Chapter 18 : The hidden betrayal

Kaito moved swiftly through the shadows, his heart pounding as he navigated the heavily guarded area. Every step had to be precise. Every breath controlled. He had evaded the patrols so far, but one wrong move, one misplaced sound, and everything would be over. No one in the agency could know he was here. If they found out he was betraying them, it would mean his end.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity of careful maneuvering, he reached the secluded hideout. A small, dimly lit room at the edge of the district, its walls cracked with age, the scent of damp wood hanging heavy in the air. Inside, two figures sat tensely, their eyes locked onto the entrance. Sora and Mikuya had been waiting.

Mikuya’s eyes widened as Kaito stepped inside, his figure emerging from the darkness like a phantom. "You actually came."

Kaito exhaled slowly, shutting the door behind him. "I’m sorry it took so long," he said, keeping his voice low. "I had to be careful. Soldiers are everywhere."

Sora leaned forward, his sharp eyes scanning Kaito as if assessing his condition. "Tell us about the assassins. Who are they? And what exactly is going on?"

Kaito took a deep breath, his mind flashing back to the horrors he had witnessed. "It’s worse than I thought," he began, his voice laced with exhaustion. "There’s someone new leading the agency’s dark operations. His name is Kurogami. He’s ruthless, and he’s the one who sent assassins after you."

Mikuya’s face tensed. "Kurogami? I’ve never heard of him."

"You wouldn’t have," Kaito said, rubbing his temples. "He’s a ghost in the system. He only recently rose to power, but he’s already commanding elite killers. And now… you two are on his list."

A heavy silence filled the room. The weight of Kaito’s words settled like an invisible force pressing down on them.

Mikuya, breaking the silence, turned to Kaito with a serious expression. "There’s something else I need to ask you. What do you know about cursed energy?"

Kaito’s eyes widened in shock. "How do you know about that?"

Mikuya glanced at Sora. "Because Sora uses it. He told me."

Sora quickly looked away, clenching his fists. "Mikuya, you—"

"I had to tell him," she said firmly. "We need answers."

Kaito’s expression darkened, his hands tightening into fists. "Sora, do you have any idea how dangerous that is?! You shouldn’t be using cursed energy without proper control. If the agency finds out—"

"I know the risks!" Sora shot back, his voice edged with frustration. "But it’s part of who I am. And if we’re up against assassins, we’ll need everything we can use."

Kaito pinched the bridge of his nose. "Damn it, Sora. This isn’t a game. Cursed energy is unpredictable. If you can’t control it, it’ll consume you before you even get the chance to fight."

Sora’s jaw tightened, but he said nothing.

Before Kaito could continue, a sudden noise outside made them all freeze. Footsteps. Heavy boots against the stone pavement. Soldiers.

Mikuya whispered, "They found us."

Kaito clenched his fists. "I’ll fight them."

"No." Sora grabbed his arm, his grip firm. "If they recognize you, they’ll know you’re the traitor. You need to go. Now!"

Kaito hesitated, his muscles tense with conflict. He wanted to stay, to fight alongside them, but Sora was right. If the agency confirmed his betrayal, there would be no escape.

"Stay alive," he said at last, stepping back into the shadows. "I’ll find you later."

As Kaito disappeared into the darkness, the door burst open. Soldiers stormed in, weapons drawn. Sora and Mikuya didn’t hesitate. They launched into action, moving like synchronized forces of nature.

Mikuya dodged the first blade that came her way, twisting her body with fluid grace before striking her attacker with a precise blow to the throat. The soldier gasped, staggering before collapsing.

Sora moved with raw power, his cursed energy flickering around him as he countered every strike. His fist connected with an enemy’s jaw, sending the soldier flying backward into the wall with a sickening crack.

The battle was fierce, but in the end, Sora and Mikuya stood victorious. However, amidst the chaos, one soldier managed to escape.

The lone soldier sprinted through the dark corridors of the agency headquarters, his breath ragged. His uniform was torn, blood seeping from a wound on his shoulder. But he didn’t stop. He couldn’t. He had something far more important to deliver.

Bursting into Kurogami’s chamber, he dropped to one knee, panting heavily. "Sir! I have urgent news!"

Kurogami sat calmly in his chair, fingers tapping against the armrest. His piercing gaze locked onto the soldier, his presence suffocating.

"Speak," Kurogami commanded, his voice like ice.

"We located the targets—Mikuya and Sora. But… there was a problem."

Kurogami’s expression remained unreadable. "Go on."

"We engaged them in battle, but they were stronger than expected. Most of the squad was eliminated. I barely escaped to report."

A flicker of annoyance crossed Kurogami’s face. "And why should I tolerate failure?"

The soldier swallowed hard, his body trembling. "Because I bring valuable information. During the fight… we saw someone with the agency’s emblem. Someone who helped them."

Kurogami’s eyes narrowed. "Who?"

"I couldn’t get a clear look, sir. But there’s a traitor in our ranks. Someone aiding the targets in secret."

Silence filled the room. The air became thick with an unspoken menace.

Then, Kurogami let out a low chuckle. "A traitor, huh? How amusing. It seems the game has become more interesting."

The soldier remained frozen, unsure whether he was safe or moments from death. The tension in the room was suffocating.

Kurogami leaned forward, his gaze sharper than a blade. "You said the targets were strong?"

The soldier nodded hastily. "Yes, sir. Sora… he used something. Something strange. It wasn’t normal combat."

Kurogami’s eyes gleamed with intrigue. "Cursed energy."

The soldier flinched at the words, as if the mere mention of them carried a hidden weight.

Kurogami smirked, standing up from his chair. "This changes things. I want a full investigation into the traitor. Search the ranks. Interrogate anyone suspicious. And as for Mikuya and Sora… increase the pressure. Send a stronger force. Make sure they have no room to breathe."

The soldier nodded vigorously. "Yes, sir!"

Kurogami turned toward the window, staring into the vast darkness beyond. "Oh, and one more thing."

The soldier froze mid-step. "Yes, sir?"

Kurogami’s voice was smooth, almost amused. "When you find this traitor… bring me their head."

The soldier shivered but quickly bowed. "Understood, sir."

As the door closed behind him, Kurogami’s smirk widened. "Let the hunt begin."