Chapter 10: The injustice.

Shin stood still, his eyes locked onto the remaining targets. "Now, back to what I was saying."

Without hesitation, he grabbed one of the rich men by the head and slammed him into the ground. His skull shattered instantly.

Shao, still struggling to stand after Shin's kick to the stomach, gritted her teeth. She raised a trembling hand, forming a sharp icicle aimed straight at his head.

"Die, you bastard—"

Before she could finish, her vision blurred. Everything turned red.

She collapsed, lifeless. A sharp metal object had pierced her skull.

Shin had thrown it before she even realized what happened. She was already dead. Her mind just hadn't caught up yet.

May stood frozen, her body refusing to move. She had just watched her entire team die—one after another, each of them falling within minutes. People she had known, trained with, and fought beside were gone.

Her breath hitched as Shin turned toward her. His slow, deliberate steps made her heart pound against her ribs. She stumbled backward, her legs shaking, until she tripped and landed on the cold ground.

"P-please… don't kill me…" she stammered, her voice barely a whisper. "I… I…"

Shin stopped in front of her, his expression unreadable. Then, in a calm yet cold voice, he asked, "Tell me… how many people did you try to save behind your team's back? Did you ever help the people they hurt? Did you feel guilt for any of it?"

May's mouth opened and closed. "No… I swear I—"

Before she could finish, Shin placed his palm against her chest. A deep purple flame spread from his hand, engulfing her body.

She braced herself for agony, but none came. The fire didn't burn—it was warm. Almost comforting.

Then, Shin's eyes narrowed. His jaw clenched.

"You…"

Shin grabbed May by the throat, lifting her off the floor as she gasped for air. Her hands clawed at his arm, struggling against his grip, but it was useless.

With a sharp motion, he slammed her onto the marble floor. The impact sent a shock through her body, leaving her coughing and dazed.

"You're the one who put their heads on spikes," Shin said coldly.

May choked out a desperate plea. "Please... I wasn't the one who killed them! I was just following orders. You already killed them... please..." Tears welled in her eyes, her voice trembling with fear.

Shin watched her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then, without a word, he released her.

She collapsed onto the cold floor, coughing and shaking.

"You're not worth it," he muttered.

This time, when he pulled her up, his grip wasn't violent. It was firm, but not cruel.

"Change or don't—I don't care. But leave this place." His voice was calm, but there was no kindness in it. "You've done worse than most, but not once in your pathetic life have you taken someone's life with your own hands."

May's breath hitched as she looked up at him.

"You think you're above the others, but you haven't crossed that final line yet," Shin continued. "Go. But if we cross paths again, and I find out you've taken a life... or destroyed someone's future—"

His eyes darkened.

"I will kill you."

May nodded in fear.

"I.. I promise I will.."

Shin raise his hand. "Shake on it."

May couldn't do anything but agreed. "I will..."

Shin's hand are softer and didn't put pressure on her hand. Not a single sign of dominance.

This is the hand that crushed a neck of their teammate without a sweat and the hand that uprooted a towering pillar with ease.

"Good that's a deal and you better not break it." Shin's shook their hands and released her.

"Now before you leave heal the mother's foot and every single injury they have—"

"Before I change my mind towards you."

May rushed toward the captive mother and got to work healing her wounds.

Meanwhile, Shin stood nearby, arms crossed, watching her. Then, as if just remembering something, he muttered, "You know what? I'm tired of killing these bastards with my own hands."

May's hands trembled as she worked, but she didn't dare stop.

"Matter of fact," Shin continued, rolling his shoulders, "I think I'll just blow this place up. Way less effort. Yeah, that sounds good."

May gulped and focused on healing faster.

Shin sighed dramatically. "Do you have any idea how bad blood smells? Especially guts? It sticks to you. And I mean sticks. It doesn't matter how many times you wash—two days later, you're still smelling that shit."

May nodded quickly. "Y-yes… I understand…"

The remaining rich scumbags didn't try to run. They knew the rules by now. If they moved, he'd make their deaths slow. If they stayed, they'd die fast. Either way, they were screwed.

Shin kept going, half-talking to May, half-complaining to himself. "I mean, do you get it? I'm a culinary guy. I work with my hands. I can't be out here snapping people in half and then go home smelling like a slaughterhouse."

May just kept healing.

