“Battle not with monsters, lest ye become a monster, and if you gaze into the abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.” - Friedrich Nietzsche

In a grandiose hot spring carved to look like a luxury spot for bathing, Dario was engrossed with sheer killing intent as dark violet Aura swirled and condensed while lightning crackled in the air. Reflecting on how far he came and coming to a realization that there was not much time spent in R&R. Dario was grateful for all that Jinn had made him go through. The teachings and the training held the Lord Disciple on the brink of death through extreme training methods. Sometimes, Jinn would intentionally break some of Dario’s ribs and continue training in such a condition, yet, it was all to attain the Mystic Realm in a relatively short time. And now, the Lord Disciple was at leisure while playing around with his internal energy like sorcery.

(Author’s note: R&R, “Rest & Relaxation.”)

It was an exhilarating feeling to be able to manipulate mana at a level beyond the microscopic level. People of the Omen Sect would often say that those who achieve the Divine Realm are those who can kill by simply emitting killing intent or stimulating mana. This is what Dario is currently doing.

“O’ Sith Lord, if anyone other than us were to approach you, they would have instantly perished,” the view of Eldar Calamor, Azad, and King Albion came to view as they joined the Lord Disciple in the private hot spring. All draped with a white towel, the hot spring was a V.I.P. area designated for those of high rank. Deluc had a bottle of wine that was mixed with a tint of his blood, “Don’t dwell too long in the abyss. Though you may immerse yourself in darkness, remember that light needs your balance.” The wisdom that Calamor said made sense.

In effect, the Aura spinning around free was instantly put to rest. Chuckle. Chuckle. Dario smirked, understanding the wisdom of Calamor, a being who has lived for hundreds of years. “Do not forget to live in moments like this,” Veda appeared, holding a silver platter with crystal-clear cups. Pour. The wine was scarlet.

Sip. Sip.

The men in the room drank the wine whole. “One cup always does the job, especially, if my blood was mixed with it.” It may seem quite abnormal for a person to add their blood to an alcoholic beverage, but, the blood of Calamor only adds as an extreme accelerant, meaning, the men in the hot spring will get tipsy with just one drink.

(Author’s note: Please drink responsibly.)

The meeting was akin to how the Yakuza would meet in their bathing spots to discuss “business” matters, at least, this is how Veda saw it. He’s even doing the same activities as him. It was apparent who the butler was referring to - Jinn.

“Emperor Doel and Empress Celene have convened,” said Veda. The quiet, serene hot spring took a severe atmosphere. The tension was as though a butter knife could cut through it, “Indeed? Just what could my uncle want from that woman?” King Albion questioned with spite mixed in his tone.

Veda displayed the video recording of the two rulers; through the sight and hearing of the quantum nanomachines that are small as a fly, a single one was spying on the meeting. “Carugonia and the countries under its dominion have been taken by surprise,” the Emperor of the Imperial Ranpossa initiated the conversation.

“...” Empress Celene uttered nothing in response, but, her heartbeat began to beat a second faster.

“The pace of your breathing… Is it too much for you?” Almost patronizing, Emperor Doel noticed the sudden change in the cadence of Empress Celene’s heartbeat.

“Hmph,” the Empress scoffed. “Demon Lord Baal, is he truly dead? Was it the Sacred Beasts?”

(Author’s note: Arcadian culture regards beings like a Pheonix, Leviathan, or Adamantoise as Sacred Beasts.)

“No,” Emperor Doel stated bluntly. “It was the Omen Nation.”

!!

“Preposterous!” Empress Celene exclaimed vehemently as her fiery Aura spread across the secret meeting room. Her Aura singed some of the furniture and decorations.

“Your Grace,” one of Empress’ Royal Guards consoled her.

(Author’s note: console, as in, to “beseech.”)

“Ha! You’re not called ‘Empress of Devastation’ for no reason.” Emperor Doel scoffed at the sudden aggression from the Empress. “They have turned to the forbidden arts, Necromancy.”

Empress Celene and her red royal outfit began to shine brighter, “Is that so?” The temperature of the room began to rise precipitously.

Zap. Zap. Magenta-colored lightning crackled. Emperor Doel looked sharply at Empress Celene from across the table. It was a subtle way of telling the other party to calm down. “My Magi Tower foretells of a platinum-haired boy, barely in his twenties leads the vanguard.”

