Seven days today is the day I will achieve my goal, but there were problems. Humans have prepared a trap for me. There are 77 lesser holy knights and 25 low sovereign knights, which is the most accurate number I came to a conclusion, but this is unreliable, so I can do nothing but do things more safely and cautiously.
"Come out, I'm here," I bellowed in my massive skeleton body, a formidable form given by my transformation magic. This imposing form was equipped with eight arms, two pairs of which were busy using boost magic to increase my power. Utilizing a wisdom-type arcane artifact and mind magic, I ingeniously devised a small method to preserve my magic energy while maintaining the efficiency of the boost magic at the same level, ensuring I could sustain my formidable form during the battle.
Bam bam bam
In an instant, countless lesser holy knights materialized around me, each clad in gleaming golden armor that reflected the light, surrounded by a radiant holy essence.
"Well, isn't this the legendary harbinger of death? What a surprise," the leader-like holy knight stepped forward, arrogance radiating from his presence like a palpable aura. His voice was filled with a mix of disdain and curiosity.
"You killed so many of us that we were getting scared of you, so I decided to lay a trap. But we didn't think you would come here. I wonder if you knew but came anyway. Does that mean you were too prideful to go away?" the leader taunted in a mocking tone, his words dripping with contempt. However, I truly could give this no attention all I needed was to follow the plan and fulfill my goal, regardless of their taunts.
"Stop wasting time, let's end this quickly," I shouted, taking my battle stance, my arms tensed and ready for combat. Although the demonic weapon I possessed was useful, it became a liability when using transformation magic, as it was cumbersome and difficult to maneuver.
"… strange, but if you wish to die, then be it," the leader signaled, and five of them charged at me with determined ferocity.
"Haa," I held my two hands together and stomped the ground with such force that a massive burst of impact erupted, sending shockwaves through the earth and knocking some of the knights off their feet.
"Come," I summoned one hand to create gaster blasters high above the sky, all preparing to fire their beams. I held them back, and sensing one on my back, I spun on the ground, swinging my hand to strike, but due to their smaller bodies, they easily dodged, their agility a testament to their skill.
A sword came to my neck, but I caught it mid-air with one of my hands and threw the human away with ease. I realized two more were on my back. Although I could block them, my four hands were occupied, so I had no choice but to endure the attacks, gritting my teeth against the pain.
"GUH!" A painful groan escaped me as I fell, but I quickly regained my stance instantly and summoned countless bones from the sky, all falling at extreme speeds, raining down like a deadly storm.
As the bones hit the ground, humans occupied space, some getting out of range while others used their weapons to block them. I wasted no time, commanding my gaster blasters to shoot those blocking the bones, the air filled with the sound of the beams finding their targets.
Boom!
After five shots, the entire battlefield was devastated, the ground scorched and littered with debris. However, with the protection from my arcane artifact, I remained unharmed, the magic shielding me from the chaos around me.
With my speed enchanted by boost magic, I reached one of them before they could react. With my four arms, I engaged in combat, pushing the human back as all my punches were blocked by his sword, the clang of metal echoing in the air.
"Somebody help," he shouted, and two humans appeared behind me. A smile crossed my skull as I created a massive burst of magic energy from my entire body. This burst was so powerful that I heard their holy essence fail and their armor break, but I was unharmed since it was my magic energy, a force I could control.
"Ahhh," all I heard were screams from those trying to thrust at me, who had lost their arms, though their bodies were perfectly fine, the magic having severed their limbs without causing fatal wounds.
Seizing the chance, I moved to kill one of them, but as expected, multiple other holy knights jumped on me, leaving me with no choice but to go on the defensive, my movements becoming slower as the injuries began to take a toll on my body.
"Not yet," I thought inwardly, my resolve unshaken despite the pain. Countless injuries were slowing my movements, but I knew I was close to achieving my goal.
"Just give up. If you give up, we will give you a peaceful death," they shouted. But it wasn't that they were winning rather, they were falling into my trap, their desperation playing right into my hands.
During the fight, I slowly descended the mountain to a certain point, though it was still too far away, the path treacherous and fraught with danger.
"Well, this is a first," I thought, a hint of amusement in my mind despite the dire situation. Soon, I canceled my transformation magic, but it exploded with such power that it took them by surprise, damaging their bodies and leaving them vulnerable.
And I got back my original self, then I ran down with my swift body. I navigated the mountain easily, but I held a hand sign to use boost magic, which allows me to outpace them in speed, but they didn't give up as they were chasing me at equal speed.
"Get back here."
"Stop running. "
With a smaller body, I was able to dodge quite easily than before, but in my plan, I couldn't always run. I needed to wear them down.
With a single, steady breath, I used my transformation magic, my body stretching and morphing into an immense, eight-armed skeletal giant that towered over the battlefield. As the magic completed, I used all four arms to form hand-signs to use boost magic, which left me with only 4 arms, but that was manageable. As each limb moved with deliberate precision, blocking blades and shields while simultaneously lashing out to deliver strikes that reverberated through the air, the impact was like thunder on a steel drum.
This new form, though towering and terrifying, felt almost weightless—like a set of enchanted, hollow armor draped around my true self. It did not matter if a hand or arm was severed the limbs were expendable, nothing more than tools for attack and defense. The true strength of the transformation lay in its design, a living weapon crafted for both offense and strategic retreat.
As long as I didn't die instantly, I would be okay even if I suffered immense injuries. My main form is safe, thus losing a limb in this form is okay and safe. The moment this form could no longer fight, I would cancel my transformation magic, and with boost magic constantly active, the moment of cancellation would create impact and weaves of energy that would damage everything, especially humans. Thus, after one hour, which I used transformation magic two times, half of them were injured and weren't in their perfect condition. This is due to me running away, but if it was a battle to win, I'm cooked.
And in this long-term strategy, it takes away an amount that equals thousands of full golden coins from Tana in each transformation magic. If there were normal extreme harbinger monsters using this strategy, they could easily pull this off, but with my strange state of mentality, I can't create magic energy by intensifying my emotions, so the only logical solution is persevering my magic energy till the last moment.
"Without near-endless magic energy other monsters possess in a long fight, I'm like a spark that burns brighter for moments then flickering away." I inwardly compare myself to others, and this way also helps me to recover magic energy more. I think more my mind will be busy, so too my will and active will can give me constant magic energy.
"If I can have a burst of magic energy during crucial moments like a normal monster, those humans would be no problem for a long-term fight that I can be sure of victory, but that is not the case anymore… not again." Thinking past and analyzing, anger surged through me as more and more magic energy recovered. This was an advantage every monster held against anyone as long as one had sufficient rank. Whenever there are hundreds or thousands of humans at one's level, a monster will always emerge victorious because if given sufficient mentality and rank, we are basically war machines that never run out of fuel and ammunition.
While running, I generated sharp slashes of magic energy aimed at cutting down trees to slow my pursuers. Then I used nature resonance to use other powers. Soon, the fallen trees began to stir and transform, taking on spider-like forms with multiple legs and chitinous bodies. They immediately engaged the approaching knights in combat.
This ability came from my bond with the nature spirit, since they flow channels their power through my core. By directing my will and intention, I can alter the flow of its power like a river changing course, allowing me to animate the forest briefly.
The animated trees were quickly cut down by the knights, but they achieved their purpose of slowing the pursuit. At that moment, I sensed something approaching rapidly toward the back of my skull.
I reacted instantly, muttering a sharp curse as I invoked my transformation magic. My body expanded into the eight-armed skeletal giant form. Four hands immediately performed the hand signs to activate boost magic, reinforcing my strength and speed. I pivoted to face the attack, only to see a fireball streaking toward me, burning everything in its path.
"Oh," I was surprised. This fireball spell of human magic can barely affect monsters who are made of magic.
It struck, and the explosion sent fire and heat surging across the area. I swung one arm in a broad arc, redirecting the flames away from my core. The fire washed over me with little effect, apart from scorching and burning away much of my clothing.
"This is clearly not something I anticipated, yet here it comes," I muttered flatly, keeping my voice calm as I raised all four of my arms in a swift, practiced motion to intercept the flurry of incoming sword strikes. The clash of steel rang out in the air, each impact vibrating through my limbs, but I refused to let my attention waver. My focus remained sharp on the chaos of the melee there could be no hesitation here. Every motion, every breath, was measured as I pivoted my body, deflecting blows from multiple directions.
Even as the next wave of attacks pressed in, I reached deep into the mind of myself and activated my soul manipulation, pulling myself backward in a sudden surge, retreating just beyond the reach of the blades. Freed from their grasp, I began to move each of my four hands deliberately, fingers tracing patterns in the air as I utilized temperature magic. Slowly, methodically, I began to weave the currents of heat, braiding streams of heat together, while my palms aligned with geometric precision. The sensation built in intensity I could feel the heat radiate up through my arms, a steady hum of raw power concentrating into a single, focused construct.
"Yaks, this is going to hurt like hell," I thought grimly, acknowledging the pain that was already creeping into me. Still, I set my jaw and continued the technique, allowing the heat to rise. My four hands vibrated under the strain, the air rippling visibly around them as their surfaces began to glow. The energy coalesced into squared formations, sharp and symmetrical, each a lattice of pure heat. With a final coordinated motion, I pushed them forward, releasing the weaves of burning energy toward the advancing humans.
