🌅 Mount of Silence and Sunrise
Setting: A high mountain overlooking the Village of Thunder.
Time: The moment of sunrise, as a gentle breeze flows.
Kazuma (with silver hair and a sharp eye bearing a vertical scar) was sitting next to Hiden, both contemplating the horizon ablaze with the morning light.
Hiden (Voice gently carried like the mountain breeze):
"I have made a decision. I will return to my city."
A profound astonishment swept across Kazuma's features.
Kazuma (Eyes wide, trying to grasp the news):
"But... what about your brother? Won't your presence here remain your line of defense?"
Hiden (Sharp gaze concealing determination):
"Running away is no longer productive, Kazuma. It has been too long. I must face my family, and put an end to this tension that pursues me."
Kazuma (With a mix of curiosity and concern):
"Do you have a precious person inside... someone who is worth this risk and confrontation?"
Hiden (A soft smile gracing his face):
"Of course, I do. My sister, Ai. She is the only one who truly cares about me, and she is the reason for this resolve. She is like the anchor that ties me to that city."
Hiden turned to look at Kazuma, his smile still adorning his face.
Hiden (Asking with deep tranquility):
"And you, Kazuma, what is your true pursuit? What are you truly seeking in this vast world?"
Kazuma (Voice filled with nostalgia and pride):
"I am the sole survivor of a clan that was called Tenma."
Hiden (A calm voice pulsing with memory):
"I heard a lot about them from my grandfather. My grandfather used to tell me stories about his travels, and he once mentioned that he accompanied someone from that tribe to an unknown place... to beyond the known horizon."
The astonishment in Kazuma's tone escalated.
Kazuma (A bewildered voice on the verge of betraying him):
"Are you truly saying that?! And what exactly is this place? Didn't he describe it to you?"
Hiden pointed his finger toward the rising sun disk, as if the answer lay in that infinite expanse.
Hiden (A deep voice carrying the wisdom of ancestors):
"Our world, as my grandfather said, is stranger and more complex than we anticipate. That place is the key to this mystery."
Hiden (Skillfully changing the subject, resuming the conversation):
"Kazuma, won't you participate in the Shamahan Exam? It opens doors that might lead you to your goal."
Kazuma (Asking with serious curiosity):
"And what is this exam? I haven't heard of it before."
Hiden (Explaining in detail, emphasizing its importance):
"It is literally one of the most dangerous exams ever, but success in it means joining the Shamahan Organization. It's an invaluable opportunity to gain power and knowledge."
Kazuma (Calmly and thoughtfully):
"And what is the benefit of joining? What is the actual role of this organization called Shamahan?"
Hiden (Raising his eyebrows as a sign of the organization's greatness):
"The Shamahan is a global organization. It is the one that licenses and organizes the discovery and identification of unknown places. You cannot venture into this world without its license and membership. They are the guardians of the world's secrets."
Kazuma (In a quiet, steady voice):
"And have you participated in this exam before?"
Hiden (A light sigh, then with a sharp, reminiscent tone):
"Yes, I participated when I was seven years old. It was an extremely dangerous exam back then, full of deadly traps and skills that surpassed my age. But you must know that the nature of the exam changes drastically every year. As for this year, it has been announced that it will be held next August."
Kazuma (With extreme calmness, concealing determination):
"Can I apply to participate in this exam?"
Hiden (His tone shifts to a hidden bitterness):
"You have every right. The Shamahan wasn't established solely for purposes of control and protection; it was also dedicated to control and killing. My brother, Aydin, possesses a Shamahan license, and this is what allows him to end the lives of others without any accountability or legal punishment."
Kazuma (In a calm voice, studying the situation carefully):
"Does this organization have a leader who governs it?"
Hiden (Lets out a short, cynical laugh):
"Absolutely, and without a doubt. He is a man named Isaac. He is the head of this global organization, and he is the one who holds absolute authority to isolate dangerous areas and sign harsh penalties on countries that dare to violate the 'Global Law' they have established."
Kazuma (With a cold statement, as if concealing his true motive):
"Alright. I want to take this exam just for fun, nothing more. To see the limits of my capabilities."
(His tone suddenly changes, he leans forward with seriousness)
"I want to go with you to Kimura."
Hiden's expression completely changed. He was seized by astonishment mixed with absolute refusal.
Hiden (In shock and suspicion):
"No... I will never allow that!"
Kazuma (With quiet, unyielding insistence):
"Then, I will stop you from going there alone."
Hiden (Lowers his voice, pleading sincerely):
"Please, don't interfere in this matter. I want to go alone. I have no right to expose you or anyone else to the danger that awaits me in my city."
Kazuma (With unyielding stubbornness, interrupting him):
"Be quiet, Hiden! I have made up my mind. I am going with you, whether you like it or not. Don't say another word."
Hiden (Showing signs of exhaustion and confusion, asking bitterly):
"But why are you so insistent on accompanying me? What drives you to take this risk with me?"
Kazuma (With sudden and chilling honesty):
"I won't lie to you. I want to get to know Aydin... I want to see him up close. And most importantly, I want to prevent your brother from achieving his goal, whatever it may be. Simply put: I want to see disappointment clearly etched on the faces of my enemies."
