"I KNEW IT! THIS IS SO EMBARRASSING!!!!"
Lilya's scream shattered the silence of the white void.
Her voice echoed in all directions, bouncing back and forth before slowly fading into the distance.
Without a second thought—
Lilya crouched down.
Both of her hands frantically tugged at the hem of the short armor skirt she was wearing, desperately trying to cover the parts of her body that she felt were too exposed.
Unfortunately—
the more she pulled...
the more she realized that...
"...it won't budge?!"
She froze.
She tried again.
The armor didn't change at all.
"...why?!"
She pulled a little harder.
Still nothing.
"...ugh..."
Her face flushed red to the tips of her ears.
"I'll admit..."
She looked down at the gleaming white armor.
"...it's cute..."
She was silent for a few moments.
Then she screamed again.
"BUT WHY DOES IT HAVE TO BE SO REVEALING?!"
She covered her face with both hands.
"Besides..."
Her voice sounded desperate.
"Why are almost all female armors like this?!"
Lilya was still crouching, both hands still tugging at the hem of the armor skirt that refused to move. Her face was burning red—from her cheeks to the roots of her ears, even down to her neck.
"Do the blacksmiths in this world have some kind of grudge against women?!"
Behind her, Hikaru—who had been watching with a faint smile—raised an eyebrow.
"Lilya..."
His voice suddenly became low. Serious. Like a teacher about to impart an important lesson to a beloved student.
Lilya turned her head, still blushing.
"...what?"
Hikaru took a deep breath. Then, with an expression that was far too serious for someone in a worn-out T-shirt and greasy hair, he said,
"In this world, there is an unwritten law!"
Lilya blinked.
"...a law?"
Hikaru nodded firmly.
"A law that has been passed down through generations. A law that serves as the very foundation of all fantasy armor design. A law that..."
He paused for a moment, savoring the dramatic effect.
"...states that the more revealing it is, the stronger it becomes!"
Silence.
Lilya stared at Hikaru with a blank expression.
"...what?"
Hikaru repeated, this time with even more enthusiasm.
"The more revealing, the stronger! That is the law! The less fabric covering the body, the greater the defense and power granted! The legendary blacksmiths of this world have carved this truth into history for thousands of years!"
Lilya was speechless.
Her eyes blinked rapidly.
Then—
"...that doesn't make any sense!!"
She stood up straight, momentarily forgetting her embarrassment, and pointed directly at Hikaru.
"How could logic like that possibly apply in the real world?! This isn't a game, Hikaru!"
Hikaru shook his head slowly, with a wise expression that only made Lilya want to grab his hair.
"Look at the monsters you've been fighting, Lilya. How many of them wear full armor?"
Lilya fell silent.
"...they're bare-chested..."
"See! Proof!"
"THAT'S BECAUSE THEY'RE MONSTERS, NOT BECAUSE THEY WANT TO LOOK STRONG!"
Hikaru raised a finger.
"Then what about imperial soldiers? They wear full armor, and they..."
He thought for a moment.
"...well, they can survive. But are they as strong as you? You, who only wears Celestial Veil?"
Lilya fell silent again.
"...that's because I'm level 100..."
"And Celestial Veil is a legendary armor that gives you incredible stats!"
"BECAUSE OF ITS REVEALING DESIGN?!"
"BECAUSE OF ITS REVEALING DESIGN!"
Lilya screamed in frustration.
"OH MY GOD, THIS WORLD IS SO STUPID!"
She covered her face with both hands and shouted at the endless white sky.
"WHY DOES SUCH A LAW EXIST?!"
"WHO MADE THIS RULE?!"
"IS THERE A SPECIAL COMMITTEE THAT DETERMINES THE REVEALING LEVEL OF ARMORS?!"
Hikaru burst out laughing.
"Hahahaha! You're so angry, Lilya!"
"OF COURSE I'M ANGRY! THIS ARMOR SHOWS MY STOMACH AND THIGHS!"
Hikaru shrugged casually.
"But you admitted yourself that it's cute."
"That's not the point—!"
Lilya froze.
Her face flushed again as she realized that she had indeed admitted it.
"...ugh..."
She looked down again.
"...I hate you, Hikaru."
Hikaru smiled, then continued in a more relaxed tone.
"Besides, you've probably seen it yourself in the village, right? Female adventurers passing through Eldwyn. Or wandering mages."
