The Dreamer's POV

A sense of foreboding descended on Endo as he watched the unfolding spectacle before him.

His mind barely registered the movement of the young man, a mere blur against the eerie darkness of the cavernous room.

What followed was a horrifying spectacle he would forever etch in his memory.

"Raaahhhhhh!" The first guard leaped towards the young man, weapon raised and a vicious battle cry tearing from his throat.

But before his blade could connect, the young man moved.

His motion was fluid, a graceful ballet that bore no resemblance to the brutal outcome it produced.

The guard's battle cry was abruptly cut off, replaced by a chilling gasp as a ball-sized hole appeared in his chest.

~WHOOSH!~

Blood spurted out from the gaping wound, painting the stone floor a dark crimson.

His body landed on the cold ground with a sickening thud, life extinguished in the blink of an eye.

Another OF Endo's subordinates lunged, moving with a swiftness that would have been deadly to an average opponent.

But the young man was far from average.

His movement was a blur, his hand slashing through the air before the shadow-guard's head separated from his body, sending a spray of blood arching through the air.

"A-ahh…?"

The severed head rolled to a stop, lifeless eyes staring blankly into the void as the decapitated body crumpled to the ground, blood pumping rhythmically from the severed neck.

The rest of the subordinates charged, their desperate roars filling the room.

"UOOOOOOOHHHHHHHH!!!"

But they were all met with the same fate, cut down with terrifying efficiency.

Heads flew, bodies were ripped apart, blood sprayed like rain in a storm. The young man moved amongst them, a grim reaper harvesting souls.

'W-who… is this man?'

Endo could only watch in horror as his men were slaughtered, the room quickly becoming a slaughterhouse.

The smell of blood hung heavy in the air, mixing with the metallic tang of fear that radiated off him. He felt a cold shiver run down his spine, realizing the lethal force he had underestimated.

The young man was no mere invader; he was a bringer of death.

"What a monster."

Endo's heart pounded against his ribcage, a harsh tattoo of impending doom. Yet, he was a warrior, a seasoned fighter.

He wouldn't allow fear to claim him.

"Retreat!" His voice echoed off the cavern walls, a stark command that halted the progression of his remaining men.

They paused, their expressions a mixture of shock and relief as they retreated behind their captain. Each step they took echoed ominously in the blood-stained room, a grim reminder of their fallen comrades.

"Huu…" Endo drew his butcher knife, the metallic slide of blade against sheath slicing through the deathly quiet.

The sharp blade caught the dim light, reflecting a morbid dance of shadows on the stone walls.

His grip on the hilt was tight, knuckles white against the dark leather, the only visible sign of the tension coursing through him.

He locked his gaze with the young man's. The silence in the room was palpable, the air heavy with the stench of blood and the tang of fear.

The young man merely stood there, grinning, as if the carnage he had wrought was nothing more than a game.

Endo couldn't help but scowl. "I don't know who you are, boy," he growled, his voice hard and unyielding. "But you've crossed the wrong people. The Nine Headed Dragon Alliance won't let this go."

The young man merely chuckled, a horrifyingly jovial sound in the face of such a grim situation. He cracked his knuckles, a wicked grin spreading across his face.

"Well then," he said, his voice chillingly calm. "Let's see if you can make me regret it."

With that, he lunged forward, charging towards Endo.

'Y-you!'

In the face of impending danger, the Captain found himself going over the special items that were bestowed upon him by his superiors; items that bolstered his abilities and made him a formidable force even by the Nine Headed Dragon Alliance's standards.

His eyes flicked down to the necklace that adorned his neck, its ruby red pendant glinting in the dim light.

It was more than just an accessory; it was a conduit that enhanced his senses, sharpening them to the point where he could perceive the slightest changes in his environment, heightening his awareness of impending danger.

Next, he shifted his gaze to the boots that were securely strapped to his feet.

He was told that they were made from the hide of a sky drake; these were no ordinary boots. The enchantment that was weaved into the leather granted him speed that was thrice his normal pace, making him swift and agile, able to dodge any incoming attacks with ease.

Finally, his eyes rested on the butcher knife he held firmly in his hand.

Apparently made of dragonbone and laced with elemental ores, the blade was as deadly as it was durable. It was a weapon that doubled his already colossal strength, allowing him to slice through steel as if it were paper.

It also had a special energy that dealt damage which made it difficult to regenerate. He had even taken the liberty of coating it with poison, so it was a deadly weapon in his grasp.

Just one hit was what he needed to win!

Coupled with his [Body Reinforcement Technique] that transformed his flesh and bone into something tougher than any steel, Endo was a force to be reckoned with.

His heart thumped loudly in his chest, a steady rhythm of anticipation. He knew that with these weapons and his technique, he could face the young man head-on, and possibly, emerge victorious.

Even as doubt attempted to cloud his mind, Endo pushed it away, instead focusing on the challenge ahead.

He wouldn't back down, not now. For his men, for his organization, and for himself, he would fight.

"Right and here and now… I must kill you!"

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[A/N]

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