THE LAST PARAGON IN THE APOCALYPSEC242: Unexpected Visitor
Klaus and Queenie returned to watch the sunset. After it finally dipped behind the horizon, Klaus sighed, knowing their little moment was coming to an end. Still, he was happy—he had fun with Queenie, even if it was just for a few minutes.
"I guess that's it for today. Same time tomorrow?" Klaus asked, standing up from the edge.
"Sure," Queenie replied without overthinking it. But as soon as the word left her mouth, she realized Klaus's tone sounded a little... funny. She turned to him and, true to her realization, Klaus was smiling back at her.
"It's a date then," Klaus said, walking away.
"Hey, who said anything about a date?" For some reason, Queenie forgot all about her status as an Overlord, reacting more like an ordinary woman being teased. You could almost swear there was a slight pout on her face.
"Picnic, then," Klaus added, laughing as he made his way to his room, his laughter echoing in the air. His heart was racing, but he couldn't stop himself from teasing her. It was just too damn awesome to have that much "rizz," even if it was risky.
Queenie sighed as she watched Klaus's back disappear. She stood there for a moment before a small smile appeared on her face. But just as quickly as it came, it vanished, replaced by a frown.
"Nari, what are you doing here?" she asked, turning toward a particular direction. From that direction, Nari, the redheaded Overlord, emerged with a guilty smile on her face.
"I was worried you'd flunk out, so I came to back you up. But I guess there's nothing to worry about here. Who would've thought my cold-ass big sister would be smiling and giggling with a guy? The others need to hear this," Nari said with a teasing grin.
"Nari, you remember when I said a disaster would soon descend?" Queenie asked, narrowing her gaze. "That disaster is your death." She shot Nari a dangerous look, the kind that could make someone wet themselves.
"Big sister, you haven't become a bully, have you? You're scaring your little sister," Nari said with a pout, despite the terrifying glare aimed at her.
Queenie's glare intensified as Nari stood there, unfazed by the looming threat. Despite Queenie's dangerous demeanor, Nari knew her big sister wouldn't actually harm her—at least, not seriously. But still, it was fun to push her buttons.
She had always been the one able to push her buttons, well Klaus now seemed to be getting close putting some pressure on those buttons.
"Scaring you would require more effort than it's worth," Queenie said dryly, crossing her arms. "But if you keep this up, don't be surprised if your little redhead goes missing someday." Although she didn't really mean that, it was still cold hearing it. However, Nari was too spoiled to realize that.
She grinned mischievously. "So, what was that about? A 'date' with Klaus? It's a good idea, right? This will give you some time to know him more and if you get lucky you might secure a second date. I am telling you Big Sister, this is good for you"
Queenie's eyes narrowed further. "There's no 'something else,' and it's none of your business what I do. Besides, it wasn't a date. He was just teasing." Her voice came out colder than intended, but Nari picked up on the subtle defensiveness.
"Right... 'just teasing,'" Nari said, clearly unconvinced. "You know, it's been a while since I've seen you talk to anyone like that. Maybe you should let yourself enjoy it for once. Could be fun."
"I don't have time for 'fun,'" Queenie retorted, turning her back to Nari and gazing out at the horizon where the sun had disappeared. "We've got more important things to deal with."
Nari sighed, her teasing expression softening. "I know. But, Queenie... you're not a robot. You're allowed to have moments that aren't all about saving the world. You deserve that, more than anyone.
Even if you are not ready for a relationship, you can at least enjoy these moments. Klaus doesn't seem like he will be asking you out anytime soon. You are still the Overlord after all"
Queenie's eyes flickered with something—maybe doubt, maybe something deeper—but she quickly masked it with her usual stoicism. "I know my responsibilities, Nari."
Nari shook her head lightly. "Just don't forget your own needs while you're at it. Let yourself have some fun for a while."
"By the way, you really shouldn't threaten him by saying you'll push him down 150 feet. That's a deal breaker," Nari quickly struck again, knowing Queenie was still paying attention despite her cold exterior.
"I really need to kill you; that's the only way I can have some peace of mind," Queenie shot back, trying to maintain her serious demeanor, but the corner of her lips twitched in amusement.
"He is awesome, right?" Nari said, moving closer and taking Queenie's arm, a sly grin on her face. "He's better than you could have expected, right?"
Queenie rolled her eyes, a reluctant smile breaking through her tough facade. "I suppose he's not entirely unbearable. But that doesn't mean I'm looking for... whatever it is you're suggesting."
"Oh, come on! You can't deny there's something special about him. He held your hand, for goodness' sake!" Nari teased, giving Queenie a gentle nudge.
"You seem more into him than me," Queenie asked but she couldn't deny it. When Klaus reached for her hand, the thought of smacking him silly never even crossed her mind.
"Well He's strong, kind of funny, and he's got that whole 'mysterious warrior' vibe going for him. That's like, a solid foundation for a potential relationship." Nari smiled, "But don't worry, I am not into him"
"Enough with the relationship talk," Queenie said, "There are more important things we have to focus on"
"True, but wouldn't it be nice to have someone to share the load with? You've been doing this for so long all on your own. Everyone needs someone, Queenie. Even the strongest Overlord."
Queenie sighed. "I know that, but I'm not sure if I can afford distractions right now. The world isn't going to save itself."
"True," Nari replied. "But maybe you don't have to be the savior all the time. You can share the burden with him—just think about it. After all, he is just a Master stage expert yet he started saving Cities already. I say that is the making of a powerhouse the world can rely on"
With that, Nari gave Queenie's arm a reassuring squeeze before turning to leave. "You know where to find me if you need some sisterly advice. And remember, Queenie, it's okay to let your guard down sometimes."
"Well, I'm going to see those nerds and my little sister," Nari added, glancing back with a smile.
"Hey, what about the Ancient Ruin exploration?" Queenie suddenly asked, realizing Nari was supposed to be in the ruins they had discovered a few months back. Yet here she was, chatting away instead.
"You know, you should try smiling more; you have no idea how enchanting it can be," Nari said, giggling as she lifted her hand in a playful wave and headed to the lab, leaving Queenie puzzled.
"Jeez, socialize more. I charmed Dharma into switching places, so for the next few weeks, you're stuck with me. And don't worry; I'll make sure you get laid," Nari called back over her shoulder, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
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THE LAST PARAGON IN THE APOCALYPSEC243: Klaus vs. the Improved Mecha Zombie
A week passed since Klaus came to the Stone Valley. For the past week, he had only done two things: fight the Mecha Zombie for 8 hours a day and then watch the sunset with Queenie.
It was the best part of his day, so after every training session, he would catch some rest and then climb to the roof to watch the sunset.
A few days ago, he met Nari, and from their brief interactions, Klaus knew Lucil got her overly cheerful and dirty-mouthed personality from her. So he wasn't surprised when he found out she and Lucil were blood sisters.
Nari spent most of her time in the lab with them, unlike Queenie, who was always away—at least for the past few days. Just two days ago, she started coming to the lab to watch the nerds and Klaus work. Well, she was really there to watch Klaus battle the constantly improving Mecha Zombie.
They battled for a whole week, and within those battles, Klaus started to see great improvements. They were making headway, and for one, Klaus was thrilled. It was moving faster than he thought.
After 7 days of battles, the Mecha Zombie had risen to the stage where Klaus could now have a true battle with it, the kind that could get his blood boiling. So waking up on the 8th day, Klaus was more than happy to get into Oracle and start his daily battle.
"Today, you will be going toe to toe with—wait for it—a new and improved Mecha Zombie 2.0. Huh, awesome, right?" Lucil said, showing off the new improvements she had made to the Mecha Zombie.
"What is that disc thing hovering behind it?" Klaus asked, noticing a new change. During the week-long training, Lucil has been working diligently to improve the Mecha making sure it has some improvement for the next day.
"That is a razor disc. It's a projectile weapon most Spirit Masters use. I thought that since we are starting the second phase of the testing, we could spice things up a bit."
Klaus examined the Razor Disc for a few more seconds before his eyes shifted to the Mecha Zombie's. "Are those a special kind of eyes?" he asked.
"Yes," Lucil responded with a smirk, "I call them the Omnipotent Gaze. They're the primary focus of today's training. We want to measure just how much it can capture as the fight unfolds around it."
"Smart." Klaus nodded in approval. "Alright, let's get this party started." He walked into the console room, and with Lucil's help, he placed the helmet on and entered Oracle in the next instant.
He appeared in the same battle space as before, and before long, the Mecha Zombie materialized, this time exuding an air of dread and authority. The improvements were obvious, and Klaus couldn't help but feel a twinge of excitement. They're really making progress.
"Let's begin," Klaus said, making his Void Piercing Needle appear behind him. With a flick of his finger, the needle shot toward the Zombie at terrifying speed. But almost simultaneously, the Razor Disc behind the Mecha Zombie moved to intercept, meeting the Needle with a metallic clang.
One might think a razor-sharp disc and a pointed needle wouldn't have enough surface area to clash, yet the two-spirit weapons collided, and within seconds, they exchanged dozens of blows.
"Impressive," Klaus murmured, locking eyes with the Zombie, which returned his gaze, its mechanical expression somehow conveying awareness.
"I guess this will be fun."
