CHAPTER 35 – The Forest Jurisdiction
(A While Ago)
Deep inside the Forest Jurisdiction, the quiet was suddenly shattered.
"Buru buru buru… kacha… kacha…"
The transponder snail sputtered violently before a broken voice leaked through.
"Cap…tain… we've been attacked by some—… hehehehehe… so, Sophia, I heard you died, but to see you—kacha—"
The line cut abruptly.
Ren stopped mid-stride.
His voice was soft… but his eyes sharpened into a needle-thin killing intent.
"Sophia… Sophia… Sophia… what the hell happened?"
The air around him quivered.
"Oi, move faster," Ren muttered without even looking back, then vanished in a burst of speed, forcing Keptyn to sprint behind him.
Ren pulled out another transponder snail.
"Buru buru… kacha."
"Hello, captain," a calm male voice answered—Ross.
"Ross, listen carefully. Pirates are headed toward the ship right now… and government agents too.
Knock out the pirates—but kill every single one of those government dogs."
"Aye!! Aye!! Captain!!" three voices yelled from the other side—Ross, Umi, and Kris.
"Wait—since Umi and Kris are with you?"
"Yes, they returned."
"Good. That makes things easier. I'll trust you with this, Ross. Handle everything."
"Kacha."
Ren shut the snail and disappeared deeper into the forest.
---
(At the Town Square)
"Buru buru buru… kacha…"
A transponder snail rang loudly across the market square.
"Boss! We've been attacked while guarding the warehouse!"
The group of townspeople immediately broke into chaos, rushing toward the district.
Keptyn's mother grabbed his father by his collar.
"Why are you here?! I thought you stayed to guard the warehouse!"
"Do you expect me to sit and do nothing when I heard our son was about to be executed?!" he barked.
"That is why you failed to save him!" she snapped. "A stranger saved him instead!"
"I was already heading there," he muttered. "But Digil's friend was also moving, and if I acted, it would've blown my cover. I had to trust Digil would make a move."
He turned to the men around him.
"Listen up, boys! They took our country already, and now they want our turf too?! NO. We're not pushovers!" he roared.
Weapons lifted. Even traders and townsfolk who already knew the truth stepped forward.
"Let's show them why we're the best gangsters in this kingdom!
Our dethronement plan… starts TONIGHT!"
---
Ren's Arrival
Step.
Step.
Step.
Ren emerged from the forest, stepping into the ruined battlefield where Brock and Sophia lay buried but still alive under debris.
He exhaled with relief.
"Thank God… they can still breathe," he muttered.
Then his gaze slowly lifted toward Domino.
Ren's expression became void—calm, but carrying the heavy silence before a thunderstorm.
"Keptyn," Ren said without looking back, "that man over there… he's my kill."
The ground trembled slightly as Ren's aura leaked.
"And for your information, multiple government agents are attacking your town right now.
So you might want to do what you always do."
Keptyn froze. Shame washed over him, and he covered his face.
"…Thanks again," he whispered. "But can you promise me something?"
Ren tilted his head.
"Defeat that man," Keptyn said, voice hollow, eyes dead.
Ren smirked slightly.
"Sure. He's already a dead man."
Keptyn swallowed, then pointed at Ren's mask.
"And… can you give me that mask?"
Ren unhooked it with one hand and tossed it to him without hesitation.
"You can have it."