Just the moment Draki and Valachi disappeared from the face of planet Terra, vanishing into the void that connected realms through their resignation technique and straight to where they came from, Ryder suddenly arrived at the exact location where they had been standing mere seconds before.

The timing was almost perfect—if he had arrived just a heartbeat earlier, the outcome might have been entirely different. But fate, it seemed, had its own way.

Ryder moved with that same terrifying fluidity that had characterized his transformation, each step covering impossible distances as he traversed the devastated landscape.

His movements remained unnaturally smooth, and his legs were barely being stretched throughout his movement.

The purple lightning that had been dancing around his form throughout his rampage continued to crackle with violent intensity that was oddly constant.

Upon reaching the exact spot where Valachi and Draki had stood before their escape, Ryder came to an abrupt halt. His movements, which had been so fluid and purposeful just moments before, suddenly froze, recognizing its prey was gone.

For several long moments, he stood perfectly motionless, his chest rising and falling as he breathed. The purple lightning continued to dance around his form, but even it seemed to be losing some of its violent intensity, the bolts becoming less frequent and less aggressive.

His gaze turned upward toward the night sky, staring at the stars with an expression that was impossible to read.

There was something distant in his eyes, as if he were looking through the sky itself rather than at it.

The aura that had been suffocating everyone in his vicinity—that overwhelming presence that had made even black-marked beasts fear for their lives—remained constant for what felt like an eternity.

It pressed down on the devastated landscape like an invisible weight, making the very ground seem to tremble beneath his feet.

But then, as suddenly as a candle being extinguished, it all changed.

The purple lightning that had been his constant companion throughout the night flickered once, twice, and then vanished completely. The oppressive aura that had made him seem like something beyond human began to fade, dissipating out of existence.

Thud!

Without warning, without so much as a word or a sound, Ryder collapsed.

The transformation was so complete, so sudden, that it was almost difficult to believe this was the same person who had just terrorized creatures from the Astral Shadow Plane.

Gone was the overwhelming presence, gone was the supernatural speed and strength, gone was everything that had made him appear inhuman.

What remained was simply Ryder—the same young summoner who had stood frozen with terror at the beginning of the night, paralyzed by fear at the first appearance of Draki.

The same person who had struggled with even harnessing his familiar to the fullest, who couldn't even summon his familiar freely.

It wasn't particularly surprising that he had lost consciousness. Throughout the entire duration of his transformation into that terrifying version of himself, there had been no sign that he was truly aware of his actions. Everything he did felt so unlike him.

Even his movement.

His movements had been driven by something deeper than conscious thought—pure instinct and overwhelming emotion.

Now, with those threats gone and his purpose fulfilled—though not the way he wanted it—whatever force had been sustaining him had finally released its hold.

His body, pushed far beyond its natural limits, had finally given in to the inescapable crash after such a feat.

During the entire rampage, Luxy had been desperately trying to catch up to his summoner, covering ground as quickly as his small form would allow.

The devil viper bunny had been running at his maximum speed ever since Ryder had given him that ultimatum—join him or stay clear—but even his incredible capabilities as a black-marked familiar had proven insufficient to keep pace with whatever Ryder had become.

After Ryder's proposal for him to either join him in his mission of eradication or stay clear of his path, Luxy had made what seemed like the obvious choice.

There had never really been any question about it—he was Ryder's familiar, bound to him and wouldn't be leaving Ryder without caring for him.

What he had expected to be a straightforward matter of supporting his summoner in battle had instead turned out to be a frustrating waste of time.

Throughout the entire encounter, from the moment Ryder had begun his violent pursuit of Valachi to the final confrontation that had just concluded, Luxy had been reduced to little more than an audience.

All he had accomplished was running behind his summoner, watching from a distance as Ryder single-handedly terrorized creatures that should have been far beyond any human summoner's ability of the current age to challenge.

There had been no opportunity for him to contribute, no moment where his own considerable powers as a devil viper bunny could have made any meaningful difference. Ryder had been radiating power on a level that made Luxy's abilities seem insignificant by comparison.

'Speaking of waste of time,' Luxy thought grimly as he smacked his lips in clear frustration.

The expression was almost comical on his rabbit-like face, but the emotion behind it was genuine. He had never felt so useless, so completely outclassed by his own summoner.

Now that the immediate crisis had passed and Ryder lay unconscious on the ground, Luxy finally had no reason to push himself to maintain that desperate pace. He could afford to walk normally, to catch his breath and lose fatigue.

The devil viper bunny's movements became more measured as he approached his fallen summoner. Each step was purposeful, giving him time to observe Ryder's condition even from a distance.