The world responded instantly. The heat devoured the path before it grass blackened, shriveled, and disintegrated into dust. Trees that had stood for decades cracked and splintered, their bark peeling and curling as sap hissed into vapor. Stones on the ground grew slick and molten, their surfaces pulsing with orange veins. By the time the waves reached the humans, they had no chance to maneuver. Their armor gleamed for a heartbeat before beginning to bubble and warp, fusing to their bodies as though the metal itself was alive. Screams pierced the air as the agony of heat turned flesh and steel into an indistinguishable, clay-like mass.
Before the humans could die to my attack, my hands began to fail me. The heat I had conjured was so intense that my skeletal hands melted away like ice under the noonday sun. The molten sensation reached my forearms, the surface glowing and warping as my skeletal form began to disintegrate. I gritted my teeth and focused, reversing my temperature magic in a desperate bid to save myself. Instead of channeling heat, I drew forth the biting cold, letting it flow through my arms like rivers of winter. Steam hissed and swirled as flesh and bone cracked with frost, my forearms stiffening into icy, jagged extensions.
From my palms, waves of frigid coldness burst outward, weaving intricate trails of cold through the air. The environment responded instantly as snow and frost spread across the battlefield, coating the ground in a glistening white sheet. Trees groaned under sudden weight as their branches froze and snapped. The advancing humans were caught in the spreading freeze, their armor rimed with frost, their limbs sluggish and stiff.
I struck my four arms together with a resounding crack, shards of frost and splintered bone scattering like broken glass across the frozen terrain. The force of the collision shattered my arms entirely, but that was the intent in the next instant, regeneration magic surged through me. New limbs sprouted, skeletal and strong, ready for the next clash. Without hesitation, I pivoted, swinging my newly formed forearm like a sharpened spike at the human charging directly at me.
Bshik!
The spike-like forearm pierced through the man's chest, the impact echoing like a drumbeat in the frozen silence. Blood sprayed, steaming in the cold air. Yet, instead of fear or pain, the human smiled, lips curling in grim satisfaction.
"Got you, bitch," he spat, gripping my impaled forearm with both hands. Arcane words spilled from his mouth, a spell locking my movements in place. I felt my body seize, heavy and sluggish, as if chained by invisible iron.
"Now!" he roared.
I sensed three more humans rushing in from different directions. Their swords gleamed with a holy light as they lunged, thrusting toward me with deadly precision.
Buk! Buk! Buk!
The blades pierced my torso from three angles, the force staggering me, jolting my body with a sound like cracking stone. Pain rippled, but I did not falter. Instead, a twisted grin formed on my skull-like visage. They had, unknowingly, done me a favor.
Drawing deeply on my magic, I unleashed temperature magic at its fullest versatility. A wave of absolute frost exploded from my body, the air freezing solid in an instant. The humans' armor flash-froze against their skin, their hands and weapons locking in brittle ice. Snow and icicles spread in jagged patterns, trapping their legs to the frozen earth.
Then, with a decisive thought, I canceled my transformation magic. The effect of cancelling my transformation magic caused a shockwave, sending a powerful impact across the environment. And everything that had been frozen under my temperature magic, like trees, earth, and the armor of the immobilized knights, had shattered like fragile glass, fragments scattering in glittering arcs through the frigid air. The recoil of this detonation launched my body high into the sky, the wind whipping past as I spun upward.
"Ahhh!
"F***!"
"My arm!"
And of course, impact wasn't able to kill them, but they lost their ability to fight.
Suspended in the air for a fleeting heartbeat, I wasted no time. My hands formed rapid signs, and a surge of magic energy erupted from me.
The burst propelled me forward like a diving bird, slicing through the sky in a streak of motion. The sensation was exhilarating yet perilous the air howled around me, and the ground below became a distant blur.
In the next instant, I invoked my transformation magic once more. My frame expanded and shifted, bones snapping and reforming in perfect symmetry as two enormous skeletal wings unfurled from my back. Each wing spanned several meters, their joints creaking and cracking like dry timber.
The wings caught the air with a sharp rush, and I began to slow my descent, controlling the fall with precision. Yet, instead of simply halting, I angled my wings downward, channeling the momentum into an even faster forward dive.
Then my momentum finished as I landed on the ground. Due to this being a mountain, this allows me to dive this long time.
"Okay, next phase of the plan," I said as I cancelled my transformation magic. Unlike before, it didn't create impact as wings on my back, they simply turned into dust.
Then I closed my hollow sockets and started to concentrate using my newly learned technique based on space magic.
Spells and magic are fundamentally different in both nature and complexity. A spell is a straightforward act: the manipulation of raw magic energy to produce a single, immediate effect or phenomenon. It is akin to striking a match and is simple, direct, but fleeting. In contrast, magic is a structured and layered system, more like an elaborate tome where each page represents a specific, interconnected technique. Every technique is built upon foundational spells, combining them with precise intent to create sustained or multifaceted effects.
The reason there are so many distinct categories of magic lies in the direction and purpose of its techniques. Each branch of magic is designed to fulfill a particular function: some enhance physical abilities, others alter the environment, and still others manipulate elemental or conceptual forces. Among these, space magic is one of the most intricate and demanding disciplines. It is not content with merely producing visible effects instead, it focuses on manipulating and controlling the very fabric of spatial dimensions. A skilled user of space magic can bend distance, create traps that twist geometry, or even seal off entire areas in invisible cages.
As I prepared to cast my space magic, I could not help but recall an old saying: "Monster magic is like a computer program." The comparison is surprisingly accurate. Spells are like individual lines of code, simple instructions that produce a result. Magic, however, is the entire program— a complex, interwoven system of commands, protocols, and logic that must execute flawlessly to achieve the desired outcome. Any misstep in the design can result in catastrophic failure.
With the foundation of my space magic finally complete, I stood poised for the most critical step of my plan. The air around me shimmered faintly, as if reality itself had begun to bend beneath the weight of my intent.
"Before setting this ambush, I had meticulously explored the surrounding forest and placed eight of my innate-trait bones at its edges. Each bone served as an anchor, extending my perception and forming a perfect spatial circle. By focusing on the circle's core, I could manipulate the area within it in other words, I'm creating a sealed, unstable, small, temporary dimensional pocket, an endless maze of space where any human entering would become irretrievably lost."
I had deliberately kept the plan simple. Complex strategies demanded too much control, and I had none to spare in this precarious situation. Instead, I had chosen a single, elegant paradox: a looping, ever-repeating space that would trap every human who stepped within.
Yet, the true obstacle lay in the magic energy required. For a normal monster of my kind who has a grade 5 soul, this feat would have been trivial. But I am no ordinary monster I cannot generate the near-limitless energy my kin possess. Even now, I could feel my reserves dwindling, the strain threatening to undo all my efforts.
So I had no choice but to turn to my trump card: a one-time-use arcane artifact.
In my skeletal hand rested a butterfly-shaped stone, delicate and radiant. This was my bounded artifact, a recovery-type arcane artifact: the Last Resort Arcane Artifact. Unlike some artifacts that could be fused into the core of a monster, this one could only be bonded to my essence, lying dormant until the moment of dire need and can only be used once.
I inhaled deeply, letting a hollow sigh echo through the trees, and crushed the butterfly stone in my palm.
A surge of radiant light erupted forth. Golden liquid, like molten sunlight, streamed from the shattered fragments and flowed directly into my main body. The sensation was immediate and overwhelming. My bones vibrated with warmth as my magic energy began to replenish at an astonishing rate. The artifact's effect accelerated my recovery, amplifying my strength moment by moment.
"Ahh… this is very pleasant," I murmured, my hollow voice carrying a subtle tremor of satisfaction.
All the magic energy within my core vanished instantly as the magic floating on my hand became brighter and less blurry. It was like script on reality that was getting more absolute.
Then, my core surged once again, saturated with magic energy. The replenishment coursed through me like molten rivers, invigorating my body and sharpening every sense. With two sources feeding my reserves, the arcane artifact's radiant flow and my own recovering capacity, my magic energy began to cycle faster than ever before. The streams of power swirled within my core in intensity, stabilizing my form even as the surrounding space trembled beneath the weight of my magic.
Halfway through completing the space magic, the fabric of reality around me rippled. Lines of incomprehensible light, like the script of existence itself, danced in the air, becoming clearer and more absolute with every pulse of energy I poured into the formation. Each segment of the magic's structure anchored itself into place, shaping the dimensional pocket I had envisioned.
"Gah!" The sudden spike of strain hit me like a blade to the mind. My skull rang with vibrations of unstable power, and my thoughts threatened to scatter into chaos. It was no surprise I was treading into forbidden territory. I was a rank 12 monster attempting to cast tier 6 space magic this was a move that scraped the edge of near-death danger. Normally, my limit was tier 5. I could feel the backlash building in the depths of my soul, a gnawing pressure that promised ruin if I faltered.
