《Hollow Earth Online - The Return of the Swordmaster》


 The World Ended

    Just as the class was about to end, a scream echoed through the room waking me up from my nap.


    It came from outside, rubbing my sleepy eyes prompting a quick peek through the nearby window.


    There, a familiar creature could be seen, a hideous monster straight out of the games, an Ogre equipped with a giant wooden club. Standing at about eleven feet tall, nearly twice the height of an average human, the Ogre towered over the students and professors fleeing in terror.


    Suddenly, it hit me: this monster was one of the last few creatures I defeated in the game Hollow Earth Online before the beta test ended. A level 30 monster from the wastelands, it had abnormal strength but lacked mobility.


    Something had been bothering me for a while, and now it became clear. Looking outside at the students fleeing from the monster, there was something that only existed in games, an HP (Health Point) bar hovering above everyone''s heads.


    Fear filled the air as the Ogre continued to thrash everything in its path with its club.


    With no time to think, and knowing that the rampaging monster could injure or even take a student''s life at any moment, there was no choice but to hurriedly walk out of the room.


    No one noticed; everyone was in a deafening silence, transfixed by the horror unfolding outside.


    Dashing out of the building, instinctively navigating over my inventory, quickly equipping a unique sword and black cloak.


    In no time, I found myself facing the Ogre.


    Despite the item rewards from HEO¡¯s leaderboard being in my inventory, my level was reset to one, a far cry from the previous level 39 during the Beta Test.


    Concealing my identity with a cloak, I initiated a quick attack on the monster to divert its attention.


    The Ogre swung its enormous wooden club, but a swift dodge using my agile movement avoided the blow, moving into its blind spot.


    Using the basic attack Sword Strike, a targeted blow was delivered to its right leg, inflicting a severe wound.


    The creature staggered, emitting a high-pitched howl in pain. Despite my level being only 1, my items compensated for the status difference: Kaleidoscope, my unique sword, and Oblivion, my black cloak.


    Both items were acquired from a random box given by the GM (Game Master) during the final day of the Beta test after achieving the highest rank in the level and dungeon clear leaderboard.


    Kaleidoscope boosted all elemental output damage by two-fold, thanks to its unique trait Disparity, which multiplied the difference in levels by two and added the number to the user''s strength.


    The larger the level difference, the stronger the effect.


    On the other hand, Oblivion increased agility status by 30, doubling the agility bonus when strength was higher.


    Additionally, the unique skill Ethereal rendered the player invisible and intangible for a short time.


    Despite using a non-elemental Sword Strike, the Ogre''s right leg was shattered .


    As the Ogre began to kneel, I seized the opportunity, jumping onto the back of its neck and executing a vertical Sword Strike.


    The monster was instantly killed as its head almost detached from its body.


    The Ogre''s body disintegrated in a stone-like state, fissured and shattered into dust, vanishing into thin air leaving a trail of disgusting dark green blood .


    I then swiftly activated the unique skill Ethereal, blending into my surroundings and hurried back to the classroom.


    Ash noticed my entrance and asked, "Where did you go, Asriel?". "Just went to the restroom," I replied.


    Ash then exclaimed, "Asriel, you just missed something cool! A mysterious swordsman defeated the giant monster¡±.


    "Really?", quickly taking my seat. The class was still buzzing with confusion over what they had witnessed that morning, and we were dismissed early.


    While making my way to my grandpa''s house, my current residence, loud screams filled the air, accompanied by the frantic footsteps of thousands fleeing towards the eastern side of town.


    "Head to the Ancient Pillar," a voice echoed in my mind, just before a deafening rumble shook the ground.


    The earth vibrates violently as a colossal pillar rises from the outskirts to the east of town.


    As much as the urge to reach my parents'' house on the eastern side of town pulled at me, another part of me knew better.


    From the western side, a few Ogres could be seen just a short distance from the fleeing residents.


    The horizon glowed with a reddish hue as fires spread, and monsters assaulted both buildings and people.


    Fists clenched and teeth gritted, while my eyes watched unfolding chaos.


    "My parents are smart; they¡¯ll find safety," I thought, reassuring myself while heading towards the western side of the town.


    Without hesitation, I equipped my sword and put on my cloak, as I swiftly moved towards the western side of town.


    Frustration fueled the speed, as I ran through the streets, driven by the determination to assist the fleeing residents.


    "Run towards the pillar!" I shouted while moving through the panicked crowd.


    The acrid smell of burning structures and the metallic scent in the air brought back memories of the past.


    An Ogre was about to crush a group of people huddled together, I leaped into the air to perform a vertical downward Sword Slash, cutting through the ogre¡¯s arm.


    Followed by a horizontal Sword Slash, targeting its legs and sending it crashing onto its back.


    The final move was a swift Sword Slash to its neck, severing its head. Observing the injured group, it became clear that one of their daughters had tripped, and the family had decided to stay with her, accepting their fate as the monster pursued them.


    The father looked at me in shock, having lost sight of the monster. "Run!" I shouted, as more monsters approached.


    "Head to the Eastern side and make your way to the Pillar"I continued as I pointed my hands to the towering pillar on the eastern outskirt.


    The father hoisted his injured daughter onto his shoulder, and the family began fleeing eastward, clearly bewildered and frightened.


    The scene resembled a battlefield, with mangled bodies and splattered blood everywhere.


    "No time can be wasted; every second of delay risks another life," my thought as I charged towards the advancing monsters.


    The sword dripped with the monsters'' blood while continuing to fend off those attacking and pursuing the residents.Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.


    The flames had already engulfed half of the western town, saturating the air with the stench of burning flesh and blood.


    Bloodred Salamanders, a level 40 fire breathing giant reptile, were feasting on corpses, while others spread fire throughout the area.


    Despite the urge to wipe out every one of those nasty creatures, my current gear and level weren¡¯t up to the task.


    Retreat is inevitable, deciding to head to the eastern side, I continued fighting off monsters along the way.


    By the time I reached the settlement near the Ancient Pillar, night had already fallen.


    As I was about to search for my family, a burly hand suddenly grasped my left arm, it was Dad, waiting at the settlement entrance.


    "You''re safe!" he exclaimed, pulling in for a tight hug. "Where''s Mom, Ladon, and Cleo?" came my immediate question.


    "The twins are already asleep in one of the settlement houses with your mom," Dad replied.


    A deep sigh of relief followed, knowing they were all safe.


    As steps were taken toward Mom¡¯s location, the settlement''s resemblance to medieval homes in HEO became evident.


    A bright yellowish orange hue lights up the place as torches around the settlement blaze.


    Among the few thousand people there, many appeared frightened and confused by the situation.


    Yet, to a surprise, some were already setting up tents and cooking food for everyone.


    The thought crossed the mind, "Some people are just built differently," while entering the house where Mom and my little siblings were staying.


    Within days, everything beyond the ancient pillar''s protective area transformed into overgrown ruins and wastelands teeming with monsters.


    Mysterious labyrinths and dungeons began appearing out of nowhere.


    The monsters ravaged industries, farmlands, and barns outside the secured zones, leaving fields for food production in ruins.


    Personal devices became useless at electricity and signals became unavailable.


    Food shortages quickly became a critical issue, and the value of money plummeted to nothing.


    Despite the widespread fear of venturing beyond the settlement, a few brave individuals who figured out how to access their inventory discovered that the monsters just a few hundred meters outside the protected area were relatively weak and could be easily defeated using the basic gear provided in everyone''s inventory.


    Although conventional human weapons like guns and explosives proved ineffective, these brave souls discovered that monsters dropped valuable items, including raw food and coins that could be used to purchase essential materials at the Ancient Pillar.


    Word spread quickly throughout the settlement, and soon residents began hunting in the outskirts.


    Over the course of several weeks, a guild was established to regulate and support those venturing out to hunt monsters.


    These individuals began to identify themselves as adventurers. Their consistent efforts in monster hunting helped alleviate food shortages, and some even found edible plants and fruits growing in nearby forests and along rivers.


    A new monetary system emerged, with coins dropped by monsters becoming the currency for lodging, food, supplies, and daily necessities.


    These coins were vital to adventurers, as they were needed to purchase basic gear, potions, and essential items for upgrading and learning new class-based skills.


    After a few weeks, people began to accept that the world they once knew had ended.


    With the world resetting, everyone had to start from scratch, making the fame, wealth, and power of the old world almost meaningless. In this unfamiliar new reality, a revolution ignited, a race for humanity''s survival.


    At some point, a document titled "Guide to Hollow Earth Online" was distributed throughout the city.


    It offered basic survival information, including explanations of character seven base classes, status, skills, equipment, ailments, monsters, and the sudden appearance of the ancient pillar.


    This guide became an essential information resource, helping adventurers prepare for and defeat stronger monsters as they ventured further from the Ancient Pillar.


    A couple of months had passed since the Ancient Pillar appeared, and hunting monsters in the Forest of Illusion became my daily routine.


    This mid-level hunting ground, located a few kilometers from the settlement, provided the perfect challenge.


    Unlike the game, where reaching level 39 took just a month, leveling up here required relentless effort. The goal was to hit level 40, unlocking Unique Classes, specialized abilities accessible only through rare card drops from specific boss monsters, and only equippable by characters at level 40 or higher.


    A week ago, during a rare encounter in the Graveyard of the Undead, I defeated a unique undead boss monster, Gravekeeper, level 40.


    Although it took me a while to defeat it, to my surprise, it dropped a rare card containing the Unique Class Enchanter. According to the card''s details, this Unique Class combines swordplay and magic, offering high immunity to ailments and magic while enabling the use of instant and enhanced spells.


    After spending hours hunting trolls in the forest, reaching level 40 finally became a reality.


    A new interface appeared in the character status window: Class Card. Holding the class card in hand, anticipation built, but nothing happened. Confused, my attention turned to the Class Card window, leading to a discovery, a message box popped up after clicking the question mark next to the Card Slot.


    The instructions read, "To activate, the user must say ''Class Change'' followed by the desired class while holding the card." Excitement surged as I uttered, "Class Change Enchanter!"


    Suddenly, a bright light enveloped everything. Catching a glimpse of the reflection in the nearby river brought shock, platinum blonde hair and emerald eyes stared back.


    A quick check of character status revealed astonishing changes: all attributes had increased by 50%, along with magic resistance and ailment resistance, both now at 50%. Enchanter skills were split into two categories: offensive and defensive.


    Offensive Skills include Sword Enchant, which enchants the weapon with an element based on the activated Aura; Elemental Burst, casting an area-of-effect (AOE) damage based on the character''s maximum MP (Mana Points); and Elemental Eyes, allowing users to identify opponents'' elemental weaknesses and see the spells names that is about to be cast.


    Defensive Skills consist of Aura, providing the user with the ability to utilize elemental auras such as Flame for increased attack, Wind for enhanced mobility, Stone for heightened defense, Lightning for armor negation, and Water for improved regeneration ability.


    Additionally, Stone Skin raises the user''s physical resistance by 50% and can be cast on allies.


    This class is versatile, and suitable for solo players like myself, though it brings to mind the class identical to that in Arcadia Online, which is less popular due to its lower damage output compared to other favored classes.


    Given that the class was a physical/magical hybrid and heavily dependent on rare equipment to excel in higher-level hunting grounds, its drawback was the heavy reliance on mana for skills. However, increasing mana required allocating a significant amount of status points to INT( Intelligence ).


    This posed a challenge as the class is primarily melee, and half of its damage is physical, which can only be boosted by allocating points to STR ( Strength ).


    After a brief moment, I revert to my base class, Warrior.


    It''s crucial to be cautious in this world and not reveal my true strength, even though it''s relatively safe within the protected zone.


    However, the situation is different outside; people both fear and envy power.


    In this world, it¡¯s not just monsters that drop items upon death, adventurers do too. When an adventurer dies, they lose not only their life but everything they own, including their equipment and inventory items.


    To protect myself, it''s crucial to grow stronger, stronger than most adventures, by constantly hunting monsters, leveling up, and collecting more powerful gear while keeping it hidden.


    Right now, the average adventurer level is around 20, and it will be a while before anyone dares to enter the mid-level hunting zones.


    On the way home, the idea of checking out the new food stall near the GuildHall came to mind. Rumors were circulating that they were selling skewers made from Red Boar drops, a treat the siblings would surely enjoy.


    Upon arriving at the stall, the menu displayed a price of 20 copper coins per skewer.


    Two silver coins and 40 copper coins were enough to purchase a dozen skewers. The cost seemed reasonable, given that most adventurers typically earn between seven and ten silver coins daily.


    The first bite revealed a delightful flavor; the marinade made the meat tender and richly seasoned.


    Upon entering the house, Mom greeted with a smile, signaling that dinner was ready. Little brother''s eyes lit up at the sight of the skewers. "Big Brother, is that the skewer they were selling in the city?" he asked excitedly.


    "Yes, I believe so," came the reply with a smile. As my little siblings enjoyed the skewers, a question arose about Dad''s whereabouts.


    "He''s already asleep; he was tired after working on the construction for the Adventurers Academy," Mom explained.


    A week had passed since the guild master decided to establish a school for adventurers. Most adventurers, typically in their late teens, were ranked from F to A. F-rank served as the starting point, but promotion to E rank occurred after defeating a level 20 monster and selling its item drop to the guild.


    My current rank is F, since the only drops I sold to the guild were from Red Boars at level 5 and Forest Wolves at level 7.


    To reach E rank, adventurers needed to defeat at least a couple of Undead Warriors at level 20.


    Before entering the room, Mom handed over an invitation letter from Guild Master Gray.


    The letter invited attendance at the adventurer''s school to prepare for the upcoming Monster Siege event.


    The instructors, all ranked D or higher, offered a valuable chance to gauge the current strength of the city''s adventurers.


    It had also been two months since I last saw my good friend Ash, and knowing him, he''d likely be there too.

 Starting as F rank in Adventurer鈥檚 Academy

    On a chilly morning, as I was making my way to the academy for the first time, someone suddenly tapped my left shoulder.


    Turning to face the person, I heard a friendly voice. "Asriel, good morning!" Ash greeted me with joy.


    He was donned in leather armor crafted from the hide of a Great Wolf, level 15 , and a sheathed steel blade, a drop from a Rock Golem, level 30 in the Abandoned Mines far south of the city, hung at his waist.


    His equipment alone was worth a couple of gold coins. As expected, my friend sported a bronze insignia on his right chest, attesting to his status as an E-rank adventurer.


    He glanced at me with concern.


    In contrast to his well-equipped attire, I was clad in simple leather armor crafted from Forest Wolf hide, with an iron blade secured at my waist, a drop from a Undead Warrior, level 20, commonly found at the entrance of the Graveyard of the Undead.


    The equipment I wore was roughly valued at fifty silver coins.


    As we entered the school gate, we made our way to the assembly hall.


    It was teeming with students, mostly F ranks and around twenty E ranks. On the stage, Guild Master Gray and seven adventurers with silver insignias were visible.


    These were the D-rank adventurers of our city.


    Following Guild Master Gray''s welcome speech, the students were divided into seven groups, each consisting of approximately thirty members.


    We were designated to class 1-A under the instruction of Professor Klein Ironheart, a rank D Brawler.


    Brawlers primarily rely on their fists equipped with knuckles, excelling in close-quarter combat and boasting high defense.


    Professor Klein led us to our classroom, situated on the first floor at the far end of the hallway.


    I chose a seat in the far back corner, with Ash taking the one right beside me.


    Many of my classmates were familiar faces from my first semester in college. Professor Klein introduced himself and then asked us to introduce ourselves to the class.


    Our class had three D ranks, including Ash. The other two were Lucas Briggs, a fellow Warrior, and Cain Alder, a D-rank Assassin. Assassin is a class that depends on high mobility and reflexes, primarily employing shortswords and daggers.


    They excel in sneak attacks, with their main emphasis on agility.


    I was about to introduce myself when a voice echoed around the room, Lucas.


    "Hey, Asriel, it seems that being smart doesn''t help you become a strong adventurer," he remarked, referring to the iron insignia on my chest.


    I chose to ignore him and continued with my introduction.


    My impression of Lucas is an average guy with excessive pride and a penchant for showing off.


    Failing a couple of subjects clearly wounded his ego.


    "Mr. Ferrer, it seems your friend lacks the courage to fight stronger monsters," Lucas added.


    "Stop it, Mr. Briggs! I don¡¯t condone malicious behavior in my class," Professor Klein uttered in a rough voice.


    Lucas fell silent, and for a moment, I felt his glare directed at me.


    The class continued, and we were given pamphlets for the upcoming lessons and training.


    At the end of the class, we were asked to group up with five members.


    Ash and I were in the same group, along with two girls, Claire Ashfall, a Healer, and Rain Campbell, an Archer.


    Our last member was Neil Ashfall, a Mage, who is Claire''s twin brother and Ash''s cousin.


    Ash suggested that we have dinner together after class to discuss the practical exam tomorrow.


    Everyone agreed, and we went to a nearby restaurant, the Bellflower Diner, which is owned by Rain¡¯s family.


    It was my friend Ash''s treat, so I ordered something that looked tasty, fried Sand Fowl with teriyaki sauce and rice.


    Sand Fowl are level 15 bird-like monsters that are abundant in streams and wastelands.


    They can¡¯t fly but run pretty fast and have sharp beaks and talons.


    After our dinner, we discussed our strategy for the practical exam scheduled for tomorrow.


    The exam involves defeating the field boss of the Black Swamp, the Goblin King, a level 19 monster wielding a two-handed greatsword.


    It''s accompanied by several level 16 Goblins.


    Although the Goblin King is a low-level field boss, it can''t be easily handled by just a couple of rank E adventurers, as they may get overwhelmed by hordes of goblins.


    Field boss has higher stats compared to higher level normal monsters.


    They have rare skills that are pretty dangerous if you¡¯re not prepared. We finalized our basic formation, with Ash and me as the vanguard, and Claire, Rain, and Neil as the rearguard.


    Before heading home, we visited the ancient pillar and a nearby adventurer''s shop to purchase some provisions.


    On a sunny morning, we reached the entrance of the Black Swamp, being the first group to take the exam.


    There was a sense of concern among us, including my friend Ash.


    "Don''t worry; as long as we stick to the plan and don''t panic, we can pass this exam easily," I reassured them.


    They glanced at me, offering a weary smile.


    I couldn''t blame them; even with Ash in our group, we were only F ranks, and we just met the minimum recommended adventurer rank to tackle the Black Swamp.


    The purpose of this exam is to boost everyone''s confidence and foster teamwork.


    "Take your time and return home safely," cheered our professor, giving my shoulder a reassuring tap.


    Our group ventured into the swamp, where tall trees and bushes surrounded us, and the murky water stained our boots and the muddy ground slowed our movement as we moved forward.


    Soon after, a group of Goblins appeared ahead of us.


    Ash and I swiftly drew their attention by launching our attacks.


    The goblins were armed with short swords and small wooden shields, and one in the back wielded a bow.


    It fired an arrow at me, but I swiftly evaded it using Dash.


    Rain responded by shooting the goblin with the bow directly in the head, killing it instantly.


    Archers, with their high dexterity, excel in using ranged weapons like short and long bows, boasting exceptional accuracy.


    Despite their lack of defensive capabilities, they prove deadly in ranged battles.


    Ash took care of two Goblins, while I dispatched the other two with my sword.


    After dealing with a few more goblins amid the bushes and trees, we took a brief rest in a nearby mangrove, enjoying some snacks.


    I brought out two sandwiches with grilled Red Boar meat, each filled with a bit of lettuce and tomatoes.


    I handed one to Claire since she had forgotten to bring her food. Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.


    She thanked me as she quietly enjoyed the meal.


    After a few minutes, we proceeded to the location of the Goblin King, who was guarded by at least a dozen Goblins.


    The plan was to draw the goblins away from the Goblin King''s group, allowing Neil to finish them off with his AOE ( Area-of-Effect ) spell, Ice Shard, a water element spell that shoots shards of ice in an area, dealing a decent amount of damage but requiring some casting time.


    While Ash lured the hordes of goblins, I focused on holding the attention of the Goblin King. Initially, Ash wanted to take on that role, but I couldn''t risk putting my friend in such a dangerous position.


    I faced the Goblin King once when I was level 10, and even with Kaleidoscope and Oblivion, I couldn''t defeat it with just a single slashes.


    The Goblin King possesses a unique skill called Berserk, allowing it to endure attacks and continue to strike with double the speed and power for a certain duration.


    This skill activates when the Goblin King''s HP falls below a critical threshold.


    Skillfully dodging the Goblin King''s attacks while Rain provided cover from a distance with her bow.


    The greatsword, a two-handed weapon wielded by the Goblin King, boasted tremendous attack power but came with the drawback of extreme weight.


    As the Goblin King swung its sword, trees splintered and the ground trembled.


    After dodging its swings, I managed to land a few slashes on the monster.


    Moments later, its HP reached a critical point, causing it to take on a reddish hue due to the Berserk skill.


    Ash was still dealing with a couple of goblins, and Neil seemed to be running low on mana.


    The Goblin King lunged at me with incredible speed, and I narrowly avoided its attack before it executed a vertical downward slash towards me.


    Unable to evade the attack since one of my feet is stuck on the muddy ground, I had no choice but to use Sword Parry, resulting in a tenth of my HP being lost and a third of my sword''s durability being depleted.


    I needed to endure until Berserk''s effect wore off. The Goblin King swung its greatsword furiously at me, and I managed to narrowly evade most of the attacks after freeing my feet.


    However, upon utilizing the third Sword Parry, my sword shattered, and half of my HP vanished.


    As I was about to equip Kaleidoscope, a human figure suddenly appeared in front of me ¨C it was Ash.


    Finally, as Berserk lost its effect, Ash executed a level 25 skill, Sword Thrust, creating a big hole in the Goblin King''s chest and ending its life.


    Glancing around, I noticed Claire running toward us, her eyes teary.


    Without hesitation, she cast Bless, a vital skill for healers, which provides a percentage-based HP recovery for a certain duration, on herself and our allies. Ash cast an apologetic gaze my way, but I reassured him, "It''s okay, buddy.


    You did your job well." I then expressed my gratitude, saying, "And thanks for saving me."


    His face lit up with a smile.


    Gathering around the drops of the Goblin King, we needed to provide our professor, Klein Ironheart, with the Goblin King''s Necklace ¨C a common drop ¨C to pass the exam.


    Fortunately, the Goblin King dropped a greatsword and a dozen gold coins, a rare item with a one-in-a-hundred chance.


    Deciding to sell it at the guild since none of us used a greatsword, Rain enthusiastically estimated its value at least a hundred gold.


    "Before that, it would be at least $20,000," she added.


    I stored the greatsword in my inventory and headed back.


    Professor Klein awaited us at the entrance of the Black Swamp, smiling.


    Congratulating us on passing the exam, he mentioned that he had been observing us the entire time.


    I had glimpsed him when we were about to confront the Goblin King.


    I assumed he would step in to aid his students if they made a mistake.


    Claire handed the Goblin King¡¯s Necklace to the professor.


    After selling the Goblin King¡¯s Greatsword, I divided the reward evenly among the group.


    Ash and the twins went home, while Rain headed to the market to make some purchases.


    With some gold in my pocket, I bought a couple of portions of fried Sand Fowl and a dozen Red Boar skewers.


    On my way home, I realized that relying on cheap, low-level equipment could eventually prove fatal.


    Since my group knew I had the funds, it made sense to start using better equipment from my inventory, no one would raise suspicions.


    With that in mind, I equipped my new armor and sword, which were worth at least five gold.


    The next morning, we had a day off from class.


    Eager to test my new class, Enchanter, even before the sun rose, I headed to the new hunting ground I discovered after clearing the Graveyard of the Undead.


    It was a few kilometers away, stumbled upon it while exploring for a new leveling spot. The Wasteland of Riviera is a level 30-50 zone filled with gigantic monsters, including Ogre, level 30, Boulder Troll, level 40, mini boss Iron Golem, level 45, and its field boss, Cyclops, lvl 50.


    I took my time earlier to activate the gate at the entrance, so the next time I return, I won¡¯t have to hike to get there.


    "Transfer: Wasteland of Riviera," I commanded as I stepped into the gate located in the middle of the city.


    A blinding light surrounded me, and in an instant, I found myself standing in front of the gate, right at the entrance to the Wasteland of Riviera.


    Inherently switching to my highest equipment set. Holding Enchanter¡¯s Class card in my right hand, and chanted, "Change Class: Enchanter!" As I strolled through the apocalyptic landscape, filled with crumbling buildings and wrecked cars, a harsh reality struck me.


    This was the neighboring town located a few miles away from the city I called home. It became clear that places without the protection of the ancient pillars ended in the same fate as my old hometown, destroyed and left abandoned, devoid of any remnants of life from the old world.


    As I navigated past several car wrecks, I unexpectedly stumbled upon a familiar location ¨C the spot where we used to shop for groceries during my visits to my aunt''s house, playing with my cousin Earl Brooks.


    I hope they''re doing well, but knowing him, he''s probably immersed in leveling up like a madman in his favorite class, Mage.


    Mages, characterized as glass cannons, boast extreme firepower but are quite fragile.


    They rely on obliterating enemies with long-range spells before the opponents can even land a hit.


    Back in the Arcadia Online days, we teamed up frequently.


    I played as a Warrior, and he had my back as a Mage. Together, we effortlessly cleared most lower and middle floors.


    However, as we ascended to the upper floors, where the monsters'' movement and attack algorithms changed, it became challenging for a two-person party.


    That''s when we decided to establish a guild, known as the "Endless," with me as the Guild Master and Earl as the Vice.


    Our mission was to assist solo players stuck on middle floors, inviting them to join the guild and play together.


    Over time, the guild expanded, growing larger and larger, until we had a full raid party tackling the top floors.


    It was a time filled with fun memories and thrilling adventures.


    A few years ago, Earl and I engaged in an intriguing conversation about one of his school subjects, particularly the physics topic of "Schr?dinger¡¯s Cat."


    According to the Austrian physicist Erwin Schr?dinger, when you place a cat and something that could potentially harm the cat in a sealed box, you wouldn''t know whether the cat was dead or alive until the box was opened.


    Therefore, until the box is opened, the cat is theoretically both "alive and dead."


    Earl had an assignment to create an essay connecting Schr?dinger''s Cat to the Parallel Universe Theory.


    As the weekly maintenance of Arcadia Online had just commenced a few hours ago, we had some downtime to focus on our schoolwork.


    "So, the Parallel Universe Theory, commonly known as the multiverse theory, posits the existence of parallel worlds," I remarked.


    However, we lack a means of observing these alleged Parallel Worlds or validating their existence.


    If we apply it to Schr?dinger''s Cat and position ourselves as one of the possibilities where the cat is alive, doesn''t that imply that we are just one of the myriad potentialities?


    Moreover, if we liken the sealed box to the fifth dimension, which is challenging to directly observe, what if we suddenly became aware of the other possibility?


    Consider a scenario where there exists a world encompassing all four dimensions, from the first to the fourth, and we can observe it. Earl pondered, "Wouldn''t this lead to a convergence of worlds if the other world also became aware of our existence? Since both worlds become observers without opening the sealed box, the hypothetical state of the cat being both alive and dead would cease."


    Our intriguing conversation concluded as my aunt, Earl''s mom, entered the room carrying our lunch.


    Following the hearty meal, we spent some time in Arcadia Online after the maintenance, assisting our new guild members, and then before long I returned home.


    Engrossed in contemplation, a colossal shadow engulfed me entirely. Just as a massive club swung toward me, I hastily muttered, "Ethereal" The club passed through my body, striking a crumbling building instead.


    An Ogre loomed before me, perplexed as it searched for its elusive target. With Kaleidoscope gripped in my right hand, I intoned, "Flame Aura! Sword Enchant!" The formerly colorless, glass-like sword now glowed ruby red.


    Dispelling Ethereal, I leaped behind the Ogre and executed a vertical sword slash.


    The sword seared through the Ogre, reducing it to ashes. A fleeting thought crossed my mind, perhaps it was an overkill.


    However, sentimentality had no place; it was time to persist in leveling up within this merciless death game.


    With that determination, I ventured deeper into the Wasteland of Riviera.

 A Test of Strength

    A week had passed since our triumph over the Goblin King.


    According to the professor, only two groups had successfully defeated the formidable foe, our group and Lucas''s.


    The lack of surprise on my part stemmed from the inclusion of Cain in Lucas''s group.


    Having two Class D adventurers with formidable equipment, aided by a couple of F ranks, proved to be a potent combination for conquering Black Swamp.


    Lucas''s party comprised two Warriors, an Assassin, and two Archers.


    My suspicion was that Cain had already reached at least level 25, granting him access to the Assassin''s skill Backstab.


    This mobility skill allowed instantaneous movement to the back of a target, and despite its limited range, Backstab with Paralyzing Dagger and Poison Dagger, delivered substantial damage, enough to dispatch a critically injured Goblin King in a single blow.


    Poison Dagger is an Assassin''s level 20 skill, allowing you to coat the weapon with a weak poison that gives a poisoned status which has a decent DOT (Damage over Time).


    Paralyzing Dagger, level 15 skill on the other hand gives paralyzed status that lowers movement by 50% for a few seconds.


    Consequently, their group earned an A+ grade, while ours received an A.


    The absence of Lucas''s usual confrontational demeanor on that day surprised me.


    Today marked a special training session, a showdown between teacher and student. The F-rank members of the two successful groups had already been promoted to E-rank by the Guild Master.


    Utilizing the Duel System, adventurers could assess their strengths within the protected area of the ancient pillars.


    This system ensured that adventurers'' HP wouldn''t fall below 20 percent, and any participant whose HP dropped beyond 70 percent would be deemed the loser.


    The focus of today''s lesson was to illustrate the difference between ranks D and F.


    Professor Klein declared, "Ash Ferrer, you''ll be the first to fight me."


    Ash nodded in acknowledgment as he unsheathed his steel sword.


    The duel commenced with the mutual acceptance of the participants.


    Ash initiated the attack, utilizing Dash to flank Professor Klein on his left side and following up with Sword Thrust .


    However, his advance was abruptly halted as he was thrown backward, akin to a ragdoll.


    Professor Klein executed the Brawler level 25 skill Counter, reflecting 50 percent of Ash''s sword skill damage and negating its damage.


    This was swiftly succeeded by Iron Fist, a level 20 skill potent enough to topple an Ogre.


    Ash''s HP dwindled below 60 percent. Undeterred, he rose to his feet with determination gleaming in his eyes.


    Launching into a quick Dash, he closed the distance and unleashed Sword Slash.


    Although Professor Klein responded with another Counter, Ash skillfully canceled the skill transitioned to Sword Parry, causing the two skills to neutralize each other.


    In a seamless sequence, Ash unleashed a vertical Sword Slash, but before he could make contact, a victory notice flashed, and he found himself on the ground with around 25 percent HP.


    Professor Klein swiftly unleashed a consecutive Tiger Fist, a level 30 mid-range skill unique to the Brawler class.


    The technique produced a burst of wind that materialized into a roaring tiger''s head, propelling its target like a leaf caught in a gust.


    Upon seeing Ash on the ground, Claire Ashfall promptly cast Bless to restore his HP.


    Professor Klein extended his hand to help Ash stand up and commended him for employing a Fake followed by a consecutive skill.


    The ability to chain skills consecutively was a defining strength of the Brawler class, enabling them to seamlessly use rapid-cast skills in succession.


    The impact on the professor''s HP was minimal, showcasing the vast difference in skill levels.


    It was evident that Professor Klein was earnest in demonstrating the discrepancy in our abilities, a combination of adult cunningness and level superiority.


    Despite multiple attempts by various melee weapon users from both groups, none could rival the professor''s formidable strength.


    Then it was my turn, I was excited to fight someone who was not a monster, it¡¯s been a while after all.


    As the duel commenced, my excitement to face a human opponent surged, yet I promptly reminded myself to exercise restraint.


    This wasn''t a life-or-death battle, but rather a test to evaluate our skills.


    With this in mind, I decided to relish the experience and glean some lessons.


    Professor Klein initiated the encounter with a swift Tiger Fist.


    Sidestepping gracefully and executing a backward Dash, I skillfully evade his attack. Closing in, the professor unleashed Iron Fist towards my face.


    Employing a timely sword parry, I disrupted his balance, leaving his back vulnerable.


    Capitalizing on this opening, I executed a horizontal Sword Slash.


    To counter, Professor Klein swiftly employed Round Kick, a level 15 skill rotating his body and using his knuckles to intercept my strike.


    While he managed to block the attack, it still landed on his right shoulder, depleting a fraction of his HP.


    "You''re quite formidable, Asriel. Your dodging and parrying skills are beyond those of an F or E rank adventurer," he remarked with a smile, acknowledging my capabilities.


    A sudden question crossed my mind: Did I make a mistake? However, upon reflection, I realized that Professor Klein was merely commending my skills.


    "Nah, he was just praising me," I thought.


    If he were aware of my true abilities, he might have reported me to the Guild Master by now and the Old Man would instantly inform me.


    "Practice makes perfect, Professor," I remarked sarcastically, acknowledging the harsh reality.


    Fighting opponents much stronger and faster than a rank D brawler without resorting to high-level skills was already second nature to me.


    Throughout my recollection, my life has consistently unfolded on the battlefield, spanning both this world and the old one.


    Despite the duel''s ongoing nature and both our HP gradually decreasing, I decided to employ a strategic move.


    Utilizing Dash, I feigned a slip-up, allowing myself to be struck directly by Tiger Fist and conceding victory to Professor Klein for the fifth time.


    He graciously congratulated me for putting up a formidable fight.


    Lucas approached me, and to my surprise, it wasn''t the usual malicious comment.


    "The truth is, I was with the professor when you fought the Goblin King," Lucas timidly stated.


    "You looked so cool dodging those fast and heavy attacks," he excitedly added. While his words seem harmless, the look in his eyes conveys a different narrative.


    Good thing I never used Kaleidoscope, really great save Ash, I simply thought.


    After the class ended that day, I headed to the Bellflower Diner for lunch since it was only a half day.


    I was at the diner waiting for my lunch when I spotted a familiar figure ¨C Claire. "Uhm, Asriel, can I ask you a favor?" she said softly.


    "Sure, but first, take a seat and order lunch," I insisted.


    "Don''t worry, it''s my treat," I added. Initially hesitant, she eventually ordered food.


    After I had a few slices of fried Red Boar meat, I inquired about the favor Claire needed.


    "I felt a bit useless during our practical exam in the Black Swamp," she confessed.


    "You were healing us the whole way; I think you did a great job," I commended her. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    "But I can''t help during actual fights," she added.


    Healer is a class great in healing and other useful buffs, but it also comes with a few support skills such as Bind level 20, a skill that restrains its target, and Holy Light level 25, a skill that''s effective against undead and removes debuffs when cast on oneself or an ally.


    "May I ask what''s your level, Miss Claire?" I softly inquired.


    She stood up and walked toward me, softly whispering, "Level 15."


    Level is one of the most confidential pieces of information in this world, revealing most of your capabilities, from your status to your actual skills.


    A level 15 Healer, though a great class, has one fatal flaw. At low levels, Healers aren''t capable of solo leveling due to their lack of mobility and offensive capabilities.


    Mana Shot, the Healer''s basic attack, uses a lot of mana and takes a while to cast, leaving the caster vulnerable to attacks.


    That''s the main reason why Healers are rare, even though it''s one of the base classes.


    The only way to level up a Healer quickly is by level boosting, partying, and killing higher-level monsters.


    A high-level Healer is a must on higher-level hunting grounds and dungeons, as it increases the group''s survivability significantly.


    "I was considering bringing the other members, but it''s challenging to protect everyone while fighting if I''m not going to use my Advanced Class Enchanter.


    So, I dropped the thought and proceeded to answer Claire''s request.


    She was sitting silently in front of me, waiting for my reply.


    Miss Claire, regarding your request, meet me at the Central Plaza near the Transport Gate tomorrow before dawn," I stated.


    "And please be in your adventurer''s gear," I added, smiling at her.


    The only way to get her to level 25 in a day is by clearing the dungeon near the Abandoned Mines.


    It was still dark when I left my house. Most of the residents of the city were still asleep, and it took me a few minutes before I reached the central plaza.


    I saw Claire''s figure sitting on a bench, waiting for my arrival.


    The moment she saw me, she stood up and approached me.


    She seemed a bit excited.


    ''Miss Claire, are you afraid of spiders?'' I politely asked. ''Not really,'' she answered.


    Today, we are gonna clear Arachnia¡¯s Cavern; it''s a level 30 dungeon filled with spider-like monsters,'' I continued.


    We then stepped on the Gate, and I chanted, ''Transfer: Arachnia¡¯s Cavern.''


    We found ourselves at the entrance of a dark cavern filled with webs.


    "Before we enter, Miss Claire, I want to ask you a couple of things," I said.


    "First, don¡¯t use Bless or any skill while I¡¯m fighting the monsters, or they will attack you," I stated.


    She nodded in reply.


    "Second, stay close behind me while exploring the dungeon, and keep your distance while I¡¯m fighting," I added.


    "Next, please accept the trading request," I continued.


    As she clicked the confirm button on the trade, a white cloak appeared in her hand ¨C the Cloak of Tranquil, a rare drop from killing Cyclops.


    Its ability lowers the user''s aggro by 50%, increases the user''s vitality by 20 points, and grants the user a rare skill Moment of Courage while equipped.


    It¡¯s a skill that allows the user to avoid instant death once a day and grants invincibility for a few seconds while decreasing the user''s offensive capability to nothing.


    She was confused for a moment as she looked at the item''s stats.


    "Why would you give me something this valuable?" Claire asked. "It¡¯s a gift, and you need this item to clear this dungeon safely," I said.


    "Lastly, I want you to keep everything that will happen here a secret," I added.


    "Ah¡­ Sure, Asriel, and thanks for this pretty cloak," she happily said as she equipped the cloak.


    "It suits you perfectly," I uttered. "Really?" she excitedly answered.


    As we entered the dungeon, we found ourselves inside a dark cave filled with mineral deposits.


    Several crystals illuminated the cave-like fireflies on a moonless night.


    Walking past several stalagmites, monsters started appearing.


    I spotted several Cave Spider level 25, using Dash plus Sword Thrust, I closed the gap between me and the monsters.


    Then I followed it with a consecutive Quick Slash.


    A flurry of slashes enveloped the monsters, defeating them before they could even spew a single web.


    I looked back and saw Claire a bit surprised.


    "What¡¯s that skill?" she curiously asked. "It¡¯s Quick Slash, a level 30 skill of the Warrior Class.


    You can use it consecutively five times," I murmured.


    Her eyes quickly lit up.


    "I see, so the professor was right that your skill wasn¡¯t that of an E or F rank adventurer," she said.


    She was about to say something when several  Cave Spiders started attacking us.


    I went ahead and defeated them.


    It was about an hour since we started exploring the cave.


    We took a break beside a rock formation, and Claire then handed me a sandwich.


    I took a big bite, and a familiar flavor gushed into my mouth.


    It was a fried Sand Fowl sandwich with added mayonnaise and ketchup.


    For a second, I thought the sandwich vanished from thin air. Claire handed me my second sandwich and a cup of coffee.


    "Don¡¯t worry, I made a lot," she said. "Is it that tasty?" she asked.


    "I would eat this any time of the day," I said while munching the sandwich. Claire looked happy as she ate her sandwich.


    After our tasty break, we continued exploring deeper into the cave.


    A few moments later, we found ourselves in a wide space deep in the cave.


    Cave Spiders started falling from the ceiling of the cave, and we were surrounded.


    I quickly grabbed Claire around the waist as I cleared the Cave Spiders blocking our exit. I asked Claire to stay put while I cleared the hordes of Cave Spider.


    A few minutes passed, and the area fell silent.


    Claire approached me, looking worried, and quickly cast Bless.


    Although Cave Spiders weren''t much of a threat, their webs had a slow debuff that, if not careful, could tangle and immobilize you.


    At least 20 Cave Spiders fell by my sword.


    We took a short break, allowing my HP to regenerate to full.


    It was almost noon when we reached the Boss Room.


    Arachnia, a level 30 Dungeon Boss, was a monstrous creature with a half-human, half-spider figure.


    This beast boasted incredible mobility, capable of expelling webs and poison that inflicted abnormal statuses, causing damage over time.


    Leaving Claire in a safe corner, I lured Arachnia to the opposite side.


    The monster lunged at me with incredible speed, its front legs unleashing a flurry of attacks.


    Fortunately, I had switched to a new steel sword upon entering the boss room.


    I narrowly dodged Arachnia¡¯s attacks due to its high agility.


    After landing several blows on the monster, its HP dropped below half.


    Arachnia started traversing the sidewalls, spewing poison as I jumped midair to avoid one of its slashes.


    However, I was hit by the poison spit, and my HP began plummeting due to the percentage-based damage-over-time effect called Toxic.


    Glancing at my current health, I realized I only had a minute to defeat Arachnia, which still had about 30 percent HP.


    I tried my best to land a blow, but every time Arachnia retreated to the walls and resumed its relentless assault.


    With half a minute left before my HP reached zero, I prepared to equip Kaleidoscope.


    However, Arachnia suddenly became surrounded by white light threads and was pinned to the ground.


    This unexpected turn of events was the result of Bind, one of Claire''s Healer Class support skills.


    Without a second thought, I equipped myself with Kaleidoscope.


    The glass-looking sword was engulfed in crimson flames as I unleashed Phoenix Slash, a level 45 skill of the Warrior class.


    The monster was cleaved in half, and in an instant, Arachnia¡¯s body was consumed by flames.


    I swiftly accessed my inventory to retrieve an elixir and dispel the debuff.


    However, before I could grab the elixir, my body was engulfed in a golden light, Holy Light level 25, one of the most potent skills of Healers that has the ability to dispel any negative status.


    I had been a breath away from my HP dropping to zero.


    Claire rushed toward me, casting Bless, her face filled with worry and tears threatening to spill from her eyes.


    To reassure her, I quickly informed her about one of my items, the Necklace of Endurance, a bound item that instantly heals me to full HP but can be used only once.


    It was a gift received at the end of the Hollow Earth Online Beta Test and a significant reason why I could afford to be reckless at times.


    She took a deep breath and playfully punched my chest.


    After a few moments, we began examining the boss drops. Among them were about a hundred gold coins and several items, the most notable being the Sphere Staff, a staff that enhances healing effects, cast range, and allows a single-targeted spell to become an AOE; White Snow , an uncommon armor that negates abnormal statuses and increases the user''s HP by 30 percent; and Swift Staff , a staff that enables instant casting on offensive spells that are 10 levels below the user.


    I let Claire take possession of the Sphere Staff and White Snow.


    Although she hesitated initially, after some convincing, she eventually accepted the items.


    The gold drop was evenly divided between the two of us, and I stored most of the items and materials in my inventory.


    Subsequently, we headed towards the Transport Gate near the entrance of Arachnia¡¯s Cavern.


    By the time we arrived at the central plaza, night had fallen. Upon surveying the surroundings, I noticed my mom seated on a bench near the plaza¡¯s fountain.


    A woman sat beside her, and Claire began running towards them.


    It was Claire¡¯s mom, and I realized that Claire must have sought her permission and informed her that I would be accompanying her. Claire¡¯s mom, Evelyn Ashfall, happened to be my mom¡¯s best friend, and I had seen her in pictures and heard stories about her on several occasions.


    "Good evening, Miss Evelyn. I''m Asriel Sanchez, Claire¡¯s classmate," I uttered, providing a brief self-introduction to Claire¡¯s mom.


    She greeted me warmly and expressed gratitude for helping her daughter and ensuring her safety.


    After bidding farewell, I informed my mom that I intended to buy takeout from Bellflower¡¯s Diner before heading home, considering she might not have had the chance to cook dinner because of me.


    While walking towards Bellflower¡¯s Diner, my mom suddenly remarked, "Evelyn¡¯s daughter is quite beautiful, isn¡¯t she?" Without hesitation, I agreed, and my mom chuckled at my almost red face as we continued walking.


    Reflecting on the recent encounter, I realized I had nearly wasted the Necklace of Endurance due to Arachnia¡¯s unexpected poison attack and increased mobility.


    The last time I faced that monster, its health dropped from 50 percent to zero in a few seconds.


    I made a mental note to be more cautious in the future as I opened the diner¡¯s door right in front of me.

 The Excursion to the Undead

    On a sunny morning, Professor Klein informed us about our upcoming journey to the Cemetery of the Undead.


    In comparison to the Black Swamp, the Cemetery of the Undead is a level 25 dungeon filled with undead monsters that exhibit basic teamwork and intelligence.


    Common inhabitants include the Undead Warrior at level 20, Undead Archer at level 22, Skeleton Wolves at level 23, and the dungeon boss, Elder Lich, at level 25.


    The professor explained that each group would take its turn heading to the dungeon, and on our expedition, he would be joining our party.


    "Tomorrow, Asriel¡¯s group and I will head towards the Cemetery of the Undead.


    Lucas and the other groups, please prepare for the upcoming days for your turn," Professor Klein announced.


    While many students were initially flustered by the prospect, the mood shifted when the professor mentioned his participation, and my classmates became more enthusiastic.


    Some students were even excited about the upcoming event.


    After class, Ash invited us for dinner, and Neil inquired about the usual place.


    "Of course, Asriel loves the food there," Ash teased me.


    Offering to treat everyone, I declared, "Today¡¯s dinner is on me, guys."


    Ash eagerly added, "I feel hungry already."


    Once we were seated, I took the initiative to order dinner and stated everyone''s preferences.


    "Mine¡¯s the usual, Uncle Ed," I said while paying our bills.


    Edward Campbell, Rain¡¯s dad and the owner of Bellflower Diner prepared our meals.


    As we sat, everyone was happily engaged in conversation.


    However, Neil suddenly looked at me and remarked, "Asriel, how was your date with my sister?" Claire blushed, and I noticed a mischievous twinkle in Ash and Rain''s eyes.


    After a brief pause, Neil continued teasing, "So, how was it?"


    I replied honestly, "It was great; I enjoyed it."


    Ash gave me a proud tap on the shoulder, acting like a protective big brother.


    We then shifted the discussion to our strategy for the upcoming event.


    The next morning arrived, and we found ourselves gathering at the gate near the central plaza.


    "Transfer Cemetery of the Undead," Ash uttered, and I observed several adventurers heading towards a nearby forest as we stepped outside the Transport Gate.


    Professor Klein explained that today''s activity was focused on improving everyone¡¯s teamwork, and he announced his participation as one of the vanguards.


    Walking into the dungeon, death surrounded us, a gloomy place filled with graves and skeletons.


    As I was about to step further, I heard Rain¡¯s voice.


    "Where did you get this lovely armor, Claire?" she asked.


    "Asriel gave it to me," Claire shyly replied.


    I noticed Claire wearing White Snow and holding Sphere Staff. Professor Klein''s eyes widened.


    "Isn¡¯t this item¡¯s name White Snow, one of Arachnia¡¯s uncommon drops?" he inquired.


    I wasn¡¯t surprised that he knew about the item.


    A week before we entered Arachnia¡¯s Cavern , four of the seven teachers in our Academy went and cleared it.


    It was then that I saw the item White Snow  worn by Miss Layla, one of the teachers.


    "I gave it to her after I defeated Arachnia," I answered.


    Neil, looking confused, asked, "Don¡¯t tell me you dated my sister in Arachnia¡¯s Cavern?"


    "I''ve mentioned before, Neil, it wasn''t exactly a date, well, it was, but...," Claire started explaining.


    "We went to Arachnia¡¯s Cavern to boost Claire''s level since she wanted to contribute more to our party," I clarified.


    Professor Klein interjected, "I don¡¯t know what''s going on in your mind, Asriel, but soloing Arachnia is impossible even for D-rank adventurers, let alone two E-rank adventurers unless your level is significantly higher than your rank."


    "Maybe, I suppose," I replied.


    Unable to extract the desired answer, the professor yielded momentarily.


    We then resumed our exploration, passing by several tombs.


    Skeletons lying on the floor started moving; they were Undead Warrior level 20.


    Ash charged toward the group of undead, perhaps blinded by excitement or preoccupied with our earlier conversation.


    He didn''t notice an arrow headed his way.


    Just in time, Professor Klein grabbed his arm, narrowly avoiding the arrow that lodged itself in one of the tombs.


    Without hesitation, Rain fired a Piercing Arrow at the Undead Archer, swiftly eliminating it.


    The Archer¡¯s passive ability, Headshot lvl 15, doubles the damage when hitting enemies in the head, while Piercing Arrow lvl 20 negates 70 percent of the opponent''s defense.


    I swiftly moved toward the group of Undead Warriors to intercept them before they could approach our team.


    As I advanced, a barrage of a dozen arrows flew towards me.


    Just as I was about to evade them using Dash, Professor Klein unleashed Tiger Fist, shattering all the projectiles.


    Closing in on the Undead Warrior, I executed Sword Slash, beheading one, and followed up with Sword Thrust, piercing the chest of another.


    The remaining Undead Warrior attempted a vertical Sword Slash at my back, but I countered it with Sword Parry, mitigating half of the damage.


    Professor Klein employed Tiger Fist again, swiftly dispatching a couple of monsters aligned horizontally to him.


    Meanwhile, Rain and Neil engaged the Undead Archers from a distance, utilizing Piercing Arrow and Fireball.


    Although two of the Undead Warriors managed to breach my defense, Professor Klein and Ash successfully handled them.


    The other two that had advanced toward our rearguard were suddenly restrained, and pinned to the ground.


    Shortly after, the two monsters found themselves enveloped in a radiant golden light, leading to their immediate defeat.


    It was revealed to be Claire''s skills, Bind and Holy Light. Intrigued, Rain inquired about the specific skills after eliminating the last Undead Archer with her arrow.


    Professor Klein, taken aback, explained, "It''s Bind, level 20, and Holy Light, level 25, skills of the Healer Class."


    In a world where disclosing one''s level is a personal choice, skills serve as a crucial indicator of an adventurer''s proficiency.


    The right to keep one''s level undisclosed is granted to adventurers to prevent malicious acts.


    To reassure Rain, Ash added, "Don''t worry, Rain.


    After we clear this dungeon, you might have gained enough levels to learn Arrow Rain."


    This Archer skill unleashes a multitude of light arrows across a wide area, with each light arrow possessing a paralysis effect that reduces mobility by 30 percent.


    "That sounds amazing," Rain replied with a smile directed at Ash.


    We decided to take a short break, but our moment of respite was interrupted by a distant howl.


    A pack of Skeleton Wolves, level 23, had spotted us. Skeleton Wolves, common undead creatures in the cemetery, are known for their high agility, allowing them to pursue their prey relentlessly.


    Claire swiftly cast Bind, ensnaring three of the approaching wolves, while Neil followed suit with Flame Wall, a level 20 skill that conjures a wall of fire over a medium area.


    The three Skeleton Wolves slowly charred in the flames, while the rest were hindered by the fiery barrier.The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    A sudden gust of wind pierced through the wall of fire, revealing Professor Klein''s Tiger Fist, which promptly shattered a couple of wolves concealed behind the curtain of flames.


    Seizing the opportunity, Ash and I charged forward as the Flame Wall  duration came to an end.


    Seven Skeleton Wolves remained, and Rain expertly eliminated one with a precise arrow to the head.


    Ash, utilizing Dash and Sword Thrust, caught two wolves off guard and swiftly dispatched them.


    I sensed that Professor Klein was still not satisfied with our previous discussion on how I defeated Arachnia.


    Deciding to demonstrate, I initiated a charge using Dash and leaped above the approaching wolves.


    Suspended in the air, I executed a rapid series of downward slashes that enveloped the three Skeleton Wolves below.


    The bodies of the wolves crumbled as I smoothly sheathed my sword.


    The onlookers were visibly astonished, except for Claire."That''s Quick Slash, isn''t it, Asriel?" Professor Klein declared.


    "I recognize it, having seen Guild Master Gray use it while we were clearing Arachnia''s Cavern," he added.


    A realization hit me ¨C Old Man Gray was part of the group that cleared it, I mumbled to myself.


    Glancing at Miss Claire''s reaction, Professor Klein continued, "You used it when you cleared Arachnia''s Cavern," he said, and Claire responded with a sly wink.


