In the Last Episode...
Ren, Ekai, and Akaio arrived on another mysterious island and discovered another legendary key hidden deep within a cave. However, a powerful enemy appeared and easily overwhelmed everyone. Just when defeat seemed certain, a mysterious demonic presence took control of Ren's body, defeated every enemy without effort, and allowed the group to claim another key. With their journey continuing, the mystery surrounding Ren only grew deeper.
---
Present Time
Morning arrived once again.
The wooden ship continued sailing across the endless ocean, carried by gentle waves beneath a bright blue sky. A cool sea breeze drifted across the deck as the three companions quietly enjoyed the peaceful journey.
Ekai sat near the front of the ship, resting against the railing while watching the horizon.
Akaio stretched his arms before rubbing his stomach.
"Hey, Ekai..."
"I'm hungry again."
"Let's eat something."
Ekai laughed.
"You think about food more than treasure."
"I know."
"But I'm still hungry."
Before the two could prepare anything...
Ren, who had been standing silently at the front of the ship, suddenly spoke.
"Wait."
He pointed toward the horizon.
"There's an island."
Both Ekai and Akaio looked ahead.
Far away, a large island slowly came into view.
Dense forests covered its surface while rocky cliffs surrounded its coastline.
Ekai smiled.
"Let's go."
---
A short time later...
The ship reached the shore.
The three stepped onto the island before beginning their search.
The island was strangely quiet.
No birds.
No animals.
Only the sound of the wind moving through the trees.
Ren calmly walked ahead while Ekai and Akaio followed.
After several minutes...
A man suddenly appeared from the forest.
He slowly walked toward them.
"Who are you?"
Ekai stepped forward politely.
"We're travelers."
"We're searching for a key."
"Do you know where it is?"
Instead of answering...
The man suddenly attacked.
Without hesitation...
Ren drew Hasikat.
Slash!
The man's body fell before he could even finish his attack.
Ren quietly returned his blade to its sheath.
"Let's keep moving."
The three continued deeper into the island.
---
After a long walk...
They entered an ancient stone chamber hidden beneath the forest.
At the center of the chamber stood a transparent glass box.
Inside...
A shining golden key rested upon a stone pedestal.
Ekai's eyes lit up.
"We found it!"
He stepped forward.
But Ren suddenly raised one hand.
"Don't."
Ekai stopped.
Ren carefully looked around the room.
"It won't be that simple."
"If the key is protected..."
"Then someone—or something—is guarding it."
"We should stay alert."
The cave became completely silent.
Then...
A voice echoed through the chamber.
"You will die."
A powerful man suddenly appeared and rushed toward them.
Boom!
His punch aimed directly at Ren.
Ren instantly blocked the attack.
The impact shook the entire cave.
Ren immediately counterattacked.
The mysterious man jumped backward before smiling.
"Oh..."
"So you're strong."
"I didn't expect that."
"This fight just became interesting."
The man charged again.
Ren met him head-on.
Their fists and blades collided repeatedly.
Boom!
Boom!!
Boom!!!
Powerful shockwaves spread in every direction.
The ground cracked beneath their feet.
Massive rocks collapsed from the ceiling.
Even the island itself began shaking from the force of their battle.
Ekai and Akaio stepped back.
"...They're destroying the island."
The battle continued without slowing down.
The enemy swung his weapon.
Ren dodged before appearing beside him.
Slash!
One of the man's arms fell onto the ground.
The wounded man quickly jumped backward and entered a defensive stance.
Blood dripped onto the broken stone floor.
Ren slowly raised Hasikat.
"Hagusi."
The cursed blade glowed.
A massive explosion burst across the battlefield.
The enemy was swallowed by the attack.
When the smoke disappeared...
Nothing remained.
Ren calmly walked toward the glass box.
With one strike...
The glass shattered.
He picked up the golden key.
"We're leaving."
Ekai smiled.
"That was easier than I expected."
But before anyone could move...
A cold voice echoed behind them.
"Hand over the key."
The atmosphere instantly changed.
The three turned around.
A tall man stood at the cave entrance.
He wore a long dark coat that reached the ground.
The upper half of his face was hidden beneath a mysterious mask.
Only his cold eyes could be seen.
Ekai narrowed his eyes.
"Who are you?"
The man smiled.
"I'm a Commander..."
"Of the W.X.R Group."
Without another word...
Ren rushed forward.
His katana flashed.
The commander casually caught the attack before throwing Ren across the cave.
Boom!
Ren crashed into the stone wall.
He immediately stood up and attacked again.
The commander effortlessly threw him away once more.
He smiled.
"Give me the key."
"Or I'll take it myself."
Ren suddenly disappeared.
The next moment...
He appeared behind the commander.
Slash!
His blade cut through the commander's body.
Ekai laughed confidently.
"Hah!"
"You couldn't even touch him."
The commander's body slowly collapsed...
Then...
The body lying on the ground suddenly began laughing.
"Hahaha..."
"You really thought..."
"You killed me?"
Everyone froze.
The commander slowly stood up as if nothing had happened.
He calmly raised one finger toward the sky.
"Kiju."
Suddenly...
The sky darkened.
A gigantic object appeared high above the island.
It covered nearly the entire sky.
Its shadow stretched for nearly ten kilometers.
The enormous object slowly descended toward the ground.
The pressure alone caused the earth to shake violently.
Ekai's face turned pale.
"What..."
"...What is that?"
"If it reaches the ground..."
"The whole area will be destroyed!"
He quickly looked toward Ren.
"Please!"
"Give him the key!"
Ren remained silent for several seconds.
Finally...
He slowly threw the golden key toward the commander.
The commander caught it with one hand.
He smiled beneath his mask.
"Good."
"You're intelligent."
The enormous object above the island instantly disappeared.
Sunlight returned once again.
The commander turned around.
Akaio couldn't hold back his curiosity.
"Hey!"
"What exactly is the W.X.R Group?"
The commander stopped walking.
Without turning around, he answered,
"You think I'm foolish?"
"If I told you everything..."
"Our organization wouldn't remain a secret."
He looked over his shoulder.
"But I can tell you one thing."
"Our army numbers in the millions."
"So don't ever think..."
"You can defeat us."
The commander slowly vanished into the darkness.
Silence filled the island once again.
Ekai, Akaio, and Ren remained standing without speaking.
For the first time...
They realized they had encountered an enemy far beyond anything they had imagined.
Far away, somewhere beyond the endless sea...
The mysterious W.X.R Group had already begun moving.
To Be Continued...