ã€ŠCursed Hero of Another Worldã€‹


 Shattered Bonds and Awakening Fury

    Kazuki Takashi had never known a day of peace. Born to loving parents, his life took a drastic turn when a tragic accident left him orphaned. He was taken in by a cold, unforgiving couple who adopted him, not out of kindness, but for appearances. The pain he endured daily from their abuse became his constant companion. No one knew about the bruises, the scars both physical and emotional that marked his existence. Each blow, each insult, caused a fire of rage to burn hotter within him, though he kept it locked away, unseen.

    One day, a seemingly normal school field trip was announced. His class was excited, their destination an old, mysterious forest on the outskirts of town. Kazuki, as usual, kept to himself, lost in his own thoughts. But when they arrived, something strange happened. The forest was thick with a foreboding silence. As they ventured deeper, they discovered a strange, swirling orb in a clearing, a black hole-like entity. It pulsed with dark energy, drawing everything in. Before anyone could react, the entire class was sucked into its depths.

    When Kazuki regained consciousness, he found himself, along with the others, in a massive castle. They were greeted by a regal figure, an old, battle-worn king, surrounded by his advisors. The king explained that their kingdom was on the brink of destruction and needed heroes to defend it. Each student was evaluated for their magical potential. One by one, they were granted powerful abilities: fire, water, earth, light, all strong, revered elements. But when it was Kazuki''s turn, the crystal scanning his magic remained silent. No attribute appeared.

    Laughter filled the room. His classmates jeered at him, mocking him for being powerless. Even his best friend, Jiro the one person Kazuki had trusted joined in the humiliation, sneering at his misfortune. Kazuki''s heart sank. Just as his anger and despair reached their peak, something snapped within him. Dark, crackling energy erupted around his body, enveloping him in a sinister, electric aura. The room fell silent, and the king and his advisors stared at him in shock.

    "This power¡­" the king muttered, "It''s the magic of devils¡­ And the electric element¡­ the magic of gods."

    The revelation struck fear into everyone. A murmur spread throughout the room as they recoiled from Kazuki. But before anyone could react further, Ryohie, the most popular and powerful student, blessed with light and time magic attacked him out of nowhere. Kazuki tried to defend himself, but the difference in their abilities was too great. Ryohie¡¯s light magic overwhelmed him, and the kingdom quickly banished Kazuki for possessing such dangerous powers.The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

    When Kazuki woke again, he was lying in a bed, his body bandaged and aching. A group of four strangers stood around him, their hands glowing with healing magic. He realized he was in a small village far from the kingdom. The villagers had found him and nursed him back to health, though his soul was still broken. The physical wounds might heal, but the betrayal of his friends, his classmates Jiro cut deeper than anything else. Without saying a word, Kazuki fled into the night, leaving the village behind.

    Outside, the darkness of the forest loomed. It was night, and the creatures of the wilderness had begun to stir. Monsters lurked in the shadows, waiting for prey. Kazuki stumbled forward, his mind clouded with the memories of everything that had happened his abusive "parents," the taunts and laughter of his classmates, the look of disgust on Jiro''s face. The anger inside him flared up again, stronger than ever.

    Suddenly, a monstrous figure emerged from the trees a hulking beast with jagged teeth and claws that glistened in the moonlight. Kazuki barely had time to react before the creature lunged at him. He managed to block the attack, but pain shot through his body. He was no match for these monsters. Desperate, his mind filled with rage, he thought of all the suffering he had endured. His blood boiled. The anger, the hatred he let it consume him.

    With a primal roar, Kazuki¡¯s fists smashed into the monster. His knuckles split open, blood mixing with the creature''s. The sheer force of his punches cracked the beast¡¯s skull, but Kazuki didn¡¯t stop. His bones groaned under the strain, his flesh tearing with every strike. He was no longer fighting for survival, he was fighting to release every ounce of his fury. One blow after another, he pummeled the monster until its body lay lifeless before him.

    But there was no time to rest. More zombies appeared, their decaying bodies rushing toward him. Ten at once. Kazuki, fueled by his rage, tore into them with the same ferocity, despite the growing damage to his hands. His fists were shredded, bones visible beneath the tattered skin. Yet, he kept going, his mind focused only on one thing and that is survival.

