It was early morning, and dirt was being kicked up on the training ground. You could smell the sweat all the way to the edge. Kouji stood right there, at the edge, listening to the sounds of the fight while he waited patiently.
–These people are pretty strong, aren't they afraid of getting hurt?
Just as Kouji was thinking this, his eyes opened wide. Right in front of him, another Hunter's arm was being severed. Blood gushed from the arm. "I give up—I give up!" the man screamed from the ground. Kouji could only stand there in shock, trying to process what had happened.
–Why—why does he help him up so normally? He cut off his arm, is that normal here?
–The law of the strongest…
"Kouji!"
The voice finally reached Kouji. "Hey, I've called for you three times now, can't you hear me?"
It was Yuusuke's voice that Kouji heard.
"Ah, so this is the first time you've seen it."
Before Yuusuke had finished this sentence, the Hunter's arm had regrown.
"How?"
"Haha—That's Fukushi's ability."
"FUKUSHI!" Yuusuke suddenly shouted, and a girl at the edge looked in his direction and then looked away again, embarrassed.
"Come here for a second," Yuusuke added. The girl turned briefly in his direction, took a step and hesitated, but ultimately walked towards them both.
"What is it, Yuusuke?" she asked shyly. Her cheeks were rosy, her long blonde hair was majestic, and her bangs were perfectly cut. She wore the standard uniform of this unit: a black coat with a black blouse underneath, and black jeans.
"This is Kouji, he's new here, would you please explain your ability to him?"
"Um—Yes, of course." She said, and added, "Hello, Kouji—I'm glad you joined us."
"Hello, I'm happy to hear that too."
Yuusuke put his arms behind his head, almost as if he were enjoying standing there doing nothing.
"Um, so—I can make a contract between two or more hunters and if all parties agree, their injuries will be healed after a fight."
"That means after a battle you can simply restore us—that's great."
Yuusuke interrupted Kouji, "No, unfortunately it only works if everyone agrees before a fight that it's a friendly match."
Fukushi's expression changed to a thoughtful and sad one.
"Don't worry about it, Fukushi, he's still new—thanks for your explanation."
She went back to the others and Yuusuke watched her for a few more seconds.
"She's not wearing her tie at all today."
"Is that your biggest worry?"
"Already—By the way, have you received your uniform yet?"
"No. This morning I had a message from Ryo asking me to check with Yumi, but she wasn't there earlier."
"I think she took this week off, but she doesn't like to talk much."
–Or maybe they just don't like being with you that much.
"Okay—come with me, I'll show you the equipment room."
Yuusuke moved back into the main building and Kouji followed him.
"Yesterday I asked you why you're here, I think it would only be fair if I told you too."
"Yes, done."
"It's quite simple, don't expect anything exciting."
"I awakened my Kyoukai early on; most awaken after a trauma or a significant moment. But I've always been able to deal with Kyoukai somehow."
"As far back as I can remember, I've always had this strength."
"Such cases happen from time to time. Accordingly, I've always been able to see Nightmares."
–I can't do that, but I don't have to tell him that now.
"A classmate started talking about hunters at some point, and I listened—and that's how I ended up here."
Yuusuke chuckled slightly after finishing his sentence, adding, "Pretty simple, isn't it?"
"Yes that's it."
The distance flew by as the two talked, and soon they were standing right in front of the equipment room. Yuusuke opened the door, and a huge pile of tools lay inside.
"Are there any weapons you would prefer to fight with?"
"Something similar to a sword... A katana like Ryo's would be good."
"His is a custom-made one, but I can offer you a regular one."
Yuusuke handed Kouji the katana he had spoken of. Kouji had never held a real one before. It was heavier and longer than he had expected.
"Yuusuke—Do you get used to fighting?"
"What do you think?"
"I've never held a real gun before. It's a strange feeling."
"I think not getting used to fighting is part of being human,"
"Getting used to it means sacrificing a part of your humanity, and those who can't cope may eventually break down."
"I don't intend to break down."
"Believe me, everyone says that before they break. If you're lucky, there'll be someone who puts you back together."
