The next day, the forest surrounding the mission site felt unnatural still, as though even nature itself was holding its breath. A pale fog clung to the ground, twisting around tree trunks like ghostly fingers. The air was cold and damp, carrying the smell of wet soil and moss. Somewhere in the distance, a lone crow cawed before falling silent.
One by one, the team arrived, adjusting their gear, tightening belts, and checking weapons. The faint clink of metal buckles and the creak of leather straps sounded unnervingly loud in the hush. Minato leaned against a tree yawning, while Akuma twirled a dagger between his fingers, his grin sharp and mocking even in the pale morning light.
When the organization's envoy arrived, Ren felt his breath hitch.
An S-rank hunter stepped forward from the group, her presence commanding without even trying. Golden eyes gleamed beneath her hood, glinting like molten sunlight in the gloom. The very air seemed to bend around her, as if the forest itself recognized her strength.
Captain Haru frowned, his hand instinctively brushing the hilt of his sword.
"Why an S-rank with us?"
"She will accompany you as an assistant," replied Ichiro Zenko calmly. "If something happens, she's your safeguard."
Ren's lips parted, though no sound escaped.
Yume…?
The name never left his mouth, but his heart screamed it. His chest tightened painfully.
Twenty Years Ago
Ren had once lived in a small, quiet village surrounded by endless green hills and a river that glittered under the sun. Life had been simple, filled with the sound of wind through the trees and the warmth of his parents' smiles.
But at age five, everything was torn away. His parents died in an accident, leaving him alone and broken.
Kuro Daizen, a stern but kind man, took him in. Kuro was more than a guardian—he became Ren's teacher, training him in combat and passing down the ancient stories of the Sovereigns.
Ren believed every word. Those legends became his reason to wake each morning, his dream to one day inherit the Sovereigns' will.
Kuro had a granddaughter—Yume Akegami. She was Ren's closest friend. They played by the river, carved their names into the trees, and spent nights staring at the stars, whispering promises to always protect each other.
But one day, Yume left the village to live in the city. Ren waited for her return, day after day… until waiting became too painful.
And then came the night that ended everything.
The villagers had cornered him, their faces twisted with fear and disgust. He remembered their shouts, their fists, the blood on his lips. Later, in Kuro's house, he packed food with shaking hands while his teacher stood by the door, blade in hand, ready to defend him if the mob returned.
"You must leave," Kuro said, his voice heavy with grief. "Live. Become strong. That is my final order."
Ren had run barefoot through the fields, the wet grass cutting his feet, rain soaking his clothes. Behind him, the village lights burned like accusing stars. He did not look back.
Present Day
Ren stood frozen. The world seemed to tilt as he stared at her.
She's here…
But he said nothing.
She's S-rank now… and I'm just a powerless F-rank. She probably doesn't even remember me.
Yume's golden eyes lingered on him. A strange familiarity gripped her chest, almost painful.
This feeling… I've felt this before… when I was little. This power… it's Ren.
But she, too, kept silent.
"Let's begin the mission," she said at last, her voice calm but distant.
The squad readied their weapons and entered the cave.
The moment they stepped inside, the temperature dropped. The walls were slick with moisture, the air thick with the smell of iron and damp stone. Drops of water fell at irregular intervals, echoing like distant footsteps.
Ren and Yume walked at the rear, the faint sound of dripping water surrounding them.
Minato glanced back with a smirk.
"What a weakling," he muttered just loud enough for Ren to hear.
Akuma chuckled darkly. "Hope he doesn't slow us down. I'd hate to carry dead weight."
Ren lowered his head, silent, his fists tightening at his sides until the knuckles turned white.
Yume's sharp eyes flicked toward him, sensing the weight he carried. Finally, she broke the silence.
"What's your name? Your rank… and why they mocking you so badly?"
Ren stiffened.
"I… I'd rather not say my name."
His voice was quiet, almost swallowed by the cave.
"My rank's F. I used to live in a small village… before coming here."
Yume's eyes widened slightly. "I used to live in a village too. What was its name?"
Ren hesitated, then said softly, "That's a coincidence. I lived there with my parents. But… they died shortly after I awakened."
