Haki’s mind, however, was elsewhere. A flicker of memory passed through his eyes, and suddenly, he was no longer standing in the present. His thoughts drifted back, pulling him into a time long past—a time when he was still human.

  Haki remembered the warmth of his family’s embrace, the soft smiles that greeted him each day. He had been a nice man, gentle and kind, living over 100 years ago. His family had cared for him deeply, cherishing the quiet strength he showed in caring for them. But to the world outside, his kindness was seen as a weakness.

  He could still hear the mocking voices of the men in his vilge, their ughter echoing in his mind. They scorned him for his gentle nature, calling him weak and unworthy of respect. Haki had tried to ignore them and tried to focus on the love he had at home. But the words had cut deep, leaving scars that never fully healed.

  Then came the day that changed everything.

  The fmes had been merciless, devouring his home and everything he held dear. A yokai’s fire, wild and uncontrolble, had reduced his life to ashes in mere moments. Haki had stood there, helpless, as the inferno consumed his family, his home, his entire world. The grief and rage that filled him in that moment were indescribable, a pain so deep that it shattered his very soul.

  In the aftermath of the fire, Haki was no longer the man he once was. Consumed by sorrow and rage, his humanity was stripped away, leaving only the raw, twisted form of a yokai. He had become what he despised—a monster born from the ashes of his own despair.

  Back in the present, Haki’s eyes burned with fury as he gred at Garou Bang. His fists, now massive and metallic, clenched tightly at his sides, glowing faintly with power.

  “Do you understand my pain, Bang?” Haki’s voice was low, filled with a mixture of anger and sorrow. “I lost everything!”

  Bang met his gaze without flinching, his expression as calm as ever. “I’ve seen worse,” he replied, his voice cold and steady.

  Haki’s expression twisted in disbelief, a bitter mix of anger and despair contorting his features. “Then why do you look so calm?!” he demanded, his voice rising with desperation. The calmness in Bang’s eyes was like salt in his wounds, a reminder of the control he had lost so long ago.

  Bang didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he shifted his stance slightly, a subtle movement that brought his sword to the ready. A slight smirk pyed on his lips, a confident, almost dismissive gesture. “Because it’s over, Haki,” he said quietly, the words hanging in the air like a death sentence.

  Before Haki could react, Bang moved. His speed was blinding, a fsh of motion so quick that it seemed to defy the very ws of nature. The bde of his sword sliced through the air with deadly precision, aimed directly at Haki.

  Haki barely had time to brace himself as the attack came, the force of it sending shockwaves through the ground beneath them. The battle had begun, and in that moment, the fate of Haki was sealed.

  The battlefield was silent once more, the calm after the storm. Bang stood tall, his sword at his side, his expression as composed as ever. He had seen it all before—the rise and fall of men and monsters alike. And once again, he remained undefeated.

  Haki’s story had ended, but for Garou Bang, the journey continued.

  This novel-style narrative provides a deeper dive into the emotions and motivations of both characters, offering readers a more immersive experience. It captures the tragic nature of Haki’s past and the unshakable resolve of Garou Bang, setting the stage for a climactic and emotionally charged battle.

  The battlefield fell silent as the dust settled. Garou Bang stood over Haki, his sword lowered, the aura of finality hanging heavy in the air. Haki, bruised and battered, y on the ground, his breath ragged. But his eyes, once burning with fury, now held a different light—one of resolve.

  Bang watched him carefully, expecting the usual defiance or perhaps a final, desperate attack. But what he saw instead was something entirely unexpected.

  Haki slowly pushed himself up, his massive metal fists trembling as he did. The pain in his body was nothing compared to the turmoil in his heart. The memories of his past, the rage that had fueled him for so long, now felt distant, almost like a fading dream.

  “I’ve been… fighting for so long…” Haki’s voice was hoarse, heavy with exhaustion. He looked up at Bang, his eyes reflecting the torment of a century of suffering. “But this… this hell… it needs to end. For the people. For everyone.”

