It's been a while, Michi

The next day, Ryan woke up with a renewed determination. After the traumatic events and his sister's miraculous revival, he felt an urgent need to become stronger. He knew he had to prepare for the trials ahead. Rising early, he donned his gear and, without saying a word to anyone, left the hospital. His destination: lower-ranked portals, hunting grounds where he could hone his skills and test his newfound abilities.

Ryan headed to a hunting area known for housing several blue and yellow-ranked portals. These portals were considered relatively safe for experienced Awakened, but for Ryan, it was an opportunity to perfect his new skills while gaining experience.

The first portal he chose was a brilliant blue, pulsing slightly as if inviting him in. Without hesitation, Ryan dove in, finding himself in a dense forest where wild and hostile creatures awaited. The massive trees and the sounds of the wildlife gave him a sense of total immersion. The first creatures he encountered were shadow wolves, fast and vicious, but thanks to his enhanced agility and mana control, he eliminated them with precision and efficiency.

Every move he made was calculated, every strike precise. He used his skills with newfound mastery, combining quick strikes with subtle spells. With each monster he felled, he felt a surge of energy and satisfaction. The blue portal was cleared in less than an hour.

Ryan wasted no time. He immediately headed to the next portal, this time a bright yellow. This portal transported him to an arid desert, where fiery creatures and giant scorpions hid beneath the scorching sand. The challenge was greater, the monsters more powerful, but Ryan was undaunted. He moved with newfound confidence, dodging attacks and countering with deadly precision.

The giant scorpions tried to encircle him, their venomous tails whipping through the air with deadly speed. Ryan used his telekinesis to repel their attacks, creating invisible force fields that deflected them. When they were sufficiently weakened, he would dash in with lightning speed to finish them off.

Each portal he cleared seemed to drive him to seek another. He felt no fatigue, only a burning desire to continue, to test his limits. He navigated through forests, deserts, and mountains, each environment bringing its own set of challenges and dangers.

As the day progressed, Ryan began experimenting with new combinations of skills. He used telekinesis to manipulate the environment to his advantage, lifting boulders to crush his enemies or creating energy shields to protect himself from attacks. His "Absolute Defense" made him nearly invincible, allowing him to withstand blows that few Awakened could endure.

In another portal, he faced a minor fire dragon. The battle was intense, the dragon spewing flames that incinerated everything in their path. Ryan used his "Scarlet Hermit" to temporarily vanish, dodging attacks before reappearing behind the creature for a decisive strike. He then summoned his "Sky Bow," firing an arrow of pure energy that pierced the dragon's scales, causing it to collapse.

The day passed like this, Ryan moving from portal to portal, eliminating everything in his path. He faced stone golems, ice witches, and skeletal warriors, each falling under his relentless attacks. He experimented tirelessly, perfecting every skill, every technique.

With each completed portal, he felt growing satisfaction, but he did not stop. He was on a mission, one he had set for himself: to become strong enough to protect those he loved, to never again witness suffering and loss.

As the sun began to set, Ryan had already cleared 33 portals. His silhouette was drenched in sweat, his clothes in tatters, but his gaze remained determined. He stood atop a hill overlooking the last portal he had completed, watching the sunset with an expression of satisfaction and pride.

The wind blew gently, bringing a sense of calm and serenity. Ryan took a deep breath, savoring this moment of triumph. He knew this was just the beginning of his journey, but he felt ready to face whatever came his way. For him, every fight, every victory, was another step toward his ultimate goal.

He turned, ready to head home, but with an even stronger resolve. The world could be cruel and unforgiving, but Ryan Knox was determined never to be beaten down. With one last look at the horizon, he resumed his path, ready to face the challenges ahead.

As he was about to leave, Ryan sensed a presence behind him. Seven men, all members of the infamous "Okaï" guild, had encircled him. This guild was renowned not only for its power but also for the cruelty and delinquency of its members. Their reputation preceded them, and their mere presence inspired fear and respect in many.

The leader of the group, an imposing man with a scar running across his face, stepped forward. He had a deep, authoritative voice, clearly used to having his orders followed without question.

