《Skill Upgrade [An Isekai LitRPG]》 Chapter 1 The world turned black. No warning, no buildup, an instant change. Mason could only muster a gasp as he arrived in an infinite void. Ding A blue screen folded open in front of his incorporeal eyes. He couldn¡¯t feel, it felt as though his consciousness or soul had been ripped from his body and sent to this desolate realm. [Please choose a species to reincarnate as.] [You will have a certain amount of points based on your soul''s power. You can use points to choose a specific species, and then use any remaining points to purchase skills.] [Total points: 2,544] [Shoggothra] - 1 [Slime] - 5 [Goblin] - 10 [Zombie] - 50 [Human] - 75 [Hobgoblin] - 100 [Orc] - 250 [Wraith] - 450 [High Orc] - 650 [Wyvern] - 800 [Giant] - 1,000 [Sentinel] - 1,200 [Shogre] - 1,450 [Dragon] - 1,800 [High Human] - 1950 [Okur] - 2,000 [Demon] - 2,100 [Angel] - 2,105 [High Dragon] 2,200 [Aizhenda] - 2,250 [Void Beast] - 2,450 Mason¡¯s eyes scanned across the screen, readily taking a deep, calming breath as he read the last words. ¡°I need to calm down,¡± He could feel an imaginary heartbeat as he tried to bring a hand to his forehead, realized he didn¡¯t have one. He shut his eyes intensely, reopening them, the bright blue of the screen still glaring. ¡°Not a dream,¡± he mumbled, recalling his training in the military to calm his mind and analyze the situation. He was able to turn and examine the vast darkness around him. Nothing, not even a speck of light. He turned back to the screen, reading it once more, noting every word. There¡¯s not much, he thought, This is real though. He could feel emotions swell within, but he quickly forced them back down. Down into an abyss, sealing them with chains, ensuring those thoughts wouldn¡¯t enter his mind until he found it necessary. ¡°This doesn¡¯t make any sense,¡± he said, ¡°But it¡¯s real, so I might as well think this through.¡± He looked over the species again and realized some unusual names. He read plenty of novels and fantasy stories, so most he was familiar with. ¡°Can I get a description of some of the species?¡± He yelled, hoping this mysterious screen would answer. Immediately, another screen, in front of the first, folded open. [What species would you like descriptions on? Keep in mind that the higher the point cost, the fewer details will be given.]Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon. ¡°Okay, that''s fine.¡± The screen folded closed, revealing the list once more. He scanned it again. ¡°Can you give descriptions of Shoggothra, Sentinel, Shogre, Okur, Aizhenda, and Void Beast?¡± Nothing happened for a few seconds. Then, a screen much larger than the first folded open. [Shoggothra: The Shoggothra is a grotesque and otherworldly creature that is said to be born from the very negative emotions of those who inhabit the world. These creatures are said to be the manifestation of all the dark and twisted desires that exist, and as such, they are feared by all who come into contact with them. The Shoggothra appears as a black, writhing mass of tentacles and eyes that seem to move and pulse with a life of their own. They are believed to be incredibly ancient, having existed long before the rise of humanity and most other species. These creatures are said to be born in nests of black slime, deep beneath the earth. The very ground around these nests is said to be corrupted by the foul energies that emanate from within, and those who venture too close are said to be driven mad by the sheer horror of what they witness. When first born, they are mindless and lack any form of intelligence or self-awareness. As such, they often accidentally cannibalize their fellow Shoggothra, mistaking them for prey in their blind and unthinking search for sustenance. Those who encounter these creatures are urged to flee. Individually these creatures are less harmful than a fly, but when attacked by hundreds of thousands of these creatures, many are often overwhelmed. Sentinel: The Sentinel is a species of incredibly ancient rocky golems that wander the world. They are peaceful creatures but will attack with incredible force if given reason to. Within their massive bodies that tower over mountains, are said to hold secret skills, magic, and techniques of power beyond your wildest imaginations. As such, these entities were nearly hunted to extinction by the more powerful races. Sentinels hold about as much strength as an Angel or Demon but cost fewer points due to the incredible danger associated with choosing them. Shogre: Shogre is a species of magic users who dwell within enormous cave systems. These creatures can alter their size to that of an ant, or around half the size of a Sentinel. Their magic is incredibly powerful, and they are born with unbelievable mana reserves. These creatures are peaceful and rarely leave their caves. Okur: The Okur is a species of mystical shadow beings who excel at stealth and assassination. At night, these creatures are almost impossible to detect. However, in direct combat, the Okur are not as proficient as those of lesser points. Aizhenda: The Aizhenda is a species of incredibly powerful humanoid insects. They have armor-like exoskeletons and are the most powerful of the four ruling species. Void Beast: From the outer world. Signs of these beasts have been, and continue to be eradicated from every dimension.] Mason was speechless. Just what kind of world was he being sent to? ¡°Just from those descriptions, I can dismiss a few. I can choose any species I want, so choosing those in the middle won¡¯t make sense. Void Beast isn¡¯t very attractive either. The risk of dying almost immediately was too great. At first glance, the Aizhenda seems to be the best option.`` Mason sat in contemplative silence, but an idea suddenly struck him. He recalled the first words of this screen, ¡°Can I see the skill options before choosing a species,¡± Mason asked, silently praying he could. He was left answerless for almost two minutes before something unraveled in front of his vision. [Yes] The screen with such a simple yet meaningful word folded, another one appearing an instant later. [Common] [Dash] (Gain a temporary boost in speed. You can only move in a straight line.) - 1 [Common] [Beginner Weapon Proficiency] (You will gain certain sub-skills for a weapon of your choosing.) - 5 [Common] [Beginner Magic Proficiency] (You will gain certain sub-skills of a magic element of your choosing) - 5 [Rare] [Low Heal] (Heal small cuts and wounds at a slow pace) - 15 [Rare] [Silent Movement] (Eliminate all sound made through movement) - 15 [Rare] [Enhance Strength] (Temporarily enhance your strength) - 15 [Rare] [Enhance Speed] (Temporarily enhance your speed) - 15 [Rare] [Harden] (Harden your skin to withstand various attacks) - 20 [Rare] [Summon] (Summon entities to assist you. The power of the entities summoned is limited by the skill tier.) - 20 [Unique] [Seal] (Seal your opponent in a spherical, transparent shield. Who you can seal, and for how long the seal lasts depends on soul strength and stamina. Although a limit does exist due to the skill tier) - 150 [Unique] [Teleport] (Instantly teleport to any spot in your vision and teleport to any place in your memory with a 3-second cast. The distance of the teleport will decide the cost of soul stamina) - 200 [Sovereign] [Dimension Slash] (Ignore the defense of your enemy by slicing through the dimension itself) - 450 [Sovereign] [Soul Strings] (Conjure invisible strings. The flexibility and sharpness of these strings will depend on soul strength and stamina.) - 450 [Sovereign] [Ultra Thin Barrier] (Surround yourself in a paper-thin barrier that can withstand most attacks) - 450 [Divine] [Null] (This skill is of the void attribute. It can nullify anything of a lower status than Divine, and heavily weaken anything of Divine Status) - 1,250 [Divine] [Imaginary Blade] (Completely undetectable, this blade can slice through anything of a lower status than divine, and heavily damage anything of Divine status) - 1,250 [Divine] [Time Slow] (Slow time. The extent of slowness depends on how much soul stamina and strength you allocate to the skill.) - 1,250 [God] [Skill Upgrade] (Upgrade any skill to any of the skill tiers. The skill tiers are Common, Rare, Unique, Sovereign, Divine, and God. The duration between possible upgrades, and the toll taken on the soul, will depend on soul strength and soul stamina.) - 2,050 Subskills: [Parallel Thinking] (Have a second mind dedicated to activating and maintaining certain skills during combat.) [Skill Nullification] (Automatically nullify any skill below the God Tier) Bonus: Any skill upgraded by this skill will have a 35% increase in power and a 15% decrease in soul stamina consumption. [God] [Prescience] (Know what will happen in the future. The distance of time viewed will be determined by soul strength and stamina allocated to this skill.) - 2,050 Subskills: [Ultra Speed Thought] (Increase the speed of thinking by 10,000,000 times.) [Time Manipulation Nullification] (Immune to any skill, magic, or technique capable of slowing or stopping time.) Bonus: The speed of any casting for a skill, magic, or technique is instant. Mason¡¯s imaginary jaw hung, ideas upon ideas flowing into his consciousness. He sat for what felt like hours in intense thought. Scenarios of every possible choice, until he found the perfect one. ¡°No matter the species I choose, can my body handle the God-tier skills? Also, will the species I choose affect my mind at all? I know this was implied, but I¡¯ll keep my consciousness right?