As Tetsu slowly swam up from the depths of sleep, the first thing he noticed was the gentle hum of the air conditioner. Unaccustomed to seeing a spotless white ceiling, his eyelids fluttered open, heavy and reluctant.
Where am I?
Through the residual haze of sleep came a flicker of panic, cold and sharp.
This isn't my room. What happened?
Subsequently, he experienced a sharp pain in his muscles, a dull throb in his side, and a persistent sting in his ankle.
The memories also accompanied the pain.
The electric shock, the sudden surge of power, the hideous blue toad, and then... darkness. The Darkside Destroyer base was where he was.
He recalled the teasing, strong Reiji and the commander, Arata.
He'd been given this room, but he hadn't really seen it before he fainted.
Wincing as his body resisted, he forced himself to stand.
The bed, covered with clean white sheets, was surprisingly roomy and cozy.
Now he took a good look around.
Like a high-end hotel suite, the room was simple yet opulent. It had an almost futuristic appearance thanks to its smooth, polished surfaces, subdued hues, and concealed lighting. Unexpectedly, a window indicated the size of the facility by providing a view of what looked to be a huge, dimly lit underground cavern rather than the sky.
A letter was folded neatly on a small, equally sleek bedside counter to his left.
"Ishizawa Tetsu," his name, was printed on the front.
Curious, he picked it up. In contrast to the rough, thin paper he was accustomed to at school, this paper felt substantial and thick.
He spread it out. The message was official, succinct, and subtly affectionate.
"To Ishizawa Tetsu."
"Hello. Your performance and commitment during yesterday's assessment were outstanding. With immediate effect, we are happy to formally register you as a destroyer. Congratulations on your Level 3 promotion."
"When you are not in your designated quarters, you must wear the standard uniform as a registered destroyer. Your wardrobe now contains your uniform."
"There will be more instructions after this."
Tetsu slowly smiled as he read it twice.
Level 3.
He was no longer merely a "newbie." His chest began to feel warm, not only from the compliment but also from a growing sense of achievement. He sensed being seen.
There was a glimmer of something more than grief, something like purpose, for the first time since Haruto and Mio.
He muttered to himself, "Right, uniform," the aches still there reminding him that he had to clean up.
He made his way to the restroom. His mouth fell open as he entered. It was huge, shining white tiles and chrome. There was a big walk-in shower in one corner, but what really drew his attention was the deep, cozy bathtub.
This was pure luxury, not your typical bathroom in a school dorm. It was as if he had wandered into a five-star hotel. That impression was reinforced by the assortment of premium toiletries neatly arranged on the counter.
He splattered cold water on his face and brushed his teeth quickly, feeling energized by the minty taste.
Even though Tetsu's reflection was still there, there was a noticeable change in the intensity of his eyes.
He exited the restroom and proceeded to the closet.
At his touch, the doors silently slid open, revealing his clothes, folded neatly on one side and the Darkside Destroyer uniform hanging perfectly on the other.
The silver wolf's head emblem stood out against the chest, and it was the same shade of black as Mizuki and Arata's.
He put on the uniform after taking off his civilian clothes. It seemed as though it had been specially made for him.
Surprisingly light and smooth against his skin, the fabric had a faint rigidity that suggested strength. As he stretched his arms and moved, an odd hum ran beneath his skin, a subtle energy coursing through him and connecting with the uniform.
The suit seemed to be alive, or at the very least, acutely conscious of his own pulsating kinesis.
A carefully folded piece of paper flitted from one of the uniform pockets onto the soft carpet as he was adjusting the collar.
He stooped to retrieve it.
The paper said, "Darkside Destroyer Combat Uniform Specifications:
"Material: Carbon fiber that has been synthesized and modified for use in flexible textiles."
"Features: Exceptionally strong, lightweight, fireproof, and offers improved defense against moderate energy attacks and blunt force injuries."
"Design: Ergonomically optimized for maximum mobility and agility."
Tetsu's gaze expanded.
This was armor, not just a uniform. It makes sense why he experienced that odd energy; it was intended to enhance a destroyer's capabilities.
This organization really didn't cut any corners.
As he left his room, he saw the "108" polished metal plaque next to his door.
Dozens of identical doors lined the length of the corridor, all of them silently closing. The only sound was the building's soft hum.
