Chapter 21 – The Devil’s Awakening

The city stretched before them, a labyrinth of neon lights and hidden power struggles. Inside the Phantom, silence reigned.

Haruto sat still, eyes closed, his breathing calm.

The Prime Minister sat across from him, watching carefully.

Satsuki sat beside Haruto, resting her chin on her hand, a knowing smirk on her lips.

Takashi adjusted his glasses, his mind already running through the possibilities.

"They're making their move."

Those words echoed in the car, wrapping the air in tension.

Haruto finally opened his eyes, their golden hue reflecting the city lights.

"Who?"

The Prime Minister exhaled, his fingers tapping against his knee.

"The Council of Twelve."

Satsuki's smirk widened.

Takashi pushed up his glasses. "It was inevitable."

The Prime Minister's voice dropped. "They want you dead, Haruto. And they aren't sending amateurs this time."

A beat of silence.

Then—

Haruto laughed.

It was a low, cruel sound.

A sound that sent chills down even the Prime Minister's spine.

Haruto leaned forward, his smile sharp like a knife. "Good. I was getting bored."

---

The Shadows of the Past

The car pulled into an underground parking lot, the doors clicking open. The moment Haruto stepped out, he felt it.

A presence.

Multiple.

Killers.

Satsuki grinned, stretching her arms. "They didn't even wait for a meeting. How impolite."

Takashi sighed. "Expected. They want to test his strength before the real game begins."

The Prime Minister stepped forward. "This is your last chance, Haruto. If you walk through that door, there's no turning back."

Haruto glanced at him.

Then he smirked.

"Did you think I ever planned to turn back?"

---

The First Assassination Attempt

The room was dark, only dimly lit by a single hanging bulb.

A man stood there.

Dressed in black, his eyes sharp, his aura deadly.

"Professional." Haruto noted. "Not one of the usual street dogs."

The assassin smiled. "They told me to kill you. But after seeing your file… I have a different plan."

Haruto raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

The assassin grinned. "I want to serve you instead."

Silence.

Takashi hummed. "An interesting development."

Satsuki giggled. "Looks like your enemies fear you so much they'd rather switch sides."

Haruto tilted his head. "And why should I trust you?"

The assassin dropped to one knee. "Because I know something about your past that even you don't."

A beat.

Haruto's eyes darkened.

"What?"

The assassin lifted his head, his smile twisted.

"The truth about your real father."

---

The Man Who Shouldn't Exist

Haruto never spoke about his real father.

Because as far as he knew—

His stepfather was the only man who raised him.

His mother left his biological father long ago.

When she was struggling, it was his stepfather who saved her, protected her, and eventually—loved her.

They married.

They had a family.

And no matter how cruel the world became, no matter how much blood Haruto spilled—

His stepfather never left him.

When his mother died, it was his stepfather who stood by his side, offering quiet strength.

When he was drowning in despair, it was his stepfather who reminded him to keep moving forward.

Haruto never needed another father.

Because the man who raised him was more than enough.

So why—

Why was this assassin claiming his real father was still alive?

Haruto crouched down, grabbing the assassin's chin. "Talk."

The assassin grinned. "The man you call Prime Minister… isn't your greatest ally. He's your greatest enemy."

The air turned cold.

Satsuki's smile vanished.

Takashi froze.

The Prime Minister, standing by the doorway, didn't flinch.

Haruto's grip tightened. "Explain."

The assassin chuckled. "Your biological father is still alive, Haruto. And the Prime Minister has been hiding that fact from you."

Haruto's heart didn't waver. His mind didn't break.

But something inside him cracked.

"Alive?"

"After all this time?"

"That means—"

The Prime Minister finally sighed.

"So, you found out."

---

The Betrayal Runs Deep

Haruto stood slowly, turning to the Prime Minister. "You knew?"

The older man nodded, his expression unreadable.

Satsuki licked her lips. "This is getting fun."

Takashi remained silent. He was watching Haruto carefully.

"Will this shake him? Or will he use it?"

The Prime Minister finally spoke. "I didn't tell you because your father is a monster."

Haruto's eyes glowed. "And what does that make me?"

A tense silence filled the air.

The Prime Minister's gaze hardened. "Something much worse."

Haruto smirked. "Good."

He turned back to the assassin. "Take me to him."

The assassin hesitated. "Are you sure? If you meet him, there's no going back."

Haruto chuckled.

"There was never a path to begin with."

---

Meanwhile… at School

Himari sat alone in her room, staring at her phone.

The videos of Haruto's fight had gone viral.

Comments flooded the internet.

"Who is this guy?"

"Did you see the way he moved? That's not normal."

"Is he even human?"

"Whoever crosses him is already dead."

But none of that mattered to her.

Because all she could hear—

Were his last words.

"I am not in danger."

"I am danger."

She clenched her fists.

"What are you hiding, Haruto?"

Then—her phone buzzed.

A message from an unknown number.

She opened it, eyes widening.

"If you want to know the truth about Haruto, meet me at midnight. Come alone."

Himari's hands shook.

But she knew…

She had to go.

---

End of Chapter 21 – The Devil's Awakening