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"The deeper you walk into a shattered world, the more familiar its scars become."
— Izayami Tsukihiro
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Thunder cracked like splintered glass as I leapt across a crumbling platform of jagged black rock. One arm shielded my eyes; the other held the unconscious girl close to my chest. Her silvery-pink hair drifted with the wind, glowing faintly under the pale sun that flickered like a blinking eye above a dying sky.
The ruins behind us, the divine guardians I had felled — already fading from my senses.
But the burden in my arms remained warm, real.
After some time, "Still not waking up, huh…" I whispered, shifting her slightly as I leapt over a mountain . "You seemed to be peaceful."
The place unraveled like a dream coming undone. "...And what is this place anyway?"
One moment, twisted black trees rose from rivers of molten crystal. The next, rusted stoplights blinked weakly at intersections overgrown with moss, while ancient vending machines stood like forgotten sentinels beside shattered pavement.
Skies danced with fragments of multiple realities — some painted in stars, others in static.
The further I went, the more the world resembled a version of Earth — but warped, filtered through broken memories and collapsed timelines.
———
A digital sign flickered to life on a toppled skyscraper wall:
"Welcome to Mirashiro – Population: 231208"
It caught my attention. "...Finally, some civilisation."
Not long after, dodging fractured leyline storms, magical beasts and temporal anomalies, I crested a hill and froze.
Below me, lay a town. But not just any town — this one thrived.
Wooden homes built atop ruins of old-world structures. Market stalls buzzing with activity. Smoke rising from chimneys shaped like dragon horns. Lanterns floated mid-air, powered by both tech and magic.
And the people…
Elves walked beside humans, cloaked in long silver robes and wielding spell-imbued canes.
Dwarves hammered away at hybrid engines, merging mana cores with diesel fuel.
Hybrids — beastkin, draconic-blooded, and celestial-marked — mingled with wandering merchants and guards clad in myth-forged armor.
"This is unexpected…" I muttered. "I shouldn't draw any attention."
———
I slowly descended to the forest, approaching the entrance with the girl on my back. She remained motionless in my grasp, wrapped in a brown travel-worn cloak.
Please let me through, please let me through.
As I entered the town perimeter, I expected guards to stop me — but none did. They merely glanced up, felt something, and instinctively stepped aside.
I managed to get in peacefully. As my presence disappeared, the guards looked up to one another.
Red haired guard asked. "Dude," His voice quivered. "…w–what the hell is that?"
The other one tugged his knee in. "I–I don't know, man." His eyes widened in terror. "I saw t–the void in his eyes."
Red haired guard dropped his spear. "I think I peed myself."
———
After passing through a few streets, I noticed that the surrounding looked like a mix of modern and traditional architecture. Within minutes, people started questioning my presence.
This is nice.
Rumours traveled through the cobbled streets until a broad-shouldered elderly elf emerged. His presence was commanding, his features marked by battle scars and spiritual tattoos glowing faintly with some sort of rune magic.
My eyes fixed on him. What does he want?
"Traveler," the man spoke, bowing slightly. "You walk not with footsteps, but with big purpose."
I looked at him annoyed. "I'm just passing through."
The man's eyes fell on the girl. "And yet, you carry a burden not of this realm." His voice sounded as if he knew who she was.
My fingers shifted slightly around the girl. "It's none of your business."
He smiled and introduced himself with a strong, gravelly voice. "Haruza Souta. Magistrate from Beastmen District of Mirashiro." He declared himself.
I nodded, avoiding his gaze.
He must be planning on something.
"She's not supposed to be here, but you're safe," he said, trying to comfort me. "…for now."
What's this old man bragging about?
"What are you saying..." I asked with the feeling of unease.
Haruza activated a barrier around us as I flinched. "Calm down, people won't hear or see us from now on."
My eyes wandered around the magic dome. "What do you want, old man?"
"As I said before, she's not from here, and wasn't supposed to be here either."
"Was that supposed to be a threat?" By instinct, I summoned Omniblade – its appearance was unstable.
Haruza sighed heavily. "There's a shelter in the floating sanctum perched atop the old train station tower." He pointed upwards to the sky. "You ensure she stays hidden. We talked about this tomorrow."
"How can I be sure there won't be a trap there?"
Haruza cast an invisibility spell on us. "Just go. The spell won't last long." The barrier began to fade.
This is weird… I flew to the place he indicated, though something about him seemed off. He seemed to be afraid of something.
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As night fell, I sat by the window while, slowly eating a bowl of gruel.
At least there's some food at here. I couldn't remember the last time I had eaten.
The mysterious girl I had saved before was resting nearby on a bed.
Oh yeah, I haven't seen my progress since I defeated the guardians.
"Status Window." I muttered.
[ STATUS MENU — IZAYAMI TSUKIHIRO ]
▸ Race: Unknown (Singular Existence)
▸ Title: Apostle of Chaos
▸ Level: 45
▸ Core Power: [Authority of Chaos - sealed ( need a specific condition to unlock ) ]
▸ Hp: 1950
▸ Mp: 1400
▸ Existential Stability: 200
< Strength: 24 > < Health: 19 >
< Intelligence: 16 > < Agility: 20 >
▸ Additional points: 69
"It rose up to twenty three levels?! That Boss fight was crazy!" I took another bite of gruel. "I should use the additional points wisely."
▸ Available Abilities:
— [Wind Manipulation]
— [Fictional Devourer]
— [Rewrite]
— [Recovery]
— [Aether Vision]
— [Omniblade]
— [Predator Instinct ( new )]
▸ Relic Detected: [God Seed Core] – Dormant
"Shit, I forgot I got a new skill. Maybe I could try it out tomorrow." I ate the last spoonful, finishing the bowl of gruel.
"I didn't realise I can use Omniblade now. Cool~" I paused, staring the screen. "…but how can I use the relic thing…"
———
I felt it before I saw it — a pulse, a familiar rhythm. Footsteps approaching.
And then… a voice.
"Izayami…"
I turned. There, standing beneath the flickering light, was a figure from my past. A boy — no, now a young man — with sharp eyes, a carefree smile, and an aura that felt just a little too still.
An old friend.
Someone I never thought I'd see again.
"It's been a while," the boy grinned. "You've changed."
"Uhhhh, do I know you?" I stared at him, conflicted.
I hadn't recognized him, but he already called my name.
"It's me, Haruto." He paused. "Haruto Ayashi. We're classmates in middle school. You really don't remember?" He tilted his head slightly.
"Yeah.. from class-5A...." I nodded.
"Yup." He replied.
"…How did you get here?" I asked, eager to know.
"I live nearby..." He smirked.
"That's not what I asked." I gradually walked to the girl, shielding her.
Haruto grinned...
I braced for an attack.
The air around us thickened — divine pressure coiled invisibly, waiting.
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📄 End of Chapter 4
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