Tragedy Of The Past

"Haha, I've been visiting you for the past few days and you're only asking that now huh emo girl?" 

The man tilted his head as he stared at Freya's eyes. She looked away, trying to hide the bit of embarrassment on her face. 

"I thought there's no point asking when I'm going to die anyway." She answered. 

The man nodded. "I see…" 

He took one last smoke on the cigarette stick before throwing it out on the ground and stomping it with his foot. Exhaling a large amount of smoke, the man sprung out of his seat and walked toward Freya. 

Looking at her eyes, he spoke.

"I don't have a name but he named me Spades."

Hearing his name, Freya's eyes narrowed. She seemed to have heard this somewhere. Inside her mind, her thoughts drilled deeper until they stopped towards a memory from 5 years ago. 

"Spades… Spades... Spades... You are!!!" 

At that moment, her eyes became blank and memories played inside her head. 

........

5 Years Ago. 

Scotland. 

It was a memory from 5 years ago when a Blue Colored Dungeon appeared in Edinburgh. Back then, she wasn't even an SS-Class Awakened yet but her reputation already equaled them. 

Known as the strongest magician to ever exist, her name is respected throughout the country. The expectation for her is high and the fame she bears as the soon-to-be 16th SS-Class Awakened made her a little arrogant. 

Her arrogant behavior has seemingly stemmed from her achievements and unrivaled beauty. 

Anyone who challenged her lost. 

Monsters were no match for her either. 

Throughout her life as an Awakened, she hasn't tasted defeat. 

Her journey through the top was too smooth that you could even call it unfair to others. 

Backed up with her unparalleled talent to tame mana and control it, a superiority above others took roots in her heart. 

However, it all changed on that day. 

October 14, 2025.

Her mother visited her homeland and she was left in London doing her job as the guild master of her guild.

She was sitting in her office, discussing dungeon reports with her guild members when suddenly, a call from her mother made her frown. 

A Blue Dungeon appeared at Calton Hill. 

Worried about her mom's safety, she hurriedly left London and arrived at the said dungeon without any other Awakened as her backup. 

It was a very cold day and atop the hill, snowflakes poured down.

'This is so close.' 

The dungeon was too close to her mom's house and once monsters broke out, many people would surely die. 

However, instead of asking for reinforcements, she decided to raid it alone. 

She was confident she could do it. Her confidence rooted in the fact that she had already completed many dungeon raids of the same dungeon level. 

For her, this was easy. It wouldn't even take an hour to raid this dungeon unless it's a field one. 

Even then, she at least let the government of her bold move and just tasked them to evacuate the citizens in case a monster slipped through the net. 

After gearing up and preparing for the raid, she stepped inside the whirling portal constantly emitting an endless flux of mana. 

However, on that day, she realized how her actions triggered severe consequences. 

That dungeon was empty inside. It was a cave type but after roaming throughout every corner in search of a monster, she realized it was a mistake. 

There are no monsters at all or even a single spec of a mana crystal. Aside from the cave being overly large, it was nothing but an empty shell. 

Even then, she didn't panic. She thought it must be a false dungeon. They were dungeons that form through the concentration of mana in the air. 

However, there's one fact that she missed. All false dungeons are red. 

It took her 20 minutes to roam and exit the dungeon. 

But as soon as she stepped outside the portal. 

Booooom—! 

Houses were flying everywhere and the tourist spots were burned through ashes. Monsters rampaged throughout the capital and feasted on the bodies of the fallen people.

It was the start of a catastrophe that would be known as Edinburgh's Tragedy in the future. 

Freya became numb. She stood for a good minute, staring dazedly at the screaming humans being gnawed by those filthy abominations. 

It wasn't until when she remembered her mother that she was jolted awake from her numbness. 

Without hesitation and regard for her safety, Freya rushed toward her mother's house and saw that it was empty. 

What's left is her clothes which evidently got half-burned into ashes. 

She panicked, thinking of the worst-case scenario her mother possibly experienced. 

On that day, she realized that she had failed. Her oath to protect her family was broken. 

Many thoughts rippled in her mind as she processed the fact that her mother is gone. 

If she made a tactical plan before she enters the dungeon, would it make a difference? 

If she had stayed until the scouts arrived and examined the dungeon, she might have been able to prevent all of this before it escalated. 

She was a failure. 

In a fit of rage, Freya releases a large barrier throughout the capital in hopes to trap the monster inside. 

However, she didn't realize that she also imprisoned the evacuating residents. 

But it doesn't matter, she has already fallen into the darkness.

October 14, 2025. 

A barrage of burning meteorites swooped upon the lush land of Edinburgh. The news even said that the reporters gawking the horror from afar felt the weather in the atmosphere alternated.

