The mansion's bedroom was a quiet sanctuary, its outlines sharp in Zane's sound-based vision—bed, nightstand, heavy curtains—all etched in ghostly shapes within his ten-meter radius. The air was cool, tinged with the faint scent of lavender from the linens, a fragile calm against the storm of the Trial of Rankers, now a month and twenty-four days away. Zane lay on the bed, his white hair splayed across the pillow, his pale face resolute, the red blindfold still tucked in his pocket. The world outside buzzed with preparations for the coming conference, but here, in the stillness of the night, Zane's mind churned, a restless river navigating the weight of his secrets—the [Dark Candidate] status, the dark screen with crimson text, the fifty kills he couldn't share, even with Ariel.
"Come to think of it," Zane muttered, his voice a low rumble, "I haven't checked my Tutorial rewards. They said they'd be tripled for the delay in the Awakening. Let's see what I got." His tone was laced with faint anticipation, though he braced for disappointment, his experiences teaching him to expect little from the System's promises. He focused, his mind summoning the familiar blue holographic screen, its text shimmering in his consciousness.
[Rewards]
You achieved an extraordinary feat by defeating Elite Geminis and other high-ranking Geminis while unawakened.
You have obtained two rewards:
1. Narnon Shroud: Upon wearing this attire, all damage received is reduced by 20%. It also muffles sound movement and enhances aerial combat. Invisible to others.
2. Celesticoin: A universal currency used by all Rankers.
Amount obtained: 1,000,000
Zane's lips twisted, a dry scoff escaping. "I should've expected such shitty rewards. Tsk. And here I was, getting my hopes up." His voice was bitter as he shifted on the bed. 'A damage-reducing cloak and some cosmic pocket change? No new abilities for taking down Geminis. Figures.' His thoughts darkened, drifting to the one who'd marked him. 'The only reason I'm alive is because it was him attacking our school, not some other Gemini. But what does he want from me? I can't figure it out no matter how I think about it, but I know I'll see him again. Whatever, it'll all work out somehow.' He sighed, pushing the thoughts aside, and let sleep claim him, the darkness of his blindness blending with the night.
Zane's heart raced with nerves, but he kept it hidden, his face a mask of calm that no one could see through. He wasn't the type to let his emotions spill out for others to notice, nor did he let feelings sway him—except when it came to Ariel, his sister, who was the one person who could crack his guarded exterior. His anxiety gnawed at him because he alone understood the massive, terrifying scope of the new world they'd been thrust into, a world of trials and dangers that loomed larger with each passing day. Onilia had shared every piece of knowledge she thought might help—details about the Tower, its otherworldly enemies, and the brutal challenges. But that flood of information only deepened his unease, piling weight onto his already burdened mind. As he lay on the bed, the soft mattress a faint comfort against his racing thoughts, he wrestled with ways to use what he knew, turning over strategies and plans like pieces of a puzzle he couldn't fully solve. His blindness, a curse from the Seven mysterious beings, made everything uncertain, a dark veil over his future. He couldn't predict when he'd face those shadowy beings again or what they might strip from him next—his hearing, his strength, his life. On the outside, Zane seemed steady, his voice calm, his movements sure, but inside, his mind churned in a constant storm of panic, a whirlwind of fear and determination battling for control.
He woke in the dead of night, his internal clock unyielding, and slipped from the bed, his echo sight guiding him through the mansion's halls. The parking lot, still scarred from Ariel's spells, was his training ground. He summoned Ruinblaze, its red runes a faint pulse in his perception, and swung with precision, each strike a meditation, his body adapting to blindness with every move. By dawn, Ariel and Celine joined him, their outlines vivid as he clapped to refresh his vision. They sparred, Zane weaving through Ariel's every clumsy attack, correcting their stances, their timing, his voice a steady stream of critique. "Ariel, less chanting—keep it quiet, unpredictable. Celine, move faster, trust your instincts and just go with it."
Panting on the ground, Ariel looked up, her blue eyes glinting, her golden hair damp with sweat. "Big brother, you're so strong, but why don't you hit us when we spar? You dodge, you tickle, you sidestep—never a real strike." Her voice was breathless but firm, her aura pulsing with determination.
Zane's smirk softened, his head tilting toward her. "Hit you? I'd rather die than leave a scratch on your flawless skin." His voice was warm, a rare crack in his armor, his vision catching her outline as she sat up.
She huffed, her eyes narrowing. "But I can heal my wounds, big brother. You said it yourself—there are stronger beings out there. I might get more than a scratch in the Tower if you don't train me properly. You're holding back, and it's not helping." Her words were a challenge, her aura fierce with resolve.
