I created my own system

Chapter 413: Alicia

Apollo's POV

"Now then," I said softly.

"Let's continue."

I waved my hand casually, and the Chimera Knight was sent flying across the chamber as though an invisible hand had swatted it away.

The creature smashed through pillars and shattered marble walls before crashing into the far end of the newly form palace.

Dust exploded upward.

Stones cracked apart.

Before it could even recover, I lifted a single finger.

An invisible force descended instantly.

The entire chamber groaned.

The Chimera's massive body slammed flat against the ground hard enough to deform the floor beneath it. The pressure continued increasing, producing deep metallic screeches as its armor bent inward.

Hmm...

How should I describe this feeling?

I feel...

Refreshed.

A smile slowly broke through the calm facade I had been maintaining this entire time.

It seemed hoarding all those essence fragments had truly been the correct decision.

Power surged smoothly through my veins.

Not violently.

Not uncontrollably.

It felt natural.

As if my body had finally stopped resisting itself.

[As of now, the current war is continuously fueling our essence reserves. There is no need to worry.]

Jeremiah's voice echoed calmly inside my head.

I simply nodded.

Every death only benefits me.

So in this war I am at my strongest.

As I prepared to move again, I suddenly felt a small tug on my sleeve.

I paused.

Looking back, I saw Alicia staring at me.

Her expression looked strangely tense.

"Yes?" I asked softly.

My voice instinctively gentled around her.

I didn't want her seeing me lose control again.

That would only make her worry more.

"...Are you okay?"

I frowned slightly.

"Isn't that something I should be asking you?" I replied with a faint smile, trying to ease the tension.

But her expression didn't improve.

Not even slightly.

Her ruby eyes remained fixed on me with growing concern.

"What is it?" I finally asked.

Something about the way she looked at me made my chest tighten slightly.

Her expression wasn't ordinary worry.

It looked urgent.

"...While you were standing there," she said carefully, "I saw several streams of golden energy flowing into you."

Golden energy?

My thoughts immediately shifted toward the system.

Or perhaps—

Fragments.

"Apollo... that power belongs to someone else."

Her voice rose slightly despite her attempt to remain calm.

The moment she said those words, my expression slowly stilled.

"...By someone else, you mean a person that existed two thousand years ago?"

The reaction she gave me immediately shattered whatever composure she had left.

For the first time in a long while, Alicia genuinely looked shaken.

"How can you—"

Her words abruptly cut off.

Her body suddenly collapsed.

"Alicia!"

I caught her before she hit the ground completely.

The moment my hands touched her body, my own breathing nearly stopped.

She was freezing.

Like every trace of warmth inside her had been ripped away.

My heartbeat immediately accelerated.

"What is happening?"

Panic surged through me instantly.

"Jeremiah, what's wrong with her?!"

I pulled Alicia closer into my arms, supporting her weakened body carefully as her breathing became uneven.

A few seconds later, Jeremiah responded.

[Analyzing.]

[ERROR.]

[Creator, despite our current rank and energy output, we are still unable to penetrate the veil surrounding Miss Alicia's body.]

[At our current state, we cannot fully analyze her condition.]

That answer immediately made my body tense.

Even now?

Even after becoming Transcendent?

I looked back at Alicia with growing concern.

"...That thing from the Chimera," I muttered. "Is it the same energy Nero uses?"

[It is similar.]

[However, the foreign energy that entered Miss Alicia's body is significantly more refined and potent.]

[It may have destabilized something already existing within her.]

Jeremiah's conclusion aligned with my own thoughts almost immediately.

The problem was—

"...Her body isn't something I can manipulate normally."

Ever since the day I met Alicia, something had always blocked me from fully understanding her.

A veil.

A barrier.

No matter how many times I observed her mana, no matter how deeply I analyzed her existence—

There was always something hidden.

Something unreachable.

She had always been a mystery I failed to solve.

"Alicia."

I called her name quietly.

Her pale face slowly turned toward me.

Despite her condition, she still tried maintaining composure.

"...I'm fine," she whispered weakly. "This isn't life-threatening. I just need time."

For the first time since meeting her—

This unstoppable woman looked fragile in my arms.

And I hated it.

I hated seeing her in pain while I stood there unable to fully understand what was happening.

"Alicia... I can help."

She shook her head weakly.

"I can handle this."

"I know you can."

My hand gently brushed against her cheek.

The freezing sensation against my fingertips made my chest tighten painfully.

"But I can't just leave you like this."

Especially not when I knew she was suffering.

I pulled her slightly closer without even realizing it.

"Alicia."

Her gaze wavered slightly.

And at that moment, my focus narrowed entirely onto her.

Nothing else mattered.

All the noise disappeared

And only her remains.

"Let me in... please."

My voice lowered into something quieter.

Something dangerously sincere.

"Every wall."

"Every obstacle."

"Tear it all down for me."

My grip tightened slightly around her hand.

Like I was afraid she might disappear if I loosened it.

"Alicia."

I called her again.

This time, she slowly closed her eyes.

As if genuinely considering my request.

