Naro sat upon his broken throne, the jagged stone seat groaning under his weight. His eyes glowed faintly, fixed not on the broken hall around him but on the future. A new plan was already sketched out in the depth of his mind—schemes within schemes, paths of blood—but plans meant nothing if his body and soul crumbled.
For now, there was one truth above all: he had to recover. Not only to restore what was lost, but to push beyond. His soul had been scarred, hollowed, and stretched thin by the Light Travel Nyx; if he dared to use it again, he needed more than healing. He needed to strengthen his soul into iron, into something so deep and resilient that even an immortal nyx would bend before it. The hunt for Soul Path Nyx loomed ahead, which was dangerous and rare. Without them, the Light Travel Nyx would remain a curse instead of a weapon.
But for tonight, another task came first.
Naro lowered his gaze to his palm. Resting there, suspended by his aura, was a blazing orb—small, yet pulsing with unimaginable heat and pressure. A miniature sun, its light flaring against the shadows of the ruined hall. His flesh hissed and smoked where it touched him, but he did not flinch. His lips curved into the faintest smile.
"It's time," he muttered. "Time to use the Conqueror's Sun Nyx."
The radiant nyx twisted violently in his hand, sensing what he was. A vampire. To reject him—or consume him. But instead of rejection, the orb shifted. Its golden brilliance warped into a searing blue flame, its warmth both unique and enthralling. Naro's aura lashed around it, binding the nyx as though taming a wild beast.
Without hesitation, he pressed it against his chest.
The sight was grotesque—flesh parting, the orb burrowing into him, burning through skin and bone as though branding his very existence. Yet Naro did not feel pain. He only felt warmth, a steady tide washing over him, a power that filled every fracture within his body. The flames fused with his core, blue light spreading through his veins until his entire form glowed faintly, like a star wrapped in mortal flesh.
When the glow faded, Naro stood taller. His breathing was calm, steady. He flexed his fingers slowly, feeling strength flow through them in ways he had never known.
"It worked," he whispered, the words low but sharp.
…
At dawn, he climbed to the peak of his castle's ruined spires. The horizon blushed with fire as the sun crept over the mountains. He stood there, the lone figure of a vampire daring what no other of his kind had ever done.
The first rays touched his skin. His instincts screamed of death, of ash, of annihilation. For centuries, the sun had been the eternal executioner of his kind. But this time—nothing. No burning. No agony.
The light wrapped around him, golden and pure, yet he remained whole. Naro stretched his arms wide, as though embracing the day itself, his eyes narrowing with satisfaction.
The Conqueror's Sun had done it. He was free. A vampire no longer bound to the night.
A predator unshackled.
He was officially invincible under the sun.
Naro felt powerful. The time had come to gather soul path nyx.
Soul path nyx were complicated—there were many types like: soul manipulation, soul contests, soul transformation, soul strengthening, and others only true soul path cultivators knew.
What Naro needed was clear. He wanted the soul strengthening type, for only with that foundation could he safely wield the light travel nyx.
He knew of only two ways to acquire them. One was to pray at ancient shrines, which was a hassle, each shrine strengthens the soul at the cost of long years of devotion—and shrines were difficult to find. The second way was to obtain them from elves.
The elves were known for their strong souls. They possessed a natural spring that produced soul strengthening stones, single-use nyx that fortified the soul. For Naro, gathering as many as possible was not optional but necessary. The elves were also tied to light path nyx itself—after all, the immortal light travel nyx had been created by an elven queen centuries ago.. and it was one of the only immortal nyx that never left this realm.
This time, Naro would not rely on theft or bloodshed. He would trade. Thanks to Thalgor's looted body, he carried a great number of rank five light path nyx—enough to tempt even the elves.
…
After bidding farewell to the purple-eyed fairy who had aided him, Naro set out. He thanked her for her support, then left the castle in a black coat and hat, his one remaining arm exposed beneath his rolled-up sleeve.
His journey east lasted a fortnight. Eventually, he entered a vast forest where trees gave off a faint glow and wildflowers bloomed in colors too vivid for the darkness of this world. Their fragrance was soothing.
Naro walked deeper, calm and alert. When his heartbeat inspection blood nyx triggered, he knew he was being followed. A steady pulse behind him. An elf. Of course. They would never allow an outsider to wander unobserved.
