The Spirit Realm grew quiet again.
But this time—
It wasn't hostile.
---
The distortion had vanished.
The pressure was gone.
Even the strange shimmer in the air felt… calmer.
---
Zephyr remained on one knee.
Breathing heavily.
His body trembling from exhaustion.
---
"…Damn…"
He muttered.
"…That took everything…"
---
The blue scales on his arm slowly faded.
His eyes returned to normal.
---
The power disappeared—
But the fatigue remained.
---
Rex dropped beside him.
"…You're insane."
He laughed weakly.
"…Fighting something like that head-on…"
---
Zephyr smirked faintly.
"…Didn't see you stopping me."
---
"…Yeah, because I value my life," Rex shot back.
---
Elara walked toward them.
Her expression calm—
But her eyes sharp.
---
"…That wasn't just a fight."
---
Zephyr looked up at her.
"…You said that before."
---
She nodded.
---
"…She was testing you."
---
Silence.
---
Zephyr frowned.
"…Why?"
---
Before Elara could answer—
The system appeared again.
---
[New Title Activated: Recognized by the Spirit Realm]
[Effect: Increased compatibility with spirit entities]
---
Zephyr stared at the screen.
---
"…Compatibility…?"
---
Rex raised an eyebrow.
"…That sounds useful."
---
Elara's gaze shifted slightly.
---
"…Or dangerous."
---
Suddenly—
The air shimmered.
---
All three froze.
---
"…Not again…" Rex muttered.
---
But this time—
The presence felt different.
---
Gentler.
Calmer.
---
Light gathered in front of them.
---
And slowly—
A figure formed.
---
The same spirit.
---
But not the same.
---
Her form was stable now.
Clearer.
Less distorted.
---
Her glowing eyes softened slightly.
---
"…You survived."
---
Zephyr stood slowly.
---
"…You came back."
---
She tilted her head.
---
"…Of course."
---
"…The trial isn't over."
---
Rex groaned.
"…You've gotta be kidding me."
---
Elara stepped forward.
---
"…What do you want?"
---
The spirit ignored her.
---
Her gaze fixed on Zephyr.
---
"…Power has a price."
---
Silence.
---
"…You've taken your first step."
---
Zephyr crossed his arms slightly.
---
"…Then tell me the rest."
---
A faint smile appeared on her face.
---
"…Bold."
---
She raised her hand.
---
A small orb of light appeared.
Floating between them.
---
"…This is a spirit core."
---
Zephyr's eyes narrowed.
---
"…From you?"
---
She nodded.
---
"…A fragment."
---
Elara's expression changed instantly.
---
"…You're giving him that?"
---
The spirit looked at her briefly.
---
"…He earned it."
---
Rex leaned forward.
"…And what does it do?"
---
The spirit turned back to Zephyr.
---
"…It will strengthen your connection to this realm."
"…Enhance your perception."
"…And allow you to interact with spirits more directly."
---
A pause.
---
"…But…"
---
The air grew slightly colder.
---
"…It will also expose you."
---
Zephyr frowned.
"…To what?"
---
The spirit's voice dropped.
---
"…To those who hunt power like yours."
---
Silence.
---
Zephyr exhaled slowly.
---
"…Figures."
---
He looked at the glowing orb.
---
"…And if I refuse?"
---
The spirit didn't hesitate.
---
"…Then you remain weak."
---
Rex snorted.
"…Straight to the point."
---
Elara watched quietly.
---
"…There's more."
---
The spirit nodded slightly.
---
"…The core will bind to you."
"…It cannot be removed."
"…And if your body cannot handle it…"
---
A pause.
---
"…You will die."
---
Silence.
---
Rex stepped back.
"…Yeah, I vote no."
---
Elara didn't speak.
But her gaze moved to Zephyr.
---
Waiting.
---
Zephyr stared at the orb.
---
Power.
---
Risk.
---
Death.
---
It was all the same now.
---
He had already stepped onto this path.
---
There was no turning back.
---
He reached out.
---
"…I'll take it."
---
Rex groaned.
"…Of course you will."
---
Elara closed her eyes briefly.
---
"…Idiot."
---
The spirit extended her hand.
---
The orb floated toward Zephyr.
---
"…Then accept it."
---
The moment it touched his chest—
---
BOOM
---
Light exploded outward.
---
Zephyr's body froze.
---
"ZEHPYR!" Rex shouted.
---
Energy surged violently through him.
---
The dragon mark flared.
---
Clashing with the spirit core.
---
Blue and white energy collided.
---
His body trembled uncontrollably.
---
"AAAGHHH!!"
---
Pain shot through every part of him.
---
His vision blurred.
---
The system flickered wildly.
---
[Foreign Energy Detected]
[Integration in Progress…]
[ERROR]
[Stabilizing…]
---
Elara clenched her fists.
---
"…Hold on…"
---
The spirit watched silently.
---
"…This is his test."
---
Zephyr collapsed to one knee.
---
His body burning.
Freezing.
Breaking.
Reforming.
---
"…I… won't…"
He gasped.
---
"…lose…"
---
The energy surged one final time.
---
Then—
---
Silence.
---
The light disappeared.
---
Zephyr remained still.
---
Not moving.
---
Not breathing.
---
"…Zephyr…?" Rex whispered.
---
Then—
---
His eyes opened.
---
Glowing.
---
Not just blue—
---
But mixed with white.
---
Calm.
Sharp.
Different.
---
The system appeared.
---
[Integration Complete]
[New Ability Unlocked: Spirit Sight]
[New Passive: Dual Energy Core]
---
Zephyr slowly stood up.
---
"…I'm alive."
---
Rex laughed in relief.
"…Barely!"
---
Elara looked at him carefully.
---
"…You changed."
---
Zephyr looked at his hand.
---
He could see it now.
---
Energy.
Flows.
Hidden things.
---
The world looked different.
---
"…Yeah…"
He said quietly.
---
"…I did."
---
The spirit nodded slightly.
---
"…Good."
---
Her form began to fade.
---
"…Your journey has begun."
---
Zephyr looked up.
---
"…Wait."
---
She paused.
---
"…Why are you helping me?"
---
Silence.
---
Then—
---
"…Because…"
---
A faint smile.
---
"…Even gods can fall."
---
And she disappeared.
---
Leaving them alone—
---
In a world that had just become far more dangerous.
---
And far more clear.