All eyes in the room turn to Powder, who stands frozen, like his mind can’t quite process how a simple farmer became a legendary figure all of a sudden.
"What the hell is going on here?!" A sharp, commanding voice cuts through the tension. The door slams open, banging against the wall, and a broad-shouldered man strides in. Crimson hair frames a matching beard, and his jaw hangs slack as his gaze locks on Powder. His orange eyes tremble, wide with disbelief, as if the sight before him is something his brain refuses to accept.
"Heavens have mercy... a new hero is born."
His words make me want to vanish on the spot. Sure, I wanted them to grow strong, but not that strong. How are we supposed to stay low-key now? Forget Glorius... every single person tied to the main plot is going to know about us.
"I..." Powder turns to look at me, and I quickly give him a big smile, showing him I’m proud—well, pretending to be proud. As they say... fake it till you make it, or something like that.
"Is this really me, Quill?"
Why are you asking me?
"It’s your fate, Powder. See? I told you one day you’d be great." I know I’ll never be able to say the same about myself, but as long as those two are happy, I can take the hit... or just wipe the memories of everyone in the world who’s not tied to the main plot. Should I do that? Leave your thoughts in the comments. Ahem... all jokes aside, it’s not completely lost. Maybe secretly I am some kind of genius. As if... I chuckle to myself.
"Join me!" Glorius claps a massive hand on Powder’s shoulder, and I nearly cough up blood. What did he just say?
"E-excuse me?" Powder blinks, still dazed from the crystal’s glow, staring down at his hands like they’re alien to him. And now this piece of trash is already trying to steal him away? I’ll show him!
"Join my party. You’re wasted with the likes of them."
I step forward—then stop.
"Sorry, but I’ll never abandon my friends. I’m part of Party Rewrite, and unless my leader, Quill, kicks me out, I’m not leaving. I don’t want to, either."
For the first time ever, I see him so serious. That’s my brother. My chest tightens. I don’t regret giving him this fate anymore.
"Him?" Glorius’s eyes shift to me—and freeze. His gaze locks on my chest.
{M-my necklace... how?! That’s impossible. No mortal other than me can touch that gem. So how in the world—? Wait...}
His eyes lift to my face, studying me with growing horror. {White hair... crimson eyes... pale as a ghost. I know this face. Didn’t I hit him hard a while back after he taunted me? That was the day my necklace disappeared... so it was him.}
Well... nice knowing you, readers. I guess I’m dying today.
But to my surprise, Glorius doesn’t move. His attention shifts to Roxy, who steps up to the gem and presses her palm against it.
The crimson-bearded man who entered earlier is chatting quietly with the clerk boy—apparently he’s the guild master. His eyes never leave Powder, who’s now walking toward me with a wide grin, fists clenched like he’s still trying to decide if this is real or a dream.
"Quill, did you see—?"
He’s cut off. The crystal blazes again with the same multicolored light—another mythic-grade core.
I barely have time to react before Roxy launches herself into me, wrapping me in a crushing hug and yelling in my ear.
"Quill! Did you see?! Am I amazing or what?! I also have a mythic grade! Can you believe it?! Who’s gonna talk down to me as a vanguard now? Hahaha!"
"I’m proud of you, Roxy," I manage between gasps, her grip squeezing the life out of me.
Something in my words makes her freeze. She pulls back, face burning bright red, and quickly hides behind Powder.
"Please, the last one," the boy says, gesturing for me to step forward. All eyes are on me now. Pressure builds in my chest.
I glance down at Glorius’s thoughts.
{Even if he has my gem, he can’t increase his talent. He should have none. Already the other two are anomalies in my path. The goddess said only I could possess the mythic grade—that’s what made me special... then how? He must be involved somehow. It’s the people around this ghost...}
His fists clench so tight his nails pierce skin, blood dripping slowly to the floor.
Anyway, what choice do I have? I step up to the massive crystal, inhale deeply, exhale, and steady myself.
It’s fine. I’m only going to humiliate myself. Nothing wrong with that... right? Right?
My palm presses against the crystal. A strange energy rushes into me, flowing through my veins, my organs, my entire being as if searching for something.
It’s not so bad. Nothing’s happening. Which means I have no talent, right? Thank god. I was worried I’d pull something crazy, too.
I start to pull my hand away—but I can’t.
"Umm... I can’t remove my hand. Is that normal?" My voice breaks the heavy silence. Nobody answers.
I turn around. Their jaws are all hanging open—not at me, but at the crystal.
I follow their gaze. Inside the crystal, black and white energy spins in perfect balance. No light escapes—everything is contained within.
"Quill... what the hell are you?" Powder’s voice shakes, filled with terror.
Even Glorius is trembling, eyes bloodshot as they bore into me.
"The God of Creation core... that’s not possible. The only person ever assessed with such a talent died ten million years ago. The very first adventurer in existence... his stories should have been exaggerated. But this... this energy... this fear I feel..." The guild master stares at me with pure terror.
I mean... I’m probably higher than that. I’m the author of this book, after all. I laugh to myself, fully aware there’s no walking out of this now.
Then immense energy erupts from the crystal, spiraling wildly out of control—until the entire thing bursts into dust, filling the room.