《VOID WALKER: Rise Of The Shadow Thief》


 Chapter 1: The Shadow of a Thief

    Chapter 1: The Shadow of a Thief


    My life is nothing special. My name is Duck-Hwan, I''m 24 years old, and I live in a small studio apartment near the city center. I finished high school without honors or shame, completed my military service like every good citizen, and immediately after found a job at a nearby fast-food restaurant. I''m not complaining. I don''t have big ambitions, and honestly, I''ve never dreamed of being something extraordinary. I''m content having a roof over my head, regular meals, and the ability to spend time with what I enjoy.


    In my apartment, there''s everything I need: a bed, a small kitchen, and my favorite corner where I keep my gaming setup. Video games are my only true passion. Since childhood, the only thing I was really good at was handling a controller or keyboard. They relaxed me, made me forget the rest of the world... at least until some infamous player ruined everything.


    My parents live in the next town. I visit them every week, but otherwise, I lead a quiet and solitary life. I didn''t lack anything, or at least that''s what I thought, until that evening.


    It was a day like any other. My shift at the fast-food place had ended, and I was walking home, crossing streets lit by dim streetlights. I was lost in my thoughts when something caught my attention: a small abandoned box on the sidewalk, right next to a trash can.


    I stopped. What was it doing there? Curious, I looked around to make sure no one was watching me. When I bent down to open it, inside I found an object that made my heart beat faster: a game.


    The package was black and glossy, with a title engraved in golden characters: "Shadowveil: Chronicles of Orvhalis". It didn''t seem like an ordinary game. The appearance was mysterious, almost inviting. I looked around me again, and without thinking too much, I slipped the box into my bag and headed home.


    That evening, after having dinner quickly, I decided to try the game. When I installed and launched it, I was immediately captured by its incredibly realistic graphics. Everything seemed alive: every choice, every interaction had weight. It wasn''t one of those games where you can simply run around randomly; you had to use your head.


    The protagonist was a formidable warrior, but the world he moved in was cruel and full of pitfalls. Every decision seemed more difficult than the last, every battle a fight for survival. That''s how I began my journey in Shadowveil.


    Five years passed in a flash. I dedicated every free moment to the game. I had pushed through to the final phases, gradually improving my character, facing impossible challenges, and forming alliances with other players. I had reached rank 9, a milestone few achieved. Now I was ready to face the final challenge.


    That evening, in front of my screen, my heart was beating hard. I had finally reached the final phase. A message appeared on the screen:


    "Are you sure you want to proceed? This decision is irreversible."


    I hesitated for a moment, then clicked "Yes."


    The room around me seemed to explode in a blinding light. I heard a deafening noise, as if the world was collapsing. Then, everything went dark.


    A cold wind hit my face as I regained consciousness. I opened my eyes slowly, finding myself lying on a cold stone street. The sky above me was grey, covered with dense clouds that seemed ready to burst into rain. Tall, narrow houses rose around me, made of dark bricks and windows with dirty glass. There was no one. Everything was silent, except for the whistle of wind echoing between the buildings.


    "What the hell...?" I muttered, while a dull pain pulsed in my head. I tried to remember. I was in my apartment, I was playing... then that light.


    I sat up, feeling confused and strangely heavy. Something wasn''t right. I looked around, hoping to see something familiar, but everything seemed to belong to another era, another world.


    I lowered my gaze to my hands and my heart jumped into my throat. They weren''t mine. The fingers were longer, calloused, and the knuckles seemed marked by years of fighting or heavy work. My breath stopped, and a wave of panic enveloped me.


    "These... aren''t my hands. What''s happening?!" I shouted, my voice broken with terror. I stood up suddenly, almost tripping. The floor beneath me seemed to sway, but maybe it was just my head spinning. I couldn''t think. I had to find a reflection, see my face.


    Running without a specific direction, I found myself in front of a small fountain. The water inside was murky but calm, enough to see something. I bent slowly, heart pounding in my chest. When I finally saw my face, my breath caught.


    It wasn''t me.


    The face looking back at me wasn''t Duck-Hwan''s. The eyes, darker and deeper, were circled by light shadows as if I hadn''t slept enough. The nose was straight, sharp, and a thin scar crossed the right cheek. The black hair was longer and messy, with a slight wave falling on the face. My body was taller, more muscular, and the clothes... those weren''t mine.


    I was wearing a long black coat with worn edges, buttoned up to the chest, a top hat on my head. A leather belt with small pockets hung on my hips, and underneath it peeked dark pants and sturdy boots, scratched from wear. At my neck, a worn red scarf that almost seemed like a symbol. The overall appearance was mysterious, almost threatening.


    "What the hell..." I whispered, backing away from the reflection as if I were looking at a ghost.


    While I was immersed in confusion, a luminous window suddenly appeared in front of me, floating in the air. I jumped, almost falling backward.


    Name: Doruuk Velor Rank: 9 Profession: Unemployed


    The word "unemployed" made me shiver. Was I in the game? No, it couldn''t be. This wasn''t real... or was it? I knew very well what being unemployed meant in Shadowveil. In a ruthless world like that, being without an occupation meant being vulnerable, without protection, without resources.Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    "Unemployed?" I said aloud, incredulous. "No... no, it can''t be."


    The window seemed to ignore my confused state and continued to show other information:


    Class: Thief Unique Ability: Escape "Allows you to escape from dangerous situations. During activation (30 seconds), increases speed and reduces the sound of your movements."


    My legs gave way, and I fell to my knees. "A thief? Why a thief?" I shouted, my voice echoing in the empty street. I knew how thieves worked in the game: they started from nothing, weak, poorly equipped, and with abilities that made them more suited to running away than fighting.


    I nervously searched the pockets of my clothes, hoping to find something useful. In the right pocket, I found a small dagger. I gripped it, observing the matte metal. It was a simple blade, too short to do serious damage. A "common thief''s weapon," as the game would describe it.


    In the other pocket, I found a handful of copper coins and a crumpled piece of paper. I opened it with trembling hands. It was a document:


    City of Residence: Drakathen Occupation: Unemployed Notes: No affiliations.


    The document only confirmed my situation. The dagger seemed to weigh more than it should, as if it were a symbol of my uselessness. I wasn''t a hero. I didn''t have extraordinary powers. I was just an unemployed thief, thrown into a world that didn''t forgive the weak.


    A wave of emotions overwhelmed me. Fear, confusion, anger. How did I end up here? And, most importantly, why? I was about to go crazy. I stood up, started walking back and forth, unable to calm down. Every part of me screamed that this couldn''t be true, that it was just a dream. But the cold of the stone under my feet, the weight of the dagger in my hand, everything was too real.


    "It can''t be a game," I muttered, gritting my teeth. "It can''t be real..."


    I stopped and looked at my hands again. The same hands that had held controllers and mice for years now trembled, dirty with dust. I wasn''t ready for this. I had no idea how to survive in a world like this.


    I leaned against the edge of the fountain, staring at the murky water that reflected my new face. I had to find answers, and quickly. But first, I had to calm down.


    I breathed deeply, closing my eyes. "Okay, Duck-Hwan, or better... Doruuk Velor. If this is the game, then the rules apply here too. And if I want to survive, I have to adapt."


    The words sounded empty, but at least they were a start. I had always played Shadowveil to escape reality, but now it seemed that reality had dragged me inside itself. The problem was that this reality didn''t seem intent on letting me go.


    After deciding to calm down, my stomach growled, bringing me back to an even harsher reality: hunger. I felt my body trembling not only from panic but also from lack of energy. It was a strange sensation: in the game, my character had never felt hunger. But now everything seemed incredibly real.


    "First rule: find something to eat and figure out where I am," I said aloud, as if hearing myself speak could help me organize my thoughts.


    I looked around. The street seemed deserted, and an odor of stagnant humidity pervaded the air. In the distance, between the houses, I saw an orange glow. A flickering light, perhaps a torch or lantern.


    I slowly made my way toward the source of light. Each step echoed on the cobblestones, and every small noise made me jump. The city was a maze of alleys and narrow streets, many of which ended in dead ends. The buildings all seemed built to intimidate: tall, dark, with small windows and iron bars.


    When I finally reached the light, I found myself at a crossroads. A small but lively square opened up before me. It wasn''t deserted like the streets I had crossed. Dozens of people crowded under suspended lanterns, vendors shouted from stalls, and a mix of smells ¨C freshly baked bread, roasted meat, pungent spices ¨C hit me like a punch to the stomach.


    But they weren''t just humans. Among the crowd were tall, slender figures with pointed ears ¨C elves. Next to them, short and sturdy creatures with braided beards and heavy armor ¨C dwarves. And still other races I knew from the game: beast-men with protruding fangs and feral eyes, women with skin covered in iridescent scales, and even hooded figures that seemed made of shadow.


    I remained motionless, unable to move. It was a scene I had seen a thousand times on screen, but experiencing it firsthand was completely different. I wasn''t a player behind a screen. I was there, in flesh and blood, in the world of Shadowveil.


    I took a few steps into the square, trying not to attract attention. It was almost impossible, though. My appearance, with that long black coat and hat, seemed to draw suspicious glances. I felt watched, judged, as if every person around me knew I didn''t belong there.


    I tried to calm down and looked for a food stall. I approached an old man who was selling bread and cheese. He had a wrinkled face and gnarled hands, and he looked at me with narrow eyes.


    "How hungry are you, stranger?" he asked in a hoarse voice.


    I didn''t answer immediately. I put my hand in my pocket and pulled out the few copper coins I had found earlier. "Are these... enough?" I asked, holding out the coins.


    The man took the coins, looked at them for a moment, and then burst into laughter that made some people turn around. "With this you can maybe buy a crust of bread," he said, throwing me a small piece of stale bread. "Good luck, boy. Life isn''t kind to those who have little here."


    I took the bread and walked away, clutching it in my hand as if it were the last piece of food on Earth. I couldn''t afford to complain. I had to figure out how to survive, and quickly.


    While looking for a quiet corner to eat, a new window opened in front of me. This time, it seemed more detailed:


    Main Mission: Survive in Drakathen Welcome to Orvhalis, Doruuk Velor. You have been chosen to walk in the void between shadows. Survive, adapt, discover your destiny.


    Objectives:


    <ul>


    <li>Get a job.</li>


    <li>Earn at least 50 Umbra Shards.</li>


    <li>Don''t get noticed by the guards.</li>


    </ul>


    The words "don''t get noticed by the guards" made my blood freeze. There was no explanation, but deep inside myself, I knew what it meant. In the game, being caught by guards was never a good thing. It could mean prison, punishment, or worse.


    I found an abandoned bench near a ruined building and sat down. The bread had a horrible taste, but I had no choice. I had to eat something to recharge my energy.


    I was trying to put my thoughts in order when a distant sound made me look up. A group of people had gathered in the center of the square, where a small stage had been erected. A hooded figure was kneeling before a man in heavy armor, who wielded a gleaming sword.


    I felt my heart accelerate. I recognized that scene. I had seen it dozens of times in the game. It was the execution of the main character.


    "No... no, it can''t be," I muttered, standing up. I tried to get closer to see better, but the crowd was too dense. From my position, however, I could clearly distinguish the kneeling figure. It was him, the protagonist of the game, the hero destined to save the world.


    The man in armor raised the sword. The blade reflected the light of the lanterns for an instant, and then came down with a clean stroke.


    The protagonist''s body fell to the ground, the head rolling on the stage.


    A surreal silence fell over the square. I remained motionless, unable to breathe. That moment had never existed in the game. This wasn''t how it was supposed to go.


    If the protagonist was dead... what did it mean for me?


    The luminous window returned, this time with a new message:


    Main Mission Update: The destiny of Orvhalis has changed. You are the walking shadow. Prepare yourself.


    The window disappeared, and with it any doubt: it wasn''t a dream, it wasn''t a mistake. Something deep and dark had dragged me into this world, and now everything depended on me.


    I didn''t know how or why, but I had only one objective: survive.


    End of Chapter 1

 Chapter 2: Shadows in the Streets of Drakathen

    The square was almost empty. Adrian''s head, once a hero of my virtual world, still lay there, surrounded by a pool of dark blood slowly spreading across the stage. I couldn''t take my eyes off that scene. The same question kept echoing in my mind: why? Why had he, the protagonist, the core of the story, died so miserably?


    I felt suffocated. My hands were trembling, but I tried to stay calm. Next to me, an elderly man, probably drunk, was stumbling with a mug of beer in hand. I had no choice: I had to know what had happened.


    "Excuse me," I said, trying to get his attention. "Why... why was he decapitated?"


    The man stopped, staring at me with half-closed eyes. "You don''t know?" he slurred, his breath reeking of alcohol and sweat.


    "I don''t know," I replied, trying to appear as innocent as possible, but his gaze changed. He began to scrutinize me with suspicion, perhaps because of my disheveled and out-of-place appearance. I could feel my heart beating faster, the pressure in my head becoming unbearable, but I tried to maintain my composure.


    "Alright, I''ll tell you," he finally said, in a distracted tone. "That one... his name was Adrian the Second. Son of an aristocrat. His family was full of money, you know, aristocrats swim in gold. But when his father, Adrian the First, died, he took everything. And what did he do? He ruined himself! Gambling, alcohol, women... all that wealth vanished into nothing. And now look where he ended up." The man laughed bitterly.


    "But... what about his mother?" I asked, hoping to understand more.


    The man stiffened for a moment. His eyes became even smaller, and suspicion returned to his face. "Well... she... she left with her brothers. Adrian was an only child." His words seemed confused, as if he wasn''t even sure himself of what he was saying.


    With a grunt, the man stumbled away, leaving me alone. I remained there, still staring at the stage. The guards approached, collecting Adrian''s lifeless body and head. Slowly the crowd began to disperse. I remained motionless, unable to move.


    Adrian... in the game, you were a symbol of hope, the hero destined to change everything. How did you come to this miserable end? And most importantly, what did it mean for me? The story had changed, and now I, Doruuk Velor, was left alone trying to survive.


    I decided to focus on myself. With a hand gesture, I opened the status window, hoping something could help me.


    Status: Doruuk Velor


    Race: Human


    Class: Thief (Novice)


    Rank: 9


    Strength (STR): 10


    Stamina (SP): 15


    Dexterity (DEX): 12


    Intelligence (INT): 8Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    Magic (MP): 0


    Wisdom (WIS): 0


    Ability: Escape (Cooldown: 10 minutes)


    Looking at those numbers, I felt dead inside. No magic, no wisdom. My physical stats were barely decent, but my only ability was a support skill with a long cooldown. If I used it, I would remain vulnerable for 10 minutes. This wasn''t the character I would have chosen to start a game with.


    As if that wasn''t enough, my race was human. In the world of Shadowveil, humans were the weakest: no innate abilities like the dwarves who were masters of forging armor and weapons, the elves who were skilled archers and used magic + bow to kill monsters, or the beast-men who had the advantage of physical power. Every human had to start from zero and build their own path.


    I walked aimlessly through the streets of Drakathen, the largest city in Orvhalis. Its alleys teemed with life, but everything seemed hostile. People ran from one place to another, merchants shouted offers, and occasionally I saw suspicious figures disappearing into dark alleys.


    I was hungry. That miserable slice of bread hadn''t been enough, and my stomach growled incessantly. Moreover, I knew nothing about Doruuk Velor''s past. Did he have a family? Someone who could help me? Probably not, otherwise he wouldn''t have been in these conditions. And now I had to earn money, because without money I had no hope of surviving.


    As I walked, a guard shouted: "Tomorrow at noon, the hunting portal opens!"


    My heart jumped into my throat. The "hunting portal" was a dungeon that opened every two weeks. Fighters entered to earn money by killing monsters, but it wasn''t all roses and flowers and a safe place. Once inside, laws didn''t exist: anyone could attack you, monsters or other players, death could take you at any moment, there you could see the true nature of a human being.


    I had no other choice. If I wanted to start building something, I had to register as a fighter. With hope of doing something, I headed towards the guild.


    The environment inside was chaotic. Warriors in shining armor talked among themselves, formed groups, and drank beer. Some were new, inexperienced, and nervous; others seemed veterans, with scars and an air of superiority. There I was, with my black coat and common dagger, and I couldn''t help but notice the judgmental looks.


    When I approached the secretary to register, she looked me up and down. "Show me the document," she said in a bored tone. I showed her the piece of paper I had found in my pockets. She analyzed it for a few seconds, then raised an eyebrow. "Ah, low level. You seemed more powerful to me. Okay, registration costs 10 copper coins."


    "I don''t have them," I replied, embarrassed.


    The woman stared at me, sighed, and said: "Fine. I''ll charge you the amount. But if you don''t pay it tomorrow, you''ll end up like the man from this morning."


    I nodded and thanked her, aware of having just added another weight to my shoulders.


    Once the registration was complete, I left the guild, again lost in my thoughts as I walked through the streets. The sun was setting, and I needed to eat something because I couldn''t resist anymore.


    After a while, I saw in the distance a man snatching a bag from an old lady, and then he started running. Hoping to receive something in return for helping, I decided to help her and thus would also be able to test my ability. I activated my Escape ability. In an instant, I felt lighter and faster. My body moved nimbly through the crowd, I wasn''t too fast but I was fast enough compared to a normal person, and thanks to the reduced sound of movement, the man wasn''t able to perceive me, and in about 12 seconds, I reached the thief, stopping him with a push.


    After that, I grabbed him and brought him back to the guards and returned the bag to the lady. She looked at me, surprised by my disheveled appearance. "I didn''t expect you to be so young," she said with a shy smile. "Thank you, son. Take this money. It''s not much, but I hope it helps you."


    Her coins were more than enough for a decent meal. I bowed and thanked her sincerely. At that moment, I understood that even in such a hostile world, there was still a glimmer of kindness.


    With those coins, I ate something, but not enough to afford a place to sleep. I slumped in a corner of the street, covering myself with my coat. The cold penetrated, but I managed to sleep a little.


    Dawn came early, and the sun slowly rose above the roofs of Drakathen. Today I would face the hunting portal. I knew it wouldn''t be easy, but I had no choice.


    End of Chapter 2

 Chapter 3: The Hunting Portal

    The night''s cold had left me stiff. When I opened my eyes, the sun was timidly rising on the horizon, its first golden rays illuminating the streets of Drakathen. I rose from my spot, quickly brushing off the dirt that had accumulated on my coat. I had spent the night trying to survive the cold, and although it wasn''t lethal thanks to my worn clothes, it certainly hadn''t been pleasant.


    Around me, the city was beginning to wake. Sleepy merchants were pulling out their wares, preparing their stalls with slow but expert movements. The smell of freshly baked bread, mixed with smoke from the furnaces, filled the air. Yet there was nothing welcoming about this scene. It was a world that seemed to function despite everything, like a machine that never stops, indifferent to its broken gears, like me.


    I noticed a bench nearby and made my way toward it. Heavy legs and a troubled heart urged me to slow down. I sat down, taking a deep breath, and let my mind wander.


    Orvhalis: A Cruel Land


    Orvhalis. A cruel world where the weak succumb and the strong prosper. This was clear. But there was more. This world held secrets, mysteries that I had neglected to understand in the game. My ignorance, which I could once afford, now weighed on me like a boulder.


    One of these mysteries was the Fellmire, a vast area covered by a thick grayish fog. I didn''t remember much about it: during the game''s cutscenes, I had skipped that part thinking it was boring. Now, however, that decision seemed like a massive mistake. I only knew that the Fellmire was created after the war of past sovereigns, but I had no idea who they fought against, what the war was about, what lies beyond this fog, or what mysteries it holds. One thing I did know was that we shouldn''t go beyond that fog - it was said to be dangerous, which is why high-level guards were stationed there to keep watch.


    And the taxes? I wondered. In this world, citizens were squeezed with heavy taxes, but there was no visible trace of improvement in their lives. Where did that money go? Who managed it?


    There was so much I didn''t know. My mind still wandered, analyzing every piece of information I could remember. Perhaps I could discover more with time. Perhaps...


    I shook those thoughts away and focused on the present. The Hunting Portal. That was my objective. I thought back to what I remembered about its mechanics.


    <ol>


    <li>The portal opened every two weeks and remained active for an hour.</li>


    <li>Once inside, you couldn''t leave freely. You had to complete a randomly assigned mission: upon entering, you couldn''t leave immediately; instead, a message would appear before you stating how many monsters you needed to kill to return. For example, if the message tells me to kill 10 monsters, I can''t leave until I kill 10 monsters. Once done, I can decide whether to stay longer or leave. This varies for each type of fighter - if they''re support classes, their quest is based on their abilities, like how much they need to heal and protect, and so on.</li>


    <li>There actually exists a method to leave - the time inside the dungeon moves much more slowly compared to the outside world. A day in the dungeon equals one minute in the outside world, so if a fighter''s family suspects something might have happened to their loved one, they can request an "immediate recall" by paying money to the guild. The mages who manage the portal can then recall them if they''re alive. This usually happens when a fighter stays in the portal for too long. The player inside receives a warning that they will be recalled in a few minutes, so if they''re alive, they grab what they can and prepare. This applies to the entire group - if one member is recalled, the whole group returns.</li>


    </ol>


    It was a ruthless but ingenious system, I thought. Everything in this world seemed designed to pressure you, to push you to risk a little more each time. And me? I had nothing to lose.This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    The sun was already high when I decided to spend my remaining money on a simple breakfast. A piece of dark bread and watered-down soup: it was all I could afford, but at least it gave me the strength to go on. I watched other fighters gathering in the square near the portal.


    There were warriors with gleaming swords and sturdy armor, mages wrapped in intricate cloaks, and long bows decorated with glowing runes. Many of them had robust backpacks to gather resources or carry potions. Me? I had only my coat, its empty pockets, and a common dagger. It was a difference that weighed heavily, and not just on my shoulders.


    I could feel the stares. Some turned to look at me, others exchanged knowing glances. A human. The weakest and least trusted race in this world. They didn''t need to say anything; the contempt was clear in their eyes. "He''ll probably die right away," they seemed to think. And perhaps they were right. But that judgment burned inside me. I was tired of being considered less than nothing. I had to be more careful because I was human - in this game, the races think poorly of and don''t trust humans because they believe that since we''re at a disadvantage, we might make some treacherous move. They''re right to think so because many do exactly that, which is why the races prefer to stick with other races rather than humans.


    When the guard shouted: "You may enter now! The Hunting Portal is open for one hour!", the crowd''s murmur increased. Warriors hurried toward the portal, each with their own strategy in mind. I made my way through, trying to avoid drawing too much attention.


    The portal''s structure was majestic. Two black columns, decorated with intricate symbols that seemed to pulse with magical energy, rose toward the sky. Between them, a liquid, trembling surface reflected the sky above us, but it wasn''t just a reflection: it was an opening to another world.


    I paused for a moment before the portal. I could feel my heart beating strongly. Every part of me screamed to run away, to not enter. Yet, I took a step forward. Then another. Until I crossed that luminous barrier.

 Chapter 4: Shadows in the Dark

    I open my eyes. I immediately realize I''m inside the portal. The air is cold, the silence oppressive, and around me there''s only darkness. Imposing trees are everywhere, their roots snaking like claws across the damp earth. A luminous window appears before my eyes: "To exit: kill 300 monsters."


    [300 monsters... what kind of joke is this? Are they even at my rank? The number is overwhelming. But if I want to go back, I have no choice. I have to make it... somehow.] I grip my dagger tightly, the cold metal in my hands is the only comfort at this moment.


    The Hunting Portal is made up of various levels. The first level has two "worlds": the Goblin''s Den and the Gelatinous World. Apparently, I got "lucky." I''m in the Goblin''s Den. [Well, better this way... the Gelatinous World only has slimes. They don''t give useful resources, and my dagger would be practically useless against them. In the video games, I always tried to spawn here, in the Den. But this... this isn''t a game.]


    I start moving northward, dagger held tight. I walk slowly, paying attention to every single sound, every slight movement among the trees. [I can''t afford to lower my guard. The goblins might have set traps anywhere, and they''re not as stupid as they seem.]


    Several minutes pass, and I hear nothing. Just the sound of my own footsteps on the damp earth. This is strange... too strange. Usually, goblins are noisy, they yell and laugh among themselves. And, even more suspicious, I can''t sense any other warrior. No one.


    [The Goblin''s Den is famous, there should be people here. So why am I alone?] A shiver runs down my spine. My instinct tells me something''s wrong. I tighten my grip on the dagger, ready to react. [Is it just my imagination, or is there really something... something watching me?]


    And then I hear it. Footsteps. Slow but determined. Distant, but unmistakable. Something is following me. I pretend not to notice, continuing to walk. But the sound of footsteps remains constant. They don''t get closer, they don''t get farther. [It''s following me. Does it want to lead me somewhere? This isn''t good at all.]


    Suddenly, I spin around. Nothing. I see nothing. But I know something''s there. The darkness is too thick, and the only light is from the moon. Or... maybe it''s not even a moon, who knows what it is in this place.


    I try my best to look around, but I can''t spot it - it''s skilled at hiding, most likely a goblin. If it were a warrior, it wouldn''t be this good at hiding unless they were highly experienced, but I don''t think those types stay on the first level. Usually, they go to higher levels - to reach higher levels, you need to find portals that are scattered throughout this place, though your kill quota remains unchanged even if you enter them. So it must be a goblin who knows its territory well.


    I try to stay calm and resume walking, this time faster. The footsteps behind me resume, synchronized with my movements. I stop. They stop too. [Damn it. This isn''t good.]


    Shortly after, fireflies light up among the trees, a weak golden light illuminating the darkness. I keep following them with my gaze, hoping they''ll help me figure out where this creature is hiding. And finally, I see it. When the fireflies draw near, its silhouette becomes distinct among the branches. A goblin. It''s crouched, hidden in the shadows, but now I know where it is.The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    [Perfect. It''s time.] I take my dagger and throw it with all my strength. The blade cuts through the air and hits its target. The goblin falls to the ground with a groan. Without wasting time, I run toward its body. Before it dissolves - because every time you defeat a monster, its body begins to disappear, leaving behind void stars. Every time you kill a monster, it leaves behind void stars, which are black stars that can be exchanged for real money. The rarer or stronger the monster, the higher its value. I grab its weapon: a small axe. [It''s not much, but it''s better than nothing.]


    "Congratulations, you''ve defeated your first monster," says the window that appears before me. [Only 299 to go... easy, right?]


    I continue walking, with the axe in one hand and the dagger in the other. The axe isn''t particularly powerful, but it''s good enough when used together with the dagger. The goblins I encounter fall one after another, as if they were vegetables. I don''t exert myself too much, trying to conserve energy. [I need to maintain my Stamina. I can''t afford to run out of strength in here.]


    The problem comes when hunger starts making itself known. I have nothing to eat. While walking, however, I hear voices in the distance. They''re not goblins. They''re... warriors. I hide among the trees, trying to get closer to see what''s going on.


    Before me are three warriors fighting against a group of goblins. They''re well-organized: a female archer and two male swordsmen. The goblin group is numerous, and some are well-armed with bows, but the warriors are handling them without much difficulty. [They seem strong.]


    Among the goblins, there''s one with a sword and shining armor. He too falls without much resistance. And then it happens. A Luminousa appears. LUMINOUSA are quite rare - they''re spheres made of smoke that shine, essentially containing abilities from the monster that you can obtain. For example, since they killed that particular goblin, it probably has that goblin''s abilities. But there''s a catch - not just anyone can obtain a LUMINOUSA. The sphere itself chooses who can take it, even if you killed the monster. If it hasn''t chosen you, you can''t take it. It''s an unfair system, and the LUMINOUSA disappears after 2 hours, but if you''re in a group, there''s a higher chance it will choose someone from that group. There are also people who force themselves to be chosen - they basically capture the LUMINOUSA in a tube-shaped container, then through various processes make themselves obtain it. This happens if a LUMINOUSA is rare or powerful.


    [Let''s see who it chooses this time.] The sphere floats for a few seconds and then moves toward one of the two swordsmen. He catches it with a satisfied smile. Each warrior can absorb one Luminousa per level - to get another, they must advance to the next level. He''s just taken a big step forward.


    [Better leave now, before they notice me.] I turn to leave, but...


    Archer: "Hey! Stop right there, whoever you are!" I feel a cold shiver in my feet. I can''t move anymore.


