Since being taken from his Literature Class, the Academic Public Safety Commission has held the Hunter in custody under the accusation that he was human. Although the accusation was indeed true, the fact the Safety Commission had acted on mere words with little evidence was a cause for concern regarding the activities of the group. Circumstantial evidence seemed to point to Hitomi Ishigami disclosing the true forms of him and Tsukune. But even then, that should remain unproven until indisputable evidence of their humanity comes to surface other than mere hearsay.
And yet despite his current predicament, the Hunter remained unconcerned, for his own well-being anyways. But it was the well-being of the other two detainees which held more concern to the Hunter turned educator, whom were Moka and Tsukune.
Moka had remained silent throughout the entire trip, unlike Tsukune who had been frantically turning his attention everywhere as if to look for an escape, her troubled expression as she tried to sort out her thoughts. The Hunter could anticipate the confliction within the vampiress, and the question she wished to ask of him.
Moka raised her head, facing him as she opened her mouth to speak.
Thoughts had swelled within Moka's head throughout her detainment, as she tried to collect and organize her thoughts after the accusation by the Public Safety Commission to Syn-sensei. The potential revelation that Syn-sensei was also a human like Tsukune had never really been a possibility for Moka...
In all honesty, everything that happened until this point now made sense with the possibility that Syn-sensei was also human like Tsukune. Since Syn-sensei knew Tsukune was human and had never transformed into a youkai form even after being placed in so many dangerous situations, like Ishigami-sensei who was one of his co-workers.
But that goes to show all his feats so far were done with a questionably human body, Moka herself questioning whether there had been a human as tall, and as agile, as Syn-sensei was in history, not to mention capable of beating a youkai close to death. But it would also explain why she saw his blood to be so enticing, but why it was more enticing than Tsukune's was a question she didn't know the answer to.
It was all too much to process within a span of an hour. Moka could only do what she thought was best, to ask Syn-sensei directly.
"Mr. Syn...? Are you... really...?" Moka finally let out as she tried to asked aloud, unable to finish the remaining part of the question out of concern.
Having heard about the acts done by the Academic Public Safety Commission from Gin-senpai and having personally experienced it herself by Keito, Moka didn't want to imagine their treatment towards humans if they even treated their fellow youkai harshly for minor inconveniences. Even if Syn-sensei was abnormally strong for a supposed human, Moka still worried for the sheer amount of numbers against them.
"I am." Syn-sensei answered without concern regardless, as if expecting the question from her.
"... Then why didn't you...?"
"You did not ask." Syn-sensei responded again without pause. "Besides, it is a rule to not reveal oneself, no?"
"But... If only I knew back then." Moka timidly reprimanded herself. "Then you wouldn't have been dragged into this..."
"Miss Akashiya, It matters not to me whether anyone knows." Syn-sensei reassured. "This Academy is meant to educate co-existence amongst humanity and monsters. Although admittedly, it is quite difficult to comprehend in this situation."
"Oh... will this will make you think differently of youkai?"
"It does not, the loud minority does not speak for the silent majority."
"Quit your chatter!" One of the Public Safety Commission members shouted. "We've arrived!"
The Public Safety Commission had lead the three captives to a temple of Japanese design located within the outskirts of academy grounds, which acted as their Headquarters. Initially, Syn-sensei held an expression of intrigue as he examined the outside exterior, as if it was the first time he actually visited a traditional Japanese building.
Syn-sensei paused before entering the temple, his focus shifted rapidly throughout the interior. Eventually, he had to hold his eyes shut as if it begun to strain.
"The interior... is quite disorientating." Syn-sensei mentioned.
"Disorientating?" Moka repeated in response, also glancing at the interior, but she couldn't see what made Syn-sensei uncomfortable.
Because of unique circumstances of the accusations, with Syn-sensei being a teacher, Kuyo ordered the Safety Commission to contain separately Syn-sensei from both Moka and Tsukune. The former two lead by Kuyo while Syn-sensei was to be kept in the lobby.
Being lead down the stairs by Kuyo, which leads to an underground containment area. The sight the two Newspaper Club members saw afterwards was gravely concerning. Fellow students who for various reasons, ranging from badmouthing the Safety Commission to not paying tribute, were kept imprisoned as dissidents by the Safety Commission, all of whom were demanding their release from their confines. How this didn't reach the ears of the Newspaper Club was a mystery in itself.
One of the jailed students lashed out from inside his cell, transforming into his youkai form in an attempt to attack Kuyo. Although the latter easily made little work of the former with fire youkai abilities. Once Kuyo quickly dealt with the dissident, he goaded Tsukune to transform to a youkai form like the prisoner to prove he wasn't human.
