The sunlight of the sun howled through the Senju forest, brushing through the treetops with a low whistle. The moon hung high, casting pale light over the clearing by the riverbank.
Two figures stood facing one another—one young, wearing worn gloves with determination burning in his orange eyes. The other, tall and imposing, gripping a giant axe that gleamed under the moonlight.
Rey versus Kenji, the Axe Reaper.
The tension in the air was suffocating. Even the forest itself seemed to hold its breath.
Kenji's eyes narrowed. "I'll say it again, boy… I don't want to do this. But it has to be done."
Rey's stance lowered, his gloves tightening around his fists. "Then stop talking. Let's fight."
The wind shifted. Then—
Kenji moved first. With a sharp swing of his axe, a crescent of compressed air tore through the clearing, screaming toward Rey like a blade of wind.
Rey's instincts flared. He dropped low and rolled aside just as the wind slash shredded the trees behind him. The impact snapped trunks like twigs, branches exploding into debris.
Kenji didn't stop. With a roar, he leapt high, raising his axe overhead before slamming it down.
BOOM!
The ground cracked violently, shockwaves tearing through the soil. From the fractured earth, jagged boulders launched upward, propelled like spears toward Rey.
"Tch—!" Rey darted left, weaving between flying rocks. One grazed his shoulder, the sharp stone cutting his sleeve. Another whizzed past his ear before slamming into the ground with a heavy thud.
But Kenji was relentless.
The Axe Reaper lunged, his massive frame deceptively fast. His axe cut downward in a brutal arc, slicing the air. Rey ducked at the last second, feeling the wind shear his hair.
"Too close!" Rey thought, heart racing. He spun low, lashing out with a quick kick aimed at Kenji's gut.
But before the strike landed, Kenji's form blurred. He disappeared—only to reappear a heartbeat later, slamming into the ground with a crushing force. Dust exploded around him.
"Behind!" Rey realized, but Kenji was already moving.
The older warrior spun, his axe whirling in a deadly sweep. Blades of wind spiraled outward like spinning saws.
Rey bolted, diving behind a large boulder as the attack sliced past. The rock trembled under the impact, cracks splitting its surface.
Meanwhile, deeper in the forest, the rest of Kyawey's group felt the ground tremble beneath their feet.
Shoko stumbled, catching herself on a tree. "What was that?"
Akame's eyes widened. "I've got a bad feeling about this."
Flio, clutching his satchel of herbs, paled. "D-Don't tell me… is that a monster fight?!"
Kyawey's brows furrowed. "I don't know. But something's happening nearby… Noir."
Noir stepped forward, his expression calm but serious.
Kyawey gave him a firm nod. "Go. See what's going on."
"On it." Noir's figure flickered and vanished, his body moving through the trees like a shadow.
Back at the river clearing, Rey and Kenji clashed again.
Kenji's axe swung down with terrifying force. Rey leapt backward, flipping to gain distance.
The axe smashed into the ground where he'd been standing, sending a shockwave that rattled the forest floor. Dirt and leaves flew into the air.
Rey's boots skidded as he landed. He exhaled, sweat dripping down his forehead. He's faster than I thought. And stronger.
Kenji stepped forward, axe resting on his shoulder. His lips curled into a grim smile.
"You're keeping up better than I expected. Most men crumble after my first swing. But you… you're different."
Rey raised his fists, refusing to back down. "I don't care who you are. I'm not losing here."
From above, Noir crouched silently on a branch, eyes sharp.
His gaze darted to the clearing, where Rey moved with surprising agility. Dodging. Countering. Surviving.
Noir's eyes narrowed. How…? That's the Axe Reaper. His number is over 150,000. Yet Rey is dodging his attacks?
Shock flickered across Noir's normally composed face.
Below, Rey flipped backward, narrowly avoiding another axe swing. The clash of steel and gloves sent violent winds outward, scattering leaves like a storm.
The sheer force of the collision made Noir wince, shielding his eyes as debris flew past.
And then—
The forest trembled.
A crushing aura swept across the clearing.
Invisible pressure slammed down on everyone present.
Kenji froze, his knees buckling. The axe slipped in his grip, its blade sinking slightly into the soil. His eyes widened in panic.
"Th-This… this aura…!"
High in the branches, Noir stiffened. His hands shook uncontrollably. His breathing quickened as though invisible hands were squeezing his lungs.
"What… what is this pressure?!"
Rey, too, felt it—but unlike the others, his body resonated with it. Familiar. Recognizable.
Kenji's vision blurred, and suddenly—he stood once more before the beast.
The towering figure loomed over him, yellow eyes glowing like suns.
"How dare you fight my master," the beast growled, voice vibrating through Kenji's very bones. "Now… you shall pay."
From the beast's back, black tentacles lashed outward, wrapping around Kenji like serpents. He struggled, his axe slipping from his hands.
Rey's voice cut through the pressure.
"Stop!"
The beast halted, its eyes narrowing. Slowly, the tentacles uncoiled, dropping Kenji back to the ground.
The aura dissipated as quickly as it had come.
Kenji lay gasping, sweat dripping from his face. His breath came heavy, his chest rising and falling violently.
Noir, still trembling on his perch, felt the suffocating weight lift. He gritted his teeth. What the hell was that…? And why did it stop when Rey spoke?
Kenji staggered to his feet, gripping his axe tightly.
"What… did you do, boy?"
Rey shook his head. "Nothing. That beast… it's calling me its master."
Kenji's jaw clenched. His thoughts swirled. Impossible. That… that thing obeys him?
Rey's fists tightened. "Shall we continue?"
Kenji smirked bitterly, lifting his axe. "Heh. Don't think I'll hold back just because of that."
