Morning came.
But the settlement felt colder.
Heavier.
---
Workers moved.
Walls were repaired.
Life continued.
But beneath it all—
Tension.
---
At the center of the settlement—
Rai stood with Ruun, Karn, Lucian, and Grik.
---
"…Say it again," Grik muttered.
---
Ruun spoke calmly.
"…The Shadow Order wasn't acting on their own."
---
Lucian stretched.
"…Yeah, we figured that part out."
---
Ruun continued.
"…The thing we saw… that shadow…"
"…It was controlling their leader."
---
Karn added quietly,
"…And it called Rai 'Vessel.'"
---
Silence.
---
Grik scratched his head.
"…So… something out there knows about you."
---
Rai nodded.
"…Yes."
---
Lucian grinned.
"Good."
---
Everyone looked at him.
---
"What?" he shrugged.
"If something strong is coming…"
"…we just kill it."
---
Ruun sighed.
"…You oversimplify everything."
---
Lucian pointed at Rai.
"And he overcomplicates everything."
---
Rai ignored them.
---
"…We need information."
---
Karn nodded.
"…Agreed."
---
Ruun added,
"…If something can control others like that…"
"…it's not a normal enemy."
---
Rai's eyes sharpened slightly.
"…Then we find someone who knows."
---
Later — Inside the Settlement
A prisoner was brought forward.
One of the captured Shadow Order members.
Bound.
Injured.
Terrified.
---
Grik pushed him forward.
"Talk."
---
The man shook his head violently.
"I—I don't know anything!"
---
Lucian stepped forward with a grin.
"Want me to try?"
---
The prisoner panicked.
"WAIT!"
---
Ruun stepped in calmly.
"…Relax."
---
He crouched in front of the man.
"…You saw it too, didn't you?"
---
The man froze.
---
"…That thing…"
"…What is it?"
---
The prisoner's voice trembled.
"…We… we don't know…"
---
Ruun's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Then what do you call it?"
---
The man hesitated.
Then whispered—
---
"…The Abyss."
---
Silence.
---
Karn's expression darkened.
"…Abyss…"
---
Ruun repeated it quietly.
"…A fitting name."
---
The prisoner continued, shaking.
"…It gives orders…"
"…It gives power…"
"…But if you fail…"
---
His voice broke.
"…It takes everything."
---
Lucian tilted his head.
"…Sounds annoying."
---
Rai stepped forward.
"…Where is it?"
---
The prisoner shook his head violently.
"I don't know!"
"No one knows!"
---
"…Only the higher ranks communicate with it…"
---
"…Through shadows…"
---
Rai's eyes narrowed slightly.
---
"…Then we find the higher ranks."
---
The prisoner went pale.
"…You can't…"
---
Rai's voice remained calm.
"…Watch me."
---
Outside the Settlement
Ruun stood beside Rai.
"…You're going after them."
---
Rai nodded.
"Yes."
---
Karn crossed his arms.
"…Dangerous."
---
Lucian grinned.
"Good."
---
Grik sighed.
"…Here we go again."
---
Ruun looked at Rai carefully.
"…This isn't like before."
"…This enemy isn't physical."
---
Rai answered simply.
"…Then I'll make it physical."
---
Ruun paused.
Then nodded.
"…Understood."
---
Far Away — Human Kingdom
The white-armored commander stood before a map.
Several knights around him.
---
"…Update."
---
A soldier stepped forward.
"…The Shadow Order base…"
"…was destroyed."
---
The room shifted.
---
"…By the same individual."
---
The commander's eyes sharpened.
"…Rai."
---
He spoke the name slowly.
---
"…Prepare an expedition."
---
One knight hesitated.
"…Sir… he's not confirmed hostile—"
---
The commander cut him off.
"…He leads demons."
---
Silence.
---
"…That is enough."
---
Unknown Domain — The Abyss
Darkness.
Endless.
Alive.
---
The shadowed figure sat upon its throne.
---
"…They seek me."
---
A faint chuckle echoed.
---
"…Good."
---
Shadows twisted violently.
---
"…Let them come."
---
Its eyes glowed brighter.
---
"…I will show them…"
"…true despair."
---
Back at the Settlement
Night fell once more.
---
Rai stood alone again.
Looking toward the horizon.
---
This time—
Not just watching.
---
Planning.
---
Because now—
The enemy had a name.
---
And soon—
It would have a form.