ã€ŠThe Legendary Flame Mageã€‹


 Chapter 1: A New Flame Ignites

    Karlos¡¯s morning had been nothing out of the ordinary¡ªuntil a series of very unfortunate coincidences decided to knock down his door. First, his ceiling fan, that ancient thing, wobbled precariously before crashing down, right into his half-eaten bowl of cereal. Milk and cornflakes went flying, splattering all over him. Before he could even register the mess, his hand shot up reflexively to cover his eyes, and in the chaos, he accidentally smacked his tablet off the counter.

    The tablet skittered across the floor, coming to a stop near the baseboard heater. A burning smell filled the room as he scrambled up to see what kind of damage he¡¯d just caused, but before he could reach it, he felt an odd, pulling sensation. It was like the whole world had tilted sideways, dragging him with it. Then, in a flash of light, everything went dark.

    When his vision returned, he found himself standing in a dimly lit cavern, surrounded by figures emanating an intimidating, almost palpable energy. These weren¡¯t just any figures¡ªthey were familiar, towering warriors, swift rogues, and mages that radiated with raw destructive power. And judging by their heavily stylized armor and high-tier gear, he was certain he¡¯d seen them before. He recognized each one from the game he¡¯d been playing, but now they looked¡­ well, a lot more real.

    A tall, armored knight with chiseled features and piercing ocean-blue eyes was glaring at him with an intensity that felt like it could melt steel. The knight¡¯s expression was a mix of annoyance and irritation, but Karlos couldn¡¯t quite understand why. He was about to ask what was going on when the knight interrupted his thoughts.

    ¡°Newbie, hurry up and cast that spell so we can finish this faster,¡± the knight barked, smacking Karlos on the back with a gloved hand that felt like being hit by a cinder block. The sheer force nearly knocked him forward.

    ¡°Wait, what spell?¡± Karlos stammered, still trying to get his bearings. Everything was so confusing, and his surroundings felt both familiar and alien. He didn¡¯t have time to process his new surroundings when he heard a strange voice¡ªdisembodied, grumbling to itself.

    ¡°Come on, why won¡¯t you move?¡± the voice complained. ¡°Last time I buy something from a dead guy¡¯s estate sale. I even paid extra because he had the same name as me. ¡®Rare collectible,¡¯ my ass.¡±

    Karlos blinked, realizing that this voice wasn¡¯t coming from anyone on the field. It was coming from somewhere else entirely¡ªa player, his mind supplied, the person controlling his character. But why was the player talking about a ¡°dead guy¡¯s device¡±? And why did they sound so disappointed?

    He felt a knot tighten in his stomach as fragments of memory began to surface. He¡¯d been on his way to sell his tablet, had already agreed to part with it¡­ but he never made it. He never got the chance. That terrible twist of fate meant he¡¯d ended up here, somehow sucked into the game in place of his character, a low-tier, F-ranked flame mage meant for free-to-play players.

    ¡°Who is that? And why are they talking about buying from dead people?¡± Karlos mumbled, glancing up at the knight who was still glaring at him expectantly.

    The knight rolled his eyes, clearly annoyed. ¡°Are you daft? Just cast that fire spell already. We¡¯ve got a schedule to keep.¡±

    Karlos looked at his hands, realizing he could feel the surge of magic in them, almost instinctively. He muttered the incantation, focusing on the closest monster¡ªa hulking orc¡ªand unleashed his flame spell. A tiny, unimpressive spark shot out, fizzling against the orc¡¯s thick armor. It was hardly more than a flicker, and the orc didn¡¯t even flinch.The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    A chorus of groans echoed around him as the other characters watched the spell¡¯s lackluster performance.

    ¡°Not much of a spark, are you, Flame Mage?¡± the knight said with a dry chuckle. ¡°But¡­ I do feel a little boost from your buff. Not much, but it¡¯s there.¡± He unsheathed his sword, electricity crackling along its edge, and took a step forward. ¡°Guess I¡¯ll have to carry you.¡±

    In a single, fluid motion, the knight swung his blade, shouting, ¡°Thunder Slash!¡± A powerful arc of lightning exploded from his sword, ripping through the enemies like a storm. Monsters disintegrated under the onslaught, one after another, until only empty silence filled the cavern.

    Amid the fading light, a treasure chest dropped from one of the fallen monsters. It glowed briefly before vanishing, much to the knight¡¯s chagrin.

    ¡°Only one drop?¡± he muttered, sheathing his sword. He shot Karlos a disapproving look. ¡°I hope you¡¯re worth the trouble, Flame Mage. Can¡¯t expect us to keep carrying you forever.¡±

    The player¡¯s voice crackled through with a bored sigh. ¡°All right, that was decent. Better than nothing, I guess. Let¡¯s just get through this¡ªdon¡¯t need anything fancy.¡±

    Karlos felt the dismissal in the words, but there was no real malice there. Just indifference, like someone barely invested. He was a low-level character, dragged along more for the player¡¯s amusement and a few extra experience points than any real purpose.

    Karlos felt his frustration mount. He didn¡¯t want to be dead weight. He wanted to contribute, to make his presence matter. He¡¯d been given this second chance, and he¡¯d be damned if he let himself remain the weakest character on the roster.

    As he resolved to make the most of this, another message appeared in his mind¡¯s eye, something he¡¯d seen countless times in his life but never expected to feel like this:

    Experience earned will apply after dungeon completion.

    It was a small glimmer of hope, a promise that he¡¯d grow stronger if he could just survive each fight. And though his skill barely registered in the grand scheme of things, he knew it had potential, a faint aura that gave his allies a slight edge.

    The disembodied voice of the player hummed thoughtfully above, breaking Karlos from his reverie. ¡°All right¡­ Maybe there¡¯s more to this guy after all. My Greg normally leaves the boss at one hp and I have to use another skill. That buff could come in handy for the Abyss dungeon later.

    As the party moved forward, Karlos followed, still feeling the weight of his near-uselessness in the last encounter. The cavern around them was damp and dark, lined with walls etched in strange, ancient symbols that seemed to pulse faintly, almost as if alive. Ahead, he could see the rogue, a wiry figure draped in dark, close-fitting leather armor that seemed to drink in the shadows. The rogue¡¯s pace was fast, purposeful, leading them deeper into the dungeon.

    ¡°Keep up, newbie,¡± the rogue called back, not even glancing over his shoulder. His voice was casual, with an edge of cockiness that suggested he knew exactly what he was capable of.

    The party continued into the next chamber, their steps almost automatic, like a well-oiled machine that had done this dance countless times. The rogue stretched out lazily, rolling his shoulders before stepping into position, clearly familiar with his role in this repetitive grind. With a casual flick of his wrists, his daggers shimmered, ready for action.

    ¡°Yeah, yeah, no need to waste time,¡± the rogue muttered, almost to himself, before calling out his skill, ¡°Shadow Cascade.¡± His movements were fluid, routine, an AoE attack that tore through the four monsters in seconds. The creatures barely had time to growl before dissolving into wisps of experience, their remains flickering out in fading embers.

    Karlos watched it all, still feeling the novelty of it, even if his teammates didn¡¯t. To them, this was just a mindless grind¡ªanother run in a dungeon they knew inside and out.

    ¡°Or you could just let the grown-ups handle things,¡± the knight quipped from behind, clearly unimpressed. But Karlos couldn¡¯t ignore the slight boost in confidence the rogue¡¯s display had given him. Sure, he was currently the weakest link, but he was starting to learn. Each of these characters had a specific purpose in battle, specialized skills that let them excel. He¡¯d have to figure out his own purpose, no matter how small his contribution might seem now.

    The party moved through the dungeon with mechanical ease, their movements honed and practiced, as if every step, every strike, was part of an unspoken rhythm. For them, this place wasn¡¯t a challenge¡ªit was routine. But for Karlos, every corner of the dungeon felt charged with a kind of tension he¡¯d never noticed when playing the game. The walls seemed to hum, the shadows felt more profound, and each sound echoed in his chest like a heartbeat.

    As they walked into the third chamber, Karlos noticed subtle details he¡¯d overlooked before. The air was thick with a damp, metallic scent, and the stone walls glistened with moisture, carved with faint, glowing runes that looked far more detailed and real than any in-game graphics could ever hope to replicate.

    The warrior in the lead barely looked around as he strode confidently into position, casually cracking his knuckles. The player¡¯s voice piped up again, sounding a bit more interested than before.

    ¡°All right, Flame Mage. Let¡¯s see if you can do something halfway decent this time. Go ahead, throw out another fire spell¡ªwhatever you got.¡±

 Chapter 2: Promotion

    The screen in front of Greg taunted him with its glowing icons, mocking his progress¡ªor lack thereof. He could feel his jaw tightening as he cycled through his inventory one more time, just in case something had magically restocked itself. But no, there it was in stark numbers: zero experience potions, zero skip tickets.

    ¡°Are you kidding me?¡± he groaned, pressing a thumb into his temple. He¡¯d poured hours into this grind, only to be staring down the barrel of another endless run, and now he was running on empty. ¡°All that just to be told I¡¯m stuck doing this the long way.¡±

    Greg scrolled back to his character selection screen, his eyes falling on the newest addition to his team. He hadn¡¯t meant to pick up the Flame Mage¡ªif anything, he¡¯d been half-asleep when he¡¯d scrolled through the event listings and found the oddly named character as a free event character.

    ¡°Rare collectible, they said,¡± he muttered, rolling his eyes. ¡°Having to bring him to level 60 is In-game currency well spent, right? Even now looking at the event rewards he still can''t make anything of it.

    The only thing intriguing him to try to level the magician up is the last title of the quest ¡° Key of the Dragonic Abyss Greg muttered The hardest dungeon in the game the impossible stage and a weak fire mage is the key. We will see Greg''s thoughts as the images of those idiot streamers

    He tapped the mage¡¯s profile, bringing up the stats he was quickly learning to resent. F-ranked fire spells, minimal defense, and hardly any practical abilities¡ªthis wasn¡¯t the kind of character he¡¯d usually spend his time on. The only halfway useful aspect was the party-wide buff, and even that felt like grasping at straws. And yet¡­ there was something strange, something just a bit off about how the Flame Mage felt during the last run. The minor buff had shown up on his party¡¯s stats, enough to keep him intrigued, if barely.

    ¡°Guess it¡¯s time for another dungeon,¡± Greg sighed, selecting the usual low-level grind. ¡°I swear if I¡¯m wasting more time on this¡­¡±

    The screen transitioned, pulling him into the familiar dungeon setting, the one he could nearly navigate blindfolded. Dark stone walls, dripping with digital condensation, eerie lighting, and the usual array of low-level mobs clustered in the first chamber. His team loaded in: the stalwart knight, the swift rogue, and, trailing behind like an afterthought, the unimpressive Flame Mage.

    Greg¡¯s annoyance simmered as he watched the character¡¯s stiff movements. ¡°Why¡¯d they even bother designing you?¡± he muttered, his thumb hovering over the basic attack. ¡°You¡¯re just a placeholder for a real character, a little F-rank fire toy for low-level dungeons.¡± He watched as the Flame Mage moved forward, slightly more hesitant than the rest, almost like there was a person in there learning to navigate for the first time.

    As they cleared the first wave, he caught himself zoning out just clicking the skills he knew to be aoe, watching the others clean up the mobs with swift precision. The rogue¡¯s Shadow Cascade sliced through the group, leaving the Flame Mage standing awkwardly behind, casting the occasional fire spark that barely registered in Greg¡¯s mind.

    ¡°Okay, here¡¯s your shot, little mage,¡± Greg mumbled, his thumb pressing down to cast the ultimate skill. He half-expected nothing, just the usual spark. But to his surprise, flames burst forth, spreading over the enemies in a wide arc. The fire clung to them, bright and persistent, and he could see the health bars of each enemy slowly ticking down.

    Greg blinked, a smirk breaking over his face. ¡°So, you¡¯ve got a bit of a debuff after all, huh? All right, maybe you¡¯re not a complete waste of space.¡± He leaned forward, interest sparking as he watched the effects ripple through the enemies. They stumbled, their attacks faltering, health slowly burning away under the mage¡¯s lingering flame. It wasn¡¯t exactly game-breaking, but it was something. Something different.

    ¡°I guess I can keep you around for a while,¡± Greg murmured. ¡°Not like I¡¯ve got much choice, anyway. No potions, no skip tickets¡­ Guess it¡¯s you and me, Flame Mage.¡± Ding Dong A ring of his doorbell followed by banging on his door knocked him out of his musings. He clicked on the auto button and increased the speed to 3x and sat up from his chair while doing a stretch.Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

    ¡° Oh who is it, Greg said, moving closer to the door as he stuck his eye through the peephole.¡± He saw a man he didn''t recognize with a metallic black box.

    The man quickly asked as soon as I opened the door ¡° are you GrChaosLegion?

    ¡° What is this about and why do you know that? Do I need to call the authorities? Is that a bomb? ¡°

    Greg¡¯s heart skipped a beat, his eyes flickering to the metallic black box clutched in the stranger¡¯s hands. It was sleek, almost unnervingly so, the kind of design you¡¯d see in some high-stakes heist movie. His grip on the door handle tightened, wary as the stranger leaned forward just enough to fill the space.

    ¡°Relax,¡± the man said, his voice calm but with an undercurrent of urgency. ¡°I work for Arcane Studios. We just need to confirm you¡¯re GrChaosLegion. You¡¯re¡­ one of our top players, actually.¡±

    Greg felt his brow furrow, thrown off by the unexpected turn of events. He¡¯d been a hardcore player, sure, but he never thought it would lead to some random stranger showing up at his front door. ¡°Arcane Studios? Like the studio that runs Eternal Chaos War. This is about the game?¡±

    The man nodded, offering a disarming smile as he extended the box toward Greg. ¡°Exactly. And no, this isn¡¯t a bomb. It¡¯s¡­ well, think of it as an exclusive promotional item.

    The man gave Greg an assuring smile, the kind that was a touch too professional, too practiced. He gently nudged the black box forward, holding it out like he was presenting some rare treasure. ¡°This is something we¡¯ve been rolling out to a select few top players and streamers,¡± he said, his voice taking on a rehearsed tone. ¡°Arcane Studios wanted to reach out to a few key players of Chaos Blade¡ªespecially those who have contributed heavily to the community.¡±

    Greg¡¯s skepticism didn¡¯t waver. He glanced down at the box, its sleek design catching the hallway¡¯s dim light. He couldn¡¯t deny a twinge of curiosity, though. ¡°So, you¡¯re saying this is a gift from the company?¡±

    ¡°Precisely,¡± the man replied, his tone smooth and unwavering. ¡°We¡¯re hoping to encourage players like you to stream your experiences, to dive deeper into the game¡¯s¡­ let¡¯s call them ¡®hidden aspects.¡¯¡± He gestured to the box. ¡°Inside, you¡¯ll find a state-of-the-art gaming setup. The laptop¡¯s built for peak performance, and the headset¡¯s our latest model. But there¡¯s one item we think you¡¯ll find especially intriguing.¡±

    Greg raised an eyebrow, his gaze drifting back to the box. He wasn¡¯t fully convinced yet, but the lure of the free gear was starting to chip away at his reservations. ¡°And what might that be?¡±

    The man tapped the top of the box lightly. ¡°A custom-built streaming device,¡± he said, leaning in with a hint of a smirk, like he knew he was reeling Greg in. ¡°This isn¡¯t just any streaming tool¡ªit¡¯s tailored specifically for Chaos Blade. You¡¯re looking at the first of its kind: the Chaos Nexus. It¡¯s designed to link directly into the game, giving you access to exclusive features, special streaming overlays, and¡­ let¡¯s just say it might help you gain some insight into those ¡®impossible¡¯ stages.¡±

    The words ¡°impossible stages¡± were enough to make Greg¡¯s ears perk up. He¡¯d been banging his head against that brick wall for weeks, especially now that leveling the Flame Mage seemed tied to some elusive secret of the dungeon¡¯s last, unbeatable floor.

    ¡°So¡­ this Nexus,¡± Greg said, crossing his arms, ¡°what exactly does it do for Chaos Blade?¡±

    The man¡¯s smirk widened. ¡°Think of it as a direct line into the developers¡¯ minds. This device unlocks special UI features, gives you enhanced monitoring tools, and lets you see real-time data that isn¡¯t available to regular players. It¡¯s also got some unannounced in-game rewards that will only trigger for accounts connected to the Nexus. In essence, it¡¯s a device to bridge you to the game¡¯s core mechanics in a way no other player can experience¡ªat least, not yet.¡±

    Greg blinked, absorbing the information, feeling his suspicion blend with intrigue. ¡°And¡­ you¡¯re just handing this out?¡±

    The man shrugged. ¡°We¡¯re selective. Only a handful of players meet our criteria, and you¡¯ve caught the studio¡¯s attention. We¡¯re invested in seeing if you, with your playstyle, can get to the bottom of Chaos Blade¡¯s most elusive quests.¡± He leaned in closer, his voice lowering. ¡°We want to see if you¡¯re the one who can unlock¡­ The Key of the Draconic Abyss.¡±

    Greg¡¯s breath caught. The Key of the Draconic Abyss¡ªthe name that had taunted him from that uncompleted quest line, sitting in his task list like a dare he couldn¡¯t resist. He glanced down at the box again, feeling his hands twitch in anticipation.

    ¡°Fine,¡± he said, finally reaching for the box. ¡°But if this thing is some marketing gimmick, I swear I¡¯ll roast you all over the forums.¡±

    The man chuckled, clearly unbothered. ¡°Fair enough. Just make sure you read the instructions thoroughly. The Chaos Nexus isn¡¯t like your usual plug-and-play device. You¡¯ll need to follow the steps exactly, and there¡¯s a bit of a¡­ calibration period. Oh, and one more thing.¡± The man¡¯s expression shifted slightly, his smile fading to something more serious. ¡°Once you start, the tasks will be time-sensitive. We¡¯ll be tracking your progress.¡±

    Greg¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Time-sensitive? What am I signing up for here?¡±

    ¡°Think of it as an interactive experiment,¡± the man replied, stepping back with a glint in his eye. ¡°Let¡¯s just say we¡¯re curious to see how far you¡¯re willing to go¡ªand how deeply you¡¯re willing to delve into Chaos Blade¡¯s secrets. It¡¯s all part of the game, after all.¡±

    And with that, the man gave a final nod and turned, leaving Greg alone with the box in his hands and the lingering echoes of cryptic promises.

 Chapter 3: 352ME R32B66

    Greg closed the door slowly, leaning back against it as he looked down at the box, feeling a mix of exhilaration and wariness pulse through him. The sleek black cylinder with its four grey sides seemed to absorb the light around it, a surreal object that felt almost out of place in his apartment. The Chaos Nexus, he thought, turning it over in his hands. A device designed specifically for a game he¡¯d spent countless hours on¡ªand it was supposedly going to help him uncover the secrets behind The Key of the Draconic Abyss.

    With a quick motion, he placed the box on his desk and slid off the lid. Inside, neatly organized in sleek compartments, were the promised contents. The laptop sat like a jewel in its padded casing, black with faint patterns that looked almost like ancient runes shimmering faintly in the dim light. The headset was next, ergonomic and polished, a design so futuristic it could¡¯ve been something straight out of a sci-fi film. But what drew his attention was the Chaos Nexus itself¡ªa device that looked both elegant and ominous, its smooth, cylindrical shape broken only by the four grey panels that seemed to hum softly under his fingertips.

    ¡°Alright, Nexus,¡± he muttered, feeling an odd sense of anticipation building as he powered up the laptop and plugged in the device. The startup screen came to life in a flare of colors, the familiar Chaos Blade logo spinning into view as the new interface downloaded automatically. Greg adjusted his chair, the headset sliding snugly over his ears as he settled into the game. But as the game loaded, a message flashed across the screen.

    WELCOME TO THE CHAOS NEXUS. PLEASE FOLLOW THE ONBOARDING STEPS CAREFULLY TO UNLOCK ENHANCED ACCESS.

    Greg¡¯s fingers tapped through the prompts, reading each instruction carefully. The process seemed straightforward¡ªlink his account, authenticate his profile as GrChaosLegion, and agree to a set of terms that he barely skimmed over. But as he reached the end of the setup, the screen paused, and another prompt appeared.

    THE KEY OF THE DRACONIC ABYSS AWAITS. CALIBRATION IN PROGRESS.

    The message blinked a few times, and then the screen began to ripple, almost like the game itself was becoming unstable. A low hum emanated from the Nexus, vibrating through his desk, and for a second, Greg felt a strange sensation¡ªa tingling, as if the device were reaching out, somehow syncing with him on a level beyond the game. He shook it off, chalking it up to excitement and fatigue from the grind.

    The screen flickered, then stabilized, and when it returned, he was looking at something completely different: a dark, vast space, swirling with energy and unfamiliar icons lining the sides of his HUD. There was something otherworldly about it as if he¡¯d stumbled into a part of Chaos Blade not meant for regular players. And then, a single prompt materialized at the center of the screen:

    TASK 1: AWAKEN THE FLAME MAGE.

    Greg frowned, his fingers instinctively clicking on the Flame Mage¡¯s profile again. The character, with his basic robes and unassuming stance, seemed to stare back at him, almost like he was aware of the scrutiny. Greg scanned through the stats, but nothing had changed since the last run. No boosts, no new skills. Just the same underwhelming toolkit that had frustrated him to no end.

    ¡°Awaken the Flame Mage, huh?¡± Greg muttered, skeptical. ¡°That¡¯s rich. How the hell am I supposed to ¡®awaken¡¯ an R-rank character?¡±

    But as if in response to his frustration, a new option appeared on the character¡¯s screen¡ªa dim, pulsing icon labeled RESONANCE.

    Greg Intrigued thought resonance, which is not a part of the normal characters. Clicking on it made a paragraph of text appear.

    Resonance is the state where after continued use of a character. The closer to max a character is the stronger the effects of Resonance. Characters with extremely strong resonance with a streamer influence the progress of the game. The Fire Mage is a character that resonance will influence greatly.Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

    Rewards for Completion

    <ul>

    <li>new event quest</li>

    <li>Transcendence Cube</li>

    <li>Materials to craft Monarch Silver butterfly Artifact</li>

    </ul>

    ¡°What. Wait What Event Quest Transcendence Cube Monarch Butterfly? What is this?

    None of these materials exist in Eternal Chaos War. I opened a new tab on the Rewards but couldn''t find anything of substance. There were a few Teddit articles about bosses I''m the game but nothing alluding to the purpose.

    Clicking back on the Creator Site he was met with a message to log in to the game on the Laptop. But to do that he is needed to exit the game on the tablet.

    Greg Rushing to the Tablet was met with the team still auto-farming the dungeon and quickly spotted the fire Mage but he was completely different. First, he was now level 12, and instead of the plain robes, he now had a more evolved armored pair of robes.

    ¡° How did it evolve? The cap for Rares is level 30 and units can not just evolve themselves. I was gone for like 5 minutes. How did he level up 40 times? When a unit reaches max level the auto battle automatically ends. How did it continue?¡±

    The chaos Nexus knocked me out of my Trance it''s humming growing louder as if beckoning him. I quickly closed out of the game and logged in on the laptop.

    As soon as the game a notification landed in my mail. Clicking on the red exclamation mark took me to an event page listing all the quests. The rewards button for the max resonance of the character now had the same exclamation mark clicking on it led me to a black screen.

    In the black screen I could hear faint tapping sounds so I turned up the volume and plugged in my headset and the sound became crystal clear. Looking around my room to make sure I was alone because of the sound of footsteps. Loud unhurried footsteps. The footsteps got closer signaling the thing getting closer until I could see a black outline on the screen.

    The footsteps continued until the thing was right in front of the screen. I was frozen as the thing''s eyes glowed red and a red light picked up surrounding the figure. The figure became visible as the I felt the very air around me began to heat up.

    I stared at the laptop, my jaw tightening in shock. I could barely process what I was seeing. My Fire Mage¡ªan R-rank, useless in most cases, was now standing there decked out in some unknown set of armor, practically radiating power, and leveled up past what should¡¯ve been possible. The character¡¯s previously pathetic robe had been replaced with black-and-crimson armor, trimmed with ember-like details that seemed to glow as if they were alive. In place of his usual, lackluster stance, the mage stood tall and confident, fire dancing in his eyes.

    ¡°This is insane,¡± I murmured, flipping back to my close-out but the laptop refused to exit out. State of the Art my foot it''s broken and overheating.

    The mage looked directly at me and smiled.

    ¡° Where are you going you haven''t checked my stats yet.¡±

    The laptop opened a new tab similar to the testing stage in Chaos War. A open field appeared on the screen, its horizon stretching into an ominous, fiery landscape with shadows flickering in the distance. I felt a chill despite the oppressive heat radiating from the laptop¡ªan odd juxtaposition that left me unnerved. It was like the character had somehow transcended the boundaries of the game, entering a realm that straddled the line between digital and tangible.

    The Flame Mage continued to gaze at me, his crimson eyes alive with a mischievous glint. He tilted his head slightly, and his smile widened, taking on an almost predatory edge. A menu blinked to life, displaying his stats in a way I¡¯d never seen before. Each stat was highlighted with strange symbols around it¡ªarcane glyphs that seemed to move, reshaping themselves with each passing second.

    Name: Flame King Demonic Host

    Level: 70

    Rarity (Natural UR)

    Awakening(Perfect)

    Unique?

    Skill 1 Volcanic End

    Effect:?

    Skill 2 Hell Fire

    Effect:?

    Ultimate?

    Skill: ?????

    ¡°Natural UR? What the hell¡­¡± I muttered, my hand hovering over the keyboard, fingers itching to dig deeper. This wasn¡¯t in any patch notes. I¡¯d read them religiously, trying to find ways to maximize his potential as a free-to-play character. Yet here he was, completely transformed, and far more powerful than anything I could have ever dreamed. I¡¯d been grinding him endlessly, hoping he¡¯d at least become halfway usable in a fire dungeon. But this¡ªthis was something else.

    ¡° Well I have to go now but I will leave you with a gift. A flash of fire and the Mage was gone the room flushed back into darkness besides symbols carved into the floor with fire.

    ¡°352ME R32B66. What is that a code? What am I supposed to do with it?

    Now the mage is gone I was able to click back on the game but I very aware it wasn''t a smart idea. Clicking on the Redemption Code Bar and typing in lead to a dead end. So I tried looking through the event and saw a redemption code their but it also lead to a dead end.

    Then I heard ringing from my phone. So I started Searching for it. The call was long over before I got to. I saw it was a scam number I was going to click off until I saw the letters under the number key. I thought why not and started inputting the code. It took a while but I eventually got something that made some sense.

    ¡° 352ME R32B66= Flame Reborn. Inputting that code gave me something to work with.

 Chapter 4 What World are You from

    The red troll dissolved, leaving a faint smell of sulfur and a faintly pulsing chest. Karlos watched it appear, his heart quickening slightly at the sight of the loot drop, something familiar in this strange and hyper-real landscape.

    ¡°Another win,¡± the mage remarked, flicking his staff casually to dispel the ashes lingering in the air. Despite his relaxed demeanor, his gaze on Karlos was intense, weighing. It wasn¡¯t quite a pity, not exactly, but something with a similar edge¡ªdetached and complex, as though he was both impressed and a little unsettled.

    The knight tilted his head slightly, his voice level but laced with a curious sadness. ¡°You know, Flame Mage, it¡¯s strange to see one of your kind here¡­ in action.¡± His words seemed to hang in the air, thick with an unsaid emotion. ¡°Most warriors with your kind of potential are trained and tempered over years, but you¡­ Well, you were likely thrown in, unready, right?¡±

    Karlos shifted, trying to keep his expression neutral. They know? Or at least they suspected he was from somewhere beyond, though they seemed to think of him as a kind of transitory figure, here to fulfill some mysterious purpose.

    ¡°I¡­guess you could say that,¡± he replied cautiously, his tone unreadable.

    The mage chuckled, though it was more somber than mocking. ¡°I figured as much. I¡¯ve known other visitors like you, collab warriors, right? Fierce, otherworldly, each of you filled with impressive skill¡­ but fleeting. Already half-gone.¡± He exchanged a glance with the knight. ¡°It¡¯s as if we¡¯re fighting with a warrior that doesn¡¯t exist.¡±

    Karlos felt a strange pang at that. It was the same half-respectful, half-mournful tone he imagined people would use when talking about a ghost¡ªlike he was already a memory in their eyes.

    ¡°Tell me, Flame Mage,¡± the knight continued, not unkindly. ¡°Do you ever wonder what will become of you here? Or¡­perhaps you already know.¡± There was a solemn kind of reverence in his gaze, as though he saw Karlos both as a hero and a shadow. ¡°When this ¡®event¡¯ of yours ends, and you return to wherever it is you came from, you¡¯ll leave nothing behind but an echo of your skill¡ªa puppet shell, a silent remnant with no will of its own.¡±

    Karlos blinked, alarmed. He¡¯d used collab characters in his gameplay, and it had always been strange to revisit a character that wasn''t supposed to exist anymore. How do the characters rationalize the characters that don''t exist anymore fighting alongside them? It felt to him the same as a character that is dead fighting alongside them.

    I guess he finally found out the answers to his questions. They became silent, soulless copies of the characters he¡¯d once known, lingering as powerful but unthinking artifacts.

    The mage seemed to read his expression and offered a faint, understanding smile. ¡°It¡¯s tragic, really,¡± he said quietly. ¡°To fight alongside someone of your potential, someone who will fade away. The living ghost of a warrior with strength to match legends¡­ yet destined to be forgotten by those you fought beside. The world will forget you, and what remains won¡¯t even remember us. They¡¯ll call it a myth we can summon, nothing more. Even those who were closest to you will see you as a tool¡ªan empty shell of your former self.

    The knight nodded solemnly. ¡°It¡¯s for the best, really. No sense in getting too attached.¡± He offered a rueful smile, though his eyes held a glint of admiration. ¡°Still, it¡¯s an honor to fight alongside you. Just know that if you fall here, we¡¯ll remember you as one of the best¡ªhowever briefly.¡±

    Karlos tried to keep his face neutral, but inside, he was reeling. He wasn¡¯t sure what felt worse: the idea that they saw him as a doomed visitor, or that they held him in such high regard only because he would soon be reduced to an empty shell. This world treated collaboration characters as legendary, destined warriors but also as inevitable losses¡ªglorious and tragic, precious yet disposable.Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!

    And he couldn¡¯t shake the unsettling realization that maybe, just maybe, they were right.

    Karlos stood there, the chill from the mage¡¯s words settling into his bones. To these people, he was something between a warrior and a ghost, someone they¡¯d recognize as powerful yet ultimately¡­ hollow. The mage¡¯s matter-of-fact tone about ¡°losing his mind¡± unsettled him more than any monster he¡¯d faced here. He might as well have said, When the clock runs out, you¡¯ll just be a shell to us¡ªa puppet with no will of its own.

    It was surreal. In the world of the game, he had always seen collab characters come and go, summoned by players for brief events and vanishing afterward. But he¡¯d never thought of it from the perspective of those living here. To them, the collab heroes were more like walking tragedies, warriors doomed to lose their souls once their purpose was fulfilled.

    The mage watched him with a look that mingled awe and detachment. ¡°I suppose it¡¯s an honor,¡± he continued softly, ¡°to fight alongside someone like you. Powerful, yes, but bound to fade away.¡± His voice held a quiet reverence, as though he was standing in the presence of a ghost who could still act and think but was inevitably fated to disappear.

    The knight sheathed his sword, his expression caught between admiration and resignation. ¡°You know,¡± he said, glancing over his shoulder at Karlos as they moved on, ¡°collab warriors like you¡­ you¡¯re legends in the making, but also reminders that nothing lasts. When we¡¯re back in the capital, there are villagers who remember past visitors¡ªcollabs who came to help us only to vanish and return as empty shades. There¡¯s even a pub where your kind gather to trade stories.¡± His gaze turned distant. ¡°But after your event ends, the ones who stay here with us¡­ they aren¡¯t quite the same.¡±

    Karlos felt the weight of their words, realizing they saw him as something halfway between a hero and a phantom¡ªa relic that would lose its spark. They expected him to vanish one day and return as just another silent, obedient vessel, left to be used by players without memory or personality.

    He forced a smile, though it felt hollow. ¡°Well, guess I¡¯ll just have to make an impression while I¡¯m here, right?¡±

    The mage chuckled, a sad, knowing sound. ¡°That¡¯s the spirit, Flame Mage. Make your mark, while you can. Just know that when the event ends¡­ we¡¯ll remember you, even if you forget us.¡±

    As they moved on, Karlos felt a strange comfort in the way they saw him. It wasn¡¯t quite pity, yet it wasn¡¯t simple camaraderie either. To them, he was a warrior of immense potential, yet not truly one of them. They respected him deeply, but they were unwilling to get too close, as though he was already halfway gone.

    And maybe, for now, that was exactly the cover he needed.

    The mage, his expression softened by a flicker of genuine curiosity, fell in step beside Karlos as they moved toward the next chamber. ¡°You know,¡± he began thoughtfully, ¡°you¡¯re not the first collab warrior I¡¯ve had the honor of fighting beside. But each one is so¡­ different. It¡¯s as if each world shapes its champions in wildly unique ways.¡±

    Karlos, still processing the weight of their assumptions, forced a nod. ¡°Oh? Who else have you met?¡±

    The knight chuckled from ahead of them, his armor clinking softly with each step. ¡°Ah, let me tell you! I remember one¡ªa towering woman from some world where everyone wielded swords as large as their own bodies. She had a way with her blade that felt almost like magic itself, and yet, she was as silent as a shadow.¡±

    The mage leaned closer, his eyes shining with excitement. ¡°She wasn¡¯t alone, either. Came with a whole party¡ªa trickster from a world that ran on gears and strange lights, and a healer who could pull power from something she called ¡®the Great Tides.¡¯ I remember them as clear as day, even though they¡¯re gone now.¡± He sighed, looking wistful. ¡°It¡¯s strange. Each one feels so foreign, yet when they¡¯re here, they seem like they belong¡­ until they don¡¯t.¡±

    Karlos raised an eyebrow, intrigued in spite of himself. ¡°Did you ever ask them about their worlds?¡±

    The mage laughed, nodding eagerly. ¡°Oh, you bet I did! I¡¯m a student of magic, after all. One of them described a place where the stars themselves would grant magic to mortals. Another said that people in her world used something called ¡®machines¡¯ instead of magic. It¡¯s fascinating, honestly.¡± He paused, glancing at Karlos with a mixture of admiration and caution. ¡°I¡¯d love to know what it¡¯s like in your world, too¡­ if it¡¯s not a secret.¡±

    The knight nodded. ¡°I remember one who claimed to be a ¡®God of Thunder¡¯ from a realm called Asgard,¡± he added thoughtfully, adjusting the sword at his side. ¡°Had a mighty hammer, could summon lightning at will. He left a strong impression, though he disappeared as all collabs do.¡±

    Karlos¡¯ pulse quickened. In their eyes, these collab characters were legendary figures, warriors from other realities that defied the natural rules of this world. As they swapped stories, Karlos began piecing together a broader view of the collab phenomenon. The other collab units had arrived with specific powers and distinct stories, often inspiring admiration and caution among those in this world.

