CHAPTER 74: I AM ZAYNE CREED

BOOM!!!!

A thunderous boom echoed across the wilderness, shaking birds from the trees. Smoke curled upward in thick plumes until the air slowly cleared.

Standing in the center of the blast zone was a young man with black hair and striking light purple eyes. His palm was still outstretched, faint traces of mana fading from his skin.

Zayne Creed—Zane’s clone.

He lowered his hand, smirk tugging at his lips.

"Man, that was easy."

The black coat he wore fluttered in the breeze, long and sharp, its edges scorched by the explosion. It looked nearly identical to Zane’s attire, save for the darker tone that gave him a more rogue-like air. Dusting his hands, he strolled toward the gates of Eldrin.

Inside the bustling Adventurers’ Guild, a familiar voice called out.

"Welcome back, Mr. Zayne! Done for the day?"

The receptionist—a sleek catgirl with black hair and piercing yellow eyes—smiled warmly, her tail flicking lazily.

"Yup." Zayne dropped a bundle of bloodied wolf claws onto the counter.

She swiftly counted, scribbled on her ledger, and handed over a small pouch of coins.

"Here’s your reward."

Zayne took it with a grin. "Pleasure doing business." Without lingering, he pocketed the pouch and strolled out.

On his way back, the savory scent of fresh-baked dough caught his attention. He stopped at a stall, snagged a box of steaming hot pizzas, and hummed with satisfaction as the aroma drifted up.

By the time he reached the Blind Owl Inn, the town had grown quiet. Entering his room, he flopped onto the bed, ripped open the box, and took a huge bite of the cheesy slice.

"Now this..." he muttered through a mouthful, "...this is the real treasure."

Chewing lazily, he leaned against the headboard, eyes drifting toward the ceiling.

"These days are getting kinda boring. This place is too small to have any fun as an adventurer... but the food makes it worth it."

Another bite, another satisfied hum. For now, Zayne Creed was just a man enjoying his pizza—while the world outside had no idea of the power lurking behind his light purple eyes.

The smell of melted cheese and freshly baked dough filled the small inn room. Zayne sat cross-legged on the bed, a half-eaten slice of pizza dangling from his hand as he chewed lazily.

That chick in the library... he thought, tapping his finger on the box lid. Main body told me to keep an eye on her, but she disappeared right after I slipped her true name. Maybe she’ll come back to silence me if she’s desperate to keep hiding.

He chuckled, leaning back. "Well, if she does, she better bring food. I’m not fighting on an empty stomach."

The room was quiet except for the faint crunch of his pizza bites. His eyes, however, were restless.

I’m getting bored here. This small town stuff? Too quiet. Too stale. I should head to a big city. Maybe get into trouble, maybe not. Adventure sounds better than watching the same walls every day.

He straightened up, a grin tugging at his lips.

"Alright. Let’s do it—"

Then his gaze fell on the three unopened boxes stacked neatly beside him. He sighed, sat back down, and reached for another slice.

"...After I eat all this pizza, of course."

---

An hour later, the room was empty of both food and belongings. Zayne stood by the door, his long coat swaying slightly, everything he owned neatly tucked away inside his dimensional bag. He gave the room a final glance before leaving.

Downstairs at the inn’s reception desk, he slid the key across the counter. "Checking out."

The receptionist gave him a polite nod, but Zayne only muttered to himself, Next stop, adventurers’ guild. If I don’t report my departure, they’ll think I ditched a mission or something. Can’t have unnecessary trouble following me.

---

The adventurers’ guild was bustling as always, the scent of ink, leather, and dust mixing in the air. Zayne walked straight up to the counter.

"I’m leaving this town. Record it."

The cat-eared receptionist blinked, ears twitching. "Y-You’re leaving?!" Her voice carried more emotion than she intended.

Zayne simply nodded, turned, and walked toward the door without another word.

The receptionist’s lips parted, but no sound came out. By the time she whispered to herself—

"...I couldn’t even talk to him."

—he was already gone.

---

Outside the town gates of Eldrin, Zayne strolled casually, stuffing his dimensional bag with bags of chips, sweet rolls, dried jerky, and a dozen other snacks he bought along the way.

Once the guards were out of sight, he floated gently into the air, high above the road. The wind tugged at his coat as he spread his arms wide.

"Let’s go," he said with a grin, his figure rising into the open sky.

And with that, Eldrin became nothing more than a shrinking dot below him.

