Aurora: "Remember me, my little host?"
Jiro: "Who… who's talking to me?"
Aurora: "I see… You really did forget about me, didn't you? I'm the demon who chose you as my host. My name is Aurora."
Jiro spun around, but there was nothing — just a colorless void stretching endlessly in all directions. The space was quiet, almost suffocating in its stillness. His voice echoed like he was underwater.
Jiro: "Where are we? What is this place?"
Aurora: "You don't need to know that much. I only want one thing from you — and that is for you to stay alive. Goodbye for now."
Jiro: "Wait! I still have too many questions—!"
His voice broke as the emptiness swallowed her presence. No answer came. Just silence.
And then—
His eyes snapped open.
A dim ceiling greeted him. The room was plain, quiet — almost peaceful. Sitting in the corner, Hayato flipped a page in his book without looking up.
Hayato: "Finally opened your eyes, dumb kid?"
Jiro: "Finally? What are you talking about?"
Hayato: "You've been out cold for three days. You feeling anything weird? Voices? Memory loss? Headaches?"
Jiro: "No… I feel fine. Just… tired."
Before the conversation could go on, the door burst open. A girl stepped in — tall and graceful, with golden-blonde hair and dark blue eyes that sparkled with quiet energy. She wore a flowing green dress with a ribbon across the chest, her long white boots detailed with delicate red rose motifs.
Jiro blinked. "Wait… I remember her from the Hunter Examination. Daphne… that was her name."
Daphne: "Hayato! Seriously? Interrogating him right after he wakes up?"
Hayato: "What else am I supposed to do? I'm bored."
Daphne sighed and turned toward Jiro, flashing a soft smile.
Daphne: "How are you feeling? Head spinning? Do you remember your name? Or did your tiny brain take permanent damage?"
Jiro: "Hey! Are you calling me stupid?"
Daphne: "I didn't say it. You did."
Jiro: "We barely even know each other! Where'd you get that idea?"
She gave Hayato a knowing glance.
Jiro: "So it was him!"
Hayato: "I did nothing wrong."
As they bickered, Jiro just sat there — arms crossed, face blank, soul dying a little inside.
"Why am I getting bullied by these two antagonists??"
Daphne: "Come on… we should let him rest."
Hayato: "Shove it, Daphne. If I want to roast the kid, I'll do it as long as I like."
Her smile twitched, eyes narrowing slightly. Jiro didn't know whether they were about to joke again — or fight for real.
More than anything, he just wanted to get out of that room. But his instincts screamed at him not to move. Something told him it was safer not to get too close to either of them… not yet.
And beneath all of it, her voice echoed again:
"Stay alive…"
But why?
What did she mean?
Who even was she — truly?
And why… of all people… did she choose him?
Note: Jiro was cautious of Daphne because he watched her fight against Akihiko in the examination.
Daphne: "Looks like someone wants to get hurt!"
She stepped toward him with a mischievous grin. Jiro instinctively leaned away in his bed.
'Definitely not me! Just stay away from me, dangerous woman!'
He watched, helpless, as Daphne walked right up to Hayato and began pinching his arm — repeatedly — as if trying to get a reaction.
Jiro:'She's actually doing it?!'
Hayato calmly closed his book with one hand and stared forward, unmoved.
Hayato: "It hurts."
His tone was flat. Monotone. Completely unfazed.
Daphne's eye twitched in frustration. She dug her fingers in harder.
Hayato: "Still hurts."
She pinched him again — and again. No reaction.
Hayato: "Yep. Still hurts."
Jiro just stared. The whole situation was... unexplainable.
There were layers of confusion stacking in his mind like puzzle pieces from different boxes. He stayed quiet, watching Daphne lose her cool and Hayato act like this was all background noise.
And somehow… he stayed there, waiting.
Waiting for this unhinged goddess of violence to calm down — like some kind of masochist.
But deep down, he needed something else even more: answers.
He took a breath and finally spoke up.
Jiro: "Uh… Miss Daphne?"
She paused and glanced his way, mid-pinching session.
Jiro: "Sorry to interrupt, but… I'm kind of confused. How are you able to approach Hayato like that? During the exam, I couldn't even catch him off guard."
That made her stop.
She blinked, then turned fully toward him, posture straightening as if she suddenly remembered she was an adult again.
Daphne: "First of all… let me introduce myself properly."
Hayato: "See? When you put in effort, you're actually capable of acting like a human being."
Daphne: "You shut up!! I'm dealing with you later!"
She coughed twice — rather dramatically — and faced Jiro again with a completely different expression.
Soft, warm… almost too friendly.
Jiro:'That sudden mood shift is scarier than her angry one…'
Daphne: "So, Jiro. I'm Daphne. No family name — just Daphne."
Hayato: "You make it sound like a stage name…"
Daphne (shooting him a sharp side glance): "Got something to say?"
