She stepped back, a faint smile gracing her lips—the venerable, highly esteemed figure known as the "Blessing of the Skies of Islabith"—and gently smoothed his hair.
Rising from the bedside, she spoke in a calm, measured tone, warning Yuta of what the next three years would bring:
"My son, you must be wary of enemies lurking in the shadows; they are far more dangerous than those who reveal themselves in the light. Even the visible threats are like an iceberg—what you see is merely a tiny fraction of their true, formidable scale."
Yuta remained silent. He was already well aware of this; even if the dangers were not yet at the level they would reach in three years, that did not mean the current threats were weak or easily overcome.
The venerable "Blessing of the Skies of Islabith" left the room, leaving Yuta staring at the spot where she had stood, still without a word.
Suddenly, the system interface materialized directly before his eyes, bearing a warning that left him somewhat unsettled. Yet, within a split second, he had already come to terms with the situation—after all, in any story, nothing ever comes for free. [Your current body is under extreme strain due to your return to your original form—a transition that took place in a single minute. Consequently, you will enter a state of dormancy for an indeterminate period; it could last hours, days, months, years, or even centuries. It depends entirely on your luck.]
He turned his gaze toward Chloe and Madeleine, who were reading the system message themselves, their expressions clouded with sadness.
Madeleine spoke, her tone tinged with annoyance as she closed the system window on Yuta's behalf:
"That Hyun never brings any good news—she's so irritating! When I see her at the Imperial Palace, I'll have a word with her. I'll be more mature by then, not acting like a fool like this. Hmph!"
Yuta watched her in silence, then gently patted her hair. She looked flustered, while Chloe's expression showed a flicker of vexation. Yuta reached out and patted Chloe's head just as gently, causing her to blush as well.
A faint smile touched Yuta's lips. Chloe looked at him and said, in a calm, steady tone:
"You seem more human than the last time we met. Is it because your power is sealed? If that's the case—and it certainly seems so—try to keep it that way. True strength isn't about being able to do whatever you please or bending the world to your will; it's about remaining the same being, while holding onto every last shred of your emotions."
Yuta didn't say a word as he listened to her. He reached out and placed his hand gently against her cheek, causing her face to flush an even deeper shade of red. Madeline seized the opportunity to slip between them, resting her face against his chest. Yuta looked at her with a puzzled expression, then shifted his gaze toward Chloe, who appeared annoyed and felt betrayed. His look seemed to say, "Now I understand why the Revered Jalil Barakat—a celestial blessing of Islabith—is the one looking after you both, rather than me."
Since they appeared to be eighteen-year-old girls, his embracing them might have looked suspicious to an observer. However, Yuta was indifferent to the stares directed his way; after all, these bodies were merely vessels for various entities—both male and female. Yuta cared nothing for gender or race; his sole focus was achieving his objectives. If embracing Chloe and Madeline and acting affectionately toward them served his plans, he would do so without a moment's hesitation.
Madeline made room for Chloe to rest her face against him as well. Yuta gently stroked each of their heads, prompting them to smile faintly as they shifted about with excitement.
In a calm tone, Yuta spoke, resting his chin atop their heads:
"You two are behaving like mischievous children. You ought to be a bit more well-mannered—do you understand?"
Chloe and Madeline both nodded in agreement, then immediately pulled away and sat down on the bed, drawing a faint smile from Yuta. They left his room to let him get some rest. As they departed, Yuta's expression shifted back to its usual cold, impassive state—as if he weren't the same person who had been smiling just moments before.
He rose from his seat and paced his bedroom with steady, deliberate steps, organizing his thoughts and mapping out his actions for the next five months. Events were beginning to crowd into a short span of time; three years felt like far too little, given everything that was to come.
As he gathered his thoughts on the critical tasks ahead, Yuta spoke to himself:
"First, I must head to the Lake of a Thousand Beasts, followed by the summer festival here in the city of Berhais."
"After that, I need to advance the genes of the Dragons, Angels, Demons, and Saiyans to the second level, and complete the bond with my other half. Then, I'll set off for the northern Yun Gai Mountains—specifically to the Hua Yu clan, where Seol Haoran resides."
