Shinjuku was dead silent.
Several Committee agents had arrived at the scene, but what they found was only the aftermath of a massacre.Bodies scattered everywhere. Some missing heads entirely. The damage appeared to have been caused by a massive energy wave—strong enough to blow skulls apart with little effort.
Agent 1: "Looks like we're late… Should we notify HQ?"
Agent 2: "I don't think that'll be necessary… Captain, your opinion?"
A tall figure stepped forward. Despite looking only 26 or 27, he walked with a cane and wore a dark royal blue uniform under a long, elegant trench coat. His badge read L.P.E.C.—the London-based Extermination Committee—rather than the usual T.P.E.C. used in Japan.
His slim build, messy dark blonde hair, and mismatched eyes—one crimson, the other hidden beneath a monocle—made it clear: he wasn't from around here.
Captain Nathaniel Grey.
Nathaniel: "Report. Now."
Agent 1: "That rogue Wanderer showed up again. Witnesses say she took at least 12 men… willingly. They followed her out."
Agent 2: "Looks like she left the area."
Nathaniel looked skyward with a neutral face… then smiled.A sharp-toothed grin.
Nathaniel: "I wouldn't be so sure of that."
Right then, the glass of a nearby building shattered, and something crawled out—a twisted, metallic creature. A humanoid, yes, but unmistakably an Errant.
Its skin was a pale, matte pink metal. Microphone-like plating covered its mouth and jagged teeth. Its arms had built-in speakers. No eyes. No nose. Just a sharp, animalistic face and a long mess of blue cables hanging like hair. A core shaped like a mic head pulsed in its throat.
It laughed—high-pitched, distorted—and levitated before descending slowly in front of the agents.
???: "Oh my god! My biggest fans found me again! Aren't you obsessed? Creepy, honestly. You Committee roaches just keep following me and following me and following me—CAN'T YOU BACK OFF FOR ONCE?!... But fine. Since you're such loyal fans, I'll give you a special treat."
She peeled off the black protective plating from her teeth. The speakers on her arms glowed light blue.
Agent 1: "Requesting permission to fire!"
Nathaniel: "Granted."
The agents opened fire. But it didn't matter.
A burst of sonic energy exploded from her mouth. One agent dropped immediately—his head popping like a melon.The other froze, his eyes glowing pink… then turned and pointed his gun at Nathaniel.
Nathaniel didn't flinch.
???: "What?! Why didn't it affect you?!... Whatever! Round two, baby!!"
WANDERER CLASSIFICATION
REAL NAME: UnknownALIAS: Shiuta-chan!FALLEN CORE: "Speaker-Type Core"SPECIAL ABILITY:WALKING MAN / MICROPHONEShiuta can release potent sonic waves amplified through her core, capable of mentally hijacking victims. Her power increases dramatically when she sings.Under the effect, targets will obey any command: steal, kill, follow, or even worship her.
Shiuta launched another wave—this one more melodic. Nathaniel stayed rooted, calm… even as brain matter still dripped near his shoes.He slowly removed his coat and stepped forward.
Nathaniel: "You done?"
Shiuta: "BUT… WHY WON'T IT WORK?!… WAIT—YOU'RE ONE OF US, AREN'T YOU?!"
"ATTACK HIS HEAD! HE MIGHT BE AN ERRANT TOO!""HE'S DANGEROUS!"
Nathaniel: "Oh please. I'm nothing like you… but let's say my little secret's hidden behind this monocle here. "
"RUN. NOW."
Shiuta froze as he pointed to the monóculo covering his left eye. Before he could remove it, she staggered back.
Shiuta: "S-Stay away from me, you freak!"
Nathaniel casually reached into his coat, but before he could show what he pulled out, she bolted.He let out a low chuckle, stowed the item back, and picked up his coat…Only to be stopped by a gunshot.
The remaining agent had his weapon trained right at Nathaniel's head.
Agent 2: "YOU BASTARD!! YOU SCARED SHIU-CHAN!! YOU DESERVE TO DIE!!"
Nathaniel: "Ah, right. You're still alive… I'll be sure to tell your wife and daughter you fell for another woman."
Before the agent could fire, a blade pierced through his chest. He collapsed instantly.
Nathaniel: "Rest in peace, Agent."
