Ereshkigal.
A codename—the name given to a human born from the experiments of a forbidden organization hundreds of years ago. Their objective was clear: something never meant for the sake of good.
But Ereshkigal escaped.
She hid among human society, trying to live ordinary days like everyone else. For the first time, she experienced what was called a normal life—something she had only ever dreamed of behind the laboratory walls.
Unfortunately, she never knew that her body carried something far more horrifying than her past.
A plague.
The plague spread without sound, without warning. Quietly passing from one human to another. Until at last, the ticking time bomb detonated.
Ereshkigal lost control. Without realizing it, her very existence became the trigger that activated the catastrophe. Within days, hundreds, thousands, even millions of lives were lost. Some victims did not die—they changed. Their bodies and minds distorted, transforming into terrifying monsters that could no longer be called human.
For those who survived, there were only two possibilities: return to being ordinary humans… or awaken as something new.
They were called Genesta.
The first generation of Genesta—who would later be known as the Ancestors—were marked with special codes that only they could understand. Through those codes, they learned the limits and potential of their respective powers. But at that time, there were only ten of them.
Ten people against a world that had already collapsed.
The monsters became the primary threat. The Genesta Ancestors hunted them relentlessly—not only to restore the world, but also because every monster defeated left behind a residue of condensed energy—an unprecedented, strange power.
The hunt lasted a long time. Years. Until at last, the earth was cleansed of monsters.
The accumulated energy was then compressed into cores of power known as the Ultimate Core.
And then… what about Ereshkigal?
She died not long after the plague fully activated.
Yet the plague itself never truly disappeared.
It merely fell asleep.
The Ultimate Core became the only means to suppress it, to tame it, and to seal its source so it would not awaken again.
The world experienced peace for a time. But human peace never truly lasts.
Some began to covet the Ultimate Core for their own interests. Division became inevitable. The remaining Genesta Ancestors could no longer restrain the greed that had grown among humanity.
Bloodshed returned.
Human ego—once again—shattered the world.
To prevent total annihilation, the Ultimate Core was eventually divided into several fragments. Each was passed down to the next generation of Genesta, kept hidden and safeguarded—even as a minor doomsday—an apocalypse—swept across civilization.
Some Cores vanished without a trace.
To this day, the world only knows of six.
But everything changed when I saw something that should not have existed.
The Seventh Ultimate Core.
Sylphina Angel.
Its form was beautiful—like a pair of fairy wings frozen in light. As beautiful as its current owner: Princess Jasmine.
Once, she was one of the royal princesses of the Kingdom of Asteria. Now she had abandoned her throne, her title, even her family, to build an independent nation in the north—Avelion.
That night, the kind-hearted princess asked me to join her. She even offered me the first Ultimate Core—Eternal Emerald—to wield.
I accepted her invitation. But not the Core.
I valued her trust. But my heart… was not ready to shoulder such a burden.
Since that night's conversation, my thoughts have never truly settled. Her words kept echoing—about the possibility of the catastrophe from centuries ago rising again. About Ereshkigal.
If the plague were truly to return, would the Genesta of this era be able to withstand it? Our numbers far exceed those of the Ancestors. But strength is not everything.
The Ultimate Core is the only seal.
And looking at the state of the world now—kingdoms suspicious of one another, factions eager to exploit chaos—would they truly cooperate?
Or would they wait for the world to burn… and fight over the ashes that remained?
I hate this world.
And yet, somehow, I have also begun to love it.
Amid the corruption and greed, remnants of peace still exist. There are still humans who choose to protect rather than destroy.
And that makes me waver.
I have betrayed my own idealism.
I have become a hypocrite.
Because even as I curse this world—
I still want to save it.
※ ※ ※ - ※ ※ ※
I stood for quite a while in front of the metallic door. Several times my hand lifted to press the bell, only to stop halfway.
Nervous.
The feeling tightened in my chest. I only wanted to say one thing. And yet it felt heavy.
I can't stay like this.
