While Snow was still thinking about it, loud shouts from the soldiers interrupted him again.
Without turning toward them, he asked,
"What’s going on with them?"
"Ah... the Black Knights again," Dawn sighed, making Snow even more curious.
"Black Knights?"
"Yes." Dawn nodded.
"They’re a group that appeared out of nowhere. Their numbers have increased drastically lately."
His expression turned serious.
"After what happened in the last war... many soldiers became obsessed with him."
"With who?" Snow asked.
"Frey."
"...What?"
"You heard me right. Frey’s achievements in the last war are countless. He was also the one who saved everyone from the fourth-ranked Demon in the final battle. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he carried the entire war on his shoulders."
Dawn’s eyes drifted toward the soldiers.
"What he accomplished stunned many of them. They see him as their hero... their savior. To them, he’s the only one worthy of leading them."
"They’re hardworking... but their thinking is a bit extreme."
Dawn pointed toward a specific group.
"The ones who planted these ideas in their minds are a certain squad—rumored to be the unit that accompanied Frey at the beginning of the war."
Following Dawn’s gesture, Snow spotted them.
A giant man with long black hair and a missing arm.
Another with blond hair and a heavily scarred face.
A young girl with blue hair and a completely clean, almost childlike face—yet her expression was far beyond her years.
"It’s gone beyond admiration. It’s turning into fanaticism. The other soldiers avoid them. They often cause trouble whenever someone belittles or speaks poorly of Frey."
"I see... it seems a lot has happened in my absence."
Snow memorized the faces Dawn had pointed out.
"Is Frey aware of them?"
"Most likely, yes. Since he’s part of the leadership, details like that are definitely reported to him. But he hasn’t taken any action against them."
"Understood."
They continued walking while Dawn added more details.
"The old heroes have begun mentoring the soldiers and civilians. Their presence has greatly improved morale. And they’ll be a huge asset in the coming war."
Dawn smiled widely.
With a single glance, Snow was reminded that this strange friend of his was far from ordinary.
"Dawn... you still have it, don’t you?"
Dawn turned his head toward him.
"Have what?"
"That strange ability of yours... Last Survivor."
Snow narrowed his eyes.
Dawn nodded.
"Yes. My good luck has never run out since I obtained it. But it only works on me... so I don’t know whether I should be happy about that."
"It truly is a peculiar ability."
Snow’s suspicions regarding Dawn deepened.
Even in his memories as Pure Vessel, Dawn’s ability had been anything but normal. It was not something one could obtain through ordinary means.
That ability alone allowed Dawn to walk through the War of Darkness without a single scratch.
Even if everyone else died... he would somehow survive.
It was a double-edged sword.
Dawn had never truly changed since the temple days long ago.
Because he survived so easily, he had never faced real danger—never experienced trials that could shape or strengthen him.
Even his current level of power had barely increased. Despite his talent, he remained among the weaker of his peers.
"Dawn... have you ever met someone... someone strange? Someone who stirred your curiosity?"
Snow asked suddenly, causing Dawn to raise an eyebrow.
"That’s a hard question. I’ve met all kinds of people in my life. You’re a good example."
"No... I mean someone truly strange. Someone who gave you a different feeling. As if they weren’t... human."
Snow stepped forward and placed both hands on Dawn’s shoulders, facing him from an uncomfortably close distance.
"Try to remember, Dawn. What did you experience in the past? Who did you meet?"
Snow pressed him, his tone firm. Dawn, however, only wore a look of confusion.
"Even if I try to remember, I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone like that..." Dawn said, attempting to dive deep into his mind.
"A strange person... with a non-human aura..."
Other than Snow and Frey, Dawn could recall nothing. Of course, he didn’t say that aloud.
Still, he made an effort—giving weight to Snow’s insistence.
"A strange person... someone strange..."
He thought deeply. A faint frown formed on his face.
For a moment... it seemed as though he had remembered something.
But he quickly shook his head.
"Sorry, Snow. I’ve never encountered anything like that."
Realizing Dawn would give him no answers, Snow exhaled and let it go.
"It’s fine. Sorry for grabbing you like that."
He withdrew his hands, and the two resumed walking.
As they moved, Dawn scratched his hair, a trace of unease flickering in his eyes.
He hadn’t shown it to Snow, but—
"For a moment... I felt like I was about to remember something. But it slipped away immediately..."
It was strange.
As if there were a door right in front of him... yet every time he tried to approach it, it moved farther away.
Behind that door... lay the answer.
A memory.
A cold winter night, snow falling heavily.
A small boy with red eyes and black hair sat alone in the snow.
And yet... he was not alone.
A strange figure stood before him—a gray silhouette, nothing visible except the curve of its mouth, stretched into a wide smile.
"Some things... are better left forgotten."
The silhouette’s voice echoed softly.
In the very next second, it vanished—as if it had never existed.
But the following morning, Dawn awoke having unlocked a peculiar ability.
Last Survivor.
A World-Breaking ability belonging to the Law of Causality.
It was as though a profound secret had been buried.
Yet it threatened to erupt soon.
The Earth was entering its peak era.
Soon, everything would be set loose.
These were the signs of the Shattering.
Signs that seemed to circle around a single person.
Gasping heavily for air, exhaustion consumed Frey as he continued his training.
The training ground had been reduced to ruins and devastation .. yet it changed every day.
His power kept rising.
Reaching terrifying levels that were carving his legend in letters of gold... and blood.
...
...
A.n:
Hey everyone !
I’m excited to officially announce the launch of my second novel here on Webnovel, The Last Legendary Weapons Master !
A fresh beginning. New blood. New ideas. But the same passion.
I’ve done my best to build on the experience I gained from my first novel—dear to my heart—The Villain’s POV, in order to bring you a different kind of journey that I truly hope you’ll enjoy.
I’ll give it everything I have to deliver it in the best possible way.
So I sincerely hope you’ll give it a chance...!
Welcome to Ordeal !