Journey to Become the Zenith

The Seventh Summoning

”No time to explain, just do it! Once you summon her, run as far as you can. Teleport, dig underground, just do anything in your power to escape!”

The urgency in the Spirit Ruler of Fire’s voice struck Isabella harder than any weapon ever could.

Among the six Spirit Rulers, she had always been the boldest—the one who laughed in the face of danger and charged toward impossible odds without hesitation.

Yet now...

Fear had replaced that unwavering confidence.

Not ordinary fear.

It was the instinctive terror of someone who had sensed an existence beyond her understanding.

Isabella’s expression turned solemn.

She no longer questioned the order.

Without another word, she extended both hands as torrents of mana surged through her body. Brilliant streams of magical energy gathered at the tips of all ten fingers, illuminating the darkening battlefield with pale blue light.

Unlike the previous six summons...

The final Spirit Ruler was different.

She was not a spirit who answered a simple call.

She required an ancient summoning rite.

A complex magic circle slowly took shape beneath Isabella’s feet.

One glowing rune after another appeared in the air as her fingers danced with astonishing precision, tracing symbols that seemed older than recorded history.

Every completed rune caused the surrounding mana to tremble.

The earth rumbled softly.

The wind became unnaturally still.

Even the six Spirit Rulers instinctively glanced back at the formation, knowing exactly who Isabella was trying to summon.

...

While Isabella focused entirely on completing the ritual, the six Spirit Rulers stepped forward together.

Without speaking, they formed a protective wall between her and Victor.

None of them intended to retreat.

Their expressions had become unusually calm.

Not because they believed they would win...

But because each of them had already accepted the possibility of death.

Victor observed them with growing curiosity.

The determination in their eyes had changed.

Moments ago, they had been cautious.

Now...

They looked like warriors who had already entrusted their lives to fate.

Diana quietly remained beside Victor, her crimson eyes resting on the six spirits.

The Spirit Rulers’ attention repeatedly drifted toward her.

Their fear wasn’t directed at Victor.

It was directed at the woman standing silently beside him.

She hadn’t released a shred of her aura.

She hadn’t moved.

Yet her mere presence weighed heavily upon them.

They knew exactly who she was.

Diana had once been known by another name.

Eliora.

The former Goddess of Death.

Unlike humanity, whose memories had been erased after the world’s great cycle reset, divine beings existed beyond such limitations.

Gods.

Goddesses.

Spirit Rulers.

As manifestations tied directly to the world’s laws, they retained the inherited memories of those who had come before them.

Every generation passed its knowledge to the next.

That was why...

Even though none of the six had personally lived during Eliora’s era...

They remembered her.

Not through stories.

But through memories inherited from their predecessors.

Those memories painted only one conclusion.

Eliora was unlike every other being who had ever borne the title of Death.

Throughout countless worlds, many had inherited that divine authority.

None compared to her.

She had stood at the absolute summit of those who governed death.

Even other Gods of Death from distant realms had spoken her name with caution.

Some...

With fear.

At the height of her power, many divine beings had acknowledged her as one worthy of standing above the pantheon itself.

There had even been an era when countless gods regarded her as the Queen of the Gods.

The memories remained vivid.

Battles that shattered heavens.

Kingdoms erased in silence.

A goddess whose crimson eyes had remained calm even before impossible enemies.

Now...

That very existence stood quietly beside Victor.

The Spirit Ruler of Water tightened her grip on her staff.

”We cannot let our guard down.”

The Spirit Ruler of Earth gave a slight nod.

”Even one mistake could cost us everything.”

The Spirit Ruler of Light inhaled slowly before steadying herself.

”We’re not here to win.”

”We’re here to buy Isabella enough time.”

The others silently agreed.

...

Victor noticed every subtle expression.

He tilted his head with mild curiosity before glancing sideways.

”Diana.”

She looked at him.

”Yes, Master?”

He smiled.

”Do you know them?”

Diana calmly observed the six Spirit Rulers.

”Not really.”

”The Spirit Rulers I knew are long gone.”

She folded her arms thoughtfully.

”Still... every generation inherits the memories of those before them.”

”They probably recognize me because of that.”

Victor let out an amused laugh.

”So...”

”What exactly did you do to your predecessors to make them react like this?”

Diana blinked once before looking away slightly.

”I can’t really remember.”

Victor chuckled.

”Fair enough.”

He stretched his shoulders before looking back at the six Spirit Rulers.

”Either way...”

”If you fight alongside me...”

”I’m afraid this battle will become rather boring.”

His golden eyes swept across the six women.

”Look at them.”

”They’re standing here prepared to fight...”

”But you’ve already crushed their spirits before the battle even began.”

He sighed dramatically.

”I was honestly getting excited.”

”Now it feels like I’d just be bullying them.”

The six Spirit Rulers heard every word.

None of them argued.

None of them denied it.

Because...

Deep within their hearts...

They knew Victor wasn’t mocking them.

He was simply stating what he had observed.

Victor casually waved one hand.

”Did you hear that?”

”She won’t be joining the battle.”

”So stop worrying about her.”

His smile returned.

”Come.”

”Show me what you’ve got.”

He slowly beckoned them forward with a single finger.

For several moments...

No one moved.

The six Spirit Rulers maintained their formation without lowering their guard.

Victor clicked his tongue.

”Tsk.”

”So you’re still acting like this.”

”You’re making this less interesting.”

He sighed before speaking again.

”If you’re not going to fight...”

”Then step aside.”

Before any of the Spirit Rulers could answer...

Victor and Diana simultaneously turned their heads toward the same direction.

A new presence had begun to descend upon the battlefield.

Unlike the six Spirit Rulers...

This one carried an aura that was vastly stronger.