After the meeting, Zaraf met with Shin.

  "So… are you okay with her being here?" Shin asked, his voice calm but carrying a hint of concern.

  Zaraf thought for a moment, then replied, "Hmm… I think it's okay. Here, she'll become stronger, so it's fine… for now."

  Shin nodded slightly. "After this, other reincarnations will also join her for the moment."

  Zaraf tilted his head. "Others… that's for the better."

  Shin's eyes flickered as he recalled something. "Oh, right. I received a message. Gray's fairy, Tale, noticed a reincarnation in their world. I want you to go and find that reincarnation. It will be a good experience for you… with him."

  "You mean the harem guy?" Zaraf asked, raising an eyebrow.

  Shin gave a faint smile. "…He may not look like that, but he's a good guy."

  Zaraf's expression softened slightly. "…I know." He thought about it — after all, Gray had stood on Abeth's side during the meeting.

  When Zaraf arrived in Gray's world, he was struck by the sight of the massive mansion before him. "Wow… he used his powers to build this big house," he murmured.

  A distant voice called out, "This way!"

  Looking up, Zaraf saw Gray standing on the balcony, waving dramatically. The moment Gray noticed him, he leaped from the window and landed in front of Zaraf with a perfect, exaggerated pose.

  "…Doesn't it hurt?" Zaraf asked, narrowing his eyes.

  Gray rubbed the back of his neck with a grin. "It does, but I thought Abeth was coming too… so I just wanted to look cool."

  Zaraf shot him a side glance. "Stay away from her."

  Gray tilted his head, smirking. "Don't be like that—wait… are you also in love with her?"

  Zaraf shook his head slowly. "Love? …No. The feeling I have for her isn't love, I'd say, but more like… family, you know."

  Gray nodded. "Hmm, I understand. So you're like her brother."

  Zaraf exhaled softly. "…I don't know about her, but for me, she is."

  Gray grinned faintly. "…We should go find the reincarnation."

  Zaraf frowned slightly. "So how should we find that reincarnation?"

  Gray's eyes sparkled. "Through my fairy, Tale."

  A soft shimmer appeared, and Tale emerged from his dimension. "We can search our contracted Creator's world and detect breaking points — irregularities in the story," she explained calmly. "Right now, that reincarnation is slightly changing the narrative. I think that person is in a distant city. We should go before she moves elsewhere."

  Zaraf nodded slowly, thinking, (So that's how Bell searched for her soul fragments in such a vast world…)

  Gray's grin widened. "Here we go. To the new town!"

  During the journey, the two began to talk and share moments, the long hours passing quickly. On the third night, they sat beside a campfire, the flames dancing in their eyes.

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  Zaraf broke the silence. "So… why did you think of a harem after becoming a Creator?"

  Gray stared at the stars, his voice low and introspective. "…It's because I was alone. There were no girls in my life. To be honest, I was a totally different guy in the human world. I didn't talk to anyone… didn't make a single friend."

  He chuckled faintly. "I thought I enjoyed being alone, but sometimes… I felt this emptiness. Like a hole slowly eating me from the inside."

  Zaraf stayed quiet, listening.

  Gray exhaled. "Then I awakened here. I thought maybe having a harem would fill that emptiness… but then I met him. He changed me."

  "Him?" Zaraf asked, surprised.

  "My first friend… or something like that. I mean Ben," Gray said simply. "He told me I don't need a group of girls. I just need one who can understand me… care for me. So now I'm searching for my soulmate instead."

  He glanced at Zaraf. "I just wonder where she is."

  Zaraf exhaled slowly. "So people change, huh…? Then maybe he changed as well."

  "Who?" Gray asked, confused.

  "I mean Rough. He may look scary… but I get the feeling it's not what he shows," Zaraf replied.

  Gray's expression hardened slightly. "You should stay away from him. And if your contractor is Princess Bell—"

  "Why? Is there something I don't know?" Zaraf asked sharply.

