Rayns City.
A city famous for its breathtaking beauty and peaceful atmosphere.
Tall mountains surrounded the city like silent guardians, their slopes covered in endless green forests. From the peaks, cold winds drifted down into the streets, carrying the fresh scent of nature.
But what made Rayns City truly unique were its temples.
Small temples, large temples, ancient temples—scattered throughout the city like sacred jewels. Their architecture was incredibly detailed, carved with designs so intricate that they seemed almost alive.
Some of these temples had existed for centuries.
Maybe even longer.
People from all around the world traveled to Rayns City just to see them. Foreign tourists could often be seen standing in awe, taking photos of the magnificent structures.
But the temples weren't the only reason the city felt special.
The people were.
The citizens of Rayns City were known for their kindness and politeness. Neighbors greeted each other warmly. Strangers helped each other without hesitation.
And above all else…
They believed in the Gods.
Deeply.
For the people of Rayns City, the Gods were not distant myths—they were real protectors. Every success, every blessing, every bit of good fortune was credited to them.
"Thank the Gods for this blessing."
"May the Gods guide us."
"May the Gods protect our family."
Such words could be heard almost everywhere.
In fact, one might say something strange about this city.
In Rayns City…
Atheists simply didn't exist.
Or at least…
That's what most people believed.
⸻
Soft music played through a pair of headphones.
"And if a double-decker bus crashes into us… to die by your side is such a heavenly way to die…"
A young man walked calmly through the busy street, completely absorbed in the music.
His name was Ryuk.
Twenty-one years old.
Dressed in simple office clothes, a bag hanging over his shoulder as he headed toward work.
Unlike most people around him, Ryuk wasn't the type who enjoyed socializing.
He was quiet.
Reserved.
An introvert.
Unless someone was very close to him—like his family or a few trusted friends—Ryuk rarely spoke more than necessary.
He removed one side of his headphones as he entered the office building.
"Hey Ryuk!"
A coworker waved at him.
"How are you, man?"
Ryuk nodded slightly.
"Yeah. I'm good."
That was it.
A short answer.
No small talk.
No unnecessary conversation.
He simply walked to his desk and started working.
⸻
Hours passed.
Typing.
Checking documents.
Reviewing reports.
Submitting files to his boss.
Ryuk worked quietly the entire day, barely interacting with anyone. It wasn't that he disliked people…
He just preferred silence.
By the time the office clock hit 7:00 PM, Ryuk had finished all his tasks.
He packed his bag, slipped his headphones back on, and left the building.
Another day.
Another routine.
⸻
As Ryuk walked through the streets of Rayns City, he passed several temples on his usual route home.
People stood outside them, hands clasped together in prayer.
Some looked desperate.
Others hopeful.
"I hope I pass my exams…"
"Please help me get a better job…"
"Make my family rich…"
Ryuk glanced at them briefly before looking away.
Idiots.
His thoughts were blunt.
They expect everything to be handed to them.
Instead of working hard, they beg invisible gods to solve their problems.
He scoffed quietly.
Humans write their own destiny.
Good or bad—it depends on us.
Blaming fate… blaming gods…
None of that changes anything.
He pushed his headphones deeper into his ears.
Anyway…
Not my problem.
He turned the corner of his street and stopped in front of a familiar house.
Home.
Ryuk opened the door.
"I'm home."
⸻
"Ryuk?"
A cheerful voice called from inside the kitchen.
His mother appeared a moment later, smiling warmly.
Her name was Sakura.
A kind woman who spent most of her time taking care of the family.
"You're home early today," she said.
Ryuk shrugged slightly.
"Work finished early."
"Well, that's good."
Ryuk placed his bag down.
"Where's Dad?"
"Oh right!" Sakura said suddenly. "He was looking for you earlier. He's in his room."
Ryuk nodded.
"Okay. I'll go see him."
⸻
He walked down the hallway and knocked on the door.
"Dad? Are you inside?"
"Come in, son."
Ryuk entered the room.
