Rio sat in one of the palace rooms.
He was directly in front of the window, staring into the horizon.
Memories of the past few days rushed back.
Suddenly, Rivan approached.
He grabbed Rio and lifted him off the ground.
A halo of energy surged from Rivan toward Rio.
Blood poured from Rio's nose and eyes.
Within seconds, the aura subsided.
Rivan spoke coldly.
"Are you honest about what you said?"
Coughing up blood, Rio replied.
"Yes… and if I had another chance, I would kill the revolutionaries without hesitation."
Rivan smiled.
He set Rio down.
"Treat him immediately," he said.
---
Shortly after, Rio was receiving treatment in the hall.
Rivan turned to the man wearing the pendant.
"Your Highness, he's strong… he will be an asset in defeating the revolutionaries," he said.
The prince smiled.
He nodded in agreement.
Suddenly, the door burst open.
Jack rushed in.
"Rio, the prince wants to see you!" he shouted.
Before he could finish, the prince entered.
Rio looked at him.
This is the Prince of the Kingdom of Bones… the only prince of the kingdom.
The prince sat across from Rio.
"Chikara told me you're strong… and that he barely defeated you," he said.
Rio responded immediately.
"He didn't defeat me."
The prince and Jack were shocked.
Everyone knew Rio had been defeated by Chikara of the Kingdom of Light.
Calmly, Rio continued.
"When we fought, I had only reached the Existence Level two days prior.
He had been at it for a year.
He used his strongest techniques.
I hadn't mastered mine yet…
That's how he 'won.'"
Jack thought to himself.
When someone reaches the Existence Level, they gain terrifying abilities…
But I've never seen Rio use his.
The prince stood.
"I fought Chikara and lost.
What do you say we fight—me and you?"
Rio looked at him.
Within seconds, the prince's body froze.
He turned toward the door against his will.
Then he stopped.
"This is one of my techniques… blood control.
Chikara can break it.
If you break it, shall I fight you?"
The prince tried to move.
He could not.
Rio's power pressed on him mercilessly.
Finally, the prince exited.
He closed the door behind him.
Once a few steps away, he regained control.
He was utterly stunned by Rio's strength.
Rio returned his gaze to the window.
"This prince is really annoying…" he muttered.
---
Two weeks later, Rio walked through the city streets.
Destruction was everywhere.
Corpses filled the roads.
War had broken out between the revolutionaries and the kingdom's forces.
Rio muttered,
"Fighters at the Hidden Level must have battled here…
If someone from the Balance Level intervened, it would all be over."
Suddenly, Voltar appeared beside him.
Rio tensed.
"What are you doing here?
Do you want to start a massive war?"
Voltar smiled.
"Don't worry, no one can sense me.
By the way… what did you do with the poison I gave you?"
Rio replied,
"I made my friend work in the kitchen.
We have a grand feast today.
We'll put the poison in Rivan's food."
Voltar grinned.
"Good… you'll get the pendant after Rivan dies.
I'll leave now.
Tomorrow, I'll ignite the war myself."
Voltar vanished.
Rio exhaled, trying to process what had just happened.
---
Rio returned to the palace.
The feast was about to begin.
He approached Jack.
"Listen, Voltar will attack tomorrow.
He wants to kill Rivan as quickly as possible."
Jack froze.
Rio continued,
"Did you put the poison in the food?"
"Yes… but I have a question," Jack said.
"Not now, Jack. The feast is about to start," Rio replied.
Jack insisted.
Rio finally agreed.
Jack asked,
"You love good and hate evil…
So why work here for a pendant?"
Rio smiled calmly.
"Some things make you change your principles, crushing your dignity in the process.
One day, you'll do the same."
He added,
"I don't mean money…
But something so precious, if lost, you might kill yourself for it."
Jack bowed his head silently.
He seemed to understand.
---
The feast began.
A long table was set.
A single throne-like chair dominated the head.
Dozens of chairs flanked it.
Suddenly, Rivan entered the hall.
Balance Level, ranked Ninth.
He sat at the head.
Officials surrounded him.
Some had lost their positions due to the revolutionaries.
The prince, Chikara, Rio, and Jack were present.
The food was laid out: roasted bulls and countless dishes.
Fighters filled the hall.
Some were at the Existence Level.
Others were at the Hidden Level.
No one began eating.
Everyone waited for Rivan…
But everyone was shocked to see Rio already eating.
A man shouted,
"Who is this cursed man?!"
Before he could finish, he fell to the ground.
Blood streamed from his head without stopping.
Jack calmly sat down.
He had shot an arrow that lodged in the man's head.
Confusion spread.
Rivan smiled.
"Enough… it's time to celebrate."
He began eating.
Everyone followed.
People approached Rivan, seeking positions.
Chikara moved toward Rio.
"How about we fight again?"
Rio replied coldly,
"Why fight someone as weak as you?"
Chikara laughed.
The prince interjected,
"Do you know the Three Stars?"
Rio and Chikara were shocked.
The Three Stars were the strongest beings after the kings.
The appearance of one could change the world.
Rio said,
"Only two of the Three Stars remain."
Silence fell.
Rumors had spread of Zaflian's death, the First Star.
Jack thought,
Nine years have passed since his death…
And he never appeared even once.
The prince sat near Rio.
"I admire Shaheen, the Third Star," he said.
Rio sneered,
"Shaheen, who destroyed the Fire Clan?
Trash… lost twice to the Second Star."
The prince objected.
A heated debate ensued.
Chikara sided with Rio.
Laughter rose.
The celebration continued.
BOOM!
A massive explosion echoed.
A man ran in, gasping.
"The revolutionaries…
They've attacked the entire palace!"