Ryo now stood alone in the middle of the forest.
All around him, the world still bore the scars of battle. Tree trunks were split open, some burned down to their core, others twisted as if they had tried to flee. Thin trails of smoke drifted lazily upward from the ground, carrying with them the acrid scent of scorched earth and melted metal. The clearing no longer felt like part of nature, but like a deep wound carved into it.
The soil had been torn apart by repeated impacts, blackened in places and soaked with a heavy magic that refused to fade. It did not dissipate like heat after a fire. It lingered, oppressive, as if the forest itself hesitated to breathe again.
Ryo's right hand was still wrapped in black flames.
They were not wild or violent. They swayed slowly, almost calmly, like a dark sea under a moonless sky. And yet, their presence was overwhelming. Each flame carried an unnatural weight, dense with restrained intent, ready to erupt at the slightest command.
Ryo slowly lifted his gaze toward the sky.
The clouds drifted lazily above, painted in shades of orange, purple, and deep violet by the setting sun. The fading light stretched long, distorted shadows across the ruined clearing. For a brief moment, he remained completely still, staring upward as though searching for something beyond the clouds.
An answer, perhaps.
Or simply an excuse not to think.
He inhaled deeply.
A slow, controlled breath.
The black flames vanished.
They did not explode or disperse violently. Instead, they retracted, as if drawn back into his palm, absorbed into his body, until his hand looked perfectly normal once more. No visible trace remained, save for a faint lingering warmth, a silent reminder that the battle had been very real.
Silence returned.
But it did not last.
Footsteps soon echoed between the trees. Branches snapped. Low voices and heavy breathing grew closer.
Ryo slightly turned his head.
The group emerged from the forest.
Eyrin led the way, his pace cautious, eyes constantly scanning their surroundings. Édouard followed, his armor still marked with the remnants of combat. Selena came next, clearly exhausted yet stubbornly holding herself together. Blanek walked with steady steps, carefully carrying Lyo in his arms. Rael brought up the rear, silent, observing everything around him.
Lyo was unconscious.
His face was pale, his expression drawn tight. Despite his massive build, Blanek carried him with surprising care, making sure his head didn't jolt unnecessarily.
The group came to a stop almost simultaneously when they noticed Ryo.
Standing.
Alone.
Unscathed.
For a brief moment, no one spoke.
Then Selena sharply inhaled.
Her eyes widened, and all the tension she had been holding onto finally collapsed. Her face lit up with raw, unfiltered relief, erasing fatigue and pain alike.
"Master Ryo!"
Before anyone could stop her, she rushed toward him. Her steps were uneven, almost clumsy, but she didn't slow down. She forgot everything else. The danger, the ruined ground beneath her feet, her own exhaustion. There was only him, alive, standing there.
Ryo turned sharply at the sound of her voice.
Their gazes met.
He said nothing.
He simply raised his hand… and flicked her forehead.
Smack.
Despite how small the gesture looked, the force behind it was absurd. Selena was sent flying backward, her feet leaving the ground before she landed hard on her backside, sliding across the blackened soil.
A stunned silence fell over the clearing.
Even the birds seemed to stop breathing.
Selena blinked, dazed. She raised a hand to her forehead, then slowly looked up.
Ryo stood over her.
His expression was perfectly neutral. No anger. No kindness. Just cold, unyielding severity.
"So now you charge straight into the wolf's jaws?"
His voice was calm, but every word carried weight.
"You're supposed to be the most cautious and thoughtful one in the group."
Selena immediately lowered her head.
Her shoulders trembled slightly.
"…I'm sorry."
There was no excuse in her voice. No attempt to justify herself. Just a simple, honest admission.
A laugh suddenly burst out.
"Hahaha!"
Édouard clutched his stomach, clearly amused.
"Come on, Ryo. That's enough. Things like that happen."
Ryo didn't respond.
He merely looked away, as if the comment hadn't even reached him.
Rael, on the other hand, watched the scene in silence.
He wasn't laughing.
He was analyzing. Ryo's posture. The absolute control behind such a casual gesture. The way Selena accepted the punishment without protest. This man didn't impose authority through fear or strength alone.
He imposed a standard.
Ryo spoke again.
"And who are these two brats?"
His gaze shifted first to Rael, then to the unconscious Lyo.
Blanek answered without hesitation.
"Two young adventurers from the guild. They were dragged into this mess."
Selena lifted her head slightly.
"They're members of our group."
At those words, Ryo slowly raised his eyes to the sky.
He remained silent for several seconds.
Then he sighed.
A long, heavy sigh, filled with unfiltered irritation.
He began walking forward.
One step.
Then another.
Straight toward Rael.
With every step, Rael felt the pressure increase. It wasn't a visible aura, nor an obvious threat. It was subtler than that. The air itself seemed heavier around him.
Instinctively, Rael straightened his posture.
He clenched his teeth.
When Ryo reached him, he raised his hand… and flicked Rael's forehead as well.
Smack.
Rael was launched sideways, rolling across the ground before crashing into a tree trunk.
"…?!"
The group froze.
Even Édouard stopped smiling.
Ryo slightly turned toward the others.
"I'm supposed to handle discipline for all of you."
His gaze moved from Selena, still sitting on the ground, to Rael sprawled nearby.
"But with you two, this should be enough."
Rael moved.
Slowly.
He planted one hand on the ground. Then the other. His body trembled violently, every muscle screaming in protest. And yet, he stood up.
Not in one swift motion.
But he stood.
Ryo stopped.
He studied Rael carefully.
Given Rael's condition. Given how deceptively simple the attack had been. Being able to stand again was not normal.
A smile formed on Ryo's face.
Brief.
Barely there.
"…Interesting."
He turned away.
"We should get moving. Night's almost here."
No one argued.
They resumed their march, leaving the ruined clearing behind and disappearing into the darkening forest. Silence followed them, heavier than any sound.
Behind them, the forest slowly reclaimed its stillness.
But it was no longer the same.
Something had changed.
For all of them.