《Surrounded by Divinity Darkness And Royalty》


 Chapter 01 - Mirage

    Ever daydreamed of a life bursting with epic quests and grand adventures? Imagine stumbling upon ancient relics buried deep within labyrinths, wielding magic so dazzling that it bends the fabric of reality itself, and harnessing powers capable of toppling empires. Picture yourself flanked by incredibly strong and brilliant wives, each a master of their own craft, fiercely loyal servants who carry out your every command with precision, and a band of friends whose trust and bravery would take them with you to the ends of the earth.


    Sounds like a story straight out of a fantasy epic, doesn''t it? The kind with swords that sing through the air, and magic circles glowing in the moonlight. Now, what if this incredible fantasy became your reality? What if you were one of the chosen ones in this extraordinary world?


    "Yeah, right," you might think, "As if life would ever be that cool."


    "Ahhh, finally! After a whole month away from middle school and all those marathon study sessions, the day of the high school entrance exam is here!" He stretched his arms above his head, feeling a satisfying crack in his joints. "I can barely hold back my excitement to show off all the effort I''ve put in-" he paused, rolling his eyes with a smirk, "though, if I''m being honest, most of that time was spent lounging around playing video games, hehe."


    He let out a long sigh, glancing around his messy room. His desk was a chaotic jumble of textbooks, crumpled notes, and empty soda cans, scattered between video game controllers and tangled wires. Sunlight filtered through the blinds, casting fragmented patterns of light and shadow across the floor, highlighting the disarray.


    "Anyway, time to get this exam over with so I can head back home, crash on the couch, and catch up on some well-deserved rest," he said to his reflection in the mirror. His eyes showed a glint of determination, but the lazy smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth betrayed his true feelings. "I''ve got this!"


    With that thought in mind, he threw on his uniform, buttoning it up in a hurry before heading downstairs to the kitchen. The quietness hit him as soon as he stepped into the room. The ticking of the wall clock was the only sound, each tick echoing through the still air like a reminder of how empty the house was.


    "Ahh, just another day in my quiet life," he mused, his voice bouncing off the walls of the empty kitchen. "Ever since Mom passed away, this place has felt emptier than a deserted video game map." He glanced around the room, half expecting something to break the monotony, but nothing changed. "Dad''s always off on some business trip, leaving me to fend for myself. It''s not exactly thrilling, but hey, it''s not the worst."


    He shrugged, moving toward the fridge. "As long as I''ve got something to eat and a roof over my head, I''m good. I''ve turned this solitary routine into a pretty chill existence-minimal effort, maximum comfort. Sometimes, less really is more."


    With casual ease, he grabbed an apron hanging off the kitchen door, slipping it on with a nonchalant flick of the wrist. After turning on the stove, he swung the fridge door open with a dramatic sigh, as if expecting to find some hidden treasure within its cold depths. "Alright, what do we have here..."


    His eyes landed on a carton of eggs, and he grinned. "Perfect." He pulled them out, cracking each egg into a bowl with the precision of a seasoned chef. The yolks swirled and settled under his practiced hand as he set the bowl aside.


    While waiting for the oil to heat up, he began chopping carrots and green onions, his movements smooth and almost theatrical, as if performing for an unseen audience. The rhythmic thud of the knife hitting the cutting board was oddly satisfying, a comforting reminder of the small routines that anchored his mornings. As the vegetables hit the pan, they sizzled loudly, filling the room with a warm, savory aroma that made him hum in contentment.


    Leaning casually against the counter, he watched his simple breakfast come together, the golden eggs mingling with the vibrant colors of the veggies. A satisfied smile crept across his face as he took in the scene. "Well, at least I''ve got breakfast down to an art," he thought, soaking in the delicious scent that now filled the kitchen.


    "Phew, I guess this is going to be my daily routine," he muttered, inhaling deeply as the tantalizing aroma surrounded him. "My cooking skills have gotten pretty good. Should I just become a chef in the future?" He chuckled at the thought, shaking his head. "Nah, forget that. I need to finish breakfast and head to the exam." With a sudden burst of determination, he plate his food, the colors and aromas giving him a sense of accomplishment.


    After scarfing down his meal, he quickly washed the dishes, the sound of running water breaking the kitchen''s earlier silence. Once the last dish was placed back in the rack, he slipped on his shoes by the door. He paused for a moment, glancing back into the quiet, empty house. His lips curled into a half-smirk, adding a touch of melodrama to his voice.


    "Guess I''m off now... Still no one around, as usual." He sighed, a mix of resignation and amusement in his tone, before shaking his head with a small chuckle. "What a way to start the day."


    Stepping outside, he was greeted by the bright sunlight that bathed the world in a warm, golden hue. The fresh morning air carried the sweet melodies of birdsong, adding a sense of life to the quiet morning. Around him, neighbors bustled about, waving cheerful goodbyes to their families. A group of elementary school kids passed by his house, their laughter and shouts ringing down the street like music.


    "Good morning!!!" they called out, their smiles as radiant as the sunshine and their small frames brimming with energy.


    He couldn''t help but smile back, raising a hand in a lazy, friendly wave. As he started walking, his eyes wandered over the scene unfolding around him-families chatting happily, kids running around, and the general lively buzz of the neighborhood coming to life. It was picturesque, almost like a scene ripped straight out of a storybook.


    But as he looked at the families, a strange feeling washed over him. His vision blurred, the world around him warping slightly. For a brief, dizzying moment, it felt like the families he was watching shifted into something else. Suddenly, he was surrounded-not by parents and children, but by the group outlines of womens. Dozens of them, indistinct but undeniably present, their voices swirling in his head in a chaotic hum.


    "What the...?" He stumbled, blinking rapidly as he tried to shake off the sudden wave of dizziness. The air around him felt thick, buzzing with an energy he couldn''t quite grasp. It was as if he was standing at the center of a whirlwind, their forms closing in on him, their shapes growing clearer-strong, brilliant, almost familiar.


    And just as quickly as it had begun, the sensation faded. The neighborhood snapped back into focus, returning to normal. Families went on with their morning routines, laughing and chatting as if nothing had happened. He staggered, catching his breath, a hand on his temple.


    "Okay, that was... weird," he muttered, shaking his head. The image of those womens lingered in his mind, a twinge of something deep and unexplainable pulling at him. "Maybe I just didn''t sleep enough last night..."


    With a shrug, he brushed off the feeling, slipping his hands into his pockets as he continued his walk. Still, a nagging thought poked at the back of his mind, but he pushed it away. "Not like I have time to worry about strange visions right now," he thought, forcing a grin. "I''ve got an exam to get to."


    He took a deep breath, squaring his shoulders as he pressed on. "Focus," he told himself. "Today''s too important for that." With that, he moved forward, letting the melancholy slip away as he mentally prepared himself for the challenges that lay ahead.


    He continued on his way to the train station, which was buzzing with morning activity. The place was packed, people darting in every direction like NPCs in a game stuck on fast-forward.


    "Wow, look at this crowd," he muttered, raising an eyebrow. "It''s like everyone decided to respawn at the same time." He scanned the chaotic platform, rubbing his chin with exaggerated thoughtfulness. "Which train should I catch? Hmm, maybe that one... or, you know, whatever comes first."


    He sighed dramatically, leaning against a pillar and taking in the bustling scene. People rushed around him-suits, school uniforms, the usual morning shuffle-but he simply smirked, enjoying the contrast between their urgency and his own relaxed vibe.


    When the train finally rolled in with a loud rumble, he peeled himself off the pillar with all the energy of a sloth contemplating a morning jog. With a casual stride, he stepped onto the train, moving in stark contrast to the hurried commuters around him. As the doors slid shut behind him, he grabbed an overhead handle and let the train rock him back and forth.Stolen novel; please report.


    "Ah, public transit: the poor man''s roller coaster," he thought, glancing around the crowded carriage. His posture stayed loose, but his mind drifted to the upcoming exam. "Right, gotta survive that first. Then, freedom." He sighed internally but kept his expression bored, watching the scenery blur past the window.


    When the train finally screeched to a halt at his stop, he disembarked with smooth, practiced movements. Pulling out his phone, he squinted at the map, tilting his head.


    "Okay, so... which way?" he murmured. "Left? Right? Eh, I''ve got time."


    He strolled out of the station, stuffing one hand in his pocket as he wandered down the street, completely ignoring the frantic pace of the city around him. People bustled about, rushing to work or school, while he sauntered along, taking in the sights with the demeanor of someone on a lazy Sunday stroll.


    Eventually, he arrived at the exam venue-a grand, almost intimidating building that loomed over the street like a boss level he wasn''t quite ready to tackle. The elegant architecture practically screamed, "Prepare to suffer." Students from every direction crowded the entrance, some nervously flipping through notes, others already looking defeated.


    "Well, look at this place," he thought, a smirk playing on his lips. "All this for a simple exam? Feels like overkill." He shrugged to himself, stuffing his phone back into his pocket. "Let''s just get this done and go back to my beloved couch."


    With that, he joined the throng of students, moving forward with the calm ease of someone who either didn''t care or was very good at pretending not to.


    He quickened his pace, eager to step inside and take it all in. As he entered the grand hall, he was greeted by a sea of students-some anxiously clutching their notes, others exuding the kind of forced confidence that screamed "fake it till you make it," and many simply zoning out, lost in their own thoughts. The air buzzed with voices and the frantic rustling of papers, creating an atmosphere that was equal parts vibrant and tense.


    With a lazy smirk, he scanned the room, letting his eyes drift over the faces of his fellow candidates. Nervous energy radiated from every corner, but he stood there, posture relaxed, as if he had all the time in the world.


    "Alright, let''s get this over with," he muttered to himself, a slight grin tugging at his lips. "No need to get all worked up. It''s just another exam, right?"


    He strolled further into the hall, weaving through the crowd with the ease of someone who had perfected the art of looking like he was doing something important. In reality, his mind was already drifting to what he''d do once this whole thing was over-maybe a long nap, a game session... definitely food.


    After several minutes of blending into the chaotic scene, a new problem surfaced. "Oh man, why now of all times?" he groaned internally, clutching his stomach as an all-too-familiar sensation hit him. "I drank way too much this morning because I was nervous. Now I need to find a restroom, like, ASAP."


