CHAPTER 98: DEATH

’Is this... really the end?’

Zarius’s eyes widen in sheer disbelief, unable to contain the deep shock within him.

Is this truly how he dies? Even after everything?

All his plans... his plotting... everything he hoped to achieve... would everything end at this very moment because of some insignificant weakling? Looking at Javier’s smug smile and overblown confidence, he is clear of the young lad’s intentions.

Zarius knows... that Javier is bluffing.

He already searched through Javier when they first met, and while he only took the blade from him back then, he knows that the lad didn’t bring so many Armaments and Potions with him.

He also knows that he is trying to manipulate him into believing something else.

’He wants me to increase my rate of time because of the poison spreading through my body...’

Zarius is clear of everything, but so what if he is?

Ultimately, he remains trapped.

In fact, he wishes he could simply control the flow of time in his body as he pleases.

But he can’t.

Actually, he has reached his limits.

’With Backflow, handling the poison isn’t that big a deal. But I used too much Interference Power to defeat the army earlier. I thought I would have enough to finish off this guy, but then he just had to create this elaborate scheme...’ Zarius sighs, feeling a tinge of regret in his heart.

Should he have just killed the brat from the start?

He had him right in the palm of his hands, yet for many reasons—mostly curiosity—he chose to spare his life up until the very end.

That was his mistake.

’But now I’m trapped, with little to no Interference Power left for the moment. The poison has weakened me considerably, which means my combat ability isn’t going to be as good as it should normally be. I’m also injured and considerably exhausted. It’s only been some hours since this confrontation started, but I’ve spent over a day already—mostly because of those pesky soldiers.’

Having that exhaustion wear down his body, alongside the poison, and then his low Interference Power, has made Zarius realize the grim truth.

Right now, he is at his weakest.

—His most vulnerable.

’Even if I can predict where he would have set up the few traps that he set, something tells me he won’t just sit back and watch me. He’ll do his best to fight, and even with his injuries, he has that C Grade Armament, which covers a wide range. That will make him difficult to fight...’

Then, there’s the issue of uncertainty.

Zarius is still not aware of whatever Javier could be planning aside from this.

He has to be careful.

Now that he has seen Javier’s scheming side, he can’t simply leave everything to chance, especially since he has gotten to this point.

’So should I retreat?’ Even though things have turned this bad, Zarius still recognizes his ability to escape. It will be quite bothersome, but it is possible.

But—

’Why should the strong run from the weak? I can’t accept such logic!’

So, should he simply stay back and risk his death?

Because, for the first time in decades, it seems he has gotten dangerously close to death.

Death... dying... the end...

’How can that be?’ Zarius’s thoughts echo thunderously. ’I only just began my journey into the world of the Leviathans! I haven’t truly lived yet! I haven’t even advanced to Disciple!’

Ah, that’s right!

How could he forget?

He remembers it all—the horrid past and his terrible defeat at the hands of that Rank 2 Leaper.

It wasn’t a complete loss, actually.

Even though his family, friends, and everyone in the village perished, Zarius actually holds deep gratitude to the Leaper to this day. One of the reasons is that it opened his eyes to the true nature of the world and his identity as a Leviathan.

The strong devour the weak, and Leviathans should never lower themselves to mortals.

He was better than that life, and despite the deep love he had for everyone who died—especially his wife and daughter—they had actually become shackles that bound his life.

The Disciple Leaper showed him that he could be more.

And that ignited his desires.

As for the second reason for his gratitude... it lies in the fact that he was enlightened by the Rank 2 Leviathan.

You see, becoming a Leviathan is quite simple.

One has to simply ’experience’ Apotheosis, thus becoming a Witness and entering the world of the Leviathans. It was actually that Leaper whom he watched undergoing Apotheosis, allowing him to become a Leviathan, to begin with.

But... that is merely to become a Rank 1, the bottom of the barrel.

A Witness, regardless of their Pathway or accomplishments, is still at the lowest point in the Leviathan world.

To advance into the true path of supremacy... one cannot be a mere spectator.

Not a bystander... but a challenger.

To become a Rank 2 Leviathan, one has to undergo Apotheosis itself.

The Rank 2 Leaper enlightened him of this secret, granting him the inspiration all those years ago.

That was the seed... the spark of enlightenment.

’But the risks are too great! To become a Rank 2, one must comprehend all the profundities of Rank 1 and also receive the spark of inspiration. I believe I have fulfilled both requirements, but there is yet another problem...’ Zarius’ thoughts move as fast as lightning as he weighs his options, his mind turbulent as a stormy sea.

