The Return of the True Lua
Lua appeared in the midst of a distorted light, and the other players fell alongside her. The impact against the ground jolted them awake, leaving them dazed and rubbing their heads, unsure of what had just happened.
Meanwhile, Lua's body began to stabilize. Her hair slowly returned to its signature blue hue, and her serious, stoic gaze swept across the group in total silence.
The only one already fully awake was Loli, who stared at her in confusion. Lua's presence was unmistakable… and yet, something felt different. Her icy aura was denser and more authoritative than ever, wrapping the air in silent pressure. It was like witnessing a queen—one who could decide your fate with a single gesture.
"L-Lua…?" Loli asked nervously. After all, she had seen her die with her own eyes. And now, even though her body was the same, something deeper in her essence had changed.
Lua raised one hand without even looking, halting any questions.
She closed her eyes, focusing. One hand gently touched her forehead, as if syncing body and soul required one last adjustment.
On the other side, Liora woke with a start. Her face was frozen in fear. She looked around in a panic until her eyes locked onto Lua.
And then she ran.
Stumbling, wings flapping, breath caught in her throat—none of it mattered. She dashed forward and wrapped herself around Lua's arm, sobbing uncontrollably.
"Lua… Lua…" she cried, tears streaming down her face.
Loli hesitated, ready to stop her—but didn't need to.
Lua's hand calmly rested on Liora's head, gently stroking it.
When Liora looked up, she saw the same soft smile she always received. That rare, quiet smile Lua saved only for moments of true peace.
"Sorry. I just needed to adjust to the merging of both bodies," Lua said softly, her voice unusually tender.
Loli let out a long sigh she had been holding in.
At least for now… it was truly her.
"What happened? Where are those guys?" Joe asked, getting up cautiously, still alert—until he realized they were back in the village.
"Lua took care of them," Loli replied, dropping down to sit on the ground.
Liora, seeing her covered in wounds, didn't hesitate. She immediately began casting healing spells, restoring her injuries almost instantly.
Then she rushed to Joe… whose right arm was completely missing.
Without wasting a second, she touched him and released a sequence of precise spells. The arm began to regenerate slowly—bone, muscle, skin—woven back together like life forged from light.
Meanwhile, Lua stood silently, staring at the two human corpses lying a few meters away. The third one—obliterated in the final blast—had left nothing recoverable behind. Only ash and burnt remains.
—
"No wonder I could never show your status panel or access certain functions… I was always connected to your clone," said Sia mentally, her tone somewhere between frustrated and relieved.
"Why didn't you tell me, boss?"
"You never asked," Lua replied, as calm and stoic as ever.
"Not even a hint?!" Sia complained, almost hurt. "Why would you even split yourself in two?"
"Demigods can't enter the forest without attracting every demon beast in the area," Lua explained without changing tone. "That's why the spirits hid there—using the forest as a shield. The first time I reached this level, I was hunted endlessly. So I had to develop a skill that let me explore without being chased."
The explanation came out flat, emotionless. As if she were talking about the weather.
"…So now I can make you a proper status panel?" Sia asked, trying to contain her excitement. After all, before linking with Lua, she had been part of the human demigod's system. She understood just how terrifying that power level could be.
"Wait," said Lua.
She walked silently toward the human corpses and began inspecting them.
As expected: their swords, a worn-out rifle, a white pouch with several engraved runes… and of course, their imperial uniforms—high-class stitching, great defense. Clearly elite gear.
Lua picked up the pouch, her gaze lingering on it for a moment.
"Convert the bodies into drop," she finally commanded.
The corpses began to glow intensely… and disintegrated.
Only two items remained.
Loot obtained:
Human Core
Can be exchanged for 1 demon beast core.
Its description was short. Too short… and perhaps that's what made it perfect.
Their armor also remained—finely crafted pieces with strong defenses, clearly part of a high-ranking imperial set:
[Helm of Imperial Oath]
Special
Type: Heavy Armor (Head)
Defense: +80
Durability: 200/200
Special Ability: Warrior's Sense – Detects hidden enemies within a 15m radius for 30 seconds (Cooldown: 5 min)
Description:
A helm forged for the throne's guardians. It vibrates when danger is near.
[Chestplate of Unified Will]
Special
Type: Heavy Armor (Torso)
Defense: +160
Durability: 300/300
Special Ability: Absolute Bastion – Reduces all damage taken by 12%. Ignores the first negative effect each battle.
Description:
Its surface is marked with ancient protective runes. Each blow echoes like an imperial war drum.
