I was running.
My breath was heavy, my legs burning, and fear gripped my chest.
"Hey, you—bride!" a rough voice shouted behind me. "If you don't want to die, stop right there!"
I clenched my teeth. I can't win against him.
There was only one option left.
"Help! Somebody—please help me! Is anyone here?!"
Suddenly, a killing intent rushed past me.
"Hey, brat," the attacker sneered. "Do you have a death wish—"
Before he could finish, a sharp sound echoed. Steel clashed. The man was sent flying.
I froze.
Someone had saved me.
"Boss! Boss!"
"What?" another voice replied.
"He's Aoyama Hikaru."
"What?!" Panic filled his tone. "Then run! What are you waiting for?!"
They fled instantly.
I stared at the man who stood before me.
He looked powerful—wearing a soldier's uniform, holding a massive sword that seemed far too heavy for a normal human. Yet he held it effortlessly.
"Are you alright?" he asked calmly.
"Yes… I'm fine," I said, still shaken. "But… who are you?"
"I am Aoyama Hikaru. And you?"
"Xiao Yan."
"What are you doing here?"
"I'm alone," I replied honestly. "I'm looking for shelter and work. I don't know anything about this city."
"If you come with me," he said, turning away, "I'll tell you everything you want to know."
"Okay… but where are we going?"
"Just follow me."
We soon reached a ruined area.
"This place looks too shabby," I muttered. "Like a battlefield."
"This is part of Kurohana City," Hikaru said. "Long ago, a hero came here to defeat someone powerful. But the hero's own subordinates betrayed him and killed him."
"Who was that someone?" I asked. "And what was the hero's name?"
"The hero's name was Xiao Chen," he replied. "No one knows who that 'someone' truly was."
"Xiao Chen…" I frowned. "Sounds Chinese."
"What happened after the hero was killed?"
"Those subordinates formed a group," Hikaru said. "They named it The Destroyer. The group has five grades—from Fifth to First."
This feels like I've stepped into a fantasy novel, I thought.
"Who's the strongest?" I asked.
"The First Grade."
He stopped walking. "We've arrived."
"Huh?" I looked around. "There's nothing here."
"Look ahead."
My blood ran cold.
"There… that's The Destroyer."
"Why are we here?" I whispered.
"They usually move in groups of five," Hikaru said. "But today—"
"There are ten enemies," I finished.
"Let's go," he said, stepping forward.
"Hey, brat! Where do you think you're going?" someone shouted.
"And who are you?"
"We are the Fifth Grade Destroyers."
I leaned closer to Hikaru and whispered, "They look powerful. Can you win?"
"Hm," he said quietly. "They are powerful."
"What?!" My heart sank. "Are you saying you'll lose?!"
He smiled slightly.
"Nah. I'd Win