    His eyes scanned the hall frantically, searching for a restroom sign among the throngs of students. And then, he spotted her-a woman standing a few feet away, pointing in a direction that could only be salvation.


    "Hey, you! The restroom is this way!" she called out, her voice cutting through the noise like a beacon of hope.


    "Thank you!" he thought, pushing through the crowd without a second thought. He headed toward where she was standing, but just as he reached out, she vanished into the sea of students.


    "Wait, where did she go?" he muttered, coming to an abrupt halt. His eyes darted around the hall, trying to spot her amidst the chaos, but it was as if she had simply blinked out of existence.


    With no other options, he sighed dramatically, his cool demeanor starting to show cracks. "Great. Now it''s just me versus the endless hallways."


    He shrugged and set off down one of the long corridors, picking a direction at random. "Well, here goes nothing," he sighed again, the urgency pushing him forward. "This place is huge; I might be wandering forever. Maybe I''ll find Narnia while I''m at it."


    As he walked, his pace quickened, but his head stayed filled with sarcastic commentary, even as desperation crept in.


    He trudged along the corridor, each step weighed down by growing urgency. "This is getting ridiculous," he grumbled, eyes scanning frantically for any sign of relief. Just as the situation seemed hopeless, the woman from earlier reappeared at the end of the hallway.


    "Hey, the restroom is this way!" she called out, her voice echoing through the hall like some mystical guide in an adventure game.


    "You again?" He didn''t have time to question it. Without a moment''s hesitation, he sprinted towards her, relief flooding him. But as he skidded to a stop in front of the door marked ''Restroom,'' she vanished once more, leaving him to stare at the empty space in bewilderment.


    "Seriously? Not again!" he groaned, hands flying up in frustration. "Is this some kind of cosmic prank?" He shook his head, his usual cool demeanor starting to fray at the edges. "Fine, I guess I''m on my own."


    With a deep breath, he pushed open the door, desperately hoping that this time, it would actually lead to a restroom. As the door swung open, he found himself face-to-face with... a cramped storage room. Shelves crammed with dusty files and stacks of forgotten documents loomed before him.


    "You''ve got to be kidding me," he muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Did I take a wrong turn, or did this building just decide to troll me?" He stared at the cluttered room, his annoyance growing. "This definitely isn''t a restroom."


    Just as he was about to turn around and continue his desperate search, a glimmer caught his eye. In the center of the room, a soft, shimmering light pulsed from the floor. It flickered with an almost magical quality, casting playful shadows across the dusty shelves.


    "What the-?" he muttered, squinting at the strange sight. "Of course. Why not? A hidden treasure hunt in the middle of an exam. Just what I needed. Maybe it''s a cheat sheet... or a boss fight."


    Curiosity briefly overtook his frustration. He cautiously wove through the stacks of neglected papers, the light''s rhythmic pulsing growing brighter with each step. His usual lazy demeanor gave way to a flicker of excitement as he moved closer. "If this is some sort of prize for surviving this labyrinth, it better be worth it."


    He shuffled to the source of the glow: a circle etched into the floor, glowing with symbols straight out of a fantasy novel. Runes and markings shimmered, radiating an eerie, otherworldly light.


    "What is this, some kind of magic circle?" he muttered, leaning over to inspect it. "Did the students here get bored and start playing wizards?"


    With an irritated sigh, he stood over the circle, staring down at it as if it might provide him with the exam answers he''d been searching for. When it didn''t, he kicked at it lightly with his foot.


    "I was hoping for exam answers, not... whatever this is!" he complained, frowning. The circle glowed brighter in response, making him jump back slightly. He blinked at it, his mind racing. "Whoa, wait a minute... what did I just do?"


    Suddenly, the magic circle flared with an intense, blinding light. He barely had time to react as a surge of energy shot up from the floor, wrapping around him like a plasma cocoon. A shockwave hit, and he felt himself begin to break apart.


    "Wait, wait!!! I''m not ready to die yet!!!" he shouted, eyes wide with terror as his body disintegrated into a swirling mass of shimmering particles. In an instant, he was gone-scattered to the winds, leaving behind only the empty, glowing circle.


    ...


    ...


    When he came to, he found himself floating in a vast, endless sea of white. There was nothing around him-no ground, no sky, just an infinite void stretching in every direction. His stomach dropped as he floated aimlessly. "Great. I''m in some weird afterlife now, aren''t I?"


    Suddenly, a burst of colorful light enveloped him, making him squint. A voice boomed from nowhere, echoing with a strange blend of awe and excitement.


    "Syntezys, our beloved one!" the voice cried out. "At long last, we have finally found you after all these ages! Our hearts are brimming with joy! Please, hold on just a little longer; we will be there to get you very soon!"


    He stood there, frozen in place, his mouth hanging open. "Syntezys? What kind of name is that?" Before he could process anything, the white void began to fade away, and the colorful light disappeared as quickly as it had come.


    ...


    ...


    "AAAAAA!!!! What''s happening?!" he yelled, panic surging through him as he looked down at his hands. "I''m still alive? Is this some kind of twisted dream?" His voice wavered as he glanced around, trying to make sense of his surroundings.


    To his surprise, he was no longer in the void. Instead, he found himself in a decrepit old hut. Dusty walls covered in cobwebs surrounded him, and the creaky wooden floor beneath his feet groaned as he shifted his weight. It looked like the place hadn''t seen a broom in decades.


    "Looks like I''ve woken up in some kind of ancient shack," he muttered, surveying the room with a mix of confusion and curiosity. "This definitely wasn''t on my exam itinerary."


    Groaning, he pushed himself off the old, creaky bed. His legs wobbled, still shaky from whatever the heck had just happened. As he rubbed his eyes and looked around, something caught his attention-a small, dusty table with a single sheet of paper on it.


    "Of course, there''s a cryptic piece of paper," he sighed, curiosity getting the better of him as he shuffled over. Squinting at the paper, he found it covered in a jumble of indecipherable symbols and bizarre characters, making his head spin just from looking at them. But there was one line that stood out, clear as day:


    "You are now known as Syntezys van Aurelius D''Arc."


    He blinked at the words, his brain scrambling to catch up. "Syntezys... van Aurelius D''Arc? What kind of fancy title is that?" He glanced over the rest of the page, but the surrounding symbols made no sense at all. "That''s all I can make out! What in the world is the rest of this mess?!"


    He sighed, staring at the paper as if it might magically rearrange itself into something he could actually read. "So, I''m Syntezys now, huh?" He scratched his head, feeling both bewildered and slightly amused. "This whole thing is starting to feel like one of those RPGs with a convoluted plot line. If some talking animal appears and calls me ''Master,'' I''m out, nah just joking"


    The symbols on the paper continued to mock him with their cryptic nonsense, and he couldn''t shake the feeling that his life had just taken a sharp turn into the absurd.


    If this was a joke, it wasn''t funny. But deep down, he knew-this was just the beginning of something much stranger than he could imagine.


    ======= End Of Chapter 01 =======


    Please leave a comment ??


    Thank you for reading my novel, I''m still a newbie.


    Also I am Trying to have an Image For Every Main Character, I Want to Deliver Every Feel Of The Story To Readers Thanks ??.

 Chapter 02 - Bound to a New Vessel

    Syntezys let out an exasperated sigh, glancing around the dilapidated surroundings.


    "Ugh, my old life was already lonely and boring, and now I get thrown into this world just to spawn in a place like this... How bothersome..."


    Syntezys began exploring the small hut, lazily scanning the area for any other clues. After glancing left and right, his eyes landed on a cracked mirror in the corner of the room. With a sigh, he walked towards it, not expecting much.


    "Is that... a mirror?" he muttered, curiosity creeping into his voice.


    As he got closer, he caught a glimpse of himself in the reflection¡ªand immediately noticed just how drastically he''d changed.


    "Wait... is that really me?" Syntezys blinked, leaning closer to the mirror. "I look completely different... and ridiculously good-looking." He ran a hand through his now white hair, his red eyes staring back at him in disbelief. "White hair? Red eyes? What is this? I''ve never seen a human look like this before!"


    Syntezys stood there, a mixture of confusion and delight swirling in his mind. Sure, he had no idea where he was, but he''d already won a significant battle in life¡ªhe was now undeniably handsome. "Well, at least I''ve got that going for me," he mused, smirking at his reflection.


    Feeling a newfound confidence, he turned and noticed the door leading out of the small, decrepit hut. "Alright, time to get out of here," he muttered, stepping towards it. He gripped the handle and gave it a solid tug.


    It didn''t budge.


    "Huh?" His brow furrowed as he tugged again, harder this time. The door refused to move.


    "Ehhh? Why won''t this thing open?" Frustration mounting, he planted his foot on the wall for leverage, yanking with all his might. "Hiyahhhh!"


    The door remained stubbornly stuck, as if mocking his newfound strength.


    "Should I just break it? But how? Kick it? Smash it? Nah..."


    Without a second thought, Syntezys swung his leg out in a lazy but decisive kick. The old door didn''t stand a chance¡ªit shattered on impact, falling outwards with a loud crash. Dust exploded into the air, filling the small hut with a cloud of debris. Through the swirling dust, rays of sunlight pierced through, casting dramatic beams of light into the room.


    "Uhuk, uhuk!" Syntezys coughed, waving the dust away as he stumbled out of the hut, still half-blinded by the sunlight.


    The moment he stepped outside, he froze. Blinking through the last bits of dust in his eyes, he took in the scene before him. Towering trees surrounded him on all sides, their leaves rustling in the gentle breeze.


    "Wow!!! A forest?"


    Syntezys blinked, his eyes widening as he took in the towering trees around him. "Wait... these are trees?" His jaw dropped slightly. The trees stretched far above him, their branches intertwining like a massive web, casting dappled shadows on the ground below. He took a hesitant step forward, eyes still glued to the towering giants.


    "I''ve never seen anything like this..." he muttered, his voice filled with awe. "They''re huge! How does something even grow this tall?"


    "Alright then, let''s explore this world. Maybe there''s a town somewhere around here," Syntezys shrugged, not sounding overly excited but definitely curious.


