— That was quite a fall! — Rem laughed as she touched the ground, her adrenaline still pumping.

— The wind is refreshing! — Kay joked, smiling as if this were a common adventure.

— It's scary! — Lena replied, her voice trembling, still adjusting to the experience.

— Out of nowhere, a sliced ghoul falling! It could have fallen on top of me! You didn't even think about that, did you? — Kay complained, pointing at Takemichi.

— Next time, I hope it hits you! — Takemichi replied, crossing his arms and looking away with an ironic smile.

The recruits, following everything through the call, tried not to laugh, although the tension was evident.

— Those three... — Mira muttered, shaking her head. She then approached the edge, took a deep breath and wrapped her arms around the chain. — I'm going now!

She jumped elegantly, disappearing into the darkness.

— This family has courage! — San exclaimed, impressed by their determination, as he watched through the screen.

After the dizzying and adrenaline-filled descent, everyone finally reached the cave floor. The air there was dense, but breathable. The faint glow of the luminescent mushrooms scattered along the walls gave the place an almost supernatural appearance, as if they were in another world.

“What a... sinister place.” Sky murmured, observing the pale reflections in the water accumulated in small puddles around it.

“It's more beautiful than I expected.” Kay commented, lightly touching one of the mushrooms.

“Don't touch it too much, it might be poisonous.” Rem warned, lightly tapping his arm.

Takemichi analyzed the surroundings carefully, holding one of his axes tightly. The sound of drops falling from stalactites broke the oppressive silence of the cave. Three entrances led to different paths.

“Let's go together and keep your eyes open. If you hear any strange sounds, let us know. We don't know how many ghouls are down here.” — Takemichi ordered, with his leadership posture.

— It seems that their scent gets stronger in the direction of that opening over there. — Kay said, pointing to a dark corridor ahead.

— Great, we head in that direction. But be careful. We don't know what else might be waiting for us. — Takemichi completed.

As they walked forward, their footsteps echoed off the walls, creating an uncomfortable feeling that something or someone was watching them. Yan looked back more than once, uneasily.

“Does anyone else have the feeling that we’re being followed?” he asked, his voice low.

“That’s just your paranoia, Yan,” Joana said, trying to sound confident, but her eyes betrayed the tension.

Suddenly, a muffled sound of something moving echoed in the distance. Everyone stopped, their weapons drawn.

“That wasn’t paranoia,” San said, swallowing hard.

“Stay in formation,” Takemichi said, narrowing his eyes in the direction of the sound.

As they entered the entrance, the group found a larger chamber. The glow of the mushrooms was more intense there, revealing bones scattered across the floor. Some still looked fresh.

“It’s a nest,” Rem said, frowning.

— That explains the strong smell, they are human bones but most of them are from ghouls... this is bad!. — Kay added, covering her nose.

A low roar reverberated through the cave, coming from the depths of the corridor ahead. The sound made the floor vibrate slightly.

Takemichi raised his hand, signaling silence.

— Prepare for combat — he said, his voice deep, as he adjusted the axes in combat position.

— Just to scare me more... why did you say this is bad? — Thais exclaimed, trying to control her anxiety.

— Ghouls evolve the more they eat. — Kay explained, her voice low and serious. — I thought it was impossible, but from the smell... it seems that the ones who are alive here devour their own race.

— And what does that mean? — Raven asked, worried.

— From the smell, this one is strong. — Kay replied, narrowing her eyes.

— Hey, this looks dangerous! — Raven warned, taking a step back.

“No, not for us,” Kay said, a confident smile appearing on her face. “But he’s definitely stronger than the others we’ve faced.”

Kay seemed almost excited. “Finally, a worthy challenge…” he thought, as he drew his sword in one fluid motion.

“Interesting. I’ll face him,” he declared, the tip of the blade reflecting the faint glow of the mushrooms in the cave.

“Stay still, boy!” Takemichi snapped, his voice cutting through the air like an unmistakable command.

“My ghoul is already worn out, and deep down there are still several ghouls. I want to fight!” Kay declared, tightening his grip around his sword, his eyes burning with determination.

