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Chapter Text

Ryomen Sukuna was an adventurer.

He became prominent when he received his first adventurer license at the age of fourteen. And climbed into A-rank in only a span of one year. It was the fastest rise in all history.

The feat brought more fame to his name.

He started catching attention. In the eyes of others, Sukuna was considered to be many things.

For most people, he’s not someone you should mess with. He was dangerous as he is already. Born with a defect of limbs, Sukuna naturally has four arms, each adorned in identical tattoos of circles. Thanks to the extra limbs, most adventurers ran away before a match started and the ones who stayed were destroyed to near-death. His monstrous strength was something to be feared; the symbol and lines on his face already a warning if not obvious.

When someone deals with swords, they’re called a Sword Master. When someone deals with magic, they’re called a Sage. And those who can see spiritual beings named ‘Curses’ and fight them are called Sorcerers or shamans. And Sukuna was someone who was all of them.

A prodigy.

A god in the body of a human.

That was their evaluation of Sukuna. But being praised by the people around him wasn’t his purpose.

His goal was to become an S-rank adventurer.

Everyday, Sukuna would train with his Cursed Technique and sword. It was already very rare for someone to be skillful in both. But he was also gifted with the ability to use magic to heal. In addition to being a Sage, Sword Master, and Sorcerer, he was a Healer, too. He understood the concept of Cursed Energy and was well-versed in the knowledge of plants.

No one but Sukuna himself believed more that he would become an S-rank adventurer one day.

-

Ryomen Sukuna was eighteen when lost everything.

It was when his troop went to an A-rank mission. The goal was to help a rural village to defeat the army of Curses. Sukuna successfully brought an end to the battle almost by himself. Originally, the mission would have finished there. However the fierce fight awakened an ancient dragon asleep at the bottom of a nearby volcano. It woke with a terrifying roar.

There were numerous deaths that day. The whole troop was annihilated. The entire village was destroyed. The building, the gates, the people inside, and the ground were trampled.

Black smoke burned into Sukuna’s mind.

Everyone was dead.

After days of struggle, the dragon finally fled. Sukuna didn’t have any power to chase after it.

Day until night, he searched the village where no one was alive. The villagers had all died. The village head who had greeted him and his group warmly. The mother who loves to cook for her five children. The vendor seller who Sukuna had bonded a little bit with.

And his comrades…

Not even a whole body he could bury.

Sukuna remembered screaming and crying more than his whole life as he buried them alone.

It was all his fault.

If he defeated the Curses more quickly, maybe he and the others could evacuate the villagers. What the hell was that A-rank adventurer status of his? What the hell is the Sword Master? What the hell is the Sage? What the hell is the Healer? Where the hell is the child prodigy?

Sukuna couldn’t protect the people he should protect. He couldn’t even kill the damned enemy. All of his status and honor were meaningless. There’s no way a murderer like him deserved to bear the titles.

It was at that moment, Sukuna heard a voice.

It sounded soft.

So gentle that he wanted to cry.

It was blown by the wind through the landscape of death. As if enthralled, Sukuna’s body moved on its own. As if entwined like lovers, he went towards the voice with all his strength. It came from the forest. The forest that the village had taken care of for generations and was their pride and joy. Ignoring his fatigue, Sukuna pushed through the thick plantation.

He was bleeding from numerous places, but that didn’t matter to him. He wanted to see who is the owner of the voice.

Sukuna went on and on for what felt like hours. The sun was starting to set on the horizon. Insects bit his skin and flew into his eyes. Yet he continued on as if it was nothing.

Then, the silvery voice broke off.

Without a guide, Sukuna stumbled into a clearing.

He dropped to his knees. His throat was burning. Puffs of hot breath escaped his lips as he looked around desperately. The forest was simply too dark to see much. Black trunks against an almost black backdrop caused his imagination to supply horrors to fill the void. This was like walking blind. He had underestimated the blackness of nighttime in a woodland.

Not knowing what to do, Sukuna curled into a ball, hugging himself and starting to cry again. He was considered the bravest among his team, but this time, it was too much for him. Realization of the current reality sunk in. He really was alone. No one would come to his rescue.

He didn’t know how long he cried, but when he finally stopped, the voice had returned. It sounded like leaves rustling in the wind, and Sukuna could hear words among them.

“We beseech thee…”

Hushed whispers started to form.

