The moment Kairo and Zevrin stepped outside the ruins of Iridra, the air changed.
Not just the temperature—but the atmosphere. It was heavier, saturated with tension. As if the world itself was holding its breath.
> "Something's wrong," Kairo whispered.
His senses, now enhanced by the Emotion Fragment, flickered like a storm of radio signals. Fear. Hatred. Greed. All bleeding toward him from the dense forest ahead.
Zevrin had his sword halfway drawn before Kairo even finished speaking. "We're being watched."
The whisper came before the attack.
> "You're not welcome here, Ascender."
They barely dodged the first wave. Five figures cloaked in black darted from the trees like phantoms, blades gleaming under the moonlight. Their movements were calculated—silent professionals trained to kill.
Kairo's body moved on instinct. His new powers didn't just sense emotion; they translated it. The moment an enemy felt intent to strike, Kairo already knew where and how.
Steel clashed.
Zevrin blocked a downward slash with ease, twisting to counter with a vicious elbow to the attacker's throat. One down.
Kairo ducked low, sliding past two incoming blades, grabbing the nearest enemy's wrist, and—
> BOOM.
A pulse of raw emotion—amplified fury—exploded from his body like a shockwave. The attacker was launched backwards, smashing into a tree with a crunch.
Another came from behind, but Kairo spun and met his eyes.
> "You're scared," Kairo said calmly.
The man froze.
> "And I don't blame you."
Kairo didn't attack. He just stepped forward—and the man dropped his weapon and ran.
The last two enemies regrouped, standing on the rocks ahead.
> "So it's true," the taller one said. "You have inherited a Fragment."
Kairo raised his voice. "Who sent you?"
The shorter rogue chuckled. "Guild Master Ragnel of the Ash Wolves. He's placed a bounty on your head."
Zevrin cursed under his breath. "Figures. That dog would do anything to stop a rising Ascender."
Kairo narrowed his eyes. "Tell him I'm not interested in guild politics. But if he comes after me again…"
He let a wave of pressure out—not enough to harm, just enough to terrify.
The two enemies fled.
---
The battle was over, but Kairo was shaking.
He hadn't even broken a sweat, but the emotions… they lingered. Not just the fear from his enemies—but the grief from Iridra, the sorrow of the Empath, the trauma of the past. It was all still inside him.
Zevrin placed a hand on his shoulder. "You need to learn how to shield yourself."
Kairo nodded, breathing slow. "I thought I was ready."
"You are," Zevrin replied. "But raw power like this? It's a curse if you don't master it."
Kairo looked up at the night sky. "Then I'll master it. I have to."
---
Later, by the campfire, Zevrin cleaned his blade while Kairo sat silently, still processing.
> "Why do you think Ragnel is targeting me?" Kairo asked.
Zevrin didn't look up. "Because he's afraid. You're F-rank on paper. But now? With two Fragments and that sword? You're rising faster than anyone ever has. That threatens people like him."
Kairo thought about it.
He didn't want fame.
He didn't care about status.
He just wanted to become strong enough to protect the people no one else would.
> "Then let him be afraid," Kairo said. "I'm not stopping."
Zevrin smirked. "Didn't think you would."
---
The wind shifted again.
This time, it wasn't danger. It was change.
Kairo had survived two Fragment awakenings, defeated elite assassins, and caught the attention of major guilds. But the road ahead was only getting darker.
Far away, in the Ash Wolves guildhall, a man with crimson hair and golden eyes leaned forward, reading the latest report.
> "Kairo…" he muttered. "You're making too much noise."
He turned to his lieutenant. "Summon the Reapers. Tell them to break him before he finds the third Fragment."