Volume 7 ends with the aftermath of the civil war, Kisara's betrayal of Rentarō, the crumbling of Seitenshi's government, and the rise of the Seven Stars Council. Rentarō is left emotionally shattered and physically weakened, and Kisara disappears with the Tendo Family's resources. The world is in chaos, and the cursed children are in greater danger than ever.
* * * * * * * * * * *
The rain came down in sheets.
It was the kind of rain that didn't cleanse—it soaked into your bones and dragged the blood and mud deeper.
Rentarō Satomi walked alone through what remained of the outer walls of Tokyo Area. His coat was tattered, the Kevlar panels in his prosthetic arm flickering occasionally as rain shorted exposed wiring. There was no one left to repair it. No one he trusted.
Kagetane Hiruko had said something once. "When the world collapses, what will you cling to? Justice? Or vengeance?"
Back then, Rentarō had answered with hope.
Now, he wasn't sure.
Behind him, Enju kept pace silently, her hood pulled low over her cursed red eyes. They had learned to avoid eye contact with strangers—what few remained. Every survivor in this part of the city was a refugee or a scavenger. And every cursed child was a target.
He looked around. Once, this had been District 5's commercial ward—bustling, electric, filled with the kind of laughter that now felt foreign. All that was left were blackened storefronts, shattered glass, and propaganda posters half-torn from the walls:
"For Humanity's Purity — End the Curse."
They passed a column of armored trucks bearing the insignia of the New National Security Bureau—the enforcement arm of the Seven Stars Council. These weren't police. These were hunters.
Rentarō moved Enju into a side alley quickly.
A soldier stepped out of the lead vehicle, scanning the ruins. His voice was amplified through a speaker.
"By decree of the Council, all Initiators and Promoters are subject to registration. Refusal to comply is an act of treason."
Enju tensed. Rentarō put a hand on her shoulder. "Not yet," he whispered.
They watched as a pair of soldiers dragged out a girl—no older than six—from a building nearby. Her eyes burned crimson. Her legs thrashed. "Let go of me! I didn't do anything!"
The soldiers didn't speak. One raised his rifle.
Rentarō's foot hit the ground before he realized he'd moved.
A moment later, the alley was empty.
**Scene Break**
Blood spattered across the concrete. The soldiers lay unconscious, Rentarō standing over them, breathing hard. His arm hissed with steam.
Enju cradled the little girl, whispering something into her ear.
He stared down at the insignia on the soldier's armor.
Seven stars. One for each district left under their control.
He clenched his fist.
They would come after him now. Again.
But if the Council thought Rentarō Satomi was finished—they hadn't seen what he'd become.
He turned to Enju. "We need allies."
She nodded.
"Then we go underground."