    The mage grinned, clearly relishing the memory of one such visitor. ¡°There was one, a dark sorceress, who could summon creatures from shadows,¡± he said, leaning closer to Karlos. ¡°She had this aura¡ªlike she was barely here, like one foot was still in her own world. Fascinating woman, but as her time waned, her mind started to¡­ fade. She¡¯d stare off into space, mumbling things we didn¡¯t understand.¡±

    ¡°What¡­ happened to her?¡± Karlos asked, forcing his voice to remain steady.

 Chapter 5: The Devil in the Dungeon.

    The mage¡¯s expression turned somber. ¡°When the event ended, her awareness just¡­ disappeared. She went from being this brilliant, otherworldly sorceress to a shell¡ªa puppet without memories, still wielding power but without a spark of life. We can still call upon her skills in times of need, but it¡¯s like watching a ghost.¡±

    Karlos hesitated, wondering how much he should reveal. But the genuine curiosity in their faces made it hard to resist. ¡°Well,¡± he began slowly, ¡°we don¡¯t have magic the way you do. Our world relies on, uh, machines, kind of like that other collab warrior mentioned. They let us communicate, travel, even learn about each other¡¯s lives without ever meeting. It¡¯s¡­ complicated, but it works.¡±

    The knight raised an eyebrow, clearly fascinated. ¡°No magic at all? Not even for defense?¡±

    ¡°Not in the way you¡¯d expect,¡± Karlos replied, feeling a bit self-conscious. ¡°We use¡­ strategies and tactics, I guess you could say. Most of us don¡¯t wield weapons ourselves; we¡¯ve got, well, groups that defend us. It¡¯s like a different kind of power structure.¡±

    The mage let out a low whistle, looking genuinely impressed. ¡°A world that survives without magic. I wonder what your people would be capable of if they had even a drop of the mana we take for granted here.¡±

    Karlos shifted, half-amused and half-overwhelmed by their fascination. But there was something heartening in their questions; it felt almost like he was regaining some grounding, something that connected him back to where he came from, even if he was here under the strangest of circumstances.

    ¡° We also have that question so we use simulations to answer questions we can not otherwise prove. The answer is quite complicated as with magic technology, sorry machines would probably never be built because it would take too much time for any progress of substance to come into fruition.

    Karlos responded to the question with out realizing he was rambling. ¡°I¡¯m¡­¡±

    The mage interrupted Karlos¡¯s rambling with a gentle chuckle, eyes glittering with the amusement of someone who had seen many worlds pass before him. ¡°It¡¯s quite alright,¡± he said, his voice layered with a warmth that Karlos hadn¡¯t expected. ¡°It¡¯s rare to find people who have such a perspective. For someone from a world without magic, you carry a remarkable aura, like a flame that won¡¯t easily be snuffed out.¡±

    Karlos paused, a bit startled by the mage¡¯s keen insight, wondering if he¡¯d just let slip too much. Yet, beneath the mage¡¯s calm gaze, there was something deeper¡ªa knowing look, as though he was aware of truths beyond what was said. It was unnervingly close to the feeling of prophecy, as if the mage was reading thoughts Karlos hadn¡¯t voiced.

    The knight observed this exchange with a respectful nod. ¡°I¡¯d say we¡¯ve met more than just a normal collab warrior,¡± he remarked, his voice rich with a calm certainty.

    Karlos shifted uncomfortably under the knight¡¯s gaze. The weight of his words carried an expectation Karlos wasn¡¯t sure he could meet. ¡°I¡¯m just trying to make sense of all this,¡± he admitted, his voice quieter than before. ¡°I didn¡¯t ask to be here, and I don¡¯t even know if I¡¯ll be able to go back. But I¡¯ll do what I can while I¡¯m stuck here.¡±

    The knight¡¯s lips twitched into a faint smile. ¡°Sometimes, being thrust into a situation we didn¡¯t choose is what forges us into what we¡¯re meant to be. The flame of the forge doesn¡¯t ask permission to shape the blade.¡±

    The mage nodded in agreement. ¡°True. And if I may be bold, Karlos, you seem like the kind of person who thrives under pressure. Your world sounds like it requires constant innovation, adaptation. Perhaps that¡¯s why you were chosen¡ªwhether by fate or by the whims of whatever power brought you here.¡±

    This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    Karlos frowned, his thoughts swirling. Chosen? The idea of being chosen for anything felt strange, almost laughable. Back home, he was just a gamer, someone who spent more time in fictional worlds than dealing with the chaos of reality. He certainly didn¡¯t feel like someone destined for greatness. But here, in this world of mana and magic, he couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that every step he took was leading him toward something bigger¡ªsomething he wasn¡¯t sure he wanted to face.

    ¡°I¡¯m not sure I believe in fate,¡± Karlos said carefully, ¡°but if there¡¯s one thing my world has taught me, it¡¯s that you don¡¯t have to be special to make a difference. You just have to try.¡±

    The knight¡¯s smile broadened, and he clasped a hand on Karlos¡¯s shoulder, the weight surprisingly reassuring. ¡°Wise words for someone so young. Perhaps you¡¯re more a warrior than you realize.¡±

    Before Karlos could respond, the mage¡¯s attention shifted, his expression growing serious. He raised a hand, and the air around them shimmered faintly with mana. ¡°Someone¡¯s coming,¡± he murmured, his voice low.

    The knight immediately straightened, his hand moving to the hilt of his sword. ¡°Friend or foe?¡± he asked.

    The mage¡¯s eyes narrowed as he concentrated. ¡°It¡¯s hard to say. The mana signature is¡­ unusual. Not hostile, but not entirely familiar either.¡±

    Karlos felt a chill crawl up his spine as he instinctively stepped closer to the others. ¡°Unusual how?¡± he asked, his voice tight.

    The mage hesitated, as though choosing his words carefully. ¡°It¡¯s as though they¡¯re not fully tethered to this plane. Their presence flickers¡ªhere, then gone, like a flame struggling against the wind.¡±

    The knight nodded grimly, his grip on his sword tightening. ¡°Stay behind us, Flame Mage. Whatever it is, we¡¯ll handle it.¡±

    Knowing what he was doing was but couldn''t help it Karlos shook his head, surprising even himself with the firmness in his voice. ¡°No. If this involves me¡ªif this world is trying to pull me into something¡ªI can¡¯t just stand back and watch.¡± He reached for the staff strapped to his back, its familiar weight grounding him despite the rising tension. ¡°I¡¯m not a warrior like you, but I can fight.¡±

    The knight gave him an appraising look before nodding. ¡°Very well. Stand with us, then.¡±

    The mage¡¯s lips twitched into a small smile. ¡°Perhaps you¡¯re more than just a visitor after all.¡±

    A ripple of mana surged through the air, and the ground beneath their feet seemed to hum with energy. The tension was palpable as a figure emerged from the shadows of the trees, their form cloaked in a strange, iridescent light. Karlos tightened his grip on his staff, his heart pounding as the figure stepped closer, their face obscured but their voice clear.

    ¡°You¡¯ve come far, Karlos,¡± the figure said, their tone calm yet unnervingly knowing. ¡°But your journey is just beginning.¡±

    Karlos swallowed hard, every instinct screaming at him to run. But he stood his ground, his voice steady despite the fear gnawing at him. ¡°Who are you?¡±

    The figure tilted their head, the iridescent light around them pulsing gently. ¡°Someone who knows what you¡¯re capable of.

    Karlos Get behind Godfrey the Mage shouted As he casted a barrier.

    Grow strong enough to be worthy of being my vessel. The figure iridescent aura slowly morphed into a dark purple. The aura lengthens and the light morphing until it reaches a blood-red color.

    The aura lashed out fast like a whip and shattered the barrier like glass. It continued it path and struck the mage in the stomach but retracted before it could go further.

    Turning towards the knight a long sword was also wedged deep into his plated armor exiting the back.

    The figure¡¯s voice echoed like a chorus of whispers, each tone resonating with malice and something older¡ªprimal, as if it had existed long before the world they stood upon. Karlos¡¯s stomach churned at the sight of the knight staggering back, his armor groaning as the sword embedded in him disintegrated into nothing but smoke. Godfrey, the mage, collapsed onto one knee, clutching his abdomen where the lash had struck, his barrier spell reduced to sparkling fragments dissipating in the air.

    Karlos tightened his grip on his staff, his knuckles whitening. The scene felt surreal, like a nightmare dragged out of one of the many fantasy games he¡¯d poured his life into. But this wasn¡¯t a game¡ªhe couldn¡¯t reload a save or respawn here.

    The figure stood motionless, their iridescent aura now fully consumed by the dark crimson light that wavered like fire, licking hungrily at the air around them. Despite the destruction they¡¯d caused, their stance remained relaxed, almost casual, as though this were nothing but an idle warm-up.

    ¡° It is a game at least it was to you. You are now a character. So if I kill you now as long as I don''t use my Hell¡¯s Agony you won¡¯t permanently die not in a dungeon at least. Though you might be come a puppet a bit to earlier for my liking.

    Karlos stepped forward instinctively, fear clawing at him but pushed down by an unexpected surge of anger. ¡°You¡¯re not taking me,¡± he growled. ¡°I don¡¯t care what you think I¡¯m worth to you.¡±

    The figure chuckled¡ªa sound that resonated like breaking glass. ¡°Oh, Karlos, you misunderstand. I don¡¯t need to take you. Not yet.¡± The glow around them surged, shifting from blood-red to a deeper, blackened hue as they advanced. ¡°You¡¯ll come to me, willingly or not. It¡¯s only a matter of time.¡±

    ¡°Not if I burn you to ash first,¡± Karlos snapped, lifting his staff. He felt the rush of mana flooding through him, the fiery energy surging as if it had been waiting for this moment. The flames at the staff¡¯s tip roared to life, illuminating the darkened clearing with an amber glow that cast long shadows.

    The figure¡¯s head tilted as though amused. ¡°Good. Anger fuels the fire. Let it grow.¡±

 Chapter 6: Veiled by Fire

    The figure¡¯s taunting words slithered into Karlos¡¯s mind, coiling there like venomous serpents. He tightened his grip on the staff, his fiery aura flaring brighter in defiance. The clearing¡¯s oppressive darkness seemed to recoil slightly from the intensity of his flames, but the figure remained unshaken.

    ¡°I¡¯m not your puppet,¡± Karlos said firmly, though his voice wavered with the sheer weight of the situation.

    The mage, still on one knee, forced himself to rise. His face was pale, sweat dripping from his brow as he muttered an incantation. Blue runes began circling his form, weaving into a protective barrier. ¡°Karlos,¡± Ramagnus said, his voice strained but resolute, ¡°don¡¯t let him manipulate you. Stay focused.¡±

    Godfrey groaned as he ripped off his damaged chest plate, blood staining his tunic beneath. Despite his injuries, the knight rose to his feet, his broadsword held steady. ¡°Mage, focus on shielding the boy. I¡¯ll hold this fiend off as long as I can.¡±

    ¡°No.¡± Karlos¡¯s voice cut through their planning like a blade. Both the mage and knight turned to him, surprised. ¡°This is my fight.¡±

    The figure let out a low, hollow laugh. ¡°Brave words for someone so out of their depth.¡± The figure looked around the dungeon and ¡°said a training dungeon? You are at the right level for it to help. So I guess you¡¯ll get an additional gift from me. The figure said with his left hand raising slightly. A violet flame manifests itself in the center of his outstretched palm.

    ¡° Manifest and eradicate Hazy flame.¡± The Violet flame stretched out in every direction from the figure leaving. It impacted the walls of the dungeon and grew a darker hue of purple. The flames slowly consumed the walls using them as fuel to continue incinerating them.

    The figure¡¯s taunting laugh reverberated through the dungeon as violet flames stretched outward from his palm, devouring the walls of the training dungeon with a voracious hunger. The flames shifted and pulsed like a living entity, darkening to a deeper, more sinister purple with each second. Yet, despite their destructive force, they curled protectively around Karlos, Ramagnus, and Godfrey, as if deliberately avoiding them.

    Karlos felt the heat radiating from the flames but realized, to his confusion, that they didn¡¯t harm him. The air shimmered with the intensity of the fire, yet it left an odd, hollow chill in its wake. The ground beneath their feet trembled as the dungeon¡¯s structure protested the unnatural assault.

    Godfrey snarled, gripping his broadsword tighter. ¡°What is this devilry?!¡± His battle-worn armor clinked faintly as he shifted his stance, preparing to charge despite his obvious injuries.

    Ramagnus, still shrouded in blue runes, studied the violet flames with a furrowed brow. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ controlled destruction,¡± he murmured, almost in awe. ¡°This fire isn¡¯t meant to kill us¡ªit¡¯s a display. A statement.¡±

    Karlos¡¯s eyes flicked back to the figure, whose silhouette was framed by the unholy inferno. The figure¡¯s aura exuded an unnerving mix of authority and chaos, his body unmoving as the flames did his bidding.

    ¡°I told you,¡± the figure said, his voice low and velvety, carrying an undercurrent of malice. ¡°You¡¯re not ready to face me. But since you insist on defiance, I¡¯ll give you¡­ a demonstration.¡± He gestured broadly, the flames twisting and writhing in response. They formed spiraling tendrils that danced menacingly around the trio, tracing arcs in the air like serpents poised to strike.

    Karlos stepped forward, the staff in his hand igniting with his fire¡ªfierce and bright against the figure¡¯s oppressive flames. ¡°You think this is enough to scare me?¡± he said, though his voice betrayed the smallest tremor. ¡°All you¡¯re doing is proving how much you want me to give up. I won¡¯t.¡±

    The figure tilted his head slightly, as though amused. ¡°Scare you?¡± he mused. ¡°No. This isn¡¯t fear, boy. This is a revelation.¡± With a flick of his wrist, a concentrated stream of violet fire shot past Karlos, narrowly missing his shoulder. It struck the far end of the dungeon, shattering the stone and opening a deep chasm. The violet flames lingered there, eating away at the edges of the gap like acid.

    Ramagnus raised a trembling hand. ¡°Karlos! Don¡¯t let him bait you! This power¡ª it''s not natural not of this world the dungeons are !¡±

    ¡° Ahh shut up.¡± The figure gestured with his hand as the flame transformed into a spear and stabbed the mage in the leg. SplatEnsure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

    But Karlos didn¡¯t move. Instead, he glared at the figure, his fiery aura surging. ¡°If you¡¯re so strong, why are you holding back?¡± he shouted. ¡°Why don¡¯t you just finish this?¡±

    The figure¡¯s hollow laugh echoed again. ¡°Holding back?¡± He extended his hand, and the violet flames coalesced into a massive sphere above him, pulsating ominously. ¡°This is me holding back. But you¡¯re right¡ªit wouldn¡¯t be fair to test you without pushing a little harder.¡±

    The sphere split into dozens of smaller orbs, each crackling with unstable energy. They hovered menacingly, shifting erratically as if waiting for the figure¡¯s command.

    Karlos stared at the violet flames, his earlier bravado unraveling as the oppressive orbs hung in the air like tiny harbingers of doom. His hands trembled around the staff, the searing heat of his fire suddenly feeling insignificant. His legs felt like they were made of lead, his body rooted in place by fear he couldn¡¯t push aside.

    ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t¡­¡± he stammered, the words catching in his throat as his thoughts raced. This wasn¡¯t a game anymore. This wasn¡¯t some grand adventure. This was death staring him in the face, taunting him, waiting for him to falter. He wasn¡¯t ready for this¡ªhow could he be?

    Ramagnus groaned, clutching his bleeding leg as the fiery spear embedded in his flesh crackled faintly. ¡°Karlos!¡± he rasped, his voice cutting through the boy¡¯s spiraling thoughts. ¡°We¡¯re still here! Focus!¡±

    Godfrey bellowed, stepping between Karlos and the figure with a defiant glare. Blood seeped through the rents in his tunic, but his stance was unyielding, his broad shoulders forming an unshakable wall. ¡°Boy, pull yourself together!¡± he barked. ¡°You¡¯re not alone in this!¡±

    The knight¡¯s words broke through Karlos¡¯s paralysis. His breath came in short, sharp gasps, but he managed to steady himself. He wasn¡¯t alone. Godfrey and Ramagnus were both fighting, even though they were injured and outmatched. If they could stand against this monster, then so could he¡ªno matter how terrified he felt.

    ¡°You¡¯re wrong,¡± Karlos said, his voice weak at first but growing stronger. He tightened his grip on the staff, willing the flames around it to burn brighter, fiercer. ¡°I am afraid. But I¡¯m not going to let that stop me.¡±

    The figure tilted his head, his expression unreadable. ¡°Good,¡± he said simply. ¡°Fear is useful. It sharpens the mind. But it won¡¯t save you.¡±

    With a flick of his wrist, the hovering orbs of violet flame hurtled forward. They split apart midair, each one targeting a different point in the room. One streaked toward Karlos, another toward Godfrey, and a third toward the wounded Ramagnus.

    The violet flame orb streaked toward Godfrey with unerring precision, faster than even the knight¡¯s trained reflexes could counter. His broadsword was raised, ready to deflect the attack, but the projectile did something unnatural¡ªit phased cleanly through the blade. Godfrey¡¯s breath hitched as the orb halted mere inches from his face, the searing heat causing beads of sweat to form on his brow.

    The figure¡¯s low, amused voice cut through the tension. ¡°You¡¯re dead,¡± he said, as casually as if stating the weather. Then, with a lazy flick of his wrist, the orb dissipated into harmless embers. He turned his gaze toward Karlos, a crooked grin pulling at the edges of his shadowed features. ¡°One down, one to go.¡±

    Godfrey stumbled back a step, his chest heaving as he processed what had just happened. He wasn¡¯t dead. The figure had spared him, deliberately. A mixture of relief and frustration warred on his face as he tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword. ¡°Damn him,¡± he muttered under his breath. ¡°He¡¯s toying with us.¡±

    Ramagnus, still clutching his injured leg, grimaced. ¡°This isn¡¯t a fight. It¡¯s a lesson. He¡¯s making it painfully clear how easily he could end this if he wanted to.¡±

    Karlos¡¯s flames wavered momentarily as he stared at the figure, the meaning of his words sinking in. The figure wasn¡¯t here to kill them¡ªnot yet, anyway. He was proving a point, showing Karlos and his companions just how far out of their depth they were. The realization brought a fresh wave of frustration and anger bubbling to the surface, overpowering the fear that had gripped him moments ago.

    ¡°Stop playing games!¡± Karlos shouted, his voice cracking with a mixture of defiance and desperation. He slammed the butt of his staff into the ground, his fiery aura reigniting with renewed fervor. ¡°If you¡¯re so powerful, then stop wasting time and fight me for real!¡±

    The figure tilted his head, his grin widening. ¡°And deprive you of the opportunity to grow? How cruel do you think I am?¡± His tone was mocking, but his words carried an odd undercurrent of sincerity. He gestured again, sending another wave of violet flames spiraling into the air. This time, the tendrils formed an intricate lattice above them, creating a dome-like barrier that sealed off any possible escape.

    ¡°This is your trial, Karlos,¡± the figure continued, his voice echoing ominously within the flame-bound chamber. ¡°Show me your resolve. Prove to me that you¡¯re worth my time. ¡±

    The figure¡¯s grin widened as he raised his hand. A sudden streak of red flashed through the air. Before Karlos could react, something collided with his forehead with the force of a falling boulder.

    THWACK!

    Karlos didn¡¯t even have time to process what hit him before the sheer weight of the impact sent him stumbling backward. His vision blurred, and a sharp, searing pain spread across his skull. With a dull thud, he toppled backward, landing unceremoniously on the dungeon floor.

    The object responsible¡ªa massive, red leather-bound tome¡ªlanded beside him with a sound like thunder, its presence as imposing as the figure who had thrown it.

    ¡°The tome,¡± Karlos muttered from his laid-out position, his eyes wide, ¡°is as thick as if every volume of a beloved fantasy series had been combined¡­ and then printed in Braille.¡± His tone was equal parts awe and horror.

    Godfrey, glancing between Karlos¡¯s prone form and the ominous book, grumbled, ¡°What kind of madman weaponizes literature?¡±

    Karlos¡¯s muffled voice groaned from the floor. ¡°Ow¡­ Why is that thing so heavy?¡± His arms flailed weakly as he tried to push himself up, but the sheer weight of the tome¡¯s insult to his dignity pinned him in place.

    The figure¡¯s laughter echoed through the chamber, the sound rich with amusement. ¡°Consider that my gift to you,¡± he said, gesturing toward the tome. ¡°A training manual, of sorts. If you survive this trial, perhaps you¡¯ll even be able to lift it without embarrassing yourself.¡±

    Karlos, now flat on his back, groaned again. ¡°This is not how training dungeons are supposed to work¡­¡± The pain in his forehead throbbed, matching the tempo of his heartbeat.

    As Godfrey leaned over to check if Karlos was conscious, the boy¡¯s head lolled to the side, his eyes rolling back. ¡°Yup,¡± the knight muttered dryly, standing and dusting off his armor. ¡°He¡¯s out cold.¡±

 Chapter 7: Casper the Firey Ghost Part 1

    As Godfrey leaned over to check if Karlos was conscious, the boy¡¯s head lolled to the side, his eyes rolling back. ¡°Yup,¡± the knight muttered dryly, standing and dusting off his armor. ¡°He¡¯s out cold.¡±

    The dungeon¡¯s oppressive atmosphere weighed heavier than ever as the knight shifted his gaze to the rest of his surroundings. Merlin, leaning heavily against the cracked wall, was pale, clutching his leg where a of violet crystal spear protruded. His breaths came shallow and labored, sweat plastering his hair to his forehead. Godfrey narrowed his eyes, taking in the sight of his battered comrade.

    ¡°Merlin,¡± Godfrey barked, stepping over Karlos¡¯ limp form to kneel beside the mage. ¡°How bad is it?¡±

    Merlin grimaced, managing a dry chuckle despite the situation. ¡°Bad enough,¡± he hissed through clenched teeth. His usual composure was cracking under the pain. ¡°I¡¯d ask you to pull this out, but unless you¡¯re also trained in magical surgery, I¡¯d rather not bleed out here.¡±

    Godfrey¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line as he assessed the wound. The crystalline shard pulsed faintly, the same violet hue as the flames that danced mockingly around the enormous drum in the center of the chamber. He had no idea what pulling it out would do, but leaving it in was clearly draining Merlin¡¯s strength.

    Before he could respond, the violet flames crackled with renewed intensity, interrupting the knight¡¯s thoughts. Four massive hands, each wielding drumsticks made of flickering fire, started their theatrical performance, striking an enormous drum with thunderous precision. The shockwaves rippled through the air, vibrating the stone beneath their feet. Godfrey looked up sharply, his grip tightening on his sword.

    ¡°Two down, zero to go,¡± boomed the flame figure, its voice dripping with playful menace. ¡°Can I get a drumroll, please?¡±

    Godfrey¡¯s jaw clenched. Karlos was unconscious, Merlin was wounded, and their rogue¡ªdamn it, where was the rogue? His stomach dropped as the realization hit him. The demon. It must have taken them. A bitter curse escaped his lips as he scanned the room for any sign of their missing companion, but the only answer was the relentless drumbeat and the mocking flames.

    ¡°You¡¯re kidding me,¡± Godfrey muttered under his breath, rising to his feet. He glanced back at Merlin. ¡°Stay here. I¡¯ll deal with this.¡±

    Merlin snorted weakly. ¡°Not exactly in a position to argue.¡±

    The drumroll intensified, the sound reverberating through the chamber. The figure in the flames seemed to revel in the chaos it was creating, its fiery hands moving faster and faster until the final, thunderous bang rang out, silencing the room. The air grew thick and cold, the oppressive energy suffocating.

    Then came the voice again, cutting through the silence with infuriating smugness. ¡°Would you like to leave a ten-star review? Hint: if you give me less than a 10, I¡¯ll keep you here long enough for your mage to read that book 10 times over. .¡±

    Godfrey turned slowly, his expression a mask of cold fury as he faced the mocking flames. ¡°You¡¯re joking,¡± he said flatly.

    The flames shifted, forming the vague silhouette of a shrug. ¡°Oh, I¡¯m very serious. Ten stars, knight. That¡¯s the minimum for expedited service these days.¡±

    Godfrey glared at the flickering entity. ¡°You¡¯ve knocked out one of my mages, injured the other, kidnapped my rogue, and now you¡¯re extorting a review out of me? For what, exactly? Your resume?¡±

    The flames pulsed brighter, their glow radiating smug satisfaction. ¡°A career dungeon flame needs credentials, you know. You think this job comes with perks? No. I have to earn them.¡±

    Godfrey¡¯s patience, already worn thin, snapped. ¡°Fine. Ten stars. Whatever gets you out of my way.¡±Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

    A long pause. The flames tilted as if considering his response. ¡°No, no, no,¡± the entity chided. ¡°That won¡¯t do. Say it like you mean it, knight. Conviction, enthusiasm! Think of it as¡­ a performance review.¡±

    Godfrey¡¯s grip on his sword tightened until his knuckles turned white. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. ¡°Fine,¡± he growled through gritted teeth. ¡°Ten. Stars. This was the most¡­ enlightening experience of my life. So give me back the rogue.¡±

    The flames erupted into laughter, the sound echoing through the chamber. ¡°Now, that¡¯s more like it! Sir Ten Stars, your express checkout awaits!¡±

    With a final, resounding crash of the drum, the flames exploded into a cascade of violet sparks, illuminating the chamber in brilliant light before fading into darkness. The oppressive air lifted, leaving an eerie silence in its wake.

    Godfrey sheathed his sword, turning back to Merlin and Karlos. The mage was pale but stable, his breathing shallow. ¡°We need to get moving,¡± the knight muttered, slinging Karlos over one shoulder. ¡°And we¡¯re getting our rogue back.¡±

    Merlin raised an eyebrow, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips despite the pain. ¡°Always the optimist.¡±

    ¡°Call it stubbornness,¡± Godfrey replied, starting down the darkened hallway. ¡°I¡¯m not leaving anyone behind.¡±

    As they emerged from the dimly lit corridor, the tension in the air shifted. The oppressive energy that had suffused the dungeon began to dissipate, replaced by something lighter, almost mischievous. Godfrey adjusted Karlos¡¯ unconscious form on his shoulder and glanced back at Merlin, who hobbled along, leaning heavily on the cracked staff he¡¯d conjured from his remaining energy. Despite his injury, the mage¡¯s sharp eyes scanned the area, a flicker of suspicion etched across his face.

    The entrance of the dungeon came into view, and the scene awaiting them was so absurd it almost made Godfrey drop Karlos.

    The once-mighty flame figure, with its dramatic drumming and booming voice, was now the size of a small, floating ember. Its violet hue flickered faintly as it zipped around like an overexcited firefly. The sight was almost¡­ adorable, if one ignored its earlier theatrics. It darted in circles, chittering nonsense like an overeager child who¡¯d consumed far too much sugar.

    Hovering nearby, the imposing figure they had assumed to be the flame¡¯s master¡ªor perhaps a tormentor¡ªstood leaning against the dungeon¡¯s jagged wall. The figure, clad in shadowy armor that shimmered with streaks of molten red, was doubled over in laughter. Its voice, a deep and gravelly rumble, reverberated across the chamber as it watched the flame¡¯s antics.

    ¡°Casper, you idiot,¡± the figure wheezed between guffaws, clutching its sides. ¡°You¡¯re going to burn yourself out if you keep flitting around like that!¡±

    The flame, now apparently dubbed Casper, zipped right up to the armored figure¡¯s face. ¡°But I did so good! Ten stars! TEN! Do you have any idea how long I¡¯ve been waiting for a knight to actually say that?¡±

    The figure only laughed harder, its helm tilting back as it slapped the wall for support. ¡°You¡¯re killing me, Casper. Ten stars? That¡¯s your peak accomplishment?¡±

    Godfrey cleared his throat loudly, drawing their attention. Casper froze mid-flight, its tiny form trembling with excitement as it spun to face them. ¡°You¡¯re back! Did you miss me already? Want to give me another review? Maybe an eleven this time?¡±

    ¡°Where¡¯s our rogue?¡± Godfrey growled, his voice low and dangerous.

    As if on cue, a rustling sound came from behind the shadowy figure. The rogue¡ªdusty, disheveled, and clearly trying to fade into the shadows¡ªwas doing a spectacularly poor job of sneaking away. Every step they took sent small rocks skittering across the floor, the sound echoing loudly in the now-silent chamber.

    The flame figure¡¯s laughter turned to gleeful chirping. ¡°Oh, there they are! Silly rogue thought they could sneak past me. Casper sees all!¡± It darted toward the rogue, its faint heat making them flinch.

    The rogue froze, throwing their hands up in mock surrender. ¡°All right, all right! I wasn¡¯t running, just¡­ stretching my legs after being tied up. You know how it is.¡±

    ¡°Stretching, huh?¡± Godfrey deadpanned, his expression unimpressed. ¡°You looked like you were about to bolt.¡±

    ¡°Me? Run? From this?¡± The rogue gestured vaguely at the dungeon, the flames, and the still-laughing shadowy figure. ¡°Never.¡±

    ¡°Liar,¡± Merlin muttered, his voice hoarse but sharp. ¡°And you¡¯re terrible at it.¡±

    The rogue smirked, brushing some dirt off their leather armor. ¡°I¡¯d like to see you do better with a violet flame breathing down your neck and this lunatic telling bad jokes.¡±

    ¡°Hey!¡± the armored figure barked, mock indignation replacing their laughter. ¡°My jokes are excellent. And for the record, I didn¡¯t tie you up¡ªthat was all Casper.¡±

    Casper zipped in triumphantly. ¡°They were wriggly! And I didn¡¯t want them ruining my perfect ten-star moment!¡±

    Godfrey set Karlos down gently against the wall and stepped closer, towering over the rogue. ¡°Are you hurt?¡± His tone left no room for evasion.

    The rogue blinked, surprised by the knight¡¯s blunt concern. ¡°No. Just my pride.¡±

    ¡°Good. Then you¡¯re walking.¡± Godfrey turned back to Merlin, whose breathing was still labored. ¡°We¡¯re leaving. Now.¡±

    The rogue opened their mouth to protest, but the flame flitted closer, bobbing like an eager puppy. ¡°Wait! Before you go, don¡¯t you want to sign a official review. ? It''s a official review and you didn''t get me anything for my last birthday. So this would be the perfect present.¡±

    Godfrey stared at the flame¡ªCasper, apparently¡ªin utter disbelief. His patience, already tested to its breaking point, teetered on the edge of imploding. He glanced over at Merlin, who looked as though he might keel over any second, then at the rogue, who was smirking as if enjoying the absurdity of the situation. Karlos remained unconscious, blissfully unaware of the chaos around them.

    ¡°Official review?¡± Godfrey repeated, his voice flat and dangerously calm.

 Chapter 8: Casper the Firey Ghost Part 2

    Godfrey stared at the flame¡ªCasper, apparently¡ªin utter disbelief. His patience, already tested to its breaking point, teetered on the edge of imploding. He glanced over at Merlin, who looked as though he might keel over any second, then at the rogue, who was smirking as if enjoying the absurdity of the situation. Karlos remained unconscious, blissfully unaware of the chaos around them.

    ¡°Official review?¡± Godfrey repeated, his voice flat and dangerously calm.

    Casper bobbed enthusiastically, its faint glow pulsating like a heartbeat. ¡°Yes! A proper signature! Something tangible! You knights and mages are always so serious, but don¡¯t you think it¡¯s nice to leave a mark of your experience? A legacy of ten-star service!¡±

    The armored figure¡ªstill clearly entertained by the flame¡¯s antics¡ªpushed off the wall and clapped their hands together. ¡°Oh, I love this. Please, knight, indulge the little guy. He¡¯s been dreaming about this for centuries.¡±

    ¡°Centuries?¡± Merlin muttered weakly, his voice a rasp. ¡°You¡¯re telling me this thing¡¯s been harassing adventurers for that long?¡±

    ¡°Not harassing!¡± Casper chirped indignantly. ¡°Refining the art of dungeon hospitality! You wouldn¡¯t understand. It¡¯s a niche craft.¡±

    Godfrey pinched the bridge of his nose and inhaled deeply, summoning every ounce of composure he had left. ¡°Casper,¡± he said, his tone carefully measured, ¡°I am tired. My mage is wounded, my rogue was tied up for reasons I can¡¯t even begin to fathom, and I have an unconscious teenager over there who probably thinks this is all some fever dream. I am not signing anything.¡±

    Casper¡¯s glow dimmed, and it drooped dramatically. ¡°But¡­ it¡¯s my legacy,¡± it whispered, voice quivering.

    The rogue snorted, barely suppressing a laugh. ¡°Godfrey, just sign it. What¡¯s the harm? You might even get a discount on your next death trap.¡±

    Godfrey shot the rogue a withering glare before turning back to the flame. ¡°Fine. You want a legacy? I¡¯ll give you one.¡± He drew his sword with a flourish and etched a crude ¡°X¡± into the stone floor beneath Casper¡¯s hovering form. ¡°There. Consider it signed.¡±

    Casper spun in a dizzying circle, emitting a delighted squeal. ¡°Oh, this is perfect! A signature! A real, knightly signature! I can¡¯t wait to show this to the other dungeon spirits¡ªthey¡¯ll be so jealous!¡±

    The armored figure chuckled, folding their arms as they watched the scene unfold. ¡°You know, Casper, you might want to leave out the part where you were bribing knights for stars. Doesn¡¯t exactly scream professionalism.¡±

    Casper ignored the remark, too busy buzzing around its precious ¡°signature¡± like an artist admiring a masterpiece. ¡°Best day ever!¡± it proclaimed.

    ¡°Good for you,¡± Godfrey muttered, already turning away. ¡°Let¡¯s move.¡±

    The rogue sidled up next to Merlin, offering a shoulder for support despite their earlier antics. ¡°You know, this might actually be the weirdest dungeon I¡¯ve ever been in. And I once got stuck in one where the final boss was just¡­ a really angry chicken.¡±

    ¡°Sounds peaceful compared to this,¡± Merlin replied dryly, wincing as they began to move.

    As the group made their way to the exit, Casper¡¯s voice called after them. ¡°Come back soon! Remember¡ªCasper¡¯s Violet Inferno Dungeon is always open! Tell your friends!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d rather walk into the Void itself,¡± Godfrey muttered, his voice low enough that only Merlin caught it. The mage chuckled weakly, shaking his head.

