The morning had just begun, and the first rays of sunlight slowly slipped through the clouds, spreading a calm golden light across the city. The air was slightly cold, carrying the scent of dew covering the grass and trees.
Amidst that calm, the sound of quick footsteps broke the silence.
Jinsu.
He was running, as usual, in the early morning.
His steps were steady, his breaths deep and regular, and a light sweat began to form on his forehead. This was not just exercise for him… it was a way to calm his mind.
He ran through the nearly empty streets, then along a narrow path lined with ancient trees, until he finally reached a place he knew well.
The cemetery.
His steps gradually slowed until he came to a complete stop.
He looked ahead in silence.
There… among the rows of stone graves, one grave stood out to him.
Nairobi's grave.
But before he could step forward, he noticed something.
Someone was sitting in front of the grave.
He narrowed his eyes to get a clearer look.
It was Yuna.
She sat quietly before the grave, her head slightly bowed, hair swaying gently in the morning breeze. She didn't speak… she just stared at the gravestone.
Jinsu stopped at a distance, watching her silently.
Then he thought to himself:
(So… you had feelings too.)
He hadn't expected to see her here.
She had always seemed strong, cold, and sometimes even arrogant… but this scene revealed another side of her.
He stepped forward slowly. His footsteps were light on the gravel as he approached her.
He paused for a moment, then spoke in a calm tone:
"—Hello, Yuna."
Yuna flinched slightly, as if she hadn't expected anyone.
She stood up quickly and turned to him.
"Oh… Jinsu."
She hesitated for a moment before continuing:
"Ah… what are you doing here?"
Jinsu gestured to the path behind him:
"I was running… and decided to visit Nairobi."
Then he scratched the back of his head slightly and said:
"—Sorry if I interrupted you or bothered you… I'm sorry."
Yuna shook her head quickly.
"No, no… I just finished."
Then she looked at the grave one last time.
A short silence passed between them.
Then she said:
"I suppose I should go now… we'll meet in the main hall."
She turned to leave.
But suddenly—
Jinsu grabbed her hand.
Yuna stopped.
"Wait… there's something I need to tell you."
But before he could continue, his words halted.
A little later…
Jinsu and Yuna were standing in front of the entrance to the organization's main hall.
The place was strangely quiet.
Jinsu looked around.
The massive gate was open… yet no one was there.
He furrowed his brows:
"—What's this? Is there really no one here?"
Yuna looked around as well.
But suddenly her expression changed.
She became more focused.
"—Wait… there's something strange."
Jinsu raised an eyebrow.
"What do you mean?"
She looked inside:
"—I feel a strong energy coming from there… but it's strange."
Then she added:
"—But I don't see anyone."
Her thoughts raced inside.
(What exactly is happening?)
Jinsu sighed slightly:
"—Well… there's no choice. Let's go in and wait inside."
He stepped toward the door.
But suddenly—
Yuna shouted loudly:
"—Jinsu! Stop!"
Jinsu turned to her in surprise.
"Huh? What did—"
But before he could finish—
Shhh!
A terrifying sword strike rushed toward his neck.
At the last moment, Jinsu raised his arm and blocked the blow.
Clang!
The sword clashed with Jinsu's energy, bouncing back slightly.
Jinsu's eyes widened.
"—What?!"
But suddenly—
The ground beneath him disappeared.
He felt his body flip through the air.
Boom!
He fell violently to the ground.
Dust flew around him.
He opened his eyes with difficulty.
(W-what… what's happening?)
He tried to get up—
But suddenly, he felt immense pressure on his back.
He froze.
A person's foot pressed down on his arm, pinning it behind his back with tremendous force.
Jinsu lifted his head slightly.
He saw the person.
A young man with short white hair, wearing a white cloak, with a tight red ninja belt around his waist.
His green eyes were cold… a faint smile on his face.
The young man spoke sarcastically:
"—Huh? Is this the one who sealed the King of Darkness?"
