ã€ŠClaiming the Throneã€‹


 Chapter 1 - The Escape

    Peace reigned over the Ignathian continent, uniting its four great kingdoms: The Montag Kingdom, ruled by humans; The Darkvill Kingdom, governed by demons; The Eldarion Kingdom, home of the elves; and The Ironland Kingdom, where the dwarves thrived.

    However, peace is often fleeting. William, the cowardly prince of the Montag Kingdom, shattered the fragile harmony. Driven by arrogance and fear, he declared war on the demons, breaking the long-standing peace between the two kingdoms.

    William was widely regarded as a fool, even among his own people. His impulsive decision and glaring incompetence as a leader eroded his already tenuous popularity. The humans of Montag Kingdom found themselves disillusioned and resentful as the prince led them into a war they could not win.

    The conflict raged for years, but in the end, the Darkvill Kingdom emerged triumphant. The Montag Kingdom was utterly defeated, its name erased from history. The royal family was slaughtered, and the surviving humans were enslaved, bound to the will of the demons.

    For over a century, humanity remained under the iron grip of the Darkvill Kingdom, their fate a stark reminder of the price of war and the consequences of reckless leadership.

    <hr>

    Albille City

    A boy darted through the shadowy streets, his ragged breaths mixing with the shouts behind him.

    "Get back here, you filthy brat!" one of the demon soldiers roared.

    The boy didn¡¯t look back. His legs burned, his heart pounded, but he pressed on, weaving through the crowded streets until he found refuge in a dark alley. Collapsing against the cold stone wall, he gasped for air.

    "Ha... finally..." he muttered, wiping sweat from his brow. "I lost them. I¡¯m free... for now."

    His black shirt clung to his thin frame, his shorts barely offering any protection against the chill. His hair, jet black, framed a pale face, but his most striking feature was his eyes¡ªwhite as snow, a stark contrast to the world around him.Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

    He stood, shaking off his exhaustion. "I can¡¯t stay here. This city... it¡¯s a death trap. I have to leave before they find me again."

    The boy moved cautiously, his bare feet making little noise on the cobblestone. In a pile of trash, something caught his eye¡ªa black, tattered cape. He picked it up and draped it over his shoulders.

    "This¡¯ll do," he muttered, stepping back into the crowded streets.

    Around him, demons of all shapes and sizes filled the bustling marketplace. He tried to blend in, keeping his head low.

    "If I¡¯m right, this is the central plaza," he thought. "Good news is, it¡¯s busy¡ªharder for them to find me. Bad news... soldiers everywhere."

    His heart sank as he spotted demon guards patrolling in pairs. Their sharp eyes scanned the crowd.

    "Why are there so many?!" he cursed under his breath, quickening his pace.

    But fate was unkind. One of the soldiers caught sight of him. "There he is!"

    The boy¡¯s eyes widened. Without hesitation, he bolted, shoving through the crowd and leaping onto a nearby rooftop. The soldiers gave chase, their shouts echoing below.

    Cornered, the boy turned to face his pursuers. Flames erupted from his hands, crackling with raw power. "I won¡¯t go back! Not now, not ever!"

    He hurled a blazing fireball at the guards. The explosion lit up the night, sending several soldiers flying. The few that survived were left writhing in agony.

    For a moment, hope flickered in the boy¡¯s heart. But that hope was short-lived. Reinforcements arrived, surrounding him from all sides.

    "I¡¯ll never stop fighting!" he roared, his voice breaking with anger and desperation. Flames danced around his fists, and his aura turned crimson. He charged at the soldiers, each punch erupting like a bomb, the sheer heat melting the very ground beneath their feet.

    The battle was chaos incarnate. Buildings crumbled, and the air reeked of ash and burnt flesh. When the dust settled, the boy lay unconscious amid the destruction, his body battered and broken.

    Defeat loomed over him like a shadow. He was out of strength, out of options.

    But fate had other plans.

    A figure emerged from the darkness, her crimson eyes glowing like embers. Her black hair cascaded over pale shoulders, and her lips curled into a sly smirk.

    "Kufufufu... what a fiery little prince we have here," she said, her voice a mix of mockery and allure. She knelt beside him, her long, slender fingers brushing his soot-streaked face.

    "You¡¯ve overdone it, haven¡¯t you? Burning through all that mana..." Her laugh was soft, almost musical. "You might die at this rate. What a waste that would be."

    Rising to her feet, she extended her hand, conjuring a glowing sphere of magic. The boy¡¯s body floated upward, limp but alive.

    "I suppose I¡¯ll have to take you with me," she mused, her tone teasing. She turned toward the dark forest, the jagged peaks of the Dark Mountains looming in the distance.

    "It looks like you and I will be spending some quality time together... my dear Kajin."

    Her laugh echoed through the night as she disappeared into the shadows, carrying the boy to a fate unknown.

 Chapter 2 - Hope

    As the battlefield quieted, demon citizens cautiously emerged from their hiding places, gathering to witness the aftermath of the chaos. The faint glow of fires illuminated the devastated streets of Albille, and whispers filled the air.

    Above, in the dark sky, shapes began to appear, strange silhouettes descending closer with each passing moment. As they approached, they became visible to the naked eye. The crowd quickly recognized the figures and collectively bowed in reverence.

    Five massive dragons landed on the ground, their presence exuding power and authority. From the first dragon, a tall figure stepped down, a man whose very stance commanded respect. He was Othid the Diplomat, one of the Five Generals of the Demon Kingdom¡¯s royal army.

    Othid, a towering figure at 195 centimeters, with short black hair. A jagged scar ran across his left eye. His physique was both bulky and defined. He wore a royal military uniform adorned with intricate designs and gleaming gold medals, each telling a story. As Othid dismounted, four other commanders followed suit. The crowd fell silent as Othid raised his hand and addressed them.

    "My dear brothers and sisters" his deep voice rang out "I offer my sincerest apologies for the destruction brought upon the beautiful city of Albille." His gaze swept over the gathered demons "I, Othid, one of the Five Generals of our kingdom, vow that destruction like this will never happen again!"

    The crowd erupted into cheers, their faith in him unwavering. Othid waited a few moments, letting the fervor settle, before continuing.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

    "And as for the one responsible for all of this..." His voice dropped "His name is Kajin, the son of our queen."

    A gasp rippled through the crowd. The words struck like a thunderclap, leaving the demons frozen in shock. The murmurs began almost immediately, whispers of disbelief and confusion spreading like wildfire.

    "Quiet!" Othid''s voice boomed, cutting through the noise. The crowd instantly fell silent, every eye fixed on him.

    *Author: It was his blessing from the gods that made him a such a good general, Othid was blessed with the ability to control others just by commanding them to do so. Blessings can be given to chosen individuals that gods develop a liking to. Blessings are special skills that allow the selected person to use it freely. Every blessing is unique, no one can have the same blessing*

    After a pause, he spoke again, his tone measured but firm. "It is better to discuss this matter later, my brothers and sisters. Do you not think it is disrespectful to the queen to gossip here and now?" His words were met with murmurs of agreement, and the crowd shifted uncomfortably.

    Othid raised his right hand, his voice steady and reassuring. "Do not fear. Though Kajin may be powerful, stronger than most of our forces, he is not invincible. He is not the strongest."

    Having said his piece, Othid turned away, his cloak fluttering in the warm breeze as he leaped onto his dragon¡¯s back. He cast one last glance at the crowd, his expression unreadable.

    "I trust that when we next meet, it will be under better circumstances, perhaps even to celebrate a great event."

    With that, he signaled to his commanders. Each mounted their dragons with practiced ease, their presence as imposing as ever. With a mighty beat of wings, the dragons ascended into the sky, their silhouettes fading into the darkness.

    The citizens remained still for a long moment, their thoughts racing with questions about what they had just learned.

 Chapter 3 - The Reunion

    Kajin is seen resting on a bed. He slowly starts to open his eyes.

    "Ugh... Where am I?" he says in a low tone.

    Looking around, he finds himself in a large, warm room. A big window offers a view of distant mountains.

    "Dryia Mountains? Ugh... Why did it have to be her, of all people?" Kajin mutters as realization strikes.

    The door creaks open, and a woman steps in.

    "So, it was you..." Kajin says, his voice filled with irritation as he recognizes the woman.

    She gives him a sly smile and walks toward him, her heels clicking with every step. Her tight black dress sways gently as she moves, her long, straight black hair shining in the light. Her red eyes, filled with happiness and playfulness, lock onto Kajin.

    As she gets closer, she begins to speak, her voice tinged with teasing laughter. "You little brat," she giggles. "You don¡¯t have to push yourself to the brink of death if you wanted to see me that badly."Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

    She laughs softly, every word dripping with amusement. The vampire woman slowly reaches out her pale hand and caresses Kajin''s head.

    "You¡¯ve always been such a hothead, you know that? Why don¡¯t you rest? You¡¯ve done so much already, and¡ª"

    Before she can finish, Kajin grabs her hand.

    "I don¡¯t need your kind words, Anastasia. I¡¯ve told you countless times not to interfere with me. Stay out of my matters," Kajin snaps, his tone sharp and laced with anger.

    Anastasia smiles, her red lips curving into an expression of genuine happiness.

    "You haven¡¯t changed in the slightest... Brother," she says softly.

    She sits down on the bed beside Kajin, leaning in close. "But I can¡¯t help it. A big sister always cares for her little brother. So, even if you push me away, I¡¯ll always be there for you."

    She squeezes his cheeks playfully. "Aww... You¡¯re so adorable. Even more adorable when you¡¯re angry."

    Kajin¡¯s temper flares, his voice low and threatening. "Get your hands away from my face..."

    Anastasia laughs, releasing his cheeks. Standing up, she walks toward the large window, gazing out at the mountains beyond.

    "The Dryia Mountains," she says softly. "They¡¯re my greatest defense, here in my... lonely castle." Her voice is warm, but an undercurrent of sadness lingers.

    "For fifty years, I¡¯ve lived here in isolation... away from everything I loved. All I ever wanted was justice and truth." She steps closer to the wall, her hand trailing over its cold surface.

    "In this castle, the only thing I¡¯ve enjoyed is its calmness and atmosphere."

    Turning back toward Kajin, Anastasia¡¯s red eyes meet his.

    "But I suppose my story here doesn¡¯t compare to yours... does it, Kajin?"

 Chapter 4 - The goal with no dream

    As Anastasia asked her question, Kajin sighed and looked at his hands. They were covered in burn scars, remnants of the intense training he had endured for years.

    Anastasia glanced at Kajin, a faint hint of sadness on her face. She shifted her gaze toward the window.

    "So, what are you going to do now that you¡¯ve escaped?" she asked. "What¡¯s next? Your new chapter has begun. If I were you, I¡¯d probably enjoy life, live under a secret identity, and observe the world from the shadows," she said, her red eyes flicking back toward him.

    Still staring at his hands, Kajin took a deep breath and spoke.

    "A new chapter, huh? Well, I don¡¯t know. I guess I¡¯ll try to follow my goal. I¡¯ve said it countless times,the kingdom we live in now is built on lies. The citizens believe every word the king and queen say is the ultimate truth. Even when someone disagrees, they¡¯re too afraid to speak up. Fear rules this rotten kingdom," he said, his voice low, tinged with sadness and fatigue.

    Slowly, he looked up at Anastasia.

    "If this kingdom wants to see change, it has to acknowledge its wrongs. But someone needs to lead them toward what¡¯s right, and that someone is me! I will take the throne from my mother and father, and I will lead this kingdom to glory!" Kajin declared, his voice fueled by anger and a burning desire for justice.This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

    Anastasia looked at him, a soft laugh escaping her lips.

    "What¡¯s so funny?" Kajin asked sharply. "Do you think my goal is a joke?"

    Anastasia remained calm, her lips curling into a slight smile.

    "You talk a lot about your goal, dear brother, and I absolutely agree with you. But you¡¯re forgetting something," she said, beginning to walk toward the door.

    Kajin stared at her, confused. "What am I forgetting?" he asked.

    Anastasia placed her hand on the door handle.

    "You¡¯re forgetting... about your dream," she said.

    Kajin froze, her words catching him off guard. She looked at him one last time before stepping out of the room and closing the door behind her.

    "Wait! What do you mean by that?" Kajin shouted, hoping she would return and explain.

    "Dream... dream?" he repeated to himself. Falling back onto the bed, he placed a hand on his forehead.

    "What did she mean by that?" he murmured. "Do I have a dream? What... is my dream?"

    Kajin bit his lip, frustration building.

    "What is my dream? What is my dream?! WHAT IS MY DREAM?!" he shouted, trying to find an answer.

    "Ever since I was little, I only had goals in mind. I was always trying to complete them as fast as possible, trying to prove to everyone that I was capable. I was treated like nothing my entire life. I wasn¡¯t even supposed to exist... I was just an unwanted weapon they kept in their arsenal."

    His voice trailed off as he thought back on his life.

    "I was just... a weapon," he whispered.

    After a moment of silence, he looked toward the large window overlooking the mountains. Slowly, he stood up and walked toward it. Opening the window, he took in the crisp, cold air and closed his eyes.

    "This feeling... it¡¯s something else," he said softly.

    Turning back toward the door, his eyes lit up with realization.

    "My dream..." he whispered.

 Chapter 5 - The Black Queen

    Anastasia trod down the big stairs leading from her castle, her heels echoing through the silent corridors.

    Click Click Click

    The noise echoed down the halls. She reached the bottom and entered the Great Hall, the largest and most imposing room in her castle. The hall was somber and oppressive, with an aura of dark forces. There were hundreds of candles alight, yet the heavy shadows seemed to drink in their light. The tall, white pillars rose from floor to ceiling, their height made even more overwhelming by the gloom.

    As Anastasia entered the Great Hall, the darkness swallowed her whole, leaving only the faint glow of her crimson eyes visible. Beams of light streaming through intricately patterned stained-glass windows would occasionally illuminate her figure, only for her to vanish back into the shadows moments later.

    On the other end of the hall stood a huge glass door, on whose surface was inscribed an intricate pattern that represented a fragment of history. Anastasia approached the door and gave it a light push. The door creaked slowly open, flooding the hall with light and banishing the darkness, revealing the Gothic splendor of the architecture.

