It is a small room.
Gray.
Nothing else.
The girl with long hair stands in the corner, her brother next to her. He has the expression of a lunatic, eyes constantly wide.
Several strands of his hair fall as he scratches his head.
In the center, the tall, bulky man. Even in his eighties, his hair hasn't grayed a bit.
Hinozu stands at the entrance, before the door closes behind him, disappearing behind a sliding wall.
[Are you lost?]
The brother appears in front, making Hinozu flinch.
[No... This is where they said... I should go.]
[Hinozu, right? Your name Hinozu?]
[...Yes.]
[I Ayato nice too meet you do our best in the Assessment.]
He extends a hand. Hinozu takes it reluctantly.
He speaks way too fast.
[Don't worry about him.]
The sister.
Her eyes are a deep black, with no single light reflecting on them.
They contrast with her pale, almost white skin.
[Surprisingly, someone like you has passed the test.]
[Someone said the same thing to me. Why...?]
[You seem weak. Not only your body, but also your mind. Though I'm glad that isn't the case, for now.]
Hinozu lowers his gaze.
[I used to be like him, too.]
A deep voice responds.
[It is normal for boys that age, Shiratori Hitomi.]
[How do you know my name?]
[The screen. I may be old, but I'm far better than any of you here.]
Ayato laughs.
It doesn't match his face at all.
[You know nothing about me and sister so you're a fool please go home old man.]
[You speak too fast for me, little puppy. These old ears can't catch it all.]
[Room S-1.]
Everyone in the room focuses on the announcement.
[The third part of the Assessment consists of your physical capabilities.]
[From now on, we will score you with numbers, strictly by your performance. The test will take place in 3 hours, and will have a duration of 5 hours.]
[Your tasks will be announced by the end of the wait time.]
An: [3 hours. It is nothing for someone who has lived 87 years.]
Hitomi: [Aren't you afraid you'll die of age by the time it starts?]
The old man laughs, clapping. Tears fall from his eyes.
It unsettles Hinozu.
[I won't die that easily.]
Ayato: [Shut the fuck—]
[Language, Ayato.]
The brother snaps his mouth shut.
Hinozu takes a step back, unconsciously.
Hitomi: [Don't be afraid. We're just having a conversation.]
He stays in place.
[I... See.]
Hitomi smiles, eyes wrinkling at the edges.
Hitomi: [You could be my younger brother. How's that?]
An: [He doesn't want to be the brother of a ghost.]
Hitomi: [You'll be one soon, old man.]
A loud thud is heard across the right wall.
Ayato stamps his ear against it, listening attentively.
An: [There's no way you can hear it.]
Ayato: [I can't.]
[But I can feel them.]
[He says, "Don't get too cocky, bastard."]
[Language, Ayato.]
[I'm just repeating. The other says, "You're really interesting."]
["Just because you're from one of the Families, doesn't make you better."]
[Oh... That's it.]
[I can hear some bones snapping.]
An: [Really unfortunate.]
Ayato moves as if detaching from the wall, appearing once again next to Hinozu.
[I want to do it too.]
Hinozu freezes, heart racing. Ayato's presence sends shivers down his spine.
Hitomi: [Don't you dare do anything to my little brother, Ayato.]
Ayato: [I'm your little brother too.]
Hitomi: [I love him more.]
[Then can I snap bones from old man?]
[Forbidden.]
He falls to the cold ground, curling around himself as he sleeps.
An: [It's like seeing an insect in human form.]
Hitomi: [There are already things like that in the world.]
An: [Right. This one's more disgusting.]
Hitomi scoffs.
[Agreed.]
Hinozu lets out a deep breath, stepping away from the sleeping boy.
A hand tangles around his hair.
His eyes snap sideways.
Hitomi stands next to him, at least two heads taller. She smiles tenderly at him.
[Still afraid. You are more of an insect than Ayato.]
Hinozu's vision shakes.
He slaps her hand away.
The girl steps away, surprised.
[I don't like that expression you have, little brother.]
The old man rubs his chin.
[I don't remember being like this, when younger.]
[It reminds me of a dying squirrel.]
