After making the decision, Gray took Zaraf to meet Ben in his world.
The moment Zaraf stepped through the portal, a different atmosphere greeted him.
Fresh air. Distant mountains. The faint sound of adventurers shouting somewhere far away.
Zaraf looked around.
"So… its theme is also adventure, party, dungeon type, huh?"
Gray smirked.
"It is. Welcome to the one and only world created by Ben."
Zaraf blinked.
"One and only? Why didn't he create more? I thought creators could create as many worlds as they have remaining soul fragments."
Gray walked ahead casually.
"That's true for most creators. But Ben is different."
"Different?"
"He created this world by mistake… unknowingly. And after that, he chose to stay here and take responsibility for it."
Zaraf slowed slightly.
"Creating one world… and dedicating yourself to it…"
Gray nodded.
"Let's go. He lives in the town ahead."
Zaraf thought quietly.
So he lives an easy life here…
After walking for a while, they reached a town.
Not large like a kingdom. Not small like a village.
Something in between.
Lively.
Real.
They headed toward the Guild of Alsa.
When Zaraf saw the building, he narrowed his eyes.
Guild…? Is he an adventurer?
Gray glanced at him and chuckled.
"I know what you're thinking. Come inside."
Inside, they spoke briefly with the beautiful receptionist before heading upstairs.
They stopped in front of a large wooden door.
Guild Master's Room.
Zaraf went silent.
Gray grinned.
"Surprised?"
"What's there to be surprised about?" Zaraf replied. "It's his world. Being guild master is normal."
Gray shook his head slightly.
"High position… earned by hard work."
Gray knocked.
"Come in."
They entered.
Ben was already seated behind his desk, as if he had known they would come.
Gray raised his hand casually.
"Hello, buddy! Long time no see!"
Ben looked at him calmly.
"We met at the meeting the other day."
"But we didn't talk much. That doesn't count."
Zaraf stepped forward nervously.
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"H-hello!"
Ben's gaze shifted to him.
For a moment—
Those eyes were intense.
Sharp.
Zaraf felt as if he was being measured… judged.
Then Ben relaxed slightly.
"I was informed by Shin. So your name is Zaraf."
"Yes… so—"
"I will not train you."
Silence.
Zaraf froze.
"!?!!?"
Gray frowned.
"Huh? Why? Don't tell me it's because of what happened before."
Ben's expression dimmed slightly.
"…Right now, I don't want a student."
Zaraf's thoughts raced.
Did he train someone before? What happened?
Gray crossed his arms.
"That's in the past. And look at him — he looks gifted enough."
Ben shook his head.
"I never search for gifted ones. You know that."
He looked at Zaraf.
"It's not your fault, young one. But I won't train anyone."
Zaraf took a slow breath.
"…It's okay. I can't force you."
He turned slightly.
"Should we leave?"
Gray clicked his tongue.
"You're stubborn, you know that."
Ben spoke again.
"You've come after a long time, Gray. Join us for dinner tonight."
He glanced at Zaraf.
"You too."
Zaraf blinked.
"Where?"
Gray smiled.
"It's been a while since I tasted her cooking. I'm coming. Zaraf, you'll come too, right?"
Zaraf hesitated.
His house…?
"If it's not bothersome."
Ben stood up.
"I may not train you. But I can show courtesy."
They walked toward Ben's house.
Gray talked endlessly.
Ben responded only when necessary.
Zaraf walked behind them quietly.
What do I do now?
Go search for the FMC fragments?
Train?
Bell is still angry…
What should I do…?
They arrived at a small house.
Wooden walls.
Chinese-style sliding doors.
Simple.
Warm.
Gray knocked.
After a moment, a gentle woman wearing a yukata opened the door.
"Ohh, Gray. It's been a while. Where have you been?"
"Busy being lazy," Gray laughed. "But I brought a new creator."
She looked at Zaraf.
"It's a young boy."
Zaraf bowed slightly.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Zaraf."
She smiled warmly.
"My name is Tanka. You can call me Auntie if you like."
Ben stepped forward.
"Can we come in?"
She turned to him, her smile softening.
"Welcome back."
Something about that simple phrase made Zaraf's heart beat faster.
