"It's morning already."
Jin had sat on the terrace all night, sleepless. In truth, he hadn't slept in nearly twenty years.
He stood and stretched, bones cracking slightly from the stillness, before heading to his room—like people do.
After changing into fresh clothes—the ones he had stolen yesterday—he prepared to leave.
"It's been twenty years since you last visited her."
The voice echoed in his mind.
"Yes."
Jin replied silently, as he always did—emotionless, with a cold crimson gaze. For the last two decades, he had always answered the voice that way.
He glanced at his reflection. His true crimson eyes glowed, unwavering as ever.
"A lot has changed. There's so much you need to tell her."
The voice reminded him again. It had been doing that more often lately, as if afraid Jin would forget—despite knowing full well that Jin's abilities would never allow such a thing.
"Today, we're going to have a very long conversation."
He stepped out of the room and locked the door behind him.
"You should do something about thieves,"
the voice said, like a cautious guardian.
"Right."
Jin turned back to the door and raised his right hand.
[Mathematician: Door opening possibilities × 0]
"There. Now no one can unlock it," the voice remarked.
---
Jin wandered through the city, quietly exploring. Eventually, he stopped at a local market. It seemed to have undergone a recent makeover.
The buildings looked newly renovated, plastered clean with shiny, mirror-like material on the windows.
But for some reason, there was an intricate web of rope strung across the sky, suspended between tall iron pillars. It reminded Jin of a story his mother used to tell—about a strange eight-legged creature that lived in dark caves. It would spin silky threads throughout its territory, both to catch prey and to sense intruders.
Most structures were six or seven stories tall—the ground floor hosting shops, with the upper floors likely serving as rentals or hotels.
"A market and living quarters in the same place. Must be too loud for us to live here," the voice commented.
"Probably for people with less money," Jin replied. "Though it's clearly popular."
The market buzzed with life. Anyone could see its popularity from the crowd and the sheer number of shops.
By Jin's observation, the appeal likely came from the fact that many shops made their goods on-site, reducing prices significantly.
A blacksmith hammered glowing iron in a roaring forge, sweat dripping and mixing with the heat of his craft.
A tailor transformed plain cloth into elegant dresses, while a baker pulled golden loaves and sweets from ovens—their aroma alone enough to entice.
But what truly caught Jin's attention was the presence of strange metallic contraptions.
"I think they call them machines," the voice said.
Jin turned his eyes toward the so-called machines. In the blacksmith's shop, a mechanical hammer pounded metal as an apprentice rotated a heavy iron crank.
At the tailor's, a child spun a wheel, operating a mechanical sewing device with the same kind of iron handle.
"How strange," Jin muttered.
"What is?"
"These machines. They take away someone's job, yet make someone else's work easier."
They will. Innovation cripples some and uplifts others. That is the reality for all societies. Some might raise their voices, claiming it isn't fair, but in the end, they too will be bound by these so-called machines.
These iron chunks make things easier and cheaper, so the powerful will replace people with them. It's all about money—it has always been that way.
Jin's gaze refocused on the dark, hunting ropes stretched across the sky. What is that? The question echoed in his mind.
[Mathematician: Information Calculation]
"How strange. These ropes are carrying an energy similar to lightning," he murmured.
"It seems they're responsible for lighting up those glowing things on the street," the voice commented thoughtfully.
Jin turned his eyes to the strange light pillars lining the road. They were scattered throughout the city. Though unlit at the moment, every evening they would glow and bathe the streets in pale light.
Jin stood in the middle of the street, lost in thought, until the overwhelming crowd jostled him aside.
"Hey, don't stand in the middle, kid," someone from the crowd hissed sharply.
"What?" Jin tilted his neck slightly. "Was it my fault?"
"Uh-huh, it was. You're standing in the middle with a funny face." the voice laughed.
"Is that so," Jin replied quietly.
He jogged to the side of the street.
"Hmph, why don't we head to that hill? It's too crowded here," the voice suggested with mild irritation.
"Yes," Jin agreed.
