A crack echoed through the void. Darkness trembled.

  A deafening boom followed. Energy exploded in a brilliant surge of light and electricity. Blue lightning danced through the forest as the sky above split open.

  From the center of the storm, a single figure stepped forward.

  Kazuki.

  His once youthful form had matured, now standing taller with broader shoulders and sharper eyes. His white hair flowed like silk, tinged with faint streaks of silver from his time sealed. His aura was no longer just intimidating—it was transcendent, divine yet corrupted, heavy with power and darkness.

  Crackling tendrils of black and blue lightning surged around him, the very ground unable to contain his presence. The seal that had held him for two long years had shattered.

  Kazuki was back.

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  ---

  Back at the Guild

  A sudden tremor shook the walls. Windows rattled, papers flew into the air, and adventurers stumbled. Every adventurer—even the strongest—froze as a terrifying wave of pressure flooded the town.

  Inside the Guild Hall, all eyes turned to the east.

  “What was that...!?” the Guild Master gasped, sweat trickling down his forehead. “That... that energy—could it be?”

  Rinara’s eyes widened, and her lips trembled. “Kazuki…”

  Garron stood, hand trembling on his sword hilt. Elara’s heart raced. Drake, silent, clenched his fists.

  They all knew.

  He was back.

  ---

  Somewhere Else — Atop a Tower

  Kairyuuha stood atop a towering spire, watching the storm break through the sky.

  “He did it,” he murmured, lips curling into a dark smile. “He broke the seal.”

  His eyes glowed faintly—one red, one blue.

  “But you’re not ready yet, Kazuki. Not completely. Show me how far you’ve come… then I’ll see if it’s time to destroy everything.”

  ---

  In the Forest

  Kazuki stood in silence, his breath calm, his eyes piercing through the trees. He raised a hand.

  His dark soldiers—now upgraded, ranked, and glowing with blue outlines and obsidian armor—stood around him like titans. Generals, elites, warriors, and soldiers alike all bowed.

  He muttered a chant in Japanese—low, ancient.

  And then…

  “Come forth.”

  All 1463 soldiers returned to his pocket dimension.

  Kazuki’s expression didn’t change. His face was unreadable. No joy. No sorrow.

  Just resolve.

  Without a word, he turned toward the town.

  And began walking.

  Back to the Guild.

  Back to the world that had moved on without him.