Without another word, Klaus dashed toward the Mecha Zombie, his longsword drawn. While one part of his mind was controlling the Void Piercing Needle, another engaged in close combat with the creature.
Their swords met with a thunderous crash, sending shockwaves through the air. Klaus felt the force reverberate through his arms, but his grin only widened. He followed up with a stab, aiming for the Zombie's chest, but it twisted its body, evading the attack before countering with an overhead slash.
Klaus parried with a swift Moon Slash, channeling his fire element to unleash a fiery arc. Yet he was already a step ahead, moving before the arc even landed.
Another stab was aimed at the Zombie's chest, but just as Klaus was about to land the hit, the Razor Disc abruptly changed direction, aiming straight for the back of his head.
He smirked, his mind split in perfect harmony. The Void Piercing Needle darted toward the Mecha Zombie while Klaus abandoned his stab, spinning around to meet the disc with his sword.
"Smart. Very smart." Klaus's happiness was palpable as he witnessed the Mecha Zombie's impressive performance. It executed the attacks very well.
The clang of metal rang out again and again as Klaus kept pushing forward. Each attack from the Mecha Zombie was met with a calculated parry or a counterstrike.
However, Klaus noticed something—the Mecha Zombie was learning at a very fast pace too. Its movements became more fluid, more precise as if adapting to his every attack.
"Lucil wasn't kidding," Klaus muttered under his breath, a hint of excitement in his voice. "This thing is no joke."
The Razor Disc zipped around the battlefield like a predator, always circling, waiting for an opening. Klaus had to keep an eye on it at all times, but the Mecha Zombie wasn't making that easy.
It lunged at him with a combination of rapid slashes, each one coming from a different angle, forcing him to rely on instinct as much as skill.
Klaus ducked under a high slash and sent a quick jab toward the Zombie's midsection, but the moment his blade made contact, the Zombie's body shifted, dispersing the force of the blow. The Omnipotent Gaze flared with a strange light, tracking every move he made with unnerving accuracy.
"Looks like I'll have to take this up a notch," Klaus muttered, and with a quick command, the Void Piercing Needle shot forward again, but this time with an erratic, unpredictable pattern. He forced the Mecha Zombie to divide its focus between him and the Needle, hoping to exploit a crack in its defenses.
The Mecha Zombie reacted instantly, its sword spinning in a blur to deflect the Needle, while the Razor Disc moved closer, angling for a deadly strike. Klaus leaped back, narrowly avoiding the disc, feeling the sharp air slice near his face.
His heart raced. He hadn't had a fight like this in a while—one where every move counted, where there was no room for error. The adrenaline was like a drug, coursing through his veins.
'I love this,' He thought inwardly
But he wasn't about to let a machine outsmart him.
Klaus switched tactics. He feinted toward the Mecha Zombie with a low strike, and as the Razor Disc flew in to block, he turned his body sharply, allowing the Void Piercing Needle to weave through the air and strike from a blind spot.
This time, the Zombie couldn't react in time. The Needle pierced its shoulder joint, sending sparks flying.
"Gotcha," Klaus said with a grin. But his victory was short-lived. The Mecha Zombie staggered back, but then something changed—the Omnipotent Gaze flickered, and the Zombie's movements became more erratic, and unpredictable.
It lunged forward with a vicious speed, forcing Klaus on the defensive. Its blade came down in a powerful arc, and Klaus barely managed to block it with his sword, the impact sending vibrations through his arms. But that wasn't the worst of it.
The Razor Disc, now fully integrated into the Zombie's attack pattern, moved with terrifying precision. It sliced through the air, aiming directly for Klaus's side.
He twisted his body just in time, deflecting it with the flat of his sword, but the force of the impact sent him sliding back across the battlefield.
"Not bad," Klaus muttered, "But how long can you keep this up." Without him even knowing it, his mind was getting sucked into the battle stirring awake things he never thought he could feel.
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THE LAST PARAGON IN THE APOCALYPSEC244: Making Great Progress on Both Fronts.
Inside the lab, the Nerds, Lucil, Nari, and Queenie continued watching Klaus's intense battle with the Mecha Zombie, each with a different expression on their face.
"That Mecha Zombie is developing faster than we anticipated," Joon said, his eyes glued to the streams of data pouring in every second.
"You kids really outdid yourselves this time," Nari chimed in, leaning forward.
"This is going to change everything when Oracle goes public." Her eyes followed the Mecha Zombie as it adapted to Klaus's attack patterns after only one or two repetitions.
She knew Klaus could end the fight whenever he wanted, but she couldn't help being impressed by the machine's rapid improvement.
Lucil had already filled her in on the goals of the project. If this progress continued for a few more days, the results would exceed even their loftiest expectations.
As an Overlord who had fought countless monsters and zombies, Nari understood the brutal dynamics of battle. The system Klaus and the Nerds were creating aligned perfectly with her battlefield experiences, replicating the unpredictable nature of true combat.
Queenie shared that same thought, though what truly shocked both of them was Klaus's keen ability to break down even the smallest details.
Throughout his week-long training, he had highlighted subtle nuances they hadn't even considered were something that could make a difference in combat.
Even them who had been fighting zombies for fifty years hadn't noticed some of the intricacies Klaus pointed out.
From Klaus's battling this single Mecha Zombie, they'd learned more than they thought possible. Klaus wasn't just fighting—he was analyzing, absorbing, and refining every element of the experience.
His mind was like a machine picking up on even the smallest details.
"At this rate, Klaus is going to have to start getting serious if he wants to keep up with the Mecha Zombie learning regimen," Nari said, watching as the machine adapted once more.
"Well, he's training too, so I think he's taking it step by step for now," Queenie added, her eyes narrowing in thought as Klaus landed another precise strike on the Zombie's leg.
The Mecha Zombie countered immediately, a burst of flames erupting from its body as it tapped into its fire element, sending Klaus skidding back across the battlefield.
He smiled, and then without holding back, he slashed his sword dozens of times, sending sharp crescent ice arcs at the Zombie. The arcs were sharp and lethal, yet the Zombie simply stood on the floor, raising an ice wall.
In response, the disc flew at a terrifying angle, appearing at Klaus from an unexpected direction. Klaus smirked and sent the Void Piercing Needle to counter.
The two weapons met with a resounding clang. Meanwhile, the Zombie defended against his fire arcs and now charged at him with its sword glowing red. Klaus also channeled fire essence into his sword, meeting the Zombie's attack and sending sparks flying.
Six hours later, Klaus began to see that the Zombie had improved greatly. For the next two hours, he cranked up the battle even more, putting about 80% of his strength into it.
For the last 2 hours, the battle intensified to the point where Klaus had to crank up his strength to 90 percent. By the time they were done, they had managed to gather enough data that they would need the next three days to work on.
This meant there wouldn't be any training for the next three days, and Klaus was happy to hear that. At least after they were finished, he could have his first true battle, where he knew he would have to use all his focus and strength.
"Let's go grab a bite," Nari said after Klaus came out of the console. He had been using it for 8 hours a day for the past week, so he had grown used to it. Though there was some pain here and there, he didn't need that much rest now, especially with Queenie around.
"Sounds good to me!" Klaus replied, a grin spreading across his face. He was looking forward to some time away from training and the chance to unwind with friends—specifically, Queenie.
"So Klaus, what is your story?" Nari suddenly asked immediately they were seated and began eating.
"Uhm, what do you mean?" Klaus asked, puzzled.
"You know, one moment the world was calm and peaceful, and the next, a white-haired young man appeared, and the whole world went wild. I want to hear your story," Nari looked around and then added, "We all do."
Lucil was the first to nod. This was like a golden opportunity for her to gather close-up information on Klaus for the Knights of House Klaus. As a die-hard fan, moments like this were what she needed the most to learn more about the person she was fanning over.
"Well, there's not much to tell. I'm an only child. My dad went missing—possibly dead—when I was ten, so my mom pretty much raised me. She is an amazing woman, by the way—the best mom. I dropped out of school and worked as a janitor at Ross Academy for a few years.
"Pretty much everything I know about the world of cultivation and swordsmanship was learned from sneaking around and spying on lectures whenever I got the chance. Don't tell anyone, by the way," he added with a grin.
They all laughed despite the heavy impact of Klaus's story.
"Long story short, I awakened, and thankfully, I didn't get a tomato class and talent. From then on, I started working hard to make sure my mom and I never had to go through any hardship ever again.
"Yeah, that about covers everything," Klaus said, sensing that his story had dampened the mood, so he didn't go into further details.
"Lucil, come on, no need to cry!" Klaus said, noticing that Lucil had already started welling up before he could even finish his narrative.
"That is one hell of a story, but at least you're making it right now; that's all that matters," Nari said, but Klaus could tell her previous enthusiastic nature had dampened a little.
"If you guys are like this, I won't hang out with you anymore," Klaus said with a small smile, noticing their expressions.
"Alright, alright, let's talk about happy stuff," Nari said, bringing her carefree charm back again.
"So, Klaus, what do you think about Big Sister Queenie here? Do you think you can handle her?" Nari suddenly asked.
Cough! Both Klaus and Queenie, who were in the process of taking a sip of their drinks, coughed upon hearing that question.
"Nari," Queenie said, gritting her teeth. What kind of shameless question was that?
