The man spat onto the floor.
"Tch… you're just an arrogant brat!" His voice was hoarse, heavy with anger, echoing through the sweat-soaked air of the refugee shelter.
"You're the one who disgusts me, bastard!" Ryu shouted back, his eyes blazing like burning coals. He stepped forward, ignoring the wound on his cheek, his breath harsh and fiery.
The royal soldiers around them tensed, hands drifting toward their weapons, ready to intervene. But one commander raised a cold hand, signaling them to stand down.
"Let him be," he said quietly, his tone laced with curiosity. "Let's see how the boy reacts."
The room grew tense. The only sounds were Ryu's heartbeat and the faint clinking of swords at the soldiers' sides.
From the shadow of a stone pillar, a woman in a black cloak stood motionless. Her violet eyes glimmered under the torchlight—reflecting the scene with a faint, knowing smile.
"Interesting," she whispered softly, her voice like the whisper of a midnight breeze.
"Haa… I was right. He really is interesting."
Her shadow shimmered, and her body slowly dissolved into the darkness like mist swallowed by night.
Amid the chaos, Ryu stood tall, blood staining his lips, his eyes burning with a newly kindled flame. The world may have been collapsing, but within him, something fierce had just been born.
His face flushed with rage, his gaze locked onto his opponent. He was about to lunge—when a deep, thunderous voice cut through the air.
"Enough!"
The voice roared like thunder. Jake Hill, cloaked in black, stepped between them, his right hand catching the young man's kick while his left intercepted Ryu's punch.
With a single shove, both bodies were thrown back like leaves caught in a storm. The young man crashed into the wall, while Ryu was sent flying backward—caught just in time by Leon, Asta, and Evelyn.
The room fell utterly silent. Every gaze turned to Jake Hill.
"Damn… why'd he stop them?" someone muttered under their breath.
"Honestly, that guy had the right to hit the brat. Maybe that'll teach him to watch his mouth."
Jake exhaled slowly, then his voice exploded across the room like a hammer striking steel.
"Listen!! I won't have anyone fighting or causing chaos here! This is a refuge for survivors—not a battleground!"
No one dared to speak.
"Look outside!" Jake pointed toward the window, where the red glow of fire lit the night. "Men are giving their lives on the front lines to protect Sena City! And what are you doing here? Arguing like fools!"
His roar made the air itself tremble. Even the torches along the walls seemed to flicker in fear of his voice.
A man from the crowd shouted, "But it's that boy's fault! He started it!"
All eyes turned toward Ryu.
Jake's gaze found him, but when he spoke again, his tone was calmer.
"There's no need for blame. If you don't wish to fight, that's fine. But don't ever insult those who choose to stand and resist. The Indosvara forces are humanity's last wall of defense."
A heavy silence followed.
Jake continued, his voice cutting deep into the hearts of everyone listening.
"We don't force anyone. We only accept those who have the will—the anger—and the courage to protect others."
His words lit a spark inside several people.
From the corner of the room, a woman stood up. Her long hair swayed gently, her face pale yet her eyes fierce. She raised her hand and stepped forward.
"I want to join," she said firmly.
Whispers spread through the crowd, but Jake simply gave her a faint smile.
"Good. You have courage."
Suddenly—the main doors burst open with a crash. A soldier from Indosvara ran in, face covered in dust and panic.
"Commander! The monsters—they've pushed our forces back! They've broken through fifteen kilometers from Sena's main gate!"
The room erupted in chaos. Panic-stricken faces filled the hall. Some clutched their children, some prayed, and others stood frozen in despair.
Jake turned sharply to his soldiers.
"All who wish to join the Monster Hunter Corps, prepare yourselves! We move to the rally point immediately!"
His eyes swept across Ryu, Leon, Evelyn, Asta, and the woman who had just volunteered. They all nodded—without hesitation.
Jake barked new orders, his voice cutting through the confusion.
"Evacuate the civilians! Move them toward the Starlight City border!"
The shelter exploded into organized frenzy—footsteps pounding, children crying, commands shouted.
Jake turned back to his small group.
"Quickly, follow me."
They sprinted in the opposite direction of the refugees' flow. Above Sena, the sky burned red, echoing with explosions and monstrous roars that shook the earth itself.
