Somewhere on a world called Earth, inside a classroom that hadn't known excitement since the invention of chalk, history class dragged on in miserable silence.
All except for one desk in the back.
"LET'S GOOOOOO—HEADSHOT!"
Devin Walker slammed his heel against the leg of his desk as he laughed out loud, gripping his handheld console with the focus of a veteran soldier. Pixelated gunfire flashed across the screen, reflected in his bright amber eyes as his thumbs danced at inhuman speed.
"Okay, okay—reload cancel, slide left—YES! YOU'RE DONE!" Devin cackled, leaning forward like he could physically dodge bullets through the screen.
His hair—dark brown bordering on black—fell messily across his forehead, uneven bangs swaying as he moved. The warm highlights caught the classroom lights every time he shifted, giving him an effortless, dangerous look that completely clashed with the wrinkled school pants, loose blazer, half-knotted tie, and very illegal sneakers planted on the classroom floor.
At the front of the room, Mr. Wexler continued lecturing.
"…and that concludes the economic ramifications of—"
"MULTI-KILL!" Devin shouted.
The chalk snapped.
Wexler froze mid-sentence.
Several students snorted. Others turned fully in their seats now, watching the show.
"Bro is NOT real," one student whispered.
"He's actually still playing," another muttered, half impressed, half irritated.
Devin didn't even notice. His entire world was the game.
"Come on, push, PUSH—why are you camping there?!" Devin yelled at his screen. "You play like an NPC!"
He burst out laughing again when his character landed another impossible shot.
"Oh my god, I'm cracked today."
"Devin."
The warning tone came sharp.
Ignored.
"DEVIN WALKER."
Still ignored.
"Triple kill—ohhh, that's dirty," Devin muttered happily. Man, if real life had hit markers, I'd be unstoppable.
Mr. Wexler slammed his hand on the desk at the front of the room.
"DEVIN!"
Devin finally glanced up—just barely.
"Huh?" he said, eyes flicking back down immediately. "Oh, my bad, sir. Lag spike."
"This is a CLASSROOM, not your personal arcade!" Wexler shouted, face already turning red. "Put the game away and open your textbook. NOW."
Devin frowned at his screen. "Can't. Boss fight."
The class exploded into laughter.
"NO WAY."
"He actually said that."
"Wexler's gonna pop."
The teacher marched down the aisle, shoes pounding like a marching drum. "You have ignored my lectures, my warnings, and every rule in this institution!"
Devin shrugged, dodging bullets onscreen. "I mean… the institution started it."
"What does that even MEAN?!"
"It means," Devin said casually, "this boss has a second phase and if I pause now, the timing's ruined."
Wexler pointed directly at him. "PUT. IT. DOWN."
"Five minutes."
"EXCUSE ME?!"
"Five minutes," Devin repeated, laughing as he barely survived an explosion. "I swear. After that? Full attention. I'll even pretend to care."
Several students were wheezing now.
"This is better than Netflix."
"He's gonna get suspended."
Devin's thoughts raced happily. Man, the AI's aggressive today. Love it. Real challenge.
"THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE!" Wexler shouted. "You think life is a game, Walker?!"
Devin didn't look up. "Kind of, yeah."
The teacher's eye twitched.
"YOU—"
BRRRRIIIIINGGGGG!
The bell rang loud and merciless, slicing through the tension like a divine intervention.
The entire room shifted instantly.
"Oh thank god."
"Saved by the bell."
"RIP Wexler."
Wexler inhaled deeply, forcing calm into his voice. "Alright. Class dismissed. Everyone go home. We'll… continue this discussion tomorrow."
He glared at Devin.
"We. Are. Not. Finished."
Devin gave a lazy thumbs-up without looking. "Cool."
Chairs scraped. Backpacks zipped. Students flooded the room with noise.
"I'm grabbing food."
"Game night at my place."
"I'm not opening a book till next week."
Devin stayed seated.
