On the peak of a mountain — inside a glacial forest…
Ryo:
"Infernus, why didn't you let me kill him?"
Infernus:
"It was too obvious you were in a dangerous situation. That's why I intervened."
Ryo:
"I wasn't in danger. I could've killed him easily… I just wanted to toy with him. What's the problem?"
Infernus lowered his voice, sharp and cold.
"Toy with him? He was about to tear you into thousands of pieces!"
Without showing concern, Infernus turned and walked away.
Ryo:
"Wait for me!"
---
Somewhere inside the Great Fire Kingdom…
Ren appeared, walking calmly and confidently across scorched land consumed by flames.
Suddenly, a man emerged from the ruins.
"You're truly strong! Even though you're just a newly born dragon, you're the strongest I've ever encountered in my life!"
From the shadows, his face was revealed — Yamamoto.
Ren looked at him with calm eyes, his tone serious.
"Step aside."
Yamamoto smirked.
"And what if I don't?"
Ren's gaze sharpened, filled with cold intent.
"Then it seems you're seeking death."
Yamamoto:
"Then come!"
He stood firm and took a battle stance.
Ren extended his hand, and from the void appeared a long blade of blue and black. His voice carried absolute confidence.
"Are you sure you want to fight?"
Yamamoto charged forward.
"A brat like you, not even matured, has no chance of killing me!"
Ren's eyes narrowed in disdain.
"Your dreams are pathetic. If you wish to dream, at least dream of something logical."
Their weapons clashed. Sparks danced in the air, but Ren's superiority was undeniable. Each strike was blocked with ease.
With a single kick, Ren sent Yamamoto stumbling back several steps.
Yamamoto drew a spear, covering it with water and blue lightning, and hurled it at Ren with incredible speed.
Ren didn't even move. He whispered,
"What a worthless attack."
With one effortless swing, Ren shattered the spear into dozens of fragments.
Yamamoto broke into a cold sweat and retreated several steps.
"What a monster…"
The winds began to stir. At first weak, then growing until they tore entire trees from the ground and flung them like pebbles.
Yamamoto struggled to stand his ground, while Ren walked forward steadily, as if the storm itself bowed before him.
Step by step, Ren advanced. Each time Yamamoto blinked, Ren closed dozens of steps in an instant.
When Yamamoto blinked one last time and opened his eyes, Ren was standing right in front of him.
Ren raised his sword, ready to decapitate him, but suddenly paused and whispered,
"Where is Zaloria?"
Yamamoto froze, thoughts racing in his head.
"What does he mean? Is he going to kill her?"
Ren:
"Yes, I killed her… but something feels wrong."
Yamamoto stepped back, panic in his voice.
"He read my thoughts!"
Ren's presence was overwhelming, calm like a dragon above the world, far beyond anyone in the organization. Not a single soul could lay a finger on him.
Boredom flickered in Ren's eyes. He raised his hand toward the sky.
The winds howled louder, lightning consumed the heavens, and rain poured down like sharp blades.
But before the rain could touch the ground, it froze in midair — as if time itself had stopped.
Ren's killing intent surged. His aura alone made the ground collapse beneath their feet.
"I'll ask you one last time. Where is Zaloria?"
Fear and despair overtook Yamamoto.
"I… I don't know!"
Ren:
"Then your existence is meaningless."
The rain fell once more, each droplet like a sword, carving holes three kilometers deep, shattering mountains and forests alike.
Lightning struck like the scream of angels, not just tearing flesh, but destroying the soul.
Winds howled, hurling entire trees like dust.
Through desperation, Yamamoto managed to escape Ren's grasp.
After a minute, Ren lowered his hand, and the storm ceased. The world returned to silence.
"He escaped…"
To be continued…