Epsode4:“A Single Ray of Light Piercing the Battlefield”
Kei Himuro lay on the ground, staring helplessly at the ceiling.
Nearby, Soma Amagi had faced the Malefic Spirit head-on—but his resistance had been in vain.
He had lost the use of his right arm and several fingers on his left hand, and his consciousness was slowly drifting away, as if being carried toward the river between life and death.
All around them, civilians screamed.
Some gave up hope.
Some chose despair.
Others fled in panic, their eyes wide with fear.
In that overwhelming darkness, a single ray of light pierced the battlefield.
“Alright! Let’s go!”
“Yeah!!”
A woman wielding a sword and a large man carrying a metal bat suddenly appeared.
Soma, barely conscious, muttered weakly.
“…Who are they…?”
But Kei felt something he hadn’t felt in a long time—hope.
“Is that… reinforcement from the Kadan Unit…?”
The Malefic Spirit turned toward the newcomers and unleashed an attack.
A powerful wave of energy surged forward.
“Whoa! Something’s coming!”
The large man stepped forward and caught the attack with his metal bat.
“Home run!”
Lightning surged along the bat, and the force was knocked away.
“…He blocked that? That’s incredible…”
Soma whispered in disbelief.
Seeing Soma and Kei collapsed on the ground, the swordswoman rushed toward them.
(These injuries are bad… If I leave them like this, they won’t last. No time to hesitate.)
“Sorry! I’ll help them first!”
“Got it!”
Naturally, the Malefic Spirit tried to strike her down—but the man intercepted the attack.
“Not happening! Take this!”
His full swing collided with the spirit’s arm.
“…Ggh!”
The spirit’s expression twisted—it had taken damage, however slight.
Taking advantage of the opening, the woman reached Soma and Kei.
“Stay still.”
She picked up Soma’s right arm and the fingers of his left hand, pressing them carefully into place.
“Reverse Phase Stitching…!”
The misalignment corrected itself.
Bone and flesh reconnected as if being gently woven together.
(My arm… my fingers… they’re back…!?)
The woman staggered slightly, her breathing uneven.
“…Tch. This takes more out of me than it looks.
You’ve got a serious wound too. Reverse Phase Stitching!”
Kei’s injury closed under her technique.
“W-Who are you…?”
Soma asked.
She answered calmly.
“My name’s Toka Kamishiro. Just a humble beauty fighting with the Kadan Unit.”
With that, she turned back toward the Malefic Spirit.
Meanwhile, the large man continued fighting.
“Take this!”
His attacks crackled with lightning, each strike carrying immense force.
But his openings were wide, and he took a hit to the stomach.
“Ow! What was that for!?”
“Toka! I’m coming!”
Soma watched in awe.
“So his name is… Shikanosuke… What strength…”
“Die already!”
Toka drove her blade into the spirit’s body—but it wouldn’t come free.
“It’s stuck!”
The spirit’s muscles tightened, refusing to release the blade, and another energy surge began to form.
(This distance… bad timing!)
Before it could fire, Shikanosuke leapt in.
“No chance! Say goodbye to that arm!”
His swing shattered the spirit’s limb, freeing Toka.
“Got it loose! Nice one!”
Her follow-up slash sent the spirit staggering backward.
“So close… It almost avoided it. That thing’s skilled.”
“But together, we’ve got this!”
“Yeah! Let’s show them our raw power!”
They charged once more.
At that moment, Soma noticed something on the ground.
(That is…?)
Emergency food supplies were scattered everywhere—bags torn open, white powder spilled across the floor.
Potato starch.
He grabbed it and ran behind the spirit.
“Hey! Over here!”
The spirit turned toward him.
Soma threw the powder with all his strength.
White dust filled the air, causing the spirit to reflexively shut its eyes.
That was enough.
“Thunder Flash Strike!”
A bolt of lightning shot forward, stunning the spirit.
“Nice one! That weird kid and Shikanosuke saved us!”
Toka raised her sword.
Her blade cut deep.
The spirit cried out—but it was already over.
“…It’s finished.”
The Malefic Spirit faded away.
“We did it!”
“Victory! Barbecue tonight!”
“Not the time!”
Soma stepped forward.
“Thank you… for saving us.”
“No problem! Your idea made the difference!”
“Yeah!”
“My name is Soma Amagi. I want to help however I can.”
“I’m Toka Kamishiro.”
“And I’m Monba Shikanosuke! Proud elementary graduate!”
“…Wait, elementary—!?”
“Stop bragging about that!”
“But it sounds cool!”
“…Nice to meet you.”
(What kind of people did I just meet…)
Kei watched silently.
“You’re the reinforcements… At least you’re not useless.”
Toka frowned.
“Oh? Want me to undo the healing?”
“Don’t!”
“…Just kidding.”
Kei turned away.
“I’ll handle cleanup and treatment. Do what you want.”
After he left—
“That guy’s annoying!”
Soma hesitated.
“I don’t think he’s a bad person…
I think he’s just hurting.”
Toka considered this.
“You hear that from his voice?”
“Yes. Emotions make sounds—even when unspoken.”
“…You’re interesting, kid.”
Then Shikanosuke laughed.
“That’s too deep! Anyone got soda!?”
“There’s no way!”
Soma finally asked.
“What is the Kadan Unit? What are Malefic Spirits?
Why can you do things like this?”
Toka smiled.
“Guess it’s lesson time.”
And so, their training began.
