My mood was sour after I left the base.

It’s natural to feel sad when someone breaks your trust, especially when you’re inexperienced in these matters.

During my school days, I was often bullied. I didn’t have a girlfriend, nor did I have anyone close. I was truly alone.

Whenever I came across posts on the internet about love and trust, I dismissed them as nothing more than people chasing views and likes.

But when I experienced betrayal firsthand, I felt it deeply—the weight of it, the sting that lingered long after the moment had passed.

The pain of it.

To say the least, it wasn’t a good feeling.

I remembered a quote I had read once, and a dry chuckle escaped my lips. It went something like this:

“Trust takes years to build, seconds to break, and forever to repair.”

As emotions started to surge, I activated the skill, and they disappeared as quickly as they had come.

With my rationality restored, I decided to find a place far from prying eyes—somewhere I could stay hidden and safe from my enemies.

Speaking of enemies, isn’t it ironic that an eight-year-old child could be the enemy of Angels, Demons, and even Gods? Thinking about such absurd beings, I realized that finding a hidden sanctuary was my best chance at survival.

However, there are beings capable of seeing fate itself.

While they can’t manipulate fate to their will, they can still glimpse it. I had no doubt they were using their powers to search for me. To put it simply, I was living on borrowed time.

Even while contemplating my imminent death, I didn’t feel burdened. Instead, I calculated my options—ways to survive against all odds.

In my memories of the novel, there was a rune that the protagonist, Ray Dawson, obtained. The rune had the power to hide not only one’s aura and power, but also one’s fate from those who sought to see it.

It was perfect for someone wanting to escape the watchful eyes of the Beings above SSS Rank.

The problem? The rune wasn’t easy to acquire.

It was located in a place so dangerous that even Ray, with his protagonist halo and disaster-like strength, nearly lost his life trying to obtain it.

At that time, he was an SS-rank hunter with power comparable to an SSS-rank hunter.

Even when Ray finally acquired the rune, it was too late for him. By then, everyone already knew about him. If he’d obtained it earlier, perhaps—just perhaps—his life could have been more peaceful.

As for me, even knowing about this rune, I couldn’t aim for it. I was far too weak.

Instead, I decided to find at least a safe haven.

From my memories of the novel, there was a criminal whose name I couldn’t recall.

This man fought Ray for three days before finally dying. He was an exceptionally strong martial artist, fighting barehanded with an ancient and powerful martial art technique.

After his death, Ray found a token in his space ring.

Calling it a token was an understatement—it was actually a key to a hidden base. This base belonged to an ancient mage and was located on the smaller crimson moon, Vaelith.

The base was buried deep within the moon, shielded by countless powerful arrays. Even an SSS-rank individual couldn’t detect it. And, as always, Ray somehow figured out how to use the key to activate the teleportation to the base.

Before the criminal died, Ray interrogated him and learned that he had obtained the key from a trial ground created by the ancient mage.

With this knowledge in mind, my next destination was clear: the trial ground mentioned in the novel.

Even though I don’t know What I Will face but I think I am strong enough to clear it because that Criminal was even weaker than me when he went to undergo trial.

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The trial ground was located in the Neutral Zone—a territory with no influence from any race. It was a place avoided by major powers because of the countless strong monsters that roamed there.

Conquering the zone wasn’t worth the heavy losses it would cost.

Instead, it had become a haven for criminals and fugitives.

The Neutral Zone was far from my current location. Reaching it would take time, but it was my best chance.

***

It took a few days to prepare myself before setting off. The Neutral Zone wasn’t a place you just strolled into—especially for someone as inexperienced as me.

Fortunately, I didn’t need to worry about supplies because of all the resources I had gathered from Aelion’s base. I kept moving during the early hours of the morning or late at night to avoid unnecessary encounters and attention.

Traveling in broad daylight, especially as a lone child in the Neutral zone, would raise too many questions. I couldn’t risk drawing attention to myself.

During the day, I focused on training. I decided not to neglect my training because the dangers I would face in the Neutral Zone were unlike anything I had encountered before.

This would be the first time I would have to kill something, and that thought weighed heavily on my mind. But I knew that clinging to hesitation or fear could lead to my death.

