Zach walked along the uneven stone streets, scanning the buildings around him for anything that resembled a government office. His shoulders ached from tension, but he forced himself to stay focused. The streets were alive with activity¡ªvendors shouting, children laughing, and the occasional whirr of some contraption he couldn¡¯t identify. It was a strange mix of old-world charm and unfamiliar technology.
After a short while, he spotted a faded military recruitment ad plastered on the wall of a small building. The building itself didn¡¯t look like much¡ªplain stone walls and a faded wooden sign swinging in the breeze that read "Mailing Office." The military ad, however, was hard to miss.
It depicted a towering figure in light brown and white armor, holding a gleaming sword, with bold text beneath: ¡°Join the Frontlines! Protect Your City!¡±
I think the Knight and Ironbreaker one is cooler.
His eyes darted over the ad one last time before he pushed open the heavy wooden door. Inside, the room smelled of paper and stale air. Stacks of letters and parcels were piled in every corner. A single desk sat at the center, where a man in the same light brown and white armor as the poster was slumped over, head resting on his folded arms.
¡°Excuse me,¡± Zach said, his voice cutting through the quiet room.
The man jerked awake, sitting up with a start. His helmet clattered onto the desk as he rubbed his eyes. He didn¡¯t seem particularly old¡ªmaybe in his late thirties¡ªbut his unshaven face and dark circles made him look older. His armor clinked as he straightened up.
¡°Yeah? What is it?¡± the man asked, blinking as if shaking off sleep.
¡°Are you a military recruiter?¡± Zach asked, gesturing toward the ad outside.
The man nodded, still shaking off grogginess. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m a recruiter. What¡¯s this about? You looking to join?¡±
¡°Yes,¡± Zach said, stepping closer. ¡°I¡¯m new here, and I was wondering¡ªif I joined, would I be able to get residence papers?¡±
The man¡¯s expression shifted, becoming more alert. He grabbed a leather-bound notebook from the desk and flipped it open. ¡°You¡¯d get your papers,¡± he said, ¡°but you¡¯ll have to serve for at least a year first. As soon as you enlist and get your badge, though, you¡¯ll have most of the same rights as a regular cityzen. No one¡¯s going to hassle you for not having papers after that.¡±
Zach nodded. It was better than he¡¯d expected. ¡°All right. What do I need to do?¡±
The man pulled a quill from a small ink pot on the desk. Zach stared for a moment, surprised. He guessed holographic tablets must be too expensive for places like this.
¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± the man asked, his tone businesslike now.
¡°Zach Sellon,¡± Zach answered.
¡°Age?¡±
¡°Twenty,¡± Zach said.
¡°Family or next of kin to notify if you die in action?¡± the man asked, not looking up.
Zach hesitated. ¡°None. I don¡¯t have any family.¡± He felt the lie burn on his tongue, but what else could he say? Explaining his situation would raise too many questions.
The man paused for a moment, his pen hovering over the page. ¡°None? No family at all?¡±
¡°I... had an accident. Amnesia,¡± Zach said. ¡°I don¡¯t remember anything.¡±
The man glanced at him, narrowing his eyes slightly, but didn¡¯t press further. He wrote something in the notebook, then asked, ¡°Do you have a job or did you have one here?¡±
¡°Yes,¡± Zach said. ¡°Apprentice chemist at the lab called ¡®Glory.¡¯¡±
The man¡¯s hand froze mid-note. His head tilted slightly as he looked at Zach, clearly surprised. ¡°Glory? You worked there?¡±
¡°For a day,¡± Zach said simply.
¡°Why¡¯d you leave?¡± the man asked, suspicion creeping into his voice. ¡°Not many people walk away from a job like that.¡±
¡°I figured with my strange background, someone might start thinking I was some kind of spy or something. I want to keep my head on my neck for as long as possible.¡±
The man studied him for a long moment, then nodded slowly. ¡°Makes sense, I guess,¡± he muttered. ¡°The lab types are always paranoid about outsiders.¡±
Zach let out a quiet breath of relief as the man went back to writing. After a few more questions¡ªbasic details about his skills and background¡ªthe man closed the notebook and set the pen down.
¡°All right,¡± he said. ¡°You¡¯re set to go. You need to head over to Fort Redstone on the east side of the city. That¡¯s where new recruits report. You¡¯ll get your training, your papers, and a place to stay while you serve.¡±
Zach gave a short nod. ¡°Fort Redstone. Got it.¡±
The man leaned back in his chair, yawning as he stretched. ¡°Look, kid, it¡¯s not an easy life. But if you¡¯re serious about joining, they¡¯ll take care of you. Just make sure you¡¯re ready for what¡¯s ahead.¡±
Chapter 12: Fort
Zach hesitated at the doorway, turning back to the man. ¡°Wait. How will they know I¡¯ve started my enlistment here?¡±
The man blinked, then smacked his forehead as if Zach had reminded him of something obvious. ¡°Right. Almost forgot.¡± He reached into a drawer and pulled out a rectangular device with a small lens embedded in its surface. ¡°Hold still,¡± he muttered.
Zach froze as the device emitted a sharp flash of light. The man then fumbled in his bag, pulling out a blank sheet of paper. He scribbled rapidly across it, jotting down notes and filling in boxes, before pressing the device against the page. With a faint hum, Zach¡¯s face appeared on the document, crisp and lifelike.
¡°Here.¡± The man handed it to Zach. ¡°This will settle it. Just show this when you get to Fort Redstone.¡±
Zach nodded, glancing over the paper. ¡°Thanks. One last thing¡ªdo you have a map?¡±
The man let out a tired sigh, reached into another drawer, and handed Zach a folded map of the city. Without another word, Zach exited, stepping into the bustling streets.
As he walked, eyes scanning the map, his mind drifted to the situation he had thrown himself into. This wasn¡¯t ideal¡ªnot even close. A regular job would¡¯ve been better, simpler. But regular jobs didn¡¯t offer protection from Ren, ¡°Glory¡± or Geroi.
The military, however, was a different story. If they found Zach valuable, Geroi influence would be nothing. That kind of leverage was priceless. Still, there was a chance Geroi could pull rank, ''draft'' him back to the lab.
If it came down to it, he¡¯d argue to whoever that he was too much of a liability for sensitive work. Probably accuse Geroi of being negligent of their city''s military secrets.
¡°Serve a year, get my papers,¡± Zach muttered to himself. ¡°Then figure things out.¡±
After that? Maybe he¡¯d start a business. He could use his chemistry skills to produce something profitable¡ªcheap products, undercut the competition. Labor costs wouldn¡¯t be an issue.
Zach randomly groaned. He was really voluntarily joining the military. ¡°Yeah, real smooth, Zach,¡± he muttered. ¡°Not like I had a choice.¡± It wasn¡¯t a career¡ªit was survival.
The city thinned as he walked, the streets giving way to wide roads lined with sparse buildings. Carriages rattled past, their drivers focused on their destinations. Zach sighed as his feet ached from the endless walking.
Would¡¯ve been nice to have a few coins for a ride, he thought.
Hours passed. Zach trudged on until a long, wide carriage came to a stop beside him. The driver leaned out, his face weathered but friendly. ¡°Where you heading, son?¡±
¡°Fort Redstone,¡± Zach replied. ¡°I¡¯m enlisting.¡±
The man raised an eyebrow. ¡°Recruiter already talked to you?¡±
Zach nodded.
The driver¡¯s eyes scanned Zach¡¯s clothes. ¡°Huh. Would¡¯ve pegged you for a lab worker. Glory, maybe, not a soldier.¡±
¡°I quit,¡± Zach said flatly.
The man blinked, clearly baffled. From inside the carriage, voices called out.
¡°Hop on, man!¡±
¡°Yeah, don¡¯t walk all day!¡±
Zach paused, realizing the situation. ¡°Wait, this is a recruitment bus?¡±
The driver answered. ¡°That¡¯s right. You coming or not?¡±
Zach climbed aboard, finding the carriage almost packed. He squeezed into a seat at the back, wedged between a stocky man with calloused hands and a young woman with two deep scars running down her neck.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.
¡°Hey,¡± he greeted them. "My name is Zach James."
"Sup, I''m Iroy Chestbuilder," The man replied.
"Hi. My names Is Ivonah, Houseclimber."
What the hell kind of family names are these?
It reminded him of Markinson family ''tombreakers.''
As the carriage rumbled forward, Ivonah asked Zach. ¡°So how long did you work at Glory?¡±
¡°A day,¡± Zach said. ¡°That count?¡±
The words were barely out before the entire bus erupted in disbelief.
¡°A day?¡±
¡°You quit after one day?¡±
¡°Did they fire you?¡± someone asked, leaning forward.
Zach raised a hand, trying to calm them. ¡°No, I quit. Lasted one day.¡±
¡°Why? People would kill for that position," Ivonah asked, baffled.
¡°I wanted a bit more freedom,¡± Zach said.
The man beside him let out a low chuckle. ¡°And you joined the military? Doesn¡¯t sound like freedom to me.¡±
"Trust me, it made sense for me.¡±
The carriage creaked and jolted as it trundled down the road, the buildings gradually fading into the distance behind them.
The road to Fort Redstone stretched wide, bordered by tall iron pillars flickering with pale blue light. Beyond them, the land rolled out in uneven patches of grass and stone, glowing faintly under the moonlight and the eerie floating lamps.
Ahead, Fort Redstone loomed¡ªa monolithic fortress of dark stone and iron. Towers capped with glowing beacons cast long, shifting shadows across the land. The walls, massive and reinforced with riveted metal plates, bristled with spikes and banners that fluttered in the cool night breeze. Surrounding it were smaller structures¡ªbarracks, storage sheds, and training yards with faintly glinting weapon racks under torchlight.
As the carriage rolled closer, the terrain smoothed, and the road dipped into an entrance lined with stone pillars etched with military insignias.
The carriage slowed and stopped just outside the gate. Soldiers in dark uniforms stood watch, their sharp gazes sweeping over the arrivals. The gate itself was a steel giant embossed with a crest¡ªa single flower growing from a sprawling burial site.
Zach stared at the crest, his mind wandering briefly. A symbol of death and rebirth? The Great War, maybe.
¡°All right, everyone out!¡± the driver barked, his tone as sharp as the creak of the carriage doors.
Zach hopped down, his boots crunching on gravel. A soldier approached, clipboard in hand, his face illuminated by the glow of nearby torches.
¡°Papers,¡± the soldier called briskly.
Zach handed over his document, standing at ease while the man scanned it. After a short nod, the soldier said, ¡°You¡¯ve started the enlistment process. Follow the corridor to the right. They¡¯ll review your details and give further instructions.¡±
¡°Got it.¡± Zach tucked his papers away and followed the group filtering toward the indicated path.
The night air was crisp as he stepped back outside into a waiting area near the fort¡¯s edge. The room he entered was functional and sparse¡ªrows of plain benches, dimly lit by overhead lamps. Other recruits gathered in small clusters, their voices a mix of nervous murmurs and forced laughter.
Zach chose a seat near the middle, surveying the crowd. Some recruits were fidgety, bouncing their knees or twisting their hands together. Others sat in silence, eyes darting to the door every few seconds.
Spotting Ivonah and Iroy near the entrance, Zach waved them over.
Ivonah hesitated before walking over, weaving carefully through the benches. She sat beside him with a short, muttered ¡°Thanks.¡±
¡°Anytime,¡± Zach replied casually, glancing past her as Iroy lumbered into the seat on her other side.
Iroy, tall and broad-shouldered, leaned back slightly, folding his arms. His eyes scanned the room with a lazy alertness, as if he¡¯d seen it all before. ¡°So¡ anyone freaking out about these tests?¡±
Zach shrugged. ¡°Not really.¡±
Ivonah shot him a sharp look. ¡°Not really?¡±
¡°Yeah. What¡¯s there to worry about?¡±
Iroy snorted. ¡°Confidence for days, huh.¡±
¡°Yeah, well, I don¡¯t have that luxury,¡± Ivonah muttered, her voice tight. ¡°I¡¯ve heard these tests are brutal. Like, it''s ridiculously easy to screw up.¡±
¡°Hey,¡± Iroy interjected, his tone lighter now. ¡°Nerves won¡¯t help. They want you to think you¡¯re gonna fail, but half of it¡¯s about keeping your head straight. Walk in like you¡¯ve already won, and you¡¯ll be fine.¡±
Zach raised an eyebrow. ¡°I thought you were worried. ¡±
Iroy smirked, unfazed. ¡°I kinda am. But, I''ll put my trust in my luck.¡±
¡°You think luck¡¯s gonna save you from a physical test?¡±
¡°It hasn¡¯t failed me yet.¡±
Ivonah groaned, burying her face in her hands. ¡°Oh great, I¡¯m stuck between Mr. Overconfident and Mr. Overly Lucky.¡±
¡°Hey, hey, I¡¯m here for moral support,¡± Zach said, nudging her shoulder lightly. ¡°You¡¯ll do fine.¡±
¡°Thanks for the blind vote of confidence,¡± she replied, though her lips twitched into a small smile.
"Anytime. Bullshitting is one of my hobbies."
"Fuck you..."
Zach smiled.
Their banter was cut short as the room quieted, an unspoken ripple of tension silencing the conversations. Heads turned toward the door.
A woman entered, flanked by several armored knights. Her presence drew every eye in the room.
Her dress, an elegant deep blue embroidered with silver patterns, shimmered faintly in the torchlight. She moved with a commanding grace, her vivid, golden eyes scanning the room with a calm intensity. The knights around her, tall and broad in intricately crafted armor, walked with a quiet, imposing authority. None of them wore helmets, their expressions hard and unreadable.
Who is that?
The woman stopped briefly at the far end of the room, murmured something to one of the knights, and then continued into a side corridor. The knights followed her, their armor clinking faintly with each step.
Chapter 13: A test
Zach glanced at the door where the woman had just exited. Her presence lingered, a commanding energy that made the air feel heavier. She moved with a kind of regal grace, like she owned every room she entered.
As soon as she disappeared, Zach leaned toward Ivonah. ¡°So, who was that? A princess or something?¡±
Ivonah didn¡¯t even look at him at first. When she finally turned, her expression was a mix of disbelief and annoyance. ¡°A princess?¡± The word dripped with disdain, like he¡¯d just compared gold to mud.
¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Zach said with a shrug. ¡°I¡¯ve got amnesia, remember? I¡¯m playing catch-up here.¡±
She sighed heavily, like she had to summon patience from some hidden reserve. ¡°She¡¯s not a princess. We don¡¯t have those. She''s an ancient royal.¡±
Zach raised an eyebrow. ¡°That supposed to mean something?¡±
Ivonah¡¯s arms folded across her chest. ¡°It means she has the blood of the old rulers. The ones who existed before the Great War wiped them out.¡±
¡°So¡ basically royalty,¡± he said, tilting his head slightly.
¡°It¡¯s not the same.¡± Her tone was sharp, defensive.
¡°Sure sounds the same,¡± Zach countered, smirking. ¡°Fancy bloodline, old rulers, people calling her important. What am I missing?¡±
¡°She¡¯s still powerful,¡± Ivonah admitted. ¡°Her father is the governor of Mapil. That makes her part of one of the Third City¡¯s strongest alliances.¡±
¡°Right,¡± Zach said, drawing out the word. ¡°And Mapil is¡ another city?¡±
¡°No,¡± she snapped, her brow furrowing. ¡°How do you not know this?¡±
¡°Amnesia,¡± Zach reminded her, deadpan. ¡°Kind of a big deal for me right now. Did I not mention that?¡±
Ivonah sighed again, louder this time, her frustration palpable. ¡°When you said amnesia, did you mean everything?¡±
¡°Absolutely everything,¡± he said, voice mock-serious. ¡°I even had to ask what clouds were.¡±
She blinked, her expression hovering between skepticism and pity.
¡°Relax,¡± Zach said, breaking into a faint grin. ¡°I¡¯m just talking shit.¡±
Her eyes narrowed, but there was the faintest twitch of a smile at the corner of her lips. ¡°You¡¯re infuriating, you know that?¡±
¡°I¡¯ve been told,¡± he replied lightly, leaning back. ¡°But you¡¯ve gotta admit, you walked right into it.¡±
Ivonah muttered something under her breath, running a hand through her hair as if she could smooth away her irritation. ¡°It¡¯s not.¡±
¡°Not what?¡±
¡°Simple,¡± she said. Her voice softened just a fraction. ¡°It¡¯s complicated. Ancient royals, governors, alliances¡ªit¡¯s not something you can figure out with dumb questions and bad jokes.¡±
¡°Dumb questions are kind of my thing,¡± Zach quipped, then added, ¡°but fine, I¡¯ll shut up. For now.¡±
She gave him a sidelong glance. ¡°Good.¡±
She gave him a long, searching look, and for a moment, the tension in her face eased. ¡°You remind me of someone.¡±
Zach¡¯s brow arched. ¡°Let me guess: devastatingly handsome, sharp as a blade, impossible to resist?¡±
¡°Annoying,¡± she said without hesitation. ¡°Reckless. Always making jokes when he should¡¯ve been serious.¡±
¡°Ah,¡± Zach said. "To be fair, I''m serious most of the time.¡±
¡°My cousin,¡± she said after a pause.
¡°Yeah?¡±
She sighed, clearly debating whether or not to continue. ¡°He was a soldier. Better than most of us, really. But he never took things seriously. Always acting like nothing could touch him.¡±The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.
¡°And?¡± Zach asked, his teasing tone softening just a bit.
¡°And one day, something did.¡± Her voice was calm, but her gaze had drifted, like she was watching something far away.
Zach gave her a moment, then said, ¡°Sounds like he was lucky to have you around. Someone¡¯s gotta balance out all that recklessness.¡±
She blinked, her focus snapping back to him. ¡°You¡¯re a lot alike,¡± she said quietly. Then, as if realizing she¡¯d said too much, she added, ¡°Except he was funnier.¡±
¡°Funnier?¡± Zach leaned back in mock offense. ¡°I doubt it.¡±
¡°Way funnier,¡± she said with a smirk.
¡°Well,¡± Zach said with a dramatic sigh, ¡°it¡¯s a good thing I¡¯m not trying to replace him. Big shoes to fill.¡±
¡°Trust me, you couldn¡¯t if you tried,¡± Ivonah said, but her tone lacked its usual sharpness.
Before either of them could say more, the door creaked open, and a tall man strode in. His uniform was crisp, and his confident posture demanded attention.
¡°Ah,¡± the man said, his voice laced with amusement. ¡°You must be disappointed, thinking an ancient royal would be your testing officer.¡±
¡°Very,¡± Iroy said without hesitation, his deadpan delivery drawing a few startled looks from those nearby.
The man chuckled, shaking his head. ¡°Well, sorry to disappoint.¡±
Zach leaned over to Iroy. ¡°Does he seem sorry to you?¡±
¡°Not even a little,¡± he muttered back.
The officer clapped his hands once, silencing the murmurs in the room. ¡°All right, any guesses on what comes next?¡±
A broad-shouldered man near the front spoke up, his voice steady and confident. ¡°An aptitude test. Physical and intellectual evaluation.¡±
The officer smiled, though it didn¡¯t quite reach his eyes. ¡°Exactly. We need soldiers¡ªlots of them. But let me be clear: a useless soldier is a liability. Better off dead.¡±
The bluntness of his words sent a ripple of unease through the group, though the man didn¡¯t seem to notice¡ªor care.
¡°To save time,¡± he continued, pacing slowly, ¡°we¡¯ve combined all the enlistment phases into one. This is a survival test.¡±
The officer¡¯s voice cut through the tension. ¡°Your mission is simple: reach the bright, floating cube as fast as you can. Those who get there first will be ranked higher.¡±
¡°Floating cube?¡± someone whispered behind Zach.
The officer¡¯s sharp gaze landed in their direction for a moment before moving on. ¡°Of course, when I say ¡®survive,¡¯ don¡¯t panic. If anyone gets fatally injured, they¡¯ll receive immediate medical attention.¡±
A collective breath of relief swept through the room.
¡°But,¡± the officer added with a thin smile, ¡°those who can¡¯t make it through will be disqualified from combat roles.¡±
¡°That doesn¡¯t sound so bad,¡± Zach muttered to himself.
It wouldn''t be too bad if he didn''t need to power himself so he could avoid being an easy victim of a war crime.
The officer tapped the floor with his boot, the sharp sound cutting through their side chatter. ¡°Let me be clear. Support roles are crucial¡ªsome even more important than fighting on the front lines. But if you want to be a soldier, there¡¯s no room for weakness. Understood?¡±
The room was silent.
¡°Any questions?¡± he asked, his gaze sweeping over the recruits.
Zach raised a hand lazily. ¡°Yeah. How long is this supposed to take? And are there rules for behavior?¡±
A flicker of amusement crossed the officer¡¯s face. ¡°Rules are simple. No killing your fellow recruits. You can break a bone, though.¡±
¡°Good to know,¡± Zach muttered.
¡°Doesn¡¯t that technically count as bad behavior?¡± someone asked, their voice nervous.
¡°Depends on your perspective,¡± the officer replied smoothly. He turned back to Zach. ¡°As for how long this will take? That depends entirely on you.¡±
¡°I see,¡± Zach said.
That sounds like a vague way of saying, possibly forever.
Before the officer could respond, the ground beneath their feet began to rumble. The vibrations grew stronger, sending jolts of panic through the recruits.
The officer smiled broadly. ¡°Good luck.¡±
With that, the floor gave way.
Zach¡¯s stomach lurched as he plummeted into the darkness. Around him, people screamed and flailed, their panic echoing in the vast emptiness.
¡°What the hell is happening?¡± he shouted, though the wind rushing past drowned his words.
A faint light appeared below, growing brighter as they fell. Moments later, they hit the ground¡ªbut instead of a bone-shattering impact, they bounced, the surface beneath them yielding like jelly.
Zach groaned as he rolled onto his side. The faint shimmer of the jungle around him caught his eye. Massive trees loomed high, their canopies glowing faintly in the strange light.
