Ten days.
That was all it took.
After ten full days of relentless analysis and experimentation—
Ryujin had finally uncovered the core laws governing this world's origin.
Not surface-level understanding.
Not fragments.
But something far deeper.
A foundation.
A truth that most people would never even come close to grasping.
Meanwhile—
On the other side of the Multiverse Communication Guild—
The group had successfully established a secure safe zone.
Saeko Busujima and Shizuka Marikawa's current residence had been completely stabilized.
No threats.
No zombies.
No danger.
For now…
It was a sanctuary.
"So… we're leaving tonight?"
Eriri leaned lazily against the sofa, sipping her drink as she glanced at the others.
Ten days.
That short period had changed everything.
Not just their environment—
But them.
Especially Eriri.
The girl who once trembled in fear… hesitated… even froze at the sight of danger—
Had transformed.
Now?
She could face zombies head-on—
Without fear.
Without hesitation.
Without even a change in expression.
That kind of growth—
Wasn't normal.
It was evolution.
"Huh? You're leaving tonight already?"
Shizuka stepped out of the kitchen, clearly surprised.
"Can't you stay a few more days?"
"Mm… I've got things to handle at school," Eriri replied casually.
"School…?"
Shizuka blinked in confusion.
School?
In a world like this?
Was that even still a thing?
To this day, she still didn't fully understand who Saeko's friends really were.
Why were they so strong?
Why did they have abilities that completely defied logic?
Fire.
Clones.
Inhuman combat ability.
These weren't just "talents."
These were—
Superpowers.
And the biggest anomaly of them all…
Was Ryujin.
His strength—
Was beyond absurd.
In just ten days—
Shizuka's worldview had been shattered again and again.
If it were anyone else—
They might have completely broken down.
But fortunately—
She was the easygoing type.
Otherwise…
The impact would have been far greater.
"If everyone wants to leave, then go ahead," Ryujin said calmly.
"Your mission is complete. There's no reason to stay."
He paused briefly.
"I have matters to attend to as well."
Ten days had already passed.
In six more days—
The rebellion would begin.
And he needed to return.
To prepare.
To position every piece.
To ensure—
Absolute victory.
Saeko stepped forward, her expression serious.
"Thank you… all of you."
"If any of you ever need help—call me through the guild. As long as it's within my power… I will come."
Her voice was steady.
Sincere.
"No need to be so formal," Asuna smiled warmly.
"We're guild members. Helping each other is only natural."
After everything they had gone through together—
They were no longer just acquaintances.
They were—
Friends.
Real ones.
The kind you don't easily find.
If not for the barrier between worlds—
They might have even chosen to live together.
That strange feeling…
Of belonging.
Of connection.
It was rare for all of them.
Eriri.
Utaha.
Asuna.
Even someone like Asuna, raised in an elite environment—
Didn't have many people she could truly call friends.
And Saeko…
Was no different.
Because of her inner nature—
Her darkness—
She had always kept her distance from others.
Unable to connect.
Afraid to connect.
But here—
In this guild—
There were no masks.
No fear.
No judgment.
Just understanding.
Especially…
Him.
Saeko's gaze shifted slightly—
Landing on Ryujin.
A trace of gratitude surfaced in her eyes.
He had set aside his own clan matters—
To come here.
To help her.
That alone—
Meant everything.
And then—
She remembered.
His words.
From two days ago.
The fear she had carried for so long—
The fear that she might be…
Broken.
A monster.
Because when she killed—
She felt it.
That undeniable sensation—
Pleasure.
She had hated herself for it.
Despised it.
Feared it.
But Ryujin—
Didn't reject it.
Didn't judge it.
Because he understood.
The first time he killed—
He had felt it too.
Fear.
Disgust.
Shock.
All of it—
Was real.
But beneath those emotions—
Hidden deep within—
Was something else.
A dangerous, intoxicating feeling.
One that couldn't be explained—
Only experienced.
That was why some people fell into it.
Why they kept killing.
Again.
And again.
Until they lost themselves completely—
Becoming slaves to that pleasure.
But Ryujin—
Was different.
He didn't become controlled by it.
He controlled it.
"That's the difference," he had told her.
"Between a human… and a monster."
Saeko had killed before.
Not for pleasure—
But to survive.
To protect herself.
If she hadn't fought back—
If she hadn't killed that man—
Then she would have been the victim.
Or worse—
Dead.
So why shouldn't she kill?
Why shouldn't she fight back?
Ryujin's answer had been simple.
Direct.
Cold.
"If someone crosses the line first—"
"Then they lose the right to live."
No hesitation.
No hypocrisy.
No false morality.
He despised blind mercy.
Despised weakness disguised as kindness.
And strangely—
That clarity…
Resonated with her.
Because deep down—
They were the same.
That conversation—
Did more than comfort her.
It changed her.
It gave her direction.
It gave her acceptance.
It gave her—
A path.
Her own sword.
Her own belief.
Sometimes—
All it took to change someone's life—
Was a single conversation.
Night slowly fell.
Darkness spreading across the sky.
After enjoying a rich, warm meal together—
One by one—
The guild members left.
Returning to their respective worlds.
The mission—
Completed.
Rewards—
Obtained.
And more importantly—
They had found something far more valuable.
Connection.
Ryujin stood quietly—
Watching as the last of them disappeared.
He was about to leave as well—
But—
"President…"
A soft voice stopped him.
He turned.
Saeko was walking toward him.
Barefoot.
Step by step.
She had just finished bathing.
Wrapped in a loose robe—
Her damp hair resting lightly against her shoulders.
A faint fragrance lingered in the air—
Soft.
Subtle.
Irresistible.
She stopped in front of him.
Close.
Very close.
"I have something… I want to tell you."
Ryujin looked at her calmly.
"What is it?"
On the surface—
He remained composed.
Unshaken.
But deep inside—
There was the slightest ripple.
And yet—
His control was absolute.
Saeko smiled.
Then—
Without hesitation—
She stepped closer.
"President…"
Her voice dropped to a whisper.
"I like you."
And just like that—
The atmosphere changed.
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