In the vast void—so infinite it feels endless. This void is called the Cosmic Void. Inside it are countless universes, each unique in shape and size.
Some universes are made of clusters of stars, others of galaxies. Some are massive spheres, cubes, or irregular planes, surrounded by glowing moons and distant suns. Others stretch out like layers, orbiting in fragments, orbiting each other or swirling in stardust spirals.
Sometimes, a universe exists alone. Other times, they connect—overlapping, intertwining, nesting inside one another. Some are independent. Some belong to larger formations.
There are countless types of these universes in the void. Each one flows with its own identity, structure, and rules.
Each universe has its own laws—its own logic, space, time, order. Some contain galaxies. Others, none. There are systems, realms, domains, sanctuaries… each defined by what that universe allows.
At the center of everything lies Genesis—the primordial force from which all things arise, and to which all return. It's a paradox—ever-changing, yet unchanging. Genesis isn't good or evil. It's the source of transformation, of beginnings and ends. The light of Genesis isn't like the blinding brilliance of stars—it's a deep, ethereal radiance… subtle, yet boundless.
...
The girl stood quietly in front of the mirror. Her soft brown hair tied in a bun. Her hazel eyes, wide and bright, stared back at her, framed by long, dark lashes that gave her an almost painted look.
The morning light slipped through the window, making her fair skin appear even softer. Her pink lips were set in a small, thoughtful line. Reaching up, she pulled the hoodie over her head, adjusting it until it sat just right. A few strands of hair fell loose, but she didn't mind.
She picked up a black mask from the table and slipped it over her mouth and nose. After taking one last look at herself, she turned away from the mirror and headed for the door.
As she stepped into the living room, her gaze fell on a small white kitten curled up on the sofa. Sensing her presence, the kitten looked up, then jumped down and padded over to her, rubbing affectionately against her leg.
She knelt down, scooped the kitten into her arms, and said softly, "I'll be going out for a while."
The kitten blinked at her with innocent eyes, then leapt from her arms. Mid-air, her form shimmered and transformed into a glowing white ball of light.
"Little Master," the light said, her voice carrying a gentle, feminine lilt, "it's been three years since we came to this universe. How long do you plan to stay?"
Ion, as she was called, hovered close to her, unable to hide the worry in her voice.
She had met her centuries ago. Back then, she appeared to be around eighteen years old—at least by the standards of the universe she was born in. That's why Ion always called her little master, although now she was by no means little but old habits die hard.
She had died in an unfortunate accident, but instead of entering the cycle of reincarnation, her soul had drifted into a place few ever reached: Aetherion.
Aetherion was unlike any other universe. It gathered the best from countless realms—innovations, knowledge, resources, and opportunities far beyond imagination. Souls arrived there by many paths: enlightenment, exceptional karma, rare talent, or, sometimes, by cosmic accidents and glitches. Regardless of the way they entered, every soul in Aetherion carried something extraordinary within them.
She had been one of the rare ones who arrived through a glitch, yet her potential had proven undeniable. Her natural affinity to Aether Energy was remarkable.
Aether Energy, or Soul Essence, was the fundamental force woven through every soul. Souls could refine it, cultivate it, and grow stronger over time. Some universes specialized in mastering Aether cultivation, and those who excelled could enhance their lifespan, abilities, and existence itself.
While some souls needed long years to accumulate Aether, others, like her, possessed an innate bond with it.
After arriving in Aetherion, she began taking on missions—tasks assigned by the central system to mend flaws, correct disturbances, and guide the balance across universes. Some missions required acts of kindness, others demanded intervention in conflicts or disruptions. Some souls formed teams, others worked alone. Many chose to abandon missions entirely, settling down to build new lives in Aetherion or other worlds.
She had chosen to move between universes, quietly fulfilling the missions that called to her.
And Ion had been assigned as her Aether System. The Aether Systems helped maintain balance and order across universes. Every soul in Aetherion was connected to one, either individually or through a shared system. Some souls outside Aetherion also possessed Aether Systems, which guided them through specific tasks. Some of these souls chose not to enter Aetherion, and even if they did, they might eventually leave to seek other universes for their own reasons. The possibilities were endless.
The Aether Systems assisted with missions, inter-universal travel, body compatibility, language translation, information gathering, and more. Body compatibility was especially crucial—if a soul was mismatched with its body, it could lead to severe discomfort or even catastrophic consequences.