Her voice grew gentler. "Then why did you leave?"
Ren let out a hollow laugh that echoed off the stone walls.
"I didn't leave. I was kicked out—by my own people."
Yume's breath caught. "Why…?"
"When they found out I was F-rank, they stopped seeing me as human. They took my house, beat me in the streets. I asked why, and they said…"
He clenched his fists so hard his nails dug into his palms.
"'You're a burden to this world. You don't deserve to live in it.'"
Yume's eyes shimmered with unshed tears.
Ren looked down at the ground, his voice barely a whisper.
"That day, my teacher saved me. He healed my wounds, gave me shelter. But the villagers hated me even more. They spread lies about me, poisoned everyone's minds."
He swallowed hard.
"My teacher fought for me… but even he couldn't win. In the end, he gave me food and money and told me to run. I left the village in the middle of the night, terrified and alone."
He forced a smile, though it didn't reach his eyes.
"But things didn't change here either. Every team I joined, they mocked me, beat me, threw me away. Until Captain Haru found me. He let me stay… gave me a chance. Not everyone likes me, but at least I have a place."
Yume stopped walking, her heart twisting.
"Ren…" she whispered.
Her hands trembled as she remembered the boy she once knew, the one who used to smile even when he lost in games, the one who swore to protect her from nightmares.
"Why didn't you come to me?" Her voice cracked. "We promised we'd always protect each other. We promised we'd stay together."
Before Ren could think, Yume stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him.
Ren froze. Her warmth was so familiar it hurt.
She… remembers?
His hands hovered in the air, trembling, before he slowly lowered them to his sides.
A voice cut through the moment like a blade.
"We've arrived!" Captain Haru called.
Yume quickly pulled away, her face unreadable. Ren swallowed, forcing himself to follow.
The cave opened into a massive chamber. At its center stood an ancient gate, black stone covered in glowing glyphs that pulsed like a living heartbeat. The air was thick with shadow mana, so heavy it pressed on their chests.
"It's written in the Shadow Language," Yume muttered, her voice filled with awe.
She traced the symbols with her fingers. "It says… 'This gate will open for those who are true warriors and wish to protect this world.'"
Captain Haru frowned. "True warriors? Protect this world? What does that mean?"
"I think it wants to test us," Yume said. "We should stand before it one by one."
Haru nodded. "Everyone, step forward."
Yume was first. She stood proudly before the gate—but nothing happened.
Then Haru. Silence.
One by one, the entire squad tried. All failed.
Then it was Ren's turn.
Akuma scoffed. "Captain, this is pointless."
Minato smirked, though sweat beaded at his temple. "If an S-rank can't open it, what hope does this trash have?"
"Ren," Haru ordered, "step forward."
"What?! You're letting him try?" Minato spat.
"Enough!" Yume's voice cut through the chamber like a whip.
"How dare you speak about him like that? Maybe he lacks shadow mana, but he's kind, brave—stronger than any of you. Even after everything, he forgave the world with a smile. That's real strength."
The squad fell silent. Even Minato looked away, his jaw tight.
Ren hesitated, then stepped forward.
He stood before the gate, heart hammering. The air buzzed, charged like a storm before lightning.
Nothing happened.
Whispers started behind him.
"Tch. See?"
"Knew it."
Ren turned, ready to step away—
And the chamber shook.
The gate roared open, wind whipping through the cave. Its glyphs blazed like fire, casting wild shadows across the walls.
A deep, echoing voice filled the air.
"Ren Akatsuki… enter."
"The mana inside Ren began to surge, as if something stronger, more dangerous, had been sleeping within him."
"A voice within him said,
'Go inside. Take the power that has been destined for you.' The entire squad froze, stunned.
Ren stepped through.
The moment he crossed the threshold, the gate slammed shut with a deafening crash.
Outside, growls echoed. Shadows moved.
Dozens of high-ranked monsters materialized in the darkness, their glowing eyes filling the chamber like stars. The smell of blood and sulfur flooded the air.
Captain Haru drew his blade, face grim.
"Everyone—prepare for battle!"