As the morning sun rose into the sky, its golden light cut through the clouds and bathed the Eastern Forest in an eerie glow. The battle between Rey and the demon Draven raged on beneath that burning light.
Dust and smoke filled the air. The ground was cracked and scorched black, and the scent of sulfur and blood lingered heavily.
Draven's fiery eyes widened as Rey vanished before him. "Where—?"
Rey's voice echoed faintly behind him. "You're too slow."
Draven's wings flared, and he shot higher into the air, scanning the forest from above. "Where is that brat?"
"I'm here."
The voice came from nowhere—then, in an instant, from above. Before Draven could react, something slammed into him from the clouds. The demon's body was hurled downward like a falling meteor, crashing into the ground with a thunderous impact that shook the forest.
Draven gasped, dazed. "W-What the…?"
Rey extended his hand. "Earth Spike!"
A circle of glowing runes appeared beneath Draven. From the soil, massive stone spikes erupted, piercing upward and slamming into the demon's chest and abdomen. Draven coughed black smoke, crashing through several trees before tumbling into the dirt.
From the shadows, the old woman—the one Rey came to find—watched with wide, trembling eyes. "Impossible… a kid fighting a demon?"
Rey approached slowly, dagger glinting in his hand, his expression calm yet burning with quiet rage.
Draven staggered to his feet, snarling. "You'll regret that, human. Black Flames!"
In an instant, Rey's entire body was engulfed in writhing dark fire. The forest floor melted into charcoal beneath him.
Draven smirked confidently. "My flames can melt stone. You're finished, boy."
But then…
Rey's calm voice came from within the flames. "How cute your flames are."
Draven's grin vanished. "What—!? How the hell are you still alive!?"
Rey raised his arm. "Then let me show you what real fire looks like. Flamethrower!"
A torrent of blue flames erupted from Rey's palm, hotter and purer than anything Draven had ever seen. The blue fire devoured the black flames, swallowing them whole before slamming into Draven.
BOOM!
The explosion rocked the forest, sending birds scattering into the sky. Draven screamed as the blue inferno hurled him across the clearing.
He slammed into the ground, rolling, smoke rising from his scorched armor-like skin.
Rey's dagger flared with lightning. "Lightning Dash."
In a flash of light, Rey blurred forward.
Draven looked down—Rey was gone. "Where—?!"
A flash of white appeared behind him. Rey's voice followed: "Right here."
Draven turned too late. Their weapons clashed—dagger and claw—creating a shockwave that split the clouds.
BOOOOM!
White light exploded across the sky.
Draven was sent crashing through trees, tearing a path through the earth before coming to a halt. He staggered up, panting. "What… kind of power… does that kid have?"
The old woman, still bound to a tree, whispered in awe, "He's overpowering a demon… a human child…"
Rey's steps were steady as he walked toward the battered demon. His eyes were cold. "Still want to keep going?"
Draven wiped blood from his mouth. "You think this is over, brat? I'll show you my true power."
Rey raised his dagger. "Bring it on."
Draven's wings ignited with black fire. "Never-Ending Nightmare!"
The ground erupted. Countless massive arms made of black flame shot out from the soil, writhing like serpents. They lunged toward Rey, wrapping around him until he was completely trapped within a sphere of burning darkness.
Draven smirked and pointed a single claw
Flick his finger.
The sphere exploded.
The forest trembled. Trees were uprooted, and the shockwave flattened everything in a wide radius.
Draven threw back his head and laughed. "Hahaha! That's the end of him! Nobody—nobody—survives that attack! I've killed two A-rank adventurers with it!"
But then…
A voice came from the thick smoke.
"Is that so? Then why didn't it work on me?"
Draven froze. "No… impossible."
As the smoke cleared, Rey stood unharmed, wind swirling around him. "Wind Barrier."
The demon stumbled back, disbelief painted across his face.
Rey's dagger glowed, gathering shimmering blue particles. The air itself began to tremble around him.
"Let me show you… the end of this fight."
"Surging Cutter!"
Rey swung his dagger downward, unleashing a massive blade of compressed water. It screamed through the air like a tidal wave, slicing everything in its path.
Draven roared, firing volleys of black needles to intercept it—but they were shredded instantly, sliced apart like paper.
The wave struck.
SHHHHK! BOOM!
The explosion of water pressure tore through the clearing. When the dust settled, Draven was on his knees, blood pouring from his chest. One of his arms was gone completely.
He coughed dark blood, his black flames flickering weakly.
Rey's eyes glowed faintly blue as he raised his hand. "Time to end this."
"Fireball."
A sphere of flame appeared and shot straight at Draven.
But before it struck, a voice boomed through the battlefield.
"That's enough."
The fireball exploded mid-air.
When the smoke cleared, a tall figure stood in front of Draven. This demon had three horns, broad wings like those of a dragon, and an aura so heavy it made the air shiver.
Rey's eyes widened. "You… I know you."
The three-horned demon looked down at him curiously. "Sorry, kid. Don't remember your face."
Rey's grip tightened around his dagger. "You're the one who struck me toward the waterfall. The day you destroyed my village."
The demon smirked faintly. "Ah… so you survived. Impressive."
Rey's aura flared with killing intent. "Now I can finally get revenge for killing my parents… and burning my home."
The demon spread his wings. "I'd love to play, but we have more pressing matters."
A crimson magic circle appeared beneath him and Draven, glowing like molten lava.
"Until next time, boy."
Before Rey could move, the two demons vanished in a flash of red light, leaving only silence behind.
Rey exhaled slowly, lowering his dagger. "Coward…"
He turned toward the old woman, still tied and bleeding. Rey walked over and cut her restraints. "Are you alright, ma'am?"
The old woman leaned against a tree, breathing heavily. "You… who are you?"
"I'm Rey. A D-rank adventurer. I was sent here to deliver this letter."
Rey handed her a folded envelope, slightly wrinkled from the battle.
She took it and muttered, "Who sent this?"
"Mr. Morgan."
Her eyes softened. "That old fool… still meddling in my affairs." She tore the envelope open and began to read.
> Hey old hag Meylin,
I'm writing this because I think this kid's interesting. He needs your help solving a mystery about a mark on his fist. I thought you might know something, since you've traveled all around this world.
—Morgan
Meylin stopped reading, lowering the letter. "A mystery mark, you say? Kid, let me see it."
Rey nodded and rolled up his red sleeve, revealing the glowing infinity symbol (∞) etched into his skin.
Meylin's eyes narrowed, curiosity glinting behind her exhaustion. "Hmm… I don't think I've seen that before. But come. I have books—maybe something in them can tell us more."
Rey nodded and followed her inside the ruined cottage.
As they walked, Rey noticed her slight limp and the blood still dripping from her arm. "You're injured," he said softly. "Are you sure you're okay?"
Meylin gave a small chuckle. "This? Bah. Just a scratch. I've lived through worse."