"What? Don't act like I didn't notice how you were sneaking glances at him," Nari said, a mischievous smile spreading across her face. Joon, Logan, Ryan, and Lucil looked on with smiles of their own.
"Oh really? Glances?" Klaus quickly recovered and joined in with Nari to tease Queenie.
Klaus leaned back in his chair, a playful grin on his face. "I mean, can you blame her? I'm a pretty impressive guy," he teased, shooting a wink in Queenie's direction.
Queenie crossed her arms, trying to maintain her composure, but a faint blush crept onto her cheeks. Very subtle, but it appeared alright
"Please, Klaus, don't flatter yourself too much. You're not that charming," Queenie said, realizing she had no way to weave her way out of this.
Well, she could have disappeared into thin air, but that would be cowardly. So for now, she could only thicken her skin and endure. Later, she would drag Nari into the Void and beat the shit out of her.
"Charming or not, at least I managed to make the almighty Overlord of all Overlords blush, even if it's just a slight one," Klaus grinned, his smile infectious.
Queenie shot a look at Nari, who was grinning at her predicament with a mischievous glint in her eyes. Lucil, on the other hand, was busy capturing the moment, knowing that when made public, it would cause the whole internet to explode.
"We're going back to the lab now," Joon announced, standing up and leaving with Ryan and Logan.
Lucil followed suit shortly after, and soon Nari also left, leaving only Klaus and Queenie alone. The air around them thickened with awkwardness as they stared at each other.
"Wanna model a monastery with me?" Klaus asked, breaking the silence.
"Yes," Queenie answered without even thinking about it.
Klaus's eyes lit up. "Great! Let's go"
And ladies and gentlemen, that is how Klaus picked the strongest person on earth into his room. That is badass.
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THE LAST PARAGON IN THE APOCALYPSEC245: Making Happy Memories
Klaus and Queenie made their way into his room where the modeling table was set up. Since he wouldn't be training inside Oracle for a while, he figured he might as well get started on building the models that Joon promised would be put into Oracle.
Of course, it was also a good excuse to spend more time with Queenie. Klaus wasn't aiming to woo her and make her his woman just yet.
That would be ridiculous—he, a Master Stage expert, chasing after an Overlord? It was too absurd even to think about.
Still, he wasn't completely ruling out the idea. He knew if he could leave an impression now, then when he became several times stronger, he'd make his move. For now, though, he had another mission—a mission Nari gave him.
She wanted Klaus to keep Queenie happy. Nari noticed Queenie seemed more relaxed and less cold around him, something rare for someone as driven and distant as Queenie.
From what Nari had told him, Queenie was entirely focused on the safety of Earth, rarely allowing herself a moment to unwind.
So Klaus had been tasked with making a few memories with her before their month together was over. Of course, Klaus was more than happy to help, even if it was just for a while. Queenie is a beautiful lady, and Klaus is equally charming, a perfect pair.
As they left the lab and headed to Klaus's room, Nari could only smile, using her senses to watch them go.
She'd given Klaus the green light to make his move if he felt confident enough, but the white-haired brat seemed to want to keep it PG for now.
"So, what are you planning to model?" Queenie asked as soon as they arrived in Klaus's room.
"A monastery," Klaus replied.
"Huh," Queenie was taken aback by his choice.
"Well, I kind of have a thing for monasteries, so I figured why not model one inside Oracle since I can't really do that in the real world," Klaus said, powering on the modeling system.
"No need to look puzzled. It's just a fun project. You can join in if you want—two hands are better than one, and a lady's touch could make it even more stunning," Klaus added, offering her the modeling pen.
Queenie hesitated for a few seconds before taking the pen. With that, Klaus pulled up his first project, naming it Mountain Forest Monastery.
Lucil had already shown him how to use the modeling tools, and Klaus, being a quick learner, quickly picked up on the mechanisms available. He wanted to recreate the monastery from his past life as Fruity, so without further delay, he started building.
Queenie stood by, watching as his hands moved across the modeling board. "I'll let you add some designs once I'm done with the main structures," he said, focused on his task.
Klaus had a lot to accomplish if he wanted to capture the full form of the monastery.
"What's that?" Queenie asked after an hour. By then, Klaus had built a garden full of flowers and various types of butterflies.
His first model was the garden he was brought to after waking up in the monastery. The place had been his home for as long as he could remember, so without missing even the smallest details, Klaus recreated the garden and the house he had stayed in.
"It's a garden and a house," he replied.
"But why does it look like something out of one of those ancient Chinese dynasties?" Queenie asked, puzzled by the lack of modern or futuristic elements in the house.
"That's because this is a traditional setting," Klaus answered with a smile. "Not everything has to be modern or futuristic."
Klaus couldn't just tell Queenie the design came from his past self. That would sound like lunacy. Who would believe him if he said he had memories from a previous life? So, to avoid any awkwardness, he kept his answers short and straight.
Two more hours passed, and Klaus managed to finish the garden and the house, leaving it for Queenie to add her designs. As expected, she was mostly playing around with the flowers, which Klaus had predicted.
His next task was to model the technique room—a place from his memories where he had first been handed the soul-calming mantra and tasked with fighting for inner peace, by his favorite Uncle Monk.
Klaus planned to include some of the techniques for achieving inner peace, but for now, he focused on creating the building and shelves. If he managed to bring all the knowledge stored in his head into Oracle, he'd become rich overnight.
"You seem to know a lot about these ancient crafts. Mind sharing some with me?" Queenie asked, her eyes still on Klaus as she worked to transform the garden into something even more beautiful, though it was already stunning.
"Well, I don't know that much, but I've got a few things I can share," Klaus replied, mentally cursing his past self for being such a glutton—always chasing after food instead of soaking up all the incredible teachings in the monastery.
Still, when Fruity's days of carefree happiness were shattered by the awakening of the three forbidden Ice elements, he started to learn a few more things.
Those fragments of wisdom now started to come back to him as he worked on recreating the technique room but also helped him in making conversation with Queenie.
He might not know much, but Fruity did live with hundreds of monks, and although he wasn't one to ask about ancient knowledge, his Uncle Monks made sure he knew a thing or two. Thanks to that, Klaus managed to find something they could talk about.
He took Queenie deep into some ancient mythology, and to his surprise, she was captivated by what she was hearing. Klaus, of course, was happy to have found something that intrigued her.
Luckily for him, the mythology of the God of Wine, as told to him by one of his Uncle Monks, was striking a chord deep within her.
Who would have thought the teachings of monks would turn into pickup lines for Klaus? But sure enough, he went deep into the mythology of the Wine God, Jhunipa. It was a long and detailed narrative, but after 7 hours, Klaus managed to break down even the smallest details.
Queenie, for her part, was one hundred percent focused on what he was saying, so she stopped designing the Monastery altogether.
After those 7 hours, Klaus had covered a lot: the garden, the house, the mountains, the technique room, the immortal caves, his tribulation ground—or more precisely, Fruity's tribulation ground.
He'd managed to pull off a lot, but he still had more work to do. However, it had been 7 hours, the sun was setting, and they had their daily routine of watching it together.
On the roof, Queenie asked, "Klaus, I'm not going to ask where you learned all this, but do you have other mythologies besides this one?"
Klaus smiled, knowing he had made some headway. "Of course," he replied with a grin. He did not actually, but he secretly asked the senior inside his soul sea for a trade-off, and the senior was eager to accept the offer.
Even though there was little karma involved, in other to impress a girl, Klaus was more than willing to take on a few more lightning strikes if need be.
"Then I'll trouble you to tell me more," Queenie said, flashing an enchanting smile. Klaus nodded, beaming with joy inwardly. A few seconds later, he noticed Queenie looking back at him with hungry eyes.
"Wait, you don't want me to tell you everything right now, do you?" Klaus asked, but Queenie just smiled at him.
"Well, I suppose you spending the night in my room will give us enough time to discuss everything. My bed is even big enough for the both of us," Klaus said with a grin.
"See you tomorrow, Klaus." He wasn't even done when Queenie vanished into thin air, a small blush on her face.
Klaus, witnessing that, smiled cheerfully as he lay down on his back, gazing up at the sky. A few minutes later, a face entered his view, blocking the starry night sky.
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THE LAST PARAGON IN THE APOCALYPSEC246: Aren't You Scared
Nari's fiery yet cheerful gaze appeared in his view, blocking the sky that was just about to reveal a few stars. Klaus could've sworn, that had it not been for her status as an Overlord, he would've kicked her off the building.
He had been happily savoring his small victory of finally finding a way to Queenie's heart and enjoying the sky's beauty, yet here she was, blocking it all.
And while Nari was a stunning beauty who could make any man drool, Klaus just didn't have the same vibe with her that would make him want to make a move. Strangely enough, Nari seemed to feel the same.
She was like a spoiled little girl who craved joy and happiness all day long, despite her status as an Overlord.
Long story short, despite her beauty, Klaus wasn't exactly thrilled to see her at that moment. But he knew, no matter what he did, she wasn't going to walk away, so he might as well get it over with.
"Nari, what are you doing here?" Klaus asked. Nari had told him not to call her "Big Sister".
"Aren't you scared?" Nari asked, sitting beside Klaus, who had now risen from the ground and was sitting at the edge of the building.
"Scared of what?" Klaus asked.
