《"A Hero in the Shadows isekai"》 Chapter 1 Hero or villain Kaito sighed as he unlocked the door to his apartment. The weight of the day clung to him like a heavy shroud; his slouched shoulders and sluggish steps told of an exhausting routine. As he turned the key and pushed the door open, something felt off. The lock was damaged, and a faint creak came from inside. ¡°What the hell...?¡± he muttered, his brows furrowing as his senses heightened. Before he could react, a shadow darted out from a dark corner. A man with his face covered by a ski mask shoved him forcefully. Kaito fell backward, hitting his head against the edge of the table. A sharp pain throbbed in his skull as he blinked rapidly, trying to clear his blurred vision. ¡°Ugh...!¡± he groaned weakly, clutching his head. His gaze wavered upward and landed on three more figures, all dressed the same, their faces concealed by ski masks. One of them, a stocky man, moved, and in that moment, Kaito caught sight of a tattoo. A black snake coiled in a spiral on the man¡¯s left arm. ¡°What¡¯s going on...?¡± he thought, adrenaline attempting to fight off the drowsiness creeping over him. Suddenly, a blue glow began to form beneath his feet. The light expanded rapidly, engulfing everyone in the room. ¡°What the hell is this?!¡± one of the masked men shouted, stepping back. But it was too late. The magic circle shone brightly, flooding the room with an unknown energy. Kaito¡¯s eyes shut involuntarily, and the last thing he felt was a deafening hum before losing consciousness. Kaito¡¯s eyes fluttered open. The smell of moss and dampness assaulted his senses before he could make out anything around him. His head throbbed with a dull ache, and a chill ran down his spine as he realized he was lying on a cold, rough surface. He sat up with effort, blinking to adjust to the dim light. ¡°Where... am I?¡± he whispered, his voice weak and echoing faintly against stone walls. His gaze darted around, his unease growing. The walls were made of uneven rock, streaked with lichens and damp stains. Rusty iron bars framed the entrance of his cell, and the entire place exuded a somber air reminiscent of catacombs he had seen in documentaries. Panic began to creep in. ¡°Those thieves! They must have kidnapped me!¡± he thought, clenching his fists as he struggled to control his rapid breathing. But then his eyes landed on the figure by the cell door, and his heart skipped a beat. A burly man clad in worn medieval armor stood guard, gripping a long spear. The sight was so out of place that it left Kaito stunned. ¡°Hey! You there, by the door!¡± Kaito called out, struggling to his feet. ¡°What¡¯s going on? Why am I locked up?¡± The guard glanced at him briefly, then scoffed with disdain. ¡°You¡¯re awake. To think someone like you could be a serial killer... Just wait for your sentence,¡± he said, his deep voice devoid of emotion. Kaito felt a chill run through him. He frowned and stepped closer to the bars, gripping them tightly. ¡°What are you talking about? I¡¯m no killer! This is a mistake. Let me out of here right now. I¡¯ll sue whoever¡¯s behind this ridiculous joke!¡± The guard snorted, visibly irritated, and adjusted his spear. ¡°You speak nonsense. But they warned me you¡¯d say something like that. My orders are to ignore you. Just wait for your execution quietly and don¡¯t bother me.¡± Kaito stumbled back a few steps, his chest tightening as his mind raced. ¡°Execution? Killer? What the hell is he talking about? The last thing I remember is that blue circle¡­¡± He clutched his head, trying to piece together what was happening. But nothing made sense. Nothing at all. The damp, cold air of the cell was filled with an uneasy silence, echoing Kaito''s swirling thoughts. He was lost in his fears and confusion when a distant commotion began to break the stillness. Several voices argued, accompanied by the clanging sound of hurried footsteps. Kaito cautiously approached the bars, his sweaty hands gripping the cold metal. He could see two guards dragging a man who resisted vehemently. The prisoner looked to be around 40 years old, with a scruffy beard and clothes that seemed straight out of a medieval drama. ¡°The kingdom is rotten!¡± the man bellowed, struggling against his captors. ¡°That useless king has abandoned his people! The ones who suffer while he sits on his damned throne!¡± Kaito watched the scene unfold, his mind spinning. ¡°Those clothes¡­ That accent¡­ What¡¯s really going on here? This doesn¡¯t feel like a joke. It¡¯s all too real.¡± The burly guard who had been keeping watch over him approached the other two. They exchanged brief but firm words. After nodding, the guard pulled out a set of keys and turned toward Kaito. ¡°Listen up, outsider,¡± he growled, pointing the tip of his spear at him. ¡°If you try anything stupid, I¡¯ll drive this spear through your leg without hesitation.¡± Kaito raised his hands and instinctively stepped back, fear evident on his face. ¡°I¡¯m not going to do anything!¡± he replied quickly, his voice trembling. The guard unlocked the iron door with a grating screech. Before Kaito could say anything else, the two other guards shoved the prisoner into the cell with force. The man hit the ground with a loud thud that echoed in the cramped space. ¡°Ouch!¡± the man cried out, struggling to sit up as he rubbed his shoulder. ¡°You damn savages!¡± he barked, glaring angrily at the guards, who ignored him and slammed the door shut. Kaito stayed silent, watching the man as he muttered curses under his breath. A mix of fear and curiosity flickered in Kaito¡¯s eyes. ¡°Who the hell is this guy?¡± he wondered, taking a step back as the prisoner slowly got to his feet. Kaito watched the man sharing the cell with him. Despite his disheveled hair and dirty clothes, there was something about him¡ªsomething that hinted at a life filled with stories. Gathering his courage, Kaito finally spoke up. ¡°Excuse me, sir... Can I ask you a few questions?¡± he asked hesitantly, his gaze faltering as he sat on the ground, keeping a cautious distance. The man, surprised by the politeness, raised an eyebrow and studied Kaito before responding. ¡°Hmm, you¡¯re awfully polite for someone locked up here,¡± he said, letting out a short, dry laugh. ¡°And those strange clothes... Are you some kind of noble from a foreign country?¡± ¡°A noble? No, I don¡¯t think so...¡± Kaito replied, shaking his head slightly. ¡°But, honestly, I don¡¯t even know how I ended up in this place.¡± The man shrugged, his expression resigned. ¡°Well, it doesn¡¯t matter. In the end, it¡¯s all the same. By tomorrow, we¡¯ll both be dead anyway.¡± The words made Kaito freeze in place. ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± he asked, his voice trembling with alarm. The man scowled, glancing at the guard before raising his voice. ¡°How is he here without knowing his sentence? Hey, useless guard! What kind of circus is this? Do you lock people up without even telling them why?¡± The burly guard barely turned his head, replying in a dry and irritated tone. ¡°Mind your business, old man. He¡¯s a special and urgent case. Even I don¡¯t know why his elimination is so important.¡± Kaito felt the ground crumble beneath him. ¡°Elimination? They¡¯re going to kill me?¡± he thought, his face turning pale as paper. A cold sweat ran down his back, and his body started to shake. Before he could spiral further into panic, an unexpected slap snapped him back to reality. ¡°Don¡¯t show them fear!¡± the man exclaimed, his serious gaze fixed on Kaito. ¡°Don¡¯t give these bastards the satisfaction.¡± Kaito raised a hand to his cheek, stunned, but the words helped calm him a little. He took a deep breath and, though still overwhelmed, tried to regain some composure. ¡°You seem really confused,¡± the man continued, crossing his arms as he sat down. ¡°Well, I¡¯ll answer your questions. Not like I have anything better to do here. My name¡¯s Pedro.What about you? Who are you and do you at least remember how you got here?¡± Kaito looked down for a moment before replying. ¡°I¡¯m Kaito. And... honestly, I don¡¯t really know how I got here. The last thing I remember is three guys breaking into my house, hitting me, and then... I woke up in this place.¡± Pedro stared at him in silence, his expression a mix of curiosity and wariness. Pedro crossed his arms, looking thoughtful as he observed Kaito. ¡°That sounds like a kidnapping,¡± he remarked, his brow furrowed as if piecing things together. Suddenly, a flash of realization crossed Pedro¡¯s face. His eyes narrowed, and he pointed a finger at Kaito. ¡°Wait... I remember those clothes. They¡¯re similar to what the three heroes with that damn king were wearing.¡± Kaito, surprised, leaned forward slightly, his interest unmistakable. ¡°What did you say?¡± he asked urgently. ¡°Please, tell me more about that.¡± Pedro moved closer, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret. ¡°Yesterday, I had an audience with the king. Those three guys with clothes like yours were there.¡± Kaito stood up abruptly, his eyes filled with a mix of shock and determination. ¡°Did they wear ski masks that covered their faces?¡± Pedro blinked, confused. ¡°Ski masks? I don¡¯t know what that is, but they did have strange hats covering their faces.¡± He paused, searching for the right words. ¡°Now that I think about it, the king ordered them to remove them. After that, some maids escorted them to another room. I remember feeling a bit envious, seeing how well those foreigners were treated.¡± Kaito clenched his fists, a spark of hope igniting within him. ¡°How can I talk to them? They must know why I¡¯m here.¡± Pedro looked at him seriously, his tone darkening. ¡°Talk to them? You can¡¯t do that. No one has ever left this death row prison alive or been granted any privileges.¡±This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Kaito¡¯s face tightened at those words. ¡°Do you know those guys?¡± Pedro asked, watching him curiously. Kaito nodded, his expression now marked by frustration. ¡°Of course I do! They¡¯re the ones who kidnapped me, and I still don¡¯t understand how I ended up in this situation.¡± Pedro remained silent for a moment, evaluating Kaito¡¯s words with a probing gaze. The cold stone walls of the prison pressed around them like a suffocating weight. A single flickering torch cast long shadows across the damp floor, its sputtering flame the only sound in the oppressive silence. Kaito sat against the wall, his knees drawn up, trying to make sense of the twisted fate that had brought him here. Across from him, Pedro sat slumped, his face obscured by unkempt hair and a look of unshakable bitterness. "You know, Kaito," Pedro began, his voice hoarse and laced with a tremor. His gaze fixed on the torch, as if afraid to look directly at his companion. "I wasn¡¯t always like this¡­ filled with hatred." He drew a deep, shaky breath, and his hands clenched into fists on his lap. Kaito tilted his head, sensing the weight of the words yet to come. "My family¡­" Pedro¡¯s voice cracked, his shoulders shaking slightly. "They were slaughtered like animals." His fists tightened further, the veins on his arms bulging as he relived the memory. "Bastards. Bandits." The words were venomous. "They came demanding a fee¡ªgold we didn¡¯t have. And because we couldn¡¯t pay, they..." Pedro¡¯s head dropped into his hands. His knuckles turned white as he gritted his teeth. "I went to the king," he continued, his voice now a low growl. "Begged him. Pleaded with him to bring justice, to make them pay. But you know what he did?" Kaito¡¯s silence invited Pedro to go on. "He ignored me," Pedro spat, his voice rising, bouncing off the prison walls. "Too busy with his damn court politics, his petty wars. My family¡¯s blood meant nothing to him!" Pedro stood suddenly, pacing the small cell like a caged beast. His eyes burned with rage. "I shouted at him! Called him out for his cowardice. And do you know what that bastard did?" He spun to face Kaito, his breath coming in ragged bursts. Kaito met his gaze, his heart heavy. "He sentenced me to die!" Pedro shouted, slamming his fist into the wall, the dull thud reverberating through the cell. His face twisted in fury and despair. "For daring to speak against him, for demanding justice for my family!" Pedro¡¯s voice cracked again, and he sank to his knees. "And now... here I am. A dead man waiting for his sentence." Kaito looked at Pedro, his heart aching. There were no words to offer comfort, only the faint sound of the torch''s flame fighting against the darkness. The heavy clang of boots echoed down the corridor, each step striking like a countdown to the inevitable. Kaito¡¯s gaze snapped to the barred door as a guard appeared, his shadow stretching long and ominous against the cell wall. ¡°Pedro,¡± the guard barked, his tone as cold and unfeeling as the iron chains in his hand. Pedro exhaled slowly, his shoulders sagging for a moment before he forced himself upright. He turned to Kaito, his face a mixture of resignation and smoldering determination. ¡°Looks like my time¡¯s up,¡± he murmured, his lips curling into a bitter smile. His hands clenched and unclenched, as if steeling himself for what was to come. Kaito¡¯s throat tightened, but no words came. As the guard unlocked the cell, Pedro stepped forward with measured movements. When he reached the threshold, he suddenly stopped and turned his head, his eyes locking onto Kaito¡¯s. ¡°Kaito,¡± Pedro said, his voice low but steady. ¡°If you manage to escape this place¡­ avenge me. Make that king pay for everything he¡¯s done.¡± Kaito¡¯s eyes widened. Before he could respond, Pedro reached into his tattered shirt and pulled out a small, rusted key. With a swift flick of his wrist, he tossed it toward Kaito. ¡°Whatever happens,¡± Pedro said, his voice rising just enough to be heard over the pounding of Kaito¡¯s heart, ¡°what¡¯s in the basement of my house¡­ it¡¯s yours.¡± The key landed with a soft clang on the cold stone floor, skidding to a halt near Kaito¡¯s foot. Pedro gave a final, fleeting smile¡ªone filled with both sadness and hope¡ªbefore the guard grabbed him roughly by the arm. As Pedro was dragged away, his voice echoed down the corridor, faint but resolute. ¡°Don¡¯t waste it, Kaito!¡± Kaito sat frozen, staring at the key gleaming faintly in the dim light. His hand trembled as he reached for it, the cold metal biting against his skin. Kaito stared at the key in his trembling hands, its rough surface glinting faintly under the dim prison light. The weight of Pedro¡¯s words still lingered in his mind when, suddenly, a soft chime echoed in his ears. Before him, a translucent blue window materialized out of thin air. Its ethereal glow cast a faint light on his face, the words on it clear as day. "Do you wish to store Pedro¡¯s key in your inventory?" Kaito¡¯s breath hitched, his eyes darting to the guard who had just left. The man seemed oblivious, his heavy footsteps echoing down the corridor. Kaito quickly looked back at the message. Am I the only one seeing this? he thought, his heart racing. His gaze moved to the bottom of the message, where two options glowed faintly: Accept and Reject. The glowing buttons pulsed gently, urging him to make a decision. His hands trembled, his pulse pounding in his ears. ¡°What the hell is this?