    She stepped onto the grand balcony beyond, walking to its edge. Placing her hands on the railing, she gazed out over the landscape. After a moment, she closed her eyes, letting the cool air wash over her. And Anastasia began to reflect.

    "For half a century, I''ve lived here. I never liked it, but I had no choice. When I was born, I was adored by everyone, I was the newborn star of the kingdom. When I was just one year old, my father, Darius the Demon King, and son of Dracula the Vampire Emperor, summoned the most renowned mages from across the kingdom to teach me magic. They had high expectations for me, and as time passed, I surpassed them all.Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

    By the age of three, I had learned to control magic. I also inherited Blood Magic, a dark and powerful art, from my father. With such accomplishments at such a young age, I earned the nickname ''The Black Queen.''

    Years went by, and I trained tirelessly, honing my skills on the battlefield and in politics. By the age of twenty, I had mastered Blood Magic. My power was ranked near that of the Five Generals, a feat achieved by only one other person... my older brother, Agnus.

    Agnus, the firstborn, was extraordinary. He was the crown jewel of our family. Unlike the rest of us, he wasn¡¯t a mage. No... he was a swordsman, perhaps the greatest on the continent. The gods themselves blessed him at birth,a phenomenon unheard of in history. His blessing allowed him to see his opponent¡¯s moves before they even made them.

    From the age of two, he was enamored with the sword, training with it every day. By ten, his skill was equal to that of a Royal Knight. His fame and achievements spread like wildfire across the continent. By thirty, my father officially declared him the heir to the kingdom. I was only ten years old then."

    Anastasia opened her eyes.

    "When our family hosted banquets and invited all the noble families to the castle, I was the center of attention, of course, only when my brother wasn¡¯t there. In his presence, I was just... ordinary."

    She paused for a long moment.

    "When I was thirty, the famous war between demons and humans broke out. It caught us all off guard, no one expected something so sudden. At first, I did my best to help, both on and off the battlefield. But then... a drastic turn of events forced me to abandon everything and take refuge in this castle..."

 Chapter 6 - The beginning of a bond

    Just as Anastasia was about to continue, a voice called out from behind.

    "Your Highness!"

    Anastasia turned around and smiled, recognizing the voice. A short man in a white chef¡¯s uniform was running toward her. He had long ginger hair, a thick beard, bushy eyebrows, and bright blue eyes.

    As he got closer, he started to breathe heavily, clearly exhausted. Anastasia began walking toward him slowly, her body swaying gracefully with each step.

    "Well, well, if it isn¡¯t my dearest chef, Carl," Anastasia said, her words laced with giggles.

    Carl stopped, placing his hands on his knees for support. "Your... Highness... Ahh..." he managed to say, barely catching his breath.

    Anastasia chuckled softly and leaned down to his level, gently patting his head. "Take it easy, Carl. I¡¯m right here."

    Carl nodded, and after a moment, he finally spoke. "Your Highness... We just received news that Othid appeared in the city of Albille yesterday. He was accompanied by his four commanders."

    Anastasia¡¯s expression shifted to one of surprise. "Othid...? Of all people, why him?" she muttered, trying to piece together the reasoning behind the unexpected visit.

    "If Othid went to Albille, then the matter must be more serious than I thought," she whispered to herself, a sense of unease settling in.

    Carl, having regained his composure, added, "I thought the same, Your Highness. Othid rarely intervenes directly. He usually observes events unfold from a distance. This is unlike him."Stolen story; please report.

    Anastasia nodded, her gaze thoughtful. "Yes, you¡¯re right. If Othid¡¯s here, then it¡¯s likely my father sent him personally." She paused, then continued, "I may need to convince Kajin to stay in the castle for a while. But knowing him, he¡¯ll try to leave as soon as possible."

    She turned her attention back to Carl. "Inform the others about this, and make sure they don¡¯t wander too far from the castle," she instructed. Carl nodded and hurried away.

    "Don¡¯t overdo it!" Anastasia called after him playfully, a small smile on her lips. Turning back to the balcony, she looked up at the sky and smiled. "Well, it seems life just got a little more interesting..." she murmured before heading back inside, her laughter echoing softly through the halls.

    Meanwhile, in Kajin¡¯s room, he was doing push-ups.

    "985... 986... 987..." he muttered, sweat dripping from his face onto the floor.

    "996... 997... 998... Argh..." Kajin groaned, his arms trembling under the strain.

    "One-thous¡ª" Just as he was about to finish, the door to his room burst open with a loud crash, causing him to lose his balance and fall face-first onto the floor.

    "ARGH! WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?!" Kajin roared, his temper flaring as his training was interrupted. He lifted his gaze to see who had dared disturb him.

    "Hey! What¡¯s up?" a cheerful voice greeted him.

    Standing in the doorway was a young man wearing a long black cloak over a leather tunic, a quiver of arrows slung over his back, and a bow in hand. He had bright blue eyes, long blond hair, and pointy ears.

    "My name¡¯s Ruya! I¡¯m an elf from the Elven Kingdom, and I¡¯ll be your guar-, I-I mean, partner on your journey!" Ruya declared with a confident smile.

    "Huh?!" Kajin stared at Ruya, bewildered by his sudden appearance and bold claim.

    "Who is this guy? And why is he acting like that?" Kajin thought, his mind racing with questions.

    Ruya, meanwhile, stood motionless, his gaze fixed on Kajin, waiting for a response. The two stared at each other, and the room was soon filled with an awkward silence.

    "Will you stop looking at me like that?!" Kajin finally snapped, irritated by Ruya¡¯s unwavering stare.

    Ruya didn¡¯t flinch, his expression remaining calm.

    Without warning, Kajin lunged at Ruya, landing a powerful punch to his stomach. The force sent Ruya flying into the wall, shattering it and creating a massive hole that connected Kajin¡¯s room to the next.

 Chapter 7 - The devil in flames

    As the dust cleared, Kajin walked toward the hole in the wall.

    "Is that bastard still alive?" he thought. He stepped through the hole into the other room and looked around until his eyes landed on Ruya, lying unconscious on the floor. Kajin approached him, standing over him with a cold expression.

    "Hm... What was his name again...?" Kajin wondered, trying to recall what Ruya had said.

    Leaning down, Kajin examined him closely. "He said he was an elf... and that he was going to be my... partner?" As Kajin pondered this, Ruya¡¯s eyes slowly began to open.

    "Where am I...?" Ruya asked weakly.

    Kajin glanced at him in surprise, not expecting him to regain consciousness so quickly. "You¡¯re in the Dark Castle. Just a while ago, you barged into my room, interrupted my training, and said you were going to be my partner on my journey," Kajin said, his tone flat as he continued to look down at Ruya.

    "Oh, yeah... I remember now! But how did I end up here?" Ruya asked, confused.

    "Let¡¯s just say you hit a nerve and got what you deserved," Kajin replied bluntly. He stood up and began walking back toward the hole.

    "Oh... O-okay," Ruya muttered, his voice tinged with fear. He slowly got up and followed Kajin back through the hole into his room.

    "So, you¡¯re Kajin, right?" Ruya asked, his gaze fixed on Kajin.

    "I guess," Kajin replied, already getting back into position to resume his push-ups.

    "I see," Ruya said, nodding. "How did you escape?" he asked, his voice filled with curiosity.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

    "That¡¯s none of your business," Kajin snapped, irritated. He began doing push-ups again. "The one who should be asking questions is me. Why did you barge into my room like that? And why do you want to follow me on this ''journey''?" Kajin¡¯s tone was serious, his eyes locked on Ruya.

    "Well, um... out of excitement! I was excited to meet you, that¡¯s why," Ruya said enthusiastically. "As for my statement, it¡¯s for two reasons. First, I¡¯ve heard a lot about you and thought you were amazing. And second, Lady Anastasia assigned me to accompany you on your journey," he explained, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

    After finishing his push-ups, Kajin stood up and stared at Ruya. "So Anastasia assigned you to follow me? Ugh, can¡¯t she stop interfering in my life?" Kajin sighed, frustrated.

    "As for you, elf, I don¡¯t want random weaklings tagging along with me on this so-called ''journey.'' You¡¯ll just slow me down," Kajin declared coldly, turning his back on Ruya. "Now go. I don¡¯t want to be interrupted while I train."

    After a moment of silence Ruya replied, a smirk forming on his face."Who said I¡¯m a weakling?"

    Kajin turned his head slightly, glaring at Ruya as he continued.

    "Hmph! If I¡¯m such a weakling, why don¡¯t we spar then? I¡¯ll prove you wrong. And I will shatter that ego of yours" Ruya said confidently, his eyes beginning to glow a faint green. "Or are you too scared, Kajin?"

    Kajin raised an eyebrow, surprised by Ruya¡¯s boldness. Slowly, a smile spread across his face. "Hmhm... Very well, elf. I accept your challenge. But don¡¯t expect me to go easy on you, cuz to me you look like a worm" he said, his eyes glowing red with excitement.

    "Don¡¯t think I¡¯ll hold back either," Ruya replied, his tone brimming with determination. Clenching his fists, he added, "Just wait, Kajin. I¡¯ll make you eat up your words, and test if that title of yours is really true."

    Kajin chuckled darkly, closing his eyes for a moment. "Tomorrow morning, at sunrise, on the training grounds," he said.

    When he opened his eyes again, Ruya was nowhere to be seen. Startled, Kajin scanned the room.

    "Hmhmhm... That elf is something else," Kajin thought, a smirk tugging at his lips. "I might¡¯ve underestimated him at first. He seems dangerous. His confidence, though, it¡¯s like nothing I¡¯ve ever encountered. But in the end, there¡¯s only one way to prove your worth to me... and that¡¯s in a fight."

    Kajin¡¯s smirk deepened, his spirit alight with excitement. "I can¡¯t wait for our spar, Ruya!"

 Chapter 8 - The depths of the unknown

    Ruya walked quietly through the corridors of the Dark Castle. After some time, he stopped in front of a thick wooden door. He knocked.

    *tak, tak, tak, tak.*

    Then, he opened the door and stepped into a massive room filled with books. At the center of the room was a small table, and behind it stood a fireplace with two chairs facing it. Someone was sitting in one of the chairs. Ruya approached the fireplace, stopping in front of the table.

    "As expected, he was hard to deal with at first, but in the end, I managed to convince him to give me a chance." Ruya said quietly, a look of excitement on his face.

    After a moment, a familiar laughter echoed through the room. The person in the chair stood up and spoke. "Well done, Ruya! I didn¡¯t think you¡¯d actually manage to convince him to give you a shot."

    Turning around, Anastasia¡¯s face lit up with a wide, joyful smile. "It seems my little brother liked your cute warrior spirit! Hahaha!" she teased, her tone playful.  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

    Ruya rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. "I don¡¯t understand what you find so funny about this. Can¡¯t you take me seriously for once?" he said, clearly annoyed by her teasing. He walked to the other chair and sat down, his eyes fixed on the fire.

    Anastasia giggled and rested her palm on her cheek, looking at Ruya with a sly smile. "Thank you, Ruya darling! I couldn¡¯t have done it without you, and I¡¯ll make sure to reward you for your hard work." she said, her voice a mix of joy and seduction.

    Hearing this, Ruya blushed. "Ahem!" he cleared his throat and muttered, "It was my pleasure..." His face was red with embarrassment.

    Anastasia chuckled softly before walking over to one of the massive bookshelves in the room. She dragged her hand along the rows of books until she stopped at a dark red one. Pulling it from the shelf, she examined it and spoke.

    "This book is a personal favorite..."

    Ruya looked at her with a hint of confusion as she continued. "It was written by a man named Alfredo. Alfredo was someone quite similar to my dear brother Kajin, though not physically or mentally."

    Listening carefully, Ruya asked, "So, he was a... hybrid?"

 Chapter 9 - Light and Dark

    Anastasia shifted her gaze to Ruya, her crimson red eyes glinting as she replied, "Hmhmhm, bingo!" She giggled and opened the book in her hands.

    "Alberto was born in the southeastern part of the Darkvill Kingdom. His father was a demon, and his mother a human. He was raised in secret because his parents feared he would be discovered and captured by the Royal Patrol," she began.

    Ruya listened carefully before asking, "What¡¯s the Royal Patrol?"

    Anastasia glanced up briefly from the book. "The Royal Patrol is a multi-role organization created by the Demon King after the war with the humans. Their main task was to search for any resistance within the kingdom and crush it. They were also ordered to carry out the King¡¯s dirty work. Because they were backed by the King, no one could oppose them. They abused their power to commit countless dark and unspeakable acts against humans. While some of these atrocities were exposed, many remain hidden in the shadows," she explained.

    Ruya nodded. "I understand now."

    Anastasia smiled before continuing. "When Alberto turned 17, he left hiding and began exploring the kingdom. He saw its darkness and beauty, its unique blend of races living in harmony and the gothic architecture of the towns. But for all its beauty, darkness was always present. Everywhere he went, he saw humans in chains, locked behind bars, starving, their faces full of sadness and pain.

    "Learning about the war between demons and humans, he uncovered the dark truth behind it all. He was fed up with what he saw and decided to stage the First Rebellion. He began building connections, finding like-minded people and demons who shared his vision. After ten years of preparation, he declared war on the Darkvill Kingdom."

    Ruya¡¯s eyes glowed with admiration. "Wow! Alberto was such a badass! But... how come I¡¯ve never heard of him?"

    Anastasia closed the book and returned it to the shelf. "Because he was erased from history," she said.

    Ruya¡¯s eyes widened. "Huh?! How can someone that influential just be erased from history?"  Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

    Anastasia turned to him, crossing her arms. "The First Rebellion was such a disaster that, if not for my brother, it might have succeeded. After the rebellion was crushed, Alberto sacrificed himself so his remaining comrades could escape. He was captured, tortured, and studied. They discovered that because of his half-demon, half-human nature, he possessed exceptional powers. His mana was unlike any other, it was a fusion of demon and human mana," she explained.

    Pausing briefly, she added, "This meant he could learn both dark magic and light magic."

    Ruya¡¯s jaw dropped. "What?! Isn¡¯t that a little too good to be true?"

    Anastasia chuckled at his reaction. "He wielded the light magic *Hard Wood* and the dark magic *Black Flames*," she said.

