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Hard Swing.

Description: You can swing stuff in your hands REALLY hard.

That was it.That was the skill and its description.

Usually, skills have cooldowns. Mana costs. Delays… a penalty. Or at the very least, clearer definitions that can’t be conceptualized or manipulated.

But this one was different.

Initially, Van took it at face value. Stuff in his hands, to him, meant a sword. Really hard meant instinctively twice as hard as he would normally swing it.

That skill’s potential depended entirely on its user’s interpretation.

After all, it did not specify how hard really hard was. It did not specify just what exactly needed to be in your grasp to be swung. It did not specify a certain length or angle that was required to activate the skill.

But Van didn’t see this until much later.

A few months after acquiring the skill, he learned that stuff could also mean other objects—like knives. A bit later, he realized that swinging was also the motion you make before throwing something; hence, he began using the skill to amplify his throws.

It was only much later, when he faced a dire crisis, that he was forced to evolve.

That was when he looked at the skill not through a technical lens…

…but a nearly conceptual one.

Just how far does your wrist need to tilt for it to count as a swing? A swing could even be a picometer-long movement… or even 0.000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000001 cm of your wrist.

Thus—it could be activated a few billion times in a single instant.

And stuff… Just what is stuff? It’s a sword. Stuff is a rock. A knife…

But soon, Van realized that stuff was also the armor he wore.

The enemies he managed to grab hold of. They, too, were stuff—and thus could be swung and manipulated via his skill.

A few months later, when he thought of a contingency plan to deal with the dragons… he thought the answer lay within his skill, just as it had when he fought Kota Kintaro—the other transmigrator. Varolia’s proxy.

There must be more, he realized.

Stuff was armor. Stuff was rock… Hence—stuff is something physical, right?

…Then it came to him like lightning.

[BACKGROUND MUSIC: Hans Zimmer – Oogway Ascends – Kung Fu Panda Soundtrack]

Stuff is the wind. Stuff is the air they breathe.

Stuff… is mass.

Matter.

He remembered learning in his previous world that even light has its own particles… Hence, physical objects.

Stuff. All of it.

Thus—could be swung or manipulated.

THUS—

Hard Swing: Void Orbit was born.

The swing of existence. And through Void Orbit, he realized there was no limit to how far, no limit to how fast, no limit to how much he could shift—how much he could swing away.

“And that is how…” Van murmured, looking up at the clear sky, with Bella holding his hand, “I sent the dragons to another planet. This one, that I discovered roughly ten years ago as I ventured through space…. Hard Swing, x45,023,001,471,230,120,423,991,221.3465122″

Bella’s mouth hung open.

The sky was a living tapestry… Tens of thousands of dragons wheeling through the heavens, sent there by Van from their own world. And before him, the Dragon King himself bowed low.

! “We are godless creatures. Since the sundering from our dominator, our purpose hath been but to endure—and to conquer. Aye, we were desperate, and masked that desperation with the veil of pride,” the Dragon King said, his vast lids lowering and lifting as he regarded Van.

! “Yet this day we have beheld true might. Van Hellix… thou hast granted us a godless realm to roam, a godless realm to rule. Long have we denied the Dragon God his lordship; we believed no soul worthy of such a style.”

He lifted his gaze to Van’s calm, almost lazy eye.

! “But thou art worthy. Inevitably so.”

Bella swallowed, glancing at Van.

‘Daddy… is… amazing… huh?’

Van folded his arms. “Don’t sweat it. I had fun experimenting with my skill anyway.”

A low, rumbling laugh rolled from the Dragon King.

! “Thou hast grown more eloquent o’er the years, Van Hellix.”

Van smirked. “Didn’t know you were grading eloquence now.”

! “How should I not prize that which a being like thee doth prize?”

Van flinched, a small swallow betraying him.

The Dragon King turned to Bella.

! “This extendeth to thee, offspring—Bella.”

She blinked.

! “Thou art fortunate to call him father.”

He faced Van once more.

! “And for what it is worth, Van Hellix—call upon us whene’er thou hast need.”

“Oh?” Van arched a brow. “If I’m asking you for help, that means in that moment I’m weaker than you. You sure about offering that?”

! “Aye. As thou didst aid us at our weakest.”

Van was quiet for a beat.

“…If you say so.” He turned, reaching for Bella’s hand.

‘Daddy…?’ Bella tilted her head at the sudden softness in his grip.

“Let’s go, Bella,” he said, meeting her eyes. “Time runs a little funny here.”

“What…?” she asked, narrowing her gaze as the two of them stepped away.

… And Van had used Void Orbit.

---

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The Dragons razing Varolon… it was a sight every god had come to witness, with most of them rooting for the dragons themselves. That was why, the moment the dragons were discovered, the Dragon God made his presence known.

To push them into desperation. To force their hand—and make them attack Varolon.

The gods didn’t care who won. All they wanted was for Varolia to lose her grip on power.

If the humans were wiped out, if the summoning circle was seized, her leverage would be gone. They’d inch closer to annulling the contract that bound them all to compliance.

There was Markia, the Seraphim. Varolia’s daughter… true.

But either way, Varolia would lose influence.

And then, without warning, the dragons simply vanished.

As if there was…

[…a bug in the system,] Varolia muttered, blinking several times at the spectacle—or rather, the absence of one—through the orb that gave her sight into the world below.

But before she could sink into deeper contemplation, she spoke to herself again.

[Well… I should take advantage of this. I know for a fact none of the gods would ever plot something that lets me keep my power.] She smirked.

[But if I jump the gun and claim credit, they’ll be suspicious… No. I should stay silent. Deny any involvement with what just happened to the dragon race. Smile and nod while they rage over it… Ahh, they’ll naturally assume I orchestrated the whole thing.]

She smiled to herself, running her hands slowly down her cheeks as she chuckled—briefly caressing her breast in pleasure.

| As expected. You really are clever, Goddess. | Dauz spoke from beside her, lying on her grand bed.

