Rozi seemed calm at seeing the mage again after more than a thousand years. "The emperor's dead. You're without a master now. You don't belong to this era, so why haven't you gone to hell yet?" Rozi asked."Hahaha! Hahaha!"The mage's piercing laugh sounded like an intense torture. "I’ve returned because hell refused to take me. You may have killed His Majesty, but you can't stop what's about to happen next. You’ll both suffer the moment his soul leaves this city."Rozi frowned. "Why would you do this, mage? What did the emperor give you to turn you into this inhuman thing? Don't you find it torturous to live like this? You may have sealed Dragonking’s soul, but you can't seal away his grand achievements. It’s time for you to move on."Her words seem to inflict some damage on the mage's psyche. "Silence. I think I'm living just fine. Thanks to the emperor, I've gained immortality and have even outlived him.”“The Rejuvenation Elixir and the Revenant Elixir don’t stop one fro
"You're lying!” the mage yelled in disbelief. Adrian figured out what was happening. The mage's body had died a long time ago, just like the zombie guards. But his consciousness was much stronger than the others, so the worms made use of this and took full control over his body. This had granted him some form of immortality. But in truth, such immortality was torture. No ordinary person would accept their body rotting away while their memories and knowledge remained intact.Rozi continued, "It's true. The emperor has always been wary of you. Your body was unable to withstand the effects of the Revenant Elixir, leading to the worms taking control of your consciousness and memories when you woke up. Though your body has not broken down completely, you died more than a thousand years ago.”"No… No, no, no, no!!! Impossible! That can't be true!" the mage yelled hysterically. "Rest. You don't have to fight anymore. I know you're in a lot of pain. Letting go will be the greatest reli
As Adrian’s blood filled the crevice, the statue started to glow red. It was absorbing his blood and sending it through the runes. Something shocking was happening to the statue! The runes that had blood flowing through it looked just like veins. The process was a continuous cycle. The blood would flow through the network of runes before returning to the crevice."Follow me." Rozi walked toward the outer parts of the tower.The pair arrived at the platform and looked out at Enigma City. The same light from the statue had emerged from nine different directions. The light produced from the ten statues shot toward the night sky and converged at a point. A stele had also appeared in the sky."That's the stele that holds Dragonking's soul. Dragonbane is trying to destroy it and allow Dragonking to pass on."Adrian silently watched as the lights in the sky gathered to form a giant sword. The sword made a clean strike, cleaving the stele in half as it dispersed into balls of lights.
Adrian and Rozi stood on the platform.Rozi tried to recall her memories as there were many unanswered questions. The Creator was the main reason all these prophecies existed. They were on the right path, but Adrian had never dared make such bold assumptions.Nothing had changed after a thousand and two hundred years. The world still remained. ***"I once thought someone was controlling things from behind. We knew of them as prophecies. I doubt anything this coincidental would ever occur," Adrian said as he overlooked the city. Many things somehow became related to the prophecies since the Heroes of Wyvern Peak became known.Rozi, having experienced something similar, said, "Prophecies existed since my time, and it bears many resemblances to historical events. There are major parts of history that have been lost. It's like someone is capable of erasing history."Adrian understood what she meant. "Are you saying many things have happened throughout history, but nobody was able
Did erase mean deletion or death?Rozi said, "The world, time, and even our memories being reset is my definition of something being erased."She made an even bolder assumption, one that could strike fear in man's hearts. The whole world, time, and memories could be reset. Adrian took a deep breath. "You're saying that the Creator erases memories and turns back the clock? Does this apply to everyone?""Yes, it does. Everyone's memories have been erased at least once, be it humans of the past or the present.""But why haven't I noticed any of this? What sort of memories could I have lost? You can remember events from a thousand and two hundred years ago, so your memory should be fine.""No.” Rozi shook her head. With a solemn look, she said, “How do you identify lost memories when you can’t even remember what they were? We feel as if we’ve gone through certain experiences, but we can’t remember where or when.“While searching for an answer, I realized that my memories would be r
Adrian now knew why Achelous had visited the city. Achelous forgot about his visit after he left Enigma City, which was why he had not left behind any info about the place. He had managed to locate Dragonbane, but his memories were erased just as he was about to retrieve the sword. All these thoughts left Adrian feeling terrified. The most terrifying part was how a person’s memories could vanish all of a sudden, and they would not even know what they had forgotten.All of Rozi's assumptions of the Creator being behind it all were supported with evidence. "I can understand most of what you've said, that the Creator can somehow reset this world and our memories. There's a chance that this tragedy will happen to us one day."Adrian was unable to fathom that his life and his memories were at the mercy of others. Night had arrived. Rozi looked out at Enigma City. There were stones shining throughout the city, which had not changed much after a thousand and two hundred years. Cal
