Jin disappeared down the dormitory hallway without looking back.
But far from the quiet university campus—
far beyond the normal world—
another battle was unfolding.
A floating island drifted slowly through endless darkness.
Ancient ruins covered the massive landmass.
At its center stood a colossal temple.
And its doors were opening.
Something enormous stepped into the dim light.
The creature towered like a living mountain.
Stone and flesh twisted together across its massive frame.
Its claws carved deep trenches into the ground.
The island trembled beneath its weight.
Across from it—
Ethan sat calmly atop the bodies of monsters.
Sword in hand.
The monster roared.
The sound shook the air itself.
Then it charged.
The ground cracked beneath each step.
The distance between them collapsed instantly.
Ten meters.
Five.
Three—
Then—
space distorted.
The distance stretched unnaturally.
The monster ran—
but Ethan remained impossibly far away.
Its claws sliced through empty air.
Ethan moved.
Not fast.
Simply—
suddenly.
He appeared beside the creature.
The sword flashed.
A silver arc sliced across the monster's torso.
A deep wound split its chest open.
But the monster didn't fall.
Instead—
its massive arm crashed downward.
The impact slammed against Ethan's blade.
The shockwave exploded across the island.
Stone shattered.
Ruins collapsed.
The island trembled violently.
Ethan slid several meters across the broken ground.
Still smiling.
"Good."
He pushed off the ground and landed lightly several meters away.
The monster roared again.
But Ethan barely looked at it.
Instead—
his gaze lifted slowly toward the distant sky.
Toward another world.
Toward the university.
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"You survived."
His voice was quiet.
Almost satisfied.
Then he raised the sword again.
The blade hummed softly.
"Good."
His smile widened slightly.
"Let's see how long it takes you."
The monster charged again.
Ethan's eyes gleamed with anticipation.
"First…"
He lifted the sword.
"…I'll enjoy you."
The creature released a thunderous roar—
and the island shook.