Jian said:
> "He's actually a 404.
You know what that is?"
Vex:
> "No... what is it?"
Jian:
> "Unknown.
There are 8 Awakeners from other worlds—
And I'm the 10th.
> It's because one of the 8 used her spiritual power
to allow me to use mana.
> But he—
He was able to awaken forcibly
by one of the 4 who can use aura and mana,
and he used demon mana as an additional one.
> But whatever—
> He ain't strong because he can use all 3...
> He's strong because he spent a full year
mastering all 3—
> Plus a new blood magic...
Like vampirism."
---
Vex:
> "They all 4 are infinite—
And he was able to contr
ol them
and master them all...
> He's a monster.
I'll give him that."
---
My upper clothes—my hood—was torn apart.
My underclothes—
Already shabby.
But at least it covered my d*ck.
Well... that's one thing.
But it aged 100 years in a single fight.
I teleported to the boat.
It was... almost refreshing.
The sound of fighting still echoed in my mind—until I was flat broke tired.
But then...
I heard a sound.
It came from the direction the dragon had run from.
It was a girl's voice.
Sweet. Sobbing. Cutting.
> "I wo...n't for...get you. I will co...me baa..ck tooo..."
I thought I was just hearing things.
So I ignored it.
What would I have done anyway?
Right now, I'm more worried about how we're gonna enter without causing a scene...
If it's foggy around the borders too.
But what matters is—
We're finally here.
Near land.
It was hard to see.
But at least...
I can use Fog Sensitizing.
It's a skill I learned from vapor.
A technique where you emit smoke into the fog,
Then feel the reaction through it.
Like sonar,
Sending waves,
Returning signals.
I can do that in foggy places.
---
Jian:
> "So how does it feel? You were awesome out there."
> "I was just flexing. Nothing to brag about."
Jian:
> "Low-key, bro was astonished. He almost recovered."
> "Who?"
Jian:
> "I mean, Vex."
Vex:
> "Well...
I wanted to say... you're really strong, and I admire that."
> "Nah. I'm not that strong."
Vex:
> "Don't 'nah' me. You are strong. I wish I could be like you.
I don't even have legs that can walk—
No!
I can't even feel them, let alone walk!"
> "Bruhhh... what are you saying? I'm here. Jian's here.
And you're here for a reason.
It's either to recover your legs or for us to give you new ones."
Vex:
> "You'll give me one...? Are you being stupid or what?"
> "Nah, I'm not.
I'm gonna make sure you stand up on your damn feet—
And even more than that.
You'll ascend in the sky, kid."
Vex:
> "But why?
Why me?
Why choose me?
I've never been wronged.
I'm a noble—living my life damn happy and extravagant.
Why me?"
> "Seriously...?
You're asking this now? In this kind of situation?"
Vex:
> "YEEAAAHHHH!!!
I WANNA KNOW!
WHY??"
> "It's simple.
Because I want to.
Don't ask me why.
I don't even know why.
But whether you believe it or not...
I see my way out.
And I see you helping me more than anyone else in the future.
Besides...
I never expected you to help me.
But I felt it—this feeling like...
You were never supposed to be like this.
You have the freedom to be anyone in a world where even the dead could come back.
It hurts to see you not even being able to walk."
Vex:
> "...Thank you."
> "Don't cry now.
You've been wronged by those nobles—
The ones who wanted you to be weak,
Did whatever they could to kill your future.
But you...
You were never destined for this."
Vex:
> "Yee...aaa..hh..."
He was sobbing.
But I just comforted him.
---
Vex:
> "How should I repay you...?
Tell me what you want..."
> "Nah.
I don't need anything.
Just seeing you by my side—
Working with me—
That's enough.
Okay.
Jian, let's get in.
I'll teleport us to that mountain over there."
---
Jian:
> "Yeah... man, sounds cool."
Jian boosted the boat's speed.
And as soon as we reached near the ground,
I teleported all three of us to the nearest mountain we saw.
But the moment my body vanished—
I saw the boat blasting.
Snow.
It was like snow—
Blown into thin air.
---
Jian:
> "That was a safe call.
Seriously, bruh."
> "I actually saw it coming.
There are elves here.
They got distracted by our fight—
I don't think they're patrolling."
Jian:
> "Works for us.
Best we get going.
Wait—
To where?
I mean, where exactly are we going?
Hey Kurai—what's next?"
> "Beats me.
How would I know?"
---
Vex:
> "You sure about what you said to me though...?
Because the only thing I can see now
Is your ugly mag head trying to get us executed.
Do you not know?
Intersection between creature and connection is forbidden.
We'll die at this rate.
Every kingdom has its own defense mechanisms,
And we're gonna be noticed and executed instantly."
---
Jian:
> "Hey... Vex... is it me... or is Kurai having... Elven ears?"
Vex:
> "Yooo... no way.
Mine are too!"
Jian:
> "Wait what?
I can pull on my ear and—wait... is it that long?!"
Vex:
> "It's your doing, isn't it Kurai?"
