Journey to Become the Zenith

When Death Was Cut Down

”If I am to die today, can you please tell me who it is that wants to kill me?”

Floating on calm words, the woman spoke softly - her tone like a quiet morning instead of facing something so heavy. A stillness lived in how she framed her question, more breeze than burden.

A soft wind moved through her pale golden strands, tinted faint pink by morning light. Among the trees, it danced just above her shoulders. Her gaze stayed fixed ahead, cool like shallow lake water under sun. Not angry, not afraid - simply there, breathing with the woods. Stillness settled around her like dust after a fall.

Silence came from the rough-looking figures. They stood without reply.

Their silence was heavier than any insult.

”The lady is asking you something! Answer her now!” the young handsome knight shouted angrily, stepping forward.

”Zavir, stop.”

She raised a slender hand, halting him.

The desperation in his eyes only deepened.

”It seems... this is the end,” she said softly. ”I’m sorry for leading you to your deaths.”

Her words struck harder than any blade.

Both knights tightened their grips.

”My lady, please run!” the silver-haired knight pleaded, stepping in front of her. ”Zavir and I will handle these scoundrels!”

The lady shook her head.

”I shall not run. Even if I do, I will not get far.”

”But my lady—!”

She shook her head again.

The masked men grew impatient.

Steel rang.

They charged.

The two knights moved like walls of iron, blades flashing as they defended her. But they were outnumbered. Blood sprayed across dirt and grass.

Three enemies slipped past.

A sword descended toward the lady’s neck.

She closed her eyes.

Then—

CLANG!

A golden blur smashed into the attacker.

The bandit flew backward.

A girl in cheap armor stood before her, golden hair blazing in the light.

Videl.

”Are you okay?” she asked quickly.

The lady stared in disbelief.

”W–Where did you come from?”

”Who are you?!” Zavir demanded, sword raised.

Even the attackers froze.

None of them had seen her move.

They only saw the result.

Yet numbers still favored them.

They moved to attack again.

Then a calm, irritated voice drifted from behind.

”Always charging ahead. Do you ever think before acting? Actually, don’t answer. I already know.”

Everyone turned.

Half of the bandits were already dead.

Their heads rolled across the ground.

The silver-haired knight’s breath caught.

She had seen him walking—

A black-haired boy approaching slowly.

Every step seemed casual.

Then—

Bodies collapsed.

Heads fell.

Only afterward did the sound arrive.

Victor passed through them like a whisper of death.

Golden eyes indifferent.

Hand steady.

The lady with pinkish-blonde hair stared at him, heart pounding.

So handsome.

So terrifying.

So beautiful.

The silver-haired knight felt the same chill race through her spine.

Effortless.

Perfect.

The remaining bandits panicked and fled.

An arrow whistled.

One fell.

Only five remained.

Desperate, they rushed the lady.

Videl raised her sword—

Too late.

Victor moved.

Five flashes.

Five heads fell.

Silence.

He sighed among corpses.

”...Disappointing.”

”Victor, you didn’t even leave one for me,” Videl complained.

”Hmph. Who told you to be slow? You already decided they were enemies. Why hesitate?”

Lane dropped from a tree branch lightly.

”You’re slow, Videl.”

Videl opened her mouth—

”Who are you people?!” Zavir shouted, positioning himself protectively.

The silver-haired knight mirrored him.

”Stand down.”

The lady spoke calmly.

They did not.

She sighed.

”I apologize for their rudeness.”

She bowed.

Both knights froze.

Then she looked at Victor, eyes filled with awe and curiosity.

”Shall we introduce ourselves?”