The sector assigned to us stretched between a ruined fountain on one side and a cluster of broken trees on the other. Mist clung to the ground in thick curls, crawling around shattered benches and puddles of stagnant water. It wasn’t dense enough to obscure vision completely, but it twisted the sunlight into strange, shifting patterns. The Shin’en in the area thrummed like a heartbeat, subtle yet constant, pressing against my skin, whispering readiness.

  I stood with Ayaka on my left, her sword drawn, the faint shimmer of ice glinting along the edge. Tatsuya was on my right, tonfas at the ready, eyes scanning the shadows with the calm precision that had always unnerved me. We were silent for a moment, feeling each other’s energy and the tension in the air.

  “Ready?” I muttered.

  Ayaka’s calm voice came back, soft but firm: “Always.”

  Tatsuya tilted his head, smirk faint but noticeable. “Let’s make it interesting.”

  The first wave hit like a ripple through the mist. Two D-class Yomurei lunged forward simultaneously, their black forms twisting unnaturally, limbs elongating mid-stride. I tightened my grip on my katana, Shin’en humming faintly along its edge. As the first lunged, I pivoted, the crimson-infused blade cutting a perfect diagonal through its chest. The mist evaporated instantly, leaving nothing but a faint shadow on the ground.

  Ayaka moved with fluid precision, almost a blur. Cryo Slash: Sumeragi Frost — her sword arced, leaving a ribbon of ice that shot out and wrapped the second Yomurei midair. Its limbs froze solid in an intricate lattice, and with a single downward swing, she shattered it into shards. The ice glittered in the sunlight like tiny fragments of starlight, drifting briefly before falling to the ground.

  Tatsuya moved next, silently stepping forward as though the ground itself guided him. His tonfas connected with a Yomurei attempting to flank us, spinning and striking in a continuous flow. The sound of impact — a sharp snap, a hiss of evaporating black mist — echoed against the ruined fountain behind us. “Not bad,” I muttered, almost impressed.

  “Effort: acceptable,” he said, dry and calm as ever.

  I shook my head, eyes on the mist, muscles coiled. “Focus. More coming.”

  From the swirling shadows, a small swarm of D+ class emerged, moving faster, smarter than the previous wave. Their glowing red eyes scanned the area, calculating angles and distances. I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.

  Ayaka adjusted her stance, frost forming along the edges of her sword. “Cover me,” she whispered.

  I stepped forward to draw attention, katana slicing through the air as a D+ leapt toward me. Crimson energy flared along the blade, Shin’en Infusion: Crimson Strike, and the creature fell, evaporating into mist.

  Ayaka twisted, the tip of her sword catching sunlight as she performed Frost Sweep, cutting across two D+ enemies. Ice sprayed outward in a sharp arc, freezing their limbs. When the shards shattered, the fragments glimmered midair for a heartbeat before falling, reflecting the broken sunlight like scattered stars.

  Tatsuya pivoted silently, spinning and striking another D+ with his tonfas. Each hit was precise, connecting with its core before it could react. “Guess the welcome committee’s overachieving,” he muttered, voice dry.

  I smirked briefly, shaking my head. “You really talk too much.”

  “Maybe once we survive this,” he replied.

  Another pair of D-class tried to flank from the side. I lunged, katana humming, slicing one in midair. Ayaka spun, Ice Chain Strike wrapping the other’s arms in frost, freezing it instantly before shattering it with a downward strike. Tatsuya moved like a shadow behind us, tonfas connecting with the cores of two more Yomurei.

  I ducked under a swipe, feeling the wind whip across my face. Crimson Shin’en surged along my katana as I countered with a spinning slash, slicing cleanly through another D-class. Ice shards from Ayaka’s strikes drifted around us, reflecting the sunlight in a kaleidoscope of cold glints.

  The choreography felt natural, almost like we had danced this fight before. Sweat ran down my back and arms, but the rhythm — the synergy — kept us sharp. Every strike, block, and counter flowed seamlessly.

