Morning in Hikarimura was nothing like the mornings I knew.
The sunlight poured through paper windows, painting the wooden floor with soft golden stripes. Outside, I could hear the chatter of street vendors and the clinking of hammers as blacksmiths worked on blades. The air smelled faintly of grilled fish and sakura blossoms.
I was sitting cross-legged on a thin futon in a small inn room, staring at the silver badge the guildmaster had given me. It was simple, just a smooth disc with the crest of Silver Thread Hall etched into it, but its weight felt like more than metal. It meant I wasn't just… me anymore.
I was Kanzaki Arisa, D-rank hunter, Threadweaver.
And that was terrifying.
---
"Rise and shine!" Hikari's bright voice chirped. The little holographic fox was floating just above my head, its body glowing softly. "You have your first official quest today! You should get dressed in something more, uh, quest-worthy."
I groaned. "Is this going to be a thing? You choosing my outfits like some magical stylist?"
"Hey! A weaver's outfit is an extension of her power!" Hikari said, tail flicking indignantly. "You can't just fight monsters in pajamas."
I glanced at my coat, which was hanging on the wall like it had a life of its own. "Fine. Outfit change?"
"Say it! Use your will!"
---
I hesitated for a moment, then raised my hand, feeling the hum of threads around me.
"I, Kanzaki Arisa, weave the crimson loom—Dress Shift!"
Threads of scarlet light curled around me, dissolving my plain night clothes and weaving into the crimson coat and boots I had worn yesterday. It fit perfectly, as if it had grown with me overnight.
"…Still feels weird," I muttered, flexing my hands.
"Weird? It's awesome! You literally conjure battle fashion. Hunters would kill for that skill!"
---
Silver Thread Hall was buzzing when I arrived. Hunters of all ranks were crowding the quest board, checking postings while sipping morning tea or chewing skewered meat from nearby stalls. The scent of charcoal-grilled chicken wafted through the air.
"Ah! The weaver girl," someone whispered.
"That's her? The one who passed the guildmaster's test?"
I tried not to shrink under the curious stares as I made my way to the quest board. Aki was already there, waving cheerfully, her fox ears twitching.
"Arisa! Morning!" she said, her tail swishing excitedly. "Ready for round two?"
"Not if it involves more near-death experiences," I said dryly.
Renji was leaning against the board with his arms crossed, looking as broody as ever. "Don't whine. A hunter who complains doesn't last long."
"Good morning to you too," I shot back.
---
Aki pulled down a quest sheet and handed it to me.
Quest: Investigate the Thread-Wolf Den near the Petal Mist Forest.
Reward: 1,000 gold.
Team requirement: 3 members or more.
"Why do I feel like the wolves are becoming my personal nightmare?" I sighed.
---
Before we left, Genzō called me over. "Arisa," he said, his voice like gravel. "I heard about yesterday. You're talented, but raw. Threadweaving isn't just power—it's responsibility."
I blinked. "Responsibility?"
"You create. Most hunters only destroy. That makes you valuable… and a target."
The seriousness in his tone sent a chill down my spine.
---
We left Hikarimura under a bright morning sun. The path to Petal Mist Forest was lined with sakura trees, their petals swirling like pale pink snow in the breeze.
"Renji," I said, glancing at him. "How long have you been a hunter?"
"Three years," he replied curtly, adjusting the sword on his back.
Aki grinned. "And I've been at it for two! I started because my older sister said I was too lazy. Now I'm the fastest archer in the guild."
She wasn't lying. Aki carried a sleek bow that shimmered faintly with runic patterns, like threads woven into the wood itself.
---
We stopped near the edge of the forest. It was quieter than I expected—no birdsong, no rustling leaves.
"Something's off," Renji muttered. His hand was already on his sword.
My heartbeat quickened.
"Arisa, thread-sense," Hikari whispered. "Focus on the threads around you. They'll warn you before an attack."
---
I closed my eyes. For a moment, I felt nothing. Then… there it was. Faint vibrations, like someone plucking invisible strings around me. Threads—lines of magic and life—ran through the trees, and I could feel a disturbance nearby, like frayed fabric.
"…Something's coming," I murmured.
