Look, I didn't ask to be an Irregular.
If you think this whole Irregular Factor thing sounds cool or mysterious or like some kind of superhero origin story, trust me—don't get your hopes up. It's mostly just annoying, painful, and makes you the exact opposite of "normal."
Most days, being one of the less-than-8-percent means you're either running for your life or getting a permanent target tattooed on your back by some branch of the Navy, or worse, the Vanguard Conclave. And if they find you? They'll either kill you and erase every trace of you like you never existed—poof—or turn you into a loyal little lapdog with a leash so tight you forget what freedom even looks like anymore. Yeah, that's a dick move. Literally and figuratively.
Me? I'm the luckiest unlucky bastard you'll ever meet.
Picture this: If Apollo had a love child with Tom from Tom and Jerry, but with the jitteriness of a cat on a triple espresso and zero control over his powers, that's me. I'm a human flashbang. One surprise, one loud noise, and boom—I'm lighting up everything and everyone like the world's worst fireworks display.
Doesn't exactly make life easy, or stealthy.
And if you think this sounds like the start of some grand heroic journey, well… buckle up. Because in a world where gods, monsters, and ancient powers still mess with mortals like we're chess pieces, nobody gets a fairytale. The sea doesn't care who you are, and the monsters don't ask for permission before ripping your guts out.
But here's the kicker: somewhere out there is the Genesis Sigil. The relic that gave birth to all powers, the spark behind every Irregular in existence. Whoever holds it controls everything. And everyone wants it.
Including the people who'll burn the whole world to the ground to get it.
So yeah, maybe being an Irregular isn't a blessing. But it's my curse. And I'm stuck with it.
Welcome to my story.
KOSEIZOKU — Chapter 1: Flashbang and Fury
The dawn was just a bruise of purple and gold over the sprawling port city of Namiara, a place where salt and sweat mixed in the air like the stench of opportunity and broken dreams. Eighteen years old and already late to the blacksmith's shop—that was Raiyo Amagiri's talent: punctuality was not his thing.
His light brown hair was a messy halo around a face full of freckles and hopeless optimism. He stumbled down the cobblestone street, hands shoved in the pockets of a tattered jacket, eyes flickering nervously to every shadow. For good reason. In a world where Irregulars were rare, Raiyo's particular "gift" was as much a curse as a blessing.
Light manipulation.
Or more accurately, exploding into a human flashbang every time he got startled.
"Oi, Raiyo! You gonna pay for that hammer or keep gawking like a dumbass?" barked a gruff blacksmith from behind a soot-smudged window. Raiyo froze mid-step, his mind racing like a caffeinated squirrel. The sudden shout was enough.
"BLAAARRRGHH!" A blinding explosion of white light burst from him, knocking crates, chickens, and an unfortunate passing dog into a chaotic heap. Townsfolk squinted and rubbed their eyes as Raiyo shielded his face.
"Jesus, Raiyo, for the love of Olympus, not again!" a kid behind a cart shouted, blinking furiously.
Raiyo grumbled under his breath, rubbing his temples. "I swear, if I could control this damn power, I wouldn't be the walking light show of Namiara."
Dragging his burning eyelids, he scanned the street and spotted something odd—a thunderous crash and a low, guttural roar echoing down the alley near the docks.
"Oh gods," Raiyo muttered. "Not now."
From the shadows emerged a monstrous figure straight from nightmares — a Minotaur. Its massive, bull-headed form slammed through barrels and splintered wooden carts with terrifying ease. Its crimson eyes locked on a group of screaming merchants.
"Great," Raiyo said, "because this is exactly how I wanted to spend my morning—getting trampled by a mythological beast."
He dashed toward a nearby blacksmith's stand, grabbed the nearest sword without even thinking (or paying), and yanked it from its rack. The blade was heavy and rusty, but it would have to do.
The Minotaur charged, snorting steam from its nostrils. Raiyo barely had time to brace himself before it swung a massive fist that could have crushed a small house.
"Hey! Over here, ugly!" Raiyo shouted, dodging just in time and slashing at the creature's thick hide. The sword barely cut the beast but startled it enough to make it roar in fury.
Light flickered erratically around Raiyo, his powers surging with adrenaline but still wildly uncontrollable. Every blink sent bursts of blinding light into the Minotaur's eyes, making it stumble.
"You're about to get schooled by an eighteen-year-old with a temper and no damn clue," Raiyo huffed, circling the beast.
The fight was brutal and messy. Raiyo dodged a swipe that tore a jagged hole in his jacket—and then, pain. A sharp horn jabbed into his left arm, piercing flesh and bone. Blood poured down his sleeve as he stumbled, nearly collapsing.
"Fuck," he cursed, gritting his teeth.
But it was now or never. Summoning every ounce of courage and blinding light he could muster, Raiyo lunged forward and thrust the sword deep into the Minotaur's chest.
The beast bellowed in pain and fury before collapsing with a thunderous crash.
Panting, bleeding, and clutching his gaping arm wound, Raiyo sank against a nearby wall.
"Holy hell," he muttered, blood dripping from the gash like a busted faucet. "That was... not how I planned my morning."
From the shadows, a calm voice broke the silence.
"Not bad for a human flashlight."
Raiyo squinted through the pain to see a tall figure approaching. The man's crimson hair caught the morning light like a flame, and his gaze was sharp and unsettlingly confident.
"Who the hell are you?" Raiyo managed, wiping blood from his lip.
The man smiled—a slow, knowing grin. "Name's Kyoji. Akagami Kyoji. But everyone just calls me Kyoji."
"Akagami… red-haired hero or swordsman?" Raiyo guessed, voice weak but intrigued.
Kyoji shrugged, sheathing a sword that gleamed wickedly. "Something like that."
Raiyo glanced down at his bleeding arm, then back at the man. "Well, Kyoji, what's a guy like you doing hanging around a Minotaur carcass in the middle of nowhere?"
Kyoji's eyes twinkled with mischief. "Looking for the next storm to sail into."
And just like that, Raiyo felt the first spark of a new kind of adventure—one where his wild powers, painful wounds, and the ancient legend of the Genesis Sigil might finally mean something.
To be continued…