Chapter 10 – Whispers across the World
The mountain wind had changed.
It wasn't colder or louder—just... different. Like it carried a breath from something ancient, something older than kingdoms, older than men.
Kaiser sat on a jagged rock near the edge of the ruins, his posture casual, but his gaze sharp. The popsicle stick usually hanging from his mouth was gone.
Lucian stood beside him, still feeling the phantom heat of Shuten-dōji's memory coiled inside his veins.
"You're quiet," Lucian said.
Kaiser glanced sideways. "Mm. Just listening."
"To what?"
"The world," Kaiser said simply, brushing his hair back. "It hums when something big happens. You'll learn to hear it."
Lucian raised a brow, unconvinced.
But far from them—across skies and continents—others had heard it.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Dragon King – Rank 2 (Age: Hidden)
In the depths of his floating citadel, beneath a sky stitched with stormclouds, the Dragon King stirred.
Eyes like molten gold opened from slumber, unblinking.
He didn't move.
Didn't need to.
The air had changed.
And that was enough.
"…Someone from the past… has clawed their way forward again," he murmured. His voice rolled like thunder sealed in a coffin. "How nostalgic."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Demon King – Rank 3 (Age: Hidden)
Chains rattled in the throne room of obsidian.
The Demon King sat upright, long horns casting jagged shadows across the black stone.
His fangs glinted in the firelight. His clawed hand tightened around the armrest until it cracked.
"…The Ravager stirs again."
He said no more.
He didn't need to.
The demons around him trembled without knowing why.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Mercenary King – Rank 19 (Age: 46)
"Hmm?"
Somewhere in the heart of a war-torn city, a one-eyed man sat sharpening his sword atop a pile of gold.
He paused. The blade in his hand stilled.
"…Another problem for the royals," he muttered. Then he grinned. "Or maybe a new job."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Elven Queen – Rank 4 (Age: 179)
In a sun-drenched grove untouched by time, the Elven Queen looked up from her meditation.
A single petal fell from the branches above and landed silently in her palm.
"A spirit awakens," she whispered, eyes narrowing. "And it walks with the strongest."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lira – Rank 21 (Age: 25)
In the snow-covered pavilion of the Jade River Monastery, Lira sipped her wine in silence.
Her blindfold twitched.
She smiled, faint and fond. "So this is the fire you were talking about when you left… husband."
A pause.
"I wonder how long you planned to keep this from me."
She tilted her head.
And laughed.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Azel of the Eighth Breath – Rank 23 (Age: 61)
In a lotus garden suspended in the clouds, Azel set down his teacup mid-pour.
He didn't look toward the horizon. He didn't need to.
He already knew.
"…A storm born from memory. The cycle resumes."
His disciples waited for an explanation.
He gave none.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Caleb Rune – Rank 99,932 (Age: 19)
"Wait… hold up." Caleb rubbed his eyes.
His friends crowded around as the ranking screen updated in real time.
[Name: Caleb Rune]
[Current Rank: 84,932]
[Age: 19]
[Potential Future Rank: 9670]
Someone whistled. "Dude… you're gonna break into the top 20k at this rate, You fucking genius!!!"
But Caleb didn't respond.
He was staring up at the sky, sweat prickling his neck.
Because for a second—just one brief second—he'd felt it.
Like the world had blinked.
"…Something big's coming," he whispered.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Back at the Ruins
Lucian stood still as Kaiser pulled up the world-ranking display from a shimmering disc embedded in the stone nearby. It projected clean blue text into the air.
Lucian's name appeared, followed by simple data.
[Name: Lucian Vale]
[Current Rank: 88,532]
[Age: 23]
[Potential Future Rank: 5]
Lucian blinked. "That's…"
"Yeah," Kaiser said. "You're making waves. The moment you touched Shuten's memory, your name started glowing on every screen that tracks potential."
Lucian turned to him. "How do you know?"
Kaiser grinned and tapped the side of his head. "You really didnt think i was being arrogant and just spouted nonsense of being the strongest. im literally ranked number 1 in the rankings."
Lucian stared at Kaiser and then his name again. Not just his current rank… but that bolded line below it.
Potential Future Rank: 5
He didn't know whether to feel proud or terrified.
"Only a handful ever hit that bracket," Kaiser continued. "Most of 'em never make it. Some go higher. Most break before they get close. But when people see this…"
Lucian swallowed. "They'll come after me?"
"Maybe," Kaiser said, smile gone. "Or maybe they'll try to use you."
He started walking down the path.
Lucian hesitated. Then followed.
They moved through the ruins in silence, until—
A voice echoed behind them.
Faint.
Not meant for Lucian this time.
But for Kaiser.
"…You do not belong to this age either."
Lucian froze mid-step.
He turned. No one was there.
Only shadows stretched between the fallen stones.
Kaiser didn't turn back. But his smile seemed cold and distant, nothing like the smile he had untill now.
"Two fractures walking side by side… Curious."
"Let's see who breaks first."
Then silence.
Lucian opened his mouth—but closed it again.
Kaiser walked on without comment.
But the tension in his shoulders hadn't gone unnoticed.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Somewhere—In Lucians body
A pulse.
Old.
Slow.
Waiting.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
The ravager's flame had sparked once more.
And the world had felt it.
But only a few truly understood what it meant.
Not yet.
To be continued...