    Professor Klein looked a bit confused as he remarked, "There''s no way you managed to increase your level to 30 without anyone noticing."


    I think Guild Master Gray can answer most of your questions, Professor, I answered.


    Right now, I think we should focus on clearing this dungeon, I added.


    Professor Klein regained his composure and agreed to prioritize the dungeon clearance.


    After a few minutes of exploration within the Cemetery of the Undead, we arrived at the boss room.


    In the room''s depths, the Elder Lich was seated on a tomb-like throne, guarded by several Undead Knight level 24.


    As we approached, the Elder Lich rose from its throne, commanding the Undead Knights to engage us.


    Six Undead Knights stood as the barrier between us and the Elder Lich.


    Without hesitation, Professor Klein and I swiftly advanced towards the knights.


    One of the knights stumbled after being struck by Professor Klein''s powerful Round Kick, while another fell to the ground as I swiftly targeted its unguarded legs, executing a lethal slash.


    The two fallen knights were enveloped in a radiant golden light, and Claire''s Holy Light instantly obliterated them, reducing them to ashes.


    Simultaneously, Claire utilized Bind to restrain the remaining three knights.


    One of them lost balance when Rain''s Piercing Arrow shattered its leg, and Neil followed up by casting Ice Shard on the group of knights.


    As their HP dwindled to half, I dashed towards them, unleashing a rapid succession of slashes with the skill Quick Slash.


    Attempting to retreat, I faced a volley of Fireball spells raining down on me. Professor Klein used Tiger Fist to intercept some of the Fireballs, while Rain contributed by shooting down others with her Piercing Arrow.


    Employing Sword Parry, I managed to mitigate the damage from the final Fireball.


    Seeing an opportunity, Ash charged toward the Elder Lich, but his advance was abruptly halted as undead hands seized both his legs, immobilizing him.


    The Elder Lich unleashed its skill, Undead Swamp, which not only restrained anyone in its area but also lowered their magic resistance by 50 percent.


    Anticipating another volley of Fireballs directed at Ash, Professor Klein shielded him with his own body, attempting to counter the incoming attack.


    The Fireballs raced towards the two adventurers, and instinctively, I equipped Kaleidoscope in my right hand.


    In an instant, I found myself positioned in front of Professor Klein, unleashing a massive fiery bird-like slash that devoured the entire volley of Fireballs and everything in its path.


    Professor Klein stood in awe as the fiery bird consumed the Elder Lich.


    When Ash reopened his eyes, he found the floor ablaze and a molten throne before him.


    The professor was about to inquire when I intervened.


    "It''s Phoenix Slash, a level 45 skill of the Warrior Class," I explained in a hushed tone.


    The professor, still taken aback, snapped back to reality when I placed my arms on his shoulders.


    "Thanks for trying to save my buddy, Ash," I expressed with a bow, acknowledging his commendable effort.


    His actions underscored his trustworthiness; even if he managed to use Counter, he would likely have perished while attempting to rescue Ash.


    "Sorry, I thought I could land a blow on the Elder Lich," Ash apologized, bowing his head.


    "It''s okay; that''s why adventurers form parties ¨C to have each other''s backs," Professor Klein reassured him.


    Reflecting on the situation, I whispered to the professor, "It seems that Cemetery of the Undead is perilous to clear without informing the students of the potential dangers."


    "You''re right, Asriel. I''ll provide more instructions and information for the next groups," he affirmed.


    Claire then cast Bless and Holy Light on the three of us. Neil, expressing his excitement, approached me.


    "That skill is awesome," he exclaimed.


    Once everyone gathered around the Elder Lich loot, I requested a favor to keep the newly revealed skill a secret for the time being. Everyone readily agreed, and we began our journey back to the gate.


    Neil sported a satisfied smirk as he examined his new staff, the Elder Staff, allows users to use Multi spell cast and boosts fire spell damage by 50 percent.


    It took some time before we finally reached the Transport Gate outside the dungeon.


    Exhausted, we made our way to the Central Plaza and unanimously decided to replenish our energy with some food at the Bellflower Diner.


    Before we could step out of the Transport Gate platform, a huge silhouette of a man materialized in front of us.


    It was Guild Master Gray, fully geared and preparing to use the Gate.


    Professor Klein inquired, "Guild Master Gray, where are you headed?" Guild Master Gray explained, "Three D-rank adventurers ventured to scout the forest near the Cemetery of the Undead.


    They were supposed to report back after a couple of hours, but it''s been six hours now."


    Professor Klein expressed concern, "It''s risky for you to go alone."


    Guild Master Gray responded, "That''s why I''m waiting for Asriel¡¯s arrival."


    My attention was drawn to a female figure wearing White Snow sitting on a bench, Professor Layla Greenfield.


    Asriel, will you help us locate the three missing adventurers? Guild Master Gray asked while bowing his head. "Sure, Old Man Gray," I agreed.


    Turning to the group, I stated, "It seems we have urgent business with the Guild Master."


    Although most group members expressed a desire to join, I reminded them of the perilous monster levels in the forest.


    To appease their dissatisfaction, I suggested they take a rest and have lunch at the Bellflower Diner.


    Once assured of their safety, I joined Guild Master Gray.


    After we arrived at the gate near the entrance of Cemetery of the Undead, I informed him about the Forest of Illusion, a level 35 to 40 hunting ground inhabited by Forest Trolls at level 35.


    I was a bit late to inform the Guild Master about the Forest Field Boss, the Ancient Troll at level 40, which roams freely unlike other field bosses confined to specific areas.


    "There''s still a chance they''re alive," I said, offering a glimmer of hope.


    The four of us rushed into the forest. Deep within its confines, a piercing scream echoed through the trees.


    I quickly instructed Professor Klein to guard Miss Layla while Old Man Gray and I sprinted toward the source of the commotion. There, we discovered three adventurers surrounded by six Forest Trolls, perilously close to being overwhelmed.


    In a swift and coordinated move, Old Man Gray unleashed his Wind Slash at level 35, horizontally cleaving through three of the Forest Trolls.


    Simultaneously, I mirrored his actions, employing the same skill to dispatch the remaining trio.


    The sharp gust of wind swept through the woods, causing trees to topple in its wake.


    With the monsters defeated, we hastened to the aid of the three adventurers, their HP dwindling to around 20 percent.


    Professor Klein and Miss Layla arrived on the scene, but even before Miss Layla could cast any healing spells.


    A thunderous roar reverberated through the forest, accompanied by the swing of a colossal wooden hammer directed at our group.


    Swiftly, I employed Counter Slash at level 40 to intercept the enormous hammer, causing the Ancient Troll to stumble as the colossal weapon recoiled.


    The force of the impact sent me flying backward, breaking several trees before I landed on my back, losing about a quarter of my HP in the process.


    "Run!" I shouted as I hastily rose from the wreckage of a fallen tree.


    While the others retreated, Old Man Gray remained by my side.


    Uttering the incantation ¡°Class Change Enchanter¡±, a radiant light enveloped me, transforming my black hair into platinum. "Flame Aura! Sword Enchant!" I continued.


    For a fleeting moment, I glimpsed Old Man Gray, who smiled in relief.


    Executing Crimson Wind Slash, an enhanced version of Wind Slash, I unleashed a cross-shaped wave of flaming wind that cleaved through the Ancient Troll, reducing it to four distinct pieces.


    The monstrous creature succumbed to the flames.


    The Ancient Troll possessed a unique skill called Rampage, inducing a frenzied state that heightened its mobility, defense, and attack damage as it lost HP.


    The only way to circumvent this skill was to obliterate the monster in an instant.


    Handing over all the Boss Drops, including the Ancient Warhammer, to Old Man Gray without uttering a word, we made our way to the Transport Gate at the entrance of Cemetery of the Undead.


    There, we found Miss Layla, Old Man Gray''s daughter, administering healing spells to the three adventurers.


    It appeared that one of the adventurers was Miss Layla''s fianc¨¦, a D-rank warrior named Dale.


    The Old Man brought his daughter even though he knew the dangers involved.


    After arriving safely at the Central Plaza, the three adventurers expressed their gratitude.


    Exhausted and famished, I bid farewell to the group and headed to the Bellflower Diner.


    "Uncle Ed, the usual," I said eagerly as I took my customary seat near the window.


    After a brief wait, Uncle Ed placed my order on the table.


    As I indulged in my meal, a thought crossed my mind: Is providing the adventurer''s guide and monster information sufficient for the city to withstand the impending Monster Siege?


    It had been almost three months since that event.


    Well, if push comes to shove, I''ll use everything at my disposal to protect the city and its inhabitants, I reminded myself.

 Guild Master Gray

    A week had elapsed since the incident with the Ancient Troll.


    The majority of my classmates from the Adventurers Academy had already attained E rank as adventurers.


    Guild Master Gray had announced a forthcoming meeting at the Guild Hall scheduled for this afternoon, concerning the impending Monster Siege that could occur at any moment.


    After a month since monsters first appeared in the world, people received a notification about an event known as the Monster Siege.


    This event was set to transpire approximately every three months, during which the ancient pillar would lose its protective light, and hordes of monsters would attack the city.


    The blue light of the pillars would transition to red a few days before the onslaught commenced.


    Once the Ancient Pillar lost its radiance, the residents within the city would no longer benefit from its protection, which allowed the resident to be immune to death as long as they¡¯re within the ancient pillar''s protective zone.


    The event would persist until the final monster was vanquished, at which point the light of the ancient pillar would be automatically restored.


    Fear and chaos grip the city as its inhabitants come to the realization that, in a matter of months, monsters will swarm their homes and bring destruction.


    This realization is one of the driving forces behind my request to Guild Master Gray to establish a guild, a request made after I saved him at the  Black Swamp.


    The eerie ambiance of the Black Swamp set the stage for a fateful encounter with a middle-aged warrior of level 18, Gray Greenfield embarked on a quest to raise his level and safeguard his city.


    Fearlessly defying the specter of death, Gray relentlessly carved through successive hordes of Goblins, his unwavering determination guiding him to the lair of the formidable Goblin King.


    It was on this day, as the shadows deepened within the black swamp, that I was on my way to Arachnia¡¯s Cave, chanced upon the unfolding battle inside the Black Swamp, a place rarely explored by adventurers.


    A masterful display of swordsmanship unfolded as Gray skillfully maneuvered through the labyrinth of goblin adversaries, his sword glinting in the dim light.


    However, the dynamics shifted dramatically when he confronted the Goblin King, a creature of immense power with unpredictable attack patterns.


    Unfamiliar with the monster''s lethal skills, Gray found his HP dwindling perilously, teetering on the brink of defeat.


    Yet, undeterred by the impending doom, the Old Man maintained a steadfast gaze, his eyes ablaze with courage even as the Goblin King sought to drain the last vestiges of life from him.


    In that crucial moment, the narrative took an unforeseen twist as I quickly armed myself with Kaleidoscope, and materialized on the scene.


    The resonance of steel meeting flesh echoed through the swamp as I executed a rapid succession of Quick Slash, a symphony of slashes that engulfed the Goblin King in a torrent of lethal strikes.


    The Old Man, initially taken aback by my intervention, swiftly transitioned from surprise to realization.


    In his eyes, I look like a mysterious young swordsman, draped in a black cloak, who effortlessly defeated the Goblin King, a monster that had nearly claimed his life.


    The air in the Black Swamp hung heavy with the echoes of victory, marking the end of a perilous chapter.


    To aid his recovery, I offered him some HP potions to restore his health to a more satisfactory level.


    As he regained his footing, the Old Man inquired about my name.


    "Young lad, what is your name?" Old Man Gray asked. "I''m Asriel Sanchez," I replied.


    Expressing gratitude, he said, "Thanks for saving me again."


    The old man seemed to recognize me from when I saved him and his family from the Ogre.


    "I¡¯m sorry I didn¡¯t thank you earlier for rescuing us," he said, bowing his head.


    "These times are tough; I¡¯m just glad your family is safe," I replied, lowering the hood that had hidden my face.


    Seizing the opportunity, I asked Old Man Gray for a favor once he had regained his composure.


    "Anything within my ability, young Asriel," he replied. I then requested that he establish a guild in our city and take on the responsibility of guiding adventurers.


    "But I''m just a powerless level 18 adventurer.


    I couldn''t even stand against the Goblin King," he responded.


    I acknowledged his concerns and explained, "I understand, I''m still very young and lack the experience to lead others."


    Despite my likely strength compared to most, I doubted people would follow my guidance because of my age.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    In return for my request, I promised to help him level up and share strategies for surviving in this world.


    Initially, our interactions were somewhat formal, but after a few days, he began to open up.


    As we rested and traveled to different hunting grounds, he started sharing his story.


    Gray Greenfield joined the military at 18, completing his training in a year.


    However, he never saw actual combat and was assigned to military office duties instead.


    After 20 years of service, he retired and pursued a career in politics.


    Though I wasn¡¯t personally familiar with him, I knew he had served as the town''s mayor before I returned from overseas.


    Gray Greenfield is the ideal candidate to lead the people sheltered by the Ancient Pillar.


    Age, experience, knowledge, strength, and bravery are the five qualities needed to unite the confused and frightened residents.


    While he may currently be lacking in strength and knowledge, he''ll gain both in a matter of days.


    To build mutual trust, I began sharing some of my adventures in Arcadia Online with the Old Man.


    He listened attentively, often while enjoying his favorite roasted Red Boar meat.


    At times, when he recounted his life experiences, he reminded me of someone I used to know.


    Old Man Gray wasn''t naturally inclined to be a swordsman, but his desire to protect the people he cared about fueled his dedication to mastering the basic sword techniques I taught him.


    He meticulously recorded the simple tactics for defeating stronger monsters in his notebook, treating it as if he were preparing for a practical exam.


    In a way, he wasn¡¯t wrong, true success in a lesson comes when someone can apply it independently.


    The Goblin King was Guild Master''s first adversary.


    Although I defeated all the Goblins guarding the boss monster, Old Man Gray was the only one facing the Black Swamp Boss without my assistance.


    His eyes showed no fear, just as they did when I saved him.


    Instead, he seemed eager to test his newly acquired strength against a monster that had once been an obstacle to his goals.


    Without wasting a moment, Gray Greenfield charged at the Goblin King, provoking a downward Greatsword Slash from the monster.


    The Old Man swiftly sidestepped the attack and delivered a Horizontal Sword Slash to the Goblin King''s abdomen.


    In response, the Goblin King swung an upward Greatsword Slash, but Old Man Gray evaded it with a quick back Dash.


    He waited patiently for the monster to lunge at him with its downward vertical Greatsword Slash, allowing his Dash to recharge.


    The Old Man dodged the attack with ease, as if it were child''s play, and followed up with an upward vertical slash on the Goblin King¡¯s back.


    His attack pattern continued, skillfully baiting the monster''s strikes, dodging, and countering with precise sword slashes.


    The Goblin King''s HP steadily dwindled until only a third remained.


    Aware that the Goblin King''s Berserk would trigger when only a fifth of its health remained, Old Man Gray skillfully baited an attack from the Goblin King, this time using a backward Dash to evade it.


    He then unleashed the Warrior''s lunge attack, Sword Thrust, a level 25 Warrior skill with a mid-range close-gap effect.


    The Old Man¡¯s sword carved a circular wound into the Goblin King¡¯s chest, ending its life.


    He looked a bit exhausted from expending a lot of stamina while maneuvering around the Goblin King, but a satisfied smile was visible on his face as he accepted my hand to help him up.


    After he had regained his strength, we headed to a newly opened diner to celebrate his victory over the Goblin King.


    As a supportive mentor, I treated him to a delicious dinner.


    While he enjoyed his roasted Red Boar meat, he looked at me with a dawning realization.


    ¡°Is defeating the Goblin King the final exam for my training?¡± he asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s just the beginning,¡± I replied, taking a bite of my fried Sand Fowl.


    Over the course of a week adventuring together, the Old Man''s level rose from 18 to 30.


    This achievement was highlighted by his successful use of Quick Slash to defeat the Elder Lich.


    To support his continued progress, I gave him a copy of my notes, which included details about monsters and crucial information for new adventurers, as well as upgraded equipment to safely hunt monsters in the level 25 hunting grounds.


    A few days later, he began the process of forming the guild and, to my surprise, appointed me as the Vice Guild Master, using the character name I had shared during our travels.


    The title of "Leirsa, the Vice Guild Master" quickly became shrouded in mystery, with the figure remaining unseen even months after the guild''s establishment.


    Guild Master Gray explained Leirsa''s absence by saying she was on a lengthy exploration mission to collect information about the world''s changes.


    With Gray¡¯s leadership, adventurers began to broaden their explorations beyond the city.


    Soon after the guild was established, the information I provided helped guide adventurers to higher-level dungeons, reducing potential casualties.


    Within a month, several adventurers reached D rank.


    The system created by Old Man Gray and me assessed an adventurer''s strength.


    Local artisans crafted insignias from different metals and gems to serve as badges of achievement: Iron for F rank, Bronze for E rank, Silver for D rank, Gold for C rank, Platinum for B rank, Mithril for A rank, and Emerald for S rank Adventurer.


    New adventurers were given an iron insignia, indicating their starting rank of F.


    To progress beyond F rank, they needed to clear dungeons of a certain level and present the corresponding boss drop or equivalent item.


    For instance, the Goblin King¡¯s Necklace was required for E rank, Arachnia¡¯s Thread for D rank, Ancient Troll¡¯s Ring for C rank, Cyclop''s Eyes for B rank, and so on.


    The creation of the Adventurer¡¯s Academy was another brilliant initiative by Old Man Gray, designed to help younger adventurers survive and build their strength.


    Given his skills and experience as the city¡¯s current Mayor during the initial monster invasion, I entrusted him with this important responsibility.


    Receiving an unexpected invitation from the Guild Master, I eagerly attended the Academy, both to support the younger adventurers and to reconnect with my old friend Ash.


    Old Man Gray presented me with two insignias: one made of iron and the other of obsidian.


    The Obsidian Insignia represented my role as the Vice Guild Master, while the Iron Insignia allowed me to mask my strength and continue aiding new adventurers.

 Unprecedented Threat

    Just a few days has passed since the guild meeting because the Ancient Pillar in the center of the town shifted its hue to a foreboding red.


    In response, craftsmen and low-level adventurers were swiftly relocated in proximity to the guild hall, a strategic move to ensure their safety during the impending Monster Siege.


    The city''s formidable wall, constructed from resilient Corundum blocks extracted from a nearby quarry near the abandoned mines, stood as a bastion capable of withstanding assaults from creatures of up to level 50.


    However, the Corundum reservoir, nearly depleted upon the wall''s completion, was wisely conserved for reinforcing the Guild Hall.


    To fortify the city''s defense, adventurers bearing insignias ranging from bronze to gold were strategically stationed at the North and South entrances.


    Meanwhile, the East and West gates were fortified with robust steel doors crafted from materials salvaged from the abandoned mine''s treasures.


    Those tasked with safeguarding the East and West gates consisted predominantly of students brandishing bronze insignias.


    Each group of students was paired with a skilled mage capable of launching a Fireball spell into the sky as a precautionary measure in the event of a breach at either gate.


    This meticulous deployment aimed to optimize the city''s defenses and enhance its resilience against the impending Monster Siege.


    The robust steel gates, designed to withstand the onslaught of level 40 monsters, were a formidable line of defense.


    However, due to the scarcity of materials required for their construction, only two such gates could be fabricated in a timely manner, heightening the challenge of fortifying the city against the impending threat.


    The strategy devised involved drawing the monsters towards the North and South Gates by opening the two Iron Gates, where stalwart melee classes, Shielders, Brawlers, and Warriors, stood ready to intercept and repel the encroaching hordes.


    Positioned strategically on the walls and atop houses, Archers and Mages were entrusted with bombarding the monsters using spells and arrows.


    Meanwhile, Healers, stationed at a safe distance towards the rear, were poised to provide essential support by tending to the injuries sustained by the melee classes engaged in the frontline defense.


    Guild Master Gray assumed command at the Northern Gate, taking on a leadership role to guide and coordinate the defense efforts.


    Simultaneously, I, along with my group, was assigned to the Southern Gate, under the leadership of Professor Klein.


    With approximately fifty defenders stationed at each gate, a united front was established to confront the imminent threat.


    On an early Saturday morning, the resonant chime of a bell echoed throughout the city, signaling the impending threat of approaching monsters.


    A pair of skilled level 30 Assassin adventurers were assigned the crucial task of surveying the surrounding areas, employing the effectiveness of their cloaks to remain unseen by the advancing monsters, a perfect strategy for navigating hazardous zones undetected.


    As we convened at our designated positions, I observed my friend Ash, his demeanor tinged with tension and worry, understandable given the uncertainty of the impending monster attack.


    Suddenly, five azure flares ascended into the sky, conveying the alarming information that the monster approaching from the Southern Gate of the City boasted an estimated level of 50.


    Currently, most adventurers stationed at the southern gates were barely above level 20.


    Despair was evident in the eyes of some, yet none dared to flee.


    The awareness that fleeing equated to losing everything kept them rooted in place.


    The looming threat was a colossal monster, a Cyclops, leading a horde comprising over 20 Ogres.


    Glancing at the northern sky, I observed three blue flares, indicating that Old Man Gray and the adventurers at the Northern Gate were handling their share of challenges.


    Professor Klein, faced with the dilemma of the approaching formidable monsters at the southern gate, appeared perplexed as our group contemplated the daunting task ahead.


    Ogres might be manageable, but with the addition of the Cyclops, the situation took a dire turn.


    I approached Professor Klein''s position, retrieving my obsidian insignia from my inventory and firmly holding it in my right hand.


    "Today, I''m resuming my position as the Vice Guild Master," I declared with a commanding voice.


    The shock on their faces indicated more confusion than despair, and Professor Klein wore a concerned expression, suggesting he might be aware of the reason for my concealed identity.


    Opening my inventory, I took out a green flare and shot it into the sky, an unmistakable signal to Old Gray that we did not require reinforcements, urging him to focus on dealing with the monsters at the Northern Gate.


    "We won''t wait for the monsters to breach the gate; instead, we''ll confront them outside," I commanded.


    Numerous questions bombarded us, but time was of the essence, leaving no room for argument or detailed explanations.


    Equipping my best gear, I held my class card and uttered, "Class Change Enchanter." As my hair transformed into platinum blonde, a profound silence ensued, and a light blue aura enveloped my equipment, resembling the vastness of the sky.


    In our town, few had witnessed an adventurer with an advanced class, making this unique class, "Enchanter," an all-rounder capable of enhancing allied buffs, exceptionally rare.


    "This class allows lower-level melee classes to combat higher-level mobs on equal footing," I explained. I then cast Stone Skin, Status Boost, and Sharp Edge on our platoon.


    Stone Skin increased our physical resistance by 50%, while Status Boost raised our current status by 50%, and finally, Sharp Edge added an armor-piercing ability with reduced durability consumption.


    The recipients of these buffs could visibly observe their enhanced status.


    "This is incredible, Asriel, or should I say Vice Guild Master Leirsa," Professor exclaimed excitedly.


    Ash flashed me a smile and urged, "Let''s defend the city!" The buffs not only elevated their stats but also boosted their morale.


    A massive rock hurtled toward the city gate, propelled by the Cyclops'' Boulder Throw.


    Without hesitation, Neil unleashed Greater Fireball, dampening the boulder''s initial momentum, but it didn''t obliterate it.


    Professor Klein employed Tiger Kick to redirect the boulder just outside the city''s wall.


    In my initial encounter with the Cyclops, I had managed to dodge all its boulders, but now, evading them was not an option for the city''s survival but also for the safety of my friends and acquaintances.


    "I will protect your friends and the city Asriel. I¡¯ll leave the Cyclops to you," Professor Klein shouted. You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    In an instant, flames enveloped my body, turning my armor and sword a deep, blood-red hue, I had cast Flame Aura.


    With exceptional agility, I darted towards the Cyclops, dispatching a couple of ogres in my path using Fiery Dash followed by Crimson Sword Thrust.


    Although the skill obliterated two ogres, it negated a considerable portion of my damage.


    Suddenly, darkness engulfed me, and a massive warhammer swung in my direction.


    I invoked Flame Counter, nullifying the damage and redirecting the warhammer.


    The Cyclops staggered momentarily but quickly regained its composure.


    It retaliated with Tyrant¡¯s Howl, a skill with a wide area of effect that buffed monsters'' damage twofold and reduced adventurers'' mobility by 40%.


    Fortunately, the skill had no effect on me due to my debuff resistance, but for Ash and the other adventurers defending the city, it posed a significant challenge.


    Their movements slowed by 40%, the adventurers became sluggish, vulnerable to the onslaught of rampaging ogres.


    As their HP dwindled, a radiant light enveloped them, Claire had activated her level 30 skill, Holy Sanctuary, obtained after our successful venture through the Graveyard of the Undead.


    Holy Sanctuary is a Healer¡¯s class skill, capable of removing all debuffs and restoring a percentage of an ally''s HP as long as they remain within its protective area.


    However, the skill came with a downside, it had a lengthy cooldown period and consumed a substantial amount of MP while active.


    In response, a cascade of light arrows descended upon the battlefield.


    This was the archer''s wide area range skill, Arrow Rain, Archers level 30 skill, releasing hundreds of light arrows with a paralysis effect that reduced the enemy''s mobility by 30%,slowing the hordes of Ogres significantly.


    As the ogres'' movements became more sluggish, Mages seized the opportunity to employ Sludge Bomb, a level 25 Mages  slow projectile skill that not only lowered armor but also applied a toxic effect to its target.


    With Holy Sanctuary still in effect, adventurers remained unaffected even if inadvertently caught in the crossfire of spells.


    Within a few minutes, the rampaging hordes of ogres were successfully vanquished, showcasing the remarkable growth of my teammates in combat and spellcasting.


    However, my focus swiftly returned to the Cyclops, which was preparing to unleash its most devastating skill, Meteor Barrage. Strangely, its target was not me but the adventurers positioned outside the gate.


    Meteor Barrage was an immensely wide-area spell with the potential to flatten anything in its path, yet it demanded the user''s entire mana pool, a fact I knew from my cousin''s fondness for the spell in Arcadia Online.


    A barrage of burning boulders hurtled toward the adventurers, indicating that the monster had recognized the level disparity and aimed to eliminate the other adventurers first.


    I was unable to kill the cyclops since it has a passive skill known in the Arcadia Online as Mana Skin, this allows the Cyclops to use mana as a damage barrier on its HP.


    I already took 80% of the Cyclops mana with two hits of  Crimson Phoenix Slash.


    I quickly chanted ¡° Aura Wind, Sword Enchant¡± and activated  Windwalk to instantly get in front of Claire.


    They were surprised to see me, without wasting a single second I casted five consecutive Tempest Quick Slash.


    The barrage of burning boulders transformed into smaller chunks, losing momentum.


    Before the burning stones would rain down on the fatigued and injured melee classes below, I used the same skill I had used to defeat the Cyclops before, Tempest Roaring Slash.


    In a matter of seconds, the skill obliterated not only the falling burning stones but also the upper half of the Cyclops''s body.


    Tempest Roaring Slash served as the wind attribute counterpart to Crimson Phoenix Slash.


    Unlike the explosive damage of Crimson Phoenix Slash, Tempest Roaring Slash possesses long-range capabilities with a decent damage and high knockback effect, making it effective against distant threats.


    Suddenly, a warm hug enveloped me from behind, Claire. "I thought we were done for," Neil admitted, still gripped by fear.


    Rain remained seated on the city wall floor, seemingly processing the recent events.


    I requested Professor Klein to launch three green flares, signaling Old Man Gray that we had successfully defended the Southern Gate.


    Despite the tension, a lingering feeling persisted, as if I were forgetting something.


    "Did any of you see a green flare on the Northern Gate?" I inquired, and everyone responded with a unanimous "No."


    Despite the desire to revel in the triumph of no casualties at the Southern Gate, I swiftly traversed the town using my Windwalk Skill.


    This skill, accessible under the Wind Aura, doubled my mobility and granted me the ability to fly short distances.


    Observing most of the defenders from the northern gate gathered inside, I urgently sought out Old Man Gray, but he was nowhere to be found within the city.


    My attention then turned to Miss Laila, casting spells on someone outside the gate, while Mages and Archers continued bombarding something with spells and arrows.


    Finally, I spotted the city guild master, valiantly holding his ground against a level 45 Iron Golem, with a mere 5 percent of his HP remaining.


    Just as the Iron Golem was about to execute its Ground Slam, he miraculously found himself inside the city.


    His memory only recalls being seized by an adventurer with emerald hair.


    In my haste to extract Old Man Gray from danger, I swiftly grabbed and tossed him toward the city''s entrance just as the colossal iron arm loomed inches above my head.


    Initiating the chant for Ethereal, the gigantic iron hand passed through me as if I were a ghost.


    As the Iron Golem raised its hand, flames erupted from the ground, giving rise to a flaming bird resembling a phoenix.


    With the Golem''s HP dwindling below 10%, it succumbed to the searing impact of the Crimson Phoenix Slash.


    As the Iron Golem''s form began to dissipate, the silhouette of a young man emerged, enveloped in a flaming aura.


    Observing Miss Laila rush towards Old Man Gray to ensure his well-being, I approached him, and he met my gaze with a hint of guilt. Rather than reproach him, I felt a sense of relief that everyone had survived.


    "Don''t do that again, Old Man," I uttered. "Information is a crucial key to our survival," I added.


    He chuckled incredulously, responding, "I won''t promise."


    "I really thought I was going to die there," he admitted.


    Just as he was about to conclude what he perceived as playful punches on his chest, he was enveloped in a warm, tight hug from his daughter, Miss Laila.


    I heard her sobbing; she had been genuinely worried about her father.


    A few minutes later, Professor Klein and my group arrived at the Northern Gate.


    After Guild Master Gray had recovered, he asked everyone to head to the central plaza. "I have an important announcement; we just successfully defended our city from the Monster Siege without any casualties," he said.


    "This is thanks to an adventurer named Asriel, or should I say Vice Guild Master Leirsa," he added.


    I saw my parents and siblings in the crowd, appearing both confused and happy.


    "I know everyone is surprised and has a lot of questions, but for now, let''s celebrate our victory," I said.


    "The guild will release further explanations in the near future," I added.


    Despite most of the residents being confused, they began preparing for the feast.


    I bid goodbye to my group; I knew they wanted some explanation, but first, I needed to clarify things with my family.


    Upon entering our house, I found my mom and dad seated on the couch.


    "There are some things you can only do alone," my dad said softly. "We have a feeling that you''re doing something important," my mom added.


    "But still¡­ we were a bit surprised that you are the Vice Guild Master, Asriel," dad quickly added.


    "Is Ladon and Cleo already asleep?" I asked.


    "Yes, they were overly excited when they figured out that you''re the Vice Guild Master," mom stated.


    "They fell asleep waiting for you to come home; your dad carried them to their beds," she added.


    Ladon and Cleo were my twin little brother and sister.


    "You''ve had a long day, right? Have you already eaten?" mom asked.


    "Yeah, I did grab a few skewers on my way home," I answered.


    "Then you should rest for the night, son," my dad softly said.


    I went to my room to rest, and as I lay down on the bed, a thought came to me:


    "It seems that I no longer need to explain to my parents." Relieved and exhausted, I slept soundly on my bed.

 Durandal the Unbreakable Sword

    A few days after the city''s celebration, I ventured alone into the Wasteland of Riviera and headed northwest to locate the people our scouts had observed.


    Along the way, I hunted down a few ogres, and even the field boss Cyclops succumbed to my sword.


    After traversing the wasteland for a few minutes, I came across a massive ancient tree.


    Beneath its towering branches lay a cluster of structures made of bricks and stones.


    Within moments, I found myself standing in front of a town with a radius of several kilometers.


    Clad in my highest-quality gear ¨C a titanium light armor set crafted by our city''s blacksmith head Ori ¨C and wielding my two unique gear, Kaleidoscope and Oblivion, I entered the town.


    The residents, appearing somewhat cautious, had slightly slender frames compared to our city''s inhabitants.


    As I surveyed the area, I came across a tavern near the base of the giant tree, where some well-equipped residents had gathered.


    Upon entering the tavern, a woman warmly greeted me with, "Welcome to Castor Tavern."


    Taking a seat, I ordered a glass of orange juice.


    A few poorly equipped residents, clearly intoxicated, approached me.


    One of them, a drunk man, questioned, "What does a kid like you doing here in our small, isolated town?" He grabbed my shoulder, inspecting my equipment.


    "You''ve got quite the gear, kid! Maybe you''ve got some extras for us," he slurred.


    Before I could respond, a young man intervened, removing the drunkard''s hand.


    "You should cut out this nonsense, Alfred," he commanded.


    "Leader?!" he exclaimed in surprise. "I''m just welcoming the young traveler and asking if he could lend us some equipment," he defended.


    "Sorry, Big Brother Asriel, they were just upset about our loss yesterday," the young man uttered.


    Upon closer inspection, I recognized a familiar face.


    "It''s been a while, Earl," I said happily. "Big Brother?" Alfred repeated, clearly confused.


    "I thought you only have a sister, Leader?" one of the geared residents inquired.


    "He''s my older cousin, whom I used to play with in Arcadia Online," Earl explained calmly.


    The people who had approached me suddenly went on their knees, asking for forgiveness.


    "Forgive us, Big Bro Asriel!" they pleaded. I asked them to stand up, assuring them that everything was okay.


    "Earl, this town''s protective barrier only shields people from monsters, doesn''t it?" I inquired.


    "You''re right, Brother Asriel.


    It only protects us from monsters but not from fellow adventurers," he responded.


    That explained why they both feared and respected Earl, even though he was just in his late teenage years.


    "We should head to my house and catch up.


    I''m sure my parents and sister would love to see you," he suggested.


    "Sure," I replied, taking a couple of sips of my orange juice before heading to Earl''s house.


    While walking on the remote side of the town, I asked, "What''s your current level, Earl?"


    He answered in a somewhat sad tone, "I just reached level 29 yesterday."


    "Mage class?" I inquired. "Of course," he affirmed.


    We continued our walk in silence until we reached his home.


    Aunt Liz and Uncle Ben were surprised to see me.


    They hugged me warmly and asked about my parents and siblings, turning our meeting into a small reunion.


    Little May approached me, looking a bit thin and malnourished as she sat on my lap.


    I exchanged a concerned look with her parents.


    "We''ve been experiencing a shortage of food supply since the monsters became stronger and could only be taken down by several adventurers working together," Earl explained.


    "Savage Bear meat was the only available food source, but they were level 20.


    It was only about a week ago that we managed to hunt enough Savage Bears to have sufficient meat for the whole town," he continued.


    "Some of the residents died while hunting the Savage Bears, and the situation only improved after Earl took on the role of leader during the hunts," Uncle Ben added.


    "At first, we were unsure how to deal with a level 20 monster, but then Earl came up with a clever idea to bait them into falling to trapping pits.


    Slowly, we gained enough levels to hunt them on our own," explained Uncle Ben.


    "Although we can gather several herbs near the Castor Tree, it wasn''t sufficient to satisfy the hunger of the entire town," added Aunt Liz.


    I''m glad I brought plenty of food supplies, I thought.


    Opening my inventory, I began pulling out meats, vegetables, and grains. This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    Little May''s eyes sparkled, while Earl, Aunt Liz, and Uncle Ben looked shocked.


    Placing Little May on a wooden chair beside the dining table, I served up five portions of my favorite dish: fried Sand Fowl with teriyaki sauce and rice, along with the vegetable salad my mom made.


    "For now, let''s eat," I suggested. Little May happily started eating her share.


    "It''s delicious, Big Brother Asriel," she exclaimed.


    After the delightful meal, Earl invited me to his room.


    "Brother Asriel, you also played the Beta Test of Hollow Earth Online, didn''t you?" he asked. "I did," I replied.


    "That explains how strong you are. I can tell there''s no way you traversed the Wasteland of Riviera without being at least level 55 or more," he stated.


    I understood why he never asked my level; he already had an idea of what it was.


    "Didn''t you receive any rewards from participating in the closed beta test?" I inquired.


    "I did, but only one item was useful to me, and it wasn''t a great item for the beginner level," he uttered.


    Then he showed me an item: the Hat of the Wandering Sage. Stats: Increase Int by 20.


    Unique Skill: Knowledge of a Sage allows the user to have an additional level of 10 for a short time and avoid fatal damage. Cooldown 24hrs.


    Unique Skill: Wisdom of a Sage allows the user to use skills for 30 seconds for only 30% of the MP cost.


    Cooldown 12hrs. "It''s a good item, but you need high-level skills and some items to utilize it to its potential," I whispered.


    "That''s true, it''s a very good item," he said in agreement.


    He then presented another item he had obtained: Durandal, one of the legendary weapons in Arcadia Online.


    Durandal, one of the Original Unbreakable swords.


    "I was hesitant to use it since I don''t have enough levels and experience in the Warrior class.


    Moreover, a player killer from Arcadia Online might be among our residents, endangering my parents and sister," he explained.


    "I was waiting for you all this time, Big Bro, to give you this sword," he said.


    "In the hands of Arcadia''s number one Swordmaster, a legendary sword like Durandal can overcome any adversity," he uttered as he extended the item for a trade.


    Understanding his feelings and the challenges he faced to present me with this sword, I opened my inventory and added a staff to the trade menu: Swift Staff.


    This item would complement Earl''s Hat of the Wandering Sage perfectly.


    After confirming the trade, I witnessed Earl''s eyes light up with excitement.


    Swift Staff, with stats that increased Agility by 20 and the Equipment Effect of Quickcast, allowing instant casting of offensive spells that were 10 levels below the user.


    "I''ve also been saving that item for you, Earl," I mentioned.


    "Thanks, Big Bro Asriel!" Earl exclaimed, giving me a beaming smile.


    I examined Durandal''s legendary effects: a Legendary sword that increased Vitality and Strength by 1 every level of the user, with the Effect of being Unbreakable, shattering only upon the user''s death.


    Unique and legendary weapons like Kaleidoscope and Durandal have the ShapeShift ability, allowing the swords to alter its form depending on the current class of the user.


    But it¡¯s only limited sword type variety since Kaleidoscope and Durandal base form is a one hand sword.


    It also possessed a Unique Skill called Heroic Order, boosting all allies'' stats by 100% for 60 seconds, with a cooldown of 24 hours. Additionally, it had a Forbidden Skill, Conqueror¡¯s Light, which increased the user''s stats by 10% for every player in a party, platoon, and alliance for 60 seconds.


    This skill could only be used once, and the sword would shatter after the effect ended.


    "An unbreakable sword that shatters after fulfilling its purpose; it has quite a contradiction, but I like it," I mused to myself.


    In Arcadia Online, Forbidden skills are regarded as anomalies, game-breaking abilities that are highly coveted.


    These skills are extremely rare and very difficult to obtain, often considered mere myths within the game.


    However, for those who manage to acquire them, Forbidden Skills are seen as a last resort.


    Despite their immense power, they come with extreme cooldowns and severe backlash, sometimes leading to the destruction of both the user and their enemies.


    I proceeded to show Earl Kaleidoscope and Oblivion, both of which left him amazed at their stats.


    Then I revealed the Enchanter Class Card, and I could see his eyes sparkle.


    "If only this item existed in Arcadia Online, the Enchanter class would be powerful enough to be on par with the Ultimate Classes," he remarked.


    The Enchanter Class, considered a frontline support class in Arcadia Online, was not very popular due to its lack of damage, making its kits weaker compared to Advanced Classes.


    However, it held importance as a crucial support class in Guild Wars.


    Engrossed in our conversation, we lost track of time, and it was already late noon when I emerged from Earl''s room.


    Outside, I noticed a gathering of people surrounding the house.


    Aunt and Uncle had begun distributing food supplies to their fellow residents.


    As I stepped out, I received nods of gratitude and words of thanks from the people.


    A small girl expressed her happiness, thanking me for the food.


    Earl informed me that she had lost her father in their early days while hunting for food.


    In a somber tone, I acknowledged her strength.


    Curious about the events of the previous day, I inquired about any challenges they faced.


    Earl shared that they had failed to clear a level 40 hunting ground a few kilometers west of the town.


    Fortunately, no comrades were lost, but most of their weapons and equipment were damaged.


    Realizing why their gear was in poor condition that morning, I mused on the difficulty they encountered.


    Earl revealed that the dungeon featured Lizardmen, mostly at level 25 and equipped with light armor.


    The primary threat was the Bloodred Salamander at level 40, known for its immunity to flame-based skills and high elemental resistance.


    The same type of monster that burned my hometown to the ground.


    Understanding the challenging situation, I tried to console Earl, acknowledging the unfairness of the encounter.


    He expressed his determination to face the challenge, even though it seemed almost impossible.


    In response, I suggested tackling the Lizardmen together the next day, emphasizing the convenience of using a portal to access hunting zones near our city.


    Earl agreed and rushed toward the Castor Tavern to assemble his team for the upcoming hunt.


    Determined not to abandon my cousin and second-in-command, especially after just reconnecting with him, I silently affirmed my commitment.

 Eridanus the Grand Magus

    In the early morning, Earl and I made our way to the Castor Tavern to meet with other adventurers who would join us in clearing the Slumbering Marshland.


    Upon entering, the same girl from yesterday warmly welcomed us.


    "Welcome to the Castor Tavern!" she exclaimed with a smile.


    Earl introduced her as Dorothy, the Castor Tavern receptionist and the daughter of Reed, the Tavern Manager.


    Turning my attention to the tables on the far left, I observed several adventurers in worn-out gear.


    I approached them and organized them into groups based on their classes.


    To my surprise, all of them were warriors, which explained the challenges they were facing.


    It seemed evident that they lacked experience in VRMMO games.


    Considering the familiarity and ease of using a sword, I understood their choice, as it resembled a baseball bat or longer and larger kitchen knife.


    I couldn''t help but wonder if Old Man Ori possessed some kind of clairvoyance for sending me dozens of Steel Swords and a dozen sets of Iron plated leather armors.


    I made a mental note to express my gratitude to him upon my return.


    In the tavern, approximately ten Warriors wore gloomy expressions, seemingly disheartened by their equipment.


    Taking charge, I retrieved armor and swords from my inventory, and as I distributed them, I noticed a spark of gratitude in the warriors'' eyes.


    Seeking potions, I requested Dorothy''s assistance.


    After a few minutes, the warriors appeared revitalized with their new gear.


    Expressing their thanks, they addressed me as "Big Brother Asriel," and I reciprocated, expressing anticipation for our upcoming battles.


    Formulating a simple party plan due to the lack of ranged classes, the warriors formed a two man group, led by Earl.


    They would engage a single enemy together, providing mutual cover.


    I distributed HP Potions to each adventurer, emphasizing the importance of covering one another when their HP dropped below half.


    Employing the strategy of double-teaming single opponents to close the level gap, I emphasized the need for coordination to exploit skill cooldowns effectively.


    Prior to our departure, Earl distributed pack lunches provided by his mother, creating a sense of camaraderie reminiscent of a camping trip.


    Our group then set out for the Slumbering Marshland, where half a dozen Lizardmen patrolled the outer edges.


    Initiating combat, I drew aggro from one Lizardman, dodging its Spear Thrust with practiced ease.


    Earl cast Fireballs, reminiscent of our experiences in various MMO games, swiftly dispatching the monsters.


    Observing the other adventurers holding their own in their first duo engagement, I cast Stone Skin on everyone for added protection.


    However, I refrained from providing a damage boost, allowing them to gauge their skill damage and acclimate to their capabilities.


    Clearing the marshland gradually, we took a break upon reaching the Salamander''s Den.


    I encouraged them to enjoy the packed lunch before we continued, emphasizing the importance of planning our approach to deal with the formidable Bloodred Salamander.


    A fire-breathing oversized lizard with a decent AoE skill, if ever it unleashes its skill, would undoubtedly result in severe consequences due to the adventurers'' limited Flame Resistance.


    To mitigate the risk, my strategy was to lure the Bloodred Salamander away from its den, positioning it to face northward while the adventurers engaged the two Redscale Lizardmen guarding the entrance.


    For this encounter, I instructed the adventurers to form a five-man group, acknowledging that the initial attempts might be challenging.


    To bolster their capabilities, I bestowed two additional buffs: Sharp Edge and Status Boost. The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    While these buffs would enhance their damage output, I cautioned them about the heightened vulnerability, emphasizing the importance of utilizing Sword Parry rotations to mitigate incoming damage.


    Though I could easily dispatch these monsters myself, this presented a valuable opportunity to impart proper combat techniques, benefiting them in the long run.


    After all, experience is the best teacher.


    Cautiously running while my cousin was on my back, we approached the Salamander''s Den.


    A burst of flames erupted from the entrance, and before it could reach the other adventurers, Earl swiftly cast Ice Shard five times, creating an Ice Wall, effectively blocking the scorching flame skill.


    Earl then retaliated by hurling a fireball at the Bloodred Salamander, causing minimal damage but clearly provoking the colossal lizard.


    The Bloodred Salamander pursued us a short distance north from its den.


    After safely releasing my cousin at a distance, I returned to draw the Bloodred Salamander''s aggro.


    The large creature unleashed its Flame Breath skill, but Earl acted swiftly, casting Stone Wall, a level 25 Mage skill that conjured a robust wall.


    Although the wall melted like a molten magma, it effectively absorbed a significant portion of the Salamander''s fiery assault.


    Observing Earl consuming an MP Potion, I refrained from using any Aura, knowing the Bloodred Salamander possessed formidable elemental resistance.


    Unleashing two separate Quick Slash attacks on its front legs, I anticipated severing them, but the creature remained standing on all four legs.


    Despite this, its legs sustained considerable damage, causing a noticeable decrease in mobility.


    Just as I prepared to resume my assault, the Bloodred Salamander''s four legs became frozen in place.


    Attempting to thaw its immobilized limbs, the creature was interrupted as a burning boulder collided with its head, resulting in the shattering of two front legs upon impact.


    The Mage Class level 30 skill, Meteorite, proved to be the game-changer.


    With two missing legs and two frozen limbs, the Bloodred Salamander was incapacitated and unable to relocate itself.


    Leveraging his skills, Wisdom of a Sage and Knowledge of a Sage, which allowed him to use skills for 30 seconds for only 30% of the MP cost and temporarily increasing his level by 10 for a short time, Earl unleashed a barrage of Meteorites upon the Bloodred Salamander.


    Despite the creature regenerating its legs, it remained immobile, as Earl continually recast Ice Shard each time the meteorite thawed the ice.


    It was a painful thirty seconds as the Bloodred Salamander endured being frozen, burned, and smashed to pieces.


    Earl, known in Arcadia Online as the Grand Magus Eridanus, had gained fame for creating the skill and equipment combo guide for the Mage, Archmage, and Grand Magus Class.


    His proficiency in utilizing Meteorite showcased his expertise as a Spell Weaver.


    Although the spell had been overpowered in the early days of Arcadia Online, after players discovered that the Bard song buff, Melody of the Stars, lowered the mana consumption by 80 percent, the long casting time and the high MP cost provided some resemblance of balance.


    Now, with Earl casting a dozen of them seamlessly, I couldn''t help but feel a sense of fear for anyone who might become Earl''s enemy.


    "It''s already well done, Big Bro Asriel," Earl said, smiling at the roasted lizard.


    It appeared that the other battle had also concluded.


    Though their HPs were slightly above a third, it seemed they had learned a valuable lesson today, that with a little teamwork, they could achieve much more.


    The expressions on their faces reflected hope and newfound confidence.


    I was about to head over to Earl to congratulate him when another rumbling emanated from the ground.


    A second Bloodred Salamander emerged, seemingly the partner of the first, and was headed straight for the adventurers.


    Whispering, "Aura: Wind," I swiftly cast WindWalker to catch up with the giant lizard.


    Positioning myself in front of the charging Salamander, I used Gale Counter to block its charge attack, sending the creature airborne about 20 feet high.


    Moving beneath it, I unleashed Tempest Roaring Sword Slash, propelling the Salamander even higher, reaching around 100 ft in the air.


    Utilizing Windwalker, I ascended rapidly above it and executed Gale Thrust, sending the flying lizard spiraling back to the ground.


    Remembering the saying, "What goes up, must come down," I anticipated the giant lizard¡¯s descent.


    Upon impact with the ground, or more likely a wall, the Bloodred Salamander was split in half due to the tremendous force, resulting in its demise.


    The onlookers appeared both surprised and dumbfounded, except for Earl, who enthusiastically exclaimed,


    "Big Bro Asriel, did you see my follow-up skill? Did you see it?" "Yeah¡­ Ah It''s amazing," I replied in disbelief.


    Celebration filled the air after the successful clearing of Slumbering Marshland.


    Entrusting Earl with the responsibility of looting and distributing the monster drops, I made my way to the Transport Gate.


    Once the portal was activated, we all returned to Castor Town.

 Maceria the City within the Black Walls

    After successfully clearing the Slumbering Marshland and activating the transport gate at its entrance, I proposed to Earl the idea of accompanying me back to Maceria.


    He agreed but expressed the need to retrieve some documents from the Castor Tavern first.


    As we approached the tavern, our attention was drawn to a significant commotion near the Ancient Tree.


    A transport gate had suddenly materialized beside the large trunk of the Ancient Tree.


    This is the same circumstances in our city, Maceria, where a transport gate appeared next to the Ancient Pillar after defeating the Goblin King in the Black Swamp.


    Despite the Goblin King being considerably weaker than the fire-breathing Bloodred Salamander.


    My cold fruit juice was already halfway consumed when I noticed Earl descending the stairs.


    In his hands, I observed several pages of a paper book bound in a thick leather cover.


    Curious about the contents of the documents, I was just about to inquire when he spoke up, revealing that it was a list of the residents'' names in Castor Town.


    He seemed to anticipate my question, answering as if he had read my mind.


    After Earl informed Dorothy about where we were going, we headed straight to the Transport Gate at the entrance of the Slumbering Marshland. Since Earl hadn''t been to Maceria since the appearance of the Ancient Pillar, he couldn''t use the Transport Gate to get there on his own.


    However, being with someone who had been there before, he could travel through it. "Transfer: Maceria," I commanded.


    In a matter of seconds, we found ourselves inside the city of Maceria.


    Earl took a moment to look around as we approached a scene where Old Man Gray was engaged in an argument with a group of people.


    With Earl by my side, we got closer, and familiar faces emerged from the group ¨C Ash, Neil, Rain, Claire, and Professor Klein, all fully geared up, were disputing with the Old Man.


    "It''s been two days since Asriel left the city, and we haven''t heard any news from him," Ash expressed concern.


    "What if a powerful monster got him?" Neil added.


    The Old Man responded in a sarcastic tone, "A strong monster? Is there a monster stronger than Vice Guild Master Leirsa?" Claire and Rain almost burst into laughter at the notion.


    "It seems like I ceased being human in this conversation," I murmured.


    All of them turned their attention to me.


    "What''s the problem?" I inquired. "They wanted to follow you to the Wasteland of Riviera," Old Gray replied.


    "I appreciate the concern, but remember what you can do and what you cannot?" I reminded them.


    It seemed like Professor Klein couldn''t dissuade them, so he ended up joining the group.


    "Actually, I was the one who insisted on following you," Claire confessed softly.


    I sighed and responded, "Sorry, I made you guys worried."


    "You sure are a ladies'' man, Big Bro," Earl suddenly remarked.


    I noticed Claire blushing a little, and in response, I playfully knocked Earl on the head.


    "Who is this young man, Asriel?" Old Gray inquired.


    "It¡¯s my cousin Earl; I found him in Castor Town a few kilometers away from the Wasteland of Riviera," I explained.


    Earl introduced himself, "I¡¯m Earl Brooks, Castor Town¡¯s current leader," showcasing his skill in self-presentation.


    "Big Bro Asriel, go eat dinner with your friends. I will handle the report and talk with Maceria¡¯s Guild Master," Earl suggested.


    I saw Old Man Gray smile, seemingly amused by my cousin. If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    "I¡¯ll take you up on that offer. I''ll pick you up at the Guild Master¡¯s office after I eat dinner," I replied.


    I joined my friends at the Bellflower Dinner for dinner.


    Ash and Neil bombarded me with numerous questions about my adventure to Castor Town.


    Claire and Rain also appeared quite interested, listening intently to my story.


