Chapter 4: The Oath of Vengeance
(A chilling silence hangs in the air, as if even the wind itself is watching the scene with caution. "Saito" stands in the middle of the shattered rooftop, his cold eyes scanning the area without the slightest concern. In front of him, a mysterious man smirks dangerously, surrounded by powerful men stationed all around—some on the rooftop, others below, watching like hungry wolves.)
Saito (sharp and wary): "Who are you?"
Mysterious Man (smiling calmly yet ominously): "Who I am doesn't matter… What matters is that you are surrounded."
(More men emerge, emanating a dark aura. Their bodies bear countless battle scars, and their eyes gleam with bloodlust. Among them, a massive man with gray hair and bulging muscles chuckles mockingly.)
Large Man (sneering): "So, this is the undefeated Saito-Zehn? Looks like tonight will be fun."
(Despite the growing number of enemies, Saito remains unfazed. On the contrary, he smirks coldly, as if welcoming the challenge.)
Saito (smirking slightly, mocking): "All you've done is gather a pile of trash in front of me, nothing more."
(The mysterious man's expression shifts subtly, as if Saito's words have struck a nerve, but he quickly regains his composure, his smirk turning even more cunning.)
Mysterious Man: "Is that all you're good at? A sharp tongue?"
(Just before the fight begins, the scene suddenly shifts… transitioning into another world— a dream world.)
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Dream World – Ryoma's Memories
(In a warm, joyful atmosphere, "Ryoma" sits with his father, mother, and little sister around the dinner table. They laugh together, enjoying their meal as if this moment was woven from the most beautiful of his memories. Ryoma smiles, feeling a sense of comfort he hasn't felt in a long time… But suddenly, something feels off.)
(Slowly, the scene begins to fade, like fragile glass shattering under the weight of reality. Suddenly, nothing remains but darkness… and then, his mother appears before him, smiling as gently as always.)
Ryoma (his eyes welling with tears): "Mom…!"
(He runs toward her, throwing himself into her embrace, feeling her warmth as if she were still alive. He clings to her desperately, afraid of losing her again.)
Ryoma (crying desperately): "I can feel your warmth, Mom… Please, don't leave…"
(His mother tries to say something, but before any words leave her lips, everything shatters around him once again… and he wakes up suddenly.)
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Back to Reality – Saito's Home
("Ryoma" opens his eyes with difficulty, breathing heavily as if the very air is suffocating him. He looks around, finding himself in a spacious room with moonlight filtering through the window. The bed beneath him is comfortable, but inside, he is burning with pain.)
(He turns his head to see "Saito" sitting on a chair beside him, silently watching.)
Ryoma (weak and hoarse): "Where… where am I?"
Saito (calmly): "You're in my house. You're safe here."
(Ryoma tries to sit up, but his body feels unbearably heavy, as if every cell in him is screaming in exhaustion.)
Ryoma (struggling to speak): "And my sister… where is she?"
Saito: "In the next room. She's fine."
(Ryoma relaxes slightly, but suddenly, something dawns on him. His eyes widen, and his heart pounds violently.)
Ryoma (his voice trembling): "And my mother…?"
(Saito remains silent for a moment, his eyes void of any emotion. He knows that his next words will change everything.)
Saito (in a quiet, deadly tone): "Your mother… is in the cemetery."
(Ryoma freezes, as if the entire world has stopped for a moment. His eyes fill with tears, but he can't even scream. There is only… pain.)
Ryoma (barely whispering): "I… should have done something…"
(Saito quietly leaves the room, leaving Ryoma alone in the darkness of his grief. But in that moment, Ryoma makes a decision…)
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Three Days Later
("Ryoma" stands in front of his old home—or what remains of it. The broken walls, the ruined floors… everything reminds him of the tragedy that unfolded here. His face is pale, his eyes lifeless, but inside… something is changing.)
(He steps inside, walking towards his mother's room, where he finds her dark red scarf resting on the bed. Slowly, he picks it up, bringing it close to his nose as if trying to inhale the last remnants of her scent. Then, he wraps it around his neck, making it a part of him.)
Ryoma (his voice quiet, yet carrying a terrifying oath): "Mom… I swear I will avenge you."
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A Cold Night – Saito's Thoughts
(On a cold night, "Saito" sits on his balcony, staring at the moon in silence. The night breeze brushes through his hair, but he doesn't feel the cold. The true frost is not in the weather, but in his thoughts.)
(His eyes, despite their outward calm, hold a storm within them. He exhales slowly, then closes his eyes for a moment…)
(And in that moment… everything returns to him.)
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Four Days Ago
(The shattered rooftop, the wind howling through the area, enemies surrounding him from all directions. He was facing the mysterious man, ready to fight, but suddenly…)
("Ryoma," who had been unconscious, began to emit a dark energy, as if a nightmare was leaking into reality. The air grew heavier, and everyone felt an overwhelming sense of dread.)
(Even the mysterious man, who seemed in control, paused for a moment, his eyes gleaming as he observed the scene.)
One of the enemies (voice trembling): "W-What… is this?!"
(The energy intensified, as if it was trying to escape from Ryoma's body. His veins darkened, his face paled, but an immense power was struggling to break free.)
Mysterious Man (smirking cunningly): "The plan has changed… Take him. I'll need him later."
(Raider, who had been eager to fight, scowled in frustration.)
Raider (gritting his teeth): "We're retreating now?!"
(But the mysterious man didn't respond. He simply cast one last long glance at Ryoma before vanishing into the darkness, leaving Saito to stare at the unconscious boy.)
(Saito, who had shown no reaction the entire time, narrowed his eyes before stepping forward, placing his hand on Ryoma's chest, feeling the dark energy surging within him.)
Saito (muttering to himself): "…This isn't normal energy."
(Then, he made a quick decision. He placed a temporary seal on Ryoma's energy to prevent it from erupting, then carried him and his sister away, all while thinking…)
Saito (inwardly): "This boy… is hiding something… something I don't understand yet."
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Back to the Present – Saito's Contemplation
(Returning to the present, Saito remains seated on the balcony, gazing at the moon, lost in thought, his eyes filled with mystery.)
Saito (softly, as if whispering to himself): "Ryoma… who are you really?"
(Then, he exhales, stands up, and enters the house, where Ryoma sleeps in the next room. His face reflects a fierce internal struggle. Saito stands by the door, watching him silently before closing it gently and leaving.)
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Eight Hours Later…
(Beneath the dim moonlight, Ryoma stands frozen, his eyes widened as he stares at something before him. His heart pounds violently, and a strange feeling creeps into him—a mixture of shock and dread, as if he has come f
ace to face with something he was never meant to find.)
Ryoma (his voice barely audible, in disbelief):
"…What is this?"
End of Chapter 4.