    Then, a new threat emerged a massive orc wielding a spiked bat. The creature towered over him, swinging its weapon with devastating force. The bat connected with Kazuki¡¯s side, sending him crashing into the ground. Pain exploded through his body, but he refused to stay down. Crawling to his feet, his vision blurred from blood loss, he faced the orc once again.

    His left eye was struck, a blinding pain shooting through him. But even as his vision faltered, his determination remained unshaken. He would not run. He could not. With a final burst of energy, he lunged at the orc, landing a powerful punch to its liver. The orc staggered, and Kazuki didn¡¯t let up. He kept attacking, ignoring the agony in his broken body, until the creature finally collapsed, defeated.

    Exhausted, Kazuki looked up. More orcs, twenty or more were gathering at the edge of the village. His battered body screamed in protest, but he knew there was no escape. He clenched his broken fists, blood dripping to the ground.

    His fight was far from over.

 The Bonds That Break

    Kazuki''s heart raced as he spotted the monstrous horde charging toward him, their twisted forms illuminated by the moonlight. ¡°I can¡¯t let them get away!¡± he thought, excitement swelling within him. But as he sprinted after them, a searing pain shot through his body, causing him to scream in agony. "Aaaagh!"

    The creatures halted, their grotesque heads turning toward the source of the sound. "Get him!" they growled, surging forward. Just when hope seemed lost, the four figures that had healed him before stepped into the fray.

    The strongest among them, Sato, spoke with a commanding tone. ¡°Good job for holding them back, Kazuki. It¡¯s our turn now!¡±

    Kazuki''s vision blurred as he fainted, succumbing to the pain.

    When he regained consciousness, he found himself back in bed. The scent of herbs filled the air. He blinked against the dim light, seeing three beautiful girls¡ªhealers, he guessed¡ªsurrounding him.

    ¡°You¡¯re awake!¡± one of them exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with concern. ¡°How are you feeling?¡±

    Kazuki sat up, wincing at the remnants of pain. ¡°I... I¡¯ll be fine. Who are you?¡±

    The girls exchanged glances before the one with long, flowing hair smiled. ¡°I¡¯m Aira, and these are my friends, Sam and Ayane. We¡¯re part of the team that saved you!¡±

    Kazuki¡¯s heart warmed at their kindness. The group shared lighthearted chatter, and he felt a glimmer of hope for the first time in ages.

    Days turned into weeks as Kazuki adjusted to his new life. Sato became a mentor, guiding him through rigorous training. ¡°You want to become stronger, Kazuki? Let¡¯s push those limits!¡± Sato declared, a fire igniting in his eyes.

    Kazuki agreed, taking on the challenge with determination. ¡°A hundred push-ups today, two hundred tomorrow!¡± he promised himself. Each morning began with grueling exercises, and though he thought it would be easy, his body soon cried out in protest.

    "Ugh!" Kazuki grunted one day as he faced a sturdy tree, his fists clenched in fury. With each punch, he felt blood seep from his knuckles. ¡°Come on!¡± he growled, losing himself in the rhythm of destruction. ¡°Just¡­ a little more!¡±

    Two hours later, he finally shattered the tree. Panting, he turned to his adopted family, who watched with a mix of concern and pride.

    ¡°Kazuki!¡± one of them gasped. ¡°You¡¯re hurt!¡±

    He grinned through the pain, the crimson droplets on his hands gleaming in the sunlight. ¡°It¡¯s all part of the process!¡± he said, determination blazing in his eyes.

    Three years passed, and Kazuki transformed into a powerful warrior, his body hardened through relentless training. One day, Sato approached him with a serious expression. ¡°Kazuki, we need to talk about sealing your powers.¡±

    ¡°Seal my powers? Why?¡± Kazuki asked, confusion clouding his thoughts.Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

    ¡°Your strength is growing too quickly. You can¡¯t control it yet,¡± Sato explained, producing a cloth infused with powerful spells. ¡°It will help keep your powers in check.¡±

    Kazuki hesitated but ultimately agreed, knowing Sato only wanted what was best for him.

    Then came the fateful day when Ayane announced her decision to join the royal knights. ¡°I need more money,¡± she declared, a greedy glint in her eyes.

    ¡°The king recognizes your strength, Ayane,¡± Sato said, wary of her choice. ¡°Be careful.¡±

    Weeks later, chaos erupted. Kazuki¡¯s heart raced as he sensed an ominous presence. Suddenly, the king himself stood before their home, flanked by his two guards. ¡°Ayane,¡± the king commanded, ¡°kill Kazuki.¡±

    Before Kazuki could react, Ayane drew her dagger, stabbing Sam and Aira without hesitation.