Shin exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "And then there's my brother, that elegant bastard. He slices through people like butter—clean, effortless. His sword is hotter than hell itself, yet somehow, he never gets a drop of blood on him. Meanwhile, I crush one guy's skull, and I'm standing in a goddamn crime scene."

He groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. "It's honestly unfair."

He shot May a glance. "You're still healing, right? Good. Keep going."

Shin strolled around the room, his footsteps echoing ominously. His gaze landed on the announcer.

"Hey, you. Give me everything you know about this place before I lose interest and just blow it all up."

The announcer, frozen in fear, stammered. "I–uh… This place is a hunting ground…"

Shin grabbed him by the collar and slammed his face onto the table.

"I already know that. Give me more."

Blood dripped from the announcer's nose as he looked up, terrified.

"...W-We only have the people to hunt right now… We don't keep them locked up for future hunts."

Shin slapped him across the face. "So you're telling me this mother and her children are the only captives here?"

The announcer clutched his face, voice shaking. "Y-Yes… They are…"

Shin slammed him down again—this time, the crunch of breaking bone filled the air.

"Good. That means I can blow this place up with all of you inside, right?"

The announcer howled in agony as blood poured from his shattered nose.

Shin pinched the broken mess between his fingers, sending another jolt of pain through his skull.

"If you're lying, I'll break every bone in your body before I kill you. And the best part? You can't do a damn thing about it… because you're fucking evil. And I don't tolerate evil anymore."

He let him go as the announcer groan in pain.

"What's funny is that.. all of you thought your all untouchable. Which is just pathetic to be honest."

"Shoot, I mean if you think you're untouchable you gotta prove it by actually being untouchable and not being untouchable because of wealth."

Shin fixed his haze upon Oliver.

"Ahh.. the host over here… your people are dead."

"You think calling the armed men will save you? And the rest of you?"

Oliver who was confident earlier lost his cool.

"You.. monster get away from me!"

Shin tilted his head. "Me? Monster?"

"Are you hypothetical or something? How many people did you hunt for the sake of fun and sport?"

Shin slowly walked towards him. "I've killed people like you before and I'll be honest. They did not die fast."

Shin punched him, knocking him out in an instant.

"Much better… I wouldn't do that!"

He looked at a woman who are trying to grab a handgun from her shoulder bag.

"I got shot earlier. The bullet did nothing… Does common sense fly out the window"

"Whenever fear is around? C'mon, run your brains, process things out."

"Aren't rich people supposed to be smart?"

Shin yapped for a while before turning his attention to Odessa. He crouched down and gave her a few gentle shakes.

"Wake up."

She groaned softly, her eyelids fluttering as she regained consciousness. "What... What happened?"

"I knocked you out." Shin said bluntly. "Change of plans. I figured you didn't need to see what happened next—" he motioned toward the carnage around them, "—though you already saw me carve up your so-called 'teammates.' I'd say that's enough blood and guts for one day."

Odessa was still disoriented, but Shin helped her to her feet.

"Now, take me to the knives, and let's get the hell out of here."

Then his gaze flicked toward May. "Is that mother's foot healed?"

May hesitated, fear evident in his eyes. "Y–yes… they are… You'll let me live, right…?"

Shin stared at him for a moment before shrugging. "Yeah, sure. You haven't killed anyone yet. You're a jackass and a bitch, but I can let that slide."

Shin gently patted her shoulder, his voice calm but firm. "Now go on. Leave this building."

On the other side of the world.

Sen paced back and forth, growing impatient. "He sure is taking his time…"

Kirin, still shaken from earlier, was quietly being held by Kaide. Her voice was soft, still laced with leftover tears. "You think… he killed all of them?"

Kaide softly answered. "After seeing Shin save me and my people… yeah, I'm sure he did."

Sen scoffed, crossing his arms. "Honestly? It'd be mercy if he just broke all their limbs instead of killing them."

Kirin hesitated before speaking again. "But… after what they did… killing my friends and putting their heads on spikes…" Her voice cracked, and she quickly shut herself up.

Sen glanced at her and cursed under his breath. "Damn it… sorry. I didn't mean to bring that up."

Kirin shook her head weakly. "It's fine…"

Sen exhaled sharply. "Then yeah… he's definitely killing them all. No way he'd let any of those bastards live."

