The morning sun cast long shadows across the concrete facade of the Yomu Execution Corps’ main building in Tokyo, where five sleek black vans sat idling in formation. Each vehicle bore the corps’ emblem, a silver cherry blossom intertwined with a sword, emblazoned on its doors, catching the light as if to announce their purpose to the world. The metal of the vans gleamed under the early rays, and small wisps of exhaust rose from the tailpipes as engines hummed with quiet power. In total, thirty yomu executioners had been assembled for this mission, six per van including the drivers. Every one of us wore the standard black uniform with reinforced padding at the shoulders and knees, our weapons secured in holsters or sheaths at our sides. As the convoy pulled out onto the highway, the rumble of engines drew glances from passersby, and a group of high school students huddled on a nearby sidewalk watched us go.

  “Man, I really love them,” one boy said, his eyes shining with admiration as he pressed his palms against the metal railing separating him from the road. He wore a school uniform with a blazer that was a size too big, and his hair was messy from running to catch sight of our vans.

  “I know right, I envy them so much,” his friend replied, kicking at a loose piece of gravel that skittered across the pavement. “We don’t have shin’en, but I’d give anything to join their ranks someday. Can you imagine being able to fight those monsters and protect people?”

  “Too bad we’re only ‘normals’,” a third student muttered, her shoulders slumping as the last van disappeared around the bend. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her face etched with disappointment. “My older sister tried to get into the academy three times and failed every time. They say only one in a thousand people even have the potential for shin’en.”

  Inside Van Three, the air was quiet save for the hum of the engine and the steady rhythm of tires on asphalt. I sat in the middle seat, my crimson-eyed gaze fixed on the passing scenery, towering buildings giving way to suburban streets as we headed toward our destination. The glass of the window was cool against my forehead, and I watched as houses with neatly trimmed lawns and white picket fences rolled by. To my left was a seat that had appeared empty when we’d departed, while Ayaka and Tatsuya occupied the back row. Ayaka was busy polishing the ice-blue handle of her tantō with a soft cloth, her movements precise and practiced. The weapon gleamed even in the dim light of the van, and I could see tiny frost patterns forming on the blade as she worked. Tatsuya stared out the window on the opposite side, his expression as impassive as ever, his hands folded neatly in his lap. Across from us, three other executioners sat in silence, a tight-knit team I knew nothing about, their faces obscured by shadow and the brim of their dark hats. One of them tapped his fingers against his thigh in a steady, unchanging beat, while another cleaned his rifle with careful attention.

  “Ren Kazenagi?”

  The voice echoed inside my head, clear as if someone were speaking directly into my ear. It was warm and gentle, with a hint of nervousness underneath. I stiffened, glancing around the van. Ayaka was still focused on her weapon, her brow slightly furrowed as she buffed out a small smudge on the handle. Tatsuya hadn’t moved a muscle, his eyes still fixed on the world outside. The three strangers remained motionless, their attention seemingly elsewhere. Had I imagined it? I pressed my fingers to my temples, thinking maybe the early morning or the vibration of the van was playing tricks on me.

  “Did that surprise you? Forgive me, but this is my shin’en.”

  This time there was no mistaking it. The voice was distinct, and I could feel it resonating in my mind like a sound wave passing through water. I turned sharply to my left, and my breath caught in my throat. Where there had been empty space moments before sat a young man with soft chestnut hair that fell over his forehead and gentle amber eyes that seemed to glow faintly in the van’s interior. He was dressed in the corps’ standard black uniform with a white scarf tied neatly around his neck, and a small silver pendant shaped like a star hung from a chain around his neck. He offered a slight bow of his head, his expression apologetic yet warm.

  “Is that you?” I whispered, keeping my voice low so as not to disturb the others. My heart was beating a little faster than usual – I’d never met anyone with a telepathy shin’en before, and the feeling of someone being inside my head was both strange and fascinating.

  The young man’s lips curved into a small smile as he spoke aloud this time, his voice quiet but clear. “Yeah, my shin’en is telepathy. I can communicate with others using thought alone. It took me years to learn how to control it properly – when I was younger, I’d accidentally hear everyone’s thoughts at once and it was… overwhelming.” He shifted in his seat, adjusting his uniform collar with one hand. “I apologize for not revealing myself earlier, I was testing the range of my abilities. I wanted to make sure I could reach everyone in all five vans before I made my announcement. I’m not much good in combat, so I usually stay in the back lines where I can be more useful.”

  I leaned forward slightly, curiosity overcoming my surprise. The idea of being able to talk to people without speaking was something I’d only read about in textbooks. “But how did you know my name?”

  “You’re already quite famous even outside the academy, you know,” the young man replied, his fingers playing with the edge of his scarf. “The one who was personally recruited by Akihiro Saiten right? Word travels fast in the corps. They say you showed incredible skill during your entrance exam, even though you’d never had formal training before. Plus, your crimson eyes are pretty distinctive – not many people have that trait, even among those with shin’en.”

  “Ah… I wasn’t expecting that kind of attention,” I said, rubbing the back of my neck awkwardly. I’d joined the academy less than a year ago, and while my combat skills had earned me recognition, I’d never thought of myself as “famous.” My father had taught me everything I knew about hunting before he passed away, but he’d always said that true strength wasn’t about being known – it was about being able to protect those who couldn’t protect themselves.

  “Forgive me for not introducing myself properly. My name is Tsubasa Irukawa, I hold the rank of Shi-class.” He extended a hand across the gap between our seats, his grip firm but gentle. There was something about him, his kind demeanor, the sincerity in his eyes, that made it easy to trust him immediately. His skin was warm to the touch, and I noticed small calluses on his fingertips – from writing, maybe, or from working with communication devices.

  “Cool… but why did they assign you to this mission? For communications?” I asked as I shook his hand, feeling a strange sense of connection despite having just met him.

  “Exactly,” Tsubasa confirmed, settling back in his seat and pulling his scarf a little tighter around his neck. “If we get separated in the forest, or if something goes wrong, I can relay information to everyone at once. It’s much faster than using radios or other devices, especially since the trees in Aokigahara tend to block signals. I’ll be staying at the camp with my team and some other executioners, keeping watch over the perimeter. But I’m guessing that the three groups from the academy including you guys are fighting in front lines.”

