NOX stared at Lucas like he was his mortal enemy, his arch-nemesis, the ultimate villain in his divine narrative.
Then, with a tone of someone suffering from the world's worst indigestion, he suddenly asked—
"Tell me, did you regress too?"
Yes. This was the question. The defining moment.
No matter how much this traitorous bastard radiated protagonist energy, if he didn't regress, then he was just a side character.
A lowly, background extra that NOX would soon teach a valuable lesson—for the sake of establishing his divine dominance.
Lucas, blinking in confusion, looked at NOX as if he had grown a second head.
But, being the rational man he was, he answered honestly, "Yes, I experienced—"
"GOD DAMMIT!"
Lucas flinched as NOX suddenly bellowed in rage.
His entire body shook with dramatic betrayal as he pointed an accusing finger at Lucas, his face a twisted mixture of shock, fury, and sheer heartbreak.
"YOU TRAITOR! HOW DARE YOU TRY TO STEAL MY PLOT?!"
Lucas barely had time to process this absolute nonsense before NOX continued his tirade of nonsense.
"Taking someone else's story is the greatest sin a man could ever commit!" NOX howled. "You are HISTORY'S GREATEST SINNER!"
[ History's Greatest Sinners: "Welcome to the club, bro." ]
Lucas, staring at NOX's absurd meltdown, felt a wave of exasperation wash over him.
Though he was used to NOX's unhinged nonsense, today NOX seemed to have reached new levels of lunacy.
Yet, oddly enough… Lucas didn't feel angry.
For the first time since he regressed, something in him felt real again.
The world he had lived in before this—one of endless schemes, deaths, and tragedy—had never felt like home.
But now? Standing here, dealing with this absolute fool?
He finally felt like he was home.
He glanced at NOX, his mind briefly wandering to the insane lengths this bastard had gone through just to bring them back to this timeline.
And, despite everything, Lucas was thankful.
…Or at least, he thought he was—
Until NOX suddenly narrowed his eyes and asked coldly— "Do you have a System?"
Lucas' left eye twitched. This lunatic wasn't done yet?!
NOX, meanwhile, was dead serious.
This was the deciding factor.
Even if Lucas had all the qualities of a protagonist, even if he had regressed— If he didn't have a System, then it was fine.
He was just a wannabe.
And NOX was still the Divine Protagonist.
After all, wasn't it his job to hunt down arrogant protagonists and put them in their place?
[Author : In what delusional Universe was that your job?]
NOX nodded to himself, drawing the most absurdly convincing conclusions with the confidence of a man who had never known self-doubt.
Lucas inhaled sharply. 'I must not hit him. I absolutely must not hit him.'
With the last of his patience, he exhaled.
"No… I don't—"
"AHA! I KNEW IT!"
Lucas winced as NOX erupted into maniacal laughter.
"I KNEW IT!" NOX howled in pure, unfiltered triumph.
He threw his head back, his cackles echoing through the mountain.
"Hoe could someone as bland as you be a protagonist? You're just a side character!"
Lucas stared at him. Then, very calmly—
He raised his fist.
And smashed it down onto NOX's skull.
CRACK!
"WHAT THE F*CK?" NOX screeched, instantly clutching his aching head.
Tears welled in his eyes as he clutched his bruised skull.
"THAT HURTS, YOU MEAN BASTARD!"
Lucas, shaking off his fist, calmly motioned to hit him again.
NOX instinctively took a step back.
"…A-Ahem. Okay. Maybe I was a little… excessive," NOX muttered, rubbing his head like a wounded child.
Lucas crossed his arms. "Are you finally done with your nonsense?"
NOX, still clutching his head, muttered darkly— 'This—this "History's Greatest Sinner" bastard really dared to hit me?!'
If not for his noble restraint, if not for the sacred vow he made not to use his System against allies— Lucas' golden hair would have long been dyed with cement.
But of course, NOX was merciful. He was a benevolent Divine Protagonist, after all.
Elaine, who had been watching this disaster unfold, was absolutely dumbfounded.
What in the world is happening here?
NOX had started this conversation with a serious tone, throwing around ominous words like 'storm'—
Then suddenly, they jumped to NOX committing mass slaughter.
Then, out of nowhere, they derailed into some nonsense about 'regression', 'protagonists', and 'systems'.
... Are they discussing a virtual game this seriously?
Elaine's face twitched.
Was this whole heated debate just NOX being salty because Lucas stole his in-game loot?
And more importantly—
Are these two really alright in the head?
A profound silence settled over her as her brain automatically tried to make sense of their absurdity.
Then, as always, Elaine's habit of overthinking took over.
She sighed heavily.
The last two remaining Empyrean Clans might actually go extinct at this rate.
Because, clearly, they produced such childish heirs.
They were supposed to be the pillars of the future, the last hope of their ancient legacies—
Yet here they were, fighting over some nonsense like absolute buffoons.
She sighed again.
Then, without thinking, she palm-slapped her forehead.
How could she have forgotten such a crucial fact?
NOX and Lucas were just seventeen-year-old teenagers.
Why was she expecting them to be mature?
Compared to them, she was clearly leagues above in intelligence.
She nodded solemnly to herself, accepting the unfortunate burden of being a genius in a world full of fools.
NOX, still holding his aching head, finally noticed Elaine and immediately frowned.
