《Tower of Paradise.》


 Prologue

    Something had to be going wrong.


    The pressure suffocating me from all sides overwhelmed my senses. I thought my fat was melting, my muscles were tearing, and my bones were being crushed. The pain was indescribable, more intense than anything I had experienced before.


    My muscles seemed to tear and my bones creaked under an invisible force. The flesh of my body twisted with every movement, unable to protect me from the agony that enveloped me. I thought this must be what hell felt like.


    Instinctively, I wanted to scream to release some of my suffering. But something stopped me, a liquid threatened to flood my lungs.


    I understood that screaming would not only endanger my own life. With great effort, I held back the scream that was fighting to escape from my throat.


    Suddenly, I felt an unbearable pressure in my skull. It was as if they were crushing my head, extracting my brain through my nose and eyes. The pain was so intense that for a moment I considered wrapping the umbilical cord around my neck to end it all.


    It was then that I heard soft crying, it sounded like a woman. Wait, Cord? Crying? Only then did I realize my situation. I was being born, I was a baby.


    Curiously, the first thought that crossed my mind wasn''t of panic or disbelief. Instead, I found myself reflecting: So the light at the end of the tunnel is actually the light coming through the vagina...


    I couldn''t believe birth was so painful. Did all human beings have to go through this hell just to be born?


    It seemed incredible to me that humanity continued to reproduce in this way. The only reason I didn''t give up was because of my mother.


    I could feel the pain of childbirth not only in my own moans but also in the contractions of the uterine walls surrounding me.This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    I wasn''t alone in this struggle, my mother was with me. Through tears, the woman gathered strength and the pressure that threatened to crush me suddenly changed.


    At the decisive moment, I added my weak efforts to those of my mother, even if they were the weak efforts of a baby. When finally my skull escaped the clutches of the birth canal, I let out the scream I had been holding back.


    A sea of stars passed before my sight, transforming into a hazy symphony of colors, only to be abruptly replaced by a blinding light that forced me to close my eyes and I could cry for the first time.


    But gradually, the world around me began to clear.


    When I opened my eyes again, the first thing I felt was a dazzling light. I squinted, uncomfortable, trying to focus my blurry vision.


    I saw a small arm moving by itself in front of me. It took me a moment to realize that arm belonged to me, although I didn''t yet feel it as mine.


    My body was out of my control, making only reflex movements in response to external stimuli. I remembered what modern science from my previous world said: this was due to the immature brain activity of a newborn. They were right, my brain hadn''t fully matured yet.


    With effort, I directed my gaze toward the two figures watching me from above. My vision, still developing, only captured blurry shadows of their faces. My hearing wasn''t much better either.


    I decided to analyze my surroundings, as it seemed to be the only thing I could do.


    Gradually, my eyes became accustomed to the brightness.


    It seemed I had been born from some satanic summoning ritual because this room was lit only by a couple of candles and we were on the floor on a bed of straw.


    Looking at me intently while holding me was an impressive woman. She had long, silky golden-red hair and impressive green eyes, bright as emeralds.


    She radiated a warmth I wasn''t familiar with, something that simply drew you in without realizing it. Her naturally colored lips shone with the setting sun as luminescent rays spread across the small wooden room, the light made her look like an angel.


    I could almost see the halo above her head.


    I reached out my hands toward her, wanting to touch this divine being, and met another hand that slowly wrapped around mine as her pale face filled with love while her hand slowly caressed my cheek.


    Then my mother pulled down her shirt, exposing her bare breast, before gently placing my face next to it.


    I couldn''t understand what she was saying, but I thought I understood the point.

 Chapter 1: My life now

    It was interesting to feel how my mouth moved instinctively the moment I pressed it against my mother''s breast. It was an involuntary movement similar to that of my arms and legs, and I felt as if I were inside a small animal.


    I felt a warm liquid going down my throat without tasting much of the flavor. However, I felt the liquid going down my trachea and stomach as if I were drinking water right after waking up in the morning.


    I was able to concentrate on drinking breast milk because my limbs weren''t moving thanks to my mother wrapping me in a blanket while carefully holding my neck as my esophagus filled amid maternal love.


    I didn''t remove my lips from my mother''s breast until I could drink no more, and my lips stopped moving by reflex when I felt full.


    My mother lifted me up and started patting me on the back. I thought I had something stuck in my stomach, but it was just a burp. I felt renewed and the sound of the woman laughing was music to my ears when I felt my eyelids closing.


    On the second day my world changed completely.


    My mother, showing the strength of a tiger, decided she was sick of resting and got up to perform daily tasks.


    I had the chance to see her complete figure. Despite having given birth the day before, she was an attractive woman, about twenty years old.


    She was definitely well-endowed in all the right places, with a fit body perfected through hard work. Her shoulder-blade length hair was a beautiful golden color, with red tones throughout.


    The candlelight made it look like there were flames dancing inside.


    The days passed slowly, a week after my birth, my senses were gradually developing. However, life as a newborn was far from exciting.Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    I spent most of my time lying in my crib, unable to move my body properly. I felt incredibly bored and helpless.


    Obtaining information about my new world was an arduous task. I couldn''t even clearly distinguish the passage of days and nights. The reason was simple: I slept almost all the time. A baby''s body was terribly inefficient.


    I fought against constant sleep, but it was a lost battle. As soon as I opened my eyes, my eyelids would close again as if they weighed tons. And when I managed to stay awake for a few moments, hunger would immediately assault me.


    There was no point in resisting. When the need became unbearable, I resorted to the only method I had at my disposal: crying at the top of my lungs.


    The pride and honor of my past life had no place in my new reality. In desperate times, desperate measures were required. Crying was the only way to communicate my needs and ensure my survival.


    Despite my efforts, my mother couldn''t sleep at night from day one. There were no signs of my father...


    Dad...


    Apparently, in this era child-rearing was exclusively the mother''s responsibility. My mother never looked away when she was alone in the house with me.


    She carefully wrapped me up every time my limbs came out of the blankets, even if she was dozing. She tried to help me sleep after feeding me and helping me burp.


    My mother''s daily routine consisted of feeding me, making me burp, and helping me fall asleep over and over again. I pretended to fall asleep when my mother wanted me to in order to help her. She could only sleep for about an hour or so when I pretended to fall asleep.


    I saw my mother cry for the first time after a week.


    I heard her cry with exhaustion, although her silhouette was still blurry. Her sobs were the opposite of the cheerful laughter I had heard when I was born. My mother must have been at her limit, as she hadn''t slept well even once during the week.


    I was the first and only child, so it was the first time my mother was raising a child. She couldn''t go to the bathroom alone and her maximum sleep was one hour at a time.


    Then she broke down crying and I realized how difficult it had been for her to raise me.


    I saw her stop crying to feed me and, at that moment, I felt I could go hungry for a day if it meant my mother could sleep deeply for today.


    However, my mother became anxious and called everywhere when I suppressed hunger pains and didn''t scream.


    Twelve times a day every two hours.


    My mother fed me and made me burp again as if she hadn''t cried. My goal wasn''t far away or in the future. It was here, right in front of me.

 Chapter 2: My life now (2)

    I found myself in a dark space, defenseless and vulnerable. Our new home was a simple construction of poorly arranged planks that barely protected us from the elements.


    Water filtered in mercilessly every time it rained, and the wind whistled through the cracks as if mocking our misery.


    From my limited perspective as a baby, I could observe the deplorable state of our possessions: a few worn-out rags that served as blankets and a couple of rusty tin bowls that constituted all our dinnerware.


    The walls, damp and neglected, served as home to countless black insects that crawled endlessly. Mud dripped from the ceiling with an irregular rhythm, mixing with the creaking of the tiny legs of those unwanted invaders.


    The stale air made it difficult for me to breathe, but I had learned to live with it. I had no other choice.


    The sounds of those creatures that shared our space had become a macabre symphony that accompanied my days and nights.


    When hunger became unbearable, I began to cry, knowing it was my only form of communication. As expected, I heard my mother''s sweet voice:


    ¡ªOh, it seems our baby is hungry again.


    I felt her warm arms wrapping around me gently, and I stopped crying immediately. Why continue wasting energy when I had already gotten what I wanted? Crying was exhausting, and with my hunger, it only made my condition worse.


    ¡ªHoho, I think you recognize mommy.


    I heard her say with that voice that radiated happiness despite our circumstances.


    Of course I recognized her. How could I not? Although I spent most of my time sleeping and my mobility was practically nonexistent, I had memorized every detail of her face.


    A small smile formed on my lips upon hearing the word "mommy," confirming her suspicions.You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    I watched how her eyes shone with love while she gently opened her blouse. The first time she breastfed me, I remember feeling embarrassed and uncomfortable ¡ªvestiges of my previous life¡ª but now it was the most natural thing in the world. Without hesitation, I accepted her breast and began to feed eagerly.


    The sensation of warm breast milk heating my tiny body was indescribable. Each swallow brought with it a wave of peace and well-being that flowed smoothly through my esophagus.


    In those moments, held in her soft arms, any complaint or frustration vanished like fog before the sun. It was a comfort and security that I had rarely experienced in my previous life.


    My eyes closed, not from tiredness this time, but from pure satisfaction.


    As days turned into weeks, I noticed gradual changes in my senses. My mother''s voice became clearer, as if someone were slowly adjusting the dial of a radio.


    Objects in my field of vision began to define themselves better, although they were still far from being completely sharp.


    During the day, I behaved as expected for a baby: I cried when I was hungry, slept at regular intervals, and enjoyed maternal affection.


    My mother, whose name I had not yet learned, earned her living as a basket weaver. I watched her work with her rough but skilled hands, interweaving fibers with a precision that only experience can give. In her spare time, she became a gatherer, an occupation that barely allowed us to subsist.


    I suspected my mother was an angel because I had never known someone so kind and warm.


    While they carried me on their back with a sort of baby cradle strap, I accompanied her to what she called the district.


    To feed us, she secured me to her back while collecting mushrooms and algae that grew in the perpetual darkness and humidity of the underground tunnels.


    This place, I gradually understood, was an underground shelter, far from the sunlight and blue sky that I only knew in my memories.


    From my privileged position on her back, I observed the pure earth floor, devoid of any vegetation and full of potholes and rocks. Instead, we were surrounded by artificial and colorless constructions that were lost in the darkness.


    When I looked up, instinctively searching for the sky, I only found absolute blackness, deeper than any night I had known. It was a darkness that devoured light, so dense that I could only compare it to the void itself.


    The streets we traveled through were crowded with people who, like us, wore light and ragged clothes despite the persistent cold.


    The dwellings, small and precarious, were piled up along the sides of the narrow paths that meandered through the tunnels of the underground district.


    They were makeshift constructions with cheap stones and various materials, silent witnesses to the daily struggle for survival.


    ¡ªOh, it seems Adelaide had a great harvest today.

 Chapter 3: Road Ahead

    When mommy ran back to the tunnels, someone with a dirty face greeted her. It was as if they hadn''t washed their face since the day they were born.


    Most people in the district looked like that. Almost every day they went to the nearby coal mine to work in exchange for some food.


    It wasn''t just about coal extraction. Any dirty work that needed to be done would be carried out by anyone who wanted to survive.


    Fortunately, there were candles casting a dim light inside little cubby holes dug into either side of the walls.


    The underground shelter had access to water sources like aquifers and underground rivers, so the amount each person received per day was fixed, and no one dared even think about asking for more. Additionally, there were almost no clean water sources nearby.


    Or rather, any clean water source was too dangerous to go to, as wild beasts gathered there to drink.


    Therefore, everyone in the district always looked so dirty that no one could see their faces clearly. Mom, for some reason, seemed to be the exception.


    I had never seen her work in the coal mine because she had her own way of surviving.


    My mother didn''t respond to anyone who greeted her. Apparently, she just wanted to return to her shack as quickly as possible.


    The reality of this underground world was cruel: few managed to reach adulthood. I saw other children, some smaller than me, others barely able to walk, struggling against hunger and diseases. Most succumbed to unknown plagues or simple colds that, without medicines, became death sentences.


    Pregnant women, as my mother had been, faced a particularly grim fate. Giving birth under these conditions was comparable to walking through the gates of hell, and the survival rate for both mothers and babies was frighteningly low.


    My mother, despite her sweet and harmless appearance, always carried a bone knife while gathering. I saw her staying constantly on guard, her eyes scanning the shadows for potential dangers.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Despite the circumstances, she maintained an optimistic and talkative attitude. She told me stories, described the things we found, and constantly taught me new words. It was her way of making this dark world a little brighter.


    I responded as I could, with babbles and coos that, although simple, made her smile. Each attempt at communication seemed to light up her face, so I strived to improve my articulation, practicing silently when she wasn''t watching me.


    Language was a particular challenge. Without references for most of the words and phrases I heard, my progress was slow but steady.


    At least I had managed to understand basic terms like "milk" and "food," essential for our daily survival.


    My body grew gradually, but my speech capacity remained frustratingly limited. No matter how hard I tried, I could only emit basic sounds like "ah," "uh," and "oh." The powerlessness of not being able to express my thoughts and feelings weighed heavily on me.


    One particular morning, a noise from outside startled me. Instinctively, I searched for my mother''s face, finding in her eyes that unconditional love that had accompanied me since my birth.


    I felt my facial muscles respond with more control than I had had until then, forming a genuine smile.


    ¡ªYou smile every time you see me. Did you like it so much? Am I so beautiful?


    In my mind, the words flowed clear and precise: "Yes, you are. I love you so much." But my mouth could only produce a kind of infantile melody.


    ¡ªMy little one, are you singing?


    Her delight at my attempts at communication was evident.


    The satisfaction of seeing her happy with my efforts compensated for the frustration of not being able to speak. I wanted to show her my love in every possible way, even if they were as simple as these inarticulate sounds.


    ¡ªI know you came from me, but you''re too cute


    She continued, bringing her face close to mine.


    ¡ªWho''s so pretty? Yes, you are.


    Instead of kissing my lips or cheeks, she found my toes peeking out from under the blanket. She kissed them repeatedly, causing tickles that I couldn''t help but enjoy. Naturally, she proceeded to lift her shirt and took me in her arms to feed me.


    I sucked her breast eagerly, noticing how my senses had sharpened. The taste of milk, with its subtle coconut touch, was more distinctive than ever.


    My eyes could better capture the details of her face while I fed, and my ears perceived every small sound around us with greater clarity.


    When I was satisfied, my lips continued moving by instinct, although I was no longer swallowing. It was a reflex that, according to what I had heard my mother comment, would gradually disappear over time.


    ¡ªBaby, grow healthy and strong.


    Whispered Adelaide while holding me against her chest


    ¡ªI love you so much.


    Unable to respond with words, I concentrated all my energy in my gaze, hoping my eyes could convey the message that my mouth couldn''t pronounce: "I love you too, mom."


    I thought it with such intensity that I could almost feel the words vibrating in my small body, wishing that somehow she could perceive the depth of my feelings.

 Chapter 4: Road Ahead (2)

    I was lying in my crib, reflecting on the concept of time. I had stopped obsessing about measuring or understanding it, concluding that it was a futile exercise in my current situation.


    What mattered was that I could feel how my body developed day by day, and how the initial tedium of being a baby was gradually dissipating.


    That morning, I observed my mother as she prepared for her journey to the district in search of water. Although dawn brought some security, I couldn''t help feeling a knot in my stomach every time I saw her leave. However, there were more urgent matters occupying my mind.


    Nutrition was a constant concern. Despite my mother''s tireless efforts to gather food, my body needed more to develop properly.


    I was tormented by the idea that I needed to find additional sources of sustenance if I wanted to grow stronger, but resources in the sewers were scarce. Nights brought chaos and anarchy to our shelter, making the search for food even more challenging.


    However, fate smiled upon me when I discovered something promising behind our house: surprisingly fertile ground. The most interesting thing wasn''t the soil itself, but its inhabitants: thumb-sized worms that writhed beneath the surface.


    My mind, which retained knowledge from my previous life, immediately recognized their nutritional value. These creatures were not only rich in proteins and carbohydrates but also contained a variety of trace elements and minerals essential for human development. They could be exactly what I needed to boost my growth.


    While contemplating this discovery, I felt the frustration of not being able to walk yet. However, I couldn''t help but smile imagining the day when I would finally have total control over my limbs.


    As time passed, I adapted better and better to my new body. The day I managed to crawl for the first time, I experienced indescribable joy. Seeing my mother jumping with excitement at each small achievement in my development made all the effort worthwhile.If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    But the real turning point came when I pronounced my first word. After practicing in secret for weeks, I finally gathered the courage to say:


    ¡ª...Mama.


    It was a word I had abandoned in my previous life, and for a moment I hesitated, wondering if I should feel uncomfortable using it again. However, seeing my mother''s reaction, all doubt vanished.


    Her radiant and sincere smile confirmed that I had made the right decision. For me, recognizing her as my mother was the first step in fully embracing this new existence.


    Thanks to her constant conversation, I gradually assimilated the language. I watched with fascination how the barter system worked in the underground shelter, where people exchanged goods and services without using money. Each day brought new opportunities to perfect my control over this body and master basic motor functions.


    I had been named Arceus, or Ars for short. At first, it seemed like a somewhat cute name, especially after seeing myself reflected in the metal sheet we used as a mirror.


    My reddish-golden hair, inherited from my mother, shone even in the dim light, and my red eyes, apparently a trait from my father, stood out in my childish face.


    Although I couldn''t predict how my features would be when I matured, I consoled myself thinking that as long as I maintained a healthy weight, everything would be fine.


    The days continued their march, and my growth was constant. My small stomach seemed to be a bottomless pit, quickly digesting everything I consumed and demanding more almost immediately.


    One particular morning, I woke up feeling a voracious hunger that made me stir in my crib. As always, my mother didn''t take long to come to my side, looking at me with her characteristic tenderness.


    ¡ªMy little one, are you very hungry?


    She asked sweetly while lifting me in her arms.


    I watched her as she settled to feed me, a routine that after more than a year I knew perfectly.


    I lay down on the white and fluffy blanket, beginning to suckle eagerly. The familiar and comforting taste made my tiny feet move instinctively with satisfaction.


    My mother, who had learned to interpret each of my gestures, smiled seeing this sign of contentment. With gentleness, she tickled my feet, causing me to shake them in the air. It was impossible to maintain composure before her playful caresses.


    In a matter of minutes, my tiny stomach was completely full. I felt how my body visibly relaxed while Adelaide hugged me lovingly and gave me soft pats on the back.


    I rested my cheek on her shoulder, experiencing a sensation of security and warmth that I had never known in my previous life.


    ¡ªMy little one, aren''t you eating too much?


    She joked with a melodious laugh.

 Chapter 5: Q & A

    Her comment seemed so funny to me that I couldn''t help joining her laughter with a genuine infantile gurgle.


    While enjoying these intimate moments with my mother, my mind wandered to deeper reflections. I thought about my previous life, an existence that now seemed blurry and distant, about my death, and about that nebulous limbo from which I couldn''t escape.


    At the beginning of this new life, I had suspected it might be some kind of divine punishment. However, I quickly understood that I was wrong.


    Despite not fully understanding my situation ¡ª where I was, why I was here, who had brought me ¡ª I felt deep gratitude.


    This wasn''t punishment, but an incomprehensible and wonderful act of grace. For some reason I couldn''t comprehend, I had been given back what I had so carelessly wasted in my previous life.


    Without tangible evidence to support it, I firmly believed this was a precious gift. My previous name had vanished into oblivion, but now I had a new one, Arceus, and with it, the opportunity for a new beginning, free from the weight of my past, my mistakes, and my guilt.


    This small body, which at first felt alien and strange, now seemed to fit perfectly, as if it had always been destined to be mine. The feeling was so overwhelming that I couldn''t contain my emotions.


    ¡ªAh... Ah...


    I tried to articulate something, anything, while tears began to spring forth. I didn''t care about crying; I forced my immature vocal cords to make some sound that could express the intensity of what I was feeling.This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.


    At that moment, I made myself a solemn promise: this time, I would do things right. While my mother rocked me in her arms, my determination burned intensely.


    Although many things still didn''t make sense ¡ª why I had been born here, what my purpose was in this new world ¡ª I knew I would have enough time to discover it all.


    I had had enough of remaining stagnant, of yielding to adversity, of hugging my knees in defeat. I didn''t care if I failed or stumbled along the way. I didn''t care how many obstacles I had to face.


    This time...


    This time would be different. I would live fully, make the most of every moment in this world!


    I expressed my resolution with the only means I had available: a cry that only a baby could produce, a mixture of joy, determination, and a touch of fear before the unknown.


    Adelaide, perceiving the intensity of my emotions although not understanding their true nature, held me tighter against her chest, whispering words of comfort and love.


    ¡ªIt''s okay, my love


    She murmured while gently caressing my back.


    ¡ªMommy is here. I''ll always be here for you.


    I clung to her, letting my tears flow freely. In that embrace, I felt how all the fears and doubts I had accumulated since my rebirth gradually dissolved.


    As I calmed down, I began to perceive my surroundings with new clarity. Colors seemed more vivid, sounds sharper, and every detail of the world around me took on deeper meaning.


    While Adelaide gently rocked me, humming a lullaby that I already recognized as my favorite, I felt a wave of peace completely invade me.


    My eyelids became heavy, and although I fought to keep my eyes open, not wanting to miss even a second of this new reality, sleep was relentless.


    Before succumbing completely to drowsiness, I had one last conscious thought: "Thank you."


    I didn''t know exactly to whom or what I was directing my gratitude.


    Perhaps to the universe, perhaps to some higher power, or maybe simply to life itself for this second chance.


    With a small smile on my lips, I finally surrendered to sleep, safe in my mother''s arms and full of hope for the future that awaited me.


    This time, this time I was going to do it right.

 Chapter 6: Q & A (2)

    POV''S ADELAIDE PENDRAGON.


    The cutting wind whipped strands of my golden hair into my eyes, momentarily blinding me as I walked the familiar path to the aquifer.


    I breathed deeply, allowing my eyelids to close while the darkness. coolness caressed my skin. The soft whisper of the wind enveloped me, bringing with it memories I preferred to keep buried.


    The world has been relentless and cruel, I thought bitterly, especially for someone in my position. The memories of the incident that changed my life forever crowded my mind, unwanted and painful.


    Like every weekend since my husband''s death, this routine had become my new normal.


    The journey to the nearest aquifer to collect water was just one of the many responsibilities that now weighed on my shoulders.


    Not everyone in the district can afford to have water at home, I reminded myself while adjusting the empty buckets in my hands.


    My thoughts inevitably drifted to Arceus; Ars, as I fondly called him. An involuntary smile drew on my lips thinking about my little treasure.


    He was the greatest gift I could have, the sweetest and most charming two-year-old child a mother could wish for. And I don''t say this just because I''m an affectionate mother, of course not hehe.


    I intend to be a strict and fair mother.


    Sometimes I worried that he was too sweet for his own good. The shelter was no place for such a small and innocent child.


    I want you to have a good and normal life, my little Ars, I whispered to the wind as I walked, but this place... this place is full of people willing to do the unspeakable to survive.


    As a mother, I couldn''t help feeling like the luckiest person in the world every time I looked at my beautiful baby, who filled my days with joy and laughter. He was truly special, perfect in his own way.


    His hair, identical to mine, framed those extraordinary crimson eyes that hypnotized me every time I contemplated them. He''s simply adorable!, I thought with maternal pride.


    The last six months had completely transformed my life. While the beginning was difficult, now I couldn''t imagine my existence without him.


    I wish this peace would last forever, I silently pleaded while continuing my way. However, there was something more about Ars, something I couldn''t fully explain.Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    During our time together, I had noticed patterns in his behavior that intrigued me and, sometimes, unsettled me.


    ¡ªHe''s just like his father.


    I murmured to myself, remembering when he started crawling. The pride I felt at that moment almost made me cry, but I had no idea of the challenges that would come after.


    It was impossible to take my eyes off him; in the blink of an eye, he would sneak out of the house. My little sun, wasn''t even aware of the dangers lurking in this place.


    His curiosity was insatiable.


    I was fascinated watching his head, which seemed disproportionately large for his small body, constantly turning while trying to absorb every detail of his surroundings.


    As I approached the aquifer, surrounded by limestone rocks and permeable sediments, my thoughts turned darker.


    The circumstances surrounding human birth were truly absurd and unfair. Some were born holding a golden spoon, while others, like me, had to forge it with our own hands.


    Some are born holding a golden spoon, others are born having to forge it ourselves. Just by luck, some are created from the sperm of a fortunate bastard.


    Just because they were lucky, they were conceived from the egg of a disgustingly rich woman.


    Effort?


    It could only be called effort if moving your tail faster than other sperm could be considered an act of merit.


    Others might be endowed with extraordinary talent; one that could forge a clay spoon into a golden one if the opportunity arose. The inequality in human birth was the same throughout the world.


    I myself had experienced the whims of fate. As captain of one of the expedition teams, I had proven my worth.


    Reaching grade E as a hunter at eighteen was a considerable achievement, especially considering that even the lowest rank, grade G, required passing tests designed to prevent unnecessary deaths of reckless youth.


    In all my years of service, I had only seen a handful of grade D hunters, and not a single grade C hunter ¡ªif they really existed.


    Upon reaching the aquifer, I rolled up my sleeves, exposing my pale, untanned skin. The years of hard work had left their mark on my arms, now thick and strong.


    Suddenly, a black shadow that was stealthily approaching lunged at me. My vision filled with giant jaws with razor-sharp teeth.


    Crunch.


    With a quick movement, I dodged the attack of its thick sharp legs and unsheathed the bone knife from my waist.


    The knife pierced through the middle of the cockroach''s mouth, which was equipped with multiple mouthparts that worked in coordination.


    Calmly, I moved forward and drove the knife deeper. With the additional force of the cockroach''s attack, the blade went through its neck and protruded.


    The collapsing beast also pushed me backward while blue blood leaked out. On both sides, two cockroaches charged while I bent down to pull out the knife.


    I observed that these cockroaches measured just over three meters in length equipped with long antennae that moved constantly, with an elongated and segmented body that had six powerful legs ending in sharp claws that allowed it to climb and move with agility, along with a massive and robust structure covered by a thick and hard exoskeleton that merged with the absolute darkness.


