Halochassis

To keep Lireina away from the archives room—and to enjoy a moment of privacy where no curious eyes or wandering ears could interrupt them—Shin suggested that they take a walk beneath the quiet embrace of the night.

The Luminous City’s Central Park, so lively during the day, had become almost dreamlike after sunset. Silver moonlight spilled across the cobblestone paths, giving every stone a faint crystalline sheen, while rows of enchanted lanterns bathed the sidewalks in a warm amber glow. A cool breeze drifted through the gardens, carrying with it the sweet fragrance of blooming night lilies and the earthy scent of dew settling upon the grass. Somewhere in the distance, crickets chirped in a steady rhythm, accompanied by the rustling leaves of towering trees swaying gently overhead.

They walked side by side at an unhurried pace, yet neither seemed capable of matching the other’s gaze for more than a fleeting moment. Every few seconds, one would secretly glance at the other, only to immediately look away when their eyes almost met. Their faces were painted with the same rosy blush, and the silence between them, though peaceful, was heavy with nervous anticipation. Shin absentmindedly rubbed the back of his neck while Lireina clasped her hands behind her back, occasionally brushing the tips of her fingers together as if trying to calm her racing heart.

Shin still found the entire situation difficult to believe. For years, he had admired Lireina from afar, convincing himself that her kindness toward him was simply part of her naturally gentle personality. Never—not even in his most impossible daydreams—had he imagined that she would actually give him the chance to court her. Even after confessing his feelings, a small part of him kept wondering if he would suddenly wake up from what felt like an unbelievably pleasant dream.

Lireina, on the other hand, was struggling with a completely different kind of nervousness. Despite her long life, romance remained unfamiliar territory to her. She had shared meals with people before, attended noble gatherings, and even accepted invitations to formal dinners, but none of those occasions carried the emotional weight of this simple nighttime stroll. This was the first time she had willingly opened her heart to someone who wished to become more than a friend. Every beat of her heart echoed loudly in her ears, and the warmth spreading across her cheeks refused to fade.

Unable to bear the growing silence any longer, Shin cleared his throat.

“Um, Lena—”

“Shin, I—” Lireina blurted out at the exact same moment.

For a heartbeat, they simply stared at one another before laughter escaped their lips almost simultaneously. Their awkward chuckles blended with the whispering breeze, dissolving much of the tension that had been pressing against them since they began walking. The atmosphere immediately became lighter, and both of them smiled in relief.

“You go first,” Lireina said, covering her mouth as she tried to suppress another giggle.

“No, ladies first,” Shin replied with a small, sheepish smile.

“O-Okay...” Lireina answered.

She placed a hand over her chest, taking a slow, steady breath to calm herself. The cool night air filled her lungs, but it did little to quiet the nervous fluttering inside her heart. Twirling a lock of her long golden hair around her finger, she hesitated for several seconds before finally gathering enough courage to speak.

“A-Are you really okay being with me?” she asked softly. “I-I mean... you’re a human, and I’m an elf. I’m probably as old as your great-great-grandfather.” She forced out a bashful laugh, though it lacked its usual cheerfulness as she absentmindedly played with her silky golden hair. “Doesn’t that sound... strange?”

“Ah, that.”

Shin scratched the back of his head with an embarrassed grin.

Unlike his sudden confession earlier, this was a question he had rehearsed countless times in his mind. Ever since realizing his feelings for Lireina, he had imagined every possible obstacle that could stand between them. Their difference in race, their vastly different lifespans, even how other people might judge them—he had argued against each concern in his own head over and over until he could answer them without hesitation.

“Well,” he began gently, “age is just a number. Besides, if we’re talking about appearances, I actually look older than you do, so nobody’s going to notice.” He chuckled before his expression softened into one filled with sincere affection. “To me, you’re still a beautiful young woman. That’s all I’ve ever seen whenever I look at you.”

Lireina’s pointed ears twitched ever so slightly, turning an even deeper shade of crimson. Her lips curled into a tiny smile, but uncertainty still lingered in her emerald eyes.

“W-Well, yeah, but...” she murmured.

She hugged a portion of her fluffy golden hair close to her chest, almost as though it could shield her from the vulnerability she was exposing.

