NOVEL NEXT Chapter 1
Chapter 1. A Twisted World
A little over a century has passed since beings known as Gifted emerged, possessing supernatural powers.
At first, the world was engulfed in chaos, with crime rampant everywhere.
However, to counter this threat, the government formed special countermeasure units, and nowadays, crime rates have considerably decreased.
Yes, crime has decreased. That is a fact.
But… the number of deaths has risen.
The reason? Monsters of grotesque forms began to appear around the same time.
These creatures don’t have specific spots for their appearances; they manifest anywhere—be it in schools or inside airplanes—without any warning, like a living calamity.
There is only one solution: eliminate them using the abilities of the Gifted. Modern weapons like guns are futile against these monsters. Before this fact became common knowledge, even the Self-Defense Forces launched their strongest attack, only for the creatures to consume them without missing a beat.
I—Yanagi Hayato—live in this deranged world.
◇
In the classroom after school, I gaze out at the sky from my desk.
The setting sun is breathtakingly beautiful, almost as if… Nah, nothing comes to mind.
“Ha! Sensei, it seems the world is calling for my help. I must leave at once!”
“What are you babbling about? Finish your printouts, now.”
“But—!”
“No ‘buts’—get on with it.”
Damn! Looks like escaping from the demon lord before me is impossible.
The woman with long black hair tied back in a single braid—Nikaido Futaba.
A Japanese teacher.
With hair cascading to her waist, her piercing gaze can turn onlookers to stone.
Among the students, she is infamously known as the Medusa—a terrifying empress.
And currently, I’m stuck one-on-one with this monster in a supplementary lesson.
Any sign of slowing down results in her glare freezing me with fear.
“If you hadn’t scored a failing grade, we wouldn’t be here now, would we?”
“It’s impossible to avoid a failing mark on a test like that!”
“Oh? Then why is it that none of the other students are here?”
“Th-that’s because…”
What’s wrong with a few low scores…
If I voice that thought, a punch will surely follow. Besides, Dad’s friend has already offered me a job after high school (I’ll apparently be trained), so my mind can’t focus on academics.
This teacher, regrettably, is incredibly caring, staying late after school just for my sake.
“Stop talking and keep writing.”
“…Yes.”
Unable to say anything more, I completed the printouts she handed me, bleeding metaphorical sweat and tears.
◇
“Ugh… My head hurts. I’m done for the day.”
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, I was freed from this prison they call supplementary lessons.
As I walked home, my brain about to boil over, I received a chilling promise: “Next time, I’ll double the printouts.”
Pulling out my smartphone, I stared at the number displayed there.
‘0’
This number reflects the strength of a person’s ability.
The number displayed on my phone is ‘0’—meaning I’m powerless.
The higher the number, the more immense the power. Rumors even speak of Gifted who can level mountains. Those with high numbers receive special treatment accordingly. Conversely, those like me…
“Well, it has nothing to do with me…”
I don’t care for luxury.
I just want to live peacefully, laughing with my family.
In this twisted world, no matter how lavish your life is, death can come easily.
“Yawn… Time to head home and sleep.”
Yawning, I head for home.
Once there, I’ll watch videos of cute fluffy animals to soothe my soul.
Passing by a vending machine, the space before me suddenly distorts.
“Oh, come on…”
From the warped space, a hand unlike anything human emerges, followed by a foot, a face, then a torso.
Standing before me is the bull-headed, humanoid monster from Greek mythology—Asterios, more commonly known as the Minotaur.
“Sigh, you’ve got to be kidding… I’m exhausted.”
“MOOOAAAARRRRR!!!!”
Trying to negotiate with my eyes, “I’m tired; can we do this later? I’ll even buy a drink from the vending machine.”
It seems Mr. Minotaur wasn’t interested.
Tch, he must be a coffee drinker, upset that I didn’t splurge on the more expensive can.
“MOOAAARR!”
There was no room for negotiation. His tree-trunk arm swung down, capable of certain death.
But the boy facing him displayed no fear, no despair—only a look of utter indifference.
As the Minotaur’s attack neared, I whispered…
“Mars.”
◇
“I’m home.”
“Welcommmmeee baaaack.”
A bright voice called from the living room.
Entering, I saw my sister sprawled on the sofa, munching on chips.
She has pink hair tied in twin tails and crimson eyes, resembling a rose that blooms at night.
Upon seeing me, her cherubic lips open.
“Welcome home, big brother! Give me some snacks!”
“… ”
I’m too dumbfounded to say a word.
She offers no compassion to her tired brother, only eager to fulfill her own appetite.
Such is my sister—Yanagi Aoi.
“Hey, hey, my dear brother, is that any way to look at your beloved sister?!”
“Then show me the version of yourself that deserves it…”
“Why do I have to pretend even at home? Ugh!”
She pouts like a squid, clearly upset.
“I didn’t mean that much; just act decently cute.”
“So you’re saying I’m not cute now?! Idiot! And you smell, you pervert! What were you doing?!”
“What are you talking about?! I just bumped into some garbage on the way!”
Her glare intensified with disbelief.
To think my sister would ever suspect such things…
Leaving my sister and her cold stare behind, I trudged up to my room.
Dropping my bag, I turned on my computer and navigated to a certain website.
“OHHHH!!! So cute! Show more, there, just a bit more!”
In case you’re wondering, it’s not a shady site.
The screen displayed pandas munching bamboo, foxes yawning and stretching. Nothing cures a long day like fluffy animals. I could feel the day’s stress melt away.
Downstairs, my sister rolled her eyes at the noise.
“My brother is hopeless…”
But her words never reached me.