The news spread through Nirvalen like wildfire.
Within moments, the message reached the higher-ups — and then to Althric.
He rushed through the corridor, his boots striking the marble floor as panic and urgency echoed through every hallway. He burst into the medical room where Ren was sitting beside Yume's bed, his calm aura filling the room.
"My king," Althric said between sharp breaths.
Ren turned his gaze toward him, the air suddenly thickening with pressure. "What is it, Althric? What's happening?"
Althric steadied himself. "My king… the Gate of Demons has appeared."
Ren froze for a brief second. Then, without hesitation, he rose from the chair. But before he could move further, Yume's trembling hand caught the edge of his coat.
"What will you do?" she asked softly, her voice weak but filled with worry.
Ren knelt beside her bed and took her hand gently, his tone calm yet firm. "I'll check the situation first. See what's happening… and decide what comes next."
Her eyes met his — fear and trust intertwining. "Just… be safe."
A faint smile formed on his lips. "Always."
He rose and left the room, his coat swaying lightly with each measured step.
Outside, chaos filled the medical wing. Hunters were sprinting, orders flying through comms, and alarms blaring across the facility. The once orderly headquarters was now a storm of movement and fear.
Ichiro ran toward Ren, her face pale and tense.
"Mr. Ren! The gate—it's appeared, exactly where we predicted. All S-Rank and high-rank hunters are being called in. They'll arrive by morning!"
Ren's eyes narrowed. "I'll go there myself. Evacuate all civilians from the area. And call every high-rank hunter for a meeting tomorrow morning — I'll need them all."
"Yes, sir!" Ichiro said sharply, immediately relaying his commands through her earpiece.
Ren turned to Althric, who was already following behind him. "We're going."
"As you command, my king."
They left the city together.
The moment they arrived at the outskirts of Nirvalen, the sky itself had turned monstrous. Black clouds churned in the heavens, spinning like a vortex of despair. Lightning tore through the night — raw, violent, and endless.
They stood before the Gate of Demons.
A colossal formation of swirling shadows hung in the sky, stretching across the horizon. Its energy pulsed like the heartbeat of something ancient — something alive.
Althric tilted his head upward. "The gate… it's massive, my king."
Ren stared silently, hands in his pockets, eyes reflecting the storm.
"Yes," he said at last, voice low and cold. "But this isn't the true war."
Althric blinked in confusion. "My king… what do you mean?"
Ren's tone deepened. "Centuries ago, the war between shadows and shadow demons wasn't something easily won. It cost the Ninth King his life to seal them away. And now, only his right hand — the First General — has awakened. The true Shadow Demon King still hasn't stepped onto the battlefield."
Thunder cracked across the clouds. Althric clenched his fists. "Then we'll show them what lies beyond the power of the eight kings!"
Ren didn't respond. His gaze remained fixed on the swirling abyss above. "This time," he said quietly, "humanity will witness the beginning of a great war."
Lightning illuminated his face — calm, unreadable, but filled with a quiet rage.
Althric broke the silence. "My king, should we open the Gate of the Abyss now?"
Ren's lips curved slightly. "No… not yet. Let them prepare. Let them think they still have time."
"As you command, my king."
With that, the two vanished back into the shadows, their forms fading into the storm.
Far away, in the Realm of Shadows — deep within the abyss where no human dared to tread — the eight kings of the Shadow Council gathered around a throne of black stone. Their forms shimmered like dark flame, ancient and regal.
"The Ninth King has returned," said the Second King, his voice echoing like thunder. "And the three generals have done well. But…" he paused, glancing around, "what of the First General?"
The Third King frowned. "After we sealed him — separated his soul — the balance shifted. We tried finding a human worthy of his bond, but humanity is weak, corrupt… unfit."
The hall darkened.
Then, the First King spoke — his voice commanding and deep.
"Enough. Let us call upon the Ninth King himself. He shall decide who is worthy."
The decision was unanimous. The shadows trembled, and the gate to the realm flickered open.
Back in Nirvalen, Ren was walking through the corridor when he suddenly stopped.
"Miss Ichiro," he said.
She looked at him questioningly.
"I've been summoned by the Eight Kings. If anyone asks, tell them I'm… occupied."
Without another word, his form dissolved into black mist.
Moments later, he appeared in the Shadow Realm.
The grand hall of the kings loomed before him — vast, endless, bathed in a dim, ethereal glow. The eight kings stood before their obsidian thrones, their presence suffocating even to those who called themselves gods.
Ren stepped forward and bowed slightly. "It has been a while… Eight Kings of Shadows."
"Raise your head, Ren Akatsuki," said the First King. "You need not bow. You are one of us."
Ren lifted his gaze, eyes steady. "Then tell me — what is the reason for my summons?"
The Second King spoke first. "You know we have four generals within our Shadow Army… yet now only three remain. The First General was sealed centuries ago."