Still playing.
Still laughing.
"YES! FINAL BLOW!" he shouted, pumping his fist. "That's what you get, ugly monster!"
The classroom emptied around him.
"Dude, you're insane," someone called as they passed.
"Worth it," Devin replied, eyes glued to the screen.
The door shut.
Silence.
Except for Devin.
"Heh… loot drop?" he muttered. "Ohhh, legendary—nice."
He finally stood, stretching. "Another flawless victory."
He slung his bag over his shoulder and strolled out alone.
The halls echoed softly now, lockers humming under fluorescent lights. Devin barely noticed as he walked straight out of the school, already back into his game.
The city stretched out in every direction—glass buildings, speeding cars, flashing ads, and hundreds of lives passing one another without pause.
And in the middle of it all, Devin Walker walked forward like he wasn't part of any of it.
His eyes never left the glowing handheld console in his hands. His fingers tapped rapid-fire. His body moved on autopilot, swerving slightly left and right to avoid trash bins, walls, and the occasional pedestrian like he was still playing the game.
"LET'S GO!" Devin shouted, spinning around mid-walk as his avatar reloaded.
"Okay, okay—reload cancel, drop shot, spin left, aim—YEAH, HEADSHOT!" he laughed, drawing stares from two people waiting at a crosswalk.
"Is he yelling at a screen?" one woman asked.
"I think he's losing it," muttered a guy in a suit.
"TRIPLE KILL!" Devin whooped, throwing a fist in the air. "Dude, you can't hide from the BULLET REAPER!"
He kept walking, oblivious to their looks.
Man, I should speedrun this level, Devin thought. These mobs are too easy. Gimme a real challenge, game. Gimme something worth my reaction time.
A pigeon flew across his path. He didn't notice.
The light turned red at the crosswalk.
Devin didn't stop.
"Grenade out! FLUSHED YOU, LOSER!"
A taxi honked as he barely missed its front bumper.
"WATCH IT!" the driver yelled out the window.
Devin just kept walking, still immersed.
"BROOOO. That wallbang? DISGUSTING! I'm filthy!"
Another man walking his dog shook his head. "Why's this kid screaming in public?"
"This generation's broken," the dog-walker muttered. "Put the damn game down."
"OH, SNAP—ULTIMATE READY!" Devin shouted at the top of his lungs. "Time to wipe the map!"
He stepped off the curb.
Didn't look up.
Didn't hear the truck coming.
Down the road, a large delivery truck swerved out from a side alley, moving far too fast. It drifted around a smaller car, horn blaring, tires screeching. The driver screamed something into his radio.
HOOOOOOOOOOOOONK!!!
Devin didn't react.
He was crouched now, holding the console at chest level, eyes wide and locked onto the screen.
"I SEE YOU, FINAL BOSS. You think you're safe? Nah. I'm the glitch in your code!"
The truck barreled forward.
Other pedestrians on the sidewalk stopped, their eyes widening.
The crosswalk was ahead.
Devin stepped into it, still laughing, still yelling.
"THIS is what I live for! This is PEAK GAMING! I'm the raid boss now!"
A kid nearby screamed.
"HEY! KID! STOP!"
Devin looked up.
Time slowed.
The world lost sound.
The truck's headlights glared straight into his eyes—massive, fast, unstoppable. The metallic roar of the engine caught up a second later. The entire street was a blur of noise, brakes, and smoke.
Devin's heart stopped for a second.
Oh.
He had one clear, ridiculous thought:
Man… I hope I get isekai'd. Like… a cool one. Not a slime farm or something.Magic. Guns. Cute party members. Secret powers. Whole vibe.
The truck hit.
Everything went black.
Silence.
Complete silence.
No horns.
No shouts.
No footsteps.
Just…
Silence.
Then—music.
Not angelic choirs. Not a sad piano.
A chill lo-fi beat drifted through the void, like someone left a cosmic playlist on in the background. The melody was lazy jazz mixed with static, like a record player floating through space.
