Hyperdimension Neptunia Third Sister; Darkness Volume 2: Forgotten

Chapter 7: The forgotten

It has been a while. With everything set-up, we now have all we need. The only thing left is to find the other organizations. Since the mass crime in the evenings have been dwindling thanks to both our hard work, and the efforts of Lowee's authorities. We can rest at nights and gather info in the days.

We didn't really find anything out about the other organizations besides surface level stuff. However, both on the internet and in the guild have I learned of an interesting rumor.
A swordsman. He appears at night challenging the strong. With swift sword strokes, he cuts even the atoms. No range covers enough distance to escape his blade once the duel starts. Beware of the Shadow Samurai.

Apparently he comes out at night. In the western streets of Lowee, actually a little bit to the south of the western area specifically. I don't have much better to do. I doubt I can let some blood thirsty warrior walk around, especially if it is true no one survived a fight with him.
So, during the night I head out.

I strolled over the streets, there actually are some lights on, it is still pretty lively in some areas of Lowee. I didn't go out too late, around eleven P.M. I want to make sure I meet this guy, so I am just going to roam around here. Maybe find something else. Who knows.
I went to a darker part of the street. The one I was in before had slightly richer people. These streets are filled with your average worker that need to sleep early to wake up early. Some lights are still on, but that doesn't matter much.

I don't find anything. It's quiet, but honestly? It is a pleasant kind of quiet. I can feel relaxed like this. But maybe I'm odd for enjoying the sound of wind blowing snow away and increments of nothing with exception to my feet digging into snow.
I go to a street with more independed businesses. Most people live in the upper floor of their shops or offices.

Surprisingly, there were quite a few people outside. They were a little noisy, so I thought they were drunks or other unsavory types. But they actually seem kind of friendly. They are relaxed, some of them are just playing games. They look like regular people who just happen to have energy at night. I shall pay no more mind then and keep walking.
Something feels off now. The quiet air now feels eerie. Even though I don't see anything, I sense a presence in the wind, snow moving as if being stepped on.

I hold the sheath of my blade as if I am about to block the wind itself from cutting my head. One gust of wind travels past me, and a shadow appeared next to me, but walked like it was always there. I already felt him in the wind, but if I hadn't, I would not have noticed him being there, setting aside the eerie feeling I have, for that was just instinct.
As soon as his right foot is placed from behind my back, he turns around to attack me.

I quickly unsheathe my blade and mirror his moves, I deflect a drawn sword with my own as we move past each other.
I look to my side, and am astounded. I see a black blade. It is different from mine. Mine is only bended slightly, the only bent that I'd say is noticeable is near the edge, my sword is almost staff-like with exception to the blade itself. His however is 100% the shape of a katana. But I can tell from the material and pure black color, that is a sword like mine.

We jump past each other with a turn before assuming a stance.
Impossible. The black swords don't actually exist. Mine is created by my imagination and newly acquired power of darkness. Then again...It's not the first time I've seen another. I only had a brief glance, but one of those three devils I fought brought out a black blade resembling mine too. Perhaps I should've figured why I was given the blade that controls snow, since I was practically having all six in mind whilst making it.

"You are strong. Please, have this duel with me.", A deep low-energy voice came from the samurai, it almost didn't sound human. A voice bereft of joy, anger, sadness. I would say robotic, but it's a bit different from that, more like it came from something hollow. Or from behind a mask. I thought the samurai was wearing a mask, but rather, that seems to be his actual face? Was he a robot? No, wind often seeps into machinery, letting me sense some movement inside it, but I don't sense anything. In fact, he is breathing oxygen like normal.