    I was lucky, killing a cockroach wasn''t easy if you didn''t stab it in the head, which was its only weak point. I silently thanked not having brought little Arceus.


    Its shell was extremely hard and resistant to physical attacks, with a rigorous surface marked by numerous protrusions and sharp spines that serve as natural defense.


    Quickly backing away, I pushed the knife and pierced the head of a cockroach that was passing at full speed.


    The other cockroach moved behind me ready to attack quickly.


    Crack!

 Chapter 7: The Threat Is Coming

    I moved and straightened up quickly.


    Even so, I received a bite on the arm from the cockroach before I could do anything, and fresh blood came out of my arm.


    If I hadn''t reacted in time, they would have torn my arm off.


    ¡ªArrrgh! ¡ªI cursed silently, frowning hard, trying to keep calm while swinging the knife that was in the other hand.


    But at the last moment, the cockroach suddenly moved and slightly turned its torso to the right.


    The blade didn''t reach its head, but slipped to the concave point where the armor plates joined and, instead, hit one of them in the center, sliding helplessly over the adamantine chitin.


    Instead of killing the beast with a decisive blow, I ended up causing no damage at all.


    Worse yet, I was unprotected. The next moment, the cockroach hit me hard with its shell, throwing me away.


    I flew sideways and crashed against the maze wall, feeling myself running out of breath. Suffocated and disoriented, I fell ungracefully into the mud.


    By instinct, I rolled to one side. Something passed by my side and hit the wall, causing pieces of earth to fly through the air. Then, it rose into the air and was thrown backward.


    But by then, I had already regained my common sense.


    I turned my body and managed to land on my feet and take a few steps back without falling. The next second, my knife was in front of me, held with both hands as I had learned in the scout corps.


    The cockroach was already charging at me with a threatening fire burning in its eyes.


    Energy flowed from the knife to my hand, then spread to my arm, shoulder, and finally covered my entire body. I instantly felt stronger, faster, more resistant.


    But was it enough? No. To survive, I would also need some luck.


    A claw-like leg flew at me from the right, the other from the left. There was no time to back away or dodge to the sides.


    So, instead, I did something that made every instinct in my body scream in protest.


    I jumped forward, shortening the distance with the attacking monster. The claws crashed together with a loud crack behind my back.


    Instinct or not, it was the only logical step. After all, the knife''s attack range was much shorter than the cockroach''s. I could only counterattack by getting closer.


    Before the beast had time to react, I did what I had done miles of times before. My muscles moved even before my mind gave the order.


    With a fluid motion, I raised the sword above my head and cut down, pushing with one hand while pulling with the other. My entire body moved in unison to deliver a powerful blow.


    The knife whistled as it cut through the air. Then, it hit the joint of one of the cockroach''s front legs and went through it, severing the limb completely. Blue blood spread everywhere.Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    I had less than a second to be surprised.


    But there was no time for distractions. Due to the loss of its front leg, the cockroach lost balance for a moment, falling forward and down. However, it had five other legs. This wasn''t going to last long.


    But coincidentally, at that precise moment, its other front leg slipped in the mud, sinking the monster even further.


    Without wasting this opportunity, I stepped forward, raised the knife, and drove it into the cockroach''s mouth. A severed jaw fell to the ground as the monster impaled itself on the knife with its own weight.


    The creature''s body convulsed before going still.


    It was dead.


    I exhaled slowly, feeling only now the pain in my chest and neck. I carefully touched my head and winced. My hand became wet with blood.


    ¡ªAt least I''m alive.


    I raised my head abruptly and realized there were no more cockroaches.


    The monsters possessed certain rudimentary intelligence, but they couldn''t compare to humans. In essence, they remained predators that acted primarily on instinct. Their cunning was of a bestial nature and wasn''t so difficult to overcome. That gave me the chance to live another day.


    Memories of my time in the Scout Corps surfaced as I prepared to refill the buckets. Our main task had been hunting mutants, extraordinary creatures capable of absorbing energy and creating their own cores, objects of incalculable value.


    Mutants cores had an unlimited number of uses, which made them very valuable and highly sought after. Of course, the higher the grade of mutants cores, the more valuable they were.


    Mutants were classified from grade F ¡ªlike the cockroaches that attacked me¡ª up to the legendary SS-grade monsters, although the latter were more myth than proven reality.


    Although cockroaches were cataloged as grade F, these mutants could easily resist attacks from a grade D hunter just because of their shell.


    As a general rule, one should always assume that mutants are stronger than humans of the same category.


    Simply because, even if we remove energy from the equation, a mutant''s physical body was much stronger than that of an average human.


    The underground shelter, although dangerous, was manageable if proper precautions were taken. The more powerful mutants inhabited the depths of the caves, while the shelter''s perimeter was well mapped and relatively safe for grade E hunters like me.


    I would need three trips to fill the house''s water tank. The aquifer was far away, as areas where water could be found in the shelter were quite rare.


    The full buckets were very heavy, although I was injured I lifted them as I always did. If I didn''t do it, my son and I would die of dehydration.


    If the buckets were bigger, I could make fewer trips, I thought as I lifted them. Wouldn''t that be easier?


    Since my husband''s death, the weight of maintaining the family had become overwhelming, but as a mother, I had accepted this responsibility without complaining.


    As I prepared to return home, a chill ran down my spine. At first it was barely perceptible, a slight vibration under my feet that soon intensified.


    Suddenly, the earth began to shake violently. My body staggered and the water buckets tipped over, soaking the ground and creating a muddy mess under my feet as I instinctively crouched down.


    The tension was palpable in the air, and fear began to sprout in my heart when my ears caught a sound similar to breaking wood.


    ¡ªA scream?


    I muttered to myself, trying to convince myself it was just my imagination.


    The sound reminded me of a strangled bird, but deep inside, I knew it couldn''t be any bird''s song.


    An icy chill ran down my back as I tried to rationalize what I had just heard.


    It couldn''t be a human voice.


    I tried to erase my uneasiness with these thoughts, but then they vanished when a louder sound resonated in the air once more.


    My heart skipped a beat in my chest. There was no mistake: it was a human scream.


    Without thinking twice, my hunter instincts took control. The tremors, though not common, represented a real threat in the underground shelter, and I began running toward the origin of the screams.


    My legs were moving faster than they ever had before, so much so that I feared tripping over my own feet. The screams and howls became clearer as I got closer, each sound more chilling than the last.


    My heart was beating wildly against my ribs, but I couldn''t stop.


    Something terrible was happening, and although fear threatened to paralyze me, my legs kept moving forward, toward those sounds that became increasingly clear in the darkness of the shelter.

 Chapter 8: The Threat Is Coming (2)

    POV ARCEUS PENDRAGON.


    More than two years had passed since my reincarnation into this world.


    My growth had been remarkably fast, favored by an environment that, although precarious, was better than that of most children who inhabited these gloomy caverns.


    Poverty had become a constant companion. However, I had begun to find small glimpses of happiness even amid our scarcity. It was surprising how the mind could adapt to the most adverse circumstances.


    The previous month I had made an interesting discovery: this world, like Earth, seemed to be governed by the cycle of the four seasons.


    I noticed it mainly through the changes in the harshness of our survival.


    Winter was particularly cruel in the underground shelter, with dry and relentless winds that penetrated clothes like invisible blades, cutting flesh with their merciless coldness.


    Then came those months where the hilarious cold subtly decreased, announcing what seemed to be spring, bringing a slight respite to our underground existence.


    Adelaide had started going out alone in search of water now that I was two years old. She always made me promise not to leave the house during her absence, a promise that weighed on my conscience as the hours passed.


    Usually, she made sure not to take too long, but that day something was different. Uneasiness began to grow inside me while I waited for her return.


    Why is she taking so long?, I wondered while walking around the house, holding a small wooden stick in my tiny hands.


    My steps were cautious as I made sure there was no one around before venturing into the backyard.


    The backyard held a precious secret: it was one of the few places where, with luck, one could find animals that hadn''t mutated.


    Earthworms were an invaluable treasure in our underground world, and the mere thought of other refugees discovering my little secret made me shudder.


    The consequences would be truly terrifying.


    A man''s wealth is his own ruin, I thought as I began to dig with the small wooden stick.


    It was knowledge I had acquired early in this new life: keeping secrets was as important as finding resources.Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    As I dug, I felt my improvised tool hit something. My heart skipped a beat as I nervously looked around, making sure once again of my solitude before examining my finding.


    A fat worm writhed in the freshly removed earth, and with the efficiency that only survival can teach, I proceeded to clean it and prepare it for my consumption.


    The taste was unpleasant, but the feeling of satiety that followed was worth every moment of disgust. I was about to return to our ruined house when a vibration in the ground stopped me in my tracks.


    The rumble that followed resonated through the rock walls like the roar of an ancient beast awakening from its sleep.


    An earthquake, I immediately recognized, as I watched the more experienced adults begin to call their children, urging them to seek shelter.


    The mild vibrations quickly transformed into violent shakes that made the ground beneath my feet take on a life of its own.


    I fell to the ground, but my mind remained clear. Without hesitation, I crawled away from any structure that could collapse, seeking open space.


    Once I found a relatively safe place, I lay down following the protocol I had learned: hands behind the head, legs bent, waiting for the chaos to pass.


    The sound was deafening: walls creaked as if they were about to give way, rock fragments rained from the ceiling, and the terrified screams of my neighbors resonated throughout the district.


    I watched as the makeshift structures we called homes crumbled under the fury of the tremor, while large blocks of rock fell, blocking tunnels and burying entire sections of the district.


    The air became dense with the stench of blood and acrid smoke, forcing me to hold my breath. When silence finally settled, a silence more terrifying than the previous chaos, I ventured to slowly raise my body.


    That''s when I heard it: a thunderous noise resonated, making every fiber of my being shudder.


    And the next second, something huge emerged from the ground...


    As I turned my body, I found myself face to face with a nightmare come true: a giant centipede, a magical beast in all its terrifying glory.


    This monster seemed like an armored battle machine created with the sole purpose of killing living beings.


    Its body measured more than three meters wide and fifteen long, decorated with dozens of blade-like legs on each side.


    Its armor, a spectacle of dark blue on top and light blue on the bottom, gleamed sinisterly in the shelter''s dimness.


    The exoskeleton, segmented into three columns, was bristling with spikes that protruded from the central column like a crown of death.


    But it was its face that froze the blood in my veins: an anatomical nightmare where one head seemed to be contained within the mouth of another, with two thick bone scythes protruding like demonic jaws.


    I''m going to die, the thought hit my mind like a hammer, leaving my expression empty and distant.


    My dry lips pressed tightly together as I evaluated my options: flee or fight. Both seemed equally futile.


    Fear took hold of me, cold and paralyzing, but a part of my mind kept fighting: Come on... I can''t allow myself to die here.


    I didn''t want it all to end like this, not when there was so much to live for, so much to discover. Desperation clouded my mind as I struggled to stay conscious.


    Damn it...


    The reality of my situation sank deeper. There was no escape, no matter how frantically my mind worked seeking a solution.


    I was trapped, like prey before an immensely superior predator.


    Its segmented body undulated with a grotesque and unnatural rhythm as it slid forward.

 Chapter 9: What鈥檚 To Come

    POV DARIUS''S


    I moved through the tunnels of the underground district, feeling each step resonate against the stone walls.


    My black cloak billowed behind me, a constant reminder of my duty as vice-captain of the exploration corps.


    I could feel the tension in my muscles, developed after years of training and battles against the mutants that threatened our existence.


    The scar that crossed my face¡ªa mark of past battles¡ªtensed as I frowned at the distant sounds coming from further ahead in the tunnel.


    Something wasn''t right.


    My years of experience screamed it at me, and my instincts were rarely wrong.


    Something is wrong, terribly wrong, I thought while quickening my pace, my boots echoing against the stone floor.


    The smell came first: that unmistakable metallic aroma of blood mixed with the stench of death.


    My heart began to beat faster, not from fear, but from the terrible anticipation of what I knew I would find. I had smelled that combination too many times in my life as an explorer.


    ¡ªGlug, glug...


    The sound froze my blood.


    There, before me, one of my companions was choking on his own blood. A grotesque hole pierced his chest as if some beast had torn away a part of his being.


    My eyes reddened as I contemplated the scene, and I felt as if I were about to cry tears of blood.


    I knew him well, too well. He had been a formidable warrior, a man who embodied strength and determination.


    Now, as I watched the light fade from his eyes, I felt a pang of pain so deep I could barely breathe.


    That bright spark of life I had always admired in him was slowly fading, like a candle consuming itself in darkness.


    It shouldn''t end like this, I thought as I watched him take his last breath, his body shuddering one final time before becoming still forever.


    I looked around, and the devastation I found hit me like a punch to the stomach. Everything had been destroyed, burned to ashes. Nothing remained standing, nothing remained intact.


    The bodies of my companions... my friends... lay scattered like broken dolls, their bodies'' limbs had disappeared in a grotesque display of carnage.


    ¡ªDarvus, Jairo...Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.


    Their names escaped my lips like a belated prayer.


    Memories flooded me like an unstoppable tide. Darvus, always talking about his little daughter, proudly showing me the drawings she made for him.


    Jairo, who just days ago had confided in me that his wife was expecting their second child. More than brothers in arms, they had been my brothers in this endless struggle for survival.


    The exploration corps was an elite unit responsible for exploring the outside of the underground shelter to gather information about mutants and their behavior.


    We carried out combat missions to eliminate mutants and recover lost territory, which meant members very often had to leave their loved ones behind to join the fight.


    And yet, it was these two who now lay in a pool of their own blood, having died at the hands of some unknown beast.


    Why didn''t they run? They''re idiots...


    I thought as tears flowed freely down my cheeks, something I rarely allowed myself. But here, faced with the evidence of their sacrifice, I couldn''t contain them.


    Their eyes remained open, their fists clenched in a final gesture of defiance. I could read the story of their final moments in the battle marks that surrounded them.


    They had fought until the end, knowing they had no chance of victory. It was the kind of courage I had always admired and feared finding in my companions.


    The sound of footsteps behind me pulled me from my grief. In an instant, my sword was in my hand, my body turning to face the new threat.


    The familiarity of the figure emerging from the shadows only intensified my anguish: Abel, our captain.


    ¡ªCaptain?


    I uttered the word with a mixture of relief and suspicion.


    ¡ªIs that you, Vice-Captain?


    He responded, dropping to the ground with a sigh of relief that seemed out of place to me.


    Anger began to boil inside me as I observed his state: unharmed, relaxed, as if the death of our companions was nothing more than a minor inconvenience.


    ¡ªCaptain, could you explain what happened?


    I asked, struggling to keep my voice controlled.


    ¡ªIsn''t it obvious? A mutant ambushed us, a giant centipede.


    His casual response only fueled my fury.


    ¡ªWhat I mean is, why are you the only one who managed to escape? The members of your group are dead...


    His response turned my stomach:


    ¡ªWhat the hell? Vice-Captain, are you saying you''d prefer I died along with these guys?


    As I listened to him explain how he had hidden while urinating, how he had chosen to save his own life while our companions died, I felt something break inside me.


    It wasn''t just disappointment or anger, it was a deep disgust for the man who was supposed to lead and protect our soldiers.


    ¡ªThey believed in you


    I said, my voice loaded with contempt.


    ¡ªThose two would give their lives if you asked them to. Shouldn''t you at least prove you''re worthy of their respect?


    ¡ªShut up! What does their respect have to do with me? Ahhh, shit! I can avenge them, can''t I?


    Rage burned in my eyes as I looked at him. This man represented everything I despised, everything I had fought against during my life as an explorer.


    ¡ªYou''re a piece of rotten garbage


    The words left my mouth before I could contain them, though I didn''t want to anyway.


    ¡ªWhat the fuck was that, bastard?!


    He roared, but I no longer cared about his anger.


    My mind was elsewhere, thinking of those who might still need help. I couldn''t waste more time with this coward when there were lives at stake. Without another word, I turned and began walking toward the underground district.


    ¡ªHey! Bastard! If you go that way, you''ll surely die! You should run in the opposite direction!


    His shouts echoed in the tunnels behind me.


    ¡ªDamn idiot, don''t you know everything ends once you''re dead? Hey!


    I ignored his words and pressed forward.


    My path was clear: if there was any chance of saving even one life, the risk would be worth it.


    And if I couldn''t save anyone, I would at least ensure that the mutant who had massacred my companions would pay for its crimes.


    As I walked away, I could hear Abel muttering insults and justifications for his cowardice, but his words were lost in the echo of the tunnels, as empty as his honor.

 Chapter 10: What鈥檚 To Come (2)

    POV''S ARCEUS PENDRAGON


    The dust storm hit me violently while the thunderous roar made the earth tremble. The air became dense, almost unbreathable.


    ¡ªKuheuk!


    I coughed violently, feeling the dust entering my lungs. My throat burned, but that was the least of my concerns at that moment. The centipede was lunging at me, and I knew I was going to die.


    This is the end, I thought, closing my eyes tightly, waiting to feel the searing pain that never came.


    Instead, I felt strong arms wrapping around me, and a woman''s soft chest against my face. I knew that embrace, that scent, that warmth.


    Mom...


    I opened my eyes and looked up, finding her face tense but determined. My heart shrunk when I saw the two scythes ¡ªwhich it had as jaws¡ª so close that I could distinguish the mud pieces stuck to their shiny surface.


    My mother fell face down with me in her arms, barely avoiding the blow that could have killed us both.


    But that moment of calm lasted barely a breath. Reality was much crueler: we were lying on the ground, completely vulnerable, and a huge blade was suspended above us like a guillotine ready to fall.


    I saw the exact moment when my mother realized our situation. Without hesitation, she rolled to one side with me still in her arms.


    The sound of the blade hitting the ground was deafening, causing small tremors that I felt down to my bones.


    If she had taken one second longer... I didn''t want to finish that thought.


    Adelaide tried to stand up, but the blade swung towards us like a deadly whip. My heart stopped when, instead of dodging, my mother used her own back to cushion the blow.


    I heard her muffled groan of pain, and felt how her body tensed around mine as we were sent flying through the air.


    Why, mom? Why do you sacrifice yourself like this for me? The questions tormented me as we flew through the air.


    I saw how she prepared her body for impact, protecting me with every fiber of her being.


    The impact against the rocks was brutal, but she rolled with mastery, dispersing the force of the impact while keeping me safe against her chest.


    As soon as we touched the ground, Adelaide stood up and began to run. Behind us, the earth exploded with unimaginable violence.Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    The monster tore through the layers of rock as if they were mere sheets of paper.


    The crater it left was an open wound in the earth, two meters deep and twenty meters wide. Its eyes, small but full of primitive evil, followed us with a mixture of rage and hunger that froze my blood.


    It''s too fast, I thought with terror while watching how it launched itself towards us.


    Its legs pierced the earth, leaving a trail of destruction while trying to pierce us with its scythes. Rock fragments flew from its pointed shell like deadly rain.


    Fortunately, my mother had managed to gain enough distance. I saw her lower her body without reducing speed, run several more meters and then turn around.


    The monster was already in motion, moving with an agility that seemed impossible for something of its length. It was like watching a derailed train heading towards us at full speed.


    My heart stopped when Adelaide put me on the ground, while kneeling in front of me.


    Her eyebrows trembled while she grabbed her back''s side, and I could see the pain in each of her movements.


    ¡ªArceus.


    Her voice, that voice that had always been my beacon in the darkness, now sounded broken and shaky while putting her hands on my shoulders.


    ¡ªRun, don''t look back, understood?


    The words got stuck in my throat, forming a knot that threatened to choke me. I brought my trembling hands to my face, understanding with horrible clarity what my mother was planning to do.


    Tears began to flow uncontrollably, and my breathing became choppy when I bit my lower lip hard.


    ¡ªBut mom...


    I managed to articulate between sobs.


    ¡ªObey Arceus!


    She roared, and I saw the tears in her eyes. I had never heard her use that tone, it was the voice of someone who knew they were in their final moments.


    ¡ªNo... No!


    I screamed with all my might, refusing to abandon her. I saw the pain cross her face, mixed with guilt that reflected my own.


    That''s when I noticed it: drops of blood near her feet. My mother was wounded.


    Rage invaded me, an anger so intense that it burned inside. It was an indescribable feeling, more terrible than anything I had experienced in my short life.


    In the next instant, the space where we had been was destroyed by the monster. My mother''s arms moved at a speed that my eyes could barely follow.


    Was I dead?


    That was all I could think when my small body didn''t even register the moment the centipede accelerated.


    I watched in horror as Adelaide was violently thrown backward, the sound of her arms breaking and her ribs cracking was forever etched in my memory.


    Before I could do anything, the sharp tip of a scythe hit her in the chest with the force of a siege ram. The force of the blow was enough to make her rib cage cave in and send her body flying through the air like a rag doll.


    I struggled to stand up, my entire body protesting against every movement.


    When had I fallen?


    My mother had knocked me down when they threw her backward, but the shock had prevented me from realizing it at that moment.


    My mind worked at full speed while evaluating the situation: she had managed to defend herself once, but it was painfully obvious that she couldn''t do it again.


    I turned my head and saw her... my heart stopped for a moment. Somehow, my mother lay on the ground, her body twisted at an unnatural angle.


    Something wasn''t right, I observed how she struggled to breathe. A dark, thick liquid flowed from her mouth, and horror invaded me when I realized it was blood.


    She''s choking... my mother was choking on her own blood.


    Tears blurred my vision while I watched how the person I loved most in the world sacrificed herself for me. The pain in my chest was unbearable, as if each of my mother''s broken bones was a dagger stabbing into my heart.


    Everything was too real, too cruel.


    I saw her try to move, her limbs barely responding to her commands. It was like watching a puppet with cut strings, and each of her weak movements tore my soul apart.


    The centipede''s strength had been devastating, and the cruel reality hit me like a hammer: winning wasn''t even an option in this battle.

 Chapter 11: Next Step

    At this rate...


    The thought remained unfinished in my mind as I watched my mother, desperately struggling like an insect caught in a spider''s web.


    The power gap between her and the monster was an insurmountable abyss.


    I felt the weight of a pair of compound eyes on me. The red glow in them was like looking directly into hell, two crimson flames that burned with an insatiable bloodthirst.


    Any normal human being would have lost the will to fight before that gaze, but I...


    I have a choice, I told myself while the metallic taste of blood filled my mouth.


    Despite my wounds, I could survive if I ran away. The rational part of my mind, that adult voice that whispered survival advice, told me that I could live if I moved away from the woman who trembled at my side.


    It''s not wrong to flee, that voice tried to convince me. It''s not cowardice, it''s survival.


    Was he crazy?


    The question echoed in my mind while a bitter smile formed on my lips. I slapped my cheeks hard, trying to silence those cowardly thoughts.


    I didn''t need to hear them, I didn''t want to hear them, even though I knew they were right: there was no possibility of winning.


    The logic was simple and brutal: if I escaped once, it would be easier to do it a second time, and the third would barely affect me.


    I would become Arceus Pendragon, the one who only lived thanks to his cowardice.


    I would rather die by my own will than become a cowardly spectator of life.


    It was a foolish and irrational judgment, I knew that. But the monster didn''t flinch at my moral dilemma. Almost immediately, its two scythes headed towards me with terrifying speed.


    That''s when it happened: as if emerging from nothingness itself, a man appeared in front of the monster.


    I saw him jump between the deadly scythes with a grace that seemed to defy gravity, leaning forward to deliver a devastating blow with his long sword. All his weight, all his strength, concentrated in that single attack.


    Logic suggested there should be a gap between its shell and torso armor. It was simple mechanics: anything that needed to be flexible couldn''t be completely rigid.


    I saw how the tip of his sword found that small space, sinking into the monster''s body until the hilt brushed against the chitin.


    Of course!, I thought with a moment of triumph that evaporated as quickly as it had come.Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    My expression darkened when I saw that the creature didn''t even seem to notice the wound that should have, if not killed it, at least significantly weakened it.


    With a movement that seemed casual, the monster twisted, throwing the man as if he were an annoying fly.


    The bone scythes scraped against the rock as it extracted them from the ground, the sound echoing in my nightmares.


    The man, thanks to the force of the shake, managed to recover his sword that had remained stuck in the monster''s flesh. That involuntary movement saved his life, allowing him to dodge the mortal blow of the scythe by millimeters.


    ¡ªDarius!


    My mother''s voice, weak and trembling, startled me. I saw her sit up with difficulty, wiping the blood that still flowed from her mouth.


    ¡ªTake Arceus and go!


    ¡ªCaptain...


    Darius''s voice trembled while his gaze jumped between the monster and my mother. The fear and terror on his face revealed the terrible decision he had already made.


    Everything happened in an instant: he sheathed his sword and ran towards me, grabbed me and placed me on his back with a movement that didn''t give me time to react.


    ¡ªHey, what the hell are you doing?!


    My scream resonated throughout the place while I struggled to free myself from the grip of the man who carried me with one arm


    ¡ªMy mom is still here!


    From my position on Darius''s shoulder, I stretched my arm with all the strength I could gather, trying to reach my mother while he ran.


    The distance between us grew with each step, and the centipede slowly advanced towards her, like a predator sure of its prey.


    ¡ªArceus! You must live!


    My mother''s cry pierced the air, her voice broken by the sobs that shook her body.


    I couldn''t look away from her.


    I saw her cover her mouth while crying heartbreakingly, and each of her tears was like a dagger in my heart. The words got stuck in my throat, replaced by sobs that shook my entire being.


    My body shuddered violently when I saw the monster position itself over her. Fear invaded me like a tsunami, sweeping away any coherent thought.


    My muscles tensed involuntarily, my mind went blank, leaving only a vast emptiness where hope had once existed.


    Then it happened: a huge and bloody mouth enveloped my mother''s head.


    ¡ªStop!! ¡ªMy heart-wrenching scream resonated throughout the underground district, a sound so full of pain and desperation that it barely seemed human.


    I saw how my mother''s headless body collapsed, a grotesque fountain of blood sprouting from the neck, soaking the ground with a crimson liquid that seemed to shine under the dim light.


    My shoulders shook uncontrollably while sobs shook me, unable to form coherent words.


