Zaraf rushed to HQ and found Shin and Lusy waiting.
He told them everything about Kal and the Visitors’ declaration of war.
Shin closed his eyes for a moment.
“So… they finally decided to crawl out of their hole.”
Lusy glanced at him silently.
(You knew this would happen… didn’t you?)
Zaraf stepped forward.
“Who are the Visitors? And… who exactly is Kal?”
Shin sighed.
“…It’s time you learned about our past.”
He turned toward the window.
“It began when I sent Ben to retrieve Kal — a reincarnation. The plan was simple. Bring him here, and I would send him back to the human world.”
Zaraf listened carefully.
“But Ben grew attached to him. He asked me not to send him back. He wanted to train him.”
Shin paused.
“So I allowed it.”
His eyes darkened slightly.
“But Kal changed. For reasons we still don’t fully understand… he turned against us.”
“He created an organization called the Visitors. He began recruiting new reincarnations.”
Lusy continued.
“If we find reincarnations first, we return them to their world.”
“If Kal finds them first,” Shin said, “he recruits them to strengthen his army.”
Zaraf clenched his fists.
“So they’ve been hiding… building numbers.”
Shin nodded.
“They moved through imaginary worlds quietly. But now… they’ve chosen open war.”
His voice turned cold.
“This time, we end it.”
Zaraf lowered his eyes.
(Kal… what made you rebel?)
Lusy spoke.
“I’ll inform Gray and Rough.”
Zaraf stepped forward immediately.
“Then I’m coming too.”
Shin looked at him.
“Is your training complete?”
Zaraf hesitated.
“…Not officially.”
Lusy looked concerned.
“What about Abeth and Alaika?”
Shin answered calmly.
“They will remain here. I will place a barrier around HQ.”
Zaraf nodded slowly.
“That’s for the best.”
Shin looked at him seriously.
“You’ll have to tell her something. What reason you give… is up to you.”
Zaraf swallowed.
“…Okay.”
Zaraf knocked on Abeth’s door.
She opened it immediately.
Her eyes looked worried at first—
But when she saw him, relief softened her expression.
“Welcome. What’s happening?”
Zaraf forced a calm tone.
“There’s… some business. We have to go somewhere. Don’t worry. We’ll be back soon.”
Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.
Abeth glanced behind him.
Gray was standing at a distance, waiting silently.
“Business… huh?”
She studied Zaraf’s face.
“You’ll be alright?”
Zaraf smiled gently.
“Yes. Just trust me. I’ll come back.”
Abeth noticed something was wrong.
But she didn’t press him.
“…If you say so.”
She took a small breath.
“Just promise me you’ll return. And when you do… I have something I want to tell you.”
Zaraf blinked.
“…Alright. Then I’ll look forward to our next meeting.”
“I’ll be waiting… okay__”
Her last word was soft.
So soft Zaraf didn’t hear it clearly.
When Zaraf left with Gray—
Alaika narrowed her eyes.
“Something is happening. And they’re hiding it.”
Abeth looked at the door quietly.
“Whatever it is… I know Zaraf will handle it. With Gray… or the others.”
Alaika looked at her sharply.
“You trust him too much.”
Abeth smiled faintly.
“Why shouldn’t I?”
“Because he lied to you.”
Abeth looked down for a second.
“…I know.”
Alaika blinked.
Abeth ,
“But it doesn’t matter. If he chose not to tell me, then it means he didn’t want me to worry.”
Her voice softened.
“That’s his judgment. And I’m not angry.”
The Visitors’ Side – Black Castle
In another world—
A dark castle floated under a black sky.
A figure appeared before Kal.
“Everything is under control?”
“Yes,” the Visitor replied.
Kal nodded.
“Hisee. You will lead the assault against the Creators.”
Hisee knelt.
“As you command.”
Kal turned toward the horizon.
“Then let the war begin.”
Zaraf and Gray arrived at a strange world.
The sky was pale.
The land was empty.
“What is this place?” Zaraf asked. “Why is it called the Starting Point?”
Gray scratched his head. “No idea.”
Voices echoed above them.
They looked up.
On a cliff stood Ben, Lusy, Rough, and Shin.
Shin spoke.
“So you’ve arrived. Did you handle Abeth?”
“Yes,” Zaraf replied.
Zaraf glanced at Ben.
Ben looked… angry.
But also regretful.
Zaraf walked up and stood beside him.
Ben noticed.
His expression softened slightly.
Shin continued.
“You asked about this place.”
“Yes.”
“This world was created by the First Creator.”
Zaraf blinked.
“Isn’t that you?”
Shin shook his head.
“In this era, yes. But I’m speaking of the one who began the First Era. We are currently in the Third Era.”
Gray added,
“I heard that if a Creator dies, their world disappears.”
