《Collecting Extras to Survive: The System's Punishment》 Prologue The air bore a foul and rusty stench, thick with the acrid scent of blood that seeped into every chilling gust. A poisonous haze, as thick as a shroud, enshrouded the vicinity. Even a single, timid breath inhaled by the frail could unleash an instant death. Amid the eerie stillness, a soft, rhythmic ''tip-tap'' echoed. Droplets of fresh, vivid purple fluid dripped steadily onto the blade of a gleaming silver sword. Before it, the gargantuan, two-horned head sprawled helplessly upon the polished, shimmering floor. Its sharp, vigilant eyes, fully awake and brimming with defiance, locked into an unwavering glare at the figure who loomed above, daring to step upon it. "You who killed the Vessel, state your name." The head, now severed from its main body, spoke with an eerie tone. Evidently, the High Rank on that ''side'' still maintained a connection. "Kaiser," it responded nonchalantly. "Kaiser, the human child who successfully slew the Demon King''s vessel, shall be granted both a blessing and a curse¡ª!" Before the bodiless entity could continue, Kaiser plunged his blade once more, reducing it to smoldering ashes. "You''re too loud." This person held no regard for blessings or curses. He firmly believed in one''s mastery over their own destiny. Unwavering in his conviction that any challenges, be they from gods or demons, would succumb to his indomitable will. "I have no time for your nonsense." Kaiser promised to return within a few minutes; conversing with a monster was nothing but a waste of time. Finally, without any impediments in his path, Kaiser walked freely toward the emperor. There was no one else in this chamber except for the two of them and the corpses. As the saying goes, it''s best to savor the best for last. *Hick Albert the Emperor cried and trembled as he crawled away from the assassin. But before he could escape, a glint of silver met his face, just inches away. "You look like a cockroach, Your Majesty." "S-s-stay away from me, Kaiser!" "Scared?" Kaiser nonchalantly drove his sword into the floor, then wiped away the remaining blood so meticulously, as if indicating ''you''re next,'' heightening the Emperor''s fear. With the creatures the Emperor had summoned now obliterated, he found himself with nowhere to escape. He bore a striking resemblance to a pitiful rat facing a carnivorous hawk. "I heard you were going to kill me; where has your confidence gone? Hmm, Albert?" "H-how dare you speak my name¡ª!" With a swift swing, Albert''s head flew into the air. "Ah, noisy..." It was an apathetic remark, as if he had just killed an insect rather than a human. He felt nothing. This emperor does not deserve an ounce of sympathy, anger, or pity. Kaiser won''t show any emotion for him. The severed head of the emperor tumbled to the cold stone floor, and its jeweled crown clattered as it rolled to a stop at Kaiser''s feet. It''s finally over. The once-unshakable reign of tyrants has finally come to an end. How long did it take? How many people died for this to happen? .... The emperor''s chamber burst open, expelling his concerned subordinate, Matrix, with a look of unease etched on his face. "Lord Kaiser, Lady Elyana... She''s..." Kaiser clutched the crown, a sense of foreboding creeping over him at the mere mention of Elyana''s name. Matrix''s voice hinted at trouble, sending shivers to his soul. "Take me to her!" This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. What could have gone wrong? He had entrusted his most formidable subordinates to protect her and secure the safest place possible. No one should have had the slightest chance to breach their defenses. Yet, that ominous feeling clung to him like a shadow, a silent torment that refused to be dismissed. Matrix''s expression couldn''t be painted; beads of cold sweat trickled down his fine brow. He knew that if Kaiser lost control, no one could contain him. No one! As Kaiser stepped into the room, his eyes immediately fell upon Elyana, sitting upright, her form gradually dissolving as though consumed by a gentle light. Yet, her smile remained warm and carefree, her outstretched arms beckoning him for an embrace. Without a second thought, Kaiser embraced the person he feared losing the most. ''Why?... We''re so close... Why now, why?!'' He kept repeating to himself. ''I''ve already lost everything... But please, not you too.'' "Elyana..." His voice softened and nearly broke as if something were caught in his throat. Yes, he was scared. He''s scared to be left alone again. What''s the point of reaching greatness if he will live with loneliness? He can''t bear it. "Kai!" Elyana giggled, returning his embrace. Her voice rang with unbridled joy, as if nothing were amiss. "You came! Hehehe, forgive this silly girl for defying your wishes. Ehe!" ''How could she maintain this cheerfulness, despite the unbearable pain she must be feeling?'' Kaiser bit his lower lip and gazed at her in silence, silently imploring her not to leave. Elyana gently wiped the blood from his lower lip. "Kai, please don''t hurt yourself. I''m alright... See, I still have plenty of energy. Hehe, I can stay with you, hmmm, for a few more minutes?" Her words only stoked the flames of his anxiety. It was clear that she wasn''t fine. It was painfully evident that she had already made the decision to leave him. "Matrix!!!" His subordinate immediately knelt in response to his fury. "We deeply apologize; instead of us protecting her, she shielded us. The poison from the dragon''s breath has spread this far, and others can''t endure it. The Lady is also concerned about the nearby citizens." Matrix felt a slight sting on his cheek as a sword was hurled at him. If there had been intent to kill him, he would surely have met his end, and he would have embraced that fate willingly. Matrix fully understand his Lord''s wrath. It was their inadequacy and lack of power that had led to their lady''s self-sacrifice, as she expended too much of her mana to neutralize the poisoned air. "Aya, don''t be angry with them, Kai... It''s my decision... I''m content." Elyana gently held his face, ensuring his gaze was locked on her. "Oh, no, you''ve marred that handsome face of yours, Kai." "Elyana..." Kaiser, unconvinced by her cheery facade, wore a pained expression. With the path he chose, death was unavoidable. It had already attached itself to him and his people. He''d already lost count of how many friends'' bodies he''d buried and witnessed their deaths. He doesn''t want her to be the next. "Kai... I''m alright... Could you please show me your smile and tell me you''ll be fine?" How could he possibly manage that and be okay in this situation? He couldn''t. It felt impossible. "Please, tell me how I can save you." Kaiser desperately attempted to transfer his mana to her, but due to his lack of knowledge about the proper method and their incompatibility, it simply dissipated into the air. "Kai, you''ll only hurt yourself; please know that I''m content with my life. Meeting you has been filled