When that happened, all of her efforts would have been in vain. Adrian understood this. “The Creator treats us like playthings even after resetting our memories. It's time we made them pay the price. We're going to find and eliminate the Creator, no matter how hard it’ll be."To Adrian, the Creator was like a tumor. That person was someone who could destroy the world, or more accurately, someone who could reset all of humanity. Adrian knew this person had to be eliminated if he wished to live on. "I once had the same thought, that our future generations would be able to live on if we killed the Creator. But this person has absolute control over us. We can’t defeat them." Rozi shook her head. Adrian took a deep breath, thinking how extinction became imminent as everything he thought was impossible became possible. They fell silent and looked out at the city. Glowing lights dotted the entire place. When the light fell, Enigma City ceased to exist. In the blink of an eye, everyth
Adrian and Rozi fled from the reset—running for their lives—which continued to spread. They only stopped after passing the Steedten’s inn, which also disappeared. The reset disappeared upon reaching the end of the desert.Adrian panted from exhaustion. Rozi stood next to him, the loose hair hanging around her face made her seem tired. "That reset changed the desert into a mountain forest,” Rozi said as she looked at what used to be the Uduma Desert. The area had turned into a dense mountain forest. Even the sounds of birds chirping could be heard from within. Adrian was stunned at the disappearance of the desert that existed for a thousand years. Was the land hit with a reset?He looked at the rocks beneath his feet and looked toward the new terrain before him."This isn't an illusion…" Adrian rubbed his eyes, but the scenery before him remained the same.Rozi bent down and said, "You could call it an illusion. The desert before was one, but it has now turned into a forest afte
The Daemon Emperor was startled."What is happening? This power..."Formless energy was surging forward, pressuring his nerves and senses.Below, Andy and the others trembled uncontrollably."Who is it?" Finnian stared into the crimson mist.Even Andy was horrified, his gaze locked on the unfolding scene in disbelief, and asked, "What is this? What exactly is happening?" At this moment, Adrian abruptly opened his eyes.Apparently, the Daemon Emperor had once conspired with Adrian's subordinates to ambush him.However, Adrian had managed to annihilate the traitors and sealed this Daemon Emperor. Now, fate had brought them together again."If I killed you once, I can kill you again." Adrian stood tall, his white robes fluttering in the air.The Daemon Emperor was stunned into silence."This is impossible! You're not that mortal boy!""Is that so? In this life, your end has come, and so has the era of the daemons." Adrian's voice was calm yet resolute. He stretched out his han
Adrian's face hardened at the words. He despised threats above all else. While he understood what the mysterious entity desired, he couldn't yet fully comprehend its implications or find a way to counter it. His only choice was to focus on growing stronger.Within the hot spring, waves of raw, terrifying power surged and crashed violently against Adrian's body.The force, though beneficial, was brutal and overwhelming. Adrian's body struggled to endure, cracking as though it were disintegrating."Arghhh!"A heart-wrenching scream echoed as Adrian's flesh was torn apart and his aura gradually dimmed."Ahhh!"His agonized cries echoed once more. He could no longer withstand the pain.In the distance, a towering figure appeared and sneered. "What's this? Can't take it anymore? Pathetic. Humans are truly the epitome of stupidity."Suddenly, Adrian erupted with an explosive surge of energy, and in that instant, he broke through to the pinnacle of the Void Stage."Hmm? He actually b
At that moment, the crowd was speechless.Adrian had ascended as if it were the easiest thing in the world.Faced with such a sight, no one could say much beyond admiration. Even if the Holy Son claimed Adrian had cheated, many secretly wished they could cheat the same way.Lacking Adrian's means, all they could do was envy him.Finnian chuckled. "Haha! You really caught us all by surprise, kid. Still, I'll count this as you repaying me a favor."For Finnian, the outcome couldn't have been better. With a broad smile, he seemed to have achieved his desired result. Adrian's successful climb was all that mattered to him.Once Adrian had vanished, the focus shifted to the rest of the group and their trials.When Adrian opened his eyes again, his entire body ached, but an oddly comforting sensation flowed through him. Surveying his surroundings, he realized he was now in a pond."Where am I?" he asked.Though uncertain about the place, Adrian knew he had cleared the trial and arriv
