The world had finally fallen silent.
Althric walked beside Ren, carrying Yume gently in his arms. She had remained unconscious since the final clash, her body pushed far beyond its limits. When they arrived at Ren's home in the quiet village on Nirvalen's outskirts, Ren immediately laid her on the bed, his hands trembling as he summoned the last remnants of his healing power.
A soft glow enveloped her.
Her breathing stabilized.
The danger passed.
Ren let out a long, shaky breath — relief heavy in his chest.
"Thank god…" he whispered, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek. "You're safe."
Althric bowed his head.
"My king."
Ren looked up, exhausted. "Yes?"
"You should rest as well. Your condition is… not good."
Ren exhaled, a tired smile crossing his lips. "Althric… you're right. Maybe even I need rest for once."
Althric nodded and stepped out to guard the house, leaving Ren behind. The Ninth King of Shadows — the one who had borne the weight of countless lives — sank down onto the floor beside Yume's bed, leaning his back against it. Within moments, exhaustion dragged him into a deep sleep.
His breathing softened.
His tension faded.
For the first time since the war began… he slept without fear.
Meanwhile, far from the quiet house, Nirvalen City stirred back to life.
Doors opened.
Families poured out from the underground shelters.
Loved ones ran into each other's arms.
Hunters who survived were embraced by their families — children crying, parents trembling, friends clinging to each other in disbelief that they'd survived another catastrophe.
Those who lost their comrades were surrounded by citizens who offered comfort and gratitude.
And through every crowd, every voice, every celebration, a single question echoed:
"Who was that man… the one who led the charge?"
"Who was that figure beside the monsters who saved us?"
Daiki stepped forward among the sea of reporters. Despite his fatigue, he held himself tall.
"We owe our lives to that man," he declared. "He protected us from a hell none of us could've escaped. His duty… goes far beyond anything we can imagine. Once his mission here was done, he left quietly. But if this world ever falls into danger again—he will return."
Those words spread through the city like fire.
A nameless savior.
A silent guardian.
Hours Later — Yume Awakens
Night draped itself across the village when Yume finally opened her eyes.
"…Where… am I?" her voice came faintly, almost fragile.
She sat up slowly, blinking at the unfamiliar room. Confusion washed over her until her gaze shifted to the floor — and froze.
There, lying peacefully… was Ren.
The cold, distant, unshakeable Ren — sleeping with an expression so calm it felt unreal.
Yume's breath caught.
"…You look… so peaceful."
She rose quietly and stepped outside. Althric, standing guard, immediately straightened.
"My queen. You are awake. I'm relieved — the king has been deeply worried."
Yume nodded softly. "What happened with the war?"
"We won," Althric answered with a proud yet gentle tone. "And we are currently in the king's home. He wished to avoid any exposure, so he brought you here."
Yume sighed in understanding.
"I see. You may rest for now."
"As you command, my queen."
Althric walked off, leaving Yume alone in the quiet hallway.
Inside the Organization Headquarters
Back in the city, the organization had gathered every surviving hunter for a formal meeting.
The higher-ups sat at the end of the long table.
"First," the director spoke, "congratulations to all of you. Because of your efforts, countless civilians survived."
He adjusted his glasses.
"The reason we called you here is to discuss what happened during the war—your sudden surge in power, and the demons' unusual behavior."
"Now… we need to discuss the demons — and the sudden power surge each of you experienced."
One hunter raised his hand. "During the battle, we pushed ourselves to the limit. Then suddenly… a voice spoke inside our heads. A commanding voice. It said: 'The Ninth King has arrived. The battle has begun. Use our power and fight.'"
Other hunters nodded, confirming the strange phenomenon.
The higher-ups scribbled furiously. "And the demons? The ones you confronted?"
Silence.
Not a single hunter dared to speak.
"What is the meaning of this?" the director demanded.
Misaki stood, her hands shaking, sweat beading along her temples.
"It was… terrifying," she managed. "Not for them — for us. The way those demons stared at us… it was like they saw us as insects. And the way they killed other hunters… they didn't hesitate. The monsters we found in the cave were nothing compared to that. And the demons we fought before… were nothing compared to them."
The director's stern expression softened.
