《Forsaken Veil》


 Chapter 0: The Vanishing

    Kaido sat in his room, illuminated only by the faint glow of his computer screen. Outside, the muffled laughter of his classmates could be heard as they walked home from school. Kaido ignored it. He always ignored them. It was easier this way. No expectations, no disappointments.


    His fingers tapped away on the keyboard, the world around him dimming as he lost himself in the endless scroll of online forums and video games. He liked it here, in his bubble, where things made sense. Reality was just an inconvenience.


    School had always been a chore. It wasn¡¯t that Kaido struggled with academics, he didn¡¯t. He could ace most tests without much effort. But the social dynamics? The endless small talk, the cliques, the forced interactions? He was tired of it all. He had no friends to speak of, and that was fine by him. His classmates treated him like a ghost, and he preferred it that way.


    Every day after school, Kaido would stop by the convenience store on his way home. It was a small, dimly lit place, not far from the school. It was his routine, a brief escape from his quiet home. He could always count on the familiar smell of instant noodles and the faint buzz of fluorescent lights. There worked a guy called Mark Martini.


    Mark worked at the counter, usually wearing a faded apron and with a bored expression on his face. Kaido didn¡¯t know much about him, only that he was always working there. He was a few years older than Kaido, and every time they passed, Kaido would nod politely, calling him ¡°Mr. Martini.¡±


    ¡°Hey, Mr. Martini,¡± Kaido would say, the words coming naturally. after so many times of saying it.


    Mark would glance up, offering a small smile.¡±Hey, Kaido. Same as usual today?¡±


    Kaido would nod, picking up a pack of chips and a soda, sometimes an energy drink if he needed something to keep him awake through the night.


    Their interactions were short, but that was fine with Kaido. Kaido thought there was something comforting about the routine.


    Then, one morning, everything changed.


    It started like any other day. Kaido dragged himself out of bed, ate a cold breakfast, and walked to school with his hoodie pulled over his head, eyes on the ground. He slipped into his seat at the back of the classroom just as the first bell rang, blending into the background as he always did.


    The teacher, Mr. Takeda, entered the room, looking more tired than usual. Kaido barely noticed as he pulled out his notebook, half-listening to the lesson on historical events. He was already tuning out, lost in his own thoughts, when it happened.


    There was a low hum, at first so quiet that Kaido thought he might have imagined it. Then it grew louder, filling the classroom, buzzing in his ears. He looked around. No one else seemed to notice. His classmates sat at their desks, listening to Mr. Takeda drone on as if nothing was wrong.


    The hum became a vibration, shaking the walls and floor. Kaido¡¯s heart raced. He tried to stand, but his legs felt heavy, as if something was pinning him down. His classmates still didn¡¯t react. Why weren¡¯t they reacting?


    Then, without warning, the room flashed bright white, blinding him. The hum reached a deafening pitch, and for a moment, Kaido thought his ears would burst. He squeezed his eyes shut, clutching his desk as the world seemed to warp around him.


    And then¡­ silence.


    When Kaido opened his eyes, the classroom was empty.


    His breath caught in his throat. The seats around him, once filled with his classmates, were now vacant. The teacher¡¯s desk stood unmanned, the chalkboard half-covered in notes, abandoned mid-sentence. There was no sound, no movement. The room felt hollow, like a forgotten relic.


    Kaido stood, his legs trembling, and stumbled toward the front of the class. He called out, his voice weak at first.


    ¡°Hello? Mr. Takeda? Anyone?¡±


    Nothing. His voice echoed off the walls, swallowed by the silence.


    He rushed to the hallway. The school was deserted. No students, no teachers, not even the usual hum of the fluorescent lights. Panic rose in his chest. What was happening? Had there been an evacuation? An emergency?The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    But no. There were no alarms, no signs of a rush. It was as if everyone had just¡­ disappeared.


    Kaido¡¯s pulse pounded in his ears as he sprinted through the halls, checking every classroom, every office, every corner. The entire building was empty, abandoned in a way that felt unnatural. Like something had plucked everyone away in an instant, leaving only him behind.


