WAS chapter, Central Europe, Samumbasa province

The office was well-furnished, with a leather chair and a table positioned in the center of the room. Flower pots adorned the space, adding a touch of elegance. A man sat in the chair, his head bowed on the table.

"Knock, knock," a voice said, followed by two knocks on the door.

"Come in," the man replied, but before he could finish, a heavily built man barged in, his face red with anger. He stood at least 6'5" with a muscular build that seemed chiseled from granite. His broad shoulders strained against the seams of his expensive black round-neck shirt, while his bulging biceps and triceps threatened to rip through the fabric. His chest was a deep, chiseled slab of muscle, and his washboard abs were visible even under his clothes. His blue trousers clung tightly to his tree-trunk thighs, accentuating his imposing physique.

The man sitting in the chair raised his head quickly, amazed. "Zoldrak! How many times do I have to tell you to wait for permission before entering?"

Zoldrak stared at the man, his eyes burning with anger. "What happened at Lodz yesterday?" he demanded.

The man sighed. "Immediately I heard the news, I knew you'd be the first person to barge in here."

Zoldrak's expression didn't change. "Answer me...what happened yesterday?"

The man's face remained indifferent. "It was a false signal. The readings we got told us a mid-class demon was present, but it was wrong. Maybe the tenzometer is faulty."

Zoldrak's anger seemed to intensify. "You know I didn't come all the way from London just to hear stories from you."

The man's tone turned serious. "You're here because of him."

Zoldrak's eyes narrowed. "He mustn't get there first."

The man nodded. "We've got it covered. A team of sorcerers has been sent to retrieve all witnesses."

Zoldrak crunched his fist, an ominous aura of envy surrounding him. "I hate that masked fool so much." The air was electric with tension, as Zoldrak stormed out of the room.

Lodz outskirts, Poland, Early dawn, 1004AA

Dawn broke over the forest, casting a warm glow over the trees. The sun rose slowly, illuminating the landscape and casting long shadows across the forest floor. A cool breeze rustled through the leaves, carrying the sweet scent of blooming flowers.

Code lay on the forest floor, his body patched with bandages and scars. He was asleep, but his restless movements betrayed the pain he was in. The cool breeze seemed to bring him some comfort, and he stirred slowly, opening his eyes to the bright sunlight.

Code shielded his eyes from the light, wincing in pain. As he sat up, he noticed a figure in the distance, digging a hole with a shovel. His curiosity got the better of him, and he slowly stood up, testing his legs.

The figure, sensing Code's presence, turned around quickly. Code's eyes widened in surprise as he took in the masked man's familiar figure.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

The masked man stopped digging and turned to face Code. "Oh, you're alive," he said, scratching the back of his head. "I honestly thought you were dead."

Code stared at the masked man, still trying to process what was happening. "Uh...yes," he replied, his voice shaking slightly.

The masked man chuckled. "I was preparing a proper burial for you. You know, a fitting sendoff."

Code's eyes narrowed as he walked towards the hole. "A burial?" he repeated, his voice rising in alarm. "What the hell is this?"

The hole was massive, covering an area of at least 10 meters in diameter. Code's mind recoiled in horror as he realized the masked man had been preparing to bury him alive.

The masked man laughed, a cold, mirthless sound. "I just wanted to create a befitting burial. You know, something to honor your memory."

Code's eyes locked onto the masked man, his mind racing with questions. "Dude, didn't you see that I was breathing?" he demanded, trying to keep his tone even.

The masked man shrugged. "Oh, that's right. I guess I should have checked that. Hahaha."

Code's skin crawled as he realized the masked man had been willing to bury him alive. He took a step back, his eyes never leaving the masked man's face.

"This guy's crazy," Code thought, a shiver running down his spine.

"I'm Vander...Ackerman, but you can call me Van," the man said, stretching his hand to Code.

Code's eyes widened in surprise. "Van Ackerman!" he exclaimed, his voice shaking slightly. He shook his head in disbelief, slowly stretching his hand forward.

"Vander the masked slayer," Code continued, his face aglow with amazement. "I've heard of you. You're the sorcerer who attained 1st grade in three years, defying human limits. And you brought down a demon monarch."