’Apotheosis is dangerous. It cannot be stopped until completion. Success means transition into a new Rank... as for failure, it could mean madness, death, or an even worse fate.’

This is why he had never attempted it.

Even now, as a Leviathan, he still doesn’t know what to expect from such a dangerous venture.

’I was going to brew that Grade 6 Potion as a way to strengthen my body and improve my connection to the Aego before attempting it, but it seems there’s no choice now...’ Zarius’s eyes flash with brilliance as he grins at Javier.

"You just wait..." Without further warning, he closes his eyes, and a serious expression takes over.

"Initiate Apotheosis."

VWUUUUUUUSHHH!!!

The Sealing Cube immediately shatters, and a powerful gust of wind sends everything flying.

Even Javier is no exception.

Explosions erupt in random locations around Zarius, but none of them even touch a hair on his body. He is currently surrounded by a deep greenish black sphere, causing him to appear as a silhouette to spectators outside the barrier.

The ground trembles and the skies rumble as the world responds to his call.

Threads of all kinds of light dance around, connecting to his body, as his eyes remain closed and his expression is solemn.

Javier, who has now been knocked back several meters away, witnesses this sight with absolute shock and deep dread. He never expected Zarius to hold such a trump card, a power that easily set off all the traps ahead of the designated time, while protecting him in the massive orb.

Even now, Javier cannot tell what is going on.

He squints, trying his hardest to focus on Zarius, but all he can see is a swirling mass of energy beyond his comprehension.

All kinds of threads dance around, swirling and weaving, like a yarn of dark emerald wool.

It has now begun—the enlightenment ritual of Leviathans.

This... is Apotheosis!

*************

’Where am I?

Zarius looks around him and witnesses a world very similar to the one he recognizes.

The magnificent sun hangs gloriously in the blue sky, with soft white clouds slowly drifting with serene movements. All manner of people walk on the vast streets, talking amongst one another in a language he only vaguely recognizes.

These people... they don’t have olive complexion, like the Nowe’arns, nor are they youthful like the Fae’lkyn. Instead, they have glistening bodies that look oily, almost as though they have been drenched in liquid.

They have blue shades on their bodies, with colorful hair and eyes that show deep beauty.

"Thal’marians..." Naturally, he recognizes this race, watching as the people laugh and play with each other as they walk with glee. Some stare at him strangely, but they don’t comment on his uncanny presence.

Finding this incredibly strange, Zarius stares at himself and also realizes that he has actually taken the form of a Thal’marian.

"Weird..." He mumbles silently. "Does that mean I’m currently in the coastal regions?"

However, one look around tells him that is far from the case.

He is actually surrounded by dense jungles, and the town he resides in resembles that of regular Nowe’arn civilization. The most confusing part is that almost as soon as the sun appears, it begins to set at a dangerously fast rate... until it completely vanishes.

Then, the moon appears.

The moon, accompanied by a series of stars that twinkle mysteriously, almost as though they are winking at him.

’What is going on here?’ Zarius nearly blurts out in confusion. ’What exactly am I supposed to do?!’

Right as he has these thoughts, he sees something strange.

Mist... deep mist.

It turns into a dense fog and quickly covers the surroundings, obscuring all the Thal’marians around him. The unfitting scenery is also covered by the dense clouds that resemble icy smoke, rising and multiplying without end.

The echoes of laughter come to a grinding halt, and the world turns deathly silent.

This eerie quietude lasts for only a moment before it is broken by the sounds of approaching footsteps. Zarius shrinks back cautiously, his stance turning defensive.

"No need for any of that..." A female voice echoes aloud, before the silhouette within the mist finally reveals herself.

It is a woman.

She has an alluring beauty, her ethereal appearance almost otherworldly in nature.

Her skin is as pale as a ghost, and she is dressed in a pitch black dress made from exquisite dark fabric and raven feathers. With all manner of embroidery on her pristine attire, she also dons silver jewelry and a golden ring on her finger.

Her face is mostly covered in a veil, preventing even Zarius from seeing anything but her dark lipstick and the pale skin on her lower face.

She smiles.

"This is your first time undergoing Apotheosis, so you don’t understand... but I’m not in the mood to explain anything to you."

Zarius feels a chill.

Despite how resplendent this woman appears, she has a dangerous demeanor about her.

It’s something he cannot comprehend.

Her beauty... her grace... it is all shrouded in the dark shadows of death.

"You..." He mumbles, nearly stuttering. "Are you the one backing Javier Aditi? I didn’t know it was someone as grand as you. I deeply apologize... I swear on my sincerity."