    Ruya¡¯s eyes widened even further. "W-what...? Aren¡¯t those two of the most powerful magics?"

    Anastasia nodded. "They are. But he didn¡¯t just use them separately. He did something that had never been done before, he combined them."

    Ruya sat in stunned silence, unable to respond.

    Anastasia glanced at him and chuckled. "And the only man who managed to stop him was my brother. What a coincidence," she said, though her smile held a hint of irony.

    Ruya shook his head, finally speaking. "So Agnus is that powerful, huh?"

    Anastasia nodded. "Yes, he is. But that battle between him and Alberto was close. Either of them could have died, but Agnus came out victorious. For Kajin to achieve his goal, he¡¯ll need to defeat Agnus."

    Ruya tilted his head. "Do you think Kajin can do it?"

    Anastasia fell silent for a moment before chuckling. "Of course. He¡¯s my little brother, after all." Her crimson eyes glowed faintly as she continued. "But for Kajin to succeed, he needs to accept that he¡¯s a demon too. Right now, his pride stops him from embracing his dark magic. He refuses to use or accept it. For him to defeat Agnus, he must combine his dark and light magic, but that requires complete mastery over both.

    "At this moment, Kajin¡¯s control over light magic is good, but not near mastery. His hatred clouds his use of it. Light magic can only be mastered in a state of calm and relaxation, something he¡¯s too stubborn to understand. That¡¯s why I assigned you to follow him on his journey."

    Ruya frowned. "Me? How am I supposed to help him?"

    Anastasia smiled. "You¡¯ll figure it out," she said.

    Ruya blinked in confusion. Anastasia laughed and leaned down to caress his cheek. "I believe in you. Now, go to your room and rest. Your fight with Kajin is tomorrow, so you need to be ready," she said warmly.

    Blushing furiously, Ruya nodded and left the room.

    As the door closed, Anastasia turned back to the fireplace, her expression softening. "Kajin... to succeed in your goal, I¡¯ll do everything in my power to make sure you¡¯re the one to free everyone from this cruelty," she murmured, her tone serious.

    "This is just the beginning..."

 Chapter 10 - The Spar

    The sun rose over the horizon, casting light on the training grounds. Kajin sat in the sparring arena, his eyes closed and head bowed. The wind brushed against his face and hair, making them flow. He wore a tight-fitting brown T-shirt with protective armor pieces, baggy leather pants reinforced at the knees, and dark shoes. As he waited for Ruya¡¯s arrival, a hand suddenly grabbed his shoulder.

    Kajin sighed. "Will you always keep an eye on me, Anastasia?" he asked, his tone irritated.

    A soft laugh came from behind him. "What do you think, brother? I just can¡¯t help it," Anastasia teased. She brushed her pale fingers over his shoulder and back. "I want to see my brother¡¯s first steps on his journey."

    Kajin clenched his teeth in anger, stood up, and turned to glare at her. "You disgust me," he snapped, his voice sharp.

    Anastasia laughed and smirked. "Thanks for the compliment, honey ?!" she said playfully.

    Kajin sighed in frustration, tired of her teasing. Just then, footsteps echoed across the grounds, and Kajin¡¯s expression softened into a smile. Ruya had arrived. Walking toward the arena, Ruya held a bow in his left hand with a quiver full of arrows on his back. A small smile appeared on his face as well.

    Anastasia giggled at the sight and stepped off the arena, watching from the sidelines. Ruya entered the arena, his gaze fixed on Kajin, who returned the look with equal intensity. Both got into position.

    "Let¡¯s see how good you actually are, elf," Kajin said, his tone serious yet confident.

    Ruya chuckled. "Hmph! Same here, hybrid," he replied.The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    Kajin smirked, his fist igniting with white flames. Anastasia¡¯s eyes lit up with surprise and excitement. "White flames? He¡¯s using light magic in a spar... Kajin isn¡¯t taking Ruya lightly. Perfect," she thought.

    Ruya drew an arrow and loaded it onto his bow, a green aura surrounding both him and the weapon. Kajin grinned. "He¡¯s strong, at least High Arrow level," he thought, excitement building.

    Anastasia raised her arm. "Ready!" she called out. As her hand dropped, she shouted, "Fight!"

    Both fighters moved at immense speed, meeting at the center of the arena. Kajin launched a flaming punch, but Ruya blocked it with his bow, pushing Kajin back to create space. Ruya began circling around him, firing arrows from different directions, each surrounded by a blue aura.

    Kajin¡¯s eyes widened as he dodged and blocked. "Smart bastard... enchanting his arrows with water magic to counter my flames," he muttered, smirking. Focusing, Kajin tracked Ruya¡¯s movements and suddenly disappeared, reappearing in front of him.

    Caught off guard, Ruya tried to defend, but Kajin¡¯s leg, surrounded by white flames, struck his chest. Ruya was knocked back, pain evident in his posture. Despite this, he giggled, spat blood, and straightened up. Extending his hand toward Kajin, he gestured for him to come closer.

    Kajin, confused but intrigued, rushed at him again. "What is he planning?" he wondered. He swung his flaming fist, but as it connected, Ruya¡¯s body turned green and vanished into thin air.

    Kajin¡¯s eyes darted around in confusion. Suddenly, an icy arrow appeared near him. Instinctively, he blocked it with his forearm, but the arrow pierced through and exploded, encasing his arm in ice. Gritting his teeth, Kajin scanned his surroundings.

    Ruya appeared behind him, striking Kajin¡¯s back with his bow and sending him flying. Landing on his feet, Kajin smirked. "You¡¯re amazing, Ruya... but this is just the beginning!"

    White flames surrounded Kajin, melting the ice on his forearm. His eyes turned red, and Anastasia¡¯s excitement grew. "There it is... dark magic," she muttered.

    Kajin launched at Ruya, throwing fiery punches that exploded on contact. Ruya, sighing heavily, blocked and dodged, trying to create space to fire his arrows again.

 Chapter 11 - Emptiness

    Ruya and Kajin continued their duel, each dodging, blocking, and attacking with precision. Anastasia watched from the sidelines, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Hmhm¡­ This battle is such a joy to watch. My brother, not fighting to kill this time, is enjoying himself, using both light and dark magic. Even a small amount of dark magic is impressive for him. And Ruya, my talented marksman, is giving it his all, armed with so many tricks. Truly amazing." she thought, a smile forming on her face.

    In the arena, Ruya skillfully dodged Kajin''s attacks and countered with enchanted arrows, while Kajin alternated between launching fireballs and blocking the arrows. Suddenly, Ruya vanished into thin air again. Kajin immediately assumed a defensive stance. Ruya reappeared to his right, firing three arrows in quick succession. Kajin dodged, caught the arrows mid-air, and threw them back at Ruya.

    Ruya smirked and fired a single arrow at the incoming ones. The arrow curved, striking all three before homing in on Kajin. Startled but impressed, Kajin smirked. He quickly charged his hands with fire magic, forming a fireball that he hurled at the incoming arrow, creating a large explosion.

    Ruya chuckled and retaliated, firing more arrows in rapid succession. Kajin countered with a volley of fireballs, each collision between arrows and fireballs erupting into bursts of light and smoke. The intensity of their movements increased, both fighters pushing their limits.

    Anastasia giggled softly from the sidelines. "Well, well, well¡­ it seems these two will be at this for a while. Kajin is enjoying every second, and so is Ruya. They¡¯re perfectly matched. If they continue together, they¡¯ll only grow stronger." she muttered, absentmindedly twirling a strand of her hair.

    Back in the arena, Kajin leapt into the air and rushed toward Ruya. Ruya braced himself, raising his bow to block. When Kajin¡¯s flaming fist connected, the impact triggered a massive explosion. Anastasia raised her arm to shield herself from the shockwave.  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

    As the smoke cleared, Ruya stood, struggling to hold his bow steady, sweat dripping down his face. Kajin hovered in the air, still pressing down with his attack. His stunned expression betrayed his thoughts: "How is he still holding on? I¡¯ve never seen such marksmanship¡­ To withstand one of my strongest attacks and stay standing, it¡¯s incredible."*

    Ruya suddenly pushed back, spinning his body to deliver a double kick to Kajin¡¯s stomach, sending him flying. Kajin coughed in pain but managed to steady himself mid-air.

    Ruya wasted no time. Drawing an arrow made of mana, he whispered, "Kajin, this fight... Ends now." and released the shot. The arrow flew at incredible speed, growing larger as it closed the distance, making it impossible to dodge.

    Kajin had no choice but to cross his forearms in front of him. The arrow struck with immense force, its energy coursing through Kajin before detonating into a blinding blue explosion. Ruya collapsed to the ground, unconscious from exhaustion.

    As the dust settled, Kajin stood in the air, his arms still crossed. His forearms were badly burned, his stomach scorched, and his clothes tattered and torn. Breathing heavily, he slowly descended to the ground.

    Anastasia floated into the arena, checking on Ruya. After a moment, she stood and declared, "Winner of this match: Kajin!"

    Kajin, still catching his breath, glanced at his burned arms. "Hmph¡­ just how many more scars will come and go? Life is cruel indeed," he muttered to himself.

    Walking toward Anastasia, he said in a serious tone, "I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re plotting, but you planned for this spar from the beginning, didn¡¯t you?"

    Anastasia giggled playfully. "Does it matter? In the end, you¡¯ve gained someone who¡¯ll be useful to you. Isn''t this what you wanted, to reach your so dreamed goal?"

    Kajin¡¯s expression darkened, anger flickering in his eyes. "I don¡¯t use people like tools, Anastasia. I¡¯ve never treated anyone as a stepping stone, and I never will," he said, his tone cold and resolute.

    Anastasia smiled, raising her hand to make Ruya¡¯s unconscious body float. Turning toward the exit, she said, "I¡¯ll treat Ruya. His injuries aren¡¯t serious. You should go to the infirmary and get yourself patched up." Without waiting for a reply, she left the arena with Ruya in tow.

    Left alone, Kajin looked up at the sky, his eyes returning to their normal state. Clouds gathered overhead, and a single raindrop fell on his nose.

    "Why do I feel¡­ so goddamn empty?" he whispered.

 Chapter 12 - The Boy of the Arrow

    Rain poured over the Dark Castle, accompanied by the deafening clap of thunder and flashes of lightning striking near the mountains. Kajin stood in the shower, his head bowed as cold water cascaded over him. Bandages covered his hands and arms, reminders of his recent battle. Slowly, he raised his tired, half-closed eyes to look at his arms, the memories of the spar and its aftermath flooding back.

    After the fight, Kajin had gone to the infirmary to get his wounds treated. As the medics stitched up the cuts on his stomach and bandaged his arms, he couldn¡¯t stop thinking about his time at the Royal Castle, the pain and suffering that had shaped his entire life. Shaking his head to dispel the thoughts, Kajin closed the water and grabbed a towel, drying himself off before putting on a black long-sleeved shirt and matching pants.

    Walking into his room, he moved slowly to his bed and sat down. His mind was anything but clear, memories of the Royal Castle haunted him relentlessly. Kajin buried his face in his hands, the cruel voices from his past taunting him:

    "You brat! Come here before I beat you again!"

    "You¡¯re nothing but a slave to the Royal Family! You should¡¯ve been killed long ago!"

    "Get that monster away from me! He¡¯s a disgrace to our kingdom!"

    The voices grew louder, each one stabbing deeper into his psyche.

    "AGHHH!!! FUCK!!! FUCK!!! FUCK!!! FUCK!!! SHUT UP!!!" Kajin roared, his frustration and rage erupting uncontrollably. He stood and drove his fist into the wall, leaving a massive crack in the stone. As he prepared to throw another punch, a hand caught his wrist.

    Kajin turned to see Ruya, who released his grip and said in a serious yet friendly tone, "Look bro, I know you¡¯re having a hard time, but there¡¯s no need to destroy the whole castle because of it."

    Kajin shot Ruya a cold, tired glare before replying, "Don¡¯t tell me what to do, Ruya. You know nothing." His voice carried a mix of anger and sadness.

    Unfazed, Ruya persisted. "Maybe I don¡¯t know everything, but you¡¯re not the only one who¡¯s suffered."

    Kajin¡¯s eyes widened in surprise, a flicker of empathy breaking through his rage. After a moment, he sat back down on the bed. Ruya grabbed a chair, turned it backward, and sat on it, resting his arms on the backrest.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

    "I was born into a normal family in the Eldarion Kingdom, the so-called paradise of the elves," Ruya began. "We lived in a village near the Golden Flatlands, right on the border between Darkvill and Eldarion. When I was five, a border war broke out. Our village got caught in the crossfire. Demons raided the village, enslaving the women, killing the men, and taking the children as either slaves or worse. My father was killed right in front of me, and my mother¡­ she was captured along with me."

    Kajin¡¯s interest piqued at the story, his anger subsiding slightly as he listened.

    "I thought I was lucky to be taken instead of killed like my father. But that thought didn¡¯t last long. After the demons destroyed the village, they brought us to Voidar, the slave cages. That¡¯s where I was separated from my mother. I haven¡¯t seen her since."

    Ruya clenched his fists, his tone hardening. "The conditions there were so brutal that out of the 2,789 elves captured, only 512 survived. I watched my childhood friends die, some even trying to kill me to stay alive. Life in Voidar was hell. So much so that I tried to kill myself once. But a friend stopped me, her name was Kiara. She cared for me like no one else ever had. She¡¯s the reason I¡¯m still alive today."

    Ruya paused, taking a deep breath. "When we were ten, we decided to escape. We waited for the right moment, sneaking out when the guards were distracted during a supply delivery. Somehow, we made it past the gates and removed the magic bracelets that locked our mana. I used a skill the village elder had taught us, the same invisibility skill I used during our battle, Kajin."

    Kajin¡¯s eyes widened further at the revelation. "Invisibility¡­ That explains it. But his mastery of the skill, it¡¯s beyond anything I¡¯ve ever seen, did he perhaps awaken it? I couldn¡¯t detect him at all, even at my level¡­ He¡¯s extraordinary."

    Ruya continued, "We ran as far as we could, but the demons quickly caught up. Kiara¡­ she sacrificed herself so I could escape. I didn¡¯t want to leave her, but her determination was too strong. So, I let her go."

