Soul system:Return Of The SSS-Ranked Troublemaker-Chapter 38: Jeju Island (14) Massacre.
"How did the clan get annihilated?" Jin asked.
"The boy’s story is..."
It was a peaceful night—until a loud noise erupted from the shinden (clan head’s room). The doors burst open, and out staggered Shinoto, the younger brother of the current sōke (clan leader).
He was shirtless, his usual stern expression replaced with something twisted—a hollow, drunken despair. In one hand, he clutched a tokkuri (sake bottle); in the other, his katana, its blade glistening with fresh blood. And in his grip... the severed head of the former clan head.
The boy had been practicing karate when a bloodcurdling scream shattered the night.
"What are you doing, Shinoto?!" a clan warrior bellowed—only for his words to be cut short as a shadow moved.
Dozens—no, hundreds—of figures dressed in jet-black shinobi shōzoku (ninja garb) emerged from the darkness, their blades gleaming in the flickering torchlight. In mere moments, flames began devouring the nagaya (clan houses), the scent of burning wood and flesh thick in the air.
The onna-bugeisha (female warriors) grabbed their children and ran, screams and cries blending with the crackling fire. Chaos unfolded, but the boy could barely process it—his mind blank, his body frozen.
Then, he saw them—his chichi-ue (father), the clan leader, standing tall beside his haha-ue (mother). They fought bravely, cutting down enemy after enemy, but they knew they were outnumbered. And so, with his final breath, his father sacrificed himself to buy time.
Shiroi appeared, grabbing the boy’s wrist and pulling him away. Before he even realized it, he was shoved through a himitsu kaisatsu (hidden exit), forced to flee.
After that, he wandered—following the instructions Shiroi gave him, heading toward this address. Along the way, whenever someone dared to speak ill of his fallen clan, he left them bruised and broken. Eventually, he stowed away on a ship bound for Korea.
Jin sighed and rubbed his temples. "So that’s why he smells like fish..."
"So this happened just last night... and yet, we didn’t hear a word about it?" Jin muttered, rubbing his chin in thought.
His uncle nodded. "Strange, isn’t it? Japan is considered the land of the future. Even if the Gyakumei Clan was old-fashioned, they should have had at least some form of security. After all, this is the country of the Hero of Machines..."
Jin narrowed his eyes. Something felt off. "Yeah... it doesn’t add up."
His uncle studied him for a moment before asking, "Are you planning to go to Japan right now?"
Jin smirked. "Yeah. Also, call Ozin. Tell him we’re switching to Plan 2. I’ll leave the rest to you, Uncle Jumeok-dae."
His uncle’s expression shifted. "I see... Plan 2, huh? You really mean it?"
Jin nodded confidently. "Yes." He turned toward the door, pausing just long enough to add, "And take care of the kid."
Without another word, he left the room, stepping into the elevator. As the doors shut, he pulled out his phone and sent a message:
"Give the students a month off. After that, we continue the program. Let them use the time to build their suits."
With that handled, Jin quickly boarded his metallic giant bird—his personal aircraft. Within half an hour, he reached Japan, and another half hour later, he arrived at Kumano Kodō.
As he stepped off, he was immediately met by a group of Japanese pro heroes, police officers, and detectives. A man in a long coat stepped forward.
"Sae-yeon Jin, I presume?" The detective asked in fluent Japanese.
Jin nodded. "Yes, sir."
"I’m Konan. Do you have any intel on what happened here?"
Jin took a deep breath, glancing around at the ruins. "It looks like a clan betrayal. We have the son of the clan leader—he claims that Shinoto beheaded his father. Right after that, a thousand warriors appeared out of nowhere and set the entire place ablaze."
Konan followed his gaze, looking over the charred remains of what was once a peaceful clan. The air still smelled of smoke, blood, and ash. Corpses lay scattered, a grim reminder of the massacre.
After a moment, Konan turned back to him with an eerie smile. "So... you have the boy?"
Something in his tone sent a chill down Jin’s spine. Cold. Calculated.
As he subtly scanned the area, he felt it—a suffocating wave of murderous intent.
Everyone around him was exuding killing intent, their gazes fixed on him like predators sizing up prey.
Jin’s grip tightened. Something was very, very wrong.
Jin touched his forehead, then suddenly burst into maniacal laughter. The detective and heroes around him stiffened, their expressions darkening.
