Jia shifted her gaze toward his subordinates. In a flash—too fast for them to even perceive—she drew her Kunwa-infused blade and sliced them into pieces. She knew all too well that this matter would not be resolved through dialogue.
Sometimes, force is the only way to put an end to problems and conflicts. Although she had hoped to avoid such measures, she was keenly aware of the vast disparity between her own strength and Vermon's.
Terrified, the remaining subordinates scrambled to take cover behind their leader, Vermon, who merely offered a faint, amused smile as he observed the fate of his men.
Clapping his hands, he spoke in a tone dripping with mockery:
"Master Yuto, you're still killing people in such a gruesome fashion. Do you have no sense of refinement when it comes to finishing off your opponents?"
Jia's expression shifted to one of surprise. Hearing his words, she realized that this was the very person Yuto had been searching for—and now, he stood right before her. She gritted her teeth; the very threat she had been warned about was now staring her in the face.
"Vermon—so, you're the one Yuto has been looking for. Who would have thought that you were searching for him as well? That said, it seems you've got the wrong person. I am Jia Guilford, daughter of Duke Aster Guilford," Jia declared, her eyes fixed on him as she kept her sword drawn. Vermon burst into loud laughter as he looked at her—and at his own subordinates, whom he had just reduced to a mess of blood and scattered body parts—effectively declaring the end for Cilexia and the rest, their purpose having been served.
"Hahahahahahahahaha! Yuto, Yuto—do you take me for a fool? Stealing a girl's body again won't fool anyone. It's not like it's your first time, is it? Yet, you lie and make someone else bear the burden of your actions. You've become even more of a scumbag than before—though, frankly, I couldn't care less about Aster Guilford, or whatever his name is."
"All I care about is taking your head. I've traveled through countless fantasy worlds just to find you. You once challenged me, claiming you'd devour me—yet now you act as if you don't even know who I am? It seems your reign as the 'Emperor of Trees' and 'Sacred Being 12' came to an end rather quickly. Hahahahahahahahaha! Just hand over your neck and your body, Yuto—it won't be too painful. We'll have a little fun before I kill you. Hahahahahahahahaha!"
As Gia listened to Vermon, she grew even more bewildered and shocked. For her, it was a shocking, unbelievable piece of news: "Ruler of the Trees and the Sacred Existence 12." With a bewildered tone, she pointed her sword toward him:
"It seems those strange dreams—about trees, existence, existential paths, and those people—are real, not just dreams. But why does Yuta think I'm such a powerful entity? He'll be able to figure out who I am in no time."
Her bewilderment, however, quickly shifted to sheer shock as she stared at Vermon's fist, which was aimed straight at her midsection. The impact sent her flying back several meters with immense force.
She tore through several buildings along the way, leaving Vermon to look on with clear contempt. Yet, something felt off; Yuta should have been able to dodge his attack with ease, but she hadn't. Moreover, the shock on her face appeared entirely genuine.
Vermon moved toward her, assuming he couldn't fully unleash his power—the body he had taken over simply couldn't withstand it. His deduction was correct; after all, he had chosen a human vessel rather than the absolute form he once possessed.
Gia managed to stand, having already treated her wounds—he had, after all, relied solely on physical strength. Furthermore, she had managed to erect several defensive barriers just seconds before the blow landed, reducing the damage by 25%.
Suddenly, a system interface materialized directly before her eyes, displaying a warning that caused her to grit her teeth so hard that blood began to spill from her mouth. [Warning: The host cannot utilize the 'Blessing Wing' at present, nor will they be able to in the near future. The host's physical state remains compromised due to the grueling training and the battle against the Goblin Ruler, Kavlur—a consequence of pushing the 'Blessing Wing' to its absolute limit.]
[Information regarding the intruder:
Name: Vermon
Title: Solterk
Age: 45,000 years
Occupation: Ruler and Creator of the 'War of Clashing Kingdoms' narrative
Intruder Level: Trans-Omnipotent
Primary Wing: None
Sub-Wings: Wing of Hubris – Wing of the Reckless – Wing of the Lady of Desires]
She swallowed hard, struggling to find her composure. He was vastly more powerful than both of them combined—and his potential for further growth was beyond description. He possessed four sub-wings, while she—currently wielding only the 'Blessing Wing'—was unable to even activate it.
