---
There was light.
Not warm. Not cold. Not even divine or whatever.
It was clean. That was the only way Aster could describe it.
A pale silver-white glow coiled around him, soft and merciless all at once. Like moonlight condensed into steel. Like mercy twisted into resolve. The pain didn't disappear—but it bowed. It receded, like a beast cowed by something greater.
Aster didn't even know all these fancy words before but as soon as he say that blade he instantly learned them
Aster blinked through the blood crusting his lashes.
> [??? Mystery Item Unlocked: Leukolepida]
Type: Weapon (Soul-Bound – Awakened)
Status: Dormant (Initial Sync: 2%)
Description: A blade forged from contradiction. Carries the weight of both salvation and judgment.
Passive: Will of the Broken – Increases survivability under despair. Enhances resistance to fear, hopelessness, and fatal blows.
Active (Locked): ???
Warning: Weapon may reject user upon soul fracture.
...
Wow just what i needed to hear after this
He exhaled a shaky laugh. "Pale Leprechaun what now?"
The system didn't dignify that with a reply.
Instead, the weapon appeared in his hand—no flash, no explosion. Just was no kapoof or something.
A sword. Kind of or maybe.
Not sleek. Not elegant. Jagged in places, the metal looking like cracked glass glued back together by moonlight and stubbornness whatever that meant. It pulsed faintly with each of his heartbeats. He could feel it—inside him. Not like a tool. Like a scar.
The demons paused.
They felt it too.
Aster almost grinned
Their snarling stopped. Some backed away. Others screeched like they'd been burned just by the light touching their shadows.
Aster took a breath. Wiped the blood from his mouth.
And stood.
He didn't feel powerful. Not really. He still felt like Aster—sarcastic, overwhelmed, hanging on by a thread. But now that thread was sharp. And the hand that held it had stopped shaking.
"For the record," he said, stepping forward, "I still hate this place. and every single one of you."
The first demon lunged.
He moved without thinking. The blade moved for him .
A silver arc. One cut.
The demon didn't even scream. It just—ceased. Unmade, like someone had rewritten the script and deleted its name from the cast list.
Aster stared.
Then blinked.
"...Huh."
The other demons howled, enraged. Terrified. Confused.
One after another, they charged.
And Aster, for the first time in his entire messed-up second life, didn't run.
For the first time he felt stronger than his opponent
---
Ten minutes.
That's how long it took before the hallway was empty.
Not because the demons retreated.
Because they were gone. like literally extinct.
Sliced. Banished. Erased. The weapon—Leukolepida—was still pulsing, still whispering against his bones. But quieter now. Calmer. Like it had gotten what it wanted.
Aster stood amid cracked tiles and broken bodies. Panting. Soaked in blood—some his, most not.
> [Quest Complete: Survive the Crimson Bell]
Reward Unlocked: Class Awakening — ???
Bonus: Soul Affinity Detected
Calculating…
He didn't even cheer. Didn't smirk. Just collapsed against the wall and slid down until he was sitting on the floor.
Everything hurt. But it hurt in a way that said he was still alive.
"I have... no idea what just happened," he muttered.
"But maybe living a little bit longer ... Won't be such a bad thing" he said relief washing over him
Footsteps echoed down the hallway.
Sorin. Limping. Covered in burns, but alive. His sword dragged behind him.
His eyes locked onto Aster—and the blade.
"You awakened it!?!?," he said suprised but too tired to cause a scene.
Aster looked up. "You sound surprised."
"I am." Sorin's voice was unreadable. "That blade hasn't chosen anyone in all my regressions. It shouldn't be possible."
"Yeah? Well, maybe the universe just ran out of good options." did i hear him right or did he say regressions???
Sorin walked over, paused, then sat beside him.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Aster broke the silence. "I have questions."
Sorin snorted. "I figured."
"I'm serious. What is Leukolepida? Why did the sky go red? What the hell are these demons? Why do you keep lurking in corners like a budget Batman? And what does Class Awakening mean?"
Maybe the last one isn't something he can answer
Sorin gave him a long look.
"You really want the truth?"
Aster nodded.
"Then get some rest." Sorin stood again. "Because if you're going to survive what's coming next, sarcasm won't be enough."
Aster groaned. "Damn it."
Did he really think it was ever enough?. Ahh that guy!
> [Class Awakening Imminent.]
Syncing with weapon…
Bloodline Response: Weak
Soul Status: Unstable
Proceed with Class Awakening?
Y/N
Aster stared at the screen.
He didn't even know what the right answer was.
But that never stopped him before.
"Y," he whispered.
And everything turned white.
---