《Angels of Demise》
[Prol.1] A Symphony of crimson
I sat in the back rows, in the farthest seat from control, watching chaos unfold. Everything felt surreal, like witnessing an orchestra of violence conducted by an unseen hand. I couldn¡¯t make sense of it, yet there I was, thrust into the heart of it.
It began with a tragedy¡ªa bloodbath that should never have occurred in a world that knew only peace. There was no reason for war, no cause worth spilling blood over, yet it started. And we, the unwilling and unprepared, were drafted into its unforgiving current.
Now, we all play our roles in this grotesque theater of weapons and flesh. As for me, I¡¯m just a man¡ªan ordinary mortal with no talent, the owner of a body neither designed to fight nor dominate. Yet here I stand, clutching a newly sharpened knife and stumbling through the motions of killing others. The gruesome details of my comrades¡ªno, my acquaintances of barely ten days¡ªbeing shattered, stabbed, and slaughtered will haunt me. Still, we called each other comrades. Together, we performed in this ghastly play under the cold, cruel lights of the battlefield, a stage selling tickets to a spectacle of mercilessness.
The battlefield itself was indifferent, hosting death as its nightly star. Tonight, my murderer took the stage¡ªa man like me, ordinary, terrified, and teetering on the edge of despair. His eyes, wide with fear and brimming with tears, mirrored my own. His appearance¡ªgear that barely fit, a gun at his belt, a larger one slung across his back, and a sharp object in his trembling hand¡ªstruck me as painfully familiar.
He had an unnatural black tooth. I¡¯d heard of those. Bite hard enough, and it releases poison to kill its bearer swiftly and painlessly. A grim tool of escape, devised by assassins for when capture becomes inevitable. A symbol of resolve¡ªor lack thereof¡ªfor those who couldn¡¯t muster the strength to bite their own tongue.
He¡¯s crying. He¡¯s crying and running. He¡¯s crying and running toward me, clutching¡ a sword? No, a long knife¡ no, it is a sword. Why not use the gun, young man? It¡¯s right there. Then again, none of us¡ªmy comrades or I¡ªwere given such luxuries. Perhaps he¡¯s trying to play fair? Such foolishness will kill you, my war-friend. As for us? It seems that we were sent here to die, barely armed and unready.
My mind races back to the ironic theater: the man in command laughing with his fellows as if selling tickets. "Tonight''s play: Lambs to the slaughterhouse!"
Is it funny? Pathetic? A comedy or a tragedy? I cannot choose.
They¡ªthe ones in control¡ªsent a gardener to war. That¡¯s what I was, after all. My complaint isn¡¯t loud because I am complicit. I didn¡¯t pick up the sword when I had the chance. Instead, I chose to be a gardener in the midst of a battlefield, not a warrior safeguarding peace.
And then¡ SLASH.This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.
The sound of flesh yielding. Warm, smooth¡ my flesh. The blade slides into me as if my body was meant for it. Pain should follow, shouldn¡¯t it? But there¡¯s nothing. No burning, no sharp sting. It¡¯s oddly¡ quiet. I¡¯ve cut myself before, slicing my finger with a kitchen knife while preparing meals with my wife. That pain was immediate, searing. Yet now? Now there is nothing.
I try to process the moment. My body doesn¡¯t respond. My limbs won¡¯t move, my face won¡¯t turn. I can¡¯t even close my eyes. But from the corner of my vision, I see him¡ªthe young man who stabbed me. He¡¯s fallen, his body impaled on something unnatural.
A weapon? No, claws. Yes, claws. WAIT! CLAWS? My vision sharpens as I strain to see more. Yes, claws, monstrous and grotesque, tearing through flesh. The young man¡¯s body hangs limp, lifeless. My mind reels. Claws don¡¯t belong on this battlefield. They belong in stories, in nightmares¡ in monsters.
Then it dawns on me.
The claws are mine.
They protrude from my hands, dripping with the young man¡¯s blood. My hands, twisted and alien, wield these instruments of death. The realization crashes over me like a tidal wave, drowning every thought, every memory, every fragment of my humanity.
What am I?
The symphony of crimson continues, but I now am audience in the body of its conductor.
As for my body¡?
My body¡
My body has claws! I don¡¯t remember my body being capable of something like this. Panic grips my mind, but the sensation is distant, drowned by the cacophony of chaos around me. As my unresponsive body moves on its own, a scene ripped from a horror movie unfolds before my frozen, unmoving eyes: the claws retract from the young man¡¯s lifeless form, dripping crimson. They don¡¯t stay still for long, though.
Like predatory beasts with minds of their own, the claws lash out again in a relentless search for another victim. They seem to guide me, or perhaps they are the ones in control. I try to refocus, desperate for any clarity, and my gaze catches fleeting glimpses in the battlefield¡¯s pools of blood and rainwater.
Then, I see it.
For a split second, I see myself. The body I once called mine is nowhere to be found. In its place is a mockery of my former form¡ªa grotesque abomination coated in a molten black substance that fails miserably to mimic humanity. Its surface writhes, as though alive, shifting unnaturally with every movement.
And the wings.
Three wings extend from the creature¡¯s back, uneven and misshapen. One appears feathered, almost angelic, but its darkness betrays its purity. The second is leathery, jagged, and monstrous, a devil¡¯s appendage in every sense. The third, smeared in streaks of crimson, resembles a bird¡¯s wing, soaked in the blood of the fallen and stained by the battlefield itself.
I try to close my eyes, but I lost control over the body long, long ago. The head¡ªit has no face. No semblance of human features remains. It¡¯s an ever-shifting mass, twisting grotesquely in an endless cycle, as if taunting my mind to comprehend it.
The body, if it can still be called that, is covered in veins. They pulse with an unnatural rhythm, glowing faintly as though alive, yet there¡¯s no heartbeat¡ªat least not one I can feel. From the gaping wound where the sword pierced my chest, black tendrils sprout, writhing like serpents.
The sword is still there, embedded in my heart¡ªor where my heart should be. Can¡¯t really tell if a heart is there anymore now, but if this information helps, I never felt a heartbeat, not once. Hmm, now that I think about it, I never felt a heartbeat ever since I was born. Perhaps this is the reason why this body¡ this hideous, wretched thing¡ it moves as if possessed, tearing through soldiers like a beast unleashed.
[Prol.2] Rest is for the blessed
The battlefield continues. Every passing second, a new life is stolen, snuffed out as if it never mattered.
How?
Why?
What are we?
I say ''we'' because, even though I lack control, my eyes are dragged through the carnage my body¡ªno, this ''thing''¡ªunleashes. The massacre unfolds, each moment more grotesque than the last, and I am forced to witness it all. My comrades¡
No, not comrades anymore.
They share one dreadful, unifying detail with me: a sword lodged into their hearts. I see them transform, each blade piercing flesh serving as a grotesque key, unlocking horrors beyond comprehension. Their bodies warp into monstrous forms, just as mine has, grotesque parodies of life that exist only to destroy. These beasts are mindless, their original owners long dead, eyes glazed over, vacant of any trace of the person who once inhabited them.
It is clear¡ Crystal clear that the souls of those bodies abandoned and ascended from them. I can see it right in their eyes!
But¡ why am I different? What did I do to be undeserving of ascension?
Why¡ The lifelessness in their eyes, the absence of humanity in their movements. Why am I still here? Why must I bear witness to this madness, tethered to a body that isn¡¯t mine anymore?If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.
I want to scream, but my mouth isn¡¯t mine to open.
I want to close my eyes, but the beast that stole my body commands them to stay open.
I want to cry, but my tears are lost, as dry and lifeless as the shell I¡¯ve become.
This body, this unholy mass of shifting black and crimson, does nothing but kill¡ªmercilessly, indiscriminately. I am a passenger, forced to watch as it crafts new atrocities with every passing moment.
At first, it slaughtered soldiers¡ªpeople who were as frightened, as unwilling, as I was when this nightmare began. But¡ the slaughter doesn¡¯t end with the people.
The lambs sent to this slaughterhouse¡ªmy comrades and I¡ªhave returned as demons from hell, wreaking vengeance on the living. Every warrior, every soldier, is torn apart in the most horrendous ways imaginable.
But when the battlefield runs out of victims, the creatures hunt anew.
Birds, elegant and fragile creatures, flitting through the carnage in futile attempts to escape.
That¡¯s when it happened.
A mouth¡ªa gaping maw lined with countless, endless teeth¡ªemerged from a skyscraper-like neck, stretching impossibly high above the battlefield. The monstrous neck followed them, snatching a flock of birds mid-flight, and crushed them with a crunch so violent it felt like the earth itself recoiled. A sound that could make even Beelzebub abandon his feasts from disgust.
The trees are next. Gnarled claws tear through ancient trunks, shredding them into splinters. Some of the beasts turn to the sky, gnashing their ever-multiplying jaws at the clouds. They devour them, bite by impossible bite, ripping apart the heavens themselves.
The scene before me is one that could shatter a soul with a single glance. It¡¯s a nightmare that makes you question the very fabric of reality.
This movie of carnage, this masterpiece of terror, can only raise one singular question now: Is the sun next?
[Prol.3] No respite...
It began with the participants in war. Their blood was the first, their lives the seeds of this grotesque feast. But it didn¡¯t end there. Once the battlefield ran dry of victims, the hunger persisted, insatiable, demanding more.
The birds came next. Fragile creatures that soared above the chaos, desperate to escape. Their wings were no match for the monstrous maws that erupted from these twisted forms.
The trees followed, shredded like paper. Branches splintered, roots clawed out, their essence consumed by creatures that should not exist. The earth itself trembled as these abominations burrowed deeper, devouring life at its most fundamental level.
Then the skies¡ªthe very heavens¡ªwere eaten. Clouds vanished into gaping maws, stars dimmed as if they feared to shine upon the horror below. Night and day blurred as the creatures stretched upward, devouring the atmosphere, the layers of air that had once given breath to all living things.
But it was not enough. These beasts moved across the world, their persistence unfaltering, their hunger unending, consuming as much and as many as possible. The worst crimes committed by the sin of Gluttony are mere jokes compared to what these beasts have done. And I? I was a forced witness.
Before my eyes, which I could not close no matter how much I willed it, tragedies unraveled like storybooks in a cursed library. I saw them swallow houses with people inside. Horrific imagery burned into my mind: the pure and loyal falling alongside the sinful to jaws that come not from this reality. Final words, cries of despair, and prayers to gods that would never answer will now haunt me endlessly.
They consumed rivers as if parched but did not stop at water. Their thirst craved destruction. Mountains and even volcanoes¡ªyes, even those brimming with molten lava¡ªwere devoured without a second¡¯s hesitation. The fire posed no hardship to their endless hunger.
...
Would the sun itself truly fall victim to this gluttony?
...
The thought raced through the remnants of my mind. I wanted to deny it, to cling to hope, but that hope was shattered as I saw how every land, every sea, every corner of the world fell victim to their relentless consumption. The planet itself was slurped from existence by my very jaws.
However, this was still, not enough. The creatures turned to the stars surrounding what I once called home. One by one, they devoured the celestial bodies, each a glowing tribute to life now extinguished in their voracious wake. Planets came next, and then they set their sights on the sun itself. It, too, was consumed, its light extinguished forever.
Effortlessly.
The remnants of the solar system stood no chance, swept away in the tide of endless destruction.
Now? Thrown into an endless cosmos, here is where they began mindlessly attacking all there is to be: accumulations of stars, planets, and their satellites, black holes, pieces of the void, devouring entire systems as they came across them. These beings did not merely crave destruction; they sought to annihilate existence itself. Before they could accomplish this, however, gods, deities and even the concepts themselves appeared before me in their physical forms, attempting to stop them. At first, they used the might granted by their very essence, but even these divine interventions were forced to escalate, revealing the full extent of their power.
It was futile. Even the Concept of Finality itself, the bedrock of ALL endings, was consumed. The abstraction representing Superiority fell, and not even the Concept of Survival¡ survived. All were mauled and hacked apart by teeth that not only resisted decay but seemed to grow sharper, larger, and more numerous with every bite. Reality itself crumbled under their assault, yet these creatures only grew stronger.
In the end, one voice remained¡ªa cruel and mocking voice belonging to a Jester God. A God of Luck and Jokes¡ªhow ironic in this situation, a God made of stories being the last one to survive, yet has no one to tell the story to... and is soon to be devoured next.You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
Through maniacal laughter, it wove a tale of tragedy, futility, and endless despair. Was it speaking to me? To the soul trapped in this abomination, unable to ascend or find peace?
Or has He fell victim to His own insanity?
The Jester¡¯s words revealed the bitter truth: these creatures always return. Each time they are destroyed, they revive in a new form with a new story. Eradicated countless times before, they are reborn under different names, different appearances, but with the same ultimate goal: to consume all of existence. Even the gods could not erase them, for their curse is rooted in the fundamental flaws of existence itself. These monsters began as malice incarnate, born not only from betrayal, despair, and hatred but from any form of attack or defense. From the smallest organism clinging to life¡ªan act that should be seen as beauty and perseverance¡ªbut isn¡¯t.
The story of a poor girl, sweet and innocent, who devoted her life to medicine but was betrayed by her village and unjustly branded a witch. Burned at the stake, a spark of malice that craves revenge birthed true witches into the world. Their tools, their accursed magical instruments, were the forms these abominations took at the time. Slowly, these tools grew out of control, forcing the gods to reset that universe entirely.
Another universe bore witness to a tragedy of science. Doctors seeking to end the disease all humans share¡ªmortality¡ªexperimented recklessly, unleashing zombified organisms. The deities had to intervene and destroy the universe before the infection could evolve further.
