"How could this not be real? What did you do?"
Suddenly, windows manifested from the void, visible to everyone.
> **Congratulations on the arrival of the new Transcendent. What do you wish to be?**
>
Everyone was in a state of chaos and wonder.
Alberto was the only one who initially had a choice in what he would become. Alberto was the Transcendent of Light. Dana, the Transcendent of Nature. Alexa, the Transcendent of Death. Dray, the Transcendent of Wind. Deona, the Transcendent of Fire. Kront, the Transcendent of Lightning. And Daniel, the Transcendent of Water.
But Kim was the only one whose choices were manifold.
Amidst the vast array of options, Kim found what he desired. However, the choices were visible only to him. After he made his selection, a message appeared to all:
> **Welcome the Transcendent of Annihilation.**
>
What they did not know, however, was that Kim was not complete—he was only half.
Anxiety was etched onto their faces.
Kim spoke: "Are there others, or is it just us? And is this the place we can always come to?"
Dana replied: "Yes, but we are not from a single world. There are many other worlds."
Everyone introduced themselves, including Kim. However, there were those who refused to accept the idea that Kim—that "vile human" in their eyes—had become like them.
Kim laughed amidst their malice and expressions of hate. He said to them:
"Hatred consumes everything like a black hole. But this hole is the path. And if I am the resulting path... then do not expect to return safely. Whoever refuses my transcendence, let them. I will do nothing until you begin. I do not care who holds enmity toward me. But whoever belittles my station... shall perish."
Deona shouted at Kim: "Killing is forbidden here, and fighting between Transcendents is strictly rejected! You do not know the consequences that could arise from such an act."
Kim told her with a wicked smile: "I love consequences... they are easier than discipline."
Alexa said: "Oh, really? Then where are you from, human?"
Kim told her mockingly: "Go ask your mother; she knows."
Rage surged across her face. "My mother does not know lowly creatures like you."
He told her: "Yes, but she enjoyed it nonetheless."
Alexa was stunned, while the others behind her snickered. Kim said to her: "Next time... if you mock me again... I will not let you be."
Then, the summoning ended. Everyone vanished, and each returned to their respective place.
Kim returned to the forest. But he felt something was wrong.
"Why were there seven? Did I not become the eighth? Can the written number change? Perhaps my return caused a shift. How I hate this feeling."
Kim went to his world. To his city. To his home. To his room.
He was just an empty human, not knowing what to do. But how can a human not know what they will do? If you do not know what you will do... do others know? You must not listen to your soul; it is no better than any other.
Kim's mother was near his room. She drew her sword from the void and said: "Why have you come now?"
Then she lunged toward him, trying to pierce his chest. But when her sword touched Kim's body... it passed right through him. She, too, passed through him, causing some chaos in the room. At that moment, Mary was rushing toward them.
Kim looked at them both with half-open eyes.
"Whenever I come here... memories squeeze my heart. Mother... I will go wherever my heart dictates. Therefore, do not stand in my way. Wherever I go... and wherever I come from."
Then he pulled black blades from the void. Their mere appearance was enough to make anyone feel that if they pierced a body, they would perish instantly. Half of his body was burning with ash.
His mother's eyes widened. "It is too late, Kim... Have you accepted becoming another being? Why did you abandon what you once were?"
Kim said: "You know nothing. When a person pushes themselves beyond the limits of their imagination... a hero is born. By my appearance, I look like a killer. But despite what I have endured... I have never changed on the inside.
As for you, you speak of peace and justice. I hate hypocrites. Just because you are an angel does not mean you are honest. Even the Devil makes himself beautiful to deceive everyone. As for me... never judge me by my appearance.
Everything I have gone through is a result of your mistakes. I became like this because of you. And despite this... I am still hesitant to kill you. If this were the first time, I might have believed you. But it is not the first time, Mother.
These hands have killed thousands of people. Do you still see me as your child now? I spent my life for you. But in the end... my loyalty to you was a poison that slowly destroyed me. I have known many races. But in the end... humans are the most terrifying creatures. Mother... why do you still insist on lying to me?"
Then he unleashed his maximum aura. His voice was so loud it was ear-shattering.
"WHYYYYYY?!"
The house was on the verge of collapsing from the sheer, crushing pressure. Mary quickly felt that the situation was spiraling out of control. She summoned chains from the ground to bind Kim.
But Kim broke them instantly. Mary stammered her words. "I... I forgot you..." She did not know what to say to him.
Kim left her and said: "I will come to you after I am finished. If you disturb me now... I will kill you."
Then he turned to continue his conversation with his mother. But he found her crying. She was weeping heavily, tears falling rapidly to the ground like rain.
He shouted at her: "Why are you crying now? I won't fall for this trick. If you don't stop... I will kill you now."
He directed one of the blades toward her. It was close to her neck. He told her again to stop. The blade slowly approached her until it cut a part of her neck.
Then Mary cried out: "Run with Kim now!"
Kim was confused. "Huh? Has fear made you unable to speak properly?"
Then a voice from above interrupted: "Wow... it seems you are more beautiful than I imagined. But will you continue to point this blade forward? There is blood, too. You seem quite bold."
Kim's mother interrupted the conversation. She used her power to destroy the wall and threw them outside.
Kim wondered: "What happened?"
He tried to go back up, but Mary bound him and pushed him with her to the furthest area.
Kim spoke to her: "What are you doing? And why did you do this?"
Mary said: "Be quiet. Do you not know what we are going through for you? Everything we do is for you, you fool. For once... you will never understand what your mother does for you."
Kim's eyes widened slightly. Then they narrowed, and his personality shifted. "Then who is with her?"
Mary looked at him. She tried to tell him to be quiet, but she found him behind her. He had broken the chains.
She begged Kim to follow her, but he refused. She said to him: "You will die if you go back. You will be killed."
He said to her: "And what do you know about me? I am the one death has cursed."
She interrupted him: "You fool! This was her last request. Come back with me now."
She summoned a portal to transport him to another place.
Mary continued her words: "This person..."