[Mathematician: Speed × 10000
Stamina × 10000]
With a slight push, Jin reached the top of the hill in what seemed like an instant.
There was a bench at the summit, its color long faded by time. Jin sat down, his crimson eyes fixed on the horizon. Before he realized it, time had passed—it was already evening.
"We should go," the voice suggested softly.
"Yes."
Jin stood—and in the blink of an eye, vanished into the thin air.
Before going, he visited a flower shop and bought some flowers—specifically, blue moon roses.
After all, they were her favorite.
"She loved many flowers. But I remember these were her favorites," he whispered.
***
Jin entered the graveyard, searching for her grave. Though some memories of her had faded, he still remembered this place—along with many others tied to it. He used to visit her grave often back when he lived in the human realm.
He stood silently in front of the headstone, hesitating. As if unsure of what to do.
"You should start by saying hello," the voice suggested gently.
Jin followed the advice. The voice was always right. He always trusted its recommendations.
"Hello, Mother. How have you been?"
His crimson eyes stared at the grave, a strange emotion flickering in them—one he didn't quite recognize. He slowly sat down, following the quiet nudges of the voice that guided him from within.
He began speaking to her, telling stories—about his past, the places he'd visited. Most were lies, carefully crafted, because his true past wasn't the kind of story one told their mother. But some parts were real. Especially his feelings. Or the feelings he thought he'd have… if only he could still feel.
"So, your name is Jin, correct?" a sudden voice called out, and an unexpected figure stepped into view.
"Ah… yes, I'm Jin," he replied warily, studying the stranger. "Can I help you with something?"
"You sure can," the young man said with a confident nod. "I'm Luke Grimdal. An Awakened—uh, let's say bronze rank."
'Bronze rank? So Awakened have such ranks now?' Jin thought, eyes narrowing slightly.
He didn't respond right away, simply watching Luke. The air between them grew heavy with unspoken tension.
"I was reviewing the security cameras near the gate of the Forbidden Lands," Luke continued, breaking the silence. "And I found something… interesting."
"Cameras? What are those now?" The voice wondered, unfamiliar with the term.
Luke reached into his pocket and tossed a stack of photos toward him.
"See for yourself," he said calmly.
Jin looked down at the smooth sheets in his hand—strange paper with one side white and the other side filled with vivid paintings. He would've taken more time to study them, but the voice warned him not to dwell on unfamiliar things.
He focused on the painted scenes.
In the first image, someone was shown entering the human realm through a gate.
In the second, the moment that figure crossed over, all the gatekeepers fell to the ground without warning—struck down by an unseen force.
And on the rest, a young man no older than seventeen emerged from the gate. His raven-black hair clung to his face, soaked in sweat and dirt. Crimson eyes, sharp and unfeeling, scanned the area with cold detachment. His robe—once dignified—was now torn and smeared with dust and blood. He walked forward with slow, heavy steps, leaving faint trails of blood behind him, as if the world itself bowed beneath his presence.
"That person in the photo… that's you, right?" Luke asked, voice steady and probing.
"Didn't you erase all their memories? Then how did he know?" the voice whispered. "Let's start by playing dumb."
Jin agreed with a silent nod.
"Me? I don't know. Maybe someone using my face," he replied casually. "But what kind of arts did you use to recover memories that had been erased?"
"You shouldn't have asked that," the voice muttered in disapproval.
'Memory eraser?! So the divination was right.'
"That's not an art," Luke responded, visibly caught off guard. "That's a camera."
"Camera?" Jin asked curiously. "What is that—some kind of newly summoned creature?"
'Is this guy mentally unstable or just pretending?' Luke wondered, struggling to decipher Jin's expression.
"What's wrong?" Jin asked, tilting his head with a blank innocence.
'I should just play along… maybe I can get more information.' Luke decided.
"Oh, nothing. What are you doing here anyway?"
"Get something out of him. Say what I say." the voice instructed.
"Me? Ah… I'm visiting my mom's grave," Jin answered softly.
