《My second chance is as Dungeon Master?》


 Chapter 1 - Twilight

    Ominous laughter echoing between a lush forest, countless grins and eyes with various size emanating strange glows, give eerier vibe in this creepy night. After the cloud which covered the moonlights disappear, presences of those horrendous grin owners are slowly become apparent ¡ª green goblins, trolls, orcs and many monsters looking towards one direction.


    Far from where those monsters stand, a man run for his life ¡ª his breaths are erratic and his faces pale because of lack the blood. Occasionally, he stumbles because of trench and root growing from the trees and his wounds worsening in each stumble. He understands that this is a hopeless circumstance ¡ª those monsters already encircle this forest. He can¡¯t break out from their encirclement even with his full strength ¡ª however, he already made promises to keep living and felt indebted to everyone ¡ª to carrying their dreams.


    He was a loser ¡ª no ¡ª he still is. He¡¯s not as strong as those heroes, he¡¯s not as smart as those strategists, he just a lucky survivalist which gained many favors from those great people ¡ª a lucky coward. He would be very embarrassed to meet them later if he doesn¡¯t even try to run and lay his life to those monster for free instead.


    He¡¯s touching on his ear canal and whispers, ¡°show me my basic status.¡± When he mumbles those words, series of holographic sentences appear on his retina.


    Name: Elias


    Rank: Green Level


    Strength: 78.2(14.2)


    Stamina: 54.1(87.1[Yellow])


    Agility: 79.3(34.1)


    Perception: 90.1(11.1[Yellow])


    Magic: 12.1[Yellow](0.1[Yellow])


    Mana: 7.2(56[Colorless])


    He notices that four of his base status fallen to the lower level and his mana basically depleted already. He realizes that it¡¯s impossible for him to escape from those monsters ¡ª to be honest, the odds of his escape is minuscule even at his full strength.


    But so what, where will he put his face when meeting those great people later if he doesn¡¯t even dare try something ¡ª he inherited their dreams, he''s bearing weights of his promises, and he¡¯s carrying the burden all humanity.


    He runs without looking back with determination filled his eyes, the howl of those approaching monster doesn¡¯t make him frightened. He isn¡¯t running because of his survival instinct or afraid of death ¡ª His last oath that makes him run even though he wants to embrace his death and reunite with those people.Stolen story; please report.


    His persistence is admirable even for those monsters and the person behind them, they pursue him all nights but there no sign of stopping even though he fatally injured. However, just persistence isn¡¯t enough to survive in this world. His oath, his pride, and his friends¡¯ lives are a joke in front of absolute strength.


    His run halted after seeing many pulsating reddish light particles appear in front of him, a man emerges between those particles of lights with a frown on his face ¡ª disgruntle after looking at his low level of strength.


    ¡°So, the last human is just in the green level ¡ª this is very disappointing.¡±


    That man says that with a low voice, but he can hear those words in his current level of perception stats. He noticed that the man is facing him with a dispirited expression as though he hesitates whether to kill him or not ¡ª he knows that isn''t because of his pity or kindness. That man wants to give him hope and kill him after he thought that he has hope to survive ¡ª that¡¯s how they got their points for their twisted game.


    ¡°Do you want me to give you a way out?¡± that man asks with a convincing tone.


    That man is looking at his expression, observing any sign of hope on his face. However, there no sign of what he wants will appear sooner or later. He sighs, ¡°whatever then, at least I will get some points after killing you.¡±


    ¡°Is there any last words.¡±


    ¡°Die.¡±


    ¡°What an unoriginal last word,¡± that man chortles after hearing his words, but soon he realizes something wrong from his curled smile and attempts to run from where he stands.


    ¡°Too late for you ¡ª Grand Duke Shi''za.¡±


    *Boom* *Boom*


    Series of explosion noises appear inside this forest, those explosions originating from where he stands, this is his plan to kill humanity archenemy with himself ¡ª the last human ¡ª as a bait. From the beginning, he never desires to leave from this place alive, there is nothing awaits him even if he can get out unscathed from this hellish place. However, it''ll be a great sin if he dies without bringing as many enemies as possible.


    Shi''za angry last expression is priceless, he hopes can take his picture and bring it to show his friend who awaits him in the afterlife. However, he knows that is impossible, and he chooses to savor this very moment ¡ª the greatest moment in his life.


    At this moment ¡ª the monsters¡¯ confused screaming resonate in this looming blaze of fire. At this moment ¡ª the greatest evil known for humanity perish because of one person.


    At this moment ¡ª the human race finally extinct.


    Before the blazing fire, his tears flow because of an emotional outburst, remembering his flashing life, ¡°Everyone, This time is my turn to rest.¡±


    He wants to get his final rests peacefully, but human comfort is the least concern for the string of fate. Human let out their plans, but it''s heavens who decides.


    *Ding*


    [You have died]


    [You were consumed Phoenix Rune]


    [Consumable rune ¡°Rebirth¡± unlocked]


    [¡±Rebirth¡± automatically active after death]

 Chapter 2 - Dawn

    Elias five senses that had been frozen from the deep abyss started recovering. He wakes up and finds that he is inside a forest with many people who also waking up around him ¡ª real humans ¡ª something that he¡¯s longing to see.


    ¡°Is this the afterlife? It feels so real but yet so familiar,¡± he mumbles to himself.


    He¡¯s observing people around him and notice that a chaotic situation starts flowing to his five senses.


    ¡°What is this place?¡±


    ¡°Goddamit, what the hell is this, is there any hidden camera?¡±


    Twenty or so people are cursing and shouting around, they bewildered and doesn¡¯t understand what happens. Some of them still work, studies or even sleeps, but all the sudden, the scenery they saw changing ¡ª without warning they transported to this place.


    This scenery is uncannily familiar to Elias and reminds him of his unpleasant memories. An eerie thought crept into his mind about what possibly happen, but he tossed it aside and then observe his surrounding.


    He scans to each of those people and spots a woman wearing harry-potter¡¯s round glasses, her black hair braided with an ordinary red string ¡ª she looks like usual nerds without make-up. There is no special thing that makes her stand out in the crowds, she''s sitting in shades of a tree while hugging his knees ¡ª confused about everything that happens right now. Nobody pays attention to her because everybody also confused like her, but somehow, Elias'' eyes become watery after seeing this woman.


    He rushes towards this woman with all of his strength, he stumbles a few times because not used with this weak body, some people looking at him with weird eyes. However, he didn¡¯t care about that, he still runs towards this woman with tear flows on his cheeks. The woman finally realizes that someone is rushing towards her which makes her befuddled and tries to run, but it¡¯s too late.


    He¡¯s hugging this braided woman from her back with a nasal voice and tears gushing from his eyes, ¡°Master, you¡¯re still alive.¡±


    Even though her appearance is different from what he remembers, but he will always recognize her even if she is put her best disguise. Her face, her smell, her everything ¡ª make his cold heart warm again. He never let out his emotions for a long time except in his death, but now he¡¯s full of joy and happiness.The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    His mentor and his master which people calls as one of the humanity hopes sit in front of him. Her heartbeat proves that she still alive. He remembers about how she sacrifices her life to give him a chance escape from a Grand Duke even though she can run alone and use him as a bait. Even today, he still blames himself to choose run at that moment.


    She is someone that he respects and holds dear ¡ª a kind soul.


    She looks at his genuine emotional expression, realizes that this isn''t some kind of scam. After hearing his words, she feels like understand something that this man mistook her with someone else.


    ¡°You must be confused me with someone, I¡¯m not whoever ¡ª you think I am.¡±


    His body jolted after hearing her words, he let loose his hug but still grabbing her shoulder firmly while looking at her blue eyes, ¡°No, it¡¯s impossible. Do you not remember me? It¡¯s me, Elias.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I have a good memory. I''m certain that I never met you before.¡±


    There is no sign of lying on this familiar face, he knows well how she lies and confident that he can spot her lies miles away ¡ª she never good at lying.


    He finally notices that she¡¯s wearing black nerdy clothes and glasses which he never saw. He remembers that she was a librarian before transferred into this world, she was a little geek and shy girl, but those changes as the time passes. When they met again, she became a confident woman and one of the chosen heroes ¡ª the bringer of hope for humanity.


    The thought that he tosses aside earlier, crept up to his mind again while he remembers things he heard after his death ¡ª Phoenix rune. He got that rune after slaying a mythical beast ¡ª phoenix ¡ª with all of his teammates¡¯ life as the price.


    He consumes that rune even though he just lost his teammates ¡ª one of rule for scavengers is to not wasting your friends'' death, but there nothing happens, no skill, no increased status or anything else. He felt despair for weeks and think of suicide a few times, but he is just a coward ¡ª a weak coward.


    He fights with many monsters above his level with a hope to get killed in the process, he''s always injured but never die as though fate still think that his misery still not enough.


    Eventually, he met a woman ¡ª Emily ¡ª on a dark rainy night. She gives a place for him to rest and heal his wounds. She later becomes his Master and gives him the advice to improve his survival skill. She always treats him kindly even though she already saw how fucked up this world are. Her kindness can make him forget about his mental wounds because of the loss of his friends and that damned useless Phoenix rune.


    However, now he realizes that rune isn¡¯t useless. He just yet fulfill the requirement to activating that rune. He comes back to the past where everything begins, what he never expects is that he and his master appear in the same place.


    He feels ecstatic by this joyous fact ¡ª the fact that he given a second chance in life. This time, he will make everything right and won''t run again. This time, he will pay his debt to those great people.


    He looks at her eyes with genuine happiness filled his eyes.


    This time, he will make sure that his master won¡¯t need to sacrifice her life again.


    This time, he won¡¯t hide behind her back.


    This time, he will stand side to side ¡ª with Emily, his master.

 Chapter 3 - Entrapment

    He filled with ecstatic emotions after seeing his master in flesh. He wants to tell how he feels, he wants to tell his story to her.


    He wants to say that he is her pupil from the future.


    ¡°Actually, I am,¡± he whispers which only can be heard by her and himself ¡ª he wants to tell her about his story. However, before he continues his words, a beep sound and holographic sentences appear on his retina.


    *Beep*


    [Warning: You have been cursed by Phoenix curse]


    He frowns his eyebrows, he knows that word ¡®curse¡¯ itself never mean good things, ¡°what is that mean.¡±


    [Phoenix curse (Violet): The subject of the curse will immediately die when other knows that he come from the future or tell others about future events]


    He stupefied after reading those explanations, it seems simple at first glance ¡ª a curse that forbids him to tell people that he knows something about the future. However, this sentences makes him wonder ¡ª did someone had the same advantage as him in his previous life, but can¡¯t tell people about it either? It¡¯s plausible, but if that¡¯s true ¡ª the fact that humanity still extinct after receiving that advantage make him shudder.


