The next morning arrived draped in gold—sunlight poured through the towering windows of the tournament estate, illuminating the banquet hall being prepared for the remaining 128 participants. Long tables shimmered with silverware and steaming dishes from across the continent: roasted wyvern meat, emberfruit pastries, even crystalflame wine reserved for nobility.
But my eyes weren't on the food.
They were locked on him.
Jay.
Silent, composed, distant—as if the chaos of yesterday meant nothing. He sat alone near the edge of the hall, his headphones on, head slightly bobbing in rhythm to a beat no one else could hear. People glanced at him but never approached. Even the servers avoided his table, as if afraid their presence would be unwelcome.
This is my chance, I thought.
The banquet was the perfect cover. If Jay was the demonic human—the one with an aura that mirrored mine—then now was the time to confirm it.
I moved through the crowd like a shadow, weaving between over-eager warriors, nobles in masks, and exhausted competitors scarfing down entire roast birds. Kuro noticed me sneaking around and gave me a suspicious side-eye—but thankfully, he didn't say anything.
I kept my distance from Jay but watched closely.
Every move he made was deliberate.
He barely ate. Just sipped water, leaned back, and tapped his finger in sync with the music. Occasionally, he'd sketch something in a small notebook he carried. Curious, I circled around to catch a glimpse of the pages when he got up to refill his drink.
And what I saw stunned me.
Drawings.Not just of people—of emotions.A page full of sorrowful eyes, another with outstretched hands, others with abstract lines that somehow screamed agony, power, and silence all at once.
"...This guy's an artist?" I whispered to myself.
Then I spotted a name scribbled between the drawings in delicate cursive:"Aimer."
It rang a bell.A Japanese singer with a hauntingly beautiful voice.I'd heard of her music—songs laced with sorrow, hope, war, and dreams.
Jay returned to his table, put his headphones back on, and I saw it. The tiniest smile.Not cold. Not sinister.But human.
This guy… doesn't act like a demon. At least not here.
I followed him after the banquet too—down corridors, through courtyards, past training fields. Still nothing suspicious. No secret meetings. No dark rituals. No signs of demonic energy leaking from his body.
Just… a guy who trained with terrifying focus, then sat under a tree and sketched, music in his ears.
Maybe I was wrong.
"ATTENTION PARTICIPANTS!"The voice of the announcer exploded from the loudspeakers, crackling with excitement and theatrics.
"The banquet has concluded. Please make your way to your designated seats in the arena. Phase Two of the tournament is about to begin!"
A fresh buzz swept through the air like electricity.
Swords were strapped on. Robes tightened. Magic sigils lit across arms.
I turned back toward the arena, slipping into the crowd of competitors. My heart beat louder with every step.
Behind my mask, I whispered to myself:
"He's not the one… but he's still dangerous.""If someone like him can exist in this tournament... then I've got to become something even greater."
As I walked toward my seat, I saw Jay glance in my direction.
Just for a second.
Then he turned away.
Still silent.
Still unknowable.
And somehow… still not the most terrifying person in that stadium.
Because that title?
That would belong to the one who finally decides to unleash everything.
And if it has to be me—
So be it.
Let them fear the Crimson storm.
To be continued...