Ren stepped away from the moonlit clearing with the taste of victory still bitter on his tongue and the raw energy of the Essence Beast pulsing faintly within him. As the clearing’s shadows slowly yielded to the approaching dawn, Isamu’s measured voice halted him once more.

  “Listen, kid,” Isamu said, his tone now more serious as he retrieved a small leather pouch from within his cloak. “You’ve done well tonight. Not many can take on an Essence Beast—even a Lesser one—and live to tell the tale. Consider this a token of my approval.”

  Ren eyed the pouch warily. “You’re giving me money?”

  Isamu nodded, offering a slight smile. “Exactly. This is for you—your first payment for defeating the Beast. But remember, when you register as a Hunter with the Guild, you’ll owe me a favor. The Guild isn’t charity; it’s a means to survive and grow. Consider this a loan until you’re ready to pay it back with service.”

  Ren snorted. “Service? I didn’t come here to make friends.”

  The older man’s eyes twinkled. “Maybe not today, but trust me—one day, you’ll see the benefit of being part of something bigger. The Guild connects you to the Clans, the system we discussed, and even to government orders. It’s the middle ground that ensures survival, and for that, you need allies.”

  Ren’s gaze dropped to the pouch in his hand. Inside, he could hear the jingle of a few coins, enough to ease his immediate hunger and patch a few holes in his worn garments. “I’ll pay you back, Isamu. You have my word.”

  “Good,” Isamu replied. “Now, off you go. Remember what I taught you tonight—the basics of our Mandate and the importance of harnessing Essence. Don’t waste your strength on reckless fights. Learn to control your hunger before it consumes you.”

  With a final nod, Isamu stepped back into the dark embrace of the forest, disappearing as silently as he had appeared. Ren clutched the pouch tightly and took a deep, steadying breath. The night had been long, and the weight of his newfound responsibilities pressed heavily on his shoulders. But survival was his only goal now.

  Ren made his way down the narrow path toward the outskirts of Izanagi. The city was just beginning to stir as dawn crept over the horizon, its rooftops and narrow alleyways bathed in the soft glow of early morning light. His thoughts churned with all that he had learned—the hierarchy of the Essence Beasts, the complex tiers of animals and yokai, and above all, the intricate structure of the Mandate itself. Nine ranks, from Common to Primordial, governed not only the potential to absorb Essence but also magnified the dangers of one’s Flaw. His own status remained an enigma, marked only as “Bound” with the ominous promise of a Hunger Unending.

  The chill of the morning air urged him to find shelter—and food. He navigated the bustling market district with practiced ease, blending into the early stir of merchants and laborers. Ren’s stomach growled in protest as he approached a small food stall that sold warm bowls of miso soup and freshly steamed rice.

  “Hey, you there!” called a wiry vendor with a kindly face. “A bowl for you, young man?”

  Ren nodded silently and exchanged a few coins from the pouch Isamu had given him. The vendor smiled and set down a bowl of steaming soup. Ren sat on a low bench at the side of the stall, the warmth of the food seeping into his chilled limbs. As he ate, his mind replayed the events of the night—the savage clash with the Essence Beast, the intensity of his Mandate, and the cryptic lessons about the hierarchy of powers that had been etched into his very soul.

  The knowledge was heavy. He recalled Isamu’s explanation: Essence Beasts were classified into seven ranks, from Lesser to Transcendent; animals followed a six-rank system from Ordinary to Divine; and yokai, those mysterious beings caught between man and beast, had their own six-tier ranking, with the Abyssal level being a warning he would take to heart. In contrast, the Mandate itself was graded on nine levels—from Common to Primordial. The higher one’s rank, the greater the aptitude for absorbing Essence, but the more severe the associated Flaw became. Ren’s own Flaw—Hunger Unending—was a constant, gnawing reminder of the price of power.

  He finished his meal in thoughtful silence, each bite reminding him of the fragility of life and the brutal demands of the Mandate. Once he had gathered enough energy, Ren decided it was time to return home.

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  The streets of Izanagi slowly transformed as he made his way toward his modest dwelling—a worn but familiar structure tucked away in one of the quieter alleys of the slums. The early light of dawn mingled with the faint glow of lanterns still hanging from doorways, a gentle promise of a new day amid the shadows of the past.

  As he rounded the corner, he recognized the silhouette of a small figure near the entrance. It was Kaede, his sister, her eyes wide with both relief and concern when they met his. She ran forward, her arms wrapping around him in a tight embrace.

