(Henry's POV)
Just as I was processing the truth about Project Hades, the system flashed again.
---
[SYSTEM ALERT!]
⚠ NEW REQUIREMENT UNLOCKED! ⚠
To obtain further information, you must meet the Queen of Celestial Beings.
She will only listen if she is satisfied with your presence.
⚠ WARNING: Failure to impress the Celestial Queen may result in divine expulsion.
---
I blinked.
Then I grinned.
"Oh, now this just got interesting."
The Celestial Rulers didn't react to the notification, but I could tell from their expressions that they already knew what was coming.
The featureless ruler spoke first.
"The Queen will determine whether you are worthy of knowing the rest."
The woman with the silver wings flicked her gaze toward me.
"Your power may be impressive, but do not assume you can charm the Queen so easily."
"Charm?" I smirked, rolling my shoulders. "Lady, if your Queen is half as arrogant as you, then this is gonna be fun."
The old man chuckled under his breath, while the silver-haired woman narrowed her eyes.
Then—the golden light shifted.
The entire chamber changed, the massive thrones fading into mist, and suddenly—
I was somewhere else.
---
The Celestial Garden – The Queen's Domain
The world around me was… breathtaking.
A floating garden stretched endlessly into the sky, filled with trees made of light, waterfalls that cascaded into the stars, and a sky that pulsed with an eternal golden radiance.
At the center of it all—
A woman sat on an elegant throne of celestial vines and golden roses.
And when I say woman, I mean something beyond human comprehension.
She was ethereal, her beauty almost dangerous, with long flowing hair that shimmered like liquid silver and piercing golden eyes that held the weight of eons. Her wings—twelve of them—extended behind her, each feather radiating a different spectrum of divine energy.
I could feel her power just by standing here.
She wasn't just some ruler.
She was divine authority itself.
And she was watching me.
---
The Queen's Test Begins
She tilted her head slightly, her voice smooth, yet commanding.
"You are the one who caused such a disturbance below my throne?"
I grinned, crossing my arms.
"I prefer 'made an entrance.'"
Her expression didn't change.
"You speak as if you are equal to me."
"Nah." I smirked. "If we were equals, I wouldn't have had to fight my way up here."
For the first time, something flickered in her golden eyes—amusement.
"Interesting."
She stood from her throne, taking slow steps toward me, her presence immensely heavy, like reality itself was adjusting to her movements.
I didn't back down.
She circled me, her gaze studying me, as if deciding whether I was worth her time.
Then she stopped in front of me.
"Tell me, Henry Hans… how do you intend to satisfy me?"
I blinked.
Then smirked.
"Depends on what you're looking for, Your Majesty."
Her lips curved slightly—not quite a smile, but close.
"A bold answer. But words are meaningless without proof."
She raised a hand, and suddenly—
The world shifted.
---
The Celestial Trial – A Duel with the Queen
A massive arena of golden light materialized around us.
I suddenly felt my body grow lighter, as if gravity was thinning.
Then I realized—
I was standing in the sky itself.
The Queen now floated above me, her wings spread wide, her golden aura flaring with divine radiance.
"Impress me, Henry Hans."
She raised a single finger—
And the entire sky collapsed toward me.
BOOOOOOM!
---
Fighting the Celestial Queen
"Oh, so we're doing this now?"
I vanished, activating Celestial Blink, barely dodging as a wave of pure divine energy obliterated the space where I stood.
The Queen's golden eyes glowed, her form moving faster than my own perception.
I only saw a blur—
Then pain exploded in my ribs as her knee smashed into my side, sending me spiraling through the sky.
"Tch—!" I gritted my teeth, stabilizing myself midair, flipping onto my feet.
She was fast.
Faster than anything I had ever fought.
Her voice echoed through the arena.
"Your strength is undeniable. But can you match my speed?"
She vanished again.
I didn't bother tracking her.
I felt her.
Celestial Overdrive – Limit Break Mode.
I pushed my power beyond its limit, my golden aura flaring violently as I let my instincts take over.
I swung my Sword of the First Dawn just as she reappeared—right in front of me.
CLAAAAANG!
Our blades clashed, sending a shockwave so powerful that the celestial arena itself trembled.
The Queen's golden eyes locked onto mine.
And for the first time—she smiled.
"Good."
She pushed against me—but this time, I pushed back.
The real fight had just begun.