A dark figure stood in the shadows, his form obscured by the dim light. His voice was smooth yet sinister as he spoke to his subordinate.
"At last... he has arrived."
A wicked grin spread across his face. "Jack, go and bring him to me."
Without hesitation, his subordinate vanished into the darkness.
—
Meanwhile, Leon and Ricardo were on a routine guild mission, making their way through the dense forest.
Everything seemed normal—until Ricardo suddenly froze. His sharp eyes locked onto a distant figure approaching them at an alarming speed.
As soon as Ricardo recognized him, his face twisted in shock and fear.
"J-Jack…?!"
Without a second thought, Ricardo shouted, "RUN!!"
Leon, confused but trusting Ricardo's instincts, turned and sprinted as fast as he could.
Before he could even process what was happening, a deafening CLANG! echoed through the air.
Jack had closed the distance in an instant, his blade colliding with Ricardo's at the speed of sound.
The sheer force of the impact sent shockwaves through the area, shaking the very trees around them.
Ricardo gritted his teeth, his arms trembling under the immense pressure. Jack was too fast. Too strong.
Leon hid behind a tree, peeking out with wide eyes. How was Ricardo struggling so much? Who was this Jack?
Every time Ricardo tried to counterattack, Jack would vanish and reappear behind him, slashing relentlessly.
Ricardo could barely keep up. His movements were growing slower, his breathing ragged.
Then—THUD!
Ricardo collapsed to the ground, his body battered and bleeding.
Leon's heart pounded in his chest. Ricardo… lost?!
As Jack loomed over Ricardo's unconscious body, Leon clenched his fists, sweat dripping down his face.
What should he do now?
To be continued…