The trumpets were still chanting for me as loudly as clouds could reach. I didn't feel either happy or sad; I knew this was an amazing achievement, but too much blood had been spilled in this battle, and the entire hall was now plunged back into darkness. I understood it was only a matter of time until I would face even more difficult opponents—and who knows how many people around me would die.
The only good thing from this battle was my rapid leveling up. I felt power surge through me instantly, and my body felt a hundred times lighter, as if I was floating on clouds. With a single step, I appeared next to my party members, who were still hanging on the wall, their barely recognizable bodies struggling to hold on.
"If only... if only I could have helped them, this would never have happened," I whispered under my breath, looking at them with conflicting emotions that felt almost foreign to me. On one hand, I had only met them recently—it had only been about a week since I arrived in this world—but on the other hand, they stayed by my side, not caring about my past or judging me as they fought their own bloody battles.
I extended my hand toward Malrang. Her body was almost a complete mess, but my fingers were met with an electric shock; the golden light wouldn't allow me to interfere. "Sorry that you had to suffer so much for me. I promise to protect you next time..." I felt my heart ache, but at the same time, the feeling was slightly weaker than before, as if part of me wouldn't allow me to feel sadness or love. Just what is happening to me? I glanced at the other party members, their bodies shining with golden light. There was nothing I could do but wait silently as I observed them.
"[I HAVE TO ADMIT I'M IMPRESSED BY YOUR CREATIVITY AND TALENT LEE GAON... YOU CONTINUE TO SURPRISE ME AGAIN AND AGAIN]"
The voice I hated the most once again reverberated through the hall. "You! Is this some fun game for you? What the hell is your problem?" I roared at the top of my lungs, with rage filling every single part of me.
"[NO NEED TO RAISE YOUR VOICE]"
I felt my mouth close on its own, as if some mysterious force had taken control over me. A shiver ran down my body once again; the feeling of losing control is not something I can easily explain.
"[NOW LET ME EXPLAIN YOUR CURRENT SITUATION...]"
I had no choice but to sit down on the broken ground and listen, knowing that my friends' fate would soon be decided.
"[YOU ARE THE FIRST PERSON TO EVER FIGURE OUT SKILL COMBINATION, AND AS THE CREATOR OF THIS WORLD, I AM PROUD OF YOU, MY CHILD. YOU WILL LEARN MORE ABOUT SOUL POWER AS YOU GROW STRONGER, AND WHEN THAT TIME COMES, I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU STAND AT THE TOP]"
The Soul Power, huh... this mysterious force within us all… it seems to grow stronger with each level up. The power inside me has been a mystery ever since the first time I summoned my weapon. At that moment, it felt like a game, but now I understand it's something far more otherworldly.
"[YOU SHALL RECEIVE A FEW NEW TITLES NOW. I HAVE PERSONALLY CRAFTED THEM FOR YOU]"
"[CONGRATULATIONS! YOU HAVE ACQUIRED A NEW ACHIEVEMENT - [THE CREATOR] - You are the first user to successfully fuse skills, resulting in the creation of a unique ability]"
[Five skill points have been issued]
[CONGRATULATIONS! YOU HAVE ACQUIRED A NEW ACHIEVEMENT]
[THE SLAYER OF FALLEN KINGS - You have slain a fallen king]
[Six skill points have been issued]
[CONGRATULATIONS! YOU HAVE ACQUIRED A NEW ACHIEVEMENT]
[DARK LORD- Your nature has become predominantly darkness, surpassing 60%]
[NEW EXCLUSIVE SKILL UNLOCKED]
[DEMON BEAST CONTROL]
"[I HOPE YOU ARE SATISFIED WITH YOUR NEW ACHIEVEMENTS, NOW... ABOUT YOUR TEAMMATES...]"
I couldn't care less about my achievements at this moment; all I wanted to know was if they would live. A blazing light shone in my eyes, warming the cold bodies on the wall, which I couldn't tear my gaze from.
"[YOU MUST PAY A PRICE TO REVIVE THEM; I HAVE SUSTAINED THEIR SOULS FOR THIS VERY MOMENT]"
I could feel my soul freeze. What did he want? My life? My freedom? Or my power? I had nothing to offer. I was just an empty shell—I hadn't even found myself or taken my revenge. So what could I do?
