---
Chapter 8: The Hunter's Resolve
A/N: I know the last chapter was a lot, but don't fear. I'm not a perv—someone told me to blend romance with action and fantasy. You guys can tell me if you like it in the comment section.
---
"The pain of yesterday is the strength of today."
Yusa Itadori jolted upright in his bed, his chest heaving with ragged breaths. His body was drenched in sweat, and his heart thundered in his chest like a war drum. Another nightmare. Another visit from that masked figure.
Ever since he was eight, the same nightmare had haunted him like a curse—an enormous, masked man emerging from a dark fog, locking eyes with him, then killing him in gruesome ways. Every night, it ended the same. A flash of pain. A sense of helplessness. Darkness.
But it wasn't Lord Akuma. Yusa was sure of that. He remembered Akuma's face—lean, twisted with malice, fangs glinting under moonlight. Akuma was terrifying, yes, but this figure in his dreams… this one was monstrous in a way that made even Lord Akuma seem human.
He sighed and stepped toward the window. The rain outside blurred the glass, masking the city with watery streaks.
Again with the rain… he thought.
It wasn't the kind of weather anyone wanted to train in, but for Yusa, this was exactly when he needed it most. He couldn't afford to rest. Not now. Not ever.
He threw on his coat, its collar already soaked by the time he stepped out into the downpour. Cold water pummeled his face and shoulders, but he didn't care. Each drop reminded him that he was still alive. Still fighting.
And then, out of the mist of rain, it emerged.
A massive figure—beastly, towering, monstrous.
> Analysis: Beast Majin.
Tier: Highest.
His heart skipped a beat. Highest-tier? That was worse than bad. That was suicidal. He scanned it carefully, but saw no flaws, no weak spots, no glowing cores to strike.
And he had no weapon.
"Dammit…" Yusa whispered, slowly stepping back. He could handle mid-tier Majins with his bare hands, maybe even some high-tier if he got lucky—but this? No way.
The creature suddenly lunged forward with a roar. Yusa reacted instinctively, propelling himself into the air.
> Skill activated: Thunder Leap.
He soared upward, the rain blurring around him—but that's when he noticed something terrifying.
This wasn't just any Beast Majin.
It was immortal.
---
Across town, Rui Kyojuro sat under the shade of a pavilion, watching the others train—or more accurately, socialize. The rain didn't stop Chinatsu from dressing provocatively again, laughing with some Chuki-ranked hunter whose eyes couldn't seem to rise above her neckline.
He tried to ignore the jealousy twisting in his gut.
She could do whatever she wanted.
But it bothered him nonetheless.
He glanced at the lump on her neck. It had shrunk since their last battle, but he still sensed something… off. A faint trace of Majin energy.
Weird.
Shaking his head, he stepped outside, needing fresh air.
That's when he felt it.
The surge of power. Unmistakable. Majin energy—but stronger. Denser. Older.
He froze, eyes narrowing.
"An immortal?" he whispered.
Without a second thought, Rui grabbed his sword and sprinted toward the source. Whoever was fighting this thing wouldn't last alone—not against that kind of power.
---
Yusa was on the back foot. He ducked and weaved, dodging basic elemental strikes from the beast. It was strong, but oddly... lazy.
It wasn't trying to kill him. Not yet.
Then, the monster hurled a blazing fireball directly at him.
"Crap—"
He braced himself, but just before the fireball could reach him, a gust of wind burst forth and formed a protective shield.
Beside him, a man appeared with a drawn sword.
"You okay?" the man asked.
Yusa narrowed his eyes. "And you are?"
"Rui. Rui Kyojuro. Majin hunter."
Yusa blinked. "Oh… you're one of those guys who run around in groups, swinging swords and chasing clout. Do you even save people anymore?"
Rui hesitated.
"Well… some of us still do," he muttered.
The Majin unleashed another fireball. Yusa leaped out of the way instinctively. Rui took the hit, deflecting it with his blade and rolling through the mud.
"You just left me to burn, you ass!" Rui shouted, coughing.
Yusa didn't flinch. "I didn't ask for your help. You can still leave. No shame in saving yourself."
Rui gawked. Did this brat just talk down to him? Him, a mid-ranker?
"You little punk. Do you know who I am? Do you know how many Majins I've slayed?!"
Yusa said nothing.
Rui clenched his fists. This kid was insane—but… badass.
Then it happened.
The Majin grabbed Yusa mid-leap with an elongated claw, snapping him out of the air like a toy. Yusa struggled, but the grip was like iron. Before Rui could react, the creature shoved Yusa into its maw and sprinted off toward the edge of town—toward the blackened skyline of Majin City.
Rui stood frozen.
Did that thing just… eat him?
---
Back at the hunter enclosure, Rui burst through the entrance, dripping wet.
Chinatsu raised a brow but said nothing.
He stormed past her, straight to Commander Nagi.
"Commander!" he shouted. "A boy just got taken by an immortal Majin—heading for Majin City!"
The room went still.
Gasps echoed. Nagi's face darkened.
"Sorry, Rui. There's nothing we can do. It's too dangerous."
"What?" Rui barked. "Then why are we even hunters?!"
Nagi looked him in the eye. "Our priority is the safety of the public. One life isn't worth risking them all."
He then placed his pale, wrinkly hand on Rui's shoulder.
"It's not worth it, Son."
Rui's voice shook with anger. "When I was a kid, I saw you go into Majin City. You came back with survivors. You were a legend."
Nagi didn't reply.
"Well, I don't want to be like you anymore," Rui said, turning. "Weak. Afraid. Useless."
He paused at the door. "And for the record—I'm not your son."
---
He didn't look at anyone as he left.
His fists were clenched. His heart boiled with purpose.
Maybe the kid was right.
"Do you guys even still save people?"
No. Most didn't.
The enclosure had become a place for vanity and games. For flirtation and gossip. Few still remembered what it meant to be a hunter.
But Rui did.
He'd go to Majin City.
Alone.