Rien walked calmly through the bustling streets, his eyes drifting over the people around him. The air was lively, yet strangely gentle.
"...This place feels peaceful," he said softly, his voice almost blending into the wind.
Beside him, Kuto casually chewed on a dumpling, rolling his eyes.
"You're right," he replied with a grin. "But more importantly—the food here is incredible."
A young woman approached them, pushing a small wooden cart filled with neatly folded clothes. She stopped in front of them and bowed respectfully.
"Assalamualaikum, Sir. Would you like to buy some clothes?"
Rien's expression softened.
"Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh," he replied gently, his gaze shifting toward the clothes.
Kuto glanced at him with mild confusion.
"Why are you even interested in these?"
The woman hesitated, then spoke with a quiet sadness.
"Please don't say that, Sir… In this place, people are divided by religion. Because of that, there are many conflicts. People dislike others from different beliefs… or even their belongings. Small sellers like me barely earn enough to survive."
A brief silence followed.
Rien smiled—calm, understanding.
"That's wrong," he said. "Religion may be an identity… but in the end, you are human. And that's what truly matters. You should understand humans—not divide them."
The woman looked at him, her eyes softening with admiration.
"You speak wisely, Sir… Then, what is your religion?"
Rien met her gaze, his smile unchanged.
"I am you… and you are me," he answered quietly. "That is my religion. And my answer will always remain the same."
Kuto let out a small smile.
"…That's actually not bad."
Rien nodded slightly, then turned back to the cart.
"I'll take all of these."
Before the woman could react, every piece of clothing vanished into thin air.
Her eyes widened in shock.
"R-Really, Sir…?"
Rien simply extended his hand, placing a heavy pouch of coins into hers.
"Use it for your family… and for yourself."
Without waiting for a reply, he walked past her calm, as if nothing unusual had happened.
Far Away. In Han-Huo Empire
Inside a grand chamber, Lan Xia suddenly collapsed beneath a mountain of falling clothes.
"W-Where did all of these come from?!" she exclaimed, struggling to stand.
Nearby, Miss Yin watched with a knowing smile.
"…Our boys are doing something interesting again," she murmured, turning gracefully toward the grand hall.
Maids rushed forward, hurriedly removing the pile of clothes.
"Are you alright, Lady Lan?" they asked with concern.
Back in the City.
Kuto continued walking when suddenly—a girl bumped into him and fell to the ground.
"I-I'm sorry…" she said softly, trying to steady herself.
Rien turned back, observing her carefully before offering his hand.
"You shouldn't be walking alone with an Eye Loop disease," he said calmly.
Kuto frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Rien helped the girl up.
"Eye Loop is a temporary blindness," he explained. "It lasts from birth until the age of eighteen or nineteen."
The girl nodded slightly, avoiding eye contact.
"I'm really sorry… I was in a hurry. My family is leaving the city."
"Leaving?" Rien repeated.
She nodded, her voice trembling just a little.
"My father works in the Shuan Emperor's palace. He received news… that a demon army is preparing to attack this city. That's why we're leaving. I… I don't want to open my eyes for the first time… only to see destruction."
A quiet pause filled the air.
Then Rien stepped closer, his voice gentle but firm.
"Don't worry," he said. "I will make sure this city remains peaceful… untouched by demons—until the moment you open your eyes."
The girl's face lit up with hope.
"…Really?"
Rien nodded.
"That's right. Now go home."
With a soft wave of his hand, she vanished—instantly transported.
Kuto smirked, crossing his arms.
"Well… looks like we've got a new mission."
Rien turned forward, his expression calm—yet his eyes held something deeper.
"…Let's begin."
After a while, the two arrived at the city gates.
A heavy tension filled the air.
Dozens of cultivators stood in formation, their weapons ready, their eyes fixed on the distant horizon beyond the walls. The wind carried a faint, ominous pressure—as if something terrible was approaching.
As Rien and Kuto stepped forward, a man blocked their path, his expression stern.
"Kids aren't allowed here," he said firmly. "Stay back. Return to the city."
Rien simply smiled, calm as ever, and continued walking.
"From the information we've gathered," he said, his voice steady, "you require stronger individuals for this battle."
Kuto stepped beside him, his expression sharpening.
"According to the threat level…" he began.
A dark aura erupted from his body.
Black cosmic energy spiraled outward, distorting the air itself. The ground beneath them trembled slightly as gravity grew heavier, pressing down on everyone nearby.
"…we are the only ones capable of handling it."
Silence fell.
The cultivators stiffened, their expressions turning from doubt… to shock.
Then—
A woman stepped forward.
Her presence alone cut through the tension.
Elegant, composed, and commanding, she walked toward them with measured steps, her sharp eyes scanning them from head to toe.
"You're both newly matured…" she said coolly. "Yet your power is… unusual."
She paused briefly.
"…Perhaps you will be useful in this battle."
Her gaze hardened.
"But don't you dare die."
Rien bowed his head slightly, a faint smile on his lips.
"I understand, Commander."
Kuto smirked, clearly unfazed.
"So… what's your name?"
The woman turned away, her long hair swaying as she walked back toward the formation.
"My name is Emilia Star," she replied without looking back. "But that doesn't matter."
She stopped for a brief moment.
"What matters… is that you stay alive long enough to earn the right to call me by my name."
With that, she continued forward, her presence leaving behind a quiet authority.
Rien watched her for a moment… then shifted his gaze toward the distant forest beyond the gates.
The trees stood still—too still.
"…It won't be long," he murmured. "The demons will arrive soon."
With a casual motion, two chairs materialized out of nothing.
Rien sat down as if he were in his own home, crossing one leg over the other before closing his eyes.
"Let's sit… and watch."
Kuto nodded, completely at ease.
"Right."
He dropped into the second chair, pulling out dumplings from his pocket and casually eating, as if a battlefield wasn't just moments away.
Around them, the cultivators exchanged uneasy glances.
"…Do they actually know what's about to happen?" one whispered.
"…Or are they completely insane?" another muttered.
Yet neither Rien nor Kuto responded.
They simply waited.
Calm.
Unshaken.
As if the coming storm… meant nothing to them.