The black smoke pouring out of the Rift was growing denser. The village soil lifted into the air, rooftops trembled, and the empowered creature's red eyes burned brighter, as though its body was completely under someone else's control.
Kael gripped his sword tightly and stood beside Ryu.
"This thing… it's no longer a normal monster. You need to take this seriously."
Ryu smirked faintly, his face still relaxed.
"I do take things seriously… but only when it's fun."
Kael glared at him. "Your jokes are going to get you killed."
Ryu gave him a small smile. "And your anger is going to ruin your focus."
The masked man—the one who had come from the Rift—extended his hand toward the creature. His voice echoed with a terrifying calmness.
"And you two… are just pieces of the game. Let's see how long you can last."
The creature roared and lunged forward, attacking Kael in a single jump. Its swing was so powerful it cut through the air. Kael blocked with his sword; sparks and the sound of crackling energy filled the air, but his weapon quivered under the impact. The creature's strength was far beyond normal.
Ryu conjured a golden magic circle and threw it beneath the creature's feet. Golden spikes rose from the ground and pierced its body. The creature halted with a growl but immediately spread its smoke, shattering the spikes apart.
Kael shouted, "Ryu! Distract it, I'll strike its core!"
Ryu smirked. "Feels like a boss fight… fine, I'll play the tank."
He stepped directly in front of the creature and spun his hand, forming another magic circle. This time, small golden shards spun through the air like a rain of tiny blades. The creature attacked furiously, but Ryu avoided every blow with half-step movements.
Kael took the opening, leaping high into the air and plunging his sword into the creature's chest. A deafening roar shook the ground, and the red glow in its eyes flickered for a moment.
Then the masked man's voice thundered, "You think you're winning? You're just wandering in a maze… RYUJIN."
Ryu froze. For the first time, his expression changed. His smirk vanished, and confusion flickered in his eyes.
"…What did you just call me?"
The masked man laughed quietly. "Ryujin… your true name. Your old self… don't you remember?"
Ryu looked at him, his face serious. For a brief moment, an image flashed in his mind—an old memory, a woman crying, and someone calling out:
"Ryujin… don't go back…"
A sharp pain struck his head, but he quickly regained control. His smirk returned as he looked back at the masked man.
"Interesting… you know more about me than I do. But here's my rule—whoever calls me by my past name doesn't live long."
Kael stared at him in shock. "Ryujin? Your name… isn't Ryu?"
Ryu looked at him and smirked. "Call me Ryu. The rest of the names are for the past."
The creature roared again, its body growing more unstable. The masked man raised a hand and shouted, "Destroy them!"
The creature unleashed a violent blast. Kael and Ryu were thrown backward, the ground cracked, and houses collapsed.
Kael struggled to his feet and looked at Ryu. "We can't hold it much longer… got another plan?"
Ryu took a slow breath and smiled. "Yeah… just trust me for once."
Kael glared in frustration. "I don't trust you."
Ryu chuckled. "Then pretend. You're better at acting than you are at talking."
Kael exhaled sharply and nodded. "Fine… tell me what to do."
Ryu formed a massive golden magic circle that spread across the ground. His expression turned serious as he said, "When I tell you, hit its core with your strongest attack. I'll hold it down."
Kael tightened his grip on his sword and nodded.
Ryu's eyes gleamed as he looked at the masked man and said softly, "You can call me Ryujin or Ryu… but today, I'm just a gamer using cheat codes."
He snapped his fingers, and golden chains burst from the ground, wrapping around the creature. It roared, thrashing wildly, but the chains held it down. Kael leapt into the air, his sword glowing like lightning, and struck the creature's core.
A massive explosion echoed through the sky. Light burst in all directions, and the creature disintegrated with a thunderous roar, its black smoke scattering into the wind.
The masked man stood silent for a moment, then laughed quietly. "So… you really are still the same. Fine then… the game isn't over yet, Ryujin."
He vanished into the smoke, and the Rift slowly began to close.
Kael fell to the ground, glaring at Ryu. "You… you really are something else."
Ryu simply smiled faintly and walked back toward the bench. "Yeah… but you should still call me Ryu. The rest of the story… later."
The Rift gradually sealed shut. The black light faded from the air, and after the creature's destruction, silence once again fell over the village. People began to emerge from their homes—some stared at Ryu and Kael in fear, others with gratitude, and a few still with suspicion.
Ryu sat back on the bench as if nothing had happened. His face was calm, though a faint weariness lingered in his eyes. Kael stood beside him, his face serious and slightly confused.
"You really are different."
Ryu smiled lightly, picking up his drink.
"Is that a compliment or a warning?"
Kael sighed. "I still don't trust you… but without you, we'd all be dead."
Ryu swirled his drink and replied with a smile,
"Don't trust me. I don't like people depending on me."
Kael looked at him and said quietly,
"Even so… fighting beside you—it was strange, but not wrong."
Ryu gave him a faint smile. "First step of friendship? Just don't touch me, and we'll be fine."
Kael rolled his eyes. "You're irritating."
Ryu chuckled. "I know."
Elira approached them slowly. Her expression carried a gentle smile, but her eyes showed concern. She stood before Ryu and asked softly,
"Are you… all right? You're not hurt, are you?"
Ryu looked at her, his face softening slightly.
"Hurt? No… just a bit bored."
Elira laughed quietly and sat down beside him.
"You're feeling bored even after such a big fight?"
Ryu looked up at the sky and smiled faintly.
"It's boring until something breaks me."
Elira looked at him, her expression a little sad.
"Sometimes, it feels like… even when you smile, you look terribly lonely inside."
Ryu looked at her for a moment, then smirked lightly.
"You're a herbalist, but your observation skills beat most doctors."
Elira simply gazed at him quietly and said softly,
"Still… I don't think you're as bad as people believe."
Ryu gave her a small, genuine smile—perhaps the first real one anyone had seen.
Kael looked at them both and said quietly, "I'm leaving tomorrow morning. You can come along if you want."
Ryu looked at him and shrugged.
"We'll see… maybe your boring journey will get a little interesting."
Kael nodded silently and walked away.
Elira stayed behind, watching Ryu.
"How long will you stay here?" she asked softly.
Ryu glanced at her and smiled faintly.
"As long as the game stays interesting."
Elira looked at him quietly, then stood up slowly. As she walked away, she turned back once—Ryu was sitting on the bench, eyes on the sky, his face calm, but in his eyes lay a hidden depth only a few could see.
---
The masked man stood in a dark chamber. In front of him was another figure—his face unseen, but glowing with ancient symbols across his body.
The masked man spoke quietly,
"He hasn't remembered his true name… but he fights just like before."
The other man replied in a low voice,
"Good… Ryujin must not remember. Not yet. When he does… the game wi
ll end."
The masked man chuckled softly.
"Until then… we'll make him remember."
The darkness deepened, swallowing the room in an ominous silence.
To be continued…