She cast a glance toward someone nearby—Yuta—who was watching her while casually eating a sandwich he had purchased. Irritated beyond measure, she spoke to him, her voice laced with murderous intent:
"Was this your plan all along, you despicable wretch?"
Yuta looked at her for a few seconds before shifting his gaze toward Vermon. The latter had frozen in place, stunned by the realization that two versions of Yuta existed simultaneously—with the second one possessing a level of power that dwarfed the one he had been fighting. "Actually, no. I had no intention of letting you meet him—quite the opposite, in fact; I was hoping you wouldn't. That's why I warned you about him several times. Still, there's a silver lining: I realized that your excessive training might have prevented you from using some of your trump cards. Had it not been for that, you would have deployed your 'Wing of Blessing' right from the start of the fight," Yuta remarked with a hint of irony, tossing her a healing potion to mend the damage sustained—both from the battle against the Goblin Ruler, Kavlur, and from the grueling training she had endured over the last twenty days at the academy—a period during which she had hoped to rest and prepare for the upcoming summer break.
Jia lost consciousness instantly; Yuta had laced the potion with a sedative potent enough to affect beings like her—even those far stronger.
Opening a portal to his own personal spirit realm, and with an enigmatic smile playing on his lips, Yuta lifted Jia into his arms—an effort that caused him to cough up golden blood.
He laid her down in a bed and tucked her in, murmuring something cryptic:"You shall know everything you need to know when the time is right, Jiya. Hahahaha! Patience, after all, is the key to relief."
With a face as cold as frost—causing ice to manifest within the bedroom—he emerged from the debris. He fixed his gaze upon Vermon, his demonic, frigid eyes radiating absolute authority.
Overcome by awe and terror, Vermon instinctively recoiled several steps; yet, Yuta remained entirely indifferent.
Speaking in a calm, measured tone—a voice that struck even deeper dread into Vermon's heart—Yuta remarked:
"It seems the likes of you have grown quite bold, attempting to lay hands on what belongs to me, Vermon Solterk. Am I not correct?"
"You appear so desperate for death that you would exploit my moment of vulnerability to rebel against the Empire of the Sovereign's Path. It is both impressive and pathetic—especially coming from a piece of scum like you, as weak and insignificant as a useless insect."
"Nevertheless, having the audacity to attempt to usurp what is mine warrants punishment; death, in your case, would be an act of mercy."
Vermon broke into a cold sweat, his body trembling violently under the weight of Yuta's presence and an overwhelming killing intent—a pressure he found utterly unbearable.
Regretting his foolish decision to attempt to kill Yuta, he began to plead, his entire body crushed beneath the immense, suffocating pressure exerted by Yuta. Ultimately, Yuta exists beyond the conventional hierarchy of existence. Furthermore, he retains the power from his past life, during which he served as a Fifth-Rank Wing Master.
Although he would be an easy target for other Fourth or Fifth-Rank Wing Masters—given that he can currently access only 3% of his total power, with the remaining 97% sealed away because his body cannot withstand it—he remains formidable.
Nevertheless, someone like Vermon Solterk is nothing more than a lowly insect, easily crushed underfoot. Yuta would not need to exert any effort whatsoever to defeat him.
Yuta decides to transport Vermon Solterk to a different narrative—a necessary precaution, as fighting within the world of *The Dragon Angel* would risk exposing his true nature. Elsewhere, however, he can dispose of Vermon with far greater ease.
A look of amusement crosses Yuta's face as he gazes at Vermon. Leaning in close to his ear, he speaks in a tone that is both playful and utterly terrifying to his captive:
"Remember what you said earlier? That you would be my meal? Hahahaha! I recall you saying that to—well, you know who—didn't you?"
Vermon's expression shifts; the fear vanishes, replaced entirely by sheer, unadulterated shock as he stares at Yuta.
Tears stream from his eyes, but the time for retreat has long since passed—there is no turning back now. Even if Yuta were to spare him, he would inevitably meet his end at the hands of Yuta's "mothers"—beings of immense, supreme power—among them the venerable and exalted Islabith, the Blessing of the Heavens. It is impossible for an act like killing the "Ruler Path" Emperor to go unpunished; at best, he would be toppled within two days—if he were lucky. After all, the Venerables would never leave such a position in the hands of a fool like him.
