After Leon spoke, the entire chamber fell into silence.
No one moved.
No one even dared to breathe too loudly.
Slowly, Leon rose from the bath.
Water slid down his body as he stepped forward, each movement unhurried—controlled.
He was tall.
Not just tall—imposing.
His frame was massive, built with dense muscle that gave him a presence few men could match. His skin carried a sun-darkened tone, marked by years under open skies. A thick beard framed his jaw, while long black hair rested behind his shoulders.
He looked older than most warriors.
Past forty.
But there was no weakness in him.
When he walked—
The room shifted.
Not physically.
But something in the air changed.
It felt like a predator moving through its territory.
Each step was steady.
Heavy.
Certain.
He stopped in front of the soldier.
Looked down at him.
"Call Kaizo."
The soldier's body stiffened.
Fear flashed across his face before he forced himself to bow.
"Yes, my lord!"
He turned and hurried out, his steps echoing as he disappeared into the corridor.
Leon stood still for a moment longer.
Then exhaled slowly.
"So… it begins."
⸻
Min Clan – Secret Chambers
Hyun turned toward Rai.
"You need preparation," he said.
His voice was calm, direct.
"Eat first. Then bathe."
"I can see how exhausted you are."
"Sleep as long as you need."
Rai didn't argue.
There was no reason to.
Hyun paused briefly before adding,
"There is someone waiting outside. He will guide you."
Rai's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Without guidance," Hyun continued, "you won't survive moving through this place."
That caught Rai's attention.
Hyun didn't explain further.
He simply turned and left.
⸻
Outside…
Rai stepped into the corridor.
Looked around.
No one.
The passage was quiet.
Still.
Too still.
Then—
A hand touched his shoulder.
Rai reacted instantly.
Steel flashed.
His blade cut through the air as he turned—
"Oi! Don't attack!"
The strike stopped just short.
A young man stood in front of him, slightly leaning back, eyes wide in surprise.
"I'm not the enemy!"
Rai lowered his katana slowly.
His gaze remained sharp.
"Don't approach like that again."
The young man exhaled in relief before breaking into a grin.
He pulled back his hood.
"My name is Min Haru. Master Hyun told me to guide you."
He looked… relaxed.
Too relaxed.
His skin was dark-toned, his features sharp, and his hair fell loosely around his face.
But what stood out wasn't his appearance.
It was his energy.
Light.
Unbothered.
And once again—
Rai realized something.
He hadn't sensed him.
Haru tilted his head slightly, still smiling.
"Come on. I'll show you around."
He turned and started walking without waiting.
Rai followed.
"This place is confusing at first," Haru said casually. "When I came here, I got lost three times in one day."
He chuckled to himself.
"Once I ended up in a trap hallway. That wasn't fun. Thought I was done for."
Rai said nothing.
They moved deeper into the tunnels.
"You know," Haru continued, "I've heard a lot about your clan."
He glanced back briefly.
"My uncle used to talk about them all the time."
Rai's eyes shifted slightly toward him.
"He said your people were monsters in battle," Haru went on. "Not bad monsters—just… unstoppable ones."
Rai didn't respond.
"They say even Josiah feared your mark," Haru added. "That's why he wiped out your clan, right?"
A small pause.
"I always wondered if it was true."
He smiled again.
"Now I'm walking with someone who has it."
Rai's expression didn't change.
"I guess… that's something," Haru said lightly.
They continued forward.
Rai's attention shifted away from the conversation.
He observed.
The structure.
The layout.
The design.
Multiple paths branching in different directions.
Hidden doors.
Blind corners.
Everything was intentional.
Defensive.
Strategic.
Even the walls felt planned.
This wasn't just a hiding place.
It was a fortress.
Disguised as refuge.
Meanwhile, Haru kept talking.
"You know, when I was younger, I thought the Min clan would be more mysterious," he said. "Like silent warriors, always serious."
He shrugged slightly.
"Turns out, most people here just argue about food and training."
Rai's patience thinned slightly.
But he didn't interrupt.
Haru continued.
"Training is rough though," he added. "Really rough."
A small grin returned.
"You'll see."
Rai gave him a brief look.
Not annoyed.
Just… measuring.
⸻
They reached a room.
Haru stopped.
Inside, a simple setup awaited.
Food.
Clean.
Prepared.
The moment Rai saw it—
His stomach tightened.
Haru noticed.
Smiled.
"This is for you."
He pointed toward another door.
"Bath's there. Fresh clothes too."
Then, after a brief pause—
"Rest well."
His tone shifted slightly.
Less talkative.
"We'll meet tomorrow."
And just like that—
He stopped talking.
Turned.
And left.
Silently.
Rai watched him go.
Again—
He couldn't feel his presence.
"…Strange," Rai muttered quietly.
Then he looked at the food.
For a moment—
Everything else disappeared.
He sat down.
And ate.
Slowly at first.
Then faster.
For the first time in days—
A proper meal.
Warm.
Real.
When he finished, he stood and moved toward the bath.
Steam filled the room.
He stepped in.
Hot water wrapped around him instantly.
His body relaxed.
For a moment—
He closed his eyes.
Silence.
No enemies.
No tension.
No movement.
Just warmth.
"…It's been a while," he said quietly.
He stayed there longer than he expected.
Then finally stepped out.
Later—
He lay down.
The moment his body touched the surface—
Sleep took him.
Deep.
Immediate.
⸻
King's Palace
Leon sat upon his throne.
Still.
Silent.
Guards stood at a distance.
No one spoke.
Then—
The doors opened.
A man entered.
The moment he stepped inside—
The atmosphere changed.
Not loudly.
Not dramatically.
But enough.
The guards stiffened.
Instinctively.
Fear.
The man walked forward calmly.
"You called for me… Father?"
Leon's eyes shifted toward him.
"I have a task for you."
The man stopped.
There was no hesitation in his stance.
No question.
Only readiness.
He was Kaizo.
The third son of Leon.
Known by one name—
The Broken Fang.
To be continued…