Finally, with a deep breath, I pressed the bell.
A voice from the intercom beside the door responded immediately.
"[Who is it?]"
"Um… it's me, Sis. Azca."
There was no reply for a few seconds. Then came the sound of a lock disengaging, and the door slid open.
Princess Jasmine was already seated behind her desk, smiling as usual.
"Please, come in."
"Ah, yeah."
I stepped inside. The room was fairly spacious for an office. Behind her stood a large window covered with white panels, giving the space a calm and orderly atmosphere. For some reason, I always felt slightly awkward whenever I was here.
"What brings you here, Azca?"
"Umm… it's about what we discussed before."
"…Ya?"
I closed my eyes briefly, exhaled to steady myself, then looked at her again.
"I'm willing to use the Core."
For a moment, she simply stared at me. Then her eyes lit up.
"Truly?"
She rose from her chair at once and walked toward me quickly. She took my hands without hesitation. Her reaction reminded me of Dania when we first met—too honest in expressing her joy.
"Thank goodness you agreed! I'm so happy!"
"Huh?! E-Eh, yep…"
Her enthusiasm overwhelmed me slightly.
"Alright. Let's go to the Training Room now. We'll try the Core on you."
"Now?!"
"Of course. The sooner the better."
"B-But—"
Sis Jasmine gave me no chance to protest. With a cheerful expression, she pulled me outside. She really was like a child impatient to go to the playground.
Before I knew it, I was brought to a place completely unfamiliar to me.
The Training Room of Avelion's secret headquarters.
The moment I stepped inside, I froze. The place was far larger than I had imagined—almost like a coliseum. It was circular, and on several sides there were spectator seats lined with thick protective glass. My own voice felt as though it could echo endlessly.
I nearly felt dizzy just looking at it.
"Azca. Try it now."
Princess Jasmine's voice pulled me back. She held out the glass case containing the Core.
My heart began pounding uncomfortably again. The unease hadn't fully faded. But I had already decided.
I took the case and removed the Core.
"Place it on the nape of your neck. It will automatically merge with your body."
"Yes."
Without thinking too long, I pressed it against my nape.
In an instant, it pierced through my skin.
Pain struck mercilessly. As if molten metal had been poured and forced into the bones of my neck. The heat surged into my head, burning through my consciousness, then rushed violently through my entire body. My knees nearly gave out.
My body felt heavy—like invisible hands were dragging me downward.
"Aaargh—!"
"You must already feel its energy merging with you."
Princess Jasmine remained calm, in stark contrast to the turmoil I felt.
"Endure it," she continued. "Do not lose consciousness. Until the Core fully adapts."
I could only nod. My teeth ground together, suppressing a scream that nearly broke free. My breathing turned ragged.
Then—
Within my field of vision, something slowly formed.
A massive emerald-green mass. At first blurred, like particles behind mist. But gradually its shape became clearer—thick curves, solid surfaces, emitting a steady, dim glow.
It was not a sword.
Not a spear.
"This—?!"
"Yes," she answered. "That is the true form of the Core-1st. A shield."
As its form became fully defined before me, the violent pain slowly subsided. Like waves finally returning to the sea. The heat disappeared, replaced by a warmth that settled in my chest.
The crushing weight vanished.
Instead—new strength flowed through every fiber of my muscles. Denser. More stable.
I took a long breath.
My body felt… whole.
No. More than that.
As if something now stood behind me—unseen, yet ready to withstand anything that came.
Princess Jasmine watched me from behind the protective glass.
"Now, close your eyes. Imagine that form manifesting physically in front of you. This will train you until you get used to it."
I obeyed. My eyelids closed, leaving behind a calm darkness.
Within that darkness, the image of the emerald shield reformed. At first faint, then solid—its curves defined, its surface gleaming softly like polished jade.
I extended my hand.
When my fingers touched it, there was a sensation—cold and solid. Real.
Slowly, I opened my eyes.
The shield was now truly in my grasp.
