The enormous sphere of darkness continued descending toward the village.
The sky had become completely black.
Lightning flashed between the clouds.
Every creature in the village looked upward in terror.
The old goblin dropped his staff.
—We’re going to die…
The silver-haired girl raised both hands.
A massive blue barrier appeared above the village.
—Everyone, stay inside!
BOOM!
The dark sphere collided with the barrier.
The entire village shook.
CRACK!
A crack appeared across the magical barrier.
The girl’s face turned pale.
—It’s too powerful…
Ryu stared at the barrier.
The Shadow Wolf stood beside him.
Its body was covered in wounds.
Ryu looked at the villagers.
Children were crying.
The old goblin was trying to protect them.
The beastmen were holding their weapons tightly.
Everyone was afraid.
Ryu looked at his tiny blue body.
Then—
Something inside him broke.
Not his body.
Something deeper.
A seal.
[Memory Seal Integrity: 61%]
[Warning.]
[Major power release detected.]
[Do you wish to remove the restriction?]
Ryu stared at the message.
There were only two options.
[YES]
[NO]
Ryu didn’t hesitate.
—Yes.
The moment he made his choice—
BOOOOOOM!
A massive blue explosion erupted from his body.
The ground beneath him cracked.
The Shadow Wolf was pushed backward.
The silver-haired girl stared at Ryu.
—Ryu…
The blue aura around him became brighter and brighter.
His body slowly began changing.
His small slime body became larger.
Two glowing blue eyes appeared within the aura.
A crown-like mark appeared on his forehead.
The air around him began trembling.
[Restriction removed.]
[Power awakening: 45%]
[Unique Skill evolution detected.]
[Shadow Claw → King’s Shadow Claw]
[Guardian Aura → King’s Protection]
[Shadow Link → Royal Shadow Link]
Ryu looked at his new skills.
Then he looked at the dark sphere above the village.
He slowly raised one hand.
—Get away from my people.
The sphere stopped.
The Abyssal King looked down from the sky.
His expression changed.
—You…
Ryu’s blue aura spread across the entire village.
The silver-haired girl’s eyes widened.
—His magic is covering everything…
The Shadow Wolf stood up.
Its wounds began healing.
The villagers suddenly felt a powerful warmth surrounding them.
[King’s Protection activated.]
[All allies within range receive increased defense.]
[Damage received reduced by 70%.]
The silver-haired girl stared at Ryu.
—This is…
The old goblin began crying.
—Our king…
Ryu looked upward.
—Shadow Wolf.
The wolf looked at him.
Ryu smiled.
—Let’s finish this.
The Shadow Wolf disappeared.
SWOOSH!
It appeared directly above the Abyssal King.
Its claws were surrounded by black flames.
—GRRAAAAH!
SLASH!
The Abyssal King blocked the attack with one arm.
But the force pushed him backward.
—You little beast!
Ryu used Shadow Step.
SWOOSH!
He appeared behind the Abyssal King.
—King’s Shadow Claw!
A gigantic blue-black claw appeared behind Ryu.
SLASH!
The attack struck the Abyssal King’s back.
BOOOOOOM!
The monster was sent crashing through several enormous trees.
CRASH!
CRASH!
CRASH!
The villagers stared in shock.
Ryu slowly floated above the ground.
The silver-haired girl whispered—
—He’s flying…
Ryu looked at his body.
—I’m…
floating?
A strange feeling spread through him.
He had never felt this powerful before.
But deep inside—
He knew this wasn’t even his full strength.
The Abyssal King emerged from the destroyed trees.
Blood dripped from his mouth.
He looked at Ryu.
Then he smiled.
—Now I remember.
Ryu narrowed his eyes.
—Remember what?
—Why I hated fighting you.
Dark energy exploded from the Abyssal King’s body.
—Because every time I thought I had surpassed you…
His aura became darker.
—You became stronger.
The Abyssal King spread his wings.
—And that hasn’t changed.
He disappeared.
Ryu’s eyes widened.
—Where did he—
BOOM!
The Abyssal King appeared directly in front of him.
His fist struck Ryu.
Ryu was sent flying.
—AAAAH!
He crashed into the ground.
BOOM!
The Shadow Wolf rushed toward the Abyssal King.
But the monster grabbed the wolf by its neck.
—You were always his weakness.
The wolf struggled.
Ryu’s eyes widened.
—Let him go!
The Abyssal King threw the Shadow Wolf into the ground.
BOOM!
Ryu’s aura exploded.
—DON’T TOUCH HIM!
