"Uh?" Code's eyes widened in shock.
The man took a deep, calm breath. "That's what you are, Code."
Code's chest heaved. "Huh? H-how do you know that?!" he asked.
"Well... I'm a god," the man replied flatly, pride filling his tone.
"Ha. Haha," Code chuckled. "And you expect me to believe that?" He scoffed.
"Yeah, I understand it might be hard to take in," the man replied casually. "But the truth is the truth."
"Okay, I really appreciate you for saving me from that demon," Code said, "but what you're saying doesn't make sense at all."
"Good grief," the man sighed, turning to him. "What's your sorcerer tier?" He asked.
"Sorcerer tier?" Code repeated.
"Yup," the man nodded.
"N-ninth tier," Code stammered, cheeks flushing in embarrassment.
"Pffft... hahaha!!" The man burst into laughter.
"O-oi, it isn't so funny," Code snapped, eyes rolling about.
"Ohmigosh, that's so hilarious," the man said, laughter subsiding.
"Tch," Code clicked his tongue.
"So, do you realize the truth now?" The man continued, tone turning serious. "You're a 9th-tiered sorcerer because you're a zero."
"Huh? What do you mean?" Code asked.
"It's very simple," the man replied. "Zeros have no tenzen."
"Eh?" Code's brows knitted in confusion. "Then why am I alive? Humans need tenzen to live," he asked.
"Because you regenerated from a demon."
"A demon?" Code's eyes went wide. "What demon?"
"The same demon that wiped out your team," the man replied.
"So...I came back to life using that demon's body?" Code asked.
"You gerrit," The man affirmed. "The flesh you wear belongs to the demon."
"Huh?" Code's breath caught.
"So, tell me..." The man said, voice turning dark. "...do you think an human could do that?" He asked.
"Uh..." Code muttered, heart pounding. "No, I still find this hard to believe. There's no way what you're saying is true." He protested.
"Arrgh, I didn't want to resort to this," the man sighed, rolling his eyes.
"Resort to what?" Code asked.
But the man didn't reply. He just raised his hand, pointing a finger toward Code.
Then suddenly—
BLAAAMM!!
"Eh?" Code blinked, as a gust of wind blew against his hair.
A pool of blood formed beneath him.
Code's eyes gradually rolled to his left arm, and that's when he realized it was gone.
"M-my arm. What did you do?" Code screamed in horror.
"I blasted it away, since you wouldn't believe me," the man replied bluntly.
"H-how could—" Code started, but stopped mid-sentence.
Squelch...plop.
His gaze shifted back to his arm. "What?" He exclaimed.
A mass of flesh and bone surged outward, twisting and weaving together in a quick motion. Muscles snapped into place, skin stitched itself over the muscles and bones and the new arm flexed with a sudden jolt, fully grown in less than a second.
"I-I regenerated?" Code muttered in disbelief.
"So, do you believe me now? That you're a zero?" The man asked.
"Y-yeah," Code said under his breath. "But how did this happen?" he whispered.
"That's what I wanna know too," the man shrugged. "But one thing is sure..."
Code's gaze flicked to him.
"... you've always been a zero since birth."
"Wha?!" Code blinked. 'Is that why all this time, I've been branded weak?' he asked himself. 'Because I'm a zero?'
"Ahem," the man cleared his throat aloud, bringing Code back from his thoughts. "We've stayed long enough," he said, standing.
"Oh...uh, yeah," Code replied as he rose, brushing dirt from his torn clothes. 'Looks like I'm back to square one,' he thought, grimacing. 'I thought this raid would finally liberate me.'
Before his thoughts could spiral further, the man spoke.
"Why don't you join my guild?"
"Huh?" Code froze.
Time itself seemed to stop.
'Did I hear that right? This has to be a dream.'
"Hey!" the man called again.
"Uh?" Code blinked rapidly. "I didn't hear that clearly-"
"Would you like to join my guild?" The man extended his hand.
Code's breath caught.
"Do you know the meaning of what you're saying? No one's ever wanted me in a guild. I'm a ninth-tier, I don't even pass as a sorcerer," he whispered.
"You haven't answered my question," the man said firmly.
"Huh?" Code's eyes widened. 'He's not listening at all,' he muttered inwardly. 'Why would he want someone as weak as me in his guild?' He pondered.
"Good grief," the man sighed, drawing his hand back. "I'll take your silence as a yes."
"Wait, I-I didn't agree yet," Code said quickly.
The man stopped and turned. "Then you're saying no?" He asked.
"Eh..uh..um.." Code fidgeted. "I don't know what to say," he finally admitted.
"Hahaha," the man burst into laughter. "That's really strange, y'know," he said.
"What?" Code asked.
"Most people can only pray to get a chance like this," the man replied. "I only take special people into my guild."
"So you're saying I'm special?" Code scoffed.
"No," the man replied flatly.
"Tch," Code clicked his tongue. "Who the hell is this cocky bastard?!" He whispered, but didn't realize his voice was loud.
Then, came the response.
"Van... Ackerman."
"Huh?!" Code's gaze shot upwards.
Wind howled across the terrain, flaring the man's hair sideways.
"D-did you say Van Ackerman?" He asked.
"That's right," Van replied. "I Am Van Ackerman."
'"What the hell?" Code muttered, his eyes going pale as he fainted.
But Van quickly caught him before he fell to the ground.
"Haha, I'm already used to that reaction," he chuckled.
***
To Be Continued...