《Infinite Evolution: My Mecha Beasts Dominate the World》 Chapter 1: Endgame ''Is this it?'' Sitting on the cold ground, Joseph gazed at his fingerless hand, stained in blood and resting beside a broken metal gauntlet. His eyes eventually turned toward the crumbling walls of Crintevan Fort¡ªthe last bastion of humanity on the planet¡ªas it fell apart like a house of cards in the face of the mechas enhanced with the exoskeletons of the Excovian race. "Cough, ha¡­ so this is how it ends, looks like¡­" Sebas lay beside him, trapped in his broken mechanical exoskeleton, which paled in comparison to the superior, replicated versions wielded by the Excovians. They had drawn inspiration from the once-glorious designs created by Joseph, yet these copies had been perfected far beyond his original vision, becoming the cause of his own death. Sebas shifted his gaze toward Joseph, a defeated smile flickering on his face as he murmured, "Y-young master, I beg your pardon for failing in my duties as your butl¡­" But before he could finish, Sebas'' eyes glazed over, turning white as death pulled him into its embrace. With what little strength remained in his half-destroyed hand, the remnants of his exoskeleton crumbled uselessly beside him. ''¡­failed?'' Joseph''s heavy, bloodied eyes struggled to stay focused on his butler, who had been the sole individual within the Avriant family to have faith in him. Sebas had supported him, financing 70% of his meager income in pursuit of an elusive dream¡ªan ambition that stemmed from the banishment of Joseph, the illegitimate son of Earl Bandiac Avriant. He had hoped to modernize the outdated technology of the Crintevan theocracy, but it was all too late now. He blinked, his vision clouded by the blood and death surrounding him; there were no survivors left, only an overwhelming sense of solitude that suggested he was the last remnant of humanity. Half alive, to be exact. As he leaned back against the stone wall of the ruined fountain, he forced himself to look up once more. His gaze fell upon the scene of horror: hundreds of 50-foot-tall mechas¡ªtruly monstrous exoskeletons draped over colossal machines¡ªadvancing toward him. Small tentacles protruded from the greyish, yellow, and black monstrosities, methodically extracting brains from the lifeless bodies of humans strewn across the ground. No matter how hard he tried, the lack of support and the disbelief from a theocracy reluctant to embrace any modern innovations had led to this grim reality. Humans¡ªnow the dead remnants of what was once a thriving civilization¡ªwere being harvested by the Excovian race, who thrived on the intelligence of other beings. They devoured brains, assimilating knowledge and using the brains as pilot engines for their Legion to grow stronger with each planetary annihilation. Naturally, they left the unintelligent ones alive, allowing them to evolve, ostensibly preparing for future harvests. For instance, as beast tamers had vanished, the wastelands had become overrun with wild beasts. The dungeons lay in ruins, leaving low-intelligence monsters¡ªgoblins and the undead¡ªfree to roam the land, unchallenged by the absence of awakened protectors. ''Doodle, what is the percentage of winning this?'' With the last flicker of hope trapped within the failing remnants of his exoskeleton, Joseph reached out to the analytical engine embedded in his brain, seeking a factual assessment¡ªa desperate attempt to solidify his defeat.Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. [Analyzing...] [Exoskeleton Status: Critical failure.] Model: KX-17 Aegis Advanced Prototype Power Core: 93% structural damage. Primary power source depleted. Emergency backup functioning at 2.8%. Hydraulics: System-wide failure. Joint actuators disconnected in upper and lower extremities. Structural Integrity: Left arm severed at the elbow joint. Chest plating compromised with exposed core components. Spinal conduit fractured, rendering neural synchronization unstable (43% deviation detected). Weaponry: All offensive systems offline. Ammo stores depleted. Plasma caster barrel melted beyond repair. Self-repair Unit: Inoperable. Repair drones destroyed. Mobility: Left leg severed below the knee. Right leg actuator unresponsive. Stabilization gyros inactive. [Environmental Analysis: Immediate surroundings show hostile mechanical units advancing. No human life signs detected within a 1-kilometer radius. Crintevan Fort infrastructure is collapsing. Reinforcements: none.] [Probability of Victory: 0%.] [Recommendation: None. Scenario deemed unsalvageable.] ''Sigh, I really lost?'', Even after listening to the factual data, he couldn''t help but doubt how he, who held the title of pioneer, found himself lost in a trashy setting where the character he was born into didn''t have any potential route to begin with. A kingdom ruled by a church that believed in divine energy maintained outdated mechas called Holy Mechatons, which possessed technology that had already been considered obsolete even centuries ago when the destruction of the Aegistian Empire and the establishment of the holy monastery occurred. His eyes reflected a black robotic tentacle pulling Sebas'' body in front of Joseph, who lay there paralyzed due to the corroded Etherite core within his heart, poisoning and numbing his nerves. He watched as one tentacle held Sebas'' body while the other pulled away his cranium, extracting the brain as a nerve stretched along the brain before detaching from the spine, finally being devoured by the Excovian. After dealing with Sebas, the behemoth figures of around a dozen stood around Joseph as if, unlike farming other humans, they seemed to be observing him this time. Slowly, several heavy metal pieces painted in greyish black began to slide, revealing the mechas within the exoskeleton. Though these exoskeletons were designed for simple enhancement of mortal bodies, they now lay in the hands of mechas operated by the Excovians. A 30-foot tall mecha slowly emerged from the retracted metal ridges, revealing a 50-foot exoskeleton made of unknown metal. The 30-foot mecha exited the body using thrusters, gaining elevation as it descended. ''What now?'' Joseph, who was focusing on overloading the Etherite core within him, was delayed due to a lack of energy, which was consumed by his exoskeleton. He observed the unnatural behavior of the Excovians. Then he saw something that reminded him of the ancient wall scriptures he had glimpsed on the ruins of the Aegistian labyrinth during his days as the illegitimate son of an Earl¡ªfigures with dark black heads. Just big heads around 6 feet floating in mid-air, with shiny eyes beneath mechanical lenses that emitted a red laser-like glow, descending from the mechas. ''So, these bastards were really nesting dolls, huh?'' Watching one figure after another emerge from the larger structure, he was reminded of the small round wooden dolls from which smaller versions came. "hUmAn, I FoUnD yOuR dEsIgNs QuItE iNsPiRiNg," one of the floating heads accelerated and moved close to Joseph, complimenting him on his exoskeleton design, which was initially considered weaker than mechas and had inspired the Excovians to implement such changes in their current technology. "So, that''s why you plagiarized my work," he said with a smile while looking toward the large head, intending to buy time before his impending death, hoping to blast away a whole 1-km area into nothingness. "hM? nO, yOuR tEcHnOlOgY wAs VeRy OuTdAtEd. tHe MoToR nEuRoN sTrInGs WeRe ToO wEaK tO sErVe As InSpIrAtIoN; i NeEdEd To UsE aTrEoN cRyStAlS iNsTeAd," the Excovian shook his head¡ªtechnically his whole body¡ªas he clarified several flaws in the exoskeleton design he had created. "Atreon Crystal? How did you even use it?" Joseph was genuinely curious about how the Excovians managed to resolve the biggest flaw in his exoskeleton, which was its overall muscle replication capability, irrespective of motor strength. The