"Next, I'll travel to the Dragon Realm to complete the rituals for advancing the Dragon genes to their third and final level, which should allow me to awaken what they consider to be the legendary Dragon genes."
"I'll also need to deliver the head of the Black and White Scorpion to Afrius, the ruler of the Dragon Realm. Once that's done, I'll return to Berhais to prepare for the unfolding events in the world of Yi Chang Jie, and then initiate the second phase of the plan."
A deep sigh escaped his lips as he gazed out his bedroom window—which looked directly over the garden and the city of Berhais—and a faint, subtle smile touched his face. Yuta's smile was truly terrifying—all the more so given his reflection, which manifested as a complex array of narrative algorithms. At its apex glowed two crimson lights, while where a heart should have been, there pulsed a hue—a blend of pale gray and deep black—that was, in fact, a fragment of the "Path of Death," or *BO 00 01*.
He slipped out through the window and onto the roof with a fluidity that surpassed even that of a circus performer, landing upon the shingles with such grace that not a single sound was made.
He moved across the mansion's roof with a light, silent tread—as stealthy as a cat—and fixed his gaze upon the crimson moon, whose color was growing ever more intense.
Looking toward that blood-red moon, he spoke in a tone brimming with joy and satisfaction:
"Soon, the shackles binding Ragnarok will be broken. This world is about to experience a 'vacation'—one packed with such thrilling events that its spectators will never be able to forget them."
He sat on the edge of the rooftop, gazing calmly toward the crimson moon. Reaching for his neck, he pulled out a pendant—a beautiful silver ring—and for a few fleeting seconds, his expression softened, shedding its cold, detached mask. As he tucked the ring back into place, his features returned to their former, icy state.
He turned a calm, steady look toward Athena—the Supreme Ruler of Death—who sat beside him. She, too, gazed at the crimson moon, her voice soft and composed, before glancing at Yuta from the corner of her eye:
"Do you recall our meeting within the dungeon of the Rulers' Graveyard, O Great Creator Yuta? You managed to deceive even the ordinary and supreme Rulers, leading them to believe you were the architect of the world of *The Dragon Angel*. A truly masterful performance—I offer you my congratulations."
Yuta remained silent for several moments. It had seemed illogical for them to summon him to the Rulers' palace without a clear purpose, yet he had decided to play along—never imagining that the very Rulers created by Ji Yao Li could be so easily fooled.
They had gone so far as to bring him to their sovereign's palace and kneel before him—though, in the end, they would inevitably kneel to him regardless, given that he was both the Ruler of the Path of Rulers and the Emperor himself.
"You're right, though it didn't last long—not even a full year. It all came to an end when the true Ji Yao Li returned, following the completion of the five trials within the tunnels beneath the city of Ghasmburg, didn't he?" Athena did not utter a single word—a silence that served as tacit agreement with Yuto Kaseral's remarks. She cast an inscrutable look his way, attempting to discern his true intentions behind breaking the seal of the Ruler of Destruction and taking Kiri and Liri under his wing—labeling them as "special existences," as per the records held within the palace of the High Rulers.
She rose, brushing the dust from her attire, and spoke in a calm, respectful tone. After all, while Yuto is an Emperor on the path of a Ruler—and she herself is a High Ruler of the Fantasy Realm—in his eyes, she remains nothing more than a servant.
"Master Yuto, dinner has been prepared. Everyone is awaiting your arrival for the feast following your return from Versalkin Academy—an absence of ten months from the family estate."
Yuto said nothing. He stood up, and with a swift use of teleportation, he and Athena vanished, reappearing inside the palace before making their way toward the dining hall.
As they walked toward the hall, Athena mused to herself in a quiet, inner voice:
"The return of Higurashi, the Ruler of Destruction, will prove immensely beneficial to me. Reconnecting with an old comrade from the era of the Rulers' War brings me great joy."
"But is Yuto truly aware of that war, which took place millions of years ago—long after Alessandra and Zao Li assumed human forms 350 million years ago? Or could this simply be a matter of pure coincidence?"
