Kaiju No.8: Devour and Evolve

Hearing Drake Myers' words, Soshiro Hoshina's expression turned grim.

Indeed, it was true.

Hadn't they agreed? If it was confirmed that Drake was still human, their captain would personally apologize.

Soshiro clenched his fists tightly. Such a scenario—unacceptable!

As vice-captain, he believed that if anyone should apologize, it should be him. He would not tolerate the person he admired lowering herself to bow before anyone.

"Well then, if there's nothing else, we'll take our leave. Drake, get some rest!" Soshiro forced a smile and led Wu Xu Mado away from the scene.

As their silhouettes disappeared, Drake remained calm.

In the Sakura Nation, people here seemed to endure things better. Rest? That wasn't an option—not right now, anyway.

Sitting idly until late into the night, he finally returned to his hospital bed.

For Kikoru Shinomiya, however, this wasn't the outcome she had hoped for. She had been looking forward to spending more time with this enigmatic young man.

Little did she know that the situation would turn out far more complex than anticipated. Frustration gnawed at her. The late nights, stress-eating, and overwork were already making her anxious about her figure.

The last thing she wanted was to end up with a belly like Kafka's—it was unthinkable!

The Next Day

When Drake Myers opened his eyes the following morning, he immediately noticed a significant reduction in the surveillance presence around him.

Though some remained, they were no longer a major concern. Even the frequency of drones patrolling nearby had dropped.

Enhanced senses—smell and hearing—were lifesaving skills, after all.

Since devouring the unicorn kaiju, anything entering Drake's domain couldn't escape his grasp. While he hadn't reached the pinnacle of power, he was confident in maintaining his unbeaten streak for now.

The unicorn had granted him another unique ability: spatial manipulation—a rare gift across countless worlds.

Despite the reduced surveillance, Drake remained cautious, spending a few more uneventful days in the hospital. Life followed a monotonous rhythm until Yabai Mina and Soshiro Hoshina finally lost their patience.

For the Defense Force, keeping their members on standby drained resources every moment. And where did the funds come from? Taxpayers, of course.

Even the CCG investigators stationed in Yokohama had countless other tasks to handle daily. Yabai was growing increasingly reluctant to waste more time on Drake.

The best solution? Recruit him into the Defense Force.

Not only would this allow them to monitor him closely, but they could also harness his power—a win-win situation.

Hoshina, too, shared this sentiment. As leaders responsible for Yokohama's safety, their priority was the well-being of the region.

Light and Dark

Light and dark always coexisted. Pure light or darkness did not exist; without contrast, they held no meaning.

Drake's patience proved impressive. After a full week, he finally left the hospital.

His departure brought a wave of relief to Seibuya, the Shinomiya family's steward.

Daily indulgences in lavish meals, endless drinks, and the cost of a private hospital room had drained the staff's budgets for months.

As Drake prepared to leave, Seibuya handed him the hospital bill with an exaggerated sigh.

Drake simply smiled and promised to repay them in the future.

Meanwhile

The doctor who had examined Drake, Kaneshiro Mitsuki, watched as he left, a subtle sigh escaping her lips.

"What a reckless guy," she murmured, narrowing her eyes. "If I hadn't confirmed your humanity, I would've turned you in." Behind her glasses, an unsettling glint flashed.

Drake, however, was unaware of this. Every day, his senses were flooded with information, leaving him to prioritize what truly mattered.

A New Chapter

With nowhere to call home, Drake reached out to Kafka Hibino, who welcomed him warmly into his chaotic household.

Drake was immediately greeted by the sight of messy rooms and takeout boxes scattered everywhere.

"Senior, you're way too laid-back," Drake sighed, exasperated.

"Hey, with work being so hectic, who has time to clean?" Kafka shrugged. As someone who could now transform into a kaiju at will, his focus was on mastering his powers rather than maintaining a tidy home.

Drake couldn't help but shake his head. Kafka's good nature and trustworthiness remained unchanged.

Alarm Bells

"Alert! Kaiju detected.

Ability: Barrier creation.

Effective range: Five square meters.

Height: 10 meters.

Weight: Two tons.

Classification: Level 5.

Warning: Once the barrier is activated, the kaiju will become undetectable by any technological means."

A mechanical voice echoed in Drake's mind.

"A barrier monster?" Drake muttered. "Talk about a fitting name."

Though its range was small, a Level 5 kaiju was still a threat.

Kafka's expression turned grim. As a Level 9.8 kaiju himself, he immediately sensed the monster's presence but hesitated to transform in front of Drake.

"What should we do?" Kafka muttered, caught in a dilemma.