    He collapsed against a wall, panting, his mind racing. He wasn¡¯t the kind of person who believed in the supernatural or bizarre occurrences. But this¡­ this was beyond explanation.


    As he sat there, the silence pressed in on him, thick and suffocating. He was alone. Truly, utterly alone.


    Hours passed. Kaido wandered the empty school, searching for any clue, any sign of what had happened. He checked his phone, no service. The clock on the wall still ticked, the hands moving forward, oblivious to the absence of life. He made his way outside, but the streets were just as deserted. There were no cars, no pedestrians, not even a stray bird in the sky. It was like the entire world had simply blinked out of existence.


    Except for him.


    The next day was no different. The day after, the same. Kaido¡¯s world had become a ghost town, a hollow shell where he wandered aimlessly, consumed by the silence. He had no idea how long he spent in that void, time blurring into meaninglessness.


    Then a few weeks later, one evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Kaito saw something. A flicker. Just at the edge of his vision, like a mirage.


    He turned toward it, heart racing. There, in the distance, stood a shimmering figure, barely visible. It was like looking through heat waves on a summer¡¯s day, the air rippling and distorting around the shape.


    Kaido caught his breath. He ran toward it, desperation surging through him. The figure remained still as he approached, and as he got closer, he could make out more details, a figure draped in dark robes with a hood that obscured its face. But what struck Kaido the most was the sense of wrongness that radiated from it.


    This wasn¡¯t a person. It was something else.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± Kaido demanded, his voice cracking from weeks of disuse.


    The figure didn¡¯t respond. Instead, it raised a hand, and the air around Kaido began to shimmer, just like the figure itself. The ground beneath him seemed to shift, warping and twisting like a reflection in disturbed water. The figure took a step forward, and as it did, the world around Kaito began to blur, dissolving into a swirl of light and dark.


    For a moment, he felt as though he was falling, not physically, but as if his very being was slipping through the cracks of reality. The sensation was overwhelming, and then, just as quickly as it had started, it stopped.


    Kaido found himself standing in a different place. Gone were the empty streets and silent buildings. Instead, he was in a vast, open field, and the sky above him streaked with vibrant colors he¡¯d never seen before. Strange creatures flew overhead, and in the distance, he could see towering structures that defied the laws of physics.


    He wasn¡¯t alone.


    Before him, standing in clusters, were his classmates. They looked different, stronger, more confident, each one holding weapons or surrounded by auras of power. Their clothes had changed too, now resembling those of fantasy warriors or mages. And standing among them was Mr. Takeda, his once tired expression replaced with one of authority and determination.


    They didn¡¯t seem surprised to see him. In fact, they didn¡¯t seem to see him at all.


    Kaido tried to speak, but no sound came out. He tried to approach them, but his legs felt heavy, as if he were wading through water. He looked down, and to his horror, he realized that he was fading, his body growing translucent, as if he didn¡¯t belong here.


    ¡°Why¡­?¡± he whispered, though he knew no one could hear him. ¡°Why wasn¡¯t I chosen?!¡±


    As the world around him shimmered again, threatening to pull him back into the void, Kaido felt a presence behind him.


    ¡°Because,¡± a voice said softly, ¡°you were meant to find your own way here.¡±


    Kaido spun around, and there, standing calmly with a slight smile, was a man in his mid-thirties, dressed in the robes of a scholar. He held an ancient book in his hands, the pages yellowed with age. His eyes twinkled with amusement.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been waiting for you,¡± the man said, his voice smooth and gentle. ¡°You¡¯ve come a long way, Kaido.¡±


    Kaido stared at him, his mind reeling. ¡°Who¡­ who are you?¡±


    The man smiled wider, turning a page in his book. ¡°You can call me the Curator.¡±


    And with that, everything went black.


    Kaido jolted awake, his body drenched in sweat, his heart pounding. He was back in his room, the familiar hum of his computer filling the air.


    Had it all been a dream? Or was it something more?


    As Kaido stared at the blinking cursor on his screen, he couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that the Curator was still watching. And that his story was far from over.

