Journey to Become the Zenith

Threads of Power in Fantom City

Back in Fantom City, Lane was already halfway through the long list Victor had given her.

Night had long fallen over the city, and the lamps of the underworld districts flickered like scattered fireflies across dark streets. Most people never realized how much power shifted in the shadows after sunset.

But tonight, those shadows were moving according to Victor’s will.

Lane had spent the past hours moving from one corner of the city to another with ruthless efficiency.

Anyone who opposed Victor’s rule within Fantom City’s underworld had already been dealt with.

Quietly.

Permanently.

There were no loud confrontations. No chaotic battles in public streets.

Just sudden disappearances.

Closed doors.

And whispers spreading through the criminal networks that a new authority had taken control.

Lane had also eliminated every dealer who continued selling illegal drugs after Victor had forbidden it.

She did not argue.

She did not warn them twice.

Victor’s orders were absolute.

If someone ignored them, the consequences were immediate.

Now the drug trade within Fantom City had vanished almost overnight.

But power in the underworld didn’t come only from violence.

It also required control over the authorities.

And that was where the town guard came in.

Earlier that night, Lane had visited the headquarters of Fantom City’s guard captain.

The man in charge had not been someone respectable.

He was known for being corrupt.

Greedy.

And worse... a lecher.

When Lane entered his office, the man had looked at her in a way that made his intentions painfully obvious.

His eyes had traveled across her body slowly—the curve of her waist, the strength in her legs, the way the slit of her black dress revealed her toned thigh when she moved.

He had leaned back in his chair with a disgusting smile.

”If you want the guards to ignore your activities...”

He had said casually.

”...you’ll have to do something for me first.”

The room had gone silent after that.

Lane didn’t answer immediately.

Instead...

She stepped forward.

Slowly.

The man’s grin widened.

Until—

A terrifying pressure suddenly filled the room.

Before he could react, Lane had slammed her hand onto his desk.

The wood cracked.

His chair slid backward violently from the sheer force of the impact.

The guard captain froze.

The killing intent in her eyes was colder than any blade.

Lane’s voice had remained quiet.

But every word had carried lethal weight.

”You misunderstand something.”

Her gaze had been steady.

”I’m not asking.”

The man had quickly realized the situation.

He was not dealing with someone he could manipulate.

He was dealing with someone far stronger than him.

Far more dangerous.

By the time Lane left the building, the captain of the town guard had already agreed to every condition she demanded.

From now on...

The guards of Fantom City would look the other way.

Lane didn’t care about the details.

Victor had already predicted everything.

Her job was simply to follow his instructions.

And she trusted him completely.

Now only the remaining half of the list remained.

Victor’s final orders within the city had nothing to do with killing.

Instead—

He wanted influence.

Lane’s next task was to approach fallen noble families, people who had once held power but had since lost their wealth or standing.

Families like Clara’s.

Victor believed that people who had fallen from grace were often the most dangerous—or the most loyal.

With the money Lane had earned through adventuring missions, she had already begun quietly approaching several of them.

Offering support.

Protection.

A place under Victor’s banner.

Lane didn’t fully understand Victor’s long-term plan.

But that had never mattered to her.

If Victor had decided something—

Then there was a reason.

And Lane would carry it out without question.

Far away from Fantom City, another journey had just come to an end.

The carriage carrying Videl and Mora rolled slowly toward the massive gates of Falling Cloud, the capital of the Skyfall Kingdom.

Even before they entered the city, Videl could see how enormous it was.

The walls surrounding Falling Cloud were massive.

Much larger than those protecting Fantom City.

And unlike ordinary stone walls...

These were reinforced with visible mana patterns carved into the structure itself.

Soft blue energy pulsed faintly through the ancient enchantments.

Defensive magic.

Videl stared in amazement.

Once they passed through the gates, the true scale of the capital became clear.

The city was easily three times larger than Fantom City.

Wide streets stretched through carefully planned districts. Shops, markets, and tall buildings filled the landscape.

And at the center of it all—

A magnificent palace rose toward the sky.

The palace of the Warrior Queen Amara of Skyfall Kingdom.

Videl leaned slightly toward the carriage window.

Her blue sapphire eyes widened as she took in the sights around her.

Carriages filled the streets.

Some were pulled by powerful horses.

Others...

Moved without any animals at all.

Mana-powered transport.

Magical arrays embedded beneath the carriage wheels propelled them smoothly through the roads.

Videl had never seen anything like it before.

Her attention suddenly shifted upward.

High in the northern sky above the city—

A squadron of griffons flew across the clouds.

Each one carried a heavily armored knight.

Their wings beat slowly as they patrolled the skies.

Then toward the southern horizon—

Another group passed overhead.

Wyverns.

Massive reptilian beasts soaring through the air with riders mounted on their backs.

Videl couldn’t help whispering softly.

”...Amazing.”

Mora heard her reaction and smiled faintly.

For someone who had grown up in the countryside, the capital could feel overwhelming.

Videl also noticed something else.

The people walking the streets looked... comfortable.

Relaxed.

The guards standing watch wore polished armor of far higher quality than anything she had seen before.

The capital clearly prospered.

But Videl knew better than to believe the entire city was perfect.

Where light existed—

Darkness always followed.

Her experiences in Fantom City had already taught her that.

If a massive city like Falling Cloud existed...

Then somewhere beneath it, another world must exist as well.

The underworld.

Hidden.

Waiting.

Before the carriage finally stopped, Mora handed something to her.

”A cloak.”

Videl looked down.

A dark hooded cloak and a mask.

”To hide your face,” Mora explained calmly.

”This meeting must remain secret.”

Videl nodded.

She quickly put on the cloak and mask, hiding her features.

Once ready, the carriage door opened.

The two stepped onto the street.

Mora immediately led the way toward a luxurious inn located close to the palace.

Even from outside, it was clear the building catered only to the wealthiest guests.

Inside, warm lantern light filled the grand hall.

Soft music drifted through the air.

The moment Mora entered, the owner of the establishment personally came forward to greet them.

He recognized Mora instantly.

After all, Mora was a knight who worked directly for the royal court.

”Sir Mora.”

The innkeeper bowed respectfully.

”It’s good to see you again.”

His eyes briefly moved toward Videl.

But he wisely chose not to ask questions.

He understood the rules of dealing with royal knights.

Sometimes discretion was more valuable than curiosity.

After a short conversation with Mora, the innkeeper handed them two room keys.

”Your rooms are ready.”

He personally guided the two guests upstairs.

The hallway carpets muffled their footsteps.

As they reached their respective doors, the innkeeper gave a final polite bow before leaving.

The journey to Falling Cloud was finally over.

But for Videl...

The real reason she had been brought here was only just beginning.