¡± he muttered under his breath, but instinct took over. Slowly, he extended his finger toward Accept. The moment he pressed it, the key vanished from his palm in a shimmer of light, leaving a faint warmth behind. Kaito¡¯s eyes widened in shock, his mind scrambling to process what had just happened. ¡°I¡¯m in another world,¡± he whispered, the words barely audible. The realization washed over him like ice water, sending a shiver down his spine. Desperate for answers, he focused his thoughts, trying to recreate the strange sensation that summoned the window. After a few attempts, another screen appeared before him, this one filled with detailed information. It read: Kaito ¨C Level 1 (Hero) Power: 300 Race: Human Title: The Forgotten Hero Status: Confused / Prisoner Skill: Assimilation in progress (Incomplete) (Loading: 89%) Kaito¡¯s eyes scanned the screen, his jaw slack. The title "Forgotten Hero" felt like a cruel mockery, and the phrase Assimilation in progress only deepened his confusion. ¡°What¡­ what does this even mean?¡± he murmured, his voice shaking. Panic crept into his mind as the weight of his situation pressed down on him. Kaito clenched his fists, his heart pounding as he focused again on the strange interface. The translucent screen shimmered in front of him as he struggled to summon another menu. After a few more attempts, a new window popped up, this time displaying information about the guard standing nearby. Ralph ¨C Level 13 (Lancer) Power: 2300 Race: Human Title: Soldier of the Iron Kingdom Status: Calm Skill: Spear Thrust / Stone Skin Passive Skill: Cold Mind Kaito¡¯s breath hitched as he read through the details, his gaze lingering on the guard¡¯s level and power. This guy is just a guard, and he¡¯s so much stronger than me... A cold sweat trickled down the back of his neck. He could feel the weight of reality pressing down harder than ever. He swallowed hard, glancing at his own stats from earlier. Level 1. Power: 300. The gap between them felt insurmountable, a chasm that made him feel more helpless than ever. Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed down the corridor again, this time heavier and more deliberate. Kaito turned his head sharply toward the sound, his stomach twisting into knots. Another guard appeared, his armor clinking softly as he stopped in front of the cell. ¡°Kaito,¡± the new guard barked, his tone devoid of emotion. ¡°It¡¯s time.¡± Kaito¡¯s blood ran cold. He felt his knees threaten to give way as the door creaked open. The guard stepped inside, grabbing him by the arm with a grip like iron. ¡°No, wait¡ª¡± Kaito stammered, but the guard gave no sign of hearing him. His mind raced as he was dragged out of the cell, his thoughts a whirlwind of fear and disbelief. Is this really it? he thought, his eyes darting to the first guard, Ralph, who barely even looked at him. Kaito stumbled slightly as the guard dragged him down a dimly lit hallway. The air was heavy, the oppressive silence broken only by the clinking of armor. His thoughts swirled chaotically, every step feeling like a march toward the inevitable. Finally, they stopped in a cold, barren chamber. Two figures stood waiting¡ªa guard of higher rank, his polished armor gleaming in the flickering torchlight, and a woman clad in flowing white robes adorned with intricate golden patterns. Her serene expression contrasted sharply with the grim scene unfolding. ¡°Kaito,¡± the higher-ranking guard began, his voice firm and devoid of emotion. ¡°You have two choices.¡± Kaito¡¯s heart clenched as the man produced a small vial filled with a pale, shimmering liquid. ¡°Option one: You drink this poison. It will kill you painlessly,¡± the guard continued, his tone unwavering. ¡°Option two: You are executed publicly. The choice is yours.¡± Kaito¡¯s breath hitched. His eyes darted to the vial, its contents glowing faintly, then to the guard and the priestess. The latter clasped her hands in a silent prayer, her eyes closed as if already mourning his passing. A bitter laugh escaped his lips. Some choice, he thought. His hands trembled as he reached for the vial, its cool glass pressing against his palm. Resignation settled over him like a heavy cloak. ¡°I¡¯ll take the poison,¡± he murmured, barely loud enough for the others to hear. The priestess stepped forward, her expression unchanging but her movements graceful. ¡°May your soul find peace in the embrace of the gods,¡± she intoned, her voice soft yet resonant. Kaito hesitated for a moment, his gaze fixed on the liquid. With a deep breath, he tipped the vial to his lips, the cold substance sliding down his throat. It tasted of nothing, but the weight of what it symbolized made his stomach churn. The priestess raised her hands, murmuring a prayer that seemed to echo off the stone walls. Kaito¡¯s vision blurred, the words fading into a muffled hum. His knees buckled. The vial slipped from his fingers, shattering on the floor as his body collapsed. The last thing he saw was the priestess¡¯s calm face gazing down at him, her hands still folded in prayer, before darkness consumed him. 20 hours ago. The grand hall of the castle was filled with an almost tangible tension. Four figures stood before the throne, where the king, clad in ornate robes, gazed down at them with a solemn expression. The light from the high windows cast long shadows, highlighting the nervous glances shared by three of the summoned heroes. Kaito lay unconscious on the cold marble floor, his breathing shallow and his face pale. His disheveled appearance was a stark contrast to the confident stances of the other three. The king rose slightly from his throne, his voice booming across the hall. "Heroes from another world, I beseech you to lend us your strength. The kingdom faces a grave threat, and only you possess the power to save it." The three conscious "heroes" exchanged quick glances. They huddled together, whispering in hushed tones, their words unintelligible to the king but dripping with an air of scheming. After a moment, one of them, a tall man with a sly grin and sharp eyes, stepped forward. "Your Majesty," he began, bowing deeply, "we are honored to have been chosen to aid your kingdom. We accept your request to fight for this land, but..." The king raised an eyebrow. "But?" "We have conditions," the man continued smoothly. "We desire lives of luxury¡ªfine food, gold, and grand estates worthy of heroes such as ourselves." The other two nodded eagerly, their faces alight with greedy anticipation. The king hesitated, his fingers drumming lightly on the armrest of his throne. Before he could respond, the same man added, "And, Your Majesty, we must address a serious concern." The room grew silent. He gestured toward Kaito, still unconscious on the floor. "This so-called hero¡ªhe is dangerous. Before we were summoned to this world, he was a serial killer in ours. We cannot risk someone like him roaming free. For the safety of your kingdom, he must be eliminated." The king''s expression darkened as he considered the words. He studied Kaito''s lifeless form and then turned his gaze back to the man. "Are you certain of this?" "Without a doubt, Your Majesty," another of the three chimed in, his voice filled with false conviction. "We wouldn''t lie about something so grave." The king nodded grimly, his decision made. "Guards," he commanded, his voice like steel, "take this man to the dungeons. He shall face judgment for his crimes." The guards stepped forward, lifting Kaito''s limp body without hesitation. The three false heroes exchanged triumphant smirks as they watched him being dragged away, their deceit unnoticed by the king. The kingdom of iron was alive with celebration. The news of the summoned heroes had spread like wildfire, filling the people with hope and joy. Across the borders, rival kingdoms were growing restless, viewing the arrival of these champions as a dangerous shift in power. But far from the bustling streets and regal halls, in a place untouched by the light of festivities, a different story was unfolding. In the desolate outskirts of the kingdom, a deep, shadowy pit lay hidden. The air was thick with the stench of decay, and the ground was littered with the remains of those long forgotten. Among the broken bones and rotting flesh lay the lifeless body of Kaito. His once vibrant eyes were shut, his skin pale and marred, a grim testament to his untimely end. The oppressive silence was shattered as a faint blue glow illuminated the dark. A window, translucent and shimmering, appeared before Kaito''s corpse. Skill in progress: Assimilation (incomplete) (99%). Moments passed, and the glow intensified. Skill in progress: Assimilation (complete) (100%). The text shifted. Unique Skills Acquired: Devour, Evolution, Luck. Suddenly, Kaito''s fingers twitched. His chest heaved as though taking a breath, and his eyelids fluttered open. Empty eyes, now glowing faintly with an otherworldly light, stared into the darkness. Another window appeared before him, its words crisp and clear against the void. Kaito - Level 1 (Dark Hero) Power: 1000 Race: Undead Title: Weak Zombie State: Confusion / Hunger Unique Skills: Devour, Evolution, Luck Passive Skills: Poison Immunity, Physical Damage Reduction (50%), Physical Damage Increase (30%). A low growl rumbled from Kaito¡¯s throat, a sound that echoed off the walls of the pit. His body, now a twisted mockery of life, began to move with a slow, deliberate purpose. Chapter 2 Royal Knight Royal Knight Kaito''s eyes adjusted to the oppressive darkness surrounding him. The faint, sickly glow from the blue windows had vanished, leaving only the dim outlines of bones scattered across the ground. A shiver ran through his form¡ªnot from cold but from the sight before him. Human remains littered the cavern, remnants of those who had shared this grim fate. He lowered his gaze to his arms, his breath¡ªor what would have been breath¡ªcatching in his throat. The once smooth, healthy skin was marred, sections peeling away to reveal decomposing flesh beneath. Panic rose in him as he saw writhing insects emerge from the decaying patches, small worms squirming where life had long since fled. ¡°This¡­ this can¡¯t be real,¡± he murmured, his voice raspy, barely audible over the deafening silence. His gaze traveled further down to his legs. The tattered remains of his flesh barely clung to his bones. Parts of his feet were stripped entirely, exposing glistening white bone. A grotesque parody of life, his body now bore the undeniable mark of death. A sudden resolve pushed through the fog of his terror. He clenched his fists¡ªor tried to, noting the unsettling ease with which his fingers moved, as though his decayed form obeyed him better than when he was alive. Trembling, he forced himself to rise. The movement was startlingly smooth. His limbs, though broken and battered, carried him effortlessly. A strength he had never known surged within him, and his balance felt unnervingly perfect. His mind reeled at the contrast¡ªthis broken, decomposed body was somehow stronger, faster, and more agile than the living one he once had. Kaito staggered, looking at his hands with a mixture of horror and awe. ¡°So, this is what I¡¯ve become¡­ A monster¡­ No, a zombie,¡± he whispered, his voice tinged with disbelief and a flicker of grim acceptance. Kaito tilted his head back, his glowing eyes scanning the vertical chasm above. The opening was impossibly high, and he could tell with certainty there was no way to climb out. Letting out a resigned sigh, he shifted his gaze to his surroundings. The ground beneath his feet was uneven, littered with loose stones and dirt, but something caught his attention¡ªseveral narrow paths stretched out into the darkness. The place looked like an abandoned mine, its structure crude and decayed. He hesitated only a moment before choosing one of the paths. "No rush," he muttered to himself. "If anyone sees me like this¡­ they¡¯ll kill me without hesitation." With slow, deliberate steps, he ventured into the tunnel. The oppressive silence was broken only by the occasional drip of water echoing through the cavern. As he walked, his thoughts swirled with confusion and anger. What should I even do now? What kind of fate is this¡­? Minutes passed, the eerie stillness pressing in on him, when suddenly a faint rustling caught his attention. Kaito froze, his undead instincts sharpening as he peered into the dim tunnel ahead. Emerging from the shadows was a massive ant, its shiny black carapace glinting faintly in the low light. The creature was the size of a medium dog, its mandibles clicking menacingly as it approached. But what truly caught Kaito¡¯s attention was the glowing text above its head, clear and legible as though floating in the air. Explorer Ant - Level 3 (Monster)Power: 250 Kaito''s lips twisted into a grim smile. "It¡¯s big¡­ but weak," he thought, his new instincts urging him to act. The ant moved with startling speed, lunging at Kaito''s leg. Its sharp mandibles clamped down as it injected a vivid purple venom into his flesh. Kaito instinctively looked down, expecting pain or weakness to follow, but felt absolutely nothing. Before he could even process the situation, his body reacted. His undead instincts surged, and with a swift kick, he sent the ant flying. Its body shattered against the tunnel wall with a sickening crunch, leaving bits of its black shell scattered on the ground. Breathing heavily, though not out of fatigue, Kaito noticed a shimmering blue window appear before his eyes. You have received a small amount of experience. The message lingered briefly before vanishing into the air. But no sooner had it disappeared than another window took its place. You have acquired: Ant Poison Gland. Kaito blinked, staring at the notification as it too faded away. A mixture of curiosity and cautious excitement bubbled up inside him. "Experience? And an item?" he thought, his mind racing. "Does this mean I have an inventory?" The memory of the strange blue interface from before surfaced in his mind¡ªspecifically, the moment the mysterious key had disappeared. Driven by that thought, he focused intently. To his amazement, another blue window materialized before him, larger than the others and divided into neat slots. At the top, the word Inventory glowed faintly, and within the grid, two items were clearly visible: Inventory Kaito stared at the display, a faint smirk forming on his lips. ¡°Maybe¡­ this isn¡¯t such a bad situation after all,¡± he murmured, closing the window with a flick of his wrist. Kaito trudged along the winding path, his steps echoing faintly through the narrow passage. Despite walking for what felt like hours, he encountered no more monsters. Just as his thoughts began to drift, a faint glimmer caught his eye. Embedded between a cluster of jagged rocks was a small, shimmering crystal glowing faintly blue. Intrigued, he approached and cautiously extended his hand. The moment his fingers brushed against its surface, a glowing text appeared above it: Lesser Mana Crystal. "Could this be valuable?" Kaito wondered, tilting his head. His curiosity quickly turned into determination. Lacking any proper tools, he picked up a nearby rock and began striking the crystal with clumsy, forceful swings. The crystal trembled under the impacts, but rather than coming loose, it shattered into fragments. A familiar blue window materialized in front of him: You have acquired: Poor-Quality Mana Crystal Shards. Kaito grimaced at the notification, frustration bubbling up inside him. "Great, I¡¯ve ruined it," he thought, brushing dust off his tattered clothes. He didn¡¯t even bother checking his inventory, instead continuing down the path with a sigh. As the minutes ticked by, an unsettling hum filled the air, growing louder with each step. Suddenly, a massive figure descended from above. Its grotesque wings buzzed violently, stirring up dust and debris. Kaito froze, staring at the creature as another blue text appeared: Soldier Wasp - Level 5 (Monster)Power: 1200 "Wait... this thing¡¯s stronger than me!" Kaito¡¯s thoughts screamed in panic as the wasp darted toward him with unnatural speed. Before he could react, its sharp mandibles clamped down on his shoulder, tearing a chunk of decayed flesh from his body. A blue notification flashed before him: You have received 5% critical damage.Health remaining: 95%. Kaito staggered back, his hand instinctively clutching his shoulder. No pain coursed through him, but the sight of his exposed bone and the notification left him unnerved. "How can it not hurt but still deal damage?" he thought, worry gripping his mind as he faced the buzzing monstrosity. Desperation gripped Kaito as he saw the jagged edges of his decaying body threatened once more. He quickly bent down, grabbing a handful of small rocks scattered at his feet. Without thinking, he began hurling them at the first wasp with all his might. His aim, however, left much to be desired. Most of the rocks flew wide, clattering harmlessly against the walls, though the force of his throws left cracks in the stone. His eyes widened at the display of strength. "I have power," he thought bitterly, "but without agility or precision, it¡¯s useless!"Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! Discarding the rocks, he adjusted his stance, raising his fists shakily into a boxer¡¯s guard. He focused on the buzzing monster, bracing himself for the inevitable charge. But then the buzzing grew louder. Two more wasps emerged from the shadows, their wings beating furiously, their forms even more menacing than the first. Soldier Wasp - Level 7 (Monster)Power: 1800 Soldier Wasp - Level 4 (Monster)Power: 800 Kaito¡¯s heart sank as the text hovered ominously over them. "Wait, this is getting out of hand," he thought, panic rising in his chest. Without hesitation, he turned and sprinted in the opposite direction, his undead legs propelling him with impressive speed. But his speed wasn¡¯t enough. The level 4 wasp closed the gap, its mandibles sinking into his back and ripping away a chunk of decomposing flesh. A blue notification flashed: You have received 7% damage.Health remaining: 88%. The impact of the bite sent Kaito tumbling to the ground. He hit the rocky floor hard, the force bouncing him off a cluster of jagged stones. You have received 1% damage.Health remaining: 87%. Before he could recover, the level 7 wasp swooped in. Its massive jaws clamped down on his leg, severing it cleanly at the knee. You have received 15% critical damage.Health remaining: 72%. Kaito stared at his missing leg in disbelief. Fury boiled within him as he clutched at the ground, his fingers digging into the dirt. "Is this a joke? I¡¯ve endured everything to end up here¡ªlosing to some overgrown bugs?" His jaw clenched tightly, and his remaining leg pushed him up slightly as his thoughts churned with rage. The buzzing grew louder, but for Kaito, it was a distant echo as his gaze fixated on the three wasps now circling his severed leg. His jaw tightened, his expression a mix of disgust and despair as he watched the monsters tear into the decaying flesh with vicious ferocity. "Is this what I¡¯ve become? Just a meal for insects..." he thought bitterly, the weight of his situation sinking deeper into his core. That hunger... Since the moment he awoke as an undead, it had gnawed at him relentlessly. But now, seeing the grotesque scene before him, it swelled to an unbearable degree, as if it were consuming him from within. Staggered by this realization, his body began to falter. A sudden blue window snapped into view: Warning: Fatigue 98%.At 100%, you will enter a hibernation state. "Hibernation? Does that mean I¡¯ll pass out?" he wondered in alarm, his mind racing for a solution. His eyes darted around the cavern until they landed on a series of cracks along the nearby wall. It was reckless, but there was no other choice. Planting his hands firmly on the ground, Kaito began dragging himself toward the cracks, his nails scraping against the rough surface as he fought the weight of his weakened body. The sound of rocks groaning under pressure echoed as he pounded at the wall with all his strength. The fissures deepened, spreading rapidly as the structure began to crumble. Kaito glanced one last time at the wasps, still preoccupied with his leg. A bitter resolve flickered in his eyes. "Better this than being devoured by those creatures..." he muttered, striking the wall with every ounce of force he could muster until it began to collapse. A final window appeared before his vision faded: Fatigue 100%. You will enter hibernation. The rocks tumbled down like a landslide, burying his unconscious body entirely. The flickering torchlight cast uneven shadows across the stone walls as two guards, clad in simple armor, whispered cautiously to one another, their voices barely audible. "Don¡¯t you think these heroes are given too many privileges?" murmured the first, fidgeting with the shaft of his spear. The second guard quickly glanced around, his tone low and warning. "Keep your voice down. We¡¯re not supposed to disturb the heroes¡ªthat¡¯s a royal order." "But it¡¯s true," the first persisted, frowning deeply. "All I see them do is eat, drink, and demand women for... well, you know." Before the conversation could go any further, the sound of firm, purposeful footsteps echoed down the hallway. Both guards immediately stiffened, standing at attention as a commanding figure approached. A tall woman clad in finely crafted armor, adorned with intricate details that spoke of her high rank, strode toward them. Her crimson cape trailed behind her, enhancing the aura of authority that surrounded her. Her sharp gaze swept over them, every step deliberate and resonating with determination. "Is there a problem with the heroes?" she asked, her tone sharp and expectant as she stopped before the guards. "No, my lady," one of the guards replied instantly, his eyes cast downward. She studied them for a moment, her expression unreadable, before raising an eyebrow. "Then why aren¡¯t they training as they should?" The second guard hesitated, his discomfort evident as he stammered. "Well... by the king¡¯s orders, we¡¯re not to bother them." A flash of irritation crossed the woman¡¯s face. Her lips curled into a disdainful sneer. "Nonsense," she snapped, spinning on her heel in a graceful yet furious motion. Without another word, she marched toward the heroes'' chambers. Each step carried the weight of her growing frustration, and the tension she left in her wake lingered like a storm about to break. The wooden door swung open with a loud bang, the sound reverberating through the lavish room. A commanding woman, clad in finely crafted armor with a crimson cape brushing the floor, strode in without hesitation. Her piercing gaze locked onto the man lounging on the grand bed. He was a robust figure, his muscular build a testament to years of training, though his disheveled demeanor gave him an air of carelessness. Around forty-five years old, his short black hair framed a face partially obscured by a dark tattoo that hid much of his sharp gaze. Beside him, two women in nearly nonexistent dresses scurried away at the silent gesture of the armored woman, fleeing the room without looking back. The woman stepped forward, her voice sharp and unwavering. "Are you the hero?" The man sat up slowly, a smug grin spreading across his face. "You scared off my girls. So, what now? Are you going to take their place?" Her eyes flared with a mix of restrained fury and defiance. "Answer the question." He shrugged lazily, his grin never faltering. "Fine, fine, no need to get so uptight. It¡¯s boring like that. Yes, I¡¯m one of the heroes. In fact, I¡¯m the boss of the other two. Now, do you want to know anything else, or are you going to lie down beside me?" The woman took another step closer, her presence almost tangible as the tension in the room thickened. "It seems you¡¯re misunderstanding your position here," she said, her tone icy and dangerous. "Very well. If you can land a single hit on me, I¡¯ll do whatever you want." The man burst into a deep, arrogant laugh as he rose to his feet. "A single hit? That¡¯s a bit much. I don¡¯t usually hit women. But maybe I¡¯ll help you out of that heavy armor instead. Hate to break it to you, but ever since I came to this world, my strength has skyrocketed. I¡¯m way stronger than those guards of yours." As he spoke, he closed the distance between them, his eyes shamelessly fixed on her chest. He extended a hand toward her, his smirk widening with misplaced confidence. But then, everything shifted. The air around him grew oppressively heavy, almost suffocating. His movements halted abruptly as if an invisible force weighed him down. A cold shiver ran down his spine as an unyielding pressure immobilized him entirely. Sweat began to bead on his forehead. He tried to move an arm, but it was futile. His eyes widened, brimming with shock and a growing sense of fear. "What¡­ what the hell?" he muttered through gritted teeth, unable to even turn his head. The woman remained utterly composed, watching him with a mix of disdain and superiority. She said nothing. Her mere presence had reduced him to a trembling statue. The air remained heavy, as if time itself had frozen. The woman strode forward, her steps steady and deliberate, her sharp gaze fixed on the man. A faint smirk played on her lips, a mix of disdain and unwavering confidence. ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Weren¡¯t you going to take off my armor?¡± she asked, her voice sharp, almost mocking, as she reached out to him. She grasped his left pinky finger firmly, her eyes locking onto his. ¡°Let me give you a piece of advice: never underestimate a royal knight.¡± Before the man could react, a sickening snap echoed through the room. A bloodcurdling scream escaped his lips as he watched in horror¡ªhis pinky finger was torn clean off. Staggering back, he fell to the ground, clutching his hand as blood dripped onto the floor. ¡°You¡­ crazy bitch! What the hell is wrong with you?¡± he screamed, his voice trembling with pain and rage. Elizabeth remained unflinching. She leaned slightly toward him, her words cutting through his cries like a blade. ¡°As I said, you¡¯re misunderstanding the situation. You heroes aren¡¯t here to indulge in luxuries. You¡¯re here to serve the kingdom. Once you¡¯re sent to war, you¡¯ll face royal knights from other kingdoms who could end you in an instant.¡± Her tone hardened further as she stepped closer. ¡°And that¡¯s not even mentioning the monsters and demons out there, far stronger than anything you¡¯ve encountered. A hero¡¯s only advantage is their rapid growth, but that only comes with training.¡± The man stared at her, terror filling his eyes. Before he could stammer a reply, Elizabeth moved even closer, her gaze locking onto his like a predator eyeing its prey. ¡°Listen carefully. I¡¯m Elizabeth Ashborne, a royal knight. And if you piss me off again¡­ I¡¯ll tear off that thing hanging between your legs without hesitation. Understood?¡± The man nodded frantically, his face pale from pain and fear. ¡°Yes¡­ I understand¡­¡± he muttered between ragged breaths, clutching his bleeding hand as sweat poured down his face. Straightening, Elizabeth turned on her heel, striding toward the door with the same commanding presence she¡¯d entered with. Without looking back, she delivered a final order. ¡°Tell the other two to meet me in the courtyard in an hour.¡± As she stepped into the hallway, the guards standing outside stiffened at her presence. Elizabeth paused briefly, her gaze flicking toward one of them. ¡°Go and fetch a priest to heal the hero,¡± she commanded coldly, her tone leaving no room for argument. Without another word, she continued down the corridor, her crimson cape billowing behind her as she disappeared into the distance. Chapter 3 A dark skill The dim light of the cave was thick with a suffocating silence, broken only by the grotesque sound of something being devoured. Wet, raw chewing echoed through the still air. "Am I... still alive?" Kaito¡¯s thoughts were a jumbled mess, his consciousness clouded by confusion. His body felt like it was moving on its own, his hands buried in something wet and sticky. "The hunger... it¡¯s gone, but... what¡¯s happening to me?" His vision was foggy, as if a dense haze covered everything. Slowly, the world began to sharpen, revealing a scene that sent a chill down his spine. He was kneeling, hunched over a corpse. His hands clutched the remains of a giant ant, and his jaws were moving¡ªchewing the flesh with mechanical, mindless precision. ¡ªNo... way... ¡ªhe whispered, his voice barely audible as he dropped the chunks he was holding, his wide eyes locked on the grim sight before him. Kaito scrambled backward, his arms shaking as he tried to distance himself from the remains. His mind raced, piecing together the grim reality: "The hibernation state¡­ it¡¯s nothing more than losing my mind and¡­ turning into a full zombie." A shiver ran through him, but his thoughts were abruptly interrupted by a strange sensation in his leg. He glanced down, his trembling hands reaching out hesitantly. The leg he had lost¡­ was back, whole, as if it had never been severed. ¡ªHow¡­ is this possible? ¡ªhe muttered, his voice quivering with shock and disbelief. His fingers ran over the newly regenerated flesh, feeling its solid, unbroken surface. "This¡­ is unreal." Though he had escaped the wasps, the cost of his survival weighed heavily on him. Something dark within him had awakened¡ªsomething he couldn¡¯t ignore. Kaito stood up slowly, brushing the dust off his tattered clothes, his movements cautious and deliberate. With his hunger momentarily sated, his mind became clearer, allowing him to piece together the fragments of his harrowing journey so far. He paused, furrowing his brow as the memory of the strange system flickered in his thoughts. Taking a steady breath, he muttered: ¡ªHealth status. A translucent window materialized before him, hovering in the air. The data displayed within made his heart¡ªor what remained of it¡ªsink slightly: Kaito IshidaRace: Human (Undead) Status: Cursed - Zombie Vitality: 0 / 0 Mana: 950 / 1300 Stamina: 280 / 300 Hunger: 10 % Fatigue: 0 % His eyes scanned the numbers, his lips moving as he processed the information: ¡ªSo¡­ vitality proves I¡¯m not alive. This body must rely on mana, stamina, or both. I can¡¯t afford to run either of them dry... ¡ªHe placed a hand over his chest, feeling the stillness where a heartbeat should have been. His fingers tapped nervously against his ribs¡ª. And fatigue... I can¡¯t let it hit 100 % again. Losing my mind could mean the end. A sudden voice, light and feminine, pierced the stillness: ¡ªHey, you! You¡¯re not from around here. What¡¯s a zombie doing in this place? ¡ªThe voice was sharp and oddly vibrant, echoing through the cave as if it came from everywhere at once. Kaito turned