Nato7

The Awakening: Around 150 years ago, a mysterious event known as "The Rift" caused a dramatic shift in the world. This event opened portals from another dimension, bringing Essences—mysterious and powerful entities—into the world. These Essences granted some individuals extraordinary abilities and set in motion a global conflict.

Essence Warriors: These are people who possess the power of an Essence, which can take various forms depending on the individual’s soul and affinity. Some are born with their Essence powers from birth, while others awaken them later in life. These warriors are ranked according to their power level, and the rankings play a significant role in their status, training, and missions.

Essence Reborn

BREAKING NEWS!D-Rank Warrior Defeats Two EX-Rank Beasts—Solo!"Miracle" or "Hidden Monster"—Who is Riku Hayashi?

Holograms floated in the streets. News alerts flashed on phones, in subways, across building-sized screens in downtown Tokyo. Everyone was talking about the same thing.

Some thought it was luck.Others swore he must've been hiding his true potential for years.A few even accused the officials of staging the report.

But whether they believed it or not, the truth had been recorded. The Rift Zone footage couldn't lie.

The boy who once had no Essence now stood ranked among elites.

Riku walked down the back streets of Akasaka, hoodie up, eyes down. He kept to the alleys and quieter routes—fame wasn't something he craved. He didn't want interviews, didn't want fans. Not now.

As he turned a corner toward an old vending machine, a voice called out behind him.

"Well, well, look who it is. Mr. EX-Beast Slayer himself."

Riku froze, instantly recognizing the smug tone.

He turned slowly. "Toru Kurotaki…"

Toru stood tall, his dark-red combat jacket gleaming in the light drizzle. A thin S-Rank badge shimmered on his collar.

"I gotta say," Toru said, strolling up with that same annoying grin, "you really know how to make the rest of us look bad. A D-Rank? Really? Now suddenly A-Rank? Come on."

Riku smirked. "Pretty good for you, Toru. Didn't expect you to still be around."

Toru's eye twitched. "Tch. You may have climbed, but don't let it go to your head. I'm still superior. I'm an S-Rank. Remember that."

Riku nodded casually. "Sure, sure. Gotta give you credit, man. Takes a lot of confidence to say that to someone who took down two EX-Ranks alone."

Toru frowned, but Riku was already walking away.

Later that afternoon, with a heavy backpack and a small folded list, Riku walked hand-in-hand with his little sister, Yuki, through a quiet shopping district.

Her eyes sparkled as they passed a brightly colored DIY toy store. "Onii-chan! Look! They have the one with the robot wings!"

Riku chuckled. "Go ahead. Get it. Get two if you want."

With the mission payout from the EX-Rank Rift, Riku had more than enough. He didn't splurge—just enough for a new outfit, some better apartment supplies, and most importantly, Yuki's favorite meal.

They sat at a cozy ramen shop near the station afterward, steam rising between them.

Yuki grinned with noodles hanging from her mouth. "You're famous now, huh?"

She tilted her head. "Does that mean you're finally stronger than that mean guy Toru?"

Riku sipped his tea. "I don't care if I'm stronger than Toru."

Chapter 26: Headlines and Haters