[The Next Morning]
Ken slowly began to open his eyes. His body was still heavy with fatigue, but not as wrecked as it had been the day before. For the first time in two days… there was real silence. No yelling, no chaos, no awkward stares. Just a warm bed and a room soaked in stillness.
He tilted his head slightly on the pillow and took a deep breath—when suddenly, the door burst open. Koto stormed in with firm steps, her heels clicking sharply on the floor. She held Ken's medical file like she was heading into a military interrogation, not a patient check-up.
Koto: "Oh, finally awake, little smoker."
Ken (in a sleepy voice): "Morning, Miss Grumpy Doctor."
Koto stopped in place, then gave him a sharp look.
Koto: "Did you just call me grumpy?!"
Ken (smirking): "Is that how you greet all your patients? Or am I special to you?"
Koto clenched the file in her hand, clearly trying to suppress her annoyance, but she took a deep breath and decided to ignore him… for now.
Koto: "Well, since you're healthy enough to be sarcastic, you're clearly fine."
Ken: "Oh, thank you for your concern, Doctor."
Koto: "Don't flatter yourself. I never said I was concerned."
Ken grinned slyly and slowly sat up in bed, only to wince as pain stabbed through his abdomen. He clutched his side.
Koto: "That pain will fade soon, just don't overexert yourself or walk too much."
Before Ken could reply, the door opened again—this time, Akio burst in with childlike excitement, shouting as usual:
Akio: "Keeeeen! Finally healed, you stubborn rockhead!"
Vico followed him in quietly, and then Ann entered behind them holding a small gift box wrapped in shiny paper. The moment her eyes landed on the awake Ken, a dramatic sparkle lit up her gaze, and her expression turned completely into admiration.
Ann (overflowing with excitement): "Ken-saaaan! I brought you something super special!!"
She shoved Vico aside mercilessly and rushed toward the bed like she was in the Olympic finals, presenting the box before Ken. He eyed it suspiciously, then looked at Ann, who was smiling at him as if he were a prince from a romance novel.
Ken (dubiously): "Hmm… and why exactly are you giving me a gift?"
Ann (with fake shyness, twirling her hair): "Oh… just a little something… to show how happy I am you're okay!"
Ken slowly opened the box… inside was a pair of chopsticks engraved with his name in elegant script.
Ken (raising an eyebrow): "Oh… okay… but today's not my birthday."
Ann (blushing): "There's nothing wrong with celebrating you every day, right? Hehe…"
In the background, Koto watched the scene while gripping Ken's file like she was about to use it as a weapon.
Koto (dryly): "Unbelievable… Even this reckless guy has a fangirl? The world is ending."
Ken picked up the chopsticks and looked at Ann.
Ken (relaxed): "Did you buy these because you think I like sushi?"
Ann (exploding with energy): "Yes! I was watching you—I mean, I noticed—I mean—I noticed you watching things—no, wait…"
Vico: "Did you just say you were watching him?"
Ann (panicking): "Ah—no no! Not like that! Just… casual watching!"
Akio laughed while Ken stared at her with cold detachment.
Koto (frustrated): "Please, I'm a doctor—don't make me sick with this cheesy romance drama!"
At that moment, Ann began circling Ken with giddy energy, thinking of new ways to impress him.
Ann: "Ken-san, do you need anything? A comfy pillow? Want me to cook for you?! Or… do you like ninjas? I can show you my skills!"
Ken: "I… don't need anything. Just let me rest, please."
But Ann wasn't listening. She kept rambling with intense enthusiasm while Ken began to sweat, clearly overwhelmed by her emotional barrage. Akio, Vico, and Shiko stood in the back, watching like it was a comedy show.
Akio (interjecting): "Anyway, Ann, have you packed your things? We're heading on a new adventure!"
Ann: "Of course! But Akio, where exactly are we going?"
Akio stood in the center of the room looking around with a strange expression. Everyone noticed it and paused.
Vico: "What's your problem now?"
Akio (scratching his head): "Umm… I forgot something really important…"
Ann (worried): "What? Did you forget your stuff?"
Akio (shaking his head): "No… worse than that!"
Everyone leaned in, expecting something serious.
Ken: "Just say it—what did you forget?"
Akio (shouting): "I forgot… where we're going!"
Silence blanketed the room. Ann and Vico slowly looked at each other. Ken sighed and facepalmed hard.
Ken: "Great… the leader of the journey doesn't even know the destination."
Koto (confused): "Wait… then what have you all been doing this whole time?!"
Akio: "Ummm… I dunno, Doctor Koto…"
Ken (muttering): "How am I still tolerating you…"
Just as they were arguing and laughing, the door opened again. This time, a familiar man and woman walked in. When Ann saw them, her eyes lit up with joy.
Ann's mother was a calm beauty with long purple hair flowing gracefully over her shoulders and green eyes full of warmth. Her father was a strong-built man with short black hair and violet eyes—stern, but clearly proud.
Ann's mother (tearfully hugging her): "Sweetheart… I can't believe you're going on an adventure like this! Please take care of yourself!"
Ann (hugging her back excitedly): "Don't worry, Mom! I'll become the strongest ninja in the world… and make you both proud!"
Her mother smiled softly while her father approached Vico and placed a firm hand on his shoulder.
