Renjiro sensed him before seeing him. The forest ahead was dim, moonlight barely filtering through the canopy. Makoto coughed weakly against Renjiro’s shoulder, his voice hoarse. “What do you want with me?” he managed. “Why keep me alive?” Renjiro shifted his grip, keeping his scythe angled behind him.  “Calm down,” he replied, though there was an unusual tension in his voice. “I need you alive for questioning. There are things you know, things that might bring down the entire slave empire.” Makoto stiffened in surprise. “You’re… against them?” Renjiro’s smirk returned, but it lacked its usual playfulness. “Let’s just say I’ve got my own motivations.” He took another step forward and froze. A cold sensation crawled across his skin, like the air itself was warning him. His muscles tightened involuntarily, and a sharp awareness carved through his instincts. Renjiro wasn’t accustomed to feeling threatened; he was the one who normally unsettled others. But this presence behind him made the hair on his neck rise. Makoto felt Renjiro tense. “What is it?” Renjiro didn’t answer. His sharp eyes scanned the forest, but the darkness revealed nothing. Still, the suffocating pressure persisted. It was unsettling, familiar in the worst way. The same dominance he himself projected toward weaker fighters, he now felt bearing down on him. A single twig snapped. Renjiro spun, but the figure was already upon them. The cloaked man surged forward with terrifying speed. His movement was so fluid, so naturally deadly, that it seemed less like a lunge and more like a shadow reshaping itself. A long blade sliced through the air with such force that the wind distorted around it, as if the strike had cut through space itself. Renjiro’s pupils constricted. There was no time to dodge, not properly. “Tsubasa!” he shouted, voice cracking with urgency. The air beside him twisted violently. A swirling violet vortex opened, dragging both Renjiro and Makoto into its spiraling center. A fraction of a second later, the cloaked man’s blade swept through the space where Renjiro’s neck had been. The shockwave from the swing tore through the earth, splitting soil and stone. When the violet portal snapped shut, the forest fell silent again. The cloaked man lowered his blade with calm precision. There was no frustration in his movements, no irritation at missing his mark. Instead, he slowly surveyed the disturbed ground, as though analyzing the residue of the space distortion left behind by the portal. His posture remained poised, every motion controlled. Makoto and Renjiro had escaped, but only barely and not through their own speed. The cloaked figure remained in the moonlit clearing a moment longer. Though his hood concealed most of his face, a faint glint of an eye was visible beneath it, cold, dispassionate, and utterly unbothered by the devastation he had nearly wrought. This was a man who operated at the absolute top of the food chain. A man whose strength reached beyond conventional rankings. A man who moved with the certainty of someone accustomed to commanding life and death. He was Makoto’s buyer. The head of the slave empire. The same man who had murdered Makoto’s daughter. The next morning arrived far too quickly. Sunrise crept over the Kingdom of Radiance in soft golds, but the warmth did nothing to lift the heaviness sitting in Illumina’s chests. None of them had slept well. They should have been proud, they saved innocent people, defeated nine raiders, and reunited a father with his daughter. But every time they closed their eyes… they saw Akira. Kneeling. Sobbing. Surrounded by the bodies of her own knights, good people, corrupted and slain because they had no other choice. It cast a dark shadow over their accomplishment. Even Tetsuo was uncharacteristically quiet as they made their way through the guild’s headquarters. Aiko Hanabi and Ryuji Sayo trailed with them, both grim-faced. They finally reached Kaito’s office. A faint breeze drifted through the open window, fluttering the papers on his desk. Kaito stood with his arms crossed, gaze sharp yet concerned. “Come in,” he said, voice steady. They entered. Shunjiro swallowed, feeling the pressure of the moment. “Report everything,” Kaito instructed. So they did. Shunjiro explained how the meditating exercise from the exams had led them into the Whispering Woods, how they’d heard a man screaming for his daughter. Yoshinori and Tetsuo filled in the details, the smoke, the raiders, the kidnapped villagers, the ambush. Itsuki described the fight and the injuries. Ryuji and Aiko added how they’d stumbled upon the scene while traveling. Then came the part none of them wanted to recount. “…And when we got back,” Shunjiro said quietly, “Akira was on her knees. All seven of her knights were dead around her.” A heavy silence filled the room. Kaito closed his eyes briefly. “I see,” he murmured. “Akira Namiki is exceptionally strong. For something to have forced her into that situation…” His jaw tightened. “This is not a small incident.” His gaze moved to Yoshinori. “You mentioned the raider leader, Makoto Ryuzen, became corrupted?” “Yes,” Yoshinori