"This is bad," Sota muttered to himself. "A solution must be found immediately. If not, everything ends. Apex will fall. The place I call home will vanish."
Suddenly, a memory flickered before his eyes. A village in ruins. Houses burning, smoke choking the sky. In the center of the devastation, a young boy sat crying. He had lost his mother and father; he was utterly alone. At that moment, a figure in a pristine white military uniform approached the child.
"Are you alright, little man? What’s wrong?" the officer asked.
"I lost my parents... I can't find them," young Sota sobbed.
"I’ll help you find them," the man said warmly.
"Really?"
"Of course. But on one condition: you must be a good boy and come with me."
"I will," the boy replied, wiping his tears. "I’ll be a very good boy, sir."
"Wonderful. Let’s go then. By the way, what’s your name?"
"Sota... Minamota Sota."
"Nice to meet you, Sota. I am Rin... Gagamura Rin."
Back in the present, Sota snapped out of his trance. His wounds were bandaged. He called out for Lieutenant Oragari.
"Oragari!"
"Sir!" the Lieutenant replied, standing at attention.
"Organize an Emergency Meeting. Now."
"Understood, sir. What is the status code?"
Sota’s eyes narrowed. "Code Black."
Oragari’s eyes widened in sheer terror. His jaw dropped, and he struggled to find his voice. "C-C-Code Black? Did you say Black, sir?"
"Yes. Black! Now stop wasting time and organize the meeting!" Sota barked.
"Understood, sir!"
As Oragari left the room, his hands were still shaking. "Things are that bad... This is a catastrophe. Even if Commander Sota tries to hide it, he’s as terrified as I am. I must inform the other commanders."
Elsewhere, the pharmacy door opened. A young man stepped inside.
"Welcome, Kurogane," the pharmacist greeted.
"Good to see you," Kurogane replied.
"The usual?"
"Yes, the usual."
"Coming right up!"
Kurogane Haruto stepped out of the pharmacy with a bag of medicine. He walked to an apartment building, took a deep breath, adjusted his smile, and went upstairs. He rang the bell of a familiar door. An elderly woman opened it.
"Harutomm, is that you?"
"It’s me, Mother," Kurogane smiled, stepping inside. He noticed a photo album on the table. "This album again, Mom?"
"I can't help it, son. I miss your father and brother so much."
"I miss them too," Kurogane said softly, "but the doctor said you shouldn't do things that lower your morale."
"I know. But looking at them doesn't make me sad—it makes me feel better when I’m down."
"Alright. Just stay well. Here are your medicines."
"Ah, those cursed pills... I told you I hate them."
"I know, Mom. But you need them. Without them, the pain gets worse."
"You work so hard, son. You should take care of yourself too. If something happens to you, I don't know what I’d do."
"Don't worry about me. Just think about yourself."
His mother cupped his face with her hands. "My little Kurogane Haruto. I wish your father and brother could see you now."
"I’m sure they see us, Mom. They miss us too."
Suddenly, Haruto’s phone rang. He answered it, and as he listened, his face turned pale. He dropped the phone. Without a word, he bid a hasty farewell to his mother and ran toward Apex headquarters. On the way, he called his Lieutenant, Mizuru.
"Hey, Mizuru! Do you hear me?"
Mizuru was on the other end, sounding drunk and relaxed. "Yes, my sweet Haruto~ What’s the problem?"
"Damn it, are you drinking again?!"
"Again? I’m always drinking, sweet Haruto."
"You disgusting woman! Get to the HQ immediately! We have an emergency!"
As Haruto entered the HQ courtyard, three armored black vehicles pulled up. Special forces soldiers in black gear lined up and saluted.
"Welcome, Princess Hoshino Aki (Commander No. 4)!"
"Oh, what a lovely surprise," Aki purred, holding a massive scythe. "You're making me blush."
The soldiers knelt, forming a human bridge from her car to the entrance. Aki walked over their backs, her heels clicking as she entered the building.
"Conceited bitch," Haruto muttered.
Inside the briefing room, a large table with eight seats was surrounded by commanders and their lieutenants.