"[WHEN THE TIME COMES, YOU WILL LEND ME YOUR POWER. YOU MUST SIGN A PACT WITH ME. SHOULD YOU EVER WISH TO RENOUNCE IT, YOUR BODY AND SOUL WILL IGNITE, KILLING YOU INSTANTLY. NO FURTHER NEGOTIATIONS ARE POSSIBLE]"
So it was my power after all... But to help this bastard? I... I could not decide what to do, I wanted to save my friends but to become just a tool someday for this trashy creator is... infuriating.
[-Y/N-]
A system message popped into my mind, but I couldn't choose. I didn't want my fate to be controlled by my emotions; I would rather stay alone and live free. But... damn it! I don't know... I wanted to scream, but my mouth remained sealed by the creator's command, leaving me more and more pent up. I wanted to save them—I did. But why do I feel this way? Why am I even considering it? Before coming to this world, I would have already left. So why? Why…?
"[CHOOSE!]"
His voice sounded rushed and intimidating, making me panic even more. I felt like I was going crazy, pacing back and forth, contemplating the situation. Aaaargh! I thought, unable to scream, gesturing to the sky in desperation to open my mouth. The moment I felt my voice freed, I stopped in place and looked up at the ceiling. "Fine! I will aid you, but only this once. After that, when I meet you again, I will claim your life! MARK MY WORDS!" I roared with everything I had, all of my pent-up emotions escaping at once.
"[IF MY LIFE IS YOUR PRIZE, COME AND CLAIM IT—IF YOU CAN. WHEN YOU FIND ME, I WILL WELCOME YOUR CHALLENGE WITH OPEN ARMS]"
In the next instant the bodies that were shining on the wall, started floating down, being laid carefully on the floor. The golden light surrounding them intensified, healing their wounds. As if the time itself reversed every single splash of blood returned to them, every tissue connecting like it was never severed. Life shone once again in their eyes and everyone opened their eyes at the same time. Shining and surging with power.
"[YOU OWE YOUR LIVES TO LEE GAON, AND YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS AND COURAGE WILL ALSO BE HONORED. YOU WILL NOW RECEIVE YOUR SHARE OF EXPERIENCE AND YOUR OWN TITLES. YOU ARE ONE STEP CLOSER TO BECOMING RULERS YOURSELVES. IF YOU COMPLETE THE NEXT CHALLENGE WITHOUT LEE GAON, YOU WILL BE REWARDED WITH THAT TITLE]"
The voice faded into the void with its final announcement, leaving three people and a fox looking dazed and bewildered, as if everything leading up to this moment were nothing but a blur.
"How? Why? Huh...?" Kang Eun-Woo was the first to speak, touching his body as if questioning whether the previous battle had been a dream or reality.
"Mommy... where...? Huh-hic… huh-hic... I want to go home... Huh-hic… huh-hic..." Jieu's eyes looked lifeless, as if her soul had just slipped away, as she whimpered to herself, hiccupping between words. I could completely understand her; she was but a nine-year-old child, brought to this world when she wasn't even prepared for her own.
"Woo!" Malrang leapt into my arms, pressing her shivering body against mine as if seeking comfort.
"Now, now... it's okay, I'm here." I stroked her purple fur gently, trying to calm her down. Deep in my heart, I felt a mix of sadness and rage. Angry at myself for letting this happen, and fury at the entities responsible for this savage world.
"Big sis?" Kim Seong-Hoon's soul energy was leagues above the others, which had most likely helped him regain his sanity first. He rubbed his neck, which had been severed just moments ago, looking at me with a mix of confusion, understanding, and gratitude.
"What exactly happened after… after? I only remember the lights going out and then… nothing, as if my world had ended. I can still feel the sharp pain in my neck, but… how?" He pleaded for an explanation. "And… are you alright? Where did it go…? Did you kill that thing?"
"I'm alright, but you need to rest for a while..." I didn't know how to comfort people, especially in a situation like this. Even though I had faced near death in my second battle, I still didn't know how to help them recover.
"But did you kill that thing?" His eyes pleaded for that final reassurance, as if his whole life depended on it. His fists were clenched and slightly bloody. Did that last battle shatter his pride? I couldn't fully understand his reaction; to me, knowing didn't matter as long as I was alive.
"Yes. I gave him a good beating—!" My words were suddenly cut off as the entire hall began shaking uncontrollably. Before my eyes, a small hidden passage carved itself into the wall. An aura of royalty and unimaginable power swept over us, and at the end of the passage, a golden chest lay waiting, illuminating the dark hall.
The familiar system voice echoed loudly, crashing into our souls with unexpected force.
"[For successfully clearing the first trial, your party has earned a reward: the Treasure Chest of the Fallen King]"