At the junior high school, Mai had just finished her club activities for the day. The sun was already beginning to sink toward the horizon, painting the sky with warm shades of orange as students slowly left the school grounds.
Mai adjusted the strap of her bag and stepped outside the school gate, preparing to walk home like usual.
But just as she took a few steps forward—
Boom!
A loud thudding sound echoed from somewhere in the distance, shaking the ground slightly beneath her feet.
Mai froze.
A strange chill crawled down her spine as the sound reverberated through the air.
Moments later, the peaceful atmosphere around the school shattered completely as people began running down the streets in panic, their frightened voices mixing with the growing chaos spreading across the town.
"What's going on…?" Mai murmured under her breath, her eyes scanning the streets as confusion quickly turned into unease.
All around her, people were shouting and fleeing in different directions.
Something was terribly wrong.
Then suddenly, her eyes widened.
"No…!" she whispered.
"Kai… Grandpa!
Without another second of hesitation, Mai tightened the straps of her backpack as a faint silver spark of light began to flicker across her body.
The power of her Lunar Sovereignty System awakened instinctively.
In the next moment—
Her body blurred forward.
The ground beneath her feet cracked slightly as she launched herself forward with incredible speed, moving faster than any ordinary human could follow.
"Kai… Grandpa… hang in there," she muttered urgently as the wind whipped through her silver hair.
"I'm coming."
—
Meanwhile, back at the small cabin on the outskirts of town, the twins' grandfather stood firmly in place, his posture steady and unmoving as he faced the four masked figures before him.
The tension in the air was thick enough to suffocate.
Without warning—
One of the cloaked figures suddenly lunged forward, his sword flashing as he thrust it straight toward the old man's chest.
But the old man didn't panic.
With a calm, almost effortless movement, he shifted his body slightly to the side, the blade slicing through empty air as it narrowly missed him.
In the same motion, the old man's fist shot forward like a bolt of lightning.
BAM!
His strike slammed directly into the attacker's stomach.
The impact was brutal.
The masked figure's body lifted off the ground before being sent flying several meters away, crashing violently into the dirt with a loud thud.
Dust scattered into the air as the man rolled across the ground.
The old man slowly lowered his fist, his expression completely calm.
He glanced toward the remaining figures.
"Is that all you've got?"
After a brief moment of silence, the remaining three masked figures suddenly moved.
Without exchanging a single word, they dashed toward the twins' grandfather from different directions, their movements sharp and coordinated as they prepared to attack all at once.
Each of them carried a different weapon.
One wielded a small but well-crafted dagger, its blade reflecting the fading sunlight with a deadly glint. Another held a long spear, the tip aimed forward like a striking serpent. The last one gripped a short blade tightly in his hand, his posture low and ready to strike.
In the next instant, they attacked.
The dagger user lunged forward first, slashing toward the old man's neck. At the same time, the spear wielder thrust his weapon forward with precise timing, while the third attacker circled around from behind, attempting to cut off any chance of escape.
But the old man remained calm.
With smooth and graceful movements that seemed almost effortless, he shifted his body slightly, letting the dagger pass harmlessly beside him. He stepped to the side just as the spear shot forward, the sharp tip piercing nothing but empty air.
Their attacks were fast.
But the old man was faster.
For several moments the three attackers continued their assault, striking again and again, their weapons flashing as they tried to overwhelm him with numbers.
Yet none of their attacks could reach him.
The old man moved like flowing water, calmly weaving through every strike as though he had already seen each movement before it happened.
Then—
He saw an opening.
In a single swift motion, the old man stepped forward and grabbed one of the masked figures by the face.
Before the attacker could react—
BAM!
He slammed the man straight into the ground.
The impact sent dust flying as the figure's body crashed into the dirt, his weapon slipping from his grasp as he collapsed, completely unconscious.
The second attacker immediately tried to take advantage of the moment.
