---
As Zayn sensed energy flowing through his veins, gathering into a star within his heart like rivers converging into a lake, he felt a strange force pulling him toward the infinite serpent tattoo etched on his chest. He looked down, confusion written all over his face—this was the first time something like this had ever happened.
Suddenly, strange information flooded his mind, as if forcibly engraved into his consciousness. It was about something called the "Infinite Storage Space," and just reading about it in his mind left him in awe.
{The Infinite Storage Space, as the name suggests, is a boundless realm where anything can be stored—except for living beings. Its contents can be organized at will, and it requires no energy from Zayn to open. Instead, it draws power from the world itself.}
Zayn felt a momentary shock but quickly regained his composure. After all, that damned serpent was the reason for his reincarnation in countless worlds, so it wasn't surprising that it possessed such a power. In fact, owning this space freed him from the need for storage tools and granted him the ability to store enemy attacks or prepare multiple weapons and launch them all at once.
And as soon as the idea crossed his mind, something strange happened.
The air around him rippled, as if something was tearing through the fabric of space itself. Tiny cracks appeared in the air, as if reality itself was beginning to tear apart. Then, without warning, ten hand-sized portals burst open behind him. These portals radiated black and purple light, where light and darkness intertwined in a terrifying yet mesmerizing way.
Zayn clenched his fist as he watched the portals float behind him in the void, the air around them swirling like a vortex, distorting both light and sound.
"It seems the limit for now is ten portals… but I can merge them into one larger gate."
He spoke in a cold tone, while his eyes gleamed with sharp analysis of everything he had just seen and learned.
"A useful ability indeed… Thank you, damn serpent, but that doesn't change the truth… I will destroy you—and your origin with you."
Zayn's lips curled into a wicked smile. He turned around, ready to leave. But before that, he glanced in disgust at the filth clinging to his body, which emitted a foul stench.
"Better get rid of this filth before I step out… I don't want everyone running away from me."
With a snap of his fingers, flames spread around Zayn's body, quickly burning away the foul impurities. As the flames vanished, his body remained untouched—even his pants were intact.
"Just as I expected… Even though I don't possess a magic ring, I can use the star to activate magic."
In this world, it's impossible to be both a knight and a mage. A mage requires a magic ring and uses mana, while a knight needs a knight star and uses aura. But Zayn isn't just anyone. He is, after all, Ashura—the Celestial Demon and master of rune magic. He had lived for countless years, in innumerable lives. How could the laws of this world possibly bind him?
"It's time to go… and show this world what it means for the peak to belong to one person alone."
He put on his shirt and headed for the door, his steps resembling someone walking against fate itself. He pushed the door open, and the first thing that greeted him was sunlight seeping from the horizon, as if its rays were congratulating him on his rebirth.
Fenry, who had been lying by the door, immediately raised his head upon seeing his master. He let out a soft howl filled with joy and ran toward him on his short legs.
Noticing his approach, Zayn bent down and stroked his head. Fenry was overjoyed and even licked Zayn's hand with his tongue.
After a few moments of playful interaction, Zayn stood up, preparing to meet his uncle and aunt.
As he walked, Fenry trailing behind, sunlight fell upon them, casting their shadows gigantically upon the ground—as if affirming Zayn's greatness… and the greatness of all who follow in his footsteps.
---
When Zayn entered, a fragrant scent hit his nose—his aunt was preparing breakfast.
As he stepped into the kitchen, his aunt heard the sound of the front door opening. In an instant, she rushed out of the kitchen to find Zayn standing at the door. A wave of happiness washed over her, and she ran toward him, though her movements were slow due to her pregnancy.
Quickly, Zain rushed to catch her, afraid she might fall.
"Auntie, you need to take care of your health. Running while you're pregnant isn't good."
Zain said this, trying to advise his aunt, but she didn't care—she was too busy examining him, making sure he was alright, like a long-lost treasure returned. Once she was certain he was fine, she let out a sigh of relief.
"Do you know how worried your aunt was about you?"
She stood with her head just below his chest, having to look up to meet his eyes.