“W-Wouldn’t you... leave me someday?”

Her voice was barely above a whisper, so fragile that it was nearly carried away by the wind.

Shin’s smile remained unwavering.

“I’m not crazy enough to leave you.”

He answered so naturally that it made Lireina blink.

“You could become the oldest hag in the entire universe, and I’d still love you.”

His playful grin made it obvious he intended the remark as a joke.

Lireina immediately puffed out her cheeks before reaching over and firmly pinching one of Shin’s cheeks.

“I’m not an old hag!”

“Ow, ow, ow! I’m sorry!” Shin cried, wincing as she stretched his cheek. “I didn’t mean it like that!”

“Hmph.”

She held onto him for another second before finally letting go. Shin rubbed his reddened cheek while laughing awkwardly, grateful that she had at least smiled during their little exchange.

The playful mood, however, gradually faded.

Lireina lowered her hand and gazed quietly toward the moonlit path stretching before them. The silver light reflected within her emerald eyes, making them shimmer like polished gemstones. Her cheeks were still pink, but the smile that had softened her face disappeared, replaced by an expression filled with quiet sorrow.

“I mean...” she whispered. “Elves can live for thousands of years. To us, a human’s life passes by in what feels like the blink of an eye.”

Her fingers slowly intertwined in front of her as if she were trying to hold herself together.

“I’ll be devastated if... if my lover dies long before I do.”

The breeze stirred her golden hair, causing a few loose strands to dance across her face. Shin could hear the sadness hidden beneath her calm voice, and for a brief moment, neither of them spoke. The distant chorus of insects seemed louder than ever, filling the silence that settled between them.

Shin quietly stopped walking.

Lireina halted as well and looked back at him in confusion.

He stepped closer before gently taking one of her delicate hands into both of his. His grip was warm despite the cool night air, steady enough to ease the trembling in her fingers. Then, with unwavering resolve, he lowered himself onto one knee while continuing to gaze into her sparkling emerald eyes.

“I wish I’d never have to leave you when I reach the end of my road,” Shin said with a gentle smile that carried both hope and acceptance. “If there were a way for us to stay together forever, I’d choose it without hesitation.”

He softly squeezed her hand.

“But... if that day still comes...” His voice became quieter, though no less resolute. “Then I’ll have just one wish for you.”

“W-What is it?” Lireina asked, her voice barely louder than the whispering breeze. Her hands instinctively tightened around Shin’s, and she searched his face with anxious emerald eyes, wondering what kind of wish could make him wear such a gentle yet solemn expression.

Shin took a slow breath. The cool night air filled his lungs before escaping in a quiet sigh. Countless thoughts raced through his mind, yet when he finally spoke, his voice carried neither hesitation nor uncertainty—only sincere affection.

“I wish...” he began softly, his eyes never leaving hers. “That throughout your long... long life, you never forget your feelings.” He smiled, though there was a faint sadness hidden behind it. “The sorrow... and the joy... of being in love.”

The world seemed to fall silent.

Even the chorus of insects and the rustling leaves faded into the background as those simple words echoed inside Lireina’s heart. Her emerald eyes widened before shimmering beneath the moonlight, their jewel-like brilliance clouding as tears slowly gathered along her lashes. Her lips parted soundlessly, and her trembling jaw refused to obey her as emotions she had buried for centuries surged to the surface all at once.

For a long moment, she simply stared at Shin.

She had expected many answers. Perhaps he would promise to stay by her side forever. Perhaps he would swear to find immortality somehow or reassure her with impossible vows. Never—not once—had she imagined that his wish would not be for himself, but for her future. He wasn’t asking her to remember him forever out of selfishness. Instead, he wished for her heart to remain capable of loving, even after the inevitable pain of loss.

That single thought shattered the walls she had unknowingly built around her heart.

Warm tears finally escaped the corners of her eyes, tracing glistening paths down her flushed cheeks. They sparkled like tiny crystals beneath the moonlight before falling onto the stone pavement below. She made no attempt to wipe them away. They continued to flow one after another, carrying with them emotions that had quietly accumulated over countless years.

For all the battles she had survived, for every monster she had defeated, for every kingdom she had visited, and for every century she had lived, no one had ever wished for something so simple... yet so profoundly beautiful.

