Chapter 1: End of the Beginning

Chapter 1: End of the Beginning

Hello, there.

I'm NineClouds.

Just a head up. This is the rewrite of my previous work, [Kaiju User in the Cultivation World].

I hope you enjoy the story~!

--- Chapter 0 ---

Under the shade of the Cherry Blossom Tree, a young man dozed on the grass and enjoyed the gentle gust of wind. The warm sunlight brushed his black hair and handsome face, giving him a certain charm.

He's around seventeen or eighteen, with a slim but healthy build. Average to everyone in this country.

He wore a standard black blazer and pants, complementing his look.

"Hayate-kun." Someone suddenly covered the sunlight from the young man, making the latter twitch his brows.

"Oh, Council President Koyori. What do I do to owe this pleasure to you ruining my lovely nap?" Hayate opened his eyes, revealing a pair of beautiful gold-like gems.

A little smirk of annoyance appeared on his handsome face.

The Council President, Koyori Nakamura, is a petite young lady with long black hair and gentle blue eyes. She wore the same blazer as Hayate, but there was a cat hairpin on the right side of her hair.

"Stop with that formal way of speaking, though I know you only want to annoy me back." The Council President, named Koyori, smiled at him.

"You know that today is your awakening ceremony day, right?"

Hayate rolled his eyes and lifted his hand, gazing at the blue sky with falling cherry blossom petals.

This scene causes him to feel melancholic.

Hayate Kurogami experienced an event that was 'inherently.' described as unbelievable.

Two and half years ago, when Hayate just entered 1st year of high school, he was hit by a truck.

He accepted his death, knowing he had a loving family and loyal friends.

He even joked about encountering Truck-kun's legendary delivery service.

But no!

He awakened in a hospital bed with a bandage all over his body.

Hayate never felt so grateful in his life before. That's until he realized this world wasn't the same world he used to live in.

This world is an 'Alternative World' with a similar yet different history.

At the end of 2nd World War, September 2, 1945, extreme radiation hit the earth. Living beings awakened their inborn potential and abilities, becoming the first-ever Awakener in the world.

Of course, since all living beings experience radiation, wildlife mutated and becomes terrifying monsters.

The world just recovered from the 2nd World War. They couldn't resist the extreme waves of Mutated Monsters! Firearms and bombs are useless as Mutated Monsters have their abilities.

Five years of dark history happened, and humanity lost 60% of its population.

Despite the bitter experience, humanity banded together and reclaimed over half of the earth.

One city after another.

One generation after another.

Seventy years passed, and the young generation inherited their predecessor's will and talents.

Today is August 18, 2020.

Hayate Kurogami is at the end of his high school life, meaning he'd awaken his potential and talent soon.

After graduating high school, he planned to experience university for three years and enlisted in the military.

Even then, it depends on Hayate's awakened talent.

Although humanity banded together, discrimination still exists.

If one awakens trash talent, society will condemn it.

"Awakening, huh? I'd pass."

"Eh?" Koyori was speechless.

"But I want to know your talent, hmph!" She pouted at him.

In their first year, Koyori was 'actually.' saved by Hayate from a group of thugs. It makes her first impression of the black-haired young man soar high.

She always clings close to Hayate, overseeing and knowing him more.

Koyori doesn't know where her confidence comes from. Still, she believes Hayate Kurogami is 'naturally' destined for greatness!

Awakening Ceremony Day held by high schools isn't mandatory as awakening happens naturally anyway. Many youth attend this event to attract attention, hoping their dream university would catch a glimpse of their talents.

Well, only poor or middle-class students would do this.

People with connections have their ways, even if their talents aren't the best.

As if they were playing Gacha, everyone's talents are random.

Hayate waved his hand and said, "I'll tell you my talent tomorrow."

"I had to go and meet Nakiri-sensei."

As Hayate yawned and walked away, Koyori stared at his back helplessly.

There is a hint of worry and excitement in her heart.

Walking to the Martial Arts Club, Hayate heard a loud smacking noise.

He peeked into the room and saw a tall, beautiful woman in her mid-twenties smacking a punching bag.

She wore a sports bra and pants, having her long brown hair tied in a ponytail.

"Uh, oh." Hayate was about to sneak and escape when a pair of red eyes locked on his back.