She gazed at his sharp-featured face, his deep black eyes that looked like a bottomless abyss, his light brown skin, and long black hair that reached his neck. Despite his simple clothes, his handsomeness couldn't be hidden.
His aunt felt something strange.
"Zain... have you gotten taller?"
He replied with a half-smile:
"Auntie, I'm still growing, so it's natural that I get taller... unlike you."
"Huh?! What do you mean, you brat? Are you saying I'm short?"
She quickly reached out and grabbed his ear, pulling it lightly.
"Ouch! Auntie, that hurts!"
In truth, it didn't hurt at all, and he could've easily avoided her hand... but he didn't want to.
"Does it really hurt? You've become such a brat... Where did my sweet little Zain go?"
She said this pretending to be sad, while Zain wore a pained expression as if he were an innocent victim.
"Zain? Does it really hurt? I'm sorry..."
She quickly let go and looked at him with concern, having believed his act for a moment.
"It doesn't hurt much, Auntie. By the way… where's Uncle?"
She answered with a smile, "Your uncle is still being lazy as usual."
Zain smiled as he watched her go to wake his uncle.
Moments later, everyone gathered around the breakfast table.
"Zain, how was your training?" his uncle asked.
"It went very well."
"Excellent."
After eating, Zain went with his uncle to work in the wheat field. It was harvest season, and he had decided to help that day.
When they arrived, the field looked like a golden sea, with the wheat swaying in the breeze. Everyone began cutting the wheat and tying it into bundles, preparing for the harvest. They worked for hours until Zain and his uncle sat down to rest and eat a little.
Zain spoke in a quiet voice, "Uncle, I want to ask you something."
"What is it, Zain?"
"I'm… I'm not really your nephew, am I?"
Zain's features were serious, while a look of concern appeared on his uncle's face.
"Zain, what are you talking about?"
"Uncle, do you think I'm stupid? You never even had a brother."
Zain had discovered the truth—that his uncle wasn't really his uncle—when he began his training and entered the army. His "uncle" had asked a friend to look after him.
His uncle sighed deeply and said, "I never wanted us to talk about this."
"Were you afraid I'd hate you and Auntie? Don't worry… you've always been like a father and mother to me."
Zain looked at him seriously, and tears silently fell from his uncle's eyes.
"Zain… you've always been like a son to me, a part of my soul… even if we don't share the same blood."
Zain gave a small smile and said, "You're my father, no matter the time or place. And Auntie… she's my mother."
And Zain truly meant it from the depths of his heart. In every world he had incarnated into, he reminded himself that he had parents who loved him more than anything.
"Zain… the truth is, I found you when your aunt and I moved here. I remember that day clearly."
Zain listened intently as his uncle recalled the memory.
"That day, it was pouring rain. No sunlight pierced the dark clouds. Only thunder and lightning could be heard. My soldiers and I were in the forest, clearing out monsters, and I got separated from my team. While looking for shelter, I suddenly heard a baby crying… but it wasn't a normal cry. It was louder than thunder—like the roar of a dragon or a volcanic eruption. I followed the sound and found a small basket… I approached it, and inside was you."
He paused for a moment before continuing, his voice full of emotion:
"The strange thing was, there were no monsters nearby. It was as if something had made them avoid the area. And when I picked you up… the rain stopped, and the clouds began to part. I felt something strange… like fate had tied us together. Like I was meant to find you."
His uncle fell silent for a few moments, observing Zain's expression. His face hadn't changed much, but his eyes hid so much.
"Did you find anything with me at that time?" Zain asked.
"Yes, there was a necklace around your neck, shaped like a snake biting its own tail. And a monster fang. And a letter that read:
{Wherever you are… you will return. In any time… you will return. Remember, wherever you may be… we will love you.}"
Zain felt true disappointment—there was no clue that could lead him to the source of that necklace.
Suddenly, his uncle stood and looked at him seriously.
"Zain, come with me."
"Where to, Uncle?"
"I'll give you the monster fang and the letter… perhaps you'll find the purpose you've been searching for in them."