Meanwhile, Captain Haru and the rest of the team were exhausted, their breaths ragged, their faces pale with confusion.
Why are these demons appearing here? Even an S-rank Shadow-Bound can't withstand monsters like these…
"Everyone, RUN!" Yume shouted, her voice breaking through the chaos. "These monsters are too many! Low-ranks can't handle this—escape while you still can!"
Arata Nozomi, one of captain Haru allies took everyone to the exist.
But before anyone could react, two demons rushed in from behind. Their claws pierced through Yume's back, blood spraying as she staggered forward.
"MISS YUME!" Captain Haru and Hora tried to rush to her side, but the swarm of demons surrounded them, cutting off every path of escape.
Captain Haru shouted, "Arata, take everyone out! We'll catch up with you soon!"
"But Captain—!"
"JUST RUN!" Haru roared. With no other choice, everyone ran to save their lives. Yume collapsed against the cold cave wall, her blood painting the stone beneath her. Her vision blurred, and a painful thought echoed in her heart.
Is this… my end? If only I had spoken to him… maybe we could have been together…
The monsters closed in, claws raised, ready to tear her apart. Captain Haru and Hora watched in despair—if Miss Yume fell here, they would not only lose an S-rank… but Ren's only relative.
And then—
A deep rumble shook the cavern.
The mysterious gate opened once more, dark smoke pouring out.
The monsters, who had been fearless only moments ago, suddenly trembled. Their bodies froze as if paralyzed by the unseen pressure.
And from within the smoke, a figure emerged.
Ren walking outside the gate with cold emotion.
A terrifying aura radiated from him, shadows writhing around his body like living flames. His eyes glowed with a piercing light, and each step he took made the cave shudder.
He killed the monster in an instant who was trying to kill Yume. He knelt beside Yume, shadows wrapping around her wounds. In an instant, her injuries healed, her strength restored.
Yume, said in fair, WHO ARE YOU! You are not Ren. What happened to Ren. Ignoring Yume Ignoring her, Ren turned his emotionless, rage-filled gaze toward the trembling monsters.
"Wait for your turn to die," Ren said, his voice heavy and distorted, carrying the weight of something beyond human.
He rose, lifting his hand. Shadows gathered, swirling violently before forging themselves into a massive, obsidian-black sword.
Then—he vanished.
No one could follow his movements. In the blink of an eye, the cave filled with screams as the monsters were torn apart, one by one. Blood splattered against the rocky walls, spraying across the ground as their bodies fell lifeless.
When the last demon collapsed, silence returned.
In a blink of an eye Ren killed every single monster.
The immense power faded.
Ren stumbled, blood dripping from his lips. His shadowed form unraveled, and his body collapsed onto the cold floor.
"REN!" Yume cried, rushing to his side. She lifted his head onto her lap, her tears falling freely. "What happened to you? What happened inside that gate? Please… tell me…"
But Ren's eyes were closed. His body was limp.
Captain Haru and Hora pushed through the aftermath, their faces grim. "Miss Yume," Haru said, his voice steady, "he's passed out. We don't know what happened… but right now, we need to take him to a hospital—immediately."
Together, Haru lifted Ren's weakened body, carrying him out of the blood-soaked cave. Yume and Hora followed close behind.
Outside, Ichiro Zenko—watching the battered team emerge—stepped forward. His eyes narrowed. "What happened in that cave? Why are all the team members so badly injured? What in the world occurred inside?"
Captain Haru shook his head. His arms tightened around Ren as he replied, "I'll explain later. Right now, this man is barely clinging to life."
They rushed Ren to the hospital. Doctors immediately carried him into the surgery room as Yume and Haru waited anxiously outside.
Elsewhere, the organization dispatched a High-Rank Shadow-Bound to investigate the cave. But even she returned battered and injured, unable to withstand the same monsters Ren had defeated alone.
Back at the hospital, Ichiro confronted Captain Haru again, his tone heavy. "Care to explain now… what exactly happened in that cave?"