The battlefield had finally become silent.
The Abyssal Gate was gone.
The purple lightning had disappeared from the sky.
The villagers slowly came out from behind the broken houses.
For the first time in hours, Everdark Forest felt strangely peaceful.
But Ryu couldn’t feel that peace.
He was staring at the black mark on his chest.
It pulsed faintly.
Once.
Twice.
Then again.
[Unknown energy detected.]
[Origin: Abyss.]
[Warning.]
[Energy is attempting to establish a connection with the user’s core.]
Ryu’s expression became serious.
—System…
[Yes, Master.]
—Can you remove it?
There was a brief silence.
[Negative.]
Ryu frowned.
—Analyze it.
[Analyzing…]
[10%…]
[32%…]
[61%…]
Suddenly—
[Analysis failed.]
[The energy possesses properties beyond the current system’s authority.]
Ryu’s eyes widened.
—Beyond your authority?
The system remained silent.
Ryu clenched his fist.
—That’s the first time you’ve said something like that.
The Shadow Wolf approached him.
It sniffed the mark.
Suddenly, its body stiffened.
A low growl escaped its throat.
Ryu looked down.
—You recognize it too?
The Shadow Wolf stared at the mark.
Then it slowly stepped backward.
Ryu’s expression changed.
—You’re afraid?
The Shadow Wolf had never been afraid before.
Not even when facing the Abyssal Titan.
Not even when surrounded by hundreds of monsters.
But now…
It was trembling.
Kael noticed.
—That’s not a normal mark.
Ryu looked at him.
—You said you’ve seen it three hundred years ago.
Kael nodded.
—Yes.
—Where?
Kael remained silent.
Ryu stepped closer.
—Kael.
Kael looked away.
—There was a kingdom.
—A kingdom?
—A kingdom that existed before the human kingdoms of this continent.
Kael’s voice became quieter.
—It was called the Kingdom of Elarion.
Ryu listened carefully.
—Three hundred years ago, Elarion was the strongest kingdom in the world.
Kael looked toward the distant mountains.
—Humans, monsters, elves, dwarves…
—Everyone lived there.
Ryu frowned.
—What happened to it?
Kael’s expression darkened.
—It disappeared.
—How?
Kael looked directly into Ryu’s eyes.
—Because of you.
Silence.
Ryu froze.
—Me?
Kael nodded slowly.
—At least…
that’s what the survivors believed.
Ryu’s heart began beating faster.
—I don’t remember any of that.
—Because you weren’t supposed to remember.
Ryu’s eyes narrowed.
—Who erased my memories?
Kael didn’t answer.
Ryu grabbed his shoulder.
—Who?!
Kael finally spoke.
—The King of Elarion.
Ryu released him.
—The king?
Kael nodded.
—He was the only person who knew the truth about your existence.
Ryu looked at the mark.
—And where is he now?
Kael’s eyes became cold.
—Dead.
Ryu stared at him.
—How?
Kael looked toward the sky.
—You killed him.
Ryu stepped backward.
—No…
—You destroyed his kingdom.
—No.
—And then you disappeared.
Ryu shook his head.
—That’s impossible.
Kael looked at him with sadness.
—That’s what I thought too.
Suddenly—
A voice came from behind them.
—You’re finally telling him.
Everyone turned.
Zerach was standing several meters away.
His clothes were damaged.
Blood covered one side of his face.
But he was smiling.
Ryu immediately raised his hand.
—Don’t move.
Zerach laughed.
—You really think I’m going to fight you again?
Ryu’s eyes narrowed.
—Why shouldn’t I kill you?
Zerach’s smile disappeared.
—Because if you kill me, you’ll never learn the truth.
Ryu froze.
Zerach slowly raised his hand.
A small purple crystal appeared between his fingers.
—This belonged to Elarion.
Kael’s eyes widened.
—Where did you get that?
Zerach looked at him.
—From the ruins.
Ryu stared at the crystal.
Something inside him reacted.
His chest suddenly burned.
The black mark glowed.
[Unknown reaction detected.]
[Memory fragment attempting to surface.]
Ryu grabbed his head.
—Ah!
Images flooded his mind.
A massive city.
Golden towers.
People running through burning streets.
A gigantic black creature standing above the city.
And Ryu…
Standing before it.
But this time, Ryu wasn’t afraid.
He was smiling.
The vision disappeared.
Ryu breathed heavily.
—What was that?
Zerach answered quietly.
—A memory.
Ryu looked at him.
—Whose?
Zerach smiled.
—Yours.
Ryu’s expression became cold.
—Tell me everything.
Zerach shook his head.
—Not here.
—Then where?
Zerach pointed toward the mountains.
—There is a place beyond Everdark Forest.
—The Ruins of Elarion.
Kael immediately stepped forward.
—You’re not taking him there.
Zerach laughed.
—I’m not taking him anywhere.
He looked at Ryu.
—He will go because he wants the truth.
Ryu stared at the mountains.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
Then—
—I’m going.
Kael looked at him.
—Ryu—
—I need answers.
Ryu looked down at the black mark.
—If my past is connected to this…
His eyes hardened.
—Then I’ll uncover everything.
The Shadow Wolf stepped beside him.
Kael sighed.
—Then I’m coming with you.
Ryu smiled faintly.
—You weren’t going to let me go alone anyway.
Kael smiled.
—Of course not.
Zerach turned around.
—Then follow me.
Ryu stopped him.
—One question.
Zerach looked back.
—What?
Ryu’s eyes became sharp.
—Why were you afraid when the Abyssal Gate closed?
Zerach remained silent.
For the first time, his smile disappeared completely.
—Because…
He looked toward the sky.
—The thing inside the Abyss wasn’t looking at the world.
Ryu waited.
Zerach slowly turned toward him.
—It was looking at you.
Ryu’s pupils contracted.
Zerach continued—
—And if it has truly awakened…
A cold smile appeared on his face.
—Then even the gods won’t be able to protect you.
Ryu looked toward the mountains.
The wind moved through the trees.
Somewhere far away…
A single purple eye opened in the darkness.
And a whisper echoed through the night.
“Come back, my King.”
Ryu suddenly stopped walking.
—Did you hear that?
Kael looked confused.
—Hear what?
Ryu stared into the darkness.
For a moment, he felt something familiar.
Something ancient.
Something that felt like home.
But he didn’t know why.
The journey to Elarion had begun.
And with it…
The first fragment of Ryu’s forgotten past was about to be revealed.
To Be Continued…