Adrian cast a glance toward Anastasia, who was resting while consuming an energy-restoration potion.
"It seems our time in this world has come to an end."
Anastasia said nothing as she drank the potion; it was not the moment for conversation. They needed to depart before others arrived, lest the situation become even more complicated than it already was—a fact of which Adrian was well aware.
After some time, they reached the Demon Gem Mansion to rest following the earlier events. Both Adrian and Anastasia had fought several members of the Scorpion organization—opponents more experienced than themselves—demanding a significant expenditure of both mental and physical energy. Since even potions could not entirely erase the toll of such an exertion, rest was their only recourse.
Ultimately, an exhausted body requires rest for any healing process to be as effective as possible.
Upon entering the Demon Gem Mansion, they were surprised to find Silvarnia watching television while devouring food with voracious intensity.
Taken aback, Adrian and Anastasia stared at her for a few seconds before bursting into mocking laughter at the sight.
Silvarnia, clearly annoyed, glared at them. Nevertheless, she chose to ignore them, dismissing the pair as mere trivial fools whose presence wasn't worth ruining her mood over. Anastasia spoke with a hint of mockery in her voice as she headed toward a table laden with food:
"How did you learn to prepare such a meal with such skill? You're truly remarkable, Lady Silvania."
Silvania cast an annoyed glance at her, then replied, continuing to eat:
"No, I didn't prepare the food. It was that person—Yutao, or whatever his name is."
Anastasia and Adrian's expressions turned serious as they exchanged a look.
Adrian spoke in a calm tone, heading toward his room:
"It's Yuta Caseral. Has he left, or is he still here?"
Irritated by his blunt tone, Silvania took a sip of her juice, acting as if the matter were of no concern to her:
"Yes, that Yuta Caseral left a while ago. He told me he wanted to meet with you two days after the truth behind the 'Crimson Cat's Eye' auction is revealed and the auction itself collapses."
Adrian remained silent for a few seconds before heading straight to his room without another word—leaving both Anastasia and Silvania feeling deeply suspicious.
Yet, he paid no mind to their gazes; his thoughts were entirely consumed by the mission and his upcoming meeting with Yuta, rendering him indifferent to their scrutiny and suspicions. Meanwhile, at Yuta Caseral's estate, he and Zhao Ming were eating in silence—save for the occasional glance from Zhao Ming, her eyes filled with questions that had yet to find an answer.
Yuta offered a faint smile as he elegantly sliced his steak. In a calm, steady tone, he remarked:
"Lady Zhao Ming, is something weighing so heavily on your mind? If you have questions, feel free to ask; I don't mind at all."
Zhao Ming remained silent for a few seconds before speaking, her voice tinged with tension as she looked toward Yuta:
"Yes—I want to know how you discovered that Zhao Feixiao was afflicted by the Frost Curse, how you knew that Clan Elder Zhao Bao and his deputy, Zhao Ying, were traitors, and how you managed to procure the remaining resources needed for her treatment."
Yuta held her gaze for a few moments before bursting into a hearty laugh—leaving Zhao Ming feeling somewhat embarrassed by the barrage of questions she had just unleashed.
Setting his fork down on the table, Yuta replied with a hint of subtle, playful irony:
"As I mentioned, the leader of the Desolate Moon Clan, Zhao Feixiao, is my primary benefactor, so we are in frequent contact. She told me everything a few days ago—back when I was in the city of Berhais, gathering medicinal supplies. As it happens, I sometimes acquire the necessary treatment materials by trading technological products rather than using currency." "As for the Zao Bao clan chief, his deputy Zao Ying, and the matter of the betrayal—it was she who informed me of this when we met a day before the start of the Crimson Cat's Eye auction, and she requested my assistance. I helped her because I owed her a debt. Have you satisfied your curiosity, Lady Zao Ming?"
Zao Ming did not utter a single word; instead, she offered a faint smile that lingered for several seconds before she spoke in a tone of gratitude—one that prompted Yuta to chuckle inwardly with a sense of irony:
"Thank you, Master Yuta Casiral, for saving our clan leader, Zao Ming, and preventing a coup that would have completely destroyed the Desolate Moon Clan."
Yuta let out a deep sigh, his gaze shifting toward the ceiling—from Zao Ming's perspective—while he simultaneously viewed the system interface from his own.