  “You’re right about that,” I said. I paused for a moment before continuing, my voice dropping to almost a whisper as I leaned closer to him. “It’s really lucky we have someone with your shin’en. Meanwhile my crimson shin’en is pretty mysterious, even experts can’t explain it. When I first discovered it, my hands would glow red and things around me would get hot – sometimes too hot. I once accidentally burned through an entire training dummy in seconds.” I’d meant to keep it a secret, but something about Tsubasa made me want to confide in him. Still, I reminded myself that it was too soon to truly know anyone in the corps. There were stories of executioners who had betrayed their teams, though I couldn’t imagine someone like Tsubasa doing such a thing.

  “Really?” Tsubasa’s eyes widened with genuine interest, not the kind of curiosity that made me feel like I was being studied. “I wish I was like you. Meanwhile I always stay in the back lines and just communicate with others. Mission like this is the only time I can get useful. My dad used to say that my shin’en was useless because it couldn’t fight, that I should have been born with something stronger – like fire or lightning.” He looked down at his hands, his shoulders slumping slightly, and I could see the sadness in his eyes.

  “It’s okay!” I said quickly, reaching out to pat his shoulder. My hand landed on the fabric of his uniform, and I could feel him tense for a moment before relaxing. When Tsubasa looked up at me, I repeated myself, my voice steady and sincere. “It’s okay… you’re not useless. Each person has their own talent and skills, and you’re not an exemption. Without someone like you keeping us connected, we’d be lost out there. A team is only as strong as its weakest link, but you’re not weak – you’re just different. And different can be exactly what we need to win.”

  “Thank you, Kazenagi-san,” Tsubasa said, a bright smile spreading across his face as he expressed his gratitude. The sadness in his eyes faded, replaced by something brighter and more confident. For the first time since we’d started talking, he looked truly at ease. “You know, no one’s ever said that to me before. My mom used to tell me that my shin’en was special, but she… she passed away a few years ago.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that,” I said quietly, and I meant it. I knew what it was like to lose someone important, to feel like you were alone in the world.

  “Oh—excuse me for a moment. I need to talk to Tsukinowa-san.” Tsubasa closed his eyes, his brow furrowing in concentration. His amber eyes disappeared behind his eyelids, and for a moment he looked completely still, as if he’d fallen asleep. A few seconds passed before his voice echoed in my mind once more, but this time, I could tell it wasn’t just directed at me. The telepathic message spread outward like ripples in a pond, reaching every executioner in the convoy.

  “Good morning to all yomu executioners participating in today’s hunt. My name is Tsubasa Irukawa from Van Three. I am communicating with all of you now to introduce myself and explain my role in this mission…”

  I heard Ayaka gasp behind me, the sound sharp in the quiet van. “Van Three, isn’t that our van?” She’d stopped polishing her tantō and was looking around, her eyes wide with surprise.

  “He’s sitting beside Ren,” Tatsuya said, his gaze finally shifting from the window to where Tsubasa sat. His voice was flat and emotionless as always, but I could see a hint of curiosity in his dark eyes as he studied the telepath.

  “…My shin’en is telepathy. Though I am only a Shi-rank, Tsukinowa-san has entrusted me with a special mission: to keep all teams informed about our surroundings, guide us to our positions, and report on the number and location of yomurei in the area. I have a partner assisting me, Shirou Fuyou, who is driving Van Three. His shin’en allows him to gain full awareness of the forest, he can summon a massive surveillance field that takes the form of an invisible eye covering the entire area. You won’t be able to see it, but it will be watching over us every second we’re in there…”

  I glanced toward the driver’s seat, where Shirou Fuyou was grinning as he steered the van, his fingers tapping out a rhythm on the steering wheel as if he were listening to music only he could hear. He had short black hair that stuck up in messy tufts, and his arms were muscular from years of driving and using his shin’en. When he caught my eye in the rearview mirror, he winked and gave me a thumbs-up.

  “I apologize for making this announcement so suddenly, but Tsukinowa-san has instructed that we begin operations immediately upon arriving at Aokigahara Forest. It is an honor to work alongside all of you. I know that some of you are veterans who have been on dozens of missions, and others are new like me. But together, we can protect the people who live nearby and make sure that no more innocent lives are lost to the yomurei.”

  Tsubasa bowed his head respectfully while remaining seated, his hands resting in his lap. Throughout the convoy, I could feel the mood shift – executioners who had been tense or nervous relaxed slightly, and there was a sense of unity that hadn’t been there before. Knowing we had someone keeping watch over us made the daunting mission ahead feel just a little more manageable.

  “That’s so amazing, Irukawa-san!” Ayaka exclaimed, leaning forward between the seats to get a better look at him. Her face was bright with excitement, and she’d forgotten all about her tantō which now lay on the seat beside her. “To be able to talk to everyone at once like that – it’s like having our own personal messenger spirit!”

  Tsubasa’s face flushed bright red, the color spreading from his cheeks to the tips of his ears. He began to stammer, his hands waving in front of him as if trying to push away her praise. “Eh…?! I-I’m so sorry! I know I sounded really confident and cocky just now, please forgive me! I’ve never been good at talking to people face to face, which is kind of funny since I can talk to them in their heads. I practiced that speech so many times last night, but I still feel like I messed it up…”

  “No, not at all!” Ayaka said quickly, waving her hands to calm him down. Her ice-blue eyes were shining with sincerity. “In fact, you gave us so much courage! Knowing we have someone looking out for us makes going into Aokigahara feel less scary. My grandma used to tell me stories about that forest – she said it was a place where the boundary between our world and the spirit world is thin. I’ve always been a little afraid of it, but now… now I feel like we can handle anything.”

  “Really…?” Tsubasa asked, his cheeks still pink. He looked down at his hands, then back up at Ayaka, a small smile forming on his lips. “Thank you so much. You’re the first person who’s ever said something like that to me.”

  I couldn’t help but smile, watching the two of them talk. Was Tsubasa shy around girls? It seemed like it – every time Ayaka looked at him directly, he’d glance away quickly, his face getting even redder. I made a mental note to keep an eye on how he interacted with the others as the mission progressed. Meanwhile, Tatsuya had returned to staring out the window, watching as buildings gave way to rolling hills covered in green grass and dense clusters of trees that marked the beginning of the forest. The sun was higher now, casting golden light across the landscape.