But there was no way to go back. The moment I began pouring magic energy into the magic, all paths of retreat had been cut off. Any pause, any misstep, would shatter the half-formed dimensional weave and hurl the backlash into my core with catastrophic results. But I was rank 14, which capability to cast tier 7 magic so significantly lowered the danger level as my mastery is high quality, but still there is danger. If I didn't have this mastery, I wouldn't have created this plan.
"So be it," I muttered through gritted teeth, my skeletal fingers tightening around the threads of reality. I could not fail, not now. My will was the fulcrum the space magic would bend or I would break.
The effect of the last resort arcane artifact soon began to fade, but the magic was 90% complete, so it would only take a few more minutes to finish.
Suddenly, I heard a sing-song sound and instinctively dodged to my left, sensing an impending sound attack. The ground where I had just stood erupted into a crater as a powerful gust of wind propelled me away. In response, I quickly activated my transformation magic, morphing into an eight-handed giant. With four of my hands, I formed a hand sign to utilize boost magic, but my other two arms were occupied with holding my space magic, leaving me with only two free hands.
"There you are, you little cunt!" the previous leader, like a lesser holy knight, shouted. He appeared visibly enraged. "Because of you, we lost 12 people, but not this time!" As he spoke, he immediately cast a sound spell, which was an air-based attack.
"Shit!" I cursed, hastily creating a magic shield technique to block the sound attack. After I blocked the attack, I didn't have time to react as the human dashed toward me, striking the barrier with such force that it shattered. He unleashed three more sound attacks right after breaking the barrier, and I had no choice but to endure them, as I absolutely couldn't afford to cancel my space magic.
"Aghh!" I cried out as my entire body trembled, but I refused to back down, standing firm. I instantly cast countless spells at him while he was mid-air. A barrage of projectiles was directed at him with astonishing speed, but he glanced at them once, raised his sword, and began deflecting them as if they were balls.
However, my intention was not to kill him I needed to hold him back. I increased the speed and quantity of the projectiles to my extreme. For me, as an extreme harbinger monster, casting spells was as easy as breathing, but only magic could make me truly serious.
But my magic energy expenditure increased dramatically.
92% is complete. I'm multitasking, so it's going to take 23 minutes to complete this magic now.
So either I hold him off, betting I would have sufficient magic energy, or kill him quickly to save magic energy and focus my magic.
And I think the second option is better, so I will go with the second.
"I have a limited set of moves right now. I can bring powerful magics or not, but I can pull all types of spells here without limit, but I have a limit on how much I can pull off." As I said to myself, I cast a fire spell which created weaves of crimson fire toward the human, burning everything in its path.
But the human escaped from its way by jumping.
I followed the spell with an explosion directed at the human, creating multi-layered explosions and fire like the sea.
"Alderia-reverse flow!" Suddenly, all spells that were directed at the human suddenly directed at me.
"Well, bad for you!" As I finished saying, all projectiles disassembled themselves, turning into raw magic energy, even the fire and explosions spell, then turned them back into spells in mid-air, all directed at the human.
"Shit!" The human cursed as he threw away his sword and held his hand forward to create a barrier.
Bam bam bam.
All that was left was a burned environment, but the humans were alive, but the barrier had cracks. Then his swords fell back to his hand from the sky.
Before he could look at me, I had already moved behind him and thrown a punch infused with magic energy.
Bam!
He staggered back, but I didn't finish with one blow as I started to use my two hands to create a barrage of punches.
Tsing Tsing
Soon, he started to block my punches with his sword. Then, I kicked him to his belly, throwing him away as I followed with multiple spell-based attacks on damage.
As then, everything started to break down at the human's direction.
He reacted fast and created a barrier, although it held against it for moments. It started to break down as they started to crack.
Then, I took a stance for a moment, then dashed toward him with all my speed, hitting the barrier with my crossed arms.
Bing
The barrier shattered, and I followed with a punch backed up by momentum. Since my spell has less effect on me, I'm okay, but the human is not as his armor starts to crack and break.
Bam bam bam bam
I start to punch him continuously till the human used his trump card, which gave him a power boost so massive that I had to take distance from him. But I smile as for a reason, excitement was taking over me, giving magic energy and increasing its recovery, but I didn't forget about my space magic. I'm still holding it.
"Come on, let's go again," I said with a smile as I took my stance.
"Just die," the human shouted as he charged at me with unparalleled speed, but there was one perk the monster gained through breakthrough, and now I will use it: the innate traits.
As I activate my 'Soul rhythm,' I find myself completely absorbed in the art of combat and the manipulation of space magic. Despite the overwhelming flashbacks that surge through me in this intense situation, I realize that this is the perfect moment to harness my abilities.
The activation of 'Resonance of Mind' instantly triggers my second innate trait, propelling me into a heightened state of awareness. I am now in a state of deep analysis, where every intention transforms into a strategic plan to secure victory and maintain control over my space magic. My soul reaches its peak output, and magic energy begins to flow into me at an accelerated rate. Although the influx is modest, it is sufficient to prevent my reserves from depleting.
Bam bam bam bam
echoes of metal bending roar as I unleash a flurry of punches against my human opponent. I employ the offensive Severiat technique, a method I devised at the onset of the fight, which intensifies as the battle progresses. Severiat metal materializes, appearing as particles that coalesce like a liquid, defying its metallic nature.
Bong bong bong
accompanies the impact of my strikes met with sword hang for some time before getting covered with metal bending sound.
"Guh!" The human spurted out some blood as he succumbs to the injuries inflicted by my attacks, compounded by the Severiat metal. This dual form of damage— an internal impact and slashing— proves devastating results.
This is merely the beginning, as I continue to accelerate, launching a relentless assault that leaves my opponent with no opportunity to prepare or counter. This is the essence of the offensive Severiat technique: attack to inflict damage, attack to protect.
Bel bel bel
signifies the continuous flow of blood spurt out from my opponent's mouth and body. The offensive Severiat technique delivers damage with each successive strike, leaving no room for reaction. My opponent can only attempt to block a single attack, only to be overwhelmed by subsequent assaults from various angles, creating a chaotic and unyielding barrage.
But as much as damage I'm inflicting on him my body also getting damaged as holy essence on his body start to damage my fist as I go I have only 2 hands I can't afford other arm also offensive severiat technique is ideal to use against one vs one and that is why I'm using it only now
Clung
Suddenly I look at my hand and saw it was broken like fractured hand then
Clung
My other hand also incapacitated so without time I used regeneration to regrow my hand while jumping away from him
"This human is really something so he really decided play that way huh" I instantly realized what was happening humans was using holy essence on his body to damage me since I didn't give him chance to attack so he decided to endure till I get incapacitated by small damages or I'm will break him this was now battle of endurance
Soon my hands regrow as I start to prepare my offensive Severiat technique
"Is that all you got!" Human shouted at me and I gotta give him credit such determination even I'm not sure I will outlast him but luckily I have no need to outlast him and my space magic is 97% complete once I cast my magic I have no need to fight
"Let's see how long will you last then" I also shouted as I dashed toward him moments he came to combat range I start to create barrage of punches and Severiat metal attacks
Btsing btsing btsing
This him he start to counter my attacks with his sword but he was losing ground so I pushed him even further as my attacks get more fiercer and lethal but was slowing down as well this was expected I'm not fighter type monster but mage type monster long term combat is unfavorable to me so I should fight using my magic but sadly I truly have no capacity to cast magic at all right now
Moment I saw opening I didn't waste my chance and I throw my hand delivered my most powerful punch I can release
"Burg!"
As human stagger back severiat metal which was like liquid now became like spike and pierce where I have punched human creating one big hole
"Ahhh!"
I didn't waste a chance I followed my attacks it wasn't long before I start to hear his bones breaking and blood was spreading all around but that man didn't give up and continue
(Such willpower humans truly terrifying whenever it is their so called adrenaline or determination they both are something I have been aiming to gain but till now I still haven't developed such willpower)
As much as I hate humans I can't help but respect their adaptability and determination if only I had such traits
"But right now he is my enemy I need to kill him now"
Then i stopped my attacks for moments to deliver my most lethal attack
I take back both my arms and my hands were covered in severiat metal taking shape of bird claw then
Bang
My hands shot forward with speed faster than sound and all aimed at his chest to break off his rib cages to incapacitate him
"Aghh!" Human was thrown far away hitting countless trees till he lost his momentum
Human was laying on ground on his back and he coughing with blood as he trying his best to breath and this shows how monster differentiate from human if monster were attacked by such attack they suffer damage but they will not be in such critical condition as they mostly pass out or get incapacitated
Then human tried to get up but failing every time showing he truly can't go on
"Hmm?" I suddenly feel my space magic was 99% complete just a 4 minute and it will be completed
"Bugh bugh damn you bugh I should I bugh killed monsters" human said in weak voice and coughing
But I can clearly hear his words and anger surged but so too pity "should have killed monsters huh you humans truly have no sense of justice toward other living beings do you"
I walked toward human and stomped on his hand
"You humans have killed millions of us yet you say should have killed more just..just how can you all be this heartless" I truly couldn't hold it anymore as magic energy surged at extreme levels as I almost lost control if not for my innate traits
100%
My space magic was completed
"…*sigh*" I after space magic was completed I came back to my senses although I don't know why lately I'm getting crueler and crueler but when I reach Aethergateway I can solve this problem
"I can't lose control right now but it was nice expressing my feelings" I step away from human and start to weave space magic between my 8 hand and while preparing to cast my space magic my senses detected 50 humans coming closer which mean this man was trying to hold on till others arrive
"Welp here we go" I hold my space magic in my main two hands as I cancel my transformation magic
My body turn into dust and fade away and from those dusts my true form was present
"Among all things I hade done so far this mission is most crucial" then I used my will of magic to utilize this magic
Whuush!
