"I don't want to make any sort of scene," Ren said, his voice calm but heavy with exhaustion. "Just give me my house back."
The village chief laughed, a cold, mocking sound that sent shivers down the spines of those who were watching.
"Oh well, boys," he sneered, waving his hand lazily, "kill him and throw his body outside the village."
Yume's eyes widened, her hand shooting forward. "Wait—!" she cried, but Ren gently raised his hand to stop her.
"Don't," Ren said softly, his tone strangely calm. His shadow stretched unnaturally in the moonlight, curling like a living thing. "Darkness… just show yourself."
A pressure settled over the area, so suffocating that even the most arrogant villagers felt their knees weaken. The air trembled as something deep inside Ren awakened.
A devilish presence tore through the stillness, radiating from him like a storm breaking its seal.
Heart's voice echoed inside him, calm yet laced with pride. "Oh, you remembered me again. How good is that. Let's boost to 5% of your power."
A dark wave exploded outward, knocking back dust and loose stones. It was as if Ren himself had become the embodiment of the night.
The villagers gasped in unison.
"What an incredible aura…" someone whispered.
"But still… still not enough to match Zen," another muttered nervously.
Zen smirked, twirling his blade between his fingers. "Boy, wrap this up for me," he said to his men, as though Ren was nothing more than a nuisance.
But then, in an instant, every single one of Zen's men collapsed to the ground. Not dead, but unable to move — shadows had pinned them where they stood.
Ren's eyes glowed faintly in the dark. "Let's wrap this up, Zen," he said, his tone cold as ice. "Let's make this a match worth watching, shall we?"
A murmur rippled through the crowd. This was no longer just an argument — this was a spectacle. People gathered, whispering among themselves, eager to witness what they thought would be Zen humiliating Ren.
An F-rank challenging a high-ranked hunter? He'll die.
This is going to be fun.
Let's see how long he lasts.
They cheered for Zen, not out of love but bloodlust. Some laughed cruelly, throwing rotten food toward Ren. Others shouted curses.
"Get out of this village!"
"You should have died with your parents!"
"You're a curse!"
Ren's fists trembled. He felt each insult like a knife to the heart. The faces of those who had once been his friends twisted with hatred, spitting venom at him as though he was nothing.
For a moment, his vision blurred with tears. Should I really protect humanity? he thought bitterly. Humanity that despises me, even though I've done nothing wrong?
From behind him, he heard a soft but firm voice.
"Ren!"
He turned slightly. Yume and her grandfather stood there. Her hands were clasped together as if in prayer, her eyes wide with fear — but also with faith.
"Hold back your power," she begged.
Heart's voice echoed again. "Don't look at those who hate you. Look at those who see your potential. We know you will win."
Then Darkness spoke, his tone darker but steady. "You are different, Ren. Show them your worth. Not with words — but through your actions."
Zen laughed and pointed his sword at Ren. "Enough talk. Let's end this!"
The fight began. Zen moved first, fast as lightning, and before Ren could react, a fist slammed into his stomach. He flew backward, crashing into the dirt.
"Ren!" Yume cried out, taking a step forward, but her grandfather held her back.
Zen didn't give Ren a chance to breathe. He leapt on him, striking again and again, each blow echoing like a drumbeat in the silent night. Blood flew from Ren's lips as Zen's boot slammed into his chest, then his face, driving him into the earth.
The villagers roared with approval.
"Yes! Finish him!"
"Cut off his head and hang it outside the village!"
Ren's body shook with pain. His vision darkened. His ears rang with the sound of the crowd screaming for his death.
Yume trembled violently, but her grandfather's calm voice cut through the noise.
"The King hasn't even used his power yet," he said. "Now, Ren… show them."
The villagers laughed at him, calling him a senile old fool.
Zen drew a knife, his grin wide and cruel. "This is the end." He raised it high — but before the blade could fall, Ren's hand shot up, catching the knife mid-strike.
Zen's grin faltered. "What—?! You're still standing?"
Ren's aura exploded. It was no longer just power — it was fury, grief, and pain all turned into a storm.
"Your fight is with me," Ren said, his voice echoing unnaturally, "not with them. You will not lay a finger on them."