sharply, his eyes scanning the darkness. ¡ªWho are you? Where are you? ¡ªhe asked, his voice clumsy, the words spilling out like a half-forgotten skill. ¡ªWhat? ¡ªThe voice replied, this time with evident surprise¡ª. You can talk? I¡¯ve never seen an undead that could speak... Are you mutated or something? Kaito¡¯s gaze caught a faint glimmer near the earthen ceiling, a flicker so faint it felt like a trick of the light. Squinting, he focused, and a translucent window appeared over the glow: Clara of the Caverns - Level 5 (Pixie)Power: 500 Passive Skill: Super Speed ¡ªYour name¡¯s Clara? ¡ªhe whispered, raising an eyebrow in disbelief¡ª. So, monsters have names too? ¡ªHis voice, barely above a murmur, was laced with both surprise and curiosity. Kaito froze as the small, winged figure descended gracefully in front of him. Her delicate, green wings shimmered faintly in the dim light of the cave, resembling freshly sprouted leaves. Her features were fine and distinctly feminine, but her posture exuded an overwhelming confidence. ¡ªDid you just call me a monster? ¡ªthe figure said, crossing her tiny arms and raising a sharp, delicate brow¡ª. And how do you know my name? Kaito, startled by her appearance and abrupt accusation, stumbled over his words. Finally, he blurted out: ¡ªYou¡¯re¡­ really small. The words escaped before he could stop them. He immediately regretted it. ¡ªDo you think calling me small is an insult? ¡ªthe pixie retorted, puffing out her tiny cheeks in indignation¡ª. For your information, being small is an advantage! Nobody can see me, and I¡¯m incredibly agile. ¡ªHer voice rang with pride as she straightened herself, her minuscule chest puffed out. Kaito tilted his head, attempting to sound neutral: ¡ªBut I could see you. The pixie spun around, her luminous hair swishing like a gleaming streak in the dark. ¡ªThat¡¯s only because I let you see me, dummy! ¡ªshe shot back haughtily. Then, casting him a fleeting glance, she added¡ª: Now you¡¯ll never see me again, ugly zombie. Before Kaito could respond, the pixie vanished in a flash of green. Her sudden departure left him standing there, a mix of exasperation and bemusement washing over him. ¡ªUnbelievable... ¡ªhe muttered, scratching the back of his head as his shoulders slumped¡ª. The last thing I needed was a tiny creature to insult me and vanish just like that. Shaking his head, he pressed on through the winding cave passage. After some time, he encountered more ants, but this time he defeated them with relative ease, thanks to his growing understanding of combat. After hours of walking, Kaito arrived at a broader chamber. The ceiling stretched high above, adorned with stalactites dripping slow, rhythmic droplets of water. The soft plinking echoed throughout the space, filling the damp air with an eerie cadence. Cautiously, Kaito scanned the area. Several paths branched off from the chamber, but his attention was drawn to the humanoid figures standing near the center. A new window materialized before him, its words floating ominously: Skeleton - Level 5 (Monster / Undead)Power: 800 Skeleton - Level 5 (Monster / Undead)Power: 600 Skeleton - Level 7 (Monster / Undead)Power: 1000 Kaito stared intently at the skeletons, his lifeless but determined gaze analyzing every movement of the creatures. ¡ªSo¡­ having the same level doesn¡¯t mean the same power ¡ªhe muttered to himself, his face set in concentration. He moved slowly toward the skeleton that was farthest from the others, trying to minimize the noise of his steps. However, his zombie body wasn¡¯t exactly stealthy; a faint crunching and dragging sound betrayed his approach. The skeleton turned its hollow skull toward him, its empty sockets exuding a silent menace, and charged at Kaito with a wild, unsteady sprint. ¡ªDamn it! ¡ªKaito muttered, retreating hastily as he raised his arms to shield himself. The skeleton¡¯s strike landed with force, but Kaito¡¯s arms managed to block the blow. "You have successfully blocked" A floating message appeared before him, but Kaito barely had time to glance at it. He noticed the skeleton staggered back slightly from the recoil, leaving its chest exposed. ¡ªNow! ¡ªKaito shouted, and without hesitation, he swung his fist with all his might. His punch struck the creature¡¯s torso, shattering its ribcage in an instant. "You have landed a critical hit""You have gained light experience""You have obtained Bone Dust""You have leveled up" The sound of bones collapsing echoed through the air, and Kaito took a step back, staring at his hand. ¡ªThat was¡­ easy ¡ªhe said, almost in disbelief¡ª. It¡¯s so different from fighting those damn wasps. ¡ªHe let out a brief laugh, which quickly faded as he noticed the other two skeletons closing in on him. His eyes darted around the area, quickly spotting a couple of rocks near his feet. He picked them up, weighing them in his hands. ¡ªLet¡¯s see if this teaches you a lesson¡­ ¡ªhe murmured, hurling one of the rocks at the nearest skeleton. The rock hit the creature¡¯s knee, fracturing it and causing it to limp. The second rock flew toward the other skeleton¡¯s skull, striking it with a loud thud but failing to take it down. ¡ªThey¡¯re still moving¡­ ¡ªKaito gritted his teeth¡ª. I guess I was too optimistic thinking rocks would be enough. He watched as one skeleton limped forward while the other, slightly unsteady, recovered from the blow to its head. ¡ªFine. I¡¯ll take down the one that¡¯s more damaged first. Kaito gritted his teeth as he charged toward the stunned skeleton. His fist slammed into the creature¡¯s skull, sending it stumbling back a few steps. But something felt off. The skeleton¡¯s bones emitted a faint orange glow. ¡ªWhat is this? ¡ªhe muttered, stepping back, his eyes narrowing¡ª. Is it using magic? The skeleton quickly recovered and lunged at Kaito, landing a solid strike to his face.Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. "You have taken 5% damage. Remaining health: 85%" Kaito staggered, clutching his face. ¡ªThis won¡¯t be easy¡­ ¡ªhe growled, retaliating with another punch. But none of his blows were effective. The orange glow continued to surround the skeleton¡¯s bones like an invisible shield. Frustrated, Kaito leapt back, putting some distance between himself and the creature as the second skeleton, limping, drew closer. ¡ªWhat the hell is going on? ¡ªhe muttered, pulling up an analysis window. "Skeleton - Level 7 (Monster / Undead)""Power: 1000""Status: Enraged""Buff: Spirit Shield Grade B" Kaito scowled. ¡ªThere¡¯s no way I can beat it like this¡­ ¡ªhe murmured, scanning his surroundings for a potential escape route. Then, a sharp, high-pitched giggle echoed from the cave walls. Kaito¡¯s head snapped toward the sound, his gaze locking onto a barely perceptible glimmer. "Clara of the Caverns - Level 5 (Pixie)""Power: 500""Passive Skill: Super Speed""Status: Hidden / Happy" ¡ªWait a second! ¡ªKaito thought, fury bubbling within him¡ª. Is this that damn pixie¡¯s doing? Without hesitation, he grabbed a couple of bones from the ground and hurled them toward the tiny figure. ¡ªHey! What are you doing? How can you even see me? ¡ªthe pixie squeaked, darting around to dodge the projectiles. ¡ªI told you, I can see you, remember? And since you¡¯re with the skeletons, that makes you my enemy. ¡ªKaito kept throwing bones, his anger evident in every movement. ¡ªWait! I may be fast, but I get tired too! Let¡¯s call a truce, please! ¡ªthe pixie pleaded, her voice trembling as she narrowly avoided another throw. ¡ªNo, thanks. ¡ªKaito¡¯s voice was cold and calculating¡ª.I want to know how much experience I¡¯ll gain and what items I¡¯ll get if I eliminate you. ¡ªNo, no, no! It was just a joke! ¡ªthe pixie cried, desperate¡ª. Fine, I¡¯ll remove the skeleton¡¯s buff, but please stop! Kaito paused, glaring at her skeptically. ¡ªDo it. Quickly. Panting, the pixie extended a tiny hand toward the skeleton. The orange glow faded instantly. Kaito didn¡¯t waste a moment. He charged at the skeleton and delivered a devastating punch that shattered it on the spot. Without stopping, he grabbed some bones and hurled them at the limping skeleton, damaging it further. Finally, he crushed it with a brutal stomp. "You have gained experience""You have obtained Bone Dust" Kaito turned sharply, his gaze locking onto a specific part of the cave. ¡ªCome out. ¡ªHis voice was low but commanding. From the shadows, the pixie emerged cautiously, hovering in the air. ¡ªSo it¡¯s true¡­ No matter how I hide, you can pinpoint where I am. ¡ªHer tone was a mix of disbelief and resignation. The tiny pixie hovered in front of Kaito, her wings fluttering nervously. Her expression, once smug and playful, now showed genuine regret. ¡ªI¡¯m really sorry¡­ ¡ªshe murmured, clasping her hands together in front of her chest¡ª. I didn¡¯t realize you were actually in trouble. I just¡­ wanted to have some fun. Kaito crossed his arms, eyeing her skeptically. ¡ªAnd now what? Trying to justify yourself? ¡ªhe said dryly, though his shoulders relaxed slightly as he sensed she wasn¡¯t a threat. The pixie nodded quickly, her face lighting up for a moment. ¡ªYes! I want to explain why I¡¯m here. I collect herbs¡­ ¡ªshe pulled a small cloth bag from behind her back and shook it¡ª. To make brews. Kaito raised an eyebrow, intrigued but still cautious. ¡ªBrews? ¡ªYes, potions, ointments¡­ that kind of stuff. ¡ªThe pixie fluttered in small circles, pointing at various plants scattered across the cave floor¡ª. This place has rare plants that are perfect for my mixtures. But I¡¯m not strong, so I use my spells to protect myself, like that spiritual shield. Kaito studied her closely as she spoke. Her tone sounded sincere, and her tiny, delicate form reinforced the impression that she was more harmless than anything else. ¡ªAnd that¡¯s all you do here? ¡ªhe asked, still unsure. ¡ªYes¡­ well, that and running away from the bigger monsters! ¡ªshe added with a nervous giggle. Kaito sighed, rubbing his forehead with one hand. ¡ªSo you¡¯re harmless¡­ and weak. ¡ªHe glanced at the pixie, who puffed up her cheeks indignantly at his words¡ª. But you have powerful magic, like that spiritual shield. That¡¯s interesting. ¡ªI¡¯m not weak! ¡ªshe shot back, though she quickly shrank under Kaito¡¯s gaze¡ª. Well¡­ maybe just a little. After a brief silence, the pixie tilted her head curiously. ¡ªBy the way, what are you doing here? It¡¯s rare to see someone like you in this place¡­ a¡­ zombie? Kaito scoffed, looking away for a moment. ¡ªIt¡¯s a long story. ¡ªAfter a moment of hesitation, he continued¡ª. But I guess there¡¯s no harm in telling you a little¡­ And so, Kaito began to recount parts of his story. As he spoke, the pixie¡¯s expression shifted from curiosity to surprise, and then to a mix of empathy and fascination. In the castle¡¯s training grounds, the morning air was filled with the dull sounds of wooden swords clashing and idle chatter. Under the warm sunlight, Raiden Kazama stared intensely at his hand, as if searching for answers in his fingers. ¡ªBoss, why have you been staring at your hand all day? ¡ªIkuto asked lazily, swinging a wooden sword with little effort. His slouched posture and bored tone made his lack of enthusiasm obvious¡ª. Also, you know I hate training. Why are you forcing us today? Raiden turned to him, his brows knitting in fury. ¡ªShut up, Ikuto! And stop calling me boss. Do you want everyone to figure out we¡¯re thieves? ¡ªHis sharp glare carried an unspoken warning¡ª. Besides, I¡¯m sure you wouldn¡¯t want to taste the poison they gave that guy, right? Call me Raiden Kazama. No exceptions. Ikuto raised his hands in mock surrender, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. ¡ªAlright, boss¡­ I mean, Raiden. ¡ªHe resumed his half-hearted swings before glancing around as if searching for someone¡ª. Hey, boss, where¡¯s Yurei? Raiden¡¯s expression darkened, his frustration boiling over. ¡ªRaiden, you idiot! ¡ªhe snapped, stepping closer to Ikuto. ¡ªSorry, Raiden. It¡¯s just¡­ hard to get used to it ¡ªIkuto replied with a nervous chuckle, shrugging. Raiden gritted his teeth, raising his wooden sword threateningly. ¡ªIf you call me boss one more time, I¡¯ll break this sword over your head. Ikuto shrank back slightly, though his curiosity remained undeterred. ¡ªWhat about Yurei? I don¡¯t see him here¡­ Raiden let out an irritated huff, running a hand through his hair as he lowered the sword. ¡ªThat useless guy has mage skills. Swinging a sword or spear is pointless for him. He¡¯s probably in the library, studying with some pretty teacher. That bastard¡­ when I see him this afternoon, I¡¯m going to hit him. Ikuto waved his hands in protest, trying to calm him down. ¡ªBoss, I mean, Raiden, don¡¯t. It¡¯s not his fault¡­ Unable to hold back, Raiden swung the wooden sword and smacked Ikuto on the head with enough force to make a loud crack echo through the training grounds. The snap of the broken wood was quickly followed by Ikuto¡¯s cry of pain as he clutched his head, looking up at Raiden with teary eyes. ¡ªThat hurts, boss! ¡ªRAIDEN! ¡ªRaiden roared, his frustration now fully evident. In a dark and forsaken corner of the kingdom, the air was thick with a stench so foul that even seasoned soldiers covered their noses with scarves or gloves. Near the edge of a massive pit filled with corpses, a group of people stood, their attention focused on a young, frail-looking man who appeared to be struggling to stay upright. ¡ªOld man, why the hell are we here? This place reeks! ¡ªYurei complained, his face contorted in disgust as he stepped back, waving a hand in front of his nose. The elderly mage beside him, clad in worn robes and gripping a staff adorned with glowing runes, chuckled hoarsely, as though the young man''s complaint was nothing more than background noise. ¡ªYou''re too young to understand, boy. But you have a rare ability. In fact, so rare that if you weren¡¯t human, I¡¯d say you were a demon or perhaps an elite goblin shaman. Yurei clicked his tongue in irritation, glaring at the old man. ¡ªYeah, whatever you say, old man. But this place is disgusting. I¡¯m not staying here. The mage turned to Yurei with a grin that was more insanity than warmth. ¡ªYou know, physically, you¡¯re the weakest of the three heroes. Short, skinny¡­ and you can barely stand after a simple walk. ¡ªHe laughed under his breath, tapping his staff on the ground¡ª. You¡¯re lucky the carriage brought us most of the way. But, Yurei¡­ that doesn¡¯t matter. Your real strength lies in your dark magic. Here, in this place, you¡¯ll learn to wield it. That¡¯s why we must go down. The old man¡¯s grin widened, a flicker of madness in his eyes that made Yurei take another step back. ¡ªHey, you¡¯re creeping me out. I don¡¯t want to go down there¡­ ¡ªYurei stammered, his eyes darting around, searching for an escape. Before he could move further, the mage raised his staff and chanted in an unfamiliar language. A spell enveloped them both, lifting them off the ground. ¡ªWait! I don¡¯t want to go! Stop! ¡ªYurei shouted, kicking uselessly as he floated alongside the mage toward the dark pit. The descent was slow yet terrifying. The sunlight faded bit by bit, replaced by an oppressive gloom and a stench that grew stronger with every meter. When they finally reached the bottom, Yurei was met with the sight of a horrific mound of human remains: corpses, bones, and decayed flesh stacked like a grotesque altar. The smell hit him