    Swordsman 1: "What''s wrong? Who are you talking to?"


    Archer: "I have a feeling someone''s spying on us."


    Swordsman 2: "There''s no one. I checked before coming here."


    Archer: "My intuition never fails."


    She starts walking toward me, bow drawn. [Damn it, I need to get out of here.] I prepare to sprint.


    Archer: "Whoever you are, come out now. We won''t hurt you." [Yeah, sure, like I believe that.]


    Swordsman 1: "Wait!"


    He starts running toward me.


    In panic, I use my Escape ability and dash away through the trees. But the archer''s arrow flies... and boom.

 Chapter 5: Survival

    [ ] = main character toughts


    { }= window message


    The arrow struck my shoulder with deadly precision, the cold steel piercing through flesh and muscle. Time seemed to freeze for a split second as pain exploded like liquid fire through my veins.


    The window massege.


    {Critical Hit Received!}


    {Severe Bleeding}


    I started running without conscious thought, my body moving on pure survival instinct. The dark forest twisted around me as my "Escape" ability warped the very space around my form.


    [ Ahhh ahhh ]


    The pain was searing, but stopping meant death. Every second of my ability was precious, every heartbeat pumping more blood from the wound.


    [Keep running... just keep running...]


    {HP slowly decreasing}


    {Bleeding status: Continuous damage}


    I ran without pause, the arrow lodged in my shoulder scraping against low-hanging branches. Each impact sent shockwaves of agony through my body.


    [ That crazy archer... why are they trying to kill me? What did I do? I was just watching... ]


    {Ability "Escape"}


    {Time remaining: 15 seconds}


    Once the thirty seconds elapsed, I looked back - nothing but shadows and silence. My ability had put considerable distance between us, but...


    [ Ahh, this cursed arrow ]


    [ Is it poisoned? ]


    [ One thing''s certain... ]


    [ It hurts like hell. ]


    [ I''ve never felt pain like this before. When I find whoever sent me here, I''ll crack their skull open ]


    I trudged forward, each step a battle against the growing weakness in my limbs.


    [ Thank the God there aren''t any goblins around... that would be the end of me ]


    [ I need to do something about this arrow... fast ]


    [I need to search for safe location]


    I slumped against a giant boulder, my trembling hands reaching for the arrow shaft.


    [ Come here... ]


    [ Cursed thing!!! ]


    With a surge of desperate strength, I snapped the shaft, tossing it aside while the arrowhead remained buried in my flesh.


    [I removed it]


    [ Even after that, the pain hasn''t decreased ]Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    [ I need to find healing... and fast ]


    I struggled to my feet, stumbling forward without clear direction.


    Pain and hunger weighed on me like giant stones strapped to my back. Ten minutes passed like an eternity.


    My condition was deteriorating rapidly. I tried to stay away from goblin territories while searching for any warriors in the vicinity.


    I''d have to lie, tell them a goblin archer shot me. The truth would only raise suspicions.


    The hunger, thirst, and pain were killing me slowly, but survival demanded I keep moving. Fate wasn''t done testing me - three goblins appeared ahead.


    I tried to slip away quietly, but their beady eyes locked onto my form.


    So i prepare myself for battle.


    [ Come here, you little lowlife. I''ll split your skulls open ]


    the three goblins had a small sword as a weapon.


    I take my weapons and then start the hunt.


    with my axe I throw it on the head of a goblin and the dagger on the other goblin, the third one who remained watching the end of his 2 companions became intimidated.


    and I pretend to take out a weapon from my coat, seeing this he starts to run away into the woods.


    [ At least one of you has enough brains to know when to run ]


    In reality, I had nothing left - the bluff had worked perfectly.


    The effort left me exhausted, barely able to walk. I had to use a branch as a makeshift crutch, my condition worsening with each passing moment.


    { Character health below 50%, immediate healing required }


    { Arrowhead remains embedded, remove before death claims you }


    [ I know... but how? ]


    I struggled forward with what remained of my strength and will...


    { Character is bleeding }


    [ I know!!! Shut up!! You''re useless! ]


    My mind was growing foggy, desperate hope fading with each labored step.


    { Time Skip: 24 Hours Later }


    Without sleep, food, or health, I crawled across the forest floor, strength completely depleted. I''d used my ability every time it became available, hoping to encounter someone - anyone.


    { Character health below 10%, heal immediately }


    { Character status: Critical }


    { Embedded arrow will soon claim the character''s life }


    [ Can''t... take these messages anymore... ]


    [ My head...is exploding... ]


    I continued crawling, but it was futile. My strength was gone, hallucinations dancing at the edges of my vision. My muscles refused to respond.


    [ I''m going to pass out... I''m going to... ]


    { Character has no remaining strength }


    { Character will soon perish }


    < rhhhr krkrkrk >


    [ Goblin voices? ]


    [ So this is how it ends? ]


    [ I didn''t want this... ]


    [ Is this my fate? ]


    < herhrhr herhr >.........................


    Female 1: Lilia, what are you doing?! Wake up and support me!!


    [ What? ][ A voice? ]


    My eyes fluttered open.


    Female 2: Okay, wait, let me prepare


    Female 1: Hurry!Female 2: Okay!


    Through blurry vision, I watched a mage and barbarian engaging the goblins in combat.


    [ What a strange pair... ]


    They made short work of the monsters.


    I began crawling toward them again, hope flickering like a dying flame.


    Female 1: Well done! Look at all this loot, hahaha!


    Female 2: Yes, you''re really strong!


    [ Almost... there... ]


    Female 2: Ahhhhhhhhh!Female 1: Lilia, what happened?!Female 2: Come here and look!


    The two women turned to stare at my pathetic form as I dragged myself toward them.


    The barbarian immediately took a defensive stance, her massive sword at the ready.


    "Help... please help me... I can''t... go on..."


    Female 1: Why should we help you? Who are you? And why are you in this condition?


    "I''ll tell you everything... please... save me first"


    Pride meant nothing now - survival was all that mattered.


    "Please... I''ve traveled so far... help me... I''ll be forever in your debt"


    The barbarian remained unconvinced.


    Female 2: Come on, Frenya, let''s help him. His condition is severe - he looks like he''s about to die.


    Female 1: No, Lilia. I''ve heard humans can''t be trusted. Better to leave him like this. Besides, look at his clothing - he looks like a looter. And his face makes me want to kill him already.


    "If you want, I''ll give you my loot... please help me... I''m begging you"


    Female 1: Really? How much do you have?


    "I''ve killed more than 54 goblins... the void stars are in my pockets"


    Female 2: But do we really need to take his loot, Frenya? Doesn''t that seem too cruel?


    Female 1: Not at all. It''s the price he''ll pay for being saved. Compared to life, this price means nothing.


    The barbarian extracted the void stars from my pockets.


    "Please... save me now... I can''t... hold on... any longer"


    Female 1: Do you want to save him?


    Female 2: Are you really asking me that? After taking his loot?


    Female 1: Fine then, heal him while I remove the arrow.


    The barbarian''s strong hands gripped the arrowhead.


    "AHHHHHAAAAAHHHAAAH!"


    Female 1: Stop screaming! Are you a child?


    The mage''s healing magic washed over me like cool water.


    Gradually, the pain subsided, life flowing back into my broken body. Once the healing was complete, I could breathe normally again.


    As I stood, the barbarian resumed her defensive stance.


    "Thank you... truly thank you... I''m grateful. May I ask one more thing? Do you have any food? I''ve been starving for so long"


    Female 1: You''re not ashamed to ask for food too?


    Female 2: Come on, Frenya, don''t be like that. Here, I''ll give you some food, though it''s not much, okay?


    "Thank you so much... I''m truly grateful"


    She handed me a piece of bread and some soup. I devoured it immediately, the food tasting like ambrosia after so long without.


    Female 2: What''s your name, and what were you doing here in this condition?


    "My name is Doruuk. Doruuk Velor, and I was shot by a goblin archer. What are your names?"


    Female 2: I''m Lilia Silverwynn, a mage. Pleased to meet you.


    Female 1: I''m Frenya. And that''s all you need to know.


    [ Silverwynn... I''ve heard that name before... Ah yes, one of the most recognized families in the magic sector ]


    "Silverwynn... I know that name"


    Lilia: Yes, my family is quite famous.


    Frenya: Lilia, you don''t need to associate with this man. And you, get out of here before I cut you with my sword.


    "I''m grateful for your help. I hope I can repay you someday."


    With those words, I departed to complete my mission and return.When I was far enough away...


    Lilia and Frenya''s conversation:


    Lilia: He was such an enigmatic man, very dark, don''t you think, Frenya? He didn''t ask anything and just left. But what is he, a swordsman? A mage? I was curious to find out.And the way he was dressed was strange, with those long, dark clothes.


    Frenya: Yes, you''re right, he was quite strange. When I was taking out the void stars from his pockets, I saw he had a dagger and small axe as weapons, but they weren''t strong as real weapons. But how long had he been crawling like that?


    Lilia: Yes, you''re right. He''s a very strange person.


    Chapter End

 Chapter 6: Return

    [ ] = main character thoughts


    - my treasures and what hurts more, my pride.


    She didn''t even try to hide how much she looked down on me while saving my life.


    She didn''t need to say anything - her shiny, clean armor next to my dirty clothes said it all.


    [Yeah, they saved me... but at what price?]


    Anger burns in my chest like fire. My heart pounds as I remember how she treated me.


    her laughs,   her looks,   the way she treated me like I was nothing but dirt under her boots.


    [I can''t take this shame anymore...]


    My fists are so tight my nails dig into my palms. In my mind, one thought becomes clear as day.


    [I have to get stronger. That''s the only way. In this world, only the strong get to live in peace.]


    This place feels smaller as I think about this.


    But then I remember something different: the mage.


    There was something special about her, like a light in this dark world.


    The way she looked at me, how she reached out to help without thinking twice... In a place where everyone acts like hungry wolves, someone like her won''t last long. This world is cruel, and she''ll learn that soon. Thinking about this makes my chest hurt.


    [Time to go. I need to finish this mission. No more getting distracted.]


    I stand up even though everything hurts.


    [This time will be different. No more mistakes. No more being weak.]


    I move in the shadows like a hunter, watching each goblin before I strike. My stomach hurts from hunger, but that''s just how it is down here. In this world, you do what you must to stay alive.


    The goblins fall to my blade one by one. It''s not pretty, but it''s necessary. Their green blood stains the ground, and before their bodies disappear and bekame a void star, I eat their flesh. It tastes awful, but when you''re starving, you can''t be picky.


    [Aghhh, this tastes horrible... But staying alive isn''t supposed to taste good.]


    I do three things over and over:


    <ol>


    <li>Kill goblins as quietly as I can</li>


    <li>Eat their flesh before it disappears, trying not to throw up</li>


    <li>Grab all the void stars I can find</li>


    </ol>


    I sneak around like a shadow, getting better at it with each kill. I lure lone goblins away and kill them before they can make a sound. Their eyes go wide with fear just before my blade hits them.


    When I find groups, I use my ability - thirty seconds where I move super fast and quiet as a ghost. Time slows down, and I dance between them like death itself.Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    I''m not bragging. This is just what I have to do to live. I stay away from other warriors now. The shame of what happened still burns too much. Being alone is safer anyway.


    While the others were sleeping here in a group, where one was watching and the other was sleeping. I was alone not sleeping at all, my eyes were hurting, but I had to survive.


    During my time here, I even saw a huge goblin, bigger than any I''d seen before.


    It was like a mountain of muscle with sharp teeth. Its roar shook the whole cave. I had to run away, using my ability.


    [Running... the one thing I''m good at. A dead thief can''t steal anything, and I''m not dying in this place.]


    I haven''t seen the barbarian woman or the mage since then. I''ve been too busy trying to stay alive to think about them. They feel like people from another dimension now.


    [Finally... just two more goblins and I''m done.]


    My pockets are so full of void stars I can barely move. They make noise when I walk, like coins jingling.


    [There they are! The last ones...]


    But just as I''m feeling happy about being almost done, I see two figures step out of the shadows. Their smiles remind me of hungry wolves.


    warrior 1: "Well, well... looks like our  friend has been busy."


    warrior 2: "Yeah, why not share some of that with us? Sharing is caring, right?"


    [Great... I know what''s coming next. They''re like wolves who smell blood.]


    I turn and start running.


    They shout threats behind me as I run.


    I use my ability one last time, dropping some void stars as I escape. Better to lose some treasure than my life.


    The portal to the city finally appears before me, a bluish glow promising salvation.


    [Ah, Drakathen... never thought I''d miss you so much.]


    When I stepped out of the portal, people stared at me like I was some kind of monster. Can''t blame them, really. I was covered in dirt and blood, my pockets bulging with void stars. My hands were all scarred up, and my face... well, let''s just say I''d seen better days.


    But I wasn''t paying much attention to their stares. Around me, I saw so many different faces showing all kinds of emotions.


    Some people were laughing and hugging. They were the lucky ones whose loved ones made it back. They held each other tight, crying happy tears and patting each other''s backs.


    Others weren''t so lucky. They were crying for the ones who didn''t make it back. Sons, brothers, husbands, fathers - gone forever. I couldn''t look at their faces for too long. Yeah, I know this is supposed to be just a game, but seeing that kind of pain up close... it hits different. Makes it feel real.


    And then there were the quiet ones. Just standing there, waiting, hoping their loved ones would still come through that portal. Their eyes never leaving the blue light, holding onto hope like it was the last coin in their pocket.


    [Time to get to the guild and get this over with.]


    As soon as I walked in, everyone turned to look at me. Some looked scared, others curious, a few even looked disgusted. I didn''t care.


    The guild secretary looked up and smiled that fake smile of hers. "Welcome back." Then she got a better look at me and her eyes widened. "Well, well... didn''t think you''d make it."


    "Yet here I am, standing right in front of you." "So you are."


    I pulled out my void stars and dropped them on her desk. "Count them and give me my money."


    "Of course," she said, starting to sort through them.


    After a while, she looked up. "You''ve collected 214 void stars. Let me break down the conversion for you. Each void star is worth one bronze coin. Ten bronze coins make one silver, and ten silver make one gold. I won''t bore you with the rest. In total, you''ve earned two gold coins, one silver, and four bronze."


    Not a fortune, but enough to keep me alive.


    I took the coins and immediately pulled out a silver one. "Here''s for my debt."


    The secretary''s eyes narrowed. "So you are a man of your word. I''ve been watching you since you came in, wondering if you''d mention the debt. If you hadn''t..." She drew her finger across her throat. "Your head would have been decorating our wall before sunset. But you kept your word. You''ve earned a little respect from me."


    "Thanks. Dorruk always keeps his promises."


    After leaving the guild, I needed to find a place to stay. Nothing fancy - just somewhere cheap and quiet. I didn''t want to waste money, so I started searching the streets of Drakathen.


    After looking around for hours, I found a small room for rent. The owner was a middle-aged guy named Hector who made his living selling fish.


    "Are you Hector?" I asked when I found him. "Yeah, that''s me. What do you want?"


    "I saw your room for rent." "Ah, right."


    He looked me up and down. "Why would you want to stay here? There are much nicer places around."


    "I need somewhere cheap and quiet. This fits the bill."


    "You''re a weird one," he said, eyeing my clothes. "Those clothes make you look like a criminal."


    "They keep me warm and they''re comfortable. That''s all there is to it."


    "Okay, but are you sure? This place smells like fish. Might bother you."


    "I don''t mind."


    "Well then, the price is one gold coin per month. Not asking much. But there''s one more thing - you''ll have to talk with me sometimes. Living alone gets boring, you know? Keep me company now and then, and we''ll call it even."


    "That''s fine by me."


    "Then we have a deal."


    I handed him the gold coin and moved in that day.


    The next morning, when I felt a bit better and my wounds had started to heal, I knew what I had to do next.


    [Time to start my real mission.]


    There''s someone out there who can help me get stronger, someone who can teach me how to survive in this world.


    His name is THORIN IRONFIST.


    [And I won''t stop until I find him.]


    chapter-end.

 Chapter 7: The Butchers Path 1

    As far as I know, Thorin lives in a nearby village.


    [I''ve heard the whispers about him. A simple butcher, they say. But I know the truth.]


    In the game, he was just another NPC like any other.


    At least, that''s what everyone thought.


    But one day, while reading some hidden articles about the game, I discovered something incredible: Thorin wasn''t a simple NPC. He was a secret easter egg, a hidden master.


    [Perhaps it was luck that led me to that article. Or maybe it was fate.]


    For a novice like me, seeking to improve my skills with the blade, this discovery was like finding treasure.


    And that''s why I''m here now, sitting on this public carriage headed to his village.


    The journey is peaceful.


    We''re only about ten passengers, each lost in their own thoughts.


    Three hours of travel - not too long, but enough to let my anxiety grow.


    The name of village is Bitehill.


    Bitehill It is a place known for its gluttonous delights, as the village itself is quite small. What makes it famous is its exceptional food;


    in fact, many people visit specifically to enjoy the renowned culinary offerings.


    [Will he accept me as his student? Or will this journey have been in vain?]


    When we finally arrive, the village''s atmosphere immediately strikes me. It''s so different from the city - calm, peaceful. The air itself feels lighter here.


    First and foremost, I went to sample the traditional cuisine of this village. After tasting it, I understood why people rave about the food here¡ªit was truly delicious.


    [I can''t afford to waste time. I need to find him.]Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    After lunch, I begin my search. His cottage isn''t hard to find - it''s nearby, the locals tell me.


    After a short walk, I''m standing before his door.


    The house is sturdy, built with rough, unpainted stones.


    Time has left its marks on the walls, but this only makes it more imposing.


    [This is it. No turning back now.]


    I knock on the door, and the sound seems to echo in the afternoon silence.


    When the door opens, I have to hold my breath. An elderly man towers before me, but "elderly" doesn''t do justice to his presence.


    He''s a giant, taller than me, with white hair flowing down to his shoulders. His long, well-groomed mustache frames a face marked by experience. Thick eyebrows shadow deep-set eyes, and his massive frame speaks of years of hard work.


    His hands - those enormous hands with callused palms - tell stories of countless blades handled. He wears a red checkered sweater with sleeves rolled up to his elbows, dark blue pants, and well-worn leather shoes.


    "Good morning, what do you want?" His voice is deep as thunder.


    [Don''t tremble. Not now.]


    "Good morning, I''m Doruuk Verol. I want to become your apprentice, to master the blade. I want to learn how to better use the dagger on meat."


    His eyes pierce me like swords. I feel as if a mountain is judging me, and for a moment, courage falters in my chest.


    "And why should I teach you?"


    "Because I want to become strong, and learn to survive in this world."


    "But there are many people out there who are much better and more skilled than me," he replies. "So why have you come to a butcher whom no one knows?"


    [This is the moment of truth.]


    I smile, feeling a strange calm spread through me.


    "Because everyone here is an animal, and only a true butcher knows how to handle them."


    His laughter shakes me. "I like your answer, but first you must show me if you''re worthy of being taught or not."


    "Very well, I''m ready."


    [Everything I''ve learned so far... it''s time to prove it.]


    He leads me inside his dwelling. The rough stone walls seem to whisper stories of years of practice and dedication. In the backyard, his true domain, he has me wait while he goes to get the necessary tools.


    He returns with a massive wooden cutting board and a sheep already lifeless. "Well, young man, show me what you can do. Here''s the sheep, create me its meat that should melt in my mouth the moment I taste it. If you do it, I''ll teach you; if not, you''ll have to leave."


    [Don''t fail. Not now.]


    I get to work, remembering everything I learned during my adventure with the goblins in the portal.


    [ During my time working at the fast food restaurant, I had the opportunity to observe the meat processing several times. With this experience, I will do my utmost to complete this task. ]


    I bring water to a boil and immerse the sheep for a few minutes. The heat gently melts the fat under the fleece, making the subsequent work easier.


    Thorin never takes his eyes off me. His gaze follows every movement like a hawk studying its prey.


    [Focus. Every cut must be perfect.]


    With precise movements, I remove the fleece starting from the feet. My dagger naturally finds the right points to cut. I rinse the meat in cold water, removing any impurities, then begin sectioning it into perfect portions.


    I''m about to prepare the meat for cooking when Thorin raises a hand. "Wait, that''s good."


    [But I''m not finished yet...]


    He takes a piece of raw meat and puts it in his mouth.


    "But it''s still raw!" I exclaim in surprise.


    "I don''t need you to cook it to verify. It can be discovered before that."


    I watch as he slowly chews, savoring every nuance of flavor. His deep eyes close for a moment, completely focusing on the sensation.


    [My fate rests in that bite of raw meat.]


    When he reopens his eyes, his gaze pierces my soul. "I liked what you did, and you''ve convinced me. Well done. For the next month, you''ll stay here with me, and I''ll show you how to hunt for real."


    [The beginning of my true journey starts now.]


    Chapter-End

 Chapter 8: The Butchers Path 2

    A single bed, a rough wooden nightstand, and a window overlooking the courtyard where I had just passed my test.


    The morning air was freezing, and my breath formed small clouds in front of my face.


    Knives of different sizes were laid out neatly on a wooden table, each with its own specific purpose.


    Thorin said as I approached, " you must understand your prey.


    Every animal is different.


    Every muscle, every bone, every tendon has a story to tell."


    These weren''t simple sketches - they were works of art, drawn with a precision that spoke of years of observation and practice.


    "This is where the muscle attaches to the bone. A wrong cut here can ruin the entire piece of meat. But a precise cut..."


    His voice softened, almost reverent. "A precise cut can make the difference between food and art."


    Thorin wasn''t just a butcher - he was a scholar, an artist, a master in the truest sense of the word.


    With fluid movements that spoke of decades of practice, he began to prepare it.


    The aroma that filled the room when he started cooking was almost hypnotic.


    The meat literally melted on my tongue, releasing flavors I didn''t know could exist.This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    "The animal it came from, how it lived, how it was treated - all of this is reflected in the taste. A good butcher doesn''t just cut meat - he reads these stories and tells them through his work."


    On that day, I will look within myself and thank Thorin for all that he has taught me.


    "Tomorrow we start with the blades."


    Whatever it was, I vow to you, Thorin, that one day your tales will echo through the streets of this world, captivating hearts and inspiring souls.


    I promise you that your legacy will not fade into obscurity;


    it will shine brightly, illuminating the paths of those who follow.


    On that day, I will reflect on my journey and express my gratitude for the invaluable lessons you have imparted, shaping not just my destiny but the very essence of who I am.


    Day 2 - The Beginning of the Blades


    Thorin''s words from the night before still echoed in my mind: "Tomorrow, we begin with the blades."


    Dozens of blades of every shape and size gleamed in the dawn light.


    Some looked like ordinary butcher knives, while others had forms I didn¡¯t recognize.


    "Every blade has a voice," Thorin said, picking up what appeared to be the simplest knife. "Before you can cut anything, you must learn to listen."


    We spent the entire morning just holding different knives. Thorin had me close my eyes and feel the weight of each blade, its balance, how it responded to the smallest movement of my wrist.


    [I thought we¡¯d start cutting right away. How wrong I was.]


    <hr>


    Day 5 - The Dance of the Blades


    "No, no, NO!" Thorin''s voice thundered across the courtyard. "You''re still trying to force the blade. You must let it glide."


    It had been three days since we¡¯d actually started cutting, and I was still practicing on vegetables.


    Carrots, mostly. I never would have thought that cutting a carrot could be so complicated.


    "Watch," he said, positioning himself behind me. His massive hands guided mine in a fluid motion. "Feel how the blade wants to move? You¡¯re not cutting¡ªyou¡¯re accompanying the cut."


    [It was as if the knife had a will of its own.]


    <hr>


    Day 8 - The First Blood


    "Today, we move on to something more serious," Thorin announced, placing a fresh fish on the worktable.


    My hands trembled slightly as I gripped the filleting knife.


    "Don¡¯t be afraid," he said gently. "The fish will tell you where to cut."


    And strangely, he was right.


    As I worked, I could almost feel how the flesh and bones guided the blade.


    When I finished, Thorin nodded in approval.


    "Your first decent fillet. Tonight, we¡¯ll eat it."


    [A fish had never tasted so delicious.]


    <hr>


    Day 12 - The Speaking Bones


    "Bones have memory," Thorin said, holding up a beef bone. "Look at these striations. They tell you how the animal moved, how strong it was, even what it ate."


    We spent entire days studying bones, learning to identify the joints, where muscles attached, how to separate the parts with surgical precision.


    [It was like reading a story written in the very body of the animal.]


    <hr>


    Day 15 - The Market Lesson


    "No knives today," Thorin announced one morning. "We¡¯re going to the market."


    The village market was small but lively. Thorin taught me how to recognize quality meat at a glance, to haggle with vendors, to choose the best cuts.


    "A butcher isn¡¯t just a craftsman," he explained. "He¡¯s a trader, a judge, a counselor. People trust us to feed their families."


    <hr>


    Day 18 - The Rhythm of the Cut


    "Close your eyes," Thorin ordered. "Listen to the sound of the blade."


    He had me cut for hours blindfolded, guiding me only by sound and touch. Each type of meat had a different sound, a different rhythm.


    "The meat sings," he said. "You just have to learn the melody."


    [I never imagined that butchery could be so¡­ musical.]


    <hr>


    Day 22 - The Test of the Cold


    Dawn found us in an icy cellar. "The cold is both friend and foe," Thorin said. "It changes the meat, makes it harder to work with. But also more precise, if you know how to handle it."


    My fingers were numb, but I kept cutting. Thorin smiled at my determination.


    <hr>


    Day 25 - The Art of Presentation


    "Presentation is everything," Thorin said, carefully arranging cuts of meat on a tray. "We eat with our eyes first."


    He taught me how to lay out the cuts, how to highlight each piece, how to transform even the humblest cuts into something valuable.


    [There¡¯s beauty even in simplicity.]


    <hr>


    Day 28 - The Eve of the Trial


    On the evening of the twenty-eighth day, Thorin sat with me by the fire.


    "You¡¯ve learned a lot," he said, his voice softer than usual. "But there¡¯s one last thing you need to know. A butcher must know his meat from beginning to end. Tomorrow, we hunt."


    [Hunt? He¡¯d never mentioned that before.]


    "The real test begins at dawn," he continued. "A butcher must know how to choose his prey, track it, understand it. Only then can he truly honor the meat."


    I looked at my hands, calloused after a month of working with blades. They were no longer the hands of a player¡ªthey were the hands of an apprentice butcher.


    [Tomorrow, I will prove everything I¡¯ve learned.]


    "Rest well," Thorin said as he stood. "You¡¯ll need it."


    That night, lying in bed, I thought back on everything I¡¯d learned. It hadn¡¯t just been knife training¡ªit had been a transformation. And tomorrow, I would have to prove myself worthy of it all.


    [The true test is about to begin...]


    Chapter-End.

 The Butchers Path 3 ( last part )

    [ ] = Main character thoughts


    Dawn was painting the sky pink when we left the cabin. The air was cold and sharp, and my breath formed small clouds in front of my face. Thorin walked silently beside me, his steps sure despite the uneven terrain.


    [I would have never imagined that the final test would be a hunt.]


    The forest welcomed us with its embrace of shadows and whispers. The ancient, gnarled trees seemed to watch us as we ventured deeper into their realm. Thorin stopped in a small clearing, where the light of the rising sun filtered through the leaves, creating dancing patterns on the ground.


    "A hunter must learn to become part of the environment that surrounds them," Thorin said, his voice barely above a whisper. He bent down, taking a handful of moist earth. "They must disappear, merge with the air itself."


    It was at that moment that something changed. The air around him seemed to vibrate slightly, and for an instant, I saw something ancient in his eyes, something that went beyond the simple village butcher.


    [Thorin Ironfist, my first master.]


    Thorin raised his hand, commanding silence. A deer had emerged among the trees, unaware of our presence. It was a magnificent creature, its coat gleaming in the morning light.


    Thorin took the simplest of the knives we had brought with us. With movements as fluid as water, he began approaching the animal. It was as if he had transformed into a shadow, each step perfectly synchronized with the natural sounds of the forest.


    [I can''t even hear his footsteps...]


