The morning air at Denzo Bus Stop felt unusually quiet.
Max sat on a cold wooden bench, staring at the map on his phone with a tired face. Beside him, Kazuma stood tall, watching the empty road like an ancient guardian lost in the modern world.
No wonder this place was empty, Denzo was a remote area. Even the bus only passed by once every thirty minutes.
Kazuma glanced at Max, frowning.
"Boy, don't you have a horse to ride?" he asked seriously.
Max sighed and gave him a lazy look.
"Sir, it's not the age of horses anymore. We use cars, buses, airplanes, ships, and motorcycles for transportation."
Kazuma squinted.
"What are all those? And why don't you have any of them?"
Before Max could answer, a bus pulled up in front of the Denzo stop.
Kazuma froze, eyes widening in awe.
"This thing… it's like a golden carriage, and no horses pull it?"
Max held back laughter and exhaled.
Here we go again. I'm going to die of secondhand embarrassment before I even find that artifact, he thought bitterly.
He stood and pointed at the bus.
"Come on, sir. This is called a bus, a horse replacement." Max said mockingly.
Kazuma followed behind, still fascinated. Max paid for his ticket and took a seat at the very back, near the window.
It didn't take long before Kazuma spoke again.
"Hey, how does this thing move?"
Max stared straight ahead, his eyes tired.
I'll go insane at this rate…
He forced a smile.
"It moves with an engine, sir."
A few passengers turned to look. They saw Max talking seemingly to himself and began whispering.
"Poor guy… so young too," one murmured.
Max's face flushed red. He lowered his head and whispered,
"Sir, I can't keep talking to you in public. People will think I'm crazy."
Kazuma suddenly burst out laughing, loud enough to make Max's ears ring.
"Hahaha! Perfect! Let them think you're crazy. And look at your face, full of despair! Be grateful you met me. I'll make you strong and rich!"
Kazuma patted his chest proudly, while Max only sighed.
"Grateful, huh? Bastard. I wish you'd just vanish already…" he muttered in his heart.
The bus continued silently. Max stared out the window, watching the scenery change, until an hour later, it stopped at the Duson bus stop.
He stepped out, followed by Kazuma, who was still amazed by the bus.
"So, where's this place you said holds the artifact?" asked Kazuma.
Max didn't answer. He simply pointed forward, toward a large building with "Duson Museum" written above its gate.
Other passengers noticed and whispered, watching Max's sudden gesture.
"Poor boy… definitely not right in the head," one old lady muttered, shaking her head.
Max walked toward the museum entrance.
"Sir, I can help you search for the artifact only until two in the afternoon. I have work later," he said quietly. "And don't forget… about your promise."
Kazuma looked at him blankly.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. So you have a job too? I thought you were just a lazy pauper."
"Damn it… he's insulting me again," Max muttered under his breath as he bought the tickets.
Kazuma gazed around the museum, confused.
"So this is where they store artifacts? Which sect owns this place? Why do they let everyone in so easily? Aren't artifact halls supposed to be restricted to sect members only?"
Max sighed deeply.
"There are no sects anymore, sir. You just pay for a ticket. This is a public place, a historical relics are displayed so people can learn from them."
Kazuma clapped his hands once, as if understanding.
"Oh, I see. So this era is no longer an age of war."
"Right. Now, let's find it," Max said, starting to wander around.
They examined various relics behind glass cases.
"Is this an artifact?" Max asked, pointing at an old silver goblet covered in tarnish.
Kazuma shook his head.
They kept moving until they reached the end of the hall. Where a massive spear stood displayed in a long glass case, dragon engravings curling along its handle.
Kazuma stopped a few steps away.
"What is it, sir? Is this the artifact you meant? Didn't you say it looked like a goblet?" Max whispered.
"It's not the one, but this spear is still an artifact," Kazuma replied softly. "I can see a white aura around it."
Max squinted. "Aura? I don't see anything."
Kazuma scoffed. "Of course not. A filthy brat like you can't see anything! You don't even have a shred of power."
Max gave him a deadpan look.
Then, suddenly, two women and three men stood before the spear. They glanced around suspiciously. Max watched closely.
Zluppp...
The five of them vanished, sucked straight into the spear.
"W-what the hell!? Where did they go?" Max gasped.
Kazuma folded his arms. "Tch. Weaklings. Using artifacts to gain strength."
"They… used the artifact?" Max blinked.
"Yes," Kazuma said calmly. "In my time, it was the same. They sought artifacts for power, wealth, and glory. Each artifact has its own dimension. If you want to claim it, you must enter it yourself."
Kazuma smirked.
"But I'm different. I never relied on artifacts for strength."
"S-so those people were artifact hunters? And their power came from artifacts?" Max asked. Kazuma nodded.
"But wait…" Max realized something. "Aren't you the same? You're also looking for an artifact to.."
Before he could finish, Kazuma grabbed Max's hoodie with a wicked grin.
"Too much talk, brat! I'm seeking artifacts as tools! Not for power!"
He threw Max straight toward the spear.
"AAARGH! You stupid boomer! I'll smash this gla.."
Zleepp!
Max vanished into the spear's dimension and Kazuma followed right after.
When Max opened his eyes, he found himself in a strange place, an endless white field of snow.
"D-damn… it's freezing! Where the hell am I?" he muttered, his breath forming clouds.
Kazuma appeared behind him.
"I told you. This is the artifact's dimension."
DRRRRTTT…
The snowy ground rumbled violently. Max turned, an avalanche was cascading down the mountainside, rushing straight at them.
"S-shit! Avalanche! I've gotta run!" Max shouted, stumbling to his feet.
"Heh? Run? Nonsense. Your lord is here! Kazuma, the Demonic Emperor! Avalanches like these were my toys when I was a child!" Kazuma crossed his arms confidently.
"Watch this, boy! I'll show you a glimpse of my power!" he said, drawing his sword.
Slashhh!
A red wave of energy shot forth, slicing through the air toward the avalanche. Kazuma grinned proudly and sheathed his blade.
"H-holy crap! That slash created a wave of energy!?" Max gasped in awe.
Kazuma smirked. "Come. Let's go find the nearest settlement."
"B-but, sir…" Max frowned. "Why didn't your slash do anything?"
"Huh?" Kazuma looked up, eyes widening. His energy wave had passed harmlessly through the avalanche without even disturbing it.
"Arrgghh! It's still coming!" Max screamed, running downhill. "Damn it! What kind of Demonic Emperor are you!? Your attack didn't do anything! I thought you could split the mountain! You fraud! Before I die, I'm at least gonna insult you properly!"
He raised his middle finger toward Kazuma.
Kazuma's face twisted with rage. "You insolent brat!"
BRAKK!
Kazuma's fist slammed into Max's cheek, sending him flying far to the left and straight into a snowy cave.
BUUURRHHH…
The avalanche roared down, swallowing everything. The cave entrance sealed shut under layers of snow.
Floating in the air, Kazuma frowned.
"Huh… strange. Why did my punch affect him, but my attack didn't?" he murmured, glancing at Max, now unconscious inside the cave.
He smirked.
"Ah, whatever. I'll deal with that later… For now, I'll re-educate this insolent brat!"