The Cyber Ascension Arc 4 —" The Manipulations That Started Before That Even Exists "
Volume 4 | Final Chapter 39 : "The History Of The Founder of Pheonix "
The forest deepened into silence as Jin Yuan and Rionaz made their way forward, their footsteps muffled by soil, moss, and the thick life of ancient trees. It had been nearly an hour since they escaped the prison—an escape built on Jin Yuan's ruthlessness and Rionaz's trembling determination. Above them, the sky still carried a faint morning blue, but inside the forest canopy, the light dimmed into something cold and metallic.
Jin Yuan walked with unwavering calm, his face unreadable, as always—an expression forged by experience, sharpened by future knowledge, and hardened by a will that had survived eras. Rionaz followed behind him like a smaller, nervous shadow.
Finally, the dense green opened up.
A massive metallic wall rose before them—towering so high it stabbed into the clouds. It stretched endlessly in both directions, reflecting the faint sunlight in dull silver waves.
Its presence alone dominated the air.
Rionaz swallowed hard, voice shaky.
Rionaz: "T–This is it… The Barrier Wall. Some call it the Titan Wall. Nobody from the lower rows ever gets close."
His eyes widened like a child seeing a forbidden miracle.
Jin Yuan merely observed calmly.
Jin Yuan: "A wall is a wall. If it exists, it can be crossed."
His tone held no excitement, no awe—just cold logic.
They began walking toward the entrance carved into the colossal wall. But before they took more than ten steps, three soldiers emerged from the shadows—silver armor, sharp weapons, and faces twisted in arrogance.
Soldier 1: "Who are you, rookies?!"
His tone carried the authority of someone who believed his rank placed him above lesser beings.
Soldier 2: "Look at their clothing. Eighth row trash."
Soldier 3: "What are you insects doing here?"
Rionaz stepped forward nervously.
Rionaz: "We—we need to talk to Queen Victoria Reona!"
The soldiers burst into laughter.
Soldier 1: "Talk? To the Queen? You think a couple of rookies can meet her?"
Soldier 2: "What a joke."
Soldier 3: "Let's introduce ourselves before we deal with these two idiots."
He smirked.
Soldier 1: "I'm Renon."
Soldier 2: "Ganzuo."
Soldier 3: "Yoruzo."
Renon cracked his knuckles, smirking wildly.
Renon: "Let's see your Phoenix forms. I'm curious how fast you two die."
Jin Yuan didn't blink.
He slowly unsheathed his katana—its edge reflecting the cold, dull light of the wall. No transformation, no aura, no dramatic power-up. Just pure lethality.
Jin Yuan: "…Challenge accepted."
Before the three soldiers even completed the first stage of their transformation—
Three heads fell.
Three bodies split apart.
Three deaths occurred in less than one second.
Blood misted the air like fine red dust.
Rionaz froze in shock. His trembling intensified—not from fear of the soldiers, but from the man walking beside him.
Jin Yuan wiped the blade slowly, expression still dead calm.
Jin Yuan: "Rionaz. Move."
Rionaz nodded instantly, stumbling after him.
They stepped through the entrance of the Barrier Wall.
---
Inside the Hidden Paradise
A breathtaking sight opened before them.
Gardens flourished across the inner grounds—rare flowers glowing softly, fountains releasing shimmering streams, ornate bridges crossing silver ponds. It was a paradise locked behind the Titan Wall, a world the lower rows could never imagine.
Even Rionaz forgot to breathe.
Rionaz: "This… This is the 1st Row…? I can't believe such a place exists. I thought it was just rumors."
Jin Yuan remained silent. Beauty, luxury, paradise—none of it reached him. His eyes stayed sharp, scanning routes, guards, distances, patrols. Every detail became calculation.
Nothing became emotion.
They moved with caution, slipping through the decorative corridors and lush gardens, hiding behind stone pillars, flowerbeds, and tall trees until they finally reached the palace.
It was massive—tall towers built from obsidian-like stone, gilded rooftops, immense gates engraved with ancient symbols.
Inside, the palace sparkled with luxury. Expensive carpets, polished marble floors, chandeliers glowing with floating lights.
Rionaz's jaw dropped again.
Rionaz: "I can't believe we're actually—here. This is where she lives…"
Before Jin Yuan could answer, footsteps echoed.
The Queen stepped forward.
---
Queen Victoria Reona
She appeared like a vision—long golden hair cascading behind her, deep blue eyes like calm oceans, a perfectly crafted purple kimono embroidered with flowers that shimmered when she moved.
Even Rionaz froze in awe.
But Jin Yuan's expression remained unchanged.
No admiration.
No astonishment.
No reaction.
Just silence.
Rionaz immediately dropped to his knees and frantically signaled Jin Yuan. Jin Yuan knelt—not out of respect, but for strategy.
The Queen raised her hand gently.
Queen Victoria Reona: "There is no need for formalities. Stand."
Her voice was soft, melodic, calming… like music.
But Jin Yuan felt nothing. It washed over him like wind over stone.
They both stood.
Rionaz: "Th–thank you, Queen Victoria Reona. We are honored to meet you."
Jin Yuan simply nodded.
She gestured toward the balcony, where luxurious couches waited. They sat, tea placed before them—steam rising gently.
Queen Victoria Reona: "Now… tell me the reason you came."
Rionaz inhaled deeply.
Rionaz: "Y-Your Majesty… we discovered something. Hell's army is trying to steal our army's Phoenix Power… killing soldiers to extract Phoenix Spheres. We wanted to warn you before anything happens."
Jin Yuan remained still, letting Rionaz speak.
Queen Victoria's expression grew serious. She nodded slowly.
Queen Victoria Reona: "I see… then you both deserve the truth."
Both listened.
Even Jin Yuan leaned slightly forward—not emotionally, but analytically.
---
The Truth of the Phoenix
Queen Victoria Reona:
"In the earliest era of humanity—Year 00001—a man appeared. History never recorded his true name. We only know him as The Founder of the Phoenix."
She placed her cup down gently.
Queen Victoria Reona:
"He was young—perhaps in his twenties. But his wisdom surpassed entire civilizations. He was the first human who dared to seek freedom. True freedom—not granted by gods, not stolen from devils… but forged by his own will."
Jin Yuan's eyes sharpened.
Freedom.
A word that mattered to him more than any emotion he had left.
Queen Victoria Reona:
"He alone broke the Fate Binding of Hell. Something no one else had ever achieved. Hell perceived him as a threat—too powerful to face directly. So the King of Hell rewrote his fate… killing him instantly with a single downfall."
Rionaz's hands trembled.
Jin Yuan's expression stayed cold.
Queen Victoria Reona:
"His body was buried under a tree. After countless years, floods formed a new island over that region. It is beautiful… but extremely dangerous. People report strange parasites… creatures that devour humans."
Jin Yuan nodded once.
Jin Yuan: "Where is that island?"
She picked up a rolled parchment—a faded, ancient map.
Queen Victoria Reona smiled softly.
Queen Victoria Reona:
"It is far from here. But if you truly wish to follow the Founder's traces… this will guide you."
She extended the map.
Rionaz received it with both hands—bowing low.
Jin Yuan simply accepted the information.
No excitement.
No anticipation.
Just the next step in his plan.
Queen Victoria Reona held his gaze—surprised internally that his eyes showed nothing.
Not fear.
Not awe.
Not respect.
Not curiosity.
Just a cold void that hid infinite calculations.