《No more heroes》 Chapter 1: Sinister Plans
Chapter 1: Nefarious Plans Point of View: Magnus Bridge I became the most powerful mage in this world; reality itself bends before my absolute power. Even the Gods fear me, and my power is immeasurable. However, there is something I have never been able to attain: immortality, the mastery over time itself. Despite being able to alter my appearance and rejuvenate my body, the essence of my life is slipping away. My body¡ªor rather, my shell¡ªis slowly dying. What is immortality, after all? Even the divine loses itself to the flow of time, aging and changing names. Its essence renews in an eternal cycle of rebirth through the faith of the people in this continent. But I do not want to be forgotten, nor do I want to forget. I want to remain in memory and essence. The thought of disappearing completely, of becoming a mere blur in an uncertain future, fills me with a void that spreads like a suffocating shadow inside me. As my life passed, I questioned many times what I had become: something between a mage and a monster. The gods feared me because I reflected their limitations or because of the shadows that grew within me. I made many sacrifices to reach this point: elves, dwarves, nobles, slaves, humans. Even the commoners who cried out for protection, swearing loyalty for me to save them from diseases and monsters, were touched by my existence. Each face that vanished under my hand still lingers in my memory, a silent presence that never leaves me. But it was necessary¡ªor at least, that is what I tell myself to justify the unbearable. On my 284th birthday, after countless experiments in this bizarre dungeon, I finally discovered the solution. I created an artifact capable of storing my soul and transferring it to an appropriate vessel. I based this on the technique of demonic possession to develop a form of magical possession. This technique allows me to take control of the latent mana in a human body, using it as if it were my own. From there, I manipulate the mana to control the rest of the body as a true master. Such a thing was only possible thanks to the unique rune system I developed for my magic. While gods and mortals still used archaic methods, my creation revolutionized magic, replacing obsolete complexities with a more refined structure. This system not only simplified the processes but also amplified the effects, making them incredibly powerful, precise, and efficient. It was an absolute advancement, ensuring total control over forces that once seemed unattainable. It is true that this dungeon reeks due to the decomposition of the hundreds of test subjects I used in my experiments. The air is thick with a sharp odor, as though death itself left its mark on every stone. However, soon, that will no longer matter. The bodies scattered on the floor contribute to creating an environment I deem suitable to attract a strong adventurer¡ªthe one who will find this artifact.Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more. The walls of the dungeon, covered in moss and dark stains, seem to pulse with the magical energy that infuses the place. The torchlight flickers, casting dancing shadows that take on grotesque, almost living shapes. The silence is broken only by the occasional sound of drops falling into small puddles on the floor, each drop echoing as a reminder of the passing time. To ensure that only a powerful vessel reaches this place, I implemented a series of defenses. Intricate traps, relentless golems, watchful gargoyles, and deadly invocations are strategically placed and will be triggered at the slightest trace of mana. These measures will not only prevent insignificant individuals from advancing but will also urge the truly powerful ones to face the challenges, believing they have found a treasure of immense value. And indeed, they will. However, the true treasure will be mine: a body worthy of carrying my immortal soul. I placed the orb on the pedestal in the center of the room. The stand, made of stone in the shape of two skeletal hands, held it firmly in place. The ethereal glow of the orb cast a pale and cold light across the room, illuminating the runes on the floor. They pulsed softly with an unsettling energy, as if they were breathing. I withdrew to the outer limit of the magic circle, whose runes ensured a constant flow of mana into and out of the orb to sustain its energy. Additionally, crystals were scattered across the table, enriching the atmosphere with abundant mana, as though the room itself were alive. The energy here should last for a few centuries before it fades. It¡¯s a damn shot in the dark, but it¡¯s the only sensible option¡ªeither that or become the damn lich. Although I have no problem killing in the name of magic, I feel that taking lives to extend my own would be an unbearable moral burden. This method, on the other hand, ensures that only a single sacrifice is required. I began the ritual. My consciousness faded, and I watched my body fall as it was sucked into the orb on the pedestal. The sensation was like being torn from the fabric of existence, a sharp rift that left a cold emptiness in my being. My memories paraded before me like images projected on a blank screen. Each face, every moment of glory and regret, a succession of intense flashes. Then, I was there. I could see and feel everything in the room through the mana, I could communicate through my mind. But there was no one else. The world was now a dense twilight of black shadows. And time continued to pass... As the echo of the drops dripped from the ceiling or ran down the walls, I couldn''t help but wonder if everything I had done and was doing was just. It was a thought that returned like a constant hammer, striking my already fragmented consciousness. Was there no alternative to using people as tools? No, I was sure there was no other way, at least not one that would benefit me. It was this or oblivion... and the thought of disappearing forever was a prison far crueler than any dungeon. Chapter 2: Train Journey Point of View: Christopher Roosevelt London was everything I thought it would be: a truly magical city, with beautiful buildings that blend the old and the modern in a fascinating way. The streets, full of life, were a reflection of centuries of history, and while the urban chaos was evident, there was an intrinsic order behind everything. In fact, the world had become more beautiful since I began to travel through it. When you''re not successful, things are much more depressing and complicated. As a freelance banker, the freedom of having clients anywhere in the world¡ªand, of course, the excuse to travel¡ªcame as a privilege of this profession. London, Paris, Tokyo, New York, Seoul... One of the advantages of being Brazilian is having one of the best passports in the world. I was at the London St Pancras station, a true architectural marvel. The curved iron beams of the ceiling seemed to dance as natural light streamed through the glass windows, creating hypnotic patterns on the polished marble floor. The movement was frenetic. Muffled shouts, hurried laughter, people