Kieran took a bite of the skewered meat, letting the juices fill his mouth.
A satisfied hum rumbled in his throat as he chewed.
"This tastes good," he muttered.
"Indeed. It's to be expected. It should help you recover as well. Although the percentage of divine energy is relatively low, it will replenish some of your life force," Alexa replied, watching him intently.
Kieran glanced down at the meat in his hands, turning it over as he considered her words.
'So that's why the travelers preferred meat from the realm gates rather than normal ones…'
The more Alexa explained, the more he realized just how little he knew.
There were too many things that had been kept from him—too many truths buried beneath centuries of ignorance.
Not just him, but countless others lived in oblivion.
At least now, he had her.
Someone to teach him the things he had never even thought to ask.
Someone to guide him through the unknown.
Feeling a sense of ease settle over him, he took another bite before turning his gaze toward her.
"Aren't you eating?"
"No," Alexa replied bluntly.
Kieran frowned. "Why not?"
"Because I don't need to.
" She crossed her arms. "I'm an immortal. Eating is not a necessity. Besides, you need it more than I do."
Kieran raised a brow.
'Immortal…'
The word wasn't foreign to him, but hearing it now—knowing that she was one—felt different.
Beings who had broken the bondage of death.
That's what they were called.
It didn't mean they couldn't die, just that they had means to return from it.
"So you can't die?" Kieran blurted, curiosity getting the best of him.
Alexa stiffened slightly. For a fleeting moment, an unreadable expression crossed her face before she scoffed. "Tch. Of course I can. But I undergo rebirth each time."
She spoke as if it was the most natural thing in the world, yet there was something in her voice—a weight to those words that he couldn't quite decipher.
"How else do you think you were able to contract me in the first place, considering how weak you were?" She smirked. "I happened to be coming from another rebirth. A being as powerful as myself wouldn't so easily succumb to the likes of you."
Kieran resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "Is that so?"
Alexa lifted her chin proudly, arms still folded over her chest. "Of course."
But Kieran wasn't done. "What about the gods? Are they truly immortal?"
Her smirk faded. She hesitated for a second before sighing. "I used to think they were... but it seems I was wrong."
Kieran frowned. 'What actually happened to the gods? How come no one knows?' The thought gnawed at him. These beings were supposed to be omnipotent, all-powerful entities worshipped across realms. There was no way they could have simply vanished. Something must have happened.
Something powerful enough to either destroy them… or force them into hiding.
"We immortals aren't weak either," Alexa continued. "To achieve rebirth, reincarnation, and transmigration... it means we have attained the peak of our bloodline. Unfortunately, that also means we can no longer evolve. We're stuck in an eternal stagnation. Only a few things can break that limit."
"Hmmm… And what about demigods like myself? Aren't we supposed to be stronger?"
"Exactly. You are. But it depends on your godly parent and how much of your bloodline power you've activated."
Kieran listened intently as she began explaining.
"Demigods are separated into four major states.
Demigod Mortal—A demigod who has yet to fully awaken their bloodline. That would be you.
Demigod Awakened—A demigod who has unlocked their bloodline but can only control it to a limited extent.
Demigod Ascent—A demigod who fully understands their constitution but is restrained by certain factors, preventing them from assuming complete control. At this level, they typically begin grasping the concept of rebirth, taking their first steps toward immortality.
Daemon—These demigods are anomalies. They have no limits to their growth and have fully mastered their constitution."
Alexa took a deep breath, her voice carrying a sense of finality. "While we immortals may be stronger than most demigods, it depends heavily on the bloodline they inherit."
Kieran sat silently, absorbing her words.
"Well," Alexa said, stretching, "enough with the long talk. You have monsters waiting for you to kill."
She rose from her cross-legged position and gazed into the distance.
"This is a lower realm belonging to the Troll King—a god the trolls worshipped. The most powerful beast here is a Troll Alpha, a champion-class creature. You won't be able to defeat it at your level."
Kieran stiffened. 'Alpha level? Shit. Those bastards threw me into the senior realm gates.' He clenched his jaw.
"Something wrong?" Alexa asked.
"No… I just remembered some idiots."
Alexa arched a brow but didn't pry. "Finish up fast."
Kieran watched as she walked a short distance away, her presence alone exuding a level of strength he could barely comprehend. She hadn't even moved, yet she sensed all the beasts in the region.
That raised another question.
"Why did the beasts from earlier only attack me and not you?"
Alexa chuckled, a low, amused sound. "They wouldn't dare."
"Why?"
She turned her glowing red eyes toward him, and for a moment, Kieran felt the world around him vanish.
Before him stood a colossal phoenix, its golden-yellow wings spread wide, radiating an almost divine heat. Its gaze bore down on him, burning with an intensity that made his instincts scream.
Kieran's breath hitched. He felt as though he stood in the presence of the sun itself. His very being recoiled, warning him that going any closer would mean death.
"What… is this?"
"A technique." Alexa's voice was calm, but he could sense her surprise.
'It's not working on him?' She stepped forward, her presence intensifying.
Kieran gritted his teeth as the force pressing down on him grew heavier. It wasn't unbearable, but it was enough to confirm something—Alexa was not an opponent he could challenge.
"This is why they won't attack me," she said.
The mirage vanished, and reality returned. Kieran let out a shaky breath, his body still burning from the phantom heat.
"That technique is called Flame Predator. Beasts aren't fools. If they sense something stronger than them, they avoid it."
"I see."
Alexa waved a hand dismissively. "Enough talk. You need to defeat the ruler of this realm to break out. Let's get this over with—the air here is suffocating."
Kieran nodded, his eyes burning with resolve.
[New Mission: Clear the Lower God Realm - C-Rank]
[Mission Progress: 0%]
[Earn EXP per kill]
{EXP: 0/50}