Chapter 35: I’ll Be Back Soon

In the quiet nights of Mond, when lights shimmer above the city streets like threads of stars fallen to the earth,

silence flowed through the alleys—broken only by the steady footsteps of the guards as they patrolled, protecting the night’s serenity.

Amid that calm, Y walked at an uncharacteristically slow pace…

as if something weighed down his steps, or pulled his thoughts toward a place beyond this world.

He lifted his gaze to the sky—

a clear night, stars gleaming like scattered lights.

The daytime sky is beautiful…

but a clear night sky is something else entirely.

It was a shame that so many people in the old world had never known such a sight.

When he reached Lara’s house, he entered quietly, the marks of exhaustion clearly etched across his face.

Lara, who was still awake beside her husband Nival, Leona’s father, spoke gently:

“Welcome back.”

Y: “Were you waiting for me?”

Lara raised her hand, and a soft green light enveloped Y.

Lara: “I can hear your body screaming…”

Y: “I just need a little rest.”

Nival: “Sit down… come and share the meal with me.”

Lara stood up as she spoke:

“I’ll prepare the food now.”

Nival sat, carefully wiping his glasses.

A man in his middle years, with neatly kept brown hair and elegant clothing that gave him the air of a seasoned lawyer.

He took out a bottle, drank a little, then said:

Nival: “It’s been four months since the last time I saw you in this world.”

Y sat beside him.

Y: “You look tired.”

Nival: “Yes… but not as much as you.”

He gently tossed the bottle toward him.

Nival: “Don’t worry… it’s just water.”

Y took a sip.

Y: “Good to see you quit drinking.”

Nival: “I didn’t quit… I just don’t have time to drink.”

After a brief silence, Y asked:

Y: “In your opinion… which is harder in terms of work? This world, or the old world?”

Nival let out a deep sigh.

Nival:

“The old world is far more difficult.

Economic kingdoms there are interconnected, and money itself becomes a weapon.

There are hundreds of ways to control it—and once you do, you become a target for everyone.

The greater your wealth, the greater the number of your enemies.”

He then added:

“That applies to this world as well… but far more weakly, at least for now.”

Y: “We see things the same way.”

Nival: “In the end… I learned a lot from you.”

Lara returned carrying the food and placed it before them.

Lara: “Please.”

Y began to eat.

Y: “Just us?”

Lara smiled.

Lara:

“Yes… Leona, Lauma, and Diona are sleeping in Leona’s room.

You’d laugh if you saw them—Lauma and Diona are both hugging Leona as they sleep.”

She added lightly:

“As for L and Ash… they took over your room and fell asleep there.”

Then she continued:

“And Klee, Lunaria, and Angela are living with Aris and Kaguya now.”

Y: “That’s fine… I’ll sleep here.”

Nival: “I heard you have a mission with the king tomorrow.”

Lara: “I hope it won’t be long…”

Y: “Maybe a week… or less.”

Lara suddenly smiled.

Lara: “Good. I have a surprise for you.”

Nival opened his mouth to speak.

Nival: “She’s been working on it since—”

But Lara quickly placed her hand over his face.

Lara: “Don’t finish! You’ll ruin the surprise.

And don’t give him any hints… he’ll figure it out immediately.”

Nival chuckled softly.

Nival: “You’re right.”

Y smiled, exhaustion clear in his eyes.

Y: “I’m looking forward to it.

Thank you for the meal… I’ll go get some rest.”

Lara: “Good night.”

The next morning was bright, the air filled with the scent of dewy herbs.

People gathered at Mond’s gate, cheering as the king prepared to depart.

Voices of prayers and wishes for safety blended with the heavy sound of footsteps against the stone ground,

as if the entire city stood there to bid farewell.

Y looked at the crowd with a faint smile and said:

“I usually leave without anyone knowing.”

Regon stepped a little closer to him and whispered softly:

“You’ll need to get used to this from now on.”

Lara stood at a distance, watching him in silence…

her heart following his steps, as if a small fear clung to his shadow.

Just before they passed beyond the gate, Y suddenly stopped.

