Legion Continent had been overrun by Morgath's insects. Only nine people remained in Gein's clan. The insects were invading village after village, turning every place into an uninhabitable wasteland. Yet this was the first time Morgath had ever used this ability. Together with his insect army, he was traveling from village to village, devouring everything in his path. As he moved, memories of his childhood and upbringing resurfaced in his mind.
"I still can't believe how I became this strong. Year 532… it feels unreal. Twenty-seven years have passed. I was born in the glorious halls of the castle in 532. I had a Void technique inherited from my father, but back then I couldn't control it at all. During my father's reign the nation was in a miserable state. Theft, murders, injustice—everything ran rampant. My father only cared about living his luxurious life in the castle. I was always furious about it. Every day I wanted to change this corrupted order. My father planned to put my older brother on the throne instead of me, so he never sent me to the academy. I watched my brother cultivate while I remained a rejected shadow within the castle walls. I used to go down to the garden every day and lie among the flowers. One day, outside the castle, I met a boy. He was a bit younger than me, maybe eleven or twelve. I always heard him playing alone. He was just like me. For days he stayed near the castle wall. Eventually, I decided to meet him. But leaving the castle was forbidden. So the day before, I secretly told him I would escape at night to meet him. And I did. I snuck out and went to him. It was the first time I had ever spoken to someone outside the castle. The joy I felt talking to him… I cannot describe it. We became friends in an instant."
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"What's your name?"
"My name is Morgath. What's yours?"
"My name is Uran."
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"Uran was pure-hearted and beautiful. Blue eyes, blond hair—but a bit short. I told him what life inside the castle was like. And he told me about village life. It felt so strange, because I had only ever known the castle. That day, I realized how different the world truly was. For almost six months we continued talking like this. But one day, one of the guards saw me leaving and captured me. After that, I was never allowed to see him again. No matter how much I told my father how unfair it was, he did it simply to keep me off the throne. One month after the incident, my power began awakening. However, unlike others, my power was strange. I couldn't control it; it turned destructive instantly. Seeing this, my father panicked and rushed to put a magic-absorbing crown on me. It drained my power completely, and since I had no mask yet, sealing me was easy. Uran lived in a village where crime and murder were rampant. He was like a candle shining in darkness. I returned to sitting in the garden every day—until that day. One of Uran's friends, I think, had heard about me. He sneaked near the wall and called out to me."
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"Pst! Pst! Hey! Morgath!"
"Y-Yes, sir?"
"T-There was that boy you used to talk to…"
"U-Uran? Did he come back?!"
"I'm sorry, but some thugs from the village killed him."
"U-Uran! URAN!"
"That's all I can tell you! The guards will be here any second! Goodbye!"
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"At that moment, I shattered. Uran had always come to the garden, but the guards chased him away. Not once was I able to speak to him. Hearing that he died… the spiritual energy inside me erupted. The magic-absorbing crown cracked apart, and my mask began forming. Anyone watching probably thought I was in agony, but inside I was at peace. The guards rushed to me first, and I killed them unintentionally. Then higher-ranked cultivators arrived and stopped me. When I opened my eyes, I was in my bed—tied down. I didn't know what had happened. My father entered the room."
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"M-Morgath?! Are you proud of what you've done?! I've been sick of you for years! You no longer have a place in this castle!"
"It was the first time my father openly said he hated me. I gathered what confidence I had left and shouted back."
"THEN STOP HIDING BEHIND YOUR LUXURY AND SEE THE TRUTH, FATHER!"
"HOW DARE YOU SPEAK TO ME LIKE THAT?! I WILL NOT BANISH YOU— I WILL KILL YOU!"
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"At that moment, my father became my enemy. I can't fully remember what happened next, only that my mask appeared again and a black hole opened. The castle collapsed instantly. Before my father could even react, the black hole swallowed him whole. Everything around the castle—every living thing—was consumed. That was when I understood: I was the one capable of changing everything. I hated the entire kingdom, except Uran. That same night I fought my brother. I swallowed him with the black hole as well, adding his power to my own. All this happened when I was only sixteen. In one night, I ascended the throne. I destroyed the old Void Clan and formed the new Miracle of Void Clan. In eleven years I rebuilt the castle and the clan from the ground up. But my hatred for the wicked people of this land never faded. For eleven years, every person I encountered was forced into my clan—forced to become someone who would never commit evil. Some innocent people were caught in the mix, but on this land… it was necessary. Now a handful of people dare to resist me, trying to change my order. Maybe they are right. Perhaps there were good people among them whose rights I stole… but as I said, it had to be done. And now, at age twenty-seven, I will achieve another great victory—or vanish from history like my father."
Morgath had been lost in thought for hours while Xers and Gein regrouped and searched for him again.
"Gein, the situation is terrible! These insects are everywhere!"
"I know, Xers! But my superior spiritual-pressure senses tell me there's someone with incredibly strong Spiritual Pressure nearby!"
"If we don't find him soon, the entire Legion Continent will turn into a desert! These insects don't just eat houses and people—they devour forests, trees, flowers, even the grass!"
"We're down to nine people, Xers! We're close to Morgath now—just stay calm and keep your mask active. He might launch a surprise attack at any moment."
Xers, Gein, and the remaining seven wore their masks. Ahead, a purple glow shimmered between the trees. They moved closer and parted the bushes, revealing Morgath's wings.
"T-That's… Morgath? He looks insanely strong!"
Morgath sensed them instantly and turned around.
"I've been waiting for you… the dogs who ruined all my plans! Prepare to be swallowed by my Void!"
"G-G-GEIN! RUN!"
"THE VOID!"