Ryker's sword slid back into its hidden sheath, the air still humming faintly from his display of power. He turned his head toward the group, expecting someone to speak, to say something. But the silence lingered, heavy and oppressive, until finally one of the boy heroes burst out.
"That's just a joke!" the boy shouted, pointing an accusatory finger at Ryker. His voice rang with frustration and disbelief. "You did something—there's no way your status should be like that for a blind, worthless man!"
The group gasped, stunned by his words. Even the popular boy, their leader, tensed in shock. The Queen's eyes narrowed, and she opened her mouth to reprimand the boy, but Ryker's calm voice interrupted her.
"Sure," Ryker said with a smile, his tone even and relaxed. "Let's do it. I haven't fought anyone in a long time."
The boy smirked, stepping forward confidently. "I'm Aiden," he said, puffing out his chest. "I'll destroy this blind bat over here and show you what real power looks like!" He laughed, the sound grating and smug.
Ryker didn't flinch. Instead, he turned to the Queen with a polite nod. "Your Highness, can you take us to the training field? I think we'd both like to settle this properly."
The Queen blinked, surprised by his request. Her gaze lingered on Ryker's serene smile for a heartbeat too long, and a faint blush crept onto her cheeks before she quickly composed herself.
"Y-yes," she said, clearing her throat. "Make preparations now. We will move to the training grounds immediately."
The Queen turned to her attendants, giving sharp orders, and the group began moving. The heroes followed behind her, their earlier chatter replaced with hushed murmurs. Ryker fell into step effortlessly, his cane tapping lightly against the ground. Though blind, he walked without hesitation, his heightened senses—vibrations beneath his feet, sounds from afar, and his keen spatial awareness—painting the world around him in ways the others could not comprehend.
"How is he doing that?" one hero whispered.
"He doesn't even stumble…" another muttered, awestruck.
Ryker heard every word but said nothing. His smile remained fixed, calm and unshakable as he walked alongside the group.
They arrived at the training grounds, a wide expanse of earth surrounded by stone walls. The ground had been smoothed for combat, with markers laid out for duels. Aiden strode confidently to one side of the battlefield, grinning as he rolled his shoulders and cracked his knuckles.
Ryker, on the opposite side, stepped onto the training ground with quiet poise. The tapping of his cane stopped as he planted it firmly in the soil. He stood tall, his face still turned toward Aiden, though his scarred eyes could not see him.
"Hey," Ryker called, his voice lighthearted but edged with curiosity. "What kind of power do you have, Aiden?"
Aiden laughed loudly, stretching his arms in mock arrogance. "Power? You want to know about my power?" He extended his hands, energy beginning to crackle around him—a bright red aura laced with streaks of black.
"I'll show you," Aiden boasted, his grin widening. "I've got [Infernal Gauntlets]—pure destructive force. I can punch through boulders, walls, and people like they're paper. I'll crush you so fast, you won't even know what hit you!"
Ryker smiled faintly, his fingers curling lightly around the handle of his hidden sword.
He said calmly, the wind ruffling his white hair.
The crowd of heroes and attendants watched from the sidelines, tension thick in the air. The Queen sat at the edge of the training field, her gaze fixed intently on Ryker.
Aiden cracked his knuckles again, a spark of energy flaring as he stepped forward. "Ready to lose, blind bat?"
Chapter Title: The Blind Swordsman's True Power
Ryker's smile widened just a little, his voice soft but confident as he muttered:
"We'll see."
Before anything else could happen, a man strode onto the training field, his voice booming, "I will act as the referee for this match." He glanced between Ryker and Aiden, his gaze sharp. "Are both fighters ready?"
Both nodded in unison.
"Begin!" the referee shouted.
Aiden laughed loudly, his grin widening with arrogant glee. "If you're not gonna make a move, blind bat, then I will!"
With that, Aiden dashed forward, his speed incredible, his aura crackling red and black. "[Infernal Gauntlets]!" he roared, summoning his blazing fists. He was in front of Ryker in an instant, his fists surging with fire.
The crowd gasped audibly, their shocked voices overlapping:
"How is he that fast?!" "Ryker's not moving!"
The Queen herself tensed, her face pale as she called out, "Sir Ryker, watch out!"
Aiden, fire blazing across his gauntlets, sneered. "You can't dodge this! You're going to die!" He brought his fists crashing toward Ryker's face with everything he had—
"Skill: [Phantom Step]," Ryker said calmly.
He vanished.
Aiden's gauntlets slammed into the ground, creating a massive crater that shook the earth. Smoke and debris exploded into the air, and the wind surged toward the stunned onlookers. Dust clouded the battlefield, and the heroes and attendants shielded their faces from the blast.