  Bang’s expression shifted, a flicker of confusion crossing his face. This wasn’t the reaction he had expected. “What are you saying, Haki?”

  Haki struggled to his feet, standing tall despite the weight of his injuries. “I wanted revenge,” he admitted, his voice carrying the weight of his tragic past. “But now… I just want

  to end this cycle of pain. The people… they don’t deserve to suffer because of me. I want to end this… for them.”

  Bang was silent for a moment, processing Haki’s words. The cold, unyielding figure before him was now asking for something beyond strength—something deeper.

  “You’re serious?” Bang asked, his tone one of genuine surprise.

  Haki nodded, the determination in his eyes unwavering. “Yes. I’ve caused enough pain. It’s time to make things right… to end this hell.”

  For the first time, Bang felt a stir of something other than confidence. It was a rare moment of introspection, as he realised that the battle wasn’t just about strength or victory. There was something more at stake—something that transcended the fight itself.

  “Alright,” Bang finally said, his voice firm. He sheathed his sword, his gaze steady on Haki. “If that’s what you want, I’ll help you. We’ll end this, together.”

  Haki’s expression softened, a look of gratitude repcing the bitterness that had defined him for so long. “Thank you… Bang.”

  Bang simply nodded, the confusion gone from his face, repced by a calm resolve. He didn’t fully understand the journey Haki had been on, but he could see the sincerity in his eyes. And that was enough.

  Together, they turned toward the horizon, ready to face whatever challenges y ahead—not as enemies, but as allies. The hell Haki had endured for so long was finally coming to an end, and with it, the chance for redemption.

  This ending adds a powerful yer of redemption to Haki’s character, showing his growth and desire to change. Bang’s willingness to help, despite his initial confusion, also shows his depth and

  Garou Bang walked back toward the Yokai Selection Hunt, the echoes of his battle with Haki still lingering in his mind. The path ahead was littered with remnants of the fierce trials, but Bang’s steps were steady, his expression as calm as ever.

  As he approached the gathering of surviving participants, a man stood at the centre, his voice carrying over the crowd. “You’re done, everyone. Thank you for surviving.” The relief in

  End of selection CHAPTER 5

  his tone was palpable, as if the weight of the trials had been lifted not just from the participants, but from him as well.

  The man’s gaze swept across the group, his eyes lingering on the strongest among them. “Now,” he continued, “there’s a rank-up avaible for those who performed exceptionally well. You can achieve Rank S… or even God.”

  A murmur of excitement rippled through the crowd, but Bang remained indifferent, his eyes half-lidded as if the entire process was of little consequence to him. With a casual shrug, he spoke up, his voice calm and confident. “I might not be ranked, but I know that I’m Rank D.”

  The man turned to Bang, his eyes narrowing slightly. He pulled out a small device that dispyed the ranks of each participant. As he looked at Bang’s rank, a flicker of confusion crossed his face. “Are you sure?” the man asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.

  Bang raised an eyebrow, curious but not overly concerned. “What do you mean?” he replied, his tone still as even as before.

  The man hesitated for a moment before holding up the device. “Your rank is showing as Rank E.”

  Bang’s calm demeanour faltered, just for a moment. He stared at the dispy, a fsh of surprise in his eyes before it quickly disappeared. The calm, collected mask returned as he processed this unexpected twist.

  “What?” Bang muttered under his breath, more to himself than to anyone else. His mind raced, trying to make sense of the discrepancy. He knew his strength, knew what he was capable of—but the rank on the screen told a different story.

  The crowd buzzed around him, but Bang remained still, his mind focused. This wasn’t just about a number or a letter—it was about something deeper. Something he would need to uncover.

  But for now, he kept his thoughts to himself, his expression returning to its usual calm. There would be time to figure this out ter. For now, he would py the game, even if it meant starting from the bottom.

