Those were memories from the distant and ancient Age of Beginnings—
The god of death, Istvanthus, and the god of life, Proelis, together created countless lifeforms upon a particular planet.
They planted the "Infinite Oak" within the planet's core, extracting a third of its power to transform it into an energy core known as the "Divine Core."
As a manifestation of divine law, each Divine Core contained energy on a planetary scale. Just a single drop could rejuvenate a normal being, granting them strength far beyond that of an ordinary person.
One couldn't help but wonder: what kind of monster would be born if someone gained the full power of a Divine Core?
At the northernmost point of the Celestial Empire, within a vast chasm in a deep valley, there exists someone who may hold the answer to this question.
"All is prepared, my Lord Mazal."
The report of completion brought a pleased expression to the demon king's face as he slowly rose from his throne, and a wave of powerful intimidation swept over the surroundings.
"Heh! Our ambition spanning a century will be fulfilled today—yes, today!"
His towering figure emerged from the boundless darkness, and every object with a shape twisted and distorted with the demon king's rising excitement, while the air itself resounded under the pressure of chaotic magic.
The demon king drew a sword darker than the abyss from his side, declaring his return with an overwhelming surge of magic.
Around him, the distorted skulls scattered on the ground glowed red in tandem with the demon king's own eyes.
"Oh, my eternal, undying citizens! Let the world be plunged once more into endless darkness!"
Countless dark shadows surged from his feet, sweeping over the scattered bones like roaring waves. In response to his command, the monstrous skeletons, filled with murderous intent, began to move.
---
Trailing behind Shavonne and Avik, I first crossed the expansive desert plains, then scaled towering snow-capped mountains, finally walking amidst the lush valley with rivers and peaks. The sky was cloudless, a pure expanse with nothing but the blinding sun overhead. Feeling a strange confidence, I pressed on into the increasingly shadowed depths of the valley.
For any ordinary person, this journey would undoubtedly be exhausting. Yet, with the blessing of this sword, I hadn't even needed to take a single deep breath.
This sword given by Kriz conceals mysteries I can hardly fathom.
Despite pushing my body to cover an extraordinary distance, I felt no trace of fatigue. When surrounded by the fiery sands of the desert, a refreshing coolness emanated from within; when shrouded by icy mountains, a pleasant warmth filled my body.
A body with its own regulating function—it's addicting.
Without it, I might have perished from heat back in the desert.
While I was leisurely immersed in my thoughts, the two in front displayed a completely different demeanor.
They hurried along without turning back, as if things had reached a point where there was no time to spare. Shavonne's pace seemed to quicken, and Avik matched her stride.
Watching his thin, wiry figure, countless questions flickered through my mind—
—But I pushed these thoughts aside; it was time to focus on the task at hand.
"Did they even send a whole welcoming party for us?"
More precisely, it was a large group of skeletons moving in our direction.
Squinting, I noticed a strange green light flickering in their eye sockets, uncertain if it was a result of control or an innate characteristic.
"...Whose army is this?"
"Enough talk—prepare for battle."
With Shavonne's urging, Avik and I drew our weapons. Mine needed no introduction, though Avik's weapon certainly drew attention.
Producing a massive sword seemingly out of nowhere, he rested it on his shoulder—a stark contrast between his frail frame and the massive blade. The sword's front edge split open into a gaping maw lined with curved teeth, with faint traces of purple mist, exuding an aura of ravenous hunger.
"A legion of undead, is it? This is exactly my specialty."
Avik, now holding the massive sword overhead with one hand, showed no trace of emotion on his face.
His gaze swept over the enemies ahead, and, with a seemingly casual movement, his sword carved a white arc through the air.
In an instant, a cold glimmer streaked toward the disorganized skeleton army, triggering a large cloud of dust in the distance, followed by silence.
With a cold glint, the pale sword wave delivered death once more to the long-deceased bones.
"Ohh...! I knew I didn't misjudge you—you're quite capable."
The girl praised Avik with delight, while he silently wiped down his sword, barely responding.
"Let's keep up this pace and get the job done quickly!"
"Not so fast; more are coming."
Following Avik's gesture, a massive creature stood among the sea of skeletons, emitting a dense miasma.
Black, segmented armor covered its massive body, with several huge spikes protruding from its shoulders and back. Its pure black eyes glowed with the same eerie green as the skeletons. A thick, powerful tail dripping with an unknown fluid swung wildly before finally pointing in our direction.
An obviously more formidable foe than the skeletons, it cast a predatory gaze upon us.
In an instant, the giant creature lunged at Shavonne and me, its enormous claws swinging down—
"Please, go on ahead. Leave this one to me…"
—The powerful claw strike was deflected.
Avik stepped in front of us; clearly, he had intercepted the creature's attack.
In that moment, his frail frame appeared extraordinarily robust to me.
"The mission is what's important! Hurry, go!"
A forceful tug from the front urged me forward, and Shavonne grabbed my left hand, pulling me around the creature's right side before it could react.
As we ran, I looked back to see the figures of the monster and Avik slowly shrinking, though the creature's furious roars still echoed deafeningly, even as the distance grew.
The creature's sheer aura caused nearby plants to flatten to the ground, and the surrounding trees and cliffs cracked under the force.
Before their figures fully faded from sight, I saw the four sharp horns on the monster's head beginning to gather energy, swirling with a massive concentration of foul matter.
"May you be safe."
I genuinely wished for his safe return.