もののけ | monster | soshiro hoshina (Kaiju No. 8) (COMPLETE)

にじゅういち | twenty one

もののけ | kaiju | monster

21

THE SECONDARY SELECTION EXAM
(PART 3)

Soshiro

"PREPARE TO ACTIVATE KAFKA HIBINO'S SHIELD," I commanded, my voice steady and authoritative.

"Understood, Vice-Captain," Okonogi responded, though I could hear the faint edge of concern in her tone. Her eyes were fixed on the monitor, reflecting the chaos unfolding on the screen.

I followed her gaze to the monitor displaying the second ground, where the final examination was taking place. The scene was apocalyptic: broken buildings and scattered concrete blocks lay in disarray, creating a landscape that looked like it had been ripped from another world. But this was no simulation. It was a real-life scenario, designed to test the mettle of our examinees against Kaiju, not the easier ones but the more formidable adversaries.

The examinees were scattered throughout the devastated landscape, their faces a mixture of determination and fear. Each one moved with caution, fully aware that a single mistake could be fatal. My eyes scanned the scene, picking out each of them and assessing their readiness.

This was the ultimate test, the one that would separate the strong from the weak.

I watched Kafka Hibino on the monitor, his movements sluggish and uncoordinated. He was clearly struggling, the unexpected attack from an after-beast had caught him off guard, leaving him severely injured. My lips pressed into a thin, straight line as I observed his plight.

It's clear that he cannot fight those after-beasts, and activating the protective shield means it's over for you in joining the Defense Force.

"Of course," I muttered to myself. "As expected, you're the first to drop out. You were a pretty funny guy, but it can't be helped..."

I felt a pang of disappointment. Kafka had shown spirit, but spirit alone wasn't enough in this brutal reality. My eyes squinted slightly, focusing on the monitor, expecting to see him retreat once the suit's shield had been activated. But then, something surprising happened.

Out of nowhere, Kikoru Shinomiya appeared on the screen, her movements swift and precise. She charged toward Kafka, her weapon cutting through the air with lethal accuracy. With a single, powerful shot, she dispatched the after-beast threatening him.

I leaned forward, my eyes widening slightly. Kikoru was saving Kafka, her face a mask of determination. She positioned herself between him and the remaining threats, her stance protective.

My, Kikoru-chan, showing a soft spot for that guy? I leaned forward to get a better view, curiosity piqued. I knew what she was saying, even if her tone was dripping with high and mighty overconfidence. We could hear her clearly over the comms as she barked at Kafka.

"Just stay out of the way and don't die, Kafka. I'll tidy up this place nicely," she said, her voice filled with authority. "You can go mope in a corner like the loser you are."