    They expressed sympathy upon learning that Castor Town had lost some residents while attempting to procure food for their families.


    Neil and Rain''s eyes widened when they heard that the lowest-level monsters near Castor Town were Savage Bear, one level above the Goblin King, and that the Slumbering Marsh''s boss was a fire-breathing Bloodred Salamander at an imposing level 40.


    "Good thing we didn''t go there," Rain remarked.


    "By the way, the monsters in the Wasteland of Riviera are much stronger, and there''s even a Cyclops residing there," I added.


    They fell silent for a moment.


    "So, we''re basically dead if we follow you," Ash concluded.


    "That''s why Professor Klein insisted on going with us," Neil added.


    "And still, Guild Master Gray won''t allow us," Ash continued.


    "Well, don''t blame yourselves since the information regarding the Wasteland of Riviera was not given to adventurers lower than Gold insignia, but rather forbids lower-ranking adventurers to venture near the area," I explained.


    They all seemed down, and it''s been a while since our group cleared any monster area.


    "Do you want to visit Castor Town?" I asked.


    "Yes," they all answered excitedly.


    "But we still need to clear Arachnia''s Cavern with the other group as a rank-up requirement from the Guild," Claire said.


    "And you''re not allowed to be part of it because you''re already strong enough to solo it," Rain added.


    "I''m sure someone will observe you guys," I said, feeling a bit bad for not being able to participate.


    "Professor Klein and Laila will be the observers while our group and Lucas clear Arachnia''s Cavern," Neil answered.


    "Lucas''s group, huh?" I said to myself, getting an eerie feeling about it.


    But I''m sure they''ll be fine since Professor Klein and Laila are with them, I told myself.


    I went back to the Guild Master''s office after we finished eating dinner.


    Before I entered, I heard Earl asking about the towering black walls that surround the city of Maceria.


    "I''m curious about the black walls surrounding the city, what are they made of?" he asked.


    "It''s made of black corundum, crafted into blocks by our artisans," Old Man Gray answered.


    "You mean emery," Earl suddenly stated.


    "You''re really a knowledgeable young man," he praised him.


    "What level of monster can the black wall block?" Earl continued asking.


    "The city wall is capable of withstanding a level 50 monster attack.


    This can be backed by the recent Monster Siege when a level 45 Iron Golem managed to land an attack on the black walls but didn''t damage it," Old Man Gray stated proudly.


    I would like to listen more, but then Old Man Gray felt my presence.


    "Why don''t you join us, Asriel?" he said.


    I slowly entered the room; it seems Earl also knew I was listening.


    "You''re worried about Castor Town''s defense, ain''t you, Earl?" I asked.


    "It seems I can''t hide anything from you, Big Bro," he stated. "I see.


    I forgot about the possibility of another Monster Siege in another town," Old Man Gray stated.


    "With regard to corundum blocks, we already used most of it in building the outer walls," he added.


    "With regards to the supply of black corundum, we might find some a few kilometers on the Southeast of the Abandoned Mines," I stated.


    "You mean the black mountain ranges in the far south?" Guild Master Gray asked.


    "Yes, that place," I quickly answered.


    "But how do you know we will find some corundum in that place?" Earl asked.


    "Simply because I got some after defeating the class advancement boss monster subjugation quest Emeth level 60."


    "A level 60 boss monster, how the hell are we gonna farm it, Big Bro?" Earl asked.


    "We? You''re gonna farm it," I said, smiling.


    I just saw Guild Master Gray facepalm in disbelief.


    "But first, we need to level you up, Earl," I continued.


    "I see, with enough level, I can just spam..." Earl was cut off when my dad, Earl''s uncle, entered the room.


    "Earl! Is that you?" he said happily. "How''s your mom and dad?" he continued.


    He seemed to forget me and the Guild Master in excitement seeing his nephew alive.


    "We can continue some other time; it seems there is a lot of catching up you need to do, Young Earl," Old Man Gray stated.


    My dad just looked at me happily and walked beside my cousin as we headed home.


    "I''m sure your aunt and cousins will be surprised," my dad said as we passed the entrance to the Guild Hall.


    My mom had the same reaction when she saw Earl; they talked for a few minutes during dinner, and since I already ate, I went to my room after taking a short bath.


    I just sat on my bed, slowly processing what happened in the past few days.


    Then slowly, sleepiness got hold of me, and I went into a deep sleep.

 Emeth

    A day after Earl handed over the documents to Guild Master Gray, I decided to visit the foundry and speak with Blacksmith Ori.


    The scent of burning coal and iron wafted through the air, nearly singeing my nostrils.


    The intense heat emanating from the furnace greeted my skin as I ventured further inside.


    The rhythmic clanging of the hammer against the glowing red iron on the anvil filled the air.


    I was just about to call out to the robust, bearded man when he abruptly ceased his hammering and turned his gaze in my direction.


    His face, covered in black soot, revealed a distinct white beard. His eyes seemed to anticipate my presence.


    "What can I do for you, young Asriel?" he asked with a robust, manly voice.


    Regaining my composure, I checked my inventory.


    "I have a few souvenirs for you, Old Man Ori," I said with a cheerful tone.


    I began pulling out one stone after another.


    After a while, several dozen iron and steel ingots lay on the stone table a few meters away from the blazing furnace.


    The old man''s eyes widened, giving me a quizzical look as if to ask, "Is this really why you came?" A sigh escaped my lips, acknowledging that Old Ori could see through my intentions.


    Placing two unique items on the stone table beside the ingots, an eye-shaped marble and a scarlet stone, I revealed my purpose.


    "I want you to create a new weapon for me, Old Man Ori, using these two rare items: the Heart of Bloodred Salamander and the Eye of the Cyclops," I requested.


    The old blacksmith, with his hoarse voice, inquired, "What kind of weapon, young lad?"


    "A chain and a sickle," I replied, adding 10 Titanium ingots to the mix.


    Walking towards him, I handed over a parchment, a rare drop from the Cyclops, which happened to be the blueprint for the Scarlet Blood Scythe.


    He studied me for a moment, perhaps wondering about my intentions for the weapon, before placing the parchment into his blueprint inventory.


    "When do you need it to be finished, young lad?" he asked.


    "No rush, Old Man Ori. You can work on it during your free time, but keep it quiet," I responded.


    Trusting Blacksmith Ori, the elder brother of Old Man Gray,


    I had provided him with most of the blueprints needed for crafting weapons and armor for the adventurers in town.


    "Old Man, thanks to the dozens of Steel Swords and Iron Plated Armors, they came in handy in clearing the Slumbering Marshland," I informed him.


    "I told you, right? They''d come in handy," he chuckled.


    "Visit again after some time, young lad," he said as I exited the foundry.


    Late in the morning, Earl returned from Castor Town.


    I suggested we have lunch at the Bellflower Diner before embarking on our journey to the Southern Mountains to confront Emeth.


    Placing an order for two sets of my usual meal with Uncle Ed, I noticed him pause for a moment.


    "I thought you had a group expedition this morning at Arachnia¡¯s Cavern, Asriel?" Uncle Ed inquired, a hint of concern in his voice.


    "Some professor didn¡¯t want me to be part of it, since I can already solo clear the cavern," I replied, expressing a bit of discontent.


    "Don¡¯t worry Uncle, Professor Klein and Professor Laila are with them," I reassured.


    "You''re right, Asriel," Uncle Ed nodded before heading to the kitchen to prepare our order.


    While enjoying my favorite food, I couldn''t shake off a bit of worry about the group in Arachnia¡¯s Cavern, not because of the higher-level monsters, but due to Lucas'' involvement.


    Clearing a challenging dungeon at your current level with a group you lack experience with might prove problematic.


    I tucked this concern away as I savored my meal.


    We delved into Earl''s leveling plan, considering that he is currently at level 35.


    To successfully face Emeth alone, he needs to reach at least level 45 or higher.


    Before directly confronting Emeth, our strategy involves eliminating hundreds, if not thousands, of Dark Knights at level 40 guarding the entrance and inside the Palace.


    Our roles remain consistent: I''ll act as the tank while Earl focuses on dealing damage to the monsters.


    This approach proves to be the most effective for leveling up, as higher experience is gained when dealing greater damage than your party member.


    However, this method is primarily suitable for ranged classes with decent damage output, as they can be easily overwhelmed by monsters if lacking damage.


    I could sense that Earl wasn''t particularly thrilled about level boosting, but currently, it''s the only viable way to reach his Advancement Class in a few weeks.


    The Archmage class is crucial for the defense of Castor Town, and Earl likely understands that the impending monsters next month will be more powerful than a horde of Lizardmen and Bloodred Salamanders.


    By 2:00 pm, we reached the foot of the southern mountain ranges and entered a cave-like opening, eventually stumbling upon a ruined castle.


    Within the Ruined Castle of Emeth, a group of about 20 Dark Knights guarded the entrance.


    ¡°Class Change Enchanter,¡± I announced, swiftly casting Stone Skin, Status Boost, and Spell Boost on both of us. This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    Observing Earl already in position, initiating his spell enchantments, I activated Aura Stone, providing a defense boost and natural HP regeneration.


    To divert the attention of the nearby monsters, I cast Provocation, a tank taunt skill available when I used Stone Aura, drawing the monsters aggro toward me.


    A swarm of Dark Knights launched their attacks, but my HP remained stable at 80%.


    Amidst the battle, I heard Earl chanting , Flashing strike, Rumbling thunder, By my command; Lightning, crackle through the air, Again and again, Strike my enemies Chain Lightning.


    A thunderous roar echoed as bolts of lightning struck the Dark Knights.


    It was the level 35 Mage Spell, Chain Lightning.


    Although the lightning also grazed me, the damage was minimal.


    The Dark Knights were paralyzed, and before they could recover, Earl commenced his spell once more, unleashing another Chain Lightning within seconds.


    Thanks to Stone Skin the horde of Dark Knight¡¯s physical is mitigated while the Enchanter¡¯s inherent magical and ailment resistance reduced Chain Lightning effect on me.


    Earl''s glass cannon stats build combined with Spell Boost, two Chain Lightning spells were sufficient to vanquish the hordes of Dark Knights.


    Glancing at my health, it was around 77% when the Dark Knights met their defeat.


    Earl gained several levels through the encounter, and we persisted in defeating Dark Knights until he reached level 39.


    Although we had cleared 70% of the area, the Transport Gate remained elusive.


    As the sun set, we decided to camp in the nearby woods.


    Earl erected three Stone Walls to establish a secure space for us.


    Using the damp firewood I gathered, Earl conjured a fireball, and we enjoyed a meal with the packed food from the Bellflower Diner.


    Leaning against the wall, I felt the warmth of the burning wood on my skin.


    A sudden gust of cold wind made Earl shudder, prompting me to provide him with a forest wolf fur blanket.


    He expressed gratitude with a nod and soon fell asleep, using his now-deflated backpack as a makeshift pillow.


    The backpack, once brimming with mana potions, had noticeably thinned.


    My gaze shifted to the dark sky, pondering how my friends were faring.


    As Uncle Ed''s worried visage crossed my mind, I slowly succumbed to sleep.


    The next morning, we resumed hunting Dark Knights, finding that most of the defeated monsters from the previous day had already respawned.


    As evening descended, Earl reached level 45, unlocking two new skills: Mana Shield at level 40 and Gale Storm at level 45.


    Mana Shield provides the user and their party with magical protection by consuming mana based on the received magic damage.


    It deducts one mana for every two points of magic damage while also boosting the user''s maximum mana by 50%.


    Meanwhile, Gale Storm allows the user to summon four towering tornadoes that deal wind damage over a wide area, affecting both allies and foes.


    With Earl reaching level 45, he gained the ability to cast Chain Lightning instantly.


    We abandoned the idea of using the level 30 Meteorite skill to defeat Emeth, as it posed the risk of rockfalls due to the impact of the meteorites, potentially creating our very own tombstone.


    Amidst the aroma of burning wood and grilling Red Boar meats, Earl prepared our meal over the fire.


    I took charge of cooking rice for both of us.


    This marked the second night of our camp, and we had relinquished our attempt to challenge Emeth earlier, fully aware of the heightened danger of nighttime monster encounters.


    Monsters tended to be several levels stronger during the night.


    Expressing my concern, I told Earl, "Tomorrow morning, after we defeat Emeth and locate the Transport Gate, I''ll be heading back to Maceria to check on my friends."


    "Sure, Big Bro. I''ll stay here for a few more hours before heading back, as there''s something I wanted to check out in the Ruined Castle," Earl replied.


    As the sun began to peek over the horizon, we made our way to the boss room where Emeth awaited.


    Emeth, a formidable Dark Paladin, possessed high physical defense, considerable HP, and the ability to heal using Dark Arts.


    Equipped with a towering shield and a giant mace, Emeth posed a significant challenge.


    I observed from the sidelines as Earl strategically cast Mana Shield before engaging Emeth.


    With precision, Earl unleashed Ice Shards at Emeth''s feet, momentarily impeding its slow mobility.


    Seizing the opportunity, Earl swiftly erected four medium-sized Stone Walls just above Emeth''s hips, creating an enclosure.


    Following this, Earl unleashed a barrage of Fireballs onto the Dark Paladin.


    Though the Ice Shard melted into water, it remained trapped within the enclosure.


    Earl then executed Chain Lightning, inflicting paralysis on Emeth and dealing double damage due to the elemental combo of water and lightning.


    Earl persisted in casting spells until Emeth knelt, with the water rising to his neck.


    The freeze and paralysis combination had rendered Emeth unable to cast spells or launch attacks, a feat that seemed technically impossible without the Quick Cast ability.


    Earl skillfully used drank MP pots between spells, ensuring his mana remained above half.


    In due time, Emeth''s frozen and burned body collapsed to the ground.


    As anticipated, my cousin demonstrated a keen understanding of how to maximize the potential of his skills and items.


    He should be in good shape now, I thought.


    "Big Bro Asriel, I found the transport gate!" Earl''s voice echoed as he peeked into the next room.


    I promptly activated the transport gate, but before I could say anything, I heard Earl''s assurance.


    "I''ll be fine now, Big Bro. Go check on your friends," he stated.


    Stepping through the Transport Gate, I uttered, "Transfer: Maceria."


    I gave Earl one last wave before finding myself in Maceria.


    Near the guild hall, a few people had gathered, and as I approached, I noticed Uncle Ed and Aunt Marie engaged in conversation with the Guild Master.


    After observing the expressions on the faces of the people gathered, I recognized the parents of my entire group.


    My heart sank momentarily, but I mustered the courage to inquire about the situation.


    "Old Man Gray, what is going on?" I asked, a tinge of fear evident in my voice.


    "Lucas''s group conspired with a professor, holding your friends and Laila captive at the quarry near the Abandoned Mines," Old Man Gray conveyed in a somber tone.


    "Klein delivered the message just before he passed away at the northern gate entrance.


    He had a dagger stabbed in his chest and a missing arm," he added.


    A wave of emotions surged through me as I absorbed the shocking news.


    Guilt, anger, and sadness intertwined in my heart, and amidst this emotional turmoil, I managed to voice a few words.


    "What do they want in exchange for my friends and Miss Laila?" I questioned.


    "They want your Unique Class Card Enchanter and your sword in exchange for the lives of your friends and my daughter," Old Man Gray replied, his voice filled with sorrow.


    Without hesitation, I swiftly made my way towards the quarry near the Abandoned Mines.

 The Boy who love the Swords

    At the age of seven, my grandpa showed me his basement, which served as a treasure trove for his extensive collection of swords.


    A dedicated collector and seasoned traveler, my grandpa''s passion lay in the world of blades, particularly swords.


    Witnessing his enthusiasm, I often found him meticulously polishing an array of katanas and swords.


    During our summer visits to my dad''s family home, Grandpa took it upon himself to impart his knowledge to me.


    In those warm summer days, he initiated me into the art of wielding a sword using a bokken, a Japanese wooden sword he had acquired as a souvenir from his travels to Japan.


    His fascination with kenjutsu, the Japanese sword art from the feudal era, became evident in our daily practice sessions.


    Following our morning swordplay, Grandpa would tell me with endless tales and legends surrounding ancient swords, ranging from King¡¯s Arthur''s Excalibur to the legendary Japanese blade, Kusanagi no Tsurugi.


    More often than not, I found myself drifting into slumber on my grandpa''s lap, captivated by his stories.


    Grandpa spent weekends teaching me various sword techniques, but during the weekdays, our practice was always the same, repeating the same routines, stances, and methods.


    At the time, I didn¡¯t realize that Grandpa''s Severing Style was designed for a single purpose: to cut through anything and everything.


    During the summer, my dad''s schedule was filled with construction work, keeping him occupied, while my mom continued her office duties. Fortunately, Grandma was always there to prepare delicious meals, with Chicken Teriyaki and rice which is our favorite dish.


    My summer days were mostly spent engaged in morning wooden sword practice, exploring the town alongside Grandpa, and eagerly listening to his captivating stories at noon.


    On my ninth birthday, Grandpa gifted me my very own bokken, allowing me to continue my practice at home.


    I cherished these moments spent at Grandpa''s house, and this routine persisted until the summer of my sixth grade.


    Regrettably, it marked the final summer I shared with my grandpa.


    Tragically, he lost his life while bravely defending his home and Grandma from two thieves.


    The police investigation suggested that the intruders might have believed Grandpa possessed a valuable sword in his basement, prompting their entry.


    As recounted by authorities, both intruders met their end at the hands of Grandpa''s sword.


    Grandma managed to survive the unfortunate incident, but her health deteriorated rapidly in the months following Grandpa''s funeral.


    The autopsy report delivered by the police shattered my heart.


    Grandpa had endured two gunshot wounds, one to the chest and another to the abdomen.


    One intruder was struck in the neck by a sword, while the other met his end, cleaved vertically in two.


    According to the investigation, Grandpa had been shot twice before retaliating against the intruders.


    The recurring thought in my mind echoed that if firearms hadn''t existed, Grandpa might still be alive.


    A few months later, we received Grandpa''s last will from his lawyer.


    He bequeathed the old house to my dad and entrusted me with the responsibility of caring for his cherished sword collection.


    We converted the old house into a summer retreat, and occasionally, I find solace in polishing Grandpa''s swords.


    For awhile, I immersed myself in the virtual world of Arcadia Online dedicating much of my free time to the game, I continued my daily morning practice of swinging my wooden sword, a tradition instilled by Grandpa.


    A constant reminder of the fond memories we shared.


    As I made my way to the quarry through the Abandoned Mines Transport Gate, I found myself reflecting on these distant memories.


    After a brief journey, I reached the designated meeting spot.


    Shadows concealed behind the trees near the quarry hinted at the presence of others.


    A voice rang out humorously, stating, "As expected, you came to rescue your friends, Asriel."


    It was Lucas, revealing himself slowly from behind a tree.


    "Or should I say, Vice Guild Master Leirsa," he added.


    Eager to learn about the whereabouts of my friends and Miss Laila, I asked, and as figures emerged from the shadows, the familiar faces of Claire, Ash, Neil, Rain, and Miss Laila became visible.


    Each one was held captive by strangers with swords pointed at their necks, seeing that they hadn''t suffered severe injuries.


    I scanned the surroundings for Cain and Lucas'' three other party members, but they were nowhere to be seen.


    A man stepped forward from behind Lucas, and a sense of recognition struck me.


    "It''s been a while, Asriel," he greeted, slowly revealing his face.


    "Howard!" I exclaimed in surprise.


    He was part of the group we had rescued from the Forest of Illusion.


    "Professor Howard Briggs, Mister Asriel," he introduced himself, and in that moment, realization dawned that they had orchestrated much of the plan.


    Professor Howard turned out to be Lucas'' brother, evident from their resemblance.


    "He is alone," a voice suddenly spoke, identifying itself as Cain Alder, an Assassin.


    It became clear that someone had been monitoring me during my approach to the quarry, and now my friends and Miss Laila were at the mercy of five unfamiliar men.


    "We don''t want to add another casualty, do we, Asriel?" Howard said, evoking memories of Professor Klein''s untimely death.


    Lucas chimed in, laughing, "It''s sad that we bid an early goodbye to Professor Klein.


    He lost his arm just to save your friend Ash."


    It dawned on me that Rain was probably being held hostage, given her vulnerability within the group, and my assumption was that Ash attempted to rescue her, only to be ambushed by Lucas from behind.


    Professor Klein had stepped in to save Ash, sacrificing his own arm and disabling his ability to mount a counterattack.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    "He''s truly a great guy," I thought, while a burning rage simmered in my heart.


    "So, how will we do the exchange? I think you''re not stupid enough to attack me, even if I''m alone," I stated, fully aware that Earl was nearby, indicated by the Mana Shield cast on me moments ago.


    "Fighting you is stupid, and killing any of your friends will definitely doom us, as long as you have that overpowered Class Card and Sword," Howard cowardly stated.


    Essentially, he was implying that once they acquired my Class Card and Sword, I would no longer pose a threat to them.


    They were likely above level 40 or possibly even level 50 in that case.


    "Hand me your unique Class Card, Enchanter, in exchange for three of your friends and Miss Laila," Howard demanded, adding, "And your unique sword for Miss Claire Ashfall."


    Howard and the four strangers slowly brought Miss Laila and my three friends near me, removing the chains on their hands as they pushed them towards me.


    I handed the Class Card to Howard, noticing a smirk on his face as he held the precious item.


    Ash and the others were already positioned a few meters behind me, stripped of their weapons.


    "Now for your sword, Asriel," Howard said excitedly, resembling a child opening his Christmas gift.


    A man holding Claire slowly approaches Howard, removing her handcuffs.


    As I position my hand to weakly throw the sword to Howard, the man pushes Claire towards me.


    As I reach for her hand, I notice a shadow appearing on her back ¨C it''s Cain attempting to kill her with a backstab, a tactic similar to how Professor Klein got stabbed in the chest despite being a skilled Brawler.


    I pull Claire to my chest and quickly rotate my body, anticipating Cain''s attack.


    He wears a big evil smile, thinking he can easily take advantage of my unarmed state.


    Utilizing my circular momentum, my left fist goes straight to his face, halting Cain''s attack, while I swiftly push Claire toward Ash.


    I embed my right knee into his abdomen, lifting him slightly.


    Then, I step back a little, using my right leg to kick Cain''s face.


    Given the significant difference in our statuses, he spirals towards the nearby trees.


    A few seconds later, Cain finds himself on the brink of death after breaking several trees on his way back, with his face nearly embedded in the wood.


    I see Lucas'' face dumbfounded for a few seconds as he witnesses his accomplice severely hurt.


    ¡°You''ll pay for it, you monster!¡± Lucas shouted.


    Despite what happened to Cain, Howard seems to be a lot calmer, as if he was expecting the outcome.


    I saw his hair turn platinum blonde as he equipped the Class Card Enchanter, holding my Kaleidoscope in his right hand.


    ¡°Calm down, Lucas,¡± Howard commanded.


    ¡°We will get Cain his revenge,¡± he added, almost assuming that he already won.


    His eyes look drowned with power. ¡°Kill them slowly,¡± he commanded.


    The stranger who held my friends captive slowly charged at us as if predators were cornering their prey.


    I looked at my friends and Miss Laila.


    They looked more apologetic than terrified, as if it was them who made a mistake.


    ¡°Everything will be alright,¡± I said, reassuring them.


    ¡°Alright!? You say, Asriel, true, ''cause you¡¯re all gonna die here,¡± Lucas shouted as he charged toward my unarmed comrades.


    ¡°Class Change: Blade Dancer!¡± I uttered as I equipped Durandal from my inventory.


    Durandal changed to its Tachi form which is the weapon of the Advance Class Blade Dancer.


    A Tachi is a long, curved Japanese sword designed for swift, fluid drawing and cutting in a single motion, making it ideal for quick-draw techniques.


    Lucas was about to unleash Quick Slash, and Ash moved in front trying to use his body as a shield.


    Lucas unleashed the attack, or so everyone thought. Ash opened his eyes in disbelief; he was still alive.


    Lucas looked dumbfounded as he slowly realized his missing arms.


    He looked at me, I didn¡¯t move even an inch from my position.


    Half-Moon Slash, a level 40 skill of the Advanced class Blade Dancer.


    A mid-range slash composed of light, one of the advanced elements, shattered Lucas''s hands, leaving his sword on the ground.


    He seemed terrified as he gave a final look to his brother.


    One lesson I learned from my grandpa''s good friend in America is to never show mercy to enemies.


    Without any remorse, I executed another Half-Moon Slash, cleaving Lucas''s upper body from his lower half.


    His form solidified into a stone-like state, fissured and shattered into dust.


    In this world where you can¡¯t imprison extremely bad people in protected areas, the only way to deal with them is by removing them from this world.


    ¡°Lucas!!!¡± Howard shouted as his brother¡¯s body disintegrated into thin air.


    Three of the five strangers tried to attack Claire''s group.


    A blue lightning zap them in midair, paralyzing them.


    It¡¯s Earl¡¯s Chain Lightning; Fireballs headed straight to them but were quickly stopped as one of the assailants cast an Ice shard, blocking the Fireballs.


    The three assailants recovered from paralysis due to the Warrior Passive skill Strong Will, negating 50% of the debuff duration.


    They were about to continue their attack when Earl started using his two skills, Knowledge and Wisdom of a Sage.


    He enclosed the three assailants using several Stone Walls.


    He cast another three Stone Walls to protect my friends as he began casting Meteorite.


    Meteors slammed into the assailants unable to move due to the Ice shard and Stone Wall.


    The Walls melted with the three assailants.


    The two remaining assailants, including the mage who saved his friend from Earl''s fireball, were terrified and confused by what they had just witnessed.


    Unable to cope with what was happening, they were left standing, and pitying their stupidity, I unleashed a couple of Half-Moon Slashes, instantly removing them from this world.


    Howard was the only one left standing, while Cain was lying half-dead.


    Infuriated, Howard charged at me, unleashing a flurry of slashes.


    Due to his sloppy skill and uncontrollable emotions, his attacks were easy to parry and evade, like a child clumsily striking with his sword.


    If I were using a regular sword, his attacks might have worked and could have fatally injured me.


    However, Durandal is an exception and is one of the Legendary swords with the unique trait of being Unbreakable.


    Frustrated by being unable to break my weapon and land an attack, Howard unleashed a Crimson Phoenix Slash towards me.


    Dodging it wasn¡¯t an option since my friends were directly at my back.


    I pictured myself intercepting the attack, planting my feet closer to the ground, and lowering my upper body.


    I placed my left hand on the scabbard, tightening my grip on the sword''s hilt.


    With a smooth motion, I drew my blade from its scabbard, creating a semi-circular motion.


    A curved dark red light was released by my blade,  the level 50 skill of the Blade Dancer, Blood Moon Eclipse.


    The wind howled as the two skills clashed, and a few seconds later, the Crimson Phoenix Slash was negated.


    Trees and rocks were blasted as the skills reached Howard.


    For a moment, dust clouded the surroundings, and as it slowly cleared, a silhouette of a man holding a sword in his right hand became visible.


    However, as the dust settled, it was evident that he had sustained a fatal wound.


    He lost most of his left body part, including a part of his left cheek.


    On the brink of death, as his body started to vanish, words left his mouth.


    "I see, that¡¯s why your sword looks familiar," Howard uttered in his dying voice.


    "Durandal, one of the legendary swords, one of the keys..." he added as he vanished.

 Death Card

    As Howard Briggs''s body vanished into thin air, pieces of equipment and coins dropped on the rocky ground.


    Some equipment seemed somehow familiar to me, but then I remembered that three of Lucas''s party members were missing.


    Two bows, a couple of iron swords, and my Kaleidoscope could be seen from the heap of items that dropped from Howard''s inventory.


    The situation was similar to the others who were defeated in the fight. I quickly used the pick-up loot command to place all the loot into my inventory.


    A single card was left on the ground where Howard perished, his very own death card.


    It was my first time seeing one in person.


    A memento mori, reminding us that death is the same in this world, or is it?


    For some reason, an idea popped into my mind: why do people drop a death card when they vanish?


    What¡¯s the reason for a death card, and why can¡¯t it be put into the player''s inventory?


    Questions flooded my head as I picked up Howard¡¯s death card.


    Howard Briggs. The item name durability: Unbreakable description: a proof of someone¡¯s existence.


    Something caught my eye in the details of the card, a number symbol ¡°1¡± in the upper right corner.


    I searched for answers, but then I quickly realized Cain was still alive.


    My eyes scanned the path where he was supposed to be lying.


    A silhouette of a person carrying someone on his right shoulder, a person dressed in black, face covered with a mask, and body concealed with a dark cloak, was carrying Cain.


    I contemplated pursuing the black-clad individual, but then I worried that doing so would endanger my friends and cousin.


    If there were one or two more enemies, Earl wouldn¡¯t be able to keep my friends safe.


    Mages are not adept at dealing with fast-moving classes, especially assassins.


    I dropped the thought of pursuing and decided to fall back into the city.


    I was going to collect the other dropped items, but as I looked back, there was only empty ground where the enemies fell.


    I had a very bad feeling.


    My friends and Earl couldn¡¯t see much of the surroundings due to the protective Stone Walls.


    Quickly, I fell back to my friends and handed them their weapons that I found in Howard¡¯s drop.


    Claire cast her healing spells on everyone, and then we started heading towards the Transport Gate.


    Earl stared at me intently, as if he wanted to say something, but he remained silent and focused on the surroundings.


    ¡°Let¡¯s head back to the city quickly,¡± I commanded.


    ¡°There are probably more unknown enemies around,¡± I added.


    Everyone agreed, and I uttered, ¡°Class Change Enchanter!¡± Then, I cast Stone Skin and Status Boost.


    For some reason, my battle instinct tingled, the same feeling I got a couple of years ago.


    A trap, more enemies; my eyes scanned the surroundings as we ran toward the Transport Portal.


    I might be able to defeat most individuals in this world, but facing a mass attack makes me uncertain about keeping everyone safe.


    Given that most of the earlier attackers were likely above level 40, Claire and Rain''s eyes were filled with fear as we continued to run.


    Though their stamina was depleting, we pressed on.


    Halfway to the gate, I spotted a familiar figure ¨C Old Man Gray, the Guild Master, along with several academy professors who were there to escort us to the Transport Gate.


    Suddenly, I sensed a malicious feeling, a clear intent to harm.


    A light approached us from a distance, a Ranger skill called Extend Shot.


    It was aimed directly at Claire.


    In a split second, I pushed Claire out of the arrow''s path, and we were blown away.


    Earl quickly cast Gale Storm toward a Stone Wall, causing it to shatter due to the magical arrow.The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    The dust from the Gale Storm covered our retreat.


    "Run towards the Gate!" I shouted.


    Claire and Rain''s stamina were depleted.


    I sheathed Durandal into my inventory and grabbed both of them by the waist.


    Old Man Gray seized Earl and Neil, dashing towards the Transport Gate.


    While being carried by the Guild Master, Earl cast Stone Walls.


    Miss Laila is carried by her fiance Mister Dale while Ash managed to run on his own, benefitting from his warrior class that offered decent stamina compared to archers, mages, and healers.


    Around us, Exploding Arrows pounded the surroundings, as if we were being bombarded with mortars.


    Glancing at my friends'' HP, I saw it slowly depleting.


    By the time we reached the gate, most of their HP was critical.


    "Transfer: Maceria!" I hastily shouted as everyone stepped onto the transport gate platform.


    A bright light enveloped us, and in an instant, we found ourselves in our city, Marceria.


    "Claire, cast Holy Sanctuary!" I commanded in a panic. Claire swiftly complied, taking a gulp of her mana potion and using Holy Sanctuary to remove the negative status of everyone, particularly Burned caused by the Exploding Arrows.


    Fortunately, Earl had cast Mana Shield, allowing everyone''s mana pool to absorb some of the damage from the Exploding Arrow.


    "Is everyone okay?" I asked.


    "You can put me down now, Asriel!" Rain said, blushing.


    "Thanks for carrying me," she added.


    Glancing around, Neil and Claire were sitting on the ground, while Ash leaned against a wall.


    It seemed the attackers quickly retreated upon hearing my shout, and Old Man Gray rushed to grab my other party member.


    Judging by the damage I sustained, the Ranger who ambushed us with that skill had recently advanced to the advanced class.


    It was evident because the individual chose to use Exploding Arrow rather than the Ranger''s buff, Rapid Fire on Extend Shot, almost as if toying with us.


    The city remained secure since accessing the Transport Gate required partying with someone who had access to the city.


    Then, the thought of Cain being alive crossed my mind.


    "Old Man, add Cain Alder to the blacklist to void his access to the gate," I urged.


    The Guild Master had the authority to blacklist individuals from entering the city, a right obtained by purchasing access to the Ancient Pillar with ten thousand gold coins for a year.


    Everyone contributed to this fund, securing exclusive rights to city access.


    This measure was implemented to prevent unknown strangers from entering the city premises, and it was the same reason why Earl provided the Guild Master with the names of those residing in Castor Town.


    "So, Cain Alder is still alive," Old Man Gray exclaimed angrily.


    Guild Master Gray suspected that Cain Alder was likely Professor Klein''s killer, given the negative status of the skill Bleed from Backstab.


    Unfortunately, both healers with the Holy Sanctuary skill were in the enemy''s hands, making it a more challenging situation than dealing with a poison that could be dispelled using a readily available antidote.


    Burned and Bleed are negative status effects for which consumables to dispel the effects are not yet available.


    I retrieved Howard¡¯s death card from my pocket and handed it to Old Gray.


    Earl then gave Old Man Gray three Death Cards.


    ¡°I believe these belong to residents of Maceria,¡± Earl stated, presenting the Death cards of Kyle Sifer, Rowan Gibbson, and Sheena Silver to Old Man Gray.


    ¡°I found them while exploring Emeth¡¯s room,¡± Earl explained.


    ¡°I rushed over to Maceria to give them to the Guild Master, but I heard about Big Bro Asriel¡¯s situation,¡± he continued.


    ¡°That¡¯s why I decided to ask the Guild Master to guide me to the Abandoned Mine¡¯s Transport Gate,¡± Earl added.


    ¡°These three Death Cards belong to Lucas¡¯s three-party members,¡± Old Gray affirmed.


    ¡°Thank you for finding and returning them,¡± he added.


    ¡°Their families can finally know what happened to their loved ones,¡± Old Man Gray continued in a somber tone.


    I could sense his frustration at realizing that the academy he created had been exploited by malicious individuals.


    ¡°There''s something I realized after seeing an actual Death Card,¡± I shared.


    ¡°There''s probably a hidden purpose, and there''s a significant probability that we can bring them back once,¡± I continued.


    ¡°What do you mean by ''bring them back,'' Asriel?¡± Claire inquired.


    ¡°Resurrection is a skill available to the Saint, the Healer¡¯s Ultimate Class,¡± I explained.


    ¡°If this world works as I can remember, then there''s a possibility that resurrection in this world exists in one form or another,¡± I continued.


    ¡°How sure are you on this, young man?¡± Old Man Gray asked with a glimmer of hope.


    ¡°Earl and I managed to incapacitate seven enemies on the quarry,¡± I said. ¡°Six of those Death Cards were secured by the enemies,¡± I continued.


    ¡°I was asking myself before what purpose they served, but then I realized that this is not the Old World where death is perpetual,¡± I added.


    Everyone''s gloomy faces lightened a bit, even Earl, who was a bit down after handing over the three Death Cards.


    I hope we can revive them, I said to myself as I started heading back to the Transport Gate.


    ¡°Where are you going, Asriel?¡± Claire asked.


    ¡°Guild Master Gray, keep everyone inside the city until I come back,¡± I commanded with a stern look.


    As I stepped into the Transport Gate, I recast Stone Skin and Status Boost, then I uttered, ¡°Change Class: Blade Dancer.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d love to eat some fried Sand Fowl when I return,¡± I said, looking at Claire.


    ¡°Transfer: Abandoned Mines,¡± I declared, contemplating how I would find the unknown assailant.

 Status

    It''s been about five minutes since our escape from the Abandoned Mines, and here I am, scanning the surroundings for the assailant who nearly took us down.


    As I step out of the Transport Gate, my eyes sweep the distant landscape, poised for a potential attack.


    Despite Durandal''s legendary traits and abilities, I opt to use Kaleidoscope since I''m uncertain about the opponent''s strength.


    Kaleidoscope''s unique trait, Disparity, would complement the status adjustments I need, especially when paired with Oblivion.


    I tighten my grip on the hilt of my sword, ready for a possible assault.


    Dodging an arrow, which moves at a more manageable speed compared to a sniper''s bullet, seems more plausible, given my status build, primarily focused on strength and agility.


    The HEO status system categorizes attributes into five types: Agility, Dexterity, Intelligence, Strength, and Vitality.


    AGI (Agility) enhances mobility and attack speed, while simultaneously improving the player''s base stamina.


    DEX (Dexterity) increases projectile range damage, such as that from arrows and daggers.


    INT (Intelligence) boosts spell damage and expands players'' mana pool.


    STR (Strength) amplifies melee damage and the player''s physical strength, enabling them to wield heavier weapons.


    Lastly, VIT (Vitality) increases Health Points and Defense.


    Despite the tempting benefits of VIT, I''ve chosen not to allocate points to it for my character and rely solely on my defensive equipment.


    One reason for this decision is that in both Arcadia and HEO, certain skills can reduce, negate, or even reflect damage, such as Fighter''s Sword Parry, Brawler''s Counter, Shielder''s Guard, Mage''s Mana Shield, and more.


    The saying "offense is the best defense" holds true, especially in HEO where we move with our bodies.


    Increasing AGI enables players to move swiftly, outmaneuvering and even outrunning monsters and opponents.


    This opens up numerous possibilities, particularly for those who practiced martial arts in the old world.


    Strength, on the other hand, grants players increased physical strength, allowing them to handle a heavy sword as if it were made of wood.


    The ability to effortlessly swing a substantial weapon is likely a dream for every warrior, and when combined with extreme mobility, it transforms into an unstoppable force.


    Mastering this skill may take time, but for those with extensive combat experience, it becomes a different tale altogether.


    A bluish light flashed in the sky as I momentarily looked up, sensing an intense bloodlust.


    Arrow Barrage, the level 55 skill of the Advanced Class Ranger, lit up the sky.


    This skill enables rangers to unleash dozens of arrows in a smaller AOE.


    Compared to the Archer''s Arrow Rain, it is more compact but comes with increased piercing damage.


    Dodging it would be easy, but my instincts warned me that this might be exactly what the attacker wanted.


    Swiftly sheathing my sword, I anticipated the incoming arrows.


    Just before they struck, I executed one of the Blade Dancer''s skills, Blooming Moonflower.


    This level 55 skill releases sixteen slashes in a short distance, creating a flower-like dome for a few seconds.


    The Arrow Barrage collided with the Blooming Moonflower, instantly engulfing the surroundings in dust and forming a smokescreen.Stolen story; please report.


    Seizing the opportunity, I activated Dancing Moonlight and swiftly moved towards the assailant.


    Dancing Moonlight is a level 60 buff that enhances the user''s mobility and attack speed by 20% and grants access to Flash Step for the buff''s duration.


    Flash Step, similar to Dash, is a mobility skill but covers a greater distance and renders the user invincible during its activation.


    The only drawback is that it consumes more stamina compared to the Dash skill.


    It appears the assailant has caught on to my intentions; the unidentified Ranger initiated the use of Quick Shot while simultaneously retreating from me.


    However, it proved ineffective, and within moments, I closed the gap between us.


    The mysterious Ranger is now just a few meters away.


    A single Flash Step is all it takes to close the distance.


    Without hesitation, I assumed a stance ready for drawing my sword and executed Flash Step.


    In the blink of an eye, I stood before the hooded Ranger, prepared to unleash Blooming Moonflower.


    However, I noticed a subtle smirk on the Ranger''s lips, almost as if they were anticipating my approach.


    The Ranger swiftly cast Somersault, canceling my skill, and followed it up with Gale Kick.


    Despite my attempt to block using Sword Guard, the knockback effect sent me a few meters backward, creating a considerable distance between us.


    Sword Guard is an enhanced version of Sword Parry inherent in the Blade Dancer base skill set, capable of blocking all damage but with a 15-second cooldown, which decreases by a second each time an attack successfully connects with an enemy.


    The Ranger proceeded to unleash two Quick Shots, both of which I swiftly nullified by employing two Swift Slashes.


    After our encounter, the hood concealing the Ranger''s face was removed, revealing a blonde female with an eyepatch and a bluish eye.


    "Dia, is that you?" I exclaimed.


    "Asriel?!" she responded.


    "Who else! Miss Diana Eisenhawk," I replied.


    She rushed toward me, embracing me tightly, as if we hadn''t just been trying to eliminate each other moments ago.


    "Long time no see, Riel," she whispered.


    Dia is a member of the group I was part of during my time as an active military asset of UNION, short for Unified Nations International Operation Network. UNION is a global organization comprising 156 countries, serving as a collaborative framework for worldwide military cooperation under the rule of the Six Council.


    Our elite squad, known as Genesis, was specifically tasked with safeguarding and retrieving relics from the past.


    Union¡¯s commander, General Andrei Eisenhawk, was not only my grandfather''s best friend but also his teammate.


    I first met him during my grandfather''s funeral, where he shared information that contradicted what the media had reported.


    Contrary to the publicized story of two robbers killing Grandpa, it was actually a group of individuals with the intention of collecting all the world relics, including the legendary sword Kusanagi no Tsurugi that was under my grandpa''s care.


    This revelation prompted me to accept the invitation to join Genesis, disguising my true motive as that of an exchange student.


    My goal was to retrieve the sword and seek revenge against those responsible for my grandfather''s death.


    My family is unaware of the true nature of my involvement, and the details remain confidential.


    "First of all, what are you doing here, Dia?" I inquired, gently extricating myself from her tight embrace.


    "I missed you, that''s why I came to visit," she replied sarcastically.


    "The real reason, Dia," I stated, aware that her visit had a more significant purpose than simply missing me.


    "It''s true! It''s one of the reasons, Riel," she replied defensively.


    "And the other reason?" I probed. "Reichsschwert, the Imperial Sword of the Roman Empire, and Joyeuse, the Coronation Sword of France, were both stolen," Dia disclosed.


    "Weren''t Reichsschwert and Joyeuse under the sixth and seventh branches of Genesis?" I asked, perplexed, as each branch of Genesis was supposed to be heavily guarded.


    "The sixth and seventh branches are gone," she said with a sorrowful tone.


    "Gone?" I echoed, still trying to grasp the situation.


    "Gladius, the cult that we thought was wiped out a few years ago, killed everyone in the sixth and seventh branches," she explained, a tear beginning to fall from her eyes.


    "Including Mom and Dad," Dia continued, sobbing into my chest.


    "So Uncle Seth and Aunt Helen are gone..." I whispered in disbelief.


    Uncle Seth, General Andrei''s son, was the Head of the seventh branch, and Aunt Helen, his wife, worked as a historian and researcher on world relics.


    "It seems that a lot is going on," I said softly.


    "You should accompany me to Maceria, and there we can talk about it," I suggested.


    "Sure, I''ll accompany you, since I also need to apologize to your friends," she agreed as she pulled away from me.


    Dia''s eyes were still a bit red when we arrived at the Abandoned Mines¡¯ Transport Gate.


    I invited Dia to my party, then I commanded, "Transfer: Maceria."

 Zero Branch Sniper

    Beautiful lanterns illuminated the city as the sun dipped below the horizon, and the moon began its ascent into the sky.


    We reached Maceria''s Transport gate at nightfall. Guild Master Gray was seated on a bench near the City''s Transport Gate, and his surprise was evident when he noticed me accompanied by a young female foreigner.


    Suppressing a laugh at the Old Man''s expression, I approached, introducing Dia.


    "Who is this beautiful gal, Asriel?" Old Gray inquired. "Dia, one of my friends from the US," I replied.


    "Good Eve, Sir..." Dia greeted. "Dia, let me introduce you to this city¡¯s leader, Guild Master Gray," I said, presenting the Old Man.


    "Diana Eisenhawk, Sir Gray," she added, shaking the Old Man¡¯s hand.


    "It¡¯s safe now to go outside, but be sure not to go alone," I advised. "Did you defeat the attacker, Asriel?" Old Gray inquired.


    "Ah..., about that! I¡¯ll tell you the details later, but now I should go to the Bellflower Diner and meet my friends," I said, a bit flustered.


    "Okay, and take a good rest, young man," Old Gray suggested.


    "What do you mean, ''good rest,'' Old Man?" I asked, confused, as I began walking toward the Bellflower Diner.


    "Nothing" Old Gray replied with a smile.


    Dia smiled faintly and then followed me a few steps behind my back.


    The enticing aroma of delicious food enveloped us as we stepped into the Diner.


    Finding my friends in the left corner, I noticed Claire and Rain enjoying their sweet dessert, Neil dozing off, and Ash lost in thought while munching on fried Sand Fowl.


    Claire''s eyes lit up as she saw me, and she walked over, playfully punching my chest.


    "I¡¯m glad that you¡¯re alright, Asriel," she said happily.


    "Is she your girlfriend, Riel?" Dia chimed in.


    I saw Neil waking up from his nap, while Ash and Rain''s eyes shifted toward Dia.


    "Not yet, I guess," I replied.


    "You never change, Riel," she teased.


    "Who is this blondie?" Rain asked.


    "Diana Eisenhawk, a friend of mine who lives in the US," I answered.


    "Did you find the attacker?" Ash inquired.


    "Yeah," I replied nonchalantly.


    "Did you defeat it?" Neil asked, still half-awake.


    "About that, I¡¯m gonna explain while we eat," I replied.


    Dia looked at me with a hint of guilt.


    "Uncle Ed, two portions of my favorite, and make the other one spicy," I ordered.


    "So what happened to the attacker?" Rain asked.


    "The attacker is my friend Dia, and it seems that everything was just a misunderstanding," I replied, doing my best to explain.


    "Misunderstanding? She almost killed us," Rain stated, a bit annoyed with what she heard.


    "Sorry, I didn¡¯t mean to attack you guys.


    I just thought that you were the bad guys," Dia apologized, attempting to provide some context.


    "What do you mean, bad guys?" Rain questioned.


    "All I saw was the fight, and a person there just slashed his opponent in half," Dia continued.


    "Normally, a common law-abiding person wouldn¡¯t slash someone without a second thought," she explained while looking at me.


    I averted my eyes and started eating my dinner.


    "I never thought that it was Asriel since I couldn¡¯t very well see his face because of the smokescreen, even after using my skill Hawk-Eye," she stated.


    Hawk-Eye is a Ranger¡¯s base skill that allows them to see far distances, similar to a scope or binoculars.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    "So why did you kill that guy, Riel?" Dia asked.


    "That person killed someone I know and held my friends hostage," I answered.


    "And it seems that he is part of Gladius," I continued.


    "What do you mean, Asriel?" Dia asked in confusion.


    I grabbed Durandal from my inventory and showed her.


    Her eyes widened with surprise as she looked at the sword more closely.


    "Why is the legendary sword Durandal with you? Asriel, answer me!" she commanded.


    "My cousin got it from one of the random box rewards for getting a high rank on the HEO Beta Test," I answered.


    The reason why Dia was so flustered is that Durandal is under the jurisdiction of Genesis Third Branch.


    "Tell me, Dia, are all the five swords kept in the First to the Fifth Branch also missing?" I asked.


    "The swords just vanished a few days after Reichsschwert and Joyeuse were stolen," she stated.


    My mind went numb for a bit with all the information; it seems what¡¯s happening now is connected to Gladius.


    I looked at my friends'' faces, and I could understand their confusion.


    "Asriel and I used to be part of a secret group under UNION," Dia explained.


    I thought of stopping her, but then I realized that my friends should know this.


    "We were members of GENESIS, a group tasked with protecting and retrieving world relics at any cost," Dia continued.


    "Dia functioned there as our Sniper," I added.


    "Sniper, you mean a military personnel that shoots from afar?" Neil asked.


    "Yes, to put it simply," Dia answered.


    "And Asriel?" Claire said in curiosity.


    "He was our Close Combat Specialist," Dia stated.


    "But Asriel is just 17, and he is probably in his early teens back then," Claire said in disbelief.


    "Genesis Zero Branch is composed mostly of people in their early teens with extreme talent in combat," Dia stated.


    "I was still thirteen when I became part of Genesis.


    After all, Dia and I were Zero Branch''s very first members," I stated.


    "And the last surviving members, excluding my grandpa, who was the Zero Branch Commander," Diana said in a sad voice.


    "What do you mean the last surviving members?" Claire said.


    "On our last mission to retrieve Durandal, we were set up by one of our information brokers.


    It was our ninth mission," she answered.


    "We were outnumbered and cornered, fatally injuring three of our precious members," she continued.


    "Is that the reason why you lost your left eye?" Ash asked.


    "Yeah, kinda," Dia replied.


    I felt numb as I looked at the dog tags of my precious teammates hanging on my neck.


    "So you really still keep those close to you, Asriel," Dia looked at my hand touching my fallen comrades'' dog tags.


    "It''s a reminder for me when I''m about to make a big decision and whenever I miss them," I answered.


    Dia teared up for a bit as she remembered.


    I removed the silver chain from my neck and slowly detached the three dog tags.


    I held them in my hand as I read the names.


    "Alexander Makarov, our Driver and Dia''s Spotter, loves cooking and always acts as an older brother to Dia," I stated.


    "Dakarai Spear, Zero Branch Demolition and Explosive Specialist, and lastly Zero Branch field commander and gunner Yui Hasegawa," I continued.


    I could see the sadness in Claire and Rain''s eyes, while Neil looked at me, wondering, and then suddenly he asked.


    "I''m just curious, but if you guys are ambushed and cornered, how come Asriel seems unscathed?" Neil asked.


    "Neil!" Claire shouted.


    I just gave a smile, saying that it was okay.


    "The reason was someone took the bullet for me," I answered.


    Dia looked at me as if she was going to say something.


    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t blame yourself, Riel.


    Yui saved you because she loves you,¡± Dia stated.


    ¡°And you are the only reason why the whole team managed to get back home,¡± she continued.


    ¡°What do you mean the reason?¡± Ash asked.


    ¡°Riel took a pill back then, a secret drug made by the first branch, a last resort if ever we were in a pinch.


    It greatly increases the user''s speed and strength as it unlocks the physical limitations for an hour,¡± Dia answered.


    ¡°That is a wonderful drug!¡± Ash said. ¡°But it cost Riel a lot¡­¡± Dia continued.


    ¡°What do you mean, Diana?¡± Claire asked.


    ¡°The side effect of the drug is it drastically shortens one''s life if they luckily did not die after taking it,¡± she answered.


    ¡°I¡¯m still alive though,¡± I said with a cheerful smile.


    ¡°And the best thing was Riel took the pill twice; the second one was during the tenth mission, where he went alone after our fallen friends were cryogenically frozen before they died because of their fatal wounds,¡± Dia said sarcastically.


    My friends just looked at me in disbelief.


    ¡°Before I forget, Grandpa wanted to give this to you,¡± Dia said as she handed me a rolled-up document.


    Why would General Eisenhawk send his granddaughter to just give me a document, I thought to myself.


    ¡°It¡¯s a compilation of Mom¡¯s last research and the sixth branch encryption of the recently found ancient scrolls,¡± Dia said, as if reading my mind.


    ¡°Granda didn¡¯t say it''s confidential, but I think you should read it first alone,¡± she continued.


    I put the documents in my inventory as I finished my dinner.


    Claire and Rain¡¯s eyes were throwing daggers at me, while Neil and Ash were still taking in all the information they just heard.


    ¡°You¡¯re not gonna die, right Asriel?¡± Claire asked worriedly.


    ¡°I won¡¯t promise,¡± I said while giving a faint smile.


    It was already late in the evening when everyone headed home.


    I escorted Dia to a nearby Inn where she could safely spend the night.


    We both agreed that bringing her home would probably be a very bad idea.


    ¡°Goodnight, Riel,¡± Dia said softly as she headed to her room.


    ¡°Goodnight, Dia, see you in the morning,¡± I replied.


    I headed home at a quick pace as my mind was thinking about what information Dia¡¯s Mom and the sixth branch left us.

 The Forgotten God, Atlas

    In the dead of the night, my fist faintly knocked on the door as I had forgotten my key on the desk beside my bed.


