Renji Arata is a first-year at Tsukimori High. He’s not a weirdo. Not a creep. Not some outcast who talks to himself or never talks to anyone. But still—he’s different.
Where most students dream of joining the agencies that hunt nonhumans, they treat it like a fantasy. Something to daydream about. Renji doesn’t. To him, it’s not just a childhood fantasy. It’s a goal.
Right now, he’s in class—doodling in his notebook as the teacher drones on about some math lesson.
He’s not listening.
In his mind, he’s fighting alongside the agents who’d just been deployed to Japan.
School eventually let out.
Renji walked home the same way he always did—through the narrow alleys behind past rusted trash cans and other junk. It wasn’t the safest route—everyone knew that—but it was the fastest. And besides, he’d never been the type to scare easy.
Still, something in the air felt heavier than usual.
A whisper of unease crept along the back of his neck. He remembered the morning news— A yokai sighting near the Shinjuku district. That wasn’t far.
But instead of worry, he was filled with excitement. “If it shows up… I’ll handle it,” he said to himself with a grin. “Then I’ll prove I’ve got what it takes to join Hellsing.”
He stepped into the alley—and was hit with a stench that made his stomach churn.
The stench of rotting meat and decaying flesh violated his nose. He hunched over, gagging, covering his face with his sleeve.
Then he looked up—and saw it.
A twisted creature, pale white with black shadow-like tendrils coiling from its hands, stood motionless over a pinned man. Its limbs were long and unnatural, joints bending in ways they shouldn’t. Its eyes were glowing red.
It twitched suddenly—its head jerking toward Renji.
The man screamed, then the creature loosened its grip.
“Sorry, kid—you’re on your own!” the man shouted, scrambling to his feet and bolting out of the alley.
submitted by /u/h4unted_d4ydre4mz
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