One Month

Empana's gaze sharpened. He looked toward Ryu's side profile, his thoughts unreadable.

This was completely unexpected. He felt that Ryu had something to rely upon, but after Morhorn blocked him from using his Matrix, he thought that Ryu's chances had plummeted and he was just moving forward because he had hopped onto the back of a tiger he couldn't get down from.

But now…

"You cheated!" Morhorn practically screamed.

Ryu didn't answer, his expression indifferent and unmoved. It was clear that he couldn't be bothered to deal with Morhorn at all, he was simply beneath his notice.

Morhorn lost it when Ryu ignored him, fully prepared to attack, but just as he raised his hand, he found himself flying. A projectile of blood flew from his lips as he slammed against the sturdy walls of the throne room. As he slid down, he was shocked to find that it was actually Empana who stood in the location he had just been in.