Riku surveyed the aftermath of the battle, his armored chest rising and falling with each breath. The swamp around him was a mess of churned mud and scattered Mud Puppy bodies. The massive form of the Muck Mother lay still at his feet, its eyes closed in defeat.

A sense of pride swelled in his chest. He'd done it - taken on a whole swarm of Mud Puppies and their leader, and come out on top. It was more than he'd ever accomplished as a hunter before.

"Not bad for an F-rank," he muttered to himself, a grin spreading across his face beneath the helmet.

As the adrenaline of the fight began to ebb, Riku noticed something strange. A tingling sensation spread throughout his body, centered on the Gaio Driver at his waist. He looked down, watching as faint wisps of energy seemed to flow from the fallen Fiends towards him.

The armor was absorbing mana from the defeated creatures. Riku could feel it, a subtle but unmistakable increase in his strength. It wasn't much, but it was there. He flexed his fingers, marveling at the sensation.

But then a troubling thought struck him. This mana... it didn't feel like the natural mana he was used to. It was different, more potent. Fiendish Mana.

Riku's eyes widened as the realization hit him. The Gaio Driver wasn't just using Fiendish Mana - it was actively absorbing it from defeated monsters. His gaze darted around the swamp, suddenly paranoid.

What if someone saw him like this? What if other hunters sensed the Fiendish Mana emanating from him? They'd think he was a monster, some kind of Fiend in human form. They might attack without hesitation.

The weight of his new power suddenly felt like a burden. Riku had wanted strength, wanted to prove himself as a hunter. But this... this could make him a target, an outcast.

Riku stepped back, his elation fading to anxiety. The armor felt like a beacon now. His mind raced. He had to be careful. No one could see him transform or know about the Gaio Driver. The consequences would be dire.

With a shaky breath, he deactivated the armor. The protective shell dissolved, leaving him standing in his regular hunting gear. He felt exposed, vulnerable, but at least now he wouldn't draw unwanted attention.

Riku looked around one last time, making sure he was truly alone. Then, with a mix of pride and newfound caution, he began to gather the spoils of his hunt. He had a lot to think about on the way home.

...

Riku trudged through the city streets, his backpack heavy with the spoils of his hunt. The weight was a comforting reminder of his success, but it also brought a twinge of unease. He'd never had such an easy time in a Hollow before.

As he approached the local branch of the Hollows & Hunters Bureau, Riku took a deep breath. The building loomed before him, all glass and steel, a beacon of order in the chaotic world of Fiends and Hollows. He pushed through the revolving doors, stepping into the air-conditioned lobby.

The interior buzzed with activity. Hunters of various ranks milled about, some boasting loudly about their latest conquests, others nursing injuries from close calls. Riku kept his head down, making his way to the appraisal counter.

"Next," called a bored-looking clerk.

Riku stepped forward, unzipping his backpack. "I've got some Mud Puppy parts to sell," he said, his voice steady despite the flutter of nerves in his chest. "And... a Muck Mother core."

The clerk's eyebrows rose slightly. "Muck Mother? That's E-rank territory, kid. You sure you didn't just stumble on a corpse?"

Riku felt his face flush, but he held the clerk's gaze. "No, sir. I... I took it down myself."

The clerk eyed him skeptically but began sorting through the parts. Riku fidgeted, acutely aware of the Gaio Driver hidden inside him. He half-expected alarms to go off, for someone to point and shout, "Fiend!" But nothing happened.

The clerk finished his assessment, tapping numbers into a computer. "Alright, looks like we've got... $327 for the lot. Not bad for F-rank work."

Riku blinked, surprised by the amount. It was more than he'd expected, especially considering he hadn't needed to spend any of it on healing items. Usually, he'd be lucky to break even after patching himself up.

"That's... great," Riku managed, trying not to sound too enthusiastic.

The clerk nodded, pushing a form across the counter. "Sign here for the transfer."

Riku scrawled his signature, watching as the numbers ticked up in his account. It wasn't a fortune by any means, but it was more than he'd ever made on a single hunt before.

As he turned to leave, Riku caught sight of his reflection in one of the lobby's glass walls. He looked the same as always - scrawny, unremarkable. But beneath his clothes, he knew, lay the power to change everything.

Riku shook his head, pushing the thought away. He couldn't afford to get cocky. One good hunt didn't make him a hero. He had to be careful, had to keep his secret safe.

