She stepped back with a faint smile, then gently stroked his hair.
Moving away from the bed, she spoke in a calm, cautionary tone about the next three years: "My son, you must beware of enemies lurking in the shadows—they are far more dangerous than those who appear in the light. Even visible enemies can be like an iceberg; what is seen is merely a tiny fraction of the true mass."
Yuta remained silent, fully aware of this fact. Even if the danger wasn't quite at the level of what would emerge in three years, that didn't mean the current threats were weak or easily overcome.
She left the room, leaving Yuta gazing at the spot where she had stood, still without saying a word.
A system screen suddenly appeared before his eyes, displaying a warning that unsettled him slightly. Yet, he accepted the situation within a split second; after all, nothing in this story came for free.
[Your body is currently under extreme strain due to the rapid return to its original form—a process that took only a minute. Consequently, you will enter a state of hibernation 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 Madeline, who were reading the system message themselves, looks of sorrow etched upon their faces.
Madeline spoke in an annoyed tone as she closed the system window on Yuta's behalf: "That 'Hyeon' never brings any good news—she is incredibly irritating. When I meet her..." "I'll speak to her... I won't act like a fool this time. Hmm..."
Yuta looked at her without a word, then gently patted her hair; a look of embarrassment crossed his face, while Chloe's expression showed a hint of vexation. She then gently patted his head in return, causing him to look flustered as well.
Yuta smiled faintly. Chloe looked at him and spoke in a calm tone: "You seem more human than the last time we met. Is it because your power is sealed? If so—and that certainly seems to be the case—try to maintain that state. True strength isn't about doing whatever you want or forcing the world to submit to your power; it's about the being who can step out into the world while holding onto every last shred of their emotions."
Yuta remained silent as he listened to Chloe, then gently placed his hand on her cheek, causing her face to flush even deeper.
Seizing the moment, Madeline stepped in between them and pressed her face against his chest. Yuta looked at her in surprise, then glanced at Chloe, who appeared annoyed and felt betrayed. His look seemed to say, "I finally understand why the Revered Lady of the Heavenly Blessing, Elizabeth, is the one looking after her, rather than you."
Since they both appeared to be eighteen-year-old girls, the sight of him hugging them might have looked suspicious to an outsider. Yet, Yuta didn't care about the stares; having incarnated into various bodies—both male and female—he was indifferent to gender or race. His only concern was achieving his goals. If hugging or acting affectionately toward Chloe and Madeline served his plans, he would do it without a second thought.
Then, Madeline... Chloe found a spot to rest her face against him; he gently stroked both their heads, prompting faint smiles and excited movements from them.
Yuta spoke in a calm tone, resting his chin atop their heads: "You two are acting like mischievous children. You need to be more well-mannered—do you understand?"
Chloe and Madeline nodded in agreement and immediately stepped back, moving to sit on the bed, which drew a soft smile from Yuta.
They left the room to let him rest. Yuta's expression shifted back to its usual coldness—as if he were no longer the same person who had been smiling just moments before.
He rose and paced his bedroom with steady steps, organizing his thoughts and planning his actions for the coming five months. Events were piling up rapidly; three years seemed like a short time compared to what lay ahead.
Yuta spoke aloud, gathering his thoughts on the crucial events to come: "First, a trip 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 dragon, angel, demon, and Saiyan genes to Level 2 and complete the bond with my other half. Then, I'll head to the northern Yun-Gai Mountains—specifically to the Hua-Yu Clan, where Seol Haoran lives."
"Then, I'll go to the Dragon Realm to complete the rituals for advancing the dragon genes to Level 3—the final stage—so I can awaken the legendary dragon genes within them."
"Finally, I'll present the head of the Black and White Scorpion to Afrius, the ruler of the Dragon Realm, before returning to Berhais to prepare for what is to come in the world." "Phase 2 of the plan begins now..."
A deep sigh escaped his lips as he gazed out the window of his room—a room facing directly onto the garden and the city of Berhais. A faint smile appeared on his face.
Yuta's smile was truly terrifying, especially given his reflection: a complex array of narrative algorithms topped by two crimson lights, with a core of swirling light—a blend of pale gray and deep black—representing the 'Death Path Shard,' or BO-00-01.
He stepped out the window onto the roof with a fluidity surpassing that of an acrobat, landing silently and gracefully. He then moved across the mansion's roof with light, soundless steps—as silent as a cat—turning his gaze toward the crimson moon, whose color was intensifying.
Speaking with a tone filled with happiness and satisfaction, he looked at the crimson moon and said, "Soon, the shackles binding Ragnarok will be broken. This world is about to experience a holiday packed with thrilling events—spectacles the viewers will never forget."
He sat on the edge of the roof, gazing calmly at the crimson moon, and pulled a beautiful silver ring from the necklace around his neck. His expression shifted from cold to warm for a few fleeting seconds before returning to its icy state as he tucked the ring back away.
