On the brink of death, Garou gasped for air as pain ripped through his body. Blood streamed down his face, turning his hair red.
Despite everything, he glared at the three standing before him—his master Bang, Bomb, and the S-Class hero Genos, the Demon Cyborg.
His mind flashed to the past: the years of being mocked, beaten down, the anger that built up inside him.
Overwhelmed, he let out a raw roar. A faint red aura flickered around him as he slammed both fists into the ground.
CRACK!!!!
BOOOOM!!!
The earth split under the impact. Dust and smoke burst out everywhere. In the chaos, Garou grabbed a fallen tree and swung it hard toward Bang, Bomb, and Genos.
The three backed off instinctively, caught off guard by the sudden strength from someone so broken.
Before they could close in again, a huge shadow dropped from above. Phoenix Man descended, wings spread, talons reaching for Garou.
Right as the talons were about to close around him, a swirling vortex of light and darkness ripped open beneath Garou's feet.
It pulled him in without warning. The portal swallowed him completely.
Phoenix Man stopped mid-air, staring at the spot where Garou had been.
"!!! …Where did that come from?" he muttered, eyes wide.
"Damn it!" he hissed. If he went back to the Monster Association without Garou, Orochi would eat him alive for failing.
…
The street was blocked off with steel barriers at both ends, keeping civilians and traffic away.
A few people watched from behind the lines, talking quietly as the twelve-person raid team gathered in front of the glowing blue gate. It pulsed softly in the afternoon light.
At the front was their leader. Her long, messy blonde hair moved with the wind. She wore a dark red cropped shirt over a black fitted top strapped tight around her waist and torso, secured by a golden belt. Black shorts, stockings, and combat boots finished the look.
Her red eyes stood out the most—sharp and commanding. She scanned her team quietly, then a small, confident grin appeared.
This was Kono Misaki, one of Japan's top ten S-Rank Hunters and the guild master of the Invincible Kings, the country's third strongest guild. Among their three S-Ranks, she was the most powerful.
In front of her was a large A-Rank gate. Beside her, the raid team finished preparations. Two A-rank tanks, one A-rank fighter, one A-rank mage, one B-rank healer, and seven other B-ranks. For an A-rank gate, this should be straightforward.
Leading the raid was Matsubara Tsuyoshi, the guild's strongest A-Rank and doing his first time as team leader. Messy black hair, bright easy smile, polished metallic armor, and a golden spear with red markings at his side.
Kono's voice cut through the murmurs.
"Alright, boys. Time to clear this gate. It's A-Rank, so don't slack and follow your leader—this should be easy."
The team straightened up, eyes sharp with excitement. Matsubara nodded, hand tightening on his spear.
Kono looked them over one last time, grin softening a bit.
"Good raid—and good luck."
"Thank you, Guild Master!" they shouted together, Matsubara the loudest.
They stepped through the gate one by one until the last one disappeared into the blue veil.
…
As Tsuyoshi stepped through the blue veil with his team, the world changed completely.
Instead of a cave or narrow dungeon path, they found themselves in a dense, humid jungle.
Towering trees blocked out most of the light, leaving everything in deep green shadows. Thick vines hung like curtains from the branches, and the ground was soft and uneven—covered in wet leaves, twisting roots, and dark mud that clung to their boots.
The air felt heavy, thick with the smell of damp earth, rotting plants, and a sharp undercurrent of mana.
Broken stone ruins lay scattered through the undergrowth—old pillars and altars half-buried under moss and creeping vines. Deep claw marks scarred the stone and tree trunks, some so fresh that sap still dripped from them.
Tsuyoshi tightened his grip on his spear and blinked at the surroundings. This kind of full ecosystem wasn't normal for an A-rank gate.
The rest of the team paused for a moment, then quickly became alert, scanning the thick vegetation around them.
"This doesn't feel like a normal A-rank gate," one of the other A-rank hunters said quietly.
"Is it a red gate?" a B-rank asked, his voice tight with worry.
Tsuyoshi looked back. The blue entrance still hung there behind them, open and stable—no red glow, no seal.
"One of you test it. Pass your hand through the entrance. I don't think it's a red gate since it's still open, but let's make sure."
A B-rank stepped forward and extended his arm. His hand went through without any resistance.
"Team leader, there's no interference," he reported.
