VOL. 1: CHAPTER 6 — "THE MYTHICAL BEAST, AND LIGHTNING BREAK — THE CALAMITY, THAT SHOULDN'T EXIST."

“…Something I probably shouldn’t fight,” I muttered.

A growl — deep enough to vibrate my bones — rolled through the forest.

Lythiriel immediately stepped in front of us, blade drawn, her silver aura humming.
“Everyone, brace!”

“Protect the Princess!”
“Shield the child!”
The guards’ boots dug into the dirt as they formed a half-circle around Aerin.

Elorin shouted, “Mana pressure rising! Princess, this is—”

Lythiriel answered with a voice tight with dread:
“A Mythical-Class Beast.”

The guards’ faces drained of color.

Aerin gasped, trembling harder.
“B-Big brother… what’s a Mythical class…?”

I knelt beside him. “Something really, really dangerous.”

“…Are we going to die?” He asked anxiously.

I ruffled his hair. “Not if I’m around.”

His small hand squeezed mine.
It hurt — in that soft, heart-piercing way.
This kid is gonna kill me emotionally someday…

Lythiriel snapped sharply:
“Kai! Do NOT take the lead this time! Mythical beasts are on par with army elites—!”

I shrugged. “That’s fine. I’m a very strong idiot.”

“THAT’S WHAT I’M AFRAID OF—!!” She yelled.

Before I could respond—
It arrived.


— THE ARKENWOOD COLOSSUS—

A giant silhouette materialized between the ancient trees.
Then another tremor.
Then another.

The forest shook with each step.
The monster emerged fully:
A towering creature — half tree, half beast — roots forming legs, vines forming a spine, antler-like branches spreading from its wooden skull.
Emerald mana pulsed from carved runes along its torso.
A living calamity.

Lythiriel inhaled sharply. “…Arkenwood Colossus.”

Elorin whispered, “Impossible. These guardians never awaken unless—”
He hesitated.

Lythiriel’s eyes slid toward me.
“No,” she said softly. “He didn’t do anything—”

The Colossus roared.
Birds fled.
Mana cracked the air.
The earth split beneath its weight.

Aerin’s scream cut through everything. “BIG BROTHER—!!”

I placed him gently behind the guards.
“Stay close to the princess’s men. They’ll protect you.”

He clung harder. “No…! Don’t fight alone…!”

I gave him my best lazy grin.
“I’ll be fine. Mythical beast or not, it’s just wood with anger issues.”

“Kai—!!” Lythiriel yelled.

“WHAT?!” I asked.

“STOP JOKING!” She yelled.

“…You don’t pay me enough to stop joking.” I joked.

“You’re not being PAID—!!” She said.

“Well that explains the working conditions!” I said.

The Colossus took a step toward us, roots tearing out of the ground like whips.

Lythiriel darted in front of me .“Do NOT go ahead of me—!!”

I gently placed a hand on her shoulder.

She froze. “Kai…?”

“I’m not trying to die. But I have to do something.” I said honestly.

Her voice trembled.
“D-Do not—do NOT try to fight a Mythical-Class alone—this is different from the Monarch—!!”

“Princess. Relax.” I smirked. “I’ll live.”

Her eyes widened. “…You… reckless…”

The Colossus roared.
I stepped past her.


 — THE FIRST CLASH —

The beast swung its arm like a massive battering ram.

“MOVE!” Elorin shouted.
The guards scattered.

I ran toward it.

Lythiriel screamed behind me:
“KAI, STOP RUNNING AT THE PROBLEM—!!!”

“NOT A PROBLEM IF IT’S DEAD—!!!” I shouted.

The arm slammed down—I leapt into the air—And drove a lightning-coated fist into its limb. “Elemental Manipulation: Lightning Snap Strike!”

CRAAAAAACK—!!

A shockwave ripped through the clearing.
The beast recoiled slightly.
Only slightly.
Its wooden fibers twisted, regenerating instantly.

“Oh come on,” I muttered. “This thing’s a tank.”

> 『Master, analysis: regeneration speed = 450% of Monarch-level. Repeated strikes ineffective. Suggest destroying core.』

“Cool. And where’s the core?”

