Book 1 Chapter 249

"Shadow Tome…?"

Shaou's eyes widened in disbelief as he looked at the Hero Record before him.

It wasn't a mere page or fragment, but a complete Hero Record, known to be one of only five in the world.

3000 years ago.

After the second coming of the calamity, the Hero Records were divided into five.

Since then, all races have filled the pages of the Hero Records with their own species' history.

Yet, a sixth Hero Record had appeared.

And it was under the name, the Shadow Tome.

For a moment, he wondered if it was fake.

However, as the Emperor of Shan, he had seen Hero Records many times.

He couldn't deny that the Hero Record before him was genuine.

His trembling hands turned the pages.

And upon seeing the name recorded on the very first page, he could only gasp.

[The Hero of Beginning, Kyle]

On the first page of the Hero Record, labeled as the Shadow Tome,

was the name of Kyle, the Hero of Beginning.

He touched Kyle's name with his finger.

As he did, ripples spread across the Hero Record page, and Kyle's record appeared.

'This is…'

Shaou's eyes trembled.

'Could the first Shadow… have been the Hero of Beginning?'

5000 years ago.

Since the Hero Records first appeared on earth.

Bihar had separately taken the first Shadow's record from the Hero Records and entrusted it to his descendants.

The owner of that record, whose name was unknown, was none other than Kyle, the Hero of Beginning.

"The great hero… was a Shadow?"

Seeing Shaou's disbelieving expression, Leo spoke.

"I doubt they had such distinctions as 'hero' or 'shadow' back then."

Shaou looked at Leo.

"I believe the Hero of Beginning did what needed to be done."

"…"

Shaou closed Kyle's record and turned the page.

And seeing the name Bihar there, his grip tightened.

Seeing the name 'Shadow Tome,' he had a premonition.

'This… is the Hero Record of the Shadows.'

Not just Bihar.

Those who lived in darkness.

It was a record of those who did not hesitate to sacrifice for the world.

All the deeds of the shadows, meticulously recorded by Shan for so long, were written in the Hero Record.

"Why all of a sudden…"

"Perhaps it's a small whim of the gods. Or, if not."

Leo looked at Shaou and smiled.

"Perhaps it's a sign to stop being so self-pitying."

"…"

"Because the gods would not acknowledge someone who doesn't even believe in themselves."

"Hoho… Hohoho."

Shaou covered his face with his hands.

"Hahahahaha!"

He couldn't help but burst into laughter.

The sharp words of the hero candidate, who thought their darkness was misunderstood, struck him profoundly.

Shadows step into the darkness for their own reasons.

Some, like Shan's shadows, were born as shadows.

Others choose to become shadows for their own reasons.

They all step into the pool of blood with conviction.

None regret it.

However…

'In the end, they lament not receiving the gods' acknowledgment.'

Some curse the gods.

Many close their eyes, lamenting becoming shadows.

Even those who don't are self-deprecating, believing shadows are separated from the glory of the gods.

Shaou was no different.

'That's right. The gods would never acknowledge such people.'

Shan, with thousands of years of history, couldn't let go of his obsession with Hero Records, yet the belief that he could never be a hero was deeply ingrained.

He couldn't let go of his obsession to have his name inscribed in the Hero Record through the way of the shadows.

'It's a contradiction.'

He had denied it even while knowing it.

Only after finally seeing the Hero Record could he acknowledge it.

"I was foolish."

Shaou clenched his fist.

Then he looked at Leo.

"Leo, what… is your true identity?"

He had already received a report about Leo.

'It said he moved like a shadow in the darkness. And he broke the seal of our ancestor.'

He broke the seal of aura that only the direct successor of Bihar could break.

'The identity of the first Shadow was the Hero of Beginning, Kyle. And Leo Flob is the second to achieve the all-class after Kyle.'

Shaou's eyes narrowed.

'Furthermore, the Hero Record that had been erased when Leo Flob touched it regained its name. And when he touched it… the shadows finally had their names inscribed in the Hero Record. Is this really a coincidence?'

Since the era of heroes began.

This boy, unprecedented, could be said to be.