    Mom opened the door as if waiting for my return.


    She looked relieved to see me.


    ¡°Have you eaten dinner?¡± she asked.


    ¡°I ate dinner with my friends at the Bellflower,¡± I answered.


    ¡°I already pre-heated the water in the bath, go take a shower,¡± she said.


    I went to the bathroom to take a warm shower. I put all my equipment in my inventory, and for some reason, whenever you put your items or loot in the inventory, it automatically cleaned them.


    If only I could put myself in there, my inner lazy self thought.


    After getting butt-naked, I turned on the shower.


    Ah, nothing beats a hot shower after a grueling day, I thought to myself as my body drowned in the warm water.


    I took out the bath towel from my inventory and my sleeping clothes.


    After the nice warm shower, I went to my room and started looking for the documents that Dia gave me.


    I sat on my bed and opened the rolled-up documents.


    The first page recounted a myth, a tale detailing how the world plunged into chaos following the demise of mankind''s mightiest protectors.


    Mankind teetered on the brink of extinction in the absence of the seven guardians.


    Demons and monsters plundered villages and towns, cities were reduced to ashes, and kingdoms and empires crumbled one by one until only Arcadia remained, a sanctuary protected by the heavenly barrier of God Atlas, mankind''s last utopia.


    For a brief period, Arcadia flourished, but its prosperity was short-lived.


    Everything unraveled when Apophis, the Evil God, bestowed upon the demonkind the power to shatter Atlas''s Heavenly Barrier.


    Demons and monsters surged through the city''s gates, leaving only devastation in their wake.


    In a desperate bid to safeguard the remnants of mankind, God Atlas gathered the seven souls of the fallen guardians and forged seven distinct swords, each endowed with unique abilities.


    These distinctive blades symbolize the strength of mankind''s seven most formidable guardians.


    However, possessing the seven swords alone wouldn''t alter the course of battle without someone powerful enough to wield them.


    Faced with this dilemma, Atlas made a difficult choice, to employ one of his most potent spells, World Magic: Forbidden Abyssal Confinement.


    This spell confined the demonkind and monsters beneath the Earth for ten thousand years, but the World God paid a steep price, depleting most of his power.


    Losing the ability to directly intervene with mankind, the World level regressed to zero, resulting in the loss of the Blessing of God for mankind and other beings, the capacity to use magic and skills.


    Despite the sacrifice, Atlas''s love for mankind prevailed, leading him to sacrifice his cherished partner, a Divine Weapon known in heaven as Phantasmagoria, where he had stored half of his power. The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    As a parting gift, Atlas bestowed upon mankind his final legacy before entering a deep slumber, Divine Temporal Legacy, a spell that sent the seven unique swords to the distant future in different timelines to aid humanity in times of adversity.


    This spell also granted humanity the wisdom to use magic and skills.


    Atlas bid a final farewell to his precious partner, Phantasmagoria, as it vanished along with the seven swords into the distant future.


    Reading just a few pages of the document sent shivers down my spine, as the myth bore an uncanny resemblance to Arcadia Online.


    Considering that AO was developed by Atlas Inc., the connection seemed more than mere coincidence.


    Dia likely knew about this correlation, as the members of the Zero Branch, including her, used to play Arcadia Online on the North American server during our leisure time for teamwork and coordination practice.


    That''s probably another reason why, despite being an inactive member of Genesis Zero Branch, Dia went out of her way to provide me with the documents related to her mom''s research.


    By the time I finished reading and processing all the information about Dia¡¯s Mom''s research, it was already late in the evening.


    Feeling weary, I stepped out of my room to grab some coffee before delving into the sixth branch documents.


    Lost in thought, I poured hot water into my cup, nearly causing it to overflow.


    The warmth of a few sips somehow roused my drowsy self.


    Seated on my bed, I began reading every word in the sixth branch documents.


    Gradually, it dawned on me that the individuals who authored these documents were no longer in this world, filling my heart with a deep sense of sorrow as I continued reading.


    During the zenith of Atlas''s power, the World level stood at seven, which, although high for a mortal realm, fell three levels below the pinnacle achievable by such realms.


    Despite this, Atlas lacked the authority to prevent foreign Gods and other Heavenly beings from meddling with the world.


    Apophis, the Evil God, Conqueror of Realms, and Devourer of Souls, seized this opportunity to feast on the souls of mankind.


    However, Atlas''s realm, with its delectable souls, was shielded by his Divine Magic, thwarting Apophis''s attempts to devour them.


    Undeterred, Apophis summoned an army of demons and hordes of monsters to conquer Atlas¡¯s realm.


    Yet, his endeavors proved futile, as the seven Holy Cities, guarded by the world''s seven mightiest guardians strategically positioned around the globe, proved impervious to the assaults of monsters and demons.


    Each Holy City safeguarded one of Atlas¡¯s heavenly artifacts, symbolic of his power and authority.


    Alongside the Guardians, the Atlantean, residents of each Holy City devout to Atlas, defended not only their cities but also the neighboring Kingdoms and Empires.


    However, the landscape shifted when some neighboring Kingdoms began to worship Apophis, the Evil God.


    This led to the emergence of Apeptians, humans cursed with Apophis''s malevolent powers, accompanied by demons and monsters, altering the balance.


    Despite the formidable powers possessed by the Guardians and Atlantean against monsters and demons, they gradually succumbed.


    Apeptians, once human comrades, exploited the weaknesses of the Guardians and Atlantean, proving that these defenders, though undefeated against demons and monsters, were ultimately mortal.


    Deceived, ambushed, poisoned, trapped, and betrayed by their fellow humans, the Guardians and Atlantean, who had sworn to protect, met their demise.


    With the fall of the Holy Cities, the world level plummeted to three.


    The seven heavenly artifacts, once sources of divine power, were repurposed as summoning bases for seven Legendary Class Hell Beasts.


    Each summoned Hell Beast took residence in one of the fallen Holy Cities, where more formidable demons and monsters also dwelled.


    As chaos engulfed the world and humanity teetered on the edge of extinction, Atlas, the World God, established Arcadia as the last sanctuary for humanity.


    As I reached the concluding words of the document, my eyes widened in astonishment.


    The information felt perplexing yet strangely coherent, especially as I looked at the top center of my map, W-1.


    According to the documents, the World was currently at level one, which resonated with my experiences, sensing a greater sense of constraint compared to my interactions within Arcadia Online.


    After hours of contemplation and analysis, fatigue overcame me, and I gradually slipped into a deep slumber.

 Preparation for Battle

    As I opened my eyes, the sun had yet to ascend in the sky.


    My dad, already engrossed in his morning coffee, and my mom, orchestrating an elaborate breakfast, greeted me.


    "Heading out, son?" Dad inquired casually.


    "Yeah, off to the Guild," I responded.


    Just as I was about to step through the entrance door, my mom extended a couple of sandwiches to me.


    It seemed as if there was something they knew, a concealed aspect lingering both when I departed for the US and upon my return.


    Near the entrance, our loyal canine companion, Biscuit, lay in peaceful slumber.


    He roused and fixed a gaze on me as I swung the door open. It had been some time since I last played with Biscuit..


    Accessing my inventory, I treated him to some snacks I had bought a few days prior.


    He gleefully chomped on them and emitted a contented bark.


    As I prepared to depart, closing the door behind me, my mom expressed, "Take care of yourself, Asriel."


    At 6:07 am, I reached the inn where Dia was staying.


    She greeted me at the door, still adorned with a sleepy expression.


    Dia had never been an early riser; she cherished her sleep, and if left undisturbed, she''d likely slumber until noon.


    "I knew you were going to wake me up early!" she proclaimed, as if she had successfully predicted a winning lottery number.


    Surprisingly, she was already dressed and ready, seemingly anticipating my arrival.


    It appeared that she hadn''t forgotten my tendency to rouse her early from our time back in the US.


    "Hehe, I slept early yesterday," she continued, wearing a triumphant smile.


    It was reassuring to see her in her usual self.


    "That looks tasty!" Dia exclaimed upon seeing me relish Mom''s sandwich.


    "Here''s yours," I replied, offering one of the sandwiches to her.


    She eagerly grabbed it, taking a bite, and I noticed a faint smile on her face as she finished the sandwich.


    It brought back memories of how Aunt Helen used to prepare the sandwiches Dia typically enjoyed for breakfast.


    "We''ll grab breakfast after talking to Guild Master Gray," I suggested, aware that a single sandwich wouldn''t satisfy Dia.


    "Don''t treat me like a glutton!" she protested, her face blushing slightly.


    Heading to the Guild early would help us avoid unnecessary attention, given that Dia was a foreigner and would stand out.


    She gently placed her hand on my shoulder as we strolled through the serene streets of Maceria.


    Old Gray was leisurely sipping his hot coffee as we entered his office, gesturing for us to take a seat.


    He had grown accustomed to my habit of arriving early, especially when there was important business to discuss.


    "Did you two have breakfast?" Old Gray inquired.


    "We had a sandwich before coming here," I replied.


    "Riel promised to treat me to breakfast after this," Dia added.


    I noticed a subtle grin on the old man''s face.


    "So, what happened to the unknown attacker yesterday?" Old Gray questioned.


    "Actually, that unknown attacker was me," Dia confessed shyly.


    I observed a momentary surprise on the old man''s face, which gradually transformed into a more serious expression.


    "So why did you attack us?" he inquired.


    Dia explained, admitting it was a misunderstanding and her fault for acting impulsively.


    She cast a few glances in my direction while narrating, as if implying that I shared some responsibility, which, to some extent, might be true.


    After a brief round of questioning, Guild Master Gray seemed satisfied and released a relieved sigh.


    I understood his concern; a skilled ranger with the ability to strike beyond the city walls could pose a substantial threat to everyone.


    "Why are you looking for Asriel?" Guild Master Gray inquired.


    "I was going to deliver some confidential documents to him," Dia responded, shooting me a look as if seeking approval to share sensitive information with the Guild Master.


    "We were members of UNION''s top-secret group, Genesis," I revealed.


    "It''s a military organization established to secure and safeguard world relics at any cost. Dia and I belonged to Genesis Zero Branch, specializing in the retrieval of world relics," I continued.Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    "So that''s why you''re so strong, young man," Old Gray remarked suddenly. "Of course, Riel is strong.


    He''s our close combat specialist, trained in various military martial arts from a young age, and unparalleled in handling bladed weapons," Dia proudly stated, as if boasting about her brother''s capabilities.


    Guild Master Gray regarded me with a newfound perspective.


    I was on the verge of discussing the confidential documents with him when he brought up a crucial matter that had slipped my mind.


    "Your cousin, Earl, informed me that the light on the Ancient Tree is fading, and he seeks assistance for the upcoming Monster Siege in Castor town," the old man disclosed.


    A fleeting thought crossed my mind, considering that Earl was still working on unlocking the one of the Mage¡¯s Advanced Class, Archmage.


    However, I wasn¡¯t worried knowing that Dia already possessed one of the Archer''s Advanced Class, Ranger.


    "Will you join in defending my cousin''s home, Dia?" I asked.


    "Never again will I let you go alone.


    I will always have your back, Riel," she responded, a hint of regret in her voice, perhaps recalling the time I embarked on Genesis Zero Branch''s tenth mission.


    "Do you need additional support, young man?" Old Gray inquired.


    Despite contemplating the idea of seeking reinforcements, an inexplicable urge compelled me to put the Ranger and Blade Dancer Classes to the test against the impending monster threat.


    "My group should be sufficient, but I still requested half of our force to prepare in case of any unforeseen events," I proposed.


    Castor Town doesn''t have walls unlike Maceria, making defense challenging with monsters approaching from all sides.


    However, it was manageable if Earl and Neil utilized the Stone Wall skill to create pseudo barriers in anticipation of the impending Monster Siege.


    The Monster Siege was likely to occur tomorrow, so preparing today offered our best chance for a well-organized defense.


    After lunch, I urged the Guild Master to issue the order for my group to assemble at Maceria''s Transport Gate.


    This would provide Rain and Neil with valuable experience, allowing them to witness Dia and Earl using their skills in actual combat.


    Dia cast a concerned glance my way, questioning the safety of my friends assisting in defending a town.


    "I understand the risks, but we''ll be there to safeguard them.


    They need to adapt to facing stronger monsters; otherwise, we might eventually be overwhelmed," I reassured her.


    Dia nodded in agreement, recognizing that, regardless of our strength, the power of a few individuals alone might not be sufficient to protect a city against a formidable horde of monsters.


    "You''re right, allowing them to confront stronger monsters while it''s still manageable is an excellent way to provide them with valuable actual combat experience," Dia concluded.


    The surroundings were still relatively quiet as we exited the Guild to grab breakfast.


    "I really want to eat at the Bellflower Diner again," Dia insisted, clearly savoring the spicy fried Sand Fowl we enjoyed the previous day.


    Uncle Ed was just unlocking the diner as we reached the Bellflower.


    "You guys are right on time for breakfast," Uncle Ed greeted us with a smile.


    Upon opening the diner''s door, I spotted a familiar face ¨C Rain, waiting for her breakfast.


    "Why are you two here so early?" she asked as we joined her at the table.


    "Riel is taking me out for breakfast," Dia exclaimed with excitement. Rain''s gaze bore into me like daggers.


    "We just left the Guild Hall after a discussion with the Guild Master," I explained.


    "Dia missed breakfast since we went to the Guild very early this morning," I added.


    Rain seemed to accept my explanation as she took a bite of her delicious breakfast ¨C fried rice crowned with breaded red boar meat.


    "So, what would you like for breakfast, Asriel?" Uncle Ed inquired.


    "I''d like fried rice topped with a sunny-side-up egg and a fried Sand Fowl," I replied.


    "And you, Miss?" Uncle Ed turned his attention to Dia.


    "I''ll have the same dish that Miss Rain is having," Dia replied.


    "And I''d prefer the breaded meat to be spicy," she added.


    Midway through her meal, Rain paused and focused her attention on me, then gradually shifted her gaze to Dia, who seemed somewhat puzzled.


    "Asriel, can I request your assistance in improving my monster-fighting skills as an Archer?" she suddenly inquired, nearly catching me off guard.


    "I felt that I could do more, especially during the recent Monster Siege," she continued.


    Dia looked at Rain and took hold of her hands.


    "I''ll give my best effort if you''re okay with me as your mentor," Dia declared, as if she had just discovered a new friend.


    Rain''s expression lit up as she embraced Dia''s offer.


    "Then the upcoming Monster Siege in Castor Town will be a perfect opportunity to learn from Dia," I remarked.


    "What do you mean, Asriel?" Rain asked, a bit puzzled.


    "Our group will help defend Castor Town during the impending Monster Siege," I replied.


    I anticipated her surprise, but her expression hinted that she was looking forward to it for some reason.


    Uncle Ed served our dishes, and Dia''s face brightened as she enthusiastically dug into her breakfast.


    "The spiciness is just perfect!" Dia exclaimed, praising the dish prepared by Uncle Ed.


    "When are we heading to Castor Town?" Rain inquired. "Today, after everyone in our group has received the order from the Guild Master," I replied.


    I was halfway through my meal when Dia requested another serving.


    Rain looked at her with a smile as she enjoyed a second helping of her breakfast.


    Following breakfast, Dia insisted on taking a stroll in the city, and I gladly agreed.


    It had been a while since we had spent time together.


    By the time we finished our walk across the city, it was already lunchtime.


    Despite the curious gazes from others, Dia seemed unfazed and continued to enjoy tasting snacks here and there.


    After lunch, we joined the group at Maceria''s Transport Gate.


    They appeared less nervous than when we were defending against the Cyclops and hordes of Ogres.


    It seemed the Old Man provided a highly detailed explanation and order, as nobody asked questions and swiftly joined the party, heading to the Transport Gate.


    "Transfer: Castor," I uttered once everyone was inside the Transport Gate.

 Siege under the Ancient Tree

    Arriving in Castor Town at midday, we found it surprisingly cool and comfortable despite the scorching sunlight.


    The branches and leaves of the Ancient Tree cast a wide shade over the entire town, evoking memories of summer days spent peacefully napping beneath a large tree.


    While the immense tree initially took me by surprise, I never anticipated that my friends would be so captivated by its majestic beauty.


    "Is this for real?" Rain exclaimed suddenly.


    "It feels like a town from a fairy tale," Claire remarked.


    Amidst everyone''s focus on the Ancient Tree, a familiar voice caught my attention.


    "Welcome to Castor Town," Earl greeted us.


    "I believe many of you are already familiar with him, as he played a crucial role in rescuing all of you during the incident in the quarry.


    Allow me to reintroduce my cousin and the current leader of Castor Town, Earl Brooks," I declared.


    My friends nodded their heads in gratitude for Earl''s assistance.


    "Thank you for saving us," Ash expressed.


    "We apologize for not being able to properly thank you earlier," Claire added.


    "Those Stone Walls really saved us, and that lightning spell was amazing! What is it called?" Neil exclaimed with enthusiasm.


    "It''s a spell called Chain Lightning," Earl replied.


    "Big Bro, who is this beautiful lady?" Earl suddenly inquired.


    I noticed Dia''s face turning red, clearly flustered by Earl''s comment. I responded, "She is Diana Eisenhawk, a friend of mine from the US."


    Earl skeptically commented, "Friend, huh?"


    "Is she part of your team in the US?" Earl suddenly asked, catching Dia off guard.


    "Yeah, she''s our sniper," I replied.


    Earl observed Dia''s eyepatch and remarked, "Then she''s strong."


    Dia, surprised by Earl''s question, asked me, "I thought you never told your parents?"


    I replied, "I never did, but I did tell my cousin."


    "Just in case the effects of the drugs suddenly kick in, and somehow I kick the bucket, someone will know why," I continued.


    Dia glared at me as if she were about to punch me in the face.


    She never got over the fact that I embarked on a mission alone while she was still in a coma for a few days due to her injuries.


    "Don''t worry, I won''t die," I reassured her, patting her head.


    Although unintentional, Earl being aware of Dia¡¯s capabilities would certainly save me some time in explanations.


    "What''s the current situation, Earl?" I inquired.


    "The light on the Ancient Tree crystal is already dim, and it will probably be gone by tomorrow, Big Bro," Earl stated.


    "I believe it''s better if we hold a strategic meeting with the others at the Castor Inn," I suggested.


    "That''s a great idea, Big Bro," Earl replied.


    The Castor Inn is just several blocks away from the Castor Town¡¯s Transport Gate.


    In a few minutes, we arrived at the inn.


    Earl appeared troubled the entire way.


    "Don''t blame yourself for not being able to gather enough Corundum to make a protective wall," I said, patting my cousin''s head.


    "But, Big Bro, how are we going to protect the town?


    Monsters will flood on all sides, and even if we can defend two sides, monsters could probably slip through," he continued, expressing his worry.


    "Don''t worry, I have just the idea," I reassured him.


    I almost forgot that Earl is just in his early teens, and being a leader in a town is taxing, even for an adult.


    As Earl pushed open the inn door, the establishment was filled with resilient warriors donned in Iron Plated Armor and equipped with Steel Swords.


    The formidable warriors rose from their seats and approached us gradually.


    "Bro Asriel, you''ve truly come to aid us, just as the leader mentioned!" exclaimed one of the warriors.


    "You''re quite famous, aren''t you, Riel?" Dia exclaimed joyfully. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    "It''s been a while, guys," I responded to the warriors.


    "Who are the beautiful ladies and handsome lads?" one of the warriors inquired.


    "They''re my friends, and they will also assist Castor Town in the upcoming Monster Siege," I replied.


    My friends were a bit flustered by the remark.


    "And don''t annoy them, especially Dia, because she might literally shoot you in the back," I added, making a playful joke.


    While the last part could be seen as a warning, she pouted and said, "You''re being mean, Riel."


    I chuckled a bit before suggesting, "Let''s commence our strategic meeting and wrap it up before dinner."


    By the time we completed refining the defensive plan for tomorrow''s Monster Siege, it was already late in the afternoon.


    Neil and Earl headed to the outskirts of town to begin casting Stone Walls that would serve as the temporary wall of Castor Town.


    It was already evening when Earl and Neil returned to the Castor Inn.


    Upon their arrival, we had just finished our dinner, and Neil appeared drained, seemingly depleted of mana and exhausted.


    Earl inquired, "Are you guys planning to stay for the night?" to which I responded, "I''ve already rented two separate rooms."


    Despite the inherent risk of staying in Castor Town with only protection against monsters, I doubted anyone would attempt an assault.


    To be safe, I asked Dia to protect Rain and Claire, as I planned to stay in a different room with Ash and Neil.


    "I just want to play it safe because we don''t know if the Transport Gate will still work tomorrow when the light on the Ancient Tree is gone.


    After all, Castor Town is a few kilometers away from Maceria," I explained.


    "You''re really something, Big Bro, considering even the Transport Gate," Earl remarked.


    Earl bid farewell as he headed home.


    "When was the last time we had a sleepover together?" Ash suddenly asked as we entered our room.


    "I think it was a few years ago, just before I went to the US," I replied.


    "I wonder how Leo is doing right now?" I mused, recalling our past sleepovers.


    "He''s probably leveling like crazy," Ash said with a smile.


    "Yeah, he probably is," I agreed as we both laughed, reminiscing about our good old friend Leo.


    "Where is Leo now?" Neil asked curiously.


    "We really don''t know. He transferred to a different school after Asriel left," Ash answered.


    "And we never heard from him again," he continued.


    "I kinda miss the old times, just playing arcade games, and Leo being too competitive most of the time," I said as my head rested on the pillow.


    "I hope we see him again," Ash said with a yawn.


    I smiled at the thought of meeting an old friend, and with heavy eyes, I drifted off to sleep.


    The sun had just graced the horizon when I awoke, my gaze landing on the two unoccupied beds, indicating that Ash and Neil had risen earlier than me.


    Descending the stairs, I spotted a group of people looking at me ¨C my friends, already settled with their breakfast.


    Taking a seat beside Dia, I noticed my usual morning dish awaiting me.


    "Looks like you took your sweet time sleeping, Riel," Dia whispered with a chuckle, evidently relishing her chance for payback after my past teasing about her waking up late.


    "It''s just too comfy here," I awkwardly replied.


    Dia seemed satisfied with her revenge and dove into her breakfast.


    Ash and Neil, still yawning, suggested that Dia had roused them too early.


    Claire and Rain shared a soft chuckle before beginning their breakfast.


    I was about to finish eating my food when Earl suddenly entered.


    His eyes were frightened as if he had just seen a ghost.


    ¡°Big Bro our scout just spotted a monster and from his report, only one monster is coming to Castor Town.


    A serpent that somehow resembles a chicken¡±, Earl stated.


    ¡° A chicken?!¡±, Neil asked in confusion.


    ¡°A basilisk, a mythical creature with the hybrid of a serpent and a chicken¡±, Dia exclaimed.


    ¡°Wasn¡¯t that the same boss monster we fought to unlock the guild mounts? Riel¡±, Dia asked.


    ¡°Yes it probably is¡±, I answered a bit wary of our situation.


    ¡°Then we are probably in trouble¡±, Dia stated.


    ¡°What do you mean Diana? Rain asked¡±.


    ¡°Basilisk is a Superior Class Boss Monster in Arcadia, threat rank B+ , with a staggering level of 60, and is supposed to be cleared by at least a group of 10-15 Advance Class players¡±, Dia answered.


    ¡°I¡¯m surprised you still remember it, Dia,¡± I said.


    ¡°That chicken killed me so many times that Yui scolded me¡±, she said while pouting.


    ¡°Although we eventually defeated it back then, our group was composed of five level 60 plus and one of us is a shielder¡±, Dia stated.


    ¡°Right now we only have Big Bro Asriel and Miss Dia, I¡¯m still ten levels below 60¡±, Earl stated a bit flustered.


    ¡°And we don¡¯t have a tank, since Riel probably never puts any stats on vitality¡±, Dia stated.


    ¡°Typical of Big Bro¡±, Earl agreed.


    ¡°I could probably tank it¡±, I said while scratching my chin.


    ¡°But Big Bro! Blade Dancer has a very low status and elemental resistance compared to Shielder¡±, Earl suddenly stated knowing my class weakness.


    ¡°We just need to kill it before Claire¡¯s Holy Sanctuary ends¡±, I suggested.


    ¡°You mean defeat it in a minute or two¡±, Earl asked.


    ¡°With three people?¡± he added with a bit of confusion.


    ¡°But what about the Basilisk¡¯s Death Gaze¡±, Earl asked.


    Death Gaze is Basilisk''s ultimate skill that kills everyone near, in a fraction of a second using the gaze of its eyes.


    ¡°I just remember, why every time we failed to defeat it, you and Dakarai were the only ones surviving?¡±, Dia asked curiously.


    ¡°I can understand why Dakarai survives since he is a Shielder and he is immune to Instant Death but your Class back then doesn¡¯t have that ability¡±, Dia continued.


    ¡°The Death Gaze only works when the Basilisk can see you, I said.


    Earl looked at me asking if he just figured out what I was up to.


    ¡°Then we only have a minute to pull this off¡± Earl concluded.


    ¡°We have roughly five people to deal damage excluding Miss Claire who will cast Holy Sanctuary the whole fight¡±, Earl stated.


    ¡°Five?¡± Rain suddenly asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid that Bro Ash and all the warriors in the Castor Town won¡¯t be participating with the battle with Basilisk¡±, he replied.


    ¡°Big Bro Asriel will be the only one in front taking the aggro of the Basilisk¡± Earl continued.


    Ash looked sad which made me a bit worried.


    But suddenly he¡¯s stated,¡± while you guys fight the Basilisk, I¡¯ll just watch and help to protect the town¡¯s people in case some monsters suddenly appear.¡±


    It seemed that he had matured these last few months, he even considered the possibility of more monsters showing up suddenly, I thought to myself as we started heading outside to confront the threat to the Castor Town.

 Basilisk the Death Serpent

    Basilisk is considered one of the hardest mid-level boss monsters in Arcadia, ranking as a Superior Class which is a mid-level difficulty boss.


    For three reasons, First, it¡¯s one of the middle-level bosses that has an almost instant death skill known as Death Gaze.


    This turns players into stone in a fraction of a second commonly referred to as Petrification.


    Second, is its breath skills,  Corrosive Haze, a debuff ability that lowers the defense of anyone affected, Cursed Haze, an ability that creates miasma that continuously damages anyone affected, and Inferno Burst, which obliterates anything it hits.


    The last one is Basilisk''s obnoxious offense and defense.


    Its iron-like scales are almost impervious to physical attacks, while its razor-sharp talons shred anything it touches.


    Basilisk is a raid boss that requires several parties to defeat it.


    After all, it¡¯s one of the requirements to unlock mounts in Arcadia.


    Close Combat is considered haphazard when fighting Basilisk, whose entire kit is to eliminate melee classes except one the Shielder Class.


    The shielder class is considered the best tank in Arcadia with the ability to aggro and survive almost any attack.


    Equipped with a skill that both negates and reduces damage, buffs that increase elemental and status resistance, and it''s the only base class that is immune to Instant death skills.


    The only problem is that it lacks damage which makes it hard for solo players to level up and reach one if its Advance Class Guardian.


    Which made it unpopular and only played by a handful of people who loved playing together at the party.


    For the same reason, I don¡¯t know any Shielder in our city strong enough to tank a Superior Class Boss monster.


    "It would be much simpler if Gran were here," Earl remarked, referring to our guild member who served as a Guardian during the initial months of Arcadia.


    To some extent, I agreed with him since acting as a pseudo-tank is a hard task not just for me but for everyone.


    Blade Dancer doesn¡¯t have an aggro skill and I need to be the highest damage per second (DPS) to keep Basilisk¡¯s aggro.


    That¡¯s why I¡¯m leaving Earl in charge of the attacks since he knows most of the skills and he has the idea of how to fight with a pseudo tank.


    ¡°It¡¯s a walk in the park if Gran is here¡±, I replied.


    "Are you not afraid, Asriel?" Claire asked abruptly. "I dwelled close to death during my active years in Genesis Zero; I fear losing someone I care about more than losing my own life," I replied.


    I saw tears forming in her eyes as she seemed worried, especially with my answer.


    "Why would I be afraid, when I have my friends watching my back?" I continued, attempting to reassure Claire that everything would be alright.


    She cheered up a bit as she said ¡°Then I¡¯ll do my best to keep you alive¡±.


    Dia as usual is very calm and composed as any sniper should be.


    ¡°Wasn¡¯t it hard not to hit Asriel while he was fighting the Basilisk?¡± Rain asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m more worried about not hitting the Basilisk since my good eye is gone¡±, Dia replied.


    ¡°After all even if I aim at Riel, hitting him is close to impossible especially if he has nothing to worry about¡±, Dia continued.


    ¡°Riel is the close combat specialist of Genesis Zero not just because he excels in fighting at close range but rather because of his spatial awareness ¡°, she added.


    ¡°What do you mean Diana?¡±, Rain asked.


    ¡°I tried shooting him once during training in the head using a rubber bullet using my sniper rifle, for some reason he just dodged it as if he saw it coming a mile away¡± she answered.


    Everyone¡¯s eyes looked at Dia as if they just heard something very mischievous.


    Dia just gave a smile as if it was normal for her, I did remember pissing her off before we did that training.


    The next day I treated her to some fancy dessert as an apology, better safe than sorry.


    Everyone''s nerves somehow calmed down after hearing Dia¡¯s story.


    I can tell Rain and Neil were afraid that they would hit me with their skill once they started fights.


    Good thing Dia¡¯s story made them a bit more composed.


    After all, we need all the damage we can get, if we''re gonna defeat the Basilisk in a minute.


    A resounding roar echoes through the outskirts of Castor Town as the Basilisk emerges from the adjacent forest.


    I swiftly transitioned to my Enchanter Class, casting Status Boost, Spell Boost, and Stone Skin on myself, before switching back to the Blade Dancer class.


    "Earl, you¡¯ll be in charge of this battle," I stated before dashing toward the enormous reptile.


    "I''ll give it my all, Big Bro," he replied.


    I know that all my attention will be focused on dodging and keeping the Basilisk aggro.


    If anyone out DPS me, everyone will be in trouble.


    That¡¯s why I¡¯m leaving the DPS control to Earl, I¡¯m not worried about Dia since she knows how to follow someone''s order.


    Commanding wasn¡¯t Dia¡¯s strong suit and at the same time, Earl knows every single spell in Arcadia.


    The Basilisk was a couple of hundred meters away when I started casting my Blade Dancer¡¯s Buff, "Luna gemina, ferre duos gladios, astrum danza Lunar Blade Dance!".


    Lunar Blade Dance is a level 65 spell buff that allows blade dancers to dual-wield which is unique to the class, it doubles attack speed and improves all blade dancers attack skill to another level until the user''s hp drops below 30% as the skill consumes one percent of the max HP every second the buff is activated.


    But the HP consumption won¡¯t be a problem since Claire¡¯s Holy Sanctuary will be active the whole fight.


    I equipped Kaleidoscope on the right hand and Durandal on the other both in their Taichi Form, as I started enchanting my other buff that would allow me to evade the instant death ability of the Basilisk.


    ¡°Luna saltus, celeritas et vigor! Dancing Moonlight¡±, I chanted, allowing me to use Flash Step.


    In a few seconds, Basilisk is within my skill range.


    As the Basilisk eyes gazed upon me, I casted Flash Step to swiftly move to its blind side and cast one of my current highest damage skill Devouring Moonflower to take the aggro.The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    Devouring Moonflower is an advanced form of Blooming Moonflower, doubling the attack power by releasing 32 slashes instead of 16, creating two layers of flower-like light.


    The Basilisk shrieks as the slashes pierce to its thick skin, and its aggro starts focusing on me, it launches an attack trying to rip my body into half using its sharp claws.


    But I quickly dodge it using a simple backflip allowing me to not get hit.


    Yet even before I landed another one of its claws darted toward my body suspended in the air.


    Compared to other monster bosses, it has the intelligence to bait a jump so it can land an attack.


    Foreseeing the attack I used  Full-Moon Slash propelling me sideways dodging the sharp talons coming from above.


    But the Basilisk is not done yet as it uses its long tail as a whip.


    I saw it coming as I cast Twin-Sword Guard to nullify the damage and the knockback effect.


    Since everyone would be in trouble if it sent me near the Town.


    It releases a loud howl as if it is infuriated from being unable to land an attack.


    Dark Purple and Green smoke releases from its mouth as it casts Cursed Haze and Corrosive Haze.


    Poison and Armor reduction debuff was inflicted on me and just on the cue Holy light covered the Field.


    Arrows started raining on the Basilisk, I quickly ramped up my damage per second to keep the aggro on the terrifying beast.


    Using Flash Step I keep going to its blind side while releasing dozens of Full Moon Slashes.


    The Basilisk kept turning around trying to lock its deathly gaze on me, it started attacking blindly trying to hit me.


    Its ferocious attacks keep going for dozens of seconds while I bathe it with dozens of slashes.


    I saw its scales turn into a scarlet color as it reached its second form, flame started forming in its mouth signaling that it¡¯s gonna release one of its devastating breath skills, Inferno Burst.


    But for some reason, the beast is directing the attack on the town, knowing what is to come I use Flash Step to block the devastating attack using my Twin Sword Guard.


    Earl quickly cast a mana shield at me as Twin Sword Guard blocked only half of the damage.


    As soon as the Massive ball of flame left the basilisk''s mouth Earl and Neil cast several Stone Walls encapsulating the beast, hiding me from its deathly gaze.


    Unable to move to nullify the attack, I looked at my mana quickly moving toward zero, by the time I canceled Inferno Burst Half of my HP was gone.


    Diana on the other hand continues to bombard the basilisk with exploding arrows.


    Half a minute had passed since the battle started when Earl started chanting after he activated two of his unique skills Wandering and Knowledge of the Sage for 30 seconds his skill will only cost 30% of the MP cost and have an additional level of 10 for the buff duration while avoiding a fatal dmg for a single instance.


    This gives him access to the level 60 skill of the Mage Class.


    Corruption is a skill buff that adds a dark attribute to any skill cast for a whole minute.


    ¡°"Corruptus umbra, addo tenebras, magica obscura fulgor Corruption!", Earl chanted as he activated.


    Purple Magic Circle covered the as he used up all his mana to cast multiple Advance level Meteorite.


    Chaos Meteor is twice as strong as the normal Meteorite and to top it off, Basilisk fire resistance cannot negate it since its dark attribute.


    Meteors and arrows rained on the basilisk as Diana kept releasing Explosive Arrows.


    I drank a high potent mana potion to fully recover it.


    A loud shriek was heard as if cursing the world as the final Chaos Meteor landed on the Basilisk.


    Knowing what was about to come, I chanted ¡°Class Change Enchanter, Aura Water¡±.


    Dia''s mana is already depleted while Claire¡¯s Holy Sanctuary just ended.


    The basilisk''s body glowed into Dark Purple as magic circles surrounded it, it¡¯s gonna release its final and most terrifying skill.


    A skill that brings devastation and brings death to a wide area Inferno Cataclysm.


    Burst of Purple Flames started raining down from the Sky.


    But before it reached the Castor Town I dashed towards the town entrance, and quickly activated Enchanter''s level 70 skill Status Shift temporarily shifting all my stats to intelligence, and chanted "Aurora Sphaera, Aqua Munimentum, Puritas Circum, Miasma Abigo Aurora Sphere!".


    Blue light covered the whole of Castor Town, like a diorama of a small town inside a glass globe.


    Purple flames were extinguished as it touched the sphere.


    Aurora Sphere is an enchanter special skill that can only be accessed when the Water aura is activated.


    It uses all the users'' mana to create a protective barrier that greatly depends on the amount of INT the user has.


    I was enveloped with Stone Walls as I cast the skill, it¡¯s probably Earl since he knows that other stats were drastically lowered to one which made me vulnerable and he is the one who formulated the skill combination before in Arcadia.


    It''s one of the highest risks of skill combination and can only be used in some niche situations such as the final skill of Basilisk.


    After a minute Earl removed the Stone Wall surrounding me knowing the temporary effect of the Status Shift just ended.


    ¡° I was hoping that the Basilisk doesn¡¯t have that annoying skill¡±, I uttered as I looked at my cousin''s worried face.


    ¡°Yeah! I was hoping the same thing Big Bro¡±, Earl said in agreement knowing how annoying that skill was in Arcadia.


    Everyone gathered near me as they cheered for the successful defense of the Castor Town.


    Claire gave me a tight hug, as she sobbed.


    I was about to comfort her when Dia suddenly hugged me in the back and uttered jokingly ¡°That¡¯s my spot but since you kept Riel alive, I¡¯ll let it go¡±.


    Everyone laughed as we entered the Castor town to let everyone know we defended against the Monster Siege.


    Just a few steps inside the town, something familiar caught my eye, Dia¡¯s right arm has a unique black emblem.


    A scythe and a half moon, depicting Nyx the night goddess mother of Thanatos the personification of Death.


    ¡° Dia is that emblem always been there?¡±, I asked.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±, Dia replied.


    The mark on your shoulder wasn¡¯t that the guild emblem Yui designed.


    She looks at her right arm and was surprised.


    Looking at her reaction I realize that something must have triggered it.


    ¡°I remember when we were still playing Arcadia, I put the position of our Guild emblem here, since it looks cooler¡±, she replied still looking at the emblem.


    Earl looked at me after he avert his gaze on his left hand, a blood red symbol of a dragon curled into infinity sign ¡Þ, symbolizing The Sun Eater, Mythical Dragon Bakunawa, the emblem of Asia¡¯s strongest guild Endless.


    ¡°Wasn¡¯t that the same symbol at the back of your neck? Riel¡±, Dia asked.


    Earl and I just looked at each other knowing what the symbol mean.


    I quickly opened my map, my eyes darted to the top center and my hunch is right as I read W-2, depicting that the world level increase by 1.


    That explain why guild emblems just suddenly showed up on our bodies, I told to myself as I close my map window.


    ¡°Ehhh...! that¡¯s kinda unfair, u got cool emblems¡±, Neil suddenly said while we were walking towards the Castor Inn where the residents of Castor Town gathered.


    ¡°Dia¡¯s emblem look cooler though,¡± Rain exclaimed as she look closely to Dia right arm.


    ¡°But why would Asriel got the same emblem with Earl, I thought you were on the same Guild with Diana?, Ash asked.


    ¡°Because he never did became part of the Guild¡±, Dia answered.


    ¡°What do you mean by that Miss Dia?¡±, Ash inquired. ¡°Even after Riel went to the US he remained the Guild Master of Endless¡±, Dia stated.


    ¡°And guilds status are shared on account wide, that¡¯s why Big Bro use the mercenary option to be temporary member of Dia¡¯s Guild¡±, Earl added.


    ¡°Guild Master?¡±, Neil asked.


    ¡°Yes, Big Bro is the Guild Master of Asia¡¯s Strongest Guild - Endless¡±, Earl confidently said.


    ¡°No Wonder, he¡¯s knows a lot¡±, Rain stated.


    My mind drifted away from the conversation knowing the possibility that at some point we can access the Guild Window.


    Which would really beneficial in defending Sieges and in a not distant future retrieving God Atlas¡¯ Artifacts.


    My mind came back to reality when I heard the town¡¯s people cheering as we get near the Castor Inn.


    Although the resident¡¯s of Castor Town will be helding a feast, celebrating the successful defense against the Basilisk.


    I insisted that our group need to go back to Maceria, since its already been two days since we left our city.


    My friends parents and even my own is probably worried, accepting my explanation, we returned to Maceria using Castor Town¡¯s Transport Gate.

 The Forsaken Labyrinth

    We arrived at Maceria''s transport gate when suddenly Professor Layla Greenfield spoke, "Great timing, Vice Guild Master."


    I sensed her wariness and urgency, as if something troublesome had just occurred.


    Typically, Old Man Gray would be the one to update me on sudden events, but he was conspicuously absent.


    "Where''s Guild Master Gray?" I asked politely.


    "Dad, I mean Guild Master Gray, went just outside the north city''s gate," Layla replied.


    "A strange portal suddenly appeared, and the Guild Master went to check it out," she added.


    "He asked me to tell you about it the moment you arrived," Miss Layla continued.


    Worry etched across everyone''s faces, and I couldn''t blame them, considering we had just emerged from a challenging battle recently.


    "Thank you for informing me, Miss Layla," I replied, acknowledging her concern for her father.


    "I guess I''ll head to the northern gate," I continued.


    My friends gazed at me, as if expressing a desire to accompany me.


    "I mean, let''s head to the northern gate," I corrected, maintaining a calm demeanor.


    However, the sudden appearance of a portal in front of a city in Arcadia meant only one thing, an Instance Dungeon.


    Instance Dungeons are randomly appearing dungeons or labyrinths at the front gates of cities in Arcadia Online.


    This event is eagerly anticipated by high-level players because Instance Dungeons offer substantial experience points, thanks to the presence of high-level monsters.


    Additionally, Superior Class Boss monsters, threat level B+, which spawn in these dungeons, have rare item drops due to their extreme difficulty.


    The portal to the Instance Dungeon has limited access, allowing players from various towns and cities to enter.


    These players can collaborate to confront the Superior Class Boss monster and share the valuable loot drops, aligning with the original intention of Instance Dungeons.


    However, player versus player (PvP) battles are not uncommon within these dungeons, leading to the participation of only high-level players.


    In Arcadia Online, the only means of exiting an Instance Dungeon is either by defeating the Superior Class Boss monster or by being defeated by a monster or another player.


    While this wasn''t a significant issue in the game, where consequences were limited to losing some experience or, occasionally, a rare equipment piece, the situation has changed.


    Venturing into an Instance Dungeon now carries significant risk, bordering on what some might argue is suicidal.


    It involves entering an unknown territory with no option for retreat, facing threats from both other players and formidable monsters.


    A few minutes elapsed as we reached Maceria''s Northern Gate.


    Stepping outside, I spotted Guild Master Gray, accompanied by some of Maceria''s adventurers, guarding the ominous dark purple portal.


    "Vice Guild Master," one of the adventurers called, walking toward the portal.


    "Young man, I assume that defending Castor Town was a success," Old Man Gray said with satisfaction.


    "Yes, we successfully defended Castor Town," I replied.


    The Guild Master recalled our conversation about the strange portal that had appeared just outside of town during our time playing Arcadia Online.


    "I considered entering, but I remembered your warning not to do so without informing you first," Old Man Gray explained.


    "Monsters in Instance Dungeons are significantly stronger, and there''s no way out except by defeating the Dungeon''s Boss," I said.


    "You made the right decision, Old Man.


    This portal leads to one of the Superior Class Boss monsters, Asterios the Bull King," I added, sighing with relief that the Guild Master had heeded my advice.


    "Wasn''t Basilisk a Superior Class Boss?" Dia inquired.


    "Both Basilisk and Asterios are indeed considered Superior Class Boss Monsters," I clarified.


    "Dealing with Basilisk was already challenging," Neil mentioned, sounding a bit terrified.


    "Should we just ignore this portal?" Rain asked.


    "We can''t. If the Instance Dungeon isn''t cleared after some time, monsters from it will start spawning on the portal until the Dungeon is defeated," I explained.


    "In this case, hordes of level 55 Minotaurs, a Greater Class monster, threat level C," I continued.


    Everyone looked horrified, except for Dia, who was already checking her equipment and preparing to tackle the Dungeon.


    Glancing around, I realized that Ash was missing the entire time.


    "Where is Ash?" I inquired.


    "He went back to Castor Town to ask for your cousin''s help," Claire explained.


    "He doesn''t need to, as this portal is probably present in Castor Town," I noted.


    Just moments later, I saw two figures exiting Maceria''s Northern Gate, Ash and Earl.


    "Big bro Asriel, it looks like we''re in a bit of trouble," Earl stated.


    "I don¡¯t think I have enough level to tackle the Forsaken Labyrinth," he continued.


    "That''s true, not just for you but for everyone here," I stated.


    "What do you mean, Earl?" Rain suddenly asked.


    "The Forsaken Labyrinth is a level 60 Instance Dungeon, and it''s also a raid-difficulty dungeon.


    After all, Asterios the Bull King, is the Forsaken Labyrinth Boss monster," Earl answered.


    "I think our group can pull this off since we already defeated Basilisk," Ash stated.


    "The reason is simple: the Forsaken Labyrinth is considered a red dungeon in Arcadia Online," Earl explained.


    "It¡¯s one of the middle-level dungeons where player versus player instances are allowed," he continued.


    "Encounters with unknown and strong players will be inevitable, and there''s the added threat of level 55 monsters residing in the dungeon," Earl added.


    "You''re telling me that we''re too under-leveled to enter the dungeon?" Ash asked, a bit annoyed with what he just heard.


    "Under-leveled and with no experience in fighting people," Dia suddenly said.


    "Then what are we supposed to do?" Ash asked in frustration.


    "Stay here and protect the city until I come back," I said calmly, understanding my good old friend.


    "What do you mean ''I''?" Dia angrily asked.


    "I want you and the others to protect the city against the Minotaurs in case the dungeon isn''t defeated in time," I stated.


    "Are you going alone again?" Dia asked.


    "I did think of bringing our whole group into the Forsaken Labyrinth, but on second thought, it¡¯s a pretty bad idea," I answered.


    "My hands will be fully occupied just with the monsters in the labyrinth.


    Add the unknown adventurers from different towns and cities with unknown goals, and I don¡¯t think I can assure everyone¡¯s safety," I continued.


    "Is it because we never have experience in killing people?" Ash suddenly asked. "Ash!" Claire exclaimed.


    "Killing someone is easy, but how you live with it is the difficult part.


    After all, a single doubt could cost you not just your life but also the people around you," I stated in a sad voice.


    Dia looked at me with guilt.


    I just smiled at her while giving her a tap on the shoulder.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    "I¡¯m leaving my friends and the city in your hands," I said while slowly walking toward the portal.


    I stopped for a moment as I felt a warm hug on my back.


    "You¡¯ll come back, right?" Claire said while softly sobbing.


    "I will, I promise," I said while slowly removing her hands.


    I looked at them one last time as I stood at the portal.


    "Young man, good luck," Guild Master Gray said.


    "Will he be fine?" Neil asked as I started entering the portal.


    "He will. After all, he is the number one solo dungeon clearer in Arcadia Online," Earl stated proudly as my body slowly disappeared into the portal.


    My eyes gradually adjusted to the dim light emanating from the torches strategically placed along the corridor walls.


    As anticipated, much like in Arcadia Online, I found myself randomly spawned on the outer edge of the maze.


    Almost instinctively, my hands reached for the map, only to be reminded that to reach the Boss Chamber, I had to navigate the maze and gradually unveil the entire map.


    I maintained a cautious awareness of my surroundings, fully aware that at any moment, I might encounter either a horde of minotaurs or a group of unfamiliar adventurers.


    Despite being in my Blade Dancer Class and equipped with my most formidable gear in preparation for any encounter, a sense of wariness lingered.


    It had been a considerable amount of time since I found myself alone, navigating the dark and winding corridors of a random maze.


    My footsteps echoed through the lengthy, vacant passageways as I proceeded cautiously.


    Running was never advisable when exploring ruins and mazes, a lesson learned both in real life and in the gaming world.


    After a while, I heard the heavy hoof steps, a clear indication that a group of Minotaurs was just around the corner.


    The Forsaken Labyrinth presented an excellent opportunity to advance my level.


    I firmly gripped the hilt of my sword, Kaleidoscope, and swiftly propelled myself to the next corner using a simple Dash.


    The three Minotaurs were caught off guard as I suddenly appeared in front of them.


    Without wasting a moment, I unleashed sixteen powerful short-range slashes, forming the deadly Blooming Moonflower technique that enveloped the Minotaurs.


    Two of the monsters were instantly vaporized, while the last one stood barely on its feet, having lost both arms.


    As it prepared to unleash a howl to alert nearby monsters, its head rolled off its shoulders as I swiftly finished it with a point-blank Half Moon Slash.


    Reflecting on the encounter, I acknowledged a bit of rustiness.


    I realized I could have enhanced my approach by running vertically on the walls before employing the Dash, followed by the release of the Blooming Moonflower, likely obliterating all three Minotaurs. In dungeon or labyrinth clearing, efficiency is paramount.


    The fewer skills and mana you expend in defeating a monster, the better, as conserving resources becomes crucial, particularly in a solo boss fight.


    I continued my exploration for a couple of hours until the sounds of clashing metals and roars of monsters reached my ears.


    Although uncertain, my instincts hinted that I was close to one of the chambers guarded by an Elite Greater Class monster.


    The name "Goliath the Armored Bull" caught my attention as I observed the elite monster engaged in a fierce battle with a group of unknown adventurers.


    Discovering an elite monster chamber typically meant proximity to the Boss Chamber.


    Approximately five adventurers were confronting Goliath.


    From my vantage point, I identified two Warriors, a Shielder, a Brawler, and an Assassin among them.


    While their composition wasn''t optimal, their teamwork displayed effective coordination, gradually whittling down Goliath''s HP.


    Though my initial intention was to proceed directly to the boss''s chamber, a single door past Goliath compelled me to silently observe them from a distance.


    The Brawler seemed to be the group''s leader, evident in the way he issued commands, particularly directing the Shielder on when to employ Shield Guard.


    This level 30 skill from the Shielder Class nullified attacks, provided the damage did not exceed twice the Shielder''s total defense.


    With a 30-second cooldown, the skill proved useful in blocking moderate AOE damage.


    On the contrary, the Assassin primarily operates at mid-range, hurling Paralyzing and Poison Daggers at the elite monster and only resorting to Backstab when Provoke is accessible.


    Provoke, a Shielder level 40 skill, allows them to redirect the monster''s aggro toward themselves, a crucial method for managing aggro, especially when in a party with high DPS and squishy classes like the Assassin.


    Their strategy, while simple, proves highly effective.


    During Goliath''s Grand Slam, the group hides behind the Shielder, utilizing Shield Guard to nullify the attack.


    Once the threat is neutralized, the two warriors execute Quick Slashes to chip away at Goliath''s HP, while the Assassin debuffs the monster with a Paralyzing and Poison Daggers.


    Whenever Provoke is active, the Assassin employs Backstab, complemented by the Brawler''s Tiger Fist to boost their damage per second.


    However, the looming question is how they plan to handle Goliath entering Berserk mode, especially as the Armored Minotaur''s HP steadily approaches critical levels.


    After Goliath enters Berserk the Brawler takes the aggro of the elite monster.


    The Brawler seems to activate one of its defensive skills, Iron Body, a level 45 Brawler skill that blocks 90% of incoming damage for 10 seconds.


    As the Iron Body effect fades, the Brawler executes a potent attack, obliterating the remaining HP of Goliath.


    Dragon Fist, the Brawler''s level 50 skill, enables them to reflect double the damage received over the past 10 seconds back to their opponent.


    A dragon-shaped flame engulfs the Armored Bull before it dissipates into nothingness.


    The Brawler promptly consumes an HP potion, and his attention shifts toward me.


    Although I''m concealed in the shadows, a faint glow from a smoldering torch likely betrays my location.


    "It''s considerate of you not to attack us while we were engaged with Goliath.


    Perhaps it''s time you reveal yourself, stranger," the Brawler remarks.


    "I have no intention of fighting you," I respond, gradually approaching them and emerging from the dark corner of the corridor.


    "Where are your comrades?" the warrior inquires. "I have no comrades.


    I''m alone," I reply. "Liar!" the other warrior exclaims.


    "Who in their right mind would venture into Forsaken Labyrinth alone?" he adds.


    "Me, I suppose," I joke, which might not be the wisest choice, as the Assassin lunges at my back with Backstab.


    However, the Brawler intervenes, sending the Assassin flying into the walls before he reaches me.


    The Assassin sustains minimal damage, as the Brawler uses a simple kick attack.


    "Why the hell did you attack me, Dean?" the Assassin protests as he gets up.


    "I told you before, Sean, don''t attack recklessly.


    You almost got yourself killed," Dean admonishes.


    "What do you mean, brother?" Sean inquired.


    Dean simply gazed at the shattered pillar, a result of my Half Moon Slash.


    Sean''s eyes widened as the pillar crumbled, cleaved in half.


    "Don''t worry, I only aimed at his right arm," I reassured, clarifying that my intention wasn''t to take his brother''s life but rather to impart a lesson.


