Home / Hero of Darkness / Chapter 1102 True Measure Of A Man

Read free on Ficlyn

Hero of Darkness

Chapter 1102 True Measure Of A Man · Oct 05, 2026

Prev Chapter Novel Info Next Chapter

Chapter List (1298)

Page number / 26

1101 Chapter 1101 The Last Shogun 2026-10-05
1102 Chapter 1102 True Measure Of A Man 2026-10-05
1103 Chapter 1103 Questioning the Fate 2026-10-05
1104 Chapter 1104 Job Well Done 2026-10-05
1105 Chapter 1105 Honing Skills 2026-10-05
1106 Chapter 1106 Farewell Gift 2026-10-05
1107 Chapter 1107 Meeting the Sovereign 2026-10-05
1108 Chapter 1108 The Crystal 2026-10-05
1109 Chapter 1109 Hidden Empire 2026-10-05
1110 Chapter 1110 Cult of Personality 2026-10-05
1111 Chapter 1111 The Warhammer 2026-10-05
1112 Chapter 1112 Doom Eternal 2026-10-05
1113 Chapter 1113 Purge or Praise? 2026-10-05
1114 Chapter 1114 Back to the Roots 2026-10-05
1115 Chapter 1115 Reproach or Attack? 2026-10-05
1116 Chapter 1116 The Loyal Servant 2026-10-05
1117 Chapter 1117 The Ritualist 2026-10-05
1118 Chapter 1118 Old Bonds 2026-10-05
1119 Chapter 1119 Return of the Hero 2026-10-05
1120 Chapter 1120 Shocks after Shocks 2026-10-05
1121 Chapter 1121 The Barrier 2026-10-05
1122 Chapter 1122 Ending Legacy 2026-10-05
1123 Chapter 1123 How to Plot 2026-10-05
1124 Chapter 1124 A Painful Reminder 2026-10-05
1125 Chapter 1125 Breaking off Chains 2026-10-05
1126 Chapter 1126 The Reunion 2026-10-05
1127 Chapter 1127 Two Bodies One Soul 2026-10-05
1128 Chapter 1128 Heart Laid Out 2026-10-05
1129 Chapter 1129 Invading Privacy 2026-10-05
1130 Chapter 1130 Bursting Bubble 2026-10-05
1131 Chapter 1131 Corrupt System 2026-10-05
1132 Chapter 1132 Robbed Lives 2026-10-05
1133 Chapter 1133 Muffled Whispers 2026-10-05
1134 Chapter 1134 Cause of Death 2026-10-05
1135 Chapter 1135 Voice of the People 2026-10-05
1136 Chapter 1136: Revolution Begins 2026-10-05
1137 Chapter 1137: The Rightful Heir 2026-10-05
1138 Chapter 1138: Monument of Justice 2026-10-05
1139 Chapter 1139: Lady Justice 2026-10-05
1140 Chapter 1140: Law of Balance 2026-10-05
1141 Chapter 1141: The Equivalent Exchange 2026-10-05
1142 Chapter 1142: The Stigmata 2026-10-05
1143 Chapter 1143: Coming back in Circles 2026-10-05
1144 Chapter 1144: Polite Greeting 2026-10-05
1145 Chapter 1145: Best Dish Served Cold 2026-10-05
1146 Chapter 1146: A New Page 2026-10-05
1147 Chapter 1147: The Third Faction 2026-10-05
1148 Chapter 1148: The Bloodsuckers 2026-10-05
1149 Chapter 1149: The Secret Mentor 2026-10-05
1150 Chapter 1150: The Bet 2026-10-05

Chapter 1102 True Measure Of A Man

The scene shifted dramatically to the serene mountainside, where Ryuken had once found his greatest happiness, long before his life descended into turmoil.

Now, standing before him was a figure clad in a black hakama, a headband covering his left eye.

”Huh?... Whatʼs this?” Ryuken muttered, his voice tinged with confusion.

He was utterly baffled by the sudden change in surroundings, a stark contrast to the chaos he had just endured.