like a wave. Unable to control himself, he fell to his knees and vomited, his body trembling as the mage watched with a twisted smile. The stench of the pit grew increasingly unbearable, thickening the air until it was almost suffocating. The old mage strode through the corpses with calm, deliberate steps, his gaze scanning the remains as though searching for something specific. Suddenly, he stopped, his attention fixed on a lifeless body. His expression twisted with disdain. ¡ªWhat a disappointment. I was expecting to see the corpse of the fourth hero here. It should¡¯ve been in plain sight. ¡ªHe muttered, nudging aside some broken ribs with his staff¡ª. But instead, I recognize this one. A farmer¡­ wasn¡¯t he the one who insulted the king? Yurei, keeping a cautious distance, frowned. His face had turned pale, and a nervous edge crept into his voice. ¡ªWhat are you saying? They threw the body of the fourth hero down here? ¡ªhe asked, his words trembling with disbelief and unease. The old man nodded slowly, though his expression betrayed indifference. ¡ªThat¡¯s right, though it seems it¡¯s no longer here. Perhaps some creature devoured it. ¡ªHe paused, shifting a skull aside with his foot¡ª. Strange that it didn¡¯t take this body too, but it doesn¡¯t matter. ¡ªWhat if he¡¯s alive? ¡ªYurei insisted, his voice quivering as he stepped closer, searching the grotesque mound for any clues¡ª. Maybe that poison wasn¡¯t enough to kill him¡­ The old mage chuckled darkly, a sound laced with mockery. ¡ªAh, now I see why you were blessed with magic abilities. You think of possibilities. Smarter than those two idiots you call comrades. But let me spare you the false hope: that hero is dead. ¡ªHis tone grew grim, and a repulsive smile spread across his face¡ª. I cut him open myself and took his heart for my experiments. When I was done with him, I tossed him here like garbage. Yurei¡¯s face went ashen, his eyes wide with terror. He raised a trembling hand without thinking. ¡ªAnd now, why are you raising your hand like that? ¡ªthe old man asked, one brow arching. ¡ªI¡­ I want to leave ¡ªYurei stammered, barely audible. The old mage burst into laughter, a harsh, cruel sound. ¡ªHeh, that¡¯s not going to happen. You¡¯d better get started if you want to sleep in the castle tonight. Because if you don¡¯t complete your training, you¡¯ll sleep here¡­ with them. ¡ªHe gestured dramatically toward the corpses. Yurei swallowed hard, his body stiffening in fear. ¡ªNo¡­ no, not that. Fine. What¡­ what do I have to do? ¡ªIt¡¯s simple ¡ªthe old man replied, lifting his staff and pointing at the farmer¡¯s body¡ª. Use your necromancer ability. Bring it back as your servant. Yurei clenched his fists, visibly uncomfortable, but he knew he had no choice. ¡ªFine¡­ though I don¡¯t know how this will turn out ¡ªhe muttered, extending a hand toward the corpse¡ª. Rise. A translucent window materialized before his eyes, glowing faintly with bright letters: "You have activated the skill: Dark Servant (1/1)." The farmer¡¯s corpse began to move immediately. Its fingers twitched unnaturally, and then the entire body jerked upright with clumsy movements until it stood still, awaiting Yurei¡¯s command. Yurei took a step back, staring in horror at the lifeless figure now bound to his will. Chapter 4 The value of gold The damp ground crunched beneath Kaito''s feet as he scanned the desolate surroundings. His gaze swept carefully over the area, searching for more skeletons. Yet, it seemed there were only the three he had already found. Above him, Clara, the tiny pixie, flitted about like a mischievous spark of light, always hovering nearby. ¡ªWhy are you still here? ¡ªKaito asked, his tone sharp and wary¡ª. Don¡¯t I scare or disgust you? Clara halted midair, her small wings beating steadily as she fixed her gaze on him with a playful smirk. ¡ªScare me? Disgust me? ¡ªshe echoed mockingly¡ª. Please, I¡¯m not human. I don¡¯t have those shallow customs. I¡¯m just curious. I want to see how far you can go. ¡ªShe tilted her head with a mischievous glint in her eyes¡ª. Besides, zombie flesh might make an excellent ingredient for my potions. Kaito let out a deep sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. ¡ªYou¡¯re incredibly annoying¡­ but I¡¯m not giving you the satisfaction. ¡ªHe took another step forward, his voice firm¡ª. Since you¡¯re here, you might as well help me get out of this place. Clara folded her arms and floated in front of him. ¡ªAnd why would I do that? ¡ªshe replied, her tone light but teasing. ¡ªDo you want me to remind you of the trouble you caused me? ¡ªKaito retorted, his brow furrowing. Clara rolled her eyes, scratching her head in defeat. ¡ªFine, no need to bring that up again. Honestly, the only way I know to get out of here is the pit. But I doubt that¡¯s helpful to you. Kaito¡¯s expression tightened as he eyed her skeptically. ¡ªOf course not. ¡ªHe turned his gaze away¡ª. Either way, I don¡¯t trust you much. I¡¯ll figure it out on my own. You can leave. Clara put her tiny hands on her hips, leaning toward him. ¡ªYou¡¯re such a grump, you know that? But then, her playful demeanor shattered. Her face went pale, her eyes widening in sheer terror. Her small frame froze midair, trembling as she stared ahead. ¡ªWhy¡­? ¡ªshe stammered, her voice barely above a whisper¡ª. Why is there a demon in this place? Kaito¡¯s brow furrowed as he snapped his head toward where Clara was looking. ¡ªA demon? What are you talking about? Where? Before he could finish, a deep, calm voice cut through the air, carrying a chilling weight. ¡ªGreetings. It is pleasant to meet a user of the Blue Window. Kaito turned his head slowly toward the source of the voice. There, emerging from the shadows, was a figure. It was more a presence than a being: a black silhouette cloaked in the same impenetrable darkness. Its face was entirely obscured, impossible to discern. Kaito¡¯s eyes hardened, his body tensing as he said nothing. His instincts screamed that this entity was extraordinarily dangerous. Suddenly, a translucent window appeared before him: "Wellc ¨C Level ??? (Demon) (???)Power: ???" The tense atmosphere lingered as Kaito kept his gaze fixed on Wellc. Though the dark figure showed no immediate signs of hostility, his mere presence demanded caution. ¡ªWait, there¡¯s no need to be on guard. ¡ªWellc¡¯s voice carried a peculiar tone, almost casual, yet it resonated unnervingly in the air¡ª. I¡¯m not your enemy¡­ Well, I¡¯m not your friend either. What I mean is, I won¡¯t attack you, but I won¡¯t defend you either. Do you understand? Kaito kept his expression neutral, though his mind raced. The question marks on Wellc¡¯s power status were a clear warning: this being was far beyond his current strength. Opting for caution, he decided to play along. ¡ªThen, what do you want? ¡ªhe asked carefully¡ª. And how do you know about the Blue Window? The demon tilted his head slightly, almost as if pleased by Kaito¡¯s response. ¡ªAh, I¡¯m glad you¡¯re so reasonable. ¡ªHe crossed his arms beneath his dark cloak¡ª. Most Blue Window users I meet run away immediately, but you seem different. Besides, I can see you¡¯re carrying a strong curse. Not that it¡¯s any of my business; I¡¯m just a merchant. ¡ªHe paused, his tone carrying a faint hint of amusement¡ª. As for how I know about the Blue Window¡­ let¡¯s just say you¡¯re not the only one who uses it. And I¡¯m not talking about the other three heroes. Kaito¡¯s brow furrowed slightly, processing the demon¡¯s words. Though intrigued, his main focus was the mention of the curse. ¡ªWhat do you know about my curse? ¡ªhe asked directly. Wellc nodded slightly, as if anticipating the question. ¡ªThat¡¯s information I can share. Listen carefully. ¡ªHe raised a hand, faint purple energy swirling around his fingers¡ª. A hero¡¯s abilities are tied to their actions, intelligence, wisdom, strength¡­ everything about how they lived before coming here. Physical and mental states are crucial. The demon leaned forward slightly, his tone taking on a weightier edge. ¡ªIn your case, though, your mind was a mess when you received your ability. And to top it off¡­ you were dead. ¡ªHe chuckled darkly¡ª. That¡¯s likely why your body evolved into an undead. Kaito didn¡¯t want to admit it, but the demon¡¯s explanation made uncomfortable sense. ¡ªHow do you know so much about hero abilities? ¡ªhe asked, his voice steady but curious. Wellc let out a low, sinister laugh. ¡ªWhy wouldn¡¯t I? ¡ªhe replied, his tone mocking¡ª. Do you think you¡¯re the only heroes summoned to this world? The truth is, every 20 or 30 years, new heroes are called. We demons know plenty about them. ¡ªHe paused, his voice dropping to a sly whisper¡ª. Though I can¡¯t tell you how we get that information¡­ I¡¯m sure you can guess. The sinister undertone of Wellc¡¯s laugh echoed, but Kaito refused to be intimidated. Still, he couldn¡¯t understand why the demon had approached him specifically. ¡ªCan you tell me how to remove this curse? ¡ªhe asked, his impatience creeping into his voice. ¡ªSo eager. ¡ªWellc shook his head, his tone now almost casual¡ª. You should make better use of that body of yours. After all, a human doesn¡¯t have a zombie¡¯s strength. Before Kaito could respond, Clara darted forward, her small frame bristling with indignation. ¡ªStrength or not, everyone knows a zombie is an easy monster to kill! Even a couple of goblins could take one down! ¡ªshe shouted, arms akimbo. Wellc tilted his head, his voice taking on a mocking edge. ¡ªOr a pixie. ¡ªHe paused, letting the tension build¡ª. It¡¯s rare to see one so close. I bet you¡¯d taste delightful. Clara¡¯s face turned pale, and with a sharp gasp, she darted behind Kaito¡¯s neck, peeking out cautiously. ¡ªRelax, I¡¯m joking. ¡ªWellc raised his hands in mock surrender¡ª. Demons don¡¯t enjoy eating spiritual beings, so you¡¯re safe. ¡ªA faint smirk tugged at his lips¡ª. But as for your claim, it¡¯s true. Zombies are clumsy and slow. Their only strengths are raw power and defense. Even a group of human children with sticks and stones could defeat one. Hearing this, Clara puffed out her chest proudly and perched herself on Kaito¡¯s shoulder, crossing her legs and lifting her chin smugly. Kaito crossed his arms, his expression serious and focused as his gaze locked onto the demon. ¡ªI understand what you¡¯re saying. ¡ªHis tone was low, almost grim¡ª. It¡¯s not in my best interest to become human again just yet, right? Wellc¡¯s lips curled into a faint smile, the shadow of his face barely visible beneath his black hood. ¡ªIt seems we¡¯re finally on the same page. ¡ªHe took a step forward, his cloak billowing slightly with the movement¡ª. How about we move on to business? Suddenly, a translucent window materialized in front of Kaito. Unlike the usual Blue Window, this one glowed with an intense purple hue. Clara, perched on his shoulder, tilted her head, her eyes sparkling with curiosity and confusion. ¡ªWhat¡¯s happening? ¡ªshe murmured to herself, her voice barely above a whisper. The list displayed on the screen immediately captured Kaito¡¯s attention: ¡ªAre you interested in any of these items? ¡ªWellc asked, his voice exuding confidence, his eyes glinting from beneath the hood. Kaito remained silent, his eyes scanning each item on the list. He couldn¡¯t help but be intrigued by the use of a purple window, so different from his own. But what truly caught his interest were the items themselves. Their utility was undeniable, and while their prices were steep, they seemed justified¡ªexcept for the cloak, whose free price seemed suspicious.The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. Clara, now comfortably seated on his shoulder, furrowed her brows and pointed at the window. ¡ªThis is strange¡­ I¡¯ve never seen anything like that window before. ¡ªHer voice carried a sharp note of disbelief¡ª. What kind of business is this? Kaito momentarily ignored her, his mind racing. If he could acquire these items, they might drastically improve his current state. Yet the lingering question remained: what was the true cost of making a deal with a demon? Kaito stood with a frown, watching the demon intently. His eyes narrowed with suspicion as he crossed his arms over his chest. ¡ªTell me something ¡ªhe asked, his tone laced with doubt¡ª. You know I don¡¯t have any gold right now, right? I just arrived in this world and haven¡¯t had the chance to earn anything. Yet you¡¯re showing me these items. Wellc let out a short, low laugh, raising a hand as though Kaito¡¯s question was predictable. ¡ªOf course, I know. That¡¯s why I gave you a one-hundred-percent discount on one of them. ¡ªThe demon gestured casually toward the window¡ª. Consider it a gesture of trust. Kaito raised an eyebrow, still unsure. ¡ªSo I can take the cloak? From what I see, it¡¯s one of the best items. Won¡¯t that be a loss for you? ¡ªhe asked cautiously. Wellc made a dismissive gesture with his hand. ¡ªDon¡¯t worry about that. In the demon world, these items are rather basic. ¡ªHis voice took on a persuasive tone, as if he were discussing something trivial¡ª. Besides, what I¡¯m truly interested in isn¡¯t your gold but the objects you¡¯ve collected. Kaito tilted his head slightly, puzzled. ¡ªWhat do you mean? The demon smiled, pointing to a small button in the corner of the purple window that Kaito hadn¡¯t noticed before. ¡ªSee for yourself. Cautiously, Kaito pressed the button. The window instantly shifted, now displaying a list of the items he had collected: Kaito¡¯s eyes widened slightly as he scanned the information. ¡ªWhat¡¯s this? ¡ªhe muttered to himself¡ª. Can I sell him the items I got from defeating monsters? For a moment, his mind filled with calculations. If he could sell those materials, it might be possible to buy some of the more powerful items, even if it took time. But a deeper doubt stopped him. ¡ªWait¡­ ¡ªhe said, looking back at the demon with narrowed eyes¡ª. I don¡¯t mind selling these items. They were pretty easy to get. But that¡¯s exactly why I¡¯m suspicious. Why would someone like you, who seems so powerful, want something so trivial? Is there more to this? ¡ªHe paused before adding seriously¡ª. If I do business with you, will you take my soul? The demon burst into laughter, the sound echoing in the cavern. ¡ªYour soul? ¡ªhe said, still smiling in amusement¡ª. What use would I have for something so irrelevant? ¡ªHe waved a hand as if brushing away a ridiculous notion¡ª. It seems your world has such beliefs. I¡¯ve met others like you who thought the same. But rest assured, I don¡¯t want your soul. Just your items¡­ for a fair price, of course. Kaito continued to watch him warily, but the demon¡¯s words made sense. ¡ªI could easily gather those materials myself. ¡ªWellc¡¯s tone was pragmatic¡ª. But frankly, I¡¯m tired of exploring the human world. For me, it would take a few minutes to collect them. For you, a whole day. Do you understand what I¡¯m saying? So, do we have a deal? Kaito sighed. He couldn¡¯t deny the logic. Besides, if Wellc had bad intentions, he would have acted already. ¡ªFine. ¡ªHe finally nodded and pressed the sell option. The purple window flickered, and a message appeared before him: Kaito frowned as he analyzed the information. The numbers on the window began to fall into place in his mind like pieces of a puzzle. ¡ªSo, one hundred copper coins equal one silver coin ¡ªhe muttered to himself, bringing a hand to his chin¡ª. That¡¯s why I received 31 