    As they emerged into the open air, the tension that had weighed them down inside the dungeon finally lifted. The sky was a muted gray, the sun struggling to break through the clouds, but to Godfrey, it felt like freedom.

    ¡°Next time,¡± the knight said, glancing at the rogue, ¡°you¡¯re not splitting off from the group.¡±

    The rogue grinned, unrepentant. ¡°What can I say? I like to keep things interesting.¡±

    Godfrey shook his head, too exhausted to argue. He glanced at Karlos, who was still unconscious but beginning to stir. ¡°And as for him¡­¡±

    ¡°Let me guess,¡± Merlin interjected, his voice tinged with amusement. ¡°You¡¯re blaming him for all this, too?¡±The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

    ¡°No,¡± Godfrey said, a faint smile breaking through his stern expression. ¡°But I am making him write the next review.¡±

    Godfrey had just begun to enjoy the sweet taste of freedom when the high-pitched voice of the flaming spirit pierced the air behind them.

    ¡°Wait! You forgot your book!¡±

    The knight froze mid-step, his jaw tightening as a muscle in his temple visibly twitched. Merlin, barely able to stand without leaning on the rogue, groaned. ¡°Tell me it¡¯s not following us.¡±

    The rogue turned, stifling a laugh as Casper floated out of the dungeon, a weathered, purple-bound book clutched between two fiery tendrils. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s following us. And it brought reading material.¡±

    Godfrey¡¯s grip on his sword tightened, but instead of unleashing the frustration burning within him, he spun around and faced Casper with an expression of forced calm. ¡°Casper,¡± he began, his tone deadly soft, ¡°we¡¯re leaving. We don¡¯t need the book.¡±

    ¡°But you do!¡± Casper protested, waving the book energetically. ¡°Every adventurer who completes my dungeon gets an official logbook. It¡¯s tradition! You can document all your victories, mishaps, and memories! It even comes with a quill and enchanted ink¡ªnever runs dry!¡±

    The rogue let out a low whistle, clearly impressed despite the absurdity of the situation. ¡°That¡¯s actually not a bad deal. Free gear. You sure you don¡¯t want it, Godfrey?¡±

    Godfrey closed his eyes, silently counting to ten. It didn¡¯t help. ¡°Casper,¡± he said through gritted teeth, ¡°if I take that book, will you stop following us?¡±

    The flame bobbed enthusiastically, its glow brightening. ¡°Absolutely! And you can even¡ª¡±

    ¡°Fine,¡± Godfrey interrupted, snatching the book out of the spirit¡¯s tendrils before it could finish its sales pitch. ¡°There. Taken. Now go back to your¡­ niche craft.¡±

    Casper buzzed in delight, twirling in the air. ¡°Oh, this is wonderful! Thank you, Sir Knight! Remember, when you¡¯re telling your friends about Casper¡¯s Violet Inferno Dungeon, emphasize the ambiance. I worked really hard on the ambiance!¡±

    Godfrey didn¡¯t dignify that with a response. He turned on his heel and resumed walking, the rogue chuckling beside him. ¡°I think Casper really likes you, Godfrey. Maybe you¡¯ve got a knack for dungeon spirits.¡±

    ¡°Say one more word,¡± Godfrey warned, ¡°and I¡¯ll leave you in the next dungeon we find.¡±

    The rogue raised his hands in mock surrender. ¡°Touchy. Got it.¡±

    Behind them, Casper¡¯s cheerful voice echoed one last time. ¡°Come back soon! Remember, five-star reviews keep the dungeon alive!¡±

    As the dungeon entrance faded from view, Merlin finally spoke up, his voice dry. ¡°Do you think it knows we¡¯re never coming back?¡±

    Godfrey exhaled, his expression dark. ¡°If it doesn¡¯t, it will figure it out soon enough.¡±

    The knight glanced down at the book in his hand. Against his better judgment, he cracked it open, revealing pages already filled with glowing script. To his horror, the entries documented every single moment of their time in the dungeon¡ªright down to his sarcastic ¡°signature.¡±

    ¡°This thing¡¯s enchanted,¡± he muttered, flipping through the pages.

    The rogue peered over his shoulder. ¡°Ooh, it¡¯s like a journal! Look, it even recorded that time you¡ª¡±

    Godfrey snapped the book shut with a resounding thud and fixed the rogue with a glare. ¡°Not. Another. Word.¡±

    Merlin chuckled softly, his amusement breaking through his exhaustion. ¡°You know, Godfrey, you might actually need that book. For posterity.¡±

    The knight didn¡¯t respond, though the corners of his mouth twitched upward ever so slightly. As they pressed onward, the tension eased, replaced by a shared understanding that they had, somehow, survived yet another ridiculous adventure.

    And somewhere far behind them, Casper floated back into the depths of the dungeon, humming a tune as it admired its latest ¡°guest log.¡±

    ¡°Best day ever,¡± it whispered to itself, glowing brighter than ever. Then it remember it has another book it has to give for the ten star review.

    ¡°Wait! You forgot your guest book! How am I supposed to record your thoughts on the ambiance? Or the traps? Or the refreshments?¡±

    Godfrey¡¯s steps slowed as his shoulders stiffened. He turned slightly, casting a murderous glance over his shoulder. The flaming specter hovered anxiously at the dungeon entrance, holding what looked like a glowing, translucent book. Pages flickered between materializing and disappearing, and a quill floated beside it like an eager pet.

    ¡°Keep walking,¡± Merlin muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. He was leaning heavily on the rogue, who grinned at the spectacle.

    ¡°I think you should go back for it,¡± the rogue teased, clearly enjoying Godfrey¡¯s misery. ¡°Might be your chance to critique the spiked walls.¡±

    Godfrey didn¡¯t dignify that with a response, instead fixing his gaze forward. His grip tightened on his sword, the motion almost meditative. Yet Casper persisted.

    ¡°But your experience is incomplete without proper feedback!¡± the flame cried, its glow growing more frantic. ¡°How will I improve? Do you know how hard it is to get constructive criticism when adventurers are either dying or too busy looting?¡±

    The knight¡¯s gait quickened, his armor clinking with each step. ¡°If you take one more step toward that thing, I will leave you in the next dungeon,¡± he growled at the rogue, who was inching toward Casper with mock curiosity.

    ¡°I¡¯d leave a stellar review for this dungeon,¡± the rogue mused, earning a sharp look from Godfrey. ¡°Five stars: Great fire hazards, an eccentric host, and a bookish exit.¡±

    Casper caught up, flickering with determination. ¡°Don¡¯t worry! I can jot down your comments as we walk! I¡¯m flexible like that. Also, have you considered rating our treasure distribution system? Some say it¡¯s a bit¡­ random, but I pride myself on fairness!¡±

    ¡°Casper,¡± Godfrey warned, his voice low and deadly. ¡°If you continue following us, I will extinguish you myself.¡±

    ¡°Oh, you knights and your dramatics,¡± Casper sighed, sounding almost amused. ¡°Fine, fine. No review, no guest book. But next time¡ª¡±

    ¡°There won¡¯t be a next time,¡± Godfrey interrupted, quickening his pace. ¡°Not for this dungeon. Not for you.¡±

    Casper hovered for a moment, its glow dimming as it processed the rejection. Then, in a burst of defiance, it called out after them, ¡°You¡¯ll be back! They always come back! Especially for the ¡®Heroic Bundle Deal¡¯¡ªfree healing potions with every trap-triggered injury!¡±

    ¡°Still a better sales pitch than yours,¡± Merlin muttered, his lips quirking into a faint smirk despite his exhaustion.

    As the dungeon¡¯s entrance finally faded into the distance and Casper¡¯s voice became an echo in the wind, Godfrey allowed himself a deep breath. The tension began to uncoil in his chest, though the absurdity of the situation left its mark.

    When Karlos stirred, groaning softly, Godfrey¡¯s relief was short-lived. The teen blinked up at the knight, disoriented but clearly on the verge of asking questions.

    ¡°Not a word,¡± Godfrey said preemptively, his voice firm. ¡°Not one.¡±

 Chapter 9: Dungeon Yelp

    ¡°Not a word,¡± Godfrey said preemptively, his voice firm. ¡°Not one.¡±

    Karlos frowned but complied, clearly sensing it wasn¡¯t the time to push. The rogue, however, couldn¡¯t resist.

    ¡°So, Godfrey,¡± they began with a grin, ¡°should we be worried when Casper launches his new dungeon campaign? I hear dungeons are offering loyalty cards these days.¡±

    Merlin snorted, leaning more heavily on the rogue as his strength waned. ¡°You¡¯re assuming Godfrey wouldn¡¯t burn the card the moment he saw it.¡±

    Godfrey, tuning out the banter, tightened his grip on Karlos¡¯s arm as the teen struggled to fully regain his footing. He stared at the horizon, vowing silently that the next dungeon they entered would involve fewer theatrics and significantly less sentient fire.

    Behind them, Casper¡¯s parting shout echoed faintly: ¡°Don¡¯t forget to rate me online!¡±

    The group barely had time to react when a red, leather-bound object hurtled through the air with alarming speed.

    Thunk.

    Karlos let out a startled yelp as the book smacked him square in the forehead, sending him stumbling backward into Godfrey¡¯s chest. The knight caught him with a grunt, steadying the dazed teen before glaring toward the source of the projectile.

    A tall, crimson-skinned figure stood in the distance, its horns gleaming under the muted light of the overcast sky. Draped in a black cloak with gold accents, the figure¡¯s imposing presence was slightly undercut by the petulant scowl on its face. Its tail lashed irritably as it jabbed a clawed finger in their direction.

    ¡°That book,¡± the devil bellowed, ¡°cost 800 dollars in Devil Coin! You think those grow on trees? Take it back! And stop being mean to Casper! He¡¯s sensitive!¡± The voice, rich and thunderous, carried a hint of exasperated indignation.

    Before anyone could respond, the devil hurled another book with the same terrifying accuracy. This one struck Karlos¡¯s shoulder, sending him sprawling into the dirt.

    ¡°Are you serious?¡± Karlos groaned, clutching his arm as he shot a bewildered look at the towering devil. ¡°What did I even do?¡±

    ¡°You,¡± the devil growled, its fiery eyes narrowing, ¡°were part of this rude group that made Casper cry. Do you know how long it takes to cheer up a dungeon spirit? Too long! Take his book, sign it, and say thank you. What is wrong with you people 2 mages, and neither will accept a book by a struggling author do you hate books?¡±

    Godfrey stepped forward, his expression thunderous. ¡°And who, exactly, are you to throw overpriced nonsense at my party and make demands?¡±

    The devil drew itself up to its full, intimidating height. ¡°I am Duke Azargoth, Infernal Representative of Dungeon Enthusiasts United. And I will not stand idly by while you undermine our mission to create engaging, fulfilling adventurer experiences. Casper is one of our most dedicated dungeon spirits! His reviews are part of our culture! Speaking of culture is it a part of your culture to hate books? You have two mages in your party but none of you will read especially from someone as generous as Caspe is an insult to highest order.¡±

    The rogue, clearly unable to resist, leaned closer to Merlin. ¡°So, what do you think¡ªare dungeon spirits unionized now? Or is this more like a pyramid scheme?¡±

    Merlin chuckled weakly, shaking his head. ¡°If we survive this, I¡¯m nominating Casper for Dungeon Spirit Employee of the Month.¡±

    Duke Azargoth¡¯s tail slammed against the ground, sending a minor tremor through the dirt. ¡°You think this is funny?¡± he boomed. ¡°Dungeon spirits put their metaphorical hearts and souls into creating these challenges! Do you know how hard it is to cater to ungrateful adventurers who break everything they touch?¡±

    Godfrey pinched the bridge of his nose. ¡°We didn¡¯t break anything,¡± he snapped. ¡°We completed the dungeon, and we¡¯re leaving. That should be the end of it.¡±

    The devil¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°Oh, no, Knight. You don¡¯t just leave. You participate. That means signing the guest book and providing constructive feedback. Casper cried for three minutes because of you. Three. Minutes. Do you have any idea how many tears that is for a flame spirit?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Karlos muttered under his breath, ¡°and I don¡¯t want to find out.¡±Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

    Godfrey, clearly nearing the end of his patience, stepped forward again. ¡°Look. We are not signing anything. We are not taking any books. And if you¡ª¡±

    Before he could finish, the devil sighed dramatically and snapped its fingers. A wave of infernal energy washed over the party, and suddenly, the guest book floated midair, glowing ominously as an oversized quill appeared beside it.

    ¡°You¡¯ll sign,¡± Azargoth said, his tone almost bored now. ¡°You don¡¯t have a choice. The book¡¯s enchanted. Any time you try to leave without signing, it¡¯ll follow you. Forever.¡±

    The rogue laughed, though there was a nervous edge to it. ¡°Forever? Like, even if we travel to another plane?¡±

    ¡°Especially if you travel to another plane,¡± Azargoth said smugly. ¡°Casper¡¯s feedback will be collected.¡±

    Karlos groaned from the ground, waving weakly at the book. ¡°Fine! Someone sign it before it gets us all cursed.¡±

    Godfrey, jaw clenched, grabbed the quill and stabbed it into the book¡¯s ethereal page. He scrawled something short and sharp, snapping the quill in half when he was done. The book glowed briefly, then vanished in a puff of smoke.

    ¡°There,¡± he growled. ¡°Now leave us alone.¡±

    Azargoth gave an approving nod. ¡°Much better. Casper will be thrilled. Maybe he¡¯ll even name a trap after you¡ª¡®Godfrey¡¯s Razor Wall,¡¯ perhaps?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d rather it be Godfrey¡¯s Flaming Sword,¡± the knight shot back, his tone deadly.

    The devil smirked. ¡°Noted. Now, if you¡¯ll excuse me, I have other dungeons to monitor. Try not to upset any more spirits¡ªthey¡¯re fragile.¡± With a snap of his fingers, the devil disappeared in a swirl of fire and brimstone, leaving only the faint scent of sulfur behind.

    The group stood in stunned silence for a moment. Then the rogue snickered. ¡°So¡­ anyone else think we should¡¯ve written a one-star review?¡±

    The silence was broken by Merlin¡¯s wheezing laugh, which quickly turned into a coughing fit. ¡°One star? I¡¯d give it two, just for the sheer theatrical value.¡±

    Karlos groaned, still rubbing his bruised forehead and shoulder. ¡°I¡¯d give it negative stars if it meant not getting assaulted with books.¡±

    The rogue grinned, nudging Merlin. ¡°That¡¯s what you get for not dodging. Rule one of adventuring: always dodge the unexpected hardcover.¡±

    Merlin gave them a side-eye. ¡°Rule two: don¡¯t provoke overdramatic devils with inferiority complexes.¡±

    Godfrey, still scowling, helped Karlos to his feet. ¡°Rule three,¡± he muttered darkly, ¡°never let me talk to them again. I swear, next time I¡¯m using my sword instead of a quill.¡±

    Karlos, wobbling but upright, threw his hands up in exasperation. ¡°So, are enchanted guest books a thing now? Are we supposed to expect Yelp reviews after every dungeon?¡±

    The rogue shrugged, their expression far too amused. ¡°Apparently. Though I¡¯m still not convinced this wasn¡¯t all just a ploy to sell us overpriced devil literature.¡±

    ¡°Devil Coin literature,¡± Merlin corrected with a smirk, earning a groan from Karlos.

    Godfrey ignored them all, his focus on the horizon as if gauging whether the dungeon was truly behind them. ¡°We¡¯re moving,¡± he barked. ¡°The last thing we need is Casper¡¯s cousin ambushing us for not tipping.¡±

    The rogue let out a theatrical gasp. ¡°Do you think we¡¯ll get haunted? Like, ghostly dungeon traps popping up at random intervals?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t tempt fate,¡± Merlin muttered, limping after Godfrey.

    As they began walking, Karlos glanced over his shoulder, half-expecting another flaming projectile to come hurtling through the air. ¡°Do you think Casper actually cried?¡± he asked cautiously.

    ¡°Three minutes¡¯ worth, apparently,¡± Merlin said dryly. ¡°Which, if you¡¯re curious, is roughly half a gallon of fire tears.¡±

    Karlos stared. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ oddly specific.¡±

    Merlin smirked, his voice tinged with mischief. ¡°It¡¯s my job to know these things. Call it professional curiosity.¡±

    The rogue chuckled. ¡°Or maybe you¡¯re secretly in on it. Tell us, Merlin¡ªhow much does Devil Coin convert to mana crystals?¡±

    Merlin opened his mouth to respond, but Godfrey cut him off. ¡°Enough. Let¡¯s just get to the next town before we have to fend off another emotionally fragile dungeon spirit.¡±

    The group fell into a grudging silence, though the rogue¡¯s grin never faded. As the forest thinned, revealing the faint glow of a distant village, they all breathed a collective sigh of relief.

    Just as they crossed the treeline, Karlos mumbled, ¡°You know, we really should¡¯ve asked for a receipt. That book might¡¯ve been worth something.¡±

    Merlin snorted, his shoulders shaking with silent laughter. ¡°The only thing it¡¯s worth is a permanent headache.¡±

    The rogue clapped a hand on Karlos¡¯s back, nearly sending him stumbling again. ¡°Cheer up, kid. Next dungeon, we¡¯ll leave Godfrey to deal with the paperwork.¡±

    ¡°Over my dead body,¡± Godfrey growled without looking back.

    The rogue grinned wider, falling into step beside Karlos. ¡°See? Now that¡¯s the spirit of adventure.¡±

    The group trudged onward, the tension slowly melting as the village¡¯s warm lights grew brighter in the distance. The rogue, as always, couldn¡¯t resist keeping the mood lively¡ªor rather, poking at Godfrey until the knight snapped.

    ¡°So, Godfrey,¡± they began, their tone dripping with mock seriousness, ¡°if you ever retire from knighthood, have you considered a career in customer relations? You¡¯d be a natural. ¡®Sign the guest book, or I¡¯ll sign it with your blood.¡¯ Very approachable.¡±

    ¡°Approachable?¡± Merlin wheezed, still leaning heavily on the rogue. ¡°I¡¯d call it inspirational. That devil¡¯s probably framing Godfrey¡¯s signature as we speak.¡±

    Godfrey¡¯s glare could¡¯ve melted steel. ¡°Keep talking, and I¡¯ll inspire you with the flat side of my sword.¡±

    ¡°Promises, promises,¡± the rogue said with a cheeky grin, dodging just in case Godfrey decided to make good on his threat.

    Karlos, limping slightly but recovering, piped up. ¡°I just want to know how Casper gets his reviews in the first place. Does he have, like, dungeon Wi-Fi? Or does he send feedback forms via bat messenger?¡±

    Merlin snorted. ¡°Bat messenger? Don¡¯t be ridiculous. It¡¯s obviously enchanted mimics carrying parchment scrolls. Stealthy and efficient.¡±

    ¡°I swear,¡± Godfrey muttered, gripping the hilt of his sword, ¡°if any of you summon a mimic with this nonsense, I¡¯m leaving you to deal with it.¡±

    The rogue frowned. ¡°Wait, didn¡¯t we fight a mimic two dungeons ago? What if that mimic was Casper¡¯s messenger? What if we accidentally¡ª¡± He froze, eyes widening. ¡°Oh no. What if we killed his Yelp manager?¡±

    Merlin burst into laughter so hard he had to clutch his ribs. ¡°I¡ªoh gods¡ªthat would explain so much! No wonder he cried! We ruined his whole operation!¡±

    The rogue doubled over, howling. ¡°I can see it now¡ª¡®Casper¡¯s Mimic Courier Service: Five-Star Reviews or Five-Star Revenge.¡¯¡±

    ¡°Wait, did you just say yelp?¡± Karlos asked

 Chapter 10: Demonic Book

    Karlos blinked, his thoughts racing as the rogue¡¯s words clicked into place. ¡°Wait a minute¡­¡± he murmured, his voice quiet, almost to himself. ¡°If we¡¯re in a game, there wouldn¡¯t be a Yelp.¡±

    The rogue gave him a crooked smile. ¡° Yeah it''s a word you said earlier. I just used context clues. ¡°

    ¡° when did I do that I don''t remember that.¡±

    ¡° you got a stomach bug or something. Are you going to throw up?¡± I hope not this robe stops being cool when it¡¯s in a 30-foot radius of throw-up.

    Karlos felt his stomach tighten as the rogue¡¯s flippant tone only served to deepen the realization gnawing at him. ¡°No, it¡¯s not that,¡± he said, shaking his head slowly. His mind was racing now, every detail of their world shifting as the pieces clicked into place. ¡°This whole thing¡­ it¡¯s too real. It¡¯s too immersive, but something is wrong none of those monsters in the dungeon existed before. ¡±

    The rogue snorted in amusement. ¡°You sure you¡¯re not just getting paranoid, kid? This is as real as it gets. All these monsters, magic, and quests? Doesn¡¯t get more real than that.¡±

    ¡° I think he has a concussion. A thousand pounds of books to the head will do that even to the most devoted scholar. I think my record of reading. The Mage Merlin spoke to the rogue.

    But Karlos didn¡¯t respond. He could feel it, a creeping certainty deep in his gut. The world around him, the dungeons, the battles¡ªthey were all part of some elaborate simulation. But to the others? This was real life. To them, the pain, the danger, the stakes¡ªit was all real. Karlos was starting to realize the terrifying truth: they weren¡¯t in a game to them. They were in their real world, living out their lives without any clue that the rules were set by someone¡ªor something¡ªelse.

    Merlin noticed the sudden change in Karlos¡¯s expression. ¡°What¡¯s up with you? You¡¯re looking like you¡¯ve seen a ghost. Is about your old world, are you missing your old world. ¡±

    Karlos tried to force a smile, but it didn¡¯t reach his eyes. ¡°I just¡­ I just had a thought. Something¡¯s not adding up.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, well, you¡¯ve been overthinking since we got here,¡± Godfrey said with a dismissive grunt, clearly more focused on their next move. ¡°You¡¯re always looking for deeper meaning in everything. Let¡¯s just keep moving.¡±

    But Karlos couldn¡¯t let it go. They weren¡¯t seeing it. They couldn¡¯t. To them, this world was as real as any other. To him, though? It was a construct. A game. A series of predetermined events with no way out¡ªunless he found it.

    The rogue, noticing Karlos¡¯s confusion, grinned wider and clapped him on the shoulder. ¡°Cheer up, mate. You¡¯re the only person I know who gets bummed out about getting stronger. You even went through an evolution, didn¡¯t you? Your gear¡¯s proof enough. That robe¡¯s not the same dusty thing you had before.¡±

    Karlos blinked, glancing down at himself. His hands instinctively brushed over his body, fingertips gliding across a material that felt foreign yet familiar. It was smoother, sturdier¡ªyet somehow lighter¡ªthan his old magician¡¯s robe. The faded, tattered fabric had been replaced with something almost regal in appearance: a light crimson robe adorned with faint, shimmering glyphs that shifted under the light like they were alive.

    ¡°What¡­¡± Karlos trailed off, his voice barely audible. ¡°When did this happen?¡±

    The rogue gave a low whistle. ¡°Must¡¯ve been back in the dungeon when you leveled up. Happens sometimes when you push past your limits. I was gonna say something, but you looked like you were about to pass out back there, so I figured, ¡®Eh, I¡¯ll tell him later.¡¯¡± He winked. ¡°Consider this your congratulations speech.¡±If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    Karlos was still staring at the robe, his mind a whirlwind of questions. He hadn¡¯t even noticed the change. His last clear memory was collapsing under the weight of those damned books before everything went hazy. Now, his body felt different, his mind sharper¡ªyet also more fragmented, like pieces of his memory were slipping through his fingers.

    ¡°An evolution?¡± he finally asked, looking up at the rogue, Merlin, and Godfrey in turn. ¡°What do you mean, an evolution? How does that even work?¡±

    Merlin, who had been silently observing, stepped closer, his expression thoughtful. ¡°It¡¯s rare, but not unheard of,¡± he said, his tone far more serious than the rogue¡¯s. ¡°When someone achieves a significant breakthrough¡ªwhether through battle, stress, or sheer determination¡ªtheir abilities and even their physical form can adapt. But it usually comes at a cost of your previous strength.¡±

    ¡°Excuse me, how does that happen? How do you get stronger by being weaker?¡± I know that is how the game functioned but how would that work? In real life well as real as a fictional world inside the game can get.

    This is the reason for your evolution the mage said tossing a red book to Karlos who Easily caught it.

    Karlos squinted at the Grimoire in his hands as realization struck. The red leather binding, faintly scorched in places, and the faintly glowing runes etched along its spine¡ªit was unmistakable. This was the book. The one the demons had been tossing around like a toy in the chaos of the dungeon.

    ¡°You¡¯ve got to be kidding me,¡± Karlos muttered, holding it up for the others to see. ¡°This is the same book those demons kept lobbing over their heads. You¡¯re telling me this thing is the reason for my evolution?¡±

    The rogue doubled over laughing, slapping his knee. ¡°No way! That¡¯s the same book? The one they were treating like a cursed hot potato?¡± He wiped a tear from his eye. ¡°Oh, this is gold. You mean to tell me that is your big power-up? The most disrespected magical artifact in the dungeon?¡±

    Merlin arched a brow, clearly unimpressed by the rogue¡¯s outburst. ¡°Artifacts of great power often go unrecognized by the ignorant,¡± he said, his voice heavy with reproach. ¡°Those demons likely had no idea what they were handling. They simply feared it¡ªprobably for good reason.¡±

    Karlos wasn¡¯t buying it. ¡°Feared it? Merlin, they were playing catch with it!

    Merlin¡¯s lips twitched, though he managed to keep his composure. ¡°And yet, despite their irreverence, the Grimoire remained intact. That alone should tell you of its durability and power.¡± He gestured to the faint glyphs shimmering along its cover. ¡°You¡¯ve only begun to scratch the surface of what it¡¯s capable of. It chose you for a reason.¡±

    The rogue snorted. ¡°Sure, it chose him. More like it got sick of being juggled like a carnival prop and decided, ¡®You know what? This kid¡¯ll do.¡¯¡±

    Karlos sighed, glaring at the rogue before flipping the book open. The pages, crisp and unmarred despite the rough treatment, seemed to pulse faintly under his touch. A warmth spread through his fingers as he turned the pages, the runes shifting and rearranging themselves before his eyes.

    ¡°What does it even do?¡± Karlos asked, more to himself than anyone else.

    The book responded by burning letters into the cover turning it over as he read the words. Gift of the Demon Prince.

    Merlin stepped closer, his gaze sharp. ¡°That Grimoire holds ancient spells, knowledge, and power that few could hope to comprehend. But it¡¯s not just a tool¡ªit¡¯s a test. It will challenge you, demand you rise to its level. If you fail to meet its expectations, it will abandon you just as easily.¡±

    ¡°Great,¡± Karlos muttered. ¡°So not only do I have to rebuild my strength from scratch, but now I¡¯ve got a sentient book with a superiority complex judging my every move.¡±

    ¡°Sounds like fun,¡± the rogue quipped. ¡°At least you¡¯ll have some light reading material while you grind your way back to relevance.¡±

    ¡°Enough,¡± Merlin snapped, his patience clearly wearing thin. ¡°Karlos, this is an opportunity. The Grimoire may have been discarded by the demons, but that only shows their ignorance. You, however, were deemed worthy by it. That alone speaks volumes about your potential.¡±

    Karlos closed the book with a heavy sigh, the weight of its implications pressing down on him. It wasn¡¯t just a book¡ªit was a burden, a responsibility, and a challenge he couldn¡¯t ignore. If this was the key to unlocking his evolution, then he had no choice but to rise to the occasion.

    ¡°Fine,¡± he said, tucking the Grimoire under his arm. ¡°I¡¯ll figure this out. But if this thing starts making me do quizzes or gives me pop-up ads, I¡¯m throwing it back into the dungeon.¡±

    The rogue burst into laughter again, and even Merlin allowed himself a small, amused smirk.

    Godfrey, who had been silent until now, grunted and crossed his arms. ¡°Just don¡¯t lose focus. Evolution or not, we¡¯ve still got a long way to go. That book might be powerful, but it won¡¯t save you if you¡¯re not ready to use it.¡±

    Karlos stared at the Grimoire, his fingers brushing over the faintly glowing runes. He could still feel the phantom weight of it when the Prince of Hell himself hurled it at him like a fiery meteor. That moment was etched into his mind¡ªthe sheer force, the mocking laughter, the intense heat radiating from the artifact as it sailed toward him.

    The rogue, noticing his silence, raised an eyebrow. ¡°What¡¯s with the face? You look like you just remembered where you left your dignity.¡±

    Karlos shot him a glare but said nothing, his grip tightening on the book. ¡°This isn¡¯t some random dungeon trash,¡± he said finally, his voice low. ¡°The demons knew exactly what this was.¡±

    The rogue blinked, his amusement fading into mild confusion. ¡°Wait, what? You¡¯re saying those demons were aware of this thing¡¯s power? Then why the hell were they playing games with it?¡±

 Chapter 11: Demonic Book

    Karlos blinked, his thoughts racing as the rogue¡¯s words clicked into place. ¡°Wait a minute¡­¡± he murmured, his voice quiet, almost to himself. ¡°If we¡¯re in a game, there wouldn¡¯t be a Yelp.¡±

    The rogue gave him a crooked smile. ¡° Yeah it''s a word you said earlier. I just used context clues. ¡°

    ¡° when did I do that I don''t remember that.¡±

    ¡° you got a stomach bug or something. Are you going to throw up?¡± I hope not this robe stops being cool when it¡¯s in a 30-foot radius of throw-up.

    Karlos felt his stomach tighten as the rogue¡¯s flippant tone only served to deepen the realization gnawing at him. ¡°No, it¡¯s not that,¡± he said, shaking his head slowly. His mind was racing now, every detail of their world shifting as the pieces clicked into place. ¡°This whole thing¡­ it¡¯s too real. It¡¯s too immersive, but something is wrong none of those monsters in the dungeon existed before. ¡±

    The rogue snorted in amusement. ¡°You sure you¡¯re not just getting paranoid, kid? This is as real as it gets. All these monsters, magic, and quests? Doesn¡¯t get more real than that.¡±

    ¡° I think he has a concussion. A thousand pounds of books to the head will do that even to the most devoted scholar. I think my record of reading. The Mage Merlin spoke to the rogue.

    But Karlos didn¡¯t respond. He could feel it, a creeping certainty deep in his gut. The world around him, the dungeons, the battles¡ªthey were all part of some elaborate simulation. But to the others? This was real life. To them, the pain, the danger, the stakes¡ªit was all real. Karlos was starting to realize the terrifying truth: they weren¡¯t in a game to them. They were in their real world, living out their lives without any clue that the rules were set by someone¡ªor something¡ªelse.

    Merlin noticed the sudden change in Karlos¡¯s expression. ¡°What¡¯s up with you? You¡¯re looking like you¡¯ve seen a ghost. Is about your old world, are you missing your old world. ¡±

    Karlos tried to force a smile, but it didn¡¯t reach his eyes. ¡°I just¡­ I just had a thought. Something¡¯s not adding up.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, well, you¡¯ve been overthinking since we got here,¡± Godfrey said with a dismissive grunt, clearly more focused on their next move. ¡°You¡¯re always looking for deeper meaning in everything. Let¡¯s just keep moving.¡±

    But Karlos couldn¡¯t let it go. They weren¡¯t seeing it. They couldn¡¯t. To them, this world was as real as any other. To him, though? It was a construct. A game. A series of predetermined events with no way out¡ªunless he found it.

    The rogue, noticing Karlos¡¯s confusion, grinned wider and clapped him on the shoulder. ¡°Cheer up, mate. You¡¯re the only person I know who gets bummed out about getting stronger. You even went through an evolution, didn¡¯t you? Your gear¡¯s proof enough. That robe¡¯s not the same dusty thing you had before.¡±

    Karlos blinked, glancing down at himself. His hands instinctively brushed over his body, fingertips gliding across a material that felt foreign yet familiar. It was smoother, sturdier¡ªyet somehow lighter¡ªthan his old magician¡¯s robe. The faded, tattered fabric had been replaced with something almost regal in appearance: a light crimson robe adorned with faint, shimmering glyphs that shifted under the light like they were alive.

    ¡°What¡­¡± Karlos trailed off, his voice barely audible. ¡°When did this happen?¡±

    The rogue gave a low whistle. ¡°Must¡¯ve been back in the dungeon when you leveled up. Happens sometimes when you push past your limits. I was gonna say something, but you looked like you were about to pass out back there, so I figured, ¡®Eh, I¡¯ll tell him later.¡¯¡± He winked. ¡°Consider this your congratulations speech.¡±This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

    Karlos was still staring at the robe, his mind a whirlwind of questions. He hadn¡¯t even noticed the change. His last clear memory was collapsing under the weight of those damned books before everything went hazy. Now, his body felt different, his mind sharper¡ªyet also more fragmented, like pieces of his memory were slipping through his fingers.

    ¡°An evolution?¡± he finally asked, looking up at the rogue, Merlin, and Godfrey in turn. ¡°What do you mean, an evolution? How does that even work?¡±

    Merlin, who had been silently observing, stepped closer, his expression thoughtful. ¡°It¡¯s rare, but not unheard of,¡± he said, his tone far more serious than the rogue¡¯s. ¡°When someone achieves a significant breakthrough¡ªwhether through battle, stress, or sheer determination¡ªtheir abilities and even their physical form can adapt. But it usually comes at a cost of your previous strength.¡±

    ¡°Excuse me, how does that happen? How do you get stronger by being weaker?¡± I know that is how the game functioned but how would that work? In real life well as real as a fictional world inside the game can get.

    This is the reason for your evolution the mage said tossing a red book to Karlos who Easily caught it.

    Karlos squinted at the Grimoire in his hands as realization struck. The red leather binding, faintly scorched in places, and the faintly glowing runes etched along its spine¡ªit was unmistakable. This was the book. The one the demons had been tossing around like a toy in the chaos of the dungeon.

    ¡°You¡¯ve got to be kidding me,¡± Karlos muttered, holding it up for the others to see. ¡°This is the same book those demons kept lobbing over their heads. You¡¯re telling me this thing is the reason for my evolution?¡±

    The rogue doubled over laughing, slapping his knee. ¡°No way! That¡¯s the same book? The one they were treating like a cursed hot potato?¡± He wiped a tear from his eye. ¡°Oh, this is gold. You mean to tell me that is your big power-up? The most disrespected magical artifact in the dungeon?¡±

    Merlin arched a brow, clearly unimpressed by the rogue¡¯s outburst. ¡°Artifacts of great power often go unrecognized by the ignorant,¡± he said, his voice heavy with reproach. ¡°Those demons likely had no idea what they were handling. They simply feared it¡ªprobably for good reason.¡±

    Karlos wasn¡¯t buying it. ¡°Feared it? Merlin, they were playing catch with it!

