The house was quiet.
Too quiet.
Axel was asleep on the couch. Leo had passed out at his desk, papers scattered everywhere. Even the night outside felt calm, like the world had paused for a moment.
But Kai wasn't asleep.
He stood by the window, staring out into the dark city.
His reflection looked normal…
But he knew better.
Inside him—
Something was still there.
Watching. Waiting.
The Underlord.
Kai clenched his fist slightly.
"…I need to test this," he whispered.
Not just his strength.
His control.
Without a sound, he grabbed his jacket and slipped out the back door.
No goodbye.
No warning.
Just like before.
The night air hit him instantly. Cold. Sharp. Real.
Kai moved fast—
Jumping fences, running through alleys, climbing rooftops.
No powers fully…
But something was there.
A small boost.
A faint red glow deep inside his eyes.
"This is different…" he muttered.
Not the same power as before.
More controlled.
But also… more dangerous.
A shout echoed in the distance.
Kai stopped.
Listening.
Three men.
Cornering someone in an alley.
He moved.
Fast. Silent.
He dropped down behind them.
"Hey."
They turned.
Too late.
Kai moved like instinct.
One punch. One dodge. One takedown.
Clean. Efficient.
No wasted energy.
Within seconds—
It was over.
The men ran.
The person they were attacking stared at him, shocked.
"Th-thank you…"
Kai nodded slightly.
No words.
No name.
Just like before.
But as he turned to leave—
Something felt wrong.
A presence.
Familiar.
Dangerous.
Kai froze.
"…No way."
A slow clap echoed from the shadows.
"You've improved."
Kai's eyes narrowed.
He knew that voice.
From the darkness—
A figure stepped forward.
Calm. Confident.
Unfazed.
A Dragon member.
"You survived the inhibitor… and the Underlord," the figure said. "Impressive."
Kai stepped forward slowly.
"Yeah," he said.
"Didn't think I'd make it either."
The Dragon member smiled slightly.
"But you're not the same anymore, are you?"
Kai didn't answer.
Because they were right.
The air shifted.
Tension rising instantly.
"You should've stayed hidden," the Dragon member said.
Kai cracked his neck slightly.
"You should've stayed away from my life."
Silence.
Then—
They moved.
Fast.
Stronger than before.
The fight exploded instantly.
Blows clashing.
Movement sharp.
Power against control.
Kai dodged—barely.
Countered—clean.
But the Dragon member smiled.
"You're holding back."
Kai's eyes flickered faint red.
"I'm trying not to lose control."
"Then you'll lose," the Dragon member replied—
And attacked again.
Kai blocked—
But felt it.
That pull.
That voice.
Inside—
The Underlord stirred.
"…Let me handle this."
Kai's jaw tightened.
"…No."
The Dragon member rushed in again—faster this time.
Kai barely reacted—
Then—
For a split second—
His eyes flared deeper red.
The attack stopped.
Blocked.
Easily.
The Dragon member stepped back.
"…There it is," they whispered.
Kai stood still.
Breathing steady.
Fighting himself more than the enemy.
"I don't need it…" Kai muttered.
Inside—
The voice laughed softly.
"You will."
The fight wasn't just outside anymore.
It was inside too.
Kai looked up slowly.
Eyes glowing faintly.
Controlled…
For now.
"Let's finish this," he said.
And in the shadows of the city—
A new kind of battle began.
Not just hero vs enemy.
But control vs chaos.