Noru TakedaWait—don't go… I still have so many questions.(A sad expression.)
So… what do I do now? I don't even know what the actual test is. Maybe I'm supposed to return to the central village, or gather resources, or look for some special item. There are too many possibilities.
(Flashback. He recalls Fakuro's words during their walk.)
Fakuro (Owl)"In this forest, they're abundant, but I don't come here very often. At night, it's a very dangerous place.""Inside your inventory, you have the basics to survive: a sword, a pickaxe, an axe, and a hoe.""If you're lucky, you might survive until dawn."
Noru TakedaI see… that must be it. He mentioned the rabbits so I'd take note of a food source.(He checks his inventory.)The sword is for protection, and he said this forest is dangerous at night…(He looks nervous.)I want to believe it's because of wild animals. There's no way they'd have monsters roaming freely inside the organization.
I'll put that thought aside for now. The axe can help me build a shelter, but I don't understand how the pickaxe and the hoe would help me survive the night—same goes for those tubes filled with strange liquids.(He looks confused.)
(Flashback.)
Noru Takeda"Alright, and where exactly are we supposed to be?"
Fakuro (Owl)"I don't know. The order was to take you as far away from the central village as possible."
Noru TakedaIt doesn't make sense for him to say that if he knew about the rabbits. He was just trying to make me panic so I wouldn't think clearly. The rest of the information must've been nothing but a distraction—he wanted me to overlook what really mattered.
Noru TakedaI'm ready.(He looks up at the position of the sun.)I have eight hours to gather food and build a shelter.
(Scene change. Noru is shown stalking rabbits through the bushes, failing again and again as he tries to catch them.)
Noru Takeda(Crashes into a tree while trying to grab a rabbit.)Damn it, rabbits—cooperate a little! It's not my fault you're the only thing I can eat in this forest.
(An apple falls from the tree.)
Noru TakedaFine. You win this time.(He eats the apple, annoyed.)
(Scene change. He is back at the spot where Fakuro left him. Beside him is a pile of apples.)
Noru TakedaAlright, food is taken care of. Now I need to cut down trees to build my shelter.(He finishes a bottle of water and tosses it aside.)I should cut thicker trees—that way it'll be sturdier.
(He cuts down a thick tree, but can barely move it. He looks exhausted.)
Alright, change of plans. I'll cut the thickest branches from several trees and use them for the roof. I'll chop the rest of the trunks into smaller pieces and stack them like blocks.
(He continues building his shelter as the day passes, drinking water from time to time.)
Noru Takeda(Exhausted and drenched in sweat.)Done. It took a lot, but I finally finished it.
(A very small shelter made of stacked wood stands before him—just barely enough space to sleep.)
Now all that's left is to put in a door, and the shelter will be comple—(Night has already fallen.)
(Startled.)No way… it got dark way too fast.
(Zombie-like growls begin to echo.)
(Nervous.)This can't be happening. I didn't think it was possible, but they really do have monsters inside the organization.There's no time to dwell on that—I need to figure out how to deal with them. Without a door, there's no way I can stay inside.
(Zombies begin emerging from the bushes and between the trees.)
Noru Takeda(Inner thought.)There are about ten of them. Remember what you learned at the academy. Monsters that show no will of their own are considered the weakest—they move purely on instinct to obtain food. These look like that type. I think I can handle them.
(He pulls his sword from the inventory and moves to attack.)
(Inner thought.)Go for the limbs. Weak monsters don't have enough energy to regenerate. If I cut their arms, I reduce their attack range; if I cut their legs, I stop them from chasing me.
(He manages to strike them down one by one, dodging scratches by crouching or stepping back.)
Noru Takeda(Defeats the last zombie, visibly exhausted.)Phew… Finally. I think I've earned a good rest.(He smiles, relieved.)
(More noises echo from the forest, and additional zombies begin to appear.)
More of you? Fine. You'll end up just like the others.(He looks confident.)
(Some of the zombies begin to run and leap great distances toward him.)
Noru Takeda(Startled, thinking while fighting.)What the hell?! These ones are different. Their strength varies from one to another… that means they've already devoured other living beings.Still, it's not a problem—as long as none of them have consciousness, I should be able to handle them.
(He keeps fighting, but starts retreating more and more quickly.)
Noru Takeda(Panting.)(Inner thought.) There are too many. It's like every time I kill one, two more take its place. At this rate, I'll be completely exhausted.
(They manage to slash his arm and leave cuts on his face and leg.)
(He raises his voice, clearly worked up.)You think you're so tough? Come on! All of you against me at once—I've got enough for everyone!
(He begins swinging wildly at the zombies, his attacks growing more violent as he receives more wounds.)
Come on, who's next? I can do this all night!
(During one of his attacks, a zombie dodges. The sword strikes a rock—and shatters.)
