[The Sky Arena – High Atmosphere]
The air in the arena didn't just heat up—it became heavy, pressurized by a presence so vast it felt like a star had descended into the stadium. Captain Carod's Elemental Fusion wavered, the swirling magma and lightning losing their coherence under the weight of this new aura.
A streak of white-hot fire tore through the clouds, taking the shape of a colossal Flaming Phoenix. It spiraled down, slamming into the obsidian floor between the two combatants. As the flames dissipated, a woman of unrivaled grace stood there, her eyes glowing with the embers of a thousand suns.
"Captain," Cynthia said, her voice calm but carrying the weight of a divine command. "He is just a boy. Have you lost your mind, pushing a Z-Rank fusion against an injured child?"
Techyon stood frozen in the viewing stand. His heart hammered against his ribs like a trapped bird. My sister... Cynthia... The words screamed in his mind, but his throat felt like it was filled with lead. He wanted to run to her, to tell her he was the brother she thought she'd lost, but the gravity of the situation held him back.
Carod powered down his systems, his armor cooling instantly. "Goddess of Flame... Cynthia. You... why have you intervened? This was a sanctioned duel for the Z-Elite title."
"Stop this duel right now," Cynthia commanded, her gaze shifting toward the horizon where the sky was beginning to bleed a sickly, violet hue. "The Z+ Rank dungeon gate has appeared. We no longer have the luxury of internal squabbles."
Carod's visor flickered in shock. "What? But the calculations said we had at least another hour! That's too fast!"
"Reality doesn't care about your calculations, Captain," Cynthia replied coldly. "It has appeared. And it is hungrier than we anticipated."
Yoru , Nefa , and Techyon blurred from the stands, landing on the arena floor in a flurry of movement. The playful energy from before was gone, replaced by a grim resolve.
"If the gate is open," Yoru said, her green eyes fixed on the growing rift in the distance, "then we have a massive problem. Is everyone actually ready for this? This isn't a dungeon clear; it's a war for existence."
Techyon ignored the cosmic threat for a second, rushing to the side of his friend. He knelt by the fallen prodigy, his hand glowing with a steady cyan light to help stabilize his mana. "Bro, are you okay? Can you hear me?"
Lapis coughed, the salt-magenta glow in his eyes fading into a dull grey. He looked up at Techyon, a weak, bitter smile on his face. "I... I had twenty seconds left... I could have... damn it..."
Lapis pushed Techyon's hand away as he struggled to his feet. "I don't need any healing potions," he grunted, his salt-magenta mana flickering one last time. He closed his eyes, focusing his core. [Self-Restoration: Honoured Pulse]. A wave of crystalline light washed over his body, sealing his internal wounds and stopping the bleeding from his eyes. He stood up straight, wiping the blood from his chin. "Now... I am fine."
Cynthia turned her gaze away from the duelists, her expression unreadable. "Every other Z-Rank from the neighboring countries is mobilized. Even the hidden Arcons have sent word that they are ready to assist. But why are there only three out of the four Z-Elites here?"
Yoru rubbed the back of her neck, looking embarrassed. "To be honest... we've been trying to find Fraxy for a while, but we haven't seen her since the morning."
Cynthia stared at her, deadpan. "Did you all forget that you have a status window? You can simply call her and track her mana-signature to see where she is right now."
Yoru's eyes widened. "I... I completely forgot in all this chaos."
Nefa let out a sharp, mocking laugh. "As I said, Yoru—you are totally dumb. Your brain is 90% battle strategy and 0% common sense."
[The Sapphire District – Fraxy's Private Mansion]
While the sky over Netland was bleeding violet and warriors were preparing for death, the atmosphere inside the Sapphire Mansion was filled with the scent of lavender and expensive oils.
Fraxy lay facedown on a heated jade table, letting out a long, satisfied sigh as a specialized mana-massager worked the tension out of her shoulders. "Resting is truly the best thing in existence," she whispered to herself. "Why fight the universe when you can just enjoy it?"
After the massage, she spent an hour in a steaming bath filled with rose petals and high-grade mana-crystals. Finally, she stepped out and began to get ready for the day, completely unaware of the apocalypse outside.
[Character Profile: Fraxy — The Z-Elite Healer]
Hair: She has long, flowing hair the color of strawberry-blonde or soft peach. It cascades over her shoulders in gentle waves, giving her a soft, approachable appearance that calms everyone around her.
Eyes: Her eyes are a striking lavender-pink, shining with a gentle kindness, though they currently look a bit sleepy from her relaxation session.
Features: She has a delicate, porcelain complexion. She wears a simple but elegant pink choker and a matching beaded necklace that enhances her graceful neckline.
Outfit: She wears a sleeveless, light-violet dress with a high-collar design that fits her status as a high-ranking noble and elite adventurer.
Vibe: Unlike the fierce Yoru or the sharp Nefa, Fraxy looks like a Saint. She radiates a "Healing Aura" even when she isn't trying, making her the heart of the Z-Elite 4.
Fraxy was just reaching for her favorite perfume when a familiar blue glow illuminated the room. Her status window manifested in mid-air, chiming loudly.
[INCOMING MANA-LINK: YORU]
Fraxy blinked, tilting her head with a confused expression. "A call from Yoru? Why is she calling me so early? Did she break her sword again?"