It started with a voice.
A deep, celestial voice, echoing through an unfamiliar, impossibly vast sky streaked with colors Carter Brooks had never seen. Teal clouds floated upside down. Trees with violet bark twisted like ribbons across glassy meadows. Floating islands drifted above coral-hued oceans, and rivers of stardust danced through the sky like drifting constellations. The air shimmered with faint music—like whispers and laughter in the wind. Giant flowers breathed like creatures. Time itself felt slower, like the world was caught in an eternal golden hour.
Carter hovered above this world like a ghost—which, technically, he was.
"Carter Brooks."
He blinked. Or... tried to. Except he had no eyelids. No hands. No body.
He was a soul. Just a glowing, drifting presence, untethered from the world below.
"Who said that?!" Carter's voice echoed in the nothingness. "Show yourself! Or at least give me pants!"
Suddenly, a long, flower-adorned table shimmered into view on a hill made of starlight. Eight stunning figures sat sipping tea like this was a celestial brunch.
One stood. Tall, elegant, draped in green vines and flowers. Her earthy brown hair shimmered as if woven from sunlight. Her bright green eyes locked onto him.
"I am Gaia, Goddess of Creation," she said. Her voice carried the weight of oceans, of galaxies being born.
Carter blinked. Again, metaphorically.
Gaia smiled softly. Then—
"I'M SO SORRY!!!!!!!"
"HUH?!" Carter yelped, his soul doing an actual backflip.
Another figure adjusted her glasses. Graceful, composed, with violet hair and runes glowing on her navy dress. She gave Gaia a dry glance.
"Gaia, he doesn't know what you're talking about. You have to explain it to him."
"Oh. Right. Sorry again." Gaia exhaled, placing a hand over her chest. "You see... I may have made a tiny blunder. Dropped a little lightning... into your world. Accidentally."
She laughed awkwardly.
"Huh..." Carter said, his soul spinning.
"I'm REALLY sorry!" Gaia cried, bowing deeply.
A warm, musical giggle bubbled up beside her. A woman with leaf-green hair and glowing golden-ringed eyes peeked over her teacup.
"You have to admit, it was kinda funny. Getting hit by lightning like that? Classic."
"Elaria, it's not funny," said a silver-haired woman dressed in gears and time motifs. Her golden eyes ticked like clocks.
"Chrona," Elaria pouted, "you're no fun sometimes."
"Excuse me?" Carter interrupted. Eight heads turned toward him.
Gaia nodded. "Yes, Carter?"
"Three questions. First... WHO are you guys?!"
Gaia beamed. "As I said, I'm Gaia, Goddess of Creation. These are my sisters, also divine beings."
Chrona tilted her head. "Chrona. Goddess of Time. You died at 3:42 p.m., Eastern Standard Time."
"What?!" Carter exclaimed.
Elaria smiled sweetly. "I'm Elaria. Goddess of Nature. I liked how you tried to shield that kitten with a trash can lid."
"Huh?!" Carter blinked.
Sophia adjusted her glasses again. "Sophia, Goddess of Wisdom. You are, perhaps, the most irrationally effective person I have ever seen."
"What?!" Carter said, soul wobbling.
A booming laugh echoed. A statuesque warrior woman slammed her goblet down. "I am Athena, Goddess of Strength. You may call me Champion. Or Awesome."
"Huh?!" Carter squeaked.
A petite girl with lavender hair and glowing blue eyes appeared behind Carter's soul. "Selene, Goddess of Magic. You may not survive me."
"What?! Behind me?!" Carter yelped.
Another goddess with twin tails and a revealing gold outfit spun a roulette wheel that materialized in the air. "Fortuna! Goddess of Luck! You're my favorite jackpot, Carter~"
"HUH?!"
Finally, a curvy woman with rose-touched hair smiled warmly. "Venus. Goddess of Love. You are... delightful."
"What?!" Carter gasped, soul practically vibrating.
Carter's soul trembled. He thought dramatically, Why me? Why am I, Carter Brooks, a soul with no pants, talking to eight divine bombshells?!
Venus giggled. "Are you okay?"
"Y-Yep! Totally fine!" he stammered.
He coughed to regain composure. "So... Second question. Where am I, and why am I here?"
Gaia stepped forward. "You are in my personal divine realm: the Verdant Hollow. A peaceful place where creation rests between worlds."