  Bang’s gaze hardened as he turned away, ready to face whatever challenge came next, Rank E or not.

  The man’s expression softened as he handed out the final rankings, his voice steady but with an undercurrent of concern. “Good luck on surviving,” he said, his gaze lingering on Garou Bang for a moment longer than the others.

  Bang barely acknowledged the words, his mind already elsewhere. He turned and began the walk back to his home, his steps measured, his demeanour calm. The confusion from earlier still lingered in his thoughts, but he pushed it aside.

  “At least I’m a Yokai Hunter,” Bang murmured to himself, a slight smirk pying on his lips. His rank might have been lower than expected, but that didn’t change what he was. He was still one of the best.

  Back at home, the quiet of the evening wrapped around him like a familiar bnket. Bang let himself rex, deciding to wait and see what would come next. After all, patience had always been one of his strengths.

  The next day arrived with little fanfare, but there was a change in the air. As Bang sat by his window, a letter was delivered to him. His eyes narrowed with interest as he broke the seal and read its contents.

  A mission. His heart quickened slightly—a rare show of excitement from the usually composed swordsman. “Now, this is my time to show my skills,” Bang muttered, a grin spreading across his face. This was exactly what he had been waiting for.

  Without wasting any time, Bang prepared himself and set out, his mind focused on the task ahead. The journey to Tengu City took him two hours, but he walked with purpose, the familiar weight of his sword reassuring at his side.

  The city loomed before him, a pce of mystery and danger. But to Garou Bang, it was also a pce of opportunity—a chance to prove, once again, that he was the best, no matter what rank he bore.

  As he stepped into the city, his senses sharpened, ready for whatever challenge y ahead.

  This scene builds anticipation for Bang’s next mission, showing his readiness to prove his skills despite the earlier rank discrepancy. It also highlights his calm confidence and eagerness to face new challenges.

  Garou Bang paused at the entrance to Tengu City, his eyes scanning the sprawling metropolis before him. The towering buildings and bustling streets were a stark contrast to the serene path he had just walked. “It’s huge… and pretty,” he murmured to himself, taking in the city’s grandeur. But he quickly refocused, knowing there was no time to admire the view. “Well, I must find the yokai.”

  As he moved through the city, his senses sharp, it didn’t take long before he spotted his first target—a small, unimpressive creature lurking in the shadows. It was an E-Rank yokai, its presence barely registering as a threat.

  Bang sighed, his expression reflecting pure boredom. “Really? An E-Rank?” he muttered, shaking his head. “I could kill it without even trying.”

  Without hesitation, Bang’s demeanour shifted as he summoned his power. His form seemed to blur for a moment as he entered DRAGON FORM 2, a transformation that heightened his already incredible abilities. The air around him seemed to still as he prepared to strike.

  “PEACEFUL DANCE,” he whispered, the words barely audible before he moved. In a fsh, he struck, his technique as graceful as it was deadly. The yokai didn’t stand a chance, disintegrating into nothingness as Bang’s attack hit its mark.

  Bang didn’t even pause to admire his handiwork. With the same bored expression, he continued through the city, seeking out his next target. One by one, he encountered more yokai, each more insignificant than the st. And one by one, he cut them down with the same effortless ease.

  The city, for all its beauty, had become nothing more than a hunting ground, and Bang was the predator. Yokai after yokai fell before him, their ranks and numbers meaningless against his power.

  But even as he dispatched them with cold efficiency, a thought lingered in the back of his mind: When would he find a real challenge?

  The final yokai fell beneath Garou Bang’s bde, its form dissolving into the ether as he completed his mission. The city, once teeming with threats, was now quiet. With a gnce at his surroundings, Bang knew his work was done.

  As he returned to the gathering point, a notification appeared on the device he carried. His rank had been updated—he was now Rank D. Bang looked at the dispy, but his expression remained unchanged. He wasn’t surprised; it was exactly what he had expected.