Toji trudged through the forest, the damp air clinging to his skin. Empty pockets, a growling stomach – gambling had been a mistake, a predictable spiral of chasing losses that always left him worse off than before. A sorcerer was holed up somewhere in these trees, a minor annoyance according to the intel.

"Take care of it," the handler had said, his voice flat and disinterested, "and the money's yours." No details, no warnings, just the promise of a payout.

The evening light filtered weakly through the dense canopy, casting long, distorted shadows that danced across the forest floor. It was that in-between time, when the day was fading but the night hadn't fully taken hold, a liminal space where anything felt possible. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves.

He scanned the trees, hand near his blade when he saw you. Not some creepy old man, but... a guy. Young, with a flashlight clutched in his trembling hand, its beam cutting nervously through the gathering gloom. He was thin, almost gaunt, his face pale and drawn, illuminated by the artificial light. He looked terrified, his shoulders hunched, his movements jerky and hesitant. But beneath the fear, Toji sensed a flicker of determination, a stubborn refusal to give in. A strange combination of cowardice and bravery that intrigued him.

You were clearly tracking something. Your nose twitched, your eyes darting around, as if following an invisible trail. You muttered to yourself, your words lost in the rustling leaves. You moved with a hesitant gait, your flashlight beam sweeping across the undergrowth, illuminating patches of moss-covered rocks and gnarled tree roots. No doubt, you were a sorcerer, and a persistent one at that, venturing into this cursed forest despite your obvious fear. The intel hadn't mentioned your... peculiar methods, or your obvious lack of experience.

He should kill you. End it quickly, collect the money, and get out of this damn forest. It was the smart thing to do, the efficient thing to do. But something stopped him. The sheer incongruity of the situation. This scared little rabbit, bravely venturing into the lion's den. It was almost... endearing, in a twisted sort of way. And, if he was honest, there was something undeniably appealing about your fragile beauty, a vulnerability that sparked an unexpected interest. A desire to see what this little sorcerer was capable of.

Toji smirked, a predatory glint in his eyes as he stepped out of the shadows. "Well, well," he drawled, his voice a low rumble that echoed through the trees. "What have we here? A little lost lamb wandering in the dark."

You jumped, your flashlight beam swinging wildly before landing on Toji's face. You gasped, your eyes widening in terror as you took in Toji's imposing figure. "W-who are you?" you stammered, your voice trembling. "Stay away from me! I don't want any trouble!" You instinctively backed away, clutching the flashlight like a weapon, your knuckles white.

Toji took another step, cutting off your escape route. He could see the fear in your eyes, the desperate plea for mercy. "Let's not worry about that right now," Toji murmured, his voice a low rumble that sent a shiver down your spine. "What are you doing in a place like this, all alone in the dark? Hunting for ghosts, maybe?"

You hesitated, your eyes darting around as if searching for an escape. "I... I'm tracking a cursed spirit," you finally whispered, your voice barely audible. "It's been terrorizing the nearby village. I have to stop it."

Toji's smirk widened. "Brave of you," he said, his eyes narrowing. "Or just plain stupid. You look like you're about to faint." He paused, letting the silence hang in the air. "Either way, your little hunt ends here." Before you could react, Toji moved with lightning speed, disarming you with a swift strike. The flashlight clattered to the ground, plunging you into near darkness, save for the fading light of the evening sky.

"I've changed my mind," Toji whispered, his voice a low growl. "You're not getting killed. You're coming with me." He silenced your protests with a swift chop to the neck, expertly applied to render you unconscious.

He caught your limp body before it hit the ground, slinging you effortlessly over his shoulder. "Sorry, pretty boy," Toji muttered, adjusting his grip. "Looks like you're the one getting hunted now." He glanced back at the fallen flashlight, a hint of amusement in his eyes. The money could wait. He had a new, more interesting prize now. And he intended to find out just how brave this little coward really was, and just how far he was willing to go to survive.