It didn’t take very long for Kahn to see a portal leading to what seemed like another dimension within the building.

After slaughtering his way inside, he finally arrived at the room he needed to use in gaining access to the true campus.

The distortion before him twirled and swirled, emitting a purplish-blue glow.

Kahn felt like he would get sucked into it if he moved any closer, so he simply maintained his distance. This was it!

Beyond this portal was Ainzlark Academy!

What lay beyond there could either be a trap or the genuine thing.

“Shadow…”

In a whoosh, Kahn seemed to divide, and a copy of himself tore from the main body. There now existed two Kahns, though their physique told of the difference between the two.

This duplicate had shorter horn-like ears. No spikes protruded from its shoulders either. It had a less menacing presence, and was also shorter than the original.

“Go. Observe.”

Immediately responding to his instructions, the Shadow minion lunged toward the portal and vanished within it.

Kahn watched the distortion swallow a vestige of himself, and then used his link to that vestige to observe what was happening on the other side. He closed his eyes, and his sight was opened in another place.

-

He saw whatever his minion saw. It was indeed true! Beyond the swirling portal was their goal!

‘Good…’

With that in mind, Kahn returned to his original senses and opened his eyes to see the warbling rift in front of him.

He wasted no time stepping forward and entering the portal, feeling as space warped around him and his senses became distorted. He didn’t panic, though.

In a moment, the Demon appeared on the vast plains within the Academy.

“Haa…” Kahn sniffed the clear air within Ainzlark Academy.

The night breeze was wonderful, and the pleasant scent of nature made even the creature of evil satisfied. He raised both arms, as though welcoming a hug, and grinned to himself.

“This… is it, ah?”

Kahn’s white eyes witnessed the beauty of the place he was about to sully. Soon, it would be coated in darkness and fear, but the Demon couldn’t care less. No… perhaps he felt some form of excitement—something welling up within him.

“I can’t wait…”

Slits formed on his darkened face, revealing his sharpened black teeth as he smiled widely.

His other minion stood behind him, but not long after, several others appeared.

Darkness surrounded the plains, and many Kahns could be seen touching the grass. Many Shadow Demons, all led by their general. Kahn stood, having so many versions of himself ready for a siege—A One-Man Army!

“Let us do this. Today… we shall strike the first blow to the human race!”

An image appeared in Kahn’s mind—no, two did.

One was of the few humans he actually acknowledged, and the pact he made with them. But, that was so long ago. Besides, humans were already a threat to his race! He didn’t care about those words any longer.

Then the second was the boy he was after. He had ingrained his picture in his head. There was no way he would forget his prey.

There were several ways to kill the brat, but he had to go according to plan, and that was…

“I’ll simply make him come to me. Now…”

His minions readied themselves, awaiting command.

“Wreak havoc and chaos! Let the carnage begin!”

WHOOOOOSSSSHHHH

In an instant, they vanished in the darkness, headed for their respective areas. Their black gaits could barely be illuminated by the moonlight, yet they raced like sniveling rats, hoping for their share of despair.

Kahn watched as he also began heading in a different direction.

‘I’m only meant to kill one of them, but… why leave the rest alive?’

They would only be nuisances in the future.

He had several targets.

The monument, the library, the sacred area, the dorms, etc.

By attacking several areas at once, no one would be able to fully understand what he was after—at least, not until it was too late.

Kahn’s destination was the most pivotal area—one which was indispensable to the operation. It was both an area of advantage and that of weakness.

He couldn’t leave that task to anyone but himself. Besides, according to the words of the strange human shrouded in darkness… his prey was going to make his way there.

“I’ll be waiting, Jared Leonard…”

With this, Kahn vanished into the darkness as well.

********

WHOOSH

I swiftly rose from my bed, sitting upright in an instant.

‘Something isn’t right…’

My dark room was as it should have been, and while my vision was a little impaired, none of my senses were. I had prepared for this night since I realized the plan of my opponent.

“He’s going to use the Penalty as a distraction for me, but in actuality, he’ll strike sooner. It has to be tonight!”

My eyes darted at the clock, and it was around 11:00 PM. It was the perfect time to act, at least close to it. Why wasn’t anyone coming?

I had set lots of traps across my room and even prepared my cards well. Yet… what was going on? No one was coming. I couldn’t even sense anyone approaching my room at all.

It was perplexing.

“Did I read too much into their action? Is the penalty really it? No…”

I was certain my opponent was smarter than that.

But, maybe I was miscalculating…

Maybe…

…

My eyes bulged as I felt something creep up my spine.

I had been worried that I sensed no presence earlier, but now I could feel something approaching. No, that wasn’t quite an apt description. It wasn’t just one. They were several… and judging by their movement patterns, it didn’t seem like their target was me.

It was at this moment that my eyes widened—almost to the point of being bloodshot.

I WAS WRONG!

I had thought the opponent would attack me in my comfort zone, trying another assassination or something close… but to think they would use this tactic! It was a bold move, but considering who I was up against, I couldn’t rule out the possibility!

“They’re trying to force my hand…”

This was no longer a battle on my turf! The enemy was luring me out, and I had no choice but to respond. I could feel the presence around me increase. They were dark and sinister… filled with bloodlust and malevolence.

If they were this much and this powerful, then that could only mean one thing.

I wasn’t the only one they were after!

‘This dorm… is surrounded! We’re hostages!’