Silence.
No one moved. Kal's body still lay on the floor, blood slowly seeping through the cracks in the broken marble. No one looked at him. All eyes were fixed on Kin'iro.
Kin'iro walked toward Zenless. His steps were slow, unhurried.
"You've grown stronger, Zenless," he said.
"This place... is very good. No one can see inside except those you allow."
Zenless didn't answer.
"But you must know," Kin'iro continued, "we didn't come here to praise you."
He stopped a few paces from Zenless. His smile remained unreadable.
"We came to kill you."
---
Marcus growled. "You think—"
"I'm not talking to you," Kin'iro cut in without turning.
Marcus fell silent. His hands clenched. But he didn't move.
Zenless sighed. "What is your reason for wanting to kill me?"
"Don't pretend, Zenless. You know the reason," said Kin'iro. "You were very brave to steal our crystal. That crystal is our most valuable treasure."
Zenless smiled bitterly. "That crystal is mine now. You're welcome to try and take it back if you dare."
Kin'iro narrowed his eyes, the corner of his lips curling cynically. "So arrogant, Zenless. Do you think stealing makes you entitled to call it yours?"
He took half a step forward, his voice dropping low but sharp.
"Go ahead and defend it. Let's see how long your courage lasts... before you die with that thing still clutched in your hand."
---
The other Hydra began to move.
Kiiro swung his lightning whip through the air — CRACK! — the sound deafening. Daidaiiro ignited his spear, red fire blazing bright. Ao exhaled cold air, frost forming on the floor.
Chairo stomped the ground. Cracks spread to the walls. Gin'iro raised his shield, ready to protect. Gurin smiled widely, green mist beginning to creep from his feet. Shiro remained silent. Aiiro had already vanished into the shadows.
Kin'iro let the chaos continue for a moment, then lifted his chin. His voice was calm, but piercing.
"And let me remind you, none of you will be able to escape from here," said Kin'iro. "Thousands of our soldiers have surrounded this place. No one can enter, let alone leave."
For a moment, the room was filled only with the rumbling power of the Hydra.
Marcus turned to Zenless. "I'll see for myself."
He ran to the wall of the room. Clenched his fist.
"Meteor Hammer Impact!"
His fist struck the marble wall.
BOOM!
The wall cracked. Shattered. Beyond it — sand. Mud. And in the distance, thousands of Hydra soldiers stood amidst the mist, their eyes blazing red.
Marcus stepped back. His face paled.
"He... wasn't lying."
---
Leon looked at Zenless. "Who are they? And what is their connection to you?"
Zenless sighed. His eyes didn't leave Kin'iro.
"They are K'tharrh the Hydra. Mercenary soldiers often hired by kingdoms for war... or other purposes."
He paused for a moment.
"I once infiltrated their ranks in disguise. My goal was simple: to take the crystal with the ability to hide anything. Using that crystal's power, I could make the Nexus vanish from anyone's reach."
"You deceitful thief," Gin'iro said coldly.
Zenless ignored him. "After I succeeded in obtaining it, I left. And because the crystal is with me, they have been hunting me ever since, until they found me."
He looked at Kin'iro.
"But you never dared to attack me all this time. Not because you didn't know where I was. But because..." he paused. "...of someone."
Kin'iro smiled faintly. "You know?"
"I know. As long as I remained near them, you would never move."
"Correct," said Kin'iro. "But now they are on a very important mission. Somewhere else. And we have set up barriers blocking access for anyone to enter the city from four directions."
He stepped closer.
"This time... no one will save you, Zenless."
---
Leon and Kazan exchanged glances.
Two against nine. Plus Marcus, who couldn't be relied upon. Plus Zenless, who was also a target. Plus the barrier outside cutting off access.
"We can't fight all of them," Leon whispered.
Kazan nodded. "But we have no choice."
Behind the door of Xuánhú's chamber, Nix kept working.
Nix's hands moved swiftly. Phoenix blood dripped. Symbols formed at his fingertips.
CRACK.
The seventh tail moved.
"Three more," Xuánhú whispered.
Nix didn't answer. Sweat flowed down his temples. His hands trembled. But he didn't stop.
---
From the hole created by Marcus's punch, a Hydra soldier emerged.
Everyone turned.
A mud Hydra soldier — half-human, half-serpent in form, but with blazing red eyes — walked in.
"Lord Kin'iro," he said. "We have captured four people who were watching this place from outside."
Zenless blinked. His face changed. "Impossible. No one can see this place except—"
He stopped.
His eyes shifted to Kal's corpse. Then to Leon and Kazan. Then to the door of Xuánhú's chamber.
"Unless someone inside signaled them," he finished quietly.
Kin'iro smiled. "Bring them here."
The soldier left, then returned. In his hand, he dragged four ropes binding four limp, bowed figures.
With a single yank, the soldier released the ropes. Four bodies collapsed to the floor without a sound.
Leon froze. "Sylphine? Veylin? Raina? Elliot?!"
Kazan growled. "They were supposed to be at the tavern."
Raina was already unconscious. Her face was pale, a wound on her temple. Elliot was still conscious, but his mouth was bound. Sylphine and Veylin were also bound, unable to move.
Kin'iro walked toward them.
He stopped before Raina. His hand reached for the little girl's chin — lifting her face gently. Too gently.
"It seems you know them," Kin'iro said, smiling.
Leon stepped forward. "Don't you dare touch them."
Kin'iro didn't turn. "And what will you do if I do?"
"You will regret it."
Kin'iro laughed.
The other Hydra joined in. Kiiro chuckled. Daidaiiro guffawed. Gurin smiled widely. Even Aiiro, from his shadow, let out a strange laughing sound.
Only Ao, Shiro, Chairo, and Gin'iro remained silent.
But suddenly — the laughter stopped.
Kin'iro's expression changed. Cold.
His hand, which had been holding Raina's chin, now moved down to the girl's neck.
Squeezing.
"Ka—!"
Raina gasped. Her eyes opened. Her face turned blue. Her hands struggled — weakly, desperately.
"He... lp..." she whispered, her voice nearly gone. "Brother... Zero..."
---
Leon didn't think.
"Eternal Darkness, First Form."
His eyes turned red. His hair turned white. Purple symbols began to appear on his body.
No one saw him move. But suddenly, he was already in front of Kin'iro.
One slash.
SLASH!
Kin'iro's hand — the one choking Raina — was severed. It spun through the air. Fell to the floor with a wet thud.
Kin'iro didn't scream. He only stared at his severed hand.
Leon caught Raina before her body touched the ground. Carried her. Stepped back to Kazan's side.
Blood dripped from Lokantaka's blade.
"Don't you dare touch this innocent child with your filthy hands."
He aimed his sword — not only at Kin'iro. But at all nine Hydra at once.
Kazan looked at Leon for a moment. Then nodded.
"We fight them," said Kazan.
Leon didn't answer.
But his eyes — his eyes already spoke.
=== CHAPTER 39 END ===