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

さんじゅう | thirty

もののけ | kaiju | monster

30

Kikoru

I STARED AT KAFKA IN DISBELIEF, my mind struggling to grasp the enormity of what he had just revealed. "What?!" The word escaped my lips in a mixture of shock and incredulity. The idea that someone could consume a Kaiju and then transform into one was beyond anything I had ever imagined.

"So you ate a monster, then you become a monster?" I blurted out, my voice filled with both fascination and horror. Kafka nodded solemnly, his expression a mix of resignation and defiance. Beside him, Reno's nod mirrored Kafka's, their synchronized movements adding an odd, almost comical twist to the gravity of the situation.

I couldn't help but scoff. "I can't believe it. Poor people really do eat anything, huh?" I muttered, unable to hide the disgust that crept into my expression. The thought of consuming something as monstrous as a Kaiju was repulsive, no matter the circumstances.

"Hey kiddo, it's not like I ate it because I wanted to!" Kafka retorted defensively, his voice tinged with frustration. Reno chimed in, his voice a bit more measured but still tinged with irritation. "Both of your voices are so loud! We're in a public restaurant for Pete's sake..."

I sighed heavily, realizing the absurdity of the situation. This was like a plot straight out of a sci-fi movie, except it was happening right in front of me. The man sitting across from me had the ability to transform into a Kaiju—a feat that defied all logic and reason.

"It's hard to wrap my head around," I admitted quietly, my gaze flickering between Kafka and Reno. "A man turning into a Kaiju... It's fucking unbelievable." The implications of such power were staggering, not just in terms of physical transformation but the moral and ethical questions it raised.

"I do think that telling the Defense Force is a possible option? They might be able to heal me too—" I quickly interjected, cutting him off before he could finish. "I don't think that would be a great idea," I said seriously, my voice weighted with the gravity of what I was about to explain.

Both Kafka and Reno looked at me with questioning eyes, clearly not fully comprehending the potential repercussions. "Hah... They don't really know the consequences," I muttered, shaking my head slightly. "Even if you're spared from being disposed of, you'll face endless days of inspection and experimentation." I could see Kafka's face contort with a mixture of fear and realization at my words.

"Your path to become a Defense Force troop member will end," I added, my tone devoid of its usual teasing or arrogance. This was no time for jests; the stakes were too high. Kafka's ability to transform into a Kaiju was not just a personal issue—it posed a significant threat to humanity if mishandled.

"To add to that..." I continued, my voice now tinged with a hint of solemnity, "Strong monsters that receive code names are supposedly used as parts for special weapons." I observed the confusion on Kafka's face, realizing just how much he was in the dark about the implications of his situation.

Sighing heavily, I leaned back in my seat, trying to collect my thoughts amidst the weight of the conversation. "You've already met my sister, right?" I asked, glancing at Kafka for confirmation. He nodded slowly. "Yeah, the Lieutenant... she's quite scary," he admitted, a hint of unease in his voice.