“Stay still, Kay!” Rem ordered, his voice firm as steel, cutting through the boy’s momentum.

Kay sighed, lowering his head.

— Okay... — he replied, stepping back with his shoulders slumped, a flash of frustration mixed with sadness passing over his face.

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— It's coming! Stay in formation! — Takemichi said, his voice

The sound of something large and heavy moving echoed in the distance, getting closer and closer. Tension grew, as if the air itself had become heavier.

The sound of something large and heavy moving echoed in the distance, getting closer and closer. The walls of the cave vibrated with the impact, as if something colossal was about to emerge. The air seemed denser, as if the creature's presence was capable of crushing anyone's courage.

A huge shadow began to form in the background, its jagged outlines projecting against the dim lights of the mushrooms. It was as if a gigantic beast was about to devour everything in its path.

The group gripped their weapons tightly, each one preparing to face something monstrous. The sound of claws scratching against stone echoed, and a figure finally emerged from the darkness.

Everyone held their breath.

Then... the shadow revealed itself.

It was a ghoul. Small. No taller than an eight-year-old child.

"What?!" — the soldiers exclaimed in unison, confusion clear in their voices.

“What the hell is this? I’ve never seen a small ghoul!” Raven said, frowning as she gripped her spear, as if expecting it to be some kind of joke.

The ghoul, with its glowing eyes, seemed to be watching the group with a mixture of curiosity and hostility.

“Small or not, it’s still a ghoul.” Takemichi stood his ground firmly, his eyes fixed on the creature, never letting his guard down for a second.

— Except for Kay, your suits have irregular percentages! — Fernanda warned, her voice emerging over the video call.

“What’s the reason?” Takemichi exclaimed, not taking his eyes off the ghoul, his hands ready to act at any moment.

“Kay’s suit has its circuits burned out! We can’t analyze it!” Fernanda replied, the urgency in her voice evident.

Raven narrowed her eyes, analyzing the creature in front of her.

“He’s not attacking... and he doesn’t have any tentacles. Can I eliminate him?” she asked, her determination clear.

“Let’s try to capture him alive. This ghoul is different from all the others.” Takemichi commanded, the tone of his voice making it clear that it was an order, not a suggestion.

“Okay!” Raven replied, taking a step forward.

“Back off, Raven!” Kay ordered, her voice cutting through the moment like a blade.

Raven turned her head to look at him, confused and irritated.

“Why?” she exclaimed, the tension clear in her tone.

Kay crossed her arms, her expression serious.

“You still don’t have the strength to defeat this one.”

The words made Raven’s face flush with anger. She gritted her teeth, feeling as if Kay was questioning her ability.

“He’s got to be messing with me!” Raven thought, gripping the scythe tighter.

Kay took a step forward, ignoring her indignant look.

“If you want to capture him alive, then go yourself, Takemichi. Or let me do it.”

Takemichi narrowed his eyes, exhaling a heavy sigh before speaking:

“But you won’t shut up, will you?”

He turned to the ghoul, walking slowly, each step measured as if he were facing something bigger than it seemed.

“I’ll take care of this.”

“Fernanda, record this!” — Kay asked, her voice filled with urgency.

“It’s been recording since you came in!” Fernanda replied firmly, as she monitored everything through the viewfinder.

“Give them some space!” Kay ordered, taking a few steps back, her gaze fixed on the small ghoul.

The soldiers, still tense, obeyed, forming a cautious semicircle.

“Is this ghoul really that strong for my father to have to fight?” Mira asked, her voice wavering between curiosity and concern.

Kay looked at her briefly before answering, with unusual seriousness:

“Yes, he is. He’s not the best opponent for Raven right now!” He looked at the other soldiers, who were holding their weapons tightly.

“Don’t let your guard down!”

Everyone was watching the little ghoul, who remained motionless for now, but his bright gaze seemed to examine every movement of the group as if waiting for the exact moment to act.

The ghoul growled, advancing in an agile and unpredictable movement. With a leap, he tried to surprise Takemichi, attacking with his claws towards the captain's chest. Takemichi, with his experience, realized the direction of the attack at the last moment and spun, dodging it by a hair's breadth. The blade of his axe cut through the air, but did not find him.

