Story I
Rin's father was a legendary swordsmith, the last in the world to master the art of layered forging. This nearly lost ancient technique could create the lightest and sharpest blades. A warlord sought him out, demanding to make these swords to arm his elite troops. He refused, unwilling to see his blades used for slaughter. When the soldiers came, he did only one thing: he threw his notes into the furnace and stood before it, blocking their path.
Story II 🔒 1★
Though the warlord never obtained the formula, he knew another copy remained, in the mind of the swordsmith's daughter. From that day on, Rin spent two years on the run until she realized that running solved nothing. She put on the Hannya mask her father had left behind. He never explained why he kept it, only saying, wear it when you need to frighten your enemies, be a demon for a moment. But Rin needed more than that. She didn't want to scare enemies away. She needed to become a demon herself.
Story III 🔒 2★
Rin's sword, named Maple Moon, was a gift from her father, with a blade with maple leaf patterns. She began reclaiming her father's legacy, which had fallen into the hands of various owners. Some used them for killing, some for protection, and some simply hung them on walls, unaware of their value. She reclaimed each sword in different ways: sometimes through trade, sometimes through duels, and sometimes by quietly sitting across from the owner, telling a story about the swordsmith and his daughter.
Story IV 🔒 3★
After arriving at the Isle of the Banished, the Warden provided Rin with a sanctuary beyond the reach of the warlords' bounties. Rin always remembered her father's words during their last sword-forging lesson: The value of a sword is not in how sharp the blade is, but in what the hand holding it chooses to do. She hadn't yet answered her father's question. But she now had a place to find the answer.