"I don't want to make any sort of scene. Just give me my house back."
"Oh well, boys, kill him and throw his body outside the village."
Yume tried to stop them, but Ren raised his hand. "Don't. Darkness, just show yourself."
A surge of power burst from within him. A devilish presence emerged from his body, making everyone shiver.
Heart spoke: "Oh, you remembered me again. How good is that. Let's boost to 5% of your power."
A wave of shadows erupted from Ren, like a seal breaking.
The villagers gasped. "What an incredible aura… but still not enough to match Zen."
Zen smirked. "Boy, wrap this up for me."
In an instant, everyone around Ren collapsed to the ground.
"Let's wrap this up, Zen. Let's make this a match worth watching, shall we?"
The crowd gathered to witness it—an F-rank hunter fighting a high-ranked hunter. Everyone believed Zen would win. They cheered for him, while for Ren, there was no mercy. Trash was thrown at him, voices cursed him, and some mocked his late parents.
Seeing those who were once his friends now spitting hatred made Ren's heart ache. Should I really protect humanity? Humanity that despises me, even though I've done nothing wrong?
From behind him, a voice called out. Yume and her master cheered him on, signaling him to hold back his power.
The Heart spoke: "Don't look at those who hate you. Look at those who see your potential. We know you will win."
Darkness added: "You are different. Show them your worth, not with words—but through your actions."
Zen laughed. "Enough talk. Let's end this!"
The fight began. Ren stood still as Zen struck him, throwing him to the ground. He leapt on him, beating him again and again, blood spilling as Ren's body was hurled into the air. Zen stomped him deep into the earth, and the crowd roared in approval.
"He's finished! Cut off his head and hang it outside the village!" they cried.
Yume trembled, but her grandfather remained calm. "The King hasn't even used his power yet. Now, Ren… show them."
The villagers laughed at the old man, thinking he had gone mad.
Zen arrogantly pulled out his knife and tried to stab Ren. But suddenly, Ren caught the blade mid-strike.
"What—?! You're still standing?" Zen gasped.
Ren's aura flared. Power surged higher and higher. "Your fight is with me, not with them. You will not lay a finger on them."
He threw Zen back. "Power—8%."
A thick black aura engulfed him.
"Darkness," Ren whispered, "show him."
A devilish figure appeared above Ren, smiling ominously. The silence was suffocating as everyone stared in shock.
Zen's confidence faltered. "W-what is this? His aura… how can he have something this powerful?"
Darkness wrapped around Ren, covering half his body.
"You were a decent warm-up," Ren said coldly, "but in terms of power, you are nothing."
Zen launched an ultimate move—one powerful enough to kill high-ranked monsters with ease. But when it struck Ren, nothing happened. Ren walked forward, unfazed.
Zen stuttered. "I… I used all my power, and still—still I couldn't defeat him. Look, Ren, we're friends, right? Take your house back—we'll give it to you right here and now—"
"Oh, Zen. The match isn't over yet."
Ren raised his fist and with a single strike sent Zen flying out of the arena.
The crowd fell silent. None of them could believe it—Ren had defeated the second-highest rank in the village.
Ren turned and ran toward his home. Seeing it returned to him brought tears to his eyes.
"Congratulations on getting your home back," his master said.
"Yes… this place is the last memory of my parents. I will protect it with all I have."
"Then look after this place," his master replied, "and from tomorrow, come train with me."
"Thank you, Master."
Yume stepped forward. "I'll help you clean this place."
"Oh, thank you, but I can do it," Ren replied.
"I want to help," Yume insisted.
Ren was left speechless. Together, they cleaned the house.
That night, under the full moon, Ren sat in silence. Memories of his parents came flooding back, and tears fell freely. I wish they would come back… save me from this cruel place that has given me nothing but pain.
The Heart and Darkness felt his sorrow. He has carried a burden far heavier than we imagined.
Hidden nearby, Yume couldn't bear to watch him cry. Quietly, she approached and embraced him from behind.
Ren froze, stunned.
"I know I can't feel the pain you've endured," Yume whispered, "but you're walking a greater path now. And when you walk it, I'll be there by your side."
Hearing her words, Ren broke down completely. He cried like a child, and Yume held him tighter, her own eyes glistening.
"What have I done to deserve their hatred?" Ren sobbed. "I've always been kind… yet they cursed even my parents. Even though my path has changed, nothing will change how they see me. I will always be treated this way. There is no one who can help me. Yume… why do people hate the weak? When someone is alone, with no one beside them, why does the world choose to crush them? This world first took my parents, then left me alone. No one cared who I was, or what I suffered. If I hadn't gained this power and responsibility, my head might already be hanging outside the village—just because I am F-rank. I don't deserve this… do I?"
Ren poured out his pain through sobs until exhaustion overtook him. He fell asleep in Yume's arms.
Yume understood then—that every smile Ren showed the world was a mask hiding unfathomable pain. To follow him meant walking through darkness itself.
"Ren," she whispered softly, "it's time to sleep."