He sat up and glanced at Ivonah and Iroy. ¡°No floating cube. False advertising.¡±
Iroy¡¯s gaze was sharp, calculating. His head moved in small, deliberate motions as he took in every detail¡ªthe trees, the dense undergrowth, the sky, and the faint hum of insects in the air.
¡°Looking for something?¡± Zach asked.
¡°Anything,¡± Iroy replied without looking back. ¡°Traps. Movement. Clues. Could be anything.¡±
Ivonah nodded approvingly. ¡°Smart. There¡¯s no guarantee they didn¡¯t drop us right into a death trap.¡±
Zach responded, ¡°Or maybe they want us to freak out and waste time while the cube¡¯s just sitting over the next hill.¡±
Iroy smirked faintly, but said nothing.
Zach glanced around. "So, question: how psychopathic are the other guys? Like, would they attack us now just to make sure we can¡¯t compete for the floating square?¡±
Iroy frowned, considering. ¡°I can see it happening. It''s competitive city. Everyone here¡¯s used to clawing their way to the top. But,¡± he added, ¡°most people would probably focus on finding the square first. That''s what I think. And that''s what I would do. It''s a race after all.¡±
¡°Yeah,¡± Ivonah chimed in, nodding. ¡°That logic tracks. You¡¯d only attack if the square¡¯s in sight or you thought someone else was about to reach it.¡±
¡°Right, right,¡± Zach said, nodding thoughtfully. ¡°Makes sense.¡±
He paused, then said, ¡°But here¡¯s the thing: what if some of them decide to not take the risk? Why wait for someone to know the location of the square? They could stumble onto a shortcut or get lucky. If you take them out now¡ªmake them unable to compete¡ªthat never happens.¡±
Ivonah tilted her head, eyeing him carefully. ¡°You¡¯re suggesting we eliminate anyone who could be a threat?¡±
Chapter 14: Armed
Zach paused, scratching the back of his head, his expression caught between uncertainty and resolve.
¡°I think that would be the best thing to do,¡± he said, his voice tentative. Then, after a pause, he added, ¡°But...¡±
¡°But what?¡± Ivonah¡¯s tone was sharp, as if she had already anticipated his hesitation.
Zach chewed his lip, his gaze drifting to the dense foliage around them. ¡°A big part of being in the military is being part of a massive organization. Even if we succeeded, we¡¯d be hated for it.¡±
Ivonah crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t be up for something that disgusting anyway.¡±
Zach shrugged, a flicker of guilt passing over his face.
His thoughts turned back to the driver he had left behind in the forest. He could still hear his own voice, promising the little boy they¡¯d get help for him. Was he just a coward after all?
Ivory broke the silence, his voice low but steady. ¡°I don¡¯t like it either. It sounds dangerous¡ªand greedy.¡±
Zach nodded slowly, grateful for the solidarity. ¡°It was just a thought,¡± he admitted. Then he straightened, his tone shifting to something more serious. ¡°But let¡¯s push that aside for now. Does anyone here have any kind of... special traits that might help us?¡±
Ivory shook his head. ¡°None.¡±
Ivonah raised an eyebrow at Zach. ¡°Nope. Nothing.¡±
Zach frowned, a flicker of disbelief crossing his face.
No way I¡¯m the only one with something unusual going on.
Ivonah, ignoring his skepticism, started walking forward. ¡°During one of the tests,¡± she began, ¡°I heard they were supposed to evaluate us for something they called ¡®inner manipulation.¡¯¡±
Zach and Ivory followed, curious despite themselves. ¡°Inner manipulation?¡± Zach repeated.
Ivonah nodded. ¡°Yeah. Since this survival-slash-race is supposed to cover everything, maybe they¡¯re trying to force us to figure it out here.¡±
Before anyone could respond, a faint glow caught their attention. Far ahead, something floated in the air, shimmering and bright.
The three exchanged a glance, then broke into a run.
The forest floor seemed to shift beneath their feet as they darted between trees and over gnarled roots. Zach led the charge, his long strides giving him an edge. Ivonah was close behind, her movements agile and controlled, while Ivory brought up the rear, his bulk making it harder to maneuver but lending him an air of unyielding determination.
As they ran, Ivonah¡¯s voice carried over the sound of their footsteps. ¡°This is supposed to be a single test, right? Not a team effort?¡±
¡°Yeah,¡± Zach called back. ¡°You¡¯re wondering if what I said about eliminating others means I¡¯d... take you two out too?¡±
Ivory muttered, ¡°I didn¡¯t think of that.¡±
Ivonah¡¯s voice turned guarded. ¡°We barely know each other. It¡¯s possible.¡±
Zach glanced over his shoulder, his face calm but firm. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. It wasn¡¯t my intention.¡±
¡°How can I trust you?¡± Ivonah asked, her tone sharp.
¡°If I wanted to, I would¡¯ve done it by now,¡± Zach replied without breaking stride.
Ivory let out a low laugh. ¡°Overconfident for such a light guy, aren¡¯t you?¡±
Zach answered back. ¡°Yup.¡±
As they rounded a bend, Zach suddenly stopped, his hand shooting out to signal the others. ¡°Wait.¡± His gaze fixed on something to the side.
Ivory and Ivonah slowed, following his line of sight. There, half-buried among the roots of a massive tree, was a chest. The wood looked ancient, weathered by time, and faint runes glimmered along its edges.Stolen story; please report.
¡°What¡¯s that?¡± Ivonah asked, stepping closer.
¡°Only one way to find out,¡± Zach said, crouching down. He hesitated for a moment, then flipped the lid open.
Inside were weapons: a sleek bow with a quiver of arrows, a gleaming sword, a heavy war hammer, and a curious red marble that seemed to pulse faintly in the dim light.
Zach¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Jackpot.¡±
He reached in and grabbed the war hammer and the marble. ¡°Anyone want this?¡± He held up the hammer.
¡°I¡¯ll take these.¡± Ivonah swooped in, snatching up the bow and arrows without hesitation. ¡°You can keep your hammer.¡±
Ivory frowned as his eyes lingered on the hammer. ¡°Keep it,¡± he muttered, trying to sound indifferent.
Zach smirked, tossing the hammer at him. ¡°You¡¯re a big guy. Take it.¡±
Ivory caught it, his expression surprised but grateful. ¡°Thanks.¡±
Meanwhile, Zach turned his attention to the marble. It felt cool and smooth in his hand, and as he squeezed it experimentally, it shifted in size, growing and shrinking with the pressure.
¡°Interesting,¡± he murmured, pocketing it.
Ivory finally broke the silence. ¡°So... are you two related or something?¡±
¡°What?¡± Ivonah shot him a confused look.
¡°You know,¡± Zach added, ¡°your names¡ªIvory and Ivonah. Kind of similar.¡±
Ivonah rolled her eyes. ¡°No. But our parents were close. They wanted us to grow up like siblings.¡±
Zach raised an eyebrow. ¡°And did it work?¡±
Ivonah and Ivory exchanged a glance.
¡°Kind of.¡±
¡°Not really.¡±
A guttural growl shattered the stillness.
Zach froze mid-step, his hand instinctively gripping the war hammer. ¡°Did you hear that?¡±
¡°Yeah,¡± Ivonah whispered, her bow already drawn. She scanned the forest, eyes darting between the dense foliage. Ivory stepped closer, holding the hammer defensively, his jaw tight.
From the shadows, a massive bear emerged, its fur matted and bristling. It towered over them, its muscles rippling with unnatural energy. But what sent a chill down their spines were the glowing lines etched across its body, pulsing with the same energy as the runes on the chest they¡¯d opened. The bear let out a deafening roar, and as its claws raked the ground, shockwaves rippled outward, splintering roots and throwing debris into the air.
¡°Move!¡± Zach shouted, diving to the side as the shockwave slammed into the ground where he had stood. The force sent dirt and leaves flying, leaving a gash in the earth.
Ivonah rolled behind a tree, nocking an arrow. ¡°This thing isn¡¯t normal!¡±
¡°No kidding!¡± Ivory growled, hefting the hammer. ¡°How are we supposed to take it down?¡±
The bear charged, its claws glowing as it swiped at Ivory. He swung the hammer in defense, and to his shock, the weapon sent out a concussive blast upon impact. The shockwave collided with the bear¡¯s attack, momentarily forcing it back.
Ivory blinked in surprise. ¡°Did you see that?¡±
¡°Yeah, keep doing it!¡± Zach shouted, darting forward with the sword. He slashed at the bear¡¯s side, and a brief, crackling arc of energy shot from the blade, striking the beast. Though it barely made the creature flinch, Zach¡¯s eyes lit up with realization. These weapons... they¡¯ve got powers.
I can better keep my system and powers secret with these kinds of weapons as substitutes.
¡°No time to celebrate!¡± Ivonah yelled, releasing her arrow. The projectile flew true, embedding itself in the bear¡¯s shoulder before exploding in a burst of fire and force. The beast roared in pain, stumbling back, smoke rising from its scorched fur.
¡°Holy fucking shit!¡± she exclaimed, already reaching for another arrow.
The bear shook off the attack with frightening speed, its glowing claws slicing through the air. Another shockwave rippled outward, this one larger and more forceful. Zach barely managed to leap behind a fallen log as the wave split trees in its path.
¡°We can¡¯t keep dodging forever!¡± Ivory bellowed, slamming the hammer into the ground and sending a shockwave directly at the bear¡¯s legs. The blast knocked it off balance, giving Zach an opening.
Zach darted forward, gripping the sword tightly. He slashed at the bear¡¯s neck, sending another energy arc crackling into its hide. The creature howled, rearing back, but its retaliatory swipe was too fast. Claws raked across Zach¡¯s shoulder, throwing him into the dirt with a grunt.
¡°Zach!¡± Ivonah¡¯s voice was sharp with concern as she loosed another explosive arrow. This one struck the ground near the bear¡¯s feet, the explosion forcing it back just enough for Ivory to charge in. He swung the hammer in a wide arc, sending another shockwave crashing into the bear¡¯s chest. The beast stumbled, roaring in rage.
Zach pushed himself up, wincing at the pain in his shoulder. ¡°I¡¯m fine!¡± he called, gripping the sword with renewed determination. ¡°We¡¯ve got to finish this now.¡±
Ivory shouted. ¡°I¡¯ll keep it busy. Ivonah, aim for its head!¡±
Ivonah nodded, drawing another arrow. ¡°Got it.¡±
¡°I¡¯ll go for the legs!¡± Zach added, darting to the side.
The bear roared again, its glowing claws flashing as it lunged at Ivory. He met the charge head-on, slamming the hammer down and unleashing a massive shockwave that halted the creature mid-attack. The force rippled through the air, shaking the ground beneath them.
Seizing the opening, Zach rushed forward, slicing at the bear¡¯s hind legs with the sword. Each swing sent arcs of energy into the beast, weakening its stance.
¡°Now, Ivonah!¡± Zach shouted.
Ivonah let out a breath, her focus razor-sharp. She loosed the arrow, and it flew straight and true, piercing the bear¡¯s skull. The resulting explosion sent a fiery shockwave rippling outward, engulfing the creature in flames. The bear let out a final, guttural roar before collapsing, its massive body hitting the ground with a resounding thud.
For a moment, the forest was silent save for the heavy breathing of the trio. Zach leaned on the sword, his shoulder still throbbing. Ivory stood over the bear¡¯s corpse, hammer in hand, his face a mixture of exhaustion and relief. Ivonah lowered her bow, exhaling deeply.
¡°Well,¡± Zach said, wincing as he straightened. ¡°That was... intense.¡±
[Level up! You are now Level 7.]
Chapter 14.5: Goats and Greed
Zach leaned back against the coarse bark of a tree, his chest heaving with exertion. His muscles ached, but the euphoric surge of energy coursing through him made it all bearable. It had been so long since he¡¯d leveled up that he¡¯d almost forgotten the rush it brought. Strength, clarity, and confidence surged through his veins, making the world feel a little sharper, a little slower.
Nearby, Ivonah and Ivory rested as well. Ivonah sat cross-legged, absently staring at her bow, while Ivory leaned against a massive tree trunk, his arms folded across his chest as he caught his breath.
They were all amazed by their weapons'' capabilities, but that was all. There were no signs of the thrill or growth Zach was experiencing.
Zach frowned, letting the thought linger. If leveling up felt this good and neither of them showed any sign of it¡ did that mean they didn¡¯t experience it at all?
¡°Didn¡¯t expect that bear to take that long,¡± Ivory grunted, breaking the silence. His deep voice rumbled through the clearing like distant thunder. ¡°That thing was a tank.¡±
Ivonah smirked. ¡°You mean, _we¡¯re_ tired because you just stood there trading blows with it like some kind of gladiator?¡±
¡°Someone had to keep it distracted.¡±
¡°Still,¡± Ivonah said, holding up her bow. ¡°Can¡¯t say I¡¯m not impressed with this thing. Exploding arrows? Whoever made this was a genius.¡± She ran her fingers along the bowstring, a hint of admiration in her voice. ¡°I can¡¯t believe how precise they are, too. That bear didn¡¯t stand a chance once I realized what this mother fucker could do.¡±
Ivory chuckled, hefting his massive war hammer. ¡°And this beauty? Shockwaves. One swing and it¡¯s like an earthquake. I could feel its ribs breaking with every hit.¡± He patted the hammer affectionately. ¡°Definitely worth lugging this thing around.¡±
Zach smiled faintly and held up his sword, the blade faintly crackling with residual energy. ¡°Short-range energy arcs. It¡¯s like having a second weapon. I would never have thought there would be weapons to let me do something as cool as that.¡± He gave it a quick swing, and a faint arc of energy zipped through the air, striking a nearby bush and leaving a scorch mark. ¡°It¡¯s efficient. I¡¯ll give it that.¡±
Zach¡¯s faint smile lingered for a moment as he swung the sword experimentally again, watching the residual energy dissipate. He glanced at Ivory and Ivonah, who were both still admiring their weapons, and felt a pang of doubt creep in.
¡°Feel anything?¡± Zach asked suddenly, trying to sound casual.
Ivonah raised a brow. ¡°Like what? Bruises? Because yeah, I¡¯m feeling plenty of those.¡±
¡°Same,¡± Ivory added.
¡°Not what I meant.¡± Zach waved them off. ¡°Forget it.¡±
Ivonah frowned, leaning forward. ¡°Hold up. You don¡¯t just ask something cryptic like that and then drop it. What did you mean?¡±
¡°Yeah,¡± Ivory added, crossing his arms. ¡°You¡¯ve been acting weird ever since we stopped. Spill it.¡±
Zach hesitated, his gaze shifting between them. ¡°It¡¯s nothing,¡± he said, forcing a casual shrug. ¡°Just¡ wondering if you guys felt anything unusual after the fight.¡±
¡°Unusual how?¡± Ivonah pressed, narrowing her eyes.
¡°Forget it,¡± Zach said again, shaking his head. ¡°Not important.¡±
They exchanged puzzled looks but didn¡¯t push further. Zach felt a pang of guilt but shoved it aside. If the experience wasn¡¯t shared, it meant all the rewards were his alone, even when they worked together. A win-win.
And mainly it confirmed the theory of the system he had. It wasn''t a common thing in this world.
---
After a short rest, they moved deeper into the forest. The air was thick with the smell of damp moss and the faint metallic tang of blood from their earlier fight. Sunlight filtered through the canopy in broken patches, casting shifting patterns on the forest floor.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
Zach noticed the wildlife first. Birds the size of goats perched on high branches, their talons sharp enough to slice through bark. One swooped low, and Ivonah ducked, cursing as it passed close enough to ruffle her hair.
¡°Someone tell me that¡¯s not normal,¡± Zach muttered, glaring at the creature as it disappeared into the trees.
¡°It¡¯s normal here,¡± Ivory said, his hand resting on the haft of his massive axe. ¡°Which is why we¡¯re moving fast.¡±
They pressed on, but the strangeness only grew. A herd of creatures grazed in a small clearing ahead. At first glance, they looked like goats¡ªuntil Zach saw the jagged, spiraling horns that sprouted all over their bodies, twisting unnaturally. Their glowing eyes and synchronized movements made his skin crawl.
¡°Why do they have horns _everywhere_?¡± Ivonah asked, disgust lacing her voice.
Ivory grunted. ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter. We need to get through.¡±
¡°Yeah, but we don¡¯t have to like it,¡± Zach said, pulling his dagger free.
The moment they stepped closer, the herd turned in unison, their glowing eyes locking onto the group. One of the creatures let out a high-pitched screech before charging, and the rest followed in a stampede.
---
The battle was chaos.
Zach sidestepped the first goat and drove his sword into its throat, blood spraying across the forest floor. Another came at him immediately, its horns aimed for his chest. He ducked and slashed its legs, sending it crashing to the ground.
¡°On your left!¡± Ivonah called out, her arrows flashing as she sliced through two of the creatures in quick succession.
Zach turned just in time to block another attack, the force of the impact nearly knocking him off balance.
Ivory, meanwhile, was a one-man wrecking crew. His war hammer cleaved through the goats in wide arcs, each swing sending bodies flying. ¡°Keep moving! Don¡¯t let them box you in!¡±
The battle dragged on, but the group fought fiercely. Ivonah¡¯s exploding arrows sent groups of goats tumbling with each precise shot, while Zach¡¯s energy arcs carved paths through the chaotic melee. Ivory¡¯s shockwave-producing hammer continued to wreak havoc, creating craters in the forest floor with each powerful swing.
One by one, the herd was reduced to scattered survivors, their glowing eyes dimming as they fell.
By the end, Zach could barely lift his sword, but a surge of exhilaration coursed through him. The familiar rush of leveling up hit him once, twice, and then a third time before the last goat fell. He grinned despite his exhaustion, knowing he had reached level 10.
They finally managed to break free from the herd¡¯s range, their heavy breaths cutting through the forest¡¯s eerie silence.
Zach wiped sweat from his brow and leaned on a tree, his sword still crackling faintly. Ivory and Ivonah slowed their pace, scanning the area for any more threats.
¡°Let¡¯s catch our breath here,¡± Ivory suggested, resting his war hammer against a rock.
¡°Agreed,¡± Ivonah said, lowering her bow. ¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve ever seen something that relentless before.¡±
Zach nodded, his muscles aching from the frantic fight. He was just about to sit down when a sharp whistle pierced the air. An arrow thunked into a tree behind him, narrowly missing his head.
¡°What the hell?¡± he yelled, spinning around.
The man had been crouched low behind a bush, his crossbow raised and loaded. He froze as Zach¡¯s shout drew attention to him, his sly grin fading into a grimace of frustration. His clothes were dirty and worn, and his movements were careful, almost predatory, as he adjusted his aim and fired another shot, this one aimed at Ivonah. She ducked just in time.
¡°Who the hell is this guy?¡± Ivonah snapped, slashing through another goat before turning her attention to the stranger.
¡°Doesn¡¯t matter,¡± Ivory growled. ¡°Take him down!¡±
Zach didn¡¯t wait for instructions. He sprinted toward the man, dodging another arrow as it whizzed past. The stranger cursed and tried to reload, but Zach was faster. He slammed into him, pinning him against a tree.
¡°Bad move,¡± Zach hissed, pressing his sword to the man¡¯s throat. ¡°Care to explain what you were thinking?¡±
The man¡¯s eyes darted around, panic flashing across his face. ¡°I¡ªI was hunting nearby! Thought you were beasts at first!¡±
¡°Hunting?¡± Zach¡¯s voice was low and dangerous. ¡°With a crossbow aimed right at us? Try again.¡± He shoved the man harder against the tree, his blade pressing closer to his neck.
The man gulped, sweat beading on his brow. ¡°Alright, alright! I thought¡ maybe you were dangerous. Figured it was better to¡ uh, take the first shot.¡±
¡°Better to attack first? Still sounds like a lie.¡±
The man¡¯s composure broke, his voice trembling. ¡°Fine! Fine! I thought I could take you out while you were distracted, okay? Grab whatever loot you had and run.¡±
¡°Are you not concerned about the race... Nevermind. Got any friends lurking nearby?¡±
The man shook his head frantically. ¡°No! No, it¡¯s just me! I swear!¡±
Ivory and Ivonah approached, their weapons still drawn.
¡°What¡¯s the plan here?¡± Ivory asked, his voice low and dangerous.
Zach considered for a moment before stepping back. ¡°We let him go. He¡¯s not worth the trouble.¡±
The man stumbled away, clutching his crossbow tightly. ¡°Thanks! You won¡¯t see me again, I swear!¡± He disappeared into the trees, his footsteps fading quickly.
Ivonah expression was unreadable. ¡°Letting him go? Why.¡±
¡°What was I supposed to do?¡± Zach said. "Breaking his leg so he can no longer compete? There are dangerous beasts around here. I want to win, not be responsible for other people''s deaths.¡±
Chapter 15: Dangerous Forest
The trio trudged deeper into the dense, humid forest. Towering trees loomed overhead, their branches forming a near-impenetrable canopy that shrouded the ground in dim green light. The underbrush was thick, with twisted roots and thorny vines that snagged their boots and cloaks. Zach led the way, his sword drawn, its blade smeared with dried blood from earlier battles. Ivory followed close behind, his massive war hammer resting on his shoulder, while Ivonah guarded the rear with her bow drawn, the arrow notched and ready to release its explosive payload.
A distant roar broke the silence, and the group froze. Shadows shifted ahead as a massive, scaled beast lumbered into view.
It resembled a boar but had jagged tusks and a hide that shimmered like metal. Zach didn¡¯t hesitate, charging forward with a yell as his sword arced toward the creature¡¯s flank. Sparks flew as the blade glanced off its armor-like skin. Ivonah¡¯s bowstring twanged, and an arrow streaked through the air, striking the beast¡¯s side. The resulting explosion staggered the creature, eliciting a deafening bellow. It turned, its glowing eyes locking onto Ivonah.
I need serious power.
