Under the pale moonlight and the chill wind sweeping across the desert, Zeo stood still before the Agent. The sound of the night had faded into silence. Only the soft hiss of sand moved with the tension in the air.
The Agent stepped closer, his glowing cloak fluttering gently as if untouched by dust.
"Your first mission—to form an adventuring party—is complete," he said without expression. "Though I didn't expect you to choose a Djinn, the mission had no specific restrictions. You've succeeded. Now it's time for your second mission."
Zeo glanced toward a large boulder nearby. "Are you sure you want to say it here? Someone's watching us."
"Only you can see me," replied the Agent. "But if you're uncomfortable, deal with them first."
"Only I can see you?"
"Yes. More accurately, only chosen humans can see me. So you have nothing to worry about."
"Fine. I'll take care of it afterward. What's the next mission?"
The Agent slowly raised his hand. In his palm, a holographic image appeared—tall and majestic, shaped like a pillar or obelisk. It shimmered in white stone and golden glowing runes.
"Find strong stones and build this obelisk," the Agent continued. "It will serve as a conduit between this world and the divine realm."
Zeo narrowed his eyes. "You want me to build this? Where?"
"Wherever you can—but ideally, inside the magic fog," the Agent replied. "This mission isn't as physically demanding, so don't delay like the last one."
Zeo fell silent. He understood—this wasn't just a construction task. It was a message. A command. A responsibility.
"You must take this seriously," the Agent added. "This obelisk won't be just a monument. It will become an anchor of this world's energy. If you build it in the Forbidden Forest, that land will slowly transform. From a place feared… to a land people seek."
"Where do I find these stones?" Zeo asked.
"You'll find them soon." The Agent gave a faint smile. "The mission has been delivered. Time for me to go."
Without further explanation, the Agent transferred the image directly into Zeo's mind, then ascended and vanished—fading into a vortex of light.
Silence returned to the desert.
Zeo exhaled slowly. His expression darkened. Annoyed.
He held his head with one hand, visibly frustrated.
"That creature always vanishes before explaining things properly… ugh." Zeo muttered under his breath.
He stood there for a long moment.
From afar, behind a large rock, a shadowy figure continued to watch him. They didn't move. Just observed.
"What is that guy doing? Talking to himself like a lunatic…" the hidden figure whispered.
But then—
BRRUUAAKKKK!!
The rock they were hiding behind shattered.
They jumped away in time, but their shoulder was injured by the blast.
Eyes wide, they looked back at the ruined rocks.
From the smoke, Zeo charged in with blinding speed.
The figure blocked the strike, then leapt backward.
"Who are you? Why are you following me?" Zeo demanded.
The stranger remained silent, then threw a dagger toward Zeo. Zeo dodged—but as it passed him, it exploded.
Zeo was thrown sideways by the blast.
When he looked up again—the figure had vanished.
"Tch… Coward."
Zeo slowly turned and walked back toward the oasis.
---
As he approached the camp, the bonfire had burned low. People were already on alert.
Ravyn was still asleep, her breathing calm. Alice sat quietly, eyes sharp, and Karim watched her from across the campfire with a flat expression.
Zeo arrived.
Alice quickly walked over.
"Mr. Zeo, we heard an explosion from your direction. Are you alright? Do you know what happened?"
Zeo stopped beside Ravyn. He touched the necklace around her neck—the fire-doll instantly jumped back to Zeo's neck, as if sensing its master's return.
"Mr. Zeo?" Alice asked softly.
Zeo looked at her. "Ah, I encountered a beast among the rocks. Defeated it. But the rocks were destroyed during the fight. Nothing serious."
"Oh, I see. That's a relief." Alice didn't press further. But in her eyes, Zeo looked like someone carrying a new burden.
"A beast? That's impossible. This area has already been cleared. There are no beast dens within a one-kilometer radius," Karim said suspiciously.
Zeo stayed silent.
Moments later, the Valerat scouts returned. "Lord Karim, we didn't find anything. Just destroyed rocks. We suspect a large beast may have been there previously."
"A large beast? Did you see any creatures?" Karim asked.
"No beasts. Not a single one," they answered.
Karim glanced at Zeo again, his curiosity growing. But he didn't ask more. No harm had been done, after all.
---
The Next Morning
Desert sunlight slowly reached the top of the oasis. Zeo stood, staring east—toward the Forbidden Forest, the place he now had to transform.
"Will that forest ever change?… I don't know. But if it's for Kaira… I'll do anything."
Zeo clenched his fist and raised it toward the sky, smiling.
"Wait for me, Kaira."
Not long after, Ravyn appeared, calling him to join for breakfast.
They gathered around for their morning meal before continuing their journey.
During breakfast, Zeo accidentally locked eyes with one of the Valerat members—someone who had a fresh wound on their shoulder.
That man looked at Zeo briefly—then quickly turned away, as if ashamed or afraid of something.
Zeo considered approaching him to investigate.
But before he could move, the sand-user named Migo called out to him.
"Hey, you. I have a proposal."
Zeo turned.
"?"
"I want to buy that demi-human of yours," Migo said, pointing to Ravyn. "Name your price."
Alice and Ravyn were stunned. Other Valerat members didn't even react, as if it was normal.
"What do you mean?" Alice asked, annoyed.
"How dare you?!" Ravyn snapped, angrier.
She stood, claws extended, eyes glowing—ready to fight.
Several Valerat members stood up in response.
Zeo remained silent.
"Hahaha, what's the problem? Isn't she just a demi-human? Aren't they all slaves anyway? Just tell me your price," Migo said casually.
Ravyn growled, "You bastard!!"
She lunged forward.
But someone moved faster.
BRUUUGGHHH!!
Migo was slammed into the ground. Blood spilled from his mouth.
"You… How dare you strike me!"
Ravyn halted.
Zeo now stood before her, eyes glowing, his expression cold and furious.
His attack had been so fast and powerful, none of them even saw him move.
"You want a slave? Then maybe you should become one… in hell."
Zeo's voice was like ice.
---