Devin's eyes fluttered open.
"…Ugh. Did I unlock God Mode?"
He blinked.
He wasn't in the street.
Wasn't in pain.
He was lying on a round disc of glowing stone, suspended in nothingness. The platform pulsed gently with white light under his back, like a heartbeat syncing with his own.
Above him, the sky was… not a sky.
Galaxies rotated in slow spirals like mobile decorations. Comets glided lazily by, painting trails of color through infinity. Floating pages turned mid-air. Stars flickered like sleepy fireflies. And somewhere nearby, a planet yawned.
It wasn't just beautiful.
It was cozy.
Devin sat up slowly, still groggy.
"What… where am I? The loading screen for heaven?"
He stood, wobbling a little. The void beneath the platform had no wind, no weight—just infinite depth. It didn't feel threatening. It felt like the universe was holding its breath.
Then he saw him.
Across the platform sat a short old man in a ridiculously massive robe—gold, star-stitched, and dragging behind him like a curtain. His white beard sparkled with distant galaxies. His eyes, mismatched and swirling, were focused calmly on Devin.
He sipped tea from a chipped mug, pinky raised, sandals dangling from a floating cushion.
"Ah," the old man said. "Someone's awake."
Devin stared. "Uh… hi?"
"Welcome," the man said. "To the space between moments. The cradle of creation. The lounge behind the universe."
"…Is this… the afterlife?"
The old man grinned. "You could say that. I prefer to call it my break room."
Devin blinked hard.
"You… you're not God, are you?"
"I'm Aeon," the old man said with a small bow. "Builder of Worlds. Eternal Tinkerer. CEO of Reality."
Devin pointed at him. "Y-You're the god?! THE god?!"
Aeon nodded. "More or less."
"I DIED?!"
"Yes. Truck. Crosswalk. No situational awareness. Classic isekai scenario."
Devin just stood there, mouth open.
Then slowly, a grin spread across his face.
"No. Freaking. Way. I ACTUALLY GOT TRUCKED?! THAT'S SO ANIME!!"
Aeon chuckled. "It's cliché for a reason."
Devin's brain short-circuited with excitement. "So, wait—waitwaitwait… if this is the isekai setup, then I get powers? Magic? A cool class? A talking sword? A sexy demon girl?!"
Aeon laughed heartily. "Kid… how'd you feel about becoming the world's first Magic Gunslinger?"
Devin stopped.
His jaw dropped.
"…HUH?"
Aeon sipped his tea again. "I thought you'd like that."
The galaxies spun a little faster.
The stars twinkled with interest.
History was about to get glitched.
Devin stood frozen, mouth slightly open, heart thundering in his chest.
"M-Magic Gunslinger?" he stuttered.
Aeon chuckled into his chipped mug of tea. "Yes, boy. Magic Gunslinger. Like the one in your video games."
Devin's voice exploded out of him. "FOR REAL?!?!"
Aeon nodded with a grin. "Oh, it's real now."
Devin nearly dropped to his knees.
No way. No freaking way. A real Magic Gunslinger?! That class was my entire personality growing up! The mix of firearms and spells… the dual-wielded justice… the duster coat and the bullet storm... and now it's real?!
"It's been my dream!" he muttered to himself, pacing in a tight circle. "I used to draw my own skill trees! I modded every game to make this a real build! And now… it actually exists?!"
Aeon raised a hand casually. "It didn't. Not until now."
Devin blinked. "Huh?"
"I created that class just for you," Aeon said, eyes twinkling.
Devin's brain glitched.
"Wait… what? Why me?"
Aeon leaned back, sipping his tea again. "I don't really know. You're a paradox. An anomaly. Something like you only shows up every few centuries."
Devin stared at him. "Seriously? You make me sound like a bug report."
Aeon chuckled. "Don't worry about it, kid."
Devin tilted his head. "So… what exactly is a Magic Gunslinger?"