Zach hung back, his heart pounding as he pressed his hands together, his palms tingling with heat. A viscous, green liquid began to seep from his fingertips, its acrid scent sharp in his nostrils.
It was made out of mushrooms and caterpillars he had absorbed back in the forest near the village where he had spent the night.
Shielded by the chaos, he quickly smeared the concoction onto his blade. He tightened his grip on the hilt, eyes narrowing.
Ivory charged in with a roar, his war hammer swinging in a deadly arc. The weapon connected with the beast¡¯s hind leg, sending a crack through the air as bone shattered. The creature stumbled but didn¡¯t fall, its massive head swinging toward Ivory.
Zach saw his chance and darted forward, sliding under the beast¡¯s bulk. His poisoned blade slashed at its softer underbelly, leaving a sizzling wound. The creature howled, its movements becoming erratic.
¡°Fall back!¡± Zach shouted, slamming his blade into the creature¡¯s exposed neck. Blood sprayed, and the beast collapsed with a final wheeze. Zach scrambled out from under it, panting.
¡°You''re fast... Like insanely fast,¡± Ivonah said, lowering her bow and wiping sweat from her brow.
Zach thanked her but said nothing more. He was already on edge, his eyes flickering to every shadow as though expecting it to lunge at them. Ivory broke the tension by speaking up.
¡°How much farther do you think?¡± he asked, his voice deep and resonant, cutting through the stillness of the forest.
¡°Not sure,¡± Zach replied. ¡°But the beasts are getting bigger. Stronger. We¡¯re heading in the right direction.¡±
They didn¡¯t have to wait long for the next encounter. A massive, bear-like creature with spiked fur burst through the underbrush, its roar reverberating like thunder. The group sprang into action, instinctively spreading out to flank the creature.
Zach remained at the edges of the group, his body tense, waiting for the right moment. He didn¡¯t draw attention to himself, focusing instead on the chemical reactions happening quietly within him. His hands were steady as he began to subtly manipulate the ingredients already stored within his body.
The first phase was easy¡ªZach inhaled a quiet breath, drawing the compounds from the stinging nettles and crushed ants.
His body went to work, separating and refining the irritants. A faint, almost imperceptible glow flickered beneath his skin, but no one saw it. His fingers twitched, and then, with a barely audible exhale, he expelled the irritant mist into the air.
The creature¡¯s roar faltered as it began to paw at its face, its eyes watering and its movements becoming erratic. The irritants from the mist clouded its vision and made its skin itch intensely, but Zach¡¯s expression never wavered. He stayed low, just another figure in the chaos of the battle.
Ivory swung his war hammer, each strike landing with bone-crushing force. Ivonah fired arrow after arrow, each one striking deep into the beast¡¯s thick hide. The creature barely seemed to notice, its attention fixed solely on its attackers, but the mist Zach had unleashed was disorienting it, clouding its senses.Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
Zach felt the pressure of the battle building, and he quickly moved to the next step. His body began producing the neurotoxin mixture, derived from the mushrooms and caterpillar toxins he had consumed earlier. It formed deep within his chest, the mild toxin thickening and becoming viscous. He expelled the paste with a controlled breath, coating the blade of his sword. The substance was almost invisible, a perfect disguise for a weapon.
He closed in on the creature, watching its every move as it swiped its claws at Ivory. In the split second of its distraction, Zach dashed forward, narrowly avoiding the creature¡¯s claws. His sword thrust upward into the beast¡¯s softer underbelly. The neurotoxin was instantly delivered into its flesh, and the beast staggered, its steps slowing as the toxin began to take effect.
Zach stepped back quickly, blending in with the fray. His hands tingled as he quickly prepared his next move. His body drew on the sap and powdered fungi. He expelled the sticky resin with a subtle motion, the thick substance forming in his hand. With a flick of his wrist, he cast it toward the beast''s side, where it clung to its fur.
When Ivonah''s arrow hit it and exploded, the resin quickly caught on fire. The fire spread across the creature¡¯s spiked hide, and it howled in pain, thrashing violently.
Ivory and Ivonah redoubled their efforts. Ivory¡¯s hammer came down with brutal force, Ivonah''s arrows finding their mark, each one embedding deep into the creature¡¯s hide. Zach remained at the edges, his movements barely noticeable as he continued to support the group from the shadows.
The beast was weakening, its movements slow and erratic. It attempted to swipe at Ivonah but missed, its body wracked by pain and confusion. In the chaos, Zach seized the moment. He moved with precision, his sword flashing as he struck again, delivering a final blow to its side.
With a deep, rumbling groan, the beast collapsed to the ground, twitching before finally going still.
Ivory wiped sweat from his brow, breathing heavily. He glanced at the fallen creature with wide eyes. "Wow¡" he muttered, still trying to catch his breath.
As they caught their breath, a notification flashed across Zach''s vision:
[Experience gained]
[Level up! You are now Level 13.]
[New Skill Unlocked: Quantum Entanglement]
[Skill Description: Create a link between objects or beings, no matter how far apart they are. Once entangled, changes to one will instantly affect the other.]
His body instantly felt more powerful. He blinked at the words, a mix of excitement and apprehension stirring within him.
His fingers itched to test it, but there was no time. Another rustling sound reached their ears, louder this time, and everyone tensed.
Out of the foliage stepped two figures. The first was a tall man with fiery red hair, his spear crackling with faint arcs of electricity. Beside him stood a tall woman with jet-black hair, her own spear similarly charged with energy.
¡°Impressive work,¡± the red-haired man said, his voice smooth but carrying an undercurrent of power. ¡°You handled that beast well.¡±
Zach immediately stepped forward, his sword raised defensively. ¡°Who are you?¡± he demanded.
The woman held up a hand, her expression calm but her eyes sharp. ¡°We don''t want to fight,¡± she said. ¡°If we wanted trouble, you¡¯d already know it.¡±
¡°Doesn¡¯t answer the question,¡± Zach snapped, not lowering his blade.
The man chuckled. ¡°Fair enough. I¡¯m Calder, and this is Reina.¡±
Ivory¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°What do you want?¡±
Reina tilted her head slightly. ¡°To give you a warning. The beasts to the west are far worse than anything you¡¯ve faced so far. If you value your lives, you¡¯ll avoid that direction.¡±
Zach studied them closely, noting the relaxed way they held their spears despite their charged appearance. He felt an uneasy tension in the air as if the two were gauging them just as much as they were being gauged.
¡°Why warn us?¡± Ivonah asked, her bow still trained on them.
¡°Consider it¡ professional courtesy,¡± Calder replied.
Reina basically cut through the bullshit. "We recently saw someone get ripped into two by one of these beasts. It wasn¡¯t supposed to happen. This is a military test, right? People aren''t supposed to be dying."
Zach''s expression darkened, confusion flickering across his face. "Wait, what? Are you sure? These things shouldn¡¯t kill us¡ªit¡¯s just a simulation. I mean, it feels like they''re going to kill us. But... I thought deaths would be accidental or caused by other test takers, not by the actual obstacles."
He was taking it seriously, as if it were life or death since it felt like that. But at the very back of his head, he thought it wasn''t really.
Calder, overhearing their exchange, shrugged nonchalantly but with an edge of concern. "We¡¯re not sure what¡¯s going on either. Maybe the beasts malfunctioned, or maybe someone tampered with them. Whatever the reason, these things are killing people out here."
Ivonah muttered under her breath before asking. "That¡¯s insane. Why would they let this happen?"
Reina crossed her arms, her gaze drifting toward the darkened forest. "We don¡¯t have the full picture, but it doesn¡¯t matter why right now. What matters is that these beasts are lethal, and if you¡¯re not careful, you¡¯ll end up just like that poor soul."
Zach nodded, his expression grim. "Thanks for the warning. We¡¯ll keep our guard up."
The two disappeared back into the forest as silently as they had appeared. The group stood frozen for a moment before Zach finally lowered his weapon.
¡°Let¡¯s rest here for the night,¡± he said, his voice heavy. ¡°We¡¯re all exhausted.¡±
They found a small clearing and settled down. Ivory lit a small fire while Ivonah sharpened her arrows, carefully inspecting the explosive tips. Zach sat apart from them, staring into the flames.
Chapter 16: Mages
The fire crackled, casting an orange glow on the faces of the three sitting around it. Zach sat with his legs crossed, staring at the flickering flames as Ivory poked at the fire with a stick. Ivonah, her arms wrapped around her knees, glanced between them, clearly deep in thought.
"So," Ivory said, breaking the silence, "what did you mean earlier, Zach? You said you thought this was simulated?"
Zach blinked, confused for a moment. "Well, yeah," he replied. "This... all of it. It¡¯s just a test, right? We''re not actually supposed to be killing each other. It''s just risky. But if it was an actual survival race, the officer wouldn¡¯t be telling us we can¡¯t kill each other. It would be a free-for-all. Do whatever you need to survive, no rules, no limits."
Ivonah raised an eyebrow. "But everything here¡ªeverything except our fellow mates¡ªcan kill us. Didn''t you realize that?"
Zach furrowed his brows. "I did. I just thought we''d be beaten to near death, not actually killed."
Ivonah gave a small sigh, her eyes narrowing at the fire. "That''s where you¡¯re wrong. I came to that conclusion a while ago, just from going up against these beasts. It¡¯s not a test. It¡¯s survival."
Zach nodded slowly, his mind still working through it all. "I guess I¡¯m still not used to this. I thought we¡¯d be kept alive for the test to see how we handle it. Like... what¡¯s the point of killing someone during a race?"
Ivory chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Not everyone plays by the same rules, Zach."
"It''s whatever." Zach was already fighting like his life was on the line, so this was no different.
The silence stretched for a moment before Ivonah spoke again, her tone shifting to something more serious. "Speaking of which, what¡¯s up with your speed? Every time we fight, you keep getting faster, stronger. What is that about?"
Zach blinked, surprised by the question. "My... speed?"
"Yeah," Ivonah said, leaning forward slightly. "It¡¯s... kind of ridiculous. You¡¯re faster than us by leaps and bounds. Inhumanly fast. Have you already figured out how to tap into your ¡®inner self¡¯?"
Zach looked puzzled. "Inner self? Shit sounds like... like therapy talk?" He paused, then added, "I mean, maybe by accident? I don¡¯t really know what that is."
Ivory furrowed his brows. "How do you not know what it is?"
Ivonah shot Ivory a look before turning back to Zach. "He¡¯s got amnesia. Real bad."
Zach nodded. "Yup, that''s me."
Ivonah nodded. "It¡¯s your life force. Everyone has it. It¡¯s like a part of you that builds up over time. And when it¡¯s strong enough, it can evolve into something... special. Something that makes you faster, stronger. Maybe even... more than that."
Zach thought about it, mentally clicking his tongue. So no Kamehameha blasts then? He shifted his weight on the ground. "So... no fireballs? I mean, I was kinda hoping for that."
Ivory let out a short laugh. "Well, you can definitely become a mage if you want to throw fireballs. Just gotta go on your great journey, find a forbidden book and start casting spells."
Zach''s eyes widened in disbelief. "Mages? Wait, there¡¯s magic? When do we learn that?"
Ivory froze mid-laugh, the humor draining from his face like water from a cracked dam. His expression morphed into one of confusion, almost a flicker of caution in his eyes. "Magic? I was joking about that." He let out a small chuckle that quickly died. "No, man. Mages are... they¡¯re not something we do." He shook his head slowly, the words heavy in his tone. "Mages are to be killed. They don¡¯t get to exist. It¡¯s not a joke."The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.
Zach blinked, trying to process it. "Wait, hold up¡ªkilled? You¡¯re saying magic¡¯s a death sentence?"
Ivonah leaned forward, her gaze sharp and unwavering. "It¡¯s not about magic," she said, her voice laced with a quiet frustration. "Mages aren¡¯t just magic users. They¡¯re called World Books Practitioners. They don¡¯t just cast spells. They manipulate the very fabric of the world with these damn books." She paused, her lips tightening. "And those books? They don¡¯t create anything good. They breed greed. And greed..." She let the sentence hang in the air, heavy with unspoken meaning. "Greed leads to chaos."
Zach looked between them, trying to grasp the weight of what they were saying. "But... why hunt them down? What¡¯s so bad about it? I mean, if they can really control the world... isn¡¯t that kind of... useful?"
Ivonah¡¯s expression darkened, her voice dropping to a quieter.. "Useful? Yeah, maybe. But it¡¯s not just power for the sake of power. Those books... they don¡¯t just change the world, they twist it. They make people obsessed, power-hungry, and willing to burn everything down just to get more. They don¡¯t want peace, they want control." She shook her head, almost disgusted. "That¡¯s why they hunt them. That¡¯s why they kill them. Because those who wield those books... they don¡¯t stop until everything¡¯s destroyed."
Zach asked, "So they¡¯re like... what? Villains? Or... just people who got corrupted by power?"
Ivonah¡¯s lips curled into a bitter smile. "It¡¯s not that simple. They¡¯re not just villains. They¡¯re human¡ªbut they¡¯re also dangerous. And once they start down that path, there¡¯s no going back."
Ivory, who had been silent for a moment, spoke up with a grim edge to his voice. "And that¡¯s why we stay the hell away from anything that smells like those books. If you¡¯re lucky, you¡¯ll never even cross paths with one."
Zach felt a knot tighten in his stomach. The idea of someone having the power to change the world at their fingertips, only to be hunted down for it, was... unsettling.
He glanced at Ivory, then at Ivonah. "So... if I had one of those books... I¡¯d be a target? Just for having it?"
Ivonah didn¡¯t hesitate. "Yes. You wouldn¡¯t just be a target. You¡¯d be dead."
Zach swallowed hard, his thoughts racing. A book that can change the world... and it gets you killed. Seems like a hell of a price for power. He glanced down at his hands, the weight of their words settling heavily on his chest. "I¡¯m glad I don¡¯t have one of those books then."
Ivonah¡¯s eyes softened for just a moment, but her voice remained firm. "Just keep it that way. Trust me, the last thing you want is to get caught up in that kind of mess."
Ivory¡¯s voice, gruff but steady, added, "We don¡¯t need that kind of power. Not here. Not now."
Zach paused, taking in the weight of her words. He glanced at his hands, the thought of being hunted because of a book... or the system that gives him such powers.
Hell, what''s the difference? I¡¯ve got a system, not a book. He exhaled sharply, rubbing his temples. At least I have a damn reason to keep my powers quiet.
A long, uneasy silence followed. The fire crackled, its warmth a sharp contrast to the tension now lingering in the air. Finally, Ivonah stood up, stretching her legs. "Enough of that for now. We should get some rest."
Zach nodded, still lost in thought. Ivory stood as well, picking up a nearby branch and tossing it onto the fire. "I¡¯ll take first watch," he said, his voice unusually quiet.
"I¡¯ll join you," Ivonah said, her voice softening. She glanced at Zach. "Get some sleep."
Zach nodded, trying to clear his thoughts, but sleep didn¡¯t come easily. The night was cold, the stars above barely visible through the thick canopy of trees. He lay still, his eyes open as he listened to the sounds of the forest¡ªuntil a sudden burst of noise pierced the stillness.
It sounded like missiles, whistling through the air, followed by the ground shaking beneath him.
Zach shot up, heart racing. He barely had time to react before the sound of something massive slamming into the ground near them made the earth tremble. A long, iron spear, glistening in the firelight, stabbed into the dirt just feet away from them.
"Move!" Ivonah shouted, her voice urgent as she grabbed Zach¡¯s arm. "Run!"
Before he could even process it, another spear shot through the air, narrowly missing Ivory as he scrambled to his feet.
The three of them bolted, hearts pounding, the sound of the spears¡¯ impacts still ringing in their ears. Zach¡¯s mind raced. What the hell is happening?
A third spear shot toward them, its tip gleaming as it tore through the air. This time, it came close enough that Zach could feel the heat of it slicing the air, narrowly missing Ivory by inches.
"Faster!" Ivonah barked.
Zach didn¡¯t need any more encouragement. They kept running, deeper into the forest, with the sound of the missiles growing louder.
Chapter 17: Cube
Zach, Ivory, and Ivonah trudged through the dense forest. Every step crackled with the rustle of leaves and twigs, but none of them seemed willing to break the silence beyond their heavy breaths. The missing iron spears still weighed on their minds.
Zach slowed his walking pace, putting him slightly behind them.
He then brushed his arm lightly against nearby plants as he walked. He absorbed the plants, and mixed the oxygen with a very small bit of air, so he could get almost 99.9% oxygen-rich gas to release directly into his mouth.
The rush of nearly pure oxygen filled his lungs and slowly began clearing his head at a faster rate.
Ivory stopped briefly to shift the war hammer on his back.
¡°We should rest,¡± he said gruffly, wiping his forehead with the back of his hand.
¡°No.¡± Zach¡¯s voice was firm but low. ¡°We can¡¯t stop. If they hit us here again¡ª¡±
¡°They¡¯re not coming back,¡± Ivonah interrupted, shaking her head. Her dark eyes narrowed. ¡°If they were going to, it would¡¯ve happened by now.¡±
Ivory frowned but kept walking, his long strides forcing Ivonah to pick up her pace to keep up. ¡°That doesn¡¯t explain what happened back there,¡± he said.
¡°The iron spears?¡± Ivonah asked, glancing sideways at him. ¡°Could be someone out here with some crazy weapon. Like... I don¡¯t know, something that fires replicas of them? Wouldn¡¯t be the weirdest thing.¡±
¡°That¡¯s ridiculous,¡± Zach cut in. ¡°Why would they let an overpowered like that be in the test? The advantage it gives is too insane. And they wouldn¡¯t be aiming for us¡ªthey¡¯d be going after the cube directly. We ain''t close to it.¡±
Ivory tilted his head as though considering it, but Ivonah crossed her arms. ¡°You think the spears are just falling out of the sky all on their own?¡±
¡°No...¡± Zach replied. He thought for a while and then said, "Must be apart of the test. Absolutely nuts."
Ivory chuckled under his breath, breaking the tension. ¡°It better be. If it is someone, they¡¯re terrible at aiming. We¡¯re still here, aren¡¯t we?¡±
¡°We almost got unlucky,¡± Ivonah muttered.
Zach said, "Let''s just keep walking. Let''s try to get to that cube as fast as possible so we can get the hell out of here, and not worry about any damn spears coming to take our heads,"
Everyone agreed.
Their footsteps crunched softly against the dirt and mossy ground.
The hours stretched as they moved deeper into the forest. The glowing white in the far distance kept them focused.
¡°I wonder,¡± Zach said finally, breaking the silence.
¡°Wonder what?¡± Ivory asked.
¡°If they¡¯re not coming back,¡± Zach said, stepping carefully over a thick, gnarled root, ¡°that first attack felt like a warning shot.¡±
Ivonah scoffed under her breath. ¡°If those were warnings, I don¡¯t want to see the real thing.¡±
Zach didn¡¯t respond, his gaze fixed ahead.
The forest wasn¡¯t silent, not really. The low hum of life buzzed all around them: a soft rustling of undergrowth, the faint shuffle of massive forms shifting in the shadows. Above them, the occasional snap of branches echoed as unseen creatures moved through the towering trees.
A guttural snarl broke the stillness to their left, deep and rumbling like a landslide. Zach halted mid-step, his hand automatically motioning for the others to stop. He turned his head slowly.
Through the foliage, a creature¡¯s hulking silhouette emerged, its elongated snout sniffing the air. It resembled a wolf, but its eyes glowed faintly green, and its fur shimmered like polished onyx. The beast was massive, easily the size of a small car, its limbs corded with muscle that flexed as it padded forward.
Ivonah cursed softly under her breath, clutching her weapon tightly. Ivory didn¡¯t move, his massive frame tense, every ounce of him ready to spring into action.
Then, without warning, it let out a low huff, turned sharply, and melted back into the shadows, its massive form disappearing into the underbrush.
Zach exhaled.
They pressed on, the forest thickening around them. The terrain grew uneven, the roots of ancient trees clawing up from the earth to form a tangled mess beneath their boots. Ivory took the lead, his wide shoulders parting the undergrowth, but even he moved cautiously, his head turning at every unfamiliar sound.
Above, a flock of enormous birdlike creatures stirred, their wings stretching wide as they shifted in their nests. Each one was easily twice the size of a human, their talons curved like scythes. Zach grimaced as one of the creatures let out a haunting cry, the sound reverberating like a broken whistle.A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
The shadows grew deeper as they pressed forward, the faint light of the cube occasionally flickering through the trees ahead. They could see a hill now, towering over the forest like a silent sentinel. On top of that hill was the white cube.
Zach paused abruptly, raising a hand to stop the group. Ahead of them, a massive lizard-like creature sprawled across their path, its scaly hide glinting faintly in the dim light. Its body was covered in jagged ridges, and its tail, tipped with a spiked club, swayed lazily behind it as it dozed.
Ivory leaned closer to Zach. ¡°How do we get around that thing?¡± he whispered, his deep voice barely audible.
Zach scanned the area quickly. The creature¡¯s size was daunting; it blocked most of the trail ahead, its form stretching nearly ten meters long. The underbrush to their left seemed like the best option, though it meant venturing closer to another set of glowing green eyes that hovered just beyond the trees.
Zach pointed toward the thicker foliage. ¡°We go quiet.¡±
One by one, they slipped into the underbrush, moving as silently as they could. The sound of their boots crunching softly against the ground mingled with the distant rustle of leaves and the occasional low growl from unseen beasts.
As they emerged on the other side, the faint glow of the cube grew brighter, standing out against the black expanse of the hill ahead. They were closer now.
Hours had passed¡ªor at least it felt that way. The night had grown colder, the chill creeping into their bones as they trudged forward.
Ivory¡¯s heavy breathing cut through the quiet.
"How long do you think we¡¯ve been walking?¡± he finally asked.
Zach brushed past a low-hanging branch, the dew clinging to its leaves scattering across his sleeve. He exhaled slowly, his breath visible in the cool night air. "Pretty long. Many hours.¡±
Ivonah glanced up at the faint outline of the moon peeking through the treetops. ¡°Feels like forever. My legs are killing me.¡±
No one stopped, though. There was no point. Stopping would only invite trouble.
