Noru TakedaSo… what do I do now? I don't even know what the actual test is.Maybe I'm supposed to return to the central village… or gather resources… or find some kind of special item… There are too many possibilities.
(Flashback – Fakuro's words echo in his mind.)
Fakuro (Owl)"This forest is full of them, but I don't come here often… at night, it becomes very dangerous.""You've got the basics for survival in your inventory—a sword, a pickaxe, an axe, and a hoe.""If you're lucky… you might survive until dawn."
Noru TakedaI see… that must be it. He mentioned the rabbits so I'd recognize a food source.
(He checks his inventory.)
The sword is for protection… and he said this forest gets dangerous at night…(Nervous)I'd like to think that just means wild animals… There's no way they'd let monsters roam freely inside the organization.
…Forget that for now.
The axe could help me build a shelter… but the pickaxe and the hoe… I don't see how those help me survive the night.Same with those weird tubes of liquid…
(Confused)
(Flashback)
Noru Takeda"So… where exactly are we?"
Fakuro (Owl)"No idea. My orders were to take you as far away from the central village as possible."
Noru TakedaThat doesn't make sense… If he knew about the rabbits, then he knew this area.He was trying to make me panic… to stop me from thinking.The rest of what he said… was probably just noise—to distract me from what actually matters.
Noru TakedaAlright… I'm ready.
(He looks at the sun.)I've got eight hours to gather food and build a shelter.
(Scene: He stalks rabbits through the bushes—failing repeatedly.)
Noru Takeda(Crashes into a tree)Damn it… stupid rabbits! Work with me here!It's not my fault you're the only thing I can eat in this forest!
(An apple falls from a tree.)
Noru Takeda…Fine. You win this time.
(He eats it, annoyed.)
(Scene change: Back where Fakuro left him. A pile of apples sits beside him.)
Noru TakedaFood—done.Now… I just need to cut down some trees and build a shelter.
(He drinks a bottle of water and tosses it aside.)
I should go for the thickest trees—that'll make it sturdier.
(He tries to cut a large tree but struggles to move it. He's exhausted.)
…Okay, new plan.
I'll cut thick branches for the roof…Then chop the rest into smaller pieces and stack them like blocks.
(Montage: He builds throughout the day, occasionally drinking water.)
Noru Takeda(Sweating, exhausted)Finally… that took everything I had… but it's done.
(A very small wooden shelter stands—barely enough to sleep in.)
Now I just need a door and it'll be comple—
(It's already night.)
Noru Takeda(Startled)No way… it got dark way too fast.
(Zombie growls echo through the forest.)
(Nervous)You've got to be kidding me…I didn't think it was possible… but there really are monsters inside the organization.
…No time to think about that now.Without a door, I can't stay inside.
(Zombies begin emerging from the bushes and trees.)
Noru Takeda (thinking)Around ten of them…Remember your training.
Monsters with no will are the weakest—they act purely on instinct to feed.These look like that type… I should be able to handle them.
(He draws his sword and attacks.)
Noru Takeda (thinking)Go for the limbs.Weak monsters can't regenerate efficiently.Cut off their arms to reduce their reach…Take their legs so they can't chase me.
(He fights them one by one, dodging and striking.)
Noru Takeda(Defeats the last one, exhausted)Sigh… finally.I think I've earned a break.
(Relaxed smile.)
(More sounds echo from the forest. More zombies appear.)
Noru TakedaThere's more of you?Doesn't matter—you'll end up just like the others.
(Confident.)
(Some zombies suddenly run and leap toward him.)
Noru Takeda(Shocked, thinking mid-fight)What the—?! These are different…Their levels vary… which means they've already fed on living beings.
…Still no problem. As long as none of them develop consciousness, I can handle this.
(He continues fighting, but starts retreating faster.)
Noru Takeda(Breathing heavily)There are too many… it's like for every one I kill, two more appear.At this rate… I'll collapse from exhaustion.
(He gets slashed—arm, face, leg.)
Noru Takeda(Shouting, agitated)Think you're tough?! Come on then!All of you against me—I've got enough for everyone!