"—Oh, I hate topics like this. Hey! What was the knife demon actually like?"
"I'm not so sure. I think he could turn anything into a knife."
The two left the room and Yuusuke closed the door behind them.
"I understand. I wonder what it's like to fight against a demon or devil."
"Have you never had an assignment before?"
"No, we are not receiving such orders yet."
The two continued walking down the hallway when Kouji noticed a locked door.
"What's inside?"
"That's the 'Do Not Open' door, I don't know exactly what's in there, but it leads to the basement."
"But it should be clear that we'll sneak down there," he said with a smile.
"Do you know what's in the basement?"
"Only certain people have access there. Ryo said there are a few individual cells and a laboratory, I don't know anything more than that."
"Single cells?"
"We don't just hunt Nightmares. If other Hunters get out of control, we can lock them up down there. Kagami probably sealed the cells there."
–Hunting down other hunters is also part of it. I should have seen that coming.
„Kagami?"
"She's kind of like Ryo's assistant. Does his paperwork and stuff. I think she can seal abilities somehow."
"I see, so the people in the cells cannot use their abilities."
"Exactly. The cells at the nearby prison have also been reinforced by her."
–Interesting, so these kinds of abilities do exist.
"Hey, what do you say to a little training fight?"
"Why not."
The two went back the way they came, to the main entrance, and then over to the training grounds. Fukushi was kind enough to use her ability on them, and they stood facing each other.
"Ready?"
"I think."
"Have you ever received a fatal cut?"
"Of course not."
"Then I apologize in advance."
Fukushi counted down for the two of them.
"Three, two, one,"
"The."
Just as she finished her 'go', Yuusuke sprinted towards Kouji.
Kouji hesitantly swings his katana at Yuusuke, but Yuusuke dodges backward.
The katana felt significantly heavier in the hand than expected. Kouji repositioned himself, but Yuusuke was faster.
A well-aimed blow to the pit of the stomach. Kouji coughed and spat out water.
"Shit, take it easy."
"Didn't you want to get used to fighting?" Yuusuke mocked, taking a step back.
Kouji swung again, but Yuusuke dodged once more and attempted another counterattack. Before his fist could connect, however, a layer of metal formed at the point of impact, and this time Kouji countered. A light blow, directly to Yuusuke's face.
Yuusuke stepped back, "so, your ability."
Yuusuke's expression became more serious. With a flick of his wrist, video game card rides suddenly shot out of the hand he was holding between his fingers.
Kouji swung his katana a third time.
–It feels lighter. As if a piece of weight has been lost.
One of the cartridges threw Yuusuke onto Kouji's arm. His momentum abruptly shifted in a completely different direction, and Kouji sustained a minor injury.
–Was?
Kouji swung again, but once more his swing went nowhere.
–Can he deflect my blows?
Before Kouji could launch another attack, Yuusuke's fist struck him again. This time harder and faster, directly in the face.
Kouji staggered to the side, blood flowing into his mouth.
–It feels so warm.
–My vision is blurry.
Kouji's vision faded and he fell to the side. Yuusuke noticed quickly enough and caught Kouji mid-fall.
Kouji's vision went black, and a few minutes later, light returned through his eyelids.
"That was probably too much to start with."
"Yuusuke?"
"Fukushi has dissolved her ability, your wounds have healed."
"I actually wanted to throw knives at you, but I think we should take it slow first."
"With knives?!"
"That's how I fight. With knives."
"Come on, stand up."
Yuusuke reached out his hand and helped Kouji up.
"Are there actually more places like this?"
"More units? Yes, there are. One for each prefecture in Japan."
"Or at least most of the larger ones."
"I see. Are there also such talented people among the others?"
"Are you talking about me?"
"Believe me, I'm at the bottom of the talented tier—so yes—there are many talented hunters out there."
–I wonder if there are any hunters as powerful as Ryo.
–Certainly—it would be naive to feel safe, but he was incredibly fast when he defeated the demon.
–I couldn't even perceive him back then.
"Let's take a break, do you want to go get something to eat?"
"Sure, where are we going?"
"I don't know, how about BBQ?"
"All right, let's have a BBQ!"