Chapter 26
Renji could not breathe inside that apartment.
The walls felt too close, the air too heavy.
"Don't tell me I'm Januza," he said in a low voice, shaking. "Don't tell me I have two souls."
Takeda opened his mouth, but Renji stood up so suddenly the chair scraped loud against the floor.
"ENOUGH!" Renji shouted. His chest was tight, his eyes burning.
Lily grabbed his arm. "Renji, wait—"
But he pulled her close, not letting her go, as if she was the only anchor he had. His hands shook as he led her toward the door.
Choji stepped forward. "Renji! Listen to him—"
"I've listened enough!" Renji said ..
And with that, he stormed out, Lily clinging to his sleeve, her eyes wide with worry.
The door slammed. Silence filled the room.
Takeda let out a long breath, rubbing his forehead. His voice was calm but heavy.
"Choji. Follow him. Keep your eyes on him. Whatever happens… don't let him be alone."
Choji hesitated, his fists tight. Then he nodded. "Understood." He left quickly, his footsteps echoing down the hall.
Takeda stayed behind, his eyes on the door. In the quiet, he whispered to himself, words no one else heard.
"Januza" why now after all these years??
Hunters Bureau
Now, inside the Hunters Bureau, the mood was very different..
The training ground buzzed with life. Young hunters sparred, steel clashing against steel, while others practiced magic spells that lit up the air in bright colors. The smell of sweat, iron, and dust filled the dome.
At the center, Arisa Takamori stood with her long spear. Her black hair was tied back, her sharp eyes scanning her opponent — a tall hunter named Kaien.
Kaien swung his heavy sword, grunting with every strike. His muscles bulged, his feet cracked the floor tiles as he charged.
Arisa dodged easily, moving like water, her spear spinning in smooth circles.
"Come on, Arisa!" Kaien shouted between breaths. "I thought you said you'd go easy on me today!"
Arisa's lips curved into the smallest smile.
"This is me going easy on you."
In a blink, her spear shot forward, stopping right at his nose. Kaien froze, eyes crossing to look at the blade tip.
The hunters watching burst into laughter.
"Again, Kaien? She beat you again!" one shouted.
Kaien scratched his head, laughing awkwardly as he lowered his sword.
"Alright, alright! I give up! Remind me never to ask her to go easy on me again."
Arisa shook her head and turned away, but there was a faint softness in her eyes.
Nearby, two younger hunters were sweeping the floor, whispering to each other.
"Did you hear?" one said. "Arisa's ranked S not just because of her spear. They say she once fought three dungeon bosses at the same time."
The other's eyes widened. "No way! She doesn't even look tired now."
The first one grinned. "Maybe she's secretly a demon queen. That would explain it."
They laughed, but the moment Arisa's gaze slid toward them, they froze and pretended to sweep harder.
Kaien, still catching his breath, leaned on his sword. "Arisa, if you keep beating me like this, people will stop calling me an S-rank. They'll start calling me… an S-minus."
The hunters around the arena erupted into laughter again. Even Arisa allowed herself the faintest chuckle before spinning her spear and resting it on her shoulder.
The Bureau was full of energy, jokes, and sweat .. a world that felt alive.
And yet, somewhere outside those walls, Renji was walking with Lily, the storm inside his heart growing stronger with every step.