“Ugh…”

A groan escaped Shin’s mouth, he opened his eyes slowly.

Shin’s dark eyes which previously shined brightly had weakened slightly and dark rings around his eyes could be seen on his pale face.

Shin had just tried to sleep for a moment, but he could only feel a stabbing pain which didn’t allow him to rest. Not knowing what to do, Shin could only shake his head and stood up.

“Right…”

Shin’s eyes were only half-open, but he muttered to himself.

“Right, I remember. Yes, I remember, I still have to become stronger.”

His mutters were soft, but he did only repeat what he was saying.

“Next area, yes, I need to go to the next area.”

Shin spoke softly as he was walking towards a certain direction.

“The next place should have enemies. Enemies, enemies are the ones I should kill. Kill. Yes, kill them all…”

He was in a daze, talking to himself while making sure that he understands what needs to be done.

“I need to do it for them. For them; mother, Kali, Peutoa, Laura, Eline, Azane, Isabella, Vivian and Sharia. Yes, I need to continue for them.”

Not knowing how long it took, Shin came across another area packed with people.

He tapped the ground softly and flew over the area, what he saw was the same thing happening over in the other village. Red clothed beasts slaughtering innocent humans.

Shin didn’t bat an eye, but his aura spread from his body which enveloped the whole city.

“Many…”

Shin could sense every being within his aura, as he flickered his hands, his weapons appeared, a katana and a dagger.

By the time Shin prepared himself, all the red clothed beasts turned towards him and pounced forward, wanting to rip him into pieces.

Shin slowly slashed his katana with pure force, behind the pure force, a dark aura supported the blade.

“Death…”

By his weak mutter, the katana ripped apart an Early Emperor Stage beast in two. Before the beast’s cold body could fall, the dark aura devoured the body and returned to Shin.

“Ugh…”

Shin groaned weakly, but he didn’t stop slashing the katana.

More and more got ripped into two, and the ones who died, got devoured by the dark aura.

Shin’s expression changed slightly, a smile appeared on his face, but that smile was eerie and sent shivers to the ones who saw it.

By the time the red clothed beasts understood that they had no chance of survival, they turned around to flee.

“Heh…”

A weak smirk appeared on Shin’s face, the dark aura which he had spread around the village slowly deflated. It imprisoned the beasts, not letting any of them escape.

“Come…”

Deep inside of Shin

“This is worse than we thought.”

Lia said hurriedly.

“What is it, Lia, aren’t you supposed to keep watch over Master?”

Ker’Vrak asked at once, he knew that Lia wouldn’t contact them often as her job was to keep track on Shin.

“What happened to Shin?”

Mekina butted in swiftly, she glared at the teal sculpture.

“His strength is growing way too fast…!”

Lia spoke these words, because she knew that the rest would understand the rest without needing her to speak more.

“Lord…”

Kira muttered before he voiced his thoughts.

“Are there any way for us to slow him down?”

“I have tried to lessen his pain and make him sleep, but his body is overworking itself way too much.”

Murutha said in a weak voice.

“I might have an idea.”

After a while, Malika spoke with a restrained tone.

“What are you thinking, Malika?”

Ovan asked in a deep voice.

“Is there a possibility that we can make him walk a certain direction?”

Malika didn’t reply Ovan at once but asked a question first.

No one replied Malika.

After half a minute, a soft voice escaped the purple sculpture.

“I might be able to do that.”

Zura answered Malika, she did say she might, but the tone she used made everyone believe that she could do it without a problem.

“Great.”

Malika sighed in relief before telling Zura his plan.

“Zura, do you still remember where I ruled?”

Before Malika could continue speaking, or Zura answer him, the rest of the Guardians yelled in unison.

“The Elder Tree!”

Malika was slightly shocked, but he swiftly elaborated more about it.

“Yes, the Elder Tree. If we can make Shin go there, his mind will calm down with the presence of the Elder Tree and if there are any Elves left, they could help him too.”

“Hm…”

With this, Ker’Vrak didn’t agree at once, he asked a question in return.

