Calantis, southern Malvay
Toro wakes up in his hotel room one morning. He is still weirdly dressed. He rushes to the bathroom and cleans up. He walks past his calendar casually and catches a glimpse of it, causing him to talk to himself.
Toro: It's the 30th today. Feels like just yesterday I took that kid to the forest, but it's actually been a month... Huh?! A month?!
Toro hurries out, heading to Obala Forest in his car.
Meanwhile, Mario is covered in blood, his palm bruised from gripping Dark Nemesis multiple times. He looks unkempt, and his eyes portray a lack of sleep. He looks at the sky as the sun rises and mutters to himself.
Mario: Day 31. He's still not here. I just have to go on. Was Mavis right? No, that doesn't matter now. Just have to keep fighting.
Mario struggles to keep walking but collapses after taking three steps. Toro, who had already deactivated the barrier, catches him. Toro stares at Mario, who is still unconscious.
Toro: In a perfect world, you'd be in a mansion right now. You'd have two hands and an innocent smile, but unfortunately, this world isn't perfect. Far from it. In this world, darkness doesn't wait for the sun to set. Darkness is everywhere at every time. Even now, I still sense that malice from you. The strong intent to kill. Who do you want to kill, Mario?
Mario's lips move slowly.
Mario: I didn't die. I'll see your face soon.
Toro: Oh, you will, but right now, we need to get out of here. Your test is over.
Toro carries Mario to his car and drives to an old barn, where he tends to Mario's wounds. After some hours, Mario wakes up to find himself under the shade of a tree. He sees Toro, who is on the plain field, staring at the sky. Mario manages to walk up to him, clutching his lower back.
Toro: You should rest some more. It's proper.
Mario: You should just take off your mask so I can see your face. That's what I call "proper''.
Toro: Do you know why I cover my entire body?
Mario: Probably because you're a weirdo who thinks it's the proper thing to do.
Toro: You really are a pain.
Mario: When will I be able to use Kado?
Toro: You see that blade I gave you? It's capable of bringing an end to any being in the universe. Even immortals. You just have to be able to use it... according to legends, of course. If you can make that sword do something extraordinary, then there's a possibility that you can use Kado.
Mario: Possibility?
Toro: Kado is a gift. Gifts aren't given to everyone. Congratulations, by the way. You're no longer a hunter in training. You are now a junior hunter. Now that you're officially a member of the Demon Dogs Institute (DDI), I'm afraid we may no longer see each other this often.
Toro hands over a device to Mario.
Toro: The location of your new residence is shown there. I'll send someone to watch over you and help you understand the job.
Mario: I don't need a babysitter.
Toro: That's rather sad. You'll get all the necessary stuff when you get there. Your place of residence will be changed over time, so don't get too used to it.
Mario: Whatever.
Toro: A word of advice—live every day like it's your last, because it may just be that. Do your best and climb the rankings as quickly as possible. In this line of work, people don't exactly live long. And Mario?
Mario: Hmm?
Toro: I'm glad we couldn't wipe your memory. You're a survivor. Mario Cadel... of House Daline.
At this moment, Mario's eyes open wide in shock. He had almost forgotten what used to be a crucial part of his identity.
Toro: Bye, Mario. And please don't die too soon.
Toro begins to walk to his car as Mario calls out his name.
Mario: Uhm... Toro?
Toro pauses and looks back.
Toro: Yes?
Mario: Thank you... for everything.
Toro: It's "Captain Toro" to you from now on.
Toro enters his car and drives off.
Mario is dumbfounded by what he just heard.
Mario: Did he just say "captain"? That guy is a captain?
Mario opens the device Toro gave him. He is familiar with it because Lukas had one just like it, but unfortunately, Mario was never given one.
After a period of seemingly aimless movement, Mario finds the place Toro was referring to. His new residence turns out to be an underground shelter of some sort. He soon settles in and starts honing his swordsmanship, but eventually, even he becomes exhausted. He falls asleep like a baby.
At midnight, Mario wakes up. He hears footsteps coming from above. Clutching his sword, he sneaks to the door, awaiting the right moment to strike. The right moment would be the instant the door opens. The footsteps grow louder. Mario tightens his grip as the door creaks open. He swings hard—but sees no one. The footsteps are gone.
He closes the door, turns back, and sees someone sitting on a chair. It's a boy, seemingly around the same age as Mario, with blue hair and a lollipop in his mouth. He removes the lollipop and speaks.
Mari: Yo, you must be Mario.
Mario: Who are you?
Mari: You can call me—
Mario rushes forward and swings before Mari can finish, but the attack misses. Mari barely moves; he remains seated, simply tilting his head to evade the slash.
Mari: You're a hotheaded one, aren't you?
Mario: Do not presume to know me. Now tell me who you are!
Mari: I can't answer if you keep—
Mario swings again, but this time, Mari stops the blade's movement with just his fingertip. Mario's eyes widen in shock. He pauses, then lowers his sword.
Mari: Finally!
Mario's demeanor changes. He seems demoralized.
Mario (in a low tone): Who are you, and why are you here?
Mari: The name's Mari, and I'm the best in the world.
Mario: That bragging attitude... You remind me of Toro.
Mari: Oh, my mentor.
Mario: Your what now?
Mari: My mentor. He actually told me I'd find you here. He asked me to "brush you up." Whatever that means.
Mario: So you're the guy Toro was talking about. You're a rude one. You break into my home, sit on my chair, and what's that in your mouth? A lollipop? How old are you? Twelve?
Mari removes the lollipop from his mouth.
Mari: I'm sixteen, and this is my home. You're the one living with me from now on, and I think you should add more respect to the way you address me.
Mario's device beeps.
Mari: Oh. Right about time. Check your D-pad.
Mario: D-pad?
Mari: I see Toro didn't tell you. Classic Toro.
Mario checks his D-pad and notices a section called "Hunters Near You." The first name he sees shocks him.
Mario: CIT Mari? You're a Captain-in-Training?! At sixteen?!
Mari: Told ya, I'm the best in the world.
Mario: If you're a CIT, does that mean you can use Kado?
Mari: I don't mean to brag, but I have a unique attribute.
Mario: Doesn't everyone?
Mari: Mine is uniquely unique. My attribute is—
Mari and Mario's D-pads beep. They both check their screens. They've received a message from a user who doesn't support replies. It's from the DDI authorities.
Mari: An urgent gathering for all hunters?
Mario: Seems like I got the same message.
Mari: Let me read mine out loud. It says, "Dear Sir..."
Mario: Dear Sir?! Why do you get a "Dear Sir"?!
Mari: My rank. And because I'm the best in the world.
Mario: Best at lollipop consumption. Oh, the map came in. I'll race you to the location. First one there gets ownership of the hideout.
Mari: You'll definitely lose... but fine.
Mario dashes toward the entrance, but Mari smiles and disappears in an instant. Mario yells, slightly irritated.
Mario: Show-off!
He follows suit, running as fast as he can.