    The deer continued grazing peacefully, completely unaware of the predator approaching. In an instant, everything happened. Thorin''s hand moved with impossible speed. I only saw a flash of the blade, a movement so precise and delicate it almost seemed like a caress.


    The animal didn''t even have time to startle. As if in a gentle embrace, it collapsed into Thorin''s arms, its eyes closing as if slipping into a peaceful sleep.


    Thorin lifted the deer with surprising gentleness, carrying it toward me as if he were carrying a sleeping child.This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    "Did you see?" he asked softly. "The animal shouldn''t even notice. No pain, no fear. It falls into your hands as if in a dream. This is the true meaning of hunting. The others... the others are brutal, violent. That is not our way."


    [Every movement was exactly as it should be.]


    "Now it''s your turn," he said, gently laying down the deer. "Show me what you''ve learned."


    I nodded, gripping my dagger. It took time before finding our next prey, but finally, I saw it: a little lamb, grazing in a small clearing. I took a handful of fresh grass and approached slowly.


    The lamb, attracted by the grass, trotted toward me. Its purity, its innocence... everything about it spoke of life. As it ate from my hand, I raised the dagger. It was the perfect moment.


    That''s when I saw her. The lamb''s mother, motionless among the trees. Her eyes... those deep dark eyes were filled with an emotion that pierced my soul. It wasn''t fear, it wasn''t anger. It was pure desperation - the desperation of a mother watching death approach her child and knowing she could do nothing to prevent it.


    [Those eyes... they tell a story I cannot ignore.]


    My hand trembled. The dagger suddenly felt like it weighed a thousand pounds. With a deep breath, I lowered the weapon and stepped away, letting the lamb run back to its mother.


    When I returned to Thorin, I expected to see disappointment on his face. Instead, I found a smile of understanding.


    "If you had killed that lamb, you would have passed the technical test," he said gently, "but you would have lost something more precious than your skill. Humanity, Doruuk. A hunter must know not only how to kill but also when to show mercy."


    He placed a hand on my shoulder. "You have completed your training with me. You are free now, ready to survive in the hunting portal."


    I looked at him, amazed. "How... how do you know I came for this?"


    Thorin chuckled softly. "I have lived a long life in this world, my boy. I know how to recognize determination in your eyes. Your eyes... they spoke of survival, of necessity. And now they speak of understanding."


    [It wasn''t just training... it was a life lesson.]


    "Don''t forget me," he added, as the sun climbed higher in the sky. "And remember: true strength lies not only in knowing how to take a life but in knowing when to preserve it."


    Afterward, I gathered my belongings from Thorin''s house and returned to the city of Drakathen.


    Once there, I went to see Hector. He didn''t ask for money for the month since I wasn''t present, so he didn''t want payment. I thanked him for this and headed outside.


    There, I heard the guard shouting that the hunting portal would open soon.


    So I began to prepare, buying a backpack to collect the void stars, an inexpensive healing potion, and some other supplies and food. In the end, I was left with only 2 silver coins.


    Then I headed to the guild to see if anything had changed, but everything seemed normal in its place.


    The secretary, seeing me, said, "It''s been quite a while since I''ve seen you, you know."


    "Yes, I know. I was away."


    "Welcome back. Are you going into the portal?" "Yes." "Well, don''t die." With a smile on my face, I said, "Don''t worry."


    Chapter-End.

 Chapter 10: Second Time

    [ ] = the main character''s thoughts


    The First Breath Before Battle


    The first breath before battle is always the most important.


    A breath that separates life from death, success from failure.


    I learned this lesson in the hardest possible way, and last time was nothing short of a miracle.


    [Every breath could be the last. Remember always.]


    The hunting portal is a cauldron of conflicting emotions:


    Fear.


    Excitement.


    Determination.


    Survival.


    Faces covered by iron masks, eyes hiding stories of past battles, of lost companions, of exterminated monsters.


    Around me, warriors move like precise machinery.


    Each has a destiny, a story, a goal.


    Some are veterans, their patched armor telling of countless battles.


    Others are young, their eyes still bright with hope that the portal will soon extinguish.


    I see this for the second time in this world - some families will celebrate their loved ones'' return, while others will weep for those lost.


    My memories swirl like fragmented images.


    The last time I went. Was a nightmare.


    Goblin.


    The warriors.


    The arrow.


    The pain.


    The dessperation.


    The will to live.


    The meeting with the mage and barbarian.


    I remember everything.


    Everything happened there, that  adventure was more than just an adventure - it was a map. A map of battle, of pain, of survival.


    [I don''t want to relive that experience.]


    The guard commander''s voice cuts through the air like lightning. "Prepare! The portal is about to open!"


    A collective shiver runs down the hunters'' spines.


    The most experienced grip their weapons with mechanical precision.


    The young tremble, hiding their terror behind masks of supposed courage.


    I adjust my dagger meticulously, close my eyes, and thank Thorin. Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    I check every detail with watchmaker''s precision.


    The blade is perfectly sharpened.


    The handle fits my hand like a natural extension of my body.


    [Precision is life. Detail is survival.]


    The portal opens.


    A vortex of dark energy that devours hunters one after another.


    It''s not a simple passage.


    It''s a threshold between worlds, between life and death.


    When it swallows me, I respawn again in the goblin''s lair.


    [Better for me.]


    [What mission do I have this time?]


    [The mission is clear: 450 monsters.]


    [Good, I''ll try to kill more to get a better bounty.]


    The forest welcomes me again with its ancient whispers.


    Millennial trees stand as silent witnesses.


    Leaves that tell stories of hunting and death.


    The air is dense with anticipation, with hidden threat.


    I begin walking, carefully observing everything.


    This time I encounter traps, well-hidden under leaves.


    If I don''t avoid them, serious problems can occur.


    So I move carefully and dodge everything.


    After a while, I find some goblins.


    [But this time is different.]


    Now I don''t just see goblins.


    My eyes have changed.


    Where I once saw only shapeless silhouettes, now I discover hidden details.


    A barely pulsing vein. An almost imperceptible breath. A movement that betrays a weakness.


    [I must wait for the right moment, and then when I find it, I''ll finish these goblins.]


    When an isolated goblin presents itself.


    [Good, it''s time.]


    My attack is a flash of deadly precision.


    "Chhak!"


    The blade slides across the neck with surgical precision.


    So fast that even the sound of death is suffocated.


    I am like a shadow, lethal and silent.


    My speed and precision had improved.


    I killed those goblins with extreme ease, working like a thief who carries his prey into darkness and, once the right moment comes, removes the head from the body.


    After a while, I see a group of goblins gathering.


    Numerous. Threatening.


    [I''ll show them the meaning of hunting.]


    [ I want to use my skill, to see what will happen ]


    I use my skill.


    Like a storm of steel and blood.


    My movements are those of a perfect predator.


    Boom!


    Like a night owl - silent, deadly.


    In their eyes, I read only pure terror.


    They cannot comprehend the death devouring them.


    Heads fly away, one after another, in a mechanical dance of death. Void stars scatter before me, silent witnesses to a carnage.


    Even the largest goblins fall under my blows.


    When a monster as tall as a tree stands before me, I study it first.


    Every muscle of its body is an open book to me.


    With surgical precision, I climb on a tree.


    when I find the exact moment.


    I jump on his gigantic body.


    I identify the weak point.


    With extreme stealth.


    I  cut the main nerve of his neck.


    A choked scream, then silence.


    I keep hunting like this for a while.


    [Hunting becomes easier.]


    So i decide to go to the next portal level.


    In the second portal there are two worlds:


    1) The Void Prairie


    2) Frozen Mountains.


    [I can do this.]


    I enter the portal.


    Perpetual darkness envelops this realm.


    [Seems I''ve spawned in the Void Prairie.]


    [The conditions are difficult. But I am ready.]


    Here, it''s constantly night.


    The monsters here are very different from the goblins.


    One of them is a werewolf - fast and agile, with attacks primarily using their fangs.


    They''re also larger than the average human.


    [Not good for me.]


    [Luckily, I brought material to light a fire.]


    I light a torch to see better.


    In these parts, there''s more silence compared to the goblin''s lair.


    But silence is not a good thing. Often, silence here represents that something is about to happen.


    Suddenly - movement!


    A werewolf launches itself at me, trying to pierce my chest.


    For a millisecond, I move. I roll instinctively.


    The beast soars over me, barely touching me.


    I quickly rise and take position.


    Its eyes burn with a crimson red, full of primordial rage.


    The teeth shine like sharp daggers.


    Without waiting, it starts running towards me.


    [ it''s fast.]


    I try to dodge its attack.


    [Will the dagger do anything?]


    Once I get a clear path, I cut its left hand.


    It begins to howl, and then I throw my dagger into its throat and it falls.


    [Oh dear!, that was tough.]


    [Although still a low-level monster like the goblins, it''s more powerful. I must avoid them in groups, or I''ll meet a bad end.]


    I collect the void star, seeking temporary shelter.


    Exhaustion assails me, but sleeping is a luxury I cannot afford.


    [If only I had a companion to watch my back...]


    A cry tears the silence. A familiar voice.


    Lillia - the mage! - is running? From whom? Tears streaming down her face.


    Our gazes meet.


    She approaches quickly.


    "Doruuk!"


    [ she cries! ]


    "Help us!"


    Chapter-End.

 Chapter 11: A Warriors Choice

    { } = system message


    Her voice trembled as she spoke: "Frenya and I were just going about our business when we encountered a small group of monsters.


    Defeating them wasn''t difficult, but while we were exhausted from the fight, scavengers surrounded us.


    Frenya... she wouldn''t give up, even though she was drained.


    She created an opening for me to escape and ordered me to run.


    I refused at first, but she insisted.


    She''s still there... I don''t know what''s happening to her.


    Please, we have to save her!"


    Within minutes, we reached the location.


    With a silent gesture, I motioned for Lillia to follow me behind a large boulder for cover.


    Follow my lead exactly. Clear?" She responded with a slight nod.


    [ this make me nervous a little bit ]


    Frenya stood defiant, her sword raised against her attackers.


    The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    He dodged, but in doing so, left himself open.


    As he blindly launched his ice weapon at my protected form, I seized Frenya''s sword and in one fluid motion, separated his head from his shoulders.


    The Plan


    "Once he''s down, fighting will become easier."


    After the Battle


    Chapter-End

 Chapter 12: Alliance

    [ ] = main character thoughts


    "Are you crazy, Lillia? Why should we go with him?" Frenya''s voice trembled with distrust as she pointed at me.


    Lillia, with that typical calm of the Silverwynn nobles, responded quietly: "It''s better this way. We''ll be stronger, and it will be harder to get into trouble."


    "You''re right, but I don''t trust a human," Frenya retorted, her voice bitter with resentment. "Humans are deceivers. They wait for the exact moment and then kill you for their own interests."


    The silence that followed weighed like lead. [I can''t blame them], I thought. Human raiders had tainted our race''s reputation. Distrust had become the first law of survival, even among humans themselves.


    "You''re right, barbarian," I conceded, trying to ease the tension. "I won''t say anything about this matter."


    "Good that you understand," said Frenya. "Then you can leave."


    "ENOUGH!"


    Lillia''s shout split the air like lightning. Her eyes shone with a determination that brooked no argument. "Frenya, I order you to say nothing more. And you, Doruuk, you will come with us. If you refuse my order, when you return to the city, you''ll meet a bad end."


    [The Silverwynn family isn''t the kind of enemy I want to make], I reflected.


    "Fine, I''ll come, but if I see danger, I will waste no time in running away" I yielded, then couldn''t help but ask, "but is the barbarian your servant?"


    Frenya snapped like a wounded beast. "Hey, watch your mouth! Have you looked in a mirror? You look like a thief!"


    [I''m used to hearing that phrase by now. ]


    Lillia intervened with a firm voice: "Frenya and I have been friends since childhood. Professionally speaking, she''s my guard whenever I cross the portal. We''re both eighth rank, and please call her by her name."


    [They''re stronger than me.]


    I decided to change the subject. "Well, let''s move. Lillia, I have a proposal."


    "Tell me?"If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    "Since you have a magical item box that can hold objects without weight, could you collect all the void stars we find? We''ll move faster without having to waste time gathering them manually."


    "Excellent idea," Lillia agreed.


    We collected the fallen raiders'' equipment, and the other''s thing''s. The crossbow was now mine, while the ice sword returned to its normal form with its owner''s death.


    "Where are we going?" I asked. "Do you prefer to explore the surroundings or do you have a specific destination?"


    Frenya shook her head. "It''s better if we stay in this area."


    "Alright, let''s begin."


    The monster hunt began in tense silence. "Keep your eyes and ears open," I warned. "Monsters here can appear from any direction."


    "We know that already," Frenya snapped.


    I didn''t have time to respond before we saw them: five werewolves emerging from the shadows, their eyes gleaming with ancestral hunger.


    "Get ready," I whispered. "Frenya, front line, but defense only. Lillia, stay back. I''ll be in the middle with the crossbow, then move to attack. Frenya, don''t attack first."


    "I''m stronger than¡ª"


    "Frenya," Lillia interrupted, "listen to him."


    The strategy worked perfectly. Frenya, imposing with her giant sword, kept the monsters at bay while I struck the first wolf with a precise bolt. Lillia completed the work with a devastating fireball that swept away the remaining four.


    "See? No need for close combat," I commented, satisfied.


    The hours passed with increasingly challenging hunts. We encountered creatures that defied imagination: hybrids of alligators and tigers, beasts that seemed to emerge from the darkest nightmares. Fatigue began to weigh on my shoulders.


    "I need to rest," I finally admitted. "I haven''t slept since I entered the portal. Can someone take the first watch?"


    "I''ll do it," Frenya offered. "You both sleep."


    I settled down with my blanket, using my backpack as a makeshift pillow. Sleep overwhelmed me almost instantly, but before losing consciousness completely, I heard their voices whispering in the night.


    "Why aren''t you sleeping, Lillia?"


    "I''m not sleepy yet. But he was really exhausted."


    "He fell asleep so quickly... as if he knew nothing would happen to him."


    "It''s strange, isn''t it? Such trust from someone who should be more cautious..."


    [If only you knew how much I''ve learned to sleep with one eye open...]


    Time passed, and it was my turn to keep watch. Frenya woke me with an unkind kick.


    "Wake up. My turn to rest."


    I positioned myself beside the fire, scanning the impenetrable darkness surrounding us. The silence was almost unnatural, broken only by the crackling of flames. After about an hour, I caught voices in the distance. Two figures approached.


    [Swordsmen, both of them. Their posture gives them away.]


    I rose slowly, crossbow ready.


    "What do you want?" My voice was low but firm.


    "Easy, brother," said the first one. "We''re not here to harm you."


    "Then what are you looking for?"


    "Just... a business opportunity."


    The second one stepped forward. "Listen to our offer, friend."


    "Speak."


    The first swordsman smiled, a grin that turned my stomach. "See your companions sleeping? There''s high demand for powerful mages in the market, and a barbarian would make an excellent slave. We''re all humans here, you understand what I mean? Eighty percent of the profit will be yours, and your name will never be mentioned."


    "That''s an interesting offer," I said slowly, watching their expressions brighten.


    "So, what do you say?"


    My answer was as cold as the night around us. "There''s only one answer for you two, and it''s ''death''."


    Chapter-End.

 Chapter 13: Fate Unknown

    [ ] = Main character thoughts


    My hand tightened around the crossbow as I faced the two swordsmen. The first one''s voice dripped with false sweetness.


    "Think with your head," he urged, spreading his arms in a welcoming gesture. "Join us. We have connections everywhere. Those two women with you - the mage and the barbarian - they''re precious commodities. Together, they''ll fetch an incredible price. People will scramble to buy them. Think of the gold you''ll make."


    [These pathetic traffickers think they can tempt me with money?]


    "Let me tell you something," I replied, my voice cold as steel. "You made a big mistake coming here. This will be your last offer."


    The change in their expressions told me they finally understood - I wasn''t someone they could manipulate.


    The second swordsman''s face twisted into an ugly sneer. "Well, well... if you won''t do this the easy way, we''ll do it the hard way."


    In a flash, he hurled his dagger at me. His companion charged forward, sword raised high. Time seemed to slow as I smoothly dodged the dagger, bringing my crossbow up in one fluid motion. The bolt flew true, embedding itself in the charging swordsman''s skull with a sickening thud. He crumpled mid-stride, dead before he hit the ground.


    "Well, well," I mocked, turning to the remaining swordsman. "All alone now, aren''t you? I didn''t think you''d be stupid enough to charge someone holding a crossbow at range, but here we are. Your friend learned that lesson the hard way."


    "You''re making a terrible mistake," he snarled, but I could see the fear in his eyes. "We have connections everywhere. You won''t live long."


    "We''ll see about that."


    The second bolt took him in the throat. Quick. Clean. Final.


    [Idiots.]


    Moving swiftly but silently, I dragged their bodies to a more secluded spot. Lillia and Frenya slept on, unaware. I checked their possessions methodically.


    [Low-level thugs, as I thought.]


    The search yielded a few void stars, a basic regeneration potion, and the thrown dagger - nothing special, but waste not, want not. Their swords I don''t need them.


    [If they weren''t lying about their connections, I need to be careful. No evidence.]


    Making my decision, I hoisted the bodies onto my shoulders. Using my ability, I quickly transported them to the nearest monster-infested area. After removing my bolts, I positioned the bodies to make it look like monster kills, and their swords I threw there beside them. I also killed some monsters so as to make the scene seem more real. The perfect cover.


    When I returned, Lillia and Frenya were starting to stir.


    "Since you''re awake, let''s move," I said curtly.


    [The sooner we leave this area, the better.]


    "What''s the rush?" Frenya complained, stretching lazily. "Wait a bit."


    "Nobody''s waiting for anyone. Move."


    "I swear, one of these days I''m going to kill you with my bare hands," she growled.


    We gathered our gear and set out. The darkness of this place seemed to press in around us - I hadn''t seen sunlight in what felt like three days, though without a timepiece, I couldn''t be certain.


    "Did anything happen while we slept?" Frenya asked suddenly.Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.


    "No."


    [I can''t tell them I killed more people. They might start asking questions. Strange - I feel nothing when I eliminate threats like those traffickers. Maybe that should worry me. Maybe it doesn''t matter.]


    "I don''t know," I answered Lillia when she asked what to do next.


    "Let''s hunt."


    Frenya shot me an irritated look. "Hey, you could speak more civilly."


    "I am speaking normally."


    "Doesn''t seem like it."


    "Not my problem."


    We continued hunting monsters, taking down quite a few. The routine of the hunt was almost hypnotic.


    [Good, I''ve almost completed the mission.]


    "How much longer until your mission is complete?" I asked, keeping my tone neutral.


    Lillia smiled tiredly. "Just a little more."


    "Good. Once it''s done, we''ll decide whether to stay or leave."


    We pressed on through the perpetual darkness. The sun was now a distant memory.


    "Please, let''s stop," Lillia panted, her voice betraying exhaustion. "I can''t go on, I need to rest."


    I surveyed the surrounding area. "Alright, we''ll rest for a while."


    We headed toward what seemed like a relatively safe spot. Lillia collapsed to the ground with a sigh of relief. "Finally, I can rest. I couldn''t go on anymore."


    "Come on, let''s eat something," Frenya suggested, pulling out provisions.


    As we ate in silence, Lillia watched me curiously. "Doruuk?"


    "Yes?"


    "Since we''ve been traveling together, we haven''t talked much. We''ve just been hunting continuously... could you tell us something about yourself?"


    "There''s nothing interesting to know about me. You''d be bored."


    [But there is something I''m curious about...]


    "Lillia, Frenya," I asked suddenly, "do you two have abilities?"


    They looked at me intently before answering in unison: "You mean Luminousa?"


    "No, I mean abilities."


    "What are you talking about? What abilities?"


    [Wait a minute... My ''escape'' ability can''t come from Luminousa. When I arrived here, there was no indication of obtaining a Luminousa - it would have been marked in the Luminousa bar. There''s something deeper behind my ability. AHH! myself for skipping so many parts of the game... who knows what else I don''t know.]


    "The ones you rarely receive from monsters," I specified, trying not to betray my thoughts.


    Frenya perked up slightly. "Oh yes, that''s called Luminousa. We don''t have any yet, but I''d like to have at least one."


    "I see."


    Lillia leaned forward slightly. "Come on, Doruuk, tell us about yourself. Let''s do this: I''ll go first, then you. Okay?"


    "Fine," I conceded reluctantly, "but I don''t have much to say."


    "It doesn''t matter, it''ll be a pleasure to hear anything you want to share," Lillia smiled. "Well... as you know, I come from a wealthy family. You''re probably wondering why, being rich, I come here to hunt, risking my life. When I was little, I read many stories about heroes who fought monsters without fear, how they were kind to people and helped them in every possible way. From there, I decided that when I grew up, I would become a warrior, to experience those feelings. I don''t want to stay locked up studying only magic, that''s why I came with Frenya to try, at least..."


    Silence fell heavily between us.


    "Know this," I said finally, my voice hard but not cruel. "Real life isn''t a fairy tale."


    "I know," Lillia replied with determination in her eyes, "but I don''t want to stay still doing nothing out of fear."


    "Good."


    "Now tell us about yourself."


    [What can I say? I don''t know anything about myself either...]


    "Well, I arriv-"


    A blood-curdling scream split the air, interrupting me. We jumped to our feet, and our eyes widened in horror: the black sky was mutating into a luminescent blood red, as if it were about to collapse upon us.


    "What! is this thing?" Frenya''s voice trembled.


    [No! No! NO!]


    [This can''t be happening!] Terror froze the blood in my veins, my mind beginning to spin frantically.


    "What''s happening?" asked Lillia, panic evident in her voice.


    "This can''t be happening!" the words came out as a desperate growl.


    "What do you mean?" Frenya grabbed my shoulders. "Do you know something?"


    "We need to prepare. Death is now above our heads."


    Lillia, trembling, moved closer. "What do you mean? Explain what you know, Doruuk!"


    I took a deep breath, trying to control the tremor in my voice. "A deadly event called ''The Ruby Annihilation'' is about to begin. In ten minutes, portals will start appearing, and monsters will pour out in impossible numbers. They won''t be as strong as the ones we''ve faced so far, but they''ll come in devastating quantities, and the portals will open everywhere. The current monsters will disappear, leaving only those from the event. And it gets worse: each level will be more difficult than the last, and the portals to return to the city will be deactivated. It doesn''t matter if you''ve completed your mission - we''re trapped. This event should only occur in higher-level worlds... the fact that it''s happening here means only one thing: certain death for us."


    "There must be a way out!" Frenya''s voice was laden with desperation.


    "There are two," I replied grimly. "The first is to survive until the end of the event, but it''s practically impossible. We''re not strong enough to survive that long against endless hordes of monsters, not to mention the final boss. The second is the ''immediate recall.'' You know about that?"


    "Yes," Frenya nodded, a glimmer of hope in her eyes. "If our family suspects something has happened to us, they can have us recalled to the city through the guild, by paying a fee."


    The sky above us continued to pulse with an increasingly intense red, like a diseased heart ready to explode. Time was running out, and with it, our chances of survival.


    [This could be our last battle...]


    Chapter-End.

 Chapter 14: The Ruby Annihilation part 1

    <div>


    [ ] = main character thoughts


    Sweat trickles down my back as I stare intently at the two girls before me. There''s no time for gentleness.


    "Listen carefully," I growl, my voice sharp as a blade. "Don''t trust anyone. If any warrior asks you to join them, tell them immediately to leave, if not!, they will end up badly. They''ll only use you as human shields." I pause, scanning their eyes to ensure the message sinks in. "Right now, everyone''s thinking only about survival. Even blood ties mean nothing. If someone cries or begs for mercy, turn away. Mercy will get you killed."


    [Truth hurts, but I''d rather see them wounded by my words than dead from their naivety.]


    Frenya and Lillia exchange an uneasy glance. "Alright," Frenya says, her voice betraying uncertainty. "But what do we do now?"


    "We head north," I respond curtly, already calculating time in my mind. "Running at full speed, we should make it. We have less than ten minutes." My eyes narrow as I visualize our destination. "There''s a stone castle, large and spacious. Don''t stop for anything. We must arrive before the portals open."


    "Okay," Lillia whispers, her voice barely audible.


    We start running, our footsteps thundering against the ground.


    The crisp northern air whips at our faces, but we don''t slow down. We can''t afford to.


    [I don''t know what awaits us. But! when I''m involved, chaos is guaranteed.]


    "Doruuk," Frenya''s voice cuts through the sound of our footsteps.


    "What is it?" I respond sharply, maintaining my pace.


    "How do you know all these things?"


    "I read it in a book," I cut her off.


    "You don''t seem like the type who reads books," she persists.


    I can''t understand why this woman behaves this way even under these circumstances;


    yet, people don''t spread lies about barbarians who possess only muscles instead of brains.


    I turn to her with a cutting glare. "Stop with these useless questions. Focus on Lillia who can''t keep up with our pace. Carry her and catch up to me."


    So, Frenya takes Lillia in her arms and rejoins me.A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    "I don''t need you to pick me up. I can run on my own." says Lillia.


    I replied "You''ll tire quickly, and we need you. Do as I say."


    [Only a minute and a half left. Damn it, faster!]


    Finally, the castle emerges from the mist. Its dark stones seem to absorb light, connected to the mainland by a drawbridge spanning a deep moat.


    I remember this vividly because, in the game, I once spawned directly in front of this castle and explored it briefly. However, I didn''t stay there for long before leaving.


    The castle''s grim appearance makes my stomach clench.


    "We''re almost there," I shout, noticing other figures moving toward the entrance.


    [Someone else knows about this place. Veterans or novices? We can''t risk it.]


    "Stay alert," I warn. "There are other warriors. Remember what I said about trust."


    [It''s about to begin.]


    [3]


    [2]


    [1]


    The portals tear open like wounds in reality''s fabric. Out pour creatures that seem to have crawled from the darkest nightmares - not goblins, but something more terrifying. Short, red, with rippling muscles under their skin and razor-sharp claws. Their eyes are black as bottomless pits, and their pointed teeth gleam menacingly. They''re low-level, but their numbers are staggering.


    From the castle, I watch the monsters chase warriors in the vicinity. Some head toward us, their feet hammering the ground in a frenzied rush.


    A group of warriors approaches. "Hey, you three!" one shouts. "Let''s join forces to fight! If we want to survive, we must unite!"


    I step forward, my voice cold as steel. "Every man for himself. I have no interest in risking my skin for you. Find your spot and fight from there. And if you give me even one reason to suspect you, I won''t hesitate to kill you. Is that clear enough?"


    "But this way, we will be in greater danger. Let''s unite!"


    "I¡¯ve already said what I needed to say," I reply.


    His friend pulls him back, and they join the others warriors.


    I did this for a simple reason: I didn¡¯t want to get into more trouble. At the moment, in the castle, there are about fifteen warriors scattered throughout, in addition to the three of us.


    [15 warriors, Too many potential traitors.]


    "Doruuk," Lillia''s voice trembles slightly. "Where do we position ourselves?"


    "In the tower," I respond decisively.


    "But we''ll be trapped!" she protests.


    "Trust me."


    The monsters mass before the moat.


    Some throw themselves into the water, apparently committing suicide.


    "Are they stupid?" Frenya exclaims.


    My blood freezes when I realize their plan. "No, they''re very clever. Watch carefully - they''re creating a bridge with their bodies."


    "He''s right," Lillia whispers. "The water level is rising. We need to prepare."


    Within moments, the creatures break through the main gate. Their individual strength is negligible, but their numbers are devastating.


    "Frenya, come with me," I order. "Lillia, you stay here. Watch and nothing else."


    "I want to help!" Lillia protests.


    "Do as I say," I snarl.


    [I can''t let her waste her mana on these weak monsters. We''ll need it for the later levels.]


    Frenya and I position ourselves before the tower door. The monsters begin climbing the stairs, forced by the narrow corridor to come in single file. My daggers and Frenya''s giant sword begin their deadly dance.


    "Frenya, don''t waste energy," I say while cutting down another creature. "Your sword is already big enough. Just rotate it, these creatures don''t have enough life to resist."


    Screams of agony and pleas for help fill the air. I bite my lip until I taste blood, forcing myself to ignore them.


