"Tell me, where’s Ayane? Where is she?" Raito demanded. Tʜe source of this ᴄontent ɪs 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹✶𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲✶𝗻𝗲𝘁
"She’s probably still in there," Sera said quickly. "But we hope she’s okay. You have to leave this place. I’m a Rank D hunter, and I’m going to try to keep the monster inside. This dungeon is Rank C, that’s why we need Rank C hunters to handle it. But..." her voice faltered, "...I don’t know how this happened. How could a monster slip past the others? They rarely come out of a dungeon ."
Raito grabbed her by both shoulders, his grip tightening. "Then where’s Kaizuki? He should be doing something about this. He should be going to get her!"
"Kaizuki isn’t here," Sera replied. "He went to call the Hunter Guild to send reinforcements before it gets out. If he and I can’t stop it, at least others will." She shoved him back, panic sharpening her tone. "Leave now. You have to leave!"
She turned to run, then froze.
From the dungeon, a sound rolled out—fast, heavy, and wrong. Her head snapped toward the dungeon entrance.
Raito’s stomach dropped. Is that the monster?
A moment later, two battered figures emerged Ayane and Touzuki both limping, injured, armor bent and splintered. They were holding onto each other, their faces pale with fear.
"Ayane!" Raito dashed toward them. He caught her in his arms. "Thank God you’re okay. Thank God. I’m so happy."
"This isn’t the time," Ayane gasped. "We have to run. It’s coming. It’s going to get us!"
Touzuki shoved past them, eyes wide. "Get out of my way! Run!"
Raito looked at Ayane. "Where’s Makito? He went in with you."
Her voice cracked. "Touzuki used Makito as bait so we could escape. But if we stay any longer"—she whipped her head toward the station entrance—"we’re not going to make it. It’s coming!"
She pushed Raito aside and started running.
Then it burst from the dungeon.
It had wings. Flames danced over its fur, licking across its body like living armor. Its shape was feline, like a massive leopard, but with talons and eyes burning bright like molten gold. It was too fast for Raito to follow.
The sound hit him first—a rush of air, then a scream.
He turned just in time to see Touzuki freeze mid-step... and his head vanish. The body crumpled to the ground.
Ayane’s scream tore through the air. She stumbled back, trembling, biting her nail in panic. The monster landed, Touzuki’s head dangling from its jaws.
"No... no, we’re going to die... we’re going to die..." Ayane stammered, backing away before breaking into a desperate sprint toward Raito.
Raito tried to move—his mind screamed at his legs—but it was like the ground had turned to stone beneath him. Why can’t I move?
The monster blurred forward. It was already behind Ayane, talons raised.
"AYANE!" Raito’s body moved before his mind could think. He lunged, shoving her away. The creature’s claw punched through his stomach.
Blood filled his mouth. He smiled faintly. "Run... I’ll hold it back as long as I can. Guess this is how I go, huh? Never became a hunter... but I did what a hunter should do."
Tears streamed down Ayane’s cheeks as she held his hand. "Why? Why did you save me? I was a coward."
Raito coughed, forcing a weak laugh. "Didn’t choose to. My body just... did it."
The monster turned, heading straight for Sera.
Raito’s vision swam, and he felt himself slipping toward unconsciousness.
Good for you, he thought bitterly.
He had made himself a promise years ago, one born from the sight of his mother dying before his eyes. She had been killed by an S-rank monster so powerful that even several S-rank hunters fighting together couldn’t bring it down. It had escaped, leaving him with nothing but rage.
He swore to himself that no woman would ever die in front of him again—not if he had the strength to stop it. Not like his mom. Not ever.
But now... here he was. Bleeding out, helpless.
Then he saw it—the monster was heading straight for Sera.
"No... it’s going to kill her." His breath caught. "Not her too."
"Please, stay down!" Ayane cried as she held him.
"No need to worry about me," he said, forcing himself up. "Get away from me first. I’m as good as dead already."
He staggered forward, blood dripping down his side. I have to save her.
The monster heard his shout and turned. With one swift movement, its claw tore across his chest, sending him crashing to the ground. Pain exploded through him.
That’s it... I can’t do anything. I can’t save her. I’ve failed.
Sera was on the ground now, hands outstretched, screaming.
So this is how I break my promise... to my sister, to Mom... even to her. He closed his eyes. I’m just a loser.
Then a voice in his head:
"Rikue Raito, you have reached the final stage for unlocking your manifestation."
His eyes snapped open. No pain.
A glowing box appeared.
[You have reached the stage of manifestation. Are you ready to know what you are capable of?]
His stats surged. Wounds sealed instantly.
Ayane saw him rise. "What? How is he still moving?"
"What just happened?" Raito murmured, staring at his hands. Could it be my power... it’s manifested.
He looked at Sera, still seconds from being struck down, and moved without thinking.
The ground blurred beneath his feet. He was faster than he could comprehend. One moment the monster was about to strike, the next he was holding Sera, carrying her out of harm’s way.
He set her down gently.
"Whoa... this feels... incredible." He smiled for the first time in years. "So this is what it means to be a hunter."
This feels like a dream, but I know it’s real. My power has finally manifested. "Now it’s time to see what I can do."
The monster turned to face him, growling.
"I don’t even know the limits of my power," Raito said, grinning, "but for some reason... it feels like I can do anything."
And instead of fear, for the first time in his life—Raito felt pure excitement.