“Hihi, you can come out now.”

Kali laughed while speaking towards a building.

Azane and Peutoa stood behind her, glancing towards the door.

The door opened slowly, Susan walked outside while holding Shin in her embrace and Eline walking behind her.

Eline peeked at Kali, Peutoa and Azane from behind Susan, breathing out in relief when she thought everything had finished.

Azane stared at Shin, he was currently unconscious with a small frown on his face, his face was covered in sweat.

“Is it over?”

Susan asked as she looked deeply into Kali’s eyes.

She shook her head while calmly speaking.

“Should not be...”

Kali sighed as she continued.

“If I’m not wrong, those who came was just the first wave.”

“Even if there’s not many left, we should also think about the one who leads them too.”

“That person shouldn’t be weak at all, if I had my recovered my strength, I should be able to maybe hold that person off. But, even if there was a possibility, I can’t right now.”

“Huh, you’re weakened?”

Azane asked in surprise as she glanced at Kali. She thought she could overpower Kali with some troubles right now with her current strength.

How strong is she when she’s in top condition?

“Yeah, I’m not sure when I would recover again, but shouldn't be long.”

Kali sent a short glance at Azane before staring at Shin once again.

Her purple pupils turned golden as she checked Shin’s condition.

A frown appeared as it was worse than she thought.

“Let's go back to Aria's and Shin’s room.”

Humph!

Where did she run off to?

“I and Eline will also follow you.”

Susan held Shin while glaring at Kali and Peutoa.

“This concerns something bigger than what I thought. Therefore, I will not leave for safety with the rest of my family.”

“And, Eline refuses to leave Shin.”

Azane didn’t have anything to say, as she had no idea who they were. But, if they are on Shin’s side, she won’t mind.

Kali could only helplessly nod as she glanced at Eline.

On the other hand, Peutoa didn’t agree. She dashed towards Susan at a lightning speed.

Eline could only widen her eyes and tried to cover her face with her arms.

Susan could barely react as she knew that counter-attacking would only lead to worse.

Peutoa grabbed Shin from Susan's embrace and leapt back, even if everything happened swiftly, Peutoa held Shin softly the entire time, trying her best not to harm his body.

After losing the one thing which could ensure them their free pass, Susan and Eline didn’t know what to do.

But, they were in luck.

“Don’t mind her, she’s special, hihi.”

Kali snickered as she spoke.

“Just tag along.”

After she finished, she turned around and headed towards the castle.

Azane didn’t say a word, but silently following Kali.

Peutoa held Shin softly in her arms, she was half a step behind Kali, Peutoa didn’t bother glancing where she was running, only staring at his face.

Susan held Eline as she followed behind Peutoa while eying the horns on Azane’s head.

Demon?

Outskirts of the Kingdom of Alizad

Hath Kagatsu was glancing beneath him, at the hundreds of corpses on the ground.

He was breathing heavily as sweat was rolling down his face.

Hath’s robe was tattered to the point of it was just barely hanging on his body.

“Heh…”

He swapped the robe with a black armour covering his whole body.

A faint smile appeared on his face.

“Will more come?”

Hath murmured softly as he gazed into the horizon.

“Humph!”

Not long after, Hath’s eyes narrowed as he coldly gazed at the shadow rushing towards him.

It was a single shadow, but it’s presence was equalling more than hundreds of those beasts Hath battled earlier.

The shadow stood in front of Hath, was an aged woman with only her right arm attached.

“Are you the ‘Hunter’?”

Hath asked as he stared at the woman with fierce eyes.

“Don’t make me laugh, you are not worthy, a mere Guardian of Fate cannot block my path.”

Muir annoyingly said. She was already in a bad mood because of the fight with Leo.

“That might be, most of the Guardians of Fate had already seen their end because of you.”

Hath didn’t let Muir speak as he continued.

“But, a lot of time has passed.”

“I have painstakingly cultivated, hiding and waiting for this time to come.”

Hath snickered as he gazed the severed left arm of Muir.

“This seems to be fate, you being injured, let me finish your life right here!”

“Humph!”

“You mere humans act all the same!”

Muir stared at Hath like he was an insect.

The Kingdom of Alizad

The capital

“Peutoa lay him down on the bed.”

