As it appeared, Mato was not a beautiful place. The region was nothing more than a vast, barren wasteland, overgrown with strange cone-shaped trees that leaned as if defying the direction of the ever-blowing wind.
Those trees produced what are now known as Mato peaches. However, in the early days of its discovery, people did not call them that. Back then, they only knew it as sap.
Yamazaki Kudo was among the most unfortunate people at that time. When he first entered Mato, he immediately encountered a humanoid figure who claimed herself to be a god.
At first, Yamazaki tried to negotiate. He wanted to confirm whether that woman was truly a god as she claimed. However, that conversation never truly happened, because the figure instead attacked his comrades first. A battle broke out, unavoidable.
Yamazaki fought with everything he had, but the gap in power between them was far too great. Even so, in the chaos of that battle, he still managed to cut off one of the creature's horns—a small success that was nearly impossible—and brought it back to Earth.
By the way, only Yamazaki alone managed to come out alive from that incident. The operation was a secret mission by the Japanese government at the time, so the entire event was tightly concealed from the public. The government took full responsibility and erased all traces of it.
Not long after that incident, Yamazaki resigned. He also retired from duty due to serious injuries.
'That was a long time ago… how can a human live that long? And he still looks fairly fit.'
Kazuma observed Yamazaki carefully. His appearance was no different from a man in his sixties, yet in reality, he was far older than he looked.
"I'm probably still alive until now because of the blood I swallowed from that being."
Yamazaki admitted that during the fight, he had bitten the creature's shoulder and swallowed its blood. Most likely, that was what gave him a lifespan far beyond that of an ordinary human.
After that, he brought Kazuma to another side of the shrine. There stood a small hidden shrine. When they entered, the inside of the room looked almost empty—there was only a single sword placed in the center.
"The horn I obtained from that god, I forged it into a blade. But due to its nature, this sword seems to be cursed. Every time I swing it, it drains my life force. Since it was completed, I've only used it three times… then gave up."
"Waaah…"
Kazuma admired the sword. Its blade was bound with ropes covered in talismans, as if someone was trying to restrain something dangerous within it.
"The reason I didn't hand it over to the state is because it's too dangerous. Besides, this generation already has superpowers. A weapon like this isn't really necessary anymore."
"You want me to take it?"
"If you want it, go ahead. But bear the consequences yourself."
"Hmm…"
Kazuma thought for a moment.
"I don't think I need it…"
He didn't need a weapon. Besides, his power—Solar Genesis—was the type of ability that didn't suit the use of weapons. Kazuma's body itself could heat up to temperatures as intense as the sun, making anything he held at risk of melting or breaking before it could even be used.
"I see. You do look like someone who doesn't suit using a sword. Still… I hope the blade I made to protect this place from that god's invasion might be useful someday. I hope so."
"Then, let's head back."
He continued after a moment, returning to his usual relaxed tone.
"Yeah."
Kazuma gave a short nod and followed Yamazaki out of the small shrine. Behind them, the cursed sword bound in talismans remained silent in the center of the room—a witness to a long past and battles nearly forgotten.
…
As Kazuma and Yamazaki descended the shrine steps, the surroundings appeared calm as usual. Their footsteps echoed softly against the old stones worn by time.
But far from there, something was moving in the shadows.
Sentinel—the special forces of the underground organization Eden—had taken their positions.
In the night sky, a woman hovered high above the area. That figure was Gabriel. Her ability, Valkyrie, allowed her to grow a pair of large wings on her back. Shimmering white feathers reflected the dim light of the sky, while her body was clad in Valkyrie combat armor designed for aerial battle.
From that height, she observed the entire area with a sharp gaze, like a predator watching its prey.
"Everyone in position."
Her voice sounded calm through the communication channel.
"Roger!"
Four voices responded almost simultaneously, short and disciplined.
The Sentinel unit was fully prepared. Their operation had just begun.
At that moment, Yamazaki immediately sensed their presence. Almost at the same time, Kazuma also stopped and looked up at the sky.
"Waaah, looks like we've got visitors…"
Yamazaki's tone remained relaxed, as if they were facing nothing more than uninvited guests.
In contrast, Kazuma immediately became alert. His gaze locked onto the winged woman hovering above them—her golden armor gleaming under the night sky, making her presence stand out among the shadows.
"Kazuma Satou… surrender, or we will take you by force."
The woman spoke firmly, without the slightest hesitation in her voice.
"Kid, it seems your secret has come looking for you."
Yamazaki even joked in a situation like this, his tone as casual as ever.
"Master… sorry for dragging you into this."
Kazuma said quietly without taking his eyes off the sky.
"Yeah? Doesn't matter!" Yamazaki replied lightly. "Your problem is my problem too."
He then narrowed his eyes, scanning the surroundings with instincts that had not completely faded.
"And it seems… she's not alone."
The air around them suddenly grew tense. The previously quiet atmosphere was now filled with alertness, as if the surrounding forest itself was holding its breath. From behind the trees, several faint shadows began to move—slowly emerging from their hiding places.
"Your answer?"
The question came again from the winged woman above, her voice cold and firm.
Kazuma looked up without the slightest hesitation on his face.
"Go to hell… bitch."
The answer had barely left his mouth when four figures shot out of the forest at once. They moved fast from different directions, attacking Kazuma and Yamazaki simultaneously, attempting to surround them in a coordinated strike. The once-silent forest instantly turned into a battlefield.