Mandora Hunting

Time flew by instantly.

Ren sighed in disbelief. A whole damn week. He'd been busting his ass, cleaning Lira's café, doing his daily workouts, helping out the neighborhood, basically grinding like a madman. And for what? His stats had only gone up by three freaking points.

"Well, at least you got three," Lira chirped, trying to cheer up her oh-so-grumpy Mr. Sho.

At this point, Ren had basically become the café's mascot. Decked out in the uniform, handling customers like a pro. Not that he cared. But hey, at least the place was packed… with his fan club from the neighborhood. They rolled in every single day just to gawk at their handsome Mr. Sho.

"Neh, since you're so good at customer service, why don'tcha just work with me full-time, Ryuu?" Lira teased, throwing in a playful wink.

"Just shut up, will ya."

That should have been the end of it. But nope, cue the whispering.

"R-Ryuu? Did she just call him Ryuu?!"

"Wait… are they dating?!"

The café erupted into hushed gasps and wide-eyed stares. Before Ren could even process, Lira swooped in like a pro meddler, cutting off the drama before it could gain traction.

"Don't get it twisted, my dear ladies! Your precious Mr. Sho is my darling cousin. That's all there is to it! You're free to fight over him."

Ren: "...???"

Was she for real right now?!

Ah, forget it. Lira is just Lira.

After spending nearly every waking hour with her for a whole damn week, Ren had come to a painfully clear realization, Lira was a scammy psychopath. How could someone so innocent-looking be this… this diabolical?! The girl was a menace. Don't judge a book by its cover, yeah, that's the lesson here.

But whatever. He needed to do something, or he was gonna be stuck in this cursed world forever. Second chance at life? Hell yeah, he was gonna snatch it with both hands. And then, he'd wipe the floor with that damn CROW!

Suddenly, the café door swung open with a soft Tikle Tikle as the bell chimed.

A familiar face stepped inside. Kuro Yanagin.

The moment Ren saw him, he damn near broke down in relief.

"Ahhh, Kuro! It's been so long!" Ren cried dramatically. Finally, a lifeline. An excuse to get out of this café!

Kuro blinked. "Uh… but it's been just seven days."

"But seven days is so long!" Ren whined. "Anyway, how about we go out and grab a drink?"

Kuro tilted his head. "But… we're already at a café?"

"I want beer." Ren declared, immediately.

Kuro deadpanned. "Beer? Early in the morning? Look, I actually came to talk to you about something, but "

"Oh, quit being a crybaby, Kuro!"

And just like that, Ren grabbed Kuro's wrist and bolted out of the café, dragging the poor guy along. Kuro, completely baffled, could only think one thing: When the hell did we get this chummy?!

From day one, Ren had been talking to him like they were childhood besties. And the weirdest part? He didn't do that with everyone.

…So why him?!

After they ended up in another café, far, far away from Lira, Ren finally settled down.

"So, what is it you wanna talk about?" he asked Kuro, stretching lazily.

"Ah, right!" Kuro exclaimed as if just remembering why he came to find Ren in the first place. Damn that run away… it made me forget everything.

"Go sit down, Mr. Sho. Let me grab us a drink," Kuro said, stepping toward the cashier. Ren mumbled to himself, "Well, he's paying, so whatever," before heading to a corner table and plopping down.

A moment later, Kuro returned with two iced Americanos in hand, setting one down in front of Ren.

"Alright… where should I start?" he muttered.

"Just say it."

Kuro sighed before reaching into his pocket, pulling out a small, coin-sized yellow stone, and placing it on the table.

Oh.

Ohhh.

It was that diamond.

"Care to explain this, Mr. Sho?" Kuro asked, staring at Ren like he was the biggest dumbass in existence. "Because I am completely lost for words."

Ren blinked. "Why are you lost for words? You have a literal fortune in front of you?"

Kuro's eye twitched.

Ren casually sipped his iced Americano. "A customer gave it to me that day. I forgot to tell you about it. She said she didn't want her change, so-"

"So you just accepted it?!"

"Well, yeah," Ren shrugged.

Like, what was I supposed to do? Argue? Refuse and possibly get murdered on the spot?

"And you just left it in the money box?"

