The evening sky blazed red as Reiji Zarabis in his human form walked alongside his sibling Mijarun and a beautiful elf named Ashia. Before them stretched the magnificent Mushaf Kingdom, one of the largest realms in that world.
Reiji narrowed his eyes, then opened a telepathic link to Mijarun's mind.
Zarabis: Mijarun, what place is this?
Mijarun: Ashia said it's the Mushaf Kingdom.
Zarabis: Mushaf, huh… seems like this place could be interesting.
Mijarun: Maybe so, but I'm not used to this world yet. The buildings are so weird…
Zarabis: (to himself) Yeah, it's like a fantasy world.
Mijarun: Brother, we can cut the link now, right? We're here!
Zarabis: Huh? But… aren't we already here? (to himself) If we're here, what else are we supposed to do?
Mijarun: Yeah, but just standing around staring at the houses and castle isn't enough, is it? We need a purpose once we arrive.
Zarabis: Fine… I know, I know.
Ashia turned to them and said:
"We've reached the Adventurer's Guild!"
The moment they stepped inside, the room erupted in noise. A tall, muscular man Mogu, an A-rank adventurer stared at them with a smug smile.
"That elf… Ashia? I thought you died fighting Demon King Vaw!"
Ashia explained she survived thanks to Reiji and Mijarun. But Mogu only laughed and mocked the two humans.
"These two kids saved you? Don't joke around, Elf."
Ashia glared sharply.
"Don't underestimate them. If not for them, I wouldn't be standing here."
Mijarun started to get angry, but Zarabis just stared blankly as if he already knew everything would happen, having unlocked his ability to see infinite futures.
"Brother, don't just stay quiet!" Mijarun said, pinching Reiji's cheek.
"Ow! I'm human now, you know! That actually hurts!"
"Which is why you shouldn't act all calm! And don't use your powers yet if you really want to be human."
"Okay, okay! I'll listen~"
"Hmph!"
"What's wrong with you two?" Ashia asked, confused.
"Nothing at all!" they both replied in unison.
The guild fell silent as Mogu laughed loudly.
"Then prove it! Fight one of my party members!"
Mijarun pointed to a short red-haired woman Zuwa Fyutry, a dual-sword wielder. Zuwa just smiled:
"Be careful, little one."
Meanwhile, Zarabis stared straight at Mogu.
"I choose you."
The guild immediately buzzed with murmurs. Ashia was worried she knew Mogu could read enemy movements and wield level-four fire magic strong enough to destroy a small village (if he charged it for 20 seconds).
"Reiji… are you sure?" Ashia whispered.
Reiji: "Just trust me."
Ashia: "But-"
"Hey, Ashia," Zarabis cut her off with a faint smile.
"Trust me. After all… I'm your savior."
Mijarun immediately chimed in:
"Whoa! Brother's being cool again~"
"Be quiet, I'm setting the mood here."
"Haha, right right, go on then!"
Ashia bowed her head briefly, then smiled.
"Alright… I trust you."
Mogu then added a wager:
"If you lose, Ashia will join my party. I'll kick out one of my old members to make space."
Ashia fell silent for a moment, then agreed though her face was tense.
Zarabis, who had limited his power to seem human, thought casually:
(Hmm… who will he kick out? Probably that naive girl? Well, if so, that's perfect I have an idea…)
Mijarun approached the girl who looked nervous.
Mijarun: "Hi! I'm Mijarun, Reiji's sibling!"
Liya: "A-ah, I'm… Liya. A fairy…"
Mijarun: "Hehe, nice to meet you, Liya~"
Zarabis smiled slightly as he watched his sibling.
But Mogu only scoffed:
"Hah, acting friendly already? Enjoy that moment while you can, kid. You'll regret it."
Everyone dispersed after that. The fights would be held tomorrow afternoon Mijarun vs Zuwa, and Reiji vs Mogu.
That night, they stayed at an inn for friendly races. Ashia booked two rooms.
"Why two rooms?" Mijarun asked.
"It's more polite… and well, I just need some time alone."
"Eh, but one room would be cheaper~"
"I know that!" Ashia replied quickly, her cheeks turning pink.
Reiji just glanced at her blankly:
"Oh, I see."
"Broooother!" Mijarun called out, laughing. "Ashia's getting embarrassed!"
Ashia closed the door and immediately lay down, covering her face with a pillow:
"Go to sleep already!"
Reiji finally lay down and closed his eyes, pretending to sleep though his mind remained active. He even mimicked human breathing so Mijarun wouldn't suspect anything.
In the other room, Ashia gazed at the night sky.
"Reiji… Mijarun… who are you really…?"
And the night passed in silence, save for a faint smile on the lips of the entity who called himself human.
THE NEXT DAY...
The morning sky over Mushaf was clear blue, but inside the Mushaf Adventurer's Guild, the atmosphere was as chaotic as a night market.
Every adventurer from mid-rank to veteran crowded together, curious to see the fight between two mysterious strangers who supposedly "defeated a demon army on their own."
