Eroge? Bad Ends? Betrayal? I’m Just Here to Suplex Monsters through Buildings.

Punching Through Walls Is Romantic (1.4)

…

Trespass, 574th Ave, at 9AM PST.

…

Hiyo Prime wore a black bodysuit with red and gold accents, which had a large fishnet diamond on the back and open sides from the neck to the heel. The opening even went down the arm portion, leaving her two middle fingers and palms open to the air along with the core of her arms. The red and gold metal attachments came in the form of winged epaulets, armored high heels, and decorations on the bodysuit that somewhat mimicked ‘armor.’

If that armor was slingshot bikini armor sans the string.

And, of course, there was also a vaguely heart-shaped metal design on her black bodysuit’s lower abdomen.

Even the primogenitor of the Hiyo Clan was affected by this reality’s fetishization of all outfits.

I wondered what I would find if I investigated the history of fashion in this world.

Would all the female outfits since time immemorial be lewd?

Or, was there a shift somewhere that caused this to happen?

Did all legendary female warriors of this world showcase that they’re not wearing a bra or panties and were smooth all over while establishing their legends?

Questions for later, I guess.

“Here. This unit is your next six months. Your mother already paid for it. The basement of the building holds a training and rehabilitation center, which you can use. The armory is off-limits until you put something in there yourselves.” She owned an apartment block in Trespass. Most of the gazes through windows lining the hall were that of women. One who passed us by in the hall flinched in my presence. I had a feeling that it was a rescue center of sorts. Maybe, the Hiyo Clan’s venerable ancestor was spending her immortal life helping young women who got bad ends. “The young man who’s with you hasn’t hit puberty yet, so he’s allowed in here. Don’t bring in any lovers. My patients will rip him apart.”

“I understand, venerable ancestor. I shall adhere to the rules of your realm.” The unit we were given was a studio with a kitchen, bathroom, one bed, and a living room space. “When will I be able to ask for your instruction? I would like to learn what I can from you.”

“Hm. I thought that brat would ask first. I guess the two of you are more alike than I thought. That’s good. Retainers and leaders should have common ground.” She looked my way. “You killed a man who attempted to kidnap you earlier. I’ll give you the address of his compatriots. Destroy them before sundown. I will train my descendant.”

I was tempted to take the offer, but I turned to Asakura.

“Boss?” I prompted, and she thought about the offer before nodding. “Alright, then. I’ll take on that mission. Anyone I should look out for, ma’am?”

“The leader of the group is a werewolf. That hatchet of yours will be your only weapon that can kill him.” The Hiyo primogenitor stated simply. I raised an explosive kunai up with a raised eyebrow, and she gave an unladylike snort. “Their curse is far too cruel to allow that to kill them. They will be forced to agonizingly reform if they are dispatched with explosives.”

“Take out the legs, then butcher with the hatchet then. Hm. Any rival gangs in the area? They should have silver as a counter.” I got an approving nod for that little logical deduction. It wasn’t much of a leap. People work against each other and address each other’s strengths and weaknesses all the time. “Unless you want them alive for some reason?”

“No. I do not. The less refuse around this area, the better. Here are addresses for two of their headquarters.” If she had the addresses, why didn’t she deal with them? My question must have been obvious since she addressed it immediately. “If I go on a crusade against these wretches, I’ll soon have the whole city after me. I happen to live here and care for many. Defending my territory is fine. Going on the assault would endanger those I tend to.”

“Doing good deeds at the cost of letting evil live? Would it be simpler to kill all threats first and then help people?” I asked and received an arched brow and crossed arms in response. “What? You’re strong. Strong enough to do what you want.”

“Not strong enough to overturn this city. Yet. Perhaps in a few centuries, I’ll consider it. Live that long, brat, and I might ask you for aid in the matter.” She then proceeded to gesture at me to leave with a flippant wave of her fingers. I took that as my cue to get out of the complex until she suddenly spoke again. “Oi, take this.”

I caught the object she threw my way.

A little vial filled with red liquid within.

“They kidnapped a young woman a day ago. Give that to her once you find her. Tell her that she has a choice. Accept her lineage or live in fear of it forever.” I held the vial up and turned to Asakura. Her ancestor scoffed. “I’ll pay you with a trinket for the task, you brat. Now leave me to train this girl in peace.”

I still waited for Asakura to nod and confirm things before leaving.

Now, time to scope out two enemy outposts/bases and see how fast I can wipe them out.

The best way to understand a new region is to take on a few camps filled with the new enemies it offers, after all.

…

Interlude: Asakura Hiyo, the Fiery Blade

…

Lady Hiyo swung her blade.

The room turned black.

There was a spark.

Then, there was a surging blade of flame so thin that it was almost invisible.

It wasn’t only fast. It was also strong. I intercepted it, wrapping vital energy into my blade, and ‘catching’ as much of the strike as possible. What I could not intercept flew past me, whistling and crackling through the air, and crashed into the barrier of our training room, causing dust to fall from the roof.

Meanwhile, my arms cried out in agony as pain shot up my bones into my shoulders. The skin on my hands tore apart, and I felt muscle rip as I resisted the strength of a single slash.

Somehow, someway, I was able to gather my strength and hurl the attack to the side and away from me.

I felt blood dripping from my nose as the barrier and attack collided and an explosion of heat erupted my way. My arms were almost limp, and my sword felt heavier than a mountain.

Still, I resisted the urge to drop it, and I raised my hand as I struggled to breathe.