Of course, it was an impossible task, but Moka tried her best to defuse the situation regardless. Kuyo in response, punched her solar plexus to stop her from defending Tsukune before she could do anything, later pummeling the former with stomps and punches. Moka could hear the cracking of ribs as Kuyo continued ruthlessly stomping upon Tsukune.
"Hey, wait Kuyo." A familiar voice called out mid-stomp. "This isn't what you promised."
Moka could barely lift her head to check the source of the voice. Syn-sensei's hunch was right, it really was Ishigami-sensei who revealed his and Tsukune's human forms to the Safety Commission.
Ishigami-sensei soon went on a tangent about revenge against the Newspaper Club for exposing and tarnishing her reputation and life, regardless of the fact her crimes endangered eight students, wanting to be the one to murder them, and her great anger of humans being the cause for her misfortune.
"Hm...? Where is Syn?" Ishigami-sensei asked afterwards upon realisation of the missing teacher.
"He is with my subordinates."
"What?!" Ishigami-sensei shouted. "I was clear with my conditions Kuyo! My revenge won't be complete if I don't kill him too!"
"And my subordinates will take care of him." Kuyo growled, his patience growing thin. "He is still respected as a teacher, unlike someone."
Kuyo raised a palm at Moka and Tsukune, raising his youkai energy in preparation to unleash another blast. "And I will take care of that useless lot for sheltering this human!"
Kuyo released the fire blast, exploding upon contact with the ground. It took Moka all she had to push Tsukune away from the blast, she could feel the radiating heat threatening to burn her. If she could feel discomfort from the heat, then what did it feel like for Tsukune?
Kuyo mocked her attempt to protect Tsukune, gathering youkai energy in his palm for another fire blast. In response, Moka held the near unconscious Tsukune against her, even if it meant using her body as a shield, Moka was determined to protect Tsukune.
But the blast never came, Kurumu came to their rescue, along with Yukari who bounded Kuyo's hand with illusionary vines. Yukari offered to check up on her and Tsukune, her plan to apply medicine on their wounds while Kurumu stood on guard against Kuyo.
However, their reckless attempts to bind Kuyo from unleashing another fire blast proved fruitless when the latter realised the illusionary nature of Yukari's vines, unleashing his youkai energy to counteract and overpower the illusion. His energy was powerful, powerful enough to pressure the Newspaper Club off the ground. Kuyo exposited his desire to finally take care of them once and for all, yet before he acted, he paused.
Gin-senpai had appeared, his presence had caused Kuyo to stop his plans. After all, a Werewolf was an S-ranked youkai who should not be underestimated. Despite this, Kuyo was annoyed instead of concerned at Gin-senpai's sudden arrival, shouting he was the justice of Youkai Academy.
Gin-senpai did not answer, he transformed into his Werewolf form, quickly rushing and dispatching Kuyo before he could even react, a true showcase of a Werewolf's potential. When Gin-senpai wasn't misusing his speed for his perverted actions, he was actually reliable.
There was a brief celebration after Gin-senpai dispatched Kuyo, the Newspaper Club gathering around Moka and Tsukune, glad they were able to rescue their friends, with Gin-senpai taking the opportunity to grope Kurumu's breasts, calling it a reward for saving them.
"... Wait!" Moka shouted upon realizing something was off. "What about Syn-sensei? He was upstairs with the other Public Safety Commission members!"
Kurumu and Yukari became slightly confused at Moka's words, exchanging glances with each other to confirm if they heard correctly.
"We... didn't see Syn-sensei on our way here...?" Kurumu answered with confusion after slapping Gin-senpai for groping her breasts. "Upstairs was empty, and there wasn't even a Safety Commission member."
"I did feel something strange though when we entered the temple." Yukari mentioned as she held her chin in thought. "But I couldn't figure out what it was."
"I entered a bit later than these two." Gin-senpai mentioned, equally confused at Moka's concerns. "I did not see that teacher anywhere."
"... Huh?" Moka let out. "But he was with us when we were taken here!"
"But if Syn-sensei was supposed to be here, then why was he here?" Kurumu asked, still showing confusion at Moka's words. "He didn't do anything to the Safety Commission right?"
Moka paused, unsure why they claim they didn't see Syn-sensei when they should've seen him upstairs, or whether she should reveal the reason why Syn-sensei was also here, since they weren't there when Kuyo accused Syn-sensei of being human.
