Chapter 25: Kornika Incident (2)

“Are you tired? Have some tea and get some rest.”

As Zion sat down, Naia handed him a warm cup of tea, though no one knew when she had prepared it.

Naia loved chamomile tea so much that she drank it every day, even though it was hard to come by in Illium.

The calming scent stirred old memories.

These were things Zion had deliberately tried not to revisit since Naia had left.

He lifted his head to meet her gaze, but in the end, he could only let out a small sigh without saying a word.

Naia smiled softly as she rested her chin in her palms and looked at him.

“You’ve become much quieter. Our Zion must be growing up.”

“I… that’s…” Zion squeezed his eyes shut and barely managed to speak.

“I can’t just stay here like this.”

“Why not?”

“While I’m resting like this, I don’t know how many people will get hurt or even die. I have to stop them.”

“That’s not your duty.”

“It’s not because it’s my duty. It’s because I want to.”

Naia’s expression darkened, “I’m sorry, Zion.”

“Why are you apologizing, Mother?”

“The truth is, I didn’t want to entrust you with the Pendant. But when I was alive, I was in so much pain and exhaustion that I forgot so many things. I failed to protect you, left you alone, and even passed on the tasks I should have finished myself. It’s all my fault.”

Zion’s expression gradually grew sour.

Even if it was just an illusion, that wasn’t what he wanted to hear from Naia again.

“Looks like you’ve gotten old, Mother. Saying such weak things.”

‘…And Zion’s gotten quite sharp-tongued.’

“Living with Uncle and Arcs like this, you can’t help but change, even if you don’t want to.”

“Zion? Don’t learn only weird things from your uncle, okay? He’s actually a good person if you look closely, but honestly… well… just don’t be like him. Ah, but Arcs is just as strange. There should’ve been Yumin besides those two.”

Zion swallowed a bitter smile and took a sip of tea.

“You did the right thing, Mother. I’ve never regretted being your son, nor have I ever blamed you.”

“Yeah, I thought you’d say that. I raised you that way.”

“That’s true. You’re excellent at raising children. So, don’t say such weak things…”

Suppressing his emotions, Zion spoke quietly.

“Just say one thing of praise.”

Zion lowered his head.

He could no longer meet her eyes.

He felt like he would overflow with all the emotions he couldn’t control.

If he didn’t look, maybe he could bear it a little longer.

“Just say, ‘You did well on your own, I’m proud of you.’ That’s all I want to hear.”

Slowly standing, Naia approached him.

Zion, still trying to control his emotions, didn’t notice.

Naia gently wrapped her arms around his head.

“Mother…”

“You’ve worked so hard, Zion.”

“To be honest, there were times I wanted to give up. Times I resented you. But even so, even so, I…”

“Mm. I know. You are truly a proud son. More than I deserve.”

Zion wished time would stop right then and there.

He wanted to stay with Naia like this forever.

“Thank you.”

But it couldn’t be like that.

“I’m, as you said, a proud son. I’m fine. You don’t have to worry. Don’t be sorry.”

Pulling away from Naia, Zion looked straight at her.

“I can win.”

“Yes. Your mother believes in you.”

From afar came a sound like a shell cracking.

Brilliant light spread from everywhere, enveloping the garden.

Zion naturally closed his eyes.

His consciousness faded.

“Our Zion… you’ve grown up so wonderfully.”

In a space wrapped in white light, Naia remained alone, murmuring bitterly.

Just because it was a place within an illusion didn’t mean everything inside was false.

Naia’s will existed there, even if only as a tiny fragment.

“I wanted to tell him it was okay to run away, that he didn’t have to bear it all alone… but I couldn’t even say it.”

Someone approached Naia—a figure of light so similar to her it was like a twin.

It was the Pendant’s managing AI, or rather, the spirit she had split from her own soul to create.

[……………]

“I have no regrets now. At least I got to see Zion’s face one last time.”

[………​]

“Yes. Our role is over. From now on, everything must be left to Zion.”