    My hands trembled like leaves in a storm, and my breathing was erratic, as if I had forgotten how to do something as basic as breathing.


    The pain was so intense that I felt like I was drowning in it. It was unbearable, it was heartbreaking, as if someone had taken my heart and was squeezing it without mercy.


    I had never imagined my heart could hurt this way. I clutched my chest tightly, trying to contain the self-destructive whirlwind of emotions that threatened to tear me apart.


    Tears ran freely down my cheeks, blurring my vision until the world became a blurry smear of meaningless colors.


    I couldn''t breathe while emotions kept surging inside me like an unstoppable geyser.


    It was as if all natural disasters had decided to unleash inside my heart at the same time: a rage that burned like an uncontrollable forest fire, consuming everything in its path; a pain that flooded and drowned every corner of my being like a devastating tsunami; a corrosive guilt that made the very foundations of my existence tremble; and a regret that destroyed years of development and growth like a relentless hurricane.


    I could feel these emotions wreaking havoc inside my heart, tearing my sanity piece by piece.


    Every fragment of my being screamed in agony, while my mind struggled to process the horrible reality of what I had just witnessed.


    Now, all that was left to me was this dark hole of emptiness and regret.


    I had no one to blame but myself.

 Chapter 12: Next step (2)

    ¡ªReally, wake up already.


    I remained silent, pretending to sleep.


    ¡ªOh, little one. It''s okay, I''ll be back in 10 minutes. After that, there will be no more extensions, understand?


    I continued without responding, listening to the soft steps of the blonde woman moving away from my bed and the sound of the door closing behind her. Only then did I dare to open my eyes and cautiously examine my surroundings.


    Where was I?


    The question echoed in my mind as I tried to orient myself in this strange place.


    ¡ªThis isn''t hell... nor is it heaven.


    I murmured to myself, the words barely a whisper in the silence of the room.


    I observed every detail of the room with a skeptical look. It was a normal room, the kind of place where an ordinary child would sleep.


    ¡ªWhere the hell am I?


    The question hung in the air while a memory invaded my mind without warning.


    Mom''s smile.


    Her sweet voice, the last one I heard before... The thought remained incomplete, the pain too fresh to process.


    After seeing her die, I found myself exposed to the harshness of the world without even having time to mourn her loss.


    Dario, I remembered with a bitter taste in my mouth.


    The man who took me away from her simply left me in this orphanage and left without saying a word.


    I held no grudge, the truth was that no one wanted to take care of an orphan like me.


    The least he did was leave me in some underground shelter for orphans.


    I looked around with new eyes, evaluating the place. The orphanage was surprisingly large and housed about twenty new orphans.


    The facilities left me perplexed: dormitories, dining hall, playground, sports field...


    How is it possible that an orphanage with such good conditions exists?


    For someone like me, who had lived in a house similar to a shack, this place seemed too good to be true.


    I lowered my gaze to my bare feet, feeling the wooden boards beneath them. My clothes were clean, too clean.


    How strange, I thought while observing the plate in front of me: an apple and two breads. All of this is too strange.


    All the children were eating at a large wooden table while sitting on wooden benches.Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    The feeling that something wasn''t right never left me while I spent most of the time analyzing every detail.


    When the bell rang that afternoon, I saw the children playing in the yard entering the orphanage.


    Some were my age and height, others were larger. The boys wore long shirts with white pants, the girls wore long shirts with white dresses.


    What was that?


    I wondered when I saw one of the sisters handing a letter to a blond boy.


    ¡ªA letter sent by a godparent.


    A voice beside me startled me.


    I turned and found a redheaded girl with beautiful crimson eyes staring at me fixedly with her hands behind her back. Sometimes they also send gifts.


    The girl seemed to be one or two years older than me and was looking at me with raised eyebrows.


    ¡ªDon''t you have a godparent?


    I didn''t respond. I didn''t want to talk to anyone, not even a girl. But she had other plans.


    Suddenly, I felt her hand grabbing mine, pulling me like a toy.


    ¡ªA godparent is an adult who takes care of you and wants to adopt you


    She explained while dragging me with her.


    Later, in the dining hall, I heard her declare with conviction:


    ¡ªAdults are kind, they''re not bad.


    ¡ªNo! They''re not!


    Protested a boy of similar age with reddish-brown hair sitting next to her.


    I remained silent, watching the exchange without expression while she negotiated:


    ¡ªOkay, let''s say half are kind and the other half bad, Reinhardt.


    ¡ªVery well!


    The boy named Reinhardt seemed satisfied with the compromise.


    The redhead continued talking while eating with the fork in her left hand:


    ¡ªThat boy, Matthew, received a huge toy from his godparent last time. He wouldn''t stop bragging about it. It''s for hitting people on the head!


    I didn''t want to hurt her feelings, so I just listened to her in silence. My gaze must have reflected the sadness and melancholy I felt, but she never moved away from me.


    Even during classes, while one of the blonde caretakers explained something in the classroom full of wooden seats and children eager to participate, the girl continued talking to me.


    ¡ªLily''s godparent bought her clothes. A pink dress! It''s so disgusting


    She commented with feigned disgust.


    Later, under the lamp light in one of the dormitories, I heard her declare proudly:


    ¡ªMe? Of course I don''t need a godparent! Because my mother promised to come and get me!


    ¡ªShe said she would come when a hundred nights pass


    She raised her left hand, showing her fingers.


    ¡ªA hundred nights will pass in the blink of an eye! Do you know?


    I forced myself to smile, feeling my heart drowning in my stomach.


    ¡ª...I hope she comes soon.


    I heard her murmur, her small voice while intertwining her fingers.


    The next day, I heard my name. The blonde caretaker was smiling and holding a letter in her hands. She knelt in front of me.


    ¡ªIt''s a letter for you.


    She announced sweetly.


    ¡ªYou now have a godparent. Aren''t you happy?


    I looked at the letter with uncertainty. I didn''t want to be adopted. I didn''t want to replace my mother.


    A noise distracted me: the tray, shovel, and fork the redhead was carrying fell to the floor when she stopped dead, looking at the letter in my hands.


    I saw how her expression changed: furrowed eyebrows, trembling lips, bright eyes containing tears. For some reason, I felt terrible when I saw her run away crying.


    I should let her calm down, I thought, but after a while, I went to look for her. I found her in another room, hidden under a study table covered with a white blanket.


    ¡ªGo away!


    Her trembling voice tried to scare me off.


    I obeyed, but only for a moment.


    For the first time, I was going to act like the child I was.


    I returned with two cookies, lifting the blanket to leave them next to her.


    ¡ª...Those are things one appreciates.


    She muttered with a sulky expression.


    I saw her take a cookie and take a bite while giving me her back.


    ¡ª...The truth is, the hundred nights passed a long time ago


    She confessed in a low voice.


    ¡ªMy mother thinks I don''t know how to count to a hundred, but I do.


    Her voice broke and was replaced by sobs that shook her small body.


    ¡ªNow I''m alone.


    The words came out between tears.


    I sat silently, leaning my back against hers.


    I was also alone, but I didn''t say it. There was no need. I felt her surprise at the contact, turning her tearful face toward me.


    For a moment, a small smile appeared on her lips and I felt something inside me soften a little.


    Perhaps we didn''t have to be alone.

 Chapter 13: Family

    POV CASSIE''S


    Life in the orphanage was all I knew. Eight years had passed since I arrived here, since my mother left me with the promise of returning in a hundred nights.


    Now, at ten years old, those hundred nights had become almost three thousand. But I was strong, I wouldn''t break down just because I couldn''t see her again.


    Why am I thinking about this right now?


    I wondered as the familiar sound of the six o''clock bell resonated through the hallways, marking the start of another day.


    With a vigorous movement, I threw off my bed sheets while my gaze slid across the long hallways, flanked by twin beds. Since I arrived, the view was too familiar.


    ¡ªWake up, kids! Breakfast is ready!


    I shouted with joy, raising my arms in the air and watching as my companions began to wake up slowly.


    I watched as some children unconsciously lifted their heads, others yawned trying to chase away sleep, and the last ones stretched their arms forcefully to shake off drowsiness.


    It was like a disorderly symphony of movements that repeated every morning.


    My eyes landed on little Lulu, who was struggling with the buttons of her blouse while sleep still clouded her gaze.


    I approached Lulu. She was seven years old, and her two beautiful pigtails fell over her chest while her clumsy little fingers tried unsuccessfully to complete her task.


    It''s like seeing myself from a few years ago, I reflected as I knelt in front of her.


    From the corner of my eye, I caught a blonde flash: it was another of our little demons running as if his life depended on it, with a mischievous smile on his face. Behind him, a black-haired boy raised his arms like a ghost, making strange gestures.


    I watched Thomas chasing him with raised hands, making his usual ghost gestures.


    ¡ªCatch me!


    Thomas shouted, his voice mixing with the morning''s laughs and yawns.


    ¡ªNo!


    Jake responded between laughs, skillfully dodging the beds.


    ¡ªStop playing and get ready.


    I heard one of the older girls, around eight or nine years old who was in the bed in front of mine, say.


    Her serious voice contrasted with the general chaos, while she adjusted her black glasses on her nose.


    ¡ªCassie, I don''t know how to put on my shoes.


    Lulu''s trembling voice pulled me from my thoughts.


    Before I could respond, two more pairs of tearful eyes joined her plea, small hands holding shoes as if they were incomprehensible treasures.


    ¡ªA moment, don''t cry.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    I told them softly, the scene was quite familiar.


    And before I knew it, I was now the oldest here. It wasn''t just a matter of age; it was a responsibility that had grown naturally over the years.


    Later, when we finally went out into the hallway, I found myself carrying one of the smallest, a brown-skinned boy with black hair who seemed ecstatic to be in my arms.


    The hallway bustled with activity with children of all ages.


    The building we called home was a labyrinth of spaces I knew like the palm of my hand: the cafeteria where we shared our meals, the pantry that stored our culinary treasures, the classroom where we faced exams, the attic that guarded secrets from previous generations, the bathrooms and showers where I organized endless shifts, the infirmary I had visited more times than I could count, the library where I took refuge on sad days, the playroom full of laughter, the music room where some found their voice, the storage rooms that held forgotten stories, and mama''s... no, the mother superior''s office, along with the caretakers'' rooms.


    In the hallway, I ran into Vinnie and little Lyra. Vinnie, with his dark skin and eight years of wisdom, guided Lyra with the same gentleness I had learned to show.


    Lyra, with her oval face and blonde pigtails, hugged her white teddy bear as if it were her anchor in this world.


    ¡ªGood morning, Vinnie, and little Lyra.


    I greeted them, noticing how behind them, in the bathroom, Leo, with his peculiar light blue hair, waited his turn next to Sofia, who showed the patience of her seven years.


    ¡ªGood morning.


    Vinnie responded, raising his right hand with a soft smile.


    Lyra, for her part, gave me one of those smiles that illuminated the entire room.


    ¡ªGood morning, Cassie!


    Arriving at the dining room, I felt the familiar relief of having achieved another successful morning.


    ¡ªWe made it in time.


    I declared with a bright smile.


    Suddenly, I felt as if the world tilted beneath my feet. Someone had pushed me hard, and my center of gravity threatened to send me to the floor along with my small load.


    I''m not going to fall, I''m not going to fall, I repeated to myself while juggling to maintain my balance.


    Miraculously, I managed to stabilize myself while the little one skillfully jumped from my arms, landing with the grace of a cat.


    Turning around, I found myself face to face with the two morning troublemakers, the black-haired and blonde ones, who looked at me with angelic smiles that fooled no one.


    Jake and Thomas, the two morning tornadoes, had decided it was the perfect time for a surprise attack.


    ¡ªGuys...


    I narrowed my eyes, feigning an annoyance I had never really felt about their mischief.


    ¡ªI''ll eat you up!


    I declared, opening my mouth threateningly and raising my arms while running after them. Their screams of fake terror mixed with laughter filled the hallway as they fled.


    After our little chase, I returned to the dining room with Marcus stuck to my back, his small hand playing to cover my mouth in a game that only we understood.


    The dining room, with its three long tables, was the heart of our peculiar family. Reinhardt, my age-mate with reddish-brown hair, pushed the cart with the food pots, while Arceus, a year younger but taller than everyone, carried the milk jar.


    ¡ªGood morning, Reinhardt, Arceus.


    I greeted, maintaining my smile, they were my best friends.


    ¡ªGood morning, Cassie.


    Reinhardt responded with his usual kindness.


    ¡ªGood morning.


    Arceus''s greeting came accompanied by a contemptuous look.


    Arceus has always been different, I thought while observing him. Taller and more robust than Reinhardt, he was the only one who dedicated himself to exercising regularly, for reasons known only to him.


    ¡ªYou have a lot of energy for not having eaten yet.


    Reinhardt observed, his soft smile showing he understood my way of being perfectly.


    ¡ªAre you five years old?


    Arceus''s comment was accompanied by a cheeky smile.


    I frowned and pouted, knowing I was only confirming his point but unable to avoid it.


    ¡ªI''m older than you, Arceus.


    I protested, though I knew it was useless as I watched him walk away through the dining room.


    A melodious laugh beside me made me turn my head.


    ¡ªYou too, mama?


    I asked with exasperation, finding Emilia''s smile, her blonde hair framing her face while her black uniform blended with the orphanage''s darkness.


    Mama.


    The word came out of my lips naturally, as it always did when I addressed her.


    She wasn''t my biological mother, the one who had asked me to wait a hundred nights and never returned, but she was the one who had filled that immeasurable void in my heart.


    Emilia, who never complained when we were noisy, shameless, bothersome, annoying; who spoke animatedly with us without a single wrinkle of disgust on her face.


    If a mother is the one who takes care of you, who feeds you, who worries about you, who gives you love, who warms your little heart without abandoning you... then Emilia is my mother.

 Chapter 14: Family (2)

    Mama was my best teacher, a teacher of compassion, love, and courage. If love is sweet like a flower, then my mother is that sweet flower of love.


    Emilia looked at me tenderly while holding her left arm against her chest.


    ¡ªHelp me, Cassie.


    She told me with that soft voice that always made me feel at home.


    My mother, I thought while approaching her and hugging her tightly, still annoyed by Arceus''s comment.


    ¡ªMama...


    I murmured against her black uniform.


    ¡ªI like that about you.


    Her hands gently rested on my shoulders, and I could feel the familiar warmth of her touch.


    I lifted my head to look at her directly.


    ¡ªThat I''m five years old?


    I asked mischievously.


    I saw her gently shake her head, and her next words made my heart swell with joy.


    ¡ªNo, that you value your entire family so much.


    Her melodious voice caressed my ears while her hands touched my face tenderly.


    ¡ªThank you, mama.


    I felt my face brighten with a brilliant smile.


    Despite everything, I treasured everyone. My dear mother and my precious brothers.


    Who cared if we weren''t related by blood?


    There was nothing that mattered more to me.


    This house... was my family. And these were our ordinary days, filled with the warmth that only home can provide.


    The air vibrated with my brothers'' animated voices. I watched as dozens of children dressed in white uniforms sat at the three oak tables, surrounded by all kinds of dishes. Emilia, at the front, rang the bell she held high.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    ¡ªJust in time. Enjoy your meal.


    She announced with her clear voice.


    A collective "thank you for the food" resonated before we all started eating and enjoying.


    After eating and brushing our teeth, we headed to the room that functioned as a classroom.


    For our future. For our well-being, I remembered Emilia''s words explaining that these exams were the substitute for conventional schools that existed in ancient times.


    I didn''t think too much about it while taking the complex exams. The questions of numerical reasoning, logic, attention and concentration, abstract aptitude, and verbal reasoning flowed under my pen with familiarity.


    When we finished, I heard exhausted sighs around me. Some leaned back on their desks, others stretched tired.


    ¡ªI was...


    Sighed one.


    ¡ªWe finished...


    Said another.


    ¡ªI''m done.


    Complained a third.


    ¡ªReinhardt, you''re amazing.


    Exclaimed someone else.


    ¡ªYour name is first among all.


    ¡ªThat means you were number one again, right?


    We were the top three, as always, Reinhardt, Arceus, and I, I thought while looking at the results table.


    Reinhardt, the genius with the brightest mind. Arceus, so smart he was the only one at his level.


    I really didn''t care about the tests, but the fact that my mama would praise me made it all worthwhile...


    After each exam, we were allowed to go out and play to our heart''s content. Although it was as dark as always outside, none of us cared while playing among ourselves.


    The uneven ground, covered in dust and debris, was our playground.


    ¡ªDo you want to play, Arceus?


    I asked while stretching my left arm with my right.


    I saw him leaning on a rock about ten meters away, absorbed in his book.


    ¡ªI''ll pass.


    He responded without bothering to look at me.


    ¡ªTch, would it kill you to come and play with us just once.


    I glared at him.


    ¡ªWhat are you looking at, hm?


    Lulu''s voice surprised me from behind.


    ¡ªAh!


    I let out a scream when I felt her arms surround me in a surprise hug.


    ¡ªHey, don''t do that!


    ¡ªHaha, sorry, sorry. You didn''t move an inch for a while, so I couldn''t help it.


    She apologized between laughs.


    ¡ªWhat kind of reason is that...


    ¡ªHey, I''m going to start counting.


    ¡ªReinhardt''s voice interrupted us from the side.


    I turned my head and saw him with his hand raised, ready to start counting. Lulu and I ran out with the other children, big and small, while Reinhardt stood with his arms crossed before beginning his search.


    Running, jumping, playing and hiding behind debris and stones, I remembered we had been playing these games since we were little.


    The rock formation with all its blind spots, the earth and debris surrounding the house on all sides... It was the place that all my brothers and I knew like the palm of our hand.


    The house''s lands extended far and wide. But aside from this extensive terrain, there were two places we were forbidden to approach: the tunnel leading to the other underground shelters and the narrow ravine, where my brothers were adopted.


    None of us ever questioned those rules. While you lived under this roof, these were the rules you followed.


    Well, except for that time Reinhardt, Arceus, and I secretly ventured beyond the narrow ravine, where all we found was a hidden door.


    Still, I never hated it.


    How could I?


    My mama was here... I already had everything I wanted.


    I was already happy.

 Chapter 15: Half the truth

    POV LULU''S


    In the morning, Mother Susan woke me up, who caressed my shoulder. She was a few years younger than Mother Emilia.


    One of the children once asked him how many years he was and his response was twenty -nine.


    It had been a year since the girl asked, so now she had to be about thirty.


    The girl who asked was called Ashley. They adopted it five months ago at the age of eight.


    None of us would live here forever. Before turning twelve, it had already been decided that we would all leave the orphanage and be sent to live with adoptive parents.


    My thoughts wandered while listening to the cheerful voices of the small children rising throughout the yard.


    A short distance from the yard, beneath a giant rock at the top of an earth hill, I sang to myself.


    I created a soft melody with my voice, quiet enough that even a butterfly could hear me. A pity I had never seen any.


    ¡ªWhat a beautiful melody.


    I suddenly heard.


    I jumped in surprise at the voice coming from above my head.


    ¡ªCassie!


    Cassie agilely jumped from the top of the rock where she was, her crimson hair braided in a single plait flew through the air behind her.


    ¡ªI heard a wonderful song while climbing the tree and couldn''t help it...


    She smiled sweetly.


    ¡ªSorry.


    I put a hand over my heart.


    ¡ªYou scared me...


    Cassie sat next to me, hugging her knees, while looking at me with a curiosity that made me nervous.


    ¡ªSo, what''s the name of this song?


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


    She asked.


    Doubt invaded me.


    Should I tell her?


    But her genuine interest encouraged me.


    ¡ªIt has no name. I didn''t give it one.


    I responded in a low voice.


    Her eyes opened in surprise.


    ¡ªDid you write this, Lulu?!


    ¡ªYes...


    I confirmed, confused by her reaction.


    Why would she find something so simple so amazing?


    Cassie exclaimed joyfully.


    ¡ªThat''s incredible!


    She looked at me with her wide crimson eyes. She truly believed it.


    Anyone who could do something she couldn''t seemed amazing to her.


    ¡ªLet me hear a bit more!.


    She asked me.


    ¡ªWhat?


    I never expected such a request.


    I looked at her, perplexed. Cassie waited patiently, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.


    ¡ª... Well.


    I finally agreed.


    I felt embarrassed in front of my first audience.


    ¡ªBut keep it a secret, okay? It would embarrass me.


    I said raising my index finger. Cassie smiled and nodded.


    I began to sing, softly, as if telling an intimate secret.


    My voice, trembling and weak at first, gradually became clearer and stronger.


    I felt I could be myself.


    Cassie hugged her knees and observed me.


    Suddenly, Cassie began to sing with me.


    What a surprise!


    I looked at her, amazed that she had caught the melody so quickly. But she continued, without losing the rhythm.


    My song rose with the wind, blending with her voice.


    The time Cassie spent with me was different. She was someone who enjoyed playing, running, playing chess, but with me she found another type of comfort.


    When she congratulated me on my song, I just smiled awkwardly and looked away.


    ¡ªI''m not that good...


    From my perspective, Cassie was perfect. Capable of doing anything and being better than most at it.


    She was smart enough to always get the best grades on exams and was also an exceptional athlete and a fast runner.


    Everyone loved her.


    My younger siblings admired and adored her, while those her own age recognized and respected her for being even more capable in some areas.


    Compared to Cassie, I considered myself boring. I didn''t stand out in studies and was always the first to be caught in games. I never knew what to say to people and knew that if I couldn''t be fun, nobody would respect me.


    I loved music, but for me it wasn''t a source of pride. It was cool to be good at studies or sports, but being good at music didn''t seem like a big deal.


    That''s why I wanted to be good at something else, anything.


    I wanted to change.


    Later, in my room, I reflected. I held my small notebook, tracing with my finger my never-accomplished goals.


    ¡ªI couldn''t do even one, as always...


    I mumbled to myself.


    ¡ªLulu!


    Cassie calls me from the door.


    ¡ªMama wants to see you.


    I quickly put away the notebook and followed her.


    In the dining room, dinner preparation is in full process. While mama scolded the small children.


    ¡ªMama, I brought Lulu.


    Upon hearing Cassie''s voice, mama, who wore a black dress and white apron, turned to look at her.


    Next to Cassie, I nervously looked away, wondering what mama would tell me.


    Mama put her hand on my shoulder.


    ¡ªCongratulations, Lulu.


    Hearing those words, I raised my gaze and met mama''s eyes while she smiled kindly.


    ¡ªYou''ll join a welcoming family.

 Chapter 16: Half the truth (2)

    POV CASSIE''S


    The next morning was no different from the others. I began my day as I normally would, got up and made my bed.


    Today Lulu will be adopted. She will leave the only home she had known during our short lives.


    I no longer remembered my mother''s face, so I wondered what these godparents who sent gifts that later became adoptive parents would be like.


    Why do we never see them? Will they be kind? Tall? Intelligent? Will they be like me?


    I tried to imagine them, letting my mind wander for a moment.


    Without letting sadness consume me, I went to the bathroom to use the toilet, wash my hands and face. I tried to comb my tangled bright red hair with a comb before giving up halfway.


    I returned to my dressing table, slowly grabbed and put on my impeccable white uniform that I knew was the last time. The only thing we were allowed to wear as children.


    I had always wished I could wear other garments with different fabrics, textures, and colors, I reflected while dressing.


    Breakfast was full of delicious food. Sweet porridge with fresh fruit and honey. Soft pancakes as fluffy as cotton candy. White eggs like clouds and golden yolks like the sun. Bacon, toast, and sausages cooked and crispy to perfection.


    If the food is this good inside the orphanage, what would food be like outside? It must be first-class.


    My thoughts were quickly interrupted by Mama, who silenced all the children and gathered us to bless the table before starting breakfast.


    I wasn''t very hungry because I was thinking about Lulu, who was going to be adopted today.


    Then, we took our daily exam. And we lived our lives as happy members of a peaceful orphanage.


    Finally, the moment arrived for Lulu to leave.


    ¡ªI can''t believe this is your last day, Lulu! I''ll really miss you!


    Lucy told little Lulu with tears in her glasses, which she quickly wiped with her shirt.The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    ¡ªMe too!


    Anna exclaimed, managing to hold back her tears.


    ¡ªOh, don''t worry, I''ll write to both of you. Once we''re adopted, we''ll meet and go shopping together! We can try new and exquisite food.


    Lulu assured them.


    I smiled watching the scene, feeling a lump in my throat.


    ¡ªOr pretty dresses!


    Anna got excited.


    ¡ªOr books and art pieces signed by our favorite artists!


    Lucy''s face completely lit up, radiant at the positive mood change of her two friends.


    ¡ªThat''s the spirit, girls! Come on, let''s have breakfast together. I''m hungry


    Said Lucy.


    The other two girls nodded while the three finished setting the table and helping the youngest sit in their chairs.


    My siblings cried while sharing a box of tissues among them. But there weren''t enough tissues for everyone, as there wasn''t a single dry eye among us.


    It was normal for children to cry when one of our siblings was adopted.


    ¡ªLulu, please don''t go!


    Some of the smaller children shouted.


    ¡ªNow, now everyone.


    Said mama, clearing her throat.


    ¡ªI know we''ll all miss Lulu, but please, try to be happy for her. She''s going to a new loving family and I assure you they will love her as much as we do. Now everyone can hug Lulu and give her their last goodbye before she leaves


    Mama instructed, smiling.


    The children obeyed, everyone took turns hugging Lulu. Lucy, Anna, and I were the first.


    Goodbyes are always difficult, I thought as I approached to hug her.


    I smiled through tears while hugging Lulu.


    ¡ªGood luck, Lulu. Your new family is lucky to have you join them. They''ll love you like I do, like we all do.


    I said in a supportive tone.


    Lulu tried to be strong while holding back tears.


    ¡ªI love you too, Cassie. Thank you, one day you''ll have a family of your own that will love you and be lucky to have you too.


    Most children didn''t know the harsh truths about our parents or where we were born, I remembered.


    For us, finding a family to stay with is a truly exciting idea. But in the end... Leaving always makes us sad.


    ¡ªAre you okay, Arceus?


    I asked, looking at my friend who hadn''t said a word during the farewell, worried.


    ¡ªI''m fine.


    Arceus lied unconvincingly.