He pointed at Lilya with a casual gesture.
"They all wear clothes that are... well, revealing. Even priestesses in large temples often wear robes that show their shoulders and backs."
Lilya bit her lip.
"...I know."
Her voice was small.
"Yes, I know. I've seen them often."
"But..."
She clenched her fists.
"...I still hate it!"
Hikaru raised an eyebrow.
"Why?"
Lilya looked at Hikaru with eyes that were still red, but now there was a small flame in them.
"Because..."
She pointed at herself.
"...this is too much!"
"I don't mind if others wear it. That's their choice. But me? I don't like showing this much skin!"
She spread her arms wide, showing the entire shimmering Celestial Veil armor.
"My stomach is exposed! My thighs are half-visible! I feel like I'm walking around in my underwear!"
Hikaru chuckled.
"But you're still wearing it."
"BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE A CHOICE!"
Lilya screamed again, then looked down in resignation.
"...I know this is the best armor for my current stats. I know it gives me the power I need."
"Yes."
She let out a long sigh.
"...but I still don't like it."
Hikaru didn't answer.
He just smiled. A smile that was no longer mischievous, but warm.
"You know, Lilya..."
He walked closer.
"You can be strong and still feel uncomfortable with your clothes. That's fine."
He stopped right in front of her.
"What matters is—you're fighting to protect someone. And you're wearing all of this for Cecilia."
Lilya looked up.
"...Cecilia..."
The name flowed back into her chest.
Warmth.
And resolve.
Hikaru nodded.
"Cecilia is still waiting, Lilya."
"So—wear it. Even if you hate it. Because this armor will help you save her."
Lilya was silent for a while.
Then—
she took a deep breath.
Long.
Deep.
And let it out slowly.
"...you're right."
She straightened her posture.
Even though her face was still a little red.
Even though she still felt embarrassed.
She stood tall.
"Celestial Veil... I still hate it."
She clenched her fists.
"But I'll wear it."
Hikaru smiled widely.
"That's my girl."
Lilya smiled back—a genuine smile, even though there was still a trace of anger in the corner of her eyes.
But—
as she looked at Hikaru for a moment longer...
her smile slowly faded.
"...Hikaru?"
Her eyes widened slightly.
Because before her—
Hikaru's body began to change.
Not becoming blurry.
Not becoming faint like a shadow.
But—
transparent.
Slowly.
Like glass losing its color.
And from all over his body—tiny particles of light began to emerge. Glimmering. Gentle. Floating into the air like fireflies on a summer night.
"...!"
Lilya's heart beat faster.
"...no..."
She shook her head slowly.
"...Hikaru... you—"
Hikaru looked down for a moment, looking at his own hand, which was beginning to become see-through.
Then he chuckled softly.
Not a bitter laugh.
Not a sad laugh.
But a relieved laugh.
Like someone who finally realized—that the time he had left was no longer much.
"Ah..."
He lifted his head.
Looking at Lilya with a smile that was still warm.
"...it's time... isn't it."
Lilya bit her lip.
Tears welled up in her eyes.
"But... you were just..."
"Just talking to me..."
"Just laughing..."
"Just—"
"Hikaru!"
She stepped forward.
Her hand reached out—
wanting to grasp.
Wanting to hold on.
But her fingers only passed through empty air.
There was nothing to hold.
Hikaru was already too faint.
Too far.
"Lilya."
His voice was still audible.
Calm.
"...I already told you, didn't I?"
He smiled.
"I am an anomaly."
"An anomaly left inside you."
"As long as I exist—you will never be truly whole."
Lilya shook her head.
"But—"
"You're already ready, Lilya."
Hikaru cut her off gently.
"You've already become a true Sword Saint."
"You already have all the skills you need."
"And you—"
He looked at Lilya with eyes that were beginning to fade.
"—you already have a reason to fight."
"Cecilia."
The name felt light in the air.
Lilya looked down.
Tears fell.
One.
Two.
Three.
"...I... I don't want to lose you again, Hikaru..."
Her voice broke.
"...I just met you..."
Hikaru fell silent.
Then—
he chuckled softly.
Not a loud laugh.
Not a joking laugh.
But a gentle laugh.
"Haha... you're really kind, Lilya."
He raised his hand, which was beginning to disappear.
