Black Bone.

That was the name of a low class area in the capital city.

The number of residents living there was almost 100,000. For a small section in the city, it was clearly over populated.

The residents were poor and a lot of them were sick.

The streets were filthy. The buildings were packed closely together. And anyone could tell that they were badly maintained.

It was a real slum.

“……..”

Miko quietly observed this place as he followed behind Hina.

(Does seeing this pitiful scene move your heart?)

‘Huh? Why would it? I've seen countless places like this in my past life. It's nothing new.’

(As heartless as always I see. By the way, isn't going to an unknown place risky?)

‘Aren't you the guardian of the kingdom? So you should know everything that's going on here, right? If I was going to a dangerous place, you would've stopped me with everything you had. Since you didn't, even if it isn't safe I'm sure my life isn't at risk. Otherwise your plans will fail.’

Even though Miko doesn't 100% trust Tiamat, he's sure that his death is the last thing she wants. At least she doesn't want him to die yet.

(Well, its true there's no immediate threat to your life in this area, but that doesn't mean you can be careless. Even if you're putting on an act to lower her guard….That is what you're doing, right?)

‘On one side it might seem careless and down right stupid, but you should know I don't act without reason. I’m taking a gamble here.)

(On what?)

‘On Hina's potential. She said that she had three unique abilities, she only showed two. The first two were easily revealed, but not the third one. I'm curious about what that ability is. If it's something that can be nurtured into something world-shaking, I need to obtain it as soon as possible otherwise it could be used against me in the future. It's like a scout taking an unknown person and then attempt to turn them into a superstar. The risks are high, but if it works out the rewards will be great.’

(What if she was lying?)

‘Even though there was no sign of deception from her heartbeat, I've already considered that possibility. If that's the case, then I'd still try acquire her [Manifestation] ability if possible. Another reason I followed her was because I'm also curious as to whether she really guessed that I was a Proxy, or did she approach me precisely because of that. If it's the former then it's my mistake.”

(And if it's the latter?)

‘Then she or someone related to her has the ability to identify Proxies. If that's true then it's all more the reason to go with her and confirm this. That's because this would be a dangerous ability, and I meant need to get rid of such a person.’

(And if it's a trap?)

‘I'll kill the girl and escape. If I can't do both, I'll focus on escaping and kill her at a later date. Since you assured me that there's no immediate threat, then I must be able to at least do that, right?’

(You're a devious brat, you know that?)

“What's wrong, Mikky? You're making a pretty serious face.”

Hinami interrupted Miko's conversation about killing her with Tiamat.

“It's nothing.”

“I see. I thought you were talking with your [Parent God].”

(What a sharp girl.)

“Well, we're here.”

Hinami stopped in front of a rather old and broken down building. It looked like an abandon apartment building.

Hina walked up and opened the door.

“It wasn’t locked?”

“There's no need to lock it. If someone steals anything, I'll know right away.”

Hina entered the building with a carefree attitude.

‘What if someone was waiting in ambush? Well, she might have a way to know that too.’

Thinking that, Miko cautiously followed her inside.

“Woah.”

When he stepped inside it felt as if he was teleported to a different place.

That was because the outside and inside didn't match at all.

“I thought you were broke…..”

There were luxurious furniture everywhere. A huge chandelier in the center of the lobby, various paintings in the wall, and even an elevator next to a beautiful stairway.

“I am poor.”

“In which way?!”

“Did you forget about my power? These are all made with magic.”

“I see. Amazing….Wait, why don't you use your power to make money and just pay those guys off?”

Hina shook her head.

“Since there should be a lot of people who can create things like gold and diamonds, it was decided that only money created using a certain type of alchemy are to be accepted. Also, there are countless ways to identify money created using magic. So, I would get caught.”

“What about selling things you create?”

“That's also no good unless I'm a black market dealer. In order to give everyone a fair chance, selling items created using purely magic are prohibited worldwide.”

“….I see. Since those who uses magic has an overwhelming advantage in life compared to others, this gives those bad at magic a chance to earn an income in a different way.”

