To backtrack back to the events that happened that day. How Alex's death truly unfolded…

Let us shift through the memories of Golden Snake, that old monster, who was currently looking at an image of someone in a Aqua Recording. He couldn't help feeling a chill down his spine.

The person in that recording was a well-known individual he met during the events that day...

Upon a skyscraper's rooftop, Golden Snake landed before the one-armed Alex Stuman who had been gravely injured before he arrived. This 'Grand Elder' didn't see fighting the Ouroboros in this condition as unfair. He was fighting against a thief, after all.

There wasn't a reason to give respect to someone who had already become 'their' most hated enemy.

[Lightning Step- Phantasmal Serpents!]

His body disappeared. He grabbed the four Elders of the Transcendent Clan they all were a part of before taking them to the side. His body left many afterimages before he returned to his position.

Those fallen were now out of the way…

It was only Death Eater who was unceremoniously kicked off the rooftop… as if it was none of his business. The man woke up halfway through his descent and screamed before things turned quiet.

Did he really die? Probably not. It took a lot more than being thrown off the building to kill this kind of scum, but Golden Snake didn't care. Killing him off would take precious time the geezer really needed.

He sent his powerful colleagues to fight first to weaken him, but he didn't expect things to turn out so well. He looked at the one-armed opponent before him while making note of Alex's injuries...

His opponent couldn't defeat him. That's what Golden Snake had speculated from their positions.

"Where are the vials?" He asked the question that the old freak before him definitely knew the answer of. There was no way he could ignore the disappearance of their finite supply of 'Divine Blood'. That's why he had come here today...

"Who knows?" Alex didn't want to divulge this information to anyone even if he ended up dying.

There was a reason why Golden Snake remembered this event in particular. As while he had lost this day, there was a piece of information he gained about the man who shared this memory.

On top of a nearby rooftop to them, black-cloaked individuals spectated their match like it was part of a theatre. The leader of the mysterious group watched intently as he lay down on foldable bed.

Yes, this IS a flashback within a flashback. The memory of demonic figure combining into the mix!

Call this memory inception...

Coincidently, the man who now went by the title of 'Demon Lord' on Gaia, Alan Stuman, also started to reminisce about that day while laying down on his throne. It was a memorable moment for him...

"Master, who do you think will win?" One of the cloaked individuals asked the man leading them.

It was rare for their leader to show interest...

He didn't answer this subordinate of his and instead thought back to the level Alex had achieved the last time the old dragon challenged him. It was a lie to say he didn't respect his brother.

At least, even though he was more talented, Alan had yet to create a Divine Physique that could withstand such punishment himself, and had never truly inherited the teaching of his biological father...

The title of 'Black Dragon' was hereditary, but due to his circumstances being similar to Rosetta, he ended up only partially inheriting his father's 'Four Forms'. Out of the techniques of the Earthly Devil Sealing Horn, only two 'words' were inherited...

They were: 'Devil' and 'Horn'.

As for his little brother, not only did he inherit all his father's techniques, but he also managed to create an antithesis of the Black Dragon's Four Forms in the shape of the White Dragon's Four Forms, thus becoming the 'Ouroboros' many people feared.

The Black Dragon focused on 'Hard' techniques while the White Dragon focused on 'Soft' techniques. These two alternating style allowed Alex to accidentally stumble onto the right path if he wanted to become an External Grandmaster.

If he had two arms, then maybe the old freak would have a chance, but as he was now, Alan was sure Golden Snake would beat him up, and he was right to think so… Alex's martial arts became disorderly.

The purple-clothed old monster didn't give him time to fully heal his strength. His two arms were like serpents flying through the air. His 'Snake Style' Kung Fu manifested itself at that moment.

[Snake Style- Venomous Acupuncture!]

'Goddammit!' Having one arm really made hard for Alex to defend himself or use his martial arts properly... He couldn't even defend against the meridian blocking fingers with only a single arm.

He tried throwing a hook, but all he got was was having his fist redirected with one 'snake' while the other continued to strike his body. Though being put in a dangerous situation only calmed him…

…rather than making him panic at his crisis.

He was used to battles between life and death at this point. Nothing could make his responses falter.

[Unorthodox Karate- Basic Punch!]

His body twisted itself. A punch going beyond the speed of his previous attacks landed straight into Golden Snake's chest, slamming him away to make some distance. It was only now did he get into a stance while throwing away his inhibitions.