She had always been exceptionally good at what she did. Her mission completion rate was a perfect hundred percent.
Then one day, without any warning, she announced that she wanted to take a vacation. After that, she came to this newly born, small universe and had been living here ever since. According to this universe's timeline, three years had already passed.
She could stay longer if she wished, but Ion couldn't help feeling that her little master was becoming even more withdrawn.
She was complicated like that. On the surface, she was cheerful and sunny, but underneath, she seemed uninterested in everything around her. At least when she was completing missions, she interacted with other souls.
Now, since settling here, she has taken on the identity of a teenager—an orphan who played games and did livestreams for a living. Her character was quiet and intelligent, attending one of the top high schools in the country with a scholarship. However, she had barely interacted with anyone except for the online fans who followed her streams.
Despite the low profile she maintained in person, her little master was actually quite famous. Thanks to her popularity, they lived very comfortably in this place.
Ion drifted out of her thoughts when the girl in front of her spoke.
"A little longer," she said. "I'm heading out now for the livestream at the amusement park."
Ion floated near her, nodding helplessly. Without another word, she left, the door clicking shut behind her.
The livestream was part of a promotion for a newly opened amusement park. She had been hired to help with the launch, along with several other influencers who were popular.
...
"OMG, this place looks so creepy! Are you sure it's safe to be here?"
"Haha, is it just me or does she not even seem scared? Just strolling through this haunted house like it's nothing!"
"Honestly, I thought she'd get scared at least once, but nope."
"So pretty, I can barely focus on the haunted house because I'm too busy watching her."
"Seriously, the definition of 'cool under pressure.' The haunted house doesn't faze her. Maybe she's secretly a ghost herself?"
"My brother literally just said she'd want to be her husband. Guess you have a fanbase for life now."
"How is she this chill? I'd be screaming."
"How is she this good-looking while casually strolling through a haunted house? Doesn't even look phased. A whole vibe."
"Gaming skills? Top-tier. Haunted house skills? Also top-tier. And ridiculously pretty on top of it all."
"Even my mom says she'd want her as a daughter-in-law."
"Wait, did you see that? That shadow in the corner. Lookout!"
"She's so chill. Just walked past a creepy doll without flinching."
"Honestly, I think the haunted house is more afraid of her than the other way around."
"Literally just yawned while there was a loud bang behind her."
"That ghost just jumped out, and she barely blinked. I'm hiding behind my screen, meanwhile she's out here like it's a regular day."
"For a girl, you're very brave, Eli!"
When Eliana stepped out of the haunted house, the screen of her phone was already flooded with a stream of comments. She scrolled through them lazily.
After a moment, she let out a soft chuckle and said with a small smirk, "Phoenix Sky Valley needs to upgrade their haunted house."
"Don't be too smug, just because you didn't get scared."
"Haha, the boss of Phoenix Sky Valley definitely won't like you insulting their precious ghosts."
"You're the only one who's not afraid. Everyone else is screaming for their lives."
"The streamer next door literally wet his pants, and here you are looking bored."
"Someone tell Phoenix Sky Valley their haunted house just got publicly humiliated."
"Ferris wheel, go go! We want to see the view, not just your smirk."
"Annoying. But still too pretty. Sigh."
"Sigh sigh sigh... How can someone look this good?"
"Come on, we get it, you're fearless. Now show us the pretty lights already."
Eliana glanced up at the sky; the sun was already dipping toward the horizon, dyeing the clouds in soft hues of gold and crimson. She had spent nearly the entire day at Phoenix Sky Valley, trying out rides, sampling food from the stalls, wandering through the arcade, and even meeting a few fellow influencers and fans who had come to the park for the promotional event.
Her gaze fell on the Ferris wheel, its massive structure outlined against the evening sky, each cabin glowing faintly under the growing lights. She decided that would be her final ride before heading back to her apartment.
Turning to the live stream, she spoke to her audience, her voice light, "Alright, that's the last ride for today."
After saying that, she made her way toward the ticket counter. By the time she arrived, only a few people were left in line. She quickly bought her ticket and hurried toward the only open cabin, stepping inside without much thought.
As she sat down, her gaze shifted to the opposite side of the cabin—and paused.
There were already two people seated there. She hadn't noticed from the outside, the tinted windows concealing them from view.
