Evening
The sky had darkened faster than usual.
Streetlights flickered on one by one.
KS walked alone.
Hands in his pockets.
Steps calm… but his mind wasn't.
Mizuki… training… those masked people…
Then—
He stopped.
A strange feeling.
Cold.
Heavy.
Like someone was watching him.
KS turned around.
Nothing.
The street was empty.
Too empty.
"…Tch."
He continued walking.
From the shadows behind him—
Something moved.
A pair of glowing eyes opened.
Then another.
And another.
Three figures stepped out.
Their bodies were twisted… unnatural.
Limbs slightly longer than they should be.
Necks bending at impossible angles.
One of them spoke—
Its voice distorted, like multiple voices overlapping.
"So… this is the one…"
Another let out a broken laugh.
"The Dragon Warrior …"
KS froze.
"What… are you?"
"You don't need to know."
Dark energy gathered inside its mouth—
Unstable.
Violent.
"Because you're going to die."
The beam fired—
SPLASH
A sharp wave of water cut through it instantly.
A masked girl landed in front of KS.
Calm. Steady.
"You're not dying that easily."
Another figure dropped beside her—
Fire erupting around him as he landed.
"Move back if you don't want to get burned."
KS stepped back slowly.
Shocked.
Water… fire…
The monsters screeched—
And charged.
The masked girl moved first.
Water formed around her arm—
Sharp, spinning blades.
She sliced through one creature—
But it didn't fall immediately.
Its body twisted again—
Reforming slightly.
The masked boy dashed forward.
Flames exploded around him—
BOOM
This time, the creature shattered completely.
The fight intensified.
Water clashed against darkness.
Fire burned through distorted bodies.
But—
More shadows appeared.
More monsters.
Their breathing grew heavier.
Movements slightly slower.
During the chaos—
A sudden strike broke through—
CRACK
The masked girl staggered.
A piece of her mask fell to the ground.
KS's eyes widened.
"…Mizuki?"
Before he could react—
Another impact.
The masked boy blocked—
But his mask cracked as well.
A glimpse of his face.
"…Tejas?!"
KS stood frozen.
Why…?
Why are they here…?
Why are they fighting for me…?
The monsters attacked again—
Overwhelming them.
One broke through—
And slammed both Mizuki and Tejas to the ground.
They didn't get up immediately.
Silence.
KS's heart started pounding.
This isn't right…
They're getting hurt… because of me…
His fists tightened.
Why…?
Why would anyone… fight for me?
The monsters turned toward him.
"Now…"
"Your turn."
Dark energy gathered again—
Stronger than before.
KS stood still.
So this is how it ends…
The beam fired—
He didn't move.
Then—
Pain.
A sharp, burning sensation spread through his body.
His vision blurred.
No…
His hands trembled.
This… isn't right…
His heartbeat grew louder.
Faster.
Something inside him—
Cracked.
A surge of energy burst out—
Violent.
Uncontrolled.
The ground beneath him shattered.
Air distorted.
The monsters stepped back.
"…What is this…?"
KS lowered his head.
His body shaking.
Then—
He moved.
Fast—
But unstable.
His movements weren't perfect.
They were raw.
Wild.
One strike—
A monster was torn apart.
Another lunged—
He blocked—
Barely.
Pain shot through his arm—
But he didn't stop.
Another strike—
Another enemy fell.
Within moments—
All of them were gone.
Silence.
KS stood there.
Breathing heavily.
Then—
His body gave out.
He collapsed.
Mizuki rushed forward—
Catching him before he hit the ground.
"I can't believe it…"
Tejas stared at KS.
Eyes narrowed.
"…This power…"
A pause.
"…This isn't normal."
For the first time—
Doubt appeared in his eyes.
Chapter end.