The gates closed behind him.
Raizen stepped forward.
The mountain wind returned.
Cold.
Sharp.
Real.
The swordsman watched him carefully.
"…You've changed."
Raizen didn't reply.
But his presence was different.
Calmer.
Heavier.
"Come," the swordsman said.
"It's time."
The Inner Circle
Beyond the mountain—
A hidden structure stood.
Not a village.
Not a temple.
Something in between.
Stone paths.
Tall pillars.
Silence everywhere.
Hunters.
Dozens of them.
Standing.
Training.
Watching.
The moment Raizen entered—
Eyes turned toward him.
"…A newcomer?"
"…He passed the trial?"
"…Too young."
Whispers spread.
Raizen ignored them.
They didn't matter.
The Council
Inside the central hall—
Five figures sat.
Still.
Silent.
Watching.
The air felt heavy again.
"Step forward."
Raizen walked ahead.
Steady.
One of them spoke.
"You have completed the Trial of Shadows."
Another voice followed.
"But power alone does not define a hunter."
A third—
"You will be evaluated."
The Test
A blade was thrown at his feet.
"Pick it up."
Raizen did.
A man stepped forward.
Older.
Experienced.
"This will decide your rank."
Raizen's eyes narrowed.
"…A fight?"
"Yes."
No more words were needed.
Duel Begins
The signal was given.
The hunter moved first.
Fast.
Controlled.
Raizen blocked.
CLANG.
The impact was heavy.
This opponent—
Was stronger than anything he had faced.
Strike after strike came.
Precise.
Relentless.
Raizen stepped back.
Analyzing.
"Too slow," the hunter said.
Raizen didn't react.
He waited.
Watched.
Listened.
Shift in Battle
The next attack came—
Raizen moved.
Clean.
Efficient.
He didn't block—
He redirected.
The hunter's strike missed.
A small opening appeared.
Raizen stepped in.
A counter.
The hunter's eyes widened slightly.
"…You've improved."
Shadow Control in Combat
Raizen exhaled slowly.
"Shadow Breathing—"
A faint darkness formed.
Not wild.
Controlled.
"Second Form— Night Step."
He vanished.
Reappeared—
Behind.
The hunter turned instantly—
Blocked.
But Raizen was already moving again.
Faster.
"Third Form— Black Crescent."
A sharp strike.
The hunter stepped back.
For the first time—
Forced on defense.
Final Exchange
Silence fell.
Both stood still.
Then—
They moved at the same time.
Two blades crossed.
A single moment.
A single decision.
Raizen shifted his angle—
And stopped his blade—
At the hunter's neck.
Silence.
The duel ended.
Judgment
The hall remained quiet.
Then—
One of the council members spoke.
"…Enough."
Raizen lowered his sword.
Another voice followed.
"He shows control."
A third—
"And adaptability."
The final voice—
"Assign him a rank."
A pause.
"…Shadow Rank."
Murmurs spread instantly.
"…Shadow Rank?"
"…Impossible…"
"…That's too high…"
Raizen stood still.
He didn't react.
Aftermath
The swordsman approached him.
"…You've made an impression."
Raizen looked ahead.
"…It doesn't matter."
A pause.
"I'm not here for rank."
Final Scene
As Raizen turned to leave—
One of the council members spoke again.
"There is a mission."
Raizen stopped.
"A dangerous one."
Silence.
"…A demon we failed to kill."
Raizen's eyes sharpened.
"…Where?"
Ending Line
The higher the rank—
The closer you get to death.