    ¡°Um, did you want to say something?¡± Emily says after seeing him became silent abruptly.


    ¡°No, sorry. It just your face is identical with a deceased friend of mine,¡± he says with a helpless smile.


    ''I''m sorry, it seems I can''t tell you about myself.''


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, I understand that she must be very precious to you,¡± she says with a kind smile.


    ¡°She is,¡± he says with a longing tone.


    Their talk got interrupted by a shout from someone in the group ¡ª a man''s calling them, ¡°Oi, both of you. Come here, we need to talk about what we will do.¡±


    Elias and Emily stop their conversation and go to where they gather, they talk about something like moving together to find the nearest human settlement. Some of them, talk about gathering water and food for their journey. Their atmosphere is laid-back, even though earlier, they agitated by sudden transport.


    They still think that they''re on earth, and transported here by some government secret project or some spooky phenomena. However, they don''t think it deeply, what important is they can get out from this situation quickly ¡ª they don¡¯t know this world''s danger yet. It¡¯s not their fault, this forest has trees which bear many fruits that can last for a while. There isn¡¯t enough reason to fight others ¡ª yet.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    They lucky to got transferred to this quiet place, at this moment some unlucky people even got sent directly to monsters den.


    Elias wants to explain where this is and possible danger here without telling his future knowledge to them.


    However, before he let out his words, a shriek coming from the bush. Even though they act laid-back earlier, everybody become tense and looking towards bushes after hearing that strange sound.


    Kyaaak!


    A tiny green monster with deformed looks appears from that place.


    ¡°Goblins?¡±


    People recognize it from movies they often watch in the earth ¡ª Goblin, a weak green monster.


    Everybody become wary, while Elias'' faces became pale after start remembering about what happened at first day after transmigrated. He grabs Emily¡¯s hand and whisper, ¡°we need run from here, Emily, follow behind me.¡±


    She looks at his grave expressions and nods.


    He looks around and finds they got surrounded by goblins, even though he can¡¯t feel their presence but from his vast experience, he can faintly notice goblins traces. It seems that one just baits to make them lower their guard. However, they don¡¯t know that human never sees real goblins and make them wary instead.


    ¡°Fuck, what is this?¡±


    ¡°Are we even on earth right now?¡±


    People start shouting to one another, thinking about what they must do to this weird green monster.


    ¡°Hey, that thing is slowly walking towards us.¡±


    ¡°¡­ What?¡±


    They step backward slowly, distancing themselves from that goblin.


    They all frowned.


    Kiiiik!


    They surprised after hearing another shriek behind them, they look towards their back and notice a gory scenery ¡ª one man got stabbed in his neck by a goblin. One by one, goblins come out from their hiding, those goblins concluded that humans are an easy target ¡ª their looking-down expression is visible from their snicker.


    At this point, everybody realizes that their life at risk if they stay here any longer and how grave their situation is. Suddenly, everyone starts running away towards that one first goblin ¡ª a human instinct to escape from the place with least risk.


    However, that opening is created deliberately by those goblins ¡ª to make illusion there is the safer route and entrap many preys at once.


    Meanwhile, Elias grabs Emily right hand and run towards the opposite direction from those people.


    ¡®First I need to get out here first,¡¯ Elias thought.


    He didn''t tell those people to follow him because he knows that he can¡¯t protect them from those goblins. Besides, their worths as preys will diminish for those goblins when they separating from the hordes.


    Elias took a though stick on the ground and rushes towards unprepared goblin, the goblin who never expected that a prey dares to attack them, got stabbed in the head through his eyes ¡ª the goblin dead, drop down into the ground without even knew how.


    In the spot where the goblin dropped, a tiny rune appear. Elias takes that rune with his right hand while his left hand still moving ¡ª killing another goblin from a sharp weapon he took from dead goblin earlier.


    At this moment, a part of Elias¡¯ body changed slightly. He touches his right ears, ¡°Show me my status.¡±


    Name: Elias


    Rank: Colorless


    Strength: 9


    Stamina: 8


    Agility: 10.1


    ¡®Sweet my agility increased by 0.1.¡¯

 Chapter 4 - Encounter

    Elias let out a smile after seeing his agility increased ¡ª he know that agility was the most useful stat out of the beginnings stats. After all, agility runes didn¡¯t come out easily and he got this rune at his first kill.


    ¡®My luck isn¡¯t that bad.¡¯


    His body, which he wasn¡¯t accustomed to due to the status gap, move quickly according to his will.


    He killed another goblin and took the rune from its dead body, with his battle experience he knows to don¡¯t stop moving his hand ¡ª killing other goblins while collecting those runes. Even though his stamina depleting like water-current, he still can¡¯t stop ¡ª he needs to show to those goblins that he is a hard prey. If they want to kill him and his master, they will pay steep prices.


    From time to time, his word becomes broken, either because deflecting goblin swords or because stuck inside goblins body. However, he keeps changing those broken weapons with another dead goblin¡¯s sword. Without hesitation he¡¯s attacking goblins weak spot, it¡¯s messy and gory ¡ª but effective. He doesn¡¯t care about splattered brain or blood from those goblins, but that isn¡¯t the case for those goblins.


    Kieeek!


    The goblins start to hesitate to go towards this man after seeing his ferocity. More and more of goblins go towards other humans, reducing his pressure in this battle. He doesn¡¯t like to make people as bait, but when life is on the line ¡ª a man life is on his own.


    After all, He can¡¯t risk his master''s life for some strangers. Even though in his previous life she survive, it can change from the deviation of his action earlier ¡ª he didn¡¯t want to take that gamble. Some of them maybe will get lucky like himself in the previous life and got away from those goblins.


    He tosses aside his doubt and moves both his hands to slay and collect those runes, his stamina is starting to diminish, but with fewer goblins on the field he can observe and move easier. He released all the strength that he had built up.


    All his runes are gone.


    All his skills are gone.


    However, even a low level of strength and stamina will yield different results when used by an experienced person. His body is a weapon for survival, and depending on how he uses that weapon, the outcomes will have differences like heaven and earth.


    He¡¯s slashing those goblins like a madman that even make some of them running.


    After a while, he can clear his way ¡ª after cutting those goblins into pieces, he turns back towards Emily and sees her terrified expression.The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°Are you afraid of me?¡±


    It¡¯s understandable for her to be afraid with him. After all, people who can fight against those monster effectively after transferred to this world has some screw loose in their head. He knows that feeling ¡ª the feelings of uncertainties about whether to trust his life to someone or not.


    However, he genuinely wants to help her. He wants her to believe in him.


    She silent for a while and then nod, ¡°Yes, I scared of you. However, my gut tells me that I can trust you.¡±


    He smiles, ¡°I won¡¯t let down your trust.¡±


    ¡®As expected from someone who will become one of the heroes.¡¯


    He looks at twenty or so small runes he got, there are only one with green color, and the rest either yellow or red. He looks depressed for a fleeting moment, but his expression soon becomes normal.


    He consumes every rune he got ¡ª at this moment, giving those runes to Emily who doesn¡¯t have fighting experience is a foolish decision.


    ¡°Show me my status.¡±


    Name: Elias


    Rank: Colorless


    Strength: 10.6(9.5)


    Stamina: 9.9(5.4)


    Agility: 10.2


    After killing more than twenty goblins, he only got one agility rune which increases his agility by another 0.1 points.


    ¡®At least my strength and stamina became equal as an adult,¡¯ he comforts himself.


    Ordinary men have values about ten points in each status. He, on the other hand, in his previous life never an athletic type and had a weaker body than average people. However, after consuming those runes, he has the same capability as those healthy adults ¡ª this is the power of runes.


    In a simpler explanation, strength runes used to increase power and speed while stamina runes used to increase endurance and body¡¯s recovery rate.


    Agility runes, on the other hand, have the effect to increase reaction time for people who consume it. However, how it works is a little different from previous runes ¡ª for example, it twists his time to become o.2 times faster than ordinary human which make his reaction quicker ¡ª from the third-person point of view, his movement appears to become slightly faster.


    As agility rises, he starts to live in a different dimension.


    He looks at his stamina which nearly half left, he knows that it will need a long time if he waits for it to recover. Therefore, he decided to rush with this state while those goblins still pursuing other people.


    He closes his status and then facing Emily, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    She nod.


    They run and run, he often looks behind and notices Emily¡¯s erratic breath ¡ª she¡¯s sweating but never let out a complaint. He observes his surroundings and notices that there no goblins around and want to suggest to rest for a minute.


    However, before he let out a sentence ¡ª he felt something off.


    ¡°Watch out,¡± he change his direction 180 degrees and tackle Emily down to behind a tree.


    Emily who falls down open her eyes want to ask, ¡°what hap¡­,¡± her question stopped after seeing dripping blood on Elias¡¯ left hand. She notices there steams and black spots on where she stands earlier.


    ¡°It¡¯s poison,¡± Elias mumbles quietly, however, Emily hear those words.


    ¡°What do you me¡­¡± her words cut off again by Elias'' unexpected action.


    He cut off his left arm without hesitation and then bind his wounds with his shirt ¡ª today she saw many gory things, but, seeing a person who mutilated his own arm with a cold expression is still too much for her. She wants to faint but understands that this isn¡¯t the time ¡ª she bits her lips to stay conscious.


    Elias peeps towards the attacker.


    His face became pale after looking at the man who attacks them.


    ¡°Why a Dungeon Master in this place?¡±

 Chapter 5 - Clash

    Dungeon masters ¡ª a higher existence who caused human extinction. In his previous life, they always hide in their dungeon and command their minion to collect their points. There no official records about their amount, but it confirmed from the last war that their number didn''t reach two hundred.


    Their appearance similar to a human, but they have mana-core as their heart, this heart is their power and weakness. It increases their talent and perception towards mana while they will die when someone destroys their mana-core. In some aspect, they are like humans who will die when their heart got destroyed.


    Even though human know how to kill them, that didn''t mean it easy. Most of the time they hide in their dungeon, protected by their monster. So there just a little humanity knows about dungeon masters, for example, nobody knows how a dungeon master born. However, humanity knows that they weren''t born easily from how little of their amount.


    Nevertheless, even with those little quantities ¡ª their ability is top-notch and they have many skills as their arsenal. They can control many monsters and even have some access to world-will, which tell them that human is coming from another world ¡ª the world that peaceful and lack of danger. They understand what that means ¡ª the arrival of many weak creatures that will give them free points.