Hayato (quickly): "Nope. Jiro, call her whatever she wants."
She smiled sweetly, but her eyes glinted with quiet warning.
Daphne: "Good boy."
She turned back to Jiro, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
Daphne: "To answer your question — this lazy guy only defends himself when he feels like it. If you want the full explanation, ask him yourself. I'm not wasting my breath on his ego."
Hayato didn't flinch, barely reacting as he let her talk.
Hayato: "Let me show you instead. Come here."
Curious, Jiro stepped forward. The moment he got close, he slammed into an invisible barrier.
Jiro: "What the…? Did you create an invisible wall or something?"
Hayato: "Not exactly. I compress the air in front of me until it's solid. No attack, melee or ranged, can get through — unless it matches the energy level of the barrier."
Jiro's eyes widened in excitement.
Jiro: "Wow. So you're basically invulnerable?"
Hayato: "Not quite. I can only focus the air density in one direction at a time. Multiple attacks from different angles can overwhelm me. But there's more."
He stepped back.
Hayato: "Run at me. Full speed. Don't hold back."
Jiro had his doubts but did it anyway. Passing the spot where he'd bumped before, he suddenly realized something was wrong — despite running hard, he wasn't moving forward. He was stuck, running in place like caught on an invisible treadmill.
He looked up at Hayato, who was wearing a sadistic grin that sent a chill down his spine.
Hayato: "Enjoy the flight."
As he said that, Jiro was suddenly propelled backward, landing hard on his bed.
Hayato: "I can make the air elastic too."
Jiro: "You didn't have to turn me into a damn lab rat for that!"
Hayato let out a quiet chuckle, amused by Jiro's reaction, while Daphne laughed openly.
Jiro: "Hey, Hayato, why aren't you laughing? What's wrong?"
Daphne's laughter died instantly, her bright expression fading into something softer, almost troubled. She glanced toward Hayato, who sat still, his eyes distant and unreadable.
Daphne: "I have some chores to finish. Excuse me."
She left the room quietly, closing the door behind her, leaving Jiro alone with Hayato.
Hayato: "Jiro… I owe you an apology. The truth is, my emotions are gone — or maybe they never really came back. I can't express how I feel anymore. That's why I seemed so cold when we were searching for your father. I wanted to tell you… now that you know."
Jiro felt a pang of sympathy but held back any questions. Emotions were a fragile thing with Hayato.
Jiro: "It's okay, Hayato. I didn't mind. And if you really didn't care, you wouldn't have stayed with me."
Hayato: "Yeah, yeah… I don't care about your sentimental nonsense. Now get out of here — you stink."
Jiro grimaced at the insult but knew he couldn't argue. He was definitely in need of a shower.
Jiro: "By the way, how long was I out?"
Hayato: "Three days. Oh, and your clothes are in the wardrobe on your right."
Jiro: "Since when?! When did you bring my clothes here? Wait — these aren't even mine!"
Hayato: "I wasn't going to let you wander around naked. Sent Samuel shopping. He even changes your clothes daily. Now go before the smell knocks me out."
Jiro: "Wait, I still have—Hey! Let go!"
Hayato grabbed Jiro's pajama collar, tossed him into the bathroom, and slammed the door.
Jiro sighed as he stripped off his clothes, realizing he smelled worse than a skunk.
After a long shower, Jiro returned to find Hayato still seated, the room smelling faintly of fresh air — Hayato must have installed an air freshener.
Hayato: "Alright, dumb kid. Anything else you wanna talk about?"
Jiro: "First—how's Samuel? Did he recover from the fight?"
Hayato: "Found him half-dead under a tree. Don't worry, he's patched up — just like Daphne's broken arm."
Jiro: "When did they have time to heal from all that?"
Hayato: "Don't worry your head about it. Is that all?"
Jiro: "Right. What happened after we talked to my father? I can't remember anything."
Hayato: "Let's see… What do you remember?"
Jiro's eyes shot open, his body tense and drenched in sweat. The room was dimly lit, and a faint breeze drifted through the slightly open window.
Hayato, seated nearby with a book in hand, looked up.
Hayato: "You're awake. Had a bad dream?"
Jiro sat up slowly, his breath still unsteady.
Jiro: "It wasn't a dream… There was this… space. All white. And a voice—her voice. She said her name was Aurora."
Hayato's expression changed, the usual calmness replaced with something sharper, more serious.
Hayato: "So she's awakened already… I was hoping you'd have more time."
He closed the book, set it aside, and leaned forward.
Hayato: "Aurora's not just a voice in your head. She's a demon made entirely of quartz energy. And now she's a part of you."
Jiro: "She said she chose me. Why me?"
Hayato: "That's not a question I can answer. Demons don't always follow logic — they're drawn to potential, power, emotion… Maybe something inside you resonated with her."
Jiro: "She told me she just wanted me to stay alive. But it didn't feel reassuring. It felt… like I was prey."