Its shape was exactly as I had seen in my mind—large, thick, almost as tall as my own body. Its surface reflected the lights of the training room, deep green yet vividly alive.
"You can manifest it," Princess Jasmine observed. "How does it feel?"
I adjusted the grip on its inner handle, trying to balance the weight.
"Um… how should I put it? This thing… is very large and heavy for my small body."
My arm trembled slightly. Not because I couldn't lift it—but because its weight was no joke.
"Hm… I thought so," she said, narrowing her eyes as she assessed its proportions. "It does look excessive considering your size."
I fell silent for a moment, staring at the shield's surface.
"Can I change its size? For example, make it smaller?"
"Of course," she replied without hesitation. "But that would mean compressing it. Its density would increase. The burden would actually become heavier."
I grimaced softly.
"…I see? That means… even if I can change its shape, I cannot reduce its composition," I murmured to myself.
This shield was not merely an object. It was energy with fixed mass.
I took a deep breath, then closed my eyes again briefly. Trying to feel the flow of energy at my nape—at the point where the Core had fused with me.
"Maybe… I should try something else."
"Eh?" Princess Jasmine raised an eyebrow slightly.
I didn't answer. Instead, I loosened my grip on the massive shield.
If it cannot be reduced—
Then perhaps… it can be divided.
I ignored Princess Jasmine and closed my eyes fully.
I erased the massive shield's form from my consciousness. Dissolving it. Its energy felt like thick liquid floating in a dark space within my mind. Slowly, I divided the flow into four equal portions.
Three for defense.
One for offense.
I began reconstructing them.
No longer massive and heavy. More streamlined. More practical. Suited to my body and fighting style.
When I felt everything stabilize, I opened my eyes.
The first thing I saw was Princess Jasmine's face frozen in shock.
"I-Is that… the shield…?!"
She pointed toward my hand.
I looked down as well.
The massive shield had vanished. In its place, a short, pointed blade rested in my grip. Its edge gleamed emerald green, emitting a soft light like living crystal.
"Wh-Why… did the large shield… turn into a short sword?" Sis Jasmine still looked in disbelief.
"Yes," I answered calmly. "But not only this."
I extended my left hand forward.
Instantly, three slender kite-shaped shields appeared—one floating in front of me, two hovering at my right and left sides. Their color matched the sword in my hand. Solid emerald green, softly glowing.
"What do you think, Sis Jasmine?"
"This is the first time I've seen something like this…"
she murmured. "Why… are there three shields? And this sword…?"
"Since I couldn't reduce its composition, I divided it into four parts," I explained. "Three parts became shields. The remaining one became a sword."
She still looked unconvinced. "But… wouldn't controlling three shields be extremely difficult?"
I shook my head.
"Not really. I actively control only one." I lightly tapped my sword against the front shield. "The other two are passive. They're bound to my side coordinates. As long as I move, they'll automatically adjust to protect my blind spots."
Princess Jasmine fell silent for a few seconds.
"I-I see…?" she breathed softly, still in awe. "So how is it now? Do you feel comfortable?"
I moved my body, stepping lightly, rotating my wrist. The sword felt fused with my arm. The shields followed without excessive burden.
"I think it's far more comfortable than before. I can move freely now." I looked at her firmly. "What's next, Sis?"
Resting her chin on her hand, her gaze turned serious.
"I think we should test it."
She activated her Core.
Soft light emerged from her back. A pair of glowing neon fairy wings unfolded gracefully, scattering tiny particles through the air of the training room.
The aura around her shifted—light, yet sharp.
"Are you ready?"
I tightened my grip on the sword. The three shields rotated slowly into formation.
"Of course."
The air inside Avelion's secret headquarters' Training Room suddenly felt heavier.
My first trial—began now.
Princess Jasmine flew backward, and I reflexively leapt back as well, widening the distance between us.
Her hand extended forward. The air around her froze, forming spears of ice aimed straight at me.
"After the countdown, attack while maintaining your defense."
"Understood!"
"Alright… three… two… one… Start!"
