The smoke had finally cleared from the Dakan Plains.
The crows had begun to gather, feasting in silence. What remained of the battlefield was a grim mosaic of victory—broken spears, blood-soaked earth, and scattered banners torn by wind.
Ren sat beneath the crooked remains of a burned-out cart, quietly sharpening his blade. Kai and the surviving foot soldiers rested nearby, too tired to speak. Their clothes were torn. Faces hollow from exhaustion.
But they were alive.
A low cheer rose from down the hill. A messenger on horseback had shouted something—too far for them to hear clearly.
Kai looked up. "Another promotion announcement?"
Ren nodded slowly. "Likely. The officers are sorting through survivors. Promoting based on performance, what the scouts saw…"
He didn't seem particularly concerned, but Kai watched him carefully. "You don't seem interested."
"I didn't come here for a title," Ren said, sheathing his sword. "But if it helps me get stronger, I'll take it."
Just then, a familiar voice echoed up the slope.
"Ren! REN!"
Ren turned.
Charging up the hill, dirt-streaked and grinning ear to ear, was none other than Shin—carrying a half-eaten bun in one hand and waving with the other.
Ren stood slowly as Shin skidded to a stop in front of him.
"I heard! You took out a 500-man commander?" Shin said, eyes wide. "Everyone's been talking about it!"
"I didn't do it alone," Ren said modestly. "And you?"
Shin scratched his head. "Got through somehow. Cut down about a dozen guys. One officer said I had 'crazy eyes' and promoted me on the spot!"
Ren raised an eyebrow.
Shin puffed up his chest. "They made me a 100-man commander!"
"So did I," Ren said.
Shin blinked. Then burst into laughter. "You too?! Damn! Looks like we're even again."
A breeze passed between them, lifting the burnt scent of war and blood away.
For a brief moment, they were just two boys again—far from the wreckage, far from the future.
"Guess we're going our own ways now," Shin said after a pause.
Ren nodded. "Different squads. Different fights."
They stood in silence, both watching the sun sink over the ruined plain.
Then Shin looked sideways.
"Let's make it a race."
Ren tilted his head slightly.
"To see who gets there first," Shin grinned. "To become a general."
Ren didn't laugh—but the faintest smile crossed his lips. "You'll lose."
"Oh? You think you're that much better?"
"No," Ren said calmly. "I just don't lose."
Shin chuckled. "Then let's see who climbs higher."
They bumped fists. No big declarations. Just a quiet, mutual promise.
As the two walked down different slopes of the hill, back to their newly assigned squads, the setting sun cast long shadows behind them—one calm, one blazing.
They would not walk together again for a long time.
But the sky above was the same for both.