"No—the Great Creator Yuto is clearly orchestrating something. It is impossible that he would assist Zao Li, Alessandra's daughter, and myself—all by destroying the dungeon of the Rulers' Graveyard and freeing Higurashi, the Ruler of Destruction—without a deeper purpose." Athena found no answers to her questions, yet she was certain of one thing: the questions would not persist for long. The next three years—the duration Yuta would spend in their fantasy world—would surely reveal everything.
She opened a portal leading into the dining hall. Yuta stepped through to find Chloe, Madeline, Siri, Gia, Kerry, and Liri waiting for him at the dining table.
He walked over and took the seat reserved for the head of the family. Servants began placing food before the family members with remarkable skill. Throughout this, Gia's gaze remained fixed on Yuta and Athena—the two most suspicious individuals present—especially given that Athena was sitting at the table just like any other member of the Caseral family.
Noticing this, Yuta offered a faint smile. As he began to eat, he said in a calm, measured tone:
"I forgot to mention—Lady Athena is a member of the Caseral family; her name is Athena Caseral. Although she often acts as a head servant, she is truly one of us, and she is entitled to the same respect as any other member of the Caseral family."
Gia said nothing, and neither did Athena—the arrangement seemed perfectly logical to them. The rest of the family remained silent as well, with the exception of Siri, who shot an annoyed look toward Gia while she ate.
Siri was deeply fond of Athena, who had cared for her during Yuta's absence—much like a mother—and she could not bear the thought of anyone treating Athena as an inferior. However, her expression shifted as she listened to Gia's apology:
"I apologize, Lady Athena Casiral. I did not mean it; I hope you can accept my apology and overlook my rude remarks toward you."
Athena looked at her with a faint smile, speaking in a calm, wise, and gentle tone:
"No, there is no need for an apology, Lady Gia. What you assumed was quite natural for someone unfamiliar with the members of the Casiral family."
Yet, as Gia listened, her suspicion of Athena only deepened. She realized that Athena was aware she had been watching them over the past few months—a realization that made her increasingly conscious of just how formidable the Casiral family truly was.
They finished their meal with very little conversation, an inexplicable tension hanging in the air—partly due to the presence of newcomers. This kept Sira, Liri, Kiri, Chloe, and Madeline from speaking; having lived in isolation from society for so long, they were accustomed to interacting only with those they knew well. Sira had spent ten years—her entire life—within the Casiral estate; Kiri and Liri had spent two thousand years in the house Yuta had rented during their first fourteen days in the city of Berhais; and Chloe and Madeline had spent centuries in the Market of Mysteries.
Hours later, everyone was asleep in their respective rooms—everyone, that is, except for Athena. She gazed toward the crimson moon with a serene expression, reflecting on the first time she had met Yuta and the rest of the Casiral family. Flashback
In the palace of the dungeon boss of the Rulers' Tomb, Athena sat upon her throne, watching Yuta wander through her domain—the very dungeon in which she had been confined.
She spoke in a calm tone, her gaze wandering toward the illustrations—depictions of a war between entities whose bodies were draped in light, ethereal white coverings made of pure radiance. They were locked in a conflict known as the "First Ragnarok"—a war fought among the Rulers—distinct from the second Ragnarok, which was destined to unfold between Zhao Li and Alessandra.
"More than 340 million years have passed since I was cast into this pathetic dungeon. You wretched High Rulers... one day, I shall have my revenge."
As Athena muttered to herself, vowing vengeance for her long imprisonment within the "Dungeon of the Rulers' Graveyard"—a confinement that had lasted since the end of the First Ragnarok—a young man strolled into her private chamber. His expression carried a level of confidence that even the High Rulers themselves lacked. It was Yuta.
He spoke in a calm, steady voice, brandishing the "Sword of Life." The sight of the blade—a weapon that could be wielded only by the prophesied hero—made her realize exactly who he was.
"How are you, High Ruler of Death, Frederica? Who would have guessed that the very embodiment of the concept of Death—within a fantasy world titled *The Dragon Angel*—would turn out to be a dungeon boss? How unfortunate."
Athena's eyes narrowed as she listened to Yuta's provocative words. Yet, she was well aware of the reason for his arrival: he had come to kill her, just as the narrative of the original story dictated. The hero of the prophecy kills the Ruler of Death to obtain the Sword of Death. She had not expected him to attempt to gather the three shards of the Sword of Kamish so soon—at only fourteen years of age, rather than the two hundred and thirty-four years she had anticipated, by which time he would have possessed far greater experience and power.
