A village is tormented by a Yoma, which is a demon that has disguised itself as a human it has eaten. As a last resort the Chief of the village has ask for the help from a Claymore, who are feared as they are half human, half Yoma. Raki is a young boy who has found an interest in the Claymore and he begins to follow her about until later when he discovers who the Yoma is.

It doesn't take much effort for Claire to quickly complete her job and so Claire and Raki are off while she waits for another job. A strange man from the organization comes to give Claire a new set of clothes but not only that, he also gives Claire a "Black Card". What does this Black Card mean to Claire? Raki later has an encounter with the same man from the organization, who explains to him exactly what Claymores are (half human, half Yoma).

Claire becomes seriously injured in her fight with the Yoma and just before the Yoma could finish them off it is interrupted and quickly escapes. Claire is then taken back to the inn to recover from her serious injuries and Raki waits by her bedside hoping that she'll eventually wake up. Father Vincent decides to cooperate with Claire to help her find the Yoma but something doesn't seem right. Defeating the Yoma is the least of Claire's worries as she begins to lose control.

After naming the girl who was following her, Claire; Teresa is heading towards the town of Rokut to drop her off. At night while they are resting in the woods, the man whose arm was chopped off is back for revenge. It turns out that the girl was able to save her and not from the man but to save her lonely heart. Teresa later encounters the bandits but this time they have done something unforgivable which forces Teresa to do something unforgivable.

Continuing where the battle left off, Teresa of the Faint Smile will now have to face the Numbers 2-5 Claymores, who have released their full power. Knowing that she has never need to release her power, how will Teresa fair against these tough opponents? Overcome by her emotions, Priscilla surpasses the limit and becomes what is known by an "Awakened One".

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.

Claire continues her intensive training with the former no .2 Irene and she doesn't seem to be improving much, without her dominant arm. Claire and Irene later part ways but not before Claire is given a farewell gift. It doesn't take long for Claire to run into some trouble again; however this time it's something monstrous yet someone she has already encountered. Will Claire prove that she is qualified to fight?

The battle between the two awesome powers Claire and Priscilla reaches its climax as Claire somehow manages to gather the strength and determination to go on. Raki and Jeane have also arrived to witness the bloodbath that is about to begin, yet what will be the overall outcome of this battle?