The news spread like wildfire. Reporters swarmed the area, their helicopters circling above, cameras flashing as chaos unfolded below. The world was watching.
Two towering, armored figures — shadow knights locked in a deadly clash — sent shockwaves across the battlefield with every strike. The ground cracked beneath them, the air rippled with their power.
"Take the barrier down! We have backup, let us help!" Yume shouted, her voice cracking from the tension.
"Not now!" Ren roared, his voice carrying through the battlefield like a whip. His tone made even the hunters freeze for a moment. "Instead — tell the hunters to touch the barrier! Now! It will let them use their power at its fullest!"
Daiki and Yume didn't waste a second. "Everyone, touch the barrier!" they commanded.
One by one, the hunters obeyed. The moment their hands met the black wall, a surge of shadow engulfed them. They glowed faintly, then their bodies darkened — each one transforming, their skin and armor taking on an eerie shade of black.
Whispers spread among them.
"This power… it's too much…"
"Did he give this to us?"
Daiki cut through their awe with a roar. "No time to chatter! We're going in — help Ren!"
The news choppers caught everything — the hunters turning into living shadows, their silhouettes radiating power. The sight was enough to make civilians tremble. The world began to panic.
"What is happening out there?" a reporter cried into his mic as the broadcast went live.
Meanwhile, Raviel stepped back, lowering his weapon. His crimson eyes gleamed in the darkness.
"Look, Ren," he said calmly, almost mockingly. "I'm here to talk."
Ren hesitated. His fingers twitched on the hilt of his weapon.
"Stand back," he ordered. Everyone froze, sensing the shift in his voice.
Ren's gaze locked onto Raviel. "Say it. What do you want?"
Raviel grinned. "Finally ready to listen? Good. I want you to do what your bloodline has always done — betray the kings. Join me. Rule beside me. Turn every living soul into a slave."
Ren's voice was steady, but cold. "And if I say no? If I choose the Eight Kings and fight you with them — what then?"
Raviel's expression twisted into something cruel. "Then you will fail. Just as your ancestors failed. Do you really think you can protect humanity after what your line has done to this world?"
Ren's breath hitched.
Raviel stepped closer. "Your ancestors betrayed the Eight Kings. They opened the Gate of Shadows and let my kind flood this realm. Humanity is tainted because of them."
Ren dropped to one knee as if the words themselves crushed him.
Kuro ran toward him. "Ren! Hold yourself together!"
Ren's voice cracked. "Kuro… is it true?"
Kuro froze. His silence was an answer of its own. Finally, he nodded. "…Yes. They betrayed the kings. But they were manipulated—"
"Manipulated?" Raviel laughed. "A convenient excuse."
Before Ren could respond, a thunderous voice echoed in his mind.
"Do not think like that, Ren!"
The Ninth King's presence blazed inside him. "Your ancestors were deceived, yes, but they still erred. Do not walk their path."
Ren trembled violently. His hands dug into the ground. What am I doing?
Am I even protecting humanity?
Am I on the right path… or am I just repeating history?
His vision blurred as eight towering figures appeared in his mind's eye.
"Ren Akatsuki…" one of them said.
"Why didn't you tell me?!" Ren screamed, his voice raw.
The Third King's voice was calm. "Ren Akatsuki, you're being too harsh—"
"Shut your damn mouth!" Ren bellowed, his voice shaking with fury.
The First King raised a hand. "Enough."
Ren's shoulders trembled. "Am I worthy of being your chosen king? Am I saving humanity — or destroying it?"
The Ninth King stepped forward, wrapped Ren in a sudden embrace, and said quietly, "You are being manipulated, just as your ancestors were. Do not let him twist your heart."
Ren's voice was a whisper. "…Why am I always dragged into the darkness?"
The Ninth King paused, then spoke. "Because you are not wrong… but you are not entirely right either."
Ren looked up, hollow-eyed. "What does that mean?"
"It means you hold the power everyone desires — but few can use for greatness. We have all been where you are now, Ren. That is why we chose you. The world spat on you, ignored you, broke you… yet you stayed on humanity's side. You had every reason to take revenge and burn it all down — but you did not."
The First King bowed his head. "You are the one we chose. Ren Akatsuki — the hope of humanity."