She was shaking her head like a disapproving cat.
A cat judging its owners for their poor life choices.
"…What is her deal?" NOX muttered, turning to Lucas. "Why is she shaking her head like that?"
Lucas glanced at Elaine once before shrugging. "Don't worry about her."
Then, with absolute seriousness, he added— "She has an incurable syndrome that cannot be diagnosed."
NOX blinked.
Elaine paused.
A strange silence settled between them.
Elaine slowly turned to glare at Lucas.
Lucas, utterly unfazed, continued— "She's probably overthinking something again."
He sighed. "Shaking her head like that is a side effect of the disease."
Elaine's face twitched violently. "… You bastard."
Meanwhile, NOX, finally recovering from his head trauma, stared at Elaine like he was examining a rare, exotic species.
"…That's actually kind of tragic," he muttered.
Elaine fumed. Her hands clenched into fists, her teeth ground together—she was one insult away from committing a crime.
How dare these brats mock her like this?!
After a few steadying breaths, NOX composed himself. Though the sting of Lucas' betrayal still lingered, he pushed it aside—for now.
"So, how do we move forward from here?" NOX asked, his voice even.
They had regressed back in time, and now every step had to be planned meticulously. Their enemies lurked in the shadows, waiting for a single misstep that could cost them everything.
"You already have a plan, don't you?" Lucas said calmly. He wasn't about to speak until he first heard whatever absurd thoughts NOX had swirling in his head.
Because if there was one thing Lucas knew, it was this—NOX's plans never came without consequences. Devastating ones. He wouldn't even be surprised if entire races were wiped out by whatever NOX had in mind.
"I do have a plan…" NOX admitted, his tone unsettlingly casual. "But you might not like it."
Lucas merely nodded, already expecting this.
"It doesn't matter," he said seriously. "I'm tired of saving people. In this life, I want to live for myself and my family."
He wasn't going to waste this second chance fighting for justice or saving lives that meant nothing to him. He had bigger concerns—like keeping his family alive amidst Heaven's relentless schemes.
Hearing this, NOX gave Lucas a long look before smirking. It seemed the 'Golden-Haired Buddha' had finally come to his senses and put an end to his foolish heroism. Took him long enough.
"That makes things easier," NOX said playfully. "Because that's exactly what we're going to do. We save no one."
Lucas arched a brow, unsure if NOX was joking or not. Seeing his confusion, NOX sighed and began explaining his plan in detail.
Lucas listened intently. This decision could very well determine the fate of his family.
After a brief pause, NOX sighed deeply, signaling the end of his explanation.
Lucas was stunned. The simplicity of the plan was terrifying. Yet, it was undeniably effective. It would ensure their clans' survival against the Human Supreme Society.
And all they had to do was… nothing.
Absolutely nothing at all.
Lucas took a slow breath, feeling the weight of NOX's suggestion—the sheer number of lives that would be lost if they followed through.
And yet, without hesitation, he agreed.
From the side, Elaine, who had been listening in silence, felt an icy chill crawl down her spine.
What had she just heard?
Disbelief washed over her. How could they discuss something so cruel this casually? Did they truly have the power to make their clans follow through with this? If they did… humanity was doomed to fall into chaos.
She could only pray—desperately—that NOX and Lucas were still just talking about a game.
NOX's gaze shifted to Elaine. "Do you know why I invited you here?" he asked calmly.
Elaine instinctively shook her head. She had no idea what was happening. From the very start, she had misjudged NOX and Lucas—their thoughts, their actions, and most of all, their true intentions.
"Whether intentional or not, you once saved someone I care about," NOX continued. "And I am someone who always repays favors, no matter how trivial they may be."
Elaine narrowed her silver eyes at him, thinking, 'When did I do that? Are you sure you're not just saying this to sound cool?'
"And so, I'll give you a warning." His voice was terrifyingly calm. "Stop your foolish father from joining the Society. More importantly, stop him from acting against my family."
His eyes darkened. "I do not tolerate anything that threatens what is mine. Not even an insignificant fly."
Elaine froze. Was he serious? Did he not realize who her father was? The Emperor of an entire Lower Plane—ruler over billions of galaxies—and yet NOX had the audacity to issue him a warning?
And yet… she believed him. She didn't know why, but she could feel it. NOX was serious.
After a brief pause, she nodded. Not out of fear, but out of reason. If NOX's warning had merit, then her nod was an acknowledgment. If he was spouting nonsense, then it was simply the mature choice to avoid arguing with a brat.
NOX smirked slightly. She's sharp.
Elaine was a talented princess, and he was curious—could she change her [Destiny] in this life?
His warning hadn't been given for theatrics. It was a test.
NOX was already known as a 'Variable'—one capable of disrupting the Weaving of Destiny itself. His every choice carried unrestrained Causality.
So, he warned Elaine not to intimidate her, but to see if his interference could alter her [Destiny]. Would she defy fate? Would her path shift? And if it did—what would change?
He wanted to know if he truly had the power to alter someone's [Destiny].
Afterward, NOX and Lucas spoke for a while longer, discussing Lucas' decision to leave the academy and other future plans. Eventually, they parted ways.
But NOX had one last thing to do before returning home.
He had to correct his one of his regrets.
He had to save someone.