Aeon's eyes gleamed.
"A warrior who channels spells through bullets. Who reshapes the battlefield with both firepower and arcane will. Guns forged to command magic. Magic tuned to the rhythm of a trigger. Not brute force. Not ancient bloodlines. Just willpower, creativity… and precision."
Devin fell quiet.
Okay… that's cooler than anything I imagined. My games never explained it like that. So what's the difference between the fake ones I've played… and this real one?
As if reading his mind, Aeon swirled his tea.
"The difference is… this one is alive. Connected to your soul. A class born from your choices. Your instincts. Your chaos."
Devin slowly nodded. "I see…"
Aeon smiled. "So. Would you like to become a Magic Gunslinger, kid?"
Devin looked him dead in the eye.
His grin spread wide.
"Hell yeah. Of course!"
Aeon laughed. "Good, my boy."
Aeon leaned back, his tea steaming softly in the quiet space between stars. Then, slowly, he raised his hand.
Snap.
The sound echoed through the void like thunder muffled by velvet.
Suddenly, a deep hum vibrated beneath Devin's feet. He looked down—and his heart nearly jumped into his throat.
A glowing, arcane magic circle had appeared under him, wide and intricate, formed of layered rings and spinning symbols that shimmered with golden-blue light. Runes shifted like gears. Lines of light pulsed outward in rhythmic pulses. It looked like a ritual. Or a summoning. Or a cheat code for reality itself.
"Whoa—WHOA! What the hell?!" Devin shouted, jumping in place as the circle expanded beneath him, still spinning, its light crawling up his legs like smoke made of lightning.
Aeon grinned, eyes twinkling. "Calm down, kid. Just let it happen."
Devin blinked rapidly. "LET IT HAPPEN?! I'M STANDING INSIDE A MAGICAL TARGETING RETICLE!"
The circle began to glow brighter.
A low hum grew louder, rising into a musical chord that vibrated through Devin's bones. The runes shifted into a new language he somehow understood—like the code of the universe was being rewritten just for him.
The outer ring lit up first, then the second, third, fourth—each activation flaring with arcs of golden light. The circle now pulsed like a heartbeat, glowing brighter with every beat.
The light rose higher, reaching Devin's knees… then his waist.
"What's it doing?!" Devin cried, holding up his hands like it might physically stop the light. "Why is it so bright?! Is this gonna explode?!"
Aeon sipped his tea. "Just relax. You'll feel a little… transcended."
Devin turned his head away as the glow surged, blinding and warm, like standing inside a star.
The magic circle suddenly flared with one last, blinding pulse.
"GAH—MY EYES!" Devin shouted, covering his face with both arms. "WHO GAVE THIS LIGHT A NUCLEAR SETTING?!"
And then—
Silence.
The hum faded.
The light dimmed.
The glow vanished as quickly as it came.
Devin slowly peeked through his fingers. "…Is it over?"
He looked down. The magic circle was gone.
No flames. No explosions. Not even heat. Just… calm.
Aeon nodded, smiling calmly. "It's done."
Devin lowered his arms. "What's done?"
There was a short pause.
Then—ding.
A soft chime echoed in the space around them. A faint blue shimmer appeared in the air in front of Devin, pulsing gently like a hologram booting up.
Devin stepped back instinctively.
A translucent blue system screen materialized before his eyes—sharp, glowing, crystalline in shape. It hovered in mid-air, framed in silver arcane glyphs.
CLASS UNLOCKED[MAGIC GUNSLINGER]
The impossible path forged by paradox. Spell and shot, heart and trigger, chaos and control.
Stats Recalibrated...Soul Sync Complete.Gunslinger Interface Activated.
Welcome, Devin Walker.You are now the first of your kind.
Devin's eyes widened.
"Bro…" he whispered, awestruck. "It's real. It's actually real. This looks exactly like the dream menus I used to mock up in notebooks. This is INSANE."