Elaria added, "We're here to say sorry."
"And offer you a second chance at life," said Sophia.
Carter's eyes widened. "You mean... I can live again?!"
The goddesses nodded.
He grinned. "That's... actually amazing."
"But," Gaia winced, "you don't have a body to return to."
Carter blinked. "...Wait. What?"
Chrona whispered, "Your body was buried. You can't go back."
"I DON'T HAVE A BODY ANYMORE?!"
"I'M SORRY AGAIN!!!" Gaia bowed so hard flowers fell from her hair.
Sophia added, "You are deceased. Your former world has moved on."
"Well that sucks..." Carter muttered.
"Please forgive me," Gaia pleaded.
"No."
"Please?"
"Still no."
"Carter, I said I'm sorry—"
"And I said I'm still dead."
"But—"
"Nope!"
The goddesses watched with soft smiles.
"They're... kind of cute arguing like this," Selene whispered.
"He's unusually stubborn for a mortal soul," Sophia noted.
"I like it," Fortuna chimed in. "Adds flavor."
Venus giggled. "He's not like the others."
Elaria tilted her head. "He's hurting... but making jokes anyway."
As Gaia huffed and pouted, Carter finally sighed.
"It's okay. I mean... apologizing won't fix this. I'm already dead."
Gaia looked stunned. Then gave a sheepish nod.
Venus stepped forward, laying a hand near his soul. "But we can offer something better. Be reborn. In a new world."
Carter's soul blinked. "...Reborn?"
Nyx, previously silent, emerged from the shadows and said, "You will be granted our divine protections. Maxed out stats. Absolute power."
"Okay, now you have my attention," Carter grinned.
Athena cracked her knuckles. "You'll enter Valerna—a land of swords, sorcery, monsters, and kingdoms. Where strength is law."
She paced with pride. "Valerna is a world of heroes. Of blood and glory. Kingdoms war for power, ancient beasts roam free, and dungeons grow like roots beneath the land. It is a world that respects strength. That demands it."
Selene spoke next. "Its magic flows from the Leydream—a source of raw energy that pulses beneath reality. Magic there isn't just spells... it's woven into being."
Sophia added, "The magic system relies on Resonance. Each soul harmonizes with certain energies: fire, shadow, light, chaos. The stronger the bond, the more reality bends."
Chrona nodded. "Magic there is choice... and consequence. Cast too recklessly, and the world may recoil."
Fortuna grinned. "Or you might summon a flying pie instead of fireball. It depends on luck."
Selene stepped forward again, a sly grin forming. "And you'll be pleased to know, Carter, that Valerna has a leveling and skill system that won't disappoint you."
Carter's soul twitched. "Wait... really?"
"Yes," Selene said with a wink. "None of that 'training for ten years to unlock a minor fireball' nonsense. You level by doing. Want sword skills? Swing a sword. Want charm? Practice kissing. Want to fly? Jump off enough cliffs and believe hard enough—well, that one still depends on your build."
Elaria giggled. "Even planting flowers gives you Nature Affinity."
"Oh, and it's fun," Fortuna added, rolling dice in her palm. "Random skills, hidden evolutions, class fusions... it rewards creativity, not grinding."
Sophia smiled faintly. "We designed it with your world's dreams in mind. We watched your anime. Read your manga. We know what disappointed you."
Carter whispered dramatically, "They understand me."
He turned his glowing form toward them. "You mean... I could unlock 'Soup-Based Combat Mastery' if I threw enough soup bowls in battle?"
"Absolutely," Selene said, straight-faced.
"...I love this place already."
The goddesses giggled, some shaking their heads, others already plotting how to write 'Soup God' into his destiny chart.
Carter nodded slowly. "Okay, that's insane. And kinda cool. But... what about a body?"
The eight goddesses smiled.
Gaia raised her hand. "We shall craft you a new vessel. Immortal. Immune to sickness. Designed to grow stronger."
Carter blinked. "You're serious?"
Elaria smiled. "We never joke about life."
Carter turned his soul toward them. His thoughts raced with emotion, confusion, excitement... and hunger.
"Alright then," he said, grinning. "Let's do this."
Gaia stepped forward.
"Are you ready, Carter Brooks?"
He gave the biggest, dumbest, most heroic grin.