¡± He asked the screen, his decision riding on the answer. [Skills are gifts from the universe and are tied to the soul. Your body does not influence skills whatsoever. And you will forever keep your consciousness and mind. You will simply be you, but within a different body.] Mason opened his imaginary mouth to ask another question but closed it before speaking. ¡°Perfect.¡± Mason reviewed his idea once more, before concluding, ¡°Can my species be a Human?¡± The screen was silent. Either surprised by the answer or registering it to continue the process of reincarnation, Mason did not know. [Yes. What skills would you like?] ¡°Can I have Skill Upgrade, Beginner Weapon Proficiency, Beginner Magic Proficiency, Low Heal, Silent Movement, Enhance Strength, Enhance Speed, Harden, Summon, Teleport, and Dash,¡± Mason said confidently. Soul Strings seemed extremely versatile and appealing, but having more low-tier skills would be more beneficial because of Skill Upgrade. The large screen with skills folded closed, another one opening a few seconds later. [Choices registered.] [Good Luck!] The void began to distort as if invisible hands gripped space itself and began to tear it apart. Mason''s mind became hazy, his vision distorted, the words ¡®Good Luck¡¯ only visible as incomprehensible scribbles against the bright blue. And then, everything went dark. Chapter 2 ¡°Aaah!¡± Mason shot upwards, letting out a pained cry as his eyes snapped onto his surroundings, ¡°That was-¡± Mason groaned, gripping his chest as an intense wave of pain shot from it. Blood? Mason wore leather armor, strung together loosely, and the leather itself was distressed, covered in cuts, and stabs. Beneath it, a cheap woolen shirt stained with blood and pants so torn apart they looked more like shorts. He could feel the weight of a sheathed sword at his back, ¡°I¡¯m injured?¡± Mason mumbled, looking at the forest lush with foliage around him. Blades of grass stabbed his aching back as a light breeze whistled through his hair. Strands of sunlight poked through the thick canopy, bathing the scene around him in a bright light. The grass and trees around him coated in a thick layer of blood, as he watched small, humanoid figures stab a struggling man who wore similar attire to Mason. The man let out a croak before his body went limp. Tens of similar bodies littered the area, and a stench of death wafted in the air, ¡°You couldn''t have at least sent me to a safe place? ¡± Mason¡¯s heart began to thump, and he gritted his teeth. ¡°I¡¯m in a different body too,¡± he mumbled, examining his body, rolling up his right sleeve, noting his birthmark wasn¡¯t there. He recognized the small humanoid figures as Goblins, their beady eyes focused on making sure the others were dead. Mason knew he had little time to dawdle, and was certainly in no condition to fight. His mind snapped to his Low Heal skill. ¡°I¡¯ll have to upgrade it first. This injury is too serious-¡± His quiet rambling was interrupted by an unfolding blue screen, identical to the one in the infinite void. [Profile] [Name: Mason Harris] [Species: Human] [Evolution: 0/100000 Monsters Killed] [Skills] {God} [Skill Upgrade] {Unique} [Teleport} {Rare} [Low Heal] {Rare} [Silent Movement] {Rare} [Enhance Strength] {Rare} [Enhance Speed] {Rare} [Harden] {Rare} [Summon] {Common} [Beginner Weapon Proficiency] {Common} [Beginner Magic Proficiency] {Common} [Dash] [Techniques] N/A [Magic] N/A Mason¡¯s jaw hung open once more. Evolution? Techniques? His very own status window as well. Everything was moving so fast that he struggled to take it all in. He took a deep breath and calmed his mind. I have to heal first, He thought, And deal with these Goblins. No matter the situation that screen or entity placed him in, he assumed using skills wouldn''t be complicated. He closed his eyes and formed a picture of the status screen in his mind. Slowly, his focus locked onto Low Heal, and then his mental gaze approached the tier next to it. In his mind, he uttered the simple words This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. ¡®Upgrade to Sovereign tier.¡¯ The change was immediate, and he could only feel slight exhaustion overtake his body and soul. The effect on his soul was impossible to describe. It was so otherworldly he failed to formulate it into words. The tiredness of his body, on the other hand, was akin to what one would feel after a light walk. He opened his eyes and noticed the Low Heal skill was gone, replaced with something much greater. {Sovereign} [High-Speed Regeneration] (Regenerate any cut or wound instantly. This skill cannot regenerate limbs or vital organs. Regeneration will drain soul stamina based on the number of times used.) Mason let out a relieved sigh, swiftly using the same method as before to activate the skill. A warmth permeated his chest, the flesh around the wound writhing and moving closer together until it was sealed. ¡°Wow,¡± Mason marveled at the incredible power of this skill, recalling how useful such a thing would have been in the military. He gritted his teeth, forcing horrific memories back into the void he locked them in, ¡°I should upgrade the Weapon Proficiency Skill next. I might be able to kill the Goblin¡¯s without it, but just in case.¡± He attempted to activate Skill Upgrade, but another blue screen unfolded, interrupting his focus. [Which weapon would you like to become proficient in?] ¡°Sword,¡± Mason blurted out, his heart racing faster as the Goblins began to turn. He thought about using teleport but felt it was too risky. He might accidentally teleport into a solid object for all he knew. Then, one noticed him. Its beady eyes locked onto Mason, gargled moans bursting from its slimy mouth as it seemed to notify the others. All heads snapped to Mason¡¯s location, ¡°Shit,¡± He yelled, not letting the system finish its explanations. The Goblins began to run at him, their distance a few meters, so he had time before he was slaughtered. Hastily, he used Skill Upgrade. More exhaustion overcame his body and soul, the same as before. {Sovereign}[Sword Master](A title reserved for one who has dedicated their life to the sword, and mastered it.) Subskills: [Sword of Sound] (Slash your sword at the speed of sound, unleashing a devastating shockwave, and blitzing most foes.) [Sword Mastery] (Have knowledge of the sword equal to that of a sword master) [Swift Step] (Move at incredible speeds. At full power this movement skill can allow the user to reach speeds greater than sound, however, this speed can be adjusted to cost less soul stamina and damage to the user''s body.) [Slash Projection] (Release a wave of energy in the shape of a sword slash. The size, power, and speed of this energy is determined by soul stamina used and soul power.) Mason had no time to read everything, his eyes gazing upon the first subskill, using it immediately. The rusty sword one Goblin held, covered in cracks, was swung. Mason witnessed this blade pass through the blue screen in front of his eyes, inches away from his throat before the skill activated. His left arm shot upwards to the hilt of the sword at his back. His calloused fingers wrapped around the leather with incredible familiarity, like Mason had spent decades mastering the blade. Power permeated his body, the metallic screech of the blade delayed, as it moved faster than sound, slicing the goblin in half with ease. The sheer speed of this slash unleashed a powerful shockwave, knocking all Goblins back, their heads cracking like coconuts against the tough bark of the forest. The foliage rustled, some leaves and branches ripped apart violently, ¡°That was close,¡± Mason let out a relieved sigh, however, an unusual sensation struck him at that moment. His head snapped to his arm, the one responsible for such chaos and power. There was a startling sensation of emptiness, and behold, his eyes landed on a crimson stump, everything below the shoulder gone. Blood splattered, bathing the grass below red, ¡°High-Speed Regeneration,¡± Mason let out a pained groan. A mushy, almost slimy sound resounded as the stump vibrated, contorted until skin wrapped the wound. A powerful sigh escaped his lips, ¡°I guess that should''ve been expected. I still seem to be essentially a regular human. My arm probably moved at the speed of sound, no wonder it flew off.¡± Mason spoke through grunts of pain, took another deep breath, calming his mind, and planned his next course of action. He thought about immediately upgrading his healing skill to Divine or God tier but had no idea how such a thing would drain him. He was also worried most of his skills would injure him further. A world full of unknowns, universally different from his own, was a scary thing, yet inspired an almost childlike sense of adventure in Mason¡¯s heart. He opened the system, its blue screen unraveling before his eyes. He scanned the list of skills. [Skills] {God} [Skill Upgrade] {Sovereign} [Sword Master] {Sovereign} [High-Speed Regeneration] {Unique} [Teleport} [Rare] [Silent Movement] [Rare] [Enhance Strength] [Rare] [Enhance Speed] [Rare] [Harden] [Rare] [Summon] {Common} [Beginner Magic Proficiency] {Common} [Dash] One stuck out above the rest, at least for what he had in mind. Summon. It seemed like a straightforward skill on the surface, but its depths seemed to know no bounds, and prompted more questions than answers. Where did he summon these entities from? Would he have to tame them or would he be attacked on sight? He clicked his tongue. ¡°No matter the risks, I¡¯ll upgrade it first and decide later. This skill would be perfect. I could have a trusted ally to protect me, and if they¡¯re summoned with knowledge of the world, that would be even better.