[Important: Ruler's Path Quests
Objective 1: Assist in protecting the Tree of Existence, Ji Yao Li.
Quest Difficulty: ?????
Ruler's Garb
Rank: ?????
Abilities: Absolute immunity against everything that exists and everything that does not.
Failure Penalty: Reversion to the Primal Origin.
Sub-quest 01: Gather the heroes of the prophecy and prepare them for the impending War of the Paths and what follows thereafter.
Reward: ?????
Duration: 504 years.
Rank: ?????
Sub-quest 02: Assist the descendant of Narrative Time and pave the way for them to become the strongest.
Reward: ?????
Duration: Until the end of the year 675 AD.] Rank: S.
Sub-quest 03: Assist Alessandra's allies in becoming capable of fighting in the War of Paths and the events that follow—In Progress—
Reward: ?????
Duration: 504 years.
Rank: ?????
Ally 1 Name: Adrian Kzumias.
Ally's World/Homeland: *Absolute Zero* game world.
Character Type (Original Game Path): Extra/Minor Character.
Character Type (Current Game Path): Main Character.
Development Method (to enable participation in the War of Paths and subsequent events): Fantasy World Demon Gem – "Game King Suit" (obtained from the Venerable Great Story-Merchant, Stefan Telmor).
Ally 2 Name: Zhao Ming.
Ally's World or Home: The World of Prime Origin / The desolate homeland of the Qamara clan.
Character Type in the Original Narrative Path: Primary Character.
Character Type in the Current Game Path: Secondary Character.
Development Path for Combat Readiness (in the War of Paths and Beyond): The Fantasy World Demon Gem — Enrollment in the Versalkin Academy — Joining the expedition to the Khaleedin Celestial Academy.
Important Notes:
Mandatory sub-quests will be assigned alongside every main quest.
As the esteemed candidate, "The Great Creator" Yuto, completed the main quests three years and approximately nine months ahead of schedule, several mandatory sub-quests will be imposed upon him.
Because the candidate departed from the narrative of *The Dragon Angel in a World of Fantasy*—during his battle against Vermon Solterk (a ruler and the creator of the *War of Conflicting Kingdoms* narrative)—three years earlier than permitted, "The Great Creator" Yuto is prohibited from leaving the world of *The Dragon Angel in a World of Fantasy* during the years 676, 677, and 678 AD.
Since the candidate returned to his original body before concluding the story arc of one of the protagonists of *The Dragon Angel in a World of Fantasy*—Yuta Kaseral—the host is prohibited from utilizing the abilities of his original body, or any ability unrelated to the skill set inherent to Yuta Kaseral's body. This restriction excludes innate abilities, such as "Eternal Scribe," "Ruler's Eye," "Ability Crafter," "Infinite Evolution," etc. The user is prohibited from utilizing their "Great Creator's Wing" and all associated abilities for a penalty period of three full years.
Objective 2: Undisclosed.
Objective 3: Undisclosed.
Objective 4: Undisclosed.
Objective 5: Undisclosed.
Mission Duration: Permanent.]
Yuta's gaze rested on the section detailing the character development path—specifically, ensuring Zhao Ming joins the Versalkin Academy and participates in the expedition to the Celestial Khalidien Academy this year.
He had already gifted her the "Fantasy World Demon Gem"; all that remained was for her to consume it and absorb the power and knowledge contained within. The rest was up to her—she would either grow stronger or perish, in which case he would fail the sub-missions.
Dismissing the system interface, he mused to himself, his tone filled with a sense of relief:
"Not much left to complete this sub-mission. The Fantasy World Demon Gem will be enough to give them a glimpse of a world beyond this novel—everything they need to know. Beatrice, Adrian, Zhao Ming... only one person remains: Myeong-hee. Even though she isn't in this world, she'll be back to visit her friend Tom soon enough."
Yuta then left the dining hall, speaking in a calm, composed tone:
"I wish you a good night, Lady Zhao Ming. I hope you enjoyed the meal." Zao Ming kept her eyes fixed on him as he ascended the stairs—her gaze a complex, inscrutable mix of awkwardness and confusion—before turning her attention back to her plate and whispering, almost inaudibly:
"I shall see you, Father, at the Palace of Versalkin. It has been such a long time."