He turned toward Lara, then—without any warning—raised his voice, saying with a sincere smile:

“Don’t worry… I’ll be back soon!”

Lara froze for a moment, then something inside her finally settled.

His shout wasn’t merely loud—it was reassuring…

as if it cut through the noise of the crowd and reached her alone.

Y and Regon set off on the long road, while Lara remained where she stood.

But this time, that deep anxiety was no longer in her eyes…

instead, a calm smile rested there, eased by the echo of his voice still ringing in her ears.

She breathed steadily, as though his words had lifted a weight from her chest—one she hadn’t even realized was there.

People around her waved their farewells,

and she gently raised her hand as well, feeling at ease.

That short sentence—“I’ll be back soon”—had truly been enough to calm her heart.

Ash stood beside L as they watched the scene.

Ash: “That’s the first time I’ve ever heard him shout…”

She smiled lightly.

L: “Me too.”

Lara then turned toward them and said:

“What do you think—shall we begin now, girls?”

L: “Begin what?”

Lara smiled with confidence.

Lara: “I have an idea for a surprise for Y… do you want to take part?”

L and Ash exchanged a quick glance, then answered with the same enthusiasm:

“A surprise for Y? Of course!”

Lara nodded in satisfaction.

Lara: “That’s the spirit I was looking for… follow me to Margaret.”

The road stretching beyond Mond was quiet, lined with scattered trees and a gentle breeze carrying the scent of wild herbs.

Y walked beside Regon with measured steps, while the sound of horses’ hooves behind them slowly dissolved into the distant horizon.

Regon spoke in a contemplative tone:

“You have remarkable companions.”

Y nodded with a faint smile.

“I agree.”

A glimmer of distant memories shone in Regon’s eyes.

“They remind me of my old team.”

Y turned slightly toward him.

“You and the Dwarven King were part of it, weren’t you?”

Regon: “And Milena was with us as well.”

Y spoke quietly, his voice carrying deep understanding:

“I see… so you were involved in Milena’s plan.”

Regon smiled faintly, pride evident in it.

“That’s right. I was the one who proposed the plan to the Dwarven King.”

He paused, as if the past were flowing before his eyes once more, then continued calmly:

“We were once a team of hunters, traveling the world together… we were extremely well known.

Especially Milena—she was famed for her strength in duels. I’ve known her since we were young, and her skill alone was enough to make anyone around her lose hope of winning.”

He sighed, his voice blending old pride with clear regret.

“But she never abandoned her dream… the dream of participating in the Kingdom of Hunters’ tournament.

She kept fighting until she finally achieved it.”

Y asked with clear focus:

“And what happened to her?”

Regon gazed toward the distant horizon.

“One day, Milena entered the tournament… and won with ease.

Then the next one… and the next… until fighters began avoiding her altogether.”

He added heavily:

“Quite simply… there was no one who could match her.

So she decided to enter the Grand Tournament of the Kingdom of Hunters—where the winner becomes the new ruler.”

His voice shifted slightly as he went on:

“But… in that tournament, Milena stood alone in the arena.

A heavy silence fell over the audience… and only the wind applauded her sword.

No one participated. Even the former king relinquished his throne without a fight.”

Y spoke softly, his words carrying deeper meaning:

“Obtaining a title without a battle… that’s more cruel than any fight.”

Regon nodded with quiet sorrow.

“Since she became queen… no one has challenged her, and she has challenged no one.

She lost her desire to fight.”

Then he turned to Y with subdued seriousness.

“But after seeing you… I became certain that you’re the only person who could face her… and perhaps defeat her.”

Y looked away to the side.

“You know I may not agree to that.”

Regon smiled with gentle confidence.

“I know… but I’m certain Milena would take interest—especially if she sees Lunaria’s growth.”

Y interrupted him, his tone calm yet firm:

“Say no more.”

His words weren’t sharp, but his eyes carried a deep understanding of the weight behind that story.

Then he said:

“I want to see her for myself… and only then will I decide.

For now… can we hurry? There are things I want to do after our mission.”

Regon smiled lightly.

“Of course.”

