The Creation God's voice had fallen silent, leaving only the faint rustle of the clouds around them.
But in that silence, the pink-haired goddess—the Goddess of Love—let her gaze linger on John.
How unusual… she thought, her delicate fingers tracing the rim of her untouched teacup. Even in front of us, his calm never wavered. No tremor in his breath, no hesitation in his words. A mortal carrying himself with such composure… not even most gods can do that. Truly fascinating.
Her eyes flicked toward Nyx and Yumina. Nyx's amethyst gaze was sharp and burning, like someone on the verge of lashing out, while Yumina clung protectively to John's sleeve, her heart pounding with unspoken worry.
The goddess smiled faintly. This man… he's already surrounded by bonds strong enough to shake fate itself. How will this story unfold, I wonder?
Before her musings could drift further, the old man—the Creation God—spoke again, his voice carrying the weight of inevitability.
"Alframe," he said softly, using the goddess's true name. "Take the two girls with you. I need to speak to John alone."
The Love Goddess inclined her head gracefully. "As you wish."
Nyx's head snapped toward them, eyes narrowing. "What? You want me to leave John here—alone—with him?" Her voice was sharp, dripping with suspicion. The faint glow beneath her skin betrayed her dragon instincts.
Yumina, though quieter, instinctively clutched John's arm tighter, unwilling to part from him. "John…" she whispered.
John sighed softly. "Nyx, Yumina… it's fine." He met Nyx's glare with calm eyes, steady as a still lake. "Do as I say."
Nyx's jaw clenched, her pride screaming at her to refuse. But when John's hand briefly brushed hers—a silent reassurance—her resistance faltered. With visible reluctance, she stepped back. "Hmph. Fine. But if he dares to harm you—" Her eyes flashed dangerously.
"I know," John replied with a faint smile.
The Love Goddess, watching all this unfold, covered her lips with her sleeve to hide her amusement. So protective, little dragon… and she doesn't even realize her heart is already moving toward him. Yumina's devotion I've long known, but this one… this is something new.
"Come," she said smoothly, guiding the two women away with the faint shimmer of her divine power. "Let's not interrupt the conversation of men."
Yumina cast one last worried glance at John, while Nyx stormed away with stiff shoulders. Their emotions were plain as day.
The goddess's smile only deepened. How entertaining… truly entertaining.
---
Once they were gone, the air grew quieter.
"Sit, John," the old man said gently, gesturing toward the mat across from him.
John obeyed without hesitation, lowering himself opposite the god. His eyes never strayed, calm and steady.
"Where did you find that little dragon?" the Creation God asked out of nowhere.
Little dragon? John was speechless for a moment.
Should I tell him that the girl is a primordial dragon, not a little dragon?
But he shook his head and didn't say anything. The Creation God, seeing no reply, didn't press further.
The old man studied him for a long moment before speaking. "Tell me—what tier of strength have you reached?"
"Third," John answered simply. "I broke through just a few days ago."
The questions continued one after another. About his training, his battles, his insights into magic, his understanding. Each answer John gave was direct, measured, and without embellishment.
Two hours passed like this.
And then, finally, the god's tone shifted.
"There is something you must know, John," he said, leaning forward slightly. His frail appearance did little to hide the gravity in his words. "Something beyond worlds… beyond even universes."
John's heart stilled. His focus sharpened like a blade. Omniverse… or something beyond.
Since the day he first bonded with the Space Stone, the mystery of that infinite void had haunted him. Countless times he had tried to pierce its secrets, only to be left in frustration.
And now, here—at last—answers began to unfold before him.
So he listened. And listened. Every word the Creation God spoke etched itself into his mind like burning script.
Time lost its meaning.
---
Meanwhile, away from the floating room, Nyx, Yumina, and the Love Goddess sat together in silence.
Nyx's arms were crossed, her eyes burning with impatience. Yumina sat quietly, fingers entwined, worry etched across her delicate face.
The Love Goddess watched them both with gentle amusement. She didn't need to speak; their hearts already told her everything she wished to know.
Two women bound by the same thread of fate… and neither truly aware of how tightly it coils around John.
The clouds stirred. The shimmer of runes flickered.
John stepped out from the distance, his figure emerging with the calm confidence he always carried.
"Yumina. Nyx," he said softly. "It's time to leave."
Nyx immediately stepped forward, her stubbornness melting the moment she heard his voice. Yumina breathed a sigh of relief, her body relaxing as she hurried to his side.
John turned, preparing to activate the world coordinate rune. But before he could, the Love Goddess's voice called out.
"John."
He paused.
Her eyes sparkled with amusement as she spoke words directly in his mind that seemed to carry far more weight than she let on.
"Both of them love you very much."
John froze for a heartbeat. His gaze flicked briefly between Yumina and Nyx, but the Love Goddess's expression gave nothing away. Did she mean Yumina and Nyx? Or Yumina and… Alsie?
He shook his head faintly. Not the time.
Without asking further, he activated the rune, drawing Yumina and Nyx close as the silver light began to envelop them.
The last thing they saw before vanishing was the goddess's faint smile.
And when the light faded, leaving only the endless sea of clouds behind, Alframe let out a soft laugh.
"It's getting more and more interesting," she whispered to herself, her eyes glinting with curiosity. "Let's see… what will you choose, John?"