Zaraf stood frozen.

  "…She died?"

  Bell's voice was quiet.

  "Before coming to the Imagery World, she was just like you. The difference is… you awakened without losing your life."

  A pause.

  "She died. Her soul came here through awakening."

  Zaraf's chest tightened.

  "…So she remembers her past life?"

  "Yes," Bell answered. "Every reincarnation remembers the life they had before entering this world."

  Silence.

  "So there are more like her?"

  "Yes."

  His jaw hardened.

  "What are they going to do to her?"

  Bell hesitated.

  "Not he. They."

  "…They?"

  "It is the order of the Captain of Creators. Every reincarnation must be brought to him."

  Zaraf's breathing grew heavier.

  "What are they going to do to her?"

  Bell looked away.

  "He will send her back to the human world and—"

  "Then what?!" Zaraf snapped. "Tell me!"

  "When she enters the human world again… her body will perish. And her soul will pass to the afterlife."

  Silence.

  "…So she's going to die again."

  His voice dropped.

  "The second chance she got… will just be erased."

  "It disturbs the balance of worlds when dead souls remain here," Bell said softly. "To restore balance, they must be returned."

  Zaraf's eyes darkened.

  "…I can't agree with that."

  Bell looked at him sharply.

  "Where did he take her?"

  "…I won't tell you," Bell whispered. "He will kill you. Just like—"

  "It doesn't matter."

  His voice was calm now.

  "I promised her something."

  A step forward.

  "I promised her a place where she could live freely. Without giving up what she doesn't want."

  Bell's expression trembled.

  "I will see it through. Even if I have to stand against them."

  "Even against the Captain?"

  "…Yes."

  A long silence passed.

  Then—

  Bell sighed.

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  "He took her to the Headquarters of the Creators."

  A pause.

  "A world created by the Creator Captain… Shin."

  A portal opened.

  "…Here is the way."

  Zaraf looked at her.

  "…Sorry."

  And stepped through.

  The HQ was massive.

  White structures stretched endlessly.

  Quiet.

  Too quiet.

  Zaraf moved carefully, hiding his presence.

  He didn't cause chaos.

  He searched.

  Figures passed in the distance.

  Creators.

  Guards.

  Observers.

  High above, someone sitting on a rooftop looked down.

  "…Ahh," the man muttered lazily. "Who is he? Looks like something fun is about to happen."

  Zaraf stopped.

  A guard stood outside a closed door.

  His instincts sharpened.

  She's inside.

  He dropped from above.

  One clean strike.

  The guard collapsed silently.

  Zaraf opened the door.

  Abeth stood near a window.

  Looking outside.

  Lost in thought.

  "There you are," Zaraf said softly. "Are you okay?"

  She turned sharply.

  "Why are you here—"

  Her eyes widened.

  "…You're a Creator?"

  A faint bitterness entered her tone.

  "I thought you were different."

  "I am a Creator," he replied calmly. "But I won't let you go back to death."

  Her expression wavered.

  "It's not fair for you to feel death twice."

  He stepped closer.

  "I promised you a place to live freely. Not a place where you must die for balance."

  "…But—"

  "Forget them. Forget balance. Come with me. You can live in my world."

  She hesitated.

  "…How can I live if the world becomes unstable because of me?"

  "Did you come here by your own will?"

  She looked down.

  "…I don't know. I just… didn't want my life to end in a hospital room."

  Her voice trembled slightly.

  "I wanted to feel life."

  Zaraf extended his hand.

  "Then I'll give you one."

  "Come with me."

  She slowly reached out—

  "If you try to leave…"

  A cold voice echoed from outside.

  "…You will both face consequences."

  Rough stepped into view.

  Abeth's hand trembled.

  She almost pulled back.

  Zaraf looked at her.

  "Tell me something."

  "Do you trust me?"

  "W-What? But he—"

  "Just look at me."

  His voice was steady.

  "I am the Seventh Creator of Protection."

  A pause.

  "So tell me… do you trust me?"