I had to let go of my old mindset and prepare myself mentally for what lay ahead.

On the second day of my journey, I encountered my first real problem. A group of mercenaries had set up a checkpoint on the main road leading toward the Neutral Zone.

They were likely looking for runaway criminals or refugees, hoping to sell them for a profit. Most mercenaries in this area weren’t known for their compassion, and I couldn’t risk being stopped or questioned.

If anyone suspected I was running from something, it would bring unnecessary trouble my way.

I activated , allowing my emotions to fade into a state of calm focus. With my mind sharpened, I decided to bypass the mercenaries entirely. Hiding wasn’t an option—I was too conspicuous on foot.

Instead, I used a combination of mana bursts and short sprints to climb the rocky cliffside overlooking the road.

It wasn’t easy. My control over mana was far from perfect, and my body, though stronger than an average eight-year-old, was still young and developing.

My muscles ached with every step, but kept me focused on my goal. After several gruelling hours, I reached a safe vantage point above the mercenaries and waited until nightfall.

As darkness fell, I silently made my way down the other side of the cliff and continued my journey. The further I travelled, the more barren the landscape became.

The vibrant forests and villages I had passed earlier were now replaced by rocky terrain and an eerie silence.

I could feel it—the Neutral Zone was close.

The air was heavy, as though the land itself was warning me to turn back.

The monsters in this area were unlike anything I had encountered before.

They weren’t ordinary wild beasts but were instead creatures twisted by the remnants of ancient wars and the residual mana left behind.

I encountered my first monster two days after entering the outskirts of the Neutral Zone. It was a massive, four-legged creature with black, leathery skin and glowing red eyes—a creature straight out of a nightmare.

For a moment, I froze, instinctively stepping back. Fear gripped me, but I quickly activated to suppress it.

My emotions faded, replaced by a calm and focused state of mind. The monster hadn’t noticed me yet, but I knew that running wasn’t an option. If it spotted me, I wouldn’t be able to outrun it.

I took out my Shadow Cutter (katana), steadying my breathing.

This would be my first time fighting to kill, and I had to get it right. Activating Zephyr’s Judgment 1st Form: Wind’s Whisper, I surged forward, channelling mana into my body to enhance my speed and strength.

Before the monster could react, I closed the distance and slashed with all my might. The blade sank into its flesh effortlessly, cutting through like butter.

The creature didn’t even have time to roar before its head hit the ground with a heavy thud.

“Not bad for a sneak attack,” I muttered to myself, gripping the katana tightly. My breathing was heavy, and while the fight had been straightforward, the excessive use of mana had left me drained.

This was just the beginning.

The Neutral Zone would only grow more dangerous the deeper I ventured.

Over the next few days, I sought out monsters deliberately, trying to adapt to the rhythm of real combat. The first kill was the hardest, but each subsequent fight became a little easier.

I Even Used Magic sometimes kill monsters, and as the power of my magic was enhanced by Legendary Cores they died by My simple Zero Magic.

The monsters grew stronger and more frequent as I neared my destination, but with every battle, I grew stronger too.

***

Name: Ash Burn

Age: 8

Level: 10 (Peak G-Rank)

Class: Magic Swordsman

Legendary Core: 2

***

By the time I reached the edge of the canyon where the trial ground was located, my stats had improved through constant combat and the relentless strain I placed on my body.

My level hadn’t increased, though.

Until I reached the limit of my core, I wouldn’t be able to rank up.

For a normal person, that limit is 100 in any one stat—but for me, someone with a legendary core, even I don’t know what my true limit is.

I have assumed it to be 200 because I possess two cores, but even I am not sure.

Only time will tell.

However, I’ve noticed something unusual. Overexerting myself—pushing past my limits—still increases my stats.

It feels as if my growth is more dependent on sheer physical and mental effort than simply gaining levels.

***

Strength: 32->46

Agility: 32->46

Intelligence: 32->46

Vitality: 32->46

Mana: 32->46

Stamina: 32->46

Charm: 32->46

***

Eventually, I found myself standing at the edge of a massive canyon. According to my memories of the novel, the trial ground was located deep within this canyon. It was a place filled with hidden treasures and of course, dangers that could end my life in an instant.

Taking a deep breath, I began my descent.

***