Episode 443

“The Tears of Goddess Theia are adamantium?”

The creation of adamantium, a metal imbued with the power to slay gods, was shrouded in mystery. In fact, the very existence of such a metal was scarcely known, so it was no surprise that its origins were equally obscure.

The revelation that adamantium was actually the tears of Goddess Theia was nothing short of astonishing.

Just then, a message appeared before Zeke’s eyes.

[The restored statue of Goddess Theia detects the Hersion worn by the user.]

[Checking the status of the deactivated Hersion.]

[The statue of Goddess Theia transmits an authentication code to the user.]

A low hum resonated as Zeke felt the transfer of karma data from the statue.

[You have obtained the authentication code from the statue of Goddess Theia.]

[The acquired authentication code activates the deactivated item.]

The Hersion Zeke wore began to react to the authentication code.

A deep, resonant hum filled the air.

[Activating the deactivated item.]

[The sealed grand magic circle is activated.]

[All 29 spells engraved on the Hersion are activated.]

As the grand magic circles on the Hersion came to life, they emitted a radiant, mystical glow. Zeke gazed at the fully activated Hersion of Goddess Theia with a look of awe.

“Is this the true Hersion of Goddess Theia?”

As he marveled, another message appeared before him.

[The authentication code detects the power of the Shadow Dragon dormant in the user’s heart.]

[The title ‘Blessed by the Ancient Dragon’ responds to the authentication code.]

[A hidden code within the activated item is triggered.]

[The hidden code activates, revealing the true legacy of Goddess Theia.]

A deep rumble emanated from the Hersion, which was now glowing with an otherworldly light. Simultaneously, the Hersion’s form began to change.

With a loud crack, the Hersion forcibly disengaged, and Zeke was thrown from the armor.

“What the…?”

Zeke stared in bewilderment as the grand magic circle on the Hersion’s surface flared brightly, and another message appeared.

[The sealed true legacy of Goddess Theia is bestowed upon the user.]

With that message, a dark energy began to pour from the opened armor.

The dark energy enveloped Zeke, merging seamlessly into his body. At the same time, the heart of the dragon within him stirred, and a sigil appeared on his chest.

The dark energy, the heart of Bahamut, and Zeke’s shadow began to resonate with one another. Moments later, Zeke’s shadow took form, wrapping around him.

[The true legacy of Goddess Theia, the ‘Shadow Armor,’ is now part of the user.]

[The seal on Bahamut’s heart is reduced to 25% due to the influence of the Shadow Armor.]

[When using Bahamut’s power while wearing the Shadow Armor, its potency doubles.]

Zeke stared at the messages, his mouth agape.

“The true legacy of Goddess Theia? Shadow Armor?”

The Hersion, made of orichalcum, had merely been sealing this Shadow Armor. Zeke looked at the Shadow Armor now enveloping him. The shadow seemed to ripple as if it had a life of its own.

As he contemplated, the shadow moved in response to his thoughts.

“Can it do this too?”

Zeke imagined a shield in his mind.

With a swift motion, the shadow wrapped around his hand, forming the shape of the shield he envisioned.

“It really works!”

Zeke tapped the shield, surprised at how solid it felt, like metal rather than shadow. Curious to test it further, he drew Roland and struck the shield.

The shield, despite being made of shadow, showed not a single scratch, even against the orichalcum blade.

“Incredible. I wonder if it can do this too.”

Zeke imagined a full suit of armor, and the shadow quickly enveloped him, forming a full plate armor that fit more snugly than the Hersion and felt almost weightless.

“Amazing. How does this even work?”

The Shadow Armor could create anything he imagined and move at his command. After a few experiments, Zeke understood why this was considered the true legacy of Goddess Theia.

He approached the Hersion, now devoid of the Shadow Armor. It still glowed with the grand magic circles on its surface.

“I’ll use the Shadow Armor in emergencies and stick to this for everyday use. With all the magic circles activated, it’s more useful now.”

Zeke transformed the Hersion into a breastplate and donned it again. Then, he retrieved the sword of Siemens Apollyon from his inventory.

“It’s time to uncover the true nature of this sword.”

Zeke applied the authentication code from the statue of Goddess Theia to the sword.

[Activating the deactivated item.]

[The ‘True Name’ of the sealed sword is revealed.]

[The sword, a fragment of the Promised Liberation, the ‘Sword of Solid Shadow,’ Caladbolg, reveals its true power.]

A powerful vibration coursed through the sword in Zeke’s hand as the message appeared.

“Caladbolg?”

It was a name he had never heard before. As the power of Caladbolg was unleashed, it resonated with the Shadow Armor within Zeke.

[Caladbolg, sharing the same source of power, connects with the Shadow Armor.]

[Caladbolg merges with the Shadow Armor.]

The sword transformed into shadow and merged into the Shadow Armor.

“Caladbolg shares the same power source as the Shadow Armor?”

Zeke looked up at the statue of Goddess Theia. It made sense that the two items, both activated by the statue’s code, were closely related.

He recalled how the Shadow Armor, imbued with the power of Goddess Theia, had connected with the heart of the Shadow Dragon, Bahamut.

This led Zeke to a conclusion.

“The main power of Goddess Theia must be related to shadows.”

The common thread between Bahamut, the Shadow Armor, and Caladbolg was indeed ‘shadow.’ Zeke realized that the power of the celestial being, Goddess Theia, was rooted in shadows.

He thought of the sword embedded in the secret place of the Draker family.

“Wait, the message mentioned a ‘fragment of the Promised Liberation.’ Does that mean there are multiple swords containing the power of shadow, like Caladbolg?”