"Oh. Sorry for your loss. It must be hard—losing someone precious."
"Don't be. It's been more than twenty-four years now."
"Oh… What?"
Luke's eyes widened. Jin didn't look a day over eighteen. How could he have lost his mother twenty-four years ago?
Trying to compose himself, Luke looked at the grave. It was pristine—clean and white with not a speck of dust. But one thing stood out: there was no name on it. No date. No inscription at all. Just smooth, untouched stone.
"Why is there no name?" Luke asked.
Jin let out a soft sigh.
"Because I don't remember her name," he said after a pause. "I don't remember who she was, or what she looked like. Just fragments… her voice, the stories she used to tell me. And… her smile."
Luke said nothing more. He understood the pain of losing someone deeply—even if the details had long faded.
He inhaled sharply, then exhaled.
"Jin, you entered the human realm through the gate without authorization. For that, I'm giving you two options. Either you come with me quietly… or I take you back by force."
"By force? As if he could."
The voice chuckled darkly.
"Hm… let me think," Jin said calmly.
[Mathematician: Information Calculation]
A surge of raw data flooded into Jin's mind.
Name – Luke Grimdal
Harmony Completion – 8%
Demonic Energy Output – 108,456
Bloodline Ability – Demon Host
Contractor – frirgdikdgcdufhghyggfhjtjxjd
"Interesting," the voice mused with growing excitement. "His spiritual energy is incredibly high. And that demon he's contracted with… isn't that name… No, I'm quite sure that's the true name of Gafsusuksldkxjxixkzmss."
(A demon's true name cannot be spoken in the human tongue.)
***
Noah Camael, a platinum-ranked Awakened—the highest rank attainable—stood before the towering structure known as the Lotus Tower.
The tower served as the central hub of operations for all Awakened across the empire. But Noah hadn't come to take a mission. His purpose was far more important.
He'd been summoned by one of the Elders, though the reason remained undisclosed.
The Lotus Tower was also known by another name: The Gateway. It connected every teleportation point in the empire, including those located in each of the royal palaces.
That was why he was here. He needed to travel to the Blossoming Palace—the domain of the God Slayer.
As Noah entered the tower, the air was thick with hushed murmurs and growing whispers.
"Hey, that's Noah Camael, right?"
"What's he doing here?"
"Whoa... It's really Noah—the platinum-ranked Awakened," a wide-eyed novice whispered in awe.
"You must be new," a more seasoned Awakened beside him scoffed. "You have no idea who Noah Camael is, do you?"
"Of course I do! He's platinum!" the boy shot back, confused.
"Yeah… and that's exactly how I know you don't know."
"Huh? What's the problem?" the newbie frowned. What's wrong with admiring a platinum-rank?
"Kid, stay away from him," the older Awakened warned in a hushed tone. "That's Noah Camael—the Slayer of the Moonless Night. He earned that name after killing ten thousand people in a single night. He's not just powerful… he's a monster. Cold, merciless, emotionless."
"W-What? He killed ten thousand people?" The boy's awe melted into horror.
Noah, of course, heard it all.
He always did.
He'd long since surpassed the threshold of ordinary perception. Within a certain radius—an entire city, in fact—no conversation escaped his awareness.
But he paid no mind to the chatter. He never did.
He approached the teleportation station located within the tower.
"I'd like to travel to the Blossoming Palace," he said calmly, presenting his Awakened ID.
The receptionist glanced at the card—crafted from one of the rarest and most precious materials known. A platinum identification. She straightened at once.
"Y-Yes, of course, sir. Right this way."
She immediately activated the teleportation gate.
A flash of light, and Noah arrived at his destination.
The Blossoming Palace—a structure built within its own isolated dimension, disconnected from the human realm—was, in a word, breathtaking.
While every royal palace was a marvel, the Blossoming Palace exuded a beauty that surpassed all others.
It stood atop a vast, endless pond that shimmered beneath the sunlight. The water sparkled like liquid glass, alive with countless fish—many of which Noah had never seen before. Their vibrant, shimmering scales painted a hypnotic display of color.
