Morning arrived beneath a gray sky.
Ryu had barely slept.
The vision of the throne kept returning to his mind.
The kneeling people.The blood on his hands.And the voice.
My king has finally returned.
Ryu sat beside the river, staring at his reflection.For a moment, the reflection changed.
He saw a different face.A human face.Cold eyes.A crown of black metal.
Ryu immediately looked away.
—Who was I?
Behind him, Kael spoke.
—That’s the question you shouldn’t ask too quickly.
Ryu turned.Kael stood several meters away, holding a map.
—Why?
Kael pointed toward the mountains.
—Because some truths are more dangerous than lies.
Zerach walked past them.
—He’s right.
Ryu frowned.
—You two know something.
Neither answered.Ryu stood.
—Then start talking.
Zerach looked at him.
—We’re close.
—Close to what?
—Elarion.
Ryu’s eyes narrowed.
—How close?
Zerach pointed toward the horizon.
—There.
Ryu looked.
At first, he saw only mountains.Then he noticed something strange.
A gigantic black wall stood between the mountains.
It was so enormous that it seemed to touch the clouds.Ryu stared.
—That’s Elarion?
Kael shook his head.
—No.
He pointed toward the ground.
—That’s the first wall.
Ryu looked down.
Ancient stone pillars were scattered across the forest floor.Each pillar had the same symbol carved into it.A black crown surrounded by seven small circles.
Ryu touched one.The moment his fingers made contact—
BOOM!
A shockwave exploded from the pillar.Ryu was thrown backward.
—Ryu!
The Shadow Wolf caught him.The ancient symbol began glowing purple.Then a voice echoed through the forest.
“Bloodline confirmed.”
Ryu froze.
Kael immediately drew his sword.
—Everyone back!
The ground began shaking.Cracks spread between the trees.Then dozens of stone warriors rose from beneath the earth.
Their bodies were covered in ancient armor.Purple flames burned inside their empty helmets.
[Scanning…]
[Species: Elarion Guardian]
[Level: 92]
[Threat Level: Extreme]
[Quantity: 37]
Ryu stared at the system.
—Level 92?
Zerach smiled.
—Now we’re getting somewhere.
The guardians charged.
CLANG!
The first guardian swung its sword.Ryu blocked the attack with his arm.he impact pushed him several meters backward.
Ryu looked at his arm.A thin cut had appeared.He smiled.
—Okay.
Blue energy exploded from his body.
—You’re stronger than I expected.
The Shadow Wolf rushed forward.Its claws collided with three guardians.
CLANG!
CLANG!
CLANG!
Kael raised his sword.
—Abyssal Chains!
Black chains erupted from the ground.Five guardians were trapped.Zerach moved through the battlefield like a shadow.
Purple flames surrounded his hands.One guardian attacked him.Zerach caught its sword with his bare hand.
CRACK!
The blade shattered.Zerach punched the guardian in the chest.
BOOM!
The stone warrior flew through the trees.Ryu watched him.
—You’re holding back.
Zerach looked at him.
—So are you.
Ryu smiled.
—Fair enough.
His aura suddenly changed.The blue energy around him became darker.The black mark on his chest pulsed.
[Unknown energy detected.]
[Attempting synchronization…]
[Synchronization: 3%]
Ryu’s eyes widened.
—What?
The guardians suddenly stopped.Every single one turned toward Ryu.Their swords lowered.Then—
They dropped to one knee.
Silence.
Ryu stared at them.
—What are they doing?
Kael slowly lowered his sword.
—They’re bowing.
Ryu looked confused.
—To me?
The guardians spoke together.
“Welcome back, Your Majesty.”
Ryu’s heart skipped.
—Your Majesty…?
One guardian raised its head.
“The throne awaits.”
Ryu stepped backward.
—I’m not your king.
The guardian remained motionless.
“You were.”
Ryu’s expression hardened.
—And who made me king?
The guardian’s purple flames flickered.
“The Hollow King.”
Zerach’s face suddenly became pale.
—Impossible.
Kael looked at him.
—What?
Zerach stared at the guardians.
—The Hollow King never crowned anyone.
Ryu looked at him.
—Then why are they calling me their king?
Zerach didn’t answer.
Suddenly, the largest guardian stood.
It was twice the size of the others.
A massive black sword rested on its shoulder.
[Scanning…]
[Species: Elarion Grand Guardian]
[Level: 120]
[Threat Level: Catastrophic]
Ryu’s smile disappeared.
—Level 120…
The Grand Guardian walked toward him.
Kael stepped forward.
—I won’t let you touch him.
The guardian stopped.
Then it lowered its sword.
“We do not seek to harm our king.”
Ryu looked at it.
—Then what do you want?
The guardian pointed toward the mountains.
“We want you to return to your throne.”
The black mark on Ryu’s chest suddenly burned.
Ryu grabbed it.
—Ah!
The world around him disappeared again.
He saw Elarion.
But this time, it wasn’t destroyed.
The kingdom was alive.
Thousands of monsters and humans filled the streets.
Flags bearing the black crown flew from every tower.
People were cheering.
And at the center of the city stood a massive palace.
Ryu walked through its doors.
Everyone bowed.
He climbed a long staircase.
At the top was the throne.
He slowly sat down.
Then someone entered the throne room.
A man wearing a silver cloak.
Ryu couldn’t see his face.
The man bowed.
—My King.
Ryu looked at him.
—Who are you?
The man smiled.
—Someone who has been waiting for your return.
Ryu stood.
—What happened to Elarion?
The man’s smile disappeared.
—You destroyed it.
Ryu froze.
—Why?
The man looked toward the throne.
—Because you discovered the truth.
Ryu’s eyes narrowed.
—What truth?
The man whispered—
—That the world you know…
He slowly looked up.
—Was created to imprison you.
Ryu’s eyes widened.
The vision shattered.
Ryu fell to his knees.
Kael caught him.
—Ryu!
Ryu looked around.
The Elarion Guardians were still kneeling.
The Grand Guardian spoke.
“The memories are returning.”
Ryu slowly stood.
His expression was no longer confused.
It was cold.
—Take me to the throne.
The Grand Guardian nodded.
“As you command.”
Zerach stepped forward.
—Ryu, wait.
Ryu looked at him.
—What?
Zerach’s expression was unusually serious.
—If you enter Elarion…
He paused.
—You may never be able to return to the person you are now.
Ryu stared at the ancient city in the distance.
Then he smiled.
Not the smile of the kind slime everyone knew.
It was colder.
Sharper.
Almost unfamiliar.
—Maybe…
His blue eyes glowed.
—The person I am now was never the real me.
The Shadow Wolf stood beside him.
Kael tightened his grip on his sword.
Zerach remained silent.
And far beneath the ruins of Elarion…
A sealed chamber began to open.
Inside it stood an empty black throne.
Above the throne was a single inscription:
“When the King returns, the world will remember why it feared him.”
Then—
A second inscription slowly appeared.
“Azael Veyron.”
Ryu didn’t see it.
Not yet.
But somewhere in the darkness…
Someone smiled.
To Be Continued…