His fist tightened as his patience wore thin. His brother was taking longer than expected, and his gut burned to go after him. But he stopped himself.

Shin's words still echoed in his head. "Stay. I'll handle it."

And when Shin said something, it wasn't up for debate. His words were absolute.

All Sen could do now was wait—and hope Shin wouldn't completely drown himself in blood again.

On the other side of the country, Back to Shin.

Shin let May leave and live. "Am I? Too much? Am I scary? Nahh...? Right?"

Shin walked towards the mother and her child. "Hey.. do you guys have a place to go back? If you want to. You and your kids can come with me."

The mother smiled with hope in her eyes. The eyes that are lifeless earlier and does not have single drop of hope.

She nodded. "I would love to... But we have a place, a family, a small town... This people just got us when we're in the wilderness."

"Thank you, Mister."

Shin easily ripped the rope that tied the family.

"Now go.. Be safe."

Shin looked at the people who are in Infront of the only exit.

"Make way." his voice filled with authority.

Without hesitation the people moved out of the way.

And the family leave the place immediately.

"You people had done enough damage. Let me ask you all."

"How many families have you all destroyed? How many children's future have you all destroyed? For what? For the sake of this so called "Hunt the prey"? Is that the reason?"

"The world went to shit 7 years ago. Did all of you lost your moralities after the world lost to demons?"

"Say... If I killed you all of here. Would there be people that will mourn all of your death? Genuinely? Kids?"

Some of them nodded but fear never left their eyes.

"Well... Having you as parents will probably lead to the kids depression so I'll still kill you all." Shin Shrugged.

He then turned to Oddesa. "Will you hand me the knives?"

Oddesa nodded without hesitation she run towards the bag that her team that are now dead are putting their resources in.

She grabbed the knives that have roses on the edge of the handle.

The crowd panicked they tried to run and escape the place. People jumping on windows, running through the door, and going as far as pushing others for the sake of their own survival.

Shin sighed "What a bunch of pathetic rich sad excuse os humans."

With a blink of an eye the hallway exploded. The explosion was so strong that it gets the people that jumped through the window as well.

Getting hit by the debris, ending their lives in a brutal way.

"I feel bad for your kids. It's such a bad luck that their parents are you people." Shin whispered.

May and Oddesa look shocked and no word's came to their mouth.

The announcer and Oliver woke up from getting knocked out by Shin to the explosion.

They stared at him seeing him watching the place in fire.

"YOU RUINED EVERYTHING!" Oliver yelled in despair.

The announcer cannot say anything as he is frozen in shock.

"The audacity to tell me that I ruined everything while you and your people ruined innocent lives." Shin turned his gaze on Oliver.

He walked towards him and leaned down.

"I can do a hundred things that will end you painfully." he grabbed his hair pulling it hard forcing him to look at him directly.

"I will kill you and everyone that helped you because I can and you can do nothing about it because you're nothing but a murderer who do nothing but destroy lives."

Oliver groaned and talk back with poison on his voice.

"What makes you so different from us...?! You kill people in cold blood as well!" he yelled in anger and despair.

Shin tilted his head. "Yeah you're correct I'm not better than you. I am a murderer but you know what set us apart?"

Oliver groan and smirked. "Haha... And what's that? That you're a narcissist human being as well...?"

"Or you're gonna..." he cough with blood. "Or you're gonna downplay it telling yourself that you do things because you have to?!"

Shin just let his hair go. "Hmm... Nah it's because I see innocent people's lives as precious and trash people like you worthless."

And with ease he placed his palm on his face and purple flames engulfed him but this time it hurts.

It burned him, he screamed in agony, begging Shin to kill him. "KILL ME YOU BASTARD!"

"Already am." Shin said as he watch.

As the agonizing screams faded, silence swallowed the room. The only sounds left were the crackling of flames and the sickening sizzle of burning flesh.

The stench was unbearable.

Shin barely spared it a glance before lifting Oddesa and May with ease.

"Wha—? What?!" May's face turned bright red.

"Put... me down!" Oddesa wiggled in his grasp.

Shin ignored them both. Without a word, he kicked through the burning wall, making his own exit as the manor crumbled behind them. Once outside, he set them down gently on the dirt road.

May wobbled slightly, still processing what had just happened, but Shin's sharp gaze landed on her.

"You," he pointed at her. "Go. But before that… you know something, don't you? About that 'regime country' your team mentioned."

