Floating Island
In front of the portal leading into the Mystic Treasure Realm, thirty-three young Adventurers were scattered all around the area. They had formed eight groups, each clustering with the companions from their respective factions.
On every face, a different emotion could be seen etched clearly. Some looked sorrowful, others joyful, excited, relieved—and there were also those who appeared regretful. They grieved the unexpected tragedies, yet at the same time they rejoiced that they had made it out of such a perilous place alive.
One could see Helbram speaking to the despondent Diana. Helbram's expression was grim as he listened to the princess' report, his brows sometimes knitting into a scowl over the things he was hearing.
Of the thirty-three young Adventurers, seven belonged to the Royal Clan—including Diana and the two princes. Four survivors came from the factions of the Alchemist Association, Immortal Sword Pavilion, and Ancient Darkness Island, while three others remained from the Soul Puppet Sect, Ice Feather Sect, and Burning Heaven Sect. Five survivors were from the Cloud Soaring Sect.
All of their strongest members had fortunately escaped death: Brien and Hitch of the Alchemist Association, Elyas of the Burning Heaven Sect, Odin of the Soul Puppet Sect, Gerould of the Ancient Darkness Island, Azur of the Immortal Sword Pavilion, and Tiffanya and Hyon of the Ice Feather Sect.
Only the members of the Royal Clan wore untroubled smiles, relieved simply to be alive. The other young members of the various factions could not conceal their grief—most of all the five survivors from the Cloud Soaring Sect.
After some time, at last the faction masters and Elders arrived, accompanied by seven Royal Guards.
Noah and Marcus immediately descended toward Lore's group. When the two men realized only five of the Soaring Seven remained, their faces darkened at once. Their expressions grew even grimmer the moment they saw that neither Ashe nor Finn were among the five.
"Where is my daughter? Where is Finn Doria? Why aren't they with you?!" Noah's voice quivered with a tumult of emotion—fear, dread, sorrow, and anger all tangled together.
Noah seized Lore by both shoulders, unintentionally squeezing hard enough that Lore felt a searing pain, as though his bones were slowly being crushed by the Sect Master's sheer physical strength.
"...Sect Master Noah...Finn and Ashe..." Lore's voice was strained, pained, and sorrowful.
But before he could finish, tears brimmed in his eyes and spilled down his cheeks. He had been struggling to keep his sorrow at bay—but the moment he remembered how Finn and Ashe had repeatedly risked their lives to save them, he simply could not hold back any longer. His tears fell in silence.
All the other members of the Soaring Seven began to cry as well. Leo and Ezekias hung their heads, weeping in silence. Lan and Juvia clutched their trembling lips, sobbing uncontrollably.
Finn had gambled his life just to protect them all... A debt like this could never be repaid, no matter how great the wealth.
All the faction masters and Elders had witnessed the Cloud Soaring Sect's grief. Some only shook their heads in regret. They already understood what must have happened. What a waste—the most talented young Adventurer and Alchemist of the entire Sacred Dragon Kingdom was now gone. Lost to the perils of the Mystic Treasure Realm after saving countless lives.
Morris, too, wore a dark expression at the loss of Finn. It pained him to know such a prodigious Alchemist would never again set foot outside that realm. If the young man had survived, perhaps in time he would have risen to renown far beyond this kingdom.
He also mourned the fact that he never had the chance to negotiate with Finn about the alchemy book the boy had mentioned. But there was nothing left to do except sigh, shake his head, and feel the hollow regret that fate could be so cruel. In the bloom of youth, Finn had already perished.
Standing nearby, Brien secretly smirked.
'Finn, Finn, Finn. I never did manage to claim the things you possessed. And you even stole Ashe Vermillion away from me. But in the end, I'm delighted by your death. The greatest threat to me and my ambitions is finally gone,' Brien thought with a silent laugh, his eyes fixed on the portal.
--
Helbram eventually finished speaking to Diana and walked over to Noah. He gently laid a hand on Noah's shoulder, shook his head, and said in a low voice,
"Princess Diana has explained everything to me…"
Helbram recounted all that Diana had told him—the strange creatures that attacked the young adventurers, how Finn had saved everyone left alive, and why Ashe had been separated.
Hearing all of it, Noah was overcome by grief. Tears welled in his eyes as he murmured, his voice breaking, "How can I ever face Kiden and Vella again...? I couldn't even keep their daughter safe..."
In the Ice Feather Sect's ranks, Hyon had already reported what had transpired within the Mystic Treasure Realm. A hidden smile lingered on his lips as he described how Finn had stayed behind.
