### Chapter 1: Touching Him
In the Gaul Region
A certain First Generation Star Eclipse descended into these parts.
The Ballad Conductor stood atop a high vantage point, looking down at the bustling city with a slight smile. He seemed quite interested in what he saw.
Just by observing the prosperity of this city, he got the urge to destroy it, causing countless people to become homeless and displaced, spreading tragedy far and wide.
However, he wasn’t that rash.
Sometimes, a broad-scale tragedy wasn’t as sweet as an individual tragedy.
If all the tragedies were the same, they would just bore him.
So, he enjoyed bringing different tragedies to one person after another.
That satisfied him in an unusual way.
If someone asked him how many tragedies he had caused, the Ballad Conductor might reply, “Do you remember how many loaves of bread you’ve eaten?”
In his view, creating tragedies was as simple as breathing and entirely normal.
If anyone tried to stop him, he wouldn’t mind turning their lives into another tragedy.
Not long ago, some mysterious entity messed up two of his previously orchestrated tragedies.
That existence made the Ballad Conductor feel weak for the first time in ages—like facing the very Star Origin that created him.
If he appeared before the girl now, he’d probably get killed again.
Her powers were more nefarious and powerful than those of the Supernova Star Eclipses, too.
He didn’t have confidence in causing her sorrow.
Actually, the reverse might be true.
Even if Supernova Star Eclipses didn’t know d*ath, being killed repeatedly must have a negative impact on one’s strength.
Until now, the Ballad Conductor hadn’t fully recovered from the “d*ath” ordeal.
But even so, he never stopped.
Someone obsessed with causing tragedies wouldn’t let a minor setback stop them.
Abandoning his obsession due to fear of a black-haired girl would disqualify him.
If the anticipated First Generation Star Eclipse found out, he’d probably d*e of laughter.
Back to reality.
Gaul was the Ballad Conductor’s first landing site in this world.
This country was new to his feet.
Without any surprises, he planned to continue sowing disasters here.
But as soon as he arrived, he sensed other presences.
At least comparable in power, and somewhat familiar.
“Could this be my territory? Whose handiwork is this?”
As the Ballad Conductor pondered, a sinister figure suddenly appeared nearby.
He turned his head and saw a masked child.
But among his own kind, recognizing another Star Eclipse didn’t require seeing the face; just sensing the essence was enough.
After identifying the familiar aura, the Ballad Conductor spoke its name.
“Uncrowned Wanderer.”
The Uncrowned Wanderer replied in kind, “Ballad Conductor.”
In this moment, two First Generation Star Eclipses met after a long separation.
But neither felt particularly pleased about it.
The Uncrowned Wanderer observed that the Ballad Conductor appeared weakened, “It seems you encountered difficulties. Your aura is somewhat frail.”
The Ballad Conductor also noticed something off about the Uncrowned Wanderer.
“You too. You’re missing a third of your standing position. I’d say you’re worse off than me. At least I can recover, while you? What happened?”
“It’s a long story.”
“I think I know the cause. I heard from a girl that you and a few others were put in your place.”
Hearing this, the Uncrowned Wanderer looked surprised, “So, could it be… you’re also weakened because of her?”
“You could say that.”
Both First Generation Star Eclipses fell silent.
The Uncrowned Wanderer prompted further, “What do you plan to do next? If you want to take revenge on her, I suggest giving up; an unfinished-growth girl easily defeated us. Imagine how strong she’d become once mature.”
“That’s hardly stupid. It’s just a matter of pride. Nothing compares to my obsession.”
The Uncrowned Wanderer merely nodded.
“So, why did you come to my territory?”
“To spread my art.” The Ballad Conductor answered without hesitation.
“I disagree. This is my territory,” the Uncrowned Wanderer retorted.
After a brief silence, the Ballad Conductor chuckled, “Alright, then. The world is vast. We can find other places.”
The Uncrowned Wanderer seemed content with the response.
“Then I’ll share a piece of information. I found the Origin and wondered if you want to remove inner restraints?”
Upon hearing this, the Ballad Conductor’s eyes widened.
After all these years, the Ballad Conductor never forgot searching for the Star Origin while causing tragedies.
This was a burden all First Generation Star Eclipses shared, a top priority over their original obsessions.
Otherwise, why settle in one city when there were so many?
If every person represented a separate tragedy, that’d be astronomical.
Yet, he clung to another obsessive goal that forced constant movement akin to travel between regions—to discover the Star Origin.
Now, the Uncrowned Wanderer tells him the Origin has been found. Can he remain calm?
This presented an opportunity to break free from constraints.
Upon completing this obsession, he’d be free to indulge fully in his original pursuit.
“Where is it? Show me.”
“Of course.”
Seconds later, the Uncrowned Wanderer brought the Ballad Conductor to an alternate dimension, a mysterious hall.
On the throne sat a glowing orb emitting enigmatic vibes.
In a flash, the Ballad Conductor sensed the Origin’s presence.
But…wait. Was this really the Origin?
Seeing his confusion, the Uncrowned Wanderer explained, “Although bizarre, it’s confirmed via special methods. This is the Star Origin, but we don’t know why it looks like this.”
“Interesting.”
Discovering this, the Ballad Conductor felt his restraints dissolving.
Slowly approaching the throne, he stared calmly at the radiant sphere.
Its presence gave him an unpassable sense of reality, indicating supreme hierarchy.
“Is it immobile?”
“Yeah, acts like an unconscious object, only exuding Origin essence.”
“Haven’t you studied it?”
“Just a basic study. No significant findings.”
The Ballad Conductor and the Uncrowned Wanderer continued their dialogue.
After a while, the Ballad Conductor fell into thought.
The Uncrowned Wanderer suggested, “Since we’ve seen the Origin, let’s leave. I’ll take care of it.”
However, ignoring the bewildered gaze, the Ballad Conductor reached toward the orb to touch it.
“What are you doing?”
The Ballad Conductor remained silent, his hand brushing against the sphere.
In that instant, the orb radiating Origin essence burst into blinding light!