The familiar restaurant at the heart of Mond was overflowing with laughter, songs, and the rich aromas of fresh food and drink.

Voices mingled with the clinking of glasses, the air saturated with the lively energy of the evening.

Yet, slightly apart from that noise, Zeral and Phoenix sat at a side table…

their conversation carrying a weight heavier than all the surrounding sounds.

The restaurant door opened,

and Diona, Lauma, and Leona entered.

Diona: “Aunt Margaret, we’re here to visit Liz.”

Margaret smiled warmly.

“Go ahead… she’s in her room upstairs.”

Leona excused herself softly, then hurried upstairs with Diona and Lauma toward Liz’s room.

Moments later, Lara entered the restaurant, followed by L and Ash.

Margaret smiled and asked:

Margaret:

“Is it time, Lara?”

Lara returned the smile and replied:

Lara:

“Yes… L and Ash want to join as well.”

Margaret gestured toward the kitchen.

Margaret:

“Please, come in. Elin has prepared everything.”

Lara:

“Thank you.”

L glanced around, then asked with curiosity:

L:

“Are we cooking?”

Lara nodded.

Lara:

“Of course. After all… I’m not a fighter.”

L sighed slightly.

L:

“I’m sorry, but I’m not much of a cook.”

Ash:

“Neither am I.”

Lara smiled calmly.

Lara:

“Don’t worry. We’re making a dessert… one Y likes very much.”

L paused for a moment, then said:

L:

“I’ve never seen Y eat sweets before.”

Before she could continue, a familiar voice interrupted from behind.

“Because his taste is strange.”

It was Phoenix.

Ash (in surprise):

“Strange taste?”

Lara laughed lightly.

Lara:

“Don’t worry. He’s just upset because his favorite dish didn’t impress Y.”

Ash smiled.

Ash:

“That’s a very good reason.”

Margaret waved her hand lightly.

Margaret:

“Go on ahead. We run a restaurant, after all.”

Zeral looked at Phoenix calmly.

“I heard he’ll be setting out on a journey with the King of Mond. Don’t you want to see him?”

Phoenix smiled faintly.

“He’ll be back soon.”

Zeral raised an eyebrow.

“I thought you wanted to join him.”

Phoenix sighed and replied in an even tone:

“And who wouldn’t? But… he’s changed.

Do you remember the first time we met? What did I tell you back then?”

Zeral thought for a moment, then said:

“You said you wanted to be ready when the right time came, didn’t you?”

Phoenix nodded slowly, lowering his voice.

“Exactly… and the right time hasn’t come yet.

We thought he’d been in this world for two years…

but the truth is, he only appeared six months ago.”

Zeral’s eyes widened in shock.

“I still can’t believe that… it feels like he adapted to this world incredibly fast.”

Phoenix replied:

“That’s what sets Y apart from us.

In the old world, problems poured down on him like rain…

and everyone targeted him because of that.”

Zeral tilted his head in confusion.

“But why? He doesn’t seem like a bad person.”

Phoenix smiled—a small smile, tinged with bitterness.

“And that’s exactly why.

After the death of his adoptive father… he took on all the responsibility himself.

He distanced himself from everyone for a while—we thought he was grieving…

but the truth was worse.”

Zeral leaned in slightly.

“Worse?”

Phoenix continued:

“After his death, the people who had been close to his father…

joined forces with those holding power in his companies.

They launched a secret war against Y… to bring him down and seize his father’s wealth.”

He paused, then went on:

“Y grasped the situation quickly and personally reviewed every employee in every company.

He stripped everyone of authority… prevented leaks and internal coups…

and came to control everything in complete secrecy,

to the point where some companies didn’t even know what he looked like.”

Zeral’s breathing quickened slightly.

“Let me guess… they tried to look for his family, right?”

Phoenix nodded.

“That’s right. But they failed.

His father had planned everything in advance…

made Y the sole heir,

and placed Anna and Lara in another family—under secret protection.”

Zeral nodded in admiration.

“So that’s why Y disappeared from sight… to protect you all.”

Phoenix smiled faintly, without joy.

