--
The night wind blew gently, carrying the scent of metal, earth, and… blood.
I remained seated on the balcony, eyes gazing far westward. The aura that had once been faint now grew stronger, like something intentionally allowing itself to be sensed.
"Interesting… is this a warning, a challenge, or an invitation?" I murmured while idly spinning a cup of warm tea, now half-cold.
The creature didn't approach. But it didn't retreat either. As if it were measuring me. Observing.
I don't like being evaluated.
"Zen! Dinner's ready!" Mom's voice from the kitchen shattered the tension in the air.
I stood up slowly, locking the sensation in my memory.
It's not time yet to hunt that shadow. But when the time comes… I'll be the predator.
Our dining table was simple. Five chairs filled tonight. Mom served hot soup and omelets—a modest meal that, for the first time in thousands of years, felt warm to the soul.
My two younger siblings were glued to their phones, Dad read an old newspaper, and my older brothers argued about anime and college assignments.
I sat silently, observing.
This world… was once mine. But I've changed. And they… remain the same. Ordinary humans, clueless about the ruin drawing near.
Yet strangely, I felt… at ease.
"Zen," Mom said suddenly, "you're going with Dad to the police station later. They received a report about some trouble involving you this afternoon."
I said nothing.
"They said two students were found collapsed in an alley. Your name came up," Dad added flatly.
My eldest brother chuckled, "Whoa, Zen's turning into a delinquent now, huh?"
I gave a faint smile.
"I didn't go looking for trouble. They disturbed my life."
Dad sighed but didn't press. Mom looked worried but stayed silent.
They… wouldn't understand. And I had no intention of explaining.
Later, I went with my father to deal with the police report filed by those two insects. During the questioning, they hinted I'd regret crossing them—threatened that I'd die if I ran into them at school. But I released just a fraction of my aura… and they couldn't even look me in the eye.
We returned home after that. Luckily, no issues arose.
---
The next day.
The school building looked the same as ever. Crowded, noisy, filled with people who thought they understood the world.
I walked through the gate wearing Zen Zayn's old uniform, carrying a backpack… hiding an energy strong enough to obliterate the building with a breath.
School was a playground. A place to observe who mattered… and who should be eliminated.
"Yo, Zayn!"
A cheerful voice rang out behind me.
I stopped walking. Turned slowly.
A teenage boy with a wide grin and bright eyes ran up to me. His hair was messy, his face full of energy.
"Dude, you actually came back! I thought you vanished to another planet!"
I stayed quiet for a moment.
"What's your name?" I asked coolly.
He looked confused, then laughed loudly.
"Hey hey, quit messing around! It's me, Raka! Your buddy since elementary, remember?"
That name… felt familiar.
This body… Zen Zayn, had vague memories of this kid. Someone who always tried to stand up for others, even without any strength.
I nodded slightly.
"Raka, huh… thanks for not changing."
He laughed again and casually threw an arm around my shoulder.
"You're weird, man. But I'm really glad you're back. Seriously."
I offered a faint smile.
Humans like him… might be worth saving.
---
During class, I sat at my desk, pretending to listen to the boring history lecture. But my mind was elsewhere.
The aura… it was back.
Not from the west this time. From above.
I glanced at the ceiling.
Someone… or something… was watching the school from beyond this dimension.
I slowly pressed my hand against the desk, channeling a small amount of energy into an ancient rune I had secretly embedded.
"If you want to play, then come out of hiding," I whispered.
The bell rang, signaling the end of the lesson.
I stood from my seat with a relaxed motion, scanning the room. No abnormal aura… just a few students suppressing emotions too deeply—but not cultivators.
Raka tapped my shoulder. "Bro, come to the rooftop with me. You need fresh air. You've looked like a zombie all day."
I nodded slightly. "Sure."
We climbed the stairs to the roof. The iron door creaked as we opened it. Wind greeted us with the scent of warm concrete and dust.
I leaned on the railing, enjoying the sky that was now slightly clearer.
"So… why weren't you here for almost three months? I heard it was medical leave or something…" Raka asked carefully.
I turned to him, meeting his gaze.
His smile was still the same. Honest. Unchanging.
"Something like that," I replied at last.
Raka nodded, understanding—at least partly.
"If you ever need someone to talk to, you know I'm here."
I couldn't help but smile.
"Thanks, Rak. Really. You're part of the reason I came back."
He burst out laughing. "Whoa, dude. That gave me chills!"
I chuckled softly. For a moment… the world felt peaceful.
But that moment didn't last.
The rooftop door opened again.
Someone stepped in.
Light footsteps. Sneakers. A strange aura—not cultivation. More like… sealed spiritual energy.
A girl stood at the doorway, long black hair with faint blue highlights. Her eyes were sharp like crescent moons. She wore a neat school uniform under a denim jacket—clearly against the rules.
Her gaze pierced through me, and for a split second… I felt like she could see deeper than any ordinary human.
"Hey, that's… Lyra," Raka whispered beside me, a bit nervous. "The cold genius from the other class. Rumored IQ 160. But scary. No one she approaches gets a response."
She walked slowly, standing at the far side of the roof, eyes lost in the sky.
But I knew. She sensed me. And for some reason… her aura twitched the moment I focused on her.
She wasn't a normal human. But not a cultivator either. Her power felt small—far weaker than anything I'd known.
"Zen," Raka whispered again, "I think… you should be careful. That girl's different."
