ILLCREST HIGH SCHOOL 

TOKYO, JAPAN

"These characters can be translated into 'Natural Disaster.'"

Tap, tap—

The teacher lightly tapped the board with a plastic cane.

"...A sudden and terrible event in nature, which usually results in serious damage and casualties."

He turned to the board, writing Natural Disasters in bold letters so every student in the class could see.

"Let's take a look at the four categories. Changes on land: earthquakes, floods, and typhoons, in a literal sense...

"...But natural disasters refer to all devastations that cannot be stopped or controlled by any human means we have today..."

The teacher rambled on, addressing a classroom of about a dozen students, all dressed in uniform. Half of them were fully invested in the lecture, while the other half distracted themselves with anything to make the time pass, silently praying for the dismissal bell to ring.

"...This day and age is troubled with more natural disasters than ever before..."

"Man, I feel sick. I get nauseous just hearing Mr. Tadachi teach... He should stop, I feel dizzy."

"Shut up and look at this..."

A student pulled out his phone from his pocket and showed it to another. On the screen, a video played silently—a reptilian-like creature battling a man dressed in all black.

"It's Black Mask... The supe that came out of nowhere a year ago. Did someone sight him?"

"Yeah, somebody just posted a video of him a couple of days ago... All the other ones are bad quality, but this one's super up close."

The boys watched together, their mouths hanging open in awe.

"Wow, whoever filmed this risked their life to get this shot! They're basically standing right behind them!"

"Oh my God, did you see that!?"

The blood squirting from the creature was vivid, captured in high definition as Black Mask drove his fist straight through its torso.

"I'd piss my pants if I ever ran into either of them on the street."

"Where the hell are these creatures coming from? Send me the link to that video, though..."

The teacher noticed the chatter and stopped his explanation mid-sentence.

"You at the back—quit chatting and pay attention, or I'll send—"

BEEEEEEEEEEP. BEEEEEEEEEEP!

A loud alarm blared from the speaker above the classroom board, stunning everyone, including the teacher.

—Disaster Alert!—

"An alert!?"

Panic rippled through the students as the alarm continued to ring.

—This is an emergency disaster and raid alert!—

"Alright, students, school is out for today!" The teacher's voice was edged with urgency as he gathered his notes.

—This is an alert from the Calamity Control Center—

—A hazardous agent, believed to be a deadly creature, has been detected near Illcrest Port.—

The teacher slammed his cane against the desk, demanding the students' attention.

"Hurry out in an orderly fashion and go straight home! I want all of you safe and sound!"

Despite his instructions, the students scrambled in a chaotic rush—desks falling over, chairs scraping against the floor as they shoved their belongings into their bags, making a frantic exit.

"Crap! The port is right by my house. What am I supposed to do now?"

A girl with dark hair tied in a bun sat quietly at her desk, watching as her classmates hurried out.

"...Another one? It's only been a week since the last. And it's already the third time this year. That's way too often..." she muttered to herself.

"I wonder if he will show up... The superhuman."

She glanced to her right and noticed another student, bent over on his desk, seemingly asleep. Too lost in thought, she hadn't realized they were now the only ones left in the room.

She stayed quiet, listening for any sign that he was awake. But the steady rhythm of his breathing suggested otherwise.

'Who is that?' she wondered.

BUZZ. BUZZ. BUZZ.

The vibrating sound of a phone broke the silence. The boy stirred, reaching into his pocket to retrieve his cellphone. He raised his head slightly, revealing only his half-opened eyes as he checked the caller ID.

Genji—

"Uh-huh, hello?" His voice was groggy as he straightened in his chair, rubbing his eyes to shake off his drowsiness.

"Huh? Where?"

*Illcrest Port! I'll give you the location when you leave, and don't forget your earpiece!*

"Okay."

*And hurry, Satoru!*

He ended the call and blinked, finally realizing the classroom was empty. He had been too deep in sleep to notice the chaos around him.

Only the girl beside him remained, staring at him with confusion written all over her face.

He blinked again. "What?"

"I just thought you were sleeping... There's an alert, so you should go home," she said.

He yawned, stretching his arms before replying lazily, "I will..."

She furrowed her brows and stood up, exiting the classroom. 'Weird. Not a care in the world. Well, it's his life, not mine.'

After waiting a few seconds, ensuring she wouldn't return, he reached under his desk and pulled out his backpack. Unzipping it, he revealed its contents: black clothing—a ski mask, a sweatshirt, and pants—alongside regular school supplies like exercise books, pens, and a ruler.

His brows knitted together as he did a quick inventory.

"I've got my earpiece. Looks like everything's here... I'll change in the bathroom."

Scanning his surroundings one last time, he clutched the bag and swiftly made his way out.

"Ahem... I'm just gonna walk out, and no one will suspect a thing."

---

ILLCREST SEA PORT

"You godforsaken monster!!"

The man slammed his foot against the gas pedal, sending the semi-truck hurtling forward at maximum speed.

The truck collided with the creature—

CRASH!

The impact nearly split the vehicle in half. Shattered glass scattered across the pavement as the truck came to a violent stop. But the creature stood unfazed, like nothing had happened.

It was monstrous—resembling an enormous piranha with bulging eyes, a scaly body, and a massive jaw lined with razor-sharp teeth. Fin-like structures protruded from its arms and ankles.

The man inside the truck gasped in shock. The creature slowly turned its head toward him.

SHRIEEEEEEEEK!

It let out an ear-piercing screech before swinging its massive arm—

POW!

The truck was flattened like tin foil, its metal frame crumpling with an ear-splitting crunch. Blood pooled from the wreckage, a dismembered arm lying limply among the debris.

"Holy shit... It just totaled the truck!"

A port worker, dressed in sea gear, hid behind a shipping container, his heart pounding in terror.

His coworker crouched beside him, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Pull yourself together, you little wimp!" the first man scolded.

"W-We're screwed..."

"Shut up and stay quiet. If it doesn't notice us, we might make it out alive."

He peeked around the corner—only to find the creature gone.

His breath hitched.

"Where is it? Did you see it?"

"It's gone..."

ARGHHHH!

A thunderous roar erupted above them.

Their heads snapped upward— The beast was perched atop the container, poised to strike.

"God dammit! Show me what you're made of you ugly, digus..." The first worker yelled as he curved his palms into a fist in an attempt to defend himself. 

The beast wasn't having it. It swung its massive arm—

CRACK!

The blow sent him hurtling backward, slamming against a shipping container with a sickening crunch.

For a moment, silence.Then, his body slumped to the ground—his torso split open, organs spilling onto the pavement.

He was dead before he even hit the floor. 

The other worker seeing the immediate demise of his colleague was rooted to the ground out of fear and just like that the creature sandwiched his face against the shipping container crushing his skull into a pulp. 

ILLCREST HIGH SCHOOL - ROOFTOP

*Where were you, Satoru?*

"Bathroom. Just finished changing."

*Hurry. Things are bad.*

Satoru stepped onto the rooftop, shielding his eyes from the overcast sky.

"That's just enough light to do the trick..."

He placed his palm against the ground. His brows furrowed, his breath steady.

"Shadow Spirit: Starfire Phoenix."