Morning light filtered through the curtains.
Lucan opened his eyes.
Silence.
For a brief moment, he just lay there… staring at the ceiling. Then, without a word, he got up.
Routine.
Shower. Preparation. Discipline.
The black uniform rested neatly where he had left it. He picked it up, putting it on with quiet precision. The insignia of Squad Kurohane sat firmly across his chest. His rank—Seeker—marked just beneath it.
Behind him
A low sound.
El.
The large dog stood near the doorway, watching him.
Lucan glanced back.
"I'm heading out."
El stepped closer, tail moving slowly.
Lucan placed a hand on its head.
Then he left.
The GSSA headquarters was already active.
Hunters moved in and out. Conversations. Movement. Preparation.
Lucan arrived early.
As expected.
He made his way to Minato's office and stepped inside.
Empty.
He took a seat.
And waited.
Minutes later
The door opened.
Takeshi walked in first, followed by Reika and Lyra.
"Early as always," Takeshi muttered.
Lucan didn't respond.
Time passed slowly.
They explored the surroundings briefly, familiarizing themselves with the environment. The job wasn't structured like normal work. There were no fixed hours.
You waited.
Until something happened.
Then
A notification.
All four of them stopped.
Their devices lit up at the same time.
A message from the squad's vice-captain—
Aiko Tanaka.
Demon sighting confirmed. Location attached. Immediate response required.
They moved instantly.
Back to Minato's office.
Aiko stood waiting for them.
Calm. Focused.
"Your first mission," she said. "Warden Minato is currently unavailable."
Her eyes moved to Lucan.
"You're in charge."
No hesitation.
No debate.
Location confirmed.
Targets identified.
One Fiend. Three Wretches.
They moved out.
The area was quiet.
Too quiet.
Then
Movement.
Shadows emerged.
Three Wretches.
"Take them," Lucan said.
No emotion.
They moved.
Fast.
Takeshi struck first—lightning flashing as he tore through one instantly.
Reika followed—magic forming and collapsing as she eliminated another.
Lucan stepped forward.
Flames ignited.
One clean strike.
The last Wretch fell.
Silence.
Then
The Fiend emerged.
Larger. Heavier. Stronger.
They engaged together.
Blow for blow.
Attack for attack.
It didn't last long.
They overwhelmed it.
The Fiend fell.
For a moment…
Silence.
Then
Relief.
"We did it," Lyra said softly.
Takeshi smirked.
"You saw that?" he said, glancing at Lucan. "I took that thing down easily."
Lucan gave a faint smirk.
But said nothing.
Reika exhaled.
"We all did well."
They began to relax.
To move.
To leave.
Then
Lucan stopped.
Something was wrong.
His eyes shifted slightly.
Back.
To the Fiend's body.
Demons vanish after death.
Always.
But this one…
Didn't.
His expression changed slightly.
Not fear.
Not panic.
Just… awareness.
"…Forget it."
He turned.
And walked.
A few steps.
Then
He stopped again.
He turned back.
Gone.
The body was gone.
"…Wait."
The others turned.
"What is it?" Takeshi asked.
Too late.
It appeared behind Reika.
Larger.
Faster.
Distorted.
Impact.
She was sent flying.
Violently.
Everything happened in an instant.
Even Lucan
Couldn't react.
The creature moved again
Toward Lyra.
Lucan vanished.
In the next second
He was in front of her.
He grabbed her.
Pulled her away.
They landed a few meters back.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
Lyra froze.
Her face turned red instantly.
"…Y-Yes."
Lucan didn't wait.
"Check on Reika."
Lyra ran.
Lucan turned.
Takeshi was already beside him.
The demon stood there.
Different now.
Stronger.
Evolving.
Lucan smirked slightly.
"…This is going to be a tough one."
A pause.
"Don't slow me down."
Takeshi cracked his neck slightly.
"…I don't think I've ever heard you talk this much before."
They moved.
The fight was different.
Harder.
The demon overwhelmed them at times—faster, more aggressive, more aware.
They adapted.
Pushed.
Fought harder.
Then
An opening.
Lucan created it.
A brief moment.
"NOW!"
Takeshi moved.
Lightning exploded forward
Direct hit.
The demon froze
Then vanished.
Silence.
Heavy breathing.
They had done it.
Minutes later
Backup arrived.
Vehicles. Medics. Support teams.
And
Minato.
He stepped forward, his gaze sharp.
"What happened?"
Lucan spoke.
"A demon," he said. "We killed it."
A pause.
"…It didn't die."
Minato's eyes narrowed slightly.
"It evolved."
Silence.
"…Evolved?" Minato repeated.
"That has never happened before."
Reika was rushed to medical support.
Critical condition.
Lyra followed with her.
Lucan watched as they carried her away.
"…Will she be fine?"
"She will," one of the medics replied. "But she's in critical condition."
They left.
Lucan stood still for a moment.
Then turned.
Takeshi was already walking.
"Let's go," he said.
They returned to HQ.
To report.
And as they walked…
Neither of them said it.
But they both knew.
Something had changed.