END OF FUTURE ARC PART 1

A FEW HOURS AGO...

Leon sat cross-legged on the cold floor of the temple, the fading torchlight casting long shadows across the ancient stone pillars. He tilted his head up at Hannah and Shu, his expression unusually serious.

“So,” he began, his tone cutting through the silence, “once we break into the demon realm, what’s the plan? There are seven of them, and including Tobi, only four of us. We’ll need a considerable boost in power to pull this off.”

Hannah and Shu exchanged glances, both of their faces edged with frustration and unease. Leon was right. Without some kind of overwhelming power, defeating even one demon lord was nearly impossible. Stalling them long enough to rescue Hanz? Out of the question. What they needed wasn’t just strength—it was an instant surge of power. And such a thing only came with sacrifice.

Leon noticed the way their expressions darkened. Rising to his feet, he dusted his trousers and gave a half-smile.

“You guys know a way, don’t you?” he said. “Judging by your faces, it seems like we’re gonna have to strike a deal with someone—or something—shady, aren’t we?”

Neither Hannah nor Shu answered. Their silence was confirmation enough. Leon smirked in his usual carefree manner.

“Alright then, nothing I can’t handle.” He leaned back against one of the massive temple pillars, folding his arms. “So, what kind of deal are we talking about? A contract with some demon? Meeting a mage who unlocks hidden power at the risk of our bodies breaking down? Or maybe—”

“Enough.” Shu’s sharp glare cut him off. The younger man sighed and spoke calmly, though his eyes carried the weight of the choice. “Since you’re going to keep bugging us about it… we’ll have to make a contract with a certain cursed item. It’s the only way to get the power we need.”

Leon’s interest was instantly piqued. “What kind of cursed item? Be specific—there are plenty of them scattered across the world.”

Hannah’s voice broke the heavy silence, grim and steady. “The Fang-Bound Amulet.”

Leon’s eyes widened. He pushed himself off the pillar as the words sank in.

“No way. You want to make a contract with berserker spirits?” His voice rose with disbelief. “You do realize the price for that contract is a piece of your soul, right? Not only that—every kill you make while using their power erodes your mind. Little by little, you stop being yourself until you’re nothing but another berserker spirit bound to the amulet.”

“We know the sacrifice we’re making,” Shu replied flatly, his voice hard as iron. His eyes already burned with quiet resolve.

Hannah stepped toward Leon, laying a gentle hand on his shoulder. Her tone softened. “The contract is a choice. If you don’t want to do it, we won’t force you. It’s almost time for the full moon. Go on ahead without us—we’ll catch up.”

Leon grit his teeth, fists clenching at his sides. “You both know as well as I do that the Enkairadion won’t be able to help you once the contract is made. Even if luck favors you, even if you somehow keep yourselves from reaching the berserkers’ killing limit, your souls will still be permanently damaged. You’ll lose access to your kantar manifestation states forever.”

But Hannah only gave him a small, bittersweet smile. “It’s a price Shu and I are willing to pay. Our time has come and gone. It’s our duty, as the previous generation, to give everything we have to protect the current one. Shu and I will explain the details to Tobi once he wakes up. For now, go to the demon realm—and leave your sword with us. We’ll follow after we finish what must be done.”

Leon exhaled heavily, frustration burning in his chest. But he knew there was no changing their minds. Dropping the argument, he put on his usual carefree mask and strode to the center of the temple’s chamber.

With a sharp motion, he summoned his massive great sword. The air shimmered as kantar energy surged through him, awakening the weapon’s true form—a dual-edged blade with a lion-headed hilt, its gaping jaws splitting into two curving edges. The entire weapon radiated a fierce golden aura, filling the room with raw power.

Leon spun the awakened blade in his grip, then with all his strength, slashed through the empty air before him. Reality itself tore open, a swirling portal blooming from the strike.

He glanced back one last time at Hannah and Shu. Their faces were resolute, unyielding.

With a sigh that turned into a crooked grin, Leon dropped the blade and stepped into the rift. The portal sealed shut behind him, swallowing him whole.