JUDGEMENT OF THE WILD

The hum of conversation filled the small, dimly lit coffee shop as San stirred his drink with absent-minded precision. His mind was already racing through legal arguments, piecing together strategies. Across from him, Leo tapped a spoon against the edge of his cup, a slow rhythm that matched the beat of San's thoughts.

"So, about this werebeast," Leo started, eyes twinkling with curiosity. "What's his deal?"

San exhaled sharply, setting down his spoon. "Drakar Salin. Tier 2 awakener. Enhanced senses, brute strength, and the ability to shift partially into his beast form claws, heightened reflexes, the works." He paused, rubbing his temples. "The plaintiff, Nayan Sharma, was just walking home when Salin lost control. His claws tore through the guy's shoulder. Doctors say he'll never regain full mobility."

Leo leaned forward. "What's Salin's defense?"

"Self-defense." San's lips curled into a bitter smile. "He claims Nayan looked 'threatening.'"

Leo snorted. "Because walking down the street is so aggressive."

"Exactly." San's voice grew colder. "He'll argue he acted in 'good faith,' citing Section 42(b) of the Awakener Regulation Code the same damn loophole they always use. The law allows for the use of proportional force when a threat is imminent. 'Proportional,' Leo. The guy practically shredded an unarmed civilian."

Leo shook his head. "Man, it's like this city's built on a volcano, and we're all just waiting for the next eruption. Gates popping up out of nowhere, beasts running wild… You ever wonder how it all started?"

San's hand clenched his coffee cup. "I don't wonder. I know." His voice dropped. "It came in phases. First, the gates appeared tears in reality, unpredictable and deadly. Monsters poured through. The first wave destroyed cities before anyone even understood what was happening."

"And the awakeners?"

"Gate energy." San's eyes darkened. "Some people… changed. Survivors with latent potential awakened when exposed to the right conditions. No one knows the exact trigger. It's a gamble every time a gate opens." He took a long sip of coffee. "Some beasts are hostile, attacking anything that moves. Others? They coexist. But you can't tell the difference until it's too late."

Leo frowned. "And dungeons?"

"Gates that stabilize," San explained. "They become permanent scars on the world. Monsters inside. Treasure, too, if you've got the guts to go in. But the gates those are still chaos. Unpredictable. Dangerous."

Leo whistled. "Sounds like my ex-girlfriend."

San smirked, the briefest flicker of amusement crossing his face.

San opened his briefcase, pulling out a thick file. He flipped through it, showing Leo gruesome photos of Nayan's injuries—deep gashes running from shoulder to chest. The wounds looked almost surgical in their precision.

"Jesus." Leo grimaced. "That's brutal."

"Yeah. And the defense will argue it was a 'measured response.'" San's voice dripped with disdain. "They'll say Drakar felt cornered, that his beast instincts kicked in, and he acted out of reflex. But reflex doesn't excuse reckless endangerment."

Leo raised an eyebrow. "So, what's your strategy?"

"Two things." San tapped the photos. "First, we'll establish that Nayan posed no actual threat. Witnesses saw him walking with his hands in his pockets, headphones in. No weapons, no aggressive moves. Second, I'll bring in an expert on beast-mind psychology to prove that Drakar's transformation amplifies aggression. His power isn't just a defense mechanism it's a lethal weapon when used irresponsibly."

"And what about intent?"

San's eyes narrowed. "Intent matters, but in cases like this, outcomes matter more. Salin's claws don't care about his intentions. They tear flesh all the same."

Leo nodded slowly. "Makes sense. You're going to paint him as a loaded gun with no safety."

"Exactly."

There was a long pause before Leo spoke again, his voice quieter. "You know, I used to know a guy like Salin. Back in high school. Skinny kid. Real quiet. Everyone picked on him until the gates came."

San raised an eyebrow. "What happened?"

Leo shrugged, but there was a weight in his eyes. "He became an awakener. Strong as hell. Suddenly, he wasn't the one getting picked on anymore. He started… using it. Got into fights. Hurt people. One day, he disappeared. Word is he got recruited into some private awakener corp. Probably sitting on a pile of cash right now, doing God knows what."

San's jaw tightened. "Power doesn't change people, Leo. It just shows who they really are."

Leo smirked, the heaviness lifting. "Deep. Nietzsche would be proud."

"Nietzsche didn't have to deal with werebeasts."

"Fair point."

San sighed, leaning back. "The whole damn system's broken. We've got normals like us at the bottom, awakeners in the middle, and the Dominions on top. They make the laws. They break them. And people like Salin slip through the cracks because of loopholes."

Leo gestured to the case file. "But you're going to close those cracks."

San's eyes gleamed with determination. "One monster at a time."