"But I'm not 'lost', Lilya."
"I will always be with you."
"With every step you take."
"With every slash you swing."
"With every breath you draw."
"Because—"
His smile widened.
"—I am you."
Lilya's tears fell harder.
But this time—
she no longer tried to hold them back.
"...Hikaru..."
"Thank you."
"For everything."
"For this power."
"For this chance."
"For—"
She lifted her head.
Looking at Hikaru, who was now almost completely transparent.
"—for letting me become me."
Hikaru didn't answer with words.
Only a smile.
A final smile.
Then—
the particles of light grew more numerous.
Brighter.
Filling the entire white space.
And slowly—
Hikaru disappeared.
Like morning mist vanishing in the sunlight.
Like a dream ending at the break of dawn.
Like a soul that had finally—
returned to where it belonged.
Back into her.
Lilya stood in the middle of the white space, which was beginning to change—becoming blurry, becoming bright, becoming—reality.
She clasped her hands in front of her chest.
And whispered.
"...see you later, Hikaru."
"Inside me."
In the real world—
smoke still billowed among the fallen trees.
The ground was still wet with blood.
And in the center of the small crater created by the [Burst Cannon] blast—
Lilya's body still lay motionless.
Not moving.
Not breathing.
...almost.
In the distance, Hell Kong—its black body still pulsing with dark aura—slowly turned its head.
Its glowing red eyes stared at the small body in the center of the crater.
No movement.
No resistance.
The monster sniffed the air—searching for the scent of blood, the scent of death, the scent of certainty that its prey had truly perished.
But—
there was something strange.
That scent.
Not the scent of a dying body.
But the scent of something newborn.
Hell Kong growled low.
Its massive body began to move.
Step by step.
Heavy.
Certain.
Toward Lilya.
THUD...
THUD...
THUD...
The ground trembled beneath each footfall.
Closer.
Closer.
Until finally—
it stood right before Lilya.
The girl's body still lay there.
Her clothes torn. Covered in dirt and dried blood.
But—
her wounds.
The wounds all over her body—had closed.
Her skin had healed.
Her right arm, which had been gone—was back.
Her left leg, which had been destroyed—was whole again.
Her chest, which had barely moved—now rose and fell with a steady rhythm. Regular. Strong.
As if this body had just been sleeping—and was about to wake up.
Hell Kong growled louder.
Its red eyes burned brighter.
Hell Kong raised both of its massive hands into the air, its black muscles swelling, dark aura swirling wildly around both fists.
[Brute Hammer]
"GRROOOOOAAAAARRRRR—!!!"
Its roar shook the forest.
Both fists began to descend—
FAST.
HEAVY.
DEADLY.
But—
just before the blow could reach Lilya's body—
Hell Kong's eyes widened.
Both of its arms—
severed.
They hadn't even touched its prey.
Hadn't even reached halfway.
The two massive arms detached from its shoulders in one clean cut, hovering in the air for a moment before falling to the ground with a heavy thud.
THUD.
THUD.
Black blood gushed violently from the two holes in Hell Kong's shoulders, spraying like fountains of death suddenly opened.
"GRROOOAA—?!"
A scream of pain.
Not a battle roar.
But the scream of a creature that didn't understand what had just happened.
And behind the severed arms still twitching on the ground—
a flash.
Golden-blue light.
One slash.
No excessive movement.
No lengthy preparation.
Just one line of light that split the air, split space, split Hell Kong's body from its left shoulder down to its right hip.
Perfect.
Straight.
Without resistance.
The giant body went still.
Its red eyes widened—still trying to comprehend—but there was no time.
Hell Kong's body split in two.
THUD—
THUD—
The two halves of its body fell in opposite directions, hitting the ground with a heavy sound that shook the forest.
Black blood flowed profusely, soaking into the earth, creating a spreading pool of death.
And behind the collapsing body—
the figure of a girl stood.
Her blonde hair fluttered gently in the night wind, a few strands falling across her calm face. Gleaming white armor with golden engravings wrapped around her slender figure, a blue-gold mantle moving like a curtain of light behind her.
The sword in her hand—still dripping with black blood.
Fresh.
Pulsing.
As if it had just finished dancing.
Her gaze was calm.
Eyes that had once been full of fear now held only clarity.
Lilya had risen with her full power as a Sword Saint.
