The desert wind buffeted Verchiel's face as he stepped into the endless expanse known as the Debir Desert—a desolate region south of the kingdom, where ancient ruins and illusions of the past mingled. Here, according to the map given by the Emperor, lay the Second Fragment of his signature weapon.
"Coordinates active... location synchronization. Spiritual detection has detected a High Light relic within a 5-kilometer radius," a mechanical voice echoed in his mind.
[System Active]
Name: Verchiel
Level: 15
Primary Element: Light
System Buff: EXP x2 activated upon monster slaying
Warning: Dangerous Tier-C region. Average level
monsters: 25-35.
Verchiel squinted. This desert was deadly not only because of the heat, but also because of the sand demon creatures that dwelled within. However, he knew: this was an initial test. To regain his former self, he would have to overcome the trials of this world first
The Debir Desert was once a great civilization that worshipped the stars and light. However, thousands of years ago, their city sank into the sand due to the "Curse of the Split Gods," an echo of the past... it became a battlefield and finally felt this place was once his own—as a God.
Light—against one of the seven Dark Monarchs.
And the traces still remain.
"Traces of light magic... mine?" he muttered, touching the half-buried stone ruins.
"No. It's too old... and the cracks indicate anger... not protection."
Shortly after, the system issued a warning:
[Danger Detection]
C-Rank Creature Detected: Sand Maw (Lv 27)
Bonus: EXP x2 active
From beneath the sand, a massive creature emerged.
It resembled a giant worm with a mouth lined with rotating teeth, emitting a guttural roar. A single swipe of its tail shattered the boulder in an instant.
Verchiel didn't run.
He raised his hand. A silvery white light erupted from his fingers—no ordinary magic. This was the light archives from his memories beginning to unlock.
"Lux Lance."
The white beam formed into a spear, then struck the creature squarely in the head. Sand Maw raged, but Verchiel jumped, dodging and showering his body with fast-moving arrows of light.
The battle lasted over five minutes. And as the final spear struck the creature's heart, the system beeped:
[Sand Maw Lv 27 defeated]
EXP Gained: 1,200 (Bonus x2 active)
Level Up!
Verchiel Lv 15 Lv 17
Verchiel sighed. "Two levels from just one monster... this system is strange. But I won't complain."
★Debir Ruins
As night fell, Verchiel arrived at the main ruin: a large temple that had once been the center of worship for Lux Astra, a manifestation of the power of holy light. Towering pillars lay half-collapsed, and a winged sun symbol faded from the ruined ceiling.
He stepped inside. Inside, the air was different—cold and filled with spiritual oppression. On the cracked altar, a light hovered, dancing like a spirit.
"Is that... the second fragment?" Verchiel approached, but the light retreated.
Suddenly, the temple door closed by itself. And before him, a figure in translucent black armor appeared, its face invisible. Its voice was deep and echoed like a thousand whispers:
The second fragment wasn't just power—it was also a forgotten memory. The figure threw Verchiel into an illusion of the past, showing him the betrayal of 10,000 years ago: his betrayal, his stabbing by his comrades, the angels who had once sworn allegiance to him.
"Why... you...?" Verchiel's old voice echoed softly in the memory.
"Because a light like yours... casts away our shadows," one of the seraphim replied.
The illusion stabbed at Verchiel's heart, but he gritted his teeth.
"I am no longer the holy being I once was. But I will not succumb to the wounds of the past."
The light burned. Imperfect. Impure. But strong.
The light of a human.
The fragment glowed. The guardian's figure disappeared. The light entered Verchiel's body, and the system issued a notification:
[Supreme Light Fragment II: "Dawn Call" acquired]
Passive ability: Magical energy recovery increases during nighttime.
Active skill: Dawn Call - Spirit-based light-based area attack.
Verchiel stood in the center of the altar. Moonlight fell through the cracks in the rubble, illuminating him as if in acknowledgement
"Two of seven. Seven pieces of my soul."
He closed his eyes.
"I will put them all together. I will return."