Tsuyoshi nodded. "Good. That means we can still get out if we need to. This gate is just unusual. Everyone stay extra vigilant—we don't know what kind of monsters we're dealing with here."
"Yes, team leader!" the group answered together.
They moved forward carefully, boots sinking into the damp soil, vines brushing against their armor.
The jungle pressed close—humid air sticking to their skin, the constant low buzz of insects mixing with the creak of branches overhead.
Hidden in the shadows, a pair of glowing eyes watched them.
Swoooooosh!
A dark shape shot out from the canopy, aimed straight at the B-rank healer in the back line.
"Protect the healer!" Tsuyoshi shouted, already turning.
The nearest A-rank tank moved fast, stepping in front and raising his massive shield.
KRAAANG!
The claws hit the shield with a terrible screech, sparks flying as deep gouges appeared in the metal.
The tank grunted and slid back a step from the force, but he held his ground.
The creature leaped away just as quickly, landing lightly a few meters in front of them. In the dim light, they could finally see it clearly: a huge feline beast that looked like a mix of leopard and saber-toothed tiger.
Orange fur with dark spots covered its powerful body, a thick dark ridge of fur ran along its back and neck like a mane, and its long curved fangs gleamed as it snarled. Its paws were massive, claws still dripping from the strike.
Before the team could fully react, more glowing eyes appeared in the surrounding jungle. Dozens of the same beasts slunk out from the undergrowth, surrounding the raid team with low, rumbling growls.
"We're completely surrounded," one of the B-ranks whispered.
"Everyone calm down," the A-rank mage said firmly. "This isn't something new to us. We just have to fight back properly."
Tsuyoshi planted his spear forward and scanned the circle of predators. "I count about thirty of them visible, probably more hidden. There's still a boss somewhere we haven't seen yet. Each one feels strong—probably lower-end A-rank individually—but their numbers make them a real threat."
"Still feasible if we play it smart," one of the A-rank tanks replied. "We can handle this with good coordination."
They immediately shifted into formation: one tank holding the front, Tsuyoshi and a B-rank fighter at his side; the second tank covering one flank; the A-rank mage and a B-rank support mage on the other; two B-ranks in the rear for backup. The healer stayed protected in the center, already holding potions ready.
The beasts tensed, ready to spring.
No one waited for them to attack first.
The A-rank mage drove his staff into the ground.
"Lightning Strike!"
RUMMMMBLE… RUMMMMBLE…
The sky above the canopy darkened in seconds. Thunderclouds rolled in unnaturally fast.
ZZZZAP!
A blinding white bolt crashed down, striking one beast square in the chest. Its body jerked as electricity surged through it, fur catching fire and smoking.
CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!
Arcs jumped to nearby monsters. Two were vaporized in bright flashes, their roars cut off instantly. Others were thrown backward, scorched and bleeding, sparks dancing across their hides.
KRUNCH!
Rocks shattered under the pressure.
CRACK… CRACK…
The ground split open in places.
CREEEEAK! THUD!
Ancient trees groaned and collapsed.
SSSSZZZ!
Steam rose where water on the ground boiled away.
The mage poured more power into one final, focused strike on the largest of the visible beasts.
BOOOOM!
A smoking crater marked where it had stood.
For a moment, silence fell—broken only by the crackle of lingering sparks and distant growls from deeper in the jungle.
The pack was hurt, but far from finished.
The jungle exploded into chaos. Grunts, snarls, and bursts of mana filled the air as the entire team threw themselves into the fight.
The A-rank mage fell back behind the two B-rank supports, chest heaving as he caught his breath from the massive Lightning Strike.
Sweat dripped down his face in the humid heat.
The monsters didn't hesitate. Two lunged forward in unison, claws extended.
WHOOSH!
Tsuyoshi vanished from his spot in a flicker of speed, leaving only a fading afterimage. In the next instant, he was between the beasts, spear thrusting like a bolt of lightning.
ZASH! ZASH!
The tip pierced clean through both centers—one after the other. Gaping holes punched through fur and muscle, blood spurting in thick streams as the monsters crumpled without a sound, dead before they hit the ground.
In the formation, another beast charged a B-rank fighter, massive paw swiping in a wide arc.
The B-rank couldn't react fast enough. Claws raked across his chest, sending him flying backward.
CRACK!