Yet before she could even answer, Kuyō stood up despite his injuries, with heavy breathing acting as a sign of his injury. He released his immense youkai energy, transforming himself into a quadrupedal form, accompanied with a body composing of flames capable of burning anything. The pressure of his power had overwhelmed the Newspaper Club, even Gin-senpai.
Kuyo's true form was a Spirit Fox, an S-ranked youkai on par with Vampires and Werewolves, with the strongest of their race being revered as deities.
Reaffirming that Tsukune was indeed human, Kuyo made the declaration he shall end the Newspaper Club for sheltering the former, making the accusation that he may leak information to the human world and endanger youkai.
Yet despite now knowing that Tsukune was human, the Newspaper Club as a whole still chose to side with him against Kuyo, because he was their friend and nothing more. This act of defiance enraged Kuyo, and in response, the Spirit Fox begun concentrating powerful youkai energy into the tip of his tails.
"Hazy Rolling Flame!" Kuyo shouted as he released the concentrated energy at the Newspaper Club.
With little options of choice, Gin-senpai chose to place himself in front of the blast as a shield to protect his juniors. Upon impact, a large explosion took place with a loud boom and smoke obscuring the area.
When the smoke cleared, revealing a heavily injured Gin-senpai. He chastised himself for his emotionally reckless decision, and fell unconscious from his injuries. The Newspaper Club knew Gin-senpai should've been more than capable of escaping the attack, but he chose to defend them instead of escaping. The Newspaper Club's respect for their senior growing many times at that moment.
Once their most powerful combatant fell, Kuyo transformed once again, compressing his youkai energy into a bipedalled form. A form designed to fight with great efficiency, and now the situation once again grew dire for the Newspaper Club.
"Now... who wants to die next?"
Unbeknownst to Yukari and Kurumu, the Hunter indeed was at their prior location. Immediately after he had been separated from Moka and Tsukune, the space within the interior begun to distort and blacken, obscuring one's observation outside the shrine. This illusionary technique concealed his presence from an outside perspective, along with the present members of the Safety Commission, as if they were placed within an alternate space.
Initially, the Hunter complied with their demands, even allowing himself to be bound so their interrogation may quickly proceed. Neither confirming nor denying their accusations, especially with the lack of incriminating evidence on the end of the Safety Commission. At first, the surrounding Safety Commission members did not approach him directly for he was still a member of faculty. One which the Hunter saw as a positive, as it kept him from reacting spontaneously so he may not have the blood of another student on his hands.
One individual held other ideas however.
Sato.
Without any care for his status as a member of faculty, the Hunter was subjected to violence from Sato to coerce a 'confession' of his humanity from his mouth. Although it could be best to assume Sato did it as payback for the events which transpired within the Literature Class. The amount of force used in his 'interrogation' would have been more than enough to kill an ordinary human. Yet none of the Safety Commission members stepped up to stop Sato. Instead, they collectively mocked the Hunter for his potential, yet to be verified, humanity.
The Hunter was unsure whether they relished the thought of pain being inflicted upon whom they believed to be a human, or whether it was upon a member of faculty whom they presumed to be beneath them, or whether it was due to him rejecting their form of justice and undermining their supposed authority. It had admittedly left a questionable impression to the Hunter of the thought of co-habitation between Humanity and Beasts, with the severe hostilities shown by the latter to the former, despite his earlier conversation with Moka. He did not recall such a law of humans being killed on site, and if it did, he doubted it was the Headmaster who would have established such a rule.
It became a rhythm, the beatings would escalate for the Hunter would not falter, nor show the reaction they desired. Yet instead of acknowledging the torment and beatings, the patience of the Hunter instead thinned as his 'interrogation' prolonged. Sato finally escalated the situation to the max, reaching for the Hunter's neck, his intent to clear to return the favour for the near death asphyxiation at the Literature Class. And that was enough for the Hunter to finally react.
Within a moment's notice, the Hunter effortlessly broke the rope restrains which hardly kept him bound and grabbed Sato's forearms, throw a vicious headbutt in defiance to cease Sato's attempt to asphyxiate him near immediately afterwards.
The blow caused blood to flow from Sato's nose, and seeping into the Hunter's newly acquired wounds, healing them, and granting the Hunter visions within the blood of the Safety Commission member.
And...
...
Ah...
The Hunter could hear the cries of anger from those the Public Safety Commission had wronged unjustly, of those who had been kept imprisoned underneath this very building, of the students who screamed for mercy from their torment, and of those who cursed the Public Safety Commission for their predicaments.