Yuta delivered a powerful kick to Vermon's face, the impact colliding with multiple universes and shattering several parallel worlds within the novel's reality. As he lunged toward his target, Yuta's body transformed into a colossal black dragon—a creature so vast that entire universes appeared as mere specks of dust in comparison.
He devoured Vermon Solterk, along with several other parallel worlds, as if they were nothing. Gradually, his form began to revert to its original state.
Taking a deep breath, he placed a hand on his stomach, feeling quite full. Looking around, he decided to depart from the current novel and return to the world of *The Dragon Angel in a World of Fantasy* before he could be penalized; he was strictly forbidden from leaving the novel until three years had passed—the duration of his studies at the Ferselkin Academy.
He was annoyed, as this development completely ruined his plans—especially the mandatory side quests, which forced him to overhaul his entire strategy and incorporate them into his time within the novel's world. To make matters worse, some of these quests even compelled him to help his enemies grow stronger.
Immediately afterward, he left the city of Yuher Spek, his business there having concluded. His next destination was the "Market of Mysteries," which was set to open in exactly thirteen days. Although he had been in a rush, Jia would remain asleep for quite some time—a realization that brought him a great sense of relief.
He exited the city gate and continued on his way, a look of puzzlement crossing his features:
"Strange. The 'Market of Mysteries' is supposed to begin on Monday, July 15th—but this coming Monday is the 13th. How very odd! It seems the festival will actually fall on Wednesday, July 14th. As the saying goes: the middle path is the best."
He summoned his vehicle from his spiritual realm and headed toward a spot to set up camp, intending to wait there until Jia woke up and the Market of Mysteries was about to begin. After all, they were entities from outside the narrative of *The Dragon Angel in a World of Fantasy*, and they had made several stops along the way before arriving in this current world.
The days flew by. Yuta spent the time resting, while Jia remained in a deep, profound slumber—the result of the exhaustion and fatigue she had been carrying.
......
......
......
In a beautiful, expansive garden, a twelve-year-old boy with white hair and gray eyes walked along—his demeanor far too composed for someone his age.
He cast his gaze toward a beautiful woman with blue hair, dressed in a garment that resembled a stark-white kimono—though, in truth, it was an outfit designed for archery training.
She sat upon the ground, watching him with a calm expression and a warm smile. He approached her, his own gaze remaining perfectly serene.
Suddenly, she lay down on the ground—a gesture that left him quite bewildered. Nevertheless, he decided to play along and lay down beside her, which made her smile widen even further as she lifted the child.
She held him up above her, as if he were a small, adorable airplane. The child, however, gazed at her with a calm expression, which then shifted into a gentle smile—a reaction that, in turn, brought joy to the woman.
She spoke in a tone brimming with love and happiness as she held him in an embrace, burying her face against his chest—a gesture that left him feeling slightly embarrassed. Nevertheless, he lifted his head to look at her:
"My dear nephew—you clever, mischievous boy—you must behave yourself with your twin siblings, or else you'll be punished again. After all, you are destined to become the revered Emperor, aren't you, my little one?"
The child didn't utter a word; he simply gazed at her before closing his eyes and resting his head back against her chest. His behavior struck her as rather precocious—perhaps even a bit forward—yet she gently stroked his hair, closing her own eyes to enjoy the refreshing breeze.
The world then faded into a deep, abyssal black, much like a television screen being switched off. Slowly, Jia opened her eyes, only to find herself inside Yuta's car. She was bewildered; the last thing she remembered was losing consciousness following her battle against Vermon Solterk in the city of Yoher Spek.
Glancing outside, she saw that night had fallen. They were in the middle of a forest, which meant they must have left Yoher Spek long ago.
She stepped out of the vehicle to stretch and breathe in some fresh air. As she did, the events in Yoher Spek came flooding back—the humiliating defeat she had suffered at the hands of Vermon. Less than three hours into their vacation, they had already encountered an entity far too powerful for them to overcome.
She sat down by the edge of a lake, her expression filled with utter confusion regarding everything that was unfolding around her. She had come with Yuta seeking answers to her questions, but instead, she found herself only accumulating more—a realization that left her deeply frustrated.
She lay down on the grass, gazing toward the crimson moon with an inscrutable expression. Her eyes then drifted to Yuta, who was bathing in the lake; she couldn't help but wonder why anyone would choose to bathe at such an hour.
