Yabai Mina aimed her specialized weapon, her entire body charged with focused energy.
An immense power began building within her firearm, radiating waves of destructive force.
"Drake, get out of there!" Soshiro Hoshina shouted urgently.
Taking down a kaiju in a single strike wasn't an easy task.
Every Defense Force member was equipped with advanced gear—earpieces, combat suits, and communication systems—to ensure seamless teamwork.
But Drake had none of these.
The Perfect Timing
Drake's heightened senses picked up on Mina's actions immediately.
Yet, he didn't move to dodge right away.
If he was going to act, it had to be convincing. Taking some damage wasn't a problem.
As a thunderous explosion roared, the sky filled with blinding light.
The Barrier Kaiju, unable to even activate its abilities, was obliterated before it could react.
Drake's precision swordplay had already disrupted its vital systems, ensuring it had no chance to fight back.
A Dramatic Scene
For two to three minutes, the battlefield was eerily silent.
Finally, a system alert echoed: "Target confirmed neutralized."
Mina calmly holstered her weapon. For her, every attack was meant to be fatal—there was no room for mercy when dealing with kaiju.
"What about that guy? Is he okay?" Ikaruga asked nervously.
Just moments ago, Drake had been battling the kaiju. Mina's devastating attack had taken out most of the monster's body, leaving it thoroughly dead.
Now, only a routine check for residual creatures was needed.
Hoshina immediately began searching for Drake. Fortunately, the young man had managed to dodge in time.
Three minutes later, he found Drake sitting cross-legged near the kaiju's remains.
A Calculated Injury
"You're still alive?!" Hoshina exclaimed, his tone a mix of shock and relief.
Drake was covered in dirt, his arm bloodied from a gash, with fresh blood dripping steadily.
His condition appeared grim.
"Take me to the hospital," Drake said weakly, spitting out a mouthful of blood for effect.
"Looks like joining the Defense Force will have to wait. You didn't consider my feelings at all," he added, sounding bitter.
Of course, it was all an act.
Internally, Drake was thrilled.
After absorbing the Barrier Kaiju's abilities, he could now create barriers to manipulate perceptions.
This allowed him to generate illusions, showing others only what he wanted them to see.
Manipulating Perceptions
Drake's newfound ability was the ultimate tool for evasion. By masking his actions, he could outmaneuver even the sharpest observers.
For now, he leaned into his deception, looking as though he'd barely survived.
"See what happens when you refuse to join the Defense Force? With a combat suit, you'd be twice as powerful!" Hoshina scolded, genuinely believing Drake had been injured.
Mina stood silently nearby, her expression unreadable.
"Did my attack really hit him? Why didn't it feel like it?" she wondered. As a sharpshooter, Mina had honed her sense of impact to perfection. Yet something felt off.
A Well-Played Strategy
Drake lay on the stretcher, thoroughly enjoying his victory.
The Barrier Kaiju's abilities were proving invaluable. If he'd gained them earlier, he could've avoided a lot of trouble.
But things had worked out perfectly.
Now, the Defense Force trusted him even more, giving him ample time to strengthen himself further.
Kafka's Resolve
From the sidelines, Kafka watched with clenched fists as Drake was taken away.
Despite being able to transform into a kaiju himself, Kafka felt powerless.
"I have to join the Defense Force," he thought firmly. "If I can transform into a monster, I must use that power to protect my friends."
Scrutiny from the Top
Drake's sudden hospitalization quickly became the talk of the Third Defense Division and even reached higher-ranking officials.
The new reports painted a different picture.
According to the latest medical examinations, Drake was a normal human. His injuries couldn't heal on their own, and his strength was evaluated at 3–4 kaiju levels—a range achievable by humans.
In short, his threat level was low.
His recovery was estimated to take at least two weeks, during which he'd remain in the hospital.
The High Council
At Minami Base, a high-level meeting was convened.
Isao Shinomiya reviewed the reports on Drake and asked, "What do you all think of this young man?"
He already had his own opinions. While Drake was indeed extraordinary, he remained within the realm of humanity.
"I say we detain him!" a bald officer suggested immediately.
The man's hatred for kaiju was well known, and his suspicion extended to anyone with unusual strength.
Others quickly voiced their agreement, arguing that Drake's abilities were too dangerous to be left unchecked.
After all, without a combat suit, he already had the strength of a Level 3–4 kaiju.
With a suit, his power would double, posing an even greater challenge.
Even the Defense Force's strongest, including Mina, Hoshina, and Isao himself, relied on specialized equipment to achieve their incredible feats.
A Rebuttal
"He's human, not a kaiju," Isao countered with a faint smile. "What grounds do we have to detain him?"
As the highest-ranking officer in the Defense Force and humanity's strongest man, Isao rarely imposed his will outright.
He valued collaboration and preferred to consult his team before making decisions.
"This kid's background is suspicious!" the bald officer argued, seizing on a flimsy excuse.