    "Why on earth is Arcadia''s strongest Swordmaster present in this place?" the Brawler questioned.


    "What do you mean?" I responded, intrigued by how he was aware.


    "Swordmaster Leirsa," he stated.


    Everyone looked at me with astonishment, as if witnessing a ghost.


    "You''re not joking, right, Dean?" the Assassin asked.


    "There''s no doubt since there are only a few crazy people in Arcadia who attempt to solo Instance Dungeons, and one of them is Swordmaster Leirsa," he explained.


    Confused whether it was a compliment or an insult, I dismissed it.


    Dean approached Sean and handed him an HP potion.


    "So why are you here, Swordmaster Leirsa?" Dean inquired.


    "Of course to clear the Forsaken Labyrinth," I replied instantly.


    "Alone?" Sean questioned.


    "Yeah, I couldn''t let my friends take the risk of getting killed by a sudden attack of other players in an Instance Dungeon," I explained teasing Sean.


    "Sorry, I didn''t mean to attack you.


    It''s just that I feel you''re more dangerous than Goliath," the Assassin stated.


    "And you''re probably right," Dean agreed.


    "After all, my first death on Arcadia Online was because of him," he added.


    "Did we meet before?" I inquired.


    "Yes, in the very same place where we are now," Dean answered.


    "Deirka?" I asked.


    "Guild Master Leirsa!" Dean replied, displaying the dragon infinity symbol on his right fist.


    Deirka is one of my oldest guild members and one of my guild officers.


    "It''s been a while, Deirka!" I said with a smile.


    He then proceeded to introduce his party. "As you already know, Sean the Assassin is my twin brother.


    The Shielder is Mace, my cousin, and the other two Warriors are Aaron and Shane, who are my long time friends," he briefly introduced them.


    I never expected to find one of my guild members in an Instance Dungeon, and even luckier, one of my guild officers, I thought as I added myself to their party.

 Asterios the Bull King

    About an hour had passed since I joined Deirka''s group, and we had already slaughtered about twenty Minotaurs.


    However, we still hadn''t found Asterios'' Chamber.


    I was starting to worry that Maceria and Castor Town would soon be overrun by hordes of Minotaurs.


    While Dia and Earl were strong enough to defend against a couple of Minotaurs, a horde posed a different challenge.


    We probably had a couple of hours before the portal spawn rate increased to the point where Dia and Earl would be overwhelmed.


    "Dierka, did you leave some people in your city to defend against the Minotaur spawns?" I asked, feeling concerned.


    "I left Hazel, a former guild member of Endless, and a couple of adventurers with the responsibility of defending our town," Dierka replied.


    "You mean Hazel, the Black Witch''s apprentice," I remarked.


    "Yes, Miss Kuro''s apprentice," he confirmed.


    Dierka was referring to one of our strongest guild officers, Miss Kuro, also known as the Black Witch.


    "Hazel just reached level 50 a few days ago," Dierka added.


    "Then we better hurry, since in a few hours, Miss Hazel might not be able to handle the Minotaurs," I stated.


    The five of them agreed and continued looking for Asterios'' Chamber.


    The resounding clash of metal and a terrifying roar reverberated throughout the labyrinth as we entered a massive chamber.


    In the center, a colossal monster, half-bull, half-man and equipped with two large battle axes, bellowed as dozens of unknown adventurers engaged with the savage creature.


    Dierka''s group was struck with terror, as the Colossal Monster was twice the size of Goliath, which was already larger than a normal Minotaur.


    With a single slam of Asterios''s battle axes on the labyrinth¡¯s floor, several adventurers were sent flying into the chamber walls, sustaining substantial damage.


    Despite their fear, Dierka''s group found some courage as they followed my charge towards the Raging Bull.


    Asterios the Bull King, was on the verge of ending an adventurer''s life with his enormous battle axe when Dierka used a Heavy Blow, Brawler¡¯s level 35 skill, on Asterios''s arm, followed by Aaron¡¯s Shield Bash, Shielder¡¯s level 35 skill.


    This combination threw off Asterios''s aim, as both skill has a decent knock back effect, saving the adventurer lying on the floor.


    Sean quickly grabbed the injured adventurer and, with his nimble feet, retreated to safety with the injured adventurer.


    Meanwhile, I was already preoccupied with one of Asterios''s arms, forced to use Sword Guard, but the knockback effect sent me flying toward the high ceiling of the chamber.


    Asterios''s aggro was unmistakably focused on me as I unleashed two Half-Moon slashes while soaring toward the ceiling.


    The colossal monster roared menacingly, positioning itself to hurl both of its battle axes, initiating the Double Hurling Axe attack.


    As my feet reached the chamber ceiling, I began chanting, "Luna gemina, ferre duos gladios, astrum danza!, Lunar Blade Dance¡±.


    Two enormous battle axes hurtled toward me, and without hesitation, I quickly used Twin-Sword Guard with Kaleidoscope and Durandal, both in their Taichi form.


    The damage was mostly nullified, but the impact cracked the chamber''s ceiling, causing chunks of broken rocks to fall to the floor.


    As the two battle axes descended back to the ground, Dierka¡¯s group and most of the adventurers had already distanced themselves from Asterios.


    The Bull King retrieved his weapons from the ground just as I chanted, ¡°Luna saltus, celeritas et vigor! Dancing Moonlight,¡± using Flash Step to catapult myself toward the colossal monster.


    I released 32 short-range slashes with Devouring Moonflower, dealing substantial damage to Asterios, though it was only a fraction of its colossal health.


    Before I could reposition myself, Asterios''s instant skill activated Counter Bash.


    Luckily, Twin Sword Guard was already available due to Devouring Moonflower, preventing a significant chunk of my HP from being chipped away.


    While I successfully nullified Asterios''s Counter Bash, the knockback effect nearly sent me crashing into the wall, causing a tenth of my HP to be lost due to the impact.


    "Guild Master, watch out!" Dierka shouted as Asterios prepared to unleash one of its devastating skills, Tectonic Sunderstrike.


    Sheathing both of my swords, I poised myself to unleash one of the Blade Dancer''s signature skills, Concurring Blood Moon Eclipse.


    Two curved dark red lights emanated from my swords, colliding with the shockwave released by Asterios''s skill.


    I hoped that Concurring Blood Moon Eclipse would be sufficient to negate Asterios''s Tectonic Sunderstrike, but to my surprise, one of the dark red slashes managed to sneak through and strike Asterios''s body.


    The colossal monster let out a loud shriek as the dark red slash left a carved mark on its body.


    My mana was already running low, but I had no time to consume an MP potion as Asterios entered its second state.


    Asterios relinquished both of his battle axes and began pummeling me with a barrage of destructive punches.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    I managed to dodge most of Asterios''s punches using Flash Step, but whenever I released a Half Moon Slash to maintain Asterios''s aggro, I was compelled to use Full Sword Guard.


    Due to its long cooldown, it left me vulnerable to Asterios''s subsequent barrage of punches, forcing me to resort to Dual Blade Parry, an advanced version of Sword Parry that is only available when Dancing Moonlight is active.


    This allowed me to mitigate 90 percent of the incoming damage.


    Fortunately, both of my swords were unbreakable; otherwise, they would have shattered by now.


    However, the grim news was that my HP was gradually approaching zero.


    The fight was so intense that Dierka and the other adventurers were struggling to provide support.


    Asterios paused for a few seconds as he clasped both of his hands, lifting them high to unleash his Ultimate Skill, Grand Impact, a pulverizing ability that would smite anyone within its premises.


    Without a second thought, I chanted, "Obscurum Circum Nocturnus Artes Saltandi Ferrarius, Moonless Night Parade."


    Both of my swords transformed into pitch black, glistening like obsidian, as a dark aura enveloped them.


    Moonless Night Parade, a level 70 buff of the Blade Dancer Class, consumes all of the user''s mana.


    In exchange, it allows the casting of three different Blade Dancer skills for zero mana.


    It envelops all skills with a darkness attribute, increasing the damage by adding max HP damage per hit.


    I wasn''t looking forward to using this skill, as I only resort to it as a last option, and it pretty much reveals my level to veteran Arcadia players.


    As the gargantuan hands were about to strike me, I cast one of my favorite mobility skills, Shadow Step, repositioning myself above the colossal monster.


    Shadow Step is a darkness attribute skill that allows me to move using shadows but can only be used once during the activation of Moonless Night Parade.


    I heard Dierka shouting my name as Asterios''s skill struck the labyrinth''s floor.


    The intense shockwave destroyed the ground and sent rocks flying around the dungeon.


    Aaron and the other shielder managed to protect the others by using Aegis Wall, a level 40 skill that shields a small area and grants absolute protection for a few seconds to anyone affected.


    However, it has a couple of minutes of cooldown and consumes half of the user''s HP.


    Knowing that everyone was safe, I focused on the colossal monster, which seemed confused and was searching for my body.


    As Asterios the Bull King looked up, a flurry of obsidian slashes rained down on his body.


    Devouring Nightshade, the dark counterpart of Devouring Moonflower, allowed the user to unleash 32 mid-range Pitch Black slashes.


    Asterios''s HP drastically dropped as the slashes carved into his body.


    The monster tried to guard using its two arms, but it''s left arm was severed by the flurry of slashes.


    As the colossal monster was on its last leg and I was slowly falling to the ground with zero mana, I thought to end the monster with my third and final move.


    To my surprise, Asterios dashed toward me with his right arm holding one of his battle axes.


    Unable to reposition myself due to the lack of mana, I accepted my fate as I sheathed both my swords to release the dark counterpart of Concurring Blood Moon Eclipse.


    Concurring Dark Moon Eclipse, the two obsidian slashes instantly severed Asterios''s head and left leg.


    But it''s right arm, holding the giant battle axe, was still moving towards my body.


    I knew that even if Asterios''s body disappeared, its battle axe would still strike me as its dying skill, Revenge Counter, allowed Asterios to launch a death-defying attack that would return one hundred percent of the last damage received.


    In those critical moments, I could only hope that the Necklace of Endurance would work, but I had my doubts, considering I was technically receiving my very own Concurring Dark Moon Eclipse.


    However, two shadows covered my body ¨C it was Aaron and the other shielder.


    It seemed they had been thrown toward my position.


    Both of them cast Shield Guard, attempting to mitigate Asterios''s Revenge Counter.


    I knew that even two Shield Guards wouldn''t be enough to stop the damage, and both would likely perish.


    I despised the idea of experiencing the same feeling I had when Yui saved me.


    As Asterios''s battle axe touched both of their shields, I saw my level increase from level 79 to level 80, replenishing both my MP and HP in the blink of an eye.


    My body glistened as I quickly chanted, "Change Class Enchanter!! Aura Stone! Sword Enchant."


    I grabbed both of the shielders, moving them beside me to create a space to summon Iron Bastion, a level 80 skill available when I¡¯m using Stone Aura.


    Its durability depends on how much vitality status the user has.


    With quick thinking, I casted Status Shift, putting all my stats into Vitality.


    I couldn''t help but wonder if my zero-vitality build would survive even with Stone Skin and Status Boost already active.


    Zero multiplied by any number is zero, after all.


    I smiled a bit, remembering Yui being angry and lecturing me on my status build, despite having just started the game for a couple of days.


    ¡°Portam Ferream Colossalem Invoco, Hostes Obstruere, Iron Bastion" I chanted as I pull the two Shielder.


    A huge Iron Gate appeared in front of me blocking Asterios Giant Battle Axe.


    Asterios''s battle axe dented the huge Iron Gate, and the extreme shockwave threw the three of us against the corridor wall.


    "Stone Skin!, Status Boost!". I instantly casted a few seconds earlier before our bodies touched the wall.


    Both shielders lost more than half of their HP, while a third of my HP was chipped away.


    "Are you okay, Guild Master Leirsa?" Dierka asked, visibly concerned.


    "Still alive, I guess!" I answered jokingly to lower the tension.


    Aaron and the other Shielder seemed to be alright, as they were both already on their feet, drinking HP potions.


    "Swordmaster Leirsa!?" one of the adventurers suddenly mumbled.


    "No wonder you already have access to Blade Dancer''s level 70 skill," he continued.


    I just put one of my fingers on my lips, signaling him to keep it a secret.


    It seems this guy is familiar with Arcadia, probably a seasoned veteran of the game.


    After all, this group did manage to get to Asterios¡¯ Chamber.


    "I''m Jin, a former guild member of Eternity," the Warrior said.


    So that''s why he knew me; Eternity is one of Asia''s Top War Guilds and one of our Guild''s war allies.


    "It''s great to see you in action, Swordmaster Leirsa," he said, smiling.


    I was about to thank Aaron and the other Shielder when purple light enveloped our bodies.


    "It seems that we are being sent back to our home," I said.


    "Thank you for saving us," Jin said as their bodies started to vanish.


    "Till next time, Guild Master," Dierka quickly said.


    "Till next time," I replied.


    In a few moments, I found myself in front of Maceria Northern Gate.

 The Sword Saint Grandson

    A blur of five wooden swords streaked toward me.


    My small hand tightened around my own wooden sword as I struggled to block the simultaneous assault.


    Faster, faster! I urged myself, bracing for the oncoming strikes.


    Whack! Thwack! I managed to deflect two of them, but the remaining three were too fast.


    Thwap, thwap, thwap! A soft impact landed on my right leg, left arm, and abdomen.


    It didn¡¯t hurt,Gramps wasn¡¯t using much force.


    It had been a month since he began teaching me the art of the sword.


    ¡°Tell me, Riel, you can see my sword strikes clearly, can¡¯t you?¡± Gramps asked, amusement flickering in his eyes.


    Fivefold Cleaver, one of the techniques of the Severing Style.


    Five slashes in the blink of an eye.


    ¡°I can see them, but I just can¡¯t block them all,¡± I admitted, a hint of frustration in my voice.


    Gramps chuckled. ¡°Riel, blocking two of those strikes is beyond human capability, especially for a child like you.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean, Gramps?¡± I asked, curiosity piqued.


    "Your strength, speed, and even intelligence already surpass most adults," Gramps replied calmly.


    "You¡¯re not a normal kid.


    That¡¯s why I asked your parents to train you in the ways of the sword, to help you control your inhuman abilities so you can live a normal life," he added.


    "I thought my grandkids would be ordinary since your father didn¡¯t inherit it," he continued, his tone thoughtful.


    "I don¡¯t think there¡¯s anything wrong with it, Gramps," I said.


    "Sure, it¡¯s a hassle when I keep snapping pencils and tearing paper whenever Mom tries to teach me writing, but I just need time to get used to it," I added.


    "Do your eyes hurt?" Gramps asked.


    "Not really, but sometimes they feel¡­ strange. Like the world freezes for a moment," I answered.


    Gramps reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, circular silver watch, handing it to me.


    As I stared at its polished surface, my reflection caught my attention and for a brief moment, I was mesmerized.


    My once black eyes now shimmered with an enigmatic purple hue.


    "Just as I suspected¡­ you weren¡¯t even aware of it," Gramps muttered, handing me a pair of glasses.


    "What are these, Gramps?" I asked curiously.


    "They''re mystic glasses. They conceal the unnatural glow of Cursed Eyes," he explained.


    "I see¡­ Cursed Eyes, huh," I muttered with a sigh.


    "But they¡¯re still in their pre-awakened state," Gramps said, locking eyes with me.


    I slipped on the mystic glasses and slowly turned to the mirror.


    My reflection stared back, my eyes, once glowing with an enigmatic purple hue, now looked completely normal, as black as obsidian.


    A small smile crept onto my face. I could still live a normal life.


    Just then, a chorus of growls echoed through the air, and Gramps let out a hearty laugh.


    "Looks like all this sword training and serious talk worked up an appetite," he chuckled.


    "Let¡¯s clean up and eat Grandma¡¯s special lunch!" I said eagerly.


    I never asked how or why my grandfather was so skilled with a sword.


    His stories were enough for me.


    As far as I knew, he was just a traveler, a sword collector, and a loving grandfather.


    My mornings were spent training under his guidance, learning the art of the sword. The rest of the day, I played with the neighborhood kids like any other child.


    It didn¡¯t take long for me to learn how to suppress my abilities and blend in.


    Every so often, Gramps would leave for another country, staying away for weeks at a time.


    He never returned empty-handed, always bringing souvenirs, local delicacies, handcrafted trinkets¡­ and without fail, a new sword.


    This was our routine, our endless summer.


    Until the summer of my sixth grade year.


    Gramps died protecting Grandma and their home from thieves.


    On the day of his funeral, the sky stretched endlessly above us, shrouded in a somber gray.


    Heaven itself was holding back its tears.


    The skin around my eyes was swollen from hours of crying.


    Even though most of my memories with Gramps were filled with laughter and warmth, the thought of never seeing him again shattered my heart.


    The pain was unlike anything I had ever felt, an invisible wound that left me hollow inside.


    Regret weighed on me like a heavy chain.


    Was it really raining, or were my tears the only ones falling as I whispered my final goodbye?


    Do people always leave the world with a smile? I wondered as I gazed at Gramps¡¯ peaceful, smirking face.


    It was as if he were simply lost in a dream.


    "Goodnight, Gramps¡­ sweet dreams," I murmured, forcing the best smile I could through my sobs.


    The funeral hall was a sea of black and white.The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    White orchids adorned the room, their soft petals a stark contrast to the mourning attire.


    Beyond our family, at least seven different groups had gathered, many of them foreigners.


    Though the personal guards of some guests tried to remain inconspicuous, I could tell they were heavily armed, their eyes constantly scanning the surroundings.


    As time passed, most of the guests gradually left.


    Yet, one group remained.


    An old man with piercing blue eyes stood among them.


    Dad seemed to know him, they spoke briefly before Dad turned to me.


    "He wants to talk to you, Riel," he said calmly.


    "Gramps¡¯ friend?" I asked.


    "Yeah. My dad¡¯s best friend¡­ and former teammate," Dad replied.


    I nodded and stepped forward, approaching the burly old man.


    His gaze was sharp, assessing me in silence before he finally spoke.


    "Hello, Tora¡¯s grandson.


    I¡¯m Andrei Eisenhawk, your grandfather¡¯s friend," he greeted, extending a firm hand toward me.


    "Asriel Sanchez, Mr. Eisenhawk," I responded, accepting his handshake.


    His grip was strong, his palm rough with calluses, just like Gramps''.


    Mr. Eisenhawk gestured for me to sit on a bench, a bit farther from his personal bodyguards.


    Some of them subtly dispersed, keeping watch over the venue.


    "Asriel, do you know of Shiratora Kurokiba?" he asked.


    I nodded. "He''s the Sword Saint who ended the last human war.


    Wielding black swords and a unique sword style, he cut down hundreds, including notorious dictators, warlords, and ruthless leaders."


    Mr. Eisenhawk¡¯s expression remained unreadable as he spoke.


    "Tora Sanchez¡­ was Shiratora Kurokiba¡¯s alias."


    A part of me wasn¡¯t surprised.


    The pocket watch he had given me to examine my purple eyes had an engraving inside, S. Tora K.


    "I had a hunch Gramps was the Sword Saint," I admitted, "but to me, he was just Gramps."


    Mr. Eisenhawk let out a small chuckle.


    "That explains why he¡¯s been smiling more in recent years when he visits me."


    "He probably just wanted to check in on you once in a while," I replied.


    "Even after leaving that life behind, he still worried and kept watch," he mused.


    Then his expression darkened.


    "Your grandfather¡­ Tora¡­ didn¡¯t die at the hands of a couple of thieves."


    I exhaled slowly.


    "I figured as much after seeing the room where he died."


    Mr. Eisenhawk''s eyes narrowed, listening intently.


    "The destruction in the room, it was clear Gramps used Severing Style: Sky Splitter and Moon Rend.


    That means he wasn¡¯t fighting ordinary people¡­ there were at least a dozen of them."


    His eyes widened slightly.


    "You¡¯re sharp, young man. There were indeed over a dozen bodies found in that room."


    I nodded. "Gramps was probably caught off guard after exhausting himself using Moon Rend.


    But what truly surprised me¡­ was that someone managed to negate Sky Splitter."


    "Sky Splitter is a ranged attack of the Severing Style, it extends the sword¡¯s reach by manipulating the surrounding air, essentially creating a wind blade."


    "Moon Rend is a technique of the Severing Style, executed by swiftly moving to an opponent¡¯s blind spot before delivering a semi-circular slash," I explained.


    Mr. Eisenhawk regarded me with a mix of admiration and curiosity.


    "You really are just like in Tora¡¯s stories¡­ mastering the Severing Style at the age of ten."


    "Mr. Eisenhawk, can I ask you something?" I inquired.


    "Of course. And call me Drei, young man," he replied with a warm smile.


    "Old man Drei, was there a single-handed sword and pistol user among the bodies Gramps left behind?" I asked.


    Drei¡¯s expression shifted, he hesitated for a moment, visibly surprised by my question.


    "I¡¯m afraid not¡­ but I do know of someone who fits that description.


    A cutlass wielder who carries a custom flintlock pistol, Scarlett Rain, the youngest captain of Gladius," he revealed.


    "Gladius?" I murmured, intrigued.


    "A ruthless criminal syndicate obsessed with collecting relics, particularly ancient swords.


    They¡¯ll do anything to get their hands on them, including mass slaughter, town-wide destruction, and even assassinations of high-ranking figures," Drei explained.


    "In short¡­ a group of sword fanatics killed Gramps," I muttered, my voice laced with fury as an intense killing intent surged from within me.


    "Calm yourself, young man," Drei cautioned.


    I took a deep breath. "I am calm.


    You¡¯re probably right, Scarlett Rain was the one responsible.


    It makes sense why Gramps used Sky Splitter and Moon Rend, he likely used Sky Splitter to break her sword and Moon Rend to eliminate everyone around her."


    I clenched my fists.


    "But I can¡¯t see Gramps killing a young girl¡­ and that hesitation probably cost him his life.


    He was caught off guard and shot to death."


    Drei looked at me with glassy eyes, his voice thick with emotion.


    "No wonder Tora was so happy these past few years.


    He had a grandson¡­ a successor¡­ and a friend who truly understood him," he said with a bittersweet smile.


    "Gramps¡¯ Severing Style was honed to cut down all evil in the world.


    A beautiful sword art without a single defensive form, designed solely to sever anything and everything," I stated firmly.


    Drei¡¯s expression turned solemn.


    "The world is on the brink of chaos because of Gladius.


    And with the Sword Saint gone, things are spiraling out of control.


    Riel¡­ would you help us maintain order?"


    I met his gaze without hesitation.


    "As the successor of the Severing Style and the Sword Saint¡¯s grandson¡­ I¡¯d love to.


    And just call me Riel, old man", I replied.


    A spark of hope flickered in Drei¡¯s eyes at my answer.


    "But you¡¯re still young," he cautioned.


    "I know I just asked for your help, but¡­"


    "Don¡¯t worry about it," I interrupted.


    "From the moment I understood Gramps¡¯ Severing Style, I knew I¡¯d use it to uphold the legacy he left behind."


    A thought crossed my mind, and I smirked.


    "Besides¡­ you¡¯ve already helped me.


    These mystic glasses Gramps gave me, it came from you, didn¡¯t it?"


    Drei chuckled. "Your insight is almost scary."


    "The Cursed Eye of Perception¡­ that¡¯s what Tora temporarily named them," he added, glancing at my eyes now free of the mystic glasses.


    "Thanks to them, I was able to live normally for a while," I said gratefully.


    Old Man Drei nodded. "It seems your father expected this.


    He¡¯s left the decision up to you, whether you want to follow in Tora¡¯s footsteps or not."


    I exhaled. "Even if Dad never learned the way of the sword, he¡¯s still the Sword Saint¡¯s son.


    Gramps wanted him to live freely, and he did.


    But I¡¯ve made my choice."


    I straightened.


    "I¡¯ll come to America after my second year of secondary school."


    Old Man Drei smiled.


    "I see.


    I¡¯ll make the necessary preparations, including your continued education."


    "Thanks, Old Man Drei! I won¡¯t lie, I¡¯m excited to see the world the way Gramps did," I admitted, grinning.


    Old Man Drei chuckled, placing a firm hand on my shoulder.


    "Well, I suppose this is goodbye for now. It¡¯s been a pleasure talking with you, Riel."


    "Till next time, Old Man," I said with a nod.


    As Mr. Andrei Eisenhawk walked away to speak with my father, I made my way back to Gramps¡¯ grave.


    I placed a hand on the tombstone, my voice barely above a whisper.


    "You had a pretty great best friend, Gramps."


    I took a deep breath, the weight of reality settling in.


    ¡°I guess I¡¯ll start my own tale, so you¡¯ll have a lot of stories to hear when we meet again, Bye bye, Gramps¡±, I said sadly as a tear flowed from my right eye.

 Battle Royale

    It¡¯s been almost two years since Gramps¡¯ funeral, and the end of my second year of secondary school is just a few weeks away.


    "Where are you going this summer, Asriel?" Leo asked.


    "To America, I guess," I answered truthfully.


    "Woah! That¡¯s awesome!...a vacation on the other side of the world!" Leo exclaimed excitedly.


    "You¡¯re staying there, aren¡¯t you, Asriel?" Ash suddenly said.


    Ash had always been perceptive about things like this.


    "Yeah, I¡¯ll be there for a while," I admitted.


    "So that¡¯s why¡­ It¡¯s been so fun this past year," Leo said, a little downcast.


    "We spent so much time together¡­


    playing, chatting, and even having sleepovers", Leo added.


    "It felt like these last few months, you were trying to do everything that made you happy," Ash stated.


    "Kinda¡­" I replied with a small smile.


    "So, when¡¯s your flight?" Ash asked.


    "Two days from now," I said.


    "Then we should hit the arcade, eat some roasted meat, and crash at Ash¡¯s place for a sleepover," Leo suggested enthusiastically.


    "Might as well," I agreed, considering that Leo¡¯s birthday was coming up in a month.


    "So let¡¯s make one more happy memory together," Ash said.


    "Tomorrow, usual place?" Leo asked, excited as usual.


    "Sure!" I replied happily.


    "Ash?" Leo pressed.


    "Looking forward to it," Ash said with a nod.


    I could hear the slight sadness in their voices, but this was for the best, one last good memory before I left.


    That night, I logged into Arcadia Online one last time to bid farewell to my guild and take part in the game''s first-ever Cross-Server Battle Royale.


    It had taken me over two years to build a character that matched my real-life agility.


    My entire guild had even skipped the event just to watch and support their Guild Master.


    The Battle of the Masters, a one-against-all event where 100 of the highest-ranking players were dropped into a randomly generated battlefield spanning ten kilometers in diameter.


    No item restrictions.


    No rules.


    The battle would only end when one player remained standing.


    I equipped Kotetsu, a legendary-class uchigatana based on a famous sword crafted by the legendary swordsmith Nagasone Kotetsu, one of Gramps¡¯ favorite blades.


    For armor, I wore Skywalker, a lightweight set crafted from Aetherium a lightweight rare ore


    and Wind Dragon Zephyros¡¯ scales and leather.


    The Skywalker set boosted movement speed, attack speed, and magic resistance while doubling the user''s stamina.


    Meanwhile, Kotetsu removed the normal attack speed limit, allowing more than four strikes per second and grants armor penetration based on the user¡¯s attack power.


    However, its major drawback was that the defense-ignoring effect also applied to the wielder, making it a double-edged sword.


    In essence, I was a swift, lightly-armored swordsman with solid magic resistance but for me there is almost no room for error.


    The Swordmaster class was one of the most controversial ultimate classes in Arcadia Online.


    It had only three active skills:


    Flash Step , A high-speed movement ability that grants brief invincibility during activation (also available in other classes).


    Elemental Blade , Coated the user''s weapon with all elements, allowing attacks to bypass barriers and strike even ethereal beings.


    Swordmaster¡¯s Art , Arguably a passive skill, but one that allowed the user to wield every sword technique in Arcadia and in the real world.


    The only catch? You have to execute it yourself.


    Normally, active sword skills follow a predetermined pattern, once activated, they always produce the same effect.


    However, Swordmaster¡¯s Art allows the user to replicate sword skills based on the user''s own perception of the sword skill/technique.


    In simpler terms, it grants complete freedom in wielding any type of sword.


    The drawback? It relies entirely on the user''s imagination and interpretation, meaning the effectiveness of an attack varies depending on the wielder¡¯s skill and understanding.


    In other words, Swordmaster¡¯s Art is a direct reflection of the user''s swordsmanship.


    Some players loved this level of freedom, but most despised it.


    The passive abilities of the class didn¡¯t help much either.


    While some increased innate attributes like speed, strength, magic resistance, defense, and vitality, the actual gameplay experience was vastly different from how it sounded on paper.


    A body moving at twice, even three times its real-world speed seemed like a dream, but in practice, players often crashed into walls or tripped over their own feet.


    The in-game effects were manageable, but the real-life side effects were far worse, many players reported motion sickness, disorientation, or even feeling like the world around them was moving in slow motion.


    For most, the class required inhuman reaction time and was simply too impractical.


    But for a few, Swordmaster was invaluable, a class that transcended human physical limitations, something every swordsman dreamed of.


    A class that was either extraordinary or completely useless.


    I stopped by our Guild Castle, where my guildmates were gathered, waiting for the event to begin.


    All my guild officers sat together in one corner, while hundreds of members eagerly watched a large, screen-like projection, a newly added Guild Castle feature.


    "Guild Master! Good luck!"


    "Enjoy the event, Guild Master!"


    "You got this!"


    My guildmates cheered as I waved back, opening my event invitation.


    Only a few minutes remained when I arrived at the preparation venue.


    The other participants stood confidently, many of them equipped with legendary class gear.


    Still, I noticed a few players looking uneasy at the sight of me.


    I couldn''t blame them.


    I was probably the only crazy person entering a no-rules battle royale alone.


    Several players belonged to the same guild, their matching guild emblems displayed on their gear.


    Thirty seconds until deployment.


    "Are you underestimating us, Endless Guild Master?!"


    A female paladin, Ariadne, spoke in a stern voice.


    "Of course not, Miss Ariadne," I replied with a smirk. Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    "I¡¯ll do my best to let everyone have a taste of my blade."


    Ariadne unsheathed her sword just as the event abruptly started, teleporting all participants to the battlefield.


    "Ariadne¡¯s avatar looks stunning.


    If only she weren¡¯t so short-tempered, she¡¯d be perfect," I mused.


    I quickly spotted Cassandra and Tristan, standing silently beside her.


    That made three members from Avalon, one of Europe''s strongest guilds.


    The competition was fierce, players from all over the world had joined.


    A chill ran down my spine.


    It was expected.


    This was the first-ever cross-server event, featuring only the top 100 ranking players and dangling a random Forbidden Skill as one of the rewards.


    Looking around, I realized I had been transported to a replica of London.


    The Clock Tower stood in the distance, surrounded by eclectic styles, and elaborate designs of architecture.


    The battlefield was always a randomly generated location based on real-world places.


    This time, it was London, most likely the Victorian Era.


    Not even a minute has passed  and explosions are already echoing across the battlefield.


    Guildmates could team up in this event, so multiple players from the same guild had entered together.


    To my surprise, a guild is already targeting me.


    Walking through the streets, a barrage of deadly arrows suddenly rained down on my position.


    With quick footwork, I propelled myself several meters away from my last location.


    Judging by the arrows'' trajectory, the shooter was positioned at the top Clock Tower.


    Before I could react further, three unknown players suddenly closed the distance.


    A Berserker from above.


    A Phantom from the left.


    A Sentinel from the right.


    Judging by their emblems, they were from Byakko.


    One of Japan¡¯s largest guilds.


    With mere seconds to react, I decided to take out the Berserker first and make my way to the nearby rooftop.


    But then, I noticed his skill animation¡­ he was about to unleash Earth Shatter, a powerful area-of-effect attack using a warhammer.


    Not an ideal move for group combat.


    Which could only mean one thing.


    The Phantom and Sentinel were illusions made by the Phantom itself using the skill Walking Mirage.


    If I attacked either of them, the Berserker would seize the opportunity to land Earth Shatter, crippling my mobility and making me an easy target for the Artillery-class archer stationed in the Clock Tower.


    They were probably lying in wait, ready to ambush me mid-air the moment I tried to escape.


    They planned this well.


    But they overlooked one critical flaw, these old buildings weren¡¯t sturdy enough to shield them from my sword.


    I grinned, unsheathing Kotetsu in a flash before leaping a few meters backward.


    Severing Style¡­ First Form: Heaven Splitter.


    A slanted horizontal slash tore through the air, aimed directly at the Berserker.


    Unable to dodge, the Berserker¡¯s body was cleaved in half.


    But before he vanished, his eyes widened in shock.


    He wasn¡¯t the only one cut.


    A kilometer-wide area of buildings had been sliced clean through, now collapsing around us.


    The Phantom and Sentinel, caught off guard, leapt from the falling debris, exactly as I expected.


    Before they could react, I swiftly eliminated them both with two consecutive quick slashes.


    Now with the buildings gone, my cover from the Artillery¡¯s attacks was gone too.


    In an instant, a barrage of elemental arrows came raining down toward me.


    Astral Torrent a wide area range skill of Artillery one of Archer¡¯s Ultimate Class


    ¡°You¡¯re really ruthless, Nao-chan.¡±


    I smirked, thinking of Byakko¡¯s Guild Master, Naomi Kusakabe, as hundreds of deadly arrows closed in.


    ¡°Time to run.¡±


    I whispered, dashing out of the blast zone with my agility.


    Byakko was part of the Endless Guild Alliance, but when it came to events like this, friendships didn¡¯t count.


    Leaving Naomi alone would be a mistake, she had a habit of changing the battlefield entirely when things weren¡¯t going her way.


    Instead of escaping, I sprinted straight toward the Clock Tower.


    Strangely, Naomi didn¡¯t fire another shot.


    When I reached her, she was already waiting for me, a wry smile on her face.


    ¡°Earl told me you¡¯re moving to the US,¡± she suddenly said with a sad tone.


    ¡°I was planning to tell the Alliance after this event¡±, I said.


    ¡°So it¡¯s true?¡± she asked, her voice filled with sadness.


    "Yes, I¡¯ll be leaving Endless for a while," I replied.


    "We wanted to challenge the strongest Swordmaster one last time.


    I hope you enjoy our little challenge, Swordmaster Leirsa," Nao-chan said with a smirk.


    "Thanks. It was fun," I admitted.


    "I hope to see you again, Swordmaster Leirsa," she added before forfeiting and vanishing from the battlefield.


    "50 players remaining," the system announced.


    Half the battlefield and half the players are left, I thought, gazing out from the Clock Tower.


    In a battle royale, the most effective strategy is usually to avoid unnecessary fights, picking off weaker opponents when the opportunity arises.


    But I didn¡¯t come here to win.


    I came to test my skills and enjoy one last event in Arcadia Online before heading to the US.


    Dashing across the rooftops, I searched for my next opponent.


    It didn¡¯t take long before I ran into Avalon.


    As expected, they were still in peak condition, unfazed by the battles so far.


    "You really are crazy, Swordmaster Leirsa.


    No wonder not a single one of your guild members joined," Ariadne commented.


    "Did you check your kill score?" she asked.


    I glanced at it. "Twenty-three."


    "Twenty of them were wiped out instantly when you used that sword skill."


    "Oops. My bad," I shrugged.


    "If I had known you were going to use Kotetsu, I would¡¯ve picked an agility-based class instead of this bulky one," Ariadne grumbled.


    "That means you also know my weakness, physical attacks," I pointed out.


    "She really wants to beat you," Tristan said, amused.


    "She even maxed out her gear to make sure she wouldn¡¯t die instantly," Cassandra added.


    "Tristan! Cassy!" Ariadne protested, flustered.


    I sheathed Kotetsu and drew another legendary blade, Kusanagi no Tsurugi.


    Unlike Kotetsu, which negates defenses, Kusanagi doubles the area of effect for sword skills.


    And with its Forbidden Skill: Limitless, it expands the area of effect tenfold.


    While it doesn¡¯t bypass defenses, its sheer range is lethal in a melee battle.


    I pointed my sword at Ariadne. "Ariadne, I challenge you to a duel."


    She grinned. "I gladly accept."


    "We¡¯ll make sure no one interferes," Tristan assured.


    "Yeah, and we¡¯ll stay just close enough to be in your sword skill range.


    So¡­ good luck, Aria," Cassandra teased before stepping away with Tristan.


    "You¡¯re not backing away before we start?" I asked.


    "With Kusanagi in play? There¡¯s no point," she replied.


    "Then let¡¯s begin."


    Ariadne had already activated three of the strongest Paladin buffs:


    Divine Armor: Negates all status effects for several minutes (stun, slow, petrify, bleed, etc.).


    Absolute Defense: Doubles her HP and Defense but drains 5% HP per second.


    Dragon Slayer: Increases all stats by 50% and grants 10% HP regen per second.


    This was exactly why I brought Kotetsu in the first place, Paladins with maxed defense are nearly invincible in melee.


    I had two options:


    Stall until her buffs expire¡­cowardly, and not my style.


    Or use Elemental Blades to counter her healing.


    I chose the latter, coating Kusanagi with an ice element using Elemental Blade, reducing Ariadne¡¯s healing by half.


    Ariadne lunged forward, her Divine Slash charging at full power.


    Two seconds..


    That¡¯s all it took to fully charge her attack.


    With Excalibur, which doubles divine-element damage, her attack was strong enough to collapse the building as she slammed it into the ground.


    I dodged, but another player on the lower floor wasn¡¯t as lucky, eliminated on impact.


    "Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re just going to hop around like a rabbit, Swordmaster Leirsa," she taunted.


    I grinned and unleashed four consecutive Lightning Thrusts.


    Forgetting Kusanagi¡¯s extended range, three of them hit, taking almost a third of her HP instantly.


    She immediately jumped back to create distance, but I didn¡¯t let up, relentlessly attacking.


    Her HP was already in the red zone, but I knew her game.


    She was baiting me, waiting to activate Divine Punishment, the Paladin''s signature move.


    It reflects 100% of the damage received onto the attacker as a true strike¡­ undodgeable, unblockable.


    The only problem is that it required two seconds of uninterrupted focus to cast.


    That is the two seconds she wouldn¡¯t get.


    With inhuman speed, I darted into her blind spot, delivering rapid strikes before she could react.


    Her HP hit zero.


    or so I thought.


    I forgot or simply it slipped my mind about Divine Favor, the Paladin¡¯s hidden passive that restores 10% HP when they hit zero for the first time.


    The system canceled Divine Punishment, but Ariadne wasn¡¯t done.


    "Final Moment"


    She activated Excalibur¡¯s Forbidden Skill¡ªa final, suicidal Divine Slash in exchange for her own life.


    A massive white slash cleaved the battlefield in half, vaporizing two-thirds of the remaining players.


    I barely survived thanks to knowing the skill by watching her past fights, but still she took my left arm.


    She really never gives up.


    No wonder some players nicknamed her "Zombie Paladin."


    17 players left.


    Switching back to Kotetsu, I reshaped it into a one-handed sword.


    Guess I¡¯m stuck using one hand for the rest of this fight.


    Most of the remaining players were on the brink of death since healers never participated in battle royales.


    Some collapsed from poison, curse, or bleeding, while others fell in double knockouts.


    Only after a few minutes the player number quickly dwindles into six.


    After eliminating five more barely-alive players, the battle royale that only lasted for an hour came to an end.

 Farewell Home

    A sleek black car suddenly pulled up in front of our house. A tall, blond man in his mid-30s stepped out and waved at me.


    The night before my departure to the US, I had received an email from my grandfather¡¯s friend, Andrei Eisenhawk:


    "Good day, Asriel. I hope you''re doing well. I''ve asked my son, Seth, to escort you safely to the US. He will pick you up at 2:00 PM from your house. I hope you have a safe trip. Godspeed.


    ¨C Andrei Eisenhawk."


    With my parents having already packed my things, I was simply waiting for Seth to arrive when the car appeared. Mom and Dad had shared everything they wanted to say the night before, after I had already bid farewell to my twin siblings.


    "You must be Asriel," the man said.


    "Yes," I replied.


    "I''m Seth Eisenhawk, Andrei¡¯s son.


    Nice to meet you, Asriel. You can call me Uncle Seth," he greeted.


    "My dad probably mentioned that I¡¯d be the one escorting you to the US," he added.


    "He did," I confirmed.


    "Are you all set?"


    "Just a moment, I¡¯d like to say goodbye to my parents one last time," I replied.


    After placing my luggage in the car, I turned back to my parents, who stood a few meters away.


    "I''ll be going now, Mom, Dad," I said.


    "Take care of yourself, son," Dad said.


    "Don¡¯t forget to check in with us at least once a week," Mom added.


    "I will," I assured them.


    "Make sure to come back, Riel," she said, her voice trembling slightly.


    "I will be back home," I promised with a smile as both my parents embraced me one last time.


    Uncle Seth opened the passenger door for me, and as I closed it behind me, I saw my parents waving goodbye.


    "You okay?" Uncle Seth asked.


    "I''m okay," I replied.


    The drive to the airport took about an hour.


    When we arrived, the car pulled up near a small private plane where several military personnel stood waiting.


    As I stepped out, they saluted us before we boarded.


    "You seem pretty calm for a kid, especially for someone traveling so far from home," Uncle Seth remarked as I settled into my seat.


    "I won¡¯t lie¡­ I¡¯m a little bit excited. My grandpa told me so many great stories about the US," I admitted.


    "I see¡­ you really are the Sword Saint¡¯s grandson," he said with a smirk.


    A military flight attendant soon approached and asked for my meal preferences.


    "An iced coffee milk and some cookies would be great," I replied.


    She smiled and turned to Uncle Seth for his order.


    A few minutes later, she returned and set my snack on the table.


    "Thanks!" I said politely.


    "If you need anything else, just press that green button," she informed me before moving on.


    "Did you enjoy your snack, Asriel?" Uncle Seth asked.


    "I did. It was great. And you can just call me Riel, Uncle Seth," I replied.


    He nodded before continuing. "About your education, Dad decided you¡¯ll be continuing your studies at a military school."


    I blinked. "A military school?"


    "Don¡¯t worry. You¡¯ll still learn everything you would in a normal school, just with a bit of extra military training," he assured me.


    "Great," I said, though I wasn¡¯t entirely sure I believed him.


    The flight lasted about twelve hours.


    Though I managed to sleep a bit, I also enjoyed the food and Uncle Seth¡¯s company.


    When we landed, I checked my watch, it¡¯s 3:32 AM. But when I looked outside, the bright sunlight and the sharp angle of the tree shadows suggested it was actually a few hours past noon.


    The drastic time difference made me realize just how far from home I really was.


    "We''re here, Riel," Uncle Seth said, extending a hand to help me up.


    "Thanks," I replied, grasping his hand.


    "I know you¡¯re still tired, but my dad wants to see you as soon as you arrive," he said.


    "It¡¯s fine. Let¡¯s go meet Old Man Drei," I said as we disembarked.


    "Welcome to UNION¡¯s main headquarters, Riel," Andrei Eisenhawk greeted us.


    A few military officers saluted Uncle Seth as we approached.


    "Welcome home, Dad," a young girl with blue eyes and blond hair said with a smile, resembling both Uncle Seth and Old Man Drei.


    "Is he really that strong for Dad to personally bring him here?" the girl asked.


    "Sorry, Riel, she¡¯s just a little upset," Uncle Seth said before introducing her. "This is my daughter, Diana Eisenhawk."


    "Nice to meet you, Miss Diana. I¡¯m Asriel Sanchez," I greeted politely.


    She studied me intently before suddenly turning to her grandfather. "Grandpa, can I test his abilities first?"


    "But he just arrived, and Asriel is still tired from the long trip," Uncle Seth pointed out.


    "Aren¡¯t you curious about his capabilities, Dad?" Diana pressed.


    Uncle Seth let out a sigh before admitting, "I am, but Asriel needs time to rest."


    "It¡¯s fine, Uncle Seth," I interjected. "What do I need to do?"


    "Hmm¡­ I¡¯ll acknowledge you if you can defeat at least five of our strongest soldiers," Diana challenged.


    The soldiers escorting Old Man Drei shot me evaluating looks, clearly assessing my potential.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    "Alright," I agreed. "But if I pass, you have to spend a day giving me a tour around the base."


    "Deal," she smirked. "But I¡¯ll be your final opponent."


    "Seems like you two have already come to an agreement," Old Man Andrei chuckled.


    "Let¡¯s head to the training area."


    As we arrived at the venue, I took a moment to size up my opponents.


    They were quite tall, muscular, and radiated the kind of presence that warned people not to mess with them.


    Compared to them, It wasn¡¯t exactly like David against Goliath, but it felt more like Goliath versus one of the Seven Dwarfs.


    After a short ride in a military vehicle, we reached the training grounds.


    "We¡¯re here!" Old Man Drei announced.


    As we stepped onto the field, I noticed even more soldiers gathered around, likely intrigued by the challenge.


    I removed my glasses as I approached my first opponent, a towering six-foot-tall man packed with muscle.


    "What kind of fight are we doing?" I asked.


    "Hand-to-hand combat," the burly man replied.


    "Alright," I said simply.


    "Get him, Bruno!" Diana cheered.


    "Bruno, don¡¯t underestimate him, or you¡¯ll regret it," Old Man Drei warned.


    The moment the fight began, Bruno lunged at me, throwing a powerful right hook as he closed in.


    To his shock, I caught his punch with my left palm and countered with a swift right palm strike to his abdomen.


    A second later, he was sent flying a few meters away, unconscious.


    A stunned silence fell over the spectators.


    "So, who¡¯s next?" I asked.


    "What¡­ just happened?" Diana blurted out.


    "I forgot to mention," Old Man Drei said with a chuckle. "Asriel is also a blessed child."


    "Ehhh?!" Diana exclaimed, eyes wide in disbelief.


    The remaining four officers hesitated, and soon after, they backed away while medics rushed in to carry Bruno to the infirmary.


    "Why are you all backing out?" I asked.


    "Because they know what a blessed child is capable of," Uncle Seth said, glancing at Diana.


    "They spar with my daughter daily, but none of them have ever seen Bruno taken out with a single strike," he added.


    "So, are you still planning to challenge him, Dia?" Old Man Drei asked.


    "Asriel, you win if you manage to survive this," Diana said before suddenly firing seven bullets from her sidearm.


    Just like before, I saw the bullets moving in slow motion. After analyzing their trajectory, I remained completely still.


    All seven bullets hit the ground, missing me entirely.


    "How the hell did you know I wasn¡¯t going to hit you?" Diana demanded.


    "The bullets told me," I replied, my bright purple eyes meeting hers.


    "The Cursed Eyes of Perception," Old Man Drei murmured.


    I slipped my glasses back on.


    "You passed, Asriel," he announced.


    "Passed what, exactly?" I asked politely.


    "I¡¯ll explain later," he said.


    "But first, let¡¯s get something to eat. Asriel hasn¡¯t had a meal in over six hours," Uncle Seth pointed out.


    Just then, a beautiful woman approached and handed me two sandwiches wrapped in wax paper along with a cold soda.


    "Mom!" Diana exclaimed, walking over to her.


    "Dia, I know your grandpa asked for your help, but shooting Asriel was a bit excessive," Diana¡¯s mother said before turning to me and offering another sandwich along with an orange juice.


    "It¡¯s not like I aimed to hit him, I just did what Grandpa said," Diana huffed, shifting the blame.


    "Ah¡­ My bad," Old Man Drei admitted.


    "But this confirms it, you are both a blessed child and a bearer of cursed eyes," he added.


    "Diana also has cursed eyes, though they work differently from yours," her mother explained.


    "She can see the movements of people and objects a few seconds into the future," she continued.


    "I named it the Cursed Eyes of Premonition," Old Man Drei stated.


    "Then why was she surprised that the bullets didn¡¯t hit me?" I asked.


    "Your cursed eyes probably overpowered hers. That¡¯s my theory," Diana¡¯s mother replied.


    "You¡¯re saying his cursed eyes are stronger than mine?" Diana asked, frowning.


    "Most likely. That¡¯s the only explanation I can think of for now," her mother answered.


    "Anyway, Asriel won. And if I recall, you promised to give him a tour of the base tomorrow," Uncle Seth reminded Diana.


    "Fine, I will," she agreed.


    After our afternoon snack, Old Man Drei took me to his office to handle some paperwork.


    "Should I call you Commander Andrei?" I asked as he sorted through the documents.


    "You can call me whatever you like, Riel. But when we¡¯re in front of military officials, ''Commander Andrei'' would be best," he said.


    "I¡¯m assigning you as a member of Genesis," he added.


    "Genesis?" I repeated.


    "It¡¯s a secret unit tasked with protecting and retrieving relics," he explained.


    "I see. So, when do I start retrieving relics?" I asked jokingly.


    "Not just yet, Riel. First, you need proper training," he replied with a knowing smile.


    "I see. So, I guess that¡¯s everything. I was just wondering, where will I be staying?" I asked, still holding onto my baggage.


    Before Old Man Drei could respond, Uncle Seth walked in. "Dad, let me show Riel to the place he¡¯ll be staying," he offered.


    "Thanks, son. I¡¯ll leave him in your hands," Old Man Drei replied.


    As we walked, Uncle Seth suddenly spoke up.


    "Sorry about what happened this afternoon. My dad and my daughter got a little too excited to see what you could do," he said with a slight chuckle.


    "It¡¯s okay. I know they didn¡¯t mean any harm," I replied.


    "Besides, I feel like I didn¡¯t even get to show much."


    "There¡¯s no need to feel bad about that," he reassured me.


    "I¡¯m sure everyone will see your full potential soon enough¡±, he added.


    We continued walking down the hall.


    "I hope you and my daughter get along. She can be a bit boyish and childish at times, but once you get to know her, I¡¯m sure you two will be good friends," he added.


    "I think so too," I said with a small nod.


    After a few minutes, we arrived in front of a three-story, apartment-style building.


    "This is where you¡¯ll be staying," Uncle Seth said as we stepped inside.


    "Your room is on the second floor", he added.


    As we climbed the stairs, a young man around my age approached us.


    "And this guy will be your roommate," Uncle Seth continued, gesturing toward him.


    "I¡¯m Nikola Fischer," the young man introduced himself, shaking my hand.


    "Asriel Sanchez. Nice to meet you, Nikola," I replied.


    "I¡¯ll show him to his room, Commander Seth," Nikola suddenly offered.


    "Thanks. I¡¯ll be heading out then," Uncle Seth said before leaving.


    Once he was gone, Nikola turned to me with a curious expression. "You must be pretty important for a commander to personally show you your room."


    "Not really," I said, shaking my head.


    "You can call me Niko," he offered.


    "Then you can call me Riel," I replied with a small smile.


    Niko took a few minutes to show me around the first floor, which served as both a lobby and a mess hall.


    "This is our room," he said as he pushed open the door.


    The room was about six meters long, with two beds on either side, leaving a couple of meters of aisle space in between.


    Two study tables and chairs were neatly placed near the walls.


    "Is the left bed okay for you?" Niko asked.


    "It¡¯s actually bigger than my old one," I replied, setting my bags down.


    "So, where are you from, Riel?" he asked out of the blue.


    I was about to answer when I suddenly remembered Uncle Seth¡¯s advice to keep most of my personal information private.


    Sensing my hesitation, Niko rephrased his question. "Sorry, I wasn¡¯t specific enough. What continent are you from?"


    "I¡¯m from Asia," I answered.


    His eyes lit up. "Do you play Arcadia Online?" he asked excitedly.


    "I¡¯ve played a bit," I admitted.


    "Then do you know Swordmaster Leirsa?" he asked eagerly.


    I paused before answering. "Yeah, I know him."


    "Why do you ask?" I said, slightly curious.


    "You see, I participated in the recent Cross-Server Battle Royale a few days ago just to fight him," he said.


    "But Avalon took me out before I even got the chance," he added with a sigh.


    I didn¡¯t realize I was well-known even here in the U.S.


    "Is Swordmaster Leirsa really that famous?" I asked, intrigued.


    "Of course! He¡¯s the strongest Swordmaster in Arcadia Online," Niko declared.


    "Do you plan on playing Arcadia while you¡¯re here?" he asked.


    "I might, once I¡¯ve settled in," I replied.