    With this knowledge, those dungeon masters go out from their dungeon to slaughter as many humans as they can. For them, this is just an event ¡ª a bonus event to increase their points.


    Elias is gazing that dungeon master, a white-haired man alone, riding a creature like a rhino. There a red metallics chaplet covered by blue jewel on his head ¡ª a sign of dungeon master. T obvious that dungeon master¡¯ rank isn¡¯t high from his appearance but still ¡ª he is a dungeon master.


    Their eyes meet for some time, that dungeon master surprised about how a creature from a peaceful world can perceive his incoming attack. Usually, this kind of creature will die after getting hit by his potion without knowing how.


    Elias, on the other hand, is gazing at this dungeon master while thinking about his next step ¡ª he brings six short swords he got from those dead goblins, but even so, he still doubts this even enough to kill that man.


    ''Am I need to gamble with the world-will game?'' he thought for a moment, but he shakes his head and tries to find another alternative.


    He wasn¡¯t sure how strong dungeon masters in the first years ¡ª but they are killable.


    Some of heroes candidate can kill them after transmigrates to this world ¡ª like Tsiolkovsky Radoslav from Russia, Kim Hansoo from Korea, or Ye Mo from China. They use their martial arts from earth, each one of them kills a dungeon master after got attacked by them.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    Each one of them is a killer prodigy.


    They never use a firearm when killing their prey on the earth, lucky for them, every type of firearms and explosives won¡¯t work in this world.


    However, even those prodigy got killed in the end, because of dungeon masters.


    He¡¯s staring at the dungeon master, he recognizes that kind of expression ¡ª a hunter expression, someone who won¡¯t let go their prey. That man already marks him and Emily as his target. It¡¯s impossible to run while protecting Emily while there only a small chance that he can kill a dungeon master with his current status.


    ¡®Is there no option other than fight that man.¡¯


    He doubts that he can kill that man, but he can''t find another choice.


    If he with other people than Emily, he probably will run and use that person as a bait. However, when his master inserted into the equation, there is no way he would do that ¡ª running isn¡¯t an option.


    He sighed after thinking whether bringing Emily with him earlier is a mistake.


    However, how can he know that this route will lead to a dungeon master?


    ¡°Hear me out, run towards the south as far as possible while I distract him,¡± he says with a determined expression ¡ª he doesn''t want to die, but this time even if he dies on dungeon master hands, it still worth it as long as Emily can escape.


    She opens her mouth wants to say something, but after seeing his resolute expression, she let out a weak affirmative sign.


    He smiles, ¡°Good.¡±


    After saying that, he immediately rush between the trees while throwing a sword toward that man. However, that man effortlessly moves his body to avoid Elias¡¯ sword, and then both of them let out a mysterious smirk.


    They are gazing to each-other while try to assess his opponent situation.


    Elias thinks about how that dungeon master avoid his attack earlier, ¡®is it means that he still can get hurt by swords?¡¯


    He put that into consideration into his battle, but after noticing a grin on dungeon master¡¯s face, he treads his strategy more carefully. He checks his stamina is less than half ¡ª but it¡¯s enough.


    He rushes towards than man while bringing a sword on his hand and four swords on his back. His muscles started squirming around at a minuscule level, his sense starts focusing on this foresty battlefield and the strong opponent in front of him.


    Elias throws away all his doubt and charges with a little zig-zag, he makes feints while throwing two of his swords to that man direction. A dungeon master already set his eyes to him and his master, so what the point of him to run?


    His attacks are focusing towards that man head ¡ª hoping the best outcome, one-hit kill. However, that outcome didn''t happen, the man seems casual when avoiding his attack, but his movement becomes faster when Elias closing their distance. He tries to counter-attack with a black-liquid ¡ª a lethal poison ¡ª which comes out from his hand, but Elias evades it naturally like a fish swimming in the river.


    As the last survivor, Elias won¡¯t let him get attacked by those sloppy skills. Even though he can¡¯t follow that man movement, he can predict where he will attack. It¡¯s become his instinct to avoid those kinds of skills.


    Finally, after he got close enough, that dungeon master let out his weapon ¡ª a blue spear. Their weapon clashes and let out a small spark of fire, their glare meets for a while ¡ª try to gauge each-other intent in real-time.


    However, their gaze soon was broken by a loud sound.


    *Craang*


    Elias sword is broken and left its hilt in his hand. It¡¯s what happens when a sub-par sword used against proper weapon ¡ª a dungeon master¡¯s spear.


    ¡°F*ck,¡± Elias let out a curse from his mouth.

 Chapter 6 - Blunder

    After realizing his weapon broke, Elias throws its hilt to the ground and take a step back ¡ª reaching another weapon in his back. His situation is disadvantageous ¡ª his weapons are trash, his left hands were gone, and his opponent is stronger which apparent from the earlier clash.


    His realizes that his decision to escape from those goblins towards this direction is a blunder.


    However, he can''t back down ¡ª he won''t run when his master is behind him ¡ª never again.


    His agile movement becomes more flexible as time goes on, but his stamina depleted quicker as the consequence. If this goes on, he won''t survive for another ten minutes. However, he never plans to continue this farce until his death.


    He will make the circumstance favorable towards him.


    He charges towards that dungeon master again with another sword in his hand. Their weapon clashes again and creates a spark of fire between them. Elias face serious thinking while observing and predicting opponent next action, while that dungeon master let out a sneer on his face, knows this puny race called human is weaker than him ¡ª he has all the advantage.


    The dungeon master sees him only as his prey which he can slay anytime he wants.


    "I can''t comprehend why you didn''t run earlier. With your current ability, I''m sure that you can escape if you use that person as a bait," that dungeon master speak for the first time while in defensive ¡ª his speech was loud and clear in Elias'' ears as the English language.


    Even though all species have different language and dialect, in this world, listeners will hear a translated version of the speaker speech. However, this only works, in verbal communication and not in writing ¡ª therefore in Elias previous life, humans often use encrypted letters to send an important message.


    There are many skills to intercept a telepathic message, but a letter message which even the messenger doesn''t know to interpret the letter, there is no way dungeon masters will understand the content even if they intercept it ¡ª it''ll be worthless for them.


    There are many mysterious things in this world which yet unravel by humanity in his previous life, like how these phenomena happen. However, for a survivalist like Elias, those technical things aren''t important. He prefers honing his skill or learns something that can increase his survival chance.


    Nonetheless, even though Elias have lots of experiences in this world from his previous life, his low status pushed him into his limits to avoid the dungeon master attack, either form those black poisons or stab from opponent''s spear.


    Hearing the dungeon masters sudden question in the middle of fights, made him surprised a bit.


    "Maybe it''ll be hard for you to understand for your species ¡ª dungeon masters." He swings his sword which finally broken after blocked the dungeon master stab. "However, for a human, there are people that worth to protect even with their life is at stake."You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    Another sword has broken again, but this time his weapon can reach the dungeon master arm once.


    He notices that there are no blood flows from that wound, ''damn, that attack earlier is too shallow.''


    He throws his broken sword and changes with another weapon ¡ª a rusty short sword. He realizes that this sword is worse than earlier, but he doesn''t have many choices ¡ª there is only two weapon remaining from six he brought earlier.


    He charges towards the dungeon master while trying to avoid weapon collision as little as possible.


    ''For solitude species like dungeon masters, my act can be considered foolish ¡ª throwing my only opportunity to escape to give a chance for others to live.''


    He sighs and moving while tries attacking vital spots for dungeon master.


    This time, the dungeon master stop his sneer. Not because of Elias speech which he considers crazy ¡ª but because Elias could hurt him even though this time is just a scratch. He realizes that he underestimate this creature.


    He starts to get serious ¡ª this time, he isn''t viewing Elias as mere prey ¡ª this time, he recognizes him as a proper enemy and changes his attack style.


    This sudden change of style caught Elias off guard. The dungeon master offensive style ¡ª creates a deep wound on Elias'' flesh. After looking at his enemy changing his spear style, he understands that his enemy starts to take him seriously which forced him exerted more stamina and pushed himself beyond his limits.


    He already tried to as offensive as possible while avoiding direct weapon collisions. However, it''s impossible to evade stronger foe attacks without blocking or got any injuries. His sword finally clashes with the dungeon master and become another broken weapon. Again, he throws this sword aside and takes the last one on his back.


    Even though he already sacrifices five weapons, it only causes a small wound to the dungeon master. Elias himself, on the other hand, got several deep injuries from avoiding weapon clash earlier.


    "As a creature from a peaceful world, your instinct is very good ¡ª too good even," the dungeon master let out praise after noticing the Elias still holding his last weapon. He''s sure that Elias life is at his mercy.


    "Any last words?"


    "Yes," his breath erratic but he still can let out a sound, his lips curled upwards, "Oh World-will, I want to gamble."


    "Wha¡­" at that instant everything around them frozen in time ¡ª wind, the flap of bird wings, drop of water, everything in this world stops in their place after Elias saying that words.


    Their surrounding change into an absolute white of nothingness ¡ª in this place just two of them, Elias and the dungeon master separated by a blue translucent barrier.


    "You, dungeon masters, are too prideful ¡ª you always underestimate weaker creature. It''s a mistake to not observing your surrounding while fighting with me," he mumbles but that words the dungeon master hear it clearly behind the barrier.


    The dungeon master''s face becomes uglier from each of his words. He grits his teeth while thinking how foolish he was to not realize Elias prepared the World-will gamble in the entire battle. However, that''s not entirely his fault ¡ª no one ever guesses that a newcomer from another world will know a restricted thing to the upper echelon on this world.


    The dungeon master can only blame his bad luck ¡ª attacking someone with future knowledge.


    Soon, a yellow glowing ball appears in this white world. That thing let out a calm but divine aura which pressures both of them to kneel on their knees. There is comfortable silence for a long time until finally ¡ª a holographic sentence appears on their retina.


    [Commencing World-will Gamble]


    [Challenger: Elias(Colorless)]


    [Defender: T''lear(Red)]


    From the start, Elias notices that the dungeon master is indeed in red level, one level above him. If the dungeon master didn''t think him as prey, there is no chance that he will survive this long ¡ª as people said, underestimate your opponents, and they will bite you in the ass.


    Not long after, another holographic sentence appears in his retina.


    [Challenger, speak what you want from the Defender]


    ''Time to make situation favorable towards me.''


    "Defender status as dungeon master."

 Chapter 7 - Wager

    "Defender status as dungeon master,¡± the human answers after seeing a question on his retina.


