Chapter XX:Shaman Hunters
The sky was a smooth, pale orange when Sakamoto opened his eyes. Morning had barely arrived in Greenland, but the frost still clung to the windowpanes of his temporary room at SUHA's main compound. He sat up slowly, legs hanging off the edge of the stiff mattress. His body felt heavy—too heavy for a boy who had barely slept.
He stood and shuffled toward the metallic sink in the corner of the room. Reaching for the knob, he turned the tap and switched it to hot. The pipes groaned for a moment before steam began to rise. A foggy mirror sat just above it, cracked in the corner.
Sakamoto stared into it. His own pale reflection stared back—tired, messy, and clumsy as ever. He cupped water into his hands and slapped it gently across his face. Drops streamed down, but it didn't wash away the exhaustion.
"Can I really do this?" he muttered to himself, voice low.
"Carrying Dad's will… Mom's too. Am I supposed to face someone like Lord Arcade? On my own?"
He glanced down at the hot water pooling in the sink, his fingers tightening around the edge of the steel. His thoughts spiraled again.
"Do they really see me as some kind of savior? Some golden boy to save the world?"
"Since Grandma died… I've kept my cool. I've held it together. But now? This is different."
Steam hissed through the air. He took a deep breath, turned away, and stepped into the narrow shower stall. Warm water cascaded down his shoulders and spine as he stared at his own palm.
"That power… when it came forth… it was like something else was pushing with me.
Jushin? Maybe he's the one giving me power. Yeah, whatever…"
He rinsed, toweled off, and pulled on his signature black shirt and cloak. His footsteps echoed lightly through the empty hallway as he made his way out onto the SUHA field. Just as the crisp morning air hit his face, he noticed a new transport plane landing on the private airstrip nearby.
He paused.
The ramp lowered, revealing a new line of fighters disembarking. Each carried the mark of Shen-wielders—new recruits. Sakamoto walked a few steps forward until he bumped into Chiro, who was observing them calmly.
"What's going on?" he asked, eyes narrowing.
Chiro nodded toward the plane.
"More volunteers. Some awakened Shen after the recent attacks. SUHA's accepting anyone willing to fight."
Sakamoto clenched his jaw slightly.
"More people risking their lives…" he thought, bitterly.
Chiro noticed the tight expression on his face.
"You okay?"
"Yeah. Just tired," he lied. "Gotta go."
But just as he turned, a familiar voice rang out.
"Sakamoto!"
He froze.
That voice.
He spun around. Stepping down from the plane was Mika, the girl from the grocery store back in Seoul. Her soft brown hair flowed in the breeze, and her eyes widened when she saw him. Without hesitation, she rushed over and hugged him tightly.
"I'm so sorry…" she whispered. "I heard about your grandma months ago. I went to your house almost every day hoping you'd come back… but you never did."
Sakamoto blinked. He couldn't speak. The warmth of her hug pierced through the shell he'd built around himself.
"I missed you coming in to buy meat—always counting your coins, always so awkward," she chuckled. "I didn't believe any of the bad things they said about you, not for a second."
He hesitated, then whispered:
"Thank you, but this place isn't a good one for you, it's not safe out here Mika and I couldn't want any harm coming your way"
She smiled and pulled back slightly.
"I know this place isn't safe, but I manifested Shen too. I want to help. I want to fight for this world."
His expression darkened.
"You have no idea what this is really about…"
But Mika stood firm.
"Then I'll learn. I'll train. And I'll stand beside you when the time comes."
Sakamoto turned away, hands sliding into his pockets as he walked off, muttering under his breath:
"Damnit… One more burden."
Behind him, Chiro approached Mika with a gentle nod.
"Hey, Mika right? Come on. I'll show you where to settle in."
Inside SUHA Headquarters
The ministers sat at the circular obsidian table.
Minister Tenzy folded his hands and looked toward Sir Varion.
"We've decided not to rely on the Travelers," he announced. "Instead… we're reaching out to the Anumari clan /Family—the ancient Shaman hunters."
Sir Varion raised an eyebrow.
"The Anumari? You want to involve those barbarian spiritualists?"
Tenzy replied,
"They possess the one thing we currently lack: the ability to seal Lord Arcade just incase killing him is impossible, because he died once and here he is again ."
Minister Alfred leaned forward.
"Though we haven't been on good terms with them… we need their strength."
Minister Makakis said nothing, but his silence was agreement.
Tenzy continued,
"Also… how's the Hybrid boy holding up?"
Sir Varion stood up from his chair.
"He's a Crane. He'll be fine."
Tenzy nodded.
"Good. Then I'd like you to visit the Anumari and seek their assistance. Take one other hunter with you."
Varion turned toward the window.
"No need. I already have someone in mind."
And with that, he vanished in a flash of white-lined energy.
Outside, Moments Later
Sakamoto sat alone on a bench beneath the rising sun, his face drawn with exhaustion.
Then, a voice cut through the silence.
"You look pale."
He looked up.
Sir Varion stood in front of him, hands casually folded behind his back.
"Wanna catch a little trip?"
Sakamoto blinked.
"Yeah. That might help."
Sir Varion smiled faintly and extended a hand.
"Then let's get going, Prince."
As the wind rolled over the Greenland plains and the sun glimmered across the snow, the two disappeared in a shimmer of white lines.
They were headed toward the Aumari Clantoward ancient secrets, spiritual power, and the last hope of sealing a god in human form.
End of Chapter