    Merlin¡¯s lips twitched, though he managed to keep his composure. ¡°And yet, despite their irreverence, the Grimoire remained intact. That alone should tell you of its durability and power.¡± He gestured to the faint glyphs shimmering along its cover. ¡°You¡¯ve only begun to scratch the surface of what it¡¯s capable of. It chose you for a reason.¡±

    The rogue snorted. ¡°Sure, it chose him. More like it got sick of being juggled like a carnival prop and decided, ¡®You know what? This kid¡¯ll do.¡¯¡±

    Karlos sighed, glaring at the rogue before flipping the book open. The pages, crisp and unmarred despite the rough treatment, seemed to pulse faintly under his touch. A warmth spread through his fingers as he turned the pages, the runes shifting and rearranging themselves before his eyes.

    ¡°What does it even do?¡± Karlos asked, more to himself than anyone else.

    The book responded by burning letters into the cover turning it over as he read the words. Gift of the Demon Prince.

    Merlin stepped closer, his gaze sharp. ¡°That Grimoire holds ancient spells, knowledge, and power that few could hope to comprehend. But it¡¯s not just a tool¡ªit¡¯s a test. It will challenge you, demand you rise to its level. If you fail to meet its expectations, it will abandon you just as easily.¡±

    ¡°Great,¡± Karlos muttered. ¡°So not only do I have to rebuild my strength from scratch, but now I¡¯ve got a sentient book with a superiority complex judging my every move.¡±

    ¡°Sounds like fun,¡± the rogue quipped. ¡°At least you¡¯ll have some light reading material while you grind your way back to relevance.¡±

    ¡°Enough,¡± Merlin snapped, his patience clearly wearing thin. ¡°Karlos, this is an opportunity. The Grimoire may have been discarded by the demons, but that only shows their ignorance. You, however, were deemed worthy by it. That alone speaks volumes about your potential.¡±

    Karlos closed the book with a heavy sigh, the weight of its implications pressing down on him. It wasn¡¯t just a book¡ªit was a burden, a responsibility, and a challenge he couldn¡¯t ignore. If this was the key to unlocking his evolution, then he had no choice but to rise to the occasion.

    ¡°Fine,¡± he said, tucking the Grimoire under his arm. ¡°I¡¯ll figure this out. But if this thing starts making me do quizzes or gives me pop-up ads, I¡¯m throwing it back into the dungeon.¡±

    The rogue burst into laughter again, and even Merlin allowed himself a small, amused smirk.

    Godfrey, who had been silent until now, grunted and crossed his arms. ¡°Just don¡¯t lose focus. Evolution or not, we¡¯ve still got a long way to go. That book might be powerful, but it won¡¯t save you if you¡¯re not ready to use it.¡±

    Karlos stared at the Grimoire, his fingers brushing over the faintly glowing runes. He could still feel the phantom weight of it when the Prince of Hell himself hurled it at him like a fiery meteor. That moment was etched into his mind¡ªthe sheer force, the mocking laughter, the intense heat radiating from the artifact as it sailed toward him.

    The rogue, noticing his silence, raised an eyebrow. ¡°What¡¯s with the face? You look like you just remembered where you left your dignity.¡±

    Karlos shot him a glare but said nothing, his grip tightening on the book. ¡°This isn¡¯t some random dungeon trash,¡± he said finally, his voice low. ¡°The demons knew exactly what this was.¡±

    The rogue blinked, his amusement fading into mild confusion. ¡°Wait, what? You¡¯re saying those demons were aware of this thing¡¯s power? Then why the hell were they playing games with it?¡±

 Chapter 12: Shattered Legacy Part 1

    The Grimoire¡¯s faint glow intensified as Karlos stared at it, its runes shimmering in a way that almost seemed¡­ annoyed. Then, as if fed up with the silence, a deep, authoritative voice boomed from its pages.

    ¡°Respect must be earned,¡± the Grimoire said, cutting through the tension like a blade. ¡°But you, boy, will never earn it if you continue to sulk and waste time.¡±

    Karlos nearly dropped the book, his heart skipping a beat. ¡°What the¡ª? It talks now?¡±

    The rogue froze, his jaw slack. ¡°Oh¡­ oh no. It¡¯s alive. This just got ten times better.¡±

    Merlin, however, narrowed his eyes, stepping closer. ¡°I suspected it was enchanted with sentience, but this is¡­ advanced. Rare. Perhaps unprecedented. Careful, Karlos. These kinds of artifacts are notoriously demanding.¡±

    ¡°Demanding?¡± The Grimoire¡¯s voice dripped with disdain. ¡°Demanding does not begin to describe what you need to become. You are unpolished. Weak. Undisciplined. A disgrace to the potential you possess.¡±

    Karlos frowned. ¡°Hey, I didn¡¯t ask to be insulted by a glorified paperweight.¡±

    The rogue snorted, barely holding back laughter. ¡°This book¡¯s got some sass. I like it already.¡±

    ¡°Silence, fool.¡± The Grimoire¡¯s voice made even the rogue flinch. ¡°This is a conversation between a master and his unworthy apprentice.¡±

    ¡°Master?¡± Karlos echoed, incredulous. ¡°I don¡¯t remember agreeing to that.¡±

    The book ignored him, glowing brighter. ¡°You carry me now, mortal. That means you will live up to the standards I set¡ªor perish trying. Your current state is unacceptable.¡±

    ¡°Unacceptable?¡± Karlos snapped, gesturing to his newly evolved robes. ¡°I literally just evolved! How is that not good enough for you?¡±

    The Grimoire¡¯s runes flared, casting a fiery light. ¡°You evolved, yes. And what have you done since? Nothing. You are complacent. Lazy. If you truly wish to wield the power within me, you must train¡ªmind, body, and soul.¡±

    Karlos pinched the bridge of his nose. ¡°Of course. Of course the cursed book wants me to become some kind of ultimate warrior. Should¡¯ve known this was coming.¡±

    ¡°Do not mock me,¡± the Grimoire warned, its voice sharp. ¡°You will train. You will hone your body. And you will learn to wield a proper weapon.¡±

    Karlos blinked. ¡°A weapon? I¡¯m a mage. Why would I need a weapon?¡±

    The book scoffed, its glow dimming slightly, as if in exasperation. ¡°Because you are weak. Your reliance on spells alone is pathetic. A true warrior of the arcane knows how to fight when magic fails. You will begin weapons training immediately.¡±

    The rogue, who had been quietly enjoying the spectacle, finally spoke up. ¡°Oh, this is gold. What¡¯s it gonna have you learn, Karlos? A sword? A spear? Maybe dual-wielding daggers?¡±

    The Grimoire¡¯s pages flipped rapidly, stopping suddenly. ¡°A bow,¡± it declared.

    ¡°A bow?¡± Karlos repeated, baffled.

    ¡°Yes,¡± the book said firmly. ¡°Agility, precision, strategy¡ªall are required to master the bow. These are qualities you lack.¡±

    The rogue burst into laughter, leaning against a tree for support. ¡°A bow! Oh, this just keeps getting better. Can you even pull a bowstring, Karlos?¡±

    Karlos shot him a withering glare. ¡°I¡¯m not sure if I should be mad at you or the book right now.¡±

    ¡°Be mad at yourself,¡± the Grimoire interjected. ¡°You are the one who has let yourself stagnate. But no longer. Starting tomorrow, you will rise at dawn for physical conditioning. Your muscles are as soft as your magic is brittle.¡±

    Merlin¡¯s mouth twitched, though he maintained his usual stoic demeanor. ¡°It seems your new companion has high expectations, Karlos. Perhaps you should listen.¡±

    ¡°Listen? To this thing?¡± Karlos waved the book around. ¡°It¡¯s been in my life for all of ten minutes, and it¡¯s already trying to turn me into some kind of fantasy Navy SEAL!¡±

    ¡°And yet you still waste time arguing,¡± the Grimoire said, unimpressed. ¡°This is why you remain weak. Accept your fate, or relinquish me to someone more deserving.¡±

    The rogue smirked. ¡°Harsh, but fair. Maybe I should take it off your hands, Karlos. I¡¯d look great with a glowing, talking book.¡±

    ¡°Touch me, and I will incinerate your soul,¡± the Grimoire replied flatly, without a hint of humor.

    The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    The rogue immediately stepped back, hands raised. ¡°Okay, noted. The book stays with Karlos.¡±

    Karlos sighed, tucking the Grimoire under his arm. ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll train. I¡¯ll learn the stupid bow. But if this thing starts giving me motivational speeches at sunrise, I¡¯m burning it.¡±

    The book gave a low hum, its runes glowing faintly in approval. ¡°Good. Then we begin at first light. Do not disappoint me, apprentice.¡±

    As the group stood in stunned silence, processing the surreal turn of events, the rogue finally broke it with a grin. ¡°This is gonna be fun.¡±

    Merlin sighed, rubbing his temples. ¡°The next few weeks are going to be exhausting, I can feel it already.¡±

    Godfrey grunted, his arms crossed. ¡°At least we¡¯ll see if he can rise to the challenge. Or if he gets eaten alive by it.¡±

    Karlos groaned. ¡°Great. No pressure or anything.¡±

    Greg Pov

    As the code 352ME R32B66 translated into ¡°Flame Reborn,¡± I sat back in my chair, staring at the faint glowing text that appeared on my phone screen. The strange sequence wasn¡¯t just gibberish¡ªit was deliberate. My instincts screamed that this was tied to everything that had just happened. I didn¡¯t waste time; I grabbed the laptop, reopened the game¡¯s Redemption Code section, and carefully typed it in.

    For a moment, nothing happened. My heartbeat quickened, pounding against my ribs as I watched the screen, half expecting it to reject the code as invalid. But then, the screen flickered, and the humming from the Chaos Nexus intensified. My laptop¡¯s fan roared to life as if the device itself was straining under the weight of whatever was about to happen.

    A new message scrawled across the screen:

    REDEMPTION COMPLETE: YOU HAVE UNLOCKED THE FLAME REBORN QUESTLINE.

    Greg tapped his desk, staring at the screen. His heart thudded with a mix of excitement and skepticism as he reread the notification that had popped up after completing an otherwise routine daily dungeon grind.

    QUEST LINE UNLOCKED: THE FLAME MAGE¡¯S SHATTERED LEGACY

    ¡°What the hell?¡± he muttered, leaning closer. The banner had an ember effect, flickering in and out of visibility like smoldering coals. He clicked it, pulling up the description.

    ¡°Uncover the hidden story of the Flame Mage, a warrior whose destiny was forged in fire and shadows. Begin your journey to learn the truth.¡±

    It sounded cool, but Greg had been around long enough to know Chaos Blade¡¯s tricks. It was probably just another underwhelming storyline tied to an equally underwhelming character. Still, curiosity won out, and he clicked the small rewards chest icon that accompanied the quest.

    His inventory lit up as new items dropped in:

    ?Singed Ash Pendant

    ?Fragment of Monarch Silver

    ?Charred Tome (Unreadable)

    ?Unfamiliar Map (Locked)

    He inspected the items, but they didn¡¯t seem particularly useful. All their descriptions were vague, their purposes unclear.

    ¡°This item currently has no function.¡±

    ¡°A relic of a forgotten era.¡±

    ¡°Will reveal its use in due time.¡±

    Greg rolled his eyes. ¡°Of course. Classic Chaos Blade.¡±

    When he tabbed over to the quest log, the instructions for the questline¡¯s first step were displayed in bold, flaming text:

    START STREAMING TO ACCESS THE FLAME MAGE¡¯S PAST.

    Greg blinked. Streaming? He¡¯d never even considered it before. Sure, he had the gear¡ªthanks to the promotional box the game company sent him¡ªbut actually streaming? He didn¡¯t have an audience, and the idea of talking to an empty chat felt¡­ awkward.

    ¡°Why would they tie a quest to streaming?¡± he muttered. His gaze flicked toward the sleek new setup the devs had shipped him: a top-tier gaming laptop, a high-end mic, and a black, cylindrical streaming device. The hardware practically begged to be used.

    Finally, with a resigned sigh, Greg set up a quick stream. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s see what happens.¡±

    Scene Transition: Greg¡¯s First Livestream

    Greg clicked ¡°Go Live,¡± and a small banner appeared on his screen:

    You¡¯re live! Welcome your audience.

    He snorted. ¡°What audience?¡±

    The screen was quiet, the viewer count stuck firmly at zero. He fiddled with the settings, trying to shake off the awkwardness. A minute passed. Then two. Finally, the counter ticked up to 1 viewer.

    Greg straightened in his chair. ¡°Uh, hey there¡­ welcome to the stream.¡±

    The viewer didn¡¯t type anything, and for a moment, Greg wondered if it was a bot. But then, the number ticked up again: 2 viewers.

    In the chat, the first message popped up:

    User123: ¡°New story content?¡±

    Greg cleared his throat. ¡°Uh, yeah. Looks like it. I just unlocked something called ¡®The Flame Mage¡¯s Shattered Legacy.¡¯ No idea what it is, but it¡¯s tied to the Flame Mage. Figured I¡¯d stream it since the quest said to.¡±

    The viewer count slowly climbed to 5. Greg resisted the urge to laugh at how ridiculous it felt to be excited about such a tiny number.

    FlameSnob: ¡°Flame Mage? Lol, isn¡¯t he trash?¡±

    IDKNothing:¡± Flame Mage, Who¡¯s Flame¡±

    CuriousCat: ¡°Wait, new content? Is this clickbait?¡±

    IKnowEverything: That is the character that the devs made in honor of the man who died stupidly while playing.

    ¡°No clickbait,¡± Greg replied quickly. ¡°This is legit. The quest showed up right after my daily runs. Said it¡¯s tied to his backstory, so¡­¡± He trailed off, realizing how awkward he sounded.

    Still, curiosity seemed to be working in his favor. The viewer count bumped up to 7.

    With a deep breath, Greg clicked on the quest marker. The screen darkened, and an animation began to play.

    The Cinematic

    The chat fell silent as the game launched into a full-blown cutscene, its dramatic visuals immediately captivating.

    A desolate, fiery wasteland stretched across the screen. A young Flame Mage ran for his life, his robes tattered and smoldering. His face was etched with fear, and his movements were frantic. Behind him, two demons loomed in pursuit.

    The first demon, sleek and sinister with glowing crimson eyes, taunted him as it lunged forward. The second, a massive brute with flames licking its body, sent shockwaves through the ground with every step.

    Demon 1: ¡°Flee, little ember. Your fire will die as it always has.¡±

    Demon 2: ¡°Burn yourself out, mortal. You cannot escape.¡±

    The mage stumbled, his hand darting into his robes to pull out a glowing pendant¡ªthe Singed Ash Pendant from Greg¡¯s inventory. Clutching it tightly, he turned to face the demons, his expression hardening.

    ¡°This fire will never die,¡± he whispered, raising the pendant high. Flames erupted around him, forming a massive barrier that consumed the demons.

    The screen went black.

    Back to the Stream

    The quest log reappeared with an updated mission:

    MISSION 1: Defeat the Demons at the Hades CHASM.

    Reward: Unlock Pendant¡¯s first ability.

    Greg sat back, stunned. The chat came alive with cautious excitement:

    FlameSnob: ¡°Okay, that was kinda sick.¡±

    User123: ¡°So it¡¯s like his origin story? Damn, might actually make me use him.¡±

    CuriousCat: ¡°Wait, do you have that pendant? What does it do?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ve got it,¡± Greg said, opening his inventory to display the Singed Ash Pendant. ¡°But it doesn¡¯t do anything yet. Looks like I have to finish this first mission to unlock its abilities.¡±

    The viewer count had climbed to 12. It wasn¡¯t much, but for his first stream, it felt like a milestone.

    ¡°Alright, guess we¡¯re heading to Hell¡¯s Chasm,¡± Greg said, smirking. ¡°No idea where that is, but let¡¯s figure it out together.¡±

    The viewer count then climbed to 13. The new viewer, a known menace in the streaming space, left a message.

    I''mhonest&horny:¡± Will you take off your pants?

 Chapter 13: Backstory Part 1

    The screen lit up showcasing

    The world Flame lived in was one of balance and chaos, where the celestial bodies above held more power than most could comprehend. Among them, the Silver Moon was an enigma, shining only once in centuries. Its light was not ordinary moonlight; it carried an essence capable of altering mana at its core. When magnified by the rarest of materials¡ªa substance so pure that even a speck of impurity could shatter the effect¡ªthe light of the Silver Moon could fundamentally transform any living being caught in its glow.

    Those born under these precise, miraculous conditions became what was known as Slivers. These creatures, regardless of origin¡ªbeast, human, demon, or otherwise¡ªwere infused with a magic that transcended mortal understanding. They were neither entirely of their original kind nor entirely other. Their forms shimmered like molten silver, and their mana carried the unpredictability of the moonlight that birthed them. A Sliver could inspire reverence or terror, depending on its nature, and their rarity made them legends in their own right.

    IDKNothing: Are We getting a Boss Battle the Slivers Sound Interesting.

    The scene changed again showing a home inside a small village. Then a deep narrator starting speaking.

    ¡°Flame had always been different, even from a young age. At five years old, he held a vast reservoir of mana¡ªfar more than any child his age and nearly surpassing that of experienced adult mages. Yet, this gift was more a curse than a blessing. His mana refused to flow properly, sputtering and choking like a river trapped behind a dam. The problem wasn¡¯t his control or his affinity for magic. It was his mana coils. They were far too small to contain the boundless ocean of mana within him. The imbalance made his spells weak, unstable, and often completely ineffective.¡±

    Horny&Honest: I wish I had that problem to much mana that''s like having a big #### but not knowing how to use it.

    User123: Now''s not the time for your horniness. Shut up, this is my new favorite movie.

    Horny&Honest: What I¡¯m just being honest?? & it''s always the time for horniness.

    ¡°Flame¡¯s father, a skilled fire mage in his own right, tried everything to help his son. Training regimens, specialized focus drills, and even consulting with renowned mages brought no solution. Flame¡¯s magic always fizzled out before it reached its full potential, leaving him a laughingstock in a world that revered strength.¡±

    Horny&Honest: Is the Father Hot? Let me see him I¡¯ll be the judge.

    User123:??????

    IKnowEverything:??????

    IDKNothing: Why are we thumbing down the stream? The man seems ok for a first timer.

    ¡°Then came the encounter with the Prophet. It wasn¡¯t planned or expected. The Prophet was an enigmatic figure who rarely appeared to anyone unless fate demanded it. Their arrival was as much a shock to Flame¡¯s family as it was to him. The Prophet¡ªa gaunt figure cloaked in robes that shimmered like the horizon during a heatwave¡ªlooked at Flame with eyes that seemed to pierce through his soul.¡±

    ¡°You carry the weight of the ocean, boy, but your vessel is a reed,¡± the Prophet said, their voice a strange mix of pity and urgency. ¡°Your mana coils are the smallest I¡¯ve ever seen for one who holds such potential.¡±

    Flame clenched his fists. ¡°Then how am I supposed to use my magic? Everyone says I¡¯m worthless.¡±

    The Prophet¡¯s lips twitched into a faint smile. ¡°Worthless? No. Misaligned? Yes. You will never cast like others. You were never meant to. To harness what lies within you, your coils must expand¡ªbecome something no mage alive can match. But the path to fixing this flaw is neither easy nor certain.¡±This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    Flame¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°What do I have to do?¡±

    The Prophet placed a gnarled hand on Flame¡¯s shoulder, their touch strangely cool. ¡°You must find a dying Silver.¡±

    ¡°The room fell silent. His parents exchanged worried glances. Silver was more than rare; it was mythical. The term referred not to a creature, but to beings of ancient magic that shimmered like molten silver, with the ability to influence mana in ways no human ever could. Most believed Silvers had long since vanished, their kind hunted to extinction for their magical properties.¡±

    Flame swallowed hard. ¡°Where do I find one?¡±

    The Prophet shook their head. ¡°That, I cannot tell you. It is not my knowledge to give. But when you find it¡ªif you find it¡ªyou must convince it to lend its dying strength to you. Only then will you be able to reshape your mana coils into something capable of wielding your power. Fail, and your magic will destroy you from the inside.¡±

    The weight of the words settled heavily on Flame¡¯s shoulders. He was only a child, but this felt like the first step toward a destiny he couldn¡¯t yet understand. Before he could ask more questions, the Prophet turned and began to fade, their voice echoing as they disappeared.

    ¡°The journey will be long, the trials great. But you were born to wield the fire of creation, boy. Do not squander it.¡±

    ¡° Wait don''t go. I still have questions. The young Karlos screamed. His hopes of being normal slipping from his grasp right in front of him. But the man was long gone leaving just a non-legible map.

    User123:¡± Oh the map.¡±

    As the scene transitioned, the screen displayed the tattered, indecipherable map left by the Prophet. It rested on the wooden table of Flame¡¯s humble home, illuminated by the dim glow of a single lantern. The camera slowly zoomed in on the map, its worn edges and cryptic markings teasing players with the promise of an epic journey.

    Horny&Honest: ¡°Are we sure this isn¡¯t just a menu napkin? Someone get a linguist!¡±

    IKnowEverything: ¡°It¡¯s probably a puzzle. I bet solving it unlocks a side quest.¡±

    User123: ¡°If this doesn¡¯t lead to the Slivers, I¡¯m suing the devs.¡±

    The narrator¡¯s voice resumed, the deep timbre resonating with an air of finality.

    ¡°Thus began Flame¡¯s quest. Not for fame, not for glory, but simply to fix what was broken within him. The Silver Moon would rise again in two years¡¯ time¡ªa rare occurrence that the Prophet had cryptically linked to his journey. Time was not on his side, but neither was the world.¡±

    The screen shifted to an expansive overworld view, showcasing lush forests, jagged mountains, and ominous volcanic landscapes. The player¡¯s perspective followed Flame as he trudged down a dirt path, his figure small against the vastness of the terrain.

    Suddenly, the screen glitched, and the scenery melted into flames.

    IDKNothing: ¡°Whoa, what just happened? Is that part of the cutscene?¡±

    IKnowEverything: ¡°Wait¡­ this has boss battle written all over it.¡±

    The flames parted to reveal a battlefield bathed in an eerie silver glow. Rising from the scorched earth were Sliver Demons, their molten silver forms rippling as if alive. They stepped out of the fire, their grotesque, charred faces twisted into gleeful grins, the sound of their laughter echoing unnaturally. Smoke rose from their smoldering bodies, but they seemed unbothered by the heat consuming them.

    One particularly massive demon stood at the forefront, its eyes glowing with a manic silver light. It raised a clawed hand, flames curling between its fingers like a living thing.

    Narrator: ¡°The Silver Moon¡¯s light does not purify all it touches. In some, it warps and corrupts, transforming their very essence into a chaotic symphony of destruction. Behold, the Sliver Demons¡ªcreations born of fire and tainted moonlight.¡±

    System Message: ¡°Boss Battle Initiated: Sliver Demon Vanguard.¡±

    The viewer count rises to 23.

    ¡°Hello new viewers my name is Gregory but you can call me Greg.

    User123: ¡°Oh. My. GOD. This is it. The moment we¡¯ve been waiting for!¡±

    Horny&Honest: ¡°That demon looks like my ex. What¡¯s the loot? I bet it¡¯s good.¡±

    IDKNothing: ¡°Calm down, everyone! Focus! Who¡¯s playable?¡±

    Onewiththehorniness: ¡°I¡¯ll bang your ex and the demon both of them can get it.¡±

    The screen displayed only one option: Flame, the underdog protagonist. His skills flickered onscreen, revealing his limited abilities and low stats compared to the Sliver Demons¡¯ monstrous strength.

    Horny&Honest: ¡°Welp, guess we¡¯re dying today. Did anyone see his dad was he hot. ¡±

    IKnowEverything: ¡°Or this is one of those scripted losses. Just let them win.¡±

    User123: ¡°No way. Flame¡¯s the only option. We¡¯ve got to figure it out.¡±

    The battle began, the camera panning to Flame as he stood alone against the towering demons. His hands trembled, and sparks of unstable fire flickered weakly in his palms.

    ¡°Thepremiumviewer Donated 10$¡±

    ¡° Check his stats¡±

    FlameEnthusiat: ¡° You have a level 3 three card hurry up and burn that demon!!!¡±

    The Problem Solver: Check its stats then use the level 3. ¡°

    ¡°Doesn''t the flame mage have a unique effect on his level 3 thanks to his passive?¡±

    IDKNothing: IDK what¡¯s a passive?

    Iknoweverything: when the hero uses a skill inflicts flames on a target equal to the skill rank. Rank 3 the flames become enhanced flames. For every skill use increases allies'' attack by 3%.

 Chapter 14: Festival of Fire

    Gregory sighed as the chat in Chaos Blade spiraled into chaos, all over Flame Mage¡¯s passive. He hovered over the screen, trying to keep up with the flood of messages.

    Space Bar: @Iknoweverything You know everything besides how to use the space bar and his actual passive.

    Iknoweverything: Calm down, calm down! I can just show you the passive.

    Karlos tapped the Flame Mage¡¯s icon on his screen and held down, triggering the tooltip.

    ¡°Uncontained Reservoir¡±

    At the start of battle, Karlos gains a Mana Overflow effect, decreasing his attack by 10% for turns for each time he uses a skill. Each time Karlos uses an attack skill, he ignites for 4 turns on the enemy he damaged. Increases allies attack stat by 4% for each ignite effect max 3.

    Rank 1: Inflicts 80% of Attack as damage on one enemy.

    Rank 2: Inflicts 80% of Attack as damage on one enemy and 15 % of Attack as splash damage on all other enemies.

    Rank 3: Inflicts 120% of Attack as damage on one enemy and 25% of Attack as splash damage on all other enemies.

    2. Molten Pulse (Randomized Damage ¨C AoE)

    Rank 1: Inflicts 45% of Attack as damage on all enemies and applies Ignite.

    Rank 2: Inflicts 60% of Attack as damage on all  enemies and applies 2 Ignite effects.

    Rank 3: Inflicts 75% of Attack as damage on all enemies and applies 3 Ignite effects

    Ignite: Damage taken by target(s) +10% (Can be stacked).

    Ultimate: Deals 180% of Attack as damage to all enemies. Applies Scorch,  Additionally, removes 1 buff from all enemies if there are 3 or more active Ignite effects. Then remove ignites from allies and Allies become immune to ignite for 3 turns.

    Iknoweverything: @Space Bar I knew that.

    Horny&Honest: @Space Bar, @Iknoweverything, @IDK Nothing I sense some tension here. Is there a story? Did Space Bar get cheated on by Iknoweverything with IDK Nothing? A love affair, perhaps? Mortal enemies now? Spill the tea. ??

    User123: Spill ??????

    Ihave####: Spill ??

    The chat was quickly overrun with ¡°spill¡± emojis. Greg leaned back, cringing at how fast this had gotten out of control. Meanwhile, on his screen, the Flame Mage stood dwarfed by the towering demon he was currently grappling with.

    Onscreen

    [Demon Prince of the South Army]

    Level: ??

    Characteristics: [Silver]

    Greg shook his head. ¡°It¡¯s a story battle,¡± he muttered to himself. The distinct lack of a proper passive was disappointing. He¡¯d been hoping this would hint at a new character release, but it seemed like no such luck today. His attempt to divert attention away from the chat drama had failed miserably.

    Back in the Chat

    While the Demon Prince loomed over Flame Mage onscreen, a new trend was brewing in the chat.

    Iknoweverything: Please ban Horny&Honest. @Orion

    Space Bar: Seconded. Please ban Horny&Honest. @Orion

    IDK Nothing: Yeah, ban Horny&Honest. @Orion. Wait, who¡¯s Orion?

    Space Bar: Orion¡¯s a mod for Chaos Blade. Tag him.

    Horny&Honest: Orion won¡¯t ban me. He loves my tea-spilling energy. Right, @Orion?

    Gregory smirked as the chat chaos finally took an amusing turn. Even while the Flame Mage was locked in an epic battle against the towering Demon Prince of the South Army, the absurd antics in the chat refused to let up. The mix of ridiculous predictions and Orion¡¯s cryptic messages made the whole experience more entertaining than frustrating.

    ¡°Alright, chat,¡± Greg said, his voice calm but laced with anticipation. ¡°Let¡¯s see if Flame Mage can pull off a miracle.¡±

    He queued up Rank 3: Single Target and Rank 2: AoE abilities, focusing on the mechanics onscreen. His mouse hovered briefly before confirming the attacks, a satisfying burst of animations lighting up his screen.

    Rank 3: Inflicts 120% of Attack as damage on one enemy and 25% of Attack as splash damage on all other enemies.

    Chat, naturally, had its own wild expectations for the results.

    I Love Big Numbers: We¡¯re expecting two hundred thousand. No, wait¡ªtwo million! Make it big!

    I Love Small Numbers: Nah, it¡¯s gotta be a clean 2.

    I Only Know Negative Numbers: -2.3. What? You think I¡¯m joking?

    Greg let out a laugh. ¡°Negative damage? Alright, I see we¡¯ve got a math genius here.¡±

    Gregory¡¯s smirk faltered as the Flame Mage¡¯s attack landed. The grand explosion of flames engulfed the Demon Prince, accompanied by animations so dramatic they could make a final boss weep. The numbers floated onscreen, promising glory.

    And then reality hit.

    1.

    Yes, a single digit. Just the number ¡°1¡± hovered above the Demon Prince¡¯s hulking form, mocking Greg¡¯s every expectation.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    The chat, predictably, went wild.

    I Love Big Numbers: LMAO, ONE. ABSOLUTE MAD LAD FLAME MAGE!

    I Love Small Numbers: Called it. I told you. 2 would¡¯ve been generous.

    I Only Know Negative Numbers: See? I was close.

    User123: ONE??? We waited for THAT? The animations alone were worth more damage!

    Gregory buried his face in his hands, groaning in disbelief. ¡°One. ONE. All of that buildup for ONE damage?¡± He peeked through his fingers at the screen, where the Demon Prince remained completely unfazed, towering over the Flame Mage like an insurmountable wall.

    ¡°Chat,¡± he said, voice dripping with mock despair. ¡°You were right. This is why I don¡¯t trust gacha characters. They always find a way to disappoint me.¡±

    Space Bar: It¡¯s a damage cap. It¡¯s a stays in the story battle boss screen, genius.

    I Love Big Numbers: I REFUSE to believe this is intentional. Give me my damage back!

    User123: Greg, say it¡¯s a bug. PLEASE.

    Greg laughed helplessly, shaking his head. ¡°Nope, no bug. This is a damage cap, folks. Welcome to Chaos Blade¡¯s way of saying ¡®you¡¯re not supposed to win.¡¯¡±

    The Demon Prince¡¯s health bar, while barely scratched, suddenly began to glow. The towering demon leaned forward, his massive claw raised to strike down the Flame Mage in a single blow.

    The battle cut out and then a animation started playing.

    The Demon Prince¡¯s booming laughter echoed, and the claw crept closer to the flame mage his normal skill looking like an ultimate . The Flame Mage was seconds away from obliteration. Greg clenched his fists, cursing the game¡¯s story mechanics.

    Then it happened.

    The screen flickered as an enormous shadow fell across the battlefield. A deep, commanding voice rang out, shaking the very fabric of the game world:

    ¡°Enough, whelp. You will not claim him.¡±

    Then a red-hot arrow of fire smashed against the demon''s claw pushing the whole demon back stumbling.

    The camera panned dramatically as the Flame Mage¡¯s father appeared. A massive figure wreathed in flames, his aura alone caused the Demon Prince to hesitate.

    The chat exploded again.

    I Love Big Numbers: DAD IS HERE. SAVE US, FLAME DADDY!

    Space Bar: @Iknoweverything Care to explain THIS mechanic?

    Iknoweverything: ¡­No comment.

    Horny&Honest (Ban Evade): Flame Daddy supremacy.

    Greg chuckled as the Flame Mage¡¯s father strode onto the battlefield, his mere presence pushing back the Demon Prince¡¯s aura. The father extended his hand, flames coalescing into a wooden bow that dwarfed anything the Flame Mage could conjure.

    ¡°Chat,¡± Greg said, ¡°I¡¯m officially renaming this character Flame Daddy.¡±

    I Love Big Numbers: ALL HAIL FLAME DADDY.

    With the battle now in his father¡¯s hands, the Flame Mage was suddenly shielded by a dome of fire. Flames danced like a protective barrier as the Demon Prince roared in frustration. Gregory watched in awe as the father launched into action, pulling back the red string of his fiery bow sending a large arrow made of flames into the Demon Prince, causing the Demon to be blown away.

    ¡°This,¡± Greg declared, leaning forward, ¡°is how you do big damage. Take notes, Flame Mage.¡±

    The Demon Prince staggered back, snarling, but it was clear the real fight had just begun. ¡°Alright, chat,¡± Greg said, his voice full of renewed energy. ¡°Let¡¯s see if Flame Daddy can carry this one home.¡±

    The animation ended returning to the battle. A new character appearing

    A flood of people spamming Check his Stats, Check his stats rolled in only stopping when Greg listened.

    Character Name: Emberis, Herald of Eternal Flame

    Race: Human Flame: Flame Elemental

    Type: Red (Strength)

    Passive Ability:

    ¡°Blazing Dominance¡±

    At the start of battle, increases all Flame-attribute allies¡¯ Attack-Related stats by 30%. Applicable Allies become immune to [Scorch], [Blaze], and [Ignite] for 1 turn at the start of allies turn at the start of the allies turn.

    Then applies 2 inferno debuffs on each enemy  on all enemies for 2 turns,

    Whenever Emberis deals critical damage, applies a Burn effect on the target, for 2 turns. Burn effects stack up to 3 times. While Emberis is on the battlefield Applicable Allies can not be targeted for attacks and increases Emberis all- stats by 7 for each Applicable Ally.

    Applicable Allies

    Karlos, [ The Flame Lions Guild]

    Skills:

    <ol>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">  Infernal Spiral (Single Target, Damage)</li>

    </ol>

    <ul>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">  Rank 1: inflicts Hell Blaze 180% Attack as damage to one enemy.</li>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">  Rank 2: inflicts Hell Blaze 270% Attack as damage to one enemy..</li>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">  Rank 3: inflicts 450% Attack as Hell Blaze damage to one enemy. </li>

    </ul>

    Hell¡¯s Blaze: 2x Crit Chance Increase. Damage dealt +60% for each , Inferno, burn, or ignite effect on the enemy.

    <ol start="2">

    <li style="font-weight: 400">  Molten Wave (AoE, Debuff)</li>

    </ol>

    Inflicts Flood Damage equal to 100% of Attack to all enemies, then applies Ashen Curse

    Inflicts Flood Damage equal to 150% of Attack to all enemies, then applies Ashen Curse

    Inflicts Flood Damage equal to 250% of Attack to all enemies, then applies Ashen Curse

    Ashen Curse: Restricts enemy healing and deals damage equal to 15% of remaining HP on all enemies for 2 turn(s).