[A pitiful sight.]
Hinozu: [I don't care.]
[Just... Leave me be.]
Hitomi: [How cute.]
An: [Very well, little squirrel. We will leave you alone.]
Sighing in relief, Hinozu presses his back against the wall, sinking.
Finally, he had a moment to calm down.
His nose is numb from the lack of smell.
His eyes aren't able to trace the lines of the room anymore, merging into a gray, unending space.
The ground is cold to his touch.
And his ears still stay engaged in frustrating conversations.
A beep.
[The waiting time has passed. Two doors will be presented to you. Choose accordingly.]
Two doors appear through the sliding walls.
One in front, the other at the back.
An: [Hm... Interesting. So we are given the choice to leave.]
Hitomi: [Do they think we're stupid?]
Ayato wakes up, standing up slowly.
His crazed expression is nowhere to be seen.
Ayato: [Is it time already?]
Hitomi: [It is.]
An: [Really unexpected. Where's that ugly face of yours?]
Ayato: [Well, we're all a bit ugly when we haven't rested properly.]
Hinozu ignores the conversation, his mind focused on one single thing.
Stepping forward, he grabs the door's handle.
An: [Brave one.]
Hitomi: [That's my little brother.]
It clicks.
A room that seems to stretch for infinity.
It is well decorated with stone pillars, hanging lamps, and huge golden statues of warriors in armor and different weapons.
The floor is always in motion.
Sliding sideways, sinking, rising, twisting through. It narrows and widens, turns into several shapes.
If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
[For the third part, you are tasked with reaching the end of the room in a time limit of 5 hours. Stopping is allowed for 2 minutes at a time.]
Ayato: [I'm going to start first. Is that okay, Sister?]
Hitomi: [Fine by me.]
Nodding, he shoves Hinozu aside.
Ayato stretches for a short while.
He shoots forward like a bullet, zipping through the course with unsightly speed.
He maneuvers through the changing course, moving with precision and laser focus.
Soon, he can't be seen anymore, vanishing into the farthest end of the room.
Hitomi: [Try to keep up, Hinozu. It won't turn out so well if you fail.]
Hinozu's mind spins as he sees countless copies of Hitomi stretch through.
After a single blink, she disappears.
An: [What monsters they are. So this is their strength, then. True prodigies.]
[Prepare yourself, little squirrel. 5 hours is barely enough for you.]
The old man runs forward, jumping around with agility impossible for his age.
He seems to be struggling, but he manages to run through.
Hinozu is left alone.
His eyes scan the changing ground, trying to find a pattern.
None.
What can I do?
...
Maybe... This is where I-
A sharp pain reels him back from his thoughts.
Nail marks bleed on his forearm.
His own.
He steps forward.
And stays there.
It feels too far away.
Another step forward.
That same unknown feeling grips his heart again.
He speeds up, running and stumbling pathetically as he tries to advance.
It feels like drowning in solid ground.
Unable to think.
To react.
With each step, he stumbles.
And with each breath, he gets up again.
He jumps around, runs sideways, and ducks under.
He grabs onto the statues and pushes off the pillars.
Again. There was no timer.
No giant clock counting the seconds.
Nothing to ground him.
Not even the ground itself.
Hinozu scoffs at the irony, breathing raggedly as he continues the course.
He strains to breathe, wobbling with each step.
His head feels too light, as if his neck could just detach with a sudden enough movement.
He slips.
His head hits the ground hard, and he feels his consciousness wavering.
Falling again, he realizes.
His kidneys were screaming in pain, legs pulsing with effort.
Blood stained his pants. Around the groin.
Something rises on his throat.
His eyes water, vision blurring.
Then, it darkens.
Further and further, his whole body numbs.
All he sees is a splatter of red liquid before he gives in.
Losing consciousness.
——
[15 minutes remaining.]
An sits on firm ground, napping peacefully.
Ayato paces around impatiently.
[Where is he?]
[He'll fail.]
Hitomi's gaze searches far into the room.
[No way! I had high hopes for him!]
