The rhythmic thrum of the helicopter blades echoed through the vast sky as it soared over an endless green ocean of treetops. Inside, Ryun sat calmly, arms crossed, eyes locked on the horizon. Beside him, his secretary, Elra, reviewed data on her tablet.
"How solid is the lead?" Ryun asked, his tone sharp but composed.
Elra pushed up her glasses with one finger. "Likely a trap. A lure to drag you away from real progress."
Ryun was silent for a moment, eyes narrowing. Then he exhaled slowly. "Doesn't matter. It's the only thread we have. We bite."
Elra sighed. "Understood."
Below them, the forest cleared into a large, open glade dotted with stone remnants—ancient ruins mostly reclaimed by nature. The helicopter descended and landed with a hiss of pressure. Ryun and Elra disembarked, greeted immediately by a unit of soldiers standing at attention.
The field commander approached and saluted. "Sir. We've assessed the situation. We believe two members of the masked group entered the ruin. But we can't guarantee they're alone."
Ryun's eyes turned to the moss-covered archway at the center of the clearing. "What led you to this conclusion?"
"A local spotted individuals wearing the distinctive masks. Followed them to the gate. Saw them enter."
Ryun considered this, then nodded. "I'll go in."
"Sir," the commander hesitated, "this is a third-tier ruin. It's restricted."
Elra stepped forward. "What's the restriction?"
"Only three may enter at once. Two are already inside. One slot remains."
Elra frowned. "This is reckless. We should wait. They'll have to come out eventually."
Ryun chuckled softly. "You think they're a threat to me?"
Elra opened her mouth, then closed it, shaking her head. "No."
Ryun gave a faint, amused smirk and walked toward the gate. After changing into flexible combat gear—simple, dark clothing fit for agile movement—he stepped through the ruin gate.
Inside, a vast, circular coliseum revealed itself. Bloodstains, shattered weapons, and mangled corpses—both monster and human—littered the arena. High above, glowing runes shimmered like stars.
Ryun surveyed the carnage with narrowed eyes. At the center of the stadium stood two masked figures—one with a pigeon mask, wind-prana swirling around him, the other in a jagged cat mask, lightning crackling over his body.
Near them, a chained goliath monster, battered and bruised, snarled weakly. It had clearly been their entertainment before his arrival.
The moment they saw Ryun, both stiffened.
Ryun raised one hand in a casual greeting, a small smile tugging at his lips. "I don't want to waste time. Tell me where the orb is. You don't need to die here."
Pigeon Mask scoffed. "You're too late. Soon, the world will remember our names. It will burn, and from the ashes—order."
Cat Mask added with a sneer, "We're the harbingers. Chaos is the true state of things. Everything else is a lie."
Ryun's smile faded, and the air shifted. His presence intensified—an invisible pressure crushing down like a mountain.
"You talk of chaos like spoiled children having a tantrum," Ryun said coldly. "You have no idea what real chaos brings."
Pigeon roared and shot forward, wind spiraling around him like razors. Cat flickered like lightning, dashing in with feral speed.
Ryun didn't move.
Until the last second—he side-stepped Pigeon's wind blade and caught Cat's lightning-infused strike with a single palm. Sparks burst, but Ryun's skin didn't even blister.
He deflected their relentless barrage—spinning, ducking, countering. Pigeon's aerial attacks were sharp and fast, but Ryun's movements were smoother than flowing water. Cat's rapid, beast-like swipes left afterimages, but Ryun dodged them all with clinical ease.
He wasn't even trying.
Pigeon grunted in frustration. "Damn him—why won't he fight back?!"
Cat snarled. "He's mocking us!"
Their Prana flared violently. Wings of pure wind burst from Pigeon's back, and he took to the air, circling like a predator. Cat's body shifted—blue lightning coursed through him. His ears became feline, claws elongating and sparking with unstable energy. His limbs pulsed with unnatural strength.
Ryun narrowed his eyes. "You haven't even mastered your basic forms."
Pigeon dove, slicing the air with blades of compressed wind. Cat blurred toward Ryun at blinding speed, claws ready to tear him apart.
Ryun finally moved.
With a sharp step, he dodged both attacks in one motion. Pushing Cat aside with a palm strike, he created distance, kneeling momentarily to touch the ground. A pebble levitated into his hand.
Prana surged through it. He spun the stone in his fingers, accelerating it until it whistled.
Then he flicked it.
It tore through the air and struck Pigeon in the gut. The force sent him crashing into the coliseum wall with a sickening crack. He fell, wings shattered.
In the same breath, Ryun tightened his leg muscles and shot toward Cat. He appeared in front of him in a flash and drove a powerful kick into Cat's abdomen.
Cat flew across the arena like a ragdoll, tumbling into the dust. He didn't get back up.
Ryun stood tall. Not a single drop of sweat on his brow.
The chained goliath growled weakly. Ryun turned and ended its suffering with a precise strike to the heart.
Then, he picked up the unconscious Cat and Pigeon—one in each hand—and walked calmly toward the exit.
Outside the ruin gate, soldiers snapped to attention as Ryun emerged, holding the masked duo like shopping bags.
He tossed them down in front of the commander. "Interrogate them. Get everything."
Elra approached, eyes wide. "You're not even scratched."
Ryun gave her a sideways glance. "We've wasted enough time. Find the orb. Now."
Elra nodded. "Yes, sir."
Ryun turned back to the forest, eyes hard. The clock was ticking. And the enemy was still ahead.
The hunt continued.
Meanwhile, back in Zareth City, the sun rose over a recovering skyline. The damage had been extensive, but thanks to Marcus and Kael, the worst had been averted.
Kael, now fully healed, stood beside Marcus as they loaded the last of their supplies into a rugged black SUV.
"Feels weird leaving already," Kael said with a grin. "But we've got places to be."
Marcus nodded. "There's more out there. And we're not done yet."
As they finished packing, the mayor's daughter stepped forward, embracing Kael warmly and giving him a soft kiss on the cheek.
"When you have time," she said with a smile, "come back to see me. I'll be waiting."
Kael chuckled awkwardly, rubbing the back of his head. "I'll do my best."
A crowd of citizens had gathered to see them off. Cheers and claps filled the air. Several USA enforcers approached and offered crisp salutes.
"Thank you for your help," one of them said. "You saved more than just lives—you saved hope."
Marcus gave a respectful nod. "Take care of this place. We'll handle what's next."
With a final wave, the SUV rolled out of Zareth City, heading toward the horizon and the unknown dangers that awaited.