instead of 30. ¡ªHis eyes narrowed as he continued to think¡ª. It probably works the same with gold, which means I¡¯ll need to gather 69 more silver coins to get one gold. He let out a deep sigh. ¡ªThat means I¡¯ll have to collect at least 35 more ant poison glands¡­ ¡ªHis shoulders slumped slightly as the realization hit him¡ª. In other words, I¡¯m just a gatherer for him. Finally, he looked up at Wellc, his expression more resolute. ¡ªAlright, I¡¯ll take the cloak. But with what I have now, I can¡¯t buy anything else. How can I contact you when I¡¯ve gathered enough items? ¡ªhe asked, his voice steadier. The demon gave a calm smile, his eyes glinting with a hint of mischief, though he didn¡¯t seem hostile. ¡ªDon¡¯t worry about that. I¡¯ll find you myself in certain places when you¡¯ve accumulated valuable items. ¡ªWellc made a casual gesture with his hand, as if it were the most natural thing in the world¡ª. Plus, I might even give you some hints about this world if you show me something interesting. As he spoke, his fingers began moving in the air, manipulating the purple windows as though they were an extension of his will. Moments later, a new window popped up in front of Kaito. "Wellc has sent you an item.Black Dragon Skin Cloak.Would you like to receive it?" Kaito pressed "Accept" without hesitation. Another window appeared immediately: "The item ¡®Black Dragon Skin Cloak¡¯ is equippable. Would you like to equip it now?" ¡ªYes ¡ªKaito said as he selected "Accept." The moment he did, he felt a slight weight settle on his back, accompanied by a faint glow enveloping his body. An impressive cloak, adorned with tiny dragon scales that reflected a subtle shimmer, draped over his back and partially covered his torso. The material was firm yet surprisingly light. Kaito shifted slightly, impressed by how perfectly it fit him. A new window appeared before him: "Kaito Ishida ¨C Level 2 (Dark Hero)"Race: Human (Undead) State: Calm Total Power: 1800 Attack Power: 800 Defense Power: 500 (+500) Vitality: 0/0 Mana: 950/1300 Stamina: 280/300 Hunger: 10% Fatigue: 0% Passive Skills: Hero F, Cursed Zombie S, Luck B, Evolution S Skills: Devour SSS, Poison Attack F Kaito studied the details carefully. ¡ªA significant power boost¡­ ¡ªhe murmured, a faint smile tugging at his lips¡ª. This will come in handy. Kaito stared intently at his status window, his eyes locking onto the new skill listed. ¡ªPoison Attack, Rank F? ¡ªhe murmured to himself, crossing his arms with a thoughtful expression¡ª. Wait¡­ isn¡¯t that the ants¡¯ skill? As he tried to make sense of this revelation, Wellc broke the silence with a calm yet firm tone. ¡ªWell, with nothing more to add, I¡¯ll take my leave. ¡ªThe demon turned slowly, the shadows around him beginning to swallow him whole¡ª. Ah, but one last piece of advice: avoid any opponent whose status shows a question mark. I¡¯d hate to lose such a promising client so soon. Before Kaito could respond, Wellc vanished completely, dissolving into the darkness as if he had never been there. ¡ªWait! I still have so many questions! ¡ªKaito called out into the empty space, his arms falling to his sides in frustration. Clara, who had remained silent throughout the exchange, puffed out her cheeks and fluttered her tiny wings furiously. ¡ªGood riddance! I felt completely ignored the entire time! ¡ªshe huffed, crossing her arms with a visible pout. Kaito glanced at her, raising an eyebrow. ¡ªHey, Clara, are demons really so dangerous that you¡¯d act like that? ¡ªhe asked, his tone relaxed but genuinely curious. Clara spun toward him quickly, her expression serious despite the faint blush on her face. ¡ªI wasn¡¯t scared! I was just being cautious ¡ªshe retorted, twirling in the air¡ª. But yes, demons are extremely powerful. In fact, if they wanted to conquer the human world, they would have done so ages ago. And it wouldn¡¯t have taken much effort. Kaito looked at her with a mix of amazement and skepticism. ¡ªSo why haven¡¯t they? ¡ªhe asked, his tone more serious now. Clara sighed, flying closer as she explained: ¡ªBecause they¡¯re not interested. Plus, there are certain rules in their world that forbid them from coming here. They rarely show themselves on this side. As he listened, Kaito started walking, his eyes fixed on the path ahead. He was determined to find more ants or another monster to defeat, but Clara¡¯s words lingered in his mind. ¡ªThen why did a demon show up here? ¡ªhe asked, cutting her explanation short. She rolled her eyes, clearly annoyed at being interrupted, but she answered nonetheless. ¡ªI told you, there are exceptions. They rarely appear, but when they do¡­ ¡ªshe paused, her tone dropping slightly¡ª. We¡¯re lucky this one was friendly. If a demon is in a bad mood or comes searching for ingredients, they¡¯ll destroy everything in their path and disappear without leaving much behind. Kaito nodded slowly, his thoughts still tangled in the encounter he had just experienced. However, he kept walking, determined to face whatever the world had in store for him next. In the grand throne room, Elizabeth Ashborne stood tall before the king, her armor gleaming under the dim torchlight. Her expression was stoic, but a slight tension in her jaw betrayed her inner thoughts as she spoke. ¡ªMy king, I have completed all the tasks you assigned me. ¡ªHer tone was formal, controlled¡ª. The results confirm that you were right. The hero leader will follow our orders for now. However¡­ ¡ªElizabeth paused briefly, adjusting the gauntlet on her right hand¡ª, the problem will arise once the heroes surpass the level of a royal knight. The king, lounging nonchalantly on his throne, let out a soft, sinister chuckle. His fingers tapped rhythmically on the throne¡¯s armrest, each tap echoing ominously through the hall. ¡ªDon¡¯t worry about that, Elizabeth. ¡ªHis lips curled into a cruel smile¡ª. Just ensure they level up to where I need them. Once we¡¯ve taken the neighboring kingdom, they¡¯ll be disposable. ¡ªThe king paused, his eyes glinting with cunning and disdain¡ª. We¡¯ll eliminate them and claim they perished heroically in battle. Elizabeth lowered her head in a bow, her fist pressed against her chest in a gesture of respect. ¡ªAs you command, my king. ¡ªHer words were dutiful, but as she turned to leave, her face betrayed the storm brewing within her. Walking down the corridor, the clinking of her armor echoed with each step. She gritted her teeth, a knot tightening in her stomach. "How much longer must I follow such dishonorable orders?" she thought, her hands balling into fists. She had sworn loyalty to the kingdom, but her principles wavered under the weight of the king¡¯s tyranny. As she exited the throne room, a commotion caught her attention. Guards were rushing back and forth, some carrying weapons, others clutching reports. Elizabeth raised a hand, stopping a soldier who hurried past her. ¡ªWhat¡¯s happening here? ¡ªshe demanded firmly, her tone leaving no room for evasion. The soldier, slightly out of breath, halted and saluted. ¡ªLady Ashborne, we¡¯re dispatching troops to the city catacombs. ¡ªThe soldier swallowed hard, his voice trembling slightly¡ª. It seems a zombie is causing havoc there. We don¡¯t know how it got in. Elizabeth frowned, her sharp eyes narrowing. ¡ªA zombie? That¡¯s impossible without a necromancer involved. ¡ªHer voice carried a mix of disbelief and concern¡ª. What else does the report say? The soldier stiffened, searching for the right words. ¡ªWitnesses say the zombie broke through a wall and defeated two soldiers who tried to stop it. Thankfully, the soldiers are alive, but the zombie left them unconscious. Elizabeth stepped closer, her gaze piercing. ¡ªWhat level were those soldiers? ¡ªshe asked, her tone laced with impatience. ¡ªThey were levels 8 and 10, my lady. ¡ªThe soldier seemed increasingly uneasy. Elizabeth closed her eyes for a moment, attempting to contain the anger bubbling within her. ¡ªThis makes no sense! ¡ªshe exclaimed, raising her voice¡ª. A level 5 is more than enough to take down a zombie. How could that zombie overpower two well-trained soldiers? Turning swiftly, she pointed toward the castle stables. ¡ªPrepare me a horse immediately. ¡ªHer tone was sharp, resolute¡ª. I¡¯ll investigate this matter myself. Chapter 5 Meeting The catacombs were steeped in oppressive darkness, with roots protruding from the ceilings and the distant sound of dripping water echoing through the space. The rapid thud of Kaito¡¯s footsteps reverberated through the narrow passageways, accompanied by the frantic fluttering of a tiny winged figure. ¡ªI told you not to hit that wall! ¡ªClara¡¯s sharp voice rang out indignantly as she flew close to him, her wings casting a faint glow in the shadows¡ª. How can you ignore the voice of experience? Kaito barely acknowledged her, his face tense but tinged with defiance. ¡ªIf you¡¯re expecting an apology, don¡¯t hold your breath. ¡ªHe spoke between heavy breaths, never slowing his pace¡ª. I thought it was an exit. And besides, what was a wall doing behind that pile of dirt? There had to be treasure hidden there. Clara folded her arms as she flitted beside him, her cheeks puffed with frustration. ¡ªWe¡¯re underground, right beneath the city! ¡ªshe snapped, her tone rising in pitch¡ª. Of course, we¡¯d run into something like that. That¡¯s why I yelled at you not to destroy the wall! Kaito rounded a corner quickly, his cloak billowing behind him. ¡ªWell, what¡¯s done is done. ¡ªHe frowned, his eyes darting through the dim corridors¡ª. Now I just need to retrace my steps. If more soldiers show up, I¡¯m toast. Clara followed, buzzing next to him like a tiny spark of light. ¡ªLucky for you, those soldiers were weak. ¡ªKaito clenched his jaw, discomfort flickering across his face¡ª. I hope I didn¡¯t hurt them too badly. Clara glared at him, but her concern over the situation seeped into her voice. ¡ªThat doesn¡¯t make it any better. Any damage you caused is going to be a problem. Kaito waved a hand dismissively, as if brushing away her words. ¡ªStill, I would¡¯ve liked to analyze their statuses. ¡ªHis expression hardened, frustration and curiosity mingling in his gaze¡ª. But with everything happening so fast, I didn¡¯t get the chance. The two continued running through the dark maze, their conversation¡¯s echo fading into the distance. Elizabeth¡¯s horse thundered to a halt before the entrance to the catacombs. With a swift motion, she dismounted gracefully, her boots striking the ground with authority. Her cape fluttered in the light breeze as her sharp gaze swept over the scene. Her eyes locked onto the broken wall and the two unconscious soldiers sprawled on the ground. Nearby, a pair of priests knelt, their hands glowing with restorative magic as murmured spells surrounded the injured in soft, radiant light. ¡ªWhere is the one responsible for this? ¡ªElizabeth demanded, her voice firm and commanding, carrying an undeniable weight. A nearby soldier quickly approached, bowing his head respectfully. ¡ªMy lady, the culprit fled through that hole ¡ªhe explained, gesturing toward the jagged opening in the wall¡ª. But... there was something odd. It looked like a zombie, yet it showed intelligence. It¡¯s something we¡¯ve never seen before. Elizabeth¡¯s brows knitted together, her expression hardening as she crouched briefly to inspect the unconscious soldiers. Her piercing eyes flickered with a mix of concern and irritation. ¡ªStill unconscious? ¡ªshe muttered to herself, displeasure evident in her tone. Straightening, she turned sharply to the soldier. ¡ªI¡¯m going in to investigate. Don¡¯t let anyone unauthorized enter this area. Understood? ¡ªYes, my lady! ¡ªthe soldier responded with a sharp salute. Without hesitation, Elizabeth stepped through the opening into the catacombs. Her hand rested on the hilt of her sword as her boots echoed against the stone floor. A faint blue glow emanated from her palm as she activated her skill. ¡ªTracking, grade B, ¡ªshe murmured softly. Ethereal traces of mana began to shimmer in the air, forming faint trails of light. Her eyes narrowed, honing in on the glowing path that appeared before her. Without a moment¡¯s hesitation, she sprinted forward, her agile form darting through the dim labyrinth. ¡ªKaito, I don¡¯t want to alarm you, but something is approaching at an incredible speed... and it¡¯s coming straight for us ¡ªClara announced, her tone tinged with worry as her tiny wings fluttered rapidly to keep up. Kaito let out an exasperated sigh, not daring to slow his pace. ¡ªAnd how exactly do you know that? No, forget it¡ªthat doesn¡¯t matter right now. What does matter is how I¡¯m supposed to get out of this! ¡ªhe said, a mix of anxiety and frustration evident in his voice as he pushed himself to run faster down the dim corridors. Clara tilted her head, her expression turning thoughtful. ¡ªWe¡¯ve got two minutes before it catches up to us. ¡ªTwo minutes?! But it took us like thirty to get here from the catacombs! ¡ªKaito shouted, glancing at her in disbelief¡ª. How can anyone be that fast? Don¡¯t tell me it¡¯s another pixie like you. Clara puffed out her cheeks in indignation. ¡ªOf course not! The mana I¡¯m sensing is way too powerful. It¡¯s probably... a royal knight. The words hit Kaito like a thunderclap. His eyes widened, and he nearly stumbled. ¡ªA royal knight? ¡ªhe repeated, his voice tinged with growing panic¡ª. And just how strong are they? Clara crossed her arms, her face unusually stern. ¡ªLet me put it this way: a royal knight could take down ten demons at the same time. Kaito felt a chill run down his spine as beads of cold sweat formed on his forehead. ¡ªWhy didn¡¯t you warn me about that sooner?! ¡ªhe yelled, his indignation barely covering the growing sense of doom as he pushed himself to run even faster. Clara didn¡¯t respond. Her worried expression, however, spoke volumes: this was not going to end well. ¡ªHey, old man, how much longer do I have to walk? My knees hurt, and the undead I summoned is way too close to me. Its skin is falling off, and it reeks! This is disgusting... ¡ªcomplained Yurei, dragging his feet with a grimace while glancing disdainfully at the shambling zombie beside him. Francisco Falkenrath stopped abruptly, turning slowly toward the hero. His gaze was sharp, filled with both irritation and unyielding authority. ¡ªListen here, brat. My name is Francisco Falkenrath, not "old man." I am a great sage and mage of the kingdom. So pay attention, because I will only say this once: if you ever disrespect me again, I will use your remains for my experiments. Yurei immediately fell silent, swallowing hard as he instinctively stepped back. The mage nodded in approval, straightening his robes. ¡ªThat¡¯s better. Now, we¡¯ve arrived. I have some adversaries I captured just for you to practice on. They¡¯re locked up right... ¡ªFrancisco paused, narrowing his eyes as he noticed something was amiss¡ª. They should be here. The cavern was unnervingly silent, the emptiness echoing loudly in the air. With every step Francisco took, his expression grew darker. When they reached the center, the first thing they saw was a scattering of bones¡ªwhat remained of animated skeletons, now nothing more than shattered remains. Francisco gritted his teeth, his expression quickly shifting from surprise to seething anger. ¡ªWho did this? ¡ªhe growled, kneeling to inspect the bones. His hands trembled slightly with indignation¡ª. Was it