A few hours later, Inspector Carter took Arlen and Toma into the city for a look around.

  The boys were awestruck from the very first moment.

  “This is amazing!” Arlen said, his eyes darting between neon signs, speeding cars, and towering buildings. “Is the city really this big? So much traffic... It’s nighttime, but there are lights everywhere. And those giant billboards...”

  “What?” Carter raised an eyebrow. “You’ve never seen anything like this?”

  “Nope,” Toma replied. “We’re from a small village. Things are a lot simpler there — this feels like a whole different world.”

  “Be spectacular, and live spectacularly!” Carter declared, puffing his chest. “That’s my motto. Now come on — let’s go!”

  He led them down the glowing streets, past food stalls and fashion boutiques.

  “First things first — you two need new clothes,” Carter said, stopping in front of a stylish clothing store. “Can’t have you looking like country boys. Time to blend in.”

  They spent the next hour trying on outfit after outfit. Jackets, boots, streetwear, urban accessories — Carter went all-in.

  “Alright,” he said, hands on hips. “Toma, Arlen — you look sharp. Stylish. Now we’re getting somewhere.”

  As they stepped outside, Carter spotted a billboard with a model posing dramatically, silver studs in both ears. He pointed up at it, grinning.

  “Who wants to get their ears pierced?”

  “No way,” Arlen said instantly.

  “I don’t know…” Toma hesitated. “Won’t it hurt?”

  “Not at all,” Carter said with a wink. “Just a quick pinch.”

  Toma thought for a moment.

  “…Then why not!”

  “That’s the spirit, Toma!”

  A little while later, Toma returned with a small silver earring in his left ear.

  “Whoa! That’s cool, Toma!” Arlen said, nodding in approval.

  “I think so too!” Toma grinned.

  “But enough fun,” Carter said, checking his watch. “It’s time for your first real patrol.”

  ***

  Later, on Patrol

  The streets of New Hale buzzed with life as the trio walked through one of the city’s central districts.

  Suddenly, chaos erupted.

  Screams rang out from up ahead. People were fleeing. Glass shattered in the distance.

  “There!” Toma pointed. “A demon attack — I count five!”

  Carter’s expression shifted immediately. “Then move out. Let’s see what you can do.”

  Toma tensed. “But Inspector — these are real lives on the line!”

  “Exactly,” Carter said, eyes gleaming behind his sunglasses. “So what are you waiting for? Go!”

  “I like it!” Toma grinned. “Come on, Arlen!”

  The two boys launched into the air, soaring across the city lights.

  (Note: Demons are monstrous invaders from another world who enter the human realm to hunt and kill. They have humanoid shapes but pitch-black bodies, hardened skin, razor-sharp fangs, and glowing red eyes. Stronger ones often have mask-like faces covering their features.)

  Toma and Arlen dove down toward the chaos.

  A demon was closing in on a terrified woman and her two children. Just as it lunged—

  Toma dropped from the sky like a missile, slamming his foot into the creature’s skull with a devastating kick.

  “Don’t worry, kids — you’re safe now!”

  The demon snarled and swung back at him, but Toma danced around its claws and unleashed a flurry of punches. Left, right, uppercut — and then he spun, landing a powerful roundhouse to the chest.

  The creature slammed into the pavement.

  Toma raised his palm.

  A surge of glowing energy gathered in his hand — and a beam of blue light blasted forward, piercing straight through the demon’s head.

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  It vanished into smoke and dust.

  Without hesitating, Toma turned on the next one — a fast-moving, lean demon creeping along a nearby wall.

  He leapt, twisted mid-air, and decapitated the monster with a perfectly-timed flying kick.

  Meanwhile, Arlen was a blaze of fire.

  Flames burst from his palms as he rushed into battle. He threw a punch — and a demon caught fire instantly.

  Then he hurled a fireball toward another target. The blazing orb struck its face, exploding on impact.

  The demon dropped, howling.

  Only one remained.

  Toma and Arlen locked eyes.

  “Let’s finish it!” Toma shouted.

  Together, they rushed the last demon — one from the front, one from behind. Their coordinated attack landed perfectly, and the monster collapsed in a burst of flames and smoke.

  Carter strolled up behind them, hands in his coat pockets.

  “Well now,” he said with a lazy smile. “That wasn’t so bad, was it?”

  Together, they helped evacuate the civilians. The children looked at Toma and Arlen with wide eyes — like they were real heroes.

  Once the area was secured, Inspector Carter gave them an approving nod as he strolled over, hands in his pockets and a grin on his face.

  “See? I told you I wouldn’t be needed this time. Well done. I like that.”

  “Those were just level one demons,” Toma said, brushing ash from his jacket. “It was easy.”

  “True,” Carter replied. “But it’s a solid start. Now let’s call it a night. Other guards are on duty — we can rest.”

  “Yes, Inspector Carter!” the boys replied in unison.

  The Next Day

  Carter assigned them to patrol duty again.

  Toma was sent to the southern part of the city, while Arlen headed north.

  “Man… this is boring,” Toma muttered to himself, kicking a loose pebble as he walked the empty street. “I thought this would be way more exciting than school. Ughhh… I’m starving.”

  He stopped in front of a food stall, bought a steaming bowl of ramen, and started strolling down the sidewalk.

  That’s when he saw it — a hooded figure stabbed a girl and ripped the bag from her shoulder.

