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

Lightning cracked through the sky as the storm thundered on. The streets of Kanagawa shook with each impact between Riku Hayashi and Veynos. Their battle ignited the very air—essence clashing, pavement cracking, and energy flashing through the rain-soaked night.

Riku's fists glowed with blazing azure essence, each strike a blur, but Veynos parried them with terrifying calm, grinning as if he were toying with him. The sound of every blow echoed through the city like a war drum.

Nearby, four S-Rank warriors sprinted toward the chaos.

Zenji Takamura's sharp eyes scanned ahead, his ears tuned to the sonic tremors of the clash. "That's Riku's essence signature," he said. "He's fighting something… no—someone strong."

"We move together," Mikio Dazai said firmly, his hands already glowing with soft golden essence, ready to shield or heal.

Arata Nojima whispered commands under his breath, three beast contracts glowing faintly across his arms. His spirit partners stirred within their sigils.

Kuro Emi dashed through the flooded streets beside them, her form shifting between liquid glides and solid strides with the rhythm of the storm. "We're close. Prepare for anything."

But before they could reach the battleground, a figure stepped into their path from a shattered building's shadow—massive, unmovable, and radiating brute force.

He wore a tattered cloak over his muscular frame, but it was the yellow oni-style mask covering his face that froze them in place.

He cracked his knuckles, the sound thunderous even amidst the storm.

"You will not go any farther," he said, his voice like grinding stone. "You four must die here."

Zenji immediately widened his stance. "None of us know who you are... but you've chosen the wrong team to stop."

Arata released one of his contracts, and a lion-like beast cloaked in blue flame burst into existence beside him, growling low.

Kuro Emi's body shimmered as she sank partially into liquid form, ready to dodge at a moment's notice.

Mikio raised a double-layered essence barrier in front of them. "We hold him off. We push through to Riku."

"No," Zenji said coldly, his essence vibrating around his body like a sonic pulse. "We take him down."

The four S-Rank warriors faced off against the towering juggernaut in the yellow mask. The street became silent for a moment—only the rainfall and distant rumble of Riku and Veynos's battle remained.

Then, like a detonated dam, Gekido charged forward—and the next battle erupted into chaos.

Chapter 139: The Line of Death