exoskeleton had been his first choice in a world filled with beast tamers and awakened beings because he possessed no talent in either category, leaving him with the only hope of survival in his exoskeletons. Yet he always encountered barriers due to limitations of resources or time. "By resequencing the molecular structure of the Atreon crystal and breaking down the helix structure that holds its bond, the crystal becomes somewhat soft enough to burn in the heat of any star, allowing it to be molded into thin wire," the Excovian recalled the process while a tentacle from behind his head extended toward Joseph''s skull. "Haa....haa.... So, I am dying like this, huh?" Joseph finally felt the intense heat rising within his chest due to the molecular instability caused by his Etherite Core from severing the heartbeat connection; he felt his breathing becoming haggard and overly frequent. "No, I will grant your brain a higher position in the Nordic Legion; you will¡ªKHRRRKKK!?!" Before the Excovian could finish his sentence, a sharp light and heat emanating from Joseph''s chest flared into a massive dome. SWOOOSH It was instantaneous, as if an electrical flux shot out of his body in a dome that, before anyone could react, covered a whole 1 km area, causing the Excovian bodies to collapse directly to the ground, their heads rolling as the elevation devices within their bodies ceased functioning. Not only did the levitation devices within them fail, but also the 30-foot mechas surrounding them with the 50-foot exoskeletons began to crumble, as if the power source keeping them in place had been suddenly removed, breaking their joints. Everything that had seemed a harbinger of destruction now crumbled around the land. It was a chain reaction that not even nearby Excovians had time to react to, as their fallen bodies, with dimmed lights in their eyes, revealed the electric impulses that destroyed even their brains, as they contained electromagnetic signals. --- "Uwaahh!¡ªHaah... Haa... Shit, I am burning!" Joseph''s body was hurled out of his gaming capsule, landing on the floor as he breathed heavily. Pulling the mask away from his face and throwing it aside, his eyes reddened as he felt his whole body burning. He yelled, "Someone give me some cold coke!" Chapter 2- Engine Failure Date: December 3rd, 3067 Place: Enthropia Gaming Facility, New York City. Thud ''!?'' "Hurry up! Check his neural functioning and heart condition!" urged a woman as her eyes reflected the sudden fall of a young man out of a gaming capsule, his hands removing the gas mask from his face. She barely stood four feet tall, often mistaken for a child due to her height. However, the white coat she wore, paired with almond-shaped eyes that betrayed her concern, revealed her mature age as she dashed toward the center of the sterile, white laboratory, bustling with paramedics and developers. "Someone give me a Coke!" Joseph yelled, breathing heavily as he gasped, just wanting to drink something nostalgic after spending 24 years of his life in a virtual world. "Y-yes," Even in a moment of hurriedness, following Joseph''s demand, the woman snatched a glass of blank carbonated drink from a nearby female employee who had already drunk half of it, hurling it while yelling, "Get the doctors to the central lab immediately!" "Haah...! N-no, I''m fine!" Joseph yelled, still feeling the intense heat radiating from his body, a consequence of his previous actions of overloading the gaming engines of the gaming capsule, but it appeared it wasn''t the only consequence. [ERROR] [Analytical Neural Engine is falling into Overdrive mode] ''What the?'', Joseph seemed to hear a voice in his head, most likely indicating that his brain''s ANe Chip (Analytical Neural Engine Chip)¡ªnicknamed Doodle¡ªhad also malfunctioned for some reason. [Checking the malfunctioning¡ªERROR] [Reading through logs¡ªERROR] [ERROR] [ERROR] [Reboot Initiated.] ''....'' ''....Hello?'' ''...doodle?'' ''.....'' ''Shit.'' ''Aunt will kill me!'' Realizing that, due to his choices, he may have destroyed his mind''s neural chip as well, which was unique in this world since the ones who made it were already dead. ''Sorry, Mom, Dad.'' Realizing he had just destroyed the last invention left behind by his parents, he clenched his eyes tightly while his face was towards the floor, begging and praying in his mind before snapping his eyes open, mustering a poker face, exhaling as if nothing had happened. He slowly stood up, his hands supported by his knees, brushing off the dust from his tight black suit, which carried hundreds of micro wires specifically designed to monitor his vital signs. Surrounding him were dozens of large monitors displaying his heart rate, brain activity, and various other metrics. "You should have logged out instead of pushing yourself to this limit, you idiot!" the woman exclaimed, her panic evident as she noticed his heart rate had already spiked to over 200 beats per minute. She was visibly shaken, with eyes reddened due to worry after seeing his last moments'' reckless decision, making her own heart rate reach around his level¡ªleading to anger.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. "Nothing happened, Aunt, definitely... Nothing, yeah¡ª!" He just lifted one hand, waving with a robotic poker face, his eyes looking at the short woman hurling a frustrated expression at him, which soon turned into a swift swing of her fist. Bam! The height difference sealed his fate as her fist crashed straight into his future. His family tree wasn''t just shaken¡ªit was yanked out by the roots, tossed into a pressure cooker, fried to a crisp, and buried six feet under. On the other side of the river, he could even see his dead parents mourning their grandchildren''s death. "Khuck! Ugh¡ªthud¡ªSomeone test my children! I repeat, they are dead! They are dead!" As he attempted to open his suit due to heightened discomfort, a sudden sharp pain struck his groin, knocking him down to the ground. The height difference meant her punch landed in an incredibly sensitive area, sending a pain signal comparable to that of his body burning due to Etherite core self-destruction. Curled up on the floor, his hands instinctively moved to shield himself while several lab-coated individuals rushed over. They quickly examined him and worked to remove the suit by clicking open its joints, revealing his reddened skin beneath. Joseph knew that not only had he failed to save his kingdom in the game, but he had also compromised his own physical well-being, and maybe, after that hit, lost his future generations too. ''Ugh, plan canceled! I am not going to tell her.'' After receiving such a brutal punch, he knew that if he were to reveal that he had also short-circuited the analytical engine in his brain, this would most likely not just end with his upcoming generation''s death. "W-wait? S-sorry, did I hit too hard?" the woman inquired, her expression softening upon seeing the redness on his skin. She realized that the overload mechanism she had personally adjusted had failed to provide him with a safe exit, largely because he had chosen not to log out and blasted himself. She knelt next to him, placing the glass of cold drink on the floor, and sighed. "I''m sorry for hitting you like this, but you really should have logged out, you idiot, you know how anxious I was?" "Heh, and leave those rotten Excovian apples hanging in mid-air? I''m a fan of Newton, you know," Joseph replied, finally having the opportunity to express himself rather than simply focusing on the pain bombarding his mind. The anguish he felt from the sharp pain was far too small in comparison to the regret of not being able to defeat the Excovian race in the end. "Sir, can you lie down comfortably?" asked a paramedic holding a metal syringe, carefully tying a cloth around Joseph''s arm to make the veins more visible. "Please try to remain still." "Oh, yes¡ª" "Give me that," Sophia interjected, swiftly taking the