His father sat in a chair near the window.
A tall man with a strong presence, even in retirement.
Charles.
A former army officer.
Despite being older now, his sharp eyes and disciplined posture still remained.
"I was just thinking about you," Charles said.
Ryuk sat down beside him.
"Mom said you needed something."
Charles leaned back slightly, studying his son.
"Ryuk… I've been noticing something."
"What?"
"You walk to work every single day."
Ryuk blinked.
"…Yeah?"
Charles raised an eyebrow.
"Why?"
Ryuk shrugged casually.
"I don't have a bike."
Then he smiled faintly.
"And honestly… I enjoy walking while listening to music."
Charles nodded slowly.
"I see…"
A quiet pause filled the room.
Then Charles suddenly said:
"Well… I was thinking about buying you a bike."
Ryuk's eyes widened.
"…Seriously?"
Charles crossed his arms.
"But you seem happy walking."
"So maybe we shouldn't buy one."
Ryuk immediately leaned forward.
"No no, Dad. If you insist… I guess I can accept."
Charles nodded thoughtfully.
"…Hmm."
Another pause.
Then he said calmly:
"Actually… never mind."
Ryuk blinked again.
"…What?"
"My mood changed."
Ryuk stared at him.
"So we're not buying the bike?"
Charles smirked slightly.
"No."
Then he added casually:
"Because we already bought it."
Ryuk froze.
"…What?"
Charles pointed toward the door.
"Go look outside."
⸻
Ryuk quickly stood up and walked toward the front door.
Did he really buy a bike?
For a moment he thought his father might just be joking again.
But when Ryuk stepped outside…
He froze.
Parked in front of the house, shining under the evening lights, was a brand-new motorcycle.
A Harley-Davidson Sportster S.
Its black metallic body reflected the streetlights beautifully. The thick tires, powerful engine design, and aggressive build made it look less like a vehicle and more like a beast waiting to be unleashed.
Ryuk slowly walked toward it.
"…No way."
He ran his hand gently over the fuel tank, almost as if he couldn't believe it was real.
Behind him, Charles stepped outside with Sakura.
"Well?" Charles asked casually. "Do you like it?"
Ryuk turned around, still stunned.
"Dad… this thing is insane."
Sakura laughed softly.
"You should have seen your father today. He spent nearly an hour choosing the color."
Charles cleared his throat.
"Ahem. Quality matters."
Ryuk looked back at the bike, excitement slowly replacing his usual calm expression.
"Can I… try it?"
Charles tossed him the keys.
"Of course. That's why we bought it."
Ryuk caught them mid-air.
"Just don't crash it on the first day," Charles added.
Ryuk smirked.
"I'm not that bad."
He swung his leg over the bike and started the engine.
VROOOOM.
The powerful roar of the engine echoed through the quiet street.
Ryuk's eyes lit up.
This is perfect.
He adjusted his headphones again and looked back at his parents.
"I'll take a short ride."
"Be careful!" Sakura called.
Ryuk nodded and slowly drove down the street.
⸻
The cool night air brushed against his face as the bike accelerated smoothly through the roads of Rayns City.
The city lights blurred slightly as Ryuk rode through familiar streets.
Temples.
Shops.
Restaurants.
People walking peacefully.
Everything looked the same as always.
Peaceful.
Calm.
Normal.
Ryuk smiled slightly as he increased the speed.
Okay… I understand why people like bikes now.
After riding for a while, Ryuk turned toward a convenience store near the main street.
He parked the Harley outside and stepped inside.
The small store was mostly empty.
Behind the counter stood a tall, muscular man with a shaved head.
His name was Max.
A foreigner who had moved to Rayns City several years ago.
Max noticed Ryuk immediately.
"Well, look who it is."
Ryuk removed one side of his headphones.
"Hey."
Max crossed his arms and glanced outside through the glass door.
"That your bike?"
Ryuk nodded.
"Just got it today."
Max let out a low whistle.
"Damn. That thing looks expensive."
Ryuk shrugged.