    "Makes sense. Let¡¯s play together once you¡¯ve adjusted," he said.


    "We will," I agreed as I started setting up my bed.


    A few minutes later, exhaustion finally caught up to me, pulling me into a deep sleep.

 The Black Swords

    "Riel, wake up, or you''ll miss breakfast," Niko said, shaking me gently.


    Thanks to him, we made it to the mess hall just in time.


    My hair was still damp as I glanced around, taking in the assortment of dishes.


    Something felt off¡­. something was missing.


    Rice. There was no rice.


    "Niko, don¡¯t you guys eat rice for breakfast?" I asked.


    He gave me a puzzled look. "I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve ever seen rice served in the morning," he replied.


    "We have cereal, bread, and hash browns, though."


    I sighed internally.


    Guess I wouldn¡¯t be having rice for breakfast anytime soon.


    Resigning myself, I grabbed a couple of hash browns as a substitute.


    "You don¡¯t look too happy about that," Niko chuckled.


    "Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll ask the cook to prepare some rice in the mornings."


    My eyes lit up at his suggestion.


    "Thanks, Niko!" I said gratefully before digging into my hash browns, bacon, and eggs.


    "By the way, Diana Eisenhawk wants you to meet her after breakfast," Niko said, handing me a small map.


    "This is our current building, and the one you need to go to is just a few minutes'' walk away. Make sure you don¡¯t get lost."


    He smirked. "The princess won¡¯t be happy if you make her wait too long."


    I raised an eyebrow. "Princess?"


    "It¡¯s just a nickname. She¡¯s pretty much royalty around here," Niko said with a chuckle.


    "So, how long have you been here?" I asked, changing the subject.


    "Almost a year now," he replied.


    "Was it tough?"


    "At first, yeah.


    But the pay is good, and it allows my parents to send my siblings to school and live comfortably," he said with a proud smile.


    I nodded. "That¡¯s a good reason."


    "What about you, Riel? Why are you here?"


    "To follow in my grandfather¡¯s footsteps," I answered simply.


    Niko¡¯s eyes widened.


    "Wow, so your grandpa was a military officer too?"


    "Kinda," I said vaguely.


    "Well, I guess it runs in the blood," he mused.


    He then glanced at my glasses.


    "By the way, can you see well without those?" he asked.


    "Yeah, I can. These glasses serve a different purpose," I replied.


    Niko checked the time. "You should get going."


    "You¡¯re right. I don¡¯t want to get on the princess¡¯ bad side," I said, standing up. "Thanks for waking me up early. See you later!"


    "See you, Riel," he called after me.


    It took a few hundred steps to reach Diana¡¯s location. As expected, she looked irritated.


    "You took your sweet time, didn¡¯t you?" she said, arms crossed.


    "Sorry, I''m still getting used to the place," I replied.


    She sighed. "Fine, I get it."


    "I won¡¯t be able to give you a tour today. Grandpa wants to show you something," she added.


    "I see," I said, unsure of what to expect.


    "But don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll keep my word and show you around the base tomorrow," she assured me.


    We walked for a few minutes before a military vehicle suddenly pulled up beside us.


    "Hop in!" Diana¡¯s mom called from the driver¡¯s seat.


    I climbed into the backseat quietly while Diana took the front passenger seat.


    "Mom, aren¡¯t you supposed to be somewhere else?" Diana asked.


    "I was, but the meeting got canceled.


    So, I figured I¡¯d drive you both to the armory," she replied.


    Then, turning to me, she added, "You can call me Aunt Helen, Riel, since you already call my husband Uncle Seth."


    "Thank you, Aunt Helen," I said politely.


    As she started driving, she glanced at Diana.


    "Dia, you shouldn¡¯t be upset about what happened yesterday."


    "I¡¯m not upset," Diana muttered. "It¡¯s just¡­ he¡¯s different.


    He reminds me of Grandpa Tora."


    I remained silent at the mention of my grandfather¡¯s name.


    "It¡¯s no surprise he reminds you of Uncle Tora, after all, he is his grandson," Aunt Helen said.


    Diana¡¯s eyes widened in shock, her jaw nearly dropping.


    "Didn¡¯t your grandfather ever tell you that Asriel is his friend¡¯s grandson?" Aunt Helen continued.


    "You¡¯re Grandpa Tora¡¯s grandson?!" Diana exclaimed, turning to me in disbelief. This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    "But¡­ your last name is Sanchez!" she added.


    "Shiratora Kurokiba¡¯s alias was Tora Sanchez," Aunt Helen clarified.


    Before Diana could respond, Aunt Helen suddenly pulled the vehicle to a stop. "We¡¯re here," she announced.


    "Wait!" Diana practically shouted as she rushed out of the car.


    I quickly stepped out and walked around to open her door.


    "Tell me the truth, are you really Grandpa Tora¡¯s grandson?" she demanded.


    I met her gaze and answered firmly, "I am Asriel Kurokiba, grandson of the Sword Saint Shiratora Kurokiba and successor of the Severing Style, Ms. Diana Eisenhawk."


    "Grandpa?!" she cried before dashing into the building.


    Aunt Helen sighed softly.


    "She really misses Uncle Tora," she murmured.


    "They spent so much time together whenever he visited", she continued.


    "I can¡¯t blame her," I replied, following Aunt Helen inside. "Grandpa was always a fun person to be around."


    After a short walk, we arrived at the elevator, where Diana stood with Old Man Drei.


    She looked flustered, while he, on the other hand, wore a victorious grin, clearly pleased with himself.


    As we approached, Old Man Drei swiped his ID card and pressed his fingerprint against the scanner, unlocking the elevator.


    Without a word, we all stepped inside.


    Moments later, the doors slid open, revealing a vast chamber.


    "Welcome to the Sword Saint¡¯s hidden armory," Old Man Drei announced as we stepped out.


    Excitement surged through me as I took in the sight before me.


    This was my grandfather¡¯s personal armory.


    I glanced at Diana, her expression mirrored my own, filled with anticipation.


    "Asriel, I need you to take a look at this," Old Man Drei said, motioning toward a door.


    I quickly approached, aligning my eyes with a scanner.


    A mechanical voice echoed through the room.


    "Welcome, Asriel Kurokiba," the system announced.


    "Dad, couldn¡¯t you have just opened it yourself?" Aunt Helen asked.


    "I could," Old Man Drei admitted, "but the Five Black Swords would remain locked."


    "Tora made sure that only his successor could access them," he added.


    Stepping into the room, my gaze was immediately drawn to the five pillars standing in a circle at the center.


    There they were, the Five Black Swords, the very weapons my grandfather wielded to end the last human war.


    "Slicer, the Black Saber.


    Divider, the Black Twinblade.


    Severer, the Black Katana.


    Devourer, the Black Rapier.


    And finally, Decapitator, the Black Executioner Sword," I recited, my voice filled with reverence.


    "Each sword was forged long ago from an ancient ore found only in ruins," I added.


    "For Tora, these blades were more than weapons," Old Man Drei said solemnly.


    "Each one serves as a grim reminder of the countless lives he took during the last human war. Each blade, at minimum, has claimed a thousand souls", Old Man Drei continued.


    "Grandpa never forgot the lives he took during the war, but he never regretted it, he didn¡¯t have a choice back then," I said.


    "It¡¯s true, Tora never had a choice," Old Man Drei agreed.


    "But with every battle, he lost a part of himself."


    "As Grandpa once said, ¡®It¡¯s hard to be happy knowing you¡¯ve taken someone else¡¯s happiness,¡¯" I added.


    Hearing that, Old Man Drei looked at me seriously. "Knowing this, are you certain you want to follow in Tora¡¯s footsteps?"


    "I don¡¯t want to be called a Sword Saint," I replied firmly.


    "I¡¯m not following in Grandpa¡¯s footsteps, I¡¯m continuing the path he left behind."


    "If it means protecting the people who matter to me, I don¡¯t care if the world sees me as a demon," I added.


    Old Man Drei and Aunt Helen fell silent at my words, simply watching me.


    Meanwhile, Diana seemed completely oblivious to the conversation, her focus entirely on Severer, Grandpa¡¯s favorite sword.


    "Asriel, can I hold this for a bit?" Diana asked, pointing to Severer.


    "Sure, why not?" I said, carefully removing the blade from its case and handing it to her.


    "Wait, Dia! Don¡¯t draw it!" Old Man Drei warned loudly.


    But it was too late.


    The moment Diana unsheathed Severer, a bloodcurdling scream tore from her lips, and she collapsed.


    Without hesitation, I caught her before she hit the ground, gently placing her in her grandfather¡¯s arms.


    "My bad, I¡¯m sorry," I said apologetically.


    "No, this is on us," Aunt Helen admitted.


    "We never told Dia the truth about the Black Swords", Aunt Helen continued.


    "They aren¡¯t just weapons," I said.


    "The Five Black Swords are also known as the Cursed Swords of the Kurokiba Clan."


    "Their original color wasn¡¯t black," I continued. "They darkened over time, stained by the countless lives they took."


    "That¡¯s true," Old Man Drei acknowledged. "But how do you expect to wield such dangerous swords?"


    "The swords themselves aren¡¯t dangerous, it¡¯s about learning to handle them properly," I explained.


    "It takes years to get used to their presence," I added.


    "Oi, old man, don¡¯t tell me you forgot¡­ there¡¯s another black katana that Grandpa used," I added with a smirk.


    Realization dawned on his face. "You mean¡­ Slayer! The other Black Katana that Tora wielded!"


    "Grandpa trained me with Slayer since I was a kid," I said as I pulled the katana from my travel backpack.


    Both Old Man Drei and Aunt Helen¡¯s eyes widened as they recognized the blade.


    "You¡¯ve had one of the Black Swords this whole time?" Aunt Helen asked in shock.


    I simply smiled. "Finally, you¡¯re back with your brothers and sisters," I murmured, placing Severer and Slayer together in Severer¡¯s storage.


    Just then, Diana stirred awake.


    She looked around in confusion before realizing she was still in her grandfather¡¯s arms.


    Flustered, she quickly scrambled to her feet.


    "When I drew Severer¡­ I heard hundreds, no thousands screams," Diana muttered.


    "A horrifying chorus of death, it was like the sword was haunting me."


    "Are you really going to use those cursed blades?" she asked.


    Then, her eyes darted between the two identical katanas. "Wait a second!¡­ Why are there two Severers?!"


    "The other one is Slayer, my training katana," I replied.


    She stared at me as if I had just said the most ridiculous thing imaginable.


    "You and Grandpa Tora are absolutely insane for using these swords," she muttered.


    "Maybe," I said, grabbing Devourer from its display and slipping it into my bag.


    "Everything in this armory belongs to you now," Old Man Drei stated.


    "The Black Swords, the armor, the sub-weapons, whatever you need. And if there¡¯s something missing, you can ask me or Kyrie Smith, and we¡¯ll provide it."


    "Who¡¯s Kyrie Smith?" I asked.


    "She¡¯s GENESIS¡¯ lead weapon engineer," Diana explained.


    "Thanks, Miss Diana," I said.


    She frowned. "D-I-A. It¡¯s weird being the only one you call by their full name."


    "Alright then, you can call me Riel, Dia," I replied with a grin.


    She smirked. "By the way, Riel, why did you put Devourer in your bag?"


    "Having a reliable weapon within reach makes me feel comfortable," I answered.


    "Comfortable?" Dia repeated, looking at me like I was crazy.


    Then, suddenly, she smiled, almost as if my words reminded her of something.


    "I can¡¯t believe you, Riel," she said with a chuckle.

 Severing Style Killing Art

    We had just finished lunch when a military officer suddenly burst through the door.


    "General Andrei, we''ve spotted one of the Swords of Sin in Iceland," the officer reported.


    "Didn''t we already deploy a team there this morning after receiving reports of Gladius?" General Andrei asked.


    "We did. We sent five members from Genesis Branch Four and one from Branch Five as a guide, Nikola Fischer, a local resident of Iceland," the officer confirmed.


    "Wait, isn¡¯t that your roommate, Riel?" Dia asked, turning to me.


    "Yeah, Niko is my roommate," I replied. "Is there a problem?"


    "A Sword of Sin refers to the captains of Gladius¡­ like Scarlett Rain," Old Man Drei explained.


    "General, none of the squad members are equipped to handle a Sword of Sin," the officer added. "We need authorization to send a backup team."


    "Can I go?" I suddenly asked.


    "Are you sure, Riel?" Old Man Drei questioned.


    "Even though I just met Niko yesterday, he¡¯s still my roommate and I already promised to play Arcadia Online with him once I settled in," I said firmly.


    "Alright," Old Man Drei agreed. "Prepare the backup team immediately and deploy our fastest aircraft."


    "Let''s go, Asriel. Time to suit up," he added.


    "I''m coming too," Dia said.


    "No. Stay here, Dia," I said, ruffling her hair.


    Surprisingly, she didn¡¯t argue and remained with her mother.


    We drove straight to the armory, where I suited up in a spare black combat suit that adjusted perfectly to my body.


    I strapped Decapitator onto my back and secured Devourer on my left hip.


    "Here, put this in your ear," Old Man Drei handed me a small device. "It¡¯s your communication unit, it won¡¯t interfere with your hearing."


    I secured a few throwing daggers in my side pouch and gave him a nod. "I¡¯m ready."


    "Seeing you like this reminds me of Tora before battle," he muttered.


    "You might have to take some life today Riel", he added


    "Don¡¯t worry Old man Drei, I¡¯ll manage," I replied as we made our way back to the vehicle.


    "Old man, do you know what you see and feel when you draw a Black Sword?" I asked.


    "Death," I answered before he could respond. "The weight of thousands of lives lost. Sometimes, even visions of their final moments and their regrets."


    "Wielding the Black Swords means bearing the guilt of taking  those lives," I continued.


    "That¡¯s why I¡¯ll be fine, Old Man Drei."


    He simply looked at me with a somber expression before continuing the drive to the base¡¯s airstrip.


    Minutes later, we arrived at the military plane prepared for my deployment.


    The officers saluted General Andrei before I boarded.


    "Asriel, make sure you come back, the back up team and I will follow you once they''re ready," Old Man Drei said firmly.


    "I will," I reassured him before stepping inside.


    The aircraft was small, barely large enough for seven people but judging by the view outside, it moved as fast as a fighter jet.


    I checked my gear once more.


    Decapitator was too long for me to wear comfortably on my back while seated, so I moved it to my side.


    A familiar voice crackled through my earpiece.


    "Riel, can you hear me?"


    "Loud and clear, Old Man Drei," I replied.


    "Listen carefully. Right now, Nikola Fischer and three members from Genesis Branch Four are engaged in battle with Gladius."


    "I thought there were five members with Niko?" I asked.


    "The other two were killed a few minutes ago," Old Man Drei stated grimly.


    "The Fifth Captain of the Swords of Sin, Black Snow, has been confirmed on-site," the officer reported.


    "According to Nikola, Black Snow is wielding Tyrfing, a cursed sword from Norse mythology," he continued.


    "Tyrfing, a blade that never misses, never rusts, and can cut through iron and stone as easily as cloth," I stated.


    "But it''s curse brings three great evils: it claims a life each time it''s drawn, and in the end, it dooms its wielder."


    "You know quite a bit about it, Riel," Old Man Drei remarked.


    "Grandpa told me the story once," I replied.


    "We need to move faster, or it¡¯ll be too late," I urged the pilot.


    "Understood, sir. Increasing to maximum speed," he responded.


    "How much longer until we arrive?" I asked.


    "Twelve minutes," he answered.


    "Old Man Drei," I called.


    "What is it, Riel?"


    "What¡¯s Niko¡¯s team''s status?"


    "Two are injured, and Nikola is currently fighting Black Snow alone," he said grimly.


    "They¡¯re protecting the civilians who survived Gladius¡¯s earlier attack, including Niko¡¯s parents and sisters."


    "Tell him to hold on, backup is almost there," I said firmly.


    "I will," he assured me.


    "Eight minutes until arrival...


    Five minutes...


    Three minutes," the co-pilot announced.


    "Sir Asriel, aren¡¯t you going to use a parachute?" the co-pilot asked.


    "I¡¯ll be fine.


    Just open the hatch when we arrive," I replied.


    "Yes, sir."


    "T-minus thirty seconds to drop point," the pilot confirmed.


    "Lowering altitude to one kilometer," the co-pilot added as the plane hatch slowly opened.


    "Good luck, Sir Asriel," the co-pilot said as he saluted me.


    "Land the plane a kilometer from the battlefield opposite of the Gladius position," I instructed as I stepped toward the hatch.


    "Drop point in three¡­ two¡­ one¡­" the pilot counted down.


    I leaped from the aircraft.


    It was my first time skydiving, and in that moment, I finally understood why Grandpa always spoke so fondly of it.


    As I plummeted, I spotted Nikola and his team.Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    "Old Man Drei, I have visuals on Niko¡¯s group.


    Tell them to fall back a few meters," I said.


    "Fall back now!, or you''ll be caught in Asriel''s descent!" Old Man Drei relayed in a commanding tone.


    I unsheathed Decapitator, aligning my body for a devastating vertical strike.


    With both hands, I tightened my grip on the hilt.


    The Black Executioner Sword ,longer than my own height, lined up perfectly with my form.


    Severing Style Fourth Form: Falling Sky.


    I aimed my descending slash straight at Gladius.


    The massive sword crashed into the ground, creating a deep crater on impact.


    A powerful shockwave erupted from the force, sending several Gladius members flying over a hundred meters away, killing some of them instantly.


    The same gust of wind softened my descent, allowing me to land without harm.


    Thanks to Old Man Drei¡¯s warning, Niko and the others had moved back just in time to avoid the brunt of the blast.


    ¡°Riel!¡± Niko¡¯s voice called out in surprise.


    I turned and saw him.


    I was too late.


    Niko¡¯s left arm was completely gone, severed at the shoulder.


    His body was riddled with stab wounds, his uniform drenched in blood.


    Despite his injuries, he still gripped a sickle in his remaining hand, its chain lying slack on the ground.


    I rushed to his side as he coughed up blood.


    "These wounds are bad," I muttered instinctively.


    ¡°That guy... What do they call him, Black Snow? He¡¯s tough,¡± Niko rasped.


    ¡°He cut one of the Genesis Branch Four members in half like he was paper.¡±


    His breathing was labored, but he still managed to smirk bitterly.


    ¡°Be careful.


    His sword slices through steel like butter.¡±


    He gestured weakly toward the shattered remains of his chain.


    Behind him, a small group of terrified civilians huddled together, their faces pale with fear.


    Two surviving members of Genesis Branch Four stood at the ready, waiting for my command.


    ¡°Protect the civilians.


    I¡¯ll handle the rest,¡± I ordered, carefully propping Niko against a tree.


    He exhaled sharply, then let out a faint chuckle.


    ¡°I always wanted to see Swordmaster Leirsa fight... but I wasn¡¯t lucky enough during the Battle of Masters,¡± he suddenly murmured.


    ¡°Avalon got me before I had the chance.¡±


    I glanced at him. ¡°Why did you want to see him fight?¡±


    A faint, pained smile crossed his lips.


    ¡°I wanted to be his friend.


    Ask him how to become stronger using a sickle and chain.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s your class in Arcadia Online?¡± I asked.


    ¡°I played as a Reaper,¡± he replied weakly.


    Every word felt like a dagger to my heart as his voice grew fainter.


    ¡°Then keep your eyes open and watch me fight,¡± I said firmly.


    For a moment, a flicker of life returned to his eyes.


    ¡°Leirsa¡­ when you read it backward, it¡¯s Asriel,¡± I added.


    His gaze widened slightly in realization.


    ¡°Rest for now, just watch,¡± I said as I stepped forward.


    He nodded weakly, his eyes never leaving me.


    Gladius members were already getting back to their feet.


    ¡°WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?!¡± a rough voice demanded before lunging at me.


    I raised Decapitator and effortlessly blocked his strike.


    ¡°WHY ISN¡¯T YOUR SWORD BREAKING?!¡± he shouted in shock.


    I didn¡¯t answer.


    My eyes scanned the battlefield, scattered bodies, bloodstained ground, homes reduced to rubble.


    The devastation made my stomach churn.


    I knew instantly.


    This man was Black Snow.


    I wanted to ask him why.


    Why do they do this?. But my rage kept my mouth shut.


    There were still around thirty Gladius members left.


    ¡°I¡¯M ASKING YOU A QUESTION! ANSWER ME!¡± Black Snow roared, lunging at me again with Tyrfing.


    I raised Decapitator once more.


    His strike clashed against mine, but I barely felt the impact.


    He was slow.


    The mystic glasses my grandfather gave me were already shattered.


    A vivid, enigmatic purple glow flared from my eyes.


    Gladius members rushed toward Niko and the surviving civilians.


    Black Snow had ordered them to finish the rest.


    How arrogant.


    Without shifting my stance, I prepared a deadly horizontal slash, an attack with an immense range.


    A razor-sharp wind blade cut through the battlefield.


    Black Snow, being closest, barely managed to evade.


    But the others weren¡¯t so lucky.


    The invisible slash tore through everything in its path, Gladius soldiers, debris, even the very air.


    All thanks to Decapitator, the Black Executioner Sword.


    Severing Style First Form: Heaven Splitter.


    Black Snow¡¯s eyes widened in shock.


    ¡°Why¡­ Why can you use the late Sword Saint¡¯s technique?¡± he demanded.


    So that¡¯s why he recognized it.


    He had seen it before.


    I fixed my glowing purple eyes on him.


    ¡°Did you kill my grandfather?¡± I asked coldly.


    ¡°Kill?¡± Black Snow scoffed, then glanced at his mechanical right arm.


    ¡°That monster?¡± He gritted his teeth.


    Then his expression shifted. His gaze locked onto mine, and his voice shook.


    ¡°You¡¯re¡­ that monster¡¯s grandchild?¡±


    Suddenly, a young woman in a crimson dress appeared a couple meters behind him.


    ¡°We got what we came for, Snow.


    It¡¯s time to go,¡± she said in an icy tone.


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    ¡°Stay here, and you¡¯ll die,¡± she interrupted.


    At that moment, I caught countless flaming lances in my peripheral vision, every single one aimed at Niko and the surviving civilians.


    Without hesitation, I released Decapitator from my grip and dashed toward the crimson-dressed woman.


    I unsheathed Devourer and aimed straight for her heart.


    With a powerful kick, I launched myself forward at blinding speed.


    Severing Style Fifth Form: Shooting Star.


    She barely managed to block my strike, but the force sent her flying several meters back.


    The impact shattered her concentration, causing the flaming lances to vanish from the sky.


    Flames erupted from her sword as she tried to create distance between us.


    ¡°Snow! We need to leave¡­ now!¡± she shouted.


    She hurled a single, powerful fire lance straight at Niko.


    Without a second thought, my body just moved.


    I dashed back, seized Decapitator, and hurled it like a spear toward Niko¡¯s location.


    The massive black sword crashed into the ground, intercepting the fire lance just in time.


    But Black Snow and the crimson-dressed woman were already retreating, putting distance between us.


    They thought they could escape.


    They were wrong.


    ¡°Sorry, Grandpa,¡± I whispered.


    "Letting them live would mean more death."


    I gripped Decapitator tightly.


    I inhaled a deep breath and let it out while I focused on the fleeing foes.


    I could still reach them, I thought.


    Lowering my center of gravity, I gripped Decapitator in my right hand, preparing for a wide horizontal slash.


    With my left, I unsheathed Devourer and raised it overhead, setting up a devastating vertical strike.


    I planted my right foot deeper into the ground, ready to unleash two perpendicular slashes.


    Then, a familiar voice echoed in my mind.


    "Riel, your wind blade can only reach as far as you perceive. Believe in your own power."


    Grandpa¡¯s words.


    The same advice he gave me when I first learned Severing Style: First Form Heaven Splitter.


    He always told me, "If you try hard enough, maybe you can even split the clouds in the sky."


    I exhaled.


    Severing Style First Killing Art: Heaven and Earth Separation.


    The twin slashes surged toward Black Snow.


    He saw them coming.


    For a moment, he spoke to the crimson-dressed woman.


    She hesitated, then turned and quickly ran, leaving him behind.


    Black Snow stood his ground, raising Tyrfing in an attempt to block the attack.


    The instant his sword touched the wind blades, the slashes diverged, splitting into countless more.


    Tyrfing remained intact.


    But Black Snow¡¯s body was not so fortunate.


    He was sliced into pieces.


    I rushed back to Niko¡¯s side.


    ¡°Sorry¡­ I couldn¡¯t make it in time,¡± I murmured.


    He smiled weakly, his gaze soft.


    ¡°Thank you¡­ for coming to our aid,¡± he whispered.


    ¡°Thanks to you, my parents, my sisters¡­ so many people survived.¡±


    He tightened his grip around my hand.


    ¡°I wish I had more time¡­¡± he said, his voice barely audible.


    ¡°I wish we could have played together, Swordmaster Leirsa.¡±


    My heart clenched.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ me too.¡±


    I swallowed hard.


    ¡°It was short, but¡­ you were the best roommate I ever had.¡±


    Niko smiled one last time.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be going first, Riel¡­¡±


    ¡°Your sword skills¡­ they¡¯re beautiful.¡±


    ¡°¡­Thanks.¡±


    ¡°Till we meet again, my friend.¡±


    His hand went limp.


    I gently closed his eyes.


    Tears blurred my vision, as if a heavy rain had just fallen from the sunny sky.

 Wandering Mist

    After twenty minutes, several large military planes arrived.


    I was sitting down, drinking water and eating some provisions from my plane now that the battle had ended.


    The toll was heavy, at least two hundred people had lost their lives, most of them local residents. Three members of Genesis had fallen, along with over thirty members of Gladius.


    "Are you hurt?" Old Man Drei asked as he approached me.


    "I''m fine, General Andrei," I responded.


    "There was nothing you could have done, Riel.


    Niko was already fatally wounded by the time I was asked to send backup," he said solemnly.


    "I know¡­ but losing a friend still hurts," I replied.


    Dia walked up to us, her gaze shifting across the battlefield, taking in the devastation.


    Hundreds of bodies lay scattered across the ruined landscape.


    Her face paled as the reality of it sank in.


    "Riel¡­ will you be alright?" she asked hesitantly.


    "I''ll be fine. Thanks," I assured her.


    "General Andrei, we''ve located the corpse of a Sword of Sin, most likely Black Snow," an officer reported.


    "Tyrfing was found as well," he added.


    "Ensure that no one touches the sword.


    Have the mechanical retriever secure it, and instruct the Sweepers to collect the body of the Sword of Sin along with the fallen Gladius members for a mass burial," General Andrei ordered.


    "And help the surviving residents recover their loved ones," he added.


    As the officer left, I turned to Old Man Drei. "Was it always like this?"


    "This is one of the worst ones," Old Man Drei admitted.


    "But lately, Gladius seems more focused on killing civilians and retrieving relics", he added.


    "What relic were they after here?" I asked.


    "Probably L?vateinn," he answered.


    "Yeah, that makes sense.


    The crimson-haired woman could summon flaming spears," I noted.


    "That was likely Scarlett Rain, another Sword of Sin captain," he said.


    "I figured," I replied.


    "Then why¡­ ?" he asked, but before he could finish, I cut in.


    "That girl couldn''t have killed my grandpa.


    There''s more to this," I said firmly.


    Old Man Drei studied me for a moment before speaking.


    "She could. After all, both of her parents were killed by your grandfather¡¯s sword."


    "I see¡­ So that''s why Grandpa couldn''t bring himself to kill her," I muttered.


    "Remember, Riel, she''s still a member of Gladius," he reminded me.


    "I know," I replied.


    Dia then accompanied me to the small military plane I had arrived in.


    "Are you coming with me?" I asked.


    "Of course. There''s no reason for me to stay," she said.


    "I see. About the tour¡­ can we do it the day after tomorrow? I need a full day to rest," I said.


    "Sure.Take a day off, and I''ll show you around the base the next day," she agreed.


    "Thanks," I said.


    I closed my eyes for a moment, exhaustion finally setting in.


    Then, I felt Dia gently guide my head onto her shoulder.


    "We¡¯re still here for you," she whispered.


    A small smile tugged at my lips as I allowed myself to drift into sleep on the flight back home.


    The flight lasted only half an hour, but it seemed like the pilot had deliberately slowed the aircraft to give me more time to rest.


    When we arrived at the UNION base, the sun was still hanging low in the late afternoon sky.


    At some point, Dia had also dozed off beside me.


    When I woke up, the pilot and co-pilot simply smiled, amused by the sight.


    I reached over and poked Dia¡¯s cheek with my index finger. If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    She stirred, letting out a small yawn before quickly becoming flustered upon realizing she had fallen asleep.


    As we left the military aircraft, Dia and I parted ways.


    Even as I walked steadily toward my room, I could sense her gaze following me from a distance.


    It took only a few minutes to reach my door.


    "I''m home," I whispered as I stepped inside.


    Silence greeted me, a deafening and heavy silence.


    Too exhausted to dwell on it, I placed both Decapitator and Devourer beside my bed and slowly sat down.


    My eyes wandered toward Niko¡¯s empty bed.


    A hollow sadness filled my chest.


    The promise we made to play together would never be fulfilled.


    My mind swirled, still struggling to process everything that had happened.


    Niko had mentioned he played as a Reaper in Arcadia Online.


    On impulse, I grabbed my personal device and searched for his fights against Avalon.


    To my surprise, Niko was a well-known Reaper in the American server, a solo player.


    In-game name: Wandering Mist.


    His playstyle revolved around hunting players during instance and group dungeons.


    A small smile crossed my lips. So that was him.


    "I was looking forward to fighting you too," I thought, realizing the identity he had hidden from me.


    Leaning back on my pillow, I imagined a different reality,one where he had survived.


    Maybe right now, we¡¯d be eating dinner together, chatting about Arcadia Online like we always planned.


    I wanted to cry, but something else weighed heavier on my heart.


    The guilt.


    More than twenty lives were taken by my sword today.


    "So this is how it feels, Grandpa," I whispered.


    With a single swing, years of potential memories¡­ of stories, of friendship¡­ had been erased in an instant.


    My stomach grumbled, pulling me from my thoughts.


    I sighed.


    Food first.


    Overthinking later.


    After a quick shower and a change into casual clothes, I made my way to the mess hall.


    There were only a few people eating when I arrived.


    I grabbed a tray and headed to the serving station, scanning the available dishes.


    There were plenty of appetizing options, but, as expected, no rice.


    I picked up a couple of pieces of fried chicken and pork, a serving of vegetable stir-fry, and some creamy mushroom soup.


    I was about to grab some bread when a voice called out to me.


    "Aren''t you Asriel, Niko¡¯s friend?"


    I turned to see one of the female cooks looking at me.


    "Yes, I am," I replied.


    "He asked me to cook some white rice for you," she said with a gentle smile.


    I hesitated for a moment. "Can I have some?"


    "Of course," she said, handing me two cups of rice.


    As I reached for them, she suddenly asked, "By the way, where''s Niko? I haven''t seen him all day."


    I froze.


    Then, in a quiet, almost broken voice, I answered,


    "Niko was killed in action today."


    The female cook stared at me in shock as the weight of my words sank in.


    "I see," she whispered, her voice trembling as she fought back tears.


    "He was a great kid," she added softly.


    "And a good friend," I replied.


    She took a deep breath, composing herself. "Make sure to enjoy your meal."


    "I will," I assured her.


    Without another word, she turned and walked back into the kitchen.


    I carried my tray to an empty table in the corner and sat down.


    In silence, I ate, grateful for the meal and for the friend who had once shared this space with me.


    "The rice tastes like home, Niko," I whispered, a single tear slipping down my cheek.


    I wiped it away quickly and continued eating.


    Once my stomach was full, I made my way back to my room.


    Though it was only a short walk, the hallways felt unnervingly empty when I walked them alone.


    Just before reaching my door, I noticed a familiar figure waiting outside.


    Dia.


    She stood there holding a basket, her expression shifting to surprise when she saw me approaching.


    "Riel?" she called hesitantly.


    "Why are you standing outside my door?" I asked.


    She fidgeted slightly before replying, "Ah, my mom was worried you hadn¡¯t eaten, so I brought you some homemade sandwiches."


    I glanced at the basket.


    "Want to come inside?" I asked.


    "Can I?" she asked.


    "Of course," I said, stepping aside for her to enter.


    She took a seat on my bed while I sat across from her.


    "Mind if I have one?" I asked, nodding toward the basket.


    "Of course! Here," she said, brightening a little as she handed me a sandwich.


    I took a bite.


    As expected, it was delicious.


    Just as I was about to compliment her, she hesitated before speaking.


    "Ahm, Riel¡­ my mom and grandpa think you should transfer rooms."


    I raised an eyebrow. "Why?"


    She hesitated before answering, "For people with cursed eyes, emotional instability can be dangerous."


    I nodded, understanding where she was coming from. "Especially for those like us, the Blessed Children," she added.


    "I see¡­ but I think I should spend one last night here," I replied.


    Dia gave a small nod.


    "Alright. But tomorrow, you''ll be moving to a room near mine," she said as she stood up.


    At the doorway, she turned back, flustered. "Make sure to finish those sandwiches! I put a lot of effort into making them."


    Then, without waiting for a response, she quickly stepped out and closed the door behind her.


    I exhaled, watching the door for a moment before picking up another sandwich.


    I really made her worry¡­


    The next morning, I woke up early and started my daily routine, a few kilometers of running followed by a few hundred sword swings.


    Thankfully, I had brought my bokken, a treasured gift from my late grandpa.


    Using Decapitator for training seemed excessive, even for me.


    After half an hour of practice, I made my way back to the mess hall for breakfast.


    As I walked into the serving station, my eyes immediately landed on something I had been craving.


    Egg fried rice.


    The female cook caught my gaze and smiled knowingly.


    I wasted no time, scooping two cups onto my tray before adding a couple of steak slices and a generous serving of orange chicken.


    I grabbed an apple and a cup of miso soup to round out my meal.


    Taking a seat, I took my time enjoying the food, savoring each bite.


    After finishing, I decided to head back to my room for a quick shower, preparing for whatever the day had in store.

 Unexpected Meeting

    After finishing the process of packing all my belongings into my travel bag and ensuring that everything was neatly secured.


    I took a moment to glance around the room one last time, as if trying to etch every detail into my memory.


    Suddenly, a sharp, rhythmic sound echoed through the quiet space, knock¡­ knock¡­ bouncing off the walls with an oddly solemn resonance.


    "Are you there, Riel?" Dia¡¯s familiar voice called out from beyond the door, her tone carrying a certain warmth that felt reassuring after such a long and emotionally exhausting night.


    "I''m here, Dia," I responded without hesitation as I made my way to the door, reaching for the handle with a faint sense of anticipation.


    As the door swung open, revealing her figure standing there in the dim corridor light, my eyes instinctively took in the sight before me.


    Dia, dressed in a light blue sundress that perfectly complemented the striking clarity of her azure eyes and the soft cascade of her golden-blonde hair.


    The way the fabric on her sundress swayed slightly in the air made her seem almost ethereal, as though she belonged to a different world entirely.


    "That sundress suits you well," I remarked, my words carrying an honesty that I didn¡¯t need to second-guess.


    For a fleeting moment, I caught the faintest hint of flustered surprise in her expression.


    Her eyes widened just a little, and her lips parted as if forming an unspoken thought.


    But just as quickly as it appeared, she composed herself once more, brushing off whatever brief embarrassment she had felt.


    "Thanks," she replied, her voice steadying as she redirected the conversation.


    "Are you done packing your things?"


    "I just finished," I said with a nod, shifting my gaze toward the travel bag resting beside my bed, right next to the two black swords, Decapitator and Devourer.


    Dia¡¯s eyes lingered on the weapons for a moment before she turned to me with an unexpected request.


    "Can I carry one of the black swords until we get to your new room?" she asked, her tone casual, yet I could tell there was a hint of curiosity behind her words.


    Surprised by her offer, I hesitated briefly before agreeing, though not without a word of caution.


    "Sure," I said, glancing at her, "just don¡¯t draw it."


    She nodded in understanding before reaching for Decapitator, and to my astonishment.


    She lifted it with an ease that most people, even trained soldiers, would struggle to achieve.


    It was in that moment of realization that I was reminded once again that, like myself, Dia was a Blessed Child.


    Someone gifted with extraordinary strength and abilities beyond those of ordinary humans.


    Normally, the Decapitator was so overwhelmingly heavy that it would take at least two fully grown men to lift it, let alone wield it with any degree of control.


    Yet here was Dia, effortlessly strapping it onto her back as though it were nothing more than a simple wooden practice sword.


    "Do I look cool, Riel?" she suddenly asked, a playful glint in her eyes as she tilted her head slightly, clearly amused by her own display of strength.


    "You do look great with Decapitator," I replied, offering her a small smile before securing Devourer on my left hip and grabbing my travel bag in one swift motion.


    As I turned my attention back to the room, my eyes instinctively landed on Niko¡¯s belongings, still sitting there untouched, a silent reminder of the promise I could no longer keep.


    As if sensing my thoughts, Dia spoke up, her voice softer than before.


    "The Sweepers will clean it up later and send his belongings to Niko¡¯s family," she informed me,


    her words carrying an unspoken understanding of the emotions I was struggling to suppress.


    "I see," I murmured, offering a simple nod. "Thanks for letting me know."


    She merely gave me a worried look, the kind that didn¡¯t require words to be understood, before turning toward the door and pulling it open.


    The hallway beyond stretching out in an eerie silence.


    Before stepping out, a sudden thought crossed my mind, prompting me to ask, "Dia, have you eaten breakfast already?"


    She glanced at me with a small smile.


    "I ate a bit since my mom cooks breakfast every morning," she replied without hesitation.


    "What about you, Riel?" she asked in return.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    "I finished breakfast about forty minutes ago," I answered, stepping into the hallway as I adjusted my travel bag.


    "I see," she replied, continuing to walk beside me.


    We had been walking for quite some time when a sudden, deafening gunshot rang out.


    A young man with distinct Russian features had just fired his sniper rifle.


    His target, me.


    Without hesitation, I issued a calm yet firm command: "Wake up, Devourer."


    The moment those words left my lips, the large-caliber bullet vanished mid-air, disappearing half a meter before reaching me.


    Then, the young man shouted urgently, "Diana, get out of there!"


    A name slipped from Dia¡¯s lips, her voice laced with shock.


    "Alex¡­"


    Realizing this was likely a misunderstanding, I quickly called out, "I¡¯m a friend!"


    Before he could respond, a sharp female voice cut through the tension.


    "We have no friend who casually carries thousands of grieving souls," she declared.


    From my peripheral vision, I caught sight of a young woman, her stance suspended mid-air in a familiar sword-drawing technique.


    In the next instant, she unleashed two high-speed, parallel vertical wind blades from her black cutlass, hurtling toward me with deadly precision.


    If I had Decapitator in my hands, I could have easily blocked the attack, but right now, it is strapped to Dia¡¯s back.


    With a cold voice, I gave another command.


    "Devourer, it''s time to eat."


    The moment the blades near me, they, too, vanished, erased from existence just like the bullet before them.


    The young man and woman stood frozen, eyes wide with shock and disbelief.


    "Alex?! Yui?! Why are you attacking Riel!?" Dia shouted, stepping forward in frustration.


    "Diana, can¡¯t you see it?" the young woman replied.


    "The countless souls that haunt him?"


    Just as I was about to draw Devourer, a strong, calloused hand suddenly grabbed my right arm.


    It was Old Man Andrei.


    "Calm down, you two," he stated in a cold, commanding voice. "He¡¯s a friend."


    He let out a sigh before fixing them both with a stern look.


    "Are you trying to get yourselves killed?" he asked.


    Then, turning to me, he continued, "Forgive them, Riel.


    They just returned from a mission."


    "It¡¯s fine," I replied, my voice even.


    "I understand... it was just a misunderstanding."


    "But weren¡¯t you about to draw your sword?" Old Man Drei asked, his gaze scrutinizing me.


    "That girl looked dangerous," I answered simply.


    "I was just preparing to defend myself."


    With visible hesitation, Alex and Yui slowly approached after securing their weapons.


    "Let me introduce these two," Old Man Drei began.


    "The tall young man is Alexander Makarov, and the young lady is Yui Hasegawa."


    Taking a step forward, I introduced myself in return.


    "I¡¯m Asriel Sanchez¡­ I mean, Asriel Kurokiba, grandson of Shiratora Kurokiba."


    At the mention of my grandfather¡¯s name, both of them stiffened, their eyes widening in shock.


    Alexander, however, still looked at me with lingering fear.


    Then, his expression shifted into something almost unreadable as he suddenly asked,


    "Why is there a silhouette of a dragon on your back?"


    I blinked, momentarily caught off guard.


    "So¡­ you can see Devourer?" I asked, my interest piqued.


    "He can," Dia interjected. "Alexander was cursed in his right eye, he has the ability to see souls."


    I let out a small breath before giving my final command for the day.


    "Devourer, you may rest now, you¡¯ve had your fill," I said, allowing the energy around me to settle.


    After a moment of silence, Yui finally spoke again, her tone shifting.


    "Those two black swords¡­ they belonged to the Sword Saint," she stated in recognition.


    Then, looking at me directly, she offered a small bow.


    "Hi, I¡¯m Yui Hasegawa, but you can just call me Yui. I¡­ apologize for attacking you," she said sincerely.


    Alexander exhaled and gave a nod of acknowledgment.


    "I¡¯m Alexander Makarov," he introduced himself. "Nice to meet you, Asriel."


    "You two can just call me Riel," I said with a small nod.


    "In that case, call me Alex, and, uh¡­ sorry for shooting you," Alex apologized, rubbing the back of his head.


    "It¡¯s fine. I get it, Yui and Alex," I replied casually.


    Both of them turned toward Old Man Drei, seeking confirmation.


    "I told you two about him a year ago," he reminded them.


    "Yeah, but you never mentioned that he casually walks around with a cursed black sword," Yui pointed out.


    For a moment, the five of us just stared at each other in silence before Alex finally spoke.


    "General Andrei, Yui and I will head back to our room to rest," Alex said.


    "Go ahead," Old Man Drei responded with a nod.


    Just then, Dia chimed in.


    "By the way, Riel is going to be our new housemate, Alex and Yui."


    Alex turned to us, clearly surprised.


    "So we''re heading in the same direction, then," Dia added with an amused smile.


    I could see Diana trying not to giggle at Alex and Yui¡¯s reactions.


    Alex scratched his head before saying,


    "Look, I know we didn¡¯t exactly give you the best first impression, but we¡¯re not the kind of people who just shoot on sight."


    "Don¡¯t worry about it," I said, waving it off.


    "I¡¯m used to it."


    "Used to it!?" Dia suddenly protested, narrowing her eyes at me.


    Yui perked up, looking curious.


    "Wait¡­ don¡¯t tell me Dia shot you when you first arrived?"


    I smirked. "She emptied an entire magazine on me."


    Alex and Yui burst into laughter at the thought, while Dia, flustered, playfully smacked my shoulder in protest.


    "You two seem really close," Yui observed with a knowing smile.


    "She¡¯s just worried about me," I replied, my expression dimming slightly. "I wasn¡¯t able to save my friend, Nikola Fischer, yesterday."


    At the mention of his name, Yui¡¯s expression softened. "Nikola Fischer¡­ he was a skilled fighter.


    I didn¡¯t expect him to¡­" she trailed off, looking genuinely saddened.


    "He was up against a Sword of Sin wielding Tyrfing," Dia added somberly.


    "Then there was nothing we could¡¯ve done," Alex said, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder.


    We walked in silence for a few more steps before arriving at a large two-story building more of a spacious house than a dormitory.

 Blades and Secrets

    "Riel, can I take a look at your black rapier?" Yui suddenly asked after we entered the two-storey house.


    "In exchange, I''ll let you check out my black cutlass," she added with a small smile.


    "Sure, I¡¯m actually kind of curious about your cutlass," I admitted.


    "I figured," she said knowingly. "You were staring at it pretty intently while we were walking."


    "Sorry about that," I replied. "I was just intrigued, especially after seeing you use a sword style similar to mine."


    "I guess your grandfather never told you about the Kurokiba branch family," Yui said as she carefully examined Devourer.


    "Grandpa was always secretive when it came to his family matters," I replied.


    "That doesn¡¯t surprise me," she said before drawing Devourer from its sheath.


    "Yui!" Dia gasped as she saw her unsheathe the sword.


    "It¡¯s okay, Dia," I reassured her.


    Yui turned the blade in her hands, admiring it. "It¡¯s incredible that you can control Devourer at such a young age."


    "I guess all that training with Slayer finally paid off," I said as I unsheathed her black cutlass in return.


    The moment I drew it, a surge of screams, terror, and gruesome deaths flashed through my mind.


    "This cutlass is called Ravager, the only black sword given to the branch family," Yui explained.


    "It¡¯s one of the seven black swords," she added.


    "So there¡¯s one more," I muttered.


    "It¡¯s beautiful¡­ just like the others," I admitted.


    "Don¡¯t you want it?" she suddenly asked.


    I shook my head. "No, I don¡¯t."


    "Why?" Yui asked, looking at me curiously.


    "Because it¡¯s yours," I answered.


    She stared at me, surprised.


    "This sword recognizes you as its master," I continued. "It¡¯s like Slayer and the other five black swords to me."


    Yui let out a soft sigh. "Sorry for testing you.


    The truth is¡­ it was your grandfather¡¯s order for us to keep that sword."


    She hesitated for a moment before continuing.


    "He also taught me a bit about the Severing Style¡­ but I never managed to master it," she admitted.


    "That¡¯s why my swordsmanship is similar to yours, but with a few differences¡±, she added.


    I blinked in surprise. "Grandpa never mentioned having another student", I said.


    "Should I call you Yui-senpai, then?" I teased.


    Yui froze, her face turning red.


    Before she could respond, Dia suddenly cut in.


    "Riel, are you done talking with Yui?" she asked, clearly annoyed.


    I glanced around. "Where¡¯s Alex?"


    "He¡¯s already in his room," Dia replied.


    "Sorry for taking up so much of your time," Yui said as she handed Devourer back to me.


    "I¡¯ll be heading to my room to rest, but I hope we can continue our conversation sometime soon," she added.


    "I¡¯d like that too. Thanks for your time, Yui-senpai," I replied with a smirk as I handed Ravager back to her.


    A soft "Hmmm¡­" came from Dia.


    I turned to look at her, she was clearly pouting as she watched Yui enter her room.


    "Let¡¯s go to your room upstairs," she huffed, still hugging Decapitator tightly in her arms.


    Suppressing a chuckle, I followed after her.


    "This is your ID," Dia said as she handed me the card after unlocking the door.


    "It grants access to your room and covers your food and necessities fund. Don¡¯t lose it", she added.


    "Thanks," I replied as I stepped inside.


    The room was spacious, far larger than my previous one. The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    A king-sized bed stood against one wall, accompanied by a study table, wardrobe, and bookshelf.


    "Where should I put Decapitator?" Dia asked.


    "Just place it beside the bed," I answered.


    She carefully set the black Executioner sword down while I placed my travel bag and Devourer on the opposite side.


    "I¡¯ll be heading out now, Riel," Dia stated.


    "Grandpa wants me back in his office right away after dropping you off", she added.


    "Thanks for showing me my new room," I said with a smile.


    She tried to hide her own smile as she walked toward the door.


    "Meet me in the living room after breakfast tomorrow," she added before closing the door behind her.


    I sat down on the comfortable bed, sinking into the plush mattress.


    Holding up the ID card she had given me, I read the details:


    Asriel Kurokiba


    Genesis Zero Branch


    Member #02


    Job: Close Combat Specialist


    Rank: Classified


    As I stared at the card, drowsiness suddenly washed over me.


    It felt like I had only been asleep for a few hours when a knock echoed through the room.


    "Riel, I made lunch if you''re hungry," Alex¡¯s voice came from outside.


    I let out a yawn as I sat up.


    Is it lunchtime already? I thought as I looked at the clock on my room''s wall.


    The bed was dangerously comfortable, and I already missed its warmth as I got up and headed downstairs.


    Upon reaching the first floor, I spotted Dia and Yui seated at the dining table.


    Dia glanced up and gestured for me to sit beside her, directly across from Yui.


    "Oh! Just in time, Riel," Alex said, setting down the dishes he had prepared.


    "I thought you were still asleep", he added


    "Just a quick nap," I replied.


    Meanwhile, Dia stood up to grab me a plate and cutlery.


    The table was set with chicken teriyaki, vegetable stir-fry, miso soup, and white rice.


    "I figured I''d cook some Asian food to make up for earlier," Alex explained, still holding his personal device, which displayed a chicken teriyaki recipe.


    "Thanks," I said, helping myself to a generous serving after Dia and Yui had taken theirs.


    I also grabbed some stir-fried vegetables and two cups of rice.


    "Is this your first time making this?" I asked after taking a bite.


    Alex¡¯s expression instantly shifted.


    "Wait¡­ is it that bad?" he asked.


    Dia and Yui laughed at his reaction.


    "No, no¡­ it¡¯s really good," I reassured him.


    "Almost as good as my grandma¡¯s chicken teriyaki", I added.


    "Alex is a really good cook," Dia said proudly.


    "Honestly, I feel a little guilty when it¡¯s my turn to cook," Yui admitted.


    "Yeah, I start losing confidence every time I taste his food," Dia agreed with a sigh.


    "But what really matters is the effort you put into the dish, right, Riel?" Alex asked.


    "That¡¯s true," I nodded.


    "But let¡¯s be honest, great food is on a whole different level."


    Alex smirked. "Riel¡­ you just love eating delicious food, don¡¯t you?"


    "Blame my mom and grandma for spoiling me with amazing cooking," I replied.


    He chuckled at my response.


    "So it has to be tasty, huh?" Dia mused.


    "The homemade sandwiches you brought me last night were really good," I said absentmindedly.


    "You brought him homemade sandwiches?" Yui asked, surprised.


    "And they were really delicious¡­ hmm," I added thoughtfully.


    Dia turned bright red while I continued enjoying my meal, pretending not to notice.


    Meanwhile, Alex grinned, clearly entertained.


    "By the way, Riel," Dia suddenly said, eager to change the subject, "Grandpa assigned both of us to a newly formed group, Genesis Zero."


    "Alex and Yui will be transferring to the branch next week," she continued.


    "Apparently, another promising member will also be joining us then," she added.


    Alex leaned back, arms crossed.


    "So what¡¯s the point of gathering all the Blessed Children in one place?"


    "It¡¯s probably to minimize civilian and military casualties," Yui speculated.


    "You¡¯re right. Gladius is getting too powerful these days," Alex agreed.


    "Just like the other day when they attacked Iceland, killing over a hundred civilians," he added grimly.


    "Fortunately, reinforcements were strong enough to back up the first team and push Gladius back," Yui said.


    So that¡¯s what they were told¡­ I thought.


    Dia suddenly spoke up.


    "Riel was the one who stopped them, alone.


    And saying he just ¡®pushed them back¡¯ isn¡¯t really accurate¡­


    After all, every Gladius member in that area died that day, except for Scarlett Rain."


    Alex and Yui¡¯s eyes widened in shock.


    "But weren¡¯t there two Swords of Sin there that day?" Alex asked.


    "And both of them had legendary swords," he added.


    "From what I heard, it was Scarlett Rain and Black Snow," Yui said.


    "Black Snow is dead," Dia confirmed.


    "He was cut into pieces.


    While Scarlett Rain barely managed to escape.", Dia added.


    Yui turned to me, her gaze sharp.


    "You used it, didn¡¯t you? Severing Style: Killing Art," Yui asked.


    "I did," I admitted.


    "No wonder¡­" Yui muttered. "Your grandpa always said the world would be fine, even if he were gone."


    "Can¡¯t you use it, Yui?" Alex asked curiously.


    She shook her head.


    "No. You need to fully master the Severing Style Forms before you can even attempt to learn it."


    "I see¡­" Alex nodded.


    "No wonder General Andrei sent Riel into battle immediately after he arrived", he added.


    I said nothing and simply continued eating, occasionally sipping my iced tea while they talked.


    A few moments later, I set down my glass.


    "Thanks for the food."


    Alex glanced at me. "What are your plans for today, Riel?"


    "Sleep," I replied as I stood up to wash my dishes.


