"Wait… what did you just say?"
Ren's voice trembled as though the words might shatter if he spoke them too loudly. The air felt heavier, time slowing around them.
"I… I love you!" Yume shouted, her voice quivering yet filled with unwavering determination. Her face burned crimson, but her gaze didn't falter.
Inside Ren's chest, his heart pounded so loudly it felt like the world could hear it.
"Oh! Somebody's heart is pounding loud tonight," the Heart laughed from deep within him, its teasing voice echoing through Ren's mind.
Darkness chuckled, its tone like velvet yet ominous. "What will your answer be, my king?"
Ren lowered his gaze, his throat dry. "Yume… why do you love me?"
Her lips trembled, but her eyes shone with a quiet fire. "I—I love you because you've always cared for me, even when you didn't want anything in return. People respect me only because I'm a famous hunter, but you… you've always treated me the same as when we were kids. From childhood, Ren… I've loved you."
Ren's eyes widened. Memories of their shared past flashed before him — the first time he had shielded her from bullies, the nights they sat under the stars dreaming of a future beyond the gates, her hand reaching out for his every time he fell behind.
"Yume…" His voice was soft, almost breaking. Then, gathering every ounce of courage he had, he finally spoke the truth he had buried for so long.
"I love you too. I didn't want to tell you because I'm just a low-ranked hunter. I thought… you might choose someone equal to your rank. Someone stronger. But… Yume, I want you by my side forever. I want to protect you—please!"
His voice cracked at the last word, raw and unrestrained. He quickly lowered his head. "I'm sorry… I shouldn't have shouted."
Without saying a word, Yume stepped closer, leaned down, and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek. Warmth bloomed through Ren's entire being, melting away every fear and doubt.
"I promise," Yume whispered against his ear, her voice gentle but resolute, "I'll always be by your side — in good times, and in bad. Even if the whole world turns against you."
Ren met her eyes. For a moment, everything else faded — the war, the shadows, the Black Heart. There was only the two of them, bound by something unspoken yet unbreakable.
But before they could savor this fragile moment, a sharp knock came at the door.
"Ren! Where are you? It's time for your training! And how is Yume?" Master Kuro's voice cut through the air.
Ren opened the door, his face blank with frustration.
"What happened to you?" the master asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Nothing, Master… just having a great time — and it was interrupted," Ren muttered, his tone bitter.
Kuro chuckled knowingly, though his eyes remained sharp. "A great time, eh?"
"Oh, Grandfather! How are you?" Yume asked warmly, stepping forward.
"You're awake!" Master Kuro's face softened, and for a moment his hardened demeanor melted into relief. "How's your injury?"
"I'm fine now," Yume replied, standing tall despite the faint ache in her body.
The warmth in Kuro's expression faded into grim seriousness. "Yume, you saw it yourself. When Zen unleashed the Black Heart's power, he nearly killed us all. His greed might still destroy humanity. We — the Three Generals and the Ninth King — had to use everything we had to stop him."
"Three Generals? But weren't there four?" Yume asked quietly.
Kuro's eyes darkened. "Yes. But one vanished long ago… Have you heard of the man who reached Rank X?"
Ren nodded slowly. "Yeah. His power was said to be so great no one could stand against him."
"That was the First General. He was the only one to wield a General's power at 98%. He was almost… inhuman. But then, he vanished into the shadows. No one has seen him since."
Ren clenched his fist. "If someone like him existed, then I have to catch up — no, I have to surpass him."
Kuro turned his gaze to Ren, his voice hard as steel. "Then you must grow stronger, Ren. Today, you'll enter a high-rank cave. Rumor says a demon dragon rests there — one capable of defeating even an S-rank hunter. Your mission is to clear that gate."
Ren didn't hesitate. "Yes, Master."
"And Yume," Kuro added, "you will join me. We must perform a ritual."
"A ritual?" Ren asked, glancing between them.