"I am ready."
Surrounding Carter in a perfect circle stood the Eight Goddesses, their divine forms glowing with celestial power. Each one represented a force of existence: Creation, Wisdom, Nature, Time, Strength, Magic, Luck, and Love. The sky above them shimmered with swirling constellations, and the ground beneath sparkled like a sea of stardust.
Gaia stepped forward, her voice resonating with the core of reality. "The world needs a new variable… one unbound by death or fate."
Sophia raised her head. "Let us craft not a champion… but a legend."
Chrona, voice slow and echoing, added, "His body shall exist across time's flow—unaging, unbreaking."
Carter, floating in the center as an orb of light, watched them in stunned silence. Wait—what are they about to do to me? Is this gonna hurt? Will it tickle? Can I get a snack after? His thoughts spiraled with nervous energy.
The goddesses exchanged a single, silent look. Then, as one, they raised their hands toward the sky.
Suddenly, a massive double-layered magic circle—one above Carter, one below—lit up with runes that shimmered in all colors of divine origin.
Wind surged. The stars dimmed. The space between dimensions paused.
Then glowing golden text appeared in the air before him:
[Divine System Initialization…]
[Soul Anchor Identified: Carter Brooks]
[Commencing Rebirth Protocol: Eightfold Blessing Transfer]
[Constructing Immortal Vessel...]
[Infusing Blessings… Please remain still. Or float. Whatever.]
Then it happened.
A pillar of light shot down from the heavens—pure, blinding, god-forged energy. Carter's orb form pulsed once… then began to crack—not in destruction, but in transformation. The cracks glowed gold. Then blue. Then silver. Then every divine color at once.
Gaia spoke first. "Let your body shape to survive any world."
Sophia followed. "Let your mind adapt faster than any system."
Elaria stepped forward. "Let your spirit bond with all life."
Chrona lifted her hands. "Let your soul defy age, entropy, and death itself."
Athena's voice thundered. "Let your bones resist mountains. Let your muscles move them."
Selene whispered with cosmic glee. "Let your mana overflow, untamed and infinite."
Fortuna spun her hand. "Let probability weep when you walk."
Venus smiled warmly. "Let all hearts find yours… and yours, theirs."
With a final pulse of divine light—BOOM—the magic exploded outward.
The orb vanished.
And in its place, standing barefoot in the divine realm, was Carter Brooks—reborn.
He stood 6'2", tall and well built. Lean, muscular, and divine. His half jet-black and half white hair was slightly messy, yet effortlessly cool. Piercing golden eyes flickered with faint glowing runes. His skin was smooth, lightly tanned, resistant to damage. A sharp jawline, high cheekbones, and a slightly roguish smirk completed the look. A single faint scar ran across his left eyebrow.
His expression: calm, confident—and unmistakably alive.
His new body radiated with limitless energy, wrapped in a light mist of divine aura. His eyes glowed faintly with the colors of all eight blessings.
The Eight Goddesses looked on—shocked, amazed, some blushing. Their eyes widened at the sight.
Carter slowly opened his eyes. The colors of divinity danced within them.
Then more golden text appeared before him:
[Immortal Body Constructed – Status: UNDYING]
[Maxed-Out Stats Applied]
[All Eight Divine Blessings: Bound]
[New Class: ??? (Classless Overlimit Being)]
[You may now descend into the world… and cause problems.]
The light faded.
The goddesses stood smiling… or blushing… or pretending not to blush.
Carter cracked his neck, stretched, then flashed a grin. "So… how do I look?"
"Magnificent," Gaia whispered.
"Like a forged blade kissed by starlight," Sophia muttered.
"Hot!" Elaria cheered.
"Strong," Athena said, nodding in approval.
Selene's smile curled. "Deliciously chaotic."
Fortuna tossed a wink. "Would bet all my luck on that face."
Venus clutched her heart. "Perfection."
Carter chuckled. "Thanks. I feel... incredible. Stronger. Younger. More alive than ever."
Selene added, "Your new body also contains the common language and knowledge of your new world. It's woven into your soul."
"Sweet! Thanks for that," Carter said, feeling strangely fluent in... everything.
Gaia stepped forward and extended her hand. "Now, Carter… it's time for you to begin your new life."
Carter raised a hand. "Wait, wait, wait. One thing."