"Sorry I’m late," Haruto said, taking his seat.
"No matter," Sota replied. "We were just beginning."
"So," Aki said, leaning her scythe against the wall. "Why have you dragged us here so suddenly? My Lieutenant, Kira, mentioned something, but I find it hard to believe."
"Agreed," Takeda Riku added coldly. "I hope this isn't a waste of time. Being in the same room as this bitch makes me sick."
"What was that?" Aki hissed. "Say it again and I’ll rip your heart out. You know I’ll do it, Riku!"
"Enough!" Sota slammed his hand on the table. "We have a bigger problem. And... is he not coming again?"
"You know him," Aki shrugged. "Always busy with his dark, secret business."
Masako Uri (Commander No. 3) leaned forward. "You declared Code Black. Do you have proof?"
"I do," Sota said. "Watch this."
Sota turned on the large screen. The footage showed Mazuki standing up amidst the ruins of the hideout, whispering: "Kill... kill... kill..."
Black smoke swirled around him like a monster. With terrifying speed, Mazuki began tearing soldiers apart—ripping out hearts, snapping heads. Then, he raised a hand toward the last soldier. Black mist entered the soldier’s body, rotting his organs from the inside out until he turned to dust. Mazuki approached Sota and spoke directly into the camera:
"Go tell your friends and your boss... The Black Devil has awakened."
The screen went dark. The room was silent.
"This... could it be?" Kana whispered, her voice trembling.
"Yes," Masako Uri replied. "The Black Vayen."
"But how is that possible?" Aki asked, her confidence gone.
"Could it be a Vayen out of control?" Takeda Riku asked.
"I don't think so," Haruto intervened. "If it were just out of control, he wouldn't be able to speak, and his body would have collapsed under the pressure. It’s as if he has released his Vayen on purpose... or made a deal with it."
"A deal?" Aki scoffed. "Ridiculous. A Vayen has no will of its own."
"It’s hard to believe," Kana added, "but it’s the only answer that fits."
"What did you say the kid's name was?" Riku asked.
"Mazuki Orahata," Sota replied.
Takeda Riku froze as if struck by lightning. He had never forgotten that surname. "Could it be... his son?" he whispered to himself.
"Yes," Sota confirmed. "The son of our greatest enemy, Suzuki Orahata."
Takeda Riku was lost in a memory from nine years ago. The duel with Suzuki, Suzuki’s death, and that mysterious man who appeared from the darkness. He still couldn't solve the puzzle.
"Takeda? You're spacing out," Sota said.
"I’m fine," Riku replied.
Hoshino Aki sensed Riku’s suspicion but said nothing. The meeting ended with a warning for everyone to stay vigilant. As Riku was leaving, Aki blocked his path.
"You know him, don't you?"
"What? What are you talking about?"
"Don't play dumb. I asked if you know him."
"Who? The kid on the screen? Even if I did, I wouldn't tell you."
"Look, Takeda, you're hiding something. And I’m going to solve this mystery."
"Mind your own business, Aki. Or things will get ugly for you!" Riku growled and walked away. Aki’s eyes narrowed. She wouldn't let this go.
In the new hideout, Ren placed a cup of tea in front of Mazuki.
"Drink this, Mazuki. Try to relax."
"Thanks, Ren. But... what happened to me?"
"We're still trying to figure that out," Ren replied.
"Hey! I found someone!" Sasha shouted. She dragged out a wounded Apex soldier who had been hiding since the night before. When the soldier saw Mazuki, he began to scream in terror.
"No! Stay away! Please don't kill me! No, no, no!"
"Calm down," Ren said. "What are you talking about?"
"The monster next to you!" the soldier shrieked. "He ripped everyone’s heads off! He carved out their eyes! It was a nightmare!"
"But I don't remember any of that," Mazuki stammered. "I’m not that strong."
"Not strong?! Are you mocking me? I’ve never seen anything like it. Even our highest-ranking Green Vayen soldiers couldn't stand against you!"