 Chapter 1: The Curators Advice

    Kaido sat up in his bed, staring blankly at the wall. His body felt heavy, like he¡¯d been running for hours. His heart still racing from the vivid dream or whatever that was. He ran a hand through his hair, trying to make sense of the bizarre encounter with the Curator and the vision of his classmates in that strange world.


    For a while, Kaido simply sat there, trying to convince himself that it had all been a dream. But it left a lingering sensation in his chest. An odd, almost electric feeling that had sparked when the Curator spoke to him. It was too real to ignore. No dream had ever felt that vivid, that alive.


    He glanced over at his computer, the soft glow of the screen illuminating his cluttered desk. The online forum he¡¯d been browsing before falling asleep still waited for his attention, but something about it felt hollow now, unimportant.


    Kaito stood up, his legs shaky beneath him. He needed answers. If it wasn¡¯t a dream¡­ what was it?


    His room felt oppressive all of a sudden, the walls closing in on him. The silence that once comforted him now felt like a prison. Without thinking, Kaido grabbed his jacket and slipped outside, hoping the fresh air would clear his mind.


    The streets were quiet as always, the same stillness he¡¯d come to expect in his sleepy town. But tonight, that stillness unnerved him. It reminded him too much of the void, the emptiness he had wandered after his classmates disappeared. He quickened his pace, his footsteps echoing off the pavement as he headed toward the park.


    When he arrived, the park was empty, as it usually was at this hour. The swings creaked softly in the wind, and the faint glow of street lamps bathed the playground in pale light. Kaido sat on a bench, his mind still racing with thoughts of the Curator.


    Why me? he wondered. Why wasn¡¯t I taken with the others?


    As if in response to his unspoken question, the air around him shimmered. Kaido froze, his breath catching in his throat. He had seen this before, the same distortion that had appeared before the figure in the robes


    From the shadows of the park, a figure emerged.


    This time, the Curator looked different. Gone were the scholarly robes from the previous encounter. Instead, he wore a casual button-down shirt, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His hair was neatly combed back, and he looked younger, closer to Kaido¡¯s age. In his hands, he held a sketchpad, idly doodling as he approached.


    ¡°Good evening,¡± the Curator said cheerfully, his tone light and conversational, as if they were old friends meeting after a long time. He sat down beside Kaido on the bench, not bothering to ask if he could.


    Kaido stared at him, struggling to find his voice. ¡°You¡­ you¡¯re real?¡±


    The Curator glanced at him from the corner of his eye, a knowing smile on his lips.


    ¡°I suppose that¡¯s one way to put it. I exist in this story, just as you do.¡±


    Kaido frowned. ¡°Story?¡±


    The Curator tapped his sketchpad with the pencil. ¡°Yes, a story. Everything is, in one way or another. We¡¯re all part of a narrative, Kaido, whether we realize it or not.¡±


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t make any sense,¡± Kaido muttered. ¡°What do you mean, a narrative?


    My classmates disappeared. They¡¯re in some other world, and I¡¯m-¡±The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    ¡°-left behind, yes, yes, I know,¡± the Curator interrupted, flipping a page in his sketchpad. ¡°But that¡¯s just how it starts. Every story needs a protagonist, after all.¡±


    Kaido¡¯s frustration boiled over. ¡°Then why me? Why was I left behind!? They all got powers, they¡¯re doing¡­ I don¡¯t know what, but they¡¯re out there, and I¡¯m stuck here!¡±


    The Curator raised an eyebrow, pausing his sketching. ¡°Why does it bother you so much, Kaido? You¡¯ve always preferred to be alone, haven¡¯t you?¡±


    Kaido flinched, the Curator¡¯s words striking a little too close to home. ¡°That¡¯s not the point,¡± he muttered. ¡°I didn¡¯t choose this.¡±


    The Curator leaned back on the bench, looking up at the night sky. ¡°True. But sometimes, the best stories don¡¯t start with a choice. They start with a twist a push, if you will.¡±


    Kaido clenched his fists, the memory of his classmates standing there, empowered, while he faded into nothingness still fresh in his mind.


