Episode 11 – The Strike of Resolve
Episode 11 – Seidan and Misen
After reconciling, Soma, Kei, Touka, and Shikanosuke begin moving forward again as comrades.
The reconciliation isn’t perfect.
But step by step, they are walking forward.
One day, a package arrives at the shelter.
It is addressed to Kei.
The sender is his master — Kurose Taizo.
Inside are two cursed weapons.
Special tools capable of damaging spirits even without innate energy.
The sword is called “Seidan.”
The spear is called “Misen.”
Seidan stabilizes spiritual fluctuations.
However, the more one's emotions rage, the duller the blade becomes.
Misen has no special trait —
except at the very moment Goulin activates.
At that instant alone, its piercing power increases abnormally.
Misen is entrusted to Soma.
Seidan to Kei.
The moment they grasp their weapons—
The air trembles.
A spirit radiating overwhelming pressure appears.
Soma does not vomit.
He does not tremble.
“…It still doesn’t reach.
But this time — I’ll make it reach.”
The spirit roars and releases flames.
Heat spreads violently.
The air feels heavy in their lungs.
Kei analyzes calmly.
“Charging in blindly would be suicide.
Those claws and that tail will kill us.”
“So what’s the plan?!” Shikanosuke shouts.
“You can fire lightning at range.
I can attack with wind.
We create an opening — then Soma and Touka strike.”
They nod.
The spirit attacks Kei with blinding speed.
He blocks, sparks scattering.
Too strong.
The tail swings—
But Shikanosuke intercepts.
“Kei! Calm your heart!
Didn’t your master say anger dulls it?”
Kei exhales slowly.
He remembers Kurose’s words:
“Anger cannot cut.”
He steadies his mind.
“Cyclone Swift Slash.”
The blade moves like wind.
The claws are severed.
The leg is cut.
“Now!” Shikanosuke roars.
“Thunder Soul Annihilation!”
Lightning smashes the tail away.
Soma and Touka charge.
Their weapons strike —
but the scales are too hard.
The spirit opens its mouth to devour them.
Kei stops Shikanosuke from firing.
“You’ll hit them!”
Distance is too great.
Soma makes a choice.
He drops his spear.
And throws a punch.
“Goulin!”
Crimson sparks explode.
The spirit’s fangs shatter.
It prepares one last attack.
Soma sees it.
When Goulin activates—
he sees the flow of energy.
He punches again.
“Goulin!”
The timing falters.
Touka moves.
“Reverse Stitch.”
The spirit’s mouth is sealed.
Blood fills her mouth — but she holds.
“Soma! Now!”
He picks up Misen.
Kurose’s words echo:
“It doesn’t reach yet.
But one day it will.”
“I’ll make it reach!”
He channels everything.
Mind.
Body.
Soul.
“Goulin!”
The spear ignites crimson.
It pierces through the spirit’s skull.
Silence.
The spirit collapses and dissolves.
Soma falls unconscious from exhaustion.
Kei checks his pulse.
“He’s alive.”
Touka smiles softly.
“He really did well.”
They carry him back.
Their backs feel larger than before.