The enactment of their warped justice by the Public Safety Commission amongst the cohort was now clear before the Hunter's eyes.
And the extent of how they relished in doing so.
And it was... it was...!
It was so... so... so sweetly depraved... to the Hunter's ears.
How long has it been since he had seen and experienced such anguish?
He had always been exposed to such emotions within Yharnam, of the agony, the rage, the despair, the fear. Especially from those whose final memories were of immense fear before falling before him, to the extent it grew repetitively dull.
And now here he was, suddenly exposed to such heavy emotions after such a long absence, and after experiencing an environment which was relatively peaceful compared to that accursed city. An incomparable amount of inflicted dread when compared to Saizou, Tadashi, and Hitomi combined. It had caused something within the Hunter to snap, something sinister which should not have emerged.
The Hunter swept Sato off his feet, causing the latter to fall onto the grounds.
Sato tried to get up, but the Hunter would not allow it. The latter stomped his boot on the former's head onto the floor, a crevice forming in the shape of the head on the floor.
Sato contorted and twitched under the Hunter's boot, before falling limp. He would survive, if not barely. It had taken too much restraint on the Hunter's end, even under his rapidly growing madness, to not take care of loose ends.
A sickly grin, hidden by the visage of his mask, had snuck it was onto the Hunter as more visions were shown to him. There had been so many cases of the Public Safety Commission abusing their authority amongst the cohort, so much so that it was surprising in of itself that it did not reach the Hunter's ears of these students becoming increasingly absent, and that the Headmaster deal not with them.
"I suppose this is your definition of 'co-existence'. Even amongst beasts, your own self-interests matters." The Hunter muttered aloud. "Humans and Beasts are one in the same on that aspect I suppose."
"W-what?!"
"In that case, I have given enough courtesy." The Hunter said aloud.
If they so followed the eye-for-an-eye philosophy, then why should the Hunter not indulge himself and do the same in the stead of the dissidents unfairly punished?
After all, it was they whom instigated him.
They desired answers to his true self.
And now he shall oblige to their curiosities here and now.
"You...! You're a monster!"
"... Ah, the irony of those words." The Hunter responded as he begun rummaging through his pockets. "Although I have been called such words numerous times, that it had lost all meaning. Well, I suppose their words held merit in the end."
Taking out a familiar round pellet, placing it within his mouth under the visage of the mask and bit it with an audible crack. Immediately, the Hunter felt the pellet's effects taking place, his muscles tightening, his senses sharpened, and his growing beastly desire immediately took hold of him.
Normally, the Hunter would not resort to the drug due to the side-effects of sacrificing one's sanity and natural immunities for the sake of wondrous strength. But the advantage of numbers on was not on side of the Hunter, and he was without access to his vast arsenal. And he must hurry in order to rescue both Moka and Tsukune from the clutches of Kuyo. If his treatment by the subordinates was anything to go by, then Kuyo would likely be most ruthless.
What more of a sporting hunt would it all be?
A primal fear was felt from the surrounding Public Safety Commission members by merely watching the Hunter, even disregarding the sounds of what seemed like the cracking of bones.
One of the Public Safety Commission members managed to keep themselves together, and they shouted. "All of you! Transform! NOW!"
These words were enough to snap the surrounding members out of their panicked state, now the Hunter was surrounded by beasts in all matter of forms. But it mattered not to the Hunter of 'youkai' classifications, beasts are beasts, and nothing less.
Yet despite being outnumbered, and despite being looked down upon by so many beasts of many different variety, the Hunter had only one thought.
'... Ah. I must restrain myself also." The Hunter muttered to himself aloud, tilting his neck to relieve his tension with an audible crack. "Or the aftermath will be of grave concern.'
Despite the combined efforts of the Newspaper Club, it didn't matter before Kuyo's true form. Even though Kuyo had been outnumbered four to one (sans Tsukune), he had dealt with the remaining three youkai members with instantaneous ease. In face of the hopeless situation, Tsukune choose to submit to Kuyo, pleading to confess in exchange to spare the lives of the Newspaper Club from his wrath.
Tsukune's pleas were dismissed, Kuyo showing disgust at the display. He released a condense ray of fire at Moka in response, his intent to kill her clear as day. Yet despite his injuries, in a desperate bid to protect Moka, Tsukune braced himself and jumped in front of the blast. The ray erupted upon contact with an intense boom, as smoke and fire begun to engulf the wounded.
"What are you doing?" Kuyo chastised Tsukune for his decision. "It won't be interesting if you turned to ashes first."