“And after their plans failed… they launched massive smear campaigns against him.

That’s when we finally understood the truth that had been hidden from us for years.”

He closed his eyes briefly as he continued:

“Despite all that pressure… he endured for years.

He fulfilled his father’s dream—

built hospitals that treated people for free,

provided jobs for those in need…

and Lara’s husband, Nival, was one of them.”

Then he said with quiet pride:

“And after he made the companies self-sustaining… he stepped down from leadership.”

Zeral exhaled in disbelief.

“I bet the entire world is watching him.”

Phoenix opened his eyes and replied with calm sharpness:

“On the contrary…

Y is the one watching the world.

That’s how he’s always been—observing in silence… searching for answers on his own.”

He continued:

“Now he’s more active… more involved with people…

but some things about him never change.”

Zeral leaned forward.

“But he hasn’t announced his return yet, has he?”

Phoenix answered:

“That’s right.

Even though we’ve been here for two years…

there are enemies and allies who know Y—

but they don’t know he’s back.”

Zeral thought for a moment, then said seriously:

“Feuds among hunters… aren’t new.

A lot of people have died because of them.”

Suddenly—

the sound of shattering glass rang out.

A tray of drinks slipped from the waitress’s hands, glass scattering across the floor.

Margaret, the restaurant owner, hurried over.

“Are you alright, Mia?”

Mia: “Yes… I’ll clean up the mess.”

Mia’s reflection appeared in the spilled drinks, like drops of blood.

For a moment, the world seemed to hesitate,

then the noise gradually returned.

Phoenix looked at the spilled drink and said in a low voice:

“The right time will come… and Y will stand against the world.”

Zeral opened his mouth in shock.

“When will he announce his return?”

Phoenix’s gaze hardened.

“After he comes out of the Abyss.”

Zeral stood up in shock, his voice rising unintentionally.

“What!?”

Everyone turned toward him,

so he quickly sat back down, lowering his voice.

“That’s… madness.”

Phoenix said calmly:

“That’s the natural reaction.

But… yes, he decided to enter the Abyss himself.”

Zeral asked:

“Who knows about this?”

Phoenix replied:

“Only his family… and L and Ash.”

Zeral let out a breath.

“I see… but that’s incredibly dangerous.”

Phoenix continued:

“And what’s worse… he doesn’t want anyone to go in with him.

That was Dansleif’s advice—

he said it was the best solution for Y.”

Zeral lowered his voice respectfully.

“If that’s the word of the King of Mages… who am I to object?”

Phoenix smiled faintly.

“In the end… giving up is the one thing Y truly hates.

And after he comes out of the Abyss… the world will see who Y really is.

In my opinion… this world suits him better than the old one.”

Upstairs – Inside Liz’s room

The room was relatively small.

Liz sat on the edge of the bed, with Diona beside her, while Leona and Lauma sat across from them on simple wooden chairs.

Liz lifted her gaze and spoke calmly:

Liz:

“That’s what happened yesterday…”

Diona’s eyes widened in clear surprise.

Diona:

“I didn’t know Aunt Margaret was a hunter… and that strong.”

Leona nodded in agreement.

Leona:

“Yeah. Even her aura felt so normal—perfectly normal. She completely fooled me.”

Liz lowered her head slightly, then spoke with honest resolve.

Liz:

“I learned something important. I understood what it truly means to be a real hunter… and how dangerous this path is.

That’s why I want to become strong… strong enough so that if this ever happens again, I’ll be able to stop it.”

Diona moved closer and gently placed her hand on Liz’s head.

Diona:

“Get some rest now.”

Leona sighed, then spoke after a brief pause.

Leona:

“I understand how you feel. When I first came to this world, I couldn’t do much to protect my family.

My father and I were kidnapped and used as leverage against my mother…

That’s why I decided to become stronger—and to learn how to protect the people around me.”

This time, Diona stepped closer to Leona and patted her head with a gentle smile.

Lauma spoke lightly, trying to ease the mood.

Lauma:

“Looks like I’m the only one whose goal isn’t about protecting anyone…

I just want to visit different places.”

