The prayer chamber was silent.
Only the soft crackle of burning incense echoed through the room.
Saito looked up at the stone statue of Felin.
The Primordeus stood with long flowing hair, his expression peaceful as carved mist curled around his body.
Beside him—
Bomb.
Rin.
Alya.
Fanny.
All had their eyes closed in prayer.
Saito watched them for a second.
Then smiled faintly.
"...Might as well."
He closed his own eyes.
The chamber became quiet once again.
A few moments later—
A man quietly entered.
His footsteps were almost impossible to hear.
Without saying a word, he sat at the far left of the chamber.
Far enough away not to attract attention.
He lowered his head as though he were praying too.
Several seconds passed.
Silence.
Then—
The man's hand slowly slipped inside his coat.
A small knife appeared.
His eyes snapped open.
Without hesitation—
He slashed toward Saito.
Slash!
Before the blade could reach him—
A hand caught the assassin's wrist.
Bomb.
His eyes were already open.
"...You picked the wrong place."
BAM!
Bomb's fist crashed into the man's face.
The assassin was launched across the chamber.
He rolled across the floor before smashing into a wooden pillar.
The peaceful prayer hall instantly erupted into chaos.
Saito opened his eyes.
"...An assassin?"
Bomb cracked his knuckles.
"I knew something smelled fishy the moment he walked in."
The assassin groaned on the floor, struggling to stand.
Before anyone could question him—
Rin rushed to the doorway.
He glanced outside.
Then his expression turned serious.
"Saito."
"Bad news."
"We're surrounded."
Saito walked to the entrance.
His eyes swept across the village square.
Dozens of assassins were emerging from rooftops...
Alleys...
And behind market stalls.
They slowly closed in around the prayer chamber.
Saito clicked his tongue.
"...Tch."
"Too many."
Rin spun his scythe into his hands.
"Then let's cut a path."
Bomb reached into his pouch and pulled out several bombs.
One after another, he twisted the timers into place.
Click.
Click.
"I'm ready."
Saito raised a hand.
"Save your energy."
"I've got this."
Rin frowned.
"...Don't you think it's a waste?"
"Using that on these guys?"
Saito smiled.
"...Nope."
Fanny looked back and forth between them.
"...What are you all talking about?"
Alya glanced down at her device.
Her eyes widened.
"...Captain."
"Saito's aura..."
"It's rising rapidly."
She stared at the readings.
"It's gathering..."
"...inside his body."
Bomb let out a long sigh.
"...He's really going to use it."
Without another word—
Saito stepped out of the prayer chamber.
He stood alone in front of the building as dozens of assassins slowly tightened their encirclement, the evening wind carrying an almost tangible pressure from the aura building within him.
The assassins slowly closed the circle.
Weapons were drawn from every direction.
One of them pointed his sword at Saito.
"Hey, gangster."
"They're paying a fortune..."
"...for your head."
Another laughed.
"Let me have him."
A third immediately shoved him aside.
"No."
"He's mine."
Saito stood quietly.
His sword remained lowered.
He looked at each of them.
Then spoke calmly.
"...I don't belong to anyone."
One assassin grinned wickedly.
"Oh?"
"Then..."
"I'll make you my slave."
He burst forward.
His blade raised high.
The instant he entered striking distance—
Saito slowly opened his eyes.
A golden light ignited within them.
His pupils transformed.
A glowing spear appeared in one eye.
Radiant wings unfolded within the other.
The symbols shone brilliantly.
At the same time—
Streams of light resembling ethereal wings flowed behind Saito's back.
His auris erupted.
BOOM!!
Golden energy burst outward like a violent storm.
The charging assassin froze mid-step.
His entire body trembled.
"...W-What...?"
The surrounding assassins instinctively stepped backward.
One whispered in disbelief.
"...So this..."
"...is why they're paying so much."
Another slowly smiled.
"...Interesting."
A third stared directly into Saito's glowing eyes.
"...A God Eye?"
"This kid..."
"...has one?"
An older assassin narrowed his gaze.
"...Seraph."
He tightened his grip on his weapon.
"...It's been a long time..."
"...since I've seen those eyes."
One assassin gritted his teeth.
"Don't let him scare you!"
With a roar, he lunged toward Saito.
His sword came down in a powerful arc.
Saito didn't move.
He simply looked at him.
"...Repel."
BOOM!
An invisible force erupted from Saito's body.
The assassin's eyes widened.
"W-What—?!"
He was blasted backward at incredible speed.
Crash!
His body slammed into a stone wall, leaving a spiderweb of cracks before he dropped to the ground unconscious.
The surrounding assassins froze.
"...He never even touched him."
Saito bent his knees.
Then—
Boom!
He launched himself into the air.
Golden streams of auris trailed behind him like wings.
He raised his sword above his head.
"...Blue Surge."
He dived toward the clustered assassins.
The glowing blade carved a brilliant blue arc through the air.
Slash!
The shockwave ripped across the street.
Several assassins were thrown backward as the attack tore through their formation, leaving the ground split where the blade had passed.
The survivors staggered back in shock.
"...Crap!"
"Spread out!"
