Just as the spider opened its mouth to devour Hifung-
Suddenly, Hifung drew a magma sword with his left hand and plunged it straight into the spider's head, causing thick blue blood to burst out.
The blood splattered onto Hifung, making him feel utterly disgusted.
But the spider collapsed, dead. Hifung was slightly confused.
He quickly summoned lightning magic in his right hand and fired a bolt into the spider's body, sending it flying backward.
Then, Hifung sat down. He was still in shock, his breathing uneven. He glanced around, wiped the blood off his face, and looked down at his left hand with bewilderment.
He swallowed hard, then slowly extended his left hand forward. A burst of orange fire magic flared from his palm and launched forward.
The magic shot straight at the spider's corpse and set it ablaze.
Hifung was stunned. A small smile of relief spread across his face as he realized his left hand had finally healed.
He quickly unwrapped the bandages from his left arm and tossed them aside, then opened and closed his palm repeatedly while grinning.
Hifung stood up and brushed off the dust from his legs and body.
He closed his eyes and focused on steadying his breath. Once calmer, he opened his eyes again.
Hifung scanned the area and walked over to the three lifeless bodies lying nearby.
He stared at them with a somber look.
Hifung: I'm sorry... I came too late to save you.
(Bowing his head respectfully, he then straightened up.)
He raised both hands toward the bodies and channeled earth magic.
Using his spell, Hifung gently buried the three with a layer of soil.
After that, his gaze shifted across the cave. He noticed another door-besides the one he had entered from earlier.
He stared at it intently, then slowly walked toward it.
Peeking inside, he saw a long corridor stretching ahead.
Hifung let out a slow sigh.
He began walking down the hallway.
Step by step, he moved carefully. The corridor stretched on quite a bit.
Hifung (in his thoughts): "This place is pretty deep..."
Hifung (in his thoughts): "If there's another monster at the end, I'll need to run. I'm already pretty worn out from that last fight."
Eventually, Hifung reached the end of the corridor, where a large chamber came into view.
His eyes widened in surprise as he stepped inside.
The room looked like a library, filled with tall bookshelves.
He looked around-the lighting was dim, but faint natural light seeped in through cracks in the rock.
Hifung conjured small flames in both hands and cast them toward the surrounding candles to light them.
With the flickering candlelight, the room became much clearer.
Hifung was mesmerized. Shelves, books-an entire forgotten library.
He slowly walked toward the far end of the room.
There, he saw a throne and a table.
His heart skipped a beat.
Hifung: Was this once... a king's chamber?
Hifung: But... whose king?
He sat down on the throne and glanced around the room.
A small smile crept onto his face.
Hifung: Alright, then. I'll study every single book in this place.
---
Hifung emerged from the cave and made his way into town.
There, he stopped by a small eatery to enjoy a bowl of noodles.
After finishing his meal and paying the bill, he returned to the cave.
Back in the library-
He browsed through a few shelves, picked out some books, then sat on the throne and began reading.
Meanwhile, in the Kingdom of Milty, Ray and Micyl were sparring with swords.
---
Before they knew it, nine months had passed since Ray had returned to Milty.
Hifung was sitting on the throne, closing the final book in the library.
Hifung: And that's the last one.
Hifung: Huh... It's already been nine months. I've been training nonstop while reading all these ancient books.
Hifung: I should've grown a lot stronger by now.
(He smiled quietly to himself.)
Back in Milty, Ray was sparring with the king under the watchful eyes of Micyl and Feds.
Ray managed to slip behind the king and placed his sword at the king's back.
Ray smiled. The king gave a small smile in return.
Ray: Finally... I've beaten you, Your Majesty.
King: These past few months, you've grown rapidly. You have talent.
Ray: Thank you.
(The king extended his hand. Ray shook it firmly.)
Suddenly, a massive earthquake struck. The king, Ray, Micyl, Feds-and many others-were thrown off balance.
The king looked shocked by the tremor. A faint red aura pulsed through the quake, but it had little effect due to the distance.
Far away, even Hifung felt it. He fell to the ground in surprise.
Hifung: That's not a normal quake!
Ray: Yeah... I feel it-an aura!
Micyl: What!?
Feds turned toward the source of the aura.
Feds: What... the hell is this?
The tremors continued, and even the Kingdom of Hakao was affected.
There, the king of Hakao sat on his throne with a cold, cruel glare.
King of Hakao: Hery!!
Back in Milty, the quake finally subsided.
The king stood up and stared in the direction the aura had come from.
King: You three. Follow me.
Feds, Micyl, and Ray: Okay!
The king, along with Feds, Micyl, and Ray, flew off toward the aura's source using wind magic.
Meanwhile, back at Hifung's place-
He stepped outside the cave and looked around cautiously.
Hifung: Strange... The big war shouldn't be for another three months. Then what was that quake?
Hifung: Could it have just been... a normal earthquake?
(He chuckled softly.)
Hifung: Yeah... Probably just a normal quake.
At the same time, the king, Ray, Micyl, and Feds arrived at a forest-the epicenter of the aura and the quake.
The trees around them were shattered, crushed by the pressure of the aura.
King: What in the world...?
(They looked around, but there was no one in sight.)
Feds: This is really weird.
-
One week later, the king, Ray, and Micyl were sitting in the royal chamber, sipping cups of warm coffee.
Suddenly, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed outside the room.
The king and Ray turned toward the door.
It swung open-Darius burst in, clearly panicked.
Darius: YOUR MAJESTY!!
King: What's wrong?
(Darius was out of breath.)
Darius: The Kingdom of Hakao has launched an attack!!
King and Ray: What!?
Micyl's eyes widened in disbelief.
Micyl: But...
Didn't they agree not to attack us for two years?
Darius: They did. But right now, their forces are already clashing with ours on the frontlines!
King: So... they've decided to toy with us, huh!?