“Ahh,” she sighed deeply, gazing at the orb from her resting place. [I wonder if I should find whoever did this. Making such a move… Something like this—they’re clearly beyond my strength; but not an enemy to be sure… If they aren’t an enemy, I should get them on my side. Maybe even reward them. Or at least try to. Don’t you think?]

|…| Dauz stayed silent, swallowing hard. | That might be a good idea… |

[Enough.]

Her sultry tone vanished in an instant, replaced by authority.

[Speak your mind. I hate it when you hide things from me, Dauz. Especially when you do it so poorly. Are you really that selfish? To make me notice and then force me to drag it out of you?!] She snarled.

Dauz swallowed again, then took a deep breath.

|…Could it be that… whoever did this… was Van Hellix?|

Varolia flinched.

| He wouldn’t want the city destroyed either, right? |

She pressed her lips together.

[Van Hellix isn’t anywhere near that strong. It’s impossible. Even his skill… it only applies to things in his grasp. Things he physically touches; as we both saw all those years ago.] She exhaled.

[Those dragons weren’t connected by a tether or anything. Their aura was severed from their god too. There was nothing for him to grab and… swing them all away. One dragon? Maybe. All of them, sure—if they were clumped together. That’s the logic behind his skill.]

She sighed again, now exasperated, rising from the bed. She walked away naked, her long blonde hair cascading down and covering her back.

[Thank you, Dauz. For souring my mood with talk of that scourge.]

| I… I apologize, My— |

But she was already gone before he could finish. Barefoot, she stepped out onto the balcony of her vast chamber, the cold marble pressing against her feet as she walked to the edge. She leaned on the railing, resting her elbow against the smooth stone as her eyes swept over the city of Supremium—bathed in the quiet hush of night.

A sigh left her lips.

She couldn’t help but recall Magus’s words.

‘He just wants to be happy, doesn’t he…’ She exhaled sharply, dragging her fingers through her hair with frustration.

‘That’s what you all are, really. Humans. Gods. Every one of my subordinates. Even my daughter, whether she admits it or not. Acting for the sake of eventual convenience… praying to me for your salvation and… happiness.’

The thought made her chuckle.

[Cruel people won’t call themselves cruel. Hah. How laughable.] She murmured, lowering her gaze.

‘…’

‘That’s only because they’ve never reflected on themselves.’

‘I have,’ she thought, burying her head between her arms.

‘What else would I be… if not cruel?’

‘Cruel for leaving you like this? For forgetting how you even looked?’

She stood and walked to the padded chair at the far end of the balcony, sinking into it. Her eyes drifted to the stars.

Sleep tugged at her limbs.

‘My… baby boy…’

‘Don’t you worry.’

‘Soon.’

She inhaled slowly.

‘Soon, I’ll be next to you.’

Her gaze sharpened.

‘The time is nearly up. In one week’s time, the stars will align.’ She exhaled through her nose.

‘Varolon will be sacrificed to the summoning circle. The portal will open… and I’ll return. Markia ensures that it happens.’

Her eyes narrowed.

‘And that’s why Van Hellix must die.’

‘Because there’s no world where he doesn’t interrupt this. No world where he lets me come home. I can already see him… Smug. Looking at me… Saying something along the lines of how it would ‘Leave a bad taste’ in his mouth while ruining everything…’

She clenched her teeth.

‘He must die. I won’t let anyone stand in my way—especially not some self-righteous fool clinging to his own twisted logic of justice.’

She clenched her fists, nails digging deep into her palms.

‘I shall keep Markia close.’

‘That way, everything will work out.’

————— ELSEWHERE ———–

“Before you take Bella,” Alicia said, stopping Van as he reached the door. “Van…”

She folded her arms. “I want to go back to the Demonic Realm.”

Van stood at the doorway, silent for a few moments. “…We talked about this.”

“I know. The Gods might find us. We could be hunted. After you cut my connection with the Archdevil, I doubt I’ll be welcomed by our God—or any of my kin… Well, part Varlog and my dearest cousin.”

She stepped closer, slowly leaning against his back; soft, but heavy.

“…Then you need to kill them, Van.”

“All of them.”

Van took a breath.

“For our survival,” she continued. “You understand that, right? That way, we can finally be free.”

“…” Van said nothing.

‘…I bet the humans thought the same about you, Alicia.’

He looked down at her arms, wrapped around him.

‘That the only way they’d be free… was by slaying you.’

‘And honestly… I get it.’

‘I still don’t know how strong a single God really is.’

‘The only being close to that was… This Demi-God labeled by the system that I fought. A transmigrator, like me… and I nearly lost everything in that fight. I barely pulled through.’

‘I might not have a choice but to kill them all, when the time comes.’

‘No matter how hard I try… I’m not sure I’m strong enough to avoid it.’

His eyes narrowed.

‘Especially you.’

‘Varolia. Just… why do you want me dead?’

‘And that Knight I saw all those years ago; the one who showed me Belial’s secret skills…’

‘I haven’t seen him since.’

He sighed.

“Alright, Alicia. We’ll talk about this when we get back.”

He gently lifted her arms from around him, then stepped outside.

‘I’ll think about it later.’

“Daddy, come on!” a voice called from the open mountainside. “The day’s nearly over!”

There stood Bella.

Van and Alicia’s firstborn; hair as red as her mother’s, but no visible horns.

And just like the dark ocean on a moonless night, like the sunlight rising over black water, so too did his pupils lift to meet her.

The sun returned to his eyes. A smile touched his lips.

“There you are,” he whispered, walking toward her.

“Of course I AM!” she shouted, hands on hips, pouting as she bent toward him. “Were you stalling with Mommy!? You promised today was mine! And then this morning you disappeared for, like… forever!”

“I’m sorry,” he said with a light chuckle. “You’re right. Daddy had something to take care of… And I went back after those ‘forever’ four minutes, didn’t I?”

He brushed her hair, then pulled her into an embrace.

“…Hmph.” She looked away, still pouting. “I’m not forgiving you..! You have to stay with me the whole day now. Like you promised.”

“Alright,” he smiled. “I’m yours for today, like I promised.”

She looked up at him.

“So boring. Say something clever.”

“Doitsu No Kagaku No Sekai Ichiiii~,” Van replied instantly.

“Doesn’t COUNT!” she stomped, pulling away.

