short story style

One-shot :Youth spirit (少年の魂)

streak

Fantasy Supernatural

Ghost spirits mixed with Shonen action genres

What do you think? I can fully criticize it. If enough information is collected The story is good and perfect. There may be a chance that it will become a long-running series.

Thank you for the illustrations by

Y.K. Kurai

(left Saiki, right Jason)

Human beings are made from three elements, physical form (

Body)

spirit (

Soul)

and the soul (

Spirit)

The body is just a container for the world. It has a lifespan and a day of decay. against the spirit And the soul that changes according to its strength can even last forever. The soul is like the core. The center of existence or existence of all living things in the spiritual world. A world which overlaps with the world of the living.

The world cannot be seen or is difficult to perceive if we are attached to the physical form. In other words, we cannot see. or feel the spirit with the body The soul is what defines humanity. Be it thoughts, beliefs, determination and emotions, etc. The soul is like a river.

Calm and cool, turbulent and violent, clear and clean, cloudy and dull. If the soul is like water The soul is like a rock with the water of the spirit flowing around it. If we allow the spirit to flow wildly, it becomes dirty and dull. It is like water from a tsunami that washes away things. Both good and bad come together to become sewage, which has enormous power and is ready to destroy and erode rocks until they are destroyed.

If we can control the flow and purity of the stream, then we can protect the soul stone to maintain its purity, strength, and power. With this power, strength and purity will return to purity. Cleans away various impurities and stains. In the water stream, make it clear, clean and pure to the point where nothing can taint it.

“Ha ha ha”

Even though it's now afternoon. Instead, thick, dark clouds covered the entire blue sky, turning it into a somber grey.

A man in his late twenties Thirty-three ran up the stairs, mouth open, tongue hanging out, and he carried a shepherd's staff that curved at the end like a hook. And it's all metal with three connecting points. It was as if it were four pieces of metal assembled together, approximately 180 - 190 cm long.

cm

Close to the height of the holder

“Abyss.”

He slipped and almost fell while turning the corner of the stairs, causing him to cry out. The rosary he hung around his neck made a clicking sound. He gripped his staff and leaned on the ground to keep his balance. Then he picked up his pace and continued running up the stairs.

He wanted to know if 'it' was still following him. But if he was overtaken now This was definitely not good, so he ran towards the rooftop without looking back.

Its shrieking sound came closer and closer. As he reached the door to the rooftop of the building, he tilted his body and crashed into the door, causing it to open. He fell, rolled on the rooftop of a middle school building, and Something jumped over him from the rooftop entrance as well. The man jumped up and stood looking at the creature that had been chasing him for a while. It was about two meters tall, and its body was a bright red.

There were two horns sticking out in front of the body, the muscles all over the body were a dull bunch, the eye sockets were deep and hollow. His face was distorted with rage.

“Who is this stupid face angry at, Phantom?”

He called the hideous monster 'Phantom', a soul that had been corrupted by evil emotions and corrupted souls until it turned into a demon that haunted innocent souls.

"Hoy! Not finished yet? Psyche!”

“That's noisy, Jason! What are you trying to do here?”

Young Saiki sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and clenched his right hand tightly with his left hand clenched into his right fist. He hid behind a cleaning equipment storage room in a corner of the rooftop.

“Just kidding...Oh my god, you managed to lure him here...”

A man wearing a rosary and holding a shepherd's staff Jason grinned. and stared at the Phantom without taking his eyes off.

“Can't help it, I'll be your sparring partner.”

Jason grabbed the staff with both hands and pointed the curved end at Phantom.

The Phantom roared like a wild animal. Ready to pounce on Jason. Jason raised his staff and smacked the Phantom hard!!

However, the upper part of the staff was lightly swatted away by Phantom with his left arm, and the curved part of the staff was thrown off mid-air.

"How unlucky..."

Jason's face turned pale. Phantom spreads his right claw, preparing to attack.

“When?”

The piece of metal that had fallen off spun back and hit the Phantom's head. Jason jumped away. Leaving some distance from the Phantom, the iron rod floated back and rejoined as before.