With a final glance around the bustling HHB lobby, Riku stepped back out into the city streets. The weight of the Gaio Driver felt heavier than ever, a reminder of the fine line he now walked between hunter and hunted.

Riku made his way back to Serenity Brew Cafe, his steps lighter than usual. The weight of his success buoyed him, even as the Gaio Driver pressed against his side, a constant reminder of his secret. As he approached the familiar storefront, he saw his uncle Kazuya through the window, wiping down tables as the last customers filtered out.

Taking a deep breath, Riku pushed open the door. The bell chimed, and Kazuya looked up, a warm smile spreading across his face.

"Welcome back, Riku," Kazuya said, draping the cleaning cloth over his shoulder. "How'd the hunt go?"

Stolen novel; please report.

Riku couldn't help but grin. "Actually, Uncle Kazu, it went really well."

Kazuya's eyebrows rose. "Oh? Do tell."

Riku moved to the counter, leaning against it as he spoke. "I managed to take down a whole group of Mud Puppies, and..." He paused for effect. "I even defeated a Muck Mother."

Kazuya's eyes widened. "A Muck Mother? Riku, that's E-rank territory. How did you manage that?"

For a moment, Riku felt the urge to tell his uncle everything - about the Gaio Driver, the transformation, the power he'd felt coursing through him. But the memory of the Fiendish Mana he'd absorbed made him hesitate. Instead, he shrugged, trying to look nonchalant.

"I guess I just got lucky. Found a good vantage point and wore it down from a distance."

Kazuya studied him for a moment, and Riku feared his uncle might see through the half-truth. But then Kazuya's face broke into a proud smile.

"Well, lucky or not, that's impressive work, Riku. You're really starting to come into your own as a hunter."

The praise warmed Riku, even as guilt gnawed at him for not telling the whole truth. "Thanks, Uncle Kazu. I even made a decent profit for once."

Kazuya chuckled. "Now that's cause for celebration. Why don't you help me close up, and we'll have a little toast to your success?"

Riku nodded eagerly, moving to flip the sign on the door to 'Closed'. As he and Kazuya went through the familiar motions of shutting down the cafe for the night, Riku felt a sense of normalcy wash over him. For a moment, he could almost forget about the Gaio Driver and the strange power it granted him.

Once the last chair was up and the floors were swept, Kazuya disappeared into the back room. He returned with two glasses and a bottle of amber liquid.

"Don't tell anyone I'm letting you have this," Kazuya said with a wink, pouring a small amount into each glass. "It's a special occasion, after all."

Riku took the offered glass, the rich aroma of the whiskey tickling his nose. Kazuya raised his own glass.

"To Riku," he said solemnly. "May this be the first of many successful hunts."

They clinked glasses, and Riku took a small sip. The liquor burned going down, but it left a pleasant warmth in his chest.

"So," Kazuya said, leaning back against the counter. "Tell me more about this hunt. I want to hear all the details."

Riku launched into the story, carefully omitting any mention of the Gaio Driver. He described the swampy Hollow, the challenge of navigating the treacherous terrain while fending off the Mud Puppies. When he got to the part about the Muck Mother, he found himself getting caught up in the excitement of the memory.

"It was huge, Uncle Kazu," Riku said, gesturing with his free hand. "Bigger than anything I've faced before. For a moment, I thought I was done for."

Kazuya listened intently, nodding along. "But you kept your cool, right? Used your head instead of just rushing in?"

Riku nodded, grateful for the easy out. "Yeah, exactly. I remembered what you always told me about staying calm and looking for weaknesses."

"That's my boy," Kazuya said, clapping Riku on the shoulder. "You know, your parents would be proud of you. They always believed you'd grow into a fine young man."

The mention of his parents sent a pang through Riku's chest. He took another sip of whiskey, letting the burn distract him from the bittersweet memory.

"You think so?" Riku asked softly.

Kazuya's expression softened. "I know so. They saw the potential in you, even when you were just a kid. And look at you now, taking down E-rank Fiends."

Riku felt a lump form in his throat. He wanted to believe his uncle's words, to feel like he'd earned this praise. But the weight of his secret pressed down on him.

"Thanks, Uncle Kazu," he managed. "That means a lot."