“…Anyway, stand still,” she muttered, still pouting. “I need to cast that spell again, right?”
Her voice dropped—quieter, more serious. “To make you look older…”

“Wait.” Van raised a hand, stopping her just as her palm began to glow.

“Bella… is everything okay?”

She slowly lowered her hand, eyes shifting to the side as a subtle blush crept across her face.

“…?” Van tilted his head.

“Y–You don’t really have to… uhm… use that spell, right? W-We could just… pretend that… you’re… uhm… and I’m… uh… g–going out with you… or whatever…”

‘Ah… I see what this is,’ Van thought, watching her carefully.

‘She’s at that age, after all. Good thing Lilith warned me about this…’

————— A FEW DAYS EARLIER —————-

“How’s Cain?” Van asked, approaching Lilith…

…or as she was once known:

The Guardian of Wind. An A-Rank Summoned Spirit.

Lilith remained a familiar bound to Van by contract; sustained through Mana whenever she was summoned out in the material world. When his Mana reserves ran dry, she would draw on his life-force instead.

Fortunately for her, Van had 99,999 VIGOR; keeping her manifested in the material world, visible to others, was barely an inconvenience to him.

Even if he did die of exhaustion, he’d just revive soon after.

It was Van’s idea to ask for her help in raising the children he had with Alicia.
Alicia agreed immediately — relieved to pass that burden onto someone more capable.

And, surprisingly…

Lilith didn’t resist.

She remained outside the spirit world for fourteen years straight; not once returning.

Van had asked her once if she needed a break.

She simply replied, “As long as my master’s fine with it, so am I.”

Her strength, after all, was tied directly to his reservoir.

In the end…

She didn’t just accept the role.

She embraced it.

[Like a prince. He never cries when I hold him, so there’s that,] she replied calmly as Van drew closer, eyes landing on the small bundle in her arms — his son, Cain.

Black hair. Tiny horns just beginning to form on his forehead. His little hands and feet flailed excitedly as Lilith held him close.

“Ohh… Having a crush at his age already? Hahaha. He’s so grown up,” Van cooed, tickling the boy’s belly.

[Naturally. It’s common for children his age to be attracted to their mothers or caretakers,] she said plainly.

“…Wait, I was joking. That’s… actually a thing?” Van narrowed his eyes slightly.

[Yes. Speaking of which… Bella’s showing signs of it too.]

“She… She is? But… She’s a teenager.” Van cleared his throat.

[Indeed. It’s already evident. She’s a teenager now, true… But her emotions are much more volatile at that age. And it certainly doesn’t help that you look just a few years older than her and often act like it too. Can’t you mature already?]

Van felt a sharp stab in his chest following her remark.

‘I deserved that.’

“I… I see…”

[In any case, it’s natural. She’s at that stage where she can’t yet distinguish admiration from romantic affection; especially with how she’s beginning to see the opposite sex through the lens of arousal. Your role is to help her navigate that confusion without causing harm.]

“…Huh,” Van murmured, processing her words.

Lilith glanced at him. [What is it?]

“I mean…” He scratched his head, trying to smile. “So this is normal for kids that age, right? There’s nothing I need to be worried about?”

[If I didn’t know you as well as I do, I’d be asking more questions; because you sound suspicious.]

[But since I’ve helped raise both Bella and Cain, and I know you and the mistress, I’ll say this: no, Van. You don’t need to worry.]

“…That’s a relief,” he exhaled.

She narrowed her eyes.

[Feelings for your daughter are not natural—]

“NONONONONO—!” He frantically waved his hands, flustered. “It’s not like that! I didn’t mean it that way!”

[Then explain your reaction. Or I stay suspicious… and gently steer Bella away from you.]

He looked away, scratching his arm.

“…Before I transmigrated, after my father had his second divorce… I lived with my stepmother. We weren’t related, but… she raised me from the time I was small. And I guess I had similar feelings. I didn’t know how to tell admiration apart from love. I thought maybe… I felt something romantic. But now I know it wasn’t. It was admiration. I just… never had the clarity back then.”

‘I guess that’s part of why I still see her in my head… Amoria. She really knew how to play the part, didn’t she?’

He let out a chuckle; dry and a little bitter. He hadn’t thought about her in a long time, but the feeling lingered, like a ghost in the corners of memory.

‘Reminding me of her.’

Lilith paused, sensing the vulnerability in his tone.

[I see,] she said gently. [I’m sorry for assuming… And pushing.]

Then, after a beat:

[Is that why you have a mommy complex?]

“….”

[…That was a joke. I tried to lighten the mood. I failed. I apologize,] she added with a faint smirk.

“You don’t look or sound sorry.”

[You’re very perceptive, Master.]

———- PRESENT ————-

‘…Alright. Cool. But what the hell am I supposed to say to that?’ Van looked at Bella, her face turned away, flushed.

‘I know I should guide her through this… But if I shut her down too bluntly, she’ll just feel embarrassed. Maybe even humiliated.’

‘And yeah… if my mom had ever done something like that to me at her age—Well, if I’d ever been as bold as Bella is now… I would’ve wanted the earth to swallow me whole.’

He swallowed.

‘She must’ve worked up a lot of courage to say that, didn’t she?’

He smiled softly.

‘Alright, kiddo. I hear you.’

“So…? Do you still… want me to use the spell?” she asked quietly, still avoiding his eyes.

“…Alright. Let’s skip it,” Van said gently.

Bella blinked, her eyes flicking up — her face lighting with surprise.

“R-Really!? You… you mean it? You don’t want to use it?”

Van stepped forward, resting a hand on her shoulder as he met her eyes with a calm smile.

“Mmhm. It’ll be our little secret.” She beamed.

“But since people might recognize me in the Capital, we can’t go anywhere crowded. Got it?”

“It’s okay,” she replied, still smiling. “It’s our secret, after all!”

Van sighed softly, relieved.

“Alright. Hang on tight.”

He took her hand and raised his palm, readying his one and only active skill.

“Daddy,” Bella murmured, watching his palm glow, “Can… can you teach me how to teleport like that?”

He turned to her.

“It’s not something you can learn… and technically, it’s not teleporting either.”

