Shadowed Prelude: A Fateful Encounter [Phantom Troupe x Reader]

𝔠𝔥𝔞𝔭𝔱𝔢𝔯 2

☆                                                                                                                                             ☆

In order to protect my loved ones, I made the decision to take the Hunter Exam and to leave them behind in a secret location that was safely hidden from the world's cruel and prying eyes.

The year I enrolled, the exam was surprisingly lenient, consisting only of a solo phase with basic mathematical questions. With the path to becoming a Hunter seemingly unlocked by such simplicity, I found myself faced with limited options. Opting for the role of an "Archaeological Hunter," I embarked on the straightforward quest for rare artifacts and ancient ruins from lost civilizations—a relatively safe and mundane pursuit within the Hunter profession. It was a task I had taken to hopefully steer away whatever madness followed those marks that were imprinted permanently on my skin. And that was when I undertook an alias.

I had knowingly left behind my family and former existence, aware that this would be safest for them if I were to ever lay foot upon the nets of the owners of the marks that were engraved into my skin. No amount of washing, scrubbing or scraping got them off of my skin. I genuinely did not know how they appeared as I had never come into contact with Nen or Nen users until after the Hunter Exam.

It wasn't hard really, to find my current teacher Bisky. After advertising the special cards I found from an ancient civilisation on a small poster, did she take notice and immediately whisk me away into her abode.

Bisky, though she looked like a small child, was a very wise Nen master. She taught me many things. Tools I could utilise in combat, mechanics in the ways of producing my own Nen ability, and most importantly, the ability to preserve myself and keep myself sane from disasters surrounding me. Bisky was the only person who I ever confided in about the brands that were etched deep into my skin. She looked very solemn as I depicted my past.

—

Bisky gazed at the young woman she was mentoring in Nen, known by the alias 'The Rune Merchant: Evelyn'. The name carried ancient significance, hinting at being "desired" and "wished for '' in an old, forgotten language. Bisky understood that Evelyn was far from naive, despite her occasional distant demeanour, and despite how she may act, Bisky knew that the real person behind the alias of 'Evelyn' actually knows quite a bit about soulmates and their significance.

—

As I recounted my story, Bisky suddenly stilled and looked over at me curiously.

"Evelyn. No, young lady, what is your real name? I have taught you for a while now, yet to this day I only know you as the alias of the Rune Merchant" she inquired abruptly.

I looked briefly over at her. She seemed tense, so I answered her after prolonged silence.

"Bisky, my name is Y/N L/N, though Evelyn is a name I go by when involved with the public."

After answering Bisky's question, the colour in her face faded.

"...Y/N L/N? Did you know Y/N, that there's a band of murderous thieves that go by an alias of the 'Spiders' that are in search of a 'Y/N L/N'?" Bisky suddenly asked me with an alarming expression depicted on her youthful-looking face.

"On the day you told me you took the Hunter Exam after the marks appeared on your skin, the Spiders also sent out a threat to the underworld."

Find a woman, by the name of Y/N L/N, and bring her to us unharmed. We reject no one. So take nothing from us. Remember: 'We take what we want'

Those were the exact words that I had been fearing. I never knew they got their marks the exact same time mine showed up. Bisky's works woke up the pounding in my chest and my head.

They knew? How did they already know my name? How? Who spilled my personal information to them? Who? This isn't looking good. It was only a few months ago I left the clutches of my close family and friends to protect them, and now the marks' owners already know of my name? Should I run? Should I fight? Or should I stay as invisible as possible?

—

After the harrowing truth was told by your master, your eyes dulled. The shine left them briefly, before you looked up at your master, with a more calculating gaze.

"Bisky, now I know that they know my name, I need you to train me harder. The more the better, and I have a lead to start off with my official combative training. The art of 'Breathing Styles', which was passed down from the old generations of my family."

↬ Author's Note:

This fanfiction, as you may have noticed, will include themes present in the manga 'Kimetsu No Yaiba', Koyoharu Gotouge. Kimetsu No Yaiba is one of the first manga I have read and I will bring some elements of it into my fan fiction as well. Please be aware of spoilers and deviations in the history of how the Breathing Techniques in Kimetsu No Yaiba were founded and established. This note is to remind readers that this work will be a bit skewed from the normal Soulmate AU Phantom Troupe X Reader stories due to the inclusion of another series. (This was the little twist I added! A little sprinkle of Demon Slayer lore paired with our lovely Phantom Troupe members!)

Update Schedule: Hopefully I can publish at least one part a week, however this may not be consistent all the time.

Thank you for reading once more and see you in the next chapter fellow reader!

- Signing off yakshaa_ [2024]