The IISO Office, or International Initiator Supervising Organization is the organization responsible for providing support, training, and protection to Cursed Children who act as Initiators.
The organization ensures the well-being and safety of the Initiators, who have a crucial role in fighting Gastrea. In addition, IISO also plays a role in strategizing the battle and assignment of Initiators to Promoters.
The IISO's duties focus on managing and maintaining the Cursed Children, as well as ensuring that they are prepared to safely carry out their duties.
Supposedly, the Organization ensures that Initiators are always protected and not unfairly exploited, given the great danger they face in fighting Gastrea.
However, the discrimination against the Cursed Children was even more horrific, as if they were subjected to routine torture as if it was their daily bread.
They are subjected to harassment, physical violence, and even more cruel immoral acts, as if their existence is merely an object of hate.
All of this is because there is a deep rejection and hatred towards them in society, mainly because of the social stigma attached to their status as a Cursed Child.
The Cursed Children are considered as tools to fight Gastrea, yet they are often treated like weapons or consumables rather than as human beings.
Many people fear, disgust, or even hate them because they are perceived as monsters born with unnatural and dangerous powers.
This is further exacerbated by the fact that many Cursed Children have no clear future or chance for a normal life, often being raised in isolation or with little social attention.
Furthermore, despite the IISO's efforts to protect Cursed Children, many members of society and even members of the IISO see them as necessary sacrifices to fight the Gastrea threat.
Many view the Cursed Children with distrust or hatred as they are seen as symbols of the destruction of humanity brought about by Gastrea.
As a result, despite IISO's support and protection, or lack thereof, society as a whole remains suspicious and isolating of the Cursed Children.
Those poor girls have no place in society, or even the world, other than as forgotten heroes or unavoidable sacrifices.
The atmosphere of the IISO office was silent, without a single sound, as if time and space had stopped. El stood near a desk with files, but his cold, unreadable eyes stared out the window, as if avoiding any form of interaction.
In front of her, a little girl of about 10 years old stood with a firm but expressionless posture, as if she was used to suppressing any form of emotion.
The little girl had several bruises on her body, her only clothing was a long, shabby white dress, barely fit to wear.
On top of that, the girl's face was petite and cute, adorned with thin eyebrows and thick eyelashes that curled around her piercing red eyes. Long blonde hair fell gently to the nape of her neck.
El took a quick glance at the paper on the table with the girl's identity written on it: Kayo Senju, a Cursed Child, who was now officially his Initiator.
Directing his gaze back at Kayo, El looked at his from head to toe, his eyes so sharp and cold, without showing the slightest hint of empathy.
"So, you're my Initiator?" said El, his voice flat without enthusiasm, as if speaking to something that was nothing more than an object, not a child worthy of attention.
"Yes," Kayo replied flatly, her voice almost inaudible, like there was no emotion left in her.
El was silent for a moment, appraising Kayo's flat and dispassionate expression. He snorted softly before continuing, "This is my first time as a Promoter, but honestly, it's not a big deal.
"I'm still going to exterminate Gastrea, with or without you." El's words sounded cold, like a veiled threat and test for that the little girl.
Kayo just stared at El with a calm gaze, as if not affected in the slightest. "My name is Kayo Senju. My task is to defeat Gastrea with my Promoter," she replied, in a steady tone of voice, not in the least shaken by El's indifferent and cold demeanor.
El gave a response of any expression, not even seeming to take Kayo's words seriously. "Duty? I'd rather end this matter without involving anyone else," El said, walking casually towards the window.
"I had enough to get rid of Gastrea. The rest... I don't care about this business," he said bitterly.
Kayo observed El, astonished by her seemingly uncaring attitude, even towards the life of a Cursed Child. "So, you only see me as... a tool for your task?" she asked, trying to understand El's unusual attitude.
El turned his head, the look in his eyes warming slightly. With a barely-there smile, she walked over to Kayo. "I never saw you as a tool, Kayo. I'm used to fighting alone," he said flatly, yet without ill will.
Lifting her palm and gently, El placed it on top of Kayo's head, stroking her hair gently. "You're here only because they forced you, not because you chose this. Do whatever you want, I won't forbid it."
Kayo fell silent, shocked. El's uncaring words felt foreign, but his gentle touch on her head gave a warmth she hadn't expected.
For the first time, Kayo felt the small glimmer of desire that appeared behind El's cold demeanor. He might seem cold and uncaring, but there was something different, something that felt... sincere.
"Alright," Kayo said with a slight smile on her usually flat face, as if there was a glimmer of emotion returning. "I want to fight by your side. It's my duty, as an Initiator."
El just nodded, without showing much emotion, then stepped towards the exit. "Let's get to work. There must be a lot of Gastrea waiting for me to exterminate," he said coldly.
Kayo followed behind, staring at El's back with a faint smile, as if seeing a big brother she could trust.
As she opened the door and walked out, El paused for a moment without turning around, then said, "Oh, and my name is El Ira Adrian. Call me whatever you like."
"Alright, Adrian-san." said Kayo with a faint smile on hos flat face.
***
El and Kayo walked side by side amidst the crowded city streets filled with people passing by. The atmosphere around them was bustling, with rows of shops along the sidewalk and the cacophony of conversations from other pedestrians.
El glanced at a clothing store that displayed some sweaters in the window. "Hmm... Kayo's clothes aren't fit for use, especially since she only has one suit." he said thoughtfully.
"Kayo, let's stop by-" Just as El was about to suggest that they buy new clothes for Kayo, his attention was distracted by the faint sound of Kayo's rumbling stomach.
El glanced at Kayo, who now seemed to be staring at the hot dog stand by the side of the road with an interested gaze but trying to remain calm.
Letting out a small sigh, El nodded to himself, and said, "Looks like we need to stop first... to fill up."
Kayo turned her head, her face slightly flushed, then nodded slowly. "Sorry.... " she said, holding back her embarrassment.
Smiling faintly, El walked over to the food stand, giving Kayo a chance to enjoy a hot meal first before they entered the clothing store, afterward hunting down as much Gastrea as possible.
Once in the world of Black Bullet, before deciding to register himself as a Promoter and meet Kayo, El first visited a pawn shop in town.
There, El sold some gold coins he had brought from the world of Reincarnation Room, exchanging them for the local currency.
The proceeds from the sale were impressive; El now had over a hundred million Yen or perhaps even a billion Yen stored in the Storage Ring, ready to be used as needed.
With this wealth, El felt free to spend his money on the best equipment, such as the varanium gear he would later buy.