Chapter 10: The First Mission
The morning sun cast golden rays through the window as Kaito fastened the straps of his gear, his heart racing. This was it—his first mission as a King. Miya, standing beside him in her elegant combat attire, looked composed as ever, her katana strapped securely to her waist.
"You ready?" she asked, her voice calm but firm.
"As ready as I'll ever be," Kaito replied, trying to mask his nervousness.
Miya smiled softly. "Good. Remember, this is just the beginning. Stick with me, and you'll do fine."
She tapped on her communicator, bringing up the mission details. "We've been assigned to deal with a Class B monster terrorizing a village in the mountains. It's a mid-level threat—not the most dangerous, but not something to underestimate either."
Kaito furrowed his brow. "What's the deal with these monster classes? How does the system work?"
Explaining Monster and Queen Grades
Miya began explaining as they made their way out of the mansion. "Monsters are graded based on their strength, destructive capacity, and intelligence. There are six grades in total:
1. Class F: Weak monsters, easily handled by local authorities or non contracted Queens.
2. Class E: Slightly stronger but still manageable with basic training.
3. Class D: Require a contracted Queen or experienced fighters.
4. Class C: Serious threats that can destroy small towns. Teams are usually dispatched for these.
5. Class B: Highly dangerous, capable of wiping out entire villages if left unchecked.
6. Class A: Catastrophic threats requiring multiple Kings and Queens to handle."
"And beyond that?" Kaito asked.
Miya's expression darkened. "There's one more category—Class S. These monsters are rare but unimaginably powerful. They've been known to devastate entire regions and even kill Kings and Queens."
Kaito gulped. "I hope we don't run into one of those anytime soon."
"Me too," Miya said with a faint smile. "Now, Queens are also graded, but their grades are determined by their potential, combat skills, and bond strength with their King. These grades range from C to S. I'm ranked as an S-grade Queen, which means I'm among the strongest."
"What about Kings?" Kaito asked.
"Kings aren't graded," Miya explained. "Instead, a King's strength is measured by the unity and synchronization with his Queens. A King's power grows with every Queen he contracts, but it's the bonds that truly define his potential. A strong King with seven fully bonded Queens is a force greater than any single entity."
Kaito nodded, letting it all sink in.
Arriving at the Village
They arrived at the mountain village just before dusk. The sight was devastating—homes reduced to rubble, crops trampled, and terrified villagers huddled in makeshift shelters.
An elderly man approached them. "You must be from the association. Thank the heavens you've come. The monster has already destroyed half the village. It's a demon unlike any we've seen before."
Miya asked for the latest sightings and studied the map the elder provided. As they prepared to enter the forest, Kaito asked, "So, how does payment work for missions?"
"It's based on the monster's grade," Miya explained. "The higher the grade, the more dangerous the mission—and the higher the reward. Class B missions like this can earn tens of thousands, depending on the damage prevented."
"That's… motivating," Kaito muttered, trying to steady his nerves.
The Battle Begins
As night fell, a chilling roar echoed through the forest, followed by the sound of trees crashing to the ground. The monster emerged—a towering beast with dark, spiked scales and glowing yellow eyes.
"It's bigger than I expected," Kaito muttered, his hands trembling.
Miya drew her katana. "Stay close and focus on defense. Let me handle the offense."
Kaito nodded, forming a protective barrier as the monster charged. Miya darted forward with incredible speed, her blade slashing through the air with precision. The creature roared in pain but retaliated with a sweep of its massive claws, forcing Miya to retreat.
The battle raged on, but the monster's resilience proved challenging. Despite Miya's skill, her attacks only seemed to anger the beast.
Unlocking the Ultimate Move
"We need to end this now," Miya said, her voice steady but urgent. "I'll use my ultimate move. Kaito, I need you."
Kaito hesitated, but the determination in Miya's eyes spurred him forward. She leaned in, pressing her lips to his in a firm, deliberate kiss. Energy surged between them, and Kaito felt their bond deepen.
Miya's aura flared, her katana glowing with crimson light. She raised it high. "Crimson Tempest!"
A powerful wave of energy erupted from her blade, striking the monster and obliterating it in a single, dazzling explosion.
Aftermath
The forest fell silent as the monster disintegrated into ash. Kaito stared in awe, his legs trembling from the intensity of the battle.
"You did it," he whispered.
"We did it," Miya corrected, smiling at him.
The villagers greeted them with cheers and gratitude upon their return. The elder handed Miya a satchel filled with payment. "This is for saving us. It's not much, but it's all we have."
"Thank you," Miya said, bowing respectfully.
A Shadow in the Distance
As they made their way back to the mansion, a figure watched them from a distant hill. She was a striking woman with long, flowing hair and an air of grace. The wind swirled around her as if it obeyed her will.
"So, we finally meet again, my King," she murmured, her voice carrying a hint of longing.
It was Kazehana, one of Kaito's destined Queens. She had waited lifetimes for this moment, her memories of their past lives buried deep but her soul drawn to him nonetheless. She turned and disappeared into the wind, her heart beating with anticipation for the day they would reunite.
A Lesson Learned
Back at the mansion, Kaito sat on the balcony, gazing at the stars. Miya joined him, her presence comforting.
"You did well today," she said softly.
"I still have a long way to go," Kaito admitted.
"You're learning," Miya reassured him. "Today, you proved you're capable of standing beside me. That's what matters."
Kaito smiled, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. His journey as a King was just beginning, and he knew there were more challenges—and more Queens—waiting for him. But for now, he was ready to face whatever came next.