Gaia tilted her head. "Yes?"
With a completely deadpan face, Carter said, "I'm naked."
Gaia blinked. Looked him up and down. Blushed. "Oh… oh no… I forgot! I-I'm so sorry!"
Carter crossed his arms. "Seriously?! You were about to send me into another world—like this?!"
"It wasn't intentional!" Gaia flustered.
"You hit me with divine lightning, killed me, dragged me into the afterlife, gave me eight blessings—and then forgot pants?!"
"I got caught up in the rebirth ritual!"
"Yeah, well, now I'm caught up in the breeze!"
The argument escalated, Gaia trying to defend herself, Carter teasing and huffing.
"Maybe I should call you the Goddess of Forgetfulness!"
"I said I'm sorry!"
"You're lucky I'm not petty enough to zap you back! Oh wait… you zap, I die. That's how this works, right?!"
The other goddesses watched the bickering with growing amusement.
Elaria giggled. "They're bickering again. It's adorable."
Selene smirked. "She did almost send him on a naked speedrun."
Sophia nodded thoughtfully. "It is... statistically concerning."
Athena chuckled. "I respect his boldness."
Fortuna flipped a coin. "Tails: he stays naked."
Venus sighed dreamily. "They're perfect for each other."
Carter groaned. "Please. Clothes. Now."
Gaia sighed, sticking out her tongue. "Okay, okay. I'm sorry."
With a snap of her fingers, divine threads formed around Carter.
A sleek black pair of pants, a crisp white shirt, and a black and gold fur-lined jacket wrapped around his frame. Boots formed, tailored and snug.
Carter looked himself over. "Now this… this I can work with. Thank you."
"You're welcome," Gaia smiled. "Now… are you ready to begin your new life?"
Carter nodded. "Yeah. I'm ready."
The Eight Goddesses gathered around him once more.
Each gave their farewells:
Gaia placed her hand over her heart. "Live free, Carter. You were never meant to follow fate—you were meant to shape it."
Sophia offered a knowing look. "Think carefully. Act boldly. Learn always."
Elaria stepped close and kissed his forehead. "Be kind to the living things. They will remember you."
Chrona stared deeply into him. "Time will test you. But you are not alone."
Athena grinned. "Fight hard. Win harder. And if you fall… get up swinging."
Selene whispered near his ear. "Magic is yours to bend. Break the rules beautifully."
Fortuna tossed him a lucky coin. "Roll the dice, Carter. Fate's already scared of you."
Venus took his hand and smiled. "Love boldly. And know… some hearts are already yours."
Carter smiled warmly. "Thank you... all of you."
The Eight Goddesses raised their hands.
A golden magic circle formed beneath him, humming with power.
Carter looked at them one last time. "Goodbye. Hope I see you again someday."
The goddesses responded:
"Goodbye, Carter."
"May your tale echo through ages."
"Be the chaos and the calm."
"We'll watch."
"We'll wait."
"We believe in you."
"You are our variable."
"Our legend."
The circle pulsed. Light surrounded him.
Carter vanished.
The divine hill fell quiet. The goddesses stared at the fading light, their thoughts echoing with hope, curiosity, and something else... something warmer.
Meanwhile, Carter appeared.
Golden magic rippled under his feet as the circle vanished, leaving him standing alone in a beautiful forest.
Towering trees swayed with silver leaves. Strange birds chirped harmonies. Magic hung in the air like mist. Crystals hummed from within the soil. A gentle wind carried the scent of blooming starflowers.
Carter stepped forward. The mana in the air tingled against his skin. It welcomed him.
This... this is amazing, he thought. I feel powerful. I feel... godlike.
He balled his fist, felt strength surge like thunder in his veins. Magic stirred in his chest, coiling like a dragon.
He grinned.
"Alright... Let's start this adventure off right."
Carter walked deeper into the forest, leaves crunching softly beneath his boots. The trees whispered like they knew something—welcoming him, maybe warning him. The scent of wild mana filled the air, crisp like lightning, sweet like nectar. It was all so surreal, so… anime.
Okay, he thought, I've officially reincarnated. So there's only one thing to do now...
He grinned to himself.
"Open status," he mumbled.
At first, nothing happened.
Then—FWOOOM!