The young man who had been an unstoppable force just moments before now appeared completely vulnerable, his chest rising and falling with the steady rhythm of deep unconsciousness.

Ryomen, who had attempted to strike Valachi with his stored power technique only to watch helplessly as both black-marked beasts vanished at the last possible moment, was also present in the immediate area.

The skeletal warrior's form, his hollow eye sockets fixed on Ryder's unconscious form with an expression that was impossible to interpret.

"Just what the hell was that?" were the only words Ryomen could manage to utter, his voice coming out as his mouth moved.

He barely recognized the unconscious figure before him as the same person he had briefly encountered earlier.

If not for the fact that Ryder had clearly returned to his normal state, Ryomen would have instinctively prepared himself for combat. The transformation had been so complete that Ryder had seemed like an entirely different person even though his face remained unchanged.

The aura that had emanated from the transformed Ryder had been so oppressive, so overwhelming that even his undead nature—which typically made him immune to fear and intimidation—had responded with genuine unease.

Now, moving his gaze away from Ryder's unconscious form, Ryomen found himself staring at what appeared to be a relatively large rabbit. The creature was small in comparison to most familiars he had encountered, standing only to about the height of his knees when he was in human form.

With its white fur and distinctively long ears, most casual observers would have assumed it to be adorable, perhaps even harmless.

The rabbit's appearance was almost innocent if not for the red predatory eyes.

But Ryomen knew better than to judge any creature by its appearance, especially in their current circumstances. His enhanced senses allowed him to perceive what others might miss—its aura intensity.

The aura emanating from this seemingly innocent rabbit was unmistakably that of a black-marked familiar.

While it wasn't as intensely overwhelming as those that had descended from the portal created by Yuki Nakamura—it was still undoubtedly not a weakling.

Taking a defensive stance, Ryomen quickly readied himself for combat. His skeletal form shifted into a position that would allow him to respond instantly to any sudden action.

The first words that came to his mind were delivered with direct suspicion: "What are you?"

Luxy, who was already quite close to Ryder's unconscious form at this moment, turned casually to regard Ryomen with an expression of irritation. For a creature with rabbit-like features, his facial expressions were remarkably human.

"Even a blind Fan-ranked individual would be able to tell I am a familiar," Luxy responded with the same irritation on his face.

Having delivered his response, Luxy began to move closer to Ryder, clearly intending to check on his summoner's condition.

However, before he could make physical contact with the unconscious young man, Ryomen demonstrated exactly why he had earned his position as one of the Sen.

He had used the stored impacts from Valachi's punch in his feet and propelled himself between Ryder and the cute-looking familiar.

"Don't come any closer," Ryomen ordered, his voice carrying the unmistakable authority of being too used to getting his commands obeyed without question.

"I need a better response," he continued, his tone growing more threatening with each word. "Who are you, and what is your aim here? Answer me, or I won't hesitate to engage you this instant."

Luxy's red eyes went cold as he processed Ryomen's words, the temperature in the air dropping like his gaze.

But then, as quickly as the cold anger had appeared, his expression softened. The threatening aura dissipated, replaced by something that was almost resignation.

"I am Ryder's familiar," he replied with unwavering resolve, his voice carrying the kind of certainty that completed his statement. "The devil viper bunny, Luxy."

Upon hearing this declaration, Ryomen finally allowed himself to lower his guard. The tension that had been radiating from his skeletal frame eased, and his defensive posture relaxed into something more neutral.

"You should have said that from the start," he responded, though his tone still carried traces of irritation at having been forced to go through this confrontation when a simple introduction would have resolved everything immediately.

Now that he had a moment to think clearly without the fear of potential combat, Ryomen finally remembered clearly; He recalled the detailed reports that had been given to him and the other Sen about the newest ally Master Sung had decided to recruit a few days ago before Ryder had been taken to the base.

The reports had specifically mentioned Ryomen's familiar being a devil viper bunny.

"Blah blah, just get over here and help me carry this man," Luxy said dismissively, his tone indicating that he considered the entire identification process to have been an unnecessary waste of time.

"What the hell!" Ryomen's response was immediate and explosive, his voice rising with fury. "Who gave you the privilege to order me around like some common servant! I already have a handful to deal with myself!"

As he spoke these words, Ryomen began the process of canceling his skeletal transformation, slowly reverting back to his human form.

The change was gradual but noticeable, bones becoming flesh, hollow sockets gaining eyes, and so on.

Surprisingly, among all the combatants who had participated in the night's battles, Ryomen appeared to be in the best condition. There were no visible signs of the exhaustion that was affecting nearly everyone else, no indication that he had just engaged in life-or-death combat against creatures from the Astral Shadow Plane.

