When Thunder Forgets to Roar

Raizen and Shiori moved deeper into the forest, the path overgrown with vines and the air thick with distant echoes.

"I don't know what happened," Raizen muttered, pushing aside a wild vine. "But the guy who attacked... he felt nasty."

"Ryujin the Ghost," Shiori replied, her voice low. "He's the general of the Royal Army now—after Chandra-sama."

Elsewhere, Kenji stood poised, his aura-charged longsword glinting. A crooked smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"You know that I know your weakness."

Ryujin's eyes narrowed. "My weakness? Must be my sister, huh?!"

Their weapons clashed—scythe against aura-infused steel.

"You betrayed the government," Ryujin growled. "They were just trying to catch a criminal."

"By using his—" Kenji slammed his blade into the ground, cracking the earth in a ten-meter radius. "Brother? That's not justice. That's psychopathy."

A brown aura erupted from the shattered terrain. The ground curled around Ryujin, forming a spherical prison with multiple openings. Kenji moved swiftly.

"Mud Punishment."

Spikes fired into the sphere with deadly precision, and then—one clean swing—Kenji split the construct apart. Dust cleared. Ryujin was gone.

A sudden flare behind him. Kenji turned just in time to block a powerful beam.

"This sword’s special," he said, deflecting it with ease. "Titanium."

"Tch! I’ll retreat," Ryujin hissed.

Kenji raised an eyebrow. "Retreat? Don't you want to finish what you started?"

He turned, only to find Ryujin’s scythe inches from his face. Kenji backflipped, then unleashed a blow so forceful it flattened the surroundings. But Ryujin had already summoned fire—thick ash rained down, creating a smothering blaze.

Shielded in mud, Kenji emerged slowly, unscathed.

"Clever," he acknowledged.

"This mission’s failed because of you," Ryujin muttered. "I won’t waste more time."

He vanished into the earth.

Kenji sighed, brushing his hair back. "What a useful ability."

Raizen and Shiori stood at the edge of a high cliff. Below stretched a lush green valley, the horizon etched with distant silhouettes of buildings bathed in golden sunlight.

"That’s the central," Shiori whispered. "We’re close. We’ll reach there in no time."

After several hours on foot, they finally stepped into the bustling heart of Kuroshima Central.

"We need to find a home," Shiori said.

Raizen nodded absently. "Hmm… what should I do?"

A masked man in formal attire, his hair obscured, stopped in front of them.

"I can provide you a house and funds," he said. "In return, you must agree to settle here."

Raizen blinked. (Are people this kind here? Or am I just used to cruelty?) "Sure. But… may I know your name, kind sir?"

"Hirokichi. Follow me."

Shiori’s eyes narrowed. "Wait! You can’t trust strangers like that. They might kidnap us."

"I won’t," Hirokichi replied calmly, gesturing to a house near a park. "You may live here."

"I don’t have any money," Raizen admitted.

"No need. If you want work, go to Dian Energy."

"Thank you," Raizen said, bowing.

Hirokichi paused. "There was once a man I didn’t pay much attention to. You resemble him… I couldn’t resist helping. Now, farewell."

He vanished.

"Ooooh! What a chill man," Raizen murmured.

They entered the fully furnished home. Raizen grinned. "I like it."

"Me too," Shiori said, relieved.

The next day, Raizen dressed for an interview.

"Direct application to transmission planner," the interviewer muttered, scanning his profile. "What can you do?"

Raizen formed a crackling electric orb in his palm. "This—over 50,000 volts."

"What the... okay, okay! Calm down," the interviewer gasped. "Let’s proceed. First question: Why do you think you deserve the job?"

"Because I need a job, and you need recruits," Raizen answered with a carefree smile.

"Uh… okay. How do you perform a power flow study? Key inputs and outputs?"

"Simple. I touch a wire. If I don’t explode, the power’s flowing. Inputs: wires. Outputs: screaming."

Interviewer sighed, "Okay… On a scale from one to the Thunder God, how immune are you to electricity?"

Raizen smirked. "Let’s just say I don’t wear rubber gloves—they wear me. I once napped grounded to a lightning rod. We’re on a first-name basis. He calls me ‘Boss.’"

The interviewer stared, baffled. (Terrible answers… but this guy’s immune to voltage, handsome, and oddly charming.) "You’re hired. Details will follow shortly. Please wait outside."

Raizen began his new job. His and Shiori’s life bloomed with warmth. Days were spent working, evenings together, nights in quiet forest training. Years passed.

One winter night, Raizen trudged home, wrapped in a sweater and muffler.

"Damn wind…" he muttered. The gale intensified, forcing him to grip a lamppost. "Unnatural."

A masked devil landed ahead, radiating powerful wind.

"Raizen, brother of Hiroshi. The Seven-Star Criminal. Surrender."

Raizen’s eyes narrowed. "Not without a fight. Not here. Let’s go to the forest."

The demon nodded and vanished. Raizen followed.

They met beyond the city’s reach. Gales rained down. Raizen dodged, countered with Spark Torrent and Electrobind. The demon evaded.

Dragger drawn, the demon clashed with Raizen mid-attack. Their speed blurred the air itself.

Back at home, Shiori waited at the table, uneaten food before her.

"He said he’d be late, but… it’s almost 11. I have a bad feeling."

The demon panted. "You’re fast, just as Ryujin said."

Raizen removed his coat and muffler. "Who are you?"

"The strongest Warlord."

Winds surged. Raizen braced himself, activating Static Shield as the demon lunged.

"You’re quite the fighter," Raizen growled.

Ryujin appeared behind him, invisible until now, grabbing Raizen’s wrists.

"Mission accomplished. Seal him."

The demon walked over. Aura flickering, he placed his palm to Raizen’s neck.

"Black Lotus Seal..."

The mark tried to form—but struggled.

Raizen grinned. "Hmph. What a loser."

"Seal his powers too."

"Fine. Black Lotus Remastered—Power Sealing Technique!"

A final blow struck Raizen’s neck. He collapsed.

Back at home, Shiori had fallen asleep at the table, food untouched, tears sliding silently down her cheek.

"Please... don't leave me, Raizen."

Raizen awoke.

His blue skin faded to a pale, neutral tone. His eyes blank.

Ryujin leaned in. "You are Raizen, the most handsome devil in the nation. Kuroshin-sama saved you. He is your god. Bow to him. Obey him. Never question."

The demon added, "Follow my every order."

Raizen’s voice was flat. "Understood."

They led him into the castle. Just as he crossed the main gate, his right hand caught the doorway.

Ryujin turned. "What’s the matter?"

The demon frowned. "The seal… it might not last very long. His will is stronger than expected."

Back in the present day, Raizen stood with Kaminari, Sumire, Kenzo, and Kenji.

They had reached the Ninth Town.

The sky burned crimson. Ground broken. Silence reigned.

Raizen stared. (Who knows what happened to Shiori after that day...)

Kaminari blinked. "Why do I feel like I’ve been here before?"

Somewhere unseen, the king chuckled.

(Foolish brat. Welcome to Vareth—the Ninth Town.)

—To be continued