Chapter 9

Meanwhile…

The halls filled with screams, followed by the sound of blood splatter. Those who managed to run were quickly finding less places to hide, let alone means of surviving. Whoever came into the temple walls, they were on a mission, and they won't leave until they gained everything they desired.

But, what is there to be found in a remote temple of Tibet?

Those who tried to run, had nowhere to go now. The surviving monks were huddled into the corner as their tormentor and murderer slowly stalked them from down the halls.

What a demon he was.

His eyes glowing a crimson red, there was clear intent they will no survive their ordeal after this, and yet, if they have not been killed just yet, then he is after something.

"Where… are they?" he demanded.

"What… what do you want!?" one monk shouted.

"The BOOKS!" he roared. "I know… for a fact that you kept books here… books from a certain family… in fact, one was a monk here… Doryu Tooru!" he shouted. "Where… are… the… BOOKS!"

The monks were worried. "In his study, we have not touched the study since his niece left for Japan! That was years ago, she hasn't returned!" they protested to him.

But he didn't appear to believe them. The monks froze as movement came from under his cloak, the man smirked as he revealed another set of arms. There were curse marks on them too that made them tremble.

"Sukuna?" one whispered in fear.

He smiled warmly to the name. "You compliment me so, but no, I am not my master… However, tell me were this study is, and perhaps… some of you will be spared…" he said offhandedly.

There were looks of reluctance, yet the senior monk stood. "I'll take you, but spare those who remain!" he demanded. "It is all I ask, I don't care if I die at your hands, but spare everyone else here."

He paused to consider it. "Very well, led the way…"

The elder nodded as he stood up from the ground and began to led this mad man through the halls. He cringed at the sight of the fallen, some merely children they just took in recently. Yet by the time they reached the study, he turned and saw the mad man was gone! "Sir?" he asked…

But gasped.

A hand plunged through his chest, taking his heart out. The old man crumbled to the ground, barely lasting 20 seconds. "I thought there would have been more of a fight in him…" discarding the heart carelessly, he tossed it over his shoulder like garbage. But his eyes now set on the prize at hand. Grabbing the handles, he effortlessly pulled open the doors to see what waited him.

"What…" he growled.

The room was empty.

Not a single book or scrap of paper to be found!

"Is this a joke! Where the hell are all the books! The manuscripts! The notes… where the fuck did they go!"

Peering about the room, he began to sense some familiar energy. He sneered at it of course. "Divine foxes…" he muttered lowly. "Even now they still cross me…"

They must have taken everything, no other knows of this collection. Yet that only had him wonder, where did it go? "I must fine those books… I want those notes!" he growled lowly.

But there was something that he could do to cheer himself up. In fact, he sensed them leaving the temple just now…

#

The surviving monks had just reached the outskirts of the temple. There was no going back now. Their elders are dead, the children killed and slaughtered. "We have to warn the others…"

"Warn them of what?"

Instantly, the survivors froze as they saw the demonic man before them. He wasn't happy to say the least. "We… we did what you asked, please… let us go, you promised our elder!" one begged.

But there came a devious look on his face. "He should have asked for a binding vow then…" With a flick of his finger, the monks lost their heads. It wasn't that satisfying. "Should have known… weak monkeys like them hardly put up a fight…" He paused for a moment. "Perhaps it is time I speak with her… she must know something by now…"

He was about to leave, but turned back to the temple once more. With a smirk, he raised his right dominate hand, and watched flames erupt. It won't take long for it to burn to the ground, he will be satisfied with that for the moment. But now, he has to move forward and prepare. After all, that divine sorcerer should be on the move and perhaps inching her way closer to obtain the pendent.

#

He returned to Japan.

In his grand scheme of things, he had planted a proxy just in case to answer the phone should his bounty hunter become successful. He was a mere third grade sorcerer, forced into this or he would have been killed. A mini grunt if you will. But the underling was terrified of him. "Please, let me go, I am no one and of no use to you, please!" he begged.

"I'll let you know when you are no longer useful to me…"

It has been a while since he left the task with the bounty hunter named Robin. But now he suspects something may have happened, just as the phone rang.

"Answer it," he demanded.

The man's hand trembled. He kept a close eye as he answered the phone.

Instantly, he heard curse speech being used. "Don't hang up and tell me everything, who ordered this?"

The sorcerer panicked "No, please I can't tell you we are after the demon vessel and his clone for… GAH!" He was quick to slaughter the pawn as he hung up the phone. It was crushed shortly after.

"Such a pity, I had high hopes for her." He said with a disappointed sigh. But that also meant one thing, he sneered at the notion. "I suppose I better speak with HER on the matter…" he muttered.

Peering about his lair, he took a few things along with him. It's about time he checked up on an old… acquaintance.