"Master… you left me behind."
Ayal froze.
From the sword in his hand, something was emerging.
A small figure slowly appeared—white hair flowing softly, black eyes as deep as the abyss. The figure looked like a child.
The child tilted their head.
"Do you not recognize me, Master? I was inside your sword."
Ayal's grip tightened.
"What… are you?"
"Master, I am very happy to see you again."
Again?
Ayal couldn't understand what was happening in front of him.
"Master… please give me a name."
"A name?"
"Yes. If you give me a name… you will be able to truly use me. And if you use me… you will gain many advantages."
Ayal frowned.
"If I name you… I can use your power?"
"Yes, Master. If you give me a name, you will gain great benefits."
For a moment, silence filled the battlefield.
"…Alright."
Ayal took a deep breath.
"I will give you a name."
The small figure smiled softly.
"Your name will be… Noctis."
The moment the name was spoken—
The child's body dissolved into light.
Suddenly—
Ayal's sword separated from his hand and began to transform.
The once dark blade expanded in size. Its color shifted—seven different mana colors merged into one radiant glow.
Ayal stared in disbelief.
The wounds across his body began healing instantly.
Cuts closed. Broken flesh restored. Pain disappeared.
"How… is this possible?"
The voice echoed gently.
"Master, I told you. If you use me, you will gain many advantages. Even if you are heavily injured… I can restore you."
Ayal's heart pounded.
Before he could respond—
A Demon appeared before him.
The creature grinned wickedly.
"You seem to be enjoying yourself. Now… I will end you."
The Demon lunged forward.
Ayal reacted instantly, raising his transformed sword.
The clash shook the ground.
"So fast…" Ayal thought. "How do I defend against this?"
The Demon's attacks were relentless. Ayal stepped back, guarding carefully.
"I need to find its weak point…"
He observed carefully.
The Demon's body was extremely tough. Direct attacks weren't effective.
"Master," the sword whispered. "Attack its head. Its body is hardened. The head is the easiest point."
"I see… so I must choose the right position."
Ayal scanned his surroundings.
Behind the Demon stood a massive stone pillar.
"I understand."
Suddenly, Ayal began running.
The Demon chased him, roaring angrily.
At the last second—
Ayal leaped aside.
The Demon's massive body crashed directly into the stone pillar.
Crack.
The ground trembled.
When Ayal turned around—
The Demon was kneeling.
Its sword had fallen from its hand.
Its body trembled in fear.
"…Fear?"
Ayal was confused.
This was the same Demon who wanted to kill him.
Why was it trembling?
Then—
Ayal felt it.
Behind him…
A massive presence.
He slowly turned his head.
And saw it.
A gigantic being stood there.
It was taller than anything he had ever seen.
Was it another Demon?
No.
It felt… like a god.
Its right eye held a terrifying smile.
Its left eye wept silently.
One side radiated madness. The other radiated sorrow.
It felt real.
Too real.
As if it were staring directly into Ayal's soul.
Ayal's hands trembled.
"Master," the sword whispered urgently. "Now is your chance. Finish the Demon."
Ayal snapped back to reality.
"Yes… I must end this first."
Without hesitation—
He rushed forward.
The Demon did not resist.
In a single clean motion—
Ayal severed its head.
Blood splashed across his face.
The Demon's body collapsed to the ground.
Silence returned to the battlefield.
But behind him—
That godlike being was still watching.
And Ayal knew…
This was only the beginning.