with heavy luggage and distracted gazes. It was crowded, but at the same time, there was a strange harmony in the crowd, as if everyone were moving in a choreographed routine. In the background, a violinist played a sweet and melancholic version of "I Want to Hold Your Hand," echoing through the station, blending with the sound of the train traffic and distant conversations. I was on my way to Cambridge, my next tourist destination. It was rush hour, and as I observed the people, something caught my attention to the left: a commotion. Desperate shouts cut through the air, but still, my instinct was not to get involved. I wasn''t here to get tangled in trouble. My English was far from perfect, and getting involved in something on foreign soil wasn¡¯t part of my plans. However, one phrase shook my mind: "Thief! Catch the thief!" The crowd around me started to stir, but something inside me kept me still. This was not my problem. The station continued to be filled with the sound of a train to my right, the mechanical noise of the tracks mixed with the sound of the brakes. But then, suddenly, the reality around me distorted. The commotion grew distant, the sounds became muffled, and for a moment, all I could hear was the hum of something massive approaching. Suddenly, someone bumped into me with such force that I nearly lost my balance. I stumbled forward, unable to steady myself. And then, the light... It was intense and blinding, as if the sun itself had decided to descend to Earth. In an instant, the light shone with such intensity that I was engulfed by it, and then... everything went dark. The world around me vanished.The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. "Young hero, your wish will be granted: a magical world with magic and swords," echoed a voice in the darkness, deep and distant. But that wish was old, something I had just ten years ago when I was lost in life, aimless, in my early twenties. I wanted adventures, a world with magic, with swords. Now, what I desired was something completely different: a comfortable life, filled with wealth, far from any suffering. Unfortunately, I couldn''t verbalize that. I was simply floating, weightless, directionless, in the absolute void. My mind was confused, and a sharp pain began to rise in my head. Could the train¡­ have crushed me? An irrational thought crossed my mind: people are crushed by trucks and transported to other worlds, not by trains. As time dragged on, the throbbing in my head grew stronger. Something began to weigh on my back, and a strange sensation spread through my body. Something pointed touched my fingers, but at the same time, it felt soft. The air around me became fresh, and a scent of fresh air, like that of a forest, filled my lungs. It was as if I were walking near a forest or park, yet I couldn''t see anything around me. The gentle breeze brushed my skin, bringing an unexpected relief. With the throbbing in my head slowly fading, I finally opened my eyes. A clearing revealed itself before me. The trees around me were tall and imposing, their leaves covering the sky like a thick blanket, allowing only small cracks of light to filter down to the ground below. I was lying in a small clearing, about three square meters in size, surrounded by a dense forest that seemed to vibrate with life. The ground, covered in a thin layer of moss, was slightly damp, and the smell of wet earth mingled with the fresh air. The leaves, with their vibrant colors, moved gently with the wind. The sound of distant birds and the rustling of the trees were the only noises breaking the absolute silence. "Why the hell am I naked?" I murmured, feeling a deep pain in my lungs. "Living beings are transported to another world, but clothes aren''t?" Even with the mental confusion, the discomfort of being naked brought me back to reality. With great effort, I lifted the upper part of my body, supporting myself on my elbows. My stomach growled loudly, making it clear that the sensation of hunger was immense. With the pain in my head gradually decreasing, I began to observe more closely what was around me. The forest appeared denser and more mysterious than anything I had ever seen in any of my travels. The trees were not ordinary. Some of them seemed to emit a soft light, as though they had a life of their own. The air was thick with a peculiar humidity that gently touched my skin, as though every breath I took was imbued with an invisible magical energy. I was in a completely different world, but part of me couldn¡¯t help but find it strange that everything was so... simple. I should be in a castle, with a new purpose in a magical land full of fantastic creatures, not in some random clearing in an apparently wild world. "As much as it¡¯s funny to think about playing Tarzan, shouldn¡¯t I have been transported to a castle or something like that?" I thought, trying to understand how all of this was happening. Chapter 3: Survival I Point of View: Christopher Roosevelt I was standing, sweat running down my face as I tried to get my mind to work. The adrenaline coursed through my veins, but panic was also consuming my body. I couldn¡¯t stay lying down here; I needed to act. The first thing to do, for anyone who had seen the American series Naked and Afraid, was to find water. The human body can survive longer without food than without water. But here, in the middle of an unknown forest, I felt completely lost. The silence of the forest around me oppressed me, interrupted only by the sounds of crickets, the croaking of frogs, and the occasional snap of a branch under some invisible weight. But the only sound I was really searching for was the flow of water, whether crashing against rocks or running in a river. The pressure of the situation kept me tense, and the fear of dehydration was beginning to gnaw at me. I came to a clearing and stopped for a moment, trying to quickly assess the situation. The sunlight, which was still fighting to stay in the sky, was fading quickly. The twilight was taking over the forest, and the air began to grow heavier and more humid. When I checked my body, I noticed something strange: I was full of muscles. I was a complete couch potato, and this would definitely help with the women. Was this some kind of bonus for traveling between worlds? My focus returned: the lack of clothes and tools reminded me at every step that my situation was still critical. Another thing I noticed was the complete absence of hair on my body. My skin was smooth, soft, like a baby¡¯s bottom. Entering the dense forest with adrenaline pulsing through my veins, I observed the things around me. The sounds of wildlife created a fog in my mind, but in the distance, the sound of water brought me back to my senses. I walked desperately toward it. In my mind, I saw myself as an explorer, someone capable of surviving anything, but reality was much harder. The first steps were heavy, frustration and anger started to settle in my mind. Why couldn¡¯t this be a typical isekai? I just wanted a good life, not this constant fight for survival. And now, here I was: lost, directionless, and with no solution in sight. However, as I wandered through the forest, a growing sense of exhaustion began to affect me physically. My legs felt heavy, and the heat was starting to drain me. My stomach growled, a cruel reminder of my urgent need for sustenance. I need to find water... now. Even as I thought about it, I couldn¡¯t help but feel disturbed by the immensity of the place. Fear crept in, and the sound of the forest seemed increasingly threatening, as if something were watching me.Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. It was when, finally, after what felt like endless hours, I found the riverbed. The sound of the water brought me relief, but at the same time, a new apprehension formed. The river was large, and its turbulent waters flowed quickly. But there was no sign of human life nearby, just the murmur of the water and the dense vegetation surrounding it. I looked at the banks and realized that, even though I didn¡¯t know where the river was headed, I had to follow in one direction. The daylight was nearly extinguished, and a cold breeze began to blow. I knew the night would bring more difficulties. I couldn¡¯t afford to catch a cold, so I began searching for a way to spend the night. My thoughts were in turmoil, the need to find shelter and water becoming a priority. I knew that survival depended on quick and precise decisions. However, the forest was full of invisible dangers. There was something in the air. Every now and then, a strange noise breaking the silence made my body tense. Something was moving in the thick vegetation around me. I couldn¡¯t see what it was, but being alone made me imagine the worst. I walked along the riverbed, controlling my breath to calm myself. When I found some large, sharp rocks, I started chipping one against the other, hoping to create a rudimentary blade. My fingers bled a little, but I couldn¡¯t afford to feel pain now. A blade meant a chance to hunt or defend myself from any threat. By nightfall, I finally found a tree tall enough to serve as shelter. I climbed with some difficulty, and with what little energy I had left, I started to improvise a makeshift bed, tying myself to a thick branch with fibers from a giant leaf I had found. But as I looked down at the river below, I couldn¡¯t help but wonder what else this world had to offer. The loneliness began to weigh on me, and a sense of unease grew, as if something were watching me. It was clear that the night would bring more than just cold and darkness. The distant sound of breaking branches, almost imperceptible, sent a chill up my spine. I was not alone. Something in the forest was moving, and it wasn¡¯t just the breeze. Whatever it was, I needed to stay alert. The noises intensified, growls and cries that didn¡¯t sound human. After a silence that seemed to drain the rest of my soul, I saw it. A humanoid figure was below me, its eyes not looking human, and from what I could see, its color was green. It was rummaging through the ground, looking around, seemingly searching for something¡­ then I realized it was looking for me. The tree I had chosen had dense foliage, and the moonlight didn¡¯t reach here. With any luck, I wouldn¡¯t need to fight through the night. I prayed, Go away, please go away... Chapter 4: Survival II Point Of View: Christopher Roosevelt I woke up with a sneeze. My worries about catching a cold immediately came rushing back, along with my mental checklist of priorities: food and a decent shelter. My current inventory? A stone knife and a rope made from braided leaves. As I mentally went over my supplies, the ground trembled. A chill ran down my spine. I stayed in the tree but climbed higher, between the branches, hiding in the leaves. I struggled to control my heartbeat, which seemed to be ready to leap out of my throat. Then I saw it. Near the riverbed, a gigantic creature, about four meters tall. It looked like a lizard with wings attached to its front legs, resembling a pterosaur but with a bulkier head, similar to a Komodo dragon, full of sharp teeth. Its body was covered with dark, scaly skin that gleamed in the sunlight. Its claws dug into the ground, making a metallic sound as they crushed stones. The creature dipped its head into the river, fishing or drinking water. "I''ll call it Wyvern," I thought. If this thing can fly, it''s better I stay hidden in the tree cover. I descended the tree, my thoughts racing. The river was no longer safe; drinking water or building a raft to go down it would be a monumental challenge now. "Call me a coward, but I won''t fight that thing, no way," I muttered to myself, letting out a nervous laugh. Since I had already drunk enough water, I decided to move away from the river and head into the forest. "Time to look for fruits." I followed my own rule: if animals are eating something, it''s probably safe for me too, especially if they''re primates. As I walked, I found a small tree with a thin trunk. I broke it and began carving it while walking, trying to make it as straight as possible. Once the shaft was well worked, I used a piece of fiber to create a spear. "Now I have a weapon. It''s not very sturdy or deadly, but it''s a defense mechanism." My hands were calloused and sore from the rope I''d used to improvise the spear. Every step felt heavier than the last, and my stomach growled with hunger. I knew I needed to find something to eat, but my mind was scattered, my muscles were exhausted, and the simple act of breathing seemed to consume me. Loneliness tightened my chest with every step I took, and the sense of helplessness, with no one to back me up, haunted me. I was alone, just me and my restless mind. "Maybe there''s a busty elf lost around here?" I yelled, trying to chase away the weight of solitude. "Dwarves work too¡­"Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. After a few hours of walking, I entered a small clearing. In the center, there was a huge rock, twice my height and ten times my width. A crack separated the boulder, probably a result of years of erosion. Cautiously approaching, I inspected the inside. The inner part of the rock was eroded, forming a small cave with stalactites dripping water. "Looks like a safe place," I thought as I entered. "Where''s this water coming from, dripping from the ceiling?" Inside, the cave was spacious, with solid stone walls. There was enough space for a man to lie down, but most of the floor was covered by a pool of crystal-clear water. Around it, the stone floor was covered with moss, which would need to be removed. Lighting a fire here would be dangerous. I approached the pool and knelt. It was then that I saw my reflection for the first time. My brown eyes were lighter. I looked younger, maybe sixteen, and more athletic than I remembered. I was never much into sports. I ran my hand over my muscles. "I''m going to have a lot of fun with this body," I said, amused. My hair was dark brown, completely messy and short, and my skin was white, but a bit yellowish. "Anemia?" I commented to myself, chuckling. Setting that aside, did I rejuvenate, or is this a new body? I wondered curiously, what kind of