THE LAST PARAGON IN THE APOCALYPSEC143: First Tribulation
After leaving the Soul Temple, Fruity and his uncle headed toward the Immortal Cave, where Fruity would spend days, weeks, months, and even years training. The cave was special, with a formation that gathered the most concentrated form of spiritual energy in the area. It was the perfect place for deep cultivation.
When they arrived, Fruity bid his uncle farewell and stepped inside the cave. He wasted no time and immediately began training, sitting down and using the technique his uncle had taught him. The spiritual Qi in the cave flowed naturally toward him, making it easier for him to focus and gather energy.
Days turned into weeks as Fruity stayed in the cave, cultivating without stopping. After the first week, he felt his strength gradually increase. By the end of the third week, however, he encountered a problem.
There was something inside him blocking his progress. He remembered what his uncle had said: this was the barrier to the next realm of cultivation. His uncle had told him that when the time came, all he had to do was gather enough spiritual Qi and attack the barrier.
Determined, Fruity began to gather more spiritual Qi. The energy swirled around him as he concentrated harder, feeling the pressure build. After hours of intense focus, he felt the barrier starting to weaken under the force of the spiritual energy. Two more hours passed, and he knew it was time. The barrier had weakened enough.
Fruity struck at it with all his gathered Qi, and suddenly, the barrier shattered. It felt like a new world had opened up to him. His power surged, and he could sense his strength on a whole new level. But at that exact moment, something else happened. He felt the heavens lock onto him, like a heavy weight pressing down on his entire being.
Startled, Fruity stood up and hurried outside the cave. As soon as he stepped out, he saw the Grandmaster Monk waiting for him, his eyes focused on the sky. Dark clouds were forming, swirling ominously above.
"Grandmaster, what is happening?" Fruity asked, his voice filled with concern. The pressure from the heavens was growing stronger by the second, and he could feel it tightening around him.
The Grandmaster Monk turned to Fruity, his face calm but serious. "It seems you've attracted a heavenly tribulation," he said. "The heavens have noticed your breakthrough."
Fruity's heart raced. He had heard of heavenly tribulations before, but he hadn't expected one to come so soon. "What should I do?" he asked, feeling the weight of the sky bearing down even more.
The Grandmaster gazed at the dark clouds, which crackled with energy. "You must face it. Every cultivator who seeks great power must pass the trial of the heavens. Stand firm and don't let fear control you."
"Grandmaster, what are you not telling me? I'm not the same carefree brat who used to laze around. I know you're hiding something, so what is it?" Fruity demanded.
The Grandmaster smiled gently and replied, "It's not that I'm hiding things. It's just that to gain heaven's recognition, you need to form a connection with the natural laws of the world. This usually happens when you're about to break through to become a Saint."
He continued, "In other words, having a tribulation while only breaking through to the Ascended stage is unusual. It shouldn't be happening at this level."
"So, the heavens want to kill me. How typical of them," Fruity muttered, his resentment towards the heavens growing stronger. It seemed that the more he learned, the angrier he became.
The Grandmaster looked at Fruity with a conflicted expression. He wanted to say more but held back. Instead, he gazed up at the dark, ominous clouds forming above, his face showing a hint of defeat.
"You should go over the mountain there," the Grandmaster said, pointing to a mountain peak a few miles away. "It's a better location for the tribulation."
Fruity nodded and took off toward the mountain.
Soon, he stood at the peak, looking small against the backdrop of dark clouds. He looked up defiantly and smirked.
"Stupid heavens, you want to kill me? Let's see who's tougher—the handsome monk or the spineless heavens that prey on kids like me," Fruity said, his voice filled with defiance.
"Inner Peace," he chanted, trying to calm himself despite his anger. It was clear that Fruity's approach was anything but typical for a monk.
Suddenly, the heavens rumbled, and lightning crackled, ready to strike him. At that same moment, a strange chanting filled the air.
Fruity quickly formed a hand seal and began chanting in a language unfamiliar to most. From behind him, a large, mystical bead appeared. It had five faces, each one strange and emotionless at first glance. However, upon closer inspection, the faces seemed to convey subtle, shifting emotions.
The bead hovered behind Fruity, its presence adding a sense of ancient power and mystery. The heavens roared in response, the clouds swirling more violently. Fruity focused on the bead, readying himself for the trial ahead.
Suddenly, the heavens roared, and a thick bolt of lightning shot down from the clouds, aiming directly at Fruity. In response, he quickly formed another hand seal, and the bead behind him began to spin, presenting one of its faces forward. From that face, a golden bell emerged, growing larger and larger until it enveloped Fruity completely.
The moment the bell covered him, the lightning struck it. A powerful ringing sound filled the air, and instead of just being a noise, the sound rippled through the sky like a sharp cut. The clouds above parted, clearing a section of the sky for a brief moment.
"What is that?" The Grandmaster, standing far away, muttered in astonishment as he watched the bell.
The bead, which had been large, now shrank but remained hovering behind Fruity, who was safely inside the bell.
"This shouldn't be possible," a voice spoke from behind the Grandmaster. The Five Ancient Monks appeared, their eyes fixed on the bead with deep curiosity.
"Master, do you know what the bead is?" the Grandmaster Monk asked.
"That is the Pentaface Bead," the Master replied.
"Pentaface Bead?" The Grandmaster, despite his age and wisdom, looked like a curious child eager to learn more.
"The Pentaface Bead is an ancient relic," the Master began. "It is said to have originated from five ancient deities—or rather, from five ancient nightmares, if you will. Legend has it that during the Chaos Era, these five Nightmares fought a deity for sixty-six days."
"No one knows exactly why the battle started, but after those sixty-six days, the five Nightmares were defeated, and the deity who killed them perished as well. After their deaths, a strange bead appeared. Some believe it was the deity transformed into the bead, others think it was his soul."
He continued, "According to the legends, the bead contains the souls of the Nightmare of Harrow Sounds and Ring, the Nightmare of Despair, the Nightmare of Starvation, the Nightmare of Anarchy, and the Nightmare of Discord. It's said that their souls were sucked into the bead, giving it five faces. The bead then vanished, reappearing only once every few million years."
The Master glanced at the bead again. "Although this might just be a projection, I am nearly certain this is the Pentaface Bead. I only saw an image of it once during a ruin exploration, but I recognize it."
The Grandmaster looked at the bead with renewed awe and concern. "This is bad" He muttered.
"How is this bad, if anything, this is good. Just look at the person taking the tribulation and tell me if he is having it easy or hard" The Grandpa Monk said.
Inside the bed, Fruity was chewing something as more and more lightning fell on the bell. "If anything, you should be happy, at least when he grows up, he can protect himself"
The tribulation went on for about a few more minutes before it ended. It was like the heavens were tired of ringing the bell. After the tribulation, Fruity came down the mountain and met with the Monks who had many questions.
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THE LAST PARAGON IN THE APOCALYPSEC144: Calamity Descent
After his tribulation and meeting with the Monks, Fruity returned to the cave and began cultivating again. He realized that he faced several limitations during the tribulation.
Firstly, his spiritual qi was insufficient to sustain the bell for long periods. The bell has two unique abilities. The first was defense, both physical and spiritual. The second was a sonic attack, an offensive skill. However, using these abilities required a lot of strong spiritual qi.
During his tribulation, he had only used a fraction of the bell's true power. He needed to grow stronger to expand his soul sea and gain access to more spiritual qi. He knew his next tribulation would be hard, but he was determined to fix that, gradually.
Secondly, Fruity felt disconnected from the bead. He knew he should be able to use all five faces of the bead, each representing a unique skill. However, he could only use the [Bell of Harrow] face.
He tried to connect with the other faces inside the bell, but they didn't respond. Fruity understood that he needed to become stronger to access these faces and use their powers effectively. He hoped that by increasing his strength, he could unlock these abilities and turn them to his advantage.
Fruity learned a few things about the bead from the elders. But when he returned to the cave, one question kept nagging at him: "If the technique I'm using is called the Nine Divine Soul Beads Art, then where are the other eight?"
It was a question only he could answer. He remembered receiving only the first form of the technique when he emerged from the strange place. This meant the other eight beads were out there, waiting for him to find them.
With this thought in mind, Fruity resumed his cultivation. Two months later, he faced another tribulation as he was breaking through to the Master stage. This tribulation was relatively easy. All he had to do was sit and let the bell handle most of the work. His spiritual qi was what powered the bell, so in a way, he was still in control.