    "We should help them," Lillia murmurs, her voice breaking.


    "Don''t be stupid," I respond harshly. "We''d all die. I know it''s awful, but it''s the only way to survive."


    While Frenya continues fighting, I move to the tower window to assess the situation. What I see makes my eyes widen in horror...


    Chapter-End.

 Chapter 15: The Ruby Annihilation part 2

    [ ] = main character thoughts.


    My eyes scan the carnage unfolding before me. Everywhere I look, I see only death. People slaughtered without mercy, others running desperately trying to survive. The monsters, though not particularly powerful individually, are devastating in their overwhelming numbers.


    The brutality of the scene should shake me to my core, yet I remain impassive. My body trembles, but my mind maintains a calculating coldness. There''s no room for emotions at this moment.


    [The tower was the right choice. If we had stayed outside, we''d be dead like the others.]


    A new scream tears through the sky, making everyone shudder with terror. I watch as the monsters of this level vanish into nothingness while a new portal materializes in the air.


    [It''s already here. The next level is about to begin.]


    Different creatures emerge from the portal: armored knights marching in tight formation. They''re slower than the previous ones, but their sharp swords more than make up for this weakness. The danger has increased exponentially.


    "The sword-wielding monsters are coming," I announce with an icy voice.


    Frenya looks at me, terror in her eyes. "What do we do now?"


    "I know what to do." Without hesitation, I pull out a bottle from my bag containing a mixture I had purchased before entering the portal, I bought it because it could be useful in difficult times.


    [It wasn''t a waste of money, after all.]


    I quickly pour the contents on the stairs, then light a stick with fire and hold it tight, positioning myself in front of the door of tower.


    "What are you doing?" Frenya''s voice betrays her panic.


    I move swiftly upward. "Step back and stay away," I order tersely.


    "What are you planning to do?" Frenya insists.


    "You''ll see." My response is as cold as metal.


    The knights disperse throughout the castle, entering through every opening. The small river that protected us has been drained by the monsters from the previous level, making access far too easy. Not all of them are heading toward us, a sign that there are other survivors.


    [Good, there are other resistants. But how long will they last?]


    The monsters begin climbing the stairs, the metallic sound of their steps echoing off the stone walls.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    "We have to do something!" Frenya shouts, panic evident in her voice.


    "Wait and watch," I respond with unnatural calm.


    "I can''t wait!" Her voice rises an octave. "They''ll kill us! Why are you stopping us? Don''t you see they''re coming up? Soon we''ll have their swords at our throats!"


    "Stay still as I told you. Don''t ruin what I''ve prepared." My tone brooks no argument.


    Frenya, frustrated, remains motionless against her will. The sound of metallic footsteps intensifies - boom, boom, boom - like a macabre drum announcing death.


    I''m only a few meters from them now. I can see the reflection of their blades.


    "Doruuk, what are you waiting for? They''ll kill us!" Frenya''s voice is almost a sob.


    [Just a moment longer. Just another instant.]


    The first blade is in front of my face, the monster raises its arm to strike.


    " Doruuk what are you waiting for, they will kill us. " Frenya screams.


    [Now!]


    I throw the lit stick onto the mixture and I throw myself back. In an instant, violent flames erupt, turning the monsters to ash. Those who remained outside can''t advance, blocked by the wall of fire. Their screams of pain fill the air.


    [I did it... Wait!]


    The dense smoke begins to suffocate us. Lillia and Frenya rush to the window, desperately trying to breathe. I take off my coat and start frantically fanning '' like idiots '' the smoke outward.


    "Are you crazy?" Frenya shouts between coughs. "You''re sending the smoke toward us!"


    "  Ehhiiii!!!!!  Doruuk! listen to me!! "


    "I''m listening to you! Quickly climb onto the roof from the window," I order curtly.


    "Are you out of your mind? What if we fall?"


    "You won''t fall." My voice is as firm as steel.


    "I don''t trust you! Lillia, help us! Use your spell to disperse the smoke!"


    [I hadn''t thought of that. An oversight.]


    Lillia nods and uses her magic to disperse the smoke, while the fire continues to keep the monsters at bay. I pull out a rope from my backpack and hand it to Frenya.


    "I''m going to check the situation below. You stay here."


    "Are you mad!" Lillia exclaims. "You''ve seen how many there are!"


    "They won''t catch me." My voice is certain.


    [This isn''t a reckless move. They don''t know the real battle has yet to begin. I need more resources.]


    I descend quickly. The monsters, seeing me, move en masse toward me.


    [No need to fight. They''re slower than me. Just need to run.]


    I move among the monsters like a shadow, exploring the castle. The corpses of fallen warriors are in a horrible state, almost unrecognizable. I search them quickly, looking for useful items.


    [Let''s see what they''ve left behind.]


    I collect void stars, a spear, a bow with arrows, provisions, and a spell book.


    [Decent equipment. We''ll need it.]


    [Should I continue?]


    [No, better retreat before they surround me.]


    During the retreat, I see a group of warriors surrounded. Without thinking, I throw them the spear and use my crossbow to eliminate some monsters. "If you want to live, gather everything you can find! Another wave is coming, and they''ll be stronger!"


    I run back to the stairs, now that the fire has died down.


    "You''re back," says Frenya. "What did you go do?"


    "I recovered essential equipment." I distribute the loot. "Frenya, wear this armor. Lillia, this spell book might be useful to you. Let''s put the void stars in the item box."


    "You were thinking about money even at a time like this?" The disgust in Frenya''s voice is palpable.


    "I seized an opportunity." My response is practical, devoid of emotion.


    The warriors'' agonizing screams fill the air, making blood freeze in veins. I hold Lillia and Frenya back from going to their aid. We must think of our own survival. We position ourselves to eliminate any monster that gets too close.


    [It''s about to begin.]


    [Very soon.] [It will be harder than before.]


    [More terrifying.]


    [This is where we''ll need Lillia.]


    [I''m at a disadvantage.]


    [The real battles start now.]


    Chapter-End.

 Chapter 16: The Ruby Annihilation part 3

    [ ] = main character thoughts


    Another scream tore through the sky, so powerful that our hearts seemed to stop for a moment.


    I rushed to the window, followed by Frenya and Lillia. It was happening again: the old portals were vanishing while new ones appeared, more menacing than before. This time, in addition to the riders who moved swiftly on horseback, there were monsters and flying creatures darkening the sky. the new monsters would arrive in just 10 minutes.


    "Now comes the real challenge," I said, observing the infernal landscape. "Those flying creatures similar to pterosaurs... their job isn''t to physically attack, but to cloud the mind. Their screams are so piercing they distract warriors, causing excruciating pain that makes fighting impossible. And the riders have become faster and deadlier on their horses."


    Frenya turned pale. "Now we''re dead! For sure."


    I looked her in the eyes without softening the reality. "Perhaps. But there''s a minimal chance of survival. Let''s at least try."


    "So, what do you have in mind?" asked Frenya, nervously gripping the hilt of her sword.


    "Wait and you''ll see very soon," I replied, my mind already focused on the plan I was developing.


    Silence fell upon us as we scrutinized the approaching horde. I could hear Frenya''s labored breathing beside me, while Lillia remained motionless, her hands already prepared to cast a spell.


    "First of all, we need to eliminate the flying creatures," I explained, pointing to the monsters circling above us. "If we don''t take them down, we''ll be in trouble. Lillia, this is your task. Frenya and I will support you with crossbow and bow, but we don''t have many arrows. Don''t waste your mana, only strike those closest to us."


    Lillia nodded, determined. "Understood."


    I turned to Frenya, whose gaze betrayed concern. "Frenya, we won''t stay here long. We''ll soon have to abandon this position, so stay ready."


    "Alright," she responded, "but then what do you intend to do?"


    "Lillia," I continued, momentarily ignoring Frenya''s question, "when I tell you, you''ll need to throw a fireball toward me."


    Lillia''s eyes widened. "Fine... but why?"


    "What are you planning?" insisted Frenya, grabbing my arm. "Tell me now."


    I sighed, preparing to explain. "This march of horseback riders is practically impossible to face in direct combat. They''re too fast and powerful on their steeds. If you find yourself against more than one rider, you have slim chances of surviving." I paused, observing their reactions. "I anticipated this possibility, so before coming up here, I gathered all the combustible material I could find, creating a small mountain of waste. First I''ll set everything on fire, and when the monsters are close enough, Lillia will launch her fireball causing a massive explosion. The monsters within range will be disintegrated, allowing you two to get away as far as possible."


    "And you?" asked Frenya, her voice cracked with worry.


    "I''ll join you later," I replied in a neutral tone.


    "Are you crazy? How will you manage? I''m coming with you," protested Frenya.


    "There''s no need," I replied curtly.


    "Weren''t you the one obsessed with survival? Why this sudden change?" she insisted, her eyes fixed on mine.


    "Who told you I''ll die? I''ll return," I answered with a confidence I didn''t truly feel.


    "Let me come with you," pleaded Frenya.


    I turned to Lillia. "You need to take care of her."


    "I can handle myself, I don''t need a babysitter," retorted Lillia with a flash of pride in her eyes.


    "Don''t be stupid," I cut short.


    "Then let us come with you," insisted Lillia, unexpectedly agreeing with Frenya.


    A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    [Ah, these women, they''re not listening to me. Stubborn as mules.]


    "Fine," I finally conceded. "But I take no responsibility if anything happens to you."


    Frenya smiled bitterly. "You''ve never taken any responsibility, not even before."


    Struck by those words, I didn''t respond. We headed toward the place where I had prepared the trap.


    Once we arrived, Frenya and Lillia were left speechless before the enormous pile of combustible waste that stood before us.


    "How did you manage to collect all this?" asked Frenya, astonished.


    "I examined every corpse I deemed useful," I explained without emotion. "I checked more than fifty, pushing beyond the castle, into the surrounding areas."


    Frenya looked at me suspiciously. "How did you survive out there alone?"


    A cold smile crossed my face. "That''s a secret."


    [In reality, I repeatedly used the "escape" ability to succeed, but they can''t know that. Not yet.]


    "Lillia," I said, bringing attention back to the plan, "I want you to duplicate this flammable mixture that I''ll pour onto the waste."


    "Alright," she replied, concentrating to perform the spell.


    Lillia duplicated the liquid and I quickly poured it over the pile. Meanwhile, the first monsters began to emerge from the portals, moving at an impressive speed.


    "They''re incredibly fast," murmured Frenya, her voice tense. "In very little time they''ll be here."


    "Let''s deal with the flying ones first," I ordered, gripping the crossbow.


    We began to take down as many flying creatures as possible. Lillia proved extraordinarily effective with her magic, while Frenya and I used bow and crossbow, aware that our arrows were rapidly diminishing.


    Soon we had to stop to save ammunition, letting Lillia advance alone to continue the offensive. The flying creatures didn''t represent a serious danger thanks to Lillia''s "Peace" spell, which temporarily neutralized most weaknesses.


    "Enough, Lillia," I shouted when I saw it was time. "It''s time to proceed with the plan."


    I set fire to the combustible waste, which caught quickly. "Get away!" I yelled as the flames rose toward the sky.


    In a few moments, a mountain of fire stood before us. The monsters, attracted by the flames, accelerated in our direction.


    [Good, they''re coming exactly where I wanted them.]


    The riders approached at full speed, their armor glittering in the glow of the fire.


    "Lillia, Frenya, start moving away as far as possible," I ordered, keeping my eyes fixed on the approaching horde.


    "And you?" asked Frenya, hesitating.


    "Do as I told you," I replied with a cutting voice.


    "Fine," she finally yielded, and the two began to move away rapidly.


    [Good, the riders will reach me in a minute. When Lillia throws the fireball, I''ll use my ability to escape.]


    [Just thirty more seconds...]


    "Lillia, now!" I shouted with all the breath I had in my lungs.


    No response.


    "Lillia, now!" I cried again, desperate.


    Still nothing.


    [What''s happening? Why aren''t they responding?]


    I turned and saw with horror that Frenya and Lillia were surrounded by monsters.


    [No, this shouldn''t happen right now!]


    I ran toward them to help, eliminating some monsters with the last arrows of my crossbow.


    "Lillia, wake up!" I yelled. "Throw the fireball! The riders are already in front of the fire!"


    "I can''t do it now," replied Lillia, panic in her voice. "If I throw it, we''ll also end up in the explosion radius!"


    [If we do nothing now, it will all be over.]


    "Lillia, come into my arms! Frenya, hold onto me!" I ordered urgently.


    "Hey! This is no time to fulfill your last wishes!" protested Frenya, incredulous.


    "Don''t talk nonsense and hurry up!" I cut short.


    With embarrassment, both complied. "Lillia, throw the fireball," I ordered.


    "But..." she hesitated.


    "Do it!" I shouted, my eyes fixed on the riders rapidly approaching.


    Lillia cast the spell while I began to run using my ability.


    [Their bodies are heavy, especially Frenya''s, but I must run, I must outrun the explosion radius!]


    The fireball flew swiftly toward the flaming mountain, while I ran as fast as possible, my legs burning from the effort.


    [Faster, Doruuk Velor, faster!]


    My legs were now the only hope of survival for all of us.


    With one last, desperate effort, I launched myself forward.


    And then... BOOM!


    A devastating explosion ripped through the air with a deafening roar. Everything within the explosion radius was disintegrated, reduced to ash in an instant.


    We had saved ourselves by a hair''s breadth.


    I rose slowly, noting that Lillia had fainted from shock while Frenya was trying to get back on her feet. My eyes saw only fire and smoke everywhere, a vision of pure devastation. No soul had remained alive except us three and the monsters that had not yet been reached by the explosion. In my mind, only the desperate will to survive.


    "Doruuk," said Frenya, staring at me suspiciously, "how did you manage to run so fast carrying both of us?"


    "Nothing special, just adrenaline," I replied, looking away.


    "Don''t joke with me," she insisted. "I''ve never seen you run so fast."


    I hesitated a moment before answering. "I have the Luminousa of a fast monster."


    [I lied. I don''t know what would happen if I revealed the truth about my ability.]


    Frenya scrutinized me, unconvinced. "If you had it, you could have said so before."


    "It wasn''t necessary," I cut short. "Now wake Lillia, we''re not finished yet."


    The flying creatures and some riders had survived, despite the enormous number of casualties caused by the explosion. Fighting against them still seemed an impossible task.


    Lillia awakened shortly after, confused and disoriented.


    "And now what do we do? Fight?" asked Frenya, bow already ready.


    I observed the situation, quickly evaluating the options. "I don''t know, but for now let''s do this: see those three riders approaching? Let''s eliminate them and take their horses to get as far away as possible. The final boss has yet to arrive, and he''s much more powerful. We need to focus on survival and hope that your family activates the ''immediate recall''."


    "How can we be sure they will?" asked Frenya, doubtful.


    I looked her in the eyes, trying to instill a determination I didn''t completely feel. "We can''t know. But to avoid giving up, let''s create the illusion in our minds that they will."


    Chapter-End.

 Chapter 17: The Ruby Annihilation part 4

    [ ] = main character thoughts


    We knock down the knights and take their horses with a quick, coordinated movement. The beasts are powerful, with bloodshot eyes, but they obey when we grab the reins. We start riding without looking back.


    "Where do you want to go? And what are we doing?" asks Lillia, clinging to the saddle as we gallop through the devastated landscape.


    "Our goal is to gain as much time as possible," I answer dryly. "We need to get as far away as possible from the boss''s portal."


    Frenya gives me a skeptical look. "How do you know the boss will only come from that portal? The portals are everywhere."


    "Because it''s the largest portal compared to the others," I reply without hesitation. "It''s logical that it will be that one."


    Lillia, riding by my side, asks with a trembling voice: "How soon will the boss appear? And how strong will it be? Do you know anything?"


    The cold wind whips our faces as we gallop. "It should appear tomorrow. It''s a rank 7 monster. If you look only at the rank, it won''t seem strong, but it''s not stupid. It uses its intelligence, and that makes it an extremely difficult boss to handle."


    "If it will appear tomorrow, why are we running in such a hurry?" asks Frenya, confused.


    "Because I read that it has the ability to find its prey. It can sense them from a distance. It won''t take long to find us," I explain, spurring the horse to an even faster pace.


    "It will be the only one, right?" asks Lillia with a spark of hope in her eyes.


    I clear my throat. "The boss itself isn''t particularly strong if we consider only its physical characteristics. But it has a companion, a giant. The boss sits on its back. Its job is to command the giant and heal it, because the boss is a healer. The giant does the dirty work. The boss heals wounds or compensates for the giant''s weaknesses, while the latter takes care of killing. The combination of the two is extremely strategic and lethal."


    [I don''t know where we''re going. We''re running away, dodging monsters without a well-defined destination. Tomorrow the boss will also appear. I don''t know if this is the end for us, but I won''t give up until my last breath.]


    We continue to run without stopping. Time passes relentlessly while our bodies fill with bruises and wounds. Even the monster-horses eventually yield to fatigue. Every time it happens, we change mounts and resume the escape.


    Our bodies are crossed by sharp pains, but the desperate will to survive pushes us beyond every limit. About fourteen hours pass in this frenzied way. We haven''t stopped, haven''t eaten or drunk, nor rested for a moment.


    "Hey, let''s stop somewhere," begs Lillia, her face pale from the effort. "I can''t take it anymore."


    I look at her with icy eyes. "If you want to increase the probability of your survival, then continue."


    Frenya glares at me. "Hey, Doruuk, can''t you see she''s not well? Let''s stop."


    "I''m leaving," I reply dryly. "You stop."


    "Fine, go ahead," Frenya retorts sharply. "If they give us the immediate recall, you''ll stay here instead of coming with us."


    [Ah, oops. I hadn''t considered this.]


    "Ha ha ha, I was just joking," I hasten to say, changing my attitude. "Let''s stop somewhere, but first let me eliminate the monsters following us."


    With lethal precision, I take down the knights who have pursued us so far. Lillia deals with the flying creatures that spot our position.


    "For a while they won''t be able to find us," I declare, lowering my weapon.


    The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    We sit in the shadow of some imposing rocks, sheltered from hostile eyes. We silently consume what little food we have with us. Every bite is precious, every sip of water a luxury.


    Twenty minutes pass in a silence charged with tension.


    "Come on, get up," I suddenly order. "Let''s go."


    "Nooo," Lillia moans. "We had just sat down and we already have to leave?"


    I stare into her eyes, impassive. "I repeat: if you want to increase your chances of survival, then get up."


    We resume the journey until we spot more knights. We eliminate them with brutal efficiency, requisitioning their horses to continue the escape.


    For quite some time, a thought torments me: are we running without a real purpose? I know very well that the boss will reach us anyway, no matter how far we go. But to keep motivation high, I create the illusion that we''ll make it, that I''m doing the right thing.


    Time flows relentlessly, and finally the moment arrives when the boss should appear.


    [The moment of truth has arrived.]


    An immense cry tears through the sky, so powerful it makes the earth itself tremble. The knights who were chasing us stop abruptly, their nerves explode with terror and they die on the spot.


    Our horses, paralyzed by fear, collapse and slip into eternal sleep. We are thrown forward, landing hard on the rocky ground.


    "Ouch, that hurts!" exclaims Lillia, massaging her bruised arm. "Stupid monsters, why did they stop so suddenly?"


    Around us, the flying creatures, struck by the intensity of the cry, plummet to the ground and die on impact. Throughout the region, an aura of pure terror spreads, almost palpable.


    "Why are all the monsters dying one after another?" asks Lillia, observing the scene with wide eyes.


    "Most likely from fear and terror of the boss," I explain, remembering what I had read. "No monster in this event is able to resist its presence. Every time it appears, monsters from previous levels die from shock."


    Lillia turns pale. "Then we have no escape."


    I see her start to tremble, overwhelmed by terror. Her eyes wander frantically, as if seeking an escape route that doesn''t exist.


    "Doruuk, what plans do you have now?" Frenya asks me, trying to maintain calm.


    I hesitate before answering, honestly evaluating the situation. "I don''t have any well-defined plan, but one thing is certain: sooner or later the boss will find us."


    "What''s the boss''s name? And what does it look like?" asks Lillia, her voice reduced to a whisper.


    "Its name is ''Doomclawe'', and the giant''s is ''Magnaror''. I don''t know what they look like, it will be the first time I see them."


    Frenya approaches, her eyes fixed on mine. "But does it make sense to continue running if we already know it will catch up to us? Wouldn''t it be better to prepare ourselves?"


    I nod slowly. "You''re right, but we''re not able to fight against them. However, if you really want to do something, we could try this plan."


    "What would this plan be?" asks Frenya, a glimmer of hope in her voice.


    I look her straight in the eyes, my face devoid of emotion. "I have this idea in mind: we should start saying our last prayers."


    Frenya stares at me with an indescribable expression, between disbelief and anger. Lillia, already terrified, seems to sink even deeper into despair.


    "Are you crazy?" Frenya bursts out. "Who told you we''re going to die? I asked you for a plan and you tell me this?"


    "Then what do you want to do?!" I retort, raising my voice. "Don''t you see that even the monsters have died from shock? Can''t you imagine how strong it will be if even the monsters couldn''t resist? Who are we in comparison? I know it''s not pleasant to hear, but it''s reality. I would never have imagined finding myself in this situation."


    Frenya grabs me by the shoulders, her eyes blazing. "You''re not the only one in this situation! We''re here too, like the many warriors who have already died! Don''t you think about this? From the beginning we''ve been following you and respecting your directions, and now that danger has arrived you give up?"


    "I can''t do anything else!" I exclaim, frustrated. "I''m not up to it! I''m a mediocre warrior of rank 9. What do you expect from me? That I can fight against that monster? The answer is no! I helped you out of pure selfishness, because I thought I could survive somehow."


    "And where has your selfishness gone now?" Frenya presses. "Don''t you want to survive anymore?"


    I lower my gaze. "I want to survive, but I''m not strong enough. That''s the problem."


    "We must do something," Frenya insists, determined. "We can''t stay here without reacting. How long will it take before the boss arrives here?"


    "Frenya, why don''t you understand that we have death hanging over our heads?" I respond, exasperated. "We can die at any moment. The boss, in my opinion, will arrive in fifteen minutes."


    "So quickly?" she exclaims incredulously. "And all this journey we''ve made just to gain a miserable fifteen minutes?"


    I can no longer contain the fury that devours me from within.


    "Frenya, do you know that these fifteen minutes could make the difference between life and death?" I burst out. "I''m not so stupid as to make you undertake a twenty-four-hour journey without reason! Every second counts, now. All this time I was just hoping that your family would somehow discover your situation and activate ''the immediate recall'', so that I could get out too. And you reproach me with ''only fifteen minutes''?"


    Lillia, who had remained silent until now, intervenes stammering with fear: "Hey, enough! Stop arguing! This won''t solve anything. It would be better to do something to gain as much time as possible."


    "See?" says Frenya, pointing to Lillia. "She also says we must act."


    I sigh deeply, trying to calm myself. "All right. Let''s do something."


    Silence falls over us as the sky grows darker, heralding the imminent arrival of something terrible.


    Chapter-End.

 Chapter 18: The Ruby Annihilation part 5

    [ ] = Doruuk thoughts


    < > = Lillia thoughts


    { } = system message


    "So, I have this idea in mind," I say firmly, scanning the tense faces of my companions. "I don''t know if it will work, but we have no alternatives. We have about fifteen minutes before he arrives."


    I turn to Lillia, who nervously clutches the book in her pale hands.


    "Lillia, that book I gave you. Check if there''s magic for manipulating earth."


    Lillia begins frantically flipping through the yellowed pages, her eyes quickly scanning the text. Her fingers tremble slightly as she turns the pages.


    "Yes, it''s here," she finally responds, looking up.


    "Good," I nod, feeling a glimmer of hope. "The plan is this: we''ll create various statues of mixing earth and water and position them everywhere. When the boss arrives, he''ll be confused and start destroying every statue. We''ll also cover ourselves with mud and blend in among them."


    Frenya furrows her brow, skeptical. "Wait," she interrupts me, "didn''t you say the boss can sense where we are? This doesn''t make sense. And what if he discovers us?"


    I stare into her eyes, not softening the truth. "Yes, you''re right. I said he knows where we are, but he only knows the area, not the exact position. And if he discovers us, he discovers us. What else can we do? It''s a risk, but it''s all we have to gain some time."


    There''s no room for false hopes or consolations. The truth is harsh, but necessary.


    We immediately set to work, following my plan. Time flows relentlessly.


    Only three minutes remain before the boss arrives. We can already feel the ground vibrating under his heavy footsteps echoing in the distance, like approaching thunder.


    Thanks to Lillia''s magic, we''ve created more than forty statues, strategically positioning them across the area. We quickly cover ourselves with mud, blending in among our creations.


    I position myself in the center of the clearing, while Frenya hides in the right corner and Lillia in the left. Terror flows through our veins like an icy poison.


    I cautiously raise my gaze and see him: Magnaror, advancing toward us at a run. He''s a giant with enormous ears and wide eyes, skin of an intense purple, and a massive build that would make even the bravest warrior pale. In his hand, he wields a great axe that reflects light with sinister gleams.


    Attached to his back is a sack, and inside is the true boss: Doomclawe, the healer. He''s smaller in stature, with a lean build and green skin. His appearance is equally threatening, with long, sharp teeth and dirty nails that look like claws ready to tear flesh.


    Each of Magnaror''s steps makes the earth tremble beneath us, and my legs feel like jelly.


    [Very soon I''ll discover what fate awaits me.]


    The two arrive and begin observing the statues. As I had predicted, they''re confused, unable to distinguish the real warriors from the imitations.


    Magnaror lets out a cry toward the sky, a roar so powerful it nearly bursts our eardrums. Frenya and I remain as motionless as the statues surrounding us, but Lillia... Lillia can''t manage the situation well. She''s terrified, her body visibly trembling beneath the layer of mud.


    [No, Lillia, no. Don''t do this or you''ll die and get us all killed. Hold on and hope your family reaches us as soon as possible.]


    Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Magnaror raises his axe and with lightning-quick movement destroys the first statue.


    Nothing happens.


    Doomclawe points to another statue with a skeletal finger.


    The giant destroys the one to his right.


    Again, nothing.


    Magnaror begins to visibly grow irritated. His nostrils flare, his breathing becomes heavier.


    He destroys the statue to his left, and continues.


    Doomclawe indicates which ones to break, and he mechanically executes, with growing fury.


    The statues are destroyed one after another, rapidly. With each axe blow, their anger seems to increase, palpable in the air like electricity before a storm.


    Now only eleven statues remain, including us. In total, fourteen immobile figures.


    Magnaror is close to me now, so close that I can feel his hot, fetid breath. His bloodshot eyes scan the remaining statues, trying to decide which to destroy. Doomclawe whispers to him to maintain calm, not to lose control.


    My legs too begin to tremble uncontrollably. I desperately try to resist, but it''s a losing battle.


    [I don''t want to die now. Not like this.]


    Between me and them is just the distance of one statue, the last barrier between me and death.


    [It''s over. It''s really over for me.]


    Magnaror destroys the statue in front of me with a sharp blow.


    Now I''m face to face with him.


    [Calm, Doruuk. Stay calm. I know death stands before me, but I must maintain clarity. A cold mind is stronger than one gripped by panic.]


    Suddenly, Magnaror turns to the left.


    He moves in that direction with surprising speed for his bulk.


    Lillia is there.


    Seeing him approach, Lillia tries to move away, slowly backing up.


    Doomclawe notices her immediately and warns Magnaror, who accelerates his advance, becoming more threatening.


    [Doomclawe has figured out which one is real. I must do something, now!]


    Magnaror arrives in front of Lillia, his enormous shadow completely engulfing her. She stares at the giant, paralyzed by terror, unable to move or speak.


    <I can''t move my body. Mom, Dad, help me! I don''t want to die!>


    Magnaror raises his axe, ready to deliver a mortal blow.


    <No, no, nooo! Someone help me!>


    {The character has used "Escape"}


    Before the axe can cut Lillia in two, I activate my ability. In the blink of an eye, I''m beside her. I take her in my arms and carry her away from Magnaror''s reach, feeling the displaced air from the axe grazing our backs.


    [I made it. By a hair''s breadth, but I made it.]


