Dimensional Overseer: I Can Manipulate DNA!
Chapter 62 – The Smiling Thief (Part 2)

Chapter 62: Chapter 62 – The Smiling Thief (Part 2)

Chapter 62 – The Smiling Thief (Part 2)

The distance between the edge of the rooftop and the ground was easily forty meters—enough to shatter bones or even kill someone outright. But the boy didn’t hesitate. He leapt without fear, as if the laws of gravity didn’t apply to him.

"What the...?!" Zane instinctively stepped back, eyes wide as he watched the boy plummet toward the alley floor. "He’s dead!"

But the boy moved mid-air.

With impeccable timing, he kicked off one side of the alley wall, then bounced to the opposite wall, rebounding again and again, hopping down the vertical shaft like a parkour expert descending a spiral staircase. Each movement was swift, silent, and shockingly fluid—as if he’d done this a thousand times.

And then... he landed.

There was no thud. No dramatic impact. Just a soft tap, as quiet as a feather landing on stone.

"..."

The boy straightened up and grinned at Zane, his expression as wide and relaxed as ever. He casually pointed at the bag of pastries still in Zane’s hands.

"That bag... Wanna share?"

"..."

"You really saved me back there, mate," the boy continued, tone as light as if they were chatting in a coffee shop. "I thought I was about to get my skull caved in by that lunatic. I swear, that guy’s a walking nightmare with a rolling pin."

Zane still didn’t say a word. He just stared, trying to process everything. This whole situation was so bizarre he wasn’t even sure how to react.

"Huh? You good, friend?" the boy asked, tilting his head as he stepped closer. "Did you hit your head or something?"

He snapped his fingers next to Zane’s ear.

The sound jolted Zane from his daze—and his expression darkened instantly.

Without warning, he reached out and clamped his hand around the boy’s throat, lifting him off the ground in a smooth, powerful motion.

"Whoa—h-Hold on! Blergh—!!" The boy tried to struggle, but Zane’s grip was vice-like. ’What the hell?! I can’t move! His grip is like iron!’

"You threw that bag at me and ran off?" Zane’s voice was low and ice-cold. "Do you have a death wish?"

"I—I’m... Sorry! I’m s-sorry!! I can’t breathe—!"

Zane’s eyes narrowed. "Give me one good reason not to snap your neck right now."

"I-I—! I said I’m sorry!!"

Zane slammed him into the ground without hesitation, sending the boy skidding across the dusty alley floor. Then, he strode up and planted a foot squarely on the boy’s gut, knocking the wind out of him.

"You’re lucky I don’t want to ruin my chances here, or I’d break you in two." His voice was sharp, barely restrained fury. "You almost got me expelled, you little bastard."

With that, Zane threw the pastry bag down onto the boy’s face and turned to walk away. His jaw was clenched, and his hands were still trembling with leftover adrenaline.

’Dammit. I’m pissed. But if I rough him up too badly, I’ll be the one in trouble.’ He exhaled hard through his nose. ’As much as he deserves it, now’s not the time.’

Behind him, the boy groaned and slowly pushed himself up off the ground, coughing.

Despite everything... he was still smiling.

"You’re strong, friend," he said between wheezes, rubbing his bruised neck. "That grip... damn. That was intense."

Zane didn’t respond. He just kept walking toward the alley’s exit, eyes locked forward.

But before he could take five steps, the boy zipped past him and blocked the path with surprising speed, arms spread like a human barricade.

Zane’s eyes flared. "Move."

"Wait, wait, just hear me out!"

Zane’s fist clenched. "You’ve got three seconds."

"Not the face!" the boy flinched. "Look, I just wanted to say... you’re strong. Like, really strong. I want to be friends!"

Zane blinked, caught off guard. "...Friends?"

"Yeah!" the boy beamed. "My dad always said, strong people attract strong people. So if you wanna grow strong, stick around the strongest guy you can find!"

"..."

"The name’s Ivan!" he added proudly. "What’s yours?"

Zane stared at him for a long second. ’What the hell is wrong with this guy? I just slammed him into the ground, and he’s asking to be friends? Does he have a few screws loose?’

’Why do I always attract the weirdest people...? I don’t have the patience for this.’

"Listen..."

"Ivan!"

"Right. Ivan. I’m not looking for friends," Zane said bluntly. "Get out of my way before I actually beat your ass this time."

He shoved the boy aside and resumed walking.

Ivan spun around, still smiling, and called out after him, "We will be friends, man! Just wait!!"

✦✦✦

Zane spent the next couple of hours wandering through the city, exploring side streets and main squares, absorbing the layout of his new environment. Eventually, he made his way back to the dormitory.

By that time, lunch was being served.

The dorm’s canteen was large and filled with chatter. Candidates were scattered around the tables, eating and exchanging stories. The food wasn’t spectacular, but it wasn’t bad either—and to Zane’s surprise, there were even dishes from his own world on the menu.

He picked out a few options and found a seat. Moments later, Elizabeth arrived and sat beside him, her tray piled with food.

They ate mostly in silence, but it wasn’t awkward. In fact, Zane found her presence... tolerable. Maybe even comforting in a quiet, unobtrusive way. She wasn’t a threat—at least, not one he could see right now.

’Still, there’s the whole mind-reading thing to consider...’ he thought, glancing at her from the corner of his eye. But she’s not bad. At least, not yet.

"Hm?" Elizabeth looked up mid-bite, catching his gaze. "Zane? Is something wrong? Did I... mess up?"

"Huh? No," Zane blinked. "I didn’t say anything."

"I-I mean... I thought—" Her cheeks turned red, and she shrank into herself. "I’m still practicing... my mind reading. It doesn’t always work right. Sometimes I get it all mixed up..."

"It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it," he said, shaking his head. "Just eat."

"O-Okay..."

They finished their meal quietly. Afterwards, Zane returned to his room and began his first serious training session since arriving.

For hours, he pushed his body through intense physical drills—stretches, push-ups, endurance runs in place—and then transitioned into swordwork. Though the room was small, Zane had grown precise enough not to damage anything.

His sword strikes were faster. Sharper. Controlled.

Each repetition brought improvement. Each motion felt more natural.

By the time he finished, evening had crept in. The sun was already dipping beneath the horizon, casting golden light across the dormitory.

"Fuuh..." Zane wiped the sweat from his brow, walking over to the window. "Already that late, huh? Time flies..."

His muscles ached pleasantly. The kind of soreness that promised results.

’Time to shower and crash. Tomorrow’s the real start.’

Grabbing a towel and fresh clothes, Zane left his room and made his way toward the shared showers. Each candidate had their own cubicle in a communal bathing area—basic, but functional.

It wasn’t luxury, but he didn’t care. All he wanted was a clean body and a quiet night.

But just as he neared the shower corridor... a strange noise caught his attention.

Something nearby.