In a place where darkness shrouded everything and only the searing river offered a faint glow to the surroundings, silence reigned. No sounds could be heard except for the boiling, blazing river.
On the dark ground, a young man lay quietly next to a broad sword. His gentle face was smeared with dried blood, and his body was covered in gashes and gaping wounds.
After some time, his eyelashes quivered as he slowly opened his eyes. He clutched his head, a sharp pain pulsing within.
Beyond the pain in his head, a deep numbness spread through his entire body. His limbs felt unbearably heavy, leaving him unable to support himself to stand.
He forced his trembling hand to reach for his interspatial ring. When his fingers finally brushed it, a small vial materialized. Though he was weak, he mustered what little strength remained to smash the vial and quickly retrieve its contents.
He placed the red pill into his mouth, letting it dissolve against his tongue. He closed his eyes and focused on the sensation of the medicine's energy coursing through his veins.
Minutes passed as he rested, his breathing gradually easing, though he still could not rise to his feet. A trickle of strength returned to him, enough that he propped himself up into a sitting position.
Even so, a tightness squeezed his chest, and his thighs remained numb. He turned his gaze around the darkness, confusion clouding his expression.
"Where am I…?" he murmured to himself, bewildered.
He tried to sense any presence in this place, but no matter how hard he focused, he felt nothing.
"At last…you've awakened."
A deep voice suddenly echoed through the darkness. Startled, Finn snapped to alertness, whipping his gaze in every direction.
He could not tell if the voice belonged to a man, woman, elder, or child—but it exuded a pressure so immense it felt as though it would crush him.
"Who's there?!" Finn shouted, his voice firm despite his fear.
He groped for his large sword. Though he managed to grasp it, his arms trembled—no matter how he strained, he couldn't lift it.
For a moment, there was only silence. Then, nine spheres of fire suddenly ignited in the distance, floating in a circle. Moments later, a massive pair of crimson eyes materialized among them.
Finn recoiled, stunned by the oppressive force that emanated from those eyes—but then, just as suddenly, the force receded.
'Where did those enormous red eyes come from?!' Finn wondered, heart racing.
He snapped from his thoughts as the strange voice resonated again.
"It's a miracle you survived the grievous wounds you sustained. You even consumed a forbidden pill, yet your injuries heal rapidly. Such is fitting…for your mysterious nature."
Finn's eyes widened. He could scarcely believe that this being—whatever it was—knew what had happened to him.
"Who are you? What do you want from me?!" he demanded, anxiety prickling at his skin.
He had survived the sinister creatures, only to find himself facing something far more terrifying.
"You need not fear me, Finn Doria. I have no ill intent toward you. I am simply intrigued—curious why someone from the lower realm carries such a dreadful power sealed within."
'Lower realm? What was that supposed to mean?'
Finn took a deep breath, striving to calm himself. He lifted his gaze and looked respectfully at the enormous eyes.
"Whoever you may be, please…explain what you mean. Because I do not understand any of this," Finn replied earnestly.
"Mm. So you do not yet know…" the voice answered softly. Then it continued, "Who are you, truly, Finn Doria? Why do I sense a familiar aura within you?"
Strength returned to Finn's limbs at last. Carefully, he rose to his feet and stored his weapon in his interspatial ring.
"I come from a kingdom called the Sacred Dragon Kingdom. My clan is the Azure Wood Family," Finn answered respectfully.
"Impossible! There's no way a forsaken place like that could produce someone like you! Speak—why are you in the lower realm?" the voice demanded, harsh and incredulous.
"I don't know what you mean, venerable being. Since I was an infant, I have lived only in the Sacred Dragon Kingdom," he replied without hesitation.
Silence fell. At last, the voice sighed heavily.
"But I cannot be mistaken… Could it be…?" it murmured, uncertainty lacing its tone.
It went quiet again.
Finn seized the moment to ask, "May I know where this place is? The last thing I remember was fighting two vile creatures. After defeating them, I lost consciousness. Wait—where is Miss Ashe?!"
The voice did not immediately respond. The giant red eyes remained locked on him, and after a pause, a young girl wreathed in thick energy suddenly appeared before Finn.
