Chapter 27

The 27th chapter of Claymore by Norihiro Yagi, first published in the May 2001 issue of Shonen Jump.

Short synopsis
The Male Awakened quickly takes out Deneve and Clare, but their surprising abilities enable Helen and Deneve to recover, and sever its limbs. These are quickly regenerated, while Clare also recovers. A lull in the battle allows Miria to explain that originally all Claymores were male, but these warriors were unable to suppress their Yoma as the females do, and all Awakened in short order. She also realises something about her group, before the Awakened promises her a 'taste of true despair', and leaps about to seriously wound Clare, Deneve and Helen. Miria faces the Awakened One alone.

The Awakened One's first attack
As Miria's squad face the male Awakened, Helen protests that an Awakened Claymore would necessarily be female. Before explanation can be given, the Awakened rips off Deneve's arm with his prensile tongue, dropping her into a river behind them. Briefly chewing the armoured arm, the Awakened dismisses it as foul meat. Helen angrily charges him, but he leaps further up the clff and counter-charges. Clare blocks the attack, and gets thrown into a pile of rocks by the tongue, as Helen belittles her. Drawing on her energy, Helen lengthes her sword arm, twines it through the Awakened's limbs, and severs three as she withdraws. The Awakened One's arms immediately reconnect, and Helen is only saved from its blow by Deneve, who has leapt up from below with her arm partially regenerated, severing two of the Awakened's arms as payback.

Miria's thoughts
Miria is amazed that Helen and Deneve can use techniques requiring such high yoma in the thick of battle. As Clare emerges from her rubble and the Awakened regenerates, she explains to Helen that most warriors were male in The Organization's early days. These warriors were unable to suppress their yoma, since energy-release is pleasurable, and Awakened too quickly, causing the Organization to adopt a female-only recruitment policy. The Awakened One compliments Miria on her extensive knowledge, but notes that she is missing an important point. Looking around her comrades, Miria is struck by something important about them, but the Awakened notes that it is's time to give her a taste of true despair

The Awkened One's second attack
As it leaps up, and Miria shouts 'run!', the Awakened stabs Deneve through the belly with his forehand. He leaps away from Miria's attack, and impales Clare with his claws, finally dodging Helen's extended swordarm and slashing her back deeply. All the Claymores are down apart from Miria. The Awakened asks her if she can taste despair yet.