    ¡°So what? Am I just supposed to be some side character in all this? The one who gets left behind while the real heroes save the day?¡±


    The Curator chuckled softly. ¡°Oh, Kaido, you misunderstand. The fact that you were left behind is precisely why you¡¯re important.¡±


    Kaido blinked, caught off guard. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    The Curator stood up, stretching his arms as if he¡¯d been sitting for too long. ¡°Think about it. Your classmates were given powers, yes, but you¡­ you found a way into their world on your own. Without any gifts, without any divine intervention.¡±


    He turned to face Kaido, his expression serious now. ¡°That makes you different, Kaido. Special. They¡¯re following a path that was laid out for them. But you? You¡¯re creating your own.¡±


    Kaido shook his head, feeling a mixture of confusion and disbelief. ¡°But I don¡¯t have powers. I don¡¯t even know how I got there.¡±


    The Curator smiled again, his earlier lightness returning. ¡°Not yet, no. But stories are funny things. They change. They evolve. And yours is far from over.¡±


    For a moment, Kaido didn¡¯t respond. He stared at the ground, processing the Curator¡¯s words. Part of him wanted to reject the idea entirely. It sounded ridiculous, like something out of one of his games or books. But another part of him, the part that had felt the emptiness of being left behind, was beginning to believe there might be some truth to it.


    ¡°So¡­ what now?¡± Kaido asked quietly. ¡°What am I supposed to do?¡±


    The Curator tilted his head, considering the question. ¡°That¡¯s up to you. I¡¯m just here to observe, to guide when needed. You¡¯ll figure it out.¡± He tapped his sketchpad again. ¡°In fact, I¡¯m rather curious to see what you¡¯ll do next.¡±


    Kaito looked at him skeptically. ¡°You mean you don¡¯t already know?¡±


    The Curator grinned, the twinkle in his eye returning. ¡°I might know a few things. But the best part of any story is the surprises.¡±


    He turned to leave, walking back toward the shadows of the park. Kaido watched him go, a thousand questions swirling in his mind. But before the Curator disappeared from view, he called out.


    ¡°Wait! If I¡¯m supposed to figure this out¡­ where do I start?¡±


    The Curator paused, turning his head slightly as if considering the question. Then, with a casual wave of his hand, he replied, ¡°Start by going back. Back to where it all began.¡±


    And with that, he vanished, the air around him shimmering briefly before returning to normal.


    Kaido stood there, alone in the park once more. The Curator¡¯s words echoed in his mind. Go back to where it all began.


    He knew exactly what the Curator meant.


    The school.


    It had all started there, with the strange hum, the flash of light, and the sudden disappearance of my classmates. If there were any answers, that¡¯s where they¡¯d be.


    Kaido¡¯s pulse quickened. He didn¡¯t know what he would find, but for the first time in days, he felt like he had a purpose.


    Without another moment¡¯s hesitation, he started walking toward the school, his steps more certain than they had been in a long time.


    Whatever was waiting for him there, he was ready to face it.

 Chapter 2: The Goddess鈥檚 Cruelty

    Kaido stood in front of the door to his empty classroom, the Curator¡¯s voice lingering in his mind ¡°Go back to where it all began.¡± His hands clenched into fists as the anger surged. The thought of his classmates being chosen, blessed, and given powers, made his stomach turn. How had they been taken while he was left behind? He didn¡¯t care about their destiny or their heroics. He just wanted what they had.


    Power.


    He opened the door and stepped inside. The classroom was eerily silent, the desks and chairs scattered as if frozen in the middle of chaos. Papers littered the floor, but at the room¡¯s center, Kaido saw it, a seam in space time.


    A tear in the very fabric of reality shimmered like a fragile thread, barely noticeable unless you looked for it. This was where it all happened. This was where they had left him behind.


    His jaw clenched as he walked toward the seam, determination flaring in his chest.


    This is where it ends, he thought. I¡¯ll force my way in.


    With a low growl, Kaido grabbed hold of the tear. His muscles strained as he gripped it, his hands pulling at the fabric of reality itself. His strength surged, and with a savage roar, he ripped it open.


    The seam tore like paper, widening into a gaping hole of swirling light. The air around him crackled with power, and before Kaito could react, he was pulled inside.