In yet another timeline, a futuristic utopia seemed unbreakable. But even there... technology turned against its creators, threatening all existence. This time, the Concept of The End, an eldritch abomination capable of what these very beasts desire, was summoned to tie up the loose ends. Yet these were but three of countless stories that shared two unchanging details: the spark of malice that birthed the monsters and their insatiable desire to devour ALL, hoping to end ALL THERE IS TO EVER BE, alongside with their own cursed lives.
To them, it makes sense! If you think about it, it does makes sense! If nothing exists, then they shouldn¡¯t either!
IT!
JUST!
MAKES!
FUCKING SENSE!
...
But no story is so gentle as to end here... or ever.
And this story... This is the story of their success. Sort of...
After an infinite amount of revivals and failures, they finally overcame the defenders of existence. They consumed everything¡ªall that dared to exist within reality¡ªand finally, reality itself. As the last fragments of creation vanished, the final, insane laugh of a broken individual echoed through the void:
¡°HAHAHAHA! YOU FUCKERS ARE FUCKING INCREDIBLE! AS A REWARD I''LL GIVE YOU A FINAL ACT OF KINDNEEESSS!" The phrase stretched, as if spoken by a snake, but even the serpents from fictions were devoured... "NAMING YOU! ANGELS OF DEMISE! CARRY IT WITH YOU! HAHAHAHahaha¡ª.....¡±
Then silence... Those were the Jester God¡¯s final words.
It was finally over. Nothing existed. No stars, no planets, no light, no dark. Not even time remained.
Finally, they could rest. Right? I mean, it¡¯s finally over, no?
Wrong.
Nothing happened. The curse endured. They could not die.
The beasts could no longer endure. They embraced insanity, and in their madness, they turned on each other as a final effort. They tore at what might loosely be called their allies, rending flesh, breaking bones, and crushing the very cores of their endless existence. Heads and hearts, brains and stomachs were destroyed again and again. But no matter the damage inflicted, regeneration followed without fail. They rebuilt themselves, helpless against the curse.
Again.
And again.
Over and over.
They repeated this pitiful scene an infinite number of times, each time regenerating faster than before. Trapped in a never-ending torment they never sought, the beasts¡ªand the soul imprisoned within¡ªremained.
At some point, all the beasts tried to hack the new owner of my body, and a thought hit me: Was my soul the reason they were not allowed to ascend? Doesn¡¯t matter¡ªevery fang¡¯s bite, every claw¡¯s scratch was instantaneously healed as if pressing an undo button.
What could these abominations do? Nothing. They had obliterated existence with a fragment of their strength, yet they were powerless against the endless life forced upon them. Eventually, they realized the futility of their struggles.
They stopped fighting.
They stopped moving.
They stopped acting.
They stopped breathing. (Were they breathing to begin with?)
They stopped everything. Most importantly, they stopped... thinking.
Death refused them. They had no choice but to improvise.
And now...
¡°I¡¯m all alone.¡±
¡°Oh my, I can think in mind now, slightly clearer thoughts than before, but it¡¯s still an upgrade from the passenger I¡¯ve been for the past endless eternity.¡±
But that doesn¡¯t remedy the situation I find myself in. NOTHING EXISTS. Not even the beasts function anymore. I am alone, utterly and completely alone, in an endless sea of darkness.
Again... Nothing exists anymore!
I am an individual waiting for something.
But there is nothing.
[Prol.4] And there was...
And waiting I did. In the sea of nothingness, I lasted for eternities.
The first eon was spent in awe, appreciating what had transpired thus far. Beasts of forgotten stories lay rotting against time. No matter how much they consumed, destroyed, or grew, they were never destined to win. Only to suffer. The question from before resurfaced: Was my soul¡¯s inability to ascend the reason they couldn¡¯t destroy everything? Was I the key to... something?
Thoughts and thoughts, clearer with each passing moment, churned until I regained my mind in full again.
Then came the second eon. I regained my ability to speak!
¡°AMAZING! I think this is the first time we interact, dear reader? Please forgive my intrusion upon your reality in such a manner, but here where I am, nothing exists anymore, and I need a companion to converse with, even if one-sided such as this. Allow me to indulge in this moment, please.¡±
...
Now that my thirst for sound has been sated, I can return to the solitude of inexistence that my very body has created against my will. I would say that nothing¡¯s here, existence is no longer, and I¡¯m still alone, repeating myself mindlessly like a broken record, but I¡¯d be lying! There¡¯s my soul, now capable of clear thoughts through a noisy voice. Quite delightful!The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
"I wonder what''s to come!?" ¨C A question of terror and despair... was abandoned for now...
How about we answer questions we can, for now, such as "What happened the next eon?" Well, that time I actually regained control over my sight...
I think?
I can¡¯t really tell if I truly regained vision because it went from the blank nothing I had before to a fresh new black of no light or hope. But that doesn¡¯t matter, because by the time the eon ended, I could feel. I regained control over my hands! Not only that, but before it''s conclusion, I was able to fully walk and float around! Nothing exists, so I can improvise which stance I prefer after all.
But that bliss would soon come to an end, as for endless cycles of dark and terrifying time, I witnessed...
Nothing.
Against time, nothing!
In space was nothing!
...Now I understand why the beasts gave in, thus my mind slowly decayed. I¡¯m human after all¡ªat least my soul if not my body. And eventually, I succumbed to sleep as no progress was made for the upcoming eternities, where my hope slowly shattered and dissipated.
I yielded... to sleep.
A sleep of the soul. Cold. Silent. Merciful. I stopped hoping. Stopped being. Stopped...
Thinking...
[Ch.1] SOMEONE!?
A cosmic sleep. A slumber measured not in moments but in epochs so vast that human comprehension would falter.
I had become it¡ªa being of boundless power, capable of ultimate destruction. And yet, in equal measure, I was lesser than the humblest statue: an existence that teetered on the edge of awareness and brokenness, embraced by a paradoxical absence of purpose. Everything drowned in it¡ªthe nothingness, the sea of endless void.
Nothing and no one.
Nothing and nowhere.
Nothing and never.
...Until it happened.
At first, it was faint. A sound, unlike my voice, unlike the echo of my thoughts that had served as my only companions in this endless blank canvas. The mere notion of something else existing struck a chord in me that I had thought lost to time.
It was real.
Desperation and curiosity clawed at my shattered mind. Wrapping my focus tightly around this anomaly, I willed myself to sharpen. To listen. To grasp.
And then it hit me¡ªa revelation like a tidal wave crashing against a brittle cliff. I had regained control over my body. For the first time in eons. Could I muster the strength to open my eyes? To truly see and hear?
¡°WOAAH!¡±
The voice, high-pitched and sweet, filled an unfamiliar atmosphere. Atmosphere? Could such a thing exist in this void?
¡°What are you doing here, mister?¡± the voice asked, a curious tone laced within its melody.
Companionship. The thought of it slipping away because of my silence terrified me. It was a sharper fear than the day I saw my home swallowed by my uncontrollable self. I couldn¡¯t lose this chance¡ªnot now. I had to act, had to respond. My determination surged, and with it, I burst out of my mental paralysis. I forced open my eyes and ears, awakening to a world that I¡¯d long forgotten.
The First Sight
Light. Blinding, yet soft. My eyes stung, unfamiliar liquid pooling around them. Blurred shapes began to take form, and for the first time in countless ages, I saw.
A washed yellow-gray surrounded me, familiar yet alien. It took a moment to remember. Colors. Yes, I had seen these before. My mind fought to grasp the words¡ªto name these sensations that felt so distant.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
Rocks.
Yes, rocks. I was lying on something rough and solid. The tough feeling beneath my hands and body confirmed it. My breath hitched as I tried to take in more. My gaze shifted upward to a ceiling, not of open sky but of crumbling, jagged stone.
Ruins.
That was the word. Ruins. My memory stuttered to life, naming the fractured architecture surrounding me.
And then my eyes lowered to her.
A young girl. A real, living person stood before me. My mind faltered, caught between disbelief and awe. She had two normal ears and two cat-like ones perched atop her head. Her hair, scarlet all around, reached her shoulders. The name for when the eyes are colored differently¡ªI forgot it, but she had it. A sapphire and a ruby, shining brightly! As I studied her a little more, I noticed a long, swishing tail behind her and a glint of sharp black nails, claw-like on her frail, small hands.
She was pouting now, her lips pressed together in a childish show of frustration, clearly displeased that I wasn''t conversing with her. Her bright, curious eyes fixed on me with a mixture of concern and excitement, though her irritation was evident in the impatient flick of her tail.
¡°What are you?¡±
The words spilled from me, raw and desperate, my voice unpracticed but clear. It felt foreign, speaking to another after so long. But it felt... right.
¡°Hm? Are you asking for Ryna¡¯s name, mister?¡± she replied between sharp teeth, tilting her head.
¡°Ryna?¡±
¡°Yes! Ryna¡¯s name is Ryna!¡± she chirped, her tail wagging with enthusiasm.
Her name echoed in my mind. The first name I had spoken to in eons. I latched onto it like a lifeline.
¡°Ryna... what is this place? Where am I? And¡ªif you don¡¯t mind¡ªwhat are you? Your tail, your ears... I¡¯ve never seen anyone like you before.¡± My voice quivered, the flood of questions barely restrained by my longing to prolong this dialogue.
Ryna blinked, her expression turning puzzled. ¡°Mister doesn¡¯t know about Ryna¡¯s kind?¡±
I chuckled softly in my mind. Wasn¡¯t I the one asking the questions here? I pushed forward, my honesty bared. ¡°No, Ryna, I don¡¯t know much of anything, actually.¡±
¡°Oh!¡± Her eyes lit up with understanding. ¡°Ryna is a girl!¡±
¡°Yes, Ryna, I can see that,¡± I replied, a wry amusement rising within me. ¡°But what kind? I¡¯ve heard in tales, something like your kind... cat-people, I think?¡±
Her tail swished again, this time with pride. ¡°Ah! Ryna and her friends are nekojin, mister!¡±
Nekojin. The word felt strange on my tongue, yet it carried a certain rhythm. I nodded slowly, as if repeating it to myself would engrave it deeper in my memory.
She continued, her ears twitching as she observed me curiously. ¡°Mister is strange. Where did you come from?¡±
The question struck a chord, and I hesitated. Where had I come from? How could I possibly explain the endless void, the eons of nothingness, the unbearable weight of being?
Ryna waited patiently, her curious eyes unwavering. She didn¡¯t look away, didn¡¯t retreat from the strange entity before her. For the first time in ages, I felt a glimmer of something I thought I¡¯d lost forever.
Hope.
[Ch.2] A temporary answer
Ryna, the nekojin girl who had awakened me from my eternal slumber, awaited a reply to her question, "Where did I come from?" - I copy her sentence.
A simple question, yet it carried the weight of my existence.
Where, huh? Could I simply say Earth? From the year 5547? The land of green valleys and sapphire skies¡ªa place that was swallowed by war at the command of the beasts'' fate? No, that wouldn¡¯t fly. That place is long gone¡ªno, worse than that¡ªit never exists!
Could I tell her the story of a soul trapped within its own monstrous vessel? Of the days when I was alien even to myself, rampaging through realities I neither understood nor belonged to? No, that wouldn''t be a proper reply.You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
What could she make of the truth? That I am a being now older than time itself? A relic of destruction, surviving long after even the stars had burned out?
A sigh escaped me, unbidden and heavy.
No answer would ever truly explain. No truth could be neatly packaged into words that wouldn¡¯t shatter. And so, I chose the only answer that felt right.
"...Home."
The single word slipped past my lips. A word so simple, yet heavy with the weight of lost worlds, endless journeys, and of a longing I had long thought dead.
Ryna blinked, her feline ears twitching as if listening not just to the sound but to the meaning beneath it. She didn¡¯t press further, only nodding as if home was all the explanation she needed.
And maybe, in this moment...
It was...
[Ch.3] My... Name?
The interaction so far awakened something within me¡ªa dream, faint and fragile, yet compelling. It came accompanied by a whisper that clung to my mind like the remnants of an old melody.
"Home, huh? Perhaps I''ll..."
The sentence trailed into silence as I stopped myself. It was a dangerous thought. How could I forget what I truly was? A soul encased in a beast of endless power, a vessel with an insatiable craving for destruction. To awaken that creature would almost certainly replay the horrors of that moment¡ªthe moment when all was consumed, when entire realities succumbed to the nightmare I embodied.
But what if the beast never returned? After all, it had longed for its own end. So much so, in fact, that it had ceased to think entirely, its mind abandoned to stillness in its desperate bid for death. That¡¯s why I existed now, in this tenuous state of control. The monster¡¯s silence was my chance.
I would tread carefully. Yet, for now, I allowed myself a small sliver of hope.
"...Perhaps I''ll craft the house of my dreams and live a peaceful life."
"Mister! That sounds great! Can Ryna accompany you?" she exclaimed, her sparkling eyes wide with excitement.
Her enthusiasm pulled me from my musings. I began to move, shifting against the stones that had entombed me. My body had been trapped beneath boulders¡ªtruly stuck there, as if the ruins themselves had tried to keep me hidden. Ryna had been laboring to free me, her small hands clawing away bits of rubble. Yet she had barely managed to move the smallest of rocks.
As for me? I stood up without a shred of effort, the boulders shattering as though they were made of glass.
"WOAH! Mister is so strong!" Ryna exclaimed, her awe shining brightly.This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.
I stared at my hands, flexing my fingers. They felt familiar, yet alien¡ªa paradox I couldn¡¯t quite reconcile. These were the hands I¡¯d known before the war, before the unthinkable had happened. My body¡ it was whole again. Human. That explained why Ryna had been curious rather than terrified. She had not seen the true form I once bore¡ªthe form that struck fear into the hearts of Gods and higher beings.
