SEASON 1 FINALE

"The Weight of Power"

The soft hum of cicadas filled the air, their chorus rising with the morning heat. The sun broke through thin, shifting clouds, its golden beams cutting long shadows across the steel-and-concrete complex of the Kagurazaka Training Facility.

Sleek metal gates stood wide open, revealing expansive grounds where hunters of varying ranks sharpened their skills. The distinct scent of tatami mats mixed with the iron tang of sweat and the faint aroma of blooming cherry blossoms from a nearby park.

Kaede stood alone near the entrance, his breath calm despite the crisp chill that lingered. His clothes clung slightly, damp from the effort it took to reach the facility—though no one could tell. He wasn't winded. Not even close.

"Yo! Kaede! You beat me here?"

Minatoma's voice cracked through the air as he jogged up, his black guild jacket swaying behind him. His eyebrows shot up in disbelief. "Dude, how'd you dodge morning traffic? Teleport?"

Kaede offered a faint smirk. "Nah. I ran."

Minatoma let out a loud, bark-like laugh, slapping Kaede's back. "Classic! You really got me there." He wiped at his eye, still chuckling, but Kaede didn't say anything else—because he wasn't joking.

[STATUS DISPLAY]

Health: 98%

Stamina: 110/120

Speed: 40/120

Energy: 80/150

Immunity: Stable

"Ten times faster than the fastest man alive," Kaede mused internally, glancing down at his hands, where faint scars already faded. "And I'm not even maxed out yet." He curled his fingers into a fist, feeling the dense weight of his own strength—enough to lift twenty-five metric tons without breaking a sweat. His bone density? Skyrocketed to 4.3 g/cm³, making fractures nearly impossible. His body had become a living weapon, but it was the nearly instantaneous healing that impressed him most.

Still... control. Gotta keep it tight.

Minatoma clapped his hands together, breaking Kaede's train of thought. "Alright! Let's head in. I want you to meet my instructor. He's...uh, a piece of work. Best B-class martial artist in the region. But, fair warning—dude's got a temper."

Inside the Dojo

The vast training hall smelled of old wood and the faint spice of sandalwood incense. Paper lanterns dangled from the high ceiling, casting warm light over rows of padded floors. Tatami mats stretched out in perfect grids, bordered by weathered oak beams. A massive calligraphy scroll hung above the central platform, its bold black strokes reading: 「心技体」 — "Spirit, Technique, Body."

The sharp thwack of flesh against mat snapped Kaede's attention toward the center ring. There, a towering man in a black hakama stood, his burly arms crossed, silver streaks cutting through his tightly bound topknot.

"Move faster, you cowards! Or the monsters will make sushi outta you!" roared the instructor.

Instructor: Shigeru Yamada — B-Class Hunter, Veteran Martial Artist.

In a fluid, brutal display, Shigeru tossed another trainee like a ragdoll, the poor kid hitting the mat with a hollow whump. Groans filled the air as others dragged themselves upright.

Shigeru's narrowed eyes fell on Kaede.

"You. The new kid? Interested in becoming a hunter?. Let's see if you're more than decoration."

Kaede tilted his head. "I am just a reporter and thanks but I'll pass."

The dojo went dead silent. Minatoma winced. "Bro... just humor him. Trust me, it's better this way."

Kaede sighed, pulling off his jacket and stepping into the ring. The wooden floor creaked beneath his boots as he squared up, eyeing Shigeru's massive frame. "Fine. Be gentle, I have no idea about martial arts."

Shigeru lunged first—fast, heavy strikes meant to crush. But to Kaede, it was almost... slow-motion. His upgraded speed stretched the world thin, every movement crystal clear. He sidestepped Shigeru's first strike, the air from the man's fist brushing his cheek.

Too easy.

Kaede ducked low, then flipped backward with minimal effort, the soles of his shoes barely making a sound as they kissed the mat. Gasps erupted from the sidelines. Shigeru snarled, red-faced, his pride clearly bruised.

"Quit dancing around and fight like a man or a coward!"

"I have had enough, it's time to turn the heat on," Again Shigeru blasted.

Kaede hesitated—until he noticed something dark flicker behind Shigeru's eyes. The instructor shifted into a new stance, muscles coiled like springs. Kaede's danger sense spiked.

This isn't a spar. That's a kill move.

As Shigeru lunged again, time froze. Literally.

The death log notification screen exploded into Kaede's vision.

[DEATH LOG UNLOCKED]

Death #7: "Spirit Dragon's Jawbreaker" – A Forbidden Martial Technique.

Unlock mastery over Spirt Dragon Jawbreaker.

ACCEPT

[DEATH LOG: 7/1000 UNLOCKED]

"So I can copy martial arts techniques...?" Kaede's heart raced as he hit ACCEPT.

Time snapped back, and Kaede shifted effortlessly into the Dragon's Jawbreaker stance, mirroring Shigeru's precise form—but better. His body moved on instinct, guided by data he'd just absorbed. It felt natural, he could simply just knew what exactly to do and when to do it.

Shigeru faltered. "Wait - What the—?!"

Kaede twisted, sweeping Shigeru's leg before flipping him flat onto the mat with a resounding BOOM. Dust spiraled into the air.

Gasps, then roaring applause.

"Yo, he just outclassed Shigeru!"

"No one's ever countered the Jawbreaker like that!"

Shigeru wheezed on the floor, his pride shattered more than his windpipe. Kaede offered him a hand, but Shigeru slapped it away, muttering, "How did you do that.

?"

As the crowd thinned, Kaede lingered, Minatoma still buzzing with excitement. "Bro, that was insane! You do know martial arts, you have been holding out on me, You're, like, a total monster!"

But Kaede's smile didn't reach his eyes.

"If Shigeru had landed that hit... he could've killed me. And he didn't even realize it,"

He stared at his hand, feeling the weight of his own growing power. "I can't let this get out of control."

The faint echo of his old self—the bullied kid, the one who felt powerless—resurfaced. But now, he was no longer at the mercy of others.

He clenched his fist.

"I'll use this power for my goals. Nothing more. No shortcuts. No wasted deaths."

A new pop-up chimed softly in his periphery.

Kaede smiled. "Now Let's see what else this world's hiding."