Blood sprayed from his mouth as he crashed into the undergrowth, armor torn open in long gashes.
Another B-rank surged forward at the same moment, sword flashing with mana to shove the monster back.
The healer rushed in front of the fallen teammate, hands already glowing.
Green light enveloped the injured hunter. The deep claw wounds began to knit together, flesh sealing under the mana as ragged breathing steadied.
Two more beasts targeted one of the tanks, charging one behind the other.
The tank grinned wide instead of bracing. He lunged forward, shield leading like a battering ram.
THWACK!
The edge smashed into the first monster's face with crushing force. Its muzzle crumpled inward, bones cracking audibly as it flew backward, barely alive, blood streaming from shattered jaws.
Two B-ranks leaped in immediately, swords blazing with mana.
SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!
They carved the flying beast apart mid-air—limbs severed, torso split, gore spraying in wet arcs before it hit the ground in pieces.
The tank didn't stop. He accelerated toward the second monster, fist cocked back.
BOOM!
The punch connected square in the chest, sending the beast hurtling through the jungle.
It slammed into a thick tree with a resounding crack, trunk splintering as the monster slid down in a heap, ribs caved in.
Minutes passed in a blur of blood and motion. The pack dwindled—bodies piling up in the mud, orange fur matted dark red.
Only ten remained, circling warily, snarling low. Their powerful muscles rippled under spotted hides, saber fangs glinting as they eyed the hunters.
Tsuyoshi scanned them, grip tightening on his spear until his knuckles whitened. "Tanks—pull the aggro!"
The two tanks stepped up together, shields high.
"COME OVER HERE!!!" they roared in unison.
Red aura surged around them, flaring bright like a challenge. The monsters' eyes locked on, rage taking over.
ROOOAR!
The ten charged as one, paws thundering against the earth, claws like curved blades.
Tsuyoshi was already moving. Mana flooded his legs—he blurred across the battlefield, reappearing behind the lead beast in a burst of speed.
His spear whirled in a tight spin, building force.
CRUNCH!
He twisted mid-air and drove the shaft down in a corkscrew slam.
The tip punched through the monster's hindquarters, severing spine in one brutal motion. It yelped once, then collapsed in a twitching heap, blood pooling fast.
Tsuyoshi pivoted to the next, mid-leap toward the tanks.
He spun into an upward arc, spear whipping like a storm.
SHLICK!
The blade sliced from underbelly to mane in a clean spiral, crimson spraying in a wide arc.
The beast crashed down, guts spilling, jaws snapping weakly as it died.
The remaining eight piled onto the tanks, who braced behind reinforced shields. Claws screeched across metal, fangs scraping.
Tsuyoshi darted into the mess. His spear became a blur—rapid thrusts piercing vital points.
ZASH! ZASH!
One through an eye, deep into skull. Another through a roaring throat, blood bubbling out.
A sweeping horizontal cut skewered two at once, spear exploiting its reach to punch holes through hearts and lungs.
The monsters recoiled, wounded.
Tsuyoshi dropped low, coiling like a spring, then exploded upward in a series of twisting overhead slams.
CRACK! CRUNCH!
Ribs shattered, limbs broke. One beast was kicked aside mid-spin, body folding against a tree with a wet thud.
Another took a flurry of precise stabs—heart, lungs, neck—each withdrawal gushing fresh red before the next drove in.
The final three lunged together, desperate.
Tsuyoshi met them with everything.
He swept wide in a grand arc, spear at full extension like a baseball swing, then transitioned into a rising corkscrew uppercut.
SLASH!
The first was cut clean at the waist, upper half tumbling away in a spray of viscera.
WHOOSH—SLASH!
The second's head came off in the upswing, rolling into the mud.
ZASH!
The third took the spear through the chest, Tsuyoshi adding a butterfly kick to drive it deeper. The tip burst out the back in a gout of blood.
Silence fell over the clearing—only the tanks' ragged breathing and the slow drip of gore from Tsuyoshi's spear breaking it.
The ten beasts lay scattered, broken husks in the dim green light. Tsuyoshi straightened, flicking blood from the blade with a satisfied nod.
"Good job, everyone. We've cleared the pack—just the boss left, and this raid's done."
Tsuyoshi clapped his hands once, scanning his team with a grin. Blood and mana still crackled in the humid air.