¡± His heart began to beat faster, excitement bubbling within. Upgrading it to the God tier might send him into unconsciousness or leave him debilitated, and for such a seemingly weak area of the world he was sent to, with puny Goblins, the Divine tier should suffice. With a simple thought, the skill ascended. [Divine] [Summon] (Summon entities from a different dimension to assist you. The power of the entities summoned is limited by the skill tier but is influenced by the summoner''s soul power. Any entity summoned will be unable to harm the summoner, and will be required to follow the command of the summoner, if the summoner desires.) A surge of energy, tens of times greater than before drained from Mason''s body and soul, leaving him momentarily disoriented as the world spun around him. The drain of energy from his soul was once again beyond words, but his body felt as if he had just run a dozen miles under a scorching sun. He sat in this exhaustion for a few seconds, waiting for his body and mind to adjust. With a resolute shake of his head, he refocused his attention to the skill. Mason noted how this description answered some of his questions, and the last sentence eased some of his worries. With his remaining arm, he pushed his body up, the blades of grass feeling unusually sharp as he stood. Worried the corpses of the humans and goblins would attract more enemies, he wasted no time. ¡®Summon¡¯ Chapter 3 Mason gritted his teeth as even more exhaustion overcame his body and soul. He caught himself from collapsing, his knuckles turning white as he formed them into fists, resisting the toll it took to use summon. An eruption of power bathed miles of forest in a thick layer of energy. Animals died immediately, bodies bursting under the pressure. Goblins collapsed, brains and organs turned to mush, and anything stronger was simply paralyzed, unable to move in the presence of such an entity. A meter above the lush foliage, a crack, like throwing a rock at glass, burst in space. Fragments of reality evaporated, forming a rough oval shape. Beyond was a black, endless abyss, not too dissimilar from the one Mason floated in only moments ago. A foot stepped through. Waves of energy exploded outward, ripping apart trees for miles, and evaporating the nearby foliage. However, this energy seemed to part, and avoid Mason as it drew close to him. He immediately thought of the skill description, his tense muscles easing as the fact became clear. Dirt flew, the once pristine forest reduced to a barren wasteland for miles around. The full form of the summon was now exposed. It resembled a middle-aged man with a fair complexion and a large yet toned physique. His sharp features were accentuated by piercing black eyes that darted about, scrutinizing the unfamiliar surroundings. Short, white hair cascaded just below his jawline, merging seamlessly with a thick, white beard. From his forehead sprouted two silver horns, arching backward. The man donned attire befitting a war general. From neck to toe, his body was sheathed in black armor, crafted from an otherworldly metal that radiated an unusual power distinct from the summon itself. Complementing the armor were intricately woven patches of black leather, notably around the wide collar that stood upright, framing his neck. [You have successfully summoned {Dragon King Astaroth}] "So, you¡¯re¡ª¡± Astaroth¡¯s sharp eyes locked onto Mason for an instant before something interrupted him. His stern, unchanging expression offered Mason no insight as the monstrous entity suddenly shot to the ground, kneeling. The ground cracked beneath him as he spoke again, this time in a more subservient tone, ¡°My name is Astaroth. Thank you for summoning me, master!¡± The intense waves of power ceased, leaving the area enveloped in a desolate silence. ¡°Aaaah,¡± Mason was utterly speechless. He could hardly muster a word, but eventually managed a feeble, ¡°You¡¯re welcome.¡± The two sat in palpable silence, and Mason¡¯s mind raced as he tried to find the right words. A question finally came to him. ¡°Where did you come from?¡± he asked, feeling slightly uncomfortable with Astaroth¡¯s passionate kneeling. ¡°All I remember is dying and then appearing in a void. A blue screen with words appeared before me. It said that I was granted another chance at life and was to be summoned by someone in another dimension,¡± Astaroth recounted, his voice booming as if he were a low-ranking soldier reporting to a general. Mason admired his enthusiasm, but the show of admiration and loyalty unnerved him. ¡°You don¡¯t have to kneel,¡± Mason chuckled awkwardly. Like a robot, Astaroth shot upwards, his posture rigid. Mason saw this and quickly added, ¡°You don¡¯t have to be so formal. Just act casual. I always hated that kind of stuff in the army.¡± Tension released from Astaroth''s muscles, ¡°Sorry, master,¡± he chuckled, scratching the back of his head. The change was noticeable, and Mason appreciated it. He knew he might be spending decades with this summon, and a friendly relationship seemed preferable to that of master and servant. ¡°Just call me Mason,¡± Mason said, understanding how challenging it might be to establish such a relationship, but deciding to try anyway. Astaroth nodded, and Mason was about to ask another question when a blue screen interrupted his train of thought. [Would you like to see Astaroth¡¯s Skills?] Driven by insatiable curiosity, Mason blurted out his answer without a second thought, ¡°Yes.¡± A slight look of confusion, indicated by the slightest facial change appeared on Astaroth¡¯s face, however, Mason ignored this.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. [Due to skill compatibility, you can use [Skill Upgrade] to forcibly increase the skill tier of Astaroth¡¯s skills. However, due to Universal limitations, you can only upgrade two of a summons skills and the energy drain will be split between the summon, and the summoner. The bonus for [Skill Upgrade] will also apply.] Mason let out a defeated sigh as the screen folded closed. He was curious whether such a thing was possible with Skill Upgrade, and ensuring all his summons have at least two God Skills was still useful, but he had dreamed of something greater nonetheless. {Astaroth} [Skills] {God} [World of Illusion] {Divine} [Void Armament] {Divine} [Hand of Michael] {Sovereign} [Shield] {Intrinsic} [Dragon¡¯s Breath] {Intrinsic} [Lightning Manipulation] {Intrinsic} [Dragon Transformation] {Intrinsic} [Humanoid Transformation] Mason¡¯s eyes scanned the list in awe. Instinctively, he questioned Intrinsic skills and the details of each skill. The system gave a prompt answer. [Intrinsic skills are skills specific to the species of an entity. They do not have tiers like normal skills, but instead, scale with the user''s strength.] [You are currently unable to view the details of Astaroth¡¯s skills] Mason noted the new type of skill and was not disappointed at the system''s message. He doubted simply asking Astaroth would be an issue. He scanned the skills once again. ¡°World of Illusion, Void Armament, Hand of Michael¡­not bad,¡± Mason spoke out loud, attempting to smoothly transition into talk of his abilities. Astaroth¡¯s eyes shot open, and his jaw nearly reached the floor. ¡°What!?!... How?¡± He could barely muster words to express his astonishment, and Mason swiftly cut him off when he tried to speak. ¡°I have a very unique skill,¡± Mason said, the blue screens in front of his eyes folding closed, giving a better view of Astaroth''s expression, ¡°Long story short, I can upgrade any skill, to any tier. Obviously it takes a toll on me, but I¡¯m fine right now, and I upgraded a few skills to Sovereign tier and one to Divine tier in the last few minutes.¡± Mason waited for Astaroth to say something, expecting at least a gasp, but instead, Mason saw a look of reverence and awe. He decided to continue. ¡°I upgraded a skill called summon, and as you know, I summoned you. Essentially, these two skills are compatible, and I can upgrade any of your skills. Only two though, cause of universal limitations.¡± Silence reigned over the two just as before, Mason awkwardly waiting for a reply, while Astaroth was bathed in an astounding feeling. Finally, the quiet was broken. ¡°You are worthy to have summoned me.¡± Astaroth bowed as he spoke, ¡°I was unsure at first, and my curiosity peaked when I sensed such a powerful soul. The skill you have has solidified my loyalty even more. My life is yours.¡± Mason opened his mouth to correct such formality, but closed it, resorting simply to another awkward chuckle. ¡°My soul is powerful, huh?¡± A memory of the void surfaced, recalling the vast soul points he had, to choose any species he desired. ¡°Much greater than anything I¡¯ve ever seen. My former master, the Dragon God, might''ve had a similarly powerful soul, but I was forbidden from examining it, and he had defenses to protect against that kind of intrusion anyway.¡± Astaroth said, eyeing the sky as he rocked his brain. Mason nodded, admired himself for an instant, then returned to the conversation. ¡°Standing here and talking is good and all,¡± Mason said, deciding to keep his reincarnation a secret for now, ¡°But we should head to a nearby village and find somewhere safe to rest. Although, I don¡¯t have any money¡­¡± Considering the group of adventurers he woke up around were weak and had little equipment, it was safe to assume a village was within a day''s travel. Although Mason hoped Astaroth¡¯s extravagant entrance didn¡¯t obliterate it. A wave of force passed through Mason''s body. It was weak, something one might feel at a concert with the speakers blasted to full volume. ¡°A group of incredibly weak humans seem to be fighting a few miles in that direction.