  The journey from the corps’ main building to Aokigahara Forest took exactly two hours. As the vans approached the forest’s edge, we passed through a small town where residents were already hurrying indoors. The streets that had been busy with morning traffic just a few minutes ago were now nearly empty. Parents called their children home from playing in the streets, their voices carrying across the quiet road. Groups of friends warned each other to stay away from the woods, pointing at our vans with a mix of fear and admiration. Shop owners pulled down their shutters early, locking their doors and peering out through small gaps to watch us pass. When the convoy turned onto a dirt road leading to a large gravel lot where all five vans could park, there was not a single person left outside. Even the dogs that had been barking at us from behind fences had gone quiet, retreating to their kennels or hiding under porches.

  “We really have it easy securing the area when people just evacuate voluntarily,” Haruto said as he stepped out of Van Five, stretching his tall frame as he walked over to join our group. He cracked his knuckles one by one, the sound loud in the quiet air. His black hair was tied back in a ponytail, and he wore a confident smile that never seemed to leave his face.

  “Oh—team Sankō,” Ayaka said, straightening up as Haruto’s teammates, Aiko and Mina, approached and bowed deeply. Their movements were perfectly synchronized, showing the kind of teamwork that only comes from training together for years.

  “It’s an honor to work with you all,” they said in unison, their voices clear and strong. Aiko was tall and muscular, with short brown hair cut in a practical style, while Mina was smaller and more slender, with long black hair that flowed down her back in a single braid.

  “Ahh… eh, wait! Please don’t bow to us like that, umm…” Ayaka stammered, flustered by the gesture. She waved her hands in front of her, her face turning pink. “We’re all on the same team, right? There’s no need for formalities like that.” Before she could say more, a loud voice cut through the air, making everyone turn their heads.

  “Everyone!” Itsuki called out, his commanding presence making everyone turn to face him. He stood at the center of the gravel lot, his silver hair catching the sunlight as he raised a hand to get our attention. Even from a distance, I could see the intensity in his blue eyes. “Prepare to set up barriers and barricades! Once we enter the forest, we will activate the Shinsei Barrier to contain any yomurei that may try to escape. We cannot allow a single one of those monsters to get out into the town – our first priority is protecting the civilians.”

  While there were other entrances to the forest, the corps had already blocked them off with additional barriers and patrols. We’d received reports earlier that morning that specialized teams had been working since dawn to secure every possible way in or out. The main entrance where we now stood was the only one regularly used by visitors, making it the most important to secure. It was also the widest, which meant we could move our equipment and teams in and out more easily.

  Working together, we set up reinforced metal barricades along the edge of the gravel lot. The barricades were heavy – each one weighed nearly two hundred pounds – but with several of us working together, we moved them into place quickly. We strung up bright yellow warning signs that read “DANGER, RESTRICTED AREA,” attaching them to the barricades with metal clips that wouldn’t come loose in wind or rain. Each sign also had the corps’ emblem printed on it, a clear message that this was an official operation.

  Next, we began placing the markers that would activate the Shinsei Barrier once we were inside. The markers were small metal posts with glowing blue crystals at the top, each one connected to the next by thin wires that were nearly invisible unless you knew where to look. The barrier was a special type of defensive field powered by multiple shin’en users working in tandem, designed to prevent yomurei from leaving the forest while also keeping civilians from wandering in. Kouki, who was part of the back-line team, used his earth shin’en to drive the posts deep into the ground with precise force, making sure they were stable and secure.

  Once all preparations were complete, everyone gathered back in the gravel lot, where Itsuki stood alongside Ryouma, another high-ranking executioner with short black hair and a scar cutting across his left eyebrow. The scar was old, but it still looked sharp against his tanned skin, a reminder of battles he’d fought in the past. The two men stood side by side, their expressions serious as they addressed the assembled group. The sun was high in the sky now, casting long shadows across the gravel and making the metal of our weapons gleam.

  “From this moment forward,” they said in unison, their voices carrying across the lot without needing to shout. The power in their words made everyone stand a little straighter, their hands moving instinctively to rest on their weapons. “The hunt for yomurei in Aokigahara Forest begins! Remember your training, watch your teammates’ backs, and never forget why we’re here – to protect those who cannot protect themselves. May your shin’en guide you, and may your blades be true.”

  “Shirou, activate your ‘everywhere visual’,” Tsubasa said, stepping forward from the back-line group he was part of. He’d positioned himself near the edge of the gravel lot, close to where Shirou stood with his eyes closed in concentration.

  “Roger that,” Shirou replied, his voice steady and calm. He closed his eyes completely, and for a moment nothing happened. Then, slowly, his irises began to change – they turned completely white, like polished marble, with thick black lines spreading from the corners of his eyes across his cheeks and forehead like ink bleeding through paper. The lines moved and shifted slightly, as if they were alive. He placed both hands on the ground, his fingers spreading wide as he pressed his palms against the cool gravel. For a split second, a massive eye materialized on the earth beneath our feet – it was easily fifty feet across, with a deep black pupil that swept slowly across the forest before vanishing without a trace. The ground seemed to glow faintly for a moment after it disappeared, then returned to normal.

  With that, Shirou had gained full awareness of everything happening within the forest’s borders, every tree, every path, every stream, and every yomurei hiding in its depths. His ability didn’t just show him where things were – it could sense their strength, their movement, even their intentions to some degree.

  “Success,” Shirou said, his voice flat and distant as he kept his white eyes fixed on the treeline. The black lines around his eyes had stopped moving now, settling into a pattern that looked like cracks in glass. “I have visual on all sectors. Western area has the highest concentration – approximately forty to fifty yomurei, mostly D-rank but with a few C-rank mixed in. Eastern area is lighter – maybe twenty total, all D-rank so far. There’s also a stronger presence deeper in the forest, near the center. I can’t tell if it’s a single powerful yomurei or a group of them. The signature is… unusual.”

  “Thank you, Shirou,” Tsubasa said before sending another telepathic message to everyone. His own eyes were closed now as he focused on maintaining the connection with all of us. “Tsubasa Irukawa here, Shirou Fuyou has successfully activated his shin’en and now has full surveillance of the forest. You all have my assurance that we will keep you informed of any developments, including new yomurei sightings, changes in terrain, or if any team needs assistance.”

