By evening, as Tokyo began to fall asleep, a delivery car pulled up near a high-rise building in another part of the city. A girl stepped out with a gorgeous bouquet in her hands and headed to the given address. A minute later, she was at the right door and rang the bell. Rei opened it.
— "These are for you," — the courier said with a smile, handing over the flowers and disappearing into the darkness.
Rei looked down at the bouquet — red and white roses. Inside was a note:
"Sorry for leaving our date like that. Let's meet again sometime."
The scent of the flowers filled the hallway. Rei's cheeks flushed slightly. She silently walked into the living room, where Ren was by the stove, preparing dinner.
— "Ooh, looks like someone's got an admirer?" — he teased, not turning around.
— "No, it's just… a gift," — she replied, filling a vase with water and carefully placing the bouquet inside.
Ren watched his sister warmly. He could see her blushing — and he understood: she really had fallen for him.
Meanwhile, Akito and his Guardians were preparing to head out.
— "Didn't think I'd have to call all of you… It's just…" — he checked the system.
[Defeat: Renji – Fire Demon]
[Time Limit: 03:00:00]
— "Jarl, I'll go first!" — Targus shouted cheerfully. — "Been a while since I warmed up!"
— "Alright, let's go," — Akito replied, and the group moved out.
They walked through the dark paths of an abandoned district. The air was fresh, the sky clear, stars shining bright. Suddenly, something moved nearby, and Akito tensed. At that moment, his phone rang.
— "Damn it…" — he muttered, answering the call.
— "Hey Akito. When are you coming back to work?"
— "Sorry, I think I'm done with you guys. Thanks for everything."
— "Alright… good luck," — the voice replied and hung up.
He shoved the phone into his pocket — and out of the corner of his eye, spotted movement. A fiery fist was flying right at him. Akito dodged just in time as it whooshed past him.
— "You're not as weak as I thought, Akito Kurosawa," — came a voice. — "I'm Renji."
Flames burst around Renji's fists. Akito saw a system alert pop up:
[Fire Demon Renji — Rank: B]
Renji hurled a fireball at Akito, but Targus emerged from the shadows and casually caught it with his bare hand — like a balloon.
— "Jarl, this one's mine. Just watch," — he said, stepping forward.
— "Another one? He called him 'Jarl'… Damn, I better be careful," — Renji thought.
His fists blazed as he charged at Targus. But the punches had no effect. Targus didn't even draw his axe — at times, he even purposely took the hits, watching Renji attack with a bored expression.
— "Targus, I still need him. Don't kill him," — Akito called out.
— "Alright, Jarl. I haven't even used any skills yet."
As Targus approached, Renji tried to stand. His body was scorched, skin blackened, blood dripping from his chin.
— "I… must… win… We… will take this world…"
He slipped to Targus's side and swung, but [Brunhilde's Shield] deflected the blow. Then a crushing strike came down from above. Renji collapsed instantly.
— "Done, Jarl," — Targus said calmly.
Akito stepped closer — and in that same moment, Aurelia appeared beside him.
— "Wait. Don't kill him. I can erase his memory… make him reborn. Without power."
— "Perfect. Just add this: if anyone asks him about me or the mission — he must warn them to stop. Or I'll come for them myself."
Aurelia's eyes glowed with soft gold. After a few seconds, Renji's memory had been rewritten.
— "Magic's exhausting," — she sighed, swaying slightly. — "I'd love to… just sleep…"
[You Defeated: Renji – Fire Demon]
[Level Increased: 255 → 265]
[Reward: 5000 Eny | Bonus Points: 10]
— "Well… I wasn't expecting much more anyway," — Akito muttered, staring at the screen. He lowered his hand, exhaled, and looked around — Aurelia and Targus were already gone. Only Renji's body remained on the empty street.
— "Time to go home," — he said quietly and turned to leave.
But before he could take a few steps, he heard a strange noise behind him. Renji's body twitched, then suddenly shot up and ran in the opposite direction without saying a word. Akito didn't even flinch — he simply glanced at the fleeing man, his eyes cold and indifferent.
— "Do whatever you want… you're nobody now," — he whispered and vanished into the darkness.
Elsewhere — in another realm.
A majestic white-and-gold palace gleamed among the clouds, as if woven from pure light. The walls shimmered with patterns of stars and mysterious symbols. In front of the main entrance stood figures in white robes with blue stripes — high-ranking guards. As Kronoran walked down the central path, none of them dared speak. All bowed their heads in silent reverence.
But then, one of them stepped forward. His robe was different — crimson lines crossed the fabric, marking a special status.
— "Kronoran," — he said in a rough, heavy voice. — "You broke the law. You interfered in a battle. That is forbidden."
Kronoran stopped. Silence fell for a brief moment — and the next instant, he was standing right in front of the speaker. His gaze was calm, but within it lurked ancient menace.
— "It's the first time I've seen you here…" — he said quietly. — "But remember this: do not interfere. I didn't break the order — I restored justice."
Before the other could respond, Kronoran vanished from sight — and reappeared at the massive doors at the end of the hall. Their surface was etched with elegant symbols and glowing golden stars.
He pushed the doors open.
Beyond was a vast hall, silent and nearly empty. At the center, high above the floor, rose a throne that shimmered with the light of the universe. But the throne… was empty.
— "Hello…" — a calm voice echoed from the depths of the room. — "You're back again. I'm glad you came."
Kronoran smiled slightly. His gaze softened, almost human.
— "Hello, Creator."
[Noxveil]
Hey there, reader!
If you've made it this far, thank you so much. I'm writing this story in Russian and translating it into English — so I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Even one small comment gives me huge motivation 💬💙
Let me know who your favorite character is so far!