Ryu looked up at the sky. The black smoke between the distant mountains was growing darker and thicker. His face was no longer calm like a tourist’s—there was a gleam in his eyes, the kind of gleam only a hunter possesses.“High-Level Entity, huh? Finally, something worth watching.”The villagers stared at him with a mix of fear and hope.“Sir, don’t go there… death awaits!” an old man said in a trembling voice.Ryu gave him a casual smile.“Death is only for those who can die.”He lightly adjusted his golden cloak and began to walk. With each step, the grass bent beneath his feet, and an eerie pressure spread through the air, as if something immense was about to happen. Near the mountain’s edge, the forest had turned into a broken, scorched wasteland. The trees were burning, and a massive black wolf had surrounded its prey with a ring of creatures. Black flames burst from its body, and its crimson eyes burned with fury.Ryu glanced at its level for a moment, and a faintly mocking smi

After sunset, an eerie silence hung over the village. Ryu sat back on the same old bench, swirling his drink as if nothing had happened. Elira was distributing herbal medicine to the villagers, and slowly, life was returning to normal. Yet, in their eyes, there was still a faint trace of fear—the fear of a man who could wipe out an entire gang with a single snap of his fingers.Ryu looked up at the sky with a faint smirk. “Today’s drama is over… or maybe not.”There was a small glint in his eyes, as if he could sense something. He placed his cup on the bench and slowly stood up.The faint sound of a sword’s cold ring echoed through the air. Ryu turned his head and saw—a tall, lean man standing at the village gate. His short silver hair gleamed slightly in the fading light, his face sharp and arrogant. A black sword hung across his shoulder, faint runes glowing on its blade.The man began walking forward slowly.“So you’re the one… killing the Rift Beast and pretending to be a hero?”R

Ryu slowly placed his hand on the old wooden gate that marked the final boundary of the village. The scent of soil and burnt wood still lingered freshly in the air. For a brief moment, all those faces appeared in his mind—the ones who, until yesterday, either thanked him or lowered their eyes in fear.Elira stood a little behind him. Her small basket rested in both her hands, her fingers nervously tracing around its handle, as if she was lost in some other moment. Kael stood quietly with his sword resting on his shoulder. His face was as serious as ever, but the subtle rhythm in his steps showed that even he wasn’t taking this departure lightly.Ryu turned once over his shoulder. A few villagers stood near the gate—some had gratitude in their eyes, some had doubt, and some wore that uneasy silence that only fear can bring. He gave a faint, small smile—the kind of smile that was neither joy nor sorrow, but of someone who had seen everything and still couldn’t say a word.Elira slowly s

The night had grown even darker. The silence of the forest felt heavier now, as if something was hiding behind every tree. Ryu walked at the front, his eyes scanning every trunk, every faint mark among the leaves. Kael followed closely, his sword gripped tightly, while Elira tried to steady her breathing, as if calming her own heartbeat.The rustle of leaves grew sharper for a moment. Ryu stopped. His hand lifted slightly into the air—a silent signal. Kael froze instantly, tightening his hold on his sword. Elira’s fingers clutched her basket even tighter.Ryu spoke softly."They’re here."And in the very next moment, shadows began to shift behind the trees. A faint whistle cut through the air, and suddenly, men emerged from every direction—around ten of them—armed with knives, swords, and bows. Their leader had a long scar across his face and carried an old, worn axe in his hand.The scarred man grinned."Well, boys, look what we have here… a man, a woman, and a swordsman. Luck’s on o

Night had wrapped the city in its arms. The scattered lanterns in the bazaar were now dimming, and the air carried an old silence mixed with spices and dust. This part of the city, the old western gate, now belonged to no one — only stone walls and collapsed-roof houses where humans lived only in dreams.Ryu stood on the roof of an old building. Below him, Elira and Kael were sleeping, or at least they appeared to be. He looked at the sky — his face illuminated by the half-moon in a faint light. No one knew how many voices were hidden inside him — and how many times he had suppressed them.Elira opened her eyes. She heard the soft echo of Ryu’s footsteps reverberating on the roof. Thinking for a moment, she got up and climbed the straight stairs.Ryu turned to look. Moonlight fell on Elira’s hair. In her hands was the same old small basket, now containing only two dried fruits.“Elira,” Ryu said in a soft tone, “you should have slept.”Elira smiled and looked at the sky. “Sleep and pe