Book 1 Chapter 247

247

*Snap-!*

Fritz’s hand shattered the skeleton’s head.

*Whoosh-*

Red threads scattered from Fritz’s body, which had spun like a top in mid-air.

*Crash-shatter-boom-!*

Fritz, having pulverized the skeleton army, adjusted his glasses.

"There are quite a lot."

The endless tide of undead pouring from the corridor was enough to overwhelm anyone.

However, Fritz’s expression remained unchanged.

"If you're having trouble, shall I help?"

Chen Xia, who had been following Fritz, asked.

"You don't need to step forward, senior."

Fritz gave a faint smile.

*Whoosh-*

The red threads scattered in all directions tightened.

A unique magic woven from Fritz's blood and mana.

"Blood Flame."

*Roar-! Rumble-!*

Red flames engulfed the entire corridor.

Using the scattered red threads as a fuse, Fritz, who had instantly burned all the undead, smirked, "Hmph-"

Watching Fritz, Chen Xia asked with a somber expression,

"Are you alright?"

"How am I, senior?"

Instead of answering the question about his well-being, Fritz replied with a question and adjusted his glasses.

"Didn't it feel a bit like Senior Leo?"

"In what way? No, more importantly, are you alright?"

"Senior Leo's main attribute is fire, isn't it? So I tried imitating it with magic. Of course, with my limited skill, I can't even reach Senior Leo's toes, but it's a little, just a little bit similar to Senior Leo…"

"…Leo-dory doesn't really stick to attributes when using magic. But are you really okay?"

"Indeed! Senior Leo!"

Ignoring Chen Xia's worries completely, Fritz took out a notebook from his pocket and jotted down a new fact about Leo.

'He seems fine.'

Even though Fritz's hands were bleeding profusely, he showed no sign of concern.

It wasn't bleeding from injuries.

As it was a blood-based magic, he had bled a lot due to the backlash of the powerful magic.

'It's a mana trait like a double-edged sword.'

One could gain overwhelming offensive power by consuming blood, but the toll on the caster was also significant.

'An interesting first-year has arrived.'

Thinking so, Chen Xia gave a gentle smile.

'What kind of first-years have arrived?'

Looking at Fritz, that thought naturally arose.

But he quickly shook it off.

'I won't be going back to Lumern, will I?'

Chen Xia walked away with a bitter smile.

Fritz, having sealed his wounds, took out a red potion from his pocket and drank it.

It was a potion made through alchemy to replenish blood.

"You said your name was Fritz? You greatly admire Leo-dory."

"It wasn't this much originally. I thought he was someone worth protecting as a shadow… but I learned that after meeting him in person."

Fritz placed a hand on his chest as he followed Chen Xia.

"That he is someone truly worthy of respect."

"…That's right. Leo-dory is an amazing person."

"If you meet Senior Leo and talk with him, senior, you'll surely change your mind."

"Yes. That's why I can't meet Leo-dory right now."

'If I meet him now, my resolve will crumble.'

"Someday, when Leo-dory becomes the greatest hero… I want to meet him then."

"No. I will be the one to become the greatest hero."

The voice from beyond the darkness made Chen Xia and Fritz stop in their tracks.

Fritz assumed a defensive posture, and Chen Xia let out a deep sigh.

*Thump- thump- *

A man in blood-stained white clothes, Xian, emerged from the darkness.

He smiled at his fraternal twin.

"It's been a while, Xia."

"…It's been a while, Xian."

"You don't look happy to see me at all?"

Xian spread his arms and laughed.

"We've never been apart for this long, so your indifferent reaction is disappointing."

"I never wanted to see you again."

Fritz flinched and looked at Chen Xia.

'Is it the same person?'

The gentle demeanor he had shown moments ago was nowhere to be seen.

With an ice-cold face, Chen Xia approached Xian.

"Because if we meet again, I'll have to kill you again."

He was blood, someone they had been together with their entire lives, even if called a traitor.

The pain when he thought he had killed him with his own hands was greater than ever.

He didn't want to repeat that pain.

But Xian was too twisted a monster to ignore that pain.

"I wanted to see you again. I had many questions for you."

Xian smiled warmly.

"You went into Lumern and pretended to be a hero candidate? Why?"

Xian asked as if curious.

"You know best, don't you? Unlike me, you're not suited to be a hero."

Fritz's eyes twitched at Xian's words.

"Even if you enroll in Lumern, you'll only get hurt more."

Seeing Xian speak with genuine concern, Xia smiled.

Having been together since childhood, she knew.

These weren't words meant to hurt her.

They were words asked out of genuine concern.

'This is the kind of person he is.'

"You're talking nonsense. Senior Chen Xia is more suited to be a hero than anyone else."

"Hoo?"

Xian exclaimed at Fritz's words.

Then he snickered.

"No way. If you mean someone suited for shadows, maybe."

He shrugged and denied Fritz's words.

Chen Xia didn't deny the words either.

'There's a difference between what one wants to be and what one can be.'

He tried to ignore that fact and forced his way into Lumern.