¡± Astaroth said, turning and pointing to his right, ¡°The weakest human is wearing a lavish dress and is in a carriage guarded by multiple humans. If we help her, we could most likely extort plenty of money.¡± He explained, calm yet ruthless. Mason recognized such a mentality. He saw it in his old self, and others he worked with in the army. Astaroth clearly went through war more than once. ¡°Alright. Although,¡± Mason chuckled, ¡°Extorting might be a little far. If she¡¯s from a wealthy family, getting on that family''s good side could net us more. We might be able to form some connections too.¡± Astaroth sat in contemplative silence, and then he bowed, ¡°You¡¯re incredibly wise mast-, Mason. Such incredible insight would have never crossed my mind.¡± Astaroth blurted out, loyalty and reverence infused into his tone. A deep sigh escaped Mason''s lips, ¡°Let''s just go over there and figure out what to do after,¡± He said, opening up his list of skills, recalling one that would be perfect for such a situation. [Skills] {God} [Skill Upgrade] {Divine} [Summon] {Sovereign} [Sword Master] {Sovereign} [High-Speed Regeneration] {Unique} [Teleport} [Rare] [Silent Movement] [Rare] [Enhance Strength] [Rare] [Enhance Speed] [Rare] [Harden] {Common} [Beginner Magic Proficiency] {Common} [Dash] ¡°Teleport seems incredibly useful anyway. Might as well upgrade it now-¡± A surge of wind struck Mason, knocking him back, his arm flailing as he stumbled, trying to keep his balance. His hair was flung around and his clothes slapped against his body. Dirt flew, and he brought his remaining hand up in front of his eyes. Mason questioned if a hurricane suddenly appeared on top of him. Chapter 4 The intense wind dissipated soon after it began, and the fervent stillness of before returning. What did Astaroth do? Mason thought, sure his summon was the cause of such explosive power. He dropped his arm and squinted, remnants of dust still in the air, ¡°Woah¡± Mason couldn''t help but mumble as a head filled his field of vision. The head was clearly draconic, covered in black scales and two horns jutted out backward on either side. It''s piercing, silvery eyes watched Mason, and hot air blew past him, its massive nostrils easily large enough to fit an entire human. It began to raise its head and step backward, its entire form coming into view. This dragon dwarfed mountains, its inky, toned body twitching, and pulsing as it moved. A bright blue energy seemed to pulse between its scales, and strands of lighting occasionally burst from its body, accompanied by a loud and earth-shuddering boom. Its legs were thick yet muscular, and its talons seemed to be at least twenty meters long. They dug into the ground like a hot knife to butter. ¡°I¡¯ll fly us to them.¡± A booming voice shook the area, ¡°It isn¡¯t far, but if they witness our power, It¡¯ll be easier to obtain funds from them.¡± The voice was deeper than Astaroth in his human form, incredibly menacing coming from such a monstrous entity. However, instead of fear, an unusual feeling struck Mason. Ecstasy. The skills he obtained and the wondrous fantasy world he found himself in, already gripped him with excitement. Yet witnessing such an otherworldly transformation, a being he had complete control over, was on another level. Without hesitating, Mason activated his teleport skill. He vanished out of existence instantaneously¨Cno sound, or visual cue, as if he was never there. Instead, his body was now standing on top of Astaroth¡¯s head. Now, from such a close distance, Mason admired the size of the dragon¡¯s scales. Each dwarfed his form by at least a meter. Astaroth seemed to sense Mason¡¯s presence, swiftly raising his titanic wings. Mason could feel his heart punching against his rib cage, his mind firing off warnings as he experienced such a fantastical event. And yet, he couldn''t wipe the smile off his face. He dropped to his knees, digging his fingers into a small crevice within one of the scales. Presently, Astaroth dropped his wings, the force generated from such a motion vaporizing the ground below and shooting enormous plums of dust into the air. Wind surged, however, Mason remained protected atop his summon, witnessing the ground beneath grow smaller and smaller as they gained altitude. Only a few minutes passed, Astaorth¡¯s enormous form gilded only a few miles above the surface, yet the force of his wings still obliterated any tree or creature below. Mason squinted his eyes, witnessing powerful shock waves pass through the forest a few miles away, and plums of smoke burst from the surface that reached heights far above Astaroth. Large chunks of forest were ripped from the Earth and shredded by techniques and magic. Mason couldn''t help but laugh as he recalled Astaroth''s words, ¡°Those are really weak humans, huh?¡± Mason mumbled, his voice blurred against the powerful winds that ravaged him. Are humans on this planet all that strong? Mason thought, Or is Astaorth so overwhelmingly powerful he views this as weak? He believed more so in the latter. Presumably, Astaroth possessed techniques, and possibly magic on par with, or maybe even stronger than his skills. Mason thanked his past self for not only choosing Skill upgrade but also the summon skill. His life in the world was without a doubt going to be incredible. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. ¡ª---------------------------------------------------------------- Isabella sat crouched in her carriage, ears covered, legs trembling, as her most trusted guard maintained a powerful barrier. The carriage shook violently, the sound of uprooted trees flying, and rock crashing down reverberated throughout. Isabella¡¯s blonde her flapped, her beautiful blue eyes turning to the person sitting next to her, ¡°Blair, you should be helping Lucas and Jonah. I don¡¯t want to lose anyone else,¡± Isabella pleaded, her voice tinged with sorrow. Many of her closest allies had been killed in her seemingly vain pursuit of the throne. She couldn''t bear to see any more blood, ¡°They¡¯ll be fine, don¡¯t worry.¡± Blair, a beauty with long, straight black hair sat with her eyes closed, beads of sweat streaming down her sharp features. Blair looked to be an older woman, her form covered by the universal attire of Isabella''s guard¨Cblack armor partially covered by inky leather, ¡°My barrier is for your protection. I won¡¯t abandon you-¡± Blair groaned, her eyes closing tighter as she visibly grits her teeth. A loud crashing sound accompanied powerful vibrations that shook the ground harsher than before. ¡°Blair!¡± Isabella yelled, her eyes watery, ¡°I¡¯m okay, I can hold the barrier for a while more,¡± Blair spoke through ragged gasps. Her shoulders had slumped, and bags began to form under her eyes. Louder noises rang out, and the ground began shaking with an almost unbearable violence, the only thing protecting Isabella from instant death was the weakening barrier that surrounded her lavish carriage. The intense battle raging outside continued, trees uprooted and flung, dirt and rock cracked and heaved, until everything went quiet. Not one living creature uttered a sound. A single, powerful shake of the Earth brought something different to the stillness. An overwhelming aura overtook the area. Something unbelievable arrived. ¡ª----------------------------------------------------------------- The display of power by people Astaroth considered extremely weak continued to baffle Mason as they drew closer to the battle. Wind whipped across his form yet his grip remained firm. Mason noted his increase in strength. Something like this wouldn''t be possible with a regular human body. More time passed, and the carriage was now less than a mile away. ¡°Once you land, figure out who¡¯s attacking the girl and kill them,¡± Mason yelled, his voice muffled by the wind, worried Astaroth wouldn''t hear. ¡°Okay,¡± A deep, booming voice resounded as Astaroth stopped flapping his wings, decided to glide the rest of the way. Less than two minutes passed before the dragon''s massive body arrived, maneuvering his wings in such a way as to slow his speed and come crashing down onto the minuscule trees below. Plums of dust shot into the air and the ground shattered on impact. From his vantage point atop Astaroth¡¯s head, Mason noticed a few combatants, their bodies frozen from sheer terror. Much of the forest around had been uprooted and cleared, leaving an unusual sight among the destruction. A lone medieval carriage surrounded by a spherical, translucent shield. Everything within its almost five-meter diameter, including frightened horses, was unscathed. Another wave of energy exploded out, similar to the previous technique Astaroth used. A low vibration shook Mason¡¯s body as if he stood in front of a speaker blasted at full volume. This energy expanded, passing through the area in an instant. The world seemed to freeze with trepidation as a low growl reverberated throughout the forest. Astaorth slowly raised his head, eyes glowing with vibrant blue energy. Mason¡¯s eyes widened, and his heart began pounding against his ribs. A wide smile stretched his lips, and he pushed himself up, standing high as he needed a better view of the display that was about to occur. Lighting burst from Astaroth¡¯s