Marvel: Beginning with the Collection of Shinra Tensei

With a resounding shout, Han Yu shattered the surrounding ice pillars. They exploded skyward, merging into a towering nine-story structure that hurtled down toward the ice sculpture of Chaos.

Poor Chaos, still frozen in the pose of stabbing himself with his greatsword, was instantly crushed into crimson ice shards under the immense weight of the ice tower.

Han Yu, with one hand now free, clenched it tightly. Flames roared to life in his palm, quickly forming into a delicate lotus of fire. He swung it gracefully toward the ice tower.

"Ultimate Technique: Flaming Lotus of Buddha's Fury!"

The flaming lotus floated gently through the air but detonated violently upon contact with the ice tower. The resulting explosion burned the ice shards into vapor, and any remnants of Chaos within were completely obliterated, leaving no trace—not even ashes.

Still unsatisfied, Han Yu brought his palms together and then separated them. More fiery lotuses materialized in his hands, which he launched repeatedly at the already non-existent remains of Chaos.

He was, quite literally, attacking emptiness.

Ristarte watched in stunned silence. Her heart had long since grown numb to the absurdity of this overly cautious hero. Launching multiple ultimate techniques at the previous location of an enemy who was already annihilated? What normal person would do such a thing?

When Han Yu finally stopped his relentless attacks, the sound of the general store system echoed in his mind.

"Branch mission completed: [First Encounter with a Powerful Foe]. Reward: 100 upgrade points!"

Han Yu turned around, his actions finally ceasing. Behind him, the townsfolk and Ristarte stood frozen in shock, their expressions blank. He walked over to Ristarte, waved a hand in front of her dazed face, and said, "What are you spacing out for? Let's go."

"Huh? Go where?" Ristarte snapped back to reality and asked.

"To get some new equipment. I can't exactly keep using this thing for the next battle."

Han Yu lifted his sword, and with just a single shake, a faint crack appeared on the blade. That tiny crack spread rapidly across its surface until the sword shattered into pieces on the ground.

The fragments still carried traces of icy residue, clearly unable to withstand the intensity of Han Yu's attacks. This kind of weapon, bought in a small village, might have sufficed against slimes or goblins but was utterly useless against an enemy of Chaos's caliber.

No wonder weapons were divided into so many tiers.

The equipment in this small town was leagues better than what was available in the previous village. Han Yu went on a shopping spree at the weapons shop, while Ristarte, trailing behind him, felt her metaphorical wallet being drained to emptiness.

As the two emerged from the store, burdened with bags and bundles, they were greeted by a voice filled with amusement.

"So this is the famous hero and goddess duo. To think you defeated Chaos Machina. Impressive."

Han Yu casually handed his load of items to Ristarte, who nearly toppled under the weight. She set everything down, ready to voice her complaints, but her gaze froze on the man who had just spoken.

"So handsome…"

The man addressing them stood over six feet tall, wearing a tailored lavender suit. A pair of gold-rimmed monocles perched on his high-bridged nose gave him an air of refined elegance.

"And who might you be?"

Han Yu drew his newly purchased longsword and pointed it at the man, his tone icy.

"Relax, relax," the man in the suit said hurriedly, raising his empty hands in a gesture of peace. "My name is Cain Girance. I'm a doctor. I passed through here a few days ago during my travels and stayed for a while. You're the hero and goddess, aren't you? I'd like to join you on your journey."

Before Han Yu could respond, Ristarte cut in. "What? No way! We're on a mission to fight the Demon King. The journey is dangerous—you could die!"

When Cain heard their mission was to defeat the Demon King, a faint smile graced his refined features. With calm composure, he replied politely, "I, too, have a grudge against the Demon King. I've been alone for a long time, with no ties or attachments. Rather than growing old and dying alone, I'd prefer to die on the journey to vanquish the Demon King. At least that would be meaningful."

His measured words struck a chord with Ristarte, who couldn't help but feel moved. Her imagination ran wild, weaving a tragic backstory where the Demon King had killed Cain's family, transforming him from a broken man into the dignified figure standing before her.

"Han Yu, we're short on allies anyway. Why not let him join us…"

"No."

"But he's a doctor! Having someone skilled in medicine would help treat your injuries, right?"

"No."

"With more people, our battles will be easier…"

"No."

Ristarte tried her best to persuade Han Yu, but he stubbornly refused, his replies growing shorter and colder. Defeated, she reluctantly turned to Cain and offered a polite rejection.

Cain, who had kept his gaze on Han Yu the entire time, maintained his calm demeanor. Smiling slightly, he waved a hand and said, "No problem. If the Hero doesn't trust me, we'll part ways here. Perhaps we'll meet again someday."

With that, Cain turned and walked away. Ristarte pouted as she watched him leave, then turned to Han Yu with a look of discontent. "Why did you drive him away? He's so handsome! What's wrong with having someone like him in our party? Doesn't your country have a saying, 'There's strength in numbers'?"

"I didn't think you knew that saying." Han Yu chuckled as he pulled out the storage ring he had just bought for several hundred gold coins at the weapons shop. He stored all the items they had purchased into the ring and said, "Enough with the banter. Let's head to our next destination."

"Don't boss around the goddess like that!"

As the two set off, a tall figure emerged from the shadows of a large tree, watching them with a soft laugh.

"As expected of someone who could obliterate Chaos. For a newly appeared Hero, this level of strength is beyond comprehension."

"What surprises will they show next? I can't wait to find out."

The figure was none other than Cain, the man who had failed to join their party. He leaned slightly into the tree's shadow, disappearing entirely. Yet when one looked closer, there was no trace of him at all.

After leaving the small town, the Hero and the Goddess made their way toward the next destination, Semru Town. Along the way, Han Yu spent his time fighting monsters, using his ultimate techniques even on weak creatures at levels three or five. Ristarte, by now, was utterly numb to the spectacle.

Even against monsters at his own level—over twenty—Han Yu would forgo basic attacks, despite their sheer numbers, and instead eliminate them with overwhelming force. To him, whether his opponent was strong or weak, every fight ended with an ultimate move.

"This isn't caution anymore—it's an obsession!"

Ristarte exclaimed in despair, staring at the destruction Han Yu left behind. For a moment, she couldn't tell who the real monster was.

That night, the two of them rested in a semi-sheltered mountain cave. After a full day of serving as the "Complaints Specialist," Ristarte fell asleep faster than Han Yu. Her sprawled-out sleeping posture seemed to scream for attention, as if hinting at something.

Han Yu didn't spare her a glance. Instead, he muttered to himself, "I'll go gather some firewood."

Standing up, he left the cave. Once he was gone, Ristarte cracked open her eyes, fuming. "Unbelievable! Ignoring a goddess like me—what a disgrace!"

Meanwhile, Han Yu ventured to a quiet spot where Ristarte couldn't hear him. Stretching his neck, he spoke aloud, as if addressing someone unseen.

"You've been following us for a while now. Why don't you come out and talk? Hiding like this at night isn't exactly dignified, is it?"

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