"…kidnapped your sister."
Silence.
The words didn't just land—
They shattered something.
Malvek stood frozen.
His mind refused to process it.
"…What…?"
His voice came out dry.
Empty.
Misashi staggered forward, his body still weak.
"…They came out of nowhere…"
"…Not like normal fighters…"
"…It felt like… something else…"
Malvek's eyes slowly widened.
"…Who took her?"
Misashi hesitated.
For the first time—
Fear crossed his face.
"…That masked man…"
"…And others…"
Nobu's gaze sharpened instantly.
"…Others?"
Misashi nodded.
"…Black robes…"
"…No presence… no sound…"
"…Like shadows…"
A pause.
Then—
"…They called themselves…"
His voice dropped.
"…The Veyrath Clan."
The room went cold.
Nobu's expression didn't change—
But something behind his eyes did.
Recognition.
"…Veyrath…" he muttered.
"…So they've started moving again…"
Malvek turned to him instantly.
"…You know them?"
A brief silence.
Then—
"…They're not a normal clan."
Nobu's voice was calm.
Too calm.
"…They don't rule land…"
"…They don't seek power…"
"…They create it."
"…Create?" Malvek frowned.
Nobu looked toward the broken door.
"…Monsters."
Before another word could be said—
Malvek vanished.
BOOM!!
The door exploded as he rushed out.
"…Tch…"
Nobu followed.
Ignoring the pain tearing through his body.
Night had taken over the world.
The forest ahead was silent.
Too silent.
Malvek moved like a storm.
Crushing branches.
Shattering the ground beneath each step.
"…Hold on…"
"…I'm coming…"
Deep within the northern forest—
An abandoned shrine stood.
Broken.
Rotting.
Forgotten.
But tonight—
It wasn't empty.
A figure stood in the center.
Still.
Waiting.
The masked man.
And beside him—
A girl.
Bound.
Unconscious.
Malvek's sister.
"…You're late," the masked man said calmly.
Malvek didn't stop.
Didn't hesitate.
His killing intent exploded.
"…Let her go.
A quiet chuckle.
"…No."
BOOM!!!
The ground shattered as Malvek lunged forward.
His fist tore through the air—
Pure rage behind it.
CLANG!!
The masked man blocked it effortlessly.
Shockwaves blasted outward.
Trees snapped in half.
"…Still weak," the masked man said.
Malvek's eyes burned.
"SHUT UP—!!"
BOOM!!
A second strike—
Faster.
Stronger.
The masked man slid back slightly.
"…Better."
Before Malvek could attack again—
A hand stopped him.
"…You'll get her killed."
Nobu.
Blood still dripping from his wounds.
But his eyes—
Sharp.
Focused.
Malvek gritted his teeth.
"…He has her…"
"…Which is why you don't rush."
Nobu stepped forward.
The masked man tilted his head.
"…You again."
A pause.
Then—
"…You're not human," Nobu said.
Silence.
The wind stopped.
"…What…?" Malvek frowned.
The masked man didn't respond.
At first.
Then—
He laughed.
"…So you can see it…"
Slowly—
He raised his hand—
And removed the mask.
CRACK.
What lay beneath—
Wasn't normal.
Pale skin.
Veins dark as ink.
Eyes—
Glowing faintly blue.
But the worst part—
No emotion.
"…What the hell…" Malvek whispered.
"…I told you," Nobu said quietly.
"…He's not human."
The man stretched his neck slightly.
Bones cracking.
"…Designation: V-13," he said calmly.
"…Created by the Veyrath Clan."
Malvek's heart dropped.
"…Created…?"
"…We are hunters," V-13 continued.
"…Weapons designed to eliminate clans."
A pause.
Then—
His gaze shifted to Malvek.
"…Your clan is first."
Silence.
"…Why…?" Malvek muttered.
"…Because your bloodline resists control," V-13 replied.
"…You are considered… a threat."
Malvek's fists tightened.
"…So you took her… as bait…?"
"…No."
A small pause.
"…As leverage."
BOOM!!!
Nobu vanished.
CRACK!!
His fist slammed into V-13's face—
Sending him crashing through the shrine.
"…You talk too much."
The battle exploded.
V-13 recovered instantly.
Moving faster than before.
SLASH!!
A blade cut through the air—
Opening Nobu's shoulder.
But Nobu didn't stop.
He grabbed the blade.
Barehanded.
Blood pouring.
"…Got you."
BOOM!!!
A brutal headbutt shattered part of V-13's face.
CRACK!!
His skin split—
But underneath—
Something unnatural pulsed.
Not flesh.
Not bone.
Something artificial.
"…Interesting…" V-13 muttered.
"…Your body is different…"
Nobu's eyes narrowed.
"…Same goes for you."
They clashed again.
Faster.
Deadlier.
Each impact destroyed the surroundings.
The shrine collapsed completely.
The ground split open.
Malvek stood frozen for a moment—
Watching.
Understanding.
This wasn't just a fight.
This was war.
"…Damn it…"
He looked at his sister.
Still unconscious.
Still helpless.
"…I'm not letting you take her."
He moved.
Fast.
But V-13 noticed.
In an instant—
He appeared in front of Malvek.
GRAB!!
His hand wrapped around Malvek's throat.
"…You're the priority target."
Malvek struggled.
"…LET—GO—!!"
BOOM!!!
Nobu slammed into V-13 from the side—
Breaking his grip.
"…Focus on her," Nobu said.
"…I'll handle him."
Malvek hesitated.
Then nodded.
He rushed to his sister.
Cut the ropes.
"…Wake up…"
Nothing.
"…Damn it…"
Behind him—
The fight intensified.
Nobu's movements were slowing.
Blood loss catching up.
"…You're weakening," V-13 observed.
"…And you're annoying," Nobu replied.
BOOM!!!
A heavy strike sent V-13 crashing again.
But this time—
He didn't get up immediately.
"…Mission parameters… changing…"
His body began to distort slightly.
Regenerating.
"…Retreat recommended…"
Nobu's eyes narrowed.
"…Running again?"
V-13 stood up slowly.
"…This was never about winning…"
His gaze shifted to Malvek.
"…It was about confirming."
A pause.
"…And now I have."
Before anyone could react—
He moved.
Grabbed the girl—
And vanished.
"…NO—!!!"
Malvek roared.
Too late.
Silence returned.
Heavy.
Crushing.
Malvek dropped to his knees.
"…I couldn't…"
"…I couldn't protect her…"
Nobu stood still.
Breathing heavily.
Blood dripping.
"…The Veyrath Clan…"
He muttered
"…They've declared war."
Malvek looked up slowly.
Eyes filled with rage.
"…Then we destroy them."
A pause.
Nobu turned toward the dark forest.
"…No…"
"…We hunt them."
Far away—
Deep underground—
A hidden facility pulsed with life.
Figures in black robes stood around a chamber.
Inside—
More beings like V-13.
Sleeping.
Waiting.
"…Report," a voice echoed.
V-13 stepped forward.
Kneeling.
"…Target confirmed."
"…Subject Malvek… high priority."
A pause.
"…Initiate Phase Two."
A faint smile appeared in the darkness.
"…Release the hunters."
To be continued…