Ren and Yui didn't understand what was going on.
Ren (approaching Ryo):
"Ryo! What's happening here?! Please, tell me what's going on!"
Ryo (his voice barely audible, as if fighting his own fear):
"It's... it's a demon... a monster has appeared in that world!"
Yui (eyes wide, face full of worry):
"Can you explain it in a way I can understand? Please..."
Ileria appeared, covered in blood, her features blurred but her gaze sharp:
"He's talking about Zalaria... the eternal enemy of the kingdom. She has returned."
Yui: "Wh-"
But before she could finish, Ileria dashed toward the council chamber.
Ren: "Yui! Follow her quickly, I'll stay here with Ryo."
Yui: "Alright!"
She hurried after Ileria, anxiety gnawing at her chest.
---
Inside Ryo's consciousness...
Fog filled the space—no sky, no ground… just infinite emptiness.
Ryo (looking around, confused):
"What is this? Where am I?"
System:
"You have entered your inner consciousness, Ryo."
Ryo: "Inner consciousness? But... why?"
System:
"Your inner energy brought you here."
Suddenly, a girl appeared behind him… her beauty strange, but her eyes gleamed with evil. She was living energy.
??? (calling herself Himiko):
"Call me Himiko… I am your sealed power from long ago. Don't you want to unlock your strength?"
Ryo (stepping back, taking a defensive stance):
"Who are you?!"
Himiko:
"I am you. The part that was trapped when you received the Seal of the Crescent Moon and the Crimson Star."
Suddenly, Ryo's right hand began to glow with that cursed crescent… and phantom pain started creeping.
Himiko (stern and sinister voice):
"Cut off your hand… free me."
System: "Warning! The Continent's Covenant has been triggered due to intent to kill."
Ryo (shocked):
"What? Why must I cut off my hand?! Also, cancel the Continent's Covenant activation!"
Himiko:
"That seal is a shackle… it spreads spiritual chains inside your body without you noticing. You can't remove it because it's become part of you. The only way… is to amputate the hand that carries it."
Ryo: "But… it's my hand… how…?"
Himiko (approaching with a threatening look):
"Cut it now… or I will tear you apart from the inside."
System: "Note: You will not feel pain, remember your skill!"
Ryo (with a goofy, confused expression):
"Oh right… I forgot."
Calmly, he drew his sword, looked at his hand… and cut it off.
At the next moment, Himiko merged with his body, and his energy exploded like a giant star going supernova…
Ryo had risen to Level Seven: Will of the Sky.
His speed became multiple times faster than light. His body glowed with immense power.
Ryo: "System… tell me now, what are these levels? I don't understand this world's system."
System:
"The world consists of multiple universes, each with its own system. This universe has 14 power levels, as follows:
---
1. Beginner: relies on weapons only, no skills or magic.
2. Trainee: can enhance body strength but cannot control magic.
3. Fighter: masters magic use.
4. Knight: proficient with both skills and magic.
5. Continental Manifestation.
6. Eternal Shadow: uses skills and magic without limits, can combine elements.
7. Will of the Sky: fully unleashes energy. (You are here now)
8. Flame Bearer: nothing is known except Thanis reached it.
The remaining levels are legendary, no human has reached them yet.
9. Abyss Star.
10. Eternal Shadow.
11. Supreme Lord.
12. The Distorted: draws power from the void, breaks nature's laws.
13. Celestial: capable of ruling or erasing worlds.
14. The Supreme Being: said to be master of "being" and "non-being." Nothing is known except that it's beyond comprehension.
---
Regarding the power system:
Magic: originates from emotions.
Skills: acquired through fusion, experience, or divine gift."
---
Ryo (while the system explained, started flying toward a specific point):
"Finally… now I understand."
Ryo (smiling coldly):
"I've found you."
He landed in front of a mysterious figure… their gazes met, and everything screamed that a fight was coming.
The figure launched a sudden attack!
The shadows cleared, revealing it was Zalaria!
Ryo (smiling and blocking the attack):
"Hello, girl."
Zalaria:
"I never expected someone to track me down. Looks like I should have hurried on my way."
Ryo activated his skill: "Eternal Eye Activation – Regan."
Ryo (shocked and confused because the Eternal Eye – Regan – was ineffective against Zalaria; he couldn't see her weak points or power paths; his voice shaky):
"What's that?? Are you kidding me?!"
Zalaria (laughing lightly, turning her back and walking away):
"Little kid… did you think reaching a new level means you can face me??… Go change your protection and go to sleep! You're such a naughty, slow learner."
Ryo (feeling insulted):
"Wait!"
Zalaria (starting to get angry):
"What do you want?! Speak before I make an example of you for anyone who dares to do what you just did!"
Ryo (sighing, surrendering):
"I admit I can't ever defeat you. You're far stronger than me… I just want to know why you want to destroy the kingdom and take the throne. Stop it!"
Zalaria (getting furious, took a step forward, and from her terrifying aura exploded like a tornado, a strong pressure crushing the air. Her voice sounded behind Ryo in a terrifying tone):
"Little brat, don't you ever order me again!.. That's the last time you ask me for anything… got it?"
Ryo (frozen in place from fear, fell to the ground):
"Okay."
Ryo looked humbled and defeated.
Zalaria (emanating an unbelievably terrifying pressure, the ground beneath her cracked as if it were screaming):
"Listen, kid, you're still small, and out of mercy, I'll spare you."
Zalaria (sharpened her eye):
"But if you think you're strong again and dare to defy me without asking… and if you think you can stand before me without kneeling, I'll show you what hell really means."
Suddenly, Zalaria disappeared from in front of Ryo.
Ryo held a spark of hatred in his heart because he had been humiliated by her many times.
To be continued...