The echo of the blast spread through the air, trees trembled, and dust flew everywhere. The black beast that had emerged from the rift was suspended in the air for a moment and then dropped its heavy body to the ground.
Its weight was so immense that large cracks formed in the earth.Its red eyes were fixed on Ryu , and it let out a roar that echoed through the surrounding jungle.
Ryu gently adjusted his golden cloak and took a deep breath, as if he were just about to start exercising.
"You've got some style… let's see how long you can entertain me."
The beast roared in anger and charged straight at him. With every step it took, the ground quaked, and its aura ripped the air like it was burning.
Ryu simply stood there—his face calm, his eyes casually watching the beast's every move.
The beast lunged at him and struck with a massive claw. But in a flash, Ryu was hovering above its head.
Golden magic symbols floated around him.
"First step… warm-up finished."
Ryu snapped his hand downward. The golden symbols began to spin, and a large golden spear rose from the earth, piercing through the beast's claw and knocking it back.
The beast roared, dark lightning sparking from its body.
It leapt at Ryu again, but Ryu calmly waved his hand. A golden ring formed around the beast and began to pull at its body.
"Do you know how to dance? Come, let me teach you."
The ring spun rapidly, but the beast's dark aura shattered it.
Ryu, slightly surprised, checked the system.
[Boss Name: Abyssal Rift Beast – Level ???]
[Warning: Power Synchronizing with Dimensional Core]
Ryu let out a small laugh and cracked his knuckles.
"Alright then… I won't let myself get bored either."
In an instant, he appeared before the beast. He placed his hand on its chest and softly said,
"Break."
A golden shockwave burst forth, leaving a deep wound in the beast's body. The ground shook, and trees were blown away.
The beast continued roaring in pain, but there was something strange in its red eyes—not fear… but recognition.
For a moment, Ryu paused. He looked into the beast's eyes, and his expression turned calm.
"You… you're not afraid. You're looking at me like… you know me?"
The beast's half-human face slowly twisted into a strange smile. It spoke a single word—
"…Ryu."
Ryu's eyes widened slightly. His face remained calm, but inside, something began to shift.
"You… know my name?"
The red glow in the beast's eyes softened for a moment, and it spoke gently,
"…You won't remember… but we've met before."
Ryu's smile faded. For the first time, a hint of curiosity and quiet concern flickered in his eyes.
He slowly lowered his hand. The jungle was silent now, the air was cool, and the two simply stared at each other—a hunter and a beast that perhaps wasn't an enemy.
And at that moment, a new system notification flashed before Ryu—
[Secret Quest Unlocked: Forgotten Bonds]
Ryu looked at the screen, then back at the beast, and softly said,
"…Interesting. You all aren't just monsters."
There was a faint human sadness on the beast's face, and for the first time… Ryu hesitated before fighting.
---
— TO BE CONTINUED —