  Then came a group of smarter, faster D+ enemies. They darted forward, attempting to split our formation. I adjusted instantly, positioning myself between them and Ayaka. The Shin’en in my katana pulsed, reacting almost instinctively. I slashed one enemy’s chest, crimson light igniting along the blade.

  Ayaka spun midair, her Frost Lunge freezing another D+ mid-leap. I followed immediately, katana cutting through the frozen form as shards of ice exploded around me. The mist around our feet swirled violently, driven by the force of Shin’en and the debris from the shattered enemies.

  Tatsuya moved like a phantom, spinning, striking, evading, never wasted motion. One Yomurei tried to leap behind him; he pivoted perfectly, tonfas cracking against its core. “This is… acceptable,” he muttered quietly.

  I couldn’t help but let out a short laugh, wiping sweat from my brow. “You’re too calm for this.”

  He smirked, silent otherwise.

  The final enemies of our sector were strategic, trying to split us. I could see their red eyes glinting in the mist, moving in subtle arcs to avoid our lines of attack. But we were ready. Ayaka’s ice sword flared, leaving frost ribbons behind her with every swing.

  “Left side!” she shouted, spinning midair to strike. Two Yomurei froze instantly, frozen lattices cracking under the force of my follow-up strike. One of them dissolved midair, mist evaporating in a hiss.

  Tatsuya struck the final D-class with a precise tonfa jab to the core. The creature evaporated instantly, leaving the air still.

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  I exhaled heavily, lowering my katana. My chest heaved; sweat ran down my arms. Ayaka wiped frost and perspiration from her sword. Tatsuya leaned on his tonfas, faint smirk lingering.

  “We… cleared it,” I said, voice rough but steady.

  Ayaka nodded. “D and D+ eliminated. Sector secure.”

  Tatsuya muttered, “Effort: measurable. Fun: ten out of ten.”

  I let out a short laugh. “We make it look too easy… and I’m still sweating like hell.”

  For a moment, I allowed myself to observe the battlefield. Ice shards glinted in the broken sunlight. Mist swirled around shattered benches and puddles, reflecting crimson and white from our blades’ residual Shin’en. My body hummed with energy, muscles still tight but precise. I felt alive, attuned to every movement, every potential attack.

  We had been flawless. Every swing, every freeze, every tonfa strike perfectly timed. Sweat, muscle burn, mist, and Shin’en blended into a cinematic rhythm — a deadly dance of ice, steel, and crimson light.

  I glanced at Ayaka, then Tatsuya. No words were needed. In perfect synchronization, we turned toward the remaining fog, ready for the next threat.

  All three groups regrouped where Instructor Minazuki and his team are. The Yomurei surged forward, red eyes glowing through the swirling mist, calculating their strikes. I adjusted my stance instinctively, feeling the hum of Shin’en along my katana.

  A D+ leapt directly at me. I met it midair, crimson energy flaring along my blade, slicing through it as black mist hissed into nothing. Ayaka spun beside me, Frost Sweep trailing ice ribbons that froze two more in mid-leap before shattering them into glittering shards. Tatsuya moved like a shadow, tonfas cracking against the core of another D-class, dispersing it in a sharp echo.

  From the right, Team Seraph engaged their sector. Kira Aozora’s Shin’en-infused strikes carved arcs through two D-class enemies, each movement precise and calculated. Rento Sagawa blocked a Yomurei’s lunge and countered simultaneously, a perfect rhythm of parry and slash. Miyu Youmina moved fluidly between them, striking a D+ attempting to circle around their formation, ending it before it could land a hit. Every strike from Seraph was coordinated, a deadly choreography of timing and synergy.

  Team Ryujin’s strategic duo, Daichi Renmaru and Sora Himura, quickly assessed the battlefield. Daichi hurled a Shin’en blade that struck a D+ mid-leap, slicing it perfectly in half. Sora pivoted, predicting another Yomurei’s path and striking its core before it could attack. Eiji Kanzawa flanked from the side, finishing off another D-class that tried to sneak past. Their movements were precise, almost surgical, neutralizing threats before they fully materialized.

