Kuro blocked his eyes after the transfer was completed due to the blazing light. He could feel the heat in the air and the smell of smoke and ashes.
Once adjusted to the light, he looked around and saw the crimson hue all around him. Everything was burning, and smoke blocked the sky.
His heart dropped as he looked around for Brian.
"Over here!" He heard Kisara and turned to see Brian and Anne leaning against each other in a pool of blood.
Without thinking, he rushed toward them, hoping he made it in time.
Niji and Sanji commanded the foot soldiers to scout the area as Yonshi stayed near Kisara, while Tank, Barbarian, and Gluttony followed after Kuro.
"Gramp! Old Hag!" Kuro shouted as he knelt beside the couple. He checked for their vital signs and noticed that they were still breathing, albeit barely. They needed treatment fast.
Kuro rammaged through his inventory without finding anything.
"DAMMIT!" He cursed as he slammed his fist on the blood-soaked ground.
Kisara felt his anguish and walked over. "Move Kuro. I can help them."
Kuro looked up at Kisara, his eyes wide with frustration and panic at his inability to save those he cared about. His mind was racing, and the smoke-filled air made it hard to think clearly. He had to save them—he couldn't lose Brian and Anne like this.
Kuro stood up, stepping back as Kisara knelt. She closed her eyes for a moment, her hands glowing with faint energy. A soft hum vibrated through the air.
"Please..." Kuro whispered, barely audible, his voice trembling.
Kisara didn't respond, her focus entirely on Brian and Anne. Her hands hovered just above their wounds, drawing in the air with fluid, controlled motions.
As her power began to heal their injuries, Kuro couldn't help but feel a sliver of hope. 'Maybe they'll make it…'
"Kuro," Kisara said softly after a long silence. She hadn't looked up from her work, but her voice carried an underlying sense of determination. "They're stabilizing. But it won't be enough. We need to get them out of here, fast."
Kuro looks at Tank and Barbarian. "Can you carry them?"
Both nodded as Tank lifted Anne into a princess carry and Barbarian lifted Brian onto his shoulder.
Niji and Sanji returned after scouting the area. They kneel before Kuro before reporting. "My Liege, escape is possible toward the north. A huge horde is marching in from the south."
Kuro nodded and quickly made his way toward the north.
"Why not send off your foot soldiers toward the army to delay them?" Kisara asks.
Kuro shook his head. "I need to save all my energy to face them." Kuro's face was dark as he suppressed his rising fury. "Whoever is responsible for hurting them will face my retribution."
Kisara did not say anything else as she could feel how furious Kuro currently is.
Along the way, Kuro met the advanced monster army that was responsible for the destruction, as well as hurting Brian and Anne.
Before they could react to Kuro and Kisara's arrival, they were swarmed by a tide of shadows. Kuro orders the shadow to keep the leader alive while killing everything else.
Soon, A minotaur was left bound by chains. The same chains that bound Kisara back in the prison.
"Carry him/her," Kuro ordered as he absorbed the dead monster's shadows, and 5 foot soldiers lifted the minotaur as they ran after their liege.
The further they got north, the fewer burning areas there were. Soon, Kuro reaches what seems to be a base with awakers frantically moving around. He told everyone to stay behind as he walked toward the base with Tank and Barbarian following behind him.
Kuro reached the entrance of the base and stopped. All the awakeners were looking at him cautiously. Many aim their wand at him while others have their hand on the hilts of their swords, especially seeing two shadowy creatures holding on to 2 fallen commanders.
"Everyone, stop!" A frantic voice sounded out as a woman ran up toward Kuro. "He is a student and grandson of Commander Brian and Commander Anne!"
Some relaxed, but others were still cautious.
The woman ran up to Kuro. "What are you doing here, Kuro?"
Kuro raised his brows in recognition. "Professor Bianca." He nodded, pointed toward Brian and Anne. "I felt like something happened to them, so I used a secret amulet I got from a dungeon to teleport to their location. Thankfully, I made it in time and was able to administer first aid. But they need urgent care immediately."
Professor Bianca rushed toward Brian and Anne. Her expression hardened with concern. "We need to get them inside, now," she urged, her voice steady despite the obvious tension in the air. She turned and waved her hand, signaling for the other awakeners to clear a path.
Kuro glanced as the awakeners took Brian and Anne inside a medical tent as Professor Bianca gave orders.
Seeing that Brian and Anne were in good hands, Kuro slipped away back toward the monster army. He doesn't forget to plant strong shadow soldiers for Anne and Brian.
Professor Bianca was about to talk with Kuro, but when she turned around, she could not see Kuro anywhere.
*
Kuro made his way toward the monster horde with Kisara by his side. His face was expressionless, but inside, he was furious.
Kisara stayed close, her usual calm demeanor matching Kuro's determination. She understood the storm brewing inside him, and she knew better than to say anything now. Kuro was about to unleash something terrifying, and she would be there to support him every step of the way.
The monster horde, an overwhelming force of beasts and grotesque creatures, stretched as far as the eye could see. Kuro felt his anger boiling over as he took in the sight of them.
They were massive, and many were armed with crude weapons, while others were pure monsters—giant, hulking figures that towered over most human soldiers. Minotaurs, ogres, and grotesque, malformed beasts filled the front lines. Kuro could feel the sheer power of their presence as they marched forward, ready to crush whatever stood in their path.
Kuro stepped forward, cracking his knuckles. "It seems this will be the first time I am going all out." Kuro couldn't help but smile manically as he looked at the monsters. He opened his status and assigned points. There was no longer a reason to hold back. He added 200 points to his intelligence stat to boost his chakra reserve. 50 to agility, 15 to perception, and 50 to stamina and strength. That leaves him with 17 points left for emergency.
***
His current status is as follows:
Name: Kuro Nara
Level: 70
Class: Shadow Monarch
Title: Pervert, Shadow, Partner of the Maiden in White
HP: 2370
Chakra: 5410
Tiredness: 0
[Stats]
Strength: 243
Stamina: 237
Agility: 250
Intelligence: 541
Perception: 210
(Available points to distribute: 17)
[Skills]
Passive skills:
- (Unknown) Lv. Max
- Tenacity Lv. Max
- Chakra Control Lv. Max
- Meditation Technique Lv. Max
- Shadowborn Lv. Max
- Monarch Domain Lv. 7
- Dragon Physique Lv. Max
- White Lightning Lv. 1
Active skills:
- Dash Lv. Max
- Stealth Lv. Max
- Night Vision Lv. Max
- Analyze Lv. Max
- Shadow Step Lv. Max
- Ethereal Strike Lv. Max
- Shadow Devour Lv. Max
- Ruler's Authority Lv. 8
- Shadow Bullets Lv. Max
Class Skills:
- Shadow Extraction Lv.8
- Shadow Preservation Lv.8
- Shadow Manipulation Lv. Max
- Shadow Reanimation (Limited) Lv. 1
- Shadow Exchange Lv. 2
***
Kuro could feel the power rushing through him as he summoned his trusty katana and activated Monarch Domain.
He walked out toward the monster horde as he licked his lips.
"Well. Shall we get this bloody party started?"