The day after the exhibition, Silania explained Zenoms to Shun—not from a book, but over a long walk home.
Zenoms looked like toys that fired marbles, each modeled after an animal. They came with Z-cards, allowing battles in another dimension. Every match earned points based on the opponent's rank—weak opponents meant fewer points. Those who wielded them were called Z-ons.
The Zenom Association handled everything. It was one of the most secretive companies in Vernonical, with only seven public departments.
That night, over dinner, Shun couldn't stop talking about Zenoms.
"If you could have any Zenom," his father asked, "which would you choose?"
"A black dragon," Shun replied instantly.
"Why a dragon?"
"I don't know."
"Then I'll get you one."
Carla Kazami shot her husband a look. "Don't go granting all his wishes. You'll spoil him."
When Shun left the room, her voice lowered. "I thought you were going to tell him everything."
"You shouldn't treat him differently," Sache said flatly. "If others don't know, he has no right to know either."
"That's… idealistic."
The next day, Sache walked into Mr. Yagami's shop.
"Since when do you sell Zenoms?" he asked, scanning the shelves.
"Since the day you left."
"I'm here for Long Wang. Do you have it?"
"That one's faulty. No one's ever gotten it to activate. Why would you want it?"
"Shun asked for it."
"Shun? That boy's your son?"
"Yes."
Yagami searched under the counter and produced a black box printed with a dragon. Three cards followed into the bag.
At the door, Yagami asked quietly, "Have you abandoned them?"
Sache paused. "…You can't abandon something you love more than your life."
Shun tore open the box in his room. Inside lay a sleek black Zenom—silver eyes gleaming, wings sharp as blades. A burning sensation rippled through his body as he held it.
He pressed the button. Nothing.
"First, you need to power it," Sache said, pointing to the marble container and the charging booth outside.
Shun dashed off.
At the booth, he placed Long Wang on the pad. A whisper brushed his ear: "Let's do it, Wang. Let's end everything."
The charging bar filled—100%.
Far away, Shiyami smirked at Neon's laugh.
"I told you it would be him. Even if your beloved friend rejects him a thousand times, fate won't."
"It was prewritten. If there were ever to be a wielder of Neon, a wielder of Wang would exist, but I wish it would have occurred when he was alive."
"Then he would have stopped you; he hated this thing called revenge."
"And his descendants are thriving to get it."
Elsewhere, in a Zenom Association control room:
"A new zenom login was found."
"Who is it?
"Sir, an active zenom Long Wang."
"Track the user. Don't contact him—unless he joins Z-net."
A boy stood at the foot of the Zenom Association, his eyes closed, his lips parted.
"What is it?" his zenom asked.
"Arcalis… I feel a strong flow of it but not of a zenom—of a person. If some wrong person is possessing it…"
"Since when did you start to be cautious?"
"I am not cautious; I am scared of losing anymore."
"You won't."
Shun removed the Zenom. A message flashed:
Congratulations. You are now the wielder of Long Wang.
He signed up for Z-net. Minutes later a message flashed over his phone.
Hazel Smith:I work for the Zenom Association. Let's meet.
Shun followed the address to a warehouse. Inside, dust and old boxes gave way to a brown-haired teen with bright hazel eyes.
"You're Shun Kazami? Come with me."
A hidden scanner opened a brick wall into a modern hallway.
In the office, Hazel gestured to a chair. "Zenoms are either awakened or dormant. Yours is awakened. That means you must sign a contract."
I, wielder of ________, hereby agree to the policy of the Zenom Association and commit that I:
Will not share anything about the Zenom Association. Will not reveal any information about Zenoms. Will not make anything discussed public.
Signature: __________
He signed. "And if I break it?"
"You won't."
A 12-year-old with blue hair entered. One sharp eye stayed on Shun.
"I'm Riki Saruke."
"Shun Kazami."
Riki's Zenom stirred.
"Wyvern…"
Shun froze. The voice wasn't in the room—it was inside the Zenom.
"It just spoke!" he blurted.
Riki grinned. "Don't you know Zenoms can talk?"