Seeing that the Titan didn't chase after him, Ryan finally stopped.
He was exhausted. His breathing was uneven, and every part of his body ached.
As he rested, trying to gather enough strength to cross the forest, he suddenly heard footsteps.
His body tensed instantly.
He looked around—
Nothing.
Then suddenly—
Whoosh!
Something shot past him, so fast that he couldn't even react.
Ryan quickly turned his head.
There, a few steps away, sat a black cat… staring at him with interest.
It was petite and looked harmless, but Ryan's instincts screamed at him to run.
The way it looked at him…
It wasn't like an animal.
It was like a human observing another human.
For some reason, it felt… familiar.
But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't remember where he had seen it.
As he stood there, lost in thought—
The cat opened its mouth.
"What… don't you recognize me?"
Ryan's breath hitched.
For a moment, he thought he had misheard.
A cat… speaking?
No.
That wasn't the terrifying part.
The terrifying part was—
It sounded completely normal.
Not distorted. Not monstrous.
Just… calm.
Suddenly, Ryan's expression changed.
His eyes widened.
He staggered back a few steps, horror creeping onto his face.
The cat's lips curled into a faint smile.
"Oh? You finally recognized me."
Ryan's voice trembled.
"Y-you… how are you here?"
His mind raced, fragments of memory flashing through.
"That day… in the hospital…"
He stared at the cat in disbelief.
"Why did I see you… when I was born?"
A brief silence followed.
The cat's eyes gleamed.
"So you do remember."
Ryan's chest tightened.
"I—I don't understand… Why were you there? Why do I remember you?"
The cat sat down calmly, its tail swaying slowly.
It's because I choose you.
Ryan's breath faltered.
"Ch-chose me? For what?" his voice trembled.
The cat's gaze deepened.
"To fight him."
Ryan frowned, confusion overtaking his fear.
"Fight… fight who?"
For a brief moment, the cat was silent.
Then it turned away slightly.
This, I cannot tell you but we will meet again on the very day you choose your first beast.
Before Ryan could process the information, the cat suddenly disappeared.
It was as if there was nothing there.
He was left utterly bewildered.
Suddenly,
Clap. Clap. Clap.
Marcus appeared in front of Ryan.
What happened?
You look confused.
Marcus asked with his hands behind his back in a casual tone.
Seeing his dad appear in front of him, Ryan opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out of it.
After gradually calming down.
He asked Marcus, "Dad, did you see it".
Hearing this,
Marcus raised an eyebrow.
See what? He asked.
The cat.
Oh!, you mean Lucy.
Lucy? Ryan asked in confusion.
Yeah, it's name is Lucy.
Marcus said casually.
Then, dad, do you know her?
Yes, I guess so.
Hearing that, Ryan froze.
"…You guess so?"
Marcus tilted his head slightly, as if thinking.
"Well… it's been a long time."
Ryan's confusion deepened.
"A long time? But… that thing just appeared out of nowhere!"
Marcus chuckled softly.
"That 'thing' has been around far longer than you think."
Ryan's heartbeat quickened.
"You're saying… it's not just some beast?"
Marcus's eyes met his.
For a brief moment—
His expression turned serious.
"No."
A pause.
Then—
"It's not something you should casually call a beast."
Ryan swallowed.
"Then what is it?"
Marcus looked at him for a moment.
Then, slowly, he raised his hand and gestured.
"Want to know?"
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Then come here."
Ryan hesitated for a split second—
But his curiosity was already burning too strongly.
Without thinking much, he stepped closer.
Step by step.
The distance between them closed.
Marcus lowered his gaze slightly, watching him approach.
When Ryan was close enough.
Marcus bent down, bringing his mouth near Ryan's ear.
Ryan held his breath.
Finally,
Marcus whispered,
"I won't tell you."
Ryan's expression froze.
For a second, he didn't react.
Then—
He jerked his head back.
"Dad—!"
His face twisted in frustration.
"That's not fair!"
He took a step back, pointing at him.
"You always do this! You know everything, but you never tell me anything!"
Marcus straightened up slowly.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
Not mocking—
But knowing.
"And if I told you everything now…" he said calmly,
"…what would you learn?"
Ryan clenched his fists.
"That's not the point!"
Marcus shook his head slightly.
It is.
Some things aren't meant to be told, they are meant to be learnt.
When you grow up, all the secrets will gradually be revealed to you.
A brief silence followed.
Ryan slowly exhaled.
The frustration in his chest didn't disappear—
But it settled.
For now.
He looked up at the sky.
The faint glow above still lingered, as if something unseen was counting down.
"…So," Ryan said quietly,
"I passed the trial, right?"
He pointed upward.
Marcus followed his gaze, then gave a small nod.
"You did."
A pause.
Then a faint smile appeared on his face.
"Not bad… for a six-year-old."
Ryan's lips tightened slightly.
Before he could feel proud—
Marcus added,
"But don't get complacent."
His tone shifted.
Sharper.
Heavier.
"This was only the beginning."
You only learned how to escape.
Next , we will begin with how to fight.
How to fight? Ryan tilted his head in confusion.
Come with me.
Marcus said as he opened a spatial gate.
Ryan immediately followed and then they appeared back in the training arena.
Marcus took Ryan to the weapon room.
There, all kinds of weapons were placed on different shelves.
Now, go ahead and choose.
I will be teaching you how to fight with that weapon.
Seeing all the weapons in front of him Ryan's eyes sparkled and he carefully started checking the weapons.
For a moment, he forgot everything—
The forest.
The cat.
The fear.
All of it.
Slowly, he stepped forward.
Rows of weapons stretched across the room—swords, spears, daggers, bows… even some he couldn't recognize.
Each one carried a different presence.
A different weight.
Ryan reached out toward a sword.
Then paused.
Something didn't feel right.
He moved past it.
Then a spear,
Too long.
A dagger,
Too small.
His brows furrowed.
"…Why do none of them feel right?" he muttered.
Marcus, standing behind him, watched silently.
Ryan continued walking.
Step by step.
Then,he stopped.
At the far corner of the room.
Unlike the others, this section was dimly lit.
There appeared a weapon that caught his eye.
The moment he held it in his hand.
He knew it would be the one for him.
Seeing his choice,
Marcus's eyes flickered slightly.
"I want this one".
The moment uttered these words,
A blinding light erupted across the room.