On Top of the Food Chain

The wind whispered through the lush green forest, rustling the leaves of the towering trees and carrying the fresh scent of pine and earth. The ground beneath their feet was a carpet of soft grass, vibrant and alive.

Kazuki stood there, clad in his casual clothes, feeling a mixture of unease and determination as he faced Junpei. Junpei, dressed in dark-themed clothing that seemed to absorb the surrounding shadows, regarded him with a steady, unreadable gaze.

A sense of anticipation hung heavy in the air, thickening with each passing second. The breeze played with Kazuki's hair, cooling his skin and heightening his awareness of the moment. He could hear the faint rustle of leaves and the distant calls of birds, but all his attention was focused on Junpei.

Nearby, Rika stood with her back against a rocky wall, her expression indifferent. She wore a comfortable pair of shorts and a top, her posture relaxed yet alert. Her eyes were fixed on the town below, visible from the height of the hill they were on. The sun cast a warm glow over the landscape, painting the town in hues of gold and orange as it began its descent.

Kazuki's heart pounded in his chest as he took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. The forest around them seemed to hold its breath, as if nature itself was waiting for what would unfold. Junpei's dark attire contrasted sharply with the vivid green surroundings, making him appear almost like a phantom amidst the living world.

"Why did you bring me here?" Kazuki finally asked, breaking the silence. His voice was steady, but a hint of anxiety lingered beneath the surface.

Junpei's eyes never wavered as he replied, "To discuss a few things."

Kazuki nodded, understanding the weight of the words. He glanced briefly at Rika, who continued to look out over the town, seemingly disinterested in the conversation. Yet, he knew she was fully aware of the tension between him and Junpei.

The wind picked up again, swirling around them and carrying with it the faint scent of wildflowers. Junpei took a step closer, his presence imposing and filled with a quiet intensity.

"We need to talk about what you are," Junpei said, his tone serious. "And what that means for all of us."

Kazuki's eyes met Junpei's, and for a moment, the world around them seemed to fade away. The forest, the town below, even Rika—all of it blurred into the background. All that mattered was what Kazuki’s future would hold and that was about to be revealed and the path it would set them on.

“You don’t need to feel this nervous, I think we have already broken the ice between us,” Junpei said with his arms crossed.

Kazuki silently nodded.

“I’ll be straight. You have already recognized the fact that we are not alike.”

“I have,”

“Even so, I have decided to help you. But at a cost.”

Kazuki’s eyes which had started to glimmer with hope became puzzled. “What cost?”

“Become my disciple.”

Rika who appeared to be not paying attention to them turned towards them with shock on her face. “What?”

Junpei glanced at her with a serious expression on his face. Seeing this she turned away.

“Is that it?”

Junpei’s eyes widened before he started laughing.

Rika’s eyes widened as she started panting.

***

Rika stood in front of Kazuki with her hand raised. A cyan-colored energy began to coalesce in her palm, swirling and pulsing with an intensity that caught Kazuki's breath. It felt eerily similar to the yellow-colored claws he had seen earlier, a chilling reminder of the power she possessed.

The energy continued to gather, becoming more defined with each passing second. Gradually, it solidified, enveloping Rika’s entire hand in a radiant glow. The transformation was mesmerizing yet daunting. The energy took the shape of a gauntlet or a glove, but far more menacing—sharp claws extended from the tips, gleaming with an almost predatory sheen.

Kazuki watched, a mixture of awe and apprehension in his eyes, as Rika's hand was now augmented with this formidable weapon. The cyan light flickered and pulsed, casting an otherworldly glow on her determined face. She flexed her fingers, and the claws responded with a smooth, lethal grace.

“This energy is called Aura, it’s something only Ghouls can use.” Junpei said, “If used with martial arts, and a descent understanding of fighting, one can easily hunt, and even fight Awakened humans.”

Kazuki felt amazing, a rush of exhilaration surging through his veins. His eyes widened, and his face lit up with awe. This was a sensation unlike any he had ever experienced before.

Tentatively, he reached out to touch Rika’s claws, feeling the sturdy, glass-like texture of the Aura. It was as if he were touching clear glass or what he imagined polished diamond would feel like—smooth, cool, and unyielding.

Suddenly, Rika moved one of her fingers, and the sharp claws slashed a small part of Kazuki’s palm. He yanked his hand back quickly, staring at the bleeding wound in shock and confusion.

He looked up at Rika, his eyes silently asking, 'Why did you do it?'

Reading his expression, Rika replied coldly, "Who said you could touch my hand?"

Kazuki's eyebrows knitted together in fury. “I…”

Junpei, observing the exchange, broke the tension with his monotonous voice. "Well, I think you can use Aura as well. If you want revenge, you can take it once you grow stronger."

"I can?" Kazuki asked, his voice a mix of hope and skepticism.

"I know I said that you aren’t a Ghoul, but I think it’s worth trying," Junpei said.

Kazuki nodded, determination flashing in his eyes. "So what do I have to do?"

Junpei walked over to him, rolling up his sleeves. He lifted his arms up to Kazuki's head, exposing his forearms. "Take a bite," he said, signaling towards his forearm.

“What?” Both Kazuki and Rika exclaimed in unison, astonishment etched on their faces.

Kazuki hesitated, his gaze shifting from Junpei’s forearm to his eyes, searching for any sign of hesitation or doubt. But Junpei’s expression remained impassive, his eyes steady and unwavering.

“Come on!” Junpei said.

“But-”

“No buts, just do it.”

With a mix of reluctance and determination, Kazuki leaned in. His heart pounded in his chest, each beat echoing in his ears. He opened his mouth, his breath shallow and rapid, and sunk his teeth into Junpei's forearm.

The moment his teeth pierced the skin, a rush of warmth flooded Kazuki's senses. The taste was out of this world, the familiar metallic sweetness gushed through his mouth. It wasn’t just blood—there was a strange yet familiar, invigorating energy that surged through him, filling him with a newfound strength and clarity.

After reluctantly biting off a small chunk of Junpei’s flesh, Kazuki quickly swallowed it, his stomach churning with a mix of disgust and necessity. He then glanced at the wound he had created, his eyes filled with guilt and remorse.

“Can you feel a faint power surging through your viens?”

“Yes,” Kazuki nodded.

“Then sit down and try to visualize a thorn growing out of you forehead.”

“A horn?”

“Yes”