30 Minutes Earlier
The iron doors shuddered open.
Akira stepped through first, arms swinging loosely at his sides, expression unreadable.
Dreams, he thought, are what separate people like me from everyone else.
Beyond the threshold stretched a vast chamber—packed earth underfoot, towering trees clawing toward a ceiling lost in shadow. The air buzzed, thick with condensed Tao that prickled against his skin.
A cold voice echoed from hidden speakers above.
"This final trial requires the retrieval of five keys.Once all keys are collected, the gate will open.Only fifteen examinees may pass."
A flash of gold erupted across the chamber.
Keys appeared—one before each contestant—hovering in midair as a glowing timer flickered to life overhead.
01:00:00
Akira snatched his key from the air and slammed a fist against his chest.
"I'm not failing this test."
"Me neither," Hinata said beside him, violet eyes narrowing. He turned to face the group. "Alright. Let's settle something first. State your reasons for becoming a Hunter. Then we'll decide who deserves to pass."
A woman near the back spoke up, voice trembling but firm. "I… need to support my family."
Before anyone else could answer, a teen with a small afro and an oversized yellow jacket stepped forward—Jackson.
"Wait," he said. "Instead of all that, let's just settle this through combat."
The chamber went still.
Hinata sighed and stepped toward him. "Come on. Let's not be barbaric."
Jackson shrugged. "You're missing the point. Hunters kill Yokai. Your reason doesn't matter if you're weak. You can't feed anyone if you're dead."
Akira smirked.
I think I'm stronger than most of the people, Akira thought. If we do this in fights, this is going to be an easy win.
"I agree," Akira said aloud.
More than half the group nodded.
Hinata rubbed his temple. "Fine. Strength decides. One-on-one matches. Fifteen winners pass." He gestured outward. "But first—we find the keys."
I didn't want combat, Hinata admitted to himself, because I knew-
Me. Akira. Jackson.
Doesn't have a chance at beating us in a fight, I wanted to give them a chance.
Minutes later, every group had found their keys.
Akira picked him up as the gate rumbled open for his section. He tapped the dirt impatiently.
"All that's left is the matches."
Suddenly, an older man—mid-fifties—broke into a sprint toward the gate.
Akira grabbed him by the shoulder. "What are you doing? We still have to fight!"
The man snarled and blasted Tao from his palm, hurling Akira back.
"I'm too old to fight!" he shouted. "Running's all I've got!"
He took off again.
Akira vanished—
—and reappeared above him.
His heel came down like judgment.
"Grand Military Kick!!"
The man slammed into the ground, earth cracking beneath him.
"Yeah," Akira muttered, landing. "You're definitely not winning any matches now."
Hinata arrived with the others. "Oh—hey, Hinata, this geezer was trying—"
"Why did you kill him, Akira?!"
Akira froze. "What? He's not dead."
Hinata's voice shook. "His Tao is fading. That is death for humans."
Steel rang as Hinata drew his blade and leveled it at Akira.
"I know it might've been an accident," he said tightly. "But that doesn't mean I forgive you."
He turned his head slightly. "Jackson. Help me deal with Akira. The rest of you—finish your matches."
Jackson cracked his neck, loosening the bandages around his fists.
Hinata tightened his grip on the sword. "Akira."
Steel sang as he swung.
Akira ducked, the blade slicing air inches above his head. "Hey—this isn't my fault!"
Jackson slammed his palm into the ground. Tao flared black and white.
Stone twisted upward, reshaping into a massive scythe. Its blade hovered a breath from Akira's neck.
"Don't move," Jackson warned.
Hinata's pupils flared into four-pointed stars.
Four Tao-forged stars formed behind him and streaked forward.
Akira's heartbeat thundered. These people are way past my level!
He dodged aside, sparks of Tao scattering from his fingertips.
What are these abilities…? Creating stars? Reshaping the environment?
Behind them, the winners of the other matches slipped through the gate.
Only three remained.
Akira.Hinata.Jackson.
The air went still.
Hinata's blade hummed.Jackson's scythe crackled.Akira stood between them, sweat dripping, eyes locked on the shrinking gate.
Akira lunged behind Jackson, fist cocked—
—but Jackson didn't budge.
The bandages on his arms unraveled like snakes, stabbing into Akira and binding him tight.
Jackson drew his fist back the same way Akira had earlier.
"You've got good technique," he said calmly. "Is this how you do it?"
His punch slammed into Akira's ribs, sending him skidding across the dirt.
Before Akira could rise, Jackson turned away.
"I'm passing," he said. "No need to gang up on someone weaker than me."
He walked through the gate.
Akira grinned through the pain. "Just you and me. Now I've got a chance—"
Hinata exploded forward, propelled by four detonating stars.
"What makes you think that?" he said coldly.
Miniature stars formed in his palm—aimed straight at Akira's face.
They burst.
Akira flipped over them, landing a kick across Hinata's head—
—and screamed as pain tore through his foot.
Hinata had angled his sword perfectly.
Akira impaled himself on landing.
Hinata stepped in and slashed across Akira's chest, ending the fight.
Silence.
Then—
The old man groaned.
He crawled toward the gate.
Hinata lifted Akira onto his shoulder, walked over, and grabbed the man by his hair.
"You're alive."
The man trembled.
Hinata tossed him away from the gate. "I see. You faded your Tao on purpose. While we fought, you thought you could slip through."
He exhaled slowly.
"I'm sorry, Akira," he said. "For trusting this old geezer."
Hinata carried Akira through the gate.
And let him pass.