《EternalOne》 Crimson Eyes It was evening¡ªa moment suspended between beginnings and endings, marking the transition from day to night. In the west, a red, dying sun bathed the earth in its true crimson light, deeper than the blood that flows through all. Meanwhile, in the east, a newborn moon cast a cold, calming glow over the land. A young man with a rawboned body and dark circles under his eyes sat on a bench, facing the dying sun. He held a sketchbook, drawing a bizarre entity, his favorite pastime. As he worked, he began to doze off in his seat. "Oh no, I forgot my pills" As he spoke, he visibly grew sleepier. His vision began to darken, and he felt himself slipping into unconsciousness. His eyelids grew heavy, making it a struggle to keep his eyes open; he fought against the urge to sleep, not wanting to confront the memories he desperately wished to forget¡ªhis own death and the loss of his family. A true nightmare. But it was already too late. Despite his struggles to resist, he finally succumbed and fell asleep. Deep in his dream, he saw his younger self sitting in the back seat of a car, accompanied by his father and older sister. They were talking, laughing, and reminiscing about the past. Suddenly, the scene shifted, and he found himself staring at the lifeless bodies of his father, sister, and himself sprawled on the road, the car utterly crushed. Illuminated by the crimson light of the dying sun, as red as the blood of his family spilled on the road, the scene was steeped in sorrow. "Hey. Hey, kid, wake up. Jasmine, I brought coffee for you!" A sudden voice echoed in Jay''s mind, pulling him from his sleep. "Sorry, Mr.Hank it seems I fall asleep" "Oh. It''s alright kid , you must be tired. It''s your very first mission after all, not to mention we have been searching that thing for hours now." Mr. Hank was Jay''s mentor¡ªa muscular man in his thirties, standing at 7 feet tall, with a large mustache and an even bigger heart. He had been looking after Jay ever since the tragic accident that claimed his family. He always wore circular sunglasses, even at night. Jay once heard from Martha that they were a keepsake from Mr. Hank''s father, a gift given just before their home was engulfed in a deadly fire. Mr. Hank was the only one who survived. Jay recalled Martha saying, "He came out of the burning house holding those sunglasses after being awakened. Maybe that''s why he cares for you so much¡ªperhaps he sees himself in you." He stood there holding two cups of coffee, a giant weapon wrapped in a single white cloth resting on his shoulder¡ªalmost as large as he was. As Mr. Hank handed Jay his coffee, he lifted the weapon from his shoulder and set it down on the ground, using the bench for support. When the weapon made contact, a heavy metallic clang echoed through the air. Jay glanced down to see the ground completely crushed beneath its weight. "What! Just how heavy is that axe!" "Well around a couple of tons." "What! And you casually wield that!" "Kinda like that." ''What do you mean kinda. That''s inhuman'' Jay thought, completely astonished. Mr.Hank sat beside Jay. Took a sip of coffee. "The lotus tower looks wonderful from here." Mr.Hank sighed. "Are you alright,Jasmine?" Said Mr. Hank, looking at Jay sweaty body and dark circle. "Please Mr. Hank just call me Jay " said Jay a little embarrassed. "What''s there to be embarrassed about?" Mr. Hank said playfully. "I think it''s a beautiful name." "Thanks, Mr.Hank ." "So, is it a nightmare again?" "Oh, a... I-I was just thinking about my family. We had a peaceful dinner together, then watched TV, laughing... and, and..." Jay gritted his teeth, tears welling up in his eyes. "And the day they died was the day I died and was reborn as an awakened. Sometimes I wonder why I survived instead of them. Why did someone as useless as me survive and not my sister?" Mr. Hank looked at the setting sun and said, "Do you know why the symbol of the awakened is the evening?" "No sir , I don''t know." Jay said shaking his head side to side. "Look at this crimson sky, Jasmine. It has both a dying sun and a newly born moon. It''s neither day nor night. Just like us awakened, rejected by life yet unknown to death. That''s why it''s our symbol¡ªit stands between two opposing aspects." He took another sip of coffee and continued, "So forget about what''s already happened and focus on your coffee. It''s starting to get cold." Realizing this, Jay immediately drank his coffee. "Ah, so bitter." "Hahahaha... A gentleman should always know how to drink coffee." Mr. Hank glanced at Jay''s drawing and asked, "By the way, what is that terrible thing?" "It''s not terrible, Mr. Hank. It''s a giant baby that vomits worms and eats everything in its path." Mr. Hank gave Jay a questioning look. "That''s quite a strange hobby you have there." "Bzzz. Bzzz." Mr. Hank''s communication device suddenly rang. "Captain, we found the target." "Got it, Martha," Mr. Hank replied. "Alright kid it''s time for your first mission." Without wasting a second, Mr. Hank picked up his weapon and rested it on his shoulder. He grabbed Jay by the waist and jumped high into the sky. "Ahhhhhhhhhh...!" Jay screamed, his voice echoing as Mr. Hank launched them into the air. With incredible agility, Mr. Hank leaped over several houses in one powerful jump, the ground disappearing beneath them. The world blurred around them, and Jay felt a rush of adrenaline mixed with fear as they soared high above the neighborhood, the rooftops flashing by in a dizzying array of colors. Each leap was seamless, as if they were flying. "Me... Mr. Hank, stop! I told you I''m afraid of heights!" "What do you mean you are scared of this?You are an awakened kid." Despite Jay''s multiple pleas, Mr. Hank kept jumping until they finally reached their destination. ************** In front of an abandoned factory, a group of three people stood guard, equipped with high-quality armor and weapons. "So, where is the captain?" the woman in light armor asked. She was equipped with a bow and arrows, and a pair of daggers hung from her waist. "I just finished informing him, he''s on his way," Martha replied. Martha was the sorceress of the party and also the vice captain of the group known as the ''Highest Peak.'' "Then in the meantime, I should scout the area again," said Ralo, before instantly vanishing from his spot. "Oh man! He''s so fast; I barely caught a glimpse of his movements." After a moment, something fell from the sky with a loud thud. When it landed, the ground was covered in dust that gradually settled. "cough! cough! I thought I am about to die!" Jay said with a tumbling voice. "poor kid." Archer looked at Jay with sympathy. "Hay. Why are you jumping around the city with the kid?" "He is a man you know. It''s nothing." Martha stopped arguing with Mr. Hank, knowing it was pointless. "Whatever! Ralo is inside investigating the area." "So the thing is inside, then?" "Yes. Ralo confirmed the information. It''s a shadow walker." "A shadow walker? It has a threat level of 2, right?" "Are they dangerous, sir?" Jay asked, not fully understanding the meaning of threat level. "Well, yes. The threat level indicates the monster''s strength and destructiveness," Mr. Hank said, rubbing his chin. "A threat level 1 monster has the power to kill an ordinary person. To subjugate that monster, an awakened would be sufficient. As for a threat level 2..." "For a threat level 2 monster, a squad of bronze rank or a single silver rank is needed," Martha interrupted Mr. Hank. "They have the power to destroy a small city block." "They sure are quite powerful!" "Yes, a squad must have two bronze rank six stars to take on the mission," said the Archer. "But don''t worry, kid; I''m a bronze rank nine stars, while Martha and the others are bronze rank seven stars," said Mr. Hank, brimming with confidence. "Then enough chatter¡ªit''s time to begin." Mr. Hank was ready to move but stopped after remembering something. "Wait, you remember the three rules I told you about when trouble is near, right?" "Yes, sir. Never let your guard down, enhance your strength and perception with battle arts, and if you can''t handle the enemy, then run." "Good. But what''s important is to act, not just remember," Mr. Hank said with a smile at Jay. "If you''re ready, let''s get going."Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. They entered the abandoned factory, stepping cautiously. The half-broken walls were completely covered in a thick layer of moss, giving the place an eerie, overgrown appearance. The faint light from the dying sun filtered through the gaps in the partially collapsed roof, casting long shadows across the floor. The crimson rays illuminated dust motes dancing in the air, creating a stark contrast against the encroaching darkness that filled the rest of the factory. Piles of debris lay scattered about, remnants of a bygone era, while the silence was punctuated only by the distant sound of dripping water. It felt as if the very walls were holding their breath, waiting for something to happen in this forgotten place. The O.R.D.E.R. classified every awakened by a class chosen during their training. Based on their class, they took their positions in the battle formation. Mr. Hank was the Fighter, leading the group from the front. As a fighter class, his strength and durability were immense, complemented by his mastery of battle arts¡ªmaking him perfect for the front line. Behind him was the woman with a bow, an Archer. Following her was Martha, the Sorceress. Jay walked alongside Martha, still a newbie lacking experience. Although he struggled with spiritual energy manipulation, his aptitude for both battle arts and mystical arts remained limited. [Battle Arts: Sensory Enhancement] Mr. Hank employed a technique that enhanced all five of his senses. He carefully analyzed the building. "A perfect place for a shadow walker to hide," said Mr. Hank. "I heard they are scary." "Yes, they are so spooky that they can make even the bravest of men tremble in fear," Mr. Hank replied. "However, what truly makes them frightening is not their appearance but their skill¡ªit''s called shadow manipulation." "I read about that before, sir. Using that ability, they can control shadows, create weapons from them, and even jump between shadows, right?" "Yes, it seems you are studying diligently," Martha said proudly. "Hopefully, you practice battle arts as well." "Hah, I''m not good with battle arts." "Hey, he''s going to be a sorcerer. So what''s the point of learning battle arts?" "Even so, battle arts are very..." Mr. Hank began to say, but stopped when he noticed Martha''s angry expression. "My, you two are like a married couple," the Archer teased playfully. "No, we are not!" both of them yelled in unison at the archer. "If you say so!" she replied, knowing how scary it could be to provoke Martha. She quickly ended the conversation there. Suddenly, Jay noticed something out of the ordinary: a thin barrier began to cover the entire area. "Ah, Mr. Hank! What is that?" Looking at the barrier, Martha replied, "An isolation barrier! It''s a barrier technique that completely isolates an area. No one can go in or come out. We''re trapped in here." ''But how can a shadow walker use such a technique? They lack intelligence,'' Mr. Hank thought to himself. "So. How can we brakes this barrier?" "Well, there are two options. One, we can try to destroy it, which is nearly impossible for us because it''s designed to trap us from the inside," Mr. Hank paused for a moment. "Or we can try to eliminate the caster, which is also our mission." "So, what''s the problem?" Mr. Hank sighed. "Uh, the problem is that a shadow walker can''t perform something this advanced. It might be..." Mr. Hank''s enhanced vision caught sight of falling drops of red liquid in the distance. "I... Is th-that blood?" His eyes widened. He raised his hand, pointing to a half-broken pillar nearby. "Martha, search for whatever is hidden in the dark." "What''s wrong?" Martha didn''t ask any further questions. [Mystical Art: Revealing the Unseen] Martha released her spiritual energy, a blue, liquid mist flowing from her body and throughout the building. Wherever her energy touched, she could sense its presence. It quickly reached the