Journey to Become the Zenith

The Hero Who Arrived at the Edge of Despair

On the other hand, Eon and Brinda were smiling from ear to ear as they felt such overwhelming pressure. They knew that this overpowering force could only belong to one person.

Victor.

The suffocating wave of mana that had brought the entire battlefield to a standstill was unlike anything they had ever experienced, yet to them it carried an unmistakable familiarity.

For everyone else, it was a terrifying omen.

For the two of them...

It was salvation.

Brinda leaned against the ruined battlements, breathing heavily as the last traces of mana within her body flickered weakly. Her purple robes were stained with dust and blood, and even lifting her staff had become difficult. Yet the moment that overwhelming aura spread across Fantom City, a genuine smile bloomed on her exhausted face.

”He came...”

Her voice was barely louder than a whisper.

”I knew he would.”

Beside her, Eon laughed despite the deep wounds covering his body. Blood still dripped from countless cuts across his armor, but the weight pressing on his heart had suddenly become lighter.

”I told you.”

His tired eyes remained fixed on the distant horizon.

”That idiot always shows up when everyone thinks it’s over.”

Brinda chuckled softly.

”He’ll complain afterward that he never wanted to get involved.”

Eon nodded.

”And then somehow save everyone anyway.”

The two exchanged weary smiles.

Neither questioned whether Victor could change the battle.

To them, that wasn’t even worth discussing.

The only question now was how spectacularly he would do it.

The surrounding defenders noticed their reactions.

One battered knight looked at Eon in confusion.

”Captain...”

”You know whoever that is?”

Eon answered without taking his eyes off the horizon.

”I do.”

”...Then tell me.”

The knight swallowed nervously.

”Should we be afraid?”

A broad grin spread across Eon’s face.

”You?”

”No.”

He tightened his grip on his weapon.

”If you’re standing on the same side as him...”

”...then today is the enemy’s unlucky day.”

Several nearby soldiers exchanged uncertain glances.

They still couldn’t understand how anyone could smile beneath such terrifying pressure.

Yet seeing Eon and Brinda so calm eased the fear inside their hearts.

Hope slowly replaced panic.

The overwhelming aura no longer felt entirely oppressive.

Instead...

It felt like reinforcements had finally arrived.

...

Far away, high above the battlefield, Videl continued her fierce battle against one of the undead dragons.

Golden light and ghostly green flames repeatedly collided, shaking the heavens with every exchange.

The dragon’s massive claws swept toward her.

Videl twisted gracefully through the attack before bringing her Long Sword down in a brilliant arc.

CLANG!

The impact echoed for miles.

Fragments of ancient bone scattered through the sky.

The undead dragon roared in fury before gathering another torrent of corrupt mana.

Before it could unleash the spell...

Videl suddenly paused.

Not because of hesitation.

Because she felt it.

That familiar fluctuation of mana.

Her sapphire-blue eyes widened ever so slightly.

Then...

She smiled.

A genuine smile.

The kind that only appeared around someone she trusted completely.

”You finally made it...”

She quietly laughed to herself.

”You really have the worst timing...”

Another blast of green fire raced toward her.

She effortlessly redirected it with the Long Sword before continuing the aerial battle.

Beside her, Eon laughed despite the deep wounds covering his body. Blood still dripped from countless cuts across his armor, but the weight pressing on his heart had suddenly become lighter.

Even while fighting one of the strongest enemies she had ever faced, her heart had become unexpectedly calm.

Victor had always insisted he had no interest in becoming anyone’s hero.

He often mocked the very word itself.

He disliked fame.

He disliked unnecessary responsibility.

And whenever someone praised him for saving others...

He would simply roll his eyes.

Yet fate seemed determined to ignore his wishes.

Again...

And again...

And again...

Whenever despair swallowed the battlefield...

Whenever hope seemed completely extinguished...

He appeared.

Not seeking glory.

Not seeking recognition.

Simply because someone needed to act.

Videl couldn’t help smiling at the irony.

”You keep saying you’re not a hero...”

Her sword flashed once more, forcing the undead dragon backward.

”...but you always arrive exactly like one.”

The dragon roared and dove toward her again.

This time, Videl met it head-on.

Their collision lit up the darkened sky like a second sun, while far below the defenders watched in amazement.

Even amid the chaos...

Videl’s confidence never wavered.

Because somewhere beyond the smoke and darkness...

Victor had arrived.

And for the first time since the siege began...

She believed the end of the battle was finally within sight.

...

Lane weaved gracefully through the storm of attacks unleashed by the undead dragon.

Its enormous skeletal wings tore through the clouds with every beat, sending violent gusts sweeping across the sky. Each swing of its claws carried enough force to rip apart fortress walls, while torrents of ghostly green flames scorched the air wherever they passed.

Yet not a single attack found its mark.

Lane moved like a shadow dancing through moonlight.

One moment she was directly before the dragon.

The next...

She had already slipped past its claws.

The dragon roared furiously.

It twisted its massive body before whipping its tail toward her with explosive speed.

BOOM!

The impact shattered the empty sky, creating a deafening shockwave that echoed throughout the battlefield.

Lane flipped backward effortlessly before landing lightly on a floating fragment of broken stone suspended by the violent currents of mana.

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Authors Notes: Dear Readers, Thanks so much for joining me on this adventure! Your enthusiasm, feedback, and encouragement really keep me motivated to keep bringing *Journey to Become the Zenith* into existence. If you’re loving the Chapters, I’d love it if you supported my book with a Powerstone, review, or even a Golden Ticket—it helps me develop as a writer and lets more readers enjoy the story. I look forward to hearing your ideas and thoughts, so please don’t hesitate to share!

With love,

Scorpio_saturn777

Creator of Journey to Become the Zenith

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