A melodic chime rang out.

“We beseech thee, please become our protector and god of our wisdom,” they pleaded.

Sukuna knew that if he went back to his home, no one would accept him anymore. He’s seen how they — those who failed — were treated, after all. They were beaten and humiliated. They had their armors ripped off. They were forced to go through years of jeering. There were even times where those adventurers were thrown to the dogs.

On the other hand, being the protector of the forest was no easy job. The roles were usually given to Elves who had lived with wild beasts and nature all their lives. A warrior like Sukuna being theirs along with becoming their god of wisdom was enough to make him laugh.

Ryomen Sukuna? One of the most feared men to become someone who takes care of animals and protects a valuable forest? It was too laughable that he had to wonder if his life was a joke.

The choices laid in front of him were becoming taunting. ‘Pick your choice of hell,’ they seem to say.

He could imagine the gods laughing at his fate.

As if they could understand his pain.

“...Okay.”

The voices silenced.

“I’ll be your god and protector.”

And that was how a new legend came to life. It spoke of a fearsomely loyal god protecting a particular forest; of a four-armed deity who lit the dark paths for travellers. He runs faster than the wind. Stronger than an army combined. And hunts better than any beast.

Everywhere he goes, a melodic chime would accompany him. That was the sign that he’s near. No one has truly seen him, but they know this crimson-eyed god was no ordinary one.

Shrouded in flowers and followed by white butterflies, whoever angers him will be his sacrifice, living and non-living alike.

Interesting, isn’t it?

That legend was called ‘Four Eyes, Four Arms’.

Chapter Text

Sukuna was a person who likes to take a nap outside while listening to the sound of rain. According to what he heard from his parents, when he was still a baby, he never cried at night when it’s raining, only watching. It was oddly funny. They said that he even swinged his body happily.

Once he grew old enough, Sukuna realized that it was the most comforting when he slept outside where there was nothing to block the sound of rain. And so it became a comforting habit.

At the present, his lifestyle hasn’t changed much even though he was living in a forest, surrounded by nature and animals. Whenever it rains, he would be sleeping on a low tree trunk or under a cave, sheltered from the raindrops, with his first pair of arms folded and the second on either side of him. Sometimes animals would sleep with him, snuggling. If the sky showed signs of a downpour, he would spend his time thinking of a nice place to sleep by then.

Unfortunately, thieves would come once in a while in hopes of getting some money from stealing fruits. And fortunately, Sukuna’s hidden traps would catch them in the end.

Several in a big area.

Hidden in the soil.

Some dangerous like being a pit of snakes. And some harmless — only used to scare thieves as a prank.

Most of the pranks were just wild beasts appearing. Hari, the lion, would roar in laughter when the thieves ran off, scared of his sudden appearance. And Datsue, the boa constrictor, likes to yawn near their faces. Sukuna doubts the robbers will be back any time soon.

Though he was once the strongest warrior in his hometown, the animals of the forest would scold him for sleeping so carelessly. They act as if someone could land a hit on him. But in all honesty, the fact that even after being made into a protector and taking the role of a god occurred, his behavior or personality have not changed at all, was scaring some creatures.

After all that was said, Sukuna did take them into mind and refrain himself from sleeping at a place where travelers often pass but never once has he felt anything dangerous about it.

Even today he was taking a nap.

The fifth month, a little past afternoon, on a low branch shaped like a sedan at the place near the lake. It started raining around noon, making a pitter-patter sound. And Sukuna thought that it was a bliss that little to no travelers would be coming due to the slippery slopes.

There was no sound of the forest animals playing nor the whispers of the ancient trees while he closed his eyes and dozed off inside that quiet space. As the minutes, hours flew by like a bird, he felt a feeling that something had pulled the end of his robe from below so he opened his eyes. He stifled a yawn. The sight of the shining, pristine blue lake greeted Sukuna.

“Hm? Is it time already?”

Looking at the now clear sky with sleepy eyes, he slid off the branch and stretched his arms above.

His back popped from the action.

Oh, dear god.

That felt really good.

Around his feet was a small grey colored squirrel, and it seemed like it bowed to him before it scampered in the direction of the bushes and vanished, chittering.

“Yeah, thanks,” Sukuna said.

