The forest stood still.
Too still.
Not a single breeze moved.
Not a single creature made a sound.
It was as if the world itself was watching.
Serenity stood calmly, her silver hair resting against her shoulders, her mismatched eyes locked onto the figure before her.
The old man.
Blind.
Yet… seeing everything.
The man smiled faintly, tilting his head slightly.
"I'm just curious about that power within you."
A soft chime echoed in Serenity's mind.
[System Notice]
Host this is a remnant spirit of an ancient race called transcendent human they are strong enough to terrorize a nation single handedly.
Threat Level: High
Serenity's lips curved slightly.
"Curiosity will get you killed transcendent human."
The old man paused.
Then—
"…You know my race?"
Serenity nodded lightly.
"Yes."
A silence followed.
A heavy one.
The old man slowly lifted his face toward the sky.
"…Are there more transcendent humans alive outside?"
Serenity didn't hesitate.
"You're the first one I've met so let's just assume your the only one alive."
The words landed.
Not harsh.
Just… honest.
The old man stood there quietly.
Then—
He exhaled.
"…So it's that long huh?"
Serenity watched him.
Calm.
Unmoved.
"I could take you outside," she said simply.
"But you'll have to submit to me."
Silence.
That word—
Submit.
For a transcendent human…
That wasn't just a condition.
It was humiliation.
It was the breaking of pride.
It was the end of everything they stood for.
The old man didn't respond immediately.
His expression didn't change.
But the air around him…
Shifted.
A long pause.
Then—
He sighed.
"…Assuming I'm the only one of my race I'm unmotivated…"
He tilted his head slightly toward her.
"…But seeing you with a power I've never seen before proves there's things I myself haven't experienced…"
A faint smile formed.
"Tell you what."
His stance shifted.
Subtle.
But the world noticed.
"Defeat me and I'll submit."
His voice deepened.
Not in sound—
But in presence.
"Let me respect your strength."
Serenity smiled.
Simple.
Calm.
Deadly.
"Ok."
They stood—
Facing each other.
No aura explosion.
No dramatic flare.
Just two beings…
Standing at the edge of something dangerous.
And then—
The air cracked.
The old man moved first.
Not fast—
Instant.
He vanished.
Serenity didn't move.
A hand appeared in front of her face—
She tilted her head.
The strike missed.
The ground behind her shattered.
Serenity stepped forward lightly—
And tapped the air.
The old man reappeared—
Sliding back several meters.
"…Interesting," he murmured.
Serenity's eyes sharpened slightly.
"You're not using your eyes."
The old man smiled.
"I don't need them."
His body shifted again.
This time—
The entire forest seemed to react.
Pressure.
Pure martial pressure.
Serenity felt it.
Acknowledged it.
Then—
She stepped forward.
And the ground beneath her feet…
Collapsed inward.
Cut — Zayfer & Borin
The forest wasn't quiet here.
It was chaos.
Two massive Chaos Titans towered over the land.
One-eyed giants.
Their presence alone bending the surroundings.
A massive fist came crashing down.
BOOM.
Borin stood beneath it—
Hands raised.
He caught it.
The ground beneath him cracked.
But he didn't move.
"HAHA—IS THAT IT?!"
Zayfer—
Beside him—
Raised his blade.
CLANG.
He blocked the other Titan's strike.
Then—
Moved.
A clean slash.
The Titan's arm—
Severed.
A roar shook the forest.
But then—
The arm…
Started growing back.
Borin clicked his tongue.
"Of course it does."
Then—
He roared.
A deep, primal sound.
And pushed forward.
The Titan staggered.
Borin stepped in—
Kicked its leg—
CRACK.
The giant dropped to one knee.
Borin didn't stop.
He ran up its leg—
Each step cracking the surface—
And then—
BOOM.
His fist slammed into its face.
The Titan crashed to the ground.
The earth shook.
Meanwhile—
The second Titan turned—
Raising its arm—
Zayfer stood still.
Breathing.
Slow.
Controlled.
He closed his eyes for a brief moment.
Then—
Opened them.
Blue light.
His sword began to glow.
He exhaled.
"Kedo."
He stepped once.
And vanished.
A moment later—
He stood behind the Titan.
Silence.
Then—
The Titan…
Fell apart.
Clean.
Precise.
Its massive body split into countless pieces.
No struggle.
No resistance.
Just—
Done.
Zayfer lowered his blade slowly.
Borin whistled.
"…Okay, that was clean."
Zayfer didn't respond.
But for the first time—
A faint smirk appeared.
Cut — Serenity's Battlefield
The forest no longer looked the same.
Cracks spread across the ground.
Trees had fallen.
The air trembled.
Serenity stood in the center.
Unshaken.
Across from her—
The old man stood still.
His breathing slightly heavier.
"…You're dangerous," he said quietly.
Serenity tilted her head.
"You're holding back."
The old man smiled.
"…So are you."
Silence.
Then—
Both moved.
And the forest…
Disappeared from their perception.
Far away—
Deep within the Survival Domain—
Something stirred.
Not a monster.
Not a beast.
Something else.
Something watching.
Waiting.
And for a brief moment—
The stars above the domain…
Flickered.
As if something beyond this space…
Had noticed them.