"Why are we called here?" Ren asked the Eight Kings.
"Apologies for the sudden call-up," one of the kings replied, "but we received news from the Demon Realm."
All three were shocked. What could have happened for us to be summoned like this?
"We have learned that the King of Shadow Demons will be sending his army — alongside their strongest general, who will personally lead them."
The generals were shaken. "He… he will be coming back?"
"Who is this general? How strong is he?" Ren demanded.
The third general spoke gravely. "He is the strongest commander in the Shadow Demon Army, the right hand of the King of Demons himself. This general obeys no one but the Demon King. If he is being ordered to cross into our realm now… humanity is in grave danger."
The first commander turned to Ren. "Ren Akatsuki, you must act quickly. Unite humanity, bring them together, and lead this war to victory."
Another king added, "Ren Akatsuki, unseal the power you were bestowed. The power that lives inside you is overwhelming. Even without the Black Heart, that power alone could defeat all of us."
Ren was shocked. He hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Tell me — who was the Ninth King? And why was he sacrificed in battle?"
The first king answered, his expression heavy. "The Ninth King was different from the others. He did not only think of the present — he considered the future consequences of every choice we made. He was powerful, he led the main command of the Shadow Army, and he loved his comrades deeply. He was kind to everyone, even demons. He never slaughtered needlessly."
Ren interrupted, frustrated. "Then why did he help me kill that upper-rank demon? As he just want to kill him."
"Because," the king said, "once his comrades were slaughtered in a massacre so brutal he could not bear it. From that day forward, he killed every demon who stood in his way. He became merciless to them. When he fought the Demon King, he did so to protect his comrades. Together with us, he sealed the demons — sacrificing himself to do so."
The king's gaze fell on Ren. "Now you hold the power of the Ninth King… and the power of the Black Heart. Combined, you are beyond anyone."
Ren finally spoke, a new resolve burning in his voice. "I understand now — why I was chosen, why my parents were taken from me. The scars I bear… they are not even close to what he endured. But I will be the one who protects this world from the demons that seek to destroy and claim it."
Meanwhile, in the Demon Realm…
The Demon King stood on his throne and summoned the one who struck fear even in the Four-Shadow Generals — General Sivrath.
A chill filled the hall as the demon appeared. "You summoned me, my king."
"Yes," the Demon King said darkly. "I did. For a matter of great importance."
"What matter, my king?"
"The Ninth… has been reborn. And he has already killed one of our upper-rank demons."
Sivrath was stunned, but quickly regained his composure. "What are your orders?"
"I want you to turn their world into a battlefield unlike anything seen before," the Demon King growled. "Make it a war where every corner burns, every soldier falls — and bring me the face of that reborn bastard."
"As you command, my king."
Sivrath turned to leave, but paused. "How can I cross to that realm with so few soldiers? The gates are not fully open."
"They will open for us — but only for a short period. The lower-rank demons we have already sent will not return for some time. Use that moment to gather forces and prepare for battle."
The meeting ended. Ren, along with the three generals, returned.
His parents rushed to him. "What happened?"
Ren's face was grim. "Peace was never meant for me," he said bitterly, and walked away.
His siblings and mother tried to stop him, but Kuro held them back. "Let the boy go."
Inside, Kuro called Sumire and Zenkai.
"What happened, Mr. Kuro? Why is Ren acting this way?"
Kuro's tone was grave. "We were summoned by the Eight Kings."
"Why? What happened?"
"The battle is about to begin," Kuro said heavily.
Both were shocked. "The Demon King is already planning to send their strongest commander to fight us — even though the gate is not fully opened yet. They will force it open for a short time and strike."
Ren's mother's voice trembled. "How much time does he have?"
Kuro lowered his gaze, his voice pained. "Two to three months… at most."
Her face paled. "He can't do it — not in his current condition. Humanity will be wiped out!"
"There is still a trump card," Kuro said slowly. "Ren has the ability to summon shadows from anyone's body — to extract them or grant them extra power. With that ability… he can win this war."
Ren's father shouted, "But how?!"
"I don't know," Kuro admitted. "But his ability is special. And if he learns to master it… he will change the outcome of this battle."
Later, beside the lake, Ren sat alone, frustration weighing him down.
"How am I supposed to win this war with no allies?" he muttered. His fists clenched so tightly his nails dug into his palms. Every time I try to protect someone, more blood is spilled. Every choice feels like it leads to more death.
He stared at his reflection in the water; his face twisted with anger and pain. "Why does it feel like the entire burden of the world has been dumped on me? Why me?!" His voice cracked at the end, echoing across the silent lake.
"Are you worried, Ren?"
He froze. He had been so lost in thought, he hadn't noticed her.
"Y-Yume? What are you doing here?"
"Nothing," she said casually. "Just came to check on a boy who's being a dumbass."
Ren frowned. "Can't you be a little polite?"
"Nope!" she replied with a smirk and laid her head on his lap.
Ren sighed but began gently patting her head. "Yume… what can we do to save this world and humanity? We don't have time to prepare for what's coming."
"You worry too much," Yume said softly. "You think everything has to be done by you — that no one else will be there for you."
She sat up and looked into his eyes. "Ren… don't you believe in me?"
"Hm?"
"I said — don't you believe in me?"
"Of course I do."
"Then stop trying to carry this burden all alone."
Before Ren could respond, Yume leaned forward and kissed him. Ren's eyes widened in shock.
She pressed her forehead gently to his and whispered, "I want to be with you. I want to share your burden. The pain you've endured, the darkness you've faced — I want to be the light that shines through it."
Ren slowly placed his hand against her cheek.
"I… I can't trust people," he said quietly. "Every time I did, they used me like a tool. And that's what… that's what hurts me the most. But… I want to be with you. I want to spend every second of my life with you. You saved me from the world that tortured me. You took my burden — a debt I can never repay."
He took a deep breath.
"So I ask you, Yume… please, fight by my side. Help me conquer this battle."
Yume smiled warmly, hugging him tightly. She leaned close to his ear and whispered—
(To be continued…)