On the deserted streets, a few lonely street lamps emitted a dim, yellowish light.
The sky had completely darkened, and the surroundings were eerily quiet, with only the occasional sound of car horns in the distance. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, creating a soft, rustling sound.
In this dark and secluded alley, the eerie atmosphere was at its peak.
Even a mature adult would feel a sense of unease and fear in such a gloomy environment.
"Tap… tap… tap…"
With the sound of steady footsteps echoing in the air, a figure appeared on the dark and secluded street.
It must be said that the courage of the person who could appear here at such a time, walking with such calm steps, was truly admirable.
Looking closer, the initially blurry figure became clearer. If there were others around, they would surely be surprised by what they saw.
Because the figure was not the strong, fearless man one might imagine, but merely a girl, a girl who looked to be about thirteen or fourteen years old…
Wearing an ordinary school uniform skirt and carrying a plain backpack, it was clear from the emblem that the girl was just a middle school student from a nearby school.
However, those with a keen eye would immediately notice the girl's extraordinary nature!
Slung over her shoulder was a wooden practice sword, her hands slightly calloused, her steps steady, and her breathing calm—clear signs of a martial arts expert!
Although only thirteen or fourteen years old, the girl's figure was already well-developed. With a lovely face and bright eyes, she walked alone in this dark environment with a faint smile, not just a matter of courage but absolute confidence in her own strength!
Moreover, the girl's demeanor was both composed and elegant, dignified yet agile, clearly not the bearing of an ordinary family's child. Only those from long-standing, prestigious families could cultivate such excellence.
Her name was Busujima Saeko, a prodigious genius in swordsmanship and the sole heir of the Busujima family!
One can imagine, in a family with a deeply ingrained patriarchal mindset, how extraordinary her talent must be for her, a girl, to surpass all her peers and become the sole heir!
Born into a long-standing martial arts family, immersed in the art of swordsmanship from a young age, coupled with her prodigious talent. Not just among her peers, but even many martial arts masters could only look up to her…
As usual, Busujima Saeko had been practicing swordsmanship at the school's kendo club until late before heading home. She loved swordsmanship as much as she loved her own life. Often, she felt she was born for the sword.
To be honest, she didn't care much about titles like "genius" or "sole heir of the family." All she cared about was the sword in her hand…
The sword gave her strength, the capital to stand above all.
But the sword also brought her loneliness…
Because her talent was too extraordinary, the young Busujima Saeko found that she could no longer find an opponent. Even her father, once considered the strongest, had been defeated by her a year ago!
There was no joy in reaching the peak. Instead, the only thing in the girl's heart was the loneliness of being at the top. Without an opponent, without a goal, she felt her life becoming aimless…
Although aimless, she didn't know what to do. She could only practice her swordsmanship day after day, finding only brief moments of fulfillment when she was with her sword.
In the eyes of others, she was a prodigious genius, a proud goddess.
But only she knew that she was just a lonely girl who loved swordsmanship and hoped to find an opponent…
At some point, Busujima Saeko found that she had come to enjoy the feeling of darkness. Walking alone on these dark, deserted streets gave her an indescribable sense of pleasure.
She could have gone home earlier.
She could have taken a brighter, wider shortcut.
But to enjoy this fleeting pleasure, she had always chosen this dark, secluded street.
"Will a bad guy appear…"
A strange thought suddenly popped into the girl's mind.
Not fear, but rather, Busujima Saeko found herself somewhat looking forward to it!
Startled by her own bold and dark thought, this evil notion was completely contrary to the education she had received since childhood.
As the sole heir of a prestigious family, as a goddess and role model in the hearts of many, how could she have such an evil thought!
But for some reason, once this thought took root, it grew wildly! The girl felt a long-lost sense of excitement and thrill!
Anticipation! She really looked forward to it!!
As if the heavens were responding to the girl's wishes, in the next moment, a bad guy really appeared!
"Hehehe, today's luck is really good! On a street where no one would ever walk, I actually ran into such a beautiful lamb. Lucky, so lucky!"
A middle-aged man's voice, filled with surprise and lewdness.
Walking out from a dark alley, blocking Busujima Saeko's path, was a man in his thirties, burly and with a rough face.
His eyes gleamed with lust as he looked at the petite, beautiful girl exuding a goddess-like aura. The man's excitement was indescribable, feeling as if he had hit the jackpot!
Without hesitation or mercy, the man grabbed the girl and pulled her into the dark alley, pinning her against the wall.
"No… don't!"
In her heart, she wasn't afraid at all; in fact, she was so excited that she was almost trembling. Yet, the girl pretended to be terrified, luring the man to continue his advances.
At this moment, all sense of morality, humanity, and ladylike demeanor could no longer suppress the wild impulses surging within Busujima Saeko.
She wanted to cut him down! She wanted to cut him down!!
For the first time, Busujima Saeko discovered that beneath her pure, innocent exterior lay a heart that yearned for bloodshed and slaughter!!!
Perhaps, later, when she calmed down, she would be horrified by this side of herself. But at this moment, she was enjoying it immensely!
Seeing that the man could no longer restrain himself and finally made his move, she thought to herself that she wouldn't have to bear any responsibility afterward. Without hesitation, she swung her wooden sword down at him!
"Ah!!!"
A scream—a pitiful, agonized scream from the man…
But this didn't satisfy the girl or calm her down. Instead, it made her even more frenzied! The long-suppressed loneliness, the frustration of having immense power but nowhere to use it, had finally found an outlet.
The screams continued, one after another. Until finally, the man's shoulder and leg bones were completely shattered, and his bright red blood splattered all over the girl's body, only then did she stop.
A cold, bloodthirsty smile curled on her lips as her unfocused eyes gazed at the gray, overcast sky.
This felt so good, so incredibly good! This was the only thought echoing in Busujima Saeko's mind…
"Clap! Clap! Clap!"
The man had already passed out. Just as the girl was savoring the afterglow of her ecstasy, a sudden round of applause broke the silence.
"As expected of a woman from the Busujima family. You revel in your strength and take pleasure in it, yet you possess the pure heart of a maiden. How very, very intriguing…"
Snapping back to reality, Saeko followed the sound and saw a figure emerging from the shadows. Her pupils contracted sharply, and an incredulous expression spread across her face…