Venus bit her lip, fists clenched by her sides. She didn't know how to comfort someone like Ryuzen — someone who had gone through so much, yet still stood strong.
"I... I didn't know, Ryu," she whispered, stepping closer. "I always thought you were just some cheerful idiot who joked around to lighten the mood. I never imagined you were carrying something like that."
She sat down beside him, the red glow of the setting sun washing over them both.
"You're wrong about one thing, though." Her voice was quiet but firm. "You say you'll never feel family again... but maybe you just haven't looked hard enough. Sometimes, family isn't what you're born into. It's what you build."
Ryuzen looked at her slowly, his golden eyes unreadable.
Venus turned her face away, flustered. "I'm not saying I'm your family or anything! Idiot..." she mumbled. "But... if you ever feel alone, just remember you're not. I'm here. We're all here now."
She hesitated, then added softly, "Even if I'm bad at saying it... I care. I really do."
For a moment, the wind stilled. Silence embraced them — not awkward, but warm. Healing.
Ryuzen gave her a gentle nod, a more genuine smile tugging at his lips.
"Thank you, Venus. That means more than you know."
After a light dinner, all six of them settled in and drifted off to sleep under the quiet night sky.
But deep into the night, terrifying howls and monstrous roars echoed from afar.
Ryuzen's eyes snapped open.
His enhanced draconic senses were screaming.
He sat up swiftly, scanning the surroundings. Then his gaze shifted to the sleeping girl beside him.
"Venus!" he called out, shaking her gently.
Venus stirred, her eyes half-lidded, her thoughts foggy. The first thing she saw was Ryuzen's handsome face hovering above her, illuminated by the moonlight.
"Mm hmm... Ryu?" she mumbled, cheeks suddenly flushed. "I... I'm not ready yet. I still need to heal my mother first..."
Ryuzen froze for a second, then slapped his forehead with a groan.
"This isn't that kind of situation! Wake up! There's danger approaching!" he shouted.
His voice cracked like thunder across the camp, instantly jolting everyone awake.
"Wh-what's going on?!" one of them cried, scrambling to their feet.
The others quickly followed, grabbing their weapons and scanning the area.
But there was nothing in sight. No monsters. No movement. Not even a breeze disturbed the trees.
Their expressions turned sour.
"What's wrong, Ryuzen? Why did you suddenly shout like that?" Luthor asked, frowning.
Even Felix and Rudos looked visibly annoyed. After all, no one liked having their sleep interrupted for nothing.
Ryuzen didn't flinch under their stares. Still gripping his E-grade sword, he spoke calmly.
"I can sense danger approaching us. We might have to fight soon."
Rudos scoffed. "Come on, Ryuzen. I know you're strong and all, but what are you now? A danger detector? I just checked outside through the window. There's nothing out there."
Felix crossed his arms. "My Blood Sensory isn't detecting any movement either. Maybe you're just imagining things."
Before the mood could worsen, Irina stepped forward.
"Guys, he could be right as well," she said, her ruby-red eyes shining with sincerity. "So let's not be so quick to judge him."
Rudos sneered, voice cold. "Irina, we get it. He swooned you with his face or whatever. But be rational here. Do you really believe he's more capable than all of us combined?"
From the looks of it, the others had noticed how much attention Ryuzen was getting from the two girls. Even during the mock battle yesterday, he had stolen the limelight. That alone might have been enough to spark their overreaction.
Ryuzen didn't offer any further explanation. He simply turned away, eyes narrowed, still sensing the danger.
Irina, on the other hand, was fuming. Her face turned crimson with anger.
"Rudos, I swear I'm going to kill you, you little twerp!"
Rudos scoffed, folding his arms smugly.
"Try it... but don't come crying for healing when I don't patch you up," he said with an evil smirk.
"Y-You!" Irina's hands clenched into fists, but she couldn't find the words to retort.
Luthor and Felix, shaking their heads, were about to lie down again when suddenly—
Barely audible, but enough for all of them to hear it.
Their bodies stiffened.
Luthor's eyes sharpened as he snapped to his feet. "Ambush!"
"Quick, prepare yourselves!" he shouted.
The wooden door exploded off its hinges, shattered into splinters.
All eyes turned toward the source of the noise, hearts racing in panic and apprehension.
A towering shadow loomed in the doorway.
A monstrous figure stepped inside
It was a terrifying red giant, gripping a massive tree trunk like a club.
It stood nearly seven meters tall, its grotesque muscles bulging unnaturally. Its skin was a deep, blood-drenched crimson, veins pulsing with dark energy. From its twisted face, two pitch-black eyes stared with mindless hatred.
Its aura reeked of bloodlust and death.
Irina gasped. "No… That's—"
"Hollowfied Giant!" Felix shouted, his voice tense.
Everyone's expressions darkened.
There was no mistaking it. The corrupted aura, the mutated form, the soulless gaze—this creature was born from a once-human body consumed by abyssal mana.
And it was not alone.
Several more hulking figures emerged from the mist behind it, each just as massive and bloodthirsty. The ground trembled under their steps.
Ryuzen didn't waste a breath. He vanished in a blur, his sword slicing through the air like a silver streak.
With a powerful leap, he brought his blade down on the first giant's arm. The crimson flesh was dense, its muscle fibers coiled like steel cables—but they couldn't withstand Ryuzen's overwhelming strength.
The severed arm hit the floor with a heavy crash. The Hollowfied Giant shrieked in agony, black blood spraying from the stump. Its roar echoed through the room like a thunderclap.
Yet even as it cried out, the corrupted flesh began to regenerate, writhing like worms as it slowly grew back.
Just like most Hollowfied creatures.
Snarling, the giant swung its massive tree trunk with full force toward Ryuzen's head.
The floor cracked where it struck—but Ryuzen had already moved. His legs blurred with speed as he dashed to the side, narrowly avoiding the deadly impact.
Then, without pause, he rushed in again, sprinting up the trunk, using it as a ramp. In one fluid motion, he reached the giant's shoulder, then leapt into the air above its skull.
His blade descended like divine judgment.
The head was severed cleanly. It hit the stone floor with a disgusting thump, rolling lifelessly to the feet of the others.
For a moment, no one could speak.