  “Additionally, I have now established a telepathic link with each of you individually. If you encounter anything of note – unusual activity, strong yomurei signatures, or if you’re injured and need help – you can report it directly to me, and I will relay the information to all teams immediately. That is all. Stay safe out there, everyone.”

  The executioners were divided into three groups as planned. The back-line team, led by Tsubasa, consisted of seven people, mostly Shi-rank and Jo-rank executioners whose skills were better suited to defense and support than front-line combat. Their job was to guard the entrance, maintain the Shinsei Barrier, and coordinate communications between the other teams. They’d also set up a small medical station with supplies for treating injuries, and had several vehicles ready to evacuate anyone who was hurt.

  For us, all of the teams in the academy were in the same group. The only one who was with us was Itsuki – he’d been assigned to lead us, and we were all glad to have someone with his experience guiding us. In total, we had ten members in the group: me, Ayaka, Tatsuya, Masato, Reina, Souta, Haruto, Aiko, Mina, and Itsuki. Each of us brought something different to the team – speed, strength, defense, or specialized skills that would be crucial in the dense forest.

  Meanwhile for Ryouma’s group, they had thirteen members which consisted of Jo-rank and Ha-rank and only two Sen-rank. They were the most experienced group, with several executioners who’d been hunting yomurei for five years or more. Ryouma himself was a Sen-rank, one of the highest ranks in the corps, and was known for his ability to take down even B-rank yomurei on his own.

  We took the east direction of the forest and the other team took the west direction. The path we followed was narrow and uneven, covered with fallen leaves and small rocks that made walking difficult. In our area, trees were everywhere – tall cedar and cypress trees that grew so close together their branches intertwined overhead, blocking out most of the sunlight. The dense forest made it even harder to know where to start, and without Shirou’s surveillance, we would have been completely lost within minutes. The air was cool and damp, carrying the scent of moss, damp earth, and decaying leaves. Every so often, we’d catch a whiff of something else – something acrid and unpleasant that made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. That was the smell of yomurei, even if we couldn’t see them yet.

  “Stay sharp everyone,” Itsuki warned, holding up a hand to signal us to slow down. He moved quietly through the trees, his silver hair barely visible in the dim light. “The yomurei detector maybe blue but reports said that yomu executioners who died also have their yomurei detector blue. These are called ‘fallen executioners’ – they’re more dangerous than regular yomurei because they know our tactics, our weapons, and our weaknesses. If you see one, do not hesitate, but do not underestimate them either.”

  “Maybe there really is no enemy you know?” Masato said while his hands are behind his head like he’s just relaxing. He kicked at a fallen branch, sending it flying into the undergrowth. “Because there’s no way the yomurei detector will malfunction and the most explainable answer is the enemy might not even be a yomurei. What if it’s something else entirely – something we’ve never encountered before?”

  “That’s disrespectful Kiryu!” Reina said, her voice sharp with anger. She gripped the handles of her fans tightly, and I could see the silver threads connected to them beginning to glow faintly. “The corps has given us our mission, and it’s not our place to question it. We’re here to hunt yomurei, so that’s what we’ll do.”

  “Why? I’m just saying what I have in mind,” he said, his voice calm and unconcerned despite her anger. “Isn’t that what we’re supposed to do – think for ourselves and not just follow orders blindly? That’s what they teach us in the academy, isn’t it?”

  “Kiryu-kun, you should be more considerate like me,” Ayaka said, stepping between them before things could escalate. She gave Masato a gentle smile, but there was determination in her ice-blue eyes. “We all want to stay safe and complete the mission, but arguing won’t help anyone. We need to work together if we’re going to get through this.”

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  “Huh…?!” He removed his hand behind his head and got pissed off, his face twisting into a scowl. “What’s that supposed to mean? Like you’re so much better than me? I’m ranked higher than you in both combat and written exams, you know!”

  “Come on now everyone, don’t fight,” I said, moving to stand beside Ayaka. I could feel my crimson shin’en beginning to stir, a warm feeling spreading through my body. “Right now, we are one as a team. If we start fighting among ourselves, we’ll be easy targets for whatever’s out there.” I’m also worrying about Mina and Aiko. Sure they are strong but they’re just Ken-rank like me. But the reason why I’m tenth place in the combat exam is because I used all of my knowledge about hunting my father taught me – things like how to move quietly through the forest, how to read tracks, and how to anticipate where an enemy might be hiding.

  But the reason why team Sankō got picked is because of Haruto. I have to say he really is strong. He’s a Shi-rank but got eighth place in the combat exam and got the fifteenth place in written exams. His fire shin’en is incredibly powerful, and he’s trained hard to learn how to control it so he doesn’t accidentally start forest fires – something that’s crucial when hunting in dense woodlands like this one.

  “Silence, you guys may attract yomurei,” Itsuki said, his voice carrying enough authority to make everyone stop talking immediately. He’d been walking a few steps ahead of us, but now he turned to face the group, his expression serious. “Masato has a point – we should be prepared for anything. But Reina is also right – we can’t let doubt or speculation distract us from our mission. Stay alert, watch your surroundings, and keep your voices down.”

  “Do you think Rendo-kun and Arashi-kun will be fit to be best friends?” Haruto said suddenly, changing the subject completely. He was walking beside Aiko and Mina, his hands in his pockets. “They’re both pretty quiet, and they both have really strong shin’en. I bet they could learn a lot from each other.”

  “He’s right, they’ve been really quiet ever since we arrived in the corps main building,” Aiko said, nodding thoughtfully. She glanced over at Souta and Tatsuya, who were walking side by side a few steps ahead of us. “I tried talking to Souta once, but he just kind of grunted and looked away. Tatsuya never says more than a few words at a time.”

  “I may not talk but I don’t like people talking about me behind my back,” Souta said without turning around. His voice was quiet, but we all heard him clearly. He was holding both of his daggers loosely in his hands, his fingers wrapped around the black handles. The blades were hidden in their sheaths, but I could see the faint glow of his wind shin’en surrounding them.