The spear user rushed forward, unleashing a rapid series of thrusts, the weapon darting through the air like a deadly snake attempting to pierce its prey.
But the old man calmly dodged each strike, shifting his body with precise footwork.
Left.
Right.
Step back.
Then suddenly—
He moved forward.
His hand struck the spear shaft aside before his other fist shot out like a hammer.
CRACK!
The blow landed squarely on the attacker's chest.
The masked figure staggered backward before collapsing heavily onto the ground, the spear clattering beside him.
Now only one attacker remained.
The final figure, the dagger user, hesitated for only a split second before lunging forward with murderous intent. Knowing he had no other choice, he poured everything into one desperate attack.
But it wasn't enough.
The old man raised his arm, blocking the incoming strike before twisting the attacker's wrist and knocking the dagger from his hand.
Then—
THUD!
A powerful strike sent the final masked figure crashing onto the ground beside the others.
Silence returned to the clearing.
All three attackers now lay defeated at the old man's feet.
"Haa… is that it?" the old man muttered as he glanced at the three defeated figures lying on the ground.
"Well, I guess I should go back to—"
Before he could finish his sentence—
"Tanrou."
The voice came from behind him.
The old man paused.
For a moment he simply sighed, as if he had expected this all along. Slowly, he turned around to face the final masked figure standing a short distance away.
"Oh?" he said calmly.
"And here I thought it was already over."
His eyes narrowed slightly as he studied the figure.
"But of course… there's always the final boss."
A faint smirk appeared on his face.
"Tell me… is my assessment accurate, Idrix?"
The masked figure stood silently for a moment before letting out a low chuckle.
"You truly haven't changed, Tanrou."
His voice carried both amusement and disdain.
"You were once one of the most powerful players in the Ascendant Warriors Organization, feared across the battlefield… and yet you chose to abandon all of that."
His gaze slowly swept across the quiet countryside.
"To spend the rest of your life in this… rotten place."
For a moment there was silence.
Then—
"Hahaha!"
Tanrou burst into laughter, the sound echoing through the clearing.
"You really haven't changed either, Idrix," he said, wiping a small tear of laughter from the corner of his eye.
Idrix took a slow step forward, his cloak shifting slightly in the wind.
"Tell me something, Tanrou… do the people in this town even know who you used to be?"
Tanrou chuckled softly and folded his arms.
"Does it matter?"
"For someone who once shook battlefields with a single command, you seem surprisingly comfortable pretending to be a harmless old man."
Tanrou shrugged.
"Retirement suits me."
Idrix's eyes narrowed behind the mask.
"Retirement?"
His voice turned colder.
"You abandoned the Ascendant Warriors at the peak of your power. Many believed you had died in battle."
Tanrou scratched his chin lazily.
"Well… rumors make life more interesting."
A brief silence passed between them.
Then Idrix spoke again.
"But we didn't come here for old stories."
His gaze slowly shifted toward the town below.
"We came for something else."
Tanrou's smile faded slightly.
"Oh?"
Idrix's voice dropped.
"The prophecy has begun."
Tanrou's eyes sharpened.
"The new vessel has appeared."
For the first time, Tanrou's expression became serious.
Idrix continued.
"The vessel of the Blood Devil System… is somewhere in this town."
The wind blew through the clearing.
Tanrou exhaled slowly.
"So that's why you brought an army."
Idrix tilted his head slightly.
"You know what that power can become, Tanrou."
"Left unchecked… it will devour everything."
Tanrou glanced toward the distant town for a brief moment.
Then he looked back at Idrix.
"Well…"
He cracked his knuckles.
"I guess that means you're not leaving peacefully."
Idrix smiled faintly beneath the mask.
"I was hoping you'd say that."
—
Meanwhile, across the streets, roads, and narrow alleys of the town, a streak of silver light flickered through the air at unimaginable speed. The figure moved so quickly that most people could barely notice it, only catching a brief flash before it disappeared again.
