Silverwood Kingdom — Outside the City of Esmoril
Blade (Shujin) walked through the forest alongside Lance and Yuria as sunlight filtered through the tall trees above. For an entire week, the three adventurers had worked together—conducting investigations, slaying monsters, and quickly gaining fame as a powerful trio.
After cutting down a pack of wild wolves, Lance wiped the sweat from his forehead.
> "Another easy victory for Team Ashlight, huh?"
Yuria smiled as she brushed ash from her cloak.
> "That's thanks to Blade's precision. He's frighteningly good—even by Rank A standards."
Blade glanced at them quietly.
> "Stop praising me. It's unnecessary."
They laughed.
The two spies continued to act perfectly natural.
But Blade could feel it.
Their movements were trained. Their mana control was disciplined—too disciplined.
> They think they're deceiving me… Blade tightened his gloved hand.
Nyxarion's eyes are everywhere.
I'll keep playing their game—until the masks crack.
When they returned to the outskirts of the city, Blade stopped beside a massive ancient tree and looked northward—
Toward the Ironwood Kingdom.
Something stirred deep within him.
From his soul-link, a quiet whisper surfaced.
A familiar warmth.
> "Rei…?" he murmured.
At that moment, his vision flickered and faded.
---
Ironwood Kingdom — Valerion
Shujin opened his eyes within his spare body, lying in the silent room of Rei's residence. The air was still, carrying faint traces of medicinal herbs and tea.
Rei entered from the kitchen carrying a tray. Her eyes widened with relief.
> "Shujin-sama… you're awake."
(Here is Explanation. Where is Rei calling Shujin? The answer is when Shujin's soul in Blade's body transfers to the original body and his original body is Kuro. Because his hair is silver. But Rei calls him Shujin for something else.)
> "It's been a while," Shujin said calmly as he sat up. "You look exhausted."
Rei's eyes shone, though her smile was faint.
> "You always say that… but this time, it's different. The situation has worsened."
She handed him a sealed letter—one she had secretly delivered to the Church.
> "The syndicates are moving again. Slavery. Illegal trade. Smuggling demi-humans across the Ironwood border… I couldn't ignore it."
Shujin unfolded the letter and read. His eyes narrowed.
> "You sent this anonymously to the Church."
> "Yes," Rei admitted. "They've begun investigating… Ryuto is among them."
Shujin paused, recalling Ryuto's sharp instincts—his tendency to chase truth even when it hurt.
> "Ryuto will follow the evidence… even if it wounds him."
> "Then… what will you do, Shujin-sama?" Rei asked softly.
Shujin set the letter down and stood.
> "I'll do what those in power cannot. Quietly.
I'll let the Church claim the glory.
The people will call it justice."
Rei looked at him with warmth—and sorrow.
> "You haven't changed. Still hiding in the shadows for others."
Shujin turned toward her, his expression unreadable.
> "And you're still following me… even knowing what I am."
Rei smiled gently and touched his hand.
> "Because I know who you truly are.
Kiyoshi… Kuro… Shujin… it doesn't matter.
You've always fought for justice—your own way."
He didn't reply, but for a brief moment, the coldness around him softened.
> "Rei," he said quietly. "Once this is over, I'll return to Silverwood.
The world is moving faster now."
> "Then let me help before you go," Rei said. "Like before."
He nodded.
> "Very well. Tonight."
---
Later That Night — The Infiltration
The border town of Rathmor, situated between Ironwood and the Northern Plains, was infamous as a hub for illegal trade.
Tonight, the streets were silent—
unnaturally silent.
In a narrow alley, Ryuto and a small group of Church Knights—dressed in plain clothes—moved carefully through the shadows.
> "According to the intel," one whispered,
"the syndicate's base should be beneath that warehouse."
Ryuto adjusted his hood, his brown eyes glinting in the darkness.
> "Stay alert. They've operated under the authorities' noses for years.
That means powerful backers."
At the same time, two dark figures stood atop the rooftops—
Shujin and Rei. Shujin wears his usual dark cloak and the mask while Rei wears the same.
> "They're inside," Rei whispered.
> "Good," Shujin replied. "Seal every escape route."
He extended his hand. Dark mana threads flowed like living shadows through the alleys, forming silent, invisible barriers.
Below, Ryuto's team discovered a hidden staircase beneath stacked crates.
They descended.
The stench of blood, sweat, and rust filled the air.
Cages lined the walls—filled with trembling demi-humans. Chains rattled softly.
> "G-Goddess…" one knight whispered.
"How long has this been going on…?"
Suddenly, alarms blared.
Hidden guards surged forward, firing blades, cursed weapons, and spells.
> "It's a trap!"
Steel clashed in the darkness.
The Church's covert unit fought back—but they were outnumbered.
Above, Rei's eyes widened.
> "They're surrounded!"
Before Shujin could move, the syndicate leader appeared atop the warehouse roof, wielding a magical whip.
> "You think you can capture us?
The Dark Lord has gone silent!
No one can stop us now!"
Shujin's eyes blazed violet.
> "Do you truly believe that?"
A dark presence manifested behind the man.
Deathly silence fell.
Shujin gripped the man's throat.
> "Did you think justice sleeps while I rest?"
With a single motion, the whip crumbled into dust.
The man's eyes bulged in terror.
> "P-Please! I'll give you everything! Gold! Status! Slaves—!"
> "Your words are filthy," Shujin said coldly.
"I don't want your wealth.
I want your silence."
He released a controlled burst of dark energy—enough to knock the man unconscious, but not kill him.
Rei watched quietly.
> "You didn't finish him, Shujin-sama."
> "If I did," Shujin replied,
"the Church wouldn't get their justice.
Let them be seen as heroes."
Below, Ryuto and his team secured victory—arresting the syndicate members and freeing the captives.
> "You're safe now," Ryuto told a trembling demi-human girl gently.
"The Church will protect you."
As he looked up, he caught sight of a shadow leaping from the rooftops—
Familiar. Fast. Almost divine.
For an instant, he felt Shujin's presence.
> "…Him?" Ryuto whispered, narrowing his eyes.
"Impossible… it can't be."
---
Later That Night — Outside Rathmor
Shujin and Rei stood atop a cliff overlooking the glowing town below.
> "It's over," Rei said softly. "The Church will celebrate."
> "As planned," Shujin replied.
"They'll believe faith delivered justice…
but true justice needs no gods."
Rei gazed at the night sky and stepped closer.
> "Shujin-sama… do you ever rest?"
> "Rest?" He looked at her quietly.
"Justice does not sleep, Rei."
She smiled sadly.
> "Then… let me watch with you."
Under the moonlight, they stood in silence—
Two shadows sharing the same pain, the same blood-stained memories, and the same quiet dream of peace.
---
At the Same Time — Valerion Church
Ryuto returned with his report in hand. The cardinals praised his success, but his mind was restless.
> "The way they fought… and that shadow over the city…"
"Ryuto, are you doubting something?" a cardinal asked.
Ryuto lowered his gaze.
> "Maybe… someone."
He looked out the window toward Ironwood's night sky.
> "Shujin… are you still out there?"
The candle flame flickered—
As if answering him in silence.
---
✨ End of Chapter 24 — Whispers of the Underworld ✨
---