A small chuckle escaped me. "Haah. I guess so."
Ryna tilted her head, her feline ears twitching. "Hmm. Hey, mister! Ryna doesn¡¯t know your name! What¡¯s mister¡¯s name?"
Oh. How careless of me. I¡¯d forgotten to introduce myself. Yet as I opened my mouth to answer, I hesitated.
My name.
Did I even have one anymore? The eternity¡ªno, time itself¡ªhad eroded that part of me, leaving it indistinct, like a faded engraving on an ancient monument. What had they called me before everything crumbled to dust? Whatever it was, it was lost now. Perhaps it was fitting to start anew.
"My name is..."
But before I could finish, a memory surfaced, vivid and intrusive. I saw it clearly: the Jester God¡¯s demise, the moment he branded us with his mockery. Back then, we had been many, a chorus of ruin known as the Angels of Demise. Now, there was only me. Alone. If I were to bear the weight of such a title, what name could suit me better than that of the ultimate fallen being? A name that echoed through myth and fear?
"Lucifer."
I spoke it aloud, letting it settle into the air. It felt... fitting. Yes, from now on, I would be Lucifer.
Ryna¡¯s eyes lit up with wonder. "Wow! Mister has such a pretty name!"
"Uhh, thank you," I replied, her earnest compliment catching me off guard.
Her tail swished excitedly as she declared with a grin, "From now on, Ryna and Lucy are the bestest friends!"
I blinked, stunned by her sudden proclamation. "Hold on... Lucy?"
"Yesh! Lucy!" she chirped, her voice brimming with pride at her clever nickname.
I sighed, a mix of exasperation and amusement bubbling within me. "It¡¯s Lucifer. Not Lucy."
But she paid me no mind, her grin growing wider. "Lucy sounds cuter!"
I shook my head, my lips twitching into the faintest of smiles. She was insistent, this little nekojin. Despite myself, I found her presence oddly comforting. After eons of solitude, perhaps even a name like "Lucy" could bring a strange sense of warmth.
For the first time in an eternity, I allowed myself a small laugh. "Fine. Have it your way, Ryna."
[Ch.4] Re:Beginning
After I effortlessly break free from the bed of rocks, I shake myself to rid my body of the lingering dust. It¡¯s a reflex now¡ªan automatic rejection of anything trying to weigh me down, though the heavier burdens always linger unseen. With how long I¡¯ve lived, I¡¯ve developed a knack for observation, along with a quantity of powers and abilities that would put to shame the full length of digits of ¦Ð.
Yes, I calculated the whole thing once. It was during one of those centuries-long lulls where time stretched endlessly, and I needed something¡ªanything¡ªto occupy the void. By the time I reached the final digit (because, trust me, I found it), I realized the number itself didn¡¯t matter. It was the distraction I needed. A way to avoid staring too long into the nothingness that eternity tends to offer.
Anyway, back to my burial¡ªit¡¯s clear to me that I¡¯ve been resting here, absent-minded for over 700 years.
As for this place¡ it¡¯s solid, real. That fact alone carries monumental implications: it exists.
And existence, in its simplest form, means one undeniable truth¡ªthe theory of Universe Creation. After nothingness persists for an unimaginable span of time, a new reality births itself, a reflexive act born from the flaws inherent in existence itself. Of course, there¡¯s also a faint, absurd possibility that, in regaining control of my body, I somehow regurgitated the reality my monstrous self had devoured. But given my state of motionless slumber, the odds of that are laughably low.
Heh... Not zero, but close enough.
The thought makes me shiver. The sheer freakishness of it demands distraction, and so I seize the opportunity for conversation.
¡°Hey, Ryna, what is this place? Where are we exactly?¡±
¡°You don¡¯t know, Lucy? You¡¯ve been here yesterday when I visited, and the day before as well!¡± That caught me off-guard. I ignored that fleeting moment of brilliance she had in hopes she¡¯d continue her idea, which she did. ¡°These ruins are called the Wicked Well,¡± she answers, her voice brightening. ¡°People come here looking for treasures!¡±If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
¡°Treasures, you say? Like that shiny stone over there?¡± I ask, pointing towards a glass-like object embedded in the ceiling above us.
Ryna¡¯s ears perk up, and her tail swishes with excitement. ¡°Ooooh! You¡¯ve got good eyes, Lucy! But the problem is¡ Ryna can¡¯t reach it. The ceiling is way too high!¡± She gestures dramatically to emphasize the vast height.
She¡¯s right; this place is massive. The object is about eleven meters above me, which likely feels even farther to someone of Ryna¡¯s stature. But to me, it¡¯s hardly an obstacle.
¡°What if I just grab it for you?¡± I say casually as I stretch my arm toward the ceiling, elongating it like pliable rubber to pluck the stone from its resting place. It¡¯s a calculated choice; I could have used my wings to fly up there, but revealing those grotesque appendages, even in a modified form, seemed unnecessarily risky. This method was simpler, safer.
I bring the object back and offer it to Ryna. ¡°Here you go.¡±
Her eyes widen to saucers, her mouth falling open in shock. ¡°W-Wha¡ WHAT?! You¡¯re giving it to Ryna?! Lucy, this rock is important and expensive!¡±
Ah, so that¡¯s how it is. I¡¯ve unintentionally handed her something of great value. That complicates things. Clearly, I need to establish some sort of trade.
¡°It¡¯s not free, Ryna,¡± I say, letting a faint smile play on my lips. ¡°I have one request in return.¡±
She tilts her head in confusion, her ears twitching curiously. ¡°A request?¡±
¡°Yes. I need a guide.¡± I pause deliberately, stopping myself before using the word ¡®world.¡¯ ¡°I need someone to show me around town. If you agree to help, the stone is yours.¡±
Her face lights up, her tail wagging furiously behind her. ¡°Deal! Ryna will show you all of town, Lucy! You''ll love it!¡±
Her enthusiasm is contagious, and I can¡¯t help but smile. The truth is, I don¡¯t need the stone. I could replicate it with my boundless power or find another one just as easily. Sustenance? Unnecessary. Water? A forgotten luxury. Sleep? I¡¯ve already indulged in over 700 years of it, plus the time before.
But a companion? A guide? That¡¯s something I can¡¯t conjure or replace. For now, her company and this fresh world are more than enough. And who knows? Perhaps this girl, with her boundless energy and sparkling eyes, will lead me to something I¡¯ve long since lost¡ªa reason to believe in existence once more.
[Ch.5] The ruins react
After Ryna and I shook hands to seal our deal¡ªa gesture that apparently persists through time, space and creation¡ªthen, I reignited our conversation. ¡°Hey, Ryna, where are we heading now?¡± I asked, all the while stretching my body to gauge how much control I truly regained.
¡°Ryna¡¯s heading towards the exit!¡± she chirped, her voice crackling with energy. Her enthusiasm was infectious, but I was in no rush. Perhaps we could linger a little longer, hunting for more of those gemstones. They¡¯d certainly be useful¡ªfor her and her people, the nekojin she had mentioned, and for me to blend in without drawing undue suspicion. Until I could fully understand this world and master my overwhelming power, I needed to tread carefully. One wrong accident could mean...
Together, we started our journey out of the ruins, an unending labyrinth of fractured stone and eerie silence. I couldn''t help but wonder if, beyond the crumbling walls, I might glimpse the vibrant green of trees or feel the fresh scent of life. It had been so long since I¡¯d experienced anything resembling nature. The thought spurred me forward.
The walk was painstakingly slow. These ruins weren¡¯t just massive; they were colossal¡ªthe size of a skyscraper flipped sideways and buried deep underground. According to Ryna, we were on the 17th basement level when she found me. A casual stroll to the surface would¡¯ve been a week-long pilgrimage for a less capable pair.
Ryna, ever the chatterbox, filled the silence with periodic observations about our surroundings. ¡°Okay, Lucy! You and Ryna are entering the 10th floor! Be careful!¡± she announced with a sudden shift in tone. We just entered a new place, but it felt differently from the previous others. The entire place changed, and above us I could see the clouds¡ªthe sky was there! But how? We were not outside, that much I could feel! I knew it with precision! "We''re still inside the ruins, why is there a sky of clouds!?" Then it dawned on me... Did Ryna just... Did she just use the word ''careful''?
My mind grasped onto the term. ¡°Careful? Why? What¡¯s on this floor?¡± I asked, but before she could reply, an answer barreled toward us, fully formed and devastating.
A thunderous crash shook the ground as a massive creature of stone emerged from the giant rubble. Standing at least nine meters tall and four meters wide, the golem¡¯s presence was overwhelming. Its rough, jagged body gleamed under the blinding light, but what truly astounded me was its speed. Despite its immense size, it moved like a blur, its colossal form dashing across the room in an instant.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Ryna froze in place, her earlier cheer replaced by terror. She trembled as the golem blitzed to stand directly before her. It loomed over her small frame, raising a massive hand for what could only be a killing blow.
I realized, too late, that we had separated. Ryna had scampered off earlier, chasing a glimmering reflection on the ground. Perhaps she had hoped to find another gem or some treasure for her needs. And now she stood alone, paralyzed with fear.
The golem¡¯s hand came crashing down with terrifying speed. Ryna turned to me, tears streaming down her cheeks, and whispered in a voice so faint I almost missed it, ¡°Goodbye, Lucy.¡±
But it wasn¡¯t goodbye.
The world slowed to a crawl, each second stretching into an eternity. This event started upon hearing the word ''careful''. This wasn¡¯t the first time I¡¯d experienced this phenomenon either, as if the universe itself bowed to my will, dilating time to grant me the space to act. While such an ability would terrify an ordinary person, to me, it was second nature. An eternity or a fleeting moment? I couldn''t tell the difference between the two anymore.
I strolled casually through the frozen tableau, reaching Ryna and the golem just as the massive hand began its descent. With my right palm, I intercepted the blow, halting the attack effortlessly. My left hand rested gently on Ryna¡¯s back. ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± I said softly. ¡°This mister over here is strong, remember?¡±
The golem recoiled, stumbling back as if shocked. Time resumed its flow, and Ryna gasped, her wide eyes flickering between me and the now-stationary creature. The golem¡¯s gray body flushed an angry red, signaling its shift into a more dangerous state. It dashed again, faster than before¡ªor so it thought. To me, it was still crawling.
¡°Impressive,¡± I muttered, more to myself than to anyone else. ¡°But not enough.¡±
The creature blitzed again, its speed reaching a pinnacle that would¡¯ve overwhelmed any ordinary opponent. But to me, it was frozen mid-motion, its every movement laid bare. I stepped forward and placed a single finger against its chest. I had sensed something unusual in that place, a strange energy source that pulsed faintly amidst its otherwise lifeless body.
With a gentle tap, I cracked the core stone embedded in its chest. The golem froze, its red glow fading as its body crumbled back to rubble. Whatever life force had animated it was gone.
Ryna stared, her mouth agape. ¡°W-Wow,¡± she stammered. ¡°Lucy is amazing!¡±
I chuckled softly. ¡°I just got lucky.¡±
In truth, the encounter left me quite uneasy. If a creature like this was merely a guardian of the ruins, what dangers awaited beyond these walls? Peace, it seemed, would not come easily in this new world. But for now, I turned my attention back to Ryna, who was already poking at the golem¡¯s remains curiously with a stick.
¡°Come on,¡± I said, ruffling her hair. ¡°Let¡¯s get out of here. There¡¯s a whole world waiting for us.¡±
[Ch.6] Fleeting respite...
¡°The danger¡¯s gone now, we¡¯re all safe and clear!¡± I said with a sigh of relief, glancing at the crumbled remains of the golem. It was a relief, but I couldn¡¯t help but ponder the strange encounter. Turning to Ryna, I posed the question that had been nagging at me. ¡°So, what¡¯s the deal with that golem? Is it because we¡¯re on the 10th floor? Are there similar creatures on random floors, or do they just show up every ten?¡±
As soon as I finished speaking, I realized I¡¯d asked too much at once. Ryna¡¯s ears twitched, but she didn¡¯t immediately respond. I decided to give her space, letting her collect herself as we continued walking.
Before long, we stumbled upon a serene clearing, a break from the oppressive ruins around us. In the center stood an ancient tree whose sprawling branches cast a cooling shade. Beneath it flowed a crystalline stream, its waters glinting like liquid silver. Tiny fairies, each glowing softly in shades of blue, green, and gold, flitted around the tree. Their delicate wings shimmered as they hovered above the stream, creating an almost ethereal atmosphere.
I led Ryna to the water¡¯s edge, where we crouched to drink. The liquid was cold and refreshing, quenching not just our thirst but some deeper weariness I hadn¡¯t realized I carried. It felt like a luxury rather than a necessity, a moment of indulgence after the unwanted challenge.
This place had a strange allure. I couldn¡¯t help but think it would make an excellent home. The thought lingered, tempting me with visions of peace. But it was fleeting. The image of the golem blitzing toward Ryna replayed in my mind, a sharp reminder of the dangers lurking here. I clenched my fists. If my mind was even slightly unsynced, even for a second, she would¡¯ve¡This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.
No. The golem wasn¡¯t important anymore. What mattered was getting out of this dungeon. Staying here wasn¡¯t an option. Resting in this haven, however, was a welcome reprieve.