He threw Zen backward with such force that the man skidded across the dirt, barely able to stay on his feet.
"Power—8%," Ren whispered.
A black aura poured out of him, thick and oppressive, swirling like smoke.
"Darkness," he said quietly, "show him."
The air seemed to darken as a figure appeared behind Ren — a devilish silhouette with glowing eyes and a wicked smile. The villagers fell silent.
Zen staggered back. "W-what is this? His aura… how can an F-rank have something like this?"
Ren's body was half-covered in shadow. His hair whipped around in the wind. His voice was cold and sharp enough to cut.
"You were a decent warm-up," he said, "but in terms of power, you are nothing."
Zen roared in desperation and launched his ultimate move, a strike strong enough to kill high-ranked beasts. The ground shook as it hit — but Ren didn't even flinch.
He kept walking forward. Step after step.
Zen's face twisted with terror. "I… I used all my power, and still—still I couldn't defeat him. Look, Ren, we're friends, right? Take your house back—we'll give it to you right here and now—"
Ren's eyes burned with an emotion that was neither mercy nor hatred. "Oh, Zen," he said softly. "The match isn't over yet."
He raised his fist. With one devastating strike, Zen was sent flying out of the arena, landing far outside the village gate.
Silence. Not a single soul dared to breathe.
Ren had won. The F-rank nobody had defeated the second-highest rank in the village.
Ren turned and ran toward his home. The moment he saw it — his house, standing quietly, waiting for him — his eyes stung with tears.
"Congratulations on getting your home back," Yume's grandfather said, smiling gently.
"Yes," Ren whispered. "This place… this is the last memory of my parents. I will protect it with all I have."
"Then look after it," the old man said kindly. "And from tomorrow, come train with me."
"Thank you, Master," Ren said, bowing deeply.
Yume stepped forward shyly. "I'll help you clean this place," she offered.
"Oh, thank you, but I can do it," Ren replied, though his voice was still trembling.
"I want to help," Yume insisted softly.
Ren blinked, stunned into silence. Finally, he nodded.
Together, they cleaned the house. Dust and cobwebs were swept away. Broken windows were mended. The house slowly became a home again.
That night, under the full moon, Ren sat in silence in the small courtyard. The night wind was cool, but his heart felt unbearably heavy. Memories flooded him — the laughter of his parents, their warm hands, the day he lost them.
Tears rolled down his face.
I wish they would come back, he thought. Save me from this cruel place that has given me nothing but pain.
Heart and Darkness were silent for a moment, then spoke softly within him.
He has carried a burden far heavier than we imagined, Heart said quietly.
From the shadows, Yume watched him. At first she hesitated, but when she saw the tears streaming down his face, something inside her broke.
Quietly, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him from behind.
Ren froze, stunned by the warmth of her touch.
"I know I can't feel the pain you've endured," Yume whispered, "but you're walking a greater path now. And when you walk it, I'll be there by your side."
Her words shattered the last wall Ren had built around his heart.
He broke down completely. The tears came in violent waves, his body shaking as sob after sob escaped him.
"What have I done to deserve their hatred?" he choked out. "I've always been kind… yet they cursed even my parents. Even though my path has changed, nothing will change how they see me. I will always be treated this way. There is no one who can help me.
"Yume… why do people hate the weak? When someone is alone, with no one beside them, why does the world choose to crush them? This world first took my parents, then left me alone. No one cared who I was, or what I suffered. If I hadn't gained this power and responsibility, my head might already be hanging outside the village—just because I am F-rank. I don't deserve this… do I?"
His voice broke completely. His tears-soaked Yume's shoulder.
Yume's own eyes filled with tears. She held him tighter, letting him cry, letting him pour out years of pain he had hidden from everyone.
At last, exhaustion overcame him, and he fell asleep in her arms, his face peaceful for the first time in years.
Yume brushed his hair gently from his face.
So, this is the burden he carries, she thought. Every smile he gives the world is just a mask. If I am to walk by his side, I must be strong enough to face the darkness with him.
She kissed his forehead gently and whispered, "Rest, Ren. You don't have to fight the night alone anymore."