Kali ordered Peutoa as she glanced around, she extended her aura and searched for Aria’s and Laura’s life signal, but finding nothing.

Kali frowned as her eyes narrowed.

Where the heck are they at?

Peutoa nodded as she softly laid Shin on the bed.

Kali sat down on the couch and closed her eyes.

Susan and Eline sat on the couch in front of Kali. Susan didn’t speak and closed her eyes too. While on the other hand, Eline kept turning around and glanced at Shin.

Azane and Peutoa stood in front of the bed, Peutoa was deep in thought while Azane stared at Shin.

As they silently waited in the room, Kali opened her eyes as she swiftly glanced towards the door and said in a low voice.

“You came back?”

“Then quickly come here.”

Susan saw that Kali’s mouth was moving but couldn’t hear her voice.

Azane heard something and also turned around, staring at the door.

The others following suit.

Not long after, the door opened and three females and a male entered the room.

The one in the lead was Aria, following her was Laura, Leo and Tharia in order.

“Kali!”

“Didn’t you say that you would protect him!?”

Aria's cold voice sounded out, the first thing she saw was Shin unconscious on the bed.

Kali shook her head while rebuking Aria.

“You have no idea what happened.”

“We almost lost our lives, we barely managed to keep our ground.”

“Shin just abruptly dashed into the battle, he saved us...”

Kali's voice turned silent towards the end while her eyes warmly gazed at Shin.

“Hey, it was me who saved that kid!”

“Humph!”

Azane glared at Kali while showing that she was at least doing her part.

“Why are you here?”

“Demon race...”

Aria asked with her eyebrows raised.

Azane smiled brightly as she looked at Aria.

“I’m a Valkyrie of the Red Moon clan, my name is Azane Zonor.”

Laura behind Aria didn’t put her eyes off Azane as she asked.

“What is a Valkyrie doing here?”

“Ooh, you’re stupider than I thought, haha.”

Azane mocked Laura as she teasingly glared at Laura.

Leo and Tharia just stood there, they didn’t interrupt as they wanted to stay out of the discussion.

Before Laura could raise her voice, Aria raised her hand, motioning Laura to stop.

“A Valkyrie has a role, you being a Valkyrie means that there’s something here which allows you to follow your mission.”

Aria glanced at Kali, Peutoa and Shin in turn and continued.

“You rushing forward to save Shin, helping Peutoa and Kali and even coming here. I’m not stupid enough to guess that your role has something to do with my son; Shin. Am I right or wrong?”

After clearly putting it that way, she asked Azane for confirmation.

Azane was somewhat speechless.

She unconsciously nodded.

“I think I found out what to do, I’ll firstly wait and talk with that kid.”

Kali raised her eyebrows when she saw Tharia and Leo.

“What’s the Emperor of Leran doing here?”

Leo only waived his hand towards Kali and said casually.

“Just visiting a friend.”

“Besides, what treasure is here that can keep you here, Purple Witch Kali?”

“Treasure?”

“Why should I be looking for one?

Kali asked in wonder.

“Hmm?”

Leo furrowed his brows as he stared at Kali.

“Then why are you here?”

Kali pointed at herself while tilting her head.

“Me?”

She then pointed at the unconscious Shin and said.

“Him, I’m here because of Shin.”

“Wait what?”

Leo was shaking his head, trying to deny the rumour he heard.

“I don’t believe that you; the Purple Witch would be interested in weak people.”

Kali didn’t bother to answer Leo as she glanced at Aria.

“Tell me, what is he doing here?”

“I’ll tell you soon, let me first check on Shin.”

Aria walked past Peutoa and Azane, standing right in front of Shin.

She extended her hand, caressing his face softly.

Aria closed her eyes, trying to sense everything inside his body.

Trembling!

The whole castle was trembling because of Aria's pressure. Even her body was shivering.

Aria slowly turned around towards the rest.

Her expression was ice-cold, her eyes were piercing Kali, Peutoa, Azane, Susan and Eline.

Deep inside of Shin

In the deep darkness, there stood thirteen statues in a circle, each one shining different colours.

In the middle of the circle, was a jet-black statue, the statue was a majestic youth looking boy.

In front of the statue, sat Shin there patiently.

