"Sir, who exactly are you?" Axel asked, still trying to wrap his head around everything. "Didn't say there can't be awakeners above level four in the Abyss?"

The old man smiled faintly, settling onto a stone bench smoothed by time. His voice came slow and steady. "My name is Victor. I was once quite well-known… though by now, most people probably assume I'm dead."

A shadow flickered in his eyes, the kind born from old grief.

Axel's heart skipped. "All Things Simulation?! You're that Victor?"

Now it was Victor's turn to be genuinely surprised. "You know my awakening talent?" he asked with a raised brow. "So there are still stories about me out there…"

Axel nodded quickly. "Of course. Everyone's heard of you."

To Axel, the name "Victor" had always carried weight. The man had disappeared years ago, but before that, he was a legend—a sixth-level awakener who pioneered one of the most mysterious talents known.

Axel's thoughts began racing. If Victor knew the truth about the Heavenly Spirit Fruit—if he were to return to the surface—then maybe, his father's name could be cleared.

But Victor had already seen it in his eyes. After a long silence, he gently said, "Kid… I'm sorry. I can't go back now."

He shook his head, eyes drifting toward the mist-draped valley in the distance. "There's something far more important keeping me here."

Axel followed his gaze and finally noticed it—several kilometers away, a canyon that hadn't been visible before. It was veiled by a strange fog. As he sent out a probe of Force, something hit back—a sharp, deadly aura that nearly pierced his consciousness.

"What's in there?"

Victor's expression turned grave. "The final resting place of General Micah and the three beast kings."

His words were soft but heavy."There's a lot you still don't know, Axel. And I'm sorry I can't be the one to clear your father's name."

Axel didn't speak for a while. His chest felt tight. Eventually, he said, "Sir… I need a moment alone."

Victor gave a slow, understanding nod and walked away without another word.

The air at the bottom of the Infinite Cold Cave was thick with moisture, but strangely peaceful. A slow-moving stream gurgled nearby. Birds chirped. Insects hummed.

It was like a paradise carved into the earth.

Axel sat on the stone bench Victor had made, motionless. Water from a nearby waterfall misted his face. The cool spray did nothing to ease the fire simmering in his chest.

Three and a half years.

His father's face—blurred by time—had grown vivid again through Victor's words. The image burned into his mind: a man brimming with hope, thrilled to share the cure that could save Krythos. But was—hunted, smeared, betrayed. He should have been Krythos' hero, and he shouldn't have ended up like this.

Axel clenched his fists on his knees. His nails dug into his palms.

"A scholar who couldn't win an argument with a neighbor... How can he be the man wants to infect all of humanity?"

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His voice trembled, then hardened. "Whoever betrayed you… I'll find them."

He stood, his breath steady, his eyes no longer red but gleamed with a terrible light.. "And I'll cut them into fucking pieces."

Victor stood quietly in the cabin, watching Axel's back as he sat near the stream. The old man let out a long sigh.

His gaze drifted to the mist-shrouded canyon not far away. It would be a long time before he could leave this place—.

He wanted to say something, offer comfort. But Axel was already calm.

"This kid…"Victor murmured, fingers stroking his beard.

Barely twenty years old and yet already able to steady himself after such a crushing blow. Victor had seen enough men in his life to know—Axel had been through hell long before arriving here.

"Axel," he finally asked, "what will you do now?"

"Sir, I plan to hand over some of the Heavenly Spirit Fruit to the Holy Light Organization," Axel said. "They have the resources and expertise to refine a complete cure."

"After that… I want to find out what really happened to my father."

He paused, then continued to share more of his experiences—his father's research, the betrayals, the people he'd encountered since descending into the Abyss.

Victor listened quietly, not interrupting once. The old man had lived alone in this quiet, hidden valley for decades. His understanding of the plants and energy here went far beyond what any modern alchemist knew.

"The Heavenly Spirit Fruit," Victor said, tapping the wooden table lightly, "it only works on people in the earliest stages of mutation. That was my discovery—when used with a mix of calming herbs, it suppresses the infection long enough for the body to reset."

"I never thought Ronan would actually develop a complete cure." Victor's voice was tinged with pride, and sorrow. "If used properly… within twenty years, humanity could have bred a whole new generation of powerhouses."

He shook his head, frustration flashing briefly in his eyes. "Short-sighted bastards…."

Axel frowned, absorbing every word. "Mr. Victor, do you have any idea who might have orchestrated this?"

Victor paused for a long moment, then slowly shook his head. "Krythos is controlled by the House of Lords—thirty-two seats. More than half are held by the Five Great Families."

"I haven't been up there in over thirty years, so I can't say exactly. But I can tell you this—it must be someone or a family with direct interests. Just think about who will benefit from this.."

Axel nodded slowly. That aligned with what he'd suspected for a while now.

Victor leaned forward, his tone suddenly sharp. "But don't dig too soon."

"The people behind this have enough power to shape the entire political landscape of Krythos. You find out the truth too early, and you'll just put a target on your back. Strength comes first."

Axel sighed quietly."I realized that when Sethan picked up that call. I know I'm still not ready."

Victor nodded, satisfied with the answer. "When you reach Level Six, go find a woman named Clarissa. She may not look like much, but she has… connections."

Then Victor chuckled, eyes twinkling. "Though I'm sure you won't listen to me."

Axel didn't answer.

"To become a true powerhouse," Victor said, "you need that kind of madness. The kind that tells you to charge forward even when the road is pitch black."

He stood up and turned toward a nearby shelf. "I can't give you much. But take this—" he handed Axel a silver disc. "This is a Space Plate. If your life's ever truly on the line, crush it. No matter where you are, it'll teleport you straight back here."

Axel accepted it with reverence. He could tell this was no ordinary item. Unlike the Opportunity Plates issued for their descent into the Abyss, which could only teleport to the surface, this one ignored all limits of space.

Victor wasn't finished. "And this." He tossed him a capsule. "Wait a second while I unload the useless crap."

Axel blinked in confusion, watching as the capsule began to pour out a strange pile of books, utensils, and other random supplies like a magician pulling endless scarves from a hat.

Axel was about to praise Victor for keeping the reading habit after so many years, when something… unexpected dropped out of the capsule.

A glossy photo album hit the ground with a quiet slap. The cover was loud, to say the least—a woman in a barely-there bikini posed against a tropical backdrop.

Victor's face darkened immediately. Without missing a beat, he scooped the photo album off the ground and tucked it away with the calm precision of a veteran. "Tch, what the hell—who stuffed this thing in here? Damn it. Must've been a mistake… ages ago." he muttered.

Before Axel could even react, a Playboy magazine slipped out right after it.

The corner of Axel's mouth twitched. He silently turned his head to stare off at the waterfall, pretending he'd seen nothing at all.

Smart kid. Victor cleared his throat and nodded. "Ahem. Good. This thing's yours now," he said, handing the capsule over like he hadn't just been caught red-handed.

Axel took it, his curiosity piqued.

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