“Then… what is it?”

“I’ll tell you when we get there. Deal?”

“…Deal!”

“Hard Swing: Void Orbit.”

And just like that, they vanished from sight.

15 years after Van’s departure, and his agreement with the Dragon King.

Location: Arataxia.

The Dungeon beneath Supremium, the city of eternal day.

The sacred seat of Goddess Varolia.

Within its depths, the cell of Magus Veil.

“…Why let me talk…?” Magus rasped, voice brittle. “Even if you’re no longer under my influence… what reason did you have to come here and talk to me…? After all these years…”

He lay sprawled across the cold stone floor, tilting his head toward the bars—toward her.

Varolia.

The Goddess herself.

Her radiant figure looked almost unnatural against the damp, torch-lit air of the dungeon. Light danced in her eyes. Eyes that narrowed as she folded her arms.

[I just love seeing you like this.] She started with an exhale, a tiny smirk hiding in her lips, [And I was curious what you’d say. After losing everything.]

[Including your powers.]

[Guess I’m admiring my daughter’s handiwork. Stripping you of it all.]

She hissed the words with a satisfied edge, then turned away.

“Our daughter,” Magus corrected quietly, gaze lowering to the floor.

[Mine.] She stopped herself, her back still turned to Magus, [You may have reminded me what it felt like to be pregnant again…]

[But that ended the moment I gave birth.]

[Along with any sentiment I had left for you.]

Magus let out a dry chuckle. “You’ve always been like that… getting off on watching people suffer.”

[Hmhm.] Her laugh echoed, harsher now. She looked up at the ceiling of the dungeon with a smile; her arms still folded.

[How perceptive. Always the sharp one.]

[Or maybe that’s just the last embers of your influence trying to speak through me.]

[Either way, I got what I came for.]

She resumed walking, already halfway up the stairs.

[Enjoy the rest of your life here.]

“Hey.” Magus’s voice was low now. Barely audible.

“Why don’t you just kill me?”

She stopped.

Half-turned. [Because,] she said, [you’re still useful. A tool I might need… when Hellix and I meet again.]

“…Right.” Magus exhaled again. “If you’re really free of my influence, or even his with that dumb curse he has, remind me again why you hate him so much?”

Varolia went quiet.

Then, coldly: [He holds power beyond anyone in this realm… Well, besides my Markia right now, whose existence is neigh conceptual. But she earned that power for being my daughter. Hellix is young and reckless. This is survival. He needs to die. And it has to be by my… Or Markia’s hand.]

“…?” Magus raised a brow. “Why you?”

She took a slow breath.

[Because he walks around as if nothing happened. As if erasing his past and cozying up to the Demon Lord excuses everything. Power like that… unchecked… can topple us all. It’s an insult.]

[And because of those monkeys who call themselves gods. One show of weakness, one slip, and they’ll believe they’re my equal. Even though they’re all bound to me by contract, they’re cunning. They’ll turn. Eventually. I can’t let that happen. I have to kill Hellix.]

[If that’s all,] she muttered, turning again.

“One last thing,” Magus said, stopping her as she reached the edge of the prison quarters.

“You came from our world, didn’t you?”

She paused.

“You don’t remember what it was like? Being human? Having power forced on you? Van… just wants to be happy. I bet you wanted that too, once.”

Varolia scoffed softly; a palm placed on her lips.

[Oh my… Are you really trying to reach my “human” side, hero Magus? Without your precious powers whispering into my mind? Pathetic.]

“….”

[You’re not doing a good job at reaching out to me… You’re dull now. Boring. Powerless. Pathetic.]

Magus gulped, blinking as he looked away.

[I suppose the only thing that ever made you lovable was your power. Strip that away, and you’re nothing.]

A flicker passed behind her eyes. She blinked. Lowering her head.

Her smile faded.

[I gave that up… My “Humanity” over 10,000 years ago, when I first arrived in this world. And again, when I forgot what he looked like.]

“…He…?” Magus murmured.

[…] The Goddess pursed her lips in a flinch.

[Yes, Hero Magus. Surprised? This cold, cruel goddess once had people she loved. Someone who mattered more than anything. But that’s long gone… I even forgot what he looked like. And even his name. Well, whatever it was; I left my heart and whatever conscience remained; back in our old world.]

[All that matters now… is not losing. Survival.]

Her voice sharpened.

“Huh,” he scoffed.

She swallowed. […What now?]

“I never thought you’d admit to being cruel and cold. Because… truly cold, truly cruel people; they don’t say they are.” He lifted a weak hand and pointed at her.

“I know because I didn’t.”

His voice cracked.

“… And I was the definition of those things.”

She paused. Longer than at any point in their exchange.

[…Then they’re stupid. Reckless. Shortsighted. Just like you.]

[Even with all your ambition and tactics—look where you are.]

[Rotting in a cell beneath me.]

[I will kill Van Hellix. And there’s nothing you can say or do to stop me.]

She vanished into the dark.

“Your daughter will, you mean.”

[Tomato, tomahto.] Came her distant, uninterested voice. [You will see. I may have failed with my last attempt but…]

[I am not making the same mistake twice.]

Magus narrowed his eyes, as Varolia left.

“… I guess that phrase’s not subjective to one person, huh Van?” He pulled himself up and leaned against the wall, “Be wary,”

“Someone more troublesome than everyone you’ve ever fought is coming your way. Maybe it’s best you keep hiding.”

——————

“The child of the Goddess is here!”

“Hail Markia!”

The roar of a thousand Royal Guards from the Capital shook the air as she descended from the heavens—clad in light armor, golden hair brushing against the wind, her eyes as blue as the sky itself.

“Only fourteen… and…” they whispered among themselves.

“…She’s stronger than anyone I’ve ever seen. Not even the Veil party could defeat her. Not even Magus Veil could hold a candle…”

“The First Mythic Rank human!” they chanted.

At the vanguard stood old Nickelson and his daughter, Cerille, both gazing skyward as Markia descended.

Before them stretched the three battalions of Varolon; over a thousand troops in tight formation across the open grasslands outside the Capital. The sun beamed down, indifferent.