Ann's father: "You've been training hard, right, Vico?"
Vico (bowing respectfully): "Yes. I'll stay in the village and train more… and join my own adventure when I'm ready."
He nodded approvingly. Her mother hugged Ann again like she didn't want to let go, then whispered:
Ann's mother (in her ear): "And don't trust that boy Ken too much, understand?"
Ann (whispers with excitement): "But he's soooo handsome!!"
Ann's mother: "Exactly why I'm warning you."
Everyone chuckled softly, and after a few final hugs and teary goodbyes, Ann stood next to Ken and Akio holding the forbidden scroll, her eyes glowing with excitement.
Akio (with dramatic flair, hands on his hips): "Alright! Now that we have a full team… where are we going?!"
Silence.
Ken (closing his eyes in annoyance): "Didn't we already have this conversation?"
Ann (facepalming): "Oh god… not again."
Akio (more enthusiastic than ever): "Listen! What if we just rest at a hotel tonight and tomorrow… I'll figure out our next destination!"
Ann (smiling): "That's the first sensible thing you've said today."
[Kingdom of Kaji]
The blood-red sunset slipped between the towers of the grand palace. The air was unnaturally cold. Everything seemed normal until a sudden sound shattered the silence. A loud alarm echoed from deep within the royal palace!
Announcement (via loudspeaker): "Evacuate! Makia's army is at the gates! They're breaching the palace!"
Inside the throne room, King Cirrus sat cross-legged on his crimson throne, gazing forward with complete indifference, as if the chaos outside was just an annoying buzz. He didn't move. He showed no emotion. Even when the door burst open and a royal guard stormed in, pale-faced and panicked.
Guard (panting): "My lord Cirrus… Makia's soldiers have breached the palace… they're coming here!"
Silence. Then Cirrus sighed softly, as if he were simply bored. He stood slowly and walked forward with heavy, deadly grace.
Cirrus: "As always… that fool Makia has sent his dogs."
His voice was calm but carried deadly weight, sending chills down even the guard's spine. Cirrus didn't wear armor. He didn't need a sword. He left the palace like he was taking a stroll.
Outside in the courtyard, Makya's army stood in formation, ready to attack. Then they heard slow footsteps… Cirrus appeared. Alone. No army. No guards. Just him.
He stood atop the stone steps at the palace entrance, looking down at them like they were annoying insects. Then he lifted his eyes slightly, spotting the fleet commander standing at the front—a massive man in black armor, holding a large gun, staring Cirrus down.
Fleet Commander (shouting): "Cirrus! By order of Emperor Makia, we are taking this palace! Surrender now and we might let you live!"
Cirrus didn't reply with words—just a cold smile. Then he calmly walked toward the commander. Some soldiers backed away instinctively, but the commander stood his ground, raising his gun and aiming it at Cirrus' head, trying to mask his fear.
Suddenly—Cirrus vanished.
Soldier: "What?!"
No one saw how he moved… but he reappeared right in front of the commander. Cirrus looked into his eyes—lifeless, merciless gray.
Cirrus (in a chilling whisper): "Did you say you were taking my palace?"
In that moment—before anyone could react—Cirrus calmly placed a hand on the commander's head… and in one effortless motion, ripped it off.
No screams. No battle cry. Just the sound of flesh separating from bone.
The massive body collapsed. Cirrus stared at the bleeding head in his hand… then dropped it like garbage. Some soldiers backed away. Others dropped their weapons, panicking as the air turned heavy and suffocating.
Cirrus took another step forward, fireballs forming in his hands.
Cirrus (with terrifying calm): "Who's next?"
No one answered. No one moved. The army of Makya had turned into trembling wrecks. Some ran. Some froze.
Deputy Commander (shouting): "Cowards!! Fire at him!!"
Trembling hands raised guns. Dozens of rifles fired simultaneously.
Cirrus didn't flinch. He didn't move. His gray eyes flashed red… the moment everyone realized they had made a grave mistake.
Cirrus: "I'm done playing games."
Flames erupted around him. Bullets melted mid-air. A fiery wave exploded from his hand like a starving beast.
In seconds—chaos.
"AAAHHH!!"
Screams filled the courtyard. Armor melted. Guns dropped. Flesh burned. Some soldiers incinerated before they even realized what happened.
The deputy commander was still alive—barely—his body half-burned, trembling before Cirrus.
Cirrus (coldly): "You spoke confidently before… but your heart says otherwise."
Before the man could reply, Cirrus struck. His hand plunged through the man's chest like a spear—gripping his heart from behind. He lifted it.
Cirrus: "Any last words?"
Deputy Commander (in a broken whisper): "I-impossible…"
Cirrus crushed the heart with one squeeze.
The body dropped.
Blood dripped from his hand. He wiped it with his red scarf like it was coffee.
The surviving soldiers froze. No one could lift a weapon. Panic set in—then mass retreat.
"HE'S A DEMON! RUN!!!"
Makia's army fled like rats. Cirrus watched them—then let out a wicked, scornful laugh.
Cirrus: "Is that all you've got, Makia? Pathetic."
He turned and walked back into the palace. As the sun set and the doors closed behind him, silence returned… but everyone knew now, Cirrus was not an ordinary man.
To be continued…