    Lulu nervously smiled at Arceus and gave him a hug.


    Something wasn''t right, I thought, watching the scene.


    Arceus lowered his head and whispered barely audibly:


    ¡ªI''m sorry.


    Reinhardt and the other children were confused, this wasn''t how a farewell should be.


    Arceus had always been the calmest of all the children. Why was he apologizing?


    ¡ªCome Lulu, it''s time to go. Your new parents are waiting for you


    Said Emilia, looking at Arceus with a frown.


    Lulu nodded while moving away from Arceus, which took all her strength.


    Lulu looked at her friends one last time.


    She said goodbye to the rest of the children, smiling as she left and the door closed behind her and mama.


    Time later...


    I snuck out of the orphanage without anyone noticing.


    I didn''t want to be punished, but I needed to see the godparents who were coming to pick up Lulu.


    Although I knew mama would scold me, I thought it would be worth it.


    After all, I had also gotten a godparent but never knew who or what they were like.


    This was my opportunity.

 Chapter 17: Broken dreams

    I ran through the extensive area of land. As always, the entire place was dark.


    In the orphanage at least there were lamps that illuminated most of the place.


    The rock formation with all its blind spots, the earth and debris surrounding the house on all sides.


    I scanned the area, my eyes trying to catch any detail.


    Besides earth and rocks, there was nothing else.


    I kept walking, heading southeast, until I reached the edge of a narrow ravine.


    What could this be?


    I carefully passed my fingers over the weak fold, camouflaged to look like a common crack along the steep cliff.


    It was a door.


    It was the same earth door that I had found back then, which had refused to open.


    Curious, I tried to push the hidden entrance once more. However, the earth door refused to move.


    There must definitely be some way to open it. I''m missing something.


    Think, Cassie. Think.


    I knelt after reaching a conclusion.


    I passed my hands over the rocky wall again, moving aside the bush that covered most of the lower half of the hidden door.


    After several minutes of trying to find the handle, the button, the lever, anything to open the lock mechanism, I finally found it. About four feet from the ground, near the crest of the door, my left hand sank into the cliff. At first, it felt like I had accidentally touched some kind of sap or glue-like substance, but as I made patterns with my hand, the wall''s viscosity changed.


    Each time I guessed the pattern wrong and tried to introduce my hand deeper into the lock''s hole, the earth surrounding my hand became more viscous and pushed my hand out of the lock.


    ¡ªDamn it.


    I muttered softly after the twentieth failed attempt to open the door.


    Without having given up yet, and with no time to waste, I concentrated on the area where the lock was.


    When I made the correct pattern with my hand, for an instant the area lit up, which allowed my hand to sink deeper into the hole without fear of having to start over.Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    I pulled the handle buried deep in the hidden door''s lock mechanism. With a satisfying click, the earth wall rumbled before opening.


    I stood up and didn''t waste time in heading down the narrow corridor.


    The passageway, which was approximately almost two meters wide and had a ceiling that brushed the top of my head even when I was hunched, was more like a rudimentary tunnel than a real corridor.


    What a strange place, I thought.


    Fortunately, there were candles that cast a dim light inside small cubicles excavated on both sides of the walls.


    I could feel the heat of the candles, but after venturing through the strong earth winds, I welcomed it enthusiastically. I stayed on the left side of the corridor, to be a bit hidden, I didn''t want my mama to discover me.


    I continued through the dimly lit corridor until something luminescent (which wasn''t a candle) appeared in the distance and without thinking much, I headed towards the light.


    The tunnel curved slightly as I approached the motionless light and my ears could capture distant echoes of sounds. The sounds became louder as I continued advancing through the tunnel, but too many things were happening at once for me to distinguish specific sounds.


    There were conversations, echoes, and multiple heavy footsteps. Finally, after a few more minutes of walking, the tunnel''s exit was right in front of me.


    I walked towards the exit carefully, trying not to accidentally kick any stone or make any other noise that might alert a guard who could be around the corner.


    Not perceiving any signs of activity outside the tunnel, I walked quickly to the edge of the exit, where a curtain of shadows hid me from any unsuspecting gaze.


    I stood looking, unable to comprehend the magnitude of what I had discovered.


    The corridor opened into an enormous cavern with a flawless vaulted ceiling, so for a second, I doubted I was still underground.


    Instead of candles, huge torches covered the walls to reveal how large the cavern actually was and who was inside.


    I let out a string of curses in my head while looking down. In the center of the cavern floor, approximately two floors below, there was an enormous stone wall rising up to a white circular hole, which seemed to be the sky. According to the books in our house, only the sky had clouds.


    The rough and uneven stone walls, with small protruding stones and cracks, rose to a dizzying height.


    Beneath them, there were dark silhouettes of figures I couldn''t recognize. Afraid of being discovered, I stepped back while hiding and focusing my view.


    Wow! Could these really be Lulu''s parents? They''re so tall!


    The thought crossed my mind, and I continued looking.


    When the silhouette was completely focused, illuminated by the fire''s light, I began to examine it. It looked very strange. Not like people usually look.


    Then I realized.


    It wasn''t a sweet vision of loving parents, but something horrible.


    The monster had a long white face with four vertical eyes looking in different directions. Two above, two below with a gigantic mouth in the middle full of hundreds of knife-sharp teeth and a terribly long and thick tongue from which saliva dripped.


    Holy heaven!, I screamed in my mind.


    The creature was dark, 3 meters tall and standing on its hind legs. Its gigantic thin arms with long and sharp claws seemed capable of crushing anyone. It also had two mini sharp horns on each side of its head.


    The vision of the creature made my eyes open abnormally and my mouth open wide with horror while I began to step back.


    However, what scared me most was not the monster''s size nor its terrifying figure, but the container it was balancing in one of its large hands.


    The little Lulu who had greeted, smiled, and said goodbye to me was locked up upside down and her small body unnaturally bent inside the container.


    The girl was lifeless, swimming from head to toe in a crystalline liquid, with an expression full of pain in her open eyes.

 Chapter 18: Broken dreams (2)

    I had to cover my mouth to prevent screaming while feeling a wave of trembling. I felt goosebumps rising from my feet to my head, my skin tingling like needles.


    This can''t be happening.


    My eyes opened so wide that I could see every detail even better, and from that point, nausea rose to my throat, burning the walls of my organs.


    What was happening?


    All the air trapped inside my lungs came out as a frozen vapor. A trembling hand forcefully covered my mouth to contain the scream that froze on my lips. And no matter how much I tried to break away from this image, I couldn''t.


    My eyes, covered in wild horror, stared fixedly at the body hanging in the container that the monster was carrying.


    ¡ªDon''t move.


    I told myself, trying to prevent my heart from bursting out of my chest.


    I didn''t even realize how I started trembling feverishly. My lips trembled while I felt everything freezing with horror, feeling the void that was slowly sinking me. My hands began to shake violently and my teeth started chattering slightly.


    ¡ªChildren are not my favorite dish.


    The monster''s voice awakened all my senses.


    ¡ªIdiot, carry the container carefully. That girl is valuable merchandise, not something to eat


    I heard another say.


    What were they talking about? I brought both hands to my face trying to understand what was behind their words.


    ¡ªThe human flesh from this shelter is for the conservation of our species


    One of them continued.


    ¡ªThat''s right, leave everything in our hands.


    Emilia''s voice, my mother, seriously frightened me when my body shuddered.


    A sharp sword pierced my brain as I began to understand....


    My God, it wasn''t possible¡­


    My skin bristled and shivered, and I felt my spirit split in two¡­


    Then¡­


    An unexpected change fell like lightning, a strange sensation that everyone felt. This sensation rose across my skin. It was hard to describe, but something in it felt¡­ twisted.


    I felt this sinister unknown feeling shaking my body. The same happened to the monsters, who suddenly knelt, facing the circular hole in the sky.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    The figure descending from the circular hole had a much more humanoid silhouette than these monsters, was two meters tall, wore an elegant black armor, had blood-red eyes, and had a sharp and piercing tail. Its pale gray skin with black scales blended with the cloudy sky in the background.


    Standing there, barely keeping myself upright, I felt like a simple spark against the wind, completely vulnerable.


    I felt desperation.


    The mysterious figure exerted a suffocating pressure throughout the cavern when it landed on the ground.


    After a few seconds, I gathered the courage to look down again.


    ¡ªM-Mr. Cylrit?


    The muscular monster greeted while remaining kneeled next to my mother, confused.


    ¡ªWhere is Emilia?


    The man asked coldly, confronting one of the monsters that had frightened me so much.


    ¡ªI am here, my lord.


    My mother responded, still kneeling, lifting her head.


    ¡ªVery well. Listen carefully. Within two years, prepare the three with the maximum score for their imminent harvest. The rulers desire new offspring


    His soft voice spread like a cold breeze, causing chills down my back despite the distance separating us.


    ¡ªUnderstood, my lord.


    My mother responded, visibly relaxing her shoulders.


    I felt the paralysis of an electrifying terror. Had I heard correctly?


    My heart sank into my stomach, and I knew I had to get out of here as soon as possible.


    I fled as fast as possible when, suddenly, the man looked over his shoulder.


    For a fraction of a second, his gaze passed through the tunnel where I was running. I felt that his gaze finally overlooked me, but in that fugitive instant, his cold eyes fixed on my back with the attention of a predator, when my body visibly shrank while running desperately.


    There was no doubt about it: he knew I was there.


    Exiting the tunnel, what I received was the always pleasant breath of earth''s wind.


    However, after a mile of rapid running, my body had succumbed to a bout of chills.


    I escaped, running through earth and debris as fast as my small legs allowed me until they finally gave way and I fell to my knees, hunched over myself and breathing heavily between sobs.


    What did I just witness?


    These monsters were worse than I could have imagined.


    All the adopted children... were dead.


    Were we food?


    Did we live just to be eaten?


    No, that didn''t seem to be the case. The monsters'' way of speaking didn''t seem to talk about simple food. They seemed to give us a much more important role.


    Were we raised and killed for pleasure?


    No, that makes no sense. They called us "merchandise", so our bodies clearly had value... But what?


    I didn''t understand.


    I suppressed a sob and rubbed my face with a sleeve to dry the tears falling... I had been desperately trying not to cry about this disturbing reality all this time.


    But now it was practically impossible.


    I couldn''t lie to myself and continue as if everything was fine until my turn. I couldn''t let my other companions go to their death without knowing.


    We had to get out of here. Flee as far away as possible.


    Rage, anguish, helplessness, and betrayal invaded me when remembering everything. My body shivered as I began to sob.


    No... Mom.


    Faced with the crushing truth, tears began to run down my face like a torrent that finally broke the containment wall.


    My face turned pale and my entire body trembled while I lost my voice in a heartbreaking cry of pain.


    Gritting my teeth and holding back the sobs forming in my chest, the tears wouldn''t stop. My hands were trembling and I was breathing intermittently.


    I began to cry from rage, from sadness. I felt humiliated for having believed I finally had a mother I could trust.


    I opened my hands forcefully when a heartbreaking scream escaped from my dry throat. Rage fought against the pain in my heart for a long time while I lamented everything.


    I cried and cursed the whole time, refusing to believe that all of this was real. As a sister, as a companion, I just wanted to protect my family, the few people who were important to me, let them be happy and healthy.


    I was prisoner to an immense, indescribable anger, more terrible than I had ever felt in my life.

 Chapter 19: Children of the stars

    POV''S ARCEUS PENDRAGON.


    I got out of bed as soon as I was sure everyone else had fallen asleep. I carefully opened the door and stepped out before closing it behind me.


    Sneaking around at night made me nervous, so I was careful not to go down the stairs because I knew they made noise.


    I managed to reach the library through total darkness. When I opened the door, the dim light of a lamp illuminated me.


    I quickly entered before anyone could see me and closed the door behind me.


    Cassie was sitting at one of the tables, with an open book and a fire lamp beside her.


    When she heard the door open and close, she looked up and her eyes focused on me.


    After a moment, she stood up.


    ¡ªYou didn''t back down. Good.


    She turned to look at me as I closed the distance between us.


    ¡ªEveryone else is sleeping. Emilia went to bed a few minutes ago. So now we can talk freely.


    I closed my mouth for a moment and reflected.


    Emilia, huh?


    Apparently, Cassie has already learned the truth.


    ¡ªI know.


    I knew she would have many questions and that her interrogation would determine whether she could trust me or not. While she was thinking, I opened my mouth.


    ¡ªI don''t know where to start. What do you want to know?


    I gave her a thoughtful look before shrugging.


    Cassie hesitated for a moment.


    ¡ªI need to make sure my theories about you are correct. And if you really know what I think you know, I want you to know that you''re not the only one. If you accept, we can even work together.


    I touched my lower lip.


    Cassie had really been watching me and seemed to have dedicated many thoughts to this.


    And... from what she just said, she''s almost understood it perfectly.


    The only detail she hasn''t alluded to, which she doesn''t seem to have deduced, is something she couldn''t have guessed: my reincarnation.


    I inquired while shaking my head.


    ¡ªWork together? How?


    I questioned while crossing my arms.


    ¡ªIn fact, first, what do you think I know?


    That was the first topic, the most important one to address, before any other.


    Cassie snorted.


    ¡ªI''m supposed to be the one asking questions here.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    I tilted my head from side to side while trying to better read her mood. She definitely didn''t look good at all.


    ¡ªYou know what''s on the other side of that door. You know what this place really is. And what we were born to become. That''s why you''ve been so weird since you got here. That''s why, every time someone is "adopted," you''ve never seemed really happy for them.


    She spoke so fast that I felt like my mind was going numb listening to her.


    However, she was right about everything.


    ¡ªThere was always hesitation and sadness in your eyes. You might think you''re a good actor, Arceus, but it''s quite obvious if you act so weird.


    Her tearful voice came out as if she was squeezing every word from her throat.


    She gave subtle hints, but vaguely, just in case, and gave me enough information so that, if her theory was correct, I could grasp her deeper meaning. Cassie was cautious even when she actually had most of the answers.


    I exhaled a sigh, not knowing how much I should reveal.


    ¡ªThis place is like a cage. No, it is a cage. They feed us well and everything goes according to plan. When we wake up, when we go to bed, everything. We''re nothing but cattle waiting to be sacrificed.


    Cassie stood there trembling like a lonely leaf on a tree. She sobbed and then raised her head. She seemed to have calmed down a bit, but her eyes and nose were tinged with red.


    ¡ªThey''re killing them and devouring them...


    Cassie said glancing around as if she was nervous, letting out a shaky sigh while crossing her arms over her chest, scared.


    ¡ªGood. We''re on the same page.


    She sighed as if relieved.


    ¡ªAll of this... is probably to maintain the quality of our lives as merchandise. After all, we probably wouldn''t taste as good if we weren''t healthy or were malnourished.


    Cassie shuddered at my comment before nodding in agreement.


    ¡ªAnd what about the daily exams? Emilia encourages us to learn, but what''s the point of that if they''re just going to eat us?


    I began to frown deeply at her question.


    In fact, if we''re cattle, they shouldn''t feed us.


    I originally thought that educating us should seem almost dangerous to those monsters.


    The meat won''t taste better if we get good grades, right?


    It seemed that age and score had something to do with the level of the meat.


    Although she was certainly right, that wasn''t the conclusion I reached after years of research.


    ¡ªIf I remember correctly, those who were shipped were between seven and fourteen years old. And if seven years is usual. Then...


    I gave Cassie a hint so she could understand it on her own.


    Cassie covered her mouth while opening her eyes with fear upon reaching the expected conclusion.


    ¡ªSo basically, our shipment was proposed by our high grades?


    Cassie looked at the ground helplessly.


    ¡ªStill, I don''t understand. Why do they classify us by score?


    ¡ªMaybe it''s the size of our bodies?


    I suggested, but then shook my head.


    No... thinking about it, it can''t be that. In that case, they would care more about our body mass.


    Cassie opened her eyes forcefully, having reached a chilling revelation.


    ¡ªBrain size.


    My face hardened and I went rigid.


    ¡ªHuh?


    We both fell into deep contemplation. Yes, that was it.


    It is said that the human brain is 90% developed by age 6. Others also maintain that by age 13, it''s fully developed.


    ¡ªIt''s just an assumption for now.


    ¡ªFine. Now tell me, what did you see outside the orphanage?


    With a guttural and primitive howl that tore through me like shards of glass, Cassie broke down in tears.


    Although we were just one step away from each other, an indescribable void of emotions separated us.


    ¡ªWhat''s wrong?


    Cassie took time to respond.


    The room itself seemed to mourn for Cassie as her sobs and moans filled the air.


    ¡ªDo you remember the door we found when we were children?


    ¡ªI do.


    ¡ªWell, beyond that door... There''s a tunnel that connects to a well.


    ¡ªA well?


    ¡ªA well that leads to the surface, to the outside world.


    I stood there stunned at that information.


    The knot in my throat blocked any words of comfort I could say, so I did what no one else could do without knowing the truth: give her hope.


    ¡ªLet''s run, Cassie. We need to leave this place behind.


    ¡ª...


    It wasn''t Cassie''s anger that made my gut boil like this... it was my own.


    ¡ªI don''t know what the outside world is like, but we have no other choice if we want to survive. It''ll be okay, we''ll manage to escape. If it''s you and me definitely...


    ¡ªDo you think it''s possible to bring them with us?


    ¡ª...


    ¡ªIf we leave them here... They''ll end up like this! Without a doubt! We can''t leave them behind. I don''t want anyone else to die!


    Tears ran down her cheeks and clouded her vision. Cassie''s body visibly shrank while her small shoulders trembled, she couldn''t breathe as the torrent of emotions continued to surge from her.


    Do you think it''s possible to take them all with us?


    ¡ªAre you joking, right? Cassie, you see... It''s not possible to take them with us.


    It simply wasn''t possible. There was no way to escape from this place.

 Chapter 20: Children of the stars (2)

    The clock struck ten and a bell rang, which meant it was time for recess after long hours of exams. It was a large bell that hung from a tower outside, unconnected to the main house.


    I was lying on a rock about ten meters away from the children who were running and playing in the rocky area, absorbed in my book.


    It was a copy I had found hidden in the orphanage library a few months ago. It was so well hidden that even I, who spent most of my time reading, could only find it not long ago.


    The book was titled: Encyclopedia for Ascendants.


    "What we are today is nothing but stardust. The earth you walk on, the nitrogen in our DNA, the iron in your blood, the calcium in your teeth, the carbon inside you and me, were born within the core of stars. When these stars explode in a supernova, they release into space the elements that formed inside them. Over time, the elements cluster together to form new stars, planets, and other celestial bodies. Every time we look at the night sky, we contemplate a fragment of our own history. All the elements that make us up were created in the heart of stars that shone long before the world existed. What you are and what you touch is stellar matter, we are in essence... Children of the Stars."


    I never tired of reading that magnificent introduction, which made my heart tremble with enthusiasm. The idea that every atom of my being had been forged in the heart of a star made me feel both insignificant and transcendental.


    "An Ascendant is someone who has awakened the stellar core within their body to manipulate stellar energy and can use their wonderful abilities. While some powerful creatures already have their stellar cores formed, most are born in a Latent state, like humans. Learning to control stellar energy is the hardest part, but by absorbing a stellar core from some mutant, success is almost guaranteed."


    ¡ªTurn.


    "The stellar core is a mysterious and enigmatic spherical space located inside the Ascendant''s body around the stomach area. Because it is ethereal, it does not occupy physical space as an internal organ would. The core is infinitely large, but at the same time infinitely small."


    In contrast, a mutant''s stellar core was a very rare energy sphere, which fell when you killed mutants and only grade C or higher beasts formed a stellar core.


    I see, there''s much to learn, I thought.


    With that thought, I closed the encyclopedia and made myself more comfortable on the dirt ground.


    In this world, there were various mysterious forces, and we Ascendants could be classified into several main professions: Knight, Mage, Explorer, Warrior, Archer, Assassin, Sorcerer, and Priest.


    Professions formed a fundamental part of the world and reflected the accumulation of an individual''s growth and skills, as well as their future path.


    Those with whom commoners had the most experience were Warriors. Warriors were Ascendants who had undergone rigorous training and had awakened their latent abilities. Their physical attributes far exceeded those of a normal human.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    These Warriors not only possessed physical attributes several times superior to those of normal humans, but they were also experts in the use of various weapons and martial arts. The realms of the common world, along with nobility, were generally formed by Warriors who had achieved a certain level of power and prestige.


    I lost myself in my thoughts, imagining what it would be like to become one of those powerful Warriors or perhaps even a Mage capable of controlling the mysterious forces of this world. I didn''t care what my profession was, as long as I had the power to protect myself.


    My hands closed into fists, determined to discover my own potential and place in this dystopian society so different from the one I had known.


    Today was the day, finally, after years of preparation, I was ready.


    I stood up, shaking the dirt from my clothes while the voices of playing children echoed in my ears.


    Teamwork would be crucial to escape, but doubt gnawed at me: how could I convince these orphans that their lives were a lie?


    I wasn''t even sure I wanted to bear the responsibility of protecting them in this cruel reality.


    I cast one last look at those children who laughed and smiled as they ran.


    I looked away and headed toward my destination, remembering how I too had once wished I could live so carefree.


    I had longed to know nothing, remain ignorant of the truth and simply enjoy this new life... but it was impossible for me.


    Certainly ignorance was a blessing, but my mother''s sacrifice weighed on my conscience. She had given her life for me, and wasting that sacrifice would be a slap to her memory. Dying here would be betraying the woman who had believed in me until the end.


    It was fine. It was fine as it was.


    I carefully observed my surroundings, making sure no one was following me.


    I approached a small cave blocked by a giant rock that seemed to have been moved recently.


    This was the reason for my intensive training. The reason why most of the children most of the time found me training.


    It took me several years to move this rock.


    When I first discovered the cave, I considered it an excellent training exercise to strengthen myself, to stop being weak. I wanted to prove myself.


    No, thinking about it. It wasn''t any of that. I wanted to punish myself, I felt guilty. This immutable situation was so frustrating and overwhelming that I felt my heart could explode at any moment.


    Perhaps this way I would feel a little better about myself.


    I needed to sink into remorse and regret for having been so weak, for having been unable to do anything, for having been just a burden to my mother.


    Days, weeks, and months passed, and the rock remained motionless. At first, no matter how much force I applied, my feet would just slide backward while the rock remained firm as if it were welded to the ground.


    There were times when I thought it was impossible. The rock wasn''t particularly thick, just a giant disc without much thickness, but to me it seemed an insurmountable barrier.


    An ironic smile crossed my face as I remembered those hard days, when my hands were covered in blisters and calluses. But I never gave up. Pain transformed into conviction, conviction into stubbornness, and stubbornness into obsession.


    I became so obsessed with the idea of moving the rock that, when I finally managed to move it a few millimeters, I felt an indescribable relief. Sweat soaked my hair and ran down my exposed body like rain, but I had moved what I believed immovable.


    Returning to the present, I set to work. The wall rumbled when I pushed with all my might, and a grunt escaped from between my clenched teeth.


    My hands trembled noticeably as I pushed the rock - which no longer seemed so giant to me - until it finally moved enough to allow me to enter.


    Although I expected nothing from the cave, at least I wanted to see what it was like.


    When I entered, I came to a small cavern. It wasn''t large and not very spacious. In the cave there was a slight scent of flowers, which wasn''t stale because it had been covered for a long time and air couldn''t circulate.


    The cave was a bit dark.


    After walking for a minute, I suddenly saw a ray of light in front of me. My vision also expanded.


    At the front of the cave there was a crimson sphere, from which the light came. The light shone in the deep and narrow crevice that formed on the surface of the earth.


    I tried to extract the crimson gem when a blinding light flooded my vision, brighter than any sun I had ever seen before.

 Chapter 21: Lights In The Darkness

    When I finally managed to open my eyes, I found myself in a completely white space, an unknown place I had never seen before. Confusion invaded my mind as I tried to process what had happened.


    How did I get here?


    I remembered the gem I had touched a second ago out of mere curiosity.


    Wasn''t it supposed to be a stellar core? What is this strange place?


    Questions piled up in my mind like an avalanche, while the warm sensation I had experienced moments before began to dissipate.


    Suddenly, an ethereal voice resonated in the void:


    [Welcome to the Tower of Paradise.]


    My body tensed instinctively at that unknown voice, which continued:


    [Arceus, will you begin the evaluation?]


    At that precise moment, a wave of information flooded my mind. The Tower of Paradise...


    A place that many considered terrifying, where those who managed to overcome the first floor would obtain special abilities and become "Awakened."


    My mind began working quickly. This first step was equivalent to absorbing a stellar core, which meant that the tower offered an alternative route to awakening, without needing to find one of those elusive cores.


    The tower had the peculiar habit of kidnapping different species, usually between fifteen and thirty years old, once a month. Those randomly chosen were transported to this world, and if they managed to overcome it, they not only gained powers but also returned to the real world.


    An ironic smile crossed my face as I considered my situation.


    Lady Luck finally smiles at me, I thought clenching my fists. I had entered the Tower five years earlier than anyone else, which meant I could awaken much earlier than the rest.


    Five years of advantage to strengthen myself... the possibilities were fascinating.


    I felt my eyes change, reflecting the wisdom of my past life.


    I''ve always believed that life is a series of decisions, each with the power to alter the course of our destiny. As long as we follow life''s path, we''ll always have the chance to make new decisions. There''s no point in regretting past mistakes when the future is waiting to be shaped.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Novels and cartoons had always been my escape, my window to fantastic worlds where everything was possible. Now, standing in this white space, I felt that my moment had finally arrived.


    This is my opportunity.


    The ethereal voice interrupted my thoughts:


    [Select the Tower''s difficulty. According to the difficulty, the dangers of the Tower''s stages increase along with the growth rate and reward.]


    I carefully analyzed my options: Easy, Normal, Hard, and Hell. It was a complex decision, with no evident right or wrong answer.


    After a moment of reflection, I made a bold decision: I chose Hell difficulty.


    The voice resonated again:


    [Choose your weapon]


    A voice echoed in my mind while I was lost in my thoughts.


    A variety of weapons appeared before my eyes, as if I were looking at a video game screen. They were typical beginner-class weapons, most without ornaments or accessories, clearly made only for practical purposes.