After the tribulation, Fruity continued his training, spending less time outside. Initially, he would go out to get food, but as his strength grew, he realized that food was becoming less important. He dedicated his days, weeks, and months to cultivating.
Four months later, he went through another tribulation and reached the Grandmaster level. Despite his efforts, he couldn't get the other faces of the bead to respond. No matter how hard he tried, they remained unresponsive. His attempts were in vain, and his frustration grew.
After weeks of failed attempts, Fruity refocused on his training to form his Nexus Core, a crucial step toward becoming a Saint. The Monks provided him with additional resources. Without wasting any more time, he set to work on his cultivation.
Half a year later, Fruity bridged the gap needed to begin forming his Nexus Core. This was a significant milestone in his journey to greater strength.
It took Fruity another half-year to form his Nexus Core. The process was so intense and challenging that he began to suspect the heavens might be interfering. According to the teachings he received from the Monks, the core formation required him to focus on his Spiritual Qi pool, which appeared in his soul sea after breaking through to the Grandmaster stage.
The goal was to concentrate and condense this Qi pool. While the initial concentration was straightforward, the condensing process was the difficult part. Even the smallest leakage of spiritual qi could have a significant impact on future progress. As a result, most people spent months ensuring that every last drop was perfectly condensed.
Fruity faced an extraordinary setback. When it was time to form his Nexus Core, he discovered that his spiritual qi pool was scattered. Instead of being concentrated in one place, it was divided into nine separate locations. This meant that if he formed the core in one location, the other eight would be wasted.
Though this was a severe blow, Fruity did not despair. Instead, he embarked on what could only be described as a mad quest. For five months, he painstakingly worked to move the other eight pools into a single location. It was a slow and tedious process, but his determination never wavered. After months of intense effort, he finally succeeded.
With the pools unified, Fruity was able to form his Nexus Core and condense it. Afterward, he faced another tribulation. The tribulation unfolded as it had before Fruity remained inside the bell while tribulation lightning rained down from the heavens. The bell's sonic attacks, triggered by the lightning strikes, annihilated all the lightning beasts that appeared.
The moment Fruity became a Saint, he felt a new connection to another face on the bead. The first face was the [Bell of Harrows]. The second face was called the [Eye of Despair]. Fruity spent an entire month exploring the three skills associated with the Eye of Despair.
When activated, a large eye would appear. Simply looking directly at it could plunge someone into despair, especially those with weaker souls and minds.
The first skill was called [Soul Gaze]. When activated, the eye opened sinisterly. Gazing into it could cause the soul of those with weaker wills to shudder or even injure their soul. The severity of the effect grew as the skill's owner became stronger.
The second skill was [Eye of Malevolence]. When activated, tiny eyes appeared within the larger eye, and a haunting hum emanated from them. This hum could cause intense mental torture, breaking down the target's mind.
The third skill was [Soul Beam]. Fruity needed to concentrate his spiritual qi into the Eye of Despair and shoot it forward with deadly intent.
This skill was quite dangerous. On a large battlefield, the beam could affect the souls of allies as well as enemies, unlike Soul Gaze and Eye of Malevolence, which targeted one person or a small group.
Despite its risks, Fruity sensed that as he grew stronger, he could gain control over the Soul Beam. It was a terrifying skill, but if used correctly, it could be nearly impossible for even stronger opponents to defend against. After all, it was a soul attack.
After mastering the second face of the skill, Fruity continued his cultivation. He remained vigilant, always on the lookout for danger. He had sensed that the Monastery had been restless for a few months, but the Monks reassured him, telling him not to worry and to focus on his cultivation.
Because of that, he went on and started cultivating even more intensely. Months passed and before long, he had spent two years just cultivating from Awakened to Saint and now nearing the Sage stage.
However, exactly two years after he started cultivating, the heavens darkened ominously. On that fateful day, the Monastery was surrounded. Powerful figures emerged from the space cracks that had been appearing around the Monastery.
The Monastery went on high alert. There was no despair among the Monks; they had been anticipating this day for a long time, and now it had finally arrived.
"Monks, surrender the Forbidden Ice Wielder," a voice boomed, "and this Monastery will live to see another day."
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THE LAST PARAGON IN THE APOCALYPSEC145: Waking Up To A Room Full Of Damsels
On a large bed big enough to fit a dozen adults with space left over to accommodate even more, a young man with skin so pale that white seemed dark by comparison was sleeping peacefully. His head rested on a broad, soft lap. A bandage was wrapped around his chest as if holding something to a wound.
On one side of him sat a silver-haired young lady, her face streaked with tear marks. It was clear she'd been crying for a long time. On the other side, a dark-haired young lady clutching one of the young man's arms, her own tears still flowing'
Just below the bed, another stunning lady sat with her arms folded tightly across her chest. Her face, too, was marked by tears. However, she looks calmer and more straight-headed.
The room was filled with people—mostly women, but some dudes as well. What are they even doing there? It would have been great if only the ladies were there. Either way, they were present. They all looked sad, but none of them had any tear marks, they are dudes after all. Their attention was fixed on the pale young man lying on the bed.
Suddenly, color began to return to the pale face of the young man. Everyone noticed right away. How could they not? They had been watching so closely that even a fly wouldn't have escaped their gaze.
"Ugh, that bastard got me good," the young man muttered as he slowly opened his eyes.
"Klaus!"
Everyone shouted his name in unison, their voices feeling the room. Maybe they were a little too excited, their voices practically overwhelming him.
"Jeez, people, my head's splitting here," Klaus groaned. At that moment, he felt something wet drip onto his face. He opened his eyes a little more and found himself staring at a woman so stunning she could be called the most beautiful in the cosmos.
"Mom?" Klaus asked, confused. But no—this wasn't his mother or more like this wasn't the mother he remembered. This woman was too breathtaking, with her round face, long violet hair, and puppy-like eyes. He reached up with his left hand to gently wipe away her flowing tears, but he underestimated the sorrow of women.
He glanced to his right and saw Ohema, her tears pouring out just as much. On his left, Lucy's eyes were also wide open and flooded. Across the room, Hanna, Anna, Lily, Nia, and Asha were all crying. Even the emotionless War Goddess was wiping away tears.
"Danny, not you too," Klaus said, looking over at his male friends. Sure enough, Danny, the big softy, was bawling. The others weren't much better, though they were trying to be a little more discreet.
The room was filled with sorrow, and Klaus, the cause of it all, lay there helpless. He had no way to console them, especially his mother. He just lay there, waiting for something to happen.
Suddenly, he felt a soft, warm hand gently cup his cheek. "My baby," his mother said, her voice breaking.
Hearing her broken tone, Klaus felt his heart shatter into a million pieces. He had made his mother worry, worry too much. He had caused her to cry so long that her voice seemed to be lost in her sorrow. He had always vowed never to make her worry, to ensure she always had a smile on her face. But now, the same woman who had always been his pillar of strength was crying.
Seeing his mother like this was unbearable. It broke his heart into a million fragments. He wanted to comfort her, to tell her it would be okay, but the weight of his own guilt and pain kept him rooted to the bed. The room's sadness seemed to press down on him, making it harder to breathe.
His mother's tears fell onto his face. Klaus reached up weakly, trying to brush them away, but his strength was insufficient. He wanted to speak, to reassure her, but the words caught in his throat.
"Fuck, I'm going to kill a lot of people," Klaus said suddenly, clenching his fist. Well, at least he tried to, but he ended up instinctively using his left hand. He regretted it almost immediately.
"Fuck, that hurts," Klaus muttered, wincing in pain.
"You shouldn't move," his mother's voice came through a bit more lively this time.
"Okay, Mom," Klaus replied, sounding like a good child. He waited to hear from her again and like he had expected, his mom spoke,
"Are you okay?" she asked softly, brushing his hair back.
"I am, Mom," Klaus answered, trying to sound reassuring.
"Good," she said, but her eyes told a different story. He could see the worry still lingering, the pain she was trying to hide.
"Mom... I'm sorry," Klaus managed to say, looking into her eyes. That was all he could muster. He had died—or nearly died—and the thought of what his mother must have gone through was too painful to dwell on. Just imagining her fear and sorrow was more than he could bear.
"Oh, my baby," his mother whispered, still brushing his hair. "You're here, and that's all that matters." Though her words were meant to be comforting, her tears wouldn't stop. They flowed like rain, evidence of the torment she'd endured. She had almost lost her precious son.
Now that he was awake, she didn't want to let go. Klaus, for his part, didn't want to move either. Her lap was as comforting as it was warm, and he felt safe there.
"Klaus," Lucy finally spoke, her voice soft but filled with emotion. She gently squeezed his hand, holding onto him as if afraid to let go.