    Frenya, observing the scene, understands that there''s no point in hiding anymore. She too abandons her position, emerging from her hiding place like a predator ready to attack.


    My eyes meet those of Doomclawe and Magnaror. I know perfectly well that these monsters could tear the life from me at any moment. I have only eight seconds left before my ability is exhausted.


    I use the remaining time to rush toward Magnaror and plunge my dagger into his enormous foot, before retreating.


    The wound heals almost instantly thanks to Doomclawe''s healing powers.


    [Doomclawe is too quick to heal. We''re doomed, there''s no escape.]


    I see Frenya preparing to attack Magnaror from behind, her eyes burning with determination.


    [It''s a suicidal move. I must stop her before she gets herself killed.]


    "Nooooo!" I shout with all the strength in my lungs. "Frenya, stop! He''s too strong for you! Come here to Lillia! I''ll distract him while you try to calm her down. We need her help!"


    Without waiting for a response, I launch myself toward Magnaror.


    I run toward him, knowing it''s an uneven battle. He''s much faster than me, so it''s useless to hope to beat him in speed. I draw my crossbow and ask Frenya for the three remaining arrows.


    I aim and shoot an arrow at the toes of his foot. It doesn''t seem to hurt him, but that wasn''t my purpose. All the arrows had been dipped in the confusing potion I had purchased before entering the portal. We had never used it seriously before ¨C the monsters we had faced until now died too quickly to see its effects.


    Magnaror falters, momentarily disoriented, unable to move until Doomclawe heals him.


    I launch the second arrow, obtaining the same temporary effect.


    Once again, Doomclawe heals him in a few seconds, dispelling the confusion almost immediately.


    Before I can use the third arrow, Magnaror unleashes his ability: "Echo of the Beast." His roar hits me like a shock wave, hurling me away with incredible force. I roll several times on the ground before stopping.


    "Echo of the Beast" is an ability that when activated makes your enemies jump back. and leaves them in the fear effect for two minutes.


    I stand up, but something''s wrong.


    [oh man! I''m under the effect of fear.]


    When I look at Magnaror, my body begins to tremble uncontrollably. It''s a devastating effect that prevents me from attacking or even thinking of a strategy.


    [I''ll die like this, paralyzed by fear, unable even to defend myself.]


    Magnaror rushes toward me, furious, his bloodshot eyes fixed on his prey.


    I''m there, immobile, desperately fighting to regain control of my body.


    [Move, move it! If you don''t move now, you''ll never move again!]


    Just as Magnaror is about to strike me down with his axe, a sphere of dense smoke explodes between us, completely obscuring his view.


    As the smoke expands, I feel hands grabbing me. It''s Frenya, quickly dragging me away from danger.


    Once safe, Lillia uses her magic to dispel the fear effect that was paralyzing me.


    "Finally, I can move," I say, my breath still labored. "Listen carefully: we can''t defeat the Magnaror until we eliminate Doomclawe. Our task is to buy time, because we have no hope against Magnaror. But Doomclawe is another story ¨C he''s not as resilient as his companion. I have a plan, listen carefully..."


    The battle isn''t over yet, and my cold mind is the only weapon that can give us a chance of survival.


    Chapter-End.

 Chapter 19: The Ruby Annihilation - last part

    [ ] = Doruuk thoughts


    < > = Lillia thoughts


    { } = system message


    "So, here''s the plan," I say decisively, my eyes fixed on the tired faces of my companions. "First, we need to kill Doomclawe. Frenya, I''m giving you my crossbow. There''s only one arrow left, soaked in the confusion potion."


    I hand the weapon to Frenya, my hands still dirty with blood and mud.


    "Your job is to hit the boss in any way possible. Once he''s confused, he''ll lose his ability to think clearly. Doomclawe will focus on healing Magnaror, and that will be our only chance." I pause, making sure both of them understand the gravity of the plan. "I''ll climb onto Magnaror''s back until I reach Doomclawe. He''s not that strong on his own; his power lies only in his healing ability. I''ll try to kill him by any means necessary."


    Frenya looks at me with doubtful eyes, gripping the crossbow tightly. "But are you sure this will work?"


    "It''s the only thing we can do," I respond curtly, leaving no room for unjustified optimism. I turn to Lillia. "And you will help us with your magic."


    At that precise moment, Doomclawe lets out a shrill cry that instantly dissipates all the smoke surrounding us, revealing our position.


    "What was that?" Lillia asks, terror evident in her trembling voice.


    "It''s Doomclawe''s active ability, called ''No Pain,''" I explain quickly. "It purifies every type of weakness or magic and grants immunity for ten seconds. Its cooldown time is two minutes." I turn toward the horizon, from where we can already hear the heavy footsteps approaching. "Prepare yourselves quickly! Magnaror is coming!"


    Magnaror runs toward us like a crazed train. We dodge him by a hair''s breadth, feeling the displacement of air caused by his enormous body.


    "Let''s wait another four seconds, then proceed with the plan!" I shout, counting mentally.


    [One second, two, three, four...]


    Frenya begins to scream with all the strength of her lungs, attracting Magnaror''s attention. Doomclawe tries to warn the giant, but it''s useless: Magnaror is immersed in blind fury and doesn''t listen. When he rushes toward Frenya, Lillia casts a wind of fire on his face, distracting him further.


    Frenya seizes the perfect opportunity and shoots the arrow, precisely hitting the boss''s feet.


    Magnaror staggers, entering a state of total confusion. His eyes lose focus, and his movements become uncoordinated. Doomclawe, immediately noticing the situation, prepares to heal him.


    This is my moment.


    I activate "Escape" and launch myself onto the boss''s massive body. My muscles burn as I climb quickly, reaching the healer on his back.


    Without hesitation, I begin stabbing him with my daggers, plunging them into his body repeatedly. Doomclawe desperately tries to push me away, to throw me off, but he''s too weak compared to my fierce determination.


    [Come on, die! Quick, die!]


    I continue stabbing, harder and faster. Doomclawe''s green blood sprays everywhere, staining my skin, my clothes. The smell is horrible, metallic and putrid at the same time, while his screams of pain fill the air.


    [Just a bit more, hurry!]


    With one last, violent thrust, I plunge both daggers into his neck. Blood gushes like a dark river. With a swift motion, I separate his head from his body and throw it far away.


    Exhausted, I too fall from Magnaror''s back, landing heavily on the ground.


    Meanwhile, Lillia, quickly flipping through the book I had given her, finds the confusion spell and casts it again on Magnaror. The effect is immediate: the giant remains motionless, frozen in his position, trapped in the fog of his confused mind.


    [Magnaror himself is stupid. He was only strong thanks to Doomclawe.]


    As I struggle to get up, my eyes are drawn to an intense light. From Doomclawe''s decapitated body emerges a luminous sphere, pulsating with pure energy.


    If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    "It''s the Luminousa!" exclaims Frenya, incredulous.


    "Yes!" confirms Lillia, her eyes wide with wonder.


    [Who will be the one to take it?]


    The Luminousa floats in the air, silently analyzing, seeking its ideal possessor.


    After a few moments that seem eternal, the light intensifies and reveals a name.


    It''s Frenya.


    "It chose me!" she exclaims, her voice vibrating with joy and disbelief.


    "Congratulations," says Lillia, smiling sincerely.


    "Congratulations," I mutter too, but the words come out heavy as lead.


    [It should have been me.]


    Frenya looks at me, sensing my discomfort. "You don''t seem very happy. You wanted it, didn''t you? I''m sorry it didn''t choose you."


    I don''t respond. I watch in silence as Frenya absorbs the Luminousa, her body momentarily glowing with golden light.


    "What are its abilities, Frenya?" asks Lillia, curious.


    "As a passive, I have ''Continuous Regeneration,'' which means I regenerate every time I''m wounded and it keeps me in shape without exhausting me," explains Frenya, examining the new sensations. "And as an active ability, I have ''No Pain,'' which purifies any weakness present on me or my allies, with a cooldown of two minutes."


    "That''s wonderful!" exclaims Lillia, clapping her hands. "You''ll become stronger, your defense will improve significantly."


    [I hoped to have it myself. It should have been me.]


    "Yes, it''s fantastic," says Frenya, then turns toward the motionless giant. "But what do we do with him?"


    "There''s no need to fight him," I explain, returning to reality. "If during the effects of confusion you wound the victim, the effect breaks immediately. And anyway, we wouldn''t be able to kill him; his hide is too tough, and he''s much stronger than us." I turn to Lillia. "We just need you to renew the effect every time it wears off, until your family calls us back."


    "I agree with you," nods Lillia. "But can we say then that we''ve won?"


    A tired smile forms on my face. "Yes, we''ve won."


    Lillia begins to jump for joy, her face illuminated by a radiant smile.


    "Yes, we''ve won!" laughs Frenya, joining Lillia''s enthusiasm.


    [Yes, we can say we''ve won. At least that.]


    I let myself fall to the ground, lying with my arms spread, and stare at the red sky above us. The dark clouds dance slowly, like silent witnesses to our battle.


    "What are you doing, Doruuk?" asks Lillia, tilting her head with curiosity.


    "Nothing," I reply softly. "I''m happy to be alive."


    "Yes, thanks to you we''re alive too, I have to admit it," says Frenya, with unexpected sincerity.


    "You''re alive because of my selfishness and nothing else," I respond coldly, my eyes still fixed on the sky.


    Frenya sighs. "Can''t you speak a little more kindly?"


    "I''m speaking like a normal person."


    Time passes slowly. Magnaror remains under the effect of confusion, motionless as a statue. Every time the spell is about to wear off, Lillia promptly casts a new one, keeping him in a state of perpetual unconsciousness.


    And finally...


    {Lillia Silverweyyn is about to execute "Immediate Recall". Get ready.}


    "Quick, come here!" exclaims Lillia, her face lit up with relief. "We''re about to return. Take my hand!"


    [This adventure has also come to an end. Finally.]


    {3}


    {2}


    {1}


    {Initiating "Immediate Recall"}


    A light so bright appears before our eyes that we are forced to close them, protecting ourselves with our arms.


    {Transport in progress}


    {Welcome back Lillia Silverweyyn to the city}


    When I reopen my eyes, I find myself in the great hall of the guild. The air is fresh and clean, so different from the oppressive atmosphere of the world we just left.


    [I''m back in the city. Alive.]


    In front of us are several people. At the center stands an old man with long white hair and a thick beard. Next to him, a tall and robust barbarian, his face marked by battle scars, smiles at us, looking with surprise and admiration.


    "Lillia, my daughter! You''re alive!" exclaims the old man, his eyes filling with tears.


    <Dad! Why were you so late?>


    "Sweetheart, we came as quickly as possible," he responds, his voice broken with emotion. "But since time inside the portal flows much faster than here, we couldn''t call you sooner. I apologize."


    Lillia runs into her father''s arms, holding him tight as if fearing to lose him again.


    Even the barbarian, who I guess is Frenya''s father, calls her to him. "Frenya, my warrior! You''ve returned! You''re truly a lioness!" he laughs, opening his arms. "Come here and give your father a hug!"


    While the daughters reunite with their families, I feel the gazes of the other men settling on me, studying me with curiosity and suspicion.


    I remain motionless, the solitary figure in the middle of the hall. A man dressed in a long black coat, polished leather shoes, and a top hat on his head. My eyes are deep and impenetrable, my hands still stained with the blood of enemies. My face is almost devoid of emotion, impassive, while my clothes emit the smell of blood and death from the various monsters faced. My cutting gaze meets anyone who dares to look at me directly.


    A heavy silence falls in the hall. No one speaks, but everyone observes me. In their eyes, I see contrasting emotions: disgust, surprise, confusion, fear.


    "Lillia, who is he?" her father finally asks, breaking the oppressive silence.


    "Dad, this is Doruuk, Doruuk Velor," Lillia responds, detaching from the embrace. "He''s the one who helped us. Thanks to him, we managed to survive."


    "Yes, Lillia speaks the truth," intervenes Frenya. "If it weren''t for him, I don''t know if we would have returned alive. Everyone died in there, except for us three, and that''s only thanks to him."


    People begin to murmur among themselves, incredulous. How could we have survived when all the other warriors had died? Some whisper that it must be just a lie, that it''s impossible.


    Right at that moment, a guard bursts into the hall, announcing loudly:


    "In World 2, in the Void Prairie, a catastrophic event has occurred in which everyone died! We will soon bring their bodies. Anyone who wants to claim the body of their loved one, come with me and pay the fee for the service!"


    At these words, everyone remains open-mouthed. The gazes return to me, more intense, more questioning. Who am I, who has defied death and emerged victorious?


    My lips curve into a slight smile, almost imperceptible.


    [I am Doruuk Velor. Remember this name from now on.]


    Chapter-End.

 Chapter 20: Silverweynn

    [ ] = Doruuk thoughts


    At that moment, I receive a message from the system. The luminous display pulses gently in my field of vision, almost begging for my attention.


    [I''ll look at it later. I have more important matters to attend to right now.]


    The silence in the guild hall is so heavy I could cut it with a blade. Dozens of eyes are fixed on me, some wide with amazement, others narrowed with suspicion. I feel the weight of their gazes on my skin as if they were hands touching me.


    Lillia''s father advances toward me with measured steps, each movement elegant and regal. His face is marked by the wrinkles of experience, but his eyes shine with a gratitude I have rarely seen directed at me.


    "Thank you, thank you for saving my daughter," he says in a deep voice that echoes through the hall. "I am Solmir Silverweynn, head of the Silverweynn family. And beside me is my friend Krogar the Unchained, father of Frenya the Unchained."


    [So Frenya''s surname is "the Unchained." Interesting.]


    [The Unchained and the Silverweynns are friends. Even in the game "Shadowveil: Chronicles of Orvhalis," their names are mentioned for the great deeds they accomplished together.]


    [I skipped this part quickly when it seemed boring to me, so I don''t know much about them. A mistake that could cost me dearly.]


    I cross my arms over my chest, maintaining an impassive expression as I respond: "Don''t thank me. I do nothing without seeing my part in it. Everything I did was because of my selfishness, I did it for my own good and nothing else."


    My words fall heavily in the hall like stones in a pond, creating waves of discomfort among those present. I see some exchanging puzzled glances.


    Frenya shakes her head. "Never mind him," she interjects in a tone that oscillates between irritation and amusement. "He talks like that, he can''t speak normally. Every time he opens his mouth, he has to let out only cold words and nothing else."


    Her comment draws a smile from some of those present, slightly easing the tension.


    Solmir looks at me with eyes that seem to penetrate beyond my facade. "Nevertheless, he saved you," he says, addressing the others before returning his attention to me. "Therefore, sir, I ask you to come with me because I want to be of service to you, and I want everyone to know who you are."


    His invitation sounds like a trap to my suspicious ears. I clear my throat, the sound as grating as my subsequent words.


    "I don''t want fame, sir. It''s enough if you fill my stomach and my pocket, and I''ll be fine." My voice is flat, devoid of emotion, as if I were discussing the weather and not my reward for saving lives.


    A thunderous laugh fills the air. It''s Krogar, his massive figure trembling with amusement. "I like this boy, hahahah!" he exclaims, beating a hand on his chest. His laughter is contagious, and I see even Solmir hint at a smile.


    After that, Solmir leads the way and invites me to follow him. As I walk, I feel the gazes of the guild people still fixed on me with surprise and awe. Their expressions are a mixture of fear, respect, and curiosity. Each step I take on the shiny stone floor resonates in the silence.


    At one point, my gaze falls on the guild secretary who looks at me with an enigmatic smile, as if she knows something I ignore. Her intelligent eyes follow me as I advance, and a shiver runs down my spine.


    I can''t stand this attention. I stop abruptly, forcing Solmir to stop as well. I call the nobleman and tell him in a decisive tone: "I don''t want people looking at me. Give me something to cover myself."


    Solmir nods understandingly and gestures to a servant, who quickly brings a large, heavy blanket. I drape it around myself, hiding my face and figure from prying eyes. The fabric is surprisingly soft against my skin, scented with lavender and sandalwood.


    "I also ask the guild people to keep to themselves everything they''ve seen," I add, my voice slightly muffled by the cloth. "Nothing must leave this place."


    Solmir straightens up, assuming a solemn air. The light filtering through the high windows illuminates his silver hair, giving him an perfect aura.


    "I, Solmir Silverweynn, as head of the Silverweynn family, promise you that no one will know what happened here, and I will do everything to prevent any information regarding you, Doruuk Velor, from getting out. So rest assured that nothing will happen."


    "Good," I simply respond, though a thousand doubts stir within me. How much can a nobleman''s word be worth in this world?


    We exit the guild, and I am struck by the dazzling sunlight and the murmur of the crowd outside. Through the thin fabric of the blanket, I see the faces of people watching curiously. The survivors of the event walk with their heads held high, still shaken but proud to be alive. Lillia and Frenya walk proudly beside their fathers, with the confident air of those who have faced danger and emerged victorious.


    I, covered by the blanket, follow at a distance, a silent shadow in the wake of luminous figures.


    [There''s a great reason behind this action. "Shadowveil: Chronicles of Orvhalis" is a very strategic game, here every move counts and can change everything. I know nothing about this world, nothing! I don''t know if I''m unique or if there''s someone else like me. And then I don''t know what intentions people here have, so it''s better that I stay as hidden as possible, without drawing attention to myself.]


    This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    In front of an imposing building, several luxurious carriages stop, with horses of gleaming coats and golden trappings. A servant approaches me, bowing slightly.


    "Sir, please get in here," he says, indicating one of the carriages.


    I climb into the indicated carriage, noting the fine details of the interior: seats upholstered in crimson velvet, solid silver handles, silk curtains embroidered with floral motifs. Inside, there are only the servant and I, a young man with an impassive face but vigilant eyes.


    The carriage begins to move with a slight jolt. I look out the window and see a long line of people staring at us and talking animatedly. I catch fragments of conversations about the possible successor of the Silverweynn family and about the reputation of barbarians improving in the eyes of the people, as they were previously seen only as muscular ignorants.


    But some also talk about the mysterious cloaked figure, wondering who I might be. Their voices become increasingly distant as the carriage accelerates, leaving the city behind and taking a road that winds among verdant hills.


    During the journey, total silence reigns, interrupted only by the sound of the horses'' hooves and the creaking of the wheels on the ground. The landscape outside gradually changes: houses thin out, giving way to vast cultivated fields and then to forests of tall trees with silver leaves that sparkle under the sun.


    After about an hour, the carriage slows down and finally stops. The servant opens the door and invites me to get out. Once outside, I am literally breathless.


    Before me stands a villa so majestic it seems to have come out of a dream. The main building is immaculate white with intense red details, topped by a roof of tiles as blue as the summer sky. Enormous solid gold pillars support the entrance portico, capturing and reflecting sunlight in a thousand dazzling glares.


    The villa is surrounded by perfectly manicured gardens: geometric hedges of brilliant green, flowerbeds of vivid colors arranged in complex patterns, white marble fountains from which water flows creating miniature rainbows. Statues of mythological creatures and illustrious ancestors are strategically placed along paths paved with precious stones.


    Every component of the property seems to have been selected not only for its intrinsic value but also for how it harmonizes with the rest, creating an ensemble that conveys power, wealth, and a refined taste that transcends epochs.


    I am shocked at that sight, unable to completely hide my amazement despite the blanket that envelops me.


    Solmir calls me, beckoning with his hand adorned with precious rings. "Come, please."


    We walk toward the entrance of the villa. I discover that, to celebrate Lillia''s return, her father has organized a banquet for his family and Frenya''s, both surprisingly vast. Hundreds of servants move frantically in all directions, some carrying silver trays laden with food and drinks, others arranging floral decorations or polishing already gleaming objects.


    [It''s like observing a royal family, though I can''t imagine what a real royal family looks like if nobles already live in these conditions.]


    We stop before the imposing entrance door of the villa. It''s so large that three men could pass through side by side without difficulty. It''s made of dark, polished wood, probably from an ancient, enchanted forest, with inlays that tell stories of battles and triumphs. The handles are of pure silver, crafted in the shape of lion heads with ruby eyes.


    The servants open the giant door, and although I am behind the Silverweynn family, I can see beyond them. If the exterior was impressive, the interior is simply breathtaking. The white marble floor is so polished it looks like a frozen lake, reflecting the dozens of crystal chandeliers hanging from the very high ceiling. The walls are covered with tapestries narrating the heroic deeds of ancestors, interspersed with mirrors in gold frames and paintings by famous masters.


    I see that some people are waiting in the atrium. Lillia, spotting an elegant woman in the center, runs toward her exclaiming: "Mom!"


    The woman, who has the same eyes as Lillia but with a wisdom that only years can confer, embraces her strongly, the relief evident on her delicate face. Around them gather other family members, some with the distinctive traits of the Silverweynns, others with the characteristic robustness of the Unchained.


    The atmosphere is warm and festive, full of laughter and animated conversations. Yet, gradually, the volume of voices diminishes as attention shifts to the blanket-wrapped figure that is me.


    I feel curious gazes settling on me, the unspoken questions floating in the air: who is this mysterious person? Why does he hide his face? What is his role in all this story?


    Before anyone can formulate these questions aloud, Solmir intervenes with a suave voice: "Our guest must be tired after today''s events. We will show him the room we have prepared especially for him."


    He gestures to a servant, who approaches me with a respectful bow. "Follow me, sir," he says in a deferential tone.


    The servant guides me through corridors adorned with works of art and ancient relics, each step we take on the polished marble resounding like a musical note. We climb a spiral staircase of white stone, whose steps seem suspended in the air, supported only by a central column inlaid with floral motifs in gold.


    We finally reach a door of light wood with silver handles. The servant opens it and steps aside. "Please, sir, do come in. This room is specially decorated for you, make yourself comfortable."


    I enter the room and look around, still keeping the blanket over me. It''s a spacious and bright space, with high windows overlooking the rear gardens of the property. The canopy bed in the center is large enough to comfortably accommodate three people, with cream-colored silk sheets and a quilt embroidered with gold threads. A pink marble fireplace occupies one wall, ready to be lit at the first hint of cold. Fine wood furniture, carved with superhuman mastery, is tastefully arranged around the room: a desk with paper and pen for writing, a bookcase full of leather-bound tomes, comfortable armchairs near the fireplace.


    "Thank you," I say to the servant, finally letting the blanket fall now that we are alone. "But may I ask you something?"


    "Yes, sir, please do," he responds, keeping his eyes respectfully lowered.


    "Well then, how long have you been working here?"


    "Sir, for about seven years," he replies with a slight inclination of his head.


    [Good, he''s a young man who hasn''t been working here too long. It shows on his face too.]


    "Ok, can you tell me something about the Silverweynn family, to help me know them better?" I ask, trying to sound casual.


    The servant stiffens imperceptibly. "I''m sorry, sir, but I can''t tell you anything. I don''t have permission."


    I nod, not surprised by the answer. "Ah, it''s nothing. You may go, don''t worry."


    "Thank you, sir," he says with another bow before leaving, silently closing the door behind him.


    Left alone, I let myself fall onto the bed, sinking into the soft mattress. The room is more luxurious than anything I''ve ever seen in my real life. The ceiling above me is painted with scenes of starry skies and mythological creatures dancing among the clouds.


    [But what do I do from now on?]


    I get up and approach the window, observing the sunset that tinges the gardens below with red and gold. In the distance, beyond the boundaries of the property, stretch verdant hills and, even further away, bluish mountains that stand out against the horizon.


    [I don''t want to stay here too long.]


    A bird with iridescent feathers lands on the outside windowsill, observes me with curious eyes, then flies away toward freedom.


    [Even knowing it''s a nice place...]


    The room, however luxurious, suddenly seems like a golden prison to me. The apparent kindness of the Silverweynns could hide darker motives.


    [I must get out as soon as possible.]


    Determination makes its way inside me as I watch the sun disappear beyond the mountains, leaving the sky streaked with purple and indigo. Whatever happens, I will not allow anyone to use me as a pawn in a game I still don''t fully understand.


    Chapter-End.

 Chapter 21: Silverweynn part 2

    [ ] = Doruuk thoughts


    A sharp knock on the door interrupts the silence of my room. I instinctively grab the blanket and wrap myself completely, hiding every inch of my skin.


    "Enter," I say with a firm voice.


    A servant enters, slightly bowing his head in respect. His eyes avoid meeting mine, as if fearing what he might see.


    "Sir, the Great Lord requests that you prepare yourself properly," he announces in a formal tone.


    "I will do so shortly," I reply, studying his every movement.


    "The Great Lord wishes to know which clothes you prefer to wear."


    [I could ask for luxurious and comfortable attire, it would be logical in a dwelling like this.]


    [But I will not yield to temptations.]


    I slightly raise my chin and respond decisively: "Tell the Great Lord that I desire the clothes I was wearing previously. He will understand what I am referring to."


    The servant nods. "Certainly, sir. I will bring your garments as soon as possible."


    When the door closes, I remain motionless for a few moments, assessing the situation. Every sound, every shadow could hide danger. Distrust is a companion that has never abandoned me.


    The servant returns shortly after with a bundle of neatly folded clothes. I observe them carefully: identical to those I had before, but made with superior quality materials. Fine fabrics that maintain the modest appearance of the original. An intelligent choice by the master of the house.


    "Thank you," I say simply, taking the garments.


    After the servant withdraws, I head to the bathroom. Hot water flows over my skin, washing away layers of dried blood and accumulated dirt. The blood forms reddish spirals that disappear down the drain, carrying with them memories of recent events.


    [A fresh shower, after such a long time, is truly relaxing and pleasant. But I cannot lower my guard, not even here.]


    I close my eyes for an instant, allowing myself this brief moment of weakness. The water washes away tension, but not suspicion. In a world like this, survival depends on constant vigilance.


    Once finished with the shower, I methodically dry myself and don the new clothes. The fabric flows over my skin like a caress, a luxury I had forgotten. Yet, my face remains impassive. Comfort is another weakness I cannot afford.


    I return to the room and sit on the edge of the bed, immersing myself in my thoughts, analyzing every possible escape route, every potential threat. The vigilant mind never allows itself complete rest.


    Another knock at the door brings me back to reality.


    "Sir, the Great Lord requests your presence in the main hall," announces the servant''s voice.


    "I''ll come immediately," I respond, rising with a fluid movement.


    I grab my blanket and wrap myself completely, leaving only my eyes visible. The protection it offers goes beyond the physical; it hides my identity, my past, my intentions. This way, I remain an enigma, impossible to decipher.


    The servant guides me through the corridors of the villa. Our footsteps resonate on the marble tiles, creating an eerie rhythm in the imposing silence. The walls are adorned with tapestries and paintings that tell stories of past glory, of battles won and lost. I observe every detail, memorizing the layout of the rooms, the positions of the guards, the possible exit routes.


    The villa is vast, a labyrinth of opulence and power. We cross halls and corridors, descending elegant staircases until we reach the main hall. The journey seems endless, giving me time to mentally prepare for the possible situations I might face.


    When we finally arrive, the vision before me is that of a long banquet table, around which numerous individuals are seated. I immediately recognize the familiar traits suggesting kinship with Lillia and Frenya. Aristocratic faces, rigid postures, eyes that hide secrets.


    My entrance causes an immediate interruption of conversations. All those present turn toward me, curious and suspicious gazes attempting to penetrate my protective veil. I can feel the silent questions floating in the tense air.


    Solmir, the master of the house, stands up. His imposing figure dominates the hall, emanating a natural authority that demands immediate respect.


    "I ask for everyone''s attention," he announces in a deep voice that reverberates through the hall. "The man you see before you is the one who allowed our daughters, Lillia and Frenya, to survive. He has requested to keep his identity hidden, not desiring fame or recognition. But his actions speak louder than his appearance."


    I carefully observe the reactions of those present as Solmir continues his speech.


    "My daughter has narrated to me in detail the events that occurred in the portal: how she met him, his actions, his behavior, the calm maintained in extreme situations. I must admit that he was extraordinary. Every strategy he devised worked to perfection, and thanks to him, both survived, while all others present perished. They were the only ones to survive an event that should have overwhelmed them! I therefore invite you to applaud in his honor."


    Applause spreads through the hall, but my experienced eyes notice the discrepancy between gestures and expressions. Hands clap mechanically, but gazes remain cold, calculating. The appearance of gratitude hides suspicion and, perhaps, envy. It doesn''t surprise me; true human nature always emerges in small inconsistencies.


