1 [Ch. 1] The Black Sheep of the Taira Clan

The brothel was quiet as the time for work had yet to come. In a room located in the attic of the brothel, was a young man of 19 who was calmly asleep. He was a carefree youngster who had too much free time on his hands.

He had messy, unkempt hair that hung down loosely. His long dark brown hair smoothly rested against his bright red and yellow robe. His luxurious robe was disheveled slightly to reveal his yellow inner clothes. Anyone who noticed the state of his clothes would cover their eyes in embarrassment, but this was his usual-looking appearance and he certainly felt no shame.

His face had a gentle, feminine appearance, sultry drooping eyes which emphasized his long eyelashes. He had burning amber eyes that sent anyone into mad desire when they looked upon them. Many women would fall in love with that face at first sight, while even some men were entranced by it. Thus, he has rightfully been nicknamed the Pretty Boy of the Hime Brothel.

His true name was Taira no Ryu, but many called him the Fourth Young Master. Despite his high social status, he never sought to have anyone else use proper honorifics. This wasn't because he was polite or humble, but merely because he was too lazy to correct them.

Although his appearance was so entrancing and elegant despite its messy state, very few would dare approach him. This was because despite his looks, he was actually quite skilled in martial arts and trickery. No one ever knew if he was serious or playing a prank on them since he was a master of illusions. Of course, everyone knew that he was incapable of being serious about anything. Still, it would be better to keep away from such a mischievous person.

Despite his weak and feminine looking body, he worked at the brothel as a bodyguard. Although his personality was quite lazy, he took his job seriously. Because of this, he was beloved by many of the workers. So much in fact that they spoiled him relentlessly. In return for their kindness, he would play the five-string Biwa for them. Even more of a treat, he would sing poetry verses along with his music. They were so completely smitten by the beauty playing the Biwa, that they only sought to spoil him more.

The Madame of the house went into town to specifically buy him an incense to aid with clarity of the mind. She always wanted him to be in the best shape as good honorable bodyguards are hard to come by. As she lit it, Ryu made a complicated face while still asleep on the floor.

The smell was causing him to "reach the heavens", so to speak.

Suddenly, he was overwhelmed by a powerful sensation coursing through his veins. A loud voice spoke, "Ryu… Seek your destiny… See what lies beyond…"

Ryu saw the future flash before his eyes, scarring it into memory.

His future consisted of pain and sorrow.

He would be beaten.

Cut.

Slashed.

Betrayed.

Poisoned.

Overcome by illness.

...And then he would die before he could turn 25.

The mysterious God showed him only pieces of his future, but he was shown his death very clearly. Ryu thought to himself silently: Ah. So that would mean I don't have many years left.

Ryu was not saddened or angry at this. In fact, he was totally apathetic. It's not like he cared about living nor was he afraid of death. However, there was one thing that bugged him.

Not only was he the carefree, laid back, disappointment of the family; but he would never succeed in anything noteworthy. He would just live a meaningless existence and die without anyone by his side.

Although he had never cared enough to make a deep connection to anyone, and yes, even now he had no desire to have a romantic relationship; but wasn't that too depressing?

He started to wonder if perhaps there was a fault in his personality.

Then, before he could figure it out, he felt as if he was thrown off of a cliff. No matter how much he tried to slow down, he could see the ground coming closer and closer. He kept his eyes wide open, expecting to see the ground meet his face and his life to be over.

Instead, Ryu suddenly found himself standing in a pure white space. He looked around in a daze before realizing he was holding a thick leather book. He read it aloud:

"The Grim Reaper: Panzram."

When he flipped open the book, he soon realized it was based off of the Taira clan's history in the Heian period. The exact period he had been currently living in.

In his world, certain influential families were given the gift of Tamashii energy, or the ability to use pure elemental power, to bring peace to the world.

Except, the families decided to use this power for the exact opposite.

...But that wasn't new knowledge for Ryu.

He flipped to a random page and read: The Taira clan and the Minamoto clan have had a power struggle in the upper court for decades. The Taira clan set forth to qualm the Minamoto's rebellion. As their battle was reaching its peak, a man descended onto the battlegrounds killing both Minamoto and Taira indiscriminately.

This man was Panzram.

He was more beast than human. His large body towered over even the most capable fighter. His long jet-black hair blew calmly in the breeze yet only screams of agony could be heard in his quake. His red pupils, resembling a poisonous spider web, would entrap its victims in endless suffering. His lips were in a permanent scowl without even the slightest warmth.

He was the embodiment of death.

Wherever he went, dead bodies would remain.

Panzram harbored much ill content for both families. He hated the Taira clan for imprisoning and torturing him, and the Minamoto clan for ignoring and betraying him.

This man held otherworldly strength, the result of his arduous life. Unbeknownst to everyone, Panzram was also of ancient blood. A bloodline that descended from the Gods, giving the individual overwhelming strength and immortality. However, one isn't born with immortality. It has to be unlocked, but no known person has ever unlocked it.

Panzram's blood would also never be unlocked, but he didn't need the strength from his blood. Neither family could stop his sheer strength. Seeing they were at a loss; the two families made an unusual pact to team up and stop Panzram's destruction.

Panzram was quickly overwhelmed by the unexpected team-up. His bloodline had yet to awaken, and so he succumbed to their forces. Before cutting off his head, he uttered one sentence, "I only wish mankind had one neck so I could choke it… Now hurry up and kill me."

Taira no Kiyomori, the leading general of the Taira Clan, hesitated with his sword to Panzram's neck.

"What's taking you so long?" Panzram's sneer was evil incarnate, "I could have killed 10 others by now."

The Head of the Taira clan stepped up and swung his blade as it was clear Kiyomori wouldn't.

As Panzram's head fell to the ground, the strategist for the Taira clan, Taira no Tsunemori, chuckled darkly, "If only little Ryu could see this."

The two clans agreed to withdraw and cease the battle as too much blood had been shed. Kiyomori made the horrible mistake of letting Minamoto's forces withdraw. They later…..