    His voice cracked with regret, his hands trembling slightly. After a brief silence, he resumed. "I kept running, but reinforcements caught me. The second army commander was right behind me. I thought it was the end. But then, out of nowhere, a woman appeared. She fought off the commander with magic I¡¯d never seen before. She smiled at me and said, ¡®Come with me, boy, and you¡¯ll escape the terrors of this life.¡¯ That woman was Anastasia."

    Kajin¡¯s expression softened as he absorbed the story.

    "For the next eight years, I lived here and trained harder than I ever thought possible," Ruya finished. "I vowed to become strong enough to protect others and bring peace to this world."

    Ruya leaned his head on his arms, exhaling deeply. The room fell silent for a long moment before Ruya looked up at Kajin.

    "I¡¯ve shared my story with you. I¡¯ve told you who I am. Now, all I ask is for you to do the same."

 Chapter 13 - The Sun God

    After Ruya finished, Kajin¡¯s eyes dropped to the side, uncertainty clouding his face. Should he open up to Ruya or not? His expression was one of sadness and exhaustion. Leaning forward, he gripped his knees for support, his long, wet, messy hair falling down and covering his face entirely. Ruya said nothing, waiting patiently for Kajin¡¯s response. After some time, Kajin finally spoke.

    "It all started 19 years ago. The Demon Queen gave birth to me, a cursed child, half-human, half-demon. Controversy spread like wildfire about how the Queen could have had an affair with a human. Many believed she was manipulated, but others dismissed that idea because of her mastery over manipulation magic. Either way, the Queen remained silent. There was little information about who this human was or where he might be now. Rumors claimed he was killed immediately after the two had done the deed"

    Ruya listened attentively, though confusion flickered across his face. "Your family¡¯s weird, bro," he said, breaking the tension.

    Kajin sighed, not disagreeing. "Don¡¯t call those creatures my family," he muttered. He paused before continuing. "Right after I was born, the Queen ordered my death. And my executioner? None other than Agnus."

    Ruya¡¯s eyes widened in shock, but he stayed quiet as Kajin went on.

    "Agnus unsheathed his blade, prepared to strike, and swung. But the blade never reached its target. Just as it was about to sever my head, a magical barrier of red flames appeared, blocking the sword and melting it instantly. Everyone froze, not because of the barrier, but because of the magic behind it. It turned out I possessed Lucif Magic, an ancient, dark magic once wielded by the First Demon King. Somehow, I had inherited it."

    Ruya¡¯s mouth fell open, but he didn¡¯t interrupt.

    "After that, they spared me," Kajin continued, "but I wasn¡¯t treated as royalty. I was made a slave. When I turned five, the King locked me away in one of the castle¡¯s towers. I was given just enough food and water to survive, but no clothes or protection from the cold. The stone walls were my only shield against the harsh winds, and even they didn¡¯t help much. I only survived because I knew a little fire magic, just enough to keep my body warm."  Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

    Kajin paused, his voice lowering. "The only things I remember from that time are the freezing cold and the hard stone floor I slept on."

    "When I turned seven, they started training me to become a war weapon. The training was hell, pure hell. That¡¯s where I got my scars."

    Leaning back slightly, Kajin stared at his arms, his eyes distant. "Because I had immense magic power and exceptional hand-to-hand combat skills, they turned me into a Close Combat Mage. I relied on flame magic heavily, refusing to use the Lucif Magic. Do you know why? Because I hated the Royal Family. I didn¡¯t want any connection to them. To me, they were monsters who used me, tormented me, and treated me like I didn¡¯t belong. But I didn¡¯t care about belonging. I just wanted to survive."

    Kajin¡¯s tone shifted slightly. "I met Anastasia when I was thirteen. She introduced herself, but I didn¡¯t believe her. I thought she was some crazy freak, and honestly, I still think that. I tried ignoring her, but she wouldn¡¯t leave me alone. One day, I got fed up and attacked her, but¡­ she beat me. After that, I had no choice but to listen to her."

    Kajin¡¯s voice grew more reflective. "She told me her story and revealed secrets about the Royal Family. Over time, I learned more and more from her. She even taught me the White Flame Magic, a rare and powerful light magic once wielded by William the First, the founder of the Montag Kingdom. From history to magic basics, Anastasia was my teacher."

    Ruya nodded thoughtfully. "If she helped you so much, why do you hate her? You treat her like she did something terrible."

    Kajin slowly lifted his gaze to meet Ruya¡¯s. "The reason is simple¡­ She treated me like a weapon, just like the rest of them."

    Ruya¡¯s eyes widened. "What?! How? Why?" he asked, disbelief coloring his voice.

    Kajin sighed. "Just because she taught me all these things doesn¡¯t mean her intentions were pure. Like the Royal Family, she saw me as a tool, a means to an end."

    Ruya stayed silent, though questions filled his mind. He knew now wasn¡¯t the time to ask them.

    Kajin glanced at him briefly before turning his gaze back to his arms. "When I was fifteen, they started sending me on missions: assassinations, rescues, patrols, raids, and more. Around that time, Agnus returned from a long mission in the southern kingdom. He made it a point to visit me in the tower every day. His visits weren¡¯t out of kindness. He came to humiliate me and beat me until my bones broke."

    Kajin chuckled darkly, his voice tinged with bitter irony. "He called it revenge. I called it an act of love and care. Hah¡­ Agnus tasted his first defeat, when I was born, and for fifteen years he had held his anger.  For four years, I was his personal stress reliever. Every day, I endured his wrath, mentally and physically. But one day¡­ Everything changed."

 Chapter 14 - The Journey

    "One day, after training, Agnus visited me again, beating me like always. While doing so, he was talking about some gold that the Royal Castle was going to transport somewhere in a few weeks. During the four years of beatings from him, I had started to endure most of the pain, and my body was in better shape to do anything crazy. After Agnus left for a far mission, I escaped from the tower, sneaking into the massive carriages that were going to transport the gold. I hid there for a day before being discovered.

    I was chased by the three commanders of the third, fourth, and fifth army. I tried my best to escape, but I was far too slow, and they caught up to me. Having no other choice, I fought them. Even though I won, I wasn''t able to successfully leave without notice. I stumbled upon the city of Albille, and right as I entered the gates to the city, the guards and the soldiers within recognized me and chased after me... And I guess you know the rest."

    Kajin sighed heavily and then fell onto the bed.

    Ruya nodded and sat up from the chair. "Yeah, I learned the rest from Anastasia... Your story is wild."

    Kajin chuckled. "Hmph. At least I wasn¡¯t a baby like you who tried to kill himself," he said, making fun of Ruya.Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

    Ruya immediately got mad and shouted, "Watch your mouth, Kajin! Don¡¯t make me fry that face of yours too." He crossed his arms and tilted his head up, angry at Kajin¡¯s words.

    Kajin giggled and said, "You are funny." Finding Ruya¡¯s reaction hysterical, Kajin got up from his bed and walked toward the window. Ruya followed him with his eyes.

    Kajin crossed his arms and looked out at the mountains as it rained. "I have decided to accept your... words, I may say, and take you with me on my journey," said Kajin, his tone serious.

    Ruya jumped in excitement, hearing Kajin¡¯s statement. "Hell yeah, baby! We are taking off!" he shouted with excitement.

    Kajin looked at him with confusion, a small smile cracking on his face. "No need to throw a party over it, Ruya," said Kajin, his gaze returning to the mountains.

    Ruya nodded, his eyes glowing with happiness. Kajin continued, "We are leaving tomorrow, so you should go and see your friends one last time before we start."

    Ruya stopped for a moment and replied, "Alright! I¡¯ll be going now!"

    Kajin, remembering something, turned around. "Oh, and Ruy¡ª" But Ruya had already disappeared.

    Kajin smiled and then walked back to the bed. Sitting down, he started to meditate.

    "Suddenly, the feelings I had earlier have completely disappeared¡­ Hm... Maybe opening up made me release some of my pain and understand it. But right now is not the time to wander too much. A journey... is about to begin."

    Kajin slowly closed his eyes, clearing his mind, and began to meditate.

 Chapter 15 - The Longing Desires

    In a room, Anastasia sat on a throne-like chair, sipping some tea while talking with Carl. Suddenly, the door of the room opened, and Ruya stepped in. Anastasia threw a glance at him and looked at her tea.

    "We knock first, Ruya. How many times do I have to tell you that?" said Anastasia, smiling.

    Carl looked at Ruya. "Her Highness is right, Ruya. It''s disrespectful to barge in without knocking," said Carl in a serious tone.

    Ruya sighed, brushing them off, and sat on a nearby chair. "C''mon, y''all don''t have to make such a fuss about it," said Ruya. Looking at them, he continued, "Kajin decided to take me on his journey."

    Carl''s eyes opened wide in shock and surprise, while Anastasia remained silent.

    "Kajin decided to take you on his journey?!" said Carl, clearly not believing Ruya.

    Anastasia giggled at Carl''s reaction, taking a sip from her tea. "Congrats, Ruya. I knew you would succeed," she said.

    Carl stood silent for a moment, looking carefully at Ruya. "I don''t know how a little yellow monkey was accepted by Kajin... Maybe it''s just a big misunderstanding because there is no way someone with Kajin''s character would take you with him," said Carl.

    Veins popped out of anger on Ruya''s face. Getting up from his chair, Ruya replied, "Shut up, you old carrot. All you do is sleep in the kitchen. Your food sucks, and I don''t know why they still keep you here!"

    Carl clenched his teeth and was about to say something before being stopped by Anastasia.

    "Stop it, guys. I don''t want to hear you two fight again," said Anastasia, taking another sip of her tea.

    Ruya and Carl stared at each other for a few seconds before turning their heads away.

    "Did Kajin say anything else, Ruya?" asked Anastasia, breaking the silence while still looking at her tea.

    "Yeah, he said that we will be leaving tomorrow and that I should see everyone before we leave," said Ruya.This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

    Anastasia looked at her reflection in the tea. "I see... Are you ready for the adventure?" asked Anastasia again, her eyes turning to look at Ruya.

    Ruya nodded in happiness. "More than ready, for sure. I''ve grown tired of some faces here," said Ruya as he glanced at Carl.

    Hearing this, Carl spoke. "Hmph, same for me too. Better have this yellow monkey as far away from me as possible."

    Anastasia sighed, tired of the two fighting. Ruya exhaled angrily at Carl, but something came to mind all of a sudden. Turning to Anastasia, he asked, "I heard from Kajin that you... used him?"

    He waited patiently for Anastasia''s response. Anastasia, caught off guard by the question, took a moment to think before finally saying, "Well... it''s complicated. When I first heard of Kajin, I was here at the Dark Castle. I was surprised and shocked at the news that a half-human, half-demon was born in the Royal Family, in my family. I was even more surprised and shocked when I got the news that he avoided death because Lucif Magic saved him. It came at me very fast, and I was all confused by it.

    After some years, I decided to pay a visit to him. When I first saw him, he was very hostile and didn¡¯t want to talk with anyone, but after a good beating, he decided to listen."

    Anastasia looked at her tea once more, her hands wrapping the cup she was holding. "I started to teach him everything I knew about this world, well, the things I was 100% sure of knowing. After a while, he started to have doubts about many things about me, one of which was the way I spoke to him and the way I treated him.

    After I told him about Alfredo... his goal was born. He believed that if he surpassed Alfredo, he could actually... claim the throne." Anastasia''s expression began to harden slightly as she continued, "But one thing was stuck in his mind: the reason I was doing all of this for him. I wanted him to succeed. I wanted him to help me... return to my home. I wanted to use him to complete my dreams and desires."

    Anastasia paused a little, leaning back slowly and looking at the ceiling. "I guess I made a mistake telling him that I basically wanted him to be my meat shield and worker."

    Listening to this, Ruya and Carl stood silent. Ruya then spoke. "So it was all a misunderstanding?" he asked, his tone curious and full of hope.

    "Not exactly. At that moment, I found myself desperate, and emotions took over me. It was a misunderstanding within me. I should have said it better to Kajin and not spoken to him like he was my dog," replied Anastasia, her tone full of guilt.

    Carl then said, "My Highness, I think that with time he will eventually understand what you meant."

    Anastasia looked at Carl with a smile. "I hope he does, Carl," she said.

    She stood up and started to walk toward the door. "Well, time will tell, like always. Ruya, after you tell your goodbyes to the maids here in the castle, go to your room. I¡¯ve prepared a gift for you," said Anastasia.

    Ruya jumped in excitement upon hearing the word "gift." "HELL YEAH!!! Thanks so much, Lady Anastasia! You are the best!" Anastasia smiled and left, closing the door behind her.

 Chapter 16 - The Healer

    The morning came. Kajin hopped out of his bed and walked to the bathroom. Making his way to the sink, he slowly removed the bandages from his arms. The burns on his hands were mostly healed but not entirely. After quickly examining them, he put on new bandages. He washed his face and hands, not paying attention to his hair, and walked out of the bathroom to get dressed.

    Putting on a tight black t-shirt accompanied by small pieces of armor, he slipped into long, baggy pants and wrapped a small bag around his waist. While doing so, his thoughts drifted back:

    While Kajin was meditating, Anastasia had entered his room. Noticing her presence, Kajin opened his eyes and looked at her.

    "What do you want, Anastasia?" he asked in a serious tone.

    Anastasia smiled and walked toward him, carrying a small bag in her hand.

    "Hmmm, that¡¯s not a polite way to greet your big sister, Kajin. You are royalty as well. You should know how to respect people close to you," said Anastasia smoothly and calmly.

    Kajin remained silent, and Anastasia continued. "What do I want?" she repeated. "Well, to greet my little brother, of course. I won¡¯t see him for a while, so I thought of coming here to have a little chat."

    Kajin shifted his gaze away from her and said coldly, "Well, if that¡¯s so, do it quickly. I don¡¯t have much time."

    Anastasia sighed in disappointment. "I know that you hate the royal family, but it looks like you still want to continue with the training and discipline they raised you with. In other words, you¡¯re still doing what you were told to do: train, train, and train," said Anastasia teasingly.

    Kajin clenched his teeth in anger and replied, "Training is something every human being does! They trained me because they wanted to use me for themselves. I train because I want to use my own body for myself!"