half-broken pillar. A sudden surge of emotions struck Martha, tears filling her eyes as they streamed down her face. Her mouth fell open in shock. "R-Ralo is dead!" "W-What?" [Elemental Art (Light): Illuminating Light] The archer swiftly performed a spirit art, flooding the building with a blinding burst of light that banished the surrounding darkness. ''What is that?!! Is that... Ralo''s head?!!'' Jay''s eyes widened in terror. A creature stood on the broken pillar, almost humanoid in shape. Its body was encased in pure black armor. It was roughly human-sized, but its arms were grotesquely long, twice the length of a man''s, ending in razor-sharp claws. Two black horns jutted from its head, and beneath them were two empty holes where its eyes should have been-deep and hollow, like the abyss itself. In its right hand, it held a severed human head, blood dripping steadily from the neck, pooling onto the ground below. Without wasting a second, Mr. Hank grabbed the weapon slung over his shoulder. The white cloth slowly slipped off, unveiling its true majesty¡ªa long, single-edged axe, gleaming entirely in gold. [Battle Art: Mountain-Crushing Wave] Mr. Hank''s spiritual energy surged, enveloping the axe. With a powerful swing, he unleashed a massive wave of energy that tore through the air toward the creature at high speed. The pillar in front shattered on impact, and a powerful gust of wind swept through the area. ''Wow... So this is the strength of a Level 18. Incredible. I didn''t even see him uncover his axe,'' thought Jay. At that moment, four arrows, glowing with spiritual energy, shot toward the target and exploded on impact. "Is it dead yet?" the archer asked. "I don''t think so," Mr. Hank said, eyes fixed on the dust cloud where the pillar had been destroyed. "It''s not there." As the dust settled, only a severed, bloody head remained, rolling across the ground toward the group. "You humans have no manners. I was about to enjoy my meal," an ominous voice echoed from behind them. "Oh well, I suppose it''s fine. Now I have four more to feast on." Jay turned toward the voice''s source. The creature was floating in the air. "It can talk! It''s highly intelligent!" "I''ve never heard of a Shadow Walker that could speak." "Oh, you''ve misunderstood," the creature replied with a chilling tone. "I am not a Shadow Walker. I am a Shadowless." "W-What... a Shadowless?" Martha''s face turned pale. "It-it can''t be! They are classified as the highest tier of monsters with a threat level of 7! These creatures are the servants of Abyss Lords! Only a platinum-ranked Awakened could stand a chance against one!" The archer, Jena, quickly nocked an arrow, aiming at the creature. "Jena, watch out!" Mr. Hank shouted. [Skill: Shadow Manipulation - Shadow Jump] The creature leaped into the archer''s shadow and instantly reappeared behind her. [Skill: Shadow Manipulation - Shadow Blade] Shadows enveloped its right hand, forming a blade. With swift precision, the creature thrust the shadow blade through her back. Its hand emerged from her chest, gripping her heart in its long, bloody, black fingers. ''What just happened?'' Jay couldn''t comprehend the horror unfolding before him. The creature slowly pulled her heart out, its mouth full of sharp fangs opening as it devoured the heart. The archer''s lifeless body collapsed to the ground. [Elemental Art (Water): Mist Breath] Martha gathered her spiritual energy in her mouth, clenching her teeth, and released it through the gaps. A thick mist flowed out, spreading rapidly throughout the area. She sprinted toward Jay, pulling him into a tight embrace. [Battle Art: Echolocation] This battle art allowed her to detect both enemies and allies hidden in the mist. "Got you, you damn thing." Mr. Hank leaped into the air, raising his weapon high before swinging it down with all his strength toward the creature. [Skill: Shadow Manipulation ¨C Shadow Tentacles] From the creature''s back, shadowy tentacles sprouted, wrapping tightly around Mr. Hank, completely immobilizing him. The force knocked his sunglasses to the ground. "Damn you, monster." "Oh, you''re strong... A rarity among humans." "Don''t worry, monster. There are others¡ªstronger than me." "Hahaha... A race of weaklings who lost their souls long ago," the creature mocked. "You even need to die just to reclaim your own souls. How pitiful." "Wh-What are you talking about?" Mr. Hank couldn''t grasp the creature''s meaning. His whole life, he had believed that being an Awakened was a blessing, a gift from the Almighty¡ª a second chance granted only to the chosen ones. "Our souls have been stolen from us! What does that mean?" "Hahahaaa... You don''t know? Well, I suppose you''re too weak to understand," the creature laughed, reveling in its amusement. "N-No! Mr. Hank!" Jay screamed with every ounce of his being. "Now, die, human." [Skill: Shadow Manipulation - Shadow Blade] Mr. Hank struggled to break free but found himself utterly powerless. He realized his death was near. He recalled his father''s face, the proud smile he had given him. ''Father, it seems we are about to meet again. There are so many things I want to tell you. I won a gold medal in that year''s school sports festival. Hell, I even became an Awakened! I formed a team- a family-just like ours. I also found a woman I love, though I doubt I''ll ever be able to tell her. And I found a son. My son.'' Mr. Hank looked at Jay. There was no sorrow in his eyes, no regret-only a smile from the depths of his heart. "I really love your name, Jasmine. My son." The monster''s blade pierced Mr. Hank''s left eye, emerging from the back of his head. Crimson blood began to flow from his eye and the back of his skull as the creature withdrew its blade. Mr. Hank''s body collapsed to the ground. The monster''s blade pierced Mr. Hank''s left eye, emerging from the back of his head. Crimson blood began to flow from his eye and the back of his skull as the creature withdrew its blade. Mr. Hank''s body collapsed to the ground. The monster lifted his body by the head, opening its terrifying mouth to begin devouring him. It tore through flesh with its razor-sharp fangs, blood streaming down its jaw. "The taste of this one is disgusting. Well, he was weak anyway." The creature turned its hollow gaze toward Jay. "Well, these two are still here." "Y-You... you... monster... I-I will-" Before Martha could even move, a black tentacle slammed toward her with incredible speed, obliterating her head upon impact. Blood sprayed high into the air before pouring down like a torrential downpour, completely drenching Jay in crimson. Jay watched, as his master lay lifeless. The man he respected the most was consumed by a monster right before him. Yet, he felt nothing-an emptiness as vast as a void. Or maybe not. Rather than fear and horror, lust flickered in his eyes, accompanied by a smile of absolute satisfaction. Mr. Hank is dead. This beast devoured him right before my eyes, yet I don''t feel anything. No, there''s something I''m experiencing. Ah... what is this sensation? I... I feel like... Ah, it''s incredible! I''ve felt this before. Now I remember-it was when I watched my sister die in front of me. No, she was alive. I felt this when I killed her, when I saw her face filled with despair. Whe... when I... Wh-what is this? I... I... am loving it.'' His cheeks flushed, and his body grew hotter. He laughed uncontrollably. "What an interesting human you are." Suddenly, the isolation barrier covering the entire area collapsed, shattering with a sound like breaking glass. "What the hell is going on here?" A voice came from behind, followed by a young man with a scarf draped around his neck. He carried a profound presence, his appearance noble. His dark golden hair contrasted with his piercing purple eyes¡ªeyes filled with a strange, hollow, eternal emptiness. If you looked too deep into them, you might glimpse a devil seated in the heart of an endless darkness. "Ah, my luck is quite good today. It seems the food keeps coming to me," the creature said, smiling in satisfaction. "Food, you say?" The young man''s gaze locked onto the creature, like a predator sizing up its prey. [Demonic Arts: Aspect of the Devil ¨C Demon Eye] The young man''s terrifying purple eyes grew more satanic, radiating a demonic essence that caused the creature to instinctively leap back. ''What was that feeling just now? Was that... fear?'' The creature couldn''t believe it¡ªa being it thought lesser than itself had made it feel fear. ''No, it can''t be. It must be a skill. Or perhaps an art designed to instill fear.'' Regaining confidence, convinced it was just a trick, the creature stopped hesitating. [Skill: Shadow Manipulation ¨C Shadow Hands] From the shadows, multiple dark hands emerged, attacking the young man. [Demonic Arts: Aspect of the Devil ¨C Demon Claws] The young man''s right hand transformed into a monstrous black, armored claw. With a single swing, he slashed through all the shadow hands. But the more he cut, the more they multiplied, doubling with each strike. ''They''re multiplying. How bothersome. Well, it doesn''t matter.'' His black claws pulsed with ominous demonic energy, cutting down all the shadow hands completely. ''What?! Am I seeing things? His claws didn''t just cut them¡ªthey nullified them!'' The creature''s shock grew. ''I suppose I must use that.'' Realizing the power of his opponent, the creature prepared to unleash its trump card. [Abyssal Arts: Pit of the Abyss] The creature''s shadow began to expand, quickly engulfing the entire area in darkness. The young man''s demonic arts faded, and his arms returned to normal. ''It''s blocking my spiritual energy. I can''t use any arts.'' "You''re an amusing one, kid," the creature taunted. "I''d love to toy with you, but I have someone to find. So, let''s end this." The creature leaned forward, preparing to strike and kill the boy. "I think that''s enough." A voice echoed from the distance, instantly shattering the creature''s arts and freezing it in place. ''Wh-What? I can''t move! A-A... And what is this presence? I can feel its power-it''s beyond anything I can comprehend.'' The creature strained to look at the source of the voice. At the entrance of the factory stood a stunning young man. In the crimson light of the dying sun, his fiery red hair shone boldly, and his lime-green eyes pierced the shadows. There was an essence of divinity in his presence, so overwhelming that even the creature-whose perception of beauty differed vastly from that of humans- was mesmerized by him. "How beautiful..." the creature muttered unconsciously. "Thank you. People always say that." In the blink of an eye, the man who had been standing at the entrance was suddenly between them. ''When did he get here?'' the creature thought in shock. "Wha-" Before the creature could respond, its upper half exploded. Blood, organs, and body parts splattered against the massive wall behind it. "You okay?" he asked. "I''m fine," the young man replied. Jay, who had been unconscious the whole time, slowly woke up. "Hello there," the man said in a calm, diligent voice. "I''m Albedo, and this guy here is my companion¡ªmeet Luke Grimdal." "Albedo..." Jay suddenly realized something, his eyes widening. "Y-you mean Lord Albedo Samael, the Thirteenth-Headed King?" "Yup, that''s me," Albedo responded with a smug grin. "By the way, what happened here?" "Wh-what do you mean? Eve¡ªeverything is just fine." Tears streamed down Jay''s face as he started laughing uncontrollably. "Hahahaha... ha... haaaaa." "What''s wrong with this guy?" Luke asked in surprise. [Innate Ability: Nightmare ¨C Embodiment of Disaster] Jay''s eyes turned pitch black, blood streaming from them. Behind him, a gigantic shadow took form. "What is that thing?" "Oh my. It seems he possesses an innate ability," Albedo remarked. "What? This guy has an innate ability?" "Judging by that monster behind him, my best guess is it''s a summoning type." The massive shadow began to take the shape of a giant baby, larger than the surrounding buildings. It started vomiting swarms of worms, and as soon as they touched the ground, they began devouring everything¡ªbuildings, cars, trees. "H-Hey, what is that thing?" "M-Monsters! Run for your lives!" Civilians