Markia landed. Her expression: stoic. Hardened. She strode directly toward Cerille.

“Lady Markia,” Cerille called, stepping beside her, though the girl did not even glance her way. “Over a thousand dragons are approaching. We’re unsure what provoked this sudden—”

“Why are you so fucking retarded, Cerille?”

Markia’s voice cut through like a blade. Cerille instantly shut her mouth.

“…”

The surrounding Royal Guards turned away, faces and ears tense.

“Why this, why that… Just do what you’re good at and shut up. Watch me turn those lizards into rotting corpses. Then there’s no more problem, right?”

“…Yes, my Lady. But… I believe it’s important to understand what brought this—”

Markia grabbed her by the collar and yanked her down to eye level.

“You piss me the fuck off.”

Her voice was ice.

“I went out of my way to tell you something, and you still argue? Are you actually that fucking dense? Who gives a shit about their reasons? If they’re dead, they’re not a threat. Simple.”

“I…” Cerille mumbled, averting her gaze, her lips pursed.

“You whore. Still got something to say?” Markia sneered.

“Maybe I didn’t leave enough scars last time. What are you even doing here? A weakling like you, pretending to matter by bothering the only one who does matter. Mother was right—there’s no end to your idiocy…”

She leaned in with a smirk.

“How about I make sure you never swing a sword again?”

She raised her arm.

Cerille flinched, eyes shut tight.

“My Lady!”

A voice rang out.

“We await your wise commands!”

Markia froze, turning toward the speaker, Nickelson.

“…At least not your whole bloodline is retarded,” she scoffed, tossing Cerille aside and striding past him.

“No commands needed. You’re all just here to watch me obliterate that arrogant dragon.”

As Markia’s back turned to them, a knight rushed to Cerille’s side and helped her up.

“My Lady… Why do you still try to reason with her?” he asked, offering his hand. “You know how it always ends.”

“…She wasn’t always like this,” Cerille murmured, taking his hand and standing.

“When she was younger, she listened. She welcomed my counsel. Looked up to me and to Father.”

She stared at Markia’s fading silhouette.

“I suppose I hoped… that girl was still in there somewhere.”

She trailed off, then whispered to herself:

“Is this what overwhelming power does? The Demon Lord when she attacked us. The Dragon King. The Fallen Bishop who enslaved the faithful… Even Van Hellix… I heard from the Guards he once had a mean streak too. And now he’s left us.”

She lowered her eyes.

“…Left to be with her, of all people…”

“Her?” the knight asked, narrowing his eyes.

“….”

“Forget it, Knight.” She shook her head.

“Van Hellix chose love over duty. He left the city behind. And I was going to say he abandoned the place that nurtured him, but… that wouldn’t be right either.”

She exhaled, a bitter smile forming.

“If anything, this just proves it. There’s no one in this city he truly cared about. And that’s just…”

She bit her lip.

“…A shame.”

“PREPARE YOURSELVES!” Nickelson roared, his voice thundering across the field. “Tens of Thousands of Dragons will be upon us any moment—stand your ground!”

At the vanguard, Markia scoffed.

“Yeah… Get ready to witness them all turn to dust by my hand,” she muttered to herself.

‘TENS of thousands of them, huh…?’ She clicked her tongue. ‘I won’t be able to steal all their abilities before they pass me. Varolon will probably be razed… whatever.’

Her thoughts sharpened.

‘All I need to do is stop them from reaching the Circle. Save the Monarch. Save the highborn. That’ll be enough to rebuild. Enough for them to worship me…’

A smirk played on her lips.

‘Eventually, the dragons will all be dead.’

She chuckled softly.

‘Will Cerille die too…?’

She cleared her throat and shrugged.

‘Good riddance.’

‘And if what Mother said was true—this is perfect. I’ll grow stronger with every dragon that falls.’

Her gaze narrowed.

‘And then…’

‘…I’ll hunt you down, Hellix.’

Her teeth clenched.

‘You dared to become Mother’s nemesis… then vanished like a coward. You’ve got some fucking nerve. I’ll make sure you’re tortured for all eternity; your wife, your precious little family that you’ve probably made for yourself—raped to death before your eyes…!’

She growled low in her throat.

—MEANWHILE, A FEW DOZEN KILOMETERS AWAY—

“❗SOON, WE SHALL REACH THE HUMAN CAPITAL! THE CIRCLE SHALL BE OURS❗” the Dragon King’s voice thundered across the sky, echoing through the massive wings of his airborne legion as they blanketed the heavens. Their eyes gleamed with hunger. With desperation.

“Stop,” said a calm voice, sudden and absolute.

A figure had appeared midair, directly before the Dragon King’s face.

The Dragon King, despite his overwhelming speed, halted instantly. The wind snapped still around him. His vast army followed without hesitation, locking in formation behind their sovereign.

“…” The Dragon King’s jaw tightened.

“❗Van… Hellix❗”

Tens of thousands of dragons floated in silence. All eyes were on him.

Van hovered effortlessly, arms folded. He wore a loose short-sleeved shirt, cloth pants, and sandals—an appearance as unassuming as it was unreadable. His gaze didn’t waver.

He looked exactly the same as he did all those years ago. As if time had not passed at all for him.

“What’s the meaning of this, Dragon King?” he asked, voice steady.

The Dragon King took a breath.

“❗…Thou wert correct when last we spoke, Van Hellix❗” he admitted.

“❗We slay and conquer not from strength… but from weakness. Yet time presseth upon us. The Dragon God hath found our place. His presence we didst feel. We could not remain idle❗”

His wings shifted, sending massive gusts through the skies as the army behind him stirred restlessly.

“You knew I could protect you,” Van replied flatly. “We had a deal.”

“❗Aye, perhaps thou wouldst have tried❗” the Dragon King replied.

“❗But thou wouldst have failed❗ The pact that bindeth all gods unto thy Goddess also ensnareth them. Should one god fall, the rest shall come to extinguish the threat. Not even thee art strong enough to defy them all❗”

“…” Van looked downward, contemplative.

“❗And even if thou art… couldst thou truly shield us all from divine retribution? Gods whose strength is beyond thy reckoning❗?”