    Which should I choose?


    Sword, spear, katana, axe, hammer, bow... the options were varied.


    After careful analysis, I determined that melee weapons would be the best option.


    Although ranged weapons offered the advantage of maintaining a safe distance in battle, that would only be useful if I had someone to protect me.


    Sticking a sword in someone''s face definitely had a different kind of pressure compared to sticking them with a staff.


    With the exception of the bow and staff, any other ranged weapon had to be discarded.


    For the same reason, blunt weapons like clubs were also out of consideration; they weren''t sharp or intimidating like a sword, and were usually too heavy.


    After considering all variables, the only viable weapons for me were the spear, sword, and axe. There were multiple variants of each, except for the axe. Although there were some axes that weren''t excessively heavy, they simply didn''t appeal to me.


    Only the sword and spear remained. Most would think the spear would have an advantage due to its reach and ease of use, but reality was different.


    The spear was an advanced weapon that no beginner could easily master. It would only be more effective than the sword if the user could maintain the correct distance, which would be difficult if the enemy managed to get close.


    I didn''t know what kind of enemies I would find... I didn''t even know if I would encounter any, but if they turned out to be stronger, faster, and more precise than me, using a spear could be problematic.


    Despite everything, I chose the spear.


    I chose it because it seemed safe, because it would allow me to fight at a distance, because I was afraid to use a short weapon. It was a coward''s choice, but something about it attracted me. I felt I would use it for a long time, despite it being a difficult weapon to master.


    My heart was pounding when I saw it... It was as if we were destined to be together, as if we were inseparable.


    I hadn''t seriously considered using another weapon. I trusted my decision and began looking for a spear that would suit me.


    Finally, I selected a decent-sized one-handed spear, which instantly appeared in my hand. It was much heavier than I expected.


    [The objective of the following test is ''survival''.]


    [We wish the user a satisfactory ending for their choice.]


    [Reward for success in the test: Unlocking an innate ability]


    [Penalty for failing the test: Death.]


    ¡ª...Shit.


    If my life had a turning point, this would definitely be it.


    My voice was lost in the void as I watched the scene before my eyes begin to transform.


    The white space surrounding me began to fill with color, as if an invisible artist were painting reality around me.

 Chapter 22: Mission begins

    [You can only leave after meeting the conditions]


    [Mission begins: ''Goblin Extermination'']


    When I finally could open my eyes, I found myself in an unknown place I had never seen before.


    An intense glare pierced my eyes, making me instinctively frown. I felt a tingling in my eyes and my vision was trembling rapidly, as if I were making a high-altitude flight.


    Fortunately, the motion sickness soon disappeared, allowing me to observe my surroundings with greater clarity.


    The humid air felt heavy in my lungs, thickened by the smell of wet earth and dust, and my mouth was full of the taste of iron.


    I found myself in a corridor running in a straight line. The walls, built with hard stone, extended on both sides.


    The corridor stretched into darkness both left and right, decorated with lit torches placed sporadically in metal sconces. The flames seemed to be constantly on the verge of extinction, but remained lit, providing a dim but constant level of light in all directions.


    The lighting was so scarce that I could barely distinguish objects a meter away. Beyond that point, everything merged into darkness.


    How many people would have been deceived by this fantastic appearance, not knowing that it would lead them to death.


    The Tower of Paradise was a place where everything could happen: trust, deception, faith, desire, desperation, joy, love, hate, fear... All of that converged here.


    People had always gathered or united to climb it, since attempting it alone was, frankly, an exceptionally stupid and painful form of suicide.


    My heart was beating rapidly, betraying my nervousness.


    ¡ªIt''s just the first floor.


    I muttered to myself, although I knew that courage was irrelevant in this place. Only someone completely unhinged, someone who didn''t care about living or dying, would dare to enter alone and without skills into the Tower.


    The trials varied from the second floor, but the first level''s test was determined by its difficulty.


    I had to acknowledge my fear of dying in vain, driven by my own greed. The darkness terrified me, and my mind was plagued with fragmented memories of my past.


    Despite everything I had lived through until that moment, I still didn''t feel mentally prepared. A bitter smile drew on my lips; I knew that more time would not have solved anything.


    Entering the Tower alone and without skills... my fear was completely natural. I had no other option, I was a greedy bastard after all.


    Reason and logic were screaming that this was suicide, but I had to believe in my survival skills.Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    This is the only way to strengthen myself quickly.


    Everything would begin in this entrance room, where monsters, traps, and Pandora''s boxes awaited me. Surviving even that would be a matter of luck.


    The darkness prevented me from seeing the room well, forcing me to guess the presence of walls and doors that would lead to other places.


    I advanced through the dark and empty corridor, keeping a hand against the wall to maximize my defense as much as possible.


    Each step was slow and calculated, while keeping the spear in front of me. I moved as if dragging my feet across the earth and rock floor.


    Am I wasting this valuable time? Is this some kind of timed mission?


    Anxiety and horror grew inside me.


    My body was beginning to show signs of fatigue; my right arm and shoulder felt stiff from holding the spear.


    My back, arms, and shoulders were trembling uncontrollably, and I could swear I heard my muscles cracking with each movement. Sweat was dripping everywhere, and the smell of alcohol on my breath reminded me of my nervousness.


    I kept my legs squatting, my back bent forward, shoulders and neck curled inward, clinging to the spear as much as I could.


    I felt I would die if I continued walking in that position, I was just a ten-year-old child, but I had to endure it as much as I could.


    Suddenly, a sound paralyzed me. Something was approaching.


    A growl was my only warning before something attacked me. I felt a sharp pain as its claws dug into my arm, and fresh blood began to flow from the wound.


    If I hadn''t reacted instinctively, they probably would have torn off my arm.


    ¡ªArrrgh!


    The pain was unbearable, but I managed to violently move my other arm forward in a desperate attempt to defend myself. Fortunately, my elbow hit my attacker''s head.


    The flame light revealed a figure covered in dark green skin, with a repulsive face, possessing a deformed body that vaguely resembled those of children. I immediately recognized they looked like the goblins hidden in caves in fantasy games.


    It clung desperately to its bones, since its emaciated body, which obviously had suffered from extreme malnutrition, didn''t have many muscles. Not only was it green and skinny, but it was also bald.


    Goblin.


    Besides their massive numbers, they were the simplest and weakest among monsters. They only had the size, strength, and intelligence of a small human child.


    Their only strength was the ability to see in the darkness and the difference between what I had seen in video games and this reality was as large as the distance between heaven and earth.


    The goblin staggered and retreated from the force of the blow, trying to regain balance. Its defense was much more solid than mine, making it impossible to achieve a truly decisive attack.


    ¡ªRrrrrrr......


    The guttural sound it emitted made my blood run cold.


    ¡ªOh...


    I mumbled while dragging myself across the floor, trying to quickly wrap my wounded arm to stop the bleeding.


    The goblin didn''t give me time to recover; it launched itself at me again, who was still in shock.


    Its speed was impressive, nothing like what I had imagined.


    I nervously swallowed saliva while rolling on the floor, knowing that at this rate, I would definitely end up dead.


    By a stroke of luck, I tripped on a rock while rolling. My survival instinct activated, lifting my body and moving my hands to grab that rock firmly. I ran towards the goblin, letting out a desperate howl.


    I threw the stone with all my strength, making the goblin''s head bleed with a repugnant crunch.


    The impact made it stagger when it screamed and fell to the ground, creating a perfect opportunity to finish it off.


    ¡ªDie, die, die!


    I desperately hit it with the same rock, thinking only of surviving.


    Humans had always depended on tools.


    ¡ªDie... bastard...


    The monster continued fighting, making noises and trying to get up.


    The more the goblin screamed, the more anxious I was to hit it with the stone.


    Sweat and blood ran down my face while I hit, and hit, with all the strength I could gather.


    The hardness of the rock overcame the resistance of its head, crushing it forcefully with blunt trauma. Blood gushed out, and with a slight growl, the goblin finally died.


    A moment later, a vaguely familiar voice resonated in the air.


    It was the most beautiful sound I had ever heard.


    [You have killed a goblin (G)]

 Chapter 23: Mission begins (2)

    I fell to my knees, breathless.


    My entire body felt like it had just gone through a meat grinder; not even the large amounts of adrenaline coursing through my veins could eliminate all the pain and exhaustion that invaded me.


    A sky-blue fire took shape over the goblin''s dead body. As soon as I recovered my senses, I felt my stomach churn, but I refused to show weakness.


    I forced myself to calm down and stop moving, though my entire body was trembling uncontrollably. The stone I had used as a weapon slipped from my trembling fingers, falling with a dull noise to the ground.


    My breathing was agitated and shallow. My heart was beating faster than my breathing, and looking at the goblin''s body beside me, the reality of what I had done hit me hard: I had killed him.


    ¡ªDamn it.


    I muttered, bowing my head. I couldn''t pretend I felt nothing; the corpse lying at the end of my gaze was dirtier than the piece of cloth that had covered him in life.


    I couldn''t stay in this place.


    I forced myself to move, feeling a strange attraction towards that celestial fire floating over the body. I slowly approached the blue fire that was burning dimly.


    For some impulse I couldn''t explain, I extended my hand towards it, wanting to discover its nature. To my surprise, it didn''t radiate heat; it didn''t seem like it could burn.


    Suddenly, the celestial light was absorbed by my hand. I stood paralyzed, my eyes wide with surprise. After a moment that seemed eternal, the Tower''s voice whispered in my ear:


    [You have received a monster''s soul]


    [Soul Fragments: 1/10]


    According to the information provided by the Tower, ten fragments were needed to level up or, in other words, to awaken.


    In simple terms, 10 soul fragments were equivalent to the stellar core of a grade C monster. Although it didn''t seem like much, for an ordinary person like me, it was no different from facing a death sentence.


    And yet, awakening was just a basic requirement if one wanted to be qualified to challenge the Tower''s first trial. Without awakening, it was impossible to pass the first floor in hell mode.


    While analyzing my situation, I remembered that in the Tower, different rewards existed for killing monsters.


    One of those rewards were souls, whose role was simple: they served as points to increase the level of existence and to increase the skills of the Ascenders.


    Statistics points were important, of course, but soul fragments were worth more. Soul fragments were needed to learn and use skills!


    The number of souls needed could vary significantly depending on the Ascender''s level and the grade of the skill one wanted to learn.


    If you were a mage, for example, you could learn different types of magic: fire, ice, wind, earth, and lightning. Choosing one and focusing on that single skill tree was the most accurate decision.


    If you mixed the types of magic you learned, you couldn''t progress in the skill tree and couldn''t receive the synergy effect that you would obtain by choosing only one type.Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    Anyone who climbed the Tower could store soul fragments in their bodies and use them later. They could also use them to negotiate with other people.


    In conclusion, souls were a vital currency in the Tower, serving both to strengthen oneself and for trade.


    Putting these reflections aside, I looked around for my spear.


    Although I hadn''t been able to use it due to the goblin''s surprise attack, I was sure it would be helpful. I have always believed that there are no useless weapons, only incompetent users.


    I walked cautiously as I advanced forward. The hallway was plunged into darkness, with the torches on the walls barely illuminating the area.


    Soon I found the corpse of a goblin lying in a pool of blood. Even monsters killed each other. Something called evolution existed.


    Ascenders had fixed statistics that gradually increased as they raised their level of existence. However, monsters didn''t have statistics; instead, they had to strive as much as they could to evolve into stronger versions of themselves.


    ¡ªThis smell makes me want to vomit.


    I muttered while pinching my nose. The goblin smelled like rotten fish, a stench that was unfortunately not unfamiliar to me.


    My spirit maintained its facade, telling me that I wouldn''t lose, no matter how many red eyes were in front of me. Of course, I was bluffing; my tiger mask was nothing more than paper.


    I ignored the corpse and continued my path. Further ahead, I spotted the back of another goblin walking calmly.


    He wore a rusty helmet and looked straight ahead, with blood dripping from his sword. His features were grotesque: fangs at the corner of his mouth, red eyes, protuberances on his blood-splattered skin.


    His limbs were thin and fragile; in terms of muscles, he was probably not as strong as an adult man. Whether he was a primary or secondary school student, a stab with a sword would be enough.


    Just thinking about attacking him made my legs tremble.


    The environment seemed to darken even more, and my breath caught in my throat. A hot breath escaped my mouth as I wondered: Would it hurt if that sword hit me?


    I had no intention of finding out; it would be too painful.


    I approached without making any noise, observing the goblin while gripping the spear handle.


    When I was close enough, I lunged at him. I quickly raised the spear and plunged it into his unprotected back.


    Burst!


    The spear tip pierced his flesh, causing blood to splash in all directions. The goblin fell to the ground, but I knew he was still alive; I hadn''t heard the Tower''s message in my head.


    I raised my feet and stomped on him forcefully while he lay on the ground. Then, once more, I pierced him with the spear I held in my hand.


    His neck flesh opened like a fountain, and his head separated from his body, rolling on the ground while dirty blood gushed in spurts, splashing my face.


    I closed my eyes by reflex, a mistake that almost cost me my life. The weight on my spear''s tip was heavier than expected, and I felt my right shoulder twist painfully as sharp claws cut me even as I rolled back after dropping the weapon.


    Another goblin had attacked me by surprise. All of this happened in just a few seconds.


    Don''t tense up!, I mentally screamed at myself. Don''t blink! Don''t close your eyes! Look until the end! If you don''t look, you''ll die!


    From my position on the ground, I grabbed the neck of the goblin who had pounced on me with both hands, barely managing to prevent him from pushing his head towards me.


    I saw his sharp teeth clash just in front of my face, and his saliva flew everywhere as he violently shook his head.


    I released his neck and kicked him in the stomach, but the momentum was already pushing me back. At the moment I kicked him, I fell to the ground. As the goblin recovered, I tried to reach my spear.


    However, at that precise moment, a blade grazed my nose and I felt a mass of ice in my chest. I had been a millimeter away from dying.


    If I had been a bit slower...


    ¡ªYou piece of shit!


    I shouted while throwing the iron spear. The handle hit the goblin''s helmet with a metallic sound, making him stagger.


    Taking advantage of his disorientation, I jumped on him and attacked.


    ¡ªDie, bastard!


    I took the mounting position and punched him in the face. With both knees holding his shoulders, I smashed his nose with my fist. A dull sound was heard and his nose sank, splashing blood in all directions.


    Feeling like my head was on fire, I rode the goblin, savagely beating him like a madman.


    I completely forgot about the spear, aware that if I let my guard down even for a second, I would die right there.


    I put all my strength into each blow, continued hitting until my fists were about to break.


    After what seemed like an eternity, I moved away from the goblin and fell to the ground. The muscles in my entire body seemed to scream in protest. The goblin, covered in blood, moved slightly and then remained motionless.


    The smell of blood that reached my nose made me dizzy, but I forced myself to get up with difficulty and absorbed the soul fragments from the two goblins.


    [Soul Fragments: 3/10]

 Chapter 24: Soul fragments

    I picked up the rusty spear and began walking forward again, hoping to find a goblin weaker than myself.


    Time passed.


    I couldn''t determine precisely how much time had elapsed, so I moved forward with discretion. I didn''t want to feel physically exhausted like before, but I couldn''t afford to rest.


    Unlike my previous life, I was willing to sacrifice anything just to stay alive.


    I had already experienced death before.


    It was cold and frightening. Losing my sense of permanence was a terrifying experience.


    I didn''t want to die again. I wanted to live. I wanted to live in any form and in any way.


    I caught and killed five more goblins, the number of soul fragments I possessed had reached eight. A calculated progress, but not without risks.


    I realized how insufficient my imagination had been, despite having thought I was "prepared."


    How ridiculous!


    I simply hadn''t been able to imagine the reality of the screams and roars of the predators I had to kill, the putrid stench of the goblins and the metallic smell of their blood, and the terrifying speed of these creatures.


    I shuddered at the fury and hunger of the goblins, and I was horrified by their frenzy to tear and rip my abdomen, to feast on my soft entrails. It wasn''t a battle between good and evil, the Tower was a war of survival.


    The room beyond was full of monsters, and my mental preparations didn''t work.


    The screams and savagery of the creatures that wanted to kill me were hell. And in hell, instead of fire, there was darkness, and monsters screamed instead of sinners. Bodies of bleeding monsters still writhing and thrashing piled up in front of me.


    It wasn''t easy in the slightest. Still, that didn''t mean I wasn''t making progress.


    I only needed two more goblins to complete the awakening and receive its benefits.


    But at the same time, it made me more nervous. Some goblins had a higher level of existence and I could encounter a much stronger goblin.


    I had to hunt all the goblins carefully unless I knew their level beforehand.


    As I walked silently down the new hallway, I found prey.


    Goblins are clumsy. Their hearing is excellent, but they lack other senses. They lack the so-called sixth sense, perception. A weakness I could exploit.The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    It wasn''t armed and was much smaller compared to the other goblins. Better yet, it was sound asleep.


    Sleep wasn''t a sin. Unless you have a special ability and your stamina can be restored infinitely, drowsiness approaches all creatures, weak or strong.


    I found many goblins hiding while sleeping and, with calculated coldness, I killed them all.


    I approached carefully and drove the spear into its neck. It was enough to pierce the sleeping opponent''s throat.


    That was it.


    After pulling out the spear, I looked around to see if it was safe, as I always did. Seeing that there was nothing strange, I approached to absorb the soul fragment of the monster floating above me.


    [Soul fragments: 9/10]


    After absorbing the soul, I turned around. In front was a strange-looking goblin which stared at me intently.


    My heart seemed to stop. There was a knife in the goblin''s hand. It was a crude and rusty knife, but it was a knife nonetheless.


    Its skin was an unusual green, its body defined muscles with a height similar to mine, along with large fangs and red eyes.


    The goblin laughed. Its confident attitude made my heart sink to my stomach.


    Perfect, just what I needed.


    Damn it, I could really tell how different hell was from other difficulty modes just by looking at the monster.


    Until now, I had only been fighting with short goblins, less than 100 cm tall that were unarmed.


    Undoubtedly, it was stronger than me, much stronger.


    A shiver ran down my spine. My breathing seemed normal, but my heart was beating hard. My throat felt so dry and wet that I thought it would break into pieces at any moment.


    I immediately threw the spear toward the monster and started running, hoping the spear would buy me some time.


    I had no other choice. If I didn''t throw the spear, the monster would catch up to me in seconds and kill me.


    I ran desperately.


    Fortunately, the distance between the goblin with the knife and me was getting bigger.


    However, having learned from my techniques, the goblin threw the knife at me. It was a clumsy gesture, but the blade aimed at me with precision.


    It couldn''t be helped.


    It was a miracle that, desperate to escape, I dodged the knife thrown by an enemy with physical capabilities superior to mine.


    I had a knife stuck in my thigh. It wasn''t very deep, but I couldn''t stop and pull out the knife now, and running hurt a lot.


    It felt like a flame was coming from my thigh. I felt like I was going to fall.


    But what would happen if I fell? I would die. That guy would kill me without hesitation, just as I killed all the other goblins. It was the nature of the food chain.


    If I fell, I would die. Had I survived hell only to die again in a more pathetic way than when I was an adult?


    I hated this. I felt deeply regretful with myself for naively believing that I could challenge hell mode difficulty without dying in the attempt. I felt stupid.


    The more I tried to analyze my actions, the more foolish I felt.


    The bad decisions I made took their toll and I almost lost my life. In reality, being able to return alive and in one piece was already a miracle in itself.


    A pain I had never felt before tormented my body.


    I knew I could have stopped and died quickly. In the first place, why was I suffering so much?


    I knew it, greed had blinded me.


    Meanwhile, I didn''t even stop to consider what kind of location I might find myself in after teleportation.


    In reality, I was weak. I literally had nothing and was nothing.


    I wanted more. I wanted to have a pillar on which I felt I could support myself, in which I could take refuge.


    I wanted to trust myself. I wanted to believe that I could be more than I ever became.


    I wanted to stop being weak.


    It took me once to know that I didn''t want to feel the helplessness I felt that day again.


    If my suffering would give me the strength I desired, then I would go as far as my body could endure.


    In the end, my mind was to blame. I pretended not to be relaxed. I pretended not to be too confident. My mind, my greed, blinded me with the need to strengthen myself as quickly as possible.


    Still... I didn''t want to die. I had to survive, I wanted to live.


    I had to live.

 Chapter 25: Soul fragments (2)

    My body and mind were at their limit, but I kept running.


    I ran without stopping, ignoring the knife stuck in my leg.


    The pain could no longer slow my steps. Not when my life depended on it.


    Behind me, the goblin who had thrown the knife roared with bestial fury. Its voice echoed through the corridors, sending chills down my spine.


    Now I could only focus on one thing: surviving. I didn''t know how much longer I could maintain this pace.


    The blood loss was beginning to affect me, and each step was agony. But I knew with certainty that being caught would mean my death; there was no alternative but to keep going.


    I ran with all my might, letting out a cry of determination as I entered a new corridor. My heart stopped for an instant; there was another goblin there.


    ¡ªDamn it!


    I muttered between my teeth; it was a weak, unarmed goblin. Under other circumstances, I might have considered it a minor threat, something I could handle to finally awaken.


    But I didn''t have that chance; the sound of my pursuer''s heavy breathing was getting closer and closer, resonating in my ears as a constant reminder of the danger that lurked.


    I ran past the goblin before it could react, taking advantage of its moment of surprise. But when I tried to take the next step, my body finally gave in. My legs refused to respond, and I fell to the ground with a thud.


    The impact caused the knife to be expelled from my leg, producing a chilling whistle as my blood spilled onto the ground. The pain was unbearable, but even more unbearable was the realization of my situation.


    I was exhausted, had lost too much blood. My mind screamed that I should flee, but my body refused to obey.


    I couldn''t take another single step, no matter how much my will desired it. Both my survival instinct and physical strength had reached their limit, and blood continued to flow from my wounds without ceasing.


    Is this the end? Was all of this in vain? I could feel how my body gradually lost strength.


    The tips of my fingers began to grow cold, a cruel reminder of my mortality. What a pathetic death. All I could do was laugh at the inevitability of the situation, a hollow laugh devoid of humor.


    The world around me began to blur, sounds became distant and muffled. I could feel life escaping with each beat of my heart, with each drop of blood that left my body.


    Fear, cold and paralyzing, took hold of me. I didn''t want to die, not like this, not now. There was so much to do, so much to live for. Desperation took over my mind as I struggled to stay conscious.


    To make matters worse, I felt the noisy presence of the goblin approaching.


    ¡ª...Haha


    A weak laugh escaped my lips. The pain was paralyzing beyond imagination, but still I couldn''t help but laugh.Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Hadn''t anyone warned me before? That monsters were a bunch of bastards who always managed to exceed one''s expectations. Those words came back to haunt me now. Should I say this was too unfair?


    No, I had been too greedy, expecting my enemies to be lenient. Monsters were famous for being cruel and ruthless; they weren''t kind enough to wait for the main character of a novel to power up or for a giant robot to finish its transformation.


    Damn it..., I thought bitterly.


    There was no escape, that was the harshest truth. No matter how much I wracked my brain, I couldn''t find a way to save myself. I couldn''t even say with certainty where I was at that moment.


    When my thoughts reached that point, tears began to flow from my eyes uncontrollably. The memory of my mother crossed my mind like lightning. What were her last words?


    She had told me to live.


    Thinking about all the unimaginable obstacles I had had to overcome to get here, anger and resentment invaded me. Sadness hit me like a tsunami, crushing and unstoppable.


    The tears I thought had dried up long ago ran down my cheeks. Even then, I waved my arms as I crawled across the ground. What a miserable and pathetic sight I must have been at that moment?


    But I didn''t care. Even if I had to wallow in absolute filth, I preferred that to death. I didn''t care if others criticized me for being pathetic or behaving like an insect.


    I want to live...!


    As long as I could survive. I couldn''t abandon that desire, even when death''s footsteps kept getting closer and closer.


    Then, with my trembling lips, I whispered:


    ¡ª...Help...


    Gripping the earth under my hands as if it were straw, I continued:


    ¡ª...Please...


    While panting and moaning softly, I gathered the last strength I had left:


    ¡ª...Help, please...!


    My cry echoed in the emptiness of the corridor.


    Unfortunately, there was no one in this cursed place. The moment I understood that I was alone, that I would remain alone and that no one would come to rescue me, an indescribable void filled my heart.


    Then, I noticed something: a long, smooth, sharp bone protruding from the earth, left there by some unknown creature. Without losing a second, I crawled towards it and grabbed it, pulling it out with a strong tug.


    In the next instant, the space I had occupied a moment before was destroyed by the attacking goblin. Its heavy fist sank into the earth, causing fragments to fly in all directions.


    I regained my balance and quickly retreated. The relief only lasted a moment.


    The goblin growled. It was evident that it hadn''t liked that an apparently weak prey like me had dared to escape its attack.


    There was no time to rest. I quickly evaluated my new weapon: the bone measured almost a meter and a half long and ended in a narrow, sharp point. It was almost like a spear. The problem was that, even with the additional length of this improvised spear, my attack range was still shorter than the monster''s. However, I had no doubt it was capable of piercing its body.


    The situation was clear: I needed to get close and aim for its torso. But I didn''t dare. At that short distance, the monster could easily crush me using just its weight and enormous body.


    At that moment, the goblin''s arm attacked again. This time, I took a bit longer to dodge it and, as a result, a sharp pain shot through my left leg when the stones from the ground grazed it. The force of the impact was enough to throw me to the ground.


    There was no time to recover.


    I grabbed a handful of dirt in my hands. Swinging my left hand with all my strength, I threw the dirt into the goblin''s eyes, which still had its right fist buried in the ground.


    The dirt crashed into its eyes, leaving it stunned for a moment. It screamed and stretched its hands forward.


    Now''s my chance!


    I gathered all my strength, leaned forward, and pushed the bone with all the power I could muster.


    Guided by my hand, the dark bone spear shot forward and pierced the goblin''s eye, sinking deeply. Its other eye narrowed in a grimace of pain and surprise.


    Gritting my teeth against the unbearable pain in my legs, I twisted the bone, trying to do as much damage as possible to its brain.


    I fell to the ground, exhausted.


