"You all are back!" Captain Haru spoke with joy.
"Yes, Captain Haru, we're back," Ren replied.
"So, what happened?" the Captain asked.
"A lot!" Ren said with frustration. "I was almost killed… just to pick up a pen."
"What!?"
"Yes, Captain, but we made an agreement. I'll still be with the Organization, but I'll train in the village with Master and Yume."
"Why Miss Yume?" Captain asked with a questioning look.
"She'll be observing, since she's with the Organization."
"That makes sense," Captain Haru nodded.
Master Kuro added, "We'll be leaving tomorrow for the village. But first, Ren… you should change your appearance."
"Talking about looks, you're right, Master. But I don't really care about my appearance."
"You should. After all, you are the Ninth King of Shadows. Let's take you to the barber," Master said firmly.
"Let's go, Captain," Ren said with a rare smile.
Captain Haru whispered to himself, I've never seen him smile like this. Ren… I'm glad you were in my team.
After a few hours, Ren and the Captain returned from shopping and the barber. When they walked into the team hall, everyone froze.
"Captain… can you tell us who that guy is?" one of them asked.
The Captain smirked. "It's none other than Ren."
Everyone was shocked. In such a short period of time, Ren had changed completely—his appearance, his aura, even the way he carried himself.
"Wow, Captain… Ren has totally changed."
Some of his friends approached him warmly, while others stayed silent, lost in their own thoughts.
Ren, feeling a bit nervous, bowed his head. "Thank you, guys. For taking care of me all this time. But… today is my last day here. I'll be leaving."
The hall fell into silence.
"What? Why are you leaving?"
"I know many of you are wondering why," Ren said firmly. "But there's something I must achieve. To do that, I have to leave the team."
"But how? You're just an F-rank," one of the members blurted.
"I was an F-rank," Ren corrected.
"He was an F-rank!?"
"Yes. He's now an A-rank hunter," Captain Haru interrupted.
Shock rippled through the team. "How is that possible? How could he jump so high in rank?"
"It happened in the Gate," Ren explained. "I awakened A-rank power inside. But with that power… comes a responsibility. That's why I must leave."
"What kind of responsibility? Are you joining the Organization?" another asked.
"Not exactly. I'll be gone for now… but I'll return."
"But how did that Gate give you power?"
Ren's gaze hardened. "That's something I can't reveal. It's a secret. Sorry, everyone… but this is goodbye."
The room grew heavy with emotion. Some didn't want him to go, but Captain Haru stepped forward.
"He won't be gone forever. Ren will always be a member of our team."
Ren nodded. "Yes. I am, and will always be, a member of this team. And Captain Haru will always be my captain."
Hours later, when everyone had gone to sleep, Ren sat outside the base, speaking quietly with the Black Heart.
"The Organization won't let us do our work easily," the Black Heart whispered.
"You're right," Ren muttered. "They've already assigned Yume to watch me… and soon, they'll send others."
"Hello, Ren," a soft voice interrupted.
Ren turned. Yume stood there, her eyes glowing like the full moon in the night sky. For a moment, he was stunned by her presence.
"What are you doing here at this hour?" he asked.
"I couldn't sleep. And it seems you can't either."
"Yeah…"
"Mind if I sit?" Yume asked.
"Sure. Why not?"
She sat beside him. "So… how have you been since the cave incident? Honestly, I was shocked. The reports said that even an S-rank could've fallen there, but… you killed every single monster."
Ren lowered his gaze. "I was scared… scared of losing you. I released too much energy. I lost control and slaughtered everything. But after that, my body nearly broke apart. Now… I can only control about eight percent of my power."
"Eight percent!?" Yume gasped. "But you said before… it was four percent."
"Yes. But when I was in the hospital, I sneaked out… and trained deep in the forest."
"And the forest's destruction… that was you?"
"…Yeah. You could say that." Ren gave a guilty smile.
Yume's eyes sharpened. "Then, Ren… fight me."