"Why does he have to come with you? And why all these men?" Master demanded, his voice sharp and edged with suspicion.
"They are here in case Mr. Ren causes any trouble," Ichiro replied firmly. "So please, Mr. Ren, come along with us. Otherwise, we will have to take you by force."
Ren let out a slow breath. "Fine. I'll go—but they won't be harmed." He stepped forward, but before he could move further, a hand caught his arm.
"You're not alone anymore," a familiar voice said softly. "I promised I'd be with you whenever you were in trouble."
Ren turned in surprise. "Yume! What are you doing here?"
Tears welled in Yume's eyes. "Ren… I can't let you go. Not this time. When you were suffering—hurt, abused—I wasn't there to protect you. I failed you. But this time, I'll stay by your side. I want to help you."
Ren touched her hand gently, a faint smile appearing on his lips. "Alright. Let's go together."
A deep, commanding voice rumbled behind them. "I am also coming with you, my king." It was the Fourth General, Kuro.
"You too, General?" Ren asked, raising a brow.
"Yes, my king. I must protect you at any cost."
Ren turned to Ichiro. "Can these two come with us as well?"
Ichiro hesitated, clearly reluctant. But after Ren reassured her that they would only be accompanying him as protection and not interfering, she finally nodded. "Very well."
"Where are we going, Miss Ichiro?" Ren asked calmly.
"To the main headquarters of the Shadow Bounders," she replied.
The journey was silent, the atmosphere tense, until the car finally pulled up before the towering headquarters. A crowd of hunters awaited them outside—some high-ranked, others of moderate standing. Among them, one stepped forward.
"Ren. How are you?" asked Juro Kagemura, a moderate-ranked hunter who had once crossed paths with him.
Yume glanced at her curiously. "Who is she?"
Ren smiled faintly. "She once saved me. A group of low-rank Bounders were beating me because I was weak, and she stepped in."
Hearing this, Yume bowed deeply. "Thank you for protecting him."
Gasps rippled through the crowd. An S-rank Shadow Bound bowing to a moderate-ranked hunter? Unthinkable.
"Ren is a close relative of mine," Yume explained, straightening. "We were separated when we were children. When I finally learned of his suffering, I regretted not being there for him."
Ren's smile warmed. "Thank you, Yume. But you don't need to regret anything. In the cave, you stood by me—that meant more than you know."
Ichiro's voice cut through the moment. "Let's go inside. The higher-ups are waiting."
Juro, who had been speaking casually moments ago, suddenly stiffened.
"What is it?" Ren asked.
"Nothing," Juro said quietly. "Just… you're the one the higher-ups specifically called for."
As Ren, Yume, and Kuro entered, dozens of eyes followed them—watching, judging. The air was thick with suspicion, nearly suffocating.
Then, Yume's pen slipped from her pocket, falling to the floor.
"Let me get it for you," Ren offered, bending down.
The moment he lowered himself, every nearby hunter drew their weapons, blades glinting dangerously close to his neck.
"What…?" Yume gasped in shock.
"Keep moving," a skilled hunter barked. "And don't try anything funny."
Ren raised his hands slowly. "Alright, as you say."
The weapons lowered, but the air only grew heavier.
"There are strict orders regarding you, Ren," the hunter warned. "You don't move unless told. Otherwise—"
"Fine, I understand," Ren interrupted, his voice calm but sharp. "I'm sorry."
Yume clenched her fists, but her grandfather stopped her. "Not now. Do nothing."
Ren narrowed his eyes. So even bowing my head makes them draw blades on me? They clearly see me as a threat. Something is being planned.
"You're right," Kuro whispered. "Something is off. Be cautious."
Ren's lips curved faintly. "Then let's make an entrance worthy of the new Sovereign of Shadows."
Inside the chamber of the higher-ups, Ren stepped forward. Power surged from him like a tidal wave, filling the room with crushing pressure. Even those outside could feel it—an aura unlike any they had ever encountered.
The hunters who had raised their weapons earlier turned pale. If he had released this back then… we would all be dead.
"So, you are Ren," one of the higher-ups finally spoke. "Nice to meet you."
"Yes. I am Ren," he replied evenly. "And I know why I was summoned. The legend of the Ninth Sovereign has come true. That Sovereign… is me. And for you, I may be a threat."
"You are right," the higher-up admitted. "But we have seen no suspicious actions from you."
Ren's voice was calm, steady, and resolute. "That's because I don't want enemies right now. I need allies—people prepared for the coming war against the Shadow Demons."
"Who do you think you are?!" an arrogant ranker shouted, lunging forward with his blade.
Before the strike could land, Kuro's sword flashed, severing the man's hand in an instant.
Gasps echoed across the chamber.
"What have you done?!" one hunter shouted.
"I am the Fourth General of the Shadows," Kuro declared, his voice like rolling thunder. "And I am my king's loyal servant. Anyone who dares attack him will be cut down where they stand."
"Stop, General," Ren commanded.
