Sakura Nation.
Yokohama.
Monster Cleanup Company.
Drake Myers slowly opened his eyes, the sounds of bustling activity greeting him.
"Damn it, it's the Third Division again. This time, we're really in for it," Uncle De grumbled, appearing in Drake Myers's line of sight with an exasperated expression. His wild afro and weary demeanor completed the picture of a man worn down by life.
The Third Division?
Kaiju No. 8?
A middle-aged shonen action series?
Drake Myers frowned. This all sounded eerily familiar.
It was a recently popular anime—one with a talented creator, albeit one whose last three works ended abruptly without resolution. The stats for this series, however, were dazzling.
Wait. No, this isn't right. Why am I thinking about plotlines?
If this is that world, though, then it all makes sense.
This is a world dominated by monsters—no tokusatsu heroes, no bald Saitama, no EVA mechs. Just ordinary people navigating extraordinary dangers.
The world's structure remained familiar: Sakura Nation stood strong, and the Defense Force was an elite organization countless people dreamed of joining.
The Defense Force was like a high-tier guild equipped with advanced technology and populated by countless exceptional individuals. In Yokohama, the Third Division held jurisdiction.
Their captain, Mina Ashiro, was the youngest in history and a rising superstar who many believed was destined for even greater achievements. Under her command were many talented individuals, including a vice-captain with perpetually squinting eyes. And as everyone knows, squinting characters are always monsters in disguise.
"Ah, Uncle De, we're just the cleanup crew. Hard work comes with the job. As long as the kaiju don't cause too much harm to civilians, that's what really matters," said a familiar voice, stepping in to mediate.
The speaker was a man in his thirties, his scruffy beard and square face giving him the look of an everyman you'd find anywhere.
Drake Myers couldn't help but chuckle. This was none other than the protagonist of the series: Kafka Hibino.
Piecing together the timeline in his head, Drake Myers began to understand this world more clearly.
Kaiju, in essence, were akin to earthquakes: the stronger the epicenter, the higher the threat level. It was a world not too different from that of One Punch Man.
From the looks of it, the main story hadn't truly begun yet. Kafka hadn't encountered Ichikawa or awakened his powers. At almost 32, he was a man grappling with the fading embers of his youthful dreams, beaten down by time and life's relentless challenges.
"Uncle De, Kafka-senpai is right. We're the cleanup crew, and while the job may be hard and messy, who says heroes are only those standing in the spotlight?" Drake Myers said, his expression resolute.
Kafka looked at the young man with surprise. A week ago, Drake Myers had openly loathed this job. What had caused such a sudden shift in his mindset?
Still, his words struck a chord. Who indeed says heroes must bask in the light?
When he was young, Kafka had made a vow with Mina: they would drive the kaiju out of the Sakura Nation. But as the years passed and rejection after rejection from the Defense Force piled up, that dream began to feel out of reach.
Even so, Kafka never stopped trying. Joining the cleanup crew was, in part, a way to stay close to Mina, his childhood friend.
In this world, talent was king. Without it, no amount of effort could bridge the gap. Despite his relentless drive, Kafka was approaching 32, with his body and abilities already beginning to decline.
"Kafka, don't forget to apply for the Defense Force this year!" Drake Myers said, giving him a thumbs-up and a confident grin.
"Of course! I already took the written exam!" Kafka replied with a laugh, scratching his head—before suddenly freezing, his face filled with shock.
Hmm?
Drake Myers narrowed his eyes in thought. It seemed the story's main events weren't far off.
"Ha! You applied again, huh? You're a rare breed, Kafka—someone who only gets stronger with each setback," Uncle De remarked with admiration. "The next round of exams is three months away, right? Let's get moving. Time to head out!"
Uncle De was already suiting up in the cleanup crew's specialized gear.
Drake Myers nodded, readying himself. With time to spare, it was time to start laying the groundwork for his plans.
Kaiju didn't appear constantly. The ones that did were often slow and docile, with some low-level creatures even being kept in captivity to train new Defense Force recruits.
But Drake Myers knew this wasn't a simple, singular world. This was a crossover universe—one far more complex than it appeared.
His cheat ability had already awakened: Infinite Devour.
Through hunting kaiju and other creatures, he could absorb their traits and evolve into something unparalleled. Speed from a cheetah. Swimming ability from a fish. Endless possibilities.
Yet, in such an unremarkable world, relying on this ability alone would be laughable. Drake Myers suspected there was far more beneath the surface.
"Drake Myers, about what you just said—it wasn't just an act, was it? Prove to us that you've truly embraced this job. Otherwise, I'll have no choice but to let you go," Uncle De warned sternly before their departure.
Huh? What kind of job could you even get fired from?
This cleanup crew was full of talented people—Drake Myers wasn't about to let go of this opportunity.
"Don't worry, Uncle De. I've grown up now. From today, I'm ready to tackle the hardest, dirtiest jobs you've got!" Drake Myers declared, clenching his fist with determination.
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