Chapter 22: Ken’s shocking secret

The thick fog grew heavier over Darkova that afternoon. Despite the bustling streets filled with people and merchants, a heavy silence loomed over the city, creating an eerie atmosphere.

As our three heroes wandered through the streets once again, they suddenly noticed a man with an intimidating presence walking among the crowd.

It was Akira.

He strode forward with unshakable confidence, his long black coat billowing slightly as he moved. His glowing crimson eyes sent shivers down the spines of anyone who dared to glance at him.

He didn't need to say a word—just his presence alone made people step aside, lower their heads, and avoid eye contact, fearing they might provoke his wrath.

At that moment, a sharp voice rang out from the crowd.

"That's him! The dog of Teraqula! The one who kidnaps and kills people for her!"

Akira ignored the words completely. He continued walking, arrogant, smirking, as if nothing had happened.

As he moved, his attention was caught by a merchant who appeared to be in his mid-twenties, smoking a cigarette while casually chatting with his friends. He seemed completely unaware that Akira was standing nearby.

Merchant (smirking as he talks to his friend):

"Haah, I can't believe how boring Darkova has gotten these days. Nothing interesting happens anymore."

Friend (chuckling):

"Oh, aren't you happy with your stable life now, Mart? You're a merchant now—no more street fights for you."

Mart (laughing boastfully):

"Hah! Do you think I was just some random street thug back then? No way, my friend—I was in charge. I made sure those weaklings knew their place."

Mart's female friend (giggling):

"I'd love to see you take down some weaklings now. I bet you've gotten even stronger!"

But suddenly, Mart felt a hand on his shoulder.

He turned around—only to find Akira.

The moment Mart saw Akira's face, his eyes widened in horror. His entire body froze.

Before he could even process what was happening…

Akira let out a deep, deranged laugh, his voice echoing through the alleyway.

Akira:

"Hah… hahaha… haah… Mart. What a lovely coincidence."

Mart felt like his heart had stopped.

He tried to comprehend what was happening, but before he could—

BAM!

Akira punched him straight in the face.

Mart's body slammed into the stone wall behind him with brutal force before collapsing to the ground, groaning in pain as he clutched his rapidly bruising cheek.

His two friends gasped and staggered backward, their eyes wide with shock.

Mart (trembling, his hand on his face):

"W-What…?!"

Akira was still grinning, but his smile was twisted—insane.

He crouched slightly, placing his hand on his knee, looking down at Mart as if speaking to a child.

Akira (mockingly):

"What's wrong, Mart? Just a moment ago, you were bragging about how strong you were—about how you crushed weaklings. Hah… what happened? Have you gotten soft?"

Mart couldn't speak. He just stared at Akira like he was seeing a ghost from his past.

Mart's friend (nervously raising his hands):

"W-Wait, we don't want trouble…!"

But Akira wasn't in the mood to listen.

He grabbed Mart by the collar and lifted him slightly off the ground.

His red eyes burned with pure madness.

Akira (his voice dangerously low):

"Ten years… Ten years since I last saw your disgusting face."

"Do you know what I felt back then, Mart? I hated myself—because I couldn't do a damn thing against you."

He tightened his grip, making Mart struggle to breathe.

Mart tried desperately to pry Akira's hands off, but he couldn't.

Akira (grinning like a predator):

"But times have changed, Mart… and now? I'm the one who decides who's weak."

And then—

BAM!

Another merciless punch.

This time, Mart felt his skull rattle from the impact. His entire body collapsed onto the cobblestone ground.

Blood dripped from the corner of his lips.

His vision blurred.

He tried to lift his head… but he couldn't.

He had lost control of his own body.

Akira stood over him, towering like a shadow of pure vengeance.

He smirked down at Mart—his expression both amused and merciless.

Akira (mocking):

"Oh dear… look at yourself now. Where's that confidence you had just a moment ago?"

Then, he lifted his foot—

And stomped down hard on Mart's hand.

Mart (screaming in pain):

"A-Akira… please… I didn't mean—!"

Akio (furious, stepping forward):

"That's enough!!"

Akira turned his head slowly toward Akio.

His smirk remained, but his eyes darkened.

Akira:

"Don't interfere, kid."

Akira let out a soft chuckle before finally releasing Mart.

Mart remained on the ground, panting heavily, broken and humiliated.

But Akira wasn't finished.

His eyes slowly drifted to someone else—

Mart's female friend.

