In Nagasaki Prefecture, at a certain beach.

With the direction of the dragon’s invasion, it seemed destined to collide with Japan; the beach was expansive with fine sand and a blue sea after the season of potential collision had passed. Just behind it stood beach huts, fisherman’s houses, and warehouses.

During the season, the beach was bustling with tourists.

But now, there wasn’t a single visitor. Everyone had evacuated at the declaration of an emergency.

Yet, there was a crowd gathering, rivaling the numbers from the peak season. Over 100 A-Rank awakened individuals and more than twice that number of B-Rank awakened individuals. Japan’s top awakened had gathered along the coastline.

Walking up to the front of this assembly was Japan’s strongest man, Tendou Ryunosuke.

Tendou, a samurai of Japan who could slay a dragon on his own, took a step forward with the sea behind him, capturing everyone’s attention. He began to speak in a clear voice.

 

Tendou: “I am Tendou Ryunosuke, the representative of Avalon guild. I appreciate you all responding to this sudden call. The situation is dire… But I’m proud that so many of you have come.”

 

He first bowed in gratitude. Even though they would be compensated, almost all the awakened from various guilds had gathered for what seemed like a reckless mission. A mission where the chances of survival seemed slim, one that most would typically refuse.

However, not a single top-tier awakened individual from this country refused. They all readily agreed, arriving at this battleground in their own ways.

 

Random awakened 1: “Of course we’d come, Tendou-san!”

Random awakened 2: “Though our guilds might differ, let’s unite as Japanese and fight!”

Random awakened 3: “We must stop them here! I’ve got a wife and kids back home!”

Random awakened 4: “I might be old, but it’s an honor to die protecting this country! I’m grateful for the chance!”

 

The sentiment was unanimous among them. Everyone had experienced the terror of monsters firsthand. They were determined not to let these horrifying creatures harm their loved ones.

 

Tendou: “Hey, old man. This isn’t some act. This is a battle to protect our nation. I need each of you to risk your lives.”

 

There would be no external aid. China and America were preoccupied with their own concerns, and neighboring countries were hesitant to send their valuable forces to such a risky battle.

If that’s the case, then the only ones left to defend this country are…

 

Tendou: “But don’t you dare die before me! I’ll take down every single dragon! And all of you must survive at all costs! Even if it’s reckless, do it! I promise, I’ll force the chairman of Akazawa to pay each of you 500 million as a reward!”

The crowd: “Ooooooh!”

 

At Tendou’s rallying cry, the awakened roared back in response. It wasn’t necessarily about the money; raising their voices together was invigorating, and it gave strength to their trembling legs.

The dragon’s arrival was imminent, and there was no escape. Perhaps there was nowhere left to run in this country.

Each person prepared in their own way. Some sharpened their weapons, some called their families, while others simply closed their eyes and waited.

Their morale was high, all that was left was to give it their all. Tendou started heading back to the makeshift camp set up for the day.

Then, a young man wearing glasses appeared.

 

Yumiichi: “Tendou-san, it’s been a while. I’m glad I made it in time.”

Tendou: “Yumiichi! You made it!”

 

He was a relatively young man in his mid-20s, with straight black hair and the appearance of a top student. However, his eyes burned with determination.

 

Yumiichi: “Yes, I came directly from America on a fighter jet. I couldn’t just watch from America when my homeland is in crisis.”

 

He was Japan’s last S-Rank awakened, Yumiichi Amano. He had been studying abroad with the top US guild, USA, but returned due to Japan’s crisis.

 

Tendou: “With you here, it’s like having the strength of 100,000 people! Well, for today, maybe even a million!”

Yumiichi: “Indeed, there’s no other battlefield where I can utilize my abilities like here. May I take command of all the B-Rank awakened?”

Tendou: “Of course, I’ll get them prepared immediately!”

Yumiichi: “Thank you. And is Reina-san here? She came, right?”

Yumiichi looked around. He had quietly held feelings for Reina, an old acquaintance, but he couldn’t spot her. It was a secret that he had been bedridden for a whole day after a certain meeting.

Tendou: “Ah, she’s concentrating by herself right now. I’ve never seen her like this. She’s strong.”

Yumiichi: “…Is that so? And what about Kai Amachi? Did he abandon Japan for China?”

