''am,'' I¡¯ll have you executed. Do you understand?" Zenji''s gaze hardened, but he nodded, his voice flat but resolute. Zenji: "Yes, ma¡¯am." The woman smirked, satisfied with his obedience. She turned and walked toward the door, the sound of her boots clicking sharply on the floor. With a final glance over her shoulder, she shut the door behind her, leaving Zenji in silence. The days that followed were pure hell. Zenji was pushed to his limits¡ªphysically, mentally, and emotionally. He trained relentlessly, pounding his fists into blocks of iron until his skin split and his bones ached. No matter how much his hands bled, there was no reprieve. He was forced to run through freezing temperatures, his body numb from the cold and lacking any clothing. Straps of rope bound his wrists as he was struck with wooden mallets, again and again. He fought in brutal, no-holds-barred battles, returning to his cell each night covered in fresh scars, his body a map of every wound. He was beaten by other slaves, starved for days on end, and still, he survived. 7 years later, everything changed. A slave attempted to attack Zenji, but zenji stood with glowing purple eyes, Smiling. Zenji ( 19 years old) The slave, recognizing his new look, froze in terror. They tried to flee, but Zenji reached out with a hand. The slave''s body disassembled into fragments, his form dissolving before their eyes. Zenji¡¯s laugh echoed through the room, chilling and unnatural. A flashback washed over him, and Zenji found himself standing before a tall figure in the dreamscape¡ªa man whose presence felt ancient and overwhelming. The man¡¯s voice was deep, resonating with power. Man: "I am Ats¡¯loot. I have seen your pain, all that you have lost. I offer you my power of psychokinesis. Use it to achieve your goals. But know this¡ªonce you receive this power, you will be bestowed with the curse of the jesting and The idol of sloth." The figure turned to dust, and the particles swirled around Zenji¡¯s body, merging with him. Zenji awoke with a sharp breath, his body tense. He stared at his reflection from a piece of metal on the ground. A smile stretched across his face, unnatural and permanent. No matter how hard he tried to stop it, his lips wouldn¡¯t obey. He whispered the word "bend" under his breath, and the metal bent, as if his mere command held dominion over reality itself. Zenji: "So... these are my new abilities." He grinned wider. "I can''t wait to make everyone pay tomorrow." Elsewhere, a man with the ears of a wolf entered the woman¡¯s chambers. His eyes scan the room with a calculating gaze. He was here to buy a slave. Woman: "This is Taro. One of my strongest slaves." The man gave a dismissive wave, his expression unchanging. Man: "No. He¡¯s not what I¡¯m looking for." Suddenly, a loud scream echoed from one of the rooms. Taro, the woman, and the man rushed toward the sound. Taro kicked open the door, revealing Zenji standing in the centre of the room, surrounded by disassembled bodies. The sight was horrifying. The woman, her face pale. The woman barked an order. Woman: "Taro, kill him!" But the man raised his hand to stop Taro. He stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. Man: "I want that one." The woman frowned, uncertainty flickering in her eyes. Woman: "Are you sure? You want him?" The man nodded, unfazed. Man: "Yes." He walked toward Zenji, his gaze locking with the slave¡¯s unblinking eyes. Man: "You. What is your name?" Zenji stood still for a moment, the smile never leaving his face. Then, he answered. Zenji: "My name is Kunimitsu Zenjimo." The man paused, a slight smile crossing his face. Man: "What a nice name. My name is Polo." He gave a short nod, as though that explained everything. "I¡¯m going to buy you. Are you ready to leave?" Zenji: "Yes." Polo and Zenji left the woman¡¯s lair, stepping out into the cold night. Outside, a car awaited them. Polo climbed aboard, and Zenji followed, his new form gleaming in the dim light. The woman watched them from the doorway, her face filled with anger due Zenji killing all of her slaves as they departed. The doors close behind them, and carry Zenji toward an uncertain future. Baptism by Kage and Kami Zenji and Polo arrive at the city of Sengakuren, home to the Yokai Exorcist Association. Zenji, cursed to always smile due to his Kage alignment, learns from Polo about the existence of kami ¡ª people with divine blessings tied to their alignment. The Kage alignment is feared as a bringer of chaos, but Polo reveals they once had a kind Kage-aligned member, challenging the stigma. Zenji¡¯s powers likely awakened after losing his brother, Tsuya, and he demonstrates his ability by manipulating paper. Polo reveals the Tava Retzon Crown, a fragmented, wish-granting artifact held by yokai. When asked about his true desire, Zenji confesses he wants to bring his family back. If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. During his entrance test, Zenji fights a brutal yokai in a desert-like testing ground. Despite exhaustion, he defeats the yokai, his permanent smile unsettling even in