One might also notice that Singh was miraculously present. He hadn't been among those who fought the creatures—strange, then, that he stood here alive and unscathed.
In truth, he never participated in the expedition at all. Too terrified of dying in that brutal world, he had wasted the opportunity entirely. After a few days wandering along the forest's edge, he found a concealed cave and hid inside, sleeping away almost twenty days.
Sheeha smiled secretly when she learned all that had happened. She turned to Hyon and spoke softly,
"Ah, fate. It seems fortune is on our side. Now that the greatest threat to us is dead, we can finally move to destroy the Azure Wood Family. That thorn in our throat is gone. Who cares if he was the kingdom's most gifted young Adventurer and Alchemist? He died in that realm, while the three of you survived. A talented corpse is worthless."
A quiet laugh escaped her lips. Greed and contempt gleamed in her eyes. With Finn dead, she no longer needed to worry about how to eradicate the Azure Wood Family. From now on, no one would stop them. Without Finn, they were nothing more than an ordinary clan, stripped of all value in the kingdom's eyes.
"Hyon, Tiffanya—prepare yourselves. We return to the Ice Feather Sect now. Tiffanya, once we arrive, I will inform your grandfather, Artos, that you may proceed with war against the Azure Wood Family," Sheeha declared coldly.
Tiffanya did not look pleased by this. Perhaps, once, she had wished for the Azure Wood Family's ruin—but did she still feel that way now? She didn't know anymore. All she felt was a burning anger in her chest. She clenched her fist and looked Sheeha straight in the eye.
"Must we really go that far, Sect Mistress Sheeha? Finn Doria is dead—there's no reason to care if the Azure Wood Family still exists. They're just an Ordinary Clan now, and they wouldn't dare cause trouble. Besides... Finn saved my life—and Hyon's. Why can't we simply let the past go?" Tiffanya's voice was earnest, her expression solemn.
She no longer wanted to be part of this vengeance. In truth, she never had—she was only following the orders of her grandfather, Artos Frois, who in turn obeyed Sheeha.
Sheeha's gaze sharpened. Her voice dropped low and cold.
"What's gotten into you? Has your heart grown soft? Have you already forgotten how Finn Doria humiliated you?"
"I haven't forgotten. But he did that because of what we did. And I know, when my father returns, he will despise all this. Finn Doria is dead. I don't want my clan entangled in this madness any longer. Please... Sect Mistress... let it end," Tiffanya insisted.
Sheeha's expression darkened. Without warning, she seized Tiffanya's arm in a bruising grip. Pain twisted across Tiffanya's face, but she endured it, unable to break free from a Sky Rank Adventurer's hold.
"What are you saying?! Do you mean to betray our agreement? You will marry Hyon, and I will not tolerate any remaining threat to this union. As for your father—what can he do? He was only ever a Profound Rank. He has no power over me. Remember this, Tiffanya: everything you have now is thanks to the Ice Feather Sect. You are bound by this pact—there is no way to escape it," Sheeha hissed.
"Please... you're hurting me," Tiffanya gasped.
Sheeha finally released her and let out an exasperated snort. She gave Tiffanya a final, scornful glare before turning and walking away to join Helbram.
A deep bruise marred Tiffanya's arm where Sheeha's fingers had dug in. She pulled out a small bottle from her interspatial ring, swallowed a healing pill, and waited for the pain to ease.
Hyon stepped up to her, grinning broadly.
"Tiffanya... my sweet Tiffanya. You're really starting to change your tune. Don't you want to be wealthy and influential? If you still wish to preserve your status, you'd better obey my Teacher. You wouldn't want the Ice Feather Sect to withdraw its support from your Nine Ice Family, would you?" he drawled. He brushed a hand along her cheek, "Our wedding is close at hand—and once we're married, you'll have no choice but to stand beside me and do whatever my Teacher commands."
Tiffanya slapped his hand away and glared fiercely at him.
"Who would ever want to marry a coward like you? You're weak—you cowered behind me while we fought those creatures. You couldn't even protect me. Are you even a man, Hyon?"
Hyon's face went black with rage, and he raised a hand to strike her—but he froze, suddenly overwhelmed by a force surging from her body.
"7th Level Scarlet Gold Rank?!" he cried in disbelief.
He stumbled back from the pressure. But moments later, he straightened, laughing softly, desire flickering in his eyes.
"So what if you've reached the 7th Level? In the end, you're still destined to be mine—and when you are, your strength will be mine as well."