"Don't bunch together!"
For the first time since surrounding the prayer chamber, the assassins' confidence gave way to caution as they realized they were no longer hunting an ordinary gangster.
The last echoes of Blue Surge faded through Morax Village.
Broken stone and dust drifted across the street.
Saito slowly lowered his sword.
His golden eyes remained fixed on the assassins.
"...You wanted my head."
He pointed his blade toward them.
"Then..."
"...come and get it."
No one moved.
A moment later—
The doors of the prayer chamber burst open.
Rin stepped out first, resting his scythe across his shoulder.
A confident grin spread across his face.
"If you want our captain..."
"...you won't get him that easily."
Bomb walked out beside him, casually spinning a bomb in his palm.
"Yeah."
"I've still got plenty of presents left."
The assassins exchanged uneasy glances.
One of them swallowed.
"...Forget the contract."
Another immediately nodded.
"...Let's leave."
"This isn't worth dying for."
Without waiting for another order—
The assassins melted back into the shadows.
Whoosh!
One after another, they leaped onto the rooftops.
Within seconds, only the sound of retreating footsteps remained.
The village grew quiet once more.
Bomb let out a low whistle.
"...Guess they weren't as brave as they sounded."
Rin chuckled.
"They came for the money..."
"...not a funeral."
Saito watched the rooftops for a few more seconds before the golden glow in his eyes slowly faded.
"...They're testing us."
"They'll be back."
The others nodded, knowing this encounter had only been the beginning of the hunt.
Alya looked down at her device.
She watched the screen for a few seconds before relaxing.
"I don't detect any auris anymore."
Rin lowered his scythe.
"Good."
"At least they finally left."
Fanny looked toward the side of the prayer chamber.
"...Then what should we do with this one?"
Everyone turned.
One assassin was lying on the ground, tightly tied up with ropes.
His weapons had already been taken away.
Saito walked closer and looked at him.
"Maybe..."
"We can use him to get some information."
Bomb nodded.
"Agreed."
"We need to know why so many assassins are after us."
Rin spun his scythe once before resting it on his shoulder.
"Then leave it to me."
"I'll interrogate him."
He walked toward the captured assassin.
The assassin looked up and smirked.
"Heh..."
"You think you can scare me?"
"You're just a gangster."
Rin stopped in front of him.
He looked down calmly.
"I don't."
The assassin's smile faded slightly.
Rin crouched down.
"...What a pity."
"You were hoping I would."
The assassin stared at
The prayer chamber was silent.
Only the soft crackle of burning incense echoed through the room.
Saito looked up at the stone statue of Felin.
The Primordeus stood with long flowing hair, his expression peaceful as carved mist curled around his body.
Beside him—
Bomb.
Rin.
Alya.
Fanny.
All had their eyes closed in prayer.
Saito watched them for a second.
Then smiled faintly.
"...Might as well."
He closed his own eyes.
The chamber became quiet once again.
A few moments later—
A man quietly entered.
His footsteps were almost impossible to hear.
Without saying a word, he sat at the far left of the chamber.
Far enough away not to attract attention.
He lowered his head as though he were praying too.
Several seconds passed.
Silence.
Then—
The man's hand slowly slipped inside his coat.
A small knife appeared.
His eyes snapped open.
Without hesitation—
He slashed toward Saito.
Slash!
Before the blade could reach him—
A hand caught the assassin's wrist.
Bomb.
His eyes were already open.
"...You picked the wrong place."
BAM!
Bomb's fist crashed into the man's face.
The assassin was launched across the chamber.
He rolled across the floor before smashing into a wooden pillar.
The peaceful prayer hall instantly erupted into chaos.
Saito opened his eyes.
"...An assassin?"
Bomb cracked his knuckles.
"I knew something smelled fishy the moment he walked in."
The assassin groaned on the floor, struggling to stand.
Before anyone could question him—
Rin rushed to the doorway.
He glanced outside.
Then his expression turned serious.
"Saito."
"Bad news."
"We're surrounded."
Saito walked to the entrance.
His eyes swept across the village square.
Dozens of assassins were emerging from rooftops...
Alleys...
And behind market stalls.
They slowly closed in around the prayer chamber.
Saito clicked his tongue.
"...Tch."
"Too many."
Rin spun his scythe into his hands.
"Then let's cut a path."
Bomb reached into his pouch and pulled out several bombs.
One after another, he twisted the timers into place.
Click.
Click.
"I'm ready."
Saito raised a hand.
"Save your energy."
"I've got this."
Rin frowned.
"...Don't you think it's a waste?"
"Using that on these guys?"
Saito smiled.
"...Nope."
Fanny looked back and forth between them.
"...What are you all talking about?"
Alya glanced down at her device.
Her eyes widened.
"...Captain."
"Saito's aura..."
"It's rising rapidly."
She stared at the readings.
"It's gathering..."
"...inside his body."
Bomb let out a long sigh.
"...He's really going to use it."
Without another word—
Saito stepped out of the prayer chamber.
He stood alone in front of the building as dozens of assassins slowly tightened their encirclement, the evening wind carrying an almost tangible pressure from the aura building within him.