    The dungeon master hearing that human words loud and clear, his pale face change into a confused expression. He understands that he can¡¯t afford to lose in this world-will gamble, because only one person that could come out alive from this white place. However, his opponent took an outrageous gamble, even for him. As its name implied ¡ª world-will gamble ¡ª the challenger needs to bet something equal or worth more than what he wants from him.


    He doubts a human who recently comes to this world has any possession which worth more than his status as a dungeon master.


    Considering this fact, the dungeon master let out a smile. He doesn''t know how his opponent has knowledge about world-will gamble. However, it seems the humans don¡¯t understand the risk of this game after all. If the stakes any lower than the value of his status, that human'' life will immediately forfeit.


    Usually, the challenger will try to take as most as possible from the defender ¡ª they will gamble all their possessions. After all, if they lose in this place, they can''t get out alive ¡ª nothing in their possession worth anything for them when they lost.


    Even so, they still consider what they can take from the defender because it''s impossible to take something more valuable than what they bet.


    After finished organize his thought, he can calm his mind. Soon, another holographic question appears on their eyes.


    [Challenger, tell me what your stake]


    Silence descended upon them for a moment, until finally, his opponent open his mouth while he still silent while listening.


    ¡°All my knowledge,¡± fervent words come from that human mouth.


    His expression changes into a wide smile after hearing those words ¡ª knowing that no knowledge in this world has the same worth as his status. There is nothing to compare ¡ª a dungeon master status will change that human talent into cream on the crop while there is no knowledge will have any significant impact on him.


    His heartbeat becomes calmer after thinking about this fact. However, the next holographic sentence on his eyes makes his jaw drop.


    [Challenger stakes accepted]


    "What the f...?"


    ***


    Elias''s looking at the holographic sentence with a curled smile on his face. He already expects that world-will will accept his stake, but imagining and experiencing give different feelings ¡ª it''s more exhilarating than his thought.


    After all, his knowledge can change his opponent future drastically. The dungeon master can become the winner in their twisted game and stand on the top of the world with knowledge of future events.Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    His knowledge has more value than status as a dungeon master.


    Although he understands how much its worth, he hadn''t many options to take. He didn''t have other things that have equal worth as dungeon master status on his possession. Also, It was implausible to win a direct fight against the dungeon master which level is above him.


    If he wants to survive, he needs to reduce advantage the dungeon master has ¡ª something that the dungeon master won¡¯t see it coming from a newcomer in this world.


    His answer from this predicament is a gamble ¡ª World-will gamble.


    World-will gamble is a wager with the highest stakes in this world. Only two persons can enter on each gamble with world-will as their overseer ¡ª and only one person can come out alive. As an overseer, world-will gives the fairest judgment about the stake. However, this place only accepts high stakes gamble ¡ª if the challenger makes low stakes gamble, it¡¯ll immediately kill the challenger.


    That what forced him to go big ¡ª big enough which can change the entire history from his previous life.


    However, the gamble itself is very troublesome to set-up. The challenger needs to put their blood in five corners and create a perfect pentagonal shape. Besides that, the challenger and defender need to stand inside that pentagonal shape while sacrificing a drop of blood from the defender.


    Even the preparation itself is a gamble on his side. Those two requirements are very hard to prepare while he needs to make sure that the dungeon master won''t notice what he did.


    In his current level, he needs to mislead the dungeon master to assume he desperate and charge without a solid plan while preparing his set-up.


    For first requirements ¡ª putting his blood in five corners of a pentagon shape. He needs to do it subtly, once the dungeon master smells what he does, everything will fall apart. He put his blood in the hilt of his weapons, he knows that goblin weapons won¡¯t last long against a proper weapon, but that''s fine, he never intended to win against the dungeon master with those ¡ª he only use those to creates pentagonal shape. So, he pretends to throw his weapon hilts after it''s broken while in fact, he prepared his set-up.


    Nevertheless, creating the pentagonal blood wasn¡¯t enough, he also needs another thing ¡ª his enemy bloods ¡ª while it didn¡¯t need any subtlety, it still a hard thing to do ¡ª injuring someone with a cross-level difference. Fortunately, he did it in the last moment even though he got many deep wounds to got that drop.


    He let out a sigh, he already go this far after relying on his experience. However, he can only depend on his luck for the next step. After his stake got accepted by the world-will, another holographic sentence will appear which will decide his future ¡ª what game they''ll do. In this step, there is nothing he can do to influence the chosen game.


    In his previous life, people rarely did this gamble because of this step. The world-will will choose a random game for their gamble ¡ª there is no pattern in this step ¡ª everything depends on luck.


    In this place, even the strongest dragon can lose just because the world-will chose chess as its game.


    In this place, even the smartest human can lose just because the world-will chose arm-wrestle as its game.


    This place is a land of opportunity but also a pit of hell.


    He understands this place is dangerous, but his chance here is better than directly fighting with a dungeon master who has a higher level than him.


    He only wishes that world-will won¡¯t choose a game that requires great intelligence.


    However, it¡¯s not just him who has that wish ¡ª even the dungeon master has the same hope. After all, he''s not a smart type.


    They close their eyes, somehow praying even though they know that world-will can''t hear them until finally, they heard a ding sound in their mind.


    *Ding*


    They open their eyes and see another holographic sentence. Both of them let out a wide smile when they saw this sentence as though their prayer got fulfilled.


    [Game: Equivalent Fight]

 Chapter 8 - Apace

    They let out a joyous smile because of both of them isn''t exactly a smart type ¡ª a fight is an ideal game for them. However, their smile doesn''t last long and soon changes into serious expression ¡ª waiting for another holographic message that will explain the meaning or those words.


    *Ding*


    "Finally," both of them said together.


    [Equivalent Fight: A fight where the challenger and the defender have the equal weapon, status, and skill]


    The dungeon master frowns his eyebrow after reading that displayed on his retina. However, before he finished organize his thought, another notification appears on his eyes.


    [Defender Advantage: Choosing the type of battle]


    [1. The Defender''s level decrease become Colorless ¡ª Amount of Defender''s skill become zero]


    [2. The Challenger''s level increase become Red ¡ª Amount of Challenger''s skill become eight]


    In this gamble, the defender has one advantage ¡ª he has right to choose which is given by world-will. Even though he can''t change the theme of the game, he has a chance to choose game detail ¡ª he''ll choose whichever option that gives them the most advantage.


    The option will lose its effect after he gets out of this white place ¡ª it isn''t permanent. So, he doesn''t need to worry about lowering his rank after this game. What he needs to do is choose wisely the most advantageous option for him to win.


    The first option means his rank will forcefully decrease into the colorless-level which equal as the human. Besides his status, his skill amount also becomes equal to his opponent ¡ª zero. This choice is disadvantageous, he often relies on his skill while his opponent earlier already shown his ability in swordplay, which can match his movement ¡ª a red-level dungeon-master ¡ª for a short while.


    His opponent has weapon-proficiency which transcend him in many levels.


    This first option is a losing choice.


    He''s examining the second choice, this option means his opponent rank will forcefully increase into red-level, and then he''ll have the same skill as him. Even though it appears the same, it''s essentially different. Most people can quickly adapt when their rank go down, but that wasn''t the same for the opposite case ¡ª it needs days to get used with a higher level. Besides that, he has more experience using his skill ¡ª although they have the same skills, he as the more experienced user will generate a better result.


    If he chooses this option, his opponent will have difficulty to control his newfound power, and he can''t even use the skill properly.


    After organizing his thought, he let out a wide grin.


    ''After all, this option is a winning choice.''


    "I choose the second option," he says with a confident tone.


    ***


    Elias is observing the dungeon master who stands in front of him. A single translucent barrier is separating them, but he still can see his opponent expression. He notices the man in front of him still in deep thought. If his memories were right, this is where the dungeon master choose the game details ¡ª the defender''s advantage.


    Soon, he notices a slight change on his opponent face ¡ª a vigorous appearance.


    Usually, this type of expression won''t give a good outcome for him. However, he still silent thinking what possibly could happen while preparing the solution.


    Soon, a sound of Ding come inside his mind following by series of holographic sentences.This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    *Ding*


    [The Defender already choose Game type]


    [Recover any Injuries and Regrow Your Lost Limbs]


    [Your Rank change into Red level]


    [Amount of Your Skill change into eight]


    He notices that his injuries are recovering at a visible rate while his rank increase into red-level. His left hand regenerate and become a new hand ¡ª he can move it just fine, no sign of any deficiency.


    After reading those sentences carefully and checking the list of his skills, his serious expression changing into a wide smirk ¡ª leaking his happy feelings from his mind.


    Soon, the white scenery surrounding them changes into vast flat grassy grounds. They stand while facing each other, but with a barrier separating them, they don''t move from their place ¡ª observing their opponent. They waiting for a sign of the beginning of their fight which shortly comes ¡ª the ding sound soon reverberates in this vast grassland, followed by the barrier disappearance.


    Noticing this, the dungeon master soon use one of his skill which he didn''t use earlier ¡ª a shadow clone. The dungeon master multiplies and rushes towards Elias with their bluish glowing spear. Their body and weapon covered by black poison ¡ª with a simple touch or scratch, their enemy will die immediately.


    If only he uses all his skills from the start, there is no way Elias can bring him into this world.


    "A shadow clone? I can''t ¡ª believe it," although Elias says that, there is no surprise in his tone because he also got the same skill. However, this situation reminds him of a show he watches as a kid.


    After saying his remarks, he immediately uses the same skill ¡ª shadow clone ¡ª proficiently, and then his clone charges towards the horde of dungeon masters while using the same skill as them. This time he doesn''t have any disadvantage because he has the same weapon, skill, and status like his opponents.


    Their weapon clashes and creates big sparks, their strength are equal, but Elias spear style is more polished than his opponent. This alone push those clones into the disadvantageous side. The real dungeon master is becoming restless after looking at this situation.


    This situation isn''t as the dungeon master expected. His opponent immediately adapts with his new strength and can use his skill even more proficient than himself ¡ª he needs to let out his trumps card.


    With telepathy, he sends his command to his clones.


    Soon, his clones change their attacking style, their attacks become more ferocious without caring for their defense. Amidst those barrage of attacks, some of those clones step back waiting for the next thing to happen.


    *Boom* *Boom*


    The clones which attacking ferociously earlier explode and kill all of Elias''s clones.


    "Now!" the dungeon master shouting.


    Hearing his command, the remaining of his clones throw poisons towards Elias, but he can easily block it with a shield from his black liquid. After realizing it didn''t work, they rushed towards him with their weapon covered by poison.