This was likely due to the unique nature of his undead transformation. Throughout the entire duration of his battles, he had been operating without traditional body organs. His respiratory system and other vital organs had been essentially irrelevant to his combat effectiveness.

Unlike his human companions, who had been pushing their bodies far beyond safe limits and were now paying the price in fatigue and physical strain, Ryomen's undead state had allowed him to fight as a dead creature that feels none of that.

"Look over there," Ryomen said, pointing toward a figure lying unconsciously on the surface above the crater where the double-headed dragon had met its end.

The gesture was sharp, directing Luxy's attention to someone who clearly held significant importance to Ryomen. Even from a distance, it was obvious that whoever lay there had been through an ordeal that had pushed them to their absolute limits.

"That is Zhou, a fallen comrade of mine who holds far more privilege and respect within the Red Eastern Guild than you could ever imagine," Ryomen continued, his voice carrying pride at the same time, as well as barely controlled anger that dominated.

"He's also a close friend of mine, someone who has always been there when I needed support, someone who genuinely cares about my wellbeing and safety. Do you honestly think I'll abandon him to help you carry your summoner?"

"He risked his life in combat tonight," Ryomen went on, his tone becoming more passionate as he spoke. "He pushed himself far beyond what anyone should reasonably be expected to endure, and he single-handedly defeated a head of that double-headed dragon. His contribution is the primary reason why we are all still alive to have this conversation."

The words carried decent weight there. Zhou's desperate battle against the massive dragon, his use of techniques that had pushed him to the very edge of what his body could survive, had indeed been part of their success tonight.

Without Zhou's intervention, without his willingness to sacrifice everything for the sake of his comrades, the outcome might have been very different.

The double-headed dragon might have escaped with the other black-marked beasts, or worse.

"I never asked for all these long explanations and speeches," Luxy interjected with clear stress in his voice, his patience finally exhausted.

His red eyes flashed with irritation as he continued, "If you want to show off your comrade's achievements and your touching friendship, then find someone else who will be appropriately awestruck by your stories. I am not that audience."

"The reason why you are all alive," Luxy continued relentlessly, "is because of Ryder. He single-handedly drove off Draki and Valachi, striking fear into creatures that your entire guild couldn't defeat working together."

"I bet you guys only got the opening to strike that dragon after Ryder had made Valachi so desperate that he called for a retreat," Luxy added with an accurate assumption.

"Now I want you to help carry your fellow human on your own back where he belongs," Luxy concluded, his tone making it clear that he considered this to be a reasonable division of labor.

"Why don't you do it yourself?" Ryomen shot back, his voice tight with anger and wounded pride.

"He is as light as paper for me, but I am too small to carry him comfortably," Luxy responded sharply.

The suggestion that he should abandon Zhou to help with Ryder was insulting enough, but the behavior behind Luxy's dismissive attitude toward their achievements was even worse.

The casual way the rabbit familiar dismissed the Sen's contributions to the night's victory was almost unbearable that Ryomen couldn't process any logic apart from the insulting portion of the conversation.

"When all this dies down," he called back over his shoulder, his voice carrying a promise that sounded more like a threat, "I will be challenging you to a duel. Mark my words—I will put you in your place and teach you not to order a Sen around like some regular individual who has no understanding of respect."

With that, Ryomen turned around and walked away.

"A Sen, huh?" Luxy called back mockingly, his voice carrying across the devastated landscape with madness. "Remind me again, where exactly are you recognized as a Sen?"

"Tell me, where is your residence? This wasteland?" Luxy continued, his voice rising with each mocking word. "This wasteland that has been reduced to absolutely nothing in the span of a single night?"

The observation was painfully accurate. The Red Eastern Guild headquarters, which had stood as a symbol of power in the Fan, Luo, Tian and Sen districts, now looked like the surface of a dead planet.

The destruction was so complete that it would be difficult for anyone unfamiliar with the area to believe that a thriving community had existed here just hours before.

"If you were as all-powerful as you claim to be, if you truly deserved me to respect you due to your title of Sen, wouldn't you have been able to protect your residence at the very least? What use is your strength if you couldn't even manage that basic responsibility?"

Ryomen continued walking toward Zhou's unconscious form, his head facing forward and his shoulders rigid with suppressed anger. He didn't turn around despite Luxy's taunts, but the words were clearly getting to him by the way he gritted his teeth and clenched his fists.

"You sure have a lot of pride for a human," Luxy scoffed, his tone suggesting that he found this to be both amusing and somewhat pathetic. "But keep in mind that you started this whole argument with your unnecessary suspicion and demands."

"You'll know better next time not to raise your voice at someone who is superior to you in all aspects," Luxy concluded with finality.

