COLD OPEN
Darkness stretched endlessly.
Not empty.
Not silent.
Alive.
Distorted shapes crawled along the ground—twisted creatures, their forms unstable… as if they were still changing.
Evolving.
At the center of it all—
A figure sat.
Still.
Watching.
Below him…
A man knelt.
Head lowered.
Face hidden in shadow.
"My lord…" the man said quietly.
"The process is working."
Silence.
"The creatures are adapting faster than expected," he continued. "Even after death… they evolve."
A pause.
"…And the humans?"
The voice that answered him was calm.
Too calm.
"They resist," the kneeling man replied. "But they are beginning to fall."
A faint shift in the air.
Something… heavy.
"Good."
The creatures around trembled violently.
"They were always fragile."
The kneeling man hesitated slightly.
"…Some of the hunters have begun to notice. They suspect interference."
A pause.
Then—
A soft chuckle.
"Let them."
The presence leaned forward slightly.
"Fear spreads faster than death."
Silence.
"Our goal remains unchanged," the man said. "Large-scale eradication of the human race."
"…Yes."
A brief pause.
"Continue."
The voice softened.
Cold.
Certain.
"Soon…"
"…this world will drown in its own blood."
Darkness swallowed everything.
WEEKS LATER
The missions didn't stop.
They increased.
Lucan and Squad Kurohane moved from one operation to another.
Faster.
Sharper.
Stronger.
Evolving demons—once a shock—
Were now becoming… familiar.
Not easy.
But manageable.
Lucan stood at the center of it.
Calm as always.
Fire stronger.
Control sharper.
Takeshi kept pushing himself.
Reika refined her magic.
Lyra supported flawlessly.
They were growing.
Together.
And Reika—
Was fully recovered.
GSSA JAPAN – INTERNAL REPORT
The atmosphere had changed.
"…Another attack?"
"Yes."
Voices overlapped.
Tension rising.
"Locations are too precise."
"Patterns are forming."
Minato stood silently, listening.
"Casualties are increasing," one official said. "Not just in Japan… globally."
Silence.
"…There's more."
A file was placed on the table.
"Some of the fallen hunters…"
A pause.
"…their wounds…"
Minato's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…were not caused by demons."
The room froze.
"Clean cuts. Precise strikes."
Another voice spoke, quieter now.
"…Like a hunter."
Silence.
Heavy.
Unsettling.
"…You're saying—"
"Yes."
A pause.
"There may be a traitor among us."
The words lingered.
And for the first time—
Fear spread within the GSSA itself.
LATER THAT DAY
The city felt… normal.
For once.
Lucan walked with his team.
Relaxed.
Reika stretched slightly.
"We've been busy lately."
Takeshi scoffed lightly. "That's an understatement."
Reika smiled faintly.
"Why don't we go out? Lunch or something."
Lyra nodded immediately. "That sounds nice."
Takeshi shrugged. "I'm in."
Then—
They all looked at Lucan.
Silence.
Lucan smirked slightly.
"…Yeah."
They froze.
"…Wait, what?"
Lyra blinked.
"…You said yes?"
Lucan turned away slightly.
"Don't make it a big deal."
They smiled.
DINNER
The table was lively.
For once.
"So… where are you from?" Reika asked.
They went around.
Japan.
Japan.
Japan.
Then—
Lucan.
"I'm British."
A pause.
"But I've lived here my whole life."
They nodded.
"What about your parents?" Lyra asked gently.
A brief silence.
"They're not around."
That was all.
No explanation.
Their expressions softened slightly.
Then Lyra spoke again.
"…Why are you like this?"
Lucan looked at her.
"…Like what?"
"Quiet… distant."
Takeshi leaned back slightly.
"…Yeah. Someone finally asked."
Silence.
Lucan exhaled lightly.
"…It's been a rough sixteen years."
A faint smile.
"That's all."
They knew.
He wasn't telling everything.
But they didn't push.
LATER
They stood outside.
"I'll cover it," Lucan said.
Takeshi smirked.
"Oh? Rich kid?
Lucan ignored him.
They said their goodbyes.
Lyra walked away—
But kept looking back.
Reika nudged her.
"Go back."
Takeshi smirked.
"This is your chance."
They both winked.
Lyra hesitated.
Then—
She turned back.
LUCAN'S APARTMENT
Lucan returned to his table—
Then stopped.
Lyra stood there.
"…You didn't leave?"
She shook her head slightly.
"…I didn't feel like it."
Silence.
"…Alright."
They talked.
For a while.
Then—
She followed him home.
"You might want to be careful," Lucan said. "My dog doesn't like strangers."
She smiled slightly.
"I'll be fine."
The door opened.
El rushed forward—
Then stopped.
Looked at her.
And wagged its tail.
Lucan blinked.
"…That's new."
Lyra laughed softly.
The dog stayed close to her.
Comfortable.
Lucan watched.
Quietly.
Interested.
She looked around.
"…Your place is really nice."
"Thanks."
They sat.
Talked.
Laughed.
Time passed.
Then—
Night.
"I should go," she said.
Lucan nodded.
Outside—
A cab arrived.
She turned to him.
"You're interesting, Lucan."
A small smile.
"You're nicer than you look."
Lucan paused.
"…I enjoyed this."
"…Me too."
She got in.
The car drove off.
Lucan stood there.
Watching.
Until it disappeared.
Then—
He went back inside.
Silence.
But something felt…
Different.
He placed a hand on his chest slightly.
"…What is this…?"
A feeling.
New.
Unfamiliar.
And for the first time— Lucan didn't understand himself.