Chapter 6: The Meeting

Chapter 6: The Meeting

The darkness of the alley parted, and before Noir…

…a strange bird emerged, its feathers black as night with a faint, eerie glow. Its wings stretched wide, flickering with dark flames unlike any fire Noir had ever seen. The creature moved silently—its presence both unsettling and captivating, as if it had risen from a place beyond understanding.

It looked into Noir's eyes, as if trying to haunt him. Noir met its crimson-black gaze. A silence hung in the air, broken by—

'Really?!'

Noir was surprised. He had been waiting for supernaturals to appear for so long. Although he didn't want to admit it, he was fed up with Eden. Not with humans—he had developed a soft spot for them after spending so much time living as one—but...

…he was tired of suppressing himself.

He was someone who could, on a whim, acquire any kind of power. Yet, for the last fourteen years, he had restrained himself under the excuse of "not the right time."

Now, finally, it seemed he would be able to break the invisible chains he'd wrapped around himself.

So, this creature was a Dark Phoenix. Beautiful, for sure.

'Hey Akasha. You claim to be all-knowing—then you must have info about her, right?'

'Then don't tell me.' Noir cut her off mid-sentence.

'I know your spoiler tendencies. From now on, unless I ask—no spoiling. Got it?'

She sounded a little dejected, but Noir ignored it. He had endured enough. The pain of having your manga spoiled was already unbearable.

While this happened, the staring contest between Noir and the Dark Phoenix finally ended.

Dark flames enveloped the phoenix. When they subsided, a humanoid figure emerged.

She had pitch-black hair and crimson-black eyes. Her skin was pure white. She stood at about five feet tall, with an E-cup bust. Her short gown seemed to be woven from those same black feathers.

Then, she rose into the air to match Noir's height. Unlike Noir, however, a throne of dark fire appeared behind her. She sat on it regally.

Noir was intrigued by her gown. It seemed to be a part of her.

"At long last, thou hast found me?" she spoke in a divine tongue.

"Verily, the greater marvel wouldst be mine failure to find thee... wouldst thou not agree?" Noir replied in kind, deciding it was best to match her tone.

Apparently satisfied, she shifted to a more modern speech.

"Since when?" she asked with curiosity.

"Would you believe me if I said... from the very first day?" Noir answered mysteriously. He'd learned that if you want to lead a conversation your way, being mysterious helps. He was bluffing—it had only been a few days since he sensed her.

"Yes, I would. I've observed you long enough to know nothing around you is normal. You are... abnormal." She replied as if she expected this. After a pause, she continued—

"But... if you noticed me so long ago, why bring it up now?"

Noir was taken aback. How should he respond? More importantly—how long had she been observing him?

Telling the truth might ruin the impression. Lying without a grain of truth might expose him.

He suddenly recalled the saying: A thousand lies are needed to hide one lie. His brain moved at lightning speed—literally, thanks to [Absolute Mind].

There was only one option that came to mind.

She was inevitable…

Akasha couldn't hold back anymore. But this time, Noir didn't stop her.

"Yes… please."

She was useful… sometimes. And he liked that she didn't reveal everything.

In a mysterious tone, Noir said, "You've been observing me for seventeen years, then you must know—I don't act unless necessary."

She seemed convinced and nodded. Noir sighed in relief—internally.

"Then what is the necessity now?" she asked.

Instead of replying, Noir studied her. Then, finally—

'Acquire: [Item Creation].'

The ring on his right hand glowed faintly. A message appeared in his mind:

—

New Power Acquired: [Item Creation]

The user can create inanimate objects through imagination.

—

…along with knowledge on how to use it.

But he wasn't done.

'Acquire: [Food Creation].'

Again, the ring glowed. Another message followed:

—

New Power Acquired: [Food Creation]

The user can create edible items through imagination.

—

Noir could've gone for higher-tier powers, but he didn't. They were unnecessary—and a waste of time.

None of the powers Noir had acquired so far had limiters—unexpected for lower-tier powers. But he wasn't foolish enough to pick a limited version when he already had limiter-removed powers in his arsenal.

His Arsenal—that's what he called his ring.

These limiter-removed powers ensured even the simplest abilities remained useful.

So why did he avoid higher-tier powers? Because after acquiring them, he'd have to develop abilities himself.

Take Alex, for example. Noir had granted him [Absolute Healing]—a high-tier power with vast potential. After a week of study, Alex had created [Infinite Sex Drive] based on it.

But since Noir's ring contained all powers—past, present, future, even those that will never exist—he already had [Infinite Sex Drive] available.

Why waste time designing what he could just acquire?

That's why Noir had a principle: Acquire the right power at the right time.

—

After acquiring the powers, Noir used [Item Creation] to conjure two cups with matching trays. They hovered in the air beside him.

Then he used [Food Creation]. He imagined one of his favorite teas—hot, aromatic, with steam rising.

He levitated one of the cups toward the woman.

She was visibly shocked. She had never seen him use these powers before. Her curiosity only grew.

Noir, pleased by her reaction, smiled and said, "How about we talk over tea? As you already know, I'm Noir. Nice to meet you."

The woman blinked, then seemed to remember something. "Likewise. It's a pleasure to speak with you. I am…"

---

Hii, Author Here!

I hope you enjoyed the chapter. If you have any suggestions, feel free to use comments. And if you liked it, then do what you do.

Babaye~