He spun in a slow circle, hands waving through the screen's edge like a kid discovering VR for the first time.
"Status window? Check. Animations? Smooth. Glyphs? Sexy. This UI SLAPS."
Aeon chuckled. "Glad you like the interface. Took me a few millennia to polish that one."
"I feel like I just installed a soul expansion pack," Devin muttered, still looking over the floating text. "This is crazy. I'm… I'm really a Magic Gunslinger now."
"Indeed," Aeon said. "You've been soul-synced to your new class. Your essence has been recalibrated to wield both bullet and spell."
Devin reached out, the tips of his fingers brushing the glowing edge of the class banner.
Magic Gunslinger...
The words looked back at him like fate written in neon fire.
My childhood dream... My ultimate build… and now I'm living it. I can't believe this.
Aeon chuckled as he watched Devin practically vibrating with excitement, eyes still glued to the glowing class window in front of him.
"Your energy is infectious," he said with a grin. "I haven't seen anyone this hyped about magic since I invented it."
Devin spun in place, fists clenched like a kid on his birthday. "I still can't believe this! Me—a real Magic Gunslinger! This is insane!"
"What now?" he asked, turning to Aeon, breathless.
Aeon casually sipped his tea. "Now… I send you to another world."
Devin froze.
"…You mean it? Like… full-on isekai? Different reality? Cool new sky? Weird languages? Floating islands?"
Aeon smiled. "The whole package. You're getting a second chance at life. Not bound by old rules. Not tied to the mundane."
Devin's eyes sparkled like suns. "I can't wait to see it. The new world… the magic… the monsters… the quests…!"
"I am not surprised," Aeon said, raising an eyebrow. "You're the kind of person who treats chaos like breakfast cereal."
Devin laughed, then tilted his head slightly. "What kind of world is it, anyway?"
Aeon's tone shifted slightly, growing quieter, almost like a teacher holding back a surprise final exam. "It's a world fueled by Leylines—veins of pure magic. It flows through the land, sky, and even the creatures. It births monsters. It empowers heroes. It feeds war. And for those who learn to command it, the power is limitless."
Devin stood still, absorbing every word.
"There are no guns there," Aeon continued. "Not yet. Sword and sorcery rule the battlefield. Kingdoms rise through spellfire. Monsters carve empires of bone. Adventurers chase gods in dungeons that break reality. And now… you'll bring something new."
Devin's grin widened. "Woah…"
Aeon laughed. "Now that's the reaction I like to see."
Devin practically bounced. "I can't wait to go now! Seriously—put me in, coach!"
"Ah," Aeon said suddenly, blinking. "Almost forgot something important."
Devin froze mid-bounce. "Wait—forgot what?"
Aeon raised his hand and snapped his fingers.
CRACK—
A blinding light split the air in front of Devin. But it wasn't divine.
Not holy.
Not infernal.
It was something older.
The space in front of him peeled apart like a curtain of stars, revealing a rift in reality itself. From within, two shapes floated into the void—slowly, silently.
Guns.
Not mundane weapons.
Not anything from Earth.
They hovered in the air, slowly rotating, casting complex shadows across the glowing platform.
One was white and silver, etched with runes that hummed with precision—perfectly balanced. Its metal glowed like starlight, and the air around it pulsed like a held breath.
The other was black and obsidian, its surface cracked with glowing crimson veins. It vibrated with restrained power—like the universe itself feared what would happen if it woke up fully.
The air bent around them.
Mana recoiled.
Reality… leaned away.
Devin took a step back, whispering, "Are those…?"
He reached out, his hand trembling slightly.
The moment his fingers brushed the grips, his breath hitched.
Power surged into him.
Not explosive.Not chaotic.Absolute.
His pulse synced with theirs. Like they were alive. Like they had been waiting for him.
Before he could speak, he felt them inside him. Their presence. Their names.
His knees nearly buckled as a jolt of energy raced through his spine.