Jake glanced back briefly, watching his comrades still fighting at the gates. Hold on, he thought. I'll be back.
Ryu clenched his teeth, his eyes blazing with fury.
"I'll wipe you all out… I'll kill every last one of you."
Behind him, Evelyn ran with tears glimmering in her eyes.
"I'll stay by your side, Ryu… I won't lose anyone ever again."
Leon and Asta followed silently, keeping pace behind Jake Hill as he led them through the flames.
Then—the world blurred.
Nine years earlier.
The evening sky glowed gold as trees swayed gently in the wind. In a small house by the forest's edge, the warm scent of firewood and boiled vegetables filled the air.
"Ah, I forgot to bring in the firewood I left by the river earlier," Evelyn's mother said, chopping vegetables at the counter.
"Really?" Evelyn asked, sitting beside her and helping slice them.
Her father sat near the window, sewing a worn shirt with rough but patient hands. They were a poor family—but a happy one.
"Evelyn, could you fetch the firewood by the river?" her mother asked kindly.
"Okay, Mom!" Evelyn smiled brightly and ran out.
"Be careful, dear!" her father called from inside.
"Okay, Dad!" she replied cheerfully.
She ran through the small forest toward the river. The evening wind played with her loose hair. When she arrived, she spotted the firewood pile.
"There it is," she said with a grin, lifting the bundle with effort and heading home.
But when she opened the door—
The wood fell from her hands.
"I'm home…" her voice trailed off.
Her eyes widened. Her body trembled.
The warm little home was now drenched in blood. Her parents lay lifeless on the floor, and the air was thick with the metallic scent of death.
"Ah… no… Mom… Dad…" Evelyn fell to her knees, staring at their bodies in shock. Tears fell silently, then turned into a scream that echoed through the forest.
That day, Evelyn's world shattered.
And that same day, a man named Sato—Ryu's father—found the small, broken girl in the woods.
"Hey there, little one. Why are you out here alone? Where are your parents?" His voice was gentle, but edged with worry.
Evelyn looked up at him with red, swollen eyes. "M-my mom… my dad… they were killed…"
Sato lowered his head, his breath heavy. "So you're alone…" he murmured, then smiled softly.
"A girl like you shouldn't be alone in a cruel world like this."
Beside him stood a young boy—Ryu—small and innocent. He looked at the girl, then stepped forward, extending his hand.
"Don't cry. Crying won't change anything. From now on… you're not alone. Come with us. Be part of our family."
Evelyn stared at the hand—small, but warm. Her cheeks flushed; her lips trembled.
"R-really?" she whispered.
"Yes, really. Right, Dad?" Ryu turned to his father.
"That's right," Sato said proudly, smiling. "My son's name is Ryu Celestia. I'm Sato. From today on, you can call me Father."
Evelyn stared at them for a long moment—then gripped Ryu's hand tightly.
"My name… is Evelyn."
From that day on, she had a family again.
But fate, cruel as ever, took it all away once more—leaving only Ryu.
That's why she swore: this time, she would protect him.
---
Back to the present.
The sounds of war thundered once more. At Sena's city gate, Indosvara's army fought desperately to hold the monster horde at bay. Explosions of magic and the clash of steel filled the night.
They were losing ground. The frontline was collapsing.
Then—from within the smoke and dust—a man in a blue cloak appeared. His aura was cold and powerful.
"Look—over there! It's one of Jake's men!" shouted a soldier. "He's here!"
Jake, watching from a distance, turned and smiled faintly. "You finally made it, Sai…"
The man in blue stood before the gate, the wind whipping his cloak like a storm. His expression was calm, but his eyes glinted sharp as blades.
"Looks like it's going to be a long night," he muttered, lowering his sword. "Didn't think I'd have to step in personally, Jake…"
He looked out toward the endless swarm of monsters emerging from the darkness. A faint grin curved on his lips.
"Well then…" he said softly, his voice rumbling like distant thunder.
"Let's have some fun, monsters."
He dashed forward at lightning speed. With a single swing, a blue flash split the night sky—and the monsters froze, severed in utter silence.
Black blood sprayed into the air, falling like slow, heavy rain.
To be continued…