Gastrea are classified from Stage I to Stage II, III, and IV. With each stage of growth, their size increases, and their defensive capabilities progressively strengthen—to the point where they can withstand missile strikes.
Moreover.
Since they absorb genetic material from various organisms during their development, every individual evolves bizarre forms as they grow. It's no surprise they end up looking like all sorts of strange creatures, which is why many Gastrea possess peculiar abilities.
Stage V, however, exists outside conventional classification. Most Gastrea reach their complete form at Stage IV and cannot grow further.
Stage V is essentially the ultimate form, and only a handful of people know where these Stage V Gastrea even come from.
They also share one common trait—they're absurdly massive, like kaiju from tokusatsu films.
Even the size of a Stage IV is insignificant compared to a Stage V.
To prevent collapsing under their own weight, Stage V Gastrea have reinforced muscles, skin, bones, and even internal organs, rendering them nearly immune to all modern weaponry.
The Stage V Gastrea are codenamed after the Zodiac signs. Globally, there have been eleven confirmed sightings. During the great war a decade ago, they demonstrated terrifying combat prowess—the Zodiac Gastrea, kings among their kind, once brought humanity to the brink of extinction.
Without exception, they all possess armored skin impervious to conventional weapons, unparalleled regenerative abilities, and immunity to the Monolith's magnetic fields. Beyond that, each one has unique abilities.
To this day, there have only been two recorded instances of Stage V eliminations—
Taurus and Virgo, defeated by IP Rank 1 and IP Rank 2, respectively.
A feat that could already be called a miracle of mankind.
So if one of those things were to appear in Tokyo Area, the entire region would face catastrophic destruction, with virtually no survivors.
"...Things just got complicated."
Riding the transport plane prepared by Kisara to the unexplored area outside the Monolith, Mahiro had barely stepped off the aircraft before scratching his head impatiently.
The reason was simple—the place he found himself in was practically a primeval forest.
Towering trees grew densely, their lush foliage blocking much of the already poor visibility due to the night. The recent heavy rains had left the entire forest soaked, filling his nostrils with the strong, damp scent of wet earth.
Yet, unlike a true primeval forest, faint traces of human existence lingered here—
Abandoned buildings long overtaken by vines, ivy, and moss, or the skeletal remains of cars, their glass and tires long gone, leaving only rusted frames.
But the most pressing issue was the moment his feet touched the ground, he felt countless eyes probing him from the depths of the forest's darkness.
Pairs of crimson pupils, like searchlights, radiated unmistakable hostility.
They brimmed with the desire to tear him apart, to crush him utterly.
"Feels like the welcome party's a bit too extravagant, huh…"
No sooner had he muttered those words than Mahiro flicked a dagger made of varanium toward one of those crimson eyes.
The throw seemed to awaken the slumbering forest—strange, guttural roars erupted from the darkness, rising and falling in waves.
As he activated Multi-Scope and Spirit Eyes, Mahiro finally got a clear look at the grotesque creatures surrounding him—
A horde of Gastrea, ranging from Stage I to Stage III, lurking among the trees, encircling him in layers like a tightening noose.
"Tch, how terrifying… a forest at night and all that."
With a sigh, intense psionic light flared in the forest's darkness.
Amid swirling dust, waves of icy mist manifested, coating the tree branches in frost that shimmered under the moonlight, as if the world itself had been painted silver.
Walking through the flurry of ice crystals, like dancing stars—
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.
His figure was like that of a silent reaper of frost, impartially freezing and reaping all life.
Even if this level of icy mist couldn't fully freeze Stage III Gastrea, the flickering psionic light would still grant them release.
...
...
...
"Don't move!"
Just as he finished off another Stage III Gastrea, the barrel of a gun suddenly pressed against his back.
"Tell me, girl—do you think you can pull the trigger faster than I can turn around and slice your head off?"
Judging by the shape and feel of the muzzle, it was likely a shotgun.
From the position pressed against his waist, the assailant was undoubtedly a Cursed Child.
Though he pitied these children, that didn't mean he would tolerate them as enemies without limit.
In theory, Initiator children weren't supposed to harm other Promoters, but exceptions existed—bastards like Hiruko Kagetane, who molded these children into killing tools.
So, unless they were enemies, that was his top priority.
"...Generally speaking, pulling a trigger is faster than turning and swinging a blade."
"Oh? Then let's test that theory~"
Swish—
In the next instant, he first activated his acceleration spell while simultaneously drawing a new dagger from his waist and slashing backward without the slightest hesitation—all happening in the blink of an eye.
But then, both he and the girl pointing a gun at his back froze in shock.
"Why you?"
Mahiro abruptly halted his blade just as it touched the girl's neck, the sharp edge stirring her pale golden short hair while slicing off a fine strand.
Under the moonlight, he could clearly see her entire appearance.
She wore a plain long-sleeved dress and leggings—an outfit completely unsuited for uncharted territory.