Elsewhere, in his private bedchamber, Yuta sat shirtless on his bed, staring toward the moon with an icy, detached expression.
The coldness, however, did not last; an egg—roughly the size of an ostrich egg—landed in his lap, prompting a faint, involuntary smile to grace his features.
He lay back on the bed, yielding to the insistent thumping of his daughter, Hydralina, who seemed—for reasons unknown to him—to be quite furious.
With a few quick, small hops, the egg reached Yuta's face. He watched in bewilderment, his expression shifting to one of pure surprise as the egg pressed firmly against his cheek.
His voice, a blend of nervous apprehension and genuine joy—anticipating that such moments would only grow more intense—softened as he spoke:
"So, it won't be long now until Hydralina is born. Just a few more months, and she will hatch. I wonder... should I be happy, or perhaps the opposite?"
"Even with millions of souls to sate my hunger, the sheer drain of energy that will occur on that day..."
Yuta's words trailed off, cut short by a series of particularly fierce thumps from Hydralina—who, it seemed, took great offense at him thinking of himself before she had even entered the world. Yuta let out a sigh of relief as his hair shifted to a dark, crimson hue and his eyes turned a deep shade of red. The egg, sensing the intensifying scent of dragon blood, began to bounce with even greater excitement.
Yuta held it firmly, ignoring its attempts to wriggle free in its mounting enthusiasm. After a few moments, the egg's movements slowed—a sign that Hydra Lina was growing tired and ready to sleep.
After all, she was still just a hatchling in need of plenty of rest. Confined within her shell and unable to wield her own power, she relied entirely on the energy Yuta provided from time to time.
He placed her into her nest within his personal spiritual realm, allowing her to sleep, recover, and conserve her strength. This was necessary, as he was currently under the watchful eyes of other Venerables and various combatants.
His options were limited—especially given his current power level—even with the support he received from the Venerables: Izlabeth (Heaven's Blessing), Jihao Yuxuan (Lotus Flower), Ping Tao Xin (The Final Patch), and Zendaya (Star Hunter).
Meanwhile, at the Demon Jewel Palace, Adrian gazed calmly at his stage list and status screen, attempting to unravel the truth behind these scenarios and stages.
[Game Title: Absolute Zero - Part I -
Age Rating: 16+
Genre: Romance (Dating Sim) - Combat - Dark - Shonen.
Game Stages: Season One.
Stage 1: Joining the Heroes' Academy - Completed -
Stage 2: The Celebration and Weapon Selection - Completed -
Stage 3: Midterm Examination in the Virtual World - Completed -
Stage 4: Saving the Academy from a Demon Attack - Completed -
Stage 5: Rescuing the character Silvania - In Progress -
Mission Information: Rescue the supporting character Silvania from the clutches of the "Crimson Cat's Eye" auction and return her to her original world.
Mission Duration: Until the conclusion of the "Crimson Cat's Eye" auction.
Mission Requirements:
Presence of the arc's heroine, Anastasia McGillforn - Met -
Presence of one of the main characters from the original world - Met -
Participation in the auction as a registered attendee and the purchase of at least one item - Met -
Destruction of the "Crimson Cat's Eye" auction.
Rescue Silvania on the third day of the festival - Round 2.
Hidden Missions:
Hidden Scenario 1: Eliminate the secondary villain, Seong-hoon - Completed -
Reward: 6,000 EXP.
Hidden Scenario 2: The arc's heroine, Anastasia McGillforn, obtains the "Bow of the Bow-Ruler" - Completed -
Reward: 34,560 EXP. Hidden Scenario 3: Have the character Yuta Kaseral fight the leader of the Crimson Cat's Eye Auction.
Hidden Scenario 4: Ensure Silvarnia emerges unharmed.
Hidden Scenario 5: Kill the leader of the Crimson Cat's Eye Auction, known as Octavian.
Note: Skipping any of the following scenarios is prohibited; failure to comply will result in a penalty for the Host.]
[New Hidden Quest: Uncover the truth about the founder of the Scorpion Organization, known as the "Venerable Heaven-Breaker."
Difficulty: ??????
Reward: 2× Fantasy World Demon Gem.]