  Abeth's breathing slowed.

  "…Yes."

  She stepped behind him.

  "I trust you, Zaraf."

  Rough walked forward.

  Emotionless.

  Heavy presence.

  Zaraf didn't step back.

  Not because he believed he could win.

  But because someone behind him mattered more.

  "Don't get hurt—" Abeth whispered.

  "Wait here," Zaraf said.

  "I'll be back."

  And Protection clashed with Destruction.

  Zaraf rushed forward.

  Rough vanished.

  Zaraf's eyes widened—

  A crushing blow struck his back.

  He stumbled but didn't fall.

  Lightning.

  Rough reappeared in front of him.

  Bell's voice echoed urgently.

  (If you want to see his movements, enter Creator State!)

  (How?!)

  Bell emerged from her dimension.

  Their fingers touched.

  A spell formed instantly.

  Blue energy erupted.

  Zaraf's eyes glowed.

  His hair and clothes shimmered with power.

  His senses sharpened.

  His strength multiplied.

  Creator State.

  Rough narrowed his eyes.

  "So that's your answer."

  Lightning wrapped around Rough's body.

  He wasn't teleporting.

  He was moving at lightning speed.

  "Lightning Spear."

  Thunder roared.

  A massive spear formed in the sky.

  Zaraf leapt—

  He could fly.

  He shot forward instead of retreating.

  The spear descended.

  He charged straight into it.

  Impact.

  Explosion.

  Smoke filled the area.

  Then—

  Zaraf emerged through the mist.

  Close.

  Too close.

  His fist collided with Rough's face.

  Close combat erupted.

  Rough had superior technique.

  But Zaraf's raw strength was overwhelming.

  Rough crashed into a building.

  Rubble collapsed.

  Then—

  Another fairy appeared beside Rough.

  Red light exploded outward.

  Rough entered his own Creator State.

  His power multiplied.

  The clash resumed.

  Faster.

  Sharper.

  More brutal.

  Bell's voice trembled.

  (Your body isn't ready! If you push further, you'll break!)

  Zaraf didn't stop.

  The ground cracked.

  Buildings trembled.

  Abeth watched in fear—

  "Looks like it's getting serious."

  She turned.

  Shin stood beside her.

  Calm.

  Composed.

  "You're the Creator Captain…"

  "Yes."

  He looked at the battle.

  "Whoever wins… decides your future."

  Abeth's hands clenched.

  "No."

  Shin glanced at her.

  "I decide my future."

  Her eyes sharpened.

  "This time, I won't stay in a room and watch."

  Power surged from her body.

  "I will take my step."

  Shin's expression changed slightly.

  "Oh? With what?"

  "You only have one Creator."

  "I have five."

  "…Then I will fight with him."

  Her ability activated.

  Copy.

  Shin took a slow breath.

  "…Interesting."

  He vanished.

  In the battlefield—

  Both fighters were at their limits.

  Rough blocked Zaraf's punch—

  Suddenly—

  Shin appeared between them.

  He stopped both fists with ease.

  Without entering Creator State.

  Zaraf's eyes widened.

  How—

  Rough stepped back silently.

  Shin smiled faintly.

  "That's enough."

  He looked at Zaraf.

  "Now I know what kind of people you are."

  Zaraf, still breathing heavily, asked—

  "…And?"

  "You are good enough to join us."

  A pause.

  "Are you happy?"

  Creator State dissolved.

  Bell stepped forward.

  Shin looked at her.

  "Bell… princess. Long time."

  "…Don't let him near Zaraf again," she said coldly. "If he does, he faces me."

  Tension filled the air.

  Shin chuckled lightly.

  "Anyway."

  He turned to Zaraf.

  "What's your name?"

  "…Zaraf."

  "Nice name."

  He smiled calmly.

  "I am Shin. The Captain of Creators."

  A faint wind moved across the ruined battlefield.

  "Welcome…"

  His eyes sharpened slightly.

  "…to the Third Era of Creators."