[…….]

“It’s okay. Zion will do well. Unlike me, he’s not alone.”

After this seemingly one-sided conversation, Naia slowly closed her eyes as if falling asleep.

The AI carefully enveloped her body, and then both turned into bright light and vanished.

The white world collapsed silently.

***

“Mother…”

A single tear slowly rolled down Zion’s cheek.

He opened his eyes and stood up.

Warm light surrounded him.

The demonic creature that resembled a human—the Demon—kept its distance, unable to approach Zion.

It seemed repelled by the light.

[*Confirmed all orders from the master.*]

[*Final synchronization complete. Security lifted. All functions unlocked.*]

[*My role ends here. From now on, all decisions lie with you. Pave your own path by your own will.*]

[*Good fortune, my master.*]

Several message boxes appeared before Zion’s eyes.

At the same time, he understood many things.

The Pendant—and the will of Naia within it—had blocked functions in case Zion wanted to run away.

Once he resolved to fight the Demons, there would be no turning back.

“What a strange power…”

The unknown Demon tilted its head.

“That power feels familiar. Strange feeling. Human, say your name.”

“Zion. Zion Alkoth.”

“Alkoth. Alkoth…?”

The Demon clutched its forehead and grimaced.

As if gripped by a severe headache, a suppressed groan escaped its lips.

Zion ignored it and gripped the Pendant tightly with one hand.

[Communication…! Zion, are you conscious?!]

“Uncle. I can’t defeat this Demon alone. Please lend me your strength.”

[What? A Demon…]

After a brief silence, Frey nodded firmly.

[Understood. If that’s what you want, I’ll come as much as needed. Ah, but summoning is limited…]

“Apocalypse!”

With a resolute shout, light exploded from the Pendant.

At the same time, Zion staggered heavily.

Until now, Frey had been summoned using the Pendant’s stored MP, but now it was using Zion’s MP directly, which was a much greater burden.

However, it also meant Zion could summon Awakened at will depending on his own reserves.

“Finally, huh? How did…”

[Wait! What about me?! You’re only summoning Frey again?!]

“You don’t even have battle gear, so you wouldn’t help. Just watch from there.”

“There’s no time to explain. Let’s focus on defeating the enemy first.”

He was right. Frey abandoned all doubts and nodded, heading toward the enemy.

“The enemy’s surrounded by a powerful MP absorption barrier. Just being among the Demons gives it infinite power. Conversely, the surrounding Demons wither away instantly.”

“Hoho… hohohohoho! How fascinating!” The Demon bared its teeth and laughed, a chaotic mix of excitement, pleasure, and hatred.

“That power, that name. This fear, this thirst, and this incomprehensible grudge! All of it makes me fascinated!”

“Haha. You’re a friend who loves to talk to himself.” Frey ground his teeth and smiled coldly.

He was extremely, extremely angry right now.

During the communication blackout, Frey had been left to battle his haunting trauma alone, letting the fiery emotions pile up uncontrollably.

“I’ll introduce you to a place where you can talk to yourself as much as you want.”

With all his pent-up rage exploding, Frey clapped his hands violently.

“Hell itself, you bastard!”

Apocalypse.

True to his name, countless magic circles appeared behind him.

Each burst into pure white flames, and whips of blazing fire rained down on the Demon.

“Kraaaang!” A tremendous explosion flipped the ground, and sunlight-like brilliance enveloped the Demon.

The half-ruined street instantly turned into unrecognizable rubble.

But when the light and dust cleared, the Demon’s form was barely changed.

Only a few tiny wounds were etched on its defenseless neck.

Frey clicked his tongue with a grimace.

“Tsk, kind of embarrassing. Magic attacks don’t suit it.”

“I’ll cut its throat. Uncle, attract its attention.”

“A sensible plan. Leave it to me. …Hey, but didn’t you break your sword earlier?”

“I have a weapon right here.”

Zion gripped the Pendant with both hands and quietly chanted an activation word.