In her hands was a large-bore automatic shotgun with an underbarrel grenade launcher, manufactured by Shiba Heavy Industries.
Most importantly, that blank, doll-like expression.
Who else could it be but Senju Kayo?
"Ah... it's the weird mind-reading big brother."
Kayo, too, seemed to have forgotten to pull the trigger as she stared at him blankly.
What kind of ridiculous nickname is "weird mind-reading big brother"...
Just as Mahiro was about to retort, he noticed Kayo's arms holding the gun were trembling slightly.
Though barely perceptible, he clearly caught the faint tremors.
Especially around her wrist—where it looked as if she had been bitten by a massive beast. Jagged wounds were steadily leaking blood like a trickling stream.
"If you don't intend to shoot, you might as well lower your gun."
This wasn't a suggestion, and Kayo's finger had already left the trigger.
"Hmm..."
After some deliberation, Kayo chose to lower her firearm.
"Good. A wise decision."
"..."
Faced with his praise, the girl remained silent, simply staring at him with eyes devoid of much emotion.
"How about we talk somewhere else? You look like you could use some rest. And I imagine you have a lot to say."
"Mhm."
That was the second word the girl had spoken tonight.
However, just as they were about to leave, Kayo suddenly tugged at his sleeve.
"What is it?"
"I'm injured."
"I know. And?"
"So, please let me walk ahead. I'll clear the path for you. It's the best strategy I can think of right now."
Kayo spoke to him with an eerily calm demeanor, as if she had discarded all emotion into the air, her tone devoid of any significant fluctuation.
It almost felt as though the one walking ahead as a shield wasn't herself.
Her composure was uncharacteristic for her age, reminiscent of Asaka—yet even more detached than Asaka.
The only difference was that Asaka would never view herself as a tool. Even if she sacrificed herself for him without hesitation, she would still wish to do so as a human being.
Without waiting for a response, Kayo took the lead, gripping her automatic shotgun as she strode ahead.
Watching the petite figure before him, Mahiro said nothing, silently following behind. He reactivated his Multi-Scope spell, his weapon Nightmare at the ready.
The journey was smooth, with hardly any noteworthy Gastrea encounters. The occasional Stage I or II they did come across were swiftly dealt with by Kayo.
That said, the physical prowess of the Cursed Children was undeniably astonishing.
Even while injured, even as a non-combat specialist, she could leap onto the heads of those Gastrea in an instant, blowing their skulls apart.
Their destination was a fortress-like structure.
It was a very small stone house with a narrow, rectangular opening facing downwind, the exit barricaded with sandbags. Surrounding it were abandoned heavy weaponry and trenches—clearly a defensive position left over from the Great Gastrea War.
Inside, they lit a fire. The girl asked him, "Would you like some coffee?" After receiving an affirmative answer, she pulled a portable kettle and instant coffee from her luggage and began boiling water.
Meanwhile, under the firelight, Mahiro took out bandages. After disinfecting her wounds, he carefully wrapped them.
Despite belonging to different Promoter-Initiator pairs, despite being in the middle of a mission, it almost felt like they were on a picnic.
"There. Though your infection rate hasn't increased this time, if you get injured again, you might not be so lucky."
"Mahiro-san really is a strange person..."
After learning his name, Kayo handed him the freshly brewed coffee and said, "Not only did you help me, who should have been your enemy, but you also bandaged the wounds of a filthy Cursed Child like me, even though I had a gun pointed at you not long ago."
"But you didn't intend to shoot, did you? Otherwise, we wouldn't be sitting here so peacefully now."
Mahiro casually replied while savoring the warm coffee, poking at the fire with a branch.
A mere gun really wasn't something he took seriously.
"That's why you're strange... Normally, being pointed at by a Cursed Child would warrant killing them on the spot, since we're just disposable tools... Could it be that Mahiro-san is the legendary lolicon?"
"...That's going too far." Mahiro raised his head with a speechless expression, only to meet Kayo's gaze—her usually ice-cold eyes now flickering with what seemed like amusement for the first time.
"Seems like you're doing well enough to tease me."
"My apologies."
Kayo bowed her head in apology but then immediately added, "But you don't seem to dislike us."
"Why would I? To me, you're no different from ordinary children. Besides, it's not like any of you chose to be Cursed Children. Who gets to decide their birth? Those people claim they're avenging the Gastrea, but they're really just bullying those weaker than them. Honestly, it's pretty disgusting."
Hearing this, a look of disbelief flashed in Kayo's eyes. Ripples of emotion stirred in her vacant gaze as a faint smile crept onto her lips.
"As I thought... Mahiro-san, you really are different from everyone else... Definitely a lolicon."
Mahiro: "..."
The first half was fine, but the second half left him utterly speechless.
