The leaked video of the city mayor's conversation with his assistant quickly spread throughout the city. The footage exposed not only the mayor's past crimes but also his plan for yet another murder, a revelation made even worse by his clear mention of Zara's name.
The news ignited an immediate storm of outrage across the city. For years, the former mayor's supporters had suspected foul play, but now they had the proof to validate their frustrations.
Edrik capitalized on this opportunity. He discreetly funded several groups to amplify the video's exposure, spreading it far and wide while stoking the fire of public anger.
Within less than an hour, a growing crowd surged toward the city mayor's residence. What began as a handful of angry citizens quickly snowballed into a massive mob. Fueled by both righteous fury and years of pent-up frustration, they marched through the streets, converging on the grand gates of the mayor's estate.
"Justice for Zara!"
"Down with the corrupt!"
People pounded on the heavy iron gates, fists and improvised weapons alike striking the cold metal, demanding answers, demanding blood.
The mayor's guards and higher-level awakeners were caught off guard by the sheer intensity of the protest. The walls of their seemingly impenetrable stronghold were now surrounded by an unstoppable tide of anger and betrayal.
Back in the room where the city mayor was, the cloaked figure was none other than Kurogasa, who had spent the entire day hidden there. Silently observing, he had recorded everything that happened in the room. Without delay, he sent the footage to Edrik to be distributed as widely as possible.
Kurogasa drew two swords. His cloak concealed most of his body, ensuring that his true form as a Rat Beastkin remained hidden.
The city mayor's face paled with panic as he slammed a button on his desk, triggering an alarm. Within seconds, ten guards stormed into the room, their weapons drawn and eyes locked on the intruder.
"Capture that intruder!" the city mayor barked. "Break his legs and arms so he can't move or fight. But leave him alive!"
As the guards encircled Kurogasa, one of the mayor's assistants hurried over, panic etched across his face
"Sir, there's a large crowd gathering outside."
"What happened?!" The mayor snapped.
The assistant hesitated, visibly nervous. "It's the video, sir. The recording… it's spreading."
"Damn it!"
He turned back to the guards. "Take care of him. Once this is done, we'll tell everyone the video was nothing but a fake—an edited lie."
With those words, the city mayor slipped behind his guards as he made for the exit. Leaving the chaos behind him, he pushed through the door, abandoning the scene to his men as they closed in on Kurogasa.
Kurogasa quickly readied himself as ten guards, each with an average level over 40, surrounded him. It was an overwhelming number, one that would have spelled trouble for most people facing them alone.
But not for him. Kurogasa was far more experienced than they could imagine, and not a trace of fear crossed his face.
The guards stood ready, armed with swords, spears, and shields, a testament to the city mayor's immense wealth and ability to hire elite fighters. They closed in, their formation tightening, preparing for what they believed would be an easy victory.
Two swordsmen lunged at him first, swinging their blades wildly in an attempt to overwhelm him with brute force.
Kurogasa deftly deflected every strike with his twin swords, the sharp clang of steel ringing through the room. Then, in a burst of agility, he vaulted backward into a perfect somersault, landing right behind another guard.
Before the man could react, Kurogasa disarmed him effortlessly, sending his sword clattering to the ground. Using the momentum, he spun his blade and slashed cleanly across his neck, dropping the man in an instant.
The remaining guards froze for a brief second, stunned by how quickly one of their own had fallen. That hesitation didn't last long—they charged in unison, attacking with reckless brutality, determined to overwhelm him.
Kurogasa darted to the wall and kicked it to soar over their heads. He landed gracefully behind the group, thrusting his swords into the back of the rearmost guard with deadly precision. The man collapsed with a choked cry, and chaos erupted as the others scrambled to adjust.
The fight continued, the guards attacking with all their might, but Kurogasa was too fast, too fluid. He flipped, vaulted, and twisted through the air with impossible agility, evading every strike that came his way.
His movements were almost effortless, as if he were dancing through the chaos. Each time he found an opening, he struck with precision, landing fatal blows without a hint of hesitation.
And yet, despite the overwhelming skill he displayed, Kurogasa held back. He didn't use the Shadow Element or any advanced skills, relying only on basic movements and fundamental techniques to keep his identity hidden. To the guards, it seemed as though they were being systematically dismantled by an opponent who had mastered the art of combat down to its very core.
One by one, they fell—until only the sound of Kurogasa's steady breathing remained in the room.
***
In another part of the massive building, four cloaked figures moved through the halls. From their postures, it was clear—two women and two men.
At the front, a woman moved with lethal grace, wielding a sword that slashed effortlessly through everything in her path. She dashed forward, her blade striking with blinding speed, severing necks cleanly as she passed. Each victim fell instantly, their lifeless bodies crumpling to the ground.
Atlas walked with the group, sighing softly as he kept pace. He knew Morganna used moments like this to let go of her darker emotions. The way she moved, made it clear she found a strange comfort in the violence, as if it was her way of finding peace.
Edrik led the group, guiding them swiftly through staircases and winding corridors. They moved, navigating the chaos as guards fell before they could raise alarms.
Finally, their target came into view—the city mayor. He was running frantically, accompanied by a woman clutching a frightened young girl who looked no older than her early teens. Five guards surrounded them, trembling as they turned to face the approaching figures.
The mayor's eyes widened in panic as his gaze locked onto Atlas and the others.
"Who are you? What do you want?!" he shouted.
He shoved one of the guards forward, "Kill them! Face them! Do your job!"
But before the guards could react, a new figure stepped into view at the other end of the corridor. He stood perfectly still, with two blood-soaked swords in hand.
"Protect me, you cowards! Fight them!"
Three of the guards rushed toward Kurogasa. But the Rat Beastkin moved with agility, ducking low to evade their strikes. With precise and fluid movements, he targeted their necks and knee joints, delivering crippling blows. As they collapsed to the ground, he finished them off with swift thrusts to their vital points, ensuring they never stood again.
The final two guards barely had time to react before Morganna descended upon them. Her sword slashed through the air with terrifying speed, effortlessly decapitating them both in a single, clean motion. Their bodies crumpled lifelessly to the floor, the sound of their heads hitting the ground echoing through the corridor.
Now, only the city mayor, his wife, and his young daughter remained. Their faces pale and stricken with terror. The woman clutched her daughter tightly. The city mayor, on the other hand, stumbled backward against the wall, his body trembling. His clothes were drenched in sweat, his composure shattered.
Atlas stepped forward just a few feet from the mayor. Zara moved with him, standing at his side. Both wore white masks that concealed their identities, leaving only their eyes visible.
The city mayor's voice quivered as he stammered. "What do you want? Money? I'll give you money!"
He snatched his Awakener Device and hurled it to the floor, the device skidding to a stop near Atlas's feet.
"Take it! There's plenty of money there. Take all of it! Just let us go!"
The man responsible for the death of Zara's entire family now stood before them, trembling, his back pressed against the wall as if trying to disappear into it. His terrified eyes darted between Atlas and Zara, searching for any trace of mercy. There was none.
Zara stepped forward. For years, this man had evaded justice, living freely without consequence. Now, as he stood trembling in sweat and despair, the reckoning he had always avoided was finally here.
There would be no escape. No redemption. Only judgment!
"He killed your family, him!" The sudden scream shattered the silence.
All eyes turned toward the city mayor's wife as she pointed a finger at her husband.
"He's the one responsible! Not me, not my daughter!"