He ran a hand through his long, soft pink hair that reached to his waist, untangling the knots on the way. He winced as he pulled at a really bad one, hearing some strands snapping. Feeling his arms numbing, he went over to the lake to scoop some water and wet his hair. Two arms combed his hair while the other two gently washed his locks. Sukuna repeated the combing movements until all the knots were gone or distangled.

Satisfied, he pulled out a white ribbon to tie his front bangs up, using the water surface as a mirror.

The water stilled and he saw himself.

Flowers.

Lots of colorful ones.

Covering and sprouting from the right side of his face.

It went up to his head, flower buds blooming and vines circling in patterns like some kind of a crown. Dark, thin tendrils went under his skin. Sukuna absentmindedly traced the roots.

When the ‘Elders’ first transplanted it to his face, it hurted like hell. Each second was agonizing as the roots made its way under. Blood steadily dripped and Sukuna nearly ripped it off if not for the ‘Elders’ holding him down. It felt like his skin was on fire, an uncomfortable weight settling into his right eye. In the midst of it, he vaguely remembered his hometown.

There was a technique of sticking flower plants on big trees and letting it grow symbiotically. He wondered if he was a tree and the ‘Heart’ was a parasitic plant, eating him away.

Five years later, the mountain-laurels were happily growing, its light pink and white flowers round and in clusters. Though the leaves and surrounding blossoms change depending on the season. Sometimes it could be in bright colors. Or plain as they start to bloom and sprout.

Sukuna noticed the small branch on his head.

Fat buds protruded on it.

He blinked.

Cherry blossoms.

Dark pink and light hues at that, too.

The shade tenderly reminded him of his own hair which was said to resemble that of a salmon.

A twitter brought Sukuna back from his thoughts. On a twig, a small orange and brown bird huffed indignantly. ‘There’s a problem with the trees in the South,’ it chirped urgently at him.

“Yeah, yeah, my bad. Got distracted,” Sukuna sighed, rubbing the back of his neck while waving his hand dismissively. He brought his fingers to his lips and whistled loudly. It wasn’t a second before the trees started rustling. The ground trembled slightly as something heavy dashed his way — a shadow leaping off a cliff. A hearty roar ripped through the air.

‘Kami-sama!’ Hari greeted him happily.

The lion landed on a boulder and jumped down, purring deeply when Sukuna patted his head.

“How many times do I have to tell you to just call me Sukuna, brat?” he asked, half-annoyed. He put his leg over and seated himself on Hari. “Oi, Jewel, lead the way.” Jewel, the thrush, chirped before flying into the sky. Hari was more than happy to follow.

Being the forest’s god of wisdom meant that Sukuna had to help animals with their problems. Everyday at any time, they come to ask for him. And they had a lot of them. Destroyed homes, caught in a net set by hunters, attacked, a dispute — they’d call for Sukuna to come and help.

He let out a groan.

Already, he missed dozing off to the sound of rainstorm. Sukuna looked back to the lake where he often slept.

On an impulse, Sukuna made a detour to get some weapons, strapping them to his back. He guessed he had a feeling that he was going to see something very interesting today.

-

Hari gave Sukuna a ride down the mountain, and he has to admit that it was pretty cool. Being on a lion, jumping down several meters like it was nothing, with the wind in his hair and face. They ran through the woods, Sukuna ducking to avoid twigs and branches and yelling after Jewel.

After a while, they arrived at the beach. Hari slowed.

‘We’re here.’ Jewel landed nearby. She chittered in a direction. Across from Sukuna, two of the big oak trees had fallen. Like the whole thing was uprooted and tossed itself to the beach.

Sukuna grimaced.

So that was the horrible sound he heard earlier. It seemed like the typhoon had done a big damage.

He tumbled off Hari's back and headed toward it.

The sand underneath was starting to dry, shifting every time Sukuna stepped. It felt pleasant underneath his bare foot. As the sun continued to scorch, Hari went back to the shades of the jungle, though the heat didn’t bother Sukuna anymore. His tanned skin was a proof of that.

There were some animals who were there for some time. The small ones were chattering nervously, wanting to help not sure how. Two elephants struggled to bring up the trees. They had done a good job rolling it near to its original spot but their strength isn’t enough to lift it.

‘Please help us, kami-sama,’ the oaks said when they saw him coming. The others joined, asking the same thing.