“Excellent, especially for your age. I thought you lacked teeth and gumption with all your worshipping when we met, but you have talent backed by a foundation born from training. I am impressed, my descendant.” She spoke, and her shadow cast itself upon me. I struggled to remain standing as she placed a hand on my shoulder. I felt warmth flow from her hand into me. Bone reformed, muscles reknit, and skin was reborn. Even my own blood was washed away by her healing flame. “I’ll train you as hard as I can and give you copies of the family scrolls. So long as you train hard, you’ll be a worthy heir in my eyes.”

“T-thank you. I am honored.” My body was healed, but my mind still struggled, and my vision was still blurred. She would not interfere with my mind unless needed; thus, it was left to me. I summoned the flame in my belly, guided it up my spine, and allowed it to slowly, carefully invigorate my mind. When I opened my eyes again, the blurriness was gone and there was no longer any ache, but a deep hunger blossomed in my stomach. One that my teacher heard. “I apologize.”

“Your internal energy being depleted and requiring food to refill it is a good thing. Now is the time to glut yourself and force the expansion of your core.” Lady Hiyo stated with absolute certainty. “Come along, I’ll see you fed. The brat is back, anyway.”

I followed her with surprise writ clear on my features, while a smile flitted across hers.

Keita sat on the floor outside the training room. Faint splatters of blood were across the sleeves of his clothes while he cleaned his hatchet. He had his helmet, visor, headphones, and mask off. He had average features, though with a finer nose than most, and his eyes were sharp and predatory. An easy grin played on his face, satisfaction oozing out of him as he labored to keep his equipment clean after a job well done.

Across from him was a young girl with messy golden locks and red eyes, with her knees tucked against her chest.

A vampire without a doubt… and who was saved by my ancestor whose hatred for them was the cornerstone of our clan.

I looked to her, but her attention was on Keita.

“You better clean the stains off that bench, brat.” She went over to him and, without hesitation, ruffled his short hair with surprising familiarity. A laugh left her lips as he grunted under her ministrations and rose from the bench. “Let me look after the kid first. Then, you’ll get your pay.”

“Whatever’s wrong with her now isn’t my fault.” Keita stated simply. He stood and walked beside my ancestor as she approached the young vampire. I stayed alert with a hand on my sword but entrusted the matter to Lady Hiyo. “She has that vial you gave me in her hand. Didn’t take it.”

“Your mother gave you that last bit of herself to keep you safe, yet you use it like a trinket.” Lady Hiyo addressed the child. A vampire giving their own blood to their progeny. It sounded insane, as vampires were typically undead who cherished their immortal lives greatly and who could not reproduce. Those who could reproduce reached the apex of their species, practically immortal demigods who fed upon tens of thousands or who survived millennia instead of centuries. They broke through the limitations of their kind and could therefore have children… But to give their own blood to that child was a death sentence. “Drink it, child, and receive all the power that remains of her and live a long life. That is what your mother would want.”

“Don’t you dare speak of her!” The child roared and stood up. She was shorter than Keita by a full head, but power roiled out of her. I knew she outmatched me in strength instantly, and my hand went to my sword. “Yo—urk!”

A kick from Keita to her chest embedded her into a wall, and his hatchet glinted in the small light that lit the hall.

Its blade was a hair’s breadth from her face… and over a dozen senbon hovered, frozen in mid-air just before puncturing her heart, lungs, and stomach.

Whereas I had frozen and wondered if I should run or fight, Keita’s reaction was to fight.

“Now, now. You should know better than to risk dying through stupidity.” Lady Hiyo kept speaking to the girl while pulling Keita back to just by her side. She plucked the senbon out of the air and returned it to him while making him lower his hatchet. He raised an eyebrow for a second before reapplying his mask, visor, helmet, and ear protectors. His lensed gaze stayed upon the vampire the entire time. “That boy is twelve years of age. Average in skill but hardworking and aggressive against any threat. The vast majority of those who live in this world can kill him with a flick of their wrist, yet you almost died to him.”

Lady Hiyo stepped back.

“Your mother and I fought for countless years. I chose to stop being human and simply pursue her and see her dead. But what happened to her after our last match was betrayal. Those who she relied upon to protect her at her weakest turned their knives upon her, and so she rescued you and turned to me.” Lady Hiyo’s eyes grew glassy as the young vampire pried herself out of the wall. Her gaze flickered towards Keita, and she flinched when he met her gaze head-on. “She gave me her life in exchange for yours. That vial is all that is left of her, and she entrusted it to you.”

The child was silent at Lady Hiyo’s words, while my mind raced at the words that were just said.

A centuries-long hunt against one of the most powerful vampires of the supernatural world?

That was why our ancestor seemingly vanished one day after brokering a pact with our spiritual beast?

While my mind raced at the news, as Lady Hiyo awaited the answer, Keita suddenly spoke.

“You practically pissed yourself screaming while I was rescuing you, but you could’ve powered up the entire time? Are you stupid?” He scoffed and shook his head. He hooked his hatchet back to his leg and put away his senbon. There were many things he could have shared as a person her age who was also an orphan to connect with her. Instead, he offered her nothing but critique. “If you do what you want, you’ll die out there in a few days if you’re lucky. If you’re unlucky, you’ll end up a broken pet, a breeding slave, or some regenerating power source for someone. My advice: take the last bit of protection your mother gave you, unless you’re some sort of fucked-up masochist.”

He said his piece, sharing all of the world’s brutality with the girl as she stared at him in shock, before looking over at Lady Hiyo.

Her glare at him for his crassness was obvious, but I could detect an air of approval surrounding her.

That approval only seemed to increase as soon as Keita spoke again.

“Do you know where I can sell all their gear? And do werewolf pelts make for good armor?”