    With that, he lazily shoved his hands into his pockets and began strolling through the forest, taking in the massive trees around him.


    As Syntezys strolled through the forest, his gaze wandered lazily, but even he couldn''t help but notice the strange creatures around him. A deer with glowing antlers trotted past, its antlers illuminating the forest floor like soft lanterns. Birds with vibrant feathers flitted between the trees, species he''d never seen before, chirping melodies that echoed through the air.


    "Huh... glowing antlers? That''s new," he muttered, raising an eyebrow as he watched the deer disappear into the thick woods.


    Continuing on, he soon found himself by a small lake, its waters clear and still. Graceful swans floated across the surface, their feathers shimmering faintly in the soft sunlight. Syntezys stood by the shore, watching them for a moment.


    "Even the swans look fancy in this world," he muttered to himself with a half-smirk, as he continued his leisurely walk around the lake.


    Suddenly, a distant scream echoed through the forest, startling Syntezys for a brief moment. His ears perked up, and the sound was unmistakable¡ªsome kind of fight was happening not too far away.


    "Ehhh!? What''s going on over there?" Syntezys muttered, a flicker of curiosity crossing his face. "Sounds like trouble... but hey, I might finally meet some humans. Or maybe it''s just bandits. Whatever."


    With that, Syntezys shrugged and broke into a run, dashing towards the source of the noise with surprising speed for someone who usually looked so lazy.


    Syntezys sprinted towards the source of the commotion, weaving between trees with ease. As he arrived, he quickly ducked behind a nearby bush, peering out at the scene unfolding before him.


    "Tabane! Prepare to strike its legs!" a woman shouted, her voice filled with urgency.


    "Got it! I''ll aim for the right leg, Captain Flice!!" another woman, looking equally determined, called back, her weapon at the ready.


    "Kia! Hurry up and cast that fire spell!!" the leader, presumably named Flice, barked orders, clearly in control of the situation.


    "Tabane! I''ll grant you a buff!" said a woman dressed like a nun, raising her staff as it glowed with magical energy.


    It was clear they were engaged in battle with a massive boar¡ªits tusks gleaming and its size utterly imposing. The thing looked like it could flatten a house with ease.


    Syntezys, watching from his hidden spot, couldn''t help but grin, his excitement bubbling up. "Whoa... they''re fighting a giant boar? And magic? This is getting interesting." He crouched lower, eager to see how this would play out, but for now, content to just watch from the shadows.


    The giant boar let out a deafening roar¡ª"GROOOAR!!"¡ªand charged straight towards the girl who was apparently named Tabane.


    Tabane, gripping her massive sword, showed no fear as the beast barreled towards her. "Oraaa!! Oraaa!!! Come at me, you oversized pig!"


    As the boar came within striking range, Tabane swung her sword with full force... but the boar leaped, dodging the attack with surprising agility.


    "Ah, crap!" she cursed, eyes widening in shock.


    But before she could react, the boar had already shifted its focus¡ªcharging directly at the nun-like woman behind her, the one who had been casting buffs.


    "Ilia!! Move!!" their leader, Flice, screamed.


    Frozen in place, Ilia stood paralyzed with fear, unable to react. Syntezys, hiding nearby, watched the whole thing unfold. His eyes narrowed as he saw the danger.


    "Tch... guess I can''t just stand here,time to become a hero, plot armor please..." he muttered under his breath.


    Without hesitation, Syntezys broke into a sprint. "Watch out!" he shouted, launching himself towards Ilia just as the boar closed in, aiming to tackle her out of the way.


    Syntezys and Ilia both managed to dodge just in time, hitting the ground as the boar charged past them. As they scrambled to their feet, the rest of Ilia''s companions wore expressions of visible relief.


    "Kia!!! Now!!!" shouted their leader, Flice.


    Kia, who had just finished her spell preparation, smirked confidently. "Hohoho... your life ends here, you savage beast!" she declared, raising her staff dramatically.Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    Red mana flared around her, crackling with power as the ground beneath her feet shimmered. A massive fireball materialized from the glowing magic circle in front of her, swirling with intense heat. The air around it rippled as it grew larger, ready to unleash its fury.


    "Inferno Blaze!" Kia''s voice rang out as the fireball shot forward, streaking through the air like a comet, directly towards the massive boar.


    "Dieeee!!!" Kia yelled, her eyes gleaming with excitement.


    The fireball collided with the boar, hitting it square in the side. With a loud thud, the creature staggered backward before collapsing onto the ground, smoke rising gently from its scorched fur. It lay there, unmoving.


    Kia lowered her staff, her smirk growing even wider as she watched the smoke rise. "Hmph, as expected," she said with a flick of her hair. "No one can withstand my magic."


    The rest of the group breathed a collective sigh of relief, while Syntezys, still crouched nearby, blinked in disbelief. His eyes widened slightly as he stared at the aftermath.


    "Wait... that was real magic?" he muttered, genuinely surprised. "I just watched someone throw a fireball..." His mouth hung open for a moment before he snapped out of it. "Okay, this world is officially insane."


    They finally gathered together, catching their breath.


    "Ilia, are you okay?" asked their leader, Flice, while Tabane reached out her hand to help Ilia stand.


    "Yes, I''m fine, Captain," Ilia replied with a soft nod.


    Flice then turned towards Syntezys, extending her hand with a grateful smile¡ªuntil her eyes widened in shock. "W-Wait, you''re... a Man?!" She blinked, stumbling over her words. "I-I mean, thank you for your help. We owe you a great debt. Without you, Ilia might''ve been seriously hurt..."


    Syntezys scratched the back of his head lazily, accepting the hand as he stood up. "Ah, it''s no big deal. I just happened to be passing by."


    Passing by? He had been watching the whole thing unfold from the start. Heh, close enough. For a second there, he thought he was going to die when saving that woman.


    "You''re a brave man; it''s rare to see some man like you," Flice said, still looking a bit taken aback. "By the way, may I ask your name? Mine''s Flice," she continued, extending her hand towards him..


    Syntezys, still feeling a bit awkward with his new identity and appearance, scratched his head before responding, "Umm... My name''s Syntezys." He paused for a moment, almost as if he was trying to remember the rest. "Yeah... Syntezys," he repeated, still not fully comfortable with it, and he just forgot the last name..


    "Syntezys...Your name is quite unique." Flice spoke with a calm and composed tone, her eyes carefully observing him. After a brief pause, she continued, "Instead of standing around here, allow me to escort you to Bastion Town."


    Flice''s party couldn''t help but stare at Syntezys with awe¡ªperhaps it was his strikingly handsome appearance, Whatever it was, their cheeks flushed slightly, especially Ilia, who had been saved by Syntezys during the attack.


    Syntezys noticed their reactions and flashed a relaxed, almost lazy smile at them. This only made the three members¡ªTabane, Kia, and Ilia¡ªstare at him in awe and shock, unable to believe that such bravery came from a man.


    "Uh... did I do something wrong?" he asked, sounding genuinely confused but keeping his cool.


    Flice, the leader of the group of adventurers from Bastion Guild, noticed her team''s awkward behavior and smiled knowingly.


    "Don''t worry about it," she said, brushing off the moment. Then, turning back to her professional demeanor, she gestured down the path. "Alright, let''s head to Bastion Town. Follow me, this way."


    With Flice taking the lead, the five of them began their journey toward Bastion Town. The wind rustled softly through the trees, and though the path ahead was calm, each step seemed to bring a new tension between Syntezys and his bashful companions.


    "Finally... the first town I''m gonna visit," Syntezys muttered with a hint of indifference, but there was a trace of curiosity in his eyes.


    "Syntezys, right?" Flice began, her tone calm yet tinged with curiosity. "Your name... it''s unique, but strangely familiar. I feel like I''ve heard it before. Are you, perhaps, the son of a noble? Or something else?"


    Syntezys straightened up, a spark of enthusiasm in his eyes. He didn''t want these women to get the wrong idea about him, but he still fumbled for the right words. "O-Ohhh, ummm... I-I''m just a traveler!" he declared, a little too eagerly. "Y-Yeah! A traveler from a faraway land!"


    He flashed a confident grin, scratching the back of his head casually. "You know, just exploring... going on adventures and, uh, traveler stuff!"


    Flice nodded, her expression showing that she believed him, though a hint of confusion remained on her face. "Ah, I see. But, aren''t you afraid of traveling alone? I mean, you''re a man... isn''t it dangerous? Take this forest, for example."


    Syntezys raised an eyebrow, genuinely puzzled by Flice''s words. "Ummm, isn''t it normal for men to travel alone?" he replied, his tone carrying a hint of curiosity. To him, it felt strange that she spoke as if men were the weaker ones.


    Flice, Tabane, Ilia, and Kia all stared at Syntezys in shock, their eyes wide as if he had just said something absurd.


    Kia was the first to respond, crossing her arms with an exaggerated huff. "Of course, that''s not normal! Everyone knows that!" she declared, her eyes gleaming with theatrical intensity. Then, realizing she was getting carried away, she cleared her throat and waved it off. "A-Anyway, let''s continue this conversation at the guild tavern, shall we? And don''t worry, we''ll treat you to a meal and a place to stay! It''s the least we can do to repay you, though it still doesn''t feel like enough."


    Tabane, with a casual shrug, grinned and gave Syntezys a playful nudge. "Yeah, consider it a thanks for saving our hides."


    Ilia, who had remained quiet, glanced at Syntezys with a subtle, appreciative glint in her eyes. Her usual stoic expression softened for a moment as she spoke. "You... have our gratitude," she said in a low voice, almost hesitant. "Accepting our offer would mean a lot."


    Syntezys blinked, still a bit confused by their reaction, but couldn''t hide his excitement at the prospect of food and a warm bed. "O-okee... T-thank you! Besides, I don''t really have anything on me anyway."


    Flice watched her group''s interactions with a gentle smile, finding their personalities clashing in the most amusing ways. "Alright then, let''s keep moving," she said calmly, her voice steady yet encouraging as she gestured for them to continue toward the town of Bastion.


