few days had passed since Rey continued his string of adventurer quests. Each morning he trained his magic until his body ached, and each night he returned to the inn to collapse into bed and his rank was now D-rank. What was once a small ripple of gossip had become waves spreading throughout the capital.
He had become known as the youngest adventurer to reach D-rank by himself.
Adventurers whispered in taverns, guild halls, and even on the streets:
"Did you hear? That kid… they say his number is over 340,000."
"No way. That has to be a lie. He doesn't look that strong."
"Don't be fooled. I bet someone's helping him in secret, finishing his quests for him."
Rey ignored the chatter. To him, strength wasn't about fame. It was about survival
That afternoon, he completed a request at the guild counter.
"You've finished the quest," the receptionist said, counting the coins into a pouch. "Here is your payment for slaying the Ground Tree. Twenty-three silver."
Rey nodded silently, taking the reward.
The receptionist tilted her head. "Was the quest hard?"
Rey gave a faint shrug. "A little… but manageable."
As he exited the guild hall, whispers followed him like shadows.
"Look at that brat. Finishing another D-rank quest?"
"The Ground Tree's hide is sturdy as a mountain. There's no way he did it alone."
"I swear someone's covering for him."
Rey clenched the pouch in his hand but didn't slow his steps. Soon, he was back at the inn, the glow of a single lamp filling his small rented room. On the table lay a folded letter.
Rey picked it up and whispered, "I guess it's time I should meet this old lady… like Mr. Morgan said. Tomorrow, I'll venture out and find her. If I remember correctly, she lives in the Eastern Forest."
He lay back on the bed, the letter still in his hand, and drifted into sleep.
Morning came with golden sunlight. Rey descended to the inn's lobby, where the innkeeper tossed him three pieces of bread.
"Here, kid. You'll need this," she said with a grin.
Rey caught them easily. "Thanks."
"Good luck out there, Rey."
With a small nod, he walked into the bustling capital streets, nibbling on the bread as he made his way to the eastern gate. Just before he left the city, something caught his eye—a tall church with a giant stone cross on its roof.
For reasons he couldn't explain, his steps carried him inside.
The air was quiet and heavy with the scent of candles. At the far end stood a massive stone statue: a wise old man with a long beard, staff in hand, eyes solemn as though watching over all.
Rey knelt, closing his eyes. His voice trembled as he prayed.
"Oh God… please keep my mother and father safe, wherever they are in their other life. They never abandoned me, even when I was weak… even when I had no number. They protected me when I was bullied. Please… let them find peace."
A single tear slid down his cheek. After a moment, he stood, wiped his eyes, and left the capital of Glodaria behind.
The Eastern Forest loomed vast and thick. Shadows stretched between towering trees, and the air was alive with the distant roars of monsters.
Rey muttered, "This forest is too dense. Can barely see ahead." He swung his dagger, slicing through tall grass. "Why would an old lady live here of all places? These woods are dangerous… known for strong monsters."
He sighed with relief. "At least I haven't run into one yet."
But fate seemed to hear him.
A massive green shape rose in front of him, its body blending with the grass. The ground shook as it moved.
"What the hell…" Rey whispered, stepping back.
The shape unfolded into a Giant Mantis. Its forelegs gleamed like blades sharper than steel. Rey's mind flashed to a book he once read—the Giant Mantis could slice a boulder clean in half like it was butter.
The creature screeched and lunged.
Rey dove aside, the mantis's blade severing a thick tree in one swing.
"This isn't good!"
He raised his hand. "Fire Arrow!"
Four arrows of flame shot forward, but the mantis deflected them effortlessly with its scythe-like arms.
"Then… try this! Lightning Strike!"
Thunder rumbled above. A jagged bolt descended, cracking against the mantis's carapace. Smoke rose, but when the sparks cleared, the monster only bore a shallow wound.
"Tch. Just a scratch…"
Rey clenched his fists. He couldn't afford hesitation.
"Wind Hurricane!" A raging gale spun around the mantis, disorienting it.
"Fire Storm!" Flames surged into the wind, combining into a burning vortex.
