"NO!" Kala screamed as she saw Aldor lunging toward them.
In the blink of an eye—
BOOM!
A massive explosion slammed into Aldor's body from the side, sending a powerful shockwave tearing through the room. His large frame was thrown back, crashing through the wall behind him.
Dust and debris rained down.
Through the thick smoke, a figure stood.
Dark red stained the clothes he wore, and even at the corner of his lips, dried blood remained. Raken grimaced, suppressing the pain in his chest. His breathing was no longer steady. The air around him felt thin, making it hard to breathe at times. His right hand clutched his chest, hoping to ease the throbbing ache. Faint traces of black smoke still curled from his other arm.
Kala's gaze snapped toward the window where Raken stood, staggering.
The light in her eyes flickered back to life, laced with bitter worry at the sight of him in such an unfamiliar state. When had she ever seen Raken like this? Never. Not once. That unshakable figure now looked as though he could collapse at any moment. No matter how perfect someone seemed, they always had flaws. Even so, in Kala's mind, Raken was still someone strong beyond compare.
"Ken…" Kala whimpered, her eyes never leaving him.
Whether by coincidence or because he truly heard her, the moment she called out, Raken's gaze shifted to her.
Kala could feel it—relief mixed with fury in those dark eyes. After a few seconds of locking gazes, Raken was the first to look away. He straightened his posture as if he wasn't in pain at all. Now, his attention was fixed on Aldor, who was trying to rise after being thrown back.
Before taking a step forward, Raken cast a protective barrier around Kala and Hein. Though his power was unstable, dealing with a lowly creature like Aldor was still within his reach. He didn't care if coughing up blood would follow every use of what little strength he had left.
"Ken could die!" Kala tried to run toward him, but her body was forced back into place the moment she hit something invisible. Raken's barrier was like an unbreakable cage—neither she nor Hein could get out.
Hein, seeing this, tried the same thing Kala did. Just like before, she was pushed back to where she stood.
"Raken's barrier is too strong. We can't get out."
"Do something, Hein. Please…" Kala clasped her hands together in front of Hein, tears streaming down her face. She couldn't bear to see Raken get hurt any further—let alone lose him.
"There's nothing we can do. All we can do is trust that Raken will handle this."
Kala's sobs grew louder.
Just this once, she prayed the universe would be kinder to her. Don't take anyone else away. With her eyes shut, she prayed to whoever might be listening—please, keep Raken safe from all pain. Protect him the way he had always protected her.
Raken had gone deaf to everything around him. He saw nothing but Aldor, who now stood not far from him. The distance between them was too close—there was no time left to measure strength.
Raken didn't care.
He wasn't holding anything back anymore.
Seeing Kala helpless was enough to ignite a blinding rage within him.
Black smoke now enveloped his entire body. His killing intent was so dense it felt suffocating, pressing down on Aldor even before he made a move. A violet flash flickered within Raken's eyes—a sign that he was drawing out every last bit of his power.
"Who gave a lowly creature like you permission to lay a hand on my master?"
Raken staggered slightly—he had already gone beyond his limits. His heartbeat pounded violently, the pain in his chest worsening.
Aldor collapsed to the floor the moment he sensed Raken's weakening aura. Without wasting a second, he lunged forward, long claws extending.
Raken quickly leapt back, narrowly avoiding the attack. Had he been even a second too late, his organs would have been torn apart.
Seeing his target retreat, Aldor charged again, slashing wildly with his claws. Raken managed to deflect and dodge several strikes, but eventually, one attack landed.
In an instant, Raken dropped to one knee, blood dripping from his thigh.
The once neat and warm room was now unrecognizable. Dust filled the air, shattered glass and chunks of broken walls scattered everywhere.
A gust of wind swept through.
Suddenly, the atmosphere grew heavier.
In front of Raken, it was no longer just Aldor—now, a pack of starving wolf-like demons stood there, staring at him with feral hunger.
"Damn it," Raken muttered, realizing there was only one option left.
With his condition far from stable—his energy nearly depleted—using the method he had in mind now was no different from suicide.
But if it meant Kala would survive, he would do it.
