Cold wind swept across the abandoned railway station.
Rust covered the old tracks like dried blood.
Broken lights flickered weakly above cracked platforms while distant metal creaks echoed through the empty station. Old train carriages rested silently in the darkness, their windows shattered and covered in dust.
The place looked dead.
Forgotten.
Perfect for an ambush.
Riven walked forward slowly.
A long black coat swayed behind him with each step. Beneath it, he wore fitted dark-gray combat pants reinforced around the knees and black tactical boots with silver lining near the soles.
His expression was cold.
Not nervous.
Not hesitant.
Angry.
Aether spread outward from his body in waves.
Not hidden.
Not controlled.
Announced.
Like a declaration.
I'm here.
The atmosphere itself felt heavier with every step he took.
Near one of the pillars—
Two guards smoked casually while talking.
"…You think the young master's overdoing this?"
"Probably."
The second one exhaled smoke lazily.
"But if it keeps him entertained—"
He stopped.
Both of them felt it.
That pressure.
Their expressions changed instantly.
"…Someone's—"
Riven vanished.
A blur.
The next second—
He stood behind them.
One hand gripping each neck.
The guards' eyes widened.
Too late.
Crack.
Both bodies dropped lifelessly onto the platform.
Riven didn't even look back.
He kept walking.
Deep inside the station—
A hidden chamber buzzed with dim artificial light.
Ardyn sat casually on an old metal chair while his butler stood beside him silently.
Then—
The butler's eyes narrowed.
"Young Master…"
Ardyn looked up.
"…Hm?"
"I can no longer sense Number Seven or Number Nine."
Silence.
Then Ardyn smirked faintly.
"…So he came."
The butler nodded once.
"And…"
A brief pause.
"…he has advanced to three-star."
Ardyn's eyes sharpened slightly.
"…Three-star."
Then—
A grin slowly appeared on his face.
"Now things are becoming interesting."
Suddenly—
A dark overwhelming aura flooded the chamber.
The metal walls vibrated faintly.
Several weaker Ascendants inside instinctively stepped backward.
The butler's expression became serious.
"…Bring him down."
Eight figures moved simultaneously.
Fast.
Coordinated.
Riven entered the chamber calmly.
Then—
He moved.
His stance shifted instantly.
Grounded.
Flowing.
Kethra Vein Art.
Aether surged violently around his body.
"Kethra Vein Art…"
His eyes narrowed.
"First Move—"
The air twisted.
"Flying Serpent Rampage."
A giant serpent-like construct formed from condensed aether, spiraling violently around him.
The chamber exploded into chaos.
The serpent crashed forward with terrifying force—
Bodies slammed into walls instantly.
Bones shattered.
Several Ascendants collapsed unconscious immediately.
Others coughed blood while trying to stand.
The entire chamber shook violently.
Ardyn's smile widened.
"…Beautiful."
The butler stepped forward slowly now.
Unlike the others—
His aura remained stable.
Heavy.
Controlled.
Peak four-star Ascendant.
Riven immediately felt the difference.
This man was dangerous.
The butler adjusted his gloves calmly.
"Young Master," he said quietly, "allow me."
Riven ignored him.
His eyes locked onto Ardyn.
"Where's my father?"
Ardyn blinked twice.
Then suddenly burst into laughter.
Loud.
Mocking.
"I told you," he said while wiping a tear from his eye, "this idiot knows absolutely nothing."
Riven frowned sharply.
"…What do you mean?"
Ardyn leaned back lazily.
"How about you survive first?" he smirked. "Maybe then I'll answer."
Riven stepped forward angrily.
"At least tell me if he's al—"
Before he could finish—
The butler moved.
A brutal kick slammed directly into Riven's face.
Boom.
Riven crashed through the side of an old train carriage, metal bending inward violently.
Dust exploded everywhere.
For a few seconds—
Silence.
Then—
The wreckage shifted.
Riven slowly stood up, blood running down the corner of his mouth.
His breathing grew heavier.
