The city slept.
But Raizen couldn't.
He stood by the window, looking down at the empty streets.
The fight from earlier replayed in his mind.
The demon's words.
The way it controlled shadows.
"A better version of your power."
Raizen clenched his fist.
"…No."
Behind him, the swordsman spoke.
"You felt it too."
Raizen didn't turn.
"…That demon knew something."
"Yes."
Silence filled the room.
Raizen finally spoke.
"…Tell me the truth."
A pause.
"About me."
The Hidden Truth
The swordsman stepped forward.
"Demons are not born."
"They are made."
Raizen listened carefully.
"Some are turned by force."
"Some are chosen."
Raizen's expression hardened.
"…And me?"
The swordsman looked directly at him.
"You were not turned."
A brief pause.
"You were born with it."
The words didn't make sense.
"…That's impossible."
"It shouldn't be."
Raizen's heartbeat increased.
"…Then why am I alive?"
The answer came slowly.
"Because you are part of something older."
The First Blood
"Long before hunters existed…"
"There was only one demon."
Raizen's eyes narrowed.
"The first."
"The Crimson King."
The name alone felt heavy.
Raizen's memories flashed.
That night.
That voice.
That smile.
"…He knows me."
"Yes."
The swordsman continued.
"He doesn't kill without reason."
Raizen's fists tightened.
"…So I was spared."
"Yes."
A pause.
"Because your blood…"
The air grew tense.
"…belongs to him."
Breaking Point
"No."
Raizen stepped back.
"That's not true."
"You've already seen it."
"The shadow."
"The mark."
Raizen's breathing became unstable.
"…I'm not a demon."
"No."
The swordsman's voice remained calm.
"You're worse."
Silence.
"A human… with a demon's origin."
Raizen's mind went blank.
Everything started to connect.
His survival.
His power.
The demon's interest in him.
"…Why?"
The swordsman answered—
"Because you may be the only one who can kill him."
A New Mission
The room felt smaller.
Heavier.
Raizen looked down.
"…Kill the Crimson King."
"Yes."
A pause.
"Or become him."
Those words settled deep.
Raizen closed his eyes.
The darkness inside him stirred again.
But this time—
He didn't resist it.
He faced it.
"…If my blood is connected to him…"
He opened his eyes.
"Then I'll use it against him."
Resolve
The swordsman watched him closely.
"You understand what that means?"
Raizen nodded.
"I might lose myself."
"Yes."
"…And you'll kill me if I do."
A brief silence.
"…Yes."
Raizen turned toward the window again.
The city lights flickered in the distance.
"…Then I won't lose."
Final Scene
The next morning—
They stood at the edge of the city.
A new path ahead.
A more dangerous one.
Raizen adjusted his grip on his sword.
His eyes no longer held doubt.
Only purpose.
Ending Line
Some destinies are chosen.
Others are inherited through blood.