Tiffanya clenched her jaw, glaring murderously at him. She no longer wanted this forced union—but she was powerless to change it. Sheeha had been right—her grandfather had already offered her as a bargaining chip for countless benefits. They were in the Ice Feather Sect's grasp, and she was now no more than a puppet.
--
"I am deeply sorry for what happened to your daughter... and to Finn Doria. I, too, grieve their loss. But you mustn't lose hope. There are still six days remaining before the Mystic Treasure Realm trial ends—and perhaps Ashe Vermillion and Finn Doria are still alive. I am not ready to give up on talents like them," Helbram said quietly, trying to soothe Noah's grief.
Noah's eyes brightened, and he gave Helbram a hopeful smile.
"You're right. There are still six days. Perhaps... perhaps this time, something different has happened."
Yet even as he said it, his heart remained heavy. He could not truly feel joy or relief—not until he saw them emerge with his own eyes.
"For now, you must steady yourself and guide those who remain. They all look to you for strength. You must be an example to them," Helbram continued, smiling sadly.
The two men were about to part ways when a beautiful woman approached them. As always, her face was painted in cosmetics, her lips red as blood. Sheeha wore a smile as she walked up to Noah and Helbram.
She inclined her head slightly and said,
"Sect Master Noah, Lord Helbram. I came to bid you both farewell. My Ice Feather Sect and I will be departing now. My three members have safely returned—there is no further reason for us to remain."
The two men looked startled. The six days were not yet over—did she not even hope that any more of her faction might return?
"Are you certain you wish to leave so early, Sect Mistress Sheeha? There is still time, perhaps—"
Sheeha interrupted Helbram without ceremony.
"I hold no further expectations, Lord Helbram. I am content that Hyon and Tiffanya survived."
Indeed—because four members of the Ice Seven had failed to return, they were worthless in her eyes. Even though Singh had never entered the trial at all—so what? He was alive, and that was what mattered to her.
She turned her attention to Noah, feigning a sorrowful look.
"My condolences on the loss of your two most gifted members. But you should be grateful that five of them survived death."
Noah's eyes grew cold. He let out a disgusted snort.
"My daughter and Finn Doria are not dead. If you have nothing worthwhile to say, then leave this place at once before I decide to throw you off the island myself."
Sheeha's lips twisted in a scowl. She let out a derisive snort and spun around to rejoin her faction.
At last, Helbram left as well to speak with the Royal Clan members. He informed them they could return to the Royal Clan. The two princes and four others departed immediately. Only Diana stayed behind, standing beside Helbram to wait.
Noah returned to the Soaring Seven and addressed them solemnly.
"Forgive me for losing control earlier. But we must not succumb to despair. The trial is not yet over. We will remain here until my daughter and Finn Doria return to us alive."
The five of them looked up at Noah, hope flickering in their eyes. They were willing to wait here as long as it took, so long as the two would come back alive.
They all sat down in front of the great portal, waiting in silent vigil.
Six days passed swiftly. The other factions departed one after another. On the second day, the Immortal Sword Pavilion withdrew. On the third, the Ancient Darkness Island, Burning Heaven Sect, and Soul Puppet Sect left in turn. On the fifth day, Morris and Alicia, together with the Alchemist Association, departed with heavy hearts. Many still clung to the hope that Finn might emerge—but with every hour, that hope dimmed. Some left in sorrow; others concealed a secret satisfaction.
In the end, only Helbram, Diana, and the Cloud Soaring Sect remained.
Grief clouded all their eyes. They had waited—but no sign came from the portal.
After some time, Helbram sighed and stepped forward with Diana.
"It's time to leave this island. We must accept that they are gone. And now... we must begin to investigate what those strange creatures were," Helbram said quietly.
Noah met his gaze, solemn and resigned. He looked into Diana's eyes—but she only bowed her head in silence.
Without another word, Noah turned and walked to the five weeping survivors. He nodded to them and stroked the little red tiger on his shoulder. The tiny beast looked up at him, confused and mournful—it, too, sensed that something was missing.
The little tiger leapt into the open space before them. In the next moment, its body expanded, growing broad and immense. Claws as long as swords glinted in the light, and huge fangs jutted from its jaws.
Noah and Marcus lifted the young adventurers onto the red tiger's back. With a roar that split the air, the beast spread its vast wings and soared aloft.
Diana watched them rise into the sky. She wiped her tears away and fixed her gaze on Noah's distant silhouette.
"Forgive me… brother…"