Kazuki sat on the bench, his knees drawn to his chest, arms wrapped tight around them as though they were the only thing keeping him from shattering. His eyes were red, swollen from hours of silent crying. Every sound in the Hunter HQ seemed far away—the creak of floorboards, muffled voices in other rooms, the faint hiss of the wind outside.
Grief had weight, and it was crushing him.
At the desk across from him, Captain Ryoku leaned back slightly, his gaze fixed on the man standing at attention.
"What exactly did the kid say to you, Hagane?"
The hunter shifted uncomfortably, avoiding the captain's eyes. "H-He said… his father was attacked."
Ryoku's expression didn't change. "By who?"
Hagane's fingers trembled. "A Terra. In a village called Bressel."
There was a pause—just long enough to feel heavy—before Ryoku spoke again. "And what did you do?"
Hagane's mouth opened, then closed. He swallowed. "W-Well… nothing, sir."
Ryoku's eyes narrowed. "So you thought he was lying?"
"I'm sorry, sir…" Hagane bowed deeply, the shame clear in his voice. "But he was so far from home, and it just didn't sound real."
Ryoku turned his head toward the boy in the corner. "Hey, kid. How'd you get here?"
Kazuki didn't move. His eyes were empty—like the color had been drained from them.
This can't be real… he thought. Father… gone? My village… burned?
Hagane cleared his throat nervously. "He said… he used some kind of stone. A teleportation stone."
Ryoku's gaze sharpened instantly. "A teleportation stone?" He leaned back in thought. "And here we thought they were all long depleted…"
Hagane blinked in confusion. "Huh?"
The captain rose, moving toward a set of drawers behind his desk. "Long ago, hunters carried them for emergencies. But the magic to make them… it died out generations ago." He retrieved a sealed pass and handed it to Hagane. "Take the boy to the Commander. He'll know what to do."
Hagane glanced at Kazuki, hesitating. "Come on, kid… let's go."
Kazuki rose slowly, his body heavy as stone. His voice came out as a whisper, fragile enough to break. "This… can't be happening. My father's dead? My home's… gone?"
For a heartbeat, an image flickered in his mind—Raiken's smile, his hand ruffling Kazuki's hair, that warmth that made him feel safe.
Gone.
Hagane placed a firm hand on the boy's shoulder. "Come on."
From his desk, Ryoku watched them leave. Kazuki… huh?
They walked down a long hallway, their footsteps echoing against stone walls. Neither spoke.
Hagane stole a glance at the boy. His chest tightened with guilt. Is he really… a Hozuki? Why doesn't anyone know?
At the end of the hall stood a massive wooden door. Hagane knocked twice.
"Come in," a voice called from inside.
The office beyond was large, lit by soft sunlight filtering through tall windows. At the desk sat a figure with their chair turned away from the door.
Hagane stepped forward, bowing. "Sir, I was sent by Captain Ryoku. This boy… claims to be Raiken Hozuki's son."
The chair turned slowly.
The Commander was… not what Kazuki expected. A slim frame, a youthful face framed by dark hair, round spectacles perched lightly on his nose. He looked more like a wandering scholar than a leader of warriors.
Kazuki blinked. This guy? He looks too young. He doesn't even seem strong. Is this really the commander?
Then the man's face lit up. "Kazuki! It's so good to finally meet you!"
Kazuki stared. "Y-You… know me?"
The man smiled warmly. "I'm Commander Kazen Dural. Your father… was my dear friend. He told me everything about you."
Kazuki's throat tightened. "But… why does no one else know I exist?"
Kazen's expression softened, tinged with something like regret. "To protect you. The Hozukis have been hunted by Terras for generations."
Kazuki's eyes widened as Kazen continued, "Only your father, brother… and me… knew who you were."
A vision filled Kazuki's mind—warriors in the Hozuki crest standing shoulder-to-shoulder against monstrous Terras, their magic flaring bright against the night sky.
"For centuries," Kazen said, his voice quiet but sure, "your bloodline wielded powerful magic—deadly and rare. Your family always stood at the front lines."
Kazuki looked down, fists clenched. Is that why they always pushed me to be a hunter? But I'm not like them. Not brave. Not gifted. I'm just… me.
Behind him, Hagane lowered his head. "It's all my fault… I should've believed him. Should've helped him sooner. Maybe I could've—"
"And done what, Hagane?" Kazen's voice was calm, but it cut through the air like a blade.
The hunter froze.
"You'd have only died too. Raiken fought knowing the cost. That battle… it destroyed a village. If you stepped in, you'd be a corpse—another name we'd mourn."
Hagane swallowed hard, bowing lower. "…Thank you, commander."
"Go back to work," Kazen said with a faint smile. "Leave the boy with me. He stays under my care."
Hagane slipped out, and Kazen crossed the room to Kazuki, resting a hand on his shoulder.
"Now, Kazuki… let's catch up, shall we?"
END OF CHAPTER