FIRST MISSION

Episode 3: “First Mission”

Morning came too fast.

Kaien barely slept.

Every time he closed his eyes, he felt it again—that strange pull inside him. That hunger. Like something was waiting… watching.

“Get up.”

A voice snapped him out of it.

Kaien opened his eyes.

Airi stood at the door.

“…Training starts,” she said.

Outside, the academy was already alive.

Students sparred. Energy clashed. Commands echoed.

But today felt different.

Heavier.

Kaien approached the main hall.

Ren was already there, leaning casually—but his eyes were focused.

“…Don’t slow us down,” Ren said without looking at him.

Before Kaien could reply—

Master Veyl entered.

Silence fell instantly.

“…You three,” Veyl said, pointing at Kaien, Airi, and Ren.

“Your first mission begins now.”

A screen behind him lit up.

A map of the city.

One section blinking red.

“…Sector 9,” Veyl continued.

“Multiple disappearances. Strong Vein distortion.”

A pause.

“…Likely a developing Hollow nest.”

Airi’s expression tightened.

“…A nest already?”

Ren smirked slightly.

“Finally something worth doing.”

Kaien stayed quiet.

But his chest… reacted.

That same feeling again.

“…You are not there to show off,” Veyl said sharply.

“You observe, contain, and eliminate if necessary.”

His gaze locked onto Kaien.

“…And you—do not lose control.”

Kaien nodded.

“…I’ll try.”

Veyl didn’t look convinced.

“…That’s what worries me.”

🚧 Sector 9

The area was deserted.

Shops abandoned. Windows broken. Silence everywhere.

Even the air felt… wrong.

Airi stepped forward, scanning.

“…Stay alert.”

Ren cracked his knuckles.

“I’ll take point.”

Kaien followed behind.

Every step felt heavier.

Like something beneath the ground was… moving.

“…Do you feel that?” Kaien asked.

Airi nodded.

“…Yes.”

Ren smirked.

“…Good. Means we’re close.”

Suddenly—

A loud crash echoed from inside a nearby building.

All three froze.

“…There,” Airi said.

They entered carefully.

The inside was dark.

Cold.

Then—

A whisper.

“…help…”

Kaien’s head snapped up.

“…Did you hear that?”

Airi frowned.

“…There shouldn’t be any survivors—”

“…help me…”

The voice came again.

Weak.

Desperate.

Kaien moved.

“…Wait—” Airi tried to stop him.

Too late.

He turned the corner—

And saw it.

A person.

Sitting on the ground.

Head down.

Shaking.

“…Hey,” Kaien said, stepping closer.

“Are you okay?”

The person slowly lifted their head.

Their eyes—

Glowing red.

“…found you…”

Everything exploded.

The “person” twisted violently, transforming into a Hollow mid-motion.

Claws slashing straight at Kaien.

He barely blocked—

Thrown back into the wall.

“…Trap!” Airi shouted.

More movement.

From the ceiling.

From the walls.

From the darkness—

Multiple Hollows emerged.

“…This isn’t a nest,” Airi said, shocked.

“…It’s already active.”

Ren grinned.

“…Even better.”

He dashed forward—fast.

Striking the first Hollow with a powerful blow, sending it crashing through debris.

Airi moved next—precise.

Her energy waves disrupted another Hollow’s movement, locking it in place.

Kaien stood up slowly.

Breathing hard.

Focus.

Don’t lose control.

A Hollow lunged at him.

This time—

He moved differently.

Calmer.

He dodged.

Countered.

Struck.

But—

It wasn’t enough.

The Hollow didn’t break.

“…Kaien!” Airi shouted.

Two more attacked at once.

He blocked one—

But the second hit—

Sending him sliding across the floor.

Pain surged.

Not enough…

Ren glanced at him mid-fight.

“…Use it,” he said.

Kaien froze.

“…What?”

Ren smirked.

“…That power. Or you’re dead weight.”

Another Hollow charged.

Kaien clenched his fist.

No…

If I lose control—

The Hollow got closer.

Closer—

“…Take it…”

That voice again.

His heartbeat changed.

“…Damn it…”

Red energy burst out.

Kaien stepped forward—

And this time—

He didn’t hesitate.

He grabbed the Hollow—

And absorbed it instantly.

Then—

Turned—

And did it again.

Faster.

Stronger.

The battlefield shifted.

Hollows began targeting him specifically.

“…They’re reacting to him,” Airi said.

Ren laughed.

“…Of course they are.”

Kaien stood in the center.

Surrounded.

But now—

His eyes weren’t normal.

They were glowing.

“…Come,” he said quietly.

The Hollows attacked all at once.

And Kaien—

Moved like something else entirely.

Striking.

Absorbing.

Destroying.

Too fast.

Too aggressive.

“…Kaien, stop!” Airi shouted.

But he didn’t.

He couldn’t.

Because now—

That hunger—

Was in control.

When the last Hollow fell—

Silence returned.

Kaien stood there.

Breathing heavily.

The red energy still flickering.

“…Kaien…?” Airi said slowly.

No response.

Ren watched carefully.

“…He’s not stopping.”

Kaien’s head tilted slightly.

His gaze shifted—

Toward them.

For a second—

Just a second—

He looked like a Hollow.

Then—

Everything faded.

He collapsed.

Silence.

Airi ran to him.

“…Kaien!”

He was unconscious.

But alive.

Ren exhaled.

“…He’s insane.”

Airi looked down at Kaien.

Worried.

“…No,” she said quietly.

“…He’s unstable.”

High above—

Hidden in the shadows of a broken building—

A figure watched.

Smiling.

“…So it begins,” the figure whispered.

Back at the academy—

Master Veyl stood alone.

“…They encountered it sooner than expected…”

A pause.

“…The Abyss is moving.”

🔥 End of Episode 3

To be continued...

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