The dirt shifted beneath him. His breath caught.
When Zero's eyes opened, someone was standing in front of him.
He couldn't see much—just the silhouette, surrounded by a thick wave of energy. It rolled off them like heat from a forge, distorting the air.
His chains twitched.
Who…?
"Now, this doesn't seem fair," the figure said casually. "A grown man, picking on a kid barely past his first awakening?"
The Peak Comet Soul cultivator didn't speak.
"And here I thought bandits had standards. Guess I was wrong."
The figure stepped forward. Their tone didn't change—relaxed, calm—but Zero felt the shift.
The air grew heavier. His bones ached under the pressure.
"Bullying someone before they've even reached the Age of Amplification?"
"Tch. Pathetic."
Zero's heart skipped.
The Age of Amplification?
What is that? Is it… another level beyond Comet Soul?
The pressure in the air answered for him.
This wasn't someone on his level.
Not even close.
The figure tilted their head slightly, just enough to glance back.
"Kiddo. Run along now."
Zero opened his mouth—nothing came out at first.
He didn't know who this person was. Or why they helped.
But his legs moved.
"...Thank you," he managed.
Then he turned, and ran.
The man watched Zero disappear through the trees, a scowl twisting his face.
"Tch. Coward."
He turned back toward the figure standing between him and the broken brat.
And then…
His stomach dropped.
That relaxed stance. That oppressive presence. That glimmer of gold traced faintly in the air like heat off metal.
Recognition struck.
"Wait a second… you're not—"
"Reika Valen," the woman interrupted casually, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Didn't think I'd need to introduce myself around here, but I guess you've been too busy selling people to keep up with real cultivators."
The bandit's fists clenched.
"What's someone like you doing out here? This village's backwater. Thought you went big league in Starcrest City."
"I did," Reika said with a small smile. "But I visit. Someone here asked me for a favor."
Her gaze sharpened.
"And lucky me. I find trash like you using my hometown as a hunting ground."
The bandit roared and lunged.
She didn't move.
At least, not until the last second.
Then her foot shifted—just slightly—and the man's entire center of gravity turned against him.
He stumbled past her.
She raised a single palm.
Tapping his back with one finger.
BOOM.
The ground cracked.
The man slammed face-first into the dirt, skidding several meters before finally groaning, coughing blood.
"Pathetic," she muttered.
"Guess I'll clean this up before I go. Can't have the kid thinking monsters run this world unchecked."
The trees thinned out. He was almost there.
Zero's legs moved on instinct now, each step lighter than the last, though his arms still trembled from the clash earlier. His breath was shaky, but steady enough to speak.
'System… who was that? I mean—what rank were they?'
A pause.
"They were masking their power. But they're nothing under True Nova Pulse."
Zero's eyes widened slightly. His pace slowed.
'Nova Pulse…?'
It didn't even sound real. That was multiple whole realms above him. The difference between a rock and a mountain.
'Then why… did they help me?'
He clenched his jaw. He didn't have an answer. Not yet.
The clearing came into view—dozens of tired, bruised figures scattered across the field. But when Zero stepped out from the trees, all eyes lifted.
He saw them—the same empty expressions he used to wear.
Before anyone could speak, a small boy broke away from the group and ran toward him.
The kid hugged him tightly around the waist, arms trembling. Face buried in Zero's shirt.
"You came back…"
Zero stood still. His arms hesitated… then lowered, gently resting over the boy's back.
"Of course I did," he muttered. "I said I would."
As the others slowly gathered around, the boy's grip lifted Zero's shirt slightly.
The brand on his side caught the light.
This time, he didn't move to cover it.
Instead, he stepped forward, raising the edge of his shirt higher.
He let them see it.
"I was a slave too," Zero said, voice quiet but unwavering. "That's how I know what this feels like."
No gasps. No flinching.
Some looked surprised—but only for a moment. Then something changed. Shoulders relaxed. Brows softened. A few heads lowered, as if in shared understanding.