Upon reaching Zhou's unconscious form, Ryomen's demeanor shifted completely. The anger and wounded pride that had been dominating his emotions during the interaction with Luxy was replaced by genuine concern and tenderness as he knelt beside his fallen comrade.

Zhou's massive panda transformation had long since ended, leaving behind his human form sprawled across the devastated ground. His clothes were torn and bloodied, his skin marked with bruises that told the story of his desperate battle against the double-headed dragon.

Despite the obvious signs of exhaustion and injury, Zhou's chest rose and fell with steady regularity, indicating that his vital functions remained stable. His face, while pale, showed evidence that all that had happened could probably cause severe damage.

Ryomen gently raised Zhou from the ground, taking great care not to worsen any of his injuries. He positioned Zhou's unconscious form across his back in a way that would allow him to carry his comrade safely.

As if summoned by perfect timing, a portal suddenly materialized right beside Luxy with the distinctive shimmer and distortion, energy crackling around its edges like electricity.

Shortly after the portal's appearance, all the non-combatants who had been in another area entirely began to emerge. The group included Mara with Akira on her back, Brok, Leo, and the three executives of the Red Eastern Guild with Yuki carrying Mikasa on her back.

The moment the portal disgorged its passengers, all attention immediately focused on the two figures—one unconscious and sprawled across the devastated landscape, which was Ryder, and Luxy.

"Ryder!" Mara called out, her voice cracking with emotion as she rushed toward the unconscious young man.

"Are you okay? Ryder, answer me!" she continued, dropping to her knees beside his motionless form and shaking him frantically in an attempt to force out some kind of response.

Her hands moved over his face and shoulders with increasing desperation as he failed to react to her voice or touch. The fear in her eyes was clear—after everything they had witnessed tonight, after seeing him become something beyond ordinary, the possibility that he might not return to normal was terrifying.

The aura had faded, but still... She still couldn't stop herself from worrying.

To Mara's immediate concern, Ryder felt unnaturally cold to the touch.

Acting on instinct and basic first aid training, she quickly placed her hand over his chest to check for a heartbeat.

The seconds stretched into what felt like hours as she waited to feel the familiar rhythm that would indicate life and health.

Fortunately, after a moment that seemed eternal, she detected the strong, steady pulse of a healthy heart beating in perfect rhythm. The relief that washed over her was almost overwhelming, causing her to release a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.

Not satisfied with just checking his pulse, she also placed a finger under his nose to verify that he was breathing normally. Again, after a moment of terrifying uncertainty, she felt the warm, regular flow of air that was evidence that he was fine.

"He's breathing," she announced to the group, her voice thick with relief. "His heartbeat is strong and regular. He appears to be in stable condition, just unconscious."

Meanwhile, Ryomen, still carrying Zhou on his back and clearly struggling with his own emotions about the night's events, approached the group with an expression that was simultaneously angry with genuine concern.

"Is no one going to check up on Zhou?" Ryomen questioned with barely controlled anger, his voice carrying the weight of someone who felt his friend was being unfairly overlooked.

"Oh, right, right," Brok responded immediately, recognizing the justice in Ryomen's complaint and feeling somewhat embarrassed that he had needed the reminder.

Without hesitation, he rushed forward to assist with Zhou's care, his movements quick and purposeful as he prepared to assess his superior's condition.

He never learned medical training, but he lived quite a rough life back then when he was an agent for the underling tournament, so he knows some basic life hacks.

But as Brok approached Zhou's unconscious form, something completely unexpected happened. Zhou's eyes suddenly shot open with startling intensity, and he fixed Brok with a death stare so powerful and menacing that no words could measure its impact perfectly.

Zhou's eyes, which had been closed shut in exhaustion, and which should have been clouded with exhaustion and confusion after waking up, instead blazed with a sharp warning for Brok to stay clear, before the eyes shut closed into unconsciousness.

Taking a huge gulp, Brok stepped backward.

Mara, who had finished her examination of Ryder and confirmed that he was in stable condition, finally managed to stop panicking about his immediate health. Her breathing had returned to normal, and the frantic movements had been replaced by more relaxation.

Looking toward Zhou with compassionate attention as well, she asked with obvious concern, "Is he alright?"

Brok watched this interaction with growing confusion, his eyes widening as he observed something that no one else seemed to notice. As Mara approached and gently took Zhou into her arms to examine his condition, Zhou's face underwent a surprising transformation.

Somehow, Zhou had been aware enough to recognize who was approaching him and to react differently based on his preferences.

'This pervert!' Brok could only curse in his mind.

He found himself in the awkward position of being the only witness to Zhou's craziness, as no one else seemed to notice.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.