Legacy of Hero: Rise of Kairon

"I want to go to the Ayla Artemis concert!" Eliara said, smiling like an excited child.

Kane crossed his arms, serious.

"We can't just let you go alone, Eliara. You know that."

She pouted, playfully charming:

"What if I take one of you as a personal escort? Just one!"

Kane sighed and looked at Dante.

Dante nodded."You can go—but no stunts."

Eliara pointed straight at Ethan, who was mid-bite into his cereal——and promptly spit it all over Ryu's face.

"AGH! Disgusting, bro! Right on my face?!" Ryu yelled, wiping himself in outrage.

Ryan, Liv, Annie, and Abby burst into laughter.

"S-Sorry!" Ethan chuckled, wiping his mouth."But... why me, Eliara?"

She smiled effortlessly:

"Because you're the most handsome of them."

Ryu jumped on the opportunity:

"Ooooh, Ethan! It's a date, folks!"

"Get lost, Ryu!" Ethan shot back, cheeks flushed.

Still, he accepted.

"Fine... but this is a mission. Nothing more."

🎽 Preparations

Ethan showed up in full streetwear:White jacket, black pants with red details, gleaming earrings, and styled hair.

"Bro… you look like a celebrity. I feel like your fan now," Ryan teased.

They boarded a secure vehicle headed to the shopping center where the concert would be held.Paparazzi swarmed like bees.

📰 #NewCouple #EliEthan #CoupleOfTheYear trended across social media.

📱 Hero City – Stormbreak Mansion

Ron shoved a phone in Inavy's face.

"Bro… check this out. Your kid is blowing up in the U.S."

The screen showed Ethan and Eliara running from photographers, holding hands.

Rose, beside him, covered her mouth, teary-eyed.

"My boy... he's becoming a man."

Kyara and Saddie screamed in chorus:"Ethan-nii is dating the president's daughter!!"

📸 U.S. Shopping District

As they dodged the paparazzi, Ethan shouted:

"Eliara! Are you crazy?! This is a mission!"

She laughed, carefree:

"You know... sometimes I just want to live, Ethan. Being locked up in that mansion... it's killing me inside."

Ethan stopped. Took a deep breath.

"Sorry... I get it. Then let's enjoy the show. But stay alert."

🎤 At the Concert – Ayla Artemis

The pair entered the VIP area.All eyes immediately fell on them.

"That boy... is HOT!""Look at his hair! And those eyes... he's like a video game character!""Those earrings—ugh, perfect!"

Eliara, clearly jealous, clutched Ethan's hand tightly.He didn't let go.

She looked at the girls and smiled... coldly.

"Ethan, are you a fan of Ayla Artemis?"

"HUGE fan! I didn't even know this was her concert!" Ethan lit up.

They sang, jumped—Ethan even more hyped than her—until—

💥 BOOOOM!!!

An explosion rocked the stage. Screams. Chaos.

"Stay behind me, Eliara!" Ethan ordered.

But she was gone.

Zen Kagetsune had appeared, dressed in an elegant black suit, fox-like golden eyes glowing.His Cursed Katana was at Eliara's throat.

"One step... and she dies." Zen whispered, smiling.

"You bastard..." Ethan summoned his twin daggers—Raijin and Arashi.

But before he could act—

🌀 SHUUUUM!

Kai Hayashi emerged from a purple portal, yanked Eliara by the hair, and vanished with her.

"ELIARA!!" Ethan screamed in desperation.

Zen approached slowly. Rain began to fall.

"Let's finish this quickly. I've got more contracts lined up."

Ethan stared at him, confused.

"Who are you...? I couldn't sense you... You... you have no aura?"

Zen smiled, spinning his katana.

"So you noticed. Smart one.Different from most."

Ethan readied himself.Rain soaked the ground.Lightning crackled across the sky.

"Then come... mercenary."

🔥 End of Chapter 38