victory. Polo then declares that Zenji must lose body parts as a rite of passage, viciously incapacitating him. Zenji later wakes up with his body regenerated and enhanced into a living weapon, complete with bizarre modifications, marking his irreversible step into the exorcist world. The Yoke of First Travail Polo: Welcome to the Yokai Exorcist Organization, Psychic Exorcist Zenjimo. Zenji¡¯s smile didn¡¯t waver, but something about it seemed off¡ªjust a little too effortless, like it was resting on his face rather than being worn. His posture was loose, shoulders slightly slouched, as if he hadn''t fully woken up yet. Zenji: Mmm¡­ Psychic Exorcist? Sounds like a lot of responsibility. (He let out a soft yawn, stretching his arms lazily.) Are you sure you got the right guy? Polo: Psychics are one of the seven exorcist classes. Let me break it down for you¡­ Monks? Oh-ho-ho! These guys are absolute beasts! Strongest in close combat, no doubt! They hit like oni on a sugar rush, move like a blur, and¡ªget this¡ªthey can shatter boulders and leap rooftops like it¡¯s a morning jog! Talk about pumped up! Priests? Boom! Masters of long-range devastation! You think you¡¯re safe ¡®cause you¡¯re far away? Ha! Not with these guys around! They summon massive waves of energy and wipe out enemies like an unstoppable storm! KABOOM! Nuns? Now these ones keep you on your toes! You never know what they¡¯ll pull off next! It¡¯s like, one second they¡¯re all quiet and sneaky, and the next¡ªBAM!¡ªyou¡¯re toast! Witch Doctors? Oh, these guys are wild. They¡¯ll either save your life or ruin it! Got a life-threatening wound? They¡¯ll patch you up in no time. But tick ¡®em off? Ooooh boy, you¡¯re getting hit with some nasty curses! Shamans? They don¡¯t even gotta fight themselves! They just summon a bunch of crazy creatures to do the work for ¡®em! It¡¯s like having your own personal army of spirit beasts¡ªnow that¡¯s style! Psychics? Whoa-ho, these guys are scary! They don¡¯t even lift a finger and BAM! Your skull¡¯s crushed, your mind¡¯s controlled, or you¡¯re stuck in some creepy illusion! That¡¯s next-level power, right there! Geomancers? Rock-solid, unshakable, and just cool. They shape stone, metal, and wood into anything¡ªfortresses, weapons, you name it! You need a wall? BOOM, instant fortress! Need a club? BAM, stone hammer! Talk about unbreakable! Polo handed Zenji a black-and-white scroll. Zenji took it with one hand, his grip light, almost lazy, and unrolled it with slow, deliberate movements. His eyes skimmed over the text, lingering just long enough to give the impression he was absorbing the information¡ªwhether he actually was or not was another question Zenji: (Soft chuckle, handing the scroll back.) Alright, alright. I get it now. Polo: Good. With that out of the way, it¡¯s time for your first official mission. Zenji rolled his shoulders back, cracking his neck. His expression remained easygoing, but his fingers tapped rhythmically against his leg, a tiny tell of lingering exhaustion. Zenji: Heh¡­ First mission, huh? (Pauses, tilting his head slightly.) Sounds like work. But sure, why not? Polo: (Dryly) Kid, the second you killed that yokai, you were already in. You¡¯ve been unconscious for three days. Zenji¡¯s head tilted back just a fraction, as if that information was mildly inconvenient rather than shocking. His smile didn¡¯t fade, but there was a small hitch in his breathing¡ªjust a beat too long before he exhaled. Zenji: Three days? (Yawns, rubbing the back of his neck.) Tch¡­ Feels like I haven¡¯t slept at all. Polo: (Ignoring him) Anyway, your transport¡¯s here. A massive white tiger sprinted toward them, stopping just inches away. Zenji watched it approach with an almost lazy fascination, his hands slipping into his sleeves. Zenji: (Nods approvingly.) Oh? A tiger? Now that¡¯s something. Zenji moved without hesitation, climbing onto the tiger¡¯s back like he was settling into an old habit. He adjusted his position, resting comfortably as if he had all the time in the world. Zenji: (Clicking his tongue.) Alright, big guy. Let¡¯s roll. The tiger didn¡¯t move. Polo: (Deadpan) ¡­Do you even know where you¡¯re supposed to go? Zenji¡¯s fingers drummed lightly against the tiger¡¯s fur. There was no shift in his expression¡ªhis smile remained steady¡ªbut the pause before he spoke was just long enough to betray him. Zenji: Mmm¡­ Yeah, no. Haven¡¯t thought that far ahead. If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. Polo: That¡¯s not how this transport works. Zenji exhaled through his nose, tilting his head back toward the sky. His relaxed demeanor didn¡¯t change, but the sigh was just a little too deep, like someone resigning themselves to an inevitable nuisance. Zenji: Figures. So how do I¡ª ¡ª Smash cut to Polo shoving Zenji into the tiger¡¯s mouth. ¡ª Zenji barely had time to react before the tiger¡¯s jaws clamped down around him. His limbs flailed lazily, as if he wasn¡¯t sure whether to fight back or just accept it. Zenji: DOGGYSTYLE?! Tch¡­ You¡¯re a real piece of work, Polo. The tiger vanished in a flash of light.