> 『Chest cavity.』

I blinked. “…So the giant glowing thing?”

> 『Affirmative.』

“Roger that.” I sprinted toward the core.

The beast swung again.
I dropped low, sliding under the branch arm.

I grit my teeth. “Elemental Manipulation: Fire Burst!”
Flames exploded from my palm, launching me upward like a rocket.

The guards gawked.
Lythiriel shouted, “How is that even physically possible—!?”

I landed on the beast’s torso.
Electricity crackled around me. “Hey tree man—”
I drew my fist back—

“—TIMBER!”
But the Colossus twisted violently.

I lost footing and fell. “OH—OH CRAP—!!”

Lythiriel dashed beneath me, arms out. “Kai—!!”

I crashed onto the grass beside her instead. “Ow…”

She slapped my shoulder. “You absolute IDIOT—!! You almost died—!!!”

“You were trying to catch me?” I asked.

“No!! I was—!! I was—!! SHUT UP!!!” Her ears were red.

The guards averted their eyes.
Elorin muttered, “Princess… compassion is showing.”

“IT IS NOT—!!” She denied.

Aerin ran to me, almost tripping. “Big brother—are you okay?!”

I ruffled his hair. “Of course. I bounce.”

“You DO NOT ‘bounce’!!” Lythiriel yelled.


 — SECOND PHASE —

The Colossus planted both arms into the ground.
A deep rumble built in its core.

Lythiriel’s face went pale.
“No… it’s charging a Ley-Burst Beam—!!”

“What’s that?” I asked.

“A concentrated blast of nature mana. It can destroy half this forest!” She answered.

“…Oh.”

“OH WHAT?! TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY—!!” She yelled.

“Relax.” I said.

“RELAX—?!” She repeated.

Lightning surged in my hand. “I’ll stop it.”

“No—!! You can’t intercept a Mythical-Burst—!! You’ll be annihilated!!” She said.

I cracked my neck. “Princess, trust me!”

Her lips parted.
She whispered, trembling: “…I don’t know if I can…”

“Then let me show you why you should.” I said confidently.

Aerin tugged me. “Big brother… please… don’t go…”

I gently pushed him toward the guards. “Be brave, kid.”

Then I faced the Colossus.
Its chest glowed bright emerald.
The air vibrated.

It fired.
A massive beam of pure ley-mana shot straight toward the clearing.

Elorin yelled, “PRINCESS—!! SHIELD—!!”
The guards threw up magic barriers.
They cracked instantly.

“Aah—!!”
“Barriers breaking—!!”
“Princess—behind Kai—!!”

Lythiriel screamed my name. “KAAAAIII—!!”

I planted my feet.
Lightning burst from my arms.
“Elemental Manipulation: Thunder Wall!!”

A crackling shield of electricity formed in front of me.
The ley-beam slammed into it—

KRAAAAAAAAAAASHHHHH—!!!!
The impact tore up the earth.
The shockwave pushed me back several meters.
My arms burned.

My feet dug trenches. “Agh—!!”

Aerin was crying. “BIG BROTHER—!! STOP—!! YOU’LL DIE—!!”

Lythiriel ran forward a step. “Kai… Kai—!! Step back—!! YOU CAN’T—!!”

I roared.
Lightning surged hotter, brighter—
“COME ON—!!”

The ground split.

Wind spiraled around me.
The beam faltered—

Then stopped.

The forest fell silent.
I exhaled.
Smoke curled from my arms.

Elorin whispered:
“…He blocked… a Mythical-class Ley-Burst… alone…”

Lythiriel’s sword clattered to the ground.
Her voice broke: “…That’s impossible…”

Aerin rushed me. “BIG BROTHER—!!!”
He hugged my waist.
He was shaking violently.

I ruffled his hair. “Hey… kid. Told you I’m too stubborn to die.”

He cried harder.
Lythiriel walked toward me slowly.
Her pupils were trembling.

“Kai… you…” She touched my burned wrist.
“…you really were trying…”

I blinked.