with wonderful memories. So, smile. And be proud of what I''ve done. Can you do it for me?" In response, Kaiser remained silent, resting his head on Elyana''s shoulder. He knew this would likely be the last time he''d feel her warmth, and he couldn''t help but sob, though his cries were barely audible, as if he were trying to conceal them. Elyana was well aware of how unreasonable and forceful her request had been. She recognized the selfishness in it, but she couldn''t bear the thought of her final moments being filled with sadness and gloom. She didn''t want to be remembered as a painful memory for Kai. At least, that''s what she hoped for. "Oh, did you get the crown?" Kaiser nodded in silence, like a child. Her face brightened a bit as she found him adorably obedient. "Give it to me and allow me to place it on your head." Matrix swiftly retrieved the left crown and presented it to Elyana. With the crown symbolically placed upon his head, Elyana declared, "From this day forth, you are the emperor of this continent, Kaiser Heinrich Syntellizyor. Lead the continent toward prosperity. Long live His Imperial Majesty!" Everyone kneeled down, chanting in unison, "Long live His Imperial Majesty!" Elyana smiled bittersweetly as she watched the back of her man. ''She has no regret.'' It''s a lie. Yes, this man will be a great emperor, no doubt about it; however, as a person... Kaiser is strong, but also weak. It pains her to know that her death will exacerbate Kaiser''s suffering. And the outcome of this. She is terrified of the future, when the man she loved will despise himself even more. The mere thought of this man enduring his struggles in solitude, oblivious to the care of his companions, weighed down her heart like a leaden burden . It is her biggest regret: dying first and leaving him. She only desired that he would be free of misery and completely happy. "Kai..." Her emotions erupted and betrayed her; tears, shaped like glistening pearls, cascaded as she addressed him. Kaiser''s trembling hands desperately reached for her dissipating face. Tears and anguish blurred his vision. "NO!" Elyana''s lips curled upward, her ethereal voice a blend of solace and sorrow, as she bade her farewell. "Kai ... Please, be happy..." Her words were like a soothing melody, tinged with profound grief. To be continued: [Kaiser''s wife: Wtf, that''s the end of the chapter!? MeLovesRedFlags: Why, why, why? Why did you kill Elyana? I hate you, author! I''mGey: Dammit. Kaiser lost another one. Cursed you! Dukja''sWoman: Killing important characters one by one, wow! Isurslong@harda$$mine: I hate the author. Crybaby: Man, who''s cutting onions? DramaticQueen_101: He will be the king, but he lost his queen. Justin: Why do I keep reading this sh*t? Matrix_myBoi: I''m just here to read the comments. Want some popcorn? Ursugarmama: Ahmmm, finding the author''s location. Karen: Author? = No; Spawn of Satan? = Yes] Reading the comments put a smile on my face from ear to ear. I scrolled more, and the majority of the comments were hateful toward me. "Aya, I''m so popular, isn''t it?" I just finished my shower when all sorts of notifications popped up on my phone''s screen. Just a few minutes passed after chapter 876 was uploaded by time schedule, yet the chapter was already bombarded with comments. "Kekeke, that''s it. That''s the reaction that I want. Come on, dear readers, suffer more~" I am so entertained and overly joyful that I can''t help but laugh maniacally. My book [Syntellizyor Way to Become Monarch: Kaiser''s Era] was not that popular; I only have 200 readers at most. Yet I managed to reach 800+ chapters, almost at the end, because of them. My dear readers love to leave comments and pour out their emotions. Their tears, love, and hate motivate me to keep writing. Yes, I''m so thankful that some people are as weird as me. This book doesn''t even have a romance tag, but they keep asking where the female lead is. No way; that''s normal. They''re a bit strange, but I love them. And I love to kill their favorite characters, too. After drying my hair, I sat down on my most comfortable chair and opened my computer, planning to start editing my draft for the next chapters. But before I could even start, a weird message flashed, covering most of the screen. [ ???? ?????? ??????? ?? ???????? ????????? ] "A bug?" were words that left my mouth as I couldn''t comprehend them. I plan to restart my computer, but I can''t even find the main menu. Just then the word changes to "triple dots." [ ... ] [Condition fulfilled.] [Transferring your soul in 60 seconds.] [59] [58] "What the¡ª!" I almost fell off my chair looking at the countdown. "What is this?" What kind of prank is this?!" I panicked and hastily pulled the plugs to shut down the computer. The monitor went black, but an eerie bluish glow still lingered. What was worse was that wherever I looked, it lurked. ''A window?'' I chuckled. "What the h*ck! Am I dreaming? Is this really a system?" ''Am I losing my mind?'' My question was swiftly answered. A sharp, searing pain gripped my heart, making it feel as though someone was squeezing it so tightly that I struggled to catch my breath. It''s a telltale sign of a heart attack. [30] [29] "Oh, d*mn." My vision blurred and hazed. Desperately, I fumbled for my phone on the nearby table, gasping for breath, intending to dial 911. ''I can''t die now.'' As the countdown reached 10, the screen flashed red with a warning sign. But before I could even touch the phone, my body collapsed to the floor with a harsh and resounding thud. "It hurts." I clutched my chest, fearing my heart might leap from my body. ''It hurts... It hurts so much...'' [6] [5] "I can''t die... Not now..." [4] [3] ''Not now, when I''m only in my boxers... the humiliation... please, not now...'' [1] [You Died] "Sh*t." Chapter 1: The Otherwordly System I [Breaking News: Unclad Body Discovered in Apartment] Oh, would you look at that spectacle! That shameless figure sprawled unclad in the apartment¡ªnone other than yours truly¡ªRyzen Xarzos Gayagoy, a ripe age of 27, a lifelong bachelor, departing this world with the illustrious title of a virgin. Oh, the tragedy of it all! Tsk, tsk, tsk, poor old me. Ah, my pitiful existence, making headlines as soon as they stumbled upon my lifeless form. That was what I imagined to happen. As on that fateful day, a trusty old lady I relied on was supposed to swing by the apartment, tidy up the place, and whip up my meals. She knew my passcode and even had a spare key. ¡°I''m pretty certain... Auntie must''ve been in for a shocker seeing my lifeless self... Sigh.