“Surprised, this is my best technique. The power to control the flow of the soul... Even if you call it power, to be honest, it's not really that good. Just concentrate. control spirit Just put in your determination.” 'Put your soul into your work' This is truly putting your soul into your struggle.

Jason is a shaman trained in meditation and spirit control. Until he was able to put his soul into objects, Jason transferred his soul into each piece of metal and caused it to move as he wished. Even though the piece of iron had fallen off, Jason was able to easily put the staff back together with the spirit that was put into it and connect the pieces of iron together.

"Anyway, how do you explain it? A Phantom like you would never understand such things."

Jason swings his baton smoothly. Then he rushed towards the Phantom.

Jason swung his staff to hit the right-hand Phantom again. It raised its guard to receive Jason's attack. Suddenly, the tip of the staff split open. Jason deliberately tricked the Phantom into opening a hole on his left side. He took advantage of this moment. use the other end A blow to his side made the Phantom groan. and swings his arm to slap Jason Jason used his baton to block the attack, causing him to retreat slightly.

Phew!

The metal rod that had fallen off earlier spun in mid-air and hit Phantom's head. It jumped back and ran away from Jason.

Now it was becoming wary of Jason. A piece of iron floating around Floating it into Jason's hand, he put it back together.

From behind the cleaning equipment storage room, Saiki began to sing a heart-touching boy's chant.

“Already close. Let's continue, Phantom.” Jason smiled, holding up his staff and pointing at Phantom. Even though the metal staff looks heavy, But because Jason's soul was contained inside, the staff felt light. and can increase weight and strength when attacking

The Phantom remains cautious. Wouldn't even get close to Jason.

“If you don't break in, I'll break in myself.”

The staff is separated into individual iron rods. Hovering in the air, Jason held the tip in his hand. Control the other three pieces and float according to command. Jason flicked the iron rod in his hand and another iron rod flew towards the Phantom. The iron staff turned into a long whip, slashing at enemies.

Jason waved the iron rod in his hand like a conductor playing a fierce song, attacking the Phantom. The sound of metal hitting and hitting resounded loudly.

“Triplet (

Triplet)”

Jason uttered random musical words that popped up in his head. The metal bar and hook snagged the Phantom's ankle. This caused him to lose control and fall. Another iron rod hit him on the chin and ended with the iron rod slamming Phantom's head, slamming him onto the ground.

“Finale (

Finale)”

The Phantom tried to get up. He was staggering among the three metal rods revolving around him and suddenly all the metal rods The piece that Jason was holding suddenly rushed forward and squeezed the Phantom tightly. Jason focused his spirits on each piece of iron, connecting them to bind the Phantom.

“This is probably the best I can do alone. When there were no other exorcists Unable to perform a ceremony to exorcise evil spirits I didn't carry any equipment that could dispel phantom souls, and I still had a physical form. You cannot use your spirit to attack directly.”

While Jason was explaining Scratching his head, the Phantom regained consciousness and tried to free himself.

“Therefore, I should let the real hero be the one to wrap things up… Go ahead! Psyche!”

Saiki rushed out from behind the cleaning equipment storage room, a blue and white flame glowed in his right fist. He jumped up and floated above the ground. His fists shone brightly and he spoke sacred words.

“Amen...”

Psyche concentrated. Focusing his fiery spirit on his right hand, he created a powerful punch that could burn the Phantom to ashes. The punch that Psyche threw burned the Phantom that Jason was holding until it had no shreds left. Free from ashes The black clouds disappeared. The sky returned to its original brightness and Saiki landed gracefully.

“Mission completed!” Jason announced happily.

He forced the iron rod to fly back towards him. He opened his coat. Let each piece of metal be inserted neatly into place. Except for the iron rod that he had been holding in his hand since the battle with the Phantom, young Saiki was brushing dust off his pants, which should have gotten dirty from sitting next to him. Cleaning equipment storage room

But he stopped brushing it off halfway through. He realized that there was no way his clothes would be soiled with dust...

