Defeat. This is the first time I've ever experienced it. Just thinking about it makes my chest tighten and fills me with rage. A shadowbroker should never know defeat! And yet... And yet, I was vanquished. Not by an almighty demon or a god, but by a mere demon. To make it worse, we were two against one! That made the loss even harder to swallow.
But this failure, as bitter as it is, also fuels my determination. If I am to avoid this situation in the future, I must train with all my heart and soul. I need to gather more Magatsuhi and recruit more powerful demons. All of this is in pursuit of one goal: to become a true eminence in shadow.
My body is broken, my spirit wounded, but I refuse to let this be the end. This defeat is not a sign of my limits but a reminder of how much further I have to go. It was a call to rise, to push beyond my current self, to reach new heights of power and control.
I will not let this defeat define me. Instead, it will be the foundation upon which I build my strength. Every drop of Magatsuhi, every demon I recruit, every battle I fight, will bring me closer to my goal. I will turn this loss into the catalyst for my ultimate rise.
So, let this defeat be a lesson. Let it be the fire that forges me into something greater. I will become the eminence in shadow. No obstacle, no demon, no force will stand in my way. From this day forward, I will train harder, fight smarter, and grow stronger until the shadow I cast is one of true dominance.
Now that I've cleared my head, there's just one question left: what am I still doing in this place? The dark-stained wood walls, the statue, and the two torches lighting the room haven't changed since the last time I was here. The only difference is that the specters are absent. Alright, I'm in a dream, so I just need to wait until I wake up for real.
But when I look down, shock overwhelms me. My legs and my right arm have returned! How is this possible? Are they back because I'm in a dream, or has someone healed me? I sincerely hope it's the latter because it would be incredibly disappointing to wake up and find I only have my left arm. That would certainly end this dream on a sour note.
As I'm marveling at my restored limbs, the spectral figures appear. The pressure in the room skyrocketed, making it hard to stay on my feet. I tried my best not to fall, each ghostly figure staring at me as I sweated profusely, straining to remain standing under the weight of their presence.
Then, suddenly, the pressure vanishes. One of the figures starts to speak, "Despite being defeated by such a weak demon, I find that he's got guts. What do you all think?" he asked, glancing at the other specters.
Their eyes-if you could call those glowing orbs eyes-seemed to assess me, weighing my worth. I stood there, trembling slightly but refusing to collapse, waiting for their judgment.
One of the other specters, a tall, imposing figure, "Indeed," it said, its voice echoing like a cold wind through a graveyard, "there is potential in him. But potential alone is not enough. He must prove his worth through actions, not just resilience in the face of adversity."
A third specter, smaller but exuding an air of ancient wisdom, nodded. "His defeat is but a stepping stone. If he learns from it, grows from it, then he might indeed become something greater. But the path he walks is fraught with peril and requires more than just strength. It requires cunning, perseverance, and a relentless will."
Another specter spoke, its voice dripping with disdain. "He is unworthy," it declared, "unlike the other candidates. He should simply die so everyone can forget the failure he is." The figure paused, then continued, "When I was twelve, I could face an army of Oni while poisoned," it boasted
Who do they think they are? First, I'm dragged into this place against my will, and now I'm being insulted? And to top it all off, I hadn't even known I was a candidate for some clan leadership until this moment. Why should I care now?
As I fumed internally, another specter spoke up, interrupting my thoughts. "Do not be too harsh on him. After all, he has not been a Summoner for long. To me, surviving against an Oni for as long as he did, even if it was already fatigued, is an achievement in itself."
Their arguments swirled around me, conflicting voices each presenting a different perspective on my worth and potential. The disdainful specter's words stung, igniting a spark of defiance within me. But the more supportive voices tempered my anger, reminding me of the progress I had made despite the odds.
Suddenly, the ghost in front of me revealed its aura, and everyone fell silent. It was as if the entire room held its breath. The pressure was overwhelming, making me feel like a tiny grain of sand-or no, an atom facing an infinite number of universes. Under this crushing weight, I collapsed, drenched in sweat, unable to move or even think clearly. Just as I thought I couldn't bear it any longer, the figure spoke, and the pressure vanished.
"Our time is up," it intoned, each word resonating with a gravity that felt ancient and all-encompassing. "It is time for you to return to the waking world."
And again, the world around me warped and then faded into darkness.
----------
When I woke up for real this time, I found myself staring at an unfamiliar white ceiling. I was in what seemed to be a hospital bed. Relief washed over me as I noticed that my right arm and both legs were back-it had been the second possibility, after all. The fact that my limbs had regenerated fascinated me; it was probably due to a superior version of Dia. But once again, the question loomed: where was I?
I was getting tired of waking up in unknown places. However, if I had to guess, I was likely in one of the bases of the organization Sosome belonged to. This would be a good opportunity to learn more about the world of Devil Summoners. On the downside, I wouldn't be able to maintain my Mob persona. Sosome had already seen my capabilities, so if I wanted to keep a low profile, I'd have to act the same as I did in the Vortex World. Such a shame-I had prepared a whole repertoire of Mob-fu techniques.