(He swings wildly, more aggressive—but keeps getting hit.)
Come on! Who's next?! I can do this all night!!
(One zombie dodges—his sword strikes a rock and SHATTERS.)
Noru Takeda(Frozen in shock)No… my… sword—
(Snaps back to reality)The monsters!!
(He runs blindly, panicking.)
Run—run! Maybe I can lose them!Think—survival methods—think!Zigzag—zigzag!!
(He reaches a cliff. Below: a lake.)
Noru TakedaPerfect…If I jump, they won't be able to track me.
(He jumps. Surfaces. Swims to shore.)
Noru TakedaI made it…Now I just need to figure out where to stay so I don't get eaten.
If I weren't so exhausted… I'd stay here all night, even if I had to fight.
(Worn down.)
No… no time to complain. Think clearly.What would Fakuro do in this situation?
(Imagines Fakuro perched in a tree, building a nest and hooting.)
Noru TakedaThat doesn't help at all!Stupid bird complex…
(He notices a hollow oak tree. Climbs it.)
A hollow tree… perfect!
Let's see if I can fit…
(He squeezes inside.)
Noru TakedaThey won't be able to attack me here…And I just came out of the water—they won't track my scent.
(His expression turns serious… then sad.)
Dad… Oyuki…If you could see me now… I'm sure you'd be disappointed.
I really thought I was ready for this… I'm sorry.
(He lowers his head… and falls asleep.)
(Exterior: Zombies wander through the forest.)
(Morning. Sunlight filters through the hollow.)
Noru Takeda(Yawns, stretches)Morning…
Oh right… the Hunter test.If it's daylight, the monsters should be gone. The sun disintegrates them… I think.
It should be safe now.
(He struggles out of the tree. The camera pulls back—revealing three figures watching from a nearby mountain.)
Fakuro (Owl)Wow… he actually survived the night.Didn't expect him to make it this far. After the first hour, I assumed he was dead.
Focus (Crow)Just luck.He survived in the dumbest way possible.
Fakuro (Owl)Maybe… but he survived. That's what matters.
Focus (Crow)(Calm, cold)This is exactly why the organization is declining.Talented hunters died last night—hunters who worked hard to be here.
Now they're either buried… or inside a monster's stomach.
Meanwhile, someone mediocre like him is still alive.Doesn't that seem unfair to you?
(A voice from behind. Raiden sits on a large rock.)
RaidenUnfair? …Maybe.
It is tragic when prodigies die. They deserved greatness in this organization.But that's not how it turned out.
Focus—remember this: they chose that path. No one forced them to take this test.Just like we did.
Life isn't always about what you deserve.Talent alone isn't enough.
Sometimes… cunning—and a bit of luck—make all the difference.
He survived today… and I acknowledge that.
Don't judge him too soon.
Just remember one thing, Focus—Luck doesn't last forever.
If he dies tomorrow, you'll have the satisfaction of being right.But if he doesn't…
Then we might be looking at a Hunter who could one day stand at your level—all because a bit of luck carried him there.
(He smiles calmly.)
(Fakuro laughs in the background.)
Focus (Crow)(Embarrassed)…Understood, Raiden.
Fakuro, stop wasting time. Let's continue the registry.
Fakuro (Owl)(Still laughing, checks a list)Alright, alright—no need to get worked up.Number 286 is still alive.Let's move on to Sector 4.
(Scene change: A palace-like room. A Hunter stands by a window.)
Massaru (Scientist)Lord Kenai, here is the report on the hunters who survived the night.
Kenai OzawaGood. Did you notice anyone interesting during the test?
MassaruSeveral with strong potential.This year… we've been blessed with dozens of talents.
Among them… there's a VIP.
Kenai OzawaA VIP…It's been a long time since I've heard that term.
Keep an eye on them—along with any others you deem useful.
MassaruUnderstood.
(Turns to leave.)
Kenai OzawaMassaru…When they're ready, bring them to me.
Only the best.Don't waste my time with failures.
MassaruOf course. Excuse me.
(Final panels: Noru looks out at the landscape—his gaze now firm and determined.)
End