"Haaah... Haaah... Haaah..." Alex was breathing heavily. One could visibly notice his Divine Physique losing its regenerative abilities. This happened along with each meridian being blocked by the Grand Elder's 'Acupuncture Arts'.

'He is finally getting started~' Alan thought it was finally finding this turning into a good show. He watched from the side; it looked like they were about to go all out after preparing themselves.

There was one thing every Martial Artist did when they were about to fight for real, and that was release their 'Combat Gifts' (These were roughly the degraded equivalent to Spirit Essences).

Though Spirit Essences had better variability and usefulness compared to this degraded version...

Golden Snake's body started to be covered in golden static electricity. His 'Qi Centre' operated at maximum potential. As for the old freak, he too conjured what supposed to be his 'go-to' ability.

[Combat Gift- Refined Rapier + Tempered Katana!]

A lightning coated metallic curved blade and blood carved wooden weapon appeared out of thin air.

They were not as amazing as Spirit Essences in that the user couldn't execute 'Skills' using them, but this Combat Gift allowed him to conjure two good weapons well-suited for him instantaneously.

When the electric katana appeared, a look of fury arose on Golden Snake's face in response...!

'He dared to use our precious treasure!' Killing intent far beyond anything the old monster had ever felt before arose within him. He realised that his opponent's Qi Centre must have the 'Lightning Attribute' just from looking at his Combat Gift.

The Attributes of a Qi Centre passes onto whatever Combat Gift they created, and roughly shared some of the same qualities depending on what their power was made of. Altering the appearance.

For example: The Grand Elder's 'Golden Lightning' was just a personalised version of the regular purely Lightning Attribute Qi Centre. The only difference was that 'technique' had blended into it.

The purple lightning was 'dyed' by the technique…

This made the originally weak anti-magic property of his Combat Gift almost as strong as the original power only Gaia Humans could tap into. His Gift was no longer an imitation of Purple Lightning, but a true replica of the Lightning Attribute's qualities.

Feeling the old monster's change in demeanour, a flash of animosity appeared in the External User.

The old Silver Dragon held the metallic katana's handle with his mouth… while wielding the wooden rapier in his one arm that was left. He tried to properly shift himself into a comfortable 'Stance'.

It was then his pupils contracted by what happened next: His opponent's clothes morphed.

'Avatar Wear!' Alex's expression darkened, seeing the sign of the Internal Way's 'King Class' expert!

Golden Snake's robe took on a more fantastical appearance. Distinct golden electricity covered his newly formed purple clothes. A spear of pure Lightning Qi also formed into his hand, allowing the old monster to use it along with his Snake Style.

He used the Phantasmal Serpents of Lightning Step once again, but this time he aimed to directly battle Alex with his overwhelming might. His long spear pierced through the air and into his foe.

'Got him- Wait, no!' He smiled, only to realise that the target he impaled was only an afterimage.

[Advanced Manoeuvre- Phantom Steps!]

Then Alex appeared somewhere else, which was followed by another spear impaling THAT image...

"Ummm... Master? Sorry, I can't tell what's happening." One the females among the cloaked individuals let out an awkward laugh. She could see multiple figures of the old freak's afterimages get killed. Golden Snake wasn't letting him off...!

"He's barely holding on." Alan answered while watching the the old monster adapt to the pace.

'Ouroboros' was putting everything into evading his attacks, but would he be able to keep this war of attrition forever? ...No, what made this decrepit old veteran think he could make this such a war?

[Spirit Force- Electrokinesis!]

'Hot damn!' Even Alex wasn't able to do anything.

Golden Snake continuously sent out bolts of lightning to kill him rather than attacking every one of his afterimages...! His infinite supply of energy let him continuously spam his Higher Forces!

[Cyber Force- Supercharged Eyes!]

Organic metal grew around the Grand Elder's eyes.

The world started to slow down by tenfold...

Even the great Ouroboros was put into a more dire situation. His many afterimages were dwindling down at a rapid pace. It didn't long for that damn monster to find him. It was at this time, his actual body was hit by that golden glowing 'Avatar Arm'.

With a strike of lightning, the long spear struck!

'Fricking hurts...!' Alex really wanted grab the guy by the collar and ask what the snake geezer's problem was? All he did was steal two vials, so why is the psycho acting like he took the entire batch?!