"What are you doing here, kid?" he asked with a sneer. "Haven't you heard this place is dangerous? It's no place for little ones like you."

Ryan remained silent, his gaze fixed on the horizon. He had no desire to engage in a pointless confrontation, especially after such an exhausting day. Completely ignoring the leader's words, he turned on his heels and continued on his way, determined not to waste time with these men.

One of the Protectors, visibly irritated by Ryan's indifference, drew his sword. He pointed it directly at Ryan, his tone turning threatening.

"Hey, didn't you hear our leader talking to you?" he barked. "Who do you think you are, ignoring us like that?"

[King's Aura (S) activated]

Ryan stopped abruptly, the wind lightly blowing around him. He was already annoyed by their interruption, but now, they had crossed a line. He slowly turned his head, his piercing gaze seeming to pierce through the soul of every man present. A crushing energy began to emanate from him, a pressure so intense that the very air seemed to grow heavier.

"What does it matter to you?" he murmured, his cold voice resonating in the air.

At that moment, an invisible shockwave spread from Ryan. The King's Aura erupted, unleashing an overwhelming pressure on the group of Protectors. It was as if the Earth's gravity had suddenly increased, pinning the men to the ground. The once-arrogant leader found himself on his knees, gasping under the crushing weight.

The other Protectors stood no chance. One by one, they collapsed, unable to withstand the weight of Ryan's aura. Their bodies seemed crushed by an invisible force, their breathing becoming labored. Within seconds, the seven men were sprawled on the ground, unconscious.

Ryan, still standing, looked at them without emotion. This confrontation had been nothing more than a nuisance, an insignificant obstacle in his path. He didn't spare them another glance, simply resuming his march.

Without another word, he continued on his way, leaving the seven unconscious Protectors behind. The air around him seemed to relax, the pressure vanishing as suddenly as it had appeared. Silence reigned once more, broken only by the whisper of the wind.

For Ryan, it was a simple lesson: he had no time to waste on those who didn't understand their own insignificance. His goals were far greater than petty quarrels with lost men. His path was clear, and nothing would divert him from it.

Michi walked through a ruined city, the buildings in tatters, the deserted streets silent witnesses to a once-thriving past. Each step echoed in the heavy silence, the air charged with a palpable tension. His thoughts were elsewhere, lost in recent events, when a familiar voice shattered the calm.

"It's been a while, huh, Michi."

Michi stopped abruptly, his eyes widening slightly. He turned slowly, his gaze landing on a figure he knew all too well. Standing before him was a young man, one of the few he had hoped never to see again. His sky-blue hair shimmered under the flickering light, and his eyes, oddly captivating, were a kaleidoscope of rainbow colors.

"Noah Mercer," Michi murmured, his tone laced with wariness.

Noah, a smile on his face, stood with an almost unsettling nonchalance. He was the most arrogant man Michi had ever met, and his mere presence was enough to send shivers down even the bravest spines.

"Did you come here alone to fight me?" Michi asked, his features hardening.

Noah shrugged, his smile widening. "You're not using the right word, Michi. I'm not going to fight you." He paused, his piercing gaze locking onto Michi's. "Because when we talk about fighting, it implies both opponents are on the same level... or close."

Michi frowned, confusion evident on his face. "What?"

Noah burst out laughing, his eyes never leaving Michi. "You don't get it? I'm going to annihilate you."

The tension escalated. Michi clenched his fists, his muscles tensing under the affront. "Bastard. You really think I'm weak? Me, an S-rank?"

Noah simply shook his head, still wearing that smug smile. "S-rank, so what?" he replied, his tone disdainful. "You thought I'd let you go after what you did at the lab?" His gaze hardened for a moment before he looked up at the sky. "Today, even your soul will be destroyed."

A cold sweat ran down Michi's neck. He knew Noah was strong, but the aura he exuded now surpassed anything he'd ever felt. Noah's words hung in the air, heavy with threat and promise.

The wind blew between them, carrying with it the dust of the ruined city. The imminent duel seemed inevitable, and a palpable tension floated in the air, a prelude to the chaos about to unfold.