Ryna, now more composed, broke the silence. ¡°Yes. Those creatures show up every ten floors. Up until now, they¡¯ve ignored Ryna. Ryna could sneak past them. But today¡¡± She hesitated, her tail drooping slightly. ¡°Today, they moved¡¡±
I mulled over her words. Perhaps the golem¡¯s unusual reaction was because of a certain''s angel awakening¡ªa being whose very existence disrupted the balance of everything¡ªmight¡¯ve been enough to provoke it. Perhaps it was a guardian... Or perhaps it was just bad luck.
¡°Are we sure they won¡¯t wander onto other floors?¡± I asked, genuinely curious.
Ryna fidgeted, her ears flattening slightly. ¡°Ryna¡¯s¡ not really sure. They shouldn¡¯t, but¡¡± Her voice trailed off, uncertainty weighing heavily on her small frame.
Seeing her distress, I smiled and ruffled her hair again. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. As long as we stick together, I¡¯ll protect you. It¡¯s an easy job, trust me!¡±
She looked up at me, her wide eyes searching for reassurance. My words must have worked, because her face slowly brightened. Her smile returned, tentative at first, then blossoming into its usual exuberance.
With our spirits lifted, we left the peaceful clearing behind. As we walked, I couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that this dungeon still held more surprises¡ªand not the pleasant kind. But for now, we moved with purpose, one step closer to the exit, one step closer to whatever lay beyond these walls. And as long as Ryna was near me, I''d easily guarantee her safety.
[Ch.7] The First Floor
After the golem on the 10th floor was reduced to rubble, we finally allowed ourselves a brief moment of respite. The tension from the battle lingered, but the sense of relief was undeniable. Once we felt ready, we resumed our journey.
Our path through the 10th floor led us across familiar sights: endless stretches of grass broken by crumbled ruins. Yet, as we pressed forward, a peculiar structure came into view. Unlike the sprawling, decayed remnants we had passed before, this one was distinctly different in its simplicity and purpose. Standing solitary in the middle of the field, it was a door¡ªa solid slab of ancient wood framed by stone pylons. The surrounding grass rippled in the breeze, as though bowing to its presence.
¡°Behind that door is the -9th floor, Lucy!¡± Ryna¡¯s cheerful voice broke the tranquil silence, pulling me out of my contemplation. Her enthusiasm was infectious, but her words raised a question that stuck in my mind. Were all floors separated by such doors?
Before crossing the threshold, a movement at the edge of my vision caught my attention. Turning slightly, I spotted a quaint village in the distance. Small, pointy-hatted figures busily moved about, accompanied by amorphous blobs of many sizes and colors shimmered in the light.
¡°Gnomes and slimes,¡± Ryna said, following my gaze. She had taught me about these creatures before. The gnomes appeared industrious, working together to construct homes and gather food alongside their gelatinous companions. Their cooperative existence seemed worlds apart from the chaos we had endured.
I let the sight linger for a moment before turning back to the door. The curiosity about the labyrinth¡¯s structure¡ªits design, its purpose¡ªwas tempting, but I quickly dismissed it. My goal was simple: escape. The mysteries of this place could wait until I was far from its grasp.
Stepping through the door was like crossing into another world. The open sky vanished, replaced by walls that hemmed us in from every direction, including above. The sudden confinement was jarring, a stark reminder of how fleeting freedom could be. The air felt heavier here, the weight of the labyrinth pressing down on us.
We continued forward, traversing uneventful floors. The monotonous scenery became a blur of stone corridors and dimly lit chambers. The creatures we encountered were unremarkable¡ªsmall goblins, meek and unthreatening, moved about their lives. Ryna whispered, ¡°They won¡¯t attack unless provoked. Ryna sneaky-sneak-sneaks past them all the time!¡± She placed a finger to her lips, grinning mischievously. I nodded, following her lead.
The monotony of these floors made them almost laughably mundane, a stark contrast to the harrowing challenges we had faced earlier. It was a relief in its own way, though the thought lingered in the back of my mind: if this place were truly dangerous, would Ryna have ever dug through the floors and awaken me?
Hours passed in this repetitive rhythm until we finally arrived at the -1st floor. Here, the atmosphere shifted once again. The stale air carried a sense of foreboding, and the oppressive silence felt heavier. Ryna explained that the labyrinth¡¯s layout descended into the earth itself, with the numbered floors climbing back toward the surface. However, before reaching the 1st floor, we had one more obstacle: the ominously titled ¡°Floor 0.¡±
¡°Every 10th floor has a guardian,¡± I mused aloud. ¡°That means there¡¯s something waiting for us on Floor 0, right?¡±
Ryna nodded solemnly, her usual cheer subdued. ¡°Ryna doesn¡¯t know what¡¯s there. Ryna never met the sleepy monsters¡ Ryna only sneaks around. Never seen them.¡±
I understood her caution. It wasn¡¯t worth speculating about what lay ahead. We¡¯d find out soon enough. The -1st floor, while carrying a sense of unease, was uneventful¡ªjust another stretch of dull stone corridors and lifeless chambers. With no real threats in sight, we pressed forward without hesitation.
When we stepped into Floor 0, the labyrinth played another of its tricks. The walls fell away, replaced by an open expanse. The sky above was not the familiar blue but a muted canvas of dusk, the horizon tinged with hues of orange and purple. The ruins here bore an eerie resemblance to those on the 10th floor, as though we had stepped back in time to an earlier part of our journey.
¡°Are these doors connecting the same two dimensions?¡± I wondered aloud, the thought drifting into the still air. We had walked long enough for the sun to set, and the landscape was hauntingly familiar.
Ryna stayed close as we navigated this space. Her initial surprise at my heightened caution gave way to quiet understanding as she let me lead. The stillness around us was unsettling, but I moved forward with deliberate care. I couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that we were being watched.This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
An hour passed in tense silence... Then another. The expanse of Floor 0 seemed endless, and I began to wonder if this place was designed to test patience as much as resolve. Then, the peace shattered.
A sharp, unearthly screech sliced through the stillness, dark and piercing like a predator¡¯s cry echoing across a silent night. Ryna froze, her trembling form betraying the fear coursing through her. I reached out, resting a steadying hand on her shoulder, grounding her as I scanned the surroundings for the source of the dreadful noise.
Nothing. Just the ruins, still and foreboding as ever.
The sound¡ªit felt as though the very air itself was screaming, a disembodied cry that seemed to emanate from everywhere and nowhere. I frowned. Could the dungeon itself be alive, its voice a warning or a threat? The thought lingered uncomfortably in my mind.
And then it came again.
SCREEECH!!!
Louder, sharper, more grating this time. It clawed at my senses, refusing to be ignored. Ryna flinched again, her ears flattening against her head, but I kept her close, my gaze darting around with heightened focus. Still, no sign of a threat. No shadow, no movement¡ªnothing to explain the awful noise.
But it didn¡¯t matter. Because there it was¡ªthe door. Just ahead, within sight. Relief surged through me as I quickened our pace, eager to escape this cursed floor once and for all.
And then the ground trembled.
A sudden, fiery streak tore through the darkened sky like a blade of light, descending with meteoric force. The object blazed brighter as it fell, igniting the air around it in an inferno of flame and smoke. The ground beneath us trembled violently, and a deafening roar erupted as it collided with the earth, obliterating the stillness. I shielded Ryna instinctively, bracing against the gale-like pressure.
The impact sent a shockwave rippling outward, flattening the grass and dislodging ancient stone fragments from nearby ruins.
As for the door? Well, the door seems to be a force of awe in itself, no damage was sustained. The door alongisde the ground beneath it, both, did not undergo any destruction whatsoever. Almost like an aura was embracing it, and hell, maybe an aura was in fact protecting it.
The scene revealed itself¡ªa crater, easily ten meters wide and half as deep, radiating heat in palpable waves. The grass at the edges had been scorched to ash, leaving a blackened ring marking the devastation.
When the dust cleared, my eyes fell upon it¡ªthe creature.
It rose slowly, unfolding from the crater like a nightmare given form. It resembled a bird in shape alone, its massive body covered in sinewy flesh and grotesque, writhing tendrils that mimicked a skeletal frame. There was no fire in its essence; the flames had been a byproduct of its sheer velocity. Despite the fiery descent, its unnatural form bore no burns or scars. It was as though the laws of nature simply didn¡¯t apply to this monstrosity.
¡°What in the world?¡± I muttered, stepping forward instinctively. My gaze locked onto its featureless face. It had no eyes, no discernible features, yet it turned toward me with an unsettling precision, as though it could see¡ªor sense¡ªme perfectly.
The creature remained still, its tendrils twitching faintly. The only sound it made was the same screech, now more guttural, more deliberate. It wasn¡¯t just noise. It was communicating, studying me with a predator¡¯s intent.
¡°Fine,¡± I said, breaking the tense silence. ¡°Have it your way. I¡¯ll make the first move.¡±
I took a step forward, closing the distance. To my surprise, the creature recoiled, its grotesque form shifting backward. It was a subtle motion, but it was there¡ªa retreat. I narrowed my eyes. Was it¡ afraid?
I tested the theory, stepping forward again with deliberate intent. The creature flinched, its tendrils curling inward defensively. The screeching grew softer, more frantic. It wasn¡¯t just reacting¡ªit was hesitating, calculating. For all its monstrous appearance, it possessed a spark of intelligence, enough to recognize the danger I posed.
¡°Interesting,¡± I murmured. But I had no time for a drawn-out confrontation. The door was my priority.
Without breaking eye contact, I reached back and took Ryna¡¯s hand, guiding her toward the door. My movements were slow, deliberate, non-threatening. The creature remained rooted in place, its tendrils quivering as it watched us pass.
And just like that, we were through.
The door closed behind us, and I exhaled a breath I hadn¡¯t realized I was holding. Ryna looked up at me, her eyes wide with a mixture of awe and confusion. ¡°Lucy¡ it let us go?¡±
¡°Seems like it,¡± I replied, though the words felt hollow. My thoughts were racing. Why had it backed down? Could it truly have been afraid of me? Or was it simply biding its time, a predator watching its prey escape for now?
A faint flicker of energy caught my attention. The ability I¡¯d activated during the golem encounter¡ªone that let me sense intent¡ªwas still in effect. I glanced back through the now-closed door, focusing on the creature¡¯s presence. Its emotions washed over me in an instant: fear, uncertainty, and something deeper¡ respect? It had recognized me as a superior force, one it had no desire to challenge.
I let out a quiet laugh, more out of disbelief than humor. ¡°So, even monsters like that can feel fear.¡±
But the thought gave rise to more questions. Why had the golem fought without hesitation? Was it mindless, bound to its purpose as a guardian? Or did it lack the capacity for fear entirely?
...
Was it created to guard my tomb?
...
I pushed the thoughts aside. They were questions for another time. What mattered now was that we had reached the first floor¡ªthe true beginning of freedom! The stale air of the ruins was behind us, and ahead lay the promise of a new world, fresh and untainted, waiting to be explored.
Alongside with whatever dangers it prepared for yours truly!
[Ch.8] Is this a... Reunion?
"Pheeew!" I let out a sigh of relief. "Finally out!"
Joy overwhelmed me. Not only had I escaped the ruins, but I was also standing in the open world for the first time. Fresh air hit me square in the face, carrying with it the pleasant scent of flowers and the sharp tang of pollen on the wind. The world around me was alive, vibrant, and stunningly real. I pinched myself to confirm it¡ªeverything existed, and I wasn''t dreaming. My awe was quickly overtaken by a fake exhaustion that I really looked forward to: I collapsed onto the ground, savoring my first actual break ever since my very being was reigning over reality...
For a moment, I let myself believe this world was mine to enjoy. But the universe has a way of reminding you that peace is borrowed, not earned.
"Oh, I see the weight of time has caught up to you, Kai!" A voice interrupted my moment of peace, loud and surprisingly grating. Initially, I ignored it. It was directed towards this Kai guy anyway. But the voice persisted.
"Kai! Don''t ignore me, dude!"
The person was coming closer, and I couldn¡¯t ignore them any longer. I stood up, baffled. "Who are you?" I asked, staring at the stranger.
The man before me¡ªif such beings could just simply be called ''a man''¡ªstood with an aura that was both captivating and unnerving. His face was a paradox of endless beauty, framed by soft brown hair that cascaded gracefully, punctuated by a pair of piercing brown eyes that seemed to see through everything. Beneath his left eye rested a beauty mark, subtle yet undeniably striking, adding to the magnetism of his presence.
His attire was no less remarkable. He wore a blue haori, a garment akin to a kimono but tailored with an emphasis on comfort. Its fabric flowed with a quiet grace, complementing the crimson hue of the shirt beneath. Layered further underneath was a simple white tee, all of it brought together by a sleek black belt that cinched his silhouette perfectly. Even his nails, a deep, lustrous black, meticulously completed his aesthetic.
I found myself reacting instinctively, raising my own hands to study them. My breath hitched as realization struck like a bolt of lightning. The being I had just described in such vivid detail... was me, and the being ahead? A perfect mirror¡ªdown to every last detail.
"I am survival," he said with a calm, almost smug smile.
The man, stood before me. He wore my very appearance, though I had no twin. He embodied survival¡ªa concept I believed I had eradicated. Yet, there he was, standing strong and healthy¡ªif that¡¯s the right way to describe a being older than me, who''s now older than time itself.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
¡°I need a moment. What¡¯s all this?¡± I demanded, my mind reeling. There was no need for him to prove his identity further. His visage and that single word, survival, were more than enough to unearth buried memories I wanted to leave behind. As much as I wished to flee from him, guilt held me in place. My body had acted against my will, mowing down beings like him. Perhaps I owed him this much¡ªto listen.
We headed to a nearby bench, where questions and answers flowed like a river. Coincidentally, an actual river coursed behind us, flanked by lush forests. The sight was stunning, a stark contrast to the ancient ruins and the people bustling about with devices rich in advanced, or funnily enough, ancient technology¡ªat least from my point of view. It reminded me of my homeworld, now devoured¡ But these forests were far superior to anything I had seen before.