syringe from the paramedic''s hands and injecting a calming agent into Joseph to stabilize his rapidly sparking heart rate. "I may have developed a crush on you that''s leading to my heart racing like this, Aunt," Joseph chuckled, staring up at the bright ceiling as the white light illuminated the entire testing division of the Enthropia Gaming Facility. It was the year 3067, an era of advanced technology. Contrary to earlier predictions about space exploration, the most lucrative market was now dominated by immersive simulation gameplay. This shift had led to the emergence of numerous job opportunities for gaming enthusiasts like him and his brother. A decade ago, during a testing incident involving the same game, Joseph''s brother had suffered a tragic accident that left his neural network severely damaged. While he remained alive, over 80% of his brain had been rendered nonfunctional, leaving him in a state that barely supported life. "Your brother''s condition has nothing to do with this game," Sophia said, interrupting Joseph''s spiraling thoughts. "Why do you treat this game like it''s some reality?" She was fully aware of the circumstances surrounding Joseph''s brother¡ªhow a technical error had drastically altered the course of their lives. Given the astronomical costs of treatment, it was a burden that weighed heavily on Joseph, although his pioneering career in the gaming industry afforded him some financial stability, unlike his brother, who had only just started his journey at the time of the accident. "It''s just... Aunt, do you think that the Excovians'' ability to eat brains and my brother''s brain damage are just a coincidence?" he casually mentioned, reflecting on those last moments of annihilation in the endgame where his brother had faced a similar fate and fought against the same harbingers of the whole planet. After struggling throughout the game and reaching an end that mirrored the accident his brother went through, he found himself grappling with the implications of brain damage and the Excovian race''s unique habit of using human brains as pilot engines, which seemed like somewhat too much of a coincidence. "Stop it; you play video games way too much. Reality isn''t like that," she replied, shaking her head. Her mind wandered back to the tragic accident a decade ago¡ªa short circuit in the entire capsule''s interface during an event in which the final battle between Excovians and the last remaining humans was taking place, and they had just opened up the cranium of his brother in the game after his defeat. But suddenly, a failure occurred. The machines had failed, and a coding error had caused an overload, leading to a catastrophic malfunction. The aftermath of that day had plunged her husband¡ªthe leading developer and director of the endgame''s main gaming engine¡ªinto a deep depression, given that Joseph and his brother¡ªRaven¡ªwere more than sons to them. Yet, who could have predicted that Joseph would choose this path through gaming and thrive? He had achieved remarkable feats, earning titles like Gaming Vanguard and Pioneer of Play. Just a few months ago, she had overheard him expressing a desire to become a tester for the very same game that had led to his brother''s tragic fate. This prompted her to get involved, as Enthropia Gaming Corporation belonged to her father, giving her an easy path to switch her husband''s position and become the lead development director herself. She did not trust her husband and let Joseph work under him. She took the necessary measures to protect her sister''s son, but he? "Haah, yes, you''re right," Joseph sighed, covering his eyes with his arm as he allowed the paramedics to assist him in removing his suit. Beneath his reddened skin was a somewhat muscular physique, with him wearing only boxer shorts. He had just spent 34 hours inside, and while it might seem like a short period for a gamer, the mind acceleration technology made those hours feel like an entire lifetime¡ª24 years¡ªleaving him mentally drained. Despite his exhaustion and the torrent of memories threatening to overwhelm him, he remained steadfast, primarily because he was the first human to have an AI Neural Processor Analytical Engine chip implanted in his mind, helping him differentiate between reality and fiction. Humanity had progressed beyond merely advancing technology to control their equipment through brain waves; they had developed sophisticated neural chips with higher intelligence capabilities to assist the humans but none of them were this advanced. Despite advancements in AI, it cannot replicate the creativity, intuition, and consciousness that humans naturally possess. While AI can process data and learn from it, it lacks the emotional depth and self-awareness that enable humans to adapt and think in complex, personal ways. Leading it to become an assistant rather than an independent identity. Unfortunately, Joseph was the only successful experiment currently possessing the advanced analytical engine¡ªone that was created by his parents¡ªsince most of the attempts had ended in failure due to their brains being incompatible. Tring "Hello?" "WH-WHAT!?" "Lady Sophia! We have just received a call from City Hospital. Master Raven... h-he..." Suddenly, the assistant, receiving a call, rushed to Joseph''s lying body. As his ears perked up due to reflexes honed by simulation gaming, he was the first to catch up, yet the last one who wanted to hear that news: "H-his heartbeat has stopped functioning." ''!'' Chapter 3- A Big Loss People usually have a couple of reasons for diving into a whole different world, like gaming¡ªeither they''re trying to escape the tough parts of life or they''re just attracted to the idea of living in a more thrilling, imaginative space. For two brothers who lost their parents in a tragic accident at a young age, this kind of escape became essential. Sure, their aunt and uncle took them in and tried to help them move on, but that emptiness inside them was something that nobody could fill. That hollow feeling pushed them into gaming¡ªa temporary getaway, a fragile shield against reality. The younger brother looked up to his older sibling, who was ten years his senior. He saw him as this rock of strength to admire. But for the older brother, gaming was his lifeline. The younger one was often in his brother''s shadow, not realizing that the "wall" he leaned on was actually propped up by something pretty delicate on the other side. Then one day, it all changed. The game that his older brother had been hanging onto, that thin thread keeping him sane, pulled him away. Just like that, his brother was gone, leaving him with nothing¡ªexcept that very same game his brother had relied on. Almost without thinking, he started to lean on it, too. As time passed, gaming turned into more than just a pastime. It became part of him¡ªanother identity of himself. People would sometimes ask if he held any resentment toward life or the game that, in a way, took his brother from him. His response was always defensive, a bit angry. No way, he would say. Deep down, he thought his brother would bounce back. Things would get back to normal. They had to. "No, no, no, sob! Honey, our Raven!" But now, sitting there with his back against the cold wall of the funeral hall, dressed in a black suit and gripping his knees, he realized how na?ve he''d been. His eyes, hollow and unblinking, focused on the woman on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably. Her cries echoed through the silent hall, where the only other sound was the faint hum of the air conditioning. Her tears fell like shattered glass on the sterile floor, mixing with the scent of incense and the faint bitterness of wilting flowers. "Waaah...sob...sniff...R-Raven, honey, our Raven!?" Sophia wailed, crying as her one hand clenched the arm of her husband, who was also kneeling with a hint of defeat and guilt under his glasses, as his other hand lay on her shoulder to calm her down. ''Why?'' Seated there without a hint of tears, as if he was far too dried from within, Joseph just blinked, turning his pupil towards a photo frame resting amidst the white flowers with an incense stick burning nearby. Somehow, instead of grief, he felt blank¡ªit was inexplicable, but his mind was empty. There was no confusion, no overwhelming sadness. Just clarity, cold and sharp like the air around him. "J-Joseph, I-I am sorry." ''Uncle?'' Joseph stared at him, the words rattling in his ears but not sparking a reaction. His lips parted, then closed. A silence hung between them, stretching longer with every second.