“What have you been bragging about for so long?”

Jason lightly tapped Psyche's head with the iron rod in his hand.

“Oh!! Why did you hit my head!?”

But it looks like Psyche is hurting a lot from being hit with a soul-soaked iron rod.

“Well, you were too distracted and unable to concentrate and gather your spirit in time. Look, the plan completely went wrong.”

“Isn't that your fault!? Slammed the door loudly. Won't let me be shocked How can concentration be scattered? You stupid shaman.”

“Sigh... Nevermind, it's already happened. Let's be more determined next time.”

Jason sighed. He tucked the last piece of iron under his coat and reached out to play with Saiki's head.

“How deafening...”

Psyche slapped Jason's hand away. And try to arrange your hair so it's not messy. Psyche knew full well that before the Phantom appeared, He didn't really concentrate, he didn't know when Jason would come. So he was too lazy to sit and focus on his spiritual preparation because it made him quite tired. But it was also Jason's fault for making such a loud noise that he would startle him. If he was already concentrating and making a loud noise like Jason did. The spirit that was focused on the right fist would definitely run wild.

"Saiki, go take a rest. I want to check around the school first to make sure everything is in order and safe."

Jason walked towards the door leading to the rooftop. But he suddenly stopped walking.

“What does it mean to look at me with such disdain?”

Jason could clearly feel Psyche's disdain even though he didn't turn to look at him.

“Went to inspect or looked down on high school students? You perverted witch doctor.”

"Vulgar at best. I am a gentleman who cares deeply about the welfare of beautiful, lovely ladies. Just staring at them from a distance is an excellent reward after a tiring battle. Wow, ha, ha, ha."

Jason grinned, spun around and hurried down the stairs. It doesn't look friendly at all. Instead of protecting welfare I'd rather do something bad, Saiki thought to himself. The sound of school bells ringing throughout the school caught his attention. He didn't think anything of the school break signal. He just listened to it.

"We'd better go downstairs..."

Psyche relaxed his breath. As he walked, he thought that he didn't want to walk down the same stairs as Jason. He didn't want to see that guy's face right now. Moreover, He also didn't want to walk through the classes.

Psyche walked in the opposite direction from the stairs. He grabbed onto the edge of the fence instead.

Without hesitation, Saiki climbed over the fence and stood on the edge of the rooftop of the six-story school building.

The wind blew across Saiki's face, his hair blowing in the wind. He released his hand from the railing. Leaning back, Saiki looked up at the sky as it fell. He smiled softly, enjoying the fantasy of flying in the sky.

Thump!

Psyche's body fell to the ground, he didn't moan in pain. Just lying there silently on the concrete floor, the nearby students stopped. He turned to look at the spot where Saiki had fallen. Then he paid no attention to Saiki and parted ways to go home. or do activities after school Psyki blinked. He stood up and stared at the students.

He didn't have any serious injuries, he just felt a little pain in his back. He massaged his back gently and it went away for a while.

He had just fallen from a building. The spine may break or shift and press on the nerve. It may cause him to be paralyzed or his physical form damaged to the point where he can no longer wrap his spirit and spirit, ultimately ending his life.

In fact, Psychic had already lost his physical form and the only thing that existed today was his soul and spirit. In short, Psychic had died. Only a soul remains. It is the soul of a dead person who was raised from the hereafter by the magic of a shaman. Ordinary people would have difficulty perceiving his existence.

Just now, the students felt that something had hit the ground, causing dust to fly up, but they couldn't see anything. The people didn't ignore Saiki. But neither can see nor hear him, his existence is so dull that he is easily ignored and forgotten. He is an unusual entity in the world of the living...

“Huh.”

Saiki laughed deep in his throat. His eyes were clouded. He tilted his head and rolled his eyes to look at the classroom through the glass window. Found a group of students around the same age as Saiki before his death, chatting with friends and having fun. Some play games that they secretly bring to school.

“Hey...can I come stay over at your house today? I just argued with my mother this morning. I don't really want to go back and see you.”