being would have the power to do such a thing? "Hero, huh? Let''s see who''s going to play the hero here!" I said aloud, looking at the ceiling. Talking to myself was something I had done in my old world. Now that the panic had subsided, I was starting to return to that habit. It would definitely help me cope with this situation. Just as I was about to stand up, my foot slipped on the moss, and my body fell into the pool. I tried to brace myself with my arms, but it was deeper than it seemed, and soon I found myself completely submerged. My whole body sank into the water. I tried to swim desperately, but I¡¯m a terrible swimmer. You can¡¯t be good at everything, after all. As the scarce light from the cave faded above me, I realized I was running out of breath. Then, my feet touched the ground. With a push, I sprang up, flailing my arms. My head surfaced, and I leaned on a flat surface, coughing and spitting out the water I had swallowed. When I looked around, I realized I was no longer in the cave. "Oh, great. Random isekai event. Is this some sort of dungeon?" I muttered. I mentally began humming the opening song as if this were some kind of crazy anime. A corridor stretched ahead of me. Shivering from the cold, I got up and started walking, each step echoing in the darkness. This wasn''t a game, and I had no interest in being the main character. I looked ahead, surrendering my sanity. The air was thick, and the only sound was the dripping of water somewhere. "I¡¯ll kill a dragon with this pointy stick," I proclaimed, joking with the situation, if I find one. I would beg for my life. Chapter 5: Summoning of the Heroes I Point of View: Lorian Vellorn The ritual was about to begin, and in the crowd, a handful of eager nobles tried to win the favor of the heroes. I couldn¡¯t blame them; after all, the summoning method created by the infamous Magnus Bridge brought to this world super soldiers¡ªpowerful weapons capable of destroying entire kingdoms. The excuse used to justify such power? "We need heroes to face the Lords." Pure nonsense, masking the greed of the King and the Nobility. Valion, son of the Count of Taldrin, approached me, his heavy hand resting on my shoulder. ¡°Do you believe these heroes will be good? Or just more pawns for the war?¡± he asked, his eyes fixed on the circle formed by the priests, where three lifeless children lay. Valion, my childhood friend, had been corrupted by the rotten structure of Calyndor. I wondered what was left of him. A once idealistic young man now sought ways to accumulate power, regardless of the cost. He had been one of the greatest influences in my life, motivating me to become who I was today. But over time, he had lost his way, and the reality he embraced now seemed unrecognizable. Someday, I hope to save him from this spiral of destruction. But if that¡¯s not possible, I will be the one to end his life. It terrifies me, but the idea of seeing him as an enemy to be destroyed also seems inevitable. The truth is, as long as he¡¯s alive, his corruption will be a threat to everyone around us. ¡°Actually, you want to ask if they will be easily manipulated,¡± I replied, my tongue sharp as a needle, casting a brief glance at my friend before returning my attention to the children in the circle. ¡°Don¡¯t you think this ritual is cruel? I mean, they¡¯re just children. Where do their memories, their feelings, their souls go?¡± ¡°One life for another. Anyway, this is something that needs to be done. Without defense against the Lords, the kingdom of Calyndor will... no, I dare say the entire continent will fall, from the dwarves in the Grimdal fortress, the elves in the hidden kingdom of Aeloria, to the Veridian Empire. Nothing has the power to resist the Lords.¡± To avoid being accused of treason, I remained silent. As much as I had a friendship with Valion, I couldn¡¯t help but wonder if this was brainwashing or a justification for the cruel greed. That psychopath of a mage is treated like a legend, when everything he created should be considered taboo. I glanced briefly at our king, Eryndor Valier of Calyndor, as the mages began chanting in an ancient language I didn¡¯t understand. The bastard had a smile on his face...You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story. A blinding light filled the hall, blinding everyone present. The magical circle, now animated, began to pulse with energy from another dimension, vibrating like a dark heart. Runes glowed ethereally, appearing on the children¡¯s bodies with a supernatural intensity, as if each mark was a branding, a seal of something much larger than they could comprehend. The sound of the chanting echoed in the room, deep and rhythmic, reverberating against the stone walls and making the atmosphere heavy, dense with the weight of a fate that couldn¡¯t be avoided. Each vibration of energy seemed to pierce the skin, invade the senses, until the air became thick and suffocating, as though the very essence of the world was being altered. It was as fascinating as it was disturbing. Intricate runes appeared on the bodies of the youths, glowing with a supernatural intensity. According to ancient studies, these marks would serve as catalysts, allowing the energy of reincarnation to bestow extraordinary abilities upon the heroes: immense physical strength, superhuman agility, impenetrable resistance, and a natural affinity for magic¡ªeverything that mages and warriors of this world could only dream of achieving. However, something seemed wrong. When the light finally faded and the runes disappeared from the children¡¯s skins, an uncomfortable silence filled the hall. Anxious whispers began to spread among the mages. The tension was palpable, and the normally imposing mages were agitated. Their gazes met with unnerving speed, and even Abimael, the royal mage, seemed to have lost control. His trembling hands, his rigid posture¡ªeverything betrayed the error. Something was wrong. He approached King Eryndor Valier of Calyndor, leaning in to whisper something in his ear. The confident smile that adorned the king¡¯s face vanished instantly. For a brief moment, a grimace of frustration appeared, but it was quickly replaced by the stoic, calculating expression he always wore in front of the court. ¡°The ritual was a success,¡± he announced loudly, hiding any trace of concern. ¡°Now, I ask the mages and priests to take the children to a place where they can rest and recover their strength. Guards, please escort the nobles out of the palace.