[Me too, Ayato. But since the start, I knew he wouldn't be able to. He's weaker than the average human. It's as if an ant tried crossing a river.]
She sighs.
[Pick him up.]
[What?]
Ayato raises a brow.
[You heard me. If he's injured... Then we'll see what this old man can do.]
[... Alright.]
[Hurry. There's not much left.]
Nodding, Ayato jumps sideways before running through the course again. This time, faster, as his limbs bend and twist in strange ways to provide the best, most precise movement.
His eyes spot Hinozu on the ground.
Stopping, he stares at him before picking him up.
With the same speed, he returns, laying him down gently.
Ayato: [Not injured, but isn't looking good either.]
Hitomi scrutinizes Hinozu before walking over to An.
[We need your help.]
She says, kicking the old man in the face when he doesn't wake up.
The old man flutters his eyes open, standing up.
An: [What's the issue?]
His gaze falls on Hinozu.
An: [Ah... So the little squirrel was dying.]
Hitomi: [Do something about it.]
An sighs, walking over to the boy.
An: [I can do something, but it's better to find out first, little ghost. What would you do if I couldn't?]
Hitomi: [Drag you around until you burst out, for example.]
The old man chuckles wholeheartedly.
Pressing a palm on Hinozu's face, he focuses intently.
Hinozu's body vibrates, almost shaking.
In a few seconds, he regains consciousness.
Ayato: [You're really skilled, old man.]
An: [I am, indeed. Old age comes with its benefits, after all.]
Hinozu flutters his eyes open, sitting up as he rubs his forehead.
[What... Where...?]
He mumbles.
Hitomi: [You're fine, little brother. You just collapsed at the start, so Ayato retrieved you. An has healed you, so you should be alright.]
Hinozu processes the situation.
So it was...
At the start.
Frustration grows within him.
Tears threaten to spill out, though he quickly blinks them away.
It was awful.
[The third part has concluded. All 4 members have passed on to the next. Please step back for the door to be opened.]
Hitomi: [Waiting has been a hassle.]
An: [It took me 3 hours, don't be so dismissive about it.]
Ayato: [We don't care.]
Gigantic double doors, made entirely out of dark stone and gold, open wide.
A plaza can be seen ahead, inside the enormous enclosure around the city.
Only the lampposts illuminate the area, tall buildings masked by the long shadows of others.
The Sun is setting.
Hitomi takes the first step, walking towards the square. Her brother follows after.
An takes a few steps before turning around.
[Keep up, little squirrel. You've come this far, you can't back down yet. Can you?]
Hinozu stays on the ground. With a slow, hesitant nod, he stands again.
An raises a fist.
Hinozu walks past him.
An: [Teenagers these days... Beautiful, youthful energy.]
All four wait on the plaza. The giant door closes, blending perfectly with the city.
4 more people appear.
From room V-1.
Alcide waves at them, grinning ear to ear.
Michel approaches, mumbling prayers under his breath. The scar on his eyes seems to have widened a bit, though the impression disappears as Hinozu blinks.
Lorei walks with Ayumu, combing his hair delicately.
Ayumu has passed.
Both seem to have bruises all over, though their conversation carries out calmly.
Ayumu runs to Hinozu upon spotting him.
[Y-you survived! Hinozu... We've made it...!]
[... Ah... Yeah. We have.]
[Perfect. Now... We just have to wait for Kanna. And Anise.]
He closes his eyes for a moment, fully relaxing after the test.
[So, what was your task?]
Hinozu narrows his eyes.
[It's nothing.]
Ayumu: [Come on, I'm curious.]
He nudges.
[I don't want to talk about it.]
[Oh. It's okay, then. You don't have to tell me.]
[... Right.]
He pauses, shivering slightly at the cold. The city around seems too monotonous.
Too silent.
[What was yours?]
Ayumu's expression turns serious.
[I... Had to go up this... Hole... It never seemed to end. Had to jump around until I felt my legs were going to fall off. Fortunately, it was narrow enough so that I could rest for a while. Though my abdomen aches like crazy now.]
[I see. Must've been rough.]
[It was. But anything to be an Exterminator.]
