The morning sun crept lazily over the horizon, spilling its light across Zeke's face. He groaned, rolling over on the bed like a man physically rejecting responsibility.
"Still alive," he muttered, staring at the ceiling. "I'll take it."
[Ding! Daily Sign-In complete. Reward: Extreme Defense Array.]
A small, black-gold disc appeared above his palm. Its surface glowed faintly, etched with intricate runes that pulsed like veins of molten metal.
[Extreme Defense Array: Generates an unbreakable barrier capable of blocking any known attack. Duration indefinite. Cooldown: 1 day.]
Zeke blinked at the description, unimpressed. "So basically a divine panic button."
[Accurate summary.]
"Perfect."
He rolled out of bed, dragging himself toward the courtyard like a man powered by spite and routine. The city below buzzed with life again—guards and envoys repairing last night's damage, townsfolk cautiously returning to normalcy.
Alora stood near the gates, her usual black attire blending with the shadows.
"Morning," Zeke greeted, his hair a mess.
"You look half-dead," she said, tone flat as ever.
"That's my secret."
Without any ceremony, he tossed the disc lightly into the air. It spun once before releasing a wave of golden light that expanded silently across the city. The light rippled like liquid before fading, leaving the air charged but calm.
[Extreme Defense Array: Active.]
Alora felt the faint divine pressure and tilted her head. "A formation tool?"
"Something like that," Zeke said.
"How strong?"
"Strong enough."
Alora nodded. In her mind, that meant it could probably withstand attacks from Golden Core cultivators at best. "That'll hold against most threats," she said, turning away.
"Yeah," Zeke replied with a small grin. "Should suffice."
[Host successfully underplays divine-tier power. Bluff level: professional.]
"It's called tactical humility," Zeke muttered.
Later that morning, the scent of breakfast filled the courtyard. Lira arrived, dressed neatly despite the exhaustion of the previous night.
"You've been busy already, Lord Zeke," she said, taking a seat.
"Security upgrade," Zeke said, sipping tea. "Figured I'd protect the city before someone else tries to redecorate it with explosions."
Her lips curved into a small smile. "Efficient."
"Lazy," Alora corrected.
"Productively lazy," Zeke countered.
The light banter faded as Lira's tone turned serious. "Those assassins… they weren't acting on impulse. The information they had was deliberate. Someone's spreading false intelligence across the region."
Zeke sighed. "So the world's falling apart because of bad rumors. Great."
[Universal constant confirmed.]
"Don't encourage him," Alora murmured.
Captain Ren entered, bowing respectfully. "Lord Zeke, our scouts confirmed it. Multiple sects received the same false reports about a shipment carrying a rare herb. Someone wants chaos."
Zeke leaned back. "So, fake news started a war. Classic."
Lira nodded grimly. "If this continues, even the great clans will get dragged into it."
"Yeah, well, as long as they don't drag it here, I'm fine."
"That's the problem," Captain Ren said. "You're in the middle of it now. Whoever orchestrated this won't let witnesses live."
Zeke shrugged. "I've been on people's kill lists before. Builds character."
[It does not.]
"Stop ruining my image," Zeke whispered.
Alora crossed her arms. "You need to take this seriously. If they learn Lira's here—"
Zeke raised a hand. "Relax. This city's the worst possible place to attack right now."
"Why?"
He smirked. "Because I'm here."
[Overconfidence level: consistent.]
By late afternoon, preparations were underway. Guards patrolled tighter routes, barriers were reinforced, and Lira oversaw the wounded.
When dusk approached, Captain Ren stepped forward. "We'll return to Pill Tower to report what happened."
Lira hesitated. "It's safer if I go with them."
Zeke leaned lazily against the gate. "Safe? You're really gonna use that word in front of me?"
She smiled softly. "Then wish me luck."
"Good luck," he said, waving. "Try not to explode."
[Explosion probability: 83%.]
"Stop jinxing it," Alora muttered.
Just as Lira and her envoy reached the edge of the city walls, the air changed.
A heavy stillness swept through the streets. The sky dimmed.
Then—
BOOM.
A crushing pressure slammed down upon the city like the heavens themselves had descended. The earth trembled, walls groaned, and cultivators across the city gasped for breath under the suffocating weight.
"Three signatures," Alora said instantly, her voice tight. "Golden Core—one of them… peak stage."
Zeke squinted upward. "Of course. It's always the peak ones."