  I pivoted as another D+ lunged from my left. Crimson Shin’en flared along my katana. I slashed, intercepting it midair. Ayaka spun beside me, frost surging from her sword as Sumeragi Frost Lunge froze another D+ mid-leap. Tatsuya appeared silently, tonfas striking the final D-class in the small cluster with fluid precision.

  Two more D+ attempted to flank from the right. I reacted instantly, crimson energy igniting my katana, slicing one in two midair. Ayaka spun, ice spiraling outward in Frost Chain Strike, wrapping the second enemy and freezing it solid before shattering it. Tatsuya moved behind us, tonfas crushing the core of a third.

  Seraph’s front shifted as Kira intercepted a D+ trying to leap between our teams. Rento parried a strike aimed at Miyu, countering in perfect timing. Miyu moved into position to strike another, her Shin’en flaring with each precision hit.

  Daichi and Sora coordinated another strike from Ryujin, cutting down a Yomurei that tried to evade through a broken bench. Eiji struck the final D-class in their immediate sector, finishing it before it could react.

  I barely had time to breathe before two D+ simultaneously lunged at me. I pivoted, katana flashing crimson, cutting one in midair. Ayaka’s sword spun, frost enveloping the second mid-leap. Shards fell like tiny stars as she shattered it. Tatsuya spun beside me, tonfas striking the last remaining enemy in our immediate vicinity.

  From above, a D+ dived directly toward me. Claws extended, aiming straight for my chest. Time stretched for a heartbeat. My body moved before I could think — katana flashing, crimson Shin’en flaring — the Yomurei evaporated instantly.

  Ayaka’s eyes widened, her breath catching. “Ren…?”

  Tatsuya’s smirk flickered faintly. “Officially terrifying,” he muttered.

  Another Yomurei charged from the left. Ayaka spun, ice trailing in Cryo Slash, freezing it mid-leap. I followed instinctively, katana cleaving the core. Tatsuya intercepted another, tonfas crushing the core with a sharp crack.

  The mist thickened as the remaining enemies swarmed. Seraph formed a tight defensive arc. Kira swung, Shin’en arcs slicing through two D+ mid-leap. Rento parried and countered, taking out another. Miyu moved fluidly between them, her precise strikes ending another Yomurei.

  Ryujin’s strategists adjusted with precision. Daichi threw a Shin’en blade, slicing a D+ mid-flight. Sora calculated another trajectory, striking it before it could land. Eiji followed, flanking the enemy, finishing off a D-class attempting to sneak through. Their efficiency kept the flank under control, leaving our center free to handle the next wave.

  I met a D+ head-on, crimson edge igniting. The strike evaporated the enemy midair. Ayaka spun, frost trailing like ribbons, freezing another enemy mid-leap before shattering it into fragments. Tatsuya moved silently behind, tonfas striking the core.

  The mist swirled around us as multiple Yomurei lunged from all directions. I focused, calculating angles, timing, and distance. Every motion was precise, but sweat ran down my back. Fatigue clawed at me. The Shin’en hummed through my veins, almost as if syncing with my heartbeat.

  Then it happened again — a D+ leapt from above, claws extended, aiming for me. I didn’t react consciously. My katana moved first, crimson energy flaring along the edge, cutting the Yomurei midair. Evaporation followed instantly.

  Everyone froze. Even Minazuki’s leap halted halfway. Ayaka blinked, wide-eyed. Tatsuya’s smirk appeared faintly.

  “I… didn’t move,” I whispered, gripping my katana. My hands, legs, and blade had acted without thought.

  Before I could process it, Ayaka spun, ice flying outward to freeze two more enemies. Tatsuya struck another with tonfas. Seraph and Ryujin coordinated seamlessly, cutting through the last remaining Yomurei. Kira sent Shin’en arcs across the mist, slicing two D-class in one motion. Rento intercepted a Yomurei trying to flank Miyu, ending it midair. Miyu moved fluidly, Shin’en sparking as she finished a final D+.

