The wind howled through the shattered peaks of the rift zone as three monstrous Essence Beasts emerged from the shadows. Their jagged forms shimmered with chaotic energy, each one radiating a pressure almost equal to Riku's own.
Riku narrowed his eyes, stepping in front of Yumi again.
"Yumi… don't move."
The first beast charged, slashing at incredible speed. Riku met its blade with a burst of his Divine Essence, the celestial blue aura erupting around him like a divine flame. Sparks exploded as he parried the strike, then launched a counterattack that knocked the creature back—but only briefly.
The second beast came from the sky, diving with jagged wings and razor talons.
"Above!" Yumi called.
Riku responded instantly, slamming a wave of Essence upward, throwing the beast off course. But as he did, the third creature rushed in and tackled him from the side, its massive body crashing into him with bone-shaking force.
"Riku!" Yumi shouted, trying to step in—but the second beast returned and lunged at her.
Riku flung out his hand just in time, summoning a barrier that stopped the attack mere inches from her. His energy surged around them both, protective and unrelenting.
"I said… don't move!" he growled, blood trailing from his shoulder.
But even he was starting to feel it.
The beast that tackled him now leapt atop him again, its claws digging into his back. At the same time, the first beast returned with brutal precision, slashing deeper into his already wounded shoulder.
Riku shouted in pain, dropping to one knee.
Then—THUD.The third beast slammed him into the ground with a feral roar, causing the earth to crack beneath him.
Yumi cried out, stepping forward—but she wasn't fast enough.
The second beast struck her from behind, knocking her unconscious, and she collapsed with a soft gasp. A crimson streak trailed from a fresh gash across her leg, left by the creature's claw.
Riku's vision blurred as he looked up. His body ached, his Essence flickering. He tried to rise, but the three beasts surrounded him now.
Then came the blows.
CRACK.A savage kick to his ribs.
WHAM.A punch to his jaw that sent him skidding through the dirt.
More strikes followed. Ruthless. Coordinated.
They weren't just monsters—they were hunting him, overwhelming him.
One of them snarled, its voice deep and guttural:"So this… is the Ex Rank."
Riku groaned, clutching his ribs, his eyes barely open.
Blood dripped from his shoulder, mixing with the rain. Yumi lay motionless beside him.
And in that broken silence, the storm above raged on—thunder crashing as the first true defeat crept toward the boy who had never lost.