    Everything spun, colors blurring as the world twisted and shifted. Kaido¡¯s stomach churned, and his vision blanked as he fell through the void. Then, with a harsh thud, he landed.


    He was no longer in the classroom.


    Kaido found himself in a grand throne room, more magnificent than anything he had ever seen. Gleaming marble floors stretched endlessly beneath him, while golden columns reached toward a ceiling. The entire room shimmered with a cold, distant light, like something from a dream. A dream with no warmth, no life.


    At the far end of the room sat a woman.


    She was beautiful, radiant even, with golden hair going down her back and violet eyes that glowed like amethysts. Her perfect, cruel smile froze the blood in his veins. She was like a goddess. She didn¡¯t move from her throne. She didn¡¯t need to. Her presence dominated the room.


    ¡°So, the forgotten one arrives,¡± she said, her voice with a mocking sweetness.


    ¡°How amusing.¡±


    Kaido¡¯s anger flared. He had torn his way here, forced his way into this world. He deserved to be here just as much as his classmates. ¡°I came for the blessing,¡± he said, his voice shaking but firm. ¡°The same one you gave to the others.¡±


    The goddess tilted her head slightly, her smile widening into something more cruel, more sinister. ¡°You?¡± she asked, her voice dripping with disdain. ¡°You think you deserve my blessing?¡±If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    Kaido clenched his fists. ¡°I wasn¡¯t chosen, but I forced my way here. I proved I¡¯m just as strong.¡±


    The goddess¡¯s laughter rang through the hall, soft but biting, like a blade pressed against his skin. ¡°You think tearing a hole between worlds makes you worthy?¡± She stood, descending from her throne with an ethereal grace, her eyes never leaving him. ¡°You were left behind because you are nothing. You have no potential, no value.¡±


    Kaido¡¯s fists trembled, anger and frustration surging. ¡°I¡¯ve proven I¡¯m strong enough. I deserve the chance.¡±


    The goddess stopped in front of him, her presence towering over him, her gaze filled with contempt. ¡°You deserve nothing.¡± Her words were cold, final. ¡°I will not waste my power on something so pitiful.¡±


    Before Kaido could respond, she raised her hand. With a snap of her fingers, the world around him twisted, and he was gone.


    The throne room vanished, and Kaido fell.


    When he hit the ground, the force knocked the wind from his lungs. He gasped, struggling to regain his breath as he pushed himself to his feet, his surroundings coming into focus.


    He was in a forest. But not just any forest, this place was twisted, unnatural. The air was thick with the stench of rot and decay, and the tree branches clawed at the sky like skeletal fingers. A dense fog clung to the ground, swirling around his legs as if trying to pull him under.


    Kaido staggered to his feet, his heart racing as he tried to take in his surroundings.


    Where am I?


    Then he heard it.


    A low growl echoed through the fog, sending a chill down his spine. He turned, and his blood ran cold as several pairs of glowing red eyes appeared from the shadows. Wolves, twisted creatures with fur matted and dark, their eyes glowing red with hunger and malice.


    Kaido¡¯s breath caught in his throat. He had no weapon, no powers, nothing. Panic surged through him, but he forced himself to think, to focus. His gaze swept the forest, desperate for anything that could help him survive.


    That¡¯s when he saw it, a glint of metal half-buried in the dirt beside a crumbling skeleton. A broken sword.


    Kaido didn¡¯t hesitate. He dashed toward the weapon just as one of the wolves lunged at him.


    He wasn¡¯t fast enough.


    The beast¡¯s jaws clamped down on his shoulder, teeth sinking into his flesh. Kaido screamed as pain exploded through his body, the wolf shaking him violently, trying to rip him apart. Blood poured from the wound, hot and thick, staining his clothes red.


    But Kaido wasn¡¯t going to die like this. Not here. Not without a fight.


    With a desperate roar, he grabbed the broken sword and slashed wildly at the wolf. The blade sliced into the creature¡¯s side, and it yelped, releasing its grip on him. Kaido stumbled back, gasping for breath as he clutched his bleeding shoulder.


    The other wolves were closing in, their growls low and menacing, their eyes locked on him.