"... Huh?" Tsukune let out, half expecting to be left for dead.
Even though Tsukune felt the sensation of heat on his skin, it wasn't directly felt on him.
"MR. SYN!" Moka cried out suddenly.
Syn-sensei had abruptly appeared in front of Tsukune, taking the blast in his place. His entire body had been set on fire after impact with Kuyo's attack. Once the fire subsided, the aftermath left Syn-sensei worse for wear. A brief stagger from sustaining such a heavy blow, but Syn-sensei in the end did not fall. He let out a heavy breath through his mask, but it felt as if it wasn't from Kuyo's attack, but from exhaustion.
"M-mr. Syn...?" Moka called out again.
Syn-sensei stood silent, as if he didn't hear her call out to him, blankly staring upwards as if he was lost in thought. If an onlooker could describe him from an outsider's perspective, it was like he was groggy after a hangover.
"... Ah, you are all here." Syn-sensei finally responded, turning to face Moka with a dull expression, his hair dishevelled from taking on the blast, revealing his left eye. It was an intense red, much like Moka's were, contrasting greatly with his mesmerisingly deep blue, revealing he had heterochromia. It gave an ominous feeling at a glance.
"Your burns Mr. Syn...!" Moka followed up.
Upon mention of his recently acquired injuries, Syn-sensei merely stared blankly upon his charred attire, then back to Moka. Almost as if he didn't acknowledge the burns.
"It is of little concern."
These words begun to worry Moka, it as like Syn-sensei held callous disregard of the burns he had just received even after being set on fire, despite said attack could knock Gin-senpai unconscious, but he did not shout nor did he scream in agony. Instead, he acted like what just happened didn't seem to bother him in the slightest, despite the fact that a human would die if even fifty percent of their skin was burnt.
"A curiosity for your appearance here, Miss Ishigami." Syn-sensei dully called out to Ishigami-sensei, who had taken to hiding the moment Kuyo transformed. How he noticed her hiding was a question in itself. "The Headmaster has been quite lenient with your punishment."
Ishigami-sensei exited her hiding spot, scoffing at Syn-sensei's words. "You're still partially responsible for what happened to me. Everything! How dare a human do this to me! I will have revenge for what you've done!"
Syn-sensei once again responded dully, showing no interest in Ishigami-sensei's ranting, but his hands seemed to twitch in anticipation. "And you wished to confirm what I am? I am more than willing to oblige once again."
Yet before Ishigami-sensei could answer. Kuyo responded in her stead.
"... You! What did you do to my subordinates?!" Kuyo shouted in an unexplainable rage.
Only now did the Newspaper Club realise Syn-sensei's outfit was also bathed in a heavy crimson, their concern for his burns caused them to not notice earlier. Only now did they also realise he also held a bo staff in his right hand, from the sophomore Public Safety Commission member Deshiko.
"... Ah... them." Syn-sensei spoke monotonously after a brief silence, letting out a chilling chuckle soon after. "I find it quite humourous, your malice for humanity is so palpable, yet it is taken upon your fellow beasts."
"ANSWER ME!"
"I suppose they would notbe in good condition at the moment." Syn-sensei responded, twirling the wooden bo, almost as if intentionally instigating Kuyo by belittling the other Public Safety Commission members.
"YOU FUCKER!" Kuyo shouted, his youkai energy released erratically due to his rage.
The pressure from Kuyo's youkai energy once again shook the Newspaper Club, causing them to lose their balance. Yet Syn-sensei stood firm despite his injuries.
"Leave." Syn-sensei ordered nonchalantly, turning his head to the direction of the Newspaper Club. He no longer held the blank stare from earlier, instead one which seemed full of anticipation, clearly showing he was unfazed by Kuyo's display of force.
Reluctance swelled within the Newspaper Club at the command, unsure whether it was a good idea to leave Syn-sensei to fend for himself while they escaped.
"I will not repeat myself. Leave." An erratic Syn-sensei repeated with a hint of excitement which could be heard within his voice.
"W-we have to go! Gin-senpai needs to get healed!" Yukari finally shouted.
Moka was hesitant to run away, even if it was at Syn-sensei's own decision. But she eventually relented upon seeing Gin-senpai's dire condition, and carried Tsukune on her shoulder.
"NONE OF YOU WILL BE LEAVING!" The enraged Kuyo shouted at the sight of the Newspaper Club making their escape, immediately firing a blast of fire at the escapees.