Survival began explaining, drowning me in revelations. First, his ability. Well, his name was survival; what other power would he have but the ability to endure? The logic was simple yet absolute: his existence was tied to ALL. As long as something survived¡ªsomething like a soul trapped within a beast¡ªso would he. He would persist, return, just as my body had done countless times throughout countless stories.
All right, I could accept that. If someone specializes in a specific task, they better be good at it.
Second came his plea. He was bored and wanted to spend time alongside me, participating in my so-called ¡°slow life.¡± I resisted with every argument I could muster, but not only did I owe him for, well, eating him, his arguments were annoyingly persuasive.
¡°FINE! Have it your way!¡± I relented, though it didn¡¯t fix the issue of how he addressed me. Kai wasn¡¯t my name. Apparently, he remembered me as Kaito, a name I''ve forgotten. Since I had already chosen Lucifer and had no intention of answering to this... Kai thingy, we struck a deal: he would take the name instead. It would be less awkward than calling him ¡°survival¡± in public.
With that settled, he explained what had happened after the beasts stopped thinking. Existence reclaimed the void. As I had suspected, the law of existence was flawed within self and reignited the very universe from nothing, automatically and without intervention.
Then came the most chilling part: the other concepts. Time, Space, Wisdom, and the endless list of others... Upon the universe¡¯s renewal, these titles were claimed by entirely new entities at the beginning of this new timeline. Different beings from those we had known before. New existence meant new personalities, new deities, and new gods. And each one of them carried their own, unique and fully personalized... agenda.
I felt a cold dread settle over me. The law of existence had done more than reignite the universe. It had reshuffled the deck, dealt out new gods to play their games. And like all gods, they were fickle, their agendas'' unknowable, their influence unavoidable.
Hmm... Different rulers with different agendas?
Oh, no...
That meant instability, unpredictability. I had wanted nothing more than to build a cozy home with Ryna, endure Kai¡¯s antics apparently, and enjoy a slow, peaceful life. But now? Now I had to contend with chaos?
Great. Just great...
[Ch.9] Surviving Cosmic Erasure
A few critical lessons have emerged from my reluctant alliance with Survival¡ªor Kai, as I''ve come to call him.
Yeah, no matter what, I can¡¯t get rid of him. Believe me, I¡¯ve exhausted all my options. From now on, together with Kai, I¡¯ll probably have to deal with cosmic threats from time to time. Beings that defy comprehension, their attacks as absurd as they are destructive. Definitely not something I¡¯m hyped about.
But something I¡¯m oddly looking forward to is his appearance! Kai, lacking an avatar of his own¡ªand, apparently, creativity¡ªmimicked my form instead. When I pointed out how troublesome his mimicry might be¡ªespecially for Ryna, whose been waiting patiently for our discussion to finish¡ªhe grudgingly agreed to change. Now, he bears a slightly altered version of my appearance: he hued the green haori into a beautiful crimson-red. Then his hair, blonde with a neat side-bride accompanied by his now sapphire-blue eyes which worked together towards an amazing style. We settled on those for the time being, despite my visible displeasure at his insistence on keeping as much of my original appearance as possible.
I¡¯ve come to accept his stubbornness about the appearance dispute, especially once he revealed the drawbacks of his concept-ability, survival.
First, there¡¯s Kai himself. After he mentioned how new beings in this reality have begun adopting the titles of concepts lost in the last one, I couldn¡¯t help but press him further. Questions bubbled up inside me: Are there now two concepts of survival and persistence in this reality? Why is he so insistent on spending time with me? Is there a motive? A purpose? Surely, there has to be something driving him, right?
First, no. There is no second concept of survival; the title is claimed only by him and him alone. Once claimed, no one can overwrite it unless I truly succeed in existential termination¡ªwhich, to be honest, I don¡¯t intend to be a part of, again. Okay, good to know. If a title is available, someone¡¯s going to pick it up. If not, well... whatever.
As for why he¡¯s bugging me so much? His survival hinges on me. He clung to me like a student copying answers off my homework page, desperate to pass the grand cosmic exam. Not because he wanted to, nor because he needed to, but because his ability works automatically. As he copied my essence, some things¡ªparts of me¡ªmy personality, my ambitions, my very desires¡ªlatched onto him. They imprinted onto his being, shaping the core of who he is in this reality.The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.
Kai wasn¡¯t born from purpose or intention. He is a reflection, a mosaic pieced together by copying fragments of me. Everything he is now¡ªhis quirks, his choices, his voice¡ªexists because I exist.
And there was reasoning behind his insistence, too. ¡°You''re my only acquaintance, Lucifer. Everyone from the last reality is gone alongside it. Of course, I¡¯m going to come to you¡ªyou¡¯re the only thing I know from back then!¡± Yeah... That''s something I''d definitely do, okay? I''d seek out someone I know and see from there what and where my next move is gonna be.
Kai¡¯s explanation of his conceptual ability began to make sense, but he didn¡¯t stop there. He continued, offering insights into the world around us. The devices people held and wore contrasted sharply with the ancient ruins I had awakened from¡ªruins housing gems, treasures, and dangers. It was a duality of two worlds coexisting in improbable proximity. That same feeling struck me when I first stepped outside and saw the untouched beauty of the forest: trees shimmering with natural radiance, wildflowers swaying in the breeze, a serenity untouched by time. Yet, in the distance, there was the hum of cars and machinery¡ªnot discordant, not invasive, but harmonized with the world around it.
This wasn¡¯t a clash of eras or ideals. It was something new, a symphony of technology forged from scrap metal and magic. A fusion that didn¡¯t tear apart its surroundings but wove itself into the very fabric of nature. None of this should have been possible. Not under the watchful eye of the god of humans.
Because he¡ªthe most imperfect creator¡ªensures his image reflects through his creations. His designs are deliberate, calculated, always binding humanity in a cycle of ruin and dominance. He doesn¡¯t create out of love but brokenness. I mean, it''s a god we''re talking about, not a concept, so they''re allowed the luxury of being imperfect.
This world, though, was different. Kai had persisted not just longer than me, but together with me! Awake and waiting¡ªbut also acting.
Together, we entered this new, self-perpetuating creation¡ªa world neither of us had fully anticipated. Now, despite his connection to me, my emotions were still mine. My desires, too. Deep down, I knew that if given the opportunity to reshape the structure of this world, to bring it closer to harmony, I would take it without hesitation.
And that¡¯s what Kai did. Because he had inherited my essence¡ªthis essence¡ªhe acted as I would. But he didn¡¯t build an idealized world, a shallow utopia. He simply pushed and pulled some strings in their creation, resulting in this: a place where technology, nature, and magic didn¡¯t fight against themselves but coexisted and complemented each other. A delicate balance that neither strained the natural order nor ignored progress, but merged the two into a harmonious whole.
It was a world born not of perfection, but of improvement¡ªa reflection of the same unyielding determination I carry. To see the cracks, to acknowledge them, and to fill them with something better. Kai¡¯s intervention wasn¡¯t just survival; it was beauty.
[Ch.10] A larger scale
The cosmos stretched infinitely, as it always does¡ªa black sea punctuated by an endless scatter of stars. Distant and eternal, the stars flickered like the reflections of long-forgotten fires upon the dark, still surface of an ocean. Amid this expanse, there were systems of every variety: planets orbiting suns, icy comets weaving their trails, and nebulous clouds glowing with hues that defied human comprehension.
But here, at this very moment, the silent sea of stars was host to something extraordinary. A meteor shower¡ªthe kind of display that humbled even the grandest of cosmic phenomena. Endless rocks, aflame with violent brilliance, streaked across the void. They came in all shapes, in all sizes, from fragments that might crush mountains to titanic stones that could, with ease, derank the earth to a mere pebble.
Each meteor blazed in one direction, synchronized, as though the universe itself had rehearsed this celestial dance. Their passage left trails of fire and light in hues of red, blue, and violet¡ªa spectacle so vibrant, so overwhelming, it seemed as though the cosmos itself had erupted in paint. An episode lasting hours, then days, and finally weeks, as though the meteors themselves refused to conclude their act.
One month¡ªyes, an entire month of unplanned cosmic brilliance. A binge-worthy series of beauty written in flame and motion.
And yet, it still wasn¡¯t over.
As the meteors began to close the courtains, one stood apart, rebelling¡ªmotionless, defiant, ablaze and imposing. It did not streak through the sky as its brethren did, nor did it falter. It simply hung there, suspended in the impossible silence, as though challenging the stars themselves.
No, not a meteor, not at all. It was something else. Someone else???
A closer look peeled away the illusion, the celestial body revealing its secrets to eyes capable of discerning truth. From confusion to clarity, the flickering flames resolved their mysteries: it was huamn???
A youngster, adrift in the black infinity of space, but no ordinary traveler. His form burned with defiance, the flames not consuming him but emitting from him. They did not smother nor rage wildly; they were the fire itself¡ªa living inferno set against the backdrop of endless space where no oxygen dared to dwell. The fire burned because the adolescent willed it, existing outside of natural law. It was, like the boy, otherworldly.
¡°Hey, smarty!... I¡¯m bored!¡±
His voice shattered the silence, a ripple cutting through the indifferent black as though space itself turned to listen. It was casual, careless¡ªa sound no celestial body should have permitted.
¡°Bored? BORED!?¡±
A reply erupted like an indignant thunderclap. The words emerged with power, as though insulted by the sheer audacity of such a claim. And then laughter¡ªa deep, resonant, knowing laughter¡ªrumbled through the emptiness, shaking stars that should never tremble.
¡°That avatar of yours is breaking your mind, Strength! AHAHAHAHA!¡±
¡°Maybe,¡± the reply followed, unbothered, his fire mane calming down into a beautiful, red flowing hair. He flexed his fingers absently, watching the embers scatter and fade. ¡°But I do feel it now. Real, actual boredom.¡±
The other voice sighed in response. ¡°I honestly¡ don¡¯t care,¡± it said, the laughter lingering faintly in its wake.
¡°Yeah, I know¡ªbut I do! I¡¯m bored of making these cosmic shows that nobody watches!¡± He said, raising his hands¡ªeach nail was chaotically painted in one of three tones, violet, blue and red, all in immaculate sync with the meteors¡¯ hues. He continued the gesture, poiting those his fingers towards nothing¡ªat the empty cosmos. In a nearby area, out of thin nothingness, a fewsh new storm of comets came into reality, each igniting at his command, re-entered the harmonious dance, once again¡
His voice lingered, until silence consumed all¡ªjust for a moment as the bored boy continued with a tone anew. ¡°Hey old man¡¡±
¡°OLD MAN!?-" Unfortunately this shock was not only ignored, but also interrupted. "That thing¡ªthat being¡ is what killed our ancestors?¡±, his voice sharp as steel, filled with something¡ some emotions¡
¡°Yes,¡± came the measured reply, the tone carrying an unsettling sense of inevitability. ¡°But it¡¯s not as though you¡¯re linked to that reality. If you were¡ Well¡ You wouldn¡¯t exist here, claiming the title you embody at this very moment."If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
A moment of silence followed before the voice, brimming with curiosity and disdain, cut through once more. ¡°So? Not touchy-touchy on that guy? Is he really that indestructible?¡±
¡°Not exactly¡¡±
A flicker of something else¡ªintrigue, perhaps¡ªbroke the stillness.
¡°Hm?¡±
¡°I¡¯ve studied him for a long while,¡± the companion replied, words heavy with the weight of revelation. ¡°And there¡¯s a way to touch¡ the soul.¡±
¡°Okay, but what¡¯s the catch, Truthseeker?"
Truthseeker¡ªthe name adopted by the being known as The Concept of Wisdom, a greedy ruler that governs over all intelligence and information. Some might call him, TRUTH ITSELF!
As for his fiery companion? The body conversing with the Truthseeker? It was the further avatar of a fiery being, The Concept of Strength. Nobody was prouder in their stupidty as he was, yet¡ªthat description would apply only when compared to other concepts¡ªit still carried endless secrets of the cosmos after all.
¡°Yes. The soul is exorcisable,¡± the Truthseeker admitted, the words lingering in the void like a puzzle piece snapping into place. ¡°But the body is¡¡± He interrupted his idea with a short sigh, before finishing it, ¡°Even I can¡¯t grasp what¡¯s with that body, actually¡¡±
A low whistle¡ªmocking, yet tinged with something close to respect. ¡°Yooooh, that¡¯s some heavy shit right there, y¡¯know? What kind of abomination is even capable of that!? Defying the Truthseeker''s comprehension!?¡±
The first voice flared with irritation, equal parts frustration and dark amusement. ¡°Yeah... The catch of the exorcism is that once the soul leaves the body¡ Only annihilation awaits us.¡±
¡°Gotcha! So no going to exorcise him, aight?¡± He mocked directly at the information laid in front of him.
¡°HAH!¡± A chuckle raised and shook the meteors, transforming them into cosmic dust. ¡°And what do you think you¡¯re capable of? Other than heading towards your own annihilation! Or is that your way of making a successor for your title!? HAHAHAHAA!¡± The laughter was filled with mockery¡ªa payback for earlier.
¡°Ah? So you¡¯re saying I can¡¯t put even a scratch on that thing?¡± The boy¡¯s face torsioned during his reply, was he¡ pouting? Maybe, but that didn¡¯t last for long. It wasn¡¯t like him to be down¡ªand, with a humorless chuckle he echoed back. ¡°Heh. Wasn¡¯t the Concept of the END itself mauled down by his teeth?¡±
¡°Yes,¡± Truthseeker confirmed. ¡°The physical body is indeed supreme, beyond doubt.¡±
There was a beat¡ªa pause stretched taut, heavy with incredulity¡ªbefore the first voice erupted.