He turned a calm gaze toward Athena—the Supreme Ruler of Death—who was sitting beside him. She, too, looked calmly at the crimson moon before glancing at Yuta out of the corner of her eye. "Do you remember our meeting inside the dungeon of the Great Creator's Tomb of Rulers, Yuto?" That is a trick—even for ordinary and Alawi rulers—to make them believe you are a creator."The Dragon Angel in a fantasy world—an absolutely magnificent work; I congratulate you on that."
Yuta remained silent for several seconds before speaking. After all, it made little sense for that 'Day' to invite him to the Rulers' Realm palace without a specific reason. Yet, he decided to play along, never imagining that the Rulers created by Ji Yao Li could actually deceive him—or go so far as to take him to their Ruler's palace and kneel before him. Of course, in the end, they *would* kneel, acknowledging him as both the Ruler of the Ruler's Path and the Emperor.
"You're right, you're right... but it didn't last long—not even a year. That was because the *real* Ji Yao Li returned after the five trials in the tunnels beneath Ghusmburg City, didn't he?"
Athena didn't utter a single word—her silence serving as tacit agreement with Yuta Casiral. She gazed at him inscrutably, trying to fathom his intentions: why he had broken the seal of the Ruler of Destruction and taken Kiri and Liri under his wing—treating them as... [redacted]... according to the records in the High Rulers' palace.
She stood up, brushing the dust from her clothes, and spoke in a calm, respectful tone. After all, Yuta was the Emperor of the Ruler's Path, while she—though a High Ruler of the Fantasy World—remained, in his eyes, merely a servant.
"Master Yuta, dinner is ready. Everyone is waiting for you to join the feast following your return from the Academy; you have been away from the family estate for ten months."
Yuta said nothing; instead, he rose and instantly teleported—along with Athena—into the palace, making their way toward the dining hall.
As they headed toward the dining hall... Athena mused quietly to herself, "The return of Higurashi, the Ruler of Destruction, will be immensely beneficial to me; regaining an old comrade from the era of the Ruler Wars brings me joy."
"But is Yuta aware of that war from millions of years ago—or of Alessandra and Zhao Li's transformation into human forms 350 million years back? Or is it perhaps merely a coincidence?"
"No, the Great Creator Yuto is planning something. It is impossible that he would help Ji Yao Li, Alessandra's daughter, and myself simply by destroying the Rulers' Graveyard Dungeon and reviving Higurashi, the Ruler of Destruction."
Athena found no immediate answers to her questions, yet she was certain of one thing: the uncertainty would not last long. The coming three years—the time Yuta would spend in their fantasy world—would reveal everything.
She opened a portal leading to the dining hall. Yuta stepped through to find Chloe, Madeline, Sira, Jia, Kira, and Lira waiting for him at the table.
He walked over and took the head of the family's seat. Servants skillfully served the meal to the family members. Throughout this, Jia's gaze remained fixed on Yuta and Athena—the two most mysterious figures present—particularly noting how Athena sat at the table just like any other member of the Casiral family.
Yuta smiled faintly as he noticed Jia's look. While eating, he spoke in a calm voice: "I forgot to mention: Lady Athena is considered a member of the Casiral family; her name is Athena Casiral. Although she often acts like a head butler, she is truly part of the family and commands the same respect as any other member." "Casiral."
Jiya didn't say another word. The same applied to Athena—for it was only logical that such a thing would happen—and to the rest of the Ma'ada family. Sira, in particular, looked at Jiya with annoyance while eating.
She loved Athena dearly; Athena had cared for them in Yuta's absence and treated them like a mother, so Sira detested seeing anyone treat her with such condescension.
Nevertheless, Jiya's expression shifted as she offered an apology: "I apologize, Lady Athena Casiral. I did not mean it that way. I hope you will accept my apology and overlook my rude remarks."
Athena looked at her with a faint smile, speaking in a calm voice filled with wisdom and gentleness: "No, there is no need for that, Lady Jiya. What you thought was perfectly natural for someone unfamiliar with the Casiral family."
Yet, Jiya's suspicion of Athena deepened as she listened. She realized that Athena knew she had been watching them over the past few months, making her gradually grasp the formidable nature of the Casiral family.
They finished their meal in relative silence, the tension stemming from the presence of strangers. This inhibited Sira, Lira, Kiri, Chloe, and Madeline—who were accustomed to interacting only with familiar faces due to their long isolation from society. Sira had lived within the Casiral mansion for ten years—essentially her entire life—while Kiri and Lira had spent a thousand years in the house Yuta rented during their first fourteen days in the city of Barhais, and Chloe and Madeline had spent centuries in the Market of Mysteries.
After several hours had passed, everyone... Athena sat in her chamber, gazing calmly at a crimson moon while recalling her first encounter with Yuta and the members of the Casiral family.
[Flashback]
At the palace of the "Rulers' Tomb" dungeon boss, Athena sat upon her throne, watching Yuta wander through her domain—the very dungeon where she had been imprisoned.