A violet-hued screen burst into view in front of him, semi-transparent and glowing with divine runes. His eyes widened as he began reading:
[STATUS WINDOW - Divine Edition]
Name: Carter Brooks
Age: 19 (Reborn — Ageless)
Race: Human (Divine-Reforged)
Level: 1 (Capless — [∞] Detected)
Class: None (Classless — "Overlimit Being")
Titles:
Reincarnated One
Chosen of the Eight
Divine-Blessed
The One with Infinite Foundation
Blessings:
Blessing of Creation (Gaia)
Blessing of Wisdom (Sophia)
Blessing of Nature (Elaria)
Blessing of Time (Chrona)
Blessing of Strength (Athena)
Blessing of Magic (Selene)
Blessing of Luck (Fortuna)
Blessing of Love (Venus)
Health Points (HP): ∞
Magic Points (MP): ∞
Strength: MAX (9999+)
Agility: MAX (9999+)
Endurance: MAX (9999+)
Mana: MAX (Overflowing)
Luck: MAX (Reality-Breaking)
Charm: MAX (Unfair to mortals)
Normal Skills
Enhanced Vision EX – Sees energy flow, auras, lies, and expiration dates
Unarmed Combat – Instinctively knows how to fight
Basic Swordsmanship – Mastered – Even without a sword
Monster Intimidation (Passive) – Creatures hesitate to approach
Appraisal EX – Automatically scans enemies, gear, emotions, and bread quality
Beginner Stealth – Accidentally OP – Trees forget he's there
Cooking – Weirdly Excellent – Found wild mushrooms, already sautéing
Blacksmithing – Accidentally forged a holy ladle once
Universal Speech – Understands all languages (including monsters, ancient texts, and annoyed wives)
Social Intuition – Auto-detects tsundere behavior, lies, crushes, political traps
Presence Concealment EX – Erases all traces of self across senses
Danger Sense MAX – Auto-activates protective measures
Sixth Sense – Tactical – Anticipate unseen or supernatural threats
Aura Manipulation – Expand or suppress spiritual and magical presence
Ability Skills
Divine Regeneration – Auto-heals injuries within seconds
Godspeed Step – Already walked 10 miles without trying
Combat Instinct Overdrive – Auto-dodge & counter
Inventory Expansion – Infinite pocket dimension
Adaptive Learning – Masters skills instantly
Pocket Mansion – Access to a luxurious home space with magical utilities
Divine Body (Immortal) – Immunity to death, disease, aging, and curses
Breathless Void – No need for oxygen in space/dungeons
Shadow Shift – Blend into darkness, vanish from sight
Absolute Resistance – Immune to status effects (stun, poison, fear, silence)
Elemental Adaptation – Become immune to any element you are struck with
Force Nullify – Ignore knockback or stunning effects
Momentum Transfer – Redirect the force of an incoming attack
Mirage Clone – Creates a temporary clone at 75% stats with shared awareness
Magic Skills
Elemental Mastery EX (Fire, Ice, Wind, Earth, Light, Dark, Lightning, Water, Crystal)
Mass Telepathy – For when shouting isn't enough
Mana Manipulation – Can turn mana into weapons, tools, or pancakes
Summon Familiar (∞) – Any class or species
Mental Link – Network telepathy for allies, pets, and summoned beings
Spatial Magic – Teleportation, pocket dimensions, gates
Time Magic (Limited Use) – Rewind, accelerate, or freeze localized time
Gravity Manipulation – Control weight and movement fields
Mass Resurrection – Revive multiple allies within range
Barrier Creation – Grand Tier – Immortal-class magical barriers
Chrono Magic – Tier EX – Freeze, rewind, accelerate time in short bursts
Illusion Magic Supreme – Create real-feeling illusions, perfect clones
Gravity Magic EX – Crush, suspend, or erase mass-based reality
Soul Magic – Control spirit bodies, interact with ghosts, bind souls
Astral Projection – Can separate consciousness and scout remotely
Unique Skills
Inventory: Infinite Pocket – Can store anything (will discover later)
Divine Form (Unleashed) – Temporarily unlocks god-level true form
Overlimit Core+ – Absorbs divine relics and evolves skills
Divine Link – Can be contacted/assisted by the Eight at any time
Nature Command (Elaria) – Trees, animals, and natural mana obey him
Wisdom's Eye (Sophia) – Sees layers of thought, lies, and unspoken plans
Chrona's Touch (Time) – Use time-based actions without casting
Magic Circuit Bloom (Selene) – Boosts casting capacity beyond class limits
Luck Cascade (Fortuna) – Minor wins stack into major miracles
