What reappeared before her was something new.
[System: Desolation and Agent of Creation Activated]
[Mei — Level 1]
[Race: Half Mortal — Half Conceptual Entity]
[Profession: Unseen Noble]
[Title: Restorer of Desolation]
[Age: 8]
HP: 100/100
Spiritual: 1020/1020
Points: 3160
— Physical —
STR: 0.4
AGI: 0.5
VIT: 0.6
INT: 0.7
PER: 11.2 (+10)
[Status]: Desolation Bestowment, Mark of Royalty
— Ability —
[Language (Temple of Ascension)] [Noble Presence] [Oblivion] [Accept Invitation (Limit)]
[— Requires Noble Presence —]
[Noble Decree: Declaration of Restoration]
[Domain]
[Reverse Calamity]
—
[Quest]
—
She felt her body had changed, and pain spread all over her body. She didn't know how long she had been in this state.
But when she regained her sight, she was surrounded by ruins—surrounded by mist containing the aura of Desolation. Red and gray auras, something that had never existed before, now appeared, and She sensed it clearly—
the host had already left.
"How can that be…?"
Just a moment ago, everything had been normal, full of people. But now, blood was splattered across the streets, houses burned, and smoke filled the sky.
Fragments of her memory began to pour in. Even though she could only retain a small part of it, at least she now knew what had happened.
She walked in a daze along the old street she used to walk, until she saw her house—
burned down, nothing left.
She didn't know what she should do anymore, walking aimlessly, with no goal in her mind.
"We finally meet and talk face to face, Mei."
"Who are you?!"
The voice suddenly sounded behind her, startling her.
Then she saw him—
an ordinary man, with no expression on his face, almost blending into the background. He felt familiar, yet she couldn't place it. His face was shrouded in mist. He wore an unfitting suit, along with unbranded jeans, full of creases—as if he didn't care about his appearance at all.
"You can call me [System]."
"[System]… you mean those lines of text that appeared before me recently?"
As she recalled those lines, she realized she now seemed to understand everything. Even the man's words—though the language he spoke was unlike anything she had heard before—she could still understand it.
[Language (Temple of Ascension)]
[Effect: Can understand any language used by (Temple of Ascension) employers]
"What do you want from me," she asked, her voice low. No one else seemed able to see him, and she didn't believe someone would act without benefit—that was what her father taught her.
"You could call it luck," the man replied calmly. "You noticed me first, so I chose you. Simple as that."
Even though he said that, she couldn't remember ever meeting him. But for some reason, she felt a strange familiarity, as if they were of the same kind—some kind of connection she couldn't explain.
"Why did this happen to me…?" she said, her voice trembling. "I just wanted to live well, marry, and build a family of my own… why? WHY?!"
As if she had finally found someone to vent to, she let everything out, tears streaming down her face.
"It is your brother—Shi Da," the man answered without hesitation.
"…Ah."
She froze. How could it not be? Her own brother—her family. It was hard to believe.
"You already know it in your heart," he continued. "Earlier today, before you lost your memory… didn't you feel it?"
His words made her recall that strange feeling she had toward her brother. It seemed… it had been real all along.
"…Then why him?" she asked. "If I don't understand this… I won't be able to move on."
"Your brother was chosen by a higher being," the man said. "That being brought its own Actor. What it wants from him—your brother, or what remains of him—is to forge something called an 'Invincible Heart.'"
"And you," he continued, "you were chosen by me. I chose you as my Actress—a native of this world—and granted you power."
As she processed his words, she felt powerless, like a puppet being controlled by unseen strings.
"Mei," the man spoke again, "why do you want to be rich?"
"…Because money can solve many problems," she answered. "Food, shelter, clothing…"
"No," he said. "Money is an extension of rules—of authority. It holds power because of law and order."
"I have granted you power, and status. As the price, you can no longer return to who you were before. You are now part of Desolation—part of us. But you are also different. You still possess your own mind, your own thoughts."
"The mark on your hand has become the Mark of Royalty. You have been granted status, and that status comes with a [Title], acknowledged by rank. As a price—and a burden—you are required to perform your duty, and you have lost half of your humanity."
"But as I said, in your mortal form, nothing seems to change. However, to use the power of a Noble, you must bear the burden that comes with it."
