The sound of heavy footsteps echoed through the metallic corridor. A tall, broad-shouldered man with crimson hair appeared — clad in a plain white shirt under a black coat, dark trousers, and a massive chain hanging around his neck. His imposing frame resembled that of a giant.
This was Macto, the Bringer of Destruction.
His sharp, ruthless gaze swept forward as he strode heavily toward a colossal door forged from reinforced steel, layered with advanced energy defenses. Behind him followed Septa, silent but attentive.
Macto's voice rumbled low.
"Looks like Kazat failed his mission. Where is he now, Septa? And how did Eugene survive? Whose hand was behind this? Kazat shouldn't have fallen so easily against Eugene."
Septa responded calmly but with a trace of unease.
"It seems someone chosen intervened to protect Eugene, my lord. That man must have been incredibly powerful—powerful enough to defeat Kazat. And now… Kazat has vanished without a trace."
Their footsteps carried them into an immense chamber. The great doors groaned open, revealing a radiant white light spilling from within. At its heart rested a relic sealed inside multi-layered glass, safeguarded by intricate systems of defense.
Macto stepped forward, his eyes gleaming.
"The Eye of Prophecy… once belonging to Eufatia, the former ruler of the Northern Continent. Who would have thought the very eye that once held such divine power would end up here?
I alone am worthy of it. If I claim it, I may finally stand equal to the other continental rulers…"
He pressed a command, and one by one, the layers of protective glass retracted. Septa's eyes widened in awe, and she thought silently to herself:
So this is the Eye of Prophecy… the very eye that once made even Ezev kneel, brought low by a single glance.
Macto's voice rang again.
"But I still lack the Divine Heart and the Hand of Genesis."
With both hands, he reached out and touched the relic.
"Arghhh—!"
A tortured cry tore from his throat. His arms turned black as though scorched, his face twisted in agony, as if pressing against burning flames.
"As I thought… it rejects me. Without the Hand of Genesis and the Divine Heart, I cannot wield it. But once I possess all three… I will rival the rulers themselves."
The scene shifted.
A white van-shaped spacecraft drifted across the endless sea of stars, heading straight for Siwa. Around the planet, countless ships came and went in a constant flow, like a galactic crossroad buzzing with visitors from across the cosmos.
Kai's eyes lit up, his voice bursting with excitement.
"Whoa… this is incredible! Now this is real sci-fi! Look at all those ships—big ones, small ones, everywhere! Check it out, Rese! Eugene!"
Eugene sighed, sounding thoroughly unimpressed.
"Yeah, yeah, Kai… I see it. I see it."
On the bunk, Rese flipped a page of her book, exhaling a long sigh before replying.
"Mm… fantasy's still better. I prefer classic medieval settings."
The ship pierced Siwa's atmosphere, revealing a sprawling metropolis steeped in advanced technology, glittering beyond imagination.
After landing neatly in a docking bay, an overweight old man in a white shirt, dark sunglasses, and worn boots waddled over, hands clasped together, a wide grin plastered on his face.
"Docking and watch fee—fifteen units," he declared, eyes gleaming with opportunism.
Eugene seized the man's collar with one hand, flames sparking at his fingertips, and glared.
"If anything happens to our ship, old man, I'll burn you alive."
The old man flinched, raising both hands quickly.
"Y-Yes, ma'am! I'll guard it with my life! But… could you pay me first, please?"
Kai stepped in, trying to calm the situation.
"Easy, Eugene. He's just making a living—charging rent for his own dock space."
Rese closed her book with a snap, tilting her head thoughtfully.
"Feels like we've seen this scene before…"
The three set off together.
As they walked, Eugene asked,
"So, Kai, why are we here?"
Kai answered,
"Let's rest a few days before heading out again. I hear the eastern regions are dangerous right now."
But inwardly he thought,
Has that giant serpent moved on yet…?
Just then, a group of five thugs approached from the opposite side of the street. One of them sneered.
"I heard these pills can grant you power for a while. Let's test it out on those three right there."
He swallowed a crimson pill, and immediately, the ground beneath them warped as he gained the power to control earth. Mud surged upward, threatening to engulf the trio.
Rese yelped and bolted into hiding. Kai leapt aside, narrowly dodging.
But Eugene, caught in the mire, scowled darkly.
"Ugh… filthy bastards."
Fire roared around him, scorching the earth dry in an instant. He rose slowly, his voice chilling.
"You want power? Fine. Let me show you power…"
Flames erupted, engulfing his body as he charged headlong at the thugs. One hurled a massive boulder at him, but Eugene's fingers curled like claws—fire slashed the rock apart as he surged forward, delivering a brutal kick that twisted the man's body midair and sent him crashing into the ground.
The remaining thugs broke ranks, fleeing in panic.
Soon, Eugene, Kai, and Rese stood over the unconscious one left behind. Exchanging silent glances, Eugene hefted the body onto his shoulder and dragged him into a nearby alley. With practiced efficiency, he bound the thug tightly in ropes until not even a finger could slip free.