Abandoned Warehouse

The abandoned warehouse echoed with the sound of dripping water. Kuro stood surrounded by five shadow hunters, each armed and ready to strike.

"So, do you accept our proposal?" the woman in front asked, her voice calm but her eyes sharp.

Kuro sighed softly. "Using numbers might work… if you use them on the right person. But do you really think numbers will force me to accept?"

"We'll see about that," the woman replied coldly. "But first, your answer?"

"Of course," Kuro murmured. "My answer is…"

He pointed a finger at her—then suddenly turned it toward the man with the gun.

"Bam!"

The man's body exploded, blood spraying like a fountain. The woman's clothes and face were instantly drenched in crimson. Everyone froze, unable to comprehend what had just happened.

As she wiped her face with her hand her's legs gave out, and she fell backward with a scream. "Wha… Aaaah!"

Kuro covered his ears. "Keep your voice down. Overreacting pisses me off. If you give up, then—"

Before he could finish.

"Ahh....How Dare You!" The Man holding the katana rushed to him to slashed him down from behind

Kuro turned slightly, his red eyes glowing. "Can't you see I'm talking?"

Flames flickered in his pupils. The katana wielder's body stiffened—then was cleaved cleanly in half before he could move.

The two hunters with magical guns fired immediately, but their bullets shattered midair, blocked by an invisible force.

Kuro walked toward the trembling woman, hands calmly tucked in his jacket pockets.

"He… he's a monster," she whispered.

The weapons kept firing, but each bullet broke apart the moment it touched Kuro's aura. Then, suddenly, the two gunmen screamed as black liquid streamed from their eyes and noses. In the next instant, their heads burst open as if crushed between massive steel plates.

Before Kuro could reach her, the last hunter swung a massive axe downward. Kuro caught the blade effortlessly between his thumb and forefinger.

He flicked his wrist lightly—sending the attacker flying through the air. The man crashed through a wall. As he tried weakly to get up, the axe flew back and buried itself in his skull.

Kuro crouched before the terrified woman, her head hanging low in despair. He lifted her chin gently and smiled.

"So, why don't you be a good girl—or rather, a good person—and tell me everything you know?"

"I… I…" Her voice trembled; fear strangled her words.

"Maybe you need some fresh air."

He picked her up effortlessly, leaping through the hole in the roof and landing outside. Setting her on the ground, he said, "Now, talk."

"I don't know much," she stammered. "There was intel about a middle school girl—and you—the only survivors from the Red Portal. We were told the one who conquered it was you."

"Your guild tried to find me but couldn't because I'm not registered," Kuro said coolly.

"Yes. My orders were to recruit you… even by force if needed. But I failed."

"Okay, then it is enough for now." Kuro turned to leave.

"You're going to let me go…?" she asked in disbelief.

"Unlike shadow hunters who wager their lives, you're just a normal human," he said flatly.

"Really…?" she began, but before she could finish, Kuro placed his hand on her head. Her eyes rolled back as he rewrote her memories—altering them so she'd believe the chaos was caused by a masked man known as the Shinigami.

As he removed his hand, she collapsed unconscious onto the rooftop.

Kuro leapt down and walked toward the warehouse wall. His eyes glowed with crimson fire. Placing his palm against the wall, he punched once, leaving behind a burning emblem—his mark.

"Perfect," he murmured, turning away as the symbol glowed faintly in the darkness.

Then, without looking back, he disappeared into the night.

After leaving the warehouse, Kuro headed straight home, the night air cooling the lingering heat in his veins.

The moment he reached the front gate, it swung open from the inside. Akari, his little sister, stood there, clutching the handle with both hands, her brows knitted with worry.

"nii-san! Where did you go? And that woman you went with… who was she?"

Her questions spilled out one after another as she stepped closer, scanning him for injuries.

Kuro let out a small breath and gently patted her head. "She was just a scammer," he said in a light tone. "She tried to trick me, but I handled it. You don't need to worry."

Akari studied his face for a moment, then slowly relaxed, the tension in her shoulders easing.

"Anyway," Kuro added, shifting the topic, "did you get the ingredients for dinner like I asked?"

Her eyes brightened a little. "Yeah, I chopped everything! Vegetables, meat, and the sauce you like."

"Good," he said, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Let's go inside. I'm starving."

Side by side, they stepped through the gate and entered the house, leaving the chaos of the warehouse far behind.