Her torn dress had been replaced by sacred armor.
Celestial Veil.
The sacred white pearlescent armor reflected the moonlight like a perfectly polished crystal surface. On every side, intricate golden ornaments intertwined into ancient patterns, radiating grace and majesty—like the battle garb of a goddess descending from the heavens.
Her chest plate was crafted from light metal that followed her curves without restricting movement. Beneath it, her stomach was left exposed, revealing pale skin between chest and waist—a signature feature that had long been the identity of this legendary armor.
The layered white armor skirt hung short, reaching mid-thigh. Its folds fluttered softly with every breeze, paired with white and gold thigh guards and greaves that protected her legs down to the knees without sacrificing agility.
Both arms were clad in white gauntlets, decorated with flowing golden lines like living veins of light. Her shoulder guards were sleek and elegant, allowing every sword swing to remain free, fast, and precise.
Behind her stretched a long navy-blue mantle.
Its exterior was simple.
But its inner lining resembled a night sky filled with stars.
Golden edges shimmered faintly, while the mantle continued to billow majestically, as if an invisible flow of mana constantly moved it even when the wind had long since stopped.
Every surface of Celestial Veil emitted a soft golden light that pulsed gently in time with the flow of mana within its wearer.
Not blinding.
Not excessive.
But enough to fill the air around Lilya with shimmering particles of light like stardust.
SWISH—
With one light flick, Lilya swung her sword to the side.
The black blood clinging to the blade was flung off in a thin arc through the air before scattering to the ground.
When the swing stopped—
the blade was clean again.
Reflecting the moonlight like a mirror that had never been tainted.
"..."
Lilya raised her sword slightly.
Her gaze traced the blade slowly.
Then—
she lowered her gaze to her own body.
"..."
White gauntlets wrapped around her fingers perfectly.
When she clenched her fist—
there was no heaviness.
No stiffness.
Every movement felt natural.
As if the armor wasn't something worn.
But part of her own body.
Her gaze dropped to her chest.
Then to her waist.
To the white armor skirt fluttering gently in the wind.
"..."
The corner of her mouth twitched slightly.
"I still..."
she murmured softly.
"...can't get used to it."
Her cheeks even flushed briefly when her eyes unintentionally caught sight of her still-exposed stomach.
"...too revealing..."
Her complaint was almost inaudible.
But this time—
she no longer tried to pull down the armor skirt.
She only let out a small sigh.
"...well..."
A faint smile appeared on her face.
"...at least now I know why."
Slowly, she raised her left hand.
Not to the sword.
But to her chest.
Her palm pressed against the spot above her heart.
Warm.
Her heartbeat was calm.
Strong.
No longer chaotic like moments before.
Lilya closed her eyes.
The night wind blew gently.
Caressing her blonde hair.
Making the blue mantle behind her flutter softly.
"...Hikaru..."
Her whisper blended with the sound of rustling leaves.
Silence answered her.
But somehow—
she no longer felt alone.
Behind her heartbeat...
behind the flow of mana now flowing calmly through her body...
she could feel something.
Not a voice.
Not a shadow.
But a trace.
A trace so deep that it had become part of her.
Lilya took a slow breath.
"...I can feel..."
Her voice trembled softly.
"...all your struggles..."
Her fingers gripped the fabric of her armor lightly.
"...all the training you went through..."
"...all your defeats..."
"...all your victories..."
Flashes of unfamiliar images appeared briefly in her mind.
Thousands of sword swings.
Countless battles.
Enemies far stronger.
Dark dungeons.
Tournament arenas.
Fights against giant monsters.
Fights against the best players.
And a man—
who kept getting back up.
Over and over.
Even when he lost.
Even when he failed.
Even when the whole world said it was just a game.
He kept moving forward.
Always.
"...inside that game..."
A thin tear once again wet the corner of Lilya's eye.
But this time—
it wasn't a tear of sorrow.
But of gratitude.
A small smile formed on her face.
Gentle.
Sincere.
"...thank you..."
She gripped her chest a little tighter.
"...for entrusting all of this to me."
Lilya opened her eyes.
Her golden-blue gaze radiated unshakable resolve.
"...let me..."
She raised her sword.
The tip of its blade pointed straight ahead.
"...use this power..."
Golden mana began to flow gently along the blade.
Particles of light appeared in the air.
"...to save Cecilia."