Above them, the clouds parted as three figures appeared atop a colossal flying Qi beast. Its black feathers glimmered with faint red light, eyes glowing like embers.
Behind it soared several more flying beasts, each carrying masked cultivators in black robes—Foundation Establishment level.
The leader's voice thundered across the sky.
"We are the Shadow Hall—from the Western Region. We seek only the Heavenly Soul Herb your convoy carried. Hand it over, and we'll spare your lives."
Lira's voice trembled but held firm. "There is no such herb! You're mistaken!"
The leader sneered. "Lies. We traced your convoy's energy trail ourselves."
"I told you," Captain Ren shouted, "we never had it!"
The leader smirked. "Then you'll die for your secrets."
Three powerful bursts of Qi exploded from above, golden waves crashing down toward the city.
The air shook—
—and then went still.
The attacks vanished before reaching the ground, dissolving harmlessly against the invisible barrier.
Zeke exhaled. "Ah. Music to my ears."
[Extreme Defense Array successfully nullified triple Golden Core assault.]
Alora tensed, analyzing the impact. "That… shouldn't have held for long. Not against three at once."
Zeke tilted his head. "You sure?"
"Even a high-tier barrier would've cracked."
"Hmm. Guess this one's just better."
Alora turned toward Captain Ren. "You take one. I'll handle the other two."
Before they could leap, Zeke raised a hand. "Wait."
They both looked at him.
[Ding! New Quest: Show off to gain a surprise.]
Zeke blinked. "Show off?"
[Affirmative.]
He grinned. "Finally, a quest made for me."
"Zeke," Alora warned, "this isn't the time."
"Oh, it's exactly the time."
Zeke walked to the center of the courtyard, calling out loudly, "Hey! Shadow Hall, right? Quick question—ever considered knocking?"
The leader's eyes narrowed. "Silence, insect."
Zeke cupped a hand to his ear. "What's that? Sorry, can't hear you over your overcompensation."
A wave of whispers spread among the envoys. Lira paled. Alora's grip on her sword tightened.
"Please don't," she muttered.
"Too late," Zeke said with a grin.
He pulled a small pouch from his side and held it up. "Since you guys like surprises—here's one."
He reached inside and withdrew a single Golden Core Grenade.
The system's tone was almost amused. [Warning: Overkill imminent.]
"That's the idea."
He flicked it upward lazily. The small sphere sailed through the air, glowing faintly.
For half a second, nothing happened.
Then—
BOOOOOOM!
A blinding explosion tore through the clouds, turning the sky gold and white. The three Golden Core experts and their nearby subordinates disintegrated instantly, leaving nothing but drifting particles of light.
When the glow faded, the only thing that remained was silence—and a perfectly intact barrier that hadn't even rippled.
The entire city stood frozen.
Zeke looked up, unimpressed. "Hmm. A bit bright. Might throw two next time."
Alora slowly turned to him. "What… did you just throw?"
"A peace offering."
"That wasn't peace."
"Depends who you ask."
Lira and Captain Ren approached cautiously, eyes wide.
"Lord Zeke," Lira said, still stunned, "you just… killed three Golden Core experts."
"I prefer removed inconveniences," he said, dusting off his hands.
Alora stared at him for a long moment before sighing. "You're terrifying."
"You say that like it's news."
She folded her arms. "Those things you threw—where did you even get them?"
Zeke smirked. "Family heirlooms."
"Meaning?"
"Meaning I may or may not have borrowed them from a certain clan treasury before I left home."
"You stole from the Blade Clan," Alora said flatly.
"I prefer strategically relocated unused resources."
She pinched the bridge of her nose. "How many?"
Zeke thought. "Enough to start a small war."
Alora sighed. "If the clan ever finds out, they'll send an execution squad."
"They'll have to get through the barrier first."
Zeke smirked faintly, muttering under his breath, "See? Even my system agrees."
Alora blinked. "You're talking to yourself again."
"It's called leadership."
"Delusion."
"Same difference."
The city gradually came back to life. The terrified guards began cheering; villagers peeked from windows in disbelief.
Above them, the sky cleared completely, the last traces of smoke fading away.
Zeke stretched his arms with a yawn. "Well, that escalated quickly."
[Ding! Quest complete. Surprise reward pending.]
He smiled lazily. "I love my life."
Alora stared at him. "You're insane."
"Probably," Zeke said. "But it works."
The city below roared with renewed confidence, and as the sun rose higher, the invisible barrier shimmered faintly in approval—protecting the madman who called it "home."