In the vast, blood-soaked expanse of the arid plains, Zayne stood with his back slumped against the hilt of his massive greatsword. The weapon, a colossal blade easily twice the width of his body, seemed almost too heavy for the weary warrior, yet he leaned on it as though it were his last anchor in this forsaken landscape. His chest heaved with each labored breath, his mouth slightly agape as he struggled to regain his composure. His once vibrant green hair—now ragged and matted with sweat and blood—began to recede, as if the very essence of his strength was waning. The intricate dark green tattoos that had adorned his face since the start of the conflict now faded, their once-pulsing glow dimming as his energy drained.

The relentless heat of the midday sun bore down on the battlefield, its rays unyielding, as if mocking the carnage that had been wrought in its unforgiving light. Not a single cloud marred the sky, leaving the air thick with the stench of blood, dust, and sweat. His clothes, like those of his companion, Sylvia, were torn and soaked with crimson stains. She sat cross-legged a few paces away from him, her posture a stark contrast to the violent chaos that had engulfed them. The edges of her clothes were ragged, and the once-pristine fabric now clung to her skin, drenched in blood. Despite her apparent exhaustion, there was a cold, determined look in her eyes as she surveyed the battlefield, a place that had become far too familiar in the last two months.

Zayne's gaze lingered on her for a moment before he turned his attention to the horizon, where the endless stretch of desolation seemed to go on forever. It was here, amidst this wasteland of broken bodies and shattered dreams, that they had fought to the brink of exhaustion. It was here that he had come to a grim realization: the war was far from over, and the toll it would take on them—on everyone—was just beginning.

He could still remember the moment the war had begun, as though it were burned into his memory. It felt like it had happened only yesterday, though it had been two long, agonizing months since Sky Mist City had declared its brutal campaign against the Devil's race.

***

Two Months Earlier – Sky Mist City

The once-thriving metropolis of Sky Mist City had fallen into an unsettling silence. A mysterious and impenetrable barrier, which had long shielded the city from the poisonous miasma that hung in the air beyond its walls, suddenly flickered and turned a bright, ominous yellow. The color spread like wildfire, casting an eerie glow over the entire city. Within moments, a dense fog—unnatural in its thickness and color—began to pour into every corner of Sky Mist, seeping into the very streets and alleyways, creeping into the homes of the city's inhabitants.

The fog seemed to have a life of its own, thick and suffocating, swallowing the sky and reducing the once-vibrant city to a shadow of its former self. Citizens clutched their breaths, their hearts racing in a mixture of fear and confusion. Whispers of dread rippled through the streets as people wondered what could be happening. They had been told nothing. That is, until the voice.

It boomed, resonating in the minds of every cultivator present in Sky Mist City, cutting through the thick fog like a blade.

"I address every cultivator in Sky Mist, those who have attained at least the Fifth Level of Qi Accumulation. We are going to war."

The voice was cold, emotionless, yet beneath the calm façade, there was an unmistakable undercurrent of bitter hatred. "The Devil's race has provoked humanity time and again. It is time for us to strike back. All those who want to participate in the war should state their desire to on their communication slip. They will then be given a leave of absence from Sky Mist until the war is over. All Qi Accumulation cultivators will be transported to the battlefield tomorrow! Your rewards for participating will also be displayed on your Jade slip."

The message rang out to all who could hear it, filling the air with a tension that was palpable. Zayne, like many others, stood frozen, his heart thudding in his chest. The words were simple, but the gravity of what they meant weighed heavily on him. A war. A war against the Devil's race. The announcement came as a shock to most. No one had expected Sky Mist City to be the first to declare such an aggressive stance. It was not a decision that was made lightly, and the city's leaders had long kept their intentions shrouded in secrecy. Yet, in that instant, Zayne understood that the times had changed. The war between humanity and nonhuman races were inevitable. But he couldn't help but think, 'For how long had they been planning this?'

"Wait, he said Qi Accumulation cultivators, are other cultivators above the Question Accumulation realm not allowed to participate in this fight or is this just the first segment. Are we the ones to first start the fight?" Zayne thought.

But first, he decided to check the information and rewards that were listed on the Jade slip.

On it, it said;

''For every Qi Accumulation cultivator you kill, you will receive 100 spirit stones. And for every cultivator above the ninth level that is killed, you will receive 1000 spirit stones. Kill over 100 cultivators to obtain a chance to become a core disciple of Sky Mist City. Kill over 500 disciples to enter Sky Mist's special cultivation chamber when you want to advance to the next realm...''

'Wow, the rewards are really nice. But for how long does this have to go on. How many months will the war continue and will we Qi Accumulation cultivators still be fighting till then. And what is stuff about being a Core disciple.'

The next few hours were a blur of activity. The streets of Sky Mist were filled with cultivators of all ages, each one preparing for the upcoming battle. Some were eager, their eyes alight with excitement at the prospect of combat and the rewards it promised. Others, like Zayne, felt a mixture of anticipation and anxiety.

Zayne's cultivation had plateaued in recent months, his progress stagnating despite his relentless training. The resources he required to break through the next level of Qi Accumulation were far beyond what he could afford with his current income from the Detective Agency Department. He had considered quitting—perhaps finding a more stable path—but the war presented an opportunity he couldn't ignore.

He had made up his mind: he would join the fight.

Yet, there was something that gnawed at him. Zayne's mind wandered to Grey, his enigmatic partner from the Detective Agency. The last time he had seen Grey had been days before the war announcement, but now, in the midst of the war preparations, Zayne couldn't find him. His communications had gone unanswered. The thought lingered in the back of his mind as he gathered his gear and made his way to the battlefield. Was Grey involved? Had he already gone off to the front lines already? Or had something else happened to him? It was a question that remained unanswered, and it troubled Zayne more than he cared to admit.

As the day of departure drew near, Zayne felt the weight of his decision settle heavily on his shoulders. He wasn't just fighting for personal gain—though that was certainly part of it—but there was also a deeper drive. The war against the Devil's race would change everything. And for better or worse, Zayne had no choice but to be part of it.

***

Back to the Present

Zayne's hand tightened around the hilt of his greatsword, the steel vibrating with the fading energy of the recent conflict. Sylvia's steady breathing was the only sound that broke the oppressive silence of the plains. She didn't look at him, but he knew she was aware of his every movement, her sharp senses attuned to even the slightest shift in the air.

She opened her mouth and said in a rather tired voice. "Can you still change back to 'him'?"

Hearing her question, Zayne forced himself to smile as he shook his head. "No! I'm completely spent. I don't even think he has the energy to fight as well."

Sylvia shook her head as if she understood. Her gaze soon turned normal. "That's okay, our roles will soon be completed after all."

Hearing that, Zayne couldn't help but nod.

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