Space was like blooming flower as it start warp space
"Creating magic is one thing casting magic is also one thing because of this there is way of magic in each magic category those way of magic being combat magic and versatile magic, unique magic, universal magic"
space magic I'm using is universal magic universal magic is magic that focuses on powerful and vast complex effects and manipulation this magic requires one to prepare magic till it is 100% completed and casting it and if one want their magic to be perfect without loopholes they need it cast it till magic 100% completely casted
In this situation I'm fully focused on casting and right now I'm at 29% fully casted my magic right now if anyone try to escape from this forest then they will see that are in loophole but they can just change direction and get out of loophole as some spaces isn't under my space magic only when it is 100% they will forever be in loophole but of course they can use others methods but most of wouldn't work also methods that will get them out will be more advantageous for me
"After this most of lesser holy knight will be sealed then that would leave only low sovereign knights and few lesser holy knights but once I recover my magic energy and mind strength I can deal with them all using my nature spirit so win win"
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"Wow… this place is truly massive," one of the researcher monsters whispered, his voice echoing faintly through the cavernous halls.
"It's practically a library of history," another murmured in awe. The group of researcher monsters moved slowly, their clawed feet tapping lightly on the ancient stone floor as they gazed around at the monumental architecture. Every wall, pillar, and archway was adorned with intricate carvings and patterns, their surfaces weathered by millennia yet still exuding a sense of grand purpose. To the discerning eye, the designs were not merely decorative but a tapestry of history and symbolism, each motif telling fragments of a forgotten story.
Along the walls, faint lines of text in the origin language were carved into the stone. The language was delicate, ancient, and filled with complex glyphs only decipherable to those who had studied history extensively. Even among monsters, only a few could recognize the origin language at all. For the researcher monsters to identify it so readily was a mark of their deep expertise and dedication.
I, on the other hand, was not particularly skilled in the origin language. With my experience, intelligence, and knowledge, I could only translate fragments here and there, but my understanding was that of an amateur, a mere observer compared to true who studied histories.
"Hey, how old do you think this place is?" one of the researcher monsters asked another. Then, after a pause, the question turned to me. "What about you, Sans? What do you think?"
"Hmmm…" I exhaled slowly, letting my hollow voice resonate in the dark hall. My mind began to analyze the surroundings, not just the deterioration of the stone but the nature of the carvings, the depth of the records, and the subtle clues the architecture provided. I began piecing together possibilities like a puzzle.
"Between 2,200 and 2,600 years old, I assume," I said finally, my tone thoughtful. "But I don't think it's that simple." Without the Hundred Minds Arcane Artifact, this was only a rough estimate. It lacked the precision and clarity of a truly solid conclusion. A wisdom-type artifact would have made the deduction certain. Still, if confronted with puzzles similar to those of the ancient gates, I was confident I could solve them.
"That seems seems possible"
"Alright, let's start downloading the data," one of the researchers said eagerly.
Several monsters produced devices from their packs, compact machines capable of scanning surfaces and recording every detail. Blue lenses flared to life as the devices faithfully captured every sentence, every carving, and even the patterns embedded in the stone. The hall seemed endless, stretching far beyond the reach of our vision, swallowed by darkness so complete we could barely see five steps ahead.
After what felt like hours of careful progress, we finally arrived at a massive gate. This gate, unlike the sealed ones we had seen before, could clearly be opened.
"Okay, I can't take this anymore. Where's my phoeop? I need to capture this moment!" one excited researcher exclaimed, fumbling out a recording device. His expression was alight with unrestrained excitement as the lens began to glow.
"Dude, calm down," another monster said with a chuckle, though the tremor of excitement in his own voice betrayed him. Even the most composed among us could not mask their anticipation.
"Alright," said another researcher with a grin, turning toward me. "Sans, you should have the honor of opening it first. After all, you led this expedition. I can't wait to see what's inside."
Another chimed in, also raising his phoeop to capture the moment. "Yeah, Sans. Since you're the leader, it's only right that you get the first look!"
"Go on, Sans!"
I chuckled softly, the sound hollow in the vast chamber. "If you insist, then I shall have the honor of opening the gate first." For a moment, a flicker of memory surged within me a flashbacks of my previous life, of the time I faced 'IT' and lost everyone dear to me. Yet here I was, alive, with a chance to change everything.
(Just as the river of time can change its course, so too can I change my future. I wonder… how far can I change it this time?)
With both hands, I pushed against the colossal gates.
Griiihhhh!
The groaning sound of stone grinding against stone filled the air as the gate slowly yielded to my strength. At first, darkness poured out like a living thing, swallowing the edges of our torchlight. But as the gate opened fully, a deep, dark blue glow began to bloom within.
Then, as if awakened by our presence, hundreds of blue flames ignited along the walls, forming lines like ancient torches burning in perfect symmetry. The light spread further and further, revealing an enormous temple stretching into the distance, its spires vanishing into shadow.
Gasps and cries of shock echoed around me as thousands then tens of thousands of additional blue flames erupted to life, illuminating an entire hidden city. Row upon row of ancient buildings sprawled across a vast cavern, an architectural marvel preserved in time. The light glimmered off the edges of a giant stairway that descended into the heart of the city below.
"Oh… my Archios," one of the researcher monsters whispered, his voice trembling. Some of the others collapsed to their knees in shock, while others stumbled forward, nearly dropping their recording devices.
I remained standing, unmoved. I had already been here once before. Even so, the sight was as breathtaking as ever, though I had seen greater wonders in my time. Who was I to judge?
"Welcome… to the Land of Kall!" I declared loudly, my voice echoing across the vast chamber as if claiming this forsaken city for our kind.
As the darkness fully receded, the monumental city of the ancients lay before us, silent and waiting, a world frozen in time beneath the earth.
…
The origin language, officially recognized as a 1000 years old, but it appears to be far older exceeding 2000 years. Its true age raises profound questions about its connections, origins, and the authenticity of the historical accounts regarding its creation. My inability to utilize the Hundred Minds Arcane Artifact for conclusive verification complicates matters any attempt to employ it would be logged, arousing suspicion. Without it, I can only rely on logical deductions and observational analysis.
After extensive thinking, I have come to a critical hypothesis those being the officially recognized creator of the origin language is not its true progenitor. This conclusion arises from two distinct observations
The officially documented origin language, which spans a millennium of history, contains structural differences and variations when compared to much older inscriptions. These inconsistencies are not random; they are systematic and repeatable, suggesting a deliberate evolution from an even more ancient foundation.
Such consistency implies that the so-called official creator did not invent the language outright but instead adapted, refined, and possibly simplified an already existing linguistic framework. The core foundation of the language remained intact, even as peripheral elements were altered to suit new cultural or functional purposes.
As for the true origin, I can only speculate. Based on the evidence and my recollections of prior encounters, I am inclined to believe the true creator of the origin language was an Extreme Harbinger Monster. This conclusion, while startling, is not entirely unexpected. I have encountered a handful of these powerful monsters in my past life, and historical records speak of their numbers exceeding 100, though my experience was largely limited to territory outside the Tenth Region, which justified my limited exposure to them.
Another consideration complicates the matter the function of the origin language itself. The language appears to be more than mere communication—it behaves like a record-keeping or tracking system. Inscriptions I have found in the 8th and 9th regions suggest the language can operate in anomalous ways, as if infused with arcane properties. Some of these inscriptions seem capable of reacting to interaction, perhaps even observing or recording in ways not yet understood. This dual function—both linguistic and quasi-magical—implies that the language was designed with a higher purpose, quite possibly a mechanism of control, surveillance, or preservation.
So in other word
"It is gonna be so goddamn long searching" i concluded my guess as I know there will too much to discover even 100 years is insufficient not just origin language there is over twelve other mysteries I want to uncover and considering they are like origin language 100 years is truly not enough
Then, when I noticed one of the researcher monsters beside me was about to collapse, I quickly caught him by the collar and helped him to regain his footing. We were currently in the First City of the Land of Kall, a place unlike any other. The Land of Kall is a city layered upon itself, each tier built atop the remnants of the last, creating a vast, stratified metropolis that stretches downward in overlapping levels.
This first city, the uppermost layer, is suffused with semi–Grade 2 magic energy. Although this energy does not fully match the potency of true Grade 2 magic energy, its essence is the same, and its effect is tangible. The subtle but persistent pressure weighs upon the bodies of those present.
For the researcher monsters, who are only average or extreme Rank 3 stage, enduring this force is a constant trial. It is much like an animal trying to breathe in an environment with insufficient oxygen
they can manage for a time, but prolonged exposure leads to weakness and eventual collapse. For this reason, they must frequently exit the Land of Kall to recover.