The mantis shrieked, its wings charred, one leg torn away. But it still crawled forward, glaring at him with one smoldering eye.
"Then let's end this."
Rey's dagger shimmered with white particles. "Lightning Dash!"
In a blur of light, he shot forward, slashing five times in an instant. The mantis collapsed into pieces, its number dropping to zero. The Abyss consumed it, leaving behind only one severed foreleg.
Pressing deeper into the forest, Rey finally spotted smoke rising between the trees. A crooked roof came into view, topped with a mage's hat-shaped chimney.
He approached the door and knocked. "Hello? Is anyone there?"
Silence.
He tried again. Still nothing.
Cautiously, Rey turned the handle. The door creaked open, revealing chaos. Bookshelves toppled, windows shattered, plates broken. Scratches marked the walls, and five demon corpses lay sprawled across the floor—untouched, their numbers still intact.
"What happened here?"
Moving to the back, Rey found footprints leading into the woods.
"They must've kidnapped her… the blood's still warm. Can't be far."
He dashed after the trail, leaping into trees to move faster. His heart pounded as he spotted them: a group of demons, surrounding an old woman tied and suspended in the air.
One demon stood out. Flames rippled from his back like wings of shadowy fire.
Rey froze, breath catching. That's him… the demon who destroyed my village. The one who killed Father…
The flame-backed demon growled, "Tell us how to gain the Limitless Number. Speak, old hag!"
The woman coughed blood but spat back, "I don't know such a thing exist!"
"Lies!" One demon kicked her, and she cried out.
Rey clenched his dagger. "Not this time."
He whispered, "Water Spear."
From thin air, multiple spears of water formed and shot forward, piercing through the demons' chests, heads, and limbs. They collapsed instantly.
But the flame-backed demon caught one spear in his hand and crushed it.
His fiery eyes narrowed. "Who dares—?"
Rey stepped from the shadows, dagger in hand. "Do you remember me, demon? The boy from the village you burned."
The demon tilted his head. "Hah? Sorry, kid. I've destroyed so many villages I've lost count. You're nothing but another face in the ashes."
Rey's grip tightened. "It doesn't matter. I'm here for revenge—and to save her."
The demon chuckled darkly. "You dare challenge me? , wake up kid this isn't a game you know it's reality"
A black needle of fire formed at his fingertip and shot toward Rey. Rey dodged, sprinting forward, his dagger glowing.
"Lightning Dash!"
Rey blurred forward, but Draven blocked the strike with his shoulder, barely flinching.
"You're too weak." Draven swung a clawed fist. Rey vanished, reappearing at his flank, slashing. Draven teleported upward, summoning dozens of black flaming needles.
"Try dodging this!"
The sky rained with death. Rey leapt from one needle to the next, closing distance. Tentacles of black flame lashed from Draven's back.
"Hydro Gun!" Jets of water burst from Rey's hands, extinguishing the tentacles. He landed in front of Draven, clashing blade to claw.
Sparks flew.
"Not bad for a human brat," Draven admitted. "What's your name?"
"Rey."
Draven grinned. "Then remember mine. I am Draven, Phantom Flame, with a number of 230,000."
Rey's eyes narrowed. "So many… That's the lives of everyone you've slaughtered."
Draven smirked. "Afraid now?"
"No. Because when I'm in danger… your number will go down."
"You insolent brat!" Draven vanished, reappearing at Rey's back. His claws slashed, and beneath Rey's feet erupted with black flames like writhing vines.
"Black Flame Bind!"
The fire wrapped around Rey, burning into his skin. He dropped his dagger, gritting his teeth as the flames threatened to melt through his very flesh.
Draven laughed. "Struggle all you like. Soon, I'll absorb your number."
But then… pressure slammed down.
Draven froze. His number—230,000—sank to 210,000. Then 200,000.
"What is this?!" He staggered back, eyes wide. "No… not again! This feeling… like before—"
The black flames unravelled. Rey stood tall, smirking, his aura surging.
"I won't hold back anymore." He retrieved his dagger, mana bursting around him.
Draven's grin faltered. For the first time, his eyes held a flicker of fear.
Rey leveled his blade.
"Round three, Draven."