Ren's legs steadied beneath him. His breathing slowed. "Then I will protect humanity — no matter the cost."
The Nine Kings stood together, their spectral forms bowing to him.
"We will always stand with you," they said as one. "But never forget — protect the weak. Protect those who cannot fight."
Ren dropped to his knees again, but this time not in despair.
A dome of shadow erupted around him, swallowing him whole. The battlefield plunged into total blackness. Not a single ray of light escaped.
Raviel grinned. "Oh… he's serious now."
Then all hell broke loose.
The beasts howled and attacked with renewed frenzy. Blood splattered across shattered streets. Hunters, empowered by Ren's shadows, fought like devils, their blades hacking through the endless tide. The screams of dying beasts mixed with the cries of injured hunters.
Civilians were evacuated by the organization, but even from miles away they could hear the shrieks. People huddled in fear, praying for the hunters' survival.
Kuro's chest heaved as he parried another strike. "Ren… whatever you're doing in there, hurry!"
Raviel appeared behind him with a grin. "It's been a while, Fourth General of the Shadow Army."
Kuro's eyes narrowed. "Back off, Raviel. You'll pay for this."
Daiki leapt in beside him, his blade flashing. "This bastard dies by my hands!"
The clash that followed shook the battlefield. Kuro and Daiki fought like a perfect pair, their movements synchronized — but Raviel was faster. Stronger.
"You're still as strong as ever," Raviel sneered. "But to me… you're insects."
His power spiked, his attacks becoming savage and cruel. One brutal strike snapped Daiki's guard, hurling him back. Another smashed against Kuro's ribs, drawing blood.
Daiki gritted his teeth, his body screaming in pain. He roared, forcing his limits past breaking point. "Midnight Requiem!"
A colossal shadow wolf formed behind him, mirroring his every movement. Its presence boosted his power to its peak.
He lunged again, his strikes wild and furious. One cut grazed Raviel's cheek, drawing a line of black blood.
Raviel touched the wound and smiled darkly. "…You touched me. Impressive."
Then he destroyed the wolf with a single strike.
Daiki barely had time to register the loss before Raviel's fist caved into his chest. Bones cracked. Blood burst from Daiki's mouth.
"DAIKI!" Kuro screamed.
Daiki's body hit the ground, shaking. "Everyone… get out of here!"
Raviel landed behind him and slammed him down again, crushing his back until a sickening crack echoed.
"He's a monster!" Elysia cried.
Yume's eyes burned. She whispered, "I'm sorry, Ren…" before summoning her Eternal Eclipse.
But before she could release it —
"Monarch's Decree."
The voice shook the ground.
Shadows exploded outward, forming an army of skeletal knights clad in black armor.
"Protect the humans," the voice commanded, cold and absolute. "Slaughter every beast that stands in your way."
The dead army obeyed. Beasts were cut down in droves.
And then Ren stepped into view.
But this Ren was different. His aura was heavier. Colder.
He walked up to Daiki and Kuro, placed his hands on them, and their wounds sealed instantly. He poured mana into them until they could stand.
"Take everyone out of here," Ren said. His voice was calm — too calm.
Kuro stared at him. "What about you?"
Ren's eyes glowed. "Do not question me. Ever again. I'm selling my soul to the Shadow Realm."
Kuro's face twisted in horror. "Ren, wait! You don't have to—"
"In this world," Ren whispered, "there's nothing left for me to lean on. Go."
Each step Ren took felt like gravity itself was trying to crush everyone else. The air grew heavy.
The shadows spoke inside his mind. If you do this, you won't walk through us anymore. We will walk through you.
Ren didn't hesitate. He gathered all his mana and began striking at the ancient seal. Each blow echoed like a death knell.
Crack.
Crack.
Finally, the seal splintered — 39% broken.
"That's enough," Ren breathed. His energy spiked, tearing past every limit.
Heart Power: 50%.
Inside him, the Heart pulsed wildly. Wait… what?! You're ready to fuse?
Ren's voice was low, but absolute. "Yes, Heart. Fuse with me. Now."
The Heart's glow darkened, as though even it feared his decision. Very well… but once we begin, there is no turning back.
Ren smiled faintly — not with joy, but with grim resolve. "Good. That's exactly what I want."