    When I reached the point of balance, the enormous monster also collapsed. The bone spear still protruded from its head, bathed in streams of green liquid.


    I groaned and breathed with difficulty, pain coursing through every fiber of my being.


    [You have killed a First Evolution Monster (F), Goblin Fighter]


    [Soul fragments: 10/10]


    [Awakening begins...]

 Chapter 26: Stellar core

    The awakening came to me in a way I could never have imagined. I felt something strange stirring inside me and, unable to contain myself, I let out a cry of surprise while clutching my chest, my eyes trying to penetrate the darkness that surrounded me.


    It wasn''t pain that I felt, nor something unpleasant, but rather a completely new sensation for me. It was as if my entire body was being shaken and awakened, flooded by an unknown and strange energy.


    The most disconcerting thing was that this energy didn''t come from outside, but emerged from the depths of my being, as if it had always been there, dormant, waiting for the precise moment to emerge. I felt it spread through every fiber of my body, filling me completely.


    My emotions became more intense, clearer, while my body began to transform. In the center of my chest, I felt as if a tiny star had begun to burn.


    From it emanated waves of heat that slowly spread: first toward my stomach and shoulders, then down my arms and legs, until reaching my hands and feet.


    Under the influence of the flame, my dying body began to repair itself. My shattered bones recomposed from the fragments. My torn flesh regenerated and became whole again. My collapsed lungs and damaged heart came back to life and rejuvenated, becoming strong and healthy in an instant.


    Suddenly, I could breathe again.


    Under that scorching heat, I felt everything inside me rebuilding: my bones, my muscles, my organs, even my blood vessels. It was as if I was being reborn. I felt stronger, faster, healthier than ever.


    The sensation was euphoric.


    With each passing second, the transformation became deeper. A new confidence took root in my heart. I was no longer that weak and fragile child who had lost his mother.


    After what seemed like an eternity, the star in my chest began to cool. The heat was replaced by a comforting coldness that spread throughout my body, taking with it every pain and discomfort that had accumulated over the years. It ascended to my brain and, finally, reached my eyes.


    The world I perceived had changed drastically. Colors intensified in a way I had never seen: reds were more vibrant, blues deeper, blacks more absolute.


    All these intensified colors mixed before my eyes like in an impressionist painting.


    My vision began to blur, and although my mind felt light, it maintained extraordinary clarity. I felt like a castaway floating in the vast sea of consciousness.


    Gradually, the environment began to take shape again. The colors returned to their natural state while a grayish and diffuse mist dissipated around me.


    The Tower''s voice abruptly pulled me from my reflections.Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    "The moment of truth has arrived," I thought to myself.


    Quickly, I invoked my status, needing to understand the changes that had occurred in me.


    [Name: Arceus Pendragon.]


    [Level of existence: 1 (F)]


    [Sex/age: Male/10]


    [Height/Weight: 149.3 cm/38.5 kg.]


    [Alignment: Lawful/Chaos]


    [Class: None]


    [Alias: Training Masochist]


    [1. Statistics]


    [Strength: F (6)] [Resistance: F (7)]


    [Agility: F (5)] [Intelligence: F (6)]


    [Perception: F (8)] [Vitality: F (5)]


    [Stellar Energy: F (12)] [Luck: C (41)]


    [Soul Fragments: 0/100]


    [2. Talent: None]


    [3. Public Attribute: Below Average]


    [Effect: The user possesses no particular talents or qualities. You will suffer for your lack of talent. There''s no point in trying. No matter how hard you work, you''ll never be more than a third-rate Ascendant. The user''s future is very concerning.]


    [Private Attribute: The Man Who Overcame Adversity (S)]


    [Effect: At the moment when you cannot fight, all statistic levels and skill classes increase by one grade. Additionally, there is a small healing effect and you won''t feel pain until the duration ends.]


    [4. Innate Abilities: None]


    ...


    The stellar core I discovered inside me was something truly extraordinary. Although it resided within my body, it seemed to exist in a dimension different from that of my internal organs. It was a living paradox: infinitely vast and, at the same time, infinitely tiny.


    I observed that the core had a spherical shape, its surface covered by a fluid white light, as if it were a delicate protective layer. This thin luminous membrane kept the opening stable, preventing it from collapsing upon itself.


    Inside, as expected, was the stellar energy. The nucleus was extremely bright, its white color dazzled wonderfully. There was an intense flow of energy and particles, creating an exceedingly  turbulent atmosphere.


    I opened my eyes and quickly sat up, aware that this place didn''t inspire any confidence in me. After having survived through pure tenacity, the last thing I wanted was to fall victim to an ambush.


    While searching for my spear, I reflected on the nature of attributes.


    It was evident that there was an inversely proportional relationship between public and private attributes: the more unfavorable the public trait, the more powerful the private trait would be, and vice versa.


    As a newly awakened Ascendant, I had received certain information, though not all. The data visible to others included my name, class, public attribute, and level of existence.


    In the Paradise Tower, the status window was a fundamental tool, universally used for its immense utility. It showed everything from personal information to skills and mental state of the user.


    However, this window was strictly personal; no one else could see it, and even if they could, everyone would prefer to keep this information hidden. Revealing these data would give others an incalculable advantage, allowing them to identify strengths and weaknesses to neutralize any Ascendent.


    To put things in perspective, the statistics of an average adult man would barely reach 1 point in most aspects. In contrast, five points were needed in each statistic to be considered an awakened, so the difference was not small.


    As I headed toward the end of the hallway with my bone spear in hand, I prayed again and again to find only one monster in the next room. Just one!


    Despite feeling much stronger, I knew with certainty that I shouldn''t be overconfident.


    But luck wasn''t on my side. At that moment, I remembered again why one should never enter the Tower alone. When the door opened, my heart stopped for an instant.


    I saw them immediately. At least five of them were within my field of vision.


    I knew that silently closing the door would be useless. Their vision was far superior to mine, and their eyes glowed in the darkness like those of nocturnal felines.


    My presence didn''t surprise them, these creatures knew no fear. They only understood blood and fury, and they had been waiting for someone to tear apart.


    The first one that saw me lunged toward me running, and the others didn''t take long to follow.


    Six, seven, eight, nine... and the number kept increasing.

 Chapter 27: Awakening

    With my enhanced senses, I made a clean cut and my strike decapitated the goblin as I felt the spear pierce through its neck.


    I remained waiting behind the broken door, as this was an advantageous position. No matter how many monsters were in front of me, the number that could come against me would be limited.


    [You have killed a goblin (G)]


    The message dissipated when I saw another goblin''s head enter through the door, distinguishing the monster''s chest where the message window had been.


    I stabbed the goblin forcefully, so that the tip protruded from its back, and kicked its corpse away from me and my bone spear.


    However, my joy at victory was temporary. Two more goblins jumped from their hiding place from behind the darkness of the room.


    They showed their large fangs and closed the distance in an instant.


    My expression wrinkled. I must have cut too hard from all the adrenaline, because the bone spear was embedded in the ground too deeply and stubbornly refused to come out.


    It''s stuck somewhere, I thought with frustration.


    It was at that moment when one of the goblins aimed at my face and jumped.


    I ducked as the goblin flew over my head and landed face-first on the ground after being unable to stop in time.


    When its fangs dug into the stone floor, cracks instantly formed in the hard surface.


    Clearly, this goblin was a bit stronger. Of course, I had no time to stand there and admire the scene. Another monster was still running towards me at that moment.


    I had no choice but to give up the spear for now and threw a strong punch at the approaching goblin.


    Accompanied by an eerie sound of wind cutting through, my fist flew straight forward.


    A single blow was enough for the goblin''s head to simply explode.


    My eyes widened as I stared dumbfounded at my own fist.


    What unexpected destructive power that was!


    The goblin fighter is the first evolution that all goblins experience when given the chance to evolve into a higher-ranking species. They are bigger, stronger, smarter, and more threatening than goblins.


    The power I possessed was similar to that of the goblin fighter that had almost killed me. If I had received a single blow from that monster, it would have been my head that ended up in that state.


    I shuddered just thinking about it.


    The now headless goblin''s corpse crashed against the ceiling and then, helplessly, fell to the ground.


    Was this the result of awakening? I wondered, analyzing the situation while keeping my guard up.You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    It was then that I heard the familiar mechanical beep again.


    [You have killed a goblin (G)]


    The Strength statistic might have multiplied by a little more than five times, but... the difference in actual physical strength was much greater.


    My original strength value was 1.


    There was a five-times value difference between the Strength statistic of 1 and 5, but the difference between the actual forces produced was much greater.


    As if to prove my assumption, the destructive power behind that punch easily exceeded my own expectations.


    Besides that, my movement speed had also increased.


    If it had been in the past, there would have been no way I could slightly evade a goblin''s full attack, nor could my punch move fast enough to produce the sound of air splitting.


    The battle against the goblins proved it. Suddenly, I returned to reality. The sound of someone approaching made me put my thoughts aside.


    The goblins probably realized something when they saw three bodies piled up in front of me.


    Another one approached with a jump without thinking and made number four, and I pierced the goblin''s face with the bone spear and kicked the body with my foot.


    The goblins were no longer running towards my spear, but they were still willing to fight, and the number increased although they maintained a certain distance from the door and my weapon.


    With my much higher perception statistic, I could feel the aura of something sinister lurking inside the door much better than before. Without doubt, something very strong was hiding somewhere in the room.


    I didn''t need to see it to know it.


    The existence of the ''Boss''.


    I had prepared as best I could but, when the time came to go down, I was sweating and nervous.


    I couldn''t afford to waste more time. I had to move forward or backward, and I took a step back and then another. First, I had to eliminate as many goblins as possible before entering.


    I saw countless monsters from the open door and, although I had to fight against them, I had no priest or warrior. I only had one damage dealer, and that was myself.


    Although this was just one of the many floors of the tower, my objective had changed from surviving to fighting.


    The goblin might have read my anxiety, and one of them jumped towards me.


    Damn, this was a goblin fighter.


    However, I wasn''t as afraid as before.


    The monster''s speed was faster than the others, and I knew it when I stabbed its chest.


    I tried to block its quickly moving head with my hand, but the goblin moved its head faster.


    The goblin avoided my hand and bit my shoulder with all its might. My legs were shaking and I couldn''t pull out the spear.


    The head that bit me dug into my shoulder flesh with the weight of the monster''s body.


    I counted to three in my mind and grabbed the monster''s head with all my strength and twisted it with all my might.


    I couldn''t hold back a scream when its head jerked back with a piece of my flesh in its mouth. Fortunately, my body was much more resistant.


    [You have killed a Goblin Fighter (F)]


    I saw other monsters behind the goblin''s shoulders, and if they recognized what was happening, it was all over.


    If they burst out at once, I had no way to attack or resist. I counted to three in my mind and grabbed the monster''s head with all my strength and pulled it from my chest. I very much doubted that the marks the goblin had left could be healed on this floor.


    However, I managed to pull out my spear and aimed it at one of the monsters that was lunging at me while jumping over its companions'' corpses.


    I saw the sharp teeth and the goblin''s head and drove the spear between its eyes when I stepped on its head while looking at it.


    I startled when two of them approached me at the same time.


    I had no qualms about dropping a weapon, as the situation demanded it, and abandoned the bone spear after piercing a monster with it.


    It was when I was stepping to one side when the other goblin lunged at me.


    I realized it was too late to dodge it, as it was too fast. The goblin tried to scratch my face with its claws and I hit its face at the same time.


    While I was stunned for a second as my head took the hit, I felt my fist hitting the goblin''s face as I fell backward from the body blow.


    While the goblin''s hand was large enough to cover my face, I could see between its long claws. I managed to reverse the situation at the last moment with the goblin underneath me. It was trying to bite me and push me back, but I used my fist to explode its head.


    [You have killed a Goblin Fighter (F)]


    [Soul Fragments: 6/100]


    After the death message appeared, I stood up, wiped the blood from my face, and looked ahead, exhausted.


    Finally, it was time to enter the Boss room.

 Chapter 28: Awakening (2)

    When opening the second door, I swallowed dry saliva.


    The lighting was worse than in the first room as well as in the hallways, but I had no problem seeing where I was going.


    Is it because of my perception stat?, I wondered.


    I couldn''t help but feel that my vision had improved greatly.


    In the center of the room, I saw a monster that was slightly taller than the average adult man. Around it, there was a circle of six well-organized goblins, all of them were goblin fighters carrying rusty swords.


    The First Floor Boss, who was in the center of the formation, had his body full of muscles, along with giant fangs and crimson eyes.


    But the boss monster was fully equipped in steel.


    It looked less like a monster and more like a medieval knight. Its helmet, chest armor, and boots were made of solid steel.


    Only its arms and thighs were exposed. In its hand was a giant axe.


    I couldn''t even imagine how much it would weigh. It was a brutal axe, which I probably couldn''t lift even with two hands, let alone swing.


    And he was holding it with one hand.


    When the hobgoblin noticed me, it opened its jaws and roared. From the force of its roar, long strands of mucus dripped from its jaw, sticking to its irregular, serrated teeth.


    I knew it was stronger than a goblin fighter and the system had labeled it as Hobgoblin, a more powerful variant of the first evolution.


    This creature was above my current capabilities, it was an F+ grade monster with unknown abilities.


    I gripped the bone spear tightly, and swallowed while continuously watching the monsters. My throat was getting wet and thick drops of sweat formed on my forehead.


    Although I felt anxiety squeezing my heart, my brain didn''t stop working. The energy now flowing through my body was simultaneously transmitted to my arms, without reaching the bone spear, it was as if the energy wasn''t enough.


    Did I have to wait for them to make a move?


    No, I shouldn''t. If left alone, these creatures would soon gather, and that meant I would have to deal with enemies from the front and back at the same time. In that case, I might as well...


    The first to attack wins the battle.


    When I aimed with the spear, the ones who moved simultaneously were the goblin fighters.The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    Just before moving, I regulated my breathing.


    Let''s do this, I told myself.


    I had already adopted the correct stance and my eyes had regained their focus. I knew I didn''t have much time, so I didn''t hesitate to activate the only attribute I possessed.


    [The attribute: The Man Who Overcame Adversity has been activated.]


    Time seemed to slow down before my eyes due to the dramatic increase in power. My clothes and hair began to wave slightly as if caressed by a gentle breeze, before directly splitting the body of the goblin in front of me with my spear. The weapon connected with such power that it divided the torso in two, turning it into fertilizer for the Tower.


    The moment I made a decision, my left leg lifted off the ground forcefully while I extended my arms. A goblin quickly moved to one side and then, savagely, lunged forward. The monster was also closely watching my spear.


    The spear would miss on that trajectory, no doubt. But I didn''t just stand there doing nothing. As soon as I saw the monster dodging to the side, I changed my grip on the spear.


    My attack changed from "Thrust" to "Slash".


    The spear tip that attacked it suddenly traced a sharp arc and went through the goblin''s throat. It felt like cutting through a hardened block of tofu. Seeing blood gushing from the wound, I quickly jumped backward; the claws that tried to ambush me barely reached my waist and passed grazing me.


    The goblin''s sneak attack missed by a hair; the monster slid across the ground before turning its body as if it were a drifting master, leaving behind claw marks in the earth.


    Too bad that, when it tried to look at me, a sharp object was already piercing its head. My spear was deeply embedded in the monster''s brain. The monster''s body shuddered as it collapsed.


    I had taken care of two goblins in the blink of an eye, but I wasn''t finished yet. I withdrew the spear, which was now dripping green blood, and spun like a somersault and attacked.


    The remaining goblin''s open claws aimed at my back and threw blood like a fountain into the air. The creature spun in the air a couple of times before landing headfirst on the ground with a loud thud. It writhed like a dying worm, before finally going completely limp. I looked at the dead monster with an astonished expression on my face.


    Suddenly, another approaching goblin rose with a jump with its claws ready to attack while opening its mouth. My vision was filled with giant jaws with blade-sharp teeth.


    Crunch.


    My bone spear pierced the goblin''s mouth in the middle. I moved forward and drove the spear deeper. With the additional force of the goblin''s attack, the bone went through its neck and protruded.


    And when the companion that was at its side fell in an instant, the other one went to attack with its knife on my left flank, but just before reaching me, I smashed my left fist into its face from above, shaking it in the sky. My hand''s fist dug into the beast''s skull, killing it instantly with a blow sufficient to bury its head in the ground. Skull fragments flew around the area as the figure fell.


    The collapsing beast also pushed me backward. On both sides, two goblins charged with their knives in hand while I bent down to pull out my spear.


    I observed that these goblins were a bit larger and more muscular. I pulled out my spear and cut through the body of a goblin that was passing at full speed.


    I straightened up quickly. Another goblin attacked behind me when my body moved to dodge the knife, ready to attack quickly.


    Crack!


    This time, the goblin''s forehead was pierced through. I gritted my teeth as I was pushed backward by the force of my attack.


    Just as I expected...


    Roar!


    The armored hobgoblin let out a loud roar from behind and started running with its giant axe like a madman toward me.


    It was at that moment when my heart shuddered.


    I crushed the incoming attack of a small goblin and took four quick steps backward. At the same time, the hobgoblin jumped into the air. The axe withdrew and then fell toward my head. At that moment, its eyes shone with a dangerous flash.

 Chapter 29: Fear

    The falling axe and my rising and spinning spear clashed violently in the air.


    Metallic sound!


    The deafening metallic screech bounced throughout the room.


    The axe couldn''t descend further and my spear couldn''t deflect it. However, something had changed compared to before.


    Kiik, Kiiiik...!


    Sparks flew when the axe blade and bone handle clashed against each other. Soon a brief contest of strength broke out, where I suffered the worst part of the hobgoblin''s attack.


    The monster''s great power, enhanced by its fall, dissipated quickly. However, my energy sprouted constantly like a bottomless spring and complemented my physical strength.


    I successfully pushed back the axe and quickly took advantage of the opening that had been created; when a great attack failed to connect, the resulting exposed gap would be equally large.


    The hobgoblin fell from the air after losing balance, and I quickly drove the spear toward one of its eyes. No, I only tried to do it.


    At that moment... The hobgoblin''s body shone with a strange crimson tone, my eyes trembled upon realizing: it was strengthening its body with stellar energy.


    Suddenly, I felt "something" and from below, the hobgoblin''s fist wrapped in a crimson tone painted an arc when it hit my abdomen.


    The impact was followed by a sonic explosion when my vision shook. The air inside my body was forced out and when I still had to comprehend the situation, my body flew backward like a cannonball.


    Based on the act of jumping backward immediately, the force that attacked me was reduced by half. It was impossible to want to completely cancel that blow. If I hadn''t reacted in time, I would most likely have had a fist through my stomach.


    In a state where I was about to burst into tears due to the incredible pain I felt, my back hit the room''s wall.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    The wall was destroyed. With half my body buried in the wall, under the pain that emerged, I groaned. I couldn''t emit my voice when part of the wall collapsed and a rain of stone pieces fell on my backside.


    Inside my head, my consciousness flickered. My hands and legs twisted clumsily. I let out a groan at the pain that surged through my body and firmly closed my eyes.


    Fortunately, the effect of the trait: The Man Who Overcame Adversity, had a healing effect, so the internal damage to my organs was slowly healing.


    The upper part of my body only had a ragged fitted shirt and, at the same time, I tried to get my trembling legs to stand up.


    My teeth wouldn''t stop shaking. Staring at me while I was speechless, the red-glowing hobgoblin roared to the sky.


    My body couldn''t move as I wanted it to. My throat had difficulty breathing and craved oxygen.


    Then, as my body couldn''t move, I could only barely seal my fear and make it flow inward.


    Witnessing the monster emit a bestial roar, I could only see despair.


    At this moment, I couldn''t move.


    Raising my head, the boss monster with saliva coming out of its mouth entered my field of vision.


    As if trying to show off, its hands holding a giant axe wrapped in a crimson tone were far in front of its body.


    The creature emitted a roar from the body that seemed to have a heavy armor built on top wrapped in red, and I couldn''t see any major visible wounds on it.


    The scars were only on the surface. Faced with this reality, where even my ability didn''t work, helplessness gradually dominated my entire body.


    I can''t win.


    That phrase resonated several times inside my head. My knees that managed to stand up seemed like they would fall at any moment.


    The gaze emitted from the edge of my vision made my neck contract abruptly.


    My teeth began to shake, my eyes began to tremble and slowly became wet.


    I was afraid. Indeed, I was very scared. It was painful, it hurt, it was unbearable.


    However, more than anything else, I was afraid. To the extent that I couldn''t get up again.


    I could clearly hear the sounds of him approaching. The hair on my body stood up to the maximum while the Hobgoblin approached calmly.


    I felt like I was going crazy. I felt like I was about to collapse, perhaps ending like this would be easier.


    At that moment, floating at the edge of nothingness, I realized I was about to die.


    I had to fight against the fog that permeated my mind, slowing my thoughts and shutting off all emotions.


    Everything except fear.


    Although my body was shattered and my mind paralyzed, a stubborn part of me still refused to give up. I wasn''t ready to die. At least not without giving everything to survive.


    But... how was I supposed to survive? No matter how I looked at it, the situation seemed desperate.


    The sound of my heartbeat began to race. The color of things within my field of vision was restored. The warm colors burned.


    If I don''t lift myself here...


    If I don''t overcome myself here...


    When am I going to do it?

 Chapter 30: Fear (2)

    Giving up was not an option.


    Upon seeing the hobgoblin approaching, I quickly escaped from that place. If I had my back against the wall, facing its enormous body, my escape route would be immediately blocked.


    The hobgoblin, who advanced at full speed, followed my movements and made a sharp turn. While stomping the ground, it followed me from behind.


    Looking at it from the side, it was approaching quickly. Within my trembling eyes, its fierce face gradually became larger.


    The hobgoblin violently stamped the ground. Before the attack of the great crimson axe that swung downward, I also violently stepped on the ground and launched myself into the air.


    To respond to the attack from the side, I jumped headfirst forward and avoided it. After that, a roar was heard from behind my head.


    At the same time my heart trembled, I turned around once and stood up while quickly crouching and jumping backward.


    Faced with the cracks in the ground, I couldn''t help but sweat. I did my best to create some distance from the hobgoblin wrapped in a crimson tone.


    In the instant its strong and tenacious short legs stepped on the ground, the distance was reduced to zero.


    Before my wide-open eyes, the huge red axe traveled a wide range. My head was filled with blood red color.


    Being urged by the moans of the wind, I used all my strength to lower my knee and escape from the certain death attack at the precise moment.


    With unstoppable momentum, the red axe passed through where my torso was originally.


    Even some of my hairs were cut into pieces. My wheat-colored hair waved in the air while the hobgoblin wielded its axe at me while I was crouching.


    I felt the impact go through my body as I fell to the side, the roar of furious attacks resonating in my ears like an unleashed storm. It was not the time to hesitate.The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    The crimson axe of my opponent cut through the air with an ominous moan, its bloodthirst almost palpable. No matter how much I tried to distance myself, the weapon seemed to have a life of its own, pursuing me with unsettling precision.


    Every brush of the hobgoblin''s fists and kicks against my body was like a cruel reminder of my weakness. I could feel how each impact shortened the thread of my life, but I maintained my composure. I couldn''t afford the luxury of fear, not when there was so much at stake.


    My heart was beating with anxiety, while my breathing became increasingly labored. The constant pressure of being on the edge of death, where each misstep could be the last, threatened to cloud my judgment.


    The warnings resonated in my head like furious bells, almost to the point of breaking my eardrums. My body, once agile and precise, was now covered in wounds, the price of desperately rolling on the ground to evade my enemy''s incessant attacks.


    There was no margin for error, not even the slightest. My body filled with injuries with each step I took, but I refused to yield. With all the willpower I could gather, I suppressed the cowardly trembling of my legs and faced the hobgoblin directly.


    I saw the left hook coming, shining with a blood-red glow. With a calculated movement, I moved the bone spear to intercept it from the side. The impact momentarily paralyzed my hand, but I managed to dodge the axe while strategically retreating.


    It was painfully obvious that I was being contained. My eyes, distorted by effort until losing their original shape, met the fierce gaze of the hobgoblin. At that moment, it was just the two of us: the monster with its giant axe and me, a simple child with a bone spear.


    Neither was willing to back down. Sweat ran down my cheeks as we engaged in a fierce battle, our weapons clashing with an intensity that made the grass-covered ground creak. The brute force of the hobgoblin left its mark on the terrain with each impact.


    The sound of our violent dance of weapons resonated in all directions, the contained roar of destructive power mixed with the sharp cracking of movements at dizzying speed. The flashes of blood-red light intertwined with sapphire blue glows in a deadly choreography.


    I was aware that the hobgoblin had the advantage. Its superior physical capacity allowed it to maintain a continuous assault that tested my limits. This was a true fight to the death, where our lives hung by the same thread.


    Strangely, my body felt light. My mind was unusually clear. My thoughts roared with an intensity that almost rivaled the heat of battle. I ventured through the gaps between the incessant flashes of its great axe, advancing firmly.


    ¡ª"UVVVVVVUUUUUUUUUUUUU!"


    The bestial cry of the hobgoblin was accompanied by my own scream.


    ¡ª"HAAAAAAAAAHHH!"


    We faced each other head-on, continuing our battle of power against speed. The wind whistled sharply around us, while a faint glow seemed to cut through the very space that surrounded us.

 Chapter 31: Eyes of Successor

    Without allowing myself to show a hint of fear, I constantly blocked their fierce attacks. With courage born of desperation, I launched my own thrusts, meticulously seeking openings in their defense.


    It''s just bigger in size! Look carefully, don''t close your eyes!


    The hobgoblin''s monstrous strength, enhanced by stellar energy, was undeniably a deadly threat.


    A single direct hit would be fatal, and even the slightest graze left my body partially paralyzed. Its destructive power was such that it needed only one hit to finish me off.


    However, I clung to a fundamental truth: an attack, no matter how deadly, can only kill if it connects. The great axe, with all its devastating power, was nothing more than decoration if it couldn''t reach me. My vision had achieved unprecedented clarity.


    My blue eyes saw beyond the fierce expression of the armed hobgoblin. Every muscle contraction, every subtle movement under its black armor, was vital information that my mind processed instantly. Its massive body, though intimidating, was like an open book to my sharpened senses.


