The forest howled with voices not of nature, but of nightmares. Monsters screamed in the distance, their guttural roars echoing through the twisted trees. Their cries overlapped like a choir of suffering, shaking the cursed woods with a sense of dread.
Ren stopped and looked around, his steps halting on the damp earth. The fog was thick, crawling between the roots like snakes of smoke, and every branch above him seemed to twist unnaturally, as though trying to block out the sun.
What in the world is this place?
The cursed forest felt alive—watching, breathing, waiting to consume any trespasser foolish enough to enter.
"This entire forest exists just to keep outsiders away," Kuro said calmly, his voice steady despite the chaos around them. His long black coat moved slightly as a breeze swept through, carrying with it the stench of blood and rot.
Ren glanced at the old man. "A barrier of monsters?"
"Not just monsters," Kuro corrected, his crimson eyes narrowing. "The trees themselves, the earth, the air—it all conspires against intruders. Many who enter never return."
Without hesitation, Kuro walked toward a moss-covered boulder that seemed fused into the roots of a massive tree. He raised his hand, muttered a phrase in an ancient tongue, and the stone groaned. It trembled, grinding against the soil, then shifted aside to reveal a narrow passage descending into darkness.
Ren's eyes widened. "A hidden path?"
"This will take us through the forest safely," Kuro explained. "Few know of it. It was built long ago by those who wished to remain unseen."
Yume's lips parted slightly, her violet eyes glowing faintly as she looked into the tunnel. "It feels… ancient."
"Follow me," Kuro commanded.
Ren and Yume exchanged glances before stepping inside after him.
The tunnel was damp and cold, but crystals embedded in the walls glowed with pale blue light, illuminating their way. Shadows danced as they walked, their footsteps echoing against the stone. Ren brushed his hand against the rough wall, feeling faint traces of mana pulsing within the crystal veins.
Halfway through, the silence broke.
Several armored guards emerged from an alcove, weapons drawn. Their spears gleamed with enchanted tips as one of them barked:
"Halt! Who goes there?"
Ren instinctively shifted his stance, ready to summon his shadows. Yume's hand touched her sword. But then—
Kuro stepped forward.
The moment the guards recognized him, their eyes widened in shock. Their weapons clattered against the floor as they immediately bowed, their foreheads nearly touching the ground.
"Lord Kuro! Forgive us!"
"Lower your weapons," Kuro ordered, his tone leaving no room for hesitation. He gestured toward the two behind him. "They are with me. This girl is my granddaughter, Yume Akegami. And this boy… is the son of those two."
The guards stiffened, eyes darting to Ren. A collective gasp echoed in the tunnel. One by one, they dropped to their knees, bowing deeply.
"The… the son…?!" one whispered.
Another guard stammered, "Forgive us, young master! We did not recognize you!"
Ren blinked, stunned. The title they gave him felt alien, yet it pressed heavily on his chest. He nodded silently, not knowing how to respond.
The group continued forward.
After a long trek, the tunnel sloped upward. A faint light spilled from ahead. They emerged into sunlight, and Ren shielded his eyes.
When his vision cleared, his breath caught.
Before them stretched a hidden village—a paradise untouched by the outside world. Houses carved into cliffs, streams of crystal-clear water flowing between stone bridges, and mana-filled trees that glowed faintly with life. Children laughed as they practiced magic, while adults trained in silence, their bodies moving with discipline. Magic wasn't just used here—it was part of the air itself.
"M-Master… what is this place?" Yume whispered, awe in her voice.
"Welcome," Kuro said, a rare smile tugging at his lips. "This is the secret village. The place your parents once called home, Ren."
Ren's heart pounded. His fists clenched tightly.
Mother… Father…
His voice cracked. "Where are they now?"
Kuro raised his hand and pointed toward a house at the far edge of the village. A small, modest home surrounded by a flower garden.
"They're waiting for you… there."
Ren didn't wait another second. His legs moved before thought could stop them. He bolted down the path, ignoring Yume's voice calling after him.
"Ren, wait! Don't run too—"
But he didn't care. His chest burned. His throat tightened. I haven't seen them for so long… Just once, let me see them again.
The house grew closer, each step like thunder in his ears. Finally, he stopped at the entrance, chest heaving, sweat dripping down his temple.
The wooden door creaked open.
A little boy stepped out, tilting his head curiously. "Hey, mister. Who are you? Why do you look so tired?"
Ren blinked, words failing him.
Then, a woman's voice—gentle, trembling—rang out. "Takuma, don't run outside so suddenly—"
She froze when her eyes fell on Ren.
The world stopped.
Her hand covered her mouth, her body shaking. Tears welled instantly.
"R—Ren…?"
Ren's breath caught. His knees nearly buckled.
"M—Mother…"
Another voice joined—deep, warm, but now trembling. A man stepped out, holding a glass of water. The glass slipped from his fingers and shattered against the stone floor as his eyes locked onto Ren.
"Ren…?" he whispered, his lips quivering.
Ren's throat closed. His voice broke apart into fragments.
"F—Father… It's been a while, don't you think?"
Behind him, Kuro appeared. His words were heavy, final. "It's him."
That was all it took.
Both parents dashed forward, tears streaming, and embraced Ren tightly.
Ren broke. His body shook violently as he buried his face into their arms, sobbing like a child. Years of pain, of loneliness, of unanswered prayers poured out in that moment.
