Chapter 1: Rushed Hours
Fifteen years had passed since Neraxis died. Since then, unrest had plagued the world—rogue cultists, rogue hunters, chaos filling the streets. Draven Kael was gone, and the balance had shattered.
{Somewhere in the city of Mugen}
Rain fell relentlessly over the city of Mugen, turning streets slick and glistening. Shadows clung to alleyways, and the dim glow of streetlights reflected in puddles. A lone figure moved through the storm—a black cloak clinging to his scarred body. Noctyre Valen. His hands bore the marks of countless battles, his face a map of survival.
The number of hunters has dwindled… he thought, eyes scanning the streets. Now only we remain. Me, Miss Toura, Ishihara… Kozuki Toya. Officially, only Kozuki and I are SS+… Miss Toura and Ishihara are SS.
He kept walking, the sound of rain against his hood masking the faint creak of his boots.
And as head of the Valen Clan… I can't afford to do anything stupid.
{Somewhere else in Mugen}
A new vital spirit had appeared, wreaking havoc. Screams pierced the night as blood painted the streets. Buildings bore gashes where it had struck, innocent lives caught in its rage.
Kozuki Toya descended onto the scene, cloak whipping in the rain. Where's the vital spirit? he muttered, eyes scanning the chaos.
Time seemed to stutter. The vital spirit's horrifying face twisted into a smile. "Am I pretty?"
Toya froze, heart hammering—but only for a moment. Not my type. he replied coolly.
The spirit lunged, blade slicing through the air, barely grazing his body. I can move now, he whispered, stepping back.
In a flash of crimson, Toya struck. SWISH! The vital spirit's head flew off, landing in the rain with a wet thud. "She was below average" he muttered.
Rain soaked his hair and clothes as he grabbed his walkie-talkie. "Mission complete—the spirit has been neutralized."
The storm raged on, but Kozuki Toya's calm, lethal presence cut through it like a knife.