Chapter 9: Present – Ryun

Chapter 9: Present – Ryun

ACT II Ryun

Company

Ryun walked through the darkness, the pale moonlight barely illuminating his path, yet not hindering him at all. His senses allowed him sure footing and perfect sight of his surroundings. He did not allow his mind to wander; instead, he kept it blank as he walked. It was not as easy to achieve as he once could. The crystal seal over his power nagged at him. It made him feel like a part of him had been cut off, even though he could still feel it there. The fact that his skills were still under his control was the only thing that made the feeling hurt less. Still, if his skill could prevent the seal from covering it, he could probably figure out a way to free up the rest of his power.

But that was not what he was attempting to do now. He only wanted to enjoy a stroll through the woods without being hunted and without feeling the hate directed at him. Calm and peace were a few things that he had lacked on Earth. And now, even though a pack of monsters was circling around him, waiting for a moment to strike, he felt at peace. Every one of his steps was light, without the weight of his oaths. It felt good to feel so free and calm. Earth was behind him, and it would never matter to him again.

The future held promise. He could do whatever he wanted to do, could be whoever he wanted to be. The sky was, for the first time, truly the limit.

His peace was broken, however, by a monster deciding, at last, that he was simple prey. Ryun halted in his step, the black and furred shape flying through the air in front of him and missed as it overshot. Ryun heard and saw it in his mind as it hit the ground and turned impossibly fast before leaping toward him again. Ryun summoned his blade from his spatial ring. Shadow Princess appeared in his hand without its sheath, and he raised it as the beast finally came into his eyesight, its name appearing immediately above its head once his eyes saw it.

Twilight Woods Dire Wolf (LVL 90Early Foundation)

The silver threads of his |Combat Mastery| showed him where to move and how to step to avoid the beast, while the red threads of his |Sword Mastery| showed him how to move his sword in order to do the most damage. He ignored both.

Stepping to the side and toward the Dire Wolf, he cut with a backward swing at the monster as it attacked. His sword hit it in the side, cutting a huge gash in its flesh until it hit the bone, and he felt a reverberation as his sword was repelled. The monster cried out as it fell on the ground, but it quickly turned around, looking at Ryun with glowing red eyes. It had obviously revised its estimation of Ryuns status as prey, but already Ryun had nearly forgotten it. He was staring at his sword. It shouldve cut through the monster like it was nothing, yet it hadnt cut through the bone. True, he hadnt really put all of his strength into the attack, and it was a simple attack rather than a skill or ability, but still It had been a long time since he had to put much effort into cutting through anything.

The monster seemed to have made up its mind and decided that it wanted to risk it. It leapt at him, its jaws open and heading for his head. Ryun moved only at the last moment, taking a step back as he raised and stabbed with his sword forward faster than the Dire Wolf could react. His sword stabbed through the monsters mouth and up into its skull. The bone parted with only slight resistance. The massive body of the monster carried forward and pushed his sword deeper, but quickly Ryuns unmovable form robbed the corpse of its momentum. He pulled his sword out and the corpse tumbled to the ground.

All six of them had clothes with the same color scheme: red on green. The orcs wore armor, while the human and the two demons had some kind of robes. The crustacean had nothing except a strap across its chest and a belt, probably not needing anything on account of the exoskeleton.

We are exploring the surroundings, the crustacean said in a monotone voice with clicks thrown in between words. If the sect is to claim this territory, we must know what will surround the new town. That way, we can prepare for any threats accordingly.

I dont know what the sect heads are thinking, one of the orcs said. The Twilight Forest has remained unclaimed for this long for a reason you know. No one knows what kind of monsters lurk in here.

And we are here to find out, the human said.

They shouldve sent a stronger force, or at least more than one Lord, the orcs complained again.

Young Master Fier is a high-leveled Classer as well as a Lord. He is fully capable of keeping this expedition safe, the crustacean replied.

Of course, Commander. I am not saying that he isnt. It is just that we have no idea what is out here. And with Jorks team still missing The orc trailed off.

I understand, but we still have a job to do, and I expect you do it without complaining, the crustacean said, ending his sentence with a series of clicks.

The orc and the others all nodded and voiced their agreements. Then they were on their way, walking deeper into the forest.

Ryun waited for them to get out of his eyesight and then he followed, keeping to the trees.