The thick fog was growing heavier that afternoon in Darkova, and though the alleys were crowded with people and merchants, a strange stillness hung in the air. Amid this gloomy atmosphere, our three heroes were once again wandering through the streets—when suddenly, they noticed a man walking with overwhelming charisma.
It was Akira.
He walked with confident steps, clad in a long black coat, his glowing crimson eyes radiating terror into anyone who dared to look at him. He didn't need to say a word—just his presence alone was enough to make people clear the way, avert their gazes, and lower their heads, too afraid to provoke him.
At that moment, someone shouted:
"That's him! That's Terrakula's mutt—the one who kidnaps and kills humans for her!"
Akira ignored the comment and kept walking with an arrogant smirk. As he passed by, his attention was caught by a merchant in his mid-twenties, chatting casually with a group while smoking a cigarette—unaware of Akira's presence.
Man (smirking, speaking to his friend): "Man, I can't believe how boring Darkova's become these days. There's nothing exciting anymore."
Friend (chuckling): "Oh, come on. You've got a stable life now, Mart. You're a merchant. No more street fights."
Mart (boasting): "Ha! Do you think I was just some punk? Nah, I used to rule over some thugs in the neighborhood. I made sure they knew their place."
Mart's girlfriend (laughing): "I'd love to see you crush some punks at your age now. I'm sure you've gotten way stronger!"
Suddenly, Mart felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned—and found Akira standing behind him. The moment Mart saw his face, his eyes widened in shock and fear.
Akira: "Look who we have here… the infamous delinquent Mart himself."
Mart felt like his heart stopped. His body froze completely. He was trying to process the situation, but before he could—
Akira burst into a deep, terrifying laugh.
Akira: "Heh… hahaha… ha… Mart, what a lovely coincidence."
Ken, Akio, and Ann watched the scene with curiosity. Then suddenly, Akira punched Mart square in the face with his strong fist.
BOOM!!
Mart's body slammed against the stone wall and collapsed to the ground, clutching his cheek, which was already turning red. His two friends gasped, stepping back in shock.
Mart (trembling, holding his face): "W-what…?!"
Still smiling maniacally, Akira leaned down toward him, placing a hand on his knee like he was talking to a child.
Akira (mocking): "What's wrong, Mart? Weren't you just talking about your amazing strength and how you used to crush punks? Huh… are you that weak now?"
Mart couldn't speak. He stared at Akira as if seeing a ghost from the past.
Mart's friend (nervously): "W-wait, we don't want any trouble…"
But Akira wasn't in the mood to listen. He grabbed Mart by the collar and lifted him off the ground, his red eyes glowing with madness.
Akira (soft but terrifying): "Ten years… ten years since I last saw that filthy face of yours. You know… back then I hated myself, because I couldn't do anything to you."
He tightened his grip, choking Mart slightly. Mart struggled, but he couldn't break free.
Akira (grinning wildly): "But times have changed, Mart. And now, I decide who the trash is."
He raised his other fist—and punched Mart again without mercy.
BOOM!!
This blow was even harder. Mart felt like his skull had hit solid rock. His body collapsed completely, blood dripping from the corner of his lips. He tried to lift his head but couldn't. He had no control over his body. Akira stood over him coldly, with a frightening smile.
Akira (mockingly): "My god… look at you now. Is this the same arrogance you were spouting just minutes ago?"
He raised his foot and stomped down hard on Mart's hand, making him scream in pain.
Mart (shaking): "A-Akira… please… I didn't mean it…"
Akio (stepping in angrily): "That's enough!!"
Akira (glancing over): "Stay out of it, kid."
Akira chuckled softly, then turned and looked at Mart's girlfriend, who stood pale and frozen, unable to comprehend what she was seeing. Akira slowly approached her, then gently took her hand with a smile. Her cheeks flushed slightly.
Akira (with a creepy smirk, whispering): "So… how about you and I spend some time together, away from that real trash?"
The girl trembled, her eyes flicking between Mart and Akira.
Mart's girlfriend (hesitant and scared): "I-I don't think that's a good—"
But Akira didn't care. He raised an eyebrow, smiled more, then leaned close to her ear and whispered with a voice both warm and terrifying:
Akira: "Don't be shy. I don't bite… unless you want me to."
The girl jolted, yanking her hand back as if she'd touched fire.
Mart's girlfriend (panicking): "Get away from me!!"
Akira laughed softly again, putting his hands in his pockets, then turned toward Mart, still collapsed on the ground.
Akira (taunting): "Did you see that, Mart? Even the girl who was laughing at your dumb jokes moments ago doesn't want you anymore."
Mart froze. It was the most humiliating moment of his life, and he couldn't respond… he couldn't even get up.
Akio (angrily jumping between Akira and the girl, arms out to protect her): "I said that's enough!!"