A distant howl echoed from somewhere behind them, long and mournful. Ivory froze for a moment, his hand instinctively hovering near his weapon.
¡°It¡¯s far,¡± Zach said, glancing back over his shoulder. ¡°Keep moving.¡±
They pressed on, the glow of the cube growing slightly brighter as the hours dragged by. The dense forest began to thin, but not before the group passed a clearing where a massive creature loomed in the moonlight.
¡°Hold up,¡± Zach hissed, stopping abruptly and motioning for the others to crouch.
Ahead, in a clearing bathed in silver light, a massive creature loomed. It looked like a boar but was far larger¡ªits back nearly as tall as the trees, its tusks curving like scythes that shimmered faintly. Steam huffed from its flared nostrils, and its glowing red eyes swept the area, scanning for intruders.
¡°Get down,¡± Zach whispered, gripping the hilt of his sword. ¡°Don¡¯t draw its attention.¡±
Ivory tightened his grip on his warhammer, his broad shoulders tense. ¡°That thing won¡¯t need much of a reason to come after us.¡±
Ivonah¡¯s bow was already in her hands, an arrow nocked and ready. ¡°We taking it down or sneaking past?¡±
¡°Neither,¡± Zach said, his voice sharp. ¡°We confuse it and run. Follow my lead.¡±
The boar¡¯s head snapped toward them, its ears twitching. A low snarl rumbled from its throat, and it scraped the ground with one massive hoof, kicking up dirt.
¡°Too late!¡± Ivory yelled, jumping to his feet as the beast charged.
Zach didn¡¯t hesitate. He dashed forward, swinging his sword in a wide arc. A surge of energy crackled along the blade, releasing a short-range burst of blue light that slashed across the boar¡¯s face. The beast roared in pain, skidding to a halt as it shook its massive head.
¡°Nice one!¡± Ivonah shouted, letting her arrow fly. The projectile whistled through the air, embedding itself in the boar¡¯s thick hide before exploding in a fiery burst. The impact sent chunks of dirt flying, and the beast reeled back, bellowing in rage.
Ivory charged in, raising his warhammer high. He brought it down with a thunderous crash, sending a shockwave rippling through the ground. The tremor knocked the beast off balance, its front legs buckling as it slammed to the ground.
¡°Move!¡± Zach barked, already sprinting to the side.
Ivonah and Ivory followed, but the boar recovered quickly, its tusks tearing through a nearby tree as it turned to face them.
Zach slowed for half a second, breaking a massive branch the size of a human torso, and absorbing it. Ivonah notice that and shouted, "What the fuck was that?!"
Zach answered quickly, "No idea. I think the sword can make things invisible!"
"What the..."
Zach didn''t have time to waste.
He focused on the process¡ªdrawing water from the branch inside of him and mixing the water with the dry branch materials, but with a high ratio of water.
The boar charged again, its tusks carving massive gouges in the earth. Zach swiped ahead, releasing a white arc in front of the two to blind them with light. In that same moment, Zach released his stored tree branch goo from the back of his leg, aiming for the ground beneath the creature¡¯s feet.
"Watch where you aim!" Ivonah shouted as she held her eyes in slight pain.
"Sorry!"
The beast stumbled, its legs sliding out from under it as it crashed heavily to the ground.
¡°Go!¡± Zach yelled, running toward the thicker trees.
Ivonah fired another arrow as she ran, the explosion disorienting the creature further. Ivory brought his hammer down one last time, sending another shockwave through the earth to slow the boar¡¯s attempts to rise.
The group sprinted away, weaving through trees and ducking under low-hanging branches. Behind them, the boar¡¯s enraged roars echoed, but its thundering footsteps grew more distant as they put more ground between themselves and the clearing.
When they finally stopped, gasping for breath, the forest was quiet again.
¡°Hell of a plan,¡± Ivory said, leaning against a tree and wiping sweat from his brow.
Zach replied, ¡°It worked, didn¡¯t it?¡±
"Yeah..."
Ivonah muttered something and began walking. The two others followed..
The stars glimmered faintly, and the moon began to sink toward the horizon, its light casting long, silvery shadows across the ground.
Ivonah stumbled over a root and caught herself, groaning. ¡°Are we seriously still not there? That cube feels like it¡¯s moving farther away every time I look at it.¡±
Zach said, though his tone carried a hint of doubt. ¡°We¡¯re getting closer. Just keep going.¡±
The night slowly began to fade. The horizon brightened from deep indigo to pale gray as the first hints of dawn crept into the sky. The forest came alive with the sounds of enormous birds waking in their nests.
Zach rubbed his eyes, exhaustion setting in.
Ivory trudged on without complaint, though his movements were slower now, his broad shoulders drooping slightly. Ivonah muttered curses under her breath.
By the time the sun rose fully, the group emerged from the forest into an open field. The morning light cast a golden glow across the landscape, revealing the hill that loomed ahead.
The cube sat atop it, stark and glowing white against the deep green of the hill.
Ivory exhaled deeply, rolling his shoulders as he surveyed the area. ¡°Took long enough.¡±
Chapter 18: Spears Hit twice
Ivory exhaled deeply, rolling his shoulders as he surveyed the area. ¡°Took long enough.¡±
Ivonah dropped to one knee, slumping onto the grass. ¡°If anyone tries to make me move right now, I¡¯m shooting an arrow at them.¡±
Zach ignored her, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings. The closer they got to the hill, the more they noticed movement. Shapes stood near the base¡ªpeople. Three, maybe four, their figures partially obscured by the grass and scattered rocks.
¡°People are here,¡± Zach muttered, motioning toward the figures ahead.
Ivory straightened, his hand instinctively brushing the hilt of his weapon. ¡°Friendly?¡±
¡°Doubt it,¡± Ivonah said, dragging herself upright. ¡°Not when we''re this close.¡¯¡±
As they approached, the group near the hill came into focus. All of them bore signs of recent struggle¡ªtorn clothes, dirt-smeared faces, and fresh injuries. One man stood apart from the others, his broad shoulders and scarred chest unmistakable. Dark black hair hung loosely around his face.
¡°At least we weren''t the only ones that struggled,¡± Ivory muttered under his breath.
Zach didn¡¯t respond, his attention drawn to two other familiar figures resting under the shade of a large boulder further up the hill. Calder and Reina. They both looked rough¡ªCalder¡¯s usually neat hair was matted with sweat, and a fresh gash ran diagonally across Reina¡¯s left arm, hastily bandaged. Their weapons rested nearby, though Calder¡¯s hand lingered close to his spear.
Reina glanced up first, her eyes narrowing slightly as she recognized them. ¡°Well, look who finally caught up,¡± she said, her voice raspy from exertion.
Calder followed her gaze. ¡°Color me surprise.¡±
Zach stepped forward. ¡°What¡¯s the situation?¡±
The broad-shouldered man at the base of the hill answered before Calder could. His voice was low and gruff, and the faint rasp of pain underscored every word. ¡°Waiting. And resting until it''s time to act.¡±
Zach asked, "I see. I''m Zach. You?"
"Dern."
Reina leaned forward, her arms resting on her knees. ¡°Nice, you two getting to know each other. Anyway you didn¡¯t miss much. Nobody¡¯s touched the cube yet.¡± She nodded toward the cube, still glowing faintly at the top of the hill. ¡°Most of us figured it was better to wait and recover before trying anything stupid.¡±
Calder snorted softly. ¡°Some of us still think this is all stupid.¡±
Zach¡¯s gaze drifted to the cube. He assumed that they were waiting to quite literally backstab someone as soon as they run up the hill. They''re also afraid of showing their back when they run up the hill.
¡°So what¡¯s the plan?¡± Ivory asked, his voice low.
The broad-shouldered man tilted his head, his scarred face betraying no emotion His eyes locked onto Zach.
Zach didn¡¯t answer immediately, his focus shifting between the cube, the battle-worn figures around him. Finally, he shook his head, his voice steady. ¡°Not yet.¡±
Reina chuckled, settling back against the boulder. ¡°Smart.¡±
¡°Ivonah,¡± he said quietly, glancing toward her. She was still catching her breath but nodded, sensing his meaning. Ivory, however, shifted uncomfortably as Zach¡¯s gaze flicked his way.
¡°Whatever you¡¯re planning,¡± Ivory muttered, ¡°I hope it doesn¡¯t involve me as bait.¡±
Zach smirked faintly "I''m consideri--.¡±
The air shifted. A faint whistling sound, so soft it could have been mistaken for the breeze, suddenly grew louder¡ªsharper.
¡°Move!¡± Zach shouted.
Zach spotted Ivory diving for cover. Too slow. A spear struck him mid-dive, its obsidian shaft driving into his stomach and throwing him backward. Ivory hit the ground hard, blood spreading rapidly across his torn shirt.
¡°Ivory!¡± Ivonah¡¯s scream cut through the chaos.This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.
She staggered toward him, but another spear crashed down nearby, the force throwing her and Zach to the ground. She rolled instinctively, slamming into the dirt with a pained gasp.
Zach forced himself to his feet, ignoring the burning pain in his injured arm. Blood dripped steadily from the gash on his forearm, but the sharp edges of his focus drowned out the pain. He sprinted to Ivonah¡¯s side, crouching beside her as she struggled to rise.
Her leg was a mess¡ªslick with blood, the gash deep enough to expose muscle. She tried to crawl toward Ivory, but her movements were jerky and weak.
Zach¡¯s gaze darted to Ivory, sprawled motionless in a pool of blood. Another spear struck dangerously close to his body, kicking up dirt and debris. Zach clenched his jaw.
He had to make a call.
¡°We can¡¯t save him,¡± Zach said, his voice low but firm.
¡°No!¡± Ivonah¡¯s voice cracked. Tears streaked her dirt-streaked face. ¡°We can¡¯t leave him!¡±
¡°He¡¯s gone,¡± Zach snapped. Another spear slammed down just feet away, and he grabbed her roughly, hoisting her onto his back. ¡°If we stay here, you¡¯re next. Hold on.¡±
Her weak arms wrapped around his shoulders, her trembling voice whispering against his neck, ¡°Don¡¯t¡ªleave¡ªme.¡±
¡°I¡¯m not leaving you.¡±
Her weight was heavy, her injured leg dragging awkwardly against his side as he adjusted his grip. Zach¡¯s low-level superhuman strength helped him carry her. His injured arm hung uselessly at his side, blood slicking his fingers.
Behind them, the barrage of spears intensified, the ground erupting in deadly bursts of shrapnel. Zach didn¡¯t look back. Ivory was gone.
Ahead, a figure darted with unnerving speed. Dern. He leapt over craters and rocks, his focus locked on the glowing cube at the summit.
¡°Dern!¡± Zach growled, adjusting his grip on Ivonah and picking up the pace.
Dern didn¡¯t even glance back, his movements fluid and confident.
He crouched briefly, his hand pressing firmly into the dirt beneath him. The churned-up ground was rich with plant fibers, minerals, and decayed organic matter¡ªexactly what he needed.
He felt the materials flow into his skin, drawn into the furnace within his body.
¡°Hold tight,¡± Zach muttered to Ivonah, crouching briefly as he prepared to strike.
He exhaled sharply, releasing the mixture through his skin. Black particles burst from his palm in a directed stream, swirling together to form a volatile coating around a chunk of nearby dirt. With a grunt, he reached down, grabbed the charged clod, and hurled it at Dern.
The makeshift bomb struck Dern square in the back.
Boom.
The explosion wasn¡¯t massive, but the corrosive, black cloud that erupted from it clung to Dern like oil. He stumbled, coughing violently as the decaying residue ate at his clothes and skin.
Zach didn¡¯t wait to see how badly Dern was hurt. He readjusted Ivonah on his back and started moving again.
Ivonah clung to his back, her breathing uneven. He adjusted his grip on her legs, her dead weight dragging on him as his muscles burned with effort. He didn¡¯t slow down. They were close¡ªso close.
Then came the crackle of electricity behind him.
Zach turned his head just in time to see Reina and Calder sprinting up the hill, their weapons glowing with a brilliant, pulsing light. Reina¡¯s spear glowed white-hot, arcs of electricity snapping around the head. Calder followed close behind, his weapon sparking with raw energy.
Reina narrowed her sharp eyes on Zach, her voice rising over the chaos. ¡°You¡¯re not beating us to the cube, Zach!¡±
¡°Stay out of our way,¡± Calder added, his usual smirk replaced with fierce determination. ¡°You¡¯re carrying dead weight. That¡¯s going to slow you down.¡±
Zach muttered, "Really?"
He barely had time to prepare before Reina lunged, her spear slashing through the air in a wide arc. Zach twisted sharply, his soaked clothes making it easier to slip away from her strike. The spear crackled as it struck the ground, releasing a shockwave of white electricity that sent dirt and debris flying.
¡°I don¡¯t have time for this!¡± Zach barked, his tone sharp with frustration.
¡°You don¡¯t have a choice,¡± Reina shot back, darting to the side to cut off his path. ¡°Only one of us gets to that cube. It¡¯s not going to be you.¡±
Another spear shot down from the sky, slamming into the ground just feet away from Calder. He dove to the side, the raw force of the impact knocking him off balance, but he recovered quickly, electricity coursing through his spear.
¡°I don¡¯t care who gets there first,¡± Calder shouted, pointing the spear toward Zach. ¡°But if you think I¡¯m letting you take it, think again!¡±
He thrust his spear forward, and a bolt of lightning exploded from the tip. It shot through the air like a serpent, fast and deadly. Zach shifted his weight, sidestepping just in time as the bolt seared past him, grazing the edge of his shirt.
¡°Damn it, Calder!¡± Zach shouted, his voice rough. ¡°You¡¯re going to hit her!¡±
¡°Then drop her!¡± Calder yelled back.
¡°I¡¯m not letting her go!¡±
Another spear crashed down from above, this time narrowly missing Reina. She stumbled, but only for a moment, her momentum unbroken as she advanced on Zach again.
¡°You¡¯re stubborn, I¡¯ll give you that,¡± she said, her voice cold. ¡°But it¡¯s going to cost you.¡±
Zach¡¯s mind raced. He couldn¡¯t fight them directly with Ivonah on his back, and he didn¡¯t have time to create another chemical reaction with the constant barrage of iron spears slamming into the hill around them. He wanted to try the new skill, but it was too risky to try something he had no experience with.
Reina lunged again, and this time her spear thrust was faster, aimed directly at his side. Zach ducked, pivoting sharply to avoid the strike, but the movement nearly threw him off balance. Ivonah let out a soft groan, her grip slipping slightly.
Behind her, Calder raised his spear, electricity coiling around its length. He fired another bolt, the crackling energy racing toward him.
Zach¡¯s instincts kicked in. He twisted sharply, the bolt barely missing him, but the shockwave of its passage sent him staggering. Reina pressed the advantage, her spear crackling as she brought it down in a powerful overhead strike.
Zach reacted instinctively, releasing a burst of moisture from his skin that slicked the ground around him. Reina¡¯s footing faltered as she slipped on the wet terrain, her spear missing its mark by inches.
¡°You¡¯re getting in my way!¡± Zach growled, his voice harsh. ¡°Get out of here, or I¡¯ll make you!¡±
Chapter 19: Winner Winner
Zach¡¯s chest heaved as he scanned the chaos around him.
The relentless rain of iron spears hammered the ground, each one leaving a crater in its wake.
His grip tightened on Ivonah, her shallow breaths a reminder that he couldn¡¯t afford hesitation. The cube glowed faintly at the hilltop.
With limited options and time slipping away, Zach made a split-second decision. He reached into his pouch and pulled out the red marble.
He gritted his teeth, squeezing it with all his strength.
¡°Let¡¯s see if this works,¡± he muttered, hurling the marble at a confused Calder.
Then it expanded to the size of truck.
For a split second, the battlefield seemed to pause.
The silence shattered when Reina erupted from the haze, her electrified spear glowing. She rushed at Zach like a bolt of lightning, fury etched across her face.
She snarled, thrusting her spear toward his chest.
Zach sidestepped with practiced precision, parrying the strike with his sword. The white arcs on his blade flared to life.
¡°You''re annoying as hell, you know that?¡± he said coldly, stepping back and taking a defensive stance.
¡°Turn the opposite direction and I wouldn''t seem annoying. Me and Calder need to win this. We already did you and your friends a favor, warning y''all about the beasts,¡± she spat.
"I appreciate the warning. I really do. Besides, what''s with you and Calder? You two look similar... brothers and sisters? Incest?"
"Oh, go fuck yourself!" She lunged again. Her movements were wild but deadly, the spear¡¯s lightning seeking to overwhelm him.
Zach¡¯s eyes narrowed. He was done playing around.
With a quick pivot, he parried her next strike and closed the distance in a single step. His sword hummed with a blinding surge of energy as he deflected her spear to the side.
Then he struck.
His knee shot up with brutal precision, smashing into Reina¡¯s chin with enough force to lift her off her feet. The impact echoed like a crack of thunder. Reina¡¯s eyes rolled back as she crumpled to the ground in a heap, her spear falling lifelessly beside her.
Zach exhaled sharply, shaking his leg as he glanced down at her unconscious form.
He didn¡¯t waste time gloating. He grabbed her unconscious body, and jumping to the side, avoiding the raining iron spears.
He wondered about the Dern fellow. But he didn''t have the luxuary to play super hero. Reina was being an asshole, but she and Calder did help them out. The least he could do was return the favor.
He dashed upward. Moving as fast as he could.
A bolt of lightning zapped over Zach''s head.The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.
Calder.
Zach grimaced, throwing Reina to his left shoulder. He gripped his sword tighter. Calder was in a different league than Reina, and he knew it.
Zach said, "Let¡¯s not make this personal. Besides, only one person can win the race. Me taking out Reina doesn''t really matter since you two would have end up fighting for the win.¡±
"Really?" Calder dashed to the side, avoiding an iron spear. "What about and your teammates?"
"I would apologize before taking the cube. This is more than a simple test for me."
"Then let''s fight. Instead of a race, let''s make this fair. Let''s give us both a fair sho--"
"Fuck that." Zach swiped the ground, sending a white arc at it. The ground exploded and lifted smokescreen for Zach.
"You Jackass!"
Zach turned back to face the cube, running at it as fast as possible.
The rain of iron spears didn¡¯t stop, the deadly projectiles slicing through the smokescreen like silent predators. Zach zigzagged, his instincts honed to a razor¡¯s edge.
It almost seemed like the iron spears became much more precise whenever he started moving.
A spear slammed into the ground to his left, dirt and shards of metal flying in all directions. He twisted sharply, narrowly evading another that whistled past his ear.
When he ran past a tree branch, he bit it off, absorbed it, and made water in his mouth for him to consume.
As he ascended the hill, the spears grew more concentrated, their impacts shaking the earth with each strike
A sudden flash of lightning illuminated the mist for a brief moment, revealing Calder closing in.
*I wonder what took him so long? Was he contemplating if to give up or not? Hm. I should have thrown Reina for him.*
¡°Zach!¡± Calder bellowed, sending another bolt of electricity.
"Keep trying to hit me with those shit. When it blasts a hole through Reina''s chest, I hope you know you would be the one to blame for it!"
Then there was no more electricity.
It then dawned upon Zach that it seemed like he was holding Reina as a human shield.
Well, fuck me.
"I''m not holding her as a hostage, I''m just saying!" Zach clarified.
He was close now, the cube just a few yards away. But as he approached, a deafening roar filled the air.
From below the hill were more people. Ones that weren''t there before the iron spears began falling.
They were all united, their weapons raised and aimed in his direction.
Zach¡¯s heart raced. They weren¡¯t going to let him take the cube without a fight. His mind worked furiously, calculating his next move. He couldn¡¯t rely on distractions anymore; it was all or nothing.
As the weapons charged and the air filled with the hum of impending energy blasts, a bolt of lightning was directed in their direction.
Zach was shocked. Turning back, he saw Calder with a mean mog. "I don''t want them to hurt her. Jackass."
Of course, it didn''t stop all the attacks. Above Zach was nothing but an endless amount of iron spears, much faster than before, much bigger than before. And they were making that familiar sound of missiles.
Zach lunged forward, grabbing the cube with both hands. Then the spears hit him.
However, the instant his fingers made contact, a surge of energy pulsed through him. His new skill, quantum entanglement, activated without hesitation, forming an invisible link between himself and the cube.
The attacks converging on him affected the cube, but the cube took no damage. It being unaffected by the change being made to Zach''s body, in turn made Zach not be affected by the spears.
A thunderous CRACK resounded, louder than anything before.
"The test is over."
The voice rang out with finality, silencing the battlefield. The iron spears ceased their rain, the mist cleared completely, and the glowing cube in Zach¡¯s hands dimmed.
Zach staggered, his body trembling from exertion. He glanced down at Ivonah on his back and then over at Ivory¡¯s dead body in the distance.
The ground rumbled, and the forest canopy above began to retract, revealing a massive opening. Thick ropes descended, swaying gently as the voice continued.
¡°Climb.¡±
From the thick ropes, military personnel also dropped, taking Ivonah, Reina, and others.
"Hey, those iron spears!" Zach grabbed one of the personnel. "Explain why was there iron spears."
"Go up. They''ll answer your questions."
"No no. If you can answer, just tell me."
"You''d rather me waste time trying to answer something I don''t know, or attend to the injured?"
Zach went silent. He didn''t know?
He moved to the nearest rope. His muscles burned, his body screaming for rest, but he didn¡¯t stop.
When he reached the top, he found himself in a brightly lit chamber filled with uniformed old men. They clapped slowly, their expressions unreadable.
¡°Well done,¡± said a tall man at the center, his tone devoid of warmth. ¡°You¡¯ve completed the test. First to finish.¡±
Chapter 20: Reward
That man was the officer that gave them the test. Zach was unaware of his name, or forget it.