The next second, the wolves burst from the shadows.
---
"Spread out!" Renji shouted. He leaped forward, his blade glowing green as he slashed, the wind itself slicing through two wolves at once.
Aki fired arrows in rapid succession, her bow singing as glowing thread-arrows pierced the beasts' hides.
I raised my hand, my voice ringing out:
"I, Kanzaki Arisa, bind the crimson paths—Thread Bind!"
The scarlet threads shot out, tangling three wolves together. My pulse quickened as I felt the resistance in the threads—it was like trying to hold back raw muscle.
"Now, Arisa!" Hikari urged.
"Right— Threads that cut fear—Seam Slash!"
The wolves scattered into glowing fragments.
---
But then the ground trembled.
From the depths of the forest came something far larger.
It was a wolf—but this one wasn't just stitched with red threads. Its body was made of threads. Glowing crimson strands stretched over a skeletal shape, its eyes burning like twin coals.
"What the hell is that?" I whispered.
Renji's face hardened. "Thread Alpha."
The massive wolf towered over us, its body flickering like threads of raw magic barely holding form. Its eyes locked on me, and a shiver ran down my spine.
Renji shifted his stance, his sword humming faintly. "Stay behind me," he muttered.
"No," I said, surprising even myself. My hands trembled, but I could feel it—that familiar vibration of threads just waiting to be pulled, shaped, or cut. "I can help."
"You'll die if you get too close," he said sharply.
"Then I won't get close," I replied, raising my hand.
---
The threads around me shimmered, as if responding to my determination. I focused, letting the crimson coat unravel into glowing strands that coiled around my body like ribbons. My voice came steady and clear:
"I, Kanzaki Arisa, weave a mantle of swift wind—Dress Shift: Azure Gale Cloak!"
The threads reformed into a lighter outfit—sky-blue fabric lined with pale silver, boots that seemed to hum with wind magic, and fingerless gloves etched with faint patterns of flight.
Aki let out a low whistle. "Whoa. You can just… change like that?"
"New outfit, new enchantments," Hikari said proudly. "This one boosts speed and agility!"
---
The Alpha lunged, its claws slashing through the air like blades. Renji dodged, his sword flashing as he shouted:
"I, Renji of the Storm, call the cutting winds—Gale Rend!"
His blade unleashed a storm-like arc of slicing wind, but the Alpha barely staggered, its threads stitching itself back together.
"It regenerates," Renji cursed.
"Not if we hit the core," Aki said, nocking an arrow that glowed with faint firelight. "I'll pin it down. Arisa, can you cut through its threads?"
I tightened my grip on the glowing strands gathering around my fingers. "I can try."
---
The Alpha roared and charged. Aki's voice rang out:
"By the arrow of dawn, let your aim be true—Blazing Pin!"
Her shot exploded into fire-thread bindings, wrapping around the beast's front leg and slowing its charge.
I took the chance. My voice grew louder, steady with a force I didn't recognize:
"Threads of fate, answer my call—Thread Bind!"
Crimson threads shot from my hands, weaving into a net that caught the Alpha mid-leap. For a moment, I felt its raw strength tearing against me like a storm pulling apart sails.
---
Hikari's voice echoed sharply. "Arisa! It's too strong—use an advanced weave!"
"How?"
"Call it with your will! Use an Enchant Word stronger than before!"
I clenched my teeth, threads straining as the Alpha roared. My words spilled like instinct:
"I, Kanzaki Arisa, sever the unyielding fabric—Seam Cutter!"
The bindings twisted into bladed wires, slashing across the Alpha's torso. It let out a deafening howl as glowing threads scattered, but its form still held.
---
"Not enough," Renji muttered. "We'll have to hit its heart."
The Alpha's chest pulsed faintly, as if a glowing knot of threads was buried deep inside.
"I can reach it," I said, surprising them both.
"Are you insane?" Renji snapped.
"Probably," I muttered, then took a running start. The Azure Gale Cloak's wind enchantment kicked in, boosting me forward faster than I thought possible. I zipped beneath the Alpha's slashing claws, threads whipping out like lashes from my fingertips.
---
The Alpha swiped at me again, and I barely rolled away, the ground trembling under its weight. My heartbeat was a drum in my ears.