  “What the hell?!”

  Without thinking, Toma shoved the ramen into the hands of the nearest bystander.

  “Hold this!”

  Then he sprinted toward the girl.

  “Hey! Are you okay?”

  “Y-Yeah… just a scratch,” she said, clutching her arm.

  Toma’s eyes narrowed. He turned on his heel and bolted after the thief.

  He was fast — closing the gap quickly — but then the robber leapt onto the roof of a nearby house.

  “Oh? So you’re not just some petty street punk, huh?”

  A grin tugged at the corner of Toma’s mouth.

  “Well, I can do that too.”

  He jumped up after him, landing lightly on the rooftop as the chase continued above the city.

  (In this world, people with special abilities can leap far higher than normal and even run through the air.)

  The pursuit stretched across rooftops and narrow ledges. Toma stayed close behind as the hooded thief darted from one building to the next, until finally, they reached the top of a massive 50-meter-high staircase. The path forward ended — the next rooftop was at least 20 meters away.

  “There you are at last!” Toma shouted.

  The thief stopped at the edge, back still turned, and let out a quiet, amused laugh. Without hesitation, he leapt the 20-meter gap to the next building and vanished from sight.

  “Now that’s what I like... a little excitement,” Toma muttered. He quickly scanned the drop.

  Height: about 50 meters. Distance: 20 meters. Easy.

  With a running start, he launched himself into the air and landed cleanly on the other rooftop.

  The chase went on, but it ended abruptly. The thief dove into a narrow alleyway, and Toma followed close behind — but when he landed and looked around, the man was gone. Only the stolen bag remained on the ground.

  “Chhhh... What’s Inspector Carter gonna say about this? That guy was definitely no ordinary thief.” He sighed. “Wait... I left that girl behind. I should return the bag first.”

  Toma turned back. When he arrived, the girl was still standing there, waiting.

  “Sorry to keep you waiting. The thief got away... but here’s your bag.”

  He handed it to her. Her injured hand was already bandaged.

  “So, you’ve been treated. Not too serious?” he asked.

  “Just a small cut. Nothing major.”

  “You heading home alone?”

  “Yeah, why?”

  “If you don’t mind, I’ll walk with you — just in case.”

  “No, of course not. I live in the Fourth Ward.”

  “I’m new to this city, so I don’t really know where that is,” Toma admitted. “But let’s find it together.”

  “Can I ask who you are? You're clearly not just some regular guy.”

  “Ah, right. I didn’t introduce myself. I’m Toma — a freshman at the Warrior Training Academy. I’m here in New Hale on a practical mission. And you?”

  “I’m Vira — a sophomore at New Hale High School.”

  “Sounds interesting.”

  “Are you serious?”

  “Nope. Probably boring.”

  They both laughed.

  “And how’s warrior school?” she asked.

  “Not great. Boring subjects followed me here too. I’m hoping this mission gives me some real excitement. Although... it’s just a routine assignment to stop demon attacks in the city.”

  “That may sound boring to you, but to someone like me — a normal person — we wouldn’t stand a chance against a demon. So honestly? I think you should be proud to protect people.”

  Toma gave a small smile. “Thanks. When you put it like that... yeah, you’re right. A warrior’s job is to protect people.”

  Just then, Vira stopped in front of a house.

  “Here we are. This is where I live.”

  “Hey... do you mind if I check your bag?” Toma asked. “The thief gave it up too easily. And besides dealing with demons, I’m also supposed to investigate two criminals — and maybe this bag could give us a clue. But if there's anything personal in there and you don’t want to show me, I understand.”

  “No, it’s okay. Feel free to come in and take a look.”

  She opened the door, and Toma followed her inside.

  “This is the kitchen,” Vira said, leading Toma inside. “Sit down and go through the bag. I was just about to eat — want some ramen?”

  “Yes, thanks!” Toma smiled.

  Man, I gave away my last bowl earlier. This is perfect.

  He sat down at the table and opened the recovered bag. He checked every pocket, every compartment — nothing suspicious. Just ordinary belongings.

  “All right. Everything checks out. The bag’s clean.”

  “Good to hear! Ramen’s ready!”

  “Let’s dig in. Enjoy your meal.”

  “You too!”

  They sat down together, eating in comfortable silence for a moment.

  “By the way... are your parents still at work?” Toma asked.

  “Oh no. I live here alone,” Vira replied. “My dad’s a real estate agent, and this is one of his properties. I didn’t grow up in this town — I just stay here because it’s close to school.”

  “I see. Living alone, huh? Not bad... But do you miss your family?”

  “It’s quiet here, but yeah... I really miss them. Still, that’s just how high school life is.”

  “I get it.”

  Toma slurped the last of his noodles and leaned back. “By the way, that ramen was delicious!”

  “You already finished it?!”

  “Yeah, I didn’t get lunch, so I was starving.”

  He stood up and stretched.

  “Anyway, I should go. Thanks for the food!”

  “And thank you for your help.”

  “I’ll stop by tomorrow to check in, just in case.”

  “Okay. Bye.”

  “Bye.”

  The door closed behind him.

  Vira stood still for a moment, staring at the empty space where Toma had just been.

  His fingers curled slightly at his sides and his face flushed faintly.

  “…He’s kind of handsome,” she murmured, thinking about Toma.