[Name: Adrian
Alias: Xomias
Age: 15
Gender: Male
Race: Pure Human
Main Path: Master of Rankings - Inactive -
Sub-Path: None
Talent: SSS++
Profession: Player
Rank: Gold, Level 4 - Peak -
Experience Points: 1,450,000,000 / 71,682,981
Stats:
Strength: 617,521
Speed: 746,574
Stamina: 74,565
Durability: 575,658
Mana: 956,089
Aura: 887,798
Intelligence: S
Charisma: S
Luck: S
Skills / Abilities:
Passive Ability: Profound Understanding.
Purple Flame Ability.
Passive Ability: King of Games [Active]. Passive Ability: King of Hackers [Active].
100-Strike Spear Art, Mastery: 100% [Peak].
Beginner Sword Mastery, Mastery: 100% [Peak].
Beginner Spear Mastery, Mastery: 100% [Peak].
Gluttony Sword Art, Mastery: 100% [Peak].
Equipment:
Game King Suit, Synchronization Rate: 2.14%.
Poseidon's Spear – Immortal Rank.
23x Hardened Steel Spears.
Moon Ruler's Spear – Platinum Rank.
Fantasy World Demon Gem.
Adrian stared at the scenarios, specifically at the rewards for completing side and hidden quests. Yet, he received no notification indicating that he had gained any experience points—the same applied to the "Fantasy World Demon Gem" he had discovered beneath the Demon Gem Palace.
He let out a deep sigh as he took out the Fantasy World Demon Gem. It was a black stone, roughly the size of an infant's palm, and felt intensely cold to the touch. At the same time, he could sense a powerful energy surging through his being, like a series of violent, gale-force winds.
In a calm tone, he said, placing the gem on the table:
"Give me information on the Fantasy World Demon Gem again."
Adrian kept his gaze fixed on the gem, waiting for the system interface to appear with the requested details; the system often took a considerable amount of time to process such inquiries. The situation persisted for several seconds before a system interface appeared before his eyes.
[Fantasy World Demon Gem]
[Information: The Fantasy World Demon Gem is forged using the remnants of a fantasy world as its core material. Through a series of evolutions, the mortal fantasy world transforms into a "Fantasy World Demon"—a realm that consumes other fantasy worlds. If the Fantasy World Demon Gem is refined before it fully matures into a Fantasy World Demon, the refiner gains the power of every entity that ever existed within it—from the very first to the very last.]
[Rank: Beyond-Existence.]
[Rarity: One of the rarest treasures in the story "I'm Inside My Novel."]
[Consumption Method: Ingest the gem. Its effects are immediate, as its size automatically adjusts to fit the consumer.]
[Note: The Host is advised not to force his body to absorb the gem's energy beyond the capacity gained upon ingestion.]
Adrian's gaze remained calm as he shifted his eyes between the system interface and the Fantasy World Demon Gem. He picked the gem up once more, then dismissed the system interface.
Taking a deep breath, he swallowed the gem, simultaneously activating his "Deep Comprehension" ability. He opted against using the "Game King Suit," fearing that deactivating it might cause physical harm—given that his body had just absorbed an amount of energy far exceeding its natural threshold.
An immensely powerful energy began to coalesce within him, triggering unimaginable pain—a sensation that pushed his "Deep Comprehension" ability to its absolute limit. Yet, for all that, it affected Adrian only in the slightest degree. He began to vomit blood as the realization dawned on him. Unlike Reinhardt—who, at rank ORR-05, possessed infinite power and a physique capable of withstanding the energy he had acquired—he was in a different situation entirely.
The state persisted for several seconds before the world began to fade into a brilliant, stark white. Moments later, he found himself standing before the "Master of Rankings"—appearing exactly as he had in his previous life: a young man in his twenties, with disheveled black hair and eyes to match.
Deeply bewildered by his surroundings, he made his way through a beautiful garden, his heart racing with a mix of tension and anxiety:
"How did I end up back here? This is the very same place where I first encountered the Master of Rankings—back when I merged with the 'King of Games' suit."
He noticed a young man with coal-black hair and eyes shaped like rings of the same color, and immediately recognized him as the "Master of Classifications" he had met that day. Yet, the man's expression was chillingly cold—enough to strike fear into Adrian's heart.