"Aren't you scared of Queenie? She's an Overlord, after all. And let me tell you, the Overlords aren't people you can currently measure up to. We are terrifying, to say the least. So aren't you scared you might cross a line and make her mad?" Nari asked.
Klaus leaned back slightly, resting his elbows on his knees as he gazed out at the horizon. He chuckled, more to himself than to Nari, before turning his head to look at her.
"Nah, I'm not scared of her," Klaus said, his tone casual but laced with confidence. "Queenie might be an Overlord, but she's still a person, right? I mean, she's got feelings, preferences... just like everyone else."
Nari raised an eyebrow, clearly amused but also curious. "That's a bold stance to take, Klaus. Do you even know what she's capable of? How ruthless she can be?"
"Look," Klaus shrugged, "I get it. You Overlords are powerful, untouchable, and maybe even scary. But I don't think Queenie's the type to just lash out because someone crosses some invisible line. If she was, she wouldn't have saved my life back there. Besides..." Klaus paused, his eyes narrowing slightly in thought, "...I'm not stupid. I know how to handle myself."
Nari tilted her head before her playful grin started to widen. "You've got guts. I'll give you that. But don't mistake Queenie's kindness for weakness. She's got layers, you know? You might think you've got her all figured out, but trust me, there's a lot more to her than you realize."
Klaus gave her a half-smile, not entirely disagreeing. "I'm sure there is. But that's why I'm taking my time, learning what makes her tick. I'm not trying to rush into anything or force something that's not there. I want to understand her, not just… get on her good side."
Nari stared at him for a moment, then burst out laughing. "God, Klaus, you sound like one of those cheesy romance novels. Maybe that's why Queenie's letting you hang around. You're not like the usual guys trying to impress her but afraid to make a move."
Klaus laughed along with her, shaking his head. "Well, I'm not trying to impress anyone. I'm just... being me. If that works, then great. If not, well, I've got other things to worry about."
Klaus's words clearly touched Nari more than she let on, softening her expression as she watched him. It was rare for her to show such vulnerability, but his confidence had struck a chord.
After all, Nari had always been the one keeping Queenie grounded. Without her, Queenie might have been a completely different person by now.
"You're different, Klaus," Nari said quietly, her voice carrying a hint of admiration. "Most people would be terrified to get close to someone like Queenie, but you? You're walking right into the storm without flinching."
Klaus grinned, "I don't see it as a storm. I see it as an opportunity to win the heart of a rare beauty—and the strongest powerhouse on Earth. I mean, if she becomes my woman, I won't have to worry about anything again, right?"
Nari rolled her eyes and smacked the back of his head playfully, but there was a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "Stupid head."
"Hey, you can't just smack your future brother-in-law like that. Some might call it a deal breaker," Klaus joked, flashing a teasing smile.
Nari scoffed but didn't lose her smile. "Tsk, which brother-in-law?"
She leaned in closer and rested her head on Klaus's shoulder. The gesture took him by surprise, but he didn't bother shaking her off. Nari was just too lively and carefree to resist.
"You know, Klaus, I'm not sure a few ancient mythologies will win her heart," Nari murmured.
Klaus smirked. "Oh, I think after she hears about a few more gods and immortals, she'll be begging me to marry her."
For a moment, they sat in silence, then burst into laughter, their voices echoing into the night. They lingered there a few more minutes before Nari excused herself and left, leaving Klaus to return to his stargazing. It wasn't long before the peaceful sky lulled him to sleep at the edge of the tall building.
---
Elsewhere, inside a room at the Oracle Headquarters, Nari stood, her gaze fixed on Queenie, who was staring out a large window.
"I hope you heard him," Nari said, breaking the silence. "That kid has more spine than any of us."
Queenie didn't turn around, her expression unreadable as she gazed at the night outside. "He's still too young. He's just saying those childish words."
"Oh, please," Nari said with a laugh, plopping down on the bed. "You and I both know that brat is more than grown enough to know what he wants. You heard what he said—he's not afraid. Not even in the slightest. If I were you, I'd start planning what to wear for your date night."
Queenie's lips twitched, though she remained facing the window.
"And don't forget, that brat somehow knows more about those ancient mythologies than anyone I've met. If I didn't know better, I'd say the two of you are a match made in heaven... but then again, I know how much you hate the heavens." Nari smirked, stretching out on the bed, clearly amused.
Queenie finally turned, her eyes narrowing slightly. "I don't need a match. I have enough to handle without entertaining childish fantasies."
Nari grinned, unfazed. "Keep telling yourself that. You have already fallen for him without you knowing it yet." After saying that, Nari vanished from the room leaving Queenie to think about things.
"He is just a master stage expert, Is he even ready to enter this chaotic world" Queenie muttered.
"He has already entered in deep. You are just holding yourself back for nothing. Lighten up and let that white-haired handsome send you to cloud nine" Queenie's voice echoed in the room.
"I have to kill her" Queenie sighed and vanished from the room.
She appeared next to Klaus's sleeping body and with a wave, he vanished and appeared on his bed. She gazes at his sleeping face for a few more seconds before returning to her room.
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THE LAST PARAGON IN THE APOCALYPSEC247: The Immotal and the Thief [Bonus]
The next day, Klaus woke up refreshed. The previous night had been great. He finally started making progress on modeling the monastery. He still had two days to work on his side project before training and testing resumed.
For now, his only tasks were to model the monastery, share ancient mythologies with Queenie, and watch the sunset with her. Basically, his entire day was going to be spent with the Leader of the Overlords.
Klaus had his priorities set, knowing he had to make the most of it. He knew for a fact that Queenie wouldn't be becoming his woman anytime soon, but he was enjoying the time he was spending with her, so he didn't really care much.
About an hour after he woke up, Queenie arrived for the monastery modeling session, but Klaus knew she had something else in mind. Of course, he had spent the last hour arranging everything with the senior.
Klaus had expected to be told certain things verbally, but to his surprise, the information was transmitted to him by the senior. When Klaus asked why, the senior simply said they were fairy tales, so there was no need to waste time narrating them.
Klaus knew the real reason—it was about the Karma involved—but he wasn't too concerned. He had seen how Fruity tanked the Tribulation, and he knew he had to do better. Even though the bead wasn't yet active, he had the Lotus Flower, the Flame Dragon, and even the Tribulation Prison.
And if that wasn't enough, he also had 120 needles under his control. Those lightning monsters were just another battlefield waiting for him to clear.
"Are you ready for another day?" Klaus asked, turning on the modeling table. Queenie, for some reason, watched his actions quietly, making Klaus turn to look at her.
"You're not here to cancel on me, are you?" Klaus asked again.
"No. And yes, I'm ready to get started," Queenie replied before walking back to the table.
'There's something different about her today,' Klaus thought, noticing her sudden shift in demeanor. Queenie seemed more reserved, in a down-to-earth kind of way.
Klaus didn't know what had happened, but he was sure something was on her mind. However, he wouldn't pry until she felt it was okay to share with him.
"By the way, thanks for moving me to my bed yesterday," Klaus said with a smile.
"It wasn't me," Queenie replied.
"Then extend my gratitude to whoever did. Tell them I said they're the best," Klaus smiled before pulling up the project he was working on.
"What are we working on today?" Queenie asked.
"I'll be building a temple. You can just stay beautiful and watch me work," Klaus said with a grin, knowing the next phase wouldn't really need her expertise—she'd only be needed for the flowers.
Queenie smiled slightly but didn't say anything. Klaus resumed his work, starting to build the Soul Temple where he had obtained the Nine Divine Soul Beads Art. He also planned to put some skills and techniques there—for sale, of course, but he had more plans in mind.
"So, want to hear about the Immortal who came down from the Immortal Realm to hunt down a thief who stole her heart?" Klaus asked with a playful smile.
Queenie's eyes perk hearing what he had just said. She nodded slightly ready to hear about this mysterious Immortal and the Thief who was bold enough to steal from her.
Klaus smiled and then began the epic tail.
"Long ago, in the highest realm of immortals, there was an Immortal woman named Elara. She was known for her beauty and unmatched strength on the battlefield. However, her heart was cold—untouched by love for centuries. No one could get close to her, not mortals, not gods.
She ruled over the Immortal Realm with elegance, her dominion spreading far and wide. But there was one thing she kept hidden: a heart made of pure crystal, locked away in a temple, guarded by the fiercest of celestial beasts."
Klaus paused, glancing at Queenie to see if she was following, and she was. Her eyes were fixed on him, curious.
"Enters the thief," Klaus continued. "A man named Darion. He was a mortal, quick with his hands, quicker with his wit, and notorious for stealing treasures no one else dared to even look at. His reputation spread across realms, and soon enough, he heard about Elara's heart—a prize unlike any other. The heart of an Immortal."
He smiled, watching Queenie closely.
"Of course, Darion didn't know the full story. He thought it was just another priceless artifact, hidden away in a sacred temple. So, one moonless night, he slipped into the Immortal Realm. Avoiding the celestial guards, he broke into the temple, and there it was—Elara's heart, gleaming under the soft glow of the moonlight, encased in crystal."
Queenie leaned in slightly, her interest piqued.
"But as Darion touched the heart, something happened. The moment his fingers brushed against it, he felt an overwhelming warmth surge through him. It wasn't just a treasure—it was alive, pulsing with emotion, with life.