"Arisa!" Hikari shouted. "Call on me!"
The voice wasn't just Hikari's this time. It was something deeper, resonant, and old.
"Speak my name… and I will awaken."
---
I froze. "Who… are you?"
"Shirogitsune," the voice whispered. "Your bound thread. Call me, and I will fight with you."
Something stirred inside me—a memory that wasn't mine. A silver fox, nine tails gleaming under moonlight, standing proud amidst endless threads.
I lifted my hand, threads swirling violently around me. My voice came in a whisper, yet it felt as if the entire forest heard me.
"I, Kanzaki Arisa, summon the hidden loom—Shirogitsune, awaken!"
---
Light exploded from my threads, blindingly white and silver. The form of a fox—sleek, elegant, and impossibly powerful—burst into reality beside me. Its fur shimmered like woven moonlight, and its golden eyes locked on the Alpha with predatory calm.
The hunters froze.
"Is that…" Renji murmured.
"Holy—" Aki's jaw dropped. "You… you have a summon?!"
---
The Alpha roared, but Shirogitsune only tilted its head, nine tails unfurling like blades. With a single swipe of its tail, glowing threads of silver lashed out, slicing the Alpha's body apart.
Its core was exposed—a glowing knot of red energy pulsing like a heart.
"Now, Arisa!" Hikari shouted.
---
I raised my hand, silver and crimson threads twisting together, my voice sharp and clear:
"By the weave of fate, be undone—Seam Breaker!"
The threads struck true, slicing through the core. The Alpha shattered into glowing fragments, scattering like stars fading into the night.
---
For a long moment, none of us spoke.
Aki was the first to break the silence. "Okay… that was insane."
Renji's eyes were on me, sharp and unreadable. "…You're not just a weaver. You're something else."
I stared at my hands, the last silver threads fading into nothingness. Shirogitsune had vanished, but I could still feel its presence—quiet, watchful.
"What… am I?" I whispered.
---
We returned to Hikarimura as the sun dipped low, painting the town in warm hues. The quest was done, but my mind wasn't at peace. Something about Shirogitsune's voice lingered in me, like a thread tugging at the edge of memory.
The road back to Hikarimura was quiet, except for the sound of our boots crunching over gravel and Aki humming some upbeat tune that didn't match the fact we'd almost been shredded by a monster.
"So," Aki said, glancing at me with a mischievous grin. "When were you planning to tell us you had a legendary fox spirit hiding up your sleeve?"
"I didn't even know I had it," I muttered. "One second I'm almost dead, and the next—bam! Shiny silver fox appears like something out of a fairy tale."
Renji gave me a long side-eye. "Summons like that don't just 'appear.' They're bound to bloodlines, contracts, or… worse. You sure you don't remember making some ancient deal with a god?"
"Trust me," I sighed. "The weirdest deal I've made is with my vending machine guy for half-price milk tea."
Aki snorted with laughter.
---
Hikari popped up, floating above my shoulder. "Shirogitsune isn't your typical summon. That's an ancient guardian spirit. You're lucky it didn't eat you for dessert."
"Wait—eat me?!"
"Kidding. Probably."
I groaned. "I don't think I'm cut out for this…"
Renji slowed his steps, his tone softer but still sharp. "You did well today. Better than most rookies would on their second day."
I blinked at him. "…Did you just compliment me?"
"Don't get used to it," he muttered.
---
When we reached the town gates, the guards straightened, their eyes widening as they took in our group.
"Back alive, huh? Didn't think the newbie would make it," one of them said, raising a brow at me.
"Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence," I muttered.
---
The streets were lively, filled with vendors shouting about fresh fruits, skewered meat sizzling on grills, and woven trinkets displayed on colorful stalls. The smell of fried dough made my stomach rumble so loudly that Aki burst into giggles.
"Hungry, Arisa?" she teased.
"Starving," I admitted, pressing a hand to my stomach.
"Let's eat before we report to the guild," she said, dragging me toward a food stand selling steaming bowls of udon.
---
The vendor, a plump man with an easy smile, set three bowls in front of us. "You kids coming back from the wilds? Looks like you had a rough day."
