The training hall was silent.
Five stood before Jinn-composed, calm, unreadable. Her fingers trembled slightly as the appraisal data fed through her glasses. She blinked twice, stunned.
> Mitari: Light Elf. Title: Ruler of the Supreme Throne. Rank: SSS.
The words burned behind her eyes.
> "The hell..."
She lowered her hand, cutting the appraisal. Her throat was dry.
> "Like hell I'm sparring with that. That's suicide."
Heavenly Throne Online. A game Jinn helped create in her past life. At the end of every season, the strongest were ranked through a brutal arena ladder:
Throned Champions - elite players chosen as kings or queens of their race.
Sovereigns - twelve who rose beyond them, unmatched in skill and record.
Overlords - the final four who crushed even the Sovereigns.
And above them all...
> The Supreme.
One name. One seat. No equals.
She took a breath. Straightened her spine.
"You pass. All of you. No combat assessment necessary."
The group blinked. Even Myuran looked confused.
Albric frowned. "That's it?"
Arthur raised a brow. "We came to be tested."
Jinn shook her head, voice even. "You're all well beyond the level of assessment. I don't need a demonstration to see that."
Mitari tilted her head. Silent.
"However," Jinn continued, eyes locking on her, "I require a separate evaluation. Of your strongest member. The Light Elf."
Everyone turned to Mitari.
She blinked. "Huh? Me?"
Jinn smiled tightly.
> "Heavenly Thrones Online."
Mitari froze. The amusement drained from her face, replaced by something sharper-focused, serious.
Jinn met her eyes. "If you understand what I mean, follow me."
---
They walked in silence.
The side storage room was empty, dim, locked from inside. Dust on shelves. Quiet.
Jinn turned, arms crossed.
Mitari leaned against a barrel. "You knew my title. That's not something people toss around. Who are you?"
Jinn didn't blink. "I'm a developer."
Silence.
Then, a soft exhale. "Really? Which one?"
> "Genesis-the God of Creation. That was my dev tag back then."
Mitari let out a low whistle. "No way. That name showed up on every login screen... pre-patch announcements..."
Jinn shrugged. "Yeah. We left those flashes as dev credits. Gods among mortals and all. Cute, huh?"
Mitari smirked. Then sighed. "So, you're not just someone with knowledge. You're from the inside."
"Yep. Reincarnated. Not transmigrated like you. I'm in a new body. Female. Born as a commoner. Memories fused years ago."
Mitari raised a brow. "So you're... stuck here?"
"Apparently."
Mitari crossed her arms. "Well, I didn't have it clean either. I was mid-fight in the Sky Dragon Arena. Took a hit-one that shouldn't exist in the code. Felt something hit me. Real pain. Then... I coughed blood. Inside the game."
Jinn went still.
> "That's not a glitch. That's a trigger."
"Next thing I knew," Mitari continued, "I woke up here. In this body. Surrounded by freaks calling me a summoned deity."
Jinn blinked slowly. "So. You're... actually a guy?"
Mitari rolled her eyes. "Is that your biggest takeaway?"
"Hey, I'm just asking. Did you explore the body?"
"Says the other gender-bent dev."
Jinn laughed softly. "Fair."
They paused.
Then Jinn asked, voice quiet, "Any others? Players? Reincarnators? Have you seen anyone like me?"
Mitari shook her head. "Not yet. I've been moving. Exploring. Hoping. I joined a guild to gather info. But so far... nothing."
Jinn nodded.
Mitari stood straight. "I do want to find them. If they exist. We're not alone. Not if you're here too."
Jinn looked away, thoughtful.
---
Later, outside the room, the rest of the group waited.
Jinn stepped out first. Calm.
"Your whole team is approved."
She glanced back at Mitari.
> "I met the top of the throne. And she's walking this world... just like me."
She didn't say it aloud. But it stayed with her long after.