30 minutes earlier.
The iron doors shuddered open.
Akira stepped through first, arms swinging calmly at his sides, expression unreadable.Dreams are what separate people like me from everyone else.
He entered a vast chamber of dirt and towering trees, the air buzzing with dense Tao.
A cold voice echoed from hidden speakers above:
"This final trial requires finding five keys. Once all keys are collected, the gate will open. Only fifteen of you may pass."
A flash of gold filled the room.A key appeared before every contestant, hovering midair as a glowing timer flickered to life overhead:
01:00:00
Akira caught his key out of the air and slammed a fist into his chest."I'm not failing this test."
"Me neither," Hinata said, violet eyes narrowing. He addressed the group."All right—state your reasons for becoming a Hunter. We'll decide who deserves to pass."
A woman in the back raised her voice, trembling but firm."I… need to support my family."
Before anyone else could speak, a teen with a small afro and an oversized yellow jacket stepped forward—Jackson."Wait, wait. Instead of all that, let's just settle this through combat."
The room froze.
Hinata sighed and stepped toward him."C'mon, let's not be barbaric."
Jackson shrugged. "You're taking it the wrong way. The Hunter Association kills Yokai. Your reason doesn't matter if you're weak. You can't make money if you die."
Akira smirked.So he has a dumb goal like me—one these people would call less important than 'I need money for my family.' That's why he wants this.
"I agree," Akira said.More than half the group nodded with him.
Hinata lifted his hand. "Fine. We'll let strength decide. One-on-one matches. Fifteen winners pass. But we find the keys first."
I didn't want combat… because I knew me, Akira, and Jackson would dominate. Whoever fought us had no chance.
After a few minutes of searching, every group found their key.
Akira picked his up as the gate opened for his group. He tapped the ground impatiently."All that's left is finishing the matches."
Suddenly, an older man—mid-fifties—broke into a sprint toward the gate.
Akira grabbed him. "What are you doing? We have to wait for the matches!"
The man blasted Tao from his palm, knocking Akira back."I'm too old to fight. Running is all I've got!"
He dashed again—only for Akira to appear above him in an instant.
Akira's heel plunged down.
"Grand Military Kick!!"
The man flattened against the ground.
"Yeah, now you're definitely not winning any matches," Akira muttered.
Hinata arrived with the rest of the groups."Oh hey, Hinata, this geezer was trying—"
Hinata cut him off, voice sharp."Why did you kill this man, Akira?!"
Akira blinked, turning toward the body. "What? He's not dead."
"Akira—"Hinata's voice wavered. "His Tao is fading. That is death for humans."
He drew his blade, pointing it at Akira."I know it might've been an accident. But that doesn't mean I forgive you."
"Jackson," Hinata said, "help me deal with Akira. The rest of you—finish your matches."
Jackson cracked his neck, loosening the bandages around his fists.
Hinata's grip tightened. "Akira."
Steel sang as Hinata swung.
Akira ducked, the blade slicing the air above him."Aye—this isn't my fault!"
Jackson slammed his palm into the dirt, Tao flaring black and white.Stone twisted upward, reshaping into a massive scythe. He swung it, the blade hovering a breath from Akira's neck.
"Don't move," Jackson warned.
Hinata's pupils flared into four-pointed stars. Four Tao-forged stars materialized behind him, streaking toward Akira.
Akira's heartbeat thundered.He dodged aside, sparks of Tao scattering from his fingertips.
"What are these abilities…? Creating stars, reshaping the environment?"
Behind them, the winners of the other matches slipped through the gate.Only three remained.
Akira. Hinata. Jackson.
The air went still.
Hinata's blade hummed.Jackson's scythe crackled.Akira stood between them, sweating, eyes locked on the shrinking gate.
Akira dashed behind Jackson, fist cocked——but Jackson didn't budge. The bandages on his arms twisted, stabbing into Akira and binding him.
Jackson wound his fist back the same way Akira had."You've got good technique. Is this how you do it?"
He slammed his fist into Akira's ribs, sending him skidding.
Before Akira could rise, Jackson turned away."I'm going to pass now. No need to gang up on someone weaker than me."
He walked through the gate.
Akira grinned. "Just you and me. Now I have a chance—"
Hinata exploded forward, propelled by four detonating stars.
"What makes you say that?" he said coldly.
Miniature stars charged in his palm, aimed for Akira's face.
As they burst, Akira flipped over them, landing a kick across Hinata's head—
—but pain shot through his foot. Hinata had angled his sword so Akira impaled himself on landing.
Hinata stepped in and slashed Akira across the chest, ending the fight.
Silence.
Then—the old man groaned and crawled toward the gate.
Hinata lifted Akira over his shoulder, walked over, and grabbed the man by his hair."You're alive."
The old man trembled.
Hinata tossed him away from the gate."I see. You pretended to fade your Tao. And when we fought, you thought you could sneak by."
He sighed."I'm sorry, Akira. For trusting this old geezer."
Hinata carried Akira through the gate, letting him pass.