The Pendant sparked and transformed.

The weapon that emerged had a uniquely glowing blade shimmering like an aurora—a weapon very familiar to Frey.

“…Naia’s sword. I thought it was lost.”

“Uncle, there’s… not much time. Just maintaining the form is exhausting.”

“Damn. Explain everything later, without fail.”

Frey looked back at the enemy.

At that moment, a massive wave of power slammed down with a thunderous roar.

The barrier they had barely deployed shattered like glass while protecting them.

“My hands are all numb.”

“You ‘Pride’! A small, lowly one, but I am truly interested in you! Isn’t it an honor?”

“Why does it keep acting friendly toward you?”

Despite the lighthearted joke, Frey unleashed magic at full power.

Light, storms, ice, and blazing heat surged from all directions.

Space warped and screamed.

The enemy calling itself Pride took all attacks barehanded, focusing solely on Zion.

Frey had two goals: to bombard the enemy and weaken its barrier as much as possible, and to create a brief moment of total vulnerability.

“Zion, a big attack is coming. The aftershock might reach you.”

“I’m fine.”

Frey paused and snapped his fingers, erecting a makeshift barrier.

It would only hold for an instant, but that brief moment was enough for the fully armed Frey.

“Crucify it on the Cross. Burn forever in death. This is your punishment.”

A pillar of scorching flames shot up, the plasma-charged air roaring as it blazed white-hot.

A flaming cross appeared in the heart of the city, imprisoning Pride and engulfing its entire body.

Pride roared fiercely, “Hahaha! Huhahaha! This is pain! Today I’ve learned what pain is! Therefore, I can control pain!”

“Zion, get ready. As soon as the cross disappears, restrain it.”

Without a word, Zion nodded and took his stance.

The cross faded, revealing Pride’s blackened, burnt body.

Its eyes shone fiercely, locked solely on Zion.

Despite being completely burnt, the body began regenerating at a terrifying speed.

“Uncle. Did Mother like chamomile tea when she was on Earth?”

“She drank so much, they couldn’t keep it stocked. Why do you ask?”

“Nothing.” Zion smiled faintly and turned his gaze forward.

After a brief glance at his profile, Frey charged at the enemy again.

“Now!”

Crossing his hands and swinging them, Frey shouted.

Lightning strands shot out from his ten fingers, binding Pride’s limbs tightly.

At the same time, Zion ran forward.

“Bang!”

The ground exploded a moment later, scattering debris in all directions.

Zion rushed in alongside it, swinging his sword.

Until the last moment, neither Zion nor Pride broke eye contact.

“I remember now.” Pride, its head severed and floating in the air, spoke.

“Naia Alkoth. The Transcendental knows you. The Transcendental remembers you, Alkoth. The Transcendental is seeking you!”

The severed head rolled on the ground.

The body, now without a head, collapsed.

“You can’t run anymore!”

Pride’s body turned to ash and vanished.

‘…That was lucky.’

Frey stared at the enemy’s remains, lost in thought.

The Ma’an he had measured for Pride’s power was much higher than this.

But the creature hadn’t been able to fully unleash its strength.

Maybe its body, coming from another dimension, hadn’t adapted to the environment yet, limiting its power.

Zion’s unique trait of constantly absorbing excess MP probably affected it as well.

‘The biggest reason was probably its carelessness. Hah, serve it right.’

It was a victory made by advantage and sheer luck.

“Ugh…”

Weighed down by exhaustion, Zion collapsed.

Frey, who had been lost in thought, hurriedly rushed over and supported him.

“You did well.”

“It’s… not over yet.” Zion struggled to lift his head and looked toward the direction of the Alzred Caravan’s headquarters.

“Benya is still… Yuria too…”

“Damn. Right, I forgot.”

Cursing, Frey carried Zion on his back.

“Rest as much as you can. We don’t know what’s going on over there.”

“Thank you. I’ll be in your debt.”

Floating gently in the air, the two headed straight for the Alzred Caravan.