"I'm sorry, Lucy. I made you worry," Klaus said gently. His eyes shifted toward Ohema, who seemed to be recovering from her own tears. "You shouldn't cry so much, Ohema. You look even more beautiful when you cry, and I don't want these dudes getting any funny ideas," he added with a teasing smile.
That brought small smiles to the faces in the room. The tension lifted slightly, and it seemed the person they had all been crying for was truly back, awake, and healthy, well, trying to look healthy.
"Hmm, I guess me nearly dying brought out some hidden personalities," Klaus said with a playful grin. "Who would've thought the almighty War Goddess is such a big softy?" He looked toward Miriam, the War Goddess, who was still wiping away her tears.
Miriam shot him a half-hearted glare, but there was a warmth behind her eyes that hadn't been there before. Even there was a slight pink on her cheek.
"Klaus, you shouldn't tease her like that," his mother said, pulling his ear gently.
"Mom, you look... different," Klaus said, squinting at her with a playful, narrowed gaze.
"Brat, you're not getting any funny ideas, are you? Your girlfriends are here," his mother replied, sensing her no-good son was about to say something shameless. She tried to use his girlfriends as a shield, but who was Klaus, if not a wild spirit?
"Nothing shameless, Mom," Klaus said, closing his eyes as if preparing for what was to come. "I just thought it'd be nice if you were actually my stepmother, that's all."
He barely finished his sentence before he braced himself. As expected, his ear was twisted, his thigh pinched, and his left shoulder grabbed—his mother, Lucy, and Ohema had ganged up on him.
Despite the pain already coursing through his body, Klaus could only endure their playful assault, wincing but smiling through it. Even with the teasing and the pain, there was comfort in knowing he was surrounded by people who cared so deeply for him.
"Seriously, why are you guys here, wouldn't it be nice if I only woke up to a room full of damsels," Klaus said narrowing his eyes playfully at his male friend. They could only laugh knowing that their friend was back from the dead and the same as before.
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THE LAST PARAGON IN THE APOCALYPSEC146: Catching Up
"Take it easy, Klaus," Ohema said as she helped him sit up. Despite his lovers surrounding him, Klaus leaned back into his mother's embrace, resting his head on her chest like a child seeking comfort. He felt safe there, cradled in her warmth.
His two girlfriends could only shake their heads at his antics. They knew how much Klaus loved his mother, so there was no need for jealousy. His bond with her was something they respected, even if it made him a bit of a "Mommy's boy."
"So... what happened?" Klaus suddenly asked, breaking the silence.
Everyone had expected this question, but when he asked it, they all exchanged glances, unsure of who should answer. Eventually, all eyes settled on one person—Miriam, who had been sitting quietly at the base of the bed.
Miriam sighed, clearly not keen on softening the truth. "The Dark Order tried to assassinate you, Klaus," she said bluntly.
"The Dark Order?" Klaus repeated, his brow furrowing. The name wasn't unfamiliar, but hearing it in this context left a bitter taste in his mouth.
"They are a mysterious organization. Some kind of assassination group that no one knows where they come from or where they are based. They operate through the dark web, so with the right connections, they can be hired for a task."
"You seemed to have been their target two months ago. Fortunately, you didn't die. To the rest of the world, you are dead, but only we know you're still alive. If it were up to me, you'd have been buried deep underground by now, since technically, you've been dead for the past 72 days."
"What? Seventy-two days?" Klaus was taken aback.
"Yes, you've been dead for 72 days. Thankfully, your dear mother didn't want to let go, and your girlfriends felt the same. So here you are, alive, I guess," Miriam said, a sad look in her eyes.
To an outsider, it might seem like she was disappointed Klaus was still alive. But Klaus knew she felt guilty. She had been right there and could have stopped the arrow from piercing him. But due to her exhausted state at the time, she was a step too late.
"Big sister, it's not your fault. I'm fine now. So instead of feeling guilty, can you tell me everything you know about the Dark Order?"
Miriam took a deep breath and began, "Nobody can say who they are, where they come from, or even if they are human. From what I know, they are so secretive that they don't even reveal themselves when they kill. They prefer to stay hidden and strike silently."
"This was the first time they killed someone in public," she continued. "Normally, they would have assassinated you in secret. But in this case, they chose a public spectacle. And it worked to their advantage."
"By killing you openly, their fame skyrocketed. They're known for one thing: they never miss their target. Killing you was their way of demonstrating to the world that the Dark Order is still very much alive."
"However, they don't just pick random targets. Someone must have hired them, and they simply took the job. For them, it's all business. Like I said, no one really knows anything about them," Miriam finished her vague explanation, full of hints but lacking real answers.
"I see, I guess they took a swing and missed," Klaus muttered.
"So, what are you going to do? You should know your rowdy uncles have been causing trouble lately," Miriam said.
"That's expected. But what have they been up to these past months?" Klaus smiled faintly. He knew his uncles wouldn't sit idle. Those brutes are a few screws loose.
"They've tried all sorts of methods to track down the Dark Order, but nothing seems to work. They aren't giving up, though. Just three days ago, they destroyed a small team of Saints who were bad-mouthing you. You should probably let them know you're okay now," Miriam added with a strange look.
It seemed like people were pressuring her to keep the five uncles in check. Klaus could only nod. He then turned toward his mother. He looked into her eyes for a few seconds before muttering softly, "I love you, Mom."
His mind drifted back to the memories of when she didn't hesitate to sacrifice herself for him. It was the most painful experience of his life. Looking at her now, he didn't know what he would do if she ever did something like that again.
His mother gently brushed his hair back. "I love you too, my baby. Just stay like this for a while, please," she said. She could tell Klaus wasn't going to take the assassination attempt lying down. She wanted to keep him close, even if only for a little while.
"I'm not going anywhere, Mom. After all, I've got to enjoy every bit of your body before I head back into the wild," Klaus grinned mischievously.
"You brat, I'm your mother!" she scolded, twisting his ears.
"Mother with a sinful body!" Klaus yelped, laughing. "I'm going to kill anyone who looks at you weird. This body is only for me to admire!" He glanced at his male friends, who quickly looked away, causing him to smile.
Ohema gave him a silent thumbs-up. No one needed to tell Klaus that his mother had gone through a lot while he was unconscious. The changes in her were likely her way of coping, making sure Klaus woke up happy. And it worked—maybe a little too well.
"You brat!" Klaus felt his head hit the pillow as his mother rushed out of the room.
"You really shouldn't tease her too much, Klaus," Ohema said, taking his mother's spot by his side.
"What happened? She seems different. And when did she become an Ascended?" Klaus asked. Lucy and Ohema exchanged glances before Lucy spoke.
"Klaus, don't tease her too much. After your incident, your mother couldn't handle it. She fainted for a whole week."
Klaus's heart shook at the thought.
"We were all shaken. But when she woke up, something in her changed. She started using the Mountain Dew you gave her, and strangely, her cultivation began to improve. She's been blaming herself for being too weak, so none of us stopped her from trying."
"She hasn't slept in 72 days, Klaus. Every day, she's pushing herself to become stronger. Your mother loves you so much. It would be best if you didn't tease her too much. She went through a lot just to look the part, and she misses you dearly," Lucy said, her voice filled with admiration.
Klaus smiled faintly as he processed Lucy's words. He glanced at Ohema, who gave him a slight nod. Despite his aching body, Klaus gently got out of bed and made his way to his mother's room, where he found her crying. She is a little too emotional, but he didn't mind.
Klaus wrapped his arms around her. "Mom, stop crying. I won't let you go through this again," he whispered.
"No, baby, I should be the one apologizing. I'm practically useless. I couldn't even protect you," she said, her tears flowing freely.
"No, Mom. I'm the one who's supposed to protect you. How about this: until the next Academy selection exams, I'll stay with you. We'll spend the best time together like we used to in the slums," Klaus offered, and his mother smiled at the idea.
"This will give me some time to explore all there is to explore," Klaus said with a mischievous grin. Though he tried to hide the meaning of his words, his mother caught on and gave him a quick twist to his ear.
"You've practically got angels waiting in your room, and you still think teasing your mother is a good idea?" She twisted his ear even harder.
"It's not my fault you're this good-looking. Every kid dreams of having a mother like you," Klaus said, grabbing her arm with a playful smile.
"Tsk, suddenly I wish you hadn't woken up," she replied with a grin.
"I can always die again... in your arms," Klaus joked, his eyes drifting to her chest as he imagined an overly dramatic death between those mountains. He seemed more attracted to those mountains than his own aching body which was healing rapidly from the moment he woke up.