    This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.


    "Please, be seated," Solmir invites me with a gesture of his hand. "Make yourself comfortable and help yourself freely. If you desire something particular, do not hesitate to ask."


    "Thank you," I respond in a neutral tone, taking a seat at the end of the table, a position that allows me to observe all those present without turning my head excessively.


    The banquet begins, but while others indulge in the pleasures of the table, I maintain my vigilant attention. Every movement is registered: the way they hold their utensils, the furtive glances exchanged between diners, the whispers they believe imperceptible. Nothing escapes my analysis.


    Everyone pretends to be calm, but I can perceive the tension permeating the atmosphere. It''s in the rigid shoulders, in the too-wide smiles, in the way fingers grip goblets. The air is charged with repressed emotions, unformulated questions, unexpressed suspicions.


    I eat slowly, cautiously tasting each dish, always careful never to completely lower my guard. The food is exquisite, prepared by expert hands, but even this could be a weapon in the wrong hands.


    As the meal draws to a close, I rise with a fluid movement, ready to withdraw. Solmir calls to me with a firm voice:


    "Sir, I ask you to join me later. There are matters we must discuss privately."


    "As you wish," I respond with a nod.


    I return to my room, aware of the gazes that follow me. The sensation of being watched is not new; it''s a constant in my existence.


    Just after returning to my room, the door opens without warning. Frenya enters with the ease of someone who feels at home.


    "Hey, hey, what are you doing? Entering without asking permission isn''t polite," I say, keeping my voice calm but firm.


    Frenya raises an eyebrow, amused by my reaction. "I don''t think I need to ask permission to enter my own home."


    [You call this villa home? Interesting how quickly one becomes accustomed to privilege.]


    "Isn''t it rather Lillia''s house?" I respond, carefully observing her reaction.


    "You''re right, technically," she admits with a smile. "But my father and Lillia''s have been friends for a long time. They fought together, shared adventures, faced dangers. I''ve never felt like a stranger here."


    I look straight into her eyes, without hiding my skepticism. "Feelings and words lose value in moments of true difficulty. It''s easy to feel at home when doors are open."


    Frenya crosses her arms, visibly annoyed. "Why must you always speak as if the world were about to collapse? That depressed philosopher tone doesn''t suit you."


    "I simply state reality, without embellishments or illusions," I respond, scrutinizing her. "By the way, where is Lillia? Shouldn''t you be with her?"


    "She''s with her father. And no, I don''t have to be attached to her every moment."


    "Then, what''s the reason for your visit?" I ask directly.


    She takes a step closer, eyes shining with curiosity. "I want to know why you cover yourself that way. You seem afraid that someone might actually see you."


    "I have my reasons." My answer is dry, definitive.


    "What reasons? You move as if you were terrified of being recognized."


    I stare at her through the thin opening of my covering. "I don''t wish to be noticed."


    "Why?"


    "Because too much fame can transform into a mortal danger."


    Frenya shakes her head, confused. "I don''t understand your way of thinking."


    Without adding anything else, she extracts a folded paper from her robe and hands it to me. "Take this."


    I take it, maintaining a safe distance. "What is it?"


    "It''s your payment, higher than the agreement established in the portal. Consider it a bonus for the exceptional success of the enterprise. These are considerable funds."


    "How much exactly?" I ask, without opening the paper.


    "You''ll discover it by going to the Guild. Present them with this document and they will give you the sum."


    She heads toward the door, but before exiting, she turns one last time. Her eyes soften, showing for an instant genuine vulnerability.


    "Thank you," she murmurs. "Thanks to you, I managed to obtain my first Luminousa."


    I look at her intently, seeing beyond her mask of confidence. "It was written in your destiny. I merely accelerated the inevitable."


    A fleeting smile crosses her face before she closes the door behind her, leaving me once again alone with my thoughts.


    Midnight finds me immersed in light sleep, that of someone who knows that every noise could signify danger. A gentle touch on the door awakens me instantly. My senses activate even before consciousness fully returns.


    Solmir enters silently, a finger placed on his lips indicating the need for silence.


    "Follow me," he whispers. "In silence."


    I rise without asking questions. Curiosity is a luxury that can wait; immediate obedience is often the key to survival.


    We move like shadows through deserted corridors. The villa, so lively during the day, is now wrapped in an unsettling silence. I notice the absence of guards and servants, usually present even during nighttime hours. An anomaly worthy of attention.


    We cross the main hall, now illuminated only by the pale moonlight filtering through the tall windows. We exit to the outside, where the night air carries with it the smell of damp earth and nocturnal flowers. The garden is a labyrinth of hedges and statues, but Solmir moves with the confidence of someone who knows every stone.


    We head toward a small wooden structure, almost invisible in the darkness. A simple gardener''s cabin, too modest to attract attention in such a sumptuous property.


    [Where is he taking me? Why so much mystery for a simple shed?]


    I follow him in silence, keeping my guard up. My hand remains close to the dagger hidden among the folds of my clothes, ready to react at the slightest sign of danger.


    We arrive in front of the cabin. Solmir opens the door with a fluid movement, revealing a simple and disorderly interior. Gardening tools hang on the walls, bags of soil stacked in a corner, empty pots arranged on dusty shelves.


    "Why have you brought me here?" I finally ask, my voice barely a whisper in the darkness.


    Solmir turns to me, his eyes shining with unexpected intensity. "Wait and you will see."


    He approaches the tools, methodically moving rakes and shears. I observe him carefully as he moves with precision, as if following an invisible path. His lips move in a whisper I cannot decipher, ancient words that slide into the night air.


    Then, with a deliberate gesture, he presses his thumb at the center of the room, at an apparently random point on the earthen floor.


    [What is he doing? Is this madness or is there a design I cannot see?]


    I wait, every muscle tense, ready to react. For five interminable seconds, nothing happens.


    Then, as if in response to an invisible call, a brilliant light begins to form on the floor, slowly tracing the contours of a perfect square. The intensity increases until it becomes blinding, forcing me to narrow my eyes.


    When the light dims, in place of the simple packed earth floor appears a door, carved in what looks like ancient stone, covered with symbols I do not recognize.


    My eyes widen in amazement, unable to hide my surprise.


    "What is this?" I ask, my voice betraying a shiver of wonder that I rarely allow myself to show.


    Solmir straightens up, looking at me with an enigmatic expression. "This is one of the places known only to a few elect. Only I can access what lies beneath."


    "If it is so important and secret, why show it to me? I am but a stranger in your eyes."


    A subtle smile appears on the man''s face. "I cannot bear the weight of unsettled debts. You saved my daughter, and this is my way of repaying you."


    [He is a man of principles. He respects rules, even unwritten ones.]


    A fleeting smile crosses my face, as if I had already predicted this response. "Well then, let us proceed."


    I approach the mysterious door, aware that I am about to cross a threshold that could forever change the course of my destiny.


    Chapter-End.

 Chapter 22: Silverweynn part 3

    [ ] = Doruuk thoughts


    Solmir and I began descending the stone stairs. The air grew progressively colder, saturated with an ancient smell of dust and magic. As soon as we crossed the threshold, the massive door above us closed with a dull thud that echoed in the depths of the crypt.


    "It closed!" I exclaimed, an involuntary shiver ran down my spine as the echo of my voice bounced off the stone walls.


    Solmir turned to me with a smug smile, his eyes shining with a calculating intelligence that made me uncomfortable. "Yes, I know. It will open again when I want it to. Except for me, no one can enter here alone." His tone was that of someone accustomed to power and control. "And you''re probably thinking: what happens if someone kills me? Or if I die? In that case, the door will remain locked until the magic of the Silverweyyn family chooses its next heir." He scrutinized me with penetrating eyes. "You won''t understand these things because you don''t know yet, so it''s better that we move on."


    [This old man enjoys keeping me in the dark. He treats me like an ignorant servant. One day I''ll make him swallow that arrogance of his.]


    As we descended deeper, an incredible spectacle opened before my eyes. It wasn''t simply a crypt, but almost another underground villa, filled with unimaginable treasures. My eyes jumped from one object to another, trying to absorb every detail. Shelves of ancient books with leather covers worn by time extended along an entire wall. Shimmering armors of unknown metals reflected the dim light of the torches. Weapons of every type and size, some emanating a palpable aura of power, were arranged in perfect order on intricately carved wooden stands.


    "All the things you see here," explained Solmir with a tone that betrayed his pride, "are very valuable and have very high worth because they were used by heroes of the past." He made a broad gesture with his hand, indicating the entire collection. "This is more than a treasure. People would kill each other to obtain just one of these things, because beyond their value, their functions and attributes have tremendous power."


    [Good, good. I need to keep this in mind. It might be useful to me in the future. Knowing the value of what others desire is power.]


    "But are there guards here to protect these things?" I asked, trying to mask the greed I felt growing inside me.


    Solmir laughed, a cold sound that echoed in the vaults of the crypt. "No guards are needed here. This entire place is surrounded by magic that monitors everything. If it notices that someone has bad intentions and tries to steal something, it burns them to ashes in that exact moment, without them even realizing it."


    [Oh maan!... I better behave as well as possible. This old fox has thought of everything.]


    "Good," I replied with a flat tone, as I felt a drop of cold sweat slide down my back.


    We continued walking in silence through the vast collection. Our steps resonated on the polished marble floor. After what seemed like an eternity, we finally arrived at our destination.


    Before us stood an intricately crafted door. Arcane symbols were engraved on its surface, glowing faintly with contained energy. Solmir advanced confidently and opened it with a fluid movement of his hand.


    "Come inside, Doruuk," he invited me, with a tone that sounded almost friendly, but his eyes remained cold and calculating.


    I crossed the threshold and was left breathless. The room was filled with magical objects of all kinds: ancient scrolls floating in mid-air, crystals pulsing with energy, mysterious artifacts... and above all, Luminousa in great numbers. The crystalline spheres pulsated with their own light, as if they were alive, arranged on shelves that surrounded the entire room.


    "Doruuk," Solmir began, his voice suddenly serious. "Since you helped Lillia and Frenya survive, I want you to obtain a Luminousa of your choice." He made a studied pause, observing my reaction. "Choose the one you want and let me know. Don''t worry if the Luminousa will choose you or not; we have removed this ability with magic, so you can choose without problems. Enjoy yourself, but..."


    He remained silent for a moment, letting the tension grow.


    [What ''but''? What does this snake have in mind?]


    "Doruuk, you know, right?" he continued with a subtle smile that didn''t reach his eyes. "This world is already cruel, so don''t expect too much even from me. I know you saved my daughter''s life, but I can''t give you something very powerful for this." His gaze hardened. "It may seem dishonorable, but that''s life, dear Doruuk."


    His voice lowered, becoming almost a whisper. "Since I don''t want your favor on my shoulders, I give you permission to choose a Luminousa up to rank 7, no more." His smile widened into a self-satisfied smirk. "Choose wisely, dear, hahaha! And then, the Luminousa that Frenya received is also rank 7, so think of it as a fair exchange, hahaha!"


    His laughter resonated in the room, cold and calculated. It was clear that he enjoyed putting me in a position of inferiority, reminding me of my place in the social hierarchy. His eyes stared at me intensely, and the message was clear: he was doing a favor for an inferior being like me.


    [This dishonorable old man! I didn''t think he was so underhanded. It''s true that I''m receiving a Luminousa, but the way he looks at me... Those eyes of his clearly say he''s doing a favor to a lowlife like me. One day, when I''m strong enough, my dagger will be at your throat, Solmir. Wait for that day, you old man.]


    With one last contemptuous look, Solmir left the chamber, heavily closing the door behind him. His oppressive presence vanished, but the sense of humiliation remained like a stain on my dignity.


    Now I was alone in the room, surrounded by power that I could only touch, limited by the arbitrary generosity of my benefactor.


    The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    [Well, well, well... let''s see what we have here.]


    I began to methodically explore the room, observing each Luminousa carefully. Each sphere shone with a unique light, some pulsing intensely, others emitting a constant glow. I analyzed them one by one, trying to perceive the power contained within. Since I was about to obtain my first Luminousa, I decided I would take only one of rank 7, not lower.


    I moved cautiously among the shelves, turning and returning between one Luminousa and another. Occasionally I would pause on a particularly interesting sphere, feeling its energy vibrate under my fingers. Time passed as I weighed the options, aware that this choice could determine my future.


    Three hours of careful evaluation passed. My mind was tired, but I finally managed to select five Luminousas that seemed promising. From these, I would choose only one.


    [The most disappointing thing is that again I don''t have much information about Luminousas. I only know the generalities, I never took the instructions too seriously when I played "Shadowveil: Chronicles of Orvhalis," and today I''m bitterly regretting it.]


    I gritted my teeth in frustration as I tried to recall any useful details from the game that could help me in my choice.


    [As soon as possible, I''ll need to gather more information about this world. Ignorance is a weakness I cannot afford.]


    The monsters from which all the Luminousas I was considering derived were found beyond the third world, creatures of power and mystery that few had the privilege to encounter.


    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    The first Luminousa was derived from the Phantom Stalker, a spectral creature that hunted silently in the ruins of abandoned cities. The sphere shone with an iridescent black, like oil under sunlight. I could almost see the Phantom Stalker within it: a humanoid shadow with blurred contours, lacking solid form, its eyes two red glows, and its body vibrating slightly, making it difficult to see clearly.


    Its abilities were seductive:


    Passive - Phantom Veil: It would make me imperceptible (no sound, smell, magical or instinctive perception) up to 3 meters. If I moved slowly or remained still, the radius would increase to 7 meters. However, it wouldn''t make me invisible. An enemy with high sensitivity could still attack me. Additionally, if I attacked or was attacked, the veil would vanish for 20 seconds.


    Active - Death''s Gambit: The next attack within the following 10 seconds would ignore armor and inflict 2.5 times normal damage. If it hit a vital point, the damage would become quadruple. The cooldown would be 45 seconds, and if the attack was dodged, the bonus would be lost.


    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    The second Luminousa was extracted from the Titanic Juggernaut, a semi-living colossus made of stone and flesh, capable of enduring immense damage without falling. The sphere emitted an amber glow, solid and constant. Inside it, I could glimpse the Titanic Juggernaut: a gigantic humanoid creature, at least 8 meters tall, with a body of stone and hardened muscles, massive arms, and eyes that shone with an intense yellow light.


    Its abilities promised unparalleled resistance:


    Passive - Battleborn Endurance: When I was wounded, my stamina would increase by 50% and would not be depleted until a portion of life was healed. The effect would last 20 seconds after the last wound. If the wound was above 70% of life, the effect would be doubled.


    Active - Indomitable Aegis: It would absorb 70% of the damage received in the last 5 seconds, transforming it into a temporary shield. In this state, I could not be attacked in any way until the shield was broken by high damage or its time expired. The shield would last 15 seconds, with a cooldown of 70 seconds. If I had not suffered damage in the last 5 seconds, the ability would not activate.


    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    The third Luminousa came from the Dread Revenant, a cursed warrior spirit that grew in power with each life it tore away. The sphere pulsed with a deep black with blood-red veins. Inside, the Dread Revenant appeared as a skeletal knight, wrapped in black armored armor, surrounded by a dark aura. Each of its movements seemed to leave traces of smoky shadows behind.


    Its capabilities were terrifying:


    Passive - Each of my attacks would inflict on the enemy a mark in the part hit, preventing healing for at least 15 seconds. The mark could neither be removed nor healed during this period, unless the adversary''s magic was stronger.


    Passive - Each enemy or monster that I wounded or killed would be counted, and based on the number or damage done, my mental state and strength would increase by a percentage. If the damage was minor, the increase would be minimal, but even with fatal damage, the maximum would be 30%, lasting for 10 seconds until the next attack.


    Passive - Every time I wounded or killed an enemy, I would accumulate Unease, an oppressive aura that would instill fear in the hearts of nearby enemies. Here too, the effect would depend on the damage inflicted, with a maximum of 30% and a duration of 10 seconds. Each wounded enemy would slightly increase the Unease, while each killed enemy would significantly increase it. With high levels of Unease, enemies might hesitate in their attacks, lose precision, or even flee. If the enemy had a strong mental state, the Unease would not have its full effect, but would still produce a reduced impact.


    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    The fourth Luminousa was extracted from the Blood Titan, a gigantic warrior born from the fury of ancient battles. The sphere pulsed with a vivid red, like a heart beating with force. Inside it, the Blood Titan appeared as a humanoid beast 6 meters tall, with dark red skin and enormous muscles. Its veins shone with a crimson light, and it almost seemed like I could hear its roar that made the ground tremble.


    Its capabilities were oriented toward brute force:


    Active - Titan''s Wrath: I could concentrate 60% of all my stats in a single blow. The stats would return to normal after 40 seconds. If I suffered an attack before striking, the effect would be halved instead of being completely nullified. The cooldown would be 90 seconds.


    Active - Apex Frenzy: I would enter a state of berserk fury, doubling speed and strength for 25 seconds. The cooldown would be 2 minutes.


    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    The fifth and final Luminousa was obtained from the Divine Sentinel, a guardian that protected secret treasures. The sphere shone with pure gold, emanating an aura of serenity and power. Inside it, the Divine Sentinel appeared as a golden golem, with wings of light and a floating crown above its head. It almost seemed like I could hear its voice, a metallic echo that reverberated in the air.


    Its abilities were focused on protection and resilience:


    Passive - Transcendent Resurgence: Every malus or weakness (poison, slowdown, stunning) would be converted into a 30% bonus to physical resistance for 5 seconds. This cycle would repeat every minute, until there was no weakness. If the malus was removed earlier, the bonus would vanish.


    Active - Divine Reversal: When activated, it would block all damage for 6 seconds and reflect 40% of the damage received. The cooldown would be 4 minutes.


    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    After carefully studying each Luminousa, I felt the weight of the decision weighing on my shoulders. Each offered unique advantages, each could change the course of my destiny. My fingers caressed one after another the crystalline spheres, perceiving the energy that pulsed within them.


    "SO MY CHOICE IS..." I murmured, reaching my hand toward the Luminousa that would define my future.


    Chapter-End.

 Chapter 23: Silverweynn part 4

    author note --> good morning ladies and gentlemens, i wanted to tell you that in the last chapter i forgot to put the names of the Dread Revenant''s abilities, and now i already did it, if you want you can also go and see. thanks.


    [ ] = Doruuk''s thoughts


    { } = system message


    Before making my final decision, a flashing light caught my attention from the periphery of my field of vision. A system notification that had been pending.


    "Open window," I ordered with a firm voice.


    Immediately, a translucent window materialized in front of me, the words shining with a bluish light


    { Congratulations! The character is now level 2 }


    { Status is updated }


    A shiver of satisfaction ran down my spine.


    Finally some progress.


    I touched the status icon to see what had changed.


    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Status:


    Level 2


    Name: Doruuk Velor


    Age: 24


    Race: Human


    Class: Thief


    Rank: 9


    Strength (STR): 13


    Stamina (SP): 17


    Dexterity (DEX): 14


    Intelligence (INT): 18


    Magic (MP): 0


    Wisdom (WIS): 0


    Ability: Escape (Cooldown: 10 minutes)


    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    [All my parameters have increased: strength from 10 to 13, stamina from 15 to 17, dexterity from 12 to 14, and most importantly intelligence from 8 to 18. A notable leap.]


    [Not bad... not bad at all.]


    My gaze returned to the five Luminousa I had selected, each pulsating with energy and potential.


    The time had come to make my choice, a decision that would shape my destiny in this cruel world.


    [Now I choose my first Luminousa.]


    [And my choice is...]


    [............]


    My hand moved as if guided by its own will, fingers extending toward the third sphere.


    The one emanating a dark aura, the one pulsing with an almost living beat.


    [The third one, the one that comes from ¡ª> Dread Revenant.]


    It wasn''t an impulsive decision.


    Every choice in this world could mean the difference between life and death.


    [Why did I choose this?]


    [Behind this decision lies a great reason.]


    Why did I choose "Dread Revenant" instead of the other abilities?


    After careful evaluation of all abilities, I decided to choose Dread Revenant as my first Luminousa.


    Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    My choice is based on a balance between attack, growth over time, and battle control, something the other abilities didn''t offer to the same extent.


    My mind went through all the options again, analyzing the pros and cons of each Luminousa with cold logic.


    Why didn''t I choose "Phantom Stalker"? The Phantom Stalker ability seemed like a logical choice at first. It combines well with my "Escape" ability, allowing me to move unnoticed and strike by surprise. However, the main problem is that it works well only in one-on-one combat.


    If I found myself surrounded by multiple enemies, not being perceivable up to 3 meters away wouldn''t be enough: once discovered, I would be easily overwhelmed. Furthermore, even though its active ability enhances the weapon by doubling and quadrupling damage, it''s a boost that works only for one strike at a time and doesn''t provide a real long-term strategic advantage.


    Why didn''t I choose "Titanic Juggernaut"? This ability would have made me incredibly resistant, thanks to the ability to not exhaust stamina when injured and to transform damage taken into a protective shield. However, there''s a problem:


    It focuses entirely on defense, which means that while I can survive longer, I don''t have real offensive power to eliminate my adversaries. It doesn''t exploit my combat style, since I need to attack intelligently, not simply resist attacks. It doesn''t offer me an active advantage, because if I''m not injured or weak, the ability becomes useless.


    Why didn''t I choose "Blood Titan"? At first glance, this ability seemed one of the strongest. With the capability to drastically increase my attributes for a short period, I could have delivered devastating attacks. However, there''s a major flaw: it''s not suitable for long-term combat.


    The berserk mode powers me up for a limited time, but if the combat lasts longer than expected, I would end up vulnerable. My body doesn''t have high physical attributes, so enhancing my strength can be useful, but it won''t change the fact that my character isn''t built for prolonged physical endurance. Moreover, the berserk mode might make me lose control of the situation, and my combat style is based on strategy, not pure brute force.


    Why didn''t I choose "Divine Sentinel"? Divine Sentinel was an intriguing choice because of its unique defensive capabilities. Its passive, Transcendent Resurgence, transformed every negative effect like poison, slowing, or stunning into a 30% bonus to physical resistance for 5 seconds, repeating every minute as long as there were more debuffs. This ability would have made my character incredibly resistant to debuffs, but wouldn''t have provided me with a direct offensive advantage.


    The active ability, Divine Reversal, blocked all damage for 6 seconds and reflected 40% of the damage received. Although useful in critical moments, the 4-minute cooldown made it unreliable for prolonged combat. My gameplay style requires active and constant tools, not just temporary defenses that leave me exposed for long periods.


    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Why "Dread Revenant" is the perfect choice? After analyzing the alternatives, Dread Revenant is the ability most suited to my gameplay style and my character. Here''s why:


    It has a balance between attack and battlefield control.


    The Mark of Ruin prevents enemy regeneration, making each attack more lethal over time.


    Bloodlust Manifestation increases my strength every time I inflict damage, allowing me to grow in power as the combat continues.


    Aura of Terror undermines the enemy''s confidence, reducing their accuracy and potentially making them flee.


    It''s a perfect ability for my strategic style.


    It doesn''t require pure physical strength, but favors tactical combat, with effects that accumulate over time. It works well both in duels and against groups of enemies, thanks to the fear it generates. It allows me to have a dominant presence in battle.


    With enough time, my aura can make opponents less aggressive, giving me a psychological advantage. I can wear down and destabilize opponents, rather than relying entirely on defense or a temporary boost.


    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Conclusion While the other abilities had their advantages, Dread Revenant is the only one that guarantees me continuous and unstoppable growth during combat, without depending on temporary boosts or defense alone. Surviving is important, but winning is the real key.


    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    [Yes, I''ll take the third Luminousa.]


    Decisively, I reached out toward the pulsating sphere of the Dread Revenant.


    The crystalline surface was cold to the touch, yet it seemed to vibrate with a dark and powerful energy. My fingers closed around it and I lifted it from its support with reverence.


    [Now you''re mine.]


    I brought the Luminousa close to my chest.


    The assimilation protocol had begun.


    The sphere started to shine more intensely, emanating a black-violet glow that enveloped my body. Then, slowly, it began to dissolve, like fog vanishing in the sun.


    I felt a burning sensation in my chest, which quickly spread through every fiber of my being. It wasn''t painful, but intense, almost intoxicating. A heat never experienced before descended upon my heart, pulsing to the rhythm of my heartbeat.


    It was a unique sensation, as if an ancient and powerful entity had fused with my soul, awakening something primordial inside me. A dark power that was only waiting to be released.


    { Status is updated }


    Instinctively, I recalled the status window to see how the Dread Revenant had changed my essence.


    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Status:


    Level 2


    Name: Doruuk Velor


    Age: 24


    Race: Human


    Class: Thief


    Rank: 9


    Strength (STR): 13


    Stamina (SP): 17


    Dexterity (DEX): 14


    Intelligence (INT): 18


    Magic (MP): 0


    Wisdom (WIS): 0


    Ability:


    Escape (Cooldown: 10 minutes)


    Dread Revenant --> { (passive 1 --> Mark of Ruin)


    (passive 2 --> Bloodlust Manifestation)


    (passive 3 --> Aura of Terror)  }


    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    A cold smile formed on my face as I read the new abilities now integrated into my being. I could feel the power of the Dread Revenant flowing through my veins, a dark and seductive energy that promised death to my enemies and glory to me.


    Chapter-End.

 Chapter 24: The new journey

    [ ] = Doruuk''s thoughts


    [Now I can leave this place and I want to go as far away as possible from this old man''s villa, and one day I''ll show you who I really am, remember that!]


    I exit the room with heavy steps, rage flowing through my veins like molten lava. Solmir stares at me with those penetrating eyes, eyes that seem to bore into my soul and make screams of anger resonate within me. I must stay calm. His strength far exceeds mine, and unleashing my fury now would be a fatal mistake.


    "Thanks for your help," I say with a controlled voice, each word carefully weighed, "but I want to be far away from this place before the sun rises."


    Solmir curls his lips into a cruel smile. "As you wish, Doruuk, hahaha," he laughs, a hollow sound that echoes between the luxurious walls. "Go ahead. I only needed to remove your favor from my shoulders, and I''ve done that, haven''t I?"


    He looks at me with those arrogant eyes, full of self-satisfaction and superiority. In that moment, I understand how dangerous this man is, how much his power has corrupted him to the core.


    "Yes," I respond dryly, "you have."


    "Then allow me to ask you this question," continues Solmir, stroking his chin with slender fingers. "Why do you want to leave? You could stay a bit longer in this luxury, which I don''t think you''ll find elsewhere, right?"


    His voice is honey hiding poison. Every word is a calculated attempt to manipulate me, to keep me under his yoke. The luxurious villa surrounding me is a golden cage, and Solmir is its jailer.


    "I have my reasons and I don''t want to tell you," I respond with cutting coldness.


    "As you wish, hahaha," he laughs again, but in his eyes I see the frustration of not being able to bend me to his will.


    We leave that oppressive place, and once in the garden illuminated by the moon, I stop. The night air caresses my face, a momentary relief from the tension gripping me.


    "Now I''m leaving," I declare, looking toward the dark horizon, already imagining the steps that will take me far from this cursed villa.


    Solmir approaches, his shadow seeming to unnaturally stretch in the darkness. "Go ahead, Doruuk, but keep this event between you and me. If I find out that you''ve let even a single word escape your lips..." He pauses, letting the veiled threat hang in the air between us. "You know very well what I can do, so it would be better if you keep your mouth shut and thank me for giving you such a great gift, hahaha."


    "Don''t worry," I respond with an icy tone. "I''m not someone who goes back on his word."


    "Good, I hope so," says Solmir, then adds in an almost thoughtful voice: "And, Doruuk, I must admit that thanks to you my daughter is safe today. You were of great help to her."


    The mention of his daughter brings confused memories to my mind, but I quickly push them away. "I did everything only for myself," I retort with detachment. "I don''t help anyone without looking at my own profit."


    A satisfied smile spreads across Solmir''s face. "I must admit that you''re a man I''ve come to like."


    I don''t respond. There''s nothing to say to a man like him, a predator who feeds on the weaknesses of others, who manipulates and corrupts everything he touches. I walk away quickly, leaving behind that villa which from the outside seems sparkling and brilliant, but which hides a dark face that few can imagine.


