"It's not like I'm doubting your mind control," Lyon muttered, voice low but tense. "But working with Sasaki… I can't help but panic. Don't blame me."
"I understand," Exca replied through the telepathy link. "But don't let your guard down, Lyon. You know what he's capable of. Keep your distance. If he shows even the slightest sign of going rogue, retreat immediately. I can't afford to lose you."
"Don't treat me like a kid, you moron," Lyon snapped. "My guard has been up since the moment you said his name. Just keep me informed if anything goes wrong with your spell. I'll take it from there."
"As always, you never disappoint," Exca said. "I'll keep you posted. I'm counting on you, partner."
"You can count on me. But… there's something I've been meaning to ask," Lyon said as he walked deeper into the massive cave that was the Darkest Dungeon, an underground lair located in the forbidden forest of Guhan's eastern border.
"What is it?" Exca asked.
"How much Renshi do you need to awaken your bloodline?" Lyon asked sharply. "And don't lie to me. You know you can't kill a child just for your own selfish interest."
There was a long pause.
"I was expecting that," Exca finally responded. "You're still too optimistic about everything. I don't plan on killing the boy… not if I can help it. But that woman? She's a threat. She'll never let me drain the boy's Renshi without a fight. And if she dies in the process—so be it."
"That's not the question," Lyon cut in coldly. "It's a yes or no. Are you going to kill the boy or not?"
"If I can awaken my bloodline before the boy dies, then he lives," Exca said, without remorse. "But if not… then no. I won't waste this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I've waited too long. With the power from my twin dragon bloodline, I'll protect mankind from higher-ranked darkside spirits. This is for the greater good."
There was silence.
"Lyon? Are you still there?" Exca's voice rang through the telepathy link. "Don't tell me I've been talking to myself."
"I'm here," Lyon replied quietly. "If that's your answer, then so be it. I'm unlocking Sasaki now."
"Good luck, buddy," Exca said, and the link disconnected.
Lyon sighed deeply, standing still beneath the ancient structure of the dungeon. This is going to be a pain in the ass… Killing a child for power? We have kids of our own… How could I ever allow something like that? But if I refuse, Exca will just send someone else. Maybe… maybe I'm still the best chance to keep the boy alive.
He kept pacing, thinking hard. What if I try negotiating? Promise the woman sanctuary, protection, maybe even gold… No. She'd never trade the boy's life. Damn it… This is spiraling fast.
He approached the tomb—an enormous black stone slab etched with glowing red sigils—and placed his palm atop it.
"Sasaki… Let's hope we don't regret this," he muttered, reconnecting the telepathy. "Exca, do you copy?"
"Yeah, what is it now?" Exca replied. "Are you on the move?"
"Not yet, you fool. I'm breaking the seal now. Thought it best to keep you in the loop."
"Hahaha! You're scared he's gonna jump out and bite your head off," Exca laughed. "Don't be such a scaredy cat. You're a pro darkside knight. He's powerful, sure—but you won't go down that easy."
"Just shut up. I'm not in the mood."
With one final breath, Lyon channeled his Renshi into the tomb. Glowing chains—anchored at Sasaki's wrists, ankles, and neck—began to unravel.
The moment the last shackle dropped, Sasaki's aura exploded like a black storm.
A wave of destructive Renshi energy burst out of the dungeon like a hurricane. The earth cracked. Trees outside were uprooted. Lyon was blasted backwards, violently flung through the air, crashing into the forest beyond.
"EXCA!!!" he screamed through the telepathy link. "Are you just going to sit there?! Do something before this lunatic kills everything in this forest!"
Lyon gritted his teeth, forcing his own Renshi to stabilize his momentum in mid-air. But even as a pro darkside knight, his aura was no match for the monstrous energy now radiating from Sasaki.
This was no ordinary man.
This was the predator of darkside spirits—Sasaki the Ripper.