Chapter 30: To The Graveyard
Deep down, Zain knew the watchful eyes of the CCTV cameras monitored every action within the room. He understood the consequences of succumbing to his darkest impulses, the irreversible damage it could inflict upon his future. In that moment, he made a conscious choice to restrain himself, to channel his inner strength in a more controlled manner.
That was the reason he struggled to maintain a semblance of normalcy, refraining from unleashing his full power upon Harey. He understood all too well that even a fraction of his true strength could prove fatal to his antagonist. It frustrated him to no end, for he knew that without the watchful eyes of society upon him, he could have dealt with Harey swiftly and decisively.
'Tsk, if only there was no one watching…'
The constraints imposed by society, the rules and regulations that bound his actions, felt like invisible shackles on his hands.
A burning determination welled up within Zain's core as he continued his solitary march towards the church. With every step, his resolve grew stronger, fueled by the weight of unfinished business and the desire for retribution. The words echoed in his mind like an oath, 'Just you wait... I will enter the tower, one way or another. And if fate should bring us face-to-face once more, you will meet your end!'
In the aftermath, Harey, still trembling from the encounter, found his voice returning. Words of apology and remorse swirled in his mind, but the opportunity to utter them had slipped away.
Only those who held at least an E rank were granted access to the coveted towers, where the true tests of strength and ability awaited.
Zain, having glimpsed his evaluation as an F class, Star 1, knew that the traditional path was closed off to him. He understood that the authorities had deemed him unworthy, consigning him to the ranks of the weakest.
But Zain refused to accept this verdict. He would find a way to enter the towers, regardless of the rules and barriers that stood in his path.
Meanwhile, the Vice Leader, having observed every moment through the watchful eyes of the CCTV, was overcome with astonishment. The scene that had unfolded before him had shattered his preconceptions and defied all expectations. Zain's ability to withstand Harey's powerful blow, coupled with the intensity of his gaze, left an indelible impression.
He searched for the result sheet once more, his eyes scanning the words that had been inscribed upon it. As his gaze fell upon the details of Zain's evaluation, a profound sense of awe washed over him. The Vice Leader's hands trembled uncontrollably, a mix of exhilaration and disbelief coursing through his veins.
"My instincts... they were right all along," he exclaimed, his voice tinged with a hint of madness. "They warned me to run away from that man… and now, I understand why."
"You are telling me that..." the Vice Leader muttered to himself, his eyes fixed on the replayed footage. "He is a 1 Star F rank angel!?"
A deranged laughter escaped his lips, resonating with a tinge of disbelief and excitement. The realization hit him like a thunderbolt, shattering his preconceived notions. The Vice Leader couldn't reconcile what he had witnessed with the assigned rank. It defied all logical reasoning.
"No matter how you look at him..." he continued, his voice filled with a mixture of fascination and awe, "...since nothing happened to him after taking that attack head-on... he should be at least a 1 Star S Rank angel..."
Driven by an insatiable curiosity and a newfound purpose, the Vice Leader made a silent vow to unravel the mysteries surrounding Zain.
"..."
"Damn, that wasted a lot of my time..." Zain sighed in frustration as he walked away from the test center. The annoyance was palpable in his voice, and his steps carried a sense of urgency. He had no desire to waste another moment in the midst of the chaotic humans around him.
His mind turned to the doctor who had shared valuable information earlier, a potential ally in navigating the mysteries that surrounded him. But a fleeting thought passed through his mind—'would it be wise to involve myself with these insignificant beings?'
After all, their trivial concerns and limitations seemed inconsequential compared to his own power.
With a decisive nod, Zain made a swift decision. He altered his course, straying from the path that led him to the doctor's office. It was clear that his destiny lay beyond the realm of mere mortals, and he would forge his own path, untethered by the constraints of human society.
As twilight painted the sky with hues of purple and orange, Zain embarked on a deliberate detour towards the forbidden grounds of the graveyard.
The fading light gave way to the encroaching darkness, swallowing the tombstones and crypts in its inky embrace. Moonlight struggled to pierce through the thick canopy of clouds, casting intermittent rays that danced upon the gravestones like ethereal fingers.
Despite the ominous reputation that surrounded the graveyard, Zain pressed on, undeterred by the tales of curses and restless spirits.
The stillness of the night was broken only by the distant hoot of an owl, its mournful call echoing through the silent cemetery.
The name of the place alone was enough to strike fear into the hearts of most people, but to Zain, it was nothing more than a mere joke. The graveyard, with its dark reputation and haunting tales, held no sway over him. He approached the gates with an air of indifference, undeterred by the ominous aura that enveloped the area.
'I wonder if it is here...', he said to himself.
As he stepped into the cemetery, an otherworldly energy pulsed through the air. It crackled with an unmistakable malevolence, causing the hairs on the back of one's neck to stand on end. But for Zain, this energy was not a source of fear; it was something he saw as pure and invigorating.
His eyes, normally calm and serene, now emitted a piercing red glow. They scanned the graveyard, taking in the sight before him. The darkness seemed to hold its breath, as if aware of the intruder who dared to trespass upon its domain.
The graves, worn with time, stood as silent witnesses to the passage of countless souls.
Zain's presence in the midst of this eerie scene seemed surreal, his aura a stark contrast against the backdrop of the graveyard. The red shine in his eyes pierced through the darkness, a beacon of unwavering strength. He had become one with the ominous energy that surrounded him, channeling its power as if it were a force of nature.
The graveyard, once a place of fear and apprehension, was now his domain, where he sought answers and confronted the depths of his own existence. The red glow in his eyes reflected his unyielding spirit, a sign that he would not be swayed by the terrors that lay in wait within the hallowed grounds of the cemetery.
Zain, unfazed by the unsettling ambiance, wore a mischievous smirk as he continued to wander through the area. It was as if he was on a quest, searching for something of utmost importance.
His footsteps echoed through the graveyard, their sound muffled by the overgrown grass and decaying leaves. The oppressive weight of the evil energy pressed against him, making it difficult to discern anything else.
Zain's eyes scanned the area, darting from one tombstone to another, as he sought out a specific item. He knew it was hidden within the boundaries of the graveyard, but the exact location eluded him momentarily. His lips curved into a thoughtful smile as he mused to himself.
"I had planned to retrieve it at a later time, but it seems fate has other plans," he murmured, his voice barely audible over the whispering wind. The anticipation of acquiring the item sooner than expected ignited a glint of excitement in his eyes.
His search continued, each step bringing him closer to his objective. Yet, despite his confidence, the overwhelming malevolence that permeated the air obscured his senses. The very essence of the item he sought was masked by the dense aura of darkness that swirled around him.
Zain's brows furrowed in concentration as he carefully combed through the tombstones, running his gloved fingers along the weathered surfaces. His touch sent a chill through his fingertips, a cold reminder of the otherworldly forces that resided within the graveyard.
As he moved deeper into the heart of the cemetery, the moonlight seemed to grow dimmer, swallowed by the thick veil of darkness. Shadows whispered and shifted, their movements like ethereal phantoms dancing at the edge of his vision. But Zain remained undeterred, his determination unwavering.
"Hmm, now then... where was it again?" he muttered, his voice tinged with a hint of frustration. His eyes darted from one gravestone to another, seeking any clue that would lead him to his prize. The evil energy continued to shroud his surroundings, its intensity making it difficult for him to discern the subtle aura of the item he sought.