The stranger, however, showed no reaction or concern; he walked toward Adrian with steady, deliberate steps—a gait that made it clear this was not the same individual Adrian had encountered previously.
Still, the resemblance was so striking that it left Adrian utterly bewildered. He closed his eyes for a few seconds, only to find the man standing directly before him, gazing down with an expression of utter contempt.
"Greetings, Adrian Kzumias. My name is Higumi Fatsi. I have not yet been born, so I am pleased to meet the first person I've encountered before my own birth."
Higumi Fatsi's tone was unnervingly calm.
Meanwhile, his words threw Adrian's mind into complete disarray. How could he be conversing with someone who hadn't been born yet—someone who, furthermore, explicitly stated that he hadn't been born? It was an utterly, bizarrely absurd situation.
Adrian let out a deep sigh, looking toward Higumi Fatsi, and replied:
"Likewise—a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Higumi Fatsi. I look forward to our meeting once you are born." Higomi Fatsi lingered, gazing at Adrian for several seconds before departing. As he left, he spoke words that were unintelligible to Adrian—a difficulty compounded by the world around them dissolving into a blinding white:
"We shall meet, Mr. Adrian Kzumias. Whether that meeting comes sooner or later depends entirely on his strength at the time."
Adrian could neither utter a single syllable nor stir an inch, despite his desperate urge to move and pursue Higomi Fatsi to demand the answers he sought.
Slowly, he opened his eyes, finding himself back in his own room, with the system's interfaces hovering before his vision. [The host has broken through three full ranks.]
[The host's current level is Emperor, Level 2 – Late Stage.]
[The synchronization rate with the "Game King Suit" has increased from 2.14% to 12.02%.]
[Passive Ability Evolved: "Deep Understanding" → Level 2: "Reader of Hidden Truths."]
[Name: Adrian
Alias: Xomias
Age: 15
Gender: Male
Race: Pure Human
Primary Path: Master of Rankings – Inactive –
Secondary Path: None
Talent: SSS++
Profession: Player
Rank: [Gold, Level 4 – Peak –] ↑↑↑ [Emperor, Level 2 – Late Stage –]
Experience Points: 145,000,000,000 / 71,574,968
Stats:
Strength: [630,061] + 12,540
Speed: [759,114] + 12,540
Stamina: [759,114] + 12,540
Durability: [588,198] + 12,540
Mana: [968,629] + 12,540
Aura: [900,338] + 12,540
Intelligence: [S] ↑↑↑ [SS]
Charisma: [S] ↑↑↑ [S+]
Luck: [S] ↑↑↑ [SS]
Skills / Abilities:
Passive Ability: Deep Understanding, Level 2: Reader of Hidden Truths.] Purple Flame Ability.
Passive Ability: King of Games.
Passive Ability: King of Hackers.
King of Games Suit [Activated], Synchronization Rate: 12.02%.
100-Strike Spear Art, Mastery: 100% [Peak].
Beginner Sword Mastery, Mastery: 100% [Peak].
Beginner Spear Mastery, Mastery: 100% [Peak].
Sharrah's Sword Art, Mastery: 100% [Peak].
Equipment:
King of Games Suit, Synchronization Rate: 12.02%.
Poseidon's Spear – Immortal Rank.
23 × Tempered Steel Spears.
Moon Ruler's Spear – Platinum Rank.]
Adrian kept his gaze fixed on his status menu—specifically on his experience points, which remained unchanged, even though the threshold required to reach the next level had increased.
He realized that the "Demon Gem of the Fantasy World" had boosted his power level, and that his encounter with Hijomi Fatsi had increased his synchronization rate with the "Game King Suit"—though he couldn't be entirely certain of this hypothesis.
He stood up abruptly and headed toward the bathroom; his body reeked, covered in a foul-smelling mixture of impurities and blood that had been expelled from his pores.
The following day, at 8:30 AM, Adrian, Anastasia, and Silvarnia sat together in the dining hall, eating in silence.
As she cut into a piece of steak, Silvarnia asked in a calm, measured tone:
"When are we leaving this world?"
Adrian said nothing, continuing to eat while ignoring the gazes of both Anastasia and Silvarnia for a long moment, before letting out a deep, weary sigh.