“So,” Van murmured, “you won’t stop… because you think I’d have failed to keep my end of the deal? You really believe I wouldn’t be able to do a thing?” He asked, raising his chin… Almost as he if looked down upon the dragon without meaning to.

As if this was simply nature.

The Dragon King flinched. The man before him—this was not the same Van he had faced all those years ago.

He looked more arrogant now… but it was the kind of arrogance that could be earned. That might be justified.

And yet, the Dragon King could not yield to emotion. Not now.

“❗Nay, I shan’t stop❗” he thundered.

“❗’Tis death either by the Child of the Goddess… or by the wrath of all the gods combined❗”

“I see.” Van exhaled. “A shame.”

“❗Then step aside, or destroy us here and now❗—”

“Well,” Van interrupted, raising his hand, “I suppose it’s my fault for not showing you this earlier. Perhaps you’d be calmer and play fair.”

The Dragon King’s eyes narrowed as Van’s hand began to glow with quiet, blue power.

“I may not be strong enough to take on all the gods. You’re right.” Van said. “But make no mistake… I am more than strong enough to avoid bloodshed here and now.”

The Dragon King knew it. Just as he’d known fifteen years ago. There was no escaping this man.

And yet… there was something different this time. A calm radiated from Van’s eyes.

Not mercy, not arrogance… inevitability.

A solution.

Then Van spoke, his tone soft.

“Hard Swing: Void Orbit.”

In the next moment, the sky cleared. Tens of thousands of dragons vanished in an instant. No flash, no thunder, not even a whisper of sound. Just silence.

And Van remained, floating alone in the air.

“Well, that’s that. I’d wanted to go with him and show him around, but I promised my daughter to give her a tour in the Capital. I’ll visit them later. Time works differently there, anyway,” he muttered to himself, then vanished as well.

Meanwhile, several dozen kilometers away…

Markia stood frozen, her mouth open in shock. She had just witnessed tens of thousands of dragons disappear in an instant.

“D… Did…”

“One of the Gods intervene!?”

“Fuck—Or ALL of them, maybe!?”

One month after Van’s departure.

“So,” Van muttered, standing before the Dragon King’s throne; high atop the mountain.

The Mountain of Dragons. A kingdom forged not by bloodline, but by brute supremacy. Every dragon here was the size of a fortress, imbued with overwhelming magic and strength not of this world. This realm belonged to the strongest—ruled by a king not born, but crowned through domination. And this Dragon King… was said to stand equal in might to the Demon Lord herself.

To uphold his reign, the king surrounded himself with the fiercest warriors his kingdom could offer.

All of whom now lay broken at Van’s feet.

Arms folded, Van stood before the towering sovereign, unfazed by the sheer scale of the draconic colossus.

“Feel like talking now?” Van asked coolly. “Or are you still gonna bark at me?”

❗ “Speak thy purpose, Van Hellix,” the Dragon King growled, his voice rumbling like a landslide across the mountain. “Why dost thou tread upon this sacred peak, laying low mine kin?”

“Don’t worry. They’re still alive.” Van sighed.

❗”What..!?”

“My hands are bloodied as of late,” he murmured. “I’ve killed far too many. Let emotion guide me more times than I’d like to admit. What I came to discuss more than anything—”

❗ “Thou DAREST mock us?!” the Dragon King thundered, his wings flaring wide with wrath.

Van didn’t flinch.

“How is that a mockery?”

❗ “Hmph! Thou comest here—ignorant, impudent—speaking the tongue of weakness! ‘Too many slain’? Bah! ‘Tis a badge of glory! To kill, and still draw breath, is the highest mark of worth! Your predecessors too acknowledged this, and now stand at the top!”

Van snorted.

“You seem really furious about me sparing you. I thought you dragons are all about wisdom and patience. What’s with the outburst, Dragon King?”

The Dragon King’s glowing eyes narrowed, his immense form looming like a living mountain. From the tip of his claw to the peak of his horns, he dwarfed Van a thousandfold.

Van glanced up, raising a brow.

‘Roughly… a hundred times Liliac’s size. How the hell can he even hear me from up there?’

[LILIAC = Alicia’s bone dragon]

❗”Thou mistaketh fury for folly,” the Dragon King rumbled, his voice echoing like thunder down the crags. “We are patient, aye. We are eternal—and with eternity, comes wisdom. Such truths are earned only through eons of war, fire, and bloodshed.”

He raised his head proudly.

❗“The more one slays, the greater their renown. Strength is truth. To kill and to endure; these are the very currencies of our world. Surely, one such as thee hath come to see this? That both this realm and the other races comprehend power through dominance—power through power.”

Van looked down, his eyes drifting to his open palm, recalling how the guards back in Varolon had fallen silent the moment he proved he could hurt them more than they could hurt him.

‘He’s not wrong…’

‘…I came here to kill him, after all,’ he thought, detached. ‘And it’s thanks to my strength that I can finally bring peace to Varolon… No; scratch that. To myself. It was strength that got me Alicia. Not something vague like empathy. Empathy came later…’

In that moment, Amoria’s smile flickered in his mind.

‘Tsk. Forget about her. You have Alicia now.’

He told himself that. But even he wasn’t fully convinced.

He shook his head.

‘There’s no reason for me to concern myself with thoughts of her. Focus.’

He exhaled.

‘Back to the topic at hand; he’s right. The stronger you get, the more you’ll have to kill. Alicia knows it. Everyone in my former party knows it. Brings a bad taste to my mouth… but it is what it is.’

His fingers curled as a memory surfaced—Belial’s words as he, instead of killing him, set him free of his circumstances.

“Thank you, Van… He said.”

Van whispered the words aloud, barely audible.

❗”Whom dost thou speak of?!” the Dragon King bellowed. “Wouldst thou lose thyself in reverie whilst in mine presence?”

Van didn’t answer at first. He blinked, eyes distant.

‘Unicus, too… or whatever had taken his place in the end. I wonder… was he the same?’

[Unicus was once an adventurer in the Royal Capital, tasked with leading an expedition. The entire party perished save for him, who returned under suspicious circumstances. It was later revealed that Unicus had been taken over by a proxy of the Goddess known as Kota, whom Van eventually defeated after a grueling battle.]