“That's right. And besides, even if it wasn't illegal it's not like could create stuff with my magic for a living.”

“Why?”

“I would die of [Magic Exhaustion].”

Seeing Miko's confused face, Hina walked over to the desk in the lobby and place her hand on it.

“My abilities may be rare, but they consume too much magic power. Just this desk here, took two-thirds of my power to manifest.”

“Really?”

Hina nodded.

“The more complicated something is, the more power is needed to manifest it.”

“Then what about a car?”

“That's impossible for me. I would die before I can manifest the engine.”

“…..What exactly is [Magic Exhaustion]?”

Hina looked at Miko like he was a rare specimen, which annoyed him.

“[Magic Exhaustion] is when you use up all the magic present in your body.”

“I already guessed that. What I mean is, what happens to you when you get it?”

“Oh. Your body will slowly be destroyed from the inside. You will feel unbearable pain, and your life will shorten. In extreme cases, you die. But that's only when you keep trying to use magic, even though you don't have any left. At that moment, your life will be converted into magic. In other words, you'll exchange your life for power.”

(I forgot to mention this, but you mustn't overuse your magic power.)

‘You tell me this now?!’

Tiamat remained silent, which annoyed Miko.

“In the case that you're not killed, does it leave any long-lasting effect on the body?”

Hearing Miko's question, Hina's body shook and she looked like she was hesitating to answer for some reason.

“…..Yea. But it depends on the person.”

Hina suddenly started walking faster, and headed inside the elevator.

“Come. They should be upstairs.”

Miko tried to sense if there was anyone hiding anywhere. Since he didn't sense anyone and Tiamat didn't say anything, he entered the elevator.

The door closed and they moved upwards.

“Wait, if you can't create complicated things, how did you manifest this elevator?”

“I didn't manifest the whole thing. I just manifest the parts, and paid someone to assemble it. Of course, I paid them by manifesting certain items they wanted in exchange.”

The elevator stopped and they arrived in another luxurious room.

It had a large leather sofa, a large tv, a pool table, a hot tub(?), and lots of other stuff that you would find in an entertainment room.

“Just so you know, I didn't make anything in this room. They were all bought by my benefactor.”

With a smile, Hina stepped into the room after saying that. Miko followed.

“Sora, Ace! You guys, around?!”

“Over here.”

A voice came from behind the sofa and replied to Hina.

When she and Miko walked towards it, they saw two boys sitting on it.

They were both young. Around 12.

One was playing with something that looked like a game console.

He had orange hair and green eyes. He was wearing an orange top with the words “Game Over” on it, and had on red shorts and shoes.

The other one had headphones on, and was moving his head as if to match a rhythm.

He had blonde hair and blue eyes.

He was wearing a blue and white sweatshirt with pants to match.

“Oh? Hina brought back a kid?”

Said the orange haired boy, when he looked up from his game.

“……Is it a boy or girl? It's hard to tell.”

The blonde haired one also chipped in.

“It's a boy.”

“So, what? He's your boyfriend or something?”

Asked the blonde one.

“No. But he did treat me to some expensive food.”

“So the day has already arrived, huh? The day when you use your looks to con your first man. And you're only 10 at that. That's scary.”

Said the orange haired boy.

“Woman are scary creatures, Ace. If you drop a strong-willed man and woman in an unknown country, the woman would end up the successful one 7 out of 10 times.”

“I feel sorry for the kid, having Hina digging her fangs in him.”

Said the orange haired boy, called Ace.

“Are you two done?”

Hina looked a bit offended, but still had a smile on her face.

“Yeah…..So, why did you bring him here? I doubt that it's because he bought you food.”

Sora stared at Miko with curious eyes.

“I was attacked by Darius’ men in town and he helped me out.”

“Oh? So, the fact that you brought him with you means that you ran into some trouble?”

Asked Ace.

“Yeah, they had Tridents.”

Hearing that, the two faces tensed up.

“…They actually brought those monsters with them? Isn't that overkill?”

