Ryu’s world had gone completely dark.
He couldn’t hear Kael.
He couldn’t hear the Shadow Wolf.
He couldn’t even hear the system.
There was only silence.
Then—
THUMP.
A heartbeat echoed through the darkness.
Ryu opened his eyes.
He was standing in front of an enormous black throne.
The same throne he had seen in his memories.
But this time…
Someone was sitting on it.
Ryu stared.
The figure slowly raised his head.
It was him.
The same blue eyes.
The same face.
But colder.
Older.
More terrifying.
Ryu took a step backward.
—Who are you?
The other Ryu smiled.
—You already know.
—You’re…
me?
—The part of you that you buried.
Ryu clenched his fists.
—Why can’t I remember you?
The Old Ryu stood.
—Because you were afraid.
—Afraid of what?
The Old Ryu walked toward him.
—Of what you became.
Suddenly—
Images appeared around them.
Elarion.
A battlefield.
Millions of monsters.
Gods falling from the sky.
And Ryu standing at the center.
His hands were covered in blood.
His eyes were completely black.
Ryu stared in horror.
—Did I really do this?
The Old Ryu nodded.
—Yes.
—Why?
The Old Ryu looked toward the burning kingdom.
—Because they took everything from you.
Ryu’s expression changed.
—Who?
The Old Ryu smiled.
—The Seven Thrones.
Suddenly, the darkness cracked.
A massive purple eye appeared above them.
The same mysterious eye from the Abyss.
“Wake up.”
The Old Ryu looked upward.
His smile disappeared.
—Not yet.
The eye narrowed.
“You cannot hide him forever.”
The Old Ryu turned toward Ryu.
—Listen carefully.
Ryu remained silent.
—Your current self is weak.
Ryu frowned.
—Thanks.
The Old Ryu smiled.
—But your heart is stronger than mine ever was.
Ryu froze.
—That’s why I chose you.
—Chose me for what?
The Old Ryu stepped closer.
—To finish what I couldn’t.
Before Ryu could respond—
CRACK!
The entire world shattered.
Ryu opened his eyes.
BOOOOOOM!
The palace was still shaking.
Kael was standing beside him.
—Ryu!
Ryu slowly looked around.
The seven purple symbols were still rotating above Elarion.
The masked being remained in the sky.
But something had changed.
The black mark on Ryu’s chest had disappeared.
Instead—
A strange black crown symbol appeared on his forehead.
The system activated.
[Ancient Authority detected.]
[Suppression removed.]
[Authority synchronization: 12%.]
[New Skill unlocked.]
[Skill: Ancient King’s Will]
Effect: Temporarily manifests abilities from the user’s previous existence.
Ryu looked at his hands.
A strange energy flowed through his body.
Kael stared at him.
—Ryu…
—What?
Kael swallowed.
—Your eyes.
Ryu touched his face.
—What happened?
Kael pointed toward him.
—One of them is purple.
Ryu froze.
He looked toward the palace window.
His reflection stared back.
One blue eye.
One purple eye.
The masked figure laughed.
“There you are.”
Ryu looked up.
—You wanted the old me?
His aura exploded.
Blue.
Black.
Purple.
—Then come and get him.
The masked figure’s smile disappeared.
“Interesting.”
Ryu vanished.
SWOOSH!
He appeared directly in front of the mysterious being.
The figure raised his hand.
But this time—
Ryu caught it.
The figure’s eye widened.
“Impossible.”
Ryu smiled.
—My turn.
He punched him.
BOOOOOOOOOOM!
The masked figure was sent flying across the sky.
The impact created a massive shockwave.
The seven symbols flickered.
Morvath looked up.
For the first time, he looked genuinely surprised.
—He’s already using the King’s Authority…
Caelum remained silent.
Lyra stared at Ryu.
A strange expression appeared on her face.
—He’s awake…
Kael looked at her.
—What do you mean?
Lyra smiled.
—Not completely.
She looked toward Ryu.
—But enough.
Ryu appeared above the masked figure.
—King’s Abyss Breaker!
The attack descended.
The masked figure crossed his arms.
BOOOOOOM!
Purple energy exploded.
The sky turned black.
For several seconds, nobody could see anything.
Then—
A figure fell from the sky.
CRASH!
The masked being hit the ground.
His white mask shattered completely.
His face was finally visible.
Ryu landed several meters away.
He stared at him.
The man’s face was strangely familiar.
Ryu’s expression changed.
—You…
The man smiled.
—You remember me?
Ryu couldn’t answer.
A memory suddenly surfaced.
Three hundred years ago.
A young Ryu stood beside a man with silver eyes.
They were standing before the seven Thrones.
The silver-eyed man was holding a sword.
Ryu remembered his voice.
“If you fall, I’ll follow you.”
The memory vanished.
Ryu whispered—
—You were there.
The man smiled.
—Yes.
Ryu’s eyes narrowed.
—Who are you?
The man slowly stood.
—My name is…
Before he could finish—
A gigantic purple crack appeared behind him.
The remaining six symbols suddenly stopped rotating.
The entire sky became silent.
Then a voice echoed across Elarion.
“Enough.”
Everyone froze.
Even Morvath looked upward.
The masked man’s expression changed.
—You’re early.
A gigantic hand emerged from the crack.
Then another.
Something enormous was coming through.
Lyra’s face became pale.
—No…
Kael looked at her.
—What is it?
Lyra whispered—
—The First Throne.
Ryu stared upward.
—First Throne?
Morvath slowly stepped backward.
—The strongest of the Seven.
Ryu’s aura flared.
—Good.
Kael looked at him.
—Ryu, don’t.
Ryu smiled.
—I’ve been waiting for something worth fighting.
The massive figure finally emerged from the crack.
Its body was covered in golden armor.
Six enormous wings spread behind it.
Its face was hidden beneath a golden crown.
The moment it appeared—
Every Elarion Guardian bowed.
Even Caelum lowered his head.
Ryu looked around.
—Who is that?
Caelum whispered—
“The Celestial Emperor.”
The Emperor looked directly at Ryu.
Then spoke.
“False King.”
Ryu’s smile disappeared.
The Emperor raised his sword.
“Your reign ends today.”
Ryu’s eyes burned.
He slowly raised his hand.
—Then come.
His aura erupted across the entire kingdom.
—Let’s see who deserves the throne.
Above Elarion—
The first battle against the Seven Thrones was about to begin.
But neither side knew…
That deep inside Ryu’s soul, the Old King had already begun to smile.
To Be Continued…