He had no idea where to go. So far, he had not seen anyone.
He walked straight ahead, following his curiosity as he made his way through the wide, immaculate hallways.
The enormity of the subterranean base was starting to show. He went by intersections, doors with mysterious labels, and the occasional silent automated cleaning drone.
Unlike the stale air of a normal building, the air stayed cool and slightly ozonic.
A new, rich, savory scent pulled him forward after what seemed like a long, pointless walk.
It was the enticing scent of fine cuisine, freshly baked bread, perfectly cooked meats, and something sweet.
As a clear reminder that he hadn't eaten since—well, since yesterday, before the Veridian Croaker—his stomach growled in protest.
It was probably lunchtime, but it was definitely past breakfast.
After turning a corner, he was in front of the cafeteria, a large, open area. It was bright and surprisingly busy, with people in different Darkside Destroyer uniforms, some quietly conversing while others were eating.
The air was filled with the clinking of cutlery and the low murmur of conversation.
His phone vibrated in his pocket as he was ready to enter.
He took it out.
An app called "AAO Official 9.0" that he had never installed appeared as a new icon on his screen.
Tetsu tapped the notification, intrigued. The application launched immediately with a polished, slick user interface.
He looked at the screen.
"ANTI-ANOMALY ORGANIZATION DATABASE"
"USER PROFILE:"
"Affiliation: Darkside Destroyer"
"Name: Ishizawa Tetsu"
"Age: 15"
"Date of Registration: 11th July 2025"
"Date of Birth: 17th October 2009"
"Classification Level: 3"
"Domestic Ranking: #52"
"Identification Photo: N/A"
He glanced at the empty box where a photo should be, probably needing one in his uniform.
The screen smoothly changed to an online ordering section before he could consider the #52 ranking.
From the speaker of his phone came a happy digital voice-over:
"Welcome to the Darkside Destroyer Cafeteria!"
As he scrolled down, he was astounded by the vivid pictures of a variety of foods, including gourmet burgers, piping hot bowls of ramen, fresh sushi platters, vibrant salads, and delectable desserts.
The price of each item was stated in an odd currency: "P."
In the upper right corner of the screen, he saw a balance that read "1000 P."
What is 'P'?
Instinctively, his finger lingered over the tiny question mark icon adjacent to it.
He gave a tap.
A tiny pop-up window opened.
"P points. Combatants who successfully complete missions and contribute to the goals of the Anti-Anomaly Organization are rewarded with this universal currency."
"P points can be converted to local currency at a rate of 1 P = 0.56 USD or exchanged for goods and services at any AAO facility worldwide."
Tetsu gave a soft whistle.
Missions made money. This was a serious matter.
Closing the pop-up, he browsed the menu once more. At the top, he saw a clear ordering option this time: "Daily Meal (3/3) - FREE."
Three free meals every day.
Well, that took care of his hunger issue right away.
He tapped "Daily Meal."
The screen flashed, "Order Confirmed! ", and the option immediately changed to (2/3).
"Kindly head over to Table 34."
His phone screen lit up with a red-lined map that led him to Table 34 as his order was set.
As he tried to move through several rows of tables, he thought.
Table 34
He noticed a table marked 34 that was empty.
There it is
Table 34, a vacant two-person table close to a large screen showing what appeared to be real-time Anomaly tracking data, was surprisingly simple to locate. A strange wave of relief and expectation passed over him as he sat down.
He hardly had time to look at the intricate data flashing on the screen during the brief wait.
Wearing a clean, standard waiter's uniform, a woman brought one tray to his table.
Ripe tomatoes nestled between toasted bread, fresh lettuce, thick-cut bacon, and a perfectly arranged BLT sandwich were all on it. It came with a little side of golden-brown fries.
She nodded courteously and said, "Enjoy your meal," before turning to serve another table quickly.
Tetsu picked up the sandwich, enjoying the warm bread. His eyes grew wide as he took a bite.
Whoa.
His eyes are sparkling.
The vegetables taste so fresh, the bacon is perfectly crispy, and the seasoning is just right.
A profound sense of satisfaction settled in his bones as he couldn't resist eating the entire sandwich.
His phone vibrated once more as he finished and got to his feet, contemplating whether to try to find his way back to his room or to continue exploring.
He took it out. The icon for the AAO app pulsed.
