Thunder rolled overhead as lightning danced across the night sky. Rain tapped against Riku's window in a steady rhythm when his phone buzzed.
Yumi: "Hey, Riku… want to go into an A–S Rank Rift Zone together? Just us?"
Riku blinked at the message, a smirk playing at his lips.Riku: "Sure. Be ready in 10."
The air inside the A–S Rank Rift Zone was thick with pressure, lightning crackling faintly through the darkened skies within the otherworldly environment. Riku and Yumi stepped cautiously across a jagged cliff path, surrounded by fractured mountains and swirling storm clouds.
"Stay close," Riku said, scanning the terrain. "This one feels… different."
Before Yumi could respond, a blur of motion shot toward her—so fast it nearly defied Riku's senses.
SHING!
Riku stepped in front just in time, gritting his teeth as a curved blade slashed across his shoulder, tearing through part of his jacket and drawing blood.
"Riku!" Yumi gasped, catching him as he stumbled slightly.
"I'm fine," he said calmly, eyes sharp. "Just a scratch."
Before they could recover, another beast, just as fast, lunged for Yumi.
"Yumi!" Riku pulled her backward—right into his arms.
He wrapped her in a protective embrace, and with his free hand, unleashed a blast of Essence that obliterated the oncoming attacker. The impact cracked the earth nearby, the air singing with power.
Yumi's face turned bright red, her hands pressed against his chest.
Her thoughts raced:He smells really good… wait, focus!She looked up at him. "A-Are you really okay?"
Riku glanced down, noticing just how close they were—and how concerned she looked.
"I'm good. But…" He looked forward again, his gaze narrowing. "…these things are different."
He pushed her gently behind him, facing the field of distant figures emerging from the shadows.
"These beasts... they're almost on my level."
Yumi's heart thumped—not from fear, but from the rush of danger and how close Riku had been just moments ago.
And above them, thunder crashed louder.
The real fight was just beginning.