Chapter 26

The 26th chapter of Claymore by Norihiro Yagi, first published in the May 2001 issue of Shonen Jump.

Short Synopsis
Clare leaves Raki at an inn and, though he worries about her, she insists she will be back in a week. The trip up the mountain with the hunting party is unpleasant, with Helen and Deneve taunting her for her low number. When the party settle in a cave for the night, Miria invites Clare outside for a sparring match and Helen and Deneve watch them fight. Both of them agree that Clare's skills are appalling and, sure enough, Clare soon loses her sword and, as Miria retreats into the cave, falls unconscious in the rain. In the night, she dreams of Teresa before awaking the next morning when the rest of the hunting party is ready. Later that day, the party encounter a man which Miria quickly slashes, having realised correctly that it is the Awakened Being. Not only that, it is a male Awakened Being, more powerful than the orders had suggested.