For me, however, this environment poses no threat. In fact, it is something of a boon. The semi–Grade 2 magic energy invigorates me and allows my ascension support–type arcane artifact to operate at peak efficiency.
And since I'm planning to become extraordinary monster I need to destabilize my body aka collective solid magics
And if I'm remembering correctly once we enter second city or second layer there will trails where I would need to fight rank 5 beasts
Unlike monsters, beasts follow a very different system of ranking and power. Beasts do not possess stages within their ranks, meaning that their exact level of strength is often unpredictable. A Rank 5 beast, for example, may vary widely in actual combat effectiveness compared to another of the same rank. This inherent uncertainty makes encounters with beasts more dangerous, as one cannot rely solely on rank to gauge their capabilities.
Monsters, on the other hand, gain significant advantages as they ascend through their ranks. Each new rank bestows innate traits
Innate traits are unique abilities that enhance physical power, magic capability, or survivability. These traits also reflect the monster's evolving state of power and existence, gradually granting immunity and resistance against attacks from being of lower rank. This is why a high-ranked monster can often ignore or shrug off the efforts of weaker opponents.
Beasts lack this advantage. They do not possess a monster's soul or core and therefore cannot generate their own magic energy. Their strength relies on absorbing magic energy from their surroundings or prey. This fundamental limitation means that while a higher-ranked beast may initially overpower a lower-ranked monster in raw strength, it will exhaust its energy over time if the fight drags on.
This difference creates a critical strategic advantage for monsters. A lower-ranked monster can potentially outlast and eventually defeat a higher-ranked beast in a prolonged battle by relying on its constant internal generation of magic energy. In contrast, an evenly ranked monster and beast will often see the monster emerge victorious in terms of raw power, as the monster's innate traits, continuous energy supply, and resistance to lower-level attacks will tip the battle in its favour.
In essence, beasts are dangerous in the short term due to their unpredictable strength and ferocity, but monsters dominate long-term engagements due to their self-sustaining nature and superior innate-traits.
But there is problem
"If the rumors I've heard are correct, the beast I'm about to face will be the most formidable opponent I've encountered since my regression." I let out a quiet sigh, though there was a seed of optimism within me. The reports claimed that this beast had once fought against 10 peak Rank 5 stage monsters simultaneously and had only been defeated due to a complete depletion of its magic energy. This meant that its raw strength and combat potential were immense.
If I engage this beast and manage to win, the battle will leave my body in a highly destabilized and chaotic state. This instability is precisely what I need to increase my chances of ascending into an extraordinary monster.
Unlike the traditional ascension method, which takes a full week, I intend to employ the technique I devised myself. It will grant me the same transformative results as the conventional approach, but in a fraction of the time.
However, my method has a minor, temporary drawback. It won't permanently harm me, and the risk is mitigated because I have the Figure.
He is an advantage that will allow me to recover and stabilize after the process. This plan is dangerous, yet it aligns perfectly with my current goal of evolution. Facing such a beast is not just a trial, but an opportunity that I cannot afford to ignore.
Whoosh!
At this moment, the semi–Grade 2 magic energy is steadily absorbed by my ascension support–type arcane artifact. The artifact, shaped like a heart-shaped lock, gives the impression that I am personally drawing in the energy.
I call out to the nearby researcher monsters, "Come over here. We can't afford to waste time, and I will help you recover." As I begin to meditate, I continue pulling in the semi–Grade 2 magic energy from the area above me. Simultaneously, I release my own Grade 1 magic energy in roughly a five-metre radius. I condense it to form a space resistant to the surrounding semi–Grade 2 energy, leaving only a single entry point. Soon, the arcane artifact begins to warm and steadily grows stronger as it works.
The researcher monsters gather around me and sit down to rest. Since my magic energy is not Grade 2, they do not experience any harm—only a tingling sensation across their bodies—allowing them to relax and recover.
"Thanks, Sans," one of them says.
"You are welcome," I reply casually. Then one of researcher monsters watches me with a puzzled expression, staying silent for a few moments before finally speaking.
"You're absorbing that magic energy… Are you trying to ascend? Have you lost your mind? That is Grade 2 magic energy—even if it's semi–Grade 2, it's still dangerous! Stop, or it could create a conflict in your core."
I laugh lightly and respond, "Don't worry, I'm aware of that. Oh Archios, you should have seen your face. Of course I know the rules. When attempting to ascend, one needs to use only their own magic energy or pure magic energy. If the magic energy is of a higher grade, it can crush a core. I know all that."
I lift the heart-shaped artifact as I continue, "This arcane artifact allows me to manipulate magic energy and even convert it. Since this energy isn't fully Grade 2, my artifact can easily transform it into Grade 1 energy with a greater quantity."
The researcher monster exhales in relief. "Oh Archios, you scared the hell out of me. Next time, tell us you know what you're doing." He then returns to his pack and lies down to rest.
I smirk and refocus on my meditation. "Heh. Now, let's continue toward reaching my peak stage of ascension." The arcane artifact is capable of manipulating magic energy between Grade 1 and Grade 5, but about converting and making magic energy usable for me, it is the Figure who performs the core function.
"So, have you found a clue to reach the second city?" the Figure's indifferent voice echoes in my mind.
"Not enough clues," I reply.
"It's been four days. Don't you think it's strange we still have no lead?" the Figure comments in a deep tone.
"Hmm. While this is unusual, it's not yet suspicious. Even the manager monster needed two weeks to locate the second city. We've only searched for four days. That we haven't found it yet proves there's nothing wrong. If we had found it too quickly, that would be suspicious," I reason calmly.
"Still… it's too quiet. This city is as large as Moltier City. We've barely explored twenty percent of it, we need to speed up exploration" the Figure says.
"We had been exploring the Land of Kall for four days at our fastest pace, and I knew we couldn't push ourselves any faster. The researcher monsters, though still energetic at first, had finally reached the point where exhaustion caught up with them." I chuckled quietly as I recalled how they had run through the first city endlessly without a moment of rest. Now, on the fourth day, they were sprawled in silence, recovering from the strain.
As I thought back to those moments, my concentration wavered. A presence brushed against my mind—familiar, yet neither me nor the Figure.
"Espresmory… *sigh* I need to find an opposition mind arcane artifact," I said softly while stabilising my magic energy field. Her memory remained vivid, lingering like a shadow that refused to leave, and for a time, I had almost forgotten how much of a problem it was becoming.
I listed my troubles in silence. My overlord-self mind. Espresmory. Lucky. Scarcity of resources. My limited memory capacity. The uncertainty surrounding the determination alternative system. And above all, my upcoming ascension into the realm of extraordinary monsters. If I failed, I would be stuck at Rank 5 forever. I did have contingency plans, but they all revolved around success. Failure was never truly an option—not since my regression. I had long since forfeited the right to fail.
With some effort, I pushed Espresmory's will into the depths of my mind, banishing her influence for now. It would be a while before she resurfaced.
"Mother, whose peace I disturbed and turned into living memories… heh, isn't it ironic? It feels so much like grief that clings to memories, refusing to let go."
I set aside such thoughts and returned to my meditation. My focus was clear it was to ascend into an extraordinary monster and to acquire the opposition mind arcane artifact.
After five hours, the strain reached its peak. I dispelled my magic energy field, and the sudden absence of pressure startled the nearby researcher monsters awake. They stared at me silently.
"Alright, pals," I said in a joking tone, "I need some rest. I've dispelled the field, and once I recover, I'll activate it again. Time waits for no one, so handle your business, and I'll handle mine—sleeping."
I wandered to one of the nearby houses and slept inside one of house.
The first city was ancient, yet its development was not far behind that of the motherland. Each house was built with blue wood, a clear sign they were crafted using the magic of extraordinary monsters.
But while sleeping I was half meditating using my sub consciousness although I'm confident in my capabilities it is okay to try filling my peak stage since more I fill it more I will stronger and power that will gain from breakthrough will be more immense
…
Boom!
The sound tore through the silence of the ancient first city, a deep, resonant detonation that jolted me awake instantly. My skeletal frame stiffened as the reverberation rattled the walls of the house, shaking dust from the ceiling beams.
The blast's shockwave rippled outward, and I could feel it even through my meditative trance—it was close, far too close for comfort.
"What… what happened?" I muttered under my breath, rising to my feet, my hollow voice echoing slightly against the stone. Confusion gnawed at me as the first city was not supposed to have lethal traps, nor was it known for sudden attacks.
Safe, silent, and still, and that had been our experience until now. Yet the sound I had just heard was unmistakable an explosion, sharp and powerful.
I rushed outside, my eye sockets widening to scan the area. Smoke, thick and black, coiled into the dim sky above the city. It spread like a living shadow, swallowing the glow of the lingering blue flames that lit the streets, a dark wound against the otherwise tranquil ruins. I inhaled sharply, tasting the acrid tang of scorched air.
"Where are they? Are they all at the explosion point?!" I thought aloud, anxiety threading through my voice.
There was no time to hesitate. My legs moved on instinct, sprinting across the cracked stone roads with a speed that sent the air whistling around me. My mind raced as fast as my body, calculating distances, directions, and risks.