    Kaido¡¯s vision blurred from the pain, but he forced himself to stand. His hands trembled as he gripped the broken sword, his mind screaming at him to keep fighting. He had come too far to die here. He wasn¡¯t going to be another forgotten corpse in this cursed forest.


    The wolves circled him, their glowing eyes watching, waiting for the kill.


    Another wolf lunged. Kaido swung the sword with all his strength, the blade catching the creature in the neck. It let out a strangled yelp before collapsing to the ground, dead.


    But there was no time to rest. The alpha, larger than the others, its fur black as night, its eyes burning with hatred, stalked forward. It growled, low and deep, its body tense as it prepared to strike.


    Kaido¡¯s body screamed in protest, his shoulder burning, his muscles weak from blood loss. But he gritted his teeth, raising the broken sword one last time. He couldn¡¯t stop now. He had to survive. He had to fight.


    The alpha charged.


    Kaido moved on instinct, sidestepping the beast and driving the sword into its chest with all the strength he had left. The blade sank deep, and the wolf let out a final, howl before crumpling to the ground, dead.


    Kaido stood there, panting, blood pouring from his wounds. His body trembled, exhaustion pulling him down. His vision blurred, darkness creeping in.


    He had survived.


    But just barely.


    The last thing Kaido felt before the world went black was the cold, hard ground beneath him as he collapsed.

 Chapter 3: The Goddess鈥檚 Chosen

    The golden halls of the goddess¡¯s castle shimmered with celestial light, a divine backdrop to the relentless training taking place below. The vast training grounds buzzed with activity as the goddess¡¯s chosen honed their skills, each guided by their unique blessing.


    Each of them had been granted a System, a translucent screen that hovered at will, displaying their stats, skills, and quests. With a simple tap, they could see their stats and skills, and accept quests assigned by the goddess.


    Yet, despite the beauty of their surroundings, a quiet tension wove through the air.


    Iris stood in the courtyard, her silver hair catching the light as intricate patterns of magic shimmered around her. The Blessing of Lumina allowed her to weave radiant spells, illuminating the space with golden hues.


    A flick of her wrist sent a chain of light wrapping around a distant training dummy.


    [New Skill Acquired: Radiant Chains]


    Her system screen flickered, displaying her current Mana Reserves (72%) alongside her new ability. She tapped the notification, lips pressing into a thin line. ¡°A new skill¡­ I wonder what it can do?¡±


    Across the field, Liam moved with brutality , his great sword carving deep gashes into reinforced dummies. His Blessing of the Blade enhanced his strikes, pushing him beyond human limits.


    His screen displayed [Strength +1] and [Swordsmanship Lv. 4 ¡ú Lv. 5]


    He barely glanced at it before dismissing the screen with a flick of his hand.


    Power was the only thing that mattered.


    Near the treeline, Sophia knelt beside a small fox, fingers brushing through its fur.


    Her Blessing of the Whispering Bond connected her to creatures in ways others couldn¡¯t understand.


    [Beast Affinity +3]


    The fox tilted its head, nudging her palm. Even as she leveled up, her thoughts lingered elsewhere.


    Kaido.


    The chosen trained, talked, and compared stats. Some swiped through their skill lists, others boasted about their rising levels. Yet one name remained absent from their conversations.


    In a quiet corner, Max and Elena sat together, their screens hovering beside them, their faces tense.


    Max scrolled through his stats. His Blessing of the Storm Blade had increased his Agility and Sword Proficiency, but none of it felt satisfying. ¡°I still can¡¯t believe Kaido isn¡¯t here,¡± he muttered.


    Elena, her fingers idly swiping through her Frostweave Magic spells, frowned. ¡°The goddess didn¡¯t even explain why. It¡¯s like he was just¡­ discarded.¡±


    Max¡¯s grip tightened. ¡°And most of the others don¡¯t even care.¡±


    A scoff was heard behind them.


    Liam, passing by, swiped his screen open mid-stride, glancing at his Combat Stats before dismissing them. ¡°Why waste time on him? He was weak.¡±


    Elena¡¯s glare was sharp. ¡°Not everyone¡¯s heartless, Liam.¡±


    This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    Liam¡¯s expression remained indifferent as he tapped into his Quest Log.