said. “It wasn’t gradual, either. One moment he was fighting, the next… his aura just snapped. Like something inside his head fractured.” Kaito nodded slowly, folding his arms tighter. “Do all of you understand what corruption truly is?” “We do,” Shunjiro answered. “But… explain it again. Just to be certain.” Kaito stepped away from his desk, pacing once as if choosing his words carefully. “When a person’s negative emotions overwhelm them, hatred, despair, guilt, grief, those emotions twist their spiritual energy. It turns darker, heavier… poisonous. If they lose control completely, the darkness consumes them. That metamorphosis is what we call corruption.” Itsuki hugged her staff lightly against her chest. “And what happens if the corruption goes too far?” she asked. “If it… completes?” Kaito stopped pacing and looked at her directly. “When corruption fully takes over, the body stabilizes again. Their consciousness returns… but with a terrible price.” His expression darkened. “They regain awareness, but not control. They know exactly what they are doing, but their body obeys the darkness instead.” Shunjiro’s stomach twisted. “That means they… they can recognize people,” he whispered, “but still attack. Even loved ones.” Kaito nodded solemnly. “I once witnessed a corrupted man tear apart his own brother,” he said quietly. “He knew it was him. He screamed the entire time, begging his limbs to stop… but the darkness drove him forward.” Itsuki covered her mouth, horrified. Tetsuo paled. “That’s… messed up.” “And it gets worse,” Kaito continued. “When interrogated after they were restrained, several corrupted individuals spoke of a voice inside their head. A voice whispering commands. Feeding their hatred. Amplifying their despair. Driving them to commit atrocities they could no longer resist.” The room went still. Aiko frowned. “A voice? Like a hallucination?” “No,” Kaito replied. “More like something… external. Something pushing them toward violence.” A chill moved through the room, like an unseen presence listening. Shunjiro clenched his fist. “But Makoto… returned to normal,” he said. “We saw it. He collapsed and the corruption faded. He was sane again. How is that possible?” Kaito turned toward him slowly, studying Shunjiro with a serious, almost troubled gaze. “That,” Kaito said quietly, “should be impossible.” He tapped the desk with a single finger. “No one reverses corruption,” he continued. “Once it begins, it becomes your fate. Even if a corrupted person is subdued, they stay corrupted until death.” “So how did Makoto revert back?” Yoshinori asked. Kaito exhaled, tension weighing on his shoulders. “There are only two explanations,” he said. “Neither of them are good.” The room leaned in. “First: someone with power far beyond ours intervened. Someone capable of purging corruption at the source.” He paused. “And the second… is that something new is happening in this world. Something that breaks the rules we have always known.” Shunjiro felt a shiver crawl down his spine. Aiko whispered, “Something… new?” Kaito’s eyes hardened. “Yes. And whatever force twisted Makoto’s corruption and whatever voice he heard, we must find the truth before it spreads.” He looked at Shunjiro, Yoshinori, Itsuki, and Tetsuo in turn. “You four stepped into something far larger than a simple raid,” he said solemnly. “Be ready. This isn’t the end of it.” Kaito fell silent for a long moment, letting his words settle in the air. Illumina stood still, absorbing the weight of everything they had witnessed, the horror, the miracles, the unanswered questions. Finally, Kaito exhaled and straightened his posture, returning to the composed captain they all knew. “…For now,” he began, “I’m ordering all of you to remain within the Kingdom of Radiance.” Shunjiro blinked. “Remain…? As in grounded?” “Exactly that,” Kaito said, though his tone was far gentler than his words. “You’ve stumbled into an incident with layers we do not yet understand. Corruption reversing, raiders connected to larger organizations, mysterious fighters appearing out of nowhere… This is no longer simple adventuring work.” Yoshinori nodded slowly. “You’re saying someone may come looking for us.” Kaito didn’t deny it. “It’s possible,” he said. “So until we get clarity, I want you close. Protected. And monitored. Not as prisoners, but as assets worth defending.” Itsuki shyly tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “So… we’re staying in the kingdom for safety?” “Safety,” Kaito confirmed, “and because you’ve earned a break.” Tetsuo perked up. “A break?” Kaito’s stern face softened but unmistakably. “The Radiance Festival begins tomorrow,” he said with a small smile. “Light parades, open markets, food stalls, contests, music, the works. You are to attend. All of you. Take time to breathe and recover.” Shunjiro raised a brow. “Wait… you want us to go have fun?” Kaito shrugged lightly. “Consider it an order.” Aiko snorted behind them. “An order to relax… wish our exam proctors were like that.” Ryuji elbowed her. “Speak for yourself. I could use a festival date.” Kaito ignored the side chatter