The crimson rift above the city crackled with unstable energy, warping the air around it. From its swirling depths, a figure descended slowly, his feet hovering just inches above the pavement before settling onto the cracked asphalt.
Ren stood still, his heart hammering in his chest.
This was different from the wraiths.
The wraiths had been monsters, mindless predators that relied on instinct. But this man—Astaroth Von Helbrecht—was something else entirely.
His golden eyes gleamed with a sharp, knowing intelligence. His features were flawless, too perfect for a normal human. His white coat, embroidered with golden runes, shimmered in the dim streetlight. The way he stood—calm, composed, confident—was the stance of someone who had never lost a battle.
Ren gripped his black sword tighter.
This wasn't just a fight.
This was a test.
[SYSTEM ALERT!]
[Danger Level: S-Rank]
[Warning: Opponent is several levels above you.]
Ren exhaled. No shit.
Astaroth tilted his head, observing Ren with mild amusement.
"So, it's true," he mused. His voice was deep, rich—an aristocratic accent laced with curiosity. "There really was one left behind."
Ren didn't answer.
Astaroth took a step forward. The pavement cracked beneath his foot. His very presence weighed down on the environment, as if the world itself recognized his superiority.
"You're not in the records," Astaroth continued. "You weren't chosen. You weren't sent to a higher realm like the others. And yet, here you are, standing."
A small smirk played on his lips.
"Fascinating."
Ren rolled his shoulders, adjusting his stance. His instincts screamed at him—run, you're not ready for this.
But he wasn't about to back down.
He took a step forward.
Astaroth's smirk widened.
"Good."
Astaroth vanished.
Not moved. Not teleported. Just ceased to exist—and reappeared right in front of Ren.
Ren barely had time to react.
His sword came up on instinct—
CLANG!
The impact sent a shockwave through the empty city. Streetlights shattered. Windows exploded. The ground buckled beneath their feet.
Ren skidded backward, his arms screaming from the sheer force of the blow. He barely managed to hold his footing, digging his heels into the pavement.
Astaroth stood there, unmoved, still smiling.
"Oh? You actually blocked that?"
Ren didn't waste time responding.
He lunged forward.
Mana surged through his blade as he activated Mana Edge, his sword glowing blue. He swung—a precise, deadly arc aimed at Astaroth's throat.
Astaroth tilted his head slightly.
The blade missed.
Ren's eyes widened.
Astaroth hadn't dodged. He had simply moved his head at the perfect moment, just enough to avoid the cut by mere millimeters.
And then—
Astaroth countered.
A single flick of his wrist.
Ren barely saw it coming.
BAM!
It wasn't even a punch—just the back of Astaroth's hand colliding with Ren's chest.
The impact was instantaneous, brutal.
Ren was sent flying.
He smashed through a parked car, flipping over it, skidding across the pavement for a full ten meters before finally rolling to a stop.
Everything hurt.
His vision blurred. His ribs screamed in protest. His breath was ragged, shallow.
[HP: 40/120]
[Warning: Major internal damage detected.]
Ren gritted his teeth. Fuck that.
He forced himself to stand.
Blood dripped from his mouth, but he wiped it away, glaring at Astaroth.
The man looked amused.
"You're still standing?"
Ren exhaled slowly. Alright. New plan.
Ren couldn't fight Astaroth head-on. That much was obvious.
So he needed to change the game.
[Activating Skill: Accelerated Perception]
Time slowed.
Astaroth moved first—blurring toward him, a golden streak of motion.
But this time—Ren saw it.
He dodged.
The moment Astaroth's fist came toward him, Ren twisted his body sideways, letting it pass by inches. The force alone shattered the pavement behind him.
Ren **countered—**a mana-infused slash aimed at Astaroth's side.
SHKK!
The blade connected.
Astaroth staggered back.
A thin line of red appeared on his coat.
Silence.
Then—Astaroth laughed.
"Amazing," he said, touching the wound. "You actually hit me."
He turned back to Ren, and this time, his golden eyes burned with excitement.
"This just got interesting."
Ren tightened his grip on his sword.
His entire body ached, but he was still standing.
Astaroth straightened his posture. His previous amusement was gone—replaced by something else. Respect.
"This is your first real battle, isn't it?"
Ren didn't answer.
Astaroth smirked. "You remind me of how I was when I first stepped into a higher world. Arrogant. Reckless. Hungry."
He spread his arms. Golden energy erupted from his body.
"Let's see if you're worthy of being more than just a forgotten mistake."
Ren inhaled sharply.
The fight was far from over.