--

Meanwhile,

Somewhere in world,

The air rippled unnaturally, warping like glass under heat. A small slit in reality tore open, widening into a portal. From its depths stepped a woman—hair the shade of stormy grey, not aged, but sleek and flowing, matched by equally striking grey eyes. Her beauty was ethereal, sharp enough to unsettle, radiant enough to command. The gown draped on her frame shimmered faintly, like woven light, yet her expression was anything but serene.

Her face was darkened with anger.

"That bastard..." she hissed, her voice carrying both venom and elegance. "He sends me to oversee his little ’system’ for some chosen mortal—and now it’s riddled with bugs? Really?"

Her delicate fingers clenched into fists. "And of course, I had to be the one to descend here again. Ugh. I hate this world."

Closing her eyes, she extended her senses, the power flowing out like an unseen tide. Her lashes lifted, and her expression soured further.

"So far away?" A bitter laugh escaped her lips. "That guy... he actually pulled a prank on me. He dropped me half a world away from the target."

A sharp gust swirled around her as she shifted her footing. With a single motion, her form blurred and shot into the sky, her speed tearing the clouds apart. In seconds, her figure dwindled, vanishing into a dot on the horizon.

.

.

.

The sky above a quiet village rippled as if reality itself had been torn apart. A figure descended gracefully, her robes fluttering with unnatural elegance. Gasps echoed across the small crowd that had gathered.

"She’s flying... she’s flying!"

"I heard only the strongest can do that..."

"Look! Look! That sister is flying—so cool!" the children squealed with wide-eyed wonder.

The villagers watched in awe as the beautiful woman landed at the village’s heart, her expression cold and detached. She spared no glance at the whispers or the stares, her eyes scanning the surroundings with sharp intent.

But there was nothing.

Her lips curved in annoyance.

That bastard tricked me again... she muttered inwardly. There’s nothing here—just remnants of his system’s essence. Where is that mortal with the system hiding?

As she pondered, a brave villager stepped forward, bowing deeply.

"W–welcome, esteemed guest," he said with trembling respect.

Eirenyssa gave him only a sidelong glance, dismissing him entirely. But when his hand nervously reached out and one finger brushed her shoulder—her body stilled.

Her eyes widened for a breath, then narrowed dangerously.

A mortal had touched her.

The air thickened with her killing intent, and her voice dripped with venom.

"Mortal touch... how dare you?"

Her hand rose slowly, palm facing upward, as her fury boiled over.

"Die. All of you."

The world responded.

A deafening roar erupted as the village was engulfed in blinding light and unimaginable force. The earth quaked, homes shattered, and lives vanished in an instant. A colossal explosion swallowed everything, leaving only fire, smoke, and ruin.

When the dust finally began to settle, nothing remained but scorched earth—blackened and cracked where life once thrived.

And in the center of the devastation stood Eirenyssa, unscathed, her beauty untouched by the destruction she had wrought.

Her voice carried cold and cruel through the silent aftermath.

"You mortals have no right to touch me... Eirenyssa. Remember that in your deaths. Disgusting mortals."

Eirenyssa hovered above the smoking ruins, her lips curling into a disdainful smirk.

"Hmph... pathetic," she muttered as she rose higher. "Once this chaos settles... I’ll deal with him myself."

She was about to streak across the sky when her eyes narrowed. Ahead—midair, perfectly still—stood a man with arms folded, as if the very winds bowed to him.

Her flight slowed, irritation flashing across her face.

The man tilted his head, voice calm yet carrying an edge that cut sharper than any blade.

"Now, now... why don’t you stop and tell me where you’re going... after blowing the life out of that village?"

Eirenyssa’s eyes gleamed with contempt. Another mortal? Probably grieving those insects down there...

"I don’t have time for you, mortal," she spat, raising her palm. A pale-white magic circle bloomed, pulsing with destructive light.

"Disappear."

The blast erupted, a flare of white swallowing him whole in a roaring explosion.

She didn’t even look back. She began to fly away—until a voice slid into her ears, calm, mocking.

"You know... I asked you a question. A good girl should answer."

Eirenyssa froze. Slowly, disbelieving, she turned.

The man floated there, untouched. Not a hair singed. Not a wrinkle on his coat disturbed. His smirk carved itself deeper as the faint light of his eyes glimmered—a chilling shade of purple.

Her heartbeat skipped.

"...Who are you?"

The man unfolded his arms, his voice low but thunderous in weight.

"Me? I am Zayne Creed."