Dawn arrived quietly.
The forest no longer felt like an enemy.
Raizen stood ready.
Calm.
Focused.
Different.
Kagen approached.
"…You've stabilized it."
Raizen nodded.
"…Not fully."
A pause.
"But enough."
New Mission
Kagen handed him a scroll.
"A nearby village."
Raizen opened it.
"…Multiple disappearances."
"Three nights in a row."
A pause.
"No bodies."
Raizen looked up.
"…Another hidden type."
Kagen nodded.
"Likely."
Moving Alone
Raizen stepped forward.
"…I'll go."
Kagen didn't stop him.
"…This time, you lead."
Raizen paused.
"…You're not coming?"
"I'll be nearby."
A pause.
"But I won't interfere."
Arrival at the Village
By evening—
Raizen reached the village.
Small.
Quiet.
Too quiet.
The people avoided eye contact.
Fear was everywhere.
Gathering Information
Raizen approached an old man.
"…What happened here?"
The man hesitated.
"…It comes at night."
"A shadow."
Raizen's eyes narrowed.
"…What kind of shadow?"
"…One that doesn't belong to anyone."
Night Falls
Raizen waited.
Alone.
On the rooftops.
Watching.
Listening.
Breathing steady.
The Movement
Then—
He felt it.
Not strong.
But wrong.
A distortion.
Moving across the ground.
Not attached.
The Enemy Revealed
A shadow detached itself—
From a wall.
And moved.
Alone.
Raizen's eyes locked.
"…So that's what you are."
First Contact
The shadow moved instantly.
Fast.
Silent.
It struck.
Raizen dodged.
Barely.
"…It's faster than it looks."
Understanding the Enemy
The shadow didn't have a body.
No form.
Only movement.
Only intent.
Adaptation
Raizen slowed his breathing.
Focused.
Not on sight—
But presence.
Counter
The shadow attacked again.
Raizen moved.
"Second Form— Night Step."
He vanished.
Reappeared—
Striking.
But—
The blade passed through.
"…No effect."
Realization
Raizen stepped back.
"…It's not physical."
The shadow moved again.
Stronger.
More aggressive.
New Approach
Raizen closed his eyes.
Breathing slowed.
The darkness responded.
Not outward—
Inward.
Connection
"…If it's a shadow…"
A pause.
"…Then it follows rules."
Control
Raizen raised his blade.
"Shadow Breathing—"
The air shifted.
"…Override."
The shadow froze.
For a moment—
It stopped moving.
Final Strike
Raizen opened his eyes.
"Fourth Form— Shadow Execution."
This time—
The blade connected.
Directly.
The shadow shattered.
Dissolving into nothing.
Aftermath
The village fell silent again.
The pressure lifted.
Raizen stood still.
"…It's over."
Observation
From a distance—
Kagen watched.
"…He's adapting faster."
A pause.
"But that's not always good."
Final Scene
Raizen looked at his blade.
The shadow energy remained.
Calm.
Controlled.
But growing.
Ending Line
The more you understand your power—
The closer you get to becoming it.