A small child, around six or seven years old, sat by the window, peering excitedly outside. The boy wore a colorful cartoon mask, his tiny hands pressed against the glass. Beside him sat a man, his posture relaxed yet composed. He too wore a mask, a simple one, but everything else about him was impossible to ignore.
The man was dressed in a black shirt and dark jeans. The sleeves of his shirt were rolled up to reveal strong, lean forearms, a sleek watch glinting on his wrist. Two buttons of his shirt were undone, exposing a glimpse of fair, smooth skin that seemed to glow softly under the cabin's interior lights. He had a long neck and a prominent Adam's apple.
Even while seated, he looked tall, lean, and muscular, his long legs folded in front of him. His jet-black hair was tousled casually, adding a careless charm to his already striking figure.
Eliana found herself unable to look away. Even though she couldn't see the man's face beneath the cartoon mask, the sheer presence he exuded was overwhelming. A faint, intoxicating scent lingered in the air around him, strangely familiar.
Even without seeing his face, just this glimpse was enough to stir something in Eliana—a rare occurrence for someone who had encountered countless beauties and handsome men across hundreds of years, and who herself was often considered breathtakingly beautiful.
She snapped out of her daze when the child turned toward her, eyes bright and curious, and said cheerfully, "Hello."
At that exact moment, Eliana's gaze unintentionally locked with the man's. His eyes were deep, black, and impossibly clear, like a bottomless lake under a night sky.
For a brief second, Eliana froze.
Then she quickly composed herself, turning her attention to the child and responding softly, "Hello. Your mask is very cute. I like this character too."
The boy laughed in delight and turned proudly to the man beside him, declaring, "See, it's cute!"
The man nodded lightly and ruffled the child's hair with evident affection.
The boy then faced Eliana again and said sweetly, "Thank you!"
Eliana smiled beneath her own mask and replied warmly, "You're welcome."
The child was incredibly well-behaved, she thought with some amusement.
Then, remembering her ongoing livestream, she looked at the man and said politely, "Actually, I'm doing a live stream. I'll make sure to keep both of you out of it. If it's not an issue, would it be alright if I talk a little and show the audience the view?"
The man paused for a moment, studying her silently, then gave a small nod.
Eliana offered a brief nod of thanks, quickly withdrawing her gaze. She shifted her focus back to her phone, where the comment barrage had exploded:
"Huh? What happened?"
"Why did she look so dazed?"
"What did you see?"
"What did you see?!"
Eliana ignored the messages, raising the phone higher and speaking in a calm tone, "Reached the cabin. The ride should be starting soon. Watch out for the view."
After that, Eliana positioned the camera carefully so that it pointed outside the window, capturing the view rather than the inside of the cabin.
She glanced at the barrage of comments and started interacting with them casually.
"Yeah, it's evening now. This will be the last one," she said, responding to the flood of questions.
"No, I'm really hungry. I'll eat first and then head home. Gotta finish my homework."
"I don't want to get scolded by the teacher tomorrow," she added with a faint laugh.
"Yeah, school opens tomorrow. The New Year's holiday is officially over."
"Yeah, there are other people here — two of them," she said, briefly glancing at the man and the child across from her.
Just as she was speaking, the Ferris wheel began to move. "Ah, it's starting."
The cabin lifted slowly into the air, and she fell silent, turning her gaze toward the window. As they rose higher, the sprawling city skyline stretched out before her, bathed in the warm twilight.
"Oh, what a good view," she said softly.
The barrage of comments continued to roll in, filling the screen.
But then, just as the cabin reached the very top of the wheel, it stopped abruptly with a sudden jerk.
Before Eliana could react, her body was flung forward from the force. In a panicked instinct, she twisted midair, trying to avoid crashing into the child. The man had already pulled the child securely into his arms — and instead of colliding with them, Eliana landed squarely onto the man's lap.
She literally sat down on the man's lap.
The cabin swayed lightly, still unsettled from the sudden stop, but the man remained perfectly steady. One arm held the child protectively, while the other instinctively wrapped around Eliana's waist, securing her firmly in place.
Eliana felt her entire face heat up, an intense wave of embarrassment sweeping through her. In the six hundred years she had lived, she couldn't remember ever being this mortified.
She struggled, trying to push herself up, but the cabin rocked again, and she almost fell forward face-first. The man's arm tightened around her waist, pulling her back onto his lap.