throughout the city block fled in terror, the area quickly descending into chaos and destruction. "Disgusting," Luke spat. "How do we stop it? Those worms are eating everything." "That is a problem," Albedo said calmly amidst the panic. "But don''t worry. I''ll handle it." [Draconic Art: Ice Dragon Heart ¨C Frozen God''s Temple] Albedo waved his hand, and a massive ice structure, resembling a grand temple, materialized from thin air, sealing the monstrous baby and its worms inside. "This will hold it for now." "What should we do next?" Luke asked, holding the unconscious Jay. "Take him to a hospital and contact Mira." Luke nodded and instantly vanished into thin air. "What an interesting kid," Albedo murmured to himself. "I can''t see his future." Albedo smiled, his eyes gleaming with curiosity. "You''re the first one... I can''t wait to witness a future I can''t foresee." ************************ Laughter echoed through the classroom, filled with gossip and casual conversation¡ªalong with a fair share of mockery and insults mixed in. It was lunch break, and students had naturally formed their own groups of friends, chatting among themselves. Most of the discussions centered around two major topics: this year''s ORDER''s Awakened Exam, known as the NAAT, and the upcoming Council of Elders meeting, both scheduled to take place in three months. These were the hottest topics at the time, especially among the younger generation. The NAAT was particularly popular, as every kid looked up to the awakened as their role models and sources of inspiration. In the cacophony of the classroom, where laughter and chatter filled the air, there was one corner that stood apart, wrapped in an eerie and profound silence. It was a silence that felt unnatural, as if it had carved itself out of the room and distanced itself from the usual hum of teenage conversation and camaraderie. At the center of this quiet sat a lone boy, unmoved by the noise around him. His name was Jin, and the silence seemed to radiate from him like an invisible force, commanding the space around him. No one dared to approach, as though they subconsciously understood that this silence belonged solely to him¡ªan embodiment of something deeper, perhaps even darker, than mere solitude. It felt like the reflection of memories buried far beneath the surface, memories Jin himself had long forgotten, or perhaps chosen to forget. Jin sat at his desk, his posture still, his presence like a shadow among the living. His silky, raven-black hair fluttered slightly in the soft breeze drifting in from the open window. The strands of his hair, as dark as midnight, framed a face that was both beautiful and haunting, a face that seemed to belong to someone far older than his years. But it was his eyes that drew attention, even in moments of stillness. They were an unusual crimson, the color of blood freshly spilled or rubies held under cold moonlight. Beautiful, yes, but unsettling. His eyes were the kind that could freeze the warmth from any room. The coldness in them made it seem as if they had seen far more than anyone his age ever should. The crimson hue was not just rare, it was almost unheard of. In this world, only a few were known to have such eyes. There were legends about them, dark whispers that spoke of a curse. Eyes like his, they said, carried with them the weight of something unnatural¡ªsomething dangerous. Perhaps there was truth in those whispers. Jin had never fully understood it himself, but he often felt it, deep inside¡ªa presence, a lurking shadow, something that stirred only when the world was at its quietest. He remained detached from the classroom''s hustle, his mind far away from the trivial conversations about upcoming exams and the daily dramas of teenage life. While others buzzed with excitement over the NAAT and the Council of Elders, Jin felt no connection to their discussions. His thoughts drifted elsewhere, as they often did. Toward places only he could see. Jin stared off into the distance, his gaze fixed on the shadow of a tree. For a moment, he saw a flicker¡ªa shadow moving within the shade. "Seems like trouble." After school ended, Jin walked home alone, moving slowly through the crowded streets until he reached an old, abandoned building. He stopped, sensing something. "Hey, how long are you going to hide?" Jin spoke calmly to the shadows. "The sun''s already set. It''s dark now¡ªyour territory." [Skill: Shadow Manipulation, Silence of Shadows] A creature emerged from Jin''s shadow. "Forgive me for intruding," it said. "I was tasked with finding someone in this human realm." "Bet it''s not me," Jin replied. "Correct. Your spiritual energy level is only 48. Even the weakest beings have more than that." "Yeah, I''m nothing special," Jin shrugged, glancing at his watch. "I should be going, though. It''s getting late." "Wait," the creature hissed. "How did you know I was in your shadow?" Jin feigned innocence. "Huh? Did I say that? You must be mistaken." The creature lunged at him, intent on killing. "Shh... it always ends like this." [Mathematician: Shadowless Life ¡Á 0] The shadowless collapsed, lifeless. Jin didn''t even blink, walking away as if it were nothing, indifferent to the creature he''d just killed. It was routine now, meaningless. ************** From the deepest parts of the Abyss, an eerie voice echoed. "Found you." A Mystery and A Suspect The next morning, a bird of news flew through the holy city of Biharaj, bringing with it unbelievable news. A massive ice-covered mountain had suddenly appeared, towering like a frozen temple. Within it was sealed a colossal monstrosity. This astonishing news was sure to spark countless conspiracy theories online for years to come. Every morning in the holy city used to bring peace and prosperity with it. But that morning it came with news of chaos and destruction. The devastated city block was entirely encased in ice. A massive translucent barrier, cast by ORDER''s Awakened, enveloped the entire area. Civilians had been relocated to a separate location, effectively isolating the block from the rest of the city. The restricted zone was off-limits to anyone not authorized by ORDER, with guards stationed at every entrance to ensure no unauthorized access. Inside the barrier, numerous ORDER officials were present. Some were engaged in rescue operations, while others examined the remains of the shadowless, analyzing the aftermath of the destruction. The body of the shadowless was shielded by a large umbrella to prevent sunlight from touching it. This was necessary because the body of a shadowless would vanish upon exposure to light. "Wh-What is this creature!" a researcher asked her senior, "Even after death hours ago, its still resonating a fearsome aura! It''s almost unbearable!" The researchers were equipped with spiritual energy-resistant gear to protect them from direct contact with the intensely dense spiritual energy. Even in death, such a powerful creature continued to emit an extraordinarily potent aura. Any lesser being coming into contact with it would likely perish almost instantly. "Of course you don''t know." the senior researcher explained, "These creature are usual never seen in the living realm. These are the servants of Abyss Lords. Called herald of Abyss. Born from the immense spiritual energy of those Lords of Abyss, they possess incredible power." "So powerful ah.. Oh so that''s why those reporters were going on about involvement of platinum ranks." "No just any platinum rank can defeat them." he continued," A Herald power is equal to a level 70 awakened." "What! An level 70!" she questioned. Indeed, it was unbelievable for anyone. A level 70 Awakened was as rare as finding a four-leaf clover. Achieving this level required breaking through three significant limiters, making a level 70 Awakened possess god-like powers capable of world-scale destruction. ***************** Outside the barrier, a large crowd of reporters and civilians gathered around the restricted area. People from multiple cities had come to witness the extraordinary event. News channels from across the empire were present, broadcasting the monumental news live. "Last night a huge scripture made-up of ice appear out of thin air. Inside of it remains a monster. Whose origin is unclear till now." "A new type of monster appeared in the middle of the city last night." "What is the ORDER even doing? If something like that came to the land of the holy city, which is supposed to be the safest in the world. Then what is the meaning of ORDERs existence." "The new type of monster appeared, it seems to have the element of ice. Capable of froze the entire city block." Many reporters trying their best to get information on the situation inside the barrier. Questioning the guards uncontrollably. "W-what is the situation inside?" "How many died had occurred in this incident?" "What will happened to the civilians?" "Is that a new kind of monster or a secret hidden by the ORDER?" "Is the rumour about the involvement of a platinum rank true?" An endless barrage of questions was directed at the agents guarding the entrance, all fueled by a desperate desire for answers. The reporters, driven by fear and trepidation, pressed on relentlessly. Despite the constant barrage of inquiries, the guards remained unresponsive, their silence as unyielding as a stone statue at the front of the house. From the distance, a luxury car slowly approached the crowd of reporters. On the front grille of the car hanged a black number plate, written a single word ''Marshal''. "Hey, look at that car!" seeing the approaching car a reporter said to his colleague,"Is that the car of a marshal?" "W-What? Are you dreaming?" the other reporter replyed."Why the highest ranking awakened ....." Before he could have completed his words, his jaw falls. Realising the situation he yelled "W-Why a marshal is here?!!" His voice notified the other reporters. A sudden discussion spread among them about why a marshal, ranking second only to a king , came to such a place. The marshal''s car stoped infront of the entry of the restricted area. The unmoved guards guarding the entrance almost immediately ran towards the approaching car, politely open the door of the car. "Is this really a Marshal?" "Na, it can''t be. Must be a assistant or something?" "If a marshal is involve in it, then their must be more to the story then we thought." Among the reporters many questions were borns along with their answers made by themselves. The door slowly opened. From the inside a cane made-up of a black spiritual tree came out, gently stroke the ground beneath it. In a instant a massive burst of spiritual energy lunch from the cane. Completely crushed the crowd of reporters in it. ''W-W..What is going on? '' a reporter completely frozen under the Marshal''s aura questions himself ''Just a moment ago I was fine. But why can''t I? No I know this. I remember, this is the aura release technique.'' He understood the meaning to possessing an aura. After all only those worms had broken their first limit possessed an aura. With the support of his cane, a old man wearing a three piece suit and a hat, came out of the car. "Calm down children." the old man said very gently. "This kind of behaviour is appropriate for professionals like you all." Upon the echoes of his gentle voice, the overwhelming aura subsided. Realising the reporters from the heavy crushing pressure. "I...It can''t be!" the reporters murmured silently. "The messenger, Marshal lord Gustav Gabriel !" Stroking his long white beard, the old man glanced at them, with his eyes covered in a fancy looking eye patch. He gave them a quick smile and walked towards the restricted area. Inside the barrier two officer finished collecting the scattered bodies of the fallen awakened. They covered the body with a white cloth. Removing their gloves and full body apron they breathe a sigh of relief. "Man these people died a pritty disgusting death",said the officer. "I don''t want to be rude to the death but still..." "People may things awakened are some cool superheros, but they never know the ugliness of this job" "You are correct." a mysterious voice came from behind, "Nobody will ever understand the pain we fell."This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. The