Rey lunged forward, his fists a blur. Kenji swung his axe, meeting Rey's strike head-on.
The clash sent a booming shockwave across the clearing. Rey used the rebound to flip into the air.
"Now!" Rey twisted midair, channeling momentum into his right fist. His glove shimmered faintly as he dropped down like a comet.
Kenji roared. "Bring it, kid!"
The axe swung upward to meet him.
CRASH!
The collision rattled the ground. Kenji stumbled, his footing slipping as he was pushed back. The force sent him tumbling across the river, splashing violently into the opposite bank.
Rey landed in a crouch, his boots digging into the soil. His arms shook from the strain. He's tough… but I can't let up.
Kenji stood, water dripping from his coat. His lips curled. "Not bad. But I'm not done yet."
He raised his axe high, slamming it into the river.
"Surging Ride!"
The water erupted, twisting into the form of a massive serpent. Its liquid body writhed, glowing faintly under the moonlight. With a hiss, it lunged straight for Rey.
Rey darted to the side, but the serpent twisted, chasing after him.
"Persistent bastard!" Rey muttered. He jumped, but the serpent surged upward, smashing into him midair.
"Ugh—!" Rey was sent flying, crashing hard into a cluster of trees. Bark splintered under the impact.
Kenji wasn't finished. He swung his axe, water glowing along its blade.
"Ryueo Slash!"
A massive crescent of water shot forth, slicing through the forest.
Rey's eyes widened. One became two. Then three. Multiplying slashes raced toward him like waves.
He crossed his arms, bracing himself.
BAM!
The water slashes slammed into him, forcing him back. Pain jolted through his body as he skidded across the ground, boots digging trenches in the dirt.
Kenji appeared before him in a blur, axe raised high. The weapon cut downward in a merciless arc.
Rey's eyes widened, instincts kicking in. His hand shot out, gripping the axe's handle before it connected.
The sheer weight sent vibrations through his arm, but he held firm.
Noir's eyes widened from his vantage point. He caught it…? Impossible… He caught the Axe Reaper's strike barehanded?!
Kenji's lips curled into a grin. "Got you."
Electric sparks danced suddenly across the axe's handle.
"Wha—?!" Rey's body jolted as lightning surged through him. Pain seared his muscles, forcing a scream from his throat.
"AAAARGH!"
The shock flung him backward, crashing through trees and snapping trunks like twigs. He hit the ground hard, dirt spraying upward.
Kenji exhaled heavily, lowering his axe. His expression was grim. "Sorry, kid. But this is my work."
For a moment, silence.
Then—
A low chuckle.
Kenji blinked. "What…?"
From the rubble, Rey pushed himself to his feet, laughter spilling from his lips. His orange eyes glowed faintly red.
Noir froze, his chest tightening. What… is this…?
Kenji's eyes widened as the mark on Rey's hand flared—its infinity symbol glowing dark crimson.
The air thickened with a terrifying aura.
Rey's eyes shifted fully crimson, his expression unreadable.
Kenji gritted his teeth, taking a step back. "You're… out of control."
Rey didn't answer. His hand moved slowly, drawing the dagger gifted by Kyawey.
With a flash—
Kenji gasped, stumbling back. Blood dripped down his waist.
"H-How…?!"
Before he could react, Rey appeared before him, sending him flying into the trees with a single strike.
Noir, watching, gulped audibly. That speed… I couldn't even follow it…
Kenji staggered to his feet, coughing blood. He roared, swinging his axe with desperation.
But Rey caught the blade with his bare hand.
Cracks spread across the weapon before—
SHATTER!
The axe's edge crumbled, fragments scattering into the river.
Kenji's eyes widened in horror.
Rey yanked the axe closer before driving a brutal kick into Kenji's gut. Blood spurted from his mouth as he was launched backward.
Then—silence.
Rey blinked. His red eyes faded back to orange. The aura vanished.
He looked down, realizing Kenji was sprawled on the ground, clutching his stomach.
Rey frowned. "You… you're still standing after all that?"
Kenji's grip tightened on his broken axe. Memories flashed in his mind—the smiling faces of children in Dormyouth. Their laughter. Their hope.
He whispered hoarsely, "I need… to fight for them…"
Rey's expression softened. He lowered his dagger. "Tell me… what's your goal?"
Kenji coughed, his breath heavy. "The nobles' sons… they sent me. If I refused… they'd destroy the orphanage in Dormyouth."
Rey's eyes hardened. "Zane. Zefert. Zander…" He clenched his fist. "Those bastards…"
Kenji's gaze dimmed. "I… I don't know what to do anymore."
Rey removed one glove, holding it out. "Show them this. Tell them you killed me. They'll believe it."
Kenji's eyes widened. "You're… not going to kill me?"
Rey shook his head. "You're not my enemy. You're protecting lives."
For the first time in years, Kenji smiled faintly. He took Rey's hand, gripping it firmly.
"Thank you. Truly…"
He looked Rey in the eye. "During our fight… you never used magic. Are you really that strong without it?"
Rey scratched his cheek, embarrassed. "Honestly… I don't know how to use magic yet."
Kenji blinked, stunned. Then he chuckled. "Unbelievable. If you learn magic… you'll surpass us all."
Rey nodded. "I'll try. But for now, I should go. Mr. Kyawey and the others are probably worried."
Kenji gave him a firm nod. "Go. I'll take care of things here."
Rey turned, taking a few steps. For a moment, he paused, sensing something. His eyes darted to the trees.
But nothing was there.
Unbeknownst to him, Noir had already vanished, returning to the group—mind swirling with questions about the boy who stood against the Axe Reaper.