After evening, an eerie silence hung over the village.
Ryu was once again sitting on that old bench, swirling his drink as if nothing had happened.
Elira was distributing herbal medicine to the villagers, and people were slowly returning to normal.
But in their eyes, there was still a faint fear—a fear of the man who could wipe out an entire gang with a snap of his fingers.
Ryu looked up at the sky with a small smirk,
"Today's drama is over… or maybe not."
There was a small spark in his eyes, as if he was sensing something.
He placed his cup on the bench and slowly stood up.
A faint metallic hum of a sword echoed through the air.
Ryu turned his face—and there stood a tall, slender man at the village gate.
His short silver hair glimmered slightly in the fading sunlight, his face was sharp and arrogant.
A black sword hung over his shoulder, faint runes glowing on it.
The man began walking forward slowly.
"So you're the one… trying to become a hero by killing the Rift Beast?"
Ryu looked at him and smiled,
"Hero? No, just a tourist. Who are you? Brought an autograph or revenge?"
The man wiped his sword slightly and replied,
"My name is Kael. And I hunt those… who break the balance. Your name is Ryu, right?"
Ryu shrugged and said,
"You heard right. But 'breaking the balance'… good dialogue. Too bad your acting is weak."
A flicker of anger appeared on Kael's face.
He drew his sword and pointed it at Ryu.
"The creature you killed… was once human. And you ended it mercilessly. I can't trust you."
Ryu took a long breath and looked at him with a smile,
"Human… yes. But what do you think—that I killed it happily?
Your problem is… you don't see the truth, you're stuck in your hero complex."
Kael spun his sword swiftly, and a sharp slicing sound echoed in the air.
"I'll test you. Let's see how much truth you really carry."
Ryu raised his hand and summoned a small golden circle—his face still relaxed.
"Alright. If your test is entertaining enough, maybe I'll pass it."
Kael didn't waste time and charged toward Ryu.
His black sword flashed in the air, and his speed made it clear—this was no ordinary human strike.
Ryu simply took a half step to the side, and Kael's attack missed by inches.
"You're fast… but trying a little too hard."
Ryu smirked and snapped his fingers.
A golden ring formed beneath Kael's feet, and the ground slightly cracked.
But Kael was quick—he flipped through the air and landed behind Ryu, his blade right next to Ryu's neck.
Ryu looked at him and chuckled,
"Alright, you're kinda fun."
Kael glared,
"Can't you stop joking around?"
Ryu shrugged,
"No, because your anger makes it even more fun."
Kael was about to attack again when suddenly, the sky began to darken.
Both of them stopped.
A massive black rift opened in the sky, slowly growing larger.
From within, a terrifying light poured out, and immense pressure filled the air.
Kael immediately gripped his sword tighter and looked at Ryu,
"This… is a Rift! Another one's opening."
Ryu sighed and said,
"Looks like your test will have to wait. Now we'll both have to pass one."
Kael looked at him with suspicion,
"I don't trust you."
Ryu smirked,
"And I don't want to trust you. But what choice do we have? Die… or die together?"
Kael tightened his grip on the sword and muttered,
"Fine… but don't think this makes us friends."
Ryu replied with a grin,
"I'm not used to friends… just temporary partners."
The rift grew even larger in the sky, a terrifying rumble echoed, and the ground beneath began to crack.
Both of them stood, looking at the rift—each with different emotions.
On Kael's face: tension and anger.
On Ryu's: that same old relaxed smirk.
"Let's go… the game's getting interesting."
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— TO BE CONTINUED —