343 - Regressor of the Fallen Family

Chapter 343: The history of present-day humanity is marked by significant gaps, including incomplete accounts from events just a thousand years ago, such as the Great Migration. It is no surprise, therefore, that earlier records from a thousand years before that are virtually non-existent. Yet, from those ancient times, certain tales akin to folklore have managed to endure through the ages. One such story warns: "Disobedient children are taken away by the demon with red eyes." This cautionary tale, told by parents to frighten unruly children, has echoes in both the far eastern and western ends of the continent. While most historians dismissed this as a metaphor for the widespread monster threats of the world, some offered a different perspective. "There was once a monster—or rather, a ruler—on this continent that preyed on children. A ruler with red eyes." These were not tales told within the McLine family, where the trait of red eyes was hereditary, and thus, hearing it for the first time had been quite shocking. Why had this story surfaced in the present? “Were human sacrifices made to ascend to divinity? Children, no less?” A question, asked absent-mindedly, left ancestors with no response. But the silence was answer enough. "Sigh..." – Whoever attains a divine stature among humans propels the advancement of all humanity. It was a sacrifice for the greater good. "Hardly gods; more like demons, wouldn't you say?" – I cannot accept such insults, even from my descendants. "Seeing you take offense at such a notion, it seems there's nothing more to discuss." The great hero once hailed as the protector of humankind no longer existed. What remained in that shell—or rather, in that soul—was merely an embodiment of selfishness that cared nothing for the innocent if their desires demanded it. To rescue one's family, to save one's nation—such endeavors undeniably require strength. Yet, to become a demon that might sacrifice all for such desires was a transformation Logan had no wish for. 'Especially if it means becoming someone other than myself.' Logan made to turn away. And yet— "Ugh!?" His body would not move. – I have waited nearly two millennia. Do you think I’ll let go of this ‘flesh’ now that it has formed!? Gradually, Zibrik Cassel’s spirit became distinctly clear again, his face twisted in fury. Sweet seduction found no place here anymore. Grinding his teeth, Logan managed to twist his head and glare at the ancestor’s specter. “The hero who once saved humanity has fallen beyond redemption. Does it not shame you!?” – In this era of vanishing mana, what are the odds that one of my descendants will reach the heights of a Grand Mage or possess a comparable physique? And that they should inherit my legacy? Do you even comprehend what that entails!? I cannot abandon this! I refuse to abandon it! A response ill-fitted for Logan's query of shame. – I am willing to endure the loss of sacredness. If you do not consent, I have no choice but to seize it by force! With that scream, the spirit transformed into a blinding light, disappearing, and the ground where Logan stood crumbled, pouring down upon him. – Give it to me! Return my flesh! In the pure white realm, the only visible entity was a pair of gleaming red eyes. It no longer resembled anything even akin to a human being. Crack. “Not a chance...!” Vmm. The force amplified from his heart resisted the overwhelming power suffocating him. Yet, no matter his efforts, the pressure that seemed to crush him with the world's weight was not easily overcome. As Logan exerted every ounce of strength in resistance— The white fragments of the shattered space began to seep into his body. It was all too apparent what was transpiring. ‘No, it cannot be!’ At that precise moment, an unexpected reversal unfolded. – What, what is this!? The white energy that had invaded his body and the ancestor's soul screamed in agony. Focusing his mind, Logan perceived the golden force within him crushing the invasive whiteness. It appeared that the antagonistic reaction, once observed in the Cassel Tower’s followers, was effective even against its original source. And this unforeseen development seemed to take even that ancient hero by surprise. – W-What is this? Clear bewilderment. Doesn’t he know? As suspected, the Divine Sword’s secret art had no relation to this ancestor... – How have you obtained the power of origin!? ...What is he talking about? – Do you think this will make me relent!? With words shrouded in mystery, the white energy surged even more fiercely, pressing down harder upon his force. He was compensating for the disadvantage in affinity with sheer quantity. And unfortunately for Logan, that approach was indeed effective. The strength spent at the ruins now felt like an irreparable loss. ‘In that case.’ Crack. As resolve hardened, Logan activated the 'Up' attribute, his force within instantly more than doubling, neutralizing the encroaching white energy once more. Yet it still wasn't enough. – Foolish! An infuriated voice reverberated in his mind, an overwhelming surge brimming forth to press his force back, gradually overbearing even his trait-enhanced strength. ‘Damn it...’ Out of desperation, Logan gritted his teeth unconsciously and abruptly recalled an odd memory. – I will succeed, just you wait! I will place all those who scorned me beneath my feet! A man shouting defiantly to the sky. This was definitively not his memory. Nonetheless, Logan could acutely feel the man’s sense of humiliation, self-loathing, and rage from that time. Thus, Logan grew furious. ‘It’s not mine!’ A sensation wholly distinct from simply observing Zibrik Cassel's life—fear mounted as the feeling of immersion seemed to engulf him. But regardless of this mounting threat, the act of assimilation proceeded unbidden. – I pay homage to the greatest among us below the heavens. Below the heavens. The phrase grates on the mind, infringing upon him. - I greet the sole absolute of the Divine Empire, the surrogate of the Nine Deities. Surrogate. That is nothing I am linked to. Enraged, the emotions from the man's heart began to seep into Logan's very being. – Argh! – Please spare me. Waaah! – M-Mommy! Amidst the vast magical circle, the anguished cries of dying children rang out like an eerie lament. From atop the altar, a haughty vision of 'himself' gazed down upon the unfolding horror below. That instant jolted Logan back to his senses. Crack. ‘That’s not me!!’ His self-awareness sharply returned. Immersed momentarily in the overwhelming memories of Zibrik Cassel, Logan discovered a small fragment of potential buried within. Zibrik had once ascended to the pinnacle on a different path—through magic. – The potential held within young lives, the strength of these energies... From this, a minor piece of the knowledge Zibrik gathered for ascension became a solid stepping stone for Logan. One sufficient to jump over the remaining low wall before his elevation. Vmm. Under the flash of inspiration, another core burgeoned from Logan’s heart force, resulting in an explosive surge of strength he had been lacking. The once-overwhelming white energy, spread wide to claim Logan's body, now converged in a frenzy. ‘Too late.’ Flash. In a burst, the amplified force cleared out Zibrik Cassel’s energy entirely. – No, it can’t be! “It can!” For the first time, his voice erupted audibly, marking the moment Logan confirmed he had reclaimed full control over his body. Vmm. Moreover, he could keenly feel the seven cores reverberating from his heart, though this was no time to revel in the unadulterated joy of his newfound exalted state. Before him was Zibrik Cassel's spirit, faintly re-emerging within the crumbling white void. – How can this be? How could this happen...? Logan felt the pathetic, hollow expression exude a sickening affront but chose decorum in response. “You have degraded yourself, ancestor. It’s time you depart in accordance with the natural order.” There could be no doubt that he once saved humanity from near extinction. Thus, Logan sought to maintain respect until the very end. This seemed to provoke the ancestor’s spirit. The hitherto dazed Zibrik Cassel regained a sharp gleam in his eyes as he addressed Logan abruptly. – Let me ask you one last thing. “Hmm?” – How is it your force could transform? “There are mysteries you didn’t comprehend. Even the power you dismissed, force, holds boundless potential.” Acknowledging Zibrik Cassel’s oversight of the Divine Sword’s prowess. Indeed, in his ancient memories, Logan had seen those nascent human knights wielding force, wielding relatively little strength. However... – That’s absurd! Vision or not, to alter the essence itself makes no sense! “I’m afraid I don’t understand what you mean.” Logan was genuinely bewildered. – Is it possible the origin itself changed, and you weren’t even aware! As though life’s energy had transformed! The invigorated intensity in the diminishing spirit's red eyes deepened. – You once wielded a yellow, earthen force, indicating an affinity for earth spirits. This golden force—is fundamentally different! It means the essence has changed! What did you do!? Huh? ‘Not the Divine Sword vision, but the force's color?’ Logan was left perplexed by the unexpected revelation. Though he had noticed his force gleamed slightly more than before, he hadn’t attributed much importance to the change. It had been empirically proven over centuries that a force's color bore no direct relationship to its power. Even when Viktor relayed Cassel Tower's theory of force color reflecting ‘talent,’ he had similar thoughts. That his immunity to the Cassel Tower’s magic owed to the Divine Sword vision, while Viktor and Ronian succumbed due to their inferior stages, was how he interpreted it. Yet now, the ancestor’s spirit was telling a whole different tale. “Are you saying the resistance to your power was solely due to the force itself, not due to the Divine Sword vision?” Despite invoking the term Divine Sword vision for the first time, the ancestor's spirit gave no heed. Instead, he dismissed it outright. – Vision? Pah! A mere petty force technique is irrelevant! It’s a matter of essence! How can ordinary force withstand divine power...!? Ha!? You? Truly, you know nothing! The incredulous expression was unmistakable. Although Logan disagreed with dismissing the Divine Sword vision as trivial, despite this, the ancestor appeared more earnest than any point since confronting his spirit. An inherent doubt stirred within Logan at this realization. However. – Who dared to tamper with my creation...? He must prioritize dealing with the entity before him now. The sight of the spirit seething with rage over his supposed creation again cooled Logan’s heart to a chilling calm. Vmm. “Let me guide you on your path, ancestor.” As his ascension alleviated the trait's side effects, Logan’s will infused the golden aura, hastening the collapse of the white space. Destroying and showcasing his perfect comprehension of space, proving his maximum-tier aura user status, the spirit of Zibrik Cassel rapidly faded to nothingness. – I will never surrender like this... “Begone, ancestor.” Crash. With Logan’s final words, the white realm shattered and vanished utterly. A gray plaza unfurled once more before Logan’s eyes. And at that moment. Snap! The gem fixed in the pommel of the inverted sword on the altar splintered with a soft crack. In unison, the divine aura that had emanated from the sacred sword, Vanitas, vanished, much to Logan’s clear observation. “Vanitas... Ah, so that’s what it means.” An ancient word signifying deceit, vanity—so unfitting a name for a divine blade. “I see now...” Despite lingering questions, assurance scattered those concerns for the moment. Doubt about the Divine Sword vision and the supposed change in essence Zibrik Cassel spoke of. Yet, compared to looming real-world challenges, these were issues of little consequence. Resolving them wouldn’t assure victory in the upcoming conflict with the Empire. ‘Cassel Tower. Could they possibly know?’ Of course, he couldn't entirely shake off the lingering unease. Still, for the moment... “I need to focus on reality.” Fortunately, Logan had ascended to the highest tier more easily than anticipated. Even without his master, he now felt confident enough to face the sword spirit, Triss Hornsby. Aside from the satisfaction of achievement, there was a reassuring sense that his strength, bit by bit, was building up to counter the Empire. But what required immediate attention was... “What should I do about this sword?” The sacred sword, now devoid of divine power. Logan's gaze upon it settled into a calm, contemplative stillness.