She whispered: “…to protect us.”

“…Of course.” I said honestly.

Her eyes softened.“…Idiot.”

“Thanks.” Her lips trembled.

Then—
The Colossus roared again.
Everyone stiffened.

I sighed. “…Right. Forgot about him.”

Lythiriel stepped back instinctively.
“Kai… we need to retreat. Now. You can’t keep doing this—”

Amara spoke:
> 『Master. Enemy regenerating. New attack forming.』
『Recommended: eliminate target with decisive force.』

“What decisive force?”

> 『Analyzing Master’s combat memories. Searching structural patterns…』

“Uh… Amara?”

> 『Synthesis complete. New spell calculated.』

“…A new spell?” I asked.

Lythiriel blinked. “Why is he talking to himself—again?!”

> 『Designation: Lightning Manipulation Overdrive Technique — “LIGHTNING BREAK”.』

My breath caught. “Amara… you made me an ultimate move?”

> 『Affirmative. Based on Master’s subconscious preferences.』

“Subconscious—wait, you mean—”

> 『Anime references detected.』

“…Princess,” I said.

Lythiriel sighed, exhausted. “What now, Kai?”

“…This might look cool.” I said.

“WAIT—WHAT DOES THAT MEAN—?!!” She yelled.

“No it’s not…!! You look hurt… and tired… and… and…!”

“It’s fine.” I smiled lazily.
“Your big bro is built different.”

He stared at me desperately.
Then nodded.
Because he wanted to believe me.
Wanted to trust me.

I gently pushed him toward the guards.
“Stay back and protect him,” I told Elorin.

Elorin bowed his head. “…As you command.”

Lythiriel stared at me in disbelief.
“You… you’re giving orders to my Captain now…?”

“Yeah. Didn’t even notice.” I said.

“You—!!” She stomped toward me.
“You reckless, impossible, unbelievable human—!!”
Her voice cracked. “Don’t you dare die, do you hear me?!”

I chuckled. “You care.”

“I DO NOT—!!!” She denied.

The guards whispered: “…She cares.”

“I DO NOT CARE!!” She denied.

I winked. “Don’t worry. I have one more trick.”

“WHAT TRICK—?!” She asked loudly.

“An Amara special.” I answered.

She blinked. “…A what?”

I raised my right arm.
Lightning began swirling around it.
At first faint.
Then brighter.
Then blisteringly bright.

Electric arcs danced between my fingertips and the air.
The ground at my feet cracked.

Lythiriel’s eyes widened.
“K-Kai… your mana is… surging… what are you doing—?!”

Behind my mind, Amara spoke:
> 『Spell Construction: S-Class Execution Ready.Technique Name: LIGHTNING BREAK.Requirements: Right arm extended. Stabilize stance. Full mana channel.』

“Amara,” I murmured.
“Let’s do it.”

> 『Acknowledged.』

The air thickened.
Lightning spiraled wildly.
The Colossus sensed danger and slammed its arms down, summoning root-spears from the earth.

“Princess!” Elorin shouted.
“It’s targeting Kai and the core simultaneously—!!”

Lythiriel surged forward.
“MOVE!!” She leapt, cutting root-spears with rapid silver flashes.
Moonweaver: Ninth Form — Moonlit Gale!

Shhh-kraaaang!! Shing—!!
Her silver petals shattered root after root.
But more erupted.

“Kai! DO NOT LET IT HIT YOU—!!” She warned me.

“I’m trying—!!” I told her.

The Colossus roared.
Two massive vine-whips lunged toward me.

I ducked—Slid—Roll—Jumped—And slammed my palm into the earth.
“Elemental Manipulation: Thunder Shock Pulse!!”
A ring of lightning exploded, vaporizing the vine-whips.

Lythiriel stopped mid-air, stunned.
“…He… countered a Mythical-Class attack… with an improvised spell…?”

The guards stared in awe.

Aerin, trembling behind Elorin, whispered:
“Big brother… is amazing…”


 —FINAL BATTLE  BEGINS—

The beast charged.

I sprinted straight at it.
Every instinct screamed at me to dodge.
But I didn’t.

