"Fire tests gold. Misery tests men."
— Seneca
The heat in the coliseum was suffocating. It pressed down like a furnace, heavy and unrelenting. Two beasts stared each other down—each studying the other like predators circling a kill. But Tetsu had a problem: he was exhausted. Bone-deep exhaustion radiated from his metal limbs, and the flaming creature before him could sense it. Yet neither backed down.
The first to strike would gain the advantage.
Tetsu lunged first.
A clawed slash straight to the enemy's face. But Alexander blocked it easily.
He didn't retaliate like a wild animal. No—he countered with a precise, brutal punch right to Tetsu's gut.
The force sent him skidding backwards. Part of the metal on his chest was scorched and bubbling.
"I can't afford to take many hits... or touch him, really. But something's weird. This guy—he's nothing like the other beasts. He's fighting upright. Calculated. Human almost."
Tetsu didn't hesitate. He activated the blade on his left arm and went in for another strike.
Alexander didn't even flinch.
The blade sank in. Tetsu felt it connect—and then stop.
He looked down, stunned. Alexander had caught the blade—with his bare hand.
The heat was unbearable. His blade, made of his own bone and metal, began to melt in the creature's grip. Black blood dripped from the wound.
Then Alexander slammed a fist into Tetsu's face.
Tetsu went flying, crashing into one of the steel doors lining the arena.
"I think that's enough, don't you?" Maru asked, uneasy.
Johann said nothing, eyes glued to the battle below. He was enthralled. This was a symphony of steel, blood, and fire.
Tetsu scrambled to his feet, brain racing.
"Johann said: aim for the core. If this guy's a Fallen, he must have one. But where?"
He ran, dodging, scanning the enemy's body. The creature wasn't attacking mindlessly. It was calm. Measured. Intimidating in its restraint.
Then he saw it—a faint red glow spinning in Alexander's right palm.
"There! That has to be it!"
Tetsu leapt high, grabbing the edge of the ceiling and using it to launch himself with full force.
CRASH.
He shattered part of the armored dome, letting daylight pour in.
The light caught Alexander's eye for just a second—a perfect opening.
"NOW OR NEVER!!" Tetsu shouted.
He dove down, slamming a powerful kick into the beast, knocking it flat and exposing its right hand—and the core inside.
Tetsu tore a chunk of his own metal arm off, ready to drive it through the core—
But Alexander wasn't done.
Chains shot out of his forearms—glowing, molten-red chains, like they'd been forged inside a volcano.
They wrapped around Tetsu's chest and legs, dragging him down, searing into his skin. His body hissed and bled black.
"BOSS! I'M SERIOUS! THIS KID'S DONE FOR! CALL OFF CAPTAIN TROOPER!!" Maru shouted.
"NO! HE'S NOT DONE YET! GIVE HIM TIME! HE CAN GO FURTHER—I KNOW HE CAN!" Johann bellowed, eyes blazing.
Then—a crack echoed.
Tetsu had broken the chains.
Steam roared from the turbines on his back.
For the first time, he screamed—not in pain, but in rage.
He was ready for Round 2.
Trooper raised a hand, beckoning him to come.
Johann smiled, wide and unhinged. Maru just stared, stunned.
And then—
Tetsu collapsed.
"Well... looks like he hit his limit," Johann muttered. "Still, I learned a lot from that fight. His power… it's unique."
Maru: "You nearly KILLED him, you maniac!!"
** **
Tetsu: "Where... am I? Did I... die?!"
Maru: "Luckily, no. Though you look more friendly in human form, kid."
Tetsu: "Who are you?! Where the hell is this?!"
Maru stood up from his chair, lit a cigarette, and pointed dramatically to a sign behind him.
Tokyo Paranormal Extermination Committee Hospital.
Then, straight-faced and proud:
"I'm Captain Maruyama Yuuji of Squad 7! And you, my friend, are now under my command."
Tetsu blinked. He was in Tokyo? The last time he saw real sunlight was back in Sendai.
His head throbbed. Maru noticed.
"Here. Probably low on energy after turning from Wanderer to human. Eat this."
He tossed him a chocolate bar.
Tetsu, still dazed, sat up. He looked at his chest.
Still there.
The core. Spinning.
"So it wasn't a dream..."
"You're a rare case," Maru said. "Never seen a Wanderer with a core like yours."
"I still have so many questions."
"Yeah, yeah. Later. Maybe. Anyway, you're a Wanderer now. Just like that flaming guy you fought. But your core's not the only weird thing."
"...What else changed?"
Maru handed him a mirror.
Tetsu stared at his reflection.
Ash-white hair. Razor-sharp teeth. His old self was gone.
"This has to be a joke."
"Nope. Now get dressed. You work for us now. Time to meet your new home."
Maru handed him a fresh uniform: A dark green vest with a T.P.E.C. patch, a crimson tie, a yellow shirt, and matching slacks.
"Get dressed. I'll be outside. Don't take forever."
He left.
Tetsu sat in silence, listening to the nurses and machines around him.
He looked at his chest again.
"How the hell did I end up like this? What do you think, Buff...? I miss you, man."
He changed clothes and stepped outside.
Maru was already waiting, sipping whiskey from a metal flask.
"Huh you took your time."
"Didn't know where the exit was. Also… what were you drinking?"
Maru quickly hid the flask. "Never mind that. Let's go."
As they walked through the streets of Tokyo, Tetsu was wide-eyed. He'd never seen so many people, lights, or buildings.
Eventually, they reached a run-down apartment building. The security guard was asleep. They walked past.
Maru led him to room 187. Opened the door.
Total chaos.
Crayon drawings on the walls. A TV stabbed with a chainsaw. Floor: disaster.
Only the kitchen looked intact—lined with sake, whiskey bottles, and overflowing ashtrays.
"Charming," Tetsu muttered.
Maru: "Nah, it's hell. Word of advice: if a lunatic tries to split you in half, use the TV as a shield."
Tetsu blinked. Even for him, that was ridiculous.
They walked down a hallway with four doors:
One scribbled with crayons and what looked like ketchup—or blood.
One labeled "Maru."
One hanging off its hinges.
And the last? Perfectly clean.
Maru handed him a key.
"Your room. Don't lose it."
Inside: a futon, purple curtains, a leaky ceiling. Barely livable.
"Put your stuff here—if you have any. Get comfy. We're heading out."
"Out? Are we hunting a Fallen or something?"
** **
Tetsu: "... When you said we're heading out', I didn't imagine this"
They stood in front of a small, cozy cafe named Cherry's.
Inside, a painfully awkward conversation was about to begin.