"That's enough. Thank you."
Misaki sat, eyes down, trying to calm her breathing.
"And Mr. Ren?" another higher-up asked. "Where is he?"
Everyone turned to Kuro.
"He's fine," Kuro replied. "He returned home. He hates attention, so he didn't come back here. He took my granddaughter with him because her injuries were beyond our ability to heal. She'll return soon, before the ceremony."
The room relaxed — until a voice cut through the air.
"Wait!"
Luther stood from his seat, trembling with emotion. "This victory… belongs to Mr. Ren, doesn't it?"
Everyone went silent.
"In the battle," Luther continued, "we all collapsed. We barely lasted minutes. If he hadn't been there… nothing would've survived. He healed us. He kept pushing himself. And afterward, he restored our injuries — even replacing what we lost. So what did we really do?"
Every hunter lowered their eyes in shame.
Then Kuro stepped forward.
"Luther, right?"
"Yes, sir."
I understand how you feel—we all do. But don't look down on yourself. You were the ones who broke through the first layer of their assault.
But Ren said something very clear — he must stay hidden. It's his responsibility to protect humanity from the shadows. He doesn't want praise. He doesn't want his name known. That boy… he rarely smiles. He carries a burden far heavier than you think."
Kuro sighed deeply.
"And the child he once was… may never come back."
He left the room, leaving Luther speechless and the others silently processing his words.
One by one, the hunters dispersed into the night.
Inside the quiet room, Yume sat beside Ren once more.
He slept with the faintest smile — a rare, almost forgotten expression.
She brushed aside a few strands of his hair.
"…You're smiling," she whispered. "It's been so long since I've seen that."
Her chest filled with warmth, not pain.
He had carried everyone through hell — and still chose the cold floor instead of the bed.
Yume sighed gently.
She leaned down.
"Ren… you shouldn't sleep like this."
He didn't stir.
She touched his shoulder carefully.
"Ren… wake up for a moment."
His eyes opened slowly, heavy with exhaustion.
"Yume…? You're awake…"
Relief flooded his voice — genuine, unfiltered.
"Thank god… you're okay."
Yume smiled kindly. "I should say the same to you."
He tried to sit up, but the fatigue in his body protested. Yume supported him instantly.
"No. You need rest too."
He looked at the bed, then at the floor.
"It's fine. You take the bed. I'll stay here."
Yume shook her head softly.
"…We're together now. Right?"
Ren froze, the words sinking into him.
"…Yes."
It felt like the most fragile truth he had ever spoken.
Yume extended her hand.
"Then come. Sleep beside me. Just for tonight… stay close."
Ren hesitated — not from rejection, but from fear of burdening her.
"Yume… but I—"
She placed a gentle finger on his lips.
"For one night… let me be selfish."
Her voice trembled softly.
"Let me be there for you. You protected everyone. So let me protect you, even just a little."
Ren looked into her eyes — and something inside him cracked open.
The loneliness he'd buried.
The pain he never voiced.
The weight he bore alone.
Slowly… he took her hand.
Yume helped him to the bed, guiding him with quiet understanding.
They lay beside each other — a little awkward at first, unsure of where they belonged in the small space between them.
Then Yume shifted closer, resting her head gently against his chest.
Ren tensed for just a moment… then relaxed.
His arm wrapped around her naturally, instinctively.
He felt her warmth.
Her steady breath.
Her presence.
It grounded him.
Softened him.
Reminded him he was still human.
"You don't have to be the calm, powerful king tonight," Yume whispered.
"Just be Ren. My Ren."
His breath trembled at her words.
He rested his forehead lightly against hers.
"Then… stay with me. For the whole night."
Yume nodded, cheeks warming but eyes soft.
The lamp in the corner dimmed, leaving the room wrapped in a gentle glow.
They held each other — quietly, safely, without fear.
Two broken hearts finding warmth in the only place left in the world where they felt understood.
Their fingers intertwined beneath the blankets.
Their breathing synced.
Their worries softened.
And so, with nothing more than closeness, comfort, and trust —
Ren and Yume spent their first night truly together.
No words.
No storms.
Only peace.
For the first time… both of them slept without nightmares.