In a ruined corner of the city, inside a half-collapsed old hut, two people sat in silence.
Rain leaked through the holes in the roof, droplets slowly falling onto the ground.
Elra leaned against the wall. Her eyes were closed, but her mind was calm. Work stood near the door, watching outside. His hand kept moving to and from the hilt of his sword.
Finally, he broke the silence.
"The city… is too quiet."
Elra opened her eyes.
She nodded slightly.
"Yes…"
"This silence isn't normal."
Work took a deep breath.
"It means there's no one left alive."
Elra's gaze darkened.
"Still… we need to be sure."
Work turned his head.
"What do you suggest?"
Elra stood up.
"Let's go deeper into the city."
"If there are any survivors… we'll find them."
Work thought for a few seconds.
Then he nodded.
"Alright."
The two of them left the hut together.
They began walking under the rain.
The streets were empty.
Doors were broken, houses destroyed.
There were burn marks in places.
And in some spots… blood.
But no bodies.
That made it even more unsettling.
Elra spoke quietly.
"No corpses…"
Work narrowed his eyes.
"Then… they took them all."
They walked for a while.
Then they reached a wide square.
It was the center of the city.
In the middle stood a shattered statue.
At that moment—
A sound was heard.
CRACK… CRACK…
Something was burning.
They both turned at the same time.
A man was walking toward them with slow steps.
There was a small flame in his hand.
The flame didn't go out despite the wind.
Work immediately stepped forward.
He moved in front of Elra.
As the man approached, he spoke.
"Hey…"
He smiled.
"I thought I killed all the humans."
He tilted his head.
"Looks like one or two are still left."
Work's eyes widened.
"What did you say…?"
The man stopped.
He lowered his head slightly.
"Ah, right."
"I should introduce myself."
He spread his arms.
The wind suddenly rose.
His cloak fluttered wildly.
"I am…"
His eyes gleamed.
"The Wind God — Fan."
The air suddenly grew heavy.
Elra took a step back.
Work clenched his teeth.
"Elra…"
His voice was low but firm.
"There's nothing left to talk about."
"You need to leave."
Elra shook her head.
"No, together—"
Work cut her off sharply.
"I'll hold him off."
"Elra, go toward Tara."
"Find him… and return to the temple."
Elra's eyes trembled.
"What about you?"
Work looked at her.
His gaze was calm, but sharp.
"This… is my turn."
"Go."
Elra hesitated for a few seconds.
Then she clenched her teeth.
"Don't die."
Work smiled faintly.
"I'll try."
Elra turned around.
And started running.
Fan slightly turned his head.
"You're letting her escape?"
Work took a step forward.
He stood between Fan and Elra.
"Your opponent is me."
Fan chuckled lightly.
"A human…"
"Do you think you can defeat me?"
Work narrowed his eyes.
"I'm not an ordinary human."
"I'm an essence user."
Fan shrugged.
"Doesn't matter."
"You can't harm me."
Work didn't respond.
He suddenly lunged forward.
He slammed his foot into the ground.
BOOM!
The stone floor shattered.
Large chunks of rock rose into the air.
Work swung his hand.
He shattered the rocks—
and sent them flying toward Fan like sharp bullets.
But—
Fan raised his hand.
"Storm."
A sudden burst of wind exploded outward.
All the rocks vanished midair.
Not even dust remained.
Fan looked bored.
"Is that all?"
"I'm not even entertained."
But at that moment—
A voice came from behind him.
"I'm just getting started."
Fan's eyes opened slightly.
Work had appeared behind him.
He slammed his hands onto the ground.
"Stone Pillars!"
The earth split apart.
Massive stone pillars erupted from the ground.
They surrounded Fan—
then collapsed onto him all at once.
But—
Fan raised his hand again.
"Storm."
BOOOOM!
All the pillars shattered.
The wind erased everything.
Work jumped back.
His breathing had quickened.
Fan tilted his head.
"Boring."
"Is this really all you've got?"
Work clenched his teeth.
He attacked again.
But every attack was erased the same way.
Rocks.
Pillars.
Ground strikes.
All of it vanished in the wind.
Work's movements began to slow.
His breathing grew heavy.
Fan noticed.
"You're tired."
"I'm sorry…"
"But this is where it ends."
He raised his hand.
"Now…"
His eyes gleamed.
"I'll show you the true power of a god."
Work's eyes narrowed.
At that moment…
A voice echoed in his mind.
Lupi.
"If you want to kill a god…"
"Your own power isn't enough."
"You must synchronize with your element."
"And merge the two."
Work clenched his teeth.
"Synchronize…"
He shook his head.
"In this state… it's impossible…"
"My power is already fading…"
Fan raised his hand.
The wind began to swirl violently.
"Death Storm."
The sky darkened.
A massive cyclone formed.
For a moment…
Work couldn't feel his own power.
It was as if it was being suppressed.
Fan smiled.
"This is the end."
He swung his hand.
The cyclone descended upon Work.
BOOOOOOM!
The entire square was destroyed.
Houses were torn apart.
The ground was ripped from its place.
Stones were thrown into the sky.
Everything was being pulled apart.
Work was swallowed by the storm.
But at that moment—
He opened his eyes.
"If I can't synchronize…"
He clenched his fists.
"I'll use everything I have."
As the ground broke beneath him, he planted his foot firmly.
He forced out every last bit of his energy.
For one final move…
He prepared himself.