    [I need to disappear before the sun rises.]


    [The only reason for leaving that villa was that I didn''t want to get into future trouble. The old man''s intentions didn''t seem good to me; there was something rotten behind that facade of generosity. So the best thing was to leave, as soon as possible.]


    I run through the streets of Drakathen, my breath heavy and my heart pounding in my chest. The streets are almost deserted at this hour of the night, only a few solitary figures hurrying home or to places still open. I wonder how many of them hide dark secrets like Solmir''s, how many wear masks of respectability during the day.


    The city sleeps, unaware of the machinations taking place behind the closed doors of its most luxurious villas. Solmir, with his power and wealth, can buy silence, can shape reality to his liking. But he cannot buy me.


    I decide to spend the remaining time outdoors. I find a park, not one with rides or amusements, but a simple lawn with a few scattered benches. I sit on one of these, the cold wood beneath me.


    Sleep threatens to overcome me as I sit there. Besides me, there isn''t a soul in sight. The cold morning air surrounds me, penetrating through my clothes. Yet, there''s something purifying about this cold, as if it were washing away the corrupted aura of Solmir''s villa.


    I observe the landscape around me, its silent and undisturbed beauty. I get lost in my thoughts, and a painful memory surfaces: my parents, whom I loved more than myself.


    [What has happened in the world outside this game? Has anyone been able to see me? My parents must be worried. I want to go to them, but I''m trapped here in this game against my will.]


    [Ohhhhh, life, where have you taken me...]


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    Time passes while I''m immersed in my thoughts, in a silent dialogue with myself that leads to no answers, only more questions. The sun begins to rise on the horizon, tinting the sky with shades of pink and orange. I rise from the bench, my limbs numb from the cold and immobility, and head toward Hector''s inn, where I had taken a room.


    When I arrive, Hector looks at me in surprise. He probably wasn''t expecting to see me return.


    We exchange a few brief words ¨C nothing important, just empty words to fill the silence. Then I retire to my room, where I collapse on the bed and let myself be enveloped by sleep, a dreamless sleep, a brief oblivion from worries.


    After a few hours of rest, I wake up. The sun is high in the sky now, the city pulsating with life. I head to the guild to collect the money that''s owed to me.


    I enter the imposing guild building, with its stone columns and colorful banners. Inside, the atmosphere is one of efficiency and professionalism. I approach the counter where the secretary sits, a stern-looking woman with glasses sliding down her nose.


    I hand her the slip of paper that Frenya had given me. The secretary examines it carefully, then raises her gaze to me with an expression that mixes curiosity and suspicion. She rises without saying a word and goes to get the money.


    "Here''s your money," she says when she returns, counting the coins in front of me. "It''s 223 gold coins. But tell me, where did you obtain such a considerable sum?"


    She scrutinizes me with eyes that seem to want to penetrate every defense, every lie.


    "I prefer not to answer," I say in a neutral tone. "I earned it by working."


    The secretary tilts her head slightly. "Young man, be careful," she warns me in a low voice. "Around here, anything can happen."


    There''s a note of sincere concern in her voice, or perhaps it''s just my imagination.


    "Alright, I''ll keep that in mind," I respond, collecting the coins.


    [Excellent!! Money, beautiful and plentiful. The language of money is understood by the mute, the blind, and the deaf. Everyone hears the language of money. With this amount, I''ll manage well for a while.]


    I take the money and exit the guild, feeling the reassuring weight of the full purse against my side. The sun hits my face when I step outside, making me squint.


    Now I need to head to a very important place for me: THE LIBRARY.


    [I never studied much in real life, but here I need to study to SURVIVE! Knowledge is the key to survival.]


    With this conviction, I enter the city library, a majestic building with tall columns and windows that filter light in golden beams.


    As soon as I cross the threshold, I''m welcomed by a reverential silence. I see only serious people, all with their heads immersed in books. Despite the presence of numerous people, there''s no one talking. The silence is total, almost oppressive.


    And then I enter, with my voice ringing like a trumpet as I address the librarian at the reception desk.


    "GOOD MORNING! I WANTED TO ASK ABOUT A BOOK ON LUMINOUSA, CAN YOU HELP¡ª"


    Before I can continue, the librarian and all the people around shoot me such icy glances that I''m immediately forced to fall silent. I approach the counter and repeat my request, this time in an almost imperceptible whisper.


    The librarian looks at me sternly. "Fine, I''ll give it to you," she says in a controlled voice. "But you can''t take it home. If you want to read it, you must do so here, understood? And if the book gets damaged, you''ll have to pay, agreed? And speak in a low voice, as people here are very focused and busy reading."


    "Alright, I''ll be careful," I promise, feeling like a scolded child. "Thank you."


    The librarian raises her hand in the air with an elegant gesture, and the book I had requested begins to float toward her, gently landing on her outstretched hand. Such a casual demonstration of magic reminds me once again how different this world is from mine.


    "Here''s your book," she says, handing me the volume with an impassive expression.


    "Thank you," I murmur, taking the book with reverence.


    I head toward a free table in a quiet corner of the library and sit down. The book is titled "Luminousa: Biography." I begin to read carefully, determined not to get distracted.


    The text is clear and detailed:


    "The Luminousa already reveals its field of specialization by its color:


    If it''s yellow = healing Blue = defense Purple = magic Red = physical strength Green = mental strength Black = corruption"


    The word "corruption" immediately catches my attention. I continue reading:


    "Corruption means that the Luminousa uses the minds of others to make you win. It''s a Luminousa that focuses on putting pressure on your enemy or monster. It''s the Luminousa that I assumed was black in color."


    And the Luminousa I took it, was black in color.


    Continuing my reading, I discover that the Luminousa can be removed if you no longer want it, but it''s a long and expensive process, which is why most people avoid doing it. Since the Luminousa is a very valuable thing, its costs are high.


    [Good, I discover new things as I go along.]


    Time passes as I continue to absorb as much information as possible. I learn that the Luminousa can be enhanced through various processes and with money. Even if it''s of low rank, there are ways to improve it.


    I''m about to continue reading when I realize that evening has fallen and the library is about to close. I have to leave, even though I would have liked to continue studying.


    [That was useful information. I must return soon to learn more.]


    I decide to go to a restaurant to eat something. Hunger makes itself felt after hours of intense study.


    [Since I have money, I can afford a luxury restaurant.]


    I ask directions from citizens I meet on the street, and finally arrive at the restaurant that was recommended to me. It''s an elegant building with large illuminated windows and a finely carved wooden door. From inside come sounds of chatter and laughter, the clinking of cutlery and glasses.


    I enter and am greeted by a livered waiter who leads me to a free table. I sit down and order, enjoying the refined atmosphere and the inviting aroma of dishes being served around me.


    After a while, my food arrives. I begin to eat calmly, savoring each bite. The environment around me is lively, with wealthy people dining and conversing amiably.


    Ten minutes pass. I''m still eating, lost in my thoughts and the sensations the food gives me.


    Suddenly, a deafening boom tears through the air. The main door explodes in a shower of wood and glass shards flying in all directions. The sound is so loud that it seems to reverberate inside me, making me jump in my chair.


    Muffled screams rise in the air, while chairs scrape on the floor and people instinctively recoil, seeking shelter from the sudden danger.


    From the gaping hole, wrapped in a cloud of dust and chaos, emerges a group of armed men who burst into the restaurant with determined and threatening steps. Light reflects off the blades of their weapons, creating sinister glints in the dusty air. For an instant, the only perceptible sound is the labored breathing of those present, frozen in terror.


    Everyone remains silent, as if paralyzed by shock. I observe the scene with a mixture of confusion and apprehension, my hand still clutching the fork, the food forgotten on the plate.


    The men move with determination through the restaurant, heading toward a woman sitting at a secluded table. She''s a solitary figure, with one eye covered by a black patch that contrasts with her skin.


    The woman calmly raises her gaze, the spoon suspended in mid-air in front of her lips. Then, with an unsettling calmness, as if the violent intrusion were nothing more than a slight breeze, she brings the morsel to her lips and resumes eating.


    As if nothing had happened.


    [Something big is about to happen here. Should I run? Or stay to see what happens? Whatever my choice, I feel that this night will change many things...]


    Chapter-End.

 Chapter 25: The Mysterious Woman

    [ ] = Doruuk''s thought''s


    { } = system message


    The central man of the group steps forward with a determined stride. His face is a mask of arrogance as he points his finger at the seated woman.


    "I see you still haven''t learned good manners, huh?" His voice echoes in the suddenly silent establishment. "I think we need to teach you something, don''t we?"


    The woman turns slowly. Her eyes, cold as steel, examine him for a moment before nonchalantly returning to her meal.


    I can feel the tension rising in the room. The air becomes dense, almost unbreathable.


    [This is interesting. She''s not cowering like anyone else would.]


    The man, visibly irritated by such insolence, clenches his fists until his knuckles turn white. His face contorts into a grimace of uncontrolled rage.


    "Hey, you whom we picked up from the trash, you dare turn your back on me?!" His shout is loaded with venom.


    With lightning-quick movement, he draws his sword and cuts the table in two equal parts. The dishes shatter on the floor into a thousand pieces, soup spills everywhere.


    "I''ll teach you now how to behave properly," he growls as he raises his blade again.


    But before he can complete the movement, the woman grabs her fork with a gesture so quick it almost escapes me. A silver flash cuts through the air. The fork embeds itself perfectly in the man''s throat, who opens his eyes wide in an expression of surprise and horror.


    [Damn! I didn''t even see her move!]


    The man staggers backward, his hands futilely trying to grasp the utensil lodged in his throat. A gruesome gurgle escapes his lips as he collapses heavily onto the floor in a pool of his own blood.


    The silence that follows lasts only a moment. The other members of the group draw their weapons in unison and lunge toward the woman. But she, with feline agility, leaps onto a nearby table and catapults herself through the window, shattering the glass.


    The men rush in pursuit, pushing each other and shouting orders back and forth.


    "Who were those people? And who was that woman?" I ask the other patrons in the restaurant, my voice betraying a curiosity impossible to hide.


    No response. Only downcast eyes and sealed lips. It''s as if everyone fears uttering a single word about what happened.


    [Everyone knows something. But no one will talk. This makes everything even more intriguing.]


    Curiosity devours me from within like an unquenchable fire. I can''t stay still. I know it could be dangerous, perhaps even fatal, but my feet seem to move of their own accord.


    [Is it a stupid decision to follow them? Absolutely. Will I do it anyway? Without a doubt.]


    I quickly leave some coins on the counter ¨C I''m not a thief, after all or mybe yes¨C and exit the establishment. The cool evening air hits my face as I scan the horizon. I can glimpse the group heading south, their figures moving quickly among the shadows of buildings.


    {The character has used "Escape"}


    I activate my ability, feeling energy flow through my legs. My speed increases dramatically, allowing me to rapidly reduce the distance without being noticed.


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    When I finally reach them, I hide behind the gnarled trunk of an ancient tree. From this privileged position, I can observe the scene unfolding before my eyes.


    The woman is surrounded. No longer by the few men from the restaurant, but by about twenty thugs armed to the teeth. They are forming a circle around her, slowly closing off every escape route.


    [I don''t know why, but my enthusiasm is growing immensely. It''s like watching a show where only I know the ending.]


    I find myself watching with wide eyes and a disturbing smile on my lips. There''s something hypnotic about this situation, as if I''d been dragged into an arena where a deadly combat is about to take place.


    I can''t clearly hear their words from my position, but the body language is unequivocal. Threats, insults, promises of pain.


    Suddenly, as if at an invisible signal, the men attack simultaneously. The woman draws her single sword and assumes a defensive position.


    What follows is pure art.


    Moving with the grace of a dancer and the precision of a surgeon, the woman begins to mow down her adversaries. Her blade describes perfect arcs in the air, always finding its target with deadly precision. She isn''t just strong; she''s technically superior in every aspect.


    [It''s incredible. She''s cutting those guys like vegetables on a cutting board. How strong must she be? Rank 6? Rank 5? Or perhaps even higher? I don''t know, but I''ll stay here a few more minutes before leaving.]


    I watch her as she moves among enemies like water flowing between rocks. Every movement is calculated, every thrust lethal. There''s no hesitation in her gestures, only cold determination.


    But the situation takes an unexpected turn.


    Out of nowhere, like ghosts emerging from the depths of the earth, more men appear. These aren''t simple swordsmen like the previous ones: among them are archers with drawn bows, their arrowheads glinting menacingly under the flickering light of the city lamps.


    Their number has almost doubled, and this time their determination is palpable in the dense night air.


    And then I see him. A man different from all the others, evidently their leader. In his hands, he grips a gigantic sword that he wields as if it were light as a feather. His shoulder-length hair waves in the night breeze. His body below the neck is a mosaic of scars, testimony to countless battles. His arms are massive, muscles prominent and veins bulging under his skin. His face is the incarnation of anger and determination.


    [All this for one woman... What is she hiding? Why do so many want her dead or captured?]


    The men form an impenetrable circle around her, a living wall of blades and deadly intentions.


    [What will she do now? How can she hope to survive?]


    The woman visibly clenches her teeth, her breathing becomes slightly faster, but her gaze remains impassive as ice. It''s evident this isn''t the first time she''s found herself in a similar situation.


    She takes a step back, quickly evaluating her options. Then, like lightning, she darts forward with explosive violence.


    Her first blade sinks into the neck of one of the swordsmen. Blood sprays onto the damp, muddy ground, appearing black under the moonlight. With a fluid movement, she twirls her sword, striking another enemy who collapses with a stifled groan.


    But there are too many, even for her.


    One of the men grabs her arm, another strikes her leg making her stagger. An arrow whistles through the air and grazes her cheek, leaving a thin cut that immediately begins to bleed. In an instant, the mass of enemies overwhelms her.


    She falls to the ground with a dull thud, the air escaping from her lungs in a strangled groan. She tries to get up, but rough hands drag her down mercilessly.


    They block her arms behind her back with abrupt movements, and then tie her up. The cold metal of iron chains tightens around her slender wrists. She''s immobilized, at their mercy.


    [It''s over. I''d better leave before I get into trouble. If a warrior of her caliber has been overwhelmed, I wouldn''t stand a chance.]


    Slowly, even holding my breath, I begin to back away. My steps are light, measured, almost nonexistent. No one has noticed me yet, and every inch I gain away from this madness is a small personal victory.


    Everything is proceeding well. Step by step, I move further away, invisible in the darkness of night.


    Then, suddenly, an icy shiver runs down my spine.


    The woman.


    She''s looking in my direction. It''s not a casual glance. It''s intense, penetrating, as if she could see through the darkness directly into my soul. There''s no escape from those eyes.


    [Look away! Look somewhere else, or I''ll be in trouble up to my neck!]


    But she doesn''t stop. Her eyes implore me, asking for help that I know I cannot give. I feel a knot forming in my throat, a weight on my chest that makes it difficult to breathe. But I''m aware of my limitations. I''m not strong enough. I can''t help her. I must leave, now.


    I resume backing away, trying to ignore that gaze that haunts me.


    And it''s at that very moment that the group''s leader notices. He follows the direction of the woman''s eyes, and then his gaze falls on me.


    And he sees me.


    Time seems to stop for an eternal instant. Our eyes meet across the distance, and I see his expression change from confusion to anger in the blink of an eye.


    Then, a thundering voice explodes in the night air, making my blood freeze in my veins.


    "Hey you! Stop right there, or I''ll split your skull open!"


    Chapter-End.

 Chapter 26: The Mysterious Woman part 2

    [ ] = Doruuk''s thoughts


    { } = System message


    I freeze suddenly, as if my feet had taken root in the ground. My heart hammers in my chest with such violence that I fear it might break my ribs. A brutal-looking man is pointing his crossbow at me, the tip of the arrow glinting in the moonlight.


    [I''m done for. Completely done for.]


    I slowly raise my hands in surrender, each movement measured and cautious. I don''t want to give them any excuse. The men surround me in the blink of an eye, their shadows enveloping me like a living wall with no way out. The smell of sweat, dust, and blood fills my nostrils.


    [That woman! Why did she have to stare at me? Damn it! But even before that... why did I come here? I bitterly regret that moment of stupid curiosity.]


    One of them approaches with heavy steps and brutally shoves me with the hilt of his sword. The blow hits my shoulder, making me stagger and clench my teeth from the sharp pain that radiates down my arm.


    "On your knees, before we kill you," he growls in a hoarse voice. His eyes are black wells of cruelty. "Now talk: what were you doing here?"


    I slowly lower my body to the ground, feeling the cold mud seep into my pants. I try to keep my voice calm, even though a storm of fear is raging inside me.


    "I just came to look, nothing more," I respond in a neutral tone. "I have no connection to anyone. Just... curiosity."


    The boss approaches, his imposing figure casting a shadow that completely swallows me. He narrows his eyes, studying me like a predator evaluating its prey.


    "So you don''t know anything?" His voice is low, controlled, and that makes it even more terrifying.


    "Nothing. I swear." I keep my gaze fixed on the ground, avoiding looking him in the eyes. A sign of submission that I hope might appease his anger.


    "Will you say anything to anyone about this?"


    "I didn''t see anything." The lie slides from my lips with surprising naturalness.


    The men exchange eloquent glances. They begin to discuss among themselves in low voices, whispered words that the wind brings to me in fragments.


    [Maybe I can get out of here... Maybe there''s still hope.]


    But no. It wasn''t that simple. Not in this cruel world.


    One of them steps forward, the tone of his voice as sharp as a freshly sharpened blade.


    "We can''t trust him. If he goes to the guards, or if he tells anyone what he saw, we''ll be in trouble. Better to kill him here and now."


    The others nod in silent consent, and even the boss seems to agree. His expression hardens; the decision is made.


    [Oh, damn it.]


    Panic grips my stomach like an icy vise. I can feel the blood pulsing in my ears with a frantic rhythm. There''s no escape. Life or death. And death seems the only option on the table.


    [I must act. Now or never.]


    Without drawing attention, I slowly lower my hands to the ground. My fingers move feverishly, closing around everything I find: pebbles, sand, wood chips. Anything that might serve. My palms fill with this miserable improvised ammunition.


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    And with a fluid movement, I put everything in my pocket.


    [I have to do something, anything.]


    "So, since you want to kill me," I say with a surprisingly steady voice, "will you at least grant me my last wish?"


    "Eh, why should we?" they respond with smiles that betray their contempt. Smiles that clearly say how little my life is worth in their eyes.


    "I know it''s not mandatory," I insist, maintaining a neutral tone, "but at least hear me out."


    "Say what you want," says the boss, curiosity momentarily overriding his bloodthirst.


    "I''m afraid of pain and being killed with swords," I explain, injecting a calculated vulnerability into my voice. "So I want to ask you to kill me by shooting an arrow directly into my skull. To make me feel as little pain as possible. And besides, I''m starting to get anxious seeing so many of us here, so could just one or two of you stay?"


    They scrutinize me with obvious suspicion, eyes narrowing as they evaluate my words.


    Anxiety tightens my throat like an invisible noose. Every breath is an effort, every heartbeat a hammer against my chest.


    One of them, with eyes sharper and more intelligent than the others, is about to object. I can see it from the tension in his jaw, from the way he''s about to open his mouth. But their leader interrupts him with a sharp gesture of his hand.


    "Fine," he says in a bored tone, "it''s not like you can do anything even if you want to. Do what he requested."


    With these words, most of the men walk away, dragging the chained woman with them. I watch as she''s taken away, her eyes still seeking mine for an instant before vanishing into the darkness.


    Only three men remain with me: two swordsmen and an archer. I observe them carefully, evaluating every detail, trying to identify any weakness.


    I wait patiently for the others to get far enough away, time passing with exasperating slowness.


    Finally, when they are sufficiently distant, one of those remaining addresses me impatiently:


    "Prepare to die now. Come on, get up and get in position."


    I remain motionless as a statue, eyes fixed on the ground.


    "Hey, get up!" His voice betrays growing annoyance.


    I don''t move a millimeter, even holding my breath.


    "Hey, didn''t you hear?" Anger is now evident in his tone.


    He starts coming toward me with his sword extended, the metal catching a ray of moonlight and returning it in a sinister gleam. He approaches, unaware of the danger, until he''s close enough...


    {The character used "Escape"}


    With a lightning-fast movement, I grab the handful of dust and debris from my pocket and hurl it with all my strength toward his eyes. He screams, bringing his hands to his face by instinct.


    In that moment of vulnerability, I draw my hidden dagger and, with a precise and lethal blow, plunge it into his neck. Blood spurts hot on my hand, but there''s no time to think about it.


    I grab his staggering body before it falls and use it as a human shield as I lunge toward the two remaining men.


    { The character''s strength has increased }


    { Fear has increased }


    The two survivors begin to show increasing panic. The archer draws his bow and shoots arrows in rapid succession, but I defend myself with their companion''s body. I feel the projectiles embedding in the dead flesh with dull and repugnant sounds.


    [The passive skills of my Luminousa are working. Good, now let''s see if they''re really as strong as they believe.]


    When I get close enough, I throw away the now useless body and lunge at the remaining swordsman. His face is a mask of terror as he desperately tries to defend himself. But his movements are slow and predictable compared to mine. My dagger dances in the air, seeking and finding the vulnerable points of his light armor.


    I don''t encounter particular difficulties in overwhelming him. His body falls heavily to the ground, eyes wide open in an expression of surprise that will never have an answer.


    Without wasting time, I grab his fallen sword and lunge toward the archer, who is frantically trying to string a new arrow. The terror in his eyes is palpable when he realizes he won''t have time.


    With a fluid and precise movement, I reach him and end his existence as well. Silence suddenly falls, interrupted only by my labored breathing and the frantic beating of my heart.


    [I must leave before someone sees me again. I don''t have much time.]


    As I''m about to disappear into the shadows of the night, a movement catches my attention. I turn abruptly, senses alert like those of a hunted animal.


    A figure is observing the scene from afar, partially hidden behind a tree. Our gazes cross for a fleeting instant, and then I see her turn on her heels and run away, presumably to sound the alarm.


    [So nothing is finished yet. My night becomes even more complicated.]


    A bitter smile bends my lips as I grip the hilt of the conquered sword more tightly. The sensation of blood cooling on my hands reminds me that I am now involved in something much bigger than myself.


    [But the game had just begun. And I''m not the type to abandon a game halfway through.]


    Chapter-End.

 Chapter 27: The Mysterious Woman part 3

    [ ] = Doruuk''s thoughts


    { } = System message


    My breathing was irregular, my heart pounding in my chest like a frenzied drum. There was no time to think, only to act. The man was about to sound the alarm, condemning me to certain death.


    With a quick, fluid movement, I grabbed the bow abandoned by the archer who lay dead at my feet. My fingers trembled slightly as I nocked an arrow. I felt the taut wood bend under my grip, and with a lethal hiss, I shot it straight into the enemy''s throat. His face contorted in a grimace of astonishment. His eyes, wide with disbelief, stared at me for a moment before his body stiffened completely, then collapsed like an empty sack on the damp ground.


    { Character''s strength has increased. }


    { Fear has increased. }


    I felt an icy shiver run down my spine, slowly climbing up to my neck. A strange sensation took hold of me: my body suddenly felt lighter, my muscles more responsive, as if every fiber was answering to a new power flowing through my veins.


    [ I need to take advantage of my passives as much as possible, since "Escape" is on cooldown. Maybe now I can get away. The death of these men... is making me stronger. ]


    I turned, ready to slip away, feeling the adrenaline pulse in my temples. Freedom seemed within reach, but a sharp, piercing sound cut through the air like a blade, shattering any hope.


    An alarm.


    The realization hit me like a punch to the stomach. Someone had warned them. Perhaps besides him, there was someone else I hadn''t managed to see, hidden in the shadows, ready to betray my position.


    Terror dilated my pupils as I heard footsteps quickly returning. Too many footsteps. The sound reverberated in the ground like an omen of death. Then I saw them: a wave of armed men approaching inexorably. I counted quickly: about fifteen swordsmen and five archers, faces distorted by fury and thirst for vengeance. Their eyes burned with rage as they marched toward me.


    Among them, further back, I spotted the leader of the band. He remained at a distance with some men and the bound woman. His cold eyes studied me with a calculating gaze, like a predator evaluating its prey, before turning away and leaving, entrusting his henchmen with the task of eliminating me.


    [ Maan! There are too many. I have no chance in a direct confrontation. ]


    I threw down the sword I had in my hand, aware that it would only slow me down in my escape. The metal clinked on the ground as I grabbed the bow and some arrows, making sure my dagger was securely tied to my belt. Every second was precious.


    I started running, pushing every fiber of my body to its limit. My lungs burned from the effort, my muscles painfully protested, but fear was a more powerful fuel than fatigue. Behind me, I heard their fierce shouts, promises of death and torture that awaited me if they caught me.


    [ Oh maan! What do I do now! There are too many, too well-armed, too furious. ]


    The wind lashed my face as I ran, thoughts crowding in my mind. The situation was desperate, but something inside me refused to surrender.


    [ I can''t leave like this. These punks will find me sooner or later. I need to do something before they silence me forever. But now I need to get away, or at least try. I can''t fight them all face to face, it would be suicide. I need to find another way. ]


    I ran forward, feeling the uneven ground beneath my feet, when a sudden idea crossed my mind. I turned abruptly, stopping for a moment. The pursuers were closer than I thought, but now I had a clear objective. The most dangerous targets were the archers. Without them, I would have a chance against the swordsmen ¨C I could outrun them, but I couldn''t escape the arrows.


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    With unnatural calm, I raised the bow. Time seemed to slow as I took aim. The air in my lungs stopped, muscles tensed. I fired a precise, perfect shot. The arrow flew through the air like a roar of death, a straight and lethal line that lodged in one of the archers'' throats. I saw him fall backward without making a sound, blood flowing copiously from the mortal wound.


    { Character''s strength has increased. }


    { Fear has increased. }


    Power flowed through me again, more intense this time. I felt my strength increase, my senses sharpen. Death fueled my power, a thought that both disturbed and fascinated me.


    The other bows rose toward me, aiming at my heart. The time advantage was over; now it was a fight for survival.


    Arrow after arrow, they tried to hit me. I heard them whistle dangerously close to my ears, but I noticed something strange: the more my passive fear grew, the more uncertain and imprecise their movements became. The archers seemed confused, their hands trembling slightly. And since my strength was slowly increasing, I didn''t need to use too much energy in firing arrows to kill. Their eyes wavered, their breathing accelerated. And they missed their aim, shot after shot.


    [ I need to do something as soon as possible. My passive is working, but it won''t last forever. There are still three archers left... and I have only one arrow left. A single shot. ]


    My legs pushed me further and further, burning from the effort. The vast meadow was ending; I could see the city walls in the distance. Salvation seemed within reach. If I could get there, I would be safe, protected by the guards and the crowd.


    No.


    The truth hit me like an arrow to the chest. I knew well that if I didn''t finish them here, they would find me anyway. The city it will become small for me. They would search every alley, every house, every hole. And then I would die anyway, probably in a more painful and humiliating way.


    Desperation mingled with determination as I darted forward, frantically searching for an escape route. Then, suddenly, I saw it: the opening of the sewers near the city. A dark and fetid entrance, used to expel all kinds of waste and excrement from the city.


    Without thinking twice, without allowing myself to hesitate at that repugnant sight, I threw myself down. The nauseating stench hit me even before I landed, but I had no choice if I wanted to survive.


    Darkness enveloped me immediately, thick and impenetrable. The air was dense, the stench so nauseating that I had to fight not to vomit. The filthy water reached up to my neck, cold and slimy. I felt indefinable things brushing against my legs, but I tried not to think about it.


    From the edge of the sewer, I heard agitated voices. Some pursuers, too caught up in the frenzy of the hunt, threw themselves down after me without thinking.


    I waited for them, motionless in the putrid water, dagger clutched in my fist. As soon as they landed, confused by the darkness and the stench, I eliminated them with a single fluid and lethal movement. My blade tore through flesh in silence, the metal weakly reflecting the little light filtering from the opening. The bodies fell into the water with dull thuds, creating small waves that propagated around me.