"Gift from my dad."
Max smirked.
"Lucky bastard."
Ryuk grabbed a bottle of cold soda from the fridge and walked to the counter.
Max scanned it lazily.
"So," Max said, leaning on the counter. "How's work?"
"The same as always."
"Boring?"
Ryuk nodded.
"Very."
Max chuckled.
"You know, sometimes I wonder why you even stay in this city."
Ryuk raised an eyebrow.
"What do you mean?"
Max gestured vaguely outside.
"This place worships gods like crazy."
Ryuk immediately understood what he meant.
Max had always known Ryuk's opinion about religion.
Ryuk took a sip of his drink.
"People believe what they want."
Max smirked.
"That's a polite way of saying 'they're idiots.'"
Ryuk didn't answer.
He simply drank his soda.
After a moment, Max spoke again.
"You still don't believe in any gods?"
Ryuk shook his head.
"No."
Max leaned back slightly.
"Not even a little?"
Ryuk looked at him calmly.
"If gods existed, the world wouldn't be this messed up."
Max chuckled.
"Fair point."
But then his expression suddenly changed.
He glanced outside the store window again.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"…That's weird."
Ryuk noticed the change in his tone.
"What?"
Max pointed toward the sky outside.
"You seeing that?"
Ryuk turned toward the glass door.
The night sky above Rayns City looked… strange.
The clouds were moving unnaturally fast.
Almost like something was pushing them apart.
A low rumbling sound echoed faintly in the distance.
BOOOOM.
Ryuk frowned.
"That sounded like thunder."
Max slowly shook his head.
"No."
His voice had suddenly become serious.
"That wasn't thunder."
Then—
A deafening explosion shook the entire street.
BOOOOOOM!!!
The store windows rattled violently.
People outside screamed.
Ryuk and Max both rushed toward the door.
What they saw next…
Made Ryuk's entire body freeze.
In the middle of the street, several cars had been crushed like toys.
A massive shadow moved between the smoke and debris.
Something enormous slowly stepped forward.
Something that definitely…
Was not human.
⸻
Smoke slowly spread across the street.
Car alarms screamed as people ran in panic, trying to escape the chaos.
Ryuk had just parked his Harley-Davidson Sportster S near the convenience store when the explosion shook the entire road.
BOOOOM!!
He immediately turned toward the noise.
"…Seriously?"
In the middle of the street stood a massive creature.
A Darkrayn.
its rough black skin split by glowing red cracks, like molten lava burning beneath stone.
The monster grabbed a car and hurled it across the road.
CRASH!!
Ryuk sighed deeply.
"Man… these things again."
Max stepped beside him and looked at the destruction.
"Darkrayn attack."
Ryuk nodded.
"Yeah."
He leaned slightly against his bike.
"Looks like tonight's city-destruction event started early."
Max crossed his arms.
"Well… you know what that means."
Ryuk took a sip of his drink.
"Yeah."
He looked up at the sky.
"The 'gods' will show up in a few seconds."
Almost on cue—
The sky flashed.
CRACK!!!
A massive bolt of blue lightning crashed down directly onto the Darkrayn.
Electricity exploded across the street.
The monster staggered backward.
Max smirked.
"Right on time."
Ryuk rolled his eyes.
"Told you."
A man slowly stepped forward from the fading lightning.
Electric sparks danced across his fingers.
Everyone in the city knew him.
Kai.
The God of Thunder.
People across the street immediately stopped running.
Some even pulled out their phones.
"It's the Thunder God!"
"We're safe now!"
Ryuk glanced at the cheering crowd.
"…See what I mean?"
Max chuckled.
"Yeah, they treat him like a superhero."
Kai looked at the Darkrayn and sighed.
"Of course this thing shows up on my patrol night."
Lightning crackled around his body as he stepped forward.
The Darkrayn roared and charged toward him, smashing a car aside like it was nothing.
Kai disappeared in a flash of blue light.
BOOM!
A bolt of lightning slammed into the creature, pushing it back across the street.
