The white vanished, replaced by the familiar chaos of the city. Buildings twisted in impossible angles, shadows crawling along walls like living ink. Monsters prowled as before, but Haruto felt no fear.
He stood atop a rooftop, the wind biting at his skin, the Codex hovering faintly beside him. Every heartbeat resonated with the thrill of freedom, a freedom no story, no entity, no sword could take from him.
He flexed his fingers. Insta-Kill. His signature skill, once a tool of blind arrogance, now felt sharper, controlled. And with his world observation skill, he could anticipate threats, track aware beings, and study the battlefield before a single step.
Below, aware beings moved cautiously. Monsters snarled, sensing the anomaly returning. The city itself seemed to notice him. He was a man who defied expectations.
Across the skyline, on another rooftop, Reick waited. Calm. Observant.
Their eyes met. For a heartbeat, time itself seemed to hesitate.
> "So… you've returned," Reick said.
Haruto clenched his fists, a low, menacing grin forming:
> "Yes. I've returned. And this time, I'm not just another character in your story. I'm alive. I see. I act."
Monsters roared, aware beings shifted, and the city trembled. Haruto had no superpower to rewrite reality. Only his skills, wits, and defiance.
Then, Haruto's eyes narrowed, glowing with cold resolve. He took a deep breath, voice low, cutting through the chaos:
> "And one day… I will kill the one who controlled me all this time. The one who made me nothing but a plaything. That creator… will pay. No mercy. No forgiveness. I will make them regret ever touching my life!"
He turned toward the horizon, fists clenched, ready.
> "Let the real game begin."
------- s1 End-------