In the city of Yusbikers—where the students had headed to rest following a battle against the "Scorpion" organization and the monsters of Jigwa Island, a conflict that had raged for over ten consecutive hours—the atmosphere was rather boisterous.
The students were overjoyed, having secured their qualification for the final examination.
Armin Sigmort
In one of the apartments, Armin began to stir from his slumber, a look of confusion etched across his face. The last thing he remembered was fighting alongside Tom, Jian Yi, Lucy, Beatrice, Roichi, and Grey against the minions of the "Crimson Scorpion"—and, in the heat of that struggle, breaking through to the rank of "Expert Sovereign."
But what was he doing here? And where on earth was he?
These questions swirled through Armin's mind, followed by a flicker of shock.
The frequency of his power had shifted entirely. Every race possesses its own unique frequency, yet his had become distorted—a hybrid blend of the frequencies belonging to dragons, phoenixes, and humans.
As he threw off his covers and attempted to rise, he was startled to discover markings—tattoos—characteristic of the Crimson Phoenix race adorning his chest.
He turned his gaze toward a towering, multi-meter-tall mirror, only to realize that his entire body had been transformed.
His hair had become a blend of deep red and fiery crimson, cascading down to his waist. His eyes now glowed like molten gold, and two crystalline horns, each twelve centimeters long, swept back from his head.
His body was covered in golden-crimson tattoos—a testament to his lineage within an ancient and noble branch of the phoenix race. "It seems I've evolved following the breakthrough, unlocking a hidden rank: 'Expert Sovereign – Worthy.' Impressive!"
"In just a few months, I've gone from being a piece of trash to a force to be reckoned with."
Armin spoke with a hint of elation, gazing at his own reflection in the mirror.
He managed to conceal his tattoos and horns, but he couldn't revert his hair or eyes to their original state. His hair remained a blend of deep red and fiery crimson, cascading down to his waist, while his eyes stayed a burning, golden hue—traits that had undergone a fundamental biological transformation and could not be altered.
Moreover, having been seen in this form by the inhabitants of all five continents, there was little point in hiding his true appearance; his identity was already exposed.
Armin took a deep breath, his gaze fixed calmly upon the ceiling of his bedroom—a stark departure from his usual demeanor.
"A chapter of my life has come to a close—the era of my weakness is over. I am no longer the feeble, talentless Armin Sigmort. I now possess the power of dragons and the Crimson Phoenix."
"My strength has surpassed that of other humans at my level—and even those a rank above me."
With a tone brimming with satisfaction, Armin rose from his bed and headed out of the room.
Memories of Gigwa Island
Elsewhere, Grey wandered the streets of Yosbikers, carrying a few items. His expression was vacant, lost in the recollection of the events that had unfolded on Gigwa Island. ---
Seok took a deep breath before speaking:
"Fine, I agree—but I won't be fighting on the front lines. You must ensure my safety and Suho's; that is one of my conditions for joining you."
Before Ruichi could utter a word, Suho ushered the others away to discuss a matter he deemed critical—especially given that Seok's mental state was clearly unstable.
Ruichi, Lucy, and Grey were taken aback by Suho's boldness in pushing them aside, but seeing the serious expression on his face, they chose not to object.
Once they were a few meters away from Seok, Suho let out a sigh heavy with concern.
"I want to say just one thing: you must, at all costs, prevent Seok from falling into that state of chaos."
"I know this sounds strange, but Seok's true power lies in his 'Absolute Domain.' Within this domain, he possesses total authority—he can do anything he wishes. Furthermore, his power inside it is entirely independent of his actual combat rank."
"Even as an infant, he was able to manifest it and kill a seasoned 'Ruler-rank' fighter with complete ease."
"However, the condition for activating it is severe psychological trauma—such as witnessing someone die before his eyes, or feeling that someone dear to him—or even he himself—is on the verge of death. That is why we call it the 'Berserk State' or the 'State of Chaos.'"
---
Ruichi and Grey retreated two hundred paces from their respective opponents. "Ruichi, they're so strong! Why aren't we like the heroes in fairy tales, who can easily wipe out nameless henchmen?"
Grey spoke with deep dissatisfaction and annoyance.
Both the organization's subordinates and Ruichi looked at him as if wondering where he had been brought from—or whether he had just escaped from a mental asylum.
