The buzz around Riku Hayashi had reached fever pitch.
What began as admiration for a warrior's strength and skill had blossomed into something more profound — a cultural phenomenon.
It wasn't just headlines anymore.
It was everywhere.
Streets in major cities were being renamed to honor him.
The central avenue in the capital, once known as "Valor Road," was swiftly renamed "Hayashi Boulevard" — a glowing tribute to the young man who had carried the world's hopes on his shoulders.
In guild halls and training grounds across the globe, aspiring warriors began to replicate his fighting stance and signature moves.
One newly developed martial technique — a swift, flowing counterstrike that Riku had used countless times in battle — was christened the "Hayashi Flow."
Training academies adopted it into their curriculums, and countless students tried to master it, dreaming of reaching even a fraction of Riku's prowess.
Manufacturers of Essence gear and equipment launched lines branded with his name and insignia.
The "Hayashi Core" — a new essence amplifier inspired by Riku's unique fighting style — promised to boost a warrior's speed and reflexes in battle.
Meanwhile, in online communities, fan art flooded social media platforms: avatars dressed in Hayashi-themed gear, illustrations of his most iconic moments, and memes celebrating his calm, confident smirk.
At the Raiden Edge Guild, the fame was tangible but also a strange kind of pressure.
Guild members joked that soon they'd have to start signing autographs just to pass the hallways.
Riku himself was modest about it.
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves," he said with a half-smile, rubbing the back of his neck.
"But if they're naming things after me, maybe I'm doing something right."
Sayuri and Yuki shared a proud glance.
Even Yumi, standing quietly nearby, smiled softly, pride clear in her eyes.
But as the world celebrated, Riku felt the weight of his growing legacy.
He knew that names and titles were more than just words — they were expectations.
And the next challenge was always waiting in the wings.