Zach stormed forward, his jaw tight and his eyes blazing. ¡°What about those iron spears?¡± His voice cut through the air. ¡°You said no one was supposed to die in this test. That didn¡¯t feel very non-lethal to me!¡±
The man standing before him remained composed, his hands clasped neatly behind his back. He tilted his head slightly, as if considering Zach¡¯s outburst like an unruly child. ¡°The spears were calibrated to incapacitate, not kill,¡± he said evenly. ¡°Any injuries sustained were within acceptable parameters.¡±
¡°Acceptable?¡± Zach¡¯s voice cracked as his fists curled. ¡°You¡¯re kidding, right? Someone died! Does that sound acceptable to you?¡±
The man¡¯s hand lifted, palm out, a silent command for Zach to hold his tongue. The calm in his demeanor only fanned Zach¡¯s fury. ¡°You¡¯ll be debriefed after you¡¯ve had time to rest,¡± the man said firmly. ¡°Medical teams are attending to the wounded. Take a moment. You¡¯ve earned it.¡±
Zach¡¯s stepped closer, refusing to let the conversation end. ¡°Those spears¡ªthey were only aimed at me, weren¡¯t they?¡± His words carried a dangerous edge.
A flicker of hesitation crossed the man¡¯s otherwise impassive face, a crack in the fa?ade. ¡°It¡¯s not something you should dwell on.¡±
¡°Not dwell on?¡± Zach¡¯s voice rose. ¡°They could¡¯ve killed me. They did kill someone on my team!¡±
The man¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change. ¡°Your reward, young man, should be of greater focus to you. Speaking of which¡ª¡± He straightened his posture. ¡°I almost forgot to mention it.¡±
Zach blinked, thrown by the sudden shift. His anger simmered, but curiosity took hold. "What possible reward could you give me that would make me forget what went on?"
The man inclined his head. ¡°You¡¯ve been granted an extraordinary opportunity.¡± His words hung in the air for a moment before he continued. ¡°You are being offered a place... as a knight.¡±
Zach froze, his eyebrows shooting up. ¡°A knight?¡± He searched the man¡¯s face for a hint of humor, some sign that this was a bad joke.
¡°Not just any knight,¡± the man said, his tone turning reverent. ¡°A knight of Ancient Royal Meljuia Tombbreaker.¡±
Tombbreaker?
The name hit like a physical force, making Zach step back reflexively. His eyes narrowed in confusion. ¡°Wait. I thought¡ªI thought I couldn¡¯t enlist as a knight. Isn¡¯t there some rule about that or...?¡±
¡°You¡¯re correct.¡± The man¡¯s voice softened, though his posture remained unyielding. ¡°You can¡¯t enlist as a knight. You''re chosen for the role. But this is different. This is a direct offer from her. You would be trained as one of her knights. Her people.¡±
Zach¡¯s brow furrowed. His mind raced.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
¡°Why?¡± he asked, his voice quieter now but no less urgent. ¡°Don¡¯t you all need soldiers? Can¡¯t your knights train me just as well?¡±
The man hesitated again, the faintest flicker of something¡ªpity? Guilt?¡ªcrossing his eyes.
¡°This is not about training, Zach. It¡¯s about purpose. You¡¯ve been chosen.¡±
Zach opened his mouth to argue but stopped short, his shoulders slumping slightly. The fight drained out of him, replaced by exhaustion and uncertainty. ¡°I mean... I appreciate it,¡± he said, his voice soft. ¡°I really do. I guess I¡¯m just... overwhelmed.¡±
Zach lied. Agitating him for too long wouldn''t be of Zach''s interest.
The man gave the faintest of nods, his gaze steady but not unkind. ¡°Understandable.¡±
Behind them, the sound of slow, deliberate applause broke the tension. Zach turned his head to see several officials clapping in unison, their smiles plastered on like masks.
One of them stepped forward, their voice warm but practiced. ¡°We look forward to great things from you, Zach.¡±
As the applause died down, Zach¡¯s mind drifted. He thought of Ivonah for a brief moment. The realization that they wouldn¡¯t interact as much from now on left an ache he didn¡¯t expect.
A steward approached, his expression unreadable as he gestured for Zach to follow. The corridor they entered was narrow and eerily quiet, the distant hum of conversation from the chamber fading into the sterile silence. Zach¡¯s boots scuffed softly against the polished floor, a stark contrast to the echoing footsteps of the steward.
¡°Here,¡± the steward said, opening a door to a brightly lit room. The sharp scent of antiseptic hit Zach immediately. A woman doctor stood inside, their white coat pristine, sleeves rolled up as they sorted through an array of medical tools.
¡°Sit,¡± she said briskly, gesturing to a padded bench against the wall. They glanced at him, their eyes sharp but not unkind. ¡°You¡¯re a mess.¡±
Zach hesitated before sitting, wincing slightly as his body protested. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s been a day.¡±
she snorted softly, already tugging on gloves. ¡°I¡¯ll bet. Let¡¯s see what we¡¯re working with.¡±
They leaned in, inspecting the cuts and bruises all over Zach''s body, especially his shoulder. Without warning, they dabbed at it with antiseptic. He flinched.
¡°Damn, warn a guy next time,¡± Zach muttered through gritted teeth.
¡°That was your warning,¡± she replied, unperturbed. ¡°Stay still if it''s possible.¡±
Zach''s eyes darted around the room as she worked. Instruments clinked softly as she cleaned and stitched his wounds. Occasionally, she muttered something to herself¡ªmedical jargon that Zach couldn¡¯t even begin to decipher.
¡°So,¡± Zach said, attempting to distract himself from the needle dragging through his skin, ¡°do you always patch up strangers, or am I just special?¡±
She raised an eyebrow but didn¡¯t pause. ¡°Special? Sure. Let¡¯s go with that. Hold still.¡±
The stitching continued, and Zach exhaled sharply as the needle pierced again. He bit back a curse.
¡°You¡¯re lucky these aren¡¯t deeper,¡± she added after a moment. ¡°Though you¡¯re not exactly winning any awards for self-preservation.¡±
Zach huffed a laugh. ¡°Yeah, well, life hasn¡¯t been handing out participation trophies either.¡±
The doctor smirked faintly but said nothing more, tying off the last suture with practiced ease. She stepped back, peeling off their gloves with a snap. ¡°You¡¯re good to go. Try not to strain yourself for at least a week.¡±
¡°I¡¯ll do my best,¡± Zach said dryly, sliding off the bench. His muscles protested, but he ignored the ache. He was used to it by now.
The door creaked open before he could leave, and Zach turned to see a woman step inside. He recognized her. She was that ancient royal.
She didn¡¯t speak at first, her gaze sweeping over him like a blade testing its edge. Then she inclined her head, just enough to acknowledge him. ¡°Zach.¡±
He straightened automatically, feeling oddly underdressed in his tattered clothes. ¡°That¡¯s me. And you are?¡±
¡°Meljuia Tombbreaker,¡± she said, her voice smooth and deliberate. It wasn¡¯t loud, but it filled the room, carrying authority without effort.
Zach blinked. ¡°Right. Uh, nice to meet you.¡±
Her lips twitched, a flicker of amusement breaking through her otherwise stoic expression. ¡°The pleasure is mine,¡± she said.
Chapter 21: Sleeper Forest
Zach said, ¡°Can I ask you something?¡±
¡°Sure, why not?¡±
¡°Do you know someone by the name Markinson Tombbreaker?¡±
The name hit her like a slap. Her relaxed posture stiffened, and her head snapped up. ¡°That much is obvious. Why ask?¡± Her tone grew sharp, her eyes narrowing. ¡°Would you want to meet him?¡±
Zach hesitated, feeling the weight of her sudden intensity. ¡°No.¡± He exhaled, dragging a hand through his hair. ¡°Markinson will never forgive me.¡±
Melijuia expression shifted to confusion, then suspicion. ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean? How do you know him? When did you meet him?¡±
Realizing something strange was going on, he Zach stumbled over his words. ¡°I¡ªI didn¡¯t mean... Look, it¡¯s not what you think.¡± He groaned, frustrated. ¡°It was a long time ago, okay? I met a kid with the same last name. In a forest.¡±
Melijuia was already moving. She crossed the room in three swift strides, her hands gripping his shoulders with surprising strength. ¡°Follow me.¡±
¡°What?¡± Zach blinked, confused. ¡°Where are we going?¡±
¡°You¡¯ll see,¡± she said curtly, pulling him toward the door. ¡°Now, come on.¡±
As they walked briskly down the hallway, Zach tried to make sense of her urgency. ¡°Markinson¡ªhe¡¯s your brother?¡±
She glanced back at him, her eyes flashing. ¡°Of course, he is. How don¡¯t you know that?¡±
¡°I had amnesia,¡± Zach said, keeping pace with her.
She waved the excuse off like it was irrelevant. ¡°Keep your voice down.¡± Her tone dropped to a harsh whisper. ¡°How did you meet my brother?¡±
Zach¡¯s lips tightened. He was starting to piece together how sensitive this topic was. ¡°Like I said,¡± he whispered back, ¡°I was in a forest. Bandits were about to kill a kid. His parents were laying on the ground dead, too. When I saved the kid, we exchanged names, he said his last name was Tombbreaker.¡±
Melijuia stopped so abruptly that Zach nearly bumped into her. She turned to face him, her expression a mix of hope and anger. ¡°Which forest? Where? And my brother¡ªwhere is he?¡±
Zach looked away, guilt gnawing at him. ¡°I don¡¯t know the names of those area--.¡±
Her hand shot out again, gripping his shoulder hard. ¡°What do you mean you don¡¯t know?¡±
¡°I mean I don¡¯t know,¡± he snapped, his voice low but firm. He grabbed her wrist and squeezed, matching her intensity. ¡°And don¡¯t think you can treat me like I¡¯m scared of you. I¡¯m the one who saved your brother. Maybe show a little gratitude.¡±
Her grip faltered, and she stepped back, looking conflicted. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± she murmured, her tone softening. ¡°I just... I need to know.¡±
Zach flexed his shoulder, feeling the lingering ache of her grip. Superhuman strength, he thought uneasily. He reached into his pocket, fishing for his map. When his fingers came up empty, his heart skipped. The country map. Gone.
He dug deeper and pulled out a smaller, crumpled map. It was the one of the city. Useless.
His brow furrowed as he pieced together a plan. ¡°There¡¯s a carriage hub that goes to this city,¡± he said finally. ¡°The village near that hub¡ªit¡¯s where your brother is.¡±
¡°There are a lot of carriage hubs,¡± Melijuia said, her skepticism cutting through her hope. ¡°Which one?¡±Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
¡°How many are near a forest?¡± Zach countered.
Her eyes flickered with thought before she nodded. ¡°Only once I can think off... Come with me.¡±
Zach raised a hand, stopping her. ¡°Hold up. Before I go anywhere, I need documents proving I¡¯m a cityizen here. I didn''t enlist for the fun of it.¡±
She frowned, her confusion evident. ¡°What? How? You¡¯re a knight trainee, not one of their soldiers.¡±
¡°Exactly,¡± Zach said, crossing his arms. ¡°So, what kind of perks does being a knight come with? One where I can operate in a city without facing issues would be nice.¡±
Her expression shifted to something like disbelief. ¡°What benefits don¡¯t they have? They¡¯re chosen ones to the likes of soldiers, respected and revered. People would kill for the chance to be one.¡±
That could be useful.
¡°Is there anything more to it?¡± Zach pressed.
She sighed. ¡°Only knights can become Iron Breakers, and Iron Breakers are... well, they¡¯re worshipped by everyone. Even other knights.¡±
Zach thought about it, leaning back slightly. "And the pay for being a knight and iron breaker? How good is it?"
¡°1% of the population only ever see that kind of money."
"I can work with that. But I just want one more thing."
"What''s that?"
"I only want to be a knight in name and training. I don''t want to serve you. I want us to have a partnership. Informing me of certain secrets that relate to me and so on."
She stared at Zach for a while before saying, "Helping me out with my brother and everything to do with it is a fair trade for that request."
"Great."
As they stepped out of the building, Zach noticed the way people¡¯s eyes followed them.
Whispers rippled through the crowd, and he caught snippets of murmured conversations.
The sun hung low as Melijuia led Zach toward a long, gleaming carriage near the gates of the fort. Its polished black exterior reflected the golden light, silver detailing curling like vines along its edges. The crimson curtains inside, edged in gold, made it look like something meant for royalty.
Zach stared at the carriage, brows raised. ¡°This is yours?¡±
¡°Yes,¡± Melijuia said, walking ahead without breaking stride.
Zach chuckled under his breath. ¡°Didn¡¯t peg you for the luxury type.¡±
She shot him a glance over her shoulder, her tone brisk. ¡°It¡¯s not about luxury¡ªit¡¯s about making a statement.¡±
¡°Oh, a statement. Got it.¡± Zach followed her up the steps, muttering, ¡°Some statement.¡±
Inside, the seats were plush velvet, and the air carried a faint, expensive-smelling perfume. Before he could get comfortable, two armored knights suddenly appeared at the carriage doors, one on each side.
Zach shot upright, his heart skipping a beat.
The knights¡¯ polished silver armor gleamed in the light, their visors obscuring their faces. They stood rigid, like statues brought to life.
Melijuia barely spared them a glance. ¡°They¡¯re my knights.¡±
¡°I see...¡± Zach gave her a skeptical look. "With how they moved, I would have mistaken them for ninjas."
She ignored his comment and addressed the knights. ¡°I have a lead on my brother¡ªand my parents¡¯ corpses.¡± She pointed toward Zach. ¡°He¡¯s the lead.¡±
The knights turned their helmed faces toward Zach. Their silence was oppressive, their attention like a physical weight.
Zach shifted uncomfortably. ¡°Hello.¡±
After a beat, both knights nodded in unison, a gesture of respect that caught Zach off guard.
¡°They respect you,¡± she said simply as if it explained everything.
¡°Got it.¡±
Before Melijuia could reply, the driver appeared in the doorway, a wiry man with keen eyes and a formal demeanor. ¡°Destination?¡±
Melijuia answered immediately. ¡°The Sleeper Forest.¡±
He huffed, but didn¡¯t argue further. The driver nodded and disappeared. Moments later, the carriage lurched into motion, the wheels crunching over gravel as they passed through the gates of the fort.
Zach stared out the window, watching the imposing walls grow smaller in the distance. "Hopefully it doesn''t turn dark by the time we reach."
¡°It doesn''t matter if it turns dark,¡± she said.
He glanced at her, eyebrows raised. ¡°You know, most people would have a plan. Maybe bring a few more knights. I don¡¯t know, play it safe since ground sleepers sound pretty scary.¡±
"What''s so scary about them? They''re like zombies but weaker."
Zach leaned back in his seat, arms crossed, his gaze flicking to Melijuia and then out the window. The tension from earlier was starting to ebb, replaced by curiosity that gnawed at him.
¡°So,¡± he began, his tone casual, ¡°you¡¯ve got quite the grip, you know that?¡±
Melijuia turned her head slightly, raising an eyebrow. ¡°I see?¡±
¡°It''s observation,¡± Zach said, rubbing his shoulder pointedly. ¡°And these knights? The way they showed up out of nowhere? They¡¯re fast. Like, really fast. Is that... something to do with your inner self?¡±
¡°Yes. It¡¯s part of it. Knights are professionals at it,¡± she said simply. ¡°It¡¯s second nature to them. That¡¯s why they¡¯re so revered. What you saw with me and the knights¡ªthat¡¯s just basic mastery.¡±
¡°Basic,¡± Zach muttered under his breath, glancing at her hands. ¡°So, if I stick with this knight training of yours, I¡¯ll be taught this too, right?¡±
She nodded. ¡°Yes. If you¡¯re serious about becoming a knight, you¡¯ll learn how to tap into your inner self and refine it.¡±
Zach considered her words. ¡°Sounds like a lot of work."
Chapter 22: Village, Where?
Back on the Fort.
The officer who interacted with Zach paced the length of the room, boots thudding against the wooden floor. Around him, the other men in uniform sat or stood stiffly, their faces shadowed by concern.
¡°What the hell is going on?¡± the officer demanded. ¡°These iron spears, for instance¡ªcompletely out of control! Do you know how fucking insane it makes us seems?¡±
One of the younger officers stepped forward, clearing his throat. ¡°Our men have gotten the Iron Spear launcher back under control... Sir Kol. It''s possible that one of our men had a vendetta against him."
"Really?"
"According to the papers, the target worked with Glory for a single day. One of them maybe took offense to him quitting so quickly and randomly?¡±
General Kol whirled on him, disbelief etched on his face. ¡°He worked with them for how long? Four hours? And they tried to kill a promising scientist? If Glory wanted him, they wouldn¡¯t have tried to assassinate him through us. They¡¯d want him alive, and he would¡¯ve received a very clear message. This wasn¡¯t them.¡± He jabbed a finger in the air. ¡°Someone else is involved.¡±
The room was silent.
¡°At least he¡¯s off our hands now,¡± he muttered, rubbing his temple. ¡°We don¡¯t have the time or resources to deal with whoever¡ªor whatever¡ªis after him. But my words... having to act like we were behind this madness is infuriating.¡±
It was better to take the blame than to seem incompetent. Incompetent enough to have an unknown foreign agent act not once, but twice in their test area.
---
Back to Zach.
The forest was dense and eerily quiet, the thick canopy above blocking most of the sunlight. Shadows shifted as the group moved along the dirt path, their footsteps muffled by the damp earth. Zach adjusted his pack, the weight of it biting into his shoulders as he glanced at Melijuia¡¯s two knights walking ahead.
He quickened his pace to catch up to them, clearing his throat. ¡°So, we¡¯ve been walking for a while, and I still don¡¯t know your names. Might as well fix that.¡±
The male knight, tall and broad-shouldered with a serious face, glanced at him briefly before answering. ¡°Daron.¡±
The female knight, whose smaller stature belied the sharp edge in her voice, added, ¡°Lira.¡±
¡°Nice to meet you,¡± Zach said. ¡°How long have you been working with Melijuia ?¡±
Daron kept his eyes forward as he replied. ¡°Since she was a child.¡±
¡°Same,¡± Lira added. ¡°We¡¯ve been her knights for years.¡±
Zach raised an eyebrow. ¡°So, you two must be her main crew, then? I saw a lot of other knights with her before. Big group.¡±
¡°They aren¡¯t usually with her,¡± Daron said flatly. ¡°That was for show.¡±
Lira smirked. ¡°A display of force. Melijuia¡¯s position has its challenges. Sometimes, a bigger presence makes people think twice before causing trouble.¡±
¡°Right,¡± Zach said, nodding slowly. ¡°Makes sense.¡±
They walked in silence for a while, the crunch of leaves and the occasional distant bird call the only sounds. The path began to narrow as the trees grew closer together, their twisted branches forming almost impenetrable walls of bark and leaveIf you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
When they reached the outskirts of the village, the sight stopped them cold.
The village was in ruins. Charred remains of buildings stood like skeletal frames. The ground was littered with corpses, many burned beyond recognition. Melijuia¡¯s jaw tightened, her eyes scanning the destruction.
Zach muttered. ¡°This¡ this is bad.¡±
One of the knights stepped forward, his voice grim. ¡°We should check the bodies. See if Markinson¡¯s here.¡±
Melijuia nodded curtly. ¡°Do it.¡±
The group spread out, moving among the smoldering remains. Zach hesitated, his stomach twisting as he passed bodies slumped against walls or sprawled in the dirt. The smell of decay and burnt flesh was overwhelming.
He wondered if he would come across the lovely couple that took him and Markinson in, but what was the chance he would recognize their faces?
¡°No sign of him,¡± the Daron reported after a while.
Melijuia¡¯s face darkened. ¡°Are you lying to me, Zach?¡± she demanded, turning on him suddenly.
¡°What?¡± Zach raised his hands defensively. ¡°No. I told you what I knew. Why would I lie about this?¡±
¡°Because this is a waste of time!¡± she snapped. ¡°Markinson¡¯s not here!¡±
Zach took a breath, trying to steady his voice. ¡°If you don¡¯t believe me, fine. But at least check for your parents'' corpses.¡±
The words made her freeze. Her lips pressed into a thin line, and she looked away.
knight interrupted the tense moment. ¡°I¡¯ll check further ahead,¡± he said, disappearing deeper into the forest without waiting for a response.
Zach stayed where he was, watching Melijuia¡¯s face as she struggled with herself. As he waited, his mind wandered.
If magic is frowned upon because of how it corrupts people, he thought, shouldn¡¯t things like these inner powers and super weapons be treated the same way? He glanced at the ashes swirling in the breeze. Or maybe magic is just on a bigger scale, like comparing a knife to a nuclear bomb.
¡°Stay here,¡± he said, looking at Lira and Melijuia. ¡°I¡¯ll search ahead.¡±
Lira nodded, standing at attention as Daron disappeared into the trees without another word.
Melijuia leaned against a nearby tree, her arms crossed. Zach watched her for a moment, then decided to break the silence. ¡°Can I ask a question?"
"What is it?"
"Why¡¯d you pick me as a knight? To make me one.¡±
She turned to him, her brow furrowed in confusion. ¡°Pick you?¡±
¡°Yeah,¡± Zach said, gesturing vaguely. ¡°You know, in the arena. When I won. Why me?¡±
Melijuia tilted her head slightly, as though trying to recall. ¡°The First General, Kol, came to me with the idea. He seemed eager to get you off his hands. Said you¡¯d earned your place and that it would be a waste not to use you. So I agreed. If you won, you must be good.¡±
Zach blinked, his mind racing. ¡°Wait, hold on. Kol told me you asked for me. He made it sound like this whole thing was your idea.¡±
Melijuia raised an eyebrow. ¡°I didn¡¯t ask for you. Kol offered you..." She sighed. "I think I realize what happened. You''re bad news and he threw you onto me."
Zach muttered under his breath. ¡°Great.¡±
If he had to guess why they wanted to get rid of him, it was probably because of the iron spears or they saw him using his skills. At the last moment in the test when he had survived all those iron spears, it should have been fairly obvious that something was weird about him.