She could no longer view death and destruction the same way. She observed it now, detached. She could no longer see them as her people—but her memories still remained. At the very least, she could still act based on those memories.
"…Even though I can no longer see myself as one of them…"
She could feel it now—the change in her thoughts, her perception, her demeanor. Yet somehow, she still retained her personality.
"…I can still lessen their suffering. And Shi Da… he is still my brother. Even if he is no longer the same… I should clean up the mess caused by him."
"As long as you perform your duty," the man replied, "you will be granted rewards. Perhaps one day, you may stand among those who control others—like 'Him,' the one who controls your brother—and maybe even regain everything you have lost."
Mei fell into deep thought. But now, at least, she had something to move forward toward.
"I cannot remain here for long," the man said. "You can communicate with me through your system."
And with that—
he disappeared.
—
Now everything is set from his side.
As for those who died—did he really care? It wasn't that he didn't care for others… but there was simply no need to care.
For example—
[Wandering Caravan Escort]
— Physical —
STR: 1.5
AGI: 1.3
VIT: 1.5
INT: 1
PER: 0.7
Or—
[Village Farmer]
— Physical —
STR: 1.2
AGI: 1
VIT: 1.1
INT: 0.8
PER: 0.6
Before meeting Mei, he had checked many people along the way. Most of them were like this—not even names appearing, only labels.
This world is not real. It is a stage—constructed for performance.
Most within it are nothing more than background. Only a few… are allowed to act.
He, as [System], could only watch from the sidelines.
The Director does not step onto the stage.
He grants the stage. He grants the role. He grants the power to perform.
But the one who acts—
Is the Actress.
She is the will of the Director, made manifest.
And the script…
must be carried out.
He did not care what role Mei had before.
But now—
she belongs to his performance.
—
She stood alone once more. As for how long—she no longer cared.
Finally—
she could feel it.
In the empty, ruined village, a red-black aura gathered—thick, suffocating—slowly taking shape into something—
She already knew what it was.
"…Animosity."
A monster born of hatred, of resentment—of the lingering will of the dead who refused to fade.
As long as enough time passed, it would disappear on its own, along with Desolation—
and then, restoration would begin.
The air grew heavy.
Two swords rested at her waist—the last objects left behind by her villagers, the final proof they had ever lived.
Her fingers brushed against them.
But now—
as a Noble who brings Desolation to its end,
she held the authority to bring that end by force.
A tear slipped down.
"…Rest shall be granted."
She stepped forward.
"…Authority invoked—[Noble Presence]."
Then—
Green mist erupted.
It tore through the silence, twisting violently before collapsing inward—wrapping around her.
A coat of deep green-blue manifested, gold igniting along its edges. Epaulettes unraveled from strands of light and mist, settling upon her shoulders. Beneath it, an ivory bodice formed, patterns flickering before stabilizing into something refined… untouchable.
A sash crossed her chest.
And then—
Stars burned into existence.
The mist never faded.
It clung to her—leaking, drifting, rising—
like a presence that could not be contained.
She could feel it.
She felt stronger.
"…By the authority vested in the Unseen Noble."
Though she stood alone—
It became clear to her—they were watching.
A grand banquet revealed itself beyond reality. Ladies and gentlemen, frozen mid-motion.
Those in foreign robes whispered in confusion—
But the others understood.
They watched her.
Acknowledged her.
"…This banquet is concluded."
Her hand rose.
The world held its breath.
A decree materialized—formed from authority itself.
The moment it appeared—
All manifestations of Desolation knelt.
"[Noble Decree: Declaration of Restoration]"
The banquet began to fade.
One by one—
No resistance.
No hesitation.
Only obedience.
Even the hall itself began to disappear—
until nothing remained.
Silence returned.
She stood alone once more in the ruined village,
Cloaked in mist,
Bearing authority not of this world—
As one who commands even the unseen.
[Quest: Eliminate Animosity]
[As the Noble entrusted with ending the Age of Desolation and
heralding the beginning of Restoration—
you shall now fulfill your duty.]
Before her—
Animosity remained.
There would be no negotiation—only a conclusion.
"The dignity of a Noble permits no defilement."
A pause.
"Should you persist in defiance…"
Her hand moved.
Steel sang.
"…Then its end shall be enforced."
She drew her sword—
And for the first time in her life—
As a Noble—
she stepped forth and took her place upon the stage.