A Throne Bathed in Moonlight

**In the Boss Hall.**

Kuro stood before a towering woman in knight’s armor, her entire body radiating a suffocating aura that pressed down on the room like a storm. It was a presence unlike anything he had ever felt.

“So this is what it feels like to face an S-Class,” Kuro muttered, unfazed by the danger despite the chill running down his spine.

The knight, steady in her fighting stance, let her energy calm. A cold, dignified voice echoed from beneath her helmet.

“You are not qualified for the throne. Your heart is impure. Step aside, and I will let you live.”

Kuro scratched his head, then gave a crooked grin.

“Oh, a talkative one, huh? Sorry, but I’ve got no plans to leave…” His smirk deepened. “…not without taking the treasure standing in front of me.”

“Please don’t force me—” she began, but her words faltered as a dark, suffocating aura burst from Kuro, spreading like ink through the air.

“Very well,” she said quietly.

Kuro stood motionless, relaxed, seemingly full of openings.

In the next instant, the knight vanished. A shockwave cracked the marble floor as she appeared before him and threw a punch meant to shatter his skull. Kuro raised his arms just in time, parrying the blow—but the sheer impact sent him hurtling through walls until his body smashed outside the castle.

Still airborne, he barely steadied himself before the knight appeared again, her armor glinting under the moonlight.

She raised one leg high, then drove it into his gut with crushing force. Kuro slammed into the ground like a meteor, the shockwave tearing up the courtyard. Following through, the knight dove toward him and punched the ground, engulfing the area in dust and debris.

When the smoke cleared, Kuro was gone.

She turned—only to find him leaning casually against a broken pillar. He gave a low whistle.

“Well, looks like the guy you kicked isn’t where you left him,” he teased.

The knight said nothing, her stance tightening again.

“Sorry to bother,” Kuro continued, pointing toward her waist, “but why not use that sword of yours?”

“That’s not your concern,” she answered coolly. “Besides, I can sense it—you’re holding back. If you wanted to, this fight would already be over.”

Kuro’s aura darkened further.

“I don’t want to fight someone who’s only fighting to die...” he said softly.

She hesitated, then replied, “Then you accept death. Because if you won’t kill me, I will kill you.”

“Nah...” Kuro brushed the dust from his clothes and grinned. “Someone’s waiting for me back home. Until they stop waiting—I can’t die.”

“Then...” she whispered, removing her helmet. Crimson hair spilled out, glimmering in the moonlight. Her dull blue eyes were filled with emptiness. Spreading her arms, she muttered, “That leaves you only one choice—”

“Jeez,” Kuro interrupted, stepping forward. “You’re really persistent.”

He reached out and flicked her forehead with his finger.

In an instant, the world around them dissolved—replaced by a blinding white void.

“Wha—what is this?” she gasped.

Kuro walked ahead, turning to face her.

“I told you I wouldn’t attack unless you drew your sword. But if you won’t... I’ll just have to *make* you.”

The scene rippled—and the white void shattered into a sunlit village filled with laughter. Children ran past, chasing one another.

“This... no…” she whispered, eyes wide with disbelief.

Kuro’s figure stood among them, his shadow stretching unnaturally. Two children ran toward him.

“Wait—!” she cried.

But Kuro swung his blade. Blood splattered the ground as the children fell. Panic erupted. Screams tore through the village as he cut down everyone in sight, moving like a phantom.

“Stop... please, stop...” the knight cried, trembling. Her knees gave out. She covered her ears, trying to shut out the chaos.

Then—someone tapped her shoulder.

She turned.

“Fa...father?” she whispered, eyes filling with tears.

Her father smiled weakly—before his head exploded, cut down by Kuro standing behind him.

“Why...” she choked out, her voice breaking.

“Sorry? Did you say something?” Kuro mocked.

“Why... why... WHY!” she screamed as her aura exploded, shattering Kuro’s illusion like glass. The world reverted to the shattered boss hall.

Kuro grinned, almost proud. “Looks like it worked.”

A flash of silver cut through the air—her sword slashed across his body before he could react. Blood splattered across the broken floor as Kuro collapsed.

“You didn’t have to go that far,” she said coldly. “But... goodbye.”

She turned back toward the throne room. With a heavy clang, she pushed open the door—and froze.

Kuro sat casually on the throne, munching on an apple. The wounds on his body were real; blood still dripped onto his torn jacket.

“Geeeze,” he groaned, standing up with a grin. “That last strike almost killed me. But...”

He raised his hand and summoned a pair of daggers, their black edges glinting.

“Now that you’re fighting for something to protect...” His eyes narrowed. “Let’s dance.”