The Last Paragon in the Apocalypse

Fruity immediately froze when the voice spoke. For some unexplainable reason, the voice seemed to have a hold on him, like something he should remember, yet somehow, he didn't. This made him freeze up.

It wasn't out of fear or terror. It was more like he should have been able to recognize that voice, but he couldn't, and this brought a sense of pain to him. The kind one would feel from watching the face of the one they love but couldn't feel anything.

The voice spoke from behind him—no killing intent or any form of energy could be sensed, meaning the voice meant him no harm.

However, he just couldn't muster the effort to turn and face the feminine voice that had spoken to him.

"Master, you haven't forgotten about me, have you?" the voice spoke again, this time softer than before. She had even changed his title from "My lord" to "Master," which further made Fruity believe he was in for a ride through his past self's memories.

He turned slightly toward the source of the sound. For a moment, he expected to see a human-like figure looking back at him, but when he turned, his gaze met that of a 2-meter-tall Black and white fox with a cute tail and a bone-like crown sitting on its head.

Fruity's brows furrowed. The voice was so natural and human that he had expected to see a person, but a fox? That was just too bizarre.

"Oh, I see now." While Fruity was still staring at the fox, it transformed into a human form.

Once the transformation was complete, it became a woman in her mid-20s. She had an athletic frame, gray eyes that seemed to hold a hint of darkness, and beautifully sculpted features. Her black and white hair was perfectly tied behind her.

She was now clad in dark leather armor that clung to her skin like a second skin. Fruity watched her transformation with fascination, though his mind raced with thoughts of how to escape the situation. Even without scanning the lady, he knew she was several times stronger than him.

He couldn't possibly kill her. However, a part of him also wanted to see where this went. So far, the beautiful lady had referred to him twice with a title that suggested she meant no harm.

"It seems you haven't awakened your memories yet, Master." While Fruity was examining her, she spoke again, this time with a slightly sad expression.

"Who am I kidding? You still haven't awakened your bloodline, your physiques, or even the true form of your element. No, you haven't even awakened all the Forbidden Ice, and why... why are you only a Saint?

Master, why are you this weak?" the fox lady said, starting to pace.

"You are a Paragon, so why are you this weak? Even the Demon Slaying Staff hasn't awakened yet, and oh, you're still using Spiritual Qi. This is bad, this is really bad," she kept muttering, which only made Fruity's brows furrow as he listened.

'What is this lunatic talking about?' he thought inwardly.

"Master, are you calling me a lunatic?" Suddenly, the fox lady stopped pacing and looked back at him.

'She can read my thoughts,' Fruity thought, his grip tightening on the staff.

"I'm sorry, Master, I shouldn't have done that. It's just... I was waiting for... well, a powerful version of you, but the current you is just too weak. What happened? Haven't you awakened your past memories yet?"

"I feel like we're missing some critical exposition here, so why don't we de-escalate and take this another way? We can start with your name and a little about you," Fruity said, forgetting all the escape plans he had in mind. The lady could read his thoughts, which meant all ten escape plans he'd come up with were now obsolete.

He had to respond to the situation as it was and focus on learning more about this fox lady and what she kept rambling on about.

"Okay, Master," the fox lady said. "My name is Yuying. I am the 4th member of the Paragon Guards, created by you with only one purpose: to serve you for all of eternity." The fox lady, now identified as Yuying, finished her introduction, and that was about all Fruity could grasp.

"I believe we've entered uncharted territory here. Yuying, nice meeting you. I'm Fruity," Fruity said.

"Nice to meet you again, Master," Yuying replied.

"I think calling me Fruity will suffice."

"No, it is required of me to refer to my Master as Master or My Lord," Yuying said, and from her expression, Fruity knew she wouldn't be changing her mind anytime soon.

"Okay, Yuying, why don't we start with why you think I am your master? I'm just a renegade monk led to this godforsaken world by a maniac. I don't remember ever being a Master or a Lord," Fruity said.

But inwardly, he knew this had something to do with his past.

"No, Master is the 4th Paragon," Yuying said.

"Let's say I am. Care to tell me what a Paragon is?" Fruity asked.

"Yes, a Paragon is the strongest being in the entire universe and beyond," Yuying said with a smile. Fruity had expected that answer, so he wasn't shocked. But, like anyone, he wanted more details.

"I can tell you I'm no stronger than an average human. But let's say I am this Paragon. Care to tell me why you're calling me your Master? Sorry, but I don't recall taking in any guards," Fruity said.

"You don't remember yet, which is why you're saying that. But I, along with eight others, were created by the First Paragon as guards and light-bearers tasked with locating the Paragon whenever you reincarnate," Yuying explained. Fruity raised his eyebrows upon hearing that.

"So you're saying I'm the reincarnation of the master you once served?" Fruity asked.

"Yes, Master, you are the 4th incarnation, and so far, the weakest," Yuying said with a sigh.

"Jeez, thanks for the encouragement. But I have to tell you, I don't feel like a Paragon. I don't even feel as strong as you're making it out to be," Fruity said with a smile.

"No, you are my Master. I have divined this moment and waited. There is no mistaking that," Yuying said confidently.

"Alright, say I am this Master of yours. What proves I'm really this 4th Paragon?" Fruity asked.

"That's because you've already awakened three of the Forbidden Ice elements you created. Although they're still weak and you haven't yet fused with the Seven Star Forbidden Ice Diagram, there's no mistaking it. Plus, you're using the Demon Slaying Staff. I created that, by the way," Yuying said, and Fruity's expression changed.

"You're saying I created the Forbidden Ice elements?" he asked.

"Yes, Master," Yuying confirmed.

"Why would I do something like that?" Fruity asked again.

"That is because, as a Paragon, the heavens will never allow you to grow using their resources, so you're forced to walk your own path. You created many things, always finding new ways to grow stronger," Yuying explained. "But fear not, Master. Even though you haven't awakened your memories yet, I will help you become stronger quickly."

Fruity calmed down a bit. He still didn't know what it truly meant to be a Paragon, and even now, he didn't see himself as one. However, the more Yuying spoke, the more his thinking began to shift. He could start piecing things together.

First, he'd awakened strange memories that allowed him to unleash powerful attacks and save his uncles from total annihilation. Then, he followed a map that led him to a world full of danger.

And now, he was standing face-to-face with the most powerful and beautiful person he'd ever met. But instead of running, he was here, with this powerful being, who was bitterly bowing at his feet. If that wasn't something to reflect on, what else could it be?

"Do you have a place where we can talk?" Fruity suddenly asked. He needed to understand more about who he was—or, more importantly, who he had been.

Yuying nodded with a smile and waved her hand. Before Fruity could react, a strange energy enveloped him, and in an instant, he disappeared—only to reappear in an elegant garden.