Apparently Sukuna’s abilities also extended to being able to understand not just creatures, but also plants. Another discovery was that most of the woodland inhabitants understood human language.

“Move aside then.”

The elephants shuffled away.

Sukuna took a deep breath, before all his four arms shot out to grab the tree trunk.

His fingers found purchase in the bark and he lifted it up, muscles straining to not let it fall. Back when he was younger, Sukuna always joined wrestling competitions. His strength was monstrous, able to even hurl a small wyvern. Sukuna slowly turned the oak and somewhat threw it, planting it in. A tremble shook the ground. He did the same thing to the other plant.

Finally, the trees were returned and they began watering the soil. Sukuna muttered an enhancing spell — the leaves turning greener and the root growing into the earth. Maybe the spell worked a bit too well because the trees’ towering height suddenly grew a little more.

The oak sang their thanks.

Sukuna hummed.

“Well there’s that. I’ll be going now. Stay out of trouble,” he said before going back on Hari.

‘Good job, kami-sama,’ he said.

“Stop calling me that.”

Hari let out a soft growl, which could be a laugh.

Jewel landed on Sukuna’s shoulder. ‘Where to now?’ she asked. He tapped his chin. “Let’s see,” was his reply. As Sukuna thought about it, Hari moved ahead, letting out a roar as farewell. The creatures said their own share of good-byes and left, too. The three began a slow journey of going to the mountain until Sukuna made a noise of amusement.

His red eyes had that mischievous glint when he had scared a bunch of robbers in the dark. And as if he wanted to make it more obvious, Sukuna’s extra pair of eyes below was opened.

“Say, should we make a trip to the border?” he grinned. It’s been a while since he went there either.

Hari’s amber eyes glinted in excitement.

‘We can?’

“Think of it as a mission.”

Jewel made a chirp of victory and Sukuna nearly fell back from Hari’s sudden take off. The world turned to a blur as the lion charged at full speed, paws thudding powerfully against the ground.

If the two beasts noticed their protector laughing the first time after months, they didn’t mention it.

Chapter Text

The border is where the forest and the human world meet. Most forest borders have a protection barrier which can’t be entered easily. Sukuna doesn’t mind anyone entering as long as they pass through while respecting the inhabitants. Other than the ruins of the village, the forest only has centaurs as their neighbor. They don’t bother them but they’re always one who caused havoc.

Jewel and Hari, due to being wild animals, aren’t allowed to go to the border unless necessary. The ‘Elders’ told them humans may try to harm them. Forest protectors aren’t supposed to go either.

However, Sukuna was an exception.

After all, he was an A-rank adventurer who was a prodigy.

If Sukuna were to fall, then whatever was out there was the biggest threat to the Nita forest.

But he never did.

Along with being powerful, he wasn’t rash and thought things rationally. He thought of the inhabitants first. Then again, it may be because of his old job of being an adventurer hero.

Since he may be risking his two friends’ life, Sukuna found a nice cave close by the border. It was halfway up a hill, where a cold stream burst from the rocks and provided unlimited water. Curtains of ivy covered the entrance, giving them privacy. The view from there was spectacular: fields and meadows that stretched as far as the eye can see, patches of woods, other adventurers who came to practice, and travellers who came to pass through.

The best of all was that the hideout was completely hidden. So that’s why no one saw Sukuna watching them.

As introduced before, the Nita forest has the centaurs as neighbors. Centaurs were known to be aggressive when drunk. And unluckily, they had a party that earlier day and had gone wasted. Now a pack of them had surrounded a passing party. Five humans versus twelve centaurs.

They had their faces painted in red, heads wreathed in grapevines. They brandished their weapons, the shields and swords glinting blindingly. Sukuna thought they looked ridiculous, which was true but it wasn’t the right time to be commenting about their fashion.

“Hari, call Damos and Ira. Protect the adventurers. Jewel, go hide and call reinforcements if needed,” Sukuna ordered. The two left with a ‘yes, kami-sama’ and he inhaled the air.

He placed a foot forward. In between his four hands, a column of fire, shaping into four arrows, formed. Sukuna placed them on his left hand, pulling back his right arm like he was knocking an arrow into a bow. A fiery pentagram blazed, zooming in on his targets.

Then he waits.

Until…

A cry rang out.

Two lions and a lioness had jumped at the centaurs.

The action caused the half-horses men to retreat into a wide arc.

