"Until death doesn't come, I will always be with you."
Those words echoed between them like a vow carved into eternity. The sound lingered in the silence of the twilight air, a promise that neither Ren nor Yume could forget. For a fleeting heartbeat, it felt as if the abyss itself had acknowledged the bond they had just spoken aloud.
Then something strange happened.
A sudden surge flickered through both of their bodies. Ren stiffened, his eyes widening in shock, while Yume gasped softly, pulling her hand back. Their palms were no longer touching, yet both felt the same inexplicable sensation — as if an unseen force had just separated them.
"What just happened?" Ren asked, his voice low but urgent, his brows furrowing.
Yume looked down at her hands, her fingers trembling. "I… I don't know," she admitted. "But I felt it too. Something inside me flickered — almost like a spark."
Ren placed a hand over his chest, right where his heartbeat thundered. His breaths came unevenly, not from fear but from confusion. "It wasn't just you. I felt it in my body as well. A sudden rush of energy — like a flame trying to ignite inside me."
Yume's eyes met his, shimmering with both fear and curiosity. "Do you know what it could mean?"
Ren shook his head slowly, his gaze shadowed. "No… but we will figure it out soon. Whatever it was, it wasn't ordinary." He forced a faint smile, though uncertainty still weighed heavy on his voice. "Let's hurry back."
The sun was already low, bleeding orange across the horizon, its fading light casting long shadows over the earth. By the time they reached Ren's home, dusk was nearly upon them.
"Mom! They're coming back!" Takuma's voice rang out from the doorway. His small frame darted forward, his innocent face glowing with joy.
Ren's chest tightened at the sight. That smile… I wish it never fades. That's what I want to protect. That's the reason I keep walking forward.
Yume smirked, tilting her head playfully. "Aww, you're actually acting like a big brother for once," she teased, her tone softer than usual.
Ren chuckled faintly, though his eyes betrayed a deeper heaviness. "Oh really? Maybe I am finally getting used to it."
His father stepped forward, his presence calm but stern, the weight of years and responsibility etched into his features. "Are you feeling better now, Ren?"
"Yes, Father," Ren answered with a small bow of his head. "Much lighter than before."
But then his father's face darkened, the warmth in his eyes giving way to grim seriousness. "We have to give you some bad news, Ren."
Ren's body stiffened. His instincts immediately screamed that this wasn't going to be something small. "What is it?"
His father sighed, the weight of his words heavy. "We contacted the second general of the Shadow Army and asked him to come here." His tone hardened. "But he refused. He said he doesn't accept a weak king like you. If you want him on your side, you must go to him personally. Only then will he consider joining us. After the battle is over, you may return."
The words landed like a blade to Ren's chest.
"What?!" Ren's younger sister gasped, her small hands clenching at her sides, tears welling in her wide eyes. "Brother Ren is leaving already?"
"Yes," their mother said softly, her voice trembling.
The other two siblings overheard and came running. Their feet pounded the wooden floor, their cries breaking the tense air. They rushed to the gate, blocking it with their tiny bodies, tears streaking down their cheeks.
"Brother Ren won't go anywhere — not now!" they sobbed, their little voices shaking with desperation.
Their father crouched down, meeting them at eye level, his voice gentle but firm. "Listen to me, all of you. Your brother has important work to do. This is something only he can do. But when the work is over, I promise — we will all go together and see each other again. Very soon."
The children's sobs quieted, their teary eyes searching his for hope.
"Very soon," their father repeated, smiling warmly.
Their expressions brightened, hope glimmering in their innocence. They clung to that promise, their tears fading into small, wavering smiles.
At that moment, Kuro appeared. His presence was like a cold shadow slipping across the scene, his calm voice slicing through the tension. "Pack your bags. We leave at sunrise."
"Yes, Master," Ren said, nodding firmly. "We'll be ready."
"Good," Kuro replied, his gaze steady, unreadable. "Take this time to rest and enjoy this moment with your family. Tomorrow will not be easy."
Kuro and Yume turned away to prepare, leaving Ren behind.
That night, Ren stayed with his family. For the first time in what felt like forever, he sat at the dinner table — eating, laughing, talking with his siblings and parents. He cherished every second, storing it deep inside his heart. This peace, this warmth… he knew it might be a long time before he felt it again.
Later, he walked through the quiet village, the familiar faces and voices greeting him as if he had never left. Each farewell felt heavier than the last. When dawn finally broke, painting the sky gold, Ren, Yume, and Kuro stood ready at the gates.
But what they saw made them stop in their tracks.
The entire village had gathered.
"Ren!" the villagers cheered in unison. "Thank you for saving us!"
They came forward, one after another, offering food, supplies, and even a few high-tech weapons as gifts. Gratitude shone in their faces.
Ren's chest tightened as he looked around at them all. Even now, when I am weak, powerful, or even considered a monster… these people stand by me without hesitation.
"Tears, baby boy?" The Black Heart's voice slithered into his thoughts.
"These people cheer for me, no matter what I am," Ren replied inwardly. "They don't fear me. They don't hate me. It makes me feel… that there are still places where humanity survives."
The Heart chuckled, but there was something almost warm in its tone. "You are right. The feelings you carry have made me — and even the darkness within you — comfortable. Perhaps the darkness is no longer just darkness. Perhaps light is beginning to form inside it."
