Ryojin extended his hand as he leaned toward the carriage, and the tendrils erupted.
"The tendrils respond to my will," he muttered. "These will be highly useful in combat." He moved his hand to the left, and the tendrils followed.
"I also used teleportation during my fight with Darius," he recalled. "Can I still do it?" He walked away from the carriage. "I'm likely not going to get the time to test these abilities, so this is the perfect time and place—no living person in sight." He paused. "Well, at least not anymore conscious."
"Okay, how do I do it? The last time was more like a reflex," he inhaled sharply. "My body just melted into tendrils, and I reappeared above Darius."
"I'll try to teleport to the entrance of the tower." He closed his eyes and slowed his breathing.
"Relax, relax, Ryojin," he muttered to himself. He felt the runes on his body pulse with energy. Slowly, his body began melting into tendrils—from the toes to his middle section, then the upper body—and he vanished.
Reopening his eyes, he found himself standing at the entrance of the tower—he had teleported.
"Wonderful," his voice boomed with satisfaction. "This ability, mixing it with speed, makes it even deadlier." He looked at the carriage. "And now, back to the carriage."
He vanished once more and appeared near the carriage.
"Perfect."
His eyes drifted to the two unconscious bodies. "What should I do with these guys?" He slowly walked towards them. "The chances of them dying due to the cold temperature are high." He knelt before the two, his expression showing no hints of mercy. "Why should I care if they die? Such people are a disgrace to manhood."
Then, a voice—similar to that of a child—boomed from a distance.
"How could you be beaten like that? You didn't even showcase the incredible abilities I gave you," it sighed. "You are honestly a disappointment."
Ryojin remained still for a moment, his expression laced with confusion. He slowly stood up and looked in the direction where the voice had come from.
His eyes landed on what looked like a short boy, whose body was made of fire, floating on top of Ben's body.
"Hey Ben, wake up, you idiot," the boy hissed, slapping Ben on the cheeks. " From now on our pact is broken- I cannot chain myself to a perverted weakling."
"Am I seeing illusions again?" he thought as he slowly closed his eyes.
As he reopened them, the fiery boy—with glowing red eyes—was floating right in front of him.
"Hello, can you see me?"
Ryojin, startled, fell onto his back. He then quickly rose to his feet and his aura began to flare.
"Stay back," he sneered, breathing heavily as he formed a stance.
"Whoa, whoa, tiger, no need to get aggressive," the boy shook his head as he floated. "I mean no trouble, man"
"What are you?" Ryojin asked his voice laced with uncertainty, his stance not wavering.
"What am I?" The fiery boy tapped his chin as he stood on the carriage in a composed manner. "I am destroyer of kingdoms, hero of the damned." He looked up at the moonlight. "I am the fire in…" He paused, dropping his head. "What was that word again? Incatri." He shook his head. " No. it was Inca.. "
He sighed in disappointment. "How did I fail to pull it off again? I ruined my introduction…"
Ryojin's expression shifted from uncertainty to confusion as he watched the boy talking to himself. He slowly dropped his stance and turned away from the fiery figure.
"Maybe I'm just too tired," he ran a hand through his hair. "I'll just put the katana and armor in a hiding spot, then return to Nefaria—so I can get some sleep."
He vanished and reappeared at the entrance of the tower. With low, steady steps, he entered the tower, walked down the stairs, and entered the small room.
"I'll just put them in a corner," he muttered as he picked up the katana and armor. He walked toward the corner and gently placed them there.
"So, you are an Abyssal Clan remnant?" the fiery boy said, leaning on the doorway. "Though you guys are kinder evil, I like you."
Ryojin, without a word, walked past the boy. He ascended the steps and finally exited the tower.
"Hey, why are you ignoring me?" the boy inquired as he followed Ryojin. "If you don't know, I'm a spirit."
"A spirit?" Ryojin repeated, turning to face him. "Then how come I can see you?"
"I don't know either," the boy replied. "I saw how you took out my former partner—Ben and the other two morons,You were amazing, and for that, I would like us to form a pact."
Ryojin looked at Ben's body from a distance. "He's the guy who formed a pact with you?"
"Yes, but he's no longer important. I've broken our pact—he was useless." The boy smiled. "But you seem worthy."
"No," Ryojin answered as he walked toward the carriage.
The boy floated beside him. "What do you mean by saying no?"
"It means I have refused."
"Let me tell you something—you're very lucky that a powerful spirit like me is willing to form a pact with you."
"I said not interested."
"Come on, man, you and I could be the second duo to reach Luminara Regent."
Ryojin reached the carriage. "I'm good the way I am."
"Oh, you think Abyssal energy abilities can rival those of a pact bearer?"
Ryojin gestured to Ben's unconscious body. "Well, ask him or his friends which one is better."
"That guy is useless. If he had fully learned how to wield my abilities, he could've taken you out with ease."
Ryojin didn't respond. He simply walked forward.
"Open."
The sky shattered and revealed his room. With a final shaky breath he walked through.
The boy's jaw dropped in surprise. "How the hell is he able to do that?" Before the portal completely closed, the boy slipped through.