    They walked together, the forest gradually thinning as the trees gave way to open fields and the sight of the horizon. After a long journey, they finally emerged from the woods, greeted by the view of a small, tranquil town nestled in the distance.


    Bastion didn''t have the imposing walls of a fortress, nor the constant bustle of a large city. Instead, it exuded a quiet charm. A handful of traders lined the dirt roads with their carts, selling wares to the occasional passerby, while farmers tended to their fields on the outskirts. It was a humble place, but it felt safe and welcoming, with the gentle hum of daily life drifting on the breeze.


    "We''re here," Flice announced, a hint of relief in her voice as they stepped onto the town''s main path.


    Syntezys was utterly mesmerized, his gaze sweeping over the quaint, classic buildings of the small town. Each structure seemed to exude an old-world charm, as though Bastion had been plucked straight from a fantasy novel. "Whoa... so this is Bastion?" he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "It''s incredible... Are all of you really from here?"


    Flice gave a small nod, a gentle smile gracing her lips as she spoke with a touch of pride. "Yes, we''re all from here. My father is actually the town''s blacksmith." Her eyes sparkled, and there was a warmth in her tone that hinted at a deep connection to her home.


    Tabane leaned in with an enthusiastic grin. "Yep! My dad''s originally from the capital city, Vermillion. He was a soldier there, and they sent him here on duty," she said, her voice brimming with pride. "Guess it''s in my blood to be strong, huh?" She flexed her arm playfully, winking at Syntezys.


    Kia, looking completely unimpressed, crossed her arms and let out a soft "humph." With a slight smirk, she added coolly, "My mother''s a witch. We run an apothecary here in town, handling potions and remedies. So don''t get in my way, or you''ll find yourself tasting one of my brews." Her tone was dismissive, but the faint glimmer in her eyes hinted at a hidden pride.


    Ilia''s face turned a deep shade of pink, her gaze dropping to the ground as she fidgeted with her fingers. "Y-yes... I-I''m from the orphanage here in Bastion," she said softly, her voice trembling slightly. "Now I work as an adventurer... to help support the orphanage. I just... I want the children there to have a safe place, even if they don''t have parents." She glanced up at Syntezys, eyes wide and shimmering, still stunned that he''d leapt in to save her from that monstrous boar earlier.


    Syntezys''s heart skipped a beat as he took in her sincerity. "Ilia... that''s... that''s really noble of you," he murmured, his tone filled with admiration. "You''re an incredible person, truly."


    Ilia''s blush deepened, and she quickly looked away, biting her lip to hold back a shy smile. "Th-thank you..." she whispered, her voice almost lost in the air, but the warmth in her eyes spoke volumes.


    Flice cleared her throat, a calm but commanding presence in her tone. "Alright, enough about everyone''s backstory. Let''s head to the guild and celebrate today''s victory!" Her voice carried a sense of maturity and leadership that instantly reignited everyone''s energy.


    The group''s eyes sparkled with excitement, their steps quickening as they started off toward the guild with a collective cheer.


    "Syntezys, stay close," Flice said, giving him a confident smile as she gestured ahead. "I''ll lead you there¡ªjust follow me."


    As they walked, Tabane''s eyes lit up with anticipation, practically bouncing with every step. "I''m getting the biggest, juiciest piece of meat they''ve got!" she announced, her voice booming with enthusiasm.


    Kia rolled her eyes, flicking her hair with a huff. "Tch... honestly, is that all you think about? You''re hopeless," she muttered, but a faint, amused smile played on her lips.


    Tabane just grinned, throwing an arm over Kia''s shoulder. "Hey, a warrior''s gotta eat! Don''t pretend you''re not excited too, Miss ''I''ll-just-have-a-salad.''"


    Syntezys laughed, feeling the lively energy from the group. He barely noticed Ilia approaching him until her soft voice pulled him from his thoughts.


    "T-Thank you for coming along with us, Sir Syntezys," Ilia murmured, a faint blush dusting her cheeks. She averted her eyes but managed to keep her voice steady. "Please... allow us to repay you. We''ll take care of your meal and your lodging tonight." She stole a quick glance at him, her usually composed expression slipping to reveal a spark of admiration.


    For a moment, Syntezys felt his heart skip, caught off guard by Ilia''s gentle sincerity. He nodded, a soft smile spreading across his face. "Thank you... all of you. I''ll definitely take you up on that."


    With the warm laughter of his new companions filling the air, they continued down the path together, the town of Bastion glowing warmly in the evening light ahead. Syntezys''s heart swelled with a feeling he hadn''t felt in a long time¡ªa sense of belonging.


    ======= End Of Chapter 02 =======


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 Chapter 03 - This World So Cool!!! But...

    Syntezys and the others arrived in front of the Adventurers'' Guild in Bastion Town. The building wasn¡¯t particularly large, but the atmosphere was lively¡ªadventurers coming and going, chatting, laughing, and some even arguing over who got the last piece of meat from their meal. The scent of worn leather, steel, and ale filled the air.


    Flice placed a hand on her hip, her voice calm as always. "Well, here we are. Welcome to Bastion Guild. It¡¯s not the grandest place, but we¡¯ve got a solid number of adventurers here."


    Syntezys¡¯ eyes sparkled as he took in the sight. "Whoa, this is awesome! So, you guys take quests here and stuff?"


    Flice nodded with a small smile. "Of course. That¡¯s what an adventurers'' guild is for¡ªhandling requests from people."


    Before Syntezys could ask anything else, a sudden weight pressed against his shoulder.


    "Yo, yo! Enough talking already!" Tabane grinned, her arm slung around him like they were old buddies. "Let¡¯s get inside¡ªI¡¯m starving! Food! I need food!"


    Kia dramatically crossed her arms, nodding as if she were some kind of dark overlord. "Hmph¡­ indeed, the body cannot function without sustenance. Very well, I shall allow this."


    Ilia chuckled softly, while Flice simply sighed with a smile.


    "Alright, alright," Flice said, motioning toward the entrance. "Let¡¯s head in."


    With that, the group stepped through the wooden doors, the chatter and energy of the guild welcoming them inside.


    The five of them sat down at a sturdy wooden table near the center of the guild hall. The place wasn¡¯t just a guild¡ªit also served as a tavern and an inn for adventurers. The air was filled with the scent of sizzling meat, the clinking of mugs, and the lively chatter of battle-hardened travelers.


    The moment they settled in, Tabane wasted no time in calling for a waitress.


    "Oi, oi! Waitress! Bring us the best meat you¡¯ve got!" she hollered, her tomboyish energy as strong as ever. Then, with a mischievous grin, she added, "Oh, and for Kia¡­ just give her a salad, hehe!"


    Kia, who had been resting her chin on her hand, immediately jolted up, her expression filled with irritation.


    "Hmph! How dare you mock me, foolish mortal!" she huffed, crossing her arms dramatically. "You should be grateful that my almighty Flame Dark Energy is still sealed¡­ or else!"


    Her words earned a few amused chuckles from nearby adventurers, but she remained lost in her own chuunibyou fantasy.


    Ilia, sitting beside them, simply smiled at their antics, her serene demeanor unchanged.


    Meanwhile, Flice, already used to their usual bickering, stood up calmly.


    "Alright, don¡¯t cause too much of a scene," she said, her voice firm yet composed. "I¡¯m going to submit today¡¯s quest report."


    With that, she made her way toward the guild¡¯s reception counter, leaving the rest of the group to continue their lively banter.


    Syntezys sat quietly, watching the lively banter between his new companions.


    Back in his old world, he had always been alone. No one to talk to, no one to share a meal with. The warmth of a rowdy dinner, the laughter of friends¡ªit was something he had never truly experienced.


    And yet, here he was.


    A part of something.


    He felt his chest tighten, a strange warmth spreading inside him. His lips curled into a faint smile¡ªbut he quickly suppressed it, lowering his gaze so no one would notice.


    But someone did.


    Ilia, who had been quietly observing him, tilted her head slightly. Her golden-blonde hair shimmered under the dim tavern lights, and her deep blue eyes held a gentle kindness.


    "It¡¯s alright now, Syntezys¡­" she said softly, her voice carrying a warmth that seemed to reach straight into his heart.


    For a brief moment, his breath hitched.


    He wasn¡¯t sure why, but those words¡­ they felt like something he had been waiting to hear for a long time.


    After some laughter and playful banter, Flice finally returned to the table, a wide grin on her usually calm face. She held up a small pouch, the unmistakable sound of coins clinking together filling the air.


    "Hahaha! Looks like that big boar gave us quite a hefty reward!" she announced, her tone unusually cheerful.


    Kia, Tabane, and Ilia¡¯s eyes sparkled with excitement. Their hard work had paid off. And as if on cue, the waitress arrived, carrying several steaming plates of food.


    "Here¡¯s your order! Enjoy your meal!" she said with a warm smile before placing the dishes in front of them.


    Tabane, unable to contain her excitement, immediately grabbed a piece of meat and took a huge bite.


    "Wahahaha! This is amazing! I love meat!" she declared, her eyes practically shining with joy.


    Kia, still stuck in her chuunibyou mode, scoffed.


    "Tch¡­ how utterly lacking in elegance."


    Meanwhile, Flice and Ilia turned to Syntezys, who had been sitting quietly. They exchanged a glance before smiling.


    "Go on, eat, Syntezys. No need to hold back. Besides, it¡¯s thanks to you that we¡¯re even able to enjoy this meal." Flice said, her voice filled with appreciation.


    Ilia nodded gently. "Yes¡­ if not because of you, this moment might not have happened."


    Hearing those words, a warmth spread through Syntezys¡¯ chest. It was a simple thing¡ªsharing a meal with others¡ªbut for someone who had been alone for so long, it meant the world. Without hesitation, he picked up his utensils and took a bite.


    And the moment he did¡ª


    "Whoa! This is amazing! I¡¯ve never tasted food like this before!" he exclaimed, his eyes widening in delight.


    Tabane, still chewing with her mouth full, laughed. "Wahaha! Told ya! This guild¡¯s got the best meat around!"


    Kia, looking thoroughly unimpressed, huffed. "Hey, musclehead, at least swallow your food before talking."


    The table erupted into another round of laughter as they continued their meal, the warmth of newfound camaraderie filling the air.