    Anastasia chuckled. "Whatever you say, brother." She tossed the small bag she had in her hand at Kajin, which hit his face when he didn¡¯t catch it. Anastasia giggled and said, "This bag has a first aid kit and food that can last up to two months."  Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

    Kajin slowly picked up the bag, annoyed by her earlier action.

    "A magic bag... She really does have everything in this castle. Even the Royal Castle has just five of them," he thought and then asked, "Why are you giving me such a rare item?"

    Anastasia smiled. "Well, I don¡¯t need it. It¡¯s been in my castle since the day I started living here," she said. After a moment, she asked, "So... what is your dream?"

    The question caught Kajin off guard, and his eyes widened. After a few seconds, he turned to look out the window.

    "My dream? Well... now that I think about it... my dream is simple..." He paused for a while. "I want to explore everything. In short, I want to explore the entire Ignathian Continent. That is my dream," declared Kajin, a bit of softness hidden in his voice.

    Anastasia smiled. "Hmph! Much better." She turned to the door and walked toward it.

    "Kajin, I want you to visit an old friend of mine. She lives in the Eldarion Kingdom, and she¡¯s an elf. Her name is Maria... the strongest elf mage and the best healer on the continent."

    Hearing the word "healer," Kajin¡¯s curiosity peaked, and he was full of surprise.

    "Healer?!" he repeated. "She¡¯s a healer? Moreover, she¡¯s the strongest mage in the Eldarion Kingdom... That¡¯s... rare."

    Anastasia gripped the handle of the door. "Yes, indeed. What I want from you is to go and meet her. Tell Maria that you were sent by me, and she will know what to do."

    She opened the door, and Kajin asked, "Why are you sending me there?"

    Anastasia stopped and replied, "What a dumb question... So you can become stronger, what else?" She looked back at Kajin. "Don¡¯t disappoint me... Kajin."

    As soon as she finished, she left and shut the door. Kajin was left surprised and confused by Anastasia, his thoughts drifting back to what she had told him about healers.

    "The healers possess healing magic, a rare ability these days. Before the war between Montag and Darkvill, healers were more common, and around 10% of every kingdom¡¯s mages were healers. When the war broke out, an unexpected magic curse spread across the continent, effective only against healer mages. This curse wiped out around 99% of all healers in the continent. This was one of the main factors why humans lost the war. They relied heavily on healers, and their deaths were a gigantic loss. From then on, every new healer born in the now three kingdoms was considered a miracle. That¡¯s why healers are so rare. Every kingdom has around 10 healers, and Eldarion ranks first with a total of 18 healers."

    Finishing with his thoughts, Kajin lay down on the bed and slowly closed his eyes.

    Returning from the recap of the previous day, Kajin walked toward the door. His steps were slow.

    "The journey is finally beginning. Wait for me, Agnus..." muttered Kajin, a smirk appearing on his face. He reached for the door. His eyes turned red and a crimson aura started to surround him.

    "I will take your throne right in front of your own eyes... and make sure to kill you in the most painful way possible."

 Chapter 17 - Magic and Bow

    Kajin opened the door and stepped outside. He looked around and noticed Ruya sitting on the floor with his back against the wall. Ruya lifted his head and looked at him. Kajin returned the gaze, and after a moment of awkward silence, he asked, "What are you doing?"

    "Waiting for you," Ruya replied.

    Kajin furrowed his brows, surprised and confused.

    "So, are we going or what?" Ruya asked innocently.

    Hearing this, Kajin started walking away. Ruya quickly got up from the ground and followed behind him.

    As they made their way toward the castle¡¯s exit, Ruya kept glancing at Kajin, his eyes never leaving him. Kajin, staring straight ahead, noticed Ruya¡¯s gaze. A small vein popped on his forehead in annoyance, but he kept walking.

    When they reached the exit of the castle and stepped into the garden, Kajin turned abruptly and punched Ruya in the face, sending him flying to the ground.

    "I guess some people never learn their lesson," Kajin said, closing his eyes and turning his head away.

    Ruya slowly got up, brushing the dust off his clothes.

    "Hey! I was just looking at you! What¡¯s wrong with that?" Ruya said, annoyed.

    "Yeah, and I don¡¯t like being stared at. Especially so close," Kajin replied.

    Ruya sighed and walked toward him. "Alright, alright. I¡¯m sorry."

    Kajin gave him a quick glance, then turned and walked toward the large door set in the tall castle walls. Ruya followed closely.

    As Kajin approached the door, he gave it a light push. The massive structure creaked open, and a strong, cold wind blew in. The door fully opened, revealing the breathtaking view of the Dryia Mountains bathed in the golden light of the rising sun.

    Both of them stood still, taking in the sight. Kajin¡¯s expression softened, filled with awe, happiness, and a touch of confusion.

    "Woah..." he murmured.

    Ruya, equally amazed, gazed at the intricate details of the mountains.  Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

    "So beautiful," Ruya whispered.

    After a moment, Kajin shook his head and slapped Ruya on the back of the neck.

    "OUCH!" Ruya cried out.

    "Come on, we have to go," Kajin said, already moving toward the massive stairs that descended into the valley below.

    As they started their descent, Anastasia watched them from her balcony, a bright smile on her face.

    "Have fun on your journey, sweetie," she said playfully.

    After some time, Kajin and Ruya finally reached the base of the stairs, now surrounded by a vast field of grass encircled by the towering mountains.

    "Follow me. I know the way," Ruya said confidently.

    Kajin nodded and walked beside him as Ruya led the way.

    After walking for a while, Kajin asked, "So, how good are you with the bow and arrow?"

    Ruya turned to him with a smile. "Well, I¡¯d say pretty good. After our fight, Anastasia told me I¡¯d reached High-Mid Arrow."

    Kajin¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. "High-Mid Arrow?! That¡¯s... impressive. You¡¯re indeed very skilled with the bow."

    Ruya chuckled. "Thanks!"

    They continued walking across the grassy field until they arrived at a cave-like entrance.

    "Walking through this cave will take us outside the mountains," Ruya said, stepping inside.

    Kajin followed without hesitation. As they entered, Ruya pulled out an arrow and infused it with fire magic, holding it up to light their path.

    Kajin glanced at Ruya. "You¡¯ve mastered the four elements. It¡¯s impressive how well you infuse magic into your arrows."

    Ruya blushed slightly. "Hahaha, thank you..."

    After a moment, Ruya asked, "Kajin, can I ask you a question?"

    "Yeah, go ahead," Kajin replied.

    "How much do you know about your Lucif Magic?" Ruya asked curiously, glancing at him.

    Kajin paused to think deeply before responding. "Lucif Magic is an ancient dark magic used by the First Demon King. It¡¯s believed to carry his will within it. In short, using it allows the will of the First Demon King to possess your body. While it¡¯s not confirmed, no one in Darkvill¡¯s history has possessed this magic except for him. The Demon King¡¯s journal mentioned that the magic somehow became infused with him, which led to this theory. I can¡¯t deny it," Kajin explained.

    Ruya, amazed and slightly frightened, asked, "You mean you can feel the Demon King inside you when you use Lucif Magic?"

    Kajin nodded. "Yeah. When I use it, I hear a voice calling me, and my body starts to feel strange. I suddenly want to destroy everything around me and get an overwhelming urge to kill."

    Ruya laughed nervously. "So... what exactly is Lucif Magic?"

    Kajin took another moment to think before replying, "To be honest... I don¡¯t know."

    Ruya¡¯s expression turned blank with disappointment. "You... don¡¯t... know?!"

    Kajin shrugged. "No clue. Besides giving me boosts in magic, mana, strength, speed, agility, and vision, Lucif Magic is practically useless if magic isn¡¯t your main weapon in combat."

    Ruya thought for a moment and then suggested, "Maybe Lucif Magic is still dormant, and you need to awaken it to discover its true potential."

    Hearing this, Kajin¡¯s expression turned serious. "No. Never! I will never use Lucif Magic as my main weapon!"

    Ruya sighed in understanding. "Alright, I get it."

    They continued walking until they finally saw light at the end of the tunnel.

 Chapter 18 - The King

    In a large, dark corridor, a tall male figure walked toward the massive door at its end. As he passed through the faint shafts of light cast by the tall windows along the walls, his eyes glowed briefly. Reaching the door, he pushed the large handle. The door creaked open, revealing a massive room with the same oppressive darkness. The atmosphere was heavy, with little to no light. A long red carpet stretched through the center of the room, leading up to a grand staircase in the middle.

    The man entered, his head bowed. He walked along the red carpet and stopped near the stairs. Falling to his knees, he bowed low.

    "Your Majesty, I report that the kid has escaped," he said in a strong but quiet voice. "Our forces were all brutally killed, and we¡¯ve completely lost him."

    A heavy silence filled the room.

    From the top of the stairs, a voice broke through the stillness, sharp and full of anger. "Escaped? He escaped? Without a trace?!"

    The figure seated on the grand throne shifted slightly. His alabaster skin caught the faint candlelight, and his long, dark hair framed his sharp features with an ethereal elegance. Though much of his face was obscured in shadow, the crimson glow of his eyes pierced through the darkness. His intricate black coat and pristine white ruffled shirt added to his imposing presence. The deep red curtains and purple roses surrounding him gave the throne a somber, almost otherworldly beauty.

    "Othid," the Demon King snarled, his voice like ice, "how could you let a mere slave escape? You, the second-best general of the kingdom! How?"

    He clenched his fist and struck the armrest of his throne, cracking it.

    Othid remained silent for a moment before replying, "It was a mistake, Your Majesty. But you must not underestimate Kajin. He is strong, and even the Great Demon King knows it. This is what we have feared all along."

    The Demon King sighed in frustration and folded his hands. "You have disappointed me, Othid. And I... Darius, the Demon King, do not tolerate disappointment."  This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    Othid bowed lower. "I understand, Your Majesty. I assure you, we will capture him as quickly as possible."

    Darius remained quiet for a moment before speaking again. "You know, Othid... since the day that creature was born, my reputation has only suffered. We¡¯ve lost two border wars, one with the Eldarion Kingdom and the other with the Ironland Kingdom. Then there was the prison escape almost ten years ago. Over a thousand prisoners broke free because our troops were foolish enough to chase two useless children, allowing the entire prison to rise up against us. And still... they managed to catch only one of them."

    Darius clenched his fists, his voice calm but seething with rage. "And now, the other one escapes." His crimson eyes glowed brighter, and the air in the room grew heavy with an oppressive energy.

    Sensing the danger, Othid squeezed his eyes shut as an overwhelming pressure filled the space. His body trembled under the weight of Darius¡¯s killing intent, cold sweat dripping down his face.

    "Tell me, Othid," Darius spoke slowly, his voice chilling. "Was I wrong to kill them all?"

    A wave of magic burst through the room, shattering all the glass into a million fragments.

    "No, Your Majesty," Othid replied, trembling. "You were completely justified. They all deserved it."

    Darius slowly closed his eyes, and the suffocating pressure eased. Othid let out a silent breath of relief.

    "Othid," Darius commanded, his tone steady but firm, "reinforce the border security. Double, no, triple the guards. Ensure that the slave does not escape again. I will assign the Royal Patrol to intensify their search. They may take up to 40% of the troops from all five armies if necessary."

    Othid¡¯s eyes widened at the statement but said nothing.

    "Any questions, Othid?" Darius asked, sighing deeply and crossing his hands.

    Othid hesitated before asking, "Shall I report this to the Queen, Your Majesty?"

    Darius chuckled bitterly. "No need. She doesn¡¯t care what that slave does, whether he¡¯s alive, dead, a slave, or free. She doesn¡¯t care."

    Othid nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty." He stood, still bowing his head. "I shall take my leave now. A meeting with the generals will be held in an hour as per your orders."

    Darius gestured for him to go. Bowing once more, Othid walked toward the door. His steps were slow and deliberate. Once outside, he shut the door, leaving Darius alone in the throne room.

    Darius crossed his legs and exhaled angrily. "I have to do everything myself these days. I¡¯m surrounded by idiots. Ever since the war with the humans, they¡¯ve grown slow and lazy. Not a single order is carried out correctly."

    Rising from his throne, he muttered, "So much to do¡­ so much incompetence to deal with. It¡¯s all so exhausting."

    He began descending the cold, white stairs, his expression as dark as the room around him.

 Chapter 19 - Part One: No. 9062

    As Kajin and Ruya approached the cave¡¯s entrance, they were momentarily blinded by the light outside. Shielding their eyes with their arms, they stepped out. Kajin lowered his arm slightly and took a look around. In front of him stretched a vast forest, with tall trees and soft grass. The sound of birds filled the air, and the sun shone brightly on the grass, making it glow. The earthy scent of wet wood surrounded them.

    "This is..." Kajin muttered, lost in thought.

    Ruya slapped him hard on the back, catching him off guard. "C''mon, Kajin, we need to move," Ruya said, grinning brightly. He darted into the forest, leaping high into the air and onto a tree. Moving swiftly, he hopped from branch to branch with ease. Looking back, he called out, "Don''t fall behind!"

    Kajin blinked in surprise but quickly smirked. "Don¡¯t underestimate me just because you got a head start!"

    His arms ignited with flames as he leapt into the air. Gathering fire in his palms, he unleashed a fiery explosion, propelling himself forward at incredible speed. Ruya, alarmed by the noise, turned to see Kajin flying ahead of him.

    "Don''t fall behind!" Kajin shouted, smirking as he released another explosion to increase his speed.

    Caught in the explosion¡¯s shockwave, Ruya crashed into a tree. Coughing, he steadied himself and muttered, "That bastard..." After catching his breath, Ruya closed his eyes briefly and vanished from sight.

    Kajin sped through the forest, glancing around. "Did I leave that fool too far behind...?" he wondered. Suddenly, he felt a weight on his shoulders. Looking up, he saw Ruya standing smugly on top of him.

    "What the hell? How did he get here?!" Kajin exclaimed in shock.

    Ruya laughed and said, "The forest has been my second home since I was a baby."The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    Leaping off Kajin¡¯s shoulders, Ruya landed on his back and gripped his shoulders. His eyes began to glow as he pushed off, propelling himself forward and sending Kajin crashing to the ground.

    Kajin groaned, brushing off the dirt from his clothes. His expression darkened. "That elf has too much confidence. I should¡¯ve beaten him properly back in the castle."