Diona looked at her, then smiled without saying anything.

Leona smiled and said:

Leona:

“There’s nothing wrong with that. At least you have a goal… unlike someone I know.”

She said that while looking at Diona.

Lauma raised an eyebrow in curiosity.

Lauma:

“Then what’s your goal, Diona?”

Diona smiled calmly.

Diona:

“To enjoy my life.”

Then she added in a quieter voice:

Diona:

“But… a lot has changed in just a few days.

I found out that the one who placed the restriction on my magic was my father’s wife—not my mother… and that was a huge shock.

Then I saw Y on the brink of death… and that’s when I realized this world isn’t a game,

and that I need to be more aware.”

Lauma moved closer this time and gently patted Diona’s head.

After a moment of silence, Diona asked:

Diona:

“By the way, Lauma… why do you want to visit different places?”

Lauma took a deep breath before answering.

Lauma:

“When I was little, I lived in an orphanage.

It was meant for humans only, and to receive more support, they adopted a non-human child… me.

I was locked in a room, and the food barely lasted me a single day.

All I could do was listen to stories about the outside world…”

She paused, then continued:

Lauma:

“One day, the orphanage tried to gain support from the University of Mages as a volunteer initiative.

Dansleif came in person and saw the corruption that was happening.

They tried to make him part of it… but he got angry.

He destroyed the orphanage, took responsibility for all the children,

and took me under his wing to the University of Mages.”

Liz spoke quietly.

Liz:

“We’re not that different from you.”

Lauma looked at her in surprise.

Lauma:

“What do you mean?”

Diona answered softly.

Diona:

“My family abandoned me.”

Liz added calmly.

Liz:

“And I’m an orphan.”

After a brief silence, Leona spoke.

Leona:

“And there’s also Anna, Y, Ash, Aris, and Sarah… and Phoenix too.

All of them lost their parents, yet they treat one another like a real family.

Even Y… he never saw either of his parents at birth.”

Liz fell silent for a moment, then spoke softly:

“My mother once said that reaching Y’s level at such a young age is incredibly difficult…

His life must have been hard.”

Leona nodded slightly.

“That’s true. I’ve heard it was difficult.

Even so… he’s still a kind person.”

Diona leaned forward.

“I want to hear Y’s story.”

Lauma added quietly,

“Me too.”

Leona lowered her gaze.

“It’s not a story you’d enjoy hearing.”

A brief silence settled over the room—

not heavy, but cautious,

as if everyone sensed that whatever would be said next

would not be easy to hear.

And while Leona was gathering her words, preparing to begin the story—

⸻

In the kitchen, Lara was preparing to begin a special task.

Lara:

“Everything is ready… shall we begin?”

L and Ash exchanged glances.

L:

“We have a question, Lara.”

Lara:

“Go ahead.”

L:

“Why food, specifically, as a gift?”

Ash:

“Yes… we could offer something better.”

Lara smiled calmly.

Lara:

“Then what would you suggest?”

Ash hesitated, then replied:

“That’s the problem… there doesn’t seem to be anything that truly catches Y’s interest as a gift.”

Lara set the utensils aside and spoke in a warm tone.

Lara:

“For Y, any gift—no matter how small—will be accepted with gratitude.

I chose food because I remember how happy he becomes when he eats this dish.

And when it comes to it… he becomes strangely precise.

He can tell whether the ingredients are perfectly balanced from a single bite.”

L raised an eyebrow in surprise.

“Is Y a cook?”

Lara shook her head with a smile.

“No… in fact, he’s never cooked in his life.

We actually forbid him from cooking.”

Ash laughed lightly.

“Now that I think about it… I’ve never even seen him grill fish.

Anna always handled the meals.”

L said thoughtfully,

“I assumed he was good at everything, given how fast he learns.”

Lara replied gently,

“He’s human, after all… and mastering everything isn’t easy.”

⸻

Upstairs, inside Liz’s room, the conversation returned to the girls.

Diona spoke hesitantly.

“I don’t know… what to say.”

Lauma took a deep breath.

“I didn’t expect any of this…

It feels like my story, Liz’s story, and yours—are all the same.”