Akira looked at Akio for a moment, then chuckled again—this time sarcastically.
Akira (raising an eyebrow): "Oh? And what exactly are you going to do, little man? Yell at me until I feel guilty?"
Ann (anxiously whispering to Ken): "Ken-san… this guy is unbelievably annoying!"
Akira stared at Akio, tilted his head thoughtfully… then reached out and patted Akio's head like a child.
Akira (teasing): "There, there. I was just playing."
But Akio swatted his hand away, frowning.
Akio (firmly): "Real strength isn't about crushing those weaker than you… it's proving you're stronger without even needing to fight."
Ken (coldly): "It's pointless, Akio. He's clearly insane—he'd kill someone just for fun."
Akira raised an eyebrow, studying the trio more carefully now. He hadn't paid them much attention earlier—but now… he sensed something different.
His eyes moved to Ken, standing with his arms crossed and an icy expression… then to Ann, watching him cautiously… and finally, to Akio, eyes full of anger and passion.
Akira (muttering with a faint smile): "Hmm… interesting."
He looked back at Ken, something about him felt familiar.
Akira (quietly, meaningfully): "You… you're different from the others."
Ken was still standing firm, but deep inside, he felt something unsettling in Akira's tone.
Akira (placing a hand on his chin as if trying to remember): "That red hair… and those gray eyes… Wait a minute…"
Suddenly, he smacked his fist into his palm, as if he remembered something extremely important.
Akira (with a light laugh, pointing at Ken): "Ahhh… now I get it. No wonder your face looked familiar… I've heard of you before. Plus, you really resemble that man… I mean, Yukaji Cirrus!"
Ken (his eyes widened slightly, but he feigned indifference): "And so?"
Akira (grinning dangerously): "This kid… he's the one who stood up to King Cirrus and threatened to kill him eight years ago!"
A heavy silence fell over the place. Everyone looked from Akira to Ken, and whispers began spreading through the crowd.
"Wait a second…"
"Did he say… Yukaji Ken?!"
"No way… no one stands against Cirrus and lives!"
Ann and Akio froze for a moment, then looked at Ken. He remained completely silent, but a flicker of tension appeared in his eyes.
Akira (loudly, raising his hands): "Oh, don't act shy now. Let me remind you, Ken… you also killed over 500 of Seeros' soldiers without mercy. You're not so different from me!"
Ann (in disbelief, looking at Ken): "W-what?!"
But Ken didn't move. He showed no clear reaction, just stared at Akira with a blank gaze. Meanwhile, Akio and Ann stood wide-eyed in shock. Nobody could finish their sentences because people started running and fleeing in panic, as if Ken's presence alone terrified them. Even the merchants began closing their shops. Ken stood there, quietly stunned—how did Akira know all this about him?
Akira (with a sly smile, glancing around): "Now show me your fire power, Yukaji Ken! I've always wanted to see that Vakin of fire everyone keeps talking about!"
Ken remained silent, though slight tension lingered in his eyes. Before he could respond, angry shouts began rising from the crowd. Faces twisted in fear and hatred.
Man from the crowd (pointing at Ken): "That monster killed my brother! He was a soldier in the Kaji Kingdom, and never returned because of you!!"
Another man (voice trembling with rage): "You're the one who caused my cousin's death! He was just a low-ranking soldier… why did you kill him?!"
The shouting grew louder. The chaos escalated. Ann stood frozen in place, mind blank. She had admired Ken—his personality, his looks—and never imagined he could be a killer.
Ann (voice trembling, tears welling in her eyes): "K-Ken-san… is this true? It can't be…"
Akio (shouting at Ken): "Ken!! Answer us!! Is it true?!"
Ann (covering her mouth, tears falling): "I can't believe Ken-san is a bad person! Please tell me, Ken-san!"
Ken (quiet but firm): "Yes. It's true."
The air was cut for a moment… then shock turned into anger.
Akio (eyes wide, shouting): "Why?! Why did you do it?!"
Ken (with chilling calm): "Those people destroyed my city… killed my family… burned my home in cold blood. They got what they deserved."
Someone in the crowd: "That doesn't justify killing 500 people!! What about their families?! The ones they left behind?!"
Ken: "Shut up."
Akira (watching Ann cry, stroking his chin): "Oh dear… looks like our lovely girl is very upset. How tragic."
He suddenly stepped toward Ann, calmly, and gently took her hand as if trying to console her like a gentleman.
Akira (with a charming smile, looking into her eyes): "I didn't know such beauty existed here… Your eyes sparkle like stars—even through the tears."
Ann blinked, unable to process what was happening. She didn't pull her hand away immediately, too stunned by Akira's reveal.
Akira (soft and seductive, leaning in slightly): "Why care for someone so cruel, my lovely ninja? You deserve someone who values you… someone who'll make you happy…"
Akio (furious): "Take your hands off her, mutt!"