She was struck by the sight of strange, unsightly burn marks on his neck and left shoulder—marks that began to fade almost immediately, leaving her even more bewildered.
What truly plunged her into a state of profound confusion, however, was the complete absence of any feeling as she watched him. It was as if she were looking at herself—as if his mind perceived her gaze as nothing more than a reflection in a mirror.
Deciding it was best to leave—lest she be mistaken for a pervert who enjoys spying on a man while he bathes—she turned away. Yuta watched her go, a faint smile playing on his lips, while he mused to himself with a tone of mocking amusement:
"Astonishingly foolish. Haa... the Summer Festival—I await it with great anticipation."
A few minutes passed. Yuta made his way back to the campsite, where he found Jiya leaning against a tree, her hand resting on her sword as she watched his approach.
Breaking the silence while drying his hair, Yuta spoke:
"Tomorrow, we head to the Market of Mysteries, just as I mentioned. We'll stay there for two days, then make our way to the city of Berhais—agreed?"
Jiya did not utter a single word. Yet, Yuta understood exactly what her calm, steady gaze conveyed—a look that held not even a shred of trust. Eleven days had passed since the battle against Vermon Solterk in the city of Yoher Spek.
Deciding it was time to rest—or at least, that is how it appeared to Gia—Yuta lay down on the grass. Watching him, Gia was suddenly reminded of a dream she'd had; without fully understanding why, she stood up and lay down beside him.
Yuta looked at her with feigned surprise, then reached out to gently pinch her cheek. A jolt of electricity—a strange, unsettling sensation—shot through her, leaving her wishing she could simply strike the feeling away.
Nevertheless, she brushed Yuta's hand aside with a hint of annoyance and closed her eyes, trying to ignore his gaze, which was brimming with mockery.
Yuta, too, closed his eyes, drifting into a deep, profound slumber. An hour and five minutes passed, with both of them remaining fast asleep.
At one point, Gia's hand brushed against Yuta's by accident, triggering a brilliant flash of light from their joined hands—though it lasted only a brief moment.
Far away, thousands of kilometers distant, the figure known as the "Black and White Scorpion" watched them, a faint smile playing on his lips:
"Not much longer now until 'Subject No. 000002546' from Group D becomes the treasure that will grant me invincible power! Hahahahahahahahaha!"
He opened a portal leading to his research facility at the headquarters of the Scorpion organization, intent on finalizing preparations for the culmination of an experiment he had been cultivating for the past 500 years. Several hours passed. At 6:30 a.m., Jiya began to open her eyes, only to find Yuta embracing her, her head resting against his chest.
To her surprise, the electric shock—which had been so terrifying for both of them—was gone; she no longer felt it after...
She pulled away, looking at him with a puzzled expression. She realized that Yuta hadn't triggered the shock intentionally—otherwise, she would have felt it immediately—which led her to conclude that something must have happened while they were asleep, something connected to that strange urge.
She headed toward the lake to wash her face, trying to clear her mind of what had transpired. Suddenly, a delicious aroma reached her, signaling that Yuta had awakened.
Returning straight to the campsite, she found that Yuta had prepared a light meal: sandwiches, fruit juice, grilled meat, coffee, and some sweets for them to share.
She sat at the breakfast table, watching Yuta as she picked up a sandwich.
Taking a bite, she remarked with a hint of sarcasm:
"I assumed people like you preferred bitter coffee or wine—and that food was merely a tool to provoke an opponent. Yet, here you are, eating a meal and enjoying coffee that's—frankly—excessively sweet, Mr. Yuta Caseral." Yuta looked at her, puzzled, as he reached for a sweet nearby. A faint smile appeared on his face:
"You're right; some people act strangely just to appear intelligent and cultured."
"Regardless, we'll be heading to the Market of Mysteries in two hours. You need to be prepared and make the most of this opportunity—it's one that absolutely cannot be replaced."
Jia did not say a single word; she knew nothing about the Market of Mysteries and had never even heard of it in her entire life. Nevertheless, she was excited to see it and discover what it held—perhaps she might find something there that would make her even stronger than she already was.
She then continued her meal without uttering another word, both of them well aware that using this time to rest and enjoy the moment was far better than saying a thousand words.