The group had finally gathered around a faint glow—an unnatural stone that pulsed like a heart embedded in the ground. Its pale light cast their faces in eerie shades of grey. For once, the Shadow World was quiet. No creatures stalked nearby, only the endless rustle of dark leaves.
It was here that "Saki Fujimoto stepped forward", her eyes calm but filled with weight. Everyone seemed to instinctively turn toward her, as if she carried something no one else did.
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>> "Saki Takes the Lead"
Saki: "Listen carefully. You've all survived this long by luck and instinct, but that won't last. This world… it has rules, like a game. And if you don't know the rules, you'll be eaten alive."
Renji frowned, crossing his arms.
Renji: "Rules? You mean… like levels and stuff? That can't be real."
Saki shook her head.
Saki: "It's very real. The Shadow World runs on power hierarchies. Every one of us—humans, creatures, even the rulers here—are measured in "Ranks". That's why some of us survive while others don't."
Miya scoffed, but her arms loosened.
Miya: "Then start talking. What ranks? What do they mean?"
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>> "The Rank System Explained"
Saki took a breath and began pacing slowly, her tone steady, her words crisp.
Saki:
"The Rank System goes like this, from weakest to strongest: F, E, D, C, B, A, S… and above that, SS and SSS. There are rumors of one last stage, but I'll get to that later."
Mori's eyes widened.
Mori: "Wait—so F is the weakest? That's where I started."
Kaida put a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
Kaida: "We all start low, Mori. Don't think it defines you."
Saki smiled softly at him before continuing.
Saki:
"F and E are the lowest survival ranks. They represent people or creatures with almost no combat ability. Fragile. Easy prey. Most F-ranks die before they even learn the rules."
Haruka stiffened, glancing at Mori with concern, but said nothing.
Saki went on:
"D and C are where real fighters start to appear. D-ranked creatures can kill humans in seconds. C-ranked humans can defend themselves against most weaker beasts. Think of these as the stepping stones."
Takumi adjusted his glasses.
Takumi: "So the curve isn't linear—it spikes?"
Saki nodded.
Saki: "Exactly. From B-rank onward, the scale isn't just about physical strength—it's abilities. Elemental manipulation, unique skills, even aura control. By the time you reach A-rank, you're no longer human in the ordinary sense. Your body adapts to the Shadow World."
Miya smirked faintly.
Miya: "That explains why I feel stronger every time I fight."
Daichi grunted approval.
Daichi: "And S-rank?"
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>> "The Power of S-Rank"
Saki's expression darkened.
Saki: "S-rank… is the line between mortals and monsters. Those who reach it are almost untouchable by lower ranks. Their presence alone crushes weaker beings. Only those with unnatural gifts or overwhelming will survive against them."
She hesitated, her eyes distant.
Saki: "I am… S-rank."
The group froze. Even Takuro, usually composed, raised an eyebrow.
Kaida blinked in shock.
Kaida: "You're S-rank?!"
Renji muttered, half awed, half skeptical.
Renji: "No way… You're saying you're that strong?"
Saki shook her head.
Saki: "Strength is relative here. I can sense things, gather information, read abilities. That's my gift. But it doesn't make me invincible. S-rank only means I see the truth more clearly than most."
---
>> "Creatures & Hierarchy"
She turned her gaze toward the dark forest, her voice low but sharp.
Saki:
"The creatures follow a hierarchy too. Shadows aren't all the same. The weakest are F-rank beasts—mindless, animal-like. E and D-ranks grow smarter, capable of hunting in packs. C and B begin developing abilities tied to the elements—fire, water, wind, earth, lightning."
Takumi leaned forward, his eyes gleaming.
Takumi: "So even monsters develop attributes?"
Saki: "Yes. And A-rank creatures… they're nightmares. Intelligent, tactical, cruel. S-rank creatures are rarer still—commanders of darkness. They rule regions of the Shadow World, bending lesser beings to their will."
Miya's fists clenched.
Miya: "And above that?"
Saki's tone dropped, colder than before.
Saki: "Above that are the Living Shadows."
---
>> "The Living Shadows Revealed"
A chill ran through the group. Even Takuro's eyes glimmered faintly in the dim light. Mori's breath caught—he remembered the presence that nearly crushed him before.
Mori: "The thing… that appeared before? Was that one of them?"
Saki nodded gravely.
Saki:
"The Living Shadows aren't ranked like us. They exist beyond. They don't breathe, they don't feel, they don't think as humans do. They are servants—extensions—of the Shadow King himself. Each one is stronger than most S-rank creatures. And worse, they never disobey."
Haruka's voice trembled.
Haruka: "So… they're unbeatable?"
Saki shook her head.
Saki: "Not unbeatable. But almost impossible. It's said only the greatest warriors in history ever defeated one—and even then, it came at unbearable costs."
Kaida narrowed his eyes.
Kaida: "The Shadow King… then he controls them?"
Saki: "Yes. The Shadow Emperor rules this world through them. His commands are absolute. The Living Shadows act without hesitation, without mercy. They destroy cities, devour armies, erase lives—simply because he wills it."
---
>> "History of the Shadows"
Saki lowered her voice, her words dripping with old memory.
Saki:
"Long ago, before we were even born, there was a war in the Shadow World. Human warriors and the Shadow King's forces clashed. Some say your father, Kaien Kuro, fought in it."
Mori's eyes widened, his chest tightening.
Mori: "My… father? He was here?"
Saki looked away, pained.
Saki: "I don't know the details. Only fragments. But his name… carries weight, even now."
Takuro's gaze flickered sharply at this, but he stayed silent, hiding the storm behind his eyes.
---
>> "The Final Truth"
Saki turned back to the group, her expression serious.
Saki:
"So remember this: your Rank isn't just a number. It's your place in the chain of survival. F-rank dies to E-rank. E falls to D. C struggles against B. A-rank rules over them. And S-rank… stands at the edge of humanity. Beyond that is only darkness—the Living Shadows, the Shadow King, and the truths we aren't ready to face."
Silence. No one spoke, the weight of her explanation pressing down like gravity itself.
Finally, Kaida broke the silence.
Kaida: "Then we train. We fight. We rise. No matter what this world throws at us—we'll climb the ranks."
Miya smirked, fiery determination in her eyes.
Miya: "That's the spirit. I'll crush anyone in my way."
Daichi nodded firmly.
Daichi: "Then we keep moving forward."
Renji muttered but lifted his bow with resolve.
Renji: "Fine. But I'm not dying like prey."
Mori clenched his fists, his mind echoing with his father's name.
Mori (thought): Father… were you really here? And what did you leave behind for me?
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