They waited in silence for what felt like an eternity, the forest around them eerily still. Finally, Daron emerged from the shadows, his face grim.
¡°I have found the corpses of your parents,¡± he said simply, glancing at Melijuia. ¡°You should come.¡±
Melijuia¡¯s expression hardened, and she strode forward without a word. Zach followed with the knight.
They went deep into the forest, the path winding longer than expected.
After what felt like hours of travel, they arrived at a clearing. By the time they reached, the sky was turning dark.
There, in the center of the clearing, lay two bodies scattered around, their flesh already decayed, and a thick swarm of flies hovered above. Melijuia stopped, her eyes locking on two particular figures.
The sight was horrifying¡ªflesh withered, skin blackened and peeling, their features barely recognizable.
She stared, frozen, her face betraying no emotion. The silence stretched on for what seemed like an eternity.
¡°Melijuia ¡¡± Lira started softly, but Melijuia raised a hand to silence him, her gaze unwavering.
The other knight shifted uncomfortably, unable to escape the tension.
¡°There¡¯s something else,¡± he said hesitantly. ¡°I spotted a carriage further down the trail. It¡¯s damaged.¡±
Melijuia''s voice was barely a whisper when she spoke. ¡°I see. Lira, destroy the bodies. No one should be aware that Nicole and Ember Tombbreaker are dead. They are busy trying to recruit warriors from across the land."
Libra drew her sword, it glowed bright and became fire. Then by tapping both corpses, they ignited.
Chapter 23: Paradise In a City
The entire group had returned to the city after the corpses of Melijuia parents were burnt into ashes. More importantly, they were at the estate that Melijuia was temporarily staying at.
Zach leaned against the smooth marble of the balcony, his gaze sweeping across the city below. He turned his head slightly to glance at Melijuia, who stood beside him, her expression unreadable.
¡°Do you have political ties that depend on your parents?¡± he asked, his tone measured. ¡°Ties that would fall apart if they were gone?¡±
¡°Yes.¡±
Zach studied her carefully. She didn¡¯t seem defeated, just... resigned. Her hands rested on the railing, fingers curling slightly as if to anchor herself.
She continued, ¡°By working with the Third City for this upcoming war, Mapil can sell supplies, trade at levels we never could before. Our town¡¯s economy could thrive¡ªmore than thrive. We could advance. And that¡¯s what we need right now. What my people need right now. They need to not fear the First City.¡±
¡°I see...¡± Zach muttered.
"Of course one of the major reasons for helping is because if the First City gets the chance, we¡¯ll be crushed. We have to do everything in our power to make sure that doesn¡¯t happen.¡±
¡°And your brother?¡± he asked after a pause. ¡°What if... what if he was at that village and just burned into ashes?¡± The words tasted bitter on his tongue, but they had to be said.
Her reaction was immediate and visceral. Her jaw tightened, and a flicker of something¡ªpain, anger¡ªcrossed her face. She inhaled slowly, steadying herself.
¡°I¡¯d know,¡± she said firmly. ¡°We would know. My knights and I, we¡¯d recognize those ashes. But if I¡¯m being honest, he¡¯s likely been kidnapped. I don''t get it. My parents were of far greater value to our enemies, and they were killed outright. I suppose they wish to use him as a bargaining chip...¡±
Zach frowned. ¡°Do you have any idea who¡¯s behind it?¡±
¡°Most likely the First City or one of their allies. They¡¯ve been working to destroy any alliance we have with the Third City.¡±
¡°So, what will you do?¡±
¡°I''ll have to handle it in secret, I guess. However if he is ever revealed by the enemy as a way to demoralize my soldiers, I''ll have to deny it, saying its a fake. If they show proof, I will have to call it magic. Witchcraft. Trickery.¡±
"That''s pretty cruel."
She said nothing, but Zach could see how tight her hands were clenched. "I''ll be a couple of days before I head to Mapill, so any knight training will not start for a while."
"I''m okay with that. I''m only really excited for the privileges I''ll get."
"I find it so interesting how shameless you are."
"Being a knight sounds like having to fight often or look threatening 24/7. I don''t want that. Might as well make it clear what I want."
"Yet you were about to become a soldier?"
"For as long as I needed to get documents to operate in the city as a cityzen."
"Then what?"
"Take on a career that maximizes my freedom. Financially and literally. And look for something that''s important to me."
"Hm... When you said you wanted to be a knight alone in name, that was why, huh."
"Yeah. I''ll still help you out when you need me, though. But for the most part, I''ll be doing my own thing. I''m a bit selfish not ungrateful."
"I appreciate that. You''re very honest."Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
"Sometimes I''m a bit too honest from what my..." he was about to say friends.
His heart felt weird. A tingling sensation around it, but he ignored it and continued, "My people, I guess."
"Really..." she said, before walking off. "I''ll be off, having exciting business meetings."
"Good luck."
And now... I''ll enjoy this paradise.
Zach wandered through the wide halls of the estate, his footsteps echoing faintly against polished stone floors. The luxury around him was understated but undeniable¡ªtall windows let in streams of sunlight, highlighting the clean lines of furniture and the intricate carvings on doorframes. Servants moved quietly, always attentive but never intrusive. It was the kind of place where everything felt effortless.
As he passed a corner, he caught the attention of a nearby servant, a young woman balancing a tray of empty teacups. ¡°Excuse me,¡± Zach said, trying to sound casual. ¡°What¡¯s the best part of this place? You know, the thing people around here don¡¯t take for granted.¡±
She hesitated, clearly weighing her answer. Then she smiled, tilting her head toward a nearby archway. ¡°If I may, sir, I think you¡¯d enjoy the heated pool. It¡¯s something special.¡±
A heated pool? Zach¡¯s curiosity piqued immediately. ¡°Please show me.¡±
The servant led him through a series of paths winding through the estate gardens. Zach marveled at how meticulously everything was maintained¡ªthe bushes trimmed to perfect symmetry, the trees casting just the right amount of shade, and the stone paths gleaming as if they were freshly cleaned. A gentle stream snaked through the grounds, the sound of its trickling water adding to the calm atmosphere.
Finally, they arrived at the pool, nestled among smooth, dark stones and surrounded by low, polished benches. Steam rose faintly from the water, curling upward into the warm air. Zach crouched by the edge, running a hand through the surface. The heat surprised him, soothing and consistent.
¡°This is... incredible,¡± he said, glancing at the servant. ¡°You¡¯re telling me people just relax here?¡±
¡°Yes, sir,¡± she replied with a small smile. ¡°Would you like me to prepare the area for you? Perhaps some tea?¡±
¡°Uh, yeah. Tea sounds great.¡± He stood and looked around, still taking in the space. ¡°Is this something anyone can use, or...?¡±
¡°Yes."
Zach shook his head, grinning. ¡°Can I get food too? Like a lot of food. I''ll appreicate that a lot.¡±
She smiled.
As he settled onto one of the benches, a small tray of tea and a plate of pork chicken and a yellow cabbage. was brought to him. The servant bowed lightly before stepping away, leaving him alone to soak in the experience.
He was surprised. Having nothing but mostly meat for a meal used to be childhood dream of his. An unbalance meal? He didn''t a damn.
Zach leaned back, letting the heat from the pool seep into the air around him. The aches in his body seemed to lessen as he sipped the tea.
¡°And to think,¡± he muttered, shaking his head. ¡°I was going to become a soldier, sleeping on hard ground and having to see people getting blown up on the weekly. Even for a year that''s ass. The things desperate people would do¡¡±
Of course, this wasn''t for free. He was going to technically become a knight and who know what conflicts that woman would want to throw him at. But it didn''t matter at the moment. Nothing did.
The tranquility of the moment was unlike anything he¡¯d known. The estate¡¯s quiet safety, the constant hum of activity in the distance, and the attentiveness of the staff all worked together to create a space that felt almost unreal. For the first time in what felt like years, he allowed himself to simply enjoy the moment.
No studying, no surviving. Just enjoying life.
Later that evening, Zach returned to his quarters, feeling lighter than he had in weeks. The room was more than he ever expected¡ªspacious, clean, and private. The bed, draped in soft linens, was a luxury he still hadn¡¯t gotten used to. Sitting at the desk by the window, he looked out at the gardens below, the glow of floating lanterns lighting the pathways.
He spent the first few days mostly enjoying the estate. Of course, his body aches will come and go, but it was getting better for the most part.
Zach wandered the grounds, drinking in the sheer luxury of the Third City¡¯s estate. The kitchens always had something fresh to offer¡ªbreads baked to golden perfection, delicate pastries filled with fruit and cream, and steaming cups of tea infused with exotic herbs. He had never eaten this well in his entire life. Even the simplest dishes were prepared with care, each bite a reminder of just how far he¡¯d come from scrounging for scraps.
Sometimes, he would sit by the stream, letting the sound of water lull his mind into a peaceful haze. Other times, he would recline on one of the benches near the heated pool, feeling the warmth seep into his bones as he sipped tea served by attentive attendants.
As he stretched out under the shade of a tree one afternoon, his thoughts wandered.
One memory kept surfacing: the iron spears incident. The attack had been vicious, but he was almost relieved it hadn¡¯t come directly from the head of the military. If it had, the implications would have been far worse.
Still, the question lingered: who had ordered it? He replayed the possibilities in his mind, ruling out and reconsidering suspects.
The bandits/assassins from the forest? Unlikely. He¡¯d dealt with them decisively, and they lacked the resources for something so coordinated.
Glory? That seemed more plausible.
Geroi seemed intelligent. If he¡¯d wanted Zach dealt with, it would have been an ultimatum to come back to him or die.
So who...
Ren. He hated him and thought he was an enemy spy. And if he could work for a research lab that develops weapons for the military, he most likely had deep connections within or the money to make bribes.
Chapter 24: Death
Zach ran a hand through his hair, his thoughts heavy.
Ren was a liability, a problem that needed solving. He wasn¡¯t some helpless, innocent bystander. His connections could get Zach killed before he even had a chance to fight back.
Who knew when he could get one of those servants to poison him?
Then again, he¡¯d never considered killing someone. The thought left a bitter taste in his mouth.
But why should his morals matter if it was his life on the line? If Zach let him live, he¡¯d be signing his own death sentence.
The corner of his mouth twitched in a grimace. Zach had to kill him as soon as possible. Knights are respected, seen as chosen ones among soldiers. A knight trainee would still be seen above soldiers and command some respect.
He could probably get away with murder.
But Ren worked for Glory, a place full of resources, responsible for research and development. Incredibly valuable to the city and its war efforts. Scientists. Just as valuable. Killing one? That could stir up trouble bigger than Zach wanted to deal with.
Zach sighed, feeling the weight of his debate pressing down on him.
Zach took the plate of food from the servant wordlessly, sitting at the edge of the yard with a quiet sigh. He hadn''t expected the day to go like this¡ªtoo many thoughts, too many uncertainties pressing on him.
He was even starting to worry that the food could be poisoned. But honestly, his enhanced body could probably handled it. Of course, the dosage would just be upped until he dies.
As the servant remained nearby, her posture polite and attentive, he glanced up at her, curiosity getting the better of him. ¡°How often do you deal with death?¡± he asked, his voice steady.
She blinked, the question catching her off guard for a moment, but then her face softened into a rueful smile. ¡°A lot, actually,¡± she said, her tone casual. ¡°Mostly outside the city. There¡¯s always something going on.¡±
Zach nodded slowly, thinking. ¡°I suppose it must be part of life. I was thinking about a story I read once. It was about a kid, someone with a lot of enemies who wanted him dead, but he never had the will to kill them.¡±
The servant raised an eyebrow, intrigued. ¡°And why didn¡¯t he?¡±
¡°He was raised that way, with strong morals. His uncle, Ken, always told him that great power comes with great responsibility. That life is precious, and it¡¯s unethical to kill, even if someone wants you dead.¡±
The servant laughed softly, shaking her head. ¡°That¡¯s foolish. What¡¯s ethical about sparing someone who wants to see you dead?¡± She shrugged, a small smirk playing on her lips. ¡°You should read better books.¡±
Her point was obvious. He should have expected that.
¡°Oh? And what book would you recommend?¡±
Her eyes sparkled as she leaned in slightly, clearly eager to share. ¡°Death Upon a Star,¡± she said with fervor. ¡°It¡¯s my favorite. A poetic tale about a young daughter who kills her entire family just to take the crown and become the most powerful. It¡¯s... brutal, but it makes you question everything.¡± She paused, eyes gleaming with something akin to excitement. ¡°It¡¯s a story about greed. And power. It shows that sometimes, you¡¯ve got to do the things people won¡¯t talk about to get ahead.¡±
"That''s... interesting. Sounds like something I would love actually," he said finally, his voice low. "Thanks for the talk and the food."
"Of course."
He ate the food. The meat was tender, the flavors rich.
By the time he found a spot to lie down in the grass, the sun had set, and his eyes were tracking the first stars of the evening.
He concluded, hell with the problems it could cause. He simply needed to be smart about his move. That lady was right. He knew before asking her that it was the right way to handle this issue. He just felt compelled to ask. He had to get the willpower for it.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.
Zach glanced around the estate, taking in the heavily guarded walls and well-lit paths. He found a servant walking by and stopped her with a casual question.
¡°Is there a park nearby? Somewhere... public?¡±
The servant looked at him for a beat before nodding. ¡°Yes, sir. Straight down the road, three miles or four.¡±
He nodded, grateful for the brief respite. ¡°I¡¯ll be taking a walk outside. I¡¯ll return soon.¡±
With that, he stepped outside, the gates closing behind him with a quiet clang. The estate was heavily guarded¡ªhe could feel the weight of it in the air. The men in dark uniforms lined up at every corner, vigilant.
Zach allowed himself a moment of thought as he walked.
They could be bought. If they couldn''t and if the maids also couldn''t be bribed, Ren would have to rely on someone entering. Those guards would make it hard for that assassin.
The plan Zach came up with involved being an easy target.
As he walked deeper into the district, the estates grew more lavish, each larger than the last.
This was a district reserved for the very rich, the elite.
The park came into view after some time¡ªdark, quiet, and empty. It was late, and most sensible people were inside, away from the cool night air.
The path led him to a small grove of trees, their branches swaying gently in the breeze. Zach found a large, sturdy tree and sat beneath it, leaning against the rough bark.
He picked up a branch and smiled at it before dropping it by his foot.
The night felt peaceful, almost unnervingly so, with only the sound of distant crickets and the occasional rustle of leaves breaking the silence. Zach put his arm around his neck, protecting it.
Time passed. Zach¡¯s eyelids grew heavy. Despite himself, his body gave in to exhaustion, and he fell asleep beneath the open sky.
---
Hours later, something stirred against his arm, reaching for his neck. The hairs on the back of his neck stood straight, and his instincts screamed before his mind could even catch up. Without thinking, his hand shot out, catching the wrist of the person who¡¯d tried to take him by surprise.
His heart pounded, adrenaline rushing through his veins as he twisted, the familiar pressure of someone¡¯s grip tightening around his throat.
He spun, bringing his foot down on the figure beneath him. Something cricked beneath his heel, and the figure groaned, wide-eyed in pain.
Without hesitation, Zach¡¯s other hand clamped over their mouth, pressing hard enough to ensure no noise would escape.
Zach used his entanglement skill to connect the branch he had touched before falling asleep, to the man. Any changes being made on either was instantly being transferred.
¡°You¡¯re quick,¡± Zach muttered, his voice like ice as he tightened his hold. ¡°But you¡¯re not Ren. So who sent you?¡±
The figure beneath him squirmed, their body struggling weakly against his grip. Zach¡¯s eyes narrowed, waiting for an answer.
The man hesitated, his breath shallow. Sweat clung to his forehead, but he didn¡¯t speak. Zach leaned in, his gaze narrowing.
¡°Is it Ren?¡± Zach asked, his voice lowering to a dangerous level.
The man¡¯s eyes flickered. His lips parted just enough to form a small, shocked exhale. Zach didn¡¯t wait for another answer. He had the leverage.
¡°If you want to live, you¡¯re going to kill him,¡± Zach continued, twisting the branch under his foot slightly to send a jolt of pain through the man¡¯s body. ¡°And you won¡¯t tell anyone about me. Ever. As you can see, I''m a mage, and I''m really good at magic.¡±
The man¡¯s breath hitched, the agony in his body enough to make him nod frantically. He was terrified, and Zach could see it in his eyes.
¡°Say it,¡± Zach picked up the branch and said again, this time more like a command. ¡°You''ll kill Ren. And don''t even think about telling others I can do magic. I''ll know, and I''ll kill you with a flick of my finger.¡±
I''m lying my ass off.
"Ye-yes!" The man agreed in a whispered rush, terrified, almost stumbling as he pushed himself away from Zach. He didn¡¯t wait to hear anything else. He ran, disappearing into the shadows of the park.
Zach picked up the branch that was quantum entangled to the man and stuffed it in his pocket.
Zach returned to the estate under the cover of night, the faint light of the stars doing little to illuminate his path. As he entered, the guards at the gate gave him only a passing glance. Either they didn¡¯t care to question his late-night outing, or they had already been paid to keep their mouths shut about anything unusual. He wasn¡¯t sure which made him more uneasy.
As he walked through the main hall toward his room, the servant he had spoken to earlier appeared from the side corridor. She bowed slightly before speaking, her voice calm but curious.
¡°Late night,¡± she said, tilting her head. ¡°Where have you been?¡±
¡°By that park a couple of miles down the street,¡± Zach replied, keeping his tone neutral.
¡°Oh, I see. Would you like something to eat?¡± she offered, gesturing toward the kitchen.
He shook his head. ¡°Thanks for the offer but no. I¡¯m going to sleep.¡±
The servant studied him for a moment longer, debating whether to press further. But in the end, she simply bowed again and disappeared down the hallway.
Zach entered his room and shut the door behind him. He leaned against it momentarily, letting out a long breath as the adrenaline still coursed through his veins. His hands trembled slightly as he rubbed his temple.
The next morning, the estate buzzed. Zach woke to the faint hum of voices, distant but urgent. As he stepped out of his room and into the hallway, he caught snippets of hushed conversations.
¡°Ren Landwalker¡¡±
¡°¡murdered overnight¡¡±
¡°¡son of the Governor¡¯s wife¡¯s brother¡¡±
Chapter 25: Murder Becomes Easier
Feigning ignorance, Zach approached a young maid standing by the staircase.
¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± he asked, his voice steady, curious.
"Ren Landwalker¡ he was found dead. At the old marketplace.¡±
Zach nodded thoughtfully.
The old marketplace. It has to be where we met. Where they held their discussions¡
His gaze drifted across the room, where a small cluster of servants stood, their attention fixed on a mechanical box atop a table. The device emitted a tinny voice, a man speaking with the urgency of breaking news. A screen flickered, displaying a clean-shaven, dark-haired reporter.
¡°¡law enforcers are actively searching for the culprit behind this heinous crime. Details are still emerging, but sources say the attack was swift and brutal.¡±
¡°What is that?¡± Zach asked, nodding toward the device.
One of the older servants glanced at him, startled by the question. ¡°It¡¯s a media replayer,¡± he explained, as though surprised he didn¡¯t know.
*So that''s what they call a TV.*
He nodded in acknowledgment, taking a seat on the couch nearby. Slipping his hand into his pocket, he felt the faint ridges of the branch concealed there.
The same branch that became link to the assassin from the night before.
The scene on the screen shifted as the reporter gestured toward the cordoned area behind him. The camera zoomed in, capturing the grisly sight of a body partially covered by a blood-stained tarp. Dark liquid pooled on the cobblestones beneath the tarp¡¯s edge, glistening under the light.
¡°This,¡± the reporter said, his voice heavy with drama, ¡°is the body of Ren Landwalker, nephew of the Governor¡¯s wife, Apella. He was discovered here in the old marketplace just hours ago. Authorities have confirmed the young man¡¯s identity, though the motive for this horrific murder remains unclear.¡±
The camera panned slightly, revealing an enforcer in full uniform standing a few feet away. He was in a completely white jumpsuit with yellow stripes.
The reporter approached him, black square that had a white sponge on the top of it, in hand. Some type of microphone.
¡°Officer, can you shed any light on what might have led to this tragedy?¡±
The enforcer, a burly man with a stoic expression, glanced briefly at the reporter before responding. ¡°At this stage, we¡¯re considering all possibilities. It could be personal¡ªlike a vendetta against the Governor and his family¡ªor something broader.¡±
¡°Broader?¡± the reporter pressed.
The enforcer nodded, folding his arms. ¡°We¡¯re on the brink of war, as you know. Some people blame the Governor for the current state of things. Could be someone wanted to send a message, make an example of the boy.¡±
¡°Do you believe this was politically motivated, then?¡±
¡°It¡¯s too early to say for sure,¡± the enforcer replied. His tone was clipped, cautious. ¡°But we can¡¯t rule it out. These kinds of acts are sometimes used to stir fear or anger, and tensions are already high.¡±
The reporter nodded gravely. ¡°Has the family been informed?¡±
The enforcer hesitated, his expression unreadable. ¡°That¡¯s not for me to say. But they probably found out before I did.¡±
¡°Of course,¡± the reporter said, pivoting back to the camera. ¡°As you can see, authorities are hard at work piecing together the details of this tragedy. We¡¯ll continue to bring updates as they come. For now, it seems the Governor¡¯s family has been thrust into the spotlight amidst these already turbulent times.¡±This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.
He paused, as a man from off-camera leaned in to whisper something urgently into his ear. The reporter¡¯s eyes widened, his voice rising in pitch as he turned back to the camera.
¡°We¡¯re receiving breaking news! The suspected assassin has been located! On this scene!¡±
The screen flickered slightly as the feed cut to a shaky, handheld shot of the reporter hurrying through a bustling street, weaving between enforcers and bystanders. The servants watching murmured among themselves, leaning closer to the screen. Zach¡¯s fingers tightened around the branch in his pocket, his pulse quickening.