"...I don't really need help," she muttered softly.

Then she opened her eyes again.

And looked directly at me.

"But..."

Determination slowly surfaced within those ruby eyes.

"...I don't mind showing you a little of myself."

A small smile escaped me before I could stop it.

Our hands remained intertwined.

I felt her fingers tremble slightly against mine, though I chose not to comment on it.

Instead, I focused entirely on her condition.

"My mana will enter your body," I warned quietly. "Take a deep breath."

She nodded weakly.

The moment permission was given, my mana flowed carefully into her.

"Jeremiah."

[On standby, Creator.]

Creator's Domain could probably solve this instantly if I forced it.

But that wasn't what I wanted.

I didn't want a shortcut.

I wanted to understand her.

"Make sure that thing doesn't interfere."

[Affirmative.]

The moment my senses synchronized with my mana, Alicia's body unfolded before me like a vast hidden world.

And immediately—

I understood why Jeremiah failed.

There were hundreds of seals.

No—

Thousands.

Ancient layers intertwined throughout her entire existence.

They wrapped around her mana pathways, suppressing something enormous buried deep within her.

The dark energy from the Chimera hadn't directly harmed her.

It had loosened the seals.

Like cracks spreading through a dam.

Alicia had been desperately trying to contain the pressure from inside.

But the harder she resisted—

The more power leaked outward.

And whatever force those seals were suppressing...

Her body could no longer fully contain it.

"...I need to remove the dark energy first."

That was the only safe choice.

The seals themselves were far too ancient.

Far too complicated.

I couldn't risk touching them recklessly.

Not while Alicia was already suffering.

So instead—

I focused entirely on removing the foreign corruption gently.

Carefully.

My mana moved through her veins with precise control, guiding the black energy slowly toward the surface.

From her bloodstream.

To her nerves.

To the pores of her skin.

Good.

It's working.

I adjusted Alicia slightly in my arms.

Now her back rested against my chest while my face remained close beside hers.

One arm wrapped securely around her waist while the other remained intertwined with her hand.

Practically embracing her completely.

"...Okay. Just a little more."

I whispered softly near her ear before guiding another stream of mana through her body.

Then suddenly—

She stopped moving entirely.

"Does it hurt?" I asked immediately.

"Did I accidentally hurt you?"

My voice instinctively lowered further.

Gentler.

Careful.

"Alicia?"

My grip around her hand tightened slightly.

Finally, she responded.

"...I-I'm fine."

But her voice sounded strained now.

Almost shaky.

"Your voice..."

I frowned.

"Why do you sound like you're having a hard time?"

Her long black hair concealed most of her face.

I tried leaning slightly to see her expression better—

And immediately froze.

Her ruby eyes stared directly at me through the strands of hair covering her face.

That gaze carried a very clear warning.

...What the hell did I do?

Still—

Despite the strange atmosphere, I successfully extracted the remaining dark matter from her body.

Slowly, warmth began returning beneath my touch.

Relief immediately spread through me.

Without thinking, I continued holding her close.

Well...

At this point, I was practically hugging her completely.

Did that matter?

Probably not.

I still kept my arms around her.

Just in case she needed more support.

A few more seconds passed.

Her breathing stabilized.

The freezing sensation gradually faded.

Yet somehow—

I still hadn't let go.

Then suddenly—

I felt Alicia shift slightly in my arms.

"Alicia?"

I blinked in confusion.

And finally saw her face clearly.

A deep red flush had spread across her cheeks.

Down her neck.

Even reaching the tips of her ears.

"...What the?"

Was she flushing?

Or did she still have a fever?

Concerned, I immediately raised one hand and pressed it gently against her forehead.

"...You're definitely warm."

As I tried considering what else I should do, I noticed Alicia suddenly pinching the bridge of her nose.

She looked incredibly stressed.

"What's wrong?" I asked worriedly.

"Shut up for a second."

"...Huh?"

Now I was genuinely confused.

Was she still in pain?

Thinking she might simply be hiding it again, I carefully reached toward her face.

"If you're still hurting, tell me."

I gently held her chin, about to lift her face properly—

BOOOOM!

A violent explosion suddenly shook the entire palace.

My head snapped toward the source instinctively.

Smoke exploded outward from the far side of the chamber.

And there—

Slowly rising from the crater—

The Chimera Knight was still alive.

Alicia and I both for its source.

And from the broken corners of the place a silhouette rose.

The Chimera Knight rose slowly from the crater.

Chunks of flesh slid back into place.

Broken armor regenerated.

Black veins pulsed beneath its exposed scales while corrupted mana spiraled violently around its body.

"Jeremiah"

I called inside my head.

[I apologize Creator that thing kept gathering energy from outside of Bunag making its regeneration on par with you]

I couldn't help but shake my head.

Even after taking Jeremiah's attack directly—

it still stood.

"...Persistent thing."

I exhaled softly.

The creature answered with a roar powerful enough to shake the reconstructed palace halls.

SKRRAAAAAAA—

Black flames exploded outward.

The floor beneath it melted instantly.

Alicia clicked her tongue from behind me.