Eyes darkening, Sukuna let the arrows go. “Burn bright and beautiful,” he muttered.

It heeded its master’s words, flames flickering to a bigger fire, suddenly propelling forward. They pierced the soil, blazing into a pillar. The centaurs got caught off guard and retreated, the ones nearer almost burned. However it only lasted for a moment. Hari and the other lions growled in warning when the centaurs edged nearer again. The adventurers were lying down, a healer crouched to heal them. From what Sukuna saw, the injuries looked bad.

Just when he was about to launch a second attack, a blurred blotch of white appeared behind the centaurs.

Purple flashed.

And their heads were gone in the next second.

Sukuna’s eyes widened, taking a step back. No way…

The figure staggered a bit, rubbing their white hair before giving an exaggerated thumbs up to the healer. Hari, Ira, and Damos used the chance to sprint into the jungle, quickly vanishing.

Sukuna was still frozen in place.

White hair…

Blue eyes…

That technique, too…

As if the figure heard his thoughts, he turned vaguely to his way. And even though Sukuna was hidden, he could feel the heavy gaze of the blue irises. A shudder ran down his spine.

His lips curled into a maniacal grin.

This will be fun.

With a click of his tongue, Sukuna turned away. Turns out, he was right about the intuition.

-

Huh, the energy is gone, Satoru noticed before turning to Shoko on the ground healing Suguru. Beads of sweat trailed down her forehead as she finished and collapsed with a relieved sigh.

“Suguru! You okay?” Satoru asked.

“Says the one who barely got hurt,” Suguru spat, “I had a spear driven into my shoulder!”

“Ha, ha, how weak~”

“Why you-”

“Don’t speak yet,” Shoko reprimanded.

She allowed herself another ten seconds before moving on to Mei Mei, whose lips were swollen and bleeding. Kento was struggling to stay awake after getting knocked on the head, which scored a nasty bruise. Unluckily for him, healing bone fractures are risky so Shoko only healed partway. Satoru is the only one who isn’t tired or injured so he lit up their torches with the flaming pillars.

The sun had nearly vanished; on the horizon thin and pale. On the opposite horizon, the two moons were rising steadily. Red and vast, with great rings that glittered at sunset.

“Oi. Time to set tents,” Suguru interrupted his trance.

“Right. Is it just me or do you guys feel a big and ominous Cursed Energy somewhere in the forest?”

“I didn’t. Did you all?” Kento mumbled.

The rest shook their heads.

“Okay fine, I’m hallucinating then. But did you at least see where the fire arrows come from? The lions, too. What the hell was that?” Satoru sputtered. He unrolled the big sheet of waterproof canvas. Next, he unwinded a roll of rope and tied it between two pretty far trees. Suguru was surprised that Satoru actually knows how to set one up, a miracle honestly.

“Eh, could be Four Eyes, Four Arms,” Mei Mei shrugged. She had her head rested on Shoko’s lap.

The name caught Satoru’s attention.

“Hm? What’s that?”

“You mean, you don’t know?”

“Would I be asking if I know?” Satoru sniped with no real heat, draping the sheet over the rope.

“Knowing you, probably.”

“Well, unfortunately, I do not know this time.” He grabbed some rocks and placed it on either side of the canvas, making a triangular shape. Suguru, whose uniform was almost fully ripped off, shivered in the cold air. With much difficulty, he sat up with a groan and crawled toward Satoru, leaning into his warm back. He mumbled something into Satoru’s ear.

Curious, Satoru twisted his body and casually plopped Suguru in his lap. Kento, Shoko, and Mei Mei were used to their display of intimate touches but Kento could help rolling his eyes.

“The legend started going around about decades ago. A hero was travelling around when he arrived at a village.” Suguru blinked blearily. Must’ve been Shoko’s healing side effects. Even so, he continued. “The village’s prized forest, the source of their food, happened to be dying. And especially since they were in the middle of war, the villagers couldn’t take care of it. Hearing that, the hero offered to fight with them.” A stifled yawn.

Satoru rubbed circles on Suguru’s back.

“Go on.”

He was genuinely interested.