“Eh, is that good?”

“Friends, let's have a little Yuan,” Saiki listened to the conversation between the two young men.

What an idiot. Wouldn't doing that make your parents so worried that they'd be even angrier than before? But it's really good. I have friends to lean on in times of distress. Psyche thought so, his lips curling into a smile.

"Oh, why haven't you finished the questionnaire yet? You have to collect it and send it to the teacher."

A young girl wears glasses and braids meet the standards of the class leader. asked a male student sitting next to the window. Saiki wondered what kind of questionnaire he had and walked over and looked at a piece of paper. It was a questionnaire about the subjects he would choose to study in high school.

“When you think about what field you want to study, you have to think about what university you want to study. When thinking about what faculty to study, you have to think about what kind of work you want to do after graduating from university. How envious of those who know what their dreams are.”

The male student made a sullen face. replied in a dejected, depressed tone.

“Fold it open, why do small things have to be made into big things? It's just the future...dream...our dream...shit!”

Saiki clicked his tongue in displeasure and turned his head away, putting his hands in his trouser pockets. Bowing his head and kicking his feet, he hit an empty plastic bottle that was carelessly thrown away on the road. The bottle accidentally bounced onto the head of a rather old male teacher.

The teacher was startled and his wig moved forward. The teacher turned around. Shaking the front of the hair that fell over his eyes

The people in that area held back their laughter. The teacher fixed the new wig and looked around for the culprit, but he couldn't find him.

"Whoever did this, don't let me know."

He turned around and walked away, pressing his hand on the wig on his head to prevent it from falling off again.

“Heh heh heh heh heh heh heh heh heh heh heh heh heh heh heh heh heh heh heh.”

Psyche laughed heartily. There was no way that teacher could find the wrong person even though he was actually there. But I can't see it. Psyche raised his left hand and held it tightly against his left chest.

“Hahaha.”

Jason clings to a tree Check the safety of the girl in school through binoculars diligently

"That little girl is cute and that teacher is really pretty. Haha. Whose welfare should I go after first? Hahahahaha!"

Jason's chest suddenly tightened. His hand was weak. Jason quickly regained his composure. The sudden pain nearly caused him to fall from a tree.

“Psyki...”

Jason immediately thought of the young boy after feeling the pain in his chest.

"scream!! There is a perverted man in the tree!!!”

A female student screamed and pointed at Jason from inside the building, as others began to notice him.

"What the fuck..."

Psyche could only ask questions.

Why is there only him? He could only imagine his pain as he watched the students playing football and the members of the Athletics Club practicing running with joyful faces. Next, students were seen playing basketball. Why were these students so cheerful… No... No... Some of the students themselves were feeling depressed and depressed.

So why are they suffering? They already have a life, friends, a future, and the right to pursue their dreams. It's really ready. Why are you still miserable? Don't you realize the value of life? So take it and take it now. Because Psyche also wants to live a fun life, he wants friends to relieve his loneliness. and has dreams to fulfill his life, but it is not possible for him anymore Why? Because he's dead, he's lost an important life.

How wonderful and beautiful it is to have friends to play with, talk with, consult with, without having to be lonely all the time. Those damn exorcists, Jason, had awakened his soul. It's just for use, right? Day after day, he exists only to destroy the Phantom. Generate income for shamans who work to suppress evil spirits.

Every day he was reminded that he was dead by the shamans who treated him like he was deceased and that his clothes were not real. It is only an image left over after death. It is the last outfit that Saiki wore before his death, which became part of his soul. No matter how badly the clothes were torn from the battle, they would be restored to normal in the future. Time didn't slow with his spirit power, or Jason's.

Most importantly, the name 'Saiki' is not his real name. It was a name that was given to bind his soul to remain in the living world and he was bound by a magical name. Becoming a slave to the shaman who cast his knowledge on him, his name was lost by default, his future, his freedom, everything...

Saiki could never be friends with other students, could not grow up to achieve his dreams, he forgot about his own dreams since he didn't know when. There is nothing left, the true name which has been forgotten. Having an identity that ordinary people forget

“Huh...why don't I have anything!?”

