The central area of the New Year Festival.
Clear river water flowed gently from the mountains behind the academy, passing through this famous sightseeing spot before entering the city. Every year, thousands gathered here during the New Year Festival. At night, breathtaking fireworks illuminated the sky; during the day, laughter and warmth filled the air.
Just like every year, an enormous crowd had assembled to witness the spectacle.
But what they didn't know was that several disguised individuals had prepared a different kind of show for tonight,one that would be etched into memory with blood.
Unaware of the looming disaster, people continued their routines. Among them was a boy walking beside a girl.
The boy had dark red hair and matching eyes. His aura was so dense it instinctively warned others away, causing passersby to subconsciously avoid him. He wore luxurious clothing trimmed with gold,clearly expensive. Any expert would immediately recognize it as limited-edition defensive gear with absurd durability.
In stark contrast, the girl beside him had short white hair and pale pupils. Dressed in an elegant light-blue gown, she wore a bright, excited smile. Her beauty, paired with her cheerful energy, made her stand out effortlessly.
"See? I told you we should visit the festival! It's so lively here! What do you think, Link?"
"…Yeah. It's lively."
Link glanced around, already irritated by the noise, but he didn't show it. He walked quietly beside Riya, who was his complete opposite,a nonstop chatterbox.
"See that fish? It looks so cute!"
"Look! So many people are dancing! What are they doing?"
"Oh! What's that, Link? Hey,you heard me! That huge tower! Should we go see it up close?"
"That's the machine used for fireworks," Link replied calmly. "It's dangerous to go near it. Only someone at Rank B or above can operate it safely."
"Eh?! Then what's that person doing over there?!"
Link followed the direction of her finger. A man wearing a worker's uniform was adjusting the fireworks machine.
"Probably maintenance work."
"Oh! Is that so?"
Though he said it casually, suspicion crept into Link's mind. Maintenance was always completed before the festival. There was no reason for anyone to be adjusting the machine now.
Still, since he hadn't brought his guards today, he decided to ignore it for the moment. He could ask his guardian later. Enduring the festival for now was fine.
Fireworks bored him.
The only reason he was here was Riya.
If only I could torture that guy Fade freely…
A shame Dad restricted anything that could damage my reputation.
Those idiots I sent to beat him were useless. Maybe I'll do it myself later… sigh.
"Hey! Look! The show's starting, Link!"
"…Yeah. I'm looking."
As the fireworks began, cheers erupted across the area. Thousands shouted joyfully, unaware they were celebrating their own deaths.
How ironic.
The first firework shot into the sky,
,and then veered straight toward the crowd.
The cheers died instantly.
Before anyone could react, the bomb struck the ground and exploded, killing over twenty people in an instant.
Link's expression darkened.
Something was very wrong.
He was about to retreat when another bomb launched toward their position.
"Tch."
Link pulled on his gloves and leaped into the air.
[Dragon Arts: Intermediate Punch!]
His fist shattered the bomb like an eggshell. It detonated mid-air, harmless to the civilians below. Link landed smoothly and immediately scanned the area.
Riya was gone.
His heart skipped.
He leaped to higher ground and spotted her,she had been swept toward the edge of the area by the panicked crowd and was struggling to move.
Just as he prepared to reach her, more bombs launched into the air. Some were intercepted by an unknown party; only a few headed toward him.
Someone else is helping evacuate the civilians…
Link destroyed the remaining bombs and rushed toward Riya.
When he appeared before her, she froze,then relaxed.
Link lifted her into his arms and jumped away from the chaos, landing in a relatively empty area.
"You okay?"
"Yeah! But you should help the others,you're strong!"
Link sighed inwardly. Riya was immature, yet her sense of justice was overwhelming. She always worried about others before herself,unless it involved him.
"Are you sure you'll be safe?"
"Yeah! I'm very strong,I can protect myself!"
She looks cute when pretending…
Link shook his head and turned back toward the battlefield.
With enhanced senses, he locked onto the fireworks machine. Several black-clothed figures surrounded it.
At least B-rank…
It didn't matter.
He had tortured peak B-rankers before.
Link charged straight in, ignoring incoming attacks while destroying every mana bomb launched at him. The explosions didn't even scratch his body.
His physical defense alone could withstand high-grade bombs capable of killing peak B-rankers instantly.
This was the terror of someone with SSS-rank potential.
[Dragon Arts: Fire Aura!]
Dense blue flames erupted from his fists. A single punch caused a massive explosion, obliterating the fireworks machine completely.
Enraged, eight black-clad individuals rushed him together.
Link didn't care.
[Dragon Arts: Consecutive Advanced Punches!]
A storm of blows followed.
Heads burst instantly.
Panic spread as the remaining attackers tried to flee.
"Who allowed you to run?"
[Dragon Arts: Enhanced Speed!]
Link vanished. Punches and kicks descended with lethal precision.
Three minutes later, corpses littered the ground.
Only Link and one remaining man stood.
As Link prepared to finish him,
"Stop! Kill him, and I'll slit this girl's throat!"
"Link! Don't worry about me!"
Link turned.
A black-clad man held Riya hostage, a dagger pressed against her neck.
His aura crushed the air around him.
Peak A-rank…
Link could escape.
But defeating this man and saving Riya at the same time was nearly impossible.
"Fine," Link said coldly. "I'll let him go. Release her."
"That won't do, boy," the man sneered. "You'll kneel and beg for forgiveness. You slaughtered my men."
"No! Link, don't!"
"Kneel," the man laughed. "And maybe I'll let this fragile girl live… hahahaha…"