In the cave where the organization had sent a team to investigate, most of the shadow bounds were Rank A, with two Rank S among them. As they entered, everyone froze in shock. An aura beyond imagination filled the cave, so overwhelming it almost surpassed even the S-Ranks.
One of the S-Rankers, Kaito Kurogane, shouted loudly, "Everyone, be ready! There might be someone much more powerful than us!"
As they went deeper, their eyes widened. Every single monster inside—monsters strong enough to defeat even S-Ranks—had been killed brutally. Their bodies were torn apart as if a monster had ripped through them. And the gate that was supposed to be there had completely vanished, like it had never existed.
But on the stone walls, words remained. When the hunters read them, the shadows inside their bodies trembled.
"The Ninth Sovereign has been born and will protect this world."
Everyone was confused. None of them understood what it meant or why their shadows were shaking. Without wasting time, they rushed back to the organization to report everything.
Meanwhile, in the hospital, Ren was resting. He hadn't told Yume anything, but he had called for Captain Haru, saying he would explain what happened when the captain arrived.
A few hours later, Captain Haru rushed inside. "Miss Yume, where is Ren?"
"He has been shifted into another room," Yume replied. "He woke up, and he said when you came, he would tell what happened inside the gate."
"Then let's hurry!" Haru said, but before they could move, a voice stopped them.
"Wait, Yume… not yet."
Both turned and saw an old man leaning on a stick, slowly walking toward them.
"Grandfather…" Yume whispered.
Captain Haru looked surprised. "Miss Yume, do you know this man?"
"Yes," Yume answered. "He's my grandfather… and Ren's master."
"So, you are the master Ren spoke about," Haru said, bowing his head slightly. "The one who protected him when the villagers tried to cast him out. As a captain, I thank you for saving him when he needed it most."
The old man nodded softly. "Ren is a kind boy. In his early age, he lost his parents, which left him traumatized. And when he became an F-Rank, people even tried to murder him because he was the lowest of the low. His life has been nothing but suffering."
Yume interrupted quickly. "Grandfather, the reason I called you is to show you something. You know about the old legends you often discussed with Ren. Something happened during our last mission. High-ranking monsters appeared—I couldn't handle them, and I was about to die. But Ren came from the gate and killed every single one of them… like he was someone else."
Captain Haru nodded firmly. "It's true. Every S-Rank and high-rank bounder stood in front of the gate, but it didn't respond to anyone. Only to Ren. It called him inside, and when he came out… he was different. He killed all the monsters with terrifying power."
Kuro, Yume's grandfather, looked stunned.
Suddenly Ichiro arrived, panting. "Captain Haru! Where is Ren? Quickly!"
"What happened?" Haru asked.
"The reports came from the team that went into the cave," Ichiro explained. "Those monsters could have defeated even S-Ranks. But Ren—an F-Rank—killed them all brutally."
Kuro spoke calmly. "Did the report mention anything unusual about his body?"
"Yes," Ichiro replied. "They found something… a heart on the right side of his chest."
Kuro's eyes widened. "Impossible… so it's true. Ren has been chosen."
"Chosen? What do you mean?" Captain Haru asked.
"You've heard the legend, haven't you?" Kuro said slowly. "That the eight sovereigns would one day choose their successor."
"Yes," Haru answered, frowning. "But that's just an urban legend. No one really believes it."
"Believe it now," Kuro said firmly. "The legend has chosen. Ren is the Ninth Sovereign."
Everyone fell silent.
"But how? Why only Ren? And how can you prove this?" Haru asked.
"Tell me," Kuro said. "When Ren came out of the gate, did anything strange happen? Were there words left behind? Did the monsters tremble?"
"Yes," Haru admitted.
"Then it all makes sense," Kuro said. "Ren Akatsuki is the Ninth Sovereign… the one destined to defeat the Shadow Demons."
Haru stared at him, stunned. "How do you know all this?"
Kuro ignored the question. His eyes turned toward the room where Ren was resting. "Come. We should ask Ren himself what happened inside that gate."