A comfortable silence falls between the two. A soft breeze blows, making them shiver.
Steps echo from afar.
Hinozu stares expectantly, waiting.
Ayumu: [Can it be...?]
[They are.]
Kanna. Her gaze is lowered, dust clinging to her hair.
Anise follows after, in the same state.
Otherwise, they seem to be untouched.
Ayumu smiles as they approach.
Ayumu: [I'm so excited right now. We've all passed... I can't believe it.]
Kanna: [Yeah. It feels like we've been here for... I don't know. Too long.]
Anise: [I swear, they could've given us uniforms or something. I nearly died back there in my outfit.]
She says with a soft smile.
Ayumu: [What did you have to do?]
Kanna gazes sideways.
[We found ourselves in a full-on sandstorm. It was... Something. There was so much sand flying around that it cut my skin with each step I took. Moreover, walking was nearly impossible. It was hell.]
She sighs, rubbing her temples.
They spot Hinozu stepping away.
Ayumu: [Where are you going?]
Hinozu turns around.
[With my group.]
Kanna exchanges a confused glance with Ayumu.
Ignoring it, Hinozu approaches the three.
An nods at him, while the siblings smile.
Hitomi: [Can't live without your sister?]
Hinozu's gaze stays fixed on the group.
[I don't know what's after.]
[I'll have a better chance with you.]
An only chance.
An: [Little squirrel is turning into a little beaver. I like that.]
Ayato: [You can trust me.]
Nodding, Hinozu glances back.
Ayumu, Kanna.
They smile at him, waving.
He waves at them, too.
I'm sorry.
I'm not...
Shaking his head, he waits patiently with his group.
[Congratulations. All 10 of you have passed the third part.]
[The fourth and final one remains. It consists of the very thing that makes you Exterminators.]
[Hunting Isothes.]
[There are exactly 27 1st Circle Isothes scattered around the city. In order to pass, you may successfully exterminate 3 Isothes yourselves. There is no time limit. It will end when all Isothes are exterminated.]
[Collective kills will be assigned to the last one to strike.]
[No other rules apply.]
Ayumu clenches his fist, his eyes expectant.
Cheers and prayers can be heard.
An: [At last, my efforts will be paid off.]
Hitomi: [3 isn't enough for me. I'll kill anything I can find.]
Ayato: [Me too.]
Hinozu's heart races.
[You may scatter, applicants.]
An: [Best of luck, little beaver.]
Hitomi: [I'll reward you if you pass, little brother.]
Ayato: [And me?]
Hitomi: [We'll see.]
With that, everyone runs off in random directions, searching for their prey.
Nervousness shackles Hinozu.
The Shiratori siblings disappear in less than a second.
Alcide seems to phase through the buildings.
Michel stays in place.
Hesitation shackles him.
Though he still runs.
Through narrow alleyways, gaze attentive to any and every movement.
Thanks to the old man, he doesn't feel tired at all.
Jumping onto some stairs, he climbs onto a rooftop.
[Shiratori Hitomi, passed.]
25 left.
The announcement only serves to brew anxiety within him. Jerking his head towards random directions, he starts jumping from roof to roof, desperate to find something.
[Michel Garamond, passed.]
22 left.
His head spins. He turns. And turns. And turns again.
Nothing.
To the left.
Nothing.
Nothing.
[Nothing!]
He shouts out loud, running hysterically through the city streets. A flash of colors blinds him from afar, forcing him to adjust to the dark lighting again.
Movement.
To the right.
A pile of garbage.
Raising his hands, he begins ripping the shoppers apart, throwing the litter to the side.
[Alcide Ottaviano, passed.]
[Shit!]
He clenches his jaw, his whole body reeking with frustration.
Movement.
There.
A shadow passes by his right.
Running towards it, he catches its attention.
A thin, humanoid skeleton, with patches of flesh growing, as if everything else had fallen off.
His low growls vibrate inside Hinozu's body.
The demon lunges towards him.
Taking a stance, he quickly delivers a kick to the Isothe's skull.
It convulses before grabbing onto his leg.
Hinozu panics.
