The sky in the God Realm rumbled. The golden clouds turned dark gray, and the ancient bell that had not rung for a thousand years—rung on its own.
DING. DONG. DING.
In the central temple of the Highest God, the gods gathered. Their eyes were fixed on a single light that had appeared above the Tower of Destiny: the symbol of the first Ancient Book, flashing blood red.
The War God gritted his teeth. "Someone has awakened one of the Five Legacies?"
The Goddess of Wisdom folded her arms, her gaze sharp. "And what's worse, the legacy has fallen into the hands of a mortal."
The High God's voice came from behind the invisible mist, heavy and flat.
"The god accompanying him… is Lazu."
The gods fell silent.
Lazu. A lazy god. A weak god. A god who was not taken seriously.
The War God laughed sarcastically. "Him? Is this some kind of universal joke?"
But the Goddess of Destiny did not laugh. Her face was gloomy. "Lazu may be harmless… but he's not stupid. If he makes a move, it means he knows something we don't."
The High God spoke again.
"The game has started earlier than it should. Send out the guards. Awaken the old clans. And…"
"…reactivate the pact between the gods."
DING!
[World System Updated]
[Active Faction Mission: Find or Destroy the First Holder of the Book]
[Reward: Heavenly Influence. Punishment: Loss of Divine Rights.]
Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, the ancient clans that had been sleeping for a long time began to feel the tremors.
Atop Snow Mountain, a one-eyed young man opened his eyes and smiled. "Finally someone has touched the Book. It's time for me to make my move."
Inside an underground cave, an old dragon raised its head. Its almost petrified scales reflected the light of magic.
"The first holder has appeared… the others will follow."
Kain sat cross-legged beneath an old tree. The Book was still clutched in his hand. He could feel, even from a distance—the world was watching him.
Lazu chewed the fruit without panic. "You just lit a torch in the middle of a dry meadow. Now everyone will come looking for that light."
Kain nodded. His face was no longer as tense as before.
"Then… let them come."
He stood, looking ahead.
"I will not run."
The sky turned red as dusk fell. The wind carried an invisible whisper. Kain and Lazu walked through the rocky forest, far from the ruins where they had found the Ancient Book. But the calm was just a facade.
"How long until they start moving?" Kain asked.
Lazu took a bite of a wild apple she had stolen from the forest. "It's already started."
Kain turned his head. "What?"
Lazu pointed at the sky. "Look."
On the far side of the horizon, a giant black bird flapped its wings, creating a vortex of hot air beneath it. But it was no ordinary bird.
[Entity Detected: Shadow Bearer – Lv. 97]
[Faction Envoy: Arashi Clan – Book Hunter]
The bird disappeared in an instant. When it reappeared, a white-haired man in a long robe stood right in front of them. His eyes were bright red, filled with bloodlust.
"Holder of the First Book," he said. His voice was calm but sharp as a knife. "In the name of the Arashi Clan, I demand the handover of the book or… death."
Kain immediately prepared himself, his left hand touching the first page of the book. But his body stiffened. The pressure from the man's aura was too strong.
Lazu sighed. "They came quickly. It usually takes at least three days."
The man stared at Lazu for a moment. "The gods failed. No wonder you sided with the humans."
Lazu smiled dryly. "That's the same old talk again."
Without warning, the man attacked. The ground cracked, rocks flew. Kain could barely react, but a magic circle automatically appeared around his body—protection from the Book.
[Passive Effect: Legacy Protection – Reduces first attack by 90%.]
Lazu moved quickly, snapping her fingers. A wall of wind stopped the next slash.
"Listen, kid," she said to the man, "I don't feel like fighting, but if you force me…"
Suddenly, the air shook. From another direction, a girl with green hair and a fur coat appeared on top of a tree.
"So noisy. Do you think only your clan got the signal?"
The Arashi man snorted. "Wana Clan? You're interfering too?"
The girl glanced at Kain, then smiled. "Yup. But I won't kill him… yet. I want to see how far he can go."
DING!
[World System: Faction Conflict Begins – First Book Fight]
Kain gripped the book tightly. Cold sweat poured down.
This was no longer about survival. This was about surviving amidst the conflict of the giants.
Lazu stepped forward. "Do you want to fight or run, Kain?"
Kain stared at the two hunters who were glancing at each other with murderous intent.
He took a deep breath. "I choose… the third option."
A magic circle activated beneath his feet.
A limited teleportation spell — a combination of the first two pages.
A blinding light exploded. Lazu chuckled.
"This kid is starting to know how to play."
And in an instant—Kain disappeared.
Leaving behind the two hunters who were now eyeing each other.
"…You're in my way."
"…So are you."
The fight that was not for Cain finally exploded.