CHAPTER 6 — The Spear of an Old Friend
The moment Shadow saw the man's face clearly, his eyes narrowed.
A sharp, ancient mark burned across the stranger's cheek—
a mark only the Dragon Clan possessed.
For the first time in centuries, Shadow felt something close to… surprise.
The hooded man slowly removed his cloak. His eyes glowed a faint silver.
"My name is Ryuzen Kaiba," he said, his voice calm but respectful.
"It is an honor to finally meet you, Lord Shadros."
Shadow clicked his tongue.
"Forget the dramatic entrance. Just tell me—where are the others?
Where is the Dragon Clan?"
A brief silence.
The cave's cold air felt even heavier.
Ryuzen lowered his head.
"I… don't know. As far as I'm aware… I may be the last. Everyone else… died."
Shadow's expression darkened.
Ryuzen continued, voice shaking slightly.
"The elders told me legends about you. How you once protected the entire world alone… how your power kept the Demon Realm from invading."
He clenched his fists.
"But then… Yuzi appeared. He destroyed the Empire… and he possesses the Red X Orb."
Shadow raised an eyebrow.
"Red X Orb?"
Ryuzen nodded.
"Dragon Clan members hold too much raw power for their bodies to endure.
The Red X Orb was created to seal that overflowing energy—
like a storage vault.
If someone with enough strength unlocks the Orb…
they can wield the combined power of the entire clan."
Shadow looked away, annoyed yet interested.
"Do you know where Yuzi is now?"
"No," Ryuzen said quietly. "I'm sorry."
Shadow sighed.
"Whatever. I don't say this to many people… but thanks for saving me."
Ryuzen smiled faintly.
"There's no need to thank me, Lord Shadros."
---
[Far Away — Demon World]
Thunder shook the black skies of the Demon Realm.
The Demon Prince stood before a swirling purple portal, sweat dripping down his forehead.
"Father… I finally opened the portal. But it can only take me.
Your power is too strong—it'll break the gate instantly."
The Demon King leaned back on his throne, smirking.
"Is that so? Well then… you alone are enough to handle Shadow."
"After all, he isn't at full power yet."
The Prince nodded.
"Understood."
As he stepped toward the portal, the Demon King's smile widened, revealing sharp fangs.
"This will be fun… Shadow. I have waited a long, long time to meet you again."
---
[Human World — Hero Association Headquarters]
Chaos.
Officers ran through the halls; alarm lights flashed red.
"TRACK ALL DARK AURA SIGNALS!" someone shouted.
The S+ Elite Squad stood around the central table.
Captain Renjiro slammed his fist on the map.
"He destroyed five helicopters in seconds. He can't be far."
Tetsuya Rin crossed his arms.
"We should've hit him harder. Next time, I won't hesitate."
Miyako (Earth User) frowned.
"Don't forget… he was holding back. You all felt it."
Ayame (Water User) looked at the reports, face serious.
"The Leader is pushing his ability again. His body can't handle it anymore."
On the upper floor, the old Leader placed both hands on a crystal orb.
His fingers trembled.
"Cough… I must find him… before it's too late…"
But his aging body was weakening—
his detection ability flickered like a dying flame.
---
[A Drunk Witness]
Meanwhile—
A drunk man stumbled out of a bar, walking into a quiet alley to pee.
That's when he saw it.
A tall, pitch-black figure stepping out of the shadows.
Shadow.
The man froze, dropping his bottle.
Shadow turned, ready to kill—
but stopped once he sensed the man's plain, harmless aura.
A normal human.
Shadow sighed.
He placed a hand on the man's forehead.
"Forget this."
A wave of black mist erased the man's memory, and in the next instant—
Shadow teleported him to a random street far away.
---
[Back in the Cave — With Ryuzen]
Shadow and Ryuzen continued speaking deeper inside the cave.
Ryuzen: "I will help you however I can."
Shadow: "Good. I'll need information… and answers."
But something changed.
A faint tremor.
A strange silence.
Shadow's eyes widened—
because for the first time in a long time…
he sensed nothing.
No aura.
No killing intent.
No footsteps.
Nothing.
And then—
---
[SHHHK!]
A spear shot through the darkness at impossible speed.
Shadow didn't even have time to react.
The spear pierced straight through his head—
clean through—
and slammed into the stone wall behind him.
Ryuzen gasped.
Shadow's eyes flickered.
A familiar voice echoed through the cave…
"It's been a long time, old friend."
Dark laughter filled the air.
Shadow gritted his teeth, pulling the spear out as purple liquid dripped from the wound.
His voice dropped to a low growl.
"…You."
Chapter 6 — End