Chapter 33: Hidden Memories

Inside an unknown mountain cave...

The "Queen"—the most aggressive piece in chess—dominated the board with unparalleled mobility, a perfect blend of power and elegance, making her the ultimate weapon.

The Queen granted to Ke Lu by the System was even more formidable.

The moment Ke Lu summoned it, she felt an overwhelming mental pressure—something she hadn't experienced even when summoning two "Rooks" simultaneously.

A majestic, ethereal figure slowly materialized, holding a scepter entwined with a double serpent totem.

As Ke Lu raised her hand, the Queen's spectral form mirrored her gesture, lifting the scepter in tandem.

In that instant, the Mountain Tiger felt the crown that had been embedded in its skull since memory began tremble violently, as if it had glimpsed some primordial horror.

The Mountain Tiger felt the same sensation.

It was as if time itself had reversed. The majestic and gentle figure of its mother in her youth materialized before its eyes.

The longing and reverence that surged from the depths of its bloodline made its limbs weaken, and it felt an overwhelming urge to kneel in submission.

In that very moment, those hazy memories erupted like a breached dam, crashing into its consciousness.

Amidst those fragmented memories, it seemed to have a majestic father and a gentle mother.

On its coming-of-age ceremony day, its parents unusually instructed it to stay home alone, no matter what noises it heard.

That day was its birthday, and in the past, its parents would always host grand banquets with all the beasts celebrating.

Who could have imagined they would pull this stunt, especially on its coming-of-age day?

It understood that as the King and Queen of the entire mountain forest, its parents had many responsibilities.

Still, it felt resentful, sulking and ignoring them.

Its mother finally tried to stroke its head and offered it a ruby, saying it was its coming-of-age gift.

But with a toss of its neck, it stormed off in a huff.

To Ke Lu and Su Rou, the Mountain Tiger's movements suddenly slowed dramatically.

Distracted for just a moment, its attacks lost their earlier ferocity. Despite its overwhelming power level advantage, the "Queen" phantom effortlessly toppled it to the ground with a light tap of her staff.

This unexpectedly easy victory made Ke Lu wary, even suspecting it might be a trap.

"Lulu, look over there! There's—" Su Rou's voice crackled through the communicator.

To facilitate team communication and prevent members from getting separated, each team was issued a walkie-talkie before entering the Secret Realm.

During a lull in the battle, Ke Lu glanced aside and, sure enough, a peculiar sight had materialized on the other side of the mountain cave.

It was two adult tigers and a cub, engaged in what appeared to be a conversation.

Here, their voices could barely be heard.

"These are memories," Ke Lu replied. "The Secret Realm is a reflection of memories, representing a fragment of true history. These must be the deepest memories hidden within this Secret Realm."

"Things are getting more and more interesting."

The Mountain Tiger, flipped onto its head, struck the ground, jolting its consciousness awake from its chaotic stupor.

That's wrong! I have no parents! I was born the sole ruler of these mountains!

The Mountain Tiger violently shook its head, fiercely casting aside the sudden flood of fragmented memories.

This must be a trick by the Human before me! She's using some kind of strange power to bewilder my mind!

In an instant,

The Mountain Tiger twisted its massive body, leaping into the air in an unnatural arc, its razor-sharp claws aimed directly at the "Queen" chess piece.

Simultaneously, the space around the throne rippled as countless Mountain Tiger clones surged forth, their every intention focused on tearing the enemy before them to shreds.

Ke Lu paid no heed to the other clones; her sole focus remained on the crowned beast before her. As for the rest... she wasn't fighting alone.

Behind her, Su Rou, fueled by boundless potential in this dire situation, unleashed extraordinary marksmanship. Her aim was steady, each shot felling a clone, ruthlessly extinguishing every threat in its infancy.

Meanwhile, Ke Lu seized the initiative due to the Mountain Tiger's initial misstep.

At this very moment,

Ke Lu sat within the "Queen" piece, channeling all her Spirit Power into its left hand as she pressed it firmly against the crown atop the Mountain Tiger's head.

[ Imperator's Majesty ]—commanding all creation.

This skill, acquired from the Cerydra Template, shone with unparalleled brilliance when amplified by the "Queen".

Unbeknownst to Ke Lu, a divine beast—a fusion of dragon and phoenix—had materialized behind her.

"Submit," Ke Lu commanded slowly, her voice ringing with authority.

The crown atop the Mountain Tiger's head visibly trembled.

The Imperator's words were law, immutable and absolute.

As the crown trembled, so too did the seal on the Mountain Tiger's memories begin to shake loose.

Later... what happened later?

It was as if a band of bandits—a troop of monkeys—had suddenly invaded their home. They brazenly stole his parents' treasures.

A horde of vicious monkeys stormed their home, brazenly plundering his parents' most precious treasures.

He fought desperately but was hopelessly outnumbered. In his dying moments, he could only desperately clutch the Ruby nearest to him—his mother's final gift.

"Your parents are dead," the monkeys cackled triumphantly. "Now this land belongs to us!"

His parents had cherished their subjects, ruling with meticulous care and order.

All Beasts lived in peace and prosperity, unlike the savage, survival-of-the-fittest ways of the outside world.

The strong were forbidden from slaughtering the weak, and the vulnerable were entitled to protection.

His father had taught him that this system came from a species called Humans.

Humans were the first species on this world to develop advanced intelligence.

Since Beast-kind had lagged behind in evolution, they needed to learn from Humans.

The memories grew clearer: outside the mountain cave, the Beasts who had once shown his parents the utmost reverence now stood by coldly, watching.

Some sneered mockingly, as if reveling in the fallen prince's disgrace. Others bowed their heads in shame, unable to meet his gaze. Still others were eager to join the fray, seeking to claim a share of the spoils.

In that moment, the betrayal and helplessness cut deeper than any physical wound, plunging him into despair.

Kill.

A frigid thought exploded in its mind.

Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill!

Crimson killing intent surged forth like molten lava, instantly drowning all reason. If kindness couldn't earn loyalty, and mercy only invited betrayal...

Then kill. Slaughter these hypocritical, vile, and ungrateful creatures. Wipe them all out.

If this world wasn't worth protecting, then let it be utterly destroyed.

The memories that followed became blurred.

When it regained consciousness, it was forever trapped within this prison, doomed to repeat this endless cycle year after year.

Only one thought remained in its heart: break free from this cage, escape, and slaughter everything.

Yet, the instant this murderous intent flared, the crown, embedded with the ruby its mother had gifted, seemed to finally lose all hope.

With a faint hum, the crown detached itself from its head and hovered in mid-air.

"Wait." A voice emerged from within the ruby.

Before Mountain Tiger could react, it felt its power drain away like the receding tide.

It had lost its power.

Realizing this, its eyelids began to droop uncontrollably.

Finally, it sank into a deep slumber.

After it lost consciousness, the voice within the ruby addressed Ke Lu:

"It has no power left. I can grant you control over me and this Secret Realm. I wish to propose a trade."

Three crucial pieces of information were delivered with absolute clarity, leaving no room for doubt.