As he stepped inside, he felt—
Warmth.
A feeling he didn't expect.
"Where is she?" Gray asked. "Not home?"
"She went to buy ingredients," Auntie replied. "Sit down. I'll prepare something."
Ben and Gray sat.
Zaraf was about to sit—
Knock.
Gray grinned.
"Zaraf, open the door."
"Oh… okay."
He walked toward it.
Are they a couple?
He opened the door.
A young girl stood there.
Long black hair.
Clear eyes.
Her beauty stunned him for a moment.
"Did you come with Father?"
"Ah… you mean Ben?"
"…Yes."
Silence lingered awkwardly.
Gray appeared behind him.
"Ohh, hello Makima! Zaraf, move aside."
"Oh— sorry!"
Makima entered calmly.
Gray grinned.
"So what did you bring for me?"
"I didn't know you were coming," she replied calmly. "But I can go buy something if you want."
Gray laughed loudly.
"You should learn to take jokes!"
He gestured at Zaraf.
"This is the newest creator."
Makima looked at him.
"New? Nice to meet you. I'm Makima. Ben's daughter."
Zaraf's eyes widened.
"!?!!?"
He whispered to Gray.
"He has a daughter?"
Gray lowered his voice.
"Creators can't have children with imaginary humans."
"Then…?"
"He's her stepfather."
Zaraf nodded slowly.
"I see…"
They sat together for dinner.
Zaraf felt nervous.
It had been a long time since he sat at a table like this.
"With people."
Gray nudged him.
"What's wrong? Eat!"
Auntie looked concerned.
"Don't you like it? Makima can cook something else."
"No… it's just… I feel a little off."
Gray smirked.
"It's because of Ben."
Auntie looked at Ben.
"What did you do?"
Gray laughed.
"Shin asked him to train Zaraf. He refused."
Makima's eyes dimmed slightly.
Ben spoke calmly.
"I don't want to train anymore."
He glanced at Zaraf.
"And weak ones can't endure my training."
Zaraf's head snapped up.
"?! I can endure it!"
Gray laughed loudly.
"Oh? Now you're passionate?"
Auntie looked at Ben softly.
"Let it go. It wasn't your fault."
Ben said nothing.
She turned to Zaraf.
"Why do you want to get stronger?"
Zaraf hesitated.
"…To find my FMC fragments."
The room grew quiet.
"Shin told me I need to train before entering other creators' worlds… and to face him if we meet again."
Gray frowned.
"Who?"
Zaraf looked down.
"Someone ruined my test."
He told them about the man in the black cloak.
How he lost his first world's FMC fragments.
Silence.
Gray muttered,
"Someone interfered…?"
Auntie sighed softly.
"That's sad."
Ben's expression hardened.
"I know all creators. The one you described isn't one of them."
Zaraf felt relief wash over him.
He had suspected them once.
Auntie spoke gently.
"You need strength. When you find her fragments, you may meet him again."
Makima added quietly,
"We know we're imaginary creations. You don't have to apologize."
Zaraf felt embarrassed.
Gray laughed.
"Such a newbie."
Auntie glared at Gray.
"He's honest. And kind."
Gray pouted.
"You used to call me that."
"I heard you became a playboy."
"Huh?! Who said that?!"
Ben suddenly stood.
"I'm hungry."
Auntie sighed.
"Dinner is ready."
Later—
Ben looked at Zaraf.
"If you want to get stronger… wake up early tomorrow."
Zaraf blinked.
"!?!!"
Gray grinned widely.
"For real? You changed your mind!"
Ben stood up.
"Makima. Prepare the guest room."
He glanced at Gray.
"Are you staying?"
"Of course."
Zaraf looked confused.
"What's happening?"
Gray slapped his back.
"You idiot. It means he's taking you as his student!"
Zaraf froze.
Then—
"…!!"
"I will wake up early!"
For the first time since coming here—
He looked genuinely happy.
Far away.
In another creator's world.
Inside a dark mansion.
A man stood before a mirror.
"So the information is true?"
Behind him, someone knelt.
"Yes. A reincarnation with a copy ability… staying at their HQ."
The man smiled faintly.
"Then the time has come."
"To make the next move."