"Yeah."

Kuro's whole face twitched this time. Then,

"ARE YOU AN IDIOT, MR. SHO?!"

Ren nearly dropped his Americano. Why is he yelling at me?!

Poor Ren… he genuinely couldn't follow.

"Who the heck just leaves a diamond like that?!" Kuro nearly threw his hands up. "In the first place, why didn't you take it with you?! A damn chili sauce isn't worth this much!!"

Ren frowned. "Is that your problem?"

Kuro pinched the bridge of his nose. "It's not, but it still is."

Ren: "...???"

"Ah, right. I forgot you're a weirdo from the beginning," Kuro said, rubbing his temples. "Because if you were a normal person, you would've screamed and collapsed the moment you saw that girl eating that man. A regular dude wouldn't just stand there and ask the monster to pay for their items."

Ren looked away. Oh, that? That was just an act. Of course, he was scared sh*tless at that moment. But no way was he going to admit that to Kuro.

Kuro let out a long sigh before continuing. "The real reason I came here… is that girl, Mr. Sho."

Ren raised an eyebrow.

"I haven't reported any of this to the city heads, and I took care of the CCTV footage," Kuro admitted. "Because if they saw it, you'd be in serious trouble."

"Huh? Why?!" Ren blinked.

Kuro sighed again, longer this time, muttering something like, This guy is seriously dense… before looking at Ren dead in the eyes.

"You really have no clue what kind of mess you're in, huh?"

Kuro drummed his fingers on the table before explaining. "That day, it was reported that the monsters were led by a Rank A demon. But the ones I fought were just a Rank C demon and his C Rank monster pack. And the calculations weren't wrong, there was definitely an A-Rank demon nearby. And I suspect it was that white-haired girl."

Ren took another sip of his Americano. "Yeah, I figured as much."

Kuro's eye twitched. "And you still didn't think to contact me?!"

"Well… I forgot."

Kuro: "...???"

"Whatever!" Kuro finally snapped. "You survived an A-Rank demon. She didn't even attack you, and you were out here chatting with her like some old friend. You don't think people are gonna find that suspicious?!"

Ren blinked. "So?"

Kuro clenched his fist. "So?! THEY'RE GONNA THINK YOU'RE WORKING WITH THE DEMON, YOU ABSOLUTE MORON!!"

The entire cafe went dead silent. Customers froze mid-sip, the barista's hand trembled as they poured milk into a latte, and even a baby in the corner stopped crying.

Wait, a baby? Is he a criminal? Or were criminals made him- a spirit baby?

Ren sat there, blinking, a cold sweat forming on his forehead. Why is he so mad?

Kuro inhaled sharply, realizing what he had just done. He slowly sat back down, rubbing his temples. "Ah… I'm sorry."

"Nah, nah, it's alright," Ren muttered, still a little shaken from the outburst. Damn, is this guy always like this?

Seriously, this whole demon mess was still new to him. He didn't know all the rules, so maybe he was acting a little dense.

"So, what were you guys even talking about?" Kuro asked, arms crossed, his patience already running on fumes.

Ren scratched the back of his neck, looking away. "Ah, well, nothing much. She asked for chili sauce, so I gave her one and asked for payment. Oh! Right! I also told her not to come again, so don't worry!" He grinned, feeling pretty damn proud of himself.

Kuro froze.

Kuro: "...…???"

"That's it?"

"Nah, she also said she'll visit me again."

Kuro's eye twitched. His soul left his body for a solid second. Then, with a vein popping on his forehead, he slammed the table again.

"SAY THAT FIRST! ARE YOU AN IDIOT?!"

"I am sorry," Ren muttered, finally feeling a bit guilty.

Kuro sighed, rubbing his temples. "Well, whatever. Since things have come to this, I'll train you."

Ren blinked. "Huh?"

"I just don't want you to get yourself killed," Kuro added.

Ren smirked. "Because I remind you of your older brother?"

Kuro sighed even deeper. "Yeah… He's also an absolute idiot, you know."

Ren chuckled. "Hey, Kuro," he said, smiling, eyes narrowing slightly. "You said you're twenty, right?"

"Yeah?"

"Then that means you're younger than me, since I'm twenty-two… right?"