    Attacking his opponents with numbers is a good idea, there is no way for an ordinary person to defend from this many people while looking out for poison covering their body. With one simple touch from one of his clone that human will immediately die.


    In his eyes, this is already a checkmate.


    However, unnoticed by the dungeon master and his clones, a black spear coming out from the ground, piercing his skull from behind ¡ª killing him instantly.


    This spear secretly prepared by Elias on the ground before the fight begins, it made with same black poison skill as the dungeon master.


    If there one thing Elias learns in his previous life, that is to make sure his opponents can''t read his intent.


    Same as this time, he moves it slowly behind the dungeon master while using himself as bait, and when his opponent''s guard down ¡ª thinking that he''s already won ¡ª he strikes back.


    Soon, after the real one dead, those clones disappear because there is no mana supplying their existence.


    "Huff, fortunately, this battle is on my favor," he sighs after the battle over and then lay down on the ground.


    Their battle is over in less than a minute, but that how it''ll occur when life at stake. Both parties will let out their best skill from the beginning ¡ª try to kill his opponents as fast as possible. There is no way they''ll use low-level skills when wagering everything.


    After all, the winner is someone who can kill his opponent swiftly without giving any chance to counter-attack.


    At this game, he''s the one who can kill the opponents swiftly ¡ª he''s the winner.


    Although his ability has huge roles in his victory, he also can''t deny that luck is on his side. The game which was chosen by the world-will and the options which enemy took is all favor him.


    If his opponents chose the first option, his victory won''t be this easy. After all, he still tries to adjust with a new body right now. In a situation where he doesn''t have any skill, he needs to rely on his mediocre spear-style.


    Nevertheless, he understands the dungeon master''s reason by choosing this options ¡ª even for geniuses, they need days for adapting a newfound strength and controlling new skills. However, this reason doesn''t work for him ¡ª a person who already past red-level in his previous life. He also taught by many experts to use many skills in his previous life.


    This victory is thanks to those people ¡ª he''s standing in the shoulder of giants.


    He can''t afford to lose against a low-rank dungeon master.


    While he''s smiling in deep thought, a sound he waited ringing in his mind.


    *Ding*


    [You Won]


    [You got a new title: Dungeon Master]

 Chapter 9 - Covenant

    [You got a new title: Dungeon Master]


    A wide grin appears on his face after reading those words. Finally, he comes out as a winner in this gamble. He touches his right ears and says, ¡°show me my status.¡±


    Name: Elias


    Rank: Red(Temp)


    Title: Dungeon Master(Knight)


    Points: 0


    Strength: 8.1(Temp)


    Stamina: 12.4(Temp)


    Agility: 7.9(Temp)


    Curse: Phoenix Curse(Violet)


    There no words can describe how joyful his feeling right now. In his status, appear a new line ¡ª his title as dungeon master. With this title, he¡¯ll have another advantage other than his future knowledge. Even with his mediocre talent, he can stand side by side with those great heroes ¡ª helping them to face many adversities.


    Right now, he has right to own a dungeon which he can use as the last frontier of human race. Besides that, this status also give him the right to control his own monster ¡ª he still doesn¡¯t know how to do that, but it¡¯s a future problem.


    After calming his ecstatic feeling, he observes his status line by line. His stats still in red level because his previous battle, but it¡¯ll change into his original stats after he gets out of this white place. He then changes his focus into another word ¡ª points.


    ¡°What is this?¡± he mumbles.


    Those dungeon masters often talk about points and game in his previous life, but there is no concrete data about it in the human information-network, there are many theories about them, but it just that ¡ª a theory.


    ¡°Explain to me, what points are?¡± he waits for an answer, but there are none ¡ª as usual.


    He knew that holographic screen never gives explanations when asked except for showing his status. He thought when he got this title there will be an exception ¡ª a dungeon master¡¯ privilege. However, it seems he¡¯s wrong.


    After trying many failed keywords, he gives up to asks the screen.


    ''Am I needs to interrogate another dungeon master to get this information?''


    "Points are the only acceptable currency for higher beings."


    A man voice is coming from behind him when he sinks into deep thoughts.


    Hearing a familiar voice, Elias immediately turn around with his fighting stance, his eyebrows furrow after seeing this man face ¡ª the man he killed earlier. He has a transparent floating body while wind and leaves pass through him.


    His floating appearance gives a mysterious feeling as if he''s a ghost.


    ¡°You''re still alive?¡± he asks, can''t hide his shocked expression, ¡°is this another dungeon masters¡¯ ability?¡±


    That man let out a weak smile, ¡°The answer is no, for both of your questions.¡±This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    ¡°You mean?¡±


    ¡°Technically, I¡¯m not alive right now, and also this isn¡¯t dungeon master ability.¡±


    Elias silent for a few moments tries to read his intent. There are no lies in his tone and expression ¡ª he tries to organize his thought with this sudden development. His words make sense ¡ª if dungeon masters can cheat death in this gamble which overseer by world-will, it¡¯s impossible for Radoslav, Hansoo and Ye Mo to kill dungeon master when they transferred into this world.


    ¡°If this isn¡¯t your dungeon master¡¯s ability, is it mean this is your racial ability?¡±


    ¡°Bingo,¡± he says while putting his thumb up.


    Elias still not let down his fighting stance, ¡°You know only one person can get out from this place.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, about that. I¡¯m from Elimar race, which means I¡¯m ¡ª,¡± before he completes his words it cut off by Elias.


    ¡°You can stay inside me ¡ª your killer ¡ª as a parasitic existence while absorbing my mana. This world will consider you as part of my body which mean ¡ª you can follow me to the outside world. After a few years, you¡¯ll kill me and resurrect from the dead. However, you can¡¯t hide your existence from me while staying inside my body. So, you choose to act as a benevolent teacher instead.¡±


    After hearing Elias words, the man becomes dumbfounded, ¡°you know everything, do you?¡±


    ¡°I just have more knowledge than you ¡ª a dungeon master.¡±


    That man sigh after hearing his words, ¡°just call me T¡¯lear. I lost my status as a dungeon master after you won earlier gamble.¡±


    ¡°Fine, T¡¯lear. Can we do a real talk now?¡±


    T¡¯lear silent after hearing Elias question, but he soon answers, ¡°fine, what do you have in mind?¡±


    ¡°Become my subordinate, and you¡¯ll have another chance to become a dungeon master.¡±


    ¡°You mean stealing another dungeon master status?¡±


    ¡°Is there any other way?¡±


    After Elias ask his rhetorical question, both of them chuckles while mumbles ''that''s right.'' T¡¯lear put his hand to his chin, stroking his non-existent beard ¡ª thinking about Elias proposition.


    ¡°What my assignment is if I accept this offer?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll become my left hand while teaching me all about dungeon masters.¡±


    ¡°If I decline?¡± T¡¯lear asks again.


    ¡°I¡¯ll search for purification waters in Rilhorn mountain.¡±


    Elias''s expression is tranquil, but there are threats and carrots in each of his words. T¡¯lear convinced that this human has great knowledge about this world and know when to use it -- it''s impossible to do cheap tricks to him, he decides to stop testing waters.


    T¡¯lear sigh after arranging his thought, ¡°Fine, but I don¡¯t want verbal promises ¡ª I want a soul contract.¡±


    After hearing T¡¯lear requests, Elias let out a little chuckle, ¡°Please, don¡¯t belittle me. I also don¡¯t believe you yet. I can¡¯t trust our agreement without soul contract.¡±


    ¡°All good then,¡± T¡¯lear says.


    They sit down while facing each other, and then they close their eyes.


    ¡°World-will we call you as the witness of this soul contract,¡± both of them says together.


    At that moment, holographic words appear on their retina while their soul becomes connected.


    [Commencing soul contract]


    [Determining Elias as Party A and T¡¯lear as Party B]


    [Party A state content of the contract]


    Elias is reading it for a moment to make sure it¡¯s same with his previous life. After that, he slowly recited the contract contents ¡ª both of their obligation and rights from each other.


    ...


    ¡°¡­ second, the party B won¡¯t cause any harm to party A whether directly or indirectly without proper consent from party A¡­¡±


    ...


    ¡°¡­ fifteenth, party A have obligations to provide party B dungeon master status at least ten years from now on¡­¡±


    ¡­


    After ten minutes or so, Elias finally finished reciting his contract. T¡¯lear expression becomes weird after hearing those long speeches. Those clauses can be shortened into shorter sentences because it only contains little matter ¡ª their duty to each other ¡ª but, after finished hearing those clauses, he realizes there is no loophole in this contracts.


    He can¡¯t exploit anything to avoid his responsibilities. However, that is the same for Elias too.


    When he''s still thinking, a series of lines appear on his eyes.


    [This is following clauses of Party A and B contracts]


    [1. ¡­]


    ¡­


    [Do you accept?]


    He silent for a moment to read all of that, until finally, he speaks, ¡°Yes, I, T¡¯lear as the party B accept this clauses.¡±

 Chapter 10 - Emporium

    Elias and T''lear are sitting while facing each other, observing their partner for the following years. Although earlier they hellbent to kill each other, but now the circumstances are changing ¡ª they''ll on the same side from now on. They try to organize their emotions, after all, this is felt strange for both of them. Usually, they just kill their enemy and get over with it ¡ª but today they become a comrade with an ex-enemy.


    About ten minutes or so, they fall into silence until finally, T''lear open his mouth.


    "Is there anything you want to asks?"


    Elias is gazing at T''lear''s eyes for a moment, after that he observing the world ¡ª there is no sign of crumbling which mean his time to get out still long. It seems they''ll have time for a little chat.


    "Yes, of course," Elias sigh, "Can you explain to me, how this points used as a currency?"


    "Right, You''ll need to know the basic to compete with other dungeon masters," T''lear says while floating towards Elias, "However, it''ll faster to understand if you experience it yourself."


    T''lear stops above Elias'' head and then gives him instruction, "Speak this words, ''Store open'' while touching your left ear."


    After following his instruction, Elias can see holographic sentences appear on his retina ¡ª and it''s not his usual status.


    [Commencing and Binding the Store to Elias]


    [Congratulations! You''re 78th dungeon master in this world]


    [Opening the shop]


    There a slight delay in each message, but it only for a few moments. Meanwhile, he''s reading those notifications ¡ª it seems there are 77 other dungeon masters. This line intrigued him ¡ª after all, there are more than a hundred dungeon masters in his previous life.


    ''Is this mean they aren''t born yet?''


    ''Or maybe, they still in another world?''


    Those thought plagues his mind, after a while, he decides to take a shortcut and ask T''lear, "Are you native of this world T''lear?"