Love's Light (Venus) – Grants allies morale, inspiration, and clarity
Strength of the Forge (Athena) – Unbreakable focus and martial dominance
Creator's Path (Gaia) – Allows creation of temporary terrain, barriers, or life forms
Weapons & Gear
Voidsteel Blade – "Edge of Infinity" – Can cut anything, even concepts
Aetherbreaker Spear – Nullifies magic with each strike
Twin Blades of Gaia – Bind or entangle enemies using nature
Chrono Dagger – Paralyzes targets by freezing their time flow
Goddess-Forged Gauntlets – Channel divine energy
Dimensional Shard Bow – Fires teleporting or multi-phase arrows
Oblivion Cloak – Absorbs light, sound, and minor spells
Items
Reality Crystal Key – Opens sealed or hidden realms
Chrona's Time Ring – Once per day: skip time forward or back
Divine Talisman Set – Shields user from all divine curses
Unbreakable Travel Cape – Auto-repairs, weatherproof
Memory Mirror Token – Record/replay key battles or events
Goddess Coins (x8) – Each grants a temporary divine skill
Runestone Tablet – Learn new magic by absorbing spell sigils
Legendary Soul Lantern – Can trap or release spiritual entities
Pocket Forge – Portable blacksmithing station with auto-enhance
Carter stared at the screen. Then, slowly, his grin widened into an all-out, awe-struck smile.
"Okay... now that's what I'm talkin' about."
He chuckled, eyes sparkling. Blessings from eight goddesses, limitless magic, max stats, a god-tier weapon list, AND I can cook? This is beyond cheat codes—this is the expansion pack for destiny.
He flicked the screen away, still grinning.
With divine power in every step, Carter continued walking through the forest, confident, glowing, and completely ready to cause cosmic levels of chaos.
Carter had been walking through the forest for hours now. The golden sun filtered through the dense canopy, breaking into beams that danced across the forest floor like shafts of divine light. Everything around him felt alive—more than alive, enchanted. The air shimmered faintly, filled with drifting particles of glowing mana. Each tree pulsed with life, each flower hummed with magic.
He closed his eyes and took a long breath, letting the wind brush against his face. The breeze caressed him, whispering secrets of this world—of ancient beasts, lost ruins, wild magic. His golden eyes slowly opened.
"It's beautiful here," he muttered. "It's like nature is breathing magic. I can see mana weaving through the bark, flowing like veins... it's everywhere. This forest is alive in every sense of the word."
He brushed his hand against a mossy rock. It lit up faintly in response. "Even the rocks are vibing. Unreal."
Carter chuckled. "Alright. Let's see what these eyes can really do."
He planted his feet and concentrated. A surge of divine energy filled his chest. He breathed out, directing mana through his body—focusing it into his eyes. His pupils shimmered with light, and rings of divine script formed in his irises.
"C'mon... focus... enhance..." he muttered.
The world around him blurred, then sharpened. Trees warped away, space compressed. He could see past branches, past trunks, through mists of mana and magical haze.
"There we go," he whispered. "Whoa... I can see miles."
He scanned the terrain.
Then he stopped.
His gaze locked onto something deeper in the forest.
Two figures. Young women. Both bruised, bleeding, and barely standing.
"What the..."
He zoomed in further.
They were fighting.
Behind them towered a monstrosity—a corrupted Treant, grotesque and twisted. Its bark was blackened with rot, pulsing with crimson veins of cursed mana. Its face, if it could be called that, split open to roar with echoing malice.
The girls looked like warriors—one wielded a glowing rune sword, the other casting spells from a crystal wand.
"No time to waste."
He whispered two words.
"Godspeed Step."
In a flash of compressed light and pressure, Carter vanished from where he stood. Dust and wind spiraled behind him like a cannon's wake. Trees swayed violently in his absence.
—
The battle continued.
"Get down!" Aveline yelled, slashing her blade toward the Treant's leg. "Radiant Edge!"
The sword flashed with divine fire, carving into the bark—but the Treant barely flinched. A massive limb swung down, crashing into the earth where the twins had just stood.
