Legacy of Hero: Rise of Kairon

The hall of the International Congress was packed with world leaders and dignitaries. Cameras, security, flashes, and diplomatic smiles filled the room—but amidst the pomp... the true guardians were alert.

Dante Valtier, Olivia Lang, Ryan Valeborn, Ethan Stormbreak, Ryu Nox, Kane, Annie, Abby, and Eliara Myne formed the silent frontline of elite defense from the Phoenix and Thousand Lights guilds at that event.

It was an S-Rank mission disguised as a ceremony. The world was watching. And among the crowd... the predators lurked.

In the middle of the refined audience, a figure in a dark suit with cold eyes watched closely. A glass of champagne in hand. A faint smile on his lips.

Zen Kagetsune.

"Hmph..." he muttered, adjusting his cuffs. "The prey is well protected."

His golden fox eyes scanned every move, every formation, every guard. But his true focus was elsewhere.

"There he is… Ryan Valeborn," he thought. "Interesting. I can't feel any aura. Just like me. That kid… intrigues me."

In the earpiece, Dante spoke:

— "Guys, Eliara's heading to the restroom. Annie, Abby—go with her."

— "Copy that," Annie replied smoothly.

The three slipped away discreetly.

Zen, like a smiling shadow, began to follow them.

But before he could take a second step, a voice cut through the air.

— "Hey… where do you think you're going?"

Zen stopped.

Ryan was staring at him—calm, but unwavering. There was something about that boy that unsettled him.

Zen gave a disarming smile.

— "Sorry, I got a little lost. First time at one of these events."

Inside, he thought:

"This kid is sharp... He noticed me. That's rare. Maybe rarer than Hant expected… I'll delay the attack."

— "Alright then," Ryan replied, still wary.

BAM!A scream echoed from the restroom.

— "Abby?! Annie?!" Liv called out, activating her comm.

A villainess appeared, floating through spatial distortions. She had violet eyes and a mantle shimmering in unstable prisms.

— "The president's daughter is mine!"

With a swift motion, she teleported Eliara out of the restroom — but before she could escape, a crimson flash stormed in:

BANG!

Ethan Stormbreak appeared out of nowhere, landing a kick that knocked the villainess back and caught Eliara in his arms.

— "Are you alright?" he asked, heart racing.

Eliara looked at him, frightened — but mesmerized.

— "My… hero…"

Ethan blushed.

— "Ethan to all units: I've got Eliara, but things are about to escalate! I need backup, now!"

— "On it!" Ryu responded over the channel.

Hooded villains burst through the walls with brutal force, surrounding Ethan and Eliara.

Ethan stepped forward.

— "Arashi… Raijin… you ready?"

His twin daggers sparked in his hands. The Crimson Lightning danced among enemies with fury and precision.

— "Stay close to me, Eliara. No matter what."

Even terrified, Eliara couldn't take her eyes off him.

— "He's fighting… for me? I want to protect others too… just like him."

One of the villains raised a blade toward the girl—

But he froze.

— "Shadow Domain."

Ryu emerged from the darkness, eyes glowing with violet light.

— "Touching her is touching death."

He used his aura like a living curtain, wrapping the villains in shadowy chains that paralyzed their movements.

Moments later, Kane crashed down from the ceiling like a black bolt, his punch splitting the ground—and three enemies with it.

— "Keep the weak out of the front lines."

Dante followed, his blades of light slicing the air with surgical precision. His calm expression contrasted with the ruthless speed of his strikes.

Together, the three formed a perfect barrier around Ethan and Eliara.

Special forces arrived. The remaining villains were contained. Cameras and drones broadcasted every second of the victory.

In the live transmission, Dante was interviewed alongside Liv:

— "Is it true you saved the president's daughter?"

— "Yes," Dante answered, serious. "But that wasn't a favor. Protecting the innocent is the least a hero should do."

— "And what do you have to say about the villains?"

— "They have no idea what's coming…" Liv concluded, staring straight at the camera.

In a dark hideout, Hant watched the broadcast in frustration.

— "Tch… saviors… They're getting more popular by the day."

He called Zen.

— "What's missing, huh? You said you'd bring me Eliara."

Zen, on the other end, tightened his gloves.

— "Relax. I'm still studying them. These kids are more organized than they seem."

— "Studying?!"

— "Ryan is a problem. He sensed me like it was nothing. And that worries me. He's… like me. A predator who hasn't realized what he is yet."

Silence on the line.

Zen closed his eyes, thoughtful.

— "But don't worry… I'll hunt them. I just need to choose the right moment."

End of Chapter 36