Do you believe in fate… or mere coincidences?
Ah—where are my manners? Allow me to introduce myself.
My name is Kurozumi, the protagonist of the story you're about to read.
I've always wondered—why did things unfold the way they did? Was it all just random, or had my life already been written, my path carved out before I even took my first step?
This is not just a story.
It's a tale —of how I shattered the chains of destiny,
Of how an insolent mortal like me became a god.
Not just in power, but in mind, in spirit and in will.
This is the tale of how I became the Divine Slayer.
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Chapter 1 – First mission
Kuro swallowed hard, standing in front of the door. A deep breath did little to settle the unease churning inside him.
"I guess I'm a bit too late to come back home," he thought, pressing his lips into a thin line.
He pushed open the door. "I'm back."
Ilya came rushing from her room, her brows furrowed with concern. "Brother, where were you? You said you'd be back in an hour. It's already ten o'clock!" Her voice carried a mix of worry and disappointment.
Kuro silently handed her the package he was holding. "Here. The cake you asked for."
Her face instantly lit up with joy. "Oh! Thank you, thank you!"
She was about to dash into the kitchen when she suddenly added, "By the way, Dad's back. He's sitting in the living room."
Kuro's smile vanished. His fingers tightened around the strap of his bag. The air around him felt heavier as he stepped forward. Every footstep echoed in his ears, his pulse hammering against his ribs.
He entered the room, not even sparing a glance at the old man sitting on the couch. A tense silence filled the space, thick and suffocating.
Just as he was about to pass through to his room, the deep voice of his father cut through the quiet.
"How are you?"
Kuro almost laughed. It was such a simple question, yet it came from the one person who had no right to ask it. He turned slowly, his movements deliberate, his gaze sharp.
"How am I?" he repeated, his voice laced with disbelief. "You actually have the nerve to ask me that?"
His father's expression was unreadable. "I just wanted to check on you. You know, after everything."
Kuro's hands curled into fists. "After everything? You mean after you handed me over to the police like I was some criminal? Like I was nothing to you?"
His father looked down, his jaw tightening. "It was for your own good."
Kuro's breath hitched, his emotions teetering on the edge. "My own good?" He took a step forward, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "You threw me away."
His father flinched, a rare crack in his calm demeanour.
"And now you're here, acting like you care?"
His father met his gaze, and for the first time, Kuro saw it—guilt. Kuro's chest tightened, but he refused to let himself feel anything but anger.
Silence stretched between them. His father opened his mouth, then hesitated, as if the words wouldn't come. Kuro exhaled sharply and turned on his heel, heading for his room.
As he reached for the door handle, a barely audible whisper followed him.
"I do care, Kuro... more than you know."
The door clicked shut behind him.
His father let out a shaky breath, staring at the floor. "I hope you'll understand one day…"
Ilya stood frozen in the kitchen, her hands gripping the cake box. Her chest ached as she fought back tears. Just moments ago, she had been so happy. Now, the house felt unbearably cold.
The Next Morning
Kuro was half-asleep when his phone buzzed violently on the nightstand. He groaned, rubbing his eyes before glancing at the screen.
Brog.
With a sigh, he answered. "It's barely morning. What do you want?"
Brog's voice was firm. "Be in front of Forbidden Zone Alpha-02 within two hours."
Beep. Beep.
Kuro blinked at his phone, still trying to process Brog's words.
"What the hell?" he muttered, gripping the device tightly. He quickly redialled.
The call barely rang once before Brog picked up.
"You're calling back faster than I expected," Brog said. "Something wrong?"
Kuro clenched his jaw. "Yeah, something's wrong! Why the hell am I being sent on a mission?"
"It's an order directly from the chairman. I can't make heads or tails of it myself," Brog replied.
That caught Kuro off guard. "What?"
"Why?" Kuro asked, his voice quieter now.
"I wasn't given a reason," Brog confirmed.
"You can refuse," Brog added after a pause. "No one will force you to go."
Kuro tightened his grip on the phone. If he refused… then what? The strange feeling in his gut told him—no, warned him—that something bigger was at play.
He exhaled. "…I'll be there."
Brog sighed. He wasn't expecting that answer. "Good. Then be prepared."
The call ended. Kuro stared blankly at the wall. This wasn't how things were supposed to go.
But it was too late to back out now.
After a quick shower and getting dressed, Kuro was about to leave when Ilya emerged from her room, rubbing her eyes.
"Brother, where are you going this early?" she asked groggily.
Kuro hesitated for a second. "I'm going on my first mission."
Ilya's expression immediately shifted to sadness and worry. "Don't do anything reckless. And come back before dinner."
Kuro forced a small smile, patting her head. "I'll bring you a gift. Look forward to it."
He opened the door and stepped outside.
The front of the Forbidden Zone was swarming with reporters and soldiers. Cameras flashed as news crews broadcasted live. Kuro wove through the crowd, searching for a way in.
A soldier stopped him. "Please show your badge."
Kuro pulled it from his pocket and handed it over. The soldier examined it before nodding and leading him through the barricade, where rows of Rangers stood in formation. Brog stood at the front, his expression unreadable.
A heavy silence hung in the air for a moment. Then, Brog raised his voice.
"Open the gates!"
The massive gates groaned as they slowly creaked open. Without hesitation, the squads surged forward, vanishing into the darkness beyond.
Kuro stood frozen; his breath caught in his throat. The sheer intensity of the moment made his chest tighten.
Brog turned to him. "Stay close to me, Mr. Kuro. Do not wander off, no matter what happens inside."
Kuro swallowed hard and nodded. His heart pounded as he stared at the gaping entrance.
Together, he and Brog stepped forward.
The gates slammed shut behind them.
The mission had begun.
Brog and Kuro pressed deeper into the Zone, the Hawks squad leading the way.
After some time, they finally reached Captain Shin, who stood frozen, tension lining his face.
Brog narrowed his eyes. "Why are you alone?"
Shin exhaled. "I sent my squad to assist the others. But Vice Chairman, something is wrong with the tree."
Brog's expression darkened. "What do you mean?"
Without hesitation, he leaped toward the tree.
The Tree was cracked.
Like a hatching egg, its bark split open, glowing with a deep, unnatural purple light.
A cold dread settled in Brog's stomach.
"What the hell is going on?" he muttered.
BOOM!
The Withering Tree exploded, sending a shockwave across the Forbidden Zone. Brog was thrown back, skidding across the ground as debris rained down. The deafening blast echoed far and wide—every squad turned in alarm.
Arthur froze. "What was that?!"
His instincts screamed danger. "Move! Now!" he ordered, sprinting toward the source.
As the dust settled, a figure emerged from the wreckage.
A woman. Naked,
Shrouded in a tattered cloak, her face hidden beneath a hood, she stood amidst the destruction—unshaken.
Brog pushed himself up, eyes locked on her. "Who… are you?"
The woman remained silent. Then the silence broke,
"Bring the 'God of Mischief'" she muttered,