“In the end, they won. But a dragon or something woke up and trampled the village down. The hero naturally slays the beat. Heartbroken by the villager’s death, he buried them in the city here. And one each grave, he planted a flower. Seeing this, the forest was moved and asked if he would like to be their protector. The hero grew four arms… and four eyes… Surrounded by flowers… They say… you could hear… bell chimes wherever… he’s… near…”

Suguru’s eyes abruptly rolled back and his head hit Satou’s chest. Light snores could be heard.

Mei Mei snickered.

“No dinner then,” Satoru concluded, pulling out blankets from the bag and laying it on Suguru. He also pulled two more, tossing the big one to Shoko and the regular to Kento. “You all should get some sleep. I’ll take the first watch. I’ll destroy any enemy that come so don’t worry~”

His party members grumbled out some ‘good nights’ before hitting dreamland in two minutes.

Satoru listened as snores filled the silent air.

“How peaceful.”

He stretched his lanky arms before settling against the tree trunk, tucking Suguru under his chin. They have been friends since they were babies. They always played and slept together back in the Royal Palace so it would be natural that the habit stuck. Then he cocked his head.

“?”

There was a sound.

No, it would be better to describe it as a… melody? Satoru doesn’t know much about music but it sounds really pleasing to the ear. The slightest chimes interwoven in the breeze. It was like the music of a dream and he found himself relaxing. Wait… was that bell chimes?

Just as he thought of it, a wind passed through the field, rustling the long grass. It danced like it was celebrating a festival and the whispers of it are similar to that chorus sung in events.

Ah.

There it was again.

The sinister-like Cursed Energy.

Gripping his sword scabbard, Satoru’s brilliant blue eyes scanned the area, body tense and alert.

From the top of the village’s ruins, a sole fire lit up, revealing a silhouette of a man with four arms. They were moving around, the jingle of bells faintly echoing. The man was swaying to the chimes. Locks of long hair whirled in the wind, swishing back and forth. It was too far to see but Satoru swore that glowing red irises were staring right back at him.

With a twirl, the man snuffed out the fire, bringing the destroyed place back to complete darkness. “Wow,” Satoru whispered. His heart was pounding. “Wow,” he repeated.

It was the most beautiful thing he ever saw.

Just like a delicate dream.

The legend Suguru told came floating back. “They say you could hear bell chimes wherever he’s near.”

“Four Eyes, Four Arms, huh?”

Satoru covered his face, running a hand over it and grinning. “Oh god… I think I’m bewitched.”

Chapter Text

A week passed after the incident with the centaurs. And Sukuna, being the forest’s god of wisdom, was busy as ever.

Today, Sukuna had help with the withering crops of the rabbits, healed the charred part of the Nita forest made by a dragon, slayed a bunch of goblins and fixed the bridge. Not to mention that he now has another job in his hands: acquiring a bagful of Eonirin which only existed in the volcano areas. The griffins needed the herb to make an antidote and the ‘Elders’ had asked Sukuna to get some as he’s the only one who knew his way.

Just like always, he accepted it.

Currently flying to Mount Stasis, Sukuna decided to strike a play blind chess game with Jewel. He knew that Hari wanted to play, but the last time they did it caused the lion to break down.

‘F-2 to D-3,’ Jewel went first, feeling a bit fired up. Sukuna and she were tied on their wins.

“E-3 to E-5,” Sukuna said.

‘G-2 to  G-4 . ’

An idea clicked and Sukuna grinned. “D-8 to H-4.”

‘What!? No!’ Jewel cried, realizing the move. She flapped her wings, letting out shrieks of frustration.

Hari hummed in amusement as Sukuna snorted in laughter. “Hah! That marks my hundredth win!” he said. Jewel launched herself at him, playfully pecking at the ear. “Should we play another- Ow! Stop that!” he scolded, pretending to be in pain despite feeling ticklish.

The pecking continued until Jewel heard a familiar droning sound. The heat hit them like waves, the ground turning into rocky. Up ahead, laid out a glowing red rocky landscape.

Lava bubbled menacingly.

“Oh, we’re entering the volcanic area,” Sukuna remarked. “Let’s hope the volcano god is in a good mood.”

He snapped his fingers. “O goddess of protection, heed my call and shield us from danger.” A cool layer of force wrapped around them like a blanket. Hari found that it kept the heat off all the way. Sukuna then tapped Hari’s ears. “Go near the temple there; near the tree.”

With one swift turn, Hari expertly maneuvered toward the smoldering rocks and pawed the ground.