body, shooting across the sky, and incinerating the ground as it let out crackles of overwhelming power. The people below tried to run, they tried to move their muscles but a primal fear kept them in place, stuck witnessing what they understood would be their demise. Astaroth continued to raise his head, letting out even more lighting, stretching his wings, covering a large portion of the sky, ¡°You¡¯re putting on quite the show,¡± Mason said through a hearty laugh. Chapter 5 Astaroth¡¯s jaw snapped open, a monstrous roar shaking the Earth. Unbridled fear coursed through the veins of all, except for Mason, who seemed immune to this roar''s effects. Every combatant dropped to their knees, sweat streaming down their foreheads as this rumble rendered all of them paralyzed. The thin, translucent barrier surrounding the carriage snapped, falling to the ground like shards of glass before fading out of existence. The roar resounded for a few seconds, Astaroth releasing strings of electricity into the sky as a show of power and dominance. An instant later, lightning fell, striking six warriors kneeling throughout the wrecked landscape. Each of those struck wore black robes with a similarly colored cloth mask, covering everything but their eyes. The attack was swift, appearing and disappearing in a heartbeat, leaving these helpless assassins as charred corpses. Their lifeless bodies collapsed, and Astaroth ceased his roar, restricting his body''s release of lighting, and lowering his wings to his side. Mason took a deep breath, calming his mind. He knew he needed to analyze the situation, something Astaroth had already accomplished with the weird vibration he sent out moments earlier. He looked down from atop his summons head. He saw a swordsman and a spearman a few dozen meters from either side of the carriage. Both wore intricate black armor with patches of inky leather. Surrounding both of them, scattered randomly were the scorched corpses of three assassins. The dirt around their bodies was blackened from the intense heat of the lightning. Mason watched as they struggled to their feet, stumbling to the carriage as the effect of Astaroth¡¯s power still lingered within. ¡°I might as well go say hi,¡± Mason said, raising his voice even louder, ¡°Stay in your dragon form until I say otherwise. Just, aah¡­look menacing.¡± More familiar with skills, Mason quickly used teleport, materializing a few meters from one of the carriage doors. The two guards rushed over, dust clinging to their ankles as they slid to a halt. The features of these two became clearer. Both were mature, easily in their twenties, and toned muscles were evident under their thick armor. They stood at least a head taller than Mason, ¡°Stop!¡± The guard on the left yelled through ragged gasps, his back hunched as his calloused hands loosely gripped his spear, the quality of which seemed profound, the complex design made it look like a legendary item from a video game. Short, spikey red hair barely reached the tops of his ears. His features were sharp, with a unique, piercing gaze in his eyes. This man cares for the girl inside, Mason thought, a tinge of worry mixed in with the red hair''s intensity. ¡°You idiot!¡± A finger flew into the red-haired guard''s forehead, causing him to jump back and raise a hand to it in pain. The culprit was the guard on the right. He had an almost identical build but was slightly taller. His features were equally sharp, and straight black hair came down just below his ears, slightly covering his right eye. A sheathed sword was visible on his back, ¡°They saved us and now you¡¯re trying to attack them?¡± The man immediately changed his attitude, leaving no room for his fellow guard to reply. He turned toward Mason, giving a deep bow, ¡°My name is Jonah. I can¡¯t think of the proper words to express my gratitude.¡± The red-haired guard seemed to realize, and after a sharp glare from Jonah, he bowed,You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story. ¡°My name is Lucas. Thank you!¡± He shouted, sneaking a look at the mountainous Dragon behind their savior. Fearing he would be caught, he quickly returned his gaze to the ground. ¡°I¡¯m Mason,¡± Mason chuckled awkwardly, astounded at all the bowing he received since coming to this world, ¡°You guys don¡¯t have to bow. We were just passing by and it looked like you needed some help.¡± The two guards, Lucas and Jonah looked visibly shocked. Why would such a powerful force help us? Do they know the identity of the princess? Those thoughts repeated in their minds, eyes wide, sweat falling to the dirt below before being absorbed by it. Mason noticed this even with their heads down. He decided to be honest, doubted they would think twice about accepting his request, especially with Astaroth towering above them like a skyscraper. ¡°Well, that¡¯s not the whole truth,¡± Mason said, ¡°We wanted to help you guys and probably would have either way. But¡­we¡¯re kinda poor. If you could lend us some money, even just enough for a week at a cheap inn,¡± Mason smiled, and noticed Jonah and Lucas giving each other a bewildered look. They continued to bow in silence, utterly perplexed at the insanity that had transpired in the past few minutes. A rusty creak interrupted the quit. Slowly, the door to the carriage, its windows covered by curtains, slid open. Mason knew the girl inside undoubtedly heard the conversation. He wasn¡¯t worried though. The sheer intimidation from Astaroth would probably prompt her to give a large sum, much more than Mason could imagine. His last words were simply an act to present himself as benevolent. A woman wearing the same guard attire as Lucas and Jonah was visible. She opened the door halfway, slipping through, and walking down the carriage''s three, thin wooden steps. She entered a bow, ¡°My name is Blair, and¡­Thank you, sir!¡± She blurted out, ¡°You not only saved my life, but the life of my fellow guards, and most importantly, the person I have dedicated everything to protect.¡± ¡°Oh¡­aah, no problem,¡± Mason gave another awkward smile, somewhat embarrassed by all the courtesy thrown his way. Blair shot up from her bow, turning and pulling open the carriage door as far as its hinges could withstand. A girl was sitting venerably on the white cushions in the far left corner. Her blonde hair fell past her shoulders, streaming down her lavish blue dress with golden lining. This incredible dress seemed more expensive than the carriage itself. She stood with royal majesty like someone experienced in noble affairs. Softly, she strode to the door, bending over just enough to clear the top of the carriage, and gracefully descended the steps. Her heels clicked against the dirt, and deep blue eyes stared up toward Mason. She seemed young and was a head shorter than him. Mason¡¯s heart skipped a beat. If he tried to say something then, nothing but mumbling and stuttering would come out of his mouth. This was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. ¡°My name is Claire Kendall, princess of the Aurean Empire. You have saved my life and the lives of my most precious guards. Whatever is in my power to obtain, I will do so. I owe you a great debt of gratitude.¡± Claire said, bowing. A new pressure seemed to overtake the area. The eyes of Claire''s three guards shot open, and beads of sweat visibly fell down their foreheads. Blair opened her mouth to speak but shut it before saying anything. Mason noted the change and understood the significance of Claire''s words. ¡°Aaah, I¡¯m Mason,¡± Mason said, watching as Claire stopped her bow, turned just enough to face Astaroth, lowering her head once again, ¡°You don¡¯t have to do all that. We just need a little bit of money.¡± Damn, why is everyone in this world so polite, Mason thought, giving an awkward smile. Claire brought her head up, turning back to Mason. ¡°As you wish, although I do not believe a ¡®little bit of money¡¯ will erase the debt I owe you,¡± Claire smiled, and Mason noticed the pearly whites behind her lips, ¡°The city we were headed to is not far. If you don¡¯t mind, you could join us and talk further. We also don¡¯t carry much money with us, so we would have to visit the noble of the city to obtain an adequate payment.¡± ¡°Sounds good,¡± Mason nodded, turning towards Astaroth¡¯s titanic form, ¡°Come on.¡± Mason brought his hand up and motioned for Astaroth to join them. A perplexed look forced itself on the face of Claire and her guards. ¡°Um, I apologize, but I think it would be best if-¡± A surge of wind slammed into everyone, interrupting Claire''s words. Blair swiftly jumped in front of the Princess, wrapping her arms around her. Lucas and Jonah covered their faces with their hands as they were almost knocked to the ground. The carriage tilted, two of its wheels lifting a few inches. Mason saw this coming and braced himself accordingly, kneeling, lowering his center of gravity, and bringing his remaining hand before his eyes. Chapter 6 The gale ceased only a few seconds after it had begun. Plumes of smoke covered the area where the massive dragon had once been. The shock was palpable, as Claire and her guards blinked, seemingly unsure if the dragon had simply been a hallucination. ¡°I apologize for the commotion and the late introduction,¡± A powerful voice boomed, and a silhouette began to form amidst the smoke. The person walked closer, and wind blew away the haze, bringing the man¡¯s form into clear view, ¡°My name is Astaroth, servant of the great Mason.