There wasn't a hint of remorse in his eyes…

He had no choice but to rely on a External Grandmaster's most faithful weapons in battle…

They were 'Lower Forces' Internal Grandmaster's tended to neglect in order to focus on creating an Avatar Arm (which was the equivalent of a Spirit Essence, unlike degraded ones like Combat Gifts.)

He already used up two Higher Forces, those being Cyber Force's 'Reflex Programming' and Power Force's 'Body Conditioning'. Therefore, all he could do was rely on the two he had left to gain victory...!

Alex couldn't use them willy-nilly, so he saved them for the most crucial moment they would be needed. His 'Spirit Root' started to circulate energy around his body… while letting out spiritual power.

[Spirit Root- Energy Domain!]

As one could guess, this was just a degraded version of what a 'Magic Trait' for a Beast was like.

All he could do was use a 'Passive' technique resist against the maelstrom of lightning bolts striking his body. They continued messing up his nerves and charring his nigh-unbeatable physique even more.

If it weren't for Alex unblocking his meridians in that time he had been running, he would've died...

One wrong move would lead to his sudden demise.

Even as Golden Snake was pouring on his efforts to kill him, an External Grandmaster was no joke.

If he had continued to throw lightning onto him instead of going into close-combat, Alex wouldn't have been able to retaliate as well as he did. The old freak would've eventually died by electrocution.

However, how could he lose in his specialisation?

[Psion Circuit- Predictive Numeracy]

This was a another ability from his 'Lower Force'…

Even though Golden Snake's kinetic vision had increased by tenfold, there are only so many moves he could make in a single instance. That's why the Silver Dragon's only choice decrypt his Kung Fu.

Once the old freak had internally figured out where and how his opponent would strike, he paid attention to that body part most. Even shrinking his powerful 'Energy Domain' down to save stamina.

Those flexible, viper-like arms… coupled with the old monster's Spear Arts, made it difficult for the former Black Dragon, but he still had more options to choose from. 'Flexibility' was his weakness.

But the lack of it was also Alex's greatest strength!

[Ki Meridians- Hardening + Weightshift!]

Golden Snake only saw an attack curve at him.

An enhanced impaling strike struck old monster's chest, only to find his Avatar Wear get in the way...

Even though Alex controlled his body perfectly to strike at an unexpected angle, his opponent didn't seemed moved by his efforts. Even briefly showing a mocking smile. It was only then did he realise that normal stabs won't work; he needed an opening...!

Something that could distract 'those eyes'…

Therefore, the old freak put all his efforts into creating one. There was no room left to retreat.

The one arm he had left was all he needed…

His body took a stance that extended his rapier towards his opponent. The freak's stabs were like raindrops trickling through the defences of the old monster, who had no choice but to dodge every time Alex aimed for his unguarded face.

In that one moment the Grand Elder tried forcing himself through his offensive barrage…

…he took that opportunity!

[Flash Step- Manoeuvre Rotation!]

His teeth bit down on the handle of the Katana…

He did it as hard as he could… before twisting his whole entire body to cut into his opponent!

Since he didn't have an arm that could wield it, all he could do was rely on his neck muscles, the momentum of his rotation, the enhanced speed of his spin, and the 'Metal' and 'Lightning' properties of his Tempered Katana… to slice his foe!

[Power Force- Lightning Armour!]

Like a miraculous mutation, the defensive quality of the old monster's Avatar Wear was boosted.

This was his Power Force's greatest characteristic.

No, it was the strength of having every Higher Force he created based off one specific Attribute.

This was the power of Transcendent Clans!

Since his nemesis wasn't good at fighting with only his mouth, a cracking sound could be heard…

Teeth shattered upon hitting this Infallible defence!

The Silver Dragon's gums started bleeding…

He spat the shattered white remnants along with his Tempered Katana… out his mouth painfully.

Golden Snake had no pity for his nemesis. As he was too close to use Spear Arts, he stabbed the ground to gain leverage with one leg and threw a punch towards the old freak's face at that moment.

Blood splattered across the ground.

The freak's gums were smashed together after the uppercut landed. Golden Snake was about to move forward to finish him off, but felt paralysed for a moment after seeing Alex's glowing red eyes...

As a veteran who had survived life and death scenarios countless times, Alex had the advantage.

Even if he was weaker, there was something life and death experiences taught that regular battles couldn't. It was the distinct ruthlessness that came from a heart that had been tempered into steel.

And 'steel' being smithed into merciless blades!