Despite hearing this, the woman merely smiles.

"Ignorance is the greatest sin. Dedicate yourself to seeking knowledge and understanding the true mysteries of the world." She whispers solemnly, before shifting her invisible gaze to him.

"I believe that statement applies perfectly in your case."

Under those golden eyes of hers, it’s like he has been stripped bare.

His existence itself feels like it is crumbling.

"I... I..." Lost for words, he can only stutter, feeling an unimaginable pressure that threatens his very existence.

"I am not Javier Aditi’s backer, but I did offer him some help. Using Hassan to help him find the Underground Arena, which prompted him to gather the people who would eventually be his teammates. The fortuitous encounter of Brad all those years ago, which helped him stop the Thorn Overseer Vine, the successful Divination of Ruthina that helped save the Duke’s family, and even the connection between Javier and Dahlia, allowing him to have access to the Duke’s forces, which eventually whittled down your strength, leading to this conclusion."

"Y-you... but why?" He mumbles. "Why would you only help him sometimes and not help him at other times? His family, his friends... all of those...."

"It’s not my concern..." She shrugs mildly. "In the end, rendering the little help that I did should be sufficient for him. Perhaps I could have done more, but... It’s not like I wanted any of this to happen, to begin with."

"You... didn’t? I thought... aren’t you the one behind his supposed regression?"

She laughs.

The lady in the black dress shakes her head and laughs.

"No." Her answer is plain and simple. "The person responsible for that is also the one who set all of this in motion, ensuring your path and his crossed. You were instigated by that Rank 2 Leaper, weren’t you? Because of him, you set your eyes on the Randalorion Kingdom, despite originally being from Sarvosia. Your plan was intertwined with Javier’s, and because of his past memories, you and he were bound to cross paths eventually. You would have faced him... and you would have lost... just as HE intended."

Zarius’s mouth is agape, but he manages to utter a few words. "Who?"

Then, she points ahead, at a ray of golden light that slowly begins to invade the darkness and dispel the fog. Night is vanishing, and the glorious sun is shining.

"Even if I didn’t interfere, you would have found your way here, and even if I didn’t help him, you would have lost..." She mumbles and laughs. "Even if I do not finish you off or make a single move right here, he would have made sure you perished with this arrangement."

Then, without any warning, the sun explodes.

Its magnificence is magnified several times over, and the sudden eruption of light causes everything to be drowned in intense brilliance—one that overwhelms the dumbfounded Zarius.

Even now, he is confused.

He can only absorb a small portion of this woman’s words, but the rest escapes his severely limited understanding. Judging from her tone and presence, this is clearly a High Rank Leviathan, and her piercing gaze makes it clear to him that she is likely a Seeker.

But... that isn’t the most frightening thing.

It is that she is well aware of everything about him, from beginning to end.

She knew the conclusion from the start.

All her interferences were moderate, but in her words, they wouldn’t have changed the eventual outcome. He was destined to lose from the beginning.

That means his entire life—all the plans and preparations—were ultimately in vain.

The same way he controlled the affairs of the world, someone else controlled his without him even suspecting a thing. All this time, his whole life, he had been playing in the palm of forces far beyond his understanding.

In his mind, though, he still asks the question, "... Who?"

"Heathcliff."

That is the last word he hears before his existence is pulverized and he is consumed by the light.

Thus, it concludes.

His Apotheosis ends... in a definite failure.

In the leftover mist, Anastasia Evernight watches the world slowly dissipate, and she makes a wry smile, staring up at the crumbling sky and leftover light.

"Javier successfully passed his first hurdle, and because he has witnessed Apotheosis, he will officially awaken as a Leviathan. Normally, even if this happened, he would have still perished at the hands of the Rank 2 Zarius, but that will no longer happen... since Zarius failed."

This is not her arrangement.

If it were, she would have a more pleasant expression on her face.

Instead, her brows crease up in mild worry.

"It would have been meaningless to influence the events too much, since he would have reverted them as he pleased. Only by making negligible changes that ultimately lead to the same conclusion would my intent fall below his radar. Still—" She sighs, before slowly dissolving into the mist, avoiding the final implosion of the vast world around her.

A soft whisper of hers remains regardless.

"To think he also has a way to interfere with Trial Sequences. This will be troublesome..."

[A/N: Plot armor of the MC coming in clutch. Looks like this is the arrangement of the Leviathans. Two more Chapters before we reach the end of Volume 1. I hope you’ve all enjoyed yourselves plenty...]