Even as he struggled, Raken forced himself to stand.
A burnt scent spread throughout the room as black smoke once again coiled around him. A sword materialized in his grasp. That same violet lightning gleamed in his eyes.
When Raken swung the blade, the very air trembled.
All the demons snarled, their hostility intensifying. Aldor and his pack instinctively stepped back as Raken moved forward. But a single howl from Aldor reignited their fading resolve. The demons braced themselves once more, ready to charge at Raken with savage fury.
From the left, one creature lunged at him.
Before it could reach him, its body burst into flames the moment Raken's sword pierced through it.
Three more came at him from different directions—but none succeeded. Raken spun, his blade cutting through the air, forcing them back.
The smell of burning flesh filled the air.
Everything struck by Raken's sword was reduced to charred remains.
A smirk formed on his lips.
"Seems like you've forgotten who I am, Aldor. Even if you had a thousand lives, it still wouldn't be enough to bring me down."
As irritating as it was, what Raken said was true.
If not for the ancient brimstone of the wolf-demon race, Aldor wouldn't have been able to even touch him—let alone wound him. If only he hadn't been careless enough to fall into a trap, Kala and Hein would still be unharmed.
Raken coughed.
This time, a dark liquid spilled from his mouth.
"Damn… I'm out of time."
Realizing his strength was fading fast, Raken shot forward like lightning toward Aldor. With all his might, he brought his sword down—
It struck the barrier Aldor hastily created.
Even so, the barrier shattered under the impact. The force sent Aldor flying upward, slamming into the ceiling. Though not burned to ash, the slash tore deeply into his body, leaving him unconscious.
At the same moment Aldor's body hit the ground—
Raken collapsed.
The barrier protecting Kala shattered along with him.
Kala rushed forward, throwing her arms around him.
"I'm fine. Your snot's getting all over my clothes, Kala," Raken muttered, forcing a weak chuckle, trying to reassure her.
Kala didn't respond.
She just cried harder against his shoulder.
Pain spread through Raken's entire body, but he still managed to gently pat her head, trying to calm her.
"Ken, I knew you'd never leave me. But it was still scary… when you disappeared earlier without saying anything." Kala pulled back slightly, looking at Raken's face—still strikingly handsome despite its pale hue.
"I'm sorry. You're not hurt, are you? Does anything hurt?" Raken gently moved her, checking every inch of her body to make sure she was unharmed.
"You should be the one checking yourself."
Hein's voice broke through their reunion.
Raken turned toward her. Hein was walking toward them, her appearance in disarray—her sleeve torn, her hair messy, even the tiara on her head barely holding in place.
"Thank you, Hein. Truly… I'm grateful." The sincerity in Raken's eyes was unmistakable.
Hein swore—this was the first time she had ever seen that expression on Raken's face.
"It was only right that I did."
She nodded.
"You should fix your appearance before we go through the portal," Raken said as he tried to stand, with Kala quickly supporting him.
"Go through what?" Hein's shock was obvious.
"The portal. We're returning to the kingdom."
"You're joking, right?"
"Hurry, or I'll leave you behind."
"Wait! What about Kala?" Hein looked at Raken in disbelief, then glanced at Kala, who was still holding onto him.
"She's exactly why I'm going back."
"What?!"
"Hein, did that mutt's attack make you deaf?" Raken shot her an annoyed look.
"No, I mean… what do you mean?"
"I can't leave Kala here. I'm not in great condition. She'll be safer there while I recover."
"Are you insane? She's human, Raken! She's not like us. It could be even more dangerous for her there!"
"There are plenty who will protect her. Including you. I trust that."
"Raken! You can't just take her—!"
Before Hein could finish—
A swirling circle of black, white, and violet light appeared before them.
And without hesitation, Raken shoved Hein straight into it.
Her body vanished instantly, as if swallowed whole.
Kala stood frozen, unable to process what had just happened. Her eyes widened in disbelief—until Raken gently took her hand.
A small nod from him was enough.
Slowly, Kala stepped into the circle.
A blinding light engulfed her.
Instinctively, she shut her eyes, with Raken guiding her forward the entire time.
"Ken… this can't be…"