  “Ren, thank goodness you’re home,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “I was so worried…”

  Ren held her close, feeling the weight of his own exhaustion and the silent promise he had made to keep her safe. “I’m here, Kaede. I’m not going anywhere.”

  Just then, a soft voice called from inside the cramped living space. “Ren, is that you?” An elderly woman stepped into the modest common area, her lined face softening into a smile as she recognized him. This was Asami, a figure in their small household who had become as much a guardian as a grandmother. Her eyes held a gentle wisdom and a quiet strength that always seemed to calm the storm within him.

  Asami beckoned him over with a slight nod. “Come, sit. We have tea waiting. You look like you’ve been through a great ordeal.”

  Ren nodded, lowering himself onto a worn cushion at the low table. Kaede followed, taking her place beside him. Asami poured a cup of steaming tea into a small porcelain cup, the fragrant steam curling up like a soft promise of solace.

  “Tell me, Ren,” Asami said gently, “what news do you bring from the night?”

  Ren hesitated for a moment. The words of the previous night—the clashing of powers, the bitter taste of Essence, and the cryptic lessons of the Mandate—all swirled in his mind like restless shadows. He took a long sip of tea, the warmth grounding him, before speaking. “I fought an Essence Beast. I... I absorbed some of its energy. And I met someone—a Shikari named Isamu.”

  Kaede’s eyes widened in a mixture of awe and fear. “You fought one? And what did he say?”

  Asami’s gaze softened with concern. “The Mandate chooses in mysterious ways, Ren. But remember, every step you take will have its price. The power you absorb will grow, and so will the hunger within you.”

  Ren nodded slowly, aware of every syllable. “Isamu gave me money for defeating the Beast. He said I owe him a favor—when I register as a Hunter with the Guild, I have to repay him. He’s going to teach me the basics before I take that step.”

  Kaede frowned. “A Hunter? What does that mean?”

  “It means,” Ren replied, “that I’m no longer just surviving on the streets. I’m part of something bigger—a system where Shikari like us work under Clans or the Guild. The Guild acts as a middleman between the Clans and the government, assigning jobs to independent Hunters like me.”

  Asami’s eyes sparkled with a mixture of pride and concern. “Then your journey has truly begun, hasn’t it?”

  Ren’s gaze dropped to his tea. “Yes. And the more I learn, the more dangerous it seems. The Mandate has nine ranks, each representing a level of power and risk. The higher your rank, the greater your capacity to absorb Essence—and the more severe your Flaw becomes. My Flaw, Hunger Unending, gnaws at me every moment. If I’m not careful, it could consume me.”

  Kaede reached out, placing a small hand on his arm. “We’re here for you, Ren. No matter how dark the path may be, you won’t have to walk it alone.”

  Ren managed a small smile. “I appreciate that, Kaede. And I promise I’ll do everything I can to keep us safe.”

  Asami nodded sagely. “Every power has its price, my dear. But knowledge and discipline can be the anchors that keep you from being swept away by the tide of your own strength.”

  Ren looked between Kaede and Asami, feeling a surge of determination. The lessons of the Mandate, the wisdom of Isamu, and the care of those he loved provided a fragile foundation for the tumultuous path ahead. Tonight, as he settled back into the modest comfort of home, he resolved that he would learn to control the essence within him—no matter how much it demanded, no matter how high the stakes.

  The sun climbed higher in the sky as Ren sat there, the echoes of the night still ringing in his mind. With the coins from Isamu securely tucked in his pocket and the promise of further instruction looming ahead, Ren knew that each day would bring new challenges—and new choices. His journey as a Shikari had only just begun, and the weight of the Mandate would test him every step of the way.

  “Rest now, Ren,” Asami said softly, offering a final, encouraging smile as she set her tea cup aside. “Tomorrow is a new day, and you have much to learn.”

  Ren closed his eyes, feeling the warmth of home and the gentle presence of Kaede and Asami surrounding him. In the quiet of that modest room, he allowed himself a moment of peace—aware that the next step would be joining the Guild, repaying his debt to Isamu, and ultimately, embracing the dangerous path of a Hunter.

  His mind churned with questions and uncertainties, but also with a resolve that burned as fiercely as the Mandate within him. The journey ahead was fraught with peril, but Ren was determined to master his power, control his hunger, and forge a future where he could protect those he loved.

  And with that thought anchoring him, Ren finally succumbed to a weary sleep, dreaming of battles yet to come, and of a destiny that he would shape—no matter the cost.