  Gray hesitated. "…I was still in the human world at that time. But I heard Rough killed Bell's contracted Creator."

  Zaraf froze, the firelight flickering across his face. (So that's why she didn't want me to confront him… Did I hurt her feelings too?)

  Gray's voice softened. "I don't like believing rumors… but even Ben confirmed that Rough killed a Creator."

  A heavy silence settled. Zaraf finally said, "…We should sleep. I'm tired."

  Gray nodded. "Yeah. Okay."

  They didn't speak of Rough again.

  The next day, they arrived in a bustling town. A faint trace of irregular energy lingered in the air.

  "We should split up and find that person," Zaraf said, scanning the streets.

  Gray smirked. "Tale can sense her. What about you?"

  "If I see her… I'll know," Zaraf replied quietly.

  They separated. Gray found her first, a girl working in a small restaurant. He approached casually.

  "Hello, miss. Can I talk to you?" Gray asked.

  She turned, startled. "Y-Yes… what is it?"

  "Can you share your beautiful name with me?" he asked kindly.

  A faint blush rose to her cheeks. "Call me Alaika."

  Gray's grin widened. "Wow… would you like to come with me to my world?"

  Alaika froze. "?!!"

  Zaraf arrived then, stepping forward calmly. "Sorry about him. He's… kind of sick in the head."

  She blinked. "Oh… okay. And you?"

  "Call me Zaraf," he said gently. "I know this is surprising, but we're here to talk to you. Can we speak somewhere private?"

  Alaika hesitated, then nodded. She led them upstairs to a quiet room.

  "We know you came here from another world," Zaraf began, "but let me tell you the truth."

  "?!! …So you're like me?" Alaika asked softly.

  Zaraf explained about Creators, reincarnations, and the current situation.

  "I know it seems like we're forcing you," he continued, "but I promise things will change. Just bear with it for now."

  Gray added with a smile, "It won't be scary. You'll be with another reincarnation… a girl named Abeth."

  Alaika paused, then nodded slowly. "…Very well. Lead the way."

  Zaraf blinked, startled. "?!!"

  Gray frowned, "Wait… you agreed that quickly?"

  Alaika's eyes sparkled faintly. "Living with people like me… may be more meaningful than staying here."

  Zaraf exhaled softly. "…Don't worry. You'll have a friend."

  She gave a small smile. "Now I'm curious. Let's go."

  At HQ, Alaika met Abeth, and they went together. Shin observed quietly.

  "Now she has someone," Shin said, turning to Zaraf. "What about your plan?"

  Zaraf thought for a moment. "Hmm… I have some matters to handle."

  Shin nodded. "That's good. But tell me — do you know your element?"

  "Yes… my element is wind," Zaraf said calmly. "But it's hard to control."

  Gray's eyes widened. "Wind? That suits you."

  Zaraf glanced at him. "And yours?"

  "Hehe… mine is water," Gray said cheerfully. "Cool, right?"

  Shin's expression grew thoughtful. "Wind… interesting. You should train to become stronger. We don't know what the future holds. Better to be prepared."

  "Huh?! Training?" Zaraf asked, surprised.

  Gray grinned. "That's the fun part. You need to control your core power. So… who's going to train him?"

  Shin's gaze shifted slightly. "Considering his element… it's best for him to train there."

  Gray's grin widened. "Are you sure, Shin? Hehehe… it might be perfect."

  Zaraf frowned. "…Who are you talking about?"

  "The strongest, physically and mentally — the Creator of Adventure," Gray said proudly.

  Zaraf's eyes widened. "…That big guy?"

  Shin nodded. "It's decided. Gray, take him there. I'll send word ahead."

  "Roger that!" Gray said with a laugh. "Rest while you can. Hehehe."

  Zaraf shivered slightly, a strange feeling crawling over him. "…Why am I getting this weird feeling?"