    "But didn¡¯t you just wake up?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.


    "Not actual sleep," I clarified. "I¡¯m gonna play a VRMMO game."


    Alex smirked. "Well then, enjoy your game."


    "Is it Arcadia Online?" Yui suddenly asked.


    I paused. "How¡¯d you know?"


    "Niko talked about it quite a lot when I asked him about his training methods," she replied.


    "I see," I said. "You should try it sometime, Yui."


    "You never know, you might like it," I added before heading back to my room.

 Fresh Start

    I pulled my VR device from my travel bag and adjusted my bed, getting comfortable for a few hours of gameplay.


    It had been a while since I last played this game, I thought to myself.


    Once I was settled, I logged into my account.


    However, since I was entering the American server this time, I needed to create a brand-new character from scratch.


    As usual, I started with a default model and customized it to my liking.


    I went with a mid-height male avatar with a lean build, black hair tied into a samurai bun, and striking purple eyes, just like mine when my cursed eyes activate.


    Satisfied with the look, I moved on to the next step.


    A window popped up in front of me: "Enter your in-game name."


    Hmm¡­ What name should I use? I wanted something cooler this time since I¡¯d been stuck with "Leirsa" on the Asian server.


    Something that represents vanishing into the shadows and striking its prey...


    Ghost? Specter? No¡­ Oh, I got it¡­ Phantom.


    But wait, that might get confused with the Phantom class.


    I needed something more distinct.


    Phantomlord.


    Yeah, that sounded good, I thought.


    I entered the name, and luckily, it was available.


    Another window appeared: "Choose your class."


    Without hesitation, I picked Assassin¡­ the perfect base for unlocking the unique Reaper Class later on.


    After about ten minutes of character customization, I was finally ready to begin.


    Upon entering the American Server in Arcadia Online, I spawned in a beginner town:


    Town Name: Silverbane


    Like every new player, I received a starter kit:


    Rusted Dagger


    Beginner Garb


    10 HP & MP Potions


    100 Silver Coins


    Not exactly the best, but at least it was something. I didn¡¯t even have enough money to buy a decent weapon.


    Luckily, I remembered a trick one of my old guildmates used.


    Take the Rusted Dagger to a blacksmith for restoration.


    Without wasting any time, I headed straight for the beginner town¡¯s blacksmith and handed him the dagger.


    Restoration Cost: 50 Silver


    I confirmed the transaction, and my Rusted Dagger transformed into an Iron Dagger.


    Checking the weapon¡¯s stats, I realized I had just saved a fortune.


    An Iron Dagger normally costs 1,000 silver (1 gold) in the beginner town¡¯s weapon shop.


    Restoring the old one had only cost me 50 silver, meaning I saved 950 silver right off the bat.


    Looking at the updated stats, the difference was massive:


    Attack Power: 5 ¡ú 50 (10x increase)


    Durability: 10 ¡ú 100 (10x increase)


    Not bad at all.


    Next, I stopped by the weapon shop and spent 25 silver to buy 50 throwing daggers.


    With some money left, I headed to the Town Inn to grab an affordable food buff, a hot coffee and cookies for 20 silver.


    Buff Effects:


    Stamina Regeneration +2


    Mana Regeneration +2


    Health Regeneration +2


    EXP Rate +25% (Effective for levels below 40)


    Buff Duration: 4 hours


    Even though it was just a game, I could smell and taste the coffee and cookies.


    This is going to be fun.


    With only five silver coins left, my character was practically broke.


    Time to grind some EXP and currency.


    I pulled up my map, scanning for a beginner-friendly grinding spot.


    I needed a location filled with low-HP monsters that would fall instantly to my throwing daggers.Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    Luckily, I found the perfect spot, Harpy¡¯s Peak.


    It was a level 15 area inhabited by Windlings, lesser harpies at level 5.


    They were fast but fragile, making them the ideal target.


    Even better, they dropped Windling¡¯s Feathers, which sold for 1 silver each.


    The area''s boss was a Harpy (level 15), which had a decent chance of dropping Harpy¡¯s Feathers, worth a whopping 100 silver each.


    Before setting off, I noticed my movement speed was slow.


    To fix that, I poured all my beginner stat points into Agility.


    That¡¯s more like it.


    With my speed enhanced, I sprinted toward Harpy¡¯s Peak.


    Thanks to my food buff, I could run for quite a while before needing to recover stamina.


    When I arrived, Windlings were flying around the area.


    It was lunchtime, meaning most players were offline, perfect timing.


    To maximize my farming efficiency, I gathered all the Windlings¡¯ aggro and cleared them out one by one.


    They were agile, but to me, they moved like they were frozen in place.


    After using almost all of my 50 throwing daggers, I finally reached the boss area.


    Current Level: 5.


    Checking my status points, I dumped all of them into Agility once again.


    As soon as I stepped into the boss zone, the Harpy instantly lunged at me.


    Too slow, I thought.


    Thanks to my boosted Agility, I effortlessly dodged it.


    Your back is wide open.


    I jumped over the Harpy and stabbed its back, causing it to shriek in pain as a chunk of its HP was shaved off.


    In retaliation, the Harpy unleashed Feather Wind, a unique attack that generates powerful gusts of wind, dealing continuous damage to anyone within the affected area.


    I immediately dashed behind a large rock, waiting for the skill to subside.


    Once it ended, the Harpy was left exhausted, gliding weakly.


    A skill demerit? Perfect, I thought.


    Seizing the opportunity, I sprinted toward it and slashed its neck using my Critical Slash, a critical hit.


    Its HP dropped into the red zone.


    Sensing danger, it began entering its frenzy state.


    But I didn¡¯t give it the chance.


    I leaped above it and hurled my remaining five throwing daggers, nailing both wings to the ground.


    Before it could struggle free, I lunged forward, aimed at its neck again, finally beheading the harpy.


    The Harpy¡¯s body shattered, leaving behind a few Harpy¡¯s Feathers.


    Now, it was time to unlock the portal, return to town, sell my loot, and restock my consumables.


    I repeated the process multiple times until I finally reached level 25.


    Along the way, I unlocked the following skills:


    Level 25 ¨C Backstab


    Level 20 ¨C Poison Dagger


    Level 15 ¨C Paralyzing Dagger


    Level 10 ¨C Dash


    Level 5 ¨C Critical Slash


    Level 1 ¨C Throwing Dagger


    Level 1 ¨C Dagger Stab/Slash


    Checking my inventory, I now had five gold and over 300 silver coins.


    Not bad for a fresh start.


    Taking another look at the weapon shop, I realized I could finally afford a better weapon.


    My Iron Dagger had served me well, but its durability was nearly zero.


    Repairing it would be a waste of my hard earned money, especially now that I could upgrade to something stronger.


    I decided to buy the Azure Dagger, a weapon boasting 100 attack points and a special effect that doubles poison damage.


    Quite the upgrade.


    The price? three gold coins.


    A heavy hit to my wallet, but well worth it.


    Next, I caught a glimpse of myself in the weapon shop¡¯s mirror.


    I looked like a peasant.


    Still clad in my beginner garb, I figured it was time for an upgrade.


    I purchased a full leather armor set, from head to toe¡­ for two gold.


    Equipping it, I felt a lot more like an actual Assassin¡­ but now I was broke again.


    With only 300+ silver left, I made my final purchases:


    Half a dozen smoke bombs 240 silver.


    Now, I was down to just over 60 silver but considering this was only my first hour of gameplay, I¡¯d made solid progress.


    Next Goal, Level 40.


    At level 40, I could unlock one of the Assassin''s advanced classes, Shinobi.


    However, there was a major problem.


    The Assassin class struggles as a solo player.


    I could easily die to homing skills and AOE attacks, making monster grinding a serious risk.


    Then, it hit me.


    Assassins aren¡¯t meant to hunt monsters.


    They¡¯re meant to hunt players.


    There was one place where I could fight players without getting out-leveled or out-geared, a low-level labyrinth with a level restriction.


    Forsaken Catacombs ¨C A Level 1-40 Labyrinth.


    Most players wouldn¡¯t risk bringing rare weapons into a low-level labyrinth since there was a chance of losing gear upon defeat.


    It was the perfect place to farm weaker players for loot.


    Without hesitation, I purchased an entry ticket to the Forsaken Catacombs for fifty silver.


    With what little money I had left, I headed straight for the labyrinth.


    The dungeon was filled with undead monsters Skeletons, Ghouls, Zombies, and even a Vampire.


    The spawn point was random, meaning I could start anywhere inside the labyrinth.


    I just hoped I wouldn¡¯t spawn in the Vampire¡¯s domain.


    Without a Holy Magic user like a Healer class or a Paladin, dealing with Vampires was an absolute nightmare.


    As I looked around, I realized I was in an empty chamber covered in scattered skulls.


    In front of me stood an open coffin and an empty throne.


    Well¡­ this isn¡¯t good.


    I should have brought a hammer and a stake, I thought.


    Before I could react, a petite female vampire materialized in front of me.

 Liliana, The First Progenitor

    "Welcome, Lost One," the female vampire declared.


    Instinctively, I braced myself for a fight, scanning the area for a possible escape route.


    But deep down, I already knew¡­ I couldn¡¯t win against what stood before me.


    Above her head, the system displayed: Liliana, First Progenitor | LVL ???


    No exits.


    The entire area was sealed in a crimson barrier.


    Blood Prison.


    One of the most powerful monster barriers, and this vampire had trapped me inside it.


    "There''s no need for such hostility, Lost One," she said calmly.


    "With your current strength, you stand no chance against me", she added while smiling.


    She wasn¡¯t wrong.


    But if she truly intended to kill me, I would¡¯ve been dead the moment I stepped into this place.


    Even so, I unsheathed my dagger, refusing to lower my guard.


    "What do you seek, Lost One?" she asked.


    "Power? Wealth? Fame?", she added.


    "Everything," I replied without hesitation.


    She studied me, amusement flickering in her crimson eyes.


    "And what exactly do you mean by that?" she asked.


    "I want power to protect the weak, wealth to provide for the poor, and fame to guide the lost."


    It was Grandpa¡¯s favorite phrase, the answer he always said he would give if a djinn ever asked him for his wishes.


    And it was one of the guiding principles he lived by throughout his life as a Sword Saint.


    The vampire let out a soft laugh. "Such greed, Lost One."


    Then, with a smirk, she added, "If you can survive my attacks, I will give you everything."


    It was an absurd offer, but one I couldn¡¯t refuse.


    After all, the only thing at stake was an hour of progress.


    "I''ll take that deal", I replied.


    The vampire¡¯s smile widened.


    "I am Liliana Bloodmoon, the First Progenitor."


    Her aura darkened.


    Malice radiated from her.


    The next attack, she meant to kill me.


    Then, before I could react, she began chanting.


    ¡°Diluvium coccineum surge, perfora carnem, vincula animam, omnia in tormento aeterno submerge¡±


    Her voice chanted at an inhumane speed, the words incomprehensible to my ears.


    But I caught the final phrase, one I never wanted to hear if I intended to survive.


    "Forbidden Skill: Blood Paradise."


    The room was instantly submerged in a sea of crimson.


    Instinct took over, I leapt onto the nearby coffin.


    From all sides, blood spears materialized and shot toward me while blood chains almost caught my legs..


    I dodged as best as I could, but my speed wasn¡¯t enough.


    I could see the attacks coming, but my body lagged behind my thoughts.


    No choice.


    I activated Backstab, teleporting behind Liliana in an instant¡­ just in time to avoid the incoming barrage.


    She seemed genuinely surprised by my move.


    Every Forbidden Skill had a drawback.


    And judging by the thousands of blood spears trajectory, I noticed something¡­ a single safe zone.


    A one-meter radius in the very center of the attack. Right where Liliana stood.


    It made sense.


    A skill this powerful shouldn¡¯t harm the caster.


    After a few moments, the bloodstorm ceased.


    Liliana¡¯s eyes gleamed with interest.


    "You have quite the keen eye, Lost One" she stated


    "You have passed my test", she added.


    A system notification appeared before me.


    Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    You have received the Vampiric Skill Tree.


    The system announcement caught me off guard, I had let my guard down.


    Before I could react, Liliana sank her fangs into my neck.


    "For passing my test, Lost One, I grant you Time," she whispered.


    A new system notification flashed before me.


    Skill Obtained: No Longer Human.


    Suddenly, my vision turned blood-red.


    Through the crimson haze, I saw Liliana step in front of me, her expression playful.


    She smiled one last time before fading into the darkness.


    I blinked, and my vision returned to normal.


    She was gone.


    No trace of her, not even the coffin or the empty throne.


    For a moment, I thought I had imagined it all, until I checked my character window.


    No Longer Human ¨C A skill that allows the player to temporarily become a vampire and use vampiric abilities.


    "A weird interaction, but a skill is a skill," I muttered.


    This was exactly why I hated vampires.


    They were absurdly powerful, unpredictable, and had the strangest personalities.


    Surprisingly, I had already reached level 40.


    Checking the log, I found out why¡­


    For some reason, I had completed a hidden quest:


    Amusing the Queen of the Night


    The rewards? A massive EXP boost and 10,000 gold.


    "I can buy whatever weapon I want now," I thought.


    Since there was no reason to keep farming players in the labyrinth, I decided to head back to Silverbane and start preparing for my advancement test.


    I immediately purchased the Scarlet Blood Scythe blueprint from the Exchange for 1,000 gold.


    Then, I gathered the necessary materials, I mean buy the materials in the Exchange:


    Heart of a Bloodred Salamander ¨C 150 gold


    Eye of a Cyclops ¨C 200 gold


    10 Titanium Ingots ¨C 400 gold


    Crafting fee ¨C 250 gold


    Total spent: 2,000 gold.


    "It''s way too easy to spend money you didn¡¯t work for," I thought to myself.


    Scarlet Blood Scythe


    Weapon Type: Interchanges between a Kusarigama (chain & sickle) and a scythe.


    Effects:


    Increases Blood Arts damage by 100%.


    Grants a temporary buff that increases all stats based on the number of enemies (or players) defeated.


    Unbreakable.


    Since I had acquired vampiric abilities, I might as well wield a weapon that amplified their power.


    Dark Spectral armor Set


    With my remaining gold, I finally bought the armor set I had been waiting to use for my future Reaper Class.


    Set Effects:


    Grants immunity to immobilizing effects like bind, stun, freeze, and petrify.


    Increases attack speed and movement speed by 50% while HP is above 75%.


    Unlocks Walking Mirage skill.


    If equipped by a Phantom, grants three additional charges of Walking Mirage.


    Allows the user to wield Kusarigama and scythe weapons.


    Though the Dark Spectral Armor had lower base defense than other rare sets and lacked resistance to elemental damage, except for dark attributes.


    Its mobility boost and special abilities made it perfect for a Reaper hybrid build.


    Now that I was level 40, it was time to take my Advancement Quest.


    Shinobi, like Samurai, is one of the few special Advanced Classes that cannot access an Ultimate Class.


    However, it has the lowest level requirement among Advanced Classes and can even be used as a subclass for certain unique classes, like the Reaper Class.


    The only issue? The Advancement Quest requires me to defeat a Level 60 Special Dungeon Boss.


    Most players don¡¯t even bother attempting it solo.


    They just hire high-level players to take down the boss for them.


    The monster I need to defeat is the Tengu, a formidable boss residing in The Abandoned Mountain.


    I had fought it multiple times before, helping out guild members who needed it, but that was when I was already using an Advanced Class.


    Like the Harpy, the Tengu specializes in wind-based attacks, but on an entirely different level.


    Feather Storm ¨C A massive AoE attack with high DPS. The only way to survive is to get out of range.


    Cyclone Slash ¨C The Tengu teleports behind the farthest player and unleashes a flurry of wind blades for an instant execution.


    Feather Slash ¨C The Tengu wields a feather sword that instantly kills any player below 30% HP and reduces max HP by 10% per hit.


    It also applies a healing block debuff for one minute.


    Meaning, if the Tengu lands six attacks, it¡¯s a guaranteed death.


    With its extreme mobility and attack speed, any low-level player without proper movement skills would be wiped out in seconds.


    I headed toward The Abandoned Mountain to defeat the Tengu after I got my Advancement Quest.


    To my surprise, there were quite a few players gathered around the entrance, most heavily geared.


    My guess? They were mercenaries selling Tengu-killing services.


    "Sir, is 100 gold enough?" a newbie player asked hesitantly.


    "No, you need at least 300 gold," the well-equipped player responded.


    "I only have 200 gold, is that enough, brother?" another newbie chimed in.


    "Nope. It¡¯s 300 gold per person," the mercenary said flatly.


    "That¡¯s ridiculous," I thought.


    A complete ripoff.


    "But it took us a whole week to save up this much¡­" one of the newbies muttered.


    "Then go grind for another week," the mercenary laughed.


    I glanced at his guild emblem, DarkMoon, one of the largest guilds in the American Server.


    I waited to see if anyone would offer to help the struggling players, but all I saw were DarkMoon emblems everywhere.


    Feeling rebellious, I made my move.


    I approached the two players.


    "Want to tag along?" I asked.


    "What do you mean?" one of them looked up, confused.


    "Let¡¯s form a party. I¡¯ll help you take down the Tengu."


    Their eyes lit up with excitement.


    "Phantomlord?" the mercenary read my in-game name aloud, his expression darkening.


    He was clearly not happy about my interference.


    "Is there a problem?" I asked, unfazed.


    "You¡¯re level 40. And you think you can beat the Tengu?" he scoffed.


    "You weren¡¯t offering your services, so why do you care?" I countered, getting under his skin.


    His name, Dark Ice, flashed before me. Level 62, Shinobi class.


    I ignored him and sent the party invite.


    The two newbies eagerly accepted.


    "Let¡¯s go," I said, leading them toward the dungeon entrance.


    Dark Ice just stood there, glaring at us, then smirked.


    As we stepped inside, I saw his guildmates gathering around him.


    He¡¯s definitely up to something.

 Shinobi Advancement Quest

    "I''m Raven, and this is my little brother, Crow," the newbie introduced himself.


    "Here''s the 300 gold," Raven added, opening a trade window with me.


    "It''s fine. I never said you had to pay me," I replied.


    "What do you mean?" Crow asked, confused.


    "I just want to help you guys out since I''m here for the same thing," I explained.


    "Oh, okay," Crow nodded.


    The Abandoned Mountain is a special dungeon, no monsters, just the boss.


    "So, what¡¯s the plan?" Raven asked.


    "When I say ¡®To me,¡¯ you both run towards me," I instructed.


    "Got it," Crow replied.


    "And take these," I handed each of them three smoke bombs.


    I was originally going to use them in the labyrinth in case a high-level player showed up,


    but after the vampire incident, I never got the chance, I thought to myself.


    "What are we supposed to do with these?" Raven asked.


    "When I say ¡®Throw,¡¯ you toss them," I said simply.


    "That¡¯s it?" Crow asked.


    "That¡¯s it," I confirmed.


    "Alright, we can do that," Raven agreed as we entered the boss area.


    The main goal was getting Tengu''s item drop, Tengu¡¯s Black Feather.


    It is a guaranteed drop but could only be obtained once per player and sold for a thousand gold.


    The Tengu stood before us, covered in black feathers, its appearance a blend of human, monkey, and bird, just like the legends described.


    "I¡¯ve fought it a few times, but it still looks cool," I thought to myself.


    "You two, keep your distance," I instructed.


    "And if you see hundreds of feathers swirling, run", I continued.


    "Got it," they both replied.


    The moment I heard their confirmation, I charged at the Tengu to grab its aggro.


    I closed in and immediately cast Backstab, then used my Kusarigama to ensnare one of its talons with Chain Bind, forcefully slamming it to the ground.


    Thanks to the 15 levels I gained from the labyrinth, I had just enough strength to execute Chain Slam, a default skill for Kusarigama users.


    I retracted the chain and followed up with a horizontal slash before the Tengu could regain its footing.


    A notification appeared, Poison and Paralysis inflicted.


    My Assassin¡¯s Poison Dagger and Paralyzing Dagger effects must have transferred to my sickle.


    The Tengu shrieked, causing Raven and Crow to instinctively retreat as it cast Feather Storm¡­ a deadly AOE attack.


    I threw my chain toward a tree branch and swung myself out of range.


    Raven and Crow made it out safely.


    Now, the Tengu brandished its Feather Sword, a sign that the real fight was beginning.


    As soon as the Feather Storm subsided, it lunged at me with incredible speed.


    I quickly shifted my Kusarigama into Scythe Form to block the Tengu¡¯s attacks.


    The Tengu unleashed a relentless flurry of slashes.


    Though slower than my grandfather¡¯s swordsmanship, it still managed to land two hits.


    I checked my HP, down to 80% in just two hits.


    "I still need more practice with the scythe," I thought grimly.


    Then, the Tengu¡¯s feathers glowed crimson, a clear sign it was about to use Cyclone Slash.


    "To me!" I shouted.


    Raven and Crow sprinted toward me as fast as they could.


    I activated Walking Mirage, leaving an illusion of myself in place, then kicked off the illusion to create distance.


    The Tengu unleashed its Cyclone Slash, instantly shredding my illusion.


    This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.


    Fortunately, I had kicked the mirage far enough,  that Raven and Crow weren¡¯t caught in the attack.


    As the skill ended, I dashed back into range and activated Backstab again.


    This time, wielding my scythe, I unleashed multiple Sonic Slashes, a level 40 Assassin skill that triples damage and critical hit chance.


    The Tengu had no time to react.


    All four slashes landed.


    My MP was nearly depleted, but it was enough.


    The Tengu¡¯s body disintegrated into light.


    "That was so cool!" Crow exclaimed.


    "How can I get a weapon like that?" Raven asked, clearly impressed.


    "Did you guys get the Tengu¡¯s Feather?" I asked.


    "Yeah!" they both answered excitedly.


    "Just hand it over to the advancement quest giver, and you¡¯re all set," I said.


    "Thanks a lot!" Raven grinned.


    "So, what exactly are we supposed to do with these smoke bombs?" Crow asked, still holding three of them.


    I glanced at him and calmly explained, "The player offering ''help'' earlier is probably waiting just outside the boss area, planning to ambush us."


    "Why?" Crow asked innocently.


    "To steal our items," Raven answered before I could.


    "That''s kinda messed up," Crow muttered.


    "So these smoke bombs¡­ they''re for us to escape safely?" Crow asked.


    "Exactly," I nodded.


    I could feel their unease as they kept glancing toward the exit.


    "They may be higher level than us, but because they underestimate us, we can catch them off guard," I reassured them.


    Raven took a deep breath.


    "What do we do after we throw the smoke bombs?", he asked.


    "Run. Use the gate to return to town," I instructed as I started drinking MP potions to replenish my mana.


    "And you?" Crow asked hesitantly.


    "Wait for me at the town inn," I said.


    Though still doubtful, both of them walked beside me as we stepped out of the boss area.


    As expected, Dark Ice and his crew were already there, waiting.


    "Wow, you guys actually beat the Tengu.


    Now hand over the Tengu¡¯s Black Feather, and we¡¯ll let you go," Dark Ice sneered.


    Twelve DarkMoon guild members stood in front of me, their average level at least 60.


    I sighed, then suddenly dashed forward,  and activated my Backstab skill.


    Dark Ice barely had time to react as my blade struck his back, inflicting Poison and Paralysis.


    Jumping into the air, I shouted, "Throw!"


    Raven and Crow hurled their smoke bombs, engulfing the area in thick smoke, cutting off visibility.


    The enemy assumed I had jumped into the trees, giving Raven and Crow the perfect chance to escape.


    Especially with Dark Ice panicking, yelling for his healer to remove his debuffs.


    As the smoke cleared, they were all still looking up.


    But I was never in the trees.


    I was standing right in front of them.


    Their eyes widened in shock.


    "You really have a death wish, don¡¯t you?" Dark Ice growled.


    I smirked. "Not really. I just noticed you guys have some nice gear.


    If I¡¯m lucky, one of your rare items might drop."


    "As if you can beat us! You''re outnum¡­" One of the members didn''t get to finish his sentence.


    A blood spear shot straight through his chest.


    "Outnumbered?" I finished his words for him.


    Panic spread among them as they realized five of their members were already skewered by my blood spears.


    They turned back to me as they realized they''re already caught by my blood chains, only to meet my gaze.


    A crimson glow radiated from my blood-red eyes as I flashed a smile, revealing my sharp white fangs.


    Before any of them could react, hundreds of blood spears rained down, impaling every last one of them.


    Forbidden Skill: Blood Paradise.


    Good thing I bought those six smoke bombs, without them, Raven and Crow might have been traumatized if they had stayed and watched from the sidelines.


    The smoke bombs gave me just enough time to finish chanting after activating my new skill, No Longer Human.


    As the BlackMoon members¡¯ bodies disappeared, I gathered the dropped items.


    It was quite a haul.


    Hopefully, they learned their lesson.


    I waited a few minutes for my Vampiric Skill to wear off before heading back to town.


    On the way, I sold most of the loot I got from the BlackMoon members.


    When I arrived at the Town¡¯s Inn, Raven and Crow looked surprised to see me walk through the door.


    I casually made my way to their table and ordered some food.


    ¡°We thought they got you,¡± Crow admitted.


    ¡°We already handed the Tengu¡¯s Feather to the advancement quest giver,¡± Raven added.


    ¡°Great,¡± I replied.


    ¡°I turned mine in too, so let¡¯s celebrate¡­ starting today, we¡¯re officially Shinobi.¡±


    Raven grinned, but then his expression turned curious.


    ¡°So¡­ what happened to the BlackMoon guild?¡±


    I smirked. ¡°I just taught them a lesson.¡±


    Then, I opened a trade window and handed Raven a White Titanium Set, including a Shinobi''s primary weapon.


    His eyes widened. ¡°This set is worth at least 1,000 gold! I can¡¯t accept this, you¡¯ve already done so much for us.¡±


    ¡°Just take it,¡± I said.


    ¡°Consider it a ¡®donation¡¯ from the BlackMoon Guild, an apology, if you will¡±, I added.


    Then, I turned to Crow and handed him a Black Titanium Set.


    The Black and White Titanium sets were ideal for beginners, as they didn¡¯t drop upon death.


    While slightly weaker than other sets, they were great for learning the game.


    Both Raven and Crow accepted the gear, looking thrilled as they equipped it.


    Seeing them like that made me smile, it reminded me of my own guild.


    ¡°Phantomlord, can we just call you ¡®Big Brother¡¯?¡± Crow asked.


    ¡°Of course,¡± I replied with a chuckle.


    After eating, I spent a few hours teaching them survival tips and combat strategies for stronger opponents.


    Eventually, they logged off, bidding me farewell.


    The whole interaction lifted my spirits.


    I found myself smiling.


    I guess I¡¯ll save getting the Reaper Class for another day.


    By the time I logged off, it was already 11 PM.


    Still hungry, I checked the kitchen and found a meal waiting for me, omelet rice wrapped in cellophane.


    A small note was stuck to it: ¡°Reheat before eating, Riel.¡±


    I warmed it up in the microwave while preparing a cup of hot chocolate.


    As expected, it tasted great.


    I wonder if Alex made this.


    Whoever it was, I was grateful.


    In-game food could never truly satisfy hunger.


    Ten minutes later, I had finished both the omelet rice and my hot chocolate.


    Before heading to bed, I sorted through my luggage, picking out an outfit for my tour with Dia tomorrow.


    After a few minutes of searching, I finally settled on something suitable.

 The Six Council

    Excited about my tour with Dia, I woke up earlier than usual.


    As I entered the kitchen, I saw Alex already cooking breakfast. He glanced at me, surprised.


    "It¡¯ll be ready in a few more minutes," he said with a smile.


    "Did you like the omelet rice last night?" he asked.


    "It was great," I replied.


    "Did you make it?"


    "Yui did," Alex answered.


    "I should thank her for the meal," I muttered to myself.


    "Was it good?" a familiar voice whispered.


    I turned to see Yui, who had apparently overheard me.


    "Yes, it was delicious. Thanks for making it for me," I said.


    "I''m glad you liked it," she replied, looking a little flustered.


    I glanced around, searching for Dia. She must still be asleep, I thought.


    "If you''re looking for Dia, she''ll be here in a few minutes," Alex said, his expression somewhat concerned.


    A few minutes later, he finished preparing breakfast.


    Just as I was about to eat, Dia walked in, with an unexpected guest.


    Beside her stood her grandfather, Old Man Drei, dressed in his formal military uniform.


    She gave me a small smile before quietly sitting beside me, while her grandfather took the seat on my other side.


    "Riel, after breakfast, I need you to accompany me somewhere," Old Man Drei said abruptly.


    "But I¡¯m supposed to spend the day touring with Dia," I responded.


    "The Six Council has requested to meet with you," he replied firmly.


    "Can¡¯t I go with him?" Dia asked suddenly.


    "They specifically asked for him to come alone," Old Man Drei stated, his tone leaving no room for argument.


    Dia¡¯s expression darkened in frustration.


    "Can I bring one of my swords?" I asked as Alex handed me my breakfast.


    "You won¡¯t be allowed to carry any weapons," Old Man Drei answered.


    "I see¡­ So what should I wear?" I asked.


    "I''ve already prepared your attire for today," he said.


    "Thanks," I replied.


    "Looks like our tour will have to wait for another day, Dia," I added.


    Dia, Alex, and Yui exchanged worried glances.


    "I¡¯ll be fine, guys. It¡¯s not like they¡¯re going to harm me," I reassured them.


    "Besides, I have Old Man Drei with me", I added.


    "You still need to be careful, Riel," Old Man Drei warned.


    "Ever since your grandfather passed, some members of the Six Council have started acting differently", he added.


    "Thanks for the heads-up, old man," I said.


    So that¡¯s why they¡¯re all so worried, I thought.


    "But don¡¯t worry, I promise, I¡¯ll keep you safe," he added firmly.


    I couldn¡¯t help but wonder why the Six Council suddenly wanted to meet me.


    "Is this about Black Snow and Tyrfing?" I asked.


    "That¡¯s likely one of the reasons," Old Man Drei admitted.


    "It seems one of their informants witnessed your fight with Black Snow."


    "Makes sense," I said. "The Council probably has spies even inside Genesis."


    "It¡¯s fine, I¡¯ll go. I¡¯ve been meaning to see them anyway.


    "It''s been over two years since our last meeting," I said.


    Old Man Drei gave me a surprised look.


    "Of course you knew," he muttered.


    "The other six groups at your grandfather¡¯s funeral were the Six Council."


    "They weren¡¯t interested in you back then since they didn¡¯t know Shiratora had chosen you as his successor," he added.


    This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    "Grandpa, why do you think they want to meet Riel?" Dia asked suddenly.


    "Some probably just want to establish good relations with him, while others may have more¡­ questionable intentions," Old Man Drei replied.


    "Then why does Riel have to go?" Dia pressed.


    "Because the Six Council still governs the world, and ignoring their invitation would be seen as an insult," he explained.


    "I get that," she said, "but going there completely unarmed seems reckless."


    "I doubt they¡¯d try anything drastic, after all The Six Council isn¡¯t a monolithic group." Alex reasoned.


    "That¡¯s exactly why it¡¯s dangerous," Yui countered.


    "Because they aren¡¯t unified, Riel can¡¯t afford to be careless", Yui warned.


    By the time their debate continued, I had already finished my breakfast.


    After washing my dishes, Old Man Drei handed me the outfit he had prepared.


    "Thanks, old man," I said, taking it and heading upstairs for a quick shower.


    Five minutes later, I was dressed in the attire.


    It resembled my grandfather¡¯s black battlesuit but had a sleeker, more modern design.


    Surprisingly, Old Man Drei had also included a spare pair of mystic glasses, probably because I had broken mine last time.


    After checking my reflection in the mirror, I headed downstairs.


    "You look great," Dia commented.


    "Yeah, it really suits you," Yui added.


    "Are you sure this is just a meeting and not a full-blown war?" Alex joked.


    "Don¡¯t jinx me, Alex," I shot back.


    Old Man Drei suddenly spoke. "It¡¯s like I¡¯m looking at Tora right now."


    I simply smiled at his remark.


    "I''ll be going now, guys," I said, offering them a warm smile.


    "I¡¯ll be back", I added.


    "Make sure you do," Dia said firmly.


    "Take care," Yui added.


    "I¡¯ll have a great meal waiting for you when you return," Alex said with a grin.


    I smiled at them one last time before stepping into the military vehicle Old Man Drei had prepared.


    The ride was silent, and he remained quiet even as we boarded the military plane.


    "Riel, can you defend yourself without your sword?" he finally asked, his tone filled with concern.


    "To some extent," I admitted.


    "But if my life or yours, is in danger, I can¡¯t promise that those who challenge me will walk away unscathed", I stated.


    "I was going to tell you not to harm anyone connected to the Six Council," Old Man Drei said.


    "But if they attempt to kill us, don¡¯t hesitate to eliminate them", he added


    "Understood," I replied.


    He let out a small sigh before speaking again.


    "I¡¯ve already assigned someone to investigate the survivors from Branch Four, to see if any of them have ties to the Six Council."


    "I figured one of them might be a spy," I said.


    "It¡¯s only natural since the Six Council has the highest authority, after all."


    "You don¡¯t seem afraid of them," he observed.


    "Not personally," I admitted.


    "But I do worry about the people I care about", I said.


    The flight lasted a few hours before we finally landed on an unknown island.


    Upon arrival, we were immediately escorted into a black, heavily tinted car.


    The lack of visibility made me uneasy, I had no way of seeing my surroundings.


    Fortunately, the ride was brief, lasting only about ten minutes before we arrived at a massive, ancient castle.


    As soon as the vehicle stopped, an attendant opened the door, and I quickly stepped out.


    The castle was heavily guarded, as expected, after all, the six most powerful figures in the world were gathered here.


    A female attendant approached and led us inside.


    After a few minutes of walking, we entered a grand hall with a towering ceiling.


    The circular chamber was divided into six sections, each representing a different faction, leaving the center empty.


    Seated at each of the six thrones were familiar faces, ones I had seen years ago.


    Each of them was dressed in formal attire, quite a bit contrast to their usual appearance.


    To the right, near the entrance, sat Ryusen, the Dragon Emperor, ruler of the Asian continent.


    Beside him was Nova, the Ice Empress, who governed Europe and Antarctica.


    Next to her sat Aria, the Sky Empress, sovereign of Oceania.


    On the left side of the entrance, I spotted Goliath, the Giant Emperor, ruler of the African continent.


    Seated next to him was Blaze, the Sun Emperor, ruler of North America.


    And finally, Luna, the Moon Empress, who governed South America.


    Each of the Six Emperors was accompanied by one of the renowned Six Knights and a cavalry of elite soldiers.


    Rumors claimed that each knight wielded a weapon capable of rivaling the Black Swords of the Sword Saint.


    As I observed them closely, I could tell the rumors were true.


    "So, it has been more than two years since we last saw you, Asriel Kurokiba,


    the grandson and sole successor of the Sword Saint," Ryusen greeted.


    "It¡¯s been a while, Dragon Emperor.


    Thank you, and the other Emperors, for attending my grandfather¡¯s funeral," I replied.


    "An interesting child indeed, to recognize us so easily," the Ice Empress remarked.


    "It¡¯s only natural," the Giant Emperor added.


    "He is a blessed child and the rightful successor of the Sword Saint."


    "You must be wondering why the Six Emperors have summoned you here," the Sky Empress spoke up.


    "As you know, the authority of the Six Emperors exists only because of the Sword Saint," she continued.


    "To put it simply," the Sun Emperor interjected, "we want to know if you will support us, like your grandfather once did?"


    "My answer is simple," I stated. "My loyalty belongs to no one.


    As the Sword Saint¡¯s successor, my duty is to sever all evil, no matter its form", I added.


    "You truly take after the Sword Saint," the Moon Empress mused.


    "Not even the presence of the six most powerful rulers in the world intimidates you", she added


    A middle-aged man from the Sun Emperor¡¯s faction scoffed.


    "I fail to see why the Six Council would seek the loyalty of a mere child."


    His gaze hardened. "And your response, young man, is practically a crime, it reeks of disrespect toward the Six Council."


    The Sun Emperor, however, remained unfazed, as if he had anticipated the outburst.


    "I apologize if my words seemed rude," I said calmly, "but my principles are unshakable.


    Whether you are a king or a god¡­ if you are evil, my sword will sever you from this world."


    The man simply smirked, as if he had been waiting for me to say exactly that.

 Severing Style Seventh Form

    In an instant, three of the Six Knights unsheathed their weapons and launched their attacks.


    I caught sight of blue lightning materializing near my position, its energy crackling dangerously.


    Reacting swiftly, I dodged just before it struck, leaving the floor beneath me shattered and charred.


    A quick glance confirmed my suspicion, the knight standing beside the Sky Empress wielded Mjolnir, the legendary hammer of Thor from Norse mythology.


    His eyes briefly widened in surprise, likely wondering how I had managed to evade his lightning strike.


    Unlike natural lightning, his lightning strike was controlled and predictable, so as long as I could see its formation, I could move before it landed.


    Annoying, but manageable.


    As I continued dodging the relentless barrage of lightning, I noticed Old Man Drei standing far from the center, looking concerned.


    To reassure him, I subtly signaled that I was fine.


    Seizing what he thought was an opportunity, the Ice Empress¡¯s knight lunged toward me with remarkable agility.


    His sword gleamed beautifully as he delivered a swift downward slash.


    Arondight.


    The sword of Sir Lancelot.


    My grandfather once showed me a picture of it, but seeing it in person, it was even more stunning.


    Using my left foot for leverage, I pushed my body to the right, narrowly dodging the attack, then quickly stepped back twice to avoid another lightning strike.


    The knight looked momentarily startled by my movement but swiftly followed up with a wide, rightward slash.


    Instead of retreating, I closed the distance, grabbing hold of his sword-wielding hand.


    Unable to complete his attack, he was forced to retreat as yet another bolt of lightning crashed into my previous position.


    Although the hammer-wielding knight was starting to get on my nerves, I shifted my focus to the last knight.


    Unlike the others, he approached me slowly, as if measuring my speed.


    Then suddenly his image blurred.


    Five consecutive slashes flashed before my eyes.


    Severing Style Third Form: Fivefold Cleaver.


    Just as I thought, the Dragon Emperor¡¯s knight was trained in the Severing Style Forms.


    But he failed to land a single blow.


    Using my footwork, I effortlessly slipped past him and tapped his back, nearly making him lose his balance.


    My gaze flickered to his weapon.


    Kusanagi no Tsurugi.


    The very sword my grandfather once protected, before he was slain.


    ¡°Is jumping around all you can do, Sword Saint¡¯s successor?¡± a middle-aged man sneered, clearly trying to provoke me.


    ¡°Is that really all you learned from the Sword Saint?¡± he continued.


    ¡°Or did you become this weak after joining Genesis?¡±


    I remained silent as he scoffed.


    ¡°No wonder several of their members died after facing just one Sword of Sin,¡± he mocked.


    Then, with a twisted grin, he added, ¡°I¡¯m glad I gave them the information that the relic was in Iceland¡­ but never told them that a Sword of Sin was also there.¡±


    So he was the informant.


    And not only that, he deliberately spread misinformation just to tarnish Genesis''s reputation.


    Grandfather¡¯s words echoed in my mind:


    "Don¡¯t be angry when they mock your skills, your beliefs, or your achievements, because everyone has their own perspective. But those who mock the lives lost¡­ they are the truest form of evil in this world."


    Those words had always kept me calm, anchoring me in moments of rage.


    Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    But they also served another purpose, to help me judge whether someone was truly evil.


    A surge of anger and frustration swelled within me, and in response, the mystic glasses Old Man Drei had given me cracked.


    The floor beneath my feet splintered as I stopped holding back.


    The relentless lightning strikes ceased.


    The knight wielding Mjolnir was no longer a threat, his body was now embedded into the castle wall.


    I exhaled slowly, my glowing purple eyes meeting his dazed gaze.


    ¡°Sleep for a bit, Sparky. You¡¯re too annoying¡±, I said in a cold voice.


    With that, his grip on Mjolnir loosened, and the legendary hammer dropped from his hands as he lost consciousness.


    The three remaining knights moved in front of their master into a defensive stance, ready to protect their masters.


    Yet, two of them continued attacking, as if they hadn¡¯t realized the charade was already over.


    I knew exactly why they insisted I come here unarmed.


    They wanted to see if I could wield the Severing Style¡¯s Seventh Form.


    One of the two forms that Yui never learned to use.


    I opened my right hand, focusing intently on my surroundings.


    They had unknowingly given me time to analyze the area.


    Now, I had a clear perception of the entire venue.


    Unlike the previous forms, the Seventh Form required no weapon.


    Instead, it severed space itself, a translucent cube materializing in my hand, reflecting the enclosed area within it.


    Its reach extended as far as my Heaven Splitter technique could go, as long as my eyes could see it, it was within range.


    By simply slashing or tapping the cube, I could distort the space it projected.


    A perfect technique for locking onto a target.


    A technique required to perform the First Killing Art: Heaven and Earth Separation.


    In an instant, I enclosed three areas.


    With a mere flick of my left index finger, two of the translucent cubes vanished.


    The two attacking knights were sent crashing into the castle walls, their chest armor visibly cracked.


    Silence filled the hall.


    Everyone looked on, shocked, except for the Six Emperors and Old Man Drei.


    The middle-aged man from the Sun Emperor¡¯s Circle was visibly shaken, his expression torn between surprise and terror.


    I took a step forward, my voice laced with sorrow.


    ¡°One of the Genesis members that died that day¡­ was my first friend when I joined.¡±


    ¡°I was looking forward to having dinner with him once he returned.¡±


    The weight of my words hung in the air.


    Then, I smiled coldly.


    ¡°Thank you for admitting that you were the one responsible for his death and for the deaths of hundreds of others.¡±


    The man didn¡¯t move.


    He didn¡¯t run.


    Instead, he simply stared at me with pure, unfiltered hatred.


    And spoke just one word.


    ¡°Monster.¡±


    I looked at the remaining translucent cube in my hand.


    Severing Style Seventh Form: Divine Divider.


    I crushed the translucent cube in my hand.


    In an instant, his body collapsed inward, twisting into an inhuman shape.


    Blood pooled across the marble floor, his mangled corpse left utterly lifeless.


    I turned my gaze toward the Sun Emperor, my voice cold and sharp.


    "You''re a terrible ruler. You couldn''t even punish your own attendant for being a traitor."


    The Sun Emperor exhaled slowly, unbothered.


    "There''s a world of difference between dying by my hands and dying by yours, young man.


    Now, you''ve gotten your revenge and upheld your beliefs.


    But if I had been the one to execute him, it would have seemed like I was merely silencing him", he stated.


    "As if that spares you from suspicion?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.


    He chuckled. "At the very least, I''m still alive today."


    I clenched my jaw, frustration bubbling beneath my calm facade.


    "Are you all satisfied now?" I demanded, my voice laced with irritation, referring to the charade that had just unfolded.


    The Ice Empress nodded, her expression unreadable.


    "Yes, this is enough to recognize you as the true successor of the Sword Saint", she stated.


    The Moon Empress spoke next, her voice thoughtful.


    "The Six Council may hold the highest authority in the world today¡­ but even our power is nothing compared to the Sword Saint''s legacy at its peak", she said.


    The Giant Emperor leaned forward.


    "And now, as his successor, you inherit an authority that rivals even that of the Six Council", he stated


    The Sky Empress gave me a solemn look.


    "Just as we once swore a contract with your grandfather, we now entrust you with the same duty to end our reign should we ever stray from the path and fall into evil", she said.


    The Dragon Emperor nodded in agreement.


    "Just as your grandfather felled countless tyrants and dictators who nearly destroyed the world, it will now be your responsibility to do the same", he said.


    Then, the Sun Emperor spoke again.


    "That is why, today, we will give you one of your grandpa¡¯s lost and forgotten titles".


    He paused for a moment before finishing,


    "Carnifex, the Executioner of Evil", he added.


    The Moon Empress looked at me with a solemn expression.


    "May you never lose yourself as you walk the path of severing evil from this world", she said.


    The Dragon Emperor gave a slight nod.


    "You may leave now. Thank you for entertaining our little test, Asriel Kurokiba. May your eyes always guide you on the right path."


    I turned on my heel, walking away without hesitation.


    "May we never meet again in this lifetime," I stated as I strode toward Old Man Drei.


    A faint smile crossed his face as he patted my shoulder.


    "Great job controlling your emotions, Riel."


    He let out a tired sigh.


    "Let''s go home."

 Tear, The Blue Phoenix

    Dia was the first to welcome me when I was teleported back to the Instance Dungeon portal near the Northern Gate of Maceria.


    As usual, she greeted me with a warm hug, she had always treated me like a brother when I was in the US.


    "You leaving alone reminds me of when you went to the Six Council," she said, concern evident in her voice.


    "But I had your grandfather with me back then," I replied.


    "Exactly, which is why I¡¯m even more worried this time," she added.


    I patted her head reassuringly as I noticed the rest of my friends, along with Guild Master Gray, emerging from the Northern Gate.


    It seemed that Dia had been keeping watch over the instance dungeon portal, ready to stop any Minotaurs from spawning while also waiting for my return.


    She had even used a flare to alert the others of my arrival.


    The scene reminded me of when I returned from my meeting with the Six Council.


    Dia, Yui, and Alex had been patiently waiting for me then too.


    "Welcome back, young man," Guild Master Gray greeted with a nod.


    I saw Claire and the rest of my friends smiling, clearly relieved to see me back safely.


    "That didn¡¯t take long," Earl commented with a grin.


    "Weren¡¯t you supposed to be in Castor Town in case Minotaurs started spawning?" I asked.


    "I¡¯ll just use a portal if needed, Big Brother," he replied confidently.


    "But Castor Town is far away¡­ what if the portal fails?" I questioned.


    He simply looked at me with a knowing smile, as if he was about to show me something unexpected.


    "I doubt that¡¯ll be an issue," he added before giving a command.


    "Come out, Cloud."


    A dimensional circle formed in the air, and moments later, a white wyvern emerged.


    It let out a friendly shriek, circling above us a few times before landing gracefully nearby.


    While my friends and even Guild Master Gray hesitated to approach it.


    Neil, ever fearless, stepped forward the moment Earl petted its head.


    "This is so cool," Neil murmured in awe.


    Dia, however, was looking at me intently, as if she had something on her mind.


    "Is it possible for me to summon my creature too?" she asked eagerly.


    "Probably," I said, glancing at Earl.


    "Cloud is his favorite summon in Arcadia Online, after all", I added.


    "You just have to command it to come out," Earl encouraged.


    Without hesitation, Dia gave the order.


    "Come out, Midnight."


    A large grey owl suddenly appeared from a dimensional circle, landing gracefully beside her.


    Dia''s face lit up with a bright smile as she gazed at the giant bird.


    Midnight was a rare dungeon drop in Arcadia, one that Alex had obtained when we cleared a high-level dungeon.


    Instead of keeping it, he had given it to Dia as a gift.


    Dia hugged the giant owl as if she were reuniting with a long-lost friend.


    "Big Brother Asriel, do you have a cool creature too?" Neil asked eagerly, his curiosity piqued after seeing the two majestic summons.


    Earl shot me a knowing look, a silent plea to summon my most normal-looking creature.


    I glanced at my summon menu list and immediately understood why.


    Alright then, I guess I¡¯ll summon Nao-chan¡¯s gift.


    "Come out, Shiro."


    Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    A large dimensional circle opened above me, followed by a powerful roar.


    Slowly, a magnificent white lion stepped through the portal, its pristine white fur gleaming under the light.


    It was only the second time I had summoned him since receiving him from Nao-chan.


    To be precise, I had traded a celestial white tiger for this celestial white lion.


    Because Nao-chan had wanted a tiger, not a lion.


    As Shiro landed beside me, he seemed a little melancholic.


    Without hesitation, Claire stepped forward and gently patted his head, unfazed by his imposing size.


    Shiro responded warmly, leaning into her touch.


    "Paw," she commanded softly.


    Shiro instantly lifted his paw, placing it in her hand.


    Their interaction was so heartwarming that I made a spontaneous decision.


    "Claire, you can have him," I said.


    Her eyes widened. "Really! Can I?"


    "Of course. It looks like Shiro has already taken a liking to you," I replied with a smile.


    Rain, the others, and even Guild Master Gray stared at me as if they all suddenly wanted one too.


    "Big Brother can¡¯t give you any," Earl interjected before they could ask.


    "Shiro is probably the only one that isn''t bound", he added.


    He then sighed, shaking his head.


    "Besides, Big Brother already gives out rare items, including summoned creatures to our guild members.


    And he can only register five summons at a time," he added.


    Rain and the others looked visibly disappointed.


    "Summoned creatures drop from high-level bosses," I said reassuringly.


    "I¡¯m sure everyone will get one eventually", I added


    "They also function as mounts for long-distance travel," I added, but that only seemed to make them more envious.


    "But looking at these three summoned creatures, I don¡¯t think we¡¯d all fit on them," Old Man Gray commented.


    "You don¡¯t need to worry about that, Guild Master," Earl said confidently.


    "Big Brother has summoned creatures that could carry our entire guild if needed", he added


    "But," he added, "most of them are battle-oriented.


    We can¡¯t be sure they¡¯d behave as well as Shiro or Midnight, which are considered companion summons."


    "I see," Old Man Gray murmured in understanding.


    "But Big Brother," Earl continued, "I¡¯m sure you still have Tear with you."


    "Yeah, Tear is still one of my registered summons," I confirmed.


    "Can you summon her?" he asked, excitement creeping into his voice.


    I nodded and began the summoning chant which is required when summoning higher rarity summoned creatures.


    "Ex caeruleis flammis renatus, surge alatus ignis magnificus, caelos in aeternum illumina."


    "Come out, Tear."


    In an instant, a burst of blue flames erupted, and from within, a colossal, blazing blue phoenix emerged.


    Some of my friends instinctively tensed, nearly panicking as the flames spread around us, engulfing everyone.


    However, instead of scorching heat, they felt only warmth and comfort.


    Tear, the Blue Phoenix, was a legendary summoned creature with a unique ability, it continuously healed and removed negative effects from all allies nearby.


    However, in exchange, it lacked any offensive capabilities.


    "Tear can carry up to ten people at most," Earl commented.


    "That looks absolutely majestic," Ash said in awe.


    "I never thought I''d ever see a phoenix in my lifetime¡­ let alone a blue one," Old Man Gray remarked.


    As the sun began to set, Tear¡¯s flames cast an ethereal glow over the surroundings, making Earl suddenly concerned.


    "Big Brother, I think you should recall Tear before people in Maceria start panicking at the sight of a giant flaming bluebird," he suggested.


    "You''re right," I agreed.


    "Come back, Tear," I commanded.


    In an instant, the blue flames disappeared, and Tear vanished.


    "That was incredible! So we can actually ride it?" Neil asked excitedly.


    "Yes, you can," I confirmed.


    Meanwhile, Claire and Dia were preoccupied with their summoned companions, giving them their full attention.


    That reminded me, I had seen Dierka and some members of Eternity inside the Instance Dungeon earlier.


    "Really, Big Brother? I wish I could¡¯ve seen him too," Earl said, clearly intrigued.


    "Does he look like his avatar?" he asked.


    "There are some similarities.


    He was with his brother and a few friends," I replied.


    Earl suddenly grew thoughtful. "I wonder if everyone in Endless is doing okay."


    "They¡¯ll be fine. After all, we¡¯re the strongest Asian guild," I reassured him.


    "You¡¯re right," he said, nodding.


    Just then, my stomach grumbled.


    "Have you guys eaten? I¡¯m starving," I admitted.


    "My dad said he¡¯ll be cooking your favorite food so you can have it when you return from the Instance Dungeon," Rain suddenly chimed in, still focused on Shiro.


    "Wanna pet him?" Claire asked.


    "Can I?" Rain asked hesitantly.


    "Of course," Claire replied with a smile.


    Rain eagerly began petting Shiro, and the massive white lion seemed to enjoy the attention, especially from the girls.


    It reminded me that his original owner was Nao-chan.


    "You can command him to shift into his little form," Earl mentioned.


    Claire and Rain¡¯s eyes sparkled with excitement.


    "Shiro, change into your little form," Claire commanded.


