The village was safe.
But Raizen didn't leave.
He stood still.
Watching the ground where the shadow had vanished.
"…Something's wrong."
The presence was gone.
But not completely.
A trace remained.
Faint.
Hidden.
Unfinished Hunt
Raizen closed his eyes.
Breathing slowed.
The shadow within him responded.
"…This wasn't the source."
A realization.
"…It was being controlled."
Following the Trace
He moved.
Not fast.
Careful.
Tracking.
The faint distortion led him beyond the village.
Into the forest.
Deeper.
Darker.
The Hidden Presence
The air changed again.
Heavier.
Colder.
Raizen stopped.
"…There."
A figure stood between the trees.
Still.
Waiting.
The Controller
A man.
Cloaked.
Face partially hidden.
But his eyes—
Focused.
Sharp.
"…You found it."
Raizen stepped forward.
"…You were controlling it."
The man nodded slightly.
"Yes."
A pause.
"…That was only a fragment."
Understanding the Threat
Raizen's grip tightened.
"…Then show me the real one."
The man tilted his head.
"…You're confident."
A faint smile appeared.
"…Good."
True Ability
The man raised his hand.
The ground darkened.
Shadows spread.
Not one.
Not two.
Dozens.
Moving.
Alive.
Pressure
Raizen's eyes narrowed.
"…This is different."
The shadows moved together.
Controlled.
Perfectly.
Fight Begins
They attacked.
From all directions.
Fast.
Relentless.
Raizen moved.
Dodging.
Blocking.
But there were too many.
Adapting
He stopped moving.
Closed his eyes.
Breathing slowed.
"…Focus."
The shadows came closer.
Almost touching.
Control vs Control
Raizen raised his blade.
"Shadow Breathing—"
The air shifted.
His shadow expanded.
Meeting theirs.
Clashing.
Dominance
For a moment—
The shadows resisted.
Then—
They slowed.
Raizen stepped forward.
"…Your control…"
A pause.
"…is incomplete."
Turning the Tide
He moved.
"Second Form— Night Step."
He vanished.
Reappeared—
Striking through the shadows.
Each one—
Cut.
Dispersed.
Closing Distance
Only the man remained.
Still calm.
Still watching.
"…Interesting."
Raizen didn't stop.
"Third Form— Black Crescent."
A direct attack.
The man stepped back.
Dodged.
But barely.
Revealing Skill
The man moved.
Faster than expected.
He countered.
A precise strike.
Raizen blocked.
But felt the difference.
"…He's not just a controller."
Final Exchange
Both moved at once.
Close range.
Fast.
Clean.
Raizen shifted—
Created an opening—
And struck.
"Fourth Form— Shadow Execution."
The blade reached—
Stopped.
At the man's neck.
Silence.
Outcome
The man didn't move.
"…You win."
Raizen didn't lower his blade.
"…Who are you?"
A pause.
"…Someone who studies power."
Final Words
The man stepped back.
"…And you…"
He looked directly at Raizen.
"…are becoming something worth studying."
Final Scene
He disappeared into the shadows.
Gone.
Raizen stood alone.
His breathing steady.
But his thoughts—
Unsettled.
Ending Line
The more power you gain—
The more eyes begin to watch you.