Inside the Elvareth mansion, Fiona sat silently, her gaze fixed toward the direction of the border. Her eyes brimmed with worry for Kairos. She knew he was capable—but at this moment, something dark, something sinister gnawed at her heart.
She spent nearly the entire day watching and waiting, hoping a letter would arrive. But no matter how long she waited, not a single word came. Anxiety gnawed at her mind until she began to imagine comforting illusions.
"He'll be back for sure. He's strong. He promised me..."
She clung to that hope. No matter how cruel the world was, she believed he would stand before her again—just like always. She wished with all her heart for that to be true once more.
...
On the battlefield
Kairos stood before Drashmir, his gaze shaking in disbelief at the demon king's overwhelming power.
"Oh? What, no more attacks?"
Drashmir's mocking voice snapped Kairos back to his senses. He tightened his grip on his spear and thought:
(I can't give up... Someone's still waiting for me.)
Without hesitation, Kairos charged in—but once again, his spear was deflected. Drashmir's power distorted space, nullifying every attack.
"Dimensional distortion, huh... This is bad."
"Hahaha! Come at me again, little human!"
Drashmir lunged, summoning a massive black blade and slashing rapidly. Kairos blocked with precision, his mind racing for a way to win.
Drashmir's power had grown immensely. Speed, strength—everything was on another level now. Still, Kairos fought back with unwavering resolve.
Once he adapted to Drashmir's movements, he retreated momentarily and shouted:
"Secret Technique #7: Awakening of Arkelis!"
His body flared with a red-and-black lightning aura. Empowered, he vanished in a flash.
Whssssh!
His spear cut through the air, nearly hitting Drashmir—but the divine distortion bent it away again. Kairos struck from every angle, faster than the eye could follow, but still couldn't land a hit.
"Tch... This power protects him automatically. Just the intention to strike is enough to redirect it... But I have to break through."
He called out his next attacks:
"Technique #1: Crimson Comet!"
"Technique #2: Hundred-Piercing Spears!"
"Technique #3: Dragon's Ascent!"
"Technique #4: Dragon's Fang!"
"Technique #5: Dragon Spiral Wave!"
Each technique failed to pierce the defense. Kairos, exhausted and bloodied, now faced a wall he couldn't overcome.
Over thirty minutes passed. One of Drashmir's strikes sent him flying across the battlefield.
"Hm? Are you smiling...?"
"Heh... Even though I'm about to die..."
Memories flooded his mind—of his childhood as an untouchable prodigy. He had never learned what it meant to be human. His parents tried to raise him with warmth and understanding, but his strength always made him feel isolated.
(What if... I had just been normal...?)
"Tell me your name, warrior."
"Kairos Arkelis."
"I, Demon King Drashmir, shall remember you as a worthy opponent."
Drashmir began gathering power for the final blow—but just then, Kairos sprang to his feet, narrowly dodging the strike.
"I thought you'd given up, Kairos!"
"How could I? There are still people waiting for me!"
His spear blazed with a brilliant light—Velarche had reached the legendary Stage 3.
"At last... Velarche, the final evolution. The level where a weapon follows its master's will..."
With newfound hope, Kairos lunged.
Shwing!
Black blood burst from Drashmir's chest. Shock registered on the demon king's face.
"How... did you pierce divine protection!?"
Furious, Drashmir counterattacked. Kairos took a slash to the chest, then a flurry of punches and kicks. He was too weak to dodge now.
Drashmir charged his sword with dark energy.
Kairos raised his spear.
"Technique #6: Dragon's Wrath!"
A roar of power erupted behind him, twin dragon silhouettes howling with him. He seized the moment.
"Technique #8: Sky-Sundering Strike!!"
Spear met blade. A tremendous explosion shook the land—
BOOOOM!!
Dust engulfed the battlefield. When it cleared, Drashmir lay coughing blood. Kairos still stood—barely.
Drashmir fled.
"I'll settle this later, human..."
As he disappeared, Kairos collapsed. His wounds were too severe.
"Damn... I couldn't finish it..."
"This darkness... I'm slipping away..."
"I miss her... I wanted to be by her side longer... I'm sorry, Fiona... I'm sorry... I couldn't keep my promise..."
Kairos died on the battlefield.
...
Back at the Elvareth mansion
Fiona rushed downstairs upon hearing a letter had arrived from the front.
"A letter from the military command, miss."
The servant's voice trembled.
Fiona's hands shook as she opened it, praying silently.
But in the end... it wasn't what she hoped.
She dropped to her knees, tears falling uncontrollably. Her family rushed to her side, but her cries didn't stop.
Eventually, she fainted from sorrow.