Jazel's divine flame surrounded each building and civilian, shielding them from the impact of her divine meteor shower. The damage to the roads extended 220 meters from the blast site, yet miraculously, not a single building was scratched, nor a single civilian injured.
July 10, 2023, Monday, 4:20 AM
After unleashing her power, Jazel collapsed. She awoke in her room, clothed in fresh garments. Her only memory was the divine meteor shower and her desperate protection of the civilians and buildings.
"I went too far," she murmured.
A woman, dressed in a maid's uniform, entered the room. Jazel recognized her without surprise.
"Jazel, you seem alright," the woman said.
Jazel's thoughts turned to Zelaive. Is she safe? she wondered.
"Why am I here, Ninno? And where's Zelaive?" Jazel asked.
Ninno's response sent a chill down Jazel's spine. "That man who fought alongside you against the Layer Monster… he's dead. He was so persistent in trying to protect you. It was hilarious! Even after I severed both his legs, he still tried to save you from us! Hahaha!"
Jazel's heart stopped. Tears weren't needed to show her grief; the profound sorrow was etched across her face. The weight of her negligence crushed her.
"I knew someone was watching us before I fought the Layer Monster, but I was careless. I didn't consider the consequences," she whispered.
Rage flared within Jazel, directed at Ninno. But even her desire for revenge was futile. Her reckless use of the incomplete zone, without fulfilling its conditions, had sealed her fate: her zeal was temporarily unusable.
(Zeal Explained)
Zeal is an inherent power residing within one's body, inaccessible to ordinary humans. Awakening is required to harness it. There are three types:
- Morb: Zeal released from the body, usable for both offense and defense. Morbs possess 2x or 3x more zeal than Durdianeas and Closises.
- Closis: The manifestation of one's unique ability. A Closis's ability is determined at birth and cannot be changed, though it can be awakened.
- Durdianeas: Access to the three abilities of a pet: Zone, Host, and Change. A normal Durdianeas can access only one pet ability. Accessing two is considered special.
Three Pet Abilities:
1. (Zone): Alters the environment, granting buffs or abilities based on the changes. Activating the zone requires fulfilling specific conditions. Failure to do so results in consequences, ranging from a week-long to a lifetime ban on using the zone.
2. (Host): Strengthens the owner through merging with the pet, becoming one.
3. (Change): Transforms the pet's attributes, allowing it to become a weapon or armor.
Morb > Enhance
Closis > Abilities
Durdianeas > Pet
July 9, 2023, Monday
After Jazel fainted from exhaustion, individuals in red coats arrived, Ninno among them.
Jazel had sensed observers since leaving the convenience store, even during her battle with the Layer Monster. She tried to pinpoint them but failed, forcing her to resort to a wide-area attack, hoping to flush them out. The divine meteor shower, however, rendered her unconscious, giving her enemies their chance.
A door suddenly materialized, revealing three figures: two men in red coats and Ninno, wearing maid's uniform. One of the men, with piercings in his nose and both ears, approached the unconscious Jazel.
"Don't stand in my way, kid, if you value your life," the man threatened.
Zelaive stepped forward, her gaze unwavering. "I'll let you be… if you don't harm Jazel."
I don't need your permission, kid, so don't get in my way.
The zeal around him suddenly intensified, and Zelaive felt it even though he couldn't use zeal himself, but it wasn't enough to drive him away.
Get out of my sight, or die now! Kasumo threatened.
Zelaive stared silently, his expression serious.
Kasumo patted Zelaive's shoulder.
"By the way, I'm Kasumo. We won't hurt Jazel, so step aside."
Zelaive was relieved to hear this and stepped aside.
"Thank goodness. It seems you know Jazel."
"Thanks for worrying about her, kid. What's your name?"
"Henzu Zelaive."
"Thanks, Zelaive."
Kasumo picked up Jazel. As he passed Zelaive, their eyes met, and Kasumo's face twisted into an irritating smirk.
