NOVPUBThey say nothing is free in this world.
If someone gave you something for free, then either you're the experiment… or the product. 𝔫𝖔𝔳𝖕𝖚𝔟.𝔠𝔬𝖒
Free samples? They want you addicted.
Free advice? They just want to sound smarter.
Free hugs? That's emotional blackmail with arms.
Even a free ride? Check your pockets—you probably paid in sanity.
That's just how the world works.
And yet… here I am, chosen as the Wielder of Null Fate, for doing what?
Surviving a mental breakdown, beating up a corpse, and forgiving a mass murderer?
Yeah. Totally free. No hidden payment.
[Relic of Null Fate, initializing…]
As the voice continued, I started thinking about what this relic would even look like.
Was it a huge wand? A sword? Or some round-shaped object?
I truly hoped it wasn't bigger than my head. Otherwise, I'd have a hard time carrying it around.
After experiencing that powerless version of my life, I at least deserved a divine item or two.
Sure, I got two skills as rewards, but this one? This one was more than that.
Just imagine—rewriting someone's fate…
That alone made me excited.
But enough about that.
The look on Maria's face was even more exciting.
"But… but…" Maria stammered, still stunned. "How do you have three Authorities?"
I never told her about the three Authorities. And I don't think Karton did either.
Glancing at her, I saw her expression sink.
'She must be feeling betrayed…'
Well, miss sailor uniform, this is how life works.
To her question, I just brushed it off casually.
"Let's just say I'm Lady Luck's favorite."
Not like I could explain how I ended up with three Authorities.
"Lady Luck? Who is that?" Maria asked.
"..."
Was she serious?
Lady, that was supposed to be sarcasm.
"Sigh… why not leave the questions for when we all get out of here?"
She stared for a moment before finally giving in.
"Fine. But you better give me all the answers."
As if.
Who does she think I am? Her personal chatbot?
Not at all.
She, of all people, wanted transparency? She who hid the trials—and the fact that she already knew about the Door of Endless?
Yeah, I'll do the same.
Changing the subject, I asked,
"So, where can I get my Relic of Null Fate?"
"…Tsk," clicking her tongue, she answered,
"You won't get it. She'll come get you."
'She?'
But before I could say anything, Ruby jumped in.
"What did you say?" she asked, anxious.
Maria tilted her head. "That she will come for you—"
"That I heard." Ruby pushed me back and stood face to face with Maria.
"Who is she, Miss Maria?"
Her question matched mine.
But the tone she asked it with… did not.
"Don't worry," Maria said with a calm shrug. "She's none other than the Relic of Null Fate."
I blinked. "What?"
Ruby stiffened beside me.
"Wait… she?"
Maria nodded casually, like this was something totally normal.
"You're telling me that relic is alive?"
Now what the hell was she hiding again?!
A relic that talks? Or is it an actual being? I thought relics were objects—y'know, stones, blades, scrolls?
But Maria clarified, as if reading my thoughts.
"A divine relic or artifact is different from your usual stuff. These are crafted from a god's flesh and blood. So they retain consciousness… a will, in a sense. On par with any human."
I nearly coughed.
A relic born from the flesh and blood of a god?
Isn't it better to just call it their child?!
"Well, you can simply understand her as his child," Maria confirmed with an infuriating smile.
She turned to Ruby then, her tone way too smug.
"So don't be jealous she won't steals your man."
"Hey!" Ruby and I said at the same time.
Ruby's face flushed, her brows twitching.
"I'm not jealous."
Maria smirked.
She seems to love messing with Ruby, for some reason.
"Cough…" I cleared my throat and looked away, desperate to change the topic. "Anyway… where is she?"
Maria casually pointed to my wrist.
"She's almost here."
"Huh?"
I didn't get it at first. Then I noticed it.
On the back of my palm just under the skin, a golden symbol started glowing.
It looked like a DNA helix, constantly swirling with light.
"What is that thing?" I asked cautiously, bringing it closer to my face.
Then suddenly.
"Mue is not a thing! Hmph!"
I felt a spark down my hand. Like someone had zapped a nerve.
"The hell?!" Ruby and I flinched at the same time.
Maria chuckled. "That's Mue," she said, pointing at the golden symbol. "The youngest daughter of Lord Karton."
"Daughter—?"
My head spun for a second.
'Now, this is unexpected.'
And, why the hell every damn important person I met turned out to be a girl?!
"I am not just his daughter!" the voice said again. "I'm his favorite daughter!"
"Oh great…" I muttered.
So now I had a literal divine relic talking to me?
Well, I am not actually surprised at this point, till now, I have met angel, deity, elf, gods, and now this.