Tendou: “Don’t say that. He’s not a bad guy. I can’t contact him right now, but I’m sure he’ll come in the end.”

Yumiichi: “I find it hard to trust him.”

Tendou: “Haha! Are you just bitter because Reina chose him?”

Yumiichi: “What!?”

Tendou laughed as he slapped Yumiichi’s back. Yumiichi, realizing he hit the mark, adjusted his slightly skewed glasses while blushing.

Tendou: “You’re close in age, so get along with them. Both with Reina and Kai.”

Yumiichi: “It depends on his attitude. I haven’t accepted him yet.”

Tendou: “For now, let’s focus on surviving today. I’m counting on you, Yumiichi.”

Yumiichi: “Leave it to me!”

 

With that, Yumiichi took all the B-Rank awakened with him to a relatively tall building nearby. He was going to use his unique power that only he possessed. Yumiichi Amano, also known as the National Bow, was the most suitable awakened for this battlefield, aiming to turn the tide in this desperate situation.

 

◇Reina

 

In a dark room, a silver-haired girl sat alone, silently closing her eyes, unifying her spirit and calming her heart.

She delved deep into her own mind.

 

Reina: “…Mama, Papa, Big Brother.”

 

She remembered the faces of her family and the reason for fighting. Why was she trying to protect this country?

Reina had been asking herself these questions repeatedly.

Why did she want to protect this country?

Why did she feel the need to defend it?

But the answer was simple.

 

Reina: “Because I will protect it…”

 

She recalled her father from her childhood, who hardly ever played with her. But now she understood that during those times, when dungeon collapses were a daily occurrence, he probably didn’t have the leisure to play with a child.

 

Father: “Reina, I have to protect this country. I’m sorry.”

Young Reina: “No! No! Play with me, Papa! Hug!”

Mother: “Help, dear! She won’t let me go to work!”

 

Reina: “Papa…”

 

She remembered how she always acted spoiled and troubled her father. She had heard that her mother loved this country and visited often as a tourist. During one of those visits, she was saved from a monster by her father. That’s when they fell in love.

 

Mother: “Your father was so cool back then… He’s still cool now, slashing through monsters with ease.”

Young Reina: “Amazing! Tell me more! Papa is so cool!”

 

Reina: “Mama…”

 

She calmed her heart and dug deep into her past memories. Although the memories returned, recalling them was painful. But her mother, father, and brother were only present in those memories.

 

Older Brother: “I’ll follow in dad’s footsteps and protect this country too!”

 

Her brother, who proudly declared his dream, had always shone with purpose.

 

Older Brother: “Reina, I’ll protect you. Don’t worry… I’ll protect you forever.”

 

Her brother, who shielded her from monsters with his own body, had prioritized her life over his own.

 

Reina: “Big Brother…”

 

She remembered the painful memories: her brother who died protecting her, and her past where she was always protected due to her own weakness.

But she couldn’t look away anymore. She had to face it head-on, as Kai had taught her that you can’t move forward without confronting your past.

Tears welled up in Reina’s eyes, dropping a single beautiful ray of light onto the floor. She realized her reason to fight and engraved the reason she wanted to protect deep in her heart.

Thus, the girl opened her eyes and lastly gazed at the entrusted ring on her finger.

 

Unknown Voice: “When you wear this ring on your finger… it’ll give you the strength to move forward towards your goals… I’m entrusting this wish to you, Reina…”

 

She tightly held the ring and closed her eyes.

 

Reina: “The strength to move forward, imbued with wishes… the wishes of everyone!”

 

Her silver hair fluttered as a flame ignited in her blue eyes. The tears dried up, and she slowly stood up and went outside.

Outside, there was the sea, the sandy beach, and the sun. And beyond the horizon, an enormous army of dragons threatened to destroy the country.

She was prepared. She had no more doubts. Now, all she needed to do was grasp victory.

 

Reina: “…Valkyrie.”

 

With that word, a silver light enveloped Reina’s body. In her right hand, she held a silver sword, and in her left, a silver shield. A radiant true awakened armor wrapped around her.

The world’s strongest Valkyrie, having transcended her limits, soared. Her figure resembled that of Joan of Arc.

 

Reina: “…This time, I’ll protect everything. Everything… I’ll protect it all!”

 

With pride in her heart, she gripped her sword.

Because there were too many things in this country she wanted to protect.