Journey to Become the Zenith

The Beginning of the Trap

Eva expression became firm once more.

My goal will never change, I promise, no matter how long it takes.

A soft smile finally appeared.

Beautiful.

Lonely.

Heartbreaking.

I will save you my love. My dear Adam.

The silver-haired woman stood alone within the endless void between worlds, her long silver hair drifting gently like moonlight across still water. Her blue eyes carried thousands of years worth of longing, sorrow, and devotion.

Yet despite the pain hidden inside them—

they never wavered.

Not once.

Even after watching him die countless times.

Even after carrying the burden of opposing the one she loved most.

She still chose him.

Always him.

The endless darkness around Eva trembled faintly as invisible ripples spread through the void itself. Ancient stars flickered in and out of existence around her, as if reality could barely endure the emotions contained within her soul.

She slowly closed her eyes.

”I’ll wait for you here...”

Her voice was soft.

Almost fragile.

Yet it carried a determination that even gods could not bend.

”No matter what form you take... no matter what name you carry...”

A faint smile touched her lips again.

”...I will find you.”

The moment those words left her mouth—

the void violently shook.

BOOOOOOM—

Countless fragments of memories exploded around her like shattered mirrors.

Adam.

Azrial Runious.

Rein.

Mayank.

Eddy.

Kevin.

Anos.

Victor.

Thousands of lifetimes flickered around her in an instant before vanishing into darkness once more.

The pressure became so heavy that space itself distorted unnaturally.

Yet Eva remained standing silently amidst it all.

Like a lonely guardian watching over eternity itself.

Then—

everything faded into darkness.

...

Back to Fantom City.

Cold evening winds swept through the streets of Fantom City as lantern lights slowly illuminated the growing darkness. Merchants shouted their final sales before nightfall while adventurers carrying bloodstained weapons entered taverns filled with noise and drunken laughter.

The city breathed with life.

Wooden carts rolled across stone roads.

Drunken mercenaries laughed loudly outside bars.

Street vendors hurried to close their shops before the colder night winds fully settled in.

The scent of grilled meat, smoke, alcohol, and iron mixed together beneath the chilly evening air.

Yet amidst the lively city—

one girl walked silently alone.

Videl had decided to head out to search for the missing family members of the other students.

Her long blonde hair swayed behind her with every step while her sapphire-blue eyes remained clouded with worry.

The earlier scene at the academy still lingered painfully in her mind.

The crying girl grabbing her hands.

The hatred in Skyla’s eyes.

The desperate voices begging her to return their loved ones.

Videl unconsciously clenched her fists.

”I really didn’t do anything...”

Her voice came out softer than intended.

The wind carried her quiet words away almost immediately.

Yet even now—

part of her still felt guilty.

Not because she committed the crime.

But because she couldn’t save them.

That helpless feeling sat heavily inside her chest.

The trembling hands of that crying girl still lingered in her memory.

The desperation in her voice.

The hopelessness in her eyes.

Videl bit her lower lip lightly.

”...Damn it.”

She hated this feeling.

Victor would probably have already figured something out by now.

That thought surfaced instinctively.

A bitter smile appeared on her lips.

Whenever things became complicated—

her heart naturally looked toward him.

Toward the man who always seemed capable of carrying impossible burdens without breaking.

Victor.

Just remembering him calmed her slightly.

The image of his golden eyes and composed expression surfaced within her mind.

The way he always remained calm no matter how dangerous the situation became.

The way people unconsciously relied on him.

Even she—

who once wanted to stand proudly beside him—

found herself depending on him more and more.

For some reason...

she wanted to see him before leaving.

The thought embarrassed her slightly.

A faint blush appeared across her cheeks before she quickly shook her head.

”...Focus.”

Still...

her feet had already chosen the destination before her mind did.

First she headed to the Adventurer’s Guild to see if Victor and the others returned.

The massive Adventurer’s Guild building stood proudly near the center of Fantom City. Warm yellow light spilled from its windows while loud conversations echoed from inside.

The scent of roasted meat, alcohol, and metal filled the air.

Laughter erupted from inside the guild every few seconds.

Tankards slammed against wooden tables.

Weapons clinked against armor.

The entire building felt alive.

Videl pushed open the heavy wooden doors.

CREAK—

Immediately, countless eyes briefly turned toward her.

Some recognized her from the academy incident.

Others simply stared because of her appearance.

Her fitted white long-sleeve shirt hugged her athletic figure naturally while black leather pants emphasized her long toned legs and narrow waist. Despite her beauty, however, there was an exhausted tension hidden beneath her calm face tonight.

