"The screwdriver slipped from Ren's hand.
The sound of metal hitting concrete sliced through the silence of the narrow alley like a blade.
Mina's eyes were fixed on the pool of blood on the ground—and on Ren's hollow stare.
Yuna couldn't hold back her sobs; she had been saved, yes—but what her savior was becoming was far more terrifying than those who had kidnapped her.
Kazuya watched the scene with pleasure, as if admiring a piece of art.
"Love?" Kazuya said, his voice icy.
"Ren, your love is poison. Look at them… They don't see you as a hero. They see you as a nightmare."
The Shadow whispered again inside Ren's mind:
"Silence him… He belittles you… If you kill him, no one will ever stand in your way…"
Ren clutched his head with both hands.
"Shut up… shut up!" he screamed.
But it wasn't clear who he was shouting at—Kazuya, the shadow, or his own conscience.
Kazuya's Offer
Kazuya walked up to the staggering Ren and placed a hand on his shoulder.
At that moment, it felt as if an electric current surged through Ren's body. The Shadow fell silent instantly and retreated completely.
Kazuya leaned closer and whispered into Ren's ear:
"The Void Project created you as a '01'—but left you unfinished. Your emotions make you weak.
If you truly want to protect those girls, you must abandon being human. Come with me. I'll teach you how to control this power."
Wel watched from the corner, trembling in fear.
"Y-you're insane!" he shouted and tried to run.
Kazuya didn't even turn his head. He simply snapped his fingers.
Wel's feet froze to the ground as if sealed in place. He couldn't move.
"Noisy insects always disrupt the plan," Kazuya said.
"Ren, the choice is yours. Either you live in fear like this helpless child—or you come with me and make the world kneel."
Mina's Intervention
Despite her fear, Mina stepped forward and grabbed Ren's trembling hand.
The blood on his skin smeared onto Mina's pale fingers, but she didn't pull away.
"Ren! Don't listen to him!" Mina cried, her voice shaking.
"Look into his eyes… He's not your friend. He just wants to turn you into a weapon. Please… come back to us."
Yuna stood up and moved closer. The fear on her face was replaced by deep sorrow.
"They hurt me, yes… But seeing you like this hurts even more. Please, stop."
Ren stood between the two girls.
On one side was Void 02, promising infinite power and control.
On the other were two pairs of eyes reminding him that he was still human.
The Moment of Choice
Ren slowly straightened up.
The darkness in his eyes hadn't fully vanished—but his gaze was clear.
He shoved Kazuya's hand off his shoulder.
"My love might be poison," Ren said, his voice deep and resolute.
"But your power is nothing but emptiness, Kazuya.
If I have to become a monster to protect them, I will.
But I will never be your monster."
Kazuya's smile froze. The black ring in his eyes widened.
"Wrong answer, 01," Kazuya said.
"Then we'll begin your training the hard way."
As Kazuya raised his hand, black-suited, masked men appeared at both ends of the alley.
Each bore the same symbol: VOID.
Kazuya gestured toward the unconscious Zel and Rei.
"Dispose of that trash. As for Ren and the girls… they'll be our guests."
Ren picked up the screwdriver once more.
This time, his eyes weren't black—they burned like embers.
"Mina, Yuna… get behind me."
A new battle is beginning.
Ren must now face both the shadow within him—and the Void army closing in from the outside. from writing. I'm sorry."