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. He should''ve said something, anything, but all he could think about was how his uncle had always done this¡ªbegged for forgiveness for things that weren''t his fault. It was a technical malfunction. Indeed, it was. "I should have stopped Raven that day from entering the capsule." Joseph felt an emptiness inside, his mind replaying his uncle''s words while his lips remained sealed¡ªperhaps from intense gaming and the sight of so much blood, numbing him to the pain of others, or maybe he simply didn''t know how to respond. It was ironic how the man who saw the end of several worlds and had the fastest reflexes and decision-making skills in the gaming industry was presently not even aware of how to react to his own brother''s death. "He just kept saying how he wanted to go for a last time and¡ª" "But wasn''t it you who forced my brother to come?" Joseph finally let out the words stuck in his throat as he heard the contradicting words from his uncle; that day, his brother had talked to him on the phone, telling him how he needed to visit the gaming center as per being called by his uncle. It was understandable that maybe his uncle had forgotten and mentioned it by mistake, so he corrected it; after all, he always felt guilty for that accident. However, because he struggled to convey his feelings, his words came across more as accusations than mere reminders. "....!?" Suddenly, Nathan''s face flinched, his pupils instinctively glancing behind toward his wife, the first person he needed to be wary of, and as he did, he found her still wailing while taking out her agony over the loss of Raven, prompting him to focus his eyes on Joseph before adding, "Y-yes, I may have forgotten it; I am sorry for that..." ''Why is he lying?'' Joseph''s eyes visibly noticed the sudden change in his expression and then that sidelong glance as if trying not to let this word be heard by his aunt; steady from exterior, yet his mind, somehow empty of useless thoughts, seemed to process those behaviors and body language patterns. "You need some rest, Joseph. I will help your aunt first; please take care of yourself; there is only you left for us." ''....left?'' Joseph just saw him placing one hand on his shoulder to console him while giving a defeated look, standing and moving towards his aunt and other relatives while he sat there not knowing why he found himself in a state where he couldn''t pull off his gaze from his uncle. Naturally, the only person he interacted with most of the time was his aunt. However, since they lived far away, it was just on weekends¡ªnot regularly¡ªand he rarely met his uncle on a monthly basis. Every time, his guilt over that accident prohibited Joseph from inquiring anything about the event, let alone condemning anyone. He knew that the only person who ever cared for him other than his parents was his aunt, and he didn''t want her to feel sad by blaming her husband. So, he maintained a distance from his uncle¡ªenough so that he wouldn''t inadvertently ask him something he shouldn''t. But now? ''He is lying; he doesn''t want aunt to hear it; why?'' He narrowed his gaze, looking at him for a fleeting moment before closing his eyes and leaning back against the wall. "Phew," he exhaled, knowing the answer: ''He just fears she will hate him more.'' He could guess that he had hidden this truth due to fear of repercussion from his aunt, who might hate him even more than she already does. ''Doodle, show me the overdrive functions?'' As if with no one to have a conversation, he just talked with the analytical engine within his mind about the overdrive error, which occurred at the time of the failure of the gaming capsule due to his last-minute self-destruct. The AI chip had come online just yesterday, but with his focus consumed by Raven''s death ceremony and last rites, he chose to set it aside. The last time it informed him about an error that had removed the safety features on the chip¡ªa restriction placed by his parents to hide the chip''s capabilities from the government. After all, after his parents'' death, it took him seven years to be chosen as the test subject for this chip, even though his grandfather is one of the influential people in the country. Not only that but his parents had clearly mentioned in their inheritance document that it should be given to him, but the government, pulling the strings, transplanted it into several individuals before him. But always it failed¡ªin the end, it was meant to be for him from the start. They even did reverse engineering, causing them to develop several variants of this chip. But all of them were too weak and outdated¡ªfailed investments. And finally, the government accepted defeat after a whole seven years due to pressure from Enthropia Corporations¡ªif he were to be some random person, forgetting ever seeing the chip; he would have become a guinea pig himself¡ªand let go of the chip, thinking it was just a simple supercomputer assistant for the brain, finding it a hassle to be under constant pressure for a decade-old technology. [Neural Override Enabled] [Sensory Recalibration Enabled] [Muscle Command Override Enabled] [Heartbeat Regulation Enabled] [Memory Partitioning Enabled] [Consciousness Fragmentation Enabled] [Hormonal Output Control Enabled] [Cellular Repair Mode Enabled] [Internal Time Perception Enabled] [Immersive Feedback Loop Disabled] [Autonomic Function Override Enabled] ''Why am I not feeling surprised?'' Joseph genuinely felt something was wrong with him; he knew that right now he should be shocked seeing such functions enabled¡ªwhich could be a threat and, at the same time, surprisingly hard to believe as the chip in his brain could achieve all this. Wasn''t it just a neural network analytical engine? ''Are you maintaining my body''s composure?'' Joseph, feeling how in the absence of any useless thoughts, the clarity of his mind gave him a clear direction to reach the conclusion that the abnormal state he was in¡ªlike feeling emotionless and unreactive to any agony around him expressively¡ªwas due to the neural chip balancing everything. [Affirmative] ''Sto... leave it.'' Joseph was about to stop the neural chip from playing with his mind but realized that right now he needed this; otherwise, he would break down. Though he knew the chip was not increasing his intelligence level, but just suppressing his emotions and distractions to give his mind clarity, still he felt how easily he was able to differentiate the body language and expression of each of the people here, deciphering what exactly they felt. And among them all, his eyes finally rested on his aunt, whose eyes had tears since the time news of his brother''s death came, causing him to exhale as he looked towards his uncle, who presently, on a call, was exiting the room, prompting him to decide to clarify things to him. Not that he felt he should console him or anything, but he felt he should do it for his aunt¡ªas she was already broken, and if his uncle were to say something, things would become more problematic. So, he stood before leaving the room, following behind him, while not forgetting to inquire. ''Hey, Doodle, are you able to transfer certain professional skills directly to my brain as well?'' Chapter 4- Betrayal On one of the highways leading out of New York