“So, you’re saying that me becoming a Cultivation Warrior has helped me in awakening something?”

Shin asked once again.

The grey sculpture - Ker'Vrak answered casually.

“Yes, for example, your eyesight should be recovered to some point. You would be able to see, but you can’t use it all day. Save it for when it’s needed.”

“Also, starting from now, your powers will continue to grow steadily. We will try to refrain from ruining your growth, therefore, don’t use your Power of Death any longer.”

“What if something bad happens and I need help?”

Shin tilted his head as he asked curiously.

Ker’Vrak wasn’t able to answer, in the midst of the silence, the silver sculpture spoke out.

“Shin, would you mind me giving a suggestion?”

Kuugo asked Shin with a soft voice.

Shin nodded happily and said.

“Of course, Kuugo.”

“You are always helpful at these times!”

“Haha, that’s your only good point Kuugo, serves you right!”

The red sculpture - Mekina laughed out loud as she mocked Kuugo to ease up the situation.

“Cough cough!”

Kuugo coughed uncontrollably when he heard Mekina.

“Shin, there’s a way to let you gain a powerful strength, but it requires a lot of preparation.”

“Really?!”

Shin asked in surprise, raising his voice.

“What is it Kuugo, tell me.”

While Shin was overjoyed, the rest of the Guardians were in a bad mood. They didn’t speak nor make any sound, the only thing they did, was solemnly gazing at Kuugo and Shin.

“Us Guardians have left a soul mark inside of your body, which in turn has made these sculptures inside of you.”

“We Guardians lost our lives in the Ancient Era, we managed to leave a soul mark in this continent, waiting for you to be born. On the day you were born, us Guardians moved our soul marks inside of your body.”

Kuugo stopped for a second, waiting for Shin.

Shin closed his eyes, thinking.

Does that mean their souls are inside of me?

“What does this have to do with me becoming stronger for a period of time?”

Shin had a bad premonition as he trembled slightly.

“Shin, these sculptures are filled with our power.”

Kuugo continued slowly.

“We can shatter our own sculptures; all the power inside of our soul marks can be used by you.”

Shin just dumbly stood there, he didn’t know how to react.

“What, what does that mean?”

Shin shook his head, hoping that Kuugo’s answer wouldn’t be what he thought.

“Simply said, by my demise, you would be able to survive.”

Kuugo said so casually but his words were filled with warmth and care.

Before you even were born, I had been waiting for you.

After what we saw back then, we promised to protect you in any way we can.

Since you were born, I have seen you grow up, all your suffering and pain.

It was our fault, to begin with, you going through all of this is because of us. I hope when you find out, that you don’t blame the rest, it was my doing.

None of the Guardians said anything to stop Kuugo from acting like that. They had carefully spoken together about this, they could not object that the only reason they are currently here is for Shin.

For his survival, they would, in the end, do anything, even letting one of their companions since the Ancient Era shatter his own soul mark.

Shin fell backwards on his butt, shaking his head.

“N-no, I, I don’t want you to do something like that.”

“Shin.”

Kuugo called out to Shin, right in front of Shin, a silver light appeared.

Inside of the silver light, a slim body appeared. He seemed to be in his early twenties, but his hair white, like his eyes.

As the silver light vanished, Kuugo stepped closer towards Shin, reaching his right hand towards Shin’s face.

“Shin, I am very sorry for causing you suffering beyond what people could have imagined.”

“Since the day you were born, I have always in my heart treated you like my grandchild. I will do anything for you.”

“I know that you love your friends and family a lot, more than I can even imagine. Therefore, if either you or they are in danger, I will do my best to save all of you.”

Kuugo’s soothing voice sounded out in Shin’s ears, tears ran down Shin’s face when he heard Kuugo saying that he saw himself as his own ‘grandchild’.

“But, but, I don’t want you to die!”

Shin tried to wipe off his tears before they quickly emerged once again.

Kuugo drew Shin into his embrace, stroking his back softly.

“Shin, don’t worry about anything.”

Kuugo continued to softly speak.

“If you are able to live happily with your family and friends, my death would be worth it.”

Shin tightly hugged Kuugo as he wept, Shin’s heart was aching like it was stabbed by a dagger.

