I have served as a member of Cipher Pol for a long time, and after retiring from the field, I have been involved in training the next generation as an instructor. I have trained countless agents, and I can confidently call myself a veteran instructor.
Under my command, a somewhat unusual task came from the current Commander-in-Chief of CP9. It seems that he wants my son to demonstrate Rokushiki. At first, I wondered if he misunderstood and thought of it as a performance or some sort of spectacle. Later, I realized that he wanted his son, who is intended to succeed the position of CP9's Commander-in-Chief, to actually witness Rokushiki.
Well, I'm not one to complain about connections and such. I know well that such personnel matters exist, and that reaching higher positions often requires connections or money.
At my age, it's not the time to whine about inequality. In fact, if I can simply demonstrate Rokushiki and receive a special allowance including travel expenses, it feels much easier than my usual instructor duties, so I accepted the request with that in mind.
"Today, I'm counting on you."
"Yes, likewise."
But when I actually visited CP9's Commander-in-Chief's son, Spandam, he turned out to be a more impressive individual than I had imagined. He didn't act grandiose, spoke politely, and had a gentle smile. Though it was a bit hard to tell due to his suit, it seemed like he had trained quite a bit, judging from his neck and other areas.
Indeed, he must be well-versed in martial arts. That's why, despite being in a position distant from the frontline as a candidate for a top position, he wanted to see Rokushiki with his own eyes out of genuine interest.
With this, I thought that he might find value in what he saw today and that it would be fulfilling for me to showcase it.
After giving an explanation, Spandam thanked me and expressed that he had learned from it.
"I appreciate your offer, but..."
As I proposed to provide some guidance, Spandam hesitated a bit, seeming to hold back on accepting the offer.
"There's no need to hesitate. I have trained many individuals in the past, and I have some confidence in my teaching."
"I see... Thank you for the offer."
In the calm conversation, Spandam gave a wry smile and after a short silence... he slightly narrowed his eyes.
Right after that... I collapsed, kneeling on the floor.
"Huh?"
I couldn't help but let out that voice. I didn't understand what had just happened. I couldn't stand, my legs lacked strength. No, not just that, my whole body was drenched in sweat.
The moment our eyes met... I felt as if my head had been severed.
"Uh!?"
I understood. In that moment, I understood. Just by meeting his gaze... I realized that the being in front of me was an existence far beyond anything I could comprehend, a "monstrous being" transcending all reason.
Spandam hadn't even assumed a battle stance, nor had he sent out any hostility or fighting spirit towards me. He just slightly revealed the aura he had been holding back.
It was like a lion lying down peacefully suddenly letting out a yawn. However, upon seeing its sharp fangs, I understood.
The being in front of me possessed power far beyond my reach... I understood that instinctively, in my soul, it was a painful realization.
A superhuman is a term referring to those who possess an overwhelming power far beyond that of ordinary people. I had the awareness and confidence of becoming one after mastering Rokushiki.
Even after retiring from the frontlines and growing old, I still felt like I was standing at a higher place. No, I believed I was standing there.
Yes, that's right. I must be a superhuman, undoubtedly so.
However, when viewed from a true monster's perspective, superhumans are just ordinary people, differing only slightly in individual ability. If we call the being in front of me a powerhouse, then I am undoubtedly nothing more than a weakling.
No, this is... it's hopeless. It's all hopeless. It's like an incarnation of overwhelming power that crushes everything around it. Precisely because I possess slightly greater power than an average person, I couldn't help but understand the enormity of this monster's strength.
My legs trembled uncontrollably, and I was brought back to my senses when Spandam gently placed his hand on my shoulder.
"...Ah... huh?"
I slowly turned my gaze and saw Spandam with an incredibly gentle smile that sent shivers down my spine.
"Thank you for your kind offer, but it seems like you're tired. We can save that training for another time."
"...Y-yes."
"Thank you very much for today. I will tell my father about it, so you can go back now."
Those words were truly a relief to me, and coupled with Spandam retracting his aura, I repeatedly nodded while gasping for breath and quickly left the training ground as if fleeing.
If I had stayed in that presence any longer, I would have surely broken down. I would have probably begged him not to kill me, even though there was not a shred of hostility from him...
What on earth was that? How could such a monster be born? Just its presence alone felt like it could crush everything around it.
It was like the very essence of life itself was fundamentally different...
I couldn't comprehend it, and I didn't want to comprehend it. I just wanted to forget everything about this day as soon as possible.
But, of course, I couldn't forget. In the room on the ship during the journey back, I trembled in fear like a young child.