Many admired her beauty.

Many respected her strength.

Some desired her status as an ancient elf.

But Shin...

Shin wished only that she would never lose the part of herself capable of loving.

At that moment, Lireina could no longer deny what her heart had been desperately trying to tell her.

Perhaps...

Perhaps this man kneeling before her truly was the one she had unknowingly waited for throughout her impossibly long life.

Unable to contain the overwhelming tide of emotion any longer, Lireina slowly lowered herself onto her knees in front of him. Before Shin could even react, she gently pulled him forward until his face rested against the softness of her chest. One hand cradled the back of his head while the other wrapped around his shoulders, drawing him into a warm, tender embrace. The silky fabric of her clothes carried the faint floral fragrance of fresh herbs and blooming lilies, while the comforting rhythm of her heartbeat echoed softly against his ear.

“I...”

The words caught inside her throat.

She wanted to thank him.

She wanted to tell him how much those words meant.

She wanted to confess that she was already beginning to fall in love with him.

But none of those thoughts could escape her trembling lips.

Instead, quiet sniffles escaped between uneven breaths as fresh tears dampened Shin’s shoulder. Her slender body quivered ever so slightly, overcome by an emotion too immense to be expressed through words alone. She simply held him closer, as though afraid that if she loosened her embrace even a little, this precious moment would disappear like a fleeting dream.

Shin froze in surprise.

His eyes widened for an instant, and his hands hovered awkwardly in the air, unsure of what to do. Never in his life had he imagined that Lireina would respond by embracing him so intimately. Feeling the warmth of her body against his own, he could almost hear the frantic beating of her heart matching the rhythm of his.

After a brief hesitation, the corners of his lips softened into a genuine smile.

He slowly wrapped his arms around her slender waist and returned the embrace with equal tenderness, careful not to squeeze too tightly. The tension left his shoulders as he rested comfortably against her, allowing himself to enjoy the quiet warmth they shared.

Around them, the sleeping city remained peaceful.

Moonlight bathed the empty streets in silver, while enchanted lanterns painted gentle pools of golden light across the cobblestone paths. The cool night breeze drifted through the avenue, carrying the scent of blooming flowers and rustling the leaves overhead with a soothing whisper. It wrapped around the two of them like a silent blessing, cool against their skin yet strangely comforting, as though the entire night itself had chosen to shelter their fragile moment together.

For the first time in what felt like forever, Shin’s restless mind became completely still.

His hatred.

His carefully woven lies.

His elaborate schemes.

The vengeance that had consumed his every waking thought.

One by one, they faded into the distant corners of his consciousness.

At that moment, none of them mattered.

All he could feel was the gentle warmth surrounding him, the softness of Lireina’s embrace, the quiet rhythm of her breathing, and the steady beat of the heart belonging to the woman he loved. For those few precious moments beneath the moonlit sky, the burdens of the world simply ceased to exist, leaving behind nothing but the peaceful silence they shared together.

Back in the Adventurer’s Guild, deep within the archive room where dust motes drifted lazily through the pale lamplight, Risha had finally uncovered the records of the Celestial Wardens. The room itself was quiet enough that even the soft rustle of parchment felt loud, and the only sounds were the faint creak of old shelves and the steady turning of pages. Her fingers tightened around the brittle document as her eyes scanned line after line, each sentence heavier than the last. The deeper she read, the more her expression changed from curiosity to disbelief, and then to outright shock.

“The Celestial Wardens are chosen by Goddess Exceria to be undefeatable in the final battle against the Demon King. Each of them were given passive skills that are absolute that are unlocked once they reached Level 99 and completed the Transcendence Quest.”

Risha stared at the words for a moment, as though looking at them longer might make them less absurd. Her brow furrowed and her lips parted slightly in silent astonishment. The idea alone was overwhelming, but what made her pulse quicken was the implication behind it. These were not ordinary blessings. These were absolute powers, divine gifts meant to turn each Warden into a force beyond the reach of normal beings. With a tense breath, she turned the page.

There, she found the records of Cattleo Vi Examillenia.

“The Silent Warlock shall have the Autonomous Spell Casting, giving him the power to cast any spell at a mere thought.”