He made no move to confront them. Instead, he played his part—feeding rabbits along the path, keeping a gentle expression, a picture of harmlessness.
At last, his shadow revealed itself.
A tall elf stepped into view, lean-bodied with sharp ears, white hair that gleamed like silver, and eyes green as polished jade.
"What brings you to the forest of elves?" the elf asked, cautious but not hostile.
Naro showed a mild surprise, as though unaware of the pursuit. Then he answered with an easy tone:
"I came to trade. I am seeking soul strengthening nyx."
The elf narrowed his eyes. "Soul strengthening nyx? You know of us, then. Why would you need such things?" The elf asked to test Naro's knowledge.
Naro let his expression soften, almost sorrowful. "I assume you've already sensed it—my soul is in shambles. It was attacked by a soul-sucking ghost, nearly devoured. I survived, but the damage is… draining. If I cannot restore it, I will not endure much longer."
The elf studied him, suspicious but perceptive. He could indeed feel the weakness in Naro's soul, though he had no way of guessing the true cause—the light travel nyx hidden within.
"A trade… then," the elf said slowly. "It depends on what you offer."
Naro smiled faintly and opened his palm. One after another, brilliant light path nyx shimmered into view.
The elf's eyes widened, nearly betraying his composure. "This many… where did you—"
"A good trader," Naro cut him off smoothly, "never reveals his source."
The elf's suspicion deepened—was this man a thief? A bandit? Yet such treasures could not be ignored. At last, he exhaled and made a decision.
"…Very well. Come. I will take you to the village."
…
The elven village was like a dream. Wooden halls carved with flowing runes rose between towering trees, their walls twisted with vines, flowers, and luminous stones. The elves who passed looked at Naro with serene curiosity. There was no hatred in their eyes—only slight caution.
Then she appeared.
A woman whose presence seemed to brighten the clearing. Her hair, white as starlight, was tied with delicate care. Her jade-green eyes shone with warmth. Her body was like a painting; pleasant to the eye.
Her voice, soft and soothing, broke the hush:
"Who is this human you've brought to us?"
The elf bowed slightly. "He comes seeking trade. High-level light path nyx, in exchange for soul strengthening stones. His soul… is gravely wounded."
The woman's gaze lingered on Naro, her expression turning tender. "Ah, poor soul. I can see it. It is a wonder you even reached us." She stepped closer, worry flickering across her face. "Please, come with me. At least let me heal you first."
Her name, as she introduced herself, was Ayla.
Naro inclined his head. "If you would grant me such kindness… I accept."
Her hands glowed faintly as she worked. A warmth spread through Naro's being, unraveling the hidden tension shackled deep within. He exhaled sharply, eyes closing as relief overwhelmed him. His soul felt whole again, stronger than before.
"…Thank you," Naro murmured, meeting her eyes. For a moment, it seemed as if sincerity bled through his mask.
Ayla's cheeks warmed faintly, though she quickly looked aside.
She and the others led him to a waterfall. The rushing water split apart at their command, revealing a hidden passage. Inside lay a vast cavern where the walls shimmered with gems and glowing stones—soul strengthening stones, stretching endlessly.
Naro suppressed the urge to gasp. Riches beyond measure. But he dared not act rashly. He knew too well that elves could crush his soul with a contest nyx before he even moved.
Instead, he calmly displayed his collection of rank five light path nyx.
"How many strengthening stones will this grant me?" he asked.
Ayla's eyes widened at the sight. For a long moment she said nothing, then finally whispered, almost breathless:
"Usually, traders trade for a maximum of ten. But this…" She looked at him in disbelief. "I can grant you ten thousand soul strengthening stones."
Her tone softened, almost pleading. "Your soul is healed now. Are you sure you would not trade for anything else? Artifacts, knowledge, other nyx?"
Naro shook his head firmly. "All I desire is the soul strengthening stones."
She sighed, then smiled gently. "…As you wish."
They clasped hands in agreement.
"Pleasure doing business with you," Naro said with quiet confidence.
Soon, five heavy carts filled up with stones were prepared. Under the elves' watchful eyes, Naro departed the village successfully, the forest parting for him as though blessing his path.