¡± And I figure it wasn''t just her; my old man might have been taken aback by the news too. I just hope nothing bad ever comes his way, seeing his son, whom he cares for, kick the bucket before him; that would be truly heart-wrenching. I only wish he can bounce back soon and prioritize his well-being above all else. If there''s one thing I regret, it''s that I can no longer fulfill his dream of traveling to Japan and other countries with me. Hah, I''ve got all the time in the world for that, but my broke ass won''t let me fulfill his wish. I''ve let him down in so many ways. I graduated with Latin honors in my Tertiary Education, aced the teacher''s licensure exam on my first shot, but somehow I couldn''t land a job¡ªor truth be told, I didn''t even bother applying. I feel like it wasn''t my calling; I just jumped into the course because I had no clue about what I truly wanted in life. Back then, my mom insisted I become a teacher, so I went along to keep them happy, even if it was just temporary. I gave it my all with what was laid out in front of me. But then, it dawned on me too late that I don''t vibe with this field; I despise dealing with people, and I don''t want to steer young minds in the wrong direction. It''s a weighty responsibility¡ªto shape and nurture them into better individuals when I, myself, was a bit of a mess. So, I took off. I craved more freedom with my time to pursue what I truly enjoyed, not relying on the government for my paycheck, and so, I ended up a broke ass, immature author. If my thoughts ever find their way to someone''s ears, my sincere wish is that you discover your unique path¡ªa journey where both you and those you cherish can find genuine happiness and fulfillment. Once more, a big sigh just slipped out of me. When I ponder my own demise, I can''t help but get a bit sentimental. The thought that I won''t get to see my dad again weighs heavily on my heart. Just then, the loudest laugh pierced my ears, snapping me back to the present moment and the unfolding reality. ¡°Hahaha, that man was hilarious!¡± ¡°Who are you talking about?¡± ¡°Tsk, that crazy dude from earlier." ¡°Oh... now I remember. That guy is genuinely insane." Soon, echoes of laughter permeated the entire pub below, echoing the sentiment of the man from earlier. "Tch," I grunted in frustration, slamming the empty wooden beer cup onto the table. The loud noise snagged the attention of the barbarians surrounding me, their hostile glares making it clear that the laughter had been aimed at me. It appeared I had earned the label of ''crazy'' in the eyes of everyone present. But then again, who in this place wasn''t a bit off? **A while ago¡­** When the system window flashed, displaying the ominous message ¡®[You died.]¡¯ I simply closed my eyes, bracing myself for whatever awaited me¡ªwhether it be the celestial realms or the underworld. Yet, upon opening my eyes, I found myself perilously close to locking lips with a FREAKING HORSE! Its warm, pungent breath nearly brushed against my lips. Damn! The thought that my first kiss might involve a horse sent shivers down my spine and a strong urge to vomit. ¡°Are you planning to die, young man?!¡± That annoying voice of an old man sitting on a coach box suddenly snapped me back to reality¡ªI was in the middle of a busy road, narrowly avoiding being trampled. My heart thumped like a drum, beating louder and louder as I narrowly escaped another close call with ''death.'' When I tried to speak, no words emerged. Attempting to move my hands proved futile. ¡®What the heck.'' My body seemed petrified. ¡°Are you deaf?!!! Tsk, crazy!¡± the coachman angrily exclaimed as he decided to move his horse away and hastily depart. However, the body of his cart came perilously close to scraping my nose. ¡®Oh, f*ck! Thanks for the consideration, you ugly old man. But that sickly horse of yours needs a vet! That''s animal abuse!!!!¡¯ I wanted to shout that out, but my inability to speak held me back. Just then, a bluish transparent screen blinked before me, and words slowly appeared, saying, [Soul synchronizing 98%], with a loading bar below it. The percentage hadn''t reached a hundred yet, but another word emerged. [Body possession complete. The recipient can now be in complete control.] Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. In an instant, a rush of air filled my lungs, and I gasped as I stumbled to the ground. Clutching my chest, I breathed deeply, feeling like I had been underwater for too long and had just reached the surface. "Damn. Hah..., hah..., Where am I?" I looked at my hand¡ªit was thin, yet fairly white. Testing its movement, I opened and closed it, relieved to find that I could control it according to my will. A deep sigh of relief escaped me. But not a minute had passed when I was bombarded by annoyed voices: ¡°Crazy young man, go to the side!!!" ¡°Move!¡± ¡°If you want to die, do it in a place where you harm no one!¡± They shouted as they drove their carts and carriages, avoiding me. ¡°Well, dude, I''m busy catching my breath here!" I retorted, accompanied by the raising of my middle finger. When I finally had a moment to look around, my mouth gaped open in sheer amazement. The structures surrounding me resembled a scene from a history book brought to life. The houses, with their timber frames and thatched roofs, stood proudly, exuding a rustic charm that felt straight out of a medieval tale. The architectural styles were mesmerizing, simple yet intricate, with wooden carvings adorning the facades. The winding, unpaved roads beneath my feet added an authentic touch, and the entire village seemed frozen in time. The citizens, dressed in garments that mirrored an era long past, went about their daily activities as if they were oblivious to my bewildered presence. "What on Alma matter, where am I?" I muttered in disbelief, my surroundings defying the logic of the world I once knew... When I decided to strolled around, harsh whispers started tickling my ears, and everyone was giving me these gross looks. Then it hits me¡ªwhat even am I wearing? "Seriously, what''s with this getup?" It turns out, my cloak''s thicker than a bear''s winter coat, and my whole outfit''s a mess of mud and feathers. It''s like I''ve been mud wrestling with chickens! But, it''s not just the state of my clothes that''s bugging me; it''s the fact that I''m totally cool with it. Like, not even a hint of disgust. It''s just... oddly natural. ¡°Weird vibes, man.¡± Gathering my scattered thoughts and tidying up my appearance, I made my way to the nearest inn. Lucky for me, my pocket was jingling with a handful of coin bags, and not just any coins¡ªgold ones! "Hmm, did I just get Isekai¡¯d?" I pondered aloud, peering at my reflection in the water bowl. Staring back at me were these big, round, crimson eyes. I blinked in surprise. This young man in the reflection had skin like porcelain, so smooth and flawless. Even his short, pinkish hair fell in silky strands, framing his petite frame. His beauty would make a chick jealous! "Whoa, hold up a minute! W-why do I look so darn cute? Am I... am I a chick?" I glanced downward, exhaling a sigh of relief as I spotted an elephant-sized jewel hanging between my legs. "Phew... But seriously, what gives? Where''s my rugged, muscular physique?! The one I sculpted and maintained for years to look cool, hot, and sexy? Why, oh why?" ¡­.¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­. Recalling it ignited a fiery rage within me. "GIVE ME BACK MY PERFECT BODY!!! I REFUSE TO BE THIS WEAK SHORTIE!" "*sob Nathan, Zitrey, my beloved pecs, I''ll miss you...