    In just a few seconds, the towering lion shrank into an adorable, cub-like version of itself.


    Without hesitation, Claire scooped him up and cradled him like a baby.


    Seeing this, Dia followed suit, shrinking Midnight into its small form and letting it perch on her shoulder.


    Both of them looked so cute that I wanted to pet them too, but my stomach was already protesting.


    "Let¡¯s head to the Bellflower Diner," I said, watching as Claire and Rain continued fawning over the little lion.


    With that, our group made its way to the Bellflower Diner while Old Man Gray stayed behind to keep watch at the Northern Gate.


    Earl, on the other hand, returned to Castor Town, soaring through the sky on Cloud.

 Path to Reunion

    A day has passed since the Instance Dungeon event, and now I¡¯m soaring through the sky on Cloud¡¯s back, heading toward the nearest unidentified Ancient Pillar.


    After we cleared the Instance Dungeon, the W-2 marking on the map changed to W-3, indicating that the world had leveled up again.


    As a result, we can now summon creatures to help explore further locations.


    Additionally, the map has expanded to reveal the regional area where Maceria is located.


    Though the details are sparse, it clearly highlights the Ancient Pillar locations and dungeons.


    Yesterday, Earl and I spent the entire day figuring out the new features unlocked by the world¡¯s level-up.


    Meanwhile, Guild Master Gray encouraged our friends to take a break.


    Dia spent half the day sleeping and the other half training Rain in combat.


    Ash sought my advice on improving his swordsmanship, so I gave him some tips and a simplified version of my daily training routine.


    Claire and Neil decided to use the time to study and master their newly acquired skills.


    As I got lost in thought, Earl suddenly spoke up.


    "Big Brother, do you think we should gather the Endless members?" he asked.


    "I was thinking the same," I replied.


    "If we want to take down regional and eventually world bosses, we¡¯ll need a strong team", I added.


    "Wait, Big Brother, check your map," Earl said abruptly.


    "The Ancient Pillar that was gray earlier is now a pale green", he continued.


    I glanced at my map and confirmed what he was talking about, several Ancient Pillar locations had shifted to a faint green hue.


    "Doesn¡¯t green usually indicate an active location?" I muttered.


    "Normally, yes, but doesn¡¯t it also mean something else?" Earl pointed out.


    "Red marks enemies, blue indicates allies, and green represents guild members," I recalled.


    That was the standard color scheme during guild wars and group events.


    "Exactly! That means there¡¯s a good chance we have guild members at those locations," Earl said excitedly.


    To confirm our theory, we checked with our friends to see how those areas appeared on their maps.


    As expected, they all saw them as gray.


    Earl grinned, his excitement growing. If our guess was correct, some of our missing guild members might be at those locations.


    Especially after I mentioned meeting Deirka, the possibility seemed even more real.


    After all, Earl had acted as Proxy Guild Master for two years after I left for America.


    Endless didn¡¯t start as a massive guild, it began with just ten members, including Earl and me, six short of a full raid team.


    Those eight others eventually became our guild officers when our numbers grew after winning several guild wars.


    For both of us, Endless was more than just a guild, it was our second home, a place where we spent countless hours fighting, strategizing, and bonding with our comrades.


    "Having even a few of our guild officers with us would be a huge advantage when tackling dungeons and labyrinths," Earl said.


    "Yeah, in our current situation, knowledge is just as important as skills and techniques," I agreed.


    "While most people are still trying to figure out how things work, the veterans are already doing their best to overcome the challenges."


    "Should we check each location?" Earl asked.


    This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    "I think we should. There''s still a lot we need to figure out, and exploring is the best way to get answers," I said.


    "But I don''t think we should bring the others yet since we have no idea what we''ll find there", I suggested.


    "That''s true, Big Brother," Earl nodded.


    "But didn¡¯t you just leave them behind a few days ago to go into an instance dungeon alone? I doubt they¡¯ll accept the same reasoning again¡±, he added.


    Earl was always good at understanding people.


    "How about we tell them I¡¯m accompanying you to get your Advanced Class?" I suggested.


    "That might work," Earl considered.


    "Since none of them are high enough level to get an Advanced Class yet, and the monsters in those areas are far too strong for them", he explained.


    "But that won''t work on Dia," he commented.


    "Which is why we¡¯ll tell her the truth and ask her to guard Maceria while we''re gone," I said.


    "I hope she agrees. I¡¯d feel bad leaving both Maceria and Castor Town undefended," Earl admitted.


    After Dia finished training Rain, we went to her place to explain everything.


    It took quite a bit of convincing, but in the end, she agreed to stay behind.


    I also informed Old Man Gray about our trip to the unknown Ancient Pillar location.


    He was initially worried about me going alone, but once he found out Earl was coming too, his expression brightened.


    He assured me that he and the other adventurers would handle things in Maceria and Castor Town.


    And with that, Earl and I set off, riding Cloud toward the Ancient Pillar marked in pale green on both our maps.


    Earl remained cautious, scanning our surroundings as we flew.


    Flying wasn¡¯t exactly safe back in Arcadia Online.


    The skies were filled with monsters even stronger than the ones on land, mostly wyverns and giant birds, with the occasional dragon.


    Cloud wasn''t built for combat, but in terms of speed, the white wyvern was one of the fastest.


    As planned, we made our first stop at the Black Mountains Ranges to complete Earl¡¯s Archmage advancement quest.


    Since he could handle the area solo, it only took a few hours for him to finish.


    I stayed on support, using my Enchanter buffs and keeping watch to ensure his safety while he fought off Black Knights and Emeth.


    "Big Brother, I¡¯m an Archmage now!" Earl announced happily, launching several Lightning Lances at a group of newly spawned Black Knights.


    The bolts of lightning tore through their armor as if it were paper.


    Unlike Mages, who rely on slower spells that require creativity and precision to land on opponents.


    Archmages wield spells that are faster, more accurate, and significantly more powerful.


    Some of their spells don¡¯t even require precise aiming due to their massive Area of Effect.


    Many Archmage spells have instant incantations, meaning they activate the moment their name is called like the Elemental Lances.


    However, the true strength of an Archmage lies in their ability to cast long-incantation, natural disaster-level spells such as Firestorm, Blizzard, Earthquake, Hurricane, and Torrential Rain.


    The only downside is that these devastating spells affect everything in their range, including allies.


    The only safe zone is the small three-meter radius around the caster, making these spells risky in chaotic battles where teammates are scattered.


    "I still need a few more levels before I can learn those spells," Earl said.


    "I''m sure you''ll reach the required level soon," I reassured him.


    "Should we head to the unknown Ancient Pillar location now?" Earl asked.


    "Let¡¯s eat lunch first," I said, handing him the food I had bought earlier at the Bellflower Diner.


    We took a break, enjoying our meal for about half an hour before setting off again on Cloud.


    "Big Brother, if our hunch is right, which guild member do you think we¡¯ll run into?" Earl asked.


    "It could be Deirka since I already met him in the Instance Dungeon," I said.


    "How about you? Who do you hope to see?"


    "I¡¯d be happy to meet any of our members, but if I could choose¡­ I¡¯d want to see Big Sister Kuro," he admitted.


    "Kuro, huh?" I said thoughtfully.


    "If we meet her, we¡¯ll definitely have a powerhouse on our side," I added.


    Kuro, known as The Black Witch, was another spellcasting specialist, but unlike Earl, she specialized in curses.


    Like him, she was one of the guild¡¯s first ten members, and from what Earl had told me, she became the proxy Vice Guild Master after I left.


    In terms of sheer strength, she was probably even more powerful than Earl when she¡¯s serious.


    After all, she was one of the few players capable of wiping out an entire guild single-handedly, earning her the alias Gorgon during the first Alliance War.


    We had been on good terms, and she was the one who created most of my clothing equipment in Arcadia Online.


    But if I remember correctly¡­ she wasn¡¯t exactly thrilled when I left to the US.


    I glanced at my current gear status and reconsidered.


    Maybe I wasn¡¯t quite ready to meet her yet.


    Or at the very least, if I did run into her, I¡¯d quickly switch to my Enchanter class before she saw me.

 Kuro the Black Witch

    The white wyvern soared gracefully through the sky, carrying us effortlessly on its back. As we rode atop Cloud, I was struck by how drastically the world had changed.


    Everywhere I looked, dense forests stretched endlessly, giving the landscape an eerie, post-apocalyptic feel.


    Crumbling remnants of human civilization were slowly being reclaimed by nature, while monsters roamed freely in the distance, far more common than any human presence.


    Despite the map making it seem close, the journey to the unknown Ancient Pillar took nearly half an hour, even at Cloud¡¯s remarkable speed.


    Distances were deceiving, what appeared to be just a hand¡¯s span on the map was much farther in reality.


    Even Castor Town, which was situated right next to Maceria, felt like quite a journey away.


    As we neared our destination, I turned to Earl. "Let¡¯s land nearby."


    "Got it, Big Brother," he replied.


    We touched down a few hundred meters from the Ancient Pillar¡¯s location.


    Just as we were about to head toward the settlement, several strangers appeared, blocking our path.


    Their stances and gear suggested they were of decent level, and their expressions were anything but welcoming.


    It seemed as if they were on high alert, either chasing something or standing guard.


    One of the men, his tone sharp and commanding, bombarded us with questions.


    "Who are you? What are you doing here? Where did you come from?"


    "I''m Asriel, and this is my cousin, Earl.


    We''re just here to check out this settlement, we believe someone we know might be here," I explained.


    "There shouldn¡¯t be any human settlements for kilometers," the man responded suspiciously.


    "We came from a settlement just past the Black Mountains," Earl added.


    His eyes narrowed. "And how did you get here? The mountains are far off.


    Don¡¯t tell me you walked through swarms of monsters?" His voice dripped with sarcasm, but there was an underlying tension in his tone.


    His skepticism was understandable, but something about their agitation seemed off.


    "We flew here," I answered calmly. "Did something happen?"


    Rather than answering, the man scowled.


    "Are you messing with me? And it¡¯s none of your business what happened here," he snapped as his group began to draw their weapons.


    So much for negotiations.


    Without hesitation, Earl cast several Ice Shards, freezing the strangers from the waist down in an instant.


    Rather than reacting with shock, the group instead began whispering among themselves, and I could sense a growing malice in the air.


    "Didn¡¯t that guy use the same skill?" someone muttered.


    It seemed they were mistaking us for someone else.


    I was about to clarify the misunderstanding when, suddenly, several fireballs streaked through the air, slamming into the frozen ground and melting the Ice Shards.


    "Sorry, Big Brother," Earl said. "I think using Ice Shard made them mistake us for someone else."


    A young woman dressed in black emerged from behind the group, standing a few meters away. From just a glance, I could tell she is dangerous.


    Earl sensed it too.


    Without hesitation, he pulled out his Archmage class card.


    "Change Class¡­" the young woman said coldly.


    The moment I heard those words, I grabbed Earl and leaped several meters back.


    "Change Class, Archmage!" Earl quickly declared.


    "Change Class, Enchanter!" I followed suit, drawing my own class card.


    Within seconds, dozens of skull-shaped projectiles shot toward us.


    I recognized the attack instantly, Mourning Misfortune, a level 70 spell from the Witch class, an advanced form of Mage.


    Each projectile carried a random debuff, including a rare chance to be petrified.


    A grin spread across Earl¡¯s face as he realized who stood before us.


    "Protect me, Big Brother. I¡¯m gonna use Earthquake," he said.


    "Got it," I replied.


    Earl activated Knowledge of a Sage and Wisdom of a Sage, unlocking Earthquake temprarily.


    As the skull projectiles closed in, I moved into action, slashing them down one by one with precision.


    The way they moved was unnatural, almost alive but I focused, cutting down every one that came near while Earl chanted his spell.


    Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    "Terra quatit, fundamenta frangunt, ruinae surgunt, tremor aeternus! Earthq¡ª"


    If we were in a dense forest or mountainous terrain, Earthquake would be devastating.


    On flat ground, its impact would be limited, but it would still cause significant structural damage to the settlement.


    Then, in a chilling, inhuman speed, the black-clad woman chanted:


    "Per aerem immobilem et vacuum mutum, omnis sonus cesset, Silence."


    As expected, she canceled Earl¡¯s spell, preventing him from chanting for several seconds.


    Before she could follow up with another attack, I surged forward at full speed.


    It had been two years since I last fought her.


    And I made a fatal mistake.


    I had forgotten one of her favorite spells.


    The sky darkened, Needle Rain.


    ¡°Big Brother, watch out!¡± Earl shouted.


    Hundreds of massive black needles rained down upon me.


    Relying on instinct, I dodged and deflected as many as I could, my eyes scanning desperately for a safe escape route.


    Good thing I had cast Stone Skin on both Earl and myself earlier after I changed my class.


    Otherwise, Kuro¡¯s Needle Rain would have taken a massive chunk of my HP.


    ¡°Wind Aura, Sword Enchant, and Windwalk,¡± I chanted.


    With Windwalk, I dashed toward Earl, grabbing him before he could take more damage.


    He was still under Silence, unable to defend himself.


    Using my speed, I carried him several meters away from the strike zone of Needle Rain.


    Despite our active buffs, I had already lost a third of my HP, while Earl had lost a fifth. Worse, he was afflicted with a curse.


    Unlike Enchanters, who have a 50% resistance to ailments, Archmages have no such protection.


    Earl began coughing up a thick black substance, a clear sign of a curse.


    His stats were severely lowered, and his HP was slowly draining away, ticking down by a percentage every second.


    ¡°Surrender now, or watch your friend die,¡± Kuro said coldly.


    Unlike Poison, which can be cured with antidotes, Curses require specific skills like Holy Sanctuary that removes negative status or can only be lifted by the caster.


    Unfortunately, neither my Enchanter nor Blade Dancer class had any skills that could remove it.


    ¡°You¡¯re as ruthless as ever, Miss Kuro,¡± I said, beginning to chant.


    "Ex caeruleis flammis renatus, surge alatus ignis magnificus, caelos in aeternum illumina."


    ¡°Come out, Tear.¡±


    The moment I finished my chant, blue flames erupted across the battlefield.


    Unlike ordinary fire, these flames radiated warmth instead of heat¡­ soothing, rather than burning.


    My HP and Earl¡¯s instantly recovered, and the curse on him was purified by Tear¡¯s cleansing flames.


    Kuro¡¯s group panicked as the flames engulfed them as well.


    For the first time, Kuro hesitated.


    Recognition flickered in her eyes as she stared at the majestic creature before her, after all there¡¯s only one Blue Phoenix in all of Arcadia.


    ¡°Sister Kuro, those are the guys! I saw them flying on the back of a white wyvern,¡± a young man exclaimed.


    Kuro¡¯s eyes flickered with uncertainty upon hearing his statement.


    Still unsettled by the blue flames engulfing the area, her group instinctively prepared to attack.


    Just as they were about to strike, Kuro¡¯s sharp voice rang out.


    ¡°Stand down. Don¡¯t even think about attacking!  He''s not even trying to harm us,¡± she commanded firmly.


    Her gaze lingered on me as realization dawned.


    ¡°A powerful mage and a skilled swordsman¡­ I should have recognized it sooner,¡± she murmured.


    Then, with a small laugh, she addressed me directly.


    ¡°It¡¯s been over two years since we last saw each other, Guild Master Leirsa.¡±


    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s been a while, Miss Kuro,¡± I greeted in return.


    She glanced at Earl and smirked.


    ¡°Should I assume that¡¯s Vice Guild Master Eridanus back there?¡±


    ¡°Hi, Big Sister Kuro,¡± Earl greeted, waving as he stepped closer.


    ¡°Weren¡¯t you supposed to be in the U.S., Guild Master?¡± she asked, raising an eyebrow.


    ¡°I was. Long story short, I came back a while ago,¡± I replied.


    ¡°And you didn¡¯t even say hi?¡± she pouted.


    Before I could respond, the man we had encountered earlier spoke up.


    ¡°Kuro-san, who are these two? And¡­ is that a Blue Phoenix?¡±


    ¡°These two were the leaders of my guild in Arcadia Online,¡± she answered.


    ¡°And yes, that is a Blue Phoenix, its name is Tear.¡±


    ¡°Big Brother, I think you should call Tear back. Our HP is already fully restored,¡± Earl suggested.


    ¡°Come back, Tear,¡± I commanded.


    The flaming blue bird vanished instantly, as if it had never been there.


    The man¡¯s expression shifted from confusion to shock.


    ¡°Wait¡­ are you saying these two are the Swordmaster and the Grand Magus?¡±


    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s correct,¡± Kuro confirmed.


    As soon as the words left her mouth, the man dropped to his knees.


    ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m so sorry! Please forgive us! We mistook you for someone else!¡± he pleaded.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine, don¡¯t worry about it,¡± I assured him.


    ¡°But we¡­ ¡±


    Before he could finish, Kuro cut him off.


    ¡°If he says it¡¯s fine, then it is. Besides, if it wasn¡¯t, you wouldn¡¯t even be breathing right now,¡± she said bluntly.


    ¡°That¡¯s why I keep telling you not to attack recklessly,¡± she added.


    She is right, attacking without thinking was a sure way to get yourself hurt, or worse.


    ¡°So, why is everyone so on edge?¡± I asked.


    Kuro¡¯s expression darkened.


    ¡°Several days ago, a group of hooded individuals attacked our residents while they were clearing a dungeon,¡± she explained.


    ¡°Some of them were killed, while a few managed to escape.¡±


    She then pulled out four death cards, her voice laced with anger.


    ¡°By the time we arrived, they were already gone.¡±


    Earl frowned. ¡°Can you describe them in more detail?¡±


    ¡°They were mostly warriors, with a mage among them,¡± Kuro replied.


    In that case, most of them were probably already dead.


    ¡°What do you mean, Vice Guild Master?¡± Kuro asked, catching onto my thoughts.


    ¡°We encountered several assailants a few days ago,¡± I explained.


    ¡°They kidnapped some of Big Brother¡¯s friends and even killed a resident,¡± Earl added grimly.


    Kuro¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    ¡°That¡¯s troubling news¡­ but I think we should discuss this somewhere more secure,¡± she suggested.


    ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re right, Miss Kuro,¡± I agreed.


    She smirked.


    ¡°Kuro, Guild Master,¡± she corrected.


    ¡°Then you can call me Riel,¡± I responded.


    ¡°Big Sister Kuro, you can just call me Earl,¡± he chimed in.


    Kuro nodded.


    ¡°Alright then, let¡¯s head to our town, Riel and Earl.¡±

 Alcoria, The WhiteWood Town

    "Welcome to our humble little town, Alcoria," Kuro said as we stepped through the town¡¯s gate.


    Unlike Maceria, Alcoria was surrounded by towering living trees, though not as massive as the colossal ancient tree in Castor Town.


    "Those are Whitewood Trees," Kuro explained, noticing our gazes fixed on the majestic trees.


    "The residents and I hunted monsters to gather enough Whitewood Saplings to cover the entire town."


    "Are they sturdy enough, Big Sis?" Earl asked curiously.


    "I wouldn¡¯t know," Kuro admitted. "I made sure no monsters got anywhere near our town during the Monster Siege."


    "Why do you ask, Earl?" she added.


    "Big Brother¡¯s city is surrounded by black walls made from black corundum, it can withstand an attack from level 50 monsters," Earl explained.


    "Oh, so essentially, the Guildmaster and I had the same idea, to protect our home with walls," Kuro mused.


    As we walked past Alcoria¡¯s gate, Kuro suddenly asked.


    "By the way, what brings you two here?"


    "We took a gamble," I said.


    "What do you mean, a gamble?" she asked, puzzled.


    "Big Brother Asriel and I decided to check if we could find a guild member at one of the Ancient Pillar locations marked in green on the map," Earl explained.


    "Wait¡­ are you saying those map markers could indicate where our guild members are?" Kuro asked, quickly pulling up her own map.


    A small smile crossed her face as she studied the regional layout.


    "So Big Brother and I are planning to check the other locations in case more of our members are there," Earl continued.


    "I also ran into Deirka in an instance dungeon," I added.


    ¡°And your apprentice Hazel was with him, but she stayed behind to defend their town."


    "It would be nice if we could gather everyone," Kuro said thoughtfully.


    Then, as if struck by an idea, she asked, "Are you two free tomorrow?"


    "We can stay another day, I think," I replied.


    "Great, then you¡¯re staying at my house," Kuro said.


    Then, with a teasing smirk, she added, "And that wasn¡¯t a suggestion, Guild Master and Vice Guild Master."


    I let out a small laugh. "Well, I guess we have no choice then, right, Earl?"


    "Yes, Big Brother," Earl agreed.


    "Don¡¯t worry, I live with my little brother," Kuro assured us.


    "Is he the one who reported that we rode a white wyvern?" I asked.


    "That¡¯s right, Riel," Kuro confirmed.


    "I see it¡¯s not just your eyes that are sharp, but your ears too."


    "Thanks, I¡¯ll take that as a compliment," I replied.


    Before long, we arrived in front of a modest one-story house.


    "This is my home," Kuro said.


    "Excuse us for intruding," we said as we stepped inside.


    The house had a simple, cozy atmosphere, nothing like what I had expected.


    "Are you surprised that my house looks so¡­ normal?" Kuro suddenly asked.


    "Well, I did expect something a bit more gothic," I admitted.


    "Honest as always," she said with a chuckle.


    "You guys can use the empty room on the right," she added.


    The room was spacious, with two neatly made beds.


    "Are you two okay with reheated red boar meat curry?" Kuro asked.


    "I love curry!" Earl responded enthusiastically.


    "I¡¯d like some too," I said, taking a seat at the dining table.


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


    As Kuro reheated the dish, the rich, sweet-spicy aroma of curry filled the air.


    A few minutes later, she served the plates.


    "Big Sister Kuro, this is amazing!" Earl praised, making Kuro blush slightly.


    "It¡¯s delicious," I agreed.


    "Thanks, it¡¯s my mom¡¯s recipe," she said with a small smile.


    "Your mom must have been an incredible cook," I said absentmindedly.


    "She was," Kuro replied, her voice turning somber. "My brother and I loved all of her dishes."


    "...Was?" I asked cautiously.


    Kuro¡¯s expression darkened.


    "Mom and Dad died the day the monsters first appeared," she said quietly.


    "Big Sister Kuro¡­" Earl murmured, worried.


    "I thought I had accepted it, but then I remembered, Arcadia has a special class capable of temporarily resurrecting the dead," Kuro said.


    "You mean the Necromancer class?" I asked.


    "Yes, exactly," Kuro confirmed.


    She continued, "The group that was killed by those black-hooded figures was exploring an underground catacomb beneath an abandoned cabin."


    "And according to one of the survivors, they encountered a strange boss monster there named, Malacy the Dead Whisperer, Level 75,¡± she added.


    "I''m fine with checking it out," I said.


    "We could also test whether resurrection using Death Cards is actually possible."


    "I''m a little scared of catacombs," Earl admitted.


    "But if Big Sister needs my help, I¡¯ll go", Earl added.


    "Thank you, both of you," Kuro said warmly.


    A hopeful glimmer appeared in her eyes.


    "I just¡­ I just want to talk to my parents one last time."


    I understood her hesitation.


    In the old world, bringing back the dead was never an option.


    But sometimes, there are words you long for the other person to hear, words you need an answer to.


    "There¡¯s plenty more curry if you¡¯re still hungry," Kuro said as Earl and I finished our first servings.


    She started eating her own meal, looking a little more hopeful than before.


    "So, it¡¯s just the three of us tomorrow, Big Sister?" Earl asked.


    "Yes," Kuro replied. "I don¡¯t think anyone else in Alcoria is strong enough to handle the Silent Catacombs."


    "Besides, just having you two should be more than enough to take it on, right, Riel?" she added with a smirk.


    "True," I agreed. "The three of us should be strong enough to defeat Malacy."


    "By the way, Guild Master, what classes do you have now? I already know Earl is an Archmage," Kuro asked.


    "I have the Enchanter class, which I used earlier, and the Blade Dancer class," I answered.


    "I¡¯ve unlocked the Witch class, and I¡¯m currently Level 71," Kuro said.


    "And as you saw earlier, Mourning Misfortune is my strongest skill right now¡­ though it¡¯s not exactly effective against Arcadia¡¯s number one Swordmaster."


    "Undead creatures have high resistance to ailments," she continued.


    "So I¡¯ll be relying on you two when it comes to dealing with them."


    "Of course, you can count on us, Big Sister!" Earl said enthusiastically.


    I couldn¡¯t help but feel a little concerned.


    Earl was brave in battle, but when it came to ghosts and eerie places, he was a total scaredy-cat.


    "Thanks for the food," I said as I finished my plate.


    "Just leave it in the sink, I¡¯ll wash it later," Kuro offered.


    "Alright, thanks," I said, placing the plate down.


    Earl finished his second helping and leaned back, satisfied.


    "Isn¡¯t your brother coming home tonight?" I asked.


    "He won¡¯t be back, he¡¯s on night watch duty," Kuro explained.


    "I see," I replied.


    "Big Sister, Big Brother, I¡¯m heading to bed," Earl said, rubbing his eyes sleepily.


    After Earl disappeared into the dining room, Kuro suddenly turned to me with a question.


    "Guild Master¡­ I mean, Riel," Kuro began,


    "Is there anything you''d want to say to a special someone who passed away?"


    "I think most people do, not just you and me," I replied.


    "After all, there are always things we wish we could have done with our loved ones, but sometimes, life gets cut short by death," I added.


    Kuro suddenly smiled.


    "Well, at least in this lifetime, I got to meet the person I¡¯ve been playing with for years."


    "I feel the same," I said, catching her off guard and making her slightly flustered.


    "I¡¯ll head to bed now. Make sure you get some rest too, Miss Kuro," I said.


    "Good night, Guild Master," she replied.


    "Good night, Miss Kuro," I said as I left.


    Before the sun had even fully risen, the three of us stood at the entrance of the Silent Catacombs, ready for the challenge ahead.


    Fortunately, one of Alcoria¡¯s taverns opened early, allowing us to grab a delicious breakfast before making our way to the abandoned cabin deep in the Western Woods.


    Before stepping inside, I cast all my Enchanter buffs on our party.


    Earl, an Archmage, and Kuro, a Witch, both received Stone Skin, Status Boost, and Sharp Edge.


    Afterward, I quickly switched to my Blade Dancer class.


    "I know it¡¯s not much, but these are for you two," Kuro said, handing each of us a silver necklace.


    Item Name: Silver Cross


    Increases Ailment Immunity by 30%


    Reduces damage from the Undead by 30%


    "Now we all have matching necklaces," Kuro said, showing us hers.


    Earl grinned as he examined the item¡¯s stats.


    "I think I feel a little braver now, Big Sister Kuro."

 Malady, the Daywalker, Sixth Progenitor.

    The three of us stepped through the narrow entrance, the dimly lit halls stretching before us.


    Earl instinctively hid behind Kuro, clearly unsettled by the eerie atmosphere.


    As expected, the walls were adorned with skulls and bones, but to my surprise, not all of them seemed human.


    Some skulls bore horns, while others had three eye sockets.


    Among the bones were remains with six fingers and sharp claws.


    The unsettling sight sent a shiver down my spine, especially with the walls stained a deep crimson, making it appear as if blood oozed from within.


    "Are these demon bones?" Kuro asked, her voice wary.


    "I''m not sure... maybe," I replied.


    "They''re definitely not human," Earl added, pointing at a skeleton embedded in the wall, its lamb-like horns and pierced body impaled by a spear.


    "This place is seriously creepy," Earl muttered as we passed more unsettling remains.


    "The survivor mentioned that they found Malacy after walking for several minutes and stumbling into a large hall with an inverted cross," Kuro said.


    "Then I guess we should keep moving," I suggested.


    With Durandal already drawn in my right hand, I remained on guard, ready for any undead that might lunge at us.


    Our footsteps echoed through the passage, the flickering flames of skull torches casting restless shadows against the stone walls.


    The further we went, the stronger the feeling that something lurked beyond the dim corridors.


    After several minutes, we arrived at a vast chamber filled with coffins.


    "One of the survivors warned that this room is riddled with traps," Kuro cautioned, stopping me with a light touch of her arm. "Let me handle it."


    "Alright, I''ll leave it to you," I nodded.


    Kuro began chanting,


    "Ab abyssis, surgite cranii maledicti¡ªmarcescite, tabescite, frangite carnem, et in lapidem vertite, Mourning Misfortune."


    Dozens of floating skulls swarmed the room.


    Moments later, the traps activated, spears shot out in every direction, and spikes erupted from the floor.


    Earl¡¯s face paled as the deadly mechanisms sprang to life.


    "Big Sister... are you sure we can handle this?" he asked nervously as the coffins creaked open.


    "Even if those spears hit us, Stone Skin will absorb most of the damage.


    Plus, I already cast Voodoo Ritual on all three of us before we entered," Kuro reassured him.


    "That skill blocks three instances of fatal damage," she added.


    "And besides, we have the strongest bodyguard with us right now."


    "You¡¯re right! We have Big Brother Asriel!" Earl exclaimed, looking more confident.


    A dozen Headless Soldiers emerged from their coffins, their hollow stares filled with malice.


    "Wait, Big Brother, let me freeze the floor and wall first," Earl said.


    Instantly, ice spears erupted across the chamber, coating the ground, walls, and even the undead soldiers in thick frost.


    "Nice work, Earl. Stay back while I finish them off," I said, stepping forward with Durandal in hand.


    Fortunately, all the Headless Soldiers were perfectly aligned in three straight rows.


    Completely immobilized by the ice, they were sitting ducks for my Half-Moon Slash.


    With three swift, arcing slashes, all twelve Headless Soldiers fell, their bodies cleaved cleanly in half.


    Earl¡¯s Ice Lance had also frozen the remaining traps that Kuro¡¯s Mourning Misfortune had missed, though the air had become noticeably colder.


    "Good thing we didn''t get hit.


    These spears are embedded with a Bleed ailment, which causes continuous blood loss and drains health over time,"


    Kuro noted as she examined a spear lodged into one of the coffins.


    Thanks to her Witch-class skill, Ailment Detection, she could sense status effects not only on weapons and abilities but even on players.


    "Don''t worry about it. If needed, we can always summon Tear," I reassured her.


    "Still, next time, we should bring a Healer with an ailment removal skill," Earl suggested.


    "Earl has a point," Kuro admitted with a sigh.


    "But in Alcoria, we barely have any high-level healers.


    Most of them refuse to leave the town¡¯s walls."


    "If only Claire were here," Earl mused.


    "Who''s Claire?" Kuro immediately asked.


    "She''s Big Brother¡¯s friend and classmate.


    She¡¯s already learned Holy Sanctuary," Earl explained.


    "Really? That sounds interesting," Kuro said, intrigued.


    Then, I caught a glimpse of something ahead.


    "Is that the room you''re talking about?" I pointed toward a large, inverted black cross at the end of the hallway.


    "That¡¯s the one," Kuro confirmed.


    The moment we stepped into the boss room, a wave of malice washed over me.


    Beneath the massive inverted cross sat a throne.


    And on it, someone was waiting.


    Seated upon the dark throne was a long-eared elf with crimson eyes and pale, porcelain skin.


    A chilling smile stretched across her lips as she observed us.


    As I read the name above her head, recognition struck me.


    Malady the Death Whisperer.


    Kuro stiffened beside me.


    "Malady... the Daywalker. The Sixth Progenitor. " she muttered, her voice tinged with unease.


    I could sense the fear in Kuro and Earl¡¯s eyes.


    This wasn¡¯t an opponent we could handle right now.


    The listed level was a deception.


    In Arcadia Online, there were seven known Progenitors, ancient beings that ruled the night, each with their own distinct nature.


    They weren¡¯t strictly allies or enemies; they were observers, beings that either appeared randomly in the world or were hidden within dungeons and labyrinths.


    Hunters sought them out for their power.


    They were among the strongest entities in Arcadia.


    But Malady was different.


    The vampire elf who had forsaken her throne just to walk beneath the sun, a Daywalker who, unlike the others, occasionally aided players instead of opposing them.


    "It seems I have more visitors," Malady spoke, her voice like ice.


    And just like that, I knew this encounter would be unlike any other.


    No wonder there were so many demon bones scattered throughout these catacombs.


    Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    It all made sense, after all, she was known as the NPC who appeared whenever a horde of powerful monsters overwhelmed players.


    Claiming some of the spoils, in exchange for her assistance, namely the corpses.


    Malady was infamous in Arcadia Online, recognized as one of the strongest necromancers in the game.


    "So, what brings you here, little children?" Malady asked, her voice smooth yet chilling.


    "We¡¯ve come to challenge Malacy, the Death Whisperer," I declared.


    "How unfortunate," she said with a faint smile. "I already ate her quite some time ago."


    "A-Ate her?" Earl stammered, his voice laced with fear.


    "Don¡¯t worry, little ones. I can still entertain you," Malady assured us.


    And in an instant,she was beside Kuro.


    I barely caught her movement, but my body refused to react.


    "I see¡­ such a poor lonely soul," Malady murmured, gently stroking Kuro¡¯s face.


    "Relax, Lost One," she said, her crimson gaze locking onto mine. "I would never harm these little children."


    A cold shiver ran through all three of us.


    "Defeat one of my Eternal Guards, and I shall grant your heart¡¯s desire,"


    Malady whispered to Kuro before, in the blink of an eye, she was back on her silver throne.


    Then, with a simple command¡­


    "Wake up, Bel."


    "Luna gemina, ferre duos gladios, astrum danza Lunar Blade Dance!", I instantly chanted as I heard Malady¡¯s command.


    Allowing me to equip the Kaleidoscope on my left hand.


    One of the demon skeletons embedded in the walls began to tremble.


    Its ancient bones knit together, and within seconds, flesh enveloped them.


    Standing beside Malady¡¯s throne was now a towering, ten-foot horror of a demon.


    Its name appeared in bold red letters:


    Belphegor ¨C LVL ???


    Gripping a massive greatsword in its right hand, its very presence radiated overwhelming power.


    My stomach dropped.


    If its level was unreadable, it meant that the gap between us was so vast that I couldn''t even begin to comprehend its true strength.


    The only silver lining was Kaleidoscope''s unique trait, Disparity.


    The skill amplified the level gap between me and my opponent, doubling the difference and converting it into raw strength.


    The wider the gap, the stronger I became.


    Before I could strategize, Earl instinctively launched a barrage of Lightning Lances and Ice Lances, targeting both Malady and Belphegor.


    The spells struck their targets, but in the next instant, one of Earl¡¯s Voodoo Dolls shattered.


    His HP plummeted straight into the critical zone.


    "S-Sorry, Big Brother¡­ I didn¡¯t think she had Magic Reflection active," Earl gasped as Kuro hurriedly handed him an HP potion.


    I couldn''t blame him.


    Typically, the best way to defeat a summoner was to strike the summoner directly, since their summons were often tougher than they were.


    "Guild Master, Belphegor is affected by Paralysis!" Kuro announced.


    As she saw Belphegor status using her Ailment Detection..


    Paralysis, a debuff triggered by lightning-based attacks slowed movement and attack speed.


    "Nice work, Little Bro! Leave the rest to me!" I said as I dashed forward, intercepting Belphegor¡¯s downward vertical slash.


    After executing Flash Step, I immediately used Dual Blade Parry, mitigating 90% of Belphegor¡¯s attack.


    Still, the attack was so heavy that it staggered my footing and took a fifth of my Health Points.


    However, in an instant, a second greatsword materialized in its left hand.


    ¡°Look out, Guildmaster!¡± Kuro shouted seeing the second attack.


    ¡°Ethereal,¡± I whispered just as Belphegor unleashed a powerful horizontal slash.


    The blade phased harmlessly through my body.


    I quickly stepped back a few feet before deactivating Ethereal.


    ¡°Interesting,¡± Malady mused, her voice laced with amusement.


    The moment I rematerialized, Belphegor shifted into a stance, Cross Flame Slash.


    I clenched my blades. Both Dual Blade Parry and Ethereal were on cooldown.


    There was no time to dodge.


    "Obscurum Circum Nocturnus Artes Saltandi Ferrarius, Moonless Night Parade!" I chanted without hesitation.


    With Kuro and Earl behind me, I couldn''t use Shadow Step to evade.


    Then I have to unleash an attack and hope it nullifies Belphegor''s skill.


    "Big Bro use your Shadow Step!" Earl suddenly shouted.


    Instinctively, I activated the skill, trusting my cousin, vanishing into the shadows.


    I reappeared behind Belphegor just as Earl raised two stacking Stone Wall beneath him and Kuro, launching them high into the air allowing them to evade the attack.


    Luckily, the ceiling was high enough to keep them out of harm¡¯s way.


    Belphegor¡¯s gaze followed them, momentarily distracted.


    That was my opening.


    Before the demon could react, I unleashed one of my strongest attacks, Devouring Nightshade.


    The dark attribute counterpart of Devouring Moonflower, this skill could only be activated during Moonless Night Parade, releasing 32 mid-range pitch-black slashes.


    Belphegor attempted to cast a defensive spell¡­


    ¡°Not on my watch,¡± Kuro declared as she chanted,


    "Per aerem immobilem et vacuum mutum, omnis sonus cesset¡ªSilence!"


    The demon¡¯s spell failed to activate.


    All 32 obsidian slashes struck, carving through its body and rapidly depleting its health.


    But it wasn¡¯t enough.


    Belphegor, now barely standing, prepared to unleash a relentless barrage of greatsword slashes.


    Before it could strike.


    Hundreds of black needles rained down, piercing its body from every angle.


    Kuro had cast Needle Rain while airborne with Earl.


    Belphegor let out a final, guttural growl before its body crumbled, reverting to a pile of lifeless bones.


    ¡°Hmm¡­ quite entertaining,¡± Malady remarked with a satisfied smile.


    She turned to Kuro.


    ¡°I cannot grant you the ability to resurrect the dead¡­ but I can at least let you see them once more,¡± Malady said softly.


    Then, with a simple command¡­


    ¡°Wake up, and see your little princess.¡±


    Two skeletal figures near the throne trembled.


    Flesh returned to their bones, and life flickered in their eyes.


    ¡°Kuroko?¡± The man and woman spoke in unison.


    ¡°Mom! Dad!¡± Kuro cried as she ran toward them.


    Malady watched, her smile unreadable.


    ¡°I saw these two little children being eaten by monsters,¡± she said.


    ¡°Children shouldn¡¯t be devoured like that. So I took their corpses and left only a few of their belongings behind.¡±


    Tears streamed down Kuro¡¯s mother¡¯s face as she held her daughter close.


    "I''m so glad you''re okay, Kuroko," she sobbed.


    ¡°Did your little brother survive?¡± her father asked, his voice filled with concern.


    ¡°Yes, Shiro is with me. We live together in our home,¡± Kuro replied.


    Her father smiled softly. ¡°Then everything will be fine, Kuroko.¡±


    ¡°But¡­ I wanted to watch more movies with you, Dad. And eat more of Mom¡¯s cooking,¡± Kuro sobbed.


    Her mother gently wiped away her own tears. ¡°We wanted to spend more time with you too, Kuroko.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry I couldn¡¯t cook more meals for you and Shiro,¡± her mother added with a sorrowful smile.


    Kuro shook her head, sniffling. ¡°It¡¯s okay, Mom. I can cook now, thanks to your recipes.¡±


    ¡°I wish I could taste my daughter¡¯s cooking,¡± her father said wistfully.


    ¡°Big Sister Kuro¡¯s curry is amazing!¡± Earl interjected.


    Kuro¡¯s mother chuckled before glancing at him. ¡°Are these your friends, Kuroko?¡±


    ¡°Yes, they are,¡± Kuro confirmed.


    Her mother¡¯s eyes softened.


    ¡°Thank you for taking care of our little princess. I hope you¡¯ll continue to be by her side.¡±


    ¡°We will,¡± I assured her. ¡°Besides, she always takes care of us too.¡±


    Both parents smiled at me warmly.


    ¡°Kuroko, take care of yourself,¡± her father said.


    ¡°And make sure Shiro stays out of trouble.¡±


    ¡°I will,¡± Kuro promised, her voice trembling with emotion.


    Her mother sighed. ¡°We¡¯ve been gone for a while now, but at least we got to see our little Kuroko one last time.¡±


    They turned toward Malady. ¡°Thank you,¡± they both said.


    Then, looking back at their daughter, her mother whispered,


    ¡°We¡¯ll be going now, Kuroko.


    Take care of yourself and your little brother.


    We always love you both.¡±


    ¡°I love you too, Mom, Dad,¡± Kuro cried, wrapping them in a final embrace.


    Moments later, their bodies turned to dust, vanishing into the air.


    Left standing in silence, Kuro wept.


    Without hesitation, Earl rushed to her side and hugged his big sister tightly.


    Malady¡¯s voice echoed through the room.


    ¡°Move fast, Lost One, or you¡¯ll lose more.¡±


    Before I could even respond, she disappeared into thin air.


    A portal flickered into existence just a few meters ahead of us, a sign that the dungeon was closing.


    ¡°We need to go. Earl, Kuro,¡± I said firmly.


    Sniffling, Kuro wiped her tears and joined Earl and me as we stepped through the portal.


    As expected, we were thrown back into the abandoned cabin.


    When I turned around, the entrance to the Silent Catacombs had vanished completely.


    Realizing we were finally out, Kuro exhaled deeply.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry for putting you both in danger.¡±


    Earl frowned. ¡°Big Sister, isn¡¯t there a better way to say that?¡±


    Kuro hesitated, then took a deep breath.


    ¡°I mean¡­ Thank you. Both of you. For coming with me.¡±


    She pulled us into a tight hug, crying for a little while longer.


    Once she calmed down, she looked at us.


    ¡°Are you two heading home now?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, we should. There are people who¡¯d worry if we stayed away any longer,¡± I said.


    Kuro hesitated before asking, ¡°Can I come with you? That way, I can use the Transport Gate whenever I want to visit.¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± I replied. ¡°Actually, I wanted to ask, where is the Transport Gate in Alcoria?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s by the northern gate, hidden among a cluster of Whitewood trees,¡± Kuro explained.


    ¡°No wonder we never found it before, Big Bro,¡± Earl muttered.


    Kuro wiped the last of her tears and stepped back.


    ¡°Wait here for a few minutes. I just need to inform my brother.¡± Kuro said as she dashed away.

 Unforeseen Visitors

    "Transfer: Maceria," I commanded as the three of us stood within the Transport Gate.


    Within seconds, we arrived in Maceria.


    "Asriel!" A familiar female voice called out, it was Claire.


    For some reason, she seemed to be waiting for our return.


    "What''s the matter, Claire?" I asked.


    "Guildmaster Gray asked me to wait for you.


    He figured you might return using the Transport Gate," she explained.


    "There are several people with the same dragon emblem as yours and Earl''s gathered at the Northern Gate," she added.


    "Guildmaster Gray wants you to meet them before he allows them entry into the city."


    "We''ll head there now," I replied.


    Claire and Kuro exchanged brief glances but quickly looked away when they noticed me watching.


    Claire then joined us as we made our way to the Northern Gate.


    "Let us in for a moment! We just need to check if the person we''re looking for is here!" A familiar male voice was arguing with Old Man Gray as we approached.


    "It seems the person you''re searching for has just arrived," Old Man Gray stated as he spotted us exiting the gate.


    "It''s good to have you back, Vice Guildmaster Leirsa," he greeted.


    Scanning the area, I spotted Deirka and his twin brother leaning against a black wyvern.


    Nearby, a petite female rider on a white-winged horse was speaking with Deirka.


    Meanwhile, a heavily armored young man carrying a massive shield was still debating with Old Man Gray.


    The Endless Emblem was prominently displayed on all three of them.


    "I suppose we meet again, Guildmaster Leirsa," Deirka greeted with a smirk.


    "Guildmaster," the armored man acknowledged as he stepped toward me.


    "It''s me, Gran," he added.


    Gran served as our main tank in Arcadia Online, and looking at him now, everything about him fit the role perfectly, but still¡­


    "And who''s this little guy?" Gran asked, eyeing Earl curiously.


    "Big Brother, let me test if he''s really Gran," Earl suddenly said.


    "Big Bro??? Don''t tell me¡­ " Before Gran could finish his sentence,


    Earl fired Wind Lances, launching Gran several meters away, yet he only staggered back about a hundred meters.


    "As expected of an advanced-class Shielder, the Guardian," I thought.


    "Corruptus umbra, addo tenebras, magica obscura fulgor, Corruption!" Earl chanted, activating Corruption.


    "Chaos Meteor!" he declared as a massive black meteorite began descending from the sky.


    Gran loved to tease Earl.


    With a swift motion, he pulled the Tower Shield from his back.


    A colossal, transparent manifestation of a shield expanded, covering the entire area.


    "Titan Guard,a level 60 Guardian skill," I thought.


    "A powerful wide-area defense that blocks both physical and magical attacks for a short duration."


    A violent gust of wind swept through as the colossal shield clashed against the descending black meteor.


    The meteor shattered upon impact, but the resulting debris transformed into a fiery black rain, cascading toward the ground.


    "Lux divina, mala purga, corpus sanet, omnes protege, benedictio aeterna, Star Temple!" a soft yet commanding voice chanted.


    A shimmering mirage of a grand temple enveloped the area, instantly dispelling the ominous black flames.


    "Star Temple, another level 60 skill, exclusive to the Shrine Priestess, an advanced class of the Healer," I noted.


    As expected from one of our Guild Officers, Charlotte, the White Princess.


    She approached, gracefully riding Albis, one of the four legendary winged horses of Arcadia.


    "Long time no see, Swordmaster Leirsa," she greeted as Albis trotted closer.


    Her gaze swept over Kuro and Earl.


    "This young man must be the Grand Magus, and this girl dressed in black, she''s most likely the Black Witch," she observed.


    "It''s been a while, little Princess," Kuro teased with a smirk.


    "Looks like everyone is getting reacquainted," Deirka chuckled.


    "I nearly forgot you were here, Beastmaster," Charlotte remarked with playful sarcasm.


    The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    "Don''t tell me you still haven''t reached your Advanced Class, Deirka?" she added with a grin.


    "Haha, I''m still a few levels away," Deirka admitted with a humble shrug.


    "Still, it''s refreshing to see you all again," he said, offering a hand to help Charlotte dismount from Albis.


    "Hey, are you all forgetting about me?" Gran called out, slowly making his way back toward us.


    Gran, the Walking Fortress.


    Deirka, the Beastmaster.


    Charlotte, the White Princess.


    Seeing them all here filled me with a sense of relief.


    "So, how did the three of you end up here?" Kuro asked.


    "What else? Using the Map Markers, of course," Charlotte answered matter-of-factly.


    "Right, Gran? Deirka?" she added.


    "That''s right," Gran confirmed.


    "We just followed the marker."


    "But how did you all know the Guildmaster was here?" Earl questioned.


    "You and the Guildmaster probably can''t see it," Gran explained, "but this Ancient Pillar Marker is nearly gold in color."


    "That makes sense," Deirka added. "Even during Guild Wars, only officers can track the exact locations of their leaders."


    "There were actually two gold markers before," Charlotte revealed, "but while I was heading here, one of them suddenly disappeared.


    The remaining gold marker moved a little farther away."


    "But honestly? Chasing down the other marker was a hassle, so I figured I''d wait here and hope you''d return," she admitted with a small smile.


    "So, is it possible that some of the other Guild Officers headed to Miss Kuro¡¯s town?" I asked.


    "I doubt it," Charlotte replied.


    "The two gold markers were close together before one of them moved."


    "Besides, one of them definitely wouldn¡¯t have come there," she added.


    "What do you mean?" Earl asked.


    Charlotte hesitated before speaking, her voice tinged with sadness.


    "Dilan was with me¡­ but it¡¯s been five days since he disappeared after entering an Open Labyrinth."


    Dilan, the Abyss Walker.


    Our scout and the one who handled most of our information gathering.


    "I find it hard to believe that he¡¯d fall victim to a labyrinth," Deirka said, crossing his arms.


    "What do you think, Guild Master?" Gran asked.


    "Dilan specializes in covert operations and scouting," I said.


    "And knowing him, he wouldn¡¯t have left Charlotte alone unless something serious happened."


    "There¡¯s definitely more to this," I added.


    "Swordmaster Leirsa, please help me find Dilan," Charlotte pleaded.


    "I understand how urgent this is," I said gently, "but rushing in without a plan won¡¯t help."


    "Let¡¯s head to our town first, catch up, and then figure out our next steps to find Dilan," I continued.


    "The Guild Master is right. We need to exchange vital information first," Deirka agreed.


    "I¡¯m sorry, I just¡­ " Charlotte''s voice broke, but before she could finish, Kuro pulled her into a comforting embrace, letting her cry against her chest.


    "Asriel, I¡¯ve prepared a place for them to stay, along with some food," Old Man Gray interjected.


    "My daughter, Laila, will guide you and your friends there."


    "Thanks, I really appreciate it, Old Man Gray," I said sincerely.


    Thankfully, Dia and the others had been listening patiently.


    "Alright, Old Man Gray has arranged shelter and food. Let¡¯s move there first," I commanded.


    Charlotte took a deep breath and softly called, "Albis, return."


    "Storm, return," Deirka followed.


    "So, Gran¡­ what did you ride to get here?" Earl asked.


    Gran scratched the back of his head.


    "You know my zombie dragon, Kul¡­" he admitted sheepishly.


    "I sent him back before anyone could see him. I didn¡¯t want to scare the townspeople," he quickly added.


    "Yeah, that would be bad if they mistook you for a raid boss," Earl joked.


    Gran had always thought undead creatures were cool, his obsession was no secret.


    Charlotte smirked. "It would¡¯ve been hilarious if the Guild Master forgot again about Gran¡¯s¡­ unique tastes and accidentally slashed him out of the sky while he was riding Kul."


    I glanced at Gran.


    I was certain he¡¯d thought the same thing, which was why he dismounted far outside town and walked the rest of the way.


    "Just wait," Gran said with a grin.


    "One day, I¡¯ll make you all see the true beauty and coolness of the undead."


    With Miss Laila leading the way, we followed her through the town.


    The walk lasted only a few minutes before we arrived at a newly built inn.


    "So, our guests have arrived," a middle-aged woman greeted as we stepped inside.


    The second floor featured a spacious dining hall, large enough to accommodate all of us.


    After speaking briefly with the innkeeper, Miss Laila took her leave.


    Once everyone was seated around the large table, Earl took the initiative to introduce everyone.


    "Since not everyone here knows each other, I¡¯ll handle introductions," he announced.


    "First, my big brother, Asriel, also known as Swordmaster Leirsa. His current class is Blade Dancer."


    "This beautiful black-haired girl dressed in all black is Big Sister Kuro, known as the Black Witch. Current class: Witch."


    "Beside her is our small but mighty companion, Charlotte, the White Princess. Current class: Shrine Priestess."


    "And this overly armored, simple-minded guy who loves undead is Gran, the Walking Fortress. Current class: Guardian."


    Earl then turned to the burly man across the table.


    "This is Deirka, the Beastmaster. Current class: Brawler."


    Then, he looked at Deirka¡¯s twin.


    "And this is¡­ wait, who are you again?" Earl squinted.


    The man smirked. "I¡¯m Sean, Deirka¡¯s twin brother. Current class: Assassin."


    Earl continued. "Next, this lovely lady sitting next to Big Bro is Claire, his friend and classmate. Current class: Healer."


    "Beside her is her twin brother, Neil. Current class: Mage."


    "Next is Big Bro¡¯s best friend, Ash. Current class: Warrior."


    "Beside him is another lovely lady, Rain. Current class: Archer."


    "And finally, Big Bro¡¯s friend from the U.S., Diana. Current class: Ranger."


    At the mention of Diana, my guild officers seemed intrigued.


    "I won¡¯t lie," Deirka admitted, studying her closely. "She looks badass, like a soldier or something."


    "But¡­ we should focus on more pressing matters," he added.


    "What level are you now, Guild Master Leirsa?" Deirka asked.


    "I¡¯m currently level 90," I answered.


    Ash¡¯s eyes widened. "That¡¯s almost triple my level!"


    "Well, that¡¯s to be expected from our Guild Master," Deirka said with a chuckle.


    ¡°It¡¯s our Guildmaster after all¡±, Gran agreed.