The terrifying and inhuman coldness in the Silver Dragon's eyes made him stiffen up unconsciously.

It was the same reaction a normal person went through when jaywalking, then accidentally blocking the path of a speeding car. Their body would instinctively stiffen to lessen the damage.

It was a hard to control biological reaction…

[Aura Gate- Murderous Intent!]

That brief pause was all he needed!

The 'Killing Aura' releasing from his heart covered him like fire... Or at least that's how I'd like to describe it. Instead, the ethereal force was like a smokeless flame possessed by the finest demons.

It couldn't be perceived by the naked eyes, but the touch and 'feeling' upon making contact varied.

Alex's own Killing Aura was like a sword that chopped his opponent in half mercilessly…

And he used that opportunity after it happened.

The freak's speed increased at that exact moment!

[Horn Form- Vengeful Counter!]

His physique's flesh and bones went from being flexible as rubber… to as hard as iron in an instant!

He used the rippling striking force of being uppercutted that went straight to his arm...

…to throw back a strike that had been multiplied by one of his personalised Ouroboros Dragon's Eight Forms! (Which was just combing all the skills he'd learnt from two 'Four Forms' together into a set).

Alan, who had been peacefully watching their battle to the death from afar, stood up instantly the moment his eyes saw what Alex did, and was able to see a lot more than what others had seen.

His subordinates merely saw Golden Snake being struck back by a powerful strike, but the devilish figure knew that they were wrong. What he had done wasn't 'one' stab to the old monster's chest.

Instead, what he saw was both weapons created from Alex's Combat Gift breaking upon impact.

He was disarmed in an instant…

The first was the Refined Rapier, which made a sound as it sprung threw the small gap between them and shattered upon impact with his strong opponent. The second was the Tempered Katana...

…it drew a small amount of blood from Golden Snake's chest. The old freak grabbed the falling blade after it had fallen from his mouth, then proceeded to slash it in the same area he stabbed.

That was when he lost both of them…

He might have lost his Combat Gift after sacrificing them to open some distance between them, but it was all worth it as made a sly smile with his bloodied mouth to the Grand Elder thrown back.

'Let me see what you are made of...!' He thought and made it look like he wanted a tactical retreat.

[Flash Step- Manoeuvre Reversal!]

His body flashed backwards. Not to the edge of the rooftop, but directly off the skyscraper without a second thought. It was to the point of giving no care to the fence he broke through to do so.

I guess this point was different from my earlier description, because it was meant to be surprising.

"Aaaaah!" Alex couldn't say any words with his broken jaw, but he COULD react after feeling his body being pulled down by gravity. That exact moment he had lost his footing to stand on.

The wind flowed through his hair his body descended. Like a cannonball from the sky…

The rooftop seemed to rise higher and higher.

It was then, the Golden Snake gave chase!

[Lightning Step- Ricochet Rumble!]

He ran towards the fence with blinding speed before jumping on the edge. The exact time his foot landed on the edge, was also when he seemingly 'bounced' off and headed towards the falling Ouroboros. He pointed the spear in hand.

The subordinates of Alan could imagine what was going to happen next. They predicted the outcome.

The Avatar Arm would most definite pierce through the old freak, who now had no way to leverage anything before he hit the neighbouring skyscraper. There was nothing he could react with.

The thief would die today!

Even then, there was a sinister smile forming on Alex's face. He watched his opponent chase him.

'Gotcha~!' He took this opportunity to use the Higher Forces he'd been saving until right then...!

[Spirit Force- Kinetic Shield!]

[Glyph Force- Metalblood Sword!]

The last two of his Higher Forces was the ability to telekinetically manifest a shield. It manifested the kinetic energy he refined from Lightning Qi and a few other variables. Then came the other ability to conjure up a sword made of Metal Qi and Blood Qi.

[Advanced Manoeuvre- Flash Lunge!]

After landing on the emerald shield that appeared behind him, he used whatever strength he had left to jump off of it. The Silver Dragon had no choice but make a beeline directly for his chasing pursuer.

Golden Snake was momentarily caught off guard by his nemesis's sudden movements once again...

Even if he had Supercharged Eyes, that didn't mean his hesitation wouldn't factor into the equation. Not even the best eyes or kinetic vision could stop a person from accidentally wasting too much time gawking… rather than making a move.

Ouroboros, using his 'magical sword', pierced that exact same spot that was bleeding earlier.

Since Golden Snake didn't have regenerative abilities, he could only groan in pain in response.