*sob" As if my misery wasn''t enough, the irritating laughter from below just rubbed salt in the wound. "Ugh!" I was sinking into a pit of despair when, out of nowhere, the system monitor popped up in front of me again. [Basic Information of the Vessel.] Name: ? Age: 24 Address: ? Sex: Male Citizenship: ? Occupation: Wanderer Magic Skills: ??? Physical Skills: None Mana Count: 2 Species: Human I stared at the screen for what seemed like forever, blinking away the disbelief. "What kind of useless info is this?" It''s like looking at an F-Class Card for an unknown character. Seriously, the guy doesn''t even have a name. And what''s the deal with this measly mana count? And come on, no physical skills whatsoever? What''s this body good for, besides eating, sleeping, walking, and running? "Hey system! If I''m taking over someone, why not go big with an OP character?! Like any other protagonist in those Isekai stories." But instead of the expected robotic response, the system just vanished into thin air after dumping that info on me. "You''re such a hard drinker, young sir. This is your seventh cup already," a woman''s voice cut through my thoughts. She flashed me a wide grin as she plonked down another drink, alongside a plate piled high with mouth-watering meat. It was clear she was thrilled to have a well-off customer in her humble pub, typically frequented by common folk. Even her hazel eyes seemed to shimmer with dollar signs. Thankfully, the body I''ve possessed seems to be loaded. He''s got separate bags for copper, silver, and gold coins. And talk about convenience ¨C I''m up here on the second floor, away from the riffraff down below. The owner''s even serving me herself, making me think I''m possibly an aristocrat. But anyways, I need to gather some intel about this place, that''s why I''m here. In the pub¡ªthe place where all sorts of talks circulate. And the one who was here every day: the bartender and owner herself. "Thank you, Miss. Mind if I pick your brain a bit?" I asked, flashing my best innocent smile to put her at ease. Folks in her line of work are always a tad suspicious. To sweeten the deal, I added, "I''m a wanderer, fresh in town," slipping two shiny gold coins into her palm. Seemingly convinced, or maybe just enticed by the gleam of gold, she chirped back, "Fire away, young sir. I might not look it, but I''ve got the lowdown on everything in this town." Confidence oozed from her as she tucked the coins away with a knowing tap. Bless her money-loving heart, I didn''t waste any time and went straight to the point. "Where am I?" I asked bluntly. She gave me a puzzled look, then chuckled with a hint of playfulness. "Oh, my dear sir, can you not read? There''s a big sign out front that says, ''The Ro¡ªse¡ªLilith''s Pub.'' She looked at me like I''m a walking contradiction¡ªloaded with cash but lacking in the literacy department. Thankfully, she spared me the obvious reply, like, ''Uh, buddy, you''re in a pub.'' But hey, that name rings a bell. "I''m still getting the hang of your written language," I explained with a shrug. "Oh, but you''ve got a way with our language," she remarked, even more surprised. Well, I guess I owe that to the system''s magic. "I wasn''t asking about the pub; I wanted to know the name of this town." "Ah, this little spot is nestled in the far south of the Shavrim Empire. It goes by the name of Hewarava, ruled by a feudal lord who also happens to be the big shot at the Azura Guild, Shayn Graduza!" As those words hit my ears, a sudden chill crept down my spine, and my heart started racing. The gravity of her words sank in, and I felt a surge of nervous energy. My muscles tensed as I asked, with a mix of anticipation and anxiety, "A-and who is the current ruler of the Shavrim Empire?" The woman stared at me, clearly baffled by my ignorance. She glanced around cautiously, ensuring we were alone, before leaning in to whisper in my ear, "His name is not one to be spoken lightly. The current ruler of the Shavrim Empire goes by the name ''Albert Ushilla Lavionnia Shavrim.''" As her words sank in, the wooden glass slipped from my fingers, crashing to the floor with a resounding thud. It felt like a bolt of lightning had struck me. ¡°Are you alright, young sir? You look as pale as a ghost." My voice trembled as I asked again, ¡°W-what''s today''s date?" Now, she regarded me as if I''d lost my marbles. "Today is the 11th day of Spring, in the year of Xaother." With every piece of evidence aligning, I''m now certain¡ªI''ve landed smack dab in the world of my novel. That novel! ''Syntellizyor Way to Become Monarch: Kaiser''s Era.'' This is the town, this is the spot ¨C The Ro-se, Lilith¡¯s pub in Hewarava! The very place¡ªthe first setting¡ªis where the protagonist, Kaiser embarks on his journey. I hurriedly looked down below, scanning every seat in anticipation of his appearance. Just then, as the door rang, a young man in his early twenties entered. He was dressed entirely in black, from his flowing cloak to the intricate details of his clothes. His ebony hair cascaded gracefully over his shoulders, framing the handsome features of his face. The cold intensity of his obsidian eyes seemed to cast a chilling aura, as if his mere presence could envelop the entire area in frosty darkness. His presence commanded attention, and an undeniable aura of both beauty and aloofness surrounded him, making it clear that he was more than just an ordinary. ¡°I can''t be wrong," I murmured, scrutinizing the beauty marked below his plump lips and the dark feather-like birthmark on his neck. ¡°He''s my protagonist, Kaiser Heinrich Syntellizyor." I immediately ducked when our eyes met, as if he had heard me mention his name. ¡°Why am I transmigrated here?" I anxiously thought. The pub owner''s expression reflected her worries as she gazed at me; her lips moved, but I couldn''t hear what she said. My ears strangely rang again as I caught my breath. This felt like d¨¦j¨¤ vu. The pain in my chest intensified, and I felt as though I were fading away. Once more, a crimson monitor materialized, flashing a warning. It multiplied rapidly, engulfing my surroundings, until an ominous message filled the screen. [Warning: You, The Author, are not allowed to meet Kaiser, The Protagonist. If you do, you will die.] "What absurdity is this?" Chapter 2: Otherworldly System II The ringing in my ears lingered, accompanied by the incessant dance of blue and red lights that relentlessly assaulted my senses. My head throbbed, and a queasy sensation threatened to overwhelm me, as if the world itself were spinning. Yet amidst the chaos, I couldn''t shake off or make sense of the words that had appeared in the shimmering silver light before me. [Warning: You, The Author, are not allowed to meet Kaiser, The Protagonist. If you do, you will die.] "What utter bull!" I scoffed. I read those words again, my brows furrowing in frustration. I could feel my blood boiling. "Who the h*ll came up with