They exchanged glances for a breath moments, before bursting into laughter together.
Still chuckling, he held his mother's arm, and they walked back to his room.
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THE LAST PARAGON IN THE APOCALYPSEC147: Haniva is Hanna
When Klaus and his mother returned to the room, he noticed that Danny and his other male friends were not there. This made him smile slightly. Clearly, his friends were men of culture. He looked around the room, his smile lingering. Then his eyes landed on Hanna.
As soon as they did, memories of a young woman who had ignited her soul to buy time for his mother and him when they were being chased by the ten masked figures flooded back. That young woman looked just like Hanna, though a bit more mature.
But she still looked like Hanna. In his memories as Fruity, he learned that this woman had been his mother's close friend, protector, and even his babysitter. They had been very close.
Her name back then was Haniva, and she used a bow, just like Hanna. Klaus recalled how close they had all been—him, his mother, and Haniva. He knew Haniva never loved anyone besides his mother and had been deeply loyal. So, seeing someone who looked just like her standing there stirred emotions in Klaus that he never thought possible.
Without hesitation, Klaus walked over to Hanna and, without saying a word, hugged her tightly. It was a warm hug that caught everyone off guard. Even Hanna was taken aback, but Klaus didn't bother explaining.
"Thank you for everything," he whispered into her ear. Hanna's body shuddered at his words, for reasons she didn't fully understand.
Breaking away from the hug, Klaus looked between his mother and Hanna. "Mom, from today onward, Hanna is my big sister. I want you to shower her with love—the kind that only a mother gives to her children."
Hanna's body shuddered again, and then, as if a dam had burst, tears began flowing down her face. She didn't know why, but Klaus's words made her feel something she hadn't felt in a long time—genuine love.
"It's alright, Hanna. You're part of my family now. My mother will be your mother, as it should be," Klaus said gently. His mother looked at him for a few moments before smiling. She, too, had felt a strange but strong attachment to Hanna the first time she saw her. She was happy to welcome her as family.
Hanna is an orphan. Her parents had died when she was just seven, so being included in a family now meant everything to her. Klaus's mother came over and hugged her. Seeing how overwhelmed Hanna was by her tears, she led her away to a quieter room, leaving Klaus alone with the other women.
"Well, ladies, who's going first? Or should we do this together?" Klaus asked with an amused smile, glancing around the room at the remaining damsels.
There were seven heaven-defying beauties in the room, each one staring at Klaus with unreadable expressions. Well, except for the War Goddess—he could tell she was holding herself back from smacking him on the back of the head.
His body was actively healing, and the wound on his shoulder had already stopped hurting. One of the passive skills he had awakened, [Overlord Healing], made sure of that. As long as he had spiritual energy, even a damaged heart could heal.
With his overwhelming star qi, the process was accelerated. He was healing incredibly fast now. The star qi is several times stronger than the Spiritual qi, so the process was going on quicker than he expected.
"Big sister, if you keep looking at me like that, I might get the wrong idea, you know," Klaus said, turning to Miriam.
"Tsk," she chuckled, standing up. Perhaps she stood too quickly, as the two mountains on her chest jiggled slightly. Klaus smiled at the sight, but his amusement was cut short when he felt four eyes lock onto him from behind. Ohema and Lucy were making their presence known.
"Uh, big sister, where are you going?" Klaus asked with a shrug.
"I'm hungry, so I'm going to cook," Miriam replied casually.
'Can she even cook? Damn, wouldn't it be nice to see her in just an apron?' Klaus's mind wandered to some rather dirty thoughts, but before he could say anything, Miriam dashed out of the room, her face red with embarrassment.
"Suddenly, I'm hungry too," Anna said, standing up. She glanced at Lily, Nia, and Asha, who also rose with amused expressions that said they were hungry as well. Anna giggled as she led them away, the others following her.
'This girl is both adorable and shameless,' Klaus thought to himself. Memories of the gentle Ice Princess from his past surfaced in his mind, and he sighed before turning his attention to Ohema and Lucy, who were both deliberately avoiding his gaze.
"Ladies," Klaus began with a playful grin, "I suddenly feel like bathing, and since I can't raise my hand, I'll trouble these two fairies to bathe me." His grin widened as he looked at Ohema and Lucy.
Ohema glanced at Lucy and then at Klaus. Suddenly, she stood up and said, "I just remembered Auntie needs me for something. I'll be taking my leave now, so I'll leave Sister Lucy to help this bastard with his bath." She gave Lucy a faint smile before walking out.
As she passed Klaus, Ohema whispered something to him, making him chuckle. Lucy watched her go, unable to shake the thought, 'Did this b*tch just throw me under the bus?'
She turned to Klaus, who was smiling at her. "You're a Saint now, huh?" Klaus teased.
Lucy nodded, but her mind was elsewhere. 'Why am I nervous? It's just a bath...'
'Oh my, I'm going to see him naked.'
'Am I supposed to be naked too?'
'Oh no, this is bad. This is very bad.'
'Why am I overthinking this? I can just run away, and he can't catch me.'
Lucy glanced at Klaus, who seemed to hear every chaotic thought running through her mind. Her heart raced as she caught him staring at her.
"Don't overthink it, Lucy," Klaus said calmly. "It's just a bath. You're my woman now, and I respect your boundaries. So don't worry—I won't do anything you don't want me to." His words soothed her, even as her mind struggled to calm down.
"Okay," Lucy replied softly. She stood from the bed and led Klaus to the bathroom. Her heart raced like she was in a marathon, but she did her best to appear calm.
The last time she spent the night with Klaus, she had woken up the next morning holding something rather hot, long, and thick in her arms. That morning, she had been so flustered that when she left, her cheeks were as pink as the color pink itself.
It was her first time experiencing something like that, and for the past few weeks at the academy, every morning when she woke up, the memory resurfaced, making her blush again and again. It was overwhelming.
Now, as she prepared to take the next step—from touching through clothes to seeing him naked—Lucy felt like she was on the verge of losing her composure. Her mind was flooded with nervous excitement, and the idea of seeing him bare only made it harder to stay calm.
Back inside the bathroom, Klaus looked at Lucy with a look that seemed to say, 'You're handling everything yourself, missy.'
Lucy appeared to understand. She gently began removing the bandage from Klaus's chest. The wound had healed, but the mark remained. It would take a few days to fully disappear. As she looked at his abs, she silently gulped.
With a deep breath, Lucy reached for his shorts. Like peeling a delicate flower, she carefully began to remove them. Suddenly, his pants came off, and when the "weapon of mass destruction" appeared, Lucy's heartbeat nearly stopped. She swallowed hard, her nerves on edge as she stared in shock.
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THE LAST PARAGON IN THE APOCALYPSEC148: Tasting the Forbidden Fruit (1) [18+]
Klaus couldn't help but smirk as he watched Lucy gaze at his little brother with wide eyes. Even though it was still asleep, its size alone was enough to make the Princess of Vine's eyes go big.
"Wow," Lucy gasped, staring at his dingos. Klaus was thrilled to see that reaction. I mean, what guy wouldn't want to get that kind of response from a girl? He was more than ready to show off a bit, but Lucy wasn't giving him the satisfaction he craved.
Before he could strike any goofy poses, Lucy guided him toward the bath. She helped him step in, and as soon as he did, the water began to fill up. Lucy stood there for a moment, unsure of what to do next.
'Should I take off my clothes or just jump in fully dressed?' Her mind was racing. It was her first time, after all, and she was totally clueless about how to act. For someone who wasn't used to being around guys, this felt like a tough test.
Klaus, being his cheeky self, just lounged in the bath with a grin. Suddenly, Lucy seemed to make up her mind. In one quick move, she shed her gown. Now it was Klaus's turn to be taken aback.
Underneath that gown was a tempting sight that made Klaus's little brother start to react. Lucy had an hourglass figure, and even though she tried to cover up, her curves were now on full display, looking stunningly graceful.
She hurriedly took off everything and stepped into the bath, looking a bit flustered. The steam rose around her, enveloping her in a warm embrace, and it was clear she had come to terms with things and was ready for whatever might happen next.
Klaus grinned but stayed put, his heart racing with anticipation. Lucy began washing him, her hands gliding over his skin, making an effort to ignore the growing dragon in the water, a symbol of the tension that hung in the air.
Klaus acted like he was completely unaware of what was stirring beneath the surface. He appeared relaxed, leaning back against the edge of the tub, enjoying the sensation of the warm water splashing against his soft, pale skin. The gentle ripples created by Lucy's movements sent shivers of delight through him.
