Once, then Twice

What should have been Ryu's living quarters was obstructed by an enormous pile of manure tall enough even to obstruct the door. The stench was foul and potent, traveling so far that it definitely affected those with living accommodations nearby. However, since this had been done by those with much higher rankings, there wasn't much they could do but turn their rage toward Ryu instead.

Those individuals, though, only met Ryu's gaze one time before they suddenly found they couldn't say a word.

Ryu's expression didn't seem to give anything away, and yet there was such a frigid cold in the surroundings that they were shaken. At that moment, Ryu's lip curled into a smile, but the air only seemed to grow colder.

Ryu flickered and vanished, his hand appearing around the throat of a disciple who had just been viciously glaring at him. It wasn't until Ryu's coldness reached him that he froze, but by then, it had already been too late.