I didn't mean to become a local legend by day two.
I really didn't.
But apparently when you yeet a Hero Trainee into a tree with the force of God's accidental sneeze, people notice.
So when I walked into the guild hall the next morning, everyone stared like I was a war criminal who also might hand out free snacks.
The fox-eared receptionist, Mira, just sighed when she saw me.
"You are trending," she said.
"…Trending?"
She pulled out the guild bulletin board report.
---
New Rumor Quests Added to Board:
Sightings of the Moon-Eyed Calamity
The Sparkling Forest Crater: Is It a Divine Sign?
Is He Single? (signed by "Local Girl #4")
---
I stared at that last note for a full five seconds.
"…There's at least three people in this town who need counseling," I said.
Mira nodded. "It's four now."
"Ah yes," I whispered. "Growth."
---
Anyway. I just wanted breakfast.
But before I could even get to the bar counter — someone slammed their hands down in front of me.
Small hands.
Covered in soot.
Attached to a girl about my height, with wild copper hair tied into a messy ponytail, goggles on her head, and grease-stained gloves.
She looked like a goblin blacksmith who survived on caffeine and spite.
She pointed at me.
"You," she said. "You're the idiot who caused the moonflower explosion."
I blinked. "Allegedly."
"No, I measured the mana fallout. That was you."
"You measured it???"
"Yes. Hi. I'm Tessa, inventor, artificer, future world-shaper, and I need your mana."
"??????"
She leaned in way too close. "I want your magical energy."
"Ma'am—"
"For SCIENCE."
"…okay that's slightly better but still concerning—"
She grabbed my wrist.
"Come with me."
And like that, I was kidnapped by a gremlin.
---
Tessa's Workshop
Imagine the inside of a blacksmith's forge.
Now imagine if a magitech lab exploded inside of it.
Now imagine someone swept none of it.
Sparks flying. Metal clanking. Runes glowing. Something in the corner making a hissing noise that suggested it contained either steam or a demon.
"Welcome," she said proudly, "to my sanctum of creation."
I pointed. "Is that thing supposed to be on fire?"
"Yes. Probably. Put your hand on the crystal."
I hesitated. "Will this explode?"
She shrugged. SHRUGGED.
No reassurance. No explanation. Just chaos.
"Most likely not," she said.
Which is not the same as no.
But I did it anyway because I have the survival instincts of a wet sock.
I placed my hand on the crystal.
It glowed.
Then hummed.
Then thrummed.
Then—
> BOOOM
A shockwave blasted the entire workshop, sending papers flying, tools rattling, and Tessa's hair exploding into maximum poof volume.
When the smoke cleared, everything was silent.
Tessa just stared at me. Eyes wide. Sparkling. Unhealthy level of excitement.
"You," she whispered, "are a monster."
"…thanks?"
"No — like — this is amazing. Your mana density is so high the catalyst couldn't regulate it. I could power an entire city grid off your left eyeball."
"That sounds painful."
"I WANT TO BUILD SOMETHING WITH YOU."
"…like… romantically?"
She blinked. "What? No. Gross. I want to build a weapon of industrial-grade devastation."
"…oh."
Pause.
"…I respect that."
We shook hands like responsible adults.
---
We heard footsteps behind us.
I turned.
And there she was.
The girl who had been watching me since the guild.
Silver hair like moonlight. Sharp eyes. Cloak fluttering even though there was no wind.
She looked like a tragic backstory in human form.
"You're Rei Kurogane," she said softly.
"Yes?" I replied, bracing for either admiration or murder.
She stepped closer.
But her expression wasn't fear.
It was recognition.
And grief.
"I have been searching for someone like you," she whispered. "Someone who carries them."
My breath stopped.
"The voices," she said. "The presence behind your power. The ones who laugh when you sleep."
My veins went cold.
She leaned in.
"My name is Lune," she said. "And I know what is haunting you."
The workshop sparks crackled between us.
The air felt heavy.
I swallowed.
"Then tell me," I said quietly. "What's inside me?"
She held my gaze.
Then spoke:
> "A god that should never have woken.