Liz lifted her head and said quietly,

“No wonder his senses are always active… even while he’s asleep.”

Leona looked at them, then spoke with quiet resolve.

“Y always said…

Your beginning doesn’t define who you are—

the path you choose does.

That’s why I decided to carve my own path.”

A short silence followed.

Y was far from Mond…

walking toward another chapter of his journey.

After four days of travel, Y and Regon stood before a massive palace, standing alone beyond Mond’s borders.

Its blackened walls were eroded by time, its windows shattered, and its doors groaned faintly with every gust of wind.

Even the air around it carried a damp stench… a mixture of iron and ash.

Y spoke in a low voice as he examined the place:

“Is this the place?”

Regon answered firmly:

“Yes… this is it.”

He pushed the ancient wooden door.

A long creak echoed as a heavy aura spilled out, seeping through the halls of the palace.

The moment they stepped inside, bandits emerged from every corner, surrounding them like ghosts moving through the darkness.

At the center of the hall sat a massive man on a decayed throne;

the scars on his face told tales of old battles, a light beard covering part of his chin,

and a broad sword rested heavily against the floor before him.

Beside him stood a tall, sharp-featured man, his hair tied back.

Two crossed swords hung at his waist, radiating undeniable experience.

The seated man spoke loudly:

“It’s been a long time since I last saw you, Regon.

How have your adventures been?

Ah… right. You’re the new King of Mond now. No time for hunting anymore.”

Regon replied, anger gleaming in his eyes:

“Where are my wife and daughter, Valdrin?”

Valdrin answered with chilling calm:

“In prison.

I’m not a criminal, as you know.

And it seems you brought someone with you.”

Regon said with clear sarcasm:

“I didn’t expect you to sink this low and become a bandit leader.”

Valdrin slammed his sword against the ground.

“It doesn’t matter!

All I ask is that you give me what is rightfully mine.

I am the eldest son!”

Regon replied without wavering:

“I refuse.”

Valdrin’s expression suddenly twisted with rage.

“Men! Seize him!”

No one moved.

He frowned, then raised his hand, releasing his personal magic.

“I said, seize him!!”

But the spell vanished into the air…

as if it had struck an invisible wall.

Valdrin’s eyes widened in shock, and both he and his ally slowly turned toward the entrance.

There—

Y was entering, wrapped in deadly calm.

His footsteps made no sound,

yet the entire hall seemed to quiet down…

as if the ground itself was listening to his arrival.

His gaze went straight toward the corridor leading to the prison, without sparing a glance for anyone in the hall.

Valdrin said nervously:

“Do you see this, Yamamoto?”

The swordsman replied sharply as he watched Y:

“Yes… this man has a powerful presence.”

Valdrin rose slightly and shouted:

“Who are you?!”

Y replied in a cold, steady tone:

“Just a traveler… nothing more.”

Regon stepped forward.

“This fight is with me.”

Valdrin smiled slowly.

“As you wish.”

In an instant, the bandits drew their weapons.

Swords passed down through generations,

the clash of steel igniting the hall.

Shouts rose, chaos erupted—

while Y remained at the edge, watching in silence.

He turned to the tall swordsman and spoke calmly:

Y: “You seem calm.”

The man answered without hesitation:

“There’s no need to fight… I’d rather just observe.”

Y glanced at the bandits.

“I don’t think this place suits you.”

Yamamoto: “That’s true.”

Y: “Then… why are you here?”

The man replied honestly, with a hint of respect:

“Valdrin saved my life… I wanted to repay the debt.

After that, I’ll return to my kingdom.”

Y smiled faintly.

“The lives of noble warriors are truly difficult.”

At that moment, Valdrin unleashed a fear spell on his followers to assert control,

but they trembled and faltered…

For Y’s aura alone was more terrifying than any incantation.

The swordsman muttered in genuine astonishment:

“What an aura…”

Y said simply:

“I didn’t mean to do that… I was just ready to fight.”

He stepped forward with steady strides, his grip tightening around his blade.

“Forgive me… but I need to check on the prisoners—

unless you intend to stop me from doing a noble deed.”

