Chapter 5: The Fleeting Past
[Noir's POV]
I don't know what I am. No... I do know. But that identity never felt true. Still, I accepted it—I am a God. A unique one. But a God, nonetheless.
For as long as I can remember, my life has been spent in solitude, in this primal darkness.
The only companion in this eternal nothingness was one of my own powers.
< Hii, I am Akasha. Your eternal servant, existing solely to serve you. >
This power has accompanied me for as long as I can remember.
Though quirky, she's the reason I never lost myself. She says she's all-knowing, and she's always telling me some kind of story. Through them, I learned many things.
I just hoped that one day, I'd have real companions—not just my own powers.
—
Today was a strange day.
I don't know why, but I felt like if I attacked the darkness with all my might, I could break free from this cage of solitude.
< Yes, master! Attack. And please, attack with all your might. If not… >
So I did.
One strike. Two strikes. A hundred thousand strikes...
CRACK
I heard a sound. When I looked, I saw a line of light.
I focused on that spot.
CRACK
More and more cracks of light appeared. I was overjoyed...
One million strikes...
BOOM
A part of space shattered. I could see the light beyond.
I willed myself toward it—and then…
…I appeared in the human world: Eden.
I couldn't understand anything at first. Everything was so… bright.
At first, I thought the world had split open. Above me was... not black, not empty—but something vast and aching. A ceiling without walls, painted in impossible hues. It wasn't the void I knew—it breathed, shimmered, wept light. The sky. That's what Akasha called it. But to me, it was the first wound of color in my endless dark.
I wanted to catch it. Touch it. Feel it.
< Master, the data transfer hasn't started yet, so you can't access your concept: [***********] for now. But since I am one of your powers myself, I can handle it. Please allow me to acquire powers on your behalf for now.
Yes/No? >
I didn't understand, but I trusted Akasha. If she says it's necessary, then it must be.
'Yes,' I agreed.
< Affirmation received… Taking command. >
After that, I looked back up at the sky.
I willed myself upward. In this energy form, I could travel freely by will alone.
I zipped through the air for a while—then I saw it. The place I came from: a golden egg.
So… did I come from there?
< Yes, my master. >
I also noticed someone standing near it, with strange things hovering around him.
I moved toward the being and observed him. He observed me in return. A quiet moment passed between us. Then Akasha intervened—
< My master, would you like to acquire: [Omicron Human Form]?
Yes/No? >
Huh? Would I look like him?
< Yes, you would. >
'Then acquire it.' I gave permission.
—
New Power Acquired: [Omicron Human Form]
[Omicron Human Form] – The user can transform their entire being into a superior human version of themselves.
—
I watched in awe as two hands and two legs formed. Though my vision became limited, I could see more clearly.
I was thrilled—but then I noticed I was much shorter than the human.
< Master, you are just a newborn, while he is an adult. >
Still…
I crawled toward him. In this form, I couldn't fly like before—not until I acquired a suitable ability.
When I reached his legs, he suddenly picked me up. I was about to ask Akasha to acquire a power to erase him, but he was too sneaky—
He wrapped his arms around me so I couldn't move.
"Aww~ How cute."
W-What! What did he just say?
Cute? Me? I am a God. Thou mortal show reverence!
My divine tongue started slipping out in situations like this.
< Accept it, master. You are cute in your baby form. >
Akasha... y-you traitor!!
Ugh. Suddenly, I started feeling sleepy.
Could... could this person be one of those child traffickers from Akasha's stories?
Hey, Akasha. Your master is in danger. Do something!
< My master, I believe going with this person is the best option. >
What?! What if he sells me to someone?
< Then we'll just burn him. >
She is right too.
< Just sleep for now. You've just hatched. >
She's changed.
Where did all that talk of loyalty go?
Is everything in this world a lie?
< I'm not telling you another story if you don't sleep. >
T-That's tyranny! I'm 100% sure she changed the moment we left the egg.
*Yaawn*
Sleepiness overwhelmed me. So, I slept. Definitely not because someone threatened me.
And then... the nightmare began.
Every time I slept, information—tons of it—about the powers within the ring on my right hand flooded me. For three years, every day.
I still shudder remembering it.
Waking up each day, filled with knowledge about powers that could destroy my peaceful life... I started fearing my own strength.
It was horrifying.
Akasha said it was knowledge of all powers that exist, will exist, or will never exist. I was skeptical about the last one—if I acquire a power that "will never exist," doesn't it start existing then? Or, am I an exception in her count? Only Akasha knows.
That's why, unless necessary, I don't acquire new powers.
Who knows when I might lose control?
But when necessary—I don't hesitate.
I believe the ring's purpose is to encourage slow progress.
Because if gaining all powers at once were the goal, I'd have received them directly instead of just their knowledge.
< Yes, my master. You have understood the purpose of the ring. Acquire them slowly. >
She agreed back then.
So, until the old man asked me to prove it, I never acquired any other skills.
Even then, instead of something simple like [Psionics] or [Telekinesis], I acquired [Absolute Mind]. Although it is very high level power. It helped me organize the jumbled information in my head and access it whenever necessary.
—
I lived twelve peaceful years without acquiring more powers.
Though I hadn't done it for myself, I once tested granting powers by bestowing [Grandmaster Chef] on the old man. He seriously made trash in the name of food.
With that ability, he could instinctively match ingredients and learn any recipe instantly.
He used it to win a cooking show. He's peculiar—he wants his name to "sound far, far away."
I joined his academy because he nudged me into it, but I don't have many friends there. I know they'll leave me eventually. That's why I only befriend those I deem worthy. Because if it's about power—I can grant anything.
One day, I was reading a manga. I related to the protagonist—cursed with immortality.
He watched the uncle who raised him grow old and die.
I looked behind me and saw the old man cutting fruit peacefully. His hair and beard had turned white.
I was horrified.
W-Would he also leave me like this?
I offered him eternal life. But…but he wants to die like a human.
I respect that. I know the pain of eternity and solitude.
I realized this happiness was fleeting.
So I left the house. After spending a whole day alone, I decided—better to live alone again.
The less time I spend with him, the better.
But, I also realised. I ain't suitable for humans. Even if they gain thousands of powers, they still can't accept immortality. For them it is an unnatural concept because of their different perception of time.
I hoped that when I meet true supernaturals, they won't disappoint me.
Until then, I am happy watching old man from afar and saving my friends from his girlfriends.
But ever since then…
…I've been alone again.
—
[Present Time]
"Now, now. Let's stop this game of cat and mouse and reveal yourself," his voice boomed like thunder.
The darkness of the alley parted and—before Noir…
----
Hii, Author Here!
I hope you enjoyed the chapter. If you have any suggestions, feel free to use comments. And if you liked it, then do what you do.
Babaye~