The sun had barely begun to rise when the team arrived at the edge of Deadwood Valley. Mist clung low to the ground, curling around the twisted trees like ghostly serpents. Crows scattered as boots crunched on dried leaves.
Ash stood at the front of the group, calm and alert. Rei was beside him, arms tucked into his black coat, chewing on a toothpick like he didn't care.
Kaien's voice echoed in their memory:
"This group calls themselves the Black Dust. Ex-mercenaries turned smugglers. Kidnappers. Low-lives. You'll find their hideout in the western ridge. Eliminate them. Show them what a real hunter looks like."
Ash's eyes scanned the treeline. "Koharu, Misaki—circle around. Cut off any escape routes."
Misaki nodded sharply. "Understood."
Koharu smiled faintly. "Try not to end it before we join you."
Rei scoffed. "Can't promise that."
The team split without hesitation, moving like clockwork. Every motion was fluid. Every step calculated. These weren't amateurs anymore.
Inside the Hideout – Black Dust Camp
The Black Dust gang lounged in their crude wooden camp, unaware of what approached. Fires crackled in rusted barrels. Men laughed, bragging about their last robbery, sipping cheap sake.
"Boss said we're untouchable in this valley," one thug grunted. "Even the scouts we caught didn't last long."
Another yawned. "Ain't no heroes dumb enough to come here."
A shadow moved.
Then another.
Before they could blink, a gust of wind ripped through the camp—and Ash dropped from above like a thunderbolt.
CRACK!
His fist collided with the ground, sending a shockwave that threw five men off their feet. Ash stood, coat fluttering in the wind, eyes sharp as steel.
"Wrong," he said. "We came."
One thug lunged at him with a sword. Ash side-stepped, grabbed the man's wrist, and crushed it effortlessly.
CRUNCH!
The thug screamed. Ash didn't flinch. "You preyed on the weak. Now face someone strong."
Another wave of attackers rushed in.
Ash didn't draw a weapon. He didn't need to.
He spun, elbowed one in the jaw, kicked another into a tree. Every move was precise. Devastating. Two more collapsed from a single palm strike that shattered ribs.
Opposite Side – Rei's Approach
Meanwhile, Rei strolled through the forest toward the camp's edge like it was a casual walk.
Two guards spotted him.
"Hey! Who the hell are you—"
THUMP. THUMP.
They collapsed before finishing the sentence, unconscious from two flicks of Rei's finger. He stepped over their bodies without pause.
"Too easy," he muttered.
A group of five criminals came charging from the camp, yelling, weapons drawn.
Rei sighed. "Tch. This is boring."
In a flash, he appeared in front of the first one and punched him into a tree—the trunk cracked.
Another swung a bat. Rei caught it mid-air and broke it over his knee, then used the shattered piece to knock the man out.
The rest hesitated. "What is he…?!"
Rei grinned coldly, then vanished.
One by one, they dropped.
Moments Later – Reunion at the Camp Center
When Koharu and Misaki finally reached the camp, the entire group of criminals was on the ground—groaning, unconscious, or tied up.
Ash dusted off his hands. Rei leaned against a tree, yawning.
"You two done sightseeing?" Rei asked.
Misaki raised an eyebrow. "You finished the mission… without us?"
Ash shrugged. "They weren't worth a team effort."
Koharu sighed with a smile. "You really are different now."
Ash nodded. "First mission complete. No casualties. No mercy."
Misaki stepped forward, her expression proud. "Kaien will be impressed."
Rei scoffed, though a small smirk crept up. "He'd better be. These clowns didn't even make me sweat."
Later – Hero Guild Report Hall
Kaien stared down at the completed report on his desk.
"All captured. No deaths. Camp destroyed. Team unharmed."
He looked up at Ash and Rei, standing before him like seasoned warriors.
Kaien smirked. "Not bad… for your first hunt."
Ash replied calmly, "They weren't a challenge."
Rei cracked his neck. "Send something stronger next time."
Kaien's eyes gleamed. "Oh, don't worry. This was just the warm-up."
The sun dipped behind the mountains, casting golden hues across the Hero Guild courtyard. After the success of their first mission, the mood in the guild was lighter—almost celebratory. Laughter echoed, weapons were polished, and for the first time in a long time, everything felt… normal.
Rei leaned against the balcony railing outside the training hall, arms crossed, eyes staring at nothing. The wind played with his dark hair. He didn't smile, but he wasn't frowning either—just… thinking.
