Three years.
That's how long it took to slay all nine beasts. The nine Realm shards had finally been conquered—claimed, sealed, and sanctified in blood and frost.
That night, they feasted again.
But this time, they were not alone.
Thousands of creatures surrounded them—beasts that once fled their shadow now bowed under stars. Frost-antelope, silver hounds, winged foxes, and strange crystalline birds circled their camp, watching in reverence as if part of a cosmic congregation.
Everett, Gloria, and Guruji sat on a stone outcrop lit by torches and natural starlight. There was laughter. Warmth. Peace. Not the kind stolen through victory—but the kind earned through walking within.
They had finally walked within.
Then Everett looked toward the sky—toward stars burning above the realm's veiled ceiling—and said:
"It's time. I'm going to feed the Realm's stars... To AshStorm Mammoth."
Gloria paused, lifting her cup. "How long will it take?"
Everett glanced at the mammoth-shaped mark on his palm. "I don't know," he admitted. "Maybe Guruji knows."
Guruji stirred the embers with a stick. "The time shall be the same," he said cryptically. "One-fourth of the world has already realized it—in silence and in dream."
Everett's gaze lowered. "Then we might not meet for a long time."
Gloria frowned. "We've already used nine and a half years. Just six and a half remain."
Everett nodded solemnly. "And four of them... I'll be asleep."
Guruji folded his arms. "Then let it be sixteen and sixteen. Sixteen years in, sixteen years out. That pattern suits our fate. Fate likes symmetry."
Gloria smiled faintly. "I'm fine with it."
Gloria exhaled. "I want to become a Mystery Master once we leave. So I'll need the last six years to train like a madman."
Guruji chuckled. "I'll manage the kingdom. I'm an intelligent officer. I can't fight much—but by the time the realm ends, I might still become a Mystery Master… or die chasing the reward."
They clinked their cups. And when the fire finally died down, they went their separate ways without looking back.
---
The Cave of the Skyworm
Gloria found a cave—once home to a slain Tier-2 beast known as the Skyworm. It was deep, winding thousands of meters into the earth. Crystalline ice adorned the walls, glowing faintly with moonlight.
Here, she trained. Alone. For four years.
---
The Palace of Shards
Everett returned to the palace. In the heart of the capital, beneath the skylight dome, he laid out the eight realm shards in a line—each one pulsing faintly.
He touched them one by one.
As they vanished, his consciousness slipped.
And he returned… to the same dream-cave from before. The void had changed. It was solid now—like fate had formed a floor.
And beside him stood the AshStorm Mammoth.
He placed a hand upon it.
And fell into deep, perfect slumber.
---
Four Years Later...
In the central hall of Ganso Palace, Gloria stood beside Guruji. They were both taller now—stronger. Gloria's aura had sharpened like tempered steel. Her hair was longer, her body lean and athletic, eyes sharp with discipline and demand. No longer just a warrior—she had become a commander.
Guruji, too, had changed. His gaze was deeper, older, touched by realms beyond reason.
Everett lay sleeping on a ceremonial bed beside them—still and peaceful.
Until...
His hand twitched.
Then his eyes opened.
Guruji and Gloria turned.
"Yo. Awake?" Gloria asked, grinning.
Everett blinked, dazed, then smiled. "Yes."
That night, the trio traveled to a secluded corner of Highland. The stars were silent.
"Show us," Guruji said. "AshStorm Mammoth. Show us how it's changed."
Everett raised his hand.
And the world changed.
The AshStorm Mammoth appeared—towering, radiant, terrifying.
Thick limbs. Heavier armor. Its molten veins now intertwined with storm-ice. Its twenty eyes burned with elemental fury—and serenity. It stood thirty meters tall, radiating pressure that bent the air.
Gloria stepped back. "Even for Tier-2… this thing is monstrous."
Guruji agreed. "It's no longer a shard beast. It's a culmination."
Everett smiled. "We have our bodyguard now."
"So," Everett asked, "how was your four years?"
Gloria sighed. "Becoming a Mystery Master is brutal. Far harder than I imagined."
Everett tilted his head. "Then how do academy students do it in just three years?"
Gloria explained, "You can travel across three Realms in three years. The first experience of a realm gives you huge boosts—elevation chances, unique rewards. But only the first time."
"Even if a realm's been discovered?" Everett asked.
She shook her head. "Doesn't matter. Only your first traversal counts. After that, the system doesn't care."
She grew quiet, slightly disappointed, until she reasoned aloud:
"Still... we've polished Tier-One to its edge. Even if we become Tier-Two later, we'll be stronger, faster, more refined than any rush-job Mystery Master."
Everett nodded. "Then I can finally defeat Robert."
Gloria laughed. "If you can, you're easily in the top 0.1% of Tier-One. Just polish it for one more year. I believe with the realm's final reward, we'll ascend cleanly."
Then she frowned. "But what's the time dilation between here and the real world?"
Everett looked at Guruji.
Guruji only smiled.
Gloria folded her arms. "I'm not doubting you, Guruji. I just... hate not knowing where life will go."
Everett nodded. "Same here."
The Kingdom of Ganso
"Speaking of which…" Everett said, "What's happened in the kingdom?"
Guruji leaned forward. "We now have 36 Demon Noble Houses. Each led by a Tier-1 beast. These Houses form the 36 provinces of our island. In the center lies our capital—Ganso."
He continued, "The nobility is shaped around the beasts. Your eight beasts each spawned a noble House. The strongest among them—AshStorm Mammoth—is what named you king."
Ash Storm Mammoth became royalty.
Everett blinked. "I became king?"
Gloria nodded. "Your AshStorm is unmatched. You didn't just lead us—you transformed us. It was only natural."
Guruji added, "I was appointed High Minister. Gloria is the Royal Sword—our divine protector."
They sat in silence, letting the stars pass above.
Two and a half years remained.
The next steps would lead not to beasts or battles—
—but destiny.