The silver blade descended toward Kori with terrifying speed.
But before the steel could touch him, Kori's hand shot up—clutching the edge of the sword with bare strength. The impact rang through the street like thunder.
Kudo tilted his head, eyes narrowing. A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "…You've grown."
With deliberate calm, he pulled his blade back, sliding it smoothly into its sheath. Without another word, he turned away, walking toward the glowing spires of the castle.
"The King is calling," he muttered, his voice carrying across the silent street.
Kori's heart pounded. His breaths were sharp, uneven. He clenched his fists and shouted:
"Kudo! Don't walk away from me! Come back!"
He charged forward, lightning sparking at his feet—
But before his strike could land, an overwhelming pressure crashed down upon him.
The air itself bent. His knees buckled. An unseen hand slammed him into the ground with unbearable weight. His vision blurred, lungs burning as if the heavens themselves pressed against him.
Through the haze, he heard Kudo's voice one last time.
"You felt it too… The King's Presence."
Darkness swallowed him.
Hours passed.
"KORI! Wake up!" Kaosu's voice broke through the fog. A warm, wet sensation brushed against his cheek—Kumo's tongue, desperate and insistent.
Kori groaned, slowly forcing his eyes open. Supira's worried face hovered above him. "Are you okay? What happened out there?"
Sitting up, Kori wiped the dust from his face. His expression hardened. "…I saw him. I saw Kudo."
Kaosu froze. The name alone rooted him to the spot, his hands trembling. "…Kudo?"
Kaiyo swallowed nervously. "What did he do?"
Before Kori could answer, Kaji crossed his arms, his tone dry. "What do you think? He tried to kill him, of course."
Kaosu's fists clenched tight, his nails digging into his palms. His voice was bitter, regretful. "If only I'd been there…"
Kori turned his gaze on them, his tone softer now. "…How did you even find me?"
Supira exhaled, lowering his head. "The villager who healed Kumo… he led us here."
For the first time that day, Kori allowed himself a small smile. "I see… Then it wasn't just luck."
Kaji stepped forward, his expression grim. "Listen. Kudo's dangerous, but he's not the only one. There are four King's Guards. Kudo is just one. I've never even laid eyes on the other three."
The air grew heavy. Kaosu finally broke the silence. "…What about the mask? Did you get it?"
Kaji shook his head. "Forget it. They can track you no matter what you wear. There's no point hiding. If we're moving forward—we head straight to the King's palace."
Supira's eyes widened. He muttered under his breath, almost disbelieving: "That place… you really want us to go there?"
Kaiyo exhaled shakily. "He's right. There's no hiding who you are anymore."
Kaosu gritted his teeth, frustrated. "…So all this planning was a waste?"
"No!" Kori shouted, his voice cutting through the doubt. His aura surged like a storm ready to break. "All we do now… is get stronger."
The shed went silent, the weight of his words pressing into each of them.
Meanwhile, deep in the radiant halls of the palace, the throne room doors opened with a boom.
Kudo stepped inside, kneeling before a towering figure wreathed in divine light.
The King's voice thundered, shaking the very walls.
"I've been waiting for you… Kudo the Gray."
The chamber darkened. And the true game had only just begun.