"Should I tell you everything, or do you want to ask your father and mother yourself?" Kuro asked, his voice calm but heavy.
"Tell me… as you know it," Ren replied, his heart pounding.
"Very well."
Kuro's expression turned serious as he began. "When the Ninth King decided to choose his vessel, he chose a family — a family that lived far away from the people, deep within a forest, living peacefully. He decided that his vessel would be born from that bloodline. When the Gate of Shadows was unsealed, they were awakened by the Ninth King's power. But the power was still weak back then.
"So, after a while, the Eight Generals were ordered to watch over that family. For centuries, no one truly capable was born. But then, one day, a boy was born with so much mana that no newborn child had ever possessed before — and that boy… was you.
"Your parents did not seal your powers right away. The power within you was so immense that you could not control it. The result was destruction… the place you lived in was almost completely wiped out. Your powers had to be sealed.
"When you turned five, your parents were ordered to leave you. You were to be tested — to see if you were truly worthy of being the Ninth King. With your powers sealed, you were meant to experience the world as a powerless child, to see how you would treat people when they mocked and abused you.
"Your parents hesitated… especially your mother. She could not bear to let you go. But after being told that she would see you again one day, she accepted. Since then, she has been waiting for the day you would return."
Tears welled up in Ren's eyes. Not only had he been suffering all this time — but his parents had been suffering as well.
"Master," Ren whispered, his voice trembling. "Where can I find them right now?"
Kuro studied him. "Are you ready to meet them?"
"Yes." Ren's voice was resolute. "I just… I just want to be with them."
"Very well. Tomorrow, we will go."
"Why you?" Ren asked.
"Because," Kuro said, "I am the one who knows where they are right now. Now go and get some sleep. I know this is a sudden shock, and it will not be easy to rest, but you must wait until tomorrow."
"Alright, Master."
"I will be staying with Ren from now on," Darkness said quietly.
"Fine by me," Kuro replied.
After a while, they returned home. Ren lay down, but sleep came with difficulty. Memories of his childhood, the hopeless days, and the faintest memories of his parents all flashed through his mind. The Ninth King's words echoed, making him jolt awake after a few hours.
He went outside and sat alone under the moonlight.
The Black Heart spoke. Looks like you've had a pretty harsh reality… twisted with mystery and pain. You are something different, Ren, my boy.
"All of this… all of it happened in just a few hours," Ren muttered. "I still can't make sense of it. And it's not just me — even my ancestors are tied to this."
Darkness's voice rumbled. Do you want to see how your new power works?
The black heart also said. Let's go and test.
"Alright," Ren said, standing up. "Are you both ready to test it?"
Let's do this, the Heart said eagerly.
But while Ren was speaking with them, someone in the shadows was listening.
Ren left the village quietly, heading near the forest but not too deep.
"Shall we begin?"
Let's.
Ren powered up. The power that had been sleeping inside him burst forth as if it had been waiting for this moment.
Looking good. Now unleash it all. Your body can handle more power now! the Heart shouted.
"Alright!"
Ren unleashed everything, breaking every seal that held him back.
"Ahhhhhhh! Ah! Ahhhhhh!"
His body began to change — no, transform. Blue flames erupted from his head. Armor formed over his body, forged from shadow itself.
"What… is this?" Ren looked at himself. "What's happening to me?"
If you compare it to my power, the Heart said, you're now at 79% without my help or Darkness's. And even now, this isn't your true full power.
Darkness manifested, forming over Ren's armor, enhancing it.
Power up — 20%.
A sudden surge coursed through Ren. Shadows flared around him, glowing.
Well, it looks like you have taken the form of the Ninth King.
Ren forged a sword from pure shadow and pointed it forward with lightning speed.
"Show yourself. Who's there?"
From the darkness, Yume appeared.
"It looks like all your powers — and your physical abilities — have been enhanced," she said softly.
"Why are you here?" Ren asked, startled.
"I saw you sneak out," she replied. "You were talking to yourself again, so I followed you. This form… it really does look like the Ninth King."
Ren released his power and returned to normal. "Does it make you uncomfortable?" he asked quietly. "Seeing me like this… like a weapon that could wipe out everyone?"
Yume stepped closer and placed her hand on his chest.
"Maybe," she admitted. "But for me, you will always be the Ren I know — and the Ren I love. Just because you've become a weapon doesn't make me afraid. It makes me proud. I'm lucky that I love you, Ren."
Ren was speechless. Then he smiled softly.
"Thank you, Yume. Let's go back."
But as they headed back, the ground shook. A hundred monsters burst out from a cave and began attacking the village.
Use your own power, the Black Heart urged. See how many you can take down.
"Alright. I'll handle them—"
"Wait!" Yume grabbed his ear sharply.
"Ouch! What are you doing?!"
"Did you forget I'm an S-Rank Hunter?" she said, her voice firm. "And I need to test the full power of the Third General."
"Fine, but let go of my ear first!"
She smirked. "Okay. Let's go."
Ren rubbed his ear, grumbling. "That hurt…"
"Skip the chit-chat. Let's clear this place."
"Fine. Fifty for me, fifty for you, Yume."
"How long will it take to kill fifty of them?"
"Forty minutes, maybe."
"Then in forty minutes we'll be home."
The battle began. Screams of monsters echoed through the forest. Blood splattered everywhere.
Ren fought like a completely different person — a professional, an elite Shadow-Bound. Darkness surged through his body, covering half of him, doubling his speed and cutting monsters down in seconds.
Yume, already an S-Rank and now fully awakened with the Third General's power, fought with even greater elegance. Ten monsters attacked her at once, but she dodged every strike and cut them down with precision, leaving little blood in her wake.
Within twenty-five minutes, they had killed every monster.
Yume stood calmly, her blade barely stained. Ren, on the other hand, was drenched in blood, his kills leaving no corpses behind.
"Ren, you have to learn how to kill more cleanly," Yume sighed.
"Hehehe…" Ren just laughed and walked back toward the village.
By morning, they were both sleeping peacefully.
Kuro stormed into Ren's house. "Ren! Why is your house unlocked?"
He saw them still sleeping and grew furious. "Hey! Wake up! Didn't you sleep all night?"
Ren sat up, rubbing his eyes. "Good morning, Master. How are you?"
"What happened to you? Why are you covered in blood and sleeping like nothing happened?"
"Oh, that." Ren yawned. "We killed a hundred demon monsters that escaped from a cave. So we cleared them out."
"Good. Now wake Yume and get ready for takeoff. We leave today."
"You're right." Ren leaned over Yume. "Yume, wake up."
Half-asleep, she turned toward him. "Why are you yelling, Ren…" she mumbled, accidentally kissing his cheek.
Ren froze, blushing, as Kuro's face darkened with fury.
Ren gently shook her. "Wake up! Your grandfather is here!"
Suddenly she shot upright, panicking as she saw Kuro.
"No, Grandfather! It's not what you think!"
"We'll talk about this later," Kuro said sternly. "Right now, we must go."
After breakfast and packing, they set off on a long journey.
During the trip, Kuro taught them both how to better control their power, use their mana for healing, and strengthen their techniques. Ren's bond with Darkness grew stronger, and he could use the Black Heart's power more easily than ever before.
After days of travel, they reached a deep forest. The sounds of shadow demons echoed all around.
"So… this is where my parents are," Ren whispered.
"Yes," Kuro said softly. "And today… after decades… they will finally meet you."