    Its movements, though powerful, were predictable. Every violent turn of its body, every swelling of its muscles under the black armor, revealed crucial information about the timing and direction of its attacks. Its actions were clumsy and transparent, allowing me to anticipate every movement.


    When I faced the approaching great axe, I aimed to the side to deflect it. My movement managed to alter the trajectory of the attack that had almost cornered me, allowing my body to escape through the smallest gaps.


    I could hear the hobgoblin''s labored breathing, clearly frustrated because I had managed to slip from between its arms. I briefly fell to the ground and rolled to dodge the next attack from its axe.


    As expected from a creature of its level, the hobgoblin immediately followed me, preparing to crush me. I took advantage of my natural speed to perform an emergency escape while trying to pierce its body with my bone spear.


    The metallic sound resonated when my attack was blocked again by its great axe. I couldn''t prevent anxiety from showing on my face¡ªthis enemy was extremely skilled in defense.


    The evidence was there: its nearly two-meter-tall body was covered in scars and spear cuts, but none were serious wounds.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    I found myself trapped once again in a defensive battle as the threatening hobgoblin rushed toward me.


    The reality of my situation was clear and frustrating: no matter how desperately I fought, if I couldn''t land an effective blow, victory would never come. Even when I aimed at its chest seeking a mortal blow, the excess armor blocked my attempts.


    The hobgoblin''s roar resonated as it concentrated all its strength in a fierce downward strike with its axe. The earth split in two when I managed to avoid the cut by a hair''s breadth, and I felt my face hardening at the display of power.


    The brute force of the attack was so overwhelming that it created a small crater. I was forced to cover my face with my right hand that held the spear while the shockwave sent me flying.


    I floated in the air for a brief moment before falling to the ground. We stared at each other, monster and human, separated by approximately five meters.


    Our breathing stopped while the surrounding air tensed to its limits.


    The monster chief let out a particularly fierce roar. Its feet sank into the ground with a crash before jumping upward, rotating the great axe in what seemed to be the preparation for a devastating attack.


    Completely forgetting my own safety, I gathered as much energy as possible in my feet and launched myself forward like a bullet. My instinct screamed that I had to interrupt its attack before it could complete it.


    I held my spear close to my right shoulder while my left leg struggled to separate from the ground. My entire body felt the pressure of acceleration as I rose as if I had been fired from a cannon.


    The bone spear in my right hand glowed subtly, while the hobgoblin''s axe, which had just reached the highest point of its trajectory, was tinged with an intense crimson.


    With a swift movement of my right hand, the tip of my spear traced a long arc and pierced the left side of its waist.


    The roar that followed was immediate, and I saw how the hobgoblin''s body tilted to one side before hitting the ground. Its attack had been interrupted before it could begin.


    ¡ª!!!Gurrr!!!


    The chief roared, trying to get up, but its limbs were visibly shaking.


    I made a forced landing and faced the monster''s fangs directly. The distance between us shortened in an instant, and I could see how its figure grew larger before my eyes. I raised my spear above my right shoulder just as its axe was spinning toward my shoulder.


    Our attacks were almost simultaneous, his descending, mine ascending. In an instant came the final blow. The iron helmet flew off after my spear struck it, and I watched as the hobgoblin began to stagger like a drunk as it fell to the ground, with more than half of its head destroyed.


    After a brief moment, my own body gave in and I fell backward to the ground. The cut on my right shoulder was a reminder that I was still alive.


    It''s over... Right?


    I closed my eyes, finally allowing the pain and fatigue I had been containing to flood my mind. The Tower system''s voices sounded distorted and distant in my ears:


    [Congratulations. You have cleared the first floor of the Paradise Tower.]


    [You have received an ''innate ability''.]


    [You have received ''10 Soul Fragments''.]


    [Innate ability unlocked]


    [The innate ability: ''Eyes of the Successor (SS)'' has been imprinted on the user]


    [Conditions are met.]


    [The first seal is broken.]


    [The innate ability: Eyes of the Successor has been activated.]

 Chapter 32: Eyes of successor (2)

    The blurry vision of a vaguely familiar environment made me blink several times to confirm that what I was seeing wasn''t a dream. From what it seemed, I appeared to have returned to my old body on Earth.


    I was sitting in my office when I heard Alessia''s voice calling me.


    ¡ªHoney, are you there?


    ¡ªI''m in my office.


    I responded, and a few seconds later I saw her beautiful figure appear in the doorframe. As always, Alessia radiated beauty. I noticed that her belly seemed even more rounded that morning.


    ¡ªSorry to bother you, honey, but it''s your birthday and I have a surprise for you.


    ¡ªA surprise?


    I asked intrigued. Alessia came closer and sat on my lap, giving me a kiss on the cheek. A strong citrus aroma tickled my nose.


    ¡ªYou''re heavy, you should stop eating so much, honey. You''re getting fat!


    I joked, and she looked at me mischievously.


    ¡ªI was reflecting this morning, you know? About the baby''s name... What do you think about Violet?


    She asked while thoughtfully caressing her belly.


    ¡ªFor a baby boy, it''s very ugly.


    ¡ªIf it''s a girl, my love!


    She exclaimed laughing.


    ¡ªI know we decided not to know the baby''s sex, but that doesn''t stop us from finding a name. It''s coming soon, you know? Maximum three weeks.


    ¡ªYes, it''s pretty... Violet. I don''t want to ruin the mood, but I''d like to finish my chapter. I''ll take 30 minutes at most.


    ¡ªNo way! You''ll have to postpone your work until tomorrow. Besides, the doctor told you to rest your hand.


    ¡ªListen, Ale. I have to deliver this damn novel in just a month and I haven''t finished yet. I''ll meet with you a bit later, for now I have to...


    ¡ªYou can do it, honey! You always do, but not today! Tonight we''re going to dinner!


    ¡ªI''m sorry, honey, but I don''t have much appetite.


    I weakly protested. Alessia softly put her mouth on mine, ending the discussion.


    ¡ªI don''t remember asking for your opinion.


    She spoke with a radiant smile.


    ¡ªBesides, don''t they say that appetite comes with eating? We''re going to dinner for your birthday and you need to get ready. I have a reservation at 7 PM and it''s almost 5 PM and you''re dressed like a lumberjack. We''re half an hour away!


    Alessia stood up and walked towards the door while I protested:


    ¡ªLike... a lumberjack? I don''t have lumberjack clothes.


    She turned and looked at me with a compassionate smile.You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    ¡ªIt''s true! I can''t imagine you as such a dirty lumberjack. That''s not very respectful to forestry work. I''m going to prepare you a bath.


    Already in the hallway, she shouted at me:


    ¡ªAnd shave your beard, it''s prickly!


    I sighed, resigned.


    ¡ªLooks like we''ll have to postpone work until tomorrow...


    While I immersed myself in the hot bath that Alessia had prepared for me, I felt how my sore wrist slowly relaxed. I had been sharing my life with Alessia for 4 years, but we had known each other since we were children. I still clearly remembered our first exchange of glances, both sitting on the grass in the field. Her mischievous smile was forever etched in my memory.


    That smile that made hope arise, that smile that always said: ¡ªYou and me, it''s possible¡ª. I remembered our first kiss, her fruity scent, the first time I admired her naked under the pale and delicate moonlight that filtered discreetly through her bedroom windows many years later.


    I had always lived with an apathetic and boring attitude, in a state of constant depression. I was never a good son, and now that my parents were gone, I felt deeply regretful.


    The damage I had done... the people I had hurt and wounded, they couldn''t forgive me.


    Bad attitude was like ink spilled on absorbent paper, spreading over my existence like a dark and sticky mask that clumped and spread until it covered everything. Today I turned 25 and would be a father in a few days. This thought made me smile.


    Only now, I had realized that it is, neither more nor less, loneliness that drags us into the mud like a diabolical melody. Loneliness is the edge of the mud where any human being''s fall begins... Once in it, the mire begins to drag us to greater depths...


    And it should be well understood: loneliness doesn''t mean being physically alone, it means lack of affection...


    One can create, meditate, plan and work while being physically isolated and feel very happy, if in the most intimate part of their being they have the energy of knowing they are loved by someone... even if that someone isn''t there...


    In contrast, another person can find themselves surrounded by many people and feel mortally unhappy knowing they are ignored. Loneliness leads to alcoholism, drugs, adultery, suicide...


    ¡ªHurry up, honey! I don''t want to be late!


    Alessia''s voice resonated from downstairs, pulling me from my reverie. I had been soaking in the hot water for quite a while.


    ¡ªComing.


    I responded, getting out of the bath and dressing quickly.


    When I went downstairs, I saw Alessia in a sumptuous red dress that perfectly adapted to the curve of her abdomen.


    ¡ªWhat do you think? My mother gave it to me, it was a dress she used when she was pregnant with me.


    ¡ªYou''re beautiful.


    I told her sincerely. From her small height, Alessia stood on her tiptoes and gave me a tender kiss on the cheek.


    ¡ªI''ll drive. With your tendinitis it''s not prudent for you to do it.


    ¡ªThat''s ridiculous, I can drive perfectly. I''ve never needed two hands to drive anyway.


    ¡ªVery well, but be careful, my love.


    We left the house and got into the car. The winding road serpentined between the hills, and a dense fog slid over the road and spread over the mountains. The sun was barely a reddish and lazy light on the horizon. From the corner of my eye, I noticed that Alessia was watching me smiling.


    ¡ªWhat makes you smile like that?


    ¡ªYou''ve changed, Noah. It makes me happy to see you like this. And, besides, soon we''ll be three, that makes me happy.


    I returned her smile, feeling a pleasant warmth in my chest.


    The darkness, at first timid and fleeting among the hills, enveloped the trees along the road. Now impregnated with the opaque ink of the nascent twilight. The rain suddenly fell in straight, silver filaments, roaring over the car, suddenly drowned by the sound of the downpour.


    ¡ªIt''s seven o''clock, we''re going to be late.


    Commented Alessia, looking at her watch.


    ¡ªIt doesn''t matter. They won''t cancel our reservation for just 15 minutes late.


    When turning a particularly tight curve, I distinguished pale lights approaching at full speed. Lights that seemed to zigzag dangerously. The dense fog was deceptive and the car that I thought was at a good distance suddenly jumped out of the darkness.


    ¡ªMy God, he''s not in his lane.


    I muttered, feeling how fear took hold of me.


    I turned the steering wheel to the right. The other vehicle''s engine roared and coughed, approaching quickly, too quickly. As if time had become encrusted in thick syrup, I slightly turned my head and saw, as if in slow motion, Alessia''s horrified face.


    ¡ªNO!


    BOOM!!


    ...


    [Insufficient authority to continue.]


    [Assimilation rate: 15%]


    [Successor''s Eyes (SS)]


    [Will provide the user with the most available information for their survival depending on their situation. Allows the user to remember the memories of their past life selves, and is capable of strongly influencing the current user''s thoughts and actions...]


    [Now you will leave the Paradise Tower]

 Chapter 33: Priestess

    ¡ªArceus!


    I opened my eyes suddenly while tears continued falling down my face. Scenes of memories I thought I had forgotten passed through my head at every moment.


    Everything was still blurry, but I could feel I was in the bedroom where half of the children slept inside the orphanage.


    I felt the rough sheets under my body, while lying on my narrow bed, my breathing choppy and erratic, the remnants of a painful dream still floating in my mind like shreds of fog, while my left hand was grabbing something soft and warm.


    ¡ªArceus!


    That same familiar and reassuring voice called me.


    I turned my head and blinked to contain the tears that were still forming in my eyes. There, sitting on my bed holding my hand, was Cassie.


    Her crimson hair fell messily over her shoulders, and her red eyes, normally bright and full of life, were swollen and reddened. Tears had left visible tracks on her cheeks.


    ¡ªCassie.


    My voice sounded dry and hoarse.


    ¡ªWhy are you crying?


    ¡ªSilly.


    Cassie held back her laughter and smiled while tears fell down her cheeks.


    ¡ªI could ask you the same thing.


    My gaze remained fixed on Cassie. She smiled, even laughed, from relief and embarrassment while wiping away her tears.


    It was the first time I had seen her after arguing that day ¡ªshe had wanted to take all the children but I had wanted to abandon them¡ª, although not much time had passed since the last time we talked.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    ¡ªHow are you feeling, Arceus?


    ¡ªNever been better. Why do you ask?


    ¡ªIf you have the will to answer sarcastically, I''m sure you''ll be fine.


    She chuckled, although her sad eyes weren''t smiling, while taking a seat on the bed.


    ¡ªI don''t know if you remember but... Emilia found you unconscious in a cave.


    I smiled bitterly. At the same time, I frowned. I didn''t miss the difference between what I knew when I was awake and what I had just heard from Cassie.


    ¡ªWait, how much time has passed since I lost consciousness?


    I couldn''t get an idea of how much time had passed, my time in the tower felt like an eternity. Noticing my grim expression, I realized that Cassie wanted to ask more questions, but held back for my sake.


    ¡ªOne day. You''ve had us all worried.


    She continued expressing her concern, shaking her head.


    ¡ªDon''t frown, Cassie. Your face will get ugly.


    When the strength in my arm was exhausted, I let it fall back and breathed deeply.


    My attempt to lighten the mood worked momentarily, but I could see there was something more in Cassie''s gaze, an unusual seriousness that contradicted her forced smile.


    ¡ªArceus...


    She began, releasing my hand and straightening her back with her hands on the bed.


    ¡ªI need to tell you something.


    The change in her tone made me sit up slowly, ignoring the sharp pain in my temples. I knew that look; it was the same one Cassie had when she was going to say something important.


    ¡ªI''ve been thinking about it a lot.


    Cassie nervously played with the hem of her dress.


    ¡ªAnd I understand why you don''t want to participate in the escape plan. I really understand.


    Her eyes met mine, unwavering.


    ¡ªBut I''m going to try it anyway.


    I showed no surprise at this revelation. Instead, I studied her face carefully, looking for any sign of doubt or fear. I found none.


    ¡ªAre you sure?


    ¡ªMore than sure.


    What was it that gave her such confidence?


    I looked at Cassie and activated my unique ability. My Successor''s Eyes could see part of other people''s information even if they weren''t awakened or Tower Ascendants.


    The Ascendants who climbed the Tower couldn''t see the status of the awakened and vice versa, but the information that appeared in my eyes was far beyond even my wildest imagination.


    [Name: Cassie.]


    [Existence Level: 1 (F).]


    [Class: Priestess.]


    [Highest Stat: Luck (100)]


    How was this possible? That was insane.


    What happened to her? How did she awaken?


    Class: Priestess? Luck 100?


    From the beginning?


    A stat level that escaped common sense. I almost shouted in surprise, but I closed my mouth and barely managed to avoid making a fool of myself.


    Cassie''s voice pulled me from my thoughts.

 Chapter 34: Priestess (2)

    ¡ªActually, I already have a plan.


    ¡ªWhat makes you so confident?


    My voice came out sharper than I intended, but Cassie, as always, wasn''t bothered by my tone.


    ¡ªI found something.


    I could detect the sincerity in her voice.


    I watched her lean forward with one of her mysterious smiles, those that always put me on alert.


    ¡ªSomething that changes everything.


    I remained silent, analyzing every nuance of her expression. Was she really going to reveal her secret to me? I knew her well enough to know that keeping secrets wasn''t like her, at least not from me.


    The silence that followed was heavy as I watched her internally debate how much to reveal.


    ¡ªYesterday... During recess when I was walking and debating what I was going to do, I found this while exploring the orphanage grounds.


    She whispered with barely contained excitement that reminded me why she was different from the others.


    ¡ªAt first it seemed like just a piece of dirty metal, I even thought it was trash, but...


    She stopped abruptly, and I noticed how her eyes nervously darted toward the door. Her caution didn''t surprise me; since I had been unconscious, most of the children were outside helping Emilia with the chores, which gave us a rare opportunity for privacy.


    ¡ªIt was a medallion.


    I raised an eyebrow, my mind calculating the probabilities and analyzing the implications of her finding.


    ¡ªA medallion?


    I kept my tone neutral although my curiosity was more than awake.


    I watched as Cassie bent down to take out the medallion she had hidden in her boot.


    ¡ªYou couldn''t keep it anywhere else.


    I commented, allowing a mocking smile to form on my face.


    As expected, Cassie reacted by pouting, puffing her cheeks in a show of offense and embarrassment that I found curiously comforting in its familiarity.


    ¡ªYou know I couldn''t!


    She crossed her arms and glared at me.


    I examined the medallion with clinical attention. It was a circular piece, with a diameter less than five centimeters. Its polished surface emitted a golden metallic shine that seemed out of place in our austere environment. In the center, engraved in relief, was the figure of an imposing dragon.Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    However, my thoughts were interrupted by Cassie''s soft voice.


    ¡ªIt''s not just any medallion. It''s a storage medallion, Arceus. It contains grimoires, crystals, stellar cores, potions... all hidden in this small object.


    I felt my eyes tremble slightly at the revelation.


    Cassie''s luck was something that defied all logic, and for the first time in a long time, I felt a pang of envy.


    I had had to go through a sea of blood and tears to be able to awaken, and she had achieved it simply with her good fortune. She was breaking the system in a way that not even I had foreseen.


    I returned the medallion to her, watching as she gently rubbed it with a familiarity that suggested she had spent a long time studying it.


    ¡ªBut that''s not the most important thing.


    She continued, and I noticed how her fingers nervously drummed on her knee.


    ¡ªI found magical scrolls, Arceus. A mass teleportation scroll.


    Spatial movement scroll for multiple people. The mention of the scroll made my face harden.


    Magical scrolls were rolls of parchment that had been enchanted to contain spells and were considered disposable single-use items. Their most important quality was that these scrolls didn''t require a person to have high knowledge of magic to cast them.


    It had to be said, the creation of a magical scroll with spatial magic was extremely expensive and difficult to produce, not only because of the precious materials but because they required advanced knowledge and specialized skills.


    Unfortunately...


    None of that would make sense. It wasn''t so easy to escape from this place, that diary I had read made that quite clear.


    Before I could respond, my sharpened senses caught a soft creak coming from the door. I didn''t need to turn around to know who it was.


    Reinhardt was there, his slender figure silhouetted against the dim light of the hallway. His blue eyes shone with that calculating intensity that reminded me so much of myself.


    ¡ªAre you alright, man?


    He asked as he entered the room with measured steps.


    His reddish-brown hair looked almost black in the darkness, and I noticed how his eyes quickly scanned the room, assessing the situation.


    ¡ªYou''re late, Reinhardt. And you didn''t even bring food?


    I commented with an exaggerated sigh, slightly shaking my head. It was easier to maintain my sarcastic facade than to show the relief I felt at seeing him.


    ¡ªHaaa... I guess you''re fine if you can talk like that.


    He responded, letting out a sigh as relief flooded his face.


    I saw Cassie straighten up beside me, her posture subtly changing at Reinhardt''s presence.


    He approached my bed, and I felt his penetrating gaze studying me with an intensity that suggested he was seeing beyond my calm exterior.


    ¡ªHow long have you known?


    He asked abruptly.


    ¡ªKnown what?


    I kept my tone neutral although we both knew exactly what he was referring to. If Reinhardt knew it could only mean that Cassie had told him.


    ¡ªThe truth about the orphanage.


    His voice was devoid of accusation but full of a curiosity that I recognized as similar to my own.


    I held his gaze without blinking, carefully evaluating how much to reveal.


    ¡ªFor a long time.


    The silence that followed was dense, loaded with unasked questions and half-revealed truths. I saw Reinhardt open his mouth to say something more, but the sound of approaching footsteps in the hallway interrupted him.


    The door opened completely, revealing the figure of Emilia, the caretaker. Her radiant smile seemed more artificial than ever, a constant reminder of the farce we lived in. She knew that we knew and yet she acted as if nothing had happened.


    This woman was... The iron lady.


    ¡ªOh, how nice to see you all gathered!


    She exclaimed in a melodious voice that might once have seemed natural, but now sounded like nails scratching a chalkboard to my trained ears.


    ¡ªCassie, dear, I have wonderful news.


    Her smile widened in a way that made my instincts flare up.


    ¡ªYour adoption is scheduled for next week.


    I felt the atmosphere in the room freeze. Beside me, Cassie visibly tensed, while I observed Reinhardt remain completely still, his face a mask of indifference that contradicted the force with which he clenched his fists.


    In that moment, I shared a look with my only two friends, a silent but clear message passing between us: time was running out.

 Chapter 35: One week

    The news fell like a physical blow in the room.


    I watched as Cassie''s shoulders tensed almost imperceptibly, her fingers gripping the edge of my bed more tightly. To my right, Reinhardt tried to maintain a relaxed posture, but I could detect the rigidity in his jaw and the way his blue eyes quickly calculated, silently readjusting plans.


    ¡ªNext week?


    Cassie''s voice sounded surprisingly soft, though I noticed the slight trembling in her lips.


    ¡ªIt''s... it''s too soon.


    I watched as Emilia approached, her steps resonating with an unsettling echo in the dormitory. The whisper of her black dress against the wooden floor sent an internal shiver through me as she moved with that smile I so despised.


    ¡ªOh, dear!


    Exclaimed Emilia, extending a hand to stroke Cassie''s hair. I could see how my friend suppressed a shiver at that contact.


    ¡ªThey''ve been looking for a girl exactly like you.


    "Exactly like you."


    Those words resonated in my mind with a sinister meaning that only the three of us could fully comprehend. I noticed how Reinhardt''s hand casually slid toward his pocket, where he kept one of his notebooks.


    ¡ªThank you, mom. Could I...


    Cassie cleared her throat, her red eyes briefly meeting mine.


    ¡ªCould I have a moment more with my friends? To... to process the news.


    I saw how Emilia''s smile faltered for a fraction of a second, a detail that wouldn''t have escaped Reinhardt''s attention, whose fingers visibly tensed around the edge of his notebook.


    ¡ªOf course, dear.


    Responded Emilia, backing toward the door.


    ¡ªBut don''t take too long, dinner isn''t far off and everyone needs to eat, especially you, Arceus.


    Her gaze settled on me with an intensity that made my instincts scream in alert.


    ¡ªYou''ve had a very difficult day.


    I maintained my neutral expression as she left. When the door finally closed, the three of us maintained our position for several seconds, listening attentively to the sound of her steps moving away down the hallway.


    Only when the last echo faded did Reinhardt quickly move toward the door, checking that there was no one outside.Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    Standing on my own legs was a blessing I had always taken for granted. I took slow and firm steps while stretching my legs. Being in bed all day didn''t suit my body well.


    ¡ªOne week.


    Muttered Reinhardt, turning toward us. His usual calm had been replaced by contained urgency.


    ¡ªThey''ve given us one week.


    I saw how Cassie got up from my bed, beginning to walk back and forth across the dormitory. Her crimson hair shone like blood under the moonlight filtering through the window.


    ¡ªIt''s not enough time.


    She whispered, more to herself than to us. If Cassie wanted to escape with everyone, she had to make many preparations, among them, convincing the younger ones that the world they lived in was nothing but a fantasy.


    ¡ªDamn it. We were being completely naive!


    Reinhardt hit the wall hard while Cassie sat on my bed.


    ¡ªThings aren''t going well for us.


    I sighed with discouragement. It was evident that we remained under their control, whether we liked it or not. At this rate, only one fate awaited us: death.


    ¡ªIf we really can''t escape... We must overcome the one who calls herself our mother!


    Exclaimed Reinhardt, his furrowed brows and grim look betraying his anger.


    ¡ªWe need more information anyway.


    Cassie forced a smile while looking at us. Her optimism, though forced, was refreshing considering our situation.


    ¡ªFirst we have to find out where those two came from.


    She said, referring to the caretakers of the underground orphanage.


    I nodded in agreement. It was a known fact by everyone that every time a child left, a helpless baby arrived at the orphanage. It was a sinister cycle that repeated constantly.


    ¡ªIn other words, they return to complete the orphanage''s "supplies."


    Concluded Reinhardt with a thoughtful look.


    ¡ªI agree. There must be some place where those beings... are producing or abducting their supply of babies.


    I added, although my mind was already considering other darker possibilities.


    None of us really knew the outside world or what awaited us once we managed to get out of here. It was an unsettling thought.


    ¡ªA source that provides humans for consumption, huh...


    Cassie''s voice sounded sad while she looked at the floor.


    But something didn''t fit in that theory. Were they really eating them?


    My instinct told me that important pieces were missing in this puzzle.


    ¡ªOur biggest clue is the fact that there are other adult humans besides the caretakers. Perhaps there are multiple "orphanages" like this one too.


    Reflected Reinhardt, with his hand on his chin.


    ¡ªWhere do those adults... are born to serve these beings? Or where are they abducted from human society?


    I posed the question, knowing that the answer could completely change our understanding of the outside world.


    Cassie raised three fingers in our direction.


    ¡ªTo summarize our situation in three points. One: Adults are the key to understanding the outside world. Two: We have less than a week to escape. Three: We must activate the magical scroll at the right time and place.


    Although none of these points seemed the most crucial to me, I decided to keep listening before revealing my own conclusions.


    ¡ªCassie, what are the parameters for the magical scroll to activate?


    ¡ªLet''s see...


    Cassie thought about it for a moment.


    ¡ªThe success of teleportation largely depends on the caster''s knowledge of the destination.


    It was just what I feared: we would be randomly teleported because Cassie wasn''t familiar with any specific place.


    ¡ªHow do you activate the scroll?


    I asked again, bringing my left hand to my chin. This was something Reinhardt already knew, so my friend simply crossed his arms while listening in silence.


    ¡ªOnce the scroll is opened, the spell activated inside it will emit a bright light.


    ¡ªGuys, I''m sorry to ruin the plan but...


    I looked at the hopeful faces of my two friends one by one while speaking slowly. It was time to reveal the truth I had discovered.


    ¡ªIn this orphanage... there exists an artifact that nullifies teleportation spells.

 Chapter 36: One week (2)

    Innate Ability.


    It is a capability possessed from birth, without the need for learning or practice. They are congenitally encoded in the user''s body, specifically in the right prefrontal cortex of the brain.


    Most Ascendants are born with an innate ability that manifests after they have gone through the awakening.


