The Demon Within

The scorching sun hung high in the sky as Luo Ya practiced his swordsmanship in an open field, his straight long blade slicing through the air with a rhythmic swish.

At twenty-three years old, Luo Ya looked nothing like a native of this pirate world; standing at just over one meter seventy, he appeared exceptionally short in a world where people easily towered over two meters.

Luo Ya was deep in his practice when he heard Maynard calling him, so he sheathed his blade at his lower back, grabbed his clothes, and walked toward the man.

"Kid, you're in luck. Your first mission is a big one; the client is paying five million Berries," Maynard said, puffing on a cigarette and patting Luo Ya on the shoulder.

"Is the target some big shot? A high-ranking member of the mafia?" Luo Ya asked while wiping away sweat.

"No, it's a noble on Setting Sun Island. He's just a noble from a small country, but he likes to act like those damn Celestial Dragons, abusing the island's commoners whenever he feels like it."

"Is he strong? Does he have many bodyguards?" Luo Ya asked, puzzled.

"No, no, no. The target's name is Pingqi Ichiro. He's just an ordinary person, and because he's too stingy, he doesn't have any experts guarding him. The reason the client is paying such a high price this time is that the target isn't just him—it's everyone in that manor." Maynard finished speaking and tossed a stack of paper files to Luo Ya.

"The merchant ship to Setting Sun Island leaves tomorrow. Take your time reading, kid." With that, Maynard tossed Luo Ya a long blade, over a meter in length, with a scabbard and hilt decorated in black and red cloud patterns.

Luo Ya caught the long blade, and with a clink, the unsheathed edge shone with a chilling light.

"One of the 21 Great Grade Swords, Scorching Cloud. Ordinary blades can't withstand your high-temperature flames. This sword's hardness and sharpness increase as the temperature rises; only in your hands can its true power be unleashed. Don't go dying on me, kid." Maynard turned and walked away after saying this.

After finishing his meal, Luo Ya lay on his bed, unable to sleep, and studied the Scorching Cloud he had received. Just as Maynard had said, the higher the temperature, the sturdier and sharper the blade became. It was simple and brutal, though he wondered how it would feel to actually cut someone down with it.

He spent the time looking over the target's information, waiting for the next day to board the ship and head toward the small island.

Three days later, at the docks of Setting Sun Island, Luo Ya finally arrived at his destination. He couldn't help but lament how much the anime had romanticized things; real sailing was far more boring than what was shown on screen. Fortunately, he could still train to pass the time. This was only a short three-day trip; he couldn't imagine how long it would take to reach more distant islands.

After going ashore, Luo Ya casually asked a passerby for the target's address. It was the most conspicuous manor in the center of the island. There were no other commoners nearby because Pingqi Ichiro believed that being too close to such "lowly people" would pollute the air he breathed, so he had driven all the nearby civilians away.

"Heh, this mission really doesn't require much skill." Luo Ya swallowed the last of his octopus balls and prepared to find an inn to rest and recharge.

At four in the morning—the time when, according to the novels Luo Ya read in his past life, people were in their deepest sleep.

As soon as Luo Ya reached the manor gate, two tall guards shouted, "Halt! Who goes there?"

"The man who's come for your life!" Luo Ya roared with excitement.

He immediately drew Scorching Cloud and charged at the two guards.

Before the two guards at the gate could even react, they were sliced in half at the waist. A grim fact: people who have just been bisected do not die immediately.

They let out blood-curdling wails! The guards inside the manor heard the noise and rushed over, only to break into a cold sweat upon seeing their four severed, wailing companions on the ground.

The looks they cast at Luo Ya were filled with terror and hatred.

Although Luo Ya had never even killed a chicken in his previous life, whether it was due to his transmigration or the nature of his Zanpakuto, he felt no discomfort at his first kill—in fact, he felt even more excited.

Perhaps there is a demon in everyone's heart; it is only a matter of whether they have the opportunity to unleash it.

A chilling grin spread across Luo Ya's lips as he held his blade in one hand and charged into the crowd.

Support Slash! Several flaming blade auras flashed along with the light of the sword. The group of guards in front of him was physically torn apart.

The blade aura passed through the crowd and struck the manor, igniting a raging fire.

Luo Ya walked into the building, holding his blade in one hand.

"Don't move! Move again and I'll shoot!" The target, Pingqi Ichiro, pointed a flintlock pistol at Luo Ya with trembling hands. Behind him, a little girl and a middle-aged woman stared at Luo Ya with faces full of terror.

"Heh heh heh, I really don't know how to thank you, sir. You're so cooperative that I'm almost embarrassed. To show my gratitude, why don't I let the three of you be buried together?" Luo Ya said, clutching his forehead with a wry smile.

"You lowly, base person! How dare you lay a hand on me? The Navy will be here soon and you're finished! No, I'm going to put a slave collar on you and torture you every day! I'll make you wish you were dead!" Pingqi Ichiro grew more agitated as he spoke, waving his flintlock about wildly.

Seeing this standard Celestial Dragon attitude, Luo Ya couldn't be bothered to waste any more breath on Pingqi Ichiro.

Fire Burning City Walls! Luo Ya swung his blade, unleashing a massive, flaming sword aura. As it flew, the aura scattered, and the giant hand formed by the flames directly engulfed Pingqi Ichiro and his family.

Amidst the screams and the roar of the building exploding and collapsing into flames, Luo Ya exhaled a puff of smoke.

"Phew. Real men never look back at explosions."