Frostwind Palace — Inner Sanctum
Golden healing arrays covered the chamber.
Fragrant spiritual mist filled the air.
Outside—
The empire celebrated.
Inside—
The royal family rested.
Arin lay on the jade bed.
His body was covered in faint golden cracks.
Not wounds.
Divine pathways forming.
[SYSTEM ALERT]
Godhood Assimilation: 12%
Status: Stable
Elara sat beside him.
Holding his hand.
Not letting go.
Her eyes were red from crying.
"You scared me…"
He smiled weakly.
"Worth it."
She hit his chest lightly.
"Idiot."
Then hugged him tightly.
Seren leaned against the wall.
Arms crossed.
Watching.
"…Next time warn me before fighting gods."
He laughed. "I'll schedule it."
She snorted.
But smiled.
Mira adjusted the arrays.
"Recovery rate: optimal."
"However…"
She hesitated.
"Your existence rank has changed."
Arin raised an eyebrow.
"To what?"
"…Proto-Deity."
Silence.
"Is that good?" Seren asked.
Mira nodded.
"Extremely."
"It means Heaven now classifies you as a future god."
Children's Growth
Nearby—
Auren floated in meditation.
Golden runes orbiting him.
[SYSTEM ALERT]
First Heir Breakthrough
Spirit King → Spirit Sovereign
Ardyn glowed softly.
Phoenix-dragon patterns stabilized.
[SYSTEM ALERT]
Second Heir Stabilization Complete
Innate Domain: Flame of Creation
Elara covered her mouth.
"They're growing too fast…"
Arin whispered.
"They'll surpass me."
Night — Private Pavilion
Later…
Arin had recovered enough to walk.
Moonlight bathed the garden.
Lotus flowers glowed.
Elara walked beside him.
Hand in hand.
Quiet.
Peaceful.
"You know…" she said softly.
"When I first met you…"
"You were reckless."
He chuckled. "Still am."
She leaned on him.
"But now…"
"You're our world."
He stopped.
Turned to her.
Held her face gently.
"And you're my anchor."
He kissed her.
Slow.
Deep.
Sincere.
Their hearts beat as one.
[SYSTEM ALERT]
Soul Bond Strengthened
Shared Destiny Level Up
Upper Realm — Emergency Council
Far above—
Dozens of Immortal Kings gathered.
Tension filled the hall.
"He has a fragment!"
"He killed Kharos!"
"He destroyed the Gate!"
An elder slammed the table.
"We unite."
"Form the Heavenly Coalition."
"Before he becomes a god."
Dark Figure in Shadows
A woman in black smiled.
"Too late."
"The seed has bloomed."
Arin felt it.
Far away.
Killing intent.
Like storms gathering.
He looked at the sky.
"Come."
"I'm ready."