Then he laughed lightly.
"—You're really weak."
Rage ignited in Jinsu's eyes.
"—You bastard… let me go!"
The young man pressed his foot harder.
The sound of bones groaning could be heard.
He said coldly:
"—Who allowed you to speak… weakling?"
Yuna shouted from afar:
"—Jinsu!"
She looked at the young man in shock.
(This…!)
Her eyes widened.
(The strongest in the Fifth Organization…)
(Levi.)
(What is he doing here?)
*(He never participated in any tournament before… why now, for heaven's sake?!) *
Yuna dashed forward like lightning.
A bone sword formed in her hand.
But—
Clang!
Her sword stopped abruptly.
Someone blocked the attack.
She heard a girl's voice calmly say:
"—You shouldn't interfere between two people fighting, Yuna."
Before she could process what had happened—
Boom!
A powerful strike threw her back.
She rolled several meters across the ground.
She lifted her head.
She saw a girl standing in front of her.
Yuna smiled bitterly.
"—Kylie…"
The girl raised her hand excitedly and said:
"—Helloooo, Yuna! I missed you."
Then she tilted her head slightly with a strange smile.
"—Have you been well?"
Yuna replied coldly:
"—Still the same as I remember. You haven't changed, Kylie… bloody as ever."
Kylie paused for a moment.
Then a crazy smile spread across her face.
"—Hoho… I had forgotten that name for a while."
Meanwhile…
Jinsu watched everything while pinned to the ground.
(What the hell is happening?)
Levi pressed harder on him.
He said mockingly:
"—You really are weak."
Then he leaned closer to his ear.
"—I can't believe you sealed Kaizen."
He slowly raised his sword.
The blade gleamed under the light.
He placed it above Jinsu's hand.
Coldly, he said:
"—I can't let you participate in the tournament. Weaklings like you… your fate is death."
He smiled.
"—I think I'll cut off your hand… so you don't touch anyone again."
But at that moment—
Something strange happened.
A terrifying aura began emanating from Jinsu's body.
Levi froze.
His eyes widened.
He stepped back.
"(W-what?!)"
He looked around.
Suddenly—
Everything vanished.
The hall.
The ground.
The sky.
Everything.
He found himself in absolute darkness.
He said in confusion:
"—W-where am I?"
But suddenly—
A voice thundered.
A voice like a lightning strike to the soul.
"—You."
Levi's body trembled.
The surroundings changed abruptly.
He found himself inside a dark building.
He slowly lifted his head.
Then he froze.
Corpses lay everywhere.
Bodies tortured in gruesome ways.
Blood covered the floors and walls.
The stench of death filled the air.
Then he heard the voice again.
But this time… closer.
"—Kneel… insect."
Suddenly—
Levi's legs collapsed.
Boom!
He fell to his knees involuntarily.
He struggled to lift his head with difficulty.
Then he saw him.
Someone sitting on a majestic throne.
Looking at him silently.
Kaizen.
Levi thought in shock:
(Am I… going to die?)
But suddenly—
Everything disappeared.
The real voice returned.
The light returned.
The place returned.
He found himself back in the hall.
And his sword was still on Jinsu's hand.
His eyes widened.
*(What just happened?!) *
But suddenly—
He heard a voice from behind.
"—Oi, Levi. Haven't you gotten rid of that bullying habit yet?"
He turned quickly.
But—
Boom!
A fist lunged toward him.
He raised his sword swiftly and blocked it with skill.
Clang!
Another person dashed forward at incredible speed.
They pulled Jinsu away from Levi in an instant.
Placing him beside the wall.
They said with concern:
"—Are you okay, Jinsu?"
Jinsu coughed slightly.
"—Yeah… cough… cough… I'm fine."
Levi smiled slightly while blocking the attack.
Then he said:
"—Hello, Verin."
Verin replied calmly:
"—Hello… Levi."