“Wait,” Sukuna commanded.

He slid off Hari.

Making his way to the stone altar, Sukuna set down the bag in his hand. It contained the carcass of the hare he hunted. Fire sparked and it burst into flames, smoke rising. The earth trembled beneath. Lava exploded from the volcano. Roars of them sounded through the place.

“The volcano god is satisfied,” Sukuna told Jewel and Hari, mounting again. “Before humans enter one’s domain, we must offer up a sacrifice to its owner. We need to make them happy.”

In a moment, they were running past the black fields. ‘But kami-sama doesn’t ask for an offering?’ Hari asked.

They passed over a volcano.

Smoke and ash rose.

A blob of molten rock exploded and spilled, dangerously close to them. If it wasn’t for the magic bubble around them, they might’ve died already. Sukuna shrugged at the question. “No. I don’t mind anyone passing, humans and animals alike. But if they were to attack any creatures or destroy the trees, they might as well be good as dead,” he answered.

Jewel couldn’t help but shiver from the statement. She flew a little higher, bursting through a layer of smoke and gliding through the cooler air. Few minutes later, Sukuna pointed to a silhouette.

It jutted out like a small pyramid, a patch of something tall and green entered Hari’s vision.

“We found it.”

Sukuna suddenly heaved.

Hari didn’t properly stop before Sukuna unceremoniously fell off. He grunted on impact, a sharp rock digging into his side. The protection spell broke and his skin instantly bubbled up. Sukuna cursed. He turned his head away as a fresh blast radiated from a volcano.

‘Kami-sama!’ Jewel exclaimed in shock. She hurriedly swooped to Sukuna’s side with Hari.

“I’m fine,” Sukuna gritted out.

The blisters receded, causing him to hiss.

Hari and Jewel watched as the slightly wilted flowers on his face returned to its original state.

Another groan left Sukuna.

Some leaves fell.

“Rather than worrying over me,” Sukuna reluctantly pointed to the green thing from before. It was a plantation area — with steaming soil and bushes. “Go and search for the Eonirins first-” A sound caught his ear and his eyes flicked to the side. His eyes narrowed suspiciously. Jewel noticed the action and also followed, glancing at the plants. There was nothing.

But Sukuna was up anyway.

His first pair of arms were crossed and the second on his hips.

“If you have enough time to hide, isn’t it rude you didn’t greet me yet?” he demanded. “I’m a guest that came several times, you know. And I even offered a sacrifice to your master.”

Silence greeted him.

Hari and Jewel exchanged concerned glances.

Then, small orange things peeked out from the trees. Jewel squawked in terror, Hari letting out a growl.

“Easy there, you two,” Sukuna said.

As he said that, slimes, not bigger than a melon, slowly revealed themselves; balls of vibrant red and orange rolling toward them. Fire slimes, a breed of slime creatures who lives among ashes and extreme temperatures. They are friendly and are curious by nature.

The fire slimes made distressed noises in apology. Sukuna waved a hand dismissively. “It’s fine. Huh? You want to do something to compensate? Sure, help us pick Eonirin flowers.”

And that was how the three of them, along with a bunch of fire slimes, were going around the field of tall grass. Jewel flew above and cried where the flowers were. The slimes picked and put it in the bag Hari was carrying. Sukuna navigates them through the thick smoke without trouble.

The Eonirin blooms were really small so it took them almost the whole evening to get the amount needed and a bit more. At the end of the day, Sukuna invited the slime to come to the Nita forest. As they came near the border, Sukuna whistled loudly. The shrill noise echoed through the forest. It was a sign he often used to call any winged creature for an errand.

A big silhouette suddenly appeared in a flash, swooping down. It landed beside them, tucking their majestic wings in and bowed down low. ‘Kami-sama, how may I be of help?’ the pegasus asked.

Sukuna learned that the stallion’s name was Kata. He was a new face so Sukuna didn’t talk to him in human language.

It was safe to say that Kata wouldn’t understand anyways.

‘Here . ’

A bag filled with vials of healing potion was placed on Kata’s back. They were made from the remaining Eonirin flower. Since it has some value, it was decided that it could be sold. ‘Take this to the Capital City’s guild and show them the letter,’ Sukuna said, tying a scroll around Kata’s neck. ‘If they do something to you, come back and I’ll deal with them . ’

Kata made a happy neigh, delighted that he could be of help and doesn’t have to worry of having to fight back. With a big flap of his wings, he took off with the slimes chirping in farewell.

