Chapter Five – The Shadows That Watch

Beneath the Mansion

The flickering torches barely illuminated the winding stone staircase as Duke Ryuu descended into the dark depths of his estate. His steps were slow, deliberate. Each footfall echoed against the cold stone walls. Behind him, Tanaka followed in silence, his expression unreadable.

Two armored guards stood rigid at the bottom of the stairs. Their faces were hidden beneath iron helmets adorned with a crest of the Duke's house. The air was thick with the stench of sweat and dried blood.

"My Lord," one of the guards said, his voice stiff with formality. "The prisoner has not spoken yet."

Duke Ryuu's sharp gaze flicked toward the heavy iron door before him. His emerald eyes, cold as winter frost, narrowed. "Open the cage," he ordered.

"Yes, my Lord."

The second guard moved quickly, producing a key from his belt. As the iron lock clicked open, a metallic creak filled the corridor, followed by the overwhelming scent of rot and suffering.

Inside, a man lay sprawled against the damp floor, his body wrapped in thick, rusted chains. His tattered shorts barely covered his malnourished frame, and his chest was marred with bruises, dried blood, and open wounds. He flinched as the door swung open but lacked the strength to recoil. His lips trembled as he murmured, "P-please… no more…"

The first guard moved to fetch a chair, but Duke Ryuu lifted a hand. "No need." He turned to Tanaka.

Tanaka nodded once, stepping forward. His voice was barely above a whisper. "Leave us."

The guards obeyed without hesitation, stepping out and shutting the iron door behind them.

Tanaka turned back to the Duke. "The guard is no longer here, my Lord."

"Good," Ryuu muttered, his gaze never leaving the broken man before him. "I don't want anyone else hearing this conversation."

Tanaka nodded once more, then flicked his fingers. A ripple of energy spread through the room—an invisible barrier ensuring their voices would not escape these walls.

Duke Ryuu took a step closer, towering over the bound man. "Now, this is how it will go," he said, his voice smooth yet merciless. "You will answer my question carefully."

The prisoner's breathing hitched as he looked up, fear and defiance warring in his eyes.

"Why did you steal the Aurum Fortuna from my secret warehouse?"

The prisoner hesitated, then let out a hoarse, trembling whisper. "I… I don't know."

Ryuu sighed, the disappointment evident in his tone. "Tanaka."

Without hesitation, Tanaka extended his hand. A small, flickering flame emerged, dancing at his fingertips. He lowered it slowly—painfully slowly—toward the prisoner's left hand.

The man barely had time to react before searing agony took over.

"AARRRGH—AAAAH! I DON'T KNOW! PLEASE STOP!" The prisoner writhed violently against his restraints, his muscles straining as if he could somehow escape the pain.

Tanaka remained unmoved, his expression eerily calm. He increased the intensity of the flame.

"AAAAAH! I'LL TALK! I'LL TALK! PLEASE, NO MORE!"

Ryuu lifted a hand, and Tanaka extinguished the fire. The prisoner gasped for breath, his hand trembling, flesh red and raw.

"Good," Ryuu said smoothly. "Now… answer me."

"I—I don't know anything! I was just ordered to steal it!"

Ryuu's expression didn't change, but his thoughts sharpened. Ordered? By whom?

"And who," he said quietly, "ordered you?"

The prisoner clamped his mouth shut.

Ryuu sighed. "Tanaka."

Once again, flames ignited.

The man screamed, his body convulsing, the stench of burning flesh filling the room.

"THE PAIN! AAAAARGH! I'LL TALK! I'LL TALK!" His breathing was ragged, his voice barely coherent. "It… it was a strange man! He sent us!"

Ryuu's gaze flickered with something unreadable. "Describe him."

The prisoner panted heavily, trying to force words past his trembling lips. "He… he wore… he wore—"

His eyes widened. Terror, pure and absolute, filled them.

"IT HURTS! MY BODY! IT HURTS! HELP ME!"

Tanaka's expression darkened. "My Lord—"

BOOOOOOM!

A deafening explosion ripped through the chamber.

Tanaka reacted instantly, casting a protective barrier around himself and Ryuu. The force of the blast sent a wave of blood and shattered bone against the walls.

When the dust settled, the prisoner was gone.

Only blood remained.

Ryuu clenched his fist. "Let's leave." His voice was cold, controlled.

Tanaka stepped aside, allowing his Lord to pass. As he followed, Ryuu gave a final order.

"Find whoever did this… and bring them to me."

Tanaka's gaze flickered. "I will, my Lord."

The Dark Alley

The night air was thick with mist and decay.

A man stumbled through the narrow alley, his clothes torn, his body covered in fresh wounds. Blood trickled down his forehead, staining his vision red. He clutched a worn leather bag against his chest as though his life depended on it.

His breath was ragged. His steps were uneven.

Then—he collapsed.

The bag tumbled from his grasp, its contents spilling onto the damp ground.

He groaned, trying to push himself up—until he realized someone was standing over him.

A boy. Young. Green hair. Yellow eyes that gleamed unnaturally.

"Who… who are you?" The man stammered, scrambling backward.

The boy only smiled.

"You need not be afraid, my friend," a voice called from the shadows. A man stepped forward, wearing a smooth, featureless smiling mask. His presence exuded calm… but something about it was deeply unsettling.

The injured man's eyes widened in horror. "You… YOU! You said you'd protect us! We did everything for you! We risked our lives collecting that damned ruin stone you wanted—"

The masked man tilted his head. "I'm deeply sorry. There were… other matters to attend to."

The boy licked his lips.

The injured man flinched.

"Hand over the bag," the masked man said, "so you may receive your reward."

Trembling, the man obeyed.

The masked man took the bag, inspecting its contents. "Thank you."

"W-what about my reward?" the man asked hesitantly.

The masked man's gaze flickered. "Kindly give our friend his reward."

The boy stepped forward, handing him a small rock.

Confused, the man stared at it. "What…?"

His words died in his throat as he looked up. The boy was gnawing on something. Something that looked like—

A leg.

Pain. Searing, unbearable pain.

"MY LEG! AAAARGH!"

He collapsed, screaming.

The masked man sighed. "Shhh. People are sleeping."

The man tried to crawl away, but the boy pounced. A crack. His back snapped. His screams turned to whimpers.

"Please… don't… kill… me…"

The boy grabbed his head.

"NO! STOP! PLEASE! D—"

RIP.

Silence.

The masked man barely glanced at the carnage. "Stop eating his head. You'll get a stomachache."

The boy frowned, then tossed the head aside.

A presence stirred.

The masked man turned slightly. "We have an unwanted guest."

From the shadows, Tanaka emerged. "Hand over the bag," he commanded. "And come with me."

The masked man chuckled. "Sorry. But I can't do that."

Tanaka sighed. "I see."

He raised a hand. Silver chains shot out. The boy lunged—

The chains snapped around him, forcing him to the ground.

The masked man exhaled. "What a hassle."

He reached out—

A pulse of dark energy.

Tanaka's chains shattered.

The masked man smiled beneath his mask. "We'll meet again."

Then—he vanished with the boy.

Tanaka's expression darkened. Who was he? And how did he escape my spell?

He turned to the bloodstained alley.