I pushed off the ground with all my strength and dashed forward. At the same moment, the ice spears shot toward me like a rain of blades. The impact startled me; my balance nearly faltered from the shock colliding against my shields.
I inhaled sharply, forcing my body to adjust. I moved more flexibly. Some spears I dodged, but others slammed into my shields from every direction.
The shields were sturdy. Unfortunately, my arms were not yet fully accustomed to withstanding such force. Pain began spreading. Still, I clenched my teeth and continued forward, breaking through the relentless storm of ice.
Just a little more.
The closer I got to her, the heavier the pressure became. But I would not retreat.
Once within striking range, I leapt and swung my blade toward her.
"Got you!"
Princess Jasmine did not evade.
Instead, she simply smiled at me.
'Clank!'
"What?!"
My strike was halted by a sharp metallic ring. A wall of ice suddenly rose, solid and thick, blocking my attack flawlessly.
Before I could process what had happened, another chunk of ice fell from above—too late for me to notice.
"Guargh!"
My body was struck from two directions. My back slammed against the floor, the ice pressing down as if to crush me. My breath caught. Every joint felt instantly numb.
"You're not yet accustomed to the impact force," Princess Jasmine said calmly. "Because of that, you tried to end the attack quickly. Rushing lowers your vigilance."
She stepped closer and extended her hand toward me.
I grasped it, trying to stand with what little strength remained. "True… my arms almost went numb after blocking those attacks."
"But that was already good," she continued. "You were still able to push forward and even find an opening to attack."
"…Yes. I suppose so."
I looked at my trembling hand. The pain throbbed faintly, spreading to my fingertips. Even gripping felt difficult.
Princess Jasmine observed me for a moment, then nodded slightly. "We'll stop here for today."
"Huh? Ah… yes, Sis."
I exhaled deeply. My body felt wrecked, but inside my chest, something felt slightly stronger than before.
We walked toward the edge of the arena, heading to the resting benches. Two familiar girls were already there.
Dania waved cheerfully. Beside her stood Naira more calmly—her hand raised, holding something that made me freeze.
An iron sphere.
"Percy? And you two are here?" I asked, still slightly out of breath.
"We wanted to see you use the Core-1st in person," Dania replied, her eyes sparkling.
"And also…" Naira stepped closer and handed the iron sphere to me, "…to return this."
I fell silent for a moment. The last time I saw him, his body was nearly destroyed—cracked and scorched everywhere. But now… he was whole again, gleaming like new.
"Azcaaa!"
Suddenly the sphere leapt from Naira's hand and clung to my chest.
"Percy!" I reflexively caught him. "Thank goodness you're alright!"
"They repaired me," he chirped happily.
Naira snorted softly. "That iron ball is so noisy. I could barely endure listening to him during the repair process."
My eyes widened. "Eh? So you were the one who fixed him? Thank you so much, Naira!"
"Huh?" Her face instantly flushed red. "Y-Ya."
Dania giggled softly at her reaction, then patted my shoulder.
"By the way, Azca. Congratulations on becoming the Core-1st's wielder. That was amazing. I'm truly impressed!"
I smiled faintly, still feeling the lingering tremor in my arm.
"Thank you, Dania. But that was far from perfect."
Percy wiggled gently in my arms. "But I'm sure Azca can do it! She's smart and amazing!"
I laughed softly. "Percy. You're exaggerating."
"Like I said before, Core-1st is extremely difficult to use," Naira said with her arms crossed. "But you handled it fairly freely. Your movements were agile."
"Really?" I asked uncertainly.
"Truly, Azca," Dania added quickly. "You're really strong."
I shook my head slightly. "You're praising me too much. Earlier, I only activated the small sword and one shield. The other two units remained passive. That means I was only carrying half of the total burden."
"That's precisely what makes it interesting," Naira murmured sharply. Then she turned to Princess Jasmine. "Sis, has she accessed the other abilities of Core-1st yet?"
"Ah, good point," Princess Jasmine replied lightly.
