Chapter 2
Now the room was still trembling with the remnants of Renji's overwhelming presence , even after he left the atmosphere with lily and the witch of Andor the air still felt heavy like oxygen itself feared to move
"Tch… what does he mean… second and third reawakening?" Marcus Steel muttered, pacing the room in frustration. His fingers tapped rhythmically against his arm, a nervous tic that betrayed his worry. "How can even one awaken three times? Is that even possible? And even if it is… how would someone survive it? And now he's saying there's a chance we might die if we do it? Do we really need that kind of power? C'mon… we're the Pillars of Humanity!"
Elena Warwick, the Pillar of Light from England, walked slowly around the room, her heels clicking against the polished floor. Her gaze swept over the tense faces of the Pillars.
"Yes," she said quietly, "what you say is indeed true. We are the Pillars of Humanity. But... in an instant, he subdued us without even lifting a finger We couldn't move. And if he's at just ten percent of his power… we're completely outclassed.
We saw what happened between Choji Namikaze and Renji Kurogane. The only option is to do what he says. But… the problem is, how is it even possible?"
She turned toward Takeda, her eyes sharp with concern.
"Takeda… what do you think?"
Takeda's lips curled into a bitter, sarcastic smirk.
"Pillars of Humanity?" he repeated, letting the words echo mockingly through the tense air. Then he laughed, a cold, harsh sound that cut through the room like steel. "You've got to be kidding me."
President Nakamura opened his mouth to respond.
"Takeda, you..."
"Shut up, President Nakamura!" Takeda's voice boomed, sharp and merciless. His gaze fixed on the president like a predator locking onto its prey.
"I don't care about whatever threat Renji made to you. But here's a threat of mine. You pointed a gun at someone I consider my child someone I consider my family."
" wait takeda I… I wasn't going to kill her! It was only a countermeasure!" Nakamura stammered, panic and shame crossing his face.
"Shut up!!" Takeda thundered. "I don't care if it was a countermeasure or not. If you ever pull a stunt like that again… I will personally kill you."
Wang Chi's eyes flicked between them, his expression unreadable.
"Ooooi, calm down, Takeda," Marcus Steel said, attempting diplomacy. "We are the Pillars of the Human World. We need to act like it."
"Pillars?" Takeda's laugh was bitter, almost venomous. "You're kidding me." He stepped forward, voice rising as he spat the words into the tense air. "Ten years ago, I would have believed it. I thought we were apex predators. I was arrogant… drunk on what I called power. A year ago, I couldn't do a damn thing. Hundreds died. Two months ago… millions died. And you, and I… we still couldn't do anything. And now you call yourselves the Pillars of Humanity?"
Rarvi Surya, the Pillar of Flames from India, stepped forward cautiously, trying to soothe the tension.
"It's okay, Takeda," he said gently. "That's exactly why we need to get stronger. If we can become stronger, we can prevent millions more from dying. This is a war against the gods we need to be prepared. Even at our current level, I know we can't win."
Lucio Vasquez, the Pillar of Shadows from Portugal, furrowed his brow.
"But… how will we even attempt a second or third reawakening?" he asked, suspicion and curiosity mixed in his voice. "A human's mana awakens once. I've never heard of anyone awakening twice, let alone three times. How is that even possible?"
Then, from the shadows, a voice rang out. Calm. Confident. And chillingly familiar.
"It's possible."
Hiroto's eyes widened. That voice… he recognized it immediately.
The other Pillars turned instinctively toward the source as a figure slowly emerged from the darkness.
Hiroto's and Takeda's jaws dropped simultaneously.
It was Dracan.
The young man stepped forward, his aura radiating unimaginable strength, yet he appeared in the form of a teenager. His presence alone made the room tense. A faint smile curled on his lips.
"Long time no see, Takeda… Hiroto," Dracan said, his voice calm but edged with amusement.
Without hesitation, Hiroto ran forward, throwing himself at Dracan in a fierce hug, tears streaming down his face.
"Ehh… what are you doing?!" Dracan exclaimed, struggling under Hiroto's overwhelming embrace.
"How… how are you alive?" Hiroto sobbed. "We all thought you were dead!"
Dracan chuckled lightly.
"Ooooi, ooi… I'm not that easy to kill," he said, casually. "I've been alive for the past month thanks to Renji-sama."
Still overwhelmed, Hiroto clung tighter.
"Get off me, stupid!!" Dracan exclaimed suddenly, punching Hiroto squarely on the head with just enough force to send him sprawling. Hiroto landed on the floor, screaming dramatically, "Aaaahhh! My head! That's cruel!"
The other Pillars stared in awe, whispering among themselves.
Does a teenager really possess this aura? He's stronger than us… who is he?
Marcus Steel stepped forward, his tone sharp.
"Who are you?"
Dracan's gaze turned icy, unwavering.
"I don't need to tell you who I am," he replied. "I answer to only one authority."
Marcus Steel's lips curled into a smirk.
"Renji, huh?"
Dracan shook his head, a sly smile forming.
"No. I answer to Arisa-sama."
He walked slowly toward Arisa, dropping to one knee in a formal bow.
Arisa's face paled, confusion and shock crossing her features.
"Eh… wait… what?"
Dracan's voice was calm, resolute.
"Arisa-sama… your wish is mine to follow."
"Eh… wait… what's going on? Who are you? What's happening?" she asked, bewildered.
Takeda's eyes narrowed as he studied Dracan.
"Wait… you only bow to Renji?"
"Yes!" Dracan replied firmly. "But my Lord has given me a specific task: to protect Arisa-sama, even if it costs me my life. You are a treasure, cherished by my Lord, and I must safeguard you until my last breath."
Arisa's cheeks flushed crimson.
"So… you're still in there… Renji…" she whispered.