    Fire engulfed Kajin¡¯s feet as he crouched into a running position. Flexing his legs, he launched himself forward with small fiery explosions, rapidly gaining speed. Before long, he caught up with Ruya, who glanced down in shock.

    "How did he catch up so fast?!" Ruya thought, gritting his teeth.

    The two raced through the forest at incredible speeds, startling the animals as they zipped past. Eventually, the forest began to thin, signaling its end. Both gave it their all, Ruya leaping harder and Kajin switching to white flames for an extra burst of speed.

    As the last of the trees fell behind them, the pair made a final leap. Landing with a loud thud, Kajin slowly stood, brushing himself off. He looked over to see Ruya standing triumphantly.

    Ruya turned to Kajin and laughed. Kajin¡¯s tired and annoyed expression was obvious.

    "Yeah, yeah, you won. Congratulations, Ruya," Kajin said dryly.

    Ruya grinned. "Guess we¡¯re even now! You beat me in the spar, and I beat you in the race!" He extended a hand toward Kajin.

    Kajin looked at the offered hand but didn¡¯t take it. Instead, he released a fireball at Ruya.

    Ruya flew back, crashing into a tree. Smoke poured from his mouth as he slumped to the ground.

    Kajin turned away, crossing his arms. "Now we¡¯re even."

    He began walking away as Ruya groaned, slowly picking himself up. "C''mon, bro... that was just part of the race," Ruya muttered weakly, following after him.

    They walked along a stone path until Kajin stopped at a nearby signpost. Reading it carefully, he muttered aloud, "Current location: Mid-Night Flower Valley."

    Looking around, Kajin noticed the valley was filled with the glowing flowers that gave it its name. He continued reading the sign, "South-East: Slavara."

    The name struck him like a bolt. His heartbeat quickened, and the world seemed to shatter around him. Memories flooded his mind, and his expression darkened.

    Ruya noticed his sudden stillness and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Kajin? Is everything alright?"

    Kajin snapped out of his thoughts, his eyes now cold and resolute. "Change of plans."

    Ruya tilted his head in confusion. "Huh? But wh¡ª"

    "Slavara," Kajin interrupted, his voice firm. His eyes glowed red with intensity. "We¡¯re heading to Slavara. There¡¯s no time to lose."

    Without another word, Kajin marched forward, leaving a bewildered Ruya to follow.

 Chapter 20 - Part two: No. 9062

    As night fell in the Royal Castle, five figures, including Othid, sat around a large rectangular table in a dimly lit room filled with the warm glow of candles. Shadows danced on the stone walls, giving the room an eerie ambiance. A detailed map of the Ignathian Continent lay in the center of the table, its edges slightly worn, and glasses of deep red wine sat untouched in front of them each.

    Othid crossed his arms, his sharp gaze scanning the group before speaking. "We are gathered here today, by the King¡¯s orders, to address a pressing matter. The Queen''s son, Kajin, has escaped the Royal Castle. He engaged us at the city of Albille, defeated our forces, and vanished without a trace," he announced, his tone cold and calculated.

    The room fell silent except for the soft crackling of the candles, their flames flickering slightly as a breeze slipped through the cracks in the stone. Othid continued, his voice carrying weight. "As a result of this disaster, our army will be reduced by 40%, and control over the Kingdom''s inner defense will be handed to the Royal Patrol. Our influence within the Kingdom will significantly diminish."

    A loud slam interrupted him, echoing through the room. "This is absurd! How can the King do this to us?!" growled General Rhyver, a towering figure with thick, matted fur. His deep, booming voice carried his frustration, and his clawed hand left a faint mark on the table.

    "I agree with Rhyver," said a serpentine figure with a long, coiled body. His voice hissed through the air as he gestured slightly with his tail. "The King should have consulted us first. We deserved to have a say in this."

    Othid observed them calmly, his sharp features remaining impassive. "Anyone else wish to express their thoughts?"

    A soft, almost mocking laugh came from Valena, a woman with a sly smile. Her fingers delicately traced the rim of her wine glass. "You¡¯re all overreacting. Losing some troops doesn¡¯t mean we¡¯re losing power. The Royal Patrol will catch that slave soon enough. Let¡¯s wait for the King¡¯s mood to improve before negotiating," she said, her voice dripping with amusement. She sipped her wine, her movements slow and deliberate, as though she relished the tension in the room.

    The figure across from Othid leaned forward, his piercing gaze focused on the map. "Valena is right. The Royal Patrol may hold more sway now, but in war, our armies will reclaim their dominance, as we did with the humans," said General Velmor, his voice steady and brimming with ambition. His scarred hands rested on the table.

    Othid¡¯s lips curled into a small smile. "Well said, Velmor." He placed a hand on the map, his finger tracing the routes. "Now, let¡¯s discuss the tasks assigned by the King."

    He pointed to the Darkvill Kingdom¡¯s capital and the surrounding slave routes, marked in deep red ink. "The slave routes connecting the capital to the human lands are under attack by the resistance. These raids are disrupting the flow of slaves, creating significant issues. Our job is to eliminate these disruptions and stabilize the system."

    Othid addressed each member in turn, his tone commanding. "Velmor, you will oversee the heart of the slave route, the city of Vanhill."

    Velmor nodded without hesitation. "Understood."

    "Valena," Othid continued, "you¡¯ll guard the main route connecting Vanhill to Slavara. Raids are frequent there, so exercise caution."If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    Valena smirked, her sharp teeth glinting in the candlelight. "Always careful, dear Othid."

    "Kafka, you¡¯ll protect the route between Vanhill and Metairo. Ensure the goods are delivered safely," Othid ordered.

    "With pleasure," Kafka hissed, his tongue flicking slightly.

    Finally, Othid pointed to Slavara. "Rhyver, you¡¯ll control the slaves in Slavara. Escapes have increased, and the Holy Resistance remains a growing threat. Prevent uprisings and root out any resistance members."

    Rhyver grunted, his massive frame shifting slightly. "Got it."

    "I¡¯ll handle ensuring the slaves are safely brought to the capital and investigate the Holy Resistance," Othid concluded, his voice steady.

    The group nodded, and Othid¡¯s voice echoed through the room. "This concludes our meeting."

    ~~~

    Meanwhile, deep in the forest, Kajin and Ruya sat around a fire pit. The flames crackled softly, casting flickering shadows on the surrounding trees. Kajin stared into the fire, lost in thought, his brow furrowed. Ruya, on the other hand, was playing with a small squirrel that chirped and hopped around his lap.

    Kajin broke his silence, his voice low. "Where did you find that squirrel?"

    Ruya and the squirrel both turned to look at him. Laughing nervously, Ruya replied, "Found him when we entered the forest. He seemed lost, so I decided to bring him along."

    Kajin raised an eyebrow, his expression skeptical. "Why didn¡¯t you tell me earlier?"

    Ruya shrugged, grinning. "You were too busy daydreaming. I probably said your name more times today than there are stars in the sky." The squirrel squeaked in agreement, its tiny head bobbing as if to emphasize Ruya¡¯s words.

    Kajin rubbed his temples. "I have a bad feeling about this squirrel," he muttered before lying down. Ruya shrugged and returned to playing with the creature, the firelight reflecting off their faces. Kajin laid down, turning his back at them and closing his eyes, diving back Into his thoughts.

    Suddenly he found himself at the Royal Castle, the air heavy with tension, confused he looked around only to see a girl in a flowing white dress with black hair pass infront of him, her movements graceful yet distant, his eyes opened wide in shock and realization. Kajin began to chase her but the ground beneath his feet started to crumble as he ran after her.

    Just as he reached her, the earth gave way, and he fell into an abyss. He landed before an abandoned house, its wooden structure creaking ominously. Entering Inside, he heard someone crying loudly, as he climbed the stairs they groaned under his weight with each step.

    Finally he reached a wooden door, opening it he found the girl, her eyes covered with bloodied bandages, locked behind metal bars.

    "H-Hey... it¡¯s me, Kajin!" he said softly, his voice trembling.

    She looked up weakly. "K-Kajin? I-Is it really y-you...?"

    "Yes! I¡¯ll get you out!" Kajin exclaimed, gripping the bars tightly, "I will free you! And we will escape this hell together!"

    "Don¡¯t," she whispered. "Don''t do something that you never actually did."

    Blood seeped from her bandages as she continued, her voice trembling with anger. "You chose your reputation over me. Kajin..." She tilted her head up to look at him "You left me here... to rot... I HATE YOU!"

    Kajin stood frozen in shock by her words, his world shattering once again into a million pieces.

    The room began to collapse, and chains tore into her flesh keeping her in place. Blood splattered onto Kajin as he stood completely broken by her. Reaching slowly for her, he whispered, tears rolled down his eyes as pieces of wood fell everywhere "I''m sorry... Vanessa! Vanessa!!! VANESSA!!! I...!

    Kajin flashed open his eyes as he woke with a start, drenched in cold sweat. His heart raced as he muttered, "Just a dream..." Putting his hand on his chest he glanced at Ruya, who snored lightly with the squirrel curled up on his stomach "It''s like she is still with me... here... deep inside..." Muttered Kajin.

    Getting up, he leaned against a tree, pulling out some dried meat. As the sun began to rise, he formed a small fireball with his fingers and shot it at Ruya¡¯s rear.

    "OUCH!" Ruya yelped, jumping to his feet as the squirrel scurried away in panic.

    Kajin tossed them some meat and began walking. "Wake up, Ruya. We¡¯re in a hurry didn''t you forget?"

    Ruya rubbed his eyes and stretched, picking up his meat as he followed Kajin groggily. The squirrel hopped back onto his shoulder, nibbling its own piece of food.

 Chapter 21 - Part three: No. 9062

    Exiting the forest, Ruya walked alongside Kajin, the squirrel perched on his shoulder. Looking around the open valleys and fields, Ruya asked, "How come we haven''t crossed paths with any of the Royal Patrol?"

    Without turning, Kajin replied, "I¡¯m not exactly sure, but it¡¯s possible they avoid this region because it¡¯s home to magical monsters."

    Ruya nodded, scanning the area, but the thought lingered in his mind, leading to another question: *If the Royal Patrol avoids this region because of the monsters, then where are the monsters?*

    As Kajin continued walking, Ruya suddenly stopped, his expression turning serious. Kajin halted and turned to him. "What¡¯s the matter?" he asked.

    Ruya crouched, placing a hand on the ground. "I think something¡¯s moving... something big," he said.

    Hearing this, Kajin¡¯s eyes darted around, scanning for danger. Suddenly, the ground beneath them began to crack.

    Sensing the imminent threat, they leapt into the air just as the earth erupted with a massive explosion. As the dust settled, a colossal worm emerged, its circular mouth lined with rows of sharp teeth, and its many eyes shifting in different directions.

    Facing the massive creature, Kajin and Ruya assumed their fighting stances. The squirrel quickly hid inside Ruya''s shirt, peeking out cautiously.

    "Hmph. A tunnel worm? Could our luck get any worse?" Kajin muttered in frustration as white flames ignited around his arms. He glanced back at Ruya. "I¡¯ll distract it. Look for any openings and shoot!"

    Without hesitation, Kajin charged at the worm and delivered a fiery punch, resulting in an explosion. However, as the dust cleared, the worm remained unharmed.

    "Well, that¡¯s going to be tough to crack," Ruya remarked, loosing arrows at the worm, though they bounced harmlessly off its thick skin.

    "Yeah..." Kajin agreed as the worm lunged at him, its gaping mouth aiming to swallow him whole. He dodged nimbly, causing the worm to slam into the ground. Yet it relentlessly pursued him. Kajin launched fireballs, while Ruya continued his barrage of arrows.

    "This isn¡¯t looking good. This thing is ridiculously durable," Kajin muttered, frustration growing.

    Ruya focused intently on the worm, carefully observing its movements. Then he spotted something, a small scratch on its tough hide.  This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    "There!" Ruya exclaimed. He drew a magic fire arrow and nocked it, pulling back the bowstring with precision. After a brief pause to aim, he released the arrow, which streaked through the air with a fiery trail. The arrow struck true, burying itself into the worm¡¯s wound.

    The creature let out a deafening screech of pain. Seizing the opportunity, Kajin leapt toward its head and dove straight into its mouth.

    "Kajin!" Ruya yelled in shock, freezing momentarily. Before he could react further, the worm¡¯s body began to swell unnaturally, its skin cracking under the strain. Realizing what was about to happen, Ruya threw himself to the ground for cover.

    The worm exploded in a gruesome burst of green blood and flesh. Rising cautiously, Ruya approached the crater where the worm had been. As the dust settled, he saw Kajin, covered head-to-toe in the creature¡¯s blood, standing in the center.

    "Hey, Mr. Badass!" Ruya shouted. "Couldn¡¯t you at least warn me before pulling something like that?"

    Kajin sighed, wiping some of the blood off his face. "It was the fastest way. There wasn¡¯t time to explain," he said, walking out of the crater.

    Ruya frowned, his tone more serious. "Your life isn¡¯t a joke, Kajin. I was scared, I thought you wouldn¡¯t make it."

    Kajin stopped and turned slightly. "If you thought I wouldn¡¯t make it, then you don¡¯t believe in me," he replied flatly.

    Ruya stayed silent for a moment before responding. "You don¡¯t get it, do you? I¡¯ve lost enough people in my life who were dear to me," he said, his voice low. "I *do* believe in you, Kajin. I¡¯m just worried about you."

    Kajin listened, his gaze softening. Without saying a word, Ruya tossed him a towel.

    "Go clean yourself up. You smell like crap," Ruya said, walking past him.

    ~~~

    Later, by a nearby waterfall, Ruya sat under a tree, playing with the squirrel. Kajin, now clean, emerged from the water with a towel wrapped around his waist. He sat beside Ruya, an awkward silence hanging between them.

    "I¡¯m sorry... Ruya," Kajin finally said.

    Ruya looked at him, smiling gently. "Don¡¯t worry about it. What matters is that you understand what you did and try to fix it."

    Kajin managed a small smile, then noticed the squirrel. "What¡¯s his name?"

    Ruya hesitated, scratching his head. "I don¡¯t know," he admitted.

