Just as the hunters were closing in, a flash of light exploded between them, sending them reeling backward. Akira blinked in shock, only to see Ren standing a few feet away, his yellow eyes glowing fiercely."Ren?" Akira gasped.Ren didn't look at him, his focus entirely on the hunters. "Looks like I'm just in time. You were about to get yourself killed, Kurosawa."The silver-haired hunter growled, his eyes narrowing. "Aoyama Ren… You're interfering?"Ren smirked, raising a hand as dark energy swirled around him. "I said I wouldn't make it easy for them. You're not ready yet, but I'm not about to let them kill you before you make your choice."The woman hunter snarled. "You've betrayed us, Ren!"Ren shrugged casually, his energy flaring as he stepped forward. "I'm not interested in their power games. Besides, this Demon Lord has potential. I want to see where it goes."Akira stood frozen, torn between disbelief and gratitude. "Why are you helping me?"Ren glanced over his shoulder, his eyes sharp. "I told you, didn't I? You're interesting. But don't misunderstand—I'm not doing this out of kindness. I'm just not ready for our fight to end yet."Before Akira could respond, the battle erupted around him. Ren moved with lightning speed, clashing with the hunters in a flurry of dark energy and fierce blows. The air crackled with raw power, and Akira could barely keep up with the sheer intensity of the fight.As he watched Ren hold his own against the hunters, Akira's heart pounded in his chest. He couldn't stand by and do nothing, but using his full power still terrified him. If he let go, if he embraced the demon inside, would he still be himself?The silver-haired hunter broke away from Ren, his eyes locking onto Akira with a predatory gleam. "You can't hide behind him forever, Demon Lord. You'll have to fight eventually."Akira's breath hitched. He was right. Sooner or later, Akira would have to make a choice. And if he didn't… he would lose everything.As the battle raged on, Akira could feel the pressure mounting. His friends, his life, his very existence—it all hinged on this moment. He couldn't keep running. He couldn't keep hiding.With a deep breath, Akira closed his eyes, focusing on the pulse of power within him. The black crystal was calling to him, its dark energy weaving through his soul, waiting to be unleashed. He had been afraid for so long—afraid of becoming the monster he had once been. But now, standing at the edge of oblivion, he realized something.Power didn't define him.What he chose to do with it did.His eyes snapped open, glowing a deep crimson, the familiar sensation of his demonic energy rushing through his veins. Akira's human façade faded as his true form began to emerge—his hair turning black as night, his eyes gleaming with an ancient, untamable power.The hunters stopped in their tracks, their eyes widening in shock. Even Ren paused, a flicker of surprise crossing his face."So… you've finally decided," Ren muttered, a grin tugging at his lips.Akira stepped forward, his voice steady and calm. "I won't let you destroy this world. Not now. Not ever."With a single motion, Akira raised his hand, and the air around him crackled with dark, radiant energy. The ground trembled beneath him as his full power surged forth, engulfing the park in a wave of pure, unrelenting force.The hunters braced themselves, but it was clear they were outmatched. Akira's power was unlike anything they had ever encountered—far beyond the strength of the Demon Lord they had expected."You made a mistake coming after me," Akira said, his voice echoing with the authority of a king. "Now, leave before I destroy you."The hunters exchanged a glance, their arrogance melting into fear. With a final, hateful glare, they retreated into the night, vanishing into the shadows from whence they came.Akira let out a long breath, the weight of the battle lifting from his shoulders. He looked at Ren, who stood silently, a satisfied smirk on his face."You did it, Kurosawa," Ren said, his tone almost… approving.Akira's eyes returned to their normal shade as his demonic form faded. He was exhausted, but for the first time in a long while, he felt… free."Yeah," Akira murmured, a small smile tugging at his lips. "I did."