Zane's smirk returned, his voice thoughtful. "Fine, I'll think about it. No promises, though." He stretched, his muscles loose from training. "Right now, let's go out. It's been a while, I want to check how things are going outside."
Ariel's eyes widened, her voice bursting with excitement. "Really? We're going out?" She scrambled to her feet, her golden hair bouncing. "Can Celine come too?" She turned to Celine, whose hazel eyes blinked in surprise, her red braid swaying as she stood, her aura flickering with nervous anticipation.
Zane's head tilted toward Celine's outline, his voice a lazy drawl, punctuated by a yawn. "If she wants. I'm going to get ready." He headed for the bathroom, his boots silent.
Ariel grabbed Celine's arm, her blue eyes sparkling. "Come on, Celine, let's get ready too!" Her voice was a spark, pulling Celine inside, their footsteps echoing as they rushed to prepare.
In about an hour and a half, they were ready, standing in the foyer, the air buzzing with anticipation.
Zane stood ready, his long white hair cascading in untamed waves over his shoulders, a stark contrast to his simple black jeans and jacket, practical yet sharp. The red blindfold, now covering his eyes, its bold color a statement that blended seamlessly with the new world's eccentric styles. Ariel bounced beside him, her golden hair loose, wearing a light blue sweater and denim skirt, her eyes sparkling with excitement. Celine, her red braid neat, wore a soft gray blouse and jeans, her hazel eyes bright but cautious.
"So, where are we going?" Ariel asked, her voice bright with curiosity, her blue eyes glinting as she glanced at Zane, her hands clasped behind her back.
Zane's lips twitched into a teasing smirk, his head tilting toward her, the red blindfold accentuating his sharp features. "You're seriously asking a blind man that?" he said, his voice a playful current, each word laced with mock indignation. "I don't exactly have a map in my head, kid."
Celine spoke up as she stepped closer, her voice soft but eager. "I know a restaurant not far from here, just a few minutes' walk. It's got good food, quiet enough to talk." Her hazel eyes flickered with hope, her aura steady in Zane's perception.
Zane turned toward her, "Sounds good. Let's go, then." His voice was a low rumble, and he led the way, his boots steady on the wrecked floor, his vision mapping the foyer's exit. Ariel and Celine followed, their footsteps light, their auras warm with anticipation as they stepped into the world outside.
The streets were a chaotic tapestry, alive with Awakeners who'd shed their old lives for the new era's strangeness. Zane's echo sight caught their outlines—some clad in jagged armor forged from Gemini corpses, others wielding staffs or blades etched with glowing runes, a few in bizarre outfits that defied logic, from flowing capes to spiked gauntlets. The air buzzed with voices, the clatter of weapons. People stared as the trio passed, their gazes drawn to Zane's striking presence—his white hair, red blindfold, and confident stride.
"Wow, look at him, he's so handsome," a woman said, her voice carrying over the crowd, her outline clutching a sleek bow in Zane's perception. "That blindfold and long hair? Total heartthrob."
"Was he a celebrity before all this?" another woman chimed in, her aura buzzing with excitement. "He's got that vibe, like he walked out of a movie. Totally my type."
A man nearby, his outline gripping a Gemini-forged axe, spoke up, his voice curious. "Wait, isn't that Ariel Walker, the president's daughter? One of the five Primordials? The hero who helped save us from the Geminis?"
"Yeah, that's her!" another voice shouted, and the crowd's energy shifted, phones and recorders appearing as people began to gather, snapping videos, their murmurs growing louder. "It's Ariel, one of the heroes who saved mankind!"
Zane's jaw tightened, his sound-based vision mapping the growing crowd, their auras a chaotic pulse of awe and curiosity. 'So noisy,' he thought, his mind flashing to a dark impulse. 'Should I just kill them all? Clear the street and be done with it?' His smirk faded, his anger a quiet ember, but he pushed it down.
"Hey, he's looking my way!" a woman squealed, her voice piercing. "So hot, even with that blindfold!"
Before Zane could respond, a group of thugs pushed through the crowd, their outlines rough in his perception—spiked vests, heavy boots, crude weapons forged from Gemini remains. The leader, a burly man with a scarred face, stepped forward, his aura thick with aggression. "Tch, I hate pretty faces like yours," he sneered, his voice a low growl, his outline looming in Zane's mind. "What gives a wussy like you the right to walk with two beautiful young ladies? Hand them over, boy, or we'll carve you up."
Hello readers, a big thank you to everyone supporting ERROR 001: Mercy Not Found with power stones, and an even bigger thank you to those offering suggestions and reviews. Much respect to you all. Keep voting and sharing your thoughts to help Zane's journey grow!