The afternoon sun filtered softly through the wooden windows, casting warm light across the small dining table.
Ren and Senjo sat across from each other, quietly eating their meal.
For a moment, everything felt… peaceful.
Too peaceful.
Senjo was the first to break the silence.
"We need to participate in the clan tournament."
Ren didn't even look up.
"There's no need to worry," he said calmly, taking another bite. "We can win easily."
His tone carried confidence—no, certainty.
"All we have to do… is suppress our demonic energy."
Senjo nodded slowly.
"I know."
A brief pause followed.
"But that's exactly the problem."
Ren finally looked up, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"…What do you mean?"
Senjo leaned back, folding his arms.
"If we defeat everyone in a single strike… don't you think it'll raise suspicion?"
The room fell silent.
Ren didn't respond immediately.
He understood.
Of course he did.
"We're in the Human Realm now," Senjo continued. "If we stand out too much… they'll start asking questions."
Ren sighed softly.
"So what are you suggesting?"
A faint smile appeared on Senjo's face.
"We act weak."
Ren raised an eyebrow.
"…Explain."
"We enter the tournament," Senjo said, his voice steady, "as leaders of a small village."
He leaned forward slightly.
"We fight like normal human cultivators."
Ren's gaze sharpened.
"And?"
"And you struggle."
The word hung in the air.
"In every match," Senjo continued, "you make it look difficult. You take hits. You hesitate. You win… but barely."
Ren stared at him.
"…So we deceive everyone."
Senjo nodded.
"Exactly."
For a moment, Ren said nothing.
Then—
"…I understand."
But another thought crossed his mind.
"What about the village?"
Senjo shrugged slightly.
"It's safe."
He spoke with confidence.
"There are enough cultivators there now. Even if we're gone, they can protect it."
Ren remained silent for a second… then nodded.
"…Fine."
He placed his bowl down.
"So when do we leave?"
"The registration is in the main city," Senjo replied. "Silverveil."
"The City of Nobles."
Ren's eyes flickered slightly.
"All the major clans will be there," Senjo added. "Noble families… elite disciples…"
A faint smirk appeared on his face.
"…Who knows? You might even find your 'partner' there."
Ren stopped eating.
His expression didn't change.
"…Enough."
His voice turned calm—but firm.
"Gather the villagers."
"Assign duties."
"We'll be gone for ten days."
Senjo nodded.
"…Got it."
⸻
After lunch, preparations began immediately.
Senjo gathered the villagers, assigning roles, strengthening defenses, and ensuring everything would remain stable in their absence.
Ren watched from a distance.
Silent.
Observing.
Satisfied.
As night fell, the two of them prepared to leave.
Their belongings were minimal.
They didn't need much.
As they stepped outside, the cool night air greeted them.
Senjo glanced at Ren.
"…Why are we leaving at night?"
"We could've gone in the morning."
Ren looked up at the sky.
The stars shimmered like scattered fragments of light across the endless darkness.
"…I wanted to see this."
Senjo followed his gaze.
For a moment—
He understood.
"…Yeah," he muttered. "It's beautiful."
Ren's voice softened.
"We never had this in the Demon Realm."
The two stood in silence.
Then—
They began their journey.
⸻
The road stretched endlessly before them.
Under the vast night sky, they walked without urgency.
Without fear.
The world felt different here.
Peaceful.
Alive.
At one point, Ren slowed down.
His eyes fixed on the sky.
And then—
He saw her.
Elyra.
Her image appeared in his mind… as if reflected among the stars.
Ren blinked.
He rubbed his eyes.
The image disappeared.
"…What's wrong?" Senjo asked.
Ren turned away.
"…Nothing."
His voice was calm.
"Let's go. The city is close."
⸻
By the time dawn broke, they arrived.
Before them stood a massive city—grand and overwhelming.
Tall white walls.
Golden banners fluttering in the wind.
And a gate large enough to swallow entire armies.
"Silverveil…"
Senjo muttered.
"The City of Nobles."
As they entered, the noise hit them instantly.
Voices.
Footsteps.
Laughter .
Arrogance.
The streets were crowded with people dressed in fine clothes, radiating wealth and pride.
"This place…" Senjo whispered.
"…is different."
Ren said nothing.
But his sharp eyes took in everything.
Every detail.
Every movement.
⸻
They made their way toward the registration area.
The Great Arena.
And it truly lived up to its name.
Massive stone walls.
Towering structures.
A battlefield designed for warriors.
Even before entering, they could hear the noise inside.
Excitement.
Competition.
Power.
As they stepped in—
They saw them.
Hundreds of participants.
Young men and women.
Some confident.
Some nervous.
Some arrogant.
All gathered for one purpose.
To prove their strength.
Ren and Senjo stood quietly in a corner.
Observing.
Analyzing.
Then—
Ren's eyes froze.
"…There."
Senjo followed his gaze.
And saw her.
Elyra.
Standing among the participants.
Bright.
Confident.
Alive.
"…That's the girl you saved?" Senjo asked.
Ren nodded.
"…Yeah."
A faint smile appeared on Senjo's face.
"Then you should participate alone."
Ren turned to him.
"…What?"
"If she's here," Senjo said calmly, "you have to win."
Ren frowned slightly.
"…You're serious?"
Senjo smirked.
"Very."
After a moment—
Ren sighed.
"…Fine."
He stepped forward and registered his name.
⸻
As they returned to their spot—
Someone approached them.
"…Ren!"
A familiar voice.
Ren turned.
Elyra stood before him.
Her eyes sparkled with excitement.
"You're here!"
Ren nodded slightly.
"I got bored in the village."
"So I came."
Elyra laughed.
"I came to improve my strength."
She crossed her arms playfully.
"But now that you're here… winning might be harder."
Ren smiled faintly.
"…Who knows?"
He then gestured toward Senjo.
"This is Senjo."
Elyra greeted him warmly.
Senjo nodded in return.
Soon, more people approached.
Elyra's friends.
They looked curious.
"…Who are they?" one of them asked.
Elyra smiled.
"This is Ren."
"He saved my life in the jungle."
The group reacted immediately.
Interest.
Respect.
Curiosity.
They introduced themselves one by one.
Then—
One of the boys spoke.
"Elyra told us about you."
He smirked slightly.
"She even said she wants you to train her… so she can defeat Azhryel, the Demon General."
Senjo burst out laughing.
Ren sighed.
"…I'm not that amazing."
"But I can teach a few techniques."
Elyra's eyes lit up.
"Really?!"
Senjo watched this interaction quietly.
Then smiled.
"…So this is how it begins."
He thought to himself.
"…Maybe this really is destiny."
——
A loud horn echoed across the arena.
The crowd fell silent.
"The tournament… is about to begin!"
Excitement surged through the air.
Ren looked toward the battlefield.
His expression turned calm.
But his eyes—
Cold.
Sharp.
Dangerous.
"…Let's see."
He thought.
"…how strong the Human Realm has become."