KINGDOM OF THE DEAD — CAVE NEAR THE BATTLEFIELD
Nakid's eyes shone with a light he had never known before.
— Does that mean… I can still save my mother?! Awesome!! Did you hear that?! It's not too late yet!!
His voice trembled—caught between joy and urgency—as if this single spark of hope had given meaning back to his existence.
Ysabella, more restrained, remained silent for a few seconds. Yoreru's words echoed in her mind.
— …Alright. I understand now, she finally said.But if this is really possible, then we have a long road ahead before reaching the Skeleton King.
Yoreru smiled confidently—almost too calmly to be reassuring.
— Don't worry. I'll guide you there, just as planned.I know plenty of shortcuts… after all, I've been dead for a very long time, hahaha.
Ysabella immediately signaled Nakid to stay close. She hadn't lowered her guard for a single second.
— also have a secret hideout, Yoreru continued.It was built over a hundred years ago—to keep us safe from any danger… people like you included.
One word caught Ysabella's attention.
'We'.
She hid her reaction and simply nodded.
— You handled my approach well, Yoreru added.Well done, survivors. I work alone—betrayal is inefficient. My goal is simple: help you.
Ysabella noticed the lie… and chose to ignore it.
— And why us? she asked coldly.You're not helping out of pure kindness.
Yoreru shrugged.
— To be honest, I noticed the boy's aura from my hideout. He's… special. I wanted to observe him more closely. And even if you tried to attack me… according to my calculations, my survival rate would exceed 99%.
Nakid blinked, surprised.
— You're talking about… my power? I don't see anything special. It's not even useful for fighting…But now that you mention it… I remember. I healed Ysabella from poison—without realizing it."=
— So what? Ysabella interrupted.What makes him different? We've seen explosions of color in the sky.
— His power should be similar to the others, shouldn't it?
Yoreru's tone shifted—calm, analytical.
— What you call explosions of color are explosions of aura. Aura is the manifestation of one's deepest personality. It can alter the body, the mind… even the very nature of an individual.
— There are many types of aura, he continued.Which I have carefully catalogued.
He tapped the worn book hanging from his belt.
— I've observed this world for over a hundred years. Calling me a veteran wouldn't be an exaggeration.
Then he laughed.
— But his power… is the most ridiculous I've ever seen.A healing ability in a world ruled solely by strength? Completely useless in combat.
His smile widened.
— And that's exactly why he fascinates me.
Ysabella clenched her teeth.
— Say clearly what you want. You talk about the king, his mother, secret paths… but you're starting to annoy me. Strong or not—if you get in our way, I'll kill you.
Yoreru raised his hands.
— Fair enough. Here's the deal. Without me, you'll get lost.In exchange for my maps and knowledge… I want to study the boy's power and add it to my encyclopedia.
In truth, Yoreru had never fought.
He fled. Observed. Took notes.
For decades, he survived by deceiving the weak—offering false maps in exchange for observing their abilities. Across thousands of kilometers, he had explored only a fragment of this world.
— I accept, Ysabella said.But only under my supervision. Is that okay with you, Nakid?
— Yes, he replied calmly.I want to understand my power… and become stronger. For my mother.
After an entire day of observation—
— There, Yoreru announced.My 90th power is recorded.Healing Ability.
Nakid lowered his head slightly.
— I'm sorry… I can't tell you more yet.
— You must learn to awaken it consciously.
He handed Nakid a map.
— Explore what it contains. Then come back to me.
— Understood, Ysabella replied.
Nakid smiled.
— Let's go. I need to become stronger.
At that very moment, dawn rose over the Kingdom of the Dead—as if it had been waiting for those words.
ELSEWHERE…
A presence appeared.
— HAHAHAHAHA…
So this is the Kingdom of the Dead?
Burning hatred twisted his face.
I will find you… and I will kill you.
It was Rasfi, the fallen emissary of Eruasert.
And he was drawing dangerously close.