Read exclusive chapters at empire

As clarity returned to his mind, he recognized the figure standing before him. His heart froze as he realized the enormity of what he had just relived.

”How am I here again? No… how are you here?!” he demanded, his voice rising with the weight of his bewilderment.

Kahn in his Byakua persona stood silently, his expression somber yet overwhelmed by the torrent of emotions he just experienced.

He reached up, slowly pulling back his headband to reveal a glowing blue eye, its light pulsating with otherworldly energy.

It was an eye Ryuken had seen before, after his defeat at Kahnʼs hands.

”This is one of my special powers,” Kahn began, his tone calm but filled with a quiet intensity.

”Itʼs called World Creation.”

Ryukenʼs eyes widened, his mind reeling from the revelation.

”World Creation…?” he spoke, his voice barely above a whisper.

”It allows me to create a world from my imagination,” Kahn explained.

”Although itʼs not perfect yet, it enabled me to shape everything you saw and experienced.

But the key difference was that you, Ryuken, were the subject whose imagination molded this world.” replied Kahn.

He adjusted his headband, covering the glowing eye once more.

Ryukenʼs thoughts raced.

”What kind of godly power is that? It wasnʼt an illusion either! One of my divine spirits can distinguish between reality and mirage, yet I felt nothing amiss.

Every breath, every wound... they were real.” he asserted, his gaze locked on Kahn, his mind still absorbing the information with the absurdness of what he had just endured.

Kahnʼs expression remained cold and stoic.

”You canʼt possibly tell me itʼs because youʼve reached the 3rd Enlightenment in the Space Law.

That would be too absurd, too unheard of.

Even the Emperorʼs brother, with his own 3rd Enlightenment, canʼt wield such power.” said the Hero of Space.

Ryukenʼs voice trembled slightly, reflecting the weight of the revelation and the awe he felt in the presence of Kahnʼs unfathomable power.

”Enough about me. Letʼs talk about you,” Kahn spoke, his voice steady, betraying no emotion.

Ryukenʼs eyes narrowed, suspicion brewing within him.

”Do you wish to know why I used this ace of mine on you instead of keeping it a secret?” Kahn asked, his expression unreadable.

”Why?” Ryukenʼs voice was curt, and his patience was wearing thin.

”Because I wanted to understand what kind of man you were.”

That answer ignited Ryukenʼs simmering anger.

His hand quickly grabbing the hilt of his katana, fury igniting in his eyes.

”You bastard! You made me relive all those traumatizing moments of my life… The loss of my family, the death of my wife and unborn child…

You made me go through all that pain and torment again just because you were curious?!” he bellowed, his voice quivering with rage.

Kahn stood unfazed, understanding the depth of Ryukenʼs reaction.

If someone had made Kahn relive his past as Elric, to experience the misery again for amusement or curiosity, he would be furious as well.

”I understand your anger,” Kahn said firmly.

”However, it wasnʼt done because I find any joy in it.”

Ryukenʼs grip on his katana tightened, but something in Kahnʼs tone gave him pause.

”Someone once told me...” Kahn continued…

”The true measure of a man isnʼt what he reveals to the world but what he hides from it.”

He cited the wisdom imparted to him by the Martial Emperor during the Conclave of Heroes.

”And now that I know what kind of man you are… I have nothing but respect for you.”

Kahn declared, his voice humble and sincere, a rare glimpse of genuine admiration breaking through his usual stoicism.

”W-what?!” Ryuken stammered, slightly taken aback.

His surprise wasnʼt rooted in Kahnʼs respect but in the unexpected lack of pity or regret in Kahnʼs words.

Throughout his life, Ryuken carried a heavy regret... the failure to protect his loved ones in his original world.

This regret haunted him, driving his every action and choice even after arriving in Vantrea.

Even when Raum, the God of Space, appeared, offering him a chance to become the Hero of Space, Ryuken accepted, not for honor or glory, but to prevent the same failure from happening again in Vantrea.

