At dawn, the tyrant had fallen. Arashi Takeda was executed, and Emka finally tasted peace.
Ryujin Hibuko rose as the new ruler. To outsiders, he was Morgan Tarek — a silent guardian, the last echo of the Hibuko legacy.
The scene shifted back to the present.
Orimo muttered under his breath, brow furrowed, "Isn't Morgan Tarek… a bad guy?"
Ryuki tilted his head, calm yet amused. "Shocking, right? Morgan Tarek… saving anyone? Feels like a comic plot."
The old man's eyes blazed with anger. "Don't dare disrespect our king, you brats."
Orimo straightened, determination flashing in his eyes. "We'll find our own way now."
Hearing that, the old man turned and walked off.
From behind, Yura appeared, running, guiding someone alongside her.
Orimo called out, "Who's with you?"
Yura's expression was steady. "She's our ally. Urushi Taira."
Urushi stepped forward, her gaze meeting Orimo's. "Thanks… for the help you'll give us."
Orimo waved his hand dismissively. "No need."
Yura glanced around. "Where are the others?"
Ryuki, calm as ever, replied, "They wandered off while we were hearing the story."
Suddenly, the ground ahead shifted as a man approached, flanked by guards. His presence radiated authority. He moved with the quiet confidence of a king.
The crowd parted, fear and awe mingling. "Make way! Ryujin Hibuko… Morgan Tarek!" they cried.
Yura's eyes widened. "He's… the same man experimenting on children back at the facility."
Orimo's expression darkened. His fists clenched. He surged forward.
"Stop, Orimo!" Ryuki shouted.
But Orimo kept running, closing the distance, every heartbeat pounding.
Finally, he stopped. The air crackled with tension as he locked eyes with Ryujin Hibuko.
"Scum!" Orimo yelled, voice raw with anger and disbelief.
The king's gaze met him silently, unflinching, as if weighing every word and every soul in its path. The dawn light glinted off his armor, highlighting the last echo of the Hibuko legacy.
The confrontation had begun.