The scene continues after the unknown figure unleashes a barrage of magical arrows. Ivan skillfully deflects them while simultaneously battling the monsters surrounding him. In a flash, he cuts down two of them with a powerful, swift movement. He closes his eyes for a moment and mutters to himself, "There are five... four of them, one up in the tree and the other three surrounding me on all sides. But where is the fifth?"
As soon as he opens his eyes, the remaining three attack him simultaneously with breathtaking combat moves. Ivan says coldly, "Just as I expected. You are not to be underestimated, Dark Elves."
They were indeed Dark Elves, renowned for their magical power and skill with magical arrows.
The fight between them and Ivan intensifies.
Ivan thinks, "As they say, that place is truly formidable. The reason outsiders don't enter is because of the Dark Elves' strength."
Meanwhile, the figure up in the tree continues to unleash magical arrows and observe Ivan.
In an unexpected moment, the fifth figure emerges from underground and attempts to stab Ivan. But Ivan's expression changed drastically. "Don't underestimate me," he said, grabbing him by the neck. He increased his speed and attacked them with his double-sword technique. "Double-sword technique: The Cutting Blade (Rego)," he said, leaving the four of them stunned.
The first, panting, exclaimed, "You monster! How could this happen?!"
The second, his voice trembling, said, "Even our strong bodies couldn't withstand him... Who are you, anyway?"
The third and fourth were unconscious from the sheer force of Ivan's fighting style. The only one left standing was the archer.
He launched seven magical arrows at Ivan, who immediately recognized them as special. Ivan took one of his swords and prepared for another attack, saying, "You are truly not to be underestimated." "Sword Art: The Hundred Sword Technique," he muttered to himself.
The swords began to return fire, much to the archer's astonishment.
The battle between them continued for a full day. The unknown figure was wearing a mask, but thanks to Ivan's ingenuity, he managed to break it open, revealing the face of a girl. It was Yui Ohara,
the daughter of the Dark Elf leader, Hiroshi Ohara, also known as the Iron Mountain.
Ivan:
"You're strong, you deserve praise."
Yui, angrily:
"I'm not finished yet!"
The two prepared for their final attack, but Ivan's powerful strike was too strong, defeating Yui. Thinking she was going to be killed, she whispered to herself,
"I'm sorry, Father... I'm defeated."
But after a short while, she woke up to find herself sitting up. When she turned around, she saw the rest of her tribe as well, while Ivan sat apart, eating the fish he had caught. He looked at her and said with a smile,
"Are you awake? Here, have some fish."
He threw the fish to her, and she was surprised by his gesture.
"Don't get carried away, you don't know who I am! Even if you kill us, they'll find you and kill you."
Ivan looked at her coldly and said,
"I'm not interested in you. What I'm interested in is whether the legendary bird Shura is really here?" Yui was shocked and began to laugh:
"Do you, a weak human, think you can defeat the legendary bird?"
Ivan smiled slightly:
"I see from your reaction... so, it exists."
After finishing his meal, he headed towards them. Yui thought he would kill them, but she was surprised when he untied them and disappeared into the depths of the forest. Yui ordered the others to inform the tribe, saying:
"Go to the chief; I will follow him."
Yui followed Ivan everywhere, amazed by what he was doing. He fought the monsters without any fear. Yui paused for a moment, while Ivan suddenly stood up and said:
"Aren't you tired of following me?"
She replied boldly:
"You must be watched; you are dangerous to us."
Ivan: Do as you please.
He walked, and she followed him, until he saw the bird's symbols carved into the forest stones. Ivan: "Did you carve these symbols into the stones here?" Yui: Why are you asking?
Ivan: It doesn't matter as long as he's really here.
A pause ensued, then
he sensed a powerful magical force rapidly approaching. He drew his swords, exclaiming, "Wow!"
He barely managed to deflect a very strong attack.
In a flash,
the Dark Elf Tribe leader, Hiroshi Ohara, appeared.
Hiroshi, smiling:
"You're all right, kid."
Hiroshi charged with terrifying force, hurling Ivan towards the town, but he held his ground. Ivan:
"Interesting. No wonder you're their leader then."
The two fought with incredible speed, their blows almost invisible to the others. The fight continued for three whole days until they were both exhausted. Then, panting, Hiroshi said,
"I am Hiroshi Ohara. What's your name, kid?"
Ivan replied:
"Ivan Muto."
Everyone was stunned by what they heard. Hiroshi Ohara, astonished:
"Impossible... You're the heir of Gin Muto?!"
Ivan, with a hint of sadness:
"Yes, and do you know him?"
Hiroshi recalled the days he spent with Gin, smiling:
"Now I understand," (he thought to himself: Gin, so this is the boy of prophecy we've been waiting for.)
"Gin once told me that the will of the Muto family would reappear. But, does he still drink as usual? And where is he?"
Ivan raised his head to the sky and said sadly,
"He's dead."
Hiroshi grieved for his lost friend and said in a sorrowful voice,
"So you're gone, my friend."
Ivan and Hiroshi talked for a long time while eating with the tribe members. Yui was still upset, but Hiroshi told her firmly,
"Stop it. He's our guest."
The two spoke.
Ivan: Do you know where I can find the legendary Phoenix Shura?
Hiroshi, warningly:
"The legendary bird is very strong and terrifying. It's impossible for you to fight it so easily."
Ivan, gripping his sword resolutely:
"I know that, and that's why I'll fight it."
Hiroshi was impressed by the determination of the heir of the Jinn, then said,
"Before you face it, you must follow me." Hiroshi led Ivan to a secret place filled with training equipment.
Hiroshi:
"This is a training ground for the Dark Elf tribe. We'll stay here for two days."
Ivan: "Very good place." The training began, where He was learning new fighting techniques. Hiroshi was also teaching him magic arrow techniques. Meanwhile, Yui watched Ivan in amazement, marveling at his resilience despite the deep wounds that covered his body.
Yui asked her father anxiously, "How can he endure all these wounds?"
Hiroshi smiled proudly. "Because he carries the will of the Moto family. He is the heir to the legendary swordsman, Jin Moto."
At the end of his training, Ivan sat beneath the waterfall, his eyes closed. He suddenly opened them and said firmly, "The time has come... the moment of truth has arrived."
At that moment, high above the great Jura Forest, the legendary phoenix Shura awoke from its hundred-year slumber and let out a thunderous cry, surrounded by immense power.