  “Oh you heard that? Sorry…” Aiko said, rubbing the back of her neck awkwardly. “I didn’t mean to be rude – we were just talking about how strong you both are.”

  “But I do agree that they’ll be great friends. Right Tatsuya?” I said, looking over at my friend who was just beside me on my right side. As always, he doesn’t show emotions and he’s always calm, his eyes fixed on the path ahead. He was wearing his usual expression – completely neutral, as if nothing could surprise or bother him. “Just say something would you?” I said, nudging him gently with my elbow.

  “Ren…” He looked at me while walking, his dark eyes meeting mine. For a moment, I thought I saw something in them – maybe amusement, or concern – but it was gone so quickly I couldn’t be sure.

  “Oh… what’s wrong?” I asked, stopping for a moment to look at him properly. He rarely spoke my name, so when he did, I knew it was important.

  “…you do know that you just stepped on a poop earlier?” He said, his gaze drifting down to my feet. His voice was completely deadpan, giving no indication whether he was joking or not.

  “Wait what?!” I lifted up my left foot and looked at it carefully, turning it from side to side. I saw no poop and checked the other foot, even lifting up my pant legs to make sure none had gotten on my clothes. “There’s no poop here Tatsuya! Are you messing with me?!” I said frustratingly, my face turning red with embarrassment. What if he was telling the truth and everyone had noticed but no one had said anything?

  Tatsuya just walked past me and he’s already in front of me, moving with his usual quiet grace. I may just be imagining things but I think I just saw Tatsuya smile even in the slightest – the corners of his mouth turned up just a fraction of an inch before he looked away again.

  “I said silence!” Itsuki demanded, his voice sharp enough to make us all freeze in place. We all went silent for seconds, the only sound the rustling of leaves in the wind and the crunch of our shoes on the ground. “Let’s keep moving. We’re getting close to the area where Shirou detected the first group of yomurei. Stay ready.” He’s so scary when he’s mad, it’s like I just witnessed instructor Mizuhara’s aura again but hers is more terrifying – she has a way of making you feel like she can see every mistake you’ve ever made just by looking at you.

  On the other side of the forest, Ryouma’s group is proceeding deep in the forest well. Their coordination is really good as well as their communications – they move like a single unit, each person knowing exactly what the others are going to do without needing to speak. There are more yomureis in the west which is why we were put in the east, and they’d already encountered several small groups on their way in.

  “Three o’clock!” One executioner said, his voice sharp and clear. He pointed toward a cluster of trees where shadows were moving strangely, twisting and shifting in ways that no normal shadow should. Then the yomurei on that side was cut by another executioner who’d already moved into position, his sword flashing through the air in a clean, precise arc. The yomurei let out a high-pitched screech before dissolving into black smoke.

  “Behind you!” The yomurei who was about to slash the yomu executioner got shot by another yomu executioner with a bow that fired arrows made of pure energy. The arrow struck the yomurei in the chest, and it exploded into sparks and ash.

  “Above us!” Another voice called out, and everyone looked up to see several yomurei clinging to the branches overhead, their long fingers reaching down toward us like twisted claws.

  “There’s more ahead!”

  “Everyone don’t panic! These yomureis are only D ranks. Let’s slaughter them one by one!” Ryouma shouted, drawing his own sword – a massive blade that seemed too heavy for anyone to wield easily, but he handled it like it weighed nothing. He cut through two yomurei in a single swing, his movements fluid and powerful.

  After the attack they decided to take a break in a nearby river with large rocks to sit on. The water was clear and cold, running over smooth stones that had been worn down by years of current. They drank some water from their canteens, refilling them from the river using filters that removed any impurities or spiritual contaminants. Some of them splashed water on their faces to cool down, while others just sat quietly and rested.

  “Everyone, let’s take a break here!” Ryouma said, sitting down on the largest rock near the water’s edge. He pulled out a small cloth and began cleaning his sword, wiping away the black ash that coated the blade.

  “Finally some rest,” One man said, stretching out on his back on a flat rock. He closed his eyes and let the faint sunlight that made it through the trees warm his face. “I haven’t had a break like this since the mission in the mountains last winter.”

  Another man drank some water from his canteen, taking long swallows before wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “Water really is the best drink. Especially after fighting those things – they always make my throat feel dry and scratchy.”

  “You two brothers are really alike huh?” One man said, nodding toward the man who’d just spoken and another who sat nearby cleaning his own blade with a piece of leather. They had the same dark hair and sharp features, and even moved in similar ways.

  “Don’t compare me with that guy,” the second brother said sharply, his jaw tightening as he looked away. “True that I volunteered to be in this hunt but not because he was killed or went missing here. I just want the money… the reward for this mission will be enough to pay for my sister’s medical treatment.” He paused, his hand still on his sword. “Not that it matters – he was always better than me anyway. Stronger, faster, smarter. If he was here, he’d have already found the main target.”

  “Calm down,” Ryouma said, his voice gentle but firm. He’d stopped cleaning his sword and was looking at the brother with a serious expression. “For now let’s relax and not fight. We all have our reasons for being here, and they’re all valid. Your brother was a good executioner, and he’d want you to focus on staying alive and completing the mission. Not on blaming yourself for things you can’t change.” He sat down on the rock beside him, his posture relaxed but alert.

  “Tsukinowa-san…” Tsubasa spoke to Ryouma’s mind, his voice clear even across the distance between the teams.

  “Oh Irukawa huh? What’s up?” He replied using his mind, closing his eyes for a moment to focus on the connection.

  After a few moments later, the yomu executioners who had been…sitting quietly started to smile and chat more easily among themselves. The tension that had been hanging over the group faded, replaced by a sense of camaraderie. Ryouma stands up and brushes dirt from his uniform, his expression serious once again as he looks out toward the deeper parts of the forest.

  “Okay everyone, I’m guessing that all of you got rest,” He said, his voice carrying across the river. “We’ve taken care of most of the smaller groups in this area, but Shirou reports the stronger presence is still ahead. Let’s forward for now – stay in formation and keep your guard up. Those D-ranks were just the warm-up.”

  Everyone gets their gears ready as well as their weapons, checking blades for damage and making sure their shin’en is stable and ready to use. They pack up their things, securing canteens and supplies back in their pouches. A few of them splash one last handful of water on their faces before forming up in their usual formation – Ryouma at the front, with the two Sen-rank executioners flanking him, and the rest of the team spread out behind them to cover all directions. They continue moving deeper into the western sector, their footsteps quiet on the forest floor.