Among them, however, he recognized two legendary creatures: the Sea Serpent and the Cosmic Turtle—both possessing a threat level of 9. The serpent coiled with fluid grace, its jeweled scales gleaming. The turtle floated gently, its massive shell etched with ancient markings that whispered forgotten truths.
'There's more to this place than meets the eye.' Noah thought, silently observing the pond's hidden depths.
Two beautifully adorned attendants approached him and bowed gracefully.
He responded with a brief nod.
They led him through the palace's main hall—a massive chamber adorned with exquisite paintings and statues. Bookshelves lined the walls, packed with ancient scrolls and tomes of countless Arts.
As he passed, Noah's gaze caught on one damaged book—its title nearly worn away. He narrowed his eyes, barely making out the faded letters: "EterlanO…"
"Thank you for waiting," one of the attendants said softly. "The Lord Elder has arrived."
The grand gates creaked open. An old man entered.
He had a single arm and a long, snow-white beard that flowed down to his waist. His eyebrows were just as long, trailing toward the back of his neck. He was completely bald, and though he looked ancient, he walked with a straight back and calm authority.
He moved to the throne at the center of the hall, sitting behind a curtain of delicate silver silk.
Noah stepped forward and knelt before him.
"I, Noah Camael, have responded to your summons, Lord Elder."
The elder studied him, then gave a slight nod.
"Noah Camael, I have a mission for you."
With a wave of his hand, the Elder signaled his attendants. One among them, a Divinator, stepped forward.
[Mystical Art: Mind Share]
She extended her mind to Noah.
A vision entered his consciousness. Someone—an intruder—had crossed through the Forbidden Land's Gate and entered the human realm.
"So… someone actually came from the Forbidden Land?" Noah muttered.
"Yes," the elder confirmed, voice quiet but heavy with meaning. "And you understand what that means, don't you?"
"Yes, my lord. The knowledge that intruder may possess… is invaluable."
Noah understood the gravity. Still, his expression remained unreadable. His eyes—cold and void of emotion—did not so much as flicker.
"I want you to capture him."
"As you command, my lord. I will retrieve it."
"Hahaha…" the elder chuckled. "You haven't changed a bit, Noah. You refer to him like he's an object."
"To me," Noah replied without hesitation, "all targets are just things, my lord."
"Very well. Then bring him back alive…" The elder paused. "…No—bring him back dead. It will be easier to extract memories from a corpse."
"As you wish."
"But be warned—he must be strong. To have survived that place…"
The Elder raised his arm and motioned with a finger. Space twisted and collapsed in front of them, revealing a dimensional rift. He reached into it and pulled out a golden ring.
He handed it to one of his attendants, who presented it to Noah.
[Skill: Appraisal (V)]
Noah scanned the ring with a thought.
A sealing artifact of the special ninth grade.
"That ring contains the ability known as Absolute Imprisonment. It can bind even a king-level entity for a short time. The barrier it creates is… unbreakable. Even I would struggle to undo it."
"There's no need for such excessive magical items, my lord."
"Keep it. If this intruder survived the Forbidden Land, he ranks among the strongest. Take no chances."
"I understand," Noah said, accepting the ring. "I'll take my leave now, my lord."
He bowed once more before turning to go.
Once Noah was gone, the attendant, Rema, turned to the Elder.
"Master… was it wise to give him such a powerful artifact?" she asked. Her tone was careful, but her concern was clear.
"It is, Rema," the elder replied with a sigh. "You understand the value of the knowledge he might bring back."
"Yes, but… you could have sent a saint. Or even a Venerable. Surely they'd be better, if the enemy is truly that strong. So why a Shaman."
"Don't be foolish, child," the Elder snapped. "Sending a saint could cause irreparable damage if they go too far."
"I… I understand, Master. Forgive me."
"You meant no harm. I know." He softened slightly. "Besides, I gave him the artifact that once sealed a King for three days and three nights. Only four beings in this world could break it—Albedo, Yaldabaoth, Narmada, and myself."