Chapter 27: I Am Zane Creed

The cart rolled to a slow stop, wooden wheels crunching softly over the dirt road. Ethan turned his gaze toward the figures approaching from the distance—just as he’d sensed.

A modest travel cart, weathered but sturdy, drawn by two shaggy brown horses. There were seven people aboard: four men—including the driver—two women, and a small boy who peeked curiously over the cart’s edge.

Ethan stood still, expression calm yet cautious.

The driver raised a hand, saying something in a language Ethan didn’t immediately recognize. The words flowed past his ears—soft but unfamiliar.

He blinked. “Their local language, huh…?”

With a breath, Ethan focused. A soft shimmer flashed in his irises—his eyes turned silver, golden-brown flickers sparking within.

Law of Knowledge: Invoked.

The sounds twisted. Reshaped. Became understandable.

“…Mom, look! There’s someone up ahead!”

The small boy’s voice was bright, innocent, and—now—completely clear.

The cart stopped in front of him with a soft creak. A burly man stepped down, cautious but curious. His dark green eyes studied Ethan’s posture. His hand hovered just slightly near his side—a fighter’s habit.

Ethan inhaled. Okay. First conversation with an actual person. I can’t mess this up.

He smiled lightly and greeted them in the local tongue. “Hello there.”

The group collectively stiffened.

Internally, Ethan grimaced. Ah. Yep. They’re wary. Of course they’re wary. What did I expect, a welcome hug?

The man stepped forward, clearing his throat. “You lost, traveler?”

Ethan nodded. “Well… you could say that.”

From behind the man, the small boy peeked again, eyes wide and sparkling. “He looks like a noble!”

Ethan chuckled. “Not quite, kid. But thanks for the compliment.”

The man raised an eyebrow, his tone cautious. “You heading to Eldrin Town? We can give you a ride, but… we’ll need some form of payment.”

Ethan thought for a moment. “That would be great. Unfortunately, I don’t carry any local currency.”

The man frowned slightly. “Ah… so you’re not from Valdoria Kingdom?”

Valdoria. Ethan logged the name internally. So that’s the name of this kingdom.

He smiled. “No, I’m not. But perhaps I can offer something of value instead?”

The man hesitated, then gave a small nod. “Depends on what it is.”

Ethan reached into his coat pocket. A subtle shimmer of Null flashed in his palm—and just like that, a small, unassuming mana ore appeared. The lowest-grade sample from his island.

Even this should be worth something in a world with weaker ambient mana, he thought.

He revealed the stone.

A gasp rippled through the group.

“That’s… that’s a high-grade mana ore!” one of the women whispered.

The leader’s eyes widened. “This… This is too much. Why would you just hand over something this valuable?”

Ethan put on a helpless smile. “It’s the only thing I’ve got.”

Also, this is basically trash back home.

The man shook his head, half in disbelief. “We can’t take this whole thing. We’ll take a fifth of it—fair trade.”

Ethan nodded. “Sounds fair to me.”

He climbed aboard the cart. The boy stared at him with stars in his eyes as the cart resumed its gentle pace forward.

Settling into the seat, Ethan gazed out across the horizon.

Alright. First contact: done. Didn’t accidentally vaporize anyone. Good start.

But as the wheels creaked over the road, he narrowed his eyes faintly. There was a strange pulse in the distance. A weak disturbance in the mana flow of the air.

Subtle. Faint. But not natural.

He didn’t move. Didn’t react. Just smiled politely at the others as he silently observed the anomaly in the far-off woods.

Looks like this world might have more than scenic views…

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.

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The cart creaked along the winding path, the sun now slanting gently through the canopy of trees overhead. Ethan sat quietly in the back, his expression unreadable, though his senses remained keenly active.

How cliché, he mused. A traveling cart bound for a distant city, with a few unknown faces, casual introductions… and now, a weak pack of beasts tailing us through the trees. Classic.

He could feel them—barely suppressing their bloodlust. Low-grade mana beasts, desperate, hungry… predictable. Let’s see how this situation develops. I could vaporize them, sure… but I’m curious about these people.

The boy with sparkling eyes leaned toward him again. “Mister, where are you from?”

His mother instantly shushed him. “Will, don’t bother him!”

The other woman with the cloak remained quiet, her face mostly hidden by her hood. Zane noted the dynamic—the mother with the dark bluish hair and soft blue eyes, clearly kind, gentle. The boy—brown hair, blue eyes—spirited. That other woman… quiet, observant. And the man in the cloak beside her… interesting posture. Armed. Experienced.

Zane glanced casually toward the family again. So, the leader is the father. Wife, kid. These aren’t just simple travelers. At least two of them carry presence, even if they’re trying to mask it.

Still, he smiled politely. “Oh, don’t worry,” he said to the boy’s mother. “Kids are like that.” He turned to the boy, eyes gentle. “I’m from very far away. Came here because… I wanted to do something interesting.”

The boy’s eyes lit up. “Ooh! But—mother says—if I’m asking questions, I should introduce myself first…”

Zane watched the flustered little boy, his bright emotions radiating like ripples—curiosity, cheerfulness, a touch of awe. So pure, he thought.

The boy straightened up, puffing his chest proudly. “Hello! I’m William Harrow, and I’m seven years old! What’s your name, mister?”

Zane paused.

He opened his mouth to speak… “I’m Et—…”

He stopped.

A flicker crossed his gaze.

No. That name… isn’t me anymore. That was before Nowhere. Before I was reborn.

This is a new beginning. And I always wanted one of those cool protagonist moments where they pick a new name, like they’re shedding the past and claiming destiny or something. Guess I get my moment too.

He smiled.

“I am Zane Creed, kid.”

Before William could say anything else—

RAAWRR.

A guttural, throaty roar shattered the calm.

The cart shook slightly as several feral shapes burst from the underbrush—lithe, mangy wolves, their eyes glowing faintly with corrupted mana. Their claws dug into the dirt, forming a loose semicircle around the front and sides of the cart.

Zane casually tilted his head. Wolves. Of course. Entry-level textbook monsters. Let me guess…

He turned slightly, and sure enough—hiding behind a rock further down the path, was a larger, bulkier silhouette. Muscles rippling, eyes burning—a dire wolf.

There it is. The real threat. Smart enough to hide and send its pack first. Playing the ambush game, huh? That’s adorable.

Still, Zane didn’t move.

He leaned back lazily on one arm, watching.

Let’s see what the others do. Especially those two… the cloaked man and the woman. You’ve been suppressing your auras too perfectly to be travellers .

The group tensed. William clutched his mother’s sleeve. The driver pulled the reins sharply, trying to back the horses, who neighed in panic.

Zane grinned slightly.

“Things are about to get interesting.”

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