    After plenty of laughter and chatter, their meal finally came to an end. The plates were empty, the drinks nearly finished, and Tabane¡­ was completely stuffed. She slumped back in her chair, her arms dangling at her sides.


    "Ugh¡­ I can''t move¡­ I think I ate too much¡­" she groaned, looking utterly defeated.


    Syntezys chuckled at the sight but then turned his attention to Kia, curiosity flashing in his eyes. He had been meaning to ask her about something since their battle with the giant boar.


    "Kia, right? That fireball you launched at the big boar earlier¡­ that was magic, wasn¡¯t it?"


    At his question, Kia immediately straightened up, flipping her hair dramatically. A sly grin spread across her face as she placed a hand on her chin.


    "Well, well¡­ I see you¡¯ve taken notice of my supreme power!" she said, her tone filled with theatrical flair. "That, my dear Syntezys, was none other than my Magical Fireball Explosion!"


    She crossed her arms, nodding proudly. "Hmph, quite the spectacle, wasn¡¯t it? I wouldn¡¯t blame you for being utterly mesmerized by my brilliance!"


    Syntezys blinked. That¡­ was quite the name.


    Flice and Ilia exchanged amused glances, while Tabane¡ªstill too full to move¡ªlet out a weak chuckle.


    Syntezys leaned forward eagerly, his eyes sparkling with excitement.


    "Hey, can you teach me magic?!"


    For a moment, the entire guild hall fell silent.


    And then¡ª


    Laughter erupted from all corners of the room. Adventurers pounded their tables, some nearly choking on their drinks, while others looked at him like he had just said the most ridiculous thing in the world.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    Flice let out a small sigh before turning to him with a calm yet amused expression.


    "That¡¯s impossible, Syntezys. Only women can use magic and skill. Men never have and never will."


    Syntezys blinked in confusion. "Eh-Huh? Why?"


    Kia scoffed, placing a hand on her hip. "Are you some kind of country bumpkin?! Everyone knows that! That¡¯s why women hold a higher status than men."


    Seeing Syntezys¡¯ bewildered face, Flice decided to explain further.


    "You see, the Goddesses only bestow their blessings upon women. These blessings grant us skills and magic. But for some reason, they¡¯ve never granted them to men."


    Ilia, sitting beside him, nodded gently. "That¡¯s why in this world, all rulers, generals, and nobles are women. The entire power structure revolves around them."


    Syntezys'' jaw dropped. "No way¡­ That¡¯s completely unfair!"


    Flice simply shrugged, her voice as composed as ever. "Well, if you have a complaint, take it up with the Goddesses. And if you look around, you¡¯ll notice most adventurers here are women. In fact, nearly 90% of them are."


    Kia smirked and crossed her arms. "That¡¯s why we were so shocked when you saved Ilia back in the forest. It¡¯s rare to see a man that brave."


    Ilia nodded again, her soft voice carrying a note of concern. "And when you said you were traveling alone¡­ that surprised us even more. It¡¯s practically unheard of. A man surviving in the wild, full of monsters? It should¡¯ve been impossible."


    Syntezys fell silent, absorbing the weight of their words. A world where men couldn¡¯t use magic, where women ruled over everything¡­ This wasn¡¯t just another fantasy land¡ªit was a completely different society.


    Flice and Ilia placed reassuring hands on Syntezys¡¯ shoulders, their expressions calm yet understanding.


    "Relax, it¡¯s not the end of the world," Flice said smoothly. "Even if you can¡¯t use magic, there are still plenty of jobs for men in the Vermillion Kingdom¡¯s capital. Many places accept male workers, and besides¡ªmen have naturally strong bodies."


    Syntezys let out a small sigh, still trying to process everything.


    Then, as if remembering something, Flice suddenly brightened.


    "Oh, right! You can check your status screen. Just imagine it appearing in front of you and¡ª"


    A glowing translucent screen suddenly materialized before her.


    "See? This is my status. Right now, I¡¯m level 10."


    Intrigued, Syntezys leaned forward to get a better look. It displayed her name, level, and a list of stats and skills.


    Following her lead, Kia and Ilia also summoned their own status screens.


    Kia smirked proudly. "I¡¯m level 9, and I have the Novice Magician skill. It makes it easier for me to chant simple spells!"


    Ilia nodded softly. "I¡¯m level 7, and I have Holy Blessing¡ªit allows me to use light magic."


    Flice pointed at one of the entries on her own status screen. "Look here¡ªI have the Flash Step skill. It lets me briefly increase my evasion speed, though I can only use it once every few moments."


    She then gestured toward the various numerical values on the screen.


    "As for these¡ªStrength, Agility, Vitality, and so on¡ªthey represent your physical and mental capabilities. It might look strange, but these numbers are an accurate measure of your power."


    She crossed her arms, giving Syntezys a thoughtful look.


    "I guess¡­ this is just how the Goddesses designed this world to function."


    Syntezys stared at the glowing screens in front of him, his mind racing. If this was truly how this world worked¡­ then what would his status look like?


    Would it say he was weak? Or¡­ would it reveal something else entirely?


    Syntezys took a deep breath, trying to steady his mind.


    "Alright¡­ focus. Stay calm¡­"


    He closed his eyes for a moment, then slowly imagined a glowing screen appearing before him¡ªjust like the others had done.


    And then¡ª


    Ding!


    A translucent blue window materialized in front of him.


    Immediately, Kia, Ilia, and Flice leaned in, their eyes scanning his status screen.


    Then¡ª


    Their expressions froze.


    "Ehh¡ªuhh¡­" Flice blinked, her brows furrowing in confusion.


    Even Ilia, who was usually calm, seemed momentarily lost for words.


    Seeing the strange reactions on their faces, Tabane¡ªwho had been too full to move earlier¡ªfinally dragged herself over.


    "Oi, what¡¯s with you guys? What are you all looking at¡ª"


    Then she saw it.


    And the next moment¡ª


    "BWAHAHAHA!!!"


    Tabane clutched her stomach, practically doubling over in laughter.


    "Pffft¡ªLevel 1?! Are you serious?! Wahaha¡ªwhat is this, a joke?!"


    Syntezys¡¯ eye twitched. Oi¡­ do you have to laugh that hard?!


    Flice quickly turned to Tabane, trying to calm her down. "H-Hey! Don¡¯t be so rude!"


    Ilia, feeling bad for Syntezys, gave him a gentle smile. "D-Don¡¯t worry, Syntezys¡­ it¡¯s not that bad¡­ heh¡­ heh¡­"


    Her forced, awkward chuckle only made it worse.


    Just as Syntezys was sinking into despair, Flice''s eyes widened as she noticed something unusual on his status screen.


    "Wait¡ªhold on a second!" she exclaimed. "You actually have a skill!"


    The entire guild fell silent.


    Then¡ªchaos.


    "EHHH?!"


    Kia, Ilia, and Tabane immediately crowded around him, their curiosity skyrocketing. Even the nearby adventurers, who had overheard the conversation, started gathering around.


    "No way, a guy with a skill?! Impossible!"


    "Is this some kind of mistake?"


    "What kind of skill is it?!"


    Amidst the rising commotion, Syntezys clung onto a glimmer of hope.


    "Really?! What is it?!" he asked eagerly.


    Flice squinted at the glowing screen before announcing:


    "It¡¯s called¡­ Absolute King Order?"


    Syntezys blinked. Then, a slow grin spread across his face.


    "Hah, that sounds super cool!"


    But Flice frowned slightly.


    "Yeah, but¡­ there¡¯s no description. It doesn¡¯t say what it does."


    The excitement dulled for a moment as the group processed this.


    Kia tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Even so, this is unprecedented. You might be the only man in this entire world with a skill."


    Ilia clasped her hands together, her blue eyes sparkling. "T-That¡¯s amazing, Syntezys! Even if you¡¯re only level 1, you have so much potential!"


    Hearing her words, the guild erupted into murmurs once more.


    "A guy with a skill, huh¡­?"


    "This is unheard of."


    "Could he be special?"


    Syntezys, still trying to process everything, clenched his fists.


    A world where men had no magic or skills¡­ yet he had one. A skill with an ominous yet powerful-sounding name¡ªAbsolute King Order.


    Realizing that too much attention had gathered, Flice quickly took charge of the situation.


    "Alright, that¡¯s enough for today. We¡¯ll figure out what your skill does later. For now, let¡¯s get some rest."


    She reached into her pocket and pulled out a brass key, handing it to Syntezys.


    With her usual composed yet authoritative tone, she added, "As promised, Syntezys, we¡¯ll cover your dinner, tomorrow¡¯s breakfast, and your lodging for the night."


    Syntezys looked at the key in his palm, feeling a warmth spread through his chest. It had been so long since someone had shown him kindness like this.


    "Thank you¡­ really, I appreciate it," he said sincerely.


    Ilia smiled gently. "It¡¯s no trouble at all, Syntezys."


    With that, the group exchanged good nights and headed toward their respective rooms.


    Except for Tabane, who¡ªof course¡ªcouldn¡¯t resist teasing him one last time.


    "Bye-bye, Syntezys¡ªoh wait, I mean King Order! Xixixi~!" she giggled mischievously before skipping off.


    Syntezys sighed but couldn¡¯t help smiling as he made his way up the stairs.


    Upon reaching his rented room, he inserted the key and stepped inside.


    It was small yet cozy¡ªthere was a simple bed, a wooden table, and a storage chest for belongings.


    "Whoa¡­ this is so fantasy-like," he muttered, feeling a strange sense of excitement.


    He sat on the bed and let out a deep breath, exhaustion finally catching up to him.


    Lying down, he stared at the wooden ceiling, his mind racing with thoughts.


    What would tomorrow bring?


    Would he really be able to survive in this world?


    And most importantly¡­


    What exactly is "Absolute King Order"¡­?


    His thoughts slowly faded as his eyelids grew heavier.


    And just like that, his first night in another world came to a quiet close.


    Suddenly, Syntezys found himself in that same endless white void¡ªthe very place where he had first been transported to this world.


    He couldn''t move.


    He couldn''t speak.


    Just like before.


    Then¡ªglowing lights of various colors began to appear, swirling around him.


