Toru Kurotaki stood in the middle of a collapsing rift zone, crimson aura raging like a storm around him. The remnants of the 20th EX-Rank Essence Beast smoldered beneath his feet—its monstrous form disintegrating under the weight of Titanblood Dominion.
His body was slick with sweat, knuckles cracked, and armor scorched—but his eyes were burning with purpose.
That's when the air shimmered behind him, and Essence President Kensei Gojuro stepped out from a temporary Rift portal, arms folded and expression unreadable.
"You're not subtle, Toru," Kensei said, stepping forward over scorched rock. "We've seen the destruction. Twenty EX Beasts down in barely a week."
Toru exhaled, still recovering. "You watching, or evaluating?"
"Both," Kensei replied. "Every country's been made aware of your progress. The world's already murmuring your name." He paused. "We're still doing the paperwork for Riku's EX Rank, but if you can defeat 100 EX-Rank Essence Beasts, we'll have no choice. You'll earn your place. No favoritism. Just raw proof."
Toru didn't hesitate. "I'll bring down 100."
"And while you're at it," Kensei added, smirking faintly, "maybe don't blow up every Rift gate you exit."
Toru grinned, Titanblood shimmering in his eyes. "No promises."
The Days That Followed
Toru became a storm across the globe.
He ripped through rift after rift—no longer just EX-ranked. Some were chained together across regions, his trail leaving behind nothing but silence and shock.
By Day 9, he'd taken down:
100 EX-Rank Essence Beasts.
50 S-Rank Beasts.
2 Known International Villains.
The footage spread like wildfire. In Korea, Brazil, Egypt, and even the U.S., high-ranking officials requested access to his battle logs. And every country agreed:
Toru Kurotaki had earned EX Rank candidacy.
As Kensei sat with international leaders, reviewing the data, he looked up and said:
"Start the paperwork. Another EX Rank… forged in blood and ambition."