Bang!

The punching bag exploded, spraying sand everywhere.

"Hayate, come in. Don't even think about running away." The woman said with a smile. Her red eyes are still gazing at him.

"Shit, I'm dead."

Hayate sighed and entered the room full of gym equipment and four large arenas.

"Evening, Nakiri-sensei."

Mei Nakiri is the advisor of the Martial Arts Club. At the start of high school, she took the fancy of Hayate's raw potential and groomed him to become a fine martial artist.

Oh, yeah. Mei also has the moniker of Demon Teacher. Not only because her training is 'literally' demonic but also because her talent is related to transformation.

She's beautiful indeed. Even Hayate daydreamed about her every once and then, but he couldn't be her with the strength he had.

Mei Nakiri waved her hand and cleaned the sand on the floor. She smiled at Hayate and asked, "Today is your awakening day, right?"

"Yeah," Hayate responded with a nod.

"Good, then let's start with breaking your body. By squishing all your energy out, the awakening will be smoother." Mei added, sending a shiver down Hayate's spine.

"Nakiri-sensei, mercy-!" Hayate watched the ferocious woman pouncing him.

"Argh!"

...

Hayate returned home with soreness all over his body. If this world wasn't the alternative world, he should have died every day, considering Nakiri-sensei's teaching broke his body daily.

The only comforting time he had was with his bed.

Hayate's house is a two-story building with a decent landscape and everything.

Opening the front door, Hayate opened his mouth and said gently, "I'm home."

Silence greeted Hayate, but he didn't mind.

Upon waking up from his coma, Hayate received news that his parents had died. In this world, he and his parents were 'plainly.' struck by a trailer truck and tossed out of the cliff.

It was an accident, resulting in his parents' death as they protected him with their Talents.

'An alternative world at its finest.' Hayate sighed, tossing his shoes off and tidying them into the shoe box.

He made a simple meal and hit the shower, taking a glass of milk shortly after.

Hayate glanced at the sky from the window of his room, seeing the sight of N-Tokyo. The city is bustling with activity.

After thinking about something, He shook his head, "I don't know if this second chance of life is a curse or a blessing."

Hayate Kurogami always wondered why he experienced such a thing, but he couldn't find the answer no matter what. His shallow knowledge is not profound enough to know this world's mystery.

He glanced at the clean bed and smiled, "Well, isn't this my dear bed."

"I'm tired, so give me comfort and a nice dream, can't you."

Hayate acted like he had a mental problem. However, it was merely a coping mechanism.

As Hayate jumped onto the bed and covered himself with a blanket, he closed his eyes and said, "Good night."

Hayate floated in a dreamy, cloudy-like space for an unknown time.

He heard roars and cries of monsters, frowning.

The intense roars and cries kept ringing in his head.

He felt his heartbeat rising each second.

Under the blanket, Hayate clenched his chest as a pained expression formed on his handsome face.

"Fuck, fuck!" Hayate woke up in cold sweats. The lingering pain and roars still affected him.

"What the fuck. Even being hit by a truck isn't painful."

"A way for everyone to survive this disaster."

"I will sacrifice myself-!"

"DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT THAT!" Koyori and Mei screamed at him.

Tears welled up in their eyes.

"I'd rather die with everyone else than see you sacrificing yourself." Mei hissed, biting her lips until they bleed. "I'm selfish, so what? Blame me for loving you this deeply!"

Hayate's achievement might not be in the federation's record. However, he still achieved more than anyone else.

He helped humanity for three years, wiping 90% of mutated monsters on the face of the earth. If he hadn't interfered, countless countries and lives would have perished.

They called him a hero for a reason.

As for why Hayate didn't expose himself, he doesn't like the crowd's attention.

Koyori hugged Hayate tightly and sobbed, "Hayate, please don't..."

Hayate sighed, "You know this is the only way."

"Humanity isn't strong enough to handle the cosmic storm."

He smiled and continued, "You two don't want to see me die, but it goes the same for me."

"I don't want to see you two die..."

"I'm just sad. It seems that our wedding was 'unfortunately' canceled."

He gazed at Mei warmly, "Mei, I always wondered why did I awaken such a powerful talent."

"What's my purpose..."

"What I want."

"I want to protect you two."

