Gensu sat on the cold stone floor, his body still aching from everything that had happened moments earlier. The vast hall around him echoed with the faint sounds of movement, whispers, and the lingering tension of the clash he had just witnessed.
His eyes remained fixed on the two men standing in front of him.
They were completely different from anyone he had seen before.
Their presence alone carried a strange pressure, something heavy that filled the air like an invisible storm.
Gensu narrowed his eyes slightly.
Just who are these two…?
One of them, the man with sharp eyes and a confident smile, suddenly let out a mocking laugh.
Levi.
He tilted his head arrogantly as he stared at the other warrior before him.
"You're still protecting the weak, aren't you… Verin?"
His voice was filled with mockery.
Verin didn't respond.
He simply stood there calmly, his expression unreadable.
That silence only made Levi's grin grow wider.
Levi continued, his tone dripping with disdain.
"That's exactly why you're weak."
He took a step forward.
"And one day… that weakness will be the reason for your defeat."
Before anyone could react, Levi suddenly spun his body with explosive speed.
His leg cut through the air like a blade.
BOOM!
The kick flew directly toward Verin.
But Verin reacted instantly.
He raised his arm and blocked the strike, yet the sheer force behind it pushed him backward across the floor. The ground beneath his feet cracked as he slid several meters.
The moment Verin regained his focus—
Levi was already in front of him.
His figure blurred as he launched forward like lightning.
"Come on, Verin!"
Verin's eyes sharpened.
Without hesitation, he rushed forward as well.
The two warriors collided like crashing storms.
But just as their attacks were about to land—
Something unbelievable happened.
Their movements suddenly stopped.
Frozen.
Both of them stared forward in shock.
Standing between them… was someone.
A man.
He had appeared so suddenly that neither of them had sensed his presence.
One hand was holding Verin's fist.
The other was gripping Levi's sword.
Effortlessly.
As if stopping them required no strength at all.
For a brief moment, silence filled the entire hall.
Then something even stranger happened.
Levi and Verin immediately lowered their heads.
They bowed.
Deeply.
Gensu's eyes widened.
What…?
Why are they bowing?
He looked around in confusion.
Everyone else in the hall had done the same thing.
Every defender lowered their head in absolute respect.
But Gensu remained still.
He didn't understand what was happening.
Suddenly—
A strong hand grabbed the back of his head.
"Bow."
The man beside him forced Gensu's head down.
Gensu clenched his teeth in anger, but before he could react, he noticed something strange.
Many people were standing around him.
People he had never seen before.
They must have already been inside the hall before he and Yuna arrived.
Some of them carried an overwhelming presence.
Gensu slowly lifted his eyes.
And looked at the man standing in the center.
The atmosphere around him was… different.
Calm.
Gentle.
Yet incredibly powerful.
Then suddenly—
Everyone in the hall spoke at the same time.
"The defenders greet the great Tsukiro!"
Gensu blinked in surprise.
Tsukiro…?
His gaze returned to the man.
Is he… the leader of the defenders?
Tsukiro's appearance was strangely mesmerizing.
His presence reminded Gensu of moonlight.
Soft.
Quiet.
Yet impossible to ignore.
Just like Gensu's teacher, he wore a blindfold over his eyes.
He… looks like moonlight itself…
Gensu slowly turned his head.
Then suddenly—
He froze.
Standing at the back of the hall…
Was Thalin.
The only person who hadn't bowed.
Thalin looked directly at Gensu.
Then casually raised his hand.
Gensu blinked.
Did…
Did he just greet me…?
Before Gensu could think further—
Tsukiro finally spoke.
His voice was warm.
Calm.
A voice that carried a strange kindness.
"There is no need for such formality, my children."
"You may rise."
Everyone slowly stood up again.
Verin stepped forward respectfully.
"We apologize for disturbing you with our fight, Leader."
"I hope you can forgive us."
Levi also lowered his head.
"Yes, Leader Tsukiro."
"We accept any punishment you give us."
Tsukiro chuckled softly.
"No, no."
"There will be no punishment today."
He spread his arms slightly.
"Today is the day of the tournament."
"We are not gathered here for conflict among ourselves, my dear children."
Then his tone became slightly more serious.
"But I would prefer it if you stopped fighting each other… and directed your strength toward the Yami."
Levi and Verin spoke at the same time.
"Yes, Leader Tsukiro."
Tsukiro nodded gently.
"Good."
He then turned and began walking toward a large platform at the far end of the hall.
Every step he took carried quiet authority.
When he reached the platform, he stood facing everyone.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Well then."
