Year 560
It had been two months since Xers returned to Shadowia. He and Hanken had taken a collective two-month leave. They were spending the final days of their vacation on a tourist island in Shadowia.But they had no idea about the threat approaching.
Year 557, Nyxia
Two mid-mask-level sorcerers were slaying monsters inside a dungeon.
(Heavy breathing)
(Sounds of swords swinging)
(Heads of monsters being cut off)
"HIIIYAH!"
"Oli! Behind you!"
"MILONA!"
(A sword pierces through the monster's chest.)
"Milona, we cleared the dungeon! It's time to claim the treasure!"
"I'm coming, Oli!"
A magical chest appears at the dungeon's exit.
"Looting time!"
A pure white glow bursts from inside the chest. Oli and Milona are nearly blinded by the light.
"W-W-What is that?!"
"A-A key!"
And at that exact moment, they discover the Key of Celestial Powers.
"I can't hold myself back… I'm taking this key!"
The moment Oli grabs the key, it shines again in his hand. The key is gray, marked with wing symbols—almost reminiscent of an angel.
"W-What happens if I try interacting with it using Spiritual Pressure…?"
"Oli, I don't think you should."
"What's the worst that could happen? It's just a key. Probably something linked to mask powers. Transferring! Slowly… slowly… slo—"
The key suddenly rejects Oli and flings him backward. He crashes into a wall, dust filling the room.
"OLI! ARE YOU OKAY?!"
"AHH! I-I'M FINE! It felt like angels ran through my head for a moment! And then they vanished!"
"O-Oli… there's something strange about this key. We should bring it to a scholar in Nyxia."
"A-Aren't you going to try?"
"T-Try it? I'm not sure… maybe I can. Hand it over."
Milona tries the same thing, and the key repels her as well—though she isn't hurt as badly.
"M-Milona!"
"I'm fine, I'm fine. Looks like the key rejected both of us. We really should take this to a scholar."
Oli and Milona bring the key to an elderly scholar.
"Listen, children… the chance of this key appearing in a dungeon is 0.002%. I don't know how you found it, but it will sell for a great deal of money. You can sell it…But be careful about who you sell it to. If the key accepts someone, that person will become a massive threat. Don't forget that."
"Alright, wise elder. Worst case, we spread the news and sell it in an auction. Even if it turns into some threat, it probably won't concern us. We just wander around freely—we care about our money."
After leaving the scholar, Oli and Milona send word through couriers.
The news spreads across the world—reaching even Xers.
"Key of Celestial Powers? And starting at 450,000 Nyxia Gold?! My entire wealth isn't even 300,000! Whoever is rich enough in 557 deserves my respect."
The rumor spreads from Silverton to Profinens, from Profinens to the Legions. About ten buyers and twenty-five observers join the auction. Among them is Morgath, still two years away from his defeat.Meanwhile, in Shadowia, a man begins to plan.
"So people from all over the world will come, huh? There must be a way to get it for free! HA! I KNOW—I'LL STEAL IT! I used to hate my mask's ability, but this time it might be useful. I'll sneak in one of my magical beasts! The Comp can do it."
The person planning to steal the key is Aze Nystral.
Name: Aze NystralAge: 26 (in 557)Nation: ShadowiaSkills: G-Technic Stage 3, The Comp
Nystral, one of the lieutenants of the Kurotsume clan, obtains special permission and travels to Nyxia by ship—a five-day trip.By the time he arrives, the auction in Frioa has already begun. He listens carefully.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the key I hold right now is no ordinary key! This is the Key of Celestial Powers! I don't know if it will accept you, but it holds immense potential.If you came all the way here, you must believe it might.Now then… who will this key go to?As Oli and Milona requested, the auction starts at 450,000 Nyxia Gold!"
Someone shouts:
"475,000 Nyxia Gold!"
Auctioneer:
"Yes! 475,000! Do I hear 500,000? Selling, selli—"
Another voice:
"500,000!"
Auctioneer:
"500,000! Any bids for 525,000?"
Morgath:
"525,000!"
Nystral:
"Let's bring out The Comp… yes, that's my boy. Go on, slip in."
Auctioneer:
"525,000! Things are heating up! Any bids for 550,000? Selling, selling, sell—"
Another bidder:
"550,000!"
Nystral:
"Yes, I can see it on the table. Crawl slowly, Comp…"
Auctioneer:
"550,000! Do I hear 575,000?"
Someone:
"600,000!"
Auctioneer:
"600,000! 625,000—selling! Selling! Sold!"
Suddenly, GQ #41 ability erupts inside the hall.
"WHAT IS HAPPENING?!"
Ten identical copies of the same person appear inside.One of them snatches the key and escapes.
Nystral:
"W-WHAT?! SOMEONE STOLE THE KEY! NO! THIS CAN'T BE! I HAVE TO GO AFTER THEM!"
He recalls The Comp and runs after the thief.
Chaos erupts inside the auction hall. Morgath and many others begin chasing the same person in rage.
But the thief suddenly vanishes—disappearing without a trace.
"Where did she go? It looked like a woman… I saw her long hair at the last second. She had clones! That must be her ability! The Comp can track scents—if I make it sniff one of the clone trails, it can follow the real one!"
The Comp memorizes her scent.
"The Comp, track her!"
The Comp follows the trail, Nystral close behind.
Meanwhile, the fleeing woman thinks to herself:
"I had to steal this key. Even if it won't accept me, it can't fall into the wrong hands! There were at least fifteen malicious people there! I'll probably throw it into the ocean! I won't allow humanity to be oppressed!"
Name: Piros KiminageAge: 25 (in 557)Nation: ProfinensSkills: G-Technic Stage 2, Red Crescent
Kiminage enters a treehouse inside Nyxia's artificially forested lands. She hasn't reached the ocean yet, so the key remains with her. Her thoughts race.
"Key of Celestial Powers, huh… what kind of celestial power could it be? Even if I'm accepted, I shouldn't succumb to its power. Who knows what would happen after…What kind of idiot tries to sell something like this?"
Meanwhile, The Comp tracks her scent and Nystral finds the treehouse she's in.
"So this is where you are, huh? Hand over the key, woman!"
Nystral starts running toward the treehouse.
Kiminage notices.
"S-Someone's coming! How did he find me?! I built this place years ago! I need to get down!"
She jumps quickly from the tree and starts running.
"DON'T RUN, WOMAN! COME HERE AND HAND ME THAT KEY!"