The sword stabbed straight through one of his lungs, but that didn't mean he was down and out.

A crazy look appeared in the old monster's eyes…!

He let go of his spear-like Avatar Arm and coiled his impaled body like a snake around his prey.

Not only was the one arm Alex had left restricted by Golden Snake, but he also felt his body turn into a lightning rod. Golden electricity electrocuted him thoroughly, giving no chances to counterattack.

Alex felt like he was going insane...!

'You crazy son of a-' His thought we're interrupted as they started to free fall down the skyscraper.

He could tell what that old monster was trying to do and panicked. His sharp eyes caught sight of the red sword piercing his opponent and decided to try regaining some Qi while they were falling.

[Glyph Extension- Parasitic Impalement!]

The nature of high-level Glyph Force changed…

He used the methods of a Warlock he had found out and practiced over his long years of retirement.

It was a technique to drain Qi from his opponent.

Normally, he would try to regain a use of one of his other three Higher Forces by using this ability, but realistically, not even his Kinetic Shield could help him. Golden Snake was way too close right now.

That crazy monster was clinching his body…!

It was at that moment that Alex's eyes calmed down. His mental recovery showed itself again.

It was as if his heart was dipped into a bucket of cold water. The secret audience, who thought the old freak was going to die by smashing a concrete floor after falling off a skyscraper, were surprised.

"T-that's... He is entering 'The Zone'!"

Since the old freak didn't have enough time to charge up more than one Higher Force, his body acted differently from before. Now, the Silver Dragon's foe started to feel a terrifying pressure.

His gold glowing eyes constricted…

The Grand Elder could feel a faint emerald-like static-like energy covering his opponent's body.

This new power was able to perfectly endure the chaotic maelstrom of lightning strikes hitting Alex.

But how...?!

[Spirit Root- Kinetic Domain!]

The answer was simple. The freak intertwined his Higher Forces more deeply into his body.

It went to the point they started overlaying his Lower Forces with Higher Forces. The Energy Domain and Kinetic Shield started to fuse as their descent slowed down... all until they stopped!

Even the Golden Lightning vanished into the kinetic energy domain. It was dismantled in an instant…

Even though he could finally feel himself going far beyond his level as an External Grandmaster and into the 'Saint Class', Alex was unable to do anything about his body, which due to the constant strikes of lightning bolts, was on death's doors.

He only had enough energy for one more bout of retaliation, so he glared at Golden Snake…

…then imbued kinetic energy into his enemy.

The two bitter enemies slowly started to descend once again. The Silver Dragon still focused his energy on the geezer who wanted him dead, and that old monster himself seemed to be unable to do anything. He felt the kinetic energy be imbued...

'Fly away!' The old freak thought while giving an order telekinetically. He shot the Grand Elder, that had coiled around his only arm, at the wall face of the skyscraper they had been standing on.

It was only at that moment did Golden Snake feel his once solid internal energy go unstable.

His Internal Qi retreated into him.

The old monster coughed out a great amount of blood. After all, he was smashed headfirst into the iron-reinforced concrete of the skyscraper. This was the old freak's revenge… as the old monster felt his teeth being broken upon the heavy impact.

There was only one person who seemed at ease after watching his 'brother' enter the Saint Class.

Was the older brother worried about him?

…Did Alan even care that his little brother achieved a new level before he started falling to his death?

"Oh? He's finally reached my level~ Too bad you couldn't live long enough to go beyond it..." Alan's words may have sounded full of vanity, but those subordinates that knew of their leader's achievements knew he wasn't just boasting.

The Demon Lord didn't only reach the King Class as a Internal Grandmaster, but he also reached the Saint Class as a External Grandmaster as well. This made him more powerful than both Golden Snake and Alex combined, with no one above his power.

'You should have learnt humility.' Alan thought arrogantly. He watched Alex fall to his death.

It was after this thought, that the destiny of those around the both the Eastern and Western Hegemony was changed. The old freak bitterly used his Mechanical Aeon Reincarnation Art.

Space and time raptured seconds after Alan thought this. Cracks opened up in the sky…

This was why the mysterious spearman said that Alex was at fault, as this incident caused everything. From the thousands of Ascenders going to the Divine Realm at once to the existence of 'Anomalies' that messed the workings of fate.

Thus, this was the true beginning... Before his soul was damaged crossing the void to get to Gaia.

The prologue of an adventure!