After hearing Destroyer's past, Ryder knew he had no choice—he had to grow stronger.
And to prove himself, he had to face Commander L, the leader of the Low Arms.
[Commander L] – "Are you sure you want to go against me? Listen, kid—my fists are more than enough to crush you. You won't even last a minute."
The soldiers of Darkside Kingdom laughed.
[Army Man 1] – "Haha! This fool thinks he can take down our commander?"
[Army Man 2] – "He's got no chance! Commander L has never lost to some newbie like him. This is gonna be fun!"
But not everyone joined in the laughter.
[Skeleton] – "Shut your mouths."
The soldiers turned to him in confusion.
[Skeleton] – "That man… Ryder… is not just some weakling. Destroyer personally brought him here."
He clenched his fist.
"THAT MAN WAS ABLE TO WITHSTAND MY ATTACKS."
The arena fell silent. Ryder took his stance. The fight began, and Ryder charged forward. But in a flash, Commander L grabbed him by the throat and slammed his head into the ground. Before Ryder could recover, a brutal kick to his gut sent him crashing backward, blood spilling from his mouth.
[Commander L] – "Do you know why I'm the head of the lower troops?"
*His voice was full of pride.*
"Because I forge weaklings into living weapons."
Ryder was barely holding himself together. Commander L was too strong. His body still hadn't fully recovered from his last battle. His stamina was low. Laughter erupted from the soldiers. Everyone thought it was over. Everyone… except two people. Skeleton watched in silence. And Destroyer?
Destroyer smiled.
[Destroyer] – "You really think I took him in for no reason?"
*He turned to Skeleton, amused.*
"Look at him, Skeleton. Watch closely."
Skeleton hesitated. He turned his gaze back to the fight— And then, everything changed. Commander L was celebrating, laughing, basking in his victory. And then, the laughter stopped. Ryder was still standing.
[Destroyer] – "I chose him because he will keep getting up—until you completely knock him down."
Commander L's expression darkened.
"Tch… you just don't know when to stay down." He tightened his fists, preparing to end the fight with a single punch.
"If this lands, it'll shatter his bones. If he takes this to the head… it'll crack his skull."
He swung.
But Ryder—barely dodged. A voice echoed in Ryder's head.
"In the world of survival, the strongest always remain. One day, you'll face opponents stronger than you. And when that happens… I'll tell you a secret."
Ryder's gaze sharpened.
"The nose is a weak point. If you strike it hard enough, your opponent will be stunned for at least ten seconds. In those seconds—find a way to win."
He lunged forward. His bare fist smashed into Commander L's nose.
[Army Man 3] – "W-Wait… is this guy serious?!"
"HE'S STRIKING HIS NOSE AGAIN AND AGAIN—WITH HIS KNEES?!"
Commander L was completely dazed. Skeleton's eyes widened. Destroyer's smile grew.
"That's right."
He had awakened something in Ryder.
But then— A shadow descended from the sky. Before Ryder could react— A ROUNDHOUSE KICK STRUCK HIS FACE. He was sent flying. Ryder was knocked out in an instant. The battle was over.
Ryder Wins. Commander L Is Defeated. Destroyer's gaze darkened.
[Destroyer] – "Did you just interfere with a match?"
A voice answered from the shadows.
[???] – "Sheesh, a match? Looked to me like he was attacking one of our people. Relax, Destroyer. It's been a while, hasn't it?"
Destroyer's expression twisted in irritation. "Tch… You always get on my nerves."
He gritted his teeth.
"Za-Shin of H7."
A man stepped forward.
[Shin] – "Ah, come on, Destroyer. Annoying you is my favorite pastime! And besides, I told you already—H7 is disbanded. Stop calling me that."
[Destroyer] – "Like I care."
His voice was cold.
"Do me a favor—don't ruin things like that again."
Shin shrugged.
[Shin] – "Yeah, yeah. Whatever. By the way…"
He pointed at Ryder's unconscious body.
"Who's the new 'Main Character' here?"
Destroyer raised an eyebrow.
[Destroyer] – "Main Character?" He chuckled.
"The greatest myth is that the Main Character always wins in the end." His eyes glowed with intensity.
"But the truth of reality? The villains are destined to make heroes suffer. I won't give this 'Main Character' any chances."
"Because… I AM THE SHOW."
Meanwhile, in the Kingdom afar…
Zaburai observed from the shadows.
He smirked.
[Zaburai] – "My lord, Ryder has officially been recruited into Destroyer's army. And… looks like Za-Shin is with them as well."
A man sitting in a throne, spoke. "So, Ryder has joined forces with Destroyer… Interesting. They might interfere with our plans. Ryder is unpredictable, and Destroyer… he may be a nuisance. But that's fine. I will tame them both, shape them to my will. And then—"
"The war against the Gods begins."
"In this battle, I am not just a contender. I am the one who will lead my people to victory."
"I AM THE MAIN CHARACTER." Shinda-Me.
Ryder sat alone in his treatment room, his body aching, his mind restless.
The battlefield was over, but the real war—his war—was just beginning.
(RYDER's thoughts)
"How did I end up like this? What should I do now? I'm too weak. Too small to stand among monsters like them. Ever since I started remembering my past, it feels like my memories are trying to tell me something. That girl… I forgot her name. And the one who taught me how to survive…"
Ryder clenched his fists.
"I've made up my mind. Hero or not. Main Character or not. If I have to become a devil to take down all the evils in this world… then so be it."
Because—
[Ryder] – "I AM— THE MAIN CHARACTER OF THIS SHOW."
"Sheesh… everyone's so eager to claim the title of 'Main Character'… XD, In the end, we're all the protagonists of our own stories. But what I see is different… Ryder—he might just be the turning point in all of theirs."
He smirked, his thoughts drifting back.
"H7 was the same. Once, we all thought we were invincible. But in the end… even we fell apart. And now, I wonder— Can you two… can you possibly defeat that one true evil?"
He exhaled, his voice lowering.
"Shinda-Me of the Dead."
— ZA-SHIN, Number 4 of the HEAVENLY SEVEN.