this ridiculous rule?! I can''t even meet my protagonist? What nonsense!" Think about it: Kaiser was like a son to me, a character forged with every drop of blood, sweat, and time I had. It even drained most of my neurons, and yet, I''m not allowed to meet him? Absolute absurdity! Look, without Kaiser, I couldn''t cheat this world. The body I''ve got is so frail that a run-in with a puny slime could be the end of me. How much more in the scenarios yet to unfold! Kaiser is the ultimate powerhouse in this monster-infested world. He''s my golden ticket to survival, equipped with stats that put everyone else to shame. His body is a masterpiece, tough enough to handle whatever comes his way. Anyone in my shoes would see Kaiser as the perfect weapon and shield. "Urgh!!!" I seethed with anger and disappointment, temporarily forgetting the pain. It felt like someone had plunged a knife into my chest. As I reeled from the sensation, I finally noticed the multitude of windows blinking in red and blue, engulfing the space around me, now shrouded in darkness. Words materialized before my eyes. [Soul Stability Status: Stable] [Transferring you to Rs Ss****s Space.] "Huh? That''s a lot of asterisks¡ª!" A sudden pull of gravity churns my stomach. I have no time to prepare myself as I''m forcefully dropped into a seemingly bottomless hole. "WHOEVER''S BEHIND THIS D*MN SYSTEM, SCREW YOU!!!" I have no idea how long the fall lasts; it feels like I''ve been plunged into an endless tunnel of darkness. My senses start to blur, leaving me questioning whether I''m truly awake or if my eyes are deceiving me. Yet, I can feel my body hurtling downward with intense speed. Suddenly, I heard a ''pop''¡ªlike a balloon being pricked¡ªand then felt a softness I''d never experienced before brushing against my skin. "Ah!" A sudden flash of light stung my eyes. ''This system must want to blind me.'' As my vision adjusted, I realized I was seated on a beanbag covered in black fur, sparkling like tiny silver stars. Looking around, I was left gaping in awe. The room was suspended in open space; constellations, galaxies, nebulae, and the entire universe lay before me, stretching from floor to ceiling and wall to wall. But what caught my eye even more were the floating decorations inside: a round, ornate table adorned with all sorts of refreshments and desserts. It was as if they were laid out just for me, accompanied by a single luxurious chair. Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. In my country, there''s a superstitious belief that if some entity offers you food, you mustn''t eat it, or else you''ll be trapped in that place forever, becoming one with them. Despite this warning, I couldn''t resist indulging myself. Well, they''re my favorites after all¡ªthese delicious macaroons, pies, and especially this black tea. Just a single sip has the power to wash away all my worries. "Hmm~ Pure luxury!" "Anyway, where am I?" The next thing I saw was a piece of paper gradually landing on my plate, followed by the emergence of a silver fountain pen with a very sharp point. Curiously, I read its contents: [Under the law of the Constellation Yoohdok, governing the flow of life and death on Planet 105149 as connected to the book, "[Syntellizyor Way to Become Monarch: Kaiser''s Era]," I, Ryzen Xarzos Gayagoy, the human author, am obligated to save the lives of characters not destined to die early. [See more...] Failure to fulfill this obligation will result in death, with memories and identities completely erased from people and world history. The soul will cease to exist and will never be reborn again. All statements mentioned above are authentic and irreversible. I, Ryzen Xarzos Gayagoy, author of [Syntellizyor Way to Become Monarch: Kaiser''s Era], a human playing the role of the God of Death, willingly accept my punishments. Signed, Ryzen Xarzos Gayagoy Author] "Holly h*ll!" "What did I just read?" I stared at the paper again, the "[see more¡­]" section appearing even more suspicious. This had to be a fraud or a scam. And the punishment? It was absurdly severe. It''s about me, yet I have no say in revising it? Well, who says I''ll sign this? I folded the paper into a paper plane and launched it with all my might. It soared on a perfectly straight trajectory until it was out of sight. But to my dismay, it ended up back on the table, unfolded, and looking as new as before. "Tsk." This time, I crumpled it up with all my pent-up frustration and threw it like a professional pitcher, but it still landed on the table. It seemed like this room was caught in an infinite loop. With that thought in mind, I attempted to tear the paper, stomp on it, pour tea over it, and do anything else I could think of, but all it did was drain my energy. Exhausted, I collapsed onto the floor, unable to muster the strength to stand. As if mocking me, the paper landed on my face. Sighing, I reluctantly admitted that reading the phrase again¡ª"interrupting the flow of life and death"¡ªmade my hands tremble. "There are too many deaths in the novel, and these words are telling me that what I wrote as mere entertainment is a reality on that planet?" Who in their right mind would think this is sane? Suddenly being accused of murder, playing the role of some god of death where people die because of what you wrote. Who would accept that? And to save them? D*mn, that''s over a million lives! "This is crazy!" I want to believe this is just a dream induced by the alcohol I drank a while ago. However, my hopes are shattered when the silver fountain pen on the table levitates and suddenly pierces through my hand, which was holding the paper. "Ugh!" Instantly, blood flows like a river, every drop sucked in by the enchanted paper without waste. The pain, akin to a bee sting, jolts me into the realization that this is all too real. After a moment, the paper glows, and an insignia of a black feather emerges, affixing itself to the back of my left hand while slowly healing the wound. Then, as suddenly as they appeared, the paper and pen vanished. [Contract Confirmed] [Based on the book "Syntellizyor Way to Become Monarch: Kaiser''s Era," connected to the fate of people on Planet 104951, to change its flows towards the right path.] [Author, Ryzen Xarzos Gayagoy, agrees to the terms and conditions as follows:] 1. The author is inclined not to meet, communicate, or touch the protagonist within a 50-meter radius until a certain condition is fulfilled. 2. Characters mentioned to be saved must be saved successfully without interrupting Kaiser''s (protagonist) destiny. 3. The author is not allowed to ask for help on his given task among the key characters that were alive until Chapter 876. 4. The author mustn''t leak any information regarding the book''s origin and the future it holds, his identity as an author, the planet he came from, the deaths of the characters, and especially THE SYSTEM, to any existence connected to Planet 104951 until a certain condition is fulfilled. 