Outer Region of the Star Dou Forest
The Star Dou Forest stretches wide beneath a gloomy gray sky, its ancient trees towering high with thick foliage swaying gently in the soft breeze.
The morning sunlight struggles to pierce through the dense canopy, leaving only faint patches of pale light scattered across the mossy ground and gnarled roots. In the depths of this outer forest region, the scent of damp earth mingles with a sharp, metallic tang—fresh blood still pooling in the air.
The usual chorus of birdsong that enlivens the forest sounds distant and sporadic, as if the small creatures are reluctant to approach this place.
In the middle of a small clearing surrounded by giant trees, a massive wolf lies sprawled, its body covered in slash wounds. Its gray fur is tattered, dark red blood flowing from deep gashes, forming a small puddle beneath it. This wolf, Wolf Fang, over a hundred years old, still draws short, ragged breaths, its yellow eyes staring blankly at the sky.
Around it, five other wolves from its pack lie lifeless, their bodies riddled with smaller but equally lethal slashes—spirit beasts over fifty years old that never stood a chance against their fate. The air feels heavy, as if the forest itself is holding its breath, weighed down by the lingering aura of slaughter.
The wind carries the stench of death, and the leaves on the nearby trees appear wilted, as though the life energy has been drained from this place. Amid this gruesome scene, two human figures stand casually, as if the brutality before them is nothing more than an everyday sight.
A young man with yellow hair, Goo, crouches near the dying Wolf Fang. A small wooden stick in his hand—its tip sharpened and wet with the wolf's blood—dances nimbly between his fingers, twirled like a toy. His bright blond hair is slightly tousled by the wind, but his white coat with golden accents remains pristine, a stark contrast to the bloody surroundings. His eyes, hidden behind round glasses, gaze at the wolf with a bored expression, a faint smirk tugging at his lips as he occasionally stabs the stick into the ground, leaving bloodstains on the grass.
On the other side, leaning against the rough bark of a massive tree, stands a young man with black hair, Gun. His tall, lean, yet muscular frame is clad in simple black clothing patched with signs of long adventures in this forest.
His hair is shaved short on the sides but longer on top, combed neatly back, revealing a horizontal scar between his eyes. His pitch-black eyes with faintly glowing white irises—a mark of his ever-active Ultra Instinct—survey Goo and the bloody scene without a hint of surprise. His expression is neutral, but a glint of battle mania flickers in his gaze.
Gun glances at Wolf Fang, now still, its final breath extinguished. He shifts his attention to Goo, the corner of his mouth lifting into a faint smile. "Goo," he calls in a low, sharp voice, "still mad about yesterday's bet? Haha, by the way, you still owe me ten gold coins."
Goo snorts, his expression souring into a pout. He stabs the stick harder into the ground, blood splattering onto the grass. "Of course I'll pay my debt," he retorts irritably, standing slowly while brushing off his coat. "What, you doubting my word, huh?" His eyes narrow at Gun, though a playful undertone lingers beneath his annoyance—a long-standing habit between them.
Gun chuckles softly, the sound echoing gently among the trees. He pushes off the tree, standing tall with his arms crossed over his chest. "Not like that. I just know you always lose bets to me," he replies, his tone laced with light mockery meant to provoke.
The wind blows again, carrying the sharp scent of wolf blood, but neither of them seems bothered.
Goo tosses the bloodied stick aside and steps closer to Gun, his expression a mix of irritation and challenge. "You think I'll keep losing to you forever?" he asks, his voice rising. "Just wait, I'll break even today." He stops a few steps from Gun, his hand brushing the hilt of a sword beneath his coat—his aura sharpening, deadly and focused.
Gun meets Goo's gaze with his glowing black eyes, his small smile widening into an enthusiastic grin. The air between them thickens, a battle aura seeping from both. "In that case," Gun says, his voice dropping to a meaningful whisper, "spar duel. Me and you. Right now."