¡°Ay-yo! You¡¯re fucking with me, right? You¡¯re telling me he ended an entire existence through sheer brutality? Raw physical force? Like a beast running wild across the strings of creation?¡±
Truthseeker didn¡¯t falter, unmoved by the disbelief. ¡°You, of all beings, should not be so surprised. You are fighting endlessly with the concept of Superiority itself¡ªpitting yourself against it in a reverse flow of time. How can physical prowess, capable of tearing through the very fabric of reality, baffle you? You, who ignore the constraints of time for the fun of it.¡±
A charged silence followed, the words lingering in the void like an open challenge. The first voice said nothing, yet its presence flared in response¡ªits pride, its strength, refusing to accept the idea of inferiority.
And the Truthseeker knew. Knew that the being it addressed could not¡ªwould not¡ªturn away from this knowledge.
A sigh rippled through the void, soft yet laden with weight, filling the silence between the two voices.
¡°I see¡¡±
¡°Indeed. But it¡¯s guaranteed that the The concept of the END won¡¯t send nothing against him!¡±
¡°Aha¡ And why won¡¯t the End just¡ y¡¯know, end the soul?¡±
¡°It¡¯s unwise to,¡± Truthseeker replied without hesitation. ¡°If the soul is destroyed, the body¡¯s reawakening becomes inevitable. And without the soul trapped in it¡ªwell, they might succeed in ending everything. This time, it wouldn¡¯t just be the end of existence. They will wipe out even the spark that begins when nothing exists.¡±
¡°That¡¯s¡ Uhmm¡¡±
¡°I know,¡± the Truthseeker admitted, his voice a measured calm. ¡°But I¡¯d rather not see a certain Concept of Stretgh go poking around, provoking a being that would undoubtedly win any battles. Only two concepts can exorcize that soul: the End and¡±, ¡°and, let me guess, Superiority.¡± the youngster interrupted.
¡°Indeed,¡± Wisdom said, paying no mind to that remark, ¡±thankfully, the concept of the End is deep asleep and lacks the intention of playing with anyone. And as for Superiority¡¡± A pause, reluctant but truthful. ¡°Her wisdom is¡ superior to mine. She already knows not to poke at the abomination¡ I hope¡¡±
A dry chuckle broke the stillness. ¡°Sure¡¡±
¡°How¡¯s your fight going, by the way?¡± The dark tone finally shifted into a new one of¡ curiosity. ¡°The concept of Strength fighting the concept of Superiority¡ªit¡¯s a spectacle that never ceases to amuse me. Power, ever growing, never stopping. A concept that is above all in strength, and if not it just grows above, as it¡¯s supposed to¡ªfacing a force that is always¡ superior. A showcase where two beings grow endlessly to overcome each other! For eternity.¡±
¡°Yeah,¡± came the wry, tired reply. ¡°Time still flows in reverse, and I no longer know how to stop anymore.¡±
¡°It just never ends, huh?¡± Truthseeker said, a faint note of amusement lacing his words.
The boy replied, a bitter sort of laugh. ¡°Heh, no. I hope it... never does.¡±
[Ch.11]: Fresh air
Back on the Improved Earth or IEARTH as Kai liked to call it, his conversation with Lucifer was reaching its climax.
"Is there anything else you''ve got to tell me? Or I can finally get out there to test the forest''s freshness? Just my deserved holiday¡ªis all I ask, y''know?" Lucifer pressed the last bit of information Kai might possess, the final stepping stone towards a resting day he was looking forward since forever.
"That was actually all." The blondie replied, attacking the annoyed aura around Lucy with a giant, radiating smile.
¡°Good, then¡¡± Lucifer''s voice echoed through the bustling street, his loud scream drawing every eye in their direction. He did not foresee that his exasperation and mental fatigue would ally so well with the untested strength of his body, which resulted in an unintentional sonic wave that was sent towards the sky, crushing the clouds, revealing the full capacity of the new sun. He tuned down the scream and continued, ¡°SHOW YOURSELF! I¡¯M RIGHT HERE, WAITING!¡± Vendors paused mid-haggle, pedestrians froze, and even a street musician stopped strumming his lute, the awkward silence amplifying the absurdity of the moment.
Kai, visibly panicked, scanned the area frantically. "What are you screaming at? Is someone in hiding?", visibly shaken by his friend¡¯s act.
Lucifer, with a face that balanced exhaustion with irritation, shrugged nonchalantly. "Not sure. I figured if I screamed loud enough, all my troubles would show up at once. Save me the effort of dealing with them one by one. Efficiency, y''know?"
Kai''s panic shifted to incredulity, trying to process the rationale. "That''s... that''s not how trouble works, Lucifer."
Unfazed, Lucifer gestured expansively. "Hear me out. I¡¯ve already been through enough to warrant a rest. Let me recap for you: First, I enter some meaningless, illogical war. Then I get stabbed by fate." He emphasized the last part with an incredulous laugh. "After that, I tear through the space-time continuum against my will through instincts alone, spend eons watching them beasts improvise death! Even I gave up, and that''s saying something. Then, I wake up in some ruin-dungeon thingy, greeted by a complete fresh new world. Followed by a welcome party, where the event organizer tried to slam my companion into the ground, and finally, a meteor bird decides to test my patience. Then I get out, I thought it¡¯s over, it can¡¯t get any worse¡ªyou show up."Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
Kai opened his mouth to object, then thought better of it. He folded his arms instead, his face caught between disbelief and mild offense.
"And now," Lucy continued, unfazed by the growing crowd''s murmurs, "I¡¯m trying to condense all my problems into one convenient battle royale. Genius, I know!" Brilliant or not, he still felt the weight of countless eyes boring into him. Beast kin, centaurs alongside minotaurs, humans, gorgons¡ªall wearing the same type of sunglasses¡ªand all sorts of fantastical creatures had paused in their tracks, their gazes fixed on him with varying degrees of curiosity, amusement, and suspicion. The silence was thick, as though the world itself had drawn a collective breath, waiting for something to happen.
Lucifer, unbothered by the attention, met their stares with his own gaze. "What? I can stare too!" he shouted, his voice still quite loud. He locked eyes with several of the onlookers, daring them to look away.
His gaze settled on a figure in the distance¡ªa girl standing confidently among the crowd. She was an oddity in the sea of fantasy races, yet strikingly beautiful. Long, pristine white hair cascaded down her back, shimmering like snow in the sunlight. Her eyes of hypnotic blue sapphire, like swirling galaxies frozen in time, focused on her smartphone, unamused by the scene that took place. A pair of angelic wings extended from her back, soft and fluffy. They seemed to refuse the embrace of the sun, of the light itself, rebelling through their dark colour.
Her outfit was unlike anything Lucifer had ever seen: an inspiration in itself, starting with a kimono-like top, paired with short jeans, and tight-fitting tights that highlighted her grace. She wore her uniqueness with effortless elegance, radiating an air of¡ superiority.
He held her gaze for a moment longer, the woman''s expression remaining consistent. With a flick of disdain, she turned away, her attention shifting back to the device. Yet, before fully disengaging, she shot him one final, piercingly menacing look.
Kai, his voice tinged with hesitation. "You...?"
Lucifer sighed through a faint grin, his eyes glinting with a mix of weariness and determination, "Yeah, but..." continuing before silence took over, "Will I really not be allowed rest?".
Kai stared at him, dumbfounded. "No exhausted human can crumble the sky when tired, y¡¯know? That¡¯s insane."
...
Lucifer''s grin widened, "Sanity''s overrated anyway."
[Ch.12] Ad break!
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[Ch.13] Catbird
The staring contest between Lucifer and the crowd settles, thus allowing the street and it¡¯s surroundings to return to their usual stasis. After a stretch, he readied himself for a new page in his life. "Now, if you''ll excuse me, I wish to get out there and check how I fit myself into a world that I¡ªyou, Kai¡ªtook part in creating!"
"Fine, Luke, fine.¡± Kai sighed, adding a new nickname to Lucifer¡¯s collection. ¡°A vacation is well-deserved at this point.¡±
"I know! You finally get it!", he exclaimed, unbothered by the way he¡¯s been referred as.
But it''s Lucifer we''re talking about. War, reality destruction, golems and meteor-wannabe birds, nekojin and old-friends he¡¯s never met before, of course the peace won¡¯t last more than a moment.
A gust of wind formed above the 2 clowns, an event orchestrated by the most majestic of creatures¡ªa lion beast with the head, talons and wings of an eagle¡ªthe Griffin! A shadowy figure was preparing themselves on the creature¡¯s saddle.
"Oh yeah, we haven''t talked about the world itself, yet" Kai whispered.
"Really? I couldn''t tell!" Lucifer shot back, drowned in annoyance.
"Well," Kai continued, unfazed, "some creatures like eagles and lions had to be... deleted to free up memory space. They were replaced by griffins! By the way, they''re the ultimate vehicle¡ªpretty cool, huh?"
"Awesome¡!" Lucifer replied, his voice thick with sarcasm. He added, his grin maddening, "I wonder what else!?". That forced smile of his was so tense that sparks flew from its creaks.
Kai, oblivious to the sarcasm, perked up with enthusiasm. "Yes! Also: manticores, terrordactyls, raptors, dinosaurs, yetis, myths¡ªand a lot more good stuff!"
Lucifer slowly turned to face Kai, his initial annoyance giving way to sheer disbelief. "Did you just say, TERRORDACTYLS!?"
Their entertaining conversation did not survive long, as the griffin finally landed, its claws scraping the cobblestone with a deep thud. The figure, an officer dressed casually with the grandeur of an aristocrat, clenched his necklace while gesturing as if parking the beast, an act that only fed into Lucifer''s baffled expression.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.
¡°Why¡¯s there a commotion when I¡¯m off-duty?¡± the officer barked, his voice commanding and unmistakably annoyed, though his gaze lingered on the crowd¡¯s stunned expressions. His beast seemed almost to share his irritation, letting out a low growl as it folded its wings.
Kai, unable to let the opportunity slip, leaned towards his ally, ¡°Well?¡±, his voice, a whisper of amusement and sarcasm. ¡°You wanted trouble to come towards you, didn¡¯t you?¡±.
Lucifer, still processing the absurdities he¡¯s just been hit with, shot him a dry look. The officer¡¯s stern eyes flicked between the two of them, narrowing slightly. The griffin shifted its wings restlessly, as if eager to take flight again, yet the rider remained steadfast, unwilling to show any weakness. "Noise disturbances are prohibited. Explain yourselves."
Before allowing Lucifer to interact, and risk his emotions explode, Kai took a step forward, trying to ease the tension. "We didn¡¯t mean to cause any disturbances, officer," he said with a calm tone, though his eyes betrayed the hidden amusement. "Just... testing some limits, that¡¯s all."
The man seemed to reconsider, his stance loosening slightly as he studied the pair. With a less imposing tone the officer engaged again, ¡°I''ve never seen you two before, and I am not on duty right now nor do I have the time¡ªactually, any time at all. Let¡¯s wrap this up as fast as possible!¡±
Lucifer''s eyes narrowed as his gaze locked onto the officer''s necklace, the gem inside it clear as glass, reminded him of the one he picked up for Ryna. The similarity was too blatant to ignore, thus invading their dialogue, ¡°You know, that stone you''re wearing looks similar to one I found in the dungeon!¡±
The officer stiffened, his hand instinctively brushing against the amulet hanging from his neck. "This?" he replied with a sharp voice, guarded. "You found one of these?"
"Picked it up not long ago, after waking up in the ruins.¡±
¡°A nap in the ruins...? So you¡¯re an Explorer? That would explain the crazy outburst from earlier. Freaks trading sanity for money...", the officer groaned, then continued, now with a casual tone. "Anyway, as I said earlier, I¡¯m busy! I suggest you to go and sell the thing to a pawn shop unless you have your own griffin! I also suggest you two, to stop clowning on my streets!¡±
¡°A pawn shop? Also, what are explorers?¡±
¡°You don''t know that?" The rider sighs, now trying to fit as much information as possible in the little time he''s got. "They are freelancers! Adventurers of the modern world! You¡¯re free to check out a library in order to learn about them if you want to! I¡¯d personally go for the money!¡± The officer said as he took off with the beast. ¡°A warning is what you get, let¡¯s not meet again!¡±
While staring at the beast¡¯s take-off, a sensation rose up at Lucifer¡¯s back, ¡°Was that a catbird, Lucy?¡± Ryna asked, scratching her eye after a good sleep on the bench where Luke¡¯s initial conversation with Kai started.
[Ch.14] Coins in motion
"Hey, Seeker," the boy began, his voice casual yet brimming with thought as his fingers moved with practiced precision. Each nail directing the cosmic orchestra before him, commanding comets of assigned colors. Red flared like molten fire, blue shimmered like cascading waves, and gold spun threads of brilliance against the backdrop of infinity.
"Yes?" the companion responded, with a steady tone, its presence felt, rather than seen, amidst the void.
"Let¡¯s say... that guy," the boy continued, the comets twirling in response to his gestures, "manages to reach the Spark of Creation¡ªand destroys it."
A pause.
"...What next, huh? What happens after that?"
The Seeker stayed silent for a moment, as though absorbing the question. Then came the reply, soft but definitive.
"Hm... Nothing much. We''ll probably, just... die."
"Awwh," the boy murmured, his fingers resuming their celestial choreography.
"A line humans favor," the Seeker added with a hint of detachment. "But the truth? It¡¯s basically a coinflip."
