Diversification of Masks Part 2
After the chaos that emerged with Zeal obtaining his new mask, the royal palace completely fell apart. Meanwhile, in the southern islands of Norflay Shadowia, Zeal had begun conducting new experiments using his soul power. During this time, Zeal replicated his mask, turning his followers into soldiers.
Norflay: So even the emerald isn't enough to transform this mask. I must learn how these masks are made before Zeal reduces Shadowia to ashes.
At that moment, an idea struck Norflay. He would seize the soul power of one of the demon subjects from Shadowia's experimental dungeons, dating back 200 years. To achieve this, Norflay began rowing westward with a few of his old clanmates.
Norflay: So the masks can absorb soul power, but I don't know what magic technique was used. Zeal is always one step ahead of me.
As Norflay and his crew sailed forward, they encountered four soldiers from Zeal's newly formed army, known as the "Klena" army.
Norflay: The masks on their faces... they look so familiar. T-That's Zeal's mask!
Crew: They're coming this way! Start rowing in the opposite direction!
Norflay: Damn you, Zeal! When did you manage to gather an army?!
The Klena soldiers began attacking the ship, making strange noises.
Norflay: You damned insects! Geniga Slash!
One soldier's head was severed from its body.
Another Klena soldier shattered the ship's hull with a dagger, causing it to take on water.
Norflay: How can a dagger be sharp enough to destroy the ship?!
The Klena soldier swiftly maneuvered and bisected one of the crew members.
Norflay: Impossible! How can they be this fast? Geniga Flight Technique!
Norflay leaped into the air, landing on a nearby island.
Norflay: Now let's see you on land!
The Klena soldiers followed him onto the island.
Norflay: Blind Hayzen!
The Klena soldiers were temporarily blinded.
Norflay bisected two of the three soldiers.
Norflay: It's just you and me now!
The remaining Klena soldier suddenly began pleading with Norflay.
Klena Soldier: Stop, stop! Please spare me!
Norflay: Huh? What do you mean? Are you human?
Klena Soldier: Yes, I'm just like you!
Norflay: Then tell me, how does the mask turn you into a monster?
Klena Soldier: I-It's all Zeal's secret. I can remove the mask from my face whenever I want.
Norflay: Go on.
Klena Soldier: M-My mask can slow down time.
Norflay: Slow down time?! So that's how it is.
Norflay turned his back.
Klena Soldier: Haha! Did you think I'd tell you everything? Time, slow down!
Suddenly, Norflay appeared behind the Klena soldier and severed both of his arms.
Norflay: So you can slow down time, huh? But you can't match my speed! Speak your last words, you pathetic creature!
Klena Soldier: M-My arms! Please, p-please spare me—
Norflay didn't let the Klena soldier finish his sentence, decapitating him instead.
Norflay: I've already reached where I needed to go. I'll conduct experiments on your lifeless body.
Norflay took the Klena soldier's corpse to his laboratory and began thawing the frozen demon.
Norflay: So this is my soul power, huh? With the mask I'm about to create, I'll combine my soul power, Zeal's, and the demon's. Wait for me, Zeal.
Norflay successfully created a new mask by merging his soul power, Zeal's, and the demon's with the emerald. The mask, influenced more by the demon's power, resembled a horned demon's face.
Norflay: Now I need to try this on. If it's too much for me, I'll die right here. If not, I'll save Shadowia.
The moment Norflay put on the mask, he began hearing demonic laughter and human screams in his head. Unable to bear it, he fainted.
When Norflay woke up, he noticed his body felt incredibly light. Looking in the mirror, he saw that his face now resembled a ruthless demon. His hands and arms could move with incredible speed, and he could see everything clearly. (If he focused hard enough, he could even see the atoms of an object.)
Norflay: So the demon enhances my speed, my soul power, and Zeal's soul vision, huh? I'm coming for you, Zeal. We'll meet soon.
After these events, Norflay reunited his old clan and formed his own masked army. This marked the beginning of the diversification of the masks.
Norflay: Yes, my old friends, do you know why we're here?
Crew: (In unison) Why?
Norflay: To save Shadowia's future, I need you to swear two oaths. No matter what, you will fight for Shadowia, and you will pass your masks on to your future children.
Crew: (In unison) We swear, Norflay! We are at your command.
Norflay: Good. Today, we'll raid the Klena cult's base! Everyone, board the ship with me when the sun is at its peak, and we'll attack Krina Town.
Hours passed, and everyone set sail.
Hare: Norflay, do you think we'll succeed?
Norflay: Of course we will. Don't forget the Shadow blood flowing within you and your faith!
Hare: If I die, Norflay, will you take care of my unborn son?
Norflay: I promise, Hare. If we emerge victorious, I'll give your son the best education. You have my word.
Hare: I'm grateful, Norflay.