Zach rolled the branch absently between his fingers. His mind raced. There¡¯s no way they can trace me¡ except through the assassin.
¡°They¡¯re saying the assassin turned himself in to the enforcers,¡± the reporter explained breathlessly.
Zach gripped the branch tighter, his knuckles whitening. His instincts screamed at him to act. He readied himself to snap it, ending the threat preemptively¡ªuntil a soft, trembling voice on the screen froze him.
¡°Please, don¡¯t hurt my family!¡± The camera zoomed in on a gaunt, middle-aged man kneeling on the ground. Tears streamed down his face, his hands clasped together as though in prayer. ¡°I didn¡¯t want to kill the kid!¡±
Enforcers surrounded him, their stances rigid. One stepped forward and clicked rectangular restraints around the man¡¯s trembling wrists. The reporter crouched slightly, thrusting the microphone closer to the man¡¯s face, his tone sharp but curious.
¡°Why did you do it? What drove you to murder Ren Landwalker?¡±
The kneeling man¡¯s breath hitched, his wide eyes darting between the reporter and the enforcers. ¡°I¡ª¡± he stammered, his voice cracking. ¡°I didn¡¯t have a choice!¡±
¡°Explain,¡± the reporter pressed, his voice cutting through the growing murmurs of the crowd gathering beyond the camera¡¯s frame.
The man hesitated. His mouth then opened to speak.
Immediately his back bent at an unnatural angle, the movement sharp and sudden like a branch snapping in two. A sickening crack reverberated through the room. Blood spurted from his mouth as he crumpled to the ground, lifeless.
Screams erupted on the screen, and the camera turned away sharply, obscuring the gruesome scene.
The servants watching gasped, their confusion mirroring Zach¡¯s wide-eyed shock.
He stood abruptly, slipping the branch pieces into his pocket.
¡°I¡¯m going to take a shower,¡± he muttered, leaving before anyone could question him.
---
Hot water cascaded over Zach¡¯s skin, the heat doing little to wash away the storm of thoughts in his mind. The water was pouring out of a long bamboo.
He stared down at his hands, the memory of the assassin¡¯s death vivid and unrelenting.
I just committed murder. Two murders.
He clenched his fists, watching water drip from his knuckles. The thought should have horrified him, yet it didn¡¯t. His reflection in the fogged glass of the shower door stared back at him.
How do I feel about this? He wasn¡¯t sure. Life had been moving too fast for him to fully process anything. One moment, he was on the run. The next, he was playing a deadly game of get the cube.
I don¡¯t think I feel guilt. He traced the flower patterns on the wall absently, thinking. The shock has off, but there¡¯s no deep sorrow. No dread. No nightmares waiting to claim me. Just¡ relief.
The realization was unsettling, but not enough to trouble him deeply.
He recalled a saying he¡¯d once overheard: Murder becomes a habit.
Would that be true for him? Would he start seeing death as the solution to every problem? With his kind of power¡ªhis ability to kill from a distance¡ªit wouldn¡¯t be hard. And as a future knight(for however long that lasts), his status would shield him from most consequences.
Maybe I¡¯m a bad person at my core, he thought, lips curling into a bitter smile. He had called himself selfish before, but this¡ this went beyond selfishness.
But I¡¯m okay with that.
Evil wasn¡¯t how he saw himself. No, he was simply doing what needed to be done. Killing those who posed a threat to him couldn¡¯t be wrong, could it? He laughed softly, shaking his head at his own reasoning.
How many madmen have thought the same thing? But his situation was different, wasn¡¯t it? His logic wasn¡¯t warped¡ªit was practical. Logical. Necessary.
Killing no longer scared him. It wasn¡¯t the insurmountable line he once thought it to be.
He turned off the water, pulling down a level, and stepped out into the steam-filled bathroom, grabbing a towel and drying himself off.
The warmth lingered on his skin as he moved into the bedroom. He opened the wardrobe, rummaging through the assortment of clothes stored within.
Everything was desert-like attire, thin fabrics and loose cuts.
Zach frowned, pulling out a light brown pair of pants and a matching tunic. He held them up to the mirror, then tossed them onto the bed with a sigh. They were too big for him.
He shifted through the wardrobe again, pausing as his hand brushed against a pair of deep red pants. The color was bold, almost ostentatious. He pulled them out, they could fit him. That was all that mattered.
Next, he found a long, knee-length brown shirt. It was simple, but it complemented the red well, the contrast striking yet practical. He slipped into the outfit, adjusting the fit in the mirror.
It fit him well enough.
The knock at the door came just as he turned from the mirror. He strode over, opening it to find Melijuia standing there, her expression unreadable as always.
¡°We¡¯re heading back to Mapil,¡± she announced curtly.
"...Already?"
Chapter 26: Mapil
"You''re really set on leaving today?" Zach asked, his voice skeptical. "Won¡¯t leaving right after a high-profile murder make it look like you¡¯re trying to avoid suspicion? I mean, even if you _aren''t_ guilty of anything, it¡¯s not exactly the cleanest look."
Melijuia raised an eyebrow, unbothered. "It would have been impossible for me to be involved in the murder of that boy. I can''t be in two places at once."
"Maybe, but do you think that matters to people? Perception is everything," Zach pressed. "The public doesn¡¯t care about facts. They care about gossip¡ªand you leaving the same day is just adding fuel to the fire."
She waved a dismissive hand. "Let them talk. Anyway, the faster I can get you trained, the better. We¡¯re not here to win a popularity contest."
"Sure, but the public might think otherwise," Zach countered. "I mean, don¡¯t you care about your reputation at all? People _will_ start asking questions."
"I don¡¯t have the time to waste on something like this." Her tone was sharp, cutting off further debate.
Zach blinked, momentarily taken aback by her bluntness. He wasn¡¯t sure if she genuinely didn¡¯t care about appearances or if her confidence in her status made her immune to these concerns. Either way, arguing with her seemed pointless.
"Fine," he relented, leaning back in his chair. "I just hope your mansion back home is as good as this one. You¡¯ve kind of spoiled me here."
Her lips quirked into a faint smile. "We¡¯ll see if it meets your standards. Though, judging by your ¡®expert¡¯ opinion on public perception, I expect your critique to be thorough."
Zach rolled his eyes. "Hey, I call it like I see it."
"And yet, you¡¯re still coming along without complaint," she said, a hint of amusement creeping into her voice.
"Let¡¯s not get ahead of ourselves. I¡¯m reserving judgment until I see how good the food is."
"Of course," Melijuia replied dryly. "Heaven forbid the mighty Zachary suffer subpar cuisine."
As the final preparations were made, Zach wandered through the estate, taking in the grandeur one last time.
He thought of Ivonah. He would¡¯ve liked to tell her goodbye, to leave things on a proper note. But, he reasoned, it wasn¡¯t like they¡¯d never see each other again. He tucked the thought away as he stepped outside.
By the time Zach returned to the courtyard, the carriage was packed to the brim with Melijuia¡¯s belongings and her knights¡¯ gear. A handful of servants lingered nearby, finishing the final checks and ensuring everything was secure.
Zach turned to them, offering a genuine smile. "Thank you all for your help and hospitality these past few days. I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve ever stayed somewhere this nice."
A few murmured blessings and polite bows followed, but Zach¡¯s gaze landed on one familiar face in particular¡ªthe woman who had told him the chilling story about the daughter who killed her parents. She was adjusting a strap on the carriage, her attention focused until he stepped closer.
"Hey," he began, feeling a twinge of guilt for not asking sooner. "I just realized¡ªI never got your name."
She straightened, brushing her hands on her apron before meeting his gaze. "It¡¯s Mera, sir."
"Mera," Zach repeated, committing it to memory. "Thanks for sharing that story the other day. I mean, it was horrifying, but... it stuck with me, and I think I learned something from it." He hesitated, then added, "Sorry I didn¡¯t ask for your name earlier. That was rude of me."
Her expression softened, a faint smile touching her lips. "It¡¯s no trouble, sir. You¡¯ve been kind to us, and that¡¯s more than we can ask for."If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
"Still," he said, "I wanted to say a special thank you to you. You¡¯ve been... more helpful than you probably realize. I hope I get to see you again sometime, Mera."
Her cheeks colored slightly, and she dipped into a quick bow. "You¡¯re too kind. Safe travels¡ªand may the road ahead be smooth for you."
"Same to you," Zach said with a grin before stepping back toward the carriage.
Ivonah really acted like I wasn''t charming as hell.
The goodbyes were swift after that. Melijuia, as usual, didn¡¯t waste time on sentiment, directing her knights to their positions with a quick gesture. They loaded up without fuss, and before long, Zach found himself seated across from her in the carriage, the wheels lurching forward as they left the estate behind.
The road stretched endlessly. Zach let the rhythm of the carriage lull him into a half-daze until a question surfaced in his mind. "Why don¡¯t you have an automobile? I saw one in the city. Seems like it¡¯d be faster than this thing."
Lira, despite being half asleep had a confused expression. Doren was completely asleep, dosing off with his head on her shoulder.
Melijuia smirked faintly, as though she had been expecting the question. "My parents have one back at home," she admitted. "But fuel is absurdly expensive. Only the wealthiest keep them running regularly. Horses are more reliable, anyway."
Zach nodded, taking in her explanation. "Makes sense. I thought the vehicles alone was expensive..."
The hours crawled by, the steady clatter of hooves and creak of the carriage filling the silence. Eventually, the fields gave way to towering stone walls.
Mapil loomed before them, a city wrapped in gray, its entrance marked by a massive concrete gate that had to be cranked open for them to enter. Guards worked the mechanism with precision, while a gathering of townsfolk clustered near the gate.
As the carriage rolled in, Zach noticed the crowd wasn¡¯t just here to gawk¡ªthey were expectant, their faces alight with hope as they sang cheerful songs.
But their eyes shifted toward the road behind the carriage, searching for something¡ªor someone¡ªthat wasn¡¯t there. Whispers of confusion rippled through the crowd when no second carriage appeared.
The carriage slowed, and Melijuia stepped out with practiced grace, her expression calm but commanding. The people immediately fell silent.
"My father has chosen to extend their journey," she announced, her voice carrying over the crowd with ease. "But he wanted me to tell you how much he miss the people of Mapil. These are challenging times, but his thoughts are always with you."
There were murmurs of disappointment, mixed with nods of understanding. Melijuia didn¡¯t linger, climbing back into the carriage as it started moving again.
Zach watched her closely as she settled into her seat, the faintest crease in her brow betraying her thoughts. "You handled that pretty smoothly, though."
She didn¡¯t answer right away, staring out the window instead. "Managing people¡¯s expectations is part of my job," she said finally. "They¡¯ll adjust."
The carriage rattled on, the countryside slipping past as the sun began to dip lower in the sky.
Zach leaned back, his curiosity bubbling to the surface again. "What¡¯s the deal with the First City and the Third City anyway? You¡¯ve hinted at it, but I still don¡¯t really get the big picture."
Melijuia weighed how much to say. "The First City wants control¡ªcomplete control. They want to unify all the cities, towns, and villages under one rule, like it was before the war. In theory, all the cities support the idea of unification¡ªthat¡¯s why they¡¯re cities and not separate nations¡ªbut only if they retain the power to govern themselves."
"And I''m guessing no amount of diplomacy could convince them otherwise," Zach said, crossing his arms.
She nodded. "Exactly. They don¡¯t see themselves as just another city. They see themselves as the rightful rulers of a new nation. To them, the other cities are naive."
"And the Third City said ¡®fuck that,¡¯ I¡¯m guessing?" Zach quipped, raising an eyebrow.
"Crude, but accurate. The Third City values its independence above all else. They¡¯ve declared outright that they¡¯ll never submit to the First City¡¯s control. The First City can¡¯t allow open defiance. It undermines their entire plan for unification."
Zach let out a low whistle. "Sounds like a mess. So, what¡¯s stopping the First City from just steamrolling everyone? They¡¯ve got to have the biggest army, right?"
Melijuia shook her head. "They do, but wars aren¡¯t won by numbers alone. The Third City¡¯s forces are smaller but highly trained, and they know their terrain. Plus, the First City¡¯s ambitions have made them a lot of enemies. Even the cities and towns that don¡¯t want to take sides are keeping them at arm¡¯s length. It¡¯s a balancing act, for now."
"For now?" Zach echoed. "You think that balance won¡¯t last?"
"The question is how long we can hold the line before it tips."
"Damn."
After what felt like an eternity, the carriage finally arrived at its destination¡ªa sprawling gated estate that loomed against the sky. Servants dressed in crisp red and white uniforms awaited them, bowing deeply as the carriage came to a halt.
Melijuia stepped out first, followed by Zach. The servants moved with well-practiced efficiency, unloading the luggage and guiding them inside.
Zach glanced at Melijuia, who waved him off with a flick of her wrist. "Please give him a room. He''ll be training as a knight."
Chapter 28: Choose Your Style
¡°Welcome to the Tombbreaker''s estate,¡± the servant said to Zach.
"Yeah, thank you."
The servant, an older woman with sharp features softened only by the slight stoop in her posture, motioned for him to follow. She guided him down wide, dimly lit hallways lined with antique paintings and the faint smell of aged wood. The estate was quiet, and the only sound coming from their footsteps was echoing on the marble floors.
¡°This will be your room,¡± she announced, stopping in front of a modest oak door.
Zach stepped inside and looked around. The room was smaller than his quarters back at the Third City, but still well-furnished. A sturdy bed, a writing desk, and a small wardrobe filled the space. A single window offered a view of the sprawling estate grounds outside.
¡°It¡¯s good,¡± Zach said after a moment. ¡°Are all the rooms here empty like this?¡±
¡°No. Only six others, currently,¡± she replied briskly. ¡°During the day, clothes and necessities suited to your size and needs will be placed here.¡±
¡°Thanks,¡± he said, dropping his bag on the bed. "By the way, what''s your name?"
"Sarah."
"No family name?"
"Not one I''m proud of."
The servant left without another word, leaving Zach alone. He stared out the window for a moment, taking in the sight of the estate gardens below.
Later, as he walked outside to clear his mind, he spotted Melijuia. She was in an all-white dress.
¡°Hey,¡± Zach called out, strolling toward her with his hands in his pockets.
Melijuia turned to face him. ¡°Zach. Settling in alright?¡±
He nodded. ¡°Yeah. Room¡¯s really nice. Different than what I had back in Third City, but I''m grateful.¡± He paused, studying her. ¡°What about you? How are you holding up¡ you know, with the war? Are you anxious?¡±
Her face darkened for a moment, and she let out a dry laugh. ¡°Am I anxious? Of course, I¡¯m anxious. Why wouldn¡¯t I be? People here¡ªfriends, soldiers, people I¡¯ve seen and interacted with for years¡ªsome of them won¡¯t make it back. A lot of them won¡¯t.¡± She shook her head, her voice tight. ¡°It¡¯s hard not to think about it.¡±
Zach hesitated, unsure what to say. He wanted to offer something reassuring, but what could he say that didn¡¯t sound hollow? Before he could stumble through a response, Melijuia straightened, pushing her emotions down like she was closing a lid on a boiling pot.
¡°Enough of that,¡± she said. ¡°Dwelling on it won¡¯t help anyone. Let¡¯s focus on something productive. If you don¡¯t mind, we can start your knight training today.¡±Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
¡°Today?¡± Zach raised an eyebrow but shrugged. ¡°Sure, why not?¡±
¡°Good.¡± Her tone brightened slightly, though her intensity remained. ¡°Now, you¡¯ve got options. I¡¯ve got six knights available for mentoring, each with a different style. You can choose whichever suits you best.¡± She held up a hand, counting off on her fingers. ¡°Light Killers¡ªfast, agile fighters who specialize in quick kills. Heavy Walkers¡ªyour classic brutes and tanks. Distance Knockers¡ªlong-range specialists. Then there¡¯s... Coward Players.¡±
¡°Hold up,¡± Zach said, raising a hand. ¡°Coward Players? What kind of name is that?¡±
Melijuia let out a long-suffering sigh, as though she¡¯d been dreading this moment. ¡°It¡¯s exactly what it sounds like. They¡¯re knights who avoid direct combat. Instead, they rely on traps, deceit, poison¡ªbasically anything that lets them win without getting their hands dirty. They¡¯re... unconventional, to put it kindly.¡±
Zach rubbed his chin, intrigued. ¡°Unconventional, huh? What about the other two?¡±
¡°Zombie Runners,¡± she said, her tone warming slightly. ¡°They¡¯re relentless. They fight like they¡¯re undead¡ªtake a hit, get back up, keep fighting no matter what. Then there are the Wall Makers. Defensive specialists. They excel at holding ground and protecting their allies.¡±
Zach tilted his head, thinking. ¡°I¡¯ll go with Coward Players.¡±
The air between them froze for a beat. Melijuia blinked at him, her mouth slightly open. ¡°What?¡±
¡°What?¡± Zach echoed, genuinely confused. ¡°Why not?¡±
¡°Why not?¡± Her voice rose in disbelief. ¡°Why would you want to become that? Of all the options, you picked the one group that¡¯s... well, infamous!¡±
Zach shrugged. ¡°I don¡¯t see the problem. They sound effective. Besides, you offered it.¡±
¡°Just because I list dirt among delicacies doesn''t mean I expect you to choose the dirt. Zach, you scored first in the military enlistment test. First! You¡¯ve got insane potential, and you¡¯re telling me you want to waste it on a group that¡¯s... that¡¯s practically a punchline around here?¡±
He folded his arms. ¡°Dishonorable, huh? That¡¯s what you¡¯re getting at, right?¡±
¡°Yes!¡± she snapped, rounding on him. ¡°Knights are supposed to represent strength and bravery. Not skulking around in the shadows, laying traps like¡ªlike rats.¡±
Zach raised an eyebrow, amused. ¡°I didn¡¯t realize there was a rulebook. You said they¡¯re unconventional. I like unconventional.¡±
Melijuia groaned, rubbing her temples. ¡°This isn¡¯t a joke, Zach. I¡¯ll be representing you here. If you train as a Coward Player, people will laugh. And when they laugh at you, they laugh at me, too.¡±
¡°You¡¯re worried about what people think?¡±
She glared at him, her tone sharp. ¡°Of course, I¡¯m worried! This is my family¡¯s estate. My reputation. You don¡¯t understand how things work here.¡±
Zach leaned casually against the weapons rack, unfazed by her frustration. ¡°Maybe I don¡¯t. But I do know this: thinking ahead beats charging in blindly every time. I¡¯d rather be underestimated than overexposed.¡±
Melijuia opened her mouth to retort, then paused, her expression shifting from anger to exasperation. ¡°Let''s take things slower,¡± she said after a moment, her tone clipped. ¡°If you don¡¯t care about heroics, let¡¯s talk practicality. Zombie Runners. They¡¯re among the best. They can endure anything.¡±
Zach grimaced. ¡°Sounds like their deal is just to suffer endlessly. Hard pass.¡±
¡°Then Wall Makers. They¡¯re defensive, sure, but they¡¯re indispensable on the battlefield.¡±¡°Yeah, but they sound like a support unit,¡± Zach replied. ¡°I¡¯m not looking to play defense all day.¡±
She stared at him, clearly at her wit¡¯s end. ¡°Do you have any idea how bad Coward Players look? The only knight here who fits that description worked-- works for my father, and he¡¯s... exactly what the name suggests. Lazy, manipulative, and only interested in the perks of being a knight... Of course that doesn''t turn you away¡±
¡°Damn straight,¡± Zach asked, his lips twitching in amusement.
Melijuia stared at him, her jaw tightening. For a moment, she looked like she wanted to argue further, but then she let out a long breath and shook her head.
¡°You¡¯re impossible,¡± she muttered under her breath.
The Coward Players might not have the best reputation, but they seemed like the kind of knights who knew how to play the game¡ªand that was a skill he could respect.
Chapter 29: Abram
¡°Alright,¡± she said, her voice clipped. ¡°I¡¯ll call the knight that will train you over. He¡¯s most likely holed up in his little lab making poison or something.¡±
Zach¡¯s eyebrows shot up. ¡°Lab? His own lab? Now that¡¯s interesting. Is that a perk of this style, or is this guy just... eccentric?¡±
¡°Eccentric is a polite way of putting it,¡± Melijuia replied dryly.
Zach¡¯s lips quirked into a grin. ¡°When can I get a lab of my own?¡±
Melijuia sighed, already regretting how this conversation was going. ¡°With the salary you¡¯ll be earning¡ªforty-five silver coins a month¡ªyou can buy one. There¡¯s an unused storeroom in the back of the estate I could get you access to.¡±
¡°Forty-five silver, huh?¡± Zach mused. *¡°Enough for supplies, I guess. Not like I¡¯ll need much¡ªjust storage items for now. Simple stuff.¡±*
Melijuia pulled a slim pen-shaped device from the pocket of her dress and clicked a small button. Sparks of electricity crackled across its surface.
Zach tilted his head, intrigued. ¡°What¡¯s that? A communication device?¡±
She nodded. ¡°Yes.¡± As if on cue, the pen emitted a series of sharp beeps, the light at its tip blinking red multiple times. She glanced at it, her expression neutral.
¡°It¡¯ll take him a while to show up,¡± she said, slipping the device back into her pocket. Then her tone shifted, growing sterner. ¡°Listen, I need to warn you¡ªSir Abram has a... bad attitude. He doesn¡¯t sugarcoat anything, and he doesn¡¯t exactly go out of his way to be likable. But you made your choice.¡±
Zach shrugged. ¡°I¡¯m not here to make friends.¡±
¡°Good luck, then. You¡¯ll need it. Oh, and one more thing: Sir Abram will decide if you¡¯re worthy of being a knight under his training. When he decides you¡¯re ready, I¡¯ll test you myself to make sure you¡¯re not just bullshitting your way through this. If you pass, you¡¯ll officially become a Knight of Mapil¡ªunder my family¡¯s crest.¡±
She reached into her pocket again and tossed him something. Zach caught it instinctively, opening his palm to reveal a necklace with a small stone pendant carved into the shape of a tomb.
