As Hifung and Ray stepped through the gate, their vision was flooded with blinding white light.
Slowly, their surroundings began to take shape.
Hifung found himself standing in a forest. Far ahead in the distance, a fairly large kingdom could be seen—though not as massive as Milty.
Ray: This... is the Sixth Realm?
Hifung: Maybe?
Suddenly, both of them collapsed onto the ground.
Hifung and Ray: Argh!
Hifung clutched the ground in pain.
Hifung: What is this!?
Ray let out a soft chuckle through a strained smile.
Ray: The chi pressure's no joke.
Hifung: Agh... At least now we know we didn't enter the wrong gate.
Ray: I can feel my chi energy slowly draining...
Hifung: We'll need to adapt to this pressure.
Ray clutched his chest, grimacing.
Ray: Yeah...
Hifung: Ray, are you okay?
Ray: I hope so...
Hifung: We need to find shelter. This place is too exposed—could be dangerous if someone finds us.
Ray: Agreed.
Hifung struggled to his feet, then helped Ray stand. Together, they limped deeper into the forest.
After some distance, they stopped to rest in a grassy area, partially hidden by tall weeds.
Hifung: Huh...
Ray: Hifung...
Hifung turned to him and saw Ray clutching his chest, wincing.
Hifung: Ray, are you alright!?
Ray: Don't worry. I still have some chi left... but I need to sleep for a bit.
Hifung: Okay...
Ray laid down on the ground, quickly falling asleep. Hifung sat with his arms crossed, eyes closed, focusing on gathering his chi energy.
Three hours passed unnoticed. The sun was now high overhead.
Hifung opened his eyes and glanced around. Ray was still fast asleep.
He stood up and gently checked Ray's breathing with his fingers.
Just then, Ray's eyes suddenly opened.
Hifung (in his heart): Thank goodness. Looks like Ray's managing to withstand the chi pressure...
Hifung sat back down, keeping alert.
Ray sat up on the ground, rubbing his forehead.
Hifung: Ray, are you okay?
Ray held his head with his right hand.
Ray: I'm fine. I think I'm starting to get used to this pressure.
Hifung smiled slightly—but then, the grass rustled nearby.
Hearing it, both Hifung and Ray immediately stood up, sweat forming on their brows as they stared in the direction of the sound.
It grew louder, closer... until a child emerged, carrying a wooden staff.
Child: Huaaah!
Startled, Hifung and Ray jumped. The child, too, looked just as surprised to see them.
Hifung: Who are you?
Child: You're from the lower world, aren't you?
Ray blinked in confusion.
Ray: Huh? How do you know that?
Child: You look... different.
Hifung (in his heart): Uh...
Hifung: What are you doing out here?
He stepped forward, cautiously.
But the child suddenly pointed the staff at him, making both Hifung and Ray flinch in confusion.
Child: Don't come any closer!
Hifung: Huh?
Child: You must be friends of that man!
Both Hifung and Ray froze.
Ray: That man?
Child: That man named Hery!
Their eyes widened at the name.
Hifung: Hery!?
Ray: Hifung, it sounds like Stephanus Hery caused trouble here too...
Hifung: What!?
Ray: Remember what the king said—about Hery going on a rampage?
Hifung lowered his head, thinking for a moment.
Child: You're friends with that criminal! How dare you return to this world!
Hearing that, Hifung quickly looked up—but the child had already turned and started running toward the kingdom.
Hifung: Hey—!
Ray's eyes went wide in panic.
Ray: Hifung! We have to stop him! If he tells the kingdom, they'll send people after us!
Hifung's face tensed.
Hifung: What!?
Both immediately gave chase.
The child suddenly veered right, changing direction.
Hifung: What!?
Ray: Keep on him, Hifung!
They continued running after him. Just then, a teenage boy appeared out of nowhere, grabbing the child with a lightning-clad hand and slamming him to the ground.
The boy pinned the child's head down.
Teenager: Still trying to run, huh?
Hifung and Ray observed from behind a tree, watching the scene unfold.
Child: Aah! Let me go!
Child: Hery's friends have arrived from the lower world—I have to tell the kingdom!
The child thrashed about, struggling to escape.
Teenager: Tch. Still making up stories?
Child: I'm serious this time! I swear!
Teenager: You've said that over thirty times this month, you little brat!
Teenager: Give me back my money, or I swear you're done!
Child: Uwaaah! Help me!
Hifung whispered to Ray.
Hifung: What do we do?
Ray whispered back.
Ray: I think... we help the kid.
Hifung nodded.
The teenager summoned fire magic into his clenched right hand.
He raised it, preparing to strike.
Teenager: Give. It. Back!
Child: No!
Angered, the boy swung the burning fist.
But before it connected, Hifung blocked the blow with his right leg, now glowing with red aura.
The teenager gasped in shock.
Before he could react, Ray appeared behind him—delivering a swift kick to the head with a lightning-imbued foot.
The kick struck the side of the teen's head, sending him flying into a tree branch, then collapsing to the ground.
The child's eyes widened in awe.
Hifung: Uh...
Ray: Hah... and that was just a little bit of lightning magic. But now, I think I only have half my chi left...
Hifung: Looks like we can't use magic freely here like we used to.
Suddenly, the teenager stirred. He rose to his feet, gripping an orange flame sword.
Teenager: You dare interfere, friends of a criminal!?
Hifung and Ray flinched.
Hifung: What now?
Ray: Tch... He's stronger than we thought, Hifung.
The teen's eyes burned with rage. His twisted smile curled unnaturally.
Teenager: This is my chance... to avenge those that Hery murdered!