Journey to Become the Zenith

The Man Beneath the Village

Beyond the long passageway, they arrived at its conclusion together.

A wide space opened up where the narrow rock passage ended, hollowed out under the peak. Light jumped across jagged surfaces as flames twitched in their mounts. Shadows stretched like reaching fingers, shifting with every breath of wind. Chills ran through the stillness, mixed with wet soil... plus a hint of what couldn’t be named.

Something rotten.

Something ancient.

Footsteps softened when Victor left the tunnel. Behind him came Lane, then Clara, both of them already looking around. Their gazes moved fast across the room without thinking.

Victor was right all along

Folks from the village stood nearby. Quiet they stayed, watching without words.

Dozens of them.

Out in the open space below ground, figures were spread apart, frozen still. Silence hung heavy where words should have been. Not one shifted weight or turned a head. A blank look filled each pair of eyes, fixed ahead without spark. That hollow gaze - cold, distant - twisted the air into something uneasy.

Right there in the middle of everything... one spot stands out

A figure stayed still, paused in place. Waiting took up his time.

A heavy grey cloak hung from his frame, worn thin with time, its ends unraveling like forgotten thread. Out of shadow, a mask - pale as bleached shell - caught flickers from the flames nearby. The light slid across it without warmth. His shape stayed still beneath cloth that barely moved.

Into the chamber walked Victor and the two women. Then came a slow lift of the head by the masked man.

Well,” he remarked, soft-spoken yet somehow warm. The way he spoke felt open, unhurried. A quiet ease shaped each word. Not rushed. Never sharp. Just there, like morning light through glass. Simple. Steady. Present.

”Our guests have arrived.”

Arms opening a little, like someone welcoming guests arriving at the door.

”Welcome to my humble abode.”

Out of nowhere, his voice carried a warmth that had no business being there. Polite it was, nearly too polished for the moment.

”My name is Alibaba,” he said without pause, tipping his chin down just slightly.

”The master of this place.”

A soft laugh slipped out. He did not mean for it to show.

”Though our meeting shall be short... it is still a pleasure to have met you.”

Faint light danced on stone when he finished speaking.

A shiver ran down Clara’s back as Victor stood ahead. The air turned cold behind him without warning.

Lane sensed it just the same.

It was silent when they saw him, the room suddenly heavier. A mask covered his face, yet everyone felt watched.

Strength of magic alone did not explain it.

Worse than anyone expected. That moment changed everything.

Death.

Her head filled with it before she could blink.

Death clung to the man standing ahead, a sour shadow in the air. His presence carried the weight of something long gone, rotting just beneath the skin.

Down her arms crept the chill, sharp as frost at dawn, tightening every muscle. Not knights nor beasts nor grizzled fighters of past battles had stirred this quiet dread inside. Something else lived in the air now.

A stillness hung there that didn’t belong. It felt wrong, like air gone thick without warning.

Beside her, Lane remained silent, but even she couldn’t completely hide the tension in her body.

For the first time in a long while...

She felt afraid.

The realization unsettled her.

Ever since she began training under Victor, she had believed there was no one stronger than him. In her eyes, Victor stood at the very peak of power.

But the being standing in front of them now...

Lane could feel it clearly.

He was stronger.

Far stronger.

The realization caused her chest to tighten.

For a brief moment—

A single dangerous thought appeared in her mind.

What if Victor loses...?

The instant that thought formed, Lane’s jaw clenched.

Anger flared inside her.

How could she think something like that?

How could she doubt him?

Her eyes immediately shifted toward Victor’s back.

Victor stood a few steps ahead of them, facing the masked man without hesitation.

And he was smiling.

Not the polite smile people used in conversation.

Not the forced smile of someone trying to hide fear.

No.

Victor’s grin was wide.

Sharp.

Excited.

His golden eyes shone like a child who had just discovered a new toy he couldn’t wait to play with.

Even now—

Standing before an opponent far stronger than himself—

Victor looked completely fearless.

The sight of that grin instantly calmed the storm in Lane’s chest.

Of course.

She had almost forgotten.

This was the man she chose to follow.

Victor didn’t fear powerful enemies.

He chased them.

Behind his mask, Alibaba quietly observed the young man standing before him.

His gaze lingered on Victor a little longer than the others.

Interesting.

Very interesting.

In terms of raw mana quantity, Alibaba’s reserves were far greater than Victor’s.

But quantity alone did not tell the full story.

Victor’s mana...

Was different.

Alibaba could see it clearly.

It swirled violently within him like a dark tide, unstable and hungry. The mana seemed to twist and churn as if it possessed a will of its own.

It looked as though it wanted to devour everything around it.

Alibaba tilted his head slightly.

”They say,” he began calmly, ”that the flow of mana within a person can reveal their true nature.”

His masked gaze shifted slowly toward Lane.

”For example...”

He extended a finger toward her.

”The mana flow of that lady over there.”

Lane’s eyes narrowed slightly, but she remained silent.

”Her mana is cold,” Alibaba continued thoughtfully. ”Sharp. Precise.”

A faint pause.

”But deep within that icy surface... there burns a flame.”

The torches crackled softly as he spoke.

”A very bright flame.”

Lane felt an odd chill run through her body.

It felt as though this man could see straight through her.

Alibaba’s gaze then shifted toward Clara.

”And then there is the lady carrying the shield.”

Clara instinctively straightened her posture.

”Her mana flow is steady... disciplined... unwavering.”

Alibaba gave a soft hum of approval.

”This is the kind of mana one usually sees within true knights. Those who have sworn themselves to duty and protection.”

Clara’s fingers tightened slightly around the strap of her shield.

The masked man finally turned his attention back to Victor.

”And lastly...”

His voice lowered slightly.

”There is you.”

The chamber fell even quieter.

”You appear to be the leader of this little group.”

Victor didn’t respond.

He simply kept smiling.

Alibaba studied him carefully.

”Your mana...”

He paused.

”...is overwhelming.”

Even through the mask, the fascination in his voice was clear.

”It moves like a predator. Like something that wants to consume everything in its path.”

Another quiet chuckle escaped him.

”How truly fascinating.”

Behind Victor, Clara slowly exhaled.

The oppressive aura from Alibaba was suffocating, but the conversation had given her mind something to focus on.

Information.

That was what they needed.

If they simply stood here silently, Victor would eventually do something reckless.

Clara knew him well enough by now.

If no one spoke, he would probably challenge Alibaba to a duel just to see how strong he really was.

And right now—

That would be suicide.

We need information first.

Clara’s thoughts sharpened quickly.

Who was this man?

Why were the villagers gathered here?

What exactly was happening beneath the village?

Without answers, they were walking blindly into danger.

Clara stepped slightly forward.

Victor didn’t stop her.

Lane quietly watched from the side.

Clara straightened her posture, forcing her voice to remain calm and polite.

”So... Alibaba.”

Her tone was measured.

”May I ask you a question?”

The masked man turned his head slightly toward her.

For a moment, the chamber remained silent.

Then—

Alibaba laughed softly.

A slow, amused sound.

”What is your question... young lady?”