The Hero's Sword gleamed in Ryle's hands, but only for a moment.
FLASH.
It vanished — dispersing into particles of golden light.
Ryle narrowed his eyes.
"…Light magic."
From the side, Selene's cracked staff glowed faintly, her trembling hand raised. "It's a projection… The real one's hidden."
Ryle clicked his tongue, tossing the sword's fading illusion aside.
"Well played. Guess I'll beat the truth out of him instead."
Ryo stood, bloodied, eyes hollow with grief and fire. His aura surged — flames twined with light magic, coating his fists.
"You killed them all…" he growled. "I'll make you pay."
Ryle laughed. "You trained for what — three months? And thought that was enough?" He stepped forward, his dragon claws crackling purple.
"Privilege doesn't make you strong."
The air between them snapped as both warriors clashed.
Ryo's fist collided with Ryle's forearm, flames exploding. But Ryle didn't flinch. He spun low and landed a heavy punch into Ryo's gut, sending him skidding back with a gasp.
Ryo coughed blood, but roared and dashed again, throwing a barrage of fiery strikes. Each blow carried rage, desperation, pain—
None landed.
Ryle danced through the onslaught like a shadow, then grabbed Ryo's wrist and twisted.
CRACK.
Ryo screamed as his arm broke.
Ryle kicked him in the chest, shattering the front of his armor.
"You're slow," Ryle said, casually tossing the broken gauntlet aside.
"You're soft."
Ryo tried to rise, but a knee drove into his back, pinning him to the earth.
CRUNCH.
Another bone gave out.
Ryle grabbed the Hero Sword illusion from the dirt — this time, the real one. Its blade didn't vanish. It pulsed weakly in his hand, recognizing power.
"Look what I found," he whispered mockingly.
Ryo coughed, face pressed into the ground.
"Don't… kill me… please…"
Ryle tilted his head.
"I won't. I'll let you live…"
He reached into his coat and pulled out a small, unsharpened knife — dull, old, rusted at the edge.
"…If you kill her."
He tossed the blade in front of Ryo.
The elf archer, Lyra, stared in shock. "Ryo…?"
Ryo looked up at her, tears already flooding his eyes.
"I'm… I'm sorry."
He crawled forward.
"No… no please—!" Lyra backed up, but stumbled. Her ankle was twisted from the earlier battle.
"Ryo, don't—!" she sobbed, struggling to escape.
The knife in his trembling hands — he tried to drop it. But Ryle's cold eyes burned into his soul.
"If you don't, I'll let Thea do it," Ryle said flatly.
Ryo sobbed harder.
And then…
He moved forward.
The blade cut into her stomach. Not deep — but enough to draw blood.
She screamed. The sound echoed across the forest, twisted and raw.
"RYO, STOP—!"
He kept cutting, slowly, apologizing with every movement.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry…"
Thea watched with a frown, standing behind Ryle.
"Didn't expect him to actually do it."
Ryle didn't respond. His gaze was emotionless as Lyra collapsed, blood pooling beneath her.
Ryo fell beside her, empty, broken, vomiting and sobbing.
"Pathetic," Ryle muttered.
He grabbed Ryo by the neck and flung him like trash into the forest. The trees cracked with the impact.
Silence returned.
Thea crossed her arms. "Damn. You're ruthless."
Ryle turned toward her, grinning slightly.
"You're holding the Hero's Sword now."
Thea blinked — looked down — the blade had somehow ended up in her hands, glowing faintly.
Her eyes lit up. "I use dual swords, though."
Ryle's grin widened.
"Damn. You're ruthless."