¡°Forgot to give that to you earlier,¡± she said. ¡°That¡¯s proof you¡¯re under my protection. Don¡¯t lose it.¡±
Zach slipped the necklace over his head. ¡°Noted.¡±
Without another word, Melijuia turned and headed back toward the mansion, leaving Zach alone.
Zach made his way to the porch, settling into one of the wooden chairs that creaked faintly under his weight. You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
The estate grounds stretched out before him. He leaned back, crossed his arms, and let the quiet lull him.
Minutes turned into what felt like hours. The chirping of birds and the faint rustle of leaves blurred into a soothing hum, and his eyelids grew heavy. Despite himself, he dozed off.
In the dream, he was back home.
The warm, familiar scent of bread baking wafted through the air. He could hear his mother¡¯s voice from the kitchen, calling out for someone to help her set the table. The faint sound of the kettle whistling in the background mingled with the distant laugh of his younger sister.
Zach stood in the doorway of the dining room, watching them. His father sat at the table, a mug of tea in hand, flipping through a newspaper. His sister darted by, holding a handful of wildflowers she¡¯d clearly plucked from the garden.
¡°Zach,¡± his father said without looking up. His voice was calm but firm, the way it always was when he had something important to say. ¡°Where have you been?¡±
Zach opened his mouth to respond, but no words came out.
His mother emerged from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel, her face lined with worry. ¡°You didn¡¯t even say goodbye. Do you know how much we¡¯ve worried?¡±
¡°I¡¡± Zach tried again, but his voice felt distant, like he wasn¡¯t fully there.
His sister tugged on his sleeve, her wide eyes full of questions. ¡°When are you coming back? You can¡¯t just leave, Zach.¡±
¡°I didn¡¯t mean to¡ª¡± he began, but the scene around him started to shift.
The dining room blurred, the comforting warmth fading into cold shadows. His mother¡¯s worried face grew harder, sterner. His father¡¯s calm demeanor gave way to a furrowed brow, disappointment etched deep into his features.
¡°We trusted you,¡± his father said, his voice now edged with frustration. ¡°And you disappeared.¡±
The words stung more than he expected, and Zach reached out, trying to explain, trying to tell them why he left. But they faded, their figures dissolving into mist as the dream unraveled around him.
He felt something sharp poke his side.
Zach gasped awake, startled. For a moment, he was still half in the dream, his heart racing, the echoes of his family¡¯s voices ringing in his ears. But the warmth of home was gone, replaced by the cool, crisp air of the estate.
Standing over him was an old man in a long gray coat, his hair as wild as the storm clouds rolling in overhead.
The man jabbed him again with the end of a gnarled walking stick. ¡°You just going to sleep all day?¡±
Zach blinked, shaking off the lingering haze of the dream. He sat up straighter, rubbing his face. ¡°You must be Abram.¡±
Zach didn''t want to think about the dream.
The old man tilted his head, unimpressed. ¡°Who¡¯s asking?¡±
¡°Zach,¡± he said, extending a hand. ¡°Zach Sellon. Middle name James. Sometimes I switch them around when I feel like it.¡±
Abram squinted at him, unimpressed. ¡°Too many names. What are you doing here?¡±
Zach tilted his head, confused. ¡°Didn¡¯t Melijuia tell you? I¡¯m the new knight trainee. She said she¡¯d call you.¡±
Abram stared at him blankly for a moment, then grunted. ¡°Of course she did. And you¡ª¡± he jabbed his stick toward Zach¡¯s chest, ¡°¡ªyou chose me? Out of all the others?¡±
Zach shrugged. ¡°I chose the style. I prefer not being on the battlefield¡ªor if I have to be there, I want to be fully prepared. Enough that I can deal with whoever comes at me without any risk to myself.¡±
Abram rubbed his chin, his weathered face creasing in thought. Then he said, ¡°Coward.¡±
¡°Coward Player,¡± Zach corrected, his tone calm.
Abram¡¯s laugh turned into a wheezing cackle. ¡°Semantics won¡¯t save you, boy. You¡¯re either clever enough to make it work, or you¡¯re just another fool who thinks avoiding a fight is the same as winning it.¡±
¡°Sure, we''ll see,¡± Zach said, matching the old man¡¯s gaze.
Abram leaned on his stick, sizing him up. ¡°Fine. Let¡¯s get started, then. Hope you¡¯re ready to unlearn everything you think you know.¡±
¡°Looking forward to it,¡± Zach said sarcastically.
Chapter 30: Lesson One... Too Easy
Abram studied Zach with a faintly amused, faintly annoyed expression. ¡°You should change your mind now,¡± he said flatly. ¡°This style isn¡¯t what you think it is. It¡¯s not some cheat code for victory. It¡¯s five times the work upfront so the battle¡¯s already won before it even starts.¡±
Zach crossed his arms. ¡°I¡¯m fine with that. Prep work doesn¡¯t bother me.¡±
Abram chuckled darkly. ¡°You say that now, but this isn¡¯t for someone who¡¯s lazy. It¡¯s time-consuming. You¡¯ll need to track, hunt, and harvest everything you¡¯ll use¡ªwhether it¡¯s animals, plants, minerals, and most importantly information. Not exactly the work of a coward.¡±
Zach arched an eyebrow, his tone light but curious. ¡°Doesn¡¯t sound so bad. I can just buy what I need once I start making some money.¡±
Abram grunted, unimpressed. ¡°Money helps, sure, but the best results come from doing the dirty work yourself. And even with all the preparation, you¡¯ll still need to rely on skill and timing when it matters most. This style isn¡¯t for anyone who¡¯d rather charge in swinging a sword and hope for the best.¡±
¡°Good,¡± Zach said. ¡°I prefer fighting beasts over people anyway. More straightforward.¡±
¡°Fine. Do what you want. But I¡¯ll wait for the moment you decide this isn¡¯t for you.¡± He turned and began walking across the estate grounds. ¡°Let¡¯s get started.¡±
Zach followed, his curiosity piqued as they passed the lush gardens and winding paths. The estate¡¯s grandeur faded slightly as they approached a secluded part of the grounds.
¡°So,¡± Zach said, breaking the silence, ¡°what¡¯s the first lesson?¡±
Abram didn¡¯t stop walking. ¡°We start with your physical capability. Build up your body first, then I¡¯ll teach you to manipulate your inner self.¡±
They arrived at the training area, which was surprisingly empty. Abram gestured at the vast expanse of white grass and towering white trees, their bark scarred with countless sword marks. In one corner, a large storeroom stood, its door slightly ajar to reveal racks of equipment inside.
¡°This area¡¯s for actual knights,¡± Abram explained. ¡°Plenty of other spaces for whoever but here¡ this is where the real work happens.¡±
Zach surveyed the space, impressed by the sheer size of it. His gaze landed on one of the tallest white trees, nearly 30 meters high, its trunk streaked with blackened scars.
Abram pointed at it. ¡°Your first task. Scale that tree. Get to the top in under 33 seconds without stopping for a break. Until you can do it, you¡¯re not ready for the rest.¡±If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.
Zach smiled. ¡°Easy enough.¡±
¡°Easy?¡± Abram scoffed, settling onto a nearby stone. He pulled a small bottle from his coat pocket, unscrewed the cap, and began mixing its contents with liquids from other vials. ¡°Sure, go ahead, hotshot. Let¡¯s see how easy it is.¡±
Zach rolled his shoulders, walked up to the base of the tree, and placed his hands on the rough bark. He glanced back to see Abram busy with his concoctions, seemingly uninterested.
Without another word, Zach launched himself upward. His movements were quick, fluid, and precise as he climbed the tree, his muscles working in sync. In just 18 seconds, he reached the top, clinging to the highest branch and calling down. ¡°What¡¯s next?¡±
Abram froze, his bottle halfway to his mouth. He looked up, squinting at the figure perched at the top of the tree. ¡°What the¡ª¡±
Zach climbed back down casually, brushing his hands off as he landed in front of Abram.
The old man blinked at him, shaking his head. ¡°Well, no wonder she picked you,¡± he muttered. ¡°You¡¯re already good.¡±
¡°Something like that...¡±
Abram narrowed his eyes. ¡°With that kind of speed and endurance, you¡¯ve got to be using your inner self already. You feel anything? A deep, ghastly feeling in your body you can cling to?¡±
Zach frowned, shaking his head. ¡°Not really.¡±
Abram huffed. ¡°Hmph. Then you¡¯ve got the raw talent, but you¡¯re missing the key. Learning to use your inner self is straightforward¡ªeither you push yourself hard enough in combat, or you meditate until you find it. Sit still, focus, and when you feel that ghastly pull deep inside, grab it and don¡¯t let go.¡±
¡°That¡¯s it?¡± Zach asked, skeptical.
¡°Body¡¯s gotta be in peak condition for it to happen,¡± Abram explained. ¡°So for someone like you, it should be easy. Once you feel it, you¡¯ll know.¡±
Zach nodded, thinking it over. ¡°I¡¯ll work on that in my free time. Let¡¯s speed this up. I¡¯d rather do what I can on my own and focus on what you can¡¯t teach me anywhere else when we¡¯re training.¡±
Abram shot him a sidelong glance, muttering something under his breath. ¡°Overachievers. Always gotta complicate things.¡±
Zach raised an eyebrow, amused. ¡°Is it complicated to want to learn efficiently?¡±
Abram groaned, waving him off. ¡°You¡¯re already a handful, and we¡¯ve barely started. You sure you don¡¯t want to just pick a simpler style? One where I don¡¯t have to babysit you every step of the way?¡±
¡°Not happening,¡± Zach replied, crossing his arms. ¡°You¡¯re stuck with me.¡±
¡°Fantastic,¡± Abram deadpanned, rubbing his temples. He stood, dusting off his coat with exaggerated slowness, as if hoping Zach would miraculously change his mind and leave him alone. When that didn¡¯t happen, he sighed heavily and continued.
¡°Fine. Let¡¯s move on,¡± he said reluctantly. ¡°Next lesson¡¯s more up your alley. I¡¯ll teach you how to make poison, dangerous gases, the works. Everything starts with finding the right ingredients¡ªplants, animals, minerals. After that, it¡¯s all about preserving and mixing them properly. And, of course, knowing how to store them.¡±
Zach¡¯s interest piqued immediately. ¡°Sounds like a challenge. The mixing part shouldn¡¯t be too hard, but finding the ingredients? That¡¯s the part I¡¯m interested in.¡±
Abram chuckled, his tone dark and amused. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s not just about finding them. It¡¯s about knowing where to look, what¡¯s worth harvesting, and what¡¯ll kill you if you handle it wrong. You¡¯ll need patience, smarts, and an eye for detail. Think you¡¯re up for it?¡±
¡°Except for the kill me part, I''m up for it.¡±
Chapter 32: A Map To Everything
Zach leaned back against the tree he had climbed earlier, the thought swirling in his mind like a spark catching fire. ¡°With this kind of knowledge,¡± he mused aloud, ¡°I could probably become a merchant. Selling everything from poisons to cures¡ the money I¡¯d make would be insane.¡±
Abram snorted, he tinkered with a small vial. ¡°You want to be a merchant too?¡±
"I want to think of ways I can make money. Extra money."
Abram paused, then straightened with a groan. ¡°I wonder when you''ll have the time in the day for that.¡± he added, stroking his chin, ¡°Let me give you something to work with.¡±
He reached into his coat and pulled out a folded map, the corners creased and worn from years of use. As he unfolded it, Zach saw five cities, towns, and villages marked. Scattered around these were various symbols, each one unique. Of course, the Third city had the most symbols around it.
¡°This,¡± Abram said, holding the map up for Zach to see, ¡°is one of my hunting/harvesting ground maps. The symbols mark areas where certain plants, animals, minerals, and other resources can be found.¡±
Zach flipped the map over, noting the detailed notes on the back. The list was exhaustive, explaining certain animals'' venom glands, scent organs, brain matter, tree barks, sulfur stones, and other bizarre items.
Abram jabbed a finger at the map. ¡°Your task is simple. Bring back two things: one that can kill a grown male and one that can cause immense suffering without killing.¡±
Zach raised an eyebrow. ¡°Is that really all?¡±
¡°Looking for lethal and near lethal substances means you''re at risk of them too,¡± Abram replied. "The making of a substance will be done after you have proved you can harvest dangerous poisons and the like without dying."
"Got it."
Zach rolled up the map and pointed at the nearby storeroom. ¡°I didn¡¯t exactly get to keep my old gear. Mind if I borrow a weapon for this little errand?¡±
Abram shrugged, already half-focused on another vial he was mixing. ¡°Go ahead.¡±
Zach jogged over to the storeroom, eager to see what was available. Inside, rows of weapons gleamed under the faint light streaming through a small window. He ran a hand over the racks, eyeing the options.
¡°Sword¡¯s not bad,¡± he muttered, testing its weight briefly. ¡°But not exactly exciting.¡± His gaze shifted to a spear. ¡°Smart, but¡ nah.¡± Then his eyes landed on a massive great axe, its head dark and etched with faint, glowing runes. The weapon was nearly three-quarters of his height, heavy but manageable.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
¡°Now we¡¯re talking,¡± Zach said with a grin, hefting the axe. He swung it experimentally, testing its balance. It felt good in his hands, solid and dangerous.
Suddenly, with a sharp _click,_ the axe head discharged from the shaft and shot forward, spinning violently.
¡°What the¡ª?!¡± Zach yelped, gripping the axe tightly in shock. The spinning head stopped mid-air, hovering for a moment before retracting back to the shaft with alarming speed. Zach barely managed to dodge, nearly falling over in the process.
He stumbled out of the storeroom, the axe held at arm¡¯s length. ¡°Uh, Abram?¡±
The old man barely glanced up from his concoctions. ¡°Hmm?¡±
¡°This thing just¡ shot its head off. What kind of weapon does that?¡±
Abram waved him off, muttering something incomprehensible.
Zach gritted his teeth and tried again. ¡°Seriously, how do these weapons work?¡±
Abram sighed, finally looking up. ¡°Some use animal organs. Others, specific minerals. That one? Not entirely sure, but I¡¯d bet it¡¯s powered by sand called sanmanidum that suspends objects in the air and some kind of magnet. Nothing too fancy.¡±
Zach stared at the axe, turning it over in his hands. ¡°Not too fancy, huh?" *Sure felt like magic to me.*
Abram rolled his eyes. ¡°It¡¯s all in the materials. It¡¯s science at its roots. A ¡®safe¡¯ level of power, let¡¯s call it.¡±
Zach nodded, still intrigued. He looked back at the storeroom. ¡°Should I grab some armor too?¡±
Abram shrugged again. ¡°Might as well. Just don¡¯t expect it to fit perfectly. You¡¯re not exactly the average size.¡±
"Fuck off. I got the height."
Zach darted back inside, rifling through the armor racks. Most of the pieces were too big or too small, but after some digging, he found a set of blue and silver armor that fit reasonably well. He strapped it on and walked out, striking a pose.
¡°Look at me,¡± Zach said, grinning. ¡°Might as well make me a knight now. I look the part.¡±
Abram didn¡¯t bother responding, already preoccupied with another vial.
Zach frowned, patting the chest plate of his armor. ¡°How do I figure out what this can do? I¡¯m assuming it¡¯s got some kind of trick, like the weapons?¡±
Abram pointed lazily at his chest. ¡°Press the chest plate.¡±
Zach did as instructed, and a sudden weightlessness swept over him. His body felt light, like he could jump ten feet in the air without effort.
¡°Whoa,¡± he muttered, testing the feeling with a few steps.
¡°Speak,¡± Abram said without looking up.
¡°What?¡± Zach asked¡ªand the moment he spoke, the weight returned, grounding him abruptly.
He staggered, blinking in surprise. ¡°Wait, so talking cancels it?¡±
Abram nodded, still not bothering to look at him. ¡°Activates when you¡¯re tap hard. Deactivates when talk loud. Simple enough.¡±
Zach tried it again, marveling at how effortlessly the armor shifted between modes. He grinned, turning to Abram. ¡°This is awesome."
Abram waved him off. ¡°Get to work. You¡¯ve got materials to gather.¡±
---
Zach made his way to the wall gate of Mapil. He used the power of his armor to lighten the load on his body to get there as fast as possible. It took about two and a half hours.
By the time he reached the gate, sweat dripped from his brow despite the cool air. The armor wasn¡¯t perfect¡ªlong walks like this still drained him, and his legs ached faintly.
At the gate, two guards stood at attention, their expressions hard as stone. Their eyes flicked to the necklace hanging around his neck, the tomb-shaped pendant gleaming in the sunlight. With a nod of acknowledgment, one of the guards stepped aside and opened a smaller side door built into the massive wall.
¡°Go on through,¡± the guard said gruffly.
Chapter 33: Marine Battle
Zach nodded his thanks and stepped beyond Mapil¡¯s walls.
As he walked, his thoughts drifted. He was randomly thinking about his life. Then he suddenly remembered Geroi existed.
Geroi. The name lingered, pulling at the edges of his thoughts. The man had been arrogant and self-assured when they last met, as if the world revolved around him.
¡°Should I have sent the assassin after him, too?¡± Zach muttered to himself. He quickly shook the thought away. No. Geroi probably had bodyguards watching him 24/7. A man like that wouldn¡¯t leave himself exposed¡ªnot if he had any sense.
Still, Geroi didn¡¯t have leverage here. What Zach needed to focus on was the bigger threat: the First City. They were bold, ruthless even. Bold enough to kill Meljuia¡¯s parents, especially her father, who had been the governor here. Bold enough to burn down an entire village just because Markinson was there.
Zach frowned as he walked, shortening her name in his thoughts. Mel.
If the First City had already gone that far, there was no reason to think they¡¯d stop. Whether they attacked Mapil or the estate itself, Zach had to stay sharp. The weight of it pressed down on him, but he shoved it aside. He had a task to complete.
After walking for what felt like hours, Zach came across an unusual sight. A small pond of vibrant purple water stretched before him, its surface glistening like polished amethyst. Above the water, vines stretched between thin, spindly trees, their roots partially submerged.
Zach glanced down at the map Abram had given him. The location of the pond matched one of the marked locations. A quick scan revealed the important animals associated with it: a green walking fish and a predatory bird with four wings and an ugly wide beak.
The walking fish was described as having saliva that could dissolve flesh with ease¡ªa deadly trait that intrigued him. The bird, on the other hand, had claws that caused intense irritation upon contact. He imagined that the irritation could be used for torture.
¡°Alright,¡± Zach muttered, folding the map and tucking it away. He approached the pond cautiously, studying the vines and trees for any sign of movement.
The map offered little guidance on how to actually catch these creatures¡ªjust simple sketches of their appearances. Zach frowned, annoyed by the lack of detail. ¡°With their tech, Abram could¡¯ve gotten actual pictures of these things. Would it have killed him to be a bit more helpful?¡±The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.
He crouched at the edge of the pond, his reflection wavering in the purple water. The walking fish seemed carnivorous, maybe blood would attract them.
Zach made a shallow cut on his cheek. The sting was minor, but a thin line of blood trickled down. He wiped it onto his finger, dipped it into the water, and waited.
The surface of the pond rippled faintly, but nothing emerged right away. Zach leaned closer, watching for any signs of movement beneath the surface. The purple hue of the water made it hard to see more than a few inches deep.
¡°Come on,¡± he muttered. ¡°You¡¯re hungry, aren¡¯t you?¡±
Zach crouched at the edge of the purple pond, his finger still dripping blood into the water. Ripples spread lazily across the surface, but nothing emerged. His patience was wearing thin, and he considered if there might be a better way to draw the walking fish out.
Before he could think further, a sudden rustling sound from the bushes nearby made him freeze. His hand instinctively went to the haft of his axe. The sound grew louder, heavy footsteps pounding the earth as something massive moved closer.
Without warning, an enormous alligator burst from the underbrush, its body covered in thick, mottled scales that gleamed like polished metal in the sunlight. It was at least fifteen feet long, its legs surprisingly long for an alligator. But what caught Zach¡¯s attention was its jaw¡ªit stretched unnaturally wide, almost doubling in size as rows of jagged teeth snapped open and shut with a sickening clack.
Zach rolled backward just as the creature lunged, its jaws slamming shut where he had been crouching. He scrambled to his feet, gripping the axe tightly.
The alligator hissed, its elongated jaw opening again as it lunged a second time. Zach dodged to the side, swinging his axe at its flank. The blade glanced off its armored scales with a loud clang, barely leaving a scratch.
¡°Great,¡± Zach muttered.
The alligator swung its tail, and Zach barely had time to brace himself before the impact sent him skidding backward. His boots dug into the muddy ground, and he tightened his grip on the axe.
He needed a weak spot¡ªsomewhere he could land a decisive blow. The creature¡¯s underbelly, maybe? Or its open mouth?
The alligator lunged again, and this time, Zach sidestepped and brought the axe down with all his strength. The blade caught the edge of the creature¡¯s jaw, tearing out a few jagged teeth as it snapped shut with a pained roar.
Zach staggered back.
The alligator roared again, its jaw extending even farther as it prepared to strike.
When the alligator lunged for a final time, Zach leapt to the side, spinning as he swung his axe downward. The blade cleaved into the creature¡¯s exposed neck, biting deep into the softer flesh there.
The alligator froze mid-lunge, its body convulsing as blood sprayed across the ground. With a final wheezing hiss, it collapsed in a heap, its long body twitching before going still.
Zach stepped back. He wiped his face, smearing blood and sweat across his cheek.
¡°Damn,¡± he muttered, staring at the massive carcass.
Just as he was catching his breath, movement in the corner of his eye caught his attention.
He turned just in time to see something burst from the pond¡ªa six-foot-long green fish with muscular legs. Its body gleamed with slick scales, and its wide-open mouth revealed rows of razor-sharp teeth.
It was the fish he needed.
Zach touched the plate of his armor, making him almost weightless.
The walking fish lunged at him with surprising speed, its claws digging into the mud as it propelled itself forward.