Three Claymores arrive in the town of Toriro to only find Claire, who has already taken care of the Yomas. It is revealed that what Claire defeated in the Holy City was not a Voracious Eater but a regular Yoma; because Voracious Eater is a public term for what the organization labels an "Awakened One". Claire has been added to the expedition team to hunt an Awakened One, as a chance to measure the limits of her skills. How will Claire ranked no. 47, fair against such a powerful being after a shocking turn of events?

The team of Claymore reach the mountains and are surprised by what they encounter, a Male Awakened One. Another Claymore and a handler are watching the battle from a distance, but what do they appear to be plotting? The battle reaches its climatic stage, with all but the "Phantom Miria", badly wounded. This may be what the Awakened meant by "true despair", however Claire is one to know what true despair is really like and this is not it.