Blessings Upon the Awakened Relic, Light in the Heavens, Wind Through the Trees
In the vibrant Verdant Sea Cavern, Pepper, alongside Aitoir, raced to this familiar place once again.
"Suu... fuu..."
Leaning against the bark of a giant tree, Pepper scanned for other players or monsters, using breathing techniques to calm their nerves and regain composure.
"Pepper-han, you okay?" Aitoir asked.
"If I said I wasn't nervous, I'd be lying. Scared? Honestly... I want to run," Pepper admitted.
Sweat coated their palms, threatening to loosen their grip on their weapon. Not all heroes in games or fairy tales were fearless. Some froze in terror, others sank into despair.
Yet, they persevered. Supported by comrades, driven by sworn promises, heroes overcame fear and despair to save the world.
"She entrusted me with her dream, her feelings, her wish. I want to prove her choice was right," Pepper declared.
Sworn to Weiss Ash to become a hero who turns lies into reality, Pepper resolved to show Tyranid Giraffe and Kaiserion Caucasus their newfound strength. Burying fear deep within, they steeled their resolve and strode through the Verdant Sea Cavern.
Walking, walking, walking. A single firefly, just like that day, approached. It circled Pepper and Aitoir, guiding them forward. A river of fireflies formed a Milky Way, leading to two towering Imperial Trees piercing the sky. Around them, a cleared circular arena stood ominously. Between the trees, a massive gem, glowing with jade light within a golden hue, sat quietly, faintly illuminated by dappled sunlight.
"You came..." Pepper said.
"Yep..." Aitoir replied.
That day's battle and defeat triggered a special quest. Vowing revenge, armed with new weapons, exploring every possibility, and training relentlessly, Pepper, supported by allies, had reached this moment.
Approaching the circular boundary, crossing it would ignite the battle.
"I'm going in, Aitoir."
Eyes filled with resolve met Aitoir's gaze. Overwhelmed by emotion, the wandering rabbit cried out, "Pepper-han!"
As Pepper turned, Aitoir kissed their cheek, her own actions overwhelming her.
"A-Aitoir!?" Pepper stammered.
"Win... absolutely," Aitoir said, her black-furred cheeks flushed, eyes glistening. She hopped off Pepper's shoulder, hiding in nearby grass.
"Heh, now I really can't lose," Pepper grinned, giving Aitoir a thumbs-up before stepping into the circle.
Instantly, a fence of wind and thunder magic rose behind, sealing their escape. Roaring wingbeats and a gusting storm announced the emerald Tyranid Giraffe Stag Beetle and the black-and-gold Kaiserion Caucasus Beetle emerging from behind the Imperial Trees.
"You've returned, hero!" Tyranid Giraffe bellowed.
"From that day... you've grown to reach this place!" Kaiserion Caucasus added.
Reaching level 40 and wielding Radiant Solreia must have altered their dialogue, Pepper noted.
"Tyranid Giraffe! Kaiserion Caucasus! Since you defeated me, I've grown stronger. Witness my power now!" Pepper roared, equipping the Guilfeed Breaker and striking a stance.
"I am the Child of the Hurricane, Tyranid Giraffe!" the emerald beetle declared.
"I am the Child of the Thunderstorm, Kaiserion Caucasus!" the black-and-gold beetle proclaimed.
"Hero who returns! Prove your cultivated 'power' to us!" they roared in unison.
Their wingbeats shook the Imperial Trees, scattering leaves. The two emperors charged to test if Pepper was worthy of inheriting the dream of flight.
Thus began the battle between one aspiring hero and two Insect Emperors.
No matter how many attacks Pepper landed, no damage polygons appeared. Even switching to blunt or slashing weapons, as in their first fight, Tyranid Giraffe and Kaiserion Caucasus took no damage.
Weaving skills like Fatal Blade Technique [Water Mirror Moon] and Fatal Dance Technique [Moonlight Waltz], Pepper dodged relentlessly, certain these were gimmick monsters, waiting for that moment.
Weiss Ash had said Radiant Solreia would awaken upon receiving a massive blow from the Insect Emperors.
"How much longer!? No, doesn't matter! I'll die if I don't focus on dodging!" Pepper shouted, barely evading.
Unlike last time, when they survived with 1 HP, this fight wouldn't auto-end. Using movement skills and constant footwork, Pepper kept running.
Winds grazed their side, lightning tore the earth, and the massive Insect Emperors slammed with powerful blows. Pepper endured, dodged, and parried their charges.
Then—that moment arrived.
Tyranid Giraffe and Kaiserion Caucasus soared skyward, their pincers and horns glowing, summoning a storm of wind and thunder.
"Carve the curse of the Night Emperor, hero!"
"Overcome our trial!"
A slicing gale roared, lightning burst forth, and memories of their first battle flooded Pepper's vision.
Closing their eyes, taking a deep breath, Pepper shouted, recalling Arthur Pencilgon—Amane Eien—who always said to enjoy the 'game' with flair.
"Let's go big!"
Drawing Radiant Solreia from the inventory and equipping it, Pepper faced a fused assault of thunder and whirlwind.
As light and wind enveloped them, just like the first time...
A miracle awoke.
At the impact point, a breath emerged.
Like a newborn life crying out in this world, it stirred.
A woman's impossible dream of soaring through the azure sky.
Amid human conflict, that dream and wish faded. Left behind with the hope that a righteous one would revive it, her feelings crossed eons to finally bear fruit.
"Let's go, Radiant Solreia! Show Tyranid Giraffe and Kaiserion Caucasus our power!"
Standing at the heart of the raging wind and thunder, Pepper's Radiant Solreia, equipped on both legs, absorbed every gust and bolt, storing energy in its steel limbs.
Bandage drills spun, radiators opened, releasing white steam. A voice rang out: Energy Full Charge!
On this day, at this moment.
A fragment of the Radiant Dragonius, crafted to mimic the one-of-a-kind Dragon King defying the Primordial Stirrings in ancient times, worn by a human to support them, was reborn.
Awaken, Radiant Solreia
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