"Other abilities?" I frowned.
Princess Jasmine looked at me. "Azca, at the lower right corner of your vision… there's a crystal-shaped symbol, isn't there?"
I focused. Sure enough—there was a faint symbol I hadn't paid much attention to before.
"There is."
"Focus on it. Imagine pressing it."
"Alright."
I did as instructed. The moment my consciousness centered on the symbol, something opened before me.
A holographic window appeared—transparent, floating within my field of vision. Inside were several options written in unfamiliar text I did not fully understand.
"What is this…?" I murmured. "Mirror… Gate? Solid Shield?"
The words glowed softly, as if waiting to be selected.
Dania stepped closer, curiosity shining in her eyes. Naira observed with a serious expression.
Princess Jasmine smiled faintly. "Those are the Core-1st's true functions. What you used earlier… was only the surface."
The air around me felt slightly heavier. It seemed today's training was not truly over yet.
"But… why does this feel like a game?" I muttered while staring at the floating holographic menu.
"Enough complaining!" Naira interrupted firmly. Her tone reminded me of the caretaker at the orphanage—cold, but genuinely caring.
Princess Jasmine smiled faintly before continuing her instruction.
"Now look at the top of the list. There's a command labeled [ALTERNATIVE], right?"
"There is."
"If you select it, you can add a new skill. You can create one yourself, or modify an existing skill."
"Modify?" I repeated.
"Yes. That is what makes Eternal Emerald so special."
"So… I can create skills according to my own wishes?"
"Correct," she answered calmly. "Eternal Emerald does not have many innate abilities like other Cores. But in exchange, it grants full freedom to its wielder to construct skills—based on imagination."
Naira added, "Of course, not all imagination can be realized. There are limits of logic and energy capacity."
"…I see," I murmured softly.
"Now," Princess Jasmine continued, "for practice, use an existing skill as a base. Choose something simple so it can materialize more easily."
"Alright, Sis."
I selected [ALTERNATIVE].
Two options appeared: [NEW] and [RECONSTRUCTION].
I chose the second.
The list of skills appeared again. Without thinking too much, I selected Mirror Gate. According to its description, it created a dimensional gate—or something similar.
A dimensional gate.
Dimension means space.
Space means storage.
The idea came naturally. My hands moved swiftly, rearranging parameters. Removing several teleportation functions, simplifying the energy structure, condensing spatial stability.
About a minute passed. Then the menu displayed the final result.
"＜Gate Storage＞!" I activated the skill I had just created.
'Whoosh!'— a soft gust of wind circled my body.
In front of me, a dimensional gate appeared. Its size was not much different from my shield—oval-shaped, dark violet, thick mist swirling slowly across its surface. At a glance, it looked like a shield made of shadows.
"Waah!" Dania and Princess Jasmine exclaimed in unison.
"For some reason…," Naira muttered while narrowing her eyes, "from the name alone I can already guess its function."
Princess Jasmine looked at me curiously. "So, what is the ability of… that shield?"
"To store my belongings."
"Hah?!" Dania and Princess Jasmine's eyes widened instantly.
"Told you," Naira whispered softly, as if she had already predicted it.
"B-But why…?" Dania asked, bewildered.
I scratched my cheek. "Because… I always carry a lot of supplies. And I feel bad for Percy, who has to help carry them."
Percy immediately bounced happily. "Thank you, Azcaaa! You're so kind!"
I smiled faintly.
Meanwhile, Princess Jasmine let out a breath, somewhere between disbelief and resignation. Then she smiled slightly.
"Well… I suppose that ability still has its uses."
Naira crossed her arms. "Efficient. Practical. Not spectacular, but clever." Then she smiled. "I like the way you think."
I looked at the dark gate rotating slowly.
Maybe it was true. I hadn't created an ultimate weapon.
But at least… now I wouldn't have to struggle carrying too many things.
And for now, that was more than enough.
※ ※ ※ (CHAPTER – 05) ※ ※ ※