"He's fast..." — thought Takemichi, forcing himself to keep his eyes fixed on the ghoul, while his mind worked at full speed to predict its next moves. The little ghoul jumped again, this time towards Takemichi, attacking furiously.

Takemichi stepped back, only to see the ghoul slide to the side and attempt a strike on his side. The claws scratched his clothes, making Takemichi move away, but he did not let himself be shaken. He spun around and, with a swift movement, blocked the next blow with the axe, the impact reverberating in his arms.

— "This beast won't stop! It's going to take more than agility to win!" — Takemichi thought, his eyes fixed on the ghoul who was now moving in a zigzag pattern, trying to find a gap in his defense.

The ghoul seemed unpredictable. He would jump to one side, disappear into the shadows, and before Takemichi could react, he was attacking again, his movement so fast that it was difficult to follow. But Takemichi was no ordinary soldier. His reflexes were sharp, and he used the ghoul's agility against him, positioning himself to intercept him.

The ghoul advanced once more, attacking diagonally, but Takemichi was prepared. With a swift movement, he swung the axe, hitting the ghoul in the lower part of its legs, cutting it deeply. The ghoul let out a cry of pain, but immediately backed away, trying to back away to gain space.

— "I haven't taken him down yet. I need to be faster." — Takemichi thought, analyzing every move of the little monster.

The battle continued with the ghoul moving like a sharp blade, always waiting for the right moment to strike. But Takemichi was starting to get used to his speed, learning to anticipate his movement patterns, even though his attacks were still fast and violent.

The ghoul jumped again, trying to strike Takemichi with a deadly blow. But this time, Takemichi anticipated it. He jumped to the side and, with a fluid movement, landed a quick blow to the ghoul's ribs. The impact was strong enough to make the ghoul stagger back, blood spraying from the open wounds.

The ghoul, now more cautious, backed away a little, trying to assess his next move. His body was covered in cuts and scratches, but he didn't seem willing to give up. His claws were stained with blood, but the ferocity in his eyes did not diminish.

The ghoul advanced again, but this time Takemichi was ready. He waited for the exact moment and, when the ghoul approached, blocked the blow with his axe, at the same time delivering a precise blow to the ghoul's joints. The impact was so precise that the ghoul lost the mobility of his legs, making him fall to the ground with a crash.

With the ghoul now immobilized, Takemichi gave him no room to get up. He quickly positioned himself on top of the monster, keeping him on the ground with the blade of the axe against his throat.

"It's over," Takemichi muttered, panting.

The ghoul, now without the strength to move, stood there, breathing heavily, his eyes fixed on the blade that prevented him from escaping.

Takemichi looked at the group, seeing the tension on their faces, and then, firmly, said:

— "Let's arrest him."

— Alright! — the soldiers said in unison, determined.

— Is there a special box to lock this little guy up? He breaks chains easily. If it's made of Noxium, it would even give him a little trouble, but he might still end up breaking it. — said Kay, analyzing the little ghoul.

— We do have it, but it's at the institute. I'll ask them to send it. — replied Fernanda, her voice firm but worried.

— He'll regenerate before then. Stay here and keep an eye on him while we set off to attack the others. My ghoul is hungry and eager to absorb this little one. — said Kay, with a provocative smile.

Takemichi frowned, visibly worried.

— This one here is a rare species. I can't let this group just attack without thinking. — he said, with a serious tone.

— So it is Is it okay if I threaten him? Because he's been insulting me since we got here! — Kay said, pointing at the ghoul with a defiant look.

— That's all in your head. He's not even looking at you! — Takemichi retorted, crossing his arms.

— I see... So, if he doesn't change his mind when I go up front, I'll stay back here and keep an eye on him. — Kay suggested, with a sarcastic but intentional tone.

— Let's see. — Takemichi replied, suspicious.

Kay began to walk slowly forward, his footsteps echoing in the cave. The little ghoul seemed to ignore him completely, his eyes fixed on the ground.