¡± Huh?!?, Mason thought, cringing as he heard ¡®great¡¯ before his name. Astaroth¡¯s really something else. Mason forced his palm from instinctively slapping his forehead. However, a different reaction seemed to stir amidst the others. So that dragon is Mason¡¯s servant, Claire thought, her jaw hung, her eyes wide, only the greatest and most powerful dragons can transform into humans. Her eyes returned to Mason, Just who is this guy? ¡°I will join you on the carriage,¡± Astaroth said, stopping just behind Mason. With others around, one could truly appreciate the size of Astaroth. He stood over a head taller than Jonah, and his arms seemed thicker than Claire¡¯s entire body. He looked down at the four with an intense gaze. ¡°As long as we¡¯re here you won¡¯t have to worry about any threat,¡± he declared, hand motioning for everyone to enter the wagon. Speechless, Claire, Blair, and Lucas followed Astaroth¡¯s words, stepping into the wagon as Mason stayed, waiting for them to sit comfortably. Mason noticed Jonah climbing onto the front, grabbing hold of the leather reins, and moving them in such a way as to calm the skittish horses. Mason looked into the carriage once more before leaning close to Astaroth, ¡°Sit on the front with Jonah,¡± Mason whispered, sure his summon would struggle to fit within the carriage, ¡°If you sense any intelligent creatures approaching the carriage as threats, make sure to leave one alive. Kill the rest.¡± Astaroth nodded, his massive stride allowing him to reach the driver¡¯s seat in only two steps. Turning back to the carriage door, Mason stepped up, the space left for him the closest to the right. Claire and Blaire sat on the left couch, which had enough room to fit at least three people. Lucas sat on the right couch, pressed against the carriage windows opposite the door, giving Mason more than enough room out of respect or fear. Lucas¡¯ straight expression left no room for answers. Mason sat, his body sinking into the couch''s softness. A pleasant, flowery smell entered his nostrils. It was a relaxing scent, clearly artificial yet it didn¡¯t have the same intensity as the perfume he was familiar with on Earth. Blair swiftly reached for a handle, pulling the door closed. Immediately, they began to move. Minutes went by, and not a single word was said. Claire, Lucas, and Blair seemed lost in thought, still speechless from the mysterious entities they were lucky to meet. Their minds were still processing the encounter and paid no heed to starting a conversation. Mason stared at the terrain outside, watching as the barren landscape disappeared, and the scenery returned to a lush forest. Somehow, he noticed small animals scurrying within the bushes lining the road and heard the faint calls of birds from afar. He figured his body and senses were enhanced, and wondered if the body he stole already had those features, or if one of the skills he upgraded was the cause. Part of him expected a blue screen to unfold before his eyes, but no explanation came. He decided to leave those thoughts be and figured something else was more important.Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions. Was meeting the princess truly a coincidence? He thought, understanding the near impossibility of such an encounter being random. I appeared in an injured body too. I can¡¯t think of a good reason for that, except for this body being close to a princess in the middle of an assassination attempt. Mason¡¯s eyes instinctively looked toward the sky, knowing that whoever or whatever sent him here was certainly close to, if not, an actual god in this world. Just what plans do you have? Someone finally interrupted the quiet, ¡°So, where were you originally going?¡± Claire said, knocking the other two within the carriage out of deep thought, and causing Mason to turn his head, ¡°I hope we aren¡¯t interrupting your journey.¡± Her facial expression was calm, yet Mason noticed more complexity within it. He was reminded of the experience he had acquired putting on false personas and hiding feelings deep within. Jumping to conclusions would only cause issues, but this girl seemed more complicated than he initially suspected. ¡°We were just wandering, looking for opportunities to make money,¡± Mason replied, turning his eyes back to the forest flanking the wide dirt path the carriage rode on, ¡°We decided to head to the nearest village or city anyway, and you¡¯re actually helping us a lot.¡± Mason made sure to leave his answers vague, fearing something he made up might accidentally cause animosity between him and the princess. Even a minuscule detail or phrase could be considered taboo. This was a different world after all. ¡°That¡¯s good to hear,¡± Claire replied with a light smile, ¡°We¡¯re sojourning at Lirak, the city we¡¯re going to now, to restock and rest. It¡¯s one of the closest to the Empire¡¯s southern border. I¡¯m going to some neighboring kingdoms to garner support for my ascension to the throne. But¡­I doubt that¡¯s enough,¡± She gave an awkward chuckle, hiding some sadness beneath her smile. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you be focused on getting support from the people within the empire?¡± Mason asked, confused as to why she brought that up. ¡°Well, I¡¯m the youngest of my eight siblings. Most of the noble houses and other groups had already decided to support one of my brothers or sisters before I was born. Only one house sided with me, but they¡¯re among the weakest and least influential.¡± She said with a sigh as if memories she wanted to forget pushed their way to the forefront of her mind. Oh, I see now. Mason believed he understood Claire''s purpose in her speech, but he decided to ask anyway. ¡°Why are you telling me this?¡± Mason asked with a tone of genuine curiosity, not an ounce of animosity was present. ¡°Oh, well¡­the assassins were probably hired by one of my older siblings. They know I¡¯m smart, and fear my looks might somehow convince a neighboring kingdom. I guess they just want to remove any possible threat, no matter how unlikely. And, uh¡­never mind.¡± Her eyes became noticeably less bright, and she turned to the window, staring up at the vibrant sea of blue. Mason¡¯s stomach churned. People will do anything for power, even in this world, he thought, but still not convinced she spoke of her political situation to explain why assassins were after her life. Mason decided to ask plainly. ¡°Did you bring that up because you want me to help you?¡± Mason said with a flat tone, turning, his eyes meeting Claire. Quiet shock and nervousness permeated the carriage, and although Claire was skilled in hiding it, the emotion from Blair and Lucas was obvious. Their eyes shot open, and their hearts began beating so fast Mason could¡¯ve heard the thumping. Claire was quiet, deep thought visible beneath her blue eyes. The awkwardness in the air was palpable until she finally spoke, ¡°Well, having help from you would be great,¡± Claire said, speaking slowly, giving herself more time to think, ¡°I¡¯ll be honest. I was going to ask, but only when you were planning to depart from us. You have only just met me, asking something like that immediately would simply be idiotic. Although, I must say, the wealth to be gained would be immense¡­but I doubt you¡¯d ever have trouble making a vast amount of money.¡± This time, her tone and facial expression seemed genuine. She looked defeated, on the edge of falling into a pit of despair. From everything she said, and her current mood, Mason figured he and Astaroth were her only chances left. He understood the unlikeliness of someone with practically zero chance of ascending to the throne, convincing anyone to support her. However, something touched Mason''s heart. Be it the disgusting actions of her siblings, or simply the tenacity she has. The will to try even when the odds of success were as close to impossible as could be. She reminded Mason of someone he tried to forget. Not because he didn''t care for that person, but because remembering him would bring back atrocious memories, ¡°I¡¯ll think about it,¡± he said, turning to the window. Chapter 7 The change in mood was immediate. The nervousness and despair that permeated the large carriage vanished, replaced by hope. The nervous thumping of hearts was now the beating of excitement. Blair and Lucas were shocked beyond words, and Claire was frozen, her lips twitching, as though hiding a profound smile. It seemed time had stopped. Even that uncertain answer means a lot. Mason thought, leaving the emotion to simmer, daring not to interrupt the moment shared by Claire and her guards. At least in Mason¡¯s eyes, Blair, Lucas, and Jonah were quite powerful, and he doubted they¡¯d risk their lives protecting someone like Claire purely for money, or a debt owed. Lucas¡¯ prior reactions, the mental strength to stand up to him, even after witnessing the overwhelming power of Astaroth, Mason concluded these guards stayed with Claire for a more intimate reason. He decided not to ask, and wait for Claire to respond instead. Minutes of pure awe went by, and he could hear attempts at speech that only amounted to stutters. Soon, words came out. ¡°Ah, thank you for even considering!