City, a black car sped toward the harbor. "Hello, yes, sir, no one except me is aware of this," Nathan, seated in the back seat with his eyes glancing outside the car window, informed someone on a phone call while his other hand grabbed a small transparent envelope carrying a small green-colored chip, which had slight blood stains on some portions¡ªas if it had been extracted from someone''s body. "Sir, we are being followed by Master Joseph''s car," the driver informed. "....This kid..." Nathan narrowed his gaze and looked behind, only to see the familiar car trailing him. His eyes glanced toward the chip in his hand before looking back at Joseph''s car, a smile forming. "It appears we are getting two chips in a single day. Tell the captain of the ship to wait for some more time." "I understand." . . . . . Vroom. Seated at the wheel of his car, Joseph tapped his finger on the steering wheel. Noticing the signboard ahead, he realized that his uncle was heading toward the harbor as they finally entered the bridge area leading out of the city. It was confusing because Nathan had been busy with rites and hadn''t had the chance to leave since he met them at the hospital¡ªindeed, he had been in the hospital from the start. Turning the steering wheel, Joseph recalled how his uncle was the first one to reach the hospital, or maybe he was already present there. [Scan Neural Pathways] [Encode Data] [Form Synapses] [Stimulate Neuroplasticity] [Integrate Memory] [Finalize Integration] ''It was fast,'' Joseph thought, as since the moment he left and decided to follow his uncle, he had been trying to transfer professional skills¡ªwhich typically take years to learn¡ªinto his mind using the chip. He had already learned more than ten different skills. He had started by transferring the skills related to driving and then to his games¡ªgun handling skills, close combat, knife handling. Given the realistic simulations, there was hardly much difference between real combat fights and gaming if one removed the fantasy elements like superpowers from them. Its mechanism worked in a rather straightforward manner, unlike how he thought it would be complicated for him to understand. [Scan Neural Pathways] involves mapping the brain''s existing networks to identify regions associated with the skill. [Encode Data] converts the skill into neural signals the brain can process. [Form Synapses] triggers the creation of new neural connections to store the skill. [Stimulate Neuroplasticity] enhances the brain''s adaptability to integrate the new information. [Integrate Memory] links the skill with existing knowledge for better retention. Finally, [Finalize Integration] reinforces the pathways for long-term storage and application. ''Doodle¡ª BAM! "Kugh!?" Before he could utter another word, a sharp force came from his left as a truck collided with his car, causing his hands to lose control of the steering. However, he was on the handbrake and accelerator; he slid the car before stabilizing it¡ªthanks to the recently transferred driving skills. ''What the¡ª'' BANG! Before he could look back at the truck driver, a bullet pierced through the side mirror, coming from the far end entrance of the bridge where dozens of cars were dashing toward him. The bullet narrowly missed him as his hands pressed against his body, his eyes reflecting the moment it passed through the other side of the glass, just inches away from his head.Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. "Shit!?" It didn''t take him long to realize that he was under attack on the highways leading out of the city, clearly understanding that the one behind it didn''t fear the laws or, most probably, the chances of them being from the government side were also high, leading him to swiftly take a detour and change the direction of his car. But his uncle''s car suddenly reversed, slamming into the railing to create a makeshift barricade, forcing Joseph to swerve and collide head-on. In that moment, his eyes met those of his uncle seated in the back seat. Though fleeting, instinctively, his hands clenched on the steering as he realized that he was the one behind it. "Why?" In that moment, he wanted to know why he was trying to kill him, as due to the AI chip, he didn''t feel the emotions which he knew would have been intense¡ªbetrayal, sadness, anger. Yet, the only thing in his mind was to tackle the situation. For him, rather than confusing this hollowness, not feeling any emotions was similar to how, when he played games, he didn''t treat it like reality, making him take quick decisions. And even now, it was as if his brain was in game mode, trying to tackle and solve the problems rather than feel betrayed at the moment. He simply changed the gear and tried to back away his car while his eyes were still fixed on the man wearing glasses who was looking at him with visible coldness and intent to kill, but the truck from behind did not give him space to turn his car. Through the back mirror, he noticed how two individuals in black suits exited the trucks, guns in hand, while he looked around to notice how unnaturally the highway seemed empty, as if everything was a setup for him to die today, going so far as to take such a risk. "You want me dead that badly?" Naturally, in this moment, one should feel betrayed and broken; if mentally strong, then angered. But it was as if he was not feeling any attachment. And he knew that if he were to let his emotions go unsuppressed in such a situation, like every human, he would break down, allowing himself to drown in emotions and die here. And he didn''t want to die, at least not until knowing the reason for his brother''s death or that game''s last event which, for him, was not a coincidence. "Then be it," Joseph, without a moment of hesitation, pressed the accelerator, directly colliding with the car. The impact caused Nathan to stumble for a moment as his eyes widened¡ªnaturally, he had not expected him to retaliate in such a way. After all, backstabbers expect shock, surprise, and even tears from those who trusted them, but here, Joseph had just attempted to stab him back. The shock on that man''s face clearly showed that he expected Joseph to die without understanding why he was killed. And not only that man''s expression, but in that moment, where 120 frames per second passed through Joseph''s eyes, he saw a transparent emblem flinch in mid-air within the car before falling. That image was enough for him to realize what it was, ''It was you, right doodle? How does he have that?'' [Affirmative, the structure is 99% similar, and blood stains signify it was extracted from a certain host.] ''Huh?'' In that moment, two realizations hit Joseph. The first was how emotions and other useless thoughts usually blur a person''s ability to think straight. Evident from how, being not swayed by the agony of his brother''s loss or the betrayal from his uncle, he was still able to deduce that the chip in his hand was extracted most probably from his brother''s brain. From childhood, his mind processed things much faster than others. Due to decision-making and reflexes, he became a pioneer in gaming, and due to observation skills honed from such games, he could clearly say right now that his uncle''s presence in the hospital, where his brother, who had been alive for a decade, suddenly died, then this man having no time to leave the place due to rites, and now him holding a chip¡ªwhich any government would want at any cost¡ªwhile moving towards the harbor. Everything signified that Nathan was the one who killed his brother while trying to remove the chip from his brother''s brain. ''Bastard.'' There was no anger, hatred, sadness, or anything. It was just rational thinking, where he cursed the man. While the first emotion, which was even though suppressed by the chip, came to his mind; it was to kill this man. If he thought from his heart, most probably Joseph would have thought about how his aunt would feel sad if