In a moment, it was blazing hot as if they were close to a volcano's mouth. 

Then, in the next moment, the climate rapidly changed. Gigantic ice hills protruded from the ground and ice spikes impaled through the monsters' hearts. 

After that, the clouds dimmed and whirling storms and destructive cyclones swept the monsters. Fleshes were cut in half and their insides had numerous large cuts. 

Together with the shift of weather, a massive earthquake blew on the ground. With the shift of the plates underground, landscapes ultimately collapsed.

For others, it was a scene in which the world is ending. 

However, to the real eyes, it was nothing more than a woman who had lost her damn sanity. 

The whole country panicked. The United Kingdom doesn't have anyone who can resist Freya's power at all. 

They don't have an SS-Class Awakened who could restrict their most powerful mage. 

Thus, they tried reaching out to other countries in hopes of help. However, after listening to their prices, hopes have become lost. 

Their prices were so high that the representative of the UK even smacked the shit out of the negotiating man. 

In the end, they have no alternative but to dispatch all of their 6 S-class Awakened hoping they could stop Freya's rampage. 

However, to their disappointment, they were blasted with enormous whirlwinds and rumbling thunderbolts. 

Freya was no longer in her right mind. 

The Edinburgh Tragedy lasted for a whole day before one man stepped up and agreed to help the country. 

She still recalled those sharp and apathetic eyes that stared at her like an adult looking at a 2-year-old child. 

"I thought it was a crazy woman but it seems like it was just an emo girl." 

His voice was deep and husky which made his presence even more terrifying. 

Even then, she didn't succumb to fear and instead let herself continue falling into madness. 

"Are you also here to stop me!!!" she screamed. 

Freya prepared her magic spells and glared at the man. For some reason, even with her threat, he was unfazed. 

She was convinced that even if an SS-Class Awakened appeared, they couldn't stop her. Her belief lies in the fact that she was already assessed as an SS-Class Awakened too. 

The man wore a gray-colored t-shirt with 'I love UK' printed on the front. It was partnered with black jogging pants and a thin gray jacket. He also wore flip-flops that she even marveled if this man is an Awakened or just a passerby. 

However, as soon as her eyes drifted behind him, she noticed a dark silhouette moving behind his back. 

No doubt, this man is an Awakened. 

"Uhh, yes. I am here to stop you. So please, stop now."

It was an absurd request. But before she could respond, the silhouette behind him interrupted. 

"My lord, is it necessary to stop our adventure just to stop this woman?" The silhouette seemingly turned its head towards her and continued, "This girl is weak as fuck." 

"Cough, how many times did I tell you that cursing is not allowed." 

"I apologize, my lord. I simply thought this woman was just wasting our time. We could have raided another dungeon instead of…" 

Hearing their discussion, Freya's face flushed. Thick green veins popped out of her forehead as she raised her hand and yelled. 

"Don't underestimate me!!!" 

At that moment, a large-scale magic spell manifested above their heads. Even then, the man just peeked at it before losing interest. 

"You!! Die!!!!!" 

Shrum—

A humongous blazing meteorite spawned above their heads. Freya smirked after seeing the man raise his head. To her delight, he also didn't move. 

He must've been paralyzed discovering that a meteorite falling on his head. 

Only…

"Is that a rock?" 

"No, I'm afraid that's not a rock, my lord. It's called a meteor. It's a rock, yes, but people just really name it a meteor." 

"Meatier?" 

"No, my lord. It's a meteor. Me-te-or."

"Oh."

Sometimes, Freya blamed her otherworldly hearing for eavesdropping on these things. She could be easily provoked by others and hearing the silhouette and the man's conversation only irritated her. 

'Haha, maybe they were only enjoying themselves before they head to the other side?' 

Back then, that's what she thought. The diameter of the meteorite is big enough to cover 1/8 of Edinburgh. 

They won't be able to run even if they wished to. 

'That's what you get for underestimating me.'

However, as soon as the meteorite landed on the man's head, he raised his finger and touched it. 

Shu—

It exploded into pieces. 

Crack—

Booooom—! 

"Impossible!" 

How did he do that? 

Deciding to test again, Freya launched a storm of spells. 

Fireballs, Light Swords, Dark Spikes, Lightning Bolts, and many other skills showered toward him. 

Unfortunately, no matter how many skills she unleashed, all of them didn't even make him move his foot. He just stood there like it was some fireworks show and received them without casting any defensive skills as far as she knew. 

At that moment, Freya experienced what fear truly is. 

As the dust settled, the man brushed off the dust on his clothes. He raised his head, which was covered by his jacket's hood, and smiled. 

"Are you done?" He asked calmly. 

"Who are you—, no, what are you!?" 

"Are you done?" He asked once again. 