  Daichi, Sora, and Eiji struck in perfect synchronization, finishing off two more D+ with precise Shin’en blades. Every last enemy dissipated, leaving only mist curling around shattered ice and faint trails of crimson energy.

  The battlefield went quiet, only our ragged breaths and the hiss of evaporating Yomurei remaining. Ice shards glittered like shattered stars, and crimson Shin’en faded from the mist.

  I lowered my katana, chest heaving. Ayaka wiped frost from her blade. Tatsuya leaned lightly on his tonfas, scanning for stragglers.

  Seraph regrouped immediately. Kira, Rento, and Miyu brushed sweat and dirt off themselves, expressions calm but alert. Ryujin’s Daichi, Sora, and Eiji scanned the mist, calculating any lingering threats.

  I didn’t speak, trying to process the uncontrollable strike that had saved me.

  It wasn’t fear, panic, or instinct. Something else — something unknown — had moved before I could.

  The clouds blocked the sun and it turned dark.

  “Great job everyone, your first mission was successful. No casualties and any serious injuries. I gotta say, you three did well — despite being your first time.” Instructor Minazuki said.

  We all celebrated happily; some even jumped. I raised my right hand toward Tatsuya for a high five. He looked confused for a moment, then raised his hand too. Our palms clapped together with a satisfying smack.

  The black mist around the area vanished. The trees shimmered again, flowers bloomed — Showa Kinen Park looked alive once more.

  “Okay everyone, it looks like it will rain. I’m now going to deactivate the Shinsei Barrier. Once I deactivate it, go to your respective vehicles and—”

  Instructor Minazuki’s words stopped. The barrier cracked — a sharp, ringing sound.

  CRACK.

  CRASH!

  The barrier shattered like glass, fragments of blue light scattering across the field.

  “This is...?” Eiji muttered.

  “The barrier broke?!” Ayaka gasped.

  “Impossible,” Daichi said, gripping his sword. “Only a Yomu Executioner can deactivate it — but never destroy it. Which means…”

  “There’s a Yomurei nearby,” Sora finished.

  Minazuki’s face darkened. “Not just any Yomurei… a B+ or higher can damage it, but this—this broke through it like paper. The detector’s silent… the only ones it can’t read are beyond S+ rank.”

  Everyone froze.

  “So you’re saying…” Rento’s voice trembled. “There’s… a Jūma nearby?”

  The air fell silent. Even the wind stopped. The first drop of rain hit my shoulder. Then another. Then a downpour.

  Our breaths misted in the cold rain. The puddles rippled — splash… splash… splash…

  Footsteps.

  Each step echoed across the soaked ground. Heavy. Slow. Confident.

  Something was walking toward us.

  “Where is it...?” I whispered.

  The footsteps stopped.

  “It disappeared?” Miyu said.

  Instructor Minazuki’s eyes widened. “ABOVE US!”

  A massive shadow dropped from the sky.

  BOOOOM!

  The ground exploded. Earth and stone burst upward. The shockwave sent us flying back.

  I hit the ground and rolled through the mud, my ears ringing.

  When I looked up—

  My stomach turned.

  The impact crater steamed. In the center, the Jūma’s enormous, dark leg was pressed against the earth—

  And under it… Miyu’s body.

  Blood splattered through the rain, washing away into the puddles.

  “M-Miyu…?” Kira’s voice broke. Then she screamed.

  “MIYUUUU!!!”

  Rento’s eyes widened in horror. “No… no, no, no…”

  The monstrous figure slowly rose from its crouch. The ground beneath it cracked as it straightened its spine. Steam hissed from its body as if it had just emerged from hell itself.

  A voice echoed through the rain — deep, distorted, almost human.

  “So loud... keep your voice down.”

  The mist around the figure began to fade, revealing the silhouette of something that should not exist.

  “I thought I sensed a Shin’en that could make things interesting… but this?” The voice chuckled — low and cruel. “You’re all just insects.”

  The rain intensified, every drop exploding against the mud.

  “This is… a Jūma…?” I whispered, tightening my grip on my sword as fear crawled up my spine.