However, in that instant, Elara knew. She felt it, miles away in her palace. She felt a strange sensation she hadn't felt in eons—her heart, missing, her coldness melting."
"Did he steal it?" Queenie asked softly, already invested.
Klaus grinned.
"Oh, he did. He wrapped it in silk and fled the temple. But the moment he did, Elara descended from the skies, her fury, unlike anything the realms had ever seen. She appeared before him, her silver hair flowing like a storm, eyes burning with rage.
[Return what you've taken!] she commanded, her voice shaking the heavens."
Queenie's breath hitched slightly, absorbed in the story.
"But Darion, ever the charmer, didn't flinch. He looked at her, and for the first time, Elara saw something different in his eyes—something more than greed. He wasn't afraid of her. And that confused her.
[Why should I?] he asked with a smirk. [You never used it anyway.]"
Queenie raised an eyebrow. "Bold."
"Very," Klaus agreed.
"So what happened next" She asked
"Elara was furious. But instead of striking him down, she hesitated. For the first time in centuries, someone had spoken to her, not as a goddess, but as a woman. And Darion... well, he couldn't help but be captivated by her beauty, her strength. He didn't know what he was getting into."
"And so began their chase. Darion ran, but Elara was never far behind. Across mountains, oceans, and dimensions, she pursued him, demanding her heart back. But as the days passed, something changed between them.
"Their chase became something more. Elara, once cold and distant, began to smile—at first, a small smile, then something warmer. And Darion, who once sought only riches, found himself more interested in Elara herself.
She was no longer just the Immortal whose heart he had stolen. She was Elara, the woman he had somehow fallen for."
"Did she ever get her heart back?" Queenie asked, her voice soft.
Klaus smiled, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.
"That's the thing. She didn't need it back. Because Darion, without knowing it, had given her something else. He'd awakened feelings she'd long forgotten, a warmth she thought she'd never feel again. And as for Darion, well, he realized that the greatest treasure he'd ever stolen wasn't her heart—it was her love."
Queenie blinked, clearly the story was having some impact on her. "So, what happened next?"
Klaus grinned.
"They kept running. But this time, together. Darion still had her heart, but she didn't mind anymore. They became partners in crime, slipping through the realms, outwitting gods and mortals alike.
And as the legend goes, they were never caught—not because no one could catch them, but because they had finally found something worth running for."
Queenie smiled, the hint of warmth in her expression unmistakable. "Not bad," she said softly. "Not bad at all."
"Glad you enjoyed it," Klaus replied, returning to his work, but not before giving her a wink. "Maybe one day I'll tell you how it ends."
"Wait, that Is not the ending" Queenie asked clearly hungry for more.
"Oh my dear, there is more to just a mortal and an immortal running around stealing from demons and gods alike," Klaus said with a grin.
"I want to hear it, "Queenie said and for the first time, Klaus saw some emotions in her eyes.
"No can do my Overlord" But he wasn't falling for that.
"You..." Queenie pointed but Klaus just laughed as he focused on bringing out the finest details of the Soul Temple. Clearly, he had accomplished yet another task.
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THE LAST PARAGON IN THE APOCALYPSEC248: Enlightenment [Bonus]
"Hey, what are you doing?" Klaus shouted, noticing Queenie glaring at him for the past ten minutes.
"Tell me the rest of the tale," she demanded.
"No can do. I have to save some, or I'll run out of stories to tell," Klaus replied with a teasing smile, still working on modeling the Monastery. "We've got a whole month to ourselves, and I intend to spend every single day of it with you."
"Why?" Queenie asked, genuinely puzzled.
"How else am I going to find my way inside that heart of yours?" Klaus joked, his smile widening.
"Then tell me the rest of it," Queenie insisted again.
"Nope," Klaus said, shaking his head, fully aware that a single swing of her hand could end him. Still, he continued to tease her, knowing she wouldn't really hurt him.
Queenie wasn't unreasonable. Yet, for Klaus to be teasing her this much—the leader of the strongest people on Earth—that was bold. Too bold, even.
But that was Klaus—always daring, always pushing limits.
Queenie crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes at him, but there was a softness behind the glare. Klaus couldn't help but smile to himself.
She might be able to tear worlds apart with a thought, but right now, she was just Queenie—curious, a little frustrated, and maybe, just maybe, enjoying the game he was playing.
Klaus might not have noticed it, but the story he just told resonated deeply with Queenie. On one hand, there was the Immortal—strong, cold, and immensely powerful. On the other, the thief—cunning, weak in comparison, yet daring.
And then there was her, Queenie, and there was Klaus. The parallels between the story and their own dynamic weren't random, and Queenie, paying closer attention now, couldn't help but wonder.
'Was it just a coincidence, or had Klaus planned it all along?'
Either way, Klaus had made more than just a minor impact. The story stirred something within her, something she hadn't fully understood until now. As she processed what she had just learned, she realized that perhaps Klaus wasn't the only one waiting for the right time.
Who knows—maybe the timeline Klaus had set for himself, the one where he'd wait until he was strong enough, had just been fast-tracked. If it hadn't already.
"Tomorrow, you're finishing the tale," Queenie said, taking the modeling pen and starting to design flowers on some of the trees Klaus had modeled around the Soul Temple.
"As you wish, my lady," Klaus smiled, feeling both happy and accomplished.
A few hours later, the Soul Temple was complete, and Klaus began modeling streams and rivers around the Monastery. Throughout the process, aside from designing the flowers—an area where Klaus had given her free rein—Queenie couldn't help but be intrigued by the beauty and detail he put into the design.
She wondered about many things, but couldn't quite put her finger on it. The attention to detail, and the realism of the architecture, it was all too stunning for something created purely from imagination.
Queenie loved ancient crafts—adored them, even—so seeing such meticulous care in the design left her wondering what went on in Klaus's mind.
The kid was just full of wonders. He wasn't only strong, intelligent, and charming, but was now also a great designer and storyteller. It was almost too much for one person, yet Klaus was pulling it off effortlessly.
"So far, how much have you accomplished?" she decided to cut through with some questions.
"About 45 percent," Klaus answered.
"45? And it's already this stunning?" Queenie said, clearly taken aback by his answer.
"Of course! I still have to add some statues, a stone tablet with some free mantras on it, the main temple, and the forbidden areas. I have a lot to add," Klaus said, taking his mind back to the Monastery.
Thanks to Fruity spending most of his days lazing around the Monastery, Klaus managed to see a lot of things, and with his photographic memory, even without wanting to remember, the memories burned themselves into his brain.
"You know mantras?" Queenie asked, intrigued.
"I do," Klaus answered without hesitation. If you've been around hundreds of monks and even became a monk yourself, you definitely know a few mantras.
"Can I hear some?" Queenie asked.
Klaus stopped modeling for a minute and then looked at her.
"Queenie dear, you don't hear mantras; you recite them. I can teach you a few, but in return, I want to know more about Earth. And when I say Earth, I mean the hidden things you people don't want the public to know."
"Deal," Queenie answered instantly.
"Wait, what?" Klaus was taken aback by her answer. He expected some resistance, but it seemed there was none.
Thanks to the internet, Klaus had come across some conspiracy theories, and even though he knew most of them were just for clicks, he couldn't help but believe a few. So, seeing someone with the authority to know these things, Klaus was more than willing to try his luck.
But he wasn't sure she would take the bait; however, he underestimated how involved Queenie was with ancient knowledge.
"Alright then, sit down and calm your heart. Then repeat after me," Klaus said, waiting for her to get into position.
"Soma Vira Shanti Hara," Klaus said, reciting the string of words. Queenie repeated after him. He repeated it again and then added a few more words.
Queenie followed him. Then he started saying more and more, and Queenie began to follow. Two minutes later, Klaus stopped saying the words, but Queenie kept mumbling them as she drifted into a state Klaus just couldn't understand.
'Senior, you won't happen to know what is going on with her?' Klaus turned to the senior inside his soul sea.
'It's called enlightenment. Unlike you, brat, some people are more in tune with their souls and the Laws, so it's easy for them to enter this state. And before you ask, enlightenment is when someone reaches a deep understanding or self-awareness.
This young lady is now in a state where she is comprehending something profound. It would be in your best interest not to disturb her or let anything interfere with her enlightenment. She is in a critical stage,' the senior answered.
'So, can I also gain enlightenment?' Klaus asked.
'Focus on forming a Star Core first. You need to become a saint; only then can you start sensing the laws of the elements. For now, there is nothing for you to get enlightened about.' The senior's voice almost sounded like he wanted to laugh at him.
'Okay, thanks, senior.' Klaus was happy because lately, the senior had been teaching him more than he asked for.
'Just hurry up and break through to the Grandmaster stage so you can start cultivating the second stage of the Star Diagram.' The senior's voice faded.
Klaus smiled. Thanks to the first Star Diagram, he managed to become many times stronger due to his reckless action of transforming his energy source from spiritual qi to Star qi.
He had asked the senior many times when he could start the second stage, but all he said was, he had to first become a saint. But it seemed that after his tribulations and training, he could now start that when he became a Grandmaster.
He didn't know what surprises the second stage would bring him, but he was certain it would be a good one. He took his phone and texted Lucil to inform Nari and the Nerds that he and Queenie wouldn't be coming out for a while and that they shouldn't worry about them for the time being.