Hayato nodded, folding his arms.
Hayato: "You're not wrong. Demons may speak gently, even affectionately, but don't mistake it for kindness. She wants control. The more you waver, the stronger her grip."
Jiro: "But what if I lose control? What if she takes over?"
Hayato: "Then we'll have to stop you before you stop being you."
There was no hesitation in his voice. It wasn't cruelty — it was reality.
Jiro: "…You said 'we.' That means you've dealt with this before?"
Before Hayato could respond, a faint shimmer danced in the air, and in the blink of an eye, a small girl sat cross-legged atop the desk behind him.
Selenia: "You're making it sound so dramatic, Hayato. Honestly, can't you soften the truth a little for the newbies?"
Her crimson eyes sparkled with mischief, and her gothic dress ruffled as she shifted positions. With her delicate features and flowing hair, she looked like a porcelain doll — but the aura around her was anything but childlike.
Jiro's breath caught. He hadn't seen her move — one second the desk was empty, and the next, she was there.
Hayato:sighs "Selenia, I told you not to appear so suddenly."
Selenia ignored him, turning to Jiro with a playful grin.
Selenia: "So you're the kid Aurora picked. Not bad. Bit of a shaky aura, but the eyes have promise."
Jiro: "Who… are you?"
Selenia: "I'm Selenia, the demon bonded to this grumpy hunter here."
She leaned forward, letting her chin rest on her palms.
Selenia: "And unlike your demon, I actually play nice."
Jiro: "So… you're like Aurora?"
Selenia: "I'm nothing like her. Aurora's a tempest. I'm a storm in a teacup."
She winked.
Selenia: "But I did fight Hayato once, and let's just say it wasn't pretty."
Jiro: "Then how did he… tame you?"
Selenia laughed, a melodic sound that didn't quite match her words.
Selenia: "Tame? Oh sweetie, this isn't a petting zoo. I submitted to him. There's a difference. Demons respect strength — and only strength."
Hayato: "That's enough."
Selenia stuck her tongue out at him, then turned back to Jiro with a sly smile.
Selenia: "Here's your lesson, kid. If you want Aurora to listen, you don't beg. You dominate. Get strong enough that she doesn't have a choice."
And just like that, she vanished — no sound, no warning.
Hayato stood and walked over to the window, arms behind his back.
Hayato: "She may act like a child, but don't forget — Selenia's a nightmare dressed in ribbons. Aurora is no different."
Jiro's hands trembled slightly. But somewhere inside him, a fire had started to burn.
Jiro: "Then train me. Make me stronger than her. I'll earn her submission — and I'll make whoever killed my parents pay."
Hayato turned, and for the first time, he smiled — not cold or sarcastic, but proud.
Hayato: "We start at dawn."
Jiro glanced at Hayato, a question heavy in his eyes.
Jiro: "That vision I had—where you were missing an arm. Was that from your fight with the demon?"
Hayato leaned back slightly, his gaze sharp.
Hayato: "Just to be clear, I didn't lose my arm because she took it. I gave it up—severing it was necessary to seal her back inside you. But yes… our battle wiped out an entire village."
Jiro's eyes widened.
Jiro: "Then… why do you still have both hands now?"
Before Hayato could respond, Selenia reappeared, hovering behind him and making a dramatically disappointed face.
Selenia: "You just noticed that now? Tch, slow learner. But let's not get too deep into the technicals—hunters aren't like regular humans. There are ways to regenerate limbs or heal even fatal wounds. Hayato'll teach you more once training starts."
She twirled in midair, her dress fluttering.
Selenia: "But you already figured that out, didn't you? That lovely girl—what was her name? Ah yes, Daphne—and Hayato's loyal mutt Samuel both healed too fast to be natural."
Jiro watched them both, silent for a long moment. The way they spoke—so casually, so detached—about life-threatening injuries, entire villages destroyed… It was inhuman. And maybe that's what being a hunter truly meant.
But if that was the cost of vengeance… he was willing to pay it.
Nothing would bring his parents back. But sending their murderers into the ground might finally let their souls rest.
Jiro: "Hayato… I want to be stronger. As strong as you. I want to tame the demon inside me… and I want to crush the ones who took everything from me."
Hayato studied the fire in Jiro's eyes. Ambition, pain, hunger. And under it all—resolve.
He gave a faint nod and began to rise from his chair.
Before he could speak, Selenia suddenly clung to Jiro's side, wrapping her arms around his neck with a devious smirk.
Selenia: "I like that spark in your eyes, kid. And your scent? Mmm, not bad for a human. It's been ten years since I've seen someone this driven—besides grumpy over there."
Hayato: "We'll begin training when everyone arrives tomorrow. Until then, rest up. Enjoy what's left of your day."
He narrowed his eyes slightly.
Hayato: "Because once it starts, you won't have time to breathe. Be ready by 6 A.M."