something were to happen to this man. But now, he only saw how she would kill this man with her own hands if she were to know what he did to Raven, causing him to grip the accelerator as he placed the nitro button within the car. This car belonged to his brother, who had a habit of modifying cars and was always involved in street racing. It had nitro cylinders that Joseph maintained in hope that one day his brother would come and race again, but now it was the end for both of them. Joseph knew this wasn''t a game where he possessed enough strength to fight gun-carrying members who were flocking around several cars heading in this direction. This wasn''t a movie, and if he were to exit the car and fight hand-to-hand, even if he were to kill a few, he would soon be overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of people with killing intent. Clenching his jaws and analyzing the moment, he knew the only thing he could do now was at least take this man with him as he broke the safety glass over a red button¡ªhe had added it as he knew a day like this would come when he would do racing. SWOOOSH BOOM! His car shot forward, nitrous cylinders roaring as it slammed into Nathan''s bulletproof vehicle. The impact shattered the railing, sending both cars hurtling into the icy depths below. He could see the horror in his uncle''s eyes, something one feels when they get stabbed while backstabbing¡ªa terror of death¡ªbut he knew the fear he was having was from the fact that there was no expression on his face while seeing how both of their cars were about to fall into the blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean, of course knowing the chances of survival¡ªnot for him, but for his uncle. With all the calculations in hand, no matter what he did right now to save himself, in the end, given the number of men on the bridge with guns and cars while that man had a chip, Joseph would just endanger the life of his aunt and himself in this greedy world. Laws, governments¡ªeveryone would make sure to come after him. After all, his uncle, who should have been a part of the family, went this far to break their trust¡ªinvolvement of foreign governments was undoubted and even his own country''s government too. As soon as a barrage of bullets pierced through his car, penetrating the rear mirror, due to mind acceleration he could process that death was inevitable today. It became evident as a bullet directly pierced through his one ear, hurling flesh in his line of sight. His eyes could see how Nathan''s body, with his glasses askew, was hurled around inside his vehicle, a design that prioritized safety above all else. The car was bulletproof and specifically engineered for high-risk situations, fitting for someone of Nathan''s status as a VIP. Yet for Joseph, this was a one-way route, a journey that offered no return. So, he needed to make sure that if he were going to die, then he would make sure Nathan did too, along with both of these chips. Joseph commanded while just a few milliseconds away from falling into the ocean, ''Kill this man and destroy yourself and that chip, doodle.'' SPLASH! BANG! BANG! With the splash of water resonating in the air and sounds of bullets bombarding the metal surface of the droning car and even the water, everything silenced for Joseph except for his mind where a series of commands started to resonate. [Host Integrity Compromised: Initiate Self-Preservation Mode] [Override Host''s Conscious Motor Control] [ Embedding present logs into the host''s mind ] [Activate Muscular Control Subroutines] [Reposition Limb for Lethal Strike] [Enhance Grip Strength by 300%] [Target: Nathan ¡ª Engage Neutralization Protocol] [Prioritize Severing Carotid Artery] [Initiate Neural Shutdown of Hostile Target] [Begin Oxygen Regulation Override: Sustain Host''s Body] [Override Pain Response: Maximize Host''s Survival] [Hostile Target: Nathan ¡ª Eliminate] [Execute Lethal Force ¡ª Full Throttle] [Damage to Host''s Shoulder: Initiate Emergency Stabilization] [Priority Objective: Kill Nathan] [Complete Neural Override: Host Unconscious in 3... 2... 1...] Chapter 5- Regression "Peepi-Peepi-Chu! Peepiii!" A sharp, piercing noise jolted Joseph awake, his head slamming into something hard¡ªa metallic wall¡ªwithin a confined space. The impact, combined with the memory of his car plunging into water under a hail of bullets, sent a rush of adrenaline through his body. His senses sharpened as his eyes flew open. Disoriented, he quickly scanned his surroundings. Instead of water or the interior of his car, he found himself trapped inside a compact, box-like structure. The air was cold and carried a faint metallic tang, mingling with the damp chill of the night. The rhythmic rattling of wheels echoed around him, accompanied by the guttural growls of a beast caged outside the compartment. Through a small window at the back, he caught a glimpse of the creature. Its cries were more pained and desperate than threatening, a mix of hunger and exhaustion. ''Huh?'' Joseph froze, his eyes darting around as he absorbed the scene. It felt eerily familiar, as if his mind was instinctively connecting this situation to something he had experienced before. ''Doodle, where am I?'' Without wasting a moment, Joseph pressed his palm against the cold metal wall, grounding himself in the reality of his surroundings. The distinct smell of rust and the chill of the night air confirmed this wasn''t a dream. He moved to the window, gripping the edges as he peered outside. [Should I rely on my secondary memory?] ''...No, go for my primary memory,'' Joseph commanded. As he looked out, a silhouette came into view¡ªone he recognized immediately. In front of him was a cage suspended in midair, containing a small, rat-like beast about the size of his head. Its cries were weak, a pitiful "Peeepppiii¡ªChuuuuu!" that echoed through the night. The scene was too familiar. Joseph''s eyes darted around, taking in the eight individuals following the carriage, each riding unique creatures. Some of the beasts had scales and sharp teeth, resembling a bizarre mix of rhino and turtle, while others were hybrids of wolves and tigers. The contrast to the cars and armed men chasing him moments ago was staggering. The surreal scenario confirmed it: he was in the endgame¡ªand at the very beginning, no less. According to his memories, this was the exact moment he had first entered the game. But he needed to confirm whether this was his mind being transferred back to game after death or if he had truly returned to the past. He didn''t doubt it was real. The cold metal under his hands, the faint smell of oil and damp earth, the ache in his muscles¡ªit was all too vivid to be an illusion. Given that he had fallen into water rather than a gaming capsule, the idea of his neural engine protecting him and transferring his consciousness into the game seemed far-fetched. The technology hadn''t shown such capabilities, even in overdrive. If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. He decided to confirm it through his primary memory, which he had specifically designated for real-world data, keeping it separate from his secondary memory reserved for gaming information. This way, he could store game maps or locations in the secondary memory without cluttering the primary one. And it was the sole reason he ordered the chip to use primary memory to reveal the exact outside date. [It''s December 1st, 3067] ''!'' The revelation hit him like a shockwave. This was indeed the date he had first entered the gaming capsule. Considering the time acceleration within the game, it had taken him 34 hours to complete it while he had lived 24 years in this world. The realization left him reeling. Understanding the significance, Joseph felt an urgency pulse through him. Since he couldn''t pinpoint the reason for his return, his first priority was to assess the situation. ''Doodle, are you in overdrive?'' he asked, his voice steady but edged