The noise of Tokyo filled the air.
Neon lights glowed brightly.
People moved in and out of shops endlessly—laughing, chatting, living their lives… unaware of how fragile their safety truly was.
In one corner of a fast-food restaurant—
A young man sat alone.
Calm.
Silent.
Eating without haste.
Seiichi Asuka.
From the outside, he looked like an ordinary 19-year-old.
No one would ever guess—
He was one of the Special Grade members of the HIA.
Someone respected… and feared.
In front of him, a tablet lay open.
His eyes scanned report after report.
"…more missing persons."
He paused.
Scrolling down.
"Some were rescued… some weren't."
His tone was flat.
But something in his gaze shifted slightly.
"…Demons."
He exhaled slowly.
"These creatures… really love taking human forms as disguises."
Asuka stopped reading.
His gaze shifted beyond the glass window.
Across the street—
A young girl sat on a bench.
Short hair.
A pretty face… but her posture was careless, as if she didn't care what others thought.
She looked like an ordinary student.
But—
Asuka's eyes narrowed slightly.
He glanced back at his tablet.
His fingers moved quickly.
Searching for a profile.
Name: Tachibana Hina
Age: 18
Status: Rookie Hunter
Grade: C
Asuka read carefully.
"…hmm."
"Background… decent."
"Boxing…"
He paused.
His eyes focused.
"Aikido."
For a brief moment—
The corner of his lips lifted slightly.
"…same."
"I use Aikido too."
He looked back at the girl.
"…but…"
His eyes turned cold again.
"…she's not fit to join my team."
The moment he raised his gaze—
The girl…
was gone.
"…?"
Asuka stood up slowly.
No panic.
No rush.
But his eyes sharpened.
Outside—
His steps were silent.
His movement like a shadow.
He traced her presence.
A few alleys away—
He saw her.
Tachibana Hina.
Following two people—
A couple.
Hina moved from a distance.
Light steps.
Focused eyes.
Asuka stopped on the rooftop of a nearby low building.
Watching.
"…her instincts are sharp."
The couple entered a narrow alley.
Silent.
Dark.
Hina followed.
Asuka… followed from above.
Inside the alley—
The woman suddenly stopped.
Then slowly turned around.
A strange smile formed on her face.
"Will you… accept me as I am?"
Her voice was soft.
But something was wrong.
The man smiled.
His face filled with desire.
"Of course…"
From above—
Asuka's eyes shifted.
"…a trap."
Suddenly—
CRACK!
The woman's body twisted.
Her abdomen split open—
Revealing a massive mouth filled with sharp teeth.
A grotesque smile stretched across her face.
The man screamed—
"AAAAAA!!!"
His voice high-pitched with terror.
Asuka prepared to move—
But—
WHOOSH!
A shadow flashed past.
Hina appeared right in front of the Demon.
With surprising speed—
She drew her katana.
SHING!
"Damn Hunter…"
The Demon laughed eerily.
"I'll devour you."
Hina didn't flinch.
She stood casually.
Then—
With a relaxed expression—
She spoke.
"Let water flow without a sound…"
She tilted her head slightly.
"Your teeth are really ugly."
Silence.
Asuka, watching from above…
Paused.
"…that…"
He frowned slightly.
"…was that a poem?"
Or…
"…an insult?"
But before he could think further—
The Demon roared in anger.
And Hina—
Was already ready to fight.
Asuka's eyes sharpened slightly.
"…interesting."
To be continued