officers looked at the source of voice almost immediately. Albedo was there, sitting beside the death bodies. There was deep sorrow visible through his lime green eyes. He closed his eyes and prayed to their souls."May you find peace in the land after." "Oh...Ah. My lady, you shouldn''t be here." the officer said to Albedo very politely. Assuming Albedo was a young lady from a novel clan. A novel, well yes. But Albedo was no lady. Although it was not his fault, looking at Albedo''s strikingly beautiful face, framed by his scarlet hair, conveyed a profound and mesmerizing allure. His features, illuminated by the light, seemed to possess an otherworldly grace that drew attention and admiration. The combination of his radiant appearance and the vivid color of his hair created an impression of extraordinary beauty that was both captivating and unforgettable. "Don''t worry about that."said Albedo "There is no place in the empire where I can''t go." "What? My lady, may I check your entry permission?" "Ah.. permission I don''t have any." "What? Then how did you enter this barrier?" "Oh. That''s simple." said Albedo,"You just need to manipulate the barrier using your spiritual energy. Then you can just make a hole in it to enter." "What is she talking about?" ************** Upon the arrival of the old man, the head of investigation came immediately to greeted him. "It is my greatest horner to be in your presence, my lord." the head of investigation bowed slightly,"I am Jeena Sa, chef of this investigation, silver rank six stars and capital of the ''shooting stars''." "What is the situation here,child." Gustav asked. "Three awakened have died, they all belong to the same party. Also a half destroyed body of a shadowless. Probably send by an Abyss Lord to investigate living realm." she pause for a moment and continued,"and a abnormal monster. We are unable to find anything related to it. There is no information about it in ORDER''s monsters records. Are you aware of it''s species, my lord." From the moment Gustav arrived, he had been looking at the ice structure. After looking at that for a few more moments he said,"So it''s his doing." "Ah. So do you know something, my lord?" He gave a chuckle in response to her question,"About the monster, no. Never saw that before. However I do know about person who casted that ice structure." "Wh-What? Who my lord?" Jeena asked surprisingly. "Do''t worry about that child." Saying so Gustav walked away, Noticing a particular shade of scarlet. ************* "Sorry my lady. But you need to came with me to answer some questions." "Can I deny?" " Y-you can''t just say no!" The officer approached Albedo trying to take him in custody. "So there you are. I knew you are behind this." The officer blinked his eyes, before his could ever open it Gustav had already appeared between Albedo and the officer. "Oh....Oh, my god! When did you came here?" screamed the officers. Ignoring the officers, Gustav knelt on one knee, displaying his utmost respect for Albedo. "I Gustav Gabriel bow to the crown of destruction, to the thirteenth headed king. The slayer of a thousand dragon, Lord Albedo Samael." "Aa.Aa...Albedo Samael! You mean one of the thirteen kings!" The officers were visibly shaking, fear apparent in their faces. Afterall they had insulted an entity, that hailed supreme in this world. They felled down on their knees, without a moments hesitation. "Pi-Please forgive us my lord!" "Please spears ours lives." Albedo was surprised by their reactions. It has been a while since somebody showed him any respect. He may be a king, but his free spirited nature made his subordinates talked friendly. Maybe a little too friendly. But for Albedo it was never disrespect but a familiar filling, a filling he once shared with his siblings. "Oh. Don''t warry. I don''t mind at all.", said Albedo with a warm smile.It made the officers heart at ease. "And beside...." "Stop with this nonsense and tell me what happened here." Albedo was about to say something, but interrupted by the old man. "hay. Just a second ago you were knelling before me.", continued Albedo with his fake teary eyes,"An- And now you are being rude." This fake act of Albedo made the old man somewhat guilty. He wanted to apologized to Albedo. "Ah.. please, ah. Forgi...." "Don''t apologies to him, Lord Gustav." an angry voice of a lady stopped the old man from apologizing. Knowing the owner of the voice, Albedo''s fake act stopped. A young lady, bruises all over her body. Her eyes were sink deep, due to leaked of sleep. "Mira, what a surprise! Why are you here?" "Oh, please. Stop that lord Albedo. You are the one who called me and said it a emergency. I was on a mission, you know. Then here I am healing a kid all night." Mira was completely frustrated. First Albedo summoned her from the capital city, then ordered her to take care of a brat. And now acting like he has no idea, she was in the city. "Well then. Now that you are here, i got a job for you." "What is it?" Mira sighed. "An officer will came running, reporting about a second body of a Herald. I want you to use your divination arts to find out, who killed it." "What?" Gustav asked surprised. Mira paused,"Why don''t you do it yourself. Your future seeing skill is better than any divination." "There is something I need to do, right now." She was not surprised. She knew Albedo better than anyone. She had been working with him for over six decade now. "You know Lord Albedo? Every time I see you, you remind me of my old refrigerator." "Is it because I am cool and classic." he smiled with a smug face. "Oh no. It''s just that you both are waste of space." The old man chuckled. He was agreed with the statement. ************** ''I almost died there. I need to be more strong. That''s the only way.'' A certain young man with dark golden hair, was walking on the street, early in the morning. ''But I know. That ever I do it''s useless.'' Luke''s heart filled with agony, ''No metter What I do I can''t go past level 8.'' "May be this is my limit." grinding his teeth in frustration Luke spoke aloud. "Hay kid. What are you doing here." Mira called for Luke from behind. "M-Miss Mira. Good morning." Luke turned back. "What so good about this morning?" Mira''s veins popping out. Realising her frustration, Luke slightly bowed. "I heard you were looking after Jasmine, the whole night . After I left him in the hospital. Thankyou for your help miss." Looking at Luke''s polite manner her anger subsided. "You are good with words kid. Only a certain someone be like you." she stopped, not wanting to remembered Albedo face, " if you keep going like this I might fell head over heels for you. What you say, wanna be my boyfriend." "I humbly rejected." Luke rejected her liked people rejected the annoying shopkeepers, when they kept asking to buy some rendom stuffs. "Why You brat!" "Lord Albedo told me to find a second shadowless body." fearing her wreath Luke hurriedly changed the topic. "Same here." she took the bait. Walking to the location Albedo gave them, they reached near an old building. "Ofcourse they didn''t find the body. The place is completely isolated from people." Luke analysed the area. "What''s the most mysterious is the one who killed it." Mira observed the corpse, " Maybe they killed it by a cursed art." She examined the creature more thoroughly and came to an conclusion. "No it can''t be." "What''s wrong." "There is no use of spiritual energy in this. It''s like a natural death." "Well, it maybe a natural death." "No you idiot. This creature is born from the spiritual energy of an Abyss Lord. It''s give them ageless immortality." "So they can''t die naturally." Mira made a circle with her spiritual energy. Sat next to the corpse. Begin her divination. Divination Arts were quite distinct from other forms of magic. They were often more complex and difficult to control. The primary challenge lay in the nature of divination itself, which involved perceiving the past and future by immersing the caster''s psyche into the flow of time and space. This deep connection was essential for making accurate predictions. However, even the slightest mistake could result in the caster''s psyche becoming lost forever within the endless currents of time. But that was not the case with Mira. Afterall she possessed an unique skill[protractor]. An incredibly powerful skill that protected she from all backlashes for all skills and arts. So, she was basically risk free from anything she cast. [Divination Art: Remembrance of forgotten past] She imbued she spiritual energy in the corpse. Through the corpse she entered the flow the time. Seeing future was easy compair to seeing the past. Since she needs to went opposite to the flow of time to saw the past. [Unique skill: Protector] The risks came from opposing the flow of time was no longer. She cast her divination. ''So this is divination. I never saw it before.'' Luck thought. After a moment the divination completed. "Did you find out who killed it." "Y-,Yes I saw glimpsed of something." "What is it?" "A....A... Mo.. Monster." Mira''s voice was trembling with terror. "What happened." Luke put a hand on Mira''s shoulder. "Tha...That th.. thing had red eyes." blood spread out of her mouth. "Miss Mira!" Luke was completely panicked. "I know what that''s mean. I knew it." she started to cry," It... it''s means only one thing. The reason it shows itself to me..... that thing." "Miss Mira what happened?" " it...it..... it''s on..ly one thing. The creature was beyond the concept of time." "What are you taking about?" "When I try to look at its soul. I...I saw that." "What did you saw miss?" "Th...The.....The....." Blood flowed through her eyes, creaked started to open in her eyes. In a moment her eyes ignite in true crimson flames. ********************** In the distance, the fire of a dragon blazed like the combined fury of hundreds of suns, engulfing a city in an unending inferno that seemed to burn for eternity. Albedo sat calmly on a cliff, holding a bottle of fine wine. "I gaze upon the bridge of fire, Burning bright through endless years, Consuming souls, a fierce desire, Igniting both my hopes and fears. It sears the wretched, foul, and lost, Yet stirs a pleasure in my heart; Amidst the flames, I feel the cost, Of sorrows past that won''t depart. I stand in silence, lost in thought, Unable to laugh, nor shed a tear; In this bright blaze, my spirit''s caught, A flicker of hope, a spark of fear." "It''s been a.... what? Like four thousand years. But the flames I ignited that day still burning, still the same." Albedo drunk the wine. [Skill: Poison Nullification (X)] "Oh! Come on!" Albedo clicked his tongue. "Why are we here Albedo?" A deep, inhumane voice came from Albedo''s heart. "Ah....to have a drink, of course." "I can see that,....but don''t you have more important matter right now?" "Yas, but when ever I see it burning, I feel satisfied. I feel peace." Albedo glazed at the dragon''s fire. Satisfied but also a sorrow deep with in. "You have time to see it anytime you want. Since a dragon''s fire burns endlessly." "What are you trying to imply, Dahara?" Albedo questioned. "He is right Albedo. Shouldn''t you have gone there, instead of her?" Another inhumane voice came from his heart, but this was a bit female. "She will be fine. I can see the future remember. Well.... expect for one." He looked at the distance. Took a sip of the wine. "What do you think? Who will win? If we fight. He and me. No holding back." "You are strong Albedo. Perhaps one of the strongest. Even among the kings, you are the second strongest." Dahara sighed, "But that boy is beyond you and me." Albedo smiled. Like he knew the answer. Well he truly knew the answer. After all he could saw everything. "You are right. I will lose." "I am not concerned about that boy. But rather that entity that blessed him." Said Chronola. "That is correct. Mira could be burned by that crimson flames." said the flame Dragon. "That''s exactly what I want." "What do you mean?" Dahara narrowed his eyes. "When she will burn by the crimson flames, he will used his unique skill to reversed the effect." Cronola answered his question. "That''s right, Chronola. It can also give her some very useful skills." "Then what about the other