She sensed that something was amiss with Yuta, though she could not quite grasp what it was. Had his body been possessed, she would have known instantly, given her intimate knowledge of the realm of the dead.
Athena's expression shifted to one of shock as she peered into him, searching for his soul—only to find none. She realized then that he was an absolute entity, devoid of a soul; instead, the core of his existence was a book, situated at the very fulcrum of his physical form.
Watching him wander through her palace chamber, she spoke in a calm, measured tone:
"So, you have come to kill me to complete the Sword of Kamish—am I right, Yuta Casiral, or whatever your name might be?"
Yuta listened, a faint smile playing on his lips. With a calm demeanor, he stowed the Sword of Life away into a pocket dimension—a gesture that left her stunned, as it implied he required the Sword of Life to slay her.
"I am Ji Yao Li, the creator of the world, *The Dragon Angel in a World of Fantasy*. Do I not have the right to kill the very entities I brought into existence, O Supreme Ruler of Death, Athena? Hahahaha!" Athena's gaze was filled with disbelief as she listened to Yuta. While she couldn't be entirely certain, his posture and the tone of his voice carried an absolute confidence and authority—the kind that could only be projected by a ruler over his own realm.
She rose from her throne, fixing her eyes upon Yuta. She did not believe his words, yet she felt compelled to play along—a fact Yuta was well aware of. He remained unconcerned, however; it was a ruse destined to be exposed before long. If the charade managed to last even a full year, he would consider himself exceptionally fortunate.
"You possess a great deal of confidence and arrogance, Lord Yuta Casiral. But what makes you so certain that I would simply allow you to kill me without any resistance? Even if you are the creator of the world of *The Dragon Angel*, I shall not perish at the hands of another. I am Death itself—and Death cannot die, unless it chooses to take its own life."
Yuta stared at her with a cold, unblinking gaze for several seconds before bursting into loud laughter, leaving her thoroughly bewildered.
"Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha! And who ever said I intended to kill you, Athena, Ruler of Death? Hahahahahaha! You truly are an eccentric one. No, I have come to take you away from here—so that you may look after my little sister, Sery Casiral."
Athena's expression shifted to one of annoyance; the prospect of serving as a maid was, to her, worse than death—especially for an immortal being. Yet, her expression faltered the moment she registered the name he had mentioned: Sery Casiral. She spoke to herself, her tone brimming with excitement as she gazed at Yuta:
"Could it be? Could she really be *her*? If it truly is her, then I am incredibly fortunate."
Turning her attention toward Yuta—who was watching her, awaiting her response—she spoke in a tone that blended bewilderment with a sense of respect:
"Yes, I agree, but the only way to clear the dungeon gate is by killing me. Furthermore, you would need to break the seal to set me free."
Yuta gave her a look that seemed to ask, "Do you actually *want* to die?" Choosing to let it slide, he headed toward her throne—the location of both her dungeon core and her seal. Destroying them would break the curse.
As he approached, he spoke in a calm, steady voice:
"Don't worry; there is another way—through the dungeon core, located in the throne. In fact, the idea that you *must* die is nothing more than a convenient lie. I can obtain the 'Sovereign's Sword' simply by breaking the seal. If you were to die, the seal would break automatically, but the dungeon itself would remain—ready for the higher sovereigns to use on yet another ruler. That is precisely why this place is called the 'Graveyard of Sovereigns.'"
Athena's eyes widened in astonishment; she had been completely unaware of this. The realization left her deeply unsettled—her death in the original story had served no purpose other than to further the agendas of the other higher sovereigns. This discovery only intensified the hatred she had harbored toward them for the past million years. With a single strike, Yuta destroyed the "Dungeon of the Rulers' Tomb"—a blow powerful enough to be felt by all the High Rulers who had been eavesdropping on the exchange between Yuta and Athena. The dungeon began to tremble violently, signaling its imminent collapse.
Yet, Yuta remained entirely indifferent to this, his focus fixed solely on "Moth," the Sword of the Masters, which hovered before his eyes.