“...Could it be?...” Empress Celene’s words darted off, “God of War.” The name she said, specifically, was the title that made the whole world quake in fear. Emperor Doel shook his head, “Nay, it is most likely the eldest of his children.” This time, the Emperor stood from his seat, “My Magi Guild also foretells him to be a GrandMaster.” His eyes locked with the Empress’.

She could tell that the Emperor was not playing around, “Kuku! Including yourself and I, we could kill him.” “Usually, that would be the case, however, that boy has managed to have Eldar Lich Deluc and the Legendary Midnight Soldier under his command.” Empress Celene fell to her chair and covered half her face with her hand, “What can an old relic and extinct species possibly do to us?” She questioned with an arrogant tone at the end.

“That old relic now has nine circles around his heart and that extinct Ronso has crossed to the GrandMaster level.”

!!

Two shocking truths were too much for the Empress. She stood and left the meeting with a few last words, “They seek revenge.” Her grin pierced the darkness, “Let them come.”

The window screen closed, ending the secret meeting between the two. In truth, the video did not show much other than that the enemies of the Omen Sect are aware of their revival. Moreover, they also know that there is a 9th Class Archmage and 2 GrandMasters were more than enough to put them on edge. Effectively speaking, those three alone is more than enough for a continental conquest.

“Kukuku!” The Blood Elf laughed, “An old relic huh? That sly lizard… how dare she disguise herself like a human.” Eldar Calamor and his pristine appearance displayed the beauty of the Blood Elf species which they are mostly known for, yet, the beauty in this sense covered much of Calamor’s condescending expression and venomous tongue.

Azad, the Legendary Midnight Soldier sat on the marbled pool with folded arms and said nothing. A calm stoic, sometimes no words need to be spelled and that is wisdom in speech as well. The young disciple spoke, “Tiamat lives? I was sure my father killed her.” Eldar Lich Deluc interjected, “O’ Sith Lord, did you not sense it? You may have a Dragon Heart, but, you still have a long way to go.” Dario recalled the video they saw a moment ago and immediately understood what Deluc was saying, “Her Dragon Heart is broken.”

A devilish grin appeared on Dario’s face.

(Author’s note: get used to these grins.)

Splash! King Albion smote the water, “My uncle dares to not acknowledge my existence! Yet, he acknowledges the Omen Nation!” The butler came by and poured another of that special wine for His Majesty. “Be at ease, Your Grace,” Dario calmed the King of Serdio. “If Emperor Doel is truly unaware of your return, then we have a card we can play.”

Azad opened his eyes as if knowing his place would be in the so-called “play.” Dario said these last words and the time for bathing was over, “Your Majesty, Fortress City, Gaspless may soon be conquered.”

***

The battle between Glenn and the Doom Lord, Claudio Valeth, was short-lived but ended spectacularly. Since, the Undead species, Doom Lord, functions with negative energy alone, Hollow World was losing much of that in massive quantities due to the grand slaying of monsters.

Flying high above the skies while the surface looked like an endless crimson desert, Glenn remained calm and calculating as he faced off one of the highest forms of Undead. At the start of the fight, the young apprentice was simply gauging how much potential he could bring out as an Archmage. However, when the real fight started, spells belonging to the 8th, 9th, and 10th tiers were cast.

With the perks of learning, Silent Casting, Instantaneous Chanting, and Voiceless Incantation, Glenn was spamming high-tier spells like it was nothing.

Arcane Spells: [Holy]

-Powerful offensive White Magic that only the highest ranked Priests or Pope can summon. Unleashes sacred energy appearing as hued light to whitish blue reminiscent of a lofty and heavenly power that strikes down like divine rain.

-Exorcise evil spirits.

-Purifies corruption.

Rank: 8th-tier Proficiency: 100%

Like the description says, the Holy spell began as mana swirling atop Glenn’s palm and taking into a spherical shape. It looked like miniature planets that began taking the holy attribute. The Lord Apprentice has leveled all his elemental and non-elemental affinities to S Class and beyond, making it possible to infuse said elements to all attacks. In effect, the spherical-shaped Holy spell was as large as a Fireball and flew to the air on its own.

Noticing the powerful divine spell coming its way, the Doom Lord sensed the great danger and replied with a spell to counteract Unholy Night.

Arcane Spells: [Unholy Night]

-Species restricted spell exclusive to the Undead King, Doom Lord. Although such beings are rightly called “King” in their species, however, their reign is short-lived. Such is the fate of those whose power defies the laws of nature.

-Spews jet-black smog that increases attributes in exchange for faster Negative Energy consumption.