"Haha, careful? You talk like she eats people," I replied, smirking.
"Just saying, man. Take it from your buddy."
"Yeah yeah." I gave a slight nod.
He's right. She is different.
---
Next break.
I was walking alone near the library when quick footsteps echoed behind me.
"Hey…"
I turned around.
Lyra stood there, locking eyes with mine.
"You… why do you feel so different from before?" she asked directly, her tone calm, but laced with tension.
I raised an eyebrow.
"And why do you care? I don't seem like the type of guy a girl like you would chase."
Silence fell for a moment.
Then she smiled faintly, as if nothing had changed.
"Hmph, don't flatter yourself," she said. "I don't know why you feel different, but… be careful. I heard you roughed up two guys. Their group is looking for you."
I paused, then replied flatly, "Then let them try," with a sly grin.
She turned to leave—but paused.
"And one more thing…"
I looked at her, waiting.
"You really shouldn't stare at girls too long. It's… unsettling."
Then she vanished behind the bookshelf.
I stood there, confused.
Then grinned—and laughed softly.
"Hahaha… Interesting. How long has it been since someone dared to talk to me like that… Lyra."
.
.
.
After the break earlier, the classroom looked ordinary… too ordinary, as if the world didn't realize that one of the highest gods had just awakened in human form.
I sat at my desk, listening to the math teacher explain logarithms. Raka beside me was sleeping with his mouth wide open, as usual. The sound of chalk being wiped from the board was a monotonous background.
Suddenly, three male students entered the class. The teacher stopped writing and turned to look at them.
They stood next to my desk. One of them, who seemed to be the leader, had a tall build and a model-like face, but his eyes were empty. The other two behind him—those annoying insects from yesterday—I didn't even bother to remember their names. They lined up like guard dogs.
"Zayn."
I turned my head slowly.
"I heard you're the one who beat them up yesterday," he said, his voice low but sharp, pointing behind him. "Name's Gino. And you just stepped into the wrong territory."
I looked into his eyes without expression. "And?"
"And you need to apologize."
I chuckled quietly.
The whole class went silent.
The teacher didn't say a word, seemingly too afraid to reprimand them for barging into the lesson.
"Funny," I said. "You think I'm scared of stray dogs barking in broad daylight?"
Gino's eyes narrowed. He raised his hand, trying to grab my collar.
Instantly, the atmosphere in the class shifted. The temperature dropped a few degrees.
His hand froze in mid-air.
His body trembled.
I didn't move at all. I simply let a faint energy seep from my index finger like an invisible mist, pressing on his soul.
He stepped back, face pale. Even his two goons panicked and pulled Gino away.
"I'll… be back," he said, though his tone wavered.
I turned back to the front, as if nothing had happened.
The teacher sighed in relief and continued the lesson.
Raka glanced at me, confused. "Bro… you just released some kind of killer aura, didn't you? Seriously, I felt like I was being strangled by a ghost."
I just smiled slightly. "Maybe you should sleep earlier."
Class ended. The bell rang, signaling the end of the day. Raja came up to me and said, "Yo Zen, let's go home together."
I replied, "You go ahead, I still have something to do."
"Hmm, alright then! I'm heading out!" he said, waving both hands as he walked away.
I called my parents and told them I had group work today, so I'd be coming home late. But that wasn't the real reason.
---
That night, on the school rooftop. Zen waited there until it was dark.
The night sky stretched above like a dull painting. I stood in the middle of the rooftop, eyes closed, letting my senses spread far.
That aura… it appeared again. This time, closer. More aggressive.
Then, two people landed behind me with a loud thud.
"You bastard!" one of them shouted. "Why are you like this when I trusted you!!"
The old man who just shouted looked severely injured. Though still able to stand, it was only due to his inner strength.
"Hehehe, you ask why? It's your fault for not entrusting me with your martial art techniques. Because of you, I had to walk this path. If only you had been more obedient, maybe you could've died peacefully earlier! HAHAHAHA!" said the other man, his tone arrogant and menacing.
"Damn you!" said the old man.
"Hahahaha—hmm? Why is there a student here?" the younger man asked after noticing Zen.
"Kid, run! I don't know why you're here, but you need to get away from this lunatic!"
"Shut up, old man! Let me deal with this brat quickly before I deal with you."
"Haha, I'm no one special. Go ahead, continue your little drama," I replied.
"Heh?? Arrogant brat. Do you even realize your situation? Or are you just a fool who knows nothing of this world?" he said.
"Let me see… looks like you're just a regular kid. No detectable aura nearby."
"What a pity. You'll have to die to keep your mouth shut… and to become fuel for my martial arts."
As he was about to strike Zen, a tremendous aura suddenly erupted, shielding him.
"…Ha. I knew trying to live a normal life like this was foolish," I muttered. "Family dinners. Laughing with friends. Enjoying peace…"
Aura began to seep from my body—dark, scorching, and as sharp as a blade.
"But people like you… no, you don't even deserve to be called a person… PESTS like you always show up to ruin it."
The atmosphere shifted again. The night sky rumbled faintly.
The man froze. His eyes widened.
"W-What is this… this pressure…? This can't be from a mere high schooler…"
He took a step back and began channeling his martial energy into a defensive circle. But the energy vibrated, unstable, as if trying to escape from his body.
"W-Who are you?!"
~~Continued~~