"I just want to rest for now. A Level 5 kaiju like this? You can handle it easily. Or, does anyone want to lend me a weapon? Let me give it a try!" Drake Myers strolled over to the Defense Force team, his familiar grin making him seem right at home.
To be honest, Drake had no issue being friends with Defense Force members, but as colleagues? That was far too complicated.
Joining the Defense Force was never on his agenda.
As he grew stronger, he knew even the Defense Force would eventually have to lower their heads when speaking to him.
Dreams were beautiful, but the future was in his own hands, and he was determined to fight for it.
Borrowing a Weapon
"Use mine, senior!" Village Captain Murashita eagerly stepped forward, his excitement palpable.
The weapon he offered wasn't a custom piece but a standard Defense Force model—one forged from kaiju remains and modern technology.
"Murashita, right?" Drake asked as he swung the familiar longsword a few times, testing its weight.
Instantly, a mechanical voice echoed through the Defense Force members' earpieces:
"Beep-beep. Liberation rate: 99%."
The voice was cold and emotionless, but the message was enough to leave everyone stunned.
"No matter how many times I see it, it's still unbelievable," murmured Nakashima, swallowing nervously.
This guy was terrifying. If the tests hadn't conclusively shown he was human, he would've been sent for dissection by now.
Soshiro Hoshina, who had just arrived on the scene, instinctively gripped the hilt of his sword. This kid was far too bold.
"Is he trying to prove something to the Defense Force? Or does he want Captain Yabai to apologize in person?" Hoshina glanced at his captain's calm expression, his heart heavy with frustration.
He couldn't let this continue. Drake had to be brought into the Defense Force—if only temporarily.
The Kaiju's Materials
Custom weapons were reserved for those with significant contributions. Currently, only eight numbered kaiju had been identified.
Kaiju No. 2's materials were used to craft the weapon wielded by Isao Shinomiya.
As for Kaiju No. 8, it was still a recent discovery, and little was known about it.
Drake owed his current freedom to Kaiju No. 8. Its sudden appearance had drawn the Defense Force's attention, giving him breathing room.
The Battle Begins
Drake strode toward the Barrier Kaiju, sword in hand.
"So fast! He's practically a humanoid kaiju!" Nakashima exclaimed, awestruck.
The other members watched in stunned silence. They knew Drake was strong, but witnessing it firsthand was something else entirely.
With precise movements, Drake launched into his attack.
His fighting style was reminiscent of the famous "Captain Levi vs. Beast Titan" scene from Attack on Titan—swift, agile, and relentless.
Drake moved with deadly efficiency, dodging the kaiju's attacks with ease and countering with brutal precision.
He had no sympathy for the creature.
Devour. That was the plan.
Anything standing in the way of his growth was an enemy.
Praise from the Defense Force
"This is incredible! He's a natural-born warrior!" Hoshina muttered, unable to contain his admiration.
Each strike from Drake's sword was calculated and powerful, a perfect blend of grace and violence.
"He's tearing that thing apart!" Hoshina added as he watched the live feed from the command vehicle.
In just five or six minutes, the Barrier Kaiju was riddled with wounds, its massive body starting to falter.
Of course, most of the damage was superficial.
Drake was deliberately holding back, careful not to reveal his full strength.
The Captain Arrives
"Enough standing around! Everyone, prepare for battle!" Captain Yabai Mina's cold voice snapped the team to attention.
She stepped out of her vehicle, her black combat suit emphasizing her commanding presence. Beside her leapt a white tiger—a mysterious creature whose origins were never explained in the anime.
The tiger often served as Yabai's gun mount, reducing recoil with its remarkable intelligence.
"Lieutenant Nakashima, how can you just stand there? Do something!" Yabai barked, her voice like ice.
Nakashima, flustered, immediately sprang into action, rallying the team.
A Harsh Lesson
Drake's relentless attacks had left the kaiju visibly weakened, its movements growing sluggish.
But he had yet to strike the killing blow.
Yabai frowned as she raised her weapon—a high-tech firearm that glimmered ominously.
"Koizumi, locate the kaiju's core!" she commanded.
"Yes, Captain! Preparing data now!"
"Liberation rate: 96%. Ammunition fully loaded. All systems ready."
The mechanical voice echoed in every team member's earpiece as Yabai prepared to fire.