A vast, dim void stretches endlessly,
illuminated by floating golden runes and translucent system glyphs.
Each symbol pulses with a cold, mechanical
glow as they rotate slowly in midair.
DING.
The sound reverberates like a divine bell
echoing through the soul.
Floating before El-Mond, the system interface
unfolds in layered holograms—sleek, sharp,
and three-dimensional, as if carved from light
itself.
[Devourer Core Rank] 70++
[Rank: Emperor +9]
[Soul Rank: Emperor +8]
[THE-EATER → 1% → Peak Mortal-God]
[Sanity Duration: 20 seconds]
[Skills: Absolute Revival | Void Blood]
Around him, space fractures microscopically.
Cells rupture. Bone dissolves.
And instantly—
Absolute Revival triggers.
His body rebuilds itself again and again,
faster than destruction can claim it.
El-Mond exhales slowly.
"So this… is the Peak Mortal-God realm."
The air trembles as energy tears through him.
"Wonderful…"
His muscles twitch as invisible forces,
rip him apart at the atomic level.
"But my body is being shredded and rebuilt
every moment."
A faint grimace crosses his face.
"Without Absolute Revival… I'd already be dead."
The system glyphs flicker.
One of the glowing "+" symbols behind
his Core Rank fades and disappears.
El-Mond's eyes narrow.
"Astronomical energy drain…"
"So that's why the time limit is only twenty seconds."
The darkness around him begins to recede.
"…I still need to get stronger."
The night fades from his form like smoke
carried away by the wind.
His skin returning to its calm, celestial glow.
El-Mond steps forward toward Eldred,
who stands rigidly nearby, posture straight as steel.
El-Mond places a hand on Eldred's shoulder.
"Let's head back to the Blue Steel Pavilion."
The words are calm—absolute.
Eldred's eyes widen slightly. He bows deeply,
fist clenched to his chest.
"Yes, Master!"
As they walk, Eldred glances at El-Mond's back,
disbelief and awe warring in his expression.
"Five Half-Step Mortal-Gods… and four
Mortal-Gods…"
"Dead… without even resisting?"
The Blue Steel Pavilion rises in the distance
like a fortress of blue crystal and steel,
lanterns glowing warmly against the evening sky.
Inside the Blue Steel Pavilion.
A quiet room. Dimly lit.
Glacier sits on her bed, knees drawn to her
chest, tears silently soaking into the fabric of
her dress. Her shoulders tremble as guilt
crushes her heart.
The door creaks open.
Nina's voice, gentle but firm, breaks the silence.
"Glacier… someone is looking for you."
Glacier turns away, voice muffled and shaking.
"I'm on break. Get someone else."
Nina hesitates.
Then—
"It's the… hot young man."
The door flies open.
"REALLY?!"
Glacier rushes out, tears still clinging to her
lashes.
She bursts into the main hall.
Her eyes dart desperately—
Then she sees him.
El-Mond, standing calmly near the counter.
Her breath catches.
Her lips tremble.
Without hesitation, she runs straight to him
and throws her arms around him,
hugging him tightly, rising onto her heels,
pressing her forehead against his shoulder.
A quiet sniff.
A silent sob.
"Thank you…"
"Thank you for coming back alive."
Around them, the pavilion erupts with whispers.
Jealous glares from men.
Giggling admiration from women.
Eldred exhales quietly.
"The cloaks really were a better disguise…"
El-Mond gently places a hand on Glacier's head.
"It's alright. Don't cry."
"I'm fine, aren't I?"
Glacier freezes—then abruptly pulls back,
face burning red.
She bows deeply.
"I-I'm sorry! I lost control!"
El-Mond catches her shoulders before she
can bow further.
Their eyes meet.
"You don't have to apologize."
"I came back… for you."
Her face turns completely crimson.
"M-Me?!"
Her voice falters.
"…Okay."
El-Mond's tone softens.
"Take me somewhere you're comfortable."
"We need to talk."
She nods quickly and leads him upstairs.
Fifth Floor – Storage Level
The corridor is quiet. Dust dances in
beams of soft light.
Glacier opens a door.
"No one comes here. We won't be disturbed."
The door closes behind them.
The room is silent.
The air feels heavy with unspoken truths.
El-Mond steps forward—
TO BE CONTINUED…