Ren's expression didn't change. "I'm aware."
The First King extended his hand. "Then behold."
A ripple of shadow surged through the room — brighter, deeper than any other darkness. A massive figure began to form, sleeping within the lightless void. Then, slowly, the being stirred, and opened his eyes.
The First General.
The air trembled as he floated upward, his laughter filling the space. "My king… three centuries of sleep. You've finally awoken me."
The Seventh King ordered, "Descend and stand."
But the general chuckled. "Forgive me, my king, but my body… it's been long since I've touched the ground. I prefer the air."
Then his gaze locked onto Ren.
"Oh my… who is this?" His eyes glowed with eerie fascination. "That power… it surpasses even the Eight Kings!"
The Fifth King's voice thundered. "Show respect! You stand before the Ninth King!"
The general's expression shifted instantly — from awe to excitement. "So you're the chosen one! Hah! No wonder this realm trembles for you."
Ren folded his arms. "Enough. Tell me, what is it you need from me?"
The First King's voice echoed. "We wish for you to choose who shall bond with this general. The perfect human to bear his power."
Ren's tone hardened. "And what happened to the old bloodline that once carried his bond?"
The Sixth King bowed his head. "Erased. That lineage no longer exists."
Ren nodded slightly. "I see."
The First General's eyes gleamed. "I can feel it — there's someone in your world with power like yours. Someone worthy."
"Then summon him," the Eighth King commanded.
Moments later, a figure appeared at the edge of the hall — Althric.
He looked around, bewildered. "My king… what is this place?"
"You stand before the Eight Kings of Shadows," Ren said firmly. "Bow."
Instantly, Althric dropped to one knee. "I, Althric, the loyal servant of the Ninth King, pay my respect."
The kings exchanged glances, intrigued.
Ren gestured. "Show them your true self."
"Yes, my king."
Althric's human form dissolved into pure shadow — his armor forming, his presence swelling with ancient power. The kings watched silently.
"He is my knight," Ren said. "Born from my own shadow — loyal only to me."
The First General frowned, feigning sadness. "That's unfair, my king. You keep all the strong ones for yourself! What's left for me?"
He floated closer, laughing — until a flash of movement cut the air.
A blade pressed against his neck.
No one had seen it. Not even the kings.
Althric stood behind him, eyes glowing, blade trembling with lethal intent.
But before the strike could fall — Ren caught the sword bare-handed.
The entire realm froze.
Even the kings, beings who had witnessed eternity, could not comprehend how Ren moved faster than their perception.
"Althric," Ren said, voice colder than death itself, "never raise your sword unless I command it."
The pressure that followed was crushing. Shadows spiraled violently. Althric's knees hit the floor, his body trembling beneath the weight of Ren's presence.
"M-My king," Althric stammered, fear lacing his tone. "Forgive me. It will never happen again."
Ren slowly released his grip. The overwhelming aura vanished, replaced by calm silence.
"Remember this. Never raise your blade against your comrade."
"Yes, my king…"
The First General chuckled nervously, backing away. "Hah… you're terrifying, you know that? Poor boy almost cried."
"I'm not crying!" Althric said, flustered. The general laughed even harder, patting his back.
Ren sighed. "Enough."
His gaze turned serious again. "I know who will be the perfect human for your bond."
The kings leaned forward as Ren lifted his head.
"Summon the three generals," ordered the First King.
Moments later, Kuro, Daiki, and Yume appeared in the hall. They looked around — confused and speechless.
All three bowed deeply. "We greet the kings."
The First General smiled broadly. "Well, well! My fellow generals! It's been ages!"
Kuro's brow furrowed. "Who is this man? Why does he speak as though he knows us?"
Ren stepped forward. "The one you see before you… is none other than the First General himself."
"What?!" Yume gasped, eyes wide.
The First General winked. "Autographs will cost extra."
Daiki's jaw dropped. Kuro blinked in disbelief.
Ren ignored the exchange and continued. "He will form a new bond — with a human. You three have the right to witness it."
Yume stepped forward. "Then who will be his successor?"
Ren's expression softened slightly. "None other than my former captain — Haru Kenzaki."
The hall fell silent. Even the shadows seemed to pause.
The Second King broke the stillness. "Why him? Out of all humanity… why choose this man?"
Ren met his gaze. "Because Haru has proven himself — not just in strength, but in heart. When I was nothing, he reached out to me. He gave me a place when no one else would. When I asked for aid, he never hesitated. He's a man who fights for others before himself."
Ren's voice steadied, resonating with quiet conviction.
"He is worthy."
The First King leaned back in his throne, eyes glimmering faintly. "We remember. We once saw potential in him — the spirit of a king. If you believe he is ready, then so be it."
The eight kings raised their hands in unison, shadows swirling like a tidal wave of darkness.
"We accept your choice, Ren Akatsuki.
Haru Kenzaki — shall inherit the bond of the First General."