The rising smoke acted as a beacon, guiding me straight toward the heart of the disaster. The first city was vast, its streets winding like a labyrinth, but I cut through alleys and leaped over low walls with precision born of long practice. Within a minute, I had breached the edge of the smoke.
"Run! Run! Just run!"
The sudden, desperate shout pierced the haze, startling me. My head snapped toward the sound instinctively. Relief surged through me
it was the voice of one of the researcher monsters. They were alive, at least one of them. But panic laced their tone, sharp and raw, and that made my unease spike.
I accelerated without a second thought, pushing my speed to near speed of sound. My skeletal feet scraped across the stone in a rhythmic blur, and I relied on my mental imaging to navigate the treacherous terrain and dense smoke.
The world around me became a map in my mind every wall, every arch, every fallen tile traced by memory and perception. Within that thick, choking haze, I pinpointed the source of the voice, plotting the fastest path to reach them.
The smoke was suffocating, clinging to my bones, and its density made visibility almost nonexistent. The glow of distant blue flames faltered, swallowed by the dark cloud.
My extra senses activated as my awareness sharpened, every trace of movement and sound amplified in my mind. Mental imaging became my sole guide.
Even as I ran, I considered what might have caused such chaos. Some Rank 5 monsters might have resolved this situation in an instant, their innate traits giving them an edge
Some innate trait has power to see through things which is can be smoke or see over extreme distances at hyper details, or sense threats directly.
Soon, through the suffocating smoke, my senses caught the fragile thread of a movement signature it was one of the researcher monsters was only four steps away.
My skeletal feet ground to a sudden halt against the cracked stone as i activated my innate trait Soul Manipulation, an innate trait I had earned when I broke through to Rank 5.
The in order to utilize innate trait I required to align nature of my artificial soul to nature of my physical body, and this feat only made possible with the Figure's delicate alignment.
Without his silent work, my traits would remain dormant, my potential shackled.
I felt the familiar hum of energy, a thread connecting my essence to the struggling soul nearby. With a subtle pull, it surged toward me—like an invisible hand dragging that monster through the heavy air. A moment later, the researcher monster burst through the smoke, limbs flailing in wild confusion, his expression frozen between terror and astonishment.
I caught him smoothly against my ribbed torso, one skeletal arm curling around his belly, and placed him over my shoulder. Without a pause, I propelled myself forward again, speed slicing through the smoke as if it were water.
"What the—who—Sans!" His voice cracked with shock. To him, everything had happened in less than a breath. One heartbeat he had been drowning alone in smoke and fear then at next moment he was speeding through the air, stolen by an unseen force, then suddenly upon my shoulder.
"Thank Archios, Sans! We need your help!" he stammered, words breaking against ragged breaths. Before I could ask, he began to explain, fear lacing every syllable.
"When we explored… we found a library. At first, we only wanted to read it, record it. But when we went deeper, a beast appeared! Out of nowhere—it attacked! One strike, and there was an explosion—magic shield of library barely held. It… it won't last long!"
Although he was speaking in chaotic ways I can understand why and so taken every details as I asked. "Understood. Describe the beast. I need every detail."
"It—it has the body of a snake… the head of a goat… black fur all over… I think—it's Rank 4!" he blurted, trembling slightly. I felt the weight of his words, but i remained steady.
I finally get out from the smoke. The cool, open air rushed over me as I bent low and let him slide to the ground. His legs wobbled as he found his footing.
"I see. Most likely a Shadow Tower Snake Beast, Rank 4," I said with calm finality. "To me, it is no threat. But for you…" I let my hollow gaze bore into his eyes, "this is a death trap. Leave the city immediately. I will handle it."
I turned back and activated one of my innate trait and used it as foundation to create magic the Gluttony Blaster, a manifestation shaped like the skulls of a goat and a wolf fused together. This ability operates as a core expression of my mastery and innate trait.
Innate traits function as the only magic usable by monsters. Ordinary monsters can use them as simple as spell, but upon ascending to the level of an extraordinary monster, these traits evolve significantly. They transform into structured magic formulas that imprint themselves onto the body, effectively becoming the monster's primary form of magic. This evolution also serves as the key mechanism for advancing to higher ranks.
What sets these evolved traits aka apart is their lack of the usual restrictions that govern other magic. An extraordinary monster can simultaneously employ up to five different innate-trait-based magics, whereas with conventional magic, they are usually limited to one active form at a time. This flexibility makes innate traits central to combat efficiency and survival.
However, this expanded capability is not merely physical. The body of an extraordinary monster enhances the mind, increasing cognitive capacity, focus, and magical control. This mental evolution allows precise coordination when using multiple magics at once, preventing conflicts between their effects.
Through my experience—and with the precise adjustments made possible by the Figure—I can fully utilize this potential, performing feats that ordinary extraordinary monsters would struggle to achieve consistently. The modifications of effects from innate trait.
My Gluttony Blaster slowly opened its jagged, skeletal jaws with a deep, resonant creak that echoed in the smoke-choked air. A low hum began to emanate from its core, the sound building into a steady, ominous vibration as the weapon activated. In mere seconds, the surrounding atmosphere shifted—the air itself seemed to tremble as the blaster's power surged outward.
whooosh!
Gluttony Blaster inhaled sharply, pulling in the dense smoke that smothered the ruined city street. Its suction was strong enough to drag loose debris across the cracked cobblestones toward its gaping maw, while the smoke twisted and coiled into spirals before vanishing into the its mouth.
A corridor of visibility opened through the choking haze, revealing fragments of broken architecture, shattered blue-lit lanterns, and the faint shimmer of semi–Grade 2 magic energy. It felt like carving a tunnel through the darkness, a temporary passage into danger.
I gripped the Blaster with one skeletal hand, its thrum of energy vibrating through my bones. Without hesitation, I sprinted along the cleared path it created. On either side, the smoke churned and pressed in, like a predator held back by the constant pull of the weapon. The deeper I ran, the thicker and more unnatural the smoke became, but the devouring corridor guided me forward.
Within the smoke, I observed a street lined with houses that were broken and damaged. I quickly assessed that these structures were of no immediate relevance. My focus was on the researcher monster I had previously rescued; he had been near the library when the incident occurred. Since I was already familiar with the library's location, I could reasonably conclude that the other researcher monsters would also be nearby.
To optimize my approach, I utilized the Gluttony Blaster. By activating it, I cleared a corridor through the thick smoke, creating a clear line of sight toward the library. This not only allowed for faster travel but also provided visual confirmation of my surroundings, helping me identify hazards or obstacles without taking unnecessary detours. Through this method, I saved time while maintaining a direct path toward the area where the other researcher monsters were likely to be located.
Soon, I reached the library gate. It was damaged, half-closed, but still functioning.
"The library is here… but where are the others?" I muttered, scanning the surroundings. I lifted my Gluttony Blaster, sweeping its sight across the area, trying to detect any remaining monsters.
"If only I were an extraordinary monster…" I sighed. "I could have easily found them using magic sense."
Even though I can imitate some abilities of an extraordinary monster, I am still not extraordinary monster. I cannot use magic sense. Even with the Figure's help, I cannot perfectly perform the magic sense technique. For now, my only option is to rely on my Gluttony Blaster to search.
"Is anyone here? Hey! If you're here, scream so I can get to you!" I bellowed, my voice echoing through the smoke-filled corridors of the damaged library. The air was thick with dust and faint traces of semi–Grade 2 magic.
I moved cautiously, skeletal feet scraping across the stone floor, my Gluttony Blaster humming softly in my hand. The weapon drew in the lingering smoke, creating a narrow corridor of visibility as I advanced. Streets have become visible as I search but it soon get covered with smoke.
A faint sound reached me a soft, muffled whimper.
"I heard that! Don't move! Keep making noise!" I called out, turning sharply toward the sound. My voice was calm but firm, meant to cut through the fear and chaos.
Another noise followed, a shaky cry "H-help! Over here!"
I darted toward the voice, weaving between collapsed shelves and broken beams. My mental imaging constructed a map in my head, tracing the paths through the wreckage. As I rounded a corner, I found a researcher monster huddled beneath a half-fallen pillar, his claws trembling as he clutched a cracked recording device.
"Stay still," I commanded, kneeling beside him. "Are there others?"
"Yes… deeper inside… three of them," he stammered. "The beast chased us… we scattered…"
I nodded firmly. "Good. You're safe now. I'll rescue the others next. If anything comes toward you, scream as loud as you can."
After reassuring him, I reached out with one skeletal hand and lifted the fallen pillar off his body, dragging him out from under the rubble with ease. With my free hand, I activated the Gluttony Blaster. This time, instead of only devouring the choking smoke, I commanded the weapon to consume solid matter as well. The skeletal jaws of the Blaster tore through the air, creating a clear, open path to the outside, even carving holes through the walls of nearby houses to form a direct escape route.
Once the corridor was clear, I pulled a piece of frost fungus from my pouch. Pressing it against the injured researcher monster's wounds, I watched as the icy fungus released its healing properties. Within moments, his breathing steadied, and his trembling subsided—the frost fungus had stabilized him enough to survive.