Evelyne spun around, cape fluttering. "Tempest Step!"
A gust of wind launched her backward, narrowly avoiding a vine strike.
"Aveline, we can't keep doing this!" Evelyne gasped, sweat pouring down her temple. Her spells sparked unevenly.
Aveline panted, blade trembling. "We have to hold. Just a little longer."
"We're nearly out of mana!"
"Then we fight smarter. Not harder. Combo strike—now!"
They darted in unison.
"Radiant Guard!" Aveline cried, summoning a glowing ward.
"Gale Flare Ray!" Evelyne unleashed a spiraling stream of fire and wind.
The combined attack struck the Treant's chest, causing it to reel back with a thunderous roar—but not fall.
"Still standing?!" Evelyne shouted.
The Treant swung again, smashing a crater into the forest floor. The twins barely avoided the impact.
"We should retreat," Evelyne huffed. "Tell the guild what we found."
Aveline nodded reluctantly. "Agreed. We'll come back with an elite team."
But the monster wasn't giving them time.
A swarm of black vines erupted from its roots, snapping at the girls like whips. They dodged left and right.
"Radiant Arc Slash!" Aveline screamed, leaping into the air.
Her sword blazed. She aimed for the Treant's core.
But the beast moved first.
A tree-thick limb swatted her mid-air.
"Aveline!!" Evelyne screamed as her sister was sent flying.
Aveline's body crashed into a tree with a sickening thud and collapsed to the ground.
"Aveline!!" Evelyne rushed to her, wand shaking. "Are you okay?!"
Aveline coughed, her voice strained. "Arm's broken... ribs, too. Sorry."
"Don't be stupid! This isn't your fault!" Evelyne's eyes shimmered with tears. Her fingers clenched around her wand. She turned—
The Treant charged.
Evelyne saw the shadow looming. Her heart pounded. Sweat ran down her face as she gritted her teeth.
"Luminveil Aegis!" she cried, thrusting her wand forward.
A brilliant wall of light erupted between them and the monster, layers of golden runes spinning as the shield solidified. The treant's massive claw struck it with a thunderous boom, but the barrier held. It shimmered violently from the impact, ripples surging across its surface like lightning over glass.
Evelyne stumbled backward, chest heaving, but a smile broke across her bruised face. "It... it worked."
Aveline blinked, momentarily stunned. "You stopped it."
"I didn't think I had enough left..."
They looked at each other—hope flickering in their eyes.
Then—
BOOM.
The Treant struck again. The barrier cracked but held.
"We need a way out," Aveline said.
"I don't know where to go. We'll never outrun it," Evelyne answered. "We have to hold just a little longer."
Another strike.
CRACK.
The first shield shattered into shards of light.
Evelyne screamed again, lifting her wand. "Luminveil Aegis!"
A second shield appeared. She was panting, her limbs trembling.
BOOM!
It broke almost instantly.
"Luminveil Aegis!" she cast again, desperation clear in her voice.
Her eyes flicked to her sister—she couldn't let her die.
BOOM!
The third shield burst apart like glass. Evelyne collapsed to her knees.
"No! One more—Luminveil Aegis!!"
A fourth formed, flickering wildly.
Aveline watched, horror dawning in her eyes. She's draining herself. She can't keep doing this.
Evelyne trembled, her voice shaky. "Please hold... please just hold..."
BOOM!
The fourth shield shattered into a rain of golden sparks.
Evelyne coughed violently, her arms shaking as she raised her wand again. "Luminveil Aegis!"
Another shield. A weaker one.
BOOM!
Gone.
Her voice cracked. "No! I need one more—Luminveil Aegis!!"
Each time the barrier shattered, her eyes widened further. Her breathing became ragged. Her hands were white-knuckled and trembling.
"Just a few seconds more... just a little more..."
Aveline gritted her teeth, looking at her sister through half-lidded eyes. She's pushing herself too far. This isn't magic anymore—it's willpower. Pure, desperate will.
"Stop it," Aveline said hoarsely. "You're hurting yourself. You're out of mana. You'll pass out if you keep this up."
Evelyne didn't stop.
"No... I won't leave you. We're sisters. We're in this together... to the end."
Aveline's eyes softened. A faint smile crossed her lips. "Right... to the end."