She stood pale, her body slightly trembling, unable to comprehend what she had just witnessed.

Akira walked toward her, his grin charming yet eerie.

When he reached her, he gently took her hand in his own.

His cheeks flushed slightly, as if embarrassed.

Akira (smirking as he whispers):

"Now then… how about we spend some time together—away from that pathetic loser?"

The girl shuddered, her wide eyes darting between Akira and Mart.

She looked as if she didn't know how to react.

Mart's friend (stammering, nervous):

"I-I… I don't think I…"

But Akira wasn't interested in her words.

He simply raised an eyebrow slightly and widened his smirk.

Then, he leaned in close to her ear and whispered in a voice that was both warm… and terrifying.

Akira:

"Come on now… don't be shy. I don't bite… unless you want me to."

The girl jerked her hand away, as if she had touched fire.

Mart's friend (panicking, stepping back):

"S-Stay away from me!!"

Akira let out a quiet laugh, slipping his hands into his pockets.

He turned back toward Mart, who was still on the ground, trembling from both pain and humiliation.

Akira (mocking, voice low):

"Did you see that, Mart? Even the girl who was laughing at your stupid jokes just moments ago—doesn't want you anymore."

Mart's body stiffened.

It was the worst humiliation he had ever felt in his life.

But he couldn't do anything.

He couldn't even stand.

Akio (angrily stepping between Akira and the girl, spreading his arms protectively):

"I SAID THAT'S ENOUGH!!"

Akira looked at Akio for a moment, then laughed again, but this time, his laughter was mocking.

Akira (raising an eyebrow, smirking):

"Oh? And what exactly are you going to do, kid? Scream at me until I feel guilty?"

Ann (whispering to Ken with concern):

"Ken-san, this guy is insanely annoying!"

Akira stared at Akio for a few moments, then tilted his head slightly, as if deep in thought.

And then…

He reached out and patted Akio's head, as if he were a small child.

Akira (with an infuriating smirk):

"There, there, don't worry—I was just playing."

But Akio immediately slapped Akira's hand away, his face darkening with anger.

Akio (firmly):

"True strength isn't about crushing those weaker than you… it's about proving you're stronger without needing to fight them at all!"

Ken (coldly):

"It's pointless, Akio. Clearly, he's just a lunatic who kills people for fun."

Akira raised an eyebrow slightly, then looked at the three standing before him.

At first, he hadn't paid them much attention, but now… he felt that something about them was different.

His gaze fell on Ken first, who stood there with a cold, unreadable expression, his arms crossed over his chest.

Then, he looked at Ann, who was watching him with clear caution.

And finally…

His eyes locked onto Akio, whose face was filled with a mix of anger and excitement.

Akira (murmuring with mild amusement):

"Hmm… interesting."

Then, his eyes returned to Ken.

Something about him felt familiar.

Akira (his voice quiet but intrigued):

"You… you're different from the others."

Ken remained still, but deep inside, something about Akira's tone unsettled him.

Akira (placing a hand on his chin, as if trying to recall something):

"That red hair… those gray eyes… Wait a second…"

Suddenly, his expression shifted.

He clenched his fist and smacked it into his palm—as if he had just remembered something crucial.

Akira (laughing lightly, pointing at Ken):

"Ahhh… now I get it. No wonder your face looked familiar… I've heard about you before."

His grin widened into something dangerous.

Akira:

"You're the boy who stood up and threatened King Cirrus to his face eight years ago."

A heavy silence fell over the area.

Everyone stared at Akira, then at Ken.

Then, whispers spread through the street like wildfire.

"Ken… did he say Ken?"

"Wait… does he mean… Yukaji Ken?!"

"No way… no one stands against Cirrus and lives."

Ann and Akio froze.

They slowly turned toward Ken, whose expression remained unreadable.

But…

A faint tension flickered in his eyes.

Akira (grinning wider, raising his voice):

"Oh, don't act shy now! Let me remind you, Ken… you also slaughtered more than 500 of Seeroos' soldiers without a shred of mercy. You're no different from me!"

Ann (in shock, staring at Ken):

"W-What…?!"

But Ken didn't move.

He showed no reaction, just stared back at Akira, silent.

Meanwhile, Akio and Ann's eyes widened with shock.

And then…

People began running, screaming, panicking.

Merchants shut down their stalls.

Civilians fled the marketplace, terrified just from being near Ken.

Ken remained rooted in place, unable to process how Akira knew so much about him.

