In order for Claymores to be effective against yoma, they had to go through a very specific and equally disturbing procedure—
An organ transplant.
Inside their bodies was implanted the flesh of a yoma.
And it was no small piece either.
Various different organs were replaced and added with those of the yoma—enough to fundamentally change what they were.
They had become half-human half-yoma.
Through that process, the claymores chosen for the procedure walked away with a massive leap in physical capabilities.
Their strength, speed, and endurance became far beyond that of normal humans.
Along with that came regeneration—wounds that would normally cripple or kill a person could slowly heal.
But the thing that could be said to be the most useful they had gained was that they could now sense yoma.
Not just their presence, but also their yoki—the demonic energy exclusive to yoma.
That same energy was something Claymores now had access to.
By releasing small amounts of it through their bodies, they could push their physical abilities even further beyond their already enhanced state.
With these advantages, Claymores generally outclassed ordinary yoma in battle.
They are both faster and stronger, and could detect them even when disguised among humans.
From an outsider's perspective, the procedure could almost be considered a success.
Almost.
Because it all came with one single, unavoidable drawback that could be the worst possible one ever.
Since Claymores carried yoma flesh within their bodies, they were constantly at risk of losing their human minds.
And becoming something even worse than a yoma.
Something called an 'Awakened Being.'
While Claymores could use the demonic energy of the yoma inside them to perform even better, it works as a double edged sword with spiked handles.
In the pool of yoki generated inside them, they had a certain limit that acted like an invisible threshold they were not supposed to cross.
If they released too much yoki at once…
Their last pierce of humanity would go up in flames.
Irreversible changes would happen to their minds and bodies.
Beyond that point of no return, they would no longer be Claymores.
Unfortunately, even if a Claymore never crossed that limit—no, even just having yoma flesh embedded inside them.
Even if they were careful their whole entire life…
A yoma's biology is superior to that of a human's and slowly but surely, the human half of a claymore will be snuffed out entirely.
And when that day comes, all that's left is a monster more powerful than a yoma.
That's where the black card comes in.
It's a simple tool that's part of a preventative measure in ensuring claymores do not become one of these 'Awakened beings.'
These cards are handed out to each claymore at the beginning of their careers after they complete their training, each with their own special symbols on them.
When a claymore finds themselves on the verge of becoming one of these 'Awakened beings,' the cards are then delivered to another claymore of their choosing—typically, one who's closest to them.
It's basically saying:
"Come kill me before I turn into a monster."
No explanation was needed. The moment another Claymore sees that black card, she already understands what it meant.
It means somewhere out there, one of their own has reached their limit and is about to become the very thing she was created to kill.
And they obviously don't want that to happen.
So before they lose the last semblance of themselves, they send out the card.
It's their last request.
So at this moment, as Clare explained the significance of the card to Seth while Raki listened on, they were treading Mount Shire, towards the designated area where the euthanization will be taking place.
"Hmm…"
Seth couldn't help but hum in response to the new information he was receiving from his partner while Raki stayed silent the whole time, not knowing what to say.
He examined the card in his hand as they walked.
Clare leading in front.
There was nothing really special about the card…save for the symbol in the center on one side.
A vertical line with three horizontal lines branching off from the top, two pointing outward and one pointing upward.
To Seth, it looked somewhat like a trident… or probably a plant.
He pocketed the card.
"So… does this person have a name? The fact that they sent a request to you, I'm assuming the two of you have a very close relationship..."
"Her name is Elena," Clare said calmly without turning.
"We joined the organization at the same time. We comforted each other in our darkest times and when our bodies were transforming and wracked with pain, we'd hold each other at night so we could sleep."
"And—hm!" Clare paused as the sound of metal boots clanging reached their ears as a woman stepped out into the clearing.
"It's been a long time. Hello, Clare."
"Elena…"
Dressed in the same claymore attire as Clare, a beautiful woman with silver eyed, long silvery blonde hair parted to the right stood before them with a gentle expression.
Elena—Clare's close friend. The one who sent the black card.
Seth, glanced back and forth between the two women. They both stood, sword drawn as if preparing to fight.
He simply dragged Raki to one side, leaving the girls to their devices.
"I thought… you'd be more distorted by now." Clear commented.
Elena chuckled as she began letting out her feelings.
"I'm forcing it back until I meet with you… it feels like ages, but I remembered it as if it was yesterday."
"There was so much pain back then,but for some reason, I seem to only remember the good times."
"I started this job after you, you know. I never thought I'd be the first to end up like this."
Elena smiled self-deprecatingly as she began transforming.
"…it's no use… I thought that taking on the yoma's power would give me strength but… to control it, you have to have… a strong human heart."
Veins popped up on her face and her arm bulged as tears rolled down her face.
It's quite clear that Elena was experiencing an immense amount of pain.
"So…please…hurry and do it…while I'm still human."
Clear lifted her claymore preparing to deliver the final blow.
Raki, seeing this, wanted to intervene and stop her from killing her friend, but Seth held him back.
"Clare! Sto—!"
Raki shouted.
But he was too late.
Before the word could even finish leaving his mouth, Clare had already moved.
Shhk
Elena's body froze.
The veins that had been bulging across her face slowly receded.
Her silver eyes widened slightly as her body slowly fell to her knees.
Seth watched without saying anything.
Elena's transformation hadn't reached too far so her body still looked mostly human now.
Elena smiled weakly as she slowly muttered
"…Thank you…Clare…for letting me… die as a human…"
The light in her eyes slowly faded as she drew her last breath..
And just like that, she was gone.
There was a moment of absolute silence.
Then—
"WHY?!"
Raki's voice cracked as he spun toward Seth, tears were running down his face.
A little bit much but okay…
"Why did you stop me?!"
He shoved Seth's arm.
"She didn't have to kill her! That was her friend!"
Seth barely registered the shove.
Raki's voice trembled with anger.
"There had to be another way!"
Seth looked at him for a moment before he glanced over at Clare.
She was quietly cleaning the blood off her blade with a piece of cloth before sliding the sword back onto her back.
Her face had the same calm and composed look as always.
Like nothing had happened.
Seth sighed a little before crossing his arms and looking down at the kid.
"What did you want me to do exactly?"
Raki stared at him.
"Stop her!"
"And then what?" Seth asked.
Raki froze.
"She was already turning. You saw it."
"If Clare didn't do it now, she would've turned into one of those awakened things you just heard about—or weren't you listening?"
He shrugged.
"And then we'd have a way bigger problem."
Raki opened his mouth… but nothing came out.
Seth continued casually.
"She sent that card because she didn't want that to happen."
"That was the whole point."
He looked down at the kid.
"It's her wish."
Raki's fists clenched as he looked back at Elena lying on the ground.
Seth rubbed the back of his neck.
Yeah… it sucked.
Even he felt a little bad watching that.
But at the end of the day…
What exactly was he supposed to do?
Although he was sure, with the blacklight virus, he should be able to do something about it, he only knew basic stuff about the virus's capabilities.
So he vowed to himself, as of this morning, he will wholeheartedly begin exploring his various abilities to his utmost.
He simply cannot allow any other baddies from meeting an early grave.
In any case…Elena already made her choice and accepted her fate.
"…Welcome to the real world, kid."
Seth walked over to Clare and asked, "You okay?"
"Yes."
Chapter 13 end.
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Just so y'all know, things that mc hadn't interacted with will follow canon—like Elena's dialogue. This gonna happen until a certain something happens and mc start acting up.