"Miss Ashe?!" he cried in shock.
He tried to reach for her, but a searing force repelled his hand. All he could do was stare at Ashe's pitiful state. A gaping wound had torn through her left chest, and her red dress was nearly shredded.
As he gazed at her, a memory returned—when she had thrown herself in front of the devil's attack meant for him.
"You are still in my world—in the Mystic Realm—Finn Doria. Everything you see belongs to me—and even your lives belong to me now," the voice declared gravely.
"You own everything here…? Then you created those creatures too?! Why would you want to harm us?" Finn demanded, anger lacing his words.
When he finished speaking, he stumbled back under the sharp glare of those giant eyes. A cold sweat gathered on his brow.
"Yes. I created those devils. They were nothing more than illusions forged by my power. As for why I endangered you—surely you knew from the moment you stepped into my world that it held perils you might not survive. If you must blame someone, blame your own weakness," the voice replied calmly.
Finn swallowed hard, then asked, "What of my other companions? Where are they? Are they safe?"
"Your heart is too soft, Finn Doria. You even risked your life for those feeble humans. Had you abandoned them, you would not be so gravely wounded now," the voice remarked.
"I chose that path because they are my comrades. I will never betray them or turn my back on them. To me, such things go against my principles," Finn said firmly, voice low but resolute.
The voice fell silent for a long moment before finally speaking again, tinged with something like sorrow.
"Betrayal and abandonment of one's own… You impress me."
There was sadness and regret in its tone, and Finn couldn't help but wonder why.
"Do not trouble yourself over the others. I have already returned them to your kingdom—six days ago. Today marks the end of your trial within the Mystic Treasure Realm," it continued.
A heavy weight lifted from Finn's chest. He bowed slightly toward the immense red eyes. Standing straighter, he spoke again with respect.
"Thank you for your kindness. May I know your identity? Are you perhaps…a Seventh Grade Vicious Beast?"
They had been speaking for some time, yet he still did not know what type of creature he faced.
"Heh! You compare me to a mere Legend Rank? Even if millions of Legend Ranks assailed me, I could annihilate them with my aura alone!" the voice thundered, brimming with disdain.
The fire spheres blazed brighter, the darkness shook with a quake, and an immense threat pressed against Finn's chest. He stared in shock at the eyes.
'Even millions of Legend Ranks…would perish against this being's aura alone?! What is this creature—a god?'
"Forgive my ignorance. Then…might I ask, what is your rank?" Finn asked cautiously.
"Even if I told you, you would not understand. Besides, it no longer matters," the voice replied. After a moment, it spoke again: "Finn Doria, do you know of Divine Beasts?"
The question struck Finn like lightning.
Of course he knew. According to the knowledge granted by his system, this world had mortals and Adventurers among the human race, but also the beast race—including Vicious Beasts and Divine Beasts.
Divine Beasts were extraordinary entities regarded as gods among monsters. They came in many forms.
There was said to be a Divine Beast that took the shape of a beautiful bird with multicolored plumage whose song could lull any being into slumber—and whose droppings could turn anything to stone. This bird was called the Adarna.
And above all, there were the dragons, the kings of the Divine Beasts, whose power could command every monster in existence. No Divine Beast had ever appeared in the Sacred Dragon Kingdom.
Now, hearing the voice mention divine beasts…could it be—?
"You…are you a legendary Divine Beast?!" Finn blurted out, stunned.
If it were true, then he stood face to face with a magnificent, almost godlike being.
"Once…yes. I was a powerful Divine Beast. But now…I am nothing but the spirit of a Fire Phoenix awaiting death in this world," the voice replied softly.
'Fire Phoenix!'
The Fire Phoenix was known as a powerful Divine Beast. How had such a creature become only a spirit? Finn stared, shaken and bewildered.
"Finn Doria…would you like to know why I became a spirit? Why I created a gateway into your small world? And why I linger here?" the phoenix asked seriously.
Finn nodded without hesitation. This was what he most wanted—to learn more of the adventurers' world.
"Good. Listen carefully and understand all I will say. In this vast cosmos, countless planets, worlds, and realms exist. Worlds are ranked into four realms: the Lower Realm, Middle Realm, Upper Realm, and the strongest—the Divine Realm, where the three most powerful forces in existence reside."
