God of creation system : The apocalypse

Chapter 12 : xxv backstory

Since his situation was precarious, he didn't hesitate to answer Serphia, promising to do whatever we asked of him just to ensure his survival.

"I am ready to offer myself to you."

I knew I was taking a massive gamble with this move, but I placed deep trust in Serphia's judgment that she knew what was best for me.

"Are you prepared to keep the princess happy every single night?" Serphia added with a playful tease.

Serphia was loyal and trustworthy, but she certainly had an annoying habit of being mischievous and bringing up completely absurd things.

"I don't really know what you mean, but I'm ready to do whatever it takes to make the princess happy. Not just every night—even in the morning too," he replied earnestly.

"Well, well, excellent answer, You're accepted," Serphia quickly answered.

Knowing how much Serphia enjoyed playing around like this, I cut them off before the conversation could spiral any further.

"Would you two please stop talking about such nonsense?" I muttered, shoving his face away from me.

He dropped to his knees before me, swearing his absolute loyalty.

"I don't understand how things work right now, but I am ready to do everything I can to become worthy of being your soulmate."

Unexpectedly, a fluttery thrill washed over me just from hearing his words. I knew he didn't fully comprehend what being my soulmate entailed, yet my heart swelled with a strange warmth, as if I were actually looking forward to the day it came to pass.

I couldn't help but harbor a sliver of hope—for the very first time, someone actually wanted to accept a person like me. A creature shunned by society and branded as a plague to the entire world.

With a life as complicated as mine, where I did nothing but run and fight just to stay alive, a tiny ray of light was finally opening up for my long-forgotten dream.

"It was an impossible childhood dream of mine—to find someone who would stay by my side, accept me for who I am, live peacefully together, and build a happy family."

Yet, the chaos and the cursed aftermath of the ancient racial wars shattered that dream, reducing it to the realm of fantasy because I no longer saw any hope left in this dark world.

A moment later, while I was lost in thought about my next moves, I suddenly sensed the presence of an enemy closing in on our location.

"I sense the presence of the Hube from a distance. It looks like they aren't going to let us off easily," I said.

At that, Serphia immediately warned me to make a decision right away, because the moment the Hube laid eyes on this man, they would slaughter him instantly just to spite me.

"They're still over two kilometers away from us, so I don't think they've found us just yet."

I needed to execute the blessing ritual immediately, so I summoned the spirit of the Sanitoshi blade and drove it deep into the ground in preparation.

"I am Khan Zhui, princess of the Khan clan. If you truly wish to become my soulmate, you must prove yourself to me."

Right then and there, I introduced him to the sword and allowed him to wield it—under the strict condition that he use it solely for my sake, and that the blade would instantly execute him the moment his heart's loyalty to me faded.

I ordered him to use this sword to grow strong and conquer the Crimson Games.

I wasn't looking for grand fame or glory for him; all I wanted was for him to be capable of protecting himself against others.

"It is a crime to be weak in this world."

"The strong slaughter the weak, and if you want to survive, you must strive to become strong."

"You were born a low-tier creature, but now, I grant you the right to become strong and continue living here in Endoryo."

With that, I declared that from this moment onward, he belonged to the soul eater princess, Khan Zhui, and that he was to listen to no one else but me.

"Your heart, spirit, and body belong to me alone," I added.

The crystal on the sword flashed brilliantly, signaling that the blade had officially recognized my blessing and the conditions I had set.

As the ritual concluded, I immediately turned on my heel and walked away to avoid being intercepted by my pursuers in that area.

Before I could get far, however, the man hurriedly chased after me, begging me to take him along with me.

"I don't know how to fight, please take me with you."

"I'm ready to do anything for you," he added.

I abruptly stopped walking and looked back at him, challenging him to push his limits.

"Then do everything you can for me. Obey my command."

I reminded myself of the massive gamble I was taking by handing over something so vital to me. The Sanitoshi and Rabaikasyu twin swords were worth my very life, meaning I was essentially entrusting half of my existence to his care.

I was an absolute fool for doing it, but I chose to place my faith in this slender thread of hope.

I promised him that if he succeeded in proving himself worthy to stand by my side, I would give him everything I had.

After that, I leaped away into the distance, needing to leave him behind immediately.

I could only pray that destiny wasn't quite this dark and cruel to me—so please, do not let me down.

END OF ZHUI'S POV

Following Zhui's departure, the slave remained stranded, scrambling to survive. This slave was identified strictly by his designation number.

Etched plainly onto his chest was his identification number: Twenty-Five.

Twenty-Five, or XXV, was a slave originating from Hezo—a territory conquered by the dark lord Gabito, who utilized human slaves for brutal experiments.

At that moment, he was gripped by terror and consumed with anxiety about what lay ahead.

Even so, deep down, he knew he had to follow his princess's orders. Steeling himself, he approached the sword planted firmly in the ground and pulled it free.

"The princess wants me to use this to become strong."

Once he retrieved the weapon, he immediately broke into a run, fleeing the area to find a safe hiding spot.

He was terrified of what this world had in store for him, and even he couldn't foresee where his journey would lead. Yet, one thing remained crystal clear: the princess had given him a chance, and he refused to fail her.

"I don't know if I can survive in this place, but I have to become strong so I can be worthy of the princess."

As hours, days, and weeks ticked by, he relentlessly pushed himself to survive entirely on his own in that unforgiving realm. Step by step, he trained himself to battle low-tier monsters.

He figured out how to forage for edible wild fruits and locate clean drinking water. He adapted, learning how to endure and live within the harsh forest over the span of a hundred days.

Not a single day passed in that forest where he wasn't facing mortal peril, risking his life just to claw his way to victory. It was an exhausting, brutal struggle simply to stay alive and see the sunrise the next morning.

"I have to stay strong."

"I will live for the princess."

"And I will become worthy of her."

He endured agonizing hunger, grueling trials, and severe physical pain across those hundred days. The sole driving force that pushed him to rise and stand back up after every single fall was the promise they had made to one another: that they would reunite one day.