The streets of Neo Tokyo were lit by the eternal glow of neon lights. Animals walked the sidewalks, their minds tangled in a hundred different worries. None of them imagined the city’s cruel underbelly, where crime thrived beneath the surface like rot beneath polished floors. In the backstreets of Shibuya, a shadow slithered through alleyways. He had no shadow. Left no trails. A ghost in the service of justice. He called himself— “—Inspector Viper! That’s THE name!” The dramatic proclamation echoed from the kitchen of Tanuki’s Delight, a humble noodle joint tucked away in an alley so narrow the sun forgot it existed. A young snake burst through the swinging door, soup ladle gripped proudly in the curled end of his tail like a knight brandishing a sword. Behind the counter, a tanuki woman groaned and rubbed her temple. She held a fan of brightly colored receipts like a gambler showing off a losing hand. “I don’t care what your work name is, Fujimori.” She flung the receipts into the air...
The simulator tower loomed over the training grounds, its smooth, black surface reflecting the sunlight like polished obsidian. For most recruits, the simulator was a symbol of hope, the final step before earning a place on the Monster Control Crew. But to Damian, it was an intimidating monolith. Today, he felt its shadow more than ever. A brisk wind swept through the courtyard, carrying the faint hum of machinery from the tower’s core. Recruits crowded around the platform at its base, each clutching their weapons and murmuring nervously. The tension was thick enough to cut with a spear. Recruits were slowly approaching the machine, whispering about their expectations, making bets about who would pass and who would not. Everyone looked nervous, except for Tsuyo, the bunny girl looked excited as always, a bright smile on her face. Damian was blankly staring forward, “Don’t overthink it, Damian. We’ve got this.” His best friend had punched him on the shoulder with her usual c...