Everyone froze. Defeating a Green Vayen user is a feat for a master, but Mazuki had wiped them out alone.
"Are you sure they were Green Vayens?" Ren asked.
"I’m positive! I saw it with my own eyes! You're a monster! You're dangerous!"
The soldier secretly reached for a pistol behind his back, but Sasha was faster. She pulled her trigger, killing him instantly.
"Sasha! I had more questions!" Ren yelled.
"He was pulling a gun. He was going to shoot Mazuki."
"Fine... Let’s pack up and get out of here quickly."
"Thanks, Sasha," Mazuki whispered.
"After what you did for us yesterday? This is nothing," Sasha smiled.
As they drove to their next location, Mazuki stared out the window, brooding. Fragments of the previous night flashed in his mind—tearing a head off, slamming soldiers into walls.
"Ren, I have to tell you something."
"I’m listening."
"Last night... I think there were two commanders there."
"What?" Sasha gasped. "They sent two commanders just to raid our hideout? I’m offended."
"Do you remember their faces?" Ren asked.
"No. I could only feel their Vayens. But one was more dominant... it felt like mine."
"How are you sure they were commanders?"
"They wore the Apex command uniform."
"This is getting strange," Sasha noted.
"We need to tell Gin immediately," Ren said.
"I have a theory," Mazuki added. "While I was there, a 'being' talked to me. And the star necklace you gave me... it was glowing."
"Glowing? How?"
"I don't know. We have to ask Gin."
The car entered a forest road and stopped among the trees. Ren pressed a red button on the console, spoke a code, and the ground beneath the car began to descend like an elevator. The forest floor above them sealed itself. They arrived at a massive underground facility.
"Welcome back!" Gin greeted them. "And welcome, the hero of the day!"
"Good to see you, friend," Nero added.
"Surprised you made it out alive, but welcome," Shon grunted.
Gin introduced three new faces. "Eleni from the Drako clan. Hao, also from Drako. And our sword specialist, Sofia from the Toro clan."
"Nice to meet you," Mazuki said.
"I heard about yesterday," Hao smiled. "Very brave."
"Do you work out?" Eleni asked, eyeing his arms. "Your frame is good."
"No, I don't."
"What’s your skill level with a blade?" Sofia asked. "Can you handle a Katana, an Excalibur, or a Shamshir?"
"I... I don't know what those are," Mazuki stammered.
Sasha stepped in. "Okay, everyone, leave him alone. He’s exhausted. We have more important things to discuss."
"You're right," Gin said. "I’ve figured out how they found us. One of the guards was bribed for a huge sum."
"How?" Ren asked. "The Underground Residents choose those guards. They aren't just random people."
"Clearly, they were deceived. From now on, security will be much tighter. Now, Mazuki... how did you survive, and what happened to Apex?"
Ren pulled a flash drive from his pocket. "I’ll show you. These are the secret kitchen and armory cameras. Someone deleted the others."
The footage played. The room filled with the sound of agonizing screams. They watched as Mazuki, shrouded in black aura, decimated the soldiers with demonic brutality. Mazuki felt a chill as his memory fully returned while watching the screen.
"Is this...?" Gin whispered.
"Yes, Father," Ren said. "The Black Vayen. But something is wrong."
"It’s like it’s not Mazuki fighting," Gin observed. "It’s someone else."
"I remember..." Mazuki said, his voice trembling. Everyone turned to him. "I remember everything now. He talked to me. He asked for my permission."
Gin went pale. "He... talked to you? He asked for permission?"
"Boss, how is that possible?" Nero asked.
"Hao, Eleni, Sofia! Contact your clans immediately," Gin commanded. "I am calling for an emergency summit."
"Understood!" they replied.
"Father, what’s going on?" Ren asked.
"Ren, watch Mazuki closely. Take care of him. If he gets too angry, do not let him lose control!"
"But why?"
"I’ll explain later. Shon, come with me. Now!"
As the room emptied, a dark, demonic laugh echoed—though no one but Mazuki could hear it.
— "Let the game of hide-and-seek begin."
[End of Episode 7]
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