She swallowed hard, avoiding his eyes. "…Yeah. It's a militarized nation. Their entire focus is power—making the country strong, no matter how many people suffer for it. The government doesn't care about its people… only results."

A shadow crossed her face. "My parents live there. I grew up there. And when they found out about my healing ability, they… forced me into this."

Shin's expression didn't change, but his voice carried weight. "That doesn't erase what you did. You put heads on stakes. You played along with their cruelty."

May flinched. "I—I know…"

Oddesa frowned, looking between them. "But… she never killed anyone, right?"

Shin was quiet for a moment, then exhaled. "No. She didn't." His eyes stayed locked on May. "I was right about you."

May's head lowered. "I never wanted to do any of it. I hated it. But if I refused, I would've been the next one on those stakes."

Oddesa's expression softened, but she still hesitated. "…I don't know if I can forgive you yet."

May nodded. "I understand."

Shin held out his hand. "Give me yours."

She hesitated before slowly raising her hand. The moment their skin touched, purple flames slithered over her palm, burning into her flesh. She winced, letting out a small whimper at the sting.

Oddesa peeked over Shin's shoulder. "…What are you doing?"

Shin let go, watching the mark settle into her skin. "Leaving a scar." His voice was cold. "A mark that demons can see."

May's breath hitched. "W-what does that mean?"

"It means demons know me. And they fear me." Shin's tone remained matter-of-fact, but then his eyes narrowed slightly. "And while I was at it, I read your soul again."

Oddesa's brows furrowed. "And?"

Shin's gaze stayed on May. "She didn't enjoy any of it. Not the stakes. Not the games. She played along to survive."

Oddesa's lips parted slightly, but she said nothing.

May clenched her fists. "I couldn't fight back. I couldn't stop them. I just… played along, hoping to live another day."

A tense silence followed.

Oddesa finally sighed, rubbing her temples. "…I get it. But I still don't know how to feel about it."

May swallowed hard and nodded. "I don't expect forgiveness."

Then oddesa said. "Can she come with us Shin...?"

Oddesa looked up, hopeful, but Shin didn't answer right away. He simply stared at May, his unreadable gaze making her shift uncomfortably.

Then, finally, he spoke.

"That's up to you."

May looked down at her burned hand for a moment—then shook her head. "No… I have to go home."

Oddesa's expression fell. "But—"

"I have to return," May interrupted, her voice firmer. "I'll tell them our team died. I'll tell them you died too, Oddesa. That way, they won't come looking for you."

Oddesa's throat tightened. "You won't tell them what happened…?"

May shook her head. "No names. No details. Just… that a man attacked us." She forced a small, tired smile. "You can live in peace that way."

A beat of silence passed. Then she turned, walking away in the opposite direction without looking back.

The moonlight shone brightly above them, casting a pale glow over the ruined landscape. The burning manor crackled in the distance, its flames flickering like a dying beacon in the dark. It was the only other source of light aside from the moon, illuminating the bloodstained ground and the wreckage left behind.

Shin exhaled, his breath visible in the cold night air. "At least the rain stopped," he muttered, stretching his shoulders.

Oddesa, still shaken from everything that had happened, glanced at him. "Why are we just standing here?" she asked, shifting on her feet.

Shin didn't answer right away. He was holding the blades, carefully turning them over in his hands, his eyes tracing the edges with silent reverence. He wasn't checking for damage or measuring their sharpness—he was appreciating them, as if paying his respects. They weren't just weapons; they had belonged to someone. Someone who wasn't here anymore.

Then, without looking up, he finally spoke.

"Portal."

Oddesa blinked. "Huh?"

"Portal." Shin repeated, this time meeting her confused gaze.

She frowned, trying to process what he meant. Then she scoffed. "Wait… portals? You're joking, right? That kind of thing only exists in movies."

Shin shrugged, still studying the blades. "Yeah, well… my brother can make them. I can too, it's just harder for me." His tone was casual, like he was talking about something as simple as tying his shoelaces.

Oddesa stared at him, her mind reeling. Every time she thought she was starting to understand him, he threw something new at her.

On the Other Side

"Time's up." Sen tightened his grip on his heavenly sword.

"Wait, are you just going to grab Shin and leave, or are you actually going to help him?" Kaide asked, arms crossed.

