The Slayers

THE SLAYERS Chapter 1: The Introduction | Synopsis Chapter 1 introduces Ren Hanatoki, a young man living an ordinary life while being haunted by a mysterious recurring dream. The story begins on a desolate battlefield beneath a dark-red sky. Dead soldiers and swordsmen cover the ground, and smoke rises into the air. In the middle of this horrifying scene stands Ren, injured but still gripping his katana. A mysterious swordsman approaches him and declares, "This is the end for you..." Ren suddenly awakens in his bedroom, gasping for air. He realizes that he has experienced the same nightmare again. Although his body is unharmed, the memory of the battle continues to trouble him. The morning brings him back to reality. His mother, Yuna, calls him downstairs for breakfast, where he joins her and his grandfather, Gima, the oldest member of the family. When Ren mentions his recurring dream, Gima becomes curious and asks what it was about. However, Yuna dismisses the subject, explaining that Ren has been having strange dreams lately. Ren remains silent, leaving the mystery unresolved. After breakfast, Ren leaves home and walks through his peaceful town toward Aozora Mart, the supermarket where he works. The lively streets, local shops, and friendly atmosphere contrast sharply with the terrifying battlefield from his dream. At the supermarket, Ren changes into his uniform and begins his shift. Soon, his energetic friend Satoshi arrives late yet again and gets scolded by the strict owner, Daichi Mori. After apologizing, Satoshi changes into his uniform and returns to world