    Yellow, red, green¡­


    A yellow light floated closer, its presence warm and gentle.


    "Haish¡­ Syntezys, don''t go wandering off again, okay? Just wait right there. We¡¯ll come pick you up soon, alright?"


    The voice was soft yet motherly, full of concern¡ªlike a parent scolding a child who had run too far ahead.


    Before Syntezys could even process those words, a red light spoke next.


    "My dear Syntezys, just sit tight and behave, okay? We have some¡­ business to take care of with the people in underworld."


    Unlike the first, this voice was strict and commanding, yet still carried an unmistakable motherly warmth.


    Finally, the green light flickered with an overwhelming energy of joy.


    "Syntezys, we¡¯ve missed you so much!!! And so have the others!!! Your return has brought such wonderful news!!!"


    The voice was cheerful and brimming with excitement, as if greeting a long-lost loved one.


    Syntezys¡¯ mind spun.


    Who were these voices?


    Why were they speaking to him as if they knew him?


    "Aghh¡ª!!"


    Syntezys suddenly jolted awake, his chest burning as if it were on fire.


    "Hahh¡­ haah¡­ W-What is this?! My chest¡ªit''s burning!!"


    Panicked, he quickly unbuttoned his shirt and looked down.


    There¡ªglowing ominously on his chest¡ªwas a strange red emblem shaped like a king¡¯s crown.


    "A¡­ tattoo?! Since when did I have this?! And why is it glowing?!"


    The searing pain intensified for a moment, making him clutch his chest. But then¡ª


    Just as suddenly as it appeared¡ª


    The light faded.


    The pain disappeared.


    Syntezys let out a shaky breath, sweat trickling down his forehead.


    "Hahh¡­ it''s finally gone¡­ But¡ª" He looked down again.


    The mark was still there.


    No longer glowing.


    No longer burning.


    But completely etched into his skin.


    "...It''s not disappearing?"


    A chill ran down his spine.


    Was this¡­ permanent?


    After regaining his composure, Syntezys buttoned up his shirt and let out a sigh.


    "That was¡­ weird."


    Shaking off the lingering unease, he turned his attention to the wooden storage box in the corner of the room.


    Inside, neatly folded, was a dark green cloak with a hood.


    "Ohh? Is this¡­ for me?"


    He picked it up and examined the material¡ªit was surprisingly lightweight yet durable.


    Throwing it over his shoulders, he adjusted the fit and pulled the hood over his head.


    "Whoa¡­ This looks awesome! I totally look like a real adventurer!"


    Excited, he struck a dramatic pose in front of the small mirror on the wall.


    "Hohoho¡­ I am the infamous assassin¡ªSyntezys!"


    With a smirk, he mimicked the stance of a skilled killer, his cloak swaying as he moved.


    After amusing himself for a moment, he finally left his room and made his way downstairs for breakfast.


    However¡ª


    The guild hall was far livelier than usual.


    Several staff members and even the guild master stood at attention, their expressions serious yet respectful.


    At the center of it all¡ª


    A dignified woman with long black hair stood, dressed in an impeccably neat outfit.


    The guild master of Bastion stepped forward, bowing slightly as he spoke.


    "Ahh, what an honor it is to have Gracia-sama visit our humble guild!"


    Syntezys blinked in surprise.


    "Wait¡­ -sama? Isn''t that a Japanese honorific? I thought this was another world¡­"


    For a moment, his mind wandered.


    Do people here actually use Japanese-style honorifics? Or is it


    just a coincidence¡­?


    Meanwhile, the woman called Gracia gave a calm, composed smile.


    "There is no need for formalities, Guild Master of Bastion. As the Guild Master of the entire Vermillion Kingdom, it is my duty to inspect all branch guilds across the land."


    Her voice carried both elegance and authority, making it clear that she was someone important.


    Syntezys, now curious, decided to observe quietly from the sidelines¡­


    ======= End Of Chapter 03 =======


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    Thank you for reading my novel, I''m still a newbie.


    Also I am Trying to have an Image For Every Main Character, I Want to Deliver Every Feel Of The Story To Readers Thanks ??.

 Chapter 04 - Pain And Pleasure

    Syntezys made his way down to the lower floor, where the Guild Master and several staff members were still gathered near the entrance. It seemed that the noble woman named Gracia was preparing to leave.


    "Gracia-sama, please forgive us if our welcome was lacking... But if I may ask, why are you in such a rush to head to the Imperial Capital of Aurelius? Is there something urgent awaiting you?" the Guild Master of Bastion asked, his tone respectful yet tinged with curiosity.


    Gracia, her expression calm and elegant, gave a gentle smile and replied,


    "Oh, Guild Master Bastion, there''s no need to apologize. I didn¡¯t inform you of my arrival either." Her voice was soft, almost soothing. As she spoke, her servants began preparing something outside¡ªlikely a carriage, judging by the movement.


    "As for my trip to the Imperial Capital, it¡¯s for the annual meeting to commemorate the Tenth Prince¡¯s birthday. All the Valkyries and their Familia gather to celebrate this important event."


    The Guild Master¡¯s gaze softened, and he lowered his head slightly, his voice quieter now, filled with a sense of reverence.


    "Ah... It''s hard to believe that nearly ten years have passed since that incident... the one that took the prince¡¯s life. But at least his passing led to the creation of the grandest festival the kingdom has ever seen."


    Gracia sighed softly, her expression becoming a little sad.


    "Huft... If only the prince were still alive, the world would have known peace. The goddesses and demon queens wouldn¡¯t be at war, and the Valkyries wouldn¡¯t fight each other."


    It seemed the prince had a huge role to play in the world before, one that had brought about such great change.


    Syntezys, who had been quietly listening, muttered to himself,


    "Wait... wasn''t that prince supposed to be weak? He didn¡¯t have any skills, couldn¡¯t use magic... Maybe he had some kind of charm? I don¡¯t know..."


    He thought about what Flice and the others had said about men being weak in this world. Yet, here was a prince who had somehow united the goddesses and demon queens. It didn¡¯t add up.


    Gracia smiled softly, her elegant voice cutting through his thoughts.


    "Ah, it¡¯s time for me to leave. Guild Master Bastion, thank you for your hospitality."


    The guild master bowed politely, his voice filled with respect.


    "We¡¯re sorry if we didn¡¯t welcome you properly, Gracia-sama. May the goddesses bless your journey."


    Just before she left, Gracia and Syntezys locked eyes for a brief moment. Syntezys quickly looked away, pulling the hood of his cloak lower. But Gracia seemed to sense something. With a quiet nod, she turned away and walked toward the luxurious carriage waiting outside. Her attendants prepared to escort her, and soon the sound of horses'' hooves echoed as the carriage began to roll out.


    As Syntezys exchanged a brief glance with Gracia, an odd sensation washed over him. A fleeting feeling, almost as if there was a connection between them¡ªsomething he couldn''t quite explain.


    "Did... did I just feel something? A strange sense of connection?" he thought, his mind racing. But before he could dwell on it further, a staff member approached him.


    "Excuse me," she said, her voice polite but urgent. "You''re a friend of Flice, aren''t you? Could you help us with something?"


    Syntezys, still puzzled by the strange encounter, raised an eyebrow.


    "Huh? Help? What is it?"


    The staff member continued, her tone apologetic.


    "Well, we''re a bit short on hands today. Most of the adventurers are out in the imperial capital Aurelius for the festival. Could you deliver this basket of herbal plants to someone for us? Of course, we¡¯ll compensate you for your time."


    Syntezys, hearing the mention of payment, immediately perked up.


    "Payment, huh? Sounds good."


    "Alright," he said, accepting the task. "Where am I supposed to take this?"


    The staff member nodded gratefully and explained,


    "Just head north. You¡¯ll find a sign pointing the way to his house. The recipient''s name is Vikar¡ªa guy about your age. Oh, and here¡¯s your payment."


    She handed him a single gold coin, which Syntezys accepted without hesitation.


    "Alright, thanks. By the way, did you see Flice and the others around?" he asked, curious.


    The staff member nodded.


    "I saw them leave early this morning. They probably went to Kia¡¯s house to pick up some potions."


    "I see," Syntezys murmured, nodding thoughtfully. "Alright, I¡¯ll head out now. Thanks for the gold!"


    The staff member smiled and bowed slightly.


    "Thank you for helping us. We really appreciate it."


    Syntezys nodded and took the basket of herbs, walking out of the guild. As he walked toward the northern road, he spotted a sign reading "Vikar Brew," pointing deeper into the forest.


    The path he followed seemed to wind through the woods, leading him to a small wooden cabin tucked away in a quiet corner. The cabin looked humble, as if it had been built with care and simplicity, possibly as a place to live for its solitary occupant.


    Syntezys approached the small cabin and knocked on the door, his voice polite as he called out,


    "Hello? Is anyone inside? I¡¯ve come to deliver the herbal plants."


    A gruff voice responded from within.


    "Yeah, yeah, hold on a second."


    The door creaked open with a sharp motion, and a young man stood there. His black hair was long and unkempt, and tattoos decorated his arms and neck. He looked irritated, as though disturbed from something.


    "Ha! So you''re the adventurer delivering my order today?" The man¡¯s tone was rough, almost like he was ready to pick a fight.


    Syntezys raised an eyebrow, shaking his head.


    "No, I¡¯m not an adventurer."


    The man looked perplexed.


    "Huh? Then what are you? A wild boar? Aah, whatever, come on in."


    Syntezys shrugged and stepped inside, followed by the young man, who led him through the small, cluttered cabin.


    Inside, the room was filled with jars, bundles of dried herbs, and various medicinal concoctions, the air thick with the scent of plants and medicine. It looked like a small, makeshift apothecary.


    "Ugh, fine," the man grumbled, his eyes scanning Syntezys with suspicion. "I¡¯m Vikar. Who are you?"


    Syntezys smiled calmly, his voice neutral.


    "My name¡¯s Syntezys. It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you."


    Vikar blinked in confusion, his expression showing a mixture of amusement and bewilderment.


    "Huh? What kind of name is that? Well, whatever. Just hand me the damn basket."