As Shaou gazed into Leo's red eyes, he saw Leo's lips curve upwards.

Shaou felt that smile was mischievous.

But it wasn't the playful smile of a boy his age.

It was a sly, yet somehow imposing smile, like that of an adult.

"…!"

Shaou's eyes widened.

But soon, he closed his eyes.

Taking a deep breath, he rose from his seat.

As if to accept his will, he bowed his head.

"You are… the benefactor of Shan… no, of all shadows."

Shaou said with a trembling voice.

"If you need Shan's strength, tell me anytime. We will risk everything to help you."

"Thank you for your kindness."

Leo bowed his head and left the audience chamber.

Thud-

Shaou, who had collapsed into his seat, looked down at his sweat-drenched hands.

He had learned an immense secret.

'…He is a god. The god of shadows.'

Shaou let out a hollow laugh.

He realized why the era had begun to move.

'The world is about to face a great upheaval.'

The subjugation of the Demon Queen.

And the birth of the Shadow's Hero Record.

'And the resurrection of the great hero.'

If this fact became known to the world, it would undoubtedly lead to great chaos.

'For now, it's best to keep the Shadow Tome a secret.'

Even if Hero Records existed, it was extremely difficult to manifest the world of heroes through the Shadow Tome.

Many shadows disappeared from the world without even leaving behind heirlooms, let alone descendants.

As such, there were few keys to unlock the world of heroes who could inherit their power.

'But gradually, the worlds to inherit will increase.'

Shaou's eyes sparkled.

'Until Leo Flob makes his full move. Shan will remain his shadow.'

Thinking so, Shaou raised his head.

Thump-

Shaou gave a wry smile as he looked at Chen Xia, who appeared bathed in moonlight.

"I have done a terrible thing to you."

"It was the path I chose, wasn't it?"

Looking at his daughter, who smiled gently, Shaou put down the Shadow Tome.

"It's not for this foolish father to say… but chase your dreams, even now."

"I intend to."

"But remember this one thing."

Shaou looked directly into his daughter's eyes.

"Someday, Shan will be yours. Never forget that."

"Yes."

Chen Xia smiled faintly and disappeared into the darkness.

Watching her retreating figure, Shaou gazed at the moonlight.

"Is dawn approaching for the shadows too?"

***

"Ah! To not have witnessed Senior Leo's heroic deeds with my own eyes! How truly tragic!"

"Stop being so dramatic."

In Leo's room, Fritz was banging his head on the floor, while Jane looked at him with a pathetic expression.

Tartaros had disappeared after Cyan's death at Leo's hand, according to reports.

'Since Cyan is dead, it's probably better to leave than gain anything by staying.'

Leo opened a spatial rift and took out bandages and potions for treating wounds from his desk.

Seeing this, Fritz abruptly stood up.

"Senior Leo, the honor of treating Senior Leo's wounds is mine…!"

Just as Fritz adjusted his glasses and his eyes gleamed,

Drip- drip-

With a small knock, the door opened, and Chen Xia entered.

"Your Highness!"

Jane approached Chen Xia with a bright expression.

"I'm glad you're safe!"

"I'm glad you're safe too, Jane."

Patting the tearful Jane's head, Chen Xia looked at Fritz.

"You are safe too."

"Thanks to you, Senior."

Fritz bowed his head.

Chen Xia smiled faintly at the two of them and looked at Leo.

"Your expression is much more bearable now."

"It's thanks to you, Leo-doryeong."

Smiling brightly, Chen Xia said to Fritz and Jane.

"Could you two talk with Leo-doryeong alone for a moment… would that be alright?"

"Yes, Your Highness!"

"I have a duty to help Senior Leo with his wound treatment…"

"How dare you argue! Follow me!"

Jane grabbed Fritz by the collar and dragged him away.

Fritz tried to break free from Jane's grasp, but as a student of magic, he couldn't break free from the strength of a knight student.

"Such brute force."

"Did you finish saying what you wanted to say?"

Jane glared at him and shouted, "Waaak! Waaak!" while Fritz smiled coldly.