"WHAHAHAHAHAH...!"
With a sigh, Jin smirked. "Did you really think I’d just hand over the child that easily?"
His golden eyes gleamed with amusement as he scanned their tense faces. "Weren’t you guys trying to wipe out the Gyakumei Clan before?" He chuckled, shaking his head. "Your wish came true, huh? But I bet you’re disappointed that one of the clan leader’s sons actually survived..."
Jin’s smirk widened. "No? Well, I suggest you redirect your efforts toward hunting down Shinoto. After all, he committed a crime even an Oni wouldn’t dare commit. Aye?"
His wild grin sent a cold shiver through the air.
"Tsk, I never expected this to be easy anyway." Konan muttered, his expression shifting to something far more serious. He took a step forward. "Regardless, I’ll put the intel you provided to good use." Then, to Jin’s surprise, Konan gave a small, respectful bow.
Jin raised an eyebrow. "So? Who’s your first suspect?"
"As if they’ll find anything..." Jin thought, watching Konan closely.
The detective tapped his chin, smirking slightly. "The only clan with a deep, blood-soaked grudge against the Gyakumei... is none other than Iga Province—home of the Crimson Shinobi."
A breeze swept through, tousling Konan’s brown hair as he removed his hat.
Japan’s S Rank Hero:
Konan, also known as ’Mind Cognize’ Japan’s Brain.
Jin gave a brief nod before striding past him, heading straight for the ruined clan gates. Half of the grand entrance had been reduced to ashes.
As he stepped inside, a gruesome sight met him.
Thousands of men and women lay slaughtered across the ground, their lifeless bodies twisted in agony. Among them were women who had suffered horrific fates, their torn clothing and lifeless eyes telling unspeakable tales.
Jin clenched his fists. "Can’t they track DNA...?" He thought, shaking his head.
He pushed forward, past the carnage, until he reached an area that was nearly unrecognizable—yet familiar. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚
"This is the garden... Or at least, it used to be."
His sharp gaze landed on a solitary figure lying among the fallen. The man’s body was riddled with countless swords and arrows, surrounded by nothing but the primitive, blood-stained weapons of his enemies. It was a massacre.
Jin stepped closer. The torn fabric, the black attire—there was no doubt.
His lips pressed into a thin line. "Shinma... you truly were a man of your word. Even in death, you took down hundreds before falling."
A voice emerged from behind, smooth and confident. "Quite the spectacle, isn’t it? They somehow managed to hide the bodies of their own brothers, claiming none of them died. But it’s painfully obvious they’ve disposed of their fallen brothers’ bodies, keeping them away from the Great Oni Shinma."
Jin turned around, greeted by the sight of a tall man dressed in a striking red kimono. His hat, a symbol of a true warrior, was unmistakably that of a samurai. A sword hung from his left side, and his face was partially concealed by a demon-like mask. With a practiced motion, he removed his hat, revealing long, black dreadlocks that cascaded down his back. He extended his hand for a handshake.
"Japan and the USA, SS-Rank. Renzou Hachimura, hero name Crimson Ronin. Descendant of the legendary samurai, Yasuke," he introduced himself with a warm, yet commanding smile.
Jin met his gaze, accepting the handshake with a calm demeanor. "Sae-yeon Jin, Hero of Trades from Korea. A pleasure."
Renzou’s face lit up with a look of genuine admiration. "No need for the formalities, sir. I’m actually a huge fan of your work."
A sudden thud echoed from within the room. "Hm?" Jin furrowed his brow, confused.
"Konan mentioned they haven’t fully explored every part of this clan. Want to check it out, sir?" Renzou asked, his tone neutral.
Jin hesitated, a strange feeling creeping over him, but he nodded. "Sure."
As they walked toward the room, the air grew heavier, the energy around them growing more intense with each step. When Jin reached for the door, a pungent, indescribable smell suddenly burst out, overwhelming their senses. Both Jin and Renzou froze, shocked.
Quickly, Jin used his shirt to cover his nose, trying to block out the stench, while Renzou seemed unfazed, his half-demon mask protecting him. As the door creaked open, their eyes widened in horror at the sight before them.
Jin’s stomach churned violently, and before he could stop himself, he bent over and vomited onto the floor.
A gruesome pile of charred remains and other indescribable horrors, the remnants of children who had suffered unimaginable fates, lay piled in the room.
