The jungle was silent. Ryu and the Rift Beast looked into each other's eyes—one a hunter and the other an enemy, yet between them there was neither rage nor fear. On the Beast's half-human face lingered a faint smile, and in its red eyes glimmered a strange recognition.
Ryu simply stood there, his face completely calm for the first time.
"You… you know my name?"
The Beast spoke in a deep, heavy voice,
"…You won't remember… but we've met before."
A faint spark lit in Ryu's eyes, as if his mind was trying to recall old images—but nothing came. He asked softly,
"You people… you're not just monsters, are you?"
For a moment, pain surfaced in the Beast's eyes. He lowered his claws, as though he didn't want to fight. His voice carried a human ache.
"…We too were once human."
Ryu's steps halted for a moment. His face was calm, but curiosity and a hidden worry shimmered in his eyes.
"Human? Then how did you—"
Before he could finish, a sharp crack resounded in the air. Above the jungle, a new rift opened, pouring pitch-black energy downward. Fear instantly flickered in the Beast's eyes.
"No… not again!"
Before Ryu could react, the black energy plunged straight into the Beast's body. The Beast roared, trembling with pain. His human face began to distort, and madness returned to his red eyes.
"Tch… someone else is controlling the rift."
The Beast lunged at Ryu, but every movement carried agony—as though he didn't want to fight. Ryu lowered his hand and said softly,
"You don't want to fight… but someone is forcing you."
The Beast grew more feral. His claws sharpened, and the air thickened with terrifying pressure. Ryu's eyes regained their old arrogance as he whispered,
"Fine… I won't let you suffer too long."
He traced with his finger in the air, golden magic circles floated around him. Then, for a brief moment, the Beast paused, his voice turning human again—
"…Ryu… don't kill me. There are… others… like us…"
Ryu stopped. His face calm, but his eyes deepened.
"Others? You all are—"
But before he could finish, the Beast roared again, hurling himself at Ryu. Ryu closed his eyes and whispered,
"…Alright. I'll set you free."
He raised both hands, golden rings flared brightly, and the air spun like lightning. The Beast threw his full weight at him. The earth quaked, explosions thundered through the jungle—
Then Ryu's system flashed a new message:
[Hidden Truth: "First Hero of Rift – Connection Confirmed"]
Ryu's eyes widened for a moment. For the first time, his face showed true shock.
"First Hero? You… you weren't just some random monster…"
Light surged from the Beast's body. For a moment, his human face returned. Smiling faintly, he said,
"…You'll remember everything… Ryu."
And with a burst of radiant light, he turned to dust. Only silence remained in the jungle. Ryu closed his eyes and whispered softly,
"…Looks like this game isn't as simple as I thought."
Above, the pitch-black rift widened further.
---
Ryu walked back toward the village through the forest. His face just as calm, as if returning from a casual stroll—not from battling a high-level monster.
At the village gates, people peeked nervously from behind their homes. Children went quiet, women pulled them back inside.
Ryu looked up at the sky and said softly,
"Did I steal their food that they're so afraid of me?"
A gentle voice answered from behind,
"No… they're not afraid. They just don't understand. You did something for them that was beyond their dreams."
Ryu turned. A girl stood there—long green hair glimmering in the sunlight, a simple brown leather dress, and a herbal pouch in her hand. Her eyes carried no fear, only curiosity.
"You?" Ryu said with a faint smile.
"I'm Elira… the village herbalist."
Ryu chuckled,
"Herbalist? From your voice I thought you were a philosopher."
Elira smiled.
"And you… don't look like a hunter."
Ryu shrugged.
"I think I'm just a tourist."
Elira was silent for a while, then asked,
"That creature… he was human, wasn't he? I heard he called your name."
Ryu was quiet for a moment, depth shimmering in his eyes. Then, with a faint laugh, he replied,
"You're a herbalist, not a detective. Better focus on your plants."
Elira sighed and fell silent. Ryu simply walked on.
---
By evening, the village was calm. Ryu sat on an old bench, sipping the local drink, completely relaxed. Suddenly, the sound of horses and screams echoed.
Elira came running, out of breath.
"Bandits are here! If nothing is done, the village will be destroyed!"
Ryu swirled his drink, looked at her, and said with a smirk,
"And you want me to do something? But you all fear me."
Elira's voice turned sharp,
"Fear doesn't mean hate… please."
Ryu smirked, standing up.
"Alright then… let's see what today's entertainment looks like."
---
At the gate stood a tall man—6 feet, his body covered in tribal tattoos, an old scar over one eye. His name was Gorak. Behind him, dozens of men armed with weapons were terrorizing villagers.
Gorak roared,
"Listen up! Hand over your food and gold, or your homes… will burn!"
Ryu stepped forward, his face calm.
"Nice dialogue, but your acting's a bit weak."
Gorak snarled,
"And who the hell are you?!"
Ryu smiled,
"Me? Just a tourist. Your show looked boring, so I thought I'd make an entry."
Gorak raised his hand, but Ryu simply snapped his fingers. The ground cracked beneath him, and Gorak fell with a crash. His men panicked.
Ryu said casually,
"Oh come on… your looting show hadn't even started."
He summoned a golden ring, suspending the bandits in midair as if bound by invisible ropes.
"Alright, rehearsal over. Now run along, and never come back."
Terrified, the bandits fled.
The village fell into silence. Slowly, people emerged, some with gratitude in their eyes. Elira approached Ryu.
"You're strange… but not as bad as people think."
Ryu laughed,
"I try to act bad, but people never give me the chance."
For the first time, Elira smiled openly. Ryu sat back on the bench, gazing at the sky, whispering softly,
"This game… seems more complicated."
Far in the sky, a small black crack flickered again—as though someone was watching from beyond.
—To Be Continued