The village burned.

  Screams and fire intertwined, creating a hellish symphony. The stench of blood filled the air, mixing with the thick smoke that swallowed the night.

  Raiyo’s breath came in short, panicked bursts. His hands trembled around the hilt of his sword—a Jinken that had not yet awakened. A useless, ordinary blade.

  But this was no ordinary battle.

  Shigure stood before him, his sword drawn—a steel guardian against the darkness. His cloak, once pristine, was now drenched in blood, his own mixed with that of the creatures he had slain.

  One Voidborn loomed before them—a grotesque, shifting beast with hollow eyes. The same monster that had taken Raiyo’s father ten years ago.

  Raiyo’s nails dug into his palms. His rage boiled beneath his skin, but he was frozen. His body refused to move.

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  This is it.

  This is the moment I’ve been waiting for.

  I can avenge him.

  So why… why can’t I move?

  Then—three more Voidborn emerged from the smoke.

  "Shit." Shigure barely had time to react.

  They came from the shadows like specters, their claws slicing through the air. Shigure turned, blade flashing—he cut one down in a single stroke. But the other two—

  SHNK!

  A Voidborn’s claw tore through his side.

  Another slammed into his back, sending him flying into the burning wreckage of a house.

  Raiyo’s eyes widened.

  His heart stopped.

  "U-UNCLE!"

  Shigure did not get up. His breathing was ragged, blood dripping from his lips.

  Raiyo’s knees nearly buckled. His vision blurred.

  No. No. No.

  This was happening again.

  The memories came crashing back—the image of his father, standing tall, blade in hand. The moment that same Voidborn struck him down, leaving Raiyo in a pool of his own weakness.

  That same feeling.

  That same powerlessness.

  No. Not again.

  "Move… MOVE!"

  His muscles locked. His breathing hitched.

  The Voidborn turned toward him. Slowly. Mockingly.

  One lunged—its claws aiming straight for his heart.

  And then—

  Something snapped.

  A spark ignited deep within his soul.

  His entire body felt like it was burning from the inside out. The world around him blurred. The sound of crackling fire faded into a single, ringing note.

  And in his hands—his sword began to change.

  It vibrated, pulsating with an unknown energy. Cracks spread across the dull blade, golden light s

  eeping from within.

  His Jinken had awakened.

  And with it—so did his fury.