Chapter 5 opens with a shift in tone—calmer on the surface, but carrying an undercurrent of intensity that promises something far more volatile. The air feels heavier, as if the world itself is preparing for what is about to unfold. This is not just another step in the journey; it is a turning point shaped by anger, rivalry, and the awakening of power.
Leo stands before Zak and Querry, his posture relaxed but his presence commanding. There is no hesitation in his voice when he begins to speak, as though he has long mastered the knowledge he is about to pass on.
"There are two types of inners," he says, his eyes steady on them. "If you want power, you must first understand what you're dealing with."
Zak leans forward slightly, his curiosity overtaking his fatigue. Querry, on the other hand, watches in silence, his expression unreadable.
"The first type is the Strength Inner," Leo continues. "It has two levels. The first is Strong Body. This enhances your physical strength—your body, your weapons, anything connected to you becomes stronger."
Zak clenches his fist instinctively, imagining the possibilities.
"The second level is Inner Energy. This is where real power begins. With it, you can control elements—fire, water, wind, earth. It's not just strength anymore. It's dominance."
A brief silence follows before Leo speaks again.
"The second type is Sense Inner. It has four levels."
Querry's attention sharpens.
"First is Simple Sense Inner. With it, you can sense your surroundings without seeing. You know where your enemy is… even in the dark."
Zak nods slowly.
"Second is Future Prediction Inner. It allows you to predict what might happen next—not perfectly, but enough to react before others can."
Leo pauses, letting the weight of his words settle.
"Third is Future Sense Inner. This goes further. You don't just predict—you see glimpses of the future."
Zak's eyes widen slightly.
"And the final level… Aura Eye Inner." Leo's voice lowers. "Through your eyes, you release an aura so powerful that anyone weaker than you may faint… or even die."
The silence that follows is heavy, almost suffocating.
Then Leo steps back and closes his eyes.
"Attack me."
Zak frowns. "That's unfair."
"Attack," Leo repeats calmly.
Reluctantly, Zak charges forward. His movements are fast, driven by instinct rather than strategy. As he closes the distance, Leo's voice cuts through the air.
"Strength Inner—activate."
In the next instant, Leo moves.
The impact is explosive. Zak counters with his Beast Laser Punch, pouring everything he has into the strike. The collision sends shockwaves through the ground, dust rising in all directions.
For a moment, it seems evenly matched.
Then Zak is thrown back.
He hits the ground hard, sliding across the dirt. Pain surges through his body, but his mind is already racing. Leo hadn't just used strength—he had used something else.
Simple Sense Inner.
Zak hadn't been able to dodge because Leo had already known his move.
Understanding flashes in Zak's eyes.
Nearby, Querry scoffs. "He was weak," he mutters. "Let me show you real power."
Without waiting, Querry steps forward and swings his blade.
"Bear Slash!"
The force of the attack alone is enough to split a nearby tree into three pieces. The sheer pressure in the air shifts, making it hard to breathe.
Leo watches, impressed but composed. "If you add Strength Inner to that… it would be devastating."
Querry doesn't respond. He's already closing in.
But Leo reacts instantly.
"Fire Bullet."
A blazing projectile bursts forward. It strikes Querry's sword—and shatters it into two clean pieces.
The sound echoes.
Querry freezes.
Moments later, both he and Zak are on the ground, exhausted and defeated.
Leo looks down at them. "Now I'll teach you how to use inners."
They force themselves to listen.
"All you need is one word," Leo says. "Inners—activate. If you have multiple inners, they will all activate at once."
Zak struggles to sit up.
"But not everyone can use them," Leo adds. "There are requirements. Strength Inner depends on your physical power. Sense Inner depends on willpower."
That night, Zak and Querry try again and again.
"Inners… activate."
Nothing.
Again.
"Inners… activate."
Still nothing.
Hours pass. The sun begins to set, painting the sky in shades of orange and red. Exhaustion sets in, but neither of them stops.
By the time darkness falls, both are silent.
Defeat weighs heavily on them—not just from today, but from everything. For the first time in their lives, they have lost. First to Iaz… and now to Leo.
The feeling burns inside them.
They return to Leo's house and eat. The food is simple, but incredibly satisfying. Zak devours it as if he hasn't eaten in days. Querry eats only a little before walking outside.
He climbs a tree and sits alone.
Zak finishes and joins him.
"Don't worry," Zak says, his voice firm despite the exhaustion. "We'll become strong. Strong enough that no one in the world can defeat us."
Querry doesn't respond.
Frustrated, Zak punches a nearby rock.
The result is immediate.
A blast erupts. Smoke fills the air. When it clears, the rock is shattered into nine small pieces.
Zak stares at his hand.
"I… used it," he whispers. "I used my inner."
He turns to Querry, a grin breaking through. "Did you see that? I activated it first."
Querry's expression darkens. Without a word, he punches the tree beneath him.
The entire tree collapses.
"I activated it earlier," he says coldly.
Zak blinks. "What?"
"When we were coming back," Querry replies. "I already did it."
Silence settles between them.
Then Zak notices something else.
"Why are you still upset?"
Querry looks away. "My sword broke."
There is more behind those words.
"It wasn't just a weapon," he continues quietly. "It was with me through everything."
Zak exhales. "Then we'll get you another one."
Querry shakes his head. "It won't be the same."
Unseen by them, Leo has been listening.
"They activated their inners quickly," he thinks. "They're talented."
He steps forward.
"Do you want a powerful sword?" he asks.
Querry looks up immediately. "Yes."
"Then follow me."
Leo leads them through the darkness until they reach a massive stone. The area is eerily quiet, the shadows deeper than before.
"This," Leo says, placing his hand on the stone, "is the Dread Blade."
Zak and Querry exchange a glance.
"A cursed sword," Leo continues. "Even after two hundred years, it remains intact."
The air grows colder.
Both of them stare at the stone, unable to look away.
Something about it feels… alive.
And as the chapter closes, one question lingers:
Will Querry claim the blade—or will the blade claim him?
To be continued.