While my consciousness was still drifting in that terrifying hellish vision, an image of dark underground chasms appeared. I saw a massive shadowy figure... it had no flesh, just a pitch-black skeleton slowly crawling up from the abyss below. Its claws scraped the ground, debris falling... but before I could see its horrifying face... I snapped out of the vision! Cold sweat broke out, my heart pounding. What the hell was that thing?! Could what that Soul Either said... actually be real?!
"Don't overthink it!" I shook off the scattered thoughts. "Focus on what's in front of you!"
Sin emerged through the dust and smoke curtain. He hovered majestically before me, his twin swords now having wind power aura formed into the shape of a massive tiger head bursting forth. Absolutely intimidating!
Wait... this is just training, right?! With that serious attitude, is Sin actually going to kill me by accident?! I stood frozen stiff, watching Sin floating in midair, swords raised ready to strike down at me with full force!
But then... Sin didn't slash his swords directly at me. He angled the blades slightly, striking the ground beside me instead!
BOOM!
The explosive force from the massive wind power sent my body flying several meters! Branches, leaves, and dirt scattered wildly everywhere!
"What's wrong with you, Rift?" Sin's voice called out after the dust started settling.
"You've been spacing out this whole time..."
"Sorry, Sin..." I coughed and pushed myself up, then decided to tell him about my encounter with that weird Soul Either and how Uncle Vex came to help, before I went back to get Sin from Sliver town.
"I see... now I understand," Sin listened quietly with a thoughtful expression.
"That's why you didn't want to practice Soul power."
"Alright... today I'll teach you advanced sword techniques instead," Sin said while looking around. "It's getting dark already. Should we start?"
I nodded firmly. "Yeah!" And so the grueling training began again. Sin taught me more about sword combat strategy, reading opponent movements, and using the environment to my advantage. I learned quickly - focusing concentration on targets, more agile dodging, solid defense, finding sharp counterattack openings, and seamlessly combining all the techniques I'd learned.
Time passed swiftly until the sky turned completely dark…
"Hah... hah... haaa..." I breathed heavily, my vision starting to blur. I'd been training continuously for three full hours without even a moment's rest, but Sin seemed not tired at all. His stamina was truly inexhaustible. And finally... my consciousness faded away. I collapsed unconscious right there in the forest. The last thing I saw was Sin's extremely worried face as he rushed over to check on me…
How many times have I passed out these past few days? This is truly the most intense period of my entire life…
…
Soft sunlight filtered through my eyelids, gradually bringing me back to consciousness. I slowly opened my eyes... I was standing at the entrance gate to Rusty city before heading toward Stone City. After waking from my collapse, I immediately headed here without telling anyone. I gripped the short sword tightly. The sword that once felt shaky in my hands now felt calm and steady, like part of my body.
I headed straight for that rundown bar... the place where those bastards had beaten me up three days ago. Today... is the day of revenge!
"They're not here?" I scanned around the bar, not seeing even a shadow of them. So I decided to walk in and ask the bartender who was wiping glasses behind the counter.
"Excuse me... have you seen a fat guy who comes to your bar often? Or a burly guy who's his subordinate?" I tried to describe them. "Uh... do you remember three days ago... there was a fight here?"
The bartender looked up at me for a moment, then seemed to think. "Hmm..." he drew out the sound. "I remember now! If you mean those guys... they haven't stopped by the bar today."
"Ah! There they are! Speak of the devil!" the bartender exclaimed, pointing toward the front of the bar.
I quickly spun around and grabbed the handle of my short sword, ready!
"Well, well, Rift! What are you celebrating here so early in the morning?" The mocking laughter of that fat loan shark rang out. He asked me as if nothing had happened to my family at all... doesn't he feel guilty at all?!
"All of you... follow me," I tried to contain my boiling emotions, speaking in the coldest voice I could manage. I didn't want to cause violence inside the city, thinking that Soul Order exam rules probably wouldn't accept people with a history of mass murder.
I walked through all four of them blocking my way, heading out of the bar straight toward abandoned Sliver town.
"Heh! What do you think you're doing, kid?" one of his subordinates shouted after me.
"Alright... we'll play your little game for a bit. Let's go, everyone!" the fat loan shark ordered his underlings.
"Hey! Bartender! Keep the drinks ready for us! We'll be back to celebrate!" the bastard even turned to order the bartender before all four of them followed me casually.
And I led them on and on until we reached abandoned Sliver town…
"What business do you have, dragging us to this filthy dump of a town, Rift?" the loan shark asked with an annoyed tone after I stopped walking, thinking we were far enough in that no one would see.
"Right here..." I spoke softly, then slowly drew my short sword from the scabbard strapped to my back, turning to face all four of them. My eyes blazed with the fire of vengeance.
"Today... is the day you all... will pay!!!"