some kind of monster? Leaning closer, he examined the marks left on the bones. ¡ªNo, that doesn¡¯t make sense. These strikes are too clean, as if they were made with fists... not claws or pincers. Standing upright, Francisco closed his eyes for a moment, drawing a deep breath before roaring in frustration: ¡ªDamn it! It took me so much effort to bring these three specimens in good condition! Yurei, who had been standing silently until now, shuffled back nervously, glancing between the furious mage and the disarray before them, clearly uneasy with the situation. "Ten seconds, ten seconds until she arrives!" Clara shouted, flitting around Kaito in frantic circles. Kaito¡¯s heart was racing. He clenched his fists, trying to suppress the rising panic.This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source. ¡ªMaybe if I try talking to the royal knight, she¡¯ll understand my situation... ¡ªhe murmured shakily. Clara halted mid-air, her tiny figure glowing faintly as her mischievous grin widened. ¡ªCould be... ¡ªshe said, tapping her chin thoughtfully¡ª. Or maybe she¡¯ll just kill you for being a zombie who attacked the city and two soldiers. What do you think her answer will be? Kaito swallowed hard, unable to respond as Clara continued her countdown. ¡ªOh, three seconds left. She¡¯s here! ¡ªshe chimed with a sly smile. At that moment, Elizabeth arrived, stopping abruptly. Her imposing figure cast a long shadow, and the gleam of her lance reflected the dim light in the cavern. Her piercing gaze swept the area with precision. ¡ªThe mana trail ends here, ¡ªshe said, her voice sharp as her frown deepened¡ª. But... why can¡¯t I see anyone? Was I deceived? Or did they use a teleportation spell? Though I doubt it... that would be a high-level spell for a mere zombie, or even its controller. Frustration etched itself onto her face, her lips pressing into a thin line as she scanned every corner, her eyes searching for even the faintest hint of movement. Kaito, just steps away, held his breath. ¡ªWhat¡¯s happening? Why can¡¯t she see me? I¡¯m right here... ¡ªhe thought, frozen in place, sweat beading on his brow. His thoughts raced as he struggled to make sense of it¡ª. Well, I¡¯d better stay still and silent. Then, a soft sound caught his attention. He turned his head slightly to see Clara hovering nearby, her hands covering her mouth as she stifled a silent laugh. ¡ªKnew it... ¡ªhe thought, his brow furrowing in irritation¡ª. This must be some kind of magic trick by that damn pixie. His jaw tightened as frustration bubbled inside him. ¡ªShe made me run all this way... And she could do this from the start? I want to hit her... but with her so close, I don¡¯t dare move a muscle... ¡ªhe thought, caught between his annoyance at Clara and the terror of the knight looming mere steps away. Carefully, without moving an inch, Kaito slid his hand toward his analysis device. ¡ªIf I can analyze her status, maybe I¡¯ll find something useful... ¡ªhe thought, struggling to keep calm as he discreetly activated the skill. In front of his eyes, the screen filled with data: Elizabeth Ashborne Level: ??? (Royal Knight) Race: Human State: Angry / Confused Total Power: ??? Vitality: ??? Mana: ??? Resistance: ??? Passive Skill: ??? Skill: ??? Kaito¡¯s brow furrowed as he studied the incomplete information. ¡ªNow I can see more details... but it¡¯s still not enough. ¡ªhe thought with frustration. It felt as if Elizabeth¡¯s very existence was shrouded in an impenetrable veil. At that moment, Elizabeth tensed. Her sharp eyes turned toward another point in the terrain. ¡ªAnother presence? ¡ªshe murmured to herself, her low voice carrying an air of authority. With firm, elegant movements, she began walking in that direction, her lance radiating an intimidating aura. Kaito let out a small sigh of relief, though his body remained stiff. ¡ªThat was close... ¡ªhe whispered to himself, slightly relaxing his shoulders. But curiosity started to creep in. His eyes followed Elizabeth¡¯s figure as she moved away. It didn¡¯t take long for him to notice her stopping in front of a group of three figures. Among them, one stood out: a man with grayish skin and the sluggish movements of an undead. ¡ªPedro? ¡ªKaito thought, his eyes widening in surprise¡ª. It¡¯s him! That man I met in the prison... but what¡¯s he doing here? Kaito began walking almost unconsciously, his feet carrying him toward the spot where Elizabeth was standing with Pedro and the other two figures. His mind was clouded with the need to understand what was happening. ¡ªWhat are you doing? Stop right there! ¡ªClara''s voice cut through the air like a whip, and her small figure zipped in front of his face, waving her arms urgently. Her wings glimmered faintly, a sign of her exhaustion¡ª. The spiritual magic hiding you won¡¯t last much longer, and using it on someone your size drains too much of my energy. If you keep going, you¡¯ll be discovered! Kaito froze. He looked at Clara and, for the first time, noticed the weariness on her face and the slight trembling of her wings. ¡ªYou¡¯re right... I¡¯m sorry. ¡ªhe muttered, clenching his fists. His gaze returned to the scene ahead, filled with frustration and questions. The urge to move forward still burned within him. Seeing Pedro in such a state stirred something deep, a mix of anger and sorrow. ¡ªHow did he end up like this? ¡ªhe thought, closing his eyes for a moment as memories of the prison resurfaced¡ª. Wasn¡¯t it enough to execute him? Did they have to desecrate his body too? His jaw tightened, and a flicker of emotions crossed his face: pain, helplessness, and restrained rage. But he knew Clara was right. Moving forward without a plan meant risking everything and likely facing something far beyond his capability. Elizabeth scrutinized the trio before her, narrowing her eyes as she assessed the situation. Her stance was firm, and her very presence commanded authority in the dim surroundings. ¡ªA court mage, one of the heroes... and an undead? ¡ªshe asked, her tone laced with suspicion¡ª. Are you the ones responsible for the incident in the catacombs? Falkenrath raised an eyebrow and let out a dry chuckle. ¡ªOh, what¡¯s a royal knight doing here? ¡ªhe retorted with a smirk, crossing his arms¡ª. Is the kingdom so short-staffed that they send someone of such high rank for something this trivial? Elizabeth¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line. Although his words irritated her, she couldn¡¯t entirely dismiss their validity. Taking a deep breath, she straightened her posture and kept her tone calm. ¡ªYour observation is noted, but I¡¯m not here under direct orders from the king. I was merely passing through. ¡ªshe replied evenly, her gaze shifting to the undead figure standing behind them. Her expression hardened¡ª. Still, I can¡¯t ignore that you¡¯re carrying an undead. As Elizabeth and Falkenrath exchanged words, Yurei couldn¡¯t take his eyes off her. Her golden hair cascaded down to her waist, shimmering faintly under the dim light. Her piercing blue eyes seemed to see straight through him, filled with a mix of cold determination. The red cape flowing behind her armor added an air of superiority and majesty. "She¡¯s just like that character..." he thought, his heartbeat quickening slightly. ¡ªSo, are you the one who summoned this creature? ¡ªElizabeth asked, turning her sharp gaze to Yurei. The young man took a step back, scratching the back of his neck nervously. ¡ªY-yes, that¡¯s right. It¡¯s... my first summoning. Elizabeth tilted her head slightly, evaluating him. ¡ªAnd is it strong? May I test it? ¡ªOf course! I don¡¯t mind at all. ¡ªYurei replied eagerly, trying to mask his anxiety. ¡ªFool! ¡ªFalkenrath barked, slamming his staff against the ground in frustration¡ª. If she destroys the specimen, we¡¯ll have to wait for the next execution to get another suitable body. ¡ªHis tone was sharp and full of reproach¡ª. Specimens that have decomposed for more than five days are useless for someone as inexperienced as you. Elizabeth held her spear firmly in front of the undead, her eyes glinting with a mix of authority and impatience. A soft golden light began to envelop her, reflecting off the polished surface of her armor. ¡ªWait! Don¡¯t touch my specimen! ¡ªFalkenrath shouted, extending a hand as if to stop her but hesitating to step closer. His face twisted in frustration as he glared at Yurei¡ª. I warned you, fool! Yurei, uncomfortable under the mage¡¯s furious gaze, shrugged helplessly, unable to look away from Elizabeth and her commanding presence. Without heeding Falkenrath¡¯s protests, Elizabeth moved her spear with precision, leaving a shallow cut on the undead¡¯s arm. From the wound, a golden flame began to emerge, small at first, but it quickly spread across its entire body. The undead did not react; its vacant expression remained unchanged as the flames consumed it. Finally, it collapsed backward with a dull thud, turning into ashes that scattered into the air. ¡ªMy specimen! ¡ªFalkenrath yelled, his eyes blazing with indignation as he pointed his staff at Yurei¡ª. I told you! This is your fault! Elizabeth, ignoring the outburst, turned her sharp gaze to the young hero. Her piercing blue eyes scrutinized him severely. ¡ªHave you summoned any more undead? ¡ªshe asked, her tone laden with disapproval. Yurei raised his hands defensively, swallowing hard before answering. ¡ªNo! This is my first and only summoning. ¡ªhe blurted out, avoiding direct eye contact¡ª. Besides... I don¡¯t fully understand how my ability works. Elizabeth pressed her lips together, clearly unimpressed. ¡ªIt¡¯s just trash. ¡ªshe said dismissively, sparing only a brief glance at the mage and then at Yurei¡ª. You¡¯ve both just wasted my time. Without another word, she began scanning the area, searching for any trace of mana that might justify her presence there. But there was nothing¡ªno hint or clue to follow. With a deep scowl and tightly pressed lips, Elizabeth turned and left, her cape billowing behind her. Frustration radiated from her every step, but she did not spare them another word as she disappeared into the distance. ¡ªWhat was that? Why did flames appear? ¡ªKaito murmured, his eyes fixed on the ashes that had been the undead. Clara, floating near his shoulder, crossed her arms and gave him a smug look. ¡ªThat¡¯s light magic. It seems the royal knight has an affinity for that element. By the way, did you know that undead are at a huge disadvantage against users of light or fire magic? ¡ªshe explained with a mix of condescension and amusement. Kaito frowned, mulling over her words. ¡ªLight magic... I¡¯ll have to be careful with that. Lucky for me, those two soldiers didn¡¯t use it. ¡ªIt¡¯s not that they didn¡¯t want to; they couldn¡¯t. They didn¡¯t have an affinity for light magic. Clearly, you got very lucky. That¡¯s why you should listen to me. I¡¯m the voice of experience. ¡ªClara smirked, raising an eyebrow. Kaito shot her a skeptical glance. ¡ªWhy are you helping me so much? Are you trying to pull a prank on me? Clara shrugged, her expression indifferent. ¡ªDon¡¯t overthink it. I¡¯m just curious about someone like you, that¡¯s all. Kaito wasn¡¯t satisfied with her flimsy excuse but let it slide. His gaze wandered around the area until he noticed something odd. ¡ªWhere¡¯s the old man? ¡ªhe asked suddenly. ¡ªHe left a while ago. See? That¡¯s why I say you¡¯re so clueless. ¡ªClara teased, her voice laced with mockery. Ignoring the jab, Kaito focused on the young hero standing alone in the area. His eyes narrowed as he activated his skill to examine him more closely.
Yurei Murakami Level: 1 (Hero) Race: Human Class: Apprentice Necromancer Status: In love Total Power: 1000 Attack Power: 200 Defense Power: 800 Vitality: 350/350 Mana: 250/3000 Stamina: 40/100 Passive Skill: Hero F Active Skill: Summoning F, Mana Recovery F, ??? S Kaito clenched his fists as his gaze fixated on the young hero. ¡ªHe¡¯s definitely weaker than me ¡ªhe muttered under his breath, his narrowed eyes filled with distrust. As he kept observing, his mind raced with a troubling realization¡ª. It¡¯s him... He¡¯s the one who summoned Pedro¡¯s body. And I¡¯m sure he¡¯s one of the thieves who broke into my apartment. The ones who tried to kill me. His heart began pounding, not out of fear, but a mix of anger and unease. ¡ªIf they figure out I¡¯m still here... ¡ªKaito swallowed hard, a shiver running down his spine¡ª, they¡¯ll probably try to get rid of me again. He glanced at Yurei again, noting how oblivious he seemed to Kaito¡¯s presence. ¡ªNow that he¡¯s weak, this is my chance. ¡ªhe thought, his eyes gleaming with resolve. Taking a deep breath, he started to move. His steps were swift but cautious, each one carefully measured to avoid making any noise. The stillness of the area made every sound feel amplified. Kaito even controlled his breathing, keeping his focus sharp as he closed in on his target. Chapter 6 Guild Clara floated near Kaito, studying him with narrowed eyes as he continued forward with an unusual determination. ¡ªThis time... you seem confident ¡ªshe murmured, her tone a mix of curiosity and a hint of admiration. She decided not to intervene; something in his gaze told her it would be futile. Meanwhile, Yurei remained lost in his own thoughts, completely unaware of the danger approaching him. His crooked smile revealed the direction of his fantasies. ¡ªSo beautiful... ¡ªhe muttered to himself, his eyes gleaming with greed¡ª. I¡¯ll get stronger and make her one of my servants. In this world, I can finally make my dreams come true. I can have any woman I want, but... especially her. Suddenly, a powerful impact shattered his daydream. A strike landed squarely on his left arm, sending him flying into the wall with explosive force. The stone cracked under the impact, echoing throughout the room. A translucent blue window appeared before his eyes. You¡¯ve taken a critical hit. 67% of your health has been lost. Remaining health: 33%. ¡ªWhat...? ¡ªYurei stammered, disbelief thick in his voice as he struggled to stand. His breathing was heavy, and his body trembled with the effort¡ª. Wait... this is too much. More than half my life in one hit! What... what just attacked me? When he looked up, he saw the staggering figure of a zombie running toward him. Its movements were clumsy, yet there was an urgency in its stride that made it seem faster than it should have been. Yurei, still stunned and confused, couldn''t comprehend what was happening, but one thing was certain: he had to escape at all costs. His trembling body obeyed his survival instinct, and he began running clumsily, gasping with every step. ¡ªHelp! Someone, please help me! ¡ªhe screamed, his voice filled with panic as he ran aimlessly. Kaito watched him, his gaze fixed and determined. ¡ªI won¡¯t let you escape ¡ªhe murmured to himself, picking up his pace. Though his undead body was clumsy, the strength and speed in his legs easily outmatched Yurei¡¯s. Within seconds, he caught up to him. Yurei glanced back, his eyes wide with terror as Kaito closed in. ¡ªStay away from me, you damned monster! ¡ªhe yelled, his voice cracking with fear. Kaito showed no mercy. Reaching out, he grabbed Yurei by his injured arm, yanking him forcefully. The searing pain made Yurei let out a piercing scream that echoed through the area. Suddenly, a strange murmur, like a chant in an unknown language, echoed in the distance. Before Kaito could react, a