Of course, his text was as straightforward as it was typed, but Nari, who was now reading the message, held a smile that would haunt Queenie in the days to come.
Klaus went back to his modeling as he waited for Queenie to wake up.
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THE LAST PARAGON IN THE APOCALYPSEC249: Close Your Eyes [Bonus]
Twenty-four hours passed in the blink of an eye, but Queenie was still not out of her enlightened state. Klaus, of course, had also been modeling all night and day, not even stopping to take a break. The senior had told him not to do anything that would interfere with Queenie's enlightenment.
So, for the past 24 hours, he had modeled many things, managing to take the design from 45 percent to 70 percent. Now, he was in the process of modeling a few statues here and there while inscribing some mantras on them.
Thanks to being grounded for a day, he managed to accomplish more than he had anticipated.
Suddenly, the temperature in the room dropped to its lowest point. Klaus stopped what he was doing and looked toward Queenie. The cold that settled in the room wasn't just ice-cold; it was the chilling, bloodthirsty kind.
'Brat, pay attention to the mark floating above her head,' the senior suddenly spoke from inside his soul sea.
'What is that, senior?' Klaus asked.
'You don't need to know; just pay attention,' the senior replied.
Klaus nodded and focused on the mark. It was an 'X' with a sharp curve on the lower left line, glowing red and hovering above her head. He followed the senior's instructions, watching as it slowly fell and merged with her forehead.
As soon as it vanished into her forehead, Queenie's eyes snapped open. For a second, within those bluish eyes, a red 'X' mark appeared, glowing ominously. Klaus's back stiffened at the sight.
'That's terrifying,' he muttered. Queenie possessed a beautiful set of eyes, but when those marks appeared, she transformed from an immortal fairy to an immortal demon, even if it was just for a moment.
"Are you okay?" Queenie's soft voice suddenly reached his ears, snapping him back to his senses.
"I am fine. How about you?' Klaus answered. Well, aside from being startled by her eyes for a bit, he was indeed okay.
"Thank you," Queenie suddenly said.
"About what?" Klaus asked.
"You have no idea what you've just helped me achieve. I owe you greatly, Klaus, so thank you. I promise to tell you everything you want to know about the secrets of the Earth. But for now, I have to go away for a while. We probably won't see each other for some time," Queenie said.
"Oh," Klaus muttered, clearly disappointed, but he held a smile on his face. However, Queenie knew he was disappointed. He had just helped her, and instead of repaying him, she was leaving. One might describe that as being cold.
"I promise to come find you as soon as I come out of seclusion, but for now, I really have to go. I'm truly sorry about how things turned out," Queenie apologized.
"It's alright. This seems to be important. Just don't break your promise. I will be expecting to hear from you," Klaus said with a smile, and Queenie smiled back.
"Close your eyes," she said.
"Uhm, why?" Klaus asked.
"Just close your eyes, Klaus," Queenie said with a hasty smile. Klaus sighed and then closed his eyes.
'Clearly, she didn't want me looking at her when she vanished,' Klaus thought, but then he froze. His mind went blank.
At that moment, a soft sensation touched his lips. His eyes suddenly snapped open, but nobody was in front of him. Queenie was long gone. However, she had left him with something.
"I will take that as a win, but next time, you won't get the chance to run," Klaus muttered with a smile as he jumped onto his bed to catch some sleep while his mind was still fresh with the feeling of being kissed by an Overlord.
=========
Far away from Stone Valley, the space cracked open, tearing a rift in the air. From within the dark opening, two ladies emerged, floating gracefully.
One had fiery red hair and crimson eyes, while the other possessed long, whitish-blue hair and ocean-blue eyes. They each resembled fairies, exuding a beauty that would make any man yearn to witness them.
"Big Sister, what happened? Why did you drag me away? I thought we would be spending the whole month with Klaus and the Nerds," Nari asked, looking at Queenie.
"He helped me, Nari. Klaus has truly helped me," Queenie said, her eyes slightly emotional.
"I know, sister. Congratulations on losing your virginity!" Nari suddenly exclaimed with a smile.
"Stupid! What nonsense are you talking about? I meant to say Klaus helped me break through to the final step," Queenie replied with a frown.
"Wait, what?" Nari shouted, clearly taken aback. "You mean you can now make preparations and breakthrough?" she asked.
"Yes! I can finally break through to the stage above Ascension," Queenie said with a smile. Nari's eyes welled up with tears as she jumped into Queenie's embrace, clearly elated. All the Overlords are at this Ascension stage, so getting the chance to breakthrough is a huge one for any of them
After a few seconds, she broke the hug and wiped her tears. "So, you're leaving, huh?" she asked.
"Yes. That lady said when I am ready, I should come. You know, because of my special situation, if I attempt to break through here, it could cause damage to the world, if not destroy it," Queenie explained.
"Big Sister, do you trust her? We don't really know anything about her," Nari said, her gaze skeptical.
"Well, she did mention that she has people she cares about in this world, so I'm sure she wouldn't do anything bad to one of its strongest protectors. Right now, she is the only one I can count on to help me, so I have to leave. And you should return to the Triangle and ensure all operations are in order.
I'm leaving my duties in your hands. Dharma and Mira will assist you. Also, make sure the arrangements are in place for the new batch of disciples coming this year," Queenie instructed.
"I will, Big Sister. Just promise me you'll finish up there and come back quickly. I'm not one to follow the rules, so I might cause more damage than fix things," Nari replied.
"That's why Dharma and Mira will be assisting you," Queenie said with a smile.
Nari returned the smile, clearly aware that Queenie was only leaving her a professional courtesy. Queeny knew Nari wouldn't be able to keep things stable for long. So she is leaving Dharma and Mira, two of the other Overlords to assist, more like do her job.
Nari was just too destructive. She wasn't a fixer; she was more of a destroyer.
"What about Klaus? Aren't you concerned about his situation with the Dark Order? He's still too young to go against those idiots, you know," Nari asked, her expression filled with concern.
"Don't worry about him; he's not as simple as you think. I know he'll be fine. It's the Dark Order we should be concerned about," Queenie said with a proud smile.
"Look at you—one kiss, and you're already on cloud nine. Just wait until you're back," Nari teased before vanishing as she always did. However, as always, she left one final remark echoing in the air.
"You should probably prepare for your next meeting with him; I know it's going to be wild." Queenie could only smile and wave her hand. The space cracked open again, and she stepped through, disappearing into the void.
In a place where the space seemed both unstable and stable, cracks tore open the Void. From within this void, Queenie emerged looking like she was in a flashback. The color in the environment was a little faded.
As soon as she appeared, her gaze fell upon a lady with long silver-purple hair, whitish-purple eyes, and a figure that exuded both grace and strength.
"You came faster than I expected," the lady said with a small smile.
"I had some unexpected help," Queenie replied, returning the smile.
"Good, let's go." The lady waved her hand, and a purple aura enveloped Queenie. Before she could react, they both vanished.
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THE LAST PARAGON IN THE APOCALYPSEC250: One True Opponent
"Klaus, are Big Sister Queenie and Nira are gone for good," Lucil asked. After three days of modeling, Klaus finally came out of his room when Logan informed him that they were ready for the next testing and training phase.
"Yes, something came up, so she had to leave," Klaus said, knowing full well that Queenie wouldn't have left unless something incredibly important had happened. Not that he was complaining—she did leave him with a kiss, and that counted for something.
"How are the preparations?" Klaus asked, not wanting to dwell on Queenie's issues any longer. One way or another, they would meet again.
"Well, Klaus, I guess today is the day you'll be facing a real opponent," Joon chimed in.
"The data we collected from your last battle with the Mecha Zombie was more valuable than we initially thought. I can confidently say that if the Regional Trial were to be run again, the top 1,000 would be selected in under 30 minutes.
"Although we haven't yet gained the same battle experience one might acquire in the real world, we're close—about 97% close. After today's battle and testing, we'll finally achieve what we've been striving for all these years. And it's all thanks to you, Klaus," Joon explained, his smile brimming with excitement.
"It was a team effort," Klaus brushed off the praise.
However, he underestimated the joy he had brought to the Nerds. The realism Klaus had helped them bring into Oracle was so profound that they wouldn't have been able to achieve it without him.
"Let me show you the new adjustments I made to the Mecha Zombie for today's battle," Lucil said.
Although her two big sisters were gone, she was happy that Klaus was still there. After all, he was the main reason she had decided to come to Oracle for the month.
They walked to her workstation, where she projected the new Mecha Zombie design. Klaus was immediately taken aback by its appearance. It was still 3 meters tall, but now its build was both terrifying and dangerously elegant.
"I've added two more Spirit Weapons. The first one is called 'Web Cuts.' As the name suggests, they're strings that can weave through the air. Without enhanced sight or senses, you could lose your head or legs without even knowing how it happened."
"Wait, are those real Spirit Weapons?" Klaus asked, his eyes lighting up.
"Yes," Lucil confirmed, making Klaus nod with a smile. 'I'm getting one of those the moment I leave this place,' he thought to himself.
"What's the other one called?" Klaus asked.
"'Pincer Bees Pole.' Do you see those small markings on the pole? They're actually tiny bees with pincers sharp enough to pierce deeper than a needle. And guess what—they're poisonous. When they sting, the poison enters your system.