child. Whose future even I the dragon of time can''t see?" Chronola was worryed. She was the dragon of time. A entity that existed beyond time and space. And the controler of time, couldn''t saw Jasmine''s fate. "I don''t know." Albedo was careless. Like always. "I see " "I thought so." Some might called it his carelessness, but the two dragon, whome existed within Albedo for over three thousands years, knew him very well. "So that are you planning." asked the flame Dragon. "Who...me? N-Nothing at all. But I am curious, what could resist a time dragon''s ability?" Albedo was not sure what caused it. But whatever that may be, overpowering a dragon was no easy task. Since dragon were considered the strongest of all beings. "Even if you can''t see his future. You can see it through your own. Don''t you?" Albedo was not able to saw Jasmine''s fate. He can''t, even with the power of the dragon of time. But there was another way. Afterall he could saw his own. By seeing his own fate, he could saw Jasmine''s future, who was connected to him. "Yes, but partially." said Albedo. "Even partially, we can see the destruction that will happen." Chronola warned Albedo. "Yes, but I will chang it." Albedo was determined. "You can''t change the fate, Albedo." The fate can''t be changed. That''s an law. Made by the creator, unchanged and absolute. "I can try." Chronola sighed. "I told you to killed that kid." Dahara narrowed his eyes. Albedo looked at the burning flames. A picture of an woman flashed before him. "I couldn''t do it, Dahara. When I see him. He remained me of myself." Albedo grasped his chest."He remained me of the pain I felt." Suddenly, Albedo felt very apprehensive. A cold sensation spread through his chest. "Then let me ask you, what will you do when that time cames?" "l will stop him. Even if it''s means giving my own life." "But, I don''t understand.Why are you going to such..." Dahara was interrupted by Albedo. "It''s simple my friend." Albedo grinned, " It''s been thousands of years since my heart beat like this." Albedo turned his gaze. His expression were completely changed. He was sad a moment ago, and now he was thrilled. Albedo laughed heartily. "I have found them after all those times. Children with potential to surpass me. I....I can see it clearly, Dahara. A future full of fun. Mark my words Dahara. The fun is about to begin." Jin "Long ago, Abyss attached the human realm. Braking the laws of the realms the gate of Abyss appeared in our world. Countless monster came out of it, they slaughtered human, eating their souls. Became stronger and stronger with every soul they ate. Among these chaos the emperor arised, wearing the crown of gods. He protected all human, sealed the Lords of the Abyss. Forbidding them from ever leaving the deept of Abyss. He became the first ruler of human world, The Emperor of all human. Before his last breath, he divided his crown into thirteen different parts. Giving it to his thirteen children. By the power of the crown, they became the Kings, protector of the realm." Jin read the story book. ''Mother used to read this story every night, before bed." Jin thought, ''Every time I read this I feel a strange peace inside.'' "I suppose I should be sleeping now " Jin turned off the lights. [Mathematician: Sleep¡Á100%] He slept almost immediately. " Jin....Jin... Why?Why?Why did you let us died" Jin waked up after hearing some strange noises. Gasping, he was out of breath. He tried to control his breath. He felt sick with apprehension. [Mathematician: anxieties¡Á0] He instantly calmed down. "That''s why I hate sleeping." [Mathematician: sleep ¡Á0] His sleep vanished completely, leaving him restless. He got out of bed, his feet softly hitting the cold floor, and made his way to the terrace. The night was quiet, save for the occasional whisper of wind, carrying with it the faint scent of dew. He stepped outside, feeling the cool breeze brush against his skin, and made his way to the edge of the terrace. There, he sat on the boundary, letting his legs dangle over the side. As he took a deep breath, a sense of calm washed over him. The tension that had gripped him moments ago seemed to loosen, and he sighed in quiet relief. He tilted his head back, letting his gaze travel upward to the sky above. The stars were scattered across the night like tiny diamonds, twinkling softly against the vast darkness. For a moment, he lost himself in their beauty, feeling small yet strangely comforted under the endless expanse of the universe. The night sky was illuminated by a myriad of stars, each twinkling brightly as if telling its own story. They seemed to weave together, forming intricate constellations that stretched across the heavens. Some were familiar, while others appeared like distant, mysterious patterns. The stars shimmered in a mesmerizing array of colors¡ªbrilliant reds, deep purples, icy blues, soft yellows, and countless others. Their glow painted the sky in a breathtaking display, as if the universe itself had come alive with light. The vastness and beauty of the scene filled the air with a quiet, almost magical serenity. "It''s a beautiful view, compared to that forbidden land. Where only a dusty sky was visible, filled with flying monsters." Jin felt grateful that he came back to this realm. "Only the human realm have this many colourful stars. The other realms have just plane boring white onces." Jin blinked his eyes and smiled looking at the sky. "Mother always sang us a song about those who died a peaceful or honorable death, saying they are summoned to the heavens and granted the honor of becoming a star." "In the starry, moonlit sky, A myriad of gems ignites the night, Stretching high where the gods reside, Oh, warriors who have bravely fought, Your legacies in whispers caught. Grant us the chance to ever remember, Your valor aflame, a brilliant ember. In the heavens, your spirits gleam, As bright as the honor in which you dreamed. To my children, your tales I weave, Of courage, of glory, of battles you cleave; Your cries and your triumphs echo in air, A symphony of heroes, a legacy rare. Bless us with stories, a guiding light, As we strive to follow your noble flight; See us arise, with hearts full of fire, Inspired by you, our eternal desire." "I wander." his smile faded away, replaced by sorrow, "Which star have you became, mother." He closed his eyes and opened. "Are you too dim for me to see you." he raised his hand, "or has you faded away, like my memory of you." He gazed at the red thread wrapped around his right hand. It was frayed and nearly torn, its once vibrant color now faded. It looked as though Jin had been wearing it for decades. He sighed. ***************** Luck carried Mira on his back, sprinting toward the hospital at full speed. He pulled his phone from his pocket and quickly dialed a number. Albedo answered on the other end. "Lo-Lord Albedo. Misss..Miss Mira is injected." he was out of breath. "Yes I know that." Albedo''s voice was claimed. "You know that?" Luck was surprised by Albedo''s response. "Bring her to my house. I will be waiting for you there." "Wh-what do you...." Albedo ended the call. "Looks like her soul is burning by the crimson flames." said the dragon. "I saw that " Albedo take a sip of his wine. "Using your unique skill on her flames can be risky. If only the dragon of wisdom is awake. We could know the answer." Said Dahara. Albedo was not at his full strength. Since eight of his ten dragon heart were sleeping. Albedo tossed the bottle of wine off the cliff and vanished into thin air. ***************** Luke arrived at the base of the gigantic stone gate and carefully laid Mira on the ground. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a golden key, forged from a mysterious metal. The key was adorned with ten shimmering jewels. Holding it firmly in his right hand, he raised it in front of him, preparing for what was to come. " I am Luke Grimdal, disciple of Lord Albedo. Please open the gate." he shouted. A brilliant light burst from the tip of the key, illuminating the surroundings. The ten jewels embedded in it began to glow, each one radiating with increasing intensity. A wooden gate began to materialize before them, creaking into existence. As it slowly opened, a dazzling light poured from within, engulfing them both entirely. Luke closed his eyes against the blinding light. When he finally opened them, they had been teleported to a different place. ''it''s always too bright.'' Luck disliked the experience of being teleported by the dazzling light. He complained to Albedo repeatedly, but his grievances were to no avail.If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. The place was entirely unlike the outside world, as if it existed in a completely different realm. Butterflies of unknown origin fluttered gracefully over an unbelievably beautiful garden of vibrant flowers. ''Man, why lord Albedo''s domain is so.... eye-catching.'' This realm was Albedo''s domain, a separate dimension created by his spiritual energy¡ªan ability granted by the power of the crown. It was said that within their own domain, the Kings were invincible. The magnificent beauty of the domain was so overwhelming that, for a moment, he forgot all about Mira. "Oh. I need to hurry." He finally remembered. Luke carried Mira into a luxurious mension at the bottom of a mountain. ******************** "Lord Albedo, how is she." Luke asked nervously. "She soul has been damaged beyond repair." Albedo spoke in a soft voice. Luke narrowed his eyes. "B-But, is there no other way." Luke understood the significance of this. With Healing Arts and Sacred Arts, any wound or disease could be healed¡ªeverything except for a wound to one''s soul. Luke knew there was no way to save her. The crimson flames would soon consume her soul entirely. He wanted to ask Albedo why he had let her go, but he kept silent. "You want to know, why I let her go? Even though I know what''s going to happen, right." Luke nodded his head. "Let''s see." Albedo raised his hand toward Mira. At hat moment, her entire body was completely consumed by the crimson flames. "Forgive me, Mira. But it was necessary." [Unique skill: Reversal] Albedo activated his unique skill, Reversal¡ªan ability that allowed him to alter anything into its opposite state. He could turn life into death, light into darkness, and power into weakness. The crimson flames that had been consuming Mira''s soul began to reverse their effect, healing her soul instead. Mira opened her eyes. "Ar-are you all right." Luke asked. "Yes, I am good." she looked at her body, "well actually I never felt this good before." "You were burning a minute ago." Luck scratched his head. "I am sorry, Mira." Albedo bowed his head, "I send you to danger, when I know what will happen." Luke stood there silently, not able to took anyone side. "It''s alright, my lord." Mira looked at Albedo and gently held his hands. "You saved me when I was lost in darkness. You came to me like a source of light. You took me in, gave me a life, and freed me from a lifetime of slavery. You gave me my first bowl of hot food." Tears streamed down her face as she spoke. "If you asked me to give my life for you, I would do it without a second thought." Albedo wiped her tears away. "Than..." He was about to say something but stoped. *********************** "It''s morning already!" Jin had sat on the terrace all night, sleepless. In fact, he hadn''t slept in nearly twenty years. He stood up and stretched his body before heading to his room. After changing his clothes, he prepared to leave. "It''s been twenty years now, since I last visit her." He looked himself in the mirror. His true crimson eyes were glowing like always. "A lot of things had changed. There is so many things I need to tell you." Jin smiled."Today we are about to have a very long conversation." He stepped out of his room and locked the door behind him. ''I should do something about thieves, right.'' [Mathematician: door opening possibilities¡Á0] ''There we go. Now no one will be able to unlock the door.'' Jin wandered through the city, exploring various places. He stopped at many billboards along the way. "Incredibly! Human civilization have came a long ways!" Jin was impressed by those billboards. "Those are not