Gazing at her delicate face illuminated by the firelight, he couldn't help but retort, "You're really taking advantage of your dolphin-factor IQ of 210 to say whatever you want, huh? Careful, or I'll toss you out to the wild Gastrea."
"My apologies. Please don't do that. I'm reflecting on my actions."
Though curious how he knew about her background, Kayo chose to bow to the "dark forces" first. That said, her expressionless face made it hard to tell if she was truly reflecting.
"By the way, where's that muscle-brained partner of yours?"
"You mean Shougen-san? We got separated."
Kayo answered frankly without hesitation, recounting what had happened.
Just like in the original story, Kayo and Shougen had fallen into a Gastrea trap and were forced to split up.
Whether this was misfortune for Kayo was debatable, but for Mahiro, it was a stroke of luck—at least he could save this adorably clueless high-IQ loli's life.
"And what about your Initiator, Mahiro-san? That child I saw at the Defense Ministry last time—she was your Initiator, right? Did you get separated from her too?"
Kayo tilted her head in confusion.
Her memory was excellent. She clearly remembered the girl wielding a tachi at the Defense Ministry and how that girl had defeated the former IP rank 134, Hiruko Kohina.
Logically speaking, with such formidable strength and someone as powerful as Mahiro by her side, the two shouldn't have been separated even if they encountered a Stage IV...
"You mean Asaka? I didn't bring her. You should know, right? I'm a lone wolf—I never take a partner on missions."
"Even for a mission as dangerous as this one?"
"Exactly."
"..."
For some reason, Kayo suddenly fell silent, hugging her knees and curling into herself, making her already petite frame seem even smaller.
Staring blankly at the fire, it was impossible to tell what she was thinking.
"As expected, rumors really can't be trusted."
"Rumors? About me?"
"Mhm..."
Kayo nodded lightly. "There are a lot of rumors about you, Mahiro-san. Even someone like Mr. Shougen, whose brain is entirely made of muscle, holds strong prejudices against you. He often says things like how you never fight with an Initiator, that it's all a lie."
"That you're just a fraud."
"And you? Do you think the same?"
"No..."
Kayo shook her head. "I think... you must be a very kind person."
The girl closed her eyes and placed a hand over her chest.
"You don't despise us Cursed Children like others do."
"If I'm not mistaken, that child you call Asaka must be a first-generation 'Cursed Child' like me. But from her, I don't sense any of the feeling of being treated as a tool like we are. Even when she stepped in front of you that time, it was an action from the heart..."
"To be honest, I'm a little envious of Asaka-san."
"Is that so? All I did was what any decent person would do."
Mahiro leaned back on his hands, gazing at the night sky through the gaps in the fortress as he spoke nonchalantly.
"Besides, having a little maid at home who does the laundry, cooks, helps with chores, and even warms the bed—all for just a meal? That's the dream right there."
Though that dream had already come true—twice, in fact.
"Even when you mean well, you make it sound like something a lolicon pervert would say. Truly, that's just like you, Mahiro-san."
"This time, I'll take that as a compliment."
"It was a compliment."
Seeing how unfazed he was, a faint smile touched Kayo's lips before she murmured softly:
"That's why... Mahiro-san, you're a strange person."
Through the cracks of the time-worn, crumbling fortress, the night sky was visible—a flawless full moon hanging in the cloudless expanse, still radiating its own light even now, long after the world had fallen to ruin.
The moonlight was pure, but this world was tainted.
When someone acted contrary to the norm, even if what they did was right, they would be seen as an outcast.
Though this logic could be called twisted, in reality, that's just how it was.
Regarded as tools, monsters in human skin, or even murder weapons by other Promoters, they were cherished like treasures by Mahiro... To be honest, even Kayo herself wanted to experience such treatment...
Like using the shotgun in her hands to kill her own kind, blowing the head off a ten-year-old girl just like herself with buckshot...
Though she could get used to it, she truly never wanted to experience it again.
Just then, from among the few remaining belongings of Kayo, the black telephone receiver-like device beside her emitted a rough male voice amidst static.
It was the voice of Ikuma Shougen—the man who had once ordered him to get lost.
Sensing something amiss, especially given Ikuma Shougen's intense prejudice against Mahiro—who he had been ranting about killing since their last encounter—Kayo thought it best not to let Shougen know Mahiro was also here.
She signaled for him to stay silent, then picked up the radio and adjusted the knob as the noisy sound gradually became clearer.
"Alive... Hey! Hey... If you're alive, answer me!"
"It's good to hear you're safe, Shougen-san."
Picking up the telephone-like receiver on the radio, Kayo responded with solemn seriousness.
"Of course! How could anything happen to me? More importantly, I have good news!"
Ikuma Shougen deliberately built suspense, but both of them could easily imagine him grinning beneath his skull-patterned mask on the other end of the radio.
And as for what the news was, they could already guess.
After all, in a place like this, there was only one thing that could be called good news—
"We found that brat who stole the case!"
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