    When hearing Elias question, he frowns his eyebrow, "your question is like asking me ''do you come from dung?'', it''s insulting to compare me with aboriginal people of this world, it is ¡ª."


    "I''ll take it as no then," Elias shrug his shoulder, and then he asks another question, "Does all dungeon master come from the same world?"


    "Can''t you even listen until the end?" he sighs, "The answer for your question is no, I didn''t even know them before I transferred into this world ¡ª two months ago."


    "Is that so," Elias mumbles.


    After hearing T''lear''s short answer, his earlier doubt becomes clear ¡ª those dungeon master also come from different worlds like humans. Besides that, he can assume that dungeon masters don''t come to this world at the same time ¡ª there will other coming to this world.


    However, he still doesn''t comprehend how all of those dungeon masters become stronger in faster rates than all humans. After all, there is plausible some of them have low capabilities, but in his previous life, all of them is stronger than human.Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    ''Is it only because they have greater talent or only talented people who can hold a dungeon master title?''


    However, when he in his deep thought, T''lear voice awoke him followed by ding sound appear in his mind ¡ª giving him the answer to his question.


    "You probably can see the store interfaces about now," T''lear says.


    *Ding*


    Store for Dungeon Masters


    1. Runes Category


    2. Monster Category


    Points: 0


    He furrows his eyebrows after seeing these words on his eyes ¡ª thinking what this possibly mean. After silent for a moment, he says, "Show me the content of runes category."


    After he says these words, the first option shine while others disappear ¡ª changing into other series of words.


    Runes store


    1. Stats Runes


    Points: 0


    His curiosity gets into him after seeing that sub-category, he opens it again and then reading what things it sells. As time pass, his expression change many times ¡ª astonished, anger, happiness, and many others.


    Stat Runes store:


    Strength rune(Colorless-Small) ¡ª 1 point


    Stamina rune(Colorless-Small) ¡ª 1 point


    Stamina rune(Colorless-Medium) ¡ª 10 points


    Agility rune(Colorless-Small) ¡ª 10 points


    Points: 0


    Those four runes appear in Runes sub-category, while in the monster category ¡ª the store only shows goblin as it option with 90 points. After looking at those lists, he realizes something and then asks T''lear, "When you check the stat runes store before, how many things in it?"


    "Um, many I guess, why?"


    "Good ¡ª oh right, is there any category other than runes and monsters?"


    "You didn''t even answer my ¡ª. Forget it, yes, artifacts category."


    Elias sinks into his thought ¡ª understands about what happened here. The store only sells runes he ever consumed and monsters he ever killed. Although right now only little amounts of items he can buy, but as time passes he''ll consume new runes and then the catalogs also grows. Not just that, from T''lear words it seems he can also buy artifacts from this store, but he yet fulfills the requirements to see it.


    After finished organizing his thought, he realizes why the human race loses in his previous life. Dungeon masters had many possibilities to get stronger ¡ª even without depending on their talent. This store gave them a tremendous advantage ¡ª they can buy any runes, artifacts, and monsters with enough points ¡ª like the one he sees right now.


    While human, on the other hand, needs to collect runes by killing monsters and each of them only drop one rune. It''s understandable how they stronger at a faster pace.


    He sighs, but soon he comforts himself, ''at least this time, I have their advantage too.''


    After realizing there nothing he can buy with his zero points, he closes it interface and want to ask T''lear another question.


    "Hey what about ¡ª."


    However, at that moment the world starts crumbling in rapid rate ¡ª forcing them to get out from this space. T''lear realizes this fast and immediately go inside Elias body ¡ª hiding.


    The white scenery change into a forest where he stood before did his gamble. He looks towards T''lear''s body in front of him which soon turns into dust ¡ª it''s what happens to the loser of the world-will gamble. Fortunately for T''lear, his soul already separated from his body and bound with Elias.


    He can still revive even if his body destroyed.


    Not long after, he feels something wrong to his body. A very painful sensation covering his whole body, many old wounds appear on his body while his left hand disappears.


    "Huok," Elias spew out blood from his mouth, all his previous injuries go back ¡ª he goes to his original state before did world-will gamble.


    T''lear attack earlier starts taking tolls into his body, and he falls backward ¡ª can''t stand anymore. T''lear gets out from his body and sees around, but find Elias lie in the grass. T''lear sees a goblin who peeks at their fight earlier, he didn''t see it as a threat and didn''t pay it any heed. However, now is a different story.


    He can''t attack anyone and neither kill that goblin.


    "Shit, what are you doing laying down like that?" T''lear asks while floating above him.


    "I can''t move, my wounds are severe."


    "Quick, get up. A goblin walking toward our directions right now," T''lear warn him hurriedly. After all, their life is bound together -- if Elias dies, he''ll die too.


    "I seriously can''t even move a finger, I need at least a few hours to recovers."


    "F*ck, am I''ll die here because of a random goblin," T''lear cursed after seeing the goblins walking towards them with a sharp sword in its hand.


    T''lear already tries to attack the goblin out of desperation, but every fist he delivers to that goblins always pass through its body ¡ª he can''t stop the goblin with this ghost state.


    After a few seconds, the goblins arrive beside Elias body.


    The goblins look at Elias with a malicious eye while grabbing tightly at his sword, ready to swing his sword towards Elias'' head.


    Kiaaak!


    *Stab*


    Blood is gushing, and many internal organs are splattering.

 Chapter 10.1 - Dither

    In a lush forest, a woman with braided-hair looking at the man in front of her with a tinge of fear. For the first time, she sees someone kill another creature easily ¡ª even though it¡¯s justifiable when those goblins attack them first.


    Still, she never sees this kind of gory scenery even in a horror movie because of her overprotective brother. Her first experience to see bloody things is on this scale which of course, make her terrified.


    That man bathes with monsters blood while swinging and changing swords ¡ª every time he kills a monster, he roars like a hot-blooded warrior while emits a terrifying aura that even makes goblins step back from fear.


    ¡®How can you kill without any doubts?¡¯


    ¡®What did you do on earth that need this skill?¡¯


    ¡®Will he kill me later?¡¯


    Many thoughts floating around inside her head while observing that man slays those goblins. Her hand trembles without she realizes ¡ª she knows this man is scary.


    After killing those green monsters, that man changes into his calm demeanor. He turns around facing her and then looking at her expression. She doesn¡¯t dare to face him and then looking at the ground.


    ¡°Are you afraid of me?¡± he asks with a weak smile.


    She wants to answer no, after all, she doesn¡¯t know if that man will choose to kill her based on her answer. However, she felt a slight tremble in his tone. She stops looking downward and looks at his face ¡ª there is a tinge of sadness in his weak smile.


    She has the knack to read people emotions from a young age ¡ª even though he tried to hide his sadness, she still can perceive it.


    ¡®Please, don¡¯t look at me with that expression,¡¯ she thinks.


    She understands that he genuinely wants to protect her, and she''s grateful for it, but killing is still scary whether to protect herself or others. However, they are a different person with different values of life ¡ª she can¡¯t arbitrarily judge him without even knowing his circumstances.


    ¡®Why you even protect me? We never met before,¡± she wants to ask but there no words coming out from her mouth.


    ¡°Yes, I afraid of you,¡± after looking at that man expression she can¡¯t bring herself to lie, ¡°However, my gut tells me that I can trust you.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t let down your trust,¡± he says with a genuine smile after hearing her answer.


    ¡­


    She¡¯s following behind that man with her erratic breath, try to escape from goblins horde. Sometimes, there are one or two goblins in their way, but he slays those goblins swiftly and then took some kind of crystal from their bodies.


    She runs without letting out a single complain because she understands how dire is their situation. However, he always knows when she can¡¯t run again, he won''t force her and instruct them to rest for a while.


    After a while, they finally can¡¯t see any goblins again which made her relaxed. However, even those lax feeling is only for a wink, that man realizes a sudden attack by a black liquid.


    ¡°Watch out,¡± he grabs her body and then rush behind a big tree.


    She opens her eyes and finds out how close they¡¯re, she never this close with a man other than her brother, ¡°what hap¡­¡± she wants to ask but it was cut off after seeing blood on his hands.


    ¡°It¡¯s poison,¡± he mumbles with a grave expression.


    ¡°What do you me¡­¡± she wants to ask again but stops after seeing his unexpected action, he cut his left hand without any hesitation. He''s doing something that even murderers will hesitate when they do it.


    However, she realizes that¡¯s not a look of a murderer ¡ª it¡¯s a look of a survivalist. She realizes how different they are, and why he can kill those goblins without hesitation. He¡¯s not a psychopath or anything ¡ª he just spends his life in a harsh environment and ready to throw everything to preserve his life.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    ¡®How precious that person to him?¡¯ he asks in her mind after remembering how this kind of man instinctively protect her.


    She looks at him, who still peeking towards their attacker, he mumbles inaudible words. However, she knows from his pale expression that this opponent is much ¡ª much stronger than those goblins combined. With his left hand gone, there is no way he can slay his enemy like earlier.


    His pale expression is different from how he sees those goblins earlier, right now, he''s staring as if all hope''s lost.


    ¡®Will he use me as bait?¡¯ she closes her eyes and quivers when thinking that. After all, this man is readily cut his arm off when he thinks there are no ways to save it ¡ª why he won''t cut her off when he can''t see any way to save her.


    However, the words she imagined doesn¡¯t come.


    ¡°Hear me out, run towards the south as far as possible while I distract him,¡± an unexpected words coming out from his mouth, she knows this isn¡¯t a lies ¡ª he wants her to escape even though he¡¯ll die in the process.


    She doesn¡¯t know what to say in this situation, but after looking at his determined expression, she finally nods.


    ¡°Good,¡± he says with a smile.


    ¡­


    In a lush forest, Emily runs but still can¡¯t get out that man from her mind. Every time she steps forward, her step becomes heavier, burdened by her conscience that she survive with others live as a price. Even though she didn¡¯t know much about that man and felt he was kinda scary, she still felt wrong to run like this ¡ª he saves her many times earlier, is it right to return it with sacrificing her savior life?


    She''s not sure.


    What she certain is ¡ª this is contradictory with her belief.


    In only a few minutes running from Elias place, she stopped her running. She''s looking behind her with a face full of concern ¡ª her will to run waverings.


    ¡°I must be the stupidest person on earth,¡± she grabs the sword given by Elias and then turns around ¡ª to run towards him.


    However, in her ways, she never realizes that there are more than twenty pairs of eyes watching her closely. When she rest for a moment, a familiar sound comes from the trees.


