At Lorum Mansion—
Inside the office—
The atmosphere was heavy.
A large map covered Saito's desk, marked with routes, village borders, and patrol paths.
Saito stood over it quietly, arms crossed.
His eyes moved from one village to another.
Thinking.
Planning.
The office door opened.
Saito looked up slightly.
"...Hm?"
Kaito walked inside calmly.
Behind him—
Ling and Jori followed.
Saito blinked.
"...Oh."
"You two."
Jori crossed his arms immediately.
"Don't get any ideas."
His tone stayed sharp.
"...The Noctarion sent us to eliminate this gang."
"Helping you is just part of the mission."
Ling sighed beside him.
"...Ignore him."
He looked toward Saito politely.
"We'll help you."
Saito gave a small nod.
"...Thanks."
Kaito walked closer to the desk.
His eyes shifted toward the map.
Then his expression grew more serious.
"Saito."
Saito looked at him.
"...Yeah?"
Kaito's voice lowered slightly.
"Another thing..."
A short pause.
"They'll launch an attack tonight."
Saito's eyes narrowed.
"...At where?"
Kaito narrowed his eyes.
Night fell over Grizzly Village.
The streets were quiet.
Cold wind moved through the fields as guards continued their patrol around the outer walls.
One guard adjusted his spear slightly.
"…Feels too quiet tonight."
Another guard chuckled nervously.
"After all this panic? I'd be surprised if anyone could sleep."
A shadow moved behind them.
Fast.
Silent.
Crack.
One guard's neck snapped instantly.
Before the other could react—
Shhk!
A blade pierced through his back.
Blood splashed across the dirt.
The attackers moved through the darkness wearing black clothing and gold markings across their shoulders.
One of the gangsters stepped toward the last nearby guard.
"Take him out too."
The gangster grabbed the guard's shoulder—
But suddenly—
The guard seized his wrist tightly.
"…Got you."
The gangster froze.
The "guard" tore off his helmet.
Takeru.
His sharp eyes glared forward.
"You're busted."
The gangster's expression twisted slightly.
Then—
He smirked.
"Really?"
"…I don't think so."
BOOOOM!!
An explosion suddenly erupted from the eastern wall.
Stone and debris blasted into the air.
Takeru's eyes widened.
"…What?!"
He immediately turned toward the village.
At the eastern side—
Rick rushed toward the shattered wall.
Smoke filled the air.
Villagers screamed in panic nearby.
"Guards!"
Rick pointed forward.
"Formation!"
The remaining guards immediately moved together.
Shields locked.
Spears raised.
A square defensive formation formed near the breach.
Behind them—
The invokers from Bypass Village raised their hands.
Flames ignited around their palms.
One invoker shouted,
"Ready!"
Then—
BOOOOM!!
Another explosion erupted directly in the middle of the formation.
The ground shattered.
Guards were blown away violently.
The square formation collapsed instantly.
"AGH—!"
"WATCH OUT!"
Smoke spread everywhere.
Then—
Figures rushed through the breach.
Gold Gang members stormed inside the village.
Some carried swords.
Others carried strange metal weapons.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Gunfire echoed through the streets.
Several surviving guards clashed against them immediately.
Steel collided in every direction.
Rick gritted his teeth.
"Hold your positions!"
Outside the village—
A group of gangsters approached a tall man holding an enormous sword across his shoulder.
Horun.
One gangster knelt slightly.
"We're inside the village, Horun."
Horun smiled faintly.
"Good."
His eyes looked toward the burning breach.
"Capture every valuable asset."
A pause.
"…No killing."
The gangster nodded quickly.
"Yes, sir!"
He rushed back into the battle.
Beside Horun—
A man wearing a gas mask stood silently.
Horun glanced toward him.
"…You did your work well, slave."
The masked man didn't answer.
Didn't move.
Only silence came from behind the mask.
Inside the village—
The invokers launched waves of fire toward the attackers.
"Fire Shot!"
"Burn them back!"
Fireballs streaked through the battlefield.
BOOM! BOOM!
Several gangsters were blasted backward.