    Syntezys did as asked, handing the basket over. Vikar quickly grabbed it, still muttering under his breath.


    Syntezys glanced around the small cabin, taking in the sight of the countless herbs and potions scattered across every surface. The air was thick with the scent of dried plants and strange concoctions.


    "So, are you some kind of alchemist or something?" Syntezys asked casually.


    Vikar shot him a sharp look, his tone rough as he replied,


    "Do I look like a blacksmith to you? I''m clearly an apothecary!"


    Syntezys couldn¡¯t help but chuckle to himself. This guy sure had a quick temper.


    His gaze shifted to a sword propped up against the corner of the room, its polished blade gleaming faintly.


    "Hey, is that your sword?" Syntezys asked, pointing at it.


    Vikar snorted in disdain.


    "Ha, no, it''s not mine. Someone kicked the bucket over there and left it behind. Me? I¡¯m too skinny to swing a sword like that. If you want it, take it. It¡¯s yours for free."


    Syntezys''s eyes lit up with interest, and without hesitation, he walked over and grabbed the sword. It was surprisingly well-maintained, still sheathed in its scabbard.


    "Well, thanks for the offer," Syntezys muttered, already admiring the sword.


    Syntezys couldn''t help but ask, his curiosity getting the best of him.


    "So... how long have you been living here?"


    Vikar shot him a sideways glance, his face twisting into a smirk.


    "Huh? What¡¯s it to you? I''ve been stuck here for about two years."


    Syntezys blinked in surprise, taken aback.


    "Two years? That''s... impressive. I don''t think I could last that long."


    Vikar''s expression darkened as he let out a mocking laugh.


    "Hahaha, pathetic. If you''re a man in this world, you have to be strong. Otherwise, the women will turn you into their slave."


    Syntezys frowned, his confusion growing.


    "Slave? I get that we can¡¯t use magic or have any skills, but is it really that bad out here?"


    Vikar''s eyes narrowed, and he scoffed, clearly amused by Syntezys¡¯ naivety.


    "Heh, you''re just a country boy, aren''t you? So innocent. In the capital, countless men are treated like property. Sold, bought, and traded like livestock. Even Empress Luna, the ruler of the Seven Kingdoms, has nearly a thousand slaves. This world... is ruthless."


    Syntezys felt a chill run down his spine. He hadn''t expected the world to be this harsh. His mind raced, questions swirling.


    "...I didn''t realize it was that bad. And who''s this Empress Luna you keep mentioning?"


    Vikar let out a derisive snort, clearly irritated by Syntezys¡¯ ignorance.


    "And like I said, she¡¯s the Empress, the ruler of the Seven Kingdoms. Tch, you really are a clueless fool." He gestured dismissively, his hands busy preparing more herbal concoctions.


    "Let me break it down for you, kid."


    As he spoke, Vikar¡¯s hands moved with practiced ease, grinding herbs into a fine powder. His tone shifted from annoyance to one of casual explanation.This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    "In our world, there are Gods and Demons. The Gods reside in the Overworld, while the Demons dwell in the Underworld. As for us humans, along with other races, we live in the Middleworld."


    Syntezys listened intently, absorbing the information with a furrowed brow.


    "So, we¡¯re in the Middleworld... Got it."


    Vikar leaned back, looking as if he was about to launch into a long-winded lecture.


    "In the Middleworld, there are seven major kingdoms, all ruled by powerful female monarchs. The seat of government is in the capital city of the Empire, Aurelius. So, technically, there are eight kingdoms now, if you count the Empire itself."


    Syntezys nodded, his curiosity piqued. "Hmm, go on."


    Vikar¡¯s eyes gleamed as he continued. "Take, for example, the small city of Bastion. The kingdom it belongs to is called Vermillion, ruled by Queen Alexandra Vermillion. She, however, answers to Empress Luna, the supreme ruler of this land. So, in simpler terms, Luna is the highest authority in the Middleworld."


    Vikar''s expression darkened as he continued, his voice tinged with frustration.


    "That means Luna¡¯s commands are absolute. If she wishes, she can make you a slave without question. I¡¯ve heard whispers... her power level is in the triple digits."


    Syntezys¡¯s eyes widened, a sense of dread creeping up his spine.


    "W-wow¡­ That sounds terrifying."


    Vikar gritted his teeth, his tone turning harsh.


    "Those damn goddesses... the older they get, the stronger they become. Meanwhile, we¡¯re nothing more than livestock in their eyes."


    Syntezys couldn¡¯t help but reflect on the dark reality of the world he¡¯d been thrust into. He let out a small, bitter laugh.


    "I guess living in a shack like yours doesn¡¯t seem so bad in comparison."


    Syntezys furrowed his brow, his mind racing as he pondered Vikar''s words.


    "So, the older women get, the stronger they become... Is there anything we can do to avoid such a grim fate?"


    Vikar¡¯s expression shifted to one of smug pride, as if he held a secret.


    "Of course, kid," he replied, voice dripping with confidence.


    He crouched down and pried open a small compartment in the floor, pulling out an object that glistened in the dim light. It was a bracelet, adorned with shimmering stones.


    "Hahaha, I show this for you. Looks like we¡¯re bound by the same fate," Vikar said, slipping the bracelet onto his wrist and turning to face the window.


    With a flourish, he raised his hand, grinning widely.


    "Look at this, kid! Fireball!"


    In an instant, a fiery orb of flame appeared in the air, floating before them, crackling with raw energy. Syntezys blinked in astonishment, unable to hide his amazement.


    "Woah, how did you do that?! Aren¡¯t we supposed to be powerless?!" Syntezys exclaimed.


    Vikar laughed loudly, clearly pleased by the reaction.


    "Hah, you see this little trinket? This is an artifact made by Goddess Hera herself. I got it from some bandits. It lets me cast magic. I don¡¯t know how it works exactly, but it works just fine."


    Vikar''s expression shifted, his usual cocky grin replaced with a calm seriousness. He looked directly at Syntezys.


    "Hey, Syntezys... do you have a dream?"


    Syntezys paused, thinking for a moment.


    "A dream, huh? Well... maybe I want to have a really big family one day," he replied, his voice thoughtful.


    Vikar nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips.


    "Hmm, that¡¯s a nice dream. Go for it, kid. It¡¯s the one thing we¡¯ve got. As for me... I want to become a famous apothecary. I want to make the best medicine the world has ever seen."


    Syntezys raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed.


    "Wow, I thought you were just some thug. Seems like you¡¯ve got a real goal, huh?"


    Vikar returned to his usual cocky self with a hearty laugh.


    "What? Of course I want to make money, you idiot!"


    Just as Syntezys was about to respond, a sudden vibration shook the cabin, startling them both.


    "Eh!? Was that an earthquake?" Syntezys exclaimed, his eyes wide with confusion.


    Vikar¡¯s face hardened, an edge of tension creeping into his voice.


    "No... this has never happened before."


    With a sense of urgency, Vikar grabbed Syntezys, pulling him toward the door.


    "Stay low, kid!"


    They hurried outside, and what they saw made their blood run cold. Standing before them was a massive orc, towering and clad in thick armor, its eyes glowing with a dangerous intensity.


    "What the...?" Syntezys muttered, bewildered.


    Vikar¡¯s eyes widened, and without a second thought, he yanked Syntezys down.


    "Get down!"


    Before either of them could react, the orc swung its enormous weapon, shattering Vikar''s cabin with a single blow.


    Vikar''s eyes burned with fury as he watched his cabin crumble to ruins. He clenched his fists in anger, his voice a snarl.


    "You bastard! Monster! Take this!"


    He launched several fireballs at the orc, the flames crashing into the creature''s thick armor. However, the orc barely flinched; the damage was minimal at best.


    "Syntezys, do something with that sword of yours!" Vikar shouted desperately, his eyes locked on the orc.


    Syntezys, still in shock, hesitated. He had never once swung a sword before.


    "What the hell? What am I supposed to do, damn it?" he muttered, his voice full of confusion and panic.


    He reluctantly drew the sword from its sheath, gripping it awkwardly as he held it up, like something out of a movie.


    "Is this how it¡¯s done?" Syntezys asked, more to himself than anyone else.


    Vikar, still relentlessly firing fireballs, glanced back at him with frustration.


    "Just move forward and slash its leg, no matter how you do it!"


    Syntezys swallowed his fear, his heart pounding in his chest. For a moment, doubt held him back, but then he threw caution to the wind.


    "Ah, screw it!"


    With a yell of determination, Syntezys charged forward, swinging the sword at the orc¡¯s knee. The strike was sloppy and untrained, the blade only grazing the orc¡¯s tough skin, leaving no real mark.


    "Damn it!" Syntezys cursed under his breath, his hands shaking.


    Vikar''s voice rang out, sharp and urgent. "Don¡¯t just swing it like that! You need to cut¡ªdon¡¯t hit, cut!"


    Syntezys blinked, realizing what Vikar meant. The analogy clicked in his mind¡ªit was just like chopping meat in the kitchen. He had honed that skill for years.


    "Got it!" Syntezys replied, his determination rising.


    He charged forward once again, this time adjusting his grip and stance. He didn¡¯t swing blindly; instead, he slashed with precision, his sword cutting through the air like a blade through tender meat.


    "Haaaah!" He yelled with newfound resolve, aiming at the orc¡¯s knee.


    The blade sank into the orc¡¯s flesh, a clean cut. The monster roared in pain as its massive body wavered, the strength in its legs failing.


    The orc stumbled and fell, crashing to the ground with a heavy thud.


    Vikar¡¯s voice rang out in triumph. "Yoshaa!!! Nice work!" He grinned widely, pumping his fist into the air in victory.


    He didn¡¯t hesitate for a moment. With an excited shout, he leaped onto the fallen orc¡¯s chest, positioning himself directly over its head. His hands moved swiftly, and he placed them over the orc¡¯s mouth, as if sealing its fate.


    "Bye-bye, bitch!" Vikar¡¯s grin widened as he activated the powerful magic embedded within the artifact.


    Super Explosive!!!


    A fierce burst of flame erupted from Vikar¡¯s hands, engulfing the orc¡¯s head in a fiery explosion. The force of the blast sent a wave of heat and light rippling through the forest, and the orc¡¯s head was blown clean off its shoulders.