Goo smirks thinly, his eyes glinting behind his glasses. "My swords will do the talking," he replies coolly, drawing the Eclipse Moon Sword and Dark Moon Blade from beneath his coat.
Gun steps into the center of the clearing, amid the wolf corpses. "Let's see it," he says, his voice low but brimming with eagerness.
They move simultaneously, the air trembling as their Martial Souls awaken. A faint white aura envelops Gun as Tyrant Lord rises—his muscles tense, two spirit rings (yellow, 600 years; purple, 2,000 years) flare to life, the pressure cracking the ground. Goo charges forward, his Twin Martial Souls emerging—the Eclipse Moon Sword glowing white, the Dark Moon Blade pitch black, their two spirit rings (yellow, 600 years; purple, 2,000 years) vibrating. Innate Speed blurs his form, Strength Mastery lending weight to his blades.
Gun stomps the ground, lunging with Innate Strength, his Tyrant Gauntlet fist aimed at Goo's chest.
Goo counters with Innate Speed and Innate Technique—First Moon strikes swiftly, the Eclipse Moon Sword thrusting at Gun's side. Gun twists with Ultra Instinct, but Goo slashes again with Crescent Moon, the Dark Moon Blade arcing toward his shoulder—Sword Intent thickens the air, the strike grazing Gun's arm, drawing a trickle of blood.
Gun endures with Innate Defense, his fist swinging at empty air as Goo retreats. Goo shifts into Full Moon, his swords spinning wildly—Strength Mastery makes each slash heavy, Sword Intent pressing on the soul. Branches snap, and though Gun blocks with Tyrant Will, small cuts accumulate on his arm—Pain Tolerance keeps him steady, but his eyes narrow. "So fast," he thinks.
Goo steps back, breathing steady, his Innate Technique humming within him—elite instincts spotting openings. Gun advances, his right fist surging, but Goo unleashes Invisible Attack (IA)—Innate Speed, Innate Agility, and Innate Technique in perfect synergy. As Gun strikes, his right shoulder opens—Eclipse Moon Sword slashes his blind spot, unseen. Blood sprays from Gun's shoulder, the first deep wound. "What?!" Gun thinks, retreating in shock.
Goo presses with another IA, Dark Moon Blade slicing Gun's waist as Gun's left fist rises—another deep gash, blood dripping to the ground. Gun grunts, channeling Innate Strength into his legs—explosive speed nearly catches Goo, but Goo dodges with Innate Speed, countering with Strength Mastery. His blade grazes Gun's chest, blood spurting again—Sword Intent rattles Gun's soul, slowing his steps briefly.
Goo's breath grows ragged, knowing he must end it. He shifts to Zero Sword: Eclipse—feinting an opening, baiting Gun to strike from behind. Gun takes it, his Tyrant Gauntlet fist smashing Goo's back—bones crack, but Goo spins, both swords piercing Gun's chest with Strength Mastery. Blood gushes violently, the wounds deeper than before—Sword Intent overwhelms Gun's soul, his breath faltering.
But Innate Defense limits the damage—no vital organs hit. Gun retaliates, his left fist crashing into Goo's shoulder—a loud crack, and Goo is hurled back, slamming into a tree. His swords slip free, and he collapses onto the grass, gasping. Gun advances, blood dripping from his chest and arms, his right fist raised again—Goo struggles up, one last IA with Eclipse Moon Sword. A blurred slash aims for Gun's neck, but Gun blocks with his arm, taking a third deep wound—blood pours.
Gun snorts, his spirit energy waning, though Warrior's Blood slowly heals him. He lands a final punch to Goo's chest—bones snap, and Goo collapses, unconscious. Gun stands, breathing heavily, blood soaking his clothes—wounds on his shoulder, waist, chest, and arm unsteady him momentarily. "Ten gold coins," he rasps, voice hoarse but tinged with admiration. "Pay me tomorrow."
The Star Dou Forest falls silent, the wind carrying the lingering scent of blood and dust.