The onlookers stared in bewilderment, their faces etched with confusion as they struggled to grasp the unfolding events.Meanwhile, Adrian seethed with barely contained rage. This wasn't his first encounter with such torment. Every few steps he ascended, another trial awaited.To Adrian, the relentless punishments felt suffocating. Yet he pressed on—this was the final stretch of the climb. "Adrian, hang in there!" Andy shouted, urging him to conquer the last step. To Andy, reaching that final step symbolized Adrian's growth. He had witnessed Adrian's remarkable resilience countless times and held unwavering faith in his potential. In Andy's eyes, Adrian was destined for greatness. Adrian's expression turned cold as he locked his gaze on the steps ahead. Determination flickered in his eyes. "If reaching the top guarantees a reward, it doesn't have to be me up there. As long as someone makes it, that's enough." With that, he shifted his focus to the void above and formed
Adrian felt as if every nerve in his body was beyond his control. A deep sense of grievance filled his heart as the divine thunder from the void relentlessly crashed down.Rage surged within him, but under the onslaught of endless forces, he felt weak and constrained.Still, he had no choice but to press forward. He knew victory was within reach if he could endure a little longer—giving up now would mean death.If he fell, the shame and humiliation would crush him.Below, the Holy Son and others waited, eager to see him fail and mock him. This left Adrian no option but to push forward, striving toward the void above and his ultimate goal.The violent forces continued to bombard him from the sky.With every step, the thunder's impact intensified tenfold. His soul, already battered from a fierce battle with a horde of beasts, now felt as though it was dragging his exhausted body forward.Anyone else would likely have succumbed to despair. After all, under such immense pressure, ev
The oppressive forces descending from the void seemed determined to halt Adrian’s ascent up the staircase.Yet he refused to yield. To him, these overwhelming challenges were merely obstacles to conquer.He pressed forward with relentless determination.Thunderbolts continued to rain down, but the ominous red light from before did not return—a relief, as he never wished to endure its crushing weight again.The memory of that light still haunted him, leaving a lingering sense of helplessness. Its suffocating pressure had drained his strength, reducing him to a gasping, powerless state.Despite the toll on his body and mind, Adrian remained singularly focused on reaching the final step. His burning desire for greater power drove him forward, unwavering and resolute.Step by step, he ascended, reaching the 95th step in what felt like an instant.Only five steps remained. His gaze locked onto the summit, and a wild glint lit his eyes. A daring idea sparked within him, consuming his
Adrian pondered his situation, his cold gaze reflecting simmering frustration. Yet deep down, he recognized that whoever had designed the staircase was far from ordinary.Creating such a formidable trial required unimaginable power.Even a pinnacle Void Stage expert—or perhaps someone of the Multiply Stage—might bow in reverence before the ladder's creator."He won't last much longer. The divine lightning in this void is utterly destructive. In moments, he'll be reduced to ashes," sneered the Holy Son, his sharp eyes gleaming with malice.To the Holy Son, Adrian's demise was inevitable. Adrian had dared to offend him, and he was certain such audacity could only lead to death.Adrian caught the Holy Son's words and cast him a frosty glare. His intent to kill was unmistakable, though now wasn't the time.The staircase was no place for personal vendettas—eliminating him here would require careful planning.He also knew the Holy Son carried seals of immense power. A reckless move co
Finnian's sharp gaze reflected a hint of admiration. "Kid, you owe me a big favor this time. You'd better treasure this opportunity."Adrian remained silent, unsure how to respond. His cold eyes revealed no emotion, though he fully grasped the challenges ahead.Fear was a luxury he couldn't afford—he'd come too far to back down now.Suddenly, a streak of red light surged from the void, hurtling toward Adrian with terrifying speed. His eyes widened in shock as the crimson beam struck him, slamming him against the staircase.Caught off guard, Adrian collapsed, sprawled helplessly on the steps.The crowd below watched in astonishment. No one had expected his seemingly indestructible body to be overwhelmed so easily.The Holy Son sneered. "Haha! It seems he's triggered some kind of taboo. Let's see how arrogant he is now!"His voice dripped with schadenfreude, his eyes gleaming with malicious satisfaction as he relished Adrian's struggle.Despite the crushing force, Adrian refused
"What exactly is up there pulling me so strongly?" Adrian's expression hardened as he pondered the mysterious force drawing him upward.A surge of violent energy erupted across the sky, crashing down like a raging storm.Adrian advanced cautiously, each step deliberate and precise.Gone were the reckless strides of before—now he moved with steely determination, fully aware of the lurking dangers.He'd learned that the void's formidable forces seemed to target him directly, compelling him to proceed step by step. Any attempt to bypass its unseen barriers would provoke a devastating strike."Ridiculous," Adrian muttered. "If I've chosen to climb, nothing will stop me."The void's relentless power intensified.Bolts of thunder hammered down mercilessly, battering Adrian's body. Yet fear never crossed his mind.What was there to be afraid of?To him, the divine thunder wasn't an obstacle—it was a crucible, a tool to temper his body and strengthen his resolve.Despite the storm, A