The great beast lowered itself, gazing at Nolan’s body. He lay motionless on the ground, his form blackened and scarred. Smoke drifted slowly from his skin, the stench of burned flesh rising into the still air.
The Behemoth’s golden eyes narrowed. It could feel no spark of life within him. The fight was over.
The behemoth turned its back and started moving away. "It was able to quench my thirst... my hunger for battle. At the very least, I wish I could go all out," it said, walking away.
Meanwhile, Nolan lay lifeless. Slowly, he woke up. "Where am I...?" he murmured. "Oh... I just remembered... I died facing that massive Behemoth. I wasn’t even able to get stronger."
He stood up, looking around. Clouds stretched as far as the eye could see, and he could barely see anything below. "So... this is the afterlife," Nolan said quietly.
Then, a voice spoke. "Hey... janitor."
The voice sounded familiar. Nolan turned around. A radiant figure hovered amidst the clouds, wings glowing with divine light. "So... you were the one who gave me my ability?" Nolan asked in disbelief.
"Yes," the figure replied. "It’s been a while since we met. I am Michael, an archangel."
Nolan’s eyes widened. "Michael... an archangel... is it really true? You’re the one who gave me this power?"
"Yes," Michael said. "And I see you have been using it wisely... though you faced the Behemoth and... died. That was unexpected."
"I... I ran away when I couldn’t defeat it. It was terrifying... the Behemoth was unbelievable, but it killed me," Nolan admitted.
"Yes, and that is why I gave you such an ability. It’s unique, something no human can possess—only a fraction of its potential. Even if others had a piece of it, they couldn’t wield it," Michael explained.
Nolan bowed his head. "I know I have potential, but I wasn’t ready for that battle."
Michael smiled gently. "It’s okay to run when you know you’re not strong enough. I’ve been watching how you live your life. It’s fine to put others first, but always make sure you put yourself first as well. If caring for others risks your life, protect yourself first."
Nolan nodded, absorbing every word. "I understand... but will it make a difference? I’m already dead."
"Who told you that you are dead?" Michael said firmly. "You are not. You simply haven’t been checking your status window. You were at level 1 all this time. But now, after your battle with the Behemoth, your level has increased to level 2."
"Level 1? But... when I adventured, I tried to read my power... I thought I was far beyond that!" Nolan said, confused.
"No human crystal could ever read the magnitude of your SSS-rank ability. Even now, you’re only level 2. Your status window will guide you—show you your strength, your skills, and when you gain or lose energy. It will help you understand yourself as you grow," Michael said.
Nolan frowned. "But I’m dead... it doesn’t matter anymore."
"Again, who told you that?" Michael asked. "You’re not dead. Your body is reviving because of the power I bestowed upon you. Even as a human, you will regain life. Your body will recover, and your strength will return. And you must defeat the Behemoth."
"The Behemoth... that’s impossible. It’s on a completely different level," Nolan muttered.
"Yes, it is a divine beast. But when you wake, I will take control of your body briefly, guiding you. You might feel unconscious, but you will have the knowledge and ability to face it. The Behemoth holds wisdom about itself and you—you need it. You cannot leave without it. Your level growth depends on it," Michael said.
"Is the Behemoth really that knowledgeable?" Nolan asked, eyes narrowing in disbelief.
"Yes," Michael replied calmly. "It has wisdom far beyond most beings. When I take temporary control of your body, you might not remember every moment, but you will understand everything. That is the level of power you will have when you reach level 100."
Nolan frowned. "My guess is... that’s incredible. But it doesn’t count if I’m not the one controlling it... if I’m not the one in the future. It has to be me. I have to do it."
"Yes," Michael said, his voice firm but gentle. "It will be you. You are the one who will wield this power. The Behemoth’s knowledge and strength are tools for you to surpass. Your growth depends on it—and only you can claim it fully."
"Thank you for everything you have done, and I understand what you are trying to tell me," Nolan said. "When I put people first, I should also make sure I put myself first alongside them. That’s it."
"Yes," Michael replied. "And when you truly understand that, you will grow. Your life was miserable. You always tried to do good, even while depressed. In your depression, you still helped people in need, and that was good. But now, in this world, you have improved—not just in how you speak, but in every single thing about you. This very moment marks a turning point."
"So now... I wake up?" Nolan asked, heart pounding.
"Yes," Michael said. "Now go. Leave this place. It’s time for me to temporarily take control of your body."
Suddenly, the ground beneath them began to tremble. The entire space shook violently. A bright, white aura appeared, swirling like molten light. Nolan felt an invisible force pulling him forward, lifting him slightly from the clouds beneath. Every instinct screamed at him, yet he felt calm, as if surrendering to something greater.
And then... the aura enveloped him completely.
Then, he woke up back in the dungeon. As he opened his eyes, he instantly lost consciousness.
That was when the Behemoth, who was walking away, stopped. It turned back. "How is he...? I’m feeling life energy appear within him," the Behemoth said, looking at Nolan.
That was when it happened again. Michael was taking over.
As Nolan’s eyes turned white, a dot appeared on his forehead. Golden energy started covering his entire body. He began floating—floating in the air.
Then, a white robe appeared on his body. Light formed a circle behind him, with a cross symbol inside it. The circle was large, covering his head and back forming a halo.
A red mark appeared on his forehead, and white wings extended from his back. It was a halo, radiating light.