The tension inside the Grand Hall had not yet settled, but outside—things moved differently.
Calmer.
Quieter.
More dangerous in subtle ways.
Asuka walked along the corridor, hands in his pockets, his expression unreadable. The echoes of the discussion still lingered faintly in the air, but he had already stepped away from it.
Politics didn't interest him.
Only outcomes did.
As he turned a corner—
He stopped.
Someone was already there.
Leaning casually against the wall, as if waiting.
Tokugawa Asakura.
The young Special Grade lifted his head slightly, a faint smile forming.
"…yo."
Asuka didn't respond immediately.
Their eyes met.
A brief silence.
Then Asakura chuckled.
"…you're as cold as ever."
Asuka sighed faintly. "…what do you want?"
Asakura straightened, stretching his arms lazily.
"…straight to the point, huh?"
He stepped closer.
"…join us."
No hesitation.
No buildup.
Just that.
Asuka's gaze didn't change.
"…no."
A simple answer.
Expected.
Asakura laughed softly.
"…you really are sharp, Asuka."
He tilted his head slightly.
"…you already knew what I was going to say."
Asuka didn't deny it.
"I'm not interested in becoming part of the Tokugawa Clan."
Asakura smirked.
"…too bad."
Before he could continue—
THUD!
A sharp smack echoed.
Asakura froze.
Behind him—
Nagisa Sakurai stood with her hand still raised.
Her expression calm.
But clearly irritated.
"…how long are you planning to wander around?"
Her voice was firm.
"The meeting is over."
Asakura rubbed the back of his head.
"…you didn't have to hit me."
Sakura didn't respond.
She simply turned and walked away.
"…we're leaving."
Asakura sighed.
Then glanced back at Asuka one last time.
"…this isn't over."
A faint smile.
"…we'll talk again."
Then he followed after Sakura.
Leaving Asuka alone once more.
A few minutes later—
The medical room.
The door slid open.
Hina looked up first.
"…oh."
Aoi followed.
Shin remained silent, but her gaze shifted slightly.
"Asuka."
He stepped inside.
Calm as always.
"…you're alive."
Hina frowned. "…what kind of greeting is that?"
A faint pause.
Then—
"…good."
That was all he added.
Hina clicked her tongue.
"…you're seriously bad at talking."
But she smiled anyway.
For a while—
They spoke normally.
Nothing serious.
Just small things.
A rare moment of calm.
Then—
Hina's expression turned serious.
She looked directly at him.
"…Asuka."
He glanced at her.
"…whatever the leaders decide…"
She clenched her fist slightly.
"…we'll help you."
Aoi nodded softly.
"…you don't have to fight alone."
Even Shin spoke.
"…we're your team."
Silence.
For a brief moment—
Asuka didn't respond.
Then—
A memory surfaced.
Soft.
Faint.
But clear.
A girl.
Smiling gently.
Rukia.
Her voice echoed.
"Asuka… don't fight demons alone."
"I know you want to be strong…"
"…but not like that."
Her smile was warm.
Kind.
Unchanging.
Back in the present—
Asuka's eyes softened slightly.
Just for a moment.
Then—
A faint smile appeared.
"…yeah."
His phone vibrated.
A message.
From Akane.
He read it silently.
Then—
"…it's decided."
The others looked at him.
"There will be a selection."
"A hunt."
Aoi tilted her head. "…hunt?"
Asuka nodded.
"…three options."
"Track Mizorogi."
"Locate hidden demon activity."
"Or eliminate the Special Level Demon in Hokkaido."
Hina blinked.
"…so each clan will choose one?"
Asuka nodded.
"…Tokugawa will likely focus on locating demon activity."
A pause.
"…Shirosagi…"
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"…they'll go after the Special Level Demon."
"Hokkaido is their territory."
Shin crossed her arms.
"…which means…"
Asuka looked at them.
"…we represent Fujiwara."
Silence.
Then—
"…you already know our target."
Hina smiled.
"…yeah."
Aoi nodded.
"…Mizorogi."
Shin's gaze sharpened.
"…we end it."
Asuka looked at the three of them.
One by one.
"…are you ready?"
No hesitation.
"Yeah." – Hina.
"Yes." – Aoi.
"…always." – Shin.
Elsewhere—
Inside another corridor—
Shirosagi Lui approached someone.
A familiar figure.
Calm.
Unbothered.
Verse del Hila.
Beside him stood Kaori Mitsuri.
Lui smiled.
"…hey."
Verse didn't respond.
"I want you to join the Shirosagi Clan."
A pause.
"…temporarily."
His tone was casual.
But his eyes—
Serious.
"…I know you need it."
"…to defeat Asuka."
Mitsuri glanced at Verse.
Curious.
But—
No reaction.
From him.
She sighed softly.
"…guess he's not interested."
Lui chuckled.
"…I see."
His smile turned sharper.
"…too bad."
Verse finally spoke.
"…I'm not interested in your clan games."
His voice flat.
"…fighting for decisions… just to prove who's stronger."
He looked at Lui.
"…that's meaningless."
Lui laughed.
"…don't worry."
He turned slightly.
"…the Fujiwara Clan might be weak right now."
A pause.
"…no Special Grade."
His smile returned.
"…but they have Asuka."
"…a technique that rivals the great clans."
Lui shrugged.
"…interesting, right?"
Then he turned away.
"…fine."
"…I won't bother you anymore, Verse."
And just like that—
He left.
Far away—
In a dark alley.
Silence.
Blood.
Bodies.
Demon corpses scattered everywhere.
Torn apart.
Devoured.
At the center—
Mizorogi.
Kneeling.
Feeding.
Blood dripping from his mouth.
His expression calm.
Enjoying it.
Then—
A presence appeared.
Behind him.
A Demon.
Watching.
Smiling.
"…interesting."
Mizorogi didn't turn.
"…you again."
The Demon stepped closer.
Its form distorted.
Its voice smooth.
"…a human who eats demons…"
A pause.
"…what should I call you?"
It smiled wider.
"…Mizorogi…"
"…or something else?"
Mizorogi chuckled softly.
"…does it matter?"
The Demon's eyes gleamed.
"…names don't matter."
A pause.
"…power does."
It stepped closer.
"…my name is…"
"…Nyelv."
The darkness thickened.
Two monsters—
Standing side by side.
Not enemies.
Not allies.
Yet.
But something far worse—
Was beginning to take shape.
To be continued…