The next morning…
School felt completely normal.
Our P.T.
period had just started.
The volleyball court was full of laughter.
“Nice shot!” “Over here!” I jumped and hit the ball with all my strength.
Unfortunately…
The volleyball flew over the boundary and rolled toward a quiet corner near the school garden.
“I’ll get it!” I waved at my classmates and ran after the ball.
The voices behind me slowly faded.
I bent down to pick it up.
“…Got it.” At that exact moment…
Not far away…
An invisible figure silently watched me.
“So…” “There you are.” A cold smile appeared on his face.
“No guards.” “No magician.” “Perfect.” He slowly reached his hand toward me.
“Come with me, Vessel.” Just before his fingers could touch my shoulder— GRAB!
His wrist was caught.
His eyes widened.
“What—” Standing behind him…
Kakashi looked at him with calm, emotionless eyes.
“You picked the wrong target.” Before the man could react— BOOM!
Kakashi threw him high into the air with incredible force.
The invisible magic shattered instantly.
The enemy crashed through several trees beyond the school boundary.
I looked around in confusion.
“Huh?” For a second…
I felt as if someone had called my name.
But there was nobody there.
“…Weird.” Shrugging my shoulders…
I picked up the volleyball and ran back to my classmates.
— Far away…
Deep inside a silent forest…
The enemy struggled to stand.
He wiped blood from the corner of his mouth.
“So…” “It’s really you…” Kakashi slowly walked out from between the trees.
His black hoodie moved gently with the wind.
His calm eyes never left his opponent.
“You should’ve stayed away from her.” The man laughed.
“So she’s important after all.” Kakashi said nothing.
His silence was enough.
The enemy grinned.
“I only reached out to touch her…” “And look how angry you became.” Kakashi’s expression didn’t change.
“You talk too much.” The enemy’s smile widened.
“Then make me stop.” The next second— Both of them disappeared.
BOOM!
The forest shook.
Magic exploded in every direction.
Trees cracked under the force of their attacks.
The enemy fired countless blades of dark magic.
Kakashi dodged every single one with precise movements.
“You’re fast!” the enemy shouted.
“But not fast enough!” Dark chains shot toward Kakashi.
He raised one hand.
A blue magic barrier appeared for only a moment before shattering the chains.
The enemy rushed forward.
Their fists collided.
CRACK!
A shockwave echoed through the forest.
The enemy smiled wildly.
“I can see it now.” “You’re protecting that girl.” Kakashi calmly answered, “I’m protecting someone who has done nothing wrong.” The enemy laughed.
“That’s your weakness.” Kakashi’s voice remained steady.
“No.” “My weakness…” “…would be letting you reach her.” The enemy roared and charged again.
This time…
Kakashi didn’t move.
He waited.
One step.
Two steps.
Three.
The instant the enemy entered his range— Kakashi vanished.
The enemy’s eyes widened.
“Where—” A calm voice came from behind him.
“Too late.” A flash of blue magic cut through the air.
Everything became silent.
The enemy slowly looked down.
A deep wound crossed his chest.
He stumbled forward.
“…Impossible…” He collapsed onto the ground.
For a few seconds…
Only the sound of the wind remained.
Kakashi stood quietly, breathing heavily.
Small cuts covered his arms.
His hoodie was torn in several places.
He looked at the fallen enemy.
“…It’s over.” Suddenly…
The body began to dissolve into black particles.
Kakashi frowned.
“…What?” Within seconds…
Nothing remained.
Only the empty ground.
His eyes narrowed.
“So…” “You weren’t alone.” He slowly looked toward the sky.
“…How many of you came here?” He placed one hand over a wound on his shoulder.
A soft blue light surrounded it.
Healing magic slowly closed the injury.
“…This mission…” “…just became much more dangerous.” — Far away…
Inside a dark, forgotten place…
The same shadow figure stood silently.
The enemy’s lifeless body lay on the ground before him.
The shadow stepped forward…
And placed one foot on the corpse.
“Hmph.” “You couldn’t even survive.” His cold voice echoed through the darkness.
“But…” “What I wanted…” “…I finally have.” A slow smile spread across the shadows.
“So the Vessel really is in the human world.” He slowly looked into the darkness.
“…Kakashi.” “Our real game…” “…begins now.” End of Chapter 17