Zaraf froze.
“What?!”
Lusy nodded.
“That’s true. When a Creator dies, their imaginary world vanishes.”
She gestured around them.
“But this world is different.”
“It is the core of the Imaginary World itself.”
Ben spoke quietly.
“This world has no story. No pillars. It exists because of us.”
Zaraf frowned.
“What does that mean?”
Shin looked at all of them.
“It means we are the pillars.”
“If all Creators were to die at the same time… the Imaginary World would collapse in seconds.”
Silence fell.
Then—
Rough smirked.
“Looks like the rats are arriving.”
Zaraf turned.
“Already?”
Gray grinned slightly.
“So they weren’t bluffing.”
Shin’s eyes sharpened.
“Let’s see what they intend to do.”
Ben remained silent.
On the horizon—
Dark portals began to open.
And the Visitors stepped through.
Hisee stepped forward.
“We are here!”
Behind him, the Visitors spread across the ground below.
Far above them, the Creators stood on the mountain cliff.
One of the Visitors muttered,
“They’re looking down on us…”
Hisee walked to the front.
He raised his voice.
“This is war!”
His voice echoed across the battlefield.
“Not for power — but for freedom!”
The Visitors roared.
“Freedom from Creators who judge us like gods!”
“Freedom from those who decide our fate!”
“We will not be sacrifices for their pleasure!”
“We will not bow to their will!”
His fist tightened.
“Let us fight those who claim to rule destiny itself!”
“It may be terrifying!”
“It may cost us our lives!”
“But we will die fighting for our freedom!”
The Visitors erupted in cheers.
Weapons ignited.
Energy flared.
Hisee lowered his head slightly.
( I did what you asked, Kal…
I hope I made you proud.
I hope you create a world for reincarnations like us.
Even if I’m not alive to see it. )
He raised his arm.
“Charge!”
The army rushed forward.
Creators’ Side
Gray blinked.
“Did they just give a speech?”
Rough cracked his knuckles.
“Doesn’t matter. We crush them.”
Zaraf looked at Shin.
“What should we—”
Shin raised his hand.
“Listen carefully.”
His voice was calm but heavy.
“Do not kill anyone.”
Everyone looked at him.
“Knock them unconscious. We will take them prisoner. I will deal with them personally.”
All nodded.
Except Rough.
Shin glanced at him.
“I know sparing enemies is not your way.”
Rough smirked.
“I’ll try.”
Zaraf released a slow breath.
Then—
The Visitors reached the base of the cliff.
Shin said only one word.
“Go.”
Lightning exploded across the battlefield.
A massive strike landed in front of Hisee.
Before he could react—
Rough appeared in front of him.
Too fast.
Too violent.
A single punch.
Hisee was sent flying across the battlefield.
The ground shattered from impact.
Visitors stumbled in shock.
But Hisee stood up, coughing.
“Don’t fear! We can defeat them!”
Encouraged by his voice, the Visitors charged toward Rough.
Rough’s eyes glowed.
“Then I’ll show you what real power looks like.”
Lightning erupted around him.
Shin exhaled.
“Lusy. Support him.”
She nodded.
“I’m leaving the rest to you.”
Zaraf and Gray prepared to enter the battlefield—
—
HQ – Inside the Barrier
Under Shin’s barrier, Abeth was walking through the HQ grounds.
She was looking for Alaika.
Then she noticed someone standing outside the barrier.
A tall figure.
Watching her.
“…Who is that?”
She stepped closer.
Her heart stopped.
Kal stood outside the barrier.
Watching her calmly.
“Who are you?” Abeth asked carefully.
Kal studied her.
“So you’re the one with the Copy Ability.”
Abeth stepped back instantly, activating her magic.
Kal smiled faintly.
“Don’t worry. I can’t hurt you. The barrier is still intact.”
Abeth glanced around.
The barrier shimmered normally.
She exhaled slightly—
Then—
“Alaika!”
Alaika came running toward her.
“Why are you here? Who is that outside?”
Abeth moved closer to her.
“Stay back. He’s dangerous. But if we remain inside the barrier, we’re safe.”
Kal suddenly began to laugh.
A slow, echoing laugh.
Before Abeth could react—
A sharp pain pierced her abdomen.
Her eyes widened.
She looked down.
A blade.
Covered in blood.
Her blood.
She slowly turned her head.
Alaika stood behind her.
Holding the knife.
Emotionless.
Abeth’s vision trembled.
“Ala…ika…?”
Before she could finish—
Kal clapped once.
The barrier flickered.
Cracked.
Then shattered.
Kal stepped inside.
The barrier dissolved completely.
Abeth fell to her knees.
Blood spreading beneath her.
Cold.
Confused.
She couldn’t understand.
What just happened?