He then spoke in a quiet voice, setting his knife and fork down on the table:
"We'll leave in four days—or, more precisely, once the collapse of the 'Crimson Cat's Eye' auction is announced and we learn what Yuta Kaseral is after. He's not someone to be underestimated—especially since Anastasia and I will be returning to this world in the future as part of a student exchange. You might even join us—though as a student."
Silvarnia and Anastasia both narrowed their eyes as they looked at him. It was deeply frustrating, especially given the life-threatening calamities and challenges they had already faced in this world.
Yet, they were powerless to change their current reality—all the more so since Silfarnia aspired to join the Academy of Heroes.
Silfarnia vowed to herself that she would avoid Adrian, speaking to him only when absolutely necessary, and would instead focus on mastering her own powers throughout their stay in the World of the First Origin.
Anastasia, meanwhile, decided to use the situation as an opportunity to rest; after all, they would be forced to return to the Academy of Heroes the moment they left this place, as their break was nearing its end.
Adrian, however, remained fixated on his mission: to uncover the truth behind the "Revered Heaven-Shatterer"—a mystery that had remained unsolved for centuries, ever since the founding of the Scorpion Organization in the World of the First Origin.
"When did you break through to the Emperor Rank, Level 2—late stage? Weren't you at the Gold Rank, Level 4—peak stage—just last night?"
Anastasia's tone was calm, yet her words struck Adrian like a bolt of lightning.
He turned toward her, meeting a gaze that was piercingly sharp—a stark contrast to Silfarnia, who simply looked on with bewilderment and confusion.
Amidst the heavy, tension-filled atmosphere, Anastasia spoke again, her voice laced with surprise:
"Isn't that the rank you held last night? An aura of an Emperor-rank fighter—Level 2, late stage—was radiating from you." Anastasia gazed toward Silfarnia for a few seconds before turning her attention back to Adrian, her tone laced with skepticism:
"If you've been hiding your power level from us all this time, I have to wonder: where did you get the courage to leave the world while still at the Gold Rank, Level 4—the peak?"
Adrian let out an internal sigh of relief, silently thanking Silfarnia. Her naivety had resolved a complicated issue; she had been with him when he wore the 'Game King' suit, whereas Anastasia hadn't been paying close enough attention to discern his true power level at the time.
Maintaining a calm demeanor, he took a sip of his drink, careful to ensure that neither suspicion nor any trace of tension showed on his face:
"Yes, I have been hiding my power level. After all, a fifteen-year-old reaching the Emperor Rank, Level 2—the late stage—would naturally invite suspicion and draw the unwanted attention of higher powers. I'm not like Yuta, who holds a status high enough to prevent others from restricting him. Besides, I'm a student at Verselkin Academy, which grants its students protection and immunity—unlike the Heroes' Academy, where such safeguards against great powers and highly influential figures simply don't exist."
Anastasia narrowed her eyes, studying Adrian with a look that hovered between doubt and conviction; his explanation, after all, made perfect sense. After all, the Academy of Heroes does not offer the same resources as the Versalkin Academy or the Ghens Academy of Magic, located in the imperial capital.
Anastasia rose from her seat, studied the two of them for a few seconds, and then spoke:
"I'll be in the archery training hall to test out both the 'Bow of the Archery Sovereign' and the 'Bow of the End-Demon'—the one I got from Yuta after winning our wager. So, no one is to disturb me until you've decided on the day we're leaving. Understood, Master Adrian Xomias?"
Adrian sighed, clearly annoyed, and gave a curt nod—ignoring Silvarnia's stifled laughter.
Anastasia left immediately, leaving Adrian and Silvarnia behind. Their gazes toward him were a mix of indifference and thinly veiled irritation.
This was no secret to Adrian; after all, Silvarnia loathed him intensely, given that the original owner of this body had been the one to sell her off in the first place.
Yet, Adrian could offer no defense; he was the one inhabiting this body, and he had to bear the consequences of his predecessor's follies and absurdities.
He let out a deep sigh and rubbed his eyes before walking away, leaving Silvarnia alone to continue her meal, entirely unconcerned by whether he was there or not. Yet, a flicker of sadness crossed her features after Adrian left, and she let out a long sigh, thinking to herself:
"I don't know why you were born a fool—and why you've remained one."