Mai dashed forward, her body wrapped in shimmering silver sparks produced by her Lunar Sovereignty System. The wind whipped through her hair as buildings blurred past her vision. Panic filled the town around her, people running in every direction while distant explosions echoed through the air.
Her heart pounded rapidly.
'Kai… Grandpa… please be safe.'
Suddenly, up ahead, she spotted a familiar figure running toward the direction of their home.
Her eyes widened instantly.
"KAI!"
Kai stopped in surprise as Mai appeared before him in a flash of silver light. Without wasting even a second, she quickly lowered her body slightly and gestured toward her back.
"Hop on!"
Kai didn't argue.
He quickly climbed onto her back, gripping tightly onto her shoulders. The moment he secured himself, the silver sparks around Mai's body intensified.
In the next instant—
Whoosh!
They shot forward like a silver comet racing through the streets, heading straight toward the small cabin on the outskirts of town.
—
Meanwhile, back at the cabin, the battle had already begun.
A dark aura slowly began to swirl around Idrix, the masked figure standing opposite Tanrou. The shadows beneath his feet twisted unnaturally as if alive.
"Shadow Manipulation System."
His voice echoed calmly.
"Basic Technique — Shadow Legion."
Suddenly, the shadows on the ground rippled violently.
From the darkness, numerous shadow creatures began emerging one after another, their forms twisted and monstrous as they crawled out from the ground. Within seconds, an entire army of shadow beasts rushed forward toward Tanrou.
Tanrou sighed softly.
"Still using the same tricks, huh…"
He slowly raised one hand.
"Light Manipulation System."
His voice remained calm.
"First Technique — Light Acceleration."
A brilliant yellow glow erupted around his body as particles of light flickered across his skin. In the next instant, Tanrou vanished.
To the shadow monsters, it looked as if he had simply disappeared.
Then—
FLASH!
Tanrou reappeared among the shadow creatures, moving faster than the eye could follow. His body darted through the battlefield like a beam of light, striking each monster with precise and efficient movements.
One after another, the shadow creatures shattered as his attacks passed through them.
Shadow Manipulation System — a rare and dangerous ability that allows its user to control and shape shadows. Like the Lunar Sovereignty System, its power becomes even stronger during celestial events such as full moons or eclipses.
Meanwhile—
Light Manipulation System — another extremely rare system that grants its wielder incredible speed and control over light itself. When mastered, its user can move at speeds approaching the velocity of light, making it one of the most feared abilities among high-level players.
"Not bad… for an old man."
Idrix suddenly dashed forward, his body becoming a blur of darkness as he rushed toward Tanrou with incredible speed. Even against the overwhelming speed of light, the shadow user managed to close the distance.
For a brief moment—
Their figures clashed.
THUD!
Idrix's fist slammed into Tanrou's stomach.
The impact forced the old man to stagger backward several steps, a sharp groan escaping his lips as pain surged through his body.
Tanrou quickly pushed himself backward, creating distance between them.
Idrix chuckled darkly.
"You've gotten old, Tanrou."
His voice carried mockery.
"I can't believe I actually managed to land a hit on you."
He slowly stepped forward, his shadow aura swirling around him.
"Back in your prime, they used to praise your speed across the battlefield. They said you could enter a warzone and leave without a single scratch."
He tilted his head slightly.
"But look at you now."
Tanrou suddenly coughed.
A small amount of blood dripped from the corner of his mouth.
"Huh… I guess even the strong eventually grow weak."
Idrix's voice lowered slightly.
"Just like the First Ascendant Overlord."
For a brief moment, silence filled the battlefield.
Then Tanrou slowly stood up straight.
The golden light around his body suddenly grew brighter than before, illuminating the entire clearing.
His eyes sharpened.
"Well then…"
He cracked his neck slightly.
"Let's see who perishes today."
"Me…"
"…or you."
A faint smirk appeared beneath Idrix's mask.
"Very well."
His shadow aura exploded outward once again.
"Let's settle this… once and for all."