"Wait—what do you mean battle?"
Ren's words froze the room. Everyone turned toward him, their faces puzzled. Captain Haru narrowed his eyes, while the other hunters exchanged glances.
Ren took a deep breath, letting the silence weigh on them. Then, slowly, he explained everything—the ominous signs, the whispers of war, the silence in the cave that once throbbed with life.
At first, some of them smirked, scoffing as though it were a bad joke.
"What nonsense is this?" one of them muttered.
But when Daiki and Yume stepped forward and confirmed that Ren was not bluffing, the mood changed immediately. Their usual lighthearted expressions hardened into grim determination.
"So… do you know where the battle will take place?" Captain Haru asked after a long pause.
Ren shook his head. "Not yet. The exact location is still unknown. But the signs have started to appear. The cave—" he clenched his fist, "—has gone completely silent. It's as if it was empty from the start."
Daiki nodded. "Exactly. Its sudden disappearance was no coincidence. It's because of what's coming."
The room fell quiet again.
"Then," Haru said finally, "are you all in?"
Everyone turned toward him, waiting.
"Hmmm…" Haru's gaze swept over the team. "So, what are your orders, Captain?"
Without hesitation, Haru straightened his back, his voice ringing like a war drum.
"We stand with Ren—and we protect humanity from chaos."
"Yes, sir!"
Their united shout shook the room, like an army ready to march into battle. Ren felt a rush of warmth in his chest. For a brief moment, he allowed himself to smile.
"Ren," Haru said, turning toward him. "Are you happy now?"
Ren bowed slightly. "Thank you, Captain. I am. But before anything else… we need allies."
He stepped closer and spoke to Haru in a lower voice. "You have two months. Train them. Prepare them before the battle begins. For now, we part ways."
One by one, the team dispersed, their faces filled with determination.
The Council of S-Ranks
The organization wasted no time. A private meeting was arranged, summoning all twenty active S-Rank hunters. Ren would meet them face-to-face for the first time.
One by one, the names were called:
Daiki Raikuro – First S-Rank, the lightning god of the battlefield.Yume Akegami – Second, master of illusions.Ryojin Hoshigami – Third, the spear-wielding dragon.Shiro Tenka – Fourth, a swordsman of flawless technique.Akari Tenjou – Fifth, known as the Flame Empress.Ryuu Kazan – Sixth, wielder of volcanic power.Kaito Kurogane – Seventh, a master of shadows.Misaki Kurohana – Eighth, the calm and deadly sniper.Arata Nozomi – Ninth, the strategist who never loses.Oro Kiyoya – Tenth, a mysterious enchanter.Raiden Engetsuka – Eleventh, fastest blade in the East.Kai Oborozuki – Twelfth, wielder of the moon's power.Fuma Doku – Thirteenth, poison master.Isamu Kaiden – Sixteenth, shield-bearer of legends.Yuki Shiranui – Seventeenth, mistress of frost.Zyra Blackthorn – Eighteenth, assassin from the west.Astrid Valkrynne – Nineteenth, warrior queen from the north.Elysia Moonveil – Twentieth, sorceress of dreams.
And finally, the legendary Kuro Daizen, a retired S-Rank—one of the strongest warriors of his time—was invited as an advisor.
When everyone had gathered, Daiki stood at the center of the room. His usual calm expression was deadly serious.
"There will be a battle unlike anything we've faced before," he said.
At first, several hunters chuckled.
"Is this another one of your dramatic warnings, Daiki?" one asked.
Daiki's eyes narrowed. "I am not joking. You'll believe me when you see him."
"See who?" Akari Tenjou asked.
Daiki nodded toward the door. "Mr. Ren. Come in."
The room dimmed as if the shadows themselves bowed to him. Ren entered, black mist swirling around him, his presence overwhelming. Every hunter in the room instinctively stood, their bodies reacting before their minds could process the power radiating from him.
"Who is he?" Raiden of them whispered.
"This," Daiki said, "is Ren Akatsuki—the Ninth King."
Silence.
"You're joking," Misaki muttered.
"No. And if you think I'm exaggerating—" Daiki's tone grew harsher, "—I fought him with my full strength. I could not defeat him."
Shock rippled through the group. The mighty Daiki Raikuro admitting defeat? Impossible.
Ren finally spoke, his voice calm but carrying a weight that silenced the room.
"You may think I am a monster—or something beyond human—but these powers were given to me for a reason. A reason I cannot ignore."
He paused, his gaze sweeping across the hunters. "Right now, we must discuss what lies ahead."
And so, he told them everything. Yume and the organization confirmed every word, laying bare the truth.
It took hours to convince them. Some argued, some doubted, but eventually, they understood. The demons coming were unlike anything they had ever faced—faster, stronger, smarter.
The Announcement
Days later, the news was made public.
All twenty S-Ranks stood together before the cameras, Daiki at the front.
"The threat is real," he announced. "But we will protect you. All of us."
The nation panicked at first, fear spreading like wildfire. But the presence of the S-Ranks, united under a single cause, calmed them. Volunteers from top guilds pledged their support. Civilian evacuation plans were set in motion.
Watching from the shadows, Ren felt relief wash over him. The plan was working. Humanity was preparing.
The Weapons from Another World
Ren left the city for solitary training, but fate had other plans.
While sparring against the shadows of his own power, he noticed something strange—footprints. Not human.
He followed them, his senses sharpened, until he found something that made his blood run cold.
Blades.
Dozens of them, scattered on the ground.
"These…" he whispered, kneeling. "These are not from this world."
The metal pulsed with strange energy. When Ren brushed his fingers against the edge, a shock ran through him.
"These blades… they're designed to kill Kings."
For a moment, Ren's heart trembled. If these could cut through the Shadow King, then humanity had a chance—but who brought them here?
"We can use this," he said, tightening his grip on one of the blades. "We can forge stronger armor, stronger weapons. This could save lives."
Before he could think further, a roar split the air.
A demon appeared, clutching more of the strange weapons.
It dropped them and lunged at Ren.
Ren's shadows erupted, shredding the creature in seconds.
But more came—this time armed with the same otherworldly blades.
Ren dodged, weaving through their strikes, cutting them down one by one.
Something was wrong. They weren't attacking humans—they were simply retrieving the weapons.
"They were ordered…" Ren muttered, realizing it too late.
A faint glow caught his eye—a portal.
He hurled one of the blades through it, hearing a distant scream from the other side before the portal closed.
Somewhere beyond the portal, a figure watched.
"He killed one of ours…" the Demon King's brother growled. "Prepare. The battle begins sooner than we planned."
The Grim Discovery
Ren rushed back to the city, his face dark.
"Where have you been?" Yume demanded.
"Call Daiki and Master Kuro. Now."
"What happened?" she asked, concerned.
"Just call them—and bring the other S-Ranks too."
Within the hour, the room was filled with the most powerful warriors humanity had. Ren laid the weapons on the table.
Shock spread through the room.
"Where did you find these?" Kuro asked.
Ren explained everything—the footprints, the demons, the portal, and how he threw a blade through it.
Kuro smacked his forehead. "Do you realize what you've done? Now they will prepare for battle immediately."
"I know!" Ren said, his voice breaking. "But if I hadn't taken these, we'd never know they existed. We can study them—create stronger weapons, stronger armor. Fewer people will die."
Kuro sighed deeply. "You reckless boy…"
Daiki picked up one of the blades, examining it carefully.
"Mr. Kuro," he said, his tone grim, "these weapons—these can kill even Kings."
Everyone froze.
"What do you mean?" Ryojin asked.
Daiki looked at Ren. "This changes everything."