with tension. [Pardon? I don''t understand what Host implies.] ''....'' The response confirmed it: he was truly back in the past. Joseph stepped back, taking a seat on the carriage as he processed the implications. Instead of panicking or denying the situation, his mind immediately shifted to the present. Today was the day he would lose his power of beast taming¡ªa major setback in his life. Centuries ago, the world had been dominated by the Mecas, a highly advanced human civilization that thrived on technological innovation. They had developed powerful mechanical suits, known as Mechas, which allowed them to fight off wild beasts and monstrous creatures that roamed the land. With their technology, they built vast kingdoms and empires, reaching heights of progress that included flight and even space exploration. The Mecas were the pinnacle of human achievement, their civilization seemingly unstoppable. But their ascent was brutally halted by the arrival of the Excovians, a race of unparalleled evolution and adaptability. The war that followed was cataclysmic. The Mecas, who had placed their faith in technology, were decimated, their once-thriving civilization reduced to ashes. Yet, the Excovians, though victorious, were not unscathed. For the first time, they witnessed the raw power of Mecha technology¡ªa force so potent that it forced them to rethink their own strategies. Slowly, they began to adopt and refine this human innovation, weaving it into their arsenal, much like Joseph had foreseen at the end of the game. The Excovians were not just conquerors; they were opportunists. Recognizing the potential of the Mecha technology, they claimed it as their own, erasing every trace of its human origins. But they were not blind to the unpredictability of the future. To ensure their dominance, they reshaped the world they had conquered, steering humanity toward a new era¡ªone built on the foundation of beast taming. The wild beasts that once roamed freely, hunted and subdued by the Mecas, now became humanity''s new weapons. These creatures, once feared and untamed, were now harnessed as tools of war, replacing the very creators who had once controlled them. The remnants of the lost civilization''s technology lay scattered in ruins, occasionally unearthed and repurposed, but in the face of the Excovians'' beast-taming prowess, these relics seemed almost archaic. For Joseph, this shift was both a challenge and an opportunity. In his previous life, he had chosen the path of the Mecha, driven by his inability to master beast taming¡ªsomething he lost this very same day. He had spent years studying runes and crafting exoskeletons, seeking to enhance his combat flexibility and become strong enough. But at the end of the endgame, as he watched the Excovians merge their own technology with the exoskeletons he had developed into Mechas, he realized the flaw in his approach. They hadn''t abandoned their own methods; they had adapted his. ''If I am alive, then there is a chance to save Raven too.'' He was certain his brother''s accident was tied to the Excovians. The evidence was clear: he could only log out once, and he intended to deal with the Excovians on their own terms within the next 20 years before exiting this world to confront his uncle. If the Excovians couldn''t abandon their technology and learn, he would learn from them. Now, as they had used exoskeletons over Mechas, he would use the same exoskeleton over his beasts. While developing Mecha technology for himself, he was ushering in a new era where beast masters would wear Mecha suits and their beasts'' exoskeletons. "Ren, come back," he called. Without hesitation, he stretched his hand toward the open window, where the small rat-like beast cried and screamed inside its cage, weakened and hungry. As Joseph called out, the beast transformed into a streak of light, soaring out of the cage and through the carriage window before merging directly into his body. But the moment it happened, the carriage lurched to a halt, causing Joseph to stumble slightly. He gripped the nearby metal railings, steadying himself. He noticed his hands were small, his body that of a child. But it didn''t faze him. Soon enough, the carriage door swung open, revealing a man holding a sharp blade. His eyes were cold and piercing as he glared at Joseph. "Don''t tell me you''ve awakened pity for that useless meta beast," the man said, his voice low and threatening, a frown forming on his chin as he taunted, "Y.o.u.n.g M.a.s.t.e.r." Chapter 6- A Detour On the planet Aegria, the power system was built around a unique bond between humans and beasts. This bond was the cornerstone of their strength, as individuals could form a connection with a beast and evolve it to become more powerful. However, the process was far from simple and often involved difficult choices. Every newborn on Aegria was born with a Meta-Beast, a creature intrinsically tied to their soul. The strength of the Meta-Beast mirrored that of its holder, but these creatures were inherently weaker compared to other beasts with combat capabilities. This limitation led humans to discover a way to sever the soul bond with their Meta-Beast and replace it with a stronger beast, thereby enhancing their own power. The key to this evolution lay in understanding how to switch beasts without harming the holder''s soul. If done correctly, replacing the Meta-Beast with a stronger beast of similar affinity could significantly boost the holder''s strength. However, the process of breaking the bond was both complex and cruel, particularly for the Meta-Beast. To sever the bond, the Meta-Beast had to be weakened through starvation for months. Once sufficiently weakened, it was abandoned in the Allura Black Arcane Zone, a treacherous area known for its disorienting illusions. The zone, built on ancient magecraft, distorted the senses of anyone¡ªor anything¡ªwithin it, making it nearly impossible to escape. This made it the preferred location for abandoning Meta-Beasts. A critical aspect of this process was the distance between the holder and the Meta-Beast. If separated by more than a kilometer, the Meta-Beast would automatically dissolve into starlight and return to its holder''s body, where it would heal due to the host''s affinity. To prevent this, the holder had to accompany the weakened beast to the arcane zone, ensuring the separation was maintained until the Meta-Beast perished. Once inside the arcane zone, the starved and weakened Meta-Beast, unable to sustain itself, would succumb to the illusions and die from exhaustion and hunger. This death, while tragic, was necessary to break the bond. If the Meta-Beast were killed by another entity, it would harm the holder as well, given their shared soul connection. However, by starving the beast and abandoning it in the arcane zone, the holder could minimize the damage, as the stronger the beast that dies, the greater the repercussions on the host. Therefore, weakening the beast before killing it wasn''t important; the holder experienced minimal suffering with the aid of medical staff. Upon the Meta-Beast''s death, the bond was severed, allowing the holder to form a new connection with a stronger beast. This new bond, established through a broker''s linkage, replaced the old one and aligned with the holder''s affinity, paving the way for greater power and evolution with a new strong beast. "Don''t tell me you''ve awakened pity for that useless Meta-Beast," the man said, his voice low and threatening, a frown forming on his chin as he taunted, "Y.o.u.n.g M.a.s.t.e.r." "For a dirty bastard commoner, isn''t your voice too loud, Albrian?" Joseph said, looking towards the man, whose frown and sharp glare indicated he was trying to act tough but was also somewhat respectful, given their situation. Albrian was one of the head knight members of the 3rd Battalion in Earl Bandiac Avriant''s second squad, while on the other hand, Joseph was the illegitimate son of Earl Bandiac Avriant.Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. ''!?'' "WHAT DID YOU SAY!" Albrian burst out, his hand tightening on the metal gate of the carriage. He was visibly shaken by being called a commoner, lest a bastard by this illegitimate son of the Earl''s third wife and mistress, who didn''t even have a family background to support her. "GRRRRWWW!" Even the wolf-hybrid tiger-beast under Albrian''s lease roared, clearly sensing its host''s anger, glaring with its eyes towards the carriage and emitting a sharp blue aura as a sign of anger. "Albrian, stop! Don''t act up now," halted the woman knight with a masked face, who came forward from the front of the carriage, riding a black horse-like beast with a red glimmer around it, as if burning in red flames. She stopped him before turning to look at the young master, also unable to believe what she had just heard. "Don''t you all do your job like loyal dogs? Why care if I pity my beast or NOT!" Joseph, aware that he needed to provoke these knights into hating him during this journey that would most likely take another two days, aimed to hit them at their core¡ªnot just to have them mock him behind his back, but to incite true hatred. To be specific, on Joseph''s 13th birthday, the Earl gave him a gift¡ªthe chance to switch his Meta-Beast¡ªwhich Joseph''s mother warmly accepted, seeing it as an opportunity for him to rise in position and become strong like his other siblings. Naturally, Joseph''s mother, who always received inferior treatment and had a clear understanding of being regarded as someone not at the level of other mistresses, wanted her son to become strong. So, without a moment''s thought, she convinced Joseph to accept this transfer and switch his Meta-Beast. The Earl himself sent members of the 3rd Battalion as escorts for Joseph to undergo the process. Normally, this was a very delicate matter for an heir to be escorted, given the dangerous plains from the theocracy to the arcane forest. So everyone¡ªat least Joseph and his mother¡ªthought that due to the Earl''s orders, no one would take any unkind actions. ''Albrian, the one with a loose screw.'' But in the first attempt, it happened that he arrived in this position of the game, not having enough time to realize how this was all part of the second mistress''s plan to get rid of Joseph, making him fall into a trap due to being unprepared. Although he was just like wild grass among the evolving trees in the Earl''s house, she wanted to uproot his potential, convincing the Earl to give such a birthday gift to Joseph. According to his last memory, Joseph had already tormented his Meta-Beast until this game point and was eventually about to abandon it in the arcane forest, from where the second mistress''s plan began to make Joseph suffer in search of a new beast to replace his now dead Meta-Beast. Even the Earl, who had promised him a new beast, seemed to have no time to meet the third mistress, leading her to knock on everyone''s doors and realize how she had fallen into the trap of the second mistress. In front of her eyes, Joseph lost his potential for beast taming and became crippled for two years due to backlash. His fianc¨¦e, who was to have been arranged by the Earl, betrayed him after seeing how he lost all possibilities of ever becoming strong enough. It was natural that when Joseph arrived at this scenario, having already been thrown into a body and this time without having time for any preparation or understanding everything, he found himself crippled due to a secret conspiracy orchestrated by the second mistress. So, he needed to act fast, and that was why there was no need for him to treat these knights with even the slightest bit of respect. They were simply following the Earl''s orders to escort him to the arcane forest, and nothing else. They were doing their duty without respecting him as the son of the Earl, so he would also follow his path to make full use of them while they were escorting him. "Y-you basta¡ª" Hearing being called dogs, Albrian was visibly shaken. Considering he had achieved his rank based on his strength, being treated by a half-blood like this, he pulled the carriage toward him due to anger. It was evident how there was a slight tilt in the carriage due to his body strength, enforced by the beast''s fume¡ªan energy enhancing the bodies of holders based on 20% of their beast''s strength. "Stop, Albrian! Young master, I apologize on his behalf, but I request that you do not use such harsh words." The woman with blue eyes came forward from behind her mask, first looking towards Albrian and then towards the young master. She gave a small bow before visibly grabbing Albrian''s hand, which was holding the carriage, tightening her grip while making her request to Joseph. ''....'' Joseph, however, could clearly see that the delicate hand she used to grab his was exerting a strength far greater than Albrian''s, causing him to loosen his grip and retreat back while massaging it with the other one, evidence of this woman''s strength. "What is your name?" Joseph, having previously after being crippled and trying to find a solution, had never asked about the name of this woman who, in particular, reminded him of the previous chance where she was killed while protecting his mother after a beast rampaged in the palace. No other knight in the venue had helped a woman without any family support even though she was the third mistress, but this one tried to help, only to be in vain as she offended the second mistress while doing so. Just three days later, she was found dead due to some mysterious cause. "It''s Ytrisia Miangial, Young Master," the woman gave a straightforward answer, knowing she had most likely offended him by her actions, but uncaring as she stood there. "Hm, follow a long route to the zone instead of taking a shortcut through the Darkbanes region. I have some trauma from those monsters," Joseph said, folding his hands with his eyes taking a peek towards Albrian, who was so distant with jaws clenched, visibly angered, evident from his beast too, which seemed enraged, mirroring the emotion of its holder. Joseph just found it the perfect chance to use Albrian''s anger against him. "Oh, we were naturally not about to take that path to begin with¡ª" Ytrisia was about to inform him that the knight order was not going to take that prohibited region belonging to those nightmare monsters, but she was interrupted by Albrian. "It''s impossible; we need to head back. I received a call from the Earl a few hours ago; we are taking the Darkbanes path. It''s decided," Albrian stated, looking coldly towards Joseph with a grin as he turned and, without letting Ytrisia stop him again, pulled the leash as his beast sprinted in that direction, taking the detour and causing, indirectly, the other knights to choose that path as he had already left. "A-Albrian!? Stop¡ª" Ytrisia was clearly taken aback by the sudden, foolish reaction from Albrian, who took such a dangerous path, endangering his own and even the young master''s life, but she was once again interrupted. "No, leave it, Ytrisia; he will enjoy it," Joseph smirked, looking at the back of the rider on the beast, directing towards the turn within the forest, where the color from green, even in the night, was turning into shadow black. Seated with his hands now folded, Joseph made the carriage take the route towards the area inhabited by the worst monsters one can encounter here. He knew that, because these knights did not respect his decisions, he needed to provoke them and take work from them. ''Huh?'', Ytrisia stood there on her beast as the carriage moved forward with other knights also taking the path. She realized that the young master had intentionally provoked her to take that path, so she increased her speed, closed the carriage gates, and took her initial front position to guide the carriage. "Everyone! Move forward with caution, we are entering the Darkbanes area!"