The night in the cave was silent… until it wasn't.
A sudden tremor rippled through the forest, followed by the heavy thud of approaching footsteps. Zero's eyes snapped open. Kyren remained asleep, unaware of the danger drawing near.
Then—
CRACK!
The cave wall split as something struck it from outside.
Zero's body transformed into a fighting instinct. Shadow Step.
He disappeared into the darkness as a squad of demons burst toward the cave entrance—armored soldiers bearing the insignia of Division 1, one of the most ferocious demon divisions on the island.
They scanned the area, feeling the residual heat of the campfire.
"Area clear. Move in," the squad captain growled.
As he stepped forward, a faint whistle sliced through the air.
The kunai struck.
silent. precise. deadly.
The blade pierced one of the soldier throats before he could react, cutting off the sound as if nothing had happened. The other demon turned to look at his companion—
too late.
Zero appeared behind the second soldier, his shadow trailing him like flowing smoke.
The shuriken slipped from his finger—silent death—burying itself in the demon's skull.
He moved like a phantom.
One step.
One kill.
One heartbeat.
The entire Division 1 patrol was dead before a single scream could escape.
Zero grabbed Kyren's shoulder.
"Move. We change location. Now."
Still shaken, Kyren followed Zero as they disappeared deeper into the forest.
The Truth of the Island
After finding a new hiding place, Zero sat Kyren down.
"Tell me everything. The real situation.
How many commanders?"
Kyren swallowed nervously.
"There are five. Five Division Commanders. Each one commands a hundred thousand troops."
Zero frowned. "So, half a million demons?"
Kyren nodded. "Yes… but Division 2 is peaceful. Smart. Strategic. They avoid pointless killing."
Zero narrowed his eyes.
"And you come from Division 2."
"Yes," Kyren whispered. "I was imprisoned because I—"
He hesitated.
"—because I stole sacred rations meant for the Commander's elite guard. Just a little. I was starving."
Zero didn't comment, but his instincts whispered something else.
He's hiding something…
Kyren continued.
"The strongest commander is brutal… Division 3's. He kills for the smallest mistake. My friends died because they dropped a spear during training…"
His voice cracked.
"Please… Zero… get me out of here."
Zero stared at him without blinking.
"…Fine. But I'll be watching you."
Basecamp of Division 1
Morning arrived with a thin mist. Zero and Kyren headed deeper into the forest until a massive structure became visible through the trees — wooden walls, smoke, banners, and dozens of demons moving in formation.
Kyren froze.
"This… this should be Division 1's basecamp."
Zero stepped forward.
"I'll scout—"
"No!" Kyren grabbed him. "Let me go. If you enter blindly, they'll find you immediately. Let me handle the front."
Zero narrowed his eyes.
He didn't trust Kyren.
But he also didn't care — because he had another plan.
He summoned the faint fragment of his Dark Element, merging it with his shadow skills.
His body blended into Kyren's shadow, invisible to sight, Zero use his skill to camouflage with Kyren's shadow.
"Lead the way," Zero whispered.
Kyren gulped and entered the camp.
Inside, the atmosphere was disturbingly festive. Demons laughed, cheered, ate roasted beast meat, and celebrated the giant kill from earlier — the Abyss Devourer that had fed the entire base.
Kyren joined them awkwardly. No one questioned him — demons from different divisions mixed freely during feast nights.
But deeper inside, something was wrong.
A demon scout knelt before a tall figure wearing obsidian armor.
The Captain of Division 1's patrol.
Captain Division 1 = Dravos (Wind & Water Elemantal) (Theralos - Beast race) (Dravos weak at elemental power but more focus on beast form)
"Captain Dravos… the patrol team hasn't returned."
Dravos' eye twitched.
"Send five more to look for them. Immediately."
The soldiers obeyed without hesitation.
Night crept in. Zero watched silently from the shadows.
The next morning, the five scouts returned.
Their faces were pale.
"The patrol unit… is dead."
Dravos' expression changed. Not grief.
Rage. Pure rage.
"Someone killed my men," he hissed. "Search the entire forest. Anyone unknown — eliminate them."
Zero's fingers twitched.
He knew they were coming for him.
But the worst came faster.
A drunken demon stumbled during the celebration, slamming into Kyren.
The impact tore Kyren's cloak slightly — revealing the symbol of Division 2 on his shoulder.
The music stopped.
Every demon around froze.
A soldier pointed.
"Sir… this creature… he's Division 2!"
Dravos' voice became deathly quiet.
"Bring him to the square. Execute him."
Kyren trembled as dozens of soldiers surrounded him.
Zero stepped out of the shadows.
His eyes glowed cold.
"You lay a hand on him… and you die."
Dravos snarled, pointing his spear.
"Who are—"
Shadow Art: Phantom Descent.
Dozens of Zero's shadow clones burst forward, overwhelming the entire squad.
Kunai tore through throats.
Shuriken sliced through armor.
Shadow Clones created perfect openings.
Dark Elemental energy gave his strikes crushing force.
The camp fell into chaos.
The ground became a dance floor of death.
Zero's movements were fluid — lethal — a perfect fusion of shadow and dark essence.
Demons fell one after another.
No resistance lasted more than a breath.
Until—
A massive spear slammed into the ground, stopping Zero's advance.
Dravos stepped forward, aura surging.
"You killed my men. You'll pay with your life."
Zero smiled faintly.
"Try."
Epic Battle — Zero vs Captain Dravos
Dravos unleashed a flurry of attacks, spear strikes fast enough to tear through trees.
Zero dodged with Shadow Step, countered with dark-infused kunai, and struck with inner energy bursts.
But Dravos was relentless — strong, armored, and experienced.
Their clash shook the ground.
Then Dravos roared—
"Beast Form!"
His body expanded, bones cracking, muscles bulging into a monstrous form.
Power poured out like a wave of fire.
Zero was pushed back instantly.
His shadow skills couldn't counter this form — not fully.
Dravos slammed a giant fist into Zero's chest, sending him crashing through two trees.
Zero wiped blood from his lip.
"…I see."
His eyes sharpened.
"You think I'm weak? That I'm defeated like this?"
Dravos charged again.
Zero stepped forward.
And released Inner Energy.
One strike.
Inner Palm — Heaven Break.
Dravos flew back hundreds of meters, smashing through boulders.
He coughed blood, kneeling, barely alive.
Zero approached slowly.
Dravos spat.
"You… with such weak power… you'll die. If your strength is only this… you're nothing."
Zero stopped.
His expression darkened.
"If my elemental power wasn't sealed…"
He raised his palm.
"…you'd have died the moment I looked at you."
Anger made Zero's expression violent.
He crushed Dravos' throat with a final strike.
The captain's body fell, lifeless.
Aftermath
Zero returned to Kyren, who was shaking.
"You're safe," Zero said quietly. "But we must burn this place. No traces."
Zero gathered the bodies, set fire to the camp, and watched the flames rise into the sky.
"Let's move," he said. "We're not staying here."
Kyren nodded, but Zero still kept a silent suspicion in his heart.
Something about Kyren…
did not feel right.
Together, they walked back into the forest —
toward the next danger awaiting them.