The man spat on the ground.
"Tch… you're just an arrogant brat!" His voice was hoarse, filled with rage, echoing through the sweat-reeking refugee shelter.
"You're the one who makes me sick, bastard!" Ryu shouted back. His eyes burned like embers. He stepped forward, ignoring the cut on his cheek, his breath heavy and blazing.
The royal soldiers around them stiffened, hands hovering near their weapon hilts, ready to intervene. But one of the commanders raised a cold hand, stopping them.
"Let it be. Let's see how the boy reacts," he said quietly, curiosity laced in his tone.
The atmosphere tightened. The only sounds were the pounding of Ryu's heart and the faint clinking of swords at the soldiers' waists.
From behind the shadow of a stone pillar, a black-robed woman stood silently. Her bright violet eyes glimmered beneath the torchlight, reflecting the scene with a faint smile.
"How interesting," she whispered softly, her voice like a drifting night breeze.
"Haa… so it's true. He really is fascinating."
Her shadow trembled slightly—then her body slowly dissolved into the darkness like mist swallowed by night.
Amid the chaos, Ryu stood upright, blood staining his lips, his gaze burning like a newly ignited flame. The world might be collapsing—but inside him, a fire had just been born.
His face flushed red, eyes locked on the man before him. He was about to lunge forward—
"Enough!"
Jake Hill's voice thundered like lightning.
The black-robed man appeared between them, his right hand catching the young man's kick midair while his left hand stopped Ryu's punch.
With a single shove, both were sent flying like leaves in a storm. The young man crashed into the wall, while Ryu was thrown backward—caught by Leon, Asta, and Evelyn.
Silence fell.
All eyes turned to Jake Hill.
"Tch… why'd he stop it?" someone muttered.
"It makes sense for that guy to beat the brat. The kid needs a lesson."
Jake exhaled deeply. Then his voice roared:
"Listen!! I will not have you fighting each other and causing trouble here! This is a refuge for victims—not an arena for bloodshed!"
No one dared speak.
"Look outside!" Jake pointed toward the window, where red flames flickered against the sky. "Warriors are sacrificing their lives at the front lines to protect Sena City. And you—are busy arguing and causing chaos!"
His voice shook the air itself. Even the torch flames along the walls seemed to flicker under the force of it.
"But that teenager started it!" someone shouted.
All eyes turned to Ryu.
Jake looked at him, but his tone softened slightly.
"There's no need to blame each other. If you don't wish to fight, that's fine. But never belittle those who choose to stand against the darkness. The Indosvara army… is humanity's last fortress."
The room fell into tense silence.
"We do not force anyone," Jake continued. "We will only accept those who possess resolve, vengeance… and the courage to protect others."
Those words ignited something in the hearts of a few.
A woman who had been sitting quietly in the corner stood up. Her long hair swayed gently; her face pale, but her eyes sharp.
"I want to join," she said firmly.
Whispers spread, but Jake simply nodded.
"Good. You have courage."
Suddenly—
BANG!
The hall doors burst open. An Indosvara soldier rushed in, face covered in dust and panic.
"Commander! The monsters—they've pushed our forces back! They've broken through fifteen kilometers from Sena's main gate!"
The crowd erupted in panic.
Jake turned sharply to his soldiers.
"All who wish to join the Monster Hunter unit—prepare yourselves! I'll take you to the gathering point!"
His gaze settled on Ryu, Leon, Evelyn, Asta, and the long-haired woman.
They nodded without hesitation.
"Evacuate the civilians!" Jake commanded. "Move them to the Starlight City border!"
Order replaced chaos. Footsteps thundered. Children cried. Military commands rang out.
"Follow me," Jake said.
They ran against the tide of refugees. Above Sena, the sky burned crimson. Explosions and monstrous roars shook the earth.
Ryu clenched his teeth.
"I'll kill them… I'll kill every last one of them."
Behind him, Evelyn ran with tears in her eyes.
"I'll stay by your side, Ryu. I won't lose anyone again."
---
Nine Years Earlier
The afternoon sky glowed golden. Trees swayed gently. A small house stood at the forest's edge, warm with the scent of firewood and boiled vegetables.
"Ahh, I forgot the firewood by the river," Evelyn's mother said while chopping vegetables.
"Really?" young Evelyn asked.
Her father sat by the window, sewing worn clothes with patient hands. They were poor—but happy.
"Evelyn, could you fetch the firewood?" her mother asked gently.
"Okay, Mom!"
She ran through the forest toward the river. The wind brushed her loose hair.
She found the wood.
"There it is."
But when she returned home—
The wood fell from her hands.
"I'm home…" her voice trembled—then stopped.
Blood.
Her parents lay lifeless.
The metallic scent filled the air.
"No… Mom… Dad…" She collapsed to her knees, silent tears turning into a scream that echoed through the forest.
That day, her world shattered.
And that day, Sato—Ryu's father—found her.
"You shouldn't be alone in a world this cruel," he said gently.
Little Ryu stepped forward and extended his hand.
"Crying won't change anything. You're not alone anymore. Come with us. Be our family."
She grasped his small, warm hand.
"My name… is Evelyn."
From that day on, she had a family again.
And when fate took them once more—leaving only Ryu—she swore she would protect him.
---
Back to the Present
War roared at Sena's gates.
The Indosvara army struggled against endless monsters. Explosions and steel clashed violently.
They were being pushed back.
Then—
From the smoke, a man in a blue robe emerged.
"Look! It's Jake's subordinate!" a soldier shouted.
Jake smiled faintly.
"Finally… you're here, Sai."
The blue-robed man stood before the gate. His aura was cold and overwhelming.
"Seems I'll be tired today," he muttered, lowering his sword. "Jake, I didn't expect I'd have to step in like this…"
He faced the thousands of monsters emerging from darkness.
A thin smile formed.
"Alright…"
His voice rolled like thunder.
"Let's have some fun, monsters."
He vanished forward like lightning.
With a single swing—
Blue light split the night sky.
The monster ranks froze—then silently parted in two.
Black blood rained slowly through the air.
To be continued…