Floating Island - Triple S Talent

[You have killed Guardian - Zkeron, obtained (Spatial Ring - Heavenly Grade)]

[You have killed Guardian - Zkeron, obtained (King's Heart x1)]

[You have killed Guardian - Zkeron, obtained (Mid-Tier Elemental Crystal x13)]

[You have killed a Natural Guardian, gained (Nature's Luck Points) +11,500]

…

"Unbelievable," Lein thought to himself, the shock evident on his face.

He stepped forward and reopened the notification panel to confirm what he had just seen. His eyes scanned the series of blinking messages, as if trying to find something that could explain this anomaly.

"He's really dead?" he muttered in a low voice, almost like a whisper. The words felt strange even to himself.

Lein had never imagined that Zkeron—a mysterious Guardian—would die so easily. This defeat felt too sudden, too... absurd.

"How could he be so weak?" Lein continued, this time with a tone filled with profound confusion.

Lein had hoped the man would put up a decent fight as a Guardian. However, Lein felt no threat whatsoever. With just his Star Constellation skill combined with his Sword Prison, he had already managed to kill a Guardian.

His mind began to form a hypothesis. "Perhaps these Guardians are merely at an initial stage. Their power hasn't yet reached its true peak," he thought to himself. The thought brought him a slight sense of relief, though it didn't fully satisfy him.

The surroundings were silent. Lein stood alone in an infinite void, clad in his shimmering blue cloak. Wisps of gray smoke still lingered in the air, veiling the remnants of destruction. A cold, sourceless wind blew around Lein, carrying with it the hollow scent of emptiness that echoed in the darkness.

"Huff…" Lein let out a long sigh, his gaze drifting into the distance. The dark sky stretched endlessly, illuminated only by faint, twinkling stars from unreachable distances. Yet, amidst that void, one object caught his attention.

Lein's sharp gaze locked onto the Heavenly Sky Realm, which appeared in the distance like a massive planet. White lines circled its surface, emitting a radiant light that seemed to act as a shield of pure energy. Lein could feel the immense waves of power radiating from that realm, vibrating even the empty space around him.

"How did this realm come to be?" he wondered, his curiosity piqued by its origins.

As he continued to gaze at the realm, Lein suddenly sensed a new presence. Cracks in the dimension abruptly appeared around him, producing sharp sounds like shattering glass. From those cracks, figures began to emerge one by one.

The first to step out was a married couple, followed by a young woman and an old man with a long white beard.

"Congratulations, Young Master. You are truly formidable," said Hanes, a middle-aged man in a red robe, with a smile that exuded excessive confidence.

His tone was filled with praise, but Lein could detect a hint of flattery hidden within his words.

"The destructive power you displayed earlier was truly terrifying. I even thought I might die just by standing near it," Hanes continued, glancing at the others around him, as if seeking their agreement.

Aurora, Lyra, and the old man nodded instinctively. They didn't nod simply because Hanes said so, but because they had witnessed Lein's power firsthand. That explosion… was a sight they would not easily forget.

"Stop right there," Lein said coldly, cutting Hanes off before he could continue his flowery words. His sharp gaze served as a subtle warning that he had no interest in excessive flattery.

Lein knew Hanes' character well. The man was skilled at flattering others to serve his own interests. A moment of carelessness, and Lein might lose more than he should.

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Hanes stopped speaking, but his face remained adorned with a friendly smile. He bowed his head slightly, like someone who understood boundaries. There was no sign of offense or resentment on his face—his demeanor remained full of compliance.

"By the way, what is the Young Master's name?" Hanes asked, this time with a more serious tone. "Congratulations on becoming a Guardian."

"Lein," Lein replied briefly, his voice calm and unwavering. He felt no need to hide his identity.

"Nice to meet you, Young Master Lein."

"Nice to meet you, Young Master Lein."

Everyone greeted him enthusiastically. For them, meeting someone as powerful as Lein was a rare opportunity—a potential bridge to security and future benefits.

"Welcome to the Cosmos Origin, Young Master Lein," Hanes said with a meaningful smile. His words caught Lein's attention.

"Cosmos Origin?" Lein repeated the words with a questioning tone. His gaze swept across the boundless dark area around him, as if trying to find a clearer explanation.

"Yes, the place we are in now is the Cosmos Origin," Hanes said, spreading his arms as if to embrace the vast, endless space. The starlight in the distance danced in his eyes, adding a profound sense of the majesty of the place.

Hanes began explaining enthusiastically, his voice full of energy though his firm tone conveyed the importance of the information he was about to share.

"Just like in Aetheris, islands of cosmic beings can appear anywhere and at any time," he said, pausing briefly to ensure Lein was paying attention.

Lein listened quietly, his gaze fixed on Hanes. He realized that this information was crucial to surviving in this mysterious new world.

Hanes continued, "Cosmic beings are a serious threat. They are not only powerful but also possess skills that are difficult to comprehend. Their durability is extraordinary; even combined forces often struggle to defeat them."

Hanes's expression changed, reflecting the gravity of battling those creatures.

"However," he added, "the rewards for defeating them are often worth it. The materials they leave behind are extremely rare and highly valuable."

As he spoke, Hanes raised his hand as if imagining the shimmering cosmic materials in his palm. Lein could catch a faint glimpse of greed behind Hanes's tone, but he chose to remain silent.

"However," Hanes said, his tone suddenly turning serious, "there is an even greater threat: the Realm Bubbles." His face hardened, and his gaze carried a clear warning.

Lein tilted his head slightly, waiting for further explanation.