arts, since there''s no spiritual energy. Maybe that''s scientific technology, that people were talking about back then. I do wander what kind of energy they were using thought." He spent the entire day visiting places like that. Most people might consider them common, but for him, they felt miraculous. It was his first time witnessing such advanced engineering. "What! It almost evening now." He found himself lost in his exploration of the city, but he enjoyed every moment of it. The forbidden land had none of these wonders; it was a truly gloomy place, unfit for anyone to live in. He visited a flower shop and bought some flowers, specifically blue moon roses. After all, they were her favorite. "You loves many flowers. But I remembered these are your favourites." ****************** Jin entered the graveyard, searching for her grave. Though most memories of her had faded, he still remembered this place. He used to visit her grave often when he lived in the human realm. "Hello mother. Who have you been." Jin''s eyes welled up with tears as he sat in front of her grave. He spoke to her, sharing many stories¡ªabout his past, the places he''d been. Most of them were lies, because his real past wasn''t something you''d tell your mother. But some parts were true, especially his feelings. "So, your name is Jin, correct?" a voice spoke as an unexpected figure approached him. "Ah... yes, I''m Jin," he replied, unsure of who the person was. "Can I help you with something?" "You sune can. I am Luke Grimdal. An awakened, bronze rank." said Luke. ''Bronze rank? So, awakened have such ranks now?'' Jin thought. Jin stared at Luke in silence, as the tension between them began to grow. "I was looking at the security cameras near the gate of the forbidden lands" Luke broke the silence, " And I found something.... Interesting." ''Cameras, what are they now?''Jin was not familiar with the word. Luke tossed his phone towards Jin. "See for yourself." Jin was intrigued by the device in front of him, but he knew this wasn''t the time to focus on it. He shifted his attention to the phone screen, where a video was playing¡ªa camera recording. In the footage, someone was seen entering the human realm through a gate. The moment they crossed over, all the gatekeepers collapsed to the ground without warning, as if an unseen force had overwhelmed them. A young man, appearing no older than 17, stepped out from the gate. His raven-black hair clung to his face, matted with dirt and sweat. His crimson eyes, sharp and intense, surveyed the scene with a cold indifference. His robe, once perhaps a symbol of some forgotten dignity, was now a tattered mess, smeared with dust and stained with blood. He walked forward, his steps heavy and deliberate, leaving faint traces of blood in his wake, as if the world around him bent under the weight of his presence. "That person in the video. That''s you right?" Luke questioned. ''But I thought I already erased all their memories. So how did he.'' "Me? I don''t know. Maybe someone using my face." Jin lied, "But what kind of arts did you used to restored their erased memories?" "That is not an arts. That''s a camera." Luke was surprised by his question. "Camera what are they. Some kind of new summoned creature." ''Is this guy mentally ill or just pretending to be stupid?'' Luke struggled to make sense of Jin. "What''s wrong." Asked Jin. ''I should go along with him. Maybe I can get some info.'' Luke thought. "Oh. Nothing. What are you doing here anyway." "me, I..ah. I am visiting my mom''s grave." "Oh. Sorry for your loss. It must be hard. Lossing someone precious." "Don''t be. It''s more than twenty-four years now." "Oh...What?" Luke was convinced that Jin was mentally ill. After all, Jin looked to be around his own age¡ª17 or 18. How could his mother have died years before he was even born? Luke tried to calm himself down and looked at the grave. It was completely new, spotless, without even a trace of dirt despite its white color. But something caught his attention¡ªthere was no name, no date, nothing at all engraved on it. It was utterly blank. "Why is their no name?" Luke asked. Jin sighed. "Because I don''t remember her name." he paused, "I don''t remember who she was, how she looked. But some shattered memories. Of her voice, the story she told me. And...her smile." Luke didn''t ask Jin any more questions about the grave. Having lost someone himself, he understood how it felt. Luke sighed. Took a deep breath. "Jin, you entered the human realm through the gate without permission. For that I am giving you two options. Either you came with me without resisting, or I will take you back forcefully." "Hum..Let me thing." [Mathematician: information calculation] A large amount of information entered Jin''s mind. Name- Luke Grimdal Harmony completion - 8% Spiritual energy output - 108,456 Bloodline ability - demon host Contractor - frirgdikdgcdufhghyggfhjtjxjd ''Interesting, his spiritual energy is incredibly high. And that demon he is contracted with. Is not that name....No I am pritty sure that''s the true name of gafsusuksldkxjxixkzmss.'' (A name of a demon can''t be speak in human tongue.) *************** Noah Camael, a platinum-ranked awakened¡ªthe highest rank possible¡ªstood in front of the Lotus Tower. The tower, which served as the center of operations for all the awakened, was not the reason Noah had come here. His purpose was far more important than taking a mission. Noah was summoned that day by an elder, though he was unaware of the reason behind it. The Lotus Tower was also known as The Gateway, as it connected every teleportation point in the empire, including all the royal palaces. That was why he was here¡ªhe needed to travel to the Blossoming Palace, the domain of the God Slayer. Upon his presence inside the tower, the tower loaded with many conversations. "Hay that''s Noah Camael right." "Why he of all people is here?" "Wow, it''s Noah, a platinum rank." a newbie awakened said with dazzling eyes. "You must be a newbie." another awakened said, "You have no idea who Noah Camael is, do you?" "Ofcourse I know. He is a platinum." He retorted. "Ya, like I said you don''t know." "why? Is there a problem?" The boy was a bit confused.'' What is wrong with likeing a platinum rank?'' he thought. "Kid stay away from him. For he is Noah Camael, the slayer in the moonless night. That name was given to him after he killed ten thousand people on a single night. He is a monster with no emotions." The awakened explained. "Wh-What? He killed ten thousand people." the kids dazzling eyes changed into terrified eyes. Noah could hear everything. Since he reached a level, where he could perceived every conversation with in the entire city, with ease. But he paid no mind to it. He never did. Noah reached the teleportation station inside the tower. "I like to go to the blossoming palace." He showed his awakened id to the receptionist. It was a platinum card. Made by most precious meterials. "Yes, of course sir. Right this way." The receptionist arranged the teleportation gate right away. Noah teleported to the blossoming palace. The place was build within a separate dimension, disconnected from the human realm. The palace was, in a word, beautiful. While all the palaces were stunning, the Blossoming Palace possessed an even greater allure. The palace was situated on a vast pond that seemed to stretch into infinity, its waters shimmering under the sunlight. The surface was alive with fish, many of which Noah had never encountered before. Their vibrant colors danced through the water, creating a mesmerizing spectacle. Among them, he recognized a few familiar creatures, like the sea serpent and the cosmic turtle. Both were renowned in legends for their immense power, each boasting a threat level of 9. The sea serpent coiled gracefully, its scales glinting like jewels, while the cosmic turtle floated serenely, its shell adorned with intricate patterns that hinted at ancient secrets. As Noah observed this aquatic world, he couldn''t shake the feeling that the pond held mysteries far beyond his understanding. Upon his arrival, two beautiful ladies approached to escort him. They bowed their heads slightly, and Noah nodded in response. They led Noah to the hall of the palace, which was enormous and adorned with exquisite paintings and sculptures. Shelves lined with books and scrolls on various Arts filled the space, showcasing the wealth of knowledge within. As Noah scanned the collection, his gaze landed on an old book. Its cover was partially damaged, making it difficult to discern the title. He squinted to read the faint lettering, which was written as'' EterlanO...'' "Thank you for waiting." the lady that escorted him announced, "Lord elder has arrived." The gates of the hall opened, and an old man entered. He had only one arm and a long white beard that reached his waist, untrimmed for who knew how long. His eyebrows were similarly long, extending down to the base of his neck, and he was completely bald. Though he appeared older than one might expect, he walked to the throne in the center of the hall with a straight back. Despite his frail appearance, lacking the impressive aura one might anticipate from someone of his stature, he seemed like an ordinary old man, just a step away from death. He sat on the throne, shrouded behind a veil of silver spider silk. Noah knelt before the elder, acknowledging his presence. "I Noah Camael, responded to your summon. Lord elder." he bowed his head deeply. "Noah Camael I have a mission for you." said the elder. He waved his head, indicating his servants to showed Noah the incident. Among the servants a divinator stepped forward. [Mystical Art: Mind Share] She shared her mind with Noah. Through her mind, Noah saw a unexpected seen. Of someone crossed the gate between the forbidden land and the human realm. "Someone really came from the forbidding land. " "Yes. And you understand what it''s means right?" "Yes, lord. The information that thing may possess are priceless." Noah know the meaning. But still their no extraction on his face. His stare was cold, avoid of any emotions. "And I want you to capture this intruder." "Very well, lord. I will bring that to you." "Hahaaa..." laughed the elder. "You has not changed Noah Camael. You address the boy like some thing." "To me, all my targets are nothing more than some..... things, my lord." "Very well. Then bring him alive...." he paused. ".....No, bring him dead. It will be easier to extract memory from the dead." "Then I shall." "But do remember, he most be strong. Coming from such a hellish place." The elder raised his left arm and moved his index finger up and down. With the motion, the space around them collapsed, creating a rift. He reached into the hole and pulled out a golden ring. The elder gave the ring to the servant. Which the servant bring to Noah. [Skill: Appraisal (V)] Noah estimated the ability of the ring with his skill. ''A sealing artefact of the highest tier.'' "That ring has a ability called absolute imprisonment. Which can even seal a king for a short time. A barrier that it created upon used, is indestructible. Even I will struggle breaking it." "There is no need for sure magical items, my lord." "Keep it. If he can survive in that place. That makes him one of the strongest." "I understand." he didn''t question anymore. "I should take my leave, my lord." Noah bowed before leave. "Was it wise, master." said the servent. "Giving him such valuable item." The servant was not delighted by the idea of giving Noah such magical item. Afterall it was a highest tier of item. Something very rare and powerful. "It is Rema." he sighed. "You know the value of the information." "Yes. But you could have sent a king." Rema continued, "If not a ''Venerable'' or a ''Sovereign'' we''ll be enough." "Don''t be stupid child." he retorted. " sanding a venerable or sovereign can lead to greater destruction." "Forgive me master. I don''t..." Realising her mistake Rema quickly apologized. "Do not be. I know you mean no ill . Beside I gave him that artefact that once sealed a king for three days and three nights. Expect for Albedo, Yaldabaoth, Narmada and me no one can break it easily." Play Time Albedo handed Luke the recording and ordered him to bring Jin to