Chapter 1: The Night Hunt Begins
In a world where phantom monsters lurk in the shadows, threatening the fragile peace, a unique profession emerges: the Phantom Reapers. Specialized in the art of exorcism and combat, these skilled warriors are trained to detect, confront, and eliminate the spectral threats that ordinary humans cannot see. Each Phantom Reaper possesses unique abilities and weapons, honed through rigorous training and mystical rituals, making them the ultimate protectors against the unseen dangers.
The night was serene outside Matsuri High School, the moon casting a silver glow on the school grounds. Marise Mugenjo, a 17-year-old student with a slender, athletic build, stood alone, her breath visible in the cool air as she pressed her phone to her ear. Her long, silky black hair was styled in a ponytail, and she wore her Phantom Reaper school uniform: a white blouse, dark green skirt, and blazer with the school emblem. She glanced repeatedly at the entrance, her impatience growing.
“Sigh… Come on, Haruto, where are you?” she muttered, frustration evident in her voice.
The phone crackled with static before Toru Suretsu’s familiar voice came through. “Marise! Did you find him yet?”
“Not yet! I’m just standing here, staring at the entrance like a total idiot. Is he really new here? I can’t believe I’m stuck babysitting him tonight,” Marise replied, rolling her eyes.
Toru chuckled, adjusting his sleek sunglasses. “It’s not babysitting! You’re just showing him the ropes… and ensuring he’s ready for the hunt.”
“Right. A ‘friendly introduction’ to hunting phantom monsters. What if he’s not even up for it? I mean, you’ve seen how shy he can be,” Marise countered, her skepticism clear.
“Trust me, he’s capable. Plus, he has that spark in him. Everyone starts somewhere. Just… be patient with him, okay?” Toru’s voice was reassuring.
Marise nodded to herself. “Yeah, okay. But I hope he’s not hiding in some corner, scared out of his mind.”
“You were shy once too, remember? Now look at you—almost an expert!” Toru teased.
“Good point. But I had you and the others backing me up. If Haruto freezes up tonight…” Marise’s voice trailed off, concern creeping in.
“That’s why you’re there. Be the awesome mentor you are,” Toru interrupted, his tone encouraging. “And Marise, don’t forget about the fingernail I gave you. If something goes wrong, use it.”
Marise’s eyes widened in disgust. “Your fingernail? You want me to swallow it?”
Toru laughed. “Yes, if you swallow it, I can possess you and help out. Just in case things get really bad.”
Marise shuddered. “That’s… gross. But fine, I’ll keep it with me. Just hope I don’t have to use it.”
“Fun comes after you defeat a few phantoms! Just keep an eye on him. You’ve got this!” Toru laughed.
Marise paused, her eyes narrowing as she spotted movement. “Speaking of keeping an eye, I think I see him…”
“What do you mean? Is he with someone?” Toru’s voice turned serious.
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
“No, he’s alone,” Marise observed, her curiosity piqued.
“Good. Just make sure he’s ready for the mission,” Toru said, concern evident.
“Will do.” Marise took a deep breath. “Thanks for the pep talk, Toru-sensei.”
“Anytime! And remember—phantom hunting is serious business,” Toru reminded her.
“Serious business… with a side of Déjà vu. All right, I’ll text you if there are any issues,” Marise said, a smirk forming on her lips.
“Perfect! And if he runs off, just know I’ll send a rescue team. Good luck!” Toru’s voice was light-hearted.
“Thanks. Here goes nothing!” Marise ended the call, determination etched on her face as she walked towards Haruto.
Marise’s footsteps echoed softly on the pavement as she approached Haruto. The timid 16-year-old stood near the entrance, his dark green Phantom Reaper school uniform blending into the shadows. His black hair fell into his eyes as he nervously glanced around.
“Haruto!” Marise called out, her voice firm but not unkind. Haruto visibly tensed.
“Marise-senpai… I-I was just…” Haruto stammered, his face flushing with embarrassment.
Marise gave him a reassuring smile, though her eyes were sharp. “It’s okay, Haruto. We need to get going. The phantoms won’t wait for us.”
Haruto inhaled deeply, his breath shaky but determined. “Alright. Let’s get this done.”
As they stepped into the school, Marise observed Haruto’s tense posture and decided it was the perfect moment to impart some essential knowledge about the phantoms they were about to face.
“Haruto, there’s something important you need to know about phantom monsters,” Marise began, her tone serious. “They come in different levels, from E to A. Understanding these levels can mean the difference between life and death.”
Haruto looked at her, curiosity and concern in his eyes. “Levels? What do you mean?”
Marise nodded. “Yes. Phantom monsters are categorized by their strength and abilities. Level E is the weakest, but they can spawn infinitely. They’re usually not too dangerous on their own, but their numbers can overwhelm you if you’re not careful.”
Haruto absorbed the information, nodding slowly. “Okay, so Level E are like the grunts. What about the other levels?”
“Exactly,” Marise continued. “Level D phantoms are a bit stronger and can have basic abilities. They’re still manageable, but you need to stay alert. Level C phantoms are where things start to get tricky. They have more advanced abilities and can be quite dangerous if you’re not prepared.”
Haruto’s eyes widened slightly. “And Level B and A?”
“Level B phantoms are powerful. They have strong abilities and can be very challenging to defeat. You need to use all your skills and stay focused when facing them,” Marise explained. “But Level A… they’re the strongest. They possess the most powerful abilities and can be incredibly dangerous. Only experienced hunters should take them on, and even then, it’s a serious risk.”
Haruto swallowed hard, the weight of the information sinking in. “So, we need to be really careful.”
“Exactly,” Marise affirmed. “Always assess the situation and know what you’re up against. If you ever feel outmatched, don’t hesitate to call for backup. It’s better to be safe than sorry.”
Haruto nodded, determination in his eyes. “Got it. Thanks, Marise. I’ll remember that.”
Marise gave him an encouraging smile. “Don’t worry too much. Tonight’s mission is only a Level E. It’s a good starting point.”
Just as she finished speaking, a faint noise echoed from one of the classrooms. Marise and Haruto exchanged a glance, their senses on high alert.
“Did you hear that?” Haruto whispered, his voice trembling slightly.
Marise nodded, her expression serious. “Stay close. Let’s check it out.”
They moved cautiously towards the source of the sound, their footsteps barely making a noise on the polished floor. As they approached the classroom, the noise grew louder—a series of eerie, scraping sounds.
Marise slowly pushed the door open, and they peered inside. There, in the dim light, they saw a Level E phantom monster—a Fishbone Spawn as big as a palm. Its skeletal form was covered in sharp, jagged bones, and it moved with a sinister grace.
Haruto’s eyes widened in fear, but Marise placed a steadying hand on his shoulder. “It’s just a Level E. We can handle this. They can spawn infinitely, but they have a cooldown period after each spawn.”
Haruto looked at her, a mix of fear and curiosity in his eyes. “Cooldown period?”
Marise nodded, her tone softening slightly. “Yes, after they spawn, they need a few moments before they can do it again. That’s our window to strike.”
They prepared to fight, their hearts pounding with adrenaline. The Fishbone Spawn turned its hollow gaze towards them, its bones rattling ominously.
“Ready?” Marise asked, her voice calm and focused.
Haruto nodded, his fists clenched tightly. “Ready.”