Risha swallowed hard. Her fingertips brushed the edge of the page as if she needed the physical sensation to prove this was real. The old paper gave off a faint, dry scent, and the room suddenly felt colder than before. A mere thought. That was all it would take for him to unleash magic that would normally require chanting, concentration, and time. The scale of that ability was terrifying, and she could not stop herself from imagining what such power would look like in battle.

She turned to the next page.

This time, the records belonged to Zerova.

“The Queen of Shadows shall have the Autonomous Death, giving her the power to kill anyone instantly with a single attack.”

Risha’s stomach tightened. Her eyes lingered over the words, reading them twice, then a third time, as though repetition might soften the cruelty of the ability. It did not. If anything, each reading made it more chilling. The silence of the archive room seemed to deepen around her, and for a brief moment she could hear only her own breathing, shallow and restrained. An instant death. No hesitation, no struggle, no chance to resist. She exhaled slowly, feeling the weight of the revelation settle heavily in her chest.

With a trembling hand, she continued.

The next record revealed Saint Elwyn Logress.

“The Saint of Life shall have the Autonomous Resurrection, giving her the power to revive everyone that has died in her sight.”

Risha’s breath caught. The meaning of the words struck her with a different kind of force this time—less horrifying, but no less staggering. The ability to bring back the dead. To watch life return where there had once been only stillness. Her eyes widened as she thought of the battlefield, of fallen comrades, of lives cut short by war, and of the impossible hope such a power represented. Even so, the phrase “everyone that has died in her sight” felt immense, almost too vast for the human mind to fully comprehend.

She turned the page again.

This time, the record belonged to Garruk Stonehill.

“The Mount Kaiser shall have the Autonomous Guard Block, giving him the power to shield and endure any attacks.”

Risha read the line in silence, imagining a towering figure standing unmovable under a storm of attacks. The image brought to mind stone walls, unbreakable shields, and an indomitable body refusing to yield no matter how severe the assault. The archive room felt still and enclosed, but in her mind she could almost hear the roar of battle, the ringing clash of steel, and the impact of overwhelming force being absorbed without effect.

She moved on.

The next records belonged to Qinglong Yin.

“The Ultimate Dragon Warrior shall have the Autonomous Regeneration, giving him the power to recover from any damage.”

Risha’s eyes narrowed slightly as she read it, a mix of awe and unease twisting inside her. Recover from any damage. Any damage. The phrase was so absolute that it almost defied logic. She imagined wounds closing in an instant, broken bones mending as quickly as they were shattered, and blood being replaced by the raw power of endurance itself. The thought made her shiver despite the warmth of the lamp nearby.

Then she turned to the next page, and her gaze landed on Lireina Ashford’s records.

“The Untouchable Windwalker shall have the Autonomous Evasion, giving her the power to evade any attacks.”

Risha paused for several seconds. A soft hush seemed to fall over the archive room as she stared at the line, almost unable to move past it. Lireina’s name was written there with the same cold certainty as the others, yet the power described felt strangely fitting, as though it had been chosen to match the elf’s elegance and impossible agility. The ability to evade any attack. Not most attacks. Not powerful attacks. Any attack.

Her hand hesitated before turning the final page.

The moment she saw the last record, every muscle in her body went rigid. Her breath stopped, and for an instant she felt as if the entire room had collapsed into silence around her. This was it. The final name. The leader of the Celestial Wardens.

Alexander Goldheart.

“The Chosen One shall have Autonomous Victory, giving him the power to win any fight.”

Risha’s mind went blank.

For a long moment, she could do nothing but stare at the page, her heart pounding in her chest so loudly it almost drowned out the quiet of the archive room. The words were simple, yet the power they described was beyond anything she had ever seen. Win any fight. No qualification. No limit. No loophole she could immediately see. It was the kind of skill that seemed less like magic and more like fate itself bending in his favor.

Slowly, Risha lowered the page, her fingers stiff with tension. She could feel a chill spreading through her despite the still air of the archive room. The records no longer felt like dry history. They felt like proof of something far greater, something the world itself had been preparing for since long before any of them were born. These weren’t merely gifted warriors.

They were weapons shaped by divinity.

And Alexander Goldheart, above them all, had been given the power to triumph no matter the enemy.