Keys are like creatures from myths, They are usually divided into ranks based on the number of shards on the stone embedded in their foreheads and they ranks from lowest to highest, are as follows:
Inlava – the lowest rank.
Larva – mid-rank.
Earthlarva – high rank.
Anglelarva – the highest standard rank.
Archangellarva – a mythical rank.
Godlarva – a forbidden rank with 18 shards.
Fallenlarva – a rank that supposedly doesn't exist, only appearing in myths
A Key's rank is fixed; they cannot ascend beyond what they were born as. However, their Key Energy can be categorized into different ranks and upgraded by absorbing the energy of beasts and creatures from the World of Keys and the World of Sins. The key condition is that the creature or beast must be an Orin a being of pure essence.
The ranks of Key Energy are determined by color:
Yellow – the lowest rank.
Green – mid-rank.
Red – high rank.
Purple – mythical rank.
Golden – divine rank.
Beyond these, the two final and most extreme stages exist:
Pure Rank – colorless energy.
Unpure Rank – white energy.
To increase one's Key Energy rank, one must absorb the energy of Orin creatures. However, there is a crucial condition: you must kill the creature with your own hands to claim its energy. If someone else deals the killing blow, you gain nothing.
I had been silent, listening carefully, until now. Finally, I spoke.
"Why is that?"
The King gave me a sharp stare. "You only talk when you want something from others, huh?"
I ignored him .
After a while, Valenor entered, holding a gold box carefully in both hands. His movements were filled with grace and respect as he approached us.
"Here, my lord," he said, presenting the box.
The King asked, "Which one did you bring?"
Valenor glanced at me before answering, "The healing one. We couldn't find the regeneration stone... We even asked other kingdoms, but they didn't have it either."
The King looked at me and gestured. "Come closer."
Without wasting time, I stepped forward. As I reached him, he gave a simple order.
"Open it."
Holding the box with care, I slowly lifted the lid. The moment it opened, a surge of energy rushed out, flooding the room.
I narrowed my eyes against the intense glow, struggling to see inside. As my vision adjusted, I finally made out what lay within a glowing stone, shaped like an egg. It was no larger than a regular egg, but its radiating energy sent a cold shiver through my body. The stone's structure was solid, resembling a diamond.
I looked up at the King, who was staring at me expectantly.
"Uh… what is this?" I asked flatly.
The King's expression turned to one of disbelief. "You don't know…?"
I tilted my head, waiting.
With a sigh, he said, "This is how you're going to enter the World of Sins."
I kept my tone neutral. "What's wrong with that? Do we really have time to waste on formalities like this?"
The King shook his head and sighed. "This is a Mir Stone."
My mind clicked. "Oh… I remember those."
He continued, "This Mir Stone is different from the usual ones that increase strength, agility, or reflexes. This one grants an ability and ability-type Mir Stones are the rarest of all."
I muttered a single word. "Ability."
The King nodded. "This particular Mir Stone grants the ability of healing."
Then, with a serious expression, he ordered, "Eat it."
I blinked. "…What?"
"Eat it," he repeated, shaking his head like he was dealing with an idiot.
I had consumed Mir Stones before as i remember , so I didn't hesitate. Taking the stone, I put it into my mouth and bit down. The same thing happened as always what had looked like solid diamond crumbled like brittle candy between my teeth.
On my first chew, I frowned. "Tastes like… I'm eating a plant."
The King stared at me, unimpressed. I ignored his gaze and kept chewing.
A minute passed.
"I don't feel any different," I muttered. "My stomach just feels… refreshed."
Then suddenly my chest tightened. My eyes widened as a strange sensation rushed through my body.
"What…?" My breath hitched.
I pressed a hand against my chest, then my lungs, then my kidneys every part of my body felt strange. Slowly, my breathing grew heavier.
I gasped. "What… is happening to me?!"
I looked at my arm. Green light streaked beneath my skin in multiple directions.
Pain exploded through my body.
I screamed, barely able to force words out. "What's… happening… to me?!"
The King stood still, watching me without any concern. Instead, he seemed… interested. Almost entertained.
Finally, he spoke. "The ability is settling inside you… No, it would be more accurate to say it's becoming a part of you. It's entering every single cell of your body. Just endure it it'll only take a few minutes."
That was easy for him to say.
I fell to the ground, writhing in agony. The pain was unbearable. My throat burned, but I could no longer scream—I could barely even breathe.
Saliva dripped from my mouth as I clawed at my throat.
Valenor, who had been silent until now, stepped toward the King and whispered, "My lord… What is happening to him? I've never seen these symptoms before. Even when an ability settles into someone's body, it never causes this much pain. But this kid… It's like his whole body is rejecting the ability."
I gasped desperately for air.
"I… don't… think… it's… working…!"
My vision blurred. No… not now. I… I can't… pass out…!
I tried to inhale, but my lungs refused to work.
What is… happening… to me?
My body collapsed.
The last thing I saw was everyone panicking. Knights rushed toward me but before they could reach me…
A sudden black fog erupted from my body.
The entire room shook.
Valenor leaped back in fear . The knights froze.
And then my body rose into the air.
I was unconscious, yet my body was… changing.
My wings shone as bright as the sun.
Drops of blood hit the ground.
Valenor and the King stared in shock.
Then, from my forehead, horns began to grow. Two long, sharp horns.
And then… another pair began sprouting—branching out like twisted branches of a tree.
And suddenly The black fog started to fade. Valenor did not move until it had completely vanished.
As it dissipated, my body began to fall.
Valenor rushed forward and caught me before I hit the ground. He laid me down gently.
He muttered in disbelief, "His horns… where did they go?"
My horns were gone, as if they had never existed.
Then—I gasped, choking on air.
I coughed violently, trying to breathe.
Finally, as my body calmed down, I looked up at the two of them, both of whom were staring at me, pale as ghosts.
With heavy breaths, I forced out, "Huff… huff… What… happened? Why do… you two look so pale?"
Valenor exchanged a glance with the King.
Then, with a calm but firm voice, the King said
"Let's test it out"