The sky burned crimson as the ominous glow of the dungeon gate split the evening horizon. Kaito stood at the edge of the chaos, his katana resting lightly on his shoulder. The screams of fleeing civilians and the guttural growls of the creatures echoed across the district, but Kaito's expression remained calm. His lips curled into a faint smirk. "Looks like they've brought the circus to town."
The creatures were unlike any he'd faced before—twisted amalgamations of shadow and bone, faster and more feral. They tore through cars and buildings as though they were paper, leaving devastation in their wake. Kaito stepped forward with measured precision, his dark coat swaying with each deliberate step. He was the calm eye of the storm, unshaken even as the monsters charged.
The first creature lunged—a blur of claws and shadow. Kaito sidestepped effortlessly, his katana flashing in a clean, controlled arc. The blade sliced through the beast's torso, leaving only a dissipating mist. He tilted his head, inspecting his work. "Predictable," he muttered before turning to face the next.
Two more charged from opposite sides. Kaito pivoted smoothly, driving the flat of his blade into one creature's claw with a metallic ring. He spun on his heel, the motion seamless, and cleaved through the second attacker's arm. His smirk deepened. "You're making this too easy," he taunted, his voice dripping with mockery.
A hulking beast stepped forward, its mass dwarfing its brethren. Kaito's stance shifted subtly, his grip tightening on the hilt of his katana. The creature roared and charged, its claws slicing through the air. But Kaito remained still, his calm gaze fixed on the monster. At the last moment, he sidestepped, his blade arcing down in a single precise strike along its exposed flank. The creature staggered and crumpled, its roar fading to nothing.
Even as three more creatures closed in on him, Kaito showed no sign of panic. He ducked under a claw swipe, his coat grazing the ground, and retaliated with a quick upward slash. The dark mist clouded his vision, but he cut through it with surgical precision. "Three left," he muttered, wiping his blade clean against his sleeve. "Let's wrap this up."
Kaito's sharp eyes scanned the battlefield and landed on a group of civilians huddled against a collapsed building. A trio of creatures advanced on them, their claws gleaming with malevolent energy. Kaito's calm demeanor didn't waver as he called out, "Stay put. I'll handle this."
Extending his hand instinctively, Kaito felt a surge of energy course through him. Shadows and light swirled around his outstretched arm, and an eclipse-like shimmer formed into a semi-transparent barrier. The creatures struck the dome, but their attacks rebounded with explosive force, the barrier radiating a shockwave that left them stunned.
Kaito observed the barrier with mild curiosity, his smirk returning. "Not bad," he mused, flexing his fingers as the energy dissipated. "Looks like I've got a few surprises too."
As the last creature fell, Kaito crouched beside one of the defeated beasts. His sharp eyes caught the faint glow of a symbol etched into its body—jagged and alien, pulsating with an eerie red light. He studied it closely, his calm voice breaking the silence. "Someone's leaving their signature," he remarked, his tone laced with dry amusement. "Hope they're ready for a critique."
Despite the chaos, Kaito's composure never faltered. He sketched the rune's design from memory, determination sparking in his eyes. Whatever this symbol was, it wasn't random—and Kaito intended to uncover its meaning.
The glow of the gate faded into the darkened sky, leaving only the crackling of distant fires. Kaito rose to his feet, rolling his shoulder as he surveyed the aftermath. His katana rested once again on his shoulder as he turned toward the civilians. "Get somewhere safe," he instructed, his voice steady and commanding.
As they scattered into the night, Kaito glanced one last time at the strange rune. His smirk returned, but his gaze was sharp. "Whoever you are," he murmured, "you've got my attention."