Sen rolled his shoulders, unfazed. "What kind of question is that? Of course, I'm dragging his ass back."

With a smooth motion, he swung his sword in a perfect arc. The blade sliced through space itself, tearing open a rift between places. A faint hum echoed in the air, the edges of the tear crackling with celestial energy.

Kirin, watching the rift shimmer, hesitated before speaking. "Do you think... he succeeded?"

Sen let out a small chuckle. "We're talking about a guy who once took down an entire horde of demons on his own. The only way I can imagine him dying is if he picks a fight with a god."

On the other side.

Beneath the moonlight, a portal shimmered into existence before them.

"Finally." Shin exhaled, pushing himself up from the dirt. He reached out, offering Oddesa a hand. She hesitated for a moment before taking it, allowing him to pull her to her feet.

Oddesa's eyes widened, her breath hitching as she stared at the swirling gateway. "I… I can't believe it. Portals actually exist?"

Shin smirked. "Demons exist… but this? This is what surprises you?"

Oddesa blinked, still in awe. "I guess I just never expected something like this."

Shin chuckled. "Welcome to my world."

He walked in first, and the portal appeared on the other side.

"Hey," Shin gestured, his tone casual.

Oddesa followed, her eyes wide as she looked around, clearly mesmerized by the new place.

"Who is she?" Sen asked, his gaze shifting to the newcomer.

Oddesa straightened up, her nerves calming. "Uhmm... my name is Oddesa. Nice to meet you all."

Without warning, Kirin rushed toward Shin, her arms wrapping around him in a tight hug. "Shin..."

"Here." He handed her the blades, the ones her friends had once owned.

"Thank you so much…" Kirin tightened her embrace, the emotion clear in her voice.

"Shin, what happened...? Why did you take so long?" she asked, concern lacing her words.

"Long story. Wanna sit down?" Shin responded with a shrug, as if brushing off the weight of whatever he'd endured.

"Yeah." Sen sat down on a nearby chair, his expression unreadable.

"Say, Oddesa, why don't you sleep? It's night on the other side where we came from, meaning you've probably been up all day. Over here, it's already daylight," Shin pointed to the window, his tone casual, but his eyes held a certain concern.

Oddesa nodded shyly, her eyes flickering with uncertainty. "Of course... but where exactly are we?"

Shin's lips curved into a small smirk, and he glanced at Sen. "My bad. Sen, show her to a room."

Sen stood up, stretching slightly. "This place's like a hotel, but safer. We've got layers of security—demon-proofed walls, enchanted locks, the works."

I like this direction! Sen's casual yet reassuring way of revealing the truth adds a nice contrast to Shin's more serious nature. It also makes sense that he'd change his stance over time, realizing that the people they trust deserve to know the bigger picture.

"Oh yeah, and hey… I wasn't gonna bring this up right away, but people change, right?" Sen leaned back with a casual shrug. "Anyway, angels exist."

Oddesa's eyes widened as curiosity flooded her expression. "Really?!" she blurted out before quickly catching herself. She cleared her throat, trying to regain composure. "I… I'm sorry. That was rude. This is a joke, right? I totally fell for it… It's obviously a joke."

"Nope, not a joke," Sen replied smoothly. "The thing is, it's kinda hard to explain, and honestly, really complicated. So get some rest first. Later, Shin and I will tell you everything."

Oddesa hesitated before nodding slowly. "You're Sen, right…?"

"Yeah, that's right," he confirmed, flashing a small grin. "Shin's younger brother."

"Nice to meet you. Oddesa, right?"

Oddesa nodded, and the two exchanged a few words as they walked. Eventually, they arrived at the room.

"I still can't believe how clean and organized this place is... It really feels like a hotel," Oddesa murmured, glancing around in awe.

Sen chuckled. "Told you, it's safer than any place out there."

Oddesa smiled and turned to him. "Thank you, Sen." With that, she stepped inside and gently closed the door behind her.

Sen wasted no time heading back to where Shin and the others were gathered. As he entered, Shin gestured toward an empty seat.

"Sen, sit down."

Sen did as told, noticing the serious atmosphere.

"I already told them everything," Shin said, his voice calm but firm. "Now it's your turn to hear the rest."

Sen leaned forward, listening intently.

A heavy silence settled over them before he finally spoke.

"…A war, huh?"

To be continued...