The air changed.
---
Not slowly.
Not subtly.
---
Instantly.
---
The moment the man stepped forward—
The space between him and Thalren tightened.
---
People nearby felt it first.
---
A strange pressure.
---
Not enough to crush—
But enough to warn.
---
"…What is that…?"
"…Something feels off…"
---
A few stepped back.
Others froze.
---
Instinct.
---
Something was wrong.
---
At the center of it—
Two figures stood still.
---
Thalren.
---
And the man before him.
---
Calm eyes.
Sharp presence.
---
Not loud.
Not aggressive.
---
But dangerous.
---
"…You should be careful," the man said lightly.
"…This isn't a place for accidents."
---
Thalren didn't reply.
---
Didn't move.
---
His gaze remained fixed.
---
"…You're different," the man continued.
"…I can tell."
---
A step closer.
---
"…That sword…"
His eyes flicked to the sheath.
---
"…It suits you."
---
Silence.
---
"…But you don't know how to use it."
---
Still—
No response.
---
A faint smile formed on the man's face.
---
"…Then let me test something."
---
He moved.
---
Fast.
---
Faster than anyone before.
---
A direct strike.
---
Precise.
---
Aimed at Thalren's neck.
---
But—
---
Thalren had already shifted.
---
The attack passed.
---
A breath apart.
---
No wasted movement.
---
No panic.
---
Just timing.
---
The man's eyes sharpened slightly.
---
"…Good."
---
He turned instantly.
---
A second strike—
Lower.
---
Faster.
---
Thalren stepped back.
---
The ground cracked slightly beneath the impact.
---
Not from strength alone—
---
From control.
---
The man stopped.
---
Smiled.
---
"…You're not normal."
---
Silence.
---
Thalren stepped forward.
---
First move.
---
A direct strike.
---
Clean.
---
The man raised his arm—
Blocked.
---
A shockwave spread lightly beneath their feet.
---
Not large—
But real.
---
The man's expression changed.
---
Just slightly.
---
"…So you can hit too."
---
He pushed forward.
---
A series of strikes—
---
Fast.
---
Controlled.
---
Relentless.
---
Thalren moved.
---
Minimal.
---
Efficient.
---
Each attack—
Avoided by the smallest margin.
---
No extra motion.
---
No wasted energy.
---
Just enough.
---
The man increased speed.
---
Faster.
---
Sharper.
---
More precise.
---
The ground beneath them began to crack further.
---
People backed away.
---
Now fully aware.
---
"…That's not normal fighting…"
"…Who are they…?"
---
The space widened.
---
Fear replacing curiosity.
---
Thalren's movements didn't change.
---
Still calm.
---
Still controlled.
---
But his eyes—
---
Focused.
---
Locked.
---
The man stopped suddenly.
---
Distance created.
---
A brief pause.
---
"…You're holding back."
---
Silence.
---
"…Or you don't know how to go further."
---
Thalren said nothing.
---
The sheath pulsed.
---
Once.
---
Clear.
---
The man noticed.
---
"…Ah…"
A slight grin returned.
---
"…So it reacts."
---
A step forward.
---
"…Then let's push it."
---
He moved again—
---
Faster than before.
---
A sudden burst.
---
This time—
Not testing.
---
Attacking.
---
A strike aimed directly at Thalren's chest.
---
No hesitation.
---
No restraint.
---
Thalren didn't dodge immediately.
---
For a split second—
He stood still.
---
Then—
He moved.
---
Not back.
---
Forward.
---
A sharp deflection.
---
A direct counter—
---
A clean impact to the man's side.
---
The sound echoed.
---
The man slid back.
---
Stopped.
---
Silence.
---
"…That's more like it."
---
No anger.
---
No frustration.
---
Only interest.
---
Thalren stood still again.
---
Breathing steady.
---
Unshaken.
---
The sheath pulsed again.
---
Stronger.
---
The feeling returned.
---
That same presence.
---
Faint.
---
Watching.
---
"…Not yet…"
---
The words echoed again.
---
This time—
Clearer.
---
Closer.
---
Thalren's grip tightened slightly.
---
"…Then move."
---
A whisper.
---
Barely audible.
---
The man's eyes narrowed.
---
"…You said something?"
---
No reply.
---
Instead—
Thalren stepped forward.
---
Faster than before.
---
A direct strike.
---
The man blocked—
---
But this time—
He felt it.
---
The impact pushed him back slightly.
---
"…So it's starting."
---
A grin.
---
Excited.
---
He rushed again.
---
The clash intensified.
---
Strikes collided.
---
Movements sharpened.
---
Speed increased.
---
The ground beneath them fractured further.
---
Dust rose.
---
Air shifted violently.
---
This wasn't a test anymore.
---
This was a fight.
---
But still—
Controlled.
---
Contained.
---
Thalren's movements remained precise.
---
No anger.
---
No rush.
---
Just execution.
---
The man stepped back suddenly.
---
Distance again.
---
He exhaled.
---
"…Enough."
---
Silence.
---
Thalren didn't chase.
---
Didn't move.
---
The man looked at him carefully.
---
"…You're interesting."
---
A pause.
---
"…Very interesting."
---
His gaze shifted briefly to the sword.
---
"…That thing chose well."
---
Silence.
---
"…For now…"
---
He turned.
---
"…I'll leave it at this."
---
A step away.
---
"…But next time…"
---
A slight glance back.
---
"…don't hold back."
---
He walked away.
---
Just like that.
---
No rush.
---
No fear.
---
Gone within seconds.
---
Silence remained.
---
Heavy.
---
Unsettled.
---
The people slowly returned.
---
But kept their distance.
---
Whispers started again.
---
"…Did you see that…"
"…They were both monsters…"
---
"…Who was that man…?"
---
No answers.
---
Only questions.
---
At the center—
Thalren stood alone.
---
The sheath pulsed once more.
---
Then—
Went still.
---
The presence faded again.
---
"…Not yet…"
---
He exhaled quietly.
---
"…Then I'll keep moving."
---
No hesitation.
---
No doubt.
---
He turned.
---
And walked away.
---
But this time—
The path ahead was no longer quiet.
---
It had begun.
---
And it wouldn't stop.