Syn-sensei once again stood in front of the incoming blast, and once again the impact caused an explosion and smoke, it had obscured him from view. Moka couldn't bear to watch the events transpire, but she could not take her eyes off of it.
"The staff alone would not suffice I suppose." Syn-sensei called out beyond the smoke, sounding like the attack did nothing to him.
After the smoke dissipated, a weapon shaped in the form of a large sword had manifested itself in Syn-sensei's hand, its blade wrapped within bandages which concealed its glory. But its radiance was still felt by the onlookers, Moka instinctively knew it was comprised of silver, and she felt a shiver crawl down her spine. And Syn-sensei used it as a make-shift shield.
"A true hunt this shall be." Syn-sensei called out enthusiastically.
It was frightening, Syn-sensei showed so much excitement at the idea of fighting Kuyo, even though he could beat Gin-senpai with ease. In fact, he showed more emotions now than he did the entire time Moka knew him.
"Tell me. Does 'divinity' bleed?" Syn-sensei could be heard asking, before the sound of an explosion took place.
Leaving Syn-sensei behind to fight Kuyo so they may escape and bring their injured to be treated, Kurumu took it upon herself to carry Gin-senpai while Yukari lent Moka a hand with Tsukune.
"But what was Syn-sensei doing here anyways Moka?" Yukari asked. "You said earlier that he came with you and Tsukune, but why?"
"The Safety Commission intruded Syn-sensei's Literature Class to contain him after they took us."
"But... why?" Yukari asked again. "What did Syn-sensei do to catch their attention?"
"... Kuyo accused Syn-sensei of being human too." Moka finally revealed after a brief silence, she didn't need to look at them to see their surprise at the revelation.
No one spoke as the Newspaper Club made their way to the flight of stairs which lead to their escape. After walking up the stairs, they all saw a sight which horrified them.
The Newspaper Club saw the collective Public Safety Commission members spread across the lobby in their true youkai forms, their classification ranging from low B-ranks to high A-ranks, many were left unconscious, many were groaning in pain. There were a few members who had their limbs twisted in an awkward angle, while few others seemed as if they had their very flesh ripped from them, a few crying out 'monster' as they wallowed in pain. Deshiko cried for her bo staff.
It was a gruesome sight, but no one was in critical condition because of their youkai forms allowing faster healing. Yet it was reminiscent of Syn-sensei's handiwork for those who were present during Syn-sensei's 'outburst', recalling the condition Tadashi had been left in.
"They... weren't here when we came in." Kurumu stated, horrified at the sight. "We definitely would've seen them when we came in."
With all evidence in mind, Yukari double-checked the room for any clues she may have missed the first time. She noticed a residue of some kind, and a revelation came to her.
"This place has illusions casted!" Yukari finally realized. "It must've hid Syn-sensei from plain sight from us when we came in!"
Moka quickly shifted her attention over the room, searching for any sorts of clues to understand what caused the sight before them to start. And she saw one sole Public Safety Commission member who remained in their human form. Moka recognised him as Sato, the one who tried to physically force Syn-sensei to comply with Kuyo's demands at the Literature Class.
His forearms held bruises as if great grip strength was applied, but his hands showed signs of callouses forming as if he was beating at something repetitively. Broken rope bindings was also found on the ground close to Sato's unconscious body, quickly shredded as if in a hurry.
With these clues in mind, Moka could only surmise that Syn-sensei had been involuntarily subjected to beatings much like Tsukune and the students still jailed downstairs, but it meant they keep trying to instigate someone who was fully capable subduing them. And it eventually caused him to act in self-defense.
It had roughly been ten minutes between the time Syn-sensei was separated to the time he rescued them downstairs. If Syn-sensei really was human like Tsukune was, then the feat shown before them shouldn't have been possible to accomplish. Kuyo stomping on Tsukune was already enough to break numerous ribs, but Syn-sensei proved otherwise with the scene before them and surviving Kuyo's attacks.
But even subduing the entirety of the Public Safety Commission would've made him exponentially tired, it must've been what caused him to breathe heavily. Then it meant he placed himself in the most danger for their sakes. Even though he had been beaten, and had fought near bare-handed to the brink of exhaustion to try and save them.
"Tsukune...! Take off my Rosary!" Moka shouted. "I can't leave Syn-sensei by himself!"
Tsukune was reluctant at the request, both from fear of Syn-sensei and worry for Moka. In a panic, Tsukune shouted, "But Moka! What if he does this to you too?!"
"That doesn't matter right now!" Moka responded. "He chose to be in danger so we could escape! What if something happens to him?!"