Kuro nodded, confused. "Well, yeah-"

"THEN WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE TALKING TO, YOU LITTLE BASTARD?! I'M YOUR SENIOR!!"

The entire cafe shook. Birds outside flew away. A random waiter tripped.

Kuro, completely unfazed, just sipped his Americano. "Age doesn't matter when you have the brain of a goldfish, Senpai." He didn't forget to say the last word in a bold voice.

Ren's eye twitched.

This little brat.

This absolute menace.

Before Ren could say anything back, a waiter suddenly appeared. "Excuse me, sirs, but could you please keep it down? You're disturbing the other customers."

Ren and Kuro both looked around.

The entire cafe was silent.

People were staring.

The baby was crying.

Again, where the heck is that baby come from?!!

An old man was holding his heart.

A couple in the corner looked like they were reconsidering their relationship.

A relationship in this world? A criminal romance huh?

Ren slowly turned back to Kuro, lowering his voice to a dangerous whisper. "This isn't over, Little Kuro."

Kuro smirked. "Yeah, yeah, whatever. Let's meet at 6 PM after my shift. Don't be late… Senpai." He threw in the last word with a voice so drenched in mockery, it physically hurt.

Ren sat there, stunned.

This two-faced menace.

Ren watched as Kuro casually walked away, sipping his Americano like he hadn't just shattered Ren's faith in humanity. Ren slumped back in his chair, arms crossed, glaring at the ceiling like it had personally wronged him.

"That little brat."

He took a long, dramatic sip of his Americano. The ice clinked against the cup, mocking him just like Kuro had.

Was this what betrayal felt like?

Just a week ago, Kuro was all so polite, so innocent. And now? Now he was out here, mocking his authority, disrespecting his seniority, and sipping his damn coffee like a villain in a drama.

Ren sighed deeply. This world is full of fakers.

He needed a break. Preferably with beer.

_______________________________________________________

Same day, at 6 pm

Ren stood in front of Lira's café, tapping his foot on the ground, arms crossed over his chest as he waited for Kuro. Minutes ticked by, and just as he started to grow impatient, he spotted Kuro running toward him. Dressed in black trousers and a black hoodie jacket, his long hair was combed into a single ponytail, and sweat beaded on his forehead, his bangs almost sticking to his skin.

"Am I late? Sorry, I got caught up in something," Kuro said, flashing a gentle smile.

Ren just couldn't wrap his head around this man. Just hours ago, Kuro had been angry and mean, but now he was acting like nothing had happened.

"Well, you're three minutes late," Ren said, his tone mocking, but he didn't expect Kuro's response to be so... casual.

"Ah, I'm really sorry, Mr. Sho," Kuro said, his smile widening.

Ren was left speechless, caught off guard by Kuro's easygoing demeanor.

"Mr. Yanagin," Lira's voice floated out from the café door like a ghost. Ren nearly had a heart attack at the sudden sound. "I'll put my Ryuu in your hands. Please protect him. I need him for my business."

This girl!!!

"Yeah, no worries, Miss Lira, I'll protect your Ryuu," Kuro replied, not missing a beat.

Ren couldn't help but feel like a little kid about to start elementary school, while his mom fretted over him and the teacher promised to protect her precious baby. What the heck?

"Then should we get going, Mr. Sho?" Kuro asked, his smile widening.

They were moving farther and farther from Shinjuku, stepping into the quiet embrace of the forest, the same place where Ren had first landed in this world. The city lights faded behind them, swallowed by towering trees and the gentle hum of night creatures. The moonlight spilled through the branches, casting a silver glow over the narrow dirt path, making sure it wasn't completely dark. 

Kuro walked ahead; hands tucked lazily into his pockets like this was just another evening stroll. Ren, on the other hand, felt uneasy. His eyes flicked around, taking in the shifting shadows between the trees. 

"Why didn't we do this when there was sunlight?" he finally asked, unable to hold back his curiosity. 

Kuro didn't even turn back. "I want you to fight the weakest monsters first," he said casually. "There's something called a Mandora, a type of plant monster. It only comes out when there's moonlight. During the day, it hides underground."