    Ultimate Move:

    ¡°Pyroclasmic Cataclysm¡± (Single Target)

    Deals 900% Attack as damage to one enemy and inflicts an additional death damage).

    100% of final damage as additional damage. (Random damage on death)

    Greg leaned back in his chair, unable to contain his grin as the chat devolved into absolute pandemonium. The release of Emberis, Herald of Eternal Flame had just turned what started as an underwhelming story battle into one of the most hyped moments he¡¯d seen in Chaos Blade history.

    Back in the chat, the reactions were as fiery as Emberis himself.

    ¡°I Love Big Numbers: 900% DAMAGE? And doubles damage? That''s 1800% percent of damage! This guy doesn¡¯t hit¡ªhe obliterates¡±!

    ¡°Horny&Honest (Ban Evade): Emberis can burn me anytime.¡±

    ¡°Space Bar: Ban this guy AGAIN.¡±

    ¡°User123: FLAME DADDY IS THE ONLY DADDY. #Blessed¡±

    ¡°Horny$Honest: @ Karlos Can I steal your daddy?¡±

 Chapter 15: Flame Festival Part 2

    Gregory couldn¡¯t hold back his laughter, his shoulders shaking as he scrolled through the chat. The hype surrounding Emberis had reached an entirely new level of absurdity, fueled by Horny&Honest¡¯s relentless antics and the collective chaos of the fandom. He adjusted his mic, trying to compose himself as messages poured in.

    ¡°Alright, chat,¡± Greg said, his tone amused yet exasperated, ¡°can we all take a moment to appreciate that Emberis, Herald of Eternal Flame is now officially ¡®Flame Daddy¡¯? Because there¡¯s no going back from this.¡±

    The chat doubled down on the name:

    I Love Big Numbers: FLAME DADDY > ALL OTHER DADDIES.

    User123: Change his title right now! ¡°Herald of Eternal Flame Daddy¡± is the new canon.

    Horny&Honest: ¡°Daddy¡¯s Inferno¡± is a better ultimate name. You¡¯re welcome, Chaos Blade devs.

    Greg raised an eyebrow, laughing softly. ¡°Chaos Blade devs, if you¡¯re watching, please don¡¯t encourage them.¡±

    ¡°I know what I¡¯m doing: @ Greg check the bosses passives again he¡¯s immortal.

    Greg, seeing the comment, looked at the boss and saw an immortality buff. Re-examining his Passives again there was a new one.

    Immortal

    When an enemy enters battle, immortality applies to self. Immortality is removed when attacked by a enemy while having 3 ignites.

    ¡°I know what I¡¯m doing: @ Greg Use flame mage level 2 aoe skill. Then attack again to remove the immortality then attack with Flame Daddy to kill.¡±

    Greg listening to that advice clicked on the sliver card that image was the mage kneeling and lava spewing from underground. Then he clicked on the Flame Daddies aoe skill. and debated what other skill to use. He was bombarded with messages to use Flame Daddies single target and it didn¡¯t feel right to him to kill with him when it was the Mage¡¯s Story. So he reset his skills using the Flame Mages aoe but then used Flame Daddies single target and followed up with the Flame Mages single target.

    Greg¡¯s screen lit up with fiery animations as the Flame Mage¡¯s AoE skill triggered, molten lava erupting beneath the enemy team. The chat collectively held their breath as Greg selected Flame Daddy¡¯s single-target skill.

    ¡°Alright, Flame Daddy,¡± Greg said, smirking, ¡°let¡¯s show them who¡¯s boss.¡±

    The screen exploded with vivid oranges and reds as the skill activated, Flame Daddy raising his bow dramatically and released 6 arrows. A massive inferno engulfed the boss, the numbers 3,473,201 flashing in gold across the screen. The chat erupted into chaos. The Immortal passive shimmered, briefly pulsating before flickering away.

    Horny&Honest: ¡°THAT¡¯S MY FLAME DADDY!!!¡±

    I Love Big Numbers: 3.4 MILLION??!

    User123: IMMORTAL WHO?

    Greg barely had time to process before the Flame Mage followed up with their single-target skill. The lava burst from beneath the boss again, dealing 160,739 and finishing the fight. The screen zoomed in on the boss disappearing into traces of silver energy before the screen flashed towards the flame mage engulfed in a hug by his father.

    Greg leaned back in his chair, stunned by the cinematic that unfolded on screen. The Flame Mage¡ªsmall, scrappy, and often underestimated¡ªwas now the center of attention. The animation depicted the young mage embraced tightly by a towering figure of fire, his father. The emotional swell of the music paired with the striking visuals left Greg speechless for a moment.

    The chat, however, was far from silent.

    Horny&Honest: ¡°Not me tearing up over this. Flame Daddy is a proud papa!¡±

    I Love Big Numbers: ¡°That hug hit harder than the 3.4M damage.¡±

    User123: ¡°Silver energy? Is this lore? What does it mean??¡±

    ChaosBladeLorekeeper: ¡°Wait, does this confirm Flame Mage is Flame Daddy¡¯s kid? Or is it just symbolic?!¡±

    Greg adjusted his mic, his grin returning as he glanced at the new message flashing on the screen.

    Mission Complete!

    Congratulations! You¡¯ve fulfilled a special hidden mission: ¡°A Father¡¯s Pride.¡± Rewards unlocked!

    ?Exclusive Story Reward: Flame Mage¡¯s Pendant (Increases all fire skill damage by 20% and unlocks unique dialogue in future story missions).Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

    ?Limited Coupon Code Unlocked: Redeem FLAMEDADDY2024 for 50 Chaos Gems and 10 Summon Tickets and UR exp potions.

    The chat immediately caught wind of the coupon code and exploded.

    Horny&Honest: ¡°FLAMEDADDY2024. I AM DYING.¡±

    I Love Big Numbers: ¡°50 Chaos Gems?! BRB, putting this in before they patch it.¡±

    User123: ¡°Everyone, drop everything. This is not a drill!¡±

    Greg burst out laughing, holding up his hands. ¡°Alright, alright, chat, calm down! I¡¯ll admit it¡ªthis was probably the most satisfying win I¡¯ve had in Chaos Blade. That final shot with Flame Daddy, the Flame Mage¡¯s follow-up, and then that cinematic? Chef¡¯s kiss.¡±

    He leaned closer to the screen, scrolling through the chat. ¡°And who was it that called the Immortal passive in the first place? ¡®I Know What I¡¯m Doing¡¯? Dude, you¡¯re a genius. I owe you one.¡±

    I Know What I¡¯m Doing: ¡°Just doing my job, Greg.¡±

    Horny&Honest: ¡°And my job is to make sure we NEVER forget Flame Daddy.¡±

    ChaosDevMod: ¡°So¡­ do we actually need to make him canonically Flame Daddy now? Asking for¡­ science.¡±

    Greg squinted at the screen. ¡°Wait. ChaosDevMod, are you serious right now?¡± He paused, dramatically holding a hand to his forehead. ¡°Chat, what have we done? We¡¯ve corrupted the developers.¡±

    ChaosDevMod: ¡°Corrupted? Or inspired?¡±

    Greg groaned, laughing as he pulled up the story rewards tab. ¡°Alright, chat, before we all collectively combust over Flame Daddy, let¡¯s check out this pendant. It better be worth the hype.¡±

    Clicking on the reward, a description popped up:

    Flame Mage¡¯s Pendant

    ¡°Passed down through generations, this pendant contains the fire of an eternal bond. Its warmth is a reminder of the strength found in unity.¡±

    ¡°Okay, that¡¯s actually kinda sweet,¡± Greg admitted. ¡°Plus, 20% extra fire damage? My Flame Mage is about to become a whole problem.¡±

    The chat was relentless:

    I Love Big Numbers: ¡°So we¡¯re buffing Flame Mage now? Absolute king behavior.¡±

    Horny&Honest: ¡°Daddy¡¯s proud, and I¡¯m sobbing.¡±

    User123: ¡°Make it official: Flame Mage is Flame Prince.¡±

    Greg smirked, shaking his head as he navigated back to the main menu. ¡°Alright, Flame Daddy and Flame Prince it is. And ChaosDevMod? If I see this name change in the patch notes, just know¡ªyou¡¯ll have the entire fandom to thank.¡±

    ChaosDevMod: Here''s a reward for a new streamer doing so well. I¡¯ll give you a reward if you can answer a riddle before the stream ends.

    The chat exploded. Come on, this will be easy. The number of people in the stream rose to 500.

    Are we up for it? Chat asked Gregory while reclining in his seat.

    Greg¡¯s face lit up as the riddle came up on-screen, its cryptic nature immediately igniting the chat.

    ChaosDevMod: ¡°Here¡¯s the riddle: A Monarch reigns in silence, its court alight with fleeting brilliance. What am I?¡±

    The chat erupted in a flurry of speculation.

    Horny&Honest: ¡°Flame Daddy¡¯s future wife, obviously.¡±

    I Love Big Numbers: ¡°Is it¡­ fireflies? No wait, stars?¡±

    User123: ¡°MONARCH. Think! Butterflies are Monarchs!¡±

    Greg: ¡°Hold on, chat might be onto something with butterflies. Monarch butterflies. Their flight patterns, the way they shine in the sunlight¡ªit fits.¡±

    The chat¡¯s momentum shifted as everyone latched onto the butterfly theory.

    ChaosBladeLorekeeper: ¡°Butterflies! It¡¯s gotta be. Monarch butterflies are literal royalty in the insect world. Plus, ¡®fleeting brilliance¡¯ sounds like them!¡±

    Greg leaned closer, his grin widening as he typed the answer into the riddle input box: Butterfly. For a moment, the screen froze. Then, a notification appeared:

    Congratulations!

    You have unlocked an exclusive teaser for the upcoming release.

    The screen darkened, and an eerie silver flame flickered into view. The flame seemed alive, pulsing faintly as the sound of footsteps echoed. A figure walked through a dense forest, the flame lighting their way. Shadows danced around him as the flame shifted, turning into a radiant silver aura that enveloped him.

    Greg sat forward in his chair, eyes wide. ¡°Chat, are you seeing this?¡±

    The aura flared, illuminating the figure¡ªa new version of the Flame Mage, taller, more muscular, and exuding an unmistakable confidence. His fiery red hair now had streaks of silver, and his outfit was a sleek blend of flame and ash tones, mirroring his transformation. Despite his newfound presence, his youthful face still held the spark of the scrappy underdog everyone had come to love.

    Before Greg could comment, the foliage around the mage rustled. Three demons emerged, their forms grotesque and twisted, their glowing eyes locked on their target. The Flame Mage didn¡¯t flinch. Instead, he raised a hand, and the silver aura seemed to respond, growing brighter. Suddenly, hundreds of butterflies materialized out of thin air, their wings shimmering like molten silver.

    The chat lost its mind.

    Horny&Honest: ¡°BUTTERFLIES. OH MY GOD.¡±

    User123: ¡°HE¡¯S A FLAME MONARCH?!?!¡±

    I Love Big Numbers: ¡°MY KING. THIS IS SO BEAUTIFUL.¡±

    The butterflies descended on the demons in a dazzling storm. Their wings glowed brighter and brighter before they exploded, consuming the demons in a fiery blast that scorched the surrounding forest. Smoke and embers filled the air, but the figure remained unharmed.

    As the smoke cleared, a single golden butterfly fluttered down, landing delicately on the Flame Mage¡¯s outstretched finger. The camera panned upward, revealing his face¡ªa striking blend of determination and calm. For the first time, his resemblance to Flame Daddy was undeniable.

    Greg¡¯s jaw dropped. ¡°No. Freaking. Way.¡±

    The teaser ended with a single line of text:

    Prepare for the rise of the Monarch of Flames.

    The chat was absolute chaos:

    Horny&Honest: ¡°FLAME DADDY AND FLAME PRINCE ARE UNSTOPPABLE NOW!¡±

    I Love Big Numbers: ¡°Monarch of Flames? TAKE MY MONEY.¡±

    User123: ¡°This is the glow-up of the century.¡±

    ChaosBladeLorekeeper: ¡°The butterfly motif fits so well. It¡¯s like rebirth, transformation, and destruction all in one.¡±

    Greg finally found his voice. ¡°Chat, I don¡¯t even have words. This? This is a masterpiece. The butterflies, the new look, the title¡ªMonarch of Flames? Chaos Blade devs, you¡¯ve outdone yourselves.¡±

    ChaosDevMod: ¡°Glad you liked it, Greg. We¡¯ll be revealing more details soon. Keep up the great streams¡ªoh, and don¡¯t forget to check your inventory for a little something extra.¡±

    Greg blinked, quickly opening his inventory to find a glowing new item:

    Monarch¡¯s Amulet

    ¡°Wrought from silver flame, this amulet signifies a rebirth into greatness.

    One use item: Transfers you the the Flame Monarch¡¯s Testing Page.

    Greg laughed, shaking his head in disbelief. ¡°Okay, now they¡¯re just spoiling me. Chat, should we test this out on stream, or save it for later?¡±

    The chat was unanimous:

    Test it now!

    Greg smirked, clicking the amulet. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s see what the Monarch of Flames can really do.¡±

 Chapter 16: Testing

    When Gregory clicked the item in his inventory to confirm its use, the screen dimmed. A familiar loading wheel spun briefly, the kind that raised every player¡¯s pulse with anticipation, promising something new. Suddenly, the screen transitioned, and Gregory found himself standing amidst a sprawling training ground.

    The castle in the distance immediately caught his eye. Its grey stone bricks were weathered yet steadfast, giving off the impression of resilience forged over centuries. From its walls hung red banners, emblazoned with a golden flaming lion, the unmistakable symbol of the Flame Lions Guild. The guild¡¯s insignia glimmered in the soft sunlight, an emblem of strength and dominance.

    The castle¡¯s towers loomed high, their small windows like slitted eyes watching over the grounds. Battlements adorned the top, their design medieval and fortified, as if preparing for a siege that could come at any moment. The air was tinged with the faint crackle of mana, and the training ground stretched outward, a battlefield where heroes were forged and legends tested their mettle.

    Gregory barely had time to admire the details when something glimmered in his peripheral vision. A delicate golden butterfly floated down gracefully, glowing faintly, as if it were alive yet ethereal. Its movements were smooth and deliberate, almost sentient, and it hovered about seven feet in the air before stopping.

    Gregory squinted. The butterfly wasn¡¯t just decoration. It pulsed faintly, releasing an aura that was impossible to ignore. A faint hum accompanied its presence, and before he could inspect it further, the sky darkened momentarily.

    A loud crack thundered above, pulling Gregory¡¯s attention upward.

    Without warning, a figure descended from the heavens at breakneck speed. His silhouette grew larger as he neared, the sheer force of his descent kicking up a fiery trail in his wake. Gregory barely had time to brace himself as the Flame Prince landed with an earth-shattering impact.

    Boom!

    The ground around the prince¡¯s landing cratered, fissures snaking outward as dust and debris shot up in a dramatic cloud. The force reverberated through the training ground, and Gregory instinctively took a step back to steady himself.

    As the dust cleared, the Flame Prince stood tall in the center of the impact zone. He was completely unfazed, his posture almost mocking in its casualness.

    The prince had landed on his feet, his arms lazily positioned behind his head like he had simply hopped down from a low ledge instead of crashing into the earth like a meteor.

    His attire immediately caught Gregory¡¯s eye.

    Karlos Pov

    The Karlos blinked, disoriented. One moment, he was simply¡­ getting ready to shoot an arrow into a training dummy. The next, he felt a jarring shift, like he¡¯d been yanked forward into something tangible, something real.

    Except, it wasn¡¯t him moving.

    He hovered slightly above the ground, his form translucent and weightless. It was as though he¡¯d been peeled out of his own body. The training ground stretched before him, vivid and alive in a way he¡¯d never experienced before. Every stone in the castle wall, every ripple of the banners fluttering in the wind¡ªthey felt painfully real, far more detailed than he¡¯d ever noticed in-game.

    Then, he saw himself.

    Standing just a few feet away,

    He was noticeably different but still obviously the same person. For one he was taller like the size of his original self instead of the smaller version he adopted in game. His hair now had strands of silver. Most noticeable of all the changes was the silver aura surrounding him; the aura looked violent but warming.

    His silver version was the picture of confidence and power. That high-collared white-and-red coat draped around him like royalty, the quiver slung casually over his shoulder, and the bow of silver flames resting loosely in his grip.

    The sight was¡­ unnerving.

    ¡°What the hell is this?¡± the Flame Mage muttered to himself, his voice echoing faintly as though spoken from a great distance.

    The Flame Prince¡ªhis future self¡ªwasn¡¯t paying him any attention. Instead, he was pacing, cracking his knuckles, and flashing that cocky grin.Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

    The Flame Mage hovered, watching with growing unease as his Silver Flame Prince counterpart moved with precision. It wasn¡¯t random. Every attack, every step, every motion was intentional¡ªbut they weren¡¯t his intentions.

    A flicker of light in the corner of his vision drew his attention upward. There it was again¡ªthe massive screen with Greg on it, his voice faintly echoing through the training ground like distant thunder.

    Greg¡¯s Voice (muffled):

    ¡°All right, chat, let¡¯s check out the first skill animation. This one looks sick in the preview.¡±

    The Flame Mage squinted at Greg, seeing his excited gestures and hearing the hum of his stream chat chiming in. It was as if a god had descended to this world, but one oblivious to the fact that its creations could sense it.

    The Mage floated closer to his corporeal form¡ªthe Silver Prince, who was now taking up position in the center of the training ground. The red and white coat fluttered lightly in the wind as the Prince raised his hand, fire sparking between his fingers. A golden bow with sliver strings manifested itself. 3 silver arrows appeared in the Mage¡¯s hand and he then shot those arrows

    A low hum filled the air, followed by a sudden rush of heat as the golden-butterfly appeared in front of the dummy. The Silver Prince swapped places with the butterfly and punched the dummy.

    Suddenly, the golden butterfly from before flitted into his vision, spiraling upward before bursting into light. The Mage shielded his eyes reflexively, but the voice that followed froze him in place.

    Flame Prince:

    ¡°Hey, relax. I know this is weird, but you¡¯ll figure it out eventually.¡±

    The Mage turned, stunned, as his Silver Flame Prince version glanced over his shoulder with a knowing smile.

    ¡°You can hear me?¡± the Mage asked, his voice trembling with equal parts hope and confusion.

    The Prince chuckled, drawing another arrow and casually aiming it at a distant target.

    ¡°Not exactly. I¡¯m just a fragment of what you¡¯re going to be. But don¡¯t worry, you¡¯ll catch up soon enough.¡±

    Greg¡¯s Voice ( Muffled:)  The second card  has a lion in the picture. It''s an aoe I think.

    Gregory POV

    Gregory¡¯s excitement was palpable as he clicked to activate the Flame Prince¡¯s first skill. The animation was seamless: Karlos shot 3 arrows that struck true a glowing golden butterfly materialized, moving gracefully before swapping places with the Prince mid-attack. The dummy erupted into flames, the explosion so vivid that Gregory half-expected to feel heat through his screen.

    ¡°All right, chat, this is nuts,¡± Gregory said, leaning forward. His voice was filled with unrestrained awe. ¡°That butterfly thing? Definitely not just for show. And that swap? Clean.¡±

    His chat erupted:

    I¡¯m just here for animations: ¡°This is the best skill animation yet!¡±

    ¡°I ¡®m a Whale please believe me: Bro, that butterfly is broken¡ªpay-to-win confirmed.¡±

    I hate pvp ??: ¡°Imagine this in PvP, though.¡±

    Habakkuk: what that skill be ranged or melee?

    Horny&Honest: @ Habakkuk : Probably ranged tbh. He has a bow and the whole animation he attacks from 10 feet away besides for two seconds. Good question though.

    User123: @Horny&Honest So you do actually play the game.

    I love big number: Shame I¡¯m going to have to go to bed without seeing those big stats.

    Gregory¡¯s POV

    Gregory¡¯s anticipation swelled as he prepared to activate the second skill. His finger hovered over the screen for a moment longer than necessary, savoring the chatter from his stream.

    ¡°All right, chat,¡± he said, leaning back slightly and cracking his knuckles. ¡°We¡¯ve seen how clean the first skill was. Let¡¯s find out what the second card does. If the first animation is anything to go by, this one¡¯s probably insane.¡±

    As his thumb pressed the activation button, the screen dimmed momentarily before exploding into color. The Flame Prince, standing confidently in the training ground, raised his hand. A burst of flame coiled around his arm like a living serpent, hissing and crackling with energy.

    From the fiery swirl emerged a spectral lion¡ªits mane a flowing mass of golden and crimson flames, its eyes burning with fierce intelligence. The lion padded forward, leaving glowing embers with every step. It roared, the sound reverberating through the ground and shaking the training dummies.

    Chat Reaction:

    ?WhaleGod69: ¡°A lion made of flames? TAKE MY MONEY.¡±

    ?IWantPvPOnly: ¡°Bro, I can already see this being nerfed in the next update.¡±

    ?AOEFTW: ¡°This better be an area-of-effect attack or I¡¯m uninstalling.¡±

    Gregory couldn¡¯t help but chuckle. His audience was losing their minds, and he hadn¡¯t even seen the skill fully play out yet.

    The lion surged forward with a grace that belied its power. As it neared the dummies, the beast leapt into the air, its body dissolving into countless fiery shards that scattered across the battlefield. Each shard descended like a blazing meteor, creating a series of explosions that blanketed the entire training ground in chaos and light.

    Gregory leaned closer to his monitor, his voice trembling with excitement. ¡°Chat, are you seeing this? That lion splits into fragments, and¡ªwait, is that burn damage I see ticking on the dummies?¡±

    Chat Reaction:

    ?Burn4Life: ¡°YOOO, DOT stacking confirmed???¡±

    ?PaytoPlay: ¡°No way this is balanced. My wallet¡¯s ready.¡±

    ?SkillFanatic: ¡°Does anyone else notice how fluid the transitions are? This is next-gen animation right here.¡±

    Gregory swiped over to inspect the stats of the attack. Sure enough, each dummy was now smoldering, a persistent damage-over-time effect reducing their health steadily. But what caught his attention next sent a chill down his spine.

    As the lion¡¯s fiery shards dissipated, a ghostly silhouette of the lion remained, prowling near the Flame Prince like a loyal guardian. Its form shimmered, flickering between corporeal and ethereal as if tethered to the Prince¡¯s will.

    ¡°Wait, wait, wait,¡± Gregory muttered, his eyes wide. ¡°Chat, is this¡ªdoes the lion stay on the field?¡±

    Chat Reaction:

    ?I¡¯mJustHereForGraphics: ¡°No way. Is it a summon now???¡±

    ?PvPGrinder: ¡°RIP melee players if that thing chases people in arenas.¡±

    ?CasualCasper: ¡°Bruh, I need this card for farming mobs. Look at that coverage!¡±

 Chapter 17: LR Cosmetics

    Gregory¡¯s mind raced as he frantically toggled through the skill descriptions. His heart pounded like he¡¯d just pulled a jackpot card from a gacha roll.

    ¡°There it is!¡± Gregory exclaimed, his voice trembling with barely contained glee. ¡°Chat, the second skill has part of the passive as secondary effect. Look at this!¡±

    The description was displayed prominently on the screen:

    ¡°Lion¡¯s Eternal Blaze¡±

    Skill Effect: Summons a spectral lion that deals area-of-effect damage on activation. The lion remains active for 3 attacks, applying a stacking burn effect to all enemies when the hero uses a skill. While active, the lion attacks after the hero uses a skill dealing additional damage equal to 200% of the Karlos¡¯s attack.

    Chat erupted in a frenzy:

    ?WhaleGod69: ¡°So it¡¯s like a turret? But on fire? I¡¯m sold.¡±

    ?SkillHunter99: ¡°Wait, it mirrors attacks? That¡¯s busted. Imagine the DPS!¡±

    ?CasualCasper: ¡°This might actually break PvP¡­ but also my heart if I don¡¯t pull it.¡±

    As the Prince fired his bow, the lion roared and unleashed fiery projectiles that mirrored the Prince¡¯s arrows, creating a veritable storm of blazing destruction.

    ¡°Chat, this is next-level synergy!¡± Gregory leaned closer to the screen, pointing at the coordinated attacks. ¡°You¡¯re telling me this summon buffs your damage and it attacks with you? And it stacks burn effects? This card isn¡¯t just strong¡ªit¡¯s downright unfair.¡±

    The audience loved it:

    ?DOT4Days: ¡°Imagine chaining this with other burn-based skills. The DPS would melt raid bosses.¡±

    ?PaytoWinKing: ¡°This is why I spend. Worth it every time.¡±

    ?PvEPlayer420: ¡°Good luck not seeing this lion everywhere in PvE runs.¡±

    As the fiery chaos subsided and the dummies were reduced to scorched remnants, Gregory scrolled to the final skill on the card.

    ¡°All right, chat,¡± he said, his tone teasing. ¡°We¡¯ve seen the first two skills, and they¡¯re already nuts. But this last one? It¡¯s the ultimate. Let¡¯s find out if it lives up to the hype.¡±

    He tapped the skill icon, and the screen darkened for a moment, signaling the start of the ultimate ability. The Flame Prince stepped forward, his silver aura intensifying, making him look like a god descending into battle. His bow dissolved into flames, and he spread his arms wide, summoning a massive golden sigil that hovered in the air above him.

    The sigil pulsed with raw energy, and from it, countless fiery arrows materialized, forming a ring around the battlefield. The Prince raised his hand, and the arrows shot outward in all directions, blanketing the training ground in a rain of golden fire.

    But it didn¡¯t stop there.

    As the arrows struck the ground, they ignited massive columns of fire that roared upward, each one accompanied by the image of a lion roaring in defiance. The dummies didn¡¯t stand a chance¡ªshattered, scorched, and utterly obliterated.

    ¡°Are you kidding me?¡± Gregory shouted, throwing his hands in the air. ¡°Chat, look at this! This isn¡¯t just an attack¡ªit¡¯s a freaking light show! And did you see the lions in the flames? That¡¯s detail.¡±

    Chat went wild:

    GraphicsGuru: ¡°This is art. Actual art.¡±

    BurnFanatic: ¡°Lions within the fire? That¡¯s lore AND damage.¡±

    ImbalancedOpinions: ¡°This needs to be nerfed before it hits live servers. No way this is fair.¡±

    Gregory¡¯s grin widened as he clicked the stats. ¡°And look at this¡ªthe ultimate scales off burn stacks! The more stacks you¡¯ve applied before activating it, the more damage it deals. That¡¯s insane synergy with his other skills.¡±

    He leaned back in his chair, rubbing his hands together. ¡°Chat, we¡¯re looking at a contender for best DPS character in the game. And if they leave that summon lion untouched? This is meta-breaking.¡±

    More comments flooded in:If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

    BigBrainWhale: ¡°They¡¯re not nerfing this until after the whales have spent. Watch.¡±

    BalancedOpinions99: ¡°This lion is a pay-to-win trophy, but damn, I still want it.¡±

    DotMetaForever: ¡°Time to stack burns and watch the world melt.¡±

    Gregory let the final moments of the ultimate animation play out, watching as the Flame Prince turned, his silver aura dissipating slightly but leaving faint embers in his wake. The ghostly lion prowled at his side, a final testament to the Prince¡¯s dominance.

    ¡°Well, chat,¡± Gregory said, his tone slightly breathless. ¡°There you have it. The Flame Prince is a walking inferno of destruction. Burn effects, insane skill animations, and a summon that makes him a one-man army. If you¡¯re not pulling for him¡­ well, good luck in PvP.¡±

    The screen transitioned back to Gregory¡¯s inventory, but his excitement lingered as he leaned forward again. ¡°All right, let¡¯s keep going. I think there¡¯s a special emote

    Chaos Blade Dev: Skills are subject to change.

    Gregory¡¯s excitement was palpable as he continued to break down the new Flame Prince card for his audience. The chat scrolled at breakneck speed, a mix of awe, envy, and strategy as viewers dissected every detail of the reveal. His hands moved with practiced ease as he navigated the menus, lingering briefly on the Flame Prince¡¯s character art.

    The depiction was stunning: the Prince stood tall amidst swirling embers, his silver aura offset by a mane of flames curling around him like a cloak. His bow¡ªcrafted from molten gold¡ªseemed alive, its edges flickering with heat. Behind him, the spectral lion loomed, its translucent form crackling with fiery energy.

    Gregory let out a low whistle. ¡°Chat, can we take a second to appreciate this art? The detail here is insane. Look at the lion¡¯s fur¡ªit¡¯s not just fire; it¡¯s layered flames moving independently. This isn¡¯t just a card. This is a masterpiece.¡±

    Comments poured in:

    ArtAddict22: ¡°Whoever designed this deserves a raise. Instantly iconic.¡±

    PixelWhisperer: ¡°The lion has more personality than some of my actual characters.¡±

    HotHands79: ¡°I¡¯m gonna pull just for the art. Meta or not.¡±

    Gregory chuckled, running a hand through his hair. ¡°You know, it¡¯s funny. They always give the fire characters the best animations and designs. Like, I love my Ice Valkyrie, but¡­ she¡¯s not summoning flaming lions, you know?¡±

    As if on cue, the chat erupted in defense of other elements:

    ?FrostMain77: ¡°Ice supremacy! We¡¯re just subtle, not flashy.¡±

    ?WaterBoi13: ¡°Water characters need love too!¡±

    ?ThunderCrush94: ¡°Lightning forever. Fire mains just like shiny things.¡±

    ¡°Okay, okay,¡± Gregory said, holding up his hands in mock surrender. ¡°All elements are valid. But come on¡ªthis guy¡¯s ultimate literally makes lions roar out of fire columns. That¡¯s not flashy? That¡¯s a damn movie in a skill animation.¡±

    I saw Everything ??: He has a trinket. He has an upgraded trinket of the fire mage¡¯s.

    The chat went wild:

    MetaMaker93: ¡°This dude isn¡¯t just a DPS. He¡¯s a walking debuff machine!¡±

    TheoryCraftingKing: ¡°Pair him with a poison or bleed character. The damage over time would be disgusting.¡±

    RaidLeader555: ¡°This guy just made himself a must-have for every raid. Goodbye to balanced comps.¡±

    Gregory¡¯s voice dropped into a conspiratorial whisper. ¡°You know what this means, chat? This guy¡¯s not just PvP cancer¡ªhe¡¯s gonna be the raid MVP. And the best part? That summon lion doesn¡¯t count as an extra character. So no AI shenanigans ruining your combos. He¡¯s literally flawless.¡±

    He clicked over to the final section of the Flame Prince¡¯s profile, a list of unlockable cosmetics. As the new skins loaded in, Gregory let out a loud laugh. ¡°No way. No freaking way. Chat, look at this.¡±

    The screen displayed a reskin of the Flame Prince decked out in golden armor, his spectral lion transformed into a blazing phoenix. The animations showcased the phoenix diving through the battlefield, leaving trails of molten gold in its wake.

    ¡°Golden Phoenix Flame Prince,¡± Gregory read aloud, shaking his head. ¡°Okay, they¡¯re just flexing now. They know we¡¯re gonna buy this.¡±

    ¡° What¡¯s this Greg asked noticing a new tab in the cosmetic section titled LR.

    Gregory¡¯s eyes narrowed as he hovered over the newly unveiled tab in the cosmetic section titled LR. His curiosity piqued, he glanced at the chat, where the chaos mirrored his own excitement.

    WhaleGod69: ¡°What the hell is LR? Limited Rare? Legendary Reskin?¡±

    CasualCasper: ¡°Bro, open it already! My heart can¡¯t take this suspense!¡±

    PaytoWinKing: ¡°If it costs more than my rent, I swear¡ª¡±

    ¡°All right, chat, hold onto your wallets,¡± Gregory said, clicking the tab with a dramatic flourish. The screen transitioned to a dark backdrop, illuminated by a golden glow that radiated outward like an ethereal pulse. As the glow intensified, the Flame Prince appeared, his silhouette shrouded in a mix of shadow and flame.

    Then the full reveal hit.

    The LR skin wasn¡¯t just a cosmetic¡ªit was a statement. The Flame Prince stood clad in molten obsidian armor, laced with veins of pulsing lava. His bow was no longer a simple weapon but an intricate masterpiece of blackened steel and golden fire, shaped like a roaring lion¡¯s maw. The spectral lion was gone, replaced by a massive, living fire lion that walked beside him, its steps leaving scorched paw prints on the ground.

    The animation preview was even more extravagant. The LR Flame Prince stood atop a battlefield cloaked in twilight, summoning his ultimate ability. But this time, the fiery sigil in the sky had evolved into a radiant golden eclipse. Instead of arrows, phoenix-like flaming creatures burst forth, streaking across the battlefield in waves of explosive brilliance. When the animation ended, the lion prowled forward, roaring so fiercely that the sound seemed to shake the entire screen.

    Gregory was speechless. For a moment, all he could do was sit back and gape, his chair creaking under the sudden movement. The chat, however, filled the void with its characteristic hysteria:

    BurnFanatic: ¡°THIS IS ILLEGAL. I¡¯M THROWING MONEY.¡±

    PixelWhisperer: ¡°I don¡¯t even play Fire, but I¡¯m buying this.¡±

    BigBrainWhale: ¡°LR clearly stands for ¡®Literally Robbing¡¯ us. Take my cash.¡±

    Finally, Gregory found his voice. ¡°Chat, what¡­ what even is this? Did they outsource this to a movie studio? How is this a skin? This isn¡¯t just a flex¡ªthis is a crime against our savings.¡±

    He scrolled down to the details, trying to get a handle on what made this LR skin so special beyond its god-tier visuals. His jaw dropped as he read the bonuses.

 Chapter 18: Overpowered Flames

    Chat, listen to this,¡± Gregory began, his voice quivering with disbelief as he read the bonuses aloud. ¡°This LR skin doesn¡¯t just change the appearance¡ªit enhances the gameplay. Get ready for this.¡±

    LR Skin Bonuses:

    ?Molten Dominance: Increases the Flame Prince¡¯s Attack by 15% and Critical Damage by 20%.

    ?Lava Bound Lion: The summoned lion from Lion¡¯s Eternal Blaze gains a new ability: Ignition Howl, which applies an additional 5% health-based true damage to all enemies with burn stacks.

    ?Eclipse¡¯s Will: The ultimate skill evolves, dealing 30% more damage for every burn stack applied before activation. Burn stacks now refresh instead of being consumed upon ultimate use.

    ?Phoenix Arise: Revives the Flame Prince with 50% health and restores his summon to full capacity once per battle.