"Go by this corridor," I instructed, my hollow voice echoing in the smoky ruin. "I'll mark this location in my mind. I'll return after I rescue the others."
With that, I turned back toward the dense smoke, my senses sharp and my mental map fixed on this spot, ready to continue the search for the remaining researcher monsters.
I pressed forward, my voice rising again. "Anyone else? Answer me! Give me a sign!"
From somewhere deeper in the library came a series of frantic knocks against stone, followed by a high-pitched scream. I sprinted in that direction, leaping over a fallen archway.
"Keep shouting! I'm coming!" I called.
Two more voices joined the chaos. "We're here!"
"Help us!"
Ideas formed as I advanced. "If they're mobile, I can guide them out. If they're trapped, I'll use Soul Manipulation to pull them free," I thought, already preparing the magic in my mind. "And if the beast comes back, the Gluttony Blaster will devour its breath before it reaches me."
I reached the source of the screams: two researcher monsters wedged beneath a shattered balcony. My skeletal hands gripped the debris, and with a swift heave, I tossed the rubble aside.
"Go! Follow the corridor of clear air!" I ordered. "Stay together and keep your voices up. I'll find the last one."
The final cry came from a distant corner, muffled but desperate. I charged forward, using my Blaster to clear the air. "Hold on! I've got you!"
In my mind, I ran through every option for escape, rescue, and counterattack. Every step was a balance between speed and caution, my awareness stretched in all directions.
"Almost there… just a little longer," I muttered, my mind already shaping the next move if the beast appeared.
By the time I reached the last voice, I basically get out all of them
Soon I reached location it was back of library and walls was broken down creating hole to enter
"Are you there" I shouted but this time there was no voice which almost made it clear beast killed that monster or he is unconscious
Unlike the exterior, where the dense smoke had choked the streets and rendered the world into a suffocating, featureless void, the interior of the library presented a different form of danger. Here, the air was not thick with ordinary smoke, but instead veiled by a near-transparent black fog that clung to every surface and floated with an almost deliberate slowness.
"This black fog… it's far too thin for my Gluttony Blaster to be of good use since using gluttony blaster requires immense magic energy but with outside smoke this is perfect but here magic energy expenditure is too much and will have no good effect," I muttered under my breath. Its signature suction, so effective against heavy smoke and debris, would barely disturb this ethereal haze. Exhaling through my skeletal teeth in faint annoyance, I dismissed the Gluttony Blaster with a thought, letting its jagged jaws fold into nothingness as I stepped silently inside.
Bkick!
The echo of my footstep against the cracked marble floor resonated through the vast, empty hall. The sound was sharp, almost jarring in the suffocating quiet, bouncing off the towering shelves that lined the walls like silent sentinels. Ancient tomes and scrolls lay scattered across the floor, their surfaces coated in a fine layer of black dust that seemed to pulse faintly under the dim light.
Raising one skeletal hand, I summoned a spark of blue fire. The flame hissed softly, forming into an orb that hovered above my palm, its light flickering across my hollow visage and illuminating the room in eerie, dancing shadows. The glow revealed more of the library's interior—rows of stone pillars cracked with age, ceiling vaults etched with runes that had long since faded, and shattered remnants of what had once been study tables and lecterns.
The moment the fire took shape, I felt it—a soft but persistent drain on my magic energy. It was not much, barely a trickle, yet in a place like this where one lose sense of time, such continuous expenditure was a reminder of fragility.
"If this had been my old self… before my artificial soul's creation," I whispered to the empty hall, my voice echoing faintly, "I would never have use this spell. Sustaining even a simple flame would have been reckless."
The artificial soul pulsed faintly within me, harmonizing my magic flow and stabilizing the spell. Yet the black fog seemed to hum in response, curling and shifting at the edges of the blue light as though alive, as though it was watching.
Step by cautious step, I delved deeper into the ancient library, the black fog closing behind me like the maw of a patient predator.
Gak!
"!"
Bam!
The sudden movement caught my senses like a flicker of spark in dark. Instincts honed through endless battles surged within me, and before conscious thought could form, my skeletal hands had already drawn my sword. Steel met the unseen force with a sharp clash, the impact reverberating through the hollow of my bones.
Huuushhh!
The sheer force of the blow sent me skidding back across the cracked marble floor, the air whistling past my frame. My feet dug grooves into the dust-covered stone as I fought to regain balance. The strike, though fierce, had left no true damage—a warning, perhaps, or a test of my readiness.
"Damn, where is it…" I muttered, my voice hollow yet steady, echoing against the towering shelves that loomed in the dim fog. My gaze swept the chamber, every corner, every shadow examined with relentless precision.
The attack was undoubtedly physical, not magic. That much I was certain of. Which meant only one thing the Shadow Tower Snake Beast was here, moving through the thin black fog with predatory silence, its own form hidden in the twisting veils of darkness. It was not a spell or a trap that struck me. It was the beast itself, waiting, circling, and testing its prey.
With a measured exhale, I shifted my stance, sword raised, every sense stretched taut as the library's cold air whispered of an imminent clash.
"Well, blame yourself if you get hurt," I said with a hollow chuckle, my voice echoing faintly through the misty library. My skeletal fingers tightened around the sword's hilt as I steadily infused it with magic energy. Soon, the blade's surface began to glow with a sharp, bluish light, and a quiet hum resonated along its edge—a product of my own sharpening technique.
I lowered my stance, skeletal feet firm against the cracked marble floor, knees bent, my body coiled like a spring ready to unleash. Taking a slow, controlled magic energy manipulation, I swung the sword. The motion was so fast that even Rank 3 monsters would struggle to see it clearly.
The air hissed with each cut, and arcs of magic energy extended from the blade, turning my slashes into visible streaks of force. Within seconds, my rapid swings formed a storm of shimmering magic slashes that radiated outward in all directions, carving through the black fog and slicing into the surrounding stone shelves and pillars.
However, the shimmering slashes faded once they passed beyond a ten-meter radius, their energy dispersing into the air.
Then I sensed that one of my slashes had struck the beast. Without wasting a moment, I stopped swinging my sword and instead channeled magic energy along its edges, forming glowing whips that lashed out toward the target.
Whip! Whip!
The whips coiled around the beast, gripping tightly, and I pulled with my strength, dragging it toward the edge of my sword. With a powerful yank, the creature was wrenched into view.
It was the Shadow Tower Snake Beast—huge and terrifying, but not quite as enormous as I had pictured. Its coiled, muscular body shimmered in the dim light, covered in rippling black fur. Its goat-like head snapped and hissed with rage.
Tzan!
I glanced at my sword in shock—it was broken.
"Damn it!" I cursed, leaping back immediately. Without a sword, most of my techniques were useless. This situation was suddenly very dangerous.
Roar!
The snake beast roared, exhaling a thick cloud of poisonous smoke toward me.
"…Bruh." I remained motionless. The poisonous smoke had no effect on me. As a Rank 5 monster, any attack based on magic energy that used by Rank 4 being could not harm me. only physical strikes could pose a threat.
"Wait—why do I feel threatened by this Rank 4 beast? I'm Rank 5; this should be an easy fight. So why…?" I froze in place, doubt and unease creeping into my thoughts. Because this was too strange to ignore and too different to be my persona traits. So I tried to understand what is going and I start to think at lighting speed as countless thoughts start to form and dissolve.
"Hmmm… Could it be…?" A sudden realization stirred within me, one thought and I trembled, my suspicion sharpening into intense caution.
Roar!
The snake beast surged forward, attempting to ram me with its head. I remained unmoved, focusing entirely on my thoughts.
Bam!
The moment it entered my attack range, I swung my skeletal hand in a sharp arc without giving snake beast much attention. The slap struck with tremendous force, breaking countless teeth from the beast's maw. Its massive body flew across the hall and crashed into the library wall, the impact echoing like a drumbeat through the ancient chamber.
I exhaled slowly, my gaze locked on the writhing beast. The strike was effortless, yet my anxiety didn't fade. I tightened my grip on sword handle bending it completely.
"What should I do now?" I whispered, anxiety gnawing at me with a sharpness I hadn't felt in years. Unlike before, when fear drove me into a state of heightened observation, this time my panic was raw, primal—a struggle for survival, not understanding.
"Why did I never think about this at all?" The realization hit me like a blow to my thinking process.
My fear surged the moment I saw the Shadow Tower Snake Beast. I was terrified—unlike my usual calmness in battle. And when I was in deep thought one thought crystallised the truth
(Espresmory is afraid of snakes. Her memories, her traumas, her terror of these type of beasts—that was what flooded me.)
It all made sense right there. Espresmory's memories had always lain dormant—silent, scattered, and inconsequential. They weren't converging into a strong will because my mind dismissed them as irrelevant and that was expected. But this irrelevance gave them a strange freedom, like a loose leash, allowing them to drift and sink into the edges of my consciousness. And those are also expected but
there was the Figure the one thing I didn't accounted for the Figure is me, but not me. A separate will. A mindset and intellect sharper than any extreme harbinger monster. A will so strong that it existed almost independently inside my mind. And that will have strength to create its own mind, and simply by existing, he crushed Espresmory's drifting memories, scattering them like a contagion. Each fragment spread through my thoughts like a subtle infection.
