Time passed in a blink—it had been three days since they left the dangerous forest behind. Now, the two of them walked side by side along the main road of a small but bustling town. Though the sky was overcast, the town was alive with shouting merchants hawking their goods, children running through the streets, and the aroma of food from roadside stalls making their stomachs growl."We need a break—and real food. I’m tired of the dried stuff we’ve been eating in the forest," Serisya said in a playful tone, glancing at Hansen with a faint smile. A light drizzle cooled the air, but her presence made it feel warmer to him.Hansen nodded. "No problem. Let’s find a place that smells good."They chose a modest tavern at the corner of a street. It wasn’t too crowded, but it looked clean, and the scent of grilled meat filled the air. They sat at a corner table by the window while a slightly nervous waitress jotted down their order.Soon after, their food arrived—a steaming bowl of meat soup,

Countless pairs of eyes were fixed on the scene in the middle of the street. Some faces turned pale, others covered their mouths to hold back nausea. The pooling blood and Saung’s mutilated body made the air feel heavy, but behind the horror… there was also relief.Many townsfolk knew exactly who Saung was—the city’s troublemaker who had been causing problems for years. He often bullied, extorted, and defiled anyone weaker than himself. This time, the punishment he received was deemed fitting—more than fitting, in fact.Even so, whispers of worry began to spread."What he did was right… but what if Saung’s backers show up?" "Yeah, I heard his brother is a God King–level expert from the Black Hill Sect… if he finds out, that young man might be hunted to the grave."But the young man at the center of it all showed not the slightest trace of nervousness. Hansen simply looked down at Saung, who lay on the ground writhing with pain and rage. He didn’t kill him—he let his opponent suffer a

"What’s your name?" Serisya asked gently, leaning slightly so her eyes were level with the boy’s.The child didn’t answer right away. He glanced at Hansen—his gaze uncertain, yet filled with curiosity."Just answer," Hansen urged, his tone calm but firm.At last, the boy’s small lips moved. "My name… is Gundala."Serisya smiled faintly. "Which family are you from?" she asked again, gesturing for the boy to sit beside her. She studied his pale face and slightly messy long hair, like a child who had been traveling for some time without proper care.The boy slowly sat down next to her, then replied in a small voice, "The Adisutjipto family." After that, he gathered the courage to ask, "Can you… help me get home?"Serisya nodded firmly. "Of course, that’s not a problem," she said, turning to Hansen with a meaningful smile—wordlessly asking for his agreement.Hansen simply gave a short nod. "Far from here?" he asked.Gundala nodded. "My family… is north of the city."They wasted no time. A

Serisya rode a horse by herself, while Hansen and Gundala walked leisurely behind. Serisya had tried to refuse such treatment, feeling uneasy since she knew the journey was long, but Hansen insisted."A woman must be given comfort," Hansen said calmly with a small smile.To Hansen, a woman’s no was not always a true rejection, but sometimes humility or courtesy. Women, he thought, often carried double meanings in their words. And he chose to understand that through his actions, not merely words.Serisya eventually gave a faint smile, letting Hansen walk alongside Gundala. There was a subtle warmth she felt, though never spoken aloud.The journey stretched on. The sun rolled from its peak toward the west, its light now turning golden. After more than half a day, they finally reached the eastern part of the city.Before them stood a grand house, with a towering gate and dragon carvings winding along its pillars. The air around the residence felt different—laden with authority and an uns

Hansen did not wait long. His body leapt down from the horse, his movements swift like a shadow cutting through the night wind. The moment his feet touched the ground, the Heavenly Dragon Sword in his hand trembled as if resonating with its master’s fury.In a single breath, he swung the sword in a sharp arc. Sword aura gathered, exploded, then fused into a massive wave of energy shaped like an X. A silvery-blue light tore across the air, roaring like a raging dragon, and crashed into the enemy ranks ahead.The explosion thundered, splitting the earth, ripping apart trees, and hurling bodies helplessly into the air. Blood sprayed, screams echoed—then silence fell, suffocating and eerie.Behind one great tree, a man who had just finished relieving himself froze in shock. His hands were still fumbling with his trousers when the deafening blast erupted. He looked up with a pale face, eyes widening at the sight of blinding energy sweeping through his comrades."Wh–what was that just now…?