Then, a slow breath.

‘I see. That’s what this is. Why I’m thinking about all of this instead of just ending this Dragon.’

He looked back up at the towering beast.

‘I’m being arrogant again. Thinking I can do something other than killing him… Just like when I set Belial free. That’s why I haven’t killed him yet.’ He clenched his fists.

‘Still… being this strong… can’t I indulge a little?’ A crooked smirk played at his lips.

‘I can kill him anytime. What’s the harm in letting this play out just a little bit?’

Van scratched at his hair.

“By your logic… you approve of me killing your son a month ago?” he asked flatly.

❗”…Arutol was weak. If he was slain, then he was meant to be. Every soul you take was yours to take. And should one take thy life; they, too, would have earned it.”

❗”Arutol knew this. As did Yagun, when he fell to Magus Veil—!”

“I’m sorry,” Van muttered, interrupting him. “For killing your son.”

A long silence followed.

The Dragon King’s gaze narrowed further, head tilting as if to inspect something strange.

❗”…Foolishness. Foolishness upon foolishness, Van Hellix.”

❗”Once more thou dost apologize for that which is as natural as drawing breath. As natural as meat sustaining flesh. As natural as the insect serving itself unto the apex predator.”

❗”To kill is to prove. To prove is to rise. All else is noise.”

Van sighed, lying on his back against the cold stone of the temple floor.

“…”

He stared up at the sky past the towering silhouette of the Dragon King. Slowly, he raised his palm toward the heavens, eyes half-lidded.

He pictured Belial’s smile. Unshackled, mind freed; just before he left.

“Imagine…” Van murmured. His voice suddenly softer. Distant.

The mighty Dragon King flinched in response.

“…If I could just Hard Swing your drive to kill,” Van chuckled. “Wouldn’t that be something? If I could just… flip the desire to protect into you like a switch. Just overwrite you, rewire you. That would be strength, wouldn’t it?”

❗”If thou wert mighty enough to influence me… to enslave me even, then so be it. My life would be naught before thine. Speak clearly, Hellix. What madness dost thou now mutter?”

“It would be naught, wouldn’t it?” Van said quietly, arm still raised, wrist loose. “Your life… if I were almighty. If I had the strength of the God of all Gods, and could simply change you. To make you ‘good’.”

He smiled weakly.

“To bend your truth into something else. Just because I can. That’s the power you worship, right?”

The Dragon King’s gaze narrowed, his body coiling tighter with every word.

❗”…It is as thou sayest. The sole reason thou still drawest breath is because thou art beyond even mine strength.”

Van nodded.

“Then…”

Van let his hand fall.

“I wouldn’t really have to kill you at all, would I? To prove my strength.”

❗…..!

Van stared upward, eyes soft.

“I’m almighty, after all. I don’t have to be scared of anything. No one can hurt me anymore, or… Assert themselves; as you say.”

His voice drifted, more to himself than to the dragon.

“Why would I need to kill?”

He exhaled slowly, gaze lost to the sky beyond.

“Imagine… I could’ve gone back in time. Stopped Magus from ever getting those skills. We could’ve just… had a normal adventure. Cooked something new each day from our world. Laughed. Fought over spices. Tripped over stupid things. That’s all I ever wanted.”

“If I were almighty… I could’ve made sure everyone worked together. I wouldn’t need to threaten anyone. Wouldn’t need to raise my voice or brandish a blade. No one would hurt the people I love. Not even if they tried.”

He paused, blinking slowly.

“Because I’d be too strong to be afraid.”

The Dragon King drew a long breath. Like a canon, loading his throat with words.

❗”You…”

And for the first time in his long, long life, the Dragon King said nothing else. His fire wouldn’t be drawn outward.

Silence thundered around them.

All his life, he’d known strength. All his life, he’d been taught: to dominate is to endure. To endure is to conquer. To conquer is to kill.

He had assumed Van’s words were but another form of power. Another game of superiority. Just polished, poetic intimidation.

But then… something cracked.

The Dragon King was the strongest Dragon. Unquestionably.

So why did he need to prove it?

If he were truly strong…

Why did he ever need to kill?

And then a thought slithered through his mind.

If I must kill to prove my strength… then every death… is a confession of weakness… is it not?

The Dragon King let out a low growl as he subtly shook his mighty head, shooing the thought away.

❗“Heretical. Truly heretical. Thy ramblings…”

“Then, forget it, forget it,” Van waved his hand, snapping the dragon out of its thoughts.

“I felt like messing around a bit. Consider it nothing more than ramblings for now.” He patted the dust off himself as he stood straighter.

“I do want a real answer though. How are dragons able to attack humans?” Van folded his legs. “And why raze Varolon? What are you after in the Capital?”

❗”…”

❗“I take it thou art aware, Van Hellix, of the contracts imposed upon all Gods by the human Goddess. The pacts that forbid any race from initiating war against mankind.”

Van nodded.

❗“These decrees bind all races under divine sovereignty. Even acts of pettiness, be it theft or slaughter, are met with divine punishment if committed across races. Internal strife is overlooked. However… should a human harm or slay one of stature from another race without a ‘right cause’, it is deemed the first act of war. The contract is annulled.”

“…”

Van narrowed his gaze.

“…Right. I get what you’re saying. Varlog told me the basics. If an elf kills a human, divine punishment follows. If a human kills an elf nothing happens unless the elf’s a big shot or something. Hm.”

He sighed.

‘I bet that contract’s a nightmare to read. So many loopholes and vague rules…’ Van scratched his head.

“But what’s your point in all this? How are you able to attack humans and not get punished by the contract?” He fixed his gaze on the mighty dragon.

❗“Because we are no longer sovereign to our God.”

“…!”

❗“We discovered a way to sever the bond with the Dragon God—through the very weaves of energy that permeate this world and the realms beyond.”

‘Isn’t that… How I freed Belial?! Is he talking about Aura? Like what I can see now because of that skill?’

[Seed of Darkness]

❗“Through centuries of relentless training and attunement to our inner force, we unearthed a thread. One that tethered us to the divine. We did not hesitate. We severed it.”