    Gregory leaned back in his chair, running a hand over his face in disbelief. ¡°Chat, they made the skin pay-to-win. It¡¯s not just a cosmetic¡ªit¡¯s a full-on upgrade. This is literally a whole new tier of power.¡±

    The chat erupted in chaos:

    WhaleGod69: ¡°They¡¯re not even hiding the cash grab anymore.¡±

    SkillHunter99: ¡°Revive mechanic on a DPS? Game¡¯s broken. GG.¡±

    CasualCasper: ¡°At least it¡¯s a one-time per battle thing¡­ right?¡±

    PaytoWinKing: ¡°Guess I¡¯m eating ramen for a month.¡±

    BalancedOpinions99: ¡°This is insane. They¡¯re turning skins into game-changers.¡±

    Gregory shook his head, laughing despite himself. ¡°Okay, let¡¯s be real here. This is busted. That revive alone is worth it¡ªlike, imagine this guy in PvP or a high-stakes raid. You think you¡¯ve taken him out, and boom, he¡¯s back with his lion, ready to melt your entire team again. Not to mention that Ignition Howl on the lion? True damage based on health? Who thought this was a good idea?¡±

    As the preview animation replayed on the screen, Gregory couldn¡¯t help but admire the sheer audacity of it. The golden eclipse burned brightly above the battlefield, and the phoenix-like creatures flew in mesmerizing patterns. ¡°Chat, they knew exactly what they were doing. Look at this. It¡¯s art, it¡¯s destruction, and it¡¯s a paycheck¡¯s worth of microtransactions.¡±

    TheoryCraftingKing: ¡°The burn stack refresh makes him basically infinite DPS. Combine him with poison for insane over-time damage.¡±

    F2PPlayer420: ¡°Well, guess I¡¯m never winning in PvP again. GG, whales.¡±

    DOT4Days: ¡°This skin is going to define the meta until they release the next power creep.¡±

    Gregory smirked at the chat, leaning closer to the camera. ¡°Let¡¯s be honest, chat. We¡¯re mad, but we¡¯re also hyped. This is what we signed up for with Chaos Blade. We came here for ridiculous, over-the-top characters, and they delivered. If you¡¯re a Flame Prince main¡ªor just someone who likes winning¡ªthis is the skin to get. And if you¡¯re not a whale¡­ well, at least enjoy the light show.¡±

    The chat filled with memes, despair, and excitement as Gregory wrapped up his breakdown of the LR Flame Prince. He couldn¡¯t stop grinning as he moved to close the tab. ¡°All right, chat, I think we¡¯ve seen enough. I¡¯m officially calling it¡ªthis is the most insane card and skin in the game right now. Start saving your gems, your wallets, or your dignity. You¡¯re gonna need all three.¡±

    As the chat begged for another look at the skin, Gregory clicked to replay the ultimate animation one last time. The golden eclipse rose again, and as the phoenixes blazed across the screen, he muttered under his breath, ¡°This game is going to ruin me. But it¡¯s so worth it.

    Gregory froze mid-scroll as a notification popped up in the corner of his screen, its bold, crimson text demanding attention. It was a system message from the Chaos Blade developers, marked with their official insignia.

    ¡°Chat, hold up!¡± Gregory exclaimed, waving his hand like he was trying to physically stop the avalanche of messages flooding his chat box. His voice trembled with a mixture of excitement and nerves. ¡°We¡¯ve got a dev update live on stream. This isn¡¯t just patch notes; it¡¯s an actual Chaos Blade Mod message. Let¡¯s see what they¡¯re saying.¡±A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

    He clicked the notification, pulling it up on the screen. A crisp, professionally designed panel appeared, its header emblazoned with the Chaos Blade logo surrounded by fiery and icy motifs. Beneath it was the message:

    Developer Update ¨C November Festival Patch

    1.Materials for LR Skin Upgrades:

    The materials required to upgrade LR cosmetics will be released in the upcoming November Festival Patch. These items will be tied to limited-time event quests, offering players multiple opportunities to gather what they need. Expect challenging content, lucrative rewards, and exclusive milestones!

    2.Message for Gregory:

    Congratulations, Gregory! Following your exceptional showcase of Chaos Blade content and your unmatched ability to engage the community, we¡¯re thrilled to announce you as an official part of the Chaos Blade Global Livestream Team.

    Prepare for exclusive content access, direct collaborations with developers, and a permanent role in our future live events.

    The message ended with a stylized signature from the Community Manager, and the words ¡°Welcome to the team!¡± shone in gilded text at the bottom.

    Gregory sat back, his hand covering his mouth in stunned disbelief. He stared at the screen for a moment, and then at his chat, which had devolved into absolute chaos.

    Chat erupted:

    ?WhaleGod69: ¡°GREG IS OFFICIAL NOW! LET¡¯S GOOO!¡±

    ?CasualCasper: ¡°Greg¡¯s the chosen one. We were here first!¡±

    ?PixelWhisperer: ¡°Bro, you¡¯re famous. Get that sponsorship money!¡±

    ?SkillHunter99: ¡°Global streams? That¡¯s insane. Congrats, Greg!¡±

    ?PaytoWinKing: ¡°First the Flame Prince, now this? Best stream ever.¡±

    Gregory blinked, shaking his head as if trying to snap himself back to reality. ¡°Chat¡­ are you seeing this? Did I¡ªdid I just get recruited for the Global Livestream Team? Is this real life right now?¡±

    His eyes darted to his viewer count, which had quietly climbed while he was absorbed in the update. ¡°Holy¡­ Chat, we¡¯re at¡ªwait for it¡ªover 10,000 viewers? When did that happen?¡±

    More messages flooded in:

    ?BurnFanatic: ¡°10K viewers and a dev endorsement? You¡¯re unstoppable, Greg.¡±

    ?TheoryCraftingKing: ¡°They know a legend when they see one. Respect.¡±

    ?BigBrainWhale: ¡°This is just the beginning. Global streams, baby!¡±

    Gregory leaned forward, gripping his microphone. ¡°Okay, okay, let¡¯s take this one step at a time. First, the patch info: November Festival Patch is going to be huge. Event quests, LR upgrade materials, exclusive rewards¡­ they¡¯re pulling out all the stops. And if the LR cosmetics are tied to this event, we better grind like our lives depend on it.¡±

    He paused, taking a deep breath to calm his racing thoughts. ¡°And second¡­ Chat, I don¡¯t even know what to say. Being part of the Global Livestream Team? That¡¯s a dream I didn¡¯t even know I had. I mean, you all made this happen. Every single one of you who tuned in, hyped the chat, and stuck with me through the grind.¡±

    The chat swelled with congratulatory messages, emojis, and animated stickers as Gregory¡¯s excitement became infectious.

    ¡°Let me tell you this, chat,¡± he said, his grin breaking through. ¡°We¡¯re just getting started. If this is the level of hype we¡¯re hitting now, imagine what¡¯s coming when we dive into these global streams. Exclusive content? Direct dev collabs? Chaos Blade is about to go to the next level¡ªand we¡¯re all going with it.¡±

    Gregory leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples as he processed the announcement. ¡°All right, no time to get too emotional. We¡¯ve got a November Festival Patch to prepare for, 10,000 people to entertain, and¡ªoh yeah¡ªa Golden Phoenix Flame Prince to pull. Let¡¯s keep this momentum going, chat. We¡¯ve got work to do.¡±

    The chat exploded once more as Gregory transitioned seamlessly into his next task, the exhilaration of the announcement fueling both him and his viewers for what was shaping up to be the stream of a lifetime.

    As the chat buzzed with excitement, Gregory felt a sudden shift in his energy. The announcement about his induction into the Chaos Blade Global Livestream Team had sent his adrenaline spiking, but now, with the stream winding down, he found himself wanting to give his viewers one last thrill before calling it a night.

    ¡°Alright, chat,¡± Gregory began, his voice now calm but laced with a hint of mischief. ¡°The hype is real. But before we wrap up this epic stream, let me ask you all a question.¡± He paused for dramatic effect, his eyes flicking over to the chat where messages were flying in faster than he could read. ¡°Do you guys want to see me try the Abyss Dungeon¡­ with my old Flame Mage? The one who can barely handle a low-level raid? ¡®Cause that¡¯s what we¡¯re looking at here.¡±

    The chat exploded in mixed responses. Some viewers were eager for the spectacle of his inevitable failure, others were genuinely curious if he could pull it off, and a few just wanted to see Gregory push his limits.

    AbyssDungeonMaster: ¡°This is going to be painful, but I¡¯m here for it!¡±

    F2PPlayer420: ¡°Do it. Show the devs what we¡¯re made of!¡±

    BigBrainWhale: ¡°Do it for the memes! Let¡¯s see the chaos.¡±

    CasualCasper: ¡°I¡¯m down. I need a good laugh after the last 10 minutes.¡±

    WhaleGod69: ¡°Is this the same guy who just got 10K viewers? Go for it, Greg!¡±

    Gregory grinned at the comments. ¡°Alright, alright, I see you all want to see me fail spectacularly. But hey, I¡¯ll make it fun. Abyss Dungeon, old school Flame Mage, no buffs, no overpowered skins, just pure chaos. Let¡¯s do this!¡±

    He gave a mock bow as he clicked on the Flame Mage. He then used the potion he got from the code to level up the Flame Mage.

 Chapter 19: Armor Mage

    Karlos POV

    Karlos blinked in confusion as the world around him slowly came into focus. The air was thick with the smell of smoke and the sounds of distant combat. His landing had been hard but surprisingly graceful for someone who¡¯d just dropped out of the sky, and he could still feel the lingering effects of the shockwave running through his legs. With a groan, he pushed himself up and glanced around, trying to piece together where exactly he was.

    The first thing he noticed was Merlin and Godfrey standing a few meters away. Both of them looked remarkably serious, their eyes scanning the horizon as they muttered under their breath. As Karlos stood, he realized that they weren¡¯t just looking around¡ªthey were creating some sort of report. He blinked again, squinting at the magical runes and symbols floating around them, forming a glowing, holographic-like grid.

    Karlos felt a bit out of place, like he¡¯d been thrust back into a world that he didn¡¯t fully understand. He¡¯d been dealing with enough chaos recently, between his journey through the game and the strange occurrences in his life. But now, standing in the middle of a strange environment with two of his companions looking like they were drafting a missing persons report for him, he couldn¡¯t help but laugh.

    Merlin noticed the sound of his chuckle and turned his head slowly, his expression one of mild amusement mixed with relief. ¡°Ah, Karlos. Good to see you, I suppose.¡± His voice was as dry as , but the tension in histone couldn¡¯t be hidden. ¡°We were about to send this to the authorities. You know, just in case you¡¯ve been¡­ missing.¡±

    Karlos raised an eyebrow, confusion still lingering. ¡°Wait, missing? For what? I just fell from the sky. Where are we exactly?¡±

    Godfrey shot a glance at Merlin before letting out a sigh. ¡°We had no idea where you¡¯d gone after that last raid. We searched for hours and¡ªwell¡ªturns out you were literally just up in the air, falling. Guess we didn¡¯t think to look there first.¡±

    Karlos rubbed his temples, trying to clear the fog from his mind. He felt as though his memory was playing tricks on him. The last thing he remembered was¡­ well, everything happening so fast. The game mechanics, the Flame Mage skin, that shocking upgrade, and then¡ªnothing. ¡°Falling from the sky?

    ¡° Do you need some a healing potion to help with your head. You¡¯ve been hit quite a lot.

    ¡° Yes, but what''s that smell? It smells like ash and is there a battle going on?¡±

    Godfrey shot him a brief glance before returning his attention to the fracas unfolding. His massive, imposing figure was hard to ignore, his armor clinking with each movement, his eyes narrowed in that signature way he had when he was about to deal with someone¡¯s stupidity.

    Godfrey¡¯s jaw tightened as he watched the brawl spiral further out of control. ¡°We¡¯ve been trying to find you for hours,¡± he said, voice low but carrying an edge to it. ¡°And then you drop in, like you just thought it¡¯d be a good time for a dramatic entrance.¡± He glanced at Karlos, eyes flicking down to his disheveled state. ¡°You okay, or are you just here for the show?¡±

    Before Karlos could answer, a figure emerged from behind a barrel, looking like someone who¡¯d been trying to hide from both the brawl and the larger-than-life figures in front of him. Karlos¡¯ eyes widened as he saw the small man with glasses and wild, disheveled hair, who had somehow managed to escape notice.

    ¡°Matthew,¡± Godfrey barked, locking eyes with him. He started to step forward his armor for some reason decided to clink with each step.

    The smaller man when he saw his location was exposed and bolted. He started running up a wall as Godfrey started running after him. He realized he wasn¡¯t going to catch him with his armor slowing him down and signaling his closeness. So he removed it. This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    ¡°Matthew,¡± Merlin replied with the air of someone explaining the obvious. ¡°He¡¯s a specialist in being an absolute nightmare for knights. One of his abilities is tampering with armor¡ªmakes it heavier, louder, and generally insufferable to wear. You know, clinking,¡± he added, gesturing to Godfrey¡¯s boots as they hit the ground with a loud clang.

    I frowned, glancing toward the wiry man with glasses who was perched on a wall like a smug gargoyle. He waved at Godfrey, a toothy grin splitting his face as if this was all part of his usual routine.

    ¡°Knights have to strip down to their underwear to catch him,¡± Merlin continued in that same calm tone, as if he were reading a weather report. ¡°Even their boots aren¡¯t safe from his magic. And he¡¯s annoyingly creative with his distractions.¡±

    I raised an eyebrow, but before I could ask what ¡°creative¡± meant, Merlin answered my unspoken question. ¡°He comments on their figures, tones, and anything else he can use to throw them off. Makes it, shall we say, uncomfortable to apprehend him.¡±

    Godfrey let out a low growl, finally tossing aside the last piece of his breastplate. He stood there in little more than his undershirt and trousers, his broad shoulders tense and his jaw clenched.

    ¡°That¡¯s ridiculous,¡± I said, crossing my arms.

    ¡°Oh, you¡¯ve seen nothing yet,¡± Merlin replied, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

    Just as I turned my attention back to Godfrey, the first taunt came from Matthew, who was now leaning lazily against the wall. ¡°Oh dear, Sir Godfrey, I didn¡¯t realize we were starting the show so early,¡± he called out, his voice loud enough to carry over the din of the brawl. ¡°You¡¯ve been holding out on me¡ªlook at those arms! All that shining armor just hides your best assets.¡±

    I choked on my breath. Merlin, on the other hand, looked entirely unfazed.

    Godfrey, to his credit, didn¡¯t rise to the bait. He yanked off his boots with the same grim determination he¡¯d wear in a battlefield charge, ignoring the wolf whistles that followed.

    ¡°You know,¡± Matthew continued, now strolling along the top of the wall like a cat on a fence, ¡°if you¡¯d just let me help you out of that armor more often, we wouldn¡¯t have to do this whole song and dance every time. Think about how much more efficient we¡¯d be! You, me, maybe some candlelight¡ª¡±

    ¡°Enough,¡± Godfrey barked, his deep voice slicing through the air like a sword.

    But Matthew was undeterred. He crouched on the edge of the wall, resting his chin in his hands as he watched Godfrey with rapt attention. ¡°Come on, Sir Grump. Admit it¡ªyou love the chase. You wouldn¡¯t even know what to do with yourself if I wasn¡¯t here to spice things up.¡±

    I glanced at Merlin, who finally looked up from his floating grid of runes. ¡°Does this happen often?¡±

    ¡°Oh, all the time,¡± Merlin said with a sigh. ¡°Matthew¡¯s relentless. Godfrey¡¯s pride ensures he¡¯ll never back down, and the rest of us get stuck watching this ridiculous mating ritual unfold.¡±

    ¡°Mating¡ªwhat?¡±

    But before Merlin could elaborate, Godfrey lunged forward, his long strides eating up the ground between him and the wall where Matthew perched. Matthew let out a mock gasp of surprise and leapt down, landing with an almost unnatural grace.

    ¡°Ah, now that¡¯s the spirit!¡± he said, spinning on his heel to dash toward the alley. ¡°Don¡¯t hold back, big guy¡ªI love it when you get all commanding!¡±

    Godfrey didn¡¯t respond, but the dark flush creeping up his neck spoke volumes.

    I shook my head, rubbing my temples. ¡°I can¡¯t believe this is my life now.¡±

    ¡°Get used to it,¡± Merlin said, deadpan. ¡°This is just a Tuesday.¡±

    the chase unfold with growing disbelief, his jaw tightening as Godfrey broke into a full sprint. The knight, now free of his clinking armor, moved with surprising speed, his focus locked on the wiry troublemaker darting ahead. For a brief moment, it seemed like Godfrey might actually catch Matthew. But then, just as Godfrey¡¯s hand brushed Matthew¡¯s shoulder, the smaller man slipped out of reach with a fluid twist, spinning around to face his pursuer.

    Matthew¡¯s grin widened, mischief dancing in his eyes. ¡°Oh, Sir Godfrey, you¡¯re so predictable,¡± he teased, backing away slowly. ¡°What happens if I let you catch me? Another lecture about honor and duty? A night in the stocks? Or¡­¡± His tone dipped suggestively, his gaze sweeping up and down Godfrey with dramatic flair, ¡°something a little more intimate? You¡¯re not exactly subtle, you know.¡±

    Godfrey¡¯s expression darkened, his frustration plain as he jabbed a finger at Matthew. ¡°When I catch you¡ªand I will¡ªyou know exactly what¡¯s coming next.¡± His voice was low, threatening, and carried an unspoken weight that even Karlos could feel.

    Matthew, however, seemed entirely unfazed. Instead, he laughed, a sharp, ringing sound that carried over the distant clamor of the brawl. ¡°Oh, you mean the same old punishment? The stern lectures? The cold glares?¡± He took a step forward, his eyes glinting with something almost feral. ¡°I hate to break it to you, big guy, but I¡¯m way past that now. You see¡­¡± He raised a hand, and the air around him seemed to shimmer. ¡°My power¡¯s evolved. And guess what? I¡¯m not limited to messing with your armor anymore.¡±

 Chapter 20: The Clothless Knight

    The words hung in the air like a thunderclap. Even Merlin, who¡¯d been watching with his usual detached amusement, froze. ¡°Oh, no,¡± Merlin muttered under his breath, his face growing serious for the first time.

    ¡°What does that mean?¡± Karlos asked, looking between the two of them.

    Matthew¡¯s grin widened into something almost predatory. ¡°Allow me to demonstrate.¡±

    Before Godfrey could react, his tunic shimmered briefly and then dropped in temperature, the fabric suddenly as cold as ice. He stiffened, his breath puffing visibly in the air as he yanked at the freezing material.

    ¡°Feeling a little chilly, are we?¡± Matthew called, leaning against a barrel with a casual air. ¡°Don¡¯t worry¡ªit¡¯ll pass.¡±

    The tunic didn¡¯t just cool¡ªit began to constrict, tightening around Godfrey¡¯s broad chest and arms like a snake. The seams groaned, and Godfrey gritted his teeth as he tried to tear it off.

    ¡°Matthew,¡± Godfrey growled, his voice low and dangerous.

    ¡°Oh, but I¡¯m not done yet!¡± Matthew declared, clapping his hands with mock enthusiasm. The tunic stopped tightening, but now it began to ring, a loud, high-pitched chime that echoed through the area like an obnoxious alarm.

    Karlos winced, covering his ears. ¡°What is that?¡±

    ¡°Just a little enhancement,¡± Matthew said, smirking. ¡°I thought Sir Godfrey needed something to announce his presence properly.¡±

    ¡°Take it off,¡± Godfrey barked, his voice tight with fury.

    ¡°I was hoping you¡¯d say that,¡± Matthew replied, his grin practically splitting his face.

    With a frustrated roar, Godfrey ripped the tunic from his body, throwing the offending garment to the ground. He stood there shirtless, his chiseled frame on full display, his shoulders rising and falling as he tried to catch his breath.

    But Matthew wasn¡¯t finished. ¡°Oh, you didn¡¯t think I¡¯d stop at the tunic, did you?¡±

    As if on cue, Godfrey¡¯s trousers began to vibrate. The deep hum sent shivers through the air as Godfrey staggered back, his face a mixture of shock and outrage.

    ¡°Matthew,¡± he growled again, his voice a dangerous warning.

    ¡°Careful, Sir Godfrey,¡± Matthew teased, winking. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t want to ruin your dignity entirely, would you?¡±

    With a final frustrated curse, Godfrey yanked off his trousers, leaving him in nothing but his socks and boxer briefs. Karlos turned away, fighting back a laugh, while Merlin simply raised an eyebrow.

    ¡°You¡¯re really going for the minimalist look, huh?¡± Matthew said, his voice dripping with mock admiration. ¡°Not bad, though. I must say, you¡¯ve got the legs for it. And those boxers? Bold choice.¡±

    ¡°Enough!¡± Godfrey shouted, his voice echoing like a clap of thunder.

    But Matthew wasn¡¯t done yet. With a wave of his hand, even the boxer briefs began to vibrate.

    Godfrey froze, his face darkening as a vein throbbed in his temple. Karlos bit his lip to keep from laughing, while Merlin finally broke his silence. ¡°Matthew, that¡¯s enough,¡± he said, his tone sharp.

    ¡°Oh, fine,¡± Matthew said with an exaggerated sigh, snapping his fingers. The vibrations stopped, leaving Godfrey standing there, utterly humiliated and barely clothed.

    The knight¡¯s eyes burned with fury as he took a single step toward Matthew. ¡°You¡¯re going to regret this,¡± he said, his voice low and menacing.

    Matthew¡¯s grin didn¡¯t falter. ¡°You say that every time, Sir Godfrey,¡± he replied, blowing him a kiss. ¡°But you always come back for more.¡±

    Karlos couldn¡¯t help but laugh, shaking his head. ¡°This is insane.¡±

    Merlin glanced at him, his lips twitching in what might have been the beginnings of a smirk. ¡°Welcome to our world.¡±

    Godfrey¡¯s face was a storm of rage and humiliation as Matthew¡¯s taunts echoed across the chaotic scene. The knight, now stripped down to his socks and boxer briefs, looked like a man teetering on the edge of losing every shred of composure he had left. Karlos could barely hold back his laughter, but Merlin¡¯s deadpan expression suggested that even he found this entire situation absurd.

    Matthew, of course, was reveling in the chaos. Leaning against a barrel, arms crossed and a smirk plastered across his face, he seemed to grow more energized by the moment. Then his eyes drifted downward, locking onto Godfrey¡¯s socks.

    ¡°Oh, my,¡± Matthew drawled, his voice laced with mock surprise. ¡°I see someone¡¯s still hanging on to their last scraps of dignity.¡± He straightened up, snapping his fingers with a flourish.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

    Godfrey froze as his socks shimmered faintly, and then, without warning, they disappeared entirely. The knight¡¯s bare feet were now exposed to the world, and Matthew¡¯s delighted laughter cut through the tension.

    ¡°Well, well, well!¡± Matthew exclaimed, clapping his hands together. ¡°What do we have here? Sir Godfrey¡¯s feet, unadorned and in all their glory.¡± He tapped a finger against his chin, his expression one of exaggerated contemplation. ¡°Not bad. Strong arches, surprisingly well-maintained for someone who¡¯s always stomping around in heavy boots. But those toes? A little stubby, don¡¯t you think?¡±

    Godfrey took a slow, deliberate step forward, his fists clenched tightly at his sides. ¡°Matthew,¡± he growled, his voice as sharp as steel.

    But Matthew wasn¡¯t done. With another snap of his fingers, the air around Godfrey¡¯s feet began to shimmer, and suddenly the knight jerked as if struck by a jolt. His feet started vibrating, the sensation visibly throwing him off balance.

    ¡°Ah, there it is,¡± Matthew said, his grin widening. ¡°Now the mighty Sir Godfrey has dancing feet. Go on, show us some moves!¡±

    Godfrey¡¯s jaw tightened, and he forced himself to stand still despite the involuntary tremors running through his body. His feet shifted slightly, and Karlos had to admit¡ªwatching the stoic knight try to maintain his dignity while his feet betrayed him was both hilarious and surreal.

    ¡°Stop this now, Matthew,¡± Merlin finally interjected, his voice calm but firm. ¡°You¡¯ve made your point.¡±

    ¡°Have I, though?¡± Matthew said, glancing at Merlin with a playful pout. ¡°Because I think Sir Godfrey here could use a little more humility.¡±

    ¡°I swear,¡± Godfrey said through gritted teeth, his voice a dangerous rumble, ¡°when I get my hands on you¡ª¡±

    ¡°Oh, you mean like last time?¡± Matthew interrupted, his grin turning wicked. He leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret with everyone present. ¡°I won¡¯t reveal that to the world. Your reputation is safe with me¡­ for now.¡±

    Karlos¡¯s eyes widened at the implication, and even Merlin raised an eyebrow, his expression faintly intrigued.

    Godfrey¡¯s face turned crimson, and for a moment, Karlos thought the knight might actually explode. ¡°You little¡ª¡±

    But Matthew cut him off again, pointing at Godfrey¡¯s vibrating feet with a look of exaggerated concern. ¡°Oh, but those poor toes must be tired from all that shaking. Here, let me help.¡±

    Another snap of his fingers, and the vibrations intensified, making Godfrey stumble slightly.

    ¡°Enough!¡± Godfrey roared, his voice echoing like a clap of thunder. He lunged toward Matthew, but the smaller man darted away with the agility of a cat, his laughter ringing out as he disappeared into the shadows.

    Karlos shook his head, barely able to process what he¡¯d just witnessed. ¡°So, uh¡­ does this kind of thing happen a lot around here?¡±

    Merlin sighed, rubbing his temples as he dismissed the magical grid still floating in the air. ¡°More often than I¡¯d like. Welcome to the nightmare that is dealing with Matthew.¡±

    Godfrey stood there, breathing heavily, his hands trembling with barely contained fury. ¡°When I find him,¡± he muttered, his voice low and filled with promise, ¡°he¡¯s going to wish he¡¯d stayed in those shadows.¡±

    From somewhere in the distance, Matthew¡¯s voice called back, sing-song and full of mischief. ¡°Looking forward to it, darling!¡±

    Karlos couldn¡¯t help it anymore¡ªhe burst out laughing, clutching his sides as Godfrey turned toward him with a glare that could melt steel. ¡°Oh, come on,¡± Karlos said between laughs. ¡°You¡¯ve got to admit, that was pretty funny.¡±

    ¡°Not. A. Word,¡± Godfrey snapped, pointing a finger at him before stalking off in the direction Matthew had fled, his bare feet crunching angrily against the ground.

    Merlin watched him go, then turned to Karlos with a faint smirk. ¡°You¡¯ll get used to it.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think I want to,¡± Karlos replied, still chuckling.

    Godfrey froze mid-step, his glare snapping to Matthew as the troublemaker twirled the knight¡¯s black socks between his fingers like a prized trophy. The smirk on Matthew¡¯s face was wide enough to rival the crescent moon hanging overhead, his voice dripping with faux disgust.

    ¡°Good heavens, Sir Godfrey,¡± Matthew said with a dramatic sniff of the socks, then recoiled in exaggerated horror. ¡°You¡¯ve been stomping around all day, and it shows!¡± He held the socks out at arm¡¯s length as if they were toxic, fanning the air around him for emphasis.

    Karlos bit back a laugh, the corners of his mouth twitching as he tried¡ªand failed¡ªto keep a straight face. Merlin, meanwhile, pinched the bridge of his nose and muttered something under his breath about ¡°letting fools play with fire.¡±

    Godfrey¡¯s jaw clenched so tightly it was a wonder his teeth didn¡¯t shatter. ¡°Matthew,¡± he growled, his voice low and dangerous, ¡°put those down. Now.¡±

    But Matthew, of course, wasn¡¯t done. With a wicked glint in his eye, he snapped his fingers, and the socks shimmered briefly before vanishing into thin air. For a moment, Karlos thought Matthew might have returned them, but then the troublemaker grinned and wagged his finger.

    ¡°Ah-ah, not so fast, my dear knight,¡± Matthew teased. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dream of returning these¡­ treasures without adding my personal touch.¡±

    Before Godfrey could react, a faint jingling sound filled the air. It started softly, almost imperceptibly, but grew louder with each passing second. Godfrey¡¯s bare feet began to twitch involuntarily, the jingling now unmistakably coming from¡­ well, his feet.

    ¡°You didn¡¯t,¡± Godfrey said, his voice filled with equal parts disbelief and dread.

    ¡°Oh, I most certainly did!¡± Matthew crowed, clapping his hands with glee. ¡°Behold, the latest in fashion innovation: enchanted jingling feet! Perfect for knights who want to announce their arrival wherever they go.¡±

    The sound grew louder, and now every step Godfrey took was accompanied by the relentless, mocking chime of invisible bells. Karlos doubled over in laughter, tears streaming down his face as Godfrey¡¯s attempts to stomp out the sound only made it worse.

    ¡°I swear,¡± Godfrey growled, his face a deep crimson as he tried to move without setting off the jingling. ¡°When I catch you¡ª¡±

    Oh, darling, let¡¯s not pretend you don¡¯t enjoy the chase,¡± Matthew interrupted, winking as he took a step back toward the shadows. ¡°And just for the record¡ªthose arches really are quite impressive. But next time? Maybe invest in some fresher socks.¡±

    Godfrey lunged, but Matthew was already gone, his laughter echoing through the night.

    Karlos, still gasping for air, managed to choke out, ¡°I¡­ I can¡¯t¡­ Does this happen every time?¡±

    Merlin, his tone impossibly dry, replied, ¡°Yes. And it¡¯s always this ridiculous.¡±

    Godfrey glared at both of them, the jingling still ringing out with every movement. ¡°Not. Another. Word.¡±

    But Karlos couldn¡¯t help himself. ¡°You¡¯ve got to admit, though,¡± he said, grinning ear to ear, ¡°it¡¯s kind of festive.¡±

    Merlin snorted, and even Godfrey, despite himself, let out a begrudging groan that might have been the faintest hint of a laugh.

 Chapter 21: Godfrey The Dancing Knight

    Godfrey¡¯s fists clenched tightly at his sides, his face stormy as the relentless jingling continued with every step he took. Each bell-like chime mocked his dignity, amplifying his fury. The cold night air only added insult to injury, prickling against his skin as he stood barefoot in his boxer briefs.

    Karlos, still doubled over with laughter, wiped tears from his eyes and tried to steady his voice. ¡°I mean¡­ honestly, Godfrey, I¡¯ve seen a lot of weird things, but this? This takes the cake.¡±

    Godfrey shot him a look so sharp it could have cleaved stone. ¡°Laugh all you want, Karlos, but you won¡¯t be laughing when I make him pay for this humiliation.¡±

    ¡°Sure, sure,¡± Karlos wheezed, waving a hand dismissively. ¡°But for now? I think we¡¯re all just going to enjoy the soundtrack of your rage.¡±

    The faintest glimmer of amusement danced in Merlin¡¯s eyes as he crossed his arms and observed the scene. ¡°While I must admit this is quite the spectacle, I would suggest a more measured response. Charging at Matthew rarely ends well for anyone.¡±

    Godfrey turned his glare on Merlin. ¡°You¡¯re suggesting I let this slide?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m suggesting,¡± Merlin replied evenly, ¡°that you bide your time. Matthew thrives on chaos. The more you react, the more you feed him.¡±

    ¡°Bide my time?¡± Godfrey repeated, incredulous. ¡°He turned me into a walking wind chime!¡±

    Merlin raised a brow, glancing down at Godfrey¡¯s feet. ¡°Yes, well. Consider it a lesson in humility.¡±

    Karlos couldn¡¯t hold back another laugh. ¡°Humility? More like humiliation. But hey, you¡¯ve got to give it to Matthew¡ªhe¡¯s creative.¡±

    Godfrey growled under his breath, the jingling punctuating every frustrated movement as he paced. ¡°Creative or not, he¡¯s a menace. And when I find him, I¡¯m¡ª¡±

    ¡°¡ªGoing to fall right into his next trap, no doubt,¡± Merlin interrupted, his tone dry. ¡°Let¡¯s not forget that Matthew is always ten steps ahead. Charging in recklessly will only give him more ammunition.¡±

    Godfrey stopped pacing, the weight of Merlin¡¯s words sinking in despite his boiling anger. ¡°Then what do you suggest?¡±

    Merlin smirked faintly. ¡°Perhaps you should let the jingling serve as a reminder. The best way to deal with Matthew isn¡¯t through brute force¡ªit¡¯s by outsmarting him.¡±

    Karlos clapped his hands together. ¡°Oh, this I¡¯ve got to see. Godfrey, the strategic mastermind, outwitting the king of chaos? This is going to be good.¡±

    Godfrey shot Karlos another glare, but this time, his lips twitched as if fighting back the ghost of a smile. ¡°You¡¯d better hope Matthew¡¯s next target isn''t you, Karlos. I¡¯ll be very interested to see how you handle his antics.¡±

    Karlos shrugged, his grin unwavering. ¡°Hey, as long as I get to keep my pants, I think I¡¯ll manage.¡±

    Merlin turned to Godfrey, his tone shifting to something softer. ¡°For now, I¡¯d suggest we focus on more pressing matters. Matthew will tire of his games eventually, and when he does, you¡¯ll have your chance.¡±

    Godfrey sighed, the tension in his shoulders easing ever so slightly. ¡°Fine. But I¡¯m not letting this go.¡±

    As the three of them began to move on, the jingling continued to accompany every step Godfrey took. Karlos stifled another laugh, but the corners of his mouth betrayed him.

    ¡°You know,¡± Karlos said, nudging Godfrey with his elbow, ¡°if this whole knight thing doesn¡¯t work out, you could always join a traveling band. The jingling adds a nice percussion element.¡±

    Godfrey didn¡¯t dignify that with a response, but the faint flush creeping up his neck spoke volumes. Merlin, meanwhile, allowed himself a rare chuckle as the group disappeared into the night, the sound of jingling bells fading into the distance.

    ¡°Merlin, how exactly does magic work? Like Matthew for example if his power is to rip off armor and clothes how can he make Godfrey dance? His feet aren''t apart of his clothes are they?¡± Karlos said while looking down at Godfrey¡¯s foot.

    ¡° I forget that you come from a world without magic. The reason Matthew was able to effect Godfrey after he teleported his socks is simply because he actually didn''t remove them in the first place. ¡°

    ¡°What! So they are still their Karlos stared harder trying to find some hint of outline of the socks in question? ¡°

    Merlin¡¯s lips quirked into a faint, knowing smile as Karlos squinted at Godfrey¡¯s feet, his gaze determined. ¡°Oh, they¡¯re still there, all right,¡± Merlin confirmed, folding his arms as he observed the bewildered expression growing on Karlos¡¯s face. ¡°Matthew¡¯s specialty isn¡¯t destruction. It¡¯s mischief and manipulation. He didn¡¯t remove Godfrey¡¯s socks¡ªhe cloaked them in an illusion and imbued them with an enchantment.¡±

    Godfrey froze mid-step, his foot hovering in the air, the jingling momentarily silenced. ¡°What are you saying?¡± he growled, his voice low and wary.

