Chapter 18: The Past That Created the Monster
Night fell quietly over the Shadow Castle.
The moonlight filtered through the tall windows, painting silver light across the dark stone walls. The castle had finally grown calm after the sudden Abyss Spawn attack.
But inside the Shadow King's mind—
Nothing was calm.
He stood alone in the balcony, staring into the endless darkness beyond his kingdom.
The wind moved slowly around him.
His expression was colder than usual.
Because something was wrong.
The Abyss Spawn appearing so suddenly…
That wasn't normal.
Someone…
Was interfering with the seal.
And that meant—
A bigger enemy was moving in the shadows.
Behind him—
Soft footsteps echoed.
"Liora?"
He turned slightly.
She stood at the doorway, still looking a little weak.
Her hair moved gently with the night breeze.
"You should be resting."
She walked slowly toward him.
"I couldn't sleep."
She stood beside him.
The silence between them felt softer tonight.
"Are you worried?"
She asked quietly.
He didn't answer immediately.
"...Yes."
Her chest tightened.
"About the Abyss?"
He nodded.
"But also…"
He glanced at her.
"...About you."
Her heart skipped.
"Me?"
He looked at her glowing hand.
"Your power is growing too fast."
She lowered her gaze.
"I'm trying to control it…"
"I know."
His voice softened slightly.
"But something is triggering it."
She looked up.
"What do you mean?"
His eyes darkened.
"The Abyss reacts to your light."
Her breath trembled.
"Why?"
Silence lingered.
"...Because your power isn't normal."
Her heart beat faster.
"You mean…"
"You are not just light."
His words echoed quietly.
"You are balance."
Her chest tightened.
The crystal's words returned to her mind.
"You carry both light and darkness..."
She clenched her hand slightly.
"...Is that bad?"
He looked at her.
"...It makes you dangerous."
Her heart skipped.
"But…"
His voice softened.
"It also makes you the only one who can stop what's coming."
Her breath trembled.
"What is coming?"
He looked into the darkness.
"...War."
The wind grew stronger.
"Someone is trying to break the Abyss seal."
Her heart raced.
"The general?"
He shook his head.
"No."
His eyes narrowed.
"...Someone older."
Her chest tightened.
"Older?"
Silence.
Then—
"The one who created me."
Her breath stopped.
"What…?"
He didn't look at her.
"...The original Shadow Master."
Her heart pounded.
"You mean… the one who gave you your power?"
He nodded slowly.
"He was the one who taught me darkness."
Her chest tightened.
"What happened to him?"
Silence.
His eyes grew darker.
"...I killed him."
Her breath caught.
"You… killed your master?"
He nodded.
"He lost control."
The wind howled quietly.
"He tried to destroy the world."
Her heart trembled.
"So… you stopped him?"
His voice lowered.
"I had no choice."
Her chest tightened.
"...Was it hard?"
Silence.
He didn't answer.
But his clenched hand told her everything.
It had been painful.
Very painful.
She looked at him softly.
"You didn't want to do it…"
He remained silent.
The moonlight reflected in his eyes.
"I understand."
Her voice was gentle.
"You were trying to save everyone."
He glanced at her slightly.
"You sound like you're defending me."
She smiled faintly.
"Because… I think you're not a villain."
Silence.
His eyes widened slightly.
"...Everyone thinks I am."
She shook her head.
"Not me."
Her words were soft.
But they hit deeper than any sword.
For a moment—
He didn't know what to say.
No one had ever said that before.
Suddenly—
The wind grew colder.
Both of them froze.
A dark presence filled the air.
The Shadow King's expression hardened instantly.
"...Someone's here."
Liora's heart raced.
She felt it too.
A heavy… ancient presence.
The shadows moved violently.
Then—
A figure appeared in the courtyard below.
Covered in a long dark cloak.
His presence felt… overwhelming.
Even the shadows trembled.
The Shadow King's eyes widened slightly.
"...Impossible."
Liora looked at him.
"You know him?"
His voice lowered.
"...Yes."
The figure slowly raised his head.
Red glowing eyes appeared beneath the hood.
A faint smile formed.
"...It's been a long time… my student."
Liora's breath stopped.
The Shadow King's eyes darkened.
"...You're alive."
The figure chuckled softly.
"Did you miss me?"
The air turned colder.
The Shadow King's aura surged.
"...You shouldn't have come back."
The man stepped forward slowly.
"You're still weak."
His gaze shifted.
Then—
He looked at Liora.
His eyes widened slightly.
"Oh…"
A slow smile appeared.
"So… she's the balance."
Liora's heart pounded.
The Shadow King moved instantly.
He stood in front of her.
"Stay behind me."
The man laughed quietly.
"Still protecting others?"
His gaze turned cold.
"You haven't changed."
The Shadow King's eyes glowed fiercely.
"You should have stayed dead."
The man removed his hood.
His face appeared.
Cold.
Cruel.
Ancient.
"I never die."
The darkness around him twisted violently.
Liora's light flickered.
Her chest tightened.
This man—
Was far stronger than the others.
The Shadow King's voice turned cold.
"...Why are you here?"
The man smiled.
"I'm here to finish what I started."
The air trembled.
His gaze darkened.
"This world… will belong to darkness."
The Shadow King's aura exploded.
"No."
The man chuckled softly.
"You still think you can stop me?"
His power surged.
The castle trembled violently.
Liora's heart raced.
This enemy…
Was on another level.
The Shadow King stepped forward.
Dark wings formed again.
"I stopped you once."
The man's smile widened.
"Then try again."
Darkness exploded.
The war—
Was about to begin again.
And this time—
The enemy was the one who created the Shadow King himself.