She hadn't realized she could be this clumsy.
"Stay still. It's still a little unsteady," the man said, his voice deep and melodious, almost brushing against Eliana's ear.
The sound of that voice almost melted her into a puddle. It was ridiculously attractive — low, rich, and commanding without being harsh.
Eliana froze, not daring to move even a little. Her heart felt like it was about to combust from the heat and tension.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the cabin steadied. The man loosened his hold, and Eliana scrambled back to the opposite seat like her life depended on it, practically throwing herself into safety.
Still flustered, she saw the man turn toward the boy and ask in a gentle tone, "Are you alright?"
The child nodded brightly.
The man then looked at Eliana. "And you? Are you hurt?"
Eliana shook her head quickly, still feeling the aftershocks of the disaster that had just unfolded.
Her heart was still racing uncontrollably. She couldn't help but recall the warmth of the man's body, the clean, faintly intoxicating sweet scent that hung in the air around him, and that familiar voice — like she had heard it somewhere before.
But it was only a fleeting feeling, impossible to grasp.
Then, like a bolt of dread, she remembered her livestream. She turned to look for her phone and found it lying on the seat beside her. It was still positioned perfectly — the camera facing directly toward the opposite side.
Right where the man and the child were sitting.
Which meant... her entire clumsy fall, her sitting on the man's lap, her stunned reactions — everything — had been witnessed by a very, very large audience.
Eliana almost didn't want to pick up the phone. She could already imagine the barrage of comments waiting for her.
"Oh, what was that just now?"
"Be careful!!!"
"OMG OMG OMG what did I just witness?"
"Who's that man??"
"That body?? Are you kidding me??"
"Wow, he looks so tall and strong even while sitting."
"He ended up straight on his lap!! I can't breathe."
"Hahahaha"
"Hahaha I'm dying. What kind of plot twist is this?"
"Damn, his cool haunted house image just collapsed in one second."
"Completely gone. Like dust."
"Hehehehe this is the best livestream ever."
"He looks like a tiny kitten being scooped up."
"Wait, wait... that voice...?"
"I swear that voice just made my ears pregnant."
"I need that voice as my alarm clock, it's too good."
"That deep voice literally shook my soul."
"Hahahaha he fled like a little chick."
"He's scared!!! Hahahahaha"
"Ghosts couldn't even make him blink but THIS turns him into a stuttering mess."
"Hahaha the real boss appeared, forget about the haunted house!"
"Bro really forgot about livestreaming for a second."
"I'm crying... he's so clumsy today, it's adorable."
"Who is that masked man?? Why is he so perfect??"
"Someone unmask him!! I need to know!"
"This was better than any horror jump scare."
"Plot twist of the year: Eliana is scared not by ghosts, but by a handsome stranger."
"This ride just paid for itself."
"SOMEONE CLIP THIS!! THIS IS GOLD!!"
"He picked up the phone!! Hahahahaha"
"AHHH she's so embarrassed, it's written all over her."
"I swear she's blushing under that mask."
"Someone save her, she's about to combust from secondhand embarrassment."
"She looks like she wants to disappear right now."
"Don't pretend nothing happened!!! We saw it all!"
"Hahahaha pretending to be calm but her ears are red!"
"Eliana, explain yourself! We are waiting!"
"Quick, someone give her a blanket to hide under."
"Look at her hands shaking slightly, poor baby."
"Emergency! Our streamer has turned into a shy bunny."
"That awkwardness is killing me, it's too cute."
"Ghosts: zero effect. Hot stranger: instant critical hit."
"Someone send tissues, I'm crying from laughing."
"Eliana.exe has stopped working."
"Please keep being this clumsy, it's healing my soul."
"She's not even looking at the camera directly, she's so shy!!"
"Protect her at all costs!!!"
"Who knew our cool fearless gamer could be this soft??"
"Ferris wheel view? Forget it. We got the best scene already."
If it had been any other female streamer in this situation, the audience would have likely shown compassion, sympathy, or at least asked if she was okay. But Eliana's audience? They seemed to revel in her embarrassment, fully embracing the chaos of the moment.
It wasn't that they didn't care about her well-being — they just knew her too well. Seeing her flustered and vulnerable was such a rare occurrence that they couldn't help but find it both endearing and hilarious.
She was, undeniably, unlike any other female streamer. And maybe it was her own fault.