"Thanks, Zelaive. I'll make sure Jazel and I… well, just me, have fun."
Zelaive didn't hesitate. He punched Kasumo in the face, drawing blood from his lip.
"Hahaha, kid, I feel that!"
Kasumo retaliated with a punch to the stomach, sending Zelaive flying into a coffee shop.
"Sleep it off. I don't have time for weaklings."
Zelaive got up after Kasumo's punch. Kasumo was surprised that Zelaive was still standing after his punch; he knew that even without zeal in his punch, no normal person could stand after that. Just as Zelaive was about to charge again to get Jazel back, a purple rope snaked around his leg, yanking him to the ground. "Aghhh!" Zelaive screamed in pain.
Ninno spoke, "Let's go, Kasumo. We don't have time for this."
Kasumo approached Ninno, furious about his breaking of Zelaive's leg, grabbed his shirt, and yelled, "Why did you do that?!"
One of their companions said fearfully, "Please stop! We're a team; we don't need to fight."
Kasumo released Ninno.
Ninno took Jazel from Kasumo, and another man created a door.
Zelaive shouted, "Don't leave! I won't allow it!" as he stabbed his leg with a shard of glass from the coffee shop where Kasumo had sent him flying.
Ninno laughed, "You're crazy, kid! You're doing all this for this girl, and you don't even know each other!"
Ninno saw Zelaive's determined expression and, annoyed, proceeded to sever his leg. The man who made the door urged them to leave. As Ninno and the other man were about to enter the door, they were surprised by a surge of zeal around them. They looked back to see Kasumo crying, creating a black orb of zeal. As Kasumo created the orb, Zelaive crawled towards him, saying, "Finish me first." Ninno sensed the danger and urged them to leave.
He yelled at their companion, "Close the door!"
"But what about Kasumo?"
"Close it or you'll die!"
Kasumo noticed his companions leaving and decided to finish Zelaive to avoid further trouble. With tears in his eyes, Kasumo said,
"Farewell, brother."
A powerful explosion occurred, like a bomb, causing an earthquake in nearby cities. When Ninno and the others returned, they found Kasumo unconscious and standing.
July 10, 2023, Monday, 5:00 AM
Jazel still blamed herself for her negligence. She heard noises outside.
"It's so early. Why is it so noisy outside?"
Peeking out the window, Jazel was shocked to see the enormous hole Kasumo had created.
"What happened while I was asleep?"
Ninno entered where Jazel was, saw her looking out the window, and was shocked by the city's destruction.
"Isn't it beautiful?"
Jazel couldn't contain her anger and was about to attack Ninno when ropes restrained her. Ninno approached, and Kasumo entered.
"I'm sorry, Jazel. I'm responsible for everything you see. Ninno released Jazel, who immediately approached Kasumo and slapped him while crying.
"Why? Why? Why did you do all that? We're just people blessed with talent, but why did you have to involve innocent people? It's only me you need, right?"
"I'm sor—"
"I don't need your apology. If you truly want forgiveness, fix what you've done, change yourself, and forgive yourself as much as you can."
Kasumo left after Jazel's words.
Ninno said, "We're leaving at 7:00 PM. Don't try to run a way."
"You took everything from me, including my precious family. With the extent of the damage, I doubt my father is still alive."
6:30 PM
Jazel stared at the clock. As 7:00 PM approached, her sadness was evident.
"In a few minute, I'll lose my freedom."
Jazel heard knocking, knocked knocked, and ignored it, thinking it was Ninno. As the knocking intensified, Jazel realized it wasn't from the door but the window. She slowly got up, intending to open the curtain. When she did, Zelaive appeared, looking like he'd traveled a long distance, his clothes old and his scarf torn.
"Psst! Be quiet. Let's escape."
Jazel cried at the sight of him, not caring if it wasn't the real Zelaive; she would go with him.
"Be quiet! Why are you crying? Idiot."