"A coinflip?" the boy echoed, curiosity glinting in his eyes.
"Yes," the cosmic voice said. "A chance for a connectionless Spark to emerge against the odds, birthing another cycle of existence... That would reduce The Concept of Malice to a mere, worthless joke."
"And the other?"
"...True annihilation."
"Yeah... I expected that," the boy replied thoughtfully, weaving a comet into an intricate spiral.
The Seeker, its voice tinged with quiet amusement, kept the dialogue going, "Disappointed? You¡¯re not looking forward death? Is your avatar, perhaps... afraid of it?"
The boy¡¯s fingers faltered, the lights dimming slightly before flaring anew. "I guess... death¡¯s just another type of boredom I haven¡¯t experienced yet. Right?"
"Possible," the Seeker acknowledged, its tone contemplative.
"I may not look forward to it if it¡¯s too boring," the boy said, crafting a comet into a shooting arc of violet. "But otherwise? I don¡¯t really care."
Silence settled between them, a vast and intimate quiet that seemed to echo across the cosmos. Even the meteors stilled, their movements muted, as though respecting the weight of the moment.
"...Same," the Seeker finally admitted, under a whisper.
The boy grinned faintly, the corners of his lips curving upward as he reignited the orchestra. The comets burst back into motion, a kaleidoscope of chaotic beauty painting the void.
"Good," he said with a soft chuckle, his gaze fixed ahead.
...
.....
On the now calm street, Lucifer was pointing dramatically into a random direction, "Towards the pawnshop!".
Ryna, her face alight with amusement, gently corrected him, "It''s in the opposite direction, Lucy."
Clearing his throat, Lucifer quickly recovered. "Ahem! Yes, of course! I knew that!" he said, pivoting to follow her lead.
Fortunately, the pawnshop wasn¡¯t far. The short distance was a blessing, especially after everything they¡¯d endured so far. As they made their way, Lucifer¡¯s eyes darted around, taking in the strange and wondrous sights of this world. From regal-looking officers to an orc in formal attire¡ªcomplete with a fancy hat and tie¡ªcarrying a briefcase while riding a raptor. The surreal image was made even stranger by the fact that this all happened on a street where cars zipped by as if it were the most ordinary thing in the world.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
Baffled, Lucifer muttered under his breath, "That''s one helluva car you''re driving there." He hadn¡¯t intended to be heard, but the orc turned to glance at him. Flustered, Lucifer quickly averted his gaze and picked up his pace, falling in step with Ryna and Kai.
The trio continued down the bustling street, each step revealing more of the world''s peculiarities. Just as the silence began to settle, Kai¡¯s sharp whistle pierced through, followed by the loud, grating screech of something massive cutting through the air. "Wooo! Celebrities!" Kai exclaimed, pointing skyward. "Look, Lucifer! It¡¯s a limousine!"
Lucifer¡¯s jaw dropped as he followed Kai¡¯s finger. A colossal red dragon soared through the clouds, its scales gleaming like polished metal.
"Didn¡¯t you say griffins are the ultimate vehicle? What¡¯s the deal with that thing?" Lucifer asked, his shock evident.
"Well, kinda," Kai replied, shrugging. "For a single person, griffins are the pinnacle¡ªsymbols of aristocracy or military might, if not both. They¡¯re fast, powerful, and impossible to miss. But dragons? That¡¯s a whole other league." He paused, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. "Truth is, I don¡¯t know much about them. I meddled with this world, sure, but I didn¡¯t dive into every detail. Honestly, I¡¯m just as curious as you are. That means I''m also excited to figure out how the currency works. That¡¯ll be fun!"
They finally arrived¡ªthe pawnshop.
A towering building loomed over the trio, casting a long shadow that shielded them from the sun. The pawnshop itself, however, was a modest apartment nestled on the ground floor. Lucifer, taken aback by the incongruity, voiced his skepticism loudly. "This is the pawnshop? Is this place even legit?"
From within, a man¡¯s gruff voice responded, "Would you like to see the official documents? I¡¯m not scamming anyone here." The owner emerged, his tone dripping with dry humor. "What kind of fool would go against the law at my age¡ªthe very climax of life?" His words carried a weight¡ªa reminder of life¡¯s fleeting nature, something Lucifer had long since lost.
Breaking the somber moment, the owner clapped his gloved hands together and refreshed the conversation. "So, what brings you three here? I hope you¡¯re not here just to question my business."
The man was a dwarf, tiny of stature as one might expect, but his presence was anything but small. His hair, a striking mix of black and blonde, was unusual yet distinctly tied to his origins. Stroking his thick beard with a gloved hand, he scrutinized the trio, waiting patiently for their reply.
Lucifer, after carefully considering the old man¡¯s words, regained his composure. "Yeah, so apparently we¡¯re explorers¡ª"
"Gotcha. Show me the items or gems," the old man interrupted briskly.
Lucifer didn¡¯t mind the interruption; getting straight to the point was efficient, and he appreciated that. With a theatrical gesture, he pretended to search through the pockets of his haori. In truth, he drew the stones directly from his very being. Having consumed an entire reality before, his body served as an endless repository for items. The old man raised an inquisitive eyebrow at the display. "I¡¯ve seen very few who wear those kinds of clothes," he remarked, gesturing toward Kai and Lucifer.
"Is that so?" Kai replied, making a mental note of the observation.
The interaction was brief as the owner turned his attention to the gems. He placed the first stone into a tool crafted from polished metal and glass¡ªa special analyzer designed to identify gems and evaluate their weight, purity, and properties. The process began with a dark blue gem, roughly palm-sized. The machine displayed its findings: |Aquatikk Spark ¨C A gem able to create water. Weight: 202g. Purity: 77%.|
"You¡¯re off to a good start, kid. That thing sells decently," the old man noted with approval.
Next came a pinkish stone, as if trying to copy the grandeur of the sunset itself. The analyzer revealed: |Tear of the Clouds ¨C A gem that provides easy-to-control gusts of wind. Weight: 337g. Purity: 84%.|
"Basically, a glorified hair-dryer," the old man quipped, earning a chuckle from Kai.
The group spent a while working through the gems, but the day¡¯s most remarkable moment came with the final stone. The old man picked it up, removed his glasses, and inspected it closely, as though bracing himself for what was to come. With a deep breath, he placed the gem into the machine. The stone was a deep violet adorned with white specks, resembling either a miniature galaxy or a Christmas globe filled with ink instead of water. The analyzer took longer than usual, seemingly re-scanning the gem multiple times to verify its authenticity. Finally, the results appeared: |Obsidian Jade ¨C A gem with teleportation properties. Weight: 333g. Purity: 91%.|
The old man¡¯s jaw dropped. "How¡¯d you get something like this, boy?"
Lucifer retrieved the gem from the machine and slipped it back into his haori. "Dumb luck, I guess. Found it on the 14th floor of the nearby ruins."
"Damn... Lucky you, huh? So, not selling it?" the owner asked, unable to shake off his disbelief.
Lucifer grinned. "Not for now. Let me learn about these two rocks first."
"Two?" The old man raised an eyebrow, but knew better than to press further on these types of clients. "You do you, kid. But these other ones? You sellin'' them?"
"Yes!" Lucifer confirmed.
The owner offered a hefty 11,000 eons for the remaining gems. Ryna, eager to show off her math skills, chimed excitedly, "We can buy 11,000 loaves of bread with that!"
[Ch.15] Sickness
With 11,000 fresh eons, Lucifer already began prep plans, ¡°Let¡¯s head to a restaurant! I wanna see if cola transcends reality, just like stress did! I haven¡¯t had one of those in a good¡ minute¡?¡±
Kai didn¡¯t argue against the idea, he, himself, wished to check those too, especially since Further Avatars have extra sensitive taste buds! He was, in fact, quite ecstatic at the idea.
They¡¯d almost begun motion, suspecting Ryna to lead the way, however something unexpected happened.
¡°Can Ryna and friends¡ detour?¡± she began her request while shaking.
Lucifer raised an eyebrow, wrapping himself around the nature of the question. Was the kid getting home sick?
¡°Pretty please?¡± she pleaded further, something new to Lucifer. An act he could not go against, thus agreeing almost instantly without pressing for further details.
As they left the pawnshop, the trio stepped onto the city streets. The scenery was simplistic despite the medieval houses and streets blending in harmonious sync with the modern buildings and the hum of passing vehicles, a stark contrast to the quiet resolve etched on Ryna¡¯s face. She walked ahead, her small frame weaving through the crowd with a sense of urgency.
Lucifer and Kai followed, their earlier excitement over their newfound wealth, now replaced with curiosity and concern.
The city around them shifted as they moved deeper into a less affluent area. The towering blocks gave way to smaller, older buildings with faded paint and cracked facades. Shops became fewer, replaced by street vendors selling simple wares and food carts emitting savory aromas.
The streets were narrower here, lined with uneven cobblestones that echoed their footsteps. The crowd thinned, and the buzz of the city dulled into the quiet murmur of neighbors chatting from open windows or stoops. Despite the clear signs of poverty, there was an undeniable charm in the area¡ªa sense of community in the way people greeted one another or shared small jokes.
Ryna finally stopped in front of a modest apartment complex. It was a squat, four-story building with weathered brick walls. The metal railing of the external staircase was rusted in places, and the sign above the entrance was missing a few letters. Yet, small touches spoke to the tenants¡¯ efforts to make the place a home. A patch of flowers grew in a makeshift garden by the entrance, and a string of colorful lanterns hung across the stairwell, casting a warm, inviting glow.
Lucifer, before setting foot inside the building, looked back one more time. A sense of beauty was hidden in this place, in the park-like garden that served as playground for the kids living inside the buildings surrounding it. It even had swings and slides of violet, red and yellow. A sight he quite enjoyed.
¡°Lucifer?¡± Ryna claimed his attention before continuing, ¡°This is it¡±, her voice laced with a mix of embarrassment and pride.
They climbed the narrow stairs to the third floor, where the girl pushed open a door to reveal her family¡¯s apartment.
The apartment was small but clean and well-kept. The living room, kitchen, and dining area were combined into a single space. A tiny, worn sofa sat against one wall, its cushions patched in several places. A low table in front of it bore a few neatly stacked books and a small vase of wildflowers. The floor was spotless, the wooden planks polished to a dull shine despite their age.
The walls were adorned with a few framed photos and hand-drawn pictures, most likely Ryna¡¯s creations from her childhood. A threadbare curtain separated the main room from the small bedroom where her little brother lay.
Despite the obvious poverty, the home radiated warmth. It was clear that every item, every detail, was cared for with love and effort. The space, though limited, felt like a sanctuary¡ªa stark contrast to the hardships it concealed.This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.
Lucifer and Kai stood quietly, taking in their surroundings. The simplicity of the apartment was humbling, yet it held a quiet dignity that could not be ignored.
An ugly, rasping cough broke the silence, cutting through the room like a jagged knife. It came from behind the threadbare curtain, raw and wild, carrying with it the unmistakable weight of pain and struggle, and from that very room a woman appeared before the trio. She was visually older than the two goofs tagging alongside Ryna, so it was safe to assume it was her guardian. She and the girl traded looks as if holding an extremely long conversation in just under a moment.
¡°My name is Reina, and I¡¯m this girl¡¯s mother¡± she revealed to nobody¡¯s surprise.
She was a picture of quiet resilience, the kind born of years spent battling the relentless tides of misfortune. Her appearance was plain but dignified¡ªshoulder-length dark hair, streaked with threads of silver, was tied back into a practical braid. Her eyes, a deep, cosmic black, held both weariness and a fierce determination that refused to fade despite the struggles she bore. Those same eyes also betrayed the sleepless nights she succumbed herself to. There was a quiet grace about her movements¡ªa deliberate economy that wasted neither energy nor time.
The woman stood aside, allowing her daughter to take a step towards her twin. Ryna froze mid-step, her cat ears twitching sharply at the sound. Her tail bristled slightly as she turned toward the source, her face pale with worry.
¡°Salio¡¡± she whispered, her voice trembling. She rushed toward the curtain, her movements hurried but careful, as though afraid to disturb the fragile peace of the home further.
Lucifer and Kai exchanged glances, their expressions somber. The cheerful bravado that had filled the earlier part of their journey was gone, replaced by the heavy realization of the hardship this family endured. Lucifer followed Ryna slowly, his steps deliberate. Behind him, Kai lingered, his gaze momentarily fixed on the small details of the room¡ªthe repaired furniture, the careful arrangement of items¡ªa testament to a mother¡¯s tireless effort to create a haven amidst hardship.
As Ryna pulled back the curtain, the dim bedroom was revealed, and inside it a little boy, bedridden. Details began to click inside Lucifer¡¯s mind. All this time, Ryna...
The boy¡¯s face was pale, beads of sweat glistening on his forehead despite the cool air. His chest heaved as he struggled to breathe, each cough rattling through him with a force that seemed too great for his fragile body to endure.
¡°¡too slow...¡± she mumbled, her whisper breaking character, ¡°If only I was faster¡¡±
Lucifer took note of the phrasing with a raised eyebrow.
She collapsed to her knees beside the bed, clutching her brother¡¯s frail hand as sobs wracked her body. Her guilt and frustration spilled out, filling the room with heartache.
Luke stood in the doorway, silent. His usual confident demeanor was replaced with a pensive expression as he processed the scene.
Ryna¡¯s mother stepped into the room, placing a comforting hand on her daughter¡¯s shoulder.