his domain. Seeing all the officers collapse made Luke skeptical at first. After all, these were awakened individuals, either at starting silver rank or peak bronze rank. "Can I do anything infront of such powerful awakened? I can''t even go past level 8." Luke questioned Albedo''s order, feeling as though he had nearly lost all his confidence. After years of training, this was all he had achieved. It felt like he had reached his limit. "That''s exactly why, I am sending you." Albedo fondled on his head. "The meaning of leveling is to understand yourself more. That is the way to reach ''Harmony''. You have lost your way, child. But I believe that you may found your own way in this." **************** "Jin, you entered the human realm through the gate without permission. For that I am giving you two options. Either you came with me without resisting, or I will take you back forcefully." "But that''s not me." Jin said with confidence. "What do you mean, it''s not you? The face is the same." "Hay, first look at my spiritual energy output. Then deside for yourself." "Your spiritual energy output.... Alright." Luke pulled a device from his pocket¡ªa single lens. He carefully placed it over his right eye. "Your spiritual energy is.....What!? It''s only 48." Luke was stunned by Jin''s spiritual energy output. Even those awakened with the weakest soul purity had an output of over 100, but Jin''s was simply unbelievable. ''He may not be the target. But he has red eyes.'' Luke glanced at the spiritual energy reading machine, ''No. It must be someone else. I mean his spiritual energy output is'' "Too low!" he mistakenly talked aloud. "Excuse me! So what if my spiritual energy output is a little low." Jin busted with anger. "Sorry, but it''s more than a little low. Like it''s the lowest." Luck laughed unintentionally. ''Is this punk trying to pissed me off?'' Luke immediately controlled his laughter. "So.....Hm... about your answer, I think I made a mistake...?" "An answer... Take me if you can." "What?" Jin put his hands in his pockets. "I am not gonna use my hands in this fight. If you can force me to use my hands, you win. I will go with you." Jin''s statements pissed Luke off. ''This 48, think to highly of himself. Maybe I can play for a bit.'' "So, that is the rules. Don''t you think you are in the disadvantage." "Hahaaa..Oh don''t warry, you are too weak for that." ''That''s it ! Now I may go a little further then intended.'' Luke unleashed a highly dense spiritual energy, sending a powerful air current sweeping in all directions. ''Although his spiritual energy output is in 100k, his control is sloppy.'' "Now that you are the weak one here, the first move is your." Jin taunted. [Demonic Arts:Aspect of the Devil, demon''s eye] Luke''s eyes transformed, glowing with a sinister, demonic light as his focus sharpened. His gaze pierced through the physical, locking onto Jin''s very soul. It was as if he could see beyond the surface, into the depths of Jin''s essence, searching for any trace of weakness or hidden power. The intensity of his stare carried a weight that felt almost oppressive, as though Luke''s demonic energy was reaching out, grasping at the core of Jin''s being. ''Ah...T-This felling....is it fear. So that''s demonic energy.'' Jin''s breath became ragged, each inhale labored as if the air itself had thickened around him. His pupils were wide with panic, darting around as beads of sweat formed on his brow, trailing down his face and dripping from his chin. His body trembled slightly, overwhelmed by the oppressive atmosphere. Fear gripped him completely, freezing him in place as he felt the weight of Luke''s dark presence bearing down on him, crushing his will to move or even think clearly. Every instinct screamed at him to run, but his legs refused to obey. Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. "See now. Are you still gonna call me weak." Seeing the terror etched on Jin''s face, Luke smiled darkly. He turned away, setting off to track down the real intruder. [Mathematician: fear resistance ¡Á10000] "If that''s all you got. I am going to call you weak, again." ''What!? He can still talk!'' Luke turned to Jin, again, ''Why is he fine?'' "What''s wrong. Did you forget the rules." "Fine then!" [Demonic Arts: Gate of the underworld] gigantic gate materialized behind Luke, an imposing structure crafted from a gruesome collection of skeletons and decayed human flesh. The skeletal remains twisted and intertwined, creating an eerie framework that loomed ominously in the air. Patches of rotting flesh clung to the bones, giving the gate a macabre texture and an unsettling aura. The air around it seemed to thrum with a dark energy, as if the very essence of the fallen had been harnessed to form this nightmarish entrance. "And now- " [Demonic Arts: summoning, demon dogs] The hell gate swung open, and Luke bit down hard on his own hand, blood and flesh gushing out. His blood and flesh began to take shape, molding into hound-like forms. The lifeless bodies formed from flesh, bone, and blood were soon infused with the spirits of demon dogs, bringing the grotesque creations to life. The hell gate swung open, and Luke bit down hard on his own hand, blood and flesh gushing out. His blood and flesh began to take shape, molding into hound-like forms. The lifeless bodies formed from flesh, bone, and blood were soon infused with the spirits of demon dogs, bringing the grotesque creations to life. The flesh of the dogs was rotten, with patches where bone was completely exposed. Their eyes were sunken, some even drooping from their skulls. They boasted razor-sharp fangs, capable of tearing through Jin''s flesh with ease. An unbearable stench emanated from the hounds, a nauseating reminder of their decayed forms. "Ah..disgusting. What are those now?" Jin was disgusted by the creatures. "It is a summoning type demonic Art. I summoned these lesser demon from the underworld." "Demons Aa....I see." Demons are creatures from the underworld, or more accurately, beings sealed within its depths. ''Demon''s can not enter in the human realm. Since their original bodies can''t leave the underworld. So I suppose he created those artificial bodies from his flesh and blood. And let those demon spirit possessed them.'' "Now, attack." Luke commended the lesser demons to attack Jin. A dozen of dog ran towards Jin. Barking and howling. [Mathematician: durability ¡Á 50,000] The dogs jumped at Jin, bitting his body by their deadly shape fangs. "What!?... How!?" Luke didn''t believed what he saw. A lesser demons fangs can''t penetrated Jin''s flesh. ''Is that a defensive type skill !?'' Luke thought. [Mathematician: demon dog''s life¡Á 0] Jin blinked once, and in that instant, all the lesser demons collapsed, lifeless. The artificial flesh melted away, dissolving into nothingness. "Well. This is boring, got other tricks?" ''W-Wh... What just happened. All the summoned demon died at once. And I didn''t even see how.'' Luke struggled to grasp the situation, but it was futile-he couldn''t see anything clearly. The demon dogs charged at Jin, biting him fiercely before collapsing dead. ''Is it poison, or cursed Arts.'' Luke pondered for a moment but quickly dismissed the idea. Demons, regardless of their rank, were immune to all poisons, and curses. ''An art that kills everything within a radius.''He heard about such arts, but Jin was not using any spiritual energy, ''Most be a skill then. It has to be one.'' "What''s wrong. Are we done playing already." He sighed, "And here I was thinking we can play a little more." ''Bastard, he is just playing with me. Well no metter. Since no skill or art can effect my demon claws.'' [Demonic Arts: Aspect of the Devil, Demon claws] Luke''s arms were shrouded in a thick black fog, transforming into a demonic manifestation. Luke surged toward Jin, his demonic claws poised to strike as he lunged at him. [Mystical art: light barrier] A thin barrier appeared in front of Jin, shielding him from the attack. Though it was merely an elementary rank barrier, typically used by newcomers for practice, Jin''s ability rendered its weaknesses irrelevant. [Mathematician: barrier durability ¡Á 20,000] The barrier strengthened beyond its usual limits, and Jin felt confident that Luke could never break through it. Luke dashed forward, showing no hesitation in front of the barrier. He slashed with his claws, and upon contact, the fortified barrier crumbled instantly. ''Ohhh, he break my barrier!'' he looked at Luke and smiled, ''I suppose it will be worth my time.'' Without pausing, Luke swung his claws once more. [Mystical art: light barrier] Jin made another thin barrier. Some as the previous one. "You fool. Same thing again. Are you looking down on me." Confidented Luke striked again. [Mathematician: Luke''s claws ability ¡Á 0] But this time, the results were different. The barrier not only remained intact, but it showed no signs of even being dented. "W-What!?" "So that claws of your nullified any arts that it touches right. But that''s not gonna work again." ''What the. How is he doing it. He countered my claws ability.'' Luke attacked relentlessly, unleashing a barrage of strikes toward Jin. Yet, it was all in vain; the tiny barrier remained completely undamaged. ''Damm it! Why can''t I break it?" Luke was frustrated. "Hay. Let''s end it for today, alright." Jin suddenly spoke, "I have something to do. So let''s continue this tomorrow." "What do....." [Mathematician: Luke''s mobility ¡Á 0] At that moment, Luke found himself unable to move. "What..What did you do? I can''t move!" Luke''s body was frozen, his ability to move severed. He fell to the ground, struggling to regain his mobility. "You little... Released me!" "I might, if you behave like a good kid." "What, What do you want?" he asked. "Nothing actually. You are an O.R.D.E.R awakened right?" "Ya, so what?" "Then you might know where is he." "Who do you want?" "I thing he goes by something like, The king of Malevolence." "T-The ki-king of malevolence!" Luke''s face darkened with fear, and the source of his dread was a name. He had never encountered anyone, except Albedo, who could utter those names. While it wasn''t officially a taboo, it was regarded as such. It wasn''t a cursed name, but a honored one. It was the name of a king, the master of a crown. Those who held a crown had names that could not be spoken by anyone¡ªat least not without permission or by someone of equal strength. Some kings like Albedo permitted everyone to speak his name. But some didn''t. If someone with lesser power were to speak their name, that person would surely die. It didn''t mean the kings actively killed them; they didn''t take commoners lives. The kings had attained a level of existence where their names became power itself. When someone uttered their names, they tapped into a force equal to that power. If a person were weaker than the name spoken, they would meet their end, crushed beneath the overwhelming power they could never hope to possess. ''He can speak their name. Is he...'' he paused, ''No, he must be from the black numbers. Since only they are permitted to use his name.'' Luke concluded. "So, you know where is he?" "Black palace, obviously." "Oh. So he is in black palace. And where is this." "No idea." ''Is he not from the black numbers.'' Luke was no longer sure about Jin''s identity. "Come on." Jin sighed, "What a let down." "So you are the intruder," Noah said from the entrance of the graveyard, slipping a golden ring onto his middle finger. "Now absolute imprisonment." The golden ring shattered into multiple pieces, each fragment soaring around the graveyard. Gradually, they came together to form a shimmering golden barrier. "Now you can no longer escape." said Noah. "Platinum rank awakened, Noah Camael." Luke was shocked by Noah''s presence. "Wait, is this because of our game? We were just playing around; we didn''t mean any harm," Jin said, trying to clarify what he believed was a misunderstanding. "I am not interested in what you two were doing." Noah gazed at them, stoic and cold. "I want you, intruder." "Aha. So you wanna capture me. And you even used a high ranked artefact. You must be serious ha." he giggled, "Ok. Then lets make some rules." "Rules you say." "Yep. Here