    That was the only reason I could think of for there to be an artifact in this orphanage that nullified teleportation, making it absolutely impossible for anyone to escape.


    I realized it a long time ago. How would I spend the rest of my life here?


    When I discovered the terrible truth, I was about to turn five. At most, I had another eight years in this place.


    Since then, I had been meticulously preparing. I perfectly understood that the number of lives I could save would be limited. That was the harsh reality of this world.


    "We won''t leave anyone behind."


    It was a dream ideal.


    The reason why I had given up until recently. But that''s precisely why... I wanted to believe in Cassie.


    I wanted to believe it was possible to take all the children, even though initially I had flatly refused out of fear that all the work that had cost me to develop this plan for five years would go to waste.


    I watched as my words had exactly the effect I expected. Cassie raised her head and looked at me with her bright crimson eyes while her face visibly paled as she realized I wasn''t joking.


    For his part, Reinhardt clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles turned white.


    ¡ªHow do you know?


    Asked Cassie with a shadowed face, her voice barely a whisper.


    ¡ªI read it in a diary.


    I replied calmly. It was true, I had known since I found and deciphered that diary.


    That was enough to make Reinhardt''s train of thought come to a complete stop. He sat on the left bed next to mine, frowning while looking at me with evident skepticism.


    ¡ªYou''re telling me that such important information comes from a simple diary, do you expect me to believe that?


    Cassie narrowed her eyes dangerously, as if my attitude was frustrating her. Her cheeks puffed up and her lower lip protruded in a slight pout.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    I understood that she didn''t find it funny that I was playing with them at this moment, after all, the mass teleportation scroll was really our only hope.


    I shrugged with indifference. Seeing my calm attitude, Cassie began to calm down gradually. I cleared my throat before continuing:


    ¡ªDon''t misunderstand me, guys. The diary I read, ¡ªwhich by the way was written in a coded language¡ª, explained in one of its pages that before us, there was a group of children who discovered the truth about the orphanage.


    Cassie collapsed onto my bed, bringing her hand to her forehead, lost in her thoughts.


    It was logical to assume that there were others before us, this orphanage seemed to be decades or even centuries old.


    Predecessor children who tried to escape but in the end couldn''t overcome this terrible reality. It made sense that they had left vital information encoded for future generations, hoping that someone could eventually escape.


    ¡ªSo, what did the diary say?


    Asked Reinhardt crossing his arms.


    I raised my right hand while explaining:


    ¡ªWhen they were trying to escape, they discovered that the orphanage had a hidden room and that in that room there was an artifact capable of nullifying teleportation spells.


    Reinhardt''s face hardened instantly upon hearing my statement.


    ¡ªThere''s a secret room... In this house? But... how is it possible that children managed to cast a teleportation spell in the first place?


    Cassie blinked and stared at me with her mouth open while she seemed to be doing mental calculations. Her question was valid and logical.


    ¡ªCassie, it''s no coincidence that you found the medallion.


    I told her, noticing how her hands trembled slightly on the sheets.


    ¡ªAlthough the book didn''t mention it as such, ¡ªwhich is why I couldn''t recognize it when I saw it¡ª, it was said that one of the children had the ability of teleportation. Your medallion must have been discovered first by one of those children.


    I looked at her carefully, surprised by her reaction. Her attention seemed to be focused on something else. I expected her to react dramatically as she always did, but instead, she tilted her head back and, looking at the dormitory ceiling, let out a long sigh.


    ¡ªAnd besides the artifact, what exactly was in that room?


    She asked, suddenly sitting up, sketching a small smile without looking directly at me.


    It was obvious that there had to be a reason why our predecessors had failed even after having a magic scroll in their hands.


    ¡ªWhat was there was a monster.


    I replied in a neutral tone.


    ¡ªA monster?


    My indifferent response made Cassie bite her lips, turning pale while she curled up and grabbed her head.


    ¡ªAaagghhh! You''re scaring me.


    I sighed at her reaction. Although her personality had matured a bit after discovering the truth, she was still a fearful child.


    ¡ªWhat kind of monster?


    Asked Reinhardt, making me look at him fixedly.


    ¡ªA monster with the ability to alter memory.


    Upon hearing this, Reinhardt breathed deeply.


    ¡ªSo... The reason why our predecessors couldn''t escape was because...


    ¡ªYes ¡ªI interrupted him¡ª, most likely the monster altered their memories while they were trying to locate the artifact.


    ¡ªThis changes everything...


    Muttered Cassie, head down.


    ¡ªWhy didn''t you tell us before?


    ¡ªBecause until now it hadn''t been relevant.


    I replied with indifference, letting out another sigh.


    ¡ªI didn''t want to add another worry until it was absolutely necessary. Besides, I know the location of the hidden room.


    Reinhardt suddenly got up from the bed next to mine.


    ¡ªI suppose you know that because of the diary, right?


    ¡ªThat''s right.


    I nodded to confirm.


    ¡ªSo... What we should worry about now is...


    Reinhardt couldn''t finish his sentence.


    ¡ªDeactivating the artifact.


    Interrupted Cassie''s cheerful voice, hope shining in her eyes.


    ¡ªYou know what you have to do, right?

 Chapter 37: Hidden passageway

    The next day, after finishing cleaning up after lunch, I knocked on the door and, after she told me to come in, I stretched, turned the handle, and entered.


    Once the door was closed, I put my hands in my pockets and approached Emilia, who was standing while looking at me with a gentle smile.


    ¡ªYou''re late.


    Emilia spoke with her arms crossed, while a pile of documents adorned her desk.


    ¡ªI was talking to Cassie.


    I replied while approaching her.


    ¡ªAnd? What''s going on with her?


    ¡ªNothing out of the ordinary. She''s focusing on escaping as soon as possible.


    ¡ªI see, she''s still a naive child.


    I met Emilia''s gaze and tried not to roll my eyes.


    ¡ªDo you really plan to hand her over just like that?


    I narrowed my eyes while staring fixedly at Emilia.


    ¡ªOh, don''t look at me like that. You''re too young...


    She let out a sigh.


    Forcing what I hoped would be an understanding but slightly incredulous smile, I opened my mouth.


    ¡ªCome on, we both know how important Cassie is to you.


    My words made her smile dangerously and she raised her head to look me directly in the eyes.


    ¡ªAnd here I thought that of all the children here you were the most rational one, Arceus.


    Emilia smiled sadly and looked away.


    ¡ªBetween the girl you raised as if she were your own daughter and your life, which would you choose, child?


    Rage, anguish, helplessness, and pain invaded Emilia''s face when she laughed mockingly.


    There was no right or wrong answer to that question. I wasn''t one to judge this woman''s actions, she was simply someone else wanting to survive...


    I held back a sigh, knowing I was treading on very delicate ground.


    ¡ªThen... Why did you tell us the deadline?


    If they were going to take Cassie in a week, it made no sense for Emilia to have told us if she really wanted to hand her over. She wouldn''t have told us anything and Cassie would still believe she had two more years to escape.A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    ¡ªAre you judging me?


    Emilia narrowed her eyes dangerously, which made me frown. Her response made my heart grow cold and the smile on my face hardened.


    ¡ªNot at all.


    I shook my head.


    ¡ªGood, watch over Cassie in the meantime.


    Emilia took a step forward and gently caressed my cheek.


    ¡ªYes, mom.


    Walking around her desk, Emilia ruffled my hair.


    Understanding that I could now leave, I dragged my feet out of the small office, walked with difficulty down the hallway toward the dormitory.


    I remembered the conversation I had yesterday with my two friends where we had agreed on our respective tasks.


    Reinhardt had agreed to convince the other children in the orphanage, while Cassie developed a master plan based on all the information we had gathered. Nothing was asked of me because I had already done enough for them. On the contrary, because I had been unconscious and bedridden, my friends asked me to rest and prepare to search for the artifact tonight with them.


    After leaving the Paradise Tower, I had realized that I could enter the tower whenever I wanted.


    Since I had awakened in the tower, it recognized me as a user and as long as I could complete the assigned floor mission I could enter and exit whenever I wanted.


    That was a great advantage.


    The sharp creaking of the floor beneath my feet pulled me from my thoughts.


    I knelt on the old misaligned wooden board and put it in place. I tested the floor with my feet and nodded with satisfaction at the board''s silence.


    Looking up, I saw a group of children running down the hallway, chasing each other.


    ¡ªArceus! I''m going to tag you!


    Said a little girl named Annie laughingly while walking toward me with her arms stretched out.


    ¡ªOh, yeah?


    I stuck my tongue out at her.


    ¡ªI bet you won''t!


    Annie accepted the challenge and quickened her pace. As soon as I was within her reach, she gave me a blow to the waist hoping to grab my shirt, but I escaped without problems.


    I let out a victorious laugh.


    ¡ªYou''re going to have to try harder than...


    I lunged to my right, just in time to avoid little Thomas''s hand.


    The rest of the children Annie had been playing with joined in, deciding that they were all "the protagonists" of this improvised game of tag.


    All the children wore the same uniform every day, which consisted of a white long-sleeved buttoned shirt, a white skirt or pants, and brown boots.


    The children were made to believe they were orphans living in a happy orphanage and that when they were "sent away" they were sent to live with foster families.


    Our days consisted of taking a daily exam, eating delicious gourmet food, helping with household chores, and playing with our siblings. The older children were assigned tasks such as washing clothes, washing dishes, and taking care of the younger children while the rest of the children helped clean the house while we took turns preparing meals for everyone.


    While the boys and girls approached me with their arms wide open to cover more ground, I ducked and easily dodged my companions. They desperately waved their limbs while trying to use all parts of their bodies hoping to catch me, but it was useless.


    Annie and her friends got smart and surrounded me, approaching slowly while laughing excitedly.


    Once they were close enough, the children grew impatient and jumped toward me.


    Just when their hands were about to touch me, I jumped and grabbed onto the broken chain that held an old chandelier. Taking advantage of my jump''s momentum, I swung from the chain, holding on tight to avoid slipping.


    Annie, Thomas, and their friends stumbled among themselves for not having reached their target.


    Swinging from the old chain, I landed a few feet away and planted my hands on my hips, laughing victoriously.


    ¡ªYou are three to five years too young to defeat the mighty Arceus!


    ¡ªIt''s not fair!


    Thomas growled, rubbing his head.


    ¡ªYeah! You''re too fast!


    Agreed Annie, while moving away from the tangle of children.


    ¡ªSilence! Only the weak complain when faced with defeat! ¡ªI said, making my voice deeper¡ª. Now I''m leaving! My heroic powers are needed elsewhere!


    I ran off while the children laughed among themselves.

 Chapter 38: Hidden passageway (2)

    I watched as midnight loomed over the orphanage. The other children slept peacefully in their beds, as did the caretakers in their dormitories, unaware of what we were about to do.


    I was in the library with Cassie and Reinhardt. The irony didn''t escape me: this place, supposedly designed to enhance our intellectual development and keep us "happy" with minimal stress, would be the setting for our first true act of rebellion.


    As I contemplated the imposing shelves, I couldn''t help but reflect on the deceptive nature of this space. The library, with its architecture that more resembled an ancient temple than a simple reading room, was another example of the elaborate facade they had built.


    Its dimensions were truly impressive, especially considering we were in an orphanage seemingly forgotten by God. The shelves rose to the ceiling, filled with all kinds of reading material, from simple picture books to complex academic texts. It was here where we were supposed to learn about the world, though I knew the information was carefully filtered.


    I watched as Reinhardt addressed Cassie in his usual kind tone.


    ¡ªDid you sleep well?


    ¡ªYes, thank you.


    She replied briefly.


    I immediately noticed the tension in her voice, Cassie''s unease was as evident to me as the words written in the books that surrounded us.


    ¡ªWhy do you seem so uneasy?


    I asked her directly, fixing my gaze on her. I knew the answer, of course, but sometimes it was necessary for people to express their concerns out loud.


    ¡ªThat''s...


    Cassie hesitated, her fingers moving nervously.


    ¡ªDon''t worry too much.


    I told her, trying to convey some tranquility.


    ¡ªIs it that obvious?


    She asked.


    I didn''t respond immediately. Of course her nervousness was understandable; what we were about to do was full of risks... However, it was necessary.


    Reinhardt, perhaps trying to lighten the tension of the moment, looked toward the shelves and asked:


    ¡ªHow many books are there really?


    ¡ªMost likely there are thousands


    I replied with apparent indifference.


    ¡ªAre you sure the hidden room is here, Arceus?


    Asked Cassie, looking around with some doubt.


    It was a valid question. After all, we had been in this library hundreds of times without finding anything out of the ordinary. To anyone else, this place had nothing special about it. But I had information that others didn''t possess, information I had obtained through meticulous research and the study of a certain diary I had found.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    I knew that opening the secret room required more than simple luck or intuition. The method was old-fashioned but ingenious: books had to be placed in specific areas following the order of the seven colors of the rainbow. It was the kind of system that fascinated me: complex but logical, impossible to discover by chance.


    With precise movements, I proceeded to arrange the books in the correct order. I could feel the tension in the air while Cassie and Reinhardt watched in silence. Finally, when I reached the last book, the violet one, I pulled it decisively.


    The effect was immediate: a passageway opened before us, revealing a secret entrance that none of us had seen before. The darkness emanating from that corridor was almost tangible, as if it were a living entity inviting us to venture into its depths.


    The air was dense, so charged with tension that each breath felt like a conscious effort. I observed Cassie, her crimson eyes shining in the darkness while she bit her lower lip, clearly disturbed by the dense smoke that serpentined from the entrance as if the passageway itself was breathing.


    ¡ªAre you sure there isn''t another way?


    Whispered Cassie, her voice betraying a slight tremor that contrasted with her usual determination. I noticed how her fingers nervously played with the edge of her sleeve, a gesture that revealed her unease.


    Beside her, Reinhardt maintained his composure, though I could see how his blue eyes meticulously scrutinized the details of the passageway. His hands were tense at his sides, betraying the anxiety he was trying to contain.


    ¡ªThe scroll will remain useless while that artifact remains active.


    He responded in a serene voice.


    It was evident that both were nervous, and I couldn''t blame them. It was natural to fear facing an unknown monster capable of altering memory. After examining the limestone stones that formed the entrance frame, I turned to them with a twisted smile.


    ¡ªWhat''s wrong, Cassie? Are you afraid of a little water vapor?


    I commented, using sarcasm as a mask to hide my own concern while trying to lighten the tension.


    I saw how Cassie smiled softly, while Reinhardt, for his part, rolled his eyes, as his posture relaxed slightly.


    ¡ªI''ll go first. Stay close and alert to anything that seems out of place...


    I stopped before adding that they shouldn''t be surprised by anything. It was unnecessary; I couldn''t predict what kind of situation we would potentially encounter.


    I took the lead, hearing Cassie''s nervous voice behind me.


    ¡ªEh? Oh, okay!


    ¡ªLet''s begin then


    Agreed Reinhardt.


    ¡ªLet''s do our best.


    Added Cassie, and we all nodded slightly at her comment.


    We quickly entered the room before anyone could discover us. It was literally a dark hallway made of limestone, with no option but to move forward as there was no way to go back.


    We advanced slowly, step by step. I knew that the atmosphere in the library and in this corridor would be completely opposite. This was a race against time from the beginning.


    As we kept moving forward, I could notice the doubts on my companions'' faces. I walked forward carefully, making sure not to miss any detail.


    The minutes dragged on as we advanced. The walls seemed to observe us, and the echo of our steps created an unsettling sensation that we weren''t alone. It was Reinhardt who first noticed something strange about our progress.


    ¡ªSomething''s not right.


    He muttered, stopping the group. His eyes scanned the walls with analytical intensity.


    ¡ªWe''ve been walking for more than five minutes, but the architecture... it''s exactly the same. The same stones, the same patterns...


    ¡ªWe''re walking in circles.


    Completed Cassie with frustration. Her gaze stopped on something particular.


    ¡ªWait... do you see that? On the walls...


    I directed the light to where Cassie was pointing. Indeed, almost imperceptible at first glance, tiny runes flickered on the walls with an irregular rhythm, like dying stars in a stone sky.


    I moved closer to examine them better. My expression turned serious while studying the ancient symbols.


    They were designed to keep us trapped in a constant loop, which would cause us to give up and surrender in case we discovered the hidden corridor by mistake. Very clever...


    Reinhardt approached as well, his blue eyes reflecting the faint light of the runes while analyzing them.


    ¡ªIt''s a complex pattern. Look how the symbols intertwine... it''s not just a linear sequence, but an interconnected network.


    ¡ªOh!


    Exclaimed Cassie suddenly, her eyes shining in understanding.

 Chapter 39: darkness

    ¡ªIsn''t it similar to the pattern riddles we found in the library?


    I smiled, recognizing the brilliance in their observation.


    ¡ªExactly. Reinhardt, do you remember how we deciphered those patterns?


    Reinhardt nodded, already moving to examine the runes from different angles.


    ¡ªThe key was in the activation sequence. It wasn''t the pattern itself, but the order in which they light up...


    We worked in sync, each contributing our unique strengths to the challenge. Cassie, with her sharp intuition, identified patterns we overlooked. Reinhardt applied his methodical logic to decipher the correct sequence, while I coordinated our efforts and tested different combinations.


    After several frustrated attempts, we finally found the correct sequence. The runes glowed intensely for a moment before completely fading, and the feeling of disorientation that had been affecting us vanished.


    However, our victory was ephemeral. The smoke, which until then had been passive, began to transform into mist. It became thicker, darker, and a metallic smell filled the air. Before we could react, the fog completely enveloped us.


    ¡ªStay together!


    I ordered in a grave voice. However, there was no response.


    ¡ªGuys?


    When I turned around, no one was there. My friends, who had been with me just a moment ago, had vanished without a trace.


    I let out a deep sigh and followed the direction where they had disappeared. Although I still couldn''t hear any sound around me, it would have been impossible for them to have gone far enough in that short period without me noticing.


    I carefully examined the ground while walking through the mist-filled corridor. I seemed to hear things that weren''t audible and see things that weren''t visible, as if I were having hallucinations. Not knowing what might await me, I became more cautious and continued walking.


    Suddenly, a soft feminine voice called me from behind.


    ¡ªNoah.


    My heart raced upon hearing that familiar voice. I stopped walking and slowly, very slowly, turned around.


    Golden hair that shone intensely as if squeezed from honey and eyes as blue as the sea. The woman I tried to forget several times in recent days, but in the end couldn''t.


    ¡ªAlessia?


    I murmured, incredulous.


    Alessia was there, just as I remembered her.Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    ¡ªI missed you, Noah.


    She told me, looking at me and smiling brightly, like a ray of sunshine.


    ¡ªAlessia...


    Her name escaped my lips before I could contain myself. My deceased wife was there, as beautiful as the day I lost her, with that gentle smile I had loved so much.


    She wore the same sumptuous red dress that now perfectly fit her figure.


    I clenched my teeth so hard they hurt.


    I knew it was an illusion as soon as I saw her. If Alessia were really alive and appeared before me, she wouldn''t look the same as 10 years ago.


    However, I couldn''t take my eyes off her as she approached with a smile. It was an illusion showing someone deeply missed in my heart. Although I already knew the obvious fact that it was a trap that made one truly wander through the mist without reaching the artifact.


    ¡ªNoah. I missed you.


    Her smile always shone as brightly as the sun. And this illusion of Alessia also gently took my hand with the same smile as before.


    That smile reminded me of the happiest moments we shared together. As well as the most painful memories.


    I felt my heart being torn apart. Every fiber of my being yearned to get closer to her, touch her, embrace her one more time.


    I delayed in removing her hand from me. Then, the illusion of Alessia briefly frowned as if she couldn''t understand and called me again lovingly with a radiant smile.


    ¡ªDidn''t you miss me, Noah? I missed you so much. I''m so happy to see you like this.


    I remained silent as if I hadn''t heard her words. I knew that talking to an illusion would only entangle me more in it.


    I tried to ignore her and turned my back. I knew I didn''t have time to worry about these illusions.


    However, despite turning my back, Alessia somehow changed her position and appeared in front of me.


    My body shuddered when I heard her begin to sob.


    Being ignored, her large transparent eyes filled with tears. Soon, she began to shed tears with a sad and disconsolate face.


    ¡ªNoah, look at me, please. I''m the Alessia you remember.


    I felt the paralysis of electrifying terror. Had I heard correctly?


    ¡ªYou''re not real.


    I said with trembling lips, although each word felt like a sharp sword piercing my heart.


    ¡ªAlessia is dead.


    Her figure came closer, her expression turning pained.


    ¡ªWhy do you reject me? Wasn''t it enough that I died because of you?


    Her words hit me like a whip, touching my deepest remorse.


    Alessia opened her arms toward me.


    ¡ªEmbrace me like before, my love. You haven''t forgotten me until now.


    I closed my eyes tightly, while silent tears rolled down my cheeks. My mind fought against my heart in a devastating battle.


    Memories of when I was with Alessia passed through my mind. Back then, we were completely in love, thinking of each other, and I could do anything for her.


    I sighed with resignation.


    ¡ªThat''s right. I can''t forget you.


    ¡ªSee? you still love me.


    ¡ªDon''t fool yourself.


    I looked at the illusion of Alessia with clouded eyes.


    ¡ªJust because I haven''t forgotten you doesn''t mean I still love you.


    I was lying.


    ¡ªWhat...?


    Upon hearing my words, her face expressed great shock, as if her world had crumbled. Her eyes began to fill with deep sadness.


    ¡ªYou don''t feel anything for me anymore? That''s impossible. Think about all the time we spent together, Noah. There''s no way you can forget it!


    The illusory Alessia approached me with teary eyes, grabbing my hand tightly. Her voice trembled with desperation.


    It was a truly cruel illusion.


    ¡ªI loved you, Alessia.


    I finally said, my voice sounding unrecognizable, hoarse from an indescribable emptiness.


    ¡ªI will always love you. But you''re not real, and I have a mission to fulfill. There are people who need me now.


    I opened my eyes to look at the illusion of my wife one last time. With a melancholic smile, I whispered:


    ¡ªGoodbye. This time, I let you go by choice.


    When I caught my breath, my heart quickly calmed down and I regained my composure. Then I could see the situation objectively.


    Sometimes, letting go was the only way to move forward. I realized you can''t fly if you don''t release the chains that bind you.


    Alessia''s figure began to fade, and with it, the dense fog that surrounded me. I blinked several times, my vision slowly adjusting while the last mists of the illusion vanished from my mind.

 Chapter 40: darkness (2)

    POV''S CASSIE


    I saw Arceus''s face as he lay unconscious on the passageway floor. Reinhardt and I leaned over him, worried, while the dim light revealed the exhaustion on our faces. The three of us had faced our own illusions, and although the relief of seeing Arceus wake up was undeniable, the signs of wear were evident in our expressions.


    ¡ªHow long...?


    Asked Arceus with a hoarse voice as he opened his eyes.


    ¡ªYou were the last to wake up.


    Replied Reinhardt, maintaining a calm tone that contrasted with the visible tension in his shoulders.


    ¡ªCassie woke up first, I did a few minutes later.


    I extended my hand to help him up, feeling deep concern while observing his condition.


    ¡ªAre you alright?


    I asked, unable to hide the worry in my voice.


    ¡ªYou seemed... to be fighting against something really difficult.


    I watched as Arceus took my hand and stood up, noticing the trembling in his legs that he tried to conceal. An ironic smile appeared on his lips, though I could tell it didn''t reach his eyes.


    ¡ªI''m fine. It was just an unsolicited reminder that the past always finds ways to catch up with us. What about you two?


    ¡ªThat was... intense.


    I responded, unable to prevent my voice from trembling as I remembered what I had experienced. I saw Reinhardt nod silently, his usual calmness visibly disturbed.A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    ¡ªThe runes.


    Said Reinhardt after a moment, pointing at the walls. After becoming a mage, Reinhardt''s magical perception had increased. Although as an F-grade mage, there was little to nothing he could do.


    ¡ªThey''re similar to the previous ones. These seem to control the illusions. The base pattern is the same, but the sequence...


    I observed the new runes that glowed faintly on the walls. The pattern was similar but different from those we had seen before. This time, however, we were better prepared. With the experience from our first encounter and the urgency to avoid more illusions, the three of us immediately got to work.


    ¡ªIf they''re similar, we can use what we learned before. Look at this group here.


    I pointed to a particular set of symbols, my mind working quickly to decipher the pattern.


    ¡ªThe arrangement is almost identical, but the symbols are inverted.


    Reinhardt nodded at my observation.


    ¡ªIt''s like a mirror... or rather, like a photographic negative. If the previous sequence went from left to right...


    ¡ªThis one must go in the opposite direction.


    Concluded Arceus.


    ¡ªBut not just that. Each individual symbol is also inverted. It''s a double inversion system.


    ¡ªIt''s like a three-dimensional puzzle.


    Muttered Reinhardt after several failed attempts.


    ¡ªEach symbol not only has to be in the correct position in the sequence, but must also be oriented correctly.


    We worked as a team, each contributing our strengths. I focused on identifying the base patterns, while Reinhardt calculated possible sequences and Arceus tested the most promising combinations. The solution came faster this time, thanks to our coordination.


    I watched as the runes glowed intensely for a moment, as if acknowledging their defeat, before turning off completely. The mist that had been present began to dissipate gradually, though it didn''t disappear entirely.


    ¡ªWell done, team.


    Said Arceus, allowing himself a small smile of satisfaction.


    ¡ªNow we can...


    His words were interrupted by a sudden change in the environment that froze my blood. I felt how the air became heavy, as if the atmosphere itself had turned to lead.


    The temperature dropped several degrees in a matter of seconds, and a sensation of primordial terror began to infiltrate my bones. I watched in horror as a dark and evil presence began to manifest in the hallway, an aberration that seemed to absorb the light and heat around us.


    Arceus was the first to notice it. I saw how his eyes turned to the walls, where the runes we had just deactivated began to change color, turning an intense blood red.


    ¡ªClose your eyes! Don''t look into its eyes!


    Whispered Arceus urgently, his voice trembling.


    ¡ªListen... Whatever happens, don''t look into its eyes! If you look at it directly, you''re dead! Stay still, don''t move, and don''t make any noise!