  Back in the eastern area, we’ve been walking for nearly twenty minutes without encountering anything. The silence is heavy, broken only by the rustle of leaves and the occasional call of a bird. Even the insects seem to have gone quiet, as if they can sense the danger in the forest.

  “What is this? We haven’t gotten crossed to any yomurei yet?” Masato complained, kicking at a small tree root that jutted out of the ground. Itsuki was leading us, moving with effortless grace through the dense undergrowth, followed by Souta who seemed to glide over the uneven terrain without making a sound. Masato was beside him and looked so bored, his shoulders slumped and his hands back behind his head again.

  “That’s why they assigned us in this area you know?” Reina said, her eyes scanning the trees around us. She’d kept her fans in her hands since we started walking, the silver threads coiled neatly around her wrists. “They wanted to make sure even the quieter areas were secure. Just because we haven’t seen anything doesn’t mean there’s nothing here.”

  “It should have been us to go with the team in the west,” He said, his voice sharp with frustration. “I joined the corps to fight strong enemies, not walk around in circles looking for something that might not even exist.”

  Reina’s glare could have cut steel, her eyes narrowing as she looked at him. “Kiryu, you sound like you don’t care about the mission. This isn’t just about fighting strong enemies – it’s about protecting people. Even if there are only a few weak yomurei here, we’re still making the forest safe for anyone who might come through later.”

  “I’m just observing,” he said, voice smooth and calm despite her anger. “Patience is part of hunting too. But there’s a difference between patience and wasting time.” His faint smirk made me uneasy. Somehow, I had the feeling he wasn’t just bored – he knew something we didn’t, or at least thought he did.

  “For me,” Ayaka said, her voice soft as she looked down at her hands. The ice-blue handle of her tantō gleamed in the dim light filtering through the trees. “Fighting yomurei is the only reason why I fight, especially the jūma that killed my family. That’s why Kiryu-kun… be grateful for what you have, people out there are relying on us yet you just complained. My family didn’t have anyone to protect them when the jūma attacked – we do, and we have to take that responsibility seriously.”

  Masato was quiet for a moment, his expression softening slightly as he looked at her. He kicked at another root, but this time with less force. “Well… you’re not wrong about that. Fine I’ll stop complaining, I’ll also stop feeling lazy. You’re right – people are counting on us, and I shouldn’t be acting like this.”

  “That’s the spirit Kiryu-kun,” Itsuki said, glancing back over his shoulder with a small smile. He was always listening to us but doesn’t interfere unless necessary. He was thinking that Masato will probably think it through and let him work things out on his own. After all he’s a genius, and geniuses often need to see things for themselves before they’ll accept them.

  “Wait!” He stopped suddenly and raised his hands to signal us all to halt. His body was tense, and I could see his blue eyes scanning the area with intense focus. “Tsubasa talking to team east?” The telepath’s voice echoed in all our minds, clear and urgent.

  “Tsubasa?” I said aloud, looking up toward the treetops as if I could see where the message was coming from.

  “Yomureis surrounded you and are planning to attack. But there are only approximately twenty of them – mostly D-rank, but be careful. They’re positioning themselves to cut off your escape routes. I’ll mark their locations in your minds now.”

  As he spoke, I could see faint glowing spots appearing in my mind’s eye – red dots showing exactly where each yomurei was hiding. Some were in the trees above us, others behind fallen logs or in thick patches of undergrowth. They’d been waiting for us to walk deeper into their trap before attacking.

  “Everyone get in position!” Itsuki said, his voice sharp and commanding. “Masato, Reina – take the left flank. Haruto, Aiko, Mina – right flank. Souta, Tatsuya – cover the trees above us. Ren, Ayaka – stay with me in the center. We’ll let them come to us first, then push back hard.”

  “Okay now we’re talking!” Masato said, a wide grin spreading across his face as he pulled his polearm from his back. The weapon was long and sleek, with a sharp metal tip that glinted in the light. “Stay down until I give the signal.”

  We got on the ground and lay low behind whatever cover we could find – fallen logs, large rocks, thick bushes. Itsuki moved forward carefully, using his shin’en to clear away some of the lower branches and undergrowth in front of us, creating more open space for us to fight without getting tangled up. As reported, yomureis were already moving around us, their dark forms barely visible in the shadows. Five of them broke cover and headed straight for team Kurogane – Souta and Reina’s group.

  Souta just unleashed both of his daggers, moving with incredible speed that made him almost impossible to see. Two yomurei fell before they could even react, cut clean through by his blades as he spun sideways in a fluid motion. The movement was so fast it happened in an instant, leaving only black smoke and ash where the yomurei had been standing. Reina followed close behind, unleashing the silver and white threads connected to her fans. The threads shot through the air like lightning, wrapping around three yomurei and holding them tight. The threads glowed with bright light, burning into the yomurei’s dark bodies as they struggled to break free. Masato stepped forward from his cover, his polearm moving in a wide arc as he dealt the final blow on them, each strike precise and powerful.

  On Team Sankō’s side, Aiko and Mina were working together seamlessly while Haruto faced three yomurei alone. Haruto pulled out his sword and black flames immediately began to burn along its length, the fire so hot it made the air around him shimmer. His shin’en is “fire”, it is said to be one of the most powerful shin’en as well as elemental type shin’en. Elemental type shin’en are the most powerful and versatile in the corps – each one has unique strengths that make them invaluable in combat. Ayaka has her ice, Tatsuya has lightning, Haruto has fire, Souta has wind, and Kouki has earth. In all of the people I met, they were strong and well-trained. The only elemental type shin’en I haven’t seen yet is water – I’ve heard rumors that water users are incredibly rare, but also incredibly powerful when it comes to healing and purification.

  Aiko activated her shin’en, and her skin began to harden until it looked like polished metal. She can tank any damages from yomurei, though her attack power is slightly reduced. Mina, on the other hand, activated her own ability, and her body became more flexible and agile – she can slash yomurei at ease but is more vulnerable to attacks. But when they’re fighting together, their shin’en synergize pretty well with each other giving them the advantage.