Yamamoto stared at him for a few seconds, then slightly lowered his katana.

“You may go.”

At the same time, the clash of swords between the two brothers grew louder and fiercer.

Sparks flew, dust filled the air.

Valdrin shouted as he stepped back slightly:

“Yamamoto! Stop that man and we’ll be even!”

Yamamoto shook his head after a brief glance at the battle.

“Sorry… but the plan has changed.”

Y paused for a moment, then smiled coldly.

“That’s fine… let’s spar, ronin.”

Yamamoto raised his sword, his voice low and serious.

“I am not a samurai… I am a ronin.”

At that very moment,

the brothers’ struggle began to crush the hall itself—

Valdrin pressed his sword down on Regon, sweat pouring from his brow as he shouted:

“Have you grown weaker, Regon?!”

Regon forced him back with raw strength,

then both of them surged forward, reinforcing their bodies and weapons with magic.

Their swords collided violently,

each strike shaking the palace and carving cracks into the floor.

But between Y and Yamamoto…

a completely different kind of battle began—

a battle of speed, experience, and lethal focus.

Yamamoto dashed forward, his steps light as lightning, his katana cutting down in a sharp lateral arc.

Y raised his blade at a precise angle, steel crashing against steel as sparks burst into the air.

Yamamoto twisted his body with astonishing speed, drawing the short sword from his waist and thrusting sideways toward Y’s flank.

Y leaned his torso back—the blade missed by a hair’s breadth—then he spun in the opposite direction, launching a counterstrike—

—but the short sword deflected it with effortless fluidity.

The attacks came like a storm.

A long sword struck from above.

A short sword stabbed from below.

And Y moved between them with lethal precision—

dodging, parrying, turning, his body swaying like a dancer within a tempest of steel.

The ground cracked beneath their feet, each collision sounding like a small explosion.

Valdrin shouted as Regon forced him back:

“I suggest you retreat… or your friend will lose!”

Yamamoto pressed down on his blade, his aura violently surging around him.

Valdrin said in a trembling voice:

“Yamamoto is one of the finest trainers in the Samurai Kingdom… even I might lose if I faced him!”

Regon smiled coldly as he blocked his brother’s strike.

“Then you’re the one who should be worried about your friend!”

Suddenly—

the entire palace shook from the impact.

Columns collapsed, dust erupted, and vision vanished for a brief moment.

Yamamoto emerged from the smoke, his narrowed eyes locked onto Y.

“I didn’t expect an opponent like you…

matching me in speed, strength… and precision as well.”

Blood traced the corner of Y’s lips—yet his expression never shifted.

“Your fighting style… it reminds me of Kaguya’s.”

Yamamoto’s eyes widened.

“You mean Princess Kaguya?”

Y nodded.

“Yes. Kaguya of the Samurai Kingdom. I’ve fought her before.

She’s my younger sister’s companion… and she was strong.”

For the first time, a smile appeared on Yamamoto’s face.

“I’m glad to hear my training was useful to her.”

His eyes ignited once more as he raised his sword.

“Forgive me… but now I will be serious.”

He bowed slightly and drew a straight line across the ground with his long blade.

“If you cross this line… you will be defeated.”

He closed his eyes, focusing his aura into his blade.

The air around him began to tremble, pressure rising until everyone present felt as if they were suffocating.

Y looked at him—and remembered the same technique Kaguya had used.

He smiled faintly.

One step forward.

Then another.

Each step echoed heavily, filling the dreadful silence.

Y: “I accept the challenge.”

The instant Y’s foot touched the line—

Yamamoto burst forth like a raging gale, a horizontal slash splitting the dust in half.

Y raised his sword to block, but the force was overwhelming.

It tore through his defense, blood spraying from his chest.

Yamamoto appeared behind him, a cold smile forming.

“You were a formidable opponent.”

Valdrin laughed loudly.

“Looks like your friend has been defeated, Regon!”

But Regon roared, his voice shaking the hall.

“Do not underestimate him, Valdrin!”

Suddenly—

blood spilled from Yamamoto’s own mouth.