She spoke in a calm tone, her eyes drifting to the murals around her. They depicted a war between entities whose bodies were shrouded in a pale white light—pure radiance—clashing in a conflict known as the First Ragnarok. This was a war between Rulers, distinct from the second one that would have erupted between Zhao Li and Alessandra had Yuta not intervened to prevent it.
"Over 340 million years have passed since I was locked away in this wretched dungeon. You scoundrels—the High Rulers—I will have my revenge on you one day."
As Athena muttered these vows of vengeance for her long imprisonment in the Rulers' Tomb dungeon—a confinement dating back to the end of the First Ragnarok—a young man was wandering through her chamber. He bore an air of immense confidence—the kind not even the High Rulers possessed. It was Yuta.
He spoke calmly, holding the Sword of Life. The sight of the blade made her realize he was the Prophesied Hero, for only the Prophesied Hero could wield it.
"How are you doing, High Ruler of Death, Frederica? Who would have thought that the embodiment of the concept of Death—within the fantasy world known as *The Dragon Angel*—would turn out to be a dungeon boss? It's a pity."
Athena's eyes narrowed as she listened to Yuta's provocative words, yet she remained fully aware... The reason for his existence—killing her, as the original narrative recounts.
The prophesied hero.She, the Ruler of Death, had expected him to come for the Sword of Death eventually—perhaps after 234 years, once he had gained sufficient experience and power—but she never anticipated that, at a mere fourteen years of age, he would attempt to gather the three shards of the Sword of Kamish so quickly.
Yet, she sensed something amiss with Yuta. She couldn't quite put her finger on it; had his body been possessed, she would have known instantly, given her mastery over the realm of the dead.
Athena's expression shifted to shock as she tried to perceive Yuta's soul. Finding none, she realized he was an absolute entity—a being possessing no soul, but rather an existential essence in the form of a book located at his body's fulcrum.
She spoke in a calm tone as she watched him pace the room of her palace: "So, you have come to kill me to complete the Sword of Kamish? Am I right, Yuta Casiral—or whatever your name is?"
Yuta listened, a faint smile playing on his lips. He spoke calmly as he drew the Sword of Life from a dimensional pocket—a move that shocked her, as the Sword of Life was the very weapon needed to kill 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 slay the entities I created, Supreme Ruler of Death Athena? Hahaha."
Athena stared in disbelief as she listened to Yuta. Though she couldn't verify his claim, his posture and tone radiated the absolute confidence and authority of a ruler commanding his own world.
She rose from her throne, gazing at Yuta. She did not believe his words, yet she felt compelled to play along—a fact of which Yuta was well aware. He didn't care that it was a lie bound to be exposed quickly; if it lasted even a full year, he would consider himself incredibly lucky.
"You possess great confidence and arrogance, Lord Yuta Casiral. But why are you so sure I'd let you kill me without a fight? Even though you are the creator of *The Dragon Angel* fantasy world, I will not die at anyone's hands. I am Death—a Death that cannot die unless it takes its own life."
Yuta stared at her coldly for a few seconds before bursting into loud laughter, leaving her bewildered. "Hahahaha... Who said I was going to kill you, Athena, Ruler of Death? You're quite the eccentric one. I actually came to get you out of here so you could look after my little sister, Sery Casiral."
Athena's expression shifted to annoyance; the prospect of being a maid was worse than death itself—especially for an entity like her. However, her expression changed again when she registered the name he had mentioned: Sery Casiral.
She thought to herself, her heart filled with excitement as she gazed at Yuta: "Sery... Sery... Could it be *her*? If it really is her, I'll be incredibly lucky."
She turned her attention back to Yuta, who was waiting for her response. She spoke in a tone that was a mix of confusion and respect: "Yes, I agree. But the only way is to kill me—or rather, to shatter the seal binding me here."
Yuta looked at her as if asking whether she truly wanted to die or not. Nevertheless, he decided to ignore the issue and headed toward her throne, where the core of the seal and dungeon lay; destroying it would break the curse.
He spoke in a tone... A calm air settled over the scene as he turned to her. "Don't worry; there is another way. The dungeon's core lies within the throne. There is a convenient lie—that killing you is necessary to obtain the 'Sword of the Lords of Death' by breaking the seal. In reality, your death would automatically shatter the seal while leaving the dungeon intact for use against the other rulers; that is why it is called the 'Graveyard of Rulers.'"
Athena stared in astonishment, having been completely unaware of this fact. She felt a surge of resentment; realizing that her death in the original story had merely served the agendas of the other High Rulers—rather than anything else—made her loathe them even more than she had over the past millions of years.
With a single attack, Yuta shook the very foundations of the Graveyard of Rulers dungeon. Every High Ruler—who had been eavesdropping on the exchange between Yuta and Athena—felt the impact as the dungeon began to shudder violently, signaling its imminent collapse.
Yet, Yuta remained entirely unconcerned; his focus was fixed solely on the "Sword of the Lords of Death" as it hovered before his eyes.