    Merlin continued, his tone patient, like a teacher explaining a particularly tricky concept. ¡°The socks never disappeared. Instead, they were concealed from sight and enchanted to project their¡­ festive quality into the environment. That¡¯s how Matthew is able to affect you even now. The enchantment lingers because it¡¯s tied to the object he altered¡ªthe socks themselves.¡±

    Karlos frowned, still staring at Godfrey¡¯s feet as if expecting the socks to materialize at any second. ¡°So¡­ they¡¯re invisible socks?¡±Stolen novel; please report.

    ¡°Essentially,¡± Merlin replied, raising an eyebrow at Karlos¡¯s incredulous expression.

    Godfrey lowered his foot, the jingling resuming with a sharp chime that seemed to mock him anew. His expression darkened further, his frustration bubbling dangerously close to the surface. ¡°You mean to tell me,¡± he said slowly, ¡°that I¡¯ve been running around half-naked with invisible socks this whole time?¡±

    ¡°Precisely,¡± Merlin said with a small nod, his calm demeanor doing little to soothe the storm brewing within Godfrey. ¡°And as long as the enchantment remains active, the effects will persist.¡±

    Karlos snickered, shaking his head in disbelief. ¡°Man, Matthew¡¯s got layers. It¡¯s not enough to just embarrass you¡ªhe¡¯s gotta do it in a way that¡¯s technically reversible but still drives you nuts.¡±

    Godfrey¡¯s fists clenched. ¡°Then reverse it,¡± he demanded, glaring at Merlin with an intensity that could have set the air ablaze.

    Merlin raised a hand, signaling for patience. ¡°Unraveling Matthew¡¯s magic isn¡¯t quite that simple. His enchantments are¡­ unconventional, to say the least. They operate on a combination of intent, humor, and sheer audacity.¡±

    ¡°That sounds fake,¡± Karlos interjected, his brow furrowing. ¡°How does ¡®audacity¡¯ fuel magic?¡±

    Merlin tilted his head thoughtfully. ¡°It¡¯s not fake, though it may seem absurd to someone unfamiliar with the principles. Magic is as much an expression of the caster¡¯s personality as it is a manipulation of energy. Matthew¡¯s magic works because he believes it will. And because, quite frankly, he finds it funny.¡±

    Karlos let out a low whistle, shaking his head. ¡°So, his magic is just¡­ chaos wrapped in a joke?¡±

    ¡°Essentially,¡± Merlin said, a faint smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. ¡°Though don¡¯t underestimate its complexity. The humor might be the delivery mechanism, but the underlying magic requires precision.¡±

    ¡°Great,¡± Godfrey muttered, dragging a hand down his face. ¡°So how do we fix this?¡±

    Merlin looked at him evenly, the faintest hint of mischief in his own eyes now. ¡°You¡¯ll have to convince Matthew to undo it himself.¡±

    ¡°Not happening,¡± Godfrey snapped.

    Karlos grinned, leaning in with mock seriousness. ¡°Or, hear me out, you could just embrace it. The jingling kind of grows on you after a while.¡±

    Godfrey shot him a look that promised retribution. ¡°You¡¯re not helping.¡±

    Merlin chuckled softly, his voice wry. ¡°The alternative, of course, is tracking Matthew down and besting him at his own game. Though I must warn you, that rarely ends in the victor¡¯s favor.¡±

    ¡° A third option would be to get out of Matthews''s spell range.¡±

    ¡°The final option would be either spontaneously gain a resistance to magic. Or to find a powerful disruption tool.

    As Godfrey took his deep breath, attempting to summon the raw anger needed to shatter Matthew¡¯s enchantment, a low, ancient voice rumbled from the shadows of Merlin¡¯s satchel. It was a voice that carried the weight of centuries, dry and sharp as parchment.

    ¡°Enough of this nonsense, Merlin,¡± the voice declared, cutting through the tension like a dagger.

    All three men froze. Godfrey¡¯s eyes snapped open, his gaze darting toward the floating book levitating at Karlos''s side.

    The ancient tome hovered just above Karlos¡¯s shoulder, its leather-bound cover etched with arcane symbols that seemed to writhe and twist in the faint moonlight. Its spine creaked like old bones as it slowly opened, pages flipping with an unseen wind until it stopped on a single glowing script.

    Merlin sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of his nose. ¡°Ah, the self proclaimed trainer,¡± he said, his tone laced with resignation. ¡°I see you¡¯ve decided to weigh in.¡±

    The voice emanated from the book again, louder this time, its tone dripping with condescension. ¡°Because clearly, Merlin, your usual penchant for overcomplication is leading these poor fools nowhere. Honestly, invisible socks? Enchanted jingling? Is this truly the best use of my time?¡±

    Karlos leaned away slightly, his wide eyes fixed on the book. ¡°Uh¡­ did my book just insult you? Is that normal?¡±

    ¡°Very,¡± Merlin replied flatly, shooting the tome a glare. ¡°Theodric is an ancient sentient grimoire with opinions far too strong for his own good.¡±

    Godfrey stepped forward, the jingling from his feet cutting through the air like an ominous prelude. His towering frame loomed over the book, his fists still clenched. ¡°If this thing has a solution, it better spit it out now before I tear it in half.¡±

    Theodric let out a dry, dismissive laugh. ¡°Oh, by all means, try, boy. I¡¯d relish watching your primitive brute force attempt to destroy me. Spoiler: you¡¯d fail.¡±

    Karlos snorted, unable to hold back a laugh. ¡°I like this book.¡±

    Godfrey¡¯s face darkened, his patience hanging by a thread. ¡°Karlos, control your¡­ book, or I swear¡ª¡±

    ¡°Oh, spare me the melodrama,¡± Theodric interrupted. ¡°You mortals and your fragile egos. Fine, if it will expedite this farce, I¡¯ll help. But on one condition.¡±

    Merlin groaned audibly. ¡°Of course there¡¯s a condition. There¡¯s always a condition.¡±

    Theodric ignored him. ¡°Godfrey must humble himself. This enchantment thrives on indignity. If you want to dispel it, you must embrace the humiliation fully and with grace.¡±

    Karlos burst out laughing again, doubling over. ¡°Oh, this is gold! Godfrey, you have to be nice to the spell. You¡¯ve got to¡­ to accept your inner jingle!¡±

    ¡°Shut up,¡± Godfrey growled, his teeth clenched. He turned back to the floating book, his voice dangerously low. ¡°If I humor your ridiculous idea, will this actually work?¡±

    Theodric¡¯s tone turned smug. ¡°Of course it will. I am always right.¡±

    Merlin sighed, his expression a mixture of exhaustion and mild amusement. ¡°Godfrey, you have two choices: swallow your pride or keep jingling indefinitely.¡±

    ¡°Three choices,¡± Theodric corrected. ¡°He could also attempt brute force and fail spectacularly. I¡¯d enjoy that.¡±

    Godfrey glared at the book, his jaw flexing as he fought the urge to hurl it into the nearest wall. Finally, with a long, reluctant exhale, he muttered, ¡°Fine. What do I have to do?¡±

    Theodric¡¯s pages flipped again, the glowing script shifting. ¡°Dance.¡±

    ¡°Excuse me?¡± Godfrey¡¯s voice was sharp, his glare lethal.

    ¡°You heard me, oaf. Dance. Enthusiastically. Embrace the absurdity. Allow the enchantment to exhaust itself in the face of your newfound ¡®acceptance.¡¯¡±

    Karlos, tears streaming down his face, could barely contain himself. ¡°Godfrey¡­ you have to dance like nobody¡¯s watching. Except we totally are.¡±

    Merlin, to his credit, kept a straight face. ¡°It¡¯s not entirely unfeasible. Matthew¡¯s magic is fueled by your resistance to his mischief. If you defuse his intent by playing along¡­¡±

    Godfrey¡¯s expression was a storm of fury, disbelief, and reluctant understanding. His fists unclenched as he turned his gaze to Karlos, who was already preparing to record the spectacle. ¡°If you so much as breathe a word of this later,¡± Godfrey growled, ¡°I¡¯ll make you regret it.¡±

    ¡°Oh, don¡¯t worry,¡± Karlos managed between gasps of laughter. ¡°This one¡¯s for the history books.¡±

    Taking a deep breath, Godfrey stood tall, his towering frame suddenly awkward as he began to stomp in rhythm. The jingling filled the air, an unintentional melody that quickly spiraled into hilarity as he awkwardly added a spin. The ground beneath his feet seemed to vibrate with each reluctant jig.

    Theodric cackled gleefully. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s the spirit! More enthusiasm! Perhaps a twirl?¡±

    Godfrey shot the book a withering glare but reluctantly complied, throwing in a dramatic pirouette that nearly toppled him over. The jingling reached a crescendo, each chime like a mocking laugh, before abruptly silencing.

    Merlin raised a hand, his fingers glowing faintly as he cast a quick detection spell. The enchantment was gone. ¡°It worked,¡± he confirmed with a faint smile. ¡°The enchantment dissipated.¡±

    Karlos collapsed onto the ground, howling with laughter. ¡°That was the greatest thing I¡¯ve ever seen in my life. Godfrey, you¡¯re a hero.¡±

    Godfrey, still breathing heavily, glared at the book. ¡°If this ever happens again¡ª¡±

    ¡°Oh, calm yourself,¡± Theodric said, his tone smug. ¡°You¡¯re welcome, by the way.¡±

    Godfrey turned on his heel, stomping off into the night. Karlos scrambled after him, still laughing, while Merlin gently closed Theodric and tucked him back into his satchel.

    ¡°Another successful lesson in humility,¡± Merlin murmured, a small smirk tugging at his lips as he followed the jingling-free knight into the darkness.

 Chapter 22: Brother?

    Godfrey stormed ahead while mumbling about the indignity of his situation. He stopped for a second. Then I looked in the air and froze. His facial expression was distorted.

    I started running thinking it would be safe to approach and ask him what he saw but he then began running at me. I started backing away when suddenly I felt something landing on my head. A heavy cylinder object and Godfrey disappearing suddenly were all I saw before I fell unconscious.

    I woke up laid on my back and the first thing I saw was a cloud the wrong shade of blue. The cloud looks more like I envisioned data would than an actual cloud.

    ¡° Ow, That data thinks it''s sneaky role-playing as a cloud to win hide and seek. Ow, my head I clenched my fist to brace for the pain but then noticed a small vial the size of a tube in my hand.

    The contents of the vial were a mixture of gold, purple, and blue. ¡°Hurry up and drink it. An unfamiliar voice but one I that I heard before called from in a dense cloud of data. It''s a gift from the gods and you are acting like it was poison.

    ¡° Who are you?" I said as I readied to throw a fireball at the voice. I lit a small ball of fire in preparation and where is Godfrey and, Merlin as well?

    ¡°Calm down,¡± the voice said from directly behind me.

    ¡° It''s an experience potion. Just drink it and try to absorb as much of the nutrients as you can.¡±

    Godfrey stormed ahead while mumbling about the indignity of his situation. He stopped for a second. Then I looked in the air and froze. His facial expression was distorted.

    I started running thinking it would be safe to approach and ask him what he saw but he then began running at me. I started backing away when suddenly I felt something landing on my head. A heavy cylinder object and Godfrey disappearing suddenly was alI I saw before I fell unconscious.

    I woke up laid on my back and the first thing I saw was a cloud the wrong shade of blue. The cloud looking more like I envisioned data would than an actual cloud.

    ¡° Ow, That data thinks it''s sneaky role-playing as a cloud to win hide and seek. Ow my head I clenched my fist to brace for the pain but then noticed a small vial the size of a tube in my hand.

    The contents of the vial were a mixture of gold, purple, and blue. ¡°Hurry up and drink it will you. A unfamiliar voice but one I that I heard before called from in a dense cloud of data. It''s a gift from the gods and you are acting like it was poison.

    ¡° Who are you?" I said as I readied to throw a fireball at the voice. I lit a small ball of fire in preparation and where is Godfrey and, Merlin as well?Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.

    ¡°Calm down,¡± the voice said from directly behind me.

    I jerked my head back in the direction of the voice but saw nothing but the endless expanse of data.

    ¡° It''s an experience potion. Just drink it and try to absorb as much of the nutrients as you can.¡± The voice said again from the direction I was just facing.

    The more you absorb the stronger you¡¯ll be. The voice said directly behind me.

    Turning around again I was faced with a beast cosplaying as a man. The man had a feral expression with red hair and red armor.

    Then he said something I didn''t expect ¡°I thought you were in demon territory hunting for a Silver. How did you get here? The god¡¯s haven''t yet gained access to that part of the world.

    I froze at the sight of the man. His red hair flickered like fire, and his armor gleamed with a molten hue, intricate designs etched into the metal as if it had been forged in the heart of a volcano. His feral expression and piercing eyes weren¡¯t exactly friendly, but there was something oddly familiar about him.

    My chest tightened and memories started racing through my head. But they weren''t my memories. They were the other me most of them were normal things but when it came to the man in front of me. Who was now staring down at me with a preparatory gleam.

    The memories of my big brother resurfaced his hellish training. His devilish grin and his constant use of explosions trying to kill me.

    The realization hit me like a thunderclap. My mind raced as Greg¡¯s voice from his stream echoed in my memory, describing Kallus, the ¡°best red-damage dealer,¡± with unyielding reverence. But the man standing before me, the so-called ¡°best,¡± was far more terrifying in person.

    ¡°You¡¯re Kallus, aren¡¯t you?¡± I said, my voice barely above a whisper. I struggled to reconcile the image of a mere game character with the flesh-and-blood figure whose presence radiated menace.

    His smirk widened, revealing sharp teeth that gleamed unnaturally bright. ¡°Took you long enough to figure that out, I¡¯m hurt my little brother didn''t remember me¡± he said, his voice dripping with condescension. His eyes, now visible and burning like twin embers, held an intensity that felt almost magnetic. I found myself drawn to them despite my growing unease.

    ¡° I thought I would have to beat my image back in your skull. But luckily it didn''t come to that. So now listen to your older brother and drink the potion. Before I force it down your throat. ¡°

    I tightened my grip on the vial, my fingers trembling as my chest tightened further. The weight of his words bore down on me, and the memories¡ªthe fragments of a life I hadn¡¯t fully lived¡ªswirled chaotically in my head.

    ¡°You¡¯re not my brother,¡± I said, my voice firming up despite the anxiety clawing at my insides. ¡°I don¡¯t know who¡ªor what¡ªyou are, but this? This isn¡¯t real.¡± I gestured at the endless expanse of data, at the warped clouds pretending to be the sky.

    Kallus laughed, a deep, booming sound that echoed unnaturally. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s real, Karlos. Realer than whatever fantasy you¡¯ve been clinging to.¡± He leaned in closer, the heat emanating from him making the air shimmer. ¡°But sure, go ahead and keep telling yourself it¡¯s all just a dream. I thought you were over this whole disowning me foolishness and you''re still on the mage path when I told you were better suited for a warrior. ¡±

    Before I could utter another word, Kallus grabbed me by the throat and held me above so my feet couldn''t touch the ground so I had to look directly into his eyes. Which is a feat in itself because I am 6 foot 3. Well am I. I''ve gotten a smaller sense entering this body. The tightening of his hands brought me out of my musing and to the fact I was being choked.

    The air left my lungs as Kallus¡¯s grip tightened around my throat. His strength was unreal, his molten eyes boring into mine with an intensity that made me feel as though he could peel away my very soul. My hands instinctively shot up, clawing at his ironclad grasp, but it was no use. The heat radiating from him was oppressive, his presence overwhelming, and the shimmer of his red armor only amplified the sense of power he exuded.

    ¡°You¡¯ve always been stubborn,¡± Kallus said, his voice low and venomous. ¡°That¡¯s why you never listened. But now? You¡¯re out of excuses.¡±

    I managed to croak out a few words, my vision starting to blur. ¡°Let¡­ me¡­ go¡­¡±

    He narrowed his eyes, and for a moment, I thought he might actually drop me. Instead, he lowered me closer, his fiery gaze filling my entire field of vision. ¡°Not until you get it through that thick skull of yours,¡± he snarled.

    ¡°This isn¡¯t the world where dad built to protect you. This is God''s game, sure you might not be able to die but it will affect you mentally. You might deal with a few small enemies. Or we might end up facing a dragon. Who knows but I know if you don''t drink this willingly I''ll make you re¡­

    His sentence was cut off with a slash to his armor. He growled and tossed me.

 Chapter 23: Ascension Part 1

    I hit the ground hard, gasping for air as Kallus stumbled back, growling like a wounded beast. His eyes flared brighter, twin infernos threatening to consume everything around him. I struggled to sit up, my head spinning, as I caught sight of the one who had intervened.

    Godfrey stood tall and unyielding, his blade gleaming as if forged from pure light. His normally calm demeanor was replaced by fierce determination, and his piercing gaze locked onto Kallus.

    ¡°You¡¯ve made your point,¡± Godfrey said, his voice steady but laced with authority. ¡°Now step back before I carve you out of this world.¡±

    Kallus straightened, his fiery hair flickering like an uncontrollable blaze. He smirked, but the blow had clearly shaken him. ¡°So the lapdog decides to bite, does he?¡± His voice was mocking, but I could see the tension in his stance. ¡°I was wondering when you¡¯d show up, Godfrey. Always playing the protector, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    Godfrey didn¡¯t flinch. ¡°And you¡¯re always the bully, Kallus. Some things never change.¡±

    As they squared off, the tension between them crackled like a live wire. Kallus shifted his weight, flames licking at the edges of his armor as if waiting to be unleashed. Godfrey raised his blade, a shimmer of energy coursing along its length.

    I tried to scramble to my feet, but my limbs still felt weak. ¡°Wait!¡± I croaked, my voice rough from the earlier choking. ¡°What¡¯s going on? Why are you both¡ª¡±

    ¡°Stay out of this,¡± they said in unison, not breaking eye contact.

    Great, I thought. This was spiraling way out of control.

    Kallus let out a low chuckle, his molten eyes fixed on Godfrey. ¡°You really think you can stop me, little knight? I¡¯ve killed demons and slain wyverns, and you think you stand a chance.

    You¡¯re just a glorified babysitter.¡±

    ¡°And yet,¡± Godfrey said, stepping closer, ¡°here you are, wasting your time throwing tantrums. What are you so afraid of, Kallus? That he might actually surpass you?¡±

    Kallus¡¯s smirk vanished, replaced by a dangerous snarl. ¡°Afraid? Of him?¡± He gestured at me dismissively. ¡°He¡¯s not even a shadow of what he could be. If I wanted, I could wipe him out with a flick of my wrist.¡±

    ¡°Then why haven¡¯t you?¡± Godfrey challenged, his voice sharp as steel.

    For a moment, Kallus hesitated, and in that pause, something shifted. His fiery bravado faltered, revealing something deeper¡ªsomething almost vulnerable.

    ¡°I¡¯m trying to prepare him,¡± Kallus finally said, his tone quieter but no less intense. ¡°The gods won¡¯t coddle him. This world won¡¯t coddle him. If he doesn¡¯t harden up now, he¡¯ll break when it really matters.¡±

    ¡°And choking him to death is your idea of preparation?¡± Godfrey shot back. ¡°He needs guidance, not whatever twisted boot camp you¡¯re running.¡±

    Then I heard Greg¡¯s loud voice: ¡°This is the team we are going for. We have a de-buffer/support in the flame mage with his new amulet. We have the strongest red damage dealer in the first anni fest. We have a taunt unit in Godfrey that has some control effects, and we need another unit, preferably one with some type of healing.¡±

    ¡°Do y¡¯all happen to hear that voice in the sky? Also, why is your armor back? Weren¡¯t you naked?¡± I asked in confusion.

    Both Godfrey and Kallus paused, their heated standoff interrupted by my outburst. Their heads snapped toward me, twin expressions of disbelief painted on their faces. For a brief moment, I thought they might actually stop glaring daggers at each other, but the tension was still palpable.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

    ¡°You hear that too, right?¡± I asked again, more insistently this time. My heart was still pounding, and Greg¡¯s voice booming from nowhere only added to the chaos swirling in my mind.

    Godfrey¡¯s blade lowered slightly, his piercing gaze now fixed on me instead of Kallus. ¡°What are you talking about?¡± he asked cautiously.

    Kallus frowned, his fiery aura dimming just a fraction. ¡°A voice in the sky?¡± he echoed. ¡°Are you losing it already, Karlos?¡±

    ¡°No, seriously!¡± I pointed upward, gesturing vaguely toward the endless expanse of corrupted data. ¡°Greg. The voice. He¡¯s talking about us. About our team composition. He¡¯s planning¡­ something.¡±

    Kallus exchanged a look with Godfrey, his molten eyes narrowing. ¡°The sky voice?¡± His tone was mocking, but there was a flicker of genuine concern underneath. ¡°You mean him?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± I said, trying to collect my thoughts. ¡°It¡¯s Greg. He¡¯s¡ªwait.¡± I squinted at Kallus. ¡°Did you just say ¡®him¡¯ like this is normal?¡±

    Godfrey sheathed his blade, the energy dissipating as he folded his arms. ¡°You¡¯re hearing the player,¡± he said calmly, as if that explained anything. ¡°The entity controlling this world. It¡¯s rare for mortals to perceive their commands directly.¡±

    ¡°The god?¡± I repeated, staring at him.

    Kallus rolled his eyes. ¡°Oh, great. Now we¡¯ve got another existential crisis on our hands. Listen, kid.¡± He jabbed a finger at me. ¡°This ¡®Greg¡¯ of yours is one of the gods. They¡¯re the ones running this whole mess. Controlling us, planning strategies, treating us like pawns in their game.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not entirely like that,¡± Godfrey interjected, his tone measured. ¡°The players give us purpose. Direction. Without them, we¡¯d be¡­ lost.¡±

    ¡°Oh, spare me your sermon,¡± Kallus snapped, throwing his hands up in exasperation. ¡°The gods use us to win their little wars. That¡¯s all this is.¡±

    I barely heard their bickering. Greg¡¯s voice continued, rattling off terms that were both familiar and alien. Debuffer. Taunt unit. Red damage dealer. Team composition¡ªthey were all very familiar terms. But then he began listing names and skills I was unfamiliar with.

    ¡°John the Herbalist, SR base unit. Luna Wolf, SSR base unit¡­¡±

    Greg¡¯s voice changed. ¡°Why is he level 1 still?¡± he mused aloud, sounding puzzled. ¡°Didn¡¯t I give him an experience potion? That should¡¯ve been enough to level him up to 65.¡±

    I blinked, suddenly remembering the small vial I¡¯d received earlier. So it¡¯s an experience potion? I thought. I had never seen one like it before; the bottles themselves seemed to evolve as you held them.

    I glanced between Godfrey and Kallus, an idea forming. ¡°Wait,¡± I said, pointing at Godfrey. ¡°He¡¯s right. You were naked!¡±

    Godfrey gave a strangled cough, clearly not expecting that remark. Kallus froze, his expression shifting from smug superiority to sheer indignation.

    ¡°I wasn¡¯t naked!¡± he barked, his fiery aura flaring up again. ¡°I was¡ªstrategically unarmored. There¡¯s a difference!¡±

    I couldn¡¯t stop myself from laughing, despite the sheer absurdity of the situation. ¡°Strategically unarmored? That¡¯s what you¡¯re going with? I was talking about Godfrey, by the way. Why were you strategically unarmored?¡±

    Kallus turned to Godfrey, glaring daggers at him. ¡°Are you going to let him talk to me like this?¡±

    Godfrey glared back. ¡°Why shouldn¡¯t he, you backstabbing devil?¡±

    While they argued, I opened the vial. A sweet, intoxicating scent hit me, making me pause. This smells way too good, I thought, panic prickling at the back of my mind. Beautiful things are always poisonous in the wild¡­

    Before I could second-guess myself, I downed the entire potion in one gulp.

    The moment the liquid hit my tongue, I felt a rush of warmth spread through my body, followed by a sudden, overwhelming surge of energy. My vision blurred, then sharpened, and my pulse hammered in my ears like a war drum. The world around me tilted, as if the very fabric of reality was shifting to accommodate the change.

    ¡°Karlos!¡± Godfrey¡¯s voice was sharp, alarmed. He lunged toward me, but before he could grab my arm, a barrier of light exploded outward, forcing him and Kallus to stumble back.

    ¡°What did you do, you reckless fool?¡± Kallus snarled, shielding his face from the radiant wave that emanated from my body.

    ¡°I¡­ drank it,¡± I managed to choke out, though it felt like my voice was coming from somewhere far away. My knees buckled, and I collapsed to the ground, my hands clawing at the dirt as my body underwent a transformation I couldn¡¯t fully comprehend.

    Greg¡¯s voice boomed in my mind again, clear and smug. ¡°There we go! Experience potion successfully consumed. Let¡¯s boost those stats, unlock those skills, and¡ªoh, what¡¯s this? Bonus attributes? Jackpot!¡±

    My head spun as information flooded my mind¡ªstats, abilities, skill enhancements. I felt like I was being downloaded into, a vessel for data I couldn¡¯t yet process. My body pulsed with raw power, and my hands glowed with an unfamiliar energy¡ªa mix of crimson and gold, like fire and sunlight intertwined.

    ¡°An ascension,¡± Godfrey muttered, his tone heavy with both awe and concern. ¡°He¡¯s undergoing an ascension¡­ and at this rate, it¡¯s going to tear him apart.¡±

    Kallus crossed his arms, watching me with a calculating gaze. ¡°If it tears him apart, then he wasn¡¯t strong enough to handle it. But if he survives¡­¡± He smirked, his molten eyes gleaming. ¡°Well, maybe the kid¡¯s finally worth training.¡±

 Chapter 24: Ascension part 2

    My head spun as information poured into my mind¡ªstats, abilities, skill enhancements. It was as if I were being downloaded into, a vessel for data too vast and alien to comprehend. My body pulsed with raw, unrelenting power, my veins alight with something unfamiliar yet primal. My hands glowed, the light flickering between crimson and gold¡ªfire and sunlight intertwined, surging like a storm barely contained.

    ¡°An ascension,¡± Godfrey muttered, his voice weighted with awe and an edge of dread. ¡°He¡¯s undergoing an ascension¡­ and at this rate, it¡¯s going to tear him apart.¡±

    Kallus stood off to the side, arms crossed, his expression sharp with calculated interest. His molten eyes burned with quiet amusement as he tilted his head, smirking. ¡°If it tears him apart, then he wasn¡¯t strong enough to handle it. But if he survives¡­¡± His smirk widened, the heat of his presence seeming to intensify. ¡°Well, maybe the kid¡¯s finally worth training.¡±

    ¡°You already did this to him!¡± Godfrey roared, his voice reverberating like steel striking steel. His armor pulsed with a golden light, matching the anger that flared in his sharp gaze. His gauntleted hand hovered dangerously close to the hilt of his blade. ¡°What do you even call choking him for hours? Exercise?¡±

    Kallus shrugged, utterly unfazed. ¡°Call it what you want, but it worked, didn¡¯t it? Look at him now.¡± He gestured lazily toward me, as though my current state¡ªoverwhelmed and barely holding on¡ªwas evidence of success. ¡°You don¡¯t forge steel without heat, Godfrey. And sometimes, the heat needs to be¡­ intense.¡±

    ¡°Intense?¡± Godfrey¡¯s tone brimmed with incredulity, his hand tightening on his weapon, which sparked faintly in response. ¡°His ascension had nothing to do with you, Kallus. It was the vial. He was dying, you reckless¡ª¡±

    ¡°Enough!¡± The word tore from my throat, louder and stronger than I¡¯d expected. It sliced through their argument like a blade. Both men turned toward me, startled into silence. I barely registered their reactions, consumed as I was by the storm raging within me. The energy flooding my body was overwhelming, a tidal wave demanding my full attention.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± I said, though my voice carried a resonance that didn¡¯t feel entirely my own. In truth, I wasn¡¯t fine¡ªnot even close¡ªbut I couldn¡¯t let their fight make things worse. ¡°I don¡¯t need either of you fighting over me right now. I just need¡­ time.¡±

    Godfrey hesitated, his frustration simmering just beneath the surface. Slowly, he lowered his hand from his blade. ¡°Karlos, this isn¡¯t something to brush off. If you push too hard¡ª¡±

    ¡°Let him push,¡± Kallus interrupted, his smirk returning. ¡°If he doesn¡¯t, he¡¯ll never find his limits. And limits, my dear Godfrey, are what separate the strong from the weak.If you need help, little bro I¡¯ll be a good big brother and help like the old times. My aim¡¯s gotten better as he pulled out one of His training tools, a grenade.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t get it, do you?¡± Godfrey snapped, taking a step closer to Kallus, his golden armor shimmering brighter with every movement. ¡°He¡¯s not some experiment for you to toy with. If he burns out now, he¡¯ll lose everything¡ªmaybe even his soul. And let¡¯s not forget the aftermath: your father will kill you for killing him, and then your mother will kill your father for killing you. Let¡¯s not start this.¡±

    The weight of their words settled over me like a stormcloud, heavy and oppressive. I clenched my fists, trying to ignore the volatile energy surging through my body. The glow in my hands flickered erratically before steadying again. It felt like a dam was barely holding back the floodwaters.

    ¡°Enough,¡± I said again, my voice firm despite the chaos roaring in my chest. ¡°Both of you. I don¡¯t need a lecture, and I don¡¯t need a fight. I just need to figure out what¡¯s happening to me.¡±You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

    For once, neither man had a retort. They exchanged a glance, their philosophies clashing silently: Kallus¡¯s fiery confidence versus Godfrey¡¯s steady resolve. Still, neither pressed the issue further. The silence stretched between us, broken only by the hum of the energy crackling around me.

    Finally, Godfrey spoke, his voice quieter but no less insistent. ¡°If you feel like you¡¯re losing control, tell me. I can help you ground it.¡±

    ¡°And if you don¡¯t lose control,¡± Kallus added, his smirk taking on a sharper edge, ¡°then maybe you¡¯ll finally be ready to learn what real power feels like.¡±

    Godfrey stepped closer, his blade now sheathed, but the faint glow of his armor lingered, radiating concern. ¡°Karlos, this isn¡¯t about brute strength or raw power. If you let this energy run wild, it¡¯ll consume you. You need to understand your own body¡ªhow it works, how it connects to the mana you¡¯re channeling.¡±

    Kallus snorted, crossing his arms. ¡°For once, I agree with the knight.¡± His fiery aura dimmed slightly, though his molten eyes still burned bright. ¡°The power you¡¯re feeling right now? It¡¯s not just a gift¡ªit¡¯s a tool. And like any tool, if you don¡¯t learn to wield it properly, it¡¯ll break you. Or worse¡ªit¡¯ll hollow you out until there¡¯s nothing left.¡±

    Their words struck a chord, though they were easier said than understood. The energy coursing through me felt alien, like trying to hold fire and water in a single fragile pot. ¡°How?¡± I asked, my voice tinged with desperation. ¡°How do I control this? I can feel the energy, but I can¡¯t¡­ see it. It¡¯s like trying to grab smoke.¡±

    Godfrey knelt beside me, his tone softening. ¡°Then you need to see it¡ªor at least imagine it. Meditation will help. Picture the mana as something tangible, something you can manipulate. Focus inward. Find where you feel weakest, where the energy feels like it¡¯s slipping through the cracks. Draw the mana into those points. Make your vulnerabilities your strengths.¡±

    Kallus nodded begrudgingly, pacing as he spoke. ¡°Or, think of it like forging a blade. Weak points in the metal shatter under stress. But temper them¡ªstrengthen them with purpose¡ªand they become the strongest parts. That¡¯s what you need to do: temper the energy. Shape it. Own it.¡±

    I closed my eyes, trying to make sense of their words. Slowly, I drew a deep breath and focused inward, searching for the chaotic currents within me. At first, it was chaos¡ªwild streams rushing in every direction. But as I concentrated, the streams became clearer, like threads of light weaving through me.

    I began to guide them, channeling the energy toward the places of greatest strain: my chest, my legs, the base of my spine. Each point felt like a dam on the verge of bursting, but as I directed the mana, the strain began to ease.

    The glow in my hands flickered brighter, steadier. For the first time, the raging power inside me felt¡­ manageable.

    ¡°Good,¡± Godfrey said, his voice calm but encouraging. ¡°Keep going. The more you practice, the more natural it will feel.¡±

    Kallus chuckled, leaning casually against a nearby tree that shimmered with faint blue light. ¡°Don¡¯t get too comfortable, kid. The real work starts once you¡¯ve got the basics down.¡±

    I ignored his jab, focusing instead on the energy within me. For now, stabilizing the storm was enough.

    ¡°It¡¯s an imperfect ascension,¡± Greg said, tinged with disbelief. ¡°Does this normally happen?¡± Greg took a pause probably reading a chat.

    I need a phone so bad. I could be watching and seeing what¡¯s happening. I thought waiting for something to happen.

    What do you mean none of you have him at max level?¡± Greg suddenly cried out. This what we doing now testing characters half-finished.

    Before I could process that, another voice¡ªa different one, mechanical and aloof¡ªjoined in. ¡°I can¡¯t help I¡¯m rich: Donated 1 cent.¡± This one sounded smug, almost bored. ¡°He was trash. Nobody had the time or materials to level him to max. That would be a bad investment. And I don¡¯t make bad investments.¡±

    The voice paused as if savoring the moment, then delivered its final flourish: ¡°Because, say it with me: time is money, and a waste of time is a waste of money.¡±

    The words echoed in my mind like the mocking laughter of some distant spectator, but I could feel it burrowing deeper, igniting a fresh surge of frustration and doubt. Was this¡­ someone watching me? Judging me?

    My concentration faltered, and the energy inside me churned violently, threatening to spiral out of control. My hands blazed with crimson and gold light, flickering erratically, and I could feel the fragile balance I¡¯d managed slipping away.

    ¡°Focus, Karlos!¡± Godfrey¡¯s voice snapped me back to the moment. He stepped forward, his golden armor glowing brighter, as if to anchor me. ¡°Don¡¯t let them shake you. They¡¯re not here. It¡¯s just noise. Breathe. Stabilize. It just delusions caused by the ascension. ¡±

 Chapter 25: Ascension Final

    The weight of the voices lingered long after they had faded, but I wasn¡¯t shaken¡ªnot in the way Godfrey or Kallus assumed. I clenched my fists, steadying the golden-crimson glow flickering across my hands, a sharp reminder of the power this world forced upon me.