"This is just a smaller version of the pole, so it only holds 270 bees in total, but the Mecha Zombie can deploy all 270 if needed," Lucil explained.
'I guess I'll need to pay more attention to these Spirit Weapons,' Klaus thought, his curiosity piqued. He wanted nothing more than to get his hands on them. As a Weapons Overlord, Klaus had a special connection to all weapons, making anything in his hands deadly.
Of course, he hadn't yet unlocked the full potential of his class, but he was connected to every weapon he wielded, and with enough training, he knew he could become lethal even with a simple stick.
'How exciting,' he cheered inwardly.
"Alright, what else?" Klaus asked.
"Apart from the Spirit Weapons, I've added two more fire-based skills and two ice-based skills. So, expect some wild attacks from the Mecha this time. I've also strengthened its defenses.
"Even though its stats are 20% higher than normal, now that the data has helped us fix most of the realism issues, you should prepare for a chaotic battle," Lucil said, already eager to record and share the amazing battles with the other executives of the Knights of House Klaus.
"Alright then, let's get started," Klaus said, eager to face this battle machine.
While every warrior is required to hunt monsters to level up, the risk is incredibly high, especially when using those battles for training. That's where Oracle comes in—allowing warriors to train and master their skills and techniques before facing real monsters.
This would help minimize casualties when fighting real threats. Oracle simplifies and enhances training since you can adjust the strength of the monsters at will.
Although Oracle doesn't replicate the same rush of knowing a single death could end your warrior career, since you respawn after dying, it still prepares warriors for the brutal reality of the Forbidden Zones and Death Zones.
After Lucil helped Klaus put on the helmet, he entered Oracle. He quickly selected his sword and the Viper Piercing Needle, then readied himself for his opponent to appear.
It didn't take long for the Mecha Zombie to materialize. Klaus smiled, sensing its imposing presence, now even more intense than before.
He knew the tech nerds had finally fixed what had been weakening Oracle's challenge, and he was eager for a real fight.
"Alright, let's see how long this can last," he said. With that, his sword slashed forward, sending a sharp, crescent-shaped arc of fire toward the Mecha Zombie.
In response, one of the spirit weapons—the razor disc—shot forward, cutting the fire arc in half, destroying Klaus's test attack.
"How exciting," he muttered.
And with that, the real battle began. His Void Piercing Needle formed and darted toward the razor disc. At the same time, two more fire arcs slashed out, cutting down two strings that had formed.
Klaus immediately realized he had to stay proactive in this fight; otherwise, he'd die before even understanding how it happened. Before attacking again, his eyes turned red, enhancing his awareness of everything around him.
Klaus dashed forward, ready to clash swords with the Mecha Zombie. But as soon as he moved, a spike made of ice appeared behind him. Before Klaus could react, the spike shot forward, aimed directly at his spine.
He twisted his body, slashing his sword backward, coating it with fire essence. However, just as his two attacks were about to connect, Klaus sensed a sharp cut headed toward him—it was the Razor Disc.
Klaus had to act fast. He quickly directed the Void Piercing Needle to intercept the Razor Disc. But at the same moment, he heard a buzzing sound behind him. Without even turning his head, he sensed 270 bees rapidly closing in.
"Wow, this is wild," Klaus muttered, feeling the pressure for the first time in this training session. He knew he had to take control of the situation or he'd be overwhelmed.
As a Tier 3 expert facing a Tier 7 target with its stats amplified by 20%, the odds were heavily stacked against him. But Klaus wasn't worried—he still had a few tricks up his sleeve.
His sword met the ice spike shattering into into splinters.
Now free from the spike's sneak attack, Klaus darted toward the Mecha Zombie, but not before addressing the bees. With a snap of his fingers, a small fireball appeared. With just a flick, the fireball shot toward the bees, exploding before they could get close. The swarm was neutralized.
"Boom!" The two finally clashed, their swords meeting with a thunderous impact.
Chapter Enjoy:
"Again!" Klaus shouted, lunging at the Mecha Zombie once more.
Klaus and the Mecha Zombie exchanged sword strikes, the sound of metal ringing through the air. Klaus swung his blade, aiming for the Mecha's chest, but it blocked the attack with ease. The force of the impact sent a shockwave through the ground.
The Mecha countered, slashing down at Klaus's head. He sidestepped just in time, the blade whistling past his ear. He retaliated with a swift upward strike, his sword glowing with fire essence. It connected, but only managed to graze the Mecha's armored chest.
They circled each other, both calculating their next move. The Mecha lunged, swinging its sword in a wide arc. Klaus ducked under it and slashed at its legs. Sparks flew as his blade scraped against metal, but the Mecha barely flinched.
"Excellent Awareness, adaptability, and great skills, how exciting" Klaus muttered knowing he had a chaotic battle ahead of him.
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THE LAST PARAGON IN THE APOCALYPSEC251: Fighting Against The Algorithm
One might think Klaus was fighting a mere machine, which is partly true—but this Mecha Zombie is as real as it gets in Oracle. Normally, a machine like this wouldn't tire or make mistakes.
But that would defeat the purpose of what the Nerds were trying to achieve. They aren't just building a virtual world where warriors can train against monsters and zombies—they're creating a system that simulates real-life combat scenarios.
Yes, they're designing a system that can mimic any form of combat, whether it's a battle of attrition, a fight of precision, or any other style. If your strategy is to wear down your opponent before going for the kill, Oracle is designed to accommodate that.
As you get tired, so will the monster you're fighting. The Mecha Zombie has stamina points, just like you. It also has a pool of spiritual Qi, just like you. This means you won't be fighting against an endless, tireless machine.
However, since this is a computer-generated simulation, there will be some enhancements—slight improvements in how the monsters coordinate their attacks or adapt to your strategies.
Right now, Klaus is battling a Mecha Zombie specifically designed for combat and data gathering. Essentially, it's a sparring partner that collects data to help refine the system for this ambitious project.
And with its enhanced combat prowess, Klaus is now experiencing what true combat looks and feels like.
Klaus grinned, seeing the dent in the Mecha Zombie's armor. He pressed the attack, swinging his sword in a wide arc, but the Mecha wasn't done yet. It suddenly unleashed a burst of fire from its hand, forcing Klaus to leap back.
Before he could recover, the Mecha followed up with a sharp blast of ice, freezing the ground in front of it. Klaus slipped slightly but quickly regained his footing. He raised his sword, watching the Mecha carefully.
The Mecha charged again, its blade glowing red with fire energy. It slashed down at Klaus, sending a wave of flames with it. Klaus twisted his body and dodged to the side, but the heat still scorched his arm. He winced but didn't let up.
Klaus retaliated with his own fire-infused slash, aiming for the Mecha's neck. Their swords met again, sparks flying. The Mecha countered immediately, releasing an icy wave that covered Klaus's blade in frost, slowing him down.
Klaus gritted his teeth but a grin on his face. He swung his sword with all his might, shattering the ice around his blade. The Mecha came at him again, alternating between fire and ice attacks. It would slash with a fiery sword one moment, then send shards of ice flying toward him the next.
For a few minutes, the battlefield became a chaotic blend of fire and ice. Klaus dodged, blocked, and countered as best he could.
The Mecha suddenly launched a massive fireball from its chest. Klaus barely had time to react, raising his sword and lacing it with fire essence to deflect the attack.
The fireball exploded on impact, sending flames in all directions. Klaus skidded back, smoke rising from his scorched boots.
"This is exciting," Klaus said with a grin as he slashed his sword, fire essence surging through it. He unleashed a series of fiery arcs, each one aimed directly at the Mecha Zombie.
In response, the Mecha's sword shifted, transforming into a spear. It began spinning the spear rapidly, creating a shield of energy that deflected the fire arcs with ease. Each arc splintered on contact, sending sparks into the air.
Klaus narrowed his eyes. "A spear now? Alright, let's see what you've got," he muttered, gripping his sword tighter.
The dynamic weapon system was something Lucil implemented a few days into the training and testing sessions. It can switch from Sword to Spear and then to Dagger.
And from the way the Zombie is using it, Klaus knew the moment it changes weapon, it gains the expertise to use it. It's kind of a knockoff of his Weapons Overlord Class.
The Mecha didn't waste time. It lunged forward, spinning the spear like a whirlwind, generating both fire and ice as it charged. Klaus barely sidestepped the initial strike, feeling the heat from the fire and the chill from the ice as they grazed past him.
The Mecha pivoted quickly, aiming another strike at Klaus's chest. He blocked the spear with his sword, but the force of the impact sent a shock through his arms. The Mecha spun again, launching an icy spearhead toward him.
Klaus reacted quickly, slicing through the ice spear with his blade, shattering it mid-air. He leaped forward, aiming a powerful slash at the Mecha's side. But the Mecha spun its spear again, this time releasing a fiery explosion that knocked Klaus back once more.
He rolled on the ground and sprang to his feet, his sword glowing with energy.
"You're getting tougher by the minute," Klaus said, his eyes shimmering with excitement. "But it's exciting!"
Klaus knew that if he summoned the Fire Dragon and the Ice Lotus, this battle would be over quickly, defeating the purpose of what they were trying to achieve. He needed to focus on his Moon Slash skill, along with his fire and ice elements, and the Void Piercing Needle.