A massive blue wave erupted from Ryu.
The Abyssal King was pushed backward.
Ryu rushed toward the Shadow Wolf.
—Are you okay?
The wolf slowly stood.
Ryu touched its head.
—I’m sorry.
The wolf looked at him.
Ryu smiled.
—I’ll protect you this time.
The Shadow Wolf’s eyes softened.
Then—
A strange voice appeared inside Ryu’s mind.
You always said that.
Ryu froze.
—What?
The voice continued.
And you always broke your promise.
Ryu’s expression changed.
—Who are you?
Silence.
Then the voice whispered—
Remember.
Ryu suddenly saw another memory.
Three hundred years ago.
A young Ryu stood beside Kael.
Kael was smiling.
The Shadow Wolf was sleeping nearby.
Kael held out his hand.
—Promise me something.
Ryu bounced closer.
—What?
Kael smiled.
—No matter what happens, we’ll stay together.
Ryu nodded happily.
—Promise!
The memory changed.
Kael stood before a burning village.
His expression was filled with rage.
Ryu stood opposite him.
—Kael, stop!
Kael’s eyes were red.
—They took everything from me!
Ryu shook his head.
—You don’t have to become like them!
Kael screamed—
—YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND!
Darkness exploded from Kael’s body.
Ryu’s expression became filled with sadness.
—Then I’ll stop you.
The memory ended.
Ryu opened his eyes.
Tears were forming inside his glowing blue eyes.
—Kael…
The Abyssal King stopped.
Ryu looked at him.
—You weren’t always the Abyssal King.
The monster’s smile disappeared.
Ryu continued—
—You were Kael.
Silence.
The Abyssal King slowly lowered his head.
—So you finally remembered.
Ryu’s body trembled.
—Why did you become this?
Kael looked toward the sky.
—Because I lost everything.
Ryu remained silent.
Kael continued—
—My family.
—My village.
—Everyone I loved.
His fists tightened.
—And when I asked you to help me destroy the humans responsible…
He looked at Ryu.
—You refused.
Ryu froze.
—Because you wanted to destroy innocent people too.
Kael’s expression became cold.
—They were all guilty.
—Not everyone!
Ryu shouted.
Kael suddenly became furious.
—You always said that!
Dark energy exploded around him.
—You protected everyone except me!
Ryu’s eyes filled with sadness.
—That’s not true.
Kael stared at him.
—Then why did you seal me?
Ryu couldn’t answer.
Because he didn’t know.
The silver-haired girl suddenly stepped forward.
—Because you asked him to.
Both Ryu and Kael looked at her.
Kael’s expression changed.
—Don’t.
She continued.
—Three hundred years ago, Kael realized what he had become.
Ryu stared at her.
—What happened?
The girl looked at Kael.
—He knew he couldn’t control the Abyss anymore.
Kael clenched his fists.
The girl continued—
—So he asked Ryu to seal him.
Ryu froze.
—He asked me?
Kael looked away.
—Yes.
Ryu stared at him.
—Then why did you make me believe you hated me?
Kael remained silent.
Finally, he answered—
—Because if you remembered the truth…
His voice became quiet.
—You would try to save me.
Ryu’s eyes widened.
Kael smiled sadly.
—And I don’t deserve to be saved.
Ryu slowly shook his head.
—You’re wrong.
Kael looked at him.
Ryu moved forward.
—You may have become a monster.
His blue aura began glowing again.
—But you’re still my friend.
Kael’s eyes widened.
For the first time in three hundred years—
The Abyssal King looked afraid.
—Don’t say that.
Ryu continued walking.
—Kael…
—STOP!
Dark energy exploded from Kael.
The sky split apart.
Ryu’s body was surrounded by blue light.
The Shadow Wolf stood beside him.
Ryu raised his hand.
—I’m not going to fight you because you’re my enemy.
Kael stared at him.
—Then why?
Ryu smiled sadly.
—I’m fighting you because you’re my friend.
The two powers collided.
Blue and black energy filled the sky.
BOOOOOOOOOOM!
The shockwave spread across Everdark Forest.
Trees were uprooted.
Mountains trembled.
The village shook.
And far away—
Deep beneath the forest—
Something ancient opened its eyes.
A voice whispered—
—The King has awakened.
Another voice answered—
—Then the prophecy has begun.
Back in the village, Ryu and Kael stood opposite each other.
Neither moved.
Neither attacked.
Because both knew—
The real battle wasn’t about power anymore.
It was about the past.
And the truth of what happened three hundred years ago was finally beginning to surface