¡± Since Magnus Bridge¡¯s disappearance, the royal family had been desperately trying to recover their lost prestige. The mage who once defied the limits of magic was now just a memory, but his legacy of madness left a deep mark. His absence didn¡¯t bring stability but generated rulers increasingly obsessed with power. Eryndor, the current king, is the embodiment of this obsession, a distorted reflection of Magnus. He hides his insatiable thirst for control under a facade of nobility, but his eyes reveal the emptiness and destruction he is willing to bring. The most ironic part is that, instead of learning from the past¡¯s mistakes, the kingdom remains trapped in the same cycle of greed, where one monster is replaced by another, hungrier and more dangerous. Eryndor doesn¡¯t care about the costs of power; he just wants to stay in control, no matter the price. As the crowd began to disperse, I couldn¡¯t help but notice the tension in Abimael¡¯s gaze and the contained nervousness in the mages¡¯ movements. Something had gone wrong, that much was clear. The king could mask his emotions, but I wasn¡¯t a fool. Something about this ritual didn¡¯t go as planned, and I intended to find out what it was¡ªno matter the cost. Chapter 6: Summoning of the Heroes II Point of View: Kaori Tanaka The morning sun touched my skin, and footsteps echoed in the room as I curled deeper into the blanket. The sound of blinds opening made the light even more unbearable, forcing my eyes to squint. The fresh morning air filled my lungs, but all I could think was, ¡°Mom, just five more minutes¡­¡± I grunted and buried my face in the pillow, which, for some reason, felt softer than usual. ¡°Miss, His Majesty is waiting,¡± a completely unfamiliar voice echoed beside the bed. ¡°Whose Majesty?¡± I murmured, confused. I suddenly opened my eyes and sat up in bed, staring at the surroundings around me. This wasn¡¯t my room. I was in a large bed, in a gigantic room. The ceiling and walls were made of gray stone, while the floor gleamed with a white, smooth marble-like stone. To the left of the bed was a polished redwood desk, and at the center of the room stood a small table surrounded by two velvet red armchairs. ¡°Was I¡­ kidnapped?¡± I gasped, quickly rising and using the bed as a barrier between myself and the strange woman. She was dressed like a maid, in an outfit that reminded me of those themed caf¨¦s that otakus love to visit. However, she wasn¡¯t young like the staff at those caf¨¦s. She appeared to be around forty, with blonde hair neatly tied up in a bun, and her eyes conveyed a sense of severity. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, young lady. Everything will be explained shortly,¡± the woman said, her tone firm yet respectful. ¡°Please, follow me.¡± I hesitated for a moment, my heart pounding. My gaze scanned the room again, trying to find any clue of where I was or how I had ended up here. Feeling that I had little choice, I took a cautious step forward, still keeping the bed between us. ¡°If this is some kind of joke or prank, I swear it¡¯s not funny¡­¡± I muttered, trying to stay calm, though my trembling voice betrayed me. The woman didn¡¯t respond. She simply turned and walked toward the door, gesturing for me to follow. The hallway was well-lit; statues of armored figures and framed paintings adorned the space, showcasing figures I had never seen before in my life. After passing through the hallway, we descended a staircase that led us to an exit. As we walked through a stone archway, I couldn¡¯t help but notice the courtyard¡¯s decorations, with fountains and flowers arranged artfully.Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. But something felt off. I felt strange, like I wasn¡¯t myself. My hands seemed smaller, my height different, even the way I walked felt abnormal. I was wearing a white tunic that the woman had provided. Moreover, this place didn¡¯t resemble Japan in any way. Maybe it was some ancient castle in the West. We entered another building, walking through another beautifully decorated corridor. However, the people in the paintings of this space were all men, and they shared physical similarities. I noticed that the frames had inscriptions written in a language that wasn¡¯t Japanese, but oddly enough, I could understand it. The guards in the hallways watched us with curious gazes, but none of them spoke. It was as if I was a stranger, someone who didn¡¯t belong here. Their silence only heightened the feeling that I was trapped in a nightmare. Stopping in front of an ornate door, the woman pushed it open firmly and gestured for me to enter. Hesitant, I stepped through the entrance, scanning my surroundings. There were people dressed extravagantly, as if in an old-fashioned ball. The hall was vast, with six marble pillars extending from floor to ceiling along the sides, leaving a red carpet that led directly to a throne at the end of the space. The man seated on the throne was tall and robust, appearing to be about fifty years old. His hair was completely white and spiked, and he wore a gray tunic adorned with golden details, with white feathers around his neck. ¡°Welcome to Calyndor, great heroine. I am King Eryndor, of the Valier royal family.¡± His eyes locked onto mine with intensity. What was I supposed to do in a situation like this? Kneel? King? Heroine? ¡°What kind of nonsense is this?¡± I questioned, even more confused. ¡°Oh, great heroine, you have been chosen to save this world from a dark threat. They call themselves the Lords. For this fight, you have been blessed with a new body that possesses abilities beyond those of an ordinary human. We offer you all the necessary support to help you develop and become strong enough to face our adversaries.¡± What was he saying? None of it made sense. What place in the world was Calyndor? Why was he doing some kind of fantasy role-play? ¡°I don¡¯t want to play this game. I want to go home.¡± ¡°I understand your confusion, but if you are here, it means you died in your world. There is no home to return to.¡± He gestured with his hand, and the maid approached, carrying a cushion with a small silver mirror. ¡°Take it,¡± she said, extending the mirror. Reluctantly, I took the object and looked at my reflection. A blonde child with green eyes stared back at me. There was no trace of my old brown hair. This person¡­ isn¡¯t me. Did I really die? What happened to my mom? I never got to say goodbye¡­ Does she know what happened to me? The thought of never seeing her face again, of never feeling the warmth of her embrace¡­ made me feel as if a part of me was disappearing. Chapter 7: Rebirth
Point Of View: Magnus Bridge How much time has passed? Well, I¡¯m not sure. The room around me was still. In the dim shadows that my vision could reach, figures danced in the darkness. Sometimes, an insect or bat crossed the space silently. I made the most of my time thinking about magical formulas, spell structures, runes, invocations, curses, and other things of that nature. However, there were times when I felt I was forgetting some of these things. Perhaps it was due to time¡­ memory does not endure over centuries. Although I no longer had a physical body to feel anxiety, the idea of no adventurer passing through the doors troubled me. What if the energy runs out? What if I lose all my thoughts? How much time has passed? If I had transformed into a Lich, I would only need to massacre one or two civilizations. Did I make the right choice? As I lost myself in daydreams about past decisions, a crash echoed through the room. A humanoid figure entered the space. Although I could only see distorted shapes in the shadow, something about the mana around this being seemed strange. ¡°Welcome, young adventurer. Congratulations on completing this dungeon. I am the Dungeon Master, and as a reward, I will grant you the highest knowledge.