“If the Elves are still alive, how sure are you that they won’t harm Master?”

“You know that Elves dislikes everyone but their own race.”

After Ker’Vrak mentioned that, everyone went silent.

“I have already thought of that, I will let out my presence the moment Shin enters my territory.”

Malika answered with a soft voice.

“Even if the Elves don’t like other races, my presence as the first King on Shin’s body will make any of them worship him and protect his life.”

“Alright, Zura, can we entrust this to you?”

Ker’Vrak asked with an anxious tone, he knew that this will help his Master a lot.

“Hehe, of course.”

Zura replied cheerfully before her sculpture shined brightly.

Outside of Shin’s body

After having fought for half an hour, Shin couldn’t feel the presence of any enemies. He lowered his arms, flicking his hands which made his weapons vanish.

Shin descended slowly towards the ground, he walked step by step through the city. A splashing sound could be heard, but he knew what it was, therefore he ignored it, continuing to walk.

Not knowing when, several humans peeked towards Shin, glancing at the youth drenched in blood, slowly walking through the city.

Someone started to mutter, with time, their voices became louder and louder.

“It’s a hero…!”

“A hero has descended to protect the continent!”

Their voices were loud, but Shin couldn’t hear them at all. He was walking in a daze, muttering for himself. Not knowing why, Shin stopped and raised his head, only to see an old male watching him with worship.

“Hero, thank you for saving us, are there anything we can give you?”

The old man was the Governor of the city, he was hoping that the youth in front of him would stay in this city and protect them. Sadly enough, he didn’t get the reply he wanted.

“Time is limited…”

Shin only left these words while shaking his head before vanishing, he didn’t want to stay here for too long, he had many things to do.

“Time is limited…?”

The old man spoke these words for himself, not long after, more and more of the survivors spoke these words.

Shin had no idea that these simple words he spoke, would lead to the story of the legendary youth covered in blood because he slaughtered the enemies of the humans without taking a break.

Suddenly, a purple light emerged from within of Shin, Shin stopped walking and stared at the light.

The purple light shined brightly, not long after, a body appeared inside of it.

Shin stared at the woman in front of him. She was looking mature in her late twenties, but her charm was stronger because of her sharp appearance. Her eyes were bright and glared at Shin in return, a warm smile appeared on her face when she saw Shin.

“Zura…?”

Shin asked in confusion, he didn’t know what to think, he could only tilt his head slightly and ask.

Zura’s lips curved upwards, she stepped forward and embraced Shin.

“Hehe, you knew who I was just by seeing my body, I am very pleased with this…”

Zura smirked and hugged Shin with all her might.

A soft smile appeared on Shin’s face as he raised his arms and hugged Zura in return, silently staying in her embrace.

“What are you doing here?”

After having calmed down, Shin asked in surprise, that was because he had never seen any of his Guardians outside of the dark space containing their sculptures.

“You want me to leave?”

Zura pouted, her voice had a tinge of sadness, she lowered her body and stared deeply into Shin’s eyes.

“No no no.”

Shin swiftly denied her, shaking his head violently, he could see that she was about to cry, he didn’t want to hurt her feelings.

“Hehe…”

Zura laughed softly.

Not even letting Shin to think, Zura neared Shin and kissed his cheek.

Shin widened his eyes, his cheeks turned red, but he didn’t push Zura away.

“Shin, would you like to rest?”

Zura asked him softly.

“But, there’s no time.”

Shin replied weakly, a depressed presence shrouded Shin.

“Don’t you worry.”

Zura spoke in a soft voice.

“Close your eyes and follow my directions, no one will hurt you. Time might be limited, but nothing is absolute, trust me.”

Her voice was soothing and entered Shin’s ears.

Shin had a soft smile on his face and he had finally calmed down by hearing Zura’s soft and entrancing voice.

“Follow me, I will lead you to the Elder Tree…”

Zura spoke softly, she connected her right arm around Shin’s left arm and walked slowly forward.