Allen was summoned back to the Celestial Dragon Village.
System: You have been missing for 2 days.
Allen, seeing the window message, panicked and began searching for his friends around the village.
He was shocked to find the Celestial Dragon Village, once beautiful and peaceful, now damaged and rundown.
A villager approached him.
"Excuse me."
Allen turned toward the person.
"Yes?"
"Are you one of the academy students?"
"Yes, I am."
The villager paused, then held Allen's hand.
"Please forgive the actions of our hero who allied with the Demon Queen," said the villager tearfully.
Allen panicked and tried to calm the villager.
"Okay, it's alright, calm down."
"We also apologize for the lives lost due to Gabimaru's actions."
Upon hearing the word "casualties," Allen froze.
He rushed to the academy at the speed of light.
He arrived at his room and opened the door.
He was shocked—it was completely empty.
Allen ran through corridor after corridor looking for Rika and Stella. As he rushed through one hallway, he accidentally bumped into someone.
"Sorry," Allen said, continuing to run.
"Allen?" a familiar voice called.
Allen turned and saw it was Marie.
"Where have you been? The academy said you were dead."
"What? I just got back from fighting Gabimaru."
Marie walked past Allen.
"Follow me."
She walked ahead, Allen trailing behind.
They reached a place that looked like a church. Marie entered, and Allen followed.
"Yo, Stella. I brought someone with me."
Stella, deep in thought, ignored Marie's words.
Marie looked at Allen.
"Greet her. She was devastated by your disappearance."
Allen patted Stella's shoulder.
"Stella?"
Stella was startled and turned to see Allen.
"Allen..." she said, her voice trembling.
"Yeah."
Stella hugged Allen tightly.
"Idiot!!! Where were you, huh?!" she began to cry.
"Alright, alright, I'm sorry."
"Stupid, stupid, you're such an idiot."
Allen looked at Marie, who shrugged, unsure what to do.
"Alright, calm down and tell me what happened."
Still hugging Allen, Stella started venting. They sat down, and she began explaining what happened while Allen was gone for two days.
"I was lying there, dying, when Megumin tried to save me. But Erina showed up and killed them both right in front of me. I was about to be killed too, but someone intervened—Cecil."
"So the casualties weren't just Rika and Megumin?"
"No. When I woke up, the evacuation team was too late. I was told Amaterasu died from trauma and the illusion created by Gabimaru. Kuroichi... she's been in a coma since."
Allen clenched his fists and gritted his teeth.
"Damn you, the Author," Allen muttered internally.
A few moments before Allen returned to the academy.
"Alright, I'll save that information for later," Allen said.
"Good," Yue replied sarcastically.
As Allen was about to leave, they all sensed a threatening aura.
"Don't think I wasn't listening," said a voice.
Fujimiya turned toward it.
"The Author," he said grimly.
The Author, casually posing, stared at Fujimiya and Yue with a mocking gaze.
"Long time no see, Fujimiya, Yue, and you... Allen Stolen."
Allen was shocked to learn the man knew him.
System: Danger detected. Please evacuate.
As Allen looked at the message, he was startled—the man stood right in front of him.
"Who are you?" Allen asked.
"Wow, looks like Fujimiya didn't tell you about me," The Author said, glancing at Fujimiya.
"Name's The Author. I created all of you, including the Isekai world. I'm a being like you, Allen, but the difference is I am omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent."
Allen stood frozen, swallowing hard.
"By the way, do you know how angry I am with you?"
"Why?" Allen asked.
The Author smiled slyly.
"You're kind of dumb, you know? Your existence disrupts my narrative. You were meant to be the peak of this world—no, this verse. But you keep holding back."
"It's my choice whether I hold back or not."
The Author laughed.
"What's so funny?" "Nothing. Go back to your world, but don't be surprised and don't hold a grudge."
Back to the present.
Allen and Stella sat in silence, lost in sorrow.
System: You have received a message.
Allen opened it.
Do you like my little gift?
The Author.
"Bastard."
Allen stood up, his expression serious.
Stella looked at him.
"What's wrong?"
"Let's go on a journey to kill The Author."
Marie and Stella were stunned by Allen's words.
Allen looked at the cabinet, drew his Shinigami Sword, and walked toward it.
He slashed it open, revealing an ancient monument pointing the way to the Heavenly and Infernal worlds.
Allen pointed to the monument.
"First step, let's conquer Heaven and Hell."
Elsewhere...
HWL watched them from the edge of the multiverse.
"An interesting story," HWL said, licking his lips.
TBC