Sometimes, I fell like a certain individual was messing with my life.
"Sigh…"
I feel tired, anyways looking at my hand again, I asked Maria.
"Why is she embedded in my hand, though?" I asked.
"To connect with you," Maria said.
"You're her wielder now. That mark is her true form, the Relic of Null Fate. It'll let her manifest later."
"Manifest?" Ruby asked, blinking.
Maria nodded.
"Yes. As a physical entity. But for now, she's linked to Zane like a contracted spirit."
So, in reality, I'm her host.
I lowered my hand, staring at the mark.
Mue hummed. "So… you're Zane. You don't look very special."
"Thanks," I replied dryly. "Neither do you, voice-in-my-palm."
"Iys Mue! I'll remember that!" she said, with a sharp little spark on my skin.
This is fun, I get the feeling she will be much more entertaining than Anna.
Well, Anna is more entertaining.
"Alright, that's enough," Maria clapped once. "Your relic's bonded, and out Act were completed too. Now, rest we move out."
Ruby looked at me, still dazed. "You… did you annoy some God in your past life?"
I gave her a tired answer, "I should I know, this messed up things only happened to me."
"Mue is not messed up!"
"..."
"..."
'My life is over.'
Some times, I feel like, I was born to be treated like this.
For few more minutes I just followed behind Maris, Ruby trailed silently beside me.
And in the process of getting out from this door of endless, I learned few things about Mue.
And the things which I learned, made me question me life.
I glanced at the golden swirl on my hand—the so-called relic.
"Hey, Maria," I called out, lowering my voice. "Quick question."
"Hm?" She turned, half-bored.
"…How do I turn her off?"
Maria blinked. "Turn what off?"
"I mean it. Mue." I waved my palm. "There's gotta be a mute button or something. Right? Please tell me this thing comes with a user manual."
"Nope," Maria answered, expression unreadable.
"She's bonded to your soul. You'll hear her until death."
"WHAT?!" I choked. "There's no off switch?!"
"I am NOT a device!" Mue snapped.
"Yeah, yeah," I muttered. "You're a divine relic born from godly flesh, blessed with will and voice. I still want to shut you up sometimes."
"You wouldn't dare!" she barked. "I'm part of your body now! Insulting me is technically self-harm!"
"You're giving me a headache," I whispered through my teeth.
"I can be worse!" she threatened. "Wanna feel what a divine static shock tastes like?!"
Zzztt—
"AGH! Stop that!" I shook my hand wildly. "Stop tasing me in the middle of a conversation! Are you nuts?!"
How the hell did she even do that?!
"Maybe," Mue said smugly. "Or maybe this is my personality. You did bond with me. This is what you signed up for."
"I didn't sign anything."
"Your soul did."
Maria turned her head, sighing, clearly trying not to laugh.
Ruby on the other hand… was.
Her hand covered her mouth. Her shoulders shook.
"Ruby…" I narrowed my eyes. "Don't laugh. This thing is tormenting me."
"I'm not laughing, Pfttt—" she said between muffled snorts.
"You're totally laughing."
"She likes you," Maria said casually.
"Great." I rubbed my temple. "That makes it worse. I'm being bullied by a sentient God Snack."
"I am a Relic, not a snack!"
"Yeah, okay, Relic-Snack."
I love teasing her.
Zzztt—
"OW—DAMN IT, MUE!"
"Apologize."
"No!"
"Then prepare for Divine Shockwave Level 2."
"WAIT WAIT WAIT, okay! I'm sorry! I'm sorry, okay?! You're not a snack. You're… divine pasta."
"Pasta? What's that? It's sounds good… acceptable."
Maria actually laughed this time.
"Oh my God," I muttered. "I'm going to go crazy."
"I'm your partner now," Mue said proudly. "You can't live without me."
"We'll see about that…"
Hmm… she's more entertaining than Anna.
"Try cutting me off, and I'll reroute your bladder nerves."
"What?!"
Maybe not entertaining, she's a devil!
"Just kidding!" she giggled.
"Sigh, I hate my life."
"Say that again and I'll start narrating your thoughts out loud every time you talk to a girl." Mue said.
"You wouldn't."
I said, but then Ruby almost stumbled before I caught her. She gave me a beautiful smile as a thankyou.
'Cute!'
"He's thinking your smile is cute." Mue spoke loudly.
"MUUUEEEEEE!"
"See? Works perfectly."
"I give up," I sighed. "This is my life now."
"She's cute," Ruby whispered beside me.
"She's evil."
"I'm both," Mue hummed sweetly. "And now I live with you forever!"
'Just end me already.'
"We're here." Maria said.
And I found myself staring at a huge black metal door.