The young man clutched his left chest tightly. He let out a sigh after repressing it for a long time. He dropped to his knees on the ground, his life, his friendships, his dreams all taken away. Psyche both envies and hates the students who have what he lacks. Full of life and dreams

“Why don't you just ignore me!? I'm right here!”

Saiki stood up and grabbed the metal net surrounding the stadium. He shouted loudly as he shook the net again and again. But no one looked at him and tears streamed down his cheeks. The sobbing sound continued.

“Damn it, friends, what language is this? This just can't help.”

Saiki glanced at the source of the voice. The male student who had asked to stay at a friend's house walked out of the school building with an agitated expression.

“It's really boring. The future is a bit uncertain. What do you dream of becoming? Is that what you will become?"

The people who followed further away were those who had trouble filling out the questionnaire for the subjects they would choose to study in high school.

“Why are you guys upset? What are you unhappy about? They have everything that I don't have.”

Saiki tensed both his hands. His left hand pulls his shirt until it almost rips. His right hand squeezes the steel mesh grating and deforms it.

“Friendship...”/“Dreams...”

“That one's stuff...”

The two students spoke in unison.

Psyche bit his lip. The thing he hated more than a human who had everything was... Humans who overlook or look down on the friendship and important dreams that Saiki longs for.

“Totally nonsensical...”

Psyche heard the male student say that and his last fang was shattered. He shouted and howled. A dark aura enveloped him, and large red eyes appeared. The tail is long and slender, resembling the tail of a lion. Sprouted through a dark aura.

“Take it...I'll take...your life!!”

A group of black people attacked the students. Prepare to attack ordinary students who cannot see spirits. A metal rod shot straight from the roof of the school building, piercing through the dark aura. Iron hook on Saiki's neck. Then he pulled him up and the black mist disappeared. As for the students, they could only feel a strong wind blowing at them.

Saiki was dragged up and rolled on the steel rooftop, and the tip of his cane flew back to be reassembled. Jason placed his shepherd's staff over his shoulder and stood with his feet on his hips.

"Let's calm down a bit, Saiki. Damn it, teenagers are so hot-blooded."

Jason teased Psyche.

Saiki's demeanor was completely different. He arched his back, lowered his body, and let out a growl in his throat, his teeth bared. Staring at Jason with hostile eyes His appearance also changed, he had a shiny black lion's tail. The ears are slender and pointed. Sharp fangs and claws grew out. and the eyes were bloodshot and the iris shrank into a straight line. He was consumed by the darkness in his soul and began to transform into a Phantom.

Psyche leapt at Jason, Jason swayed and dodged, spun his staff and hit Psyche in the back of the head. Psyche tumbled and fell unsteadily. Psyche turned around and jumped out to get a foothold far from where Jason was standing.

“It seems like you haven't been completely eaten away, becoming a kind of halfway between good and evil, causing you to weaken to the point where I'd feel comfortable if I were normal...”

Normally, Psyche would attack with his spirit concentrated in a single point until it exploded, creating a soul-destroying power, but right now, he was going crazy. Lack of mindfulness and concentration Unable to use his soul control powers and not yet tainted enough to become a pure evil cloud, if Jason pulled Psyche out of his dark aura more slowly, It's definitely a big problem.

If fully transformed into a Phantom, Jason would not be able to be purified. But Jason himself was weakened from bearing the weight of his pain.

sadness, jealousy hatred Psyche's Negative Feelings was debilitating Jason. Jason had never told Psyche before that He could sense Psyche's feelings. Previously, when Jason lured the Phantom up onto the rooftop. He realized that Psyche was distracted and feeling lazy.

Jason used a shaman's technique to revive a young boy's soul and gave him the name 'Psyki' as a contract of ownership, no matter how happy Psyche was. Or regret, those feelings will be connected to Jason, the master of all, but there is a strong dark feeling that can pierce the heart of the shaman who rules the deceased soul, so Jason experiences a strong feeling of malice from before. and was able to stop Saiki before he hurt anyone in time.