  Aiko takes the front, standing firm as she holds three yomurei at the same time, her metal-hard skin deflecting their claws and teeth without a scratch. Mina darts around them, moving so fast she’s just a blur as she slices through the yomurei with her short swords. Haruto stabbed the ground with his sword, and energy gathered around him in a circle of glowing red light. Flames erupted from the earth, spreading quickly across the ground until they reached the three yomurei he was fighting. They were consumed by the intense black fire, letting out high-pitched screeches before dissolving into ash. But to prevent the fire from spreading around the forest and causing damage, Ayaka stepped forward and raised her hands. Ice crystals formed in the air around the flames, spreading quickly until they encased the burning area in a thick layer of clear ice, extinguishing the fire safely.

  “Thanks a lot Ayaka!” Haruto called out, giving her a grateful nod as he pulled his sword from the ground. The black flames had vanished, leaving the blade clean and unmarked.

  “No problem,” Ayaka said, a bright smile on her face as she let the ice melt away into small puddles that quickly soaked into the forest floor.

  It is our turn now. After Ayaka stopped Haruto’s flames, Tatsuya moved so fast he seemed to teleport from one spot to another. He leaped from tree to tree, his sword flashing through the air as he slashed all the yomureis that were hiding in the branches above us. The trees themselves were cut by his blade, large branches beginning to fall toward the ground where we were hiding. Ayaka was ready for this – she quickly formed thick cushions of ice beneath the falling branches, allowing them to land gently without blocking our path or causing any trouble.

  A group of yomurei suddenly converged on me, as if they had singled me out as a target. Their dark bodies moved quickly through the undergrowth, their red eyes glowing with hunger and malice. I think it’s time to use the new skill I invented during training with Saionji-senpai. I closed my eyes and focused, feeling my crimson shin’en flowing through my body like warm water, straight to my sword. The blade began to glow with a bright red light, and small red particles gathered around it, floating in the air like tiny embers. It all happened in an instant – one moment I was standing still, the next I opened my eyes and swung my sword with all my strength.

  “Kyomu Danretsu!”

  A beam of brilliant red light shot forward from my blade, cutting through the air with a low hum. The light struck the yomurei in front of me, and they vanished in a flash of red energy. The beam continued on, carving a path through the trees ahead of me – several thick trunks were burned clean through, falling to the ground with loud crashes. When the light faded, the yomurei were gone, and all that was left was a trail of scorched earth and ash.

  “Amazing…” Masato said, his eyes wide with genuine admiration as he looked at the path my attack had carved. He’d never looked at me like that before – usually he was either bored or dismissive, but now there was respect in his gaze.

  “Did the training with Saionji-senpai work well?” Ayaka said as she was approaching me, her ice-blue eyes shining with excitement. She’d already put her tantō back in its sheath, but her hands were still glowing with faint ice crystals.

  “Yeah, I got to thank him later for helping me,” I said, looking down at my sword. The red glow had faded, but I could still feel the power of my shin’en humming through it. I still didn’t fully understand what my ability was or where it came from, but I was learning how to control it better with each fight.

  We heard clapping sounds coming from above us, and looked up to see Itsuki standing on a large rock where the sunlight could reach him, making his silver hair shine like metal. He was smiling, his blue eyes filled with approval.

  “Great job everyone,” he said, his voice carrying clearly across the clearing we’d created. “As expected of the three strongest teams in the academy. You worked together perfectly – each of you using your strengths to cover the others’ weaknesses. That’s what makes a good team great.” He hopped down from the rock and landed lightly on the ground beside us, his movements as graceful as ever.

  “Great job guys, if you want, there’s a nearby area that is good for resting. If you want you can rest there,” Tsubasa said, his voice echoing in our minds. I could feel the warmth of his telepathy, and it made me feel calm and safe despite the fight we’d just been in.

  “Umm… I also suggest that we take a rest,” Aiko suggested, her metal-hard skin already returning to normal. She looked a little tired, and I could see small scratches on her arms where the yomurei had tried to claw her. “We used a lot of energy in that fight, and it would be good to recharge before moving on.”

  Itsuki nodded in agreement, looking around at all of us. He could see we were all tired – even Tatsuya, who never showed emotion, had dark circles under his eyes. “Fine, we’ll rest there and continue later. Irukawa-kun, can you pass a message from the east team to the others?”

  “Sure what is it?” Tsubasa replied immediately.

  “We’re proceeding as planned and made good work clearing the first group of yomurei. Tell everyone to stay alert and make sure to not get killed – there’s still more out there, and we don’t know what else is hiding in this forest.”

  “Understood. I’m passing this message to all teams right now.”

  Outside the forest where Tsubasa and the other six back-line executioners are stationed, they were doing their job as planned. The Shinsei Barrier was up and running, glowing with a faint blue light that was barely visible in the sunlight. Tsubasa looked at Shirou whose eyes were still white with thick black lines around his face, his gaze fixed on the forest as he maintained his surveillance. Even from a distance, you could tell he was completely focused – his body was still, and he didn’t even seem to be breathing.

  “Why don’t you take a break Shirou?” Tsubasa said gently, walking over to stand beside him. “Right now, they won’t be in any trouble and they’re resting as we speak. Well I suppose you already know that even if I don’t tell you.”

  “I need to find this strong yomurei, if it is a yomurei,” Shirou said, his voice flat and distant as he continued to stare at the trees. His white eyes didn’t blink, and the black lines around them seemed to pulse slightly with each breath he took. “I still can’t rest, I’ll do it later. The signature is getting stronger – it’s moving toward the center of the forest, and it’s heading straight for where the two teams are operating.”

  “Such a hardworking man he is,” A yomu executioner from the back lines said, shaking his head in admiration as he watched Shirou. He was busy checking the barrier markers, making sure each one was still in place and functioning properly.

  Tsubasa laughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck with one hand. “He is always hardworking. If the job isn’t still done, he will not stop until he gets it done. I’ve known him for three years now, and he’s always been like that – never gives up, never takes a break until the mission is complete.”

  As he spoke, memories of his past flooded into his mind unbidden, making his chest feel tight and heavy. “Why are you this useless?!” His father’s voice echoed in his head, loud and angry. “You let my wife killed! That’s your mother!”