¡± I spoke theatrically, as I had rehearsed countless times. A sneeze echoed in the room. ¡°Why are there so many corpses here?¡± asked a male voice. At least now I knew the gender of my guest, I thought. ¡°Do not fear. These corpses are of researchers who died in a magical accident long ago. I am the remnant of the knowledge from those studies. Now, come closer and place your hand on the orb. I will transfer the knowledge so that you may become the most powerful wizard.¡± It was partly true: they really died because of mistakes and accidents I caused. But he didn¡¯t need to know everything. The shadow moved. His arm lifted. Just a few more centimeters, I thought, watching anxiously. Then, the hand stopped and recoiled. ¡°I refuse. This is clearly suspicious.¡± ¡°What do you mean, refuse?¡± I wasn¡¯t expecting this. I couldn¡¯t let him leave; who knows how long it would take for another adventurer to pass through the dungeon. And what if there was no one else? ¡°Young adventurer, is there anything else you desire besides knowledge? Perhaps treasure?¡±If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. ¡°Uh, well... think about it: a room full of corpses promising absolute power inside a dungeon? It¡¯s kind of, how should I say it? Suspicious?¡± I couldn¡¯t read his expression due to my visual limitations, but his words carried distrust. ¡°But is there any treasure in this room? Where?¡± ¡°I see that this caught your attention, young adventurer. Allow me to propose a deal: I¡¯ve been trapped in this dungeon for centuries. Take me with you on your adventure, and I¡¯ll show you where my treasure is hidden.¡± Now, I just had to wait. As soon as he touched me, his body would be mine. Muahahahahaha! Silence filled the room. The figure remained motionless. ¡°My name is Christopher. Do you have a name, talking ball?¡± The voice echoed again. As if that mattered! I thought to myself. After all, his consciousness would be supplanted. ¡°I am the supreme wizard Magnus Bridge. You must have heard of me.¡± Silence returned. Impatient, I dared to speak again: ¡°So, what now? Do we have a deal?¡± The figure began to move, extending his arm toward the orb again. ¡°Ah, alright. Not like I have anything better to do, after all.¡± He sighed. ¡°But I swear, if this is a trap, I¡¯ll break you in two.¡± A wave of energy swept through the room as his fingers touched the surface of the orb. I felt my existence flowing toward the figure. There I was: I could clearly see the environment around me. The glowing orb had lost its light, and the room was lit only by the mana crystals scattered across the tables. But something was wrong. The torches that were supposed to light up when the dungeon was activated remained extinguished. ¡°Did the talking ball run out of energy?¡± The voice came from my mouth, but it wasn¡¯t me speaking. I tried to move my arms and legs, but nothing happened. Something was wrong. ¡°Now, how am I going to find the treasure and get out of this damn dungeon?¡± Once again, I spoke¡­ but it wasn¡¯t me. Then, a realization came to my mind: this body didn¡¯t have enough mana to be controlled. How the hell did this guy get through the forbidden forest and complete the dungeon? Then, I understood: the dungeon hadn¡¯t been activated. He had no mana. No trap or monster had been triggered. But that didn¡¯t explain how he made it through the forest. He ¡ª or rather, I ¡ª began to move, inspecting the room. He stopped in front of my corpse, bent down, and started removing the cloak I was wearing: a black cloak ornamented with golden threads on the edges, giving the outfit a royal and dark air. He was looting my own corpse. That¡¯s when I noticed something else: I was completely naked. My realization hit immediately, reducing me to a shadow of my former greatness. A dungeon, a prison. This wasn¡¯t what I had planned when I started my journey for immortality. Yet, here I was, trapped in a body I couldn¡¯t control, a body of a crazy man who was naked. I searched his mind to try to understand how I ended up in this situation, which seemed at least ridiculous. And then I saw it, a completely different world. A hero from another world, but he was weak. Who summoned someone so weak to this world? Chapter 8: Useless Power
Point Of View: Christopher Roosevelt The cloak looks expensive; I¡¯ll probably regret doing this, but it¡¯ll have to do. I took it from the corpse and tied it around my waist, making a sort of skirt. ¡®My cloak! You are insulting centuries of arcane dignity by wearing it like this!¡¯ A voice hissed in my mind. I was completely stunned. "Now you''re speaking inside my head? Don''t tell me you''re some kind of parasite?" I replied sarcastically. ¡®Tsk¡­ useless bastard,¡¯ I heard the voice, sounding furious. I inspected the other bodies and found nothing of importance. They were poorly dressed compared to the body with the black cloak. I said aloud, "They weren¡¯t assistants or researchers. What really happened here?" No response. I went over to the tables where dozens of crystals were glowing with a bluish hue. ¡®Are these valuable?¡¯ I thought to myself. ¡®They are magical crystals of the highest value, perhaps not for you, since you¡¯re a useless one without magic,¡¯ Magnus¡¯s voice, the orb, answered in my mind. "Now you can read my thoughts? Is that an invasion of privacy? Why don¡¯t you go back to that orb?" I pointed to the sphere still on the pedestal. ¡®Even if I wanted to, your body doesn¡¯t have mana to cast a transfer spell. What resides within you is only memories and essence of what was once my power.¡¯ "I get it, you''re the useless one here! So, is there really a treasure, or did you trick me to parasitize my body?"Silence took over, followed by what seemed like long seconds. ¡®On the wall opposite this room, one of the bricks is loose. Pull it out, there will be a space with a Dimensional Ring, but guess what?¡¯ While he was describing this, I was already moving. "I can''t access the ring, can I?" There was no answer, but I didn¡¯t need one. I moved toward the detailed wall and started punching lightly until I found a loose piece. When I found it, I pulled it, and there was the ring. My attention shifted to the crystals; they must be valuable. I went over to one of the corpses, took a long piece of cloth, laid it across a table, and arranged the crystals I managed to gather in the center, tying the ends together, turning it into a sort of pouch. I mentally noted the things I had: "37 mana crystals, a rustic spear, a black cloak, and probably expensive."You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. "Now tell me how to get out of this damned dungeon," I yelled. "I haven¡¯t eaten in two days." After a few seconds of silence, then, in my mind:¡®Third torch to the right, turn it clockwise, it will open a tunnel to the outside of the forbidden forest.