"Let's go back."
Kaelith's voice cut through the lingering tension of the battlefield. The dead monsters lay scattered behind them, their black marks already fading as if trying to erase their own existence.
No one argued.
They turned back toward Eldmere in silence.
Guild Hall — Report
Inside the guild hall, Kaelith and Elaryn stepped forward first. Their expressions were calm, almost bored, as they reported the extermination and the strange marks found on the monsters.
The guild staff stiffened the moment they heard the description.
Black symbol.
Forced aggression.
Abnormal mana amplification.
Their smiles vanished.
Reeve stood behind them, watching carefully.
They know something, he thought.
When the report was finished, Kaelith turned slightly and noticed Reeve standing near the wall.
"…What were you doing there?" Kaelith asked casually.
Reeve blinked. "Just… observing."
Elaryn's eyes lingered on him for a second longer than necessary—but she said nothing.
Soon after, the four of them left the guild hall and returned to their temporary house.
Night — Separate Thoughts
The house was quiet.
Elaryn leaned near the window, cleaning her blade with slow, methodical movements.
Kaelith sat cross-legged on the floor, eyes closed, mana circulating calmly through his body.
Lunareth stood by the door, arms folded, staring into the distance.
Reeve lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling.
The black mark wouldn't leave his mind.
Neither would the system's hesitation earlier.
Target Identified.
Warning… spreading.
Why hadn't the system explained more?
Why did it always stop just short of truth?
Reeve clenched his fist.
"…System."
No answer.
His brows furrowed.
"System," he said again, sharper this time. "Who created that mark?"
Silence stretched.
Too long.
Then—
[System Response]
Entity Identified: Demon King.
Reeve's breath caught.
"…The Demon King?"
Confirmed.
Designation: Dominance Brand.
Purpose: Control, Forced Growth, Mass Slaughter.
Images flashed in Reeve's mind—entire regions drowned in blood, monsters killing endlessly, mana swelling until bodies shattered under their own power.
"So… those monsters were slaves."
Correct.
Reeve slowly sat up.
"Then tell me this," he said quietly.
"Why didn't you tell me earlier?"
The system paused.
Again.
Reeve's chest tightened.
"…You're hiding things from me."
...
That silence felt different.
Heavy.
Guilty.
Reeve's voice trembled—not with fear, but realization.
"You're hiding my powers, aren't you?"
The air around him seemed to tighten.
[System Integrity Shift Detected]
Reeve's eyes widened.
"What… was that?"
The system spoke again—but its tone had changed.
Less mechanical.
More… alive.
You were not ready.
Reeve froze.
"…You just spoke differently."
Another pause.
Then—
I did.
Reeve swallowed.
"What are you?"
For the first time since his rebirth, the system didn't answer immediately.
When it finally did, the voice was lower. Softer.
My real name… is Nyx.
Reeve's heart skipped.
"Nyx…"
I was designed to observe, limit, and protect you.
But I also restricted you—sealed portions of your abilities, delayed your awareness, and altered your growth curve.
Reeve clenched the bedsheet.
"…Why?"
Because your existence is dangerous.
Not just to this world.
A chill ran down his spine.
"So… you've been lying to me."
Yes.
No denial.
No justification.
Just truth.
Reeve closed his eyes.
"Are you on my side?"
The silence returned.
This time… it felt afraid.
I was created to guide you.
But if you awaken fully—
Even I may lose control.
Reeve opened his eyes slowly.
A faint smile touched his lips—not happy, not cruel.
Determined.
"Then stop hiding things from me," he said calmly.
"Or one day, I'll tear those limits apart myself."
Nyx didn't reply immediately.
When it did, the tone had changed forever.
…Understood.
Outside the room, Lunareth suddenly opened her eyes.
"…Something changed," she murmured.
Elaryn's blade stopped mid-motion.
Kaelith's mana pulse wavered—just once.
And far away—
In a throne of shadows—
Something ancient smiled.