And seeing the other hero candidates, he realized he had to admit he couldn't become a hero.

"Chen Xia, you can't become a hero."

Xian said with a serious face.

"So please don't hurt yourself. You'll only become miserable."

"Thank you for the advice."

Chen Xia raised his hand.

He wasn't angry.

*Swoosh-*

A killing intent emanated from Chen Xia's body.

"However, Xian, you can't become a hero either."

At those words, Xian let out a deep sigh.

"It's a shame. I thought you could understand me."

Xian smiled sadly.

"You were the one who understood me best."

Since childhood, the one who regretted the most that Xian couldn't become a hero was none other than Chen Xia.

The one who told Xian the most that he was suited to be a hero was also the young Chen Xia.

"I thought I understood you."

Chen Xia's expression vanished.

"But I was wrong. You're crazy."

*Fwoosh-*

Chen Xia's body disappeared.

*Clang-!*

Chen Xia's water aura struck Xian.

Xian, looking at Chen Xia, swung his sword.

*Roar-!*

The wind whirled.

*Boom-!*

The water aura scattered in all directions.

"Xia, you can't defeat me."

Xian looked at Chen Xia and smiled.

*Whoosh-*

A faint breeze swirled.

Seeing that, Chen Xia unleashed his aura.

*Rumble-! Crash-!*

The gale emanating from Xian's body swept through.

A 칼바람 that destroyed everything.

Fritz hastily retreated.

*Fwoosh-!*

But Chen Xia didn't retreat and charged into Xian's embrace.

Seeing Chen Xia like that, Xian's eyes twitched.

Like flowing water.

Naturally evading Xian's gale, Chen Xia charged into his embrace.

*Thump-!*

Chen Xia's palms touched Xian's chest.

*Flash-!*

Instantly, Chen Xia's eyes flashed blue.

*Boom-!*

Xian's body was repelled as if it exploded.

Water swirled in all directions like a water cannon erupting.

He had compressed his water aura and released a massive hydraulic pressure all at once.

*Boom-!*

Xian's body broke through the wall.

Chen Xia touched his side, feeling pain.

He had been hit by a counterattack as he was repelled.

"You've gotten stronger."

Xian, emerging from the hole in the wall, muttered in admiration.

But then he chuckled.

"But you've lost the sharpness you used to have, haven't you?"

"……"

Chen Xia stared at Xian with cold eyes.

"The former you was much more threatening. It seems life in Lumern has dulled your sharpness."

Xian clicked his tongue.

"See? That's what happens when you become neither here nor there."

*Swoosh-*

Chen Xia's body disappeared into the darkness.

Seeing that, killing intent flowed from Xian's eyes.

"What a disappointment. I wanted to remember your end as a shadow."

*Fwoosh-!*

*Roar-!*

'Hero Ability?'

Chen Xia, who had hidden in the darkness, widened her eyes at Xian, who was emitting a fire aura.

"It's not even worth remembering."

*Crash-!*

The fire aura erupted and swept through.

Chen Xia, hit directly, rolled miserably on the ground.

*Hiss-*

Smoke rose from her entire body.

Her body was cut by slashes that flew with the flames.

Looking at Chen Xia, Xian turned around without hesitation.

Then he looked at Fritz, who was caught in the explosion, and laughed.

"You're alive?"

"Kuh."

"I swore to eradicate all shadows in this world."

Fritz stirred his mana.

Xian, looking at Fritz, raised his sword and laughed.

"I'll put you out of your misery now."

*Splish-!*

The sound of a hand touching a puddle echoed.

Xian paused, then looked back.

Seeing Chen Xia, who was struggling to get up with her head bowed, Xian's eyes twitched.

"You're alive?"

Chen Xia raised her head.

Xian smiled faintly at the fierce killing intent in her eyes.

"You're tenacious."

Xian approached Chen Xia.

"But Xia, you must have felt it too, right? The overwhelming difference in power."

*Swoosh-!*

Aura swirled around Xian's sword.

"It would be easier to give up willingly. This is my last consideration as your older brother."

*Thud-!*

"……!"

Chen Xia took a step forward.

Then the ground caved in.

Chen Xia, who had compressed her aura, spoke in a cold voice.

"I don't need that kind of consideration."

*Boom-!*

Chen Xia threw a punch.

Xian, hit directly by that blow, was sent flying.

*Rumble-!*

Xian, who broke through the wall and fell to the ground, grimaced.

'It'll take longer than I thought.'

*Crack-*

Xian, who had gotten up, brushed off the pieces of stone clinging to his body.

*Thump- thump-*

Chen Xia was approaching.

'She must be at her limit, how is she still moving?'

The previous blow was Xian's strongest, poured out with everything he had.

'I can't be held back by someone like Xia.'

Xian felt a sense of urgency.

He felt pressure that Chen Xia, whom he thought he could kill easily, was still in a combat stance.

Although he was desperately denying it, he felt fear of Leo, who might come after him.

'I'm going underground right now.'

Xian ignored Chen Xia and ran.

'Xia will chase me. If so, it's not too late to deal with her after quickly obtaining Kyle's sword.'

