《Reikon's Symphony》


 Part 1

    "The increasing cases of Reikon kept rising like a spike. However, the officials still haven''t said a word this past month. As bodies piled up-" The old TV spouted some news that Japan started to get bored by.


    "I''m so late!" Ryoka complained. It seemed like he had to start the day with a fuss.


    Ryoka Sato is an exemplary student at Kujira High School and is considered one of the brightest in the school''s history. He is recognized by influential figures from various sectors, including government and business. His communication skills often leave his opponents speechless in debate battles. However, today¡ªwell, actually yesterday, he made the mistake of staying up late reading manga. As a result, he had to sprint to school with only twenty minutes left before the gate closed.


    Thankfully, he''s blessed with quick feet; he arrived at school with only 2 minutes to spare. Class after class passed like wind, and the bell rang to send off the students. He walked home slowly to enjoy the view. It is indeed the metropolitan scene, though never had he complained. He''s been thankful for having a peaceful life.


    He''d take a de-route to his house every day. He''d go to his grandpa''s. There, he''d practiced kendo for 2 hours and finally went back home to study. If not, he''d choose the library three blocks away from his.


    Days of nothing special pass quickly. On the 3rd of May, the streak of nothing special was cut short. The incident took place in Aoyama, Tokyo. As stated in multiple news, in unison they said; the worst incident regarding Reikon in Ward 7.


    8.33 am, a fifteen-story building plummeted into the ground, fogging a one-sixth of Ward 7. Death count, 323.


    8.35 am, identified as Reikon case. Sending Responder to the scene.


    8.36 am, Reikon made a move to a certain cafe.


    "Reikon!" A woman outside screeched after seeing what just unfolded. Everyone in the cafe stopped their activities and took a look outside.


    The woman turned away. The trees beside the road started to sway intensely, closing in on the cafe. The wind stilled around the woman. At that moment, there was a sound like pulp. Also at that moment, the window was washed with a red substance, blocking what was outside.You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    Ryoka was in there. With his grandpa, they were playing cards before things started to catch up. Neither he nor anyone else in the cafe could move. They knew a Reikon was still there.


    And they also knew, it was at least a semi-catastrophe level.


    After a long silence, Ryoka attempted to move his finger, but suddenly the door exploded into pieces. He felt scared, as did everyone else. Some of them were shaking, some were squirming, and most were crying.


    Ryoka almost screamed upon seeing the creature. It was enormous, about the size of six humans. However, that wasn''t the reason he screamed; it was because he had spotted a Reikon.


    A brief overview: In Japanese folklore, Reikon is a mythological creature that represents both ghosts and spirits. In 2012, unknown creatures began to appear throughout Japan. Around a hundred Reikons were slaughtered by an individual claimed to be the Reikon Reaper.


    The death toll reached nearly the total of both atomic bombings during World War 2 combined. Since then, Reikon has become viewed as an enemy of Japan. However, they are relatively easy to deal with¡ªif only everyone could see them.


    He can see them! Ryoka tried to whisper to his grandpa, but it was interrupted. The Reikon was dark blue. Its body details were as if an exceeded buffed human. Ryoka saw it opening his hand widely so he responded panickily by blocking his hand. The card on the table-


    The Reikon clapped. THUMP! Ryoka heard that but it was muffled. He opened his eyes back again and looked to the left, everyone was gone. He turned to the back- The brown wall was now just flowing blood and hairs occasionally. It clicked to him, his grandpa was also one of them, dead.


    He tried to look at the Reikon with a fierce eye but was blocked by; Cards.


    It saved him. The cards began to open up, encircling Ryoka and revealing the Reikon who had killed his late grandfather. He clenched his fist, and the cards started to form a sphere. He pointed his fist, along with the floating cards, toward the Reikon and opened his palm.


    It was as if a gunshot. It flew to the Reikon and took a direct hit to the torso. It blew and made a perfect circle in it. The Reikon screeched and tried to clap again.


    Ryoka pointed out a finger and waved it. A card flew by and cut one of the Reikon''s hands. The Reikon screamed and it broke every single glass in the vicinity. It ran outside but Ryoka never intended to let it go.


    He chased out took one of the flying cards to his hand and flipped it. He threw the card towards the Reikon and it flew until it contacted the Reikon''s neck. It was split clean. Purplish blood sprayed out from its body and fell to the ground. Never moving again.


