In the Laybirth Kingdom, under the full moon, a fierce clash erupted between Ryju and Jinko.
Ryju leapt back, sliding across the stone ground.
"Jinko, I'm going to defeat you—for the peace of this kingdom!" he declared, tightening into a fighting stance.
Jinko tilted his head, confused.
"…Who are you?"
Without answering, Ryju surged forward, fist blazing with red Spiritual Force. He threw a powerful punch—but Jinko caught it effortlessly with his sword.
"I asked you a question!" Jinko's voice sharpened with anger.
Ryju clenched his teeth, determination burning in his eyes.
"Like I said… I'm the one who'll beat you—for this kingdom's peace!"
Jinko smirked. "Then I'll beat it out of you. I'll show you the difference in levels, C-rank."
C-rank? He's talking about me? Ryju thought, his eyes narrowing.
Before he could react, Jinko's figure vanished.
"Huh? Where did he—"
A fist buried itself in Ryju's stomach, knocking the air out of him.
"Gah!" Ryju coughed as his body flew back, skidding across the ground.
But before he could recover, Jinko appeared at his side.
"What—?!"
A savage kick launched Ryju into the night sky.
"Damn it… he's fast!" Ryju growled, spinning midair, locking eyes on his opponent below.
"You're too far up…" Jinko squinted, raising his hand. "Let's bring you back down."
He vanished again, reappearing behind Ryju.
"Huh?!" Ryju barely turned his head before a brutal kick sent him crashing back toward the earth.
"He's… too fast," Ryju muttered, struggling to move.
Still in the air, Jinko spread his arms wide.
"The Divine Beams of Destruction!"
The clouds split open, glowing pillars of light pouring down from the heavens. The once-dark night sky blazed like day.
I've gotta move… now! Ryju thought, forcing his battered body up.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The beams struck the ground like divine hammers, obliterating buildings, shattering stone, and covering the kingdom in smoke. Ryju barely managed to roll behind the remains of a house, dodging death by inches.
"Damn it… that was too close," he panted, drenched in sweat.
The beams finally ceased. The night grew quiet.
"…Is it over?" Ryju whispered, peeking around the corner.
But before he could breathe, a tap landed on his shoulder. Ryju turned—and Jinko's cold eyes stared back at him.
He stumbled back in shock.
"Don't get scared. Who are you—damn it?!" Jinko demanded.
Ryju steadied himself, forcing a smile through the blood dripping down his face.
"…Just a boy trying to get stronger. Someone who wants to help the world."
He raised his fists again.
"Got it."
Jinko's lips curled. "Then I'll just keep beating it out of you."
He vanished, reappearing with a crushing punch to Ryju's stomach. Grabbing his hair, he slammed him into the ground, then kicked him skyward. Blow after blow—right, left, another strike—each one cracked against Ryju's body. Blood sprayed, but somehow, Ryju stayed on his feet.
"Damn it… what's the difference in power between us?" Ryju wheezed.
Jinko's voice echoed like thunder.
"Thirty thousand versus seventy thousand. That's the gap. You're just a C-rank—barely a D-rank at best."
He advanced, step by step, while Ryju stood broken, head bowed, blood dripping from his chin.
"Keep… pushing…" Ryju muttered, charging forward again.
But Jinko simply slapped him to the ground. Ryju staggered back up, threw another desperate punch—only for Jinko to catch it, driving his knee into Ryju's gut.
"Still fighting, huh?" Jinko mocked.
I can't… move… I'm too beat up… Ryju thought, as Jinko hammered fists into his stomach again and again.
Finally, Ryju collapsed, consciousness slipping away.
Jinko stood over him, exhaling.
"He finally lost consciousness. When you wake up… we'll find out who you really are, buddy."
Grabbing Ryju by the hair, Jinko dragged him across the broken streets, toward the Golden Palace.
Meanwhile, back at the ruined house where Team One had been resting, Kaji appeared in the doorway. His eyes swept the room, quickly counting heads.
Everyone was there—except one.
"Where's Ryju?" Kaji asked, his tone low but edged with concern.
The air went still.
To Be Continued