Noru Takeda(Frozen in shock.)No… my… sword…(He snaps back to reality.)The monsters!
(He runs as fast as he can, without any clear direction, panic written all over his face.)
Run—run! Maybe I can lose them. Survival methods… think, think. Zigzag, zigzag!(He panics.)
(He reaches the edge of a mountain cliff. Below lies a lake.)
What luck. If I jump, there's no way they can follow me. They won't have any trail to track.
(He jumps without a second thought, resurfaces in the water, and swims toward the shore.)
Noru TakedaI made it. Now I just need to figure out where to stay so I don't get eaten.If I weren't so exhausted, I'd stay here all night—even if I had to fight whatever monsters showed up.(He looks drained.)
This isn't the time to dwell on it. I need to think clearly.Alright… what would Fakuro do in this situation?(He concentrates.)
(He imagines Fakuro perched atop a tree, building a nest and hooting like an owl.)
That doesn't help at all! Damn Fakuro and his bird complex.
(He turns and notices an oak tree with a hollow opening. He climbs up and peers inside.)
A hollow tree… perfect.(His face lights up with relief.)Let's see if I can fit… just a bit more—
(He squeezes himself inside. The tree is narrow, but he manages to get in.)
Noru TakedaThey won't be able to attack me here, and I just came out of the water. There's no way any of them can track me by scent.(His expression turns serious.)
(Sad.)Dad… little sister… if you could see me like this, I'm sure you'd be disappointed. I really thought I was ready for this. I'm sorry.
(He lowers his head and eventually falls asleep. The view shifts outside, showing zombies wandering through different parts of the forest.)
(Dawn breaks. Sunlight streams through the opening of the tree.)
Noru Takeda(Yawns and stretches.)Good morning… oh, right. I'm in the hunter exam.Well, if it's already morning, that means the monsters should be gone. The sun disintegrates them.I think it's safe to come out.
(He struggles out of the tree and looks around. The image slowly pulls back. From atop a nearby mountain, three figures can be seen: one sitting on a rock, another standing beside him, and Fakuro using binoculars, watching in Noru's direction.)
Fakuro (Owl)Wow… he actually survived the night. I didn't expect him to make it that far. After the first hour of searching for him, I had already assumed he was dead.
Focus (Crow)It was nothing but luck. He survived in an incredibly stupid way.
Fakuro (Owl)But he survived. In the end, how you do it doesn't matter—what matters is that you accomplish the objective.
Focus (Crow)(Calm demeanor.)And things like this are exactly why the organization is in decline. Many talented hunters died last night—hunters who worked hard to be here. Now they're either three meters underground or inside a monster's stomach, while someone mediocre like him is still alive.Don't you think that's unfair?
(A voice is heard from behind them. Raiden is shown sitting atop a large rock.)
Raiden (Barbas)Unfair? Perhaps you're right. The death of prodigious hunters is tragic—they didn't deserve that. They deserved to achieve greatness within this organization.But that's not how things turned out.
Focus, remember this: they chose that fate themselves. No one forced them to take the exam—just as the three of us once chose to do.It's not always about what one deserves. Talent isn't everything. Sometimes, cunning—and a bit of luck—make all the difference.
Today, he survived, and I commend that achievement. Don't judge him too soon.Just remember one important thing, Focus: luck is not eternal.If he dies tomorrow, all you'll gain is the satisfaction of having been right.But if he doesn't… then we may be talking about a hunter who one day will stand at your level—someone who got there with the help of a little luck.(He smiles kindly.)
(Fakuro can be seen laughing in the background.)
Focus (Crow)(Clearly embarrassed after the reprimand.)I'll keep that in mind, Superior Raiden.Fakuro, stop wasting time. Let's continue with the registration.
Fakuro (Owl)(Still laughing as he checks a list.)Alright, no need to get angry.Number 286 is still alive—good. Let's move on to Sector 4.
(Scene change. A palace-like room is shown, with a hunter standing by a window.)
Massaru (Scientist)Sir Kenai, here is the report on the hunters who survived the night.
Kenai OzawaVery well, Massaru. Did you notice anyone interesting during the exam?
MassaruThere are several with strong potential. This year, we were blessed with dozens of talents—among them, there is an MVP.
Kenai OzawaAn MVP… it's been a long time since I've heard of one of those.Keep an eye on them, along with the other hunters you deem useful.
MassaruI will do so, Sir Kenai.(He turns and heads toward the exit.)
Kenai OzawaMassaru—when they're ready, bring them before me. Only the best.I don't want you wasting my time with mere failures.
MassaruUnderstood. With your permission, I'll take my leave.
(The camera pans to Kenai's face.)
(Final panels: Noru is shown gazing at the landscape, his eyes steady and filled with resolve.)
End