Kazuya squeezed his shoulder. "You've come a long way, Riku. Just remember to stay safe out there. No hunt is worth your life, no matter how big the payday might be."

Riku nodded, the guilt intensifying. He knew the Gaio Driver made him far safer than the average F-rank hunter, but he couldn't explain that to his uncle.

"I will," he promised. "I'll always be careful."

They finished their drinks in comfortable silence, the warmth of the whiskey and the glow of his uncle's pride washing over Riku. For a moment, he could almost forget about the strange turn his life had taken. Here, in the familiar confines of Serenity Brew Cafe, with his uncle by his side, Riku felt like himself again.

...

Riku stirred awake, the weight of the Gaio Driver still pressing against his side. His mind raced with the events of the previous day, a constant reminder of his newfound power - and the risks that came with it.

He made his way downstairs, the familiar scents of coffee and freshly baked pastries filling the air. Kazuya bustled about the cafe, already preparing for the morning rush.

"Mornin', Uncle Kazu," Riku called, grabbing an apron from the hook.

Kazuya looked up and flashed a smile. "Mornin', Riku. Sleep alright?"

Riku nodded, though he couldn't quite meet his uncle's eyes. The lie from last night still gnawed at him. He threw himself into the morning preparations, hoping the familiar routine would quiet his racing thoughts.

As the first customers trickled in, Riku found himself stealing glances at each face, wondering if they could somehow sense the Fiendish Mana within him. A pair of C-rank Hunters came in for their usual coffee, and Riku nearly dropped their order, his hands shaking slightly.

"You alright there, kid?" one of the Hunters asked, eyeing him curiously.

Riku forced a smile. "Yeah, just... didn't sleep too good. Sorry 'bout that."

The Hunter shrugged and took his coffee. Riku watched them leave, his heart pounding. He had to be more careful. If experienced Hunters started getting suspicious...

The morning rush finally died down, and Riku stepped outside for a breath of fresh air. The street bustled with activity, people going about their daily lives as if Fiends and Hollows weren't a constant threat.

Riku's eyes were drawn to a large screen mounted on a nearby building, currently displaying the local news. His breath caught as he saw the familiar emblem of the Akatsuki Sentinels flash across the screen.

The news anchor's voice carried over the street noise: "...and in breaking news, the Akatsuki Sentinels have successfully repelled another Hollow Break in the Shinjuku district. Eyewitnesses report seeing the legendary 'Blazing Dawn' Hiroko Akatsuki herself leading the charge..."

Riku watched, transfixed, as footage played of the Sentinels in action. Their movements were fluid, precise, their artifacts gleaming as they cut through waves of Fiends. It was a level of skill and power that had always seemed impossibly out of reach.

But now...

Riku's hand unconsciously moved to his side, feeling the outline of the Gaio Driver beneath his waist. The power he'd felt yesterday wasn't so different from what he was seeing on the screen.

A troubling thought struck him. What if the Sentinels detected him using the Driver? Would they see him as a threat? A new breed of Fiend to be eliminated?

The news segment shifted to an interview with Kenji "Shadow Whisper" Tanaka, the Sentinels' chief negotiator. His calm, reassuring voice addressed the camera: "Rest assured, the Akatsuki Sentinels are always vigilant, always prepared to face any new threat that may arise. We urge the public to remain calm and report any suspicious activity..."

Riku stepped back from the screen, his mind racing. He'd always admired the Sentinels, dreamed of one day joining their ranks. But now, that dream felt both closer and further away than ever.

He had power now, yes. But it was a power he couldn't reveal, couldn't explain. A power that might make him a target of the very heroes he'd always looked up to.

Riku turned away from the screen, heading back into the cafe. He needed to think, needed to figure out what to do next.

As he re-entered Serenity Brew, Riku's gaze fell on his uncle, Kazuya, cheerfully chatting with a regular customer. For a moment, he considered telling Kazuya everything. Surely his uncle would understand, would help him figure out what to do.

But the risk... it was too great. If anyone overheard, if word got out...

No, Riku realized. This was a burden he'd have to bear alone, at least for now. He had to be careful, had to learn to control this power without drawing attention.

With a deep breath, Riku pushed his worries aside and got back to work. But even as he took orders and brewed coffee, his mind kept drifting to the Gaio Driver, to the Akatsuki Sentinels, and to the uncertain path that lay ahead.