The Secret Of Darkness

[Moments Later]

'It's a relief I undid the [Replication] when I did.' Rey thought as he looked at Alicia's sleeping face.

After crying her eyes out, she had fallen asleep in Rey's arms.

He already knew she was very exhausted, so none of it came as a surprise to her. The only awkward thing was that he still had his arms wrapped around her.

"Huu…" Rey couldn't help but wonder what his Replica would have done in such an emotionally charged moment.

'I don't even want to think about it.'

In all honesty, he had been very lucky with the way the events had turned out.

'If I had been a bit off, things would have ended up being a little messed up. Maybe even more than that…' He sighed.

The plan from the start was pretty simple.

Rey fed the Boss Monster, as well as the Mobs, on the 98th Floor the Monster Cores that he found in the 99th Floor.

That made them evolve to another level entirely.

Afterwards, he left Ater in charge of overseeing their further evolution and ensuring that they would be viable for use in the fourth day of the Raid—when there would be no Ralyks to save the Otherworlders.

'It's really a shame that Monsters break down once they enter S-Tier. I guess they just don't have it in them to evolve any further.'

Rey wondered if the same applied to humans.

Someone like Lucielle, if she was forcibly thrust into the S-Tier… would she end up the same as the Boss Monster that Rey evolved?

'If that's the case, then I guess humans are doomed to be on this level.'

Rey still wasn't sure if that was strictly the case, but his experience with the Monster had shown him that it was a great possibility.

'Maybe if the Monster had more time to stabilize its evolution, it wouldn't have broken down like that. Its body would have acclimated to the change very slowly, and it would have been successful.'

Unfortunately, since Rey wanted immediate results when he embarked on that project, he couldn't say for sure.

'Maybe I'll conduct another experiment some other time to find out.'

He still had a couple more Monster Cores belonging to the 99th Floor, so there were still assets at his disposal.

For now, though, there other things occupied his mind.

'I can't tell Alicia that I'm Ralyks.'

Thinking about how she perceived him, and how she perceived Ralyks, it would be a very difficult thing to ask her to reconcile both perspectives.

Alocia had also told him on a few occasions—including not too long ago—about how she admired him for being so determined and brave despite his weakness.

She liked how he worked hard and struggled to catch up to others despite being a weakling.

'How would she feel if I told her that was all a lie?'

Rey had deceived her and everyone else for so long that if he revealed his true identity, it wouldn't be that of 'Rey' or 'Ralyks' but a totally different person.

He would be a stranger to everyone—Alicia included.

'Besides, after pulling today's stunt, I don't know if I have it in me to tell her that the guy she looks up to so much intentionally put her in immense danger just so she can grow stronger.'

Sure, he had the Boss Monster under his control.

The thing wouldn't have killed any of them since that was its directive. Besides, his Replica was also there to prevent any tragedy.

He had been very careful with his planning.

'But I put them in a life or death situation mentally. Given Alicia's trauma, that's a very scummy thing to do.'

Rey didn't want her to see his actions in such a negative light.

'She might end up hating me the same way she despises Billy. No… maybe even worse?'

There was no need for him to risk their perfect relationship with such an intense revelation.

'I… I can't tell her anything about it.'

Rey sighed silently and wiggled his way out of her embrace. Smiling gently at her, he recognized his decision was more selfish than it was out of consideration for her.

He truly was scared

"Besides…" As he walked away from Alicia's bed, Rey's whisper silently echoed.

It was cold, just like the look on his face as he neared the door.

'… With what I'm about to do next, it's better this all remains hidden.'

Alicia had told him that she was scared of the darkness.

'My identity as Ralyks is nothing but darkness.'

A path carved from the shadows, meant to do whatever was necessary—even if it meant spilling blood.

That wasn't something he could show her.

"Which is why I'm so sorry, Alicia." Tears fell from his eyes as he twisted the doorknob.

"My secret stays with me."

********

Silent tension filled the room as Rey returned in his full glory.

Wrapped around in darkness, with all his gear strapped in their respective locations, he appeared out of the warp in space.

His allies—Rebal, Kara, and Esme—rose to their feet, instinctively knowing that their moment of wait was now over.

In a single breath, Rey canceled the effects of his [Replication], ensuring his final clone returned to him.

Right now, he was at full power.

"The time has come." He said, his gaze on the three who nodded and shuddered at his words.

The Dark Gathering was at hand, even while the Merchant City was being turned upside down by the Royal Council's Full Sweep efforts.

Chaps pervaded the capital that night, and even more horrors were about to be revealed.

However, everyone present in this room already knew this. They were fully prepared to walk the path of darkness, at least for this single night.

"Now then…"

~VWUUM!~

The swirling gate of shattered space invited them inside as Rey stood right beside it.

Beyond it was the calamity they dreaded, and the solution they desired. All they had to do to grasp either of both was to step forward.

"… Let us begin."