The Mecha Zombie suddenly changed tactics again. Its spear transformed into a dagger, sleek and deadly. With a swift motion, it lunged at Klaus, aiming for his midsection.
Klaus reacted quickly, ducking under the dagger's thrust. He countered with a fire-infused slash, aiming for the Mecha's arm. The blade connected, leaving a mark but not enough to slow it down.
The Mecha, undeterred, spun around and slashed with the dagger, sending out a wave of ice toward Klaus. He sidestepped just in time, feeling the cold rush past him.
Not giving him a moment to breathe, the Mecha lunged again, this time with a series of quick, precise thrusts. Klaus blocked each one, the sound of clashing metal ringing in his ears.
"What an eye-opening experience," Klaus muttered, defending and countering the attacks as the Mecha switched between weapons. One moment it wielded a dagger, the next a spear, and then a sword. The fluidity was mesmerizing.
As a Weapons Overlord, experiencing this was kind of a revelation. It made him crave more challenges. However, he could feel his energy waning. He knew the Zombie had to be tiring, too. Fighting an opponent four realms above him was exhausting.
The Mecha Zombie swung its dagger again, aiming for Klaus's side. Klaus blocked, but the force of the impact rattled him. Before he could regain his footing, the Mecha switched to its spear and thrust it forward. Klaus rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the sharp tip.
Suddenly, the Mecha unleashed the Razor Disc, sending it spinning toward Klaus. He reacted quickly, slicing through the disc with his sword, but the attack distracted him just long enough for the Mecha to close in again.
With swift movements, the Mecha launched a series of strings, weaving them expertly in the air. The strings were almost invisible, making them hard to dodge. Klaus felt one brush against his arm, freezing him slightly. He quickly shook it off and focused.
Chapter Experience:
He could see the 270 bees buzzing behind the Mecha, ready to strike. The Mecha commanded them to swarm Klaus, and he felt a wave of panic.
"Interesting" he muttered, igniting his sword with fire essence. He swung it in a wide arc, creating a barrier of flames that pushed the bees back. The fire sizzled as it met the swarm, neutralizing several of the insects.
The Mecha took this moment to throw the dagger, aiming directly at Klaus's heart. He ducked, narrowly avoiding it, but the dagger embedded itself into the ground behind him.
Klaus seized the opportunity to attack. He lunged forward, channeling his fire essence into a powerful slash. The Mecha quickly shifted to block with its spear, but Klaus's attack was strong.
They collided with a loud crash, sending shockwaves through the air. Klaus could see the tiredness in the Mecha's movements. He pushed forward, using that to his advantage.
The Mecha staggered back, its three spirit weapons swirling around it—Razor Disc, ice strings, and the buzzing bees, all ready to defend. Klaus smiles knowing he has finally found the One True Opponent, even if he is giving it handicaps.
"Uhm Klaus, we have collected all the needed data we needed, you can end the battle if you want" Just when Klaus was about to attack again, Joons voice entered his head.
"Oh, Alright" Klaus smiled and with a flick, the Ice Lotus appeared
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THE LAST PARAGON IN THE APOCALYPSEC252: Leaving after A Month
Immediately the Nine Stars Ice Lotus Bloom appeared, the entire battlefield froze, dropping the temperature to an extreme low.
Klaus didn't waste any time. He quickly activated the Absolute Ice Domain, enveloping the Mecha Zombie. The Mecha reacted instantly, raising fire in defense, but Klaus was faster.
He activated the Ice Beam skill of the Ice Lotus, shooting a beam of ice that instantly froze the Mecha in place. It was just a split second of freezing, but Klaus countered quickly with a Moon Slash, sending a crescent-shaped fire arc.
Before the Mecha could break free from the ice bind, the fire arc connected, severing its sword-wielding arm. Klaus aimed for its head, but the Zombie broke free at the last moment, shifting its body slightly.
This showed that the awareness and adaptability they were working on, was a success. Despite the quick attack from the moment the Ice Lotus appeared to Klaus's strike, the Mecha managed to adapt and nearly evade his attack.
But with one arm gone, it was practically finished. Still, the Mecha didn't give up. It retaliated by sending all its spirit weapons at Klaus. But he was a step ahead. The Void Piercing Needle flashed forward, striking through the Mecha's head.
It whipped through countless times, each strike drawing holes in its body. Within a second, hundreds of holes littered the Zombie's form, making it dissipate into nothingness.
Klaus sighed, feeling his body ache from the battle. The fight had proven that he needed to take his mastery of both hand-to-hand weapons and spirit weapons seriously.
Although the Mecha was programmed to use three spirit weapons, Klaus knew it would be incredible if he could do something like that himself.
He thought about Lulu Arcadia. She would definitely be able to pull off such impressive feats. Lulu's mental strength was higher than his, but he was making progress.
Feeling his body ache, Klaus realized that if it hadn't been for the Blood Moon Transformation during his fight against the Demon Zombies, he would have likely died.
Although the Mecha Zombie was a blend of two of the strongest zombies he had faced, augmented with fictional adjustments, it was enough to remind him that he was not invincible.
With a sigh, he exited the Oracle, waking up in the game chair.
"Klaus, we have gathered all the data for the last phase of the design. We will need at least a whole week to make the necessary adjustments. It's all thanks to you." Lucil was there to welcome him like always.
"That's great, I guess," Klaus said with a smile. He had achieved what they wanted in just two weeks, which was a huge win for both of them.
"So, will you leave now that you've fixed the problem?" Lucia asked, her voice soft. It was clear she wasn't ready to say goodbye to him.
"No, I'll be staying for the next two weeks," Klaus replied. "Even after fixing everything, I still need to test a few things. I can't just leave yet. Plus, I'm not done with my other project, so I'll finish that before I head out." His words made Lucil smile brightly.
"Great! Then I'll wrap up setting the next challenge for the Union Trial quickly, so I can join you and see more of what you're working on," Lucil said, clearly excited.
Klaus nodded, then briefed the tech team on a few adjustments they needed to make before retiring to his room. He still had some modeling to complete to finish the Monastery, so he wasted no time getting back to work.
A week passed quickly, marking Klaus's third week at Stone Valley. During this time, he achieved significant progress.
He had managed to model about 98% of the Monastery, with the remaining 2% consisting of techniques he hadn't added yet and some final details he planned to incorporate.
He even went ahead and modeled the mysterious place where he had received the Nine Divine Soul Beads. Naturally, he made that location private, accessible only to him or those he granted permission to.
Klaus intended to fill it with valuable resources, so those granted access would have a variety of options to choose from.
Beyond that, Klaus had also made strides in his Spirit Master training. Three weeks ago, he could only control 120 needles; now, he has increased that number to 130. Progress was slow due to the lack of proper facilities for his mental training, but it was progress nonetheless.
He also made headway in his attempts to use the Ice Lotus and Flame Dragon to absorb the golden energy within his soul sea.
However, he hadn't tried it yet, as the senior had warned him that any reckless attempt could result in injury or, worse, destroy his element entirely for an unknown period.
Because of this, Klaus had spent the past week observing and studying the golden energy, trying to understand it better.
After careful analysis, he believed he had found a safe way to absorb it—or at least, he hoped it was safe. He planned to attempt the absorption as soon as he returned home.
Aside from the Monastery modeling, training his mind, and meditating, Klaus never missed a day of watching the sunset. Even after Queenie left, he always made his way up to watch it. It was a deeply calming moment for him.
It helps him calm down after a hard day of work.
Then came the fourth and final week of his stay at Stone Valley. Early in that week, he once again battled the newly upgraded Mecha. After a hard and grueling fight, he managed to defeat it.
He went on to test other combat forms once the fixes were implemented, and after some adjustments, they managed to complete everything by the third day of the fourth week.
Klaus spent the remaining days adding the final details he wanted for the Monastery before handing it over to the Nerds, who were shocked when they saw it.
The entire structure spanned several kilometers, and Klaus made sure to include as much as he could remember. The Nerds, and of course, Lucil, were thrilled to see such an ancient design brought to life in the Oracle.
They even promised Klaus they'd send over a modeling table once he returned home, so he could continue adding features whenever he wanted.
Before long, Klaus's final day in Stone Valley arrived. He finished everything he needed to and even took a quick tour around the area with Lucil as his guide. Once that was done, he made his way to the landing pad, ready to get back to Ross City. Chapter Your:
"Nice working with you, Klaus. Without your help, we wouldn't have been able to fix the issue anytime soon. Thank you," Joon said, extending his hand for a firm handshake as they stood near the landing pad.
Klaus returned the handshake with a smile. "It was a team effort, but I'm glad I could help," he replied.
"Thanks again. Very soon, we'll be launching to the general public. We'll send you a helmet when everything's ready, and you'll get an invite to the launch as well.
I know you'll say it's not necessary, but your name will be added as a co-creator, so be sure to attend the launch," Joon added with a grin.
"I'll keep my schedule open for that," Klaus said.
"Take care, Lucil, and give Joon a break—he's a great guy," Klaus said before boarding the jet. Before long, he was on his way back to Ross City, ready to spend the next month strengthening his Flame Dragon and Ice Lotus in preparation for the Genius Gathering at Sinji Valley.
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