Chapter 44 protocol : After Match

Smoke filled the air. The battlefield was broken.

Riven’s fist had already smashed through Silas’s chest. The Demon’s body cracked with glowing red lines, Red Judgement crawling like fire through his veins. Riven lifted his hand, ready to finish it—ready to tear control of every line of code inside Silas and detonate it all at his neck.

But the generals moved.

Three voices roared in unison. Spells carved the air—firestorms, lightning spears, and blades of shadow. The blasts slammed into Riven before he could strike.

His armor of Red Judgement screamed and shattered apart. He dropped to one knee, coughing blood.

And then—Kira stood.

Her eyes flashed with digital light. A giant sword of binary fire formed in her hands and split the ground as she stabbed it down, shielding Riven from the generals’ magic. The explosions ripped around her, but the barrier held.

“Not him,” she said, voice shaking but certain.

The generals snarled. One broke away and rushed to Silas, who was barely holding together, his chest still cracked open. The general threw Silas over his shoulder. At the same time, the fifteen foot soldiers charged as one, blades raised, eyes glowing with savage hunger.

“Kill them all!” one shouted.

The ground rumbled.

The dome collapsed, breaking apart into sparks and fading away. For the first time, the battlefield was open again—and through the smoke, three shadows stepped forward.

Executioners.

Not just any. S-Rank.

Two men and one woman, their uniforms sharp, their power radiating like pressure in the air.

The foot soldiers stopped. Even the two generals who stayed behind hesitated, watching carefully.

The female Executioner lifted her hand, code-light dancing on her palm. She didn’t even need to strike. Her presence alone froze the field.

The first general cursed under his breath and opened a rift. The second followed, dragging the foot soldiers through. The one carrying Silas vanished last, disappearing into the blood-red tear.

Silas was gone.

The battlefield was silent except for falling ash.

Riven stood swaying, chest heaving, eyes dim. He took one step forward, then his knees buckled.

Lucy rushed to him, the little girl still in her arms. She dropped beside him and caught him before he hit the ground.

“Riven! You did it—you’re still alive…”

He tried to speak, but only blood came up. His vision blurred.

Behind her, Kira leaned on her sword, trembling. Chiper stood by her side, face pale but calm. They didn’t move to fight. They didn’t need to. The S-Ranks were watching.

The tallest of the men stepped closer, his voice steady.

“Take him back. Now.”

The female S-Rank nodded. A circle of light spun beneath Riven’s body. Lucy held him tighter as the code wrapped them both.

Riven’s head dropped against her shoulder. The sounds of battle faded.

Then

A screen flashed in his mind.

SYSTEM UPDATE

Level up!

Double level up!

New skill acquired: Cloak

Riven’s breath caught. Even as the light carried him away, his lips curled in the faintest smile.