Amid the crowd stood Zarabis (Reiji), his face as blank as an eternal stone statue, and Mijarun, who kept shaking his head.
Mijarun:
(whispering telepathically to Zarabis)
Brother… why is everyone staring at us like we're aliens?
Zarabis:
(voice calm and completely flat)
Probably because we're not from this world.
Mijarun:
Yeah, I guess… but aren't there others like us? And don't answer like a philosophy professor, Brother.
Ashia:
(from behind, nervous but gentle)
U-um… Reiji, Mijarun… are you sure you want to fight them? Mogu's an A-rank fighter, and Zuwa is
Zarabis:
(cutting her off with a calm yet cool voice)
It doesn't matter, Ashia. Sometimes, stillness can be the sharpest weapon of all.
Ashia fell silent. Her cheeks flushed slightly.
Mijarun:
Wow! Brother! That's so cool! You might make Ashia fall in love with you!
Ashia:
E-eeh!? T-that's not it!!
(her face turning as red as a tomato)
Zarabis:
(completely expressionless, flat tone)
What is that? I'm just stating a fact.
Everyone around held back their laughter. Even spectators in the stands whispered: "How can someone be so blank yet so cool?"
Mushaf Guild Arena
Mogu, leader of the A-rank party, stepped into the center of the arena.
His large frame radiated heat, and his fire magic burned like embers in his hands.
Next to him stood Zuwa Fyutry, the dual-sword master, with a challenging smile.
Mogu:
Alright. Who goes first?
Mijarun:
Me first!
(leaping forward with a cheerful yet elegant flair)
Zarabis:
Use only half your power, Mijarun. I allow it.
Mijarun:
(smiling contentedly, eyes glowing)
Hehe~ finally, Brother said it! Okay, only half then. Wouldn't want to turn the arena to dust, after all.
The crowd erupted in shock:
"Half power?!" "That girl's so arrogant!" "Or is she just crazy?!"
Duel Begins: Mijarun vs Zuwa
Zuwa made the first move her two swords flashed like lightning, creating whirlwinds of air.
But Mijarun just ducked casually, smiled slightly, and vanished.
"Hah!?"
Zuwa spun around, but all she saw was Mijarun standing behind her, casually picking her nose.
Mijarun:
Sorry, reflex.
(smiling completely relaxed)
Zuwa:
You're… so fast!
(slashing twice as fast!)
But all her strikes cut through empty air.
Mijarun floated in the air, sitting cross-legged.
Mijarun:
Now it's my turn~
(tapping her index finger against empty space BOOM! The ground split open)
Waves of energy pressed down on the arena, forcing the guild master to stand up from the stands.
Ashia:
That's… half power?
Zarabis:
(sipping coffee from a cup that appeared out of nowhere)
Mijarun, I think you're overdoing it. I said only half.
(voice casual, but actually worried their identities would be exposed from excessive power)
A small explosion shook the arena, but Mijarun stopped just before hitting Zuwa.
Mijarun:
If I kept going, you'd be unconscious for a week.
(warm yet intimidating smile)
Zuwa collapsed to her knees, panting heavily, her eyes wide with awe.
Zuwa:
You're… not human… You're a monster…
(fainting)
Mijarun:
Well, my brother isn't either.
Spectators watching Zuwa lose: "Is this for real?!"
Second Duel: Zarabis vs Mogu
After Mijarun was declared the winner, all focus shifted to Zarabis.
Mogu stepped forward, fire magic blazing in his hands.
Mogu:
I don't know who you are, but get ready to burn!
Zarabis: (to himself) I must hold back.
Mogu roared, unleashing Flame Impact Lv.4!
A massive explosion engulfed the entire arena in fire.
But when the smoke cleared…
Zarabis stood in the middle of the flames, unharmed.
His smile was gentle, his eyes glowing faintly.
Zarabis:
My turn. Look toward true fire.
He snapped his fingers.
The world seemed to tremble.
Mogu's flames transformed into glowing flowers made of unknown energy.
Mogu:
T-this… isn't magic… what is this?!
Zarabis:
A simple concept. I call it: Emotion Transmutation. Power that makes your own flames burn your fears instead.
In an instant, Mogu fell to his knees, losing consciousness as his mind was consumed by terror.
The entire crowd fell silent.
Total stillness.
Ashia covered her mouth.
"Reiji…"
Her eyes trembled, filled with both wonder and disbelief.
Mijarun leaped into his brother's lap, shouting:
"BROTHER! WE WON AGAIN!!"
Zarabis just shrugged.
"Yeah…"
(Zarabis's thoughts): Oh no!? Will they suspect us now?! I went overboard!
After the Fight
Ashia stared at them outside the arena, still unable to speak.
Mijarun smiled and took her hand.
Mijarun:
So, was that cool or what?
Ashia:
It's not just cool anymore… What are you two?
Zarabis:
(staring at the sky, blank but gentle)
Perhaps Mijarun and I are just living beings.
Ashia gazed at him. For a moment, time seemed to stop.