5. Lastly, the author is not allowed to kill any human or species under the protection of Constellation Yoohdok. [Failing to adhere to any condition mentioned above is punishable by death.] After reading the contract, my body automatically sits up straight. "F*ck... What''s all this?". A cold sweat breaks out as I digest each condition. It feels like someone is gripping my neck, making it hard to breathe. The realization that my life hangs on following these rules makes me wonder if the system is really out to get me. [ Additional conditions not punishable by death¡­ ] [ The author is prohibited from using or contemplating any cursed profanity.] [Failure to adhere to this restriction will result in a mute lasting for 5 minutes for each offending word.] "What the h*ll--- hmph! Hmmp?!!!" [The author is temporarily muted for 5 minutes.] The timer starts counting down, and I find myself unable to speak. Worse, I can''t even open my mouth. It feels as though some invisible force is sealing it shut. This realization dawns on me, even though I perceive the conditions as insane and fraudulent. I''m rendered powerless; if I violate these rules, I will surely meet my demise. No matter how messed up, unfortunate, or unlucky my situation may be, I''ve never entertained the thought of giving up on life, not even once. I strongly detest the idea of dying early without achieving any of my goals. I still harbor desires, such as living in luxury with tons of money while doing nothing. However, what irks me the most is losing to the System. "I''m the type of person who spends money on gacha games until I succeed. Bring it on, f*cking system!" [The system detected a cursed word; the time duration has been extended to 10 minutes.] ''Sh--t! Force of habit.'' Chapter 3: Otherworldly System III When you grow up surrounded by swearing, you learn to wield it like a weapon. At 27, I''ve cursed like it''s my second language. Now, under this bizarre system, I struggle to silence that habit. [Time remaining: 5 hours and 25 minutes] Not even an hour has passed, and already I feel the weight of dread. Whoever designed this system knows me far too well¡ªand they really seem to hate me. Remembering the details of the contract¡ªwhat I thought was just fun and games, a way to escape my reality¡ªhas turned into a nightmare for the people living on Planet 104951. What I saw as a playful twist meant to develop my protagonist has become a cruel twist of fate for them. Is this really happening? Or is some entity just playing with me? The system beeps again, pulling me back to the moment. "Ha, now what, system?" [Quest: Save Eane''s Life] [Eane¡ªa friend of the protagonist¡ªwas killed by Heneios bandits. He was destined for greatness, yet his fate ended prematurely for reasons unknown. The author must save Eane at all costs without interfering with Kaiser''s destiny.] Time Remaining: 7 days and 2 hours Rewards: - 10 RP points - Eye of Tharm (skill) - The Book of Yoohdok (skill) Failure: Death - Pain 10x stronger than what the character feels. My heart pounded as I recalled the name Eane. He was the protagonist Kaiser''s first friend and my favorite character¡ªthe one I would want to meet if he were real. But Eane was also the first character I chose to die in the novel. The story began when the youngest prince, Kaiser, was forced to leave the imperial palace to escape his uncle Albert, who had seized power in a coup d''¨¦tat. Once he was strong enough, Kaiser set out to gather powerful allies and reclaim the throne from his uncle, now the emperor of the Shavrim Empire. With this goal in mind, he first traveled to Hewarava Town, a place filled with mercenaries, where he met Eane, his first true companion. Though they were the same age, Eane was more innocent and honest than Kaiser. His purity seemed to influence Kaiser as well. The two grew close after they began meeting by chance at the riverbank in the forest. Eane would be there, catching fish to eat, while Kaiser sought solace and gather his thoughts. It was Eane who approached him first, offering some grilled smoked fish after hearing Kaiser''s stomach grumble. With his innocent smile and pure-hearted gesture, the icy and cautious prince accepted the offer. That was the start of their friendship. Kaiser couldn''t believe how easily Eane gained his trust¡ªthe first person he''d ever met who didn''t want anything from him or intend to cause him harm. For a moment, Kaiser forgot about his revenge and found peace, imagining that maybe life could be simple if he lived like this, with no problems beyond finding food and shelter. A life worth living. The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Eane was his first friend, and Kaiser treasured him deeply. But then came the day when Eane didn''t show up at their usual spot. Anxiety gnawed at Kaiser''s insides. Eane had once mentioned the village he lived in, so Kaiser decided to visit. When he arrived, the village lay in ruins, with people working hard to rebuild. Kaiser asked around for Eane but was met with hostile glares, their eyes filled with hatred. Kaiser eventually uncovered a painful truth: Eane had been an outcast in his village since childhood. It all began when a well-known prophet visited the village. Upon meeting Eane, the prophet''s power surged uncontrollably, and he declared that the child was cursed, born under stars of misfortune, destined to bring harm to anyone close to him. The villagers believed him, blaming Eane for the tragedies that befell them and to what happened to his family. Eane''s mother died during childbirth, and shortly after, a mysterious disease claimed his father. His siblings treated him like a pest, leaving him alone in a world that turned its back on him. Every day, he ventured to the river and forest to gather his own food just to survive. All he wanted was to live his life, hoping that one day his family and the villagers would accept him and treat him as part of their community. Despite everything, Kaiser couldn''t understand why Eane spoke joyfully of his home and the villagers, even when none of them treated him like a human. Yet, like a bad karma that fell upon them, disaster struck: a notorious group of bandits attacked the village. Known for enslaving the strong and mercilessly killing the weak, they left devastation in their wake. Eane, though despised and rejected by the villagers, chose to use his power, forcefully teleporting everyone to the depths of the forest to keep them safe. But with no one left to defend their home, the village lay in ruins¡ªeverything destroyed, valuables stolen, the entire place wiped clean. Despite saving their lives, the villagers blamed Eane for the destruction and exiled him, banishing him from the community for good. Eane accepted his fate without much thought or resistance, feeling only happiness and relief that everyone was safe, though he also blamed himself for failing to protect their home. Knowing all of this filled Kaiser with rage. He wanted to bury every villager six feet underground. But he stopped his shaking hands from gripping his sword, unwilling to waste Eane''s effort and sacrifice. He