    "You¡¯ve been playing with him all day, and you haven¡¯t named him yet?" Kajin asked, surprised.

    "I¡¯m not good at naming things," Ruya replied sheepishly.

    "Well, how about you try?" Kajin encouraged.

    Ruya picked up the squirrel, holding him up for a closer look. After a moment, he said, "How about... Cracknut?"

    The squirrel squeaked happily, seemingly approving of the name.

    "Cracknut!" Ruya repeated with a grin, tossing the squirrel into the air playfully.

    Kajin chuckled as he walked back to his clothes. While dressing, his thoughts wandered. "The dream about Vanessa, the fight with the worm¡­ today really made me question who I am. Escaping the castle wasn¡¯t just about fleeing, it was about leaving my old self behind."

    Fully dressed, Kajin looked at Ruya and Cracknut. "Ruya¡¯s made a big impact on my life. He sees me as a brother, and I can¡¯t deny that he feels like family to me."

    Kajin walked over and tapped Ruya¡¯s shoulder. "C¡¯mon, we¡¯ve got to move. If we push hard, we can reach Slavara in two days."

    "Got it," Ruya replied, placing Cracknut on his shoulder and following Kajin.

 Chapter 22 - Part four: No. 9062

    "I''m so bored," Rhyver muttered, expressing his frustration. Sitting on a chair with his legs propped on the table, papers and documents were scattered everywhere. "Why? Why?! Why did that bastard Othid assign me this?" He gestured angrily at the mess of paperwork. "I can''t sit here and deal with all this, I¡¯m a werewolf!"

    As Rhyver ranted, a knock sounded at the door. "Come in!" he shouted, his irritation clear. The door creaked open, and a tall, slim, elderly goblin stepped in. Dressed in a black suit, the goblin greeted him warmly, "Ah, General Rhyver, it¡¯s a pleasure to have you here. I am Gorl, the mayor of Slavara."

    Rhyver sized him up before responding, "It¡¯s a pleasure for me too, Gorl." Rising from his chair, his towering frame loomed over the goblin, separated by the cluttered table. "Tell me, Gorl, is there anything else I can do besides this?" he asked, motioning toward the documents.

    "Unfortunately, no, General," Gorl replied, walking toward the window. "Your troops are handling the heavy work, guarding the city, ensuring the safe transport of slaves. The Royal Patrol manages city security, and the rest of the tasks, including cleaning, are done by our workers." He turned back to Rhyver, then moved toward the door. "If you need anything, my office is just down the hall to the left." With that, Gorl exited the room.

    Rhyver sighed in frustration, muttering to himself, "I''m so jealous. Why Valena and Kafka? Why not me? I want to fight, not sit here doing nothing! This isn''t in my nature." Rising, he strode to the window, gazing out over the city of Slavara.

    ~~~

    Kajin walked alongside Ruya through a small forest, his eyes scanning the surroundings while Ruya played with Cracknut. Suddenly, an arrow flew toward Kajin. Sensing the attack, Kajin extended his arm, catching the arrow mid-flight and snapping it in half.

    He looked toward the direction it had come from. "What a terrible shot," he remarked dryly.

    Ruya immediately drew his bow, scanning for the attacker. Kajin raised a hand to stop him. "Wait," he instructed, stepping toward the trees.

    "I¡¯ve got your back," Ruya replied, keeping his bow ready and following Kajin with his eyes.

    Kajin approached cautiously, his gaze hardening. As he reached the source of the arrow, he pushed aside a bush and froze. Before him stood a trembling little boy, aiming a bow directly at Kajin. Slowly, Kajin raised his hands. "Hey... You can put the bow down. I won¡¯t hurt you," he said softly.

    The boy hesitated but began to lower his bow.

    "Hey, Kajin! Everything alright over there?" Ruya called out loudly, shattering the tense silence. Startled, the boy raised his bow again.  The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

    Kajin groaned in frustration, muttering, "Goddamn it, Ruya!" He knelt, speaking calmly to the boy. "Please, we mean you no harm..."

    Just as the boy began to relax, Ruya emerged behind Kajin. "Oh? What¡¯s a little human boy like you doing out here alone?" Ruya asked casually, taking a step forward.

    Panic-stricken, the boy fired his arrow. Kajin reacted instantly, slipping behind the boy and lightly tapping his back, causing him to lose consciousness. He caught the boy as he fell.

    Ruya approached, holding the fired arrow. "So, what¡¯s his name?" he asked, grinning.

    Annoyed, Kajin snapped, "How the hell am I supposed to know that? And could you not scare him next time? You saw he was terrified." He lifted the boy into his arms and glared at Ruya.

    "Well," Ruya said with a nervous laugh, "I was just trying to be friendly."  Kajin rolled his eyes.

    "What do we do with him now?"  Asked Ruya.

    "We¡¯ll need to figure out how he ended up here," Kajin replied.

    Ruya nodded but suddenly asked, "Where¡¯s Cracknut?"

    Before Kajin could do anything, a booming laugh echoed through the forest. "Well, well, well! Look who we have here!"

    A massive Minotaur emerged from the trees, clad in armor and wielding a gigantic double-sided battle axe. Behind him stood numerous soldiers.

    "The Royal Patrol..." Kajin whispered.

    Ruya swallowed hard, cold sweat beading on his face.

    The Minotaur laughed again. "Kajin! I never expected to find you here. What a gift from the gods!" He stepped forward. "I am Zardo, commander of the 10th division of the Royal Patrol."

    Zardo¡¯s gaze shifted to the boy on Kajin¡¯s back, and his smile turned sinister. "I was chasing that little slave. He escaped his owner and caused quite the stir. There¡¯s a hefty reward for bringing him back. And now, I¡¯ve also found the kingdom¡¯s most wanted slave!" His laughter boomed through the forest.

    Kajin clenched his teeth and turned to Ruya. "When I give the signal, run."

    Ruya nodded, his face pale.

    Zardo continued, "The last time I saw you were at that auction house. It was pretty hilarious to watch, don''t you think?" Zardo chuckled before continuing "Now how about you lend your friends to me like you did with that girl... If we agree on this you might be able to see the outside world for one more day."

    Lowering his head, Kajin stayed silent. After a moment, Zardo sneered. "Already thinking it over? If I were you, I¡¯d take instantly."

    Kajin¡¯s quiet turned to a soft chuckle, which grew louder and louder. His mocking laughter echoed through the forest, leaving everyone stunned.

    As Kajin¡¯s laughter subsided, he tossed the boy to Ruya. "Change of plans, Ruya."

    Ruya caught the boy, stunned but managing a shaky response. "Y-Yeah... Got it." Without hesitation, he leapt into the trees, moving swiftly.

    Kajin smirked at Zardo. "You¡¯re quite the comedian, bull. I haven¡¯t laughed that hard in ages." His arms ignited with his white flames, stunning the soldiers.

    Zardo''s eyes widened in disbelief. "Light magic? Impossible!"

    Kajin stepped forward. "What¡¯s wrong? Scared?"

    Sweat poured down Zardo¡¯s face. "If I stay here, I¡¯ll die," he thought, panicking. Turning to his soldiers, he barked, "Follow the one with the boy!"

    The soldiers obeyed, rushing after Ruya.

    Kajin smirked. "You just sent them to their deaths," he said.

    Zardo glared. "And why¡¯s that?"

    "Because the one who ran away is a master archer," Kajin replied, stepping closer.

    Fear rooted Zardo in place as Kajin appeared directly in front of him. "You know what I hate most?" Kajin asked, his voice cold.

    "W-What?" Zardo stammered.

    Kajin¡¯s eyes burned with fury. "Those who hurt the only person I loved."

    In a flash, Kajin¡¯s fist connected with Zardo¡¯s face, releasing an explosive force that sent the Minotaur crashing into a massive rock. The impact triggered a thunderous explosion.

 Chapter 23 - Part five: No. 9062

    Ruya ran with the kid on his back, leaping swiftly from tree to tree. Suddenly, a barrage of arrows flew toward him. Spotting the incoming projectiles, Ruya skillfully dodged them all. Noticing the soldiers accompanying Zardo still pursuing him, he increased his pace, but the arrows kept coming. "These guys just won''t give up..." he muttered.

    Stopping on a sturdy tree branch, he carefully placed the unconscious boy down. "You stay here, understand?" he said, making sure the boy was secure. Grabbing his bow, Ruya darted off again, leaping between trees. He spotted the soldiers wandering through the forest, searching for him. Hiding behind a thick tree trunk, he nocked an arrow, waiting for the right moment.

    One soldier roamed aimlessly, his posture suggesting frustration. "I lost him!" he shouted to his comrades. As he turned to look back at them, they were already sprawled lifeless on the ground, each with an arrow lodged cleanly through their heads. The soldier screamed in terror and began to retreat. "Retreat!!!" he yelled, but it was too late. Another arrow soared through the air, striking him down.

    Ruya sighed, placing his hands on his hips. "Why do they always have to shout so loud? I really don¡¯t want to kill them all," he muttered, notching another arrow and preparing for the next wave.

    ~~~

    Dust filled the air after the explosion, and from it, Zardo emerged, leaping high into the air. He scanned the terrain and trees until he spotted Kajin standing still, arms crossed, a smirk on his face. "That bastard," Zardo growled, his eyes burning with rage. "I¡¯ll teach you a lesson."

    Zardo launched himself at Kajin, aiming his sharp, glowing red horns directly at him. As he charged, the red aura around his horns intensified. Kajin stood his ground, watching with anticipation. When Zardo''s horns connected, a deafening bang echoed through the forest.

    As the dust settled, Zardo stood frozen, his horns caught firmly in Kajin¡¯s grip. Kajin examined the glowing aura emanating from them. "So this is the ''Rage of the Beast''... interesting," he mused. Zardo stared at him in disbelief, sweat beading on his brow. "He¡¯s stronger than the king claimed..." Zardo thought.

    Kajin tightened his grip on the horns. "Nice horns you¡¯ve got here... Let¡¯s see how much they can take," he said with a sinister grin. Zardo panicked and struggled to free himself. "Let go!!!" he screamed as cracks began to form along his horns. The pain made him cry out.  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    "Now," Kajin said coldly, "how about you tell me about that night we first met?" Zardo winced and replied, "Okay! I¡¯ll tell you everything! Just let me go!"

    Kajin laughed. "You think you¡¯re slick," he said, applying more pressure. The cracks deepened, and Zardo screamed in agony. "Fine! Fine! Just don¡¯t break them!" he pleaded. "I was a bodyguard back then. My client decided to visit the slave auction that night. You know how those go, bidding on slaves, but this one was different¡ª"

    Before he could finish, Kajin crushed one of Zardo¡¯s horns to pieces. "AGHHHH! MY HORN!!!" Zardo howled in pain as blood poured from the broken horn.

    Kajin slapped him hard, forcing him to look up. "Don¡¯t make me break the other one. I know about the auction. What I want to know is about the slave your client bought." Kajin¡¯s eyes turned red.

    "T-the black-haired one?" Zardo stammered, trembling.

    Kajin¡¯s voice carried an unmistakable killing intent. "Yes. Tell me everything you know about her."

    Zardo, shaking, spilled the details. "He brought her to his residence in Slavara. She¡¯s in his slave collection!"

    Kajin¡¯s eyes widened. "His slave collection?" he asked coldly.

    "It¡¯s a place where he... experiments on them. It¡¯s like hell," Zardo admitted, his voice breaking. "He¡¯s obsessed with powerful magic users. And, well... he¡¯s a pervert. So, in the worst-case scenario..."

    Kajin¡¯s hands fell from Zardo¡¯s remaining horn. "No... no... it can¡¯t be," he muttered, clutching his head and pacing erratically. His mind swirled with dark thoughts until he collapsed to his knees, gripping his hair and screaming.

    A crimson energy burst from Kajin, consuming him in a fiery aura of rage. The energy grew rapidly, emitting intense heat that melted everything nearby. Zardo was thrown back, crashing into trees and losing consciousness.

    ~~~

    Ruya, having finished off the last soldier, wiped his brow and glanced at the massive pile of bodies. He turned toward the glowing crimson light in the distance. "Oh no... don¡¯t tell me..." he muttered.

    Grabbing the boy, he leapt from tree to tree, rushing toward the source of the explosion. "Hang on, Kajin... I¡¯m coming."

    As he approached, the searing heat slowed him down, burning his skin and tearing his clothes. "Kajin! Wake up!" he shouted.

    Kajin slowly lifted his head, his eyes meeting Ruya¡¯s.

    "Don¡¯t do this, Kajin! I know you¡¯re angry, but there¡¯s still hope!" Ruya yelled.

    Kajin¡¯s glowing eyes softened, and the fiery energy began to dissipate. Ruya ran to him, ignoring the heat, and embraced him tightly. "You¡¯re stronger than this, bro," Ruya whispered.

    The energy faded completely, and Kajin collapsed into unconsciousness. Ruya sighed in relief, though his body was covered in burns. "How am I supposed to carry you both now..." he muttered.

    Just then, an army appeared, pointing their weapons at him. Ruya gritted his teeth. "Great... this is the end, huh?"

    Suddenly, two gigantic squirrels leapt into the fray, followed by a horde of smaller ones. Cracknut appeared on Ruya¡¯s shoulder, squeaking triumphantly.

    "Cracknut... buddy," Ruya said weakly, smiling.

    The squirrels swarmed the army, biting and clawing their way through. A smaller group of squirrels gestured for Ruya to lay down Kajin and the boy. He obeyed, watching in disbelief as the squirrels carried them away. Cracknut grinned, and together they escaped into the forest.

 Chapter 24 - Part Six: No. 9062

    Kajin slowly opened his eyes. Looking around, he realized he was lying inside a cave.

    "Well, well, well, look who finally woke up!" said Ruya, suddenly appearing in front of Kajin¡¯s face.

    "Ruya?" Kajin asked, confused. Sitting up, he glanced around the cave, noticing a large number of squirrels gathered around, all staring at him.

    "Uh..." Kajin muttered. "What happened?" he asked, placing a hand on his forehead. "All I can remember are the things that damn Minotaur said to me," he thought.

    Ruya sighed deeply and sat beside him. "While you were confronting Zardo, you released a massive explosion that turned into a giant beam of hot crimson energy," Ruya explained. "The only way I can describe it, ... pure anger."

