Akin stood at the edge of the cliff, eyes narrowed toward the distant horizon. Something stirred far ahead—something ancient, like a predator slowly waking. He could feel it… power brewing beyond the cursed winds.
"You guys wait for me," he muttered, a low grin forming. "I'll be the one to come to you."
With a flick of his hand, a portal shimmered open behind him. A golden ring of light, etched with Elarian runes, swirled into being. Akin stepped through and returned to the quiet mountain cave—deep within the hidden chamber where he had once been gifted the power of elements and alchemy.
The chamber was silent, the crystal-lit roots above dimly pulsing. He moved to a familiar stone slab, lay back, and let exhaustion wash over him. His powers were great, but his body remained human. And tonight, he needed rest.
Sleep came swiftly.
When he opened his eyes, soft daylight bled through cracks in the cavern ceiling. Akin blinked, stretched, and slowly walked to the chamber entrance. He placed his hand on the stone door and opened it—
Then froze.
Before him, the cursed land was no more.
The skies were clear and radiant. The trees stood tall, crowned with golden leaves. Streams glittered in the distance, and the once-suffocating air now smelled of wild herbs and blossom.
"What the...?" he gasped. "Did we... teleport to another world?"
"No," came the calm voice of the deity. "This is still Elarian. You're simply seeing its true form."
"True form?" Akin asked, stepping into the sunlight.
"Yes. When you absorbed the Nexis, you didn't just awaken your inner power—you unknowingly absorbed the curse and the ancient seal placed on this land. The darkness was broken. The curse lifted. This is how Elarian used to be before it was betrayed."
Akin looked around, breath caught in his chest. The wind, the color, the warmth—it was a paradise reborn.
"I can't believe this..."
Wandering downhill, he passed worn statues of old warriors, shattered towers, and moss-covered paths that now shimmered with rebirth. Then, something caught his eye—coins, scattered in the soil.
He bent down, picked one up, and examined it. It was old but gleaming. Elegant.
"Are these still valid?" he asked aloud.
"Absolutely," the deity replied. "Elarian's currency is universal. These gold and silver coins are eternal. Every piece you find is now yours."
Akin smirked. "If I collect enough, I might actually surpass my dad's fortune back in the old world."
He ventured further, eventually reaching a peaceful stream. He dropped to one knee, cupped his hands, and drank deeply.
"Phew… that hits the spot. Haven't had water in two days."
Looking around, he grew thoughtful.
"This place is too perfect now. If word gets out, everyone will rush here. Is there a way only I can see this version of Elarian?"
"There is," the deity answered. "With enough mana, you can cast a powerful illusion over the entire region. Only those you permit will see Elarian's true form."
"Perfect. What do I need to do?"
The deity instructed him to carve a circle of specific runes into the ground. Akin followed every detail precisely. When he poured his mana into the runes, a shimmering wave surged across the land.
In an instant, the sky dimmed. Trees wilted. The ruins darkened. Elarian was cloaked once again as the cursed land.
But not for Akin.
He still saw the beauty beneath the illusion—and chuckled. "Now… guide me to where the treasure is."
Following the deity's directions, he arrived at an old stone vault hidden behind a collapsed structure. Inside, massive piles of ancient gold, silver, enchanted gems, rare relics, and scrolls stretched as far as the eye could see.
Among the treasures, on a pedestal, lay a silver-black ring glowing faintly with a rune of infinity.
"That," the deity explained, "is an Elarian Vault Ring. It's connected to this treasure vault. Once bonded to you, anything you place near the ring—or even think of storing—will be instantly transported here."
Akin raised an eyebrow. "Wait… so it's like an inventory?"
"Yes. You can access it by opening a small space portal linked to the ring. Just summon the portal, reach inside, and pull out anything stored. So long as it's inside the vault, it's yours to wield."
He slid the ring onto his finger. A faint spark passed through his body as it bound to him.
"This is too good," Akin laughed. "Now I can carry a kingdom's worth of wealth without even using a bag."
He stood back, looking around. The beauty. The vault. The power. The land was his now.
"I need a change of clothes," he muttered, flicking his fingers and forming new garments with alchemy—black with crimson edges, light armor beneath, and a flowing cloak to match.
He smirked. "If I'm getting revenge, I might as well look damn good doing it."
Far across the realm, in the human kingdom, Jendol and Annabel were still undergoing brutal training. Jendol sparred with Iswell, the king's first son, learning swordplay with heavy bruises as his reward. Annabel practiced her fire and water magic under the relentless eye of the mage Estria, struggling to maintain control.
They were adapting. Trying to survive in this new world.
But they didn't know Akin had already begun his rise.
And he was coming.