"Why… why did you both leave me in that cruel world?" His words cracked with anguish.
His mother's fingers ran through his hair, her tears dripping onto his shoulder. "We're sorry, Ren. We're so sorry… We didn't have a choice. We had to obey…"
Behind them, Yume stood frozen, her fists clenched, her heart aching for him. She whispered to her grandfather, "Ren has suffered so much. His pain… even a king could not imagine it."
The little boy—Takuma—stared at them in confusion. "Mom, Dad… who is this person?"
His mother wiped her tears and crouched to his level. "Takuma… this is your big brother."
Takuma's eyes widened. "B-Big brother?"
"Let's go inside first," Ren's father said, voice thick with emotion.
They entered the house. The air smelled of herbs and fresh food. Sitting around a low wooden table, the family gathered.
Ren's gaze fell on the boy. "Who is this little guy?"
"This is Takuma Akatsuki," his mother said softly, smiling through tears. "Your younger brother."
Ren froze, words stolen. "My… younger brother?"
Takuma tilted his head. "Mom, how can he be my brother? My brother is Tatsuya, and my sister is Reiha!"
"No," his mother whispered, her tears falling again. "Those two are also your siblings, Ren. Do you remember the picture we kept in the living room, Takuma? The boy we always prayed for?"
Takuma's eyes widened. Then, with a bright smile, he leapt into Ren's arms.
"So it's really you! Mom and Dad always missed you… sometimes they cried at night."
Ren hugged him tightly, tears threatening again. "I'm sorry for not coming sooner, Takuma. But today… I finally get to eat Mother's cooking again."
Suddenly, the door slammed open.
"Mom! Dad! We're home!"
Two teenagers entered—a boy and a girl. They froze when they saw Ren.
"Who are these people?!" the boy demanded, eyes narrowing.
"And why is Takuma sitting on that stranger's lap?!"
Takuma waved happily. "Big brother and big sister are back!"
The teens glared, hands on their weapons.
"Explain yourself!"
"Lower your weapons!" their father barked.
But Ren stood, his expression calm but heavy. "So… you two are my younger siblings."
At that instant, power surged from him. Shadows rippled across the walls. Dark energy flared, shaking the house to its foundation.
The teenagers stumbled back in fear, clutching their parents.
"W-What is this power?!"
Takuma laughed innocently. "Brother Ren! You scared them!"
The siblings' eyes widened. "Brother?!"
"Yes," their father confirmed, his voice firm. "Ren has returned. He is your elder brother."
Shock painted their faces. "He's… our big brother?"
Slowly, they lowered their weapons. The boy—Tatsuya—stepped forward cautiously. "Big Brother Ren… how did you get so strong? Where were you all this time?"
The girl—Reiha—bit her lip. "We've never even heard about you until now…"
Questions poured out, one after another. Ren's patience thinned, his brows furrowing.
Yume giggled softly behind her hand.
One sibling turned to her. "And you are?"
Yume bowed slightly. "I am Yume Akegami, Ren's childhood friend."
Reiha smirked. "Childhood friend? No… you're in love, aren't you?"
"M-Master!" Ren stammered, his face red.
Kuro chuckled. "She's not wrong, Ren."
The siblings burst into laughter. "Big brother has a girlfriend! You're so lucky!"
Ren cleared his throat, his expression hardening. "Father… about the seal you placed on me. It's broken. Somehow, I unsealed part of it during my last battle."
Silence fell. His parents stiffened.
"That's impossible," his father whispered. "The seal was absolute. It couldn't be undone unless—"
His mother paled. "Ren… don't tell me… you've become the Ninth King?"
The siblings froze. "Ninth… King?"
Their father shook his head. "You'll understand later. For now, go buy a cake—we'll celebrate your brother's return."
The three siblings lit up with joy. "Yes, Dad!"
They rushed out, laughter trailing behind.
Ren turned back to his parents, his voice low. "I've gained the Black Heart. During my last battle, I used it so much… it must have shattered part of the seal."
His father's eyes glowed faintly as he examined Ren. At last, he exhaled. "Only twenty percent of the seal is broken."
Ren's eyes widened. Yume gasped.
"Twenty percent? That means… the power I used earlier was just—"
"A fraction," Kuro said grimly. "Those were only sparks of the inferno inside you. That power could destroy the world if fully released."
Ren's fists trembled. "Then I'll control it. I won't let it consume me."
Kuro's gaze was sharp. "Not yet. To defeat higher-ranked demons, you must become one with the Black Heart. The seal will only vanish when you shatter your own limits."
Ren clenched his teeth, determination blazing in his eyes. "Then I'll break it with my own will."
He looked up. "High-rank demons… what do you mean by that? The demons humanity fights now… aren't they already strong?"
Kuro closed his eyes. His voice was heavy, ancient.
"The ones humanity calls demons… are nothing but low-rank beasts. The dragon you fought? That was among the lowest of them. The true demons… the high-rank ones… they haven't even appeared yet."
The room grew cold.
Ren's heart pounded. Low rank…? That dragon was only the beginning?
Kuro's eyes opened, glowing faintly with crimson light.
"And when the high-rank demons descend upon this world… only the true Monarch will be able to stand against them."
Ren's shadows stirred restlessly at his feet.
"I see," he whispered. "Then I'll become that Monarch."
The room fell into silence, heavy with the weight of destiny.