  “I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry.” Tsubasa remembered himself as a young boy, covering his head with his arms as he curled up on the ground, trying to shield himself from the blows that were coming. He could still feel the pain, still hear the sound of his father’s voice shouting at him. “If you’re shin’en would’ve been useful, you could’ve saved her!” His dad continued punching him, his face twisted with grief and anger.

  Tsubasa pushed the memories away and focused back on the present, watching Shirou doing his job while remembering his past. He knew why Shirou worked so hard – they both had their reasons for wanting to be useful, for wanting to prove that their shin’en mattered.

  Back in the forest, we were resting in an open space where the sunlight could be seen filtering through the trees, illuminating patches of green moss and small white flowers that grew on the ground. The air was fresher here, and we could hear the sound of a small stream nearby. We’d all sat down on fallen logs or large rocks, drinking water from our canteens and eating small rations of dried food.

  “Ren Kazenagi right?” Masato said while approaching me, his polearm resting against a tree beside him. I was sitting on a rock and looking at my sword, running a soft cloth over the blade to clean off any ash or dirt from the fight.

  “Masato… Kiryu?” I said confused about why he approached me. We’d never really talked one on one before – usually he was either arguing with Reina or making sarcastic comments to everyone.

  “The attack that you just used earlier, it was amazing!” He said, sitting down beside me on the grass. He pulled out a small packet of dried fruit from his pocket and offered me one, which I took gratefully. “I heard your shin’en was ‘crimson’? Do you know what that does? Because even a genius like me doesn’t know anything about it – I’ve read every book in the academy library about shin’en types, and there’s nothing about anything like yours.”

  I was thinking of a response without revealing what it is. Because to be honest, I still don’t know much about it – the experts at the academy have studied me for months, run countless tests, and they still can’t figure out exactly what my ability is or how it works. All they…know is that it’s powerful, and that it seems to be connected to both fire and spiritual energy.

  I smiled and pretended not to know anything, looking down at my sword again as I polished it. “I’m also not sure… I tried asking many experts but they just can’t seem to figure out what this shin’en does. When I first awakened it, I couldn’t control it at all – things would catch fire when I got angry, or objects would break without me touching them. It took me a long time just to be able to make it do what I want most of the time.”

  “Ren, don’t mind Kiryu-kun, he just wants to mess with you,” Ayaka said, walking over to join us with her own canteen in hand. She sat down on the other side of me, giving Masato a playful glare. “He’s always been curious about everything – sometimes too curious for his own good.”

  “What was that Ayaka?” He looked at Ayaka and got a little pissed off, his eyebrows furrowing slightly. But then he relaxed, letting out a small laugh. “I’m not messing with him – I’m genuinely interested. His shin’en is unlike anything I’ve ever seen, and I want to understand it better. Knowledge is power, right?”

  “Kiryu…” Souta said, walking over from where he’d been sitting with Tatsuya. He’d been cleaning his daggers, and now held them loosely in his hands. His voice was quiet but firm.

  “What’s your problem handsome boy?” Masato said, raising an eyebrow at him with a slight smirk.

  “I need you to stay quiet. I’m trying to think – and listen,” he said, his eyes scanning the trees around us. His wind shin’en was active, making his hair move slightly even though there was no breeze. “I can hear something moving out there – something big. It’s not far from here.”

  Masato stayed quiet for seconds, his playful expression fading into seriousness. He stood up quickly, grabbing his polearm from where it leaned against the tree. “Fine…” He said and walked deeper into the forest, moving quietly despite his usual loud demeanor. “I’ll go check it out – see if it’s anything we need to worry about.”

  “Where are you going?” Itsuki said, looking up from where he’d been talking to Haruto and the others. He’d been going over our next move, pointing at a map he’d pulled out of his pocket.

  “Just going to pee,” he said while waving his hand, but we all knew he was lying. Even so, Itsuki didn’t stop him – he just nodded and went back to talking with the team. He didn’t even need to confirm whether Masato would follow us or not – he seemed to trust that Masato knew what he was doing.

  A few moments later, we stood up and readied our gears, checking our weapons one last time and making sure our supplies were secure. The break had done us good – we were all feeling more refreshed and alert now.

  “What about Masato?” Reina asked, looking around for him with a worried expression. Even though they argued a lot, I could tell she cared about him as a teammate.

  “He will follow us,” Itsuki said confidently, already starting to lead the way back into the dense trees. “He’s impulsive sometimes, but he’s not stupid. He knows better than to wander too far from the group.”

  We walked for several minutes, moving carefully through the thick undergrowth until we spotted Masato standing near a cluster of trees on the other side of a small ravine. He was standing very still, looking at something on the ground that we couldn’t see. Everyone else passed him without stopping, but when I was walking behind him, he turned to speak quietly.

  “Earlier, you were lying,” he said, his voice serious and completely different from his usual casual tone. His eyes were fixed on mine, and I could see a depth of intelligence there that he usually hid behind his lazy act.

  “Wha- There’s no way I’ll lie!” I said, stopping in my tracks and looking at him in surprise. I’d thought I’d been convincing – I’d practiced that story so many times when people asked about my shin’en.

  “You can’t hide anything from me,” he said, his voice low so no one else could hear. “I can see through people’s lies – it’s part of my shin’en, though I’ve never told anyone about it before. I can tell when someone’s holding something back, when they’re not being honest about who they are or what they can do. Don’t underestimate me, Ren – I know more than you think.”

  With that, he turned and followed the rest of the group, leaving me standing there for a moment before I hurried to catch up. It’s not how he usually talks, but he really is a genius – and now I know he’s been hiding his own abilities too. But why is he curious about me? Somehow, I have this feeling that he’s just wearing a mask that no one knows, that there’s more to him than meets the eye. But I’m not a judgmental person so I won’t bother him about it – I’m sure he has some problems facing, just like the rest of us.

  And just like that, we proceed deeper in the forest not knowing where the enemy is and how strong it is. The trees are getting thicker here, and the sunlight is almost completely blocked out now. The air is colder, and I can smell that acrid yomurei scent again – stronger this time, like whatever we’re looking for is close. We stayed cautious as we waited for Tsubasa’s next report, our hands resting on our weapons ready to fight yomurei when there was one.