    The others cautiously stopped at the entrance to the sewer, observing me from above with disgusted looks. I could see their silhouettes outlined against the sky. They didn''t dare come down, too frightened by my display of strength or too disgusted by the idea of immersing themselves in that slurry.


    But I knew it wasn''t over. I could feel it in the air, tense as a bowstring.


    One of them, perhaps the second-in-command, made a sharp gesture with his hand. Then he spoke to someone I couldn''t clearly see.


    A man advanced through the ranks. There was something different about him, an aura that distinguished him from the other mercenaries. He moved slowly to the edge of the sewer, with disturbing confidence. When he looked at me, his face lit up with an evil smile that froze the blood in my veins.


    Then he extended his hand toward the water in which I was immersed.


    [ What are they going to do? Why are they smiling like that? What new trick do they have in store? ]


    A terrible intuition made its way into my mind. Something was wrong, something fundamentally wrong was about to happen.


    [ Wait... ]


    My eyes widened in horror when I saw that his hand began to glow unnaturally. A bluish light that didn''t belong to this world. An electric discharge crackled at his fingertips, small lightning bolts dancing between his knuckles.


    [ No! He''s about to release electricity into the water! ]


    Panic overwhelmed me like a wave. I was trapped. The water, an excellent conductor, would carry the electric charge directly to my body.


    [ So I''ll die in this filthy water from the shock. An inglorious end for a warrior. ]


    Time seemed to have stopped as the man''s luminous hand slowly lowered toward the water. His eyes gleamed with cruel joy, savoring the moment of my imminent death.


    Then, my head started working.


    [ The cooldown on escape has expired! I can use it! ]


    With one last desperate effort of will, I activated the ability that had saved me so many times before.


    { Character has used "Escape". }


    Chapter-End.

 Chapter 28: The Mysterious Woman part 4

    [ ] = Doruuk''s thoughts


    { }= System message


    I shot out of the sewer with lightning speed, my body tense like a released spring. The fresh night air hit my face as I rolled on the damp grass, my muscles screaming from the effort. Behind me, the discharge exploded with a deafening roar, illuminating the putrid sewer water with a spectral blue light that reflected on the astonished faces of my pursuers.


    Time seemed to have dilated. Every second was precious, every movement calculated to the millimeter. I rose with a jerk, feeling adrenaline pumping through my veins like liquid fire. Without hesitation, I lunged toward the enchanter who was still staring incredulously at the empty sewer where I should have been struck by lightning. My dagger glinted in the night before sinking into his flesh with a wet, conclusive sound. His eyes widened in surprise, then dimmed as his body collapsed to the ground.


    "He''s out! Kill him!!" The desperate voice of one of the swordsmen tore through the night air, breaking the spell of astonishment that had struck the group.


    { The character''s strength has increased. }


    { Fear has increased. }


    I felt the change in my body immediately. A new wave of power flowed through my veins, making my senses sharper, my muscles more responsive. The fear I emanated expanded like an invisible aura, touching the minds of my enemies.


    I didn''t attack directly. It would have been suicide. Instead, I moved like an elusive shadow, jumping from one point to another with unpredictable movements, confusing their attacks. Their blades cut through the air where I had been a moment before, their eyes desperately trying to follow my rapid movements.


    The first fell with a quick slash to the throat, so fast he didn''t even have time to understand what was happening. Blood spurted into the night air, black as ink under the starlight. I felt the hot liquid splash on my face, but I didn''t stop.


    The second died with the last arrow I had, shot with millimetric precision straight to the skull. The sound of impact was chilling, a dull and definitive noise. I saw him collapse like a puppet whose strings had been cut, his eyes still open in an expression of surprise.


    The third tried to defend himself, raising his arm in a desperate gesture. Too slow. I planted the dagger in his heart before he could raise his shield completely, feeling the blade pierce flesh, muscles, and organs with disturbing ease. His groan of pain quickly faded as he slid to the ground.


    The three remaining archers, seeing how quickly I had eliminated their companions, tried to attack me from a distance. Arrows hissed through the air, but their shots were imprecise, disturbed by the fear I emanated. With a fluid movement, I grabbed the fallen shield of the third man and rushed toward them, using the metal protection to deflect the remaining projectiles.


    The distance between us rapidly decreased. I could see the terror growing in their eyes as I approached, unstoppable like a storm. The first archer didn''t even have time to string a new arrow before the shield hit him in the face, shattering his nose and making him fall backward. My dagger completed the job, sinking into his exposed throat.


    The other two tried to retreat, but they were too slow, too frightened. I reached them in seconds, eliminating them with precise and lethal movements, each blow perfectly calibrated to cause instant death.


    { The character''s strength has increased. }


    { Fear has increased. }


    Now only eight swordsmen remained. The combat had gone on long enough for my unease to rise significantly. I could feel it radiating from me like invisible waves, touching the minds of my adversaries. Their eyes betrayed confusion and fear, their hands trembled slightly as they gripped their weapons. My strength had increased to the point that killing them became easier and easier, like breaking dry twigs.


    [ The combination of my active and passive abilities is working perfectly. It''s as if they''re paralyzed by fear. ]


    I felt time passing inexorably. The "Escape" ability wouldn''t last much longer.


    [ I need to be quick, I only have 5 seconds of "Escape" left. ]


    With a quick movement, I grabbed the bow of one of the fallen archers and created space, stepping back to gain distance. Even though "Escape" would soon go on cooldown, I still had a significant advantage.


    [ Even if Escape goes on cooldown now, I still have the upper hand, thanks to my passive abilities. I can do this. ]


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    One of the swordsmen, in a desperate gesture, threw his dagger at me. The rotating blade rushed toward me, but my enhanced perception allowed me to dodge it with a fluid movement, as if I were moving through water. Without hesitation, I shot an arrow that flew straight into his heart, piercing it with surgical precision. I saw him slowly collapse, his eyes rapidly losing light.


    { The character''s strength has increased. }


    { Fear has increased. }


    And so I did again, with another and another. Each death fueled my power, each fall of an enemy increased the effect of my passive "Aura of Dread." The arrows flew with lethal precision, always finding their target. Each time I killed, the ten-second effect duration reset and started again, creating a continuous cycle of power.


    The last two remaining were paralyzed with terror. I could clearly see the fear in their eyes, pupils dilated in the dark, faces as pale as corpses. Their weapons visibly trembled in their hands, their breathing was quick and shallow. The survival instinct finally took over and they tried to flee, turning their backs to me in a desperate attempt to save themselves.


    I didn''t allow it.


    With one last dash, swift as a predator''s leap, I reached them. I grabbed the first one by the hair, pulling his head back with a sharp movement. The blade of my dagger danced in the night air before cutting deep into his throat. Blood flowed copiously, black under the starlight, as the body went limp in my arms.


    The other stumbled in his desperate flight, fell to his knees, and when he turned, his eyes were wide with pure terror. His pupils reminded me of those of a trapped animal, aware of the impending end.


    "Wait! Please¡ª" His voice was cracked with panic, his hands raised in a gesture of supplication.


    Too late.


    My dagger sank into his flesh with a fluid and precise movement, extinguishing his words in a suffocated groan. I felt the resistance of the body as the blade penetrated, then the final yielding when it reached vital points. Life abandoned his eyes, transforming them into empty spheres that reflected the starry sky.


    Silence.


    I was the only one left standing on the improvised battlefield. Heavy breathing, the furious beating of my heart still in my ears, my body trembling slightly from the effort and the adrenaline in circulation.


    The night above my head was like a black cloak wrapping around me, punctuated by cold, distant stars. My hands were covered in blood, sticky and warm. My body emitted such a horrible stench, residue from my dive in the sewers, that it almost made me faint. Before my eyes, the lifeless bodies lay in contorted positions, white and empty eyes, mouths open in expressions of surprise or terror. It was such a horrible scene that it would haunt the nightmares of any normal man.


    I looked around slowly, assessing the situation. No one had survived my attack. Quietness had returned, interrupted only by my labored breathing and the distant call of some nocturnal animal.


    Fatigue suddenly overwhelmed me, like an unstoppable wave. I lay down on the ground, feeling the damp grass under my back, and looked at the starry sky that continued imperturbably in its eternal cycle, indifferent to the massacre just committed.


    [ When did I become like this? ]


    The thought emerged from the depths of my mind, unexpected and disturbing.


    [ Now I don''t even hesitate to kill a person. ]


    [ A human life... I don''t know how many I''ve killed until now. ]


    My hand tightened on the hilt of the dagger, still warm with blood.


    [ Am I an assassin? ]


    The stars shined cold and distant, silent witnesses to my actions.


    [ Everyone here is. ]


    I tried to justify myself, to find meaning in what I had become.


    [ I think I had already lost my humanity, my fear, and my heart when I landed in this world. ]


    [ Now I just want to survive and nothing else. ]


    I closed my eyes for a moment, allowing myself a moment of vulnerability that I couldn''t afford during combat.


    [ I am Doruuk Velor, who will not surrender until the end of his life. ]


    [ Ahhhhh... ]


    I opened my eyes, returning to harsh reality. I couldn''t stay there too long.


    [ Now I''ll get up and do something with these bodies. If I leave them here, something might happen that I don''t want to happen. Even if they are gangsters, you never know. It''s better to dispose of them. ]


    I rose with difficulty, my muscles protesting from the sustained effort. I began to consider my options, methodically evaluating every possibility.


    [ I can create a pit and throw them in, but I don''t have a shovel, and it will take time to create such a large pit. Time I don''t have. ]


    I looked at the bodies scattered around me. There were too many to be easily hidden.


    [ I can''t burn them, because I don''t have the material. And even if I did, I can''t risk it. People, seeing such a large fire and smelling the smoke, might come to investigate. ]


    The last option appeared clear to me, even if disgusting.


    [ The last way remains the sewers. The sewers eventually flow into the sea, and these are long enough to end far from here. ]


    With cold determination, I began the macabre work. I took all the bodies, one by one, cut them into small pieces with precise and methodical methods, and threw them into the sewers. Blood stained my hands, arms, clothes. The smell of death mixed with the already nauseating odor of the sewers, creating a combination that would make even the strongest stomach vomit.


    [ It''s disgusting work, but I have to do it. I can''t afford to leave traces. ]


    After about an hour, everything was done. The bodies had disappeared, destined to be transported by the fetid waters to the sea, where they would become food for fish. I washed myself as much as possible with water from a nearby stream, trying to eliminate the blood and part of the stench.


    [ Now I have to do something about the remaining gang that went with the boss. ]


    I started thinking, my brain working at full capacity despite the fatigue.


    [ I have an idea! ]


    I headed toward the gangsters'' weapons that hadn''t ended up in the sewers, examining them carefully. Then I looked at their arrows, noticing a significant detail.


    [ Good, as I presumed, they have their gang''s mark on the arrows. ]


    I collected three arrows and a bow, examining them carefully in the starlight. The mark was clear, unmistakable. The remaining weapons I collected and buried carefully in a random spot.


    [ And now I know well what to do. I don''t need to do all the work alone. ]


    A cold smile formed on my lips as a plan took shape in my mind. I would use their own weapons against them, in a way they would never expect.


    Chapter-End.

 Chapter 29: The Mysterious Woman ( last part )

    [ ] = Doruuk''s thoughts


    { } = System message


    Entering the city required cunning. I couldn''t use the main gates - it was too risky. The guards would have noticed me immediately, due to the conditions I was in.


    The only way: the sewers.


    [ I don''t want to swim through excrement, but I have no choice. Damn it. ]


    I covered my face with my jacket, a last attempt to preserve a minimum of dignity. I grabbed the bow and the three marked arrows.


    [ You can do it! ]


    I immersed myself again in the stinking sewage, swimming towards the heart of the city. The dark water surrounded me, almost wanting to swallow me. The stench was so intense that I was on the verge of vomiting multiple times.


    After what seemed like an eternity, I found an exit. I rushed out, relieved to breathe clean air.


    [ I didn''t use "Escape" because I''ll need it later. ]


    I found myself in the streets inhabited by religious people. At this hour, they were deserted. Perfect for moving unnoticed.


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    Quickly I rushed to carry out my plan.


    Quickly I arrive in front of a luxurious house that was Sir Lucian Stormbane''s


    My target: Sir Lucian Stormbane.


    A rich nobleman with a terrible character. Famous for his outbursts of rage that had caused him trouble even in the game world.


    The plan was simple: an arrow from the window of his room. The rest would happen by itself.


    I precisely located his room, carefully avoiding the guards. From a distance, I shot the arrow with surgical precision.


    [ Task completed. ]


    { The character used "Escape". }


    I disappeared into the shadows.


    The next morning, I found myself in the square. A crowd had gathered, everyone intent on reading the newspapers. I took a copy too.


    The headline read: "Attempted assassination of Sir Lucian Stormbane fails. The nobleman captures the criminal group and saves a woman in danger."


    " Last night, an attempted murder was carried out against Sir Lucian Stormbane. The assailant, however, failed in his intent and fled the scene. Sir Lucian, thanks to his cunning, managed to track down and capture the responsible gang within the same night. The members of the group are now in prison, serving their sentence. Additionally, Sir Lucian saved a woman from grave danger, once again demonstrating his courage and skill. "


    [ There are quite a few lies here, but it doesn''t matter. The objective was achieved. ]


    Continuing to read, I discovered that the group''s leader had managed to escape but was no longer in the city.


    [ Not good news, but for now I''m safe. ]


    I continued walking, lost in my thoughts.


    [ What to do now? What''s the next step? ]


    Suddenly, something hit me from behind. I turned quickly, my hand already ready to draw a weapon. A stone wrapped in a sheet lay on the ground.


    I looked around. No one. The mystery was beginning.


    Chapter-End.

 Chapter 30: Encounter

    [ ] = Doruuk''s thoughts


    I carefully pick up the stone wrapped in paper. The sheet unfolds between my fingers, revealing a message that leaves me in shock.


    "Come behind the main cemetery after 10 at night, and if you refuse to come for any reason, we will come directly to you, and we know very well where you live."


    Below the text, in precise and threatening handwriting, was my address. Exact, down to the last detail.


    [Who are these people? And what do they want from me? Should I go or not? I''d better prepare for every eventuality.]


    The dilemma torments me as I study the paper, looking for clues about its origin. Not many people know me in this city. And this makes me very curious.


    After hours of reflection, I decide to show up for the appointment.


    [Not many in this city know my name, let alone where I live. I want to see who is so interested in me.]


    [It''s a risky move, I know full well, and I''m doing it again. But something inside me whispers that this time will be different... better.]


    As preparation, I leave nothing to chance. I open my trunk of potions and carefully select two vials: one of regeneration with crimson liquid pulsing with vital energy, and one of strength with an amber, dense color. I hide them in the inner pockets of my coat, next to my faithful dagger. Better safe than sorry.


    And then, I wait for the night.


    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    The day passes slowly, each minute marked by the accelerated beating of my heart. Nervousness devours me from within as I remain confined to my room, trying to formulate theories about who might have sent that message. I can''t connect the dots, too many variables, too many potential enemies.


    In the end, I surrender to mental exhaustion and allow myself a few hours of restless sleep, until darkness falls over the city.


    By 9:50 PM, I''m already on the street. The night air is cold and biting, but under my coat my body is warm, ready for action. I move toward the cemetery with measured steps, pretending a calmness I don''t truly possess. My heartbeat betrays my apparent tranquility.


    The main cemetery is located in a peripheral area, sufficiently far from homes to ensure privacy, but not so isolated as to be completely inaccessible. Perfect for a meeting that no one should witness.


    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    I arrive at the main entrance at 9:58 PM. I position myself strategically, my back against an old elm tree to avoid surprises from behind. My right hand rests on the dagger hidden in my coat, ready to unsheathe it in an instant. My eyes scan the shadows, looking for suspicious movements.


    [Just a few more seconds and I''ll know who''s looking for me with such interest.]


    The city clock in the distance strikes 10:00 PM precisely, and at that very moment I notice the silhouettes emerging from the darkness. They approach slowly, with confident and coordinated steps. There are four figures, arranged in formation: one in the vanguard, two at the sides, and one, the most imposing, slightly behind.


    The tallest and most massive moves with a certain heaviness, while the two central figures advance with identical gait, like mirrors of each other. At the head of the group walks a more slender figure, who guides the others with confidence.


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    I prepare myself better, straightening my posture. My fingers tighten around the hilt of the dagger, ready to draw it at the slightest sign of danger. Muscles tense, on alert.


    When they finally step out of the shadows and the moonlight illuminates their faces, a shiver runs down my spine.


    [What! It''s that woman with the eye patch!]


    [What is she doing here?]


    [What does she want from me?]


    It''s definitely her: the same woman who last night was imprisoned by those gangsters and was lying at their feet, with an expression that begged for help. But now there''s something different in her bearing, in her expression. She''s no longer the victim I saw yesterday. An unsettling, calculating smile hovers on her face. Her eyes shine with cunning.


    [Better take note of the entire surrounding environment. I don''t trust this.]


    I observe her carefully. Her chestnut hair falls softly a little below her shoulders, moved by the light night breeze. The black bandana still covers her left eye, giving her face a mysterious air. Her slightly tanned skin shines under the silver light of the moon. Her body is young, but her sharp eyes tell stories of experiences far more mature than her appearance would suggest. At her belt, she carries an elegant but lethal sword. She''s dressed practically, with clothes that wouldn''t hinder movements in combat. A warrior ready for battle.


    Behind her, as expected, there are three other people.


    The massive man has a square face, with small, vigilant eyes that scrutinize the environment with suspicion. His stature is impressive, at least a head and a half taller than me. In his robust hands, he grips a shield of polished metal, and his fists are protected by reinforced leather gauntlets. He wears semi-heavy armor covering his torso and shoulders, while his feet are wrapped in sturdy leather boots. His expression is one of pure boredom, as if this meeting were just an annoyance keeping him away from his bed.


    At the woman''s sides stand the two identical figures ¨C twins with the same sharp features and the same emerald green eyes that shine in the dark. The only difference between them is their hair: one has it streaked with red and white, the other with blue and white. Both wear elegant clothes, jacket and tie, in stark contrast to the nature of the meeting. Each carries a bow on his back, with a full quiver. Their expressions are mirrored but opposite: the red-haired twin smiles, a malicious and cruel grin that doesn''t reach his eyes; the blue-haired twin maintains a serious, calculating air, as if he were evaluating my every move.


    "Hello, dear," says the woman in a mellifluous voice, in a clear attempt at seduction that falls flat.


    "What do you want?" ---> (sigma man).


    "Can''t you speak a little sweeter?" she asks, taking a step forward. Her scent of exotic spices and danger reaches my nostrils.


    [What a horrible perfume]


    "Get straight to the point. Why did you call me?" I insist, ignoring her attempt to soften me.


    Then I add with a hint of sarcasm: "And I see you''re free now, huh?"


    A flash of irritation crosses her single visible eye before she responds: "Yes, you''re right."


    The tension in the air is palpable. The twins exchange a glance, while the giant snorts impatiently.


    "Yesterday I was almost killed because of you, you know that, right?" I say, keeping my gaze fixed on her eye.


    "Yes, I know," she admits without a shred of remorse.


    "I''ll repeat: what do you want from me? Why did you call me here? What are you looking for?" My patience is rapidly running out.


    The woman takes another step forward, and I notice how her hand moves dangerously close to the hilt of her sword. "I saw that you had the entire gang caught by yourself, and that impressed me a lot."


    "Answer my question, woman!" I exclaim, my voice hard as steel.


    Her face hardens, the seductive attitude vanishing in an instant. "Stay calm! If we want, we can kill you here and no one will know anything."


    An empty threat, I think. A cold smile forms on my lips, almost involuntarily. These four don''t scare me. I''ve faced far worse situations.


    "Woman," I say in a low, controlled voice, "I fought against more than twenty men yesterday, I won and I''m still alive. And you tell me that the four of you will kill me? You were at their feet, tied up and with the expression of someone who has already accepted their own death."


    A flash of respect crosses her gaze. "You''re right. Every person fears death, isn''t that true?"


    The question tears a bitter laugh from me, which resonates among the cemetery headstones. "Hahahaha!"


    My amusement quickly fades, replaced by an icy seriousness. "Those who are afraid are not worthy of living in this world."


    The woman stares at me intensely, and for a moment I see something new in her eye ¨C ambition, determination, perhaps even admiration. "That''s why I''m here for you."


    "What do you want from me?" I ask for the umpteenth time, but now with genuine curiosity.


    The woman''s attitude changes drastically. Her posture becomes more erect, more authoritative. She is no longer the seductress or the threatening fighter from moments ago. Now she speaks like a leader.


    "I want... actually, I have a proposal for you," she says in a firm voice.


    "What proposal?" My interest is now completely captured.


    "I want you to join us."


    "For what?" I ask, trying to hide my growing curiosity.


    A slow smile, laden with promises and dangers, forms on her lips. "We have in mind a plan so big that it can change everything. When I say everything, I mean everything."


    A shiver of excitement runs down my spine. Finally, something worth listening to.


    "Now we''re starting to talk," I say with a smile on my lips, slightly loosening my grip on the dagger.


    Chapter-End.

 Chapter 31: Encounter part 2

    [ ] = Doruuk''s thoughts


    [Wait before going further, I need to clarify the intentions.]


    "So, if it''s such a big plan, why are you telling me specifically?" I ask, carefully scrutinizing every tiny reaction on her face.


    The woman runs a hand through her chestnut hair, moving it away from her only visible eye. "I want you to participate with us."


    "Why me specifically?" I insist, keeping my voice steady. "There are others in this city, warriors much stronger than me."


    A knowing smile forms on her lips. "Because you are different from the others. In my opinion, there''s no one here like you."


    Her words sound like flattery, and I''m not the type to be fooled by flattery. I''ve lived long enough to know that sweet words often hide bitter intentions.


    "And how can you be sure about a person you''ve never seen before?" I counter, crossing my arms over my chest. "What do you know? Perhaps in the middle of the plan, I could kill you and run away with the money."


    The moon illuminates her face as she tilts her head slightly, studying me with interest. "I have worked with this type of people for almost my entire life. I know well who is reliable and who isn''t."


    I observe her better. She''s young, definitely younger than one would expect from someone with so much experience.


    "How old are you? You don''t seem too old," I ask without filters.


    Her face contorts in an offended expression. "Aren''t you ashamed to ask a woman''s age?"


    [What!? Ah, this mentality of women...]


    "I don''t care about any of that here," I respond dryly, impatience growing inside me. "I''m here to do business."


    The tension in her features dissolves, replaced by calculated determination. "You''re right. So shall we start right away? What do you say?"


    "Wait," I stop her with a gesture of my hand. "First tell me what your plan is."


    The woman looks around, as if to ensure there are no indiscreet ears. The giant behind her snorts again, clearly bored by this preliminary conversation.


    "What''s the rush," she responds in a lighter tone. "We''ll tell you that too, but first let''s introduce ourselves. It''s not nice that from the beginning we''ve been talking and we don''t even know each other."


    I hold back a sigh of frustration. "Tell me. I''m listening."


    She straightens slightly, assuming a more formal air. "My name is Zaira Vailstorm and I''m skilled with the sword. I''ve worked day and night to master my technique."


    "Then why were those men on your tail if you''re just a swordswoman?" I ask, sharpening my gaze. "There must be something you''re hiding from me."


    Zaira stiffens imperceptibly, but enough for me to notice. "Well... I used to work for them. But once I discovered their true work, which was disgusting, I decided to leave them. And since they didn''t want this to get out, they started looking for me."


    "What disgusting work?" I press, feeling we''re close to something important.


    Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    She shakes her head, briefly looking toward the ground. "I can''t tell you right now. Maybe in the future."


    "Fine, go on," I concede, deciding not to pressure her further. For now.


    Zaira turns slightly, indicating the massive man behind her. "So, let''s start first with our tank, the large person you see. He is our tank, ''Otis Bellamy''. He''s a reliable and strong man, on many occasions he has gotten us out of trouble. Even his abilities are no joke and are very useful for the plan we''re going to carry out."


    Otis inclines his head slightly in greeting, but his expression remains indifferent, almost bored. His eyes, however, are vigilant and scrutinize me carefully, evaluating my every movement.


    "Alright," I respond simply.


    [He''s a tank, huh? Interesting. Probably a warrior with high resistance, specialized in taking hits to protect others. Useful in a direct confrontation, but in a stealthy mission? I''m not sure.]


    Zaira continues, indicating the two identical twins who until now have remained silent, observing me with contrasting expressions.


    "And these two are the archer brothers: Kael Vuxley," she indicates the one with red hair, "and Eldon Vuxley," she points to the one with blue hair. "These two are skilled and sharp archers, and they have perfect synergy when they fight together. And I can guarantee that I''ve seen this with my own eyes."


    The twins smile in unison, in an unsettlingly synchronized way. Kael, the one with red hair, gives a small theatrical bow, while Eldon limits himself to a nod of the head, more reserved.


    "Fine, but clarify this question for me," I say, hitting on a point that has disturbed me from the beginning. "If they are so strong, why didn''t they come to your aid yesterday?"


    A shadow passes over Zaira''s face. "I don''t like involving other people in my personal matters."


    The answer is quick, too quick. There''s something that doesn''t add up, but I decide to change approach.


    "Fine. And how did you manage to get out of there yesterday?"


    "Old Lucian Stormbane had saved me," she replies, with a tone that betrays a certain admiration. "And after asking me some questions about the gangsters, he let me go. But I know very well that Lucian Stormbane wouldn''t have come by chance to kill those gangsters, since he had brought almost all his men. So I''m sure your hand was in the middle of it."


    I maintain a neutral, impassive expression. "Think what you want to think."


    Silence falls between us for a few moments. The twins exchange glances, Otis seems increasingly impatient. It''s time to get to the point.


    "Very well, now let''s get to the main point. What is your plan?" I ask, looking directly into Zaira''s eyes.


    She smiles, a smile laden with promises and dangers. "The plan is clear: in a month we''ll carry out a big heist."


    The word hits me like a punch to the stomach.


    [What?]


    [Heist?]


    "Heist? What do you mean by that?" I ask, trying not to show my surprise.


    "I''ll explain everything, stay calm," says Zaira, taking a step forward and slightly lowering her voice, as if she were about to reveal a great secret. "In a month from now, we will go to the Hunting Portal. I''ve had news that ''the Farming Portal'' will appear there. You know what that is, right?"


    The name sounds familiar, but the details are blurred in my mind. "I''ve heard about it, but if you explain it will be better."


    Zaira nods, clearly pleased to be able to share her knowledge. "Well, then open your ears and listen." She comes even closer, so close that I can smell her exotic perfume. "As far as I know, ''the Farming Portal'' is a portal that appears after a certain amount of time and is very rare. Some say it appears every 5 or 10 years."


    She pauses, making sure I''m following. Her eyes gleam with excitement as she continues: "And this portal consists of... Basically inside there are various types of monsters where the rank system is not present. Here even rank 3 monsters can come against rank 9 warriors. Here many warriors go in search of gaining as many things as possible. There are many chances of finding luminous. And money. By killing the monsters."


    Her voice becomes even lower, almost a whisper. "And so many warriors will go there to seek their fortune. But they all don''t know that there is a well-hidden part there where there is a great treasure. And I got this news myself, I risked my life for this information."


    Her visible eye lights up with greed as she pronounces the next words: "They say the treasure is immense, and if we manage to steal... you don''t know what will happen. It''s unimaginable."


    [Well.]


    [So their plan is very risky, but the treasure is also immense.]


    I quickly evaluate the information. A rare portal, monsters of every level, a hidden treasure. I feel adrenaline flowing in my veins at the mere thought. But caution holds me back.


    [I''m not sure, because I don''t want to get into trouble.]


    [But I also have no reason to say no.]


    It could be the opportunity I''ve been waiting for to change my life, to obtain wealth and power. Or it could be suicide. The risk is high, but the reward could be inestimable.


    I look Zaira in the eyes, then observe her companions one by one: the gigantic Otis with the shield, the archer twins Kael and Eldon. A well-balanced team for a dangerous enterprise.


    "Well," I say finally, the decision now made. "You''ve convinced me. I''m in too."


    A smile of triumph spreads across Zaira''s face. "I knew you wouldn''t refuse."


    Chapter-End.