Hiden (After a long silence, weighing his words carefully):
"Fine. I will take you with me... but on one condition. If you refuse this condition, you won't take a single step with me."
Kazuma (In a steady, concise voice):
"What is the condition? Speak."
Hiden (Catches his breath, speaks with utmost seriousness):
"The condition is that you will accompany me to the city of Kimura, but you will never enter my house with me. You will stay in an apartment, away from prying eyes. This arrangement is necessary for your protection and to keep my move from the knowledge of my brother."
Kazuma (With calmness not devoid of hidden challenge):
"And what if something bad happens to you? What if they assassinate you in your home before we realize it?"
Hiden (Shrugging slightly, trying to sound reassuring):
"Don't worry. I know how to protect myself. I will send you a message every day at a fixed time to check in, so you can be sure that I'm still alive... and know that the time for intervention has not yet come."
Hiden glances away towards the distant mountain horizon, as if viewing his travel destination.
Hiden (Adds another condition hesitantly):
"I have one more condition, too."
Kazuma (In a calm voice, ready to listen):
"Tell me."
Hiden:
"Do not bring Ten and Ren with us. Their presence might increase our obstacles, and it might draw too much attention to us. This journey requires secrecy and the fewest numbers."
Kazuma (With a cold gaze that pierces Hiden, then agrees):
"If that is your true condition... then fine. We will go in secret, like two shadows seen by no one."
Hiden (A faint smile of relief crosses his face):
"Then, the agreement is made. We will leave tomorrow night, heading straight for Kimura. Prepare yourself."
Kazuma calmly reached into his jacket pocket and took out a carefully folded photo. The picture was of a single man, who appeared to be the same man who assassinated "Nietz."
Kazuma (In a calm, commanding voice):
"I am looking for this person. Can you provide me with any information about him if you know him? Perhaps your grandfather's travels or the Shamahan organization have furnished you with some details."
Hiden takes the picture and examines it carefully, and his expression changes.
Hiden (Inspecting the photo with concentration):
"This man... I have heard of him. It is said that he is the most dangerous hitman or assassin operating in this region of the world."
Kazuma (With a calmness that causes a shudder):
"Is that right? An assassin?"
Hiden (His features grow darker):
"But the problem is not just his danger; it is his mystery. We don't know who this criminal serves, nor the entity that funds him. Stranger still, after every crime he commits, he leaves a strange picture or symbol at the crime scene."
Kazuma (In a calm voice, posing a fundamental question):
"What is his goal in these crimes, then? Is it revenge or money?"
Hiden (With a hint of resignation to the reality of crime):
"It might just be a hobby for him. Don't be surprised. There are criminals who kill just for pleasure, or to satisfy a sadistic urge that has no logical explanation in our world."
Kazuma (With a terrifying resolve, a cold spark ignites in his eyes):
"This criminal... I will catch him and kill him with my own hands. Especially since he touched my other half by committing his heinous crime."
Hiden (Looks at him warningly, pitying his innocence):
"Kazuma, you haven't seen anything yet in this world! You haven't grasped the sheer brutality of the real danger. Especially when we talk about a gang like the Dark Star. This gang cares only about seizing rare human organs and stealing ancient treasures... They represent a new level of evil."
Kazuma (With a penetrating look and maturity beyond his age):
"Are they that dangerous? Isn't that an overstatement?"
Hiden (With absolute seriousness, recalling his father's warnings):
"My father always used to say that they are the most dangerous gang that has ever existed, and he warned us against approaching them no matter the cost. Do you know, Kazuma, that the weakest member among them is capable of killing both of us with complete ease, without blinking an eye."
Kazuma (With calm resolve):
"As long as there is no link or thread drawing us to them, I will not seek contact with them or approach their areas of influence."
Hiden (In a low voice, clarifying the complexity of the situation):
"The problem, Kazuma, is that you will only be able to identify their members through a secret symbol they wear on their bodies. They have never revealed their true identities to the world, and this is the secret of their strength."
Kazuma (Reiterating firmly):
"I said it before and I will not change my statement: I will not go near them, as long as there are no threads connecting our destiny to their wicked files."
Time: Midnight
Location: The Outskirts of the Village of Thunder
Midnight fell, and the village was immersed in deep stillness. The night descended with its thick darkness over the place.
Kazuma and Hiden crept stealthily from the house, like two shadows departing slowly and quietly to avoid drawing any attention.
Kazuma (In a very low voice, barely audible):
"How long will our journey to Kimura take?"
Hiden (Whispering back):
"We will take the train from the nearby station. The trip may take approximately three hours, so we must be careful along the entire route."
Kazuma (Concisely):
"That is a very long time to spend on a train like that."
📞 The Observing Eye
While Hiden and Kazuma were disappearing deep into the darkness and vanishing from sight, a strange man was watching their movements from among the dense forest trees.
The Strange Man (Phone to his ear, in a flat, emotionless voice):
"Aydin. Hiden has just left the house."
The man paused for a few moments, listening intently to the other end of the call.
The Strange Man (Continuing his speech, his eyes focused on Kazuma's disappearance):
"But he was accompanied by another person walking with him. Do you want me to end his life immediately, and kill him so he won't be an obstacle to our plans?"
A heavy silence followed the question, then the reply came.
The Strange Man (In a cold, submissive voice):
"Understood... It shall be as you wish."