Her sapphire eyes lacked their usual sharp confidence.

And people noticed.

Whispers immediately spread.

”That’s her...”

”The one involved with Victor...”

”I heard noble families disappeared because of her sword.”

”She doesn’t look dangerous though...”

”Still... if she’s connected to that monster Victor...”

The adventurer speaking instinctively lowered his voice near the end.

Fear.

Respect.

Curiosity.

Victor’s name alone carried pressure now.

The terrifyingly handsome black-haired man with golden eyes had already become famous throughout Fantom City.

Some feared him.

Some admired him.

And almost every woman who saw him couldn’t help but think about him afterward.

Videl heard every word clearly.

But she stayed silent.

Her expression didn’t change even slightly.

Still...

those whispers quietly pierced deeper than she expected.

She don’t know but the mysterious person spread this news to whole City.

But she don’t know and she straight go to

At the reception counter stood a young woman with short brown hair organizing papers.

When she noticed Videl approaching, her expression brightened politely.

”Welcome to the Adventurer’s Guild. How may I help you?”

Videl hesitated briefly before speaking.

”Has Victor returned yet?”

The receptionist blinked once in recognition.

Ah...

A strange mixture of envy and curiosity crossed the receptionist’s mind for a second.

Everyone in the guild had know about Victor already.

Men feared him and all girls just want close him.

Some admired his overwhelming strength.

Others couldn’t stop talking about his appearance.

Even experienced female adventurers occasionally found themselves staring whenever he entered the guild.

The receptionist herself still remembered the pressure she felt the first time Victor looked at her with those calm golden eyes.

It honestly felt less like standing before an adventurer—

and more like standing before a king pretending to be human.

The receptionist shook away her thoughts before answering politely.

”Unfortunately, no. Sir Victor and his party still haven’t returned from their mission.”

Videl’s shoulders subtly lowered.

Disappointment quietly surfaced within her sapphire eyes.

”I see...”

For a moment she simply stood there silently.

The noisy guild around her suddenly felt distant.

The receptionist noticed her expression and spoke gently.

”If you want, you can leave a message for him.”

Videl quickly nodded.

”Yes... please.”

The receptionist handed her a small parchment along with a pen.

Videl stared at the blank paper for several seconds.

What was she even supposed to write?

That she was leaving alone?

That she might walk into danger?

That she wanted him to come after her?

A faint blush surfaced on her face at the final thought.

”No... don’t think weird things...”

She quietly muttered under her breath before beginning to write.

Her handwriting remained neat despite the emotions swirling within her chest.

Victor,

I’m going to search for the missing people myself.

I know you would probably tell me not to rush recklessly... but I can’t ignore them after seeing their faces.

I’ll try to gather information first before doing anything dangerous.

If you return soon... don’t worry too much.

—Videl

She stared at the note for a moment after finishing.

A strange warmth filled her chest while looking at his name written there.

Then softly sighed.

”Please give this to Victor when he returns.”

The receptionist accepted the folded note carefully.

”Of course.”

Videl gave a small nod before turning around.

As she walked away—

several adventurers continued secretly watching her.

One older mercenary quietly muttered while drinking.

”She’s brave.”

Another snorted.

”Or stupid.”

The older mercenary narrowed his eyes slightly.

”Sometimes there’s not much difference.”

...

Once she was done doing that, Videl headed back to her dorm room and started to prepare for his trip. She didn’t bother telling the Principal about her leave of absence since each student in the academy has an allotted six days of free time that you may use any time you wish during the year.

This incentive was made because most of the students of the academy were nobles and they were allowed that much freedom.

The academy dormitory was quieter tonight.

Moonlight spilled through the windows as cold winds rustled nearby trees outside.

Inside her room—

Videl silently prepared her equipment.

A travel cloak.

Medical herbs.

Rations.

Throwing knives.

A water flask.

Her long sword rested quietly against the wall nearby.

She moved efficiently, yet her thoughts remained restless.

Part of her understood this was dangerous.

Too dangerous.

But another part of her simply couldn’t stay still after seeing those grieving faces.

Victor would probably call her reckless.

That thought almost made her smile.

”...He definitely would.”

Yet strangely—

imagining him scolding her felt comforting.

While Videl was preparing for the trip, Amura turned into her human form sat behind him and spoke.

Silver light gathered softly near the bed.

Moments later—

a beautiful woman materialized silently.

Long steel-colored hair cascaded down her back while silver robes with high slits revealed her elegant toned legs. Her steel-colored eyes quietly observed Videl with visible concern.

Amura crossed one leg over the other before speaking calmly.