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

Rain crashed down like shards of glass, each droplet sizzling against the energy radiating from the battlefield. The guild grounds of Raiden Edge were nearly empty now, evacuated after Riku's command. But high above, from windows and rooftops, warriors and civilians alike watched in awe, unable to tear their eyes away.

Kavros Isen stood tall, arms crossed, white cloak rippling in the wind, his eyes cold beneath the darkened sky.

He eyed Riku Hayashi — calm, grounded, and yet overflowing with unrelenting presence.

"So, you've come," Kavros said. "Then tell me—have you arrived to surrender?"

Riku stepped forward, rain hissing off his skin from the sheer heat of his aura.

"No," he replied, voice unwavering.

Kavros tilted his head, mockingly. "Then you've chosen death."

A thin smile formed across Kavros's face. "You don't know what you're dealing with. I am your worst nightmare."

"Sorry," he said, voice low and resolute. "I don't have nightmares…"

A burst of energy pulsed outward from his chest.

"…I am the nightmare."

A massive surge of Essence exploded outward as Riku's body lifted gently off the ground, the mud below his feet blasted into steam. His grey hair began to glow, strands floating as if underwater, each one tipped in silver fire.

His eyes turned a radiant blue, glowing like twin suns beneath the storm.

Then—his aura erupted into silver-white flame, swirling with shimmering fractal patterns that danced like ethereal code around his body. The very space around him twisted as the power of his Triad Divine Avatar took form.

[Divine Avatar Ascended – Triad Level Unlocked.]

"Let's see if a nightmare can bleed," Riku said.

Their clash began.

He appeared above Kavros, heel dropping down like a comet. Kavros barely raised his arm in time—CRACK!—his forearm shattered the ground as he was slammed into it, a crater forming around him.

Before Kavros could rise, Riku grabbed his cloak and flung him skyward.

Flash step. Above him.

A storm of silver-white punches rained down like thunderbolts. Each strike was precise — devastating. Every hit came with a burst of divine energy that cracked the very air.

Kavros was sent spiraling downward like a meteor.

He hit the ground — hard — tumbling through stone and metal, taking out a chunk of the outer wall of the guild.

He blurred again, appearing at the far end of the courtyard.

"Too slow," Riku muttered, extending a hand.

Tri-Fractal Chains of pure divine energy snapped into existence — silver fractal ribbons coiling like vipers. They lashed forward, wrapping around Kavros's limbs and yanking him into the air.

Riku spun, launching him straight through a statue, cracking the earth beneath as Kavros was hurled a hundred meters back.

The villain coughed violently as he rolled to a stop, finally groaning as he pushed himself up, cloak torn, blood trickling from his mouth.

"You…" he spat, glaring at Riku. "What… are you?"

Riku floated down slowly, feet landing softly on the wet stone, glowing eyes locked onto his target.

"I'm the last thing you'll ever see if you keep threatening my people."

Kavros's hands trembled. "This… this isn't your final form, is it?"

The answer was written in the sky itself — the clouds twisting above him, silver and blue lightning dancing at his will.

Riku clenched a fist, taking a slow step forward.

Chapter 158: “I Am the Nightmare”