"You should know that your world is but one among thousands of Lower Realms. The Adventurers in your world are regarded as insects and refuse by those in the higher realms. You may have the potential to reach the Divine Realm yourself, but it could take thousands of years. For now, this is all I will tell you. If you wish to learn more, you must uncover it on your own."
Finn fell silent. As he absorbed the phoenix's words, he realized just how ignorant he still was. He even laughed at himself—what he had thought of as gods…were merely people like him.
"Hundreds of thousands of years ago, a cosmic war erupted between all kind of beings and the devils. Countless lives were lost. Entire worlds were shattered. Even I was gravely wounded and forced to abandon my body, becoming a spirit and creating this sanctuary to rest. Yet I know the war is not over. Ten thousand years ago, I awoke and decided to build a gateway to this place, hoping to find a successor to continue the struggle. But in all this time, I have found none worthy of inheriting my remaining power. Until you appeared. I thought you might be the one…but after inspecting you, I realized I could not pass everything on to you."
Finn stood motionless, stunned by the phoenix's long explanation. Slowly, he tried to piece together everything he'd heard.
A cosmic war between all beings and devils?
Searching for a successor?
A strange power sealed inside his body?
Countless questions crowded his mind, but he couldn't find words yet.
"That is why I wonder how someone like you ended up in such a small world," the phoenix said gravely.
"This power you speak of…can you tell me what it is? Honestly, I don't even know who I truly am…" Finn asked, his voice hushed and trembling.
"I cannot say. I sensed that the power is sealed—and I am certain your parents did it deliberately. As for why…I do not know," the phoenix replied.
Finn let out a long, heavy breath. Silence fell as his gaze turned to Ashe's broken body.
"Venerable Fire Phoenix…why can I not feel any heartbeat from Miss Ashe?" he asked, dread coiling in his chest.
"Have you still not realized it? Your little sweetheart is already dead. Her heart was crushed when she shielded you. My power alone sustains her form—but it will not last. Soon, her body will collapse completely," the phoenix declared.
Finn was not surprised. He had known Ashe's condition—but even so, he could not accept it. He looked into the giant eyes, voice pleading:
"Is there any way to save her?"
He blamed himself for Ashe's fate. If only he had been more vigilant, perhaps none of this would have happened.
"Her heart is shattered. Her soulforce coil is critically damaged. Even if I have the means to save her…why should I? Nothing in this world comes free. I gain nothing from saving her. So tell me—what reason do I have to waste my time?" the phoenix asked pointedly.
"You…you truly have a way? Please, save her! I will repay you—anything you wish!" Finn exclaimed, desperation raw in his voice.
He could not let the girl who had tried to save him die.
In Kurt's records, there was a miraculous pill that could regrow any part of the body. But it was among the lost pills sealed within the Myriad World Mirror—and surely out of his reach now.
His last hope was this divine beast.
Finn focused inward, summoning his connection to the Myriad World Mirror. He was ready to offer any treasure he possessed.
"Hm? And what do you think you can give me? I have no need of material wealth. If your parents asked me, perhaps I might consider—!"
But then, shock rippled through the phoenix's vast eyes.
He stared, aghast, as a small mirror floated out of Finn's body.
"You…! How did you come to possess a Divine Artifact?! There are only five Divine Artifacts in this world—how could such a thing end up in your hands?! And more—this one…I do not recognize it!" the phoenix exclaimed, voice booming with incredulity.
The entire realm trembled under the force of the phoenix's roar.
Finn was equally shocked—and he felt danger creeping in. He had never expected the Fire Phoenix to perceive his Myriad World Mirror. Until now, no one else had even been able to sense its true form—not even the Winged Golden Lion King.
He'd forgotten—he was facing a Divine Beast. Nothing could escape its eyes.
He was about to speak—when something utterly unforeseen occurred.
The mirror's portal opened.
And from it…a small black creature floated silently into the world.
Finn and the Fire Phoenix stared in stunned silence as the little being emerged.
Its eyes were as lifeless as ever—but a moment later, it fixed the phoenix spirit with a cold, unwavering stare.