The Tokyo train station was crowded.
Voices overlapped.
Footsteps echoed.
People rushed past each other without a second glance.
Amid the crowd—
Two figures stood out.
Kurosaki Shin stood calmly, arms crossed.
Cold eyes scanning the area.
Beside her—
Tachibana Hina stretched slightly.
Still sore from training.
"…why do I feel like this is another test…" Hina muttered.
"It is."
Shin replied instantly.
Hina sighed.
Then—
The train arrived.
SHHHHHHHH—
Doors opened.
Passengers began to pour out.
And among them—
A girl stepped out slowly.
She held a katana wrapped carefully in cloth.
Her movements were hesitant.
Her eyes lowered.
Miyagi Aoi.
She looked around nervously.
"…um…"
Her voice barely audible.
Shin stepped forward.
"You're Miyagi Aoi."
Aoi flinched.
"…y-yes!"
Shin's gaze was sharp.
Evaluating.
"Late."
"…s-sorry!"
Aoi bowed slightly in panic.
Hina stepped in quickly.
"Hey, relax."
She smiled lightly.
"She's always like that."
Shin didn't react.
Hina leaned closer to Aoi.
"I'm Hina. Tachibana Hina."
Aoi blinked.
Then nodded quickly.
"…Miyagi Aoi… nice to meet you…"
Her voice was soft.
Shy.
Hina scratched her cheek.
"…you don't have to be that nervous, you know."
Aoi hesitated.
Then gave a small, awkward smile.
"…I'll try…"
For a moment—
The tension eased.
Then—
A presence approached.
The air shifted.
Seiichi Asuka.
He walked toward them calmly.
Hands in his pockets.
Eyes indifferent.
Aoi immediately straightened.
"…A-Asuka…"
She stepped forward quickly.
Holding out the wrapped katana.
"…this is from my family…"
Asuka took it.
Silently.
He unwrapped it slightly.
A faint gleam—
From the blade within.
Then—
Without hesitation—
He handed it to Hina.
"…use it."
Hina blinked.
"…me?"
Asuka nodded once.
"This katana…"
A brief pause.
"…is called Kaguya."
Silence.
"…it's special."
Hina looked at the blade.
Something about it—
Felt different.
"…got it."
She nodded.
Firm.
Asuka turned away slightly.
"Mission."
Their attention sharpened instantly.
"A factory."
"Several workers have gone missing."
Shin nodded.
"…understood."
Hina gripped her new katana.
"…let's go."
Aoi hesitated—
Then nodded as well.
On the Way
The city passed by quickly.
Inside the vehicle—
Hina glanced at Aoi.
"…what's your Garde?"
Aoi looked slightly surprised.
"…Grade B…"
Hina blinked.
"…seriously?"
Aoi tilted her head slightly.
"…is that… bad?"
Hina laughed lightly.
"No, that's amazing."
Aoi looked down.
"…it's nothing special…"
Shin remained silent.
But her eyes—
Observed everything.
At the Factory
The atmosphere was heavy.
Police lines blocked the entrance.
Families gathered outside—
Crying.
Praying.
Waiting.
"…my son is still inside…"
"…please… someone…"
Hina's expression tightened.
Aoi looked at them.
Her grip on her weapon tightened.
"…I feel bad…"
Her voice was soft.
"…they don't even know…"
"…that their loved ones were killed by demons…"
Silence.
Shin stepped forward.
"That's why we exist."
Her voice cold.
"To avenge them."
"…even if they never know the truth."
The three of them walked past the barrier.
And entered—
Inside the Factory
Dark.
Silent.
The moment they stepped in—
The air changed.
Heavy.
Oppressive.
"…this presence…"
Hina whispered.
"…something strong…"
Suddenly—
CRACK… CRACK…
Something moved in the shadows.
Then—
It appeared.
A grotesque figure.
A massive centipede body—
Attached to a twisted human torso.
Its eyes glowed.
Its mouth stretched unnaturally.
"Looks like…"
Its voice echoed.
"…the Hunters have finally arrived."
Centipede.
Shin stepped forward slightly.
"…be careful."
Her tone serious.
"…Red Level."
In an instant—
WHOOSH!!!
Centipede lunged forward.
Fast.
Violent.
Aoi reacted—
She drew her bow instantly.
TWANG!
An arrow shot forward.
Shin—
Summoned her spear.
Hina—
Drew Kaguya.
The air ignited with tension.
Three Hunters.
One powerful Demon.
And the battle—
began.
To be continued…