This was their first true confrontation.
The scholar suddenly felt something strange—a complex emotion stirred in him.
From the perspective of someone researching the unknown, the figure standing before him held extraordinary meaning.
Like the sun in the sky.
It wasn't an exaggeration. No one outside knew just how many members of the White Star Institute had descended into madness after confirming the real existence of the Fire Picker.
His existence proved it was possible—it showed that the path they walked might truly have an end.
That's why everything had become so urgent. They were now racing against time, hoping to reach the finish line before it was too late.
Yes... a dazzling sun...
The scholar smiled suddenly, and his gaze regained its earlier light as he looked at Zane.
To defile divinity... to drag the sun down into the abyss...
Ignorant, fearless—and even more fearless after gaining knowledge.
That was the true allure of truth...
"I want to know something."
"How much innocent blood have these hands of yours been soaked in? Have you ever counted?"
Zane had noticed the shift in the scholar's expression but didn't care. He simply asked his question seriously.
The scholar paused, clearly not expecting that question. He let out a helpless chuckle.
He didn't mind chatting with this figure—after all, one more player hadn't returned yet.
His voice was calm.
"I did count... but eventually, I lost track."
So you lost count...
Zane's gaze turned cold. He asked again.
"Do you remember a father and daughter?"
"In that barren edge zone of the Janus District."
"A father and daughter?"
The scholar furrowed his brow, then seemed to recall something.
"I don't remember much, but there was a pair that left quite an impression."
"The report said the father, after being exposed to Ether corruption, lacked any compatible traits, yet somehow held on between human and Ethereal transformation... for a full minute and thirty-seven seconds."
"That data was astonishing."
"During that time, he killed five standard Ethereals and, with his broken body, stood guard in front of the girl. Honestly, their strength was about the same, maybe even less since he hadn't transformed, but he pulled it off."
The scholar shook his head, reflecting with a certain twisted fondness.
"After gathering the data, we changed plans. We saved the girl and erased the fully transformed father right in front of her."
"A bit of a shame, really—there wasn't much left of that Ethereal."
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully, clicking his tongue.
"The power of the mind can be pretty mysterious sometimes. Those childish cartoons actually capture that well."
Zane's eyes gleamed.
"So... the Ethereals were drawn in by you. Her father's transformation was orchestrated by you. You watched from the shadows. And in the end, you played the rescue team..."
"Heh... what a joke."
Zane still remembered how Pixie had opened up to him—how grateful she'd been toward those "rescuers"...
Hearing this, the scholar's expression shifted slightly, intrigued.
"That little girl has something to do with you?"
"Oh, right—you showed up in the Lamia Hollow. She might've been there…"
Then he shook his head, chuckling.
"Honestly, she should be thanking us. The two of them were going to die in that Hollow anyway, and we saved one."
"What kind of bullshit logic is that?"
Zane cut him off coldly.
"So if I killed you, then said a few prayers, you'd owe me thanks?"
"Because I didn't have to say anything at all?"
"And you're still keeping tabs on that little girl. What—for redemption?"
"Why don't you translate this for me: 'Too few contacts. Special case. Accuracy undetermined. Reserved for future observation.'"
That was straight from her file.
And there were many more like her. On paper, Pixie's ordeal barely stood out.
The scholar ignored Zane's sarcasm. He was more interested in Zane's emotional reaction.
"It's simple. Back then, we ran many of those trials. No real rush, so we tried to keep everything quiet. And the Hollow outbreak just happened to hit a low-value population."
"A godsend. Why waste it? But the father's case was unique. We got some data, but not enough."
"So from a research standpoint, the girl might've had the same potential. We kept her. Why else would we bother saving her?"
He shook his head dismissively.
"Unfortunately, she never quite fit in at the orphanage that took her. She didn't form attachments. So we shelved her."
So Pixie's aloofness had... accidentally protected her—and the other children.
Zane's heart churned at the thought.
There was something sickening about it all.
"What's your connection to that little girl? Why ask me this personally?"
The scholar smiled, as if he'd just shared a fascinating anecdote—not something horrifying.
Zane looked at him calmly and spoke in a soft tone.
"So much innocent blood... And you know they were innocent."
"I'm just curious..."
"Do you still dream?"
"Do you ever dream of the ones who died because of you?"
The scholar froze for a moment, then burst into laughter—as if he'd heard the funniest thing in the world. Even the nearby rebels instinctively stepped back.
He looked up, face twisted.
"All of it was worth it! Their sacrifice was necessary—glorious! What do I have to fear?"
"Every great creation demands sacrifice! They may not understand, but they must accept!"
"To die for something this monumental—they should be thanking me!"
Zane sneered.
"Those words coming out of your mouth are a joke. All you've done is wrap your ugliness in fancy robes."
He raised his hand and summoned an ice sword. With a cold expression, he pointed the blade at the scholar.
"I'll show you what despair really feels like."
"You might not understand, but you'll have to accept it."
Zane threw the scholar's words right back at him. He knew exactly what the man was stalling for. Normally, he might've waited to wipe them all out at once—but not anymore.
He'd crush this repulsive thing first!
Frost spread through the air. Massive ice spears appeared in the sky.
And on the ground—Zane moved!
In a blink, he was right in front of the scholar.
A second later, deep blue sword light erupted, unleashing a freezing storm!