"Ugh... even after doing this so many times, it's still disgusting..."
Sunset falling. Streets stained red with kaiju blood. Kafka Hibino—wearing a white hazmat cleaning suit—stood before a massive kaiju corpse. Looked at the mess everywhere. Suppressed the churning sensation from his stomach.
Behind the transparent visor—a face with considerable stubble. Early thirties. Body showing slight signs of middle-age weight gain.
Kafka Hibino. 32 years old.
"But... at least today's work is done."
Kafka held a checklist. Near the dismembered kaiju corpse. Verified today's work progress.
This was a world plagued by kaiju disasters. And this middle-aged man's job—
Wasn't some hot-blooded legend fighting kaiju on the front lines, risking his life.
He was just an ordinary janitor. His company specialized in cleaning up kaiju corpses.
"We'll leave the rest of the verification to you. We're heading out..." Several other employees in white hazmat suits came over. Greeted him. Then walked toward their van.
According to the duty roster—Kafka was staying behind today to finish up.
"Got it." Kafka turned around. Nodded at them.
Though over thirty, his enthusiasm for work was still consistent. Even if this was just a dirty and disgusting kaiju corpse cleanup job.
Once—he'd also wanted to join the Defense Force. Fight kaiju on the front lines. But year after year of selection tests. Year after year of rejection. He gradually gave up on that idea. Now 32—he'd exceeded the age limit for selection.
"Seriously, can't those Defense Force members consider our feelings when they fight?" Employees walking toward the van stretched. Complained to each other.
"Such huge kaiju. Gotta cut through their skin. Sell organs and flesh to officials and various companies... easily get injured by corrosive fluids inside the corpse during disposal. Really... not a job normal people should do." Another employee continued the complaint.
"Yeah. Still gotta clean kaiju blood sprayed on buildings during combat. Body tissue that flew everywhere... every cleanup is a massive project." Another employee added.
"Especially cleaning kaiju digestive organs... that's literal hell!"
"Today it's Kafka and that new guy... tomorrow it's my turn. Ahhh! Just thinking about it is painful!"
Kafka listened to their voices. Watched them leave.
Then turned back. Inspected the remaining areas of this kaiju corpse.
Expression showed helplessness.
In his youth—he and his childhood friend made a promise to definitely become Defense Force members. Thought his life would be like manga—full of hot blood and passion.
But so many years passed. He realized the gap between ideals and reality. Where's all that hot blood? What's left for him—steaming hot kaiju intestines. And the exquisite filling inside.
"Already... can't keep up with your pace..." Kafka looked up. Saw a Defense Force Third Division Captain poster still hanging on a street billboard. Between his brows—besides helplessness, a trace of unwillingness.
A woman combining beauty and heroism. Defense Force Third Division Captain. Possessed powerful strength. Led her unit to eliminate kaiju time and again. Extremely popular among citizens. Also his childhood friend who made that promise with him.
"No... can't keep thinking about this!" Kafka thought. Shook his head vigorously. Wanted to shake all these thoughts out.
If he kept thinking—he'd fall back into lamenting his failed life. Absolutely not.
"Senpai."
Just as he tried to forget reality—a young voice suddenly came from beside him.
He turned. A boy with white hair. Around eighteen. Today's new part-timer at their company. Named Reno Ichikawa.
Reno Ichikawa. 18 years old.
This boy's first impression on Kafka wasn't great. First day on the job—interrogated him about why he gave up on his Defense Force dream. But Kafka didn't particularly mind. Still enthusiastically guided the boy during work.
"About today... thank you." Reno recalled the help this person gave him throughout the day. Scratched his head somewhat embarrassedly.
Without this old guy—he definitely couldn't have adapted to the work today.
"Oh... no problem." Kafka reflexively replied.
Then looked him up and down again. Raised an eyebrow. Rubbed his stubbled chin. Thought to himself.
Didn't expect this kid to be a tsundere.
"Also... please don't easily give up on your dream, senpai." After hesitating two seconds—Reno added this line.
His dream was also joining the Defense Force. Dedicating himself to fighting kaiju to protect others.
Now seeing firsthand a man with the same dream becoming discouraged—he really couldn't bear it.
"It's too late. I can't even participate in the selection test now." Kafka looked at the white-haired boy trying to encourage him. Smiled. "But thanks anyway."
"It's not too late!" Reno immediately said.
"This year's Defense Force exam adjusted the age limit to thirty-three. You still have time, senpai."
"This is... the last chance!"
"Senpai, take the Defense Force exam with me!"
He clenched his fist. Eyes full of hope. Said to the middle-aged man before him.
Wanted to awaken Kafka's pursuit of his dream.
"Ichikawa..." Hearing this news and the emotion mixed in these words—Kafka's body trembled.
His past self was also like this—heart full of fighting spirit.
Should he participate?
Himself—eliminated every year. Was there still a point in taking this exam?
Yes!
Without question!
I must stand beside her. That's what we promised!
"Since you've said this much..." A smile appeared on Kafka's face. About to accept—
Suddenly—
BOOM!
"SKREEE!"
The ground beneath them—not far away—suddenly cracked. A purple form burst from the ground. A monster with a human-like head but six limbs like a spider!
A Yoju.
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