[You have defeated: Forest Howler (D-Rank Boss)] [Level Up!] [Level: 3 → 5] [Skill Acquired: Sonic Howl (D-Rank)] [Skill Acquired: Alpha Instinct (Passive)]
The moment Renji faced Kaine and his thugs, power surged through him. His senses were sharper. He could hear the shift of a boot in dirt, the flick of a dagger, the tightening of a bowstring.
"With this skills I can easily win."
Renji muttered, cracking his neck.
"Let's begin!!!."
Kaine smirked and pull out his weapons.
"Let me show you what fear is!"
the dagger-wielding thug lunged forward, blade gleaming.
Renji vanished.
"Huh—!?"
SHOOM!
In a blur of motion, Renji reappeared behind him using Shadow Step, slamming a boot into his side and sending him tumbling into a tree.
"Gah—!"
The crossbowman shouted,
"He's fast—!"
, raising his weapon.
"Sonic Howl!"
Renji took a deep breath—and then roared.
A deafening wave of sound burst from his throat, infused with mana. The air trembled. The shockwave shattered branches and knocked both thugs back, disoriented.
"My ears—!!"
the crossbowman cried out, clutching his head.
Kaine gritted his teeth, shielding his face.
"..Huh..these skills were not describe in his form..."
Renji narrowed his eyes.
"What you guys only got this? I'd expected more than this."
Kaine drew his jagged sword, stepping forward.
"Fine. Let's see if you're all talk."
Their blades clashed.
CLANG!
Sparks flew as steel met steel. Kaine was strong — fast, ruthless, experienced. But Renji wasn't the same rookie who walked into the guild two days ago.
Every strike, every block — Renji's instincts sharpened.
[Alpha Instinct: Increases battle awareness against multiple enemies.]
Renji parried a wide slash and used Shadow Step to dodge behind Kaine. He slashed upward — cutting Kaine's back.
"Tch—damn kid!"
Kaine snarled, swinging blindly.
Renji ducked, rolled forward, and grabbed the crossbowman by the collar.
"Sleep."
He slammed the man's head against a rock.
Thud.
The thug collapsed.
The dagger guy tried to sneak up behind him—
But Renji already saw it coming.
He spun and cast—
"Fire Ball!"
The flame struck the thug's shoulder, knocking him flat. His weapon flew from his hand.
Kaine now stood alone.
Breathing heavy.
Sweat dripping.
"You…"
he growled.
"Something is not right..."
Renji walked toward him, slowly, steadily.
"What surrender already?"
Kaine charged with a shout—sloppy, desperate.
Renji used Shadow Step to vanish again, reappearing mid-air and bringing his dagger down hard—
CLANG!!
Kaine's blade cracked. He staggered back, dropping it.
Renji grabbed his collar and slammed him to the ground.
Later…
The doors of the Erandel Guild flew open.
Gasps erupted as Renji entered — dragging three unconscious bodies behind him with ropes.
The receptionist stared, stunned.
"You… what happened?"
Renji dropped the quest notice and pointed at Kaine.
"He tried to set me up. And tried to kill me."
"So I defeated them."
Gasps and murmurs filled the room.
"Kaine?! That guy's finally been caught?"
"I heard he killed his own party before…"
Renji dusted his coat and exhaled calmly.
"They're all yours."
Guild enforcers rushed in to take the criminals away.
The receptionist looked at him with wide eyes.
"…You're not just some F-rank, are you?"
Renji gave a small smirk.
"Guess you'll have to update my record again."