    Most cannot see the Reikon itself but they could see it''s blood. Some were screaming after getting washed with purple blood. The pedestrian who was fleeing from the plummeted building stopped. They mumbled, "Is that a Reikon Responder?

 Part 2

    Reikons come in various sizes, ranging from half the height of a human to the size of a metropolitan building. Their details, such as colors and shapes, may vary. However, the strength of each Reikon only differs to a measurable extent.


    From below, Level 1 to 5. Their damage is only able to destroy cars. Then, we have a Fatal, Semi-catastrophic, Catastrophic, and lastly, Stampede. Stampede-level Reikon only appeared once in late 2015, in Japan. The incident was called the First Outbreak.


    Ever since Reikon emerged, humans also had a remarkable change to some which were called awakeners. However, the total count of awakeners is close to none. Each country only had the average 12 and some don''t even have one.


    Japan had the highest number of awakeners, initially totaling 23, but this number was reduced to 9 during an outbreak in late 2015. Thanks to the efforts of the awakeners, the casualties were limited to just 136, despite the involvement of a Stampede-level Reikon.


    Japan''s government had founded an agency manned by awakeners. The members are called Reikon Responders. They were the ones who would step up to defend and slaughter the Reikon. However, this agency only came to light after a case was posted. This was due to ordinary humans not being able to see Reikon, making it much harder.


    Today, Japan has seen one of the most eventful Reikon incidents in Ward 7. By the time a Responder came, the Reikon had already been slaughtered. He identified the man responsible for it and his name-


    "Ryoka, am I right?" The responder asked him to double-check as he was writing down his name.


    "That''s right," he paused. "Are you guys going to scout me on the spot?" asked Ryoka.


    "That''s no job for me, but a friend of mine will check you," he replied.


    Ryoka smiled, "Before that, can I go inside the cafe for a moment?"This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    The responder gave a nod, "Sure, you earned it."


    Ryoka walked away and entered the cafe. He went to the back where it was just a pool of blood from earlier. He crouched to touch the blood.


    "Grandpa-" Tears started to flow. "I''m very sorry- I had the power to protect but- I don''t," he confessed.


    He sobbed, "Don''t worry; I''ll find redemption in no time." He paused to glance outside. "I''ll save 100 times more people than I fail to," he promised. He then stood up and walked outside once more. Before leaving the door frame, he turned back to offer a bow¡ªa gesture of respect and gratitude from the depths of his heart.


    He walked back to the Responder, "What''s your name sir?"


    "No sir, please. Just call me Minamoto or Mito," he smiled and offered a handshake. Ryoka accepted the shake. "Oh, can you wait here? My friend gave me a call earlier and he''s eager to meet ya."


    Ryoka streched his body, "Sure." It''s not like I have anyone or anything to help or meddle with anymore. And of course, redemption to Grandpa too.


    Ryoka was picked up and taken to the agency''s office. Well, it''s more like a bunker. This was due to an enormous training space. The office itself was small compared to the total building size.


    In the office, he met another four Responders. They stared at him as if were judging. Well, I got to show my best now. He advised himself.


    "Ryoka, welcome to our training ground. The size was the same as a football field. We''ll evaluate you here. Please stay while I''m going to say hi to a friend," said Mito and he left right after.


    The training ground is empty which puzzled Ryoka the most. Am I just going to be evaluated by combat?


    The speakers hummed a voice, "Well- well, new awakener? First, I was informed my friend Miyamoto just dragged you here. I''m very sorry, we should''ve earlier- Are you interested in becoming a Responder?"


    Ryoka gave a simple reply with a nod.


    The speaker yet again hummed, "Great! Welcome to Reikon Responder Agency of Japan, Ryoka."


    "Wait, what?" Ryoka scratched his head since he''s expecting a trial or some sort.


    "You just defeated a semi-catastrophic level Reikon singlehandedly boy," he heard a voice right after the door opened. He turned to the voice, it''s a girl. The girl has a silky yellow hair, Ryoka seemed amazed by it. The girl in the suit took his hand and said, "Save the questions for later," she dragged him out of the training room.


    As she dragged Ryoka around the facility, he was stunned by the wafts of pleasant smell from the woman. Ryoka was conscious of how small and soft her hand was. He loved this feeling since he''d longed for it.


    However, he never put his guard down. Because he knew-


    She''s emitting an immense aura.