"What happened to Ryker?!" someone cried.
"Did he… did he get hit?!" another whispered anxiously.
The Queen's voice trembled as she muttered, "Mr. Ryker…?"
From within the clearing smoke, Aiden's laughter echoed. "Hah! That's it?! The blind bat must've turned to dust!" He planted his fists on his hips, grinning triumphantly.
But then…
"Are you sure about that?" a voice called softly from the far end of the battlefield.
The crowd turned as one, their eyes widening. Ryker stood there, untouched, a faint smile on his lips.
Aiden spun around, his face twisted in shock. "What the hell?!"
"Skill: [Aura Detection]," Ryker murmured quietly. His senses honed in on Aiden's emotional state—rage and confusion pulsed from him like a blazing inferno.
"You dodged that!" Aiden roared, his aura flaring even brighter. "It must've been luck!"
Ryker tilted his head slightly, his smile unshaken. "Bring it on, hothead."
"Why you…!" Aiden snarled, dashing toward Ryker again. This time his fists struck like a storm, blazing punches aimed to overwhelm Ryker.
But Ryker moved effortlessly, each strike missing by mere inches. With fluid, graceful steps, he weaved around Aiden's attacks, his smile never fading. Aiden's frustration grew with each failed blow.
"Stay still and fight me!" Aiden bellowed, his attacks growing sloppy.
The onlookers watched, jaws slack with astonishment.
"He's dodging everything… effortlessly!"
"How can he do that?!"
"It's like he can see Aiden's every move!"
The Queen sat forward in her seat, eyes wide. "Those movements… they're… impossible."
Ryker stopped abruptly, his expression growing calm and serious. Aiden panted, sweat dripping from his face as his fists shook.
"You look tired," Ryker said softly. "How about we finish this?"
Before Aiden could react, Ryker stepped forward, his movement too fast to follow. He planted a firm kick to Aiden's stomach, sending him stumbling backward, gasping for breath.
Ryker tapped his cane on the ground. "Skill: [Echo Reverberation]."
A wave of sound exploded outward, vibrating the air and disorienting Aiden. The boy staggered, clutching his head as the vibrations rattled his senses.
Ryker took hold of his cane, drawing the hidden sword in one fluid motion. His stance shifted, his form perfect and unwavering.
"Combo Skill: [Silent Step] and Unique Skill: [Unseen Edge]," Ryker whispered.
And then he disappeared—completely silent, utterly invisible.
Aiden blinked, still dazed. He turned sharply, trying to find Ryker.
"Where… where are you—"
Suddenly, Ryker appeared behind him. Aiden barely had time to register the movement before he crumpled to the ground, unconscious.
The battlefield fell deathly silent.
The referee blinked, coming out of his stupor. He stammered, his voice shaking as he raised his arm.
"T-the winner… is Ryker Ashen!"
The Queen and the heroes stared, frozen in place, their faces pale with shock. Ryker calmly slid his sword back into his cane and, with a faint smile, disappeared again—this time reappearing in front of the crowd.
"How about that?" he said lightly, his voice breaking the silence.
No one spoke. The entire crowd remained stiff and frozen, as though carved from stone.
Ryker tilted his head, a puzzled look crossing his face. "Hey… you guys there?"
Suddenly, two of the heroes burst out, yelling:
"What the hell was that?!"
Ryker blinked, his smile unfading. "What was what?"
The Queen, her face still pale with disbelief, stammered, "Those moves…"
Ryker shrugged casually, the faintest hint of humor in his voice. "My sword skills, I guess."
"YOU GUESS?!" the heroes all shouted in unison, their voices filled with disbelief and shock.
Ryker winced slightly, raising a hand to his head as the heroes' voices screamed in unison."What? Why are you guys screaming together?" he asked, his voice full of confusion.
One of the heroes, a boy still stunned, stepped forward. "What did you do to Aiden?! How did you defeat him?!"
Ryker smiled faintly, letting his hand drop. "Oh, that? I used a combo skill attack. I combined [Silent Step] and [Unseen Edge]. It's not that complicated."
The heroes listened, their expressions shifting from disbelief to astonished curiosity. Some nodded as though trying to understand, while others simply gawked, still unsure what to say.
The Queen, her composure returning, stepped forward. "It's time for dinner," she announced warmly. "Let's get all of you situated with rooms and food. You heroes deserve a chance to relax."
Everyone nodded in agreement, still glancing at Ryker with varying expressions of awe and confusion. The Queen turned with a smile, her attendants following as they led the group toward the castle.
Ryker, at the back of the group, calmly followed them, his cane tapping lightly on the ground. His faint smile never wavered.