"First… I must thank all of you."
He paused.
"For staying alive."
A few quiet chuckles spread through the hall.
Tsukiro continued.
"Another tournament day has arrived."
"And I see many new faces among you."
His voice echoed across the hall.
"I thank the veterans who continue to stand with us."
"And I welcome the newcomers who have chosen to join our ranks… to protect their families, their friends, and the world itself."
His tone grew deeper.
"As you all know… our mission has never changed."
"To destroy the Yami."
"To defend the world of humans."
"The Yami are born from humanity's darkest thoughts… and their most twisted emotions."
Hatred.
Despair.
Greed.
Fear.
"These are the seeds that give birth to them."
His voice became colder.
"They are the shadows of humanity."
"And it is our duty… to erase them."
The hall became completely silent.
"We fight to remove this threat."
"We fight for revenge."
"For the souls we have lost."
Then Tsukiro raised his head slightly.
"So fight, my children."
"This is your era."
"This is your moment."
For several seconds, no one spoke.
Then suddenly—
The entire hall erupted.
"Long live the great leader!"
"Long live the great leader!"
"Long live—!"
The cheers shook the entire building.
Soon after, the defenders gathered around long tables prepared for the tournament banquet.
Food was brought out in large quantities.
The once tense hall quickly turned lively.
Gensu sat quietly at one of the tables.
Moments later, Yuna walked over and sat beside him.
She looked at him carefully.
Then she spoke.
"Don't take what Levi did earlier personally, Gensu."
"He's just the type who enjoys bullying people."
Gensu shrugged slightly.
"I wasn't affected."
Then he asked casually.
"Who exactly is Levi?"
Yuna looked surprised.
"You don't know?"
She leaned closer.
"Levi is the strongest member of the fifth organization."
"Tenkuu no Ken."
"The Sword of Heaven."
"They call him the 'Angel of the Sword'."
She smiled slightly.
"He's considered the strongest because his swordsmanship is unmatched… and his abilities are extremely rare."
Gensu raised an eyebrow.
"And Verin?"
Yuna answered immediately.
"Verin is Levi's rival."
"He's the strongest member of the second organization."
"Hakai no Tsubasa."
"The Wings of Destruction."
"They call him 'The Dragon'."
"Probably because of his monstrous physical abilities."
She continued.
"And he's the direct disciple of the organization's leader… Kaya."
Gensu blinked.
"Kaya?"
"Who is that?"
Yuna looked at him like he was an idiot.
"Kaya is the leader of the second organization."
Then she leaned closer and whispered dramatically.
"There's a rumor… that she's strong enough to rival Thalin."
Gensu's eyes widened.
"Seriously?"
Yuna nodded.
"And there's another rumor."
She grinned.
"They used to be in a relationship."
Gensu froze.
"What?!"
Yuna laughed.
"But something happened between them in the past… and they separated."
"They call her… The Demoness."
Gensu leaned back in shock.
"My teacher… in a relationship…?"
"I can't believe this."
Yuna rolled her eyes.
"He WAS in a relationship."
"Not anymore, idiot."
Gensu laughed awkwardly.
"Right… right…"
But suddenly—
His expression changed.
His eyes moved forward.
At the front table…
Tsukiro was sitting calmly while eating.
Then suddenly—
Tsukiro turned his head.
Their eyes met.
And in that moment—
Gensu felt something strange.
A heavy pressure gripped his heart.
A sudden wave of anger rose from deep within him.
W-what is this…?
Why…
Why am I angry just from his gaze…?
Gensu continued staring at Tsukiro.
Tsukiro looked at him calmly.
Then—
He smiled.
Gensu froze.
H-he smiled…?
"Gensu?"
Yuna's voice broke his thoughts.
She looked worried.
"Are you okay?"
Gensu quickly looked away.
"Y-yes."
"I'm fine."
Yuna glanced at his plate.
"You haven't finished your food."
Gensu forced a laugh.
"Oh."
"Right… right."
He immediately began eating quickly.
Almost too quickly.
Meanwhile—
At another table—
Levi was watching him.
His eyes were cold.
Filled with contempt.
He spoke to the people beside him.
"Look at that idiot."
"How can someone like him seal the Yami King?"
Kailey laughed softly.
"Are you still obsessed with him, Levi?"
Levi snapped back immediately.
"Shut up, you stupid pervert."
"Can't you see he's dangerous?"
Levi's gaze sharpened.
His eyes locked onto Gensu.
Inside his mind, a dark thought formed.
Soon, Gensu…
Soon I will uncover your secret.
You won't escape me.