Her voice steady but filled with sorrow. ¡°This sickness...¡±
¡°We don¡¯t know much about it or the situation at all¡± Kai continued, pressing for further details ¡°If you could, kindly, tell us what¡¯s going on here¡±
¡°It¡ it took their father too,¡± she said. ¡°He worked hard through it, hoping to earn enough for¡ at least one cure, if not two. But... he didn¡¯t make it.¡±
Lucifer¡¯s eyes darkened at her words. He clenched his fists, feeling an unfamiliar frustration bubbling within him. His body? Capable of crushing down the very thread of reality, a power no fool would stand against¡ But it was not a power that could build¡ Nor heal¡ In other words, he was powerless for the first time in epochs.
The room drowned in sorrow.
Lucifer pointed towards a coin he pulled out, asking the girls if the 11,000eons were enough. The mother frowned, appreciated the gesture, however it was only enough to move and keep him into a hospital for a little bit. That sickness was special. It was not easy to obtain, after all. One would have to go to lengths in order to acquire it... or would need extreme bad luck.
The mother began, offering a glimpse into the awful luck they''ve lived with so far. "The sickness itself cannot be contracted normally. Simply being in the presence of someone who has it is not nearly enough to spread it..." She took a deep breath, as if calming her fury directed at the universe, and continued. "Blood... Blood is the only liquid that can carry the bacteria to others. A scratch is enough, and he worked in construction... That''s how, I assume, he''s got it... A disease that will only react to type 0 blood, the same blood that runs through both the boy and his father''s veins."
The ill will eventually, and guarateedly, pass from the disease. The only hope was to find about the infection early¡ And they¡ did not.
Ryna has gone through too much turmoil by now. This, combined with the stress from the dungeon dive, exhausted the kid. As a result, she had fallen asleep on the floor beside the bed. Her mother draped a blanket over her, her expression softening as she picked her up and moved her into a nearby bed.
[Ch.16] Blessing
Lucifer¡¯s mind whirled as he gazed at Ryna¡¯s sick brother, lying motionless on the bed, his skin pale and body weak. The boy¡¯s shallow breaths were a stark reminder of the fragility of life¡ªsomething Lucifer, despite all his power, could not control. He began to understand why Ryna was so driven to dive into dangerous dungeons. Her family¡¯s struggle weighed heavily on her, and now it burdened him too. A deep, sorrowful realization washed over him.
He had fought against beings from beyond the stars, monstrous invaders from alternate realities, and had massacred them effortlessly¡ªcrushing all there is to be, eventually. Gods and similar creatures of immense power like the one that governed hell, known as Hades, reduced to nothing by the acid of his stomach. He had acquired countless titles, from Soldier, to The Spear that pierced the Unbreakable Shield, and then, Angel of Demise. Yet, despite all these feats of mindless destruction, despite wielding raw, supreme power, he felt small at this moment. Strength had always been his ally, but against something as simple as a disease¡ something as humane as sickness, it was useless. There was no shield, no weapon, no defense. Nothing he could do.
He clenched his jaw, unable to tear his eyes away from the boy, whose condition seemed to be worsening by the second.
Kai, noticing Lucifer¡¯s distant gaze, raised an eyebrow, a small, knowing smile tugging at the corners of his lips. ¡don¡¯t you?¡± he murmured softly, an inaudible phrase meant more for himself than for Lucifer.
Lucifer, still deep in thought, turned toward his ally, preparing to ask him to repeat his words. But before he could, Kai was already moving past him, placing a hand gently on the mother¡¯s shoulder. His voice was calm and soothing as he spoke.
¡°Ma¡¯am,¡± Kai said quietly, ¡°if you don¡¯t mind, I¡¯d like to try a healing spell on the boy. If it doesn¡¯t work, it¡¯ll at least make his pain more bearable.¡±
The mother didn¡¯t respond with words. Instead, she simply nodded, a quiet hope in her eyes, as if even the smallest bit of relief might be a mercy. She didn¡¯t believe it could save him, but she prayed for something¡ªanything¡ªto ease his suffering.
Lucifer, lingering in the background, let his mind drift to a familiar calculation: if x=Concept of Survival, then perhaps hope wasn''t entirely out of reach. The weight of helplessness pressing on him began to lift, gradually dissolving into cautious relief.
Kai stood before the boy, his presence almost serene. He reached out, gently placing a finger on the child¡¯s forehead. The moment his touch made contact, the atmosphere in the room shifted. The air seemed to settle, and within seconds, the boy¡¯s once-pained expression softened, his labored breathing easing into a steadier rhythm.
The mother stood frozen for a moment, her eyes wide as she watched the boy''s pain fade away almost instantaneously. His breathing, once shallow, had now steadied itself, and the pained expression that had been etched on his face became a peaceful sleep instead. Her gaze darted between Kai and her son, as if she couldn¡¯t quite believe what she was seeing.Stolen novel; please report.
She took a cautious step forward, reaching out to gently touch her son¡¯s hand, as though confirming that the change was real. The boy¡¯s skin, which had been cold and clammy, now felt warmer and more natural to the touch.
Her lips parted in a gasp, the disbelief in her voice palpable. ¡°I¡ I don¡¯t understand. How¡? How did you do that?¡±
Kai simply gestured towards the medicine, implying to not stop caring for the child, before rising and heading towards the door.
Lucifer¡¯s gaze snapped to Kai, his face serious. His emotions stirred within him¡ªcuriosity, gratitude, perhaps even some measure of awe. But when their eyes met, he exhaled deeply, a soft sigh escaping his lips. His seriousness faded as quickly as it had arrived.
He didn¡¯t need to ask how or why. The action spoke for itself.
He would not pester Kai for details about something he had not been obligated to do. It would be poor manners, and more than that, it would diminish the value of the kindness Kai had shown. The boy¡¯s pain had lessened, and for now, that was enough.
Without another word, Lucifer looked back at the boy, a small, silent acknowledgment passing between him and Kai, who simply offered him a nod in return.
The room was filled with a quiet calm after the healing spell had taken effect. The mother, Reina, now gently stroked her son''s hair, her heart filled with a mixture of relief and disbelief. Ryna, still curled up in bed, slept peacefully, as if the atmosphere change from Kai¡¯s spell had an effect even on her.
Lucifer¡¯s focus was still on Kai¡¯s simple gesture of kindness. Using his power to ease the boy¡¯s suffering, stood in stark contrast to the relentless violence of mindless annihilation¡ªthe only thing Lucifer was capable of...
As the duo prepared to leave, Reina broke the silence. ¡°If you two wish, you could stay for the night! It¡¯s not much we can offer, but if you¡¯ve got nowhere to go for the night¡¡± She stopped abruptly, choking of her own, previously, worried breath. One moment later, after an instant recovery from the awkwardness, she continued, ¡°I couldn¡¯t let the ones who helped my son go out in the night like that!¡±
Lucifer glanced at Kai, waiting for his reaction¡ªperhaps a decline, but no such response came from his blonde companion. ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± Lucifer said as if pleading to his ally. ¡°We don¡¯t occupy a lotta space! We don¡¯t even sleep!¡±
Kai raised an eyebrow, but before he could respond, Reina¡¯s eyes widened in alarm. ¡°Oh no! Is it the beds? I know they¡¯re modest, but maybe we could¡ª¡±
Kai, deciding to step in before the misunderstanding spiraled, held up a hand. ¡°No, no, it¡¯s nothing like that. It¡¯s more of¡¡± He intruded the conversation without properly thinking of an excuse, thus unable to finish the sentence.
¡°A curse!¡± Luke tuned in, clearly happy to join in the lie. ¡°We were cursed by a beast and lost the ability to sleep. That¡¯s all.¡±
Reina¡¯s jaw dropped, her hand flying to her mouth in shock. ¡°Cursed? By a beast? Are you¡ are you two all right?¡±
Lucifer waved off her concerns with a casual grin. ¡°It¡¯s not as bad as it sounds. We¡¯re perfectly fine, I promise. It¡¯s not pain or suffering¡ªit¡¯s just that we lost¡¡± A silence loomed over him as he readied to finish the sentence. A phrase he¡¯d rather not say, yet did so anyway, ¡°¡we simply lost¡ something human. That¡¯s all.¡± His voice, though lighthearted, carried a note of melancholy buried beneath his nonchalant demeanor. Reina hesitated, unsure whether to press further. She simply nodded in understanding, her brows knitted together in worry.
As the night wore on, the small apartment grew quieter. Ryna, still asleep from the exhaustion, had skipped on meals. She actually was sleep-talking the entire time about different foods, ¡°One more burger please!¡±, and ¡°¡so this is a parfait?¡± drooling all along. Her mother tried to wake her earlier to accompany at the dinner table, but unfortunately failed. Eventually, with a faint smile, she gave up, allowing the daughter to skip it this time¡ªa one-time offense she¡¯d overlook.
[Ch.17] Avatar2
The quiet of the apartment, filled only with the soft, steady breathing of its occupants, became too much to bear. Even Reina, exhausted from days of worry and sleepless nights, had succumbed to slumber beside her son. The air was heavy with peace, a fragile kind that Lucifer and Kai felt they didn¡¯t belong to.
They slipped out into the cool night, the door creaking softly behind them. The street outside was bathed in dim light from the occasional flickering streetlamp. Shadows of the surrounding buildings stretched long and eerie across the uneven cobblestones. The hum of distant cars and the faint murmur of nightlife added a low, constant rhythm to the quiet.
As they completed half of the distance, Lucifer¡¯s hand trembled slightly, and his lips moved, barely audible as he muttered under his breath. ¡°D¨¦j¨¤ vu¡¡±
Kai, too focused on the thought of getting coffee, seemed to miss the remark entirely. But Luke noticed. His sharp gaze turned down the street, and what met his eyes was¡ not ideal.
There, with an air of exaggerated importance, was an orc dressed in attire that screamed wealth and vanity. A tailored suit adorned his hulking frame, complete with gold trim that gleamed faintly under the streetlights. A fancy wide-brimmed hat perched precariously on his head. He still had that business-briefcase in one of his massive hands, while the other was handling the leash of his precious vehicle: the raptor! The creature¡¯s sharp claws clicked against the cobblestones with a rhythm that was almost¡ smug.
Lucifer froze, instinctively drawing back. For a moment, he considered making another sarcastic remark, but he stopped himself. No, not this time. This time, he chose silence from the very beginning, but, as fate would have it, his attempt at discretion failed miserably.
The orc¡¯s head swiveled, his small yet piercing eyes narrowing as if he felt Luke''s gaze on him. This interaction went just like it did last time. Luke averted his gaze, pretending that nothing had happened, and focused instead on catching up to Kai, who was happily whistling a song about coffee.
They walked without a word, their footsteps echoing faintly as they moved toward a vending machine placed in the corner of a small, dimly lit plaza.
The faint buzz of its electrical workings hummed like a background melody to the surrounding stillnessIf you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
Lucifer scanned the area as they approached. The plaza was simple yet oddly serene¡ªa few benches scattered around a cracked stone fountain that no longer ran. Above them, the sky was a deep navy, stars faintly visible through the veil of urban light pollution.
Luke slid a few coins into the vending machine, the mechanical clinks loud in the quiet night. He pressed a button, and with a soft clunk, a can of coffee tumbled into the collection slot. Kai picked it up while Lucifer selected an energy drink for himself.
The two leaned against the fountain, their faces dimly illuminated by its glow. Kai popped open his can first, taking a slow sip.
He broke the silence, his voice soft but direct. ¡°Curious?¡±
Lucifer raised an eyebrow, taking a sip of his soda. The fizz tickled his tongue, and he let the moment linger before responding. ¡°Yeah, but it¡¯d be bad manners, no?¡±
The night¡¯s silence was lightly interrupted by a dim hum coming from the vending machine, their only companion. Kai took another slow sip of his coffee, savoring the bitterness, before turning his gaze to Lucifer with a sigh.
¡°The concept of survival,¡± Kai began, his voice calm and measured, ¡°works much like the gods from the myths we all know about. I can offer blessings, but it¡¯s far more competent. More powerful. More direct. And certainly more targeted. It doesn¡¯t rely on faith or prayer to act, and¡ it¡¯s above gods.¡±
Lucifer tilted his head with a slight smug on his lips. ¡°So, what you¡¯re saying is, that kid¡¯s got some kind of divine insurance now?¡±
Kai chuckled softly. ¡°In a way. With the blessing from the Avatar of Survival, the boy is guaranteed to live the longest life he¡¯d be able to. He¡¯ll endure whatever. Survival basically means laughing in the face of death."
Lucifer leaned back against the wall, crossing his arms as he processed this. The smirk lingered, but there was a flicker of genuine curiosity in his eyes. ¡°What exactly is an avatar?¡± he asked. ¡°We¡¯ve touched on the idea when we met, but it really just looks like human-ish character you control? Like a video game.¡±
Kai nodded, his expression patient. ¡°Let''s begin with the concepts. In my case, the concept of survival which represents all there is to, well, survival: lifespan, longevity, endurance, etc¡ It¡¯s all compressed into one idea.¡±
¡°Roger that¡±
¡°An Avatar is when the concept gains sentience and forms a voice in order to interact with the world more¡ directly.¡±
Lucifer raised an eyebrow, ¡°So, like¡ a ghost?¡±
¡°Sort-of¡±, Kai shook his head, continuing the dialogue. ¡°Now, for what I currently am, an Avatar2¡ªa Further Avatar is when the voice acquires or generates a body, fleshing its interactions with the world through a physical presence.¡±
"Oh, I got it now" Lucifer continued, taking another sip of his juice. ¡°In other words, not the real you¡ªam I righte?¡±
¡°Fair observation.¡±
After Kai¡¯s final reply, the two fell into a comfortable silence, continuing to sip their respective drinks, enjoying the peace of the night on their way back.