Back at the Hotel

Toma walked briskly through the lobby, heading straight for the elevator.

"I’ve eaten well," he muttered to himself.
"But now it’s time to report to Inspector Carter!"

Knock knock knock.

"Come in, come in!" came Carter’s familiar voice from inside.

Toma opened the door to find the inspector lounging on a sofa like he owned the place.

"Inspector Carter, I have something to report!"

"Toma, I’ve been waiting for you!" Carter grinned.

"...Wait—seriously?"

"It didn’t just sound like you had a good story."

"I thought so... but I’m serious this time!"

"I’m listening."

"So, I met a girl today—"

"Stop, stop, stop!" Carter suddenly held up a hand, smirking.
"Call me Dr. Love. I’m an expert in teenage hearts."

"What?! No, no, it’s not like that!"

Toma waved his hands furiously, already regretting his choice of words.

"The girl was injured by a mugger who stole her bag. I chased him, but he wasn’t just a normal thief. He moved like a pro. I lost him when he disappeared into an alley and left the bag behind. I checked it, but there was nothing suspicious. What do you think, Inspector?"

Carter’s grin faded instantly. His eyes sharpened, and his voice dropped into something much more serious.

"I think the thief is one of the two criminals we’ve been tracking."

Toma’s eyes widened.

"And the girl — she wasn’t just a bystander. She was the target, not the bag."

Carter stood up and walked to the window, gazing out at the night-lit skyline.

"Also… I’ve been digging into some recent reports. Alongside the spike in demon attacks, the number of missing persons in this city has skyrocketed."

Toma stiffened.

"Wait… are you saying—?"

"Yes, Toma," Carter said grimly.
"I believe those two criminals have figured out how to turn people into demons."

Toma's eyes widened.

"That would explain the strange demon attacks… and the missing persons reports. There’s never been a case like this before. But the girl’s wound—"

He paused.

"It could be an imprint. A seed of transformation."

Toma shot to his feet.

"Then Vira’s in danger! We have to go now!"

"Agreed. Which way?"

"The Fourth District. Follow me!"

***

A Few Minutes Later

They arrived at Vira’s house. Toma dashed to the door—and froze.

"The door…" he pointed. "It’s broken."

Carter’s voice was low but sharp.
"Toma. What does the girl look like?"

"Tall, slender, long brown hair, brown eyes… a scar on her right arm."

"Got it. We split up. You search the apartment. I’ll sweep the area."

"Understood!"

Toma rushed inside, tearing through the rooms one by one.

"Vira?! Vira, where are you?!"

Nothing.

Empty.

Until—

"Hey, hey, kid…"

Toma froze.

"Looking for me? Or maybe… looking for him?"

Toma spun around.

It was him.

The robber from earlier — now fully visible, dressed in black, dark hair falling messily across his face. No doubt about it. One of the wanted men.

And behind him…

"Vira!" Toma shouted.

She was lying unconscious on the floor.

"You bastard! What did you do to her?!"

The man gave a cold smile.

"I turned her into a demon, of course."

Toma’s blood ran cold.

"Well… not fully yet," the man added. "See, the imprint takes time to activate. But if I don’t trigger it before the timer runs out—"

He tilted his head with a mock-sweet smile.

"She dies."

Toma clenched his fists.

"And in case you’re wondering—there’s no way to turn her back."

Then—

Snap.

The man snapped his fingers.

Vira’s body convulsed.

Then—

Her skin darkened. Her eyes turned blood red. Horns burst from her skull, and a tail lashed out behind her.

Not a monster.
Not quite human either.
A twisted, corrupted version of herself — her features still recognizable, but warped. Burning with something wrong.

And then she attacked.

"Vira… I’m sorry."

Toma focused everything into his palm. Blue Nova exploded to life — bright, searing energy.

He drove it straight into her chest.

Right into her heart.

"Tha…nk… you…" Vira whispered as her form began to dissolve.

Toma clenched his jaw.
“Thank you… for the ramen."

Behind him, slow applause echoed.

Clap.
Clap.
Clap.

"Heh… I didn’t expect that," said the man in black, stepping into view.
"You’re cold, kid. Real cold. Just like with Vira — you didn’t even hesitate."

Toma turned to face him, fury in his eyes.

"You really kill your little girlfriends without flinching, huh?"

"I didn’t let Vira suffer as a demon.
And I won’t let anyone else suffer either."

His voice dropped.

"Now I’m going to kill you."

The man laughed.