The dojo was still.
Only the creak of worn floorboards beneath Zero's step and the low hum of Emberfang filled the space between warrior and boss. The samurai adjusted his grip—no arrogance, no taunts. Just discipline.
Zero's eyes narrowed beneath the Mask of Eclipse.
Flashback.
A different guild hall.
A different team.
Voices—laughter, trust... betrayal.
"…He left us behind," someone whispered.
"He made it out. We didn't."
"Why didn't he come back for us?"
Zero blinked the memory away.
"Not now."
The boss stepped forward, every movement smooth and precise—like a walking scroll of perfected swordsmanship. His katana dipped in a silent bow.
Zero returned the gesture with the slightest nod.
"Begin," the samurai said.
The clash exploded like thunder.
Steel met steel in a flash of sparks. Zero lunged, but struck only air—the boss had sidestepped, responding with an upward slash that grazed Zero's cloak.
He moved like legend—fluid and ageless.
Zero ducked low, spun around, and thrust Emberfang forward—but the katana intercepted him mid-lunge, forcing Zero back across the polished floor.
"Interesting," the boss said. "Your movements are not of this era."
Zero exhaled.
Skill Activated: Shadow Veil.
His form shimmered—an outline flickering through the air. The samurai turned, sensing only silence.
Then—
Behind him.
Zero descended in a flash, dagger raised.
CLANG!
Steel screamed as Emberfang struck the katana—but this time, Zero didn't back off. He pressed forward, blades dancing at chaotic angles, feints nested inside strikes, movement like nothing the dojo had ever seen.
The samurai was fast.
But Zero was faster.
Until—
SLASH!
The katana sliced across Zero's chest. His cloak absorbed the brunt, but the blow forced him backward.
Scarlet gasped. "He's hurt—!"
"Stay back!" Tank barked, holding her arm. "He's not finished."
Zero dropped to one knee, hand pressing the shallow wound. He felt no fear.
Only focus.
He stood again.
"If it's honor you want," he muttered, "then I'll show you how a ghost duels."
Skill Activated: Phantom Descent.
Zero vanished—this time leaving behind no sound, no presence. Even the boss's eyes widened, sensing—
Too late.
CRACK!
The hilt of Emberfang slammed into the back of the samurai's armor. The warrior stumbled.
Zero spun low, sweeping the boss's leg. Another strike. Then another.
A spinning slash shattered the glowing runes on the samurai's chestplate. Sparks burst from his armor as energy flared—then died.
The boss dropped to one knee. His katana slipped from his grasp.
Panting, he looked up at Zero.
"You… are no ordinary shadow."
Zero stood tall, steady.
"Neither are you."
The samurai nodded slowly.
"You walk the line between the assassin's path… and the honor of the blade. One day, you must choose."
He drew a breath, then added, "As for me—I honor the blade. Let us end this in one final strike."
The boss formed hand signs. His body shrank slightly, energy concentrating into a denser form. When it was over, he stood more compact, yet heavier with power—his presence doubled.
Now standing at six-foot-eight, his aura burned.
"A second stage?" Zero murmured, gripping his dagger tighter. "This is gonna be tough."
The two warriors clashed again—faster than lightning. So fast that none but Stealth, just waking, could follow their movements. Their strikes blurred the air, shaking the walls. Steel howled in the chaos.
Then—
BOOM!
They struck each other simultaneously, sent flying into opposite ends of the chamber, crashing into stone.
Zero groaned, pulling himself from the wall.
"We're evenly matched in this form…" he muttered.
Then louder:
"Scarlet. Hit me with your fire magic."
She looked stunned. "You'll get hurt—"
"Trust me. Do it."
Scarlet hesitated—then obeyed.
Fireballs raced toward him. Zero slashed through them, absorbing the flames into his dagger. Emberfang shimmered, glowing hotter than ever.
New Skill Acquired: Wrath of the Flames.
Zero grinned under the mask.
"All right. I'm starving. Let's end this."
He bowed.
The boss returned it.
Then, with a roar, they surged forward—faster, deadlier than before. They collided—
BOOM!
An explosion rocked the dojo.
When the smoke cleared, the samurai was on one knee, his blade shattered beside him.
Zero stood above him, panting, cloak torn, chest heaving—blood trickling from his side.
The samurai looked up with fading strength.
"Choose your path wisely," he whispered. "I see both hope… and destruction in you."
With his final breath, he smiled.
Then, his body dissolved into mist—his spirit finally at rest.
DUNGEON CLEARED.
The dojo trembled gently. The twin doors at the rear slid open, revealing a glowing portal of blue light—the exit.
Aftermath
Back at the guild hall, the team gathered around a table.
Stealth, wrapped in fresh bandages, sipped a potion. Scarlet tended to him. Tank ate in silence.
Zero stood apart, leaning against the wall.
Scarlet looked up.
"You saved us today. And you're the... Phantom Ghost. Why?" Her voice softened. "Why didn't you tell us?"
Zero didn't respond at first.
Then, he walked over and sat beside her.
"I'll tell you everything," he said quietly. "And why I didn't."
"There was another team. Long before you guys."
Scarlet's expression shifted. She listened.
"I trusted them. They trusted me. Until I made a call that got half of them killed. I survived... alone."
Tank looked up, brows furrowed.
"That's why you never lead."
Zero nodded.
"That's why I fight from the shadows. I strike when it matters—but I don't want to lead anyone into a grave again."
Scarlet reached over, placing her hand over his.
"You're not alone anymore."
Zero didn't answer.
But this time… he didn't pull away.
Far Above the Mortal Realm
High on her celestial throne, the Goddess watched in silence.
"So... he still bears guilt," she whispered, fingers resting on her chin.
"That guilt will either make him stronger… or destroy him."
Her golden eyes narrowed.
"Soon, the test will begin."