AGENT CLASSIFICATION
NAME: Nathaniel GreyTYPE: ErrantCORE: [REDACTED]SPECIAL ABILITY: [REDACTED]Second most powerful Errant in the UK—only outclassed by Alexander Trooper, his best friend and the British Committee's Intelligence Vice-Chief.Currently deployed in Japan as part of an alliance between Japan, Germany, and England—each lending their elite agents to the other nations.
Nathaniel picked up a phone from one of the fallen agents and dialed a private number.
Johann (on call): "Nathaniel! How are you?!"
Nathaniel: "Covered in blood… as usual. I've got an update."
Johann: "Hit me, boy!"
Nathaniel: "Shiuta—the rogue Wanderer terrorizing Shinjuku—is more dangerous than we thought. Two of my best agents are dead. I'm requesting two things:
1.- Authorization to search that errant and capture him.
2.- That the families of Agents Yoshida and Miyamoto are informed personally."
Johann: "You haven't changed a bit! Actually, Maki said Maruyama's squad had intel on her too. She originally told them to stay out of it… but you know Maki—bipolar as ever. Now she wants to test the new Husky. Wants to see how far that new Errant can go."
Nathaniel: "You mean the kid from Sendai...? Fine. Connect me with Maru. Temporarily assign Squad 7 to my command."
Johann: "Done! Always a pleasure, lad!"
Nathaniel: "Likewise… Master."
He ended the call, crushed the phone, and disappeared into the fog.
Back at the apartment…
Tension filled the dining room.Mina, Chimo, and Tetsu sat at the table… all staring silently at a single slice of cake.Maru washed dishes nearby, unaware of the storm brewing.
Maru: "So, have you three figured out who gets the damn cake?"
Tetsu: "Captain! I need it! I need sugar to maintain my transformed state!"
Maru: "Fair point. Mina?"
Mina: "IT'S MINE!! I SAW IT FIRST, YOU JERKS!!"
Chimo: "I think Tetsu should eat it."
Mina stared in horror—betrayed by the tiny demon child she once called ally.Her eyes twitched. Her hand reached for her chainsaw.
Mina: "DIE, TRAITORS!! THAT CAKE IS MINE!!"
WHACK!Maru knocked her out with a kitchen pan, then sat down and ate the cake himself.
Maru: "Problem solved. Now pack your crap. Captain Grey wants to see us in an hour."
Tetsu: "Who's Captain Grey?"
Mina: "Ugh… handsome, rule-obsessed, boring… But kinda hot."
Maru: "He's a visiting agent from the British Committee. Very dangerous. If he's calling us, it's serious."
The phone rang. Maru answered.
Maru: "Yeah?"
Maki (on phone): "MARU!! Remember that rogue girl you reported?! Yeah, I know I told you to stay out of it but… I changed my mind. You're on the case now!"
Maru: "YOU WHAT?!"
Maki: "Relax! Nathaniel will be with you! No danger at all!"
The front door exploded open, and there stood Nathaniel, pipe in mouth.
Nathaniel: "Captain Maru. Pack up. We're going to Shinjuku."
Maru: "Anything else I should know, Maki?"
Maki: "If you survive… I'll buy you a drink."
Maru: "DEAL!!"
Meanwhile, in a sewer drenched in the smell of rot…
Shiuta was on her human form, and sat on a throne made of her victims.Over 1,000 mindless followers swayed to faint music.She looked… worried.
She stood suddenly, walked to a corner, and vomited black liquid.Alone, she whispered:
Shiuta: "Mimi… why am I throwing up?"
An eye opened in her throat.
Mimi: "You've exceeded your limit, Yumi. You weren't supposed to take more than 800."
Shiuta: "I KNOW… but I NEED MORE! That blonde bastard from the Committee… he's a problem. He has a sound-type core like yours."
Mimi: "Nathaniel, right? I can hear him from here. And he's not alone… he's bringing another 'Halo Bearer.' A new Wanderer. The humans call them that… weirdos. But you, Yumi—you're special."
Shiuta: "Awwww, stop it! You're making me blush!"
Shiuta: "Wait… what Fallen does that boy carry?"
Mimi's eye closed. A new one opened—this time a childlike face on her cheek.