As he pondered the sword, another message appeared before him.

[You have activated a deactivated item.]

[You have successfully completed an achievement quest.]

[As a reward, you have obtained the title ‘Blessing of Theia.’]

[As a reward for the linked quest mission, you have obtained the power ‘Shadow Dominion.’]

[The existence of a similar power causes two powers to merge into a new power.]

[You have obtained the power ‘Shadow King.’]

[The skill ‘Shadow Clone’ is absorbed into the power ‘Shadow King.’]

[The skill ‘Ethereal Form’ is absorbed into the power ‘Shadow King.’]

[The dragon skill ‘Absorb’ is absorbed into the power ‘Shadow King.’]

[The power of Bahamut is enhanced by the power of ‘Shadow King.’]

[The power of the shadow spirits is enhanced by the power of ‘Shadow King.’]

[The power of the Shadow Armor and Caladbolg is enhanced by the power of ‘Shadow King.’]

Zeke was taken aback by the messages.

“The power of the Shadow King?”

Having unexpectedly gained this power, Zeke tested it by raising a shadow.

The shadow rose and moved freely, completely under his control. The Shadow Armor, now fully integrated with Zeke’s shadow, moved effortlessly at his command.

“Caladbolg.”

When Zeke called the sword’s true name, it emerged from the shadows and settled into his hand. As he swung Caladbolg, it felt as if the sword was an extension of his own body.

“It’s not just a saying—it’s like the sword is truly part of me.”

Reaching this point hadn’t been easy, but the rewards were more than worth it, leaving Zeke deeply satisfied.

However, knowing that what he had gained far exceeded ordinary understanding, Zeke decided to keep both the Shadow Armor and Caladbolg hidden, using them only in dire situations.

He returned the sword to the shadows and looked up at the statue of Goddess Theia, suddenly remembering something.

“Wait, how do I get out of here?”

He had managed to enter using the power of deception, but hadn’t considered how to leave.

Pondering his predicament, Zeke opened the system portal.

[Portal is inactive in this area.]

“As expected, this is going to be tricky.”

As he contemplated the restored statue of Goddess Theia, Zeke remembered the title ‘Blessing of Theia’ he had received as a reward.

“With this, maybe I can access the administrator system.”

With a sense of anticipation, Zeke commanded the system to access the administrator system, and soon, a message appeared.

[Accessing the administrator system using the code extracted from the Blessing of Theia.]

[Disabling security protocols with the provided code.]

[A message stored for the user of this code has been found.]

[Would you like to view the message?]

“A stored message?”

With a puzzled expression, Zeke decided to check the message.

[Viewing the message.]

[Karma data stored within the message is being transmitted to the user.]

Zzzzt—

Suddenly, something appeared before Zeke’s eyes.

“What is that?”

To his astonishment, the figure that materialized was the spirit of someone he recognized.

[Zeke Draker.]

A woman with snow-white hair and eyebrows, resembling the Hero King Kaishir.

It was none other than Chronos, the Dragon of Time.

“Lady Chronos?”

He never imagined he would meet Chronos again after their encounter in the past, across the timelines.

Though not in perfect form, Chronos’s semi-transparent spirit smiled at Zeke.

[You’ve made it here, just as I expected.]

Zeke was taken aback by her words.

“You knew I would come here?”

[I am a dragon who governs time. I see countless futures and discern which one will come to pass. I saw the possibility of you arriving here, but… honestly, I didn’t hold much hope. It was a difficult path.]

Crackle—

Chronos’s spirit flickered, as if it might dissipate at any moment.

She looked at Zeke and spoke.

[Time is short, so I’ll get to the point. The hour of destiny is approaching.]

“Do you mean… the Demon King’s resurrection is near?”

Chronos nodded.

[There are several omens tied to the world’s end and the Demon King’s revival. One of those omens is about to occur.]

“The omen of destruction… What is the first sign?”

Chronos took a deep breath before continuing.

[A lunar eclipse. On the day the moon turns red, a malevolent deity will descend into the physical realm. That will be the first signal of destruction.]

Hearing about the eclipse and the malevolent deity, Zeke recalled something.

“A malevolent deity… the power of the Flesh Emperor, Azitahaka… Could it be?”

Pieces clicked into place in Zeke’s mind.

Ramon Zimens had the ability to wield the power of the Flesh Emperor, Azitahaka.

He had remained hidden, as if waiting for something, even when Abel occupied Rom.

‘He must be preparing for a new baptism. If that involves summoning Azitahaka as a malevolent deity into the physical realm…’

Zeke remembered the terrifying power of Azitahaka’s true form, trapped in isolation.

If Ramon Zimens received the baptism during the eclipse and channeled Azitahaka’s power into himself, the entire continent’s balance would be shattered.

Even Grandmaster Arthur Draker might not be able to contend with Azitahaka’s power.

At that moment, the image of Abel, now an empty shell, flashed in Zeke’s mind.

A shiver ran through Zeke’s body as he realized Ramon Zimens’s intentions.

He turned to Chronos and said, “If Ramon Zimens gains the power of flesh, he could devour Abel and absorb the Draker bloodline.”

The power of flesh allows one to absorb the abilities of what they consume.

If Ramon Zimens fully acquired the power of flesh and devoured Abel, he could absorb the strength of that body.

Abel’s body carried the Draker blood, which held the immortal power passed down from King Solomon to Zimens Apollyon and Terracan Draker.

With a grave expression, Zeke looked at Chronos and asked, “Is Ramon Zimens trying to become the Demon King himself?”