It was terrifying. Just hearing his voice sent shivers down her spine. Flames were everywhere but she shuddered as soon as the wind hit her skin. 

She still recalled how her feet were rooted in the ground and she couldn't lift even a finger. It's as if invisible ropes chained her to the ground. 

"Are you done?" He asked. This time, his voice sounded cold. 

"I… not—" 

"Are you done?" 

"N—" 

"Are you done?" 

Freya bit her lips. 

Shu—

Mana began to leak out of the man's body. The ground beneath his feet quivered before cracks slowly formed in random lines.

"I am asking you for the last time, are you done?" 

"Y-yes." 

At that moment, the mana leaking outside his body suddenly faded. 

Shu—

Crackle—

Silence pervaded the air and only the sound of woods crackling and rubbles snapping could be heard. 

Freya raised her trembling hands and touched her clothes. She was frightened so hard that even her clothes were already drenched in sweat. 

She gazed at the man and saw him nodding at her answer. He put his hands in his pocket and gave her a friendly smile. 

"Go home. I spoke with your mom and dad and they were worried about you. Reflect on your mistakes and don't let others influence your thinking. You're still immature. You lived in a place where peace was always preserved so you don't have any knowledge about the sufferings of the weak."

Freya lowered her head and listened to the man's words but one thing echoed in her mind. 

'Mom is alive.'' 

"Having powerful strength doesn't always mean you're always above others. No matter how invincible you are throughout the land, always remember…" The man raised his head and looked at the skies. He continued, "...there will always be a sky above you."

"I am… sorry." Freya muttered. 

"Thank you for eradicating the monsters but that doesn't change the fact that you have killed multiple lives. You must learn your lesson, open your eyes and see the beauty of the weak. You might feel like they are worthless but once dragged to the limits…" 

At that moment, the man smiled and continued,"...they can overcome any obstacles."

As soon as the man's speech ended, numerous voices reverberated in the capital.

"Help! Is anybody still alive!?" 

"I'm here! Fuck, my leg hurts."

"Mommy, where are you!?" 

"I'm here! Baby, we're alive!" 

"You alright, mate?" 

"Yeah, help the fatally wounded first. We'll just wait here for rescuers."

It was the voices of the weak whom she thought had perished. 

But how? 

She looked at the man and saw him smiling at her. He knows the answer. 

"How?" 

"You should ask that yourself. 'Why did I protect them?'. Maybe you could find the answer you're looking for." 

Freya kneeled on the ground. 

'Why did I protect them?' 

She swept her gaze around the vicinity and saw their smiles amidst the catastrophe. 

'Did I really protect them?' 

"Thank God, we survived!" 

"Yeah, I thought we were done for but then a shield just appeared in front of me. Hey, you alright mate?" 

"Mm… that shield saved my life."

"You too? Well, looks like everyone has it."

"Oh, thanks for the water, mate."

"No worries."

Everyone sighed in relief. 

Freya's eyes widened. As she was sensitive to mana, she could sense her signature mana traces around every civilian's body. 

'I really… protected them? But I just want to avenge mom and…' 

She raised her head and stared at the back of the man who was already walking away. Having no strength to stand up, she shouted. 

"Wait!" 

The man turned around and tilted his head. 

"What?" 

"Can I ask your name?!" 

At that moment, the man raised his hand and slowly took off his hoodie. A face of a man she clearly recognized entered her bugged-out eyes. 

He smiled. "My name is Urs and this silhouette right here is a friend of mine, Spades."

"Hi! I'm Spades, emo girl!" The silhouette jumped out of the shadows and revealed his teen-like face in broad daylight. 

"Urs… SS-Class Awakened… The Legendary Necromancer…" Freya murmured. 

She mustered all her strength to stand up and hurriedly bowed in his direction. 

"Thank you, Sir Urs!!! I won't forget your words!!!" She yelled delightedly. 

"Did she just call you sir? That woman should call you 'my lord!' This is blasphemy to your name!"

"Alright, that's enough Spades. Let's leave it at that."

"Hey, emo girl. Remember the benevolence my lord has shown you! And be sure to pay us back. There are no free meals on this day anymore."

Urs flicked his fingers and Spades vanished. He turned towards Freya, smiled, and nodded. 

He didn't leave any words and started walking away. At that moment, Freya's heart seemed to be enlightened. 

An idea rooted in her heart and the shackles binding herself seemed to loosen up. 

Now, she knows what her title means. 

[Title: Queen's Incarnate (Half-Awakened)] 

—

[Title: Queen's Incarnate (Fully Awakened) (NEW).] 

....... 

It was a memory she would never forget.

"You are… Spades!!! Urs—" 

The man stopped in front of the exit door, turned towards her, and chuckled. 

"It's nice to see you again, emo girl."