¡± Claire yelled out, followed swiftly by Blair''s ¡®Thank you¡¯. Lucas still seemed too stunned to speak. Mason simply nodded, his eyes glued to the trees outside. He wanted to give them time to calm down, and not blurt out words influenced by their euphoria. I¡¯ll have to learn more about Claire first, Mason thought, If it seems like she¡¯d make a good ruler, I¡¯ll support her. My strength should increase exponentially, so hopefully there won¡¯t be any threats and I can overpower anyone who gets in the way. And being the sole reason Claire would obtain the throne, I¡¯d never have to worry about money or resources again. Mason¡¯s only goal was to get stronger and find answers. Trying to acquire money would get in the way of how fast he can achieve this goal. Mason realized that nearly an hour had slipped by as the minutes quietly accumulated. The silence was fleeting though as Claire revealed more about her journey, and the five other assassination attempts she survived this past month. She detailed the taunting and curses of her older siblings who tormented her since birth. Two of the other youngest hit her just before Claire left the capital. The power-hungry environment cultivated presumably by her parents or others within the empire, made her siblings try everything to eliminate even the slightest threat to their ascension or power. She also mentioned that the four oldest kept to themselves, and stayed away from the quarrels of the others. Remarkably, Claire stood alone among the five youngest with aspirations of ruling the empire. The goal of the others was to garner enough power to have some sway once one of the older ones inevitably became emperor or empress. The conversation was interesting, yet disgusting as she detailed the borderline inhumane treatment she received from her siblings. Even after everything, however, she still pushed for the throne. Claire seemed even more favorable in Mason¡¯s eyes. The conversation was reaching its end, and almost on cue, something amazing began creeping over the horizon. Lucas was the first to notice,This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. ¡°There it is,¡± he mumbled excitedly, a light smile on his face. Mason was next, suppressing a gasp as a massive wall was in sight. As the carriage drew closer, the sheer scale of this structure became evident. It seemed to reach heights rivaling a fifteen-story building and looked like any other castle wall yet on an even grander scale. Hundreds of silhouettes walked on the wall, and towers jutted higher every 50 meters. The first structure Mason witnessed of this new world was certainly awe-inspiring. The carriage continued down the road, and Mason noted how the forest abruptly stopped. His eyes scanned the vast green plain which stretched out more than a mile past the wall on all sides. What seemed the most spectacular, more so than even the wall, was the grass of the vast plain. Mason doubted he would find such picture-perfect grass even at the Master¡¯s back on Earth. He looked closer, his enhanced vision zooming into the minute detail, and saw that the grass was real, not some artificial counterpart. Mason questioned whether some magic was cast on this grass, but threw that thought away. He returned his focus to the wall, noticed that a few miles down he saw it curve. I guess the wall encircles the city, Mason thought, confused and awe-inspired by this architectural wonder. Such a thing would be difficult to recreate on Earth. He couldn¡¯t help but question just how advanced humans were in this world. Slowly, the wall grew larger, soon towering over them like a Titan. The carriage stopped, and Mason noted the almost eerie emptiness of the road just outside the city''s entrance. They had arrived at a massive wooden gate held together by iron plates. At least a dozen guards clad in black full plate armor, black spears or swords within their grip surrounded them. Muffled conversation barely reached Mason¡¯s ears, and he glimpsed Jonah handing what looked to be a golden medal to one of the guards. The man¡¯s eyes immediately shot open, his expression of astonishment growing after examining the medal with scrutiny. The guard bowed, the others who surrounded the gate following swiftly in unison. The guard closest to the carriage seemed to say something, however, just like the rest of the words spoken, it was muffled beyond recognition. The guards stopped the bow after a few seconds, and the one closest to the gate raised his arm. An instant later, a loud metallic creak resounded. The small sliver of the gate Mason could see began to move. It split down the middle and was so large it only needed to open a minuscule amount to allow the carriage through. The closest guard returned the medal with great care and motioned for Jonah to continue inside. With a jolt, the carriage began to move. Mason could see the curiosity on the guard''s faces but noted the immense control they exerted to keep their eyes down, and not peer within the windows. The thumping of horse hooves changed notably, as the dirt road abruptly changed to stone as they passed through the gate. Mason was thrilled, to say the least, and made sure to hide his excitement with a stern expression. What¡¯s the culture like? What about the architecture? And especially the food! Mason¡¯s mind raced with anticipation, and with a bump, the wheels of the carriage began rolling on the gray stone. However, Mason¡¯s attention immediately shifted, as an eerie energy struck him. Not a malicious force, but one chilling and mysterious. Shivers shot down his spine, and goose bumps popped up all over his body. A bead of sweat suddenly streamed down his face. He kept his expression calm and nonchalantly glanced toward the other three within the carriage. They seem fine, Mason thought to himself, somewhat surprised as the feeling swiftly vanished, I guess I was the only one who felt that. Although, Astaroth probably noticed it too. I¡¯ll have to ask him about it later. ¡°We should arrive at the Nobles mansion soon,¡± Claire said, interrupting the silence, ¡°Your payment might take some time to gather, but the noble will probably host a gathering for the wealthy people of this city. You can attend if you want. There will be plenty of food and drinks.¡± Mason¡¯s eyes shot open, a smile forcing itself to appear. Food? Chapter 8 Joy and curiosity flowed through his veins, thoughts appearing in his mind. What was the food like? The structures in this world seem grand, will the food be the same? Mason¡¯s expression was difficult to hide, and Claire, trained in noticing the minute detail of faces, caught on immediately. She let out a soft chuckle and waited for Mason to speak. ¡°I¡¯ll go,¡± He said after a few seconds of gathering his thoughts. He forced a serious expression and instinctively glanced out the window, deciding to escape into his mind as he imagined the wondrous food he could enjoy. However, as his eyes landed on the city, he was reminded of his initial excitement. His focus returned and he began analyzing the buildings flanking the large stone road that seemed to stretch across the entire city. The architecture matched that of medieval buildings, and stalls lined the main road, carriages bumped along, and people walked, stopping at various stalls, and entering the numerous stores. The city was bustling, to say the least, and the atmosphere seemed energetic. As the carriage continued down the road, Mason noticed the occasional soldier, clad in the same armor as those at the gate. ¡°Lirak is the largest city close to the border, so it¡¯s been turned into a fortress city," Claire explained, noticing how Mason eyed the armed guards as the carriage passed them, "The emperor, my father, gives most of the empire''s yearly budget to the military. So a lot of money is sent particularly to the numerous fortress cities. My point is, that the noble we are going to meet is very rich, and the people of this city are also relatively wealthy. Due to this, some very powerful warriors are stationed here. The noble will most likely be suspicious of you, and maybe even send one or two of the more powerful warriors to keep an eye on you. If you do sense these people, I just ask that you don¡¯t kill them, or even acknowledge that you know of their existence. Philip Lockhart, the person we are meeting has been exceptionally kind to me, and I don¡¯t want to cause any issues for him.¡± So was that feeling from the powerful humans in the city? Mason thought to himself, I don¡¯t know. That energy seemed ominous. Hopefully, Astaroth has more information on it. ¡°Alright. That¡¯s fine¡­I guess,¡± Mason turned to Claire with a slightly annoyed expression, his mind still focusing on the origins of that energy, his face instinctively reflecting his confusion, ¡°As long as they don¡¯t try to hurt me or Astaroth, I don¡¯t mind. But if that guy likes you so much, wouldn''t he support you? For the throne, I mean¡­¡± Claire chuckled, her eyes wandering as if memories flashed in her eyes, ¡°Well, he supports one of my older brothers¡­it¡¯s a long story.