¡¯ I felt the mental eye roll inside my head. I followed the instructions, heard a mechanism through the walls, and the floor and ceiling trembled. Then the ground opened up with a small hatch and a staircase of no more than ten steps, leading to a cavernous tunnel. I had to crouch; the tunnel was about twenty centimeters shorter than my height, approximately one and a half meters. I kept walking, lost in my thoughts. ¡®Magnus, are you there?¡¯ I mentally prodded, and there was no answer. I was being ignored. ¡®For a parasite, the least you could do is respond,¡¯ I provoked, mocking. Then:¡®Shut up, you magicless failure, you ruined my plans that took nearly a century to devise.¡¯ "Wow, a century, that¡¯s quite a long time..." There was no response. After what seemed like several minutes, I continued:"Look, I was randomly thrown into this world, it wasn¡¯t my intention to mess with you, but whatever you were doing in that dungeon didn¡¯t seem like good stuff." No response again. After a long time, what seemed like a mental sigh:¡®You really don¡¯t understand anything¡­¡¯ Another pause. ¡®I made so many sacrifices, just for¡­ it all to go right. This was my one last shot, and I lost everything¡­¡¯ I didn¡¯t know what to say. What was he planning? The bodies, the crystals, the orb, what was he talking about? Did he want to get out of the dungeon? No, that was the second thing he told me... the first was that he wanted me to touch the orb to receive knowledge. ¡®Looks like you¡¯re starting to connect the dots¡­ that¡¯s right, your body should be mine now.¡¯ I stopped walking and spoke mentally:"But it went wrong, why did it go wrong?" There was no response. I stood still thinking and began moving again. "Magicless failure," I said aloud, unable to stop laughing. I felt the internal rage that wasn¡¯t mine. "Look, I know your attempt to steal my body failed, but whatever, now you¡¯re inside my body. If I die, you die. Your knowledge could be useful to me. Besides, think of the positive side. You can interact with the world through me; it¡¯s better than being trapped inside a ball." I said in a soothing tone, and again, no response. After some time walking, my stomach growled. I¡¯d never gone so long without eating. My nose was clogged, probably because of the humidity I¡¯d been through. It must have affected my sinusitis. When I came out of the narrow tunnel, I realized I was on a beach that stretched for miles. The exit was hidden by rocks. ¡®Where to now, master of mages?¡¯ I thought in my mind, expecting no response.¡®There¡¯s a map inside the Dimensional Ring.¡¯ I felt an ironic tone, which annoyed me a bit. As I began to walk, a voice sounded in my mind:¡®Keep walking, just turn around from the direction you¡¯re heading. Let¡¯s go to Valdora, a port city in the kingdom of Calyndor. By the way, wear the cloak.¡¯ I stopped my movement and turned around."Finally decided to be useful?" I finished with a sneeze. ¡®A weak body, no mana, no name. You are the epitome of what can be called bad luck.¡¯ I put on the cloak, couldn¡¯t disagree with the comment, and began walking. Chapter 9: Not Heroes Point of View: Lorian Vellorn It was dark. Difficult to see for an ordinary person in the low light, but I had grown accustomed to it. Years of doing the same work will do that to you. Dressed in a black overcoat, I scaled the walls of the palace quarters. The cold breeze tugged at my auburn hair. No matter the risk of the mission, this was something I had to do myself. I couldn¡¯t leave it to my associates. If you want something done right, do it yourself. My aching fingers had long since grown used to the pain of climbing. If only I could fly, this would be so much easier¡­ After passing two more floors, I finally reached my destination¡ªthe heroes'' quarters. Something was off about the ritual that took place the previous day. Three children had stood in the circle, but only one hero was presented to the high nobles. The excuse was that the other heroes were still unconscious. I was here to verify that claim. Entering through an empty room attached to the heroes¡¯ floor, I forced open the window. The room was simple: a desk, a single bed, a chair, and an office table. It looked like a servant¡¯s quarters, currently unoccupied. I activated a necklace enchanted with a complex deterrence spell. It didn¡¯t make me invisible; it was simpler than that. It cast a magical hypnosis, making me unnoticeable. No one would remember my presence. I hope I don¡¯t run into a powerful mage or someone particularly perceptive, I murmured, opening the door to the room. The corridor was immaculate, with red carpets muffling my footsteps and magical torches lining the walls. Every detail screamed the kingdom¡¯s opulence, but there was tension in the air as well. This was a place of power and intrigue, where any misstep could be costly. I walked calmly to the first room I needed to check. A soldier stood guard outside the closed door. He couldn¡¯t see me, of course, but there was no way to open the door and check inside. I retrieved another magical item from my pocket: a keystone with a small hole in the middle. Bringing it to my right eye, I could see a mana signature covering the entire room. Alarming¡­ I moved to the next room. Another soldier stood guard. Looking through the keystone again, I saw another mana signature, but something felt off. The intensity seemed like that of an average mage. The next room revealed a similar situation.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. What is going on? A creaking door interrupted my thoughts. I looked in both directions down the corridor. The sound came from the first room. Light spilling through the door¡¯s gap illuminated the surroundings slightly. ¡°Oh, Miss Tanaka, still awake?¡± I heard the guard speak. A soft voice responded, ¡°I can¡¯t sleep. I thought I¡¯d go for a walk.¡± Still holding the keystone, I examined her mana signature. Aberration was the only word that came to mind. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll accompany you,¡± the guard offered quickly. ¡°No need. I¡¯m not fond of being followed around. I¡¯ll be back shortly,¡± she replied, beginning to move. Her blonde hair was tied back; she looked like a twelve-year-old child yet carried the air of a seasoned general. She wore leather pants and a white shirt, a departure from the ritual¡¯s ceremonial attire. The direction she was heading in¡­ was towards me. I quickly pressed myself against the wall, making room for her to pass, and waited. Her footsteps, for some reason, filled the moment with tension, growing heavier with each step. She wasn¡¯t a concern; she wasn¡¯t a trained mage. I just needed to wait. I pocketed the keystone. When our eyes met, a chill ran down my spine. It wasn¡¯t just her abnormal mana signature; it was the way her gaze seemed to pierce through more than what was visible. There was something deeply unsettling about her, something that urged me to stay as far away as possible, even as my curiosity screamed to do the opposite. Did she see me? Then, looking toward the end of the corridor, she walked past me. Not a word was exchanged. My heart raced. She didn¡¯t see me. It was a coincidence. I began moving toward the room I had entered