The gym was silent—
except for the sound of heavy breathing.
THUD.
THUD.
A tall figure stood in the center of the underground training gym. Punching bags swung violently, some already torn apart, chains trembling from the force.
Kito Jin.
Sweat dripped from his arms as he threw another punch, the impact cracking the reinforced wall behind the target.
But his fists were shaking.
Not from exhaustion—
from conflict.
Kito Jin (inner monologue):
"…I didn't mean to kill him."
For a brief moment, his movements stopped.
A memory flashed—
a man standing in front of his son.
A final blow.
Blood on the floor.
Kito Jin clenched his teeth.
"…Leo's father… wasn't supposed to die."
The lights in the gym flickered.
Then—
A low, distorted voice echoed inside his mind.
🐉 Dark Dragon Spirit:
"Regret… is weakness."
Black smoke-like aura began creeping around Kito Jin's arms, slowly wrapping around his veins like living shadows.
Kito Jin slammed his fist into the wall.
"SHUT UP."
The dragon laughed softly.
🐉 "You swung the blade. Not me."
"And yet… you still want forgiveness?"
Kito Jin's breath grew uneven. The dragon's presence pressed heavier, colder, sinking deeper into his chest.
🐉 "You belong to me."
"Your anger feeds me."
"Your guilt… completes me."
For a split second, Kito Jin's reflection appeared in the gym mirror—
Not his face.
Just his eyes, glowing faintly red before he turned away.
"No…" he muttered.
"I'm not yours."
The aura flared violently.
Cracks spread across the gym floor.
🐉 "You think you are the mastermind?"
"You are only a blade."
"A small one."
Kito Jin froze.
"…What do you mean?"
The dragon's voice dropped into a whisper.
🐉 "There is someone above you."
"Someone who commands gods, not beasts."
"A spirit that doesn't corrupt…"
"It judges."
Kito Jin slowly tightened his fists.
"…So even I'm just being used."
The dark aura receded slightly, as if amused.
🐉 "Accept it."
"Or be devoured."
Silence returned to the gym.
Kito Jin stood alone again, shadows crawling back into his body like nothing had happened.
He turned toward the exit, pulling his hood lower—his face still hidden.
"…Leo," he said quietly.
"If we meet again… I don't know whether I'll save you…"
He paused.
"…or destroy everything."
As he walked away, the dragon's presence lingered—
stronger than before.
Narration:
"Regret had entered the villain's heart—but so had something far darker.
Kito Jin was no longer just a threat…
He was a pawn in a much larger game."
Author's Note
Hey readers, please forgive me.
I know this chapter came out a little slower than usual.
I'm posting it after two days because my brain is completely fried.
You know how it is—I also have chapters from my other story to post.
Thanks for being patient, and I promise the next chapters will pick up the pace again!