and stepped closer, looking each of them in the eye. “You guys saved dozens of lives yesterday,” he said quietly. “You faced enemies above your rank. You survived corruption. You acted with courage and compassion when most would have turned away.” His gaze lingered on Shunjiro last. “I’m proud of you,” Kaito said. “All of you.” Shunjiro felt warmth swell in his chest,  pride, relief, maybe even something like validation after everything he’d questioned about himself. Kaito continued, “Your accomplishments will not go unrewarded. Once the situation stabilizes, the Guild Council will review everything and trust me, they will hear about what you achieved.” Itsuki brightened. “R-really?” “Really,” Kaito confirmed. “But for now… rest. Enjoy the festival. You’ve earned it.” Tetsuo pumped his fist weakly. “Festival food… here I come.” Yoshinori rolled his eyes, though a faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “Unbelievable.” Aiko nudged Ryuji. “We’re joining Illumina tomorrow, right?” Ryuji grinned. “Wouldn’t miss it.” Shunjiro exhaled slowly, a sense of peace finally washing over him after days of relentless chaos. “Alright,” he said with a small grin. “Festival it is.” Kaito nodded once, satisfied. “Good. Dismissed.” As the group turned to leave Kaito’s office, a rare warmth settling over their shoulders, Shunjiro suddenly froze mid-step. “Wait!” he blurted. Everyone stopped. Kaito raised an eyebrow. Shunjiro snapped his fingers. “We forgot something super important.” Yoshinori sighed instantly. “What now?” Tetsuo leaned in dramatically. “Did we forget to eat again?” Shunjiro shook his head. “No, no, something way more important.” He turned back to Kaito with an awkward, sheepish grin. “Uh… can we get a guild dorm?” The room went quiet. Itsuki blinked. “Oh my gosh… we did forget.” Tetsuo slapped his forehead. “How do we forget that?” Aiko stifled a laugh. Ryuji didn’t bother hiding his. Kaito leaned back in his chair, staring at them like they were some strange new species he had just discovered. “Let me get this straight,” he said slowly. “You fought through a dungeon, stopped a slave raid, survived corruption, saved an entire village, took down a B-rank threat while being F-rank-” He paused, deadpan. “-and that’s the thing you remembered last-second?” Shunjiro rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassed. “Well… yeah? We kinda need somewhere to sleep.” Yoshinori added dryly, “And the inns are expensive.” Kaito pinched the bridge of his nose, a sigh escaping him but there was unmistakable amusement tugging at the corner of his lips. “You mean to tell me the reason you didn’t ask last time,” he said, “was because you idiots panicked after you broke into my office?” “We didn’t break in!” Shunjiro protested. “The door was unlocked!” “That makes it better?” Kaito shot back. Aiko laughed, covering her mouth. Yoshinori cracked a small smile. Kaito finally waved them off with a resigned chuckle. “Fine. Yes, you can have a dorm. I’ll submit the paperwork today.” All four members of Illumina lit up with excitement. “Really?!” Shunjiro asked, eyes shining. Kaito nodded. “You’ve earned it. Besides…” He eyed them knowingly. “You clearly need a centralized place to keep yourselves out of trouble.” Tetsuo pumped his fist. “We have a house!!” Kaito stood, smoothing the front of his coat. “Alright. Festival tomorrow, paperwork today, dorm keys soon. Go. Rest.” The six young adventurers spilled out of Kaito’s office with lightened steps and rising excitement, laughter echoing faintly down the hall. The festival was tomorrow, they had a dorm on the way, and despite everything… hope was in the air. But Kaito didn’t follow them with a smile. As soon as they were gone, the warmth in his expression faded. His shoulders straightened, his face sharpened, and his steps turned silent and purposeful. He left the guild hall and made his way through the marble corridors toward the throne room, the heart of Radiance’s power, where only the highest-ranking warriors and advisors convened. The doors were already open. Voices murmured within. Inside, seated around a long crescent table, were the kingdom’s strongest: Hiroto Makabe, Yumi Kurosawa, Mei Hoshino, and Akira Namiki, still in her battle-worn armor, posture straight but eyes shadowed. At the head of the room sat King Shadis, golden robes draped over his throne, his expression stern yet pained. He lifted his gaze as Kaito entered. “Kaito Ishiro,” Shadis greeted, “sit.” Kaito bowed respectfully and took the open seat at the end of the table. The air felt heavy, too heavy for a typical post-mission debrief. “Let’s begin,” the king said quietly. “Akira… your report.” Akira inhaled slowly. Her breathing was steady, her words measured, but her hands trembled beneath the table where no one could see. Or so she hoped. “Renjiro,” she began, voice low but controlled, “is classified as an SSS-ranked threat. Potentially beyond that. His scythe corrupts with the slightest touch, even a graze, and the corruption spreads instantly.” She paused, swallowing hard. “It didn’t take minutes. It took seconds.” Yumi’s brow