CHAPTER 17

Chapter 17: The Eye in the Darkness

The night was supposed to be over.

Yet, as Aya and Sachiko stood atop the outpost walls, an eerie silence filled the air. It wasn't the calm after a battle—it was the quiet before something far worse.

Then, Aya saw it.

A single, glowing eye deep in the wastelands.

It wasn't red like the shadow creatures from before. This one burned with a golden, otherworldly light, filled with something far more terrifying than mindless rage—intelligence.

Sachiko inhaled sharply.

"That… that thing is watching us."

Aya's hand clenched around her weapon.

"I know."

Whatever it was, it knew they were here. And it wasn't in a hurry to attack. It was waiting.

Waiting for what?

---

Ryo's Awakening

Far behind the walls, in the shadows of the outpost, Ryo stood across from the Minister of the Interior, his heart still racing from their earlier exchange.

The Minister's voice was steady.

"Again."

Ryo took a deep breath and charged. His newfound speed kicked in instantly—one moment, he was standing still, the next, he was inches away from striking.

But the Minister didn't even flinch.

With a flick of his wrist, he sidestepped effortlessly, his movement impossibly precise. Ryo's blade sliced through nothing but air.

Before Ryo could react, the Minister's elbow slammed into his stomach, sending him staggering backward.

"Too slow."

Ryo coughed, barely catching his breath.

"How—how am I still too slow?! I moved faster than ever!"

The Minister sheathed his sword.

"You move fast. But you do not think fast."

Ryo gritted his teeth.

"Speed without control is useless."

The Minister turned away.

"You are still relying on instincts alone. That is why you cannot touch me."

Ryo took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay calm. He needed to understand. He needed to control this power.

Because if he didn't—

He had a feeling that whatever was out there… wouldn't give him a second chance.

---

A Strategy is Formed

Back at the main hall of the outpost, the other princes and commanders gathered around the war table, staring at the crude map of the wastelands.

Yuuma tapped his fingers against the table.

"So, what do we do? Just wait for that thing to make a move?"

Kazuki scoffed.

"Hell no. We need to take the fight to it."

Aya shot him a glare.

"And run straight into an enemy we don't understand? That's reckless."

"Sitting here and doing nothing is worse." Kazuki leaned forward. "We already know those shadow creatures can keep evolving. What if this thing is the next stage?"

Silence.

Sachiko exhaled.

"If we don't act, we're just waiting for it to strike first."

The room was tense. No one wanted to admit it, but Kazuki had a point.

Then—

The door creaked open.

The Minister entered, his sharp gaze sweeping across the room. Ryo followed behind him, looking different. His exhaustion was still there, but his eyes burned with a new determination.

The Minister walked to the table and placed his hand on the map.

"We move at dawn."

Yuuma frowned.

"And what exactly is the plan?"

The Minister's voice was calm.

"We will hunt the hunter."

A cold realization sank in.

They weren't just defending anymore.

They were taking the fight to the unknown.

---

The Eye Vanishes

As dawn began to creep over the horizon, Aya stood once more atop the walls, eyes locked on the distant wastelands.

But something had changed.

The eye was gone.

Aya's stomach dropped.

"This isn't good."

Whatever that thing was—it wasn't waiting anymore.

It had already made its move.

End of Chapter 17.