    Kiaaak!


    ¡°Goblins?¡± he stunned after hearing those noises and then grab her swords. She doesn¡¯t know how to fight, but her brother teaches her some basic of self-protection. Even though she knows it''s probably not enough, but she needs try to protect herself.


    She tries to calm her trembling hand while observing everything around her ¡ª waiting for those goblins movements.


    Kiaaak! Kiaaak! Kiaaak!¡­


    Series of goblins scream reverberate in this forest which makes her shudder. However, after a while, those screams stop, and there is no sign that goblins anymore after that.


    She still not let her guard down even though there is no sign of goblins ¡ª waiting for something to come out. Not long after, a man wearing clean casual attires come out from between the trees, he¡¯s looking at her with a smile.


    ¡°Sorry for making you wait, Emily. There is a slight obstacle in the way.¡±


    ¡°Big brother, is that you?¡± her nervousness subsides and then she sits down in the ground after hearing his voices.


    She doesn''t think how her brother can be here, what she can only sense is a relief when seeing him.


    This man is her half-brother, sibling from different mothers. Although they only half-sibling, their relationship is good. He works at night in his own security firm ¡ª even though he never discloses his job to them.


    ¡°Yes it is truly me,¡± he¡¯s chuckle after hearing her reaction, ¡°C¡¯mon stand up, I want to search little sister after this.¡±


    ¡°Ah, wait a moment, big brother. There is someone¡­¡± she explains her situation, telling her brother about Elias and how she wants to save him, ¡°¡­ is that possible brother?¡±


    She asks him for his advice, after all, he¡¯s wiser and much stronger than her.


    He chuckles after hearing her question, ¡°I can¡¯t believe he didn¡¯t have any ulterior motive when seeing my cute sister. However, he¡¯s still your savior, please entrust it to me.¡±


    Emily smile after hearing her brother words, this means there are chances for him to survive. She carried by her brother in piggyback ¡ª there is no change in his rhythmical breath even though he''s carrying her while running, but Emily didn''t notice this fact.


    When they arrive in Elias place, they notice he laying on the ground with severe wounds while there is no sign of his opponent earlier. However, there a goblin swing a sword toward his head ¡ª try to kill him.


    Before Emily notices, she already below nearest tree while her brother appears behind the goblin. She doesn¡¯t know what happens, but the goblin internal organs splatter and its blood gushing from its pore. This scenery is gory, but she has some immunity to it.


    While about how her brother can subdue that goblins don''t make her wonder. If even Elias can slay goblins, she''s sure that her brother whom she considers as strongest from her childhood can subdue a goblin or two.


    She runs towards Elias, tries to help him after seeing his injuries.


    ¡°Why are you back here,¡± he says after seeing her face, she can hear a slight tone of anger from his voice between his erratic breath.


    ¡°Hey, you can survive only because she wants to go back here,¡± her brother says with an angry tone after hearing Elias remarks.


    ¡°Brother,¡± she reprimands.


    Elias looks towards Emily¡¯s brother after he realizes there is another person in this place other than her. At first, his appearance is a bit blurry because of some blood in his eyes, but after a while, he can see who is it.


    His calm expression change into a shocked one, without he realizes two words come out from his mouth, ¡°Kim Hansoo.¡±

 Chapter 11 - Manslayer

    Elias''s seeing a menacing looks from a deformed goblin, that green monster grinned after realizing that he can¡¯t move any part of his body. It grabs tightly and swings its sword towards his head ¡ª if that hit him, he¡¯ll die.


    There nothing he can do to stop the goblin from attacking him. However, even though he''s in front of the death door, he doesn¡¯t close his eyes ¡ª he won''t show any sign of weakness. This is a mentality from a person who survives three big wars ¡ª even when you die, you won¡¯t give any satisfaction to your enemy by afraid or plead mercy.


    He''s staring the goblin without any fear or screaming ¡ª waiting for his death to come.


    However, what he wait wasn¡¯t happen. A man instantly appears behind that goblin, he grabs its hand and cracks its bone. Although that monster''s face becomes pale from agony, there is no voice out from its mouth. Before that goblin opens its mouth, that man took its sword and stab it towards its skull.


    The goblin¡¯s blood gushing from each its pore while many internal organs splattered ¡ª some of them covered Elias body and face.


    ¡°Well, I did it too much again, I¡¯ll need to erase her memories again after this,¡± that man mumbles after seeing his mess.


    With Elias new title as a dungeon master, he can perceive mana with ease. Right now, he can¡¯t feel any mana from this man. He certain this man is human, after all, every creature which stays long in this world has mana inside their body. However, the fact that man is human doesn¡¯t mean he¡¯s his ally.


    Elias tries to move his eyes to see that man face ¡ª seeing his identity.


    Elias wants to discern whether that man is enemy or not. However, the goblin¡¯s blood which fell into his eyes makes him couldn¡¯t see who is this man face. Nevertheless, he knows this man isn''t normal, someone who can kill goblin before it can let out a sound in this stage can be counted by hands.


    It¡¯s good to have many strong humans for their wars later, but in this stage, humanity is not yet united. The strong still oppress the weak, while the talented goes solo hunt without caring about human races as a whole ¡ª they thought this world as a challenge for himself to become stronger. This is the stage of humanity''s foolishness, even some heroes in his previous life weren¡¯t exempted from this nonsense.


    Some of the heroes were the oppressor of weak people before realizing how dire the human race situation is, and only when it''s already too late, they start to create a proper organization to save the human race.


    If this man is one of those oppressors or any coldblooded killers, he could kill him only to get another rune.The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    Nevertheless, whether that man is an ally or not, there one thing he can do to change this situation become favorable to him ¡ª negotiate. This situation is different from the previous goblin who can¡¯t be reasoned with ¡ª now, he deals with a human. He starts to rummage for information which can make this man consider him as an asset that better alive than dead.


    However, before he let out any words from his mouth, a familiar voice flow into his ears, ¡°Are you okay Elias?¡±


    Elias knows well this voice ¡ª Emily¡¯s voice, her tone is full of concern. There is a tinge of happiness knowing that his master is still alive, but after remembering his situation, he becomes slightly angry.


    ¡°Why are you back here?¡± he asks with a strong voice.


    ¡°Hey, you can survive because she wants to go back here,¡± that man angry voice flow to his ears.


    ¡°Brother,¡± Emily reprimand that man.


    After hearing that word, Elias understands what happened. Emily met with her brother when running to the south, luckily her brother is quite strong, which make them decide to save him.


    He let out a sigh of relief. After all, this means that man isn¡¯t his enemy.


    ¡®I knew master has a big brother, but she never tells me who is he in the previous life. It seems I¡¯ll know him for the first time in this life.¡¯


    While he''s thinking about that, Emily tries to close his open wounds with some rags. He sits and leans back to a tree, after a while, the blood on his eyes start to subside which makes him can see again. He sees Emily and her brother chit-chat next to him, below shades of trees ¡ª this tranquil scenery even makes him forget that they just earlier pursued by goblins. However, after taking a close look at Emily¡¯ brother, he can¡¯t contain his surprise.


    ¡°Kim Hansoo?¡± he¡¯s taken aback and can feel his wound slightly opening.


    How can he keep his calm, this man is the most famous and infamous human in his previous life.


    The man in front of him is one of three first dungeon killer, a superhuman, and the best assassin on earth. It¡¯s known fact that he was attacked by a dungeon master after transferred to this world without any time to think, but when Elias notices his clean clothes ¡ª no blood or sweat, he finally realizes how strong this man is ¡ª every rumor about Hansoo in his previous life is only scratching the surface.


    Finally, he understands how his master can escape from those goblins in his previous life and stay alive for a long time even with her foolish kindness ¡ª it¡¯s because her brother is that Hansoo, Kim Hansoo ¡ª the highest kill-count holder for killing dungeon masters.


    ¡°Oh, please don¡¯t move, it¡¯ll worsen your wounds,¡± Emily says after noticing his voice.


    ¡°Okay,¡± he realizes that his wounds are bad, ¡°Is that your brother? He looks like an Asian.¡± Elias asks because their face wasn¡¯t alike.


    ¡°Yes, he¡¯s half Korean. Did you ever meet him before? It seems you know his Korean name.¡±


    After he got asked by Emily, he realizes his slip of the tongue. Even though Kim Hansoo was very famous after transmigrated to this world, but right now, people who know his Korean name is either his close family or higher people from Underworld because he uses the different name in everyday life.


    Elias becomes slightly panic after looking at Hansoo expression which full of suspicion. After all, Hansoo was known as the cold-blooded human killer before the second war ¡ª the war that cost his youngest sister¡¯s life.


    Before the second war, he often kills human he doesn''t like or thought as a threat even without any proof.


    If he says the wrong explanation now, he doesn¡¯t doubt Hansoo will kill him immediately.

 Chapter 12 - Impart

    ¡°Yeah Elias, how you knew my Korean name?¡± Hansoo says with a smile but below it a layer of bloodlust ready to unleash.


    Elias is quickly rummaging an excuse inside his memories, searching something which can save his life.


    He only ever met about ten times or so with Hansoo in his previous life, after all, their status is so much different ¡ª a hero of the human race and a scavenger. Even so, each time they met, Hansoo always spend his precious time to chatting with him, he never knows why Hansoo did that ¡ª there are many people with ranks higher than him, but now, after knowing his relationship with Emily, he understands the reason.


    It¡¯s because he was his deceased sister''s disciple.


    He usually tells stories about his life on earth, mostly about his family on earth but he hides the fact that Emily was his sister from him for some reason. Nevertheless, that enough, he know about his family from his story ¡ª he can make a proper explanation.


    ¡°No, we never met, but I heard about you from your late mother. She often shows me your photos¡± Elias telling his lies like breathing. He''s sure no one can catch his lies which many years honed many years at his previous life.


    Hansoo''s mother was his soft spot, he often talks his regret, about leaving his mother in Korea alone because of people from Underworld hunted him. He always sends messages to her, but can''t receive any from her because he always goes from one place to another.


    Using his mother as an excuse is risky but also the safest for Elias.


    After hearing his excuse, Hansoo still tries to bait him with many trap question. Nevertheless, he always can answer his question perfectly, after all, he tailored that excuses from Hansoo stories. Even though he can¡¯t give physical proof, the possibilities of him as a friend of Hansoo''s mother is enough to make Hansoo hesitate to kill him ¡ª besides that, his status as his sister savior make him save for now.


    Hansoo still gazing him with suspicions, but it¡¯s fine as long as he doesn¡¯t kill him.