could only hope that Eane was safe. Determined to find his friend, Kaiser went to the Graduza Guild for information. There, he learned that some of the very villagers Eane had protected had sold him into slavery. Enraged, Kaiser returned to the village, now rebuilt, and destroyed it once more. He hunted down those responsible and killed them. He then tracked down the bandits'' hideout, hoping to save Eane. But he was too late¡ªEane had already been delivered to the capital, where aristocrats sought his powerful teleportation skills. Without wasting any time, Kaiser caught up to the carriage holding Eane captive. But just as before, he was too late. Eane was already dead, lying on the cold, hard ground beneath a moonless sky. He tried to fight back and free the other captives, but exhaustion prevented him from using his skills. In his weakened state, Eane was no match for the blades of his captors and was killed on the spot. Upon seeing his lifeless friend, Kaiser went berserk, slaying everyone responsible for Eane''s death. It was a gruesome scene that left a lasting impression on the surviving captives that night. This was the first major conflict in Kaiser''s journey, marking the moment the male lead lost his very first friend. This loss would motivate him to grow stronger, so he wouldn''t have to lose anyone again. Though this event froze his heart, preventing him from feeling that same pain again, it marked a turning point for Kaiser. Eane was the last person he allowed himself to feel peace with, the final straw that drove him toward vengeance. He became indifferent, caring for no one, deciding that others were merely tools to be used. This experience fueled Kaiser''s hatred for those he deemed weak, ensuring he wouldn''t lose sight of his revenge. But now, I wonder: how can I save Eane and still allow Kaiser to develop in this way? After all, I, too, feel as fragile as a twig. [Preparation Complete] [Teleporting to the quest''s location...] [..3...2...1] Chapter 4: Quest 1 — Locate and Save the Innocent One I The system tricked me. I thought they¡¯d give me a week, but instead, I have less than an hour. ¡®What bull... Geez... I can''t even curse right now.¡¯ Looking around, I saw flamebees scattered throughout the forest, making the place look like it was decorated with Christmas lights. The forest wasn''t too thick or too old; each tree had enough space to breathe. It was just like a park with this much light. Seeing that warning sign again¡ªif my target was already losing HP and I was already short on time¡ªdid that mean the tragedy had already happened¡­? And they were near. That would be the case if the system truly wanted me to save that person. Maybe that was why it dropped me here, inside the forest My eyes darted everywhere, searching. Flamebees monsters were known to avoid danger and despise disgusting smells¡ªespecially the nasty scent of blood. If the event had already happened, blood must have been spilled. Somewhere in this forest, there had to be a spot¡­ an area where there were no insects with blinking lights. ¡®Found it.¡¯ A pair of legs sprang into motion, dashing toward the direction, while hands simultaneously scrolled through the system window still hovering in the air. If this was the same as a game or an RPG-like system, then there had to be something like an inventory. ¡®Aha, jackpot!¡¯ The inventory contained several kinds of items: potions, an old cloak, and a bag of money. I scrolled further, hoping to find what I truly needed in this situation. However¡­ there was no weapon for self-defense or anything useful. ¡®Tch. How am I supposed to help them, then?¡¯ Hoping for at least decent stats, I checked my status. [ < STATUS > ] NAME (Possessor): Ryzen Xarzos Gayagoy OCCUPATION: Author TITLE: ??? LEVEL: 1 If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. SPECIES: Human RANK: F - Class HP: 1000 / 1000 MP: 2 / 2 (MAIN STATS) STRENGTH: 1 AGILITY: 2 SENSE: 4 STAMINA: 2 (SUB-STATS) INTELLIGENCE: 100 LUCK: 1 CHARM: 100 UNIQUE SKILL: Wanderer REWARD POINTS: 0 ¡®Horrible.¡¯ Even a mere slime had a total of over 15 stats, while mine didn¡¯t even reach 10. The blood in my veins surged, and I wanted to shoot an arrow at the system, grill it in extreme lava, and stomp on it to my heart''s content. ¡®If only I could.¡¯ And then there was this annoying window popping up several times, like a buzzing fly. [Warning! STAMINA dropped to zero] [Due to stamina depletion, side effects will take place. Losing health points with each increase in fatigue.] [Fatigue: -1] [Fatigue: -1] ....[ ]... [HP: 1000 ¡ú 992] [HP: 1000 ¡ú 950] ....[ ]... ¡®Holy meow!¡¯ My feet froze as I finally processed what that window meant. It was like my brain and body had a weak internet connection¡ªdelayed signals making me feel the exhaustion only now. I gasped for air eagerly, my four limbs pressed against the ground. ¡®I can''t even run far...¡¯ Every step I took drained my HP. Scratch the idea of this body being able to run¡ªthis weakling could barely walk! ¡®I''m gonna lose my breath¡ªno, my life here.¡¯ This must be why I had several bottles of health potions in my inventory. I leaned against a tree, trying to catch my breath. [Fatigue: -1] [Fatigue: -1] ... [HP: 1000 ¡ú 942] [HP: 1000 ¡ú 930]... [ ]... While looking through the items in my inventory, an old, muddy cloak caught my attention. [THE CLOAK OF NARDA #?? > (D)] DEF: ??? ¡ú (150) HP: ??? ¡ú (120) STAMINA: 130 UPGRADE: O An item meticulously crafted by the Grand Archmage of L¡¯yuziria. Due to its age, its effects have deteriorated. The effects will take place immediately when worn. ¡®No wonder the owner of this body survived until now.'' Instinctively, I pressed my arm against the item¡¯s image in the inventory. My hand slipped into an endless space, and a cold sensation ran through my skin. As soon as my fingertips brushed against the item, I grabbed it and pulled it out of the inventory, immediately putting it on. [Health Points and Stamina Points Have Increased. Side Effects Due to Fatigue Have Been Neutralized.] Instantly, my body felt light¡ªlike I could run up and down a mountain. I sighed in relief, but before a second had passed, a chill ran down my spine as the hairs on my neck stood on end. A terrifying scream echoed through the forest. It was so loud and close that it nearly made my ears bleed. When I turned to see where it came from, my body froze in place. I was only a few trees away from the horrifying scene unfolding before me. A young man was pinned against a tree, a blade lodged in his torso. Fresh blood ran down the silver blade while a brute of a man crushed his throat with one hand. Women and children sobbed beside them, begging for mercy. The young man coughed up plenty of blood as his eyes darted to his companions, filled with worry. His cracked lips curved upward in a faint smile as his bluish eyes turned dull. That expression, that look¡­ ¡°Noooooo!¡± I screamed, but I knew my voice wouldn¡¯t come out. Yet somehow, as if he had heard my desperate plea, our eyes met. Ba-dump!