A brief silence settled between them as they walked deeper into the forest. The trees grew taller, their dense branches muffling the distant hum of the city. The moonlight barely reached the ground now, making the path feel more uncertain. 

"Hey, Kuro," Ren finally spoke up. 

"Yeah?" Kuro responded, not bothering to turn back. 

"Why did you retire from climbing the tower?" 

Kuro was quiet for a moment before answering, his voice calm. "Well, I just had enough." He exhaled lightly. "Why are you so insistent on climbing it? You could live a life outside too." 

Ren glanced at him, then looked ahead. "I have some unfinished business back in the living world." 

Silence. The forest air felt a little heavier. 

"I see." Kuro finally broke it. "Mr. Sho, I was wondering… what's your player name? You know, inside the tower, your real name holds no value. Only your player name matters." 

Ren hesitated. "Well… that's something I can't tell you yet." 

Kuro chuckled. "I'm glad you said that. Here I thought you'd spill it the second I asked, like a birdbrain." 

"Stop teasing me, Kuro!" Ren huffed, but this time, there was no anger in his voice, just a small, amused smile.

"So, what's yours?" Ren asked, tilting his head slightly. 

"Kuro," he replied without hesitation. 

"Just Kuro?" 

"Just Kuro." 

Ren narrowed his eyes, rubbing his chin. "I thought the person who spills out their name so easily is a birdbrain, but I can't quite add that to you… I mean, your player name is basically your real name." 

Kuro smirked, glancing at Ren from the corner of his eye. "Well, I just don't have anything to hide."

As they walked deeper into the forest, Kuro suddenly signaled Ren to stop. Without a word, he gestured for him to take cover. They crouched behind a massive tree, peeking from the side. 

Ahead of them stretched a field of shimmering silver plants, their leaves swaying gently under the moonlight. The sight was almost mesmerizing, like a silver ocean rippling in the night. 

"That's Mandora, D Rank monsters," Kuro murmured. "They look beautiful and weak, right? But, Mr. Sho, if they gang up on you, you're finished. That's why hunting them is so difficult." 

Ren furrowed his brows. "I thought you said we were starting with weak monsters." 

"Yup. Individually, they're weak," Kuro confirmed. "You just have to make sure they don't swarm you… and whatever you do, don't wake up the Mandora Demon." 

Ren blinked. "Demon?" 

"Yeah, their boss. Every monster pack has a leader. As I recall, Mandora Demons are usually D-Rank—the weakest rank. But even so, it's still way too much for you."

"I see," Ren said.

"They're plants, so their hearing is pretty bad," Kuro explained. "But the moment their bud awakens, they can sense everything around them. That's why you have to cut the bud first, then take the plant out from its roots. If you don't, and it manages to let out a scream, you're done for. That sound will call the whole swarm, and trust me, once that happens, there's no way out."

Kuro leaned against the tree, arms crossed. "Mandoras aren't strong alone, but they're not stupid either. They always attack in numbers," he said. "Some use vine whips to grab you, some rare ones explode into spores, and others…" He smirked. "Their buds open up like tiny mouths with sharp teeth, think piranhas, but worse." 

Ren made a face. "That sounds horrifying." 

"Yeah, and if you're not careful, they'll latch onto you while the others do their thing, crawling up your body, locking your joints, going for your eyes or mouth. Each type has its own way of messing you up, but together, they're a nightmare. That's why you have to make sure, the bud was properly taken care of." Kuro glanced at Ren. "So, even tho I am suggesting this, you sure you wanna do this?" 

Ren took a deep breath. "Never knew the weakest were that strong." 

Kuro smiled gently. "I guess that means you're doing this?" 

"Yeah, I can't slack off." 

"Here, take it." Kuro casually tossed a dagger at Ren. 

Ren caught it, eyes narrowing as he examined the weapon. A dagger, his usual weapon back in the living world. 

"That's the first weapon I ever got," Kuro said. "It's pretty weak, but since it's sharp, it'll do just fine against Mandoras." 

"Thank you." 

Kuro's expression darkened slightly as he met Ren's gaze. "Mr. Sho, no matter what you do… don't trigger the Mandora Demon." 

There was something in his tone, something that sent a chill down Ren's spine.