"Then let him!" Tsukune tried to persuade. "Look at what he's done to the Safety Commission! He's just as dangerous as Kuyo is to you!"
"... No..." Moka replied. "That's not what I'm worried about."
"... Huh? What do you mean?"
Moka kept her silence, unable to answer in a way it might not cause more confusion. Uncharacteristically, she clicked her tongue, the thought of leaving Syn-sensei behind to buy time for their escape, even by his own choice was now a decision she regretted. The signs of Syn-sensei losing himself like he did with Tadashi was already present back then, but it manifested itself in a more serious degree. Without notice, Moka grabbed Tsukune's hand and placed it on the Rosary, releasing Moka.
"All of you shall leave." Moka ordered the Newspaper Club after her summoning, soon pointing at Gin-senpai and Tsukune. "These two need to be medicated immediately."
"But Moka!" Tsukune shouted, panic lacing his voice at the sudden transformation. "He might do this to you too!"
"Be quiet, you selfish brat." Moka merely said. "You will leave while I go downstairs."
Ignoring any further discussion, Moka quickly made her way to the stairs.
"Wait Moka!" Yukari shouted, quickly following alongside the vampiress. "I'm going too!"
With sheer focus in mind, Moka and Yukari quickly made their way back to the left behind teacher. On their way there they saw a strange sight, the students who were jailed as dissidents for showing disdain for the Public Safety Commission ran past Moka and Yukari in terror, somehow freed from their jail cells. As sounds and clashes of battle grew louder and louder the closer they were, accompanied by sounds of explosions as collateral damage and rubble spread.
Eventually, Kuyo was heard crying out in agony.
When Moka and Yukari returned to where they had left Syn-sensei, the jail cells were all partially destroyed, with blood sprayed throughout the area. The skirmish had at one point devolved to a death match with the intention to kill each other, leaving the vicinity looking like a war-zone had taken place.
But in the center of it all, Syn-sensei's hand was plunged deep within Kuyo's abdomen, as if his body being composed of fire didn't matter to the teacher, Kuyo's expression showing great agony of the forceful insertion in his abdomen.
Kuyō had also sustained many wounds, with traces of blood dripping from these wounds despite his body of fire. But Syn-sensei had seemingly no wounds or signs of injury upon him, even the burns he received earlier seemed as if they never happened.
It was a shocking sight to behold. Even though the Newspaper Club combined could hardly scratch Kuyo after he transformed. Syn-sensei, who was supposedly a human, brought that very same Kuyo to his knees.
Both Moka and Yukari could already tell, that despite his expression hidden behind the mask, Syn-sensei held a bone-chilling smile beneath, as if savouring the pleasure in inflicting pain upon Kuyo.
In one quick movement of hand, Syn-sensei eviscerated partial flesh from Kuyō.
The skirmish with Kuyo was in all honestly, rudimentary. Despite Kuyō being in his true appearance, granting him an advantage in terms of speed and destructive capabilities, it was not enough to give him an edge over the Hunter's tenacity.
For what use was exponential strength and speed when it came at the cost of predictability?
But it mattered not, for how long was it since he faced a skirmish where death could come in every blow?
The threat of being given an instantaneous death only reinvigorated the Hunter. For it was a situation not unfamiliar to the Hunter, to hunt significantly powerful beasts who had outclassed him in physical prowess, even with the odds stacked against him, even if it seemed in this situation as if the roles have reversed.
Kuyō had sustained many wounds within the short period of time after the battle begun, his over-reliance on his extraordinary strength caused great recklessness.
The Hunter possessed no wounds or signs of injury inflicted upon him by Kuyo, even the burns sustained from having taking the blast in the stead of Tsukune had all but healed up.
But that was not due to pragmatism, for the Hunter was also behaving more recklessly than usual.
In his current state of mind, with the effects of the Beast Blood Pallet still within in veins and partial blood-drunk state from the skirmish with the subordinates adding to his descending madness, the Hunter deliberately chose not to strafe pass a majority of Kuyo's attacks to feel the long absent pleasure of combat, only dodging attacks which would have surely dealt grievous wounds while he allowed minor wounds to be sustained, and it was because of his unique healing factor having mended these wounds which made it seem as if he held no injuries.
The Hunter knew he was at the brink of descending to madness, yet the long absent exhilaration of partaking in a true hunt boiled his blood at the thought of the worthy prey before him. And the more blood Kuyo lost, the more the Hunter saw of the echoes within this blood, and the more he saw the persecution amongst the supposed 'dissidents' of the Safety Commission within the cohort done by Kuyo, and the more his thoughts were filled with the idea of quenching his bloodlust. And in a battle of attrition, the Hunter would always emerge the victor.
