As an overpowered king, it had never had to worry about anything. Domain, mates and even food, everything was a surplus.

The black armored rhino, in its entire life had never been put in a disadvantageous position. It had ruled it’s domain with an iron fist. Even the puny humans who dared stepped on to its land never saw the outside again.

Blessed with an extremely powerful body, it could fight beasts even stronger than itself, sometimes even resulting in victory.

Such events gave the beast a pride it should not possess. Believing itself to be the center of the world, the black armored rhino lived lavishly, until……..it met a certain boy.

The young boy wore a black garb. With a height of 120cms nobody would take him serious. His long black hair tied neatly in a ponytail. But the most peculiar thing about this child was his eyes. His eyes were shut, they didn’t even open to bling. Truly a pity, that such a young child was blind. 

In the youth’s right hand was a thin steel, broken sword. 

The black armored rhino was on its hunt, when it stumbled upon this child. The other beasts in the forest were boring and tasteless to eat, after having it over and over again. The beast’s heart longed for human flesh, but human’s seldom entered this forest, and even though the beast considered itself to be strong, it wasn’t stupid. Human cities have various powerful individuals. Even it knew, that under the constant attack of multiple experts, it would perish without even offering up a fight, as such it waited in the depths for a poor soul to venture in.

Now the black armored rhino, was laughing on the inside. Its wait had finally paid off. A stupid human offspring had ventured in.

The youth’s body suddenly disappeared, from his initial position. The black horned rhino let out a small roar. It was startled by the sudden disappearance of the youth. ‘How could a youth not even have attained adult hood, pull one over the mighty beast that is myself.’

The black armored rhino, after living for a few decades, was easily as intelligent as an adult human. ‘Could it be that some other beast has stolen my property?’ Pondered the rhino, as its eyes turned red from rage.

All of sudden the rhino’s frown tuned upside down, as it felt a small fluctuation in the mana in its surrounding. The only people of causing such tiny fluctuations were extremely weak or unskilled living beings.

Concentrating more on this mana change, its face reverted back to one of frown then to a surprise. It quickly moved its huge body to look up. The mana fluctuation was coming directly from above the beast.

In the calm, quiet forest, an excited childish voice slow resonated. “Do you want to play with me, Mr. rhino?” Asked the youth, landing smoothly on its armored back.”

“RRRROOOOOOAAAARRRRRRR” Followed by the childish voice, an ear deafening roar of a mighty beats rang out in every corner of the forest. 

The black armored rhino was enraged. ‘How dare a puny human stand on my back. It was an absolute insult, to a prideful beast such as myself.’ Thought the black armored rhino, as it violently swung its body back and forth, in an attempt to shake the youth’s grip on its back.

“Alright, alright. You don’t like to go for a ride.” Smiled the youth, as he did a graceful backflip, landing in front of the beast.

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

The moment the rhino’s eyes landed on the youth’s figure, without knowing heads or tails, it charged blindly.

The youth simple shook his head in disappointment. His right hand loosely gripped onto the broken sword, demonstrating his lack of interest in the beast in front of him.

His once again let out a small smile, before speaking. “It was nice meeting you, Mr. Rhino.” A violent force rushed to the broken sword.

Even the rhino noticing the huge fluctuation in mana, stopped in its tracks to look at the cause. What it saw caused its heart to stop. The youth, the helpless youth which was supposed to be an easy prey, had a sinister grin plastered across his face as a baleful aura surrounded him. Only one word made its way into the mind of the scared and panicking rhino. “Run. Flee. Escape.”

Before the rhino could process what was happening, the broken sword in the youth’s hand gave of a vibrant glow. Within a split second, the youth’s figure flashed in front of the rhino.

*Shaaah*

The youth swiped his broken sword horizontally. An invisible wave of condensed mana, shot out like a bullet from the broken sword. 

The horizontal arc of mana, split the rhino’s body from its mouth to its tail, leaving the back of its body completely unharmed.

Regrets flashed through the rhino’s mind, as it drew its last breath. Its eyes lost their spark, and the rhino died.

“Finally.” Exclaimed the youth. “Now I can get Royce to forge me a good blade.” Spoke the youth, ripping out the deep black armor, from the rhino’s back.

The black armor on its back was easily 4 meters long, with a width of at least 5 meters. Definitely enough for multiple swords. 

Holding the black armor that was completely disproportional to the youth’s tiny body, he quickly made his way out of the forest. Leaving the regal mighty beast naked and cut in half.

……………………………………………

General Gareth, was never a person of too many words. He would only offer the most basic form of greetings, in any party, and everyone from the empire knew that he was such a person. Even though he barely spoke, in the battlefield he was a completely battle maniac, as such no one ever doubted his capabilities. 

Even amongst the six great generals of the ‘Aragon Empire’, Gareth would arguably be the strongest in close combat and direct confrontation. 

A man dressed in white robe, made his way up to the seated Gareth. “General Gareth, Thomas, commander of General Devin offers his greetings.” Spoke the man in the white robe. 

“My general would like to extend as invitation to an open mock battle, you. What do you say?” Asked Thomas, in an extremely respectful tone.

Gareth simply scrolled his eyes over the white robed man in front of him, and immediately looked away in disinterest. 

“If your general has a request, and as long as he isn’t mute, I believe he is capable of speech. Go tell him to come and ask, and then maybe I’ll agree.” Spoke Gareth, while looking away.

“My lord….” The white robed man wanted to say something, but Gareth released a tiny bit of his mana, and that was enough to plant the seeds of fear in the white robed man’s heart.