bolt of energy struck him squarely in the chest, throwing him backward as he stumbled. A translucent blue window appeared before his eyes: You¡¯ve taken a critical hit. 95% of your health has been lost. Remaining health: 5%. ¡ªThis... is bad ¡ªKaito thought, gasping as weakness took hold of his body. He knew one more hit would mean his definitive end. ¡°It must be that old mage,¡± he deduced quickly, his frantic thoughts searching for a way out. Then he remembered: the moment he had regained some health by devouring the remains of a giant ant. Without much hesitation, and casting aside any doubts, he sank his teeth into Yurei¡¯s injured arm. Yurei¡¯s scream was deafening, but Kaito didn¡¯t stop until a series of windows appeared before him: You¡¯ve activated the skill Devour. You¡¯ve recovered 18% of your health. Remaining health: 23%. Luck has been activated! In this attack, your luck increased by 300%. You¡¯ve acquired the skill Summoning F. You¡¯ve acquired the skill Mana Recovery F. Yurei collapsed onto the ground with a groan of pain, his body trembling from exhaustion and injuries. The sharp smell of burnt flesh hung heavily in the air, while the dust stirred by the lightning strike slowly began to settle. His eyes struggled to focus on the chaos around him, searching for the zombie that had attacked him. Yet, all he found was scorched earth and small flames flickering weakly on the ground. The sound of firm footsteps broke the uneasy silence left in the wake of the battle. The old man arrived at the scene, his expression hardened by experience and tinged with both disdain and impatience. ¡ªWhere is that specimen? ¡ªhe muttered, his sunken eyes scanning the area, his voice laced with frustration¡ª. I used a weak attack to avoid killing it outright, but it seems it was far too fragile. Yurei looked up at the old man with difficulty, as though trying to say something, but his body refused to cooperate. Slowly, he turned his head in the direction where he thought the zombie had been. Yet, he found only smoldering, charred earth. A sense of emptiness began to creep into his mind. ¡ªThat thing¡­ it bit me¡­ This place isn¡¯t safe¡­ ¡ªYurei whispered, his voice faint and trembling with fear before his body gave out completely, succumbing to unconsciousness. A soft murmur filled the adventurers¡¯ guild in the quiet village. Sunlight streamed through dusty windows, illuminating the scene as a blonde-haired girl in a simple tunic approached the counter timidly. ¡ªHello, I¡¯d like to register with the guild ¡ªshe said in a sweet voice, her gaze full of anticipation. The receptionist, a young woman with neatly tied brown hair, looked up with a professional smile. ¡ªThe minimum age to register is 18. Are you sure you¡¯ve reached that age? ¡ªshe asked, her tone slightly doubtful as she took in the girl¡¯s youthful appearance. Evangeline nodded quickly, a big smile lighting up her face. ¡ªYes! I turned 18 just yesterday. The receptionist chuckled softly. ¡ªAlright then, no problem. My name is Maria, and I¡¯m one of the receptionists here at the New Moon Guild. I¡¯ll just need you to place your hands on this sphere. Carefully, Maria retrieved a crystal sphere from a small chest at her feet and placed it on the counter. Evangeline eyed the sphere curiously before placing both hands on its cool, smooth surface. The sphere began to glow faintly, and golden letters appeared inside: Evangeline Valencourt Level: 3 Power: 50 Mana: 300 Elemental Affinity: Light Maria¡¯s eyes widened as she read the information. ¡ªYou have an affinity for light! That¡¯s amazing ¡ªshe said excitedly, unaware that her voice had risen slightly. Immediately, several heads turned toward Evangeline, and the murmurs in the guild grew louder. Adventurers began whispering about the newcomer with curious and intrigued expressions. Evangeline tilted her head, feeling slightly uncomfortable under the sudden attention. ¡ªExcuse me, is having an affinity for light really that rare? Maria nodded, her smile unwavering. ¡ªIt absolutely is! In this guild, there are only two users of light magic. You¡¯d be the third. Plus, light magic users can heal, and that¡¯s something many parties desperately need. Evangeline gave a shy smile, her cheeks flushing slightly as the murmurs around her grew louder. Mar¨ªa handed the iron plate to Evangeline, her face showing a professional but kind smile. ¡ªYou¡¯re now an iron-ranked adventurer. Over time, you¡¯ll complete missions and rise through the ranks ¡ªshe said cheerfully. Evangeline accepted the plate with both hands, gazing at it with admiration. The chain was simple, but to her, it symbolized the start of a new chapter in her life. She placed it around her neck, wearing it like a precious treasure. ¡ªThank you so much! ¡ªshe responded with joy. Mar¨ªa nodded warmly. ¡ªYou can head to the mission board on that wall. I recommend starting with herb collection missions; they¡¯re perfect for gaining experience. If you join a group, you could tackle weak monsters like slimes.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. Evangeline nodded energetically, her excitement shining in her green eyes. ¡ªThank you for the advice! I¡¯ll go check right away ¡ªshe said, her voice brimming with happiness. However, the cheerful atmosphere was abruptly disrupted. The guild doors swung open, and a group of five adventurers strode in. Three men and two women made up the group, but tension was thick in the air. The men bore irritated expressions, while the women avoided eye contact, clearly uncomfortable. The usual bustle of the guild fell silent as the group approached the counter. The man leading them was tall and bald, wearing an eye patch over his left eye. His unkempt beard and intimidating presence made him seem more like a bandit than an adventurer. A silver-ranked plate hung from his chest. ¡ªHey, Mar¨ªa, did you give us the wrong mission details? ¡ªhe growled, his rough voice cutting through the quiet. ¡ªThere were way more goblins than expected. This should increase the reward, don¡¯t you think? Mar¨ªa stood her ground, though a slight tension flickered in her smile. ¡ªMr. Dorian, I¡¯m glad you returned safely. If you dealt with more goblins than listed, you¡¯ll be compensated. I just need the evidence to process it. Dorian smirked, but there was something unsettling in his expression. Leaning closer to Mar¨ªa, he whispered near her ear in a suggestive tone. ¡ªEvidence? Don¡¯t you trust me? I thought we had something special. Mar¨ªa pulled back sharply, her face hardening as she stared him straight in the eye. ¡ªPlease keep your distance, or I¡¯ll have no choice but to call the guild master ¡ªshe said, her tone a mix of irritation and authority. Dorian let out a mocking laugh, raising his hands in a gesture of feigned innocence. ¡ªHey, don¡¯t get all worked up, Mar¨ªa, ¡ªhe said, his grin dripping with insincerity. ¡ªAbout the evidence... I got lazy cutting off goblin ears, so I only brought ten. That should be enough to complete the mission, right? Mar¨ªa sighed and nodded, though her discomfort was evident in the way she avoided eye contact. ¡ªThat will suffice... ¡ªshe replied, carefully counting the ears without looking directly at the man. From a nearby table, a large man let out a hearty laugh. His worn iron armor creaked as he shifted his considerable weight on a makeshift bench. The massive axe strapped to his back seemed almost too large, even for someone of his size. ¡ªHey, V¨ªctor! Looks like Dorian couldn¡¯t trick Mar¨ªa this time, ¡ªhe said, his tone full of amusement. V¨ªctor, leaning casually against the table with his arms crossed, shot him an annoyed look. The leather of his light armor creaked as he shifted, idly fidgeting with the daggers at his waist. ¡ªFranco, don¡¯t laugh at your brother like that. You¡¯re making him look weak. Remember, he¡¯s the leader of the group. Just because he¡¯s your older brother doesn¡¯t mean you can mock him in front of everyone. Especially not in front of the new recruits. You¡¯ll give them the wrong impression. V¨ªctor cast a quick glance at the two women in their group, gauging their reactions. Both remained silent, though their body language spoke volumes about their discomfort. The taller of the two, a woman with wavy brown hair and determined eyes, finally spoke up. Her bow and quiver swayed slightly as she shifted her weight, her voice calm but firm. ¡ªDon¡¯t worry, we won¡¯t think poorly of the leader. But we have things to attend to, so we¡¯ll be taking our leave now. ¡ªMo, no, no! ¡ªV¨ªctor interrupted quickly, stepping forward with a smile that tried to seem friendly but failed to hide the lustful gleam in his eyes. ¡ªWe need to celebrate our victory. I can¡¯t let you leave without taking your share of the reward. The other woman, shorter with short, light-blue hair, simply watched the scene in silence. Her matching blue eyes reflected unease, though she kept her thoughts to herself. Her stance, with a staff resting on her back, suggested she¡¯d rather be anywhere else. Dorian dropped the coins on the table with a metallic clink, leaning back in his chair with a smug grin. ¡ªFive copper coins for each goblin. That makes 50 coppers now, ¡ªhe declared, letting the coins gleam under the dim tavern light before settling into his seat. V¨ªctor, twirling one of his daggers idly, raised an eyebrow. ¡ªAnd how are we splitting the reward? Dorian waved his hand dismissively. ¡ªLet¡¯s worry about that later. It¡¯s not much, but we could buy some beer and meat. Then maybe rent one or two rooms at the inn. Franco, busy wiping his beard, raised his hand with a sly grin. ¡ªWait, wait. What will that be like? Will I have to share a room with you? I don''t find it fair. How about we leave you guys in one room and I stay with the girls in the other? Dorian shot him a glare, his expression darkening as he slammed a fist on the table. ¡ªHey! You¡¯ve got some nerve saying that in front of me, trying to steal the girls! Before the tension could escalate, a waitress arrived with five frothy beers, placing them quickly on the table. The scent of hops filled the air, and Dorian immediately grabbed a mug, his temper visibly easing. V¨ªctor raised his mug, taking a long gulp before speaking with a casual grin. ¡ªLet¡¯s drink first, then decide. We could even put one girl in each room, right? ¡ªhe suggested, his tone meant to be humorous but only adding to the discomfort. The two women, who had been silently enduring the conversation, exchanged glances of clear displeasure. The brunette stood abruptly, her determined gaze piercing as she grabbed the younger girl¡¯s hand. ¡ªDon¡¯t worry about us. We don¡¯t need a share of the reward. After all, we didn¡¯t help since you guys took care of the goblins. It¡¯s better if we leave. With a sharp motion, she pulled the younger girl along, practically dragging her out of the tavern. Neither of them looked back as they exited. Dorian slammed his mug on the table, his face twisted in frustration. ¡ªIdiots! See what you did? Now you¡¯ve ruined the fun. Franco shrugged, smirking lazily. ¡ªHey, you¡¯re the one who brought up the room arrangements. You should¡¯ve at least waited until they were drunk. Evangeline observed the scene from the farthest corner of the guild, her green eyes reflecting the unease she felt watching the group of adventurers. Her brows furrowed slightly as she overheard their conversation; it was clear that being an adventurer wouldn¡¯t be easy. She took a deep breath, trying to shake off the doubts forming in her mind. ¡°Start with the basics,¡± she told herself, turning toward the mission board. Her delicate hands skimmed over the posted sheets, searching for something that suited her abilities and experience. Then, one mission caught her eye. Tears of Aether A glowing blue flower used for healing potions. Quantity: 10 Total reward: 30 copper coins Location: Caves and dimly lit areas The drawing of a blue flower with a yellow center was detailed on the sheet. Evangeline smiled faintly, holding it between her fingers. ¡ªThis one seems perfect ¡ªshe murmured to herself, stepping decisively toward the counter. Mar¨ªa, still busy organizing documents, glanced up as she approached. Taking the notice from Evangeline¡¯s hands, she offered a warm smile. ¡ªWell, I think you¡¯ve found the perfect mission to start with. ¡ªMar¨ªa began writing the mission details into a large book open on the table. As Evangeline watched, her fingers fiddled nervously with the edges of her tunic, betraying a mix of excitement and worry. She lowered her gaze, whispering almost inaudibly: ¡ªThis mission doesn¡¯t require a party, does it? Mar¨ªa looked up, her calm expression reassuring. ¡ªNo, of course not. Although it¡¯s always recommended to have companions to watch your back. Generally, gathering medicinal herbs doesn¡¯t involve any danger. ¡ªShe paused and gestured toward a nearby shelf. ¡ªBut I¡¯d suggest buying a map of the area and a basic dimensional bag. They¡¯ll be very helpful. Evangeline nodded, clutching the sheet gently against her chest. A spark of determination lit her gaze as she began planning the first steps of her journey. The forest was cloaked in dim light, with crunchy leaves and dry branches marking the trail. Clara, a tiny pixie with shimmering wings, struggled to drag an inert body. Her face showed exhaustion as she tugged hard at the mana ropes binding the figure. Each pull left a path of disturbed soil and fallen leaves in her wake. ¡ªWhy am I even doing this? Maybe I should just leave you here and go ¡ªClara muttered, her small brows furrowed as her glowing hands tugged at the ropes. Suddenly, the body began to move. The "corpse''s" eyes shot open, gleaming with confusion. Kaito blinked rapidly, trying to grasp the situation. Noticing the mana ropes binding him, his survival instincts kicked in. With a strong yank on one of the threads, he broke it, sending Clara flying through the air from the sudden tension. ¡ªAre you insane?! ¡ªClara shouted as she landed awkwardly in a bush, her wings trembling with indignation¡ª. Is this how you repay me for dragging you all night?! Kaito slowly sat up, leaning against a fallen log as his memories returned in a flood. The face of the old mage who had nearly killed him flashed through his mind, filling him with a sense of debt to the small creature now glaring at him with hands on her hips and a scowl on her face. ¡ªI¡¯m sorry. I think I made a big mistake¡­ And thank you for your help ¡ªKaito said, his voice hoarse but sincere, bowing his head slightly. Clara, surprised by the apology, tilted her head with a satisfied smile. ¡ªSee? I knew you¡¯d eventually recognize my brilliance. That mage didn¡¯t expect my incredible camouflage skills. Now you¡¯ll think I¡¯m far superior to him ¡ªClara said, laughing proudly and crossing her tiny arms. Kaito raised an eyebrow, intrigued. ¡ªBut I still don¡¯t understand how someone like you managed to fool a royal knight and a great mage. Do you have special abilities? Clara extended her tiny hands dramatically, as if about to unveil a great secret. ¡ªWell, since you¡¯ve shared some of your secrets, I guess I can help you understand what happened ¡ªshe said with a smug smile. Kaito nodded, his body too weak to argue. He leaned back against the log, closing his eyes for a moment as he listened. ¡ªWell, that would be very helpful¡­ ¡ªhe murmured, letting his mind relax even while remaining alert.