One of the subordinates, however, could no longer remain silent after hearing Grey's grumbling.
"Did he take a blow to the head during training or something? Does he think reality and fiction are the same thing? Just because we're 'subordinates' doesn't mean we're weak!"
"The very premise that we're weak and easily defeated doesn't even apply here. Every one of us either belonged to a powerful sect or clan, or was a student at the Versalkin Academy before joining the Scorpion Organization. On top of that, the youngest among us is over three hundred years old—we possess a level of combat experience that shouldn't be underestimated."
Ruichi let out a sigh, his gaze shifting between Grey and the clearly irritated subordinates.
They were, in fact, absurdly strong—even though they were merely "subordinates" in an organization whose members would typically appear only as background characters in other forms of entertainment, serving merely to show that the world is populated by humans.
Yet, being a "subordinate" does not equate to being weak in reality; sometimes, subordinates can be even more powerful than their own leaders, possessing talents that are truly peerless. "Soldiers, let's head out. Our work here is done."
Rowan spoke calmly, leaping lightly from a tree trunk to the ground.
Confusion and astonishment washed over the faces of the organization's followers, as well as Garii and Ryoichi, upon hearing Rowan's declaration—for the battle had barely begun, with only two minutes having passed.
---
Seok took a deep breath before speaking:
"Fine, I agree—but I'm not obligated to fight on the front lines. You must ensure the safety of both myself and Suho; that was one of my conditions for joining you."
Before Ruichi could utter a word, Suho ushered the others away to discuss a matter he deemed of the utmost importance—especially given that Seok's mental state appeared highly unstable.
Ruichi, Lucy, and Grey looked on with a degree of astonishment at Suho's boldness in pushing them aside; yet, seeing the gravity etched onto his face, they chose not to object.
Once they had moved several meters away from Seok, a sigh heavy with concern escaped Suho's lips.
"I want to say just one thing: you must, at all costs, prevent Seok from falling into a state of 'chaos.'"
"I know this may come as a surprise, but Seok's true power lies in his 'Absolute Domain.' Within this domain, he can do anything—he holds absolute authority. Furthermore, his power inside it is entirely independent of his general power level."
"Even as an infant, he was capable of wielding it—easily killing a seasoned fighter of the 'Ruler' rank."
"However, the condition for activating it is experiencing severe psychological trauma—such as witnessing someone die before his eyes, or feeling that a loved one—or even he himself—is on the brink of death. That is why we call it the 'Berserk State' or the 'State of Chaos.'"
---
Grey de Molière
Grey came to a halt, wiping the blood from his lips and chin as he gathered ether between his horns.
"In this world, there exists mental power, spiritual power, and physical power. Each of these categories is further divided into several sub-types." "Mental power consists of mana, abilities, and skills—and, in extremely rare cases, aether.
Spiritual power consists of *qi*, the roots of the *dantian*, and the primordial sea.
Physical power consists of *ki* and aura.
These are the components found in humans and entities of lower existential rank.
For higher entities—such as Demon Lords, rulers of the Underworld, High Dragon Sovereigns, and Beast Rulers—it is different: they possess mental power in the form of sacred or chaotic aether, spiritual power in the form of 'Origin Power,' and physical power in the form of 'Origin Power' or 'Self-Power.'"
"It seems I have finally come to realize that I do not truly know who I am.
My life has always felt incomplete, for some strange reason I cannot fathom. I constantly feel as though something is not quite right. Who am I, really? Am I truly Grey de Molière?
I do not know. The progression of my abilities defies logic; a lazy child who trains for only two hours a day reaches the rank of 'Saint'—and, at the age of fifteen, finds himself on the verge of becoming a 'Novice Sovereign' after just a few more days."
"Yet, there are others who have surpassed me—Armin, Tom, Gia, Jian, and Beatrice. But I feel no such strange intuition regarding them; it is only toward myself that I feel this sense of alienation.
I know nothing of my own power; it churns within me, ceaselessly and without rest."
"I do not even know why I am saying these things. Is it because I am now outside the world into which I was born—a shift that has caused my heart to open, revealing something long hidden within my true self? I do not know." "But I am certain of one thing: there is a truth that longs to be revealed to the world. I believe this experience has benefited me far more than I had anticipated."
Grey spoke within his own heart, his inner state a turbulent mix of sorrow, regret, and confusion.
