Kaizo stood apart from the Yun warriors.
Even inside the king's private chamber—surrounded by iron discipline and silent soldiers—he did not belong.
He wore no armor.
Bare skin carried deep red war-paint bands across his chest and arms. A tiger-skin mantle rested over one shoulder, shifting slightly with each movement.
Around his neck hung a rough iron pendant shaped like a sun.
One of his front teeth was broken, leaving a jagged edge that twisted even his calm expression into something unsettling.
At his waist, a dark sash was tied tight. Feathered tassels swayed with every step.
His legs were guarded with layered leather—built not for defense, but for movement.
He did not look like royalty.
He did not look like a prince.
He looked like something pulled from the wild—
Sharpened…
And released.
A weapon in human form.
"What do you mean?" Kaizo asked.
His voice was calm.
But there was weight behind it.
Leon remained seated.
Silent for a moment.
"The man has arrived."
Kaizo's gaze didn't change.
"The one from the reports?" he asked.
Leon nodded once.
A pause.
"The last of them."
Silence.
Kaizo understood.
He didn't need the name.
A slow smile formed on his face.
"…So it's real."
Leon watched him carefully.
"They have stayed hidden for centuries," he said.
"And now… one walks openly in my city."
Kaizo let out a quiet breath.
Not fear.
Not tension.
Excitement.
"I'm glad you called me," he said.
He stepped forward slightly.
"I'll bring you his head."
No emotion.
Just certainty.
Leon's voice hardened.
"You will not go alone."
Kaizo stopped.
"I don't need anyone."
"This is not a request."
Silence filled the chamber.
For a moment—
Kaizo said nothing.
Then he turned.
And walked out.
No argument.
No resistance.
Only movement.
Leon watched him leave.
"…Don't die," he said quietly.
Kaizo didn't stop.
But his voice echoed faintly as he disappeared—
"Same to him."
⸻
Present Time
The training hall fell silent.
Blades stopped.
Feet stilled.
Every eye turned.
Raikaro.
Jisoo.
Jisoo stepped forward.
His blade rose slowly.
The challenge needed no words.
Rai didn't hesitate.
His katana appeared in his hand.
The air tightened.
Two presences.
Clashing—
Before the fight even began.
Then—
"Enough."
The voice cut through everything.
Hyun stepped in.
His presence carried weight.
Authority.
Control.
"What is your problem?" he demanded.
His gaze locked onto Jisoo.
"Why create conflict within our own group?"
Jisoo said nothing.
But his grip tightened.
Hyun turned to Rai.
"I apologize."
Then, without delay—
"Rin. Take him."
A figure stepped forward.
Calm.
Silent.
Rin.
Rai lowered his blade.
Then followed her.
⸻
Outside
They stepped into an open space.
The air felt lighter.
Quieter.
Rin let out a breath.
"What a fool…"
She shook her head slightly.
"He's always been like that. Acting before thinking."
Rai said nothing.
Silence stretched.
Then—
"I have a question," he said.
Rin glanced at him.
"What is it?"
"When I first came to the city… why did the soldiers attack that woman?"
Rin's expression shifted.
Just slightly.
"Tax," she said.
"Leon takes it from everyone."
"No exceptions."
She looked ahead as she walked.
"Sometimes… more than people can afford."
"That's why Yunara looks the way it does."
Rai listened.
Without reaction.
"You're worried about them?" she asked.
"No."
The answer came immediately.
"I don't care about them."
"If something happens to them… that's their fate."
Rin stopped walking.
Just for a moment.
That answer wasn't what she expected.
"Then why did you help them?"
Rai didn't look at her.
"…They were lucky."
That was all.
Rin frowned slightly.
She didn't like that.
But she said nothing.
They continued walking.
After a moment—
"You haven't seen the city properly, have you?" she asked.
"No."
"Tomorrow is the festival."
Her tone softened slightly.
"For one night… Yunara changes."
A pause.
"You should come."
Rai looked at her.
"But we leave quietly," she added.
"And return before Hyun notices."
She turned away.
"If you're coming… meet me here tomorrow night."
Then she walked off.
Leaving Rai alone.
⸻
At the Same Time
Inside the training hall—
Jisoo stood alone.
His blade struck.
CRACK.
Wood splintered.
Again.
CRACK.
Again.
Each strike heavier than the last.
His breathing grew rough.
His mind—
Focused.
On one image.
Rai.
Standing still.
Calm.
Unshaken.
"I am better than him…"
Another strike.
"I will prove it…"
Another.
"I won't be overshadowed…"
CRACK.
The training post split in half.
But Jisoo didn't stop.
His blade rose again.
Because in his mind—
The fight had already started.
To be continued…