He gasped. "What… what the hell are these?"
Aeon's voice lowered, no longer playful. Now… reverent.
"They are all that remains of the God Age—a time before mortal kingdoms, when deities walked the earth. Wars raged not between men, but between concepts. Fate. Death. Time. Stars. Love. Annihilation."
Devin blinked hard, listening, stunned.
"Two goddesses rose above the rest," Aeon continued, eyes distant. "Twin sisters. Opposites. Equals."
He raised one finger, pointing to the silver gun.
"EONARA — the Glock of Absolute Precision. Goddess of Focus, of Stillness. Every shot she fired reshaped history. She could shoot through a lie. Through time. Through a soul."
Then he pointed to the dark one.
"GENESIS — the Glock of Primordial Annihilation. Goddess of Creation and Destruction. Her power didn't aim. It decided. She burned down stars to plant seeds of new galaxies. A trigger-pull from her was an apocalypse wrapped in a lullaby."
Devin's eyes widened, mouth dry.
"But in the end," Aeon said softly, "they were too powerful. Mortal minds couldn't comprehend them. Other gods feared them. I had to seal them away… not to imprison them, but to protect them. To preserve them."
He looked straight at Devin.
"…Inside those guns."
Silence.
Devin staggered back, clutching them in disbelief.
"I… I'm holding goddesses?"
"You're bonded to them now," Aeon said. "Their power is yours—if you earn their trust."
Devin shook his head slowly. "This is insane. This is… I don't even know what to say."
"Take them," Aeon said, his voice now steady, calm, and full of purpose. "Make them your partners."
Devin's eyes flicked from the glowing god-guns to the god sipping tea.
He nodded slowly. "Alright… let's do this."
With both hands, Devin reached forward, fingers wrapping around the grips of the divine weapons.
The moment he touched them—
BOOM.
A pulse of energy slammed into his body.
Not like a shock. Not pain.
Like truth.
The guns released a light that poured into him like liquid lightning. Glowing runes spun along his arms. Rings of magic circled his wrists, elbows, shoulders, chest—flowing inward toward his core.
His eyes flew open, golden-amber irises now shining like suns.
He gasped. "Wha… what is this?! It's—!"
It's like they're syncing with me… like… we've always been connected.I can feel their emotions. Memories. Power. Not words—but presence. Familiarity. Unity.
One side—sharp, still, focused. The precision of purpose. Eonara.
The other—wild, heavy, chaotic. The endless cycle of creation and destruction. Genesis.
Two forces. In harmony.
Devin staggered slightly, clutching his chest. "This connection… It's not just magic. It's like my soul found its missing pieces."
Aeon smiled softly. "That's what it means to bond with them. You aren't their master, Devin. You're their match."
Devin looked up, sweat running down his temple, but eyes still glowing. "It's like… I can feel them breathing inside me. Like they're alive. Listening. Waiting."
"Good, my boy," Aeon said with pride, taking another sip of tea. "Very good."
The two guns began to shift in Devin's hands—slowly turning into streams of light. White and crimson spirals lifted from his palms and swirled upward, then dove into his chest like comets.
The moment they vanished into him, a soft ripple of light spread out across the platform—calm and final.
Devin blinked, staring at his own hands, his chest rising and falling.
"…They're inside me now."
He clenched a fist.
"I've never felt more complete."
Aeon chuckled. "Then it's time."
Devin grinned. "Yeah. I'm ready."
"Are you sure?" Aeon asked.
Devin nodded with confidence. "Let's go. I've waited my whole life for this moment."
Aeon stood slowly, raising his hand.
"See ya, old man," Devin said, tipping an imaginary hat.
Aeon laughed, the corners of his eyes wrinkling like stars. "See ya, Devin Walker."
Snap.
The air pulsed.
Light rushed in from all sides, curling around Devin's body in glowing arcs. Space twisted. Time hiccupped. The void bent inward.
