Within the highest sanctum of the Blood Moon branch of demon cult, the air trembled.
The Crimson Ghost Elder, revered as one of the strongest Grandmasters, stood before an obsidian vault buried deep beneath his quarters. His heart pounded—not with anticipation, nor with pride—but with an unfamiliar, paralyzing emotion.
Fear.
Riku.
His bastard son.
The boy he abandoned as a mistake… now stood as his challenger.
He should have laughed. Mocked him. But what he felt was something entirely different.
This was no ordinary duel. This was a battle of blood, of legacy, and most terrifying of all—power.
Riku's growth was monstrous. He had shattered the Demon Cave's Fifth Trial and stood undefeated among all prodigies. The cult whispered of him not as a rising talent, but as a storm looming on the horizon.
And so, the Crimson Ghost Elder acted as only a true monster would.
He pressed his palm against the vault, and a blood-red sigil flared. The doors creaked open, revealing shelves upon shelves of ancient vials glowing with malevolence.
10,000 poisons, sealed and preserved. The legacy of the Tang Clan.
"This poison mixture... it's lethal enough to melt a Supreme grandmaster from the inside," he muttered, inspecting a dark vial. "Only second to the forbidden Qi-Suppressing Poison..."
He meticulously separated vials by effect—nerve breakers, blood stoppers, soul rotters. Each one deadly in its own right. Tonight, he would lace his Qi, his weapons, even his sweat with the venom of demons.
"I will not underestimate him. He's no longer a child…"
And neither was he a father.
Meanwhile, at Demon Academy Grounds
A boom echoed through the ancient training grounds as a figure emerged from seclusion.
Cheon Woon.
The Academy's once-undisputed prodigy. Cold eyes. Silent steps. The embodiment of storm-imbued grace.
But today, his aura was different. Tighter. Sharper. Not because of rage, but shame.
"I go into seclusion for two year... and return to find my name forgotten, his own six swords were not formidable as riku's " he whispered.
"Riku…" The name burned like a scar on his pride.
Word of Riku's duel with a Grandmaster spread like wildfire.
Cheon Woon could not—would not—be left behind.
Without waiting for protocol, he marched into the Council Hall and bowed deeply.
"Right Guardian," he said. "I request permission to enter the Demon Cave for the Fifth Trial."
The council fell silent.
"You understand the risk?" the Right Guardian asked.
"I do."
Without further word, Cheon Woon turned and disappeared into the mouth of the cave.
Five Hours Later
A blinding flash of light erupted from the cave entrance. The guards scrambled to their feet.
From the smoke walked Cheon Woon.
Unharmed.
His robes torn, his blade glowing faintly—but his eyes sharp as ever.
The guards could only stare in disbelief. Two monsters now walked among them.
Elsewhere, in a quiet inn chamber lit by system-blue light
Riku sat cross-legged, his body still recovering from the Nether encounter. The System Interface flickered in front of him.
[System Store — Weapons Category Opened]
[Chakra Infused Swords — 12 available]
[Sorting by Elemental Compatibility... Success.]
[Filter: Peak Chakra Flow + All Elemental Qi Harmony Enabled]
Loading results...
Twelve glowing swords appeared in his mind's eye, hovering with swirling elemental energies—some forged of heavenly cold iron, others crafted from beast cores and lightning crystals. But one among them drew his breath.
[Elemental Soulblade: Arclight Edge]
Type: Katana
Qi Affinity: All Five Elements
Grade: High Heaven-Tier
Abilities: Adapts to the user's dominant chakra flow. Can store Qi techniques and amplify elemental strikes.
Price: 12,000 System Points
Status: Compatible — 100%
Without hesitation, Riku selected it.
[Purchase Confirmed. Deducting 12,000 Points...]
[Weapon Bound: Arclight Edge — Chakra Signature Synced.]
A flash of blinding light and the sword materialized before him—long, elegant, humming with silent, perfect balance.
He gripped the hilt.
Instantly, fire, wind, water, earth, and lightning flared around him in perfect harmony.
The room trembled.
"So this is… the sword meant for me."
He sheathed it.
He had his blade.
Now, he awaited the battle.
Back at the Council Hall
Cheon Woon, newly emerged from the Demon Cave, stood before the Right Guardian once more.
"You have the right to challenge any of the inner council for a seat," the elder said.
"I'll wait," Cheon Woon replied, his voice calm. "I want to see how far Riku goes."
The Right Guardian smiled slightly.
"So be it."
That Night…
The sun dipped behind blood-red clouds.
This is the time to take revenge for Original Riku who was abondoned by his father .
This is the last thing he can do it from him .
The father who abandoned him...
...would soon kneel before the son he could never control.