“No, no, no.”

He silently tried to deny Kuugo.

Shin raised his voice and tried to anxiously ask.

“Please Old man, Mekina, Kira, Glarius, Murutha, Malika, Ovan, Shenya, Zura, Bayoun and Lia, please stop Kuugo!!!”

Ker’Vrak didn’t say anything.

Mekina’s red light turned weaker as she wanted to say something but ended up being quiet.

The first one to say something was the sculpture which was shining pink.

“Little Shin, we have already decided on this.”

“Shenya, I don’t want to lose Kuugo!”

Shin tried to yell out, but his voice muffled as he was clinging to Kuugo’s chest.

“Little Shin, I know that you love all of us.”

“We love you a lot too, that’s why we would even go this far just to ensure your safety.”

Shenya said softly, trying to comfort Shin.

Kuugo made a signal with two fingers as he gently smiled, stroking Shin’s cheeks.

Before Shin noticed anything, his whole body started to slowly vanish.

“Don’t!”

Shin roared out when he sensed his body in this realm was slowly disappearing.

“Kuugo, don’t, don’t do this!”

“NOOO!!!”

The Kingdom of Alizad

Inside of Shin’s and Aria’s room

As Aria was coldly gazing at them with murderous eyes, a red flame engulfed Shin’s body.

Shin’s whole body was covered in the red flame, just the oppressive aura the flame was giving, stopped anyone to step forwards toward Shin.

Aria shockingly turned around, widening her eyes when she saw Shin covered in flames.

She stepped forward like a moving mountain, but she couldn’t get close!

Kali’s purple eyes turned golden as she swiftly dashed towards Shin, but the closer she got, the more she was pressured by the flame.

Thalia and Leo were beyond surprised, Tharia was just glaring at the flame in shock and horror while Leo tried to step towards Shin but his injured body couldn’t handle the pressure the flame was giving off.

Azane raised her right hand, summoning her halberd, trying to equally pressure the flame.

But, it was for nought, after a second, Azane coughed up blood and landed on her knees.

Peutoa and Laura were too weak to do anything at this moment, they could only try their best without any success.

Susan stood in front of Eline, she had no reason to rush forward against the flame.

Eline could only gaze at the flame in fear behind Susan.

“Break for me!”

Aria roared out as she raised her fist and punched towards the flame, fear and worry could be seen in her eyes.

Aria’s punch didn’t do anything but injure her fist.

“WAAAHHH!!!”

A resounding yell sounded out from Shin’s mouth.

Aria’s eyes went bloodshot as she punched, again and again, leaving her whole fist bloody.

Aria took out her silver katana, her breathing was rough as blood was oozing out her mouth and eyes.

But, before she could use her katana, the red flame which engulfed Shin slowly weakened.

Aria’s eyes were filled with hope as she tried to step closer towards Shin.

Not even ten seconds later, the red flame vanished into thin air, leaving only Shin on the bed.

Kali thought of something and hurriedly stared deeply into Shin’s body.

“Hihihi, it really was like this!”

Kali laughed and roared out in joy.

“Inspect his body once more, his body has been healed!”

When the rest heard what Kali said, they used different ways to check Shin’s body.

Laura, Peutoa, Susan, Tharia and Leo had ways to check, but not detailed, but what they saw was that Shin’s body was in a perfect condition!

Aria breathed out in relief as she fell on her knees.

Shin slowly raised his body from the bed, opening his eyes, showing his eyes, which looked like the night sky. Shin glanced at the people in the room, the ones he knew and the ones he didn’t know.

But, tears emerged from the corner of Shin’s eyes as he silently wept.

I will not let you die, Kuugo.

You have been protecting me all this time, please don’t leave me.

Kuugo, I will not allow something like that happen!

No way!!!

They told me if I want something, I have to grab it by myself!

I will do so!!!

Shin’s whole body was covered with a dark aura, scaring everyone in the room.

Shin’s expression turned gloomy as his newly recovered body started to break again.

“Crack”

His bones were breaking up into pieces and recovering up instantly.

He raised his head, warmly gazing at everyone before his body disappeared.

Only leaving a couple of words behind.

“I am very sorry for troubling everyone.”

“Everything is happening because of me, let me now face this by myself.”