Chapter 150: A New Dawn, A New Path

Nearly twenty hours had passed since the fierce battle.

The news spread like wildfire—every channel, every network broadcasting the story from every angle.

"Riku Hayashi defeats ultra EX-Rank Essence villains.""Four warriors lost, but a new hero rises.""Tokyo mourns fallen Essence Warriors in somber ceremony."

The ceremony for the fallen warriors—Daigo Shinoseki, Kaito Sorimachi, Naoko Ishigari, and Zenji Takamura—was held in Tokyo. The city was cloaked in a solemn quiet, the heavy rain from the battlefield replaced by a pale gray sky. Family, comrades, and officials gathered to honor the sacrifices made.

Riku stood among the crowd, still wearing the weight of responsibility heavy on his shoulders. The memories of the fight, the faces of those lost, haunted him deeply. Yet, beneath the grief, a determination burned brighter than ever.

He knew the battle had only been the beginning.

The boss—the shadowy mastermind behind the chaos—still lurked out there, untouchable.

That night, back near the Hayashi clan city, something new took shape.

Riku, with the help of Kensei Gojuro, the influential Essence President and respected figure, began founding a new guild—a place where warriors could train, coordinate, and stand stronger together.

Unlike the Hayashi clan, which was steeped in tradition and history, the guild was fresh and modern, symbolizing unity beyond bloodlines. It had a brand-new emblem, stark and powerful, designed to represent hope, resilience, and teamwork.

Yumi Aoyama, who had remained conscious through the battle, was appointed Vice President—her precision, strength, and loyalty making her a perfect partner in leadership. Sora Tenmei, equally vital, stood close by, ready to support however needed.

Meanwhile, the eight Essence Warriors who had been unconscious from battle—Mikio Dazai, Arata Nojima, Reika Muro, Hajime Kenta, Amari Fuse, Kuro Emi, Hina Morikawa, and Toru Kurotaki—began to stir awake, groaning as medical teams tended to their wounds. Relief spread through the ranks as they slowly regained consciousness, their bodies battered but spirits unbroken.

Riku visited them individually, offering words of encouragement, careful to hide the full depth of his concerns about the mysterious boss. The war was far from over, and they all would need to be ready.

The guild's headquarters was strategically built just outside the Hayashi clan city, bridging old traditions with new ambitions. It was a beacon for warriors across all ranks and backgrounds—an alliance forged from the fires of loss.

As Riku looked out from the guild's newly constructed rooftop, city lights twinkling beneath the dusk, he whispered to himself:

"We'll be ready next time. No one fights alone anymore."

And with that, the next chapter of their journey began.