Tap-

As the door closed and they were left alone, Chen Xia blinked her large eyes and said,

"Shall I help you with your wound treatment?"

"Would you?"

Leo took off his upper garment.

Chen Xia had received healing from a healer immediately after the incident was resolved, but Leo couldn't, due to his meeting with Shaou.

The Grand Duke of Mourning, the Shadow Undead, and Cyan.

Leo's body was in a mess from the continuous battles.

Blood was caked all over his body.

Seeing this, Chen Xia carefully washed Leo's body using water aura.

As Leo sat in a chair, she opened a potion bottle and soaked a towel in it.

"I wish I had healing aura like Nella-yang."

"You're not the type to regret not having abilities."

"I just suddenly thought of it. Water aura is a good element for awakening healing abilities."

Carefully wiping the wound on Leo's back, Chen Xia smiled bitterly.

"It seems Leo-doryeong will be injured a lot from now on."

"I will be. There will be many times I fight alongside you. It would be nice to have it, but you don't need to worry too much. You are you."

'I always want to stand right behind Leo-doryeong.'

Hearing Leo's words, Chen Xia smiled bitterly inwardly.

"Thank you very much for stopping Cyan, Leo-doryeong."

"I just did what I had to do."

If he had left it as it was, Cyan would have grown into a villain who threatened many heroes.

And no matter who the opponent was, it was bitter to see a relative kill another relative.

"You don't need to thank me."

"No. There are many other things I'm thankful for."

Chen Xia's voice trembled slightly.

"Thank you for affirming my dream, which I myself had denied."

Chen Xia's hands stopped.

"Thank you for showing me the light to move forward."

It might have been a small thing to Leo.

But Leo had pulled Chen Xia out of darkness.

"Leo-doryeong is my savior."

"I'll pass on such grand words. They make me feel burdened."

Leo replied indifferently.

At those words, Chen Xia couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Though they had known each other for a year, he was truly a heartless person.

Chen Xia's hands moved again.

She carefully wiped Leo's wounds with a towel soaked in potion, then applied potion to a bandage and wrapped it around Leo's body.

'There wasn't much difference when I first saw him.'

The first time Leo and she had a conversation was around this time last year.

A year ago, Leo also had the air of a young boy.

But looking at him now, she felt he had grown significantly in a year.

'Why did Leo-doryeong come to save me?'

A sudden curiosity arose.

Because I'm a friend?

'That's probably the biggest reason.'

Even thinking so, her heart pounded a little.

'Or does he think of me as more than a friend, someone special?'

Leo and she had grown very close over the past year.

"Leo-doryeong, why did you come to pick me up?"

She asked with a hint of expectation.

At her words, Leo turned around.

As their eyes met, Chen Xia smiled faintly.

"You're presumptuous."

"What?"

Chen Xia was taken aback by the completely unexpected answer.

"You're still young, how much of the world have you seen to be so presumptuous and say things like 'I can't become a hero'?"

Chen Xia wore a dejected expression.

"I'm older than Leo-doryeong."

"What's the point of being older? Your actions are like a child's."

Leo chuckled and stood up.

"Is that why you came to get me?"

Seeing Chen Xia's bewildered expression, Leo nodded.

Watching Leo smile slyly, Chen Xia sighed.

"The reason is more ridiculous than I thought, so I'm losing my energy."

With a pout, Chen Xia got up from her seat.

Leo, looking back at Chen Xia, flicked her forehead with his fingertip.

"Children should dream like children."

Chen Xia, clutching her forehead from the surprisingly strong impact, stumbled backward.

At that moment, the dawn broke, and the sun began to rise.

Leo, silhouetted against the bright dawn light, was smiling like an adult.

Seeing Leo, who was younger than her yet treated her like a child, Chen Xia's face suddenly flushed.

"Leo-doryeong, do you know you sound incredibly like an old man right now?!"

"Yes, I probably look like a boomer."

"No… that's not what I mean…"

'It's like a scent of maturity, or perhaps dandy-ness…'

For some reason, Leo, bathed in the dawn light, felt incredibly stimulating, and Chen Xia laughed helplessly.

'Am I into older men?'