Cars flipped, debris scattered, and the entire road trembled from the impact as their fight finally began.
Watching the chaos unfold—
Ryuk suddenly looked around in confusion.
"…Wait."
His eyes widened.
"Where the hell did my bike go?!"
Max slowly raised a finger and pointed upward.
"Uh… Ryuk."
"Maybe you should look up."
Ryuk frowned.
"Why would I look—"
He looked up.
And his jaw almost hit the ground.
Floating high in the air was Kai — the God of Thunder.
Lightning crackled around his body as he continued fighting the Darkrayn.
But that wasn't the shocking part.
In Kai's hand…
Was Ryuk's brand-new Harley-Davidson Sportster S.
Ryuk's eyes widened in horror.
"HEY!!!"
"PLEASE DON'T DAMAGE MY BIKE!!"
The Darkrayn suddenly launched a massive dark punch toward Kai.
Without hesitation—
Kai raised the motorcycle and used it as a shield.
BOOM!!
The punch slammed directly into the bike.
Max blinked.
"…Damn."
"Ryuk, your bike is pretty durable."
Ryuk grabbed his head in despair.
"BRO I JUST GOT THAT BIKE TODAY!"
"I HAVEN'T EVEN RIDDEN IT PROPERLY YET!"
Before he could complain more—
Kai suddenly spun around and hurled the motorcycle straight at the Darkrayn.
Ryuk screamed.
"HEY!!! HE JUST THREW MY BIKE!!!"
The motorcycle flew across the battlefield like a missile, spinning wildly through the air.
But the Darkrayn quickly dodged.
The bike completely missed the target and continued flying far into the distance.
Ryuk stared in disbelief.
"…Bruh."
"That so-called Thunder God couldn't even aim properly."
He sighed dramatically.
"With that kind of throwing power my bike probably landed five kilometers away."
Then he added bitterly—
"And people call these guys gods…"
Before anyone could say anything—
The Darkrayn suddenly released a thick cloud of dark smoke.
Within seconds the entire street was covered.
When the smoke cleared…
The monster was gone.
Kai landed on the ground and looked around briefly.
Then his eyes fell on Ryuk.
"…Kid."
He scratched the back of his head.
"Sorry about your bike."
"I'll have to go track that monster."
With that—
He vanished in a flash of lightning.
Ryuk stood there in silence.
"…Bro."
"I didn't even get insurance for that bike."
Max patted his shoulder.
"Look on the bright side."
"Your motorcycle helped the God of Thunder."
"That's a pretty big achievement."
Ryuk scoffed.
"Achievement my foot."
"First he used my bike as a shield…"
"Then he threw it away like garbage."
"And he still missed."
"What kind of budget gods are these?"
Max shook his head.
"Hey, show some respect."
"They're literally gods."
Ryuk crossed his arms.
"Don't start that lecture again."
"I don't believe in gods."
Max smirked.
"Yeah, yeah."
"That attitude is exactly why your girlfriend dumped you."
Ryuk groaned.
"That wasn't my fault."
"She had a problem with everything I said."
Max laughed.
"Whatever helps you sleep at night."
He checked the time.
"Anyway it's late."
"Come on, I'll drop you home."
Ryuk nodded tiredly.
"Please do."
"My house is really far from here."
⸻
A while later
Max's car stopped in front of Ryuk's house.
"Alright," Max said.
"We're here."
Ryuk stepped out.
"Thanks, man."
Max started the engine again.
"See you later."
Ryuk quickly stopped him.
"Wait."
"At least come inside and say hi to my parents."
Max shook his head.
"Nope. It's already late."
Ryuk sighed.
"Bro please."
"You're literally the only witness to the tragedy that happened to my bike."
"My parents won't believe me otherwise."
Max laughed.
"…Fair point."
"Alright. Let's go."
They walked inside.
Ryuk opened the door.
"I'm home!"
Suddenly a girl ran toward him excitedly.
This was Sally, Ryuk's younger sister.
She was a high school student.
