Chapter 3 : (Scheme And The Start of the Journey)

Suddenly, Rio found himself in a gray world.

A vast emptiness.

Nothing existed around him—only an endless field of mist and ash-colored space. His forehead tightened with worry as countless questions flooded his mind—Where am I?

From beneath the ground, a gigantic black hand burst out and seized Rio’s leg. The moment it touched him, his body turned weak, almost lifeless. His eyes widened in horror as he saw more and more hands rising from the shadows. A countless swarm of dark arms reached for him, and at the end of them appeared two dreadful, glowing eyes—eyes that carried the soundless scream of a broken soul.

In a flash, Rio opened his eyes. His chest pounded violently, his heartbeat racing faster and faster. He found himself trapped inside a massive tube, drowning in thick green liquid. A breathing mask covered his face, but he had no control over his own body.

It was a laboratory.

In front of him stood another enormous test tube. And inside it—floated a fragile figure. His blurred vision slowly cleared, and the sight pierced his heart like a knife.

It was Crives—his long-lost father, missing for years.

Rio trembled, his emotions breaking loose. His father was here. But where was his mother? Why was he here? Why did his nightmares always whisper about Luna’s absence? His rage boiled, and sparks of electricity flickered across his body. But exhausted, Rio gave up the struggle and looked forward.

Two blood-red eyes stared at him—eyes filled with pain and regret.

He could feel Crives’s silent cry. Black tattoos marked his father’s body, spreading like veins of darkness. From them seeped a thick, sinister smoke, slowly covering the whole tube. Then cracks appeared. First small. Then wider. Until the tube finally shattered with a deafening sound.

Crives stepped out, standing before Rio’s own tube. Their eyes locked onto each other as the room’s alarm screamed. Rio’s heart sank—Was this really his father? Or something else entirely?

Cracks spread across Rio’s own tube as well. The lab doors burst open, and armed men stormed in, pointing guns at Crives. Bullets flew, but the moment they touched his skin, they melted and vanished into him.

Rio’s eyes pointed on Crives’s right arm, glowing with a strange, radiant light. A surge of power flowed through it. Crives raised his hand—and in an instant, the attackers were torn apart, their bodies ripped cleanly in two.

Rio’s tube exploded, freeing him from the green liquid. Gasping for breath, he finally felt his body again. Crives grabbed Rio’s hand tightly. Their eyes met—Crives’s gaze was heavy with sorrow, a father’s pain of losing everything.

Energy surged beneath his feet. With a sudden burst, Crives shattered the ceiling, carrying Rio with him out of the laboratory.

Elsewhere, as alarms echoed through the facility, three figures entered a hidden chamber. They sat at a round table, faces grim. One man’s presence drew all eyes—holding a folded fan glowing red, a cruel smile covered his face.

He laughed and said—

“Crives Ryolan, heir of The Man. Nothing but a mere useless Russian spy.. Wielding the great power of The Man Who Stands Above All.”

His laughter shook the room.

Another man, with piercing green eyes, slammed his hand down and replied—

“This is not the time to laugh, Great Strategist. If we fail to erase every trace of The Man, his legacy will destroy us. The world’s most powerful Entities will crave it. And his heir—must not survive.”

The so-called Great Strategist narrowed his eyes.

“The man, the myth and the strongest entities ever born Rebirth Kailan. The fear of every entities, spread the order. Red Notice. Across every branch of the Association—Crives Railan’s corpse must be delivered. Whoever hunts him down shall be rewarded with eternal honor.”

Far away, in a land of snowstorms and frozen wastelands, Crives stumbled, exhausted. He stopped before a towering mountain, placing Rio in front of him. His voice was heavy—

“From here, you must go on alone. If you want to live, you must become strong. They will never stop chasing you until you destroy them yourself. The whole world is now against you.”

“Father…” Rio whispered, tears burning his eyes.

Crives pulled him into an embrace.

“I know your mother is gone. But someone will find you. When you meet him… tell heim that you are Chris Riolan.”

With that, Crives turned and jumped. Vanishing into the blizzard.

Rio stood frozen, staring at the fading figure of his father. So many words left unsaid. So many years lost. He wanted to scream, to tell him how much he loved him.

Suddenly, his eyes blazed bright yellow. His vision sharpened beyond human limits. And then he saw it—far away, a monstrous demon tearing his father into two pieces.

Rio did not move. He only stood there, silent.

Then, slowly, he turned away, walking toward the unknown destination.

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