His own life felt alien to him; he was constantly haunted by the sense that something was missing—an incompleteness that permeated his memories, his actions, his very existence, and even the way he spoke.
He felt a persistent sense of deficiency, compounded by strange, incomprehensible dreams—visions of entities, warriors, and wars he had never heard of and knew nothing about.
With each dream, his strength, his experience, and his tactical mindset in battle seemed to shift, as if his very essence were being refined.
He had even managed to figure out how to increase his mastery over the "Berserker" form and loosen the constraints placed upon the "Wing of Blessing" seal.
It was precisely because of these dreams that he and Grey were able to employ a specific technique during the tournament—a technique they had witnessed in one of their shared visions.
Grey let out a sigh as he recalled something he had seen in one of those dreams.
Aether energy began to seep into his body, moving with extreme deliberation. Meanwhile, Beatrice was locked in combat with Yao Zi, striving to buy Grey more time; he was the only one capable of wielding the "Wing of Blessing" without hindrance—a power that, now that he had reached the rank of High Sacred Sovereign, might just be enough to defeat his opponent. Or, at least, that was what they both sensed.
The Aether energy flowed through the roots of his Dantian, his nerves, and his Primordial Sea with a quiet, seamless grace that felt entirely unlike his usual self.
Grey's very presence had undergone a complete transformation. Once merely a human, his presence had evolved into something akin to that of an absolute entity.
Ultimately, Grey was, in truth, a "transcendent being"—a reality that applied equally to Ruichi, Lucy, Jian, Armin, and Beatrice.
In this light, both his profound sense of inadequacy and the aura he projected made perfect sense.
---
These events—the ones that had fundamentally altered his worldview—replayed incessantly in his mind.
The world cares nothing for who you are, what you might become, or what you are capable of achieving. Death and talent make no distinction between the rich and the poor; anyone can possess a gift, and everyone, in the end, will die—even those who have attained immortality will perish should they face an entity stronger than themselves.
Grey had departed Jeju Island with a clear understanding of a world that remains indifferent to everyone, respecting only those it deems "worthy" of existence—before eventually claiming their lives as well.
He let out a sigh, his gaze sweeping across the densely populated city of Yosbikers. As he took a bite of an apple, he mused to himself:
"Five months have flown by in the blink of an eye. It is now May 28th, and in that time, I have faced formidable opponents."
"I have learned so much, stood on the precipice of death countless times, and truly come to discover who I am."
"I must grow stronger. Power will grant me the knowledge I seek and the means to put it to use..."
"After all, I possess the blessing of a mysterious ruler, a transcendent body, incredibly potent skills and techniques, and so much more—yet I am only able to harness a mere fraction of it all." "Ultimately, knowledge is of no use if you cannot put it to work; I possess such knowledge, yet I am unable to make use of it."
"Preparations for the celebration marking the thousandth anniversary of the defeat of the Demon Realm will begin on June 1st and conclude on the 3rd, while the celebration itself will span an entire week."
"A bunch of hypocrites! Everyone knows their true intentions: to show that they couldn't care less about the problems at hand. Even if monsters were to attack, the celebration would go on regardless."
"For the common folk, a celebration is about happiness; for the upper classes, it's a display of their own power and authority before their peers."
An Unexpected Encounter
While wandering through the city of Yusbikers, Grey spotted a young girl—appearing to be around fifteen—asleep in a narrow alleyway between some houses.
With a calm expression, Grey approached her, scanning the surroundings to ensure there were no traps or tricks set by any companions she might have—if, indeed, she had any at all.
The girl was covered in dirt, with various injuries across her face and body, making her nearly impossible to recognize—even for those who knew her well.
"Miss, wake up."
Grey spoke softly, gently shaking her left shoulder.
The girl began to open her eyes, then looked at Grey with a composure that left him bewildered; he wondered how she could possibly remain so calm.
Her gaze remained fixed on his eyes, showing not a trace of fear.
Her expression was entirely unbefitting of a vagrant; she carried the presence, the aura, and the strength of royalty or nobility.
"Who are you, miss? You don't look like a vagrant."
There was a hint of perplexity in Grey's voice as he studied her. The girl stared at him for a few seconds before bringing him to the ground with a speed he couldn't even perceive; then, she snapped her fingers.
Her injuries began to vanish, and her body shifted, transforming into that of a woman in her twenties. A faint smile graced her face.
