"Squad, get ready! Today's mission is to exterminate the No Kais in Sector 12!
Wait— not yet. Let the trash go in first."
My name is Hayato.
But around here… they just call me 26.
In this world, everyone is ranked from 1 to 100.
The lower your number, the closer you are to nobility.
But if your number is higher than 18...
You're considered trash.
—
"Hey! A new Miku Tsukasa manga just dropped!"
Yeah… I've always been into pop culture.
"Grow up. We're garbage, Hayato. The only thing that matters here is surviving."
Dan has never had hope. Maybe he never will.
"I still think we should give life a chance. I mean… it's the end of the world,"
Maria said that. I never believed her words. But honestly? I love manga.
"It's not the end of the world just because your boyfriend died,"
I nodded in agreement.
"Yeah. We just need to survive the No Kais. Then we're good…"
—
"We get paid scraps, Hayato. You think we eat well? Sleep well? This place is hell."
Karla held her cat in her arms and looked at me.
My heart skipped a beat.
"If something happens… will you protect my cat?"
I could barely breathe, but I answered:
"Yeah."
"Alright, enough talking. I'm the captain. Name's Yugito, but call me Yu."
"Yes, sir, Yu!"
We answered with energy. The mission was on.
We headed to Sector 15, then walked to Zone 12.
"Be careful. They say Yonkai wander this area too…"
Karla looked scared, holding her bag tight. I turned my head and said:
"It'll be okay.
We don't have time to waste—if we hesitate, we're all dead."
—
"Why doesn't Sector 12 handle this themselves?"
"Expecting Hayato to have a brain is the same as that."
"You messin' with me?"
"And if I am? What're you gonna do?"
Then… silence.
Was that… a No Kai?
"Quiet! We have to pass right through them."
"Right."
We moved carefully between them and entered Room 13.
Something felt… off.
Where was Squad 16?
They were supposed to guide us in situations like this.
"Watch out—No Kai!"
I dodged, tossed a smoke grenade, clenched my fists,
and went straight for them.
Three heads exploded under my blows.
"We're screwed!"
"Karla, stay calm! We'll be okay!"
"Hayato, behind you!"
I barely dodged. What do I do!?
"Captain Yu!"
"Get them out of here, Hayato!"
I nodded and led the group back…
But luck ran out.
One of them attacked Dan—he blocked it—
but left an opening.
And in that moment… Karla was torn in half.
Maria and Dan froze in shock.
But the one who truly broke…
Was me.
I can't… not now. I can't think about this. It's just another death, right?
"No weakness allowed…"
I charged energy in my fist, aiming straight for the creature's chest.
"Detroit Snack!"
The punch cleared the area, blowing up dust everywhere.
It was my unique power: store energy and redirect it back at the enemy.
"You okay, Hayato?"
"Leave him…"
"Dan, Maria… just another death, right?
After all… we're trash."
But before I could breathe…
A gust of wind.
And then, he appeared.
Standing on top of the dead No Kai.
His face—half human, half monster.
Class: Mystery?
A Sonkai.
"Ohhh… what a beautiful scene.
Watching a young girl die fills me with joy!"
Wait…
Was he mocking me?
"You mocking me?"
"No, no… just playing around.
She was important to you, wasn't she?"
He tossed the cat's lifeless body onto the floor.
Our hearts sank.
Then he grabbed the radio…
And perfectly mimicked the director's voice.
> "Sector 26, report to Sector 12 immediately."
It was all manipulation.
But how the hell did he copy the director's voice?
"You…?"
"Yup. I killed the director, dumbass.
Thought you'd notice.
Hard to keep a villain act going, y'know?"
Smoke rose.
He vanished.
And all that was left…
Was guilt.
Guilt for bringing Karla into this.
Guilt for dragging everyone into danger.
It was unbearable.
> "Everyone in Sector 12, report to Sector 26.
I want to introduce the new Number… 20."
After all...
We're all disposable.
Minutes later, a new ranking flashed on my arm.
My left wrist glowed—
> Congratulations. Rank Up: Now Number 25.
"WHAT!?!"
---
Thanks for reading this chapter! Chapter 2 is coming soon —
hope you enjoy it as much as I do.