Psyche is at an age where his determination and determination are considered to be extremely powerful in fighting the Phantom. But he is easily sensitive and mood swings, causing his soul focus to be unstable and at risk of being possessed by the darkness in his heart. But Jason still stubbornly chooses Saiki as his soul mate to defeat the Phantom because he wants a soul as fiery as A flame that can burn a Phantom to the ground in the blink of an eye.

“You must be in a lot of pain. I sincerely apologize. As the guardian and the person giving the name I am happy to take responsibility.”

Jason brandished his cane. swing back The bent end touches the ground. He controlled his breathing and concentrated all the spirits in the staff to concentrate on the hook head of the staff. Jason made up his mind that He must hurry and defeat Saiki before he becomes a full-fledged Phantom.

When Jason chanted the cleansing mantra, Psyche shrieked. and kicked himself and ran towards Jason. Jason ran, dragging the head of his staff towards Psyche, scraping the paint on the ground until it sparked a blue and white fire. Little flames dance

“Amen!”

Jason prepares to swing his staff at Saiki. But that very second Psyche's feelings flowed directly into Jason's heart.

'Who can understand my feelings!? How terrible it is to die. Those guys have it all. Dreams, family, friends, why did I lose everything? Do those who are still alive understand what it feels like to be alone, lonely, lonely even after death, but still having to live a fake life after death, wanting it to end? I can't do it.

It's okay to jump off a building. They exist only to be used. The pain is too much to bear. Anyone please help.'

Feelings rushed in in a short time. It's like time slows down. He stared at Psychi in front of him even after he transformed into a monster. The sight of Psyche reminded Jason of the night they first met.

“My name is Jason with the new name given to me. I summoned you from the next world to fight alongside me and... You don't have to be afraid of anything.”

Memories from the past replayed in my head. He is the one who extended his hand. Give the young boy his own name and afterlife. So he would just throw it all away like this? Go back to being alone again?

Jason let go of the cane, the metal cane clattering to the ground. separated into four parts The sound of metal resounded and he ran with open arms and embraced Saiki.

Psyche hits, scratches, bites, and hurts Jason in all kinds of ways. But Jason didn't respond. He hugged Saiki and didn't let go.

"Take a deep, slow breath. It's okay."

Jason bore the pain both internally and externally from Psyche. He moved one hand up to grab the back of Psyche's neck.

“There is nothing to our liking. Everything is offensive to some extent. But that is life.”

Jason's words made Psyche stop his sudden rampage of life...? We're disappointed. We're sad right now because we're...living? Psyche's subconscious thought deeply.

“Don't worry. Psyche still has me.”

Jason gently caressed the back of his head and neck.

"You must have been hurt in the past. Please forgive me, Saiki. I was a very rude parent. But I promise, I will never abandon you for the new life that I have given you. Please, from now on... you are useless. Please go with me.”

Jason said, tightening his arms to bring the boy into a tight embrace. Saiki opened his arms and spread his claws. Then he swung his hand and clawed at Jason's back.

"I'm sorry..."

As it turned out, Psyche hugged Jason back.

Saiki's ears, fangs, and claws shrunk to normal, his black tail slowly disappeared, and his pupils dilated and became round. The white part of the eye has faded and returned to normal.

"I'm really sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

Psyche burst into tears and sobbed as he fell on Jason's shoulder. Sliding towards the gentle warmth

'I'm crying, don't lie down on me, my coat is soaked.'

Jason thought before he could speak. He stopped and swallowed his words. Right now, there was no need to say anything... This is the best...the two hugged each other on the roof of the building alone. Jason looked up at the setting sun and smiled sweetly.

After that, the school posted a notice prohibiting the person in the sketch from encroaching on school territory because they were not an official, employee, or personnel of the school. But came to look in the school area. Anyone who saw it, please call the police immediately. The appearance according to the sketch is that of a grotesque uncle, with frizzy hair hanging from a rosary. and wear a coat

--------------Youth spirit 'One-shot' End--------------