Hifung and Ray arrived in the middle of a dense forest, eventually settling down on a thick tree branch.
Hifung: Huh, this is exhausting. We've only been walking, yet the chi pressure makes it feel like we've been through a full training session.
Ray: Yeah… Just sitting still feels like a workout here.
Hifung: Speaking of which, I'm curious about the academy around here.
Ray: Don't even joke about that. The people at that academy would instantly know we're from the Lower Realm.
Hearing that, Hifung's expression dulled slightly. He sighed.
Hifung: Huh, you've got a point.
Suddenly, the sky began to darken, thick clouds rolling in overhead.
Ray noticed the shift and turned toward Hifung.
Ray: Hifung, looks like it's about to rain. We can't just take shelter here.
Hifung glanced up at the sky, then scanned their surroundings.
Hifung: We need to find a cave.
Ray: Let's go.
They moved together, eyes alert and scanning the forest as the first drops began to fall.
The rain quickly intensified. Realizing time was short, Hifung and Ray broke into a run, continuing their search.
Hifung: Hurry!
In the distance, Hifung spotted what looked like a cave entrance.
Hifung: Ray, there's a cave up ahead. Let's go!
Ray: Got it!
Once inside the cave, Hifung paused near the entrance, watching the storm unfold—rain hammering down, winds howling, and a thick mist swirling outside.
He sat down on a large stone near Ray.
Ray: I've been wondering...
Hifung: Hm? About what?
Ray: If the pressure in a sixth-level world is this intense, what must the sixteenth-level be like?
Hifung sighed.
Hifung: Definitely more crushing than this one... heh.
He gave Ray a small smile, chuckling quietly.
Suddenly, a soft splashing sound echoed from outside—the sound of footsteps through a puddle.
Both Hifung and Ray snapped their heads toward the entrance, eyes wary and slightly anxious.
From within the fog, the silhouette of a person emerged—running, carrying a large pack on their shoulder.
The figure wasn't alone; another companion followed closely behind. They both stumbled into the cave, gasping for breath with exhausted, rapid breathing. Without a word, they shut their eyes and rested against the cave wall.
After a moment, one of them opened his eyes and noticed Hifung and Ray standing nearby. His body tensed.
Stranger One: Who are you!?
He instantly summoned a flame sword in his right hand, pointing it at Ray with intensity.
Hearing the shout, the second stranger jolted awake and stared wide-eyed at Hifung and Ray.
Hifung: Wait, wait! We mean no harm!
The second man raised his own flame sword, leveling it toward Hifung.
Stranger Two: Silence! You must be Hery's allies! You dare return here!?
Hifung and Ray were stunned by the accusation. They instinctively stepped backward.
Hifung (whispering): What do we do?
Ray (whispering): I think knocking them out is our best option.
Hifung: Okay.
Stranger One: You're coming with us to the kingdom. His Majesty will decide your fate!
Hifung: We refuse!
The two strangers' expressions twisted in anger. With a shout, they charged toward Hifung and Ray, fire swords raised high.
But in response, Hifung and Ray summoned their thunder swords and smirked.
The attackers struck again and again, but each blow was expertly parried.
Step by step, Hifung and Ray were pushed back, blocking every fierce strike as they slowly retreated toward the back of the cave.
Eventually, their backs hit the stone wall. They ducked and sidestepped the next swing, then countered.
Hifung slashed one attacker's arm, drawing blood and forcing him to stumble back.
Ray mirrored the move, wounding the other.
Stranger Two: Tch... So even people from the Lower Realm can be formidable.
Stranger One: They are Hery's friends after all... This is the perfect chance to avenge our kingdom.
They both drew iron swords from their sheaths and pointed them forward.
Hifung and Ray stood ready, thunder swords crackling with energy.
Moments later, the strangers charged again, blades whistling through the air.
Strike after strike came—but none found their mark. Hifung and Ray blocked or dodged them all.
The battle dragged on, rain still thundering outside. All four fighters became exhausted, breaths ragged, bodies trembling.
Finally, the rain ceased.
All of them were hunched over, hands on knees, gasping for air.
Stranger One: Damn it... How are you two this strong!?
Stranger Two: Now's our chance—they're worn out! We kill them now!
Hearing this, Hifung and Ray raised their heads, eyes burning with determination despite their heavy breathing.
The strangers pushed themselves upright and staggered forward.
Hifung clenched his fists tightly.
As they approached, flames began to swirl around the strangers' right hands—fire magic flaring to life.
Stranger One: This ends now! Hahaha!
Their flaming hands reached out toward Hifung and Ray's backs.
But in a flash, Hifung summoned a glowing aura to his right hand and struck the magic directly.
The fiery spell shattered, and he delivered a heavy punch to his attacker's stomach—sending the man flying with a cry of pain.
Immediately after, Hifung channeled aura into his left leg, spinning and kicking the second man square in the face before his spell could reach Ray.
That man, too, was launched across the cave, slamming into the wall with a groan.
Hifung stood beside Ray, his gaze sharp as lightning.
Ray: Hifung, your chi energy…?
Hifung: Don't worry. Aura doesn't use chi. It runs on sheer willpower.
Ray looked surprised.
The two attackers, dazed and now realizing the extent of Hifung's power, struggled to their feet, trying to flee.
But just as they reached the cave entrance, a sudden force knocked them sideways—sending them crashing near Hifung's feet.
Hifung and Ray both widened their eyes.
Hifung: What the—!?
From the cave entrance, a new silhouette emerged—walking calmly toward them.
The figure stepped into the light. A young man, sword sheathed at his left side, his eyes a piercing green.
He approached the two warriors.
Kobayashi: My name is Kobayashi. I'm a teacher from Jister Academy.
Hifung and Ray tensed, both confused and uneasy.
Kobayashi: I came because I heard about you two… from my friend, Hyota.
Both Hifung and Ray blinked in surprise at the name.
Kobayashi: I'm here to bring you to Jister Academy—the safest place for you in this kingdom.
Hifung hesitated.
Hifung: And what if we are Hery's allies? Can you still trust us?
Kobayashi gave a slight smile.
Kobayashi: So what if you are? Hery attacked this kingdom decades ago. He's likely long gone. And even if you are his allies…
Kobayashi: My target is Hery. Not you.
At that, Hifung and Ray allowed a small smile to return to their faces.
Hifung: But what about the people at the
academy? Will they even accept us?
Kobayashi: Don't worry. As long as you're within Jister Academy, your safety is guaranteed. I'll make sure of it—along with the Council of Instructors.