The final barrier cracked.
BOOM!
It shattered.
And now, nothing stood between them and the monster.
The Treant raised its massive, gnarled limb.
The sisters stared, eyes wide, hearts pounding. The forest fell into eerie silence, only the creaking of corrupted wood echoing above them.
"Evelyne," Aveline said quietly.
"Yeah...?"
"I... I never wanted you to get caught in all of this. I wanted you to stay home. To be safe."
Evelyne shook her head. "And I never wanted you to shoulder everything alone. I wanted... to be strong. Like you."
Aveline laughed—weak, breathless. "You've always been stronger than me."
Tears slid down Evelyne's cheeks. "I'm sorry I dragged you into this. I thought... I thought I could help."
"You did help. You're the only reason I'm still alive."
The Treant's claw creaked as it drew back.
"I'm sorry I never told you how proud I was," Aveline whispered. "I should've said it every day."
"I'm sorry I kept sneaking into your training sessions and stealing your snacks."
"You what?!"
They laughed—softly, sadly.
Evelyne leaned into her sister. "Let's just close our eyes, okay?"
"Right... let's not give it the satisfaction."
The shadow of death rose above them.
The Treant's claw rose like a hammer of doom.
The sisters closed their eyes.
And then—
BOOM.
A pulse of pressure exploded across the clearing, so powerful it flattened the grass and sent a sonic shockwave through the forest. Trees bent. Leaves whipped through the air in spiraling cyclones. Dirt and debris erupted in a circular blast, scattering like a small-scale detonation.
The Elder Corrupted Treant recoiled. Its massive form stumbled back several feet, letting out a guttural, confused growl as it tried to reorient itself.
And then—a blur.
A streak of iridescent black and white light tore through the treeline like a meteor breaking the sound barrier. A thunderclap echoed in its wake. The very air seemed to part around it, warping space and kicking up a trail of radiant dust.
It hit the ground between the Treant and the twin sisters with the force of a divine lance.
WHAM.
A crater erupted beneath the impact point. The shockwave of raw wind and residual mana surged outward again, shoving the Treant back another few feet. Its roots scraped across the ground with shrieking resistance.
A magical pressure blanketed the clearing like a descending storm front—dense, electric, and unmistakably foreign.
The air shimmered.
The light at the center of the crater fractured like a cracked mirror. Golden threads of energy snapped through the air. Wisps of violet, blue, and silver drifted upward like steam. A spherical barrier of light broke apart into shards, scattering into glimmering motes that floated like stardust.
Aveline, still shielding Evelyne with her body, blinked her eyes open. She coughed from the swirling dust and looked up.
Her vision focused.
"What... was that?" she whispered, breathless.
Evelyne lifted her head too, eyes wide. "Did a star just... fall in front of us?"
The shimmering light continued to dissolve, peeling away like curtains.
From within the dissolving aura stepped a figure.
He was tall and striking, outlined in divine light. One hand casually gripped a severed hunk of the Treant's crystalline arm—jagged and still crackling with magical residue. The crystalline fragments in his hand hummed like an unstable power source.
With zero ceremony, he tossed the broken piece to the side like it was nothing but firewood. It embedded itself into a nearby tree, which promptly shattered from the impact.
His appearance was unmistakable.
His hair split evenly down the middle—jet-black on the right, snow-white on the left. Both halves fluttered in opposite directions with the residue of his divine entrance. Mana rippled around him in chaotic arcs.
Golden eyes gleamed—radiating chaos, confidence, and an almost playful mischief.
He cracked his neck.
Then smiled.
It was lopsided. Teasing. Glinting with danger and amusement.
"Yo," he said, voice smooth and casual—as if he hadn't just broken the sky.
He cracked his neck.
"Hey, Mr. Moldy Salad Stick. Why don't you pick on someone your own size?"
The Treant roared, confused and offended.
The wind finally settled. The mana faded into golden dust.
The battlefield had changed.
Evelyne's jaw dropped. "Who... who is that?"
Aveline narrowed her eyes, stunned. "I don't know. But he just called an A-rank monster a salad stick."
The mysterious figure—Carter Brooks—smirked.
Vines started to twitch around him, curling in defense.
He stepped forward, cracking his knuckles.
"Let's prune this overgrown firewood and make some room to breathe, yeah?"
To be continued...