He raised a hand, waving goodbye—
And then—
FLASH.
He was gone.
Aeon remained behind, alone on the floating platform, sipping his tea once more.
He smiled at the empty space where Devin had stood.
"Show the world who you are, boy," he murmured. "And enjoy the little surprise I left for you."
He chuckled softly.
A few seconds later—
A spark tore through space.
With a crack like thunder swallowing lightning, Devin reappeared, his boots hitting the soft earth with a muffled thud.
He stood at the edge of a forest. Wind rustled the tall grass. Light filtered gently through a canopy of ancient trees. A small stream gurgled nearby, sparkling with ambient mana. The air smelled of wildflowers and magic.
Devin blinked.
Then looked down at himself.
"…Whoa."
His old clothes were gone. Completely replaced.
On his head sat a wide-brimmed adventurer's hat, dark brown leather, worn just enough to look cool. Around its crown, a strap held a pair of steampunk-style goggles with metallic frames and glowing blue lenses. A single pale feather was tucked into the side—just the right amount of flair.
Short, tousled brown hair fell just beneath the brim, with soft bangs framing his face. A small, metallic earring dangled from one ear, catching the sunlight as he turned.
A deep red scarf was wrapped loosely around his neck, bold and warm against the rest of his gear. Beneath it, a dark fitted combat shirt hugged his torso—lightweight, flexible, reinforced.
Then came the coat.
A long, leather duster flowed behind him, its weight balanced and dramatic. Dark brown, with lighter accents and reinforced seams, it looked like it had been tailored for both gunfights and heroic poses. Thin blue crystal inlays glowed at the lapels, cuffs, shoulders, and hem, flickering like fireflies.
Small lightning arcs of enchantment danced subtly along the coat's edges, never fully flashing—just teasing their presence.
Straps and buckles crossed his chest and sides, built for gear. At his waist, a sturdy leather belt with an angular blue gemstone buckle held him together like the centerpiece of a character select screen.
Fitted brown trousers, tactical and reinforced, wrapped his legs. Leather straps wrapped the upper thighs, perfectly placed for holsters, ammo, or magic trinkets.
His hands were covered in fingered leather gloves—reinforced knuckles, sleek trim, flexible enough to pull off trick shots.
And finally—boots.Tall, dark, armored, secured with buckles. Built for stomping through battlefields and walking away from explosions.
Devin turned in place slowly.
Whistled.
Then broke into laughter.
"Oh man… THIS is peak drip! I look like I walked out of a JRPG opening cinematic!"
He tipped his hat slightly, smirking.
"I'm about to ruin this world's difficulty curve."
He stepped forward, the coat shifting dramatically behind him, catching the breeze like a cape.
The grass whispered beneath his boots.
Birds chirped.
Mana drifted lazily in the air, glowing like pollen. The forest was alive, full of energy—quiet, but not still. Something moved between the trees. The world was breathing.
Devin placed a hand on his chest, feeling the twin pulses of the guns inside him.
Eonara… Genesis… You ready?
No words came.
Just a quiet warmth.
Devin smiled.
"Alright then…"
He cracked his neck, adjusted his scarf, and started walking.
Into the forest.
Into the unknown.
Into his new legend.
Leaves crunched beneath his boots. Wind stirred the trees. The faint, distant call of a magical beast echoed through the woods.
Everything was alive with magic.
And yet…
Far above him, hidden in the branches of a tall tree, something watched.
A shadowed figure with pointed ears crouched on a thick branch, unmoving. Her long hair drifted in the wind, and her eyes glowed faintly violet as they watched the newly arrived boy.
She narrowed her gaze.
"…That disturbance I felt… What was it?" she whispered.
She closed her eyes."I can feel the spirits trembling… That light—it tore the veil."
She stood up on the branch, perfectly balanced, wind rustling her dark cloak.
"I'm going to find out."
In a blink of motion, her form shimmered—And vanished.
Like she was never there.
To be continued...