"But, my king—"
"I will handle this. Thank you."
Ren walked calmly to the wounded hunter, placed his hand over the wound, and healed it completely.
"Your hand… it's good as new," Ren said gently.
The hunter, still trembling, whispered, "Thank you."
"No worries."
Ren turned back to the higher-ups, his gaze unwavering.
"Respected sirs, let me make this clear—I am no threat to humanity. I am the next protector of this world, just as the Eight Sovereigns before me once were."
The higher-up leaned forward. "Then tell us—what do you want? What agreement do you seek?"
Ren shook his head. "I demand nothing. I only ask one favor: that my power remain a secret. If the world learns the truth, they will fear me. And fear leads to chaos. I want people to feel safe—so it must stay hidden."
Shock spread across the room. No threats, no arrogance—only resolve.
The higher-ups exchanged glances. His words carried not ambition, but the weight of a true leader.
"Very well," one finally said. "We will keep your existence hidden. But we will watch you—closely."
"That's fine by me," Ren replied calmly.
And with that, Ren, Yume, and Kuro left the headquarters and made their way toward Captain Haru.
"You all are back!" Captain Haru said with relief.
"Yes, Captain Haru, we're back," Ren replied.
"So, what happened?" the Captain asked.
"A lot!" Ren said with frustration. "I was almost killed… just for picking up a pen."
"What!?"
"Yes, Captain. But we reached an agreement. I'll still be with the Organization, but I'll train in the village with Master and Yume."
"Why Miss Yume?" Captain asked curiously.
"She'll be observing, since she's with the Organization."
"That makes sense," Captain Haru nodded.
Master Kuro added, "We'll be leaving tomorrow for the village. But first, Ren… you should change your appearance."
"Talking about looks, you're right, Master. But honestly, I don't care much about how I look."
"You should care. After all, you are the Ninth King of Shadows. Let's take you to the barber," Master said firmly.
"Let's go, Captain," Ren said with a rare smile.
Captain Haru whispered to himself, I've never seen him smile like this. Ren… I'm glad you were in my team.
Hours later, Ren and the Captain returned from shopping and the barber. When they entered the team hall, everyone froze.
"Captain… can you tell us who that guy is?" one of them asked.
The Captain smirked. "It's none other than Ren."
Everyone was shocked. In such a short time, Ren had completely changed—his appearance, his aura, even the way he carried himself.
"Wow, Captain… Ren has totally changed."
Some of his friends rushed to greet him warmly, while others remained silent, lost in thought.
Ren, feeling slightly nervous, bowed his head. "Thank you, guys. For taking care of me all this time. But… today is my last day here. I'll be leaving."
The hall fell silent.
"What? Why are you leaving?"
"I know many of you are wondering why," Ren said firmly. "But there's something I must achieve. To do that, I have to leave the team."
"But how? You're just an F-rank," one member blurted.
"I was an F-rank," Ren corrected.
"He was an F-rank!?"
"Yes. He's now an A-rank hunter," Captain Haru interrupted.
Shock rippled through the team.
"How is that possible? How could he jump so high in rank?"
"It happened in the Gate," Ren explained. "I awakened A-rank power inside. But with that power comes responsibility. That's why I must leave."
"What kind of responsibility? Are you joining the Organization?" another asked.
"Not exactly. I'll be gone for now… but I'll return."
"But how did that Gate give you power?"
Ren's gaze hardened. "That's something I can't reveal. It's a secret. Sorry, everyone… but this is goodbye."
The room grew heavy with emotion. Some didn't want him to go, but Captain Haru stepped forward.
"He won't be gone forever. Ren will always be a member of our team."
Ren nodded. "Yes. I am, and will always be, a member of this team. And Captain Haru will always be my captain."
Hours later, when everyone had gone to sleep, Ren sat outside the base, speaking quietly with the Black Heart.
"The Organization won't let us work easily," the Black Heart whispered.
"You're right," Ren muttered. "They've already assigned Yume to watch me… and soon, they'll send others."
"Hello, Ren," a soft voice interrupted.
Ren turned. Yume stood there, her eyes glowing like the full moon in the night sky. For a moment, he was stunned by her presence.
"What are you doing here at this hour?" he asked.
"I couldn't sleep. And it seems you can't either."
"Yeah…"
"Mind if I sit?" Yume asked.
"Sure. Why not?"
She sat beside him. "So… how have you been since the cave incident? Honestly, I was shocked. The reports said even an S-rank could have died there, but… you killed every single monster."
Ren lowered his gaze. "I was scared… scared of losing you. I released too much energy. I lost control and slaughtered everything. But after that, my body nearly broke apart. Now… I can only control about eight percent of my power."
"Eight percent!?" Yume gasped. "But you said before… it was four percent."
"Yes. But when I was in the hospital, I sneaked out and trained deep in the forest."
"And the forest's destruction… that was you?"
"…Yeah. You could say that." Ren gave a guilty smile.
Yume's eyes sharpened. "Then, Ren… fight me."