¡± Her gaze landed back on the blurry buildings around them. Mason decided not to pry, instead, analyzing the information she presented. His suspicion of the entity that sent him to this world began to grow even more as everything seemed too coincidental. The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement. Just what is that system planning? Mason thought, releasing a mental sigh, Hopefully, that energy isn¡¯t anything dangerous. Maybe I¡¯ll ask Astaroth to search around the city for it¡¯s origins, if he doesn¡¯t already have information on it, of course. The ride through the city went by quick as Mason absorbed the sights of his surroundings like a sponge. Before he knew it, they had arrived at the noble''s mansion. ¡°Looks like we made it,¡± Claire said, peeking through one of the windows, and examining the wall that encompassed the estate. Its size, although minuscule in comparison to that which surrounded the city, still stood at an impressive ten meters, with dozens of guards walking atop it. The wall looked to be made of a material similar to quartz, although Mason predicted it was some substance incredibly strong. The carriage jolted as it came to a stop, resting in front of a gate almost identical to the first. As if replaying the scene from before, Jonah reached into a pocket and pulled out the familiar medal, handing it to one of the guards clad in black armor. The guard''s face lit up, immediately returned the medal and motioned to a guard standing high above, peeking through a crenel of the top of the wall. A metallic creek rang out as the large wooden gate split open at the center. The gate was large, but small enough that it needed to open completely to allow the carriage through. Jonah nodded to the guard, and the guard nodded back, motioning for the carriage to move along. Another bump shook the carriage as it passed through the heavily guarded entrance, ¡°I don¡¯t really have any interest in talking to this guy,¡± Mason said, interrupting the silence, ¡°After we introduce ourselves can me and Astaroth head to a room and rest? Surely he¡¯ll have a few empty bedrooms.¡± Mason could only see a portion of the mansion that was now visible, sitting at the center of beautiful greenery. Perfectly cut grass and extravagant gardens littered the area that stretched a few dozen meters from the wall. The mansion seemed larger than any home he had ever seen, doubted it¡¯d have less than 700 rooms. It was a marvel of architecture that resembled Buckingham Palace, only on an even grander scale. ¡°That¡¯s fine. I¡¯ll handle the conversations while you and Astaroth rest,¡± Claire replied, keeping her eyes on the beautiful scenery outside, ¡°Also, would you like me to reveal how we met, along with your power, to Philip? He will undoubtedly ask.¡± Claire turned toward Mason. ¡°I don''t really care, whatever you want,¡± Mason said, and Claire nodded, the carriage returning to silence once more as it rode along the perfectly paved path to the entrance of the mansion. Minutes went by, and the Carriage finally eased to a halt. From the window, Mason could see dozens of maids and butlers lined flawlessly, guards in the familiar black armor scattered about, and the occasional warrior dressed in various types of attire, from uniforms to leather armor, and full plate armor. Astaroth, an irritated expression on his face, jumped from the carriage, letting out a sigh of relief. Finally, He thought, ecstatic that the carriage ride had come to an end. Sitting still for that long took every ounce of discipline and strength Astaroth had within. I¡¯ll have to convince master to leave here as quickly as possible. I can¡¯t stand nobles. There¡¯s also some powerful people here, and that weird energy. This city gives me the creeps. Chapter 9 With swiftness, Jonah disembarked from the carriage, hurrying over to the carriage door, bowing his head as he opened it. Anticipation flickered in the eyes of everyone present as they gazed upon the door, impatient in wanting to see the most beautiful woman in the empire. However, a different face appeared, ¡°Thank¡¯s Jonah,¡± Mason said with a smile, eyes pervading the surroundings, noticed shocked and some irritated expressions on the maids, butlers, and warriors. He paid them no mind. Claire had offered Mason to walk out first, so he did. Jonah could be seen holding back a smile, and Claire giggled as Mason descended the steps. He immediately shuffled over to Astaroth, unsure of noble procedures. Claire stepped out next, and then Blair, then Lucas. Promptly, a butler stepped forward with unmatched grace. He wore the most exquisite suit, a finely trimmed gray beard, and a middle part, similarly colored hair resting gently on his temples. He had white gloves and a faded scar could be seen stretching from his forehead, down his right eye. The butler entered a deep bow as he stopped a few paces from Claire, ¡°My apologies Madam, Philip is currently attending a meeting with one of the empire''s generals. He should be finished shortly.¡± The butler explained. Claire stood silently for an instant, with an unchanged expression as if she expected this. ¡°No worries,¡± She replied. The Butler raised his head, standing straight with perfect posture. His eyes landed on Mason and Astaroth, ¡°There are some new faces among you. We are currently in rocky times. I do not mean to disrespect you, but are these two trustworthy?¡± The Butler said, his gaze returning to Claire. ¡°Yes. These two are my honored guests.¡± Claire responded, a light glare present on her expression. The butler nodded, ¡°Follow me.¡± The group was led swiftly toward the front door of the mansion. They passed incredibly beautiful flowers and perfectly trimmed hedges. The guard''s and warriors'' eyes bore into Mason and Astaroth, these powerful fighters only occasionally glancing toward the other three. The two ignored these stares, Mason marveling at the unbelievable architecture, while Astaroth zoned out, questioning how he would convince his master to leave this place as soon as possible. Only a few minutes passed before the entourage arrived at the front door. It was large, nearly double Astaroth¡¯s height. The door was made of a black metal, with a simple gold design attached to it. Mason noted the lack of handles and cleared his thoughts as he watched the Butler approach. The man silently raised his right hand, resting it gently on the center of the door. Mason felt a vibration emanate from the man¡¯s hand, only for it to quickly dissipate. A metallic creek rang out as the door opened from the middle. A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. The Butler entered first, the others following behind closely. As Mason¡¯s eyes adjusted, the first room of the mansion was revealed. In front of them was an enormous space with double curved stairs on either side. A magnificent chandelier hung from the ceiling. This was by far the most incredible room Mason had ever seen. ¡°The wait should not be long, but I can show you to your rooms while Philip finishes his meeting. If not, you can rest in a nearby lounge.¡± The Butler spoke up, eyes kept on Claire. ¡°My guards and I can wait in the lounge, but,¡± Claire turned toward Mason and Astaroth, ¡°You two would like some rest, correct?¡± Mason nodded, recalling their conversation in the carriage. ¡°Understood,¡± The butler turned, and eyed a nearby servant who stood like a statue, her back to the wall. The servant promptly walked over, and stood a few paces from Claire. She bowed and motioned for them to follow. Claire and her guards were led down a hallway on the left side of the room. ¡°This way, sirs.¡± The Butler said as he began to walk. Mason and Astaroth were led up the right-curved staircase and down numerous hallways and rooms of all kinds. The hallways were beautifully decorated with luxurious chandeliers and beautiful curtains and arches. Within minutes, the three had arrived in a long corridor, doors lining the left, and windows lining the right. Twelve rooms down, the Butler stopped. He reached into a pocket within the inside of his suit, revealing pristine silver keys held by a key ring. The Butler counted twelve, holding the twelfth key firmly before removing it. Gently, he unlocked the door and pushed it open. He reached out, handing the key to Astaroth. He lowered his head, ¡°I apologize for not showing this respect sooner. I am unsure of your situation with Madam Claire and did not want to anger you. Not many here will recognize your horns, esteemed Dragon King.¡± The Butler explained, his voice quivering ever so slightly, ¡°However, I have had the incredible pleasure of witnessing other Dragon Kings in my youth. The disrespect I showed you earlier, questioning if you were trustworthy was unacceptable. I was unable to fully view your horns and aura at that time¡­Please forgive me!¡± The Butler fell to his knees in a cold sweat, forehead crashing into the marble flooring. Mason''s jaw hung, eyes wide. Slowly, he turned toward Asaroth, who had the same expression plastered on his face. Mason stood tall on his toes, bringing his mouth as close to Astaroth¡¯s ear as possible, ¡°Why are you surprised?¡± Mason spoke fast, surprise and confusion etched into his cadence. Astaroth bent down, turning his back to the Butler before replying in an even quieter whisper, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect this place to have Dragon Kings too. Also, it¡¯s been really long since someone treated me like this. After my master died, I was always surrounded by people stronger than me.¡± Astaroth used mana to hide his speech, occasionally glancing back toward the Butler, who was like a statue, not even the slightest twitch of muscles visible. ¡°Well, talk to him. Forgive him and tell him to keep it a secret, or something¡± Mason replied, turning away from Astaroth and back to the Butler. ¡°You don¡¯t need to ask forgiveness for something so trivial. Just, keep it a secret, especially from Philip.¡± Astaroth adjusted his posture and expression, emanating a kingly aura. The Butler didn¡¯t hesitate with his reply, ¡°Yes sir!¡± ¡°You can go now,¡± Astaroth said with a nod. The Butler stood, bowing once more before walking away. The man strode with even more perfection than before. Astaroth and Mason stared at him, watching as he turned a corner at the end of the long corridor. ¡°Here, Master,¡± Astaroth said, handing Mason the key to the room. ¡°Thanks,¡± Mason replied, walking to the door the Butler had already opened, pushing it further. He stepped into the room.