***

Underground, in the innermost part of the Shan Imperial Palace.

There was a stone chamber that only Shan royalty could access.

Of course, even royalty could not approach without the Emperor's permission.

But Xian easily reached the stone chamber.

This was because the Lich King's army had invaded the Shan Imperial Palace at the moment.

The shadows guarding this place had also been taken down by the Lich King's army.

'My father and the other shadows are probably captured by Atkahn.'

Of course, the Lich King's army would be subdued soon.

But before that, he just needed to get what he wanted and leave.

Xian approached the stone chamber door.

The powerful seal, passed down from previous generations, only reacted to royal blood.

He smeared his blood on his hand and brought it to the door.

*Rumble-!*

Then the door opened.

*Thump- thump-*

The interior of the room was a vast library.

These were all records of the shadows, unknown to the world.

The Emperors of Shan considered these records a treasure.

The achievements of the shadows.

No one acknowledged them, but they were proof that they existed behind history.

However, from Xian's perspective, it only elicited a sneer.

"It won't be known to the world anyway."

Even if it were known, no one would acknowledge it.

Unless it was recorded in the Hero Records.

People don't acknowledge great deeds.

Leaving records like this was ultimately because they couldn't get their names on the Hero Records.

"Shadows are just shadows. That's why they have no value. Xia."

Xian said, looking back at Chen Xia, who was chasing him.

"Then why did you come to this record library?"

At Chen Xia's question, Xian pointed to a sword mounted on the library wall.

"For that sword."

The only armament among what was here.

"They say it's the sword of the Hero of Beginning, Kyle."

At Xian's words, Chen Xia's eyes widened.

"The sword of the Hero of Beginning…?"

"Yes! Tartarus told me. He said our ancestor might have been Kyle's disciple."

Xian smiled at the surprised Xia.

"I don't know why they degenerated into shadows, but this is destiny."

Xian pointed to himself.

"Now that it's known that the Hero of Beginning actually existed in the world. I, the descendant of Kyle's disciple, will inherit the Hero Record of the Hero of Beginning."

"You believe what Tartarus says?"

Chen Xia looked utterly exasperated.

"There's no reason not to believe it. So, Xia."

*Thump- thump-*

Xian approached the wall and drew the sword from its sheath.

"Die in peace. Because I, who inherited Kyle's power, will subjugate Tartarus."

"You're still spouting such nonsense…"

Xia, who glared at Xian with a grimace, paused as she looked at the sword.

'Wait, that sword… I've definitely seen it somewhere.'

It was a sword she had seen before.

Xian didn't seem to notice, but Xia had learned about that sword in her Lumern classes.

'Definitely in Heroology class…'

*Clang-! Fwoosh-!*

Just then, wind aura swirled.

Chen Xia hastily unleashed her aura to block the storm of aura.

*Boom-!*

"Cough?"

But she couldn't hold on and was sent flying, crashing into the wall.

*Rattle-!*

Chen Xia fell miserably to the ground, and the shadow records poured down on her.

"Impressive."

Xian looked down at the sword with a surprised expression.

"Even after 5000 years, it's still this sharp! And it can withstand aura to this extent."

It was a magnificent sword, worthy of being called a divine sword at first glance.

"As expected, it's a sword made by a divine blacksmith."

Xian's body trembled with exhilaration.

*Drip- drop-*

Just then, Chen Xia stood up.

Her body was trembling.

"You're already at your limit."

Xian approached Chen Xia with a leisurely step.

"But why are you struggling so much?"

"…It's probably because I've heard that phrase for a year until I'm sick of it."

"What is it?"

"Exceed your… limits."

Seeing Chen Xia adopt a fighting stance with a smile, Xian sighed deeply.

"It seems Lumern has ruined you."

Xian looked at her with a pathetic expression.

"I'll say it again, Xia. You can't be a hero."

"I know."

"Then why are you pretending to be a hero?"

Those who have stepped into the darkness are held by the darkness and cannot go towards the light.

Their hands have shed too much blood to go towards the light.

The moment they thought they couldn't become heroes themselves, the gods would never acknowledge them.

There would be no god to acknowledge someone they themselves did not acknowledge.

Still…

"You can dream, can't you?"

Seeing Chen Xia smiling brightly, Xian felt an inexplicable sense of displeasure.

It was the clear smile that Chen Xia had always worn.

But that smile seemed so radiant now.

For some reason, that dazzlingness evoked a feeling of nausea.

"Dreams are meant to be broken, aren't they? You know that well, don't you?"

Xian raised his sword.

"Someone like you can never defeat me. The reason you barely pushed me to death back then was simply because I was lazy with my shadow training."

As he sneered and prepared to swing his sword, a voice was heard.

"Do you really brag about such pathetic reasons?"

A mocking voice echoed.

Chen Xia's eyes widened.

Xian twisted his face and turned his head towards the entrance.

*Thump- thump-*

"Leo… Flove."

"I also know of someone who had a fantastically absurd dream. That guy said."

Leo smiled faintly at Chen Xia.

"Dreams are meant to be fulfilled."