The battlefield had finally fallen silent.
The echo of clashing shadows still lingered in the air, fading into a deep stillness that made every heartbeat sound louder than thunder. The scent of burnt mana and scorched earth filled the space, reminding everyone of the storm that had just ended.
Yume took a slow breath and stepped forward, her soft eyes meeting Daiki's. "Daiki," she said quietly, her voice calm but firm, "let's talk somewhere private."
Daiki hesitated for a moment, his gaze still locked on Ren. There was conflict in his expression — not fear, not pride, but the strange unease that came when one realized the truth they had tried so hard to deny. After a pause, he nodded once. "Alright," he said.
He turned, extending his hand toward Ren in silent invitation.
At that moment, the door behind them opened with a creak. Kuro entered, the warmth of a freshly brewed cup of coffee wafting through the room. The familiar bitterness cut through the tension like a soft breeze after rain.
"Is the battle over already?" Kuro asked, raising an eyebrow.
Yume gave a faint smile. "Yeah. Ren won."
Kuro's gaze moved between the two men — the air between them felt like a quiet storm ready to break again.
Daiki's sharp eyes finally focused on Ren. "Are you ready to talk now?"
Ren gave a single nod. "Yes. I promised I'd explain, and I will. But before I do, let's move somewhere private."
Daiki folded his arms. "Fine. Let's go."
The four of them — Ren, Yume, Kuro, and Daiki — left the battle hall together. The corridor ahead was dimly lit, the walls still faintly humming with residual mana from the earlier clash. Shadows flickered along the stone floor, following their footsteps like silent ghosts.
They entered Daiki's office — a large chamber filled with mechanical instruments, rune seals, and books stacked in precise order. It was less a workspace and more a sanctum built for one who had spent a lifetime seeking answers.
Daiki leaned back in his chair, his expression serious. "Now," he said, "tell me everything."
Ren exhaled deeply, closing his eyes for a brief moment as if gathering strength. Then, he began.
He told them everything — how his power had been sealed, the battles he had fought, the pain, the awakening of his shadow abilities, and the truth that had led him here. His words were steady and calm, but each one carried the weight of a thousand untold struggles.
By the time he finished, silence filled the room. Daiki said nothing for a long moment. The only sound was the faint hum of the mana lamps. Then, wordlessly, he gestured toward a strange, silver machine in the corner.
"Lay down on this device," he said. "I need to see it for myself."
Ren nodded and moved to the table, the machine humming to life as he lay down. Blue light scanned over him, flickering across the walls. The readings began to appear on the monitor — shifting symbols, lines of runes that changed faster than the human eye could process.
Daiki leaned forward, his brow furrowing. And then his expression froze.
A strange symbol pulsed across the screen — a seal, vast and ancient, its energy unlike anything Daiki had ever seen. His breathing grew uneven as he focused, forcing his perception deeper, peeling back the layers of mana that hid what lay beneath.
And then he saw it.
His pupils dilated, his entire body trembling. The power sealed within Ren wasn't something mortal — it wasn't even something a king should possess. It was something that defied the balance of the world itself.
Daiki stumbled backward, clutching the edge of the table. His voice came out hoarse, trembling. "T-this… this is impossible…!"
Kuro set down his coffee, his sharp eyes narrowing. "What did you see?"
Daiki's lips trembled as he pointed toward the glowing monitor. "Look at this! I managed to peer through part of the seal — and what's beyond it… it's overwhelming. This level of power… no king has ever possessed such strength!"
He turned to Ren, disbelief in his eyes. "When I first saw him as a child, I thought he was just a vessel overflowing with unstable mana. I thought he'd burn himself out before reaching adulthood. His body was leaking energy like a broken dam! But now—" He swallowed hard. "Now I see it. He can't even fully synchronize with the Black Heart because it's not strong enough to contain him!"
The truth hit him like a tidal wave. His knees buckled, and to everyone's shock, Daiki fell to the floor.
"Mr. Ren…" His voice broke as he bowed deeply. "Will you forgive my arrogance?"
Ren blinked, startled. "Huh?"
Daiki lowered his head even further, his voice trembling. "Please, King… forgive me. I made a terrible mistake."
The sight was so unexpected that Kuro and Yume couldn't help but let out a small laugh — not out of mockery, but disbelief. The proud Second General, kneeling before the boy he once scorned.
Ren rubbed the back of his neck, smiling faintly. "Yeah, yeah. It's fine. You helped me test my limits after all that mess with the Shadow Demon."
Daiki looked up slowly, his eyes red with emotion. "Tell me honestly… how much of your power did you use against me?"
Ren's gaze sharpened slightly. "Against you, and in the last battle? I only used around… eleven-point-five percent."
Daiki's breath caught. "What…? Only eleven percent?"
Kuro leaned back with a calm nod. "You should also know — Ren recently fought an upper-ranked demon. And he defeated it using the Ninth King's signature attack."
Daiki's eyes widened. "Who was it?"
Kuro's voice dropped. "Schneider."
Daiki froze as though struck by lightning. "S-Schneider? The demon who serves directly under the Demon King? One of the top ten?"
"Yes," Kuro said quietly. "And Ren defeated him — completely."
Daiki's mind went blank. For years, Schneider had been considered untouchable. His power alone was said to rival entire guilds combined. For Ren to defeat him was beyond comprehension.