    [Train Your Blessing for the Goddess]


    [Protect the Holy Grounds]


    [Personal Quest: Learn an Advanced Sword Technique]


    Kaido¡¯s absence meant nothing.


    ¡°We¡¯re in a new world with real responsibilities,¡± Liam continued, voice cold. ¡°There¡¯s no room for nostalgia.¡±


    As the sun dipped beyond the horizon, the chosen gathered in the grand hall for their evening meal. Lavish dishes lined the long table, but for some, their attention remained on the glowing screens beside them.


    Sophia idly flicked through her Beast Affinity menu, barely touching her food and thinking of Kaido.


    Liam laughed loudly, his voice cutting through the quiet. ¡°Man, I¡¯m glad that loser isn¡¯t here to drag us down.¡±


    Laughter rippled through the hall, cruel remarks thrown between bites of food.


    Max¡¯s fists clenched. His Combat Log beside him displaying his progress, all his growth felt hollow to him.


    Undeserved


    ¡°That¡¯s easy for you to say,¡± he snapped. ¡°You never cared about him back home either.¡±


    Liam¡¯s smirk faded. ¡°I focus on what matters. Not people who are irrelevant. He¡¯s probably dead by now anyway so give it a rest¡±


    The conversation ended there.


    Kaido¡¯s name never came up again.


    The glow of their system screens flickered softly in the dim candlelight, the world moving forward.


    Without him.


    - - -


    Kaido¡¯s world was a haze of pain and shadows. His body was battered, his senses dimmed, but the familiar feeling of cold earth beneath him gradually pulled him back to consciousness. As the fog cleared from his vision, he found himself lying on a makeshift bed of leaves and branches.


    A figure sat nearby, diligently working on something. The figure was a rugged man with a grizzled beard, wearing worn but sturdy clothes. His face was set in a determined expression as he applied a bandage to Kaido¡¯s shoulder wound.


    Kaido¡¯s eyes widened as he tried to make sense of his surroundings. The forest was still dark and ominous, but the presence of this stranger was a contrast to the earlier threat. The man noticed Kaido and looked up, his expression a mix of surprise and relief.


    ¡°You¡¯re awake,¡± the man said gruffly. ¡°You took quite a beating out there.¡±


    Kaido tried to speak, but his throat felt dry and scratchy. He croaked, ¡°Who¡ªwho are you?¡±


    The man nodded towards the nearby stream. ¡°I¡¯m called Thorne. Found you while I was scouting. You were in pretty bad shape. Thought I¡¯d do what I could to patch you up.¡±


    Kaido tried to sit up but winced in pain. ¡°Thank you... I didn¡¯t expect anyone to find me.¡±


    Thorne gave a small, reassuring smile. ¡°In these woods, you¡¯re never really alone if you know where to look. Just rest for now. You¡¯ve been through a lot.¡±


    Kaido took in the scene around him. The forest was still dark and treacherous, but there was a sense of safety in Thorne¡¯s presence. He could feel the bandage working its magic, dulling the pain and easing the ache in his shoulder.


    ¡°I need to... find a way out,¡± Kaido said, his voice more determined. ¡°I can¡¯t stay here.¡±


    Thorne¡¯s eyes were sharp as he assessed Kaido. ¡°You¡¯re right. These woods can be unforgiving. But first, you need to regain your strength. The forest will test you, but it¡¯s also full of resources if you know how to use them.¡±


    Kaido nodded, feeling a surge of resolve. The pain was still there, but it was now accompanied by a fierce determination to survive.


    As he lay back and closed his eyes, his thoughts didn¡¯t dwell on his classmates. He didn¡¯t know where they were or what they thought of him. To Kaido, they were as distant as the stars above the dark forest.


    His focus had shifted entirely. No longer was he seeking the blessing he once desired. Now, survival and revenge had become his primary goals. He had no idea what his former classmates were doing, but it didn¡¯t matter. He would grow strong in his own way, away from the goddess, away from their world.


    As sleep claimed him once more, the dark forest loomed around him, but Kaido¡¯s resolve burned even brighter. He would survive. He would fight. And when the time came, he would show them all.