Van chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I'm surprised I'm so famous," he said, his tone laced with humor.

Code's gaze never left Van's face. "However, I think there's been a mistake," Van said, his tone turning serious. "I'm not a sorcerer...I'm a god."

Code's eyes widened further, his mind struggling to comprehend the revelation. "Uh, yes," he replied, still trying to process the information.

Van's gaze turned piercing. "Most importantly, aren't you surprised that your legs and hands are intact? I mean, you were literally butchered yesterday."

Code's eyes dropped to his body, and he felt a jolt of surprise. His injuries were gone, replaced by smooth, unblemished skin. "What did you do?" he asked, his voice laced with confusion.

Van's expression turned thoughtful. "I didn't do anything, Code. At least, not directly. However, I did sense something off about you. Code, you're possessed."

Code's laughter was instantaneous, but he quickly suppressed it, wincing in pain. "Don't make me laugh, my ribs are killing me."

"Yeah, I'd say that too, but Code, I'm dead serious right now. You know the story of the Greek vermin, don't you?" Van asked, his eyes intense and his voice low.

Code nodded slowly, recollecting the story. 209 years after the Aidra incident, a mysterious entity known as the "Greek Devourer" ravaged the nation of Greece, leaving a trail of death and destruction in its wake. The entity killed and brutalized the population, seemingly at random, and with no discernible pattern. What was most strange, however, was that even the most skilled sorcerers couldn't detect the entity's presence. It appeared in random places, killing people as if it walked among them, invisible and undetectable.

Many years later, a team of brave sorcerers finally discovered the entity's hideout, and what they found was shocking. The Greek Devourer was not a demon or a monster, but a human being. A woman, to be precise, with no discernible markings or characteristics that would have suggested she was anything other than ordinary.

After she was killed, experiments and research revealed that she was possessed by a powerful demon, one that had granted her immense strength and agility. But it was not just the demon's power that made her a formidable foe - it was also its ability to mask her presence, making her all but invisible to even the most skilled sorcerers.

Humans began calling these mysterious creatures "Zeros," and they were feared and reviled throughout the land. They were the ultimate predators, hiding in plain sight, and striking without warning.

Code gulped, fear creeping up his spine as he remembered the story. He had always thought of Zeros as nothing more than myths and legends, but now, he wasn't so sure. Van's serious expression and his words sent a chill down his spine.

"What's your proof?" Code asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

Van's expression remained serious. "I've seen the signs, Code. The way you healed from those injuries...it's not humanly possible. And there's something else, something I've sensed but can't quite explain."

Code's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with possibilities.

Van's voice dropped to a whisper. "You're not just any Zero, Code. You're possessed by Aidra."

Code's eyes widened in horror as he stumbled backward, his mind reeling with the implications. "Aidra?" he repeated, his voice barely above a whisper.

Van nodded, his expression grim. "The same Aidra who brought destruction and chaos to the world 1004 years ago. I don't know how or why, but you're connected to him, Code."

Code's eyes flashed with fear and confusion. "What do you mean?" he demanded, his voice shaking with emotions.

"You'll see. Let him out," Van replied quickly, his eyes gleaming with intensity.

Code's expression turned skeptical. "You mean I should let Aidra out? I don't even know how to do that. And what if...what if you're not prepared for what happens next?"

Van chuckled, his confidence unwavering. "Hahaha, me? Die? Nah. I'm a god. I've faced worse foes than Aidra."

Code's eyes narrowed, his concern evident. "But what about the destruction he caused 1004 years ago? What if he's still capable of that kind of power?"

Van raised his brows. "Are you gonna do it or not?"

"Ok...", Code gulped, his eyes fixed on Van. For another five minutes, he stared, unsure of what to do next.

"So...what do I do next?" Code asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Van sighed, his expression a mix of disappointment and frustration. "Arrrgh. Yare yare," he muttered, shaking his head.

Without warning, Van's leg flashed out in a lightning-fast kick, striking Code with incredible force. Code's head exploded off his shoulders in a shower of blood and gore, his body crumpling to the ground with a sickening thud. The sound of the kick was like a crack of thunder, echoing through the air as Code's lifeless body collapsed.