"It just won't die."

"It will."

I raised one hand.

The air distorted immediately.

Not because of mana.

Not because of heat.

But because I will it to be.

My domain has been set and it shall do as I bid.

The Chimera sensed it too.

For the first time since this battle started—

the creature hesitated.

Then it attacked anyway.

Good.

The monster vanished from sight.

The palace exploded apart a fraction of a second later as its claws tore through space itself.

Fast.

Much faster than before.

The Chimera had evolved again.

Its claws reached my neck—

CLANG!

A translucent golden barrier formed automatically around me.

[Skill Light of Aegis is in active]

The impact produced a shockwave that obliterated nearby walls.

The Chimera pushed harder.

Its monstrous muscles bulged grotesquely while black flames consumed the surroundings.

I simply stared at it.

"...You know," I muttered calmly, "you would've been terrifying a few minutes ago."

My fingers curled slightly.

"Disintegrate."

I commanded.

The Chimera instincts came in and it immediately jumped backward.

Too late.

Its left arm suddenly decayed.

Black scales crumbled apart.

Flesh dissolved.

Bone turned into ash midair.

The creature roared in agony.

Interesting.

So instinct could still overpower pain.

The severed limb regenerated instantly.

Faster than before.

The Chimera no longer waited.

Dozens of magic circles erupted around its body simultaneously.

Wait they put an artifact inside it?

An item that can store spells once certain conditions are met.

So in case something were to over power it dozens of spell will activitie.

How prepared are they?

All sorts of spell came together and turn into a ray of destruction.

Dark beams shot toward me from every direction.

I didn't dodge.

"Stop"

I commanded and the ray of energy halted.

The beast was shock so was Alicia.

She probably never anticipated that.

When the beam didn't each me the chimera shot its most powerful flames.

But

Just like before everything became within my control.

Even the black flames surrounding the Chimera became motionless.

The creature struggled violently against the pressure.

Then—

crack.

One of its knees bent.

Then another.

I slowly walked toward it while the palace trembled around us.

Geez I just fix it and now look at it.

Every step distorted the floor beneath my feet.

The Chimera tried roaring again.

"Shh..."

I motion one finger right on top of my lips.

No sound came out.

"...Quiet."

The command alone silenced it completely.

I reached forward.

Placed one hand directly against its chest.

And immediately felt something strange.

"...Hm?"

I couldn't help but smile.

"You are a very interesting creature"

Being who handles an energy which came fom outside this world.

And it turns out.

"You are an outsider too"

My gaze narrowed now not knowing what to do.

"You are a very prized test sample but also an annoying file"

Hmmm...

What do to?

[I recommend to destroy]

I see its the most rational popint.

"Its very unstable and dangerous"

I was about to activate disintegrate when suddenly.

The Chimera suddenly convulsed violently.

Its body twisted.

Then several eyes opened across its armor.

A voice echoed from inside it.

"...Lionheart..."

My expression darkened slightly.

"So you can speak now."

This thing keep evolving.

The Chimera's body began mutating again.

Its torso split open grotesquely as more limbs forced themselves outward.

I couldn't help but take a step back to shield Alicia as the dark energy burst in all directions.

Light of Aegis activated once more repelling most fo the corrupted energy.

Beyond the spring of darkness I could see more horrifying things.

A dragon's head emerged from one shoulder.

Serpents burst from its back.

A second pair of arms formed beneath the original ones.

The pressure inside the palace skyrocketed.

And just like that the palace I fix returned to ruins.

Shits just keeps piling up.

Alicia immediately stepped back.

"...Apollo."

"I know."

The Chimera slammed both fists downward.

BOOOOM!

Damn I have been hearing this sound.

The palace floor shattered apart.

An entire section of the chamber collapsed into the lower levels.

Black energy flooded upward like a volcanic eruption.

A pillar of smoke raise into the air.

Amongst the darkness.

The creature lunged through the smoke.

This time—

I moved.

Our clash distorted the entire chamber instantly.

My fist collided against its claws.

BOOOOOOM!

The shockwave vaporized everything nearby.

And strength was getting stronger than before.

The Chimera was launched backward again, smashing through multiple palace walls before stabilizing itself midair using black wings formed from corrupted flesh.

I flexed my fingers slightly.

My physical strength alone now exceeded most weapons.

"...This is absurd."

[Your body is adapting rapidly to the Transcendent Rank.]

Jeremiah sounded unusually interested.

The Chimera opened its jaws.

A massive sphere of corrupted energy condensed instantly.

Then fired.

A beam large enough to erase the entire palace surged toward me.

I raised one hand lazily.

The beam stopped.

Not blocked.

Stopped.

The attack trembled violently against an invisible force before collapsing inward.

The Chimera froze.

I smiled faintly.

"Return it."

Mirror Thousandfold activated.

The compressed beam exploded backward.

The Chimera barely managed to cross its arms before the attack consumed it entirely.

BOOOOOOOOM!

The palace shook violently.

The entire upper structure collapsed.

Outside—

the battlefield across the capital had already descended into complete chaos.