Arrival in the Village Zenji reappeared in a destroyed village¡ªspit out onto the ground. He stayed there for a moment, flat on his back, staring up at the sky. He didn¡¯t move right away. Not out of shock, but out of something quieter¡ªsomething closer to sheer exhaustion. A damp scroll landed beside him with a wet plop. Zenji let out a long sigh before lazily rolling onto his side and grabbing it. He didn¡¯t rush, didn¡¯t react. Just moved at his own pace, like someone who had long since decided that struggling wasn¡¯t worth the effort. His eyes skimmed the text, his thumb absently rubbing the edge of the paper.
Letter: Dear Zenjimo, For the mission, you are required to find the yokai that destroyed this village, given 10,000 yen, and your partner is waiting for you at the Aqua Scale Ryokan, Room 13. Note: The name of the ryokan is on the top. Hard to miss. Double Note: I¡¯m not your baby daddy, so you will be paying me back.
Zenji smirked¡ªa small, amused twitch of his lips rather than a full reaction. He shook his head once, slow and deliberate. Zenji: (Muttering) Hah¡­ He¡¯ll get it back¡­ when I reincarnate. Pushing himself off the ground, he moved at an unhurried pace, dusting himself off as he wandered through the village. Even as he walked, there was something unhurried, almost weightless about his movements¡ªlike a man who could fall asleep mid-step if given the chance. Eventually, he spotted a massive building with a sign that read Aqua Scale. Zenji: (Yawns, stretching as he walks.) Mmm¡­ So this is the place. He stepped inside, muttering to himself. Zenji: Why do I feel like I¡¯m about to regret this? At the counter, he spotted a Register Book, the words practically staring back at him, demanding effort. Zenji dragged his feet slightly as he walked over, flipping it open with a lazily flicked wrist. He started filling it out¡ª ¡ªuntil a giant, skinny gray hand with long black nails shot out from the pages. Zenji didn¡¯t jump. Didn¡¯t panic. He just stared, head tilting slightly, as if debating whether or not this was even worth reacting to. Zenji: (Exhales slowly.) Hah¡­ What the hell. The hand opened up toward Zenji, and a voice echoed. Hand: "Are you acquainted with the person in that room?" Zenji: "Yeah." Hand: "That¡¯ll cost 1000 yen." Zenji lazily handed over the money, and once the hand collected it, it reentered the book. A few moments later, it emerged again, holding a card with ¡°Room 13¡± written on it. Zenji took the card, stifling a yawn as he turned away. Zenji (thinking): What would¡¯ve happened if I hadn¡¯t paid? As if to answer his question, a loud scream rang out from the direction of the room. Zenji casually started whistling, unfazed, and walked away. He wandered through the building, searching for the door with ¡°Room 13¡± etched into a golden plaques. When he finally found it, he grinned lazily. Zenji: "Ah, here it is." He knocked on the door. A moment later, it opened, revealing his partner. Partner: "Are you Kunimitsu Zenjimo?" Zenji: "Yeah, and you are?" Partner: "I¡¯m Yuitomo." Yuitomo: "So, you''re the newbie they sent to deal with yokai." Zenji: "Yep." Yuitomo: Hmm. "Come in." Yuitomo: "Sit wherever you like." Zenji flopped into the chair, stretching out his legs. Yuitomo: "So, Zenjimo, have you ever fought any yokai before your entrance test?" Zenji: "Nah, first time was the test." Yuitomo: "How was your fight with your entrance yokai?" Zenji: "It was... alright. Not too hard, not too easy. It slammed me around a bit, but I won." Yuitomo: "Ever fought before that?" Zenji: "Started training when I was 9." Yuitomo: "What¡¯s your ability?" Zenji: Yawning. "That Ats¡¯loot guy said I¡¯ve got psychokinesis... with a sloth idol. And ever since, I can''t stop smiling." Yuitomo: Raises an eyebrow. "Never heard of that before. How does your psychokinesis work?" Zenji: "I usually use words to control it. It''s like... when I say something, it happens. But when I fought the yokai for the test, I didn¡¯t even have to say anything." Yuitomo: "Why not?" Zenji: "Just felt like it''d be more effective, you know?" Yuitomo: "I see... Well, I¡¯ve been told you can shape your ability the way you want." Zenji: "Really? That¡¯s good to know." Yuitomo: "That¡¯s all I needed to know. And listen, Zenjimo, be careful. This yokai is a big one." Zenji: "Yeah, yeah. I¡¯ll be fine." Yuitomo: "We¡¯ll head out tonight to find it, so get some rest." Zenji: "Sure thing... If you need me, don''t bother." Zenji closed his eyes, and within moments, he was asleep.
Later, at midnight... Zenji and Yuitomo walked through the quiet village, searching for the yokai. Zenji: "Yuitomo." Yuitomo: "What is it, Zenji?" Zenji: "Don¡¯t you think it¡¯s weird that all the buildings in this village are destroyed, but the ryokan and the building next to it are the most wrecked?" Yuitomo: "You¡¯re right. That must mean¡ª" A loud stomp shook the ground behind them. They turned around, only to see the Aqua Scale Ryokan, now towering over them, with giant, elephant-like feet stomping toward them.