Footsteps approached.
"Hey," Misaki said softly, standing beside him.
He glanced her way, not moving. "Yo."
They stood in silence for a moment. She fiddled with the hem of her sleeves, gathering courage.
"You did well today," she said.
Rei scoffed lightly. "They were nothing. I didn't even need to try."
Misaki chuckled. "Still. You're not the same Rei I knew. You're… more controlled now."
He didn't reply, but his gaze shifted to her briefly—just for a second.
Then, with a small inhale, she turned to him. "Rei. I've been thinking…"
His brows raised slightly. "That's dangerous."
She punched him softly on the arm. "I'm serious."
He blinked.
"I was wondering…" she hesitated, cheeks slightly pink, "would you want to… maybe… go out sometime?"
Rei froze.
Misaki avoided his eyes, suddenly flustered. "I-I mean, not as some romantic thing if you don't want it. Just… a break. A walk. Maybe food. Something… normal."
"…You're asking me on a date," he said bluntly.
She looked away. "You make it sound weird."
Rei stared at her a moment longer. Then his voice dropped, low and unsure:
"…Why?"
Misaki looked up. "Because you matter to me. You always have. And for once… I want to see you smile."
Silence.
Rei's heart beat a little faster. He looked away, hiding the slight flush in his ears.
"…Fine," he muttered. "One hour. No weird stuff."
Misaki beamed. "Deal."
She started to walk away, but paused and looked back with a grin. "And Rei?"
"What now?"
"You already smiled."
Rei stared at her retreating figure, unaware that his lips had curved—just a little.
The next evening, the city was quiet under the soft glow of lamplights. The streets buzzed with faint laughter, the scent of street food lingering in the air. Rei stood by a vending machine near the train station, hands in his coat pockets, dressed casually in a dark jacket and jeans. He looked… normal. Not like the cold prodigy who wiped out criminals with a single strike.
But he wasn't alone for long.
Misaki arrived in a light blue dress and a thin sweater. She wasn't flashy—just simple, and yet she lit up the scene as if she belonged under a spotlight. She stopped in front of him, a little breathless. "Did I keep you waiting?"
Rei shook his head. "No. I just got here."
She raised an eyebrow. "Liar. You're early. As always."
He didn't respond.
"Where are we going?" she asked, trying not to sound too excited.
"…You planned this. Shouldn't you know?"
Misaki blinked. Then laughed. "You're hopeless."
The Ramen Shop
They ended up in a small ramen shop tucked into a quiet alley. The place was run-down but clean, with a warm atmosphere. Rei sat by the window, arms crossed as he glanced at the menu.
"Do you like spicy?" Misaki asked.
"I don't hate it."
She ordered for them both.
While waiting, silence settled. Rei stared outside, eyes scanning the world like he was still on a mission.
"You know," Misaki said suddenly, stirring her water, "you don't always have to act like you're carrying the world."
Rei didn't look at her. "I'm not acting."
"But you're allowed to be more than a weapon."
The air tightened for a moment.
"…You think I'm a weapon?"
"No," she said softly. "But I think you do."
Rei said nothing.
Then the ramen came. Misaki smiled, trying to lighten the mood. "Let's eat before it gets cold."
They both dug in. To Misaki's surprise, Rei ate quickly—but neatly. His eyes widened slightly. "This is… good."
She smirked. "Of course. I chose it."
On the Bridge
They walked along a quiet bridge after dinner. The night breeze was cool, and the stars barely visible. Misaki walked beside Rei, a little closer now.
"…I had fun," she said.
"Hm."
"I mean it. It felt nice. Normal."
Rei looked up at the night sky. "You like normal?"
"I like this. Even if it only lasts for a moment."
He turned to her slowly.
"…Do you still like me?" he asked, voice low.
Misaki blinked. "What?"
"I was a different person when we were kids. You said I matter to you. Do you still like… me?"
She took a deep breath. "I do. Even now. Even if you're broken, Rei… I still see the part of you that protects people without asking for anything."
Rei looked away, jaw tight. "…Don't say stuff like that."
"Why?"
"Because it makes me want to believe you."
She smiled gently. "Then believe me."
Rei didn't answer, but when Misaki slipped her fingers into his hand—he didn't pull away.
And for the first time in years… the world felt a little warmer.