The city moved as always.
Busy.
Alive.
Unaware.
But something had changed.
The air—
Felt heavier.
Not enough for normal people to notice.
But enough for those who could feel.
Riven stood on the guild balcony.
Looking out.
"…It's still there…"
That feeling.
Distant.
But getting closer.
Godwin stood behind him.
"…Good."
Riven frowned.
"…Good?"
Godwin stepped forward.
"…Means you're improving."
A pause.
"…You can feel it now."
Riven clenched his fist.
"…Yeah…"
"…But I don't like it."
Godwin smirked faintly.
"…You're not supposed to."
Silence.
Below them—
The guild bustled with activity.
Adventurers prepared for quests.
Laughed.
Talked.
Normal.
Too normal.
"…They don't even know…"
Riven muttered.
"…That's how it works."
Godwin replied calmly.
"…Danger doesn't announce itself."
A pause.
"…It just arrives."
And as if on cue—
It did.
At the city gate—
A figure appeared.
Alone.
Wearing a dark cloak.
Face hidden.
But presence—
Heavy.
Unnatural.
The guards stiffened.
"…State your name and purpose."
Silence.
The figure didn't respond.
Just stood there.
Then—
It stepped forward.
The ground cracked slightly.
The guards reacted instantly.
"…Stop right there!"
Too late.
The figure raised its hand—
And everything went silent.
The guards froze.
Completely.
"…What…?"
They couldn't move.
Couldn't speak.
The figure walked past them.
Like they weren't even there.
Back at the guild—
Godwin's eyes shifted.
"…It's here."
Riven's body tensed.
"…Already…?"
"…Faster than I thought."
Without another word
Godwin turned.
And started walking.
Riven followed instantly.
"…Are we going to fight it?"
Godwin didn't answer.
Which was answer enough.
The streets grew quieter.
Not because people left.
But because something
Felt wrong.
Unconsciously
People moved away.
Avoided the area.
The figure walked calmly.
Step by step.
No rush.
No fear.
As if
It owned the place.
Godwin and Riven arrived.
Standing in its path.
Silence.
The figure stopped.
Slowly—
It lifted its head.
And for the first time
Its presence fully revealed itself.
Riven froze.
"…This is… way worse…"
His body trembled slightly.
Not from weakness.
But instinct.
Warning him.
Run.
Now.
But he didn't.
Godwin stepped forward.
Calm.
"…You're early."
The figure tilted its head.
"…So you remember."
Its voice
Cold.
Empty.
Godwin's expression didn't change.
"…Hard to forget something like you."
Silence.
Riven looked between them.
"…You know it…?"
No answer.
The figure spoke again.
"…We felt the shift."
A pause.
"…And we came to confirm it."
Godwin crossed his arms.
"…And?"
"…It's true."
The air grew heavier.
"…You have changed."
Riven clenched his fist.
"…Who are you people…?"
The figure glanced at him.
For a brief moment.
And that was enough.
Riven felt it.
A crushing pressure.
His body froze.
"…Move…!"
But he couldn't.
Not even a step.
The figure looked away.
"…This one…"
A pause.
"…He's the successor?"
Godwin stepped slightly in front of Riven.
Blocking the pressure.
"…Don't touch him."
Silence.
The pressure vanished.
Riven dropped to one knee.
"…Tch…!"
Breathing heavily.
"…That was insane…"
The figure spoke calmly.
"…He's weak."
Godwin smirked faintly.
"…For now."
A pause.
"…That's enough."
Silence.
The figure straightened.
"…We will be watching."
A pause.
"…And next time…"
The air trembled.
"…We won't come alone."
Godwin's eyes sharpened slightly.
"…Do whatever you want."
"…It won't change the result."
Silence.
For a moment
The two stood
Facing each other.
Not fighting.
But something deeper.
Then
The figure stepped back.
Its presence faded.
Slowly
Until it was gone.
Silence returned.
But this time
It felt heavier than before.
Riven stood up slowly.
"…That was… insane…"
He looked at Godwin.
"…You could've killed it, right?"
Godwin looked ahead.
Calm.
"…Yeah."
A pause.
"…But that wouldn't solve anything."
Riven frowned.
"…Then what will?"
Godwin turned slightly.
"…You."
Silence.
Riven froze.
"…Me…?"
Godwin nodded.
"…If you want to protect this world…"
A pause.
"…Then you have to reach that level."
Riven looked down.
Then clenched his fist.
Stronger.
Determined.
"…Then I will."
Godwin smiled faintly.
"…Good."
Because next time
It wouldn't be a warning.
It would be war.
To be continued…