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

The storm's fury seemed to mirror the battle itself — relentless and unforgiving. Thunder rolled overhead as sheets of rain pelted the shattered streets, mixing with blood and essence energy flickering in the damp air. The three remaining S-Rank warriors—Mikio, Kuro, and Arata—were battered, bruised, and barely holding on, but their spirits refused to break.

Gekido stood towering over them like a god of war, his immense frame dripping with rainwater and sweat. His yellow mask gleamed menacingly under the flashes of lightning, eyes burning with brutal confidence.

Without warning, he surged forward like a freight train, the ground trembling beneath his heavy steps.

First target: Mikio Dazai

Mikio summoned a fragile defensive barrier just in time, but Gekido's fist shattered it with terrifying ease.

The impact sent Mikio skidding backward, his body slamming into a broken wall with a sickening crack.

Before he could recover, Gekido grabbed him by the collar, yanking him up like a ragdoll.

Mikio struggled weakly, trying to raise a healing aura, but Gekido's grip tightened, crushing the essence around Mikio's core.

With a powerful uppercut, Gekido launched Mikio into the air. The medic crashed through a streetlight and hit the ground hard, coughing blood.

Mikio's eyes fluttered open just enough to glare at Gekido — pain and fury burning in them.

Kuro shifted into her liquid form, streams of water swirling like mist around her. She twisted and flowed toward Gekido's back, aiming to slice him with razor-like water tendrils.

But Gekido turned with unnatural speed, grabbing a handful of rainwater and hurling it into her face like a wave of acid.

The sudden attack staggered her. Before she could recover, Gekido reached out, grabbing her as she solidified mid-attack.

He slammed her repeatedly against the cracked pavement, the sound of wet flesh and stone echoing sharply.

Kuro gasped, fighting to stay conscious as Gekido lifted her with one arm, laughing darkly.

Last: Arata Nojima

Arata called forth his spirit beasts again, but Gekido's glare made them hesitate. The great silver-flamed dragon-lion growled, reluctant to engage further.

With a roar, Gekido charged forward, dodging spirit fire and essence projectiles like a living storm of power.

He closed the distance and caught Arata's wrist, twisting it viciously.

Arata cried out, his grip on the beast's reins faltering.

Gekido slammed Arata's body into a broken column, the heavy impact shaking the debris.

Arata lay on the ground, panting, clutching his ribs, unable to summon his beasts again.

Gekido's domination was absolute.

He stood over the three warriors, chest heaving with exertion, but no signs of slowing.

Despite their injuries, Mikio, Kuro, and Arata glared up at him with fierce determination.

"You fight like children," he said coldly, "But you're still alive."

He raised a massive fist to strike again, but then paused.

A moment of silence fell between them.

"Consider yourselves… spared for now."

With a brutal shove, he sent them sprawling across the cracked street.

He turned and began walking away, his heavy steps echoing in the storm.

Behind him, the three S-Ranks struggled to rise, battered but unbroken.

Chapter 144: Crushing Shadows