    Syntezys, still panting from his efforts, watched in awe as the orc¡¯s massive body collapsed, lifeless, onto the ground. His hands were still shaking from the adrenaline, but he couldn¡¯t help but feel a rush of accomplishment.


    Vikar and Syntezys collapsed onto the ground, both breathing heavily. The exhaustion was clear in their faces, their bodies worn out from the intense battle.


    Vikar, still gasping for air, wiped sweat from his forehead. ¡°Nice work... Huh, huh... that was exhausting.¡±


    Syntezys, with a smile despite his weariness, flopped onto the dirt. ¡°Haha, that was actually pretty fun. Maybe we can do this again sometime...¡±


    Suddenly, a small window appeared in Syntezys¡¯ vision, a notification flickering before his eyes.


    Level Up! Syntezys has reached Level 3.


    Vikar has reached Level 5.


    Syntezys blinked at the unexpected news, surprised at his own progress. ¡°Wait... level up?¡±


    Vikar, still catching his breath, raised a hand and chuckled weakly. ¡°Wow... we leveled up. This is a miracle. It¡¯s so hard for men to level up in this world.¡±


    Syntezys gave him a tired grin. ¡°Good job, buddy. So... what now? Your cabin¡¯s destroyed, and I¡¯m guessing you don¡¯t have much money.¡±


    Vikar scratched the back of his neck, looking a little embarrassed. ¡°Yeah... that damn orc... just died without paying its dues. I¡¯ve got a few silver and copper coins, I guess. I could crash in Bastion, but what about you?¡±


    Syntezys, despite still feeling exhausted, dug into his pocket and pulled out a single gold coin.


    ¡°Hmm... I got one gold coin from a guild staff member,¡± Syntezys said casually.


    Vikar¡¯s eyes widened, and he nearly choked. ¡°What?! One gold coin?! That¡¯s the equivalent of 100 silver! You could live on that for an entire month! What in the world were they thinking?!¡±


    Syntezys only shrugged, still puzzled by the generosity of the staff. ¡°I don¡¯t know. I was just delivering a package... but I guess I got lucky.¡±


    Vikar stared at the gold coin, his mind racing as he processed how much that single coin could do. ¡°Well, you definitely won the lottery there, didn¡¯t you?¡± He leaned back, exhausted, but with a spark of envy in his eyes.


    Syntezys glanced at the distant horizon, his eyes widening as he noticed a thick column of smoke rising from Bastion. The sight was unmistakable ¡ª a massive fire was consuming the heart of the city.


    ¡°Hey, Vikar! Look!¡± Syntezys pointed toward the smoke.


    Vikar¡¯s expression shifted from casual to one of shock. He cursed under his breath, his tone now full of urgency. ¡°Syntezys, this is bad... Damn it! Let¡¯s go!¡±


    Without waiting for a response, Vikar grabbed Syntezys¡¯ arm and pulled him into a sprint, their feet pounding the ground as they ran toward the city. The urgency in Vikar¡¯s movements was palpable, his earlier bravado replaced by genuine concern.


    As they ran, Syntezys, still catching his breath from the battle, tried to piece things together. ¡°What¡¯s going on, Vikar? Why are you suddenly so panicked?¡±


    Vikar¡¯s voice was tense, his words coming out in quick bursts. ¡°This is bad, real bad. It could be a monster attack... a large-scale one! If those monsters are attacking Bastion, we¡¯re in serious trouble!¡±


    Syntezys¡¯ mind raced. He had seen what monsters could do in this world, and the thought of a full-scale attack on a city was enough to send chills down his spine. ¡°A large-scale attack? But... why now? And why Bastion?¡±


    Vikar didn''t answer immediately, but his pace quickened, his eyes darting ahead. The smoke was growing thicker, and they could already hear the distant sounds of chaos ¡ª screams, roars, and the unmistakable clashing of steel against flesh.


    ¡°No time for questions! We need to get there and help however we can!¡± Vikar shouted.


    Syntezys nodded, adrenaline kicking in. He may not have been a hero or a warrior, but he wasn¡¯t going to just stand by while his city burned.


    Syntezys and Vikar stood before the gates of Bastion, their eyes fixed on the terrifying sight before them. Flames engulfed the buildings, black smoke billowing into the sky, suffocating the once peaceful city in darkness.


    Amid the chaos, orcs¡ªmore than they had faced before¡ªwere rampaging through the streets, their numbers overwhelming. The sounds of destruction echoed around them¡ªexplosions, clanging metal, and terrified screams filled the air.


    ¡°Hah!?¡± Syntezys gasped, his face paling as he took in the scene. ¡°What about Flice? Kia? Tabane? Ilia? Are they still inside?¡±


    His body trembled as worry gripped his heart. He didn¡¯t care what he had to face; his friends were in there, and that was enough to drive him to rush into the city without hesitation.


    Vikar, who had never looked this serious before, suddenly yanked Syntezys'' arm, pulling him back forcefully. ¡°Wait, Syntezys! Don¡¯t be reckless!¡±


    ¡°Why?!¡± Syntezys shouted, his body trembling. ¡°We have to go! My friends are in there!¡±


    Vikar looked at him with a serious expression, but there was a hint of concern that flickered in his eyes. His voice was calm but urgent. ¡°This isn¡¯t just an ordinary attack. It¡¯s the work of the revolutionaries... Look at the flag they¡¯re carrying!¡±


    Syntezys turned his gaze in the direction Vikar pointed. Among the orcs, a flag was raised high, bearing a symbol that Syntezys recognized¡ªa symbol that was no stranger in this world. The revolutionary banner.


    A deep realization hit Syntezys. ¡°Revolutionaries... So they¡¯re the ones behind this?¡±


    Vikar nodded, his usual tough demeanor giving way to a more somber tone. ¡°They¡¯re trying to topple the entire system. Attacking Bastion is just their first step, and what¡¯s worse, they¡¯re not just attacking randomly. They want to send a big message. Look, the orcs are just tools. This is part of their bigger plan.¡±


    Syntezys stood frozen, his mind reeling from the revelation. The world he had just entered was darker than he had ever imagined. But as his eyes wandered back to the burning city, his resolve hardened once more.


    ¡°My friends...¡± Syntezys gripped his sword tighter. ¡°I can¡¯t let this continue.¡±


    Vikar watched him with a knowing look, his gaze full of meaning. ¡°You can¡¯t just charge in blindly, Syntezys. We need to gather more information first. Rushing in without a plan will only lead to death. I know you want to save them, but we have to be smart about this.¡±


    ¡°What should we do?¡± Syntezys asked, his anxious heart almost making him lose control.


    ¡°We need to figure out what¡¯s going on inside. We need to find out where they are and what they¡¯re doing. Once we have that information, we can come up with a better plan.¡±


    Syntezys nodded, understanding Vikar¡¯s words despite the heaviness in his heart. ¡°We need to move quickly.¡±


    With determined steps, they both began making their way through the ruined streets, avoiding the roaming orcs. The tension in the air was palpable, the sounds of chaos and destruction continuing to resonate. But in Syntezys¡¯ heart, one thing was certain¡ªno matter what, he wouldn¡¯t let his friends fall.


    The streets of Bastion were unrecognizable. Smoke choked the air, casting an eerie, oppressive haze over the once-thriving city. The ruins of buildings, broken homes, and shattered walls told the grim tale of the devastation that had already taken place. But it wasn¡¯t just the destruction that sent a cold shiver down Syntezys'' spine¡ªit was what lay ahead.


    As they moved deeper into the heart of the city, Syntezys and Vikar were met with a sight that seemed like a nightmare made flesh.


    Dozens of men clad in pitch-black armor stood in rows, their cold, empty eyes fixed on the destruction before them. They were ruthless, cruel, and utterly merciless.


    And then, Syntezys¡¯ blood ran cold.


    There, hanging from a series of tall, jagged spears¡ªlike grotesque trophies¡ªwere the heads of women. Among them, Syntezys¡¯ heart stopped as his eyes locked onto a familiar face.


    ...


    Kia. Flice. Tabane.


    ...


    Their lifeless faces stared back at him, their expressions frozen in a moment of unimaginable horror. Each head impaled on the end of a long, iron spear¡ªa gruesome display of cruelty. The sight was more than Syntezys could bear.


    ¡°No...¡± His voice broke, a choked sob caught in his throat. His entire body trembled with disbelief, but before he could scream out their names, a rough hand clamped over his mouth.


    Vikar¡¯s voice was low, almost a growl. ¡°Quiet. We can¡¯t make a sound. If they hear us, we¡¯ll be next.¡±


    Syntezys¡¯ mind spun, the world around him blurring into a chaotic whirl of grief and rage. His heart thudded painfully in his chest as his vision blurred with tears. He wanted to scream, to rage against the injustice of it all, but Vikar¡¯s firm grip kept him silent.


    The sight of his friends¡ªhis companions¡ªstrung up like sacrifices, their lives snuffed out so violently, felt like a crushing blow. His chest tightened, the raw pain of the moment overwhelming him. His fists clenched so hard that his nails dug into his palms.


    Vikar, too, looked visibly shaken, though he kept his composure. He could feel Syntezys'' anguish, but he knew they couldn¡¯t afford to act rashly. The enemy was too strong, too numerous.


    Syntezys fought against the tears threatening to spill. His breath came in sharp, ragged gasps as the shock and sorrow clawed at his mind.


    ¡°No¡­¡± he whispered again, his voice barely audible, barely a breath. ¡°No, this can¡¯t be happening¡­¡±


    But for now, he stayed silent. The pain was raw, but he couldn¡¯t let it overtake him. Not yet. There was a time for grief, but this wasn¡¯t it.


    The two of them crouched low, moving carefully to avoid detection. But Syntezys could feel the fire in his chest, the fury rising with every step, every breath.


    ======= End Of Chapter 04 =======


    Please leave a comment ??


    Thank you for reading my novel, I''m still a newbie.


    Also I am Trying to have an Image For Every Main Character, I Want to Deliver Every Feel Of The Story To Readers Thanks ??.


    And Sorry For The Trauma ??