He drives his elbows upwards, sinking them repeatedly into its head.
It hurts. Every hit scrapes his skin.
Snap.
Snap.
Snap.
Crack.
The Isothe stays still, face cracked.
Hinozu gazes at his elbow.
The bone can be seen.
Horror passes through his features.
It hurt-
[Ko An, passed.]
...
16.
Slamming his fists on the ground, he stands up, resuming his running once again.
His breaths strain.
His hands turn numb from the cold.
[Fuck... Fuck, fuck!]
He hadn't seen.
He hadn't realized.
Cold, white particles fell from the sky.
Covering the city with color.
At least, red sticks out in it.
It'll be easier.
With newfound hope, he searches even more eagerly, looking at every single corner.
Shadows seem to dance around, lights dimmed.
[Anise Angell, passed.]
13.
From afar, he spots Hitomi. She seems to be playing with something.
Running towards her, he stops at the horrendous sight.
It was still alive.
His teeth rattle.
Hitomi: [Do you need help, little brother?]
He hesitates.
No choice.
[Can you...?]
[Shiratori Ayato, passed.]
[... Let me kill it. There's just 10 left.]
Hitomi tosses its heart at him.
It's still beating.
Hinozu's hands tremble.
No choice.
He crushes it.
Hitomi smiles.
[You'll pass, right?]
A sharp breath.
[I will.]
Hitomi: [Search around, then.]
He ran off again, slithering through the streets, jumping through rooftops, even as his breath hitched.
From afar, he sees a white spot moving, concealed by the falling snow.
He runs towards it.
Rolling on the ground as he falls, he takes some time to adjust to the lack of light.
[Hinozu! You're having a hard time too...?]
[They don't seem to be anywhere at all.]
Ayumu kicks a pebble on the ground, clicking his tongue.
[Wait, we can do something. There's still plenty left, so you search in the opposite direction from me. Maybe we can find some.]
[How many you got left?]
[Just one.]
[Same. Let's do it.]
The snowfall intensifies, making the tips of Hinozu's fingers turn a slight blue.
With a quick high-five, they hunt again. Ayumu runs off in a direction, his vision uncomfortably wide.
[Kanna Alabaster, passed.]
[Well done.]
Breathing raggedly, he decides to rest for a while. A mild headache sets due to the stress.
After resting, his steps intensify, running as fast as he can while searching in every direction.
Left. Right. In front.
Hope starts to give out.
He slows down.
Looking...
Movement.
Just ahead, an Isothe paces around.
It resembles a grotesque spider, its legs akin to human arms, its body a giant, deformed head with eyes all over.
Finally.
He runs to the creature, preparing himself for what's to come.
Let's do-
A hand grips his face, shoving him back with force.
[Move.]
A voice, dripping with hostility.
Sharp eyes stare at him, threatening to eat him whole.
A fierce, hysterical expression.
Bared teeth. Almost rattling.
And a face too familiar.
[Hinozu...?]
Without a single word, he rushes to the demon.
Just as he prepares to strike, someone stands in front.
Michel. The blind. The armless.
[You've already passed...! Let me—]
[May God guide you to the light.]
[You are not only prideful, yet gluttonous too.]
Tears fall from his eyes. Red ones.
[Even when my parents ate my arms and stripped me of vision, I didn't feel the disgust I am feeling now.]
[What do you—]
[Not only are you eating away at your friend's effort, you're stripping him of his purpose and goals.]
[How shameful.]
Michel kicks the Isothe towards Ayumu. The creature moves its legs disgustingly, trying to get back up.
[This is yours to claim.]
[The righteous deserve not only Heaven, but this world, too.]
[And one day, we may even surpass God with our deeds.]
[So claim what's yours.]
Ayumu's pupils dilate.
He feels Hinozu's stare under his skin.
[It's the last one, isn't it?]
He says.
[I'm sorry, Hinozu. This is for both of us.]
He drives his hands forward, ripping a hole through the creature.
Slowly, painfully, the creature subsides.
[Plus...]
It falls limp.
[Ayumu Alabaster, passed.]
[I'll have a better chance.]