Though others would praise him for his honor and courage, Ryuken always inwardly cursed his inability to save those dearest to him.

He bore the weight of the world on his shoulders, a burden he accepted but never fully forgave himself for.

Yet here stood Kahn, a man who had defeated him, expressing genuine respect without judgment or condescension.

Ryuken was baffled again. It was the first time someone far more powerful than him showed such genuine respect.

”To be honest… Iʼm a broken man myself.” Kahn began, his voice tinged with vulnerability.

”Driven by my hopelessness and negative outlook on the world, I was a very selfish and lonely man.”

He paused, his gaze steady but somber.

”Compared to the heart-wrenching and soul-tearing events you endured, my pain and circumstances arenʼt even 10% of your suffering.”

Kahnʼs tone grew more reflective.

”But the difference between you and me is that… I had ways to turn my life around, and still, I chose to dwell in the deepest pits of self-loathing.”

He exhaled deeply, the weight of his own choices evident in his voice.

”But unlike me, you… despite your pain and misery being many times greater, did not give in to the cruel fate.”

Kahnʼs voice grew steadier, filled with admiration.

”You didnʼt go around blaming the world for your torment. Instead, you tried to make the best out of whatever life threw at you.

No matter how big the loss, grief, and helplessness... you never gave up.”

”For that… you have my utmost respect.” Kahn concluded, bowing deeply, a gesture of sincere reverence.

Ryuken was baffled again. It was the first time someone far more powerful than him showed such genuine respect.

”Now that I know everything about you and what kind of man you are…” Kahn said, his voice steady and understanding.

”I know what shackles you.”

******************

A heavy silence filled the air, thick with the weight of Kahnʼs words. Ryuken stood motionless, processing the profound insight offered to him.

[What shackles did he imply?] Ryuken wondered, his gaze shifting to Kahn as his heart thudded with an unspoken question.

”Thereʼs a reason why you havenʼt been able to advance despite having the talent and character for it.” Kahn said, his hand sweeping in a wide arc.

Suddenly, scenes from Ryukenʼs life appeared on colossal screens, each displaying moments that had shaped his destiny... moments of joy, loss, and torment.

”The entirety of your life… you were never in control.” Kahn began, his tone gentle yet penetrating.

”You didnʼt choose to be born as the heir of the Shogun. You couldnʼt control the death of your family or your wife.

The betrayal of the daimyos, the tragic mistake of the foreigners who killed your wife instead of you... none of these events were within your grasp.” spoke Kahn in an empathetic voice.

Kahnʼs voice softened, resonating with empathy.

”It was always the world around you that shaped your life, and you were never truly in control of your fate.”

Ryukenʼs eyes widened slightly, the realization sinking in as Kahn continued...

”For once in your life, donʼt be the hero the world needs or act because the situation demands it.” advised Kahn, his expression turning resolute.

”Do not live with the intention to sacrifice yourself for the sake of the world.

Dying is easy… but whatʼs hard is to keep on living and manage the aftermath of the great cataclysm.” his words echoed along with the chilling breeze of the mountain.

The words struck deep, shaking the very foundation of Ryukenʼs convictions.

”What?! What are you saying?!

Are you telling me to abandon my role as the Hero of Space? Do you want me to give up on this fight against the Demon God?” asked Ryuken, his personage bewildered.

”No, Iʼm not telling you to give up on your responsibilities.

What Iʼm telling you… that you need to change your perspective on life entirely.” stated Kahn.

”Have you ever wondered what happened to the world after you died?

Did it occur to you that despite your sacrifice… there may not be a better tomorrow for your people?

Did you ever wonder if you made the right choice by sacrificing your life instead of running away and living to fight another day?” he questioned sternly.

”Have you ever wondered whether you made the right decision?” Kahn questioned again.

”For once… be selfish. Donʼt let the outside world dictate your life anymore.” he shared his final conclusion about the shackles that bound Sasakibe Ryuken.

”For once… find your own happiness.”

Prev Chapter Novel Info Next Chapter