Akira (smirking as he looked around):

"Now then, show me your flames, Yukaji Ken! I've always wanted to see the famous Fire Faken people keep talking about!"

Ken stood still, silent.

But a subtle shift in his eyes revealed his unease.

Before he could reply…

The angry voices of the crowd began to rise.

A furious man stepped forward, pointing a shaking finger at Ken.

Man (shouting, filled with rage):

"This monster killed my brother! He was one of Kaji's soldiers… and he never came back because of you!"

Another man (his voice trembling with anger):

"You're the reason my cousin is dead! He was just a simple soldier… why did you kill him?!"

The tension exploded into chaos.

The crowd was on the verge of a riot.

Ann remained frozen in place, her mind racing.

She had admired Ken so much—his strength, his presence, his looks…

But she had never imagined he was a killer.

Ann (her voice unsteady, tears welling up in her eyes):

"K-Ken-san… is this true? Is this really true?!"

Akio (raising his voice, demanding an answer):

"KEN!! ANSWER US!! IS THIS TRUE?!"

Ann covered her mouth with her hands, her tears spilling down her cheeks.

Ann (crying):

"I… I can't believe that Ken-san is a bad person! Tell me it's not true, Ken-san!"

Ken finally spoke.

His voice was calm, but his words were absolute.

Ken (quiet but firm):

"Yes. It's true."

A moment of pure silence.

And then…

Shock turned into anger.

Akio (his eyes widening in disbelief, shouting):

"WHY?! WHY DID YOU DO IT?!"

Ken (his voice eerily calm):

"Those people… they were the ones who destroyed my city, burned my home, and slaughtered my family. They got what they deserved."

A man from the crowd (yelling):

"That doesn't justify killing 500 people! What about their families?! What about the people they left behind?!"

Ken:

"Shut up."

Akira watched the scene unfold, his grin widening as he turned to Ann.

He tilted his head mockingly, feigning concern.

Akira:

"Oh, our beautiful little ninja looks so heartbroken… how sad."

Then, suddenly, he stepped closer to Ann and gently took her hand, as if he were a nobleman comforting a distressed lady.

Akira (his voice smooth and hypnotic):

"I didn't know such a beautiful girl was here… your eyes shine like stars, even through your tears."

Ann blinked rapidly, unable to process what was happening.

She didn't pull away immediately—she was still too overwhelmed.

Akira (lowering his voice, leaning in slightly):

"Why waste your time on someone like him? You deserve someone who treasures you… someone who makes you happy…"

Akio (furious, shouting):

"GET YOUR HANDS OFF HER, YOU DOG!!"

Akio lunged at Akira, aiming a punch.

But Akira easily dodged, laughing as he pushed Akio away effortlessly.

Akira (mockingly):

"Oh? I didn't know I was bothering the little kid here. My apologies!"

Akio jumped up again, fists clenched.

Akio (yelling):

"I SAID—GET AWAY FROM HER!!"

He charged again, throwing a stronger punch.

But Akira dodged effortlessly, catching Akio's wrist mid-air and twisting it slightly, forcing him to a stop.

Akira (smirking, whispering into Akio's ear):

"You're fast… but you lack experience."

At that moment, Ann was still standing there, but she seemed to have calmed down a little.

Ann (her voice trembling as she looks at Ken):

"K-Ken-san, I just can't believe that you're a bad person… I still don't know much about you!"

Ken didn't respond immediately.

He lit his cigarette quietly, making it clear that he didn't want to talk about this topic… but at the same time, he wasn't trying to run away from it either.

Ken (taking a slow drag from his cigarette, then speaking in a calm but firm voice):

"Evil isn't as simple as you think, Ann. It's not just black and white… There are gray areas where people have no choice."

Ann took a small step back, but her gaze wasn't filled with fear—it was confusion.

Ann (in a quiet voice):

"But… you killed them all, didn't you? Even if you had a reason… did you feel anything when you did it? Any regret?"

Ken lifted his gaze slightly, as if lost in thought for a moment.

Then, he looked directly into her eyes.

For a brief second, it seemed like he was about to say something important…

But before he could—

Akio (angrily interrupting):

"Stop dodging the question, Ken! Ann might be hesitant, but she's not the only one here! I want a straight answer—from you, right here, right now!"

Ken (completely calm):

"An answer… about what, exactly?"

Akio (clenching his fists, voice rising in frustration):

"Why?! Why didn't you tell us about this before?! Were you planning to keep it hidden forever? Or do you just not care about what we think?"

