The sun was high above the Hayashi Clan village, casting golden light over the peaceful homes and training fields. Children ran through the streets, warriors trained with their marks glowing faintly, and laughter echoed from the market stands.
But peace never lasted forever.
Riku was sitting on a bench near the training field, watching his younger sister Yuki practice a defensive stance when he felt it — a flicker of twisted Essence nearby. He stood up slowly, his eyes narrowing.
Someone's here.
He vanished in a blur, reappearing at the far edge of the village, where the protective boundary shimmered faintly. That's when he heard it — a scream.
Without hesitation, Riku blinked forward again, landing behind a building just as a rogue A-Rank Essence Warrior pinned a woman from the village against a wall. His energy was unstable, wild, his blade crackling with corrupted Essence.
"You Hayashi brats think you're above us now, huh?" the rogue hissed. "Your little clan won't last. Say goodbye—"
A gust of wind cut him off. The air shifted.
The rogue froze.
"...You sure you want to finish that sentence?" a calm voice said behind him.
The man spun around and saw him — Riku Hayashi, standing there with his hands in his pockets, his red clan jacket fluttering in the wind, a faint smirk playing on his face.
The rogue's eyes widened. "You—!"
Before he could move, Riku vanished and appeared behind him in a flash, delivering a light tap to the back of his neck. The rogue stumbled forward, confused, then dropped to his knees as his Essence collapsed.
Riku walked forward slowly, his tone still calm, almost amused. "How dare you threaten my clan…"
The woman gasped, realizing who had saved her.
Riku bent down, grabbed the unconscious man by the collar with one hand, and stood up.
"I could've ended you. But I'm not like you," he said softly, his red eyes glinting. "You're lucky I believe in second chances — even for cowards who sneak in during the day."
The villagers watched as Riku walked back into town, the rogue dangling from his grip like a rag doll. He stopped briefly at the central square where a few police officers from the Tokyo High-Essence Task Force were stationed for village support.
"Got one for you," Riku said, tossing the man to the ground.
The officers saluted. "Is this the A-rank rogue from the east sector?"
"Yeah," Riku nodded. "Make sure he never gets near this place again."
As Riku turned to walk away, villagers began to gather, whispering in awe and relief. Yuki came running up with wide eyes.
"You saved her… just like that?" she asked.
Riku gave her a playful nudge on the head. "You protect what matters. Always."
And with that, he returned to training, his smirk never leaving.
But somewhere deep in his mind, the thought lingered — That won't be the last.
The Hayashi Clan was rising in power and fame.
And power… always draws attention.