Oh the sweet depraved memories he saw in the blood, it was intoxicatingly depraved of the extent Kuyo dealt with suppose dissidents.
A sinister smile crept upon his face, noticeable even if hidden behind the mask, as if he took pleasure in toying with Kuyo. If Gehrman was to see him now, it was certain he would been more than displeased. A Hunter should not relish in their grim work, for they would be no better than the beasts they hunt.
Yet at the moment, that mattered not for the Hunter. With the Holy Moonlight Sword, passed on to him and used in memory of the previous wielder, and in his left was the wooden bo, used as a temporary substitute for his Evelyn, he would savour the given situation as much he could. He was strafing, reading Kuyo like an open book, anticipating common patterns of attack, and striking.
On more than one occasion, Kuyo had sent a blast of compressed fire out of irate frustration of being unable to kill the Hunter despite his immense power. Of course, it was predictable to avoid, yet the destructive potential should not be underestimated, but the Hunter had noticed a pattern of delay after casting which left Kuyo vulnerable.
He would bide his time, waiting for another opportunity until Kuyo casted his wide-ranged attack. And at the most optimal moment, the Hunter thrusted the bo downright and aiming at Kuyo's liver region, its impact reminiscent of a close range gun shot. It had caused Kuyo to bring him to his knees as he gasped from the impact on his liver region.
And the Hunter would not miss this opportunity to deal catastrophic damage to his prey.
The Hunter's hand was shoved where internal organs were not found, otherwise he may 'accidentally' maim the beast beyond function, and with little regards given to the potential burns he would receive from Kuyō's body, composed of fire of the highest quality, and in one swift motion, eviscerated a portion of Kuyo's fiery flesh in a bloody display.
"Grah!" Kuyo shouted in great pain, dropping to his knees and grasping at the recently eviscerated portion, cauterizing himself to stop the bleeding.
He would survive because of the healing factor provided by being a Spirit Fox, considered one of the most powerful beasts of these eastern lands, but it would still cause extraordinary suffering from having parts of oneself removed.
The Hunter let out an ominous chuckle, as if enjoying the suffering displayed by Kuyo, much like predator playing with prey. It had been a truly satisfactory hunt, one which cannot be compared to the Beasts he had encountered so far within these lands.
"You fucking monster...! No matter... how much I... injure you...! You just won't die!" Kuyo shouted in between fatigued breaths, still grasping at the cauterized wound.
"... How amusing, I suppose you and your subordinates were truly birds of a feather." The Hunter stated. "They had called me such also, before they fell by my hand of course."
Upon mention of his subordinates, Kuyo fell into a rage once again, attempting to lunge at the Hunter, but he failed. Fatigue finally took a hold of Kuyo to the point where he could not stand, his accumulated wounds would require a bit of time to heal.
"How disappointing, has the little fox cub grown tired of playing?" The Hunter mocked, greatly displeased at the given reaction. "I suppose I dragged this little skirmish long enough."
The Hunter poised to swing the Holy Moonlight Greatsword to decapitate Kuyo, his increasing madness from the ensuing battle causing him to no longer consider possible ramifications in his actions.
Yet before the Hunter could swing to decapitate Kuyo, he felt something restrain his body from delivering the final blow.
Who?
Who was the fool that dared to deny him his Hunt?
His prey?
One which he enjoyed thoroughly relishing?
And so in his frantic frenzy, he tried to free himself, in response his captor applied extra pressure upon him to the point of injuring him.
In one final rush of frenzy, the Hunter freed himself from his capture and he swung the Holy Moonlight Sword at his captor.
"Guh...!" A familiar feminine voice groaned in pain.
The Hunter grew wide-eyed upon realisation of who he had just struck.
It was Moka whom he swung his blade upon.
She had tried to stop him once again, to stop him from approaching his encroaching madness, but this time she paid dearly for it. For the Holy Moonlight Sword was deathly effective against adversaries of Cainhurst lineage, and vampires of this waking world could be considered similar to those of that cursed bloodline.
He had little time to process the events of his actions.
Yet his shock had been short-lived.
The Hunter had felt himself been pierced through, a scorching hand sticking out from his abdomen region, reminiscent of his prior evisceration of Kuyo moments earlier, as his blood sprayed over Moka.
Kuyo had taken advantage of the Hunter's momentary shock to strike during his most vulnerable.
"Hazy Rolling Flames!"