But the others immediately raised large golden shields.
The flames slammed against the metal barriers uselessly.
"They blocked it?!"
The gangsters pushed forward through the fire.
Closer.
Closer.
Rick stepped forward with his sword raised.
"Don't let them near the people!"
Then—
A powerful gust suddenly cut through the battlefield.
"Sword Style…"
Saito rushed into the village at full speed.
"…Wind Knives."
His blade swung sharply.
Invisible slashes tore through the air instantly.
Slice!
Slice!
Several gangsters were struck at once, blood bursting from their arms and shoulders.
The attackers staggered backward in shock.
Saito landed in front of Rick.
"…Sorry I'm late."
Rick's eyes widened slightly.
"Sir Saito—!"
A blur suddenly appeared behind the gangsters.
Slash!
One gangster collapsed instantly.
Then another.
Kaito moved through the battlefield like a shadow.
Cold.
Precise.
The gangsters panicked immediately.
"An assassin—?!"
Kaito sliced through another attacker calmly.
"Too slow."
Rick's expression hardened.
Then he raised his sword high.
"The protector is here!"
His voice roared across the battlefield.
"March!!"
The surviving guards shouted back loudly.
"MARCH!!"
They charged forward together against the invading gangsters.
Outside the shattered eastern wall—
Horun watched the battlefield quietly.
The situation was changing.
Fast.
The Gold Gang members that had stormed confidently into the village were now being pushed back by guards, invokers, and wolfbeasts working together.
Fire lit the streets.
Steel clashed nonstop.
Horun slowly rested his massive sword against his shoulder.
"…Tch."
"Looks like I have to step in myself."
A sudden presence appeared beside him.
Fast.
Sharp.
Kaito.
A knife flashed straight toward Horun's throat.
Clang!
Horun reacted instantly, blocking the strike with his enormous blade.
The impact echoed loudly.
Sparks burst between them.
A grin slowly formed on Horun's face.
"…Finally."
"You're here, Silent Killer."
Kaito narrowed his eyes slightly.
"…Horun."
"The Dark Sword."
The two stared at each other for a brief second—
Then—
Fwip!
A thick rope suddenly wrapped around Kaito's body from behind.
Kaito's eyes widened slightly.
"…What—"
The rope tightened instantly.
His balance broke.
Thud!
He crashed hard onto the ground.
Kaito immediately struggled against the bindings.
The rope was strangely heavy.
Tight.
Horun smirked.
"…You should be more careful."
He raised his massive sword high above his shoulder.
Then swung downward.
A brutal strike aimed directly at Kaito.
But—
Clang!
Another blade intercepted it.
Jori stood in front of Kaito, blocking the attack with both knives crossed.
"Don't hurt our senior!"
Horun's eyes shifted slightly.
"…Another assassin."
Before he could react—
Ling appeared behind him and threw a small glass bottle directly at his chest.
Crash!
The bottle shattered instantly.
Purple smoke exploded outward around Horun.
Horun staggered back violently.
"GRAH—!"
He grabbed his face tightly.
"…What is this?!"
Ling smirked calmly.
"Pain Smoke."
"…Enjoy."
The smoke continued burning against Horun's skin and eyes.
Kaito finally tore the rope apart and stood back up.
At the same moment—
The masked man suddenly leapt down in front of Horun.
Silent.
Still wearing the strange gas mask.
Jori cracked his neck slightly.
"Oh?"
"You want a piece of us too?"
He lunged forward immediately with his knives ready.
But Ling's expression suddenly changed.
His eyes widened.
"…Wait, Jori!"
Too late.
The masked man calmly brought his hands together.
Clap.
A strange spark ignited between his palms.
Then—
BOOOOOM!!
A violent explosion erupted instantly.
The blast swallowed the entire area.
Jori and Ling were thrown violently through the air.
"AGH—!"
Their bodies crashed backward unconscious.
Kaito's eyes widened.
"Jori!"
"Ling!"
He vanished instantly—
Reappearing fast enough to catch both of them before they slammed into the ground.
"Hold on"