He jumped at Akira, trying to punch him, but Akira easily dodged and shoved him aside with little effort.
Akira (mocking laugh): "Huh? Didn't know I was bothering the little boy here. My bad!"
Akio (jumping back up, shouting): "I said, hands off!!"
He lunged again, aiming a stronger punch, but Akira gracefully dodged like he was dancing, then grabbed Akio's wrist and twisted it lightly—freezing him in place.
Akira (grinning, whispering in his ear): "You're fast, kid… but you lack experience."
Ann was still standing there, but seemed to have calmed slightly.
Ann (voice shaky, eyes on Ken): "K-Ken-san, I can't believe you're evil… I still don't know you well enough!"
Ken didn't reply immediately. He quietly lit a cigarette. It was clear he didn't want to talk about this—but he also didn't want to run from it.
Ken (taking a drag, then speaking calmly but firmly): "Evil isn't as simple as you think, Ann. It's not black and white. Some of us live in the gray—because we don't have a choice."
Ann stepped back, confused—not afraid, but unsure.
Ann (quietly): "But… you did kill them all, didn't you? Even if you had a reason… did you feel anything? Any regret?"
Ken looked up slightly, as if considering her question. He seemed about to say something important—when…
Akio (interrupting angrily): "Stop dodging it, Ken! Ann might be unsure, but I'm not! I want answers—now!"
Ken (coldly): "Answers to what exactly?"
Akio (raising his fist): "Why didn't you tell us before?! Were you planning to hide it forever? Or do you just not care what we think?!"
Ken (emotion repressed): "If I told you from the start, you would've hated me long ago. I didn't want to ruin your excitement for this journey."
Akio (insistent): "But Ken—we're comrades. We trust each other! Or at least… I thought we did."
Ken: "Well then, now that you know the truth, there's no reason for me to stay with you any longer."
He turned slowly and started to walk away.
Ann (eyes widening): "K-Ken-san? Where are you going?!"
Ken didn't answer. He kept walking away—but before he got far, Akio grabbed his wrist tightly.
Akio (shouting): "Where do you think you're going, idiot?! I'm not letting you go!!"
Ken froze. For a second, he thought he misheard… but no. Akio's voice was full of anger—but not hatred. Something deeper.
He turned back slowly and saw Akio staring at him with fierce determination.
Akio (lowering his fist, still angry): "You think you can walk away just like that?! If you think I'll turn my back on you just because you killed people in the past, you're dumber than I thought!"
Ann blinked in surprise. She hadn't expected Akio to react like that.
Ken (stunned): "W-what are you saying, Akio? Aren't you angry? Don't you hate me…?"
Akio (glaring at Ann, then back to Ken): "Of course I'm angry! But I'm angry because you didn't tell me. Not because of your past! Who cares about that?! Everyone has secrets! But if we're comrades—you have to trust me, you idiot!"
There was silence—but this time, it wasn't awkward. It was heavy, emotional silence.
Ken stood there, replaying Akio's words in his mind. Something inside him… trembled. He took a drag from his cigarette and looked at Akio again.
Ken (quietly, in a different tone): "You're… really something else."
He didn't know what to say or do. The words Akio spoke were unexpected… no one had ever clung to him like that before. Ann, who had been quiet all this time, now stepped forward, wiping her tears.
Ann (nervous but sincere): "Ken-san… I can't say I'm not shocked. But I'm starting to understand. None of us are perfect… and even with what you've done, I know you've suffered a lot to become who you are. I've only known you for a short time… but I know you're a good person, Ken-san."
Ken looked at her. Her words were unexpected… but her eyes were clear—not filled with hate.
Ken (soft but emotionally heavy): "You think so…?"
Ann (nodding): "I know so."
Akio (grumbling): "Man, you could've at least trusted us. Did you really think we'd just ditch you over your past?"
Ken (quietly): "I… I didn't know you…"
Akio (cutting him off, arms crossed but smirking): "Well, now you do! And if you try leaving again—I'll zap you so hard you'll fry your own brain!"
But one person wasn't sharing the warmth: Akira, who stood silently watching. For the first time in a while, he was speechless—unable to joke or mock. He didn't understand what he was seeing.
Akira (thinking): "What… is this? Why are they holding on to him? Why don't they push him away?"
It was alien to him—he had to admit that. All his life, no one had ever stood by him. No one had ever clung to him like that.
Akira: "You're all fools… clinging to a killer like he's your best friend… how… strange."
Ken looked at him, raising an eyebrow slightly.
Ken (calmly): "Something bothering you?"
Akira (provoking grin): "Maybe. Well, well, that was a cute little drama scene… but it doesn't change anything. I still want to fight all of you."
Akio (fired up): "Oh, you're gonna regret that!"
Akira (laughing): "Try me, kid!"
To be continued…