Finally, they reached the summit of the mountain.
And there…
Sitting peacefully in front of a massive cave…
Was the terror of X-Rank existence.
The Legendary Divine Spirit Wolf.
This was the same wolf that had once fought alongside its companions to save humanity.
Yet the same humanity had eventually feared and rejected it, treating it like a monster.
For centuries, the wolf had lived alone.
And over time, its hatred for humans had only grown deeper.
The moment it sensed humans entering its territory, its attitude immediately changed.
Although it remained in its normal form, the pressure of its energy was so overwhelming that any awakened human could feel its presence from hundreds of kilometers away.
The wolf slowly stepped forward.
It only intended to launch a small attack.
Not to kill.
Just enough to frighten the humans and drive them away.
It assumed they were nothing more than ordinary Shin Warriors.
But the wolf did not realize who was standing before it.
Without wasting even a single second, Hayato concentrated all of his power into his eyes.
Then he unleashed the most dangerous technique of the Shizukami Clan.
Itazurashiritsu Phantom Rhythm: Serenity Mode.
The attack directly struck the rhythm of the wolf's Shin-Noa energy.
In an instant, its shin energy rhythm was completely suppressed.
The wolf had not been using its full power to begin with, and this sudden attack froze it in place for a brief moment.
Just one second.
That was all Hayato needed.
Taking advantage of that single moment, Hayato immediately activated his next technique.
Seal Binding Soul Transfer Shiritsu.
Normally, when a Divine Spirit becomes a Yorishiro (Host), the spirit willingly forms the soul binding with the host.
But Hayato was doing something different.
He was forcibly sealing an X-Rank Divine Spirit inside his son.
The wolf struggled fiercely.
But it had already been trapped within Hayato's sealing technique.
Hayato carefully placed the new seal directly above Takashi's previous seal
The Black Box Silent Prison.
The moment the seals connected, Takashi's entire body suddenly stabilized.
"AAAAHHH!"
Takashi screamed in pain.
During the sealing process, Hayato had carefully ensured that the wolf could not take control of Takashi's body or mind.
The moment the transfer was complete, the wolf felt something terrifying.
Its power was being drained.
Its energy was now being used to regenerate and stabilize Takashi's fragile body.
Because their lives were now connected…
If Takashi died, the wolf would die as well.
So, the wolf had no choice but to keep him alive.
A small portion of the wolf's remaining power could still be used by Takashi.
However, the wolf refused to give him any additional strength.
It knew very well how destructive humans could be.
Behind them remained only the Divine Spirit's massive Core.
The core was incredibly heavy.
Even an S-Rank warrior would not be able to lift it.
Hayato sealed the core inside a Black Box and handed it to Takashi.
Because Takashi was now the wolf's Yorishiro, he could carry the core easily.
One day…
That core could be forged into a Legendary Weapon for him.
But only with a X-rank power.
Hayato exhaled slowly.
Relief appeared on his face.
He had saved his son.
But then
Suddenly…
Kazuki rushed forward from behind.
CLANG!
It was a treason...
He poured power into his sword and drove it straight into Hayato's back.
The blade pierced through Hayato's heart and emerged from his chest.
Hayato froze in shock.
His breathing grew weak.
Blood spilled from his mouth.
"Why…?" he asked with great difficulty.
Kazuki's eyes were shining with a strange fanatic madness.
"I didn't search for the Legendary Divine Spirit Wolf for nothing!"
"No one among us could ever kill someone as powerful as you."
"I wanted the Divine Spirit to kill you so your story would end."
"The ones who could kill you never tried. And the ones who wanted to kill you never had the power."
"So, the best solution was letting that spirit kill you."
"But even that failed!"
"So now… I have no choice but to kill you myself."
Takashi stood frozen nearby.
His small body trembled with fear.
Kazuki continued speaking.
"Your power is already unmatched, and yet you keep chasing even more power."
"You want to restart wars and conquer the world again!"
"But we will never allow that."
"The rumors spread by the Shinsei Organization were not false."
"Those people wearing white robes with the Sakura flower symbol… they told me everything."
"Your peaceful marriage was nothing but an act."
"They will rebuild this world a world where everyone is equal and no wars exist."
Kazuki did not realize he had been deceived.
He did not know that Hayato's actions had never been about conquering the world.
Hayato had only been trying to save his son.
Even after hearing everything…
Hayato did not become angry.
Instead, he gave a soft and sorrowful smile.
He had always known that one day someone would betray and kill him.
But he never imagined that person would be his most trusted friend.
Coughing blood, Hayato spoke his final words.
"No innocent heart can ever rule a nation, Kazuki…"
"Nor can such a person become a true leader."
"You will always have to make harsh decisions…"
"You will understand that very soon."
Then he looked at his crying, trembling son with endless love.
"My son…"
"Always remember my words."
"Follow them."
"Never lose your path."
Kazuki pulled his sword free and stepped forward to kill Takashi.
But before he could strike
Hayato gathered the last of his strength.
He grabbed Takashi tightly in his arms.
And then
He jumped.
Straight off the mountain peak into the deep abyss below.
Far beneath them roared a violent waterfall and a raging river.
Hayato knew he would not survive.
But now Takashi's life was connected to the wolf.
His son would live.
As they fell through the air at terrifying speed…
Hayato's soul began leaving his body.
But suddenly
The wolf inside Takashi moved.
Before Hayato's soul could disappear…
The wolf pulled it inward and sealed it deep within Takashi's body.
Why did it do that?
Neither Takashi…
Nor Kazuki…
Nor even Hayato himself…
Would ever know.
BOOOOM!
Their bodies slammed into the water with terrifying force.
The river turned red with Hayato's blood.
From the cliff above, Kazuki watched the scene.
Satisfied.
There was no way anyone could survive a fall like that.
He turned and walked away.
Hayato's body was carried away by the river…
Floating further and further…
Until it reached a distant frozen region where the water itself had turned to ice.
Beneath that freezing ice…
The greatest leader of Westland
The War Demon
Was buried forever.
Meanwhile…
Takashi's unconscious body drifted with the river currents.
Eventually, he reached the very center of the Grand Forest of Monsters.
The wolf's regeneration prevented him from dying and stabilized his body and inner seal.
The waves finally pushed his body onto the shore.
Hours later…
Takashi slowly regained consciousness.
But his appearance had completely changed.
His eyes once two different colors were now perfectly clear blue.
The dark mark on his face had disappeared and transformed into a mysterious glowing white pattern.
A Wolf's branded mark shone brightly on his forehead.
And due to the wolf's transformation effect…
His half-black, half-white hair had turned completely white.
Slowly…
Takashi stood up.
Around him stretched the endless dark forest.
Bloodthirsty monsters filled the land in every direction.
A fragile young prince…
Who had never held a sword…
Who had never trained in combat…
Now stood alone…
At the very center of the most terrifying forest on the continent.