    Emily who¡¯s oblivious with deeper layers between their conversation start to asks about his wounds, ¡°is it still hurts?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Elias shook his head with a smile after hearing her concerned tone.


    ¡°Is there something that I can do?¡± Emily asks again, she notices that Elias often twitched from pain but try to hide it ¡ª he can lie with a straight face, but his body still react to pain.


    She felt guilty when seeing Elias painful condition, after all, most of his wound is because he wants to give her chance to escape.Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    ¡°There are no¡ª,¡± he stops for a moment, ¡°Can you check if there any crystal there?¡± he''s pointing at T¡¯lear ashes.


    ¡°Oka~y,¡± she immediately rushes to take a crystal from those ashes and then give it to Elias.


    Elias glances at crystal color, and then he sighs.


    ¡°Is there something wrong with it?¡± Emily asks after noticing Elias disappointed reaction.


    ¡°Ah, no. It¡¯s good crystal, but I need another kind to recover my wounds faster.¡±


    Hansoo who earlier silent while listening to their conversation become interested after Elias talking about crystals, he starts to join them, ¡°is those crystal have that kind of ability?¡±


    Elias silent for a while, still facing Hansoo ¡ª thinking about consequence telling him this. However, he can¡¯t find any downside to explain it to him earlier. On the contrary, it¡¯ll increase the human race chance to prevail if this man becomes stronger earlier than his previous life.


    Also, it¡¯ll increase Emily chance to survive because of Hansoo better protection.


    ¡°Yes, those are. It¡¯s faster to understand if you experience it yourself, says ¡®show me my status¡¯ while touching your ears.¡±


    Both of them do what Elias instructed and then surprised after seeing a holographic sentence on their retina.


    ¡°What is this? Rank? Red?¡± Hansoo mumbles.


    Elias stunned hearing those words, after all, Red rank is far above ordinary human, but he soon regain his calmness, ¡°That is your status, ordinary people have colorless rank with 10 points in each base stats.¡±


    Hansoo silent hearing Elias explanation.


    ¡°Even though ordinary people have 10 points base stats, they can become stronger with those crystals. For example this one,¡± Elias showing a crystal he got from killing T¡¯lear, ¡°This white crystal can enhance my perception a little bit.¡±


    ¡°Wait, you¡¯re kidding right?¡± Hansoo feels skeptic with his game-like explanation.


    ¡°You can try with any crystal you got.¡±


    Hansoo takes a red crystal from dead goblin earlier and uses it with a little instruction from Elias. He still silent, sink into his thought even after the process complete ¡ª can¡¯t believe what just happened. His stats don¡¯t change because of difference between his rank and rune rank, but as someone who dabbles in body strengthening, he can feel a slight improvement in his strength after consuming that rune.


    ¡°Can you explain more about these crystals?¡±


    ¡°Fine, first of all, runes have three categories. Stats, skill, and consumable runes which can be differentiated by their color. Red is strength rune, yellow is stamina rune, green is agility runes¡­¡± he explains it one by one while Hansoo and Emily sit down listens carefully.


    ¡­


    His explanations last more than an hour even though he only explains basic knowledge about runes.


    ¡°I think that is all you need to know, Is there anything you wanna ask?¡± Elias asks after finishing his explanation.


    ¡°How you can know all of this?¡± Emily can''t contain her curiosity.


    ¡°I transferred to this world earlier than you two,¡± Elias lies without batting his eyes, but he still considers this is his best excuse for now.


    ¡°Hee, so you¡¯re our senior in a sense, hehe,¡± Emily says after hearing his words.


    Elias stupefied after hearing that words from his master, that isn¡¯t wrong because he really has more experience in this world, but it still somehow felt wrong.


    After he tosses aside those thoughts, he realizes Hansoo throw a small leather pouch towards him.


    ¡°This is?¡± Elias asks.


    ¡°Crystals I collect before got here, consider it my payments for the lesson. There is a crystal you want too.¡±

 Chapter 13 - Farewell (Arc 1 - End)

    Elias stupefied after hearing Hansoo¡¯s words but soon regain his calmness. He opens the pouch and finds about a hundred runes inside it. This amount is much higher than what he collected after killing those goblins earlier, also, there are some runes which not base stats.


    ¡°Are you serious? This favor is too heavy,¡± Elias hesitate to take this pouch. He takes one black rune with a glowing white and shows it to Hansoo, ¡°for example, this skill rune. It¡¯s quite rare as I explain earlier, you need to kill at least ten thousand monsters in colorless level to get one. Are you sure¡ª.¡±


    He wants to explain it to Hansoo clearly to make sure Hansoo won¡¯t have any regret later, even though skill runes is rare ¡ª it still doesn¡¯t worth to get it but become Hansoo¡¯s enemy. However, before he can complete his sentences, it cut off by Hansoo.


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m sure. I already know what its value, but your information is worth more. I can always collect those runes later by killing any random monsters, but I don¡¯t want you to think I take this kind of information for free. Also, I need to show my goodwill to you as someone who saved my sisters.¡±


    Elias silents, hearing his words. Hansoo didn¡¯t say it out loud in his speech, but he can read between the lines. He understands that Hansoo wants to build foundations for their mutual relationship later. In his previous life only some great people can get his recognition, he never expected to become one of them ¡ª it creates a strange feeling but not a bad one.


    ¡°Thank you, I¡¯ll remember this favor,¡± he let out a relieved sigh which then replied by a smile from Hansoo.


    Elias immediately takes a red rune from that pouch. Usually, runes have the shape like stone shards, but this one has an oval shape ¡ª a characteristic for a consumable rune. As its name says, consumable rune doesn¡¯t increase any stats and only do its specific ability once and disappear.


    This red oval thing in his hand is something he wanted in this kind situation ¡ª a recovery rune, which can heal his wounds and recover his stamina. Although it can¡¯t regrow his limb like regeneration rune, it¡¯ll make do for now.


    He grabs that red rune while closing his eyes, Emily and Hansoo still looking next to him with curious eyes. They want to witness how it happen from outside perspective. Hansoo, on the other hand, especially wants to verify whether what Elias said is a truth or not.


    After Elias consume that rune, his body feels warm, every cell inside his body rejuvenated and his blood cell multiplied. He takes deep breaths and as time passes his respiration became stable.


    His stamina is recovering as he can feel his muscles become relaxed.


    His wounds are closing at a visible rate which makes his pain dissipating over time. While he savors these moments, a sound appears in his mind.


    *Ding*


    He opens his eyes and sees holographic sentences on his retina.This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    [Consumable rune sub-category added into Store]


    [Recovery rune(Colorless ¡ª 25 points) added to Catalog]


    Elias stunned for a moment but soon let out a smile. These notifications are validating his theory, the store indexes will increase as he consumes new kind of runes. He already expects this, but this confirmation still makes him happy.


    When he sinks in his joy, a familiar voice enters his ears.


    ¡°Even though I see it directly, it still feels strange,¡± Hansoo mumbles.


    ¡°Yeah, at first, I too find it hard to believe,¡± Elias says with a helpless smile.


    ¡°Well, at least I find it early and can act accordingly,¡± Hansoo sigh, ¡°Emily, he¡¯s already healed. It¡¯s time to search for Amber.¡±


    ¡°Um,¡± Emily nod but then she silent for a while ¡ª thinking something, ¡°Elias, please come with us. We can work together to survive in this world.¡±


    Elias stunned because of an unexpected proposal from Emily, he looks at Hansoo expression and there no sign of opposition. He thinks it for a moment, this is a beneficial suggestion to him. He can cooperate with Hansoo to gain new runes with more ease. It also increases his survival chance and grows stronger than his previous life.


    There is no downside to himself if he chooses to follow them. He may be even will find new artifacts or monsters and then add it to his catalogs.


    This idea is very enticing even for monks.


    Emily suggestion is just that favorable.


    However, he already decides what he wants to do and then shook his head.


    ¡°No, Emily, I can¡¯t. I need to do something in the south,¡± Elias rejects her suggestion.


    ¡°So what? We can go to the south together,¡± Emily says.


    Elias doesn''t answer her question, but instead, he looks at Hansoo.


    Hansoo sigh after noticing he looks at him. Doesn''t understand how this man even know what he thinks. However, after he got transferred to this world, nothing can surprise him anymore.


    ¡°Emily we can¡¯t go to the south, Amber¡¯s Qi is in the north,¡± Hansoo explain it to Emily.


    ¡°But, but¡­ fine, I understand,¡± Emily tries to find words to convince Elias or her brother, but can¡¯t find any.


    She needs to find her little sister with Hansoo, even though that girl has martial arts skill to some extent because of Hansoo training, but all and all, she only an ordinary person. Also, it still better for them to gather together than separated in this strange world.


    ¡°It¡¯s not like you¡¯ll separate with him forever,¡± Hansoo chuckle after seeing her sour expression.


    ¡°What¡¯s that even mean brother,¡± Emily pouted after hearing her brother remarks, but Hansoo doesn''t reply to her tantrum and facing Elias instead.


    ¡°It seems this is the time for us to part,¡± Hansoo says while protruding his hand.


    ¡°Um, until we meet again,¡± Elias grabs and shake Hansoo¡¯s hand.


    ¡°Yeah, until we meet again.¡±


    After that, Hansoo brings Emily together towards the north with a piggyback. Hansoo speeds while carrying Emily is still faster than him running alone. When looking at this spectacle, he understands that his strength is still far from enough to protect everyone.


    ¡°Take care, Emily,¡± Elias shouts while waving his hand towards both of them.


    ¡°You too,¡± Emily also shouting from the distance while carried by Hansoo.


    Her voice becomes smaller over time until it finally fades into silence. Their meeting is short, but it still strengthens his resolve to do better in this second chance ¡ª to save everyone he indebted to and protect his loved ones.


    This world isn¡¯t a game where human is the players. This world is a battlefield for survival where the human race is only NPC.


    This second chance isn¡¯t only for him, it also for the human race.


    Now isn¡¯t the time to let greed for power blind him from what important to see.


    Elias sits down below shades of trees and opens the pouches, he consumes all runes one by one, starting with the one he got from killing T¡¯lear. Soon, a series of dings appear in his mind.


    [Perception rune(Red-Small ¡ª 4,800 points) added to Catalog]


    [Strength rune(Colorless-Medium ¡ª 10 points) added to Catalog]


    [Strength rune(Colorless-Big ¡ª 80 points) added to Catalog]


    [Stamina rune(Colorless-Big ¡ª 80 points) added to Catalog]


    [Agility rune(Colorless-Medium ¡ª 100 points) added to Catalog]


    ¡­