When Norflay and his crew reached the shores of Krina Town, they noticed walls built by the Klena cult.
Norflay: To get past these walls, I'll cast a Hayzen on each of you, but it's a one-time use, so be careful.
(Hayzen is a spell that affects a specific area. Single-use Hayzens are usually obtained through experiments.)
Norflay: Stealth Hayzen!
Norflay and his crew became invisible for five minutes.
Norflay: So this is the entrance, huh? We need to move quickly and silently through the gate.
Norflay and his crew quietly passed through the gate.
Norflay: Wow! I knew Zeal was bold, but living in a castle with four layers of security? Hey, Kuni, you had information about this castle's defenses. Can you brief us?
Kuni: Of course. The first floor is the observation floor. We have about three minutes left of invisibility, so we need to get through quickly. The second floor is the magic chamber. People allergic to certain spells die instantly there. Zeal chose spells that don't affect him. The third floor is the guards' floor, protected by elite Klena soldiers. Entering there is risky. The fourth floor is where Zeal resides.
Norflay: Thank you, Kuni. Now, everyone, move quickly through the first floor. Our invisibility is about to run out!
When Norflay entered, he was faced with an extremely long corridor.
Norflay: Oh no, we have 30 seconds left! Everyone, run!
Some of Norflay's crew made it through with five seconds to spare, but others were struck by magical arrows and died.
Norflay: Damn it, only 25 of us left. We need to be more careful!
Norflay and his crew reached the second floor, where various magical allergic gases were present.
Norflay: Luck comes into play here. If you're confident, go ahead. Some of you will inevitably die.
Norflay and 20 others attempted to pass, but six died.
Norflay: What? Only 14 of us left? What are the other five doing there?!
Crew: We can't go on. We're too scared, Norflay!
Norflay: What do you mean? Did you come all this way just to be scared? You're useless! I only need those who truly believe in me.
Norflay and his crew reached the third floor, where they saw three guards magically embedded in the wall, asleep.
Norflay: Everyone, try to pass quietly! If we make noise, we're dead.
One of the crew members screamed involuntarily due to a sudden movement from a guard, waking them up.
Norflay: Damn it! Now we're in trouble.
The guards began mercilessly slaughtering the crew with their axes.
Norflay: Geniga Slash!
The Geniga Slash had no effect on the guards.
Norflay: What do we do? Everyone, put on your masks!
Norflay and his crew donned their masks and began fighting the guards.
Norflay: Come at me! Geniga Slash! Frenzied Geniga!
As Norflay fought one guard, another appeared behind him.
Hare: Norflay, watch out!
The guard raised his axe, about to strike Norflay's back, but Hare used his mask's technique to appear behind Norflay and block the axe with his sword. However, the sword couldn't withstand the force and shattered, and the axe struck Hare's chest.
Norflay: Hare, NO!
Norflay killed both guards with Frenzied Geniga and caught Hare as he collapsed.
Norflay: Hare, why did you do that?
Hare: N-Norflay, you're the one who will save Shadowia. I'm probably going to die. My child is in your hands, Norflay.
Hare died in Norflay's arms, and red tears began streaming from Norflay's eyes. Norflay lost control and began emitting red sparks, entering his "Rage" form. (Rage form is when a person loses conscious control, and their power level increases by 400%.)
Norflay rushed to the top floor at incredible speed and burst into Zeal's room.
Zeal: What's happened to you? I knew you'd come here. I guess you can't hear me. Come on, let's fight.
Zeal and Norflay began battling. Their swords clashed with such force that shockwaves were created. Their speed was so great that they could circle the room ten times in a second.
Zeal: What is this speed?! I can't keep up. Fine, you asked for it. Time, slow down!
Zeal slowed down time, and Norflay's speed and movements began to slow as well. Using this advantage, Zeal bisected Norflay.
Zeal: Congratulations, you've improved. But you were always one step behind me.
Suddenly, Norflay opened his eyes:
Legend Hayzen!
A black box began to form, trapping Zeal in a dense concentration of spells that rendered him immobile. Norflay accessed his innate Hayzen. (When you first wear a mask, you gain a natural Hayzen.)
Norflay began to speed up again, delivering thousands of slashes to Zeal. In just 15 seconds, he reduced Zeal to thousands of pieces and deactivated his Hayzen.
After the battle, Norflay left his crew without a word and returned to his village. He adopted Hare's newborn child, giving him the nickname "Norf," symbolizing the continuation of his lineage, and named him "Norfides." Norflay spent the rest of his life fighting the Klena cult that Zeal had spread across Shadowia. He founded his own clan, Okikaku, and did everything he could to ensure Norfides received the best training from the finest senseis. He vowed that his son would fight the Klena like he did and become the next commander of the Okikaku clan. In the year 653, Norflay passed away and was remembered as a hero by his followers. Now, it's Norfides' turn to protect Shadowia.