One woman stepped forward and gently touched the brand with her fingers—her own sleeve shifting just enough to reveal a matching scar on her wrist.
"Then you know," she whispered.
Zero nodded once.
"That's why I couldn't leave you."
The boy still clung to him. Zero didn't push him away.
But the adrenaline was gone now. The rush that carried him through the fight, the escape—it all drained out at once.
His legs gave out.
"Hey! Are you okay?!" someone called.
He hit the ground on one knee, then fell forward. His vision blurred.
"Sorry," he muttered, struggling to breathe. "Guess I… pushed too hard."
He felt hands grab him—gentle ones—pulling him upright, supporting his back. Someone shouted for water. Another tried to lay him down more comfortably.
[Vital signs falling. Severe energy depletion detected.]
[Body damage: minor internal bruising, strain, moderate cultivation fatigue.]
The system's voice was faint in his mind, but he couldn't respond.
And then…
A breeze rolled in. Light footsteps crunched against the grass. Everyone went quiet.
Zero's head lolled sideways—and he saw her.
Flowing silver hair. A long coat fluttering gently behind her. At first glance, she looked too young. Too calm.
But the pressure that followed her steps… it quieted the world.
"So this is the boy Henzo was worried about."
She knelt beside him. Her hand moved over his shoulder, checking his pulse, his breathing. The energy around her felt warm—controlled, but immense.
"You did well, Zero. Rest now."
His lips moved, but no sound came out.
Still, she smiled.
"I'll take it from here."
She stood, raising her voice gently for the others.
"My name is Reika. I'm here to help."
She looked over the tired, frightened group.
"You're free now. And if you want to come with me, I'll make sure you stay that way."
Some of them hesitated. But not the little boy—he grabbed her sleeve.
Then another followed. Then two more.
Reika bent down and gently picked Zero up in her arms like he weighed nothing at all.
"Let's go home."
And with the group following behind, they began the slow walk back through the forest…
Warmth.
That was the first thing he noticed. Not the suffocating heat of fear, or the cold of exhaustion… just warmth. A blanket covered him. Clean sheets. The smell of herbs and boiling soup.
His eyes fluttered open.
Wooden ceiling. Dim light through an open window. Wind chimes outside.
Where…?
He tried to sit up, but the soreness stopped him halfway. His muscles screamed, bones stiff. Then—
"Easy now," a familiar voice said gently.
Zero turned his head.
Henzo sat nearby, a cloth in hand, soaking it in a bowl of water. "You're lucky she found you in time. You were barely breathing."
"…She?"
Footsteps. Then another voice, calm and confident. "Yeah. Me."
A young woman stepped into view. Her aura was quiet but immense. No hostility, just a steady pressure that made the air feel thicker around her.
She smiled slightly. "You really caused a mess, you know."
Zero stared at her, confused. "…You were the one who—"
"—who saved you," she finished. "Yeah. I'm Reika."
Henzo stood beside her now, crossing his arms with a proud grin. "And she's also my daughter."
Zero blinked. That… didn't track.
He looked at Reika again. Taller than Henzo. Graceful. Powerful. Definitely not some fresh adventurer.
"…She's your daughter?" he asked flatly.
Henzo just laughed. "You thought I didn't have a life before becoming a shopkeeper?"
Reika chuckled. "Don't let the beard and aprons fool you. He's got a past."
Zero went quiet for a long moment.
Then finally, voice hoarse, "...Thank you. For saving me."
Reika shrugged. "You're welcome. It's the least I could do for you, you saved his life. But next time? Don't rush in alone."
Henzo sat back down beside him, placing a hand on Zero's shoulder.
"You did something brave, kid. And maybe a little reckless," he said softly. "But you reminded this town that not everyone walks away from their past. Some face it head-on."
Zero's throat tightened.
The warmth stayed steady in his chest.