Temple of the Demon Lord of Wishes

Chapter 33 Reality Ruiner

[Welcome to the Temple with Good Luck]

Kalisto stepped into the Fractured Reality, the familiar dark haze wrapping around him like a heavy shroud. His body tensed instinctively, his senses on high alert.

No matter how many times he entered this strange place, he could never shake the unease it brought.

He had to remind himself why he was here—to serve the Reality Master who had saved his life. Gratitude held him steady, but it wasn't enough to silence the quiet fear that gnawed at the back of his mind.

The temple had changed since his last visit. Kalisto stopped short, his eyes scanning the space. It was larger now, the once plain walls stretching higher and farther into the shadows.

The rectangular table that used to dominate the center was gone, replaced by an ominous altar carved from dark stone. A small, brown cat lay sprawled across it, its tail flicking lazily.

It didn't so much as glance at Kalisto, as if his presence wasn't worth noticing.

'Has he gotten stronger?'

Kalisto wondered, his unease deepening. He had heard rumors—Reality Masters could grow their power by consuming others of their kind. Their realms expanded, their authority solidified, by gaining more Believers and Walkers.

'This is too fast. It's only been a few days since I was last here.'

The thought unsettled him, but he pushed it aside. A stronger Reality Master was both a blessing and a curse. While it increased his own chances of survival, it also made the Master more unpredictable.

At the far end of the room, behind the altar, stood the Reality Master. Draped in a long, hooded robe, he was completely still, as if carved from the same shadows that cloaked the temple. His silence was suffocating, stretching long enough that Kalisto felt compelled to speak.

"I... I'm here to make a report on Williams, sir," Kalisto said, his voice hesitating on the title.

The Reality Master didn't respond, but Kalisto pressed on. "He's... hard to find. Even his classmates don't know where he spends his time. He's careful, keeps to himself."

The Reality Master finally spoke, his voice calm and measured, yet carrying an undeniable weight. "And where will he be?"@@@@

Kalisto stood back in the real world, the coin bag still in his hands. He stared at it for a long moment, his thoughts swirling.

...

'Saturday... there's still a few days before that. I can prepare before heading there. That Williams guy didn't seem simple when we first crossed paths. I still don't even know where he got that button from...'

Ivaim's thoughts swirled, unease prickling at the edges of his mind.

He leaned against the dark stone altar, fingers drumming lightly on its surface as he considered his options.

'At best, I could pull Kalisto in to help me. He's reliable, and his abilities would be useful if things go south. Reves, though... no. He's only twelve. Bringing him into something like this isn't even an option.'

He began pacing slowly, his boots clicking softly against the temple's floor, each step echoing in the vast chamber. His mind churned as he pieced together a strategy.

'Perhaps I should focus on gaining more Believers and Walkers before Saturday. Strengthening my Fortune Authority could tip the scales in my favor if things escalate. Besides, having more followers expands my reach—and my influence.'

He paused, considering another angle.

'Then there's the legal Walkers... I could report Williams for illegally possessing a future-seeing artifact. That would certainly draw their attention. But... no. That won't work. If the legal Walkers confiscate the button, I lose my chance to claim it. And the Reality Masters who play by the rules rarely leave room for personal gain.'

As he weighed his choices, a sharp sound disrupted his thoughts—a low hiss. His gaze snapped toward the altar where the brown cat, which had been lounging indifferently moments ago, now stood rigid.

"Meow!"

Its fur bristled, tail puffed, and eyes locked on the far side of the temple. It hissed again, the sound slicing through the stillness like a blade.

"What's wrong?" Ivaim muttered, his brows furrowing. He stepped closer to the altar, eyes narrowing as he followed the cat's gaze.

The atmosphere shifted. A sudden, suffocating pressure settled over the temple, making the shadows seem darker and the air colder. Ivaim's pulse quickened as a system notification appeared before his eyes, glowing faintly in the dim light.

[A Ruiner has entered your Fractured Reality.]