It was the "Mission" section this time. He gave it a tap.
Commander Arata's latest message blinked on the screen.
"Ishizawa, please come to Room A-400 right now."
Tetsu scowled a little.
A-400?
He didn't know where that was. Then he saw that the app had an additional section called "Navigation."
After tapping it, he entered "A-400" into the search bar.
Immediately a three-dimensional, detailed map of the base emerged, showing a convoluted route.
It told him to return to the main elevator and go down to Floor B17, which was marked "Working Sector."
He followed the path past more labeled doors, away from the resting place, and through a maze of identical corridors.
He diligently followed the digital guide, which turned out to be remarkably accurate.
There were fewer casual conversations and more intense looks at holographic displays in the working sector, which was quieter and more focused.
At last, the navigation halted him before a simple sliding door that was discreetly marked "A-400."
Lifting his hand, he knocked.
The door hissed open after a brief pause, and Mizuki was standing there with her finger still on a control panel.
She smiled slightly, professionally.
She stepped aside and said, "Commander Matsuzaka is expecting you, Ishizawa."
Tetsu came in. A large, polished table surrounded by cozy, padded sofas dominated the tiny briefing room.
Commander Arata had already taken his place at the table, his silver hair shining in the gentle illumination.
"Oh, Ishizawa. "Please take a seat," Arata said, pointing to the couch across from him.
With a knot in his stomach, Tetsu sat.
Mizuki shut the door and used a remote control to turn on a big, wall-mounted screen that mirrored the table and glowed brightly.
Over Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, a single blinking red dot pulsed, and a digital map of Tokyo emerged.
"Ishizawa."
Arata said in a composed yet solemn tone, "a Level 2 Entity-Type Anomaly has been detected here."
He indicated the red dot.
"Although it's difficult to find, its energy signature is increasing. We must neutralize it. We would like to study it while it is still alive, if at all possible."
"This will be your very first mission."
The phrase "first mission" struck a deep chord with Tetsu.
He felt a surge of motivation that was electric and pure. A fierce determination took the place of the heavy shroud of grief that had hung over him since the deaths of Haruto and Mio.
This was his opportunity to take action and genuinely become the "player" that the enigmatic man had mentioned.
With a firm voice and no hint of his past depression, Tetsu said, "I understand, Commander. I'm prepared."
With a faint gleam of approval in his eyes, Arata nodded slowly.
"All right. Because of your inexperience, you will be accompanied for monitoring by an elite destroyer. Someone you'll recognize, I think."
The door opened again as if at the same moment, and Reiji entered with a self-assured grin.
His dark eyes gleamed with laughter as he drawled, "Well, well, well, former newbie."
"It's nice to meet you here. It appears that we will be taking a brief field trip."
A sincere smile appeared on Tetsu's face, and his eyes grew wide.
"Rei-!"
He still exuded that lightheartedness.
"Ka- Katsuragi! So I'll be going with you?"
Now that he was feeling better, he had to ask, "Why do you have so much free time? You have another job, don't you?"
Leaning casually against the doorframe, Reiji laughed.
"Oh, Reiji is all right. For the sheer pleasure of watching you, I gave up all of my very important, top-secret missions."
"But don't worry. Only if you are able to get yourself into some really amazing, potentially fatal situations will I intervene."
Their jokes were interrupted by Arata clearing his throat, his face once again taking on a serious expression.
"Gentlemen, pay attention."
"Neutralizing the Anomaly is the goal, as I mentioned. While capturing is a top priority, your lives should come first. If the situation becomes unmanageable, don't be afraid to terminate the anomaly."
"Do not hesitate to flee if the situation becomes too risky. Safety is crucial."
Reiji quickly and confidently brought his fist to his chest. His voice snapped with unusual seriousness as he confirmed, "Roger that, Commander!"
With a slight smile on his lips, Arata nodded while glancing first at Reiji and then at Tetsu.
Then, with a knowing gleam in his eye, Reiji turned to face Tetsu.
Perhaps out of instinct or just being in the moment, Tetsu mimicked Reiji's motion by giving his own chest a quick, clumsy fist bump.
After Reiji's, Tetsu repeated, "Ro... Roger that."
Although it wasn't as fluid as Reiji's, it was obvious what the goal was.
He was prepared.