-

“You can’t be serious, Satoru,” Kento deadpanned.

“Yeah, well, ya won’t know unless you try, right?” Satoru sputtered.

Suguru winced. “Sorry, I can’t back you up this time.”

“What!? No! Sugu-chan!”

“Drop it already. I’m not risking my life just because you want to hunt down the lesser dragon,” Shoko said.

“I have to agree.” There was a mischievous glint in Mei Mei’s eyes. “Unless you pay me the amount I want.”

The group, famously known as Hollow Purple, were currently debating whether to go along with the idea from the fool of the group, Satoru, to hunt down a monster nearby and get handsomely rewarded or be rational and do other quests. Kento suggested a vote, resulting in a four-ish versus one. Unfortunately, Satoru is the group leader so they have to listen to him.

But Satoru was not an idiot.

He knew that his group may not be enough to defeat the lesser dragon. As the leader, he knew the limits of his friends. So that’s why they might need to ask for other members to join.

“Gojo-san!” a voice yelled happily. Satoru and the others didn’t have to turn to know who it belonged to.

Having just returned from a mission, Yuji’s face is covered in grime and dirt.

“Yo, Yuji-kun,” Satoru greeted airily.

“Oi! Let me heal you first!”

Megumi, the mage and sorcerer, was running after Yuji, his two dog familiars behind him. “How are you even running with a broken rib and the holes in the hand!?” he asked exasperatedly.

“The idiot is monstrously strong so it’s expected,” Nobara, also a sorcerer like Yuji, shrugged.

As the trio healed themselves with potions while scolding Yuji, a white pegasus suddenly flew through the open window. Adventurers near it instantly scrambled out of the way. Some screamed in shock and some were frozen in place. Thinking it might be an enemy, Satoru nearly blasted it if not for Suguru tackling him. The pegasus trotted to the table and neighed.

The receptionist got up and reached for the scroll around the stallion’s neck. A bit later, the sack on the pegasus was taken, given a pouch and it flew off again, leaving the place in awkward silence.

“What just happened?” Shoko blinked.

Mei Mei shrugged. “Beats me.”

“Haha! It’s Utahime! Let’s go ask!” Being the menace he is, Satoru went ahead toward Utahime with Suguru, the voice of reason, following and Shoko. Mei Mei went to go sit in the lounge area. Kento decided this was not his problem and went to talk to his three juniors.

Utahime immediately cringed at the sight of white hair. “What do you want, Satoru ?” she snapped.

Satoru noticed she looked tired.

“Eh, nothing much.” An arm went to rest on Utahime’s shoulder, to which was somewhat aggressively shoved off. “Just wanted to know what the pegasus business was all about.”

“No.”

“Why not?” Satoru whined.

Then came Suguru to whack Satoru’s head. “Sorry for that, Utahime-san. But I’m curious as well,” he said, indifferent.

“No.”

Shoko then appeared.

“Okay fine,” Utahime gave in. “Hah…” She scratched her head, setting the bag of potions on the counter. “Looks like it’s from the protector of the Nita forest. An export, they claim.”

Satoru perked up. “Four Eyes, Four Arms?”

“Yeah. I’m honestly surprised you know about the legend.”

“Well I am smart, you know?”

Utahime and Suguru snorted at the same time.

The three said their good-byes and returned to Kento and Mei Mei, recalling what they had heard.

Surprisingly, the legend ‘Four Arms, Four Eyes’ was more popular than Satoru thought. There many versions to it, but one remained the same; that the protector was a fearsome beast and also a god of wisdom. Some say that they were ethereal, their body becoming one with nature. But some say they were an abomination. Naturally, he was curious because just a while ago, his group was near the Nita forest. And because of a certain event, Satoru couldn’t stop thinking about the predatory red eyes and was desperate to find its owner.

An idea clicked inside his head. He smiled knowingly to himself. Satoru was the type to do what he wants and who is to deny him from going to look for this so-called god of wisdom?

He wants to see just how strong they are. It was also because he was enthralled but no one needs to know that.

Satoru tilted his head to face Yuji, Megumi and Nobara across from him.

“You three up for a quest?”

All members of Hollow Purple groaned.