Still, between becoming a Dark Summoner and a Devil Summoner, the choice was clear. One offered me no real advantage and made me a target, while the other provided an environment to grow stronger, along with knowledge and connections. Suddenly, a voice interrupted my thoughts.
"Already deep in thought as soon as you wake up? Chill. You were just mauled by a demon. Rest."
I turned to see a young woman standing beside my bed. She had long bright turquoise hair and striking yellow eyes. She wore a white tank top and a black jacket, which was casually draped over her shoulders. Her confident expression matched the way she pulled out a cigarette and lit it with a flame from one of her fingers.
"Who are you? And hasn't anyone ever told you not to smoke in a hospital?" I asked, my voice rough from disuse.
"Yeah, but I don't care. I do what I want, where I want," she replied nonchalantly. "Don't worry, though; this room is well-ventilated. The smell will be gone in no time. And if you want me to stop, you'll have to make me. Ah! But what am I saying, you couldn't even beat an Oni, so you wouldn't stand a chance against me." She grinned mischievously.
Great. This defeat was going to haunt me forever. And she still hadn't answered my first question!
"Enough jokes. Who are you?" I demanded.
"Ah, you're no fun. Can't even handle a bit of teasing." She tapped her cigarette, the falling ashes burning away into nothing. Standing up, she continued, "I'm Rion Akao, Vice Captain of the Tenth Division."
Ah... I'm in deep trouble. I hadn't considered this detail before. I essentially stole a COMP and even pretended to be a member of her division when I met Sosome. If he's awake and has told them everything, I'm finished. No, wait. I used that COMP solely to survive, and I borrowed those clothes to preserve my dignity. Besides, it was Sosome who assumed I was from the Tenth Division, so technically, I haven't done anything wrong. Now that I think about it, is Sosome alright?
"How is Sosome?" I asked Rion.
"His injuries have been healed, but unlike you, he's not awake yet."
Phew! So he hasn't told them anything yet, which is good because-
"But we know exactly who you are and what you've done, Minoru Kagenou."
Huh? My mind froze.
"Wait, what do you mean?" I stammered, trying to keep my composure.
Rion smirked, clearly enjoying my discomfort. "Oh, come on. Did you really think you could just waltz in here and pretend to be one of us without anyone noticing?"
"No, I never thought that," I admitted, "but I didn't expect to be found out this quickly.
"Well, it's good that you understand that much," she replied. "And anyway, you only have one choice if you want to live: join the organization. Leaving a Summoner loose is too dangerous."
That's all I ever wanted-to join this organization. Becoming a Dark Summoner at my level is far too risky. Wait a second, how long was I in the Vortex World?
"Hey, how long have I been gone?" I asked Rion.
Rion stopped smoking and looked at me. "Oh, that. You've been gone for two weeks," she said nonchalantly.
"What? Two weeks?!" I exclaimed. I thought I'd only spent a few days in the Vortex World. Maybe I was in the hospital longer than I thought, or the awakening process took more time.
"Don't worry. The Vortex World completely messes with your perception of time, so it's normal to find it strange. And it's only been two days since you've been here." As she spoke, I heard a beep, similar to the sound of a COMP. I turned to look at Rion, but she was already standing.
"Well, it's time for me to go. Any last questions?" she asked.
"Yeah, what's the name of the organization?"
With a smile, she replied, "It's called the Circle of the True Reincarnation, or CTR for short. I'm in a hurry, so I'll leave you here. Bye." She waved her hand and vanished without a trace.
That speed, those flames, and her position as Vice Captain. So, it was her who saved me. I lay back down on the bed, my mind racing with everything that had happened.
I thought about the Oni, the Vortex World, and the specters. The memories played like a movie reel in my head, each scene more surreal than the last. The feeling of defeat still lingered, but now it was accompanied by a burning desire to improve, to never feel that helpless again.
Rion's words echoed in my mind. Joining the CTR wasn't just about survival; it was about seizing an opportunity to grow stronger, to amass power, and to become a true eminence in shadow. The specters had seen potential in me, despite their harsh judgments.
As I lay there, I couldn't help but marvel at the return of my limbs. The thought fascinated me. There was so much to learn, so much to master. This organization, the CTR, held the keys to secrets and powers I had only begun to glimpse.
I let out a sigh, a mix of relief and determination. I would need to adapt, to navigate this new world with cunning and skill.
No more playing around. No more underestimating my opponents. From now on, every action, every decision would be calculated. I would train, fight, and rise through the ranks of the CTR. The defeat I had suffered would be the catalyst for my transformation.
As these thoughts solidified in my mind, a sense of calm washed over me. The path ahead was clear, and I was ready to walk it. The world of Devil Summoners awaited, and I would face it head-on, with the resolve to become the shadow that dominates all others.
With that, I closed my eyes, allowing myself a moment of rest.