And then Rin sensed the exact location of the monster…
It was in another city — Niigata, roughly two hours away by bullet train on the Joetsu Shinkansen line. The faint but unmistakable slippery magical signature pulsed clearly in his awareness, emanating from the distant coastal prefecture like a beacon only he and a few others could detect.
Rin stood tall on the rooftop, the wind tugging lightly at his clothes as he focused inward and began using magic to modify his appearance so he wouldn't be noticed or recognized by the police or any heroes as Rin when he was out there fighting. The transformation started slowly and deliberately at the roots of his hair. Deep blue strands gradually lightened, shifting hue as vibrant red bled through from the scalp outward, rich crimson spreading downward in smooth waves while subtle threads of gleaming gold appeared like highlights woven through the red, catching the sunlight with metallic luster. His hair now fell in a bold, fiery red with golden accents that gave him an entirely different, more imposing presence.
Next, his eyes — which were normally a calm, deep blue — began to change. The rich blue color drained away like water receding, replaced by a brilliant golden hue that spread from the pupils outward, turning his irises into sharp, luminous gold that seemed to glow with inner power. The transformation made his gaze piercing and otherworldly, stripping away any trace of his usual youthful look.
Then his body started changing in a controlled, flowing sequence. Normally Rin appeared as a normal average boy with only light muscle definition, subtle abs, and a handsome but unassuming face. Now the magic reshaped him into something more manly and mature. His frame stretched upward gradually, bones and muscles lengthening smoothly until he stood noticeably taller, reaching a height that suited a fully grown man rather than a college student. His shoulders broadened with powerful rolls of muscle forming across his chest and back, pectorals expanding into large, firm slabs that pressed against his shirt. His arms thickened with dense, defined biceps and forearms, veins becoming faintly visible beneath the skin as strength layered on. His abs sharpened into a clear, muscular six-pack while his waist remained tight, and his legs gained powerful thighs and calves that filled out his pants with solid mass. He wasn't overwhelmingly huge or monstrous — just a little bit taller and significantly more muscular, the build of a strong, athletic adult man radiating quiet power and confidence. The changes settled with a warm tingling sensation across his skin, leaving his new form feeling natural and ready.
Finally, his clothing gradually changed into something resembling Chinese mafia attire — more like dark triad Chinese emperor clothes adorned with intricate dragon designs. The fabric of his ordinary clothes darkened first, shifting from casual tones into deep, luxurious black and crimson silk-like material that shimmered with subtle sheen. The cut transformed elegantly: the shirt lengthened into a high-collared, traditional-style tunic with wide sleeves that tapered at the wrists, embroidered with coiling golden dragons that seemed almost alive, their scales detailed and mouths open in fierce roars across the chest and shoulders. A long, flowing outer robe settled over it, edged with gold trim and more dragon motifs winding down the sides and hem, evoking imperial authority mixed with dangerous underworld elegance. The pants adjusted into straight, tailored black trousers that complemented the outfit, while sturdy black boots formed around his feet with subtle reinforced detailing. The entire ensemble fit his new taller, more muscular frame perfectly, giving him the commanding aura of a powerful figure from ancient triad lore rather than an ordinary young man from Tokyo.
Once the transformations completed, Rin stood transformed on the rooftop, red-and-gold hair swaying in the breeze, golden eyes scanning the horizon with sharp intensity, his newly muscular body held with natural authority in the dark, dragon-embroidered emperor-style attire.
Then he called out Inferna, his voice carrying clearly across the roof as he turned toward the direction of the house below. "Let's have a race to see who reaches Niigata first …and also count how many steps it takes you to reach there"
Inferna agreed without hesitation, her golden eyes with serpentine slits flashing with competitive fire as she positioned herself beside him, her suggestive maid uniform hugging her voluptuous curves while her long red hair and veiled golden horns caught the light.
After a short countdown from Rin — "Three… two… one… go!" — Inferna sprinted off with so much energy and speed. She launched forward in a powerful burst, leaping from roof to roof with explosive force, her powerful legs propelling her in massive, graceful arcs across the cityscape. Buildings blurred beneath her as she covered the immense distance. Each leap spanned incredible distances, her body cutting through the air like a crimson streak before her feet touched down lightly on another rooftop far ahead, momentum carrying her onward without pause until she reached Niigata in an astonishingly short time… in only thirteen steps, a journey that would normally take about two hours on a bullet train.
Inferna reached the location and landed with a solid impact on a high building overlooking part of the city, breathing steadily as she scanned for Rin. Then she saw that Rin was already there, standing casually a short distance away and laughing at her with genuine amusement. He told her he had only used three steps before reaching here and that if not for some discomfort on the way he could have made it in two steps instead, his new golden eyes twinkling with playful challenge while his red-and-gold hair shifted in the Niigata breeze and his dragon-embroidered attire billowed slightly.
As Rin and Inferna were together talking, exchanging light words about the race and the journey, then Chris, Muganda and Yuri arrived shortly after, appearing with their own swift, controlled movements near the same rooftop area.
Then Rin looked and saw the monster —Bakuteriya. The creature looked like a slimy black venom, its amorphous body glistening with a dark, oily sheen that shifted and rippled constantly, tendrils of viscous black substance extending and retracting as it tried to maintain a low, hidden profile near the ground.
Then the monster saw Rin and was suddenly terrified. Despite the modifications and changes in Rin's appearance, the red-and-gold hair, golden eyes, taller muscular build, and imposing dark triad emperor clothes with dragon designs — it could still sense and remember him and the encounter it had with him and Chris that night years ago in Nara. Its slimy form quivered violently, surface trembling as instinctive fear rippled through its gelatinous mass.
Then Rin looked and saw that the monster was already surrounded by a group of SCO— Supernatural Control Organization — agents in tactical gear forming a cautious perimeter around the terrified creature.