Peak Between Two: Mushoku Tensei

The snow had melted, leaving behind damp soil carrying the distinct scent of spring. The sun shone warmer, and the breeze felt gentler compared to the past months.

In the Greyrat family's yard, the repeated clash of wooden swords echoed. Paul stood with a relaxed posture, observing his two sons as they trained. Rudeus and Luciel, each wielding a wooden sword, were doing their best to deflect their father's attacks.

The Greyrat household had finally begun to heal. Paul and Zenith's relationship wasn't fully mended, but at least they could speak without excessive tension. Lilia continued working as usual, and though she still kept her distance from Zenith, she remained part of the family.

Now, Paul focused on being a father.

He swung his sword at Rudeus, who quickly dodged to the side but lost his balance. Luciel, standing nearby, noticed the opening and immediately stepped in to protect his brother, deflecting Paul's strike with surprising precision.

Paul grinned. "Good, your reflexes are improving, Luci."

Luciel didn't respond with words, only giving a small nod.

Paul then lowered his sword and approached Luciel, his voice quieter this time.

"Luci…"

Luciel looked up. "Yes, Father?"

Paul scratched his head, hesitating for a moment before sighing.

"Hmm… Thank you."

Luciel didn't react immediately. He simply stared at Paul for a few seconds before finally asking, "For what?"

Paul gave a wry smile. "For… helping keep this family together."

Luciel remained silent.

He didn't want to respond with empty words. He only wanted to ensure that what had happened in the past would never happen again.

But for the first time, Luciel felt that Paul was truly trying to change.

Rudeus, who had been listening, smirked before raising his sword again.

"Well, if you're really grateful, Father," he said with a grin, "then show it with actions, not just words."

Paul was silent for a moment before chuckling.

"You're right, Rudi. Alright, let's continue training!"

Luciel and Rudeus exchanged glances before raising their swords once more.

Perhaps this spring wasn't just the end of winter.

But the beginning of something new for the Greyrat family.

The vast Milis Forest stretched endlessly, with towering trees casting shifting shadows as the wind passed through. The fresh air mixed with the scent of damp earth and morning dew-covered leaves.

Deep within the forest, a predator was preparing to strike.

A five-year-old boy stood motionless among the bushes, his eyes sharp, attuned to every sound around him. The small muscles in his body tensed, ready to explode into motion at any moment.

Not an ordinary human.

And certainly not a fragile child.

Ryu was a beastman.

And today, he would prove that his hunting instincts surpassed anyone else's.

Nearby, Gyes—a towering man with a muscular build and the thick fur characteristic of the beastman race—watched him intently. His gaze was sharp, analyzing Ryu's every movement.

"Today, you will prove yourself as a beastman, Ryu," he said in a deep voice. "We hunt with our bare hands. No weapons. No magic. Only your strength and instincts."

Ryu nodded without hesitation.

"Understood."

This forest was no place for the weak. The wild creatures that roamed within it had razor-sharp instincts, always alert for danger.

But Ryu understood how the wild worked.

He crouched down, pressing one palm to the ground, and closed his eyes.

'These tracks are fresh… I can hear its quiet breathing ahead.'

Ryu lifted his head, sharpening his hearing.

His beastman ears picked up the faint, rapid footsteps of a small creature.

He moved forward, his body gliding through the foliage without making a sound. Even the leaves beneath his feet failed to rustle.

Just a few meters ahead, a brown-furred rabbit with white spots was nibbling on leaves, its ears twitching, constantly on high alert.

But Ryu was no ordinary predator.

He didn't simply chase his prey—he waited for the perfect moment.

His muscles coiled. His breathing slowed.

And the moment the rabbit turned slightly away—

A Deadly Strike

With explosive speed, Ryu lunged from his hiding spot.

His foot slammed against the ground, propelling him forward with astonishing force.

The rabbit—normally able to escape from most predators—instantly jumped back with sharp reflexes.

But Ryu had already accounted for that.

He moved with a swiftness that even Gyes found unbelievable—his small body becoming nothing more than a fleeting shadow.

His hand reached for empty air—

Yet before the rabbit could flee any farther, a small but firm hand grabbed its neck.

Crack!

A single, precise squeeze to its vital point.

The rabbit immediately went limp, unmoving.

Ryu remained still for a moment, ensuring his prey was truly lifeless. His fingers remained clenched around its soft fur, as if his body instinctively refused to let his catch escape.

Gyes, watching from a distance, raised an eyebrow.

A satisfied grin formed on his face.

"Hah… Impressive."

He approached, observing Ryu as he still held the rabbit with an expressionless face.

"Your speed… your strength… your reflexes… all are already at the level of an older beastman."

Ryu finally released his grip and turned to Gyes.

"Is that enough?" he asked, his voice as flat as ever.

Gyes looked at the boy with newfound interest.

"Not just enough, Ryu. That was outstanding."

One second, two seconds… then Gyes burst into hearty laughter.

"Haha! I've never seen a child your age hunt like that!"

Ryu remained silent, his expression unreadable. But deep inside, he knew one thing. He had grown stronger.

Over the past two years, his progress was undeniable. Not only had he awakened Touki, but he had also learned how to conceal it from Gyes' keen eyes, making it seem effortless.

Next, Ryu had begun adapting various combat techniques from Earth, along with breathing methods to refine his control over Touki. Even though he couldn't use magic and had to limit his Touki usage to avoid detection, he was steadily growing.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Luciel had been evolving in his own way.

Two reincarnated souls, walking separate paths—

Only fate and time stood between them.

And when they finally met again…

The destiny of this world would be rewritten.