World Martial Arts Organization — Emergency Command Room
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
The massive screen displayed the broadcast from Shanghai.
The room immediately fell silent.
At the center sat the Ten Super Generals of the World Martial Arts Organization.
General Ryuken Arashi sat with his arms crossed, his enormous body almost filling the chair. His silver hair and scarred eyebrow made his expression look even more intimidating.
Beside him was General Mei Lin, calm and composed in her white combat uniform and jade shoulder guard.
General Viktor Dragunov leaned forward, his reinforced armor making a metallic sound.
General Ayaka Shirogane stared sharply at the screen.
General Hassan Rahman remained completely still, his metal gauntlets resting on the table.
General Marcus Vale clenched his fist.
General Sora Hayashi pulled his hood slightly lower.
General Elena Voss watched the broadcast with an unreadable expression.
General Daichi Kurogane slowly tapped his wooden staff against the floor.
And at the end—
General Jian Long silently watched the screen.
Ryuken finally spoke.
"That group has appeared again."
Marcus frowned.
"Black Eclipse."
Mei Lin nodded.
"The organization has officially been identified as Black Eclipse."
Ayaka looked at the profiles displayed on the screen.
"Every member is dangerous."
Hassan added,
"And they're not ordinary criminals."
Daichi slowly closed his eyes.
"Five of them..."
Everyone looked toward him.
"...were once among the Ten Super Generals."
Silence.
Sora's expression changed.
"Five former Generals?"
Jian Long finally spoke.
"Yes."
Marcus slammed his fist against the table.
"How did five of our strongest martial artists become criminals?"
Nobody answered.
After a moment, Ryuken looked toward the screen.
"They aren't simply planning an attack."
Mei Lin understood immediately.
"The Temple."
Daichi nodded.
"Ten years ago..."
His voice became quieter.
"...that Temple was summoned."
The room fell silent.
"Had someone not stopped it back then, this world would have been destroyed."
Ayaka looked toward him.
"And now they're attempting to summon it again."
Ryuken's eyes narrowed.
"Exactly."
Jian Long stared at the broadcast.
"History is repeating itself."
Daichi shook his head.
"No."
His grip tightened around his staff.
"This time..."
"They intend to finish what they started."
---
Somewhere in China
Inside an abandoned facility, the members of Black Eclipse stood silently.
Kaito Jin turned toward them.
"The time has come."
Raizen Kuro stood near the wall.
Shirogane Rei adjusted his gloves.
Vega remained silent.
Akane Tsukishiro looked toward Kaito.
Jinro, Mika, Raven, Darius, Noir, and Kurohane waited for their instructions.
Kaito turned around.
The girl from the chamber stood behind him.
He walked toward her.
His normally cold voice softened.
"I don't want to lose you again."
He gently placed his hand on her head.
"Come with me."
He carefully lifted her into his arms.
The others watched.
Kaito looked at his teammates.
"You stay here."
Raizen nodded.
"We'll wait."
Kaito carried the girl away.
---
Kaito's Hidden Hideout
Deep inside a forest stood a small hidden shelter.
Kaito placed the girl down carefully.
He pointed toward a table.
"There's food."
He looked at her.
"Eat."
She nodded.
"Stay here until the battle is over."
Kaito turned toward the doorway.
"I made a promise to the Alien Queen."
His voice became quieter.
"I promised to help her."
He clenched his fist.
"After finally finding you..."
He paused.
"I wanted to leave everything behind."
The girl gently touched his face.
"But you can't."
"No."
Kaito looked at her.
"I can't."
She smiled faintly.
"Then promise me one thing."
"What?"
"Come back alive."
Kaito remained silent.
"Don't abandon me again."
He slowly touched her hand.
"I won't."
His voice was firm.
"I'll come back."
A dark aura began swirling around him.
"I promise."
WHOOM!
Black energy surrounded his body.
Kaito disappeared.
---
Shanghai City
Ten figures suddenly appeared across different locations.
BOOM!
BOOM!
BOOM!
Black Eclipse had arrived.
Kaito Jin appeared on top of a skyscraper.
He looked around.
Then frowned.
"...Where's the music?"
Everyone became silent.
One of the female members slowly turned toward him.
"What?"
"Our entrance music."
Kaito spread his arms dramatically.
"We're supposed to look terrifying!"
Akane sighed.
"We're villains, not performers."
Kaito pointed toward the sky.
"Every legendary villain group needs music!"
A member shrugged.
"Maybe the writer didn't have the budget."
Kaito froze.
"...The writer."
He immediately pulled out his communication device.
BEEP!
The call connected.
"Writer."
A tired voice answered.
"What?"
"Where's our music?"
Silence.
Then—
"Bro, it's four in the morning. I've been awake all night writing."
Kaito replied seriously,
"I want music."
"This is a web novel!"
"I don't care."
"How am I supposed to add background music?"
Kaito paused.
"...Figure it out."
The call ended.
Three seconds later—
BOOOOOOM!
Epic background music suddenly began playing.
Kaito slowly nodded.
"That's better."
One of the members stared at him.
"Did you seriously call the author just for music?"
Kaito replied,
"Absolutely."
---
The members of Black Eclipse moved to their assigned positions.
Each placed a hand against the ground.
Their spiritual energy began flowing beneath Shanghai.
BOOM!
BOOM!
BOOM!
A massive network of spiritual energy spread underneath the city.
Kaito raised his hand.
"Status?"
One after another—
"Position secured."
"Barrier point secured."
"Spiritual energy connected."
"Ready."
Kaito looked toward the center of Shanghai.
"Good."
He slowly rose into the air.
Dark energy surrounded his body.
His cloak fluttered in the wind.
Below him, millions of people continued their ordinary lives.
They had no idea what was coming.
Kaito stretched both arms outward.
"People of this world..."
The wind suddenly stopped.
"Prepare yourselves."
His aura intensified.
"Ten years ago..."
The ground began trembling.
"...this world witnessed chaos."
Ancient symbols appeared across Shanghai.
"Ten years ago..."
Kaito's eyes glowed.
"...blood was spilled."
The members of Black Eclipse simultaneously released their spiritual energy.
BOOOOOOM!
A gigantic barrier began forming around Shanghai.
Kaito looked toward the sky.
"And now..."
His voice echoed across the city.
"...you will witness it again."
The ground cracked open.
Ancient symbols spread across the streets.
Then Kaito raised both hands.
"Come forth..."
The sky darkened.
"...King of the Black Dragon Clan."
His voice became thunderous.
"I summon you."
KRRRRRAAAAAAK!
A gigantic ancient gate emerged from beneath the city.
It was covered in mysterious symbols and enormous chains of spiritual energy.
Something was waiting behind it.
Kaito stared at the gate.
Ancient markings appeared across its surface.
10:00
The countdown had begun.
09:59
Kaito smiled.
"Ten years ago..."
His eyes glowed through the darkness.
"...you stopped us."
The gate slowly began to open.
09:58
Kaito raised his hand.
"But this time..."
His smile disappeared.
"...nobody will stop us."
TO BE CONTINUED...