"You have no idea," I muttered between mouthfuls of noodles. The broth was rich and warm, and for a second, I could almost forget the giant wolf made of magic that had tried to turn me into shredded cloth.
---
Renji, of course, sat with his arms crossed, sipping tea like some brooding hero.
"You don't have to look so serious all the time," I said, frowning at him.
"I'm serious because you're reckless," he shot back. "Charging at the Alpha like that—"
"I didn't see you stopping me."
He went quiet. Aki smirked. "Ooooh, she's got you there, Renji."
---
After we finished eating, we walked toward Silver Thread Hall. As soon as we entered, the room buzzed with whispers.
"That's her! The rookie who took down the Thread Alpha!"
"Wait, seriously? On her second quest?"
"Wasn't she the weaver girl?"
I flushed, tugging my hood up as if that would hide me. "Can we not make this a big deal?"
"Too late," Aki said cheerfully.
---
The receptionist nearly dropped her pen when we handed over the quest paper. "You defeated a Thread Alpha? With no casualties?"
"Uh… yeah?" I said uncertainly.
She scribbled something furiously. "The guildmaster will want to see this report."
"Oh, great," I muttered.
---
Genzō's office smelled faintly of incense and parchment. The old man looked up from his desk as we entered.
"I heard the Alpha was taken down," he said, his tone carefully neutral. "Was it you, Arisa?"
I nodded nervously. "With help. And… something else."
"Something else?" His eyes narrowed slightly.
I told him about the silver fox. As I spoke, his expression darkened, though not with anger—more like deep thought.
---
"A spirit fox," he murmured. "Nine tails… Shirogitsune. That name hasn't been heard in centuries. If what you say is true, you've bonded with a guardian spirit older than most kingdoms."
"That's… bad?" I asked hesitantly.
"It's dangerous," he said simply. "For you, and for those around you. People will want that power. Some will try to take it."
My mouth went dry.
"Don't look so scared," he added gruffly. "It's not a curse. It's a gift. Learn to control it, or it will control you."
---
Later, in the quiet of my inn room, I sat by the paper window, staring at the moonlight streaming in.
"Shirogitsune," I whispered. "Are you… awake?"
A soft, familiar voice brushed against my mind. "Always. You are my thread now."
"Thread?"
"Your life and mine are woven together. You called me, and so I will answer… until the final stitch."
I didn't fully understand, but the warmth in that voice made me feel less alone.
---
The next morning, Aki barged into my room without knocking. "Arisa! You're coming with me to the marketplace. We need to upgrade your gear."
"Upgrade my gear? I don't have gear," I said, yawning.
"Exactly. You can't keep wearing the same red outfit every time. Variety, girl! Hunters will think you're weird."
"Hunters already think I'm weird," I muttered, but followed her anyway.
---
The market was a maze of colorful stalls selling everything from enchanted fabrics to glowing talismans. Aki shoved a bolt of pale-blue cloth into my hands.
"Try weaving this," she said. "It's storm-silk. Lightweight but tough."
"Storm-silk?" I asked.
"Rare material from sky drakes," she explained. "Perfect for your… fashion magic."
---
I focused, threads of crimson mixing with the storm-silk as I murmured:
"I, Kanzaki Arisa, craft the veil of storms—Dress Shift: Tempest Veil!"
The outfit shimmered into existence—a short, layered tunic in deep blue, trimmed with silver streaks that seemed to flicker like lightning. My boots reformed into sleek leather, and a cape fluttered behind me as if stirred by invisible wind.
Aki clapped. "Now that's a look!"
---
Renji, who had been silently trailing us, sighed. "You're treating this like a fashion show."
"Excuse me," I said, placing a hand on my hip. "If I'm going to fight monsters, I may as well look amazing while doing it."
Aki laughed so hard she nearly dropped the bag of supplies.
---
By the time we returned to the guild, the sun was setting, turning the sky a warm gold. I felt strangely at peace, like I was slowly finding my place in this strange world.
But as I pinned my new guild quest on the board, I couldn't shake the voice of Shirogitsune whispering softly in the back of my mind:
"The threads of this world are fraying. And soon, you will have to choose which ones to cut."