Chaos Maker

The town of Cot slumbered beneath the silver moon, its cobblestone streets bathed in ethereal light. The crisp air carried whispers of grass and aged wood, blending with the warm glow of enchanted street lamps. These magical flames danced gently, illuminating the intricate carvings on houses of wood and stone. The square lay still, save for the occasional hoot of an owl perched atop a lone tree. Towering walls embraced the town, their steadfast presence punctuated by four grand gates marking the cardinal directions.

From the western gate, a golden highway stretched into the night, its surface shimmering like liquid sunlight. Each step on the road emitted a subtle warmth, protected by an invisible barrier that shielded travelers from harm. The highway extended endlessly, slicing through vast grasslands before vanishing into the horizon.

At this gate, a drowsy guard teetered on the edge of sleep until a sharp smack from his squad captain jolted him awake.

At the town's heart stood its crown jewel, the castle. Towering and eternal, its spires clawed at the heavens. The structure, a harmonious blend of stone and crystal, glimmered faintly with an inner radiance. At its core, a single pillar of blue light pierced the night sky, casting a soft brilliance over the town. Shadows danced across the cobblestones, their patterns refracted by the castle's intricate carvings.

High above, hidden within the clouds, a man stood atop a hovering wyvern. The beast maintained its altitude effortlessly, its wings holding it steady as the man gazed down.

These two were none other than John and his wyvern, Grek.

"What a beautiful town," John murmured, a smile tugging at his lips. Yet, a strange familiarity gnawed at him.

Grek rumbled in agreement.

John tapped the wyvern's scaled back, signaling him to descend. "This is far enough, Grek. Wait here."

"Huh? Why?" Grek asked, confused.

"You'll cause a panic."

"That's unlikely," Grek retorted, gesturing with his clawed wing toward the unimaginable massive planet looming in the night sky. "The town belongs to those absolute beings."

John's eyes widened as realization struck. The town's design, its architecture, even its layout, everything is found in his dream project, Project Chaos Maker, Code Final Chaos.

A voice chimed in his mind, belonging to Sasha, his system companion. "John, the town's architecture and technology match your designs from Code Final Chaos."

A manic laugh burst from his lips, echoing across the grasslands.

Grek recoiled at the sound, muttering, "You've got the most terrifying laugh of any human I've met."

John dismissed the comment with a wave and continued laughing, the eerie sound reverberating in the stillness.

In the moonlit distance, the grasslands stretched like a silver sea, each blade shimmering under the celestial glow. A lone figure moved with quiet grace, her silhouette cloaked in mystery.

The girl's dark cloak flowed around her like a shadow, concealing a divine radiance. The hood was drawn low, masking her features and guarding a beauty capable of enchanting even the stars.

She clutched the fabric tightly at her chest, warding off the cold as her bare feet barely left impressions on the dew-kissed grass. Shadows flitted around her, but none dared to touch her form.

Ahead, the town loomed like an earthly constellation, its lights twinkling faintly, a promise of warmth and life. A faint smile played on her lips as she quickened her pace.

"It was a good idea to use that old teleportation circle," she mused. "I finally shook off Harmonia's pursuit."

Suddenly, a burst of manic laughter shattered the stillness. The girl froze, her eyes darting around. Yet, no one appeared.

Her face paled beneath the hood as the laughter persisted, sending chills down her spine.

"Eek!" she squeaked, and, without another thought, she sprinted toward the town.

John paused his laughter, tilting his head. "Did you hear something?"

Grek, busy digging a temporary nest, grunted. "Just your imagination."

"Maybe." John shrugged, then waved. "See you later."

The wyvern flapped his wings lazily in farewell as John strode toward the town.

At Cot Town's eastern gate, Two guards stood by the gate, magic rifles in their hands. The two guards were focused on their duty and always at high alert. They were just having their usual routine when suddenly they detected someone approaching.

"This is the second one tonight," one remarked.

"Brave souls," the other replied. "Even a Level 4 like me would hesitate to wander this late without using the Golden Highway."

Minutes later, a figure emerged from the shadows, a man clad in a black coat over a white shirt, a red necktie, and a brown vest. A red bandana rested on his forehead, its loose ends reaching his waist. A black katana hung from his hip, a silent promise of power.

"State your business," the first guard demanded as the second readied his weapon.

"I'm here to visit," John replied calmly.

The guard pulled out a magical smartphone and gestured. "Place your hand over the screen."

John complied. After a moment, the screen glowed green.

"You may enter," the guard said, stepping aside.

John strolled through the gate, disappearing into the town's embrace.

The guards resumed their watch, their routine unbroken.