* No¡­ Not just him. Everyone at the scene was now staring at me. The voice that had shouted ''no'' was now echoing through the entire forest. [Congratulations! Your punishment ''Temporarily Mute'' has been lifted.] Chapter 5: Quest 1: Locate and Save the Innocent One II Like a wandering soul whispering in my ear, I instinctively knew my target¡ªthe extra I needed to save¡ªwas the young man, heavily wounded and pinned to the tree. Suspended in the air, choked, with a blade buried in his stomach, his agony was undeniable. With just one glance, I could feel the unbearable pain he endured. Yet, despite the silent struggle for his life, his ocean-like eyes were dull, a faint smile resting on his lips. It was the perfect expression¡ªa visage of a man who had already accepted his ill fate, ready to depart. That made me scream from the depths of my lungs. His death meant mine too. The young man looked in my direction, shock and confusion flickering across his face. His expression seemed to ask¡ªwhy was there someone just standing there, witnessing such a scene? A fool who dared to raise his voice instead of running away? Yes, that fool was me. The torchlight, burning bright from a stone embedded within, flickered over me. ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡± one of the slavers demanded, holding the torch while another tightened his grip on the chains connected to the captives. It was too late to hide. I had already been seen. ¡°What¡¯s a beggar doing here?¡± he sneered. That question made me pause. I pointed at myself. ¡®Beggar... me? ¡¯ A quick glance down¡ª¡®Ah, no wonder.¡¯ My muddy cloak, weighed down with thick feathers, made me look the part. ¡°I¡ªI¡­ I¡¯m just s-sleeping here¡­¡± I stammered, my voice still not fully back. ¡°F-forgive me for d-disturbing you. P-please, c-continue.¡± I said, my body already poised to run. But the flashing red window¡ªwarning me that my target was losing too much HP¡ªmade me freeze. I wanted to save him immediately, but the situation made me hesitate. Each of these slavers looked strong and dangerous¡­ For a moment, I truly considered running away. But¡­ sigh. This was a matter of life and death. Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. I needed to observe first, plan everything carefully, and watch my every move. With that thought, I forced myself to calm down, steadying the loud pounding of my heart. The slaver, the one with an ugly scar running from his eye down to his mouth¡ªthe same man responsible for wounding the young man¡ªlocked his glare onto me. ¡°Bring him. Here.¡± His voice was cold as he mercilessly yanked the sword from the young man''s body. In an instant, fresh blood spurted out, and the young man collapsed onto the ground, coughing weakly, blood staining his lips. A chorus of muffled sobs and cries escaped from the terrified children and women bound in iron chains¡ªtheir necks, hands, and legs shackled. They could only watch helplessly as the one who had tried to save them now lay on the brink of death. Too horrified, too traumatized¡ªthey couldn¡¯t do anything. One of the slavers, a cloth tied around his forehead, grabbed the weapon at his waist, following the scarred man¡¯s order. He licked the blade like some kind of maniac. A shiver ran down my spine. ¡°O-oh, n-no need,¡± I blurted out, shaking my head frantically. ¡°I-I¡¯ll come, b-but don¡¯t h-hurt me.¡± I raised my hands in surrender, stepping toward them hesitantly¡ªlike a baby taking his first steps. The crazed man laughed, amused by my trembling movements. A cowardly step, yet still a fool walking willingly toward death. The system beeped. [Warning! Target remaining HP: 698 / 10,000] I bit my lip. I needed to hurry. There were only three slavers here¡ªtwo minions and the scarred man, who seemed to be their leader. If I remembered correctly, there were supposed to be more than ten slavers escorting three groups of captives in cages. But only a few slaves were here. It seemed these three had been sent to retrieve the escapees¡ªled and freed by this young man. Most of the captives were children and young women, their tattered clothes barely better than rags. Their trembling bodies huddled together, clear evidence of the abuse they had endured. The slavers here were likely just E-D rank. The real danger¡ªtheir boss¡ªwas fortunately still somewhere on the road within this Annonno-os forest, along with the rest of the slavers guarding the cages. They were just waiting¡­ but they would surely be slain by Kaiser later. ¡°Stop. That.¡± The scarred man¡¯s voice was menacing, his minion already pressing a blade against my neck. He sneered. ¡°Your eyes keep wandering. It¡¯s annoying.¡± ¡°Haha! Big bro, should I pluck out his pretty eyes?~¡± the crazed minion cackled, shifting his blade toward my face. ¡°His crimson eyes could sell for a good price.¡± I flinched. His laughter only grew louder at my reaction. ¡°Don¡¯t ruin the goods. He¡¯s a perfect exchange for this one.¡± There was no hint of mercy in his voice as he kicked the young man lying on the ground like a discarded log. ¡°That should ease the boss¡¯s anger.¡± Their leader wasn¡¯t entirely foolish¡ªhe knew that killing a valuable asset would only bring their boss¡¯s wrath. Losing one meant losing money. But now, by sheer luck, a perfect replacement had appeared out of nowhere¡ªme. ¡°Tie him up,¡± he ordered, turning away. He then gestured to the other minion holding the torch. ¡°Pull the slaves along.¡± Some of the captives hesitated, reluctant to leave the young man behind or return to their cages. But fear gripped them¡ªnone of them dared to resist, afraid they would share his fate. I took a deep breath and glanced at the young man. His HP had dropped below 500. Muttering under my breath, I steeled myself. ¡°This is do or die.¡± When the crazed one retracted his blade to tie me up, I quickly pulled an item from my inventory and swung it toward his face. ¡®Taste the slap of bag of money!¡¯ In the moment of his confusion, my ultimate fist landed with a solid punch under his chin. ¡°Knocked out!¡± I shouted triumphantly, like an announcer in a boxing ring¡ªeven though I could feel the pain shooting through my hand. ¡°You¡ª!¡± the scarred man roared, fury flashing in his eyes. In an instant, he faced me. I hurled the bag of money toward him like a projectile, the exertion making my muscles burn. Reacting instinctively, the scarred man sliced through the bag with his blade. Gold coins scattered in the air like fireworks, gleaming brightly in the torchlight above him. As human nature goes, the other minion couldn¡¯t resist the lure of money. He dropped the chains and began scooping up the gold coins, his hands moving like a hungry beast devouring fresh meat. Some of the slaves joined in, while others took the opportunity to try and escape. Chaos erupted as the iron chains tangled, binding the slaves together in a knot. The scarred man froze for a moment, caught off guard by the unexpected mess. I smirked. My plan had worked. I was certain that the boss waiting for them would be furious right now.