The Dreamer's POV

Captain Endo sat regally in the massive room, surrounded by his elite soldiers, the stench of blood and the echoes of death tolling ominously in the distance.

Yet, he remained undeterred, a stoic expression etched onto his hardened features.

"Death has always been a constant in our lives," he murmured, the words barely more than a whisper, his gaze unfocused as he stared at a point beyond his men, lost in thought.

"We who live in the shadows and thrive in chaos, we were never destined for a peaceful end."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the gathered soldiers, their expressions masked with resolve and determination, the fear skillfully hidden behind the facade of stoicism.

"But we are not fodder, to be sacrificed so easily. We are the Nine Headed Dragon Alliance, and we do not cower before death."

His voice grew stronger, the words reverberating through the silent room, his gaze now burning with unyielding determination.

He knew escape wasn't an option.

The Alliance had always been merciless with deserters. Besides, this was his home, his territory, and he'd be damned if he'd give it up without a fight.

"Remember our training, remember our pledge. The enemy may have caught us by surprise, but we are not defeated. We are the Nine Headed Dragon Alliance. We stand and we fight," he declared, his voice echoing throughout the vast hall.

His gaze turned steely as he locked eyes with his men, instilling them with a renewed sense of purpose and resolve.

He had a plan.

He would face Drius, the 15th Seat of the Grand Knights. His strength was nearly on par with his own, but Endo was already much stronger than that thanks to the Special Items he had received from his superiors.

He heard the new Items were compliments from a new investor, and after equipping them, Endo already knew he was at least twice as strong as he was in the past.

As one of the 99 Grands, Endo believed he was more than enough to best Drius.

While he dealt with the most formidable adversary, his men would handle the others.

In his mind, victory was within their grasp, as long as they stood their ground.

It was time for the Alliance to remind everyone why they were feared.

And Endo would lead them to victory or die trying.

"Hmm?"

Endo's gaze sharpened as the distinct echo of solitary footsteps reached his ears. He tensed, his muscles coiling like a predator poised to strike.

His men mirrored his stance, the room pulsating with the tangible anticipation of the impending battle.

Yet, as the footsteps drew closer, a wave of confusion washed over him.

The echoes resonated with the rhythm of a solitary pair of boots, lacking the tense harmony of a charging army.

'What's this I'm sensing?' He asked himself.

A lone wolf venturing into the den of dragons?

The door creaked open, revealing a single silhouette - a young man, barely into his twenties, casually striding into the room.

The sight of the lone intruder was perplexing, contradicting every expectation Endo had held.

His mind whirred with confusion, gears turning furiously as he tried to make sense of the surreal scene unfolding before him.

Was this a trap? A decoy? A sacrificial lamb to draw out the real enemy?

His gaze bored into the young man, scrutinizing his every move, searching for a sign of deceit. The youngster's demeanor was disconcertingly calm, almost nonchalant, a stark contrast to the palpable tension in the room.

A voice whispered in his mind, 'What if he is the threat?'

He dismissed it hastily, unable to accept the idea that a single, inexperienced youth could pose a threat to his stronghold.

Yet, the unsettling feeling persisted, gnawing at his confidence.

The silence stretched on, the tension simmering, the air heavy with unease and anticipation.

With a final sweeping glance at the young man, he reaffirmed his grip on his weapon, a butcher knife, mentally preparing himself for whatever was about to transpire.

This was his stronghold, his home, and no matter the threat, he would defend it with all he had.

But the question lingered at the back of his mind, a persistent echo that drowned out all else, 'Who is this boy?'

Endo's eyes narrowed, surveying the seemingly confident young man standing alone in his stronghold.

"Where is your backup?" he demanded, his voice echoing ominously in the cavernous room.

The youth shrugged nonchalantly, a smug grin tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"I came alone. The rest are waiting for me," he declared, seemingly unbothered by the incredulous stare Endo shot his way.

Endo chuckled darkly, shaking his head at the audacity of the young man.

"Are you joking?" he scoffed, his voice laced with disbelief and amusement.

The young man remained unperturbed, his expression cool and detached. "No joke. They're waiting for me, so I'd like to end this as soon as possible."

A snarl escaped Endo's lips, his demeanor shifting from amused incredulity to outright hostility.

"Do you expect me to believe that you single-handedly entered this cavern, defeating all the shadows we had stationed? Yes, the shadows are weak, but they aren't that weak. It's impossible for you to kill all of them, and in such a short time too!"

The young man's response was a dismissive shrug, his disinterest clear as he retorted, "I don't care what you believe. I just want to end things quickly."

Endo's growl echoed through the room, his gaze narrowing in a dangerous scowl.

He reached for a ring on his finger, an Item of power that heightened his prowess and allowed him to gauge the true strength of his opponent.

The realization hit him like a blow; the young man was much stronger than he'd initially thought.

'So he wasn't lying…'

Deciding not to underestimate him, Endo made a split-second decision.

He would send his subordinates to test the waters, observe the youth's abilities, and wear him out.

'Let's see what you can do, brat.'

"Attack," he ordered, his subordinates lunging forward in unison.

But as they charged, he caught a glimpse of the young man's grin widening, a manic gleam lighting up his eyes.

'What? Why does he look so happy?'

"Idiot," he heard the youth murmur, the word hanging heavy in the air as his subordinates descended upon their solitary target.

"You're such an idiot…"

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[A/N]

The conflict seems to be drawing near. Who will win this bout? The enhanced Captain Endo… or the <Carnage> Mikey?

Let's find out next time!