“Why?”

❗“If such a bond can be broken, then it was never worthy of binding us.”

‘Ah. Right. Dragons are prideful.’

“Alright… I won’t ask how you did it. I already have an idea.”

❗“What?!”

“Moving on. We know how you did it. But why attack Varolon?”

The Dragon King looked down on Van, a moment of silence passed. That human before him had brushed off a truth kept from all, even Gods… And even past heroes themselves. Just what does this man know? He wondered.

❗“To siphon the essence from the summoning circle. The energy… of the Void.”

Again. That thing—the Void. Something was written about it in my [SEED OF DARKNESS] passive… and that weird digital message talked about it, too.

“So in the end, it all comes down to power?” Van asked, fixing his gaze on the Dragon King.

❗“Correct. Neither I nor mine lie about such matters. Power is our purpose—we shall pursue it unto the end of days.”

Van said nothing.

He lowered his eyes.

Then raised them again.

“…So you won’t stop attacking Varolon, Dragon King?” Van muttered, his voice low, eyes heavy with knowing.

❗”…”

❗”Never.”

“…So be it.” He looked away, scratching the side of his head with a bitter smile. “I never said I was strong enough to spare you, did I?” He began walking forward, slow, deliberate. His fist tightened.

‘Despite what I said being nothing but ramblings… It feels the same,‘ the thought echoed in Van’s mind, ‘exactly the same… as giving up.’

But the truth stood clear before him: if spared, the Dragon King would raze Varolon to ash.

“And I…”

“…Never make the same mistake twice.” He stopped just shy of the Dragon’s claw.

The Dragon King knew. Even a beast forged in conquest could feel it in the air. There was no path forward. No more moves to make. This was not a duel.

This was judgment.

An executioner who had, for a brief moment, let mercy color his blade before casting it off.

This was the end.

“Gooooooooooooosfraba…” Van exhaled, slow and deep.

❗“…!?” The Dragon flinched, puzzled, glancing downward.

“GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooosfraba…” he exhaled even deeper, as if breathing out the weight of the world.

Silence fell.

“I never make the same mistake twice,” Van repeated, voice steady.

“So…” he continued, lifting his head, “…Help me not make it a third time.” He gently pressed his palm against the Dragon’s claw.

‘I’ll choose it again. I may not be strong enough to spare him…’

Van blinked. In the dark of his mind, he saw Alicia. Then Amoria, before he left her.

‘But I want to be. I want to become stronger. For her. For the one I still have.’

❗“Another blasphemous whisper…!”

“I’m not asking you to abandon your assault on Varolon.”

❗“What madness is this?! What do you ramble now, then!?”

“You spoke of patience. That your race is patient. Did you mean what you said?”

❗“Every word was true.”

“Then wait,” Van replied at once, firm and calm. “Just wait a while.”

❗“We cannot abide delay.”

❗“Without grace, we dost risk divine wrath from our God. Yet this path we tread is not only to ensure our survival; but perchance, to surpass even our God in might.”

“…Then what if I protected you? Until I figured something that works for both the humans and you?” Van asked.

❗…!!❗

“When it comes down to it, you call me. I’ll help you.”

Five hours later…

“He finally agreed…” Van left the mountain, exhausted, replaying the Dragon King’s words in his mind:

❗”BLAH BLAH ANOTHER BLASPHEMY WE DRAGONS SHALL NOT BLAH BLAH THE DRAGON PRIDE BLAH BLAH CENTURIES OF TRADITION BLAH BLAH”

The Dragon King ended up just venting his frustration for five hours. Van nodded along, leveraging the fact that the Dragon King would rather not have his entire race annihilated by Van. And that if Van helps them with the threat of the Dragon God, they’re essentially free.

“You really think that will help?” Alicia muttered, appearing from a dark corner beneath the mountain.

“…Alicia.” Van looked at her as she gazed up at the mountain.

“I’m surprised. That old bastard managed to cut the ties with the Dragon God on his own.”

“You listened?”

“Of course. I was curious.” Alicia nodded. “Van,” she called, as she approached him, pinning herself against him, her eyes half-lidded as she looked up at him.

“You realize this is a mistake, don’t you? You can babble about wanting to be stronger. I understand that. But that old bastard gave you some noble words, and you fell for every one. The truth is, they kill for fun and eat humans, as well as anyone else they can lay their claws upon. You expect them to go vegetarian or something?”

“I don’t appreciate your mocking, Alicia,” Van spoke, gently, as he looked at her evenly.

“You deserve it.”

“I don’t. Stop it.”

“…Fine. I apologize.” Alicia backed away from him, sighing. “But do you truly believe that the Dragon King will blindly follow your words?”

“…” Van didn’t reply.

“You are powerful. More so than anyone I’ve ever met in my life. But Van, you cannot handle that menace alive.”

Van chuckled lightly.

“I’m handling you.”

“I am serious,” Alicia said firmly. “Flattery this time will not work. If you believe this is going to work, fine. But relying solely on emotion over something as grand as this… I don’t believe this will work at all. I disagree with how you handled this. You are NOT strong enough to handle him if he goes rogue, Van. Especially with no contingency plan in place.”

Van looked at her evenly.

“Take my hand, Alicia.” He gently reached out with his palm toward her.

“…” She looked at his palm, then at his calm expression that bore a smirk of confidence.

She then held his palm.

“This may not be absolute proof, what I’m about to show you… And right now, it’s still in development; you can say. But if you want contingency, it might check that box.”

“Alright. Show me.”

“[Hard Swing],” Van cast.

A flash of blue enveloped them both. Then, they were gone.

A few seconds later… they were back beneath the mountain.

Alicia didn’t speak.

She stood perfectly still, her expression unreadable. Mouth slightly open. Eyes wide, unfocused, staring at nothing.

Her shoulders rose with a sharp inhale.

“Haa… ahhhh…”

Her arms trembled as she looked down, grounding herself. The silence stretched.

Van waited.

Then, without turning to him, she spoke.

“By the way,” She let out, “…I’m pregnant.”

His head snapped at her. His eyes even wider than hers.

“What?!”