tensed. “And your knights? They were all-” “Corrupted,” Akira said sharply, though her voice quivered just a hair. “Every single one. And once corrupted, they… they turned on me.” Her throat closed for a moment. Hiroto spoke softly. “And you had to put them down.” Akira’s jaw clenched. “Yes.” A stillness settled over the table. King Shadis bowed his head briefly in respect for the fallen. “Renjiro,” Hiroto continued, fingers drumming on the table, “is he connected to the slave trade?” Akira hesitated. “I can’t confirm it. But… he knew Makoto. He came to retrieve him. Whether that means he’s involved, or simply exploiting the operation, I do not know.” Kaito leaned forward. “What about the buyer Makoto mentioned? The one waiting in the temple?” Akira shut her eyes for a moment as if reliving something. “…We never reached him. Renjiro abducted Makoto before we could intervene.” Hiroto grimaced. “If Renjiro has ties to the slave empire, this is worse than we thought.” Mei interlaced her fingers tightly. “We’ve been dealing with slave raids for years, but they’ve always been decentralized… messy… lacking leadership. If they have a figure like Renjiro supporting them-” Kaito cut in. “Or if they have someone even stronger above him.” A cold silence followed. King Shadis folded his hands. “This Renjiro, what do we know of him?” Akira’s voice lowered. “…Nothing that makes sense.” She forced herself to sit straighter. “He moved faster than most S-rank adventurers can even track,” Akira said, her voice taut. “But it wasn’t him that terrified me… it was that weapon.” Her fingers curled reflexively, remembering the red glow and the screams that followed. “That scythe…” She swallowed. “The moment its blade touched my knights, corruption invaded them instantly. No buildup. No resistance. Just consumption.” She forced herself to continue. “Renjiro himself showed no signs of corruption. His aura was stable. But the scythe’s presence…” She shuddered despite herself. “It felt ancient. Wrong. Like it wasn’t forged, but born. And the darkness inside it didn’t behave like normal corrupted energy. It reacted. It chose its victims.” Yumi frowned. “Dark energy is supposed to corrode the wielder. But Akira is saying he controlled it effortlessly.” More than controlled,” Akira whispered. “It was like the corruption was obeying him.” Kaito exhaled sharply, the closest he came to showing true fear. “That’s impossible. Corruption has never… obeyed.” Hiroto scratched his chin. “Unless corruption has evolved. Or… it’s always been that way and we’ve simply never seen a wielder capable of it.” Yumi’s eyes flickered to Mei. “But then how do you explain Makoto?” Mei nodded, equally unsettled. “Yes. That man should have remained corrupted permanently. Once someone falls into it, their mind is gone. Their body is trapped in the darkness.” “And yet,” Yumi added, “when your young adventurers defeated him… he reverted.” Kaito nodded grimly. “It contradicts centuries of recorded cases.” Akira looked down at her hands. Her voice cracked, the first true crack of emotion since she entered the room. “He became human again. He cried. He answered questions rationally. The corruption left him as if it had never been.” Hiroto leaned forward. “So either corruption has changed…” “Or someone has found a way to manipulate it,” Mei finished. The implication drifted over the table like a cold fog. King Shadis tapped a finger on the armrest. “Whether Renjiro is the cause or merely a symptom… we must find out.” Kaito lifted his gaze. “Shadis. One more concern.” The king nodded. “Speak.” “The festival begins tomorrow. If Renjiro or whoever orchestrates the slave empire is planning anything, the gathering of thousands of civilians is the perfect target.” Yumi stiffened. “We cannot cancel the festival. It would cause panic across the kingdom.” Hiroto cracked his knuckles. “Then we guard it. Every inch.” Akira nodded, steel returning to her posture despite how broken she felt inside. “The Gilded Blades will be on full alert. We’ll patrol through the entire festival, no breaks, no rotation.” King Shadis looked at her with a mix of pride and sorrow. “Akira. You just lost seven of your knights. You don’t need to push yourself this hard.” Her jaw tightened, not with pride, but with fear she refused to show. “My men died under my command,” she said quietly. “I will not let their deaths be in vain. I will protect the kingdom. No matter what.” Kaito watched her carefully. She was holding herself together through sheer force of will. Shadis nodded. “…Very well. But you are not alone. Every Gilded Blade will be mobilized. Kaito, Hiroto, Yumi, Mei, you all will assist in the festival’s security.” Kaito placed a hand over his chest. “Understood.” Mei’s eyes shimmered with worry. “If Renjiro appears again…” “We won’t let him slip away a second time,” Hiroto said darkly. Akira closed her eyes, hearing the screams of her knights in her memory. Her hands trembled again. She hid them under the table before anyone noticed, or so she believed. But Kaito noticed. And he silently vowed to keep an eye on her during the festival.