The night felt heavier than before.
Not because of enemies—
But because of something within.
Restless Silence
Raizen stood alone.
The training ground was empty.
But his shadow—
Was not.
Unnatural Movement
It moved slightly.
Without command.
Without reason.
Awareness
Raizen noticed.
"…Again."
Internal Conflict
He focused.
Tried to suppress it.
But the shadow resisted.
Just for a second.
Then—
It stopped.
Not Normal
"…This isn't control."
A pause.
"…It's something else."
Kagen Arrives
"You shouldn't ignore it."
Raizen turned.
Kagen stood behind him.
Watching carefully.
Concern Grows
"…It's getting worse," Raizen said.
Kagen nodded.
"…I know."
New Information
"…You're not the only one."
Raizen's eyes narrowed.
"…What do you mean?"
Spread of Distortion
Kagen spoke slowly.
"…Other hunters…"
"…Have started experiencing instability."
Shock
"…Because of that thing?"
"…Most likely."
Connection Confirmed
Raizen looked at his shadow.
"…So it's spreading."
Urgent Situation
"…Which means we don't have time."
Sudden Alarm
A loud signal echoed.
Sharp.
Urgent.
Emergency Call
Both turned instantly.
"…That's not normal."
Movement
They rushed toward the source.
Fast.
Arrival
At the training hall—
Chaos.
Hunters surrounded someone.
Holding him down.
Uncontrolled Power
A young hunter struggled.
His shadow—
Out of control.
Violent.
Distorted Form
It twisted unnaturally.
Lashing out at everything nearby.
Danger Level Rising
"…He's losing it!"
Recognition
Raizen stepped forward.
"…It's the same…"
Kagen's Order
"…Don't get close."
But Raizen Moved
"…I have to."
Connection Attempt
He stepped closer.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Reaction
The shadow reacted instantly.
Targeting him.
Attack
It struck—
Fast.
Uncontrolled.
Defense
Raizen blocked.
Barely.
Understanding the Pattern
"…It's not attacking randomly…"
A pause.
"…It's reacting to me."
Key Realization
"…Because I'm connected to it."
Decision
Raizen stepped forward again.
Ignoring the risk.
Kagen Warns
"…Raizen—"
Too late.
Direct Contact
Raizen extended his shadow.
Not to control—
But to reach.
Clash
The two shadows collided.
Violently.
Moment of Instability
Everything shook.
The air distorted.
Inner Link
For a brief moment—
Raizen saw something.
Vision
A dark space.
Endless.
Twisted.
Presence
Something was there.
Watching.
Break
The connection snapped.
Return to Reality
Raizen stepped back.
Breathing hard.
Result
The hunter's shadow—
Calmed.
Slowly.
Stabilized.
Silence
Everyone stared.
"…He stopped it…"
Kagen's Focus
"…What did you see?"
Raizen's Answer
"…Something is behind it."
A pause.
"…Something bigger."
Final Scene
Raizen looked at his shadow.
It was calm again.
But now—
He knew.
Ending Line
When power begins to spread beyond control—
It means something is controlling it from the other side.