The assassins slowly closed the circle.
Weapons were drawn from every direction.
One of them pointed his sword at Saito.
"Hey, gangster."
"They're paying a fortune..."
"...for your head."
Another laughed.
"Let me have him."
A third immediately shoved him aside.
"No."
"He's mine."
Saito stood quietly.
His sword remained lowered.
He looked at each of them.
Then spoke calmly.
"...I don't belong to anyone."
One assassin grinned wickedly.
"Oh?"
"Then..."
"I'll make you my slave."
He burst forward.
His blade raised high.
The instant he entered striking distance—
Saito slowly opened his eyes.
A golden light ignited within them.
His pupils transformed.
A glowing spear appeared in one eye.
Radiant wings unfolded within the other.
The symbols shone brilliantly.
At the same time—
Streams of light resembling ethereal wings flowed behind Saito's back.
His auris erupted.
BOOM!!
Golden energy burst outward like a violent storm.
The charging assassin froze mid-step.
His entire body trembled.
"...W-What...?"
The surrounding assassins instinctively stepped backward.
One whispered in disbelief.
"...So this..."
"...is why they're paying so much."
Another slowly smiled.
"...Interesting."
A third stared directly into Saito's glowing eyes.
"...A God Eye?"
"This kid..."
"...has one?"
An older assassin narrowed his gaze.
"...Seraph."
He tightened his grip on his weapon.
"...It's been a long time..."
"...since I've seen those eyes."
One assassin gritted his teeth.
"Don't let him scare you!"
With a roar, he lunged toward Saito.
His sword came down in a powerful arc.
Saito didn't move.
He simply looked at him.
"...Repel."
BOOM!
An invisible force erupted from Saito's body.
The assassin's eyes widened.
"W-What—?!"
He was blasted backward at incredible speed.
Crash!
His body slammed into a stone wall, leaving a spiderweb of cracks before he dropped to the ground unconscious.
The surrounding assassins froze.
"...He never even touched him."
Saito bent his knees.
Then—
Boom!
He launched himself into the air.
Golden streams of auris trailed behind him like wings.
He raised his sword above his head.
"...Blue Surge."
He dived toward the clustered assassins.
The glowing blade carved a brilliant blue arc through the air.
Slash!
The shockwave ripped across the street.
Several assassins were thrown backward as the attack tore through their formation, leaving the ground split where the blade had passed.
The survivors staggered back in shock.
"...Crap!"
"Spread out!"
"Don't bunch together!"
For the first time since surrounding the prayer chamber, the assassins' confidence gave way to caution as they realized they were no longer hunting an ordinary gangster.
The last echoes of Blue Surge faded through Morax Village.
Broken stone and dust drifted across the street.
Saito slowly lowered his sword.
His golden eyes remained fixed on the assassins.
"...You wanted my head."
He pointed his blade toward them.
"Then..."
"...come and get it."
No one moved.
A moment later—
The doors of the prayer chamber burst open.
Rin stepped out first, resting his scythe across his shoulder.
A confident grin spread across his face.
"If you want our captain..."
"...you won't get him that easily."
Bomb walked out beside him, casually spinning a bomb in his palm.
"Yeah."
"I've still got plenty of presents left."
The assassins exchanged uneasy glances.
One of them swallowed.
"...Forget the contract."
Another immediately nodded.
"...Let's leave."
"This isn't worth dying for."
Without waiting for another order—
The assassins melted back into the shadows.
Whoosh!
One after another, they leaped onto the rooftops.
Within seconds, only the sound of retreating footsteps remained.
The village grew quiet once more.
Bomb let out a low whistle.
"...Guess they weren't as brave as they sounded."
Rin chuckled.
"They came for the money..."
"...not a funeral."
Saito watched the rooftops for a few more seconds before the golden glow in his eyes slowly faded.
"...They're testing us."
"They'll be back."
The others nodded, knowing this encounter had only been the beginning of the hunt.
Alya looked down at her device.
She watched the screen for a few seconds before relaxing.
"I don't detect any auris anymore."
Rin lowered his scythe.
"Good."
"At least they finally left."
Fanny looked toward the side of the prayer chamber.
"...Then what should we do with this one?"
Everyone turned.
One assassin was lying on the ground, tightly tied up with ropes.
His weapons had already been taken away.
Saito walked closer and looked at him.
"Maybe..."
"We can use him to get some information."
Bomb nodded.
"Agreed."
"We need to know why so many assassins are after us."
Rin spun his scythe once before resting it on his shoulder.
"Then leave it to me."
"I'll interrogate him."
He walked toward the captured assassin.
The assassin looked up and smirked.
"Heh..."
"You think you can scare me?"
"You're just a gangster."
Rin stopped in front of him.
He looked down calmly.
"I don't."
The assassin's smile faded slightly.
Rin crouched down.
"...What a pity."
"You were hoping I would."
The assassin stared at him.
Rin's expression remained relaxed as he tapped the ground with the end of his scythe.
"Now..."
"Let's see how much you really know."
.
Rin's expression remained relaxed as he tapped the ground with the end of his scythe.
"Now..."
"Let's see how much you really know."