Plundering in the Apocalypse

[Who are you?]

Alice and Shin saw a sudden light started merging. The golden light continued coming together until it formed a shape. Soon after a huge Serpent figure appeared in front of them.

Suddenly another voice sounded but a surprised one this time.

[Ho-How do you have my blessing? I don't remember blessing you ever. How is that possible?]

The surprised voice was none other than Zephyair. The guardian of Khalsa Ruins.

When Alice tried to capture Leonard's soul. Zephyair got alerted as he was supposed to get Leonard's soul as per the contract. So with his powers, he sends his imagery form to check up on the situation.

Never did he expect all of this was caused by two humans.

'How is that possible? He has my blessing and there's no curse on him.' Zephyair was utterly confused.

"Who are you? Are you the boss monster?" Shin who didn't understand the situation thought Zephyair was the boss monster.

Shin looked at the huge serpent cautiously. 'This monster can talk. That means this one is a lot stronger. I never met a monster that can talk. This will be a tough fight.' He didn't make the first move as he didn't want to be reckless. This monster was intelligent enough to communicate.

Zephyair frowned, never did he expect to be mistaken as a monster.

[I am not the boss monster.]

"Liar, you came to take revenge for your underlings," Alice shouted as she pointed towards Velum Serpents' bodies.

Zephyair followed his gaze to those bodies and glanced around. Soon he understood the reason behind this misunderstanding.

The humans in front of him mistook him for a boss monster as this floor contains Velum Serpents as monsters. So it was obvious.

He felt a headache coming. How could he explain himself now?

Shin was very cautious against Zephyair cause he wasn't able to use Appraisal on him.

Zephyair noticed this and found the opportunity. He immediately said.

[You try using appraisal once again. I'm sure you will understand once you do.]

Shin was surprised that this monster in front of him knows that he has Appraisal. But Shin was in no position to complain.

"Appraisal."

[Name - Zephyair]

[Title - The Guardian of Khalsa Ruins, ???, ???]

[Level - ???]

[Bloodline - Ancient Serpent]

[Further information is not available.]

Shin immediately used the predator's eye too and he was now certain that this monster wasn't their enemy.

"Khalsa Ruins, as in Khalsa Mountain Range, I never knew there was a ruin there," Shin uttered.

Seeing the calm look on Shin's face, Zephyair understood that they can have a proper talk now.

[I was the guardian there. Khalsa range had a ruin where the trial was held. It was to find the legacy holder. But the trial is already completed by him.] Zephyair glanced at Leonard's body as he said that.

"I see, but I don't understand. Do you mean to say our world had those ruins before everything changed? Or are you also one of those monsters?" Shin questioned. Zephyair didn't release any pressure on them so it was easier to talk to him.

[I always existed there. But was unable to use any powers or contact with this real-world until those energies flooded in. For as long as I can remember this world had only a little amount of energy which some practitioners use. But as per my ancestors that was not the case before. This world had energies far more powerful than life energies which they use now. It was rich just like the new energy mana. There are many mysteries in this world and now that I see you are the new Legacy piece holder. So you will have to search for those answers yourself. I'll be your support and guide you from time to time.]

[I won't ask how you obtained the legacy piece but you have my support.]

"What is this Legacy?" Shin asked as he still hadn't absorbed Leonard's memory so he was clueless.

[This Legacy contains the power and heritage of a great being Khalsa. He was the master of my ancestor and I am supposed to guard his treasures until his successor comes. If you want to obtain the Legacy you will have to complete all the trails and find clues yourself.]

Zephyair explained everything proudly. He also kinda liked the attitude of the human in front of him. So he was very patient.

"I see. This legacy can be very helpful." Shin uttered while rethinking Zephyair's words.

[But you will have to prove you are worthy. As you didn't take the trial to get this piece of legacy I'll give you two choices. But it won't be as difficult as the original trial. As you have defeated the previous legacy holder. Do remember these choices may affect your future.]

