Where to Go

All night long, Yomotsu Hirasaka had been immersed in the clash born of that contest of wills.

The sky spun, and sun and moon lost their light.

On the unimaginably distant snowfield, Heaven Collapse and Earth Shatter had long since begun.

The Wild Samurai and the Broken Vow Monk.

They laughed heartily, immersed in bloodshed and battle, praying devoutly and giving thanks for their encounter and for such a glorious fight.

A clear fist mark appeared on the Sword Saint's gaunt face.

Old Man Luo's shell, meanwhile, was crisscrossed with sword marks like a net.

Once, then again, then once more...

Countless times.

They closed their eyes and imagined the beauty of their first meeting.

Smiling.

Until the dawn sunlight fell.

The burly old man glanced back at the opponent beside him. "Satisfied, Kamiizumi?"

The old man let out a shrill laugh, wiping the drool from the corner of his mouth. Terrifying fire gleamed in his eyes, brilliantly bright.

"One more time?" he asked. "I want to do it one more time."

"Forget it. I'm afraid I won't be able to stop myself from actually beating you to death..."

"Ha, as if you could!"

The Sword Saint laughed. "I haven't lost yet!"

I'm not dead yet.

"You're just being a sore loser. I'm not playing with you anymore." Old Man Luo said disdainfully. "You can't handle losing."

"But we could keep playing forever."

"But there's no meaning in it." Old Man Luo said. "No matter how much more growth and joy we gain, it will only add to the pain and sorrow of death. You should learn when to stop."

"Then, one last time?"

"One last time."

The two old men smiled, gazing at the dawn rising on the distant horizon.

This was their final game.

When the morning dew