The battle across the Island of Clash slowly began to settle.
Not because the situation had become safe—
But because the people had resisted with everything they had.
The adventurers and mercenaries who once fought for fame now stood bloodied beside soldiers and pirates alike. Fires still burned throughout parts of the market district, and the streets remained stained with blood, but the overwhelming wave of demonic beasts had finally begun to thin.
Many monsters had already fallen.
Others fled wildly after losing control.
The coordinated defense of the island had somehow succeeded.
But victory came at a terrible cost.
Near the shattered western district, the gigantic demonic beast that Henry and the old veteran had fought was finally nearing death.
Its movements had slowed.
Black blood poured endlessly from the wounds carved across its massive body. Entire buildings had collapsed during the battle, and the streets around them looked as though a natural disaster had passed through.
The old veteran leaned against his blade while breathing heavily.
"Looks like it's finally dying."
Henry tightened his grip on his sword.
Something still felt wrong.
Very wrong.
The giant beast suddenly let out one final roar before collapsing onto the broken stone streets with a thunderous impact.
Silence followed.
The veteran laughed weakly.
"Well fought, boy."
But Henry barely heard him.
That terrible feeling inside his chest had only grown stronger.
As if something irreversible had already happened.
Without another word—
Henry turned and ran.
Fast.
Toward the docks.
Toward the royal ship.
—
Meanwhile, at the docks—
The situation had become hopeless.
Both Irene and Juliene had already fallen unconscious after desperately trying to protect the King.
Broken swords and blood covered the deck of the royal vessel.
Bodies of royal guards and Shadow Guards were scattered everywhere.
Only two people still stood.
King Dan.
And the assailant.
The old King's breathing had grown rough. Blood flowed from cuts across his arms and shoulders, staining his royal clothing dark red. Even so—
He still held his sword firmly.
"I may be old," the King said while forcing himself upright, "but I once united this kingdom."
Despite his wounds, the authority in his voice remained.
The attacker merely stared coldly.
"That is the only thing you achieved, old man."
The King's eyes narrowed.
"Who are you?"
"And why are you doing this?"
For the first time since appearing—
The assailant smiled faintly.
A smile filled not with pride—
But hatred.
"Don't you know?"
"I am Kar."
"The Third Captain of your so-called Attack Force."
The moment those words were spoken—
King Dan's expression froze.
Shock.
Pain.
Regret.
All appeared at once.
Years ago, during the great Demonic War, the Kingdom had secretly formed an elite extermination force. Its purpose had been simple—
Enter the corrupted regions.
Destroy the demonic nests.
Protect the people before the miasma spread further.
They were considered as Heroes.
But, the attack force was dismissed not only from Duty but from history.
And Kar—
Had once been among them.
The King's face darkened.
"So… you were one of them…"
Kar slowly raised his blade.
"One of the forgotten."
"One of the abandoned."
The King suddenly lunged forward with his remaining strength.
His sword flashed toward Kar's neck.
But fate had already chosen its outcome.
Kar moved faster.
The blade in his hand pierced directly through the King's chest.
Silence consumed the dock.
The old King's body trembled slightly.
Blood slowly flowed from the wound.
For a brief moment—
Even Kar's expression remained still.
Then—
A furious roar echoed across the harbor.
Henry had arrived.
He stood frozen at the edge of the dock.
The royal ship before him looked like a nightmare.
Blood everywhere.
Broken bodies.
Destroyed railings.
And at the center—
King Dan pierced through by the enemy's sword.
"NO!"
Henry rushed forward instantly.
Kar calmly removed his blade from the King's body and turned toward Henry.
The moment their weapons clashed—
A violent shockwave burst across the deck.
Henry's swordsmanship had improved tremendously through countless battles.
But against Kar—
It still felt insufficient.
Kar's demonic energy overflowed unnaturally.
Every strike carried monstrous force.
Then Kar suddenly paused.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"You…"
Henry attacked again furiously.
Kar blocked the strike effortlessly.
"You were the one who attacked the hideout in Igdur."
Henry's eyes widened slightly.
Kar laughed softly.
"So it really was you."
Henry gritted his teeth and pushed forward again, but Kar merely stepped backward calmly.
"The target is finished."
"So I shall take my leave."
Dark demonic miasma suddenly spread across the deck like smoke.
Henry rushed forward again—
But Kar's figure dissolved into the mist completely.
Gone.
Only the smell of blood remained.
Henry immediately dropped his sword and rushed toward the fallen King.
"Your Majesty!"
King Dan's breathing had already weakened greatly.
Henry carefully held him upright.
The old King slowly opened his eyes one last time.
Around them, more soldiers and survivors finally arrived at the docks after hearing the commotion.
Max arrived moments later covered in blood from battle.
The moment he saw his father—
He stopped completely.
Irene regained consciousness weakly nearby.
Juliene too slowly stirred from the deck.
Both froze upon seeing the scene before them.
The King looked toward Henry weakly.
Then toward his children.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
Not fear.
Not regret.
Only exhaustion.
"I leave… the kingdom…"
His voice faded.
The words never fully finished.
And there—
Within Henry's arms—
King Dan breathed his last breath.
Silence spread across the dock.
No one moved.
No one spoke.
Even the sea itself felt still.
Then Irene's trembling voice finally broke.
"Father…?"
No answer came.
The King who had ended the long Demonic War…
The ruler who united the people during their darkest era…
The man respected across kingdoms and seas alike—
Had fallen.
That day would later be remembered across the continent as:
The Dark Day.
Thousands had lost their lives within a single night.
Merchants.
Adventurers.
Families.
Soldiers.
And above all—
The King himself.
The entire Kingdom of Dan fell into mourning.
Church bells rang endlessly throughout the capital.
Black banners replaced royal colors.
Markets closed.
People gathered in silence across cities and villages alike.
Even neighboring kingdoms sent condolences.
For many citizens, King Dan had not merely been a ruler—
He had been the symbol of stability itself.
And now he was gone.
But amidst the sorrow—
Fear quietly spread.
Because if the King could be assassinated so openly…
Then something far more dangerous had already begun moving within the shadows of the continent.