Mimi: "VAPOR"… Two contractors of Anhung Rum Sar. And—"
Before Mimi could finish, Shiuta vomited again… this time a piece of human cartilage.
Shiuta: "Oops! Dinner was stuck in my throat!"
Mimi: "Be careful, Yumi. They carry something… something I can't identify. And they have a weapon that can kill us."
Shiuta: "Got it. I'll send some of my fans to welcome them~!"
** **
Inside a black van marked with the Committee's logo, Squad 7 was en route to Shinjuku.
Chimo was asleep, curled up with her head resting on Tetsu's shoulder. He quietly munched on a chocolate bar.Mina, eyes wide and twitching as usual, sharpened one of her scalpels like it was therapy.In the front seats sat Maru and Nathaniel, driver and co-pilot.
Maru: "Captain Grey… anything we should know about the target?"
Nathaniel: "Not much. But I've got a suspicion... I think the Fallen and its host can communicate with each other. My powers let me pick up sonic and radio waves—but when I'm not transformed, the signal's too weak to confirm."
Tetsu: "Maru! I've got a question! How do you kill a Wanderer?"
Nathaniel: "Good question, kid! Wanderers are semi-immortal. As long as they've got their fuel source, they can regenerate. But yeah, they're not easy to kill—at least not with standard weapons."
Maru: "Exactly. That's why weapons like my katanas are called Void Weapons. They're made from the flesh and bones of other Wanderers or Fallen. In short—fire versus fire."
Nathaniel: "My master specializes in crafting those. In fact, he made Maru's swords... and that case sitting right next to you."
Tetsu turned his head. He grabbed the case beside him, opened it... and found a cimitar.The hilt was embedded with small gears, and along the blade glowed a phrase in Latin:
"Qui audent caedere ex vacuo, procumbite ad pedes meos."("Those who dare strike from the Void, kneel before me.")
Nathaniel: "That blade was forged from the skin and muscle of the Fallen that appeared in Berlin during World War II. It was taken down, courtesy of my good friend—Captain Alexander Trooper."
Tetsu: "Alexander Trooper?!! He nearly killed me a few days ago! And wait… he's that old?!"
Maru: "Captain Trooper's ancient—but Wanderers live much longer than normal humans.So you, Tetsu… you've got a long road ahead."
Nathaniel: "You probably don't know him well. I bet my master sent him to test you.It wasn't personal. Alex is a great guy—and a damn good agent."
Tetsu: "Yeah, says you… That flaming bloodhound almost ripped me in half.Wait—your master? Who is he?"
Nathaniel: "Captain Johann."
Tetsu: "Him?! I always thought he was insane. I've never seen him in person, but I've heard plenty. He's the one who had me locked up in that coliseum."
Nathaniel: "Yeah, he's immoral. But if you ever meet him—and Alex too—trust me… they'll surprise you."
Just then, the van came to a sudden stop, waking Chimo.
Nathaniel: "Captain Maru… why'd we stop?"
Maru: "There's a civilian up ahead."
Nathaniel: "That's no civilian… Captain, who's the most merciful one on your team?"
Maru (thinking): "Tough call… but I'd say Tetsu."
Nathaniel: "Tetsu. Take the cimitar and get out. That person's being controlled.I want you to try to capture him."
Tetsu: "Understood!"
Tetsu stepped out of the vehicle, blade in hand.Up ahead stood a gaunt man, shoulders hunched, seemingly crying.
Tetsu approached slowly. The man raised his head… revealing a partially devoured face and glowing pink eyes.He lunged at Tetsu—like an animal pouncing on prey.
Tetsu didn't have time to react.
The thing tackled him to the ground and tried to bite into his throat.
BANG!A bullet tore through its skull.
Tetsu blinked. Nathaniel stood with his gun raised.
Tetsu: "I thought we were gonna capture him?!"
Nathaniel: "I thought he still had his mind. Guess I was wrong.Either way… we move forward. We're almost in Shinjuku."
Nathaniel turned. Tetsu climbed back into the van.
The moment the doors shut, everyone realized something terrifying.
There was no sound.
No voices.No footsteps.No distant cars.No city hum.
Just silence.
And not just silence… but a silence so thick and unnatural
And with that, the van rolled forward—straight into the belly of the beast.