At dusk, the sky burned crimson, casting long shadows across the ground.
Airi stood in the middle of the forest, her breathing steady, but her eyes sharp as she watched the figure appearing before her.
A tall man emerged slowly, surrounded by an overwhelming dark aura. His long coat fluttered, his glowing red eyes piercing, and a thick demonic energy lingered around him.
"Ah… you… human," a deep, cold voice echoed with authority.
Airi didn't step back. "Who… are you?"
The figure gave a faint smile, his gaze filled with menace.
"I am Scarlet, the Demon King. And you… are the child I expected would catch my attention."
Airi frowned, her heart pounding, but her voice remained calm.
"Why would I interest you?"
Scarlet stepped closer, his dark aura making the air tremble.
"Because… your power is different. Not like an ordinary human. There is something within you… something worth acknowledging."
Airi felt an overwhelming pressure, cold and heavy, as if something invisible was crushing her body. Her breathing faltered, yet she held her ground.
Scarlet leaned slightly forward, his sharp gaze piercing through her.
"I want to see how long you can endure… and how strong your heart truly is."
Airi swallowed, but stood firm.
"I'm… not afraid of you. I'll face anything… no matter what you do."
Scarlet smiled faintly, seemingly pleased.
"Good. We'll see about that… but remember, I am always watching."
His voice rumbled again.
"Airi… you've already felt a fraction of my power. Now let's see how far you can endure."
Airi exhaled, channeling the new power surging within her.
"I won't… I won't back down. I'll face whatever you throw at me!"
Scarlet let out a low laugh.
"Good… but don't rely on words alone."
FWHOOM!
Scarlet shot forward, his dark aura slicing through the air. Each movement carried deadly force, cracking the ground beneath him.
Airi blocked with newfound speed, a soft crimson aura wrapping around her body to absorb the impact.
His power is overwhelming… but I can keep up…
Attack after attack collided. Airi's newly awakened ether allowed her to withstand Scarlet's immense pressure, but every clash left her gasping.
Scarlet twisted his movements, shifting angles, trying to break through her defense.
Airi focused, channeling all of her ether into a single motion.
With one swift strike, her counterattack cut across Scarlet's path.
Scarlet pulled back, laughing.
"Hahaha… stronger than I expected. You're not weak… but still far from enough."
Airi's breathing grew heavier, but her resolve only hardened.
I can't lose now… I have to become stronger… for my team… and to face him again if I must.
The dusk grew tense as Scarlet's dark aura and Airi's ether clashed, forming a vortex of energy that shook the ground.
This was not just a physical battle—it was a test of will, strength, and control.
Scarlet stepped back slightly, watching her with interest.
"Good… I'm starting to enjoy this. You're different from other humans. I'll be watching your growth closely."
Airi met his gaze, her breath uneven but her aura still burning.
I'll become stronger… and I won't be afraid anymore.
The battle came to a temporary end as Scarlet withdrew, but the tension lingered.
---
Airi walked slowly, her body still covered in wounds from her fight with Scarlet. Her breathing was heavy, her steps unsteady.
Ahead of her stood a figure.
Tall. Silver-gray hair. A long black cloak moving without wind. An invisible pressure filled the air.
The figure turned.
Zata.
Dark purple eyes locked onto Airi—eyes that could make anyone tremble.
"Do you still remember me?"
He smiled faintly, but the intimidation behind it was suffocating.
"I am Zata, the Alien King… or more precisely, the King of Conquerors."
Airi froze. Her pupils shrank.
"C-conqueror… king?"
"Yes. The ruler of other worlds. And now… this world has caught my interest."
Zata stepped closer. Each step echoed heavily.
Airi instinctively stepped back—but in an instant, he vanished and reappeared right in front of her.
"I've been watching your journey, Airi. You have great potential. You left your friends, your teacher… everyone who believed in you. But that's good."
He straightened, observing her like an object.
"Cruelty, courage, ambition—you have them all. You could become far stronger than anyone… if you choose to stand by my side."
Airi's hands trembled.
"Why… do you need me?"
"Because I like soldiers who are broken and burned by betrayal. They're much easier to shape into perfect monsters."
Airi gritted her teeth.
"I'm not your puppet!"
Zata smiled coldly.
"Then prove it. Show me you're worthy of standing as my equal."
A dark purple aura exploded from his body. The ground shattered. The walls trembled.
The pressure forced Airi to her knees instantly.
"Stand, Airi. Show me your fangs… or die before a king."
She bit her lip until it bled, then slowly forced herself to stand.
"Then… I'll prove it!"
Her eyes turned a sharp red. A black sword aura erupted from her body.
"ZATA!! I'LL DEFEAT YOU!!"
"Interesting."
Zata smiled widely, almost mad.
"Let's see whether you're worthy of becoming a demon… or just a weak human pretending to be strong."
Airi lunged forward, slashing at his neck—
But her sword shattered before it even touched him.
Her eyes widened in disbelief as she was thrown back.
Then—
BOOOOOOM!!!
An explosion shook the entire space.
From the rubble emerged a figure cloaked in red, fury blazing in his eyes.
Scarlet—the Demon King.
"ZATA!! What are you doing in my territory?!"
"How dare you touch what belongs to me?! I'll destroy you here and now!"
Zata sighed.
"You're noisy."
Without even looking—
0.01%.
A flick of power.
BUAAAM!!!
In an instant, Scarlet was blown away. His chest collapsed inward. His body shattered.
He didn't even have time to scream.
The Demon King died in a single strike.
Airi froze.
Her mind went blank.
That was… 0.01%…? Then what about 100%…?
Zata looked at Scarlet's remains like trash.
"Even a Demon King is nothing but dust beneath me."
He looked down at Airi.
"If I wished to destroy this world… I would only need to move a single finger."
Tears streamed down Airi's face.
Zata turned and walked away.
"Survive, Airi. I want to see how you drown in despair."
---
Moments later, the pressure vanished.
Airi collapsed, gasping.
"Haa… haa… h-help…"
A distant roar echoed across the land.
Two figures rushed toward the scene.
"Did you hear that!? That wasn't normal!"
"It's Airi! It has to be her!"
They arrived at a massive crater.
"AIRI!!"
Nora dropped to her knees, holding Airi tightly. Nova clenched his fists, staring at the destruction.
"What happened here?!"
"Who could cause this…?"
Airi's voice trembled.
"Za… ta… Scarlet… he's… dead…"
Tears fell uncontrollably.
"0.01%…" Nova whispered.
"If he uses even 10%… a continent would vanish."
Nora held Airi tighter.
"That's not weakness. You survived that. That's a miracle."
Nova looked up at the dark sky.
"Zata… I won't forget that name."