Level Up Legacy

A place far away from Livia, a house that oversaw a field of flowers, sat a young man while drinking his tea. A butler walked up to him slowly, pulling a chair before sitting down. The young man turned to him with a smile, and the butler started his report.

"Runera managed to breach the outer walls," sighed the man. "There is no going back from this now. A civil war has started between two inhuman opponents. So what do you want to do, Master Avadil?"

"I would have never expected a civil war to start because of the Seika. His disappearance truly shook this kingdom more than his presence," Avadil picked up a plate of cake. "I don't need to do anything, as I managed to leave from Livia in time."

"However, is this not the best time to take the throne?" pondered his butler aloud. Avadil was about to eat the cake when he heard this, and it made him pause.

"I have no desire for power that comes with responsibility. I realized that true power comes from money, and it moves the world."

"You wanted to help the kingdom, Avadil," frowned the butler. "There is no one but you who can be its king."

"I have redeemed myself for long enough," said the prince as he ate his sweets, his face brightening. "I betrayed my father because he wanted me to succeed his bloody throne. But, fortunately, Solomon wanted it, so everyone won in the end."

"Hah, this is the first time I see someone like you, Master Avadil," the butler sounded tired. "Who refuses a throne?"

"Those who understand its responsibilities."

"Are we going to stay here, then?"

"There is no one who would bother us here."

"We are... next to the calamity gates."

"That makes this place safe from humans," Avadil waved his spoon. "As for calamities, we don't need to worry about them. After all, we found him."

The butler closed his mouth as he looked at the flower field, where a single tree stood tall and proud. A figure was sitting beneath it, gazing absent-mindedly at the dancing leaves.

"I didn't dare to believe it when you told me, Master. After all, who would have thought that the strongest person in existence is a young girl." 

***

"I already... told you... everything..." the demihuman raised his hands shakingly. Hurst stared at him with complex emotion as he realized what they did was nothing other than torture. However. Abe did not care and simply healed the demihuman again.

"I can tell that you are being honest," Abe patted his knees and rose. "Thank you for dying for my sake. I will thank you in my prayers."

Hurst watched his friend turn around and walk toward him. It felt as if he was seeing this man for the first time. A man with curly black hair that hated anything other than lazing around turned out to be a terrifying personality.

"I obtained all the information I need. So my conclusion is this: we don't need to do anything. The Seika of Living Beings will handle it. I also think that he is the one who kidnapped the citizens to make sure they don't get dragged into this war."

"That is a lot of realizations even though the apprentice did not tell us this much," Hurst frowned. "You sound like you know the Seika even though you did not know him earlier."

"You are too honest, boy," Abe shook his head. "Even after seeing me bring this human back to life, you still hold no reservations towards me?"

"I know you from before, and you seem like the same lazy-ass person, but with minor changes."

"Minor changes, huh?" Abe stared at his hand as if it did not belong to him before he closed his eyes. "The Seika, his character, and his powers remind me of someone I know. I believe they are the same person. If that was true, then Kar is the one who is in trouble."

"A person who threatens a calamity?" frowned Hurst. "Then, we need to aid the Seika in this battle."

"Are you ready to abandon your knighthood over the words of the lazy-ass me?" laughed Abe as he walked back. "However, I have other plans. I will indeed save this city, but I will not hand it over to the Seika. After all, I have yet to take my revenge."

Hurst was confused why his friend was acting all cool, but he did not have the time for this. After not receiving the healing powers of Abe, the demihuman fainted.

"What a frightening man, the Seika," muttered Hurst as he lifted the demihuman and followed after his friend. As they reached the other end of the tunnel, they were back on the main road.

"The battle will be starting soon," said Abe as he stared into the distance. "Are you sure you want to follow me instead of joining your comrades?"

"I will protect this city. This was my only oath," answered Hurst as he placed down the demihuman. "However, I thought we were going to help the Seika."

"That is also wrong. I am repaying a debt to you. That is all, Hurst. I care very little about who wins in this battle. All I need to do is to make sure this kingdom survives, right?"

"...right," Hurst felt uncomfortable when his friend spoke in such a cold manner as if he would leave the moment that he finished his debt. Yet, Hurst knew that is what would happen. "That direction is the palace."

"We need to meet the one behind the monsters, right?" said Abe as he led the way. "We are going to meet Lorius."

***

The man in front of her flinched, and a droplet of sweat appeared on his face. This change brought her great unease, for this man never showed such emotions. Ancient One rose from his chair for the first time and stared in a particular direction.

"A formidable enemy appeared, or maybe an ally?" said Saint Ai to probe his reaction. Lorius did not respond and simply turned toward her, his face darkening.

"Do not interrupt me," he said, dropping all politeness. Saint Ai was not surprised that he showed his tyranny now. Lorius cut his arm, allowing blood to pool on the ground.

The blood was enough to turn an ordinary man dry, but the Ancient One seemed unconcerned. But then, the blood started to change shape and turned into creatures she had never seen before.

"Find out who the intruder is, and report back to me. Do not engage," ordered the man, dripping with caution. Saint Ai was growing a little curious about the identity of whoever made this man feel like this, but she knew it could not be the Seika.

"You seem flustered even though there was nothing but calm earlier. It seems as if you knew the future, but now something has changed."

"Nothing changed, human," Lorius grit his teeth, his face making a horrifying expression. Then, he sighed and sat back down. "I apologize. How about I answer one of your questions as an apology?"

The change was almost too drastic to be the same person. Saint Ai was still calm because she had already died once before. However, it was a curious matter of what brought such a change.

"The fallen knight who killed me mentioned something to the Seika. That everything was already decided because the darkness is interconnected."

"Ah, that loudmouth bother," sighed Ancient One. "I am different from those fallen beings. I have a brain to think, at least. However, those words are true. Those beings are all connected to a single creature, called Nameless."

"Nameless," she muttered, amazed at the contradiction of such a name. A creature with no name, who was named Nameless. However, it made sense. "A nonexistence that exists. It fits those creatures."

"You can say that they are the same. They cannot die, not in a way that matters, as all of them are a part of something greater than themselves."

"And how can our world survive if such a creature exists?"

"It was almost destroyed, long ago, if not for the intervention of those men. There was nothing else that could stop us until he appeared."

"Then, what makes you repeat the cycle? Are you alright with meeting the same fate countless times since you know that there is no ending for you?"

"We all live to change fate, Saint," sighed Lorius. "I never wanted to be born, but here I am, fueled by the hatred of thousands. I believe that this might serve as a proper apology."

"I wonder why you answer my questions, to begin with, my captor. You spent days sitting in the same chair and chatting about the most boring details with me. What do you seek?"

"That is a good question," grinned Lorius. "I had but a single wish since I was born from hatred: to seek perfection. I wanted to be the perfect creature, and I devoured millions and commanded millions more. However, I never realized my dream was achievable until I met you."