    ¡°You still don¡¯t get it,¡± I said, my voice edged with anger. ¡°Those voices we hear during ascensions? They¡¯re not random. They¡¯re not divine. They¡¯re people¡ªnormal people, sitting back, watching, and deciding whether we¡¯re worth their time.¡±

    Godfrey frowned, his golden armor catching the dim light of the clearing. ¡°Karlos, you¡¯re letting this consume you. Those voices are illusions¡ªtests meant to harden your spirit during ascension. Nothing more.¡±

    I let out a bitter laugh, the glow in my hands surging. ¡°Tests? No, Godfrey. I know exactly what they are because I was one of them. Back in my world, we didn¡¯t call them gods. We called them players. And all of this¡ªyour ascensions, your trials, your what ever else ¡ªnone of it is divine. It¡¯s a game.¡±

    Kallus tilted his head, molten eyes narrowing, his interest clearly piqued. ¡°So, what? They¡¯re playing us like pawns? Moving us around for their amusement?¡±

    ¡°They don¡¯t even care that much,¡± I said, the words leaving my mouth before I could stop them. ¡°We¡¯re just characters¡ªstories they pick up and toss aside when they¡¯re bored. The gods above? One of them¡¯s the bastard who stole my laptop.¡±

    ¡°Your¡­ laptop?¡± Kallus asked, his molten eyes dimming slightly. ¡°What is a laptop? And why would a god need to steal one?¡±

    My jaw clenched as I realized my mistake. What the hell am I doing? Backtrack. Just blame stress and hope they¡¯re gullible. I forced a bitter laugh. ¡°Forget it. Probably stress-induced delusions. The ascension must¡¯ve scrambled my brain.¡±

    Before they could press me further, a new voice broke the tension¡ªa calm, measured tone that cut through the clearing like a blade. ¡°He¡¯s not wrong, but he¡¯s not entirely right, either.¡±

    All three of us turned to see a figure leaning casually against a tree at the edge of the clearing. He stepped into the light with deliberate grace, his tall, lean frame moving with unnatural ease. His silvery hair shimmered faintly, and his eyes glowed with an otherworldly light, matching the moonlit sheen of his simple, elegant clothes.

    ¡°I suppose this is where I introduce myself,¡± he said with an easy smile. ¡°My name is Rain.¡±

    Godfrey immediately tensed, his hand going to the hilt of his sword. ¡°Who are you, and why are you here?¡±

    Rain raised his hands in a gesture of peace, his smile unshaken. ¡°Relax, knight. I¡¯m not here to fight. Quite the opposite.¡± His gaze shifted to me, steady and unrelenting. ¡°Karlos, I¡¯ve been watching you for some time now. Waiting for the right moment to step in.¡±

    ¡°Watching?¡± I narrowed my eyes. ¡°What are you, then? Another player?¡±

    Rain chuckled softly, shaking his head. ¡°Not quite. I don¡¯t control this game¡ªI¡¯m just here to tip the scales when they start to tilt too far.¡±

    Kallus snorted, crossing his arms. ¡°Convenient timing, don¡¯t you think? What exactly are you here for?¡±

    Rain¡¯s smile faltered slightly, his expression darkening. ¡°I¡¯m here because the stakes have been raised. The gods¡ªthe players¡ªhave called upon their greatest challenge yet: a dragon.¡±The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    The clearing went utterly still.

    ¡°A dragon?¡± Godfrey repeated, his voice shaky. ¡°You mean a real one?¡±

    Rain nodded, his tone somber. ¡°The realest thing you¡¯ll ever face in this world.

    Kallus¡¯ smug demeanor faltered for a moment. ¡°So this is their way of culling us, huh? Send in the big bad and see who¡¯s left standing?¡±

    ¡°¡°What¡¯s everyone freaking out about?¡± I asked, the words tumbling out before I could stop them. ¡°How strong are dragons anyway? Is the dragon we¡¯re facing any stronger than the one at the base of Abyss Mountain?¡±

    I searched their faces, hoping for reassurance, but what I got instead made my chest tighten.

    Rain¡¯s expression turned sharp, almost curious. ¡°Interesting question. I¡¯d almost call it foresight if your little rant about being a god didn¡¯t happen. But no, the dragon we¡¯re facing and the Abyss Whelp are one and the same.¡±

    I felt my breath catch as a realization struck me. ¡°Whelp? So¡­ the Nightmare of the Abyss is a baby?¡± My voice rose slightly, the disbelief ringing clear. ¡°What the hell¡­¡±

    Rain¡¯s gaze remained steady, but the weight of his words pressed on me like a boulder.

    ¡°Karlos, if you¡¯ve been holding back, now¡¯s the time to stop. Also, turn on your mana sense¡ªit¡¯ll help.¡±

    ¡°Mana sense?¡± I repeated, frowning. ¡°What the hell is¡ª¡±

    The words died in my throat as the golden-crimson glow in my hands surged again, flaring brighter and spreading like wildfire across my body. My head throbbed, a flood of sensations rushing in¡ªpowerful, overwhelming, and yet strangely familiar. It was like unlocking a memory I¡¯d forgotten, a power buried deep within me that suddenly demanded recognition.

    Rain studied me with a quiet intensity, his expression unreadable. ¡°Looks like your ascension isn¡¯t entirely complete,¡± he murmured, his calm tone returning.

    I clenched my fists, the golden fire roaring to life around me, brighter and more furious than ever before. For the first time, I felt the weight of the power this world had thrust upon me. It wasn¡¯t just a tool¡ªit was alive, feral, and terrifying.

    Rain¡¯s expression darkened, his voice dropping to a near-whisper. ¡°Karlos¡­ you¡¯ve played this game before. You know how it ends. The question is, will you survive it this time?¡±

    Before I could respond, he took a deliberate step forward, his presence suddenly oppressive. The calm, approachable demeanor he¡¯d carried moments ago seemed to melt away, replaced by something far more commanding.

    ¡°Let me reintroduce myself,¡± he said, his tone sharpening like a blade. ¡°My name is Rain, as you all know.¡± He paused, letting the tension settle over us like a storm about to break. ¡°But you can call me Reign.¡±

    Reign¡¯s aura shifted, an icy chill settling over the clearing like the first breath of winter. His silver hair seemed to dull slightly, its shimmering luster fading as the oppressive energy pressed against us.

    ¡°What the¡ª¡± Kallus growled, taking an instinctive step back, molten eyes narrowing.

    Godfrey, ever the stalwart knight, gripped the hilt of his sword, his golden armor flaring defensively. ¡°What are you doing?¡± he demanded, though his voice betrayed an edge of uncertainty.

    Reign ignored him, his expression unchanging as the air thickened. Then, with a sudden, violent surge, his aura exploded outward, slamming into us like a tidal wave.

    The ground beneath us cracked and splintered, trees groaning under the pressure of the force. I staggered, golden flames instinctively rising around me in an attempt to shield myself from the onslaught. It was like standing in the heart of a storm, every fiber of my being screaming under the weight of his unleashed power.

    Kallus dropped to one knee, his teeth gritted. ¡°What is this?¡± he snarled, his molten glow flickering under the suffocating pressure.

    Even Godfrey, ever composed, was forced to plant his sword into the ground to steady himself. His golden light flickered unevenly, struggling against the sheer magnitude of Reign¡¯s presence. ¡°He wasn¡¯t lying¡­¡± Godfrey muttered, his voice low. ¡°This is no ordinary being.¡±

    As for me, I could barely keep my footing. The fire coursing through me fought against the crushing force, but it wasn¡¯t enough¡ªnot even close. My mind raced, trying to comprehend how someone like this could exist in a world that supposedly revolved around me.

    And then Reign spoke, his voice calm but carrying the weight of a thousand storms.

    ¡°This is what happens,¡± he began, stepping forward with deliberate, measured steps, ¡°when someone stops playing by their rules. The gods you spoke of, Karlos¡ªthe players? They fear beings like me because I¡¯m not their creation. I¡¯m their mistake.¡±

 Chapter 26: Abyssal Dungeon Entrance

    The words hit me harder than any blow ever could. A mistake? Reign, this being of overwhelming power, wasn¡¯t just defying the rules of the gods¡ªhe was beyond them. His presence, his sheer force, everything about him screamed defiance. And now, he was turning it all on me.

    I barely had time to react as Reign raised his hand, the air around him rippling like a shattered mirror. With a simple gesture, he summoned a massive tsunami, its crest towering above us like the sky itself. The roar of the water was deafening, drowning out everything else. It wasn¡¯t just a wave; it was a force of nature, a punishment delivered with surgical precision.

    Now how about we see how much you have improved? His voice echoed in my mind, calm and mocking, as if he already knew the answer.

    Instinctively, I dug my feet into the ground, summoning every ounce of fire within me. The flames roared to life, encircling my body in a desperate attempt to hold back the onslaught. My mind screamed at me to move, to counter, to survive¡ªbut my body felt like lead, weighed down by the sheer scale of the attack.

    The tsunami crashed toward me, its force tearing the earth apart as it advanced. I thrust my arms forward, releasing a torrent of flames to meet it head-on. The fire roared brighter, hotter, consuming everything in its path as it collided with the water.

    For a moment, the two forces battled¡ªa wall of fire against a wall of water. Steam erupted in massive plumes, hissing and sizzling as the two elements clashed. My flames managed to slow the tsunami, but only just. The water pressed forward, relentless, overwhelming, and I could feel my strength beginning to falter.

    Reign watched from a distance, his expression unreadable. ¡°Is that it?¡± he called out, his voice cutting through the chaos. ¡°That¡¯s all your precious ascension has given you? You¡¯re just another pawn, playing with fire in a game you don¡¯t understand.¡±

    His words ignited something deeper inside me¡ªanger, determination, a refusal to lose. ¡°I¡¯m not a pawn!¡± I shouted, my voice raw but resolute. ¡°Not to the gods, and not to you!¡±

    Summoning everything I had left, I pushed harder, pulling on the mana coursing through me. The flames shifted, transforming from a chaotic blaze into something more focused, more intense. Crimson streaks mixed with golden light, spiraling together like a living entity.

    The tsunami bore down on me, but this time, I didn¡¯t just defend¡ªI attacked. With a guttural roar, I thrust my arms forward again, unleashing a concentrated beam of fire and light directly into the heart of the wave. The impact was immediate and explosive, splitting the tsunami apart with a deafening crack. Water surged past me on either side, crashing harmlessly into the ground beyond.

    Steam enveloped the battlefield, cloaking everything in a thick, blinding fog. My chest heaved as I struggled to stay upright, my body trembling from the effort.

    And then, through the haze, Reign¡¯s silhouette emerged, unbothered and utterly calm. He clapped slowly, his expression as composed as ever. ¡°Not bad,¡± he said, almost as if he were genuinely impressed. ¡°You¡¯ve learned to harness it. But tell me, Karlos¡­¡±

    He stepped closer, his eyes like storms brewing on a distant horizon. ¡°Do you really think that¡¯s enough? Fire burns, but it also consumes. How long can you keep this up before it destroys you from within?¡±

    I clenched my fists, refusing to back down. ¡°I¡¯ll last as long as I have to. Longer, if that¡¯s what it takes.¡±

    Reign smirked, the faintest hint of amusement in his otherwise cold demeanor. ¡°Good. Then let¡¯s see just how far you can go before you break.¡±

    Reign¡¯s oppressive aura suddenly dissipated, like a storm breaking apart to reveal the sun. The shift was so sudden it left me momentarily stunned, my knees almost buckling from the absence of that crushing weight. His hair, which moments ago had been dark as midnight, shifted back to its brighter, golden tone, shimmering faintly in the mist.Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

    ¡°Oh, looks like our testing time has been cut short,¡± Reign said casually, as if the deadly tsunami and our clash had been nothing more than a light sparring session. He adjusted his coat, his demeanor now calm but no less unnerving. ¡°The gods are about to move us.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean, ¡®move us¡¯?¡± I asked, still catching my breath, my voice raspy from the strain.

    Reign shot me a glance, his lips curving into a faint, almost taunting smile. ¡°You¡¯ll see soon enough. They¡¯re sending us into a dungeon.¡±

    Godfrey¡¯s eyes narrowed as he sheathed his blade, his expression hardening. ¡°What dungeon?¡± he asked, his tone wary but resigned, as though he already knew the answer.

    Kallus let out a low chuckle, his arms crossed and his molten eyes gleaming with dark amusement. ¡°Oh, you know where we¡¯re going. Everyone does.¡±

    I turned to Godfrey, who sighed heavily, the golden glow of his armor dimming slightly. ¡°The Abyss Dungeon,¡± he said grimly. ¡°And at the end of it¡­ the Abyss Dragon.¡±

    The words hit me like a hammer. The Abyss Dungeon. Before I could stew in my musing. The plane around us shifted the data taking the form of a swirling vortex. The vortex pulled away everything making it clear we don''t have a choice in the matter.

    ¡° Remember turn back on your mana sense. You have an extremely potent one to be able to hear the god¡¯s so it will be your most strategic weapon. Use it wisely Rain said before making a top hat appear out of nowhere. I see you on the other side as he took a bow and stepped through the portal.¡±

    The words Abyss Dungeon echoed in my mind like a death knell. Before I could fully process the gravity of the situation, the very fabric of the world around us began to warp. The ground cracked, data-like streams of energy unraveling into a swirling vortex, a maelstrom of light and shadow that seemed to devour everything in its path. My stomach churned as the vortex¡¯s pull intensified, making it painfully clear that we had no choice in the matter.

    I glanced at Godfrey, his usual stoic expression now tinged with grim acceptance. Kallus, on the other hand, looked almost amused, the faintest smirk playing on his lips as if he relished the chaos.

    Reign, standing off to the side, seemed completely unfazed. His silver hair shimmered like a beacon as he conjured another top hat from thin air, casually placing it on his head. ¡°Remember,¡± he said, his voice calm but cutting through the roar of the vortex like a knife, ¡°turn back on your mana sense. You¡¯ve got an extraordinary one, Karlos¡ªstrong enough to hear the gods themselves. That¡¯s no small feat. It¡¯ll be your most valuable weapon in the Abyss. Use it wisely.¡±

    I barely managed a nod, the words sinking in like a stone. My mana sense¡­ I hadn¡¯t thought of it as a weapon before, but if Reign thought it was important, I wasn¡¯t about to dismiss it.

    With a theatrical flourish, Reign tipped his hat and gave a deep bow, his movements smooth and deliberate, as if the vortex wasn¡¯t about to swallow us whole. ¡°I¡¯ll see you on the other side,¡± he said, his tone almost playful. Then, without a hint of hesitation, he stepped through the portal and vanished into the swirling void.

    The air around us grew heavier, the pull of the vortex now irresistible. Kallus stretched lazily, rolling his shoulders as if preparing for a casual stroll. ¡°Well, kid,¡± he said, his molten eyes locking onto mine. ¡°Guess we¡¯re about to see what you¡¯re really made of.¡±

    Godfrey clapped a hand on my shoulder, his grip firm and reassuring despite the storm raging around us. ¡°Stay close,¡± he said, his voice steady. ¡°This isn¡¯t just about fighting¡ªit¡¯s about strategy, survival, and knowing when to trust your instincts. Don¡¯t hesitate to rely on us.¡±

    I swallowed hard, my throat dry. ¡°Got it.¡±

    Without another word, the vortex pulled us in. It was like being yanked through a thousand dimensions at once, the world spinning and shifting in ways that defied comprehension. My senses screamed in protest, my mana fluctuating wildly as I struggled to anchor myself.

    And then, with a bone-jarring thud, we landed.

    The air was thick, almost suffocating, carrying a stench of ash, bone, and something far more ancient. The world around us was a large chamber filled with lava. In Front of us was the strangest thing. A wooden bridge.

    The landing knocked the breath out of me. The air in this place wasn¡¯t just heavy¡ªit was oppressive, filled with the acrid stench of ash and charred bone. Heat radiated from the jagged obsidian walls, the chamber illuminated by the molten rivers of lava that cut through the floor in erratic patterns. My boots crunched on what I realized, with a sick twist in my stomach, were charred remains¡ªbone fragments reduced to brittle ash.

    Ahead of us stretched the most surreal sight: a wooden bridge, narrow and rotting, spanning the river of magma like some cruel joke. The planks creaked ominously even from a distance, and the ropes holding it together were singed, barely clinging to the supports.

    Reign appeared beside us, his presence as sudden as it was unnerving. ¡°We need to move,¡± he said, his tone brisk and uncharacteristically serious. ¡°If we stay here too long, we¡¯ll be buried under the magma.¡±

    As if to underscore his point, the lava below us began to bubble violently, sending up plumes of sulfuric steam. The ground trembled, cracks forming in the already fractured terrain. A low, guttural rumble echoed through the chamber, more felt than heard, as if the dungeon itself was warning us that time was running out.

 Chapter 27: Golem Trinity

    Great,¡± Kallus muttered, his molten eyes scanning the chamber. ¡°We land in a death trap, and now the floor¡¯s trying to eat us.¡±

    Godfrey was already moving, his golden armor glinting faintly in the fiery glow as he approached the bridge. ¡°Stay close and don¡¯t stop. Whatever this place throws at us, we face it together.¡±

    I nodded, my mouth dry. The oppressive heat sapped at my strength, but I forced myself forward, focusing on Reign¡¯s earlier advice. Turn back on your mana sense. Taking a deep breath, I reached inward, letting my mana flow outward like tendrils, searching for any sign of danger.

    What I felt sent a shiver down my spine. The dungeon wasn¡¯t just alive¡ªit was watching us. The walls seemed to pulse faintly, their rhythm matching the ominous beat of my own heart. There was something immense and hungry lurking beneath the surface, its presence coiled tightly around the chamber like a predator waiting to strike.

    ¡°Something¡¯s wrong,¡± I said, my voice low but urgent. ¡°The dungeon¡ªit¡¯s¡­ aware. It¡¯s not just trying to kill us. It¡¯s testing us.¡±

    Reign¡¯s lips curled into a faint smile as he stepped onto the bridge, his golden hair shimmering like a flame against the dark. ¡°Of course it¡¯s testing us, Karlos. What kind of game would it be otherwise?¡±

    I bit back a retort and focused on keeping my footing as I followed him. The bridge swayed precariously with each step, the heat from the lava below making the wood crackle and groan. Behind me, Kallus hummed a low, tuneless melody, his nonchalance grating against the rising tension.

    Halfway across, the rumble grew louder. The lava churned violently, and without warning, a massive plume erupted, sending a spray of molten rock hurtling toward us.

    ¡°Move!¡± Godfrey shouted, raising his shield. The golden barrier shimmered to life, deflecting most of the magma, but some splattered dangerously close to my legs, searing the air with its heat.

    We surged forward, the bridge swinging wildly under our combined weight. As we neared the other side, a deafening roar shook the chamber.

    ¡° Looks like the dungeon has made the dragon aware of our presence.¡± Rain said while running forward. Seeming unaffected by the heat.

    The room was close to collapsing when we saw a open passageway leaving to the next room.

    We burst into the open passageway just as another plume of molten rock shot skyward, the chamber behind us crumbling in a cacophony of roars and cracking stone. The heat chased us like a living thing, and I could feel the searing intensity nipping at my heels as we pushed forward.

    The corridor ahead was narrow and dimly lit, the oppressive heat giving way to a damp, suffocating coolness. The air was thick, almost liquid, each breath heavy with the metallic tang of mana.

    Reign slowed his pace, his eyes scanning the walls. The faint shimmer of his hair returned, though his expression remained sharp. ¡°We¡¯re not safe yet. The dragon¡¯s awake, and it knows we¡¯re here.¡±

    Kallus cursed under his breath, wiping sweat from his brow. ¡°Great. Because dodging molten death wasn¡¯t enough. Now we get to face a dragon that probably thinks we¡¯re appetizers.¡±

    Godfrey glared at him, his armor still glowing faintly. ¡°Focus. Sarcasm won¡¯t help us survive.¡±

    ¡°Neither will blind optimism,¡± Kallus shot back, though his molten eyes were fixed on the path ahead.

    I ignored their bickering and concentrated on my mana sense. The dungeon¡¯s awareness hadn¡¯t faded¡ªit had shifted, funneling its focus toward the dragon¡¯s lair. The oppressive hunger I¡¯d felt earlier was stronger now, sharper and more purposeful, like an invisible hand guiding us toward the inevitable.

    The passageway opened into a vast chamber, and I stopped in my tracks, because their stood three golems made out of magma. They stood double the height of an average man and 4 times the bulk. In the center of their chests were large cavities that looked like a precious jew was carved out.

    Looks like the battle about to start Reign said as Greg''s familiar voice appeared.

    Another loud roar shook the ground and carried a large wave of crimson energy when it hit the golems they shook and slowly stood. The large empty cavities were suddenly filled with large blue gems. The cracks spread across the forms of the golems. Suddenly the cracks were bathed with a blue energy and the eyes of the golems shot open with a ghostly fire circling their pupils. You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

    The three golems released massive roars and the room shoke once again. Then everyone in the room watched as a scale appeared between us and the golems.

    Greg¡¯s voice spoke up so we thinking of using on turn one chat?

    The chamber was alive with tension, the oppressive mana pressing against my chest as the massive scale materialized between us and the awakened golems. It shimmered faintly, its golden frame inscribed with intricate runes that pulsed in rhythm with the fiery energy coursing through the room.

    Greg¡¯s familiar, sarcastic tone echoed around us. ¡°So, what¡¯s the plan? We burning all our attack skills turn one or saving up for the final phase.

    The chamber was alive with a tension so thick it felt like wading through syrup. The golden scale at the center seemed both a judgment and a mystery, its ancient inscriptions thrumming in time with the resonant hum of the dungeon. My aura wavered uneasily in its glow¡ªa reddish-orange flame, unformed and chaotic. The faint flickers mirrored the restlessness in my chest as I glanced toward the others.

    Godfrey¡¯s aura stood steadfast, like him. The metallic bronze energy, already half-shaped into a formidable shield, was as much a reflection of his resolve as it was his discipline. Kallus¡¯s was wilder, darker¡ªlava-like flames that churned with hints of blue, taking the intimidating form of a prowling lion. And Reign, of course, radiated something altogether different. His blue-gray aura was jagged and cold, sharp as tempered steel and as untamed as the frost-covered peaks of the Northlands. It was measured, yes, but there was a dangerous edge to it that even he didn¡¯t seem inclined to hide.

    The golems across from us were¡­ something else entirely. Their forms were a terrifying blend of raw power and unnerving artificiality, their magma cores now pulsing with the ghostly blue energy of the crystals in their chests. Their auras, though faint compared to ours, burned with unnatural intensity¡ªa focused, mechanical mimicry of life.

    Kallus¡¯s sudden knock to my head jolted me from my observations. I groaned, rubbing the sore spot. ¡°What the hell was that for?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re spacing out again, idiot,¡± he said, his molten eyes narrowing. ¡°Did Dad¡¯s lectures go in one ear and out the other? You can¡¯t seriously be standing here gawking at aura levels like it¡¯s a street show.¡±

    I shot him a glare. ¡°I know about aura. I just¡ª¡±

    ¡°Clearly, you don¡¯t,¡± Kallus interrupted, towering over me with that infuriatingly smug expression. ¡°Let me break it down for the slowest student in the class.¡± His dark flames flared briefly, the lion at his side growling low in its throat. ¡°Golems like these aren¡¯t alive. They don¡¯t have true aura because they lack the soul of a living being. What they have is borrowed power. Their cores are crammed with raw energy¡ªenough to keep them moving and burning¡ªbut that¡¯s it.¡±

    ¡°Okay, but¡ª¡±

    ¡°Shut up, I¡¯m not done.¡± His hand shot up threateningly, and I instinctively stepped back. ¡°The dragon¡¯s feeding them. That¡¯s why their aura has even a shred of presence. Otherwise, it¡¯d be like trying to sense life in a rock. Simple.¡±

    ¡°Great. Thanks for the lecture, Professor Psycho,¡± I muttered, stepping further away. Kallus¡¯s grin widened in that predatory way that always preceded trouble.

    ¡°You¡¯re not getting off that easy!¡± he barked, lunging at me. I yelped and bolted, weaving through the room as he chased me like an overgrown predator. The others barely spared us a glance. They were too focused on the scale, the dungeon, and, no doubt, the dragon¡¯s ever-present hunger pressing in on us from beyond.

    He tackled me, pinning me with an arm against my neck while he delivered his final lesson. ¡°You¡¯re out here looking for one of the Silvers, right?¡± he growled. ¡°To fix your mana coils? Well, let me clue you in on something, brother. If you don¡¯t figure out how to work with aura soon, you¡¯re not going to last long enough to ask for their help.¡±

    I struggled against his grip, glaring up at him. ¡°I¡¯m working on it! I¡ª¡±

    ¡°Not hard enough.¡± His lion aura leaned in, its molten breath almost tangible against my skin. ¡°You want to rely on mana alone? Fine. See how far that gets you when your coils burn out and leave you useless. Or¡­¡± His grip tightened, just enough to make me stop struggling. ¡°You could follow my example. Beast Aura isn¡¯t just a backup plan. It¡¯s strength. And trust me, you¡¯re going to need all the strength you can get. It''s a great deal just have to brawl a wild animal into submission. ¡±

    I swallowed hard as his words sank in. He released me after a moment, stepping back as though nothing had happened. The lion at his side flicked its tail before dissolving back into his molten form.

    Godfrey cleared his throat, his golden aura glowing brighter as he turned toward the golems. ¡°Looks like the scale is finished weighing. If you two are done, we have a battle to win.

    Godfreys words were proven true.  When the scale lowered towards us. Signaling the beginning of the battle.

    Ok so we agree on testing out the new and improved flame mage and saving reigns skills because his shield will be sealed ok.

    I stepped forward ready to release a attack when the book that the devil repeatedly through at me opened.

    As the gilded script at the top of the page gleamed faintly in the dim light, my pulse quickened. The Book of the Devil, an enigmatic relic I¡¯d been saddled with for days, had been silent for days, and nothing but aburdensome presence until now. The fact that it chose this moment to wake up wasn¡¯t a coincidence. It was alive in its own way, responding to the labyrinth¡¯s hunger with a dangerous will of its own.

    The page below the header began to animate, its text shifting and forming intricate diagrams of the golems before us. A voice, dark and smooth as velvet, resonated in my mind¡ªunmistakably the book¡¯s.

    ¡°Abyss Dungeon Phase one floor. Enemy Three sentinels.

    Under the sentinels, it has a list of numbers and the body of the page their skills. On the fifth page was the more intriguing part it was me and a list of my abilities flipping through the next three pages listed my 3 partners.

 Chapter 28: Flame Trinity

    As I flipped through the mysterious pages, a strange unease settled over me. The book seemed alive in my hands, its contents shifting and adapting as if aware of my presence. Under the section marked Sentinels, there was an organized list of names and numbers¡ªidentifiers, perhaps, for warriors or guardians. Each name seemed paired with intricate details about their skills and abilities, a dossier that read like a mixture of stats from a game and divine annotations.

    It wasn¡¯t until the fifth page that my breath caught in my throat. There, bold and undeniable, was my name. A list of my abilities followed, cataloged in unnerving precision. Each power, every nuance of my skills, was meticulously recorded¡ªboth those I¡¯d mastered and ones I wasn¡¯t even aware of yet. One phrase stood out like a beacon: Flame Prince Awakened¡ªa power I¡¯d only recently discovered after my ascension. How did it already know?

    I flipped through the next three pages, which detailed the abilities of my three companions. Godfrey¡¯s skills were laid out with a balance of brute strength and strategic precision. Kallus¡¯s powers, dark and molten, reflected his chaotic nature. And Reign¡­ well, his page practically glowed with untapped potential, the text hinting at abilities so overwhelming they almost defied description. His section was annotated with cryptic notes, some written in a language I couldn¡¯t comprehend.

    On the following page, the book shifted tone entirely. There was now an array of cards¡ªfamiliar and yet foreign. The design bore a striking resemblance to the ones used in Chaos Blade, the legendary game that blended battle tactics with mystical power. Each card was marked with a single bronze star, and at the bottom, three slots were visible. Only one of these slots was filled for each card. The deck was split into hands, with each of us apparently holding two cards.

    The cards pulsed faintly, their edges glowing with an energy that felt both empowering and ominous. I reached out to touch one, but a sudden voice broke through my concentration.

    Greg, our group¡¯s resident and the one with the sharpest tongue, spoke with a blend of sarcasm and genuine intrigue. ¡°So, should we try out the new skill? You know, Flame Prince Awakened¡ªthe one Karlos got from his ascension? Or are we just going to sit around and act like we¡¯re too cool for it?¡±

    He smirked, flicking his own card into the air before catching it effortlessly. ¡°Who am I kidding? Like we¡¯re actually not going to use both of his skills. Skill one Hell Blaze and Skill 2 Phoenix Burst and I guess Godfrey¡¯s taunt. Now let me reverse those so Godfrey¡¯s passive will apply first.

    As I scanned the pages and Greg rattled off his suggestions, I felt my focus shift to the descriptions of the skills he mentioned. The book adjusted again, almost as if responding to my curiosity. The skills were laid out in the same structured and detailed format as before, but now they seemed tailored to my immediate understanding.

    Sealed Power ( Flame Mage) Skills

    1.Hell Blaze (Active)

    Type: Single-Target Fire Skill

    Effect: Launches a concentrated burst of crimson flames at a single enemy, dealing 300% of attack as fire damage. Critical strikes cause a burn status effect, inflicting an additional 5% of the target¡¯s max HP per second for 3 turns .

    Fire: Targets marked by Phoenix Burst take 50% additional damage.

    2.Phoenix Burst (Active)

    Type: Area-of-Effect Fire Skill

    Effect: dealing 200% of attack as damage to all enemies then  : Allies are healed for 10% of Karlos¡¯s max HP and receive a 10% attack buff for 3 turns.

    Enemies hit are marked with Phoenix burst.

    Phoenix Burst: Fire resistance is decreased by 40% for the next 4 turns.Stolen novel; please report.

    As I continued flipping through, a sudden notification flashed across the page in bold, glowing text:

    ¡°To begin your true journey, defeat 10,000 opponents and attain advanced aura control.¡±

    The words burned themselves into my vision, lingering even after I blinked. The book wasn¡¯t just a record¡ªit was a guide, a challenge, and perhaps even a prophecy. The weight of the task sank in immediately. Ten thousand opponents? Advanced aura control? It wasn¡¯t just a goal¡ªit was a declaration that my current state was nowhere near my potential.

    Kallus leaned over my shoulder, his sharp eyes scanning the text. ¡°Ten thousand opponents, huh? Guess that means no slacking off, Flame Prince.¡± His tone was mocking, but there was a flicker of genuine respect in his voice.

    Godfrey, ever the strategist, rubbed his chin thoughtfully. ¡°If the book is accurate¡ªand so far, it seems to be¡ªthis isn¡¯t just a simple tally. It¡¯s a trial. The number isn¡¯t arbitrary; it¡¯s a measure of endurance, growth, and mastery. You¡¯ll need to push beyond your limits every step of the way.¡±

    Godfrey, ever the strategist, rubbed his chin thoughtfully. ¡°If the book is accurate¡ªand so far, it seems to be¡ªthis isn¡¯t just a simple tally. It¡¯s a trial. The number isn¡¯t arbitrary; it¡¯s a measure of endurance, growth, and mastery. You¡¯ll need to push beyond your limits every step of the way.¡±

    Kallus chuckled darkly, his molten eyes gleaming. ¡°Ten thousand opponents? Sounds like a bloodbath. My kind of trial. But you better make sure you don¡¯t burn out, kid. Fire¡¯s great for destruction, but it¡¯s useless if you can¡¯t keep it burning.¡±

    ¡°Looks like it¡¯s beginning Rain said as the golems released a mighty roar.¡±As the creatures began roaring my magic went out of control and started circling around me protectively.

    So the game plan has been established. Greg murmured so let¡¯s check first turn stats.

    Basic Lava Golem

    Level 100

    Race Fairy

    Attribute : Blue(Essence)

    Attack 11,297

    Defense 8946

    Remaining HP 472,676

    Max HP 472,676

    Aura 100

    Immortality: Self¡¯s HP can not drop below 1.

    Passives Effect immunity: Immune to debuffs except for Flame Effects .

    Passive: One with the Volcano: Gains 5% max HP for debuff on self.

    Passive: Over Charged: When self has 7 debuffs on self removes them and applies spell disruption on self.

    Spell Disruption: Removes immortality and the end of allies turn takes 50% of remaining HP as Disruption damage.

    Unparalleled Flame: While Self Doesn¡¯t have a debuff on self increases damage dealt to enemies by 1000%% while self does have debuffs decreases damage taken by 75%.

    So we just have to debuff them enough to make them kill themselves.

    The golems roared in unison, their molten bodies rippling with ethereal energy. Their glowing blue essence pulsed like a heartbeat, the rhythm growing faster as if responding to the fiery chaos encircling us. My magic, spiraling out of control, twisted around me protectively. It wasn¡¯t just defensive¡ªit felt alive, sentient, ready to act before I could even command it.

    Greg¡¯s faint voice, still muffled and disconnected, was rattling off strategies I could barely process. ¡°Just stack debuffs, make them hit Overcharged, and watch them self-destruct. Easy enough. Hell Blaze, Phoenix Burst, Kallus¡¯s molten siphon¡ª¡±

    I tuned him out. Greg didn¡¯t understand what it was like standing here, facing creatures that felt as indestructible as gods. To him, it was mechanics. To me, it was life or death.

    Godfrey banged on his golden shield and brought his body in front of us and the angry golems.

    Then my limbs slowly started moving on their own. My hands then formed a little diamond shape. Then the same thought kept running through my head blow, blow, blow.

    ¡° I kept listening because the voice only grew louder and as the wind left my mouth the sealed fire energy in the diamond spread outwards as if leaving a portal. The fire made a small fire bird resembling a phoenix that flew through the air towards the golems.

    The moment the fiery phoenix erupted from my hands, it felt like an extension of my soul. The blazing bird soared into the air, leaving a trail of fire so intense that the very air seemed to sizzle in its wake. The golems, towering with molten fury, recoiled slightly as the phoenix screeched¡ªa sound that echoed with both defiance and inevitability.

    When the phoenix made contact with the lead golem, an explosion of crimson and gold fire enveloped the battlefield. Flames licked the air, searing through the golem¡¯s blue-tinged aura. Its essence shimmered and twisted under the attack, the fire bypassing its immense defenses and sinking deep into its core.

    The system text appeared in the corner of my vision, sharp and unrelenting:

    Basic Lava Golem

    <ul>

    <li>HP Remaining: 412,908</li>

    <li>Max Hp : 472,676</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li> Hell Blaze critical strike applied¡ªBurning for 5% Max HP per turn (3 turns).</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li> Ignite stacks 2.</li>

    </ul>

    The golem¡¯s massive body wavered, its molten surface rippling with blue and red streaks as my flames ate away at its durability. But it didn¡¯t falter for long. Instead, the golem¡¯s aura flared, feeding off its own pain, and it released a thunderous roar that sent a shockwave across the battlefield. Then the other golem quickly followed suit.

    System Update:

    ?Passive: One with the Volcano activated.

    ?HP increased by 23,633 (5% Max HP for each debuff).