"This ritual allows a human and shadow to become one — unlocking their full potential, though only for a time."
Ren nodded, determination burning in his eyes.
—
The gate loomed before him, an ancient structure carved with sigils that pulsed like living veins. The air was heavy with killing intent, thick enough to make lesser hunters collapse.
"Ren… are you ready to unleash this power fully?" the Black Heart's deep voice resonated within him.
"Yes. I'm ready." Ren's voice didn't waver. His hands gripped his shadow-forged blade tighter. "Darkness… lend me your strength!"
"This power belongs to you, my king," Darkness replied, its tone reverent. "Command me, and without hesitation, it shall be yours."
Ren's aura flared violently, shaking the earth beneath him. The ground cracked, wind howled around him like a storm. The horde of high orc demons stationed outside the gate snarled and charged, their red eyes glowing with hunger.
Ren moved.
To the demons, he was a blur. In the blink of an eye, the first row was gone, cleaved into shadowy pieces. Another heartbeat passed, and the rest fell, their screams swallowed by the night.
When the dust cleared, only Ren remained, standing amidst a sea of corpses.
He approached the gate and pushed it open with both hands. The ancient stone groaned as the darkness within swallowed him.
Inside, the air was suffocating. The cavern's walls glistened like black glass, reflecting faint flickers of crimson light. And then — a rumble.
The ground quaked. Something massive stirred in the shadows.
"Power output… 25%," Ren muttered under his breath, his voice steady but his pulse quickening.
"Darkness, come forth and serve the Ninth King."
"As you command, my king."
Darkness wrapped around Ren like living armor, forming intricate shadow plates across his arms and chest. His hair flowed like ink in water, his eyes glowing a deadly crimson.
A roar tore through the cavern, shaking loose stalactites from the ceiling. The dragon emerged — scales black as night, its eyes burning like molten gold. Its presence was suffocating, a living calamity.
"So, you are the Ninth King… the one destined to defeat our great king."
Ren's breath caught. A demon that can talk?!
"Yes," the dragon rumbled, its voice like grinding stone. "Only high-rank demons can speak. The ones you've faced before were nothing but fodder. And you… at your current strength, you cannot defeat me."
Ren's grip on his blade tightened. "Then let's see who's stronger!"
The dragon's jaws opened, releasing a torrent of flame that turned the cavern into a blazing inferno. Ren leaped aside, shadows coiling around him like wings, his blade flashing as he charged.
"Ren!" The Black Heart's voice thundered in his mind. "This dragon serves the Shadow Demon. He is too strong — you must retreat!"
"No! Not yet!" Ren roared back, his voice ragged. "I confessed to Yume. I swore to the Eight Kings that I would protect this world. I won't back down — not now, not ever!"
"Power release… 89%!" Darkness warned, its tone urgent. "Your body will suffer severe damage, my king!"
"Just do it!"
The moment he gave the command, Darkness surged, covering him completely. The pressure in the air became unbearable. The ground split, energy shooting upward like black lightning.
Then silence.
Ren vanished from sight, only to reappear before the dragon's eye. His blade sliced across its face, leaving a deep wound that oozed black fire.
The dragon howled in pain and fury, its tail whipping around like a living storm.
Ren's body screamed in protest with every movement, blood dripping from his lips.
"I'm sorry, my king… your body has already surpassed its limit," Darkness whispered, almost sorrowfully.
The dragon saw its opening. Its colossal tail slammed into Ren, sending him crashing into the cavern wall. The impact left a crater, and Ren's body fell limp, blood pooling beneath him.
The dragon's massive form loomed over him.
"Unable to stand… bloodied and broken…" The dragon's voice rumbled with cruel amusement. "Tell me, Ninth King of Shadows — how will you defeat me now? Or should I say… hopeless human?"
Ren's vision blurred, but his grip on his blade didn't loosen. His chest heaved as he forced himself to rise, one slow step at a time.
"I'm… not done yet."