His eyes colder.
"Kethra Vein Art…"
Aether gathered around his legs and shoulders.
"Third Move—Iron Current Breaker."
His body exploded forward.
Faster than before.
The butler's eyes narrowed slightly.
Riven attacked relentlessly now.
Punches.
Elbows.
Kicks.
Every movement flowed into the next with almost unnatural rhythm.
The butler blocked most attacks calmly—
But even he was slowly being pushed backward.
Riven mixed Kethra Vein Art with standard martial techniques:
boxing footwork
karate strikes
elbow counters
Wild.
Adaptive.
Unpredictable.
The butler's sleeve tore slightly.
For the first time—
His expression changed.
"…Talented."
Riven stepped in again—
Aether concentrated into his fist—
But suddenly—
Boom.
A flaming punch crashed directly into Riven's ribs.
His body flew across the chamber violently.
Ardyn stood there now.
Fire-like aether danced around his arms.
His smile looked almost excited.
"You forgot about me."
Riven coughed violently while forcing himself back up.
Ardyn moved instantly.
His martial art was completely different.
Aggressive.
Explosive.
Every movement carried burning force behind it.
Riven blocked—
Pain exploded through his arms instantly.
Another strike came.
Then another.
The butler joined again.
Now it became one-sided.
Riven was forced backward repeatedly.
Every defense felt heavier.
Slower.
His body screamed in pain.
Ardyn laughed loudly while attacking.
"Did you seriously think we kidnapped your father?"
A kick slammed into Riven's stomach.
He crashed into another carriage.
Ardyn walked forward slowly.
"Your father is a Deputy Director of the CSD."
His expression twisted slightly with irritation.
"Do you even understand how insane it would be to kidnap someone like that?"
The butler added calmly:
"The Association's laws alone would destroy any family involved."
Riven froze slightly.
Ardyn scoffed.
"It's already difficult touching normal civilians without consequences…"
Then he grinned mockingly.
"And you thought I'd abduct one of the highest-ranking CSD officials?"
Riven's breathing became uneven.
His mind replayed everything.
The call.
The threat.
The station.
Then realization hit him like a truck.
"…I got played."
Ardyn burst into laughter again.
"I even made a bet with him you wouldn't know basic political laws."
Then his smile widened.
"Tell me…"
His eyes narrowed mockingly.
"…did Ivan not explain this to you?"
For one brief moment—
Relief hit Riven.
His father was alive.
Safe.
But immediately after—
Frustration exploded inside him.
At himself.
He should've told Ivan.
Should've thought properly.
Should've—
Ardyn suddenly crouched in front of him slightly.
"But honestly…"
His expression darkened.
"…you being involved in the Velkhar incident might be even better."
Riven looked up sharply.
Ardyn smiled coldly.
"If I prove your involvement publicly…"
Aether flames flickered around his hand.
"…your entire family becomes vulnerable."
Silence.
Something inside Riven snapped.
Instantly.
He moved.
Not toward them—
Toward the exit.
Fast.
The butler reacted immediately.
A blur.
A punch slammed toward Riven's spine—
But Riven twisted mid-motion and countered with an elbow strike while continuing to run.
The station exploded into movement.
Riven fought while retreating.
Every second mattered.
The butler chased relentlessly.
Precise.
Efficient.
Dangerous.
Several clashes erupted across the abandoned platforms.
Metal bent.
Concrete cracked.
Riven's breathing became heavier and heavier.
But even now—
He kept adapting.
The butler noticed it clearly.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
If this boy survives long enough…
Another clash.
…he'll become troublesome.
The butler suddenly stepped back calmly.
He raised his wrist.
A holographic screen emerged from his watch instantly.
Riven's image appeared.
Then—
A red notification spread across the screen.
TARGET IDENTIFIED.
BOUNTY AUTHORIZED.
The butler pressed confirm without hesitation.
Somewhere far away—
Countless devices lit up simultaneously.
A new target had entered the underground world.
And then—
The hunt began.
End