Lythiriel screamed:
“KAI—!! WHAT ARE YOU DOING—?!”

“Eliminating the problem!” I replied.

The Colossus slammed its fist down—a blow that would crush a horse.

I pivoted—
Lightning exploded from my heel—
I slid under the arm, sparks trailing behind me.

The beast whirled, vines snapping like whips.

I jumped onto the nearest vine—
Ran up its arm—
Lightning dancing across each step.

The Colossus swung again, trying to fling me.

I leapt—grabbing onto an antler-like branch—and swung upward, flipping over its head.
I twisted mid-air—
And slammed a spinning kick against its skull.

BOOOOM—!!

The head cracked sideways.
It staggered.

I landed with a heavy thud, dust exploding beneath my feet.

Lythiriel gasped softly. “…How… how can a human fight like that…?”

I grinned.
Then looked up.

The Colossus’ core glowed like wildfire.
Too bright.Too unstable.

“Amara,” I whispered.
“That’s gonna explode, isn’t it?”

> 『Correct. Estimated radius: 300 meters.』

“Can we run?”

> 『You will not outrun it.』

I groaned.“…Of course.”

Lythiriel shouted, “Kai! What’s wrong?!”

“Princess! If this thing blows, we ALL blow!” I said.

Her face paled. “Kai… you can’t be serious—!!”

“I’m always serious when it comes to not dying!” I said honestly.

She pointed her sword at me. “THEN DO SOMETHING—!!!”

“I AM DOING SOMETHING!!!” I yelled.

Lightning surged up my arm.

She froze mid-rant. “K… Kai… w-what is that…?”

I extended my right hand.
Sparks danced madly.
Thunder shook the air.

“It’s called Lightning Break.” I said.

“…Break…? As in—” She inquired.

“Yes.” I replied.

“NO—! DON’T NAME ATTACKS LIKE THEY’RE FROM A STORYBOOK—!!” She yelled again.

I smirked. “Too late.”

She screamed, “KAAAAAIII—!!!”


— “Lightning Break” — PREPARATION —

Amara’s tone stayed perfectly, unnervingly calm:
> 『Charging. Stabilizing mana circuit.Condensing elemental force to 12%.15%.19%.Warning: Output rising dangerously high.』

Lightning swirled like a miniature storm.

The guards shielded Aerin.
“P-Princess!! We need to move—!”
“That attack… it’s not… normal—!!”
“He’ll destroy the entire clearing—!!”

Lythiriel didn’t move.
She watched me with eyes full of…
Fear.
Awe.
Confusion.
That strange flutter again.

“Kai…” Her voice trembled.
“What… are you…?”

I looked at her and smiled. “…Honestly? I’m still figuring that out too.”

Her breath hitched.
Then the Colossus lunged, arm raised to crush me.

> 『NOW, MASTER.』 Amara’s voice echoed.

I snapped my palm forward.
Lightning cracked the earth.


— KAI’S POV — FINAL STRIKE —

“LIGHTNING—!!!!”

The air ripped open.
The ground split beneath me.
The forest flickered with blinding light.

“—BREAK!!!!!”

A massive beam of condensed lightning shot from my palm, tearing through the air like a divine spear.

KRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAA—
—THOOOOOOM!!!!

It pierced straight into the Colossus’ core.
The core shattered instantly.
The beam continued upward—through its torso—through its skull—and straight into the sky.

A pillar of pure destruction.
The blast vaporized half its chest—roots and bark turning into glowing dust.
Its roar was cut short.
The monster staggered—
Collapsed—And fell like a felled mountain.

BOOOOOOM—!

The shockwave blasted outward.
Trees snapped.
Earth tore.Leaves flew like a storm.
A dust cloud swallowed the entire clearing.


— Lythiriel’s POV — CALAMITY UNLEASHED —

I had never—
Never—
Seen anything like it.
Ever.

The world shook with thunder.
The sky split with lightning.
The earth bent under pressure.
And Kai…
Kai stood at the center of the storm.

His expression…
Calm.
Not arrogant.
Not proud.
Just… calm.
Lightning still danced across his arm.

