"Why does he have to come with you? And why all these men?" Master demanded, his voice sharp.
"They are with me in case Mr. Ren causes any trouble," Ichiro replied firmly. "So please, Mr. Ren, come along with us. Otherwise, we will have to take you by force."
Ren let out a short breath. "Fine. I'll go—but they won't be harmed." He stepped forward, but a hand suddenly caught his arm.
"You're not alone anymore," a familiar voice said softly. "I promised I'd be with you whenever you were in trouble."
Ren turned in surprise. "Yume! What are you doing?"
Tears welled in Yume's eyes. "Ren… I can't let you go. Not this time. When you were suffering—hurt, abused—I wasn't there to protect you. I failed you. But this time, I'll stay by your side. I want to help you."
Ren touched his hand gently, a faint smile on his lips. "Alright. Let's go together."
A deep, commanding voice followed. "I am also coming with you, my king." It was the Fourth General.
"You too, General?" Ren asked.
"Yes, my king. I must protect you at any cost."
Ren turned toward Ichiro. "Can these two also come with us?"
Ichiro hesitated, clearly unwilling. But when Ren reassured her that they would only be supervising and not interfering, she finally nodded. "Very well."
"Where are we going, Miss Ichiro?" Ren asked calmly.
"To the main headquarters of the Shadow Bounders," she replied.
They rode together in silence until the car pulled up before the towering headquarters. Outside, a large group of hunters awaited—some highly ranked, others of moderate standing. Among them, one stepped forward.
"Ren. How are you?" asked Juro Kagemura, a moderate-ranked hunter who had once crossed paths with him.
Yume glanced at her. "Who is she?"
Ren smiled faintly. "She once saved me. A group of low-rank Bounders were beating me because I was weak, and she stepped in."
Hearing this, Yume bowed deeply. "Thank you for protecting him."
Gasps rippled through the crowd. An S-rank Shadow Bound bowing to a moderate-ranked hunter? Unthinkable.
"Ren is a close relative of mine," Yume explained. "We were separated when we were children. When I finally learned of his suffering, I regretted not being there for him."
Ren's smile warmed. "Thank you, Yume. But you don't need to regret anything. In the cave, you stood by me—that meant more than you know."
Ichiro's voice cut through the moment. "Let's go inside. The higher-ups are waiting."
Juro, who had been speaking comfortably, suddenly stiffened.
"What is it?" Ren asked.
"Nothing," Juro said quietly. "Just… you're the one the higher-ups specifically called for."
As Ren, Yume, and Kuro entered, they could feel dozens of eyes fixed on them—watching, judging. The air was thick with suspicion.
Then Yume's pen slipped from her pocket, falling to the ground.
"Let me get it for you," Ren offered, bending down.
The moment he lowered himself, every nearby hunter instantly drew their weapons, their blades glinting dangerously close to his neck.
"What…?" Yume gasped.
"Go where you're going," a skilled hunter barked. "And don't try anything funny."
Ren raised his hands slowly. "Alright, as you say, sir."
The weapons lowered, but the atmosphere grew heavier.
"There are strict orders against you, Ren," the hunter warned. "You don't move unless told. Otherwise—"
"Fine, I understand," Ren interrupted, calm but sharp. "I'm sorry."
Yume clenched her fists, but her grandfather stopped her. "Not now. Do nothing."
Ren narrowed his eyes. So even lowering my head makes them point weapons at me… They clearly see me as a threat. Something is planned.
"You're right," Kuro whispered. "Something is off. Be cautious."
Ren's lips curved faintly. "Then let's make an entrance worthy of the new Sovereign of Shadows."
Inside the chamber of the higher-ups, Ren stepped forward. Power surged from him like a tidal wave, filling the entire room. Even those outside felt the pressure—an aura unrivaled by anyone present.
The hunters who had raised their weapons earlier turned pale. If he had unleashed this back then… we would all be dead.
"So, you are Ren," one of the higher-ups finally spoke. "Nice to meet you."
"Yes. I am Ren," he replied evenly. "And I know why I was summoned. The legend of the Ninth Sovereign has come true. That Sovereign… is me. And for you, I may be a threat."
"You are right," the higher-up admitted. "But we have seen no suspicious actions from you."
Ren's voice was calm, steady, resolute. "That's because I don't want enemies right now. I need allies—people ready for the coming war against the Shadow Demons."
"Who do you think you are?!" an arrogant ranker shouted, lunging forward with his blade.
But before the strike could land, Kuro cut the man's hand clean off.
Gasps rang out.
"What have you done?!" one hunter shouted.
"I am the Fourth General of the Shadows," Kuro declared, his voice like thunder. "And I am my king's loyal servant. If anyone dares attack him, they will be killed instantly."
"Stop, General," Ren commanded.
"But, my king—"
"I will handle this. Thank you."
Ren walked calmly to the wounded hunter, placed his hand over the wound, and healed it.
"Your hand… good as new," Ren said gently.
The hunter, trembling, whispered, "Thank you."
"No worries."
Ren turned back to the higher-ups. His gaze was steady.
"Respected sirs, I want to make it clear—I am no threat to humans. I am the next protector of this world, just as the Eight Sovereigns before me once were."
The higher-up leaned forward. "Then tell us—what are your demands? What agreement do you seek?"
Ren shook his head. "I demand nothing. I only ask one favor: that my power remain a secret. If the world discovers the truth, they will fear me. I want people safe—that's why it must remain hidden."
Shock filled the chamber. No demands, no arrogance—only resolve.
The higher-ups exchanged glances. His words carried not ambition, but the weight of a true leader.
"Very well," one finally said. "We will keep your existence hidden. But we will watch you—closely."
"That's fine by me," Ren replied calmly.
And with that, Ren, Yume, and Kuro left the headquarters, heading toward Captain Haru.