He froze.

“W… what happened?!”

Y raised his head, his voice as calm as ever.

“It’s a technique… one you know well.”

Yamamoto turned in shock toward Y—who was standing behind him.

“A technique?! But there is no technique—

…Dwarven technique?! Who taught you that?!”

Y answered without hesitation.

“That’s right. A dwarven technique.”

He took a deep breath, blood still flowing from his chest, and continued calmly:

“Not long ago, I fought someone named Garb.

He used this style… so I learned it myself.”

“The moment I blocked your attack… I transferred it to you.”

Yamamoto’s eyes widened.

“Did you say… Garb? The hero of the dwarves?!”

Y stepped closer, a faint smile despite the pain.

“I wanted to transfer the entire attack… but your speed didn’t allow it.

You could say… it’s a draw.”

Yamamoto stared in genuine disbelief.

“I touched his body for only seconds…

and yet he reflected my entire attack back onto me?!”

He whispered, shaken:

“The only one I’ve ever seen use dwarven techniques with such precision…

was Kyojiro!”

Y tightened his grip on his blades, blood dripping from his chest.

“Forget everything… and focus on me.”

Yamamoto’s body trembled as he muttered intensely:

“This man… deserves a true battle.”

He tore off his hair tie, his long hair flying free,

his aura exploding like a storm.

Y spoke with deadly calm:

“You have an aura as sharp as a blade.”

Yamamoto replied:

“No—sharper… by my own will.”

He grasped his katana and short sword, while Y raised his twin blades.

Their auras collided, and the hall shook once more.

Yamamoto charged with a cutting wind attack,

a wave of air smashing into the walls as stone shattered.

Y plunged through it without hesitation, evading the blast and closing in instantly.

The katana descended.

The short sword stabbed.

Y blocked at an angle, twisted his body, retreated—then struck with astonishing precision.

Attacks chained together.

Blades collided at speeds the eye could barely follow.

Y thought in a fleeting instant:

(The short sword is for parrying… then I must exploit that.)

He stepped back, then lunged from the side.

Yamamoto smiled, launching a sudden stab with the short blade—

—but Y read the move.

He adjusted his body at the last moment.

Steel clashed, sparks flew, and blood scattered from shallow wounds on both of them.

Yamamoto said in genuine astonishment:

“This man… is strong.”

He thought bitterly:

(I thought I’d trapped him… but he adjusted at the very last second.

I’ve never seen a reaction like that.)

Y smiled faintly.

“You tried to bait me.

The short sword wasn’t just for defense… but for surprise attacks.”

Yamamoto stood still, aligning his two swords as if they were a single blade.

Y asked calmly:

“Is this… your final attack?”

Suddenly—

Yamamoto dashed forward at insane speed, passing by Y in an instant.

Blood burst from Y’s side.

Yamamoto said coldly:

“Even wounded… your presence doesn’t waver.”

Y answered, breathing deeply:

“Calmness in moments like this… is the key to victory.”

Yamamoto shifted into a new stance, his aura flaring violently.

“You’re right… and this will be the final strike!”

They charged—

And at the exact moment their swords met—

Y suddenly released his weapon!

Yamamoto’s katana pierced Y’s palm—

—but Y grabbed the blade with his bare hand,

then seized Yamamoto’s wrist with overwhelming force.

Yamamoto’s eyes widened.

“What is he doing…?”

Y began to smile.

Yamamoto felt a chill run through him.

“Why… is he smiling?!”

Then he realized—

far too late.

“I won’t allow this!!”

He raised the short sword to strike Y,

but Y evaded with a swift sidestep.

Suddenly—

Yamamoto found himself airborne.

Their bodies spun violently, and then—

he slammed onto his back with crushing force.

Y planted his foot on Yamamoto’s other arm,

drew his blade with his left hand,

and placed it firmly against his opponent’s neck.

His eyes never trembled.

A suffocating silence fell…

Broken only by the sound of blood dripping from Y’s palm onto the floor.

Y raised his gaze, speaking coldly with a faint smile:

“In a battle of will…

I am always the victor.”