My lips parted in disbelief.
“…That… that wasn’t magic… that wasn’t Spirit Arts… that wasn’t even an Authority phenomenon…”

I whispered:
“He… made an S-class spell… himself…”

Elorin stepped beside me.
“Princess… this is no human. No elf. No spirit. This… this is something beyond classification.”

I felt my heart race.
My throat tighten.
And a single question clawed at my mind:
What is Kai Rajput?

— AERIN’S POV — HOPE AND FEAR —

Big brother…
He’s glowing.
The whole forest is glowing.

He defeated the giant.
He saved us.
He saved me again.
He’s so strong.

But what if…
What if something stronger comes?
What if he gets hurt?
What if I lose him too…?

“…Kai…” My voice cracked.

“Please… be okay…”

— KAI’S POV — AFTERMATH —

The dust settled.
The Colossus was dead.
Lightning crackled softly around my arm before fading.

I exhaled. “Whew… that was… dramatic.”
My knees buckled slightly.

Lythiriel ran toward me. “Kai—!!”
She reached out—Then stopped inches away.
Her hand trembled.“…Are you hurt?”

“Just tired.” I replied.

She looked at my arm.   “…That attack… could have… killed you…”

“Probably.” I said honestly.

“You’re supposed to say NO—!!!” She said.

I smirked. “I’m alive. That’s what matters.”

She bit her lip. “…You’re impossible…”
She looked away, cheeks reddening. “…And unbelievable…”
Her voice softened to almost a whisper.
“…and too kind…”

I blinked. “What was that last part—?”

“SILENCE.” She yelled.

“Okay.” I said.

“…Idiot.” She said.

“Mom.” I teased.

“STOP CALLING ME THAT—!!” She yelled again.

The guards approached slowly.
Timidly.
As if approaching a sleeping god.

“Sir Kai…” one whispered.
“Y-You… you defeated a Mythical-class alone…”
Another bowed deeply. “We… we have no words.”
A third’s voice cracked. “You… you saved the Princess…”

I blinked. “Wait, saved?”

Lythiriel’s face turned red again.
“I-I did not need saving—!! I merely—!! It was—!!”

“You’re welcome.” I said.

“I DIDN’T THANK YOU—!! She retorted.

”“You’re welcome anyway.” I replied.

“KAIIIII—!!!” She screamed.

Aerin ran past the guards and jumped into my arms.
“BIG BROTHER—!! YOU’RE ALIVE—!!!”

I laughed softly and ruffled his hair. “Of course I am.”


— Lythiriel’s POV — FEAR IN HER HEART —

I watched Kai hold Aerin gently.

That strength…
That kindness…
That recklessness…

That terrifying, overwhelming power…
It all combined into something I couldn’t categorize.
Something I couldn’t understand.

But I felt one thing clearly:
Fear.
Not of him.

But of what the world would try to do to him.

He isn’t ready.

He’s still… just a boy.

A terrifying boy.
A lonely boy.
A boy who protects everyone except himself.

I clenched my fist tightly.
“…Kai Rajput,” I whispered.

He looked at me. “Yeah?”

“…Don’t ever go near death like that again.” I said softly.

He smiled lazily. “No promises.”

My heart lurched. “…Idiot human…”


— Elorin’s POV — LOOMING TROUBLE —

This boy…
This anomaly…
He saved our Princess, our people, our child.

But Sylvarine will not welcome him for this.
The nobles fear what they cannot control.
And Kai Rajput…

Cannot be controlled.
His arrival will shake this kingdom.

The Queen will sense it.
The Council will sense it.
Even the gods will sense it.

This boy…
Will change Aetheryon.
For better or worse.

— Revenant POV — FATE TREMBLES —

The mirror rippled.
Lightning reflected on its surface.

The Fate Guardian whispered:
“…The anomaly grows stronger.Too strong.”

The image of Aerin glowed brightly.
“…The tether… impossible to sever now.”

But it must be severed.
The timeline demanded it.

“…Soon.”
The Revenant’s fingers tapped the mirror.
“…He will lose something precious.”