[Greaves of Unyielding Step]
Special
Type: Heavy Armor (Legs)
Defense: +70
Durability: 200/200
Passive Bonus: +20% movement speed while using reinforced aura
Description:
Designed for unstoppable marches—even through magic-scorched fields.
[Gauntlets of the Golden Lion]
Special
Type: Heavy Armor (Hands)
Defense: +60
Durability: 180/180
Special Ability: Lion's Wrath – Increases physical damage by 25%. After 5 consecutive hits, gain +10% critical damage for 5 seconds.
Description:
Their plates are reinforced with royal emblems—a symbol of unwavering strength.
[Cloak of Blood Unity]
Special
Type: Cloak
Defense: +50
Durability: 150/150
Special Ability: Imperial Command – Grants +15% DEF and +10% damage to all nearby allies for 15 seconds (Cooldown: 3 min)
Description:
Only awarded to elite commanders. It flutters even without wind, as if responding to its wearer's spirit.
Set Bonus – [Human Empire]
Activation: Equip 3 or more pieces
Effect: Voice of the Emperor
• +20% total defense
• +10% aura power
• Imperial Presence – Enemies of lower level within 10m suffer -10% speed and -10% damage.
"That gear is way too OP," Joe muttered, carefully inspecting each piece. He was still frustrated by how easily he had been defeated.
Lua didn't respond. She simply tossed one of the sets toward him.
Then she threw the other to Dean.
The two Human Cores ended up in Sig's hands. She held them with a confused expression… just like everyone else.
"Sia. Use all the energy we have left," Lua ordered aloud this time.
"Create invitations."
In front of her, golden tickets began to materialize—one after another—until a soft, shimmering rain hovered in the air and slowly drifted downward.
There were around 50 in total.
Without saying anything more, Lua gathered them and placed them in Loli's hands.
"Anyone who wants an invitation, take it from her. If any are left, you two can use them. But in exchange, I want something clear: the village must start rebuilding immediately, with no delays," Lua said firmly, addressing the whole group, then focusing on Sig and Loli.
"Especially the wall. The old man we fought was just under the level of a demigod. That means his master likely is one. From now on, this place will start drawing threats much faster."
Her gaze shifted to Dean and Joe, who were still examining the legendary equipment she had given them.
"I want you to take control of the mine as soon as possible. Bring the players with you and help them level up. Within a week, that mine must be ours. If you can't do it… return the gear. There will be others willing to take the job."
Joe swallowed hard.
"Y-yes…" he said, tense. Lua's gaze left no room for argument.
Then, Lua turned her attention to the players gathered around her.
"Until I recover my clone, I won't be able to assist you in the forest. Be careful. My presence likely disrupted the nearby beasts."
And with that, she turned and walked away.
No quest was issued.
Only clear orders.
No promised rewards.
Only duty.
No one dared to question her.
Some of the players exchanged confused looks, still not fully understanding what was happening. Others just shrugged.
There was something about the way Lua spoke that made obedience feel… natural.
Linda was the first to approach Loli.
"Ah… could I have one? I just need one," she asked kindly. "Nothing more."
Loli handed her one of the golden tickets, watching silently as she walked away—still processing everything that had just happened.
"We don't need them," Rachel said calmly. Segler, at her side, remained quiet.
"I don't really have anyone else…" Edward muttered.
"Ooh! I want two—for Mom and Dad!" said Polly cheerfully.
"I'd like one for my brother," added Natasha with shy enthusiasm.
Loli nodded and handed them out one by one.
"And the rest of you? No one else wants one?" she asked, glancing at the rest of the group.
They all shook their heads.
They knew Sig would need them more.
"So… is it okay if I bring my workers?" Sig asked, visibly excited.
"Don't worry—we'll help you build your houses when the time comes. I promise!"
"We don't know many people… just my husband," Linda added with a faint smile.
"Then, Alfred—remember, when they buy their plots, we owe them a house," Sig said with a grin, gathering the rest of the tickets.
"With all these, our whole group will be able to enter the game legally," she added with enthusiasm.
A small victory in the middle of a ruthless world.
Meanwhile, Lua walked quietly toward her house.
She felt a slight but persistent headache—a side effect of her clone's death. Though they had been separate entities, their bond had been deep. The imbalance caused a mental pressure that would only fade with proper rest… at least a week.
So, she had already made her decision:
She was going to sleep for seven full days.
Behind her, Liora followed in silence, concerned.
Without turning around, Lua made a small gesture with her hand—a signal.
Liora understood immediately and lay down beside her.
And so, in silence, the two of them fell asleep.
When Lua woke up…
the village would no longer be the same.
The reconstruction would be underway.
And the players… would finally begin to change the world.