Tanker sauntered up to Aingo, a booming laugh erupting from his chest as he clapped him hard on the back. "Look at you, Skinny! Almost makes me weep for you."Aingo's smile vanished, replaced by a deep frown. He grabbed Tanker's hand, his grip surprisingly firm. "Cut it out, and where in the seven hells have you been for seventeen years? I thought you were worm food." Aingo's voice was flat, devoid of emotion.Tanker grinned, stepping closer, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Oh, did you miss me that much?""Miss you?" Aingo scoffed. "Hell no. I just figured you were finally slacking off on your damn duty."Tanker's smile faltered, a mock hurt expression washing over his face. "Ouch. Mean."A vein throbbed in Aingo's temple. "I swear, Tanker, I'll—"Tanker's laughter boomed again, punctuated by more back-slapping that made Aingo grunt. Rider, thoroughly bewildered, cautiously tried to interject. "Ummm, Tanker, I heard you were a..."Tanker's head snapped towards Rider, his jovial expression instantly hardening into a menacing glare. "And who in the blazes are you, kid? Buzz off before I rearrange your pretty little teeth." Rider stumbled back, a knot of fear tightening in his stomach."Shut your trap, blockhead," Aingo snapped, stepping between them. "That's Rider. Dran's son."Tanker's eyes widened in genuine shock. "Warrior Dran? No way! Kid, I am so sorry! Didn't recognize you." He suddenly enveloped Rider in a bear hug, ruffling his hair with surprising force. "Warrior Rider, huh? Now that I look at you, the resemblance is uncanny. Strong like your old man, are you?"Before Rider could stammer a reply, Aingo interjected dryly, "Nah, not even close.""Hey!" Rider protested, but Aingo ignored him, turning back to Tanker, his tone shifting. "Seriously though, Tanker, haven't you noticed? Every other Elite Soldier is dead. I've been carrying that burden alone while you were off gallivanting somewhere."Tanker's playful demeanor vanished. His expression turned serious, almost haunted. "I know, I know. Look... the thing is..." He paused, choosing his words carefully. "After Dextin vanished and the search went cold, I... I couldn't let it go. The bastard who did all those terrible things was still out there, injured. All I could think about was finding him, ending it. So I went searching. Traveled all over Xiphosia—and let me tell you, that's one massive continent." He sighed. "Anyway, I was searching, and every time I felt like giving up, the thought of getting my hands on Dextin kept me going. I just kept pushing. Then one day... I woke up, and I had absolutely no idea where I was."Rider bit back a chuckle at Tanker's lost expression."So," Tanker continued, "I just started walking. Not even looking for Dextin anymore, just trying to find somewhere to lay low for a while. Ended up in some tiny little town, miles from here. I guess the King somehow found out an Elite Soldier was still breathing. Next thing I know, he's sending for me. Honestly, I didn't want to come. I... I have a family there now. Wanted to stay with them." A shadow crossed his face. "But then he told me about the tournament. About the Red Katana. And... and I have to try. I have to have a chance to face Dextin. Yeah, I'm still scared spitless of him, but watching you and Dran all those years ago... it gave me a sliver of hope. A sliver I need to fan into a flame."Aingo stared at Tanker for a long moment, then a small smirk played on his lips. "Good luck with that. Rider's winning this tournament. Promised Dran."Tanker turned his gaze back to Rider, who flinched slightly under his intense scrutiny. "So, you're my competition, huh, 'Warrior Rider'? Think you've got what it takes to beat me?"Rider swallowed hard, meeting Tanker's gaze with newfound determination. "Yes. I will. I don't care who I face. I will become the Sword Master." He stood his ground, staring down Tanker.Tanker returned the stare for another beat, then suddenly burst into loud laughter again, completely throwing Rider off. "Well then, good luck to you, kid!" Tanker clapped Rider on the shoulder, a genuine smile returning to his face, before striding towards the battlefield where the eight contenders were beginning to assemble.Rider watched him go, utterly perplexed. "That Tanker guy is seriously weird."Aingo nodded in agreement. "Yeah. A pain in the ass. But when it comes to fighting... he's a monster. You don't stand a snowball's chance in hell of beating him."Rider's brow furrowed, the blunt truth stinging. "But if I train you right, with the little I know about him," Aingo continued, a determined glint in his remaining eye, "you can beat him. That's a promise." Rider managed a weak grin, though Tanker's earlier seriousness about Dextin lingered in his mind."Yeah," Rider mused, "and it's like... he goofs around all the time, but the second Dextin's name comes up, he's like a completely different person.""Everyone hates Dextin," Aingo said grimly, "but the Elite Soldiers... it's a whole other level. They'd lose a limb just to show their loyalty to him. He took Dran's wife, my eye, Tanker's left hand... palm and all. The others suffered too." Rider's stomach churned at the casual mention of such brutal loyalty and loss. He finally noticed that Tanker only had one palm on his right hand. The reality of the past horrors felt heavy and unsettling."Come on," Aingo said, breaking the silence, "we gotta grab a decent spot before the rabble does." Rider followed him, the weight of Aingo's words settling in.Meanwhile, Valen strolled into the contenders' area as the eight finalists positioned themselves on the battlefield. Enshou, noticing his late arrival, smirked. "Oh, you finally decided to grace us with your presence. Thought you'd chickened out."Valen returned the smirk with a cocky grin. "Like hell I would. You won't get rid of me that easily." He scanned the other contenders, his gaze locking onto Zack. But Zack immediately turned away, his expression unreadable, causing Valen to sigh in frustration.High above the arena, in the royal viewing chamber, King Neon paced impatiently, awaiting Azreal's arrival. The chamber door burst open, and a weary-looking Azreal stepped inside. King Neon froze, his back to Azreal, his body radiating fury. He slowly turned, his face contorted in rage, and bellowed, "AZRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEL!!!"