In Italy, within a remote region known as Cascata dell’Aquila.
A vast forest stretched endlessly in every direction, thick with towering trees whose leaves had turned shades of gold, crimson, and deep orange. Autumn had fully claid this land. The ground beneath their feet was no longer soil, but a dense carpet of fallen leaves, soft yet treacherous, muffling every step they took.
Indigo walked at the front, his presence calm and unwavering.
Behind him followed Angelica, accompanied by two of her subordinates. Their steps were cautious, eyes darting around the forest as if expecting death itself to erge from between the trees.
Angelica kept her eyes closed as she walked, her expression serene yet tense, as if she were listening not with her sight, but with her soul.
"Where are you taking us..."
she asked softly, her voice barely louder than the rustling leaves.
"To the place of death."
The mont Indigo uttered those words, Angelica’s breath caught for a split second.
Fear flickered across her heart.
She was not ignorant of death. She had faced danger countless tis—but death spoken so plainly, so calmly, still sent a chill down her spine.
Indigo noticed.
’It’s natural for her to be afraid... At this stage, she’s only Rank A. Inexperienced. Weak compared to what she will beco.’
’Even though she will eventually learn of this place on her own... the main storyline has already been altered too much because of .’
’It’s better if I guide her directly.’
With that thought, Indigo continued walking forward without hesitation.
After so ti, the forest began to thin, the trees parting unnaturally—as if avoiding sothing.
And then, it appeared.
A massive cave stood before them, its entrance wide open like the jaws of a monstrous serpent. Four jagged rock formations jutted downward and upward, resembling venomous fangs ready to snap shut.
Angelica slowly opened her eyes and stared at the cave.
"...It looks like a snake,"
she muttered unconsciously.
Indigo turned his head slightly and spoke in a composed tone.
"Don’t worry. If anything happens inside... I’ll protect you all."
Angelica blinked, then gave a faint, almost imperceptible smile.
With that, they stepped into the cave.
The mont they crossed the threshold, the world seed to reject light.
It was unnaturally dark—so dark that even the concept of brightness felt pushed out of existence.
"This place is too dark..."
Angelica murmured.
She clasped her hands together tightly, as if praying.
Suddenly, a faint golden glow appeared before her—soft, warm, holy.
But only for a mont.
The light vanished instantly, as if swallowed whole.
Angelica’s eyes widened.
"...Why isn’t my holy light working here?"
Indigo answered without hesitation.
"That’s because this place is far from anything holy."
As he spoke, Indigo extended his hand forward, palm open.
In an instant, a brilliant golden light burst forth—far brighter than the one Angelica had summoned.
The cave walls were illuminated, every crack and shadow exposed under the radiance.
Angelica froze.
"W-what kind of light is that...? It’s so bright..."
She turned toward Indigo, confusion clear on her face.
"Didn’t you say holy light is useless in a place like this?"
Behind his mask, Indigo smiled faintly.
’Of course. But this light is different.’
’This is Lightnova—elental light, not holy.’
He spoke aloud.
"That’s true. But this light isn’t holy power. It’s just... a different kind of energy."
At those words, Angelica’s eyes snapped fully open.
She focused intently on the light Indigo was emitting, analyzing it with her senses.
"...You’re right,"
she whispered.
"There’s no holiness in it at all... And yet..."
"...there’s sothing else."
Her expression darkened.
"There’s a negative sensation within that light."
Indigo stiffened slightly.
’Negative...? What does she an by that?’
He turned his head toward her.
"What do you an by negative?"
Angelica hesitated.
"That light... it isn’t ordinary."
"It feels like it could beco sothing incredibly cruel... if shaped the wrong way."
’...I don’t fully understand her explanation.’
Indigo exhaled quietly.
"Well, whatever it is... let’s move deeper."
Angelica nodded and followed him further into the cave.
After walking for several minutes, the tunnel split.
Three different paths stretched out before them, each disappearing into darkness.
Angelica imdiately turned to her subordinates.
"You two. Go check those paths."
Before they could move, Indigo interrupted.
"That won’t be necessary."
Angelica turned toward him.
"Why not? Wouldn’t that be faster?"
"I already know which path is correct."
Indigo replied casually.
Despite her eyes being closed again, Angelica’s surprise was obvious.
"...Then lead the way."
"Follow ."
Indigo stepped into the middle path.
They followed.
Unbeknownst to them, sothing stirred behind.
From the darkness erged a black silhouette—humanoid in shape, with bat-like wings and crimson eyes that glowed like blood-red eralds.
Indigo subtly scanned his surroundings.
’This is strange... According to my mory, Rank B monsters should have appeared by now.’
’But there’s nothing.’
Suddenly—
A deafening screech echoed through the cave.
They all turned around.
In that instant, Indigo raised his hand, forming his fingers like a gun.
A dark-blue light gathered at his fingertips and fired.
The bat-like creature was struck mid-air and slamd into the ground.
’Why is there a bat monster here...?’
Before he could finish the thought—
The sound of wings filled the cave.
From the darkness erged dozens of monsters.
Humanoid bodies covered in thick fur. Bat wings stretched wide. Eyes glowing red with hunger.
Not one.
But many.
Angelica and her subordinates recoiled in fear.
Indigo stepped forward, placing himself between them and the monsters.
’What’s going on...?’
’Why are Rank A monsters appearing here?’
The monsters lunged.
Their claws, sharp as blades, tore through the air.
Indigo raised his hand.
"Void Cube."
A transparent cube materialized instantly, encasing Angelica and her subordinates.
The monsters slamd into it, screeching, clawing, but unable to break through.
They could see their prey.
But they couldn’t touch it.
Angelica stared in shock.
Indigo tilted his head slightly.
"...Should I test this?"
He muttered quietly.
Angelica heard him.
"What are you talking about!?"
"Stay here. Don’t leave the cube."
With that, Indigo stepped out.
The nano-arc embedded in his outfit surged to life, flowing rapidly into his palm.
It reshaped itself into a razor-sharp sword.
Indigo charged.
One slash.
Two.
Three.
Each strike clean, precise.
The monsters howled as they fell.
Soon, their attention shifted entirely to him.
They surrounded Indigo from all sides.
Yet his expression remained calm.
The only one truly worried was Angelica.
Her hands trembled as she watched.
’Please... survive...’
’God... protect him...’
The nano-arc shifted again.
The sword transford into a machine gun.
Indigo opened fire.
The cave echoed with thunderous gunshots.
Monster after monster collapsed.
Their bodies disintegrated mid-fall, reduced to ash as if devoured by an unseen force.
Indigo glanced toward the tunnel the monsters had erged from.
The nano-arc reshaped—this ti into an RPG launcher.
He pulled the trigger.
The rocket soared.
An explosion shook the cave violently.
Rocks collapsed, sealing the tunnel completely.
Dust filled the air.
When it cleared, the path was gone.
Blocked.
Indigo exhaled.
"...That’ll do."
He turned back toward Angelica.
"Seems useful after all. Thanks, Boris."
He muttered with a satisfied tone.
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