Once enough fragments of her memory reached this critical threshold, they began to affect my own will. And my will was fragile due to regression.
Right now, I am a fusion of two selves: the 189-year-old me and the 20-year-old me. The younger self dominates because the elder's will has only begun to take root. This imbalance leaves me unstable—vulnerable to outside influence. And this state erased my strength of will and gives me low level personality disorder .
Which means only one thing
(if Espresmory's memories gather enough cohesion to form even a sliver of will, they will become the dominant persona.)
And I can't think even singly way of solving this problem and I'm afraid this is already too late.
And most sad thing is The Opposition Mind Arcane Artifact can suppress her will, sever the influence over my will, and protect my mind. But it cannot erase her memories. Those remnants will remain like splinters, always threatening to converge again. Worse, the artifact can only be used a hundred times before it shatters.
I realised that the situation was more complicated than I had expected, and no immediate solution came to mind. But while examining Espresmory's memories, I noticed something unusual. The timing of her memory fragments affecting me coincided with a specific recollection which is my memory of going to the Aethergateway. This memory was incomplete—I could not recall how it ended.
It could not be a false memory because Espresmory has no independent will and therefore cannot create new memories. The only way she could produce a memory would be by using the determination alternative system, but that is not possible for her. This led me to a single conclusion: the phenomenon must be related to my 95% overlord-self mind.
I hold authority over the determination alternative system, but I cannot directly operate it. Because of this, I entrusted that authority to my 95% overlord-self mind. Since the moment I created the barrier between my soul and my body, he has been working to correct the situation in the background.
After 20 minutes of focused thought, I reached a clear conclusion: "He already knew this was happening and was giving me solutions. The solution is hidden within those memories."
I exhaled slowly and said to myself, "If this is the only way, then I will do my best to uncover your solution."
Hisss!
A sudden hiss drew my attention. I turned and saw the Shadow Tower Snake Beast lying on the floor, glaring at me with unrestrained hatred. Its body trembled with effort; it was no longer able to fight properly.
"This is just like before," I whispered. "No matter how determined a lower-ranked being is, it can never truly overcome a higher-ranked one in raw power. Only through intellect does victory become possible. This is a common truth."
I sighed and approached the beast step by step. When I was only a few paces away, it let out an angry growl and began to move as if preparing to fight again. I could hear its bones crack under the strain of its own determination.
"…That fighting spirit is what I lacked against humans," I admitted quietly, my hollow voice trembling with reflections I rarely allowed myself. Watching the Shadow Tower Snake Beast struggle to rise, its body broken yet unyielding, stirred something raw within me. There was a flicker of kinship in its defiance, a mirror to a part of me I had long buried.
For a moment, my grip on the conjured bone blade faltered.
"Do I truly want to kill it?" The thought surfaced unbidden, carried on a current of conflicting emotions. I could not tell whether it was my own will hesitating or Espresmory's fragmented memories bleeding into my thoughts, whispering their fear and sorrow into my soul.
Since my regression, the concept of 'me' had become elusive. My 189-year-old self loomed like a distant puppeteer, shaping the framework of my thoughts and actions, but never stepping forward to take full control. This body of my 20-year-old self is the vessel born anew and danced to that silent guidance, carrying out motions that often felt rehearsed, hollow, and uncertain. And in the cracks between them, Espresmory's memories seeped like a quiet contagion.
"Who am I?" I wondered, a question that clawed at the core of my being. Am I the cautious, calculating elder who lived through centuries? The naive youth who first feared the world's cruelty? Or am I drifting toward becoming Espresmory a ghost of someone I never truly was?
This enigma gnawed at me more than any cipher or riddle I had ever faced. For once, the solution hovered in my mind like a ghostly answer, a whisper in the dark, yet the cipher itself the puzzle, the structure, the very question remained undefined. It was as if I had stumbled upon the solution to a problem I could not see, an answer detached from its question.
My thoughts swirled in a turbulent spiral, each reflection pulling another to the surface. The uncertainty was not born of ignorance but of fragmentation. My mind felt like a shattered mirror, shards reflecting different selves: the 189-year-old strategist, the 20-year-old vessel of impulsive will, and the silent influence of Espresmory's scattered memories. Each piece offered clarity only in isolation, yet together they formed a kaleidoscope that refused to align.
"Right now, the only thing that matters is becoming an extraordinary monster and obtaining the Opposition Mind Arcane Artifact." The thought arises sharply, like a lifeline in the storm of my consciousness. As I speak in my mind, I feel the scattered shards of self momentarily align. It is a direction—a vector in the chaos—that points toward goal.
I cling to this goal not because it is easy, but because it promises a form of control. My mind, fractured between the 189-year-old strategist, the 20-year-old vessel, and the drifting fragments of Espresmory's memories, craves cohesion. Each thought feels like a thread stretching toward different horizons, yet the act of naming my purpose pulls them back together. I imagine an unchanging consciousness—a self unaffected by fear, memory, or alien will.
Hu Hu Hu Hu
Hu Hu Hu Hu
After a long, tense moment of silence, I finally opened my empty eye sockets. And snake beast was gone.
"…Hah. Guess this bone stayed standing so long, even the world forgot about me. Hahaha… yeah, that's me."
I laughed at my own joke, which was proof enough that I was still me, still Sans, still alive. My hollow skull echoed with the sound of my own voice, and for a heartbeat, that was all the reassurance I needed.
Then I sighed, alone in the quiet library, thinking, "Wow… I'm talking to myself again. Classic early signs of either genius or insanity. Probably both."
Then, sensing an attack from behind, I instinctively pivoted and seized the head of the Shadow Tower Snake Beast. It seemed that while I had been lost in deep thought, it had quietly used nature energy to heal its injuries. The sensation of my skeletal hand clamping around the beast's furred skull sent tremors through its body, and for a moment, time seemed to slow.
Nature energy and magic energy—so different in essence, yet remarkably compatible when intertwined. I could feel the subtle hum of its restored vitality, the flow of natural energy knitting its flesh and fortifying its muscles, as though the forest itself had lent it strength. And they use nature energy in their body to control magic energy they absorbed without it they would died only monsters can use magic energy
The Shadow Tower Snake Beast reared its head back, its goat-like eyes blazing as it released a guttural hiss that rattled the walls. Then, it raised its tails to attack
I raised my hand to block it but it never blocked tail as tail targeted floor with single swing floor break and I was surprised why did he do that
Crack crack crack!
The impact was catastrophic. The ancient stone tiles beneath us ruptured like brittle glass, a web of fissures spreading outward in jagged arcs. The ground heaved under the sheer force,
But right that moment i realized something
"Floor is hollow!" Before i can do anything , floor gave way.
I felt weightlessness seize me, shelves and debris tumbling beside me as the cracked marble collapsed into the darkness below. The Shadow Tower Snake Beast, too, fell with me, its massive body twisting in the air, its roar echoing through the cavernous void. Dust and shattered stone rained around us in a chaotic storm, and the world blurred into fragments of blue light and black fog.
For a heartbeat, there was only the sensation of falling, of the world spinning as the beast and I plummeted together into the depths.
Then, the darkness swallowed everything.
"Using teleportation is out of choice since it will take too much time" I said as I tried to find way to escape this situation then get a idea
With the Figure's help, I invoked boost magic, carefully weaving the intricate hand signs that allowed me to exert precision control over its effects. Normally, boost magic behaves like a drifting vessel like boat and aimless, floating atop the currents of ambient magic with no true direction. Untamed, it simply lingers in the air, enhancing power in a broad, unfocused manner.
By channeling my intent through specific hand formations, I could anchor and steer the effect, shaping it with purpose. Each gesture acted like a rudder on a ship, guiding the flow of magic energy toward my chosen target. In its raw state, boost magic could envelop an entire form, amplifying every aspect of my body equally, or it could concentrate upon a single point to reinforce one attribute to extreme levels.
At this moment, my focus was absolute. Every pulse of boost magic funneled into my durability, layering reinforcement over bone and essence alike. I felt my skeletal frame resonate with the hum of condensed energy, each joint and marrow-like channel thick with protective force. The power coursed through me, stabilizing against the crushing impact of the fall, transforming my body into a vessel that could endure what lay below.
The sensation was unlike simple fortification—it was a living shield, one I could shift and adapt with every change in my hand signs. With each precise movement, I could redirect the magic, reinforcing critical points, bracing for sudden blows, or expanding the protection outward to absorb environmental shocks. My body was no longer merely falling; it was descending inside a fortress of my own making.
"Wait a second… could it be?"
As I plummeted through the crumbling floor, the world spinning in a blur of stone and shadow, the thought struck me like lightning. My memory hummed in confirmation, every fragment aligning into a single, undeniable truth.
"So that's it… the library itself was the gate to the second city. And that snake beast… it wasn't just a random threat. It was the guardian all along."
A surge of exhilaration rippled through me even as I fell, the air roaring past my skeletal frame. The pieces finally fit together, and for the first time since entering the Land of Kall, everything made sense.
The researcher monsters were safe. The guardian beast was with me. And below, in the depths of darkness, the second city awaited.
"This… this is just perfect. Hahahahaga"