the rules. You need to stop me from going out side the barrier for 20 minutes. If you can, you win and if not then I win. So what do you think." "Do you not understand, you are sealed inside the absolute imprisonment. A highest tier artefact that sealed the target inside this unbreakable barrier." "I know, but I will be breaking it." Noah unsheathed his sword. Without any emotions. "Very well. Then, shall we begin?" "Hahahaa.." Roma laughed, "Come on Noah, is this the strongest person you were talking about? This kid!" "Roma, stop that. Pay some respect to the capital." said Maya. "Yaya, respect and all. Enough with that, and let the bettle begin." Roma yelled. Roma clutched his spear. [Battle Art: Blink] Roma suddenly vanished from his original spot and reappeared in front of Jin. [Battle Art: serpent spear] He thrusted his spear in lightning speed. [Mystical art: light barrier] [Mathematician: barrier durability ¡Á 1 million] The spearhead approached the barrier, but just before impact, it veered to the side. ''The spear! It can move like a serpent.'' Jin''s eyes widened. The straight spear began to move like a snake, slithering around Jin''s body. The spear pierced Jin''s left leg, then traveled inside his body, tearing through his intestines, stomach, liver, and lungs before finally emerging as it pierced his heart. ''What? Is th...'' Jin''s mind goes blank. "I am not done yet." Without stopping, the spear penetrated Jin''s neck from the front, emerging from the back before piercing through his right eye from the rear of his head. Roma withdrew his spear from Jin''s body, blood spilling from the countless wounds it left behind. With a thud, Jin''s body fell to the ground, blood pooling around him and creating a small crimson pond. A Lie Called Death With a thud, Jin''s body fell to the ground, blood pooling around him and creating a small crimson pond. ''W-what!?...he is dead !'' Luke was still unable to move. Noah and the others saw him, but they didn''t bother to help. "That''s it! This is supposed to be the strong! You sure Noah?" Roma was disappointed; he had expected more of a fight from Jin, especially since he had come to his realm from the Forbidden land. Noah didn''t reply. He only observed Jin''s body with cold, unfeeling eyes. "Hay! The mission completed, great." Maya was happy; the mission had ended so quickly. Now she could finally relax. "So boring. I thought someone from the Forbidden Land would be stronger." [Skill: Life essences detection] Noah activated the skill ''Life Essence Detection,'' which allowed the caster to sense the life force of all beings. Using the skill, he determined whether Jin was alive or not. He confirmed that Jin was indeed dead. ''I suppose lord elder was wrong this time.'' Noah thought. "Bring that body with." After giving orders to Roma, Noah started to walk away. [Mathematician: Auto Counter, life+1] "Hay now! Who are you calling death now?" A voice came from the direction where Jin''s body lay. ''What! It can''t be! I confirmed his death!'' He turned around again. Jin stood up, his body still riddled with holes, blood flowing from each one. Yet there was no doubt in Noah''s mind¡ªJin was still alive. Despite the fatal wounds that should have killed him instantly, he remained standing. [Skill: Life essences detection] Noah used his skill again, and this time the result was different. It detected life within Jin''s body. ''But l am sure...'' Noah was certain that the result had been death last time. Jin was supposed to be dead. ''A skill or may be an artifact that can bring you back from certain death.'' He heard about such abilities before. The royal family ''Azrael'' also possessed sush bloodline ability, that allowed them to live after death. Of course, there were items that granted their bearer another life, but such items were rare and typically usable only once. "Oh man! You ruined my clothes! I just brought them yesterday for four thousand rupees, you know." Jin touched the hole in his chest, his hand passing easily through it. "What the hell! You still alive!" Roma was surprised but also pleased. "Ofcourse I am. For me death is but a lie." "Could it be the art of rebirth!?" Maya canvassed. "Art of Rebirth? Oh no, I don''t know any high-level arts," Jin explained. "I just managed to reduce my chances of death to zero while increasing my chances of survival to a hundred."Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more. "So you have ''probability manipulation''?" she retorted. "Not exactly, but I can do that." Jin didn''t say it out loud. It was more advantageous to deceive his enemies with a lie, especially if it involved half-truths. ''That actually make a lot of sense. He clearly did not used any Arts, I didn''t sense any spiritual energy output from him. So he clearly used a skill. And it was not regeneration, since the wounds are not healed.'' Maya observed. Jin looked at the holes in his body. ''Oh man, it looks gross. And it has to happen right infront of a cute girl.'' Jin felt embarrassed. He had just returned from the Forbidden Land and now found himself face to face with a girl in such a state. ''Maybe, I should ask her name....'' he hesitated for a while. And finally gather his courage. "May...I....ask for your name?" "You want my name?" asked Maya. "W..ell..if you don''t mind." "Hmm.. it''s Maya." ''Maya.. such a beautiful name.'' he blushed. "You came from the forbidden land right. Might I ask? What! Just what kind of place is this forbidden land?" "Um.. let''s see. Hell....ya it maybe the appropriate word to describe it." "Enough with this shit talk." Roma interrupted. He tightly clutched the blood soaked spear. "Did you forgot? We are still in a battle." Roma''s sudden voice startled Jin. He hurriedly changed his flustered face and pulled together his tough act. "A battle you say....hehehe..." Jin giggled. "In a battle with you?" "Did that hole in your head made you loss some memories? Ha you punk." Jin touched the hole in his right eye, which was completely see-through from the other side. The spear had penetrated through the back of his head. "Oh... this you mean." [Healing Art: low heal] [Mathematician: healing boost 1 million times] He used Low Heal, an art that gradually mends the target. It couldn''t heal serious injuries and was typically used for very minor wounds. An emerald light enveloped his entire body, and the countless holes began to heal. Within moments, all the wounds disappeared, though his clothes remained torn and filled with holes. "What!?" Maya was shocked. "That was the most basic healing Art! How did he healed such injuries with it?" "Khu-khu-kuku..he is not bad." Roma erupted in laughter. Noah was silent. Avoid of any emotions. Observed the situation. ''Wh-what is... going on!?'' Luke was not longer able to comprehended the situation. He could not able to understood, Just how is he alive? Roma clutched his spear thighly. Prepared for the next attack. [Battle Arts: Beast Strength] "What a nuisance." Jin clicked his tongue. [Mathematician: Information calculation] ''They are strong, especially that silence guy in the back. He most be the leader. He spear guy is quite strong too, not as strong as those two but still. As for the woman, she might be stronger than the leader. Given the circumstances ofcourse.'' [Mathematician: all(strength, durability, speed, spiritual awareness) ¡Á 1 million] Roma dashed forward with his spear. With the boosted strength by his battle Art, his attack was even faster and more powerful. But this time, it was different. Jin grabbed the tip of the incoming spear with his fingers, completely stopping it. ''W-What!? He stop it! But last time he could not even react!?'' [Battle Art: serpent spear] Freed from Jin''s grip, the spear once again moved like a serpent. The spear''s movements were fast and unpredictable, yet Jin was able to dodge them all. "Hahahaha...Now this is the battle I was hoping for!" "How childish." Jin sighed. [Mathematician: Evasion ¡Á 10 million] Jin jumped back. Roma dashed forward to attack, thrusting his spear with all his might. [Battle Art: Single point thrust] The spear thrust toward Jin at high speed, but he didn''t flinch. He stood there as the spear drew closer and closer. ''Ah...Are you not gonna move? Do you think you can survive this? Are you making me you bastard?'' The spear reached Jin, but to Roma''s surprise, he missed. Despite being perfectly aimed, the spear passed right by him. ''W-What!? How?! I swear....I could had...?'' Roma continued with a barrage of thrusts, but to his amazement, none of his attacks reached Jin, even though Jin just stood there. "Roma, he is using ''probability manipulation'' to decrease the chance of hitting." "Ah...so that''s why!" Roma stopped the useless attack and jumped back. "Kin intuition, but that''s only half correct." "Ahh... don''t matter. Since i am about to nullify that ability of your." "Oh, really!" Maya raised her hands, placing her right palm vertically at chest level and her left palm horizontally below it. The tip of her left hand touched the wrist of her right hand. [Mystical Art: Playground] A gusted of spiritual energy released from her engulfed the entire barrier with in. ''Another art...'' Jin thought to himself. [Mathematician: Information calculation] ''wh....!'' Jin''s eyes widened.''Such powerful technique..... I liked to play along but it maybe dangerous.'' [Mathematician: all zero] Before her Art could be completed it was destroyed. "Wha..t!? He neutralized my art! How!?" "I don''t mean...." Maya blinked in disbelief as blood splashed into the air like a fountain, painting the surroundings in vivid red. Her gaze shifted to Jin, whose head had been cleanly sev like a macabre tossed into the sky It fell to the ground and rolled away. ''He is as fast as always. We are of the same level, but I can barely saw his movements.'' Maya was not surprised. She was already accustomed to it. [Mathematician: numerical manipulation, absolute regeneration] The fractured bone mended itself, the severed spinal cord reformed, and the growing bones shaped a new skull. Muscles wrapped around it, followed by blood vessels, and then skin. Jin''s crimson eyes reappeared, and finally, his raven-black hair returned. ''Disgusting!'' Luke was stunned. "Now that''s really pissed me off!" Jin''s crimson eyes flared with rage. [Mathematician: numerical manipulation, perfect harmony] The wind within the barrier shifted, prompting Roma, Maya, and Noah to instinctively leap back. ''What is this unpleasant felling!'' Maya thought. ''For a second I....I felt death!'' Roma was sweating. ''No..it can''t be. It is a presence of a Sovereign'' Disparities the situation, Noah was still calmed. The ground trembled violently, small fissures splintering across the surface as the shaking intensified. Deep cracks spread in every direction, rumbling beneath their feet. An almighty aura exploded from Jin, radiating with such force that the very air seemed to vibrate with power, distorting the space around him. The weight of his presence grew unbearable, and the sheer magnitude of his energy threatened to tear the earth apart. "Hay! What the hell is going on!?" Roma asked. "Should not h..." Before Roma could utter a word, a figure materialized in front of him. A powerful punch landed in his gut, sending Roma flying into the distance. He crashed through multiple buildings, demolishing them in his path, but still, he didn''t stop. ''W...Wh...What.... just....happe...'' The punch came so fast that even with Roma''s ability enhanced by the skill ''High-Speed Thinking'' and his own high level, he couldn''t see it coming. A hand caught Roma''s head mid-air and slammed him into the ground with immense force. The impact created a massive crater, and at its center, Roma lay motionless. ''Ahhhh....m..my rib is crushed. Ahh..is..!!!!'' He spit out a handful of blood from his mouth. Roma was overwhelmed by intense agony, so severe that he could no longer open his eyes. He writhed helplessly on the ground, struggling to move. Summoning all his strength, Roma finally opened his eyes. Before him stood a figure cloaked in pure darkness¡ªperhaps a god of blackness, as deep as the abyss itself. Amidst this eternal shadow, a crimson light glowed with an eerie brilliance.