Lucy seemed to be taking her time, perhaps thinking Klaus wasn't quite ready for this and was still a bit tense. She focused on the task at hand, her fingers working diligently, but there was an underlying current of electricity between them that neither could ignore.
It felt like it took ages, but she was doing a great job, and Klaus, with all the time in the world, was loving every moment. Each stroke of her hands felt like a caress, igniting a fire within him that he struggled to contain. The water swirled around them, creating a private oasis where the outside world faded away, leaving just the two of them in this intimate space.
Out of nowhere, Lucy's hand slipped and brushed against something. She froze up, her breath hitching in her throat. Klaus noticed the sudden tension in her body, but his thoughts were elsewhere, captivated by Lucy's figure. Those lovely curves on her chest, the pink nipples that seemed to beckon him closer, and everything else that made her so undeniably alluring.
Then there was her flat stomach, smooth and inviting, and the way her waist curved into her hips and backside, creating a silhouette that was nothing short of mesmerizing. It was like something out of a fantasy tale, a vision that danced in his mind and made his heart race.
She was absolutely breathtaking, and Klaus, getting a bath from such a beautiful lady, felt like he was on top of the world, lost in a dream where nothing else mattered but the two of them and the connection that was blossoming between them.
Suddenly, Klaus felt a soft hand brushing past his groin. His body reacted involuntarily, and he felt a jolt. Lucy, who was the one touching him, felt her heart race. For the first time, she didn't panic. Instead, she held on.
She slowly wrapped her hand around him, feeling him harden. Glancing out of the corner of her eye, she saw Klaus smiling back at her as usual.
'She's becoming bolder,' Klaus thought with a smile. Lucy didn't move for the first few seconds, but then she began to stroke him gently. Klaus could feel her hand moving along him and had to suppress any sounds of pleasure. He decided to let Lucy take the lead.
The slippery water made everything smooth, and there was no pushback at all. Klaus was having a great time while Lucy took charge. It was obvious that the bath had shifted into something more intimate, and Klaus was totally into it. He had no reason to complain about that!
"Damn," Klaus gasped as he felt Lucy's left hand make contact with his groin. That simple gesture sent a rush of excitement through him. The gentle touch brought him immense pleasure, and his reaction made it clear to Lucy that there was something special about the way she was handling him during their intimate moment.
With that in mind, Lucy focused on intensifying the experience, skillfully stroking him while maintaining her attention on his sensitive areas. Klaus felt as if he were floating on air, overwhelmed by the blissful sensations she was providing.
Lucy seemed to be improving as her actions brought Klaus to a realm of intense pleasure. Klaus was so absorbed in the sensation that he didn't notice the small smile of satisfaction on Lucy's face. She seemed content just doing that.
Suddenly, she stopped and looked at Klaus, who was also gazing back at her.
"C...can we continue inside?" she asked, her tone shy. Klaus smiled and, like a knight escorting a princess, lifted her and led her to the bed. She gently fell onto the bed and smiled up at him. Without hesitation, She resumed her task with a determined focus.
Klaus felt a jolt of surprise when she suggested they continue indoors, but he had no reason to protest. He would follow her anywhere, even to the depths of the underworld if necessary. The pleasure he was experiencing was beyond anything he had known. Suddenly, he realized where this was headed, and he was fully prepared for it.
Lucy was shifting back and forth while attending to him. Klaus was so lost in ecstasy that he didn't notice Lucy casting a peculiar glance at his younger brother, as if she were assessing him. In that heightened state, when something soft, warm, and wet made contact with his dick, his body reacted instinctively, tensing up.
He turned to see Lucy staring back at him with her lips wrapped around his dick. Klaus grinned broadly at the beautiful scene. Then her head moved. A surge of joy swept through Klaus.
Lucy, not the greatest at massages, started rubbing his balls with her head back and forth around his dick, but she appeared happy doing that. The intensity of it made Klaus feel as though he was going to pass out.
To his amazement, Lucy refused to comply when he tried to hold her head back. He could feel his load building up and ready to come any moment. Seeing she has no plan to stop, Klaus then shoots his loads into her mouth, turning her mouth white. Lucy's body trembled, but she held her tongue. Rather, she swallowed it and held for more.
"Klaus, can we do it" After taking all the juice, Lucy asked in a soft tone. In response, Klaus smiled and gently pushed her down onto the bed. "With pleasure"
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Do you like it when I'm bold, or should I go back to being shy?" Lucy teased, wrapping her hand around his now-hard iron rod, and giving it a firm stroke.
"Please, be as bold as you can be. You're going to need that confidence after you walk out of this room," Klaus smirked. His words made her freeze for a moment as she realized what he meant—they hadn't activated the noise-canceling system in the room. All their sounds, moans, and movements had likely been heard by anyone nearby.
"Oh, fuck," Lucy cursed, her eyes wide with embarrassment. It dawned on her that not only had they been overheard, but any cultivator with heightened senses would've heard them clearly.
Klaus grinned. "No need to be shy, my love. This is what lovers do. Let the rest be jealous as they listen." His voice was louder now, making sure anyone who was listening knew they were aware of the eavesdropping.
"My sister won't let me live this down for months," Lucy blushed, her cheeks pink from both pleasure and embarrassment.
Klaus chuckled softly. "If it's any consolation, she'll be in the same situation one day. Just use this time to gain some experience." With that, he activated the noise-canceling system, sealing the room in blissful silence.
Lucy smiled at Klaus's words. At least he still had her sister in his heart. It counted for something. She leaned in, her confidence now fully awakened, and pushed Klaus down onto the bed, making his iron rod stand proudly once again, pointing towards the ceiling.
"Then let's see just how much experience I can gain," Lucy whispered with a wicked grin, straddling him as her hands ran down his chest.
Lucy rose slowly, positioning her Nether cave over Klaus's iron rod, her eyes locking with his as she calmly took control. Lowering herself onto him, she took on the cowgirl posture.
She slid gracefully, letting Klaus's hard iron rod open her tight walls once again. Placing her harm on his chest, Lucy started moving up and down, letting his rod explore her cave to the deepest depth.
She wasn't very experienced, but that didn't stop her. The more she moved, the more she learned how to please them both. For Klaus, it was heavenly, watching her confidence build with every thrust. After what felt like countless minutes of blissful riding and Lucy blessing him a few times, Klaus finally released, filling her inner walls with his Star Juice once again.
But they didn't stop. This time, Klaus took control, making her bend forward as he worked his way into her from the back. Every movement, every thrust was electric.
The next couple of hours were spent in a whirlwind of heated passion, exploring each other's bodies. Klaus felt complete satisfaction, while Lucy, after every session, only seemed to grow more energized, her stamina increasing with each round.
Klaus couldn't help but wonder about the change in her. She was glowing, almost too energized. He made a mental note to have an awkward conversation with the senior residing in his soul sea when the time and mood allowed. There was something strange about the star tattoo and her renewed energy.
Unbeknownst to Klaus, just when the star tattoo appeared on Lucy, a small half-moon tattoo had also appeared on his back, glowing faintly inside one of the star tattoos on his back.
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THE LAST PARAGON IN THE APOCALYPSEC151: Sudden Connection
As Klaus lay back, catching his breath, he couldn't help but admire Lucy. She was more than just beautiful—she was everything. He wasn't the same after he got back from the dead. It's like he has grown overnight, making him more perceptive.
'She's incredible,' he thought, his gaze softening as he watched her. But just as he was lost in his thoughts, admiring her sinful body, a voice echoed in his mind.
'He is incredible. I would've killed myself if he hadn't woken up,' the voice whispered.
Startled, Klaus blinked. It wasn't his own thought. It was Lucy's voice. His eyes widened in shock.
"Lucy, what did you just say?" Klaus asked, lifting his head to look at her resting on his chest.
"What? I... I didn't say anything," Lucy stammered, her face growing pale. She had just thought to herself how she might've killed herself if Klaus hadn't survived the assassination attempt.
"Klaus," her voice cracked as her eyes filled with tears.
"It's okay. Don't think like that," Klaus said gently. "I'm not going anywhere anytime soon. But... how is it that I can hear your thoughts in my mind?"
Lucy's eyes grew wide in disbelief.
"What?" she whispered, her heart racing.
"Yes, I can hear your voice inside my head. Can't you hear mine?" Klaus asked, his eyes searching hers. But Lucy just stared at him, wide-eyed, clearly in shock. After a moment, she shook her head.
