"Master Kuro… what is happening? Who is releasing so much power? Is it Yume?" people whispered among themselves, confused and afraid. They assumed it must have been her, since she was a higher rank.
But their eyes were fixed on Ren.
"How much power does he have? Even an S-Rank—and even Master Kuro—can't stop him!" one of them shouted in disbelief. "Did he hide his power from us all this time?"
The ground trembled under the pressure of Ren's aura. Zen stood frozen, shocked at the unimaginable energy pouring out of him.
That can't be real… no one should hold that kind of strength. If he has this power now, what will he become later? Zen thought, fear twisting into envy.
Quietly, Zen sneaked closer, hiding himself in the shadows.
After a while, Ren's surge began to fade. His breathing was heavy, his chest rising and falling as he forced himself back to normal.
"What was that?" people asked in fear.
Master Kuro stepped forward, calm but stern. "It was nothing. You should all return. Ren was using a weapon—it required a tremendous amount of energy. That's why it looked like he was releasing so much power."
"Oh… so that was it," they murmured, accepting the excuse. After a brief conversation, everyone dispersed.
When the crowd was gone, Yume and Master Kuro approached Ren.
"Why did you suddenly shout to stop?" Yume asked softly. "And what did you mean about not killing the child?"
Ren's face turned grave. "I… saw something. A terrifying scene. Children… being slaughtered by people."
From behind, Ren overheard Master Kuro whispering to Yume.
"You must push the Black Heart to its very limits," Master Kuro said.
"…Yeah. You're right."
Zen, still listening in secret, clenched his fists.
The Black Heart… that's how he got this power. He doesn't deserve it. Why him? Why not me?
Then, a voice boomed in Zen's mind. The Third General spoke.
"You, the king…"
Zen's eyes widened, his blood running cold. The King?
The urban legend—true after all. The Black Heart had chosen Ren as the King.
Jealousy boiled inside him. Rage twisted into obsession. If Ren is the King, then I'll take it from him. That heart should be mine. He doesn't even realize what he holds.
Days later…
A man, covered in blood, staggered toward Master Kuro, Yume, and Ren.
"P-please… help us! Our team was attacked by demons. Please!" he cried.
Without hesitation, Ren bolted toward the forest. Lives are at stake. I can't waste time. If I can save even one person…
When he reached the location, it was eerily silent.
"Is anyone here?!" Ren shouted. He stepped forward—
—click.
A trap snapped shut around him.
"What is this?!" Ren yelled.
From the bushes, Zen and his crew emerged, smirking.
"Well, well… looks like the chicken fell into the trap."
Ren glared at him. "What do you want?"
"Nothing," Zen replied coldly, "except the Black Heart you're hiding."
Ren's eyes widened. No… he knows?!
"What are you talking about?" Ren tried to deny it.
"I just need to confirm it." Zen drew a knife and lunged. In one brutal motion, he tore through Ren's chest.
"AAAAH!" Ren screamed, blood spilling as agony ripped through him. Why… why can't I move? Why can't I stop him?!
Zen's eyes lit up as he saw it—the Black Heart, pulsing with power.
"So I was right," Zen whispered, smiling wickedly. "You do have the Black Heart. You're the King. But not anymore."
He ripped the Black Heart from Ren's chest.
"No—Zen! Don't!" Ren gasped weakly. If he takes it, everything will fall into chaos…
At that moment, a gunshot rang out.
"STOP RIGHT THERE!" Master Kuro's voice thundered. Yume stood beside him, her eyes burning with rage.
But it was too late. Zen clutched the Black Heart, pressing it into his own chest. His body trembled, then convulsed as waves of dark energy coursed through him.
"Finally… it's mine." Zen grinned. This is what I always deserved. This power should've been mine from the start.
Ren collapsed to the ground, his vision blurring.
Inside his fading consciousness, Darkness spoke.
"Your friend has taken what was yours. What will you do?"
"…What can I do? He was the one who gave me the power to become who I am…" Ren muttered, despair filling his voice.
"No," the Darkness growled. "I chose you. I accept only you as King. Not him. He is a thief. A pretender. You are the true King."
Outside, Zen roared, his strength surging as the Black Heart obeyed his will. Even the Third and Fourth Generals were forced to unleash their full power against him.
But Zen was relentless. At first, he was pushed back, but the more he drew upon the Black Heart, the more powerful he became.
"This power doesn't belong to a loser like him. It belongs to me! Only me!" Zen's voice twisted with madness. Yes… YES! At last, the world will bow to me. Not to him.
With a single strike, Zen brought both generals to the ground.
"First, I'll kill you," he sneered at them. His eyes then shifted to Yume. "I was always jealous of you, Ren. Jealous that you had what I didn't. And now… I'll kill her in front of you."
Yume stood, blood spilling from her lips, bones broken, her body shaking. Yet she didn't falter. Even if it kills me… I'll protect Ren.
Zen seized her by the neck, tightening his grip. "You die first."
"Grandfather!" Yume cried, reaching toward Master Kuro, who lay beaten and begging Zen to stop.
"Yume… run…" Master Kuro gasped, blood dripping from his mouth.
But before Zen could snap her neck—
"STOP!"
Ren appeared, blocking him.
Zen's eyes widened. "Oh? You still have some fight left? No matter. I'll take what's left of your power too."
Ren's voice was low, filled with rage. "The power you stole… was never the true source."
From within, Darkness erupted.
BOOM.
The sky trembled as pure shadow exploded outward. Ren's body became shrouded in dark energy, a terrifying transformation overtaking him. His power soared past 90%, shaking the very earth.
I won't let you hurt them anymore. I won't forgive you for betraying me, Zen.
"Why did you hurt Yume? Why did you hurt Master?" Ren's voice roared with fury. "You'll pay for this, Zen!"
His scream split the heavens as a colossal phoenix of darkness burst forth, its blazing wings spreading wide.
Zen smirked, preparing to strike. That's right, struggle, Ren. Let me crush your hope myself.
Ren's eyes glowed.
"Just die!"
The phoenix, forged from pure darkness, descended upon Zen like the wrath of a true king.