Kurai:
> "Yep."
Jian:
> "Next up is... our clothes."
---
We were all deep in the forest.
Though it was hard to hide Vex's appearance,
I used my Phantom Magic to make him invisible.
> "Hey, Vex."
Vex:
> "Yeah?"
> "I wanted to tell you something."
Vex:
> "Sure!!"
> "Since we're gonna get caught, I—"
"So... you're going the way I came from?"
"Yeah, that way."
"I advise you not to.
Because if you do, you'll regret it.
I came from there.
So you need to understand why I flew...
Even though I had my Phantom Magic ready too."
"You mean... the Holy Elves?
The only ones who can see through someone's soul?"
I just passed her—
Pulling the tree root out and freeing her leg.
Then I stopped, turned around, and said:
> "Aren't you coming?"
"Meee... me? Wait, for real?"
> "Yeah. It's not like I'm messing around.
Now stop laying around and come with us."
"Thank you... for having me with you."
Even though her Phantom Magic didn't work—
I used mine on her...
Without her even noticing.
Let's not forget...
I'm not an Elf.
And I better keep my Phantom illusions up.
---
> "So... how did you get stuck?"
"I didn't get stuck.
The tree got stuck."
> "What do you mean by that?"
"There was this bird... pure white.
The Holy Elves can see through its eyes.
So I tried to hide...
But then the tree covered me with its roots—
It actually stood up."
> "Maybe the trees like you."
"Hahahaha!! You think so?"
> "Yeah! Why not?
If they can move like that,
They're at least capable of having favorites."
"Wait—hey!
I sense someone. Stop!"
> "It's okay.
It's my friend—his name is Jian."
"Ohh...
Wait, whaaat?
What kinda name is that?
I've never heard it before."
> "Beats me.
He doesn't even know his family,
Let alone why that name."
"What about you?"
> "Same here."
"I already told you—my name is Belle.
So what's yours?"
> "It's Kurai.
And yeah, I know—it's a weird name."
"Yeah!! Totally!!"
---
So we slowly walked down toward where Jian was,
Since she knew how the trees moved and the whole landscape... stuff.
Yeah, she blabbered about it—
But I didn't understand a thing.
Then we saw them.
Jian and Vex.
I needed to make sure Vex wouldn't get noticed.
So I used Wind Magic to lift him up slightly—
Not too much,
Just enough to float quietly over the grass.
> "Yo Jian! Say hi to Belle."
Jian:
> "Sup girl, nice to meet ya."
Belle:
> "Nice to meet ya too."
---
Now then...
How do I ask her to lead the way?
I mean—
I want her to take us to the city.
> "Hey Belle, take me to the city."
Belle:
> "Are you stupid?
Do you wanna get caught?"
> "I got a pretty good plan."
Belle:
> "So you're sure about it?
I'm putting my life on the line."
Jian:
> "We both are."
Belle:
> "Okay then.
I don't know how we'll enter the kingdom...
But I'll leave that to you."
---
We kept asking her questions like:
> "Is it far from here?"
She told us we'd have to camp for at least 4 or 5 days.
That's okay for us—
But Vex is in trouble if he can't eat,
Or even use the bath or toilet...
Just like us.
It must be hard.
But who cares?
He said it himself—
He'd take any sacrifice to get his legs to work.
Like a man.
---
Belle:
> "So guys, be ready—
There will be some mud golems around here."
We both took the warning seriously and kept walking.
This place is damn strange.
After climbing a few hills,
We reached a beautiful grassland.
Nothing but long golden grass.
It was magnetizing.
The grass was pure yellow.
Dazzling.
It emitted mana into the surroundings—
But unlike other continents,
This one's mana sparkled into thin air.
I walked straight toward it.
The grass almost reached up to my chest.
We walked through it,
Feeling... refreshed.
I raised Vex's wheelchair with magic and said to him telepathically:
> "If anything's approaching... tell me."
Vex:
> "Wait... how are you speaking in my mind?"
> "Do I need to explain everything?
Just do what I told you."
Vex:
> "Man, you're really full of surprises.
But yeah, whatever—I'll do it."
> "Good."
---
I turned to my right side.
> "Jiaan... Jiaan..."
Jian: (telepathically)
> "Ohh... telepathic link.
What's up?"
> "Make sure you watch her.
24/7. Okay?"
Jian:
> "Got that, bro.
Who is she?"
> "Met her in the forest.
She's an abandoned one from Elven land—
For some reason I don't know yet."
Jian:
> "So what did you tell her to make her come with us?"
> "Nothing.
Told her we were abandoned too—
And we're fleeing from the p
lace she was headed."
Jian:
> "HUH!?!?
She just... came along?"
> "Yep."
Jian:
> "After hearing that?!"
> "Yeah, well...
Whatever.
As long as she helps."
Jian:
> "Damn bro.
You're a good one to help too.
Let's just trust where she's taking us."
---
Even though he—
---
[TO BE CONTINUED...]