"I can't hear yours," she whispered.
"Strange," Klaus muttered. "Try thinking of something else."
Lucy nodded, focusing on positive thoughts this time. But as she did, Klaus's expression remained blank.
"It's not working anymore," he said, confused. "But how did it work the first time?"
"What were you feeling when you said those words the first time?" Klaus asked, his voice soft but curious.
Lucy wiped her eyes and took a deep breath. "I was feeling how lonely I would be if you were gone from this world. It was heartbreaking, Klaus. I was really scared," she admitted, her eyes filling up with tears again.
'I was really scared,' she thought, and suddenly, Klaus heard her voice in his mind once more. His heart skipped a beat.
In response, Klaus focused on Lucy, reaching out emotionally. At that moment, he felt something shift—like they had established a connection.
'It's okay, my love. I'll make sure this never happens again,' Klaus's voice whispered into her mind.
Lucy's eyes widened in surprise, and she quickly raised her head. "It's working, Klaus! I can hear you inside my mind!" she said, her smile growing wider as she looked at him, her heart soaring.
Klaus smiled back, feeling closer to her than ever before.
"Klaus, I love you," Lucy whispered, burying her face in his chest, tears spilling down her cheeks. The emotion was overwhelming, and their shared connection felt like a gift. What woman wouldn't want this? The ability to hear the thoughts of the one you love—at least the ones they chose to share—felt deeper than words.
It was more intimate than anything Lucy had ever imagined. This was what love should be, she thought, and now she was fully immersed in it. Truth be told, she had been scared from the beginning She wasn't sure what she was getting herself into when they started, but now lying on Klaus's chest, feeling his breath on her neck, she felt complete, more happy, and somehow stronger.
"Klaus," she began, her voice barely above a whisper, "I want to open every part of myself to you. All my thoughts, everything about me—my fears, my strengths, and my weaknesses. I want you to know it all." Lucy was lost in love for the first time in her life. She was really in love now.
Klaus gently brushed her tears away, smiling warmly. "I don't need to know all that to understand how much you love me. I already know, Lucy. You lying here, completely defenseless on my chest, says everything I need to hear. I'd rather get to know you naturally."
He paused, a teasing grin on his lips. "Wouldn't it be fun when I find out you're scared of spiders?"
Lucy's body shuddered involuntarily at the word spiders.
Klaus chuckled. "Heh, so you really are scared of spiders. Who would've thought?" His laughter echoed in the room as Lucy squirmed deeper into his arms, hiding her face.
"Stop it," she muttered, embarrassed but smiling as she clung tighter to him. Looking at how adorable she looks, Klaus's heart warmth.
They stayed like that for a while, wrapped in each other's warmth, before Klaus finally broke the silence.
"So, what's next?" he asked, his voice low and calm.
"I'll stay for a few weeks before I have to leave," Lucy replied. "My master gave me some time off. I think she just wants me to clear my mind before I climb the Stairway to the Heavens. She knew I'd hear about your assassination attempt one way or another, so when I broke through to the Saint stage, she brought me here herself."
Klaus nodded thoughtfully. "She sounds like an amazing person."
"She is," Lucy said with a soft smile. "She's like a second mother to me."
"A second mother, huh?" Klaus raised an eyebrow, his expression curious.
Lucy, noticing the look on his face, quickly asked, "Hey, you're not thinking anything shameless about my master, are you?"
Klaus grinned. "Not at all. Why would I be thinking about other women when I have such a sinful body lying on my chest?"
Lucy arched an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Oh, so when this 'sinful body' is gone, you'll go back to thinking about other women, huh?" she teased.
Klaus chuckled, shaking his head. "You know that's not what I meant. Besides, no one else can compare."
"I bet you'll be saying the same thing to Sister Ohema and Miriam," Lucy teased, her eyes gleaming with mischief.
Klaus smiled slightly, not liking where the conversation was headed. "Hey, let's just stay in this moment," he said, his tone a little more serious yet playful. "Where only you and I matter."
Seeing the look on his face, Lucy couldn't help but grin wider. "Oh, come on, don't get all flustered now," she teased, enjoying how easily she could push his buttons.
Klaus sighed, shaking his head with a small smile. "You're impossible. How about I show you who's in charge?" And just like that, they ended up in another marathon. Lucy quickly realized she was teasing a sleeping dragon.
She experienced the dragon's might for another set of hours before they were exhausted gain. As they lay there afterward, Lucy, now looking more flustered and weak, tried to speak. "Klaus, about my sister, can you…"
"Don't worry, my love," Klaus said with a grin. "Your sisters will learn not to mess with this young master." Lucy could only smile and rest her head on his chest, feeling a deep sense of comfort.
A while later, they went to clean up and were ready to go out after seven hours.
"You should probably put on a weak face so they don't devour you," Klaus teased, holding Lucy's hands. The past seven hours had brought them closer than ever. Lucy felt a deeper connection and warmth between them.
"Let's go," she said, and they left the room, wrapped in each other's arms. Klaus didn't mind; he was shameless enough to use their teasing to his advantage. Lucy, on the other hand, knew her sister would give her a hard time.
Shortly, they appeared in the hall, only to be greeted by a room full of ladies. Danny and the other guys were nowhere in sight. Their presence would have been comforting had they been there.
Seeing the look on the ladies' faces, Lucy's cheeks turned a deep pink. She quickly hid behind Klaus, who was unfazed by the situation.
"Well, ladies, how are we doing?" Klaus said with a charming smile, looking at the women before him. 'Damn, I am one lucky bastard,' he thought to himself.
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THE LAST PARAGON IN THE APOCALYPSEC152: My Dear Mother
Klaus looked at the ladies gathered in the room, all smiling brightly. He couldn't help but feel a burning rage toward the Dark Order. They had nearly taken his life, and that would have cost him this moment—to be surrounded by such heaven-defying beauties.
"Sister Lucy, why are you hiding behind Klaus?" Anna suddenly said, her playful tone making Lucy want to strangle her sister.
"Yes, Sister Lucy, why don't you come outside with us?" Nadia chimed in, having arrived just a few hours ago. She had been dealing with her own struggles since Klaus's sudden death, so She hadn't been around when he woke up. But as soon as she got Hanna's message that Klaus was alive, she dropped everything and rushed over.
'You should probably go with them,' Klaus said to Lucy telepathically. 'I doubt your sister will pass up this chance to tease you. Better to get it over with.'
Realizing there was no escape, Lucy stepped out from behind Klaus. Her gaze fixed on the floor, she walked toward her sister, who gently took her hand and whisked her out of the room.
The others—Nia, Asha, Nadia, Lily, Ohema, and even the distant and emotionless War Goddess—followed, leaving Klaus, his mother, and his newly found big sister, Hanna, alone in the room.
Klaus turned to his mother with a grin. "My dear mother, why don't you give your son, who just escaped death, a hug?" He spread his arms wide as he walked toward her. His eyes briefly flicked to the impressive 'melons' now adorning her chest, a change he hadn't expected in her mother.
But before he could get close, his mother turned and pulled Hanna into her embrace instead.
"Mother!" Klaus called out, feigning hurt as he stopped in his tracks.
"What, not satisfied with what you got from your Moonlit Princess, and now you want more?" Klaus's mother teased, a mocking smile playing on her lips. It was clear she had overheard everything between him and Lucy.
"Mom, you know it's bad to eavesdrop," Klaus replied, though his satisfied grin showed he wasn't really bothered. They exchanged a glance and both burst into a loud, shared laugh that left Hanna feeling a bit lost. Not that she was complaining—being hugged by those 'melons' was comforting enough that she wouldn't ask for more.
Klaus and his mother glanced at the ladies gathered under the small pavilion, now surrounding Lucy. "She's in for trouble," his mother said with a chuckle.
"Her sister's a devil. Why would she do that to her?" Klaus asked, eyeing Anna, who was grinning wickedly at Lucy's predicament.
"It's a coping mechanism," his mother replied.
"Huh?" Klaus frowned, clearly confused.
"She's unsure whether you really like her, so she's using her sister to figure it out. It's her way of making sure she's doing the right thing around you and ensuring you always notice her presence," his mother explained.
"Ohh, so that's what it was. She was scared I'd forget about her after getting close to her sister," Klaus said, finally understanding Anna's actions. He remembered how Anna had sacrificed her own chance during the ball so her sister could stay with him, and suddenly, a lot of things made sense.
"Little brother, you've got quite a few women by your side now," Hanna chimed in, addressing Klaus as her little brother.
Klaus smiled mischievously. "You can join if you want."