Ken (his voice cold, but heavy with repressed emotion):

"If I had told you from the start… you would have hated me long ago. I didn't want to ruin your excitement for adventure."

Akio (insistently):

"But Ken, we're comrades! We trust each other! At least… that's what I thought!"

Ken:

"Well then… now that you know the truth, there's no reason for me to stay with you any longer."

As soon as Ken finished speaking, he slowly turned away, and started walking off.

He had decided to leave.

Ann (her eyes widening as she watches him go):

"K-Ken-san? Where… where are you going?"

Ken didn't answer.

He kept walking, not looking back.

But before he could get far—

A hand grabbed his wrist tightly.

Akio (shouting with all his strength):

"WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING, YOU IDIOT?! I'M NOT LETTING YOU LEAVE—EVER!"

Ken froze in place.

For a moment, he thought he had misheard.

But no…

Akio's voice was filled with anger.

But it wasn't the anger of hatred…

It was something else, something deeper.

Ken slowly turned around, looking at Akio. And what he saw was a pair of determined eyes, burning with resolve.

Akio (lowering his fist slightly but still angry):

"Do you think you can get rid of us that easily?! If you really believe I'd turn my back on you just because you killed some people in the past, then you're even more of an idiot than I thought!"

Ann blinked in surprise. She hadn't expected this kind of reaction from Akio.

Ken (staring at Akio in shock):

"W-What… are you saying, Akio?! Aren't you angry at me?! Don't you hate me?"

Akio (glancing at Ann with frustration before looking back at Ken):

"Of course, I'm angry! But I'm angry because you didn't tell me—not because of your past! Who cares about the past?! Everyone has secrets, but when you're my comrade… you should trust me, you idiot!!"

A heavy silence filled the air.

But this time, it wasn't awkward…

It was a silence weighed down with emotion.

Ken, who was convinced he should leave, found himself standing there instead.

Akio's strange words echoed in his mind.

Something deep inside him trembled for a brief moment.

He took a slow drag from his cigarette, then looked at Akio again.

Ken (his voice calm, but different from before):

"You're really… a strange one."

Ken was still frozen in place.

He didn't know what to say or how to react.

The words that came from Akio's mouth were completely unexpected…

He had never heard anyone say something like that before.

He had never expected anyone to hold on to him this tightly after everything.

Ann, who had been silent the entire time, took a slow step forward.

Her expression was still uncertain, but she wiped her tears and looked at Ken.

Ann (her voice hesitant, but filled with emotion):

"Ken-san… I… I can't say I'm not shocked, but… I think I understand now. None of us are without flaws… And no matter what you did, I know deep down that you've suffered so much to get here!"

"I may not have known you for long… but I truly believe you're a good person, Ken-san!"

Ken looked at Ann.

Her words were… unexpected.

She was gazing at him with clear, uncertain eyes…

But there was no hatred in them.

Ken (his voice quiet, but burdened with emotions he refused to show):

"Do you… really think so?"

Ann (nodding firmly):

"I don't think—I'm sure!"

Akio (still angry, but not out of hatred):

"Man, you could have at least trusted us! Did you really think we'd abandon you that easily?!"

Ken (his voice lowering):

"I… I didn't know that you…"

Akio (cutting him off with a smirk, arms still crossed in frustration):

"Well, now you know! And if you even think about running away again, I'll shock you with my lightning until you understand what you're about to do!"

But… there was one person who wasn't sharing in these emotions.

Akira.

He stood there, watching them in silence.

For the first time in a long time, he found himself unable to mock them… unable to come up with a snide remark.

He didn't understand what he was seeing.

Akira (thinking to himself as he watched them):

"What… is this? Why are they holding on to him like this? Why aren't they rejecting him?"

It was strange to him.

He had to admit it.

Throughout his entire life…

There had never been anyone who stood by his side.

There had never been anyone who held on to him like this.

Akira (muttering under his breath):

"You guys are… idiots. Holding on to a killer like he's your dearest friend… how… bizarre."

Ken glanced at him, then raised an eyebrow slightly.

Ken (calmly):

"Something bothering you?"

Akira (letting out a taunting laugh):

*"Maybe… Well, well, we got ourselves a dramatic moment here, but that doesn't change anything."

"I still want to fight all of you."

Akio (grinning, clenching his fists with excitement):

"Oh, you're gonna regret this!"

Akira (chuckling lightly):

"Try me, kid!"

To be continued…