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." 

"Even Nakiri-sensei's punch felt milder than this." He cursed, feeling his veins and arteries about to burst out.

Hayate suffered until midnight.

It ended when a gecko entered his field of vision. As if Hayate was 'completely' consumed by instinct, he killed the gecko and heard something ringing in his head.

He was so in pain that he became angry.

After calming himself down, Hayate looked at his arm where the gecko should be and discovered a small brown marble sphere instead.

"Huh?" 

Swallow!

Swallow!

His instinct whispered to him.

Hayate frowned, feeling his arm move by itself to his mouth. 

Two sets of information alongside the gecko's memories flowed into his head.

Minor Regeneration (F) acquired.

Sticky Hands (F) acquired.

"..." Hayate pinched himself. 

"Is this real?" 

"Am I hallucinating?" 

Hayate sat on the edge of his bed, contemplating his awakening. He tried to close his eyes and delve more into this ability, but all he found was the cloudy world.

He stopped panicking and reviewed everything for hours.

The first set of information he received was about his talent. It was a no-name talent that allowed him to crystallize essence into a marble.

In this case, the gecko's essence was 'directly' crystallized when Hayate killed it in rage.

Another set of information is about the other abilities of Hayate's talent.

He could consume the crystalized 'Essence.' and obtain abilities from the dead target. 

Or he could combine the crystalized 'Essence.' with others, creating a hybrid creature.

"This is such a villain-type of talent." Hayate mocked himself.

However, it seems the Gacha God doesn't abandon him. 

He was 'suddenly' given a second chance and a cheat. Although Hayate doesn't know if Gods or any powerful beings are involved in this, he'd rather live in peace unless someone provokes him first.

Still, it doesn't stop him from experimenting with this power.

Before that, Hayate should name his talent. Unlike others, he's rather unique.

Upon awakening, one should receive the talent's name with its complete description. Yet Hayate only received the latter part.

"Essence." 

"Crystallization." 

"Devour." 

"Hybrid Creation." 

"Hmm..." 

"Hybrid doesn't sound very intimidating." 

"What about monsters, no..." 

"Kaiju, perhaps?" 

"Kaiju Creation?" 

"Annihilation Maker?" 

"No, it's more of a fusion." Hayate stared at the poster on the wall. It was a poster of a massive lizard with lighting charging from its body, releasing a beam of light to the dark sky.

Hayate also glanced at the neat manga on his bookshelves.

"Kaiju Maker." This name resonates with Hayate.

Hayate smiled and watched the sunrise approaching. 

"Well, I can't share the information of my talent with everyone now." 

"Except." Hayate dialed two phone numbers.

"Council President, Sensei, hear me out." 

...

Three years later.

Hayate Kurogami opened his eyes with two women in his arms. They are Koyori Nakamura and Mei Nakiri, the two people he trusts the most in this world.

After awakening his talent, Hayate told them about 'Kaiju Maker.' because they wouldn't and never sell him away.

Koyori Nakamura is a young lady from a prominent family. She has a cunning personality and deep connection.

Mei Nakiri is one of the Vanguard, which means resisting mutated monsters is her duty. 

She saw Hayate's potential, and with his talent, she couldn't possibly let him go astray.

For three years! These two helped Hayate research and experiment with Kaiju Maker. 

They bought an island and built an underground facility only for him. 

Their commitment and loyalty are unquestionable. 

Not only that, but their relationship also grew deeper and deeper as they finally confessed their feelings. 

Having two partners doesn't sound right for a lot of people. Nevertheless, Hayate felt blessed with such privilege.

He loves them.

They love him.

And that's all that matters.

Kissing the ladies on the cheeks, Hayate went to the training room and checked his physical fitness. 

He inhaled and exhaled air, sensing the surrounding area with all five senses. 

In this alternative world, talents are 'strictly' graded from F to SSS.

Even then, S-Grade alone is very rare in this world. There are only a handful of people who awakened S-grade talent. As for SS and SS-Grade, people could only dream about it.

And without a doubt, Hayate's talent is top-tier SSS Grade Talent.

Although only two people know, Hayate has slayed countless mutated monsters on the other side of the world and reduced their numbers to test his Kaiju Maker's abilities.

He was 'literally.' given the title of Unknown Monster Slaughter King. 

A mysterious expert that wiped mutated beasts to help humanity.

They would have never thought the mysterious expert was a young man in his early twenties.

Hayate closed his eyes and immersed himself in the Kaiju Maker World. It was a small world within Hayate's body, which functioned as a container for all the Kaijus he had created.

Each kaiju was 'especially.' contained within the kaiju marble sphere, just like Pokemon. Hayate got inspired by Pokemon, and he has no shame admitting it.

Each marble sphere also has its own pocket environment suitable for the kaiju to live and sleep.

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of marble spheres in Hayate's inner world.

"Let's see..." Hayate picked raw essence spheres from mutated monsters called 'Thunderstorm Eel.' and 'Cannon Beetle.', combining them into one.

A kaiju sphere appeared as Hayate clasped his hand, releasing a bolt of lightning. 

He clenched his hand and summoned the kaiju out. It was a menacing beetle-like beast, standing with its two legs. An eel-like tail flowed from its back and connected to a metallic barrel of thick scales, seemingly charging it with electricity.

Hayate changed the location and commanded the kaiju to release its most powerful attack.

The metallic barrel on the kaiju's back shone as a ray of light hit distant space and exploded, causing an electromagnetic wave to sweep everything in a kilometer radius.

"Eel-Tailed Cannon Beetle." Hayate nodded in satisfaction, thinking even S-Grade Oceanic Mutated Monsters would have a difficult time against his creation.

Hayate told the new kaiju to enter its sphere and return to the real world, stretching slightly. 

"Hayate, Hayate!" Koyori's panicked shout echoed all over the facility.

Hayate frowned and ran to Koyori's experimental room, seeing her sitting on the table with a devastated look. Mei also leaned on the wall with a solemn look on her face, grimacing about something.

"What happened?" He asked with confusion.

Koyori looked at Hayate and said, "A huge cosmic storm is approaching the earth..." 

"The federation's satellite shared this to everyone within Rank S Awakeners." 

"Cosmic Storm..." Hayate was speechless.

"It means Apocalypse, Hayate." Mei sighed heavily. "The radiation that hit our planet 78 years ago weakened the atmosphere barrier, making it very fragile." 

"Once the Cosmic Storm hits us, the world will shatter." She added with a cheerless mood. "We-! No, all living beings are doomed." 

Hayate calculated something in his head and asked Koyori, "How much time do we have left?" 

"The federation has already placed a countdown. We have less than a day."

"Migrating to other planets isn't possible because the first radiation's effects still left a residue in our solar system. If we have twenty-two more years, we can migrate as we predicted the residue will disappear in one hundred years..." 

"Dead end, truly a dead end." Mei laughed bitterly. 

Hayate Kurogami closed his eyes and said, "There is a way." 

"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..."