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

よんじゅう | forty

もののけ | kaiju | monster

40

[A lengthy chapter ahead]

SAGAMIHARA, JAPAN

Soshiro

THE TIP OF MY KATANA GRAZED AGAINST the metallic wall, sending a shower of sparks cascading in the dimly lit alleyway. The harsh, grating sound echoed off the walls, a discordant symphony that announced my presence with an eerie clarity. Each step I took reverberated through the narrow, shadowy corridor, the echoes amplifying the sense of impending doom.

My eyes were locked onto my target ahead, a monstrous figure cloaked in darkness. Its coal-black body and skull-like face gave it an appearance straight out of a nightmare. "Like a demon," I muttered, my voice a low, ominous whisper that seemed to hang in the cold air. The creature stopped in its tracks, slowly turning its head to face me, its grotesque features twisted in a mask of shock and confusion.

I slid my katana back into its sheath with a deliberate, menacing motion, the metal singing a final, chilling note. A sadistic smirk curled under my mask, my expression hidden but the intent clear. I had finally cornered my prey, and the thrill of the hunt sent a shiver down my spine.

"I've finally found you... Kaiju No. 8," I said, my voice barely above a whisper but carrying a weight of resolve and dark satisfaction.

My hand went to the communicator earpiece. "This is Hoshina," I said, my voice steady and low, my eyes never leaving my target. "I've made contact with Kaiju No. 8 in Sector Foxtrot," I reported, ensuring the Third Base operators, especially Ashiro, were fully aware of my situation.

The creature before me, a grotesque amalgamation of nightmare and reality, stared back with an unsettling mix of curiosity and fear. It looked almost human in its apprehension, despite being nothing more than a demonic monstrosity.

I started walking slowly towards it, the sound of my boots echoing in the otherwise silent alley. "Great timing," I said, addressing the Kaiju directly. "You see, I've been frustrated these days..." The creature took a tentative step back, its movements betraying a primitive sense of self-preservation. It was almost pitiful, in a way, how something so monstrous could exhibit such basic, human-like emotions.

"My lover and I... we're not in good terms," I continued, my tone carrying a mix of bitterness and dark amusement. "You're my punching bag right now, Kaiju No. 8..." the Kaiju's eyes flickered, a fleeting sign of understanding or perhaps just instinctual dread. It didn't matter. This confrontation was inevitable.

With a deep breath, I tapped into my inner reserves, feeling the surge of energy course through my veins. I moved, faster than a blink, drawing my two katanas in one fluid motion. My target, Kaiju No. 8, barely had time to register my presence before I was upon it.

Time slowed, the world around me narrowing to a single point of focus. I aimed for its neck, the deadly edge of my katana glowing with a purple aura that lit up the dark alleyway. The blade grazed its shell-like skin, but the creature's reflexes were sharp. It dodged, twisting its body with a grace that belied its monstrous appearance. I didn't pause, my movements a relentless barrage of attacks.