Dust drifted slowly across the ruined street.
The demon's ultimate form stood before Iren, its body twisted with dark power. Black claws curved like blades.
Its yellow eyes glowed with cruel amusement.
"…Come then, boy."
---
The demon vanished.
WHOOSH
A claw flashed toward Iren's throat.
SLASH!!
Iren barely raised his sword in time.
CLANG!!
The impact blasted him backward.
SKIDDD
His boots scraped across the ground.
---
The monster attacked again instantly.
WHOOSH
Another claw strike.
Then another.
SLASH
SLASH
SLASH
---
Iren blocked desperately.
CLANG
CLANG
CLANG
Each hit sent shockwaves through his arms.
He's faster than before.
Iren gritted his teeth.
His burning sword slashed forward.
FWOOSH
But the monster twisted aside effortlessly.
Its claw slammed into Iren's chest.
THUD!!
Iren was thrown backward.
CRASH
He smashed into a broken wall.
Dust filled the air.
---
The demon chuckled.
"…Struggling already?"
---
Iren slowly stood up.
Blood trickled from his lip.
But his eyes remained cold.
He grabbed the hilt of his sword.
Then—
CLICK
The blade split apart.
Two daggers formed in his hands.
---
The monster tilted its head.
"…Interesting."
---
Iren lowered his stance.
His movements changed instantly.
Faster.
Sharper.
More fluid.
---
The demon rushed forward again.
WHOOSH
Its claws slashed downward.
But this time—
Iren slipped past the attack.
SWISH
One dagger sliced across the demon's arm.
SLASH
Black blood splattered the ground.
---
The demon growled.
It attacked faster.
More violently.
But Iren moved like a shadow now.
His daggers flashed repeatedly.
SLASH
SLASH
SLASH
Small wounds began covering the monster's body.
---
The demon's eyes darkened.
"…Enough."
Its aura exploded outward.
BOOM
The pressure in the air doubled.
---
It attacked again.
Faster than before.
WHOOSH
A claw struck Iren's shoulder.
SLASH
Blood sprayed.
Iren staggered back.
Another strike came immediately.
THUD
The blow slammed him into the ground.
Dust exploded around him.
---
The demon raised its claws again.
"Die."
---
For a moment—
Iren's eyes burned with rage.
Flames erupted around his body.
FWOOOOM
But instead of raging wildly—
The flames slowly dimmed.
They condensed.
Then a deep red aura surrounded his body.
---
Iren whispered quietly.
"…Level Two."
Both daggers ignited with blazing flames.
---
Far behind the battlefield—
Four figures arrived.
Lyra.
Kael.
Riven.
Sylven.
---
Riven crossed his arms.
"Well… there's the fire again."
Kael nodded calmly.
"That's normal for him."
Sylven watched silently.
None of them reacted much.
They already knew Iren used fire.
---
The demon rushed forward again.
But this time—
Iren moved first.
WHOOSH
His flaming dagger slashed across the demon's chest.
SLASH!!
Black blood splattered across the ground.
---
The demon snarled.
"Good!"
"Show me how much hatred that village gave you!"
---
The battle erupted.
Claws clashed against blazing daggers.
CLANG
SLASH
BOOM
The ground cracked under their attacks.
---
But suddenly—
The demon roared.
Dark energy exploded from its body.
BOOOOOOM
Its strength surged violently.
---
The next attack struck like lightning.
SLASH!!
A claw tore across Iren's ribs.
Another strike followed instantly.
THUD!!
Iren crashed into the ground.
Dust burst everywhere.
---
The demon slowly approached.
"…Still too weak."
It raised its claw.
"Just like your father."
---
Iren struggled to breathe.
His hand moved toward his ring.
Level Three…
For a moment—
He almost used it.
Then he stopped.
"…No."
---
Instead—
His hand moved to the blue ring.
---
The demon's claw descended.
SLASH!!
But suddenly—
Water surged into existence around Iren.
SHHHHH
A swirling shield formed instantly.
The claw stopped mid-motion.
Blocked.
---
The demon froze.
"…What?"
---
Soft blue light surrounded Iren.
Droplets floated around him.
"…Flow."
---
Behind the battlefield—
Riven's eyes widened.
"…Water?!"
Kael whispered slowly.
"That… shouldn't be possible."
Sylven stared in disbelief.
"…Two elements…"
---
Lyra remained silent.
She had already seen this power before.
---
Iren slowly stood up.
Right dagger blazing with flame.
Left dagger surrounded by flowing water.
---
He activated both rings.
Fire – Level 2
Water – Level 1
Steam rose where fire and water met.
---
The demon growled.
"…What are you?"
---
Iren raised both daggers.
"…The one who survived your flames."
---
The final clash erupted.
BOOOOM
Fire and water flashed across the battlefield.
Claws clashed against daggers.
CLANG
SLASH
WHOOSH
Steam exploded around them.
---
Finally—
Iren leaped forward.
Both daggers crossed.
Fire and water collided violently.
---
SLASHHHHH!!
---
The demon froze.
A deep wound spread across its body.
It staggered backward.
Then collapsed.
THUD
---
Silence filled the ruined street.
Steam drifted slowly through the air.
---
Iren stood there breathing heavily.
Pain ran through his muscles.
Because Flow wasn't fully mastered yet.
His legs trembled.
He nearly fell—
But forced himself to stand.
---
Then he turned around.
And froze.
---
Kael.
Riven.
Sylven.
Lyra.
They had seen everything.
The flames.
The water.
The rings.
---
Riven rubbed the back of his neck.
"…Yeah… that's definitely not normal magic."
---
Sylven stared at the rings.
"…Two powers…"
---
Kael stepped forward slowly.
His voice was calm.
But serious.
---
"…Iren."
He stopped a few steps away.
"We need to talk."
---
Kael looked at the others.
Then back at Iren.
"…Meet us in the hall."
---
No one said anything else.
The wind moved quietly through the ruined street.
And Iren stood there silently.
Knowing his secret—
Was no longer hidden.
--