Shin thought for a second and nodded his head in understanding.

"Okay, I want to challenge the legacy."

[Good, your first choice is clearing this whole labyrinth. You won't be able to leave until you clear the whole labyrinth. Do remember that.

Now your second choice is to kill your loved one, meaning that girl standing behind you. If you do that you can also get extra rewards from me.]

[So, what will you choose?]

"Is there even a need to choose?" Shin scoffed and looked at Zephyair's eyes furiously.

"I'll clear this Labrinth now. There's no way I'll hurt Alice. She is more important than my life." Shin's answer made Zephyair pleased.

'I'm glad, the potential successor is a great man.'

[Now that you have made your choice. I'll take my leave. We will meet again soon.]

"Aren't you forgetting something?" Alice's voice sounded, as she reminded Zephyair.

[Oh right. This wasn't the reason for my arrival. Who was the one that forcefully tried to break my contract?] Zephyair asked but his voice was calm.

"I am the one who tried to capture his soul," Alice said as she pointed toward Leonard's body.

Zephyair was shocked by her words. Never did he expect to find a human with powers to manipulate souls. This was unprecedented. Suddenly his hollow white eyes shone as he seemed to remember something. He had once heard of someone or a being who has the power to manipulate souls. He was somewhat anxious now, but he maintained his composure and asked.

[Ar-Are you the Q-Queen of souls?] His voice was somewhat shaky.

"I don't know what that is. But I do have a title like that." Alice replied as she remembered the title she got after her first Queen transformation.

Zephyair's expression said he understood everything. But he didn't want to continue talking.

[If that's the case. I understand everything. But I had made a contract with his soul. So please understand and don't use your authority.]

'I can't be too disrespectful. But I also can't bow to her. She hasn't acquired her full authority yet. She is just a human now.' Zephyair thought with a cold sweat.

"But his soul is very corrupted. He can't be forgiven." Alice said to Zephyair as she looked into his hollow white eyes.

Zephyair looked at her red eyes with a gulp. Alice was very dangerous. Her eyes were as red as fire but were as cold as ice. She was very disgusted by Leonard. She didn't even consider him a human being.

Although Zephyair was stronger than them. Alice's authority was still greater. It's a different issue that she still doesn't have her full authority.

Zephyair immediately answered her.

[Don't worry, I know full well how that human is. I won't leave his soul be, and punish him for all his sins.]

"If you do that. I don't have a problem." Alice nodded her head giving her approval.

[Now that everything is settled. I'll take my leave.]

Zephyair immediately disappeared with Leonard's soul as nothing was left for him to do here.

'Why is someone like her here? No, I don't want to know. I shouldn't meddle in other's business.'

Zephyair looked at Leonard's soul near him and said.

"You should be glad that I'm taking your soul. If she had taken it. No amount of misery or pain would have sufficed. You would have suffered eternally."

Zephyair sighed and stopped thinking about those things. 'A human having that authority shouldn't be possible. But it's happening right in front of me. I just hope everything will be fine.'

"It's also a good thing you died. I gained a good legacy holder. I can be assured that the legacy won't fall into the wrong hands now." Zephyair was pleased when he remembered Shin's choice.

"I can tell, both of them are going to achieve great things. So don't disappoint me. Legacy Holder and the Queen of Souls."

***

"Well now that he is gone. I'll absorb the memory cube, Alice." Shin said to Alice.

Alice hugged him and said.

"I am so happy that you chose me."

Although Alice knew that would be Shin's choice. Hearing it from his mouth made her happy.

"Did you doubt me?" Shin asked while patting her head.

"Never," Alice replied immediately.

"I am glad. I love you, Alice. You are very important to me. Always remember that." Shin assured her with a small kiss on her lips.

Alice blushed and broke the hug while nodding her head.

"I am using the memory cube. Look after me, okay."

Alice nodded her head again.

Shin smiled and used the memory cube.