-Immune to physical damage caused by a difference in level.

-Undead shrouded in the black smog will take less damage from White Magic.

-Can stack with buffs.

Rank: 9th-tier Proficiency: 100%

The Doom Lord was engrossed with its unique spell and took the Holy spell head-on. Sounds like sea waves crashing down as each divine sphere rained down the Doom Lord. Splash! Splash! Splash! Splash! Splash! Splash! Splash! Splash! Exactly, 8 spherical-shaped orbs like white pearls smote through the Doom Lord dealing devastating damage.

Critical!

-50927

The Omen Sect has much information regarding various species, Doom Lord is one of them. Elder Saru and Elder Cheonsa have taught literature to the Omen people and have told stories regarding the Undead King and its unholy power. Thanks to the teachings Glenn was taught from a young age reminded him of the class-exclusive spell, Unholy Night. He knew the Doom Lord must counteract a spell of the level of Holy with Unholy Night and expected the results. It did more damage than I thought. Technically, it is an unusual result for magic to inflict “critical” on its own without hitting critical spots. Glenn was anticipating the critical damage it would deal and found it satisfying.

Screech! Screech!!

The Doom Lord screeched eerily. It was a disturbing sound like a wailing of a sheep. Finally! Its death throes! Although the Unholy Night spells did shield the Doom Lord to less than half the effect of White Magic, unfortunately, magic is estimated on the skills of the one who cast it. In this case, Glenn is a 7th-Circled Archmage that can cast spells beyond his level, meaning, the Holy spell is a lot more devastating than the standard.

Furious at the surprising damage it took, the Doom Lord was behaving erratically as it began casting spells indiscriminately.

Arcane Spells: [Negative Burst] -Sends a sphere of pure negative energy from around the caster’s body bursting like a shockwave. Rank: 8th-tier Proficiency: 100%

An A.O.E. spell. Fine, I’ll go all-out this time! Steeling himself, Glenn acquiesced with a unique attack of his own against the “Area-of-Effect” spell that deals damage in a wide berth. This attack was one of Glenn’s Limit Break moves.

“Requiem!”

Limit Break: [Requiem] -Creates a world for an implosion of ultimate yin and yang energy. Rank: 10th-tier Proficiency: 100%

“So Soon!” Veda blurted out as he covered his ears for what was to come. From the description of the window screen, the world became the dimension of void and showed dark and light energy collapsing from within the Doom Lord. And then, a blast so loud echoed throughout Hollow World.

KABOOOOOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Glenn does not prefer to use some of his moves like the one performed since it is too dangerous around companions or the environment. Moreover, blood was seeping from the side of the young apprentice’s lips. Cough! Cough! Glenn spat some blood out. Ptooey!

Veda came by and offered a handkerchief. Glenn took it with grace and patted the blood like a gentleman. “Was there a need for all that?” Glenn lightly grinned, “I wanted the Sal Mu members to have some time before I finish my mission.”

Nodding his head in understanding, “It seems I underestimate the Omen people too much.” Veda said such words because new information came from other proxies in real-time. “Young Master, what you’ve said was right.” Numerous window screens popped up in front of Glenn. “My people have lived in anguish for a long time. Our thirst to avenge all that was done to us is the sole reason why we live.” Like a poet, the young apprentice spoke the truth.

Ryuji Hak has slain the “Hulking Beast Monarch,” Behemoth King! Calavera has slain the “Noxious Breath Monarch,” Marlboro King! Liquid Mallory has slain the “Master Coeurlregina,” Raiku! Ha Jong Hwa has slain the “Master of Karma,” Tonberry King! Lucien Lachance has slain the Archdevil, Varuna!

Glenn flicked his finger one by one as he exited each window and was surprised to see that the top-ranked members had defeated those boss monsters in a relatively short amount of time. With this much force, we are ready for an all-out war. The young apprentice shared his thoughts with Veda through telepathy, “We’re ready. We have the power to change the world now.”

Veda had looked at the solemn eyes of the young apprentice and took his words as seriously as he would for Jinn. He knew, that a young boy like Glenn Courtwell could say such words and bring them out to the world.

Veda could no longer guide Dario or Glenn the way he had wanted to. At first, he tried his utmost for the young boys to become characters of their own, not like the cold, and heartlessness of his Master. It was a learning lesson even for the most intelligent technology ever created. All that remained with the butler was this single thought.

Will this new world we’ve come to call our home, sir, be like the one we’ve shed oceans of blood?