Dracan nodded solemnly.
"Yes. And secondly, I will personally mentor you through your second and third reawakening. I will ensure that you survive. According to my King, you are his sacred treasure."
Marcus Steel stepped forward, his curiosity piqued, eyes narrowing.
"Wait… you know about the second and third reawakening? Can you explain?"
Dracan's gaze hardened.
"I told you, I answer to only one authority: Arisa-sama."
Marcus grinned, frustrated but intrigued.
"It's okay, Dracan," Takeda said gently. "Please, tell us. We need to get stronger."
Dracan exhaled, a deep, steady breath.
"The second and third reawakening can kill you if your body cannot handle the power. It is a forbidden technique, used by the Dragons of Veltorax. It is not meant for humans. It is a forced reawakening, designed to open all twelve gates within the body. In the Golden Era, humans die before reaching six gates the second reawakening because their bodies cannot handle the power."
He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in.
"But… if a human can open all twelve gates the second and third reawakening they will gain power sufficient to challenge even the generals of Azerin."
Hiroto's eyes gleamed as he grasped the gravity of Dracan's words.
Elena Warwick stepped forward, curiosity and awe in her tone.
"Wait… if a human opens all twelve gates, what is this ability called? What do we call it?"
Dracan's expression softened slightly as he spoke.
"It is called… Apex of Transcendence. An ability that transcends all human limitations. Each of you who awakens will manifest a different Apex of Transcendence, unique to you just as a hunter's abilities vary according to their potential. It is the ultimate evolution of power."
The room fell silent. Every Pillar, every ranked hunter, felt the impossible weight of what had been revealed.
They understood now: the second and third reawakening were not just a choice.
They were a necessity, a path to survival… and a gamble with death itself.
Lucio Vasquez swallowed hard, the reality settling like a blade against his throat.
"So it's basically us playing with death," he murmured. "It's not even certain we'll survive… not even before opening the six gates."
The words hung heavy.
Dracan walked lazily around the room, hands in his pockets, as if the tension didn't concern him. His steps were unhurried, almost bored.
"Yes," he said calmly. "Like I told you… it's a forbidden technique used by the dragons of Veltorax. Some dragons train for thirty years. Others… one hundred."
"What—? One hundred years?" Elena Warwick's eyes widened, her voice trembling. "How are we supposed to learn something that takes a century to master? And.." Her breath caught. "How can anyone live that long? Dracan-san... are you… also a dragon?"
Marcus Steel cut in sharply.
"Yes. It's fairly obvious you aren't human. Or am I wrong?" His eyes narrowed as he studied Dracan. Dracan met his gaze, unblinking, unreadable.
Marcus continued, voice growing firmer.
"I'm guessing your silence is my answer. You aren't human. You're a dragon, aren't you? During the incident a year ago… a dragon was spotted in Tokyo." He leaned forward slightly. "I'm guessing… that was you. And besides" His jaw tightened. "I've never seen a teenager with an aura that surpasses all the pillars at once."
Dracan's lips curved into a deep, amused smile.
"For a mortal," he said coolly, "you talk too much, you know?"
His gaze swept over the group, freezing just long enough to unsettle even the strongest of them.
"But yes. You're correct. And that is precisely why I personally will teach Arisa-sama the technique to awaken this power."
The atmosphere seemed to thicken.
Dracan then turned his back to them, voice cold.
"As for the rest of you… figure it out yourselves."
He began walking toward Arisa. His presence alone made the room feel smaller.
When he stood before her, he knelt with one hand over his chest.
"Arisa-sama," he said softly, "my king requests your presence."
Arisa blinked. "Renji…??"
Before she could say more
"Oooi, Dracan, wait!" Hiroto rushed forward. His voice was desperate, shaking. "Teach me too! Please! Teach me how to awaken this power!"
Dracan didn't even turn.
"No," he said firmly. "You must learn it and find your own path, Hiroto Kenzaki."
But Hiroto didn't back down. He stepped closer, fist clenched.
"I want to stand beside Renji again," he declared. His voice strained, heavy with emotion. "I don't care if he's Januza. I don't care who he is!"
His head lowered; his shoulders trembled.
"I doubted Renji once…" Hiroto whispered. "I won't do it again."
Dracan stopped walking.
Slowly, he turned his head, eyes narrowing.
"Are you sure?" he asked quietly. "Do you know the gravity of what you are speak? You know… he was never Renji Kurogane. My king has regained his full memory his true personality." He paused. "Only his full power has not returned."
"I don't care." Hiroto raised his head, eyes blazing with conviction.
"Janua or Renji Kurogane… to me, he was always Renji Kurogane. My rival. My friend. I don't care if he's the God of Destruction. I only want to stand beside him."
Takeda exhaled slowly, a rare smile touching his lips.
So you finally admit it, kid… Even if he's changed, that idiot Renji is still in there somewhere.
Dracan looked at Hiroto long and hard.
Then he sighed, scratching the back of his head.
"Huhhh… what a pain," he muttered. "Fine. You've proven your conviction, my friend."
Hiroto's eyes widened.
"But," Dracan added, "first I must obey my king."
He turned back to Arisa.
"He wants his queen."
Arisa froze.
"Q–Queen…?" Her face flushed crimson, her mind blanking.
Dracan extended his hands gently. His touch was respectful but firm as he held Arisa's hands.
"Let's go, Arisa-sama."
Her breath hitched. "W–wait, now—"
Before anyone could reach them..
Darkness swirled like living ink around Dracan's feet. Shadows coiled upward, wrapping both him and Arisa in a cocoon of black flame-like mist.
Hiroto shouted, "Dracan! Arisa!"
The shadows swallowed the light.
And then...
They disappeared.
Vanishing as if they had never been there at all.