Amadeus and Crown stood face to face.
The firelight from the camp flickered between them, casting long shadows.
Amadeus broke the silence first, his voice calm, almost casual.
"Since when did you know?"
Crown didn't hesitate.
"From the very start."
Amadeus narrowed his eyes.
"Then why didn't you say anything?"
Crown's glow pulsed faintly, as if with a sigh.
"I wanted to believe your words—that we had become comrades."
"But in truth, you only see me as a piece of junk."
"Tell me… is it because you found no use for me?"
Amadeus didn't flinch.
He met Crown's gaze directly and said with brutal honesty.
"Exactly."
For a moment, silence hung heavy.
Then Crown let out a long, weary sigh.
"Then the mistake was mine."
" If I had proven my usefulness, you would have spoken to me."
"Very well. From this moment forward, I will prove my worth."
Amadeus tilted his head.
"How?"
Crown floated a little higher, his tone steady.
"By providing information."
" Every Crown carries a vast database of knowledge—records from countless worlds."
" Information about everything."
Amadeus arched a brow.
"Give me an example."
Crown's voice deepened as he recited.
The Violet family in World S10-1345 is the most influential power in this world.
Though they are not kings, they rule from the shadows. Exploiting the weak, filling their coffers, weaving their influence across nations.
The Quarry you see—it is but one of their many illegal ventures.
When he finished, he said.
"Well? What do you think? Am I useful now?"
Amadeus tapped his chin.
"So… you can know anything about this world."
Crown said proudly.
"Correct, "
" I can even tell you how this region became the barren land you see today."
" Do you want to know?"
Amadeus shook his head.
"There's no need for that now."
Instead, he extended his hand—this time, not out of arrogance, but with genuine intent.
"I won't ask for forgiveness for how I treated you before "
" but we could start anew. As partners."
Crown hovered in silence. Then, with dry humor, he replied.
"Didn't I tell you before?"
" I don't have hands."
Amadeus froze, his face turning crimson.
Crown burst into laughter, the sound echoing like a bell.
"Haha! At least you're entertaining."
When his laughter subsided, Crown's tone turned serious.
"Anyway… what's our next move? "
" You do realize Atlan is far stronger than Xera."
Amadeus' gaze hardened.
"We've seen his power."
Crown said with a teasing lilt.
"You mean when he smashed you to death?".
Amadeus' jaw tightened.
"Yes. That figure—it was most likely Atlan."
Crown said firmly.
"Then you'll need to become stronger,".
Suddenly an idea crossed Crown mind.
"Don't tell me you're planning to fight Xera again?"
Amadeus answered without hesitation
"He's my only way,".
"I'll kill him as many times as it takes, taking all the Essence he can give."
He sat cross-legged, preparing himself.
"Until then, I'll train."
Crown tilted.
"How exactly do you 'train' by just sitting there?"
Amadeus closed his eyes, a faint smirk on his lips.
"Even partners keep some secrets from each other."
" Don't you think?"
Crown sighed.
"Fine. I won't push further."
The Memory Domain
Within the ethereal space, the knight Memory stood before him, sword planted firmly into the ground.
the knight Memory eyeing Amadeus, said.
"Your stats have increased,".
"I believe they are sufficient for you to finally learn an Art."
Amadeus excited, said.
"Which Art?"
the knight Memory.
"An Art you know well,".
"Xera's Art."
Amadeus' lips curled into a sharp grin.
"He'll be surprised when I use it against him."
Time Passed.
Xera descended once more after Amadeus had butchered his guards.
But this time, the air felt different.
A panel appeared.
[ Difficulty: Hard ]
Amadeus' mind was sharp as a blade.
I know his attacks. I know his blind spots. I know his Art.
Winning will be easy.
They clashed. Steel rang.
Amadeus moved around Xera's strikes, slipping perfectly into his openings.
Xera's eyes narrowed as he studied Amadeus' armor and sword.
"That sword and armor… At first, I thought I was mistaken."
" But no. They are mine. Tell me—how did you get them?"
Amadeus smirked.
"Why should I tell you anything? You're already a dead man."
" And a dead man words are meaningless ".
Rage ignited in Xera's face.
He roared, raising his blade into his signature stance.
But his fury turned to shock as Amadeus mirrored the very same motion.
It can't be…
"You… how did you learn this?"
Amadeus' voice was cold, merciless.
"I told you. No point talking to a dead man."
Both swordsmen roared.
[ Violet Sword – Piercing Blade ]
Xera launched his attack.
[ Art: Violet Penetration ]
And Amadeus followed him.
They thrust forward.
But Amadeus' execution was flawless—sharper, faster, refined beyond comparison.
Their tips met for an instant before Amadeus' strike shattered Xera's sword and tore through his chest, leaving a gaping wound.
Xera collapsed, clutching at the hole in disbelief.
"How… it's my Art… and yet you performed it better than me…"
Amadeus moved closer and lifted his foot above Xera head.
" Lets say i had a better teacher ".
Amadeus crushed Xera skull with his foot without hesitation, As he said.
"See you soon."
[ You killed a Hard Human ]
[ Reward: 20 Essence ]
Amadeus spent his Essence.
[ STM Lv. 35 → 40 ]
[ HP Lv. 40 → 45 ]
[ STR Lv. 55 → 60 ]
[ AGI Lv. 50 → 55 ]
A golden panel appeared before him.
[ You Reached level 200 ]
[ Undying Stage 2 Treat Unlocked ]
The panel Changed.
Amadeus smirked As he read what was on the panel.
"Just what I needed."
He glanced at Xera's body.
Should I take his items?
I think i could find a use for them later.
Crown floated nearby.
"So… are you going to kill yourself again?"
Amadeus.
"Yes. It's the most efficient method."
The next moment, Without hesitation, Amadeus slit his throat.
[ You Failed ]
[ Rewriting Chapter 1 ]
This time, Amadeus didn't wait for Xera.
He went straight to him—the very place he had first died.
A guard stepped forward, demanding.
"Give me the letter—"
His words were cut short.
Amadeus' blade flashed, and his head rolled across the dirt.
The others froze in horror.
Before they could run, Amadeus slaughtered them all.
Xera appeared, arrogance written across his face but what was above his head showed his truth.
[ Normal ]
Moments later, he was on his knees, bloodied and broken.
Xera whispered, stunned.
"How… how did I lose?".
Amadeus' eyes were cold.
"Don't you have something new to say this time?"
He swung once, and Xera's head hit the ground.
[ You killed a Normal Human ]
[ Reward: 10 Essence ]
Amadeus sheathed his blade.
"I'll save these Essence for later."
Crown floated to his side.
"Then… it's time to go to the Quarry."
Amadeus smirked, his new armor glinting under moon.
"It's about time we finished this."
To be continued.