The moment the academy gates opened—
Chaos rushed in like a storm.
Smoke filled the sky.
Flames rose from several buildings.
People ran through the streets in panic.
"Run!!"
"Monsters are everywhere!!"
"Help us!!"
The once peaceful city had turned into a battlefield.
---
ROOOOAAAARRRR!!
A massive monster smashed through a market stall.
Wood shattered everywhere.
CRASH!!
A group of hunters rushed forward.
"Hold it there!"
"Don't let it reach the civilians!"
Magic flashed.
Blades clashed.
The battle had already begun.
---
Students from the academy spread across the streets to help.
Teachers commanded the defense.
Hunters fought desperately to push the monsters back.
Demons and monsters poured into the city like a dark tide.
---
Kael raised his spear.
His eyes scanned the surroundings quickly.
"We need a defense point."
Sylven nodded.
"The academy would be the safest place."
Lyra looked at the terrified civilians running in the streets.
"We can shelter them inside."
Riven grinned slightly.
"Sounds like a plan."
---
Kael slammed the end of his spear into the ground.
THUD
A powerful wave of spatial magic expanded.
WHOOM
A massive transparent barrier slowly formed around the academy.
It covered the entrance like a protective wall.
---
Kael exhaled slowly.
"This barrier will hold."
Sylven placed his hand on a wounded man's shoulder.
A faint glow spread through his palm.
"Bring the injured here!"
"We'll treat them inside!"
---
Students began guiding civilians toward the academy.
"Come this way!"
"Hurry!"
"Stay behind the barrier!"
The academy quickly turned into a refuge.
---
Meanwhile—
Iren stood silently in the middle of the street.
His eyes slowly moved toward the far end of the city.
Toward the direction where monsters were coming from.
His expression slowly darkened.
---
That presence…
He could feel it clearly now.
Heavy.
Dark.
Familiar.
Like a shadow from the past.
His grip tightened around his sword.
---
Lyra noticed immediately.
"…You felt it too."
Iren didn't answer.
His eyes remained fixed on the distant smoke.
---
Another monster suddenly leaped toward a group of civilians.
ROOOOARRR!!
Iren moved instantly.
WHOOSH
His sword flashed.
SLASH!!
The monster's body split apart.
It collapsed instantly.
---
Riven whistled.
"Well… that one didn't stand a chance."
Sylven helped two frightened children stand.
"You're safe now."
"Go to the academy."
---
But Iren didn't stop moving.
He kept walking forward.
Step by step.
Toward the direction the monsters were coming from.
---
Lyra noticed.
"…Where are you going?"
Iren answered quietly.
"Toward the entrance."
Lyra's eyes narrowed.
"You mean the place where they're coming from?"
Iren nodded.
"If we stop them there… the city will be safer."
---
Another monster jumped toward them.
Riven phased forward.
WHOOSH
His blade pierced the creature.
STAB
The monster fell instantly.
---
Kael looked toward Iren.
"You're planning to go alone?"
Iren didn't turn back.
"…Yes."
---
Sylven stepped forward.
"That's reckless."
Riven crossed his arms.
"Even for you."
---
For a moment—
Silence filled the street.
Smoke drifted through the air.
Screams echoed in the distance.
---
Then Lyra walked forward.
"I'm going with him."
Everyone looked at her.
Riven raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
Lyra's voice remained calm.
"But the rest of you stay here."
She pointed toward the academy.
"The civilians need protection."
---
Kael looked at the growing crowd of refugees entering the barrier.
"…She's right."
Sylven nodded slowly.
"We can't leave this place undefended."
---
Riven sighed dramatically.
"Fine."
He looked toward Iren.
"Try not to die before the tournament."
Iren smirked slightly.
"I'll try."
---
Lyra stepped beside him.
Her daggers glinted faintly.
"Let's move."
---
The two of them rushed forward through the burning streets.
WHOOSH
Monsters appeared in their path.
But they cut through them without stopping.
SLASH
THUD
CRASH
Every creature that stood before them fell quickly.
---
The further they went—
The stronger the dark presence became.
Iren could feel it clearly now.
His heartbeat slowly increased.
---
Lyra glanced at him.
"…You know who it is."
Iren's voice was low.
"…Yes."
His grip tightened around the sword.
---
At the end of the street—
The source finally appeared.
A large open area near the city gate.
Broken buildings surrounded the place.
Dead monsters lay scattered across the ground.
And standing in the middle—
Was a group of massive monsters.
At least twenty of them.
---
But they weren't the most terrifying thing there.
Standing behind them—
Was a giant figure.
Nearly three meters tall.
Muscles like iron.
Dark crimson skin covered with black cracks.
Two curved horns rose from his head.
And his glowing yellow eyes stared directly at Iren.
---
The monster slowly grinned.
Rows of sharp teeth appeared.
"…So."
His deep voice echoed across the ruined street.
"I was wondering when you would arrive."
---
Iren froze.
His eyes widened slightly.
The memory of a burning village flashed through his mind again.
---
The monster chuckled.
A dark, cruel laugh.
"Little boy…"
"Did you miss me?"
---
Lyra slowly tightened her grip on her daggers.
"…Iren."
But Iren didn't answer.
His eyes burned with fury.
---
Because standing before him—
Was the monster that destroyed his home.
---
To be continued…