Ren's lips curved into the faintest smile. "Yeah. You're right."
"Talking to yourself again?" Yume asked, raising a brow at him.
Ren scratched the back of his neck sheepishly. "Hehehe, it's nothing."
"You never change," Yume muttered, but her words were softened with a rare laugh.
With warm farewells, the group left the village and began their long journey.
After nearly four hours of travel, their destination loomed ahead — a bustling city, alive with noise and motion. Here, towering above all else, stood the guild headquarters.
Ren's eyes widened when he learned the truth: the head of the world's No.1 guild was none other than the second general, Daiki Raikuro.
"So that means we have a chance," Ren murmured. His fists clenched. "If we can convince him, we can gain humanity's trust — and we can win the coming battle."
But the moment they approached the guild, a wall of high-ranked hunters stepped forward, their armor gleaming, weapons drawn. They blocked Ren's path while allowing Yume and Kuro to pass freely.
"Why are you stopping me?" Ren asked, his voice calm, though the shadows at his feet flickered faintly. "I am here to talk to your head."
One sneered. "A pest like you isn't allowed in this guild. So, get lost."
The insult cut deeper than a blade, but Ren did not falter. Instead, a strange smile formed on his lips — followed by laughter. Low at first, then sharper, colder.
"You dare…" His laugh turned dark, vibrating with suppressed fury.
The hunters drew their weapons instantly, surrounding him. Ten against one. But Ren only laughed harder, as though their hostility was beneath him.
When he finally stilled, his expression hardened like iron. His voice dropped, deep and commanding.
"Tch… scum, trash, pest — I've been called many things. But if any of you dare make one wrong move, you won't stand a chance."
A devastating aura exploded outward. Darkness swirled violently, suffocating the air itself. The hunters froze, their bravado stripped away in a heartbeat.
"Go," Ren ordered, his tone absolute. "Call Daiki Raikuro. Tell him Ren Akatsuki stands at his doorstep."
One of them bolted inside, slamming the guild door open.
"Sir!" he shouted. "Ren Akatsuki has arrived. He demands your presence — or he will destroy everything we have!"
Outside, Yume and Kuro turned toward Ren.
"What happened to you?" Yume asked, her voice trembling with unease.
"I… I don't know," Ren admitted. But a grin tugged at his lips. "But I enjoyed it."
Moments later, Daiki himself emerged. His presence was overwhelming, his aura a storm of barely contained power.
"So, the Ninth King has made some progress," he said with a mocking grin. "But you are nothing without the Black Heart. You are still Rank F. If I fought you right now, you would die in an instant. I respect only the Eight Kings — not you."
Ren's gaze darkened, his tone sharpening like a blade. "Are you so sure?"
Daiki frowned, caught off guard.
"Can you truly defeat me at your fullest?" Ren's voice dropped, low and chilling.
"What did you say?"
"If you defeat me in a one-on-one battle," Ren said slowly, raising his head, crimson fire flickering faintly in his eyes, "I will never show my face here again. I will fight the coming battle alone. But if I win… then you will listen to me."
Laughter erupted around them, the guild echoing with mockery.
"You're insane," Daiki smirked. "But fine. I accept. The new Ninth King versus the Second General — let us see who is stronger."
The battlefield cleared.
"Don't hold back," Ren warned, his voice steel. "Use every single drop of power you have."
"Since you asked for it," Daiki said darkly, "I will transform for you."
Shadows swirled around him, then a blinding white light exploded outward. When it faded, Daiki's shadow form stood revealed, his figure monstrous, radiating pure killing intent.
"Are you ready, Ren Akatsuki?" he asked.
The battle began — brutal and one-sided. Daiki hurled Ren to the ground, kicked him skyward, smashed him down again and again. The earth cracked beneath the force of his blows.
"Offf! The boss isn't even holding back!" one hunter gasped in disbelief.
But a girl named Airi Tsukino narrowed her eyes, standing beside Yume. "Something is off," she whispered. "By his first strike, Ren should already be dead. But there's not even a drop of blood."
Kuro turned silently and began to walk away.
"Sir, why are you leaving?" Airi asked, confused.
"Don't you see?" Kuro's voice was calm, almost amused. "The match is already decided. Just watch. You'll see what Ren is trying to say."
Her eyes widened. She turned back just in time to see Daiki slam Ren down with a devastating final strike. Dust and rubble exploded into the air.
"Clean this mess," Daiki ordered his men, already turning away.
"Not so fast."
The words froze the air.
Ren stood. Slowly, calmly, he brushed the dust from his clothes. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes burned with quiet fire.
"No one should be able to stand after that," Daiki whispered in disbelief. "Who are you really?"
A gust of wind erupted as Ren's aura exploded outward, forcing even Daiki to step back.
"This power…" Daiki muttered.
"It's not from the Black Heart," Ren said evenly. "This is mine. My power was sealed away, showing me, a weak miserable warrior. But now that seal is broken. What you are seeing… is only a fraction of me."
With a single, devastating strike, Ren cut down Daiki. The guild fell silent, shock written on every face.
Ren extended his hand toward him, his voice steady.
"So, I won the battle. Will you listen to me now?"
Daiki's eyes widened, his chest heaving. "Ren Akatsuki… who are you really?"
For the first time, the mocking tone was gone — replaced by something far rarer. Genuine curiosity.