"Nope," Hanna said, clinging to Klaus's mother. "I like being your big sister. Besides, Mom said you're a player, so I shouldn't get involved with you."
"Mom! You shouldn't say things like that to my sister. You're ruining my image," Klaus said, pretending to be hurt.
"Tsk, what perfect image? Weren't you the one making all that noise just a few hours ago?" his mother shot back, a teasing smile on her lips.
Klaus opened his mouth to protest but couldn't help but laugh again.
"But seriously, I never knew your charm was this strong. Who would've thought you'd gather this many women, Klaus? Even I'm impressed," his mother said, eyeing him with a curious expression.
"What, thinking about your status as my mother and wanting to join in? I wouldn't mind at all," Klaus teased, taking her hand with a sly grin. He really like teasing her. Not that she will pass out a chance to tease him back.
"Just be careful not to let all this get to your head," she said, her tone serious now. "There are things you can always have when the time is right, so don't get too excited. They're not going anywhere." She was trying her best to caution him about the dangers of losing control to lust.
Klaus understood. Having this many women could mess with anyone's head, and he appreciated her warning. With a sigh, they settled down. Klaus laid his head gently on her lap, feeling the comfort only a mother could give.
"Mom, I'm sorry for putting you through so much these past weeks," he said softly, looking into her eyes.
"It's okay," she replied, brushing his hair gently. "You're here now, and that's all that matters. But I want you to be more careful. Someone tried to take you from me, and now that you're alive again, they won't stop."
"Don't worry, Mom. No one can take my life but you," Klaus said, his gaze turning cold. "This time, I'll make sure no one dares to threaten me."
"Just... just don't do anything reckless," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly.
"Hey, Mom, you don't happen to have any food lying around, do you?" Klaus asked, his stomach growling loudly. Despite being a cultivator who could survive for months without food, to him, eating was still one of the most important parts of his day.
He couldn't help but remember a certain monk who was always stuffing his face with food.
'That bastard probably had all the best meals in the world,' Klaus cursed inwardly, shaking his head.
'Wait... I'm insulting myself now. That's both weird and, well... very weird,' Klaus sighed. His mother noticed his strange expression but simply smiled and headed off to the kitchen.
As soon as she left, Klaus stood up and turned to Hanna. "You okay?" he asked.
"I am," Hanna replied softly.
"You know you can be yourself around me, right?" Klaus said, his tone gentle. Having experienced his past life and now his current one, he still saw something in Hanna that hadn't changed. Even though she didn't have memories of her past self like he did, he knew her heart remained the same.
Hanna shuddered slightly, then nodded. "I know. And I'm grateful you accepted me into your family," she said, her voice full of sincerity.
"You're my sister now. You don't need to keep thanking me for everything," Klaus smiled warmly at her. Then, before she could react, he shifted positions, and his head was suddenly resting on her lap.
"You..." Hanna started, staring down at him in surprise.
"What? Aren't we family? It's only natural for a little brother to rest his head on his big sister's lap," Klaus said with a mischievous grin, clearly enjoying himself.
Hanna sighed but didn't push him away. She gazed down at Klaus, her thoughts swirling. After a moment, she asked softly, "Little brother, what are you going to do now that you're alive?"
Klaus didn't hesitate. "Well, first, I'm going to spend some time with Mom. Once she's calmed down, I'll make sure the Dark Order doesn't exist anymore."
His voice turned cold, sending a chill down Hanna's spine. "I'll kill every last one of them if I have to," he said, his eyes darkening with a quiet resolve.
Hanna shuddered at his words, feeling the weight of his determination. She knew he wasn't bluffing—he meant every word.
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THE LAST PARAGON IN THE APOCALYPSEC153: The Chicken Order
After eating, Klaus spent time chatting with Hanna, learning about her life. He found out that Hanna had been an orphan since she was seven. Her parents died during a monster tide, leaving her to fend for herself ever since.
She grew up doing all sorts of odd jobs, saving whatever money she could to buy Celestial Water. Like Klaus, she had dropped out of school. But after she awakens her abilities, she starts hunting, just like Klaus, to survive and improve her life.
Her story was similar to his, except that Klaus had a loving mother who had supported him over the years. Klaus reassured Hanna that her life would now be filled with love and that she should embrace it.
Later that day, when Lucy was finally done with the other women, they let her go. She gladly rushed to Klaus's room. Klaus expected Ohema to spend the night with him, but Ohema had other plans.
"You should spend all the time you can with Lucy," Ohema said. "She'll be going back to the academy soon, and I'll still be here with you."
For some reason, Ohema didn't seem to have any plans to leave. She and the other ladies spent their days chatting and enjoying each other's company. Klaus, of course, was happy to spend time with Lucy. They cherished every moment together, sharing intimate nights.
Two weeks later, Lucy left to return to the academy. Anna and the other women also left, preparing for the upcoming Regional Selection exams, which were scheduled for two weeks later. Now, it was just Klaus, his mother, Hanna, and Miriam. Even Ohema had gone.
She mentioned she had some matters to take care of and promised to return once she was done. With Miriam still around, practically having her own room, Klaus was more than happy to spend time with her. He even tried to get hugs from her, but she just shrugged him off with a playful smirk every time.
As much as Klaus enjoyed the company, there was a quiet tension lingering in the air. With Lucy and the others gone, things felt a little too calm. But for now, Klaus embraced the peace, wondering what lay ahead.
A week later, Miriam also left, leaving only Klaus and his family. With everyone gone, the house felt quieter, and after calming his mother down, Klaus decided it was time. He entered seclusion—he had been holding back for too long. Even Hanna had been training intensely in preparation for the regional trials.
Now, seated in his training room, Klaus found himself unsure where to start. He had so much to do. In his mind swirled hundreds of techniques he had absorbed from Fruity's memories, each one ingrained in him as if it were second nature. His goal was to master them all.
A week ago, he had Hanna use her account to order some projectile weapons for him. He planned to learn how to wield those too. He wanted to be prepared for anything, and yet, he also wanted to remain hidden. No one could know he was still alive, not yet. He had unfinished business.
Klaus cherished the time he had with his mother. It felt like a dream he'd longed for, one that had finally come true. She was calm, happy, and at peace once more. That gave him the space to focus on his training without worry.
Now, his path was clear. Klaus would train, refine his skills, and prepare for what was to come, all while keeping his presence hidden from the world for just a little longer.
Well, at least that was the plan. But Klaus wasn't sure he could focus on training without stirring up some trouble first. With an evil grin and calm determination, he grabbed his phone and went online.
"Damn, I made a lot of people sad," he muttered, scrolling through the millions of messages. People had been grieving over his "death" for weeks. Klaus sighed, feeling a strange mix of guilt and amusement.
But then, without holding back, he typed out a message, his fingers moving swiftly over the screen. He knew exactly what he was doing.
"Hello, Dark Order. Looks like it was a swing and a miss. For such an anonymous and ominous organization, you sure are all bark and no bite. Tsk, who would've thought you couldn't even kill a Level 3 Master Stage warrior?
From the way I see it, your name should be the 'Chicken Order' instead of the 'Dark Order.' What a disappointing group."
His words were brutal, but that was the point. As soon as the message went live, chaos erupted across the internet.
Comments, responses, and outrage flooded in instantly. The Dark Order, notorious for their shadowy influence, had just been humiliated—publicly. Klaus leaned back, satisfied. He didn't need to check the reactions; he knew he had struck a nerve. Now, the real fun would begin.
And with that, Klaus returned his phone to his pocket, chuckling softly to himself. Training could wait a little longer. Trouble had already started brewing.
"Breaking News! Reports just coming in confirm that Klaus Hanson is alive! Yes, you heard that right—Klaus, who was presumed dead after the intense battle during the Invasion of Arcadian Mine, is alive and well. In fact, he has just humiliated the notorious Dark Order with a single, scathing post online.
From sources, it seems Klaus expressed disappointment that the Dark Order couldn't finish the job. In his own words, he mockingly referred to them as the 'Chicken Order.' The internet is exploding as Klaus's fans are trolling the Dark Order relentlessly!"
News outlets everywhere started picking up the story, broadcasting Klaus's sudden return to the public eye and the brutal face slap he delivered to the Dark Order. The once-feared organization was now the laughingstock of the web, with memes, comments, and endless trolling flooding social media.
Klaus's presence online had turned into a media storm, with fans celebrating his survival and enemies seething in silence. The Dark Order's reputation had taken a serious hit, and Klaus was the one holding the hammer.
