Outside the walls of the small local tavern, rain pours relentlessly, muffling the cries of an innocent girl being assaulted by a group of drunken knights. Suddenly, an arrow whizzes past, stopping the commotion. In response, the knights retaliate but are stopped by arrows and a throwing knife.

"Take this message to your master for me... 'The Black Swordsman is here.'" Guts glare at the fallen knight, adding pressure to his injury.