The night stretched endlessly.
No stars.
No moon.
Only darkness… and the distant glow of a broken world trying to survive.
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Yakumaro stood at the edge of a rooftop.
The wind brushed past him, carrying the scent of ash and something else…
Blood.
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His eyes moved slowly across the city.
Lights flickered.
People moved.
Life continued.
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"…As if nothing happened."
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His voice was quiet.
Almost lost in the wind.
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Just hours ago…
Everything burned.
People screamed.
The strong fell.
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And now?
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Nothing.
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His fingers tightened.
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"…This world…"
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It didn't care.
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It never did.
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A faint sound echoed behind him.
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Step.
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Then another.
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Yakumaro didn't turn.
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"…You've been following me."
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Silence.
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Then—
A voice.
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"…And you noticed."
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Yakumaro slowly looked over his shoulder.
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A man stood there.
Tall.
Well-dressed.
Calm.
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But his presence…
Was heavy.
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Not like the monsters.
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Different.
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Controlled.
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"…Who are you?"
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The man smiled faintly.
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"…Someone interested in you."
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Yakumaro's eyes narrowed.
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"…Not interested."
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He turned away.
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"…I don't have time for games."
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The man stepped forward.
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"…But you have time to die?"
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Silence.
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Yakumaro stopped.
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"…Say that again."
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The air shifted.
---
The man's smile didn't fade.
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"…You're unstable."
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"…Injured."
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"…And being hunted."
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A pause.
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"…You won't last long alone."
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Yakumaro turned fully now.
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"…Then I'll die."
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No hesitation.
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No fear.
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Just fact.
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For the first time—
The man's expression changed slightly.
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"…Interesting."
---
He adjusted his gloves slowly.
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"…Most people beg."
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Yakumaro didn't respond.
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"…Most people run."
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Still nothing.
---
"…But you…"
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A pause.
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"…You walk toward death."
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Yakumaro stepped forward.
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"…Move."
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The man didn't.
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"…Or what?"
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Silence.
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Yakumaro disappeared.
---
In an instant—
He was in front of him.
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A punch.
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Direct.
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Fast.
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The man didn't dodge.
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He blocked.
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Effortlessly.
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The impact spread through the air.
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A small shockwave.
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But nothing more.
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Yakumaro's eyes widened slightly.
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"…You're strong."
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The man smiled.
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"…Of course."
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Yakumaro pulled back.
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Repositioned.
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His breathing steady.
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"…Then you're not here to talk."
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"…No."
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A pause.
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"…I'm here to recruit you."
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Silence.
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Yakumaro stared at him.
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"…No."
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Instant.
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Absolute.
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The man sighed.
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"…You didn't even ask who we are."
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"…Doesn't matter."
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"…You didn't ask what we want."
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"…Doesn't matter."
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"…You didn't ask what we can give you."
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Yakumaro's eyes darkened.
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"…Power?"
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The man smiled wider.
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"…Yes."
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A pause.
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Yakumaro stepped closer.
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"…Then I'll take it myself."
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The air trembled.
---
For a moment—
Something dark flickered around him.
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Unstable.
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Dangerous.
---
The man noticed.
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His smile faded slightly.
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"…So it's true."
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"…You're not like the others."
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Yakumaro didn't respond.
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"…Good."
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The man stepped back.
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"…Then grow."
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Silence.
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"…And when you're ready…"
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He turned.
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"…We'll find you again."
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Yakumaro didn't stop him.
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Didn't move.
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Didn't speak.
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He just watched.
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Until he was gone.
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The wind returned.
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The silence followed.
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Yakumaro stood alone.
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"…Organizations…"
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So they existed.
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People like that.
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Strong.
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Controlled.
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Different from monsters.
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Different from him.
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"…Good."
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His hand tightened slowly.
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"…Then I'll surpass them too."
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He stepped forward.
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Then jumped.
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Falling from the rooftop into the darkness below.
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Landing silently.
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Moving forward.
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Not as prey.
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Not as survivor.
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But as something else.
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Something still forming.
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Something dangerous.
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"…Next."