Zendaya, the Star-Hunting Matriarch, gazed at Grey for several moments, sensing his power—an expression of utter astonishment spreading across her features.
"He possesses the Wing of the Master of Trials! But how? He is neither a descendant nor a fragment... Wait a moment—where is his soul? How could an ordinary mortal have no soul?"
Zendaya released Grey, her gaze fixed upon him—an inscrutable look that held not a trace of elation.
Driven by an intense curiosity to uncover what Grey truly was, she snapped her fingers once more. The surroundings shifted, transforming into a guest hall.
Zendaya and Grey sat at a table, staring at each other in complete silence.
Grey felt a sense of fear and awe—the source of which he could not fathom—that left him unable to speak. To him, the aura she exuded felt even more overwhelming than that of his uncle, Reinhardt.
Nevertheless, Grey summoned his courage, looked at her, and asked:
"Who are you, miss? And why did you attack me? I bear you no ill will—in fact, I don't even know who you are." The Venerable Star-Hunter Zendaya regarded him with a look full of mockery, then took a sip of hot tea with an air of refined, aristocratic grace.
"I am the Venerable Star-Hunter Zendaya, a Fourth-Tier Wing-Mistress."
Grey looked at her, bewildered, his focus lingering on the phrase "Fourth-Tier Wing-Mistress."
He had never heard the term in his entire life, yet she spoke of it as if it were an achievement worthy of great pride.
In a calm tone that carried a distinct, underlying threat, the Venerable Star-Hunter Zendaya spoke:
"Master Grey de Moliar—or whatever your name happens to be at the moment—I am going to ask you a few questions. You must answer them honestly; otherwise, you will die and become my sustenance. Is that clear?"
Grey's expression darkened as he looked at her; the pressure radiating from her was immense—utterly unbearable.
Grey remained silent, unable to utter a word, while the Venerable Star-Hunter Zendaya stared back at him, cold and unyielding.
Then, she broke the silence once more:
"Since we have reached an understanding, here is my first question: who the hell are you? Don't expect me to believe your claim that you are Grey de Moliar, a descendant of Reinhardt."
Grey stared at her for several seconds, bewildered. He was a descendant of Daniel de Moliar—who had perished at the hands of the Demon King a year prior—and Reinhardt was his uncle, not his grandfather.
"What? Why are you looking at me like that? I don't like it." "It bothers me a great deal."
"My grandfather is Daniel, not Reinhardt."
"........."
The Venerable Star-Hunter Zendaya remained silent for several seconds after hearing Grey's unexpected response.
She then placed a hand over her face and let out a sigh; it became clear to her that he knew absolutely nothing.
Yet, his heartbeat suggested mere surprise rather than shock, and his correction of her statement struck her as quite peculiar.
It dawned on her that something was amiss—that a deliberate concealment or monopolization of the truth was taking place.
Grey had looked at her with bewilderment upon hearing the term "Scion"—a status coveted by every being across the twenty-six paths of existence—yet he showed no signs of being truly stunned.
"Forget about Reinhardt or Daniel. The point is, I am speaking of the very same individual—that cunning scoundrel who eliminates anyone who threatens his interests, all while masquerading under the guise of heroism and chivalry."
Grey's heart burned with suppressed rage as he listened to the Venerable Star-Hunter Zendaya disparage the thousand-year legacy of the De Molière family.
Nevertheless, he remained silent. His desire to grow stronger only intensified, now that he realized he stood before a being whose power dwarfed that of his uncle, Reinhardt De Molière, by an unbridgeable chasm.
It made him realize that the path to power is truly endless, and that anyone who believes they have reached the pinnacle is merely stifling their own evolution.
"I will become stronger than I am now. The world is teeming with monsters—and I must become just like them." A beautiful smile graced her face as she gazed at him. Silently, in the depths of her heart, she mused:
"Angry because his grandfather was insulted—and a self-proclaimed hero, to boot... How very amusing. In time, the truth will surely come to light, no matter how long it takes."
The Venerable Star-Hunter Zendaya parted her fingers as she watched him. In an instant, Grey vanished from the spot, reappearing in the city of Yuspeakers. He looked bewildered, unable to recall what had transpired in the alleyway.
He left the scene, yet a fierce desire to grow stronger had ignited within him—a fire that refused to be extinguished.