“Tridents do have a low power setting, but it's still enough to destroy this building with one shot. I don't know about you and Ace, but I don't wanna die a virgin.”

“Relax. I made sure I wasn't followed here. Beside, Tridents destructiveness depends on the user’s ability. There shouldn't be anyone in this country who can use it to its full potential.”

Ace and Sora suddenly had an “I see” expression on their faces.

“…….”

Miko was watching their exchange intently.

(Well, this was unexpected. To think there are kids like these in the kingdom, outside of the Triad clans. Strange.)

‘….What do you mean?’

(You're the weakest one in this room. You, who should be stronger than the average adult, is weaker than these kids who aren't even adolescents. However, you should still be able to escape from them if you want. But they're still interesting, right?)

“I see.”

Miko smiled and stood in front of Hina.

“Sora and Ace, right?”

‘If that's true, then I should observe them for a while.’

“Nice to meet you, my name is Gamiko.”

Miko's smile was gentle, but his eyes were that of a predator.

“You can call me Miko.”

“…….”

Sora and Ace stared at Miko for a while. And then-

“….This kid is making me question my sexuality.”

Sora was the first to speak.

“Hey, is this really a guy? He's prettier than Hina.”

Asked Ace.

“P-Prettier?! I'll have you know that I'm a beauty.”

“It's sad when you have to say that yourself….”

Ace was looking at Hina with sympathetic eyes. While Sora was laughing.

“Shut up! I'll be a beauty for sure!”

Hina was pouting.

Miko thought, it was the first time he’s seen her acting her age.

“But still, the gods sure are unfair.”

Ace suddenly started speaking as if sighing.

“They give this kid a beauty that would easily attract both sexes, while my face barely can attract one.”

“Preach.”

Sora agreed with him. But Hina looked at them with reproach.

“What are you talking about? You're both handsome.”

“This is a world of magic. Everyone's good-looking.”

Said Sora.

“The Magic in our bodies subconsciously morph us into our ideal image. But there's a limit.”

He then pointed to Miko and said-

“That's a level of beauty that can only be called a blessing from God! That's not something you can reach with effort!”

Miko felt uncomfortable being praised as beautiful by the same gender. So, he decided to change the subject.

“Um, what are you guys going to do about the men hunting down Hina?”

“We'll hide of course. We're facing a noble. He may be a former noble, but is still of noble birth.”

Said Ace.

“Not mention, he's involved in all kinds of illegal activities, and has the backing of a few foreign crime bosses as well as the king.”

Said Sora.

“Seems like you guys got mixed up with a dangerous guy.”

Said Miko.

“If you want I could help you out, Hina.”

Hearing that, Hina looked at Miko with suspicion.

“…..Why?”

“Because we're friends, not like you'd believe me if I said that.”

Seeing that everyone was looking at him with skeptical eyes, Miko shrugged.

“This Darius guy seems interesting. I want to meet him.”

Hearing that, they glared at him.

“Why?”

Hina asked.

“I want to see what kind of people are the nobles of this country.”

“And when you do?”

“If they're useful I'll overlook them.”

“Overlook?”

Asked Sora.

“When I take the throne, I intend to purge all the aristocrats that would become a nuisance to my future plans. However if Darius is useful, I might reconsider.”

The trio stared at Miko with dumbfounded expressions.

“Take the throne? What are you saying, Kid?”

Sora asked.

“Mikky, are you right in the head?”

Miko got annoyed by their reactions, but realized that it was the natural way to react to what he said.

“I guess that this is my fault because of how I introduced myself. So, allow me to redo it.”

The trio looked at Miko confusedly.

He ignored them and said-

“The name’s Gamiko Dragna. The man who will drag the gods off their throne, and break the chains of destiny.”

Shock filled the room when the name Dragna was mentioned. Even so, Gamiko smiled fearlessly.

“It's a pleasure to meet you.”

This was Gamiko's first meeting with the trio, who would later go down in history as a War God, a [Tyrant], and a Traitor to humanity.