"I want to protect humanity."

"Without earth, humanity can't exist... My family can't exist."

Hayate rubbed Koyori's head gently and said, "We haven't had breakfast."

"Breakfast is important, you know?"

"I'll cook, so sit down and enjoy."

Hayate went to the kitchen and cooked the most simple chicken porridge for his loved ones.

"Let's eat." Hayate sat around the table with Koyori and Mei, reminiscing about many happy memories in this tense moment.

An alarm rang in the facility.

It's time.

"Koyori, Mei." Hayate leaned on the dining table, kissing their lips for the last time.

"If reincarnation truly exists, I hope we can meet and fall in love again..."

"I love you two."

Hic!

As Hayate walked away, Koyori's tears fell to the porridge.

Mei couldn't handle her emotion well and punched the reinforced steel wall near her, breaking it. The whole facility also shook.

"Let's go. I want to see Hayate to the very end." Mei said in a gloomy mood.

"Mm." Koyori nodded, wiping her tears off.

They walked to the upper floor and stood emotionally on a sandy beach.

...

Hayate Kurogami floated in the air. He looked at the sky and laughed bitterly.

Was he afraid?

Yes.

He already faced death once, and it was terrifying.

Now is his second time.

An incredible aura surged out from Hayate's body. He soared to the sky with a white flash of lightning, gaining the attention of the federation's drones.

The federation has accepted its demise.

Even though they could warn the civilians, it wouldn't bore any result.

In this situation, even S-grade awakeners couldn't do anything.

All of them will face a similar demise.

The drones caught Hayate's act and spread it to everyone in the federation.

Koyori contacted someone in the federation and told them to record this moment.

Hayate hated attention, but he deserved to record his name. A name that would sound to the next generation, a name that wouldn't disappear from the history of humankind!

Humanity's Savior!

Hayate arrived in outer space.

He looked at the piles of gasses approaching.

He clenched his hand and summoned a crystal sphere. Massive energy erupted from the crystal sphere as Hayate's body was 'thoroughly.' covered by armor made of scales and furs.

His body expanded beyond the size of the earth, darkening everyone's sight.

A pair of golden eyes shone brightly from the titan-like creature.

"AAAAAAAHHHH!" Hayate let out a battle cry he rarely does.

He charged forward and manipulated several elements, pushing the cosmic storm away.

The terrifying force behind the storm makes Hayate's joints weak.

His skin ruptured.

His fleshes turned into a mushy mess.

His blood evaporated.

His bones turned into dust.

Regeneration kicked in, creating a cycle of destruction and restoration.

Excruciating pain like no ever struck Hayate's body, but a fighting spirit still burned within Hayate's soul.

After sensing he was far enough, Hayate glanced at the blue planet for the last time and closed his eyes.

"Kaiju Maker... I hope you don't disappoint me."

"Thank you for serving me for three years, my kaiju. It's time to show the world your might!"

A bright golden light illuminated Hayate's small world.

The light spread out and swallowed everything.

There is no fancy explosion, only silence.

The cosmic storm clashed with the light and got swallowed instead.

On earth, everyone watched a beautiful golden light spraying the dark sky like fireworks. A ripple arrived, making everyone stop instinctively and feel sadness as if they lost something important.

Koyori Nakamura and Mei Nakiri immediately dropped to the ground, crying messily. They hugged each other in comfort.

A helicopter landed at the private island.

"Head Researcher Nakamura, Squad Leader Nakiri." The members of the federation saluted them.

Mei stood up with Koyori in her arms and said, "I want everyone to remember his deed!"

"I want everyone to know!"

"Built a monument. Today, humanity has lost its greatest guardian!"

"YES, MADAM!" The members of the federation responded in unison.

...

...

Primal Chaos, Forbidden Land of Samsara.

Ripples appeared above the Well of Samsara.

A foreign soul flew out, entering the well and causing a tremendous change in the Primal Chaos.

The flow of destiny altered abruptly.

On a distant star, a mirror within a silver pendant suddenly cracked.

A black-haired woman hugged herself in an ethereal space. She slowly opened her eyes and let out a confused hum.

"The Well of Samsara..."

"The destiny I established has changed."

"How abnormal..." The woman closed her eyes again.

"But this might be more interesting..."