"Ryuk bhaiya!"
"Where's your new bike?!"
"I want to see it!"
"I went out with my friends earlier so I haven't seen it yet!"
Ryuk sighed dramatically.
"…I wish you could have seen it."
"My beautiful Harley-Davidson Sportster S."
Sally blinked.
"…Why are you talking like it's dead?"
Max chuckled.
"You'll understand in a minute."
Sally looked confused.
"What happened to the bike?"
Just then their parents walked into the living room.
Ryuk's father smiled.
"Max! Long time no see."
"How have you been?"
Max pointed at Ryuk.
"I'm fine."
"But your son isn't."
Ryuk's mom frowned.
"What happened Ryuk?"
Ryuk sighed.
"Mom…"
"Mom… my brand-new bike was just sacrificed to your so-called gods."
"They used it to throw at some giant monster… and missed."
"So it's probably lying somewhere five kilometers away by now."
His father sighed.
"That's unfortunate."
"Well… nothing we can do now."
But before anyone could say anything—
BOOOOOM!!!
A massive crash shook the entire house.
Everyone rushed outside.
Standing in the street…
Was the same Darkrayn.
It was destroying everything around it.
Throwing cars.
Smashing buildings.
Ryuk's expression instantly changed.
"We need to leave."
"This place isn't safe."
Max nodded.
"Everyone get into my car."
"We'll escape through the back road."
They rushed toward the vehicle.
But suddenly—
Sally tripped and fell.
At that exact moment the Darkrayn hurled a car toward her.
"SALLY!!"
Ryuk sprinted forward and grabbed her.
He barely managed to pull her away.
But behind them—
Their parents and Max were still standing near the car.
And now the Darkrayn lifted something even bigger.
A massive truck.
If it fell—
They would all die.
"RUN!!!"
Ryuk screamed desperately.
But it was too late.
The truck was already falling.
In that moment—
Ryuk thought he had lost them.
Then suddenly—
CRACK!!!
Lightning exploded across the street.
The falling truck stopped in mid-air.
Kai stood beneath it, holding the massive vehicle effortlessly.
He calmly lowered it to the ground.
"…Easy work."
Ryuk's eyes filled with tears.
"Thank God…"
"You saved them."
For the first time in his life—
Ryuk actually felt grateful to a god.
But before the moment could settle—
A cheerful voice echoed nearby.
"Well well…"
"I guess the situation here wasn't very safe."
"But don't worry."
"Now that I'm here… everything will be fine."
A man appeared beside them.
Silver hair.
Relaxed smile.
Ethan — The God of Time.
Kai sighed.
"You're late."
Ethan shrugged.
"I had to improve my K/D ratio."
Kai sighed.
"You treat monster hunting like a video game."
Kai rolled his eyes.
"Just finish the monster."
Ethan walked toward the Darkrayn casually.
The creature tried to lift another car.
But Ethan formed a strange hand sign.
Instantly—
The Darkrayn froze.
It lifted the car.
Put it down.
Lifted it again.
Put it down.
Again.
And again.
And again.
It was trapped in a time loop.
Ethan burst into laughter.
"Kai look!"
"This is hilarious!"
Kai stared blankly.
"…What part of that is funny?"
Ethan sighed.
"You really need a sense of humor."
He pulled out two shining blades from behind his back.
One quick movement—
Slash.
The Darkrayn's head fell to the ground.
Blood splashed onto Ethan's clothes.
"…Seriously?"
He looked annoyed.
"You ruined my outfit."
After cleaning himself he walked back to Kai.
"Area secured."
"No more danger."
Kai nodded.
"Let's go."
But before they could leave—
Ryuk suddenly stepped forward.
Then something unbelievable happened.
Ryuk bowed deeply.
"…Thank God…"
The words slipped out before Ryuk could stop himself.
"You saved them."
His parents.
Sally.
And Max.
All stared in shock.
Because the one person who never believed in gods…
Had just thanked them.
⸻
TO BE CONTINUED.....