through. But what if she did see me? Should I kill her? That would surely make things worse. I needed to stay focused. The most important thing now was to understand what was happening. The mana signatures in the other rooms belonged to ordinary people. This shouldn¡¯t be the case. I could think of three possibilities. First: only one hero was summoned to this world, and the king is pretending there are three to gain political power. Second: the heroes were summoned, but only one is truly skilled¡ªan aberration, to put it bluntly. Finally: this kingdom has a long history of magical research that other nations deem unethical. Perhaps the other two heroes, unlike Kaori, aren¡¯t as impressive and are being dissected. The signatures in the rooms might just be decoys. I have to get to the bottom of this. Such information could undoubtedly be used to pull some of this kingdom¡¯s strings or even traded for other favors or intel. It¡¯s only a matter of time. I began descending the walls. If it weren¡¯t for those damned mages, I could come and go as I pleased. One thought kept nagging at me, no matter how much I tried to push it aside. Did she see me? If she were an ally, my mission would become infinitely easier. My routine of espionage and sabotage had taught me to deal with dangers, but her presence was a threat I couldn¡¯t ignore. Could she be convinced to fight for the people rather than serve the royalty and nobility blindly? Evaluating her character would be indispensable. Chapter 10: First Impressions I Point Of View: Kaori Tanaka Mentally exhausted, I couldn¡¯t sleep. It was just too much information to absorb. I had died and ended up in another world; anyone would be in absolute shock. On top of that, people I didn¡¯t know were asking me to save them from a threat I didn¡¯t yet understand. "The Lords," from what little I understood, were beings who had transcended mana, controlling the fundamental aspects of nature and reality. The last thing I remember from my previous life was the sound of sirens and the ground shaking as if it were alive. I was in an underground bunker, holding my little sister in my arms, trying to protect her while she cried silently. Every solution mixed with the chaos around us, making the scene even more desperate. The air inside the bunker was thick, heavy with the metallic scent of destruction. With each tremor, I wondered if Hiroshima still existed or if everything had ended. Holding my sister was my only way of coping with the fear, a silent promise that we would be together until the end. Then, the shelter couldn¡¯t hold up? What happened to my family? The gardens around me reflected the touch of the full moon on the flower petals. The atmosphere was quiet. The only sounds were the cool breeze ruffling my now blonde hair and my own breath. I was sitting on a bench, lost in my own thoughts. In addition to the sense of not being myself, there was another thing that made me uneasy. Some kind of fabric covered me, an invisible fabric. There were no physical or mental sensations about it. It was more like a sensation beyond the body. After the meeting with the king, I had a lengthy conversation with Abimael, the Supreme Mage of the kingdom that was now my home. I learned a few important things: I had abilities beyond the ordinary, there were two other heroes who had been summoned but were still recovering, and the Lord representing the greatest threat was Demon Lord Drakir, though there were others. These were the three most important pieces of information from everything that was discussed. ¡°How do these idiots expect a child to fight one of the Lords?¡± I heard a voice from the direction of one of the garden trees. I stood up in a defensive stance. ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡± I asked, a bit distressed.The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. ¡°Don¡¯t fear, girl, I didn¡¯t come here to harm you.¡± The voice resonated. I looked at the tree, trying to locate the source of the sound, but couldn¡¯t find it. A black cat jumped out of the leaves. Its eyes were like black pearls filled with stars. A talking cat? Was I really in a fantasy world after all? ¡°What do you want?¡± I asked more calmly. ¡°I felt a great magic signature appearing in this world and came to investigate.¡± The cat sat down, its tail swaying back and forth as it stared at me. So cute. ¡°Magic signature?¡± I asked, more curious than scared. The feline in front of me didn¡¯t seem too frightening. And though I was eager to learn about my abilities, I was still interested in hearing what it had to say. ¡°A magic signature is a particularity. Every individual has one, and it varies in intensity, density, and thickness. Even though your signature isn¡¯t intense, it is dense and thick.¡± The cat replied. I noticed that it didn¡¯t move its lips when speaking. The sound simply spread through the air. So that was the sensation I had been feeling around me¡ª a signature. How is it speaking? Is it using magic? ¡°I see, but you didn¡¯t answer who you are. A spy?¡± It seemed plausible that someone might take the form of a cat to spy on other realms. That was the first thing that came to mind. ¡°Can¡¯t you see? I¡¯m just a black cat. Now, if you¡¯ll excuse me, I must leave.¡± The cat climbed the tree and disappeared into the foliage. What just happened here? I had many strange encounters today. Besides the mysterious cat, I encountered another peculiar figure: a red-haired man standing in the hallway outside my room. When our gazes met, I saw the purest fear in his eyes, as if he feared me deeply. I couldn¡¯t blame him; ever since I arrived here, I felt different, more powerful. It was an uncomfortable power, like a burden I hadn¡¯t asked for, but at the same time, it gave me a strange sense of security. What am I capable of? After failing to understand the situation, I returned to my room. I sank into the bed; I was terrible with puzzles. My body and mind felt heavy. From what I understood, the coming years would be filled with intense magical, physical, and intellectual training. I felt lonely. I just wanted to go home¡­ Tears ran down my face. I was crying, my chest aching. I didn¡¯t want to be here¡­ I closed my eyes, trying to bring the faces of my family to mind. A sweet memory took form: a normal breakfast before going to school. I saw my little sister¡¯s mischievous smile as she made a mess with her food. My dad, always in a rush, barely had time to eat, and my mom, patient as always, cleaned up the mess they both made. It was a chaotic scene, but full of love, and just reliving it made my heart tighten. I knew I couldn¡¯t keep crying forever. The world ahead of me was vast, filled with mysteries and promises of something new. I had lost so much, but I also had the chance to start over. I wasn¡¯t going to let fear and pain define me. I would explore, discover what this new world had to offer, and make the most of the opportunities that arose. I couldn¡¯t afford to remain stuck in the past. The future was right there, waiting to be conquered, and I was determined to see what the best of it had in store for me.