    Kajin¡¯s eyes widened. "An energy explosion?" he wondered aloud. "I¡¯ve never experienced anything like that... an energy explosion..."

    Suddenly, he felt a weight on his shoulder. "Hey, is everything alright?" Ruya asked.

    Kajin turned his head to look at Ruya. For the first time, he noticed the bandages wrapped around Ruya¡¯s chest, stomach, and arms. "He saved me... and it cost him this," Kajin thought, lowering his gaze as his hair fell over his face.

    Ruya smiled warmly and gave Kajin a few light pats on the back. "C''mon, Kajin! It¡¯s okay! This isn¡¯t your fault, bro," Ruya said with a laugh. "That¡¯s what friends are for! I might be a bit of dead weight for now, but at the end of the day, we¡¯re still together!" he added with a joyful grin.

    Looking down, Ruya noticed drops of water falling onto the ground. Kajin¡¯s shoulders trembled slightly as tears ran down his face.

    "I¡¯m sorry... Ruya..." Kajin said, clenching his fists. "I¡¯m so, so sorry... It was all my fault," he said shakily. "I wanted to learn more about something from the past... so much that I didn¡¯t care about the consequences. I was selfish... I¡¯m nothing but a worthless slave... I shouldn¡¯t¡ª"

    Before he could finish, Ruya pulled him into a tight hug.

    Kajin froze, completely caught off guard by the sudden embrace. His face re-emerged, revealing his tear-streaked white eyes.

    "Stop saying that bullcrap," Ruya said firmly. "You are not a slave! You are my best friend!" he declared, hugging Kajin even tighter.

    "Best friend..." Kajin whispered to himself, the words resonating deeply within him.

    ____

    A thick wooden door swung open, and Kajin was roughly kicked inside by some guards. He fell to the ground, covered in sweat, and lay there breathing heavily. The guards laughed at him.

    "I bet the floor tastes good," one guard joked to the other as they shut the door, leaving Kajin alone in the room.

    Kajin slowly sat up and staggered toward a corner of the room, leaning on the walls for support. He paused for a moment to catch his breath.

    "Another day like this, and I feel like I¡¯ll die..." he thought.

    "How was the training, dear brother?" a warm voice called from the window.

    Kajin looked over and sighed. "The last thing I need right now is you, Anastasia..." he said, annoyed.

    Anastasia giggled playfully. "Oh? What? Did something new happen today?" she asked, full of curiosity.  This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

    "Of course not. The only new thing today was the joke the guard made," Kajin replied coldly.

    Anastasia laughed. "Although I hate it when they make fun of you, I have to admit I really liked that joke."

    As she continued to laugh, Kajin remained silent.

    "You know I don¡¯t like it when you laugh like that," he said.

    Anastasia slowly stopped laughing and turned to him. "I know, I just can¡¯t help it," she said softly. Taking a breath, she asked, "Have you made any friends?"

    Kajin chuckled ironically. "Why the hell would I need friends, Anastasia?" he replied. "And even if I wanted to, no one¡ªand I mean no one¡ªwould want to be friends with me."

    Anastasia listened carefully to him. "Good point," she said. "But," she added, "don¡¯t give up on friendship just yet."

    "Hmph! And why shouldn¡¯t I?" Kajin asked.

    "You never know, brother," Anastasia said. "You might need someone, or others, when you¡¯re at your lowest. And when they¡¯re there for you..." She paused for a moment. "You¡¯d be thankful and wish they¡¯d stay by your side until the end."

    Kajin remained silent, staring at Anastasia.

    With a smile, she rose from the window. "If you¡¯re lucky enough... you¡¯ll find a best friend, someone you¡¯d consider a brother," she said.

    Finishing, Anastasia jumped out of the window and disappeared.

    Kajin sighed softly and looked down at the ground.

    "Best friend...? Hmph, what a joke..." he muttered, slowly lying down on the floor.

    ____

    Slowly, Kajin wrapped his arms around Ruya in return. He buried his face in Ruya¡¯s shoulder and began to cry loudly.

    "Thank you... thank you so, so much," Kajin said through his sobs.

    Ruya smiled warmly, tears of joy streaming down his face as well. "No need to thank me, Kajin. For me, having you is the most important thing."

    Having said this, Ruya started crying too. Cracknut suddenly leaped at them and joined the hug.

    "I guess I know now what you meant... Anastasia," Kajin thought. "This feeling... it¡¯s so good. I guess I really am a lucky person after all..."

    They stayed like that for a while before Ruya finally pulled away and placed his hands on Kajin¡¯s shoulders.

    "Now, how about we eat? I¡¯m starving!" Ruya said, rubbing his stomach. Cracknut mimicked him, doing the same.

    "Yeah, I agree," Kajin replied, wiping the tears from his face.

    A group of squirrels approached, carrying a basket filled with various fruits. Ruya jumped in excitement at the sight.

    "Finally! I¡¯ve waited so long!" Ruya shouted, his voice full of enthusiasm.

    Kajin looked at the food in front of him. "I¡¯ve come a long way. Ruya... Cracknut, too," he thought, watching them rush toward the basket. Ruya fought with the squirrels for the fruits, getting pushed around by the crowd.

    A small squirrel approached Kajin, holding a red apple in its tiny hands.

    "Thank you," Kajin said with a soft smile, taking the apple. He took a big bite and looked at it thoughtfully.

    "This apple tastes suspiciously very good..." he muttered.

    As he held the apple, a faint magical aura surrounded it.

    "Woah," Kajin said, his eyes widening slightly. "Magic..."

    Getting up, he walked toward the basket of fruits, pushing aside the squirrels and Ruya, who were still bickering over the food. Kajin placed his hands in front of the basket, and all the fruits began to glow, surrounded by the same magical aura.

    The squirrels, Cracknut, and Ruya froze in awe.

    "Magic fruits..." Kajin said, his voice filled with surprise and excitement.

    "Magic fruits?!" Ruya shouted, his jaw dropping.

    The squirrels looked at each other, confused, trying to understand what was happening.

    "Magic fruits," Kajin explained, "are so rare that even a small one can cost up to 100 gold coins. They have incredible effects, boosting abilities like strength, magic, stamina, and more."

    He exhaled deeply. "It¡¯s truly amazing to find so many here."

    Kajin turned toward the squirrels. "Do you guys have more?" he asked.

    The squirrels glanced at each other and nodded.

    Kajin smiled. "Do you mind sharing some with us?"

    The squirrels squeaked in agreement. Kajin removed his magic-weighted bag and handed it to them.

    "Okay, fill this with as many as you want. We just need at least ten," he said.

    The squirrels nodded again and scurried off quickly.

    Taking another bite of his apple, Kajin looked over at Ruya.

    "Everything alright?" Kajin asked.

    Ruya stood up and brushed the dirt off his clothes.

    "Yeah, I¡¯m good," Ruya replied. He paused for a moment before continuing. "But like I said earlier, I¡¯ll be kind of a dead weight for now. The burns I got on my muscles mean I won¡¯t be able to shoot with my bow for a while."

    Kajin nodded. "Don¡¯t worry, I accept it. I mean, you saved my life. If this is the price I have to pay, so be it," he said firmly.

    Ruya smiled, placing a hand on Kajin¡¯s shoulder. "You¡¯re the best, Kajin. Anyway, I¡¯ve gotta go. Cracknut said he wanted to show me something."

    With that, Ruya ran out of the cave toward the squirrels. "Cracknut! Where are you?!" he shouted.

    Kajin chuckled softly and walked outside the cave too. Looking around, he saw trees swaying gently and squirrels playing among the branches.

    "Vanessa... I¡¯m coming," Kajin muttered as he stepped toward the forest.

 Chapter 27 - Part Seven: No. 9062

    "How the hell did you let him escape?!" a booming voice shouted from within a massive red tent.

    Inside, Zardo stood silently, his horns adorned with badges as he stared at the ground.

    "You had your opportunity, and you missed it! How useless can you be?!" the voice continued to berate him.

    Zardo remained still as a massive orc sitting on a chair glared at him. The orc had dark green skin marred with small cuts across his face. He wore rugged armor made of metal and leather, with sharp spikes adorning his shoulder plates, arm guards, and leg armor, enhancing his intimidating presence. Over one shoulder, he draped a fur cloak. His glowing red eyes blazed with fury.

    "Zardo!" the orc barked.

    "Y-yes, sir!" Zardo stammered, cold sweat dripping down his face.

    "Why didn¡¯t you catch the slave?" the orc demanded.

    "Well..." Zardo hesitated. "I underestimated him. He turned out to be stronger than I thought."

    The orc sighed in exasperation. "You should *never* underestimate your opponents!" he roared. "If only you had called for reinforcements and actually focused on that slave..." He shook his head in frustration.

    "Leader Byron!" a guard called as he rushed into the tent.

    "What is it?!" Byron snapped.

    "G-General Valena is here!" the guard stammered, trembling with fear.

    "Valena? What the hell is she doing here..." Byron muttered as he rose from his chair and strode toward the tent¡¯s exit. "We¡¯ll continue this later, Zardo. You¡¯d better learn from this," Byron said before leaving the tent.

    Zardo swallowed hard. "Yes, sir," he replied quietly.

    As Byron disappeared, Zardo¡¯s eyes narrowed, glowing red with fury. "*Kajin... Kajin... Kajin!!!* Just wait," Zardo seethed inwardly. "I¡¯ll make you pay in the most painful way possible!"

    Suddenly, a tap on his shoulder startled him.

    "Sir," said the guard who had called for Byron earlier. "Because most of your soldiers were killed during your fight, Leader Byron has temporarily removed you from your position."

    Zardo clenched his fists, his body trembling with rage.

    "FUCKKKKK!!!" Zardo screamed, his voice echoing throughout the tent.

    Byron walked through the bustling camp filled with smaller tents, fire pits, blacksmiths, weapons, and soldiers. His eyes scanned the organized chaos until he reached a small open tent where Valena sat. The tent''s shadow concealed her face as she sipped from a glass of wine, flanked by soldiers wearing armor distinct from the rest.  The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

    Valena turned her head slightly to face him. "Ah, my dear Byron! It''s been a while!" she said with a wide smile. "The wine here is decent, but nothing beats a cold beer." She leaned back slightly, waiting for Byron to respond.

    "General Valena, what are you doing here?" Byron asked, his tone heavy and serious. "If I remember correctly, the king assigned you to oversee the main slave route. Considering the recent raids there, you shouldn¡¯t even be here," he added bluntly.

    Valena giggled as she rose from her seat, locking eyes with Byron. "Oh, Byron, must you always be so strict with me?" she teased. "I only came to visit an old friend, but it feels like you''re eager to see me gone already."

    Byron remained calm and silent, his gaze steady.

    Suddenly, Zardo emerged from the tent¡¯s shadow, rushing toward Byron with teeth bared. Before Zardo could strike, his body dissolved into countless dark magic particles that scattered to the ground in front of Byron.

    Byron sighed, closing his eyes briefly in disappointment. "I knew you¡¯d try this," he said.

    Valena laughed softly. "Oh, dear Byron, I just couldn¡¯t resist," she said, stepping forward from the shadows.

    Her sharp, long red horns, extending from the sides of her forehead, glistened under the light. Her short, shoulder-length purple hair swayed with her movements. Valena¡¯s slender yet toned hourglass figure, her white skin, and her simple gray sleeveless top exposing her midriff, paired with black pants, made an alluring impression.

    Byron¡¯s eyes widened slightly, catching the sight. Noticing this, Valena chuckled. "Hmhmhm... Well, well, well, it seems someone hasn¡¯t seen a woman in quite a while~," she said playfully. "You like what you see, don¡¯t you?" she teased with a seductive giggle.

    Byron froze in place as she deliberately swayed her body, accentuating her curves.

    "O-Okay, stop this!" Byron shouted, covering his eyes with one hand.

    Valena laughed softly. "So, Byron... I heard one of your divisions encountered the slave," she said innocently.

    Byron¡¯s expression shifted in surprise.

    "Yeah... One of my divisions encountered him," Byron admitted, careful not to reveal too much.

    Valena leaned closer, crossing her arms to emphasize her chest, her eyes gazing up at him. "And...?" she asked in a sultry tone.

    Byron closed his eyes tightly, but after a moment, he exhaled and opened them. "We don¡¯t know where he went, but we suspect he¡¯s heading toward Slavara," he said, his face now flushed.

    Valena grinned, clearly pleased. She suddenly hugged Byron¡¯s hips tightly, pressing her curves against him. "Thank you, Byron! You¡¯re the best!" she said in a seductive voice.

    Byron stood frozen, blood trickling from his nose. Soldiers passing by stopped in their tracks, staring in shock at the scene.

    Releasing the hug, Valena smiled mischievously before walking toward the camp''s exit. "I should go now; I have lots of work to do, as you said, my dear Byron! Byeee!" she called, her guards trailing behind.

    Byron watched her leave, then slapped himself hard across the face. "Damn it. I¡¯ve been so focused lately that I haven¡¯t taken any time for myself," he thought bitterly. "She probably knew that and came here just to extract information."

    Turning to the soldiers still frozen in place, he shouted, "Get back to work, idiots!"

    The soldiers snapped out of it and quickly resumed their tasks.

    Sighing deeply, Byron made his way back to his tent. "All these events are stressing me out," he muttered.

    ~~~

    Kajin entered a small opening within a massive tree, where a young boy lay on the ground. The boy wore a torn, old gray shirt and shorts. His body was covered in bruises, particularly around his knees and ankles. His short brown hair was dirty and messy, and his soft facial features and pale skin hinted at both youth and hardship.

    "Judging by his appearance, he seems to be around 10 to 13 years old," Kajin muttered to himself.

    Kneeling beside the boy, Kajin placed a hand on his forehead, and his palm began to glow faintly.

    "Hmm... he''s human, and his mana level is average," Kajin thought. "He was carrying a bow when we encountered him, so he¡¯s likely a marksman."

    Removing his hand from the boy''s forehead, Kajin shifted it to the boy''s stomach. A gentle wave of energy radiated from his palm, spreading across the boy¡¯s body.

    "Now..." Kajin said softly as the boy¡¯s eyes fluttered open, "let me hear your story, little guy."