Ren stepped forward, his tone calm but resolute. "Daiki, I didn't come here to punish you or to demand recognition. I know why you doubted me — anyone would have. But I promise you this: I will protect mankind from the coming war. When that time arrives, I'll prove I'm worthy of being called king."
Daiki's lips trembled. "But… you haven't inherited the throne yet."
Ren's eyes softened. "I'll take it when I'm ready. Not before. I have no right to sit on that throne until I truly deserve it."
Daiki looked down, his chest tightening. "This feeling… it's just like the Ninth King himself — when he refused the throne to prove his worth through action."
He looked up again, his voice lower, filled with regret. "Mr. Ren, will the other Kings forgive me for what I've done?"
Ren gave a small smile. "Of course. You weren't the only one who stood against me. The Third General did too — but I stopped her before she crossed the line. I don't hold grudges, Daiki. We all fight for what we believe in."
Daiki lowered his head again. "You really are different from us. While we doubted, you never tried to rule through fear. You wanted to unite, not command. Just like the Ninth King once did before… tragedy struck him."
He took a deep breath and knelt fully. "Mr. Ren Akatsuki… I'm sorry. From this moment, the Second, Third, and Fourth Generals pledge our loyalty and our lives to our new king."
Kuro and Yume exchanged a look, then both dropped to one knee. "Mr. Ren Akatsuki," they said in unison, "you are our Ninth King. We will fight by your side and save humanity from chaos."
Ren's voice softened. "Thank you. I don't mind your mistakes — no one is perfect. If no one ever made mistakes, the world wouldn't need kings." He looked around the room, his shadow flickering faintly across the walls. "From now on, we fight together."
He turned to Daiki. "We still have time. We'll use it to gain allies."
Daiki stood. "But Ren, how will you gain allies if you keep your strength hidden?"
Ren smirked. "That's where you come in. You're admired, Daiki. People listen to you. When the time comes, you'll lead them under my name."
Daiki nodded slowly, his expression steadying.
"But before that," Ren said, "we'll start by building shelters and evacuating danger zones."
Kuro frowned. "Those zones haven't even been identified yet. And the gates haven't appeared. But… something's happening. The caves — they're all empty. It's like their mana vanished overnight."
Yume's face tightened. "That's bad news."
Suddenly, her phone rang. She picked it up, listened quietly, then hung up. "Ren," she said, "we need to go to headquarters. The higher-ups want to meet us."
Ren nodded. "Then we move now."
Daiki stepped forward. "I'll come too. The Second, Third, and Fourth Generals are under your command. We'll go together."
Ren smiled faintly. "Alright. But first… unlock your full power."
Daiki blinked. "What?"
Kuro stepped forward. "Follow my lead."
They began the ritual — dark energy swirled around Daiki, forming a glowing sigil beneath his feet. The air turned cold, shadows crawling across the walls. His body began to glow with a deep, ominous light. The ground shook, and the pressure of his power made the glass tremble.
When it was done, Daiki opened his eyes — now burning with shadow fire.
Moments later, they arrived at the organization headquarters.
The vast marble hall was filled with elite hunters and world-ranked leaders. The moment Ren entered, all eyes turned toward him. Even the most confident faces faltered slightly under his presence.
Ichiro, the world's top hunter, stepped forward with a small smile. "It's been a while, Ren Akatsuki. Are you really the same person I remember?"
Ren smirked. "What, do I look that different?"
Ichiro laughed softly. "A lot different. You've changed… you feel heavier. Stronger."
"Yeah," Ren said quietly. "A lot has changed."
Ichiro nodded and led them into the conference chamber. The tension in the room was thick — the higher-ups were already waiting.
"Sir," Ichiro said, "Ren Akatsuki has arrived — along with the three Generals."
"Let them in," a voice replied.
Ren stepped forward, bowing slightly. "You called for me, sir."
The leader's voice was grave. "Yes, Mr. Ren. Something strange has happened. The demons have stopped emerging. The caves — they're empty, drained of energy. Do you know why?"
Ren's expression darkened. "Yes. That's what we came to discuss."
"Then speak," one of them demanded, slamming a hand on the table. "What's going on?"
Ren's voice was calm — but his tone carried weight. "A war is about to begin."
The room went silent.
Someone scoffed. "You must be joking."
But Daiki stepped forward, his tone hard as steel. "He isn't. The demon war will begin within two or three months."
A murmur spread across the room.
One arrogant hunter sneered. "And you, Daiki — the great Shadow Bound — you believe this man?"
Daiki's hand moved instantly to his sword, shadows flickering at his side — but before he could strike, Ren's voice thundered through the hall.
"Stop, Daiki!"
A wave of power exploded outward. The air grew heavy. The mocking hunter collapsed to his knees, trembling.
"What are you doing, Mr. Daiki?" one of the higher-ups shouted.
Daiki glared, his voice echoing. "He's telling the truth! If not for the shadows, this war would've already begun! You think you understand power — but you've never faced the real enemy!"
The hall fell silent.
"You call yourselves heroes," Daiki continued, "but you've only fought the pawns — not the true demons!"
"Enough," Ren said firmly, his voice cutting through the air like a blade. He bowed to the council. "Forgive him. But know this — you've used the shadows for your own gain while giving them no respect. I'll ask only once: will you stand with us in the coming war, or will you doom mankind?"
The silence that followed was colder than any shadow.
And then someone whispered, almost in awe—
"He's… acting like a king."