Now, his first step toward revenge was set in motion. Klaus knew an organization like the Dark Order wouldn't let such humiliation slide. He was counting on their retaliation. He hadn't slept peacefully in weeks—the mere thought of the Dark Order still lurking in the shadows infuriated him.
Every sleepless night only fueled his anger. The failed assassination attempt still burned in his memory, and he was determined to make sure they regretted it. They needed to understand that Klaus Hanson was not someone to trifle with. He wasn't the weak target they thought he was.
Klaus began making preparations, every move calculated. His mind raced with plans for revenge, each more dangerous than the last. He didn't want them to just suffer—he wanted to crush their entire existence.
The look he saw on his mother's face when he woke up still burned deep within him. He had heard from Lucy how devastated she had been during the weeks he was dead. According to Lucy, after the news of his death reached his mother, she fainted and remained unconscious for an entire week.
When she finally woke up, her broken state made her seem like a mad woman. She started absorbing Mountain Dew every single day and began cultivating. It was painful to watch her endure all of that.
Lucy also revealed that his mother had been blaming herself for being too weak to protect him, and for that reason, she held herself responsible for his death. Secretly, Klaus had cried a few times in the bathroom after Lucy went to sleep.
His goal had always been to awaken and ensure that his mother never stopped smiling. But because of him, for 72 long days, she hadn't smiled—not even once. This shattered his heart, and Klaus knew he would never find peace until the Dark Order was no more.
"This should be enough for now," Klaus muttered, nodding in satisfaction as he reviewed the chaos his post had already caused. His work had just begun, and the Dark Order would soon realize they had made a fatal mistake.
This time, Klaus would strike back, and when he did, there would be no mercy.
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THE LAST PARAGON IN THE APOCALYPSEC154: The Pentaface Bead Awakening
In a dark, lifeless room, a dark-haired figure wearing a mask could be seen sitting quietly, resting his chin on his fist. However, despite his calm demeanor, there was this unsettling aura surrounding him giving him the presence of danger. Suddenly, a device in the room began beeping.
"My Lord, it is done," a masked face appeared on the screen after he answered. "Number 92 has been taken care of."
"Good. Now, move to the next phase. He failed to complete the job. I hope you won't," the lord said, his voice calm but commanding.
"Arrangements have been made, my Lord. He will be moving out in a few days," the masked figure replied.
"Good. Make sure he succeeds. I don't think I need to remind you of the consequences of failure," the lord added.
"My Lord." The masked figure bowed before the projection faded from the screen.
"What a headache," the masked man muttered, his tone devoid of emotion. Not that it mattered—his mask hid any possible expression.
Moments later, the device beeped again. This time, upon answering, another masked figure appeared on the screen. But instead of remaining seated, the man in the room stood and bowed slightly.
"Dark Lord," he greeted with a soft bow. The mask worn by the figure on the screen was different, It has been marked with a golden line beneath the left eye, clearly signifying higher authority.
"I trust you've made the necessary provisions. This must be completed within two weeks. The damage is more severe than we anticipated," the golden-marked mask figure said, her voice unmistakably female.
"Yes, Dark Lord. Everything is in order. Klaus Hanson will be dead within the next two weeks" the masked man replied, his tone respectful.
"Good. Know that failure this time will bring severe consequences," she said coldly before the screen went dark again.
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After setting his bait, Klaus turned his attention back to the main task. The brief memory of his past self had given him more than he had hoped for. Though it wasn't all rainbows and sunshine, he had certainly gained something valuable.
His mind was now filled with a myriad of techniques, each more terrifying than the last. All the techniques his past self had learned from the Soul Temple were now within his grasp. He could use any of them if he wished. However, he first has to access them and see which ones will best suit him.
Most of the techniques were suited for spear and staff wielders, but there were also some for swords, bows, and even mages.
He had everything he could need within his mind, and he was eager to learn it all. However, before he made that decision, he wanted to see if he could awaken the Nine Divine Soul Bead Art technique he had received from the Old Monk. He wanted to see if he could awaken the Pentaface Bead.
Klaus was curious to learn more about it. Observing how Fruity used it, Klaus saw its potential. All of Fruity's tribulations involved sitting back and letting the bell handle the work. Klaus wanted the same ease, so he planned to see if he could manifest it in his current life.
Klaus knew his soul sea was far stronger than Fruity's, and with his powerful energy source, he was confident he could awaken the Nine Divine Soul Bead Art. But his real struggle lay within his heart.
From Fruity's memories, he knew that to awaken the technique, one needed a certain level of inner peace. In that aspect, Fruity had to be commended—his heart, even if only for a moment, was pure enough to achieve it.
Klaus, on the other hand, didn't have a peaceful heart right now. Anger boiled inside him, clouding his spirit. That was why he had spent days quietly with his mother and Hanna, trying to center himself.
He was learning how to stay calm in the face of chaos, and he had made some progress. Most of that was thanks to Lucy, who spent nights with him, offering a more... intimate form of comfort.
But now, sitting here, all Klaus could think about was how he was going to kill every member of the Dark Order. The various cruel ways he was going to do that and how he planned to go about it. His mind is in chaos.
"Well, that's one way to calm my heart, I guess," he muttered to himself. If slaughter was a path to inner peace, did that mean psychopaths were the most at peace with themselves? The thought was disturbing, though Klaus barely realized how much it reflected his own state of mind.
Sitting in a lotus posture, he forced his heart to calm. The anger still simmered, but he pushed it down. He began chanting the incantations for the Nine Divine Soul Bead Art. He had memorized them by heart, and the words flowed easily from his lips without any trouble.
The moment Klaus began chanting, he felt something shift deep inside him. It was subtle at first, but soon he could sense a presence rising within him. He didn't understand how or why, but it was as though something long dormant was awakening, trying to come toward him.
---
Far away, perhaps outside the bounds of time itself, a massive faceless statue stood atop a mountain. Its imposing figure cast a dark, torturous shadow over the land as if doom itself was descending from the heavens. If Klaus were there, he would've said something like, "This is one large motherf*cker." The statue was colossal, towering high into the sky.
Suddenly, it began to tremble. No, it didn't just tremble—it shook violently. The entire space around it quaked, and cracks began forming in the ground beneath it. The once steadfast statue now had fractures running along its surface.
Then, a strange chanting filled the air, echoing throughout the space. The moment the chanting started, the statue began to slowly rise into the air. It wasn't gentle—the rising was accompanied by more shaking as if the statue resisted.
In a sudden burst, the statue shattered into pieces, sending debris flying everywhere. Dust clouded the area, making the sky and earth lose their color for a brief moment. The explosion was chaotic and monstrous.
When the dust settled, a pentagon-shaped bead hovered in the air, pulsating with a dark aura. Each pulse of the bead was like a heartbeat, and with every beat, a hum vibrated through the space, causing it to warp and distort.
The chanting grew louder and darker, and from the swirling clouds above, a portal slowly opened, casting an eerie shadow. A powerful suction force began pulling at the bead. At first, the bead resisted, but as the chanting deepened in tone, it surrendered and flew obediently into the dark portal.
---
Back in Klaus's training room, he remained seated, chanting softly. Suddenly, he felt something foreign enter his soul sea—a dark, pulsing presence unlike anything he had ever experienced before.
Klaus's body shuddered as his consciousness suddenly slipped into his soul sea. The instant he arrived, another shudder coursed through him. His eyes widened as he took in the sight before him. Inside his soul sea, next to the familiar nine doors, was a massive dark-violet bead, floating ominously.
Five faces—emotionless yet disturbingly expressive—were etched into its surface, their eerie gaze fixed on him.
He swallowed hard, his throat dry. The object was imposing, far more real, and terrifying than anything he had seen in Fruity's memories. It loomed over him, radiating a sense of dread. He doesn't know where the fear is coming from, but he sure was scared shitless looking at the bead.
"Why the hell am I scared of this thing?" Klaus muttered under his breath, unsettled by the bead's presence.
"You should be scared, brat," Suddenly, the senior inside his soul sea said making Klaus look toward the first door "That thing... that's one of the Nine Forbidden Relics. Having it here is both a blessing and a curse."
Klaus raised an eyebrow, half curious, half alarmed. These days, he just doesn't get a breather about so many things wrong with things around him. He was about to ask what a Forbidden Relic was when the entire soul sea began to shake violently.
"Senior! What's happening?" Klaus panicked, feeling the space around him tremble.
"How... how is this possible?" His senior's voice, usually calm and wise, was now filled with shock. It was the first time Klaus had ever heard him sound unsettled. This made him feel something is wrong, but what...?.
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