"Wow... team leader's still terrifying," one of the B-ranks muttered, half in awe.
"That spearmanship was insane," one tank said, clapping Tsuyoshi on the back. "Still as sharp as ever."
Tsuyoshi laughed lightly. "Thanks, but you two held the line perfectly. Couldn't have done it without the aggro pull."
The team began regrouping, weapons checked, breaths steadied in the thick jungle heat.
Then it hit.
An immense pressure crashed down like an invisible mountain, blanketing the clearing.
The air thickened, mana turning heavy and oppressive.
THUD!!
THUD!!!
THUD!!!
All the B-ranks dropped to their knees instantly, faces twisted in pain, gasping for air that wouldn't come.
The A-ranks staggered—knees buckling, teeth gritted—as they turned toward the source of the echoing steps.
"What the hell is this…?" someone hissed, voice shaking.
Tsuyoshi broke into a cold sweat. He forced his breathing even, dropped low into a combat stance, spear gripped tight.
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
The foliage parted with a rustle of vines.
A colossal monster stepped into view—over three meters tall, towering on two legs.
Hypertrophied muscles bulged under tight orange-and-black striped fur, shoulders and chest so thick they looked plated by nature.
Claws like blackened steel hooks curved from paws big enough to crush a skull.
A banded tail flicked once, whipping the air with a sharp crack. Ice-blue eyes glowed with cold, predatory intelligence.
Its aura alone crushed the weaker hunters' flat. Even the A-ranks felt their legs tremble—this wasn't raw power; it was absolute dominance, the kind that reduced seasoned fighters to prey.
The boss stared down at them.
Its lips peeled back slowly in a wide, fanged grin.
Tsuyoshi met its gaze, heart pounding. He shouted to rally the team.
"Everyone, calm down! I know it's strong—but we can take it. Don't freeze up. Think about what happens if this thing gets outside. Innocents would die."
He didn't voice the tremor in his own back, the cold sweat. This monster felt like the edge of S-rank territory—far beyond any normal A-rank boss.
As someone at the peak of A-rank human limits, feeling fear like this said everything.
But it wasn't certain death. Just massive danger. They had a shot.
"Everyone—this thing isn't something you fight head-on. Support me, and I'm sure we can—"
The monster vanished.
WHOOSH!
A scream ripped through the formation.
ARRGGHHH!!!!
Tsuyoshi spun in panic.
In the center, their healer stood frozen—wide eyes, blood bubbling on his lips. A massive hole gaped in his chest, ribs cracked open, heart exposed and still. He toppled forward.
Two B-ranks fell beside him—bodies headless, necks severed clean, blood fountaining in thick arcs.
THUD!
THUD!
The team scattered back instinctively, surrounding the boss with wide eyes and heaving chests.
Tsuyoshi froze for a heartbeat—shocked at the speed from something so huge—then gritted his teeth.
He stepped forward, planting himself in front of the monster, spear forward.
Behind him, the tanks sweated rivers, barely holding under the pressure.
"He's not just fast—he's smart and he went straight for the healer," Tsuyoshi growled, frowning.
The team was reeling—trembling, staring at the bodies, blood pooling in the mud.
The boss looked down at Tsuyoshi and grinned wider. It raised one massive hand—dangling the severed heads of the two B-ranks by their hair, blood dripping steadily.
Tsuyoshi's jaw tightened.
The intelligence hit harder than the strength. But instead of rage, he exhaled slow, calming himself.
His own aura flared—golden light surging around him, pushing back against the oppressive red pressure.
The boss responded in kind—red aura exploding outward, teeth bared in a full snarl.
The two forces collided.
BOOOOOM!!!!
The jungle erupted. Trees uprooted and flew like missiles, earth cracked open, shockwaves ripping through vines and ruins.
The raid team was hurled back—B-ranks tumbling helplessly, only the A-ranks managing to dig in and stay upright.
Tsuyoshi and the boss locked eyes.
Then both lunged—disappearing from sight in blurs of speed.
The team couldn't track them; only the A-ranks caught glimpses.
Spear thrust forward like a comet.
Massive paw balled into a fist, swinging down like a hammer.
They closed the gap in an instant—for a clash that would shatter the clearing.
And then—
A swirling vortex of light and darkness tore open right between them.
It spat out a battered body—tumbling, wild-eyed—directly into the path of the incoming strikes.