    ¡°No!¡± Kazuki shouted, but it was too late.

    Sato roared in anger, ¡°Ayane, you traitor!¡± He charged at her, fists ready for battle.

    As the fight ensued, Kazuki¡¯s heart sank, grief and rage surging within him. Sam, bloodied and defeated, gasped, ¡°This wasn¡¯t the plan! I thought it was only the new kid!¡±

    The betrayal stung deeply, reigniting the pain of his past. With a cry filled with fury, Kazuki yelled, ¡°I should not have trusted you!¡± and, in an instant, struck Sam down himself.

    The fat guard laughed as he turned to Kazuki, his fists raised. ¡°You think you can stand against me? You¡¯re nothing!¡±

    Kazuki gritted his teeth, recalling the pain from his training. He charged forward, throwing punch after punch, each strike echoing with a sickening ¡°Thud!¡± as his fists met flesh. But the pain returned, sharper than before. ¡°I won¡¯t back down!¡±

    But with each attack, his energy waned. The fat guard landed a blow, sending Kazuki sprawling to the ground. ¡°Is this all you¡¯ve got?¡± the guard jeered, looming over him.

    In a desperate moment, Kazuki glimpsed the sealing cloth wrapped around his fists. The guard smirked, yanking it away. ¡°Let¡¯s see your true power!¡±

    Kazuki felt an immediate shift in the air, a weight lifting as his true strength surged forth. ¡°Where are you going, fatso? Come and fight me at my strongest!¡±

    The fat guard froze, fear flashing across his face as Kazuki¡¯s power enveloped him. With a roar, Kazuki launched himself at the guard, delivering a single, devastating blow that echoed in the night. The guard crumpled, blood spraying in a crimson arc.

    ¡°Kazuki!¡± Sato shouted, still locked in battle with Ayane. But Kazuki''s victory was short-lived. Ayane, grinning, said, ¡°You¡¯re not done yet, are you?¡±

    Kazuki charged, his fists ready. But as Ayane summoned a massive stone barrier, he felt the heat radiating from it. ¡°I won¡¯t let you escape!¡±

    With a primal roar, Kazuki struck the stone twice, the sound of shattering echoing in the night. ¡°Crack! Crack!¡± Pain coursed through his body, but he pushed through, determined to break her defenses.

    In a moment of desperation, he spotted an opening and lunged for Ayane¡¯s torso, his fist colliding with her ribs. ¡°This ends now!¡± he yelled, but Ayane laughed, her wounds healing before his eyes. ¡°You think that¡¯s enough?¡±

    Kazuki¡¯s heart sank as he felt a sharp pain in his left arm. ¡°No...!¡± he cried as it fell to the ground, severed.

    ¡°DIE, you cursed being!¡± the king bellowed, casting a dark spell that crackled with energy. Kazuki braced himself but didn¡¯t dodge. Sato jumped in front of him, deflecting the attack. ¡°RUN, Kazuki!¡±

    Kazuki staggered back, fear and anger coursing through him.

    When Kazuki awoke two days later, the sun streaming through the window, reality hit him like a hammer. Sato had sacrificed himself. ¡°It was supposed to be me!¡± Kazuki shouted, grief choking him. Tears streamed down his face as he mourned his fallen brother.

    ¡°You¡¯ve got the greatest potential and determination,¡± Sato had said before passing. The words echoed in Kazuki¡¯s mind as he buried Sato¡¯s body, vowing to avenge him. ¡°I will avenge you, brother.¡±

    Kazuki stood by the grave, the weight of his sorrow heavy on his shoulders but burning with newfound resolve. He clenched his fists, knowing the battle was far from over.

    ¡°I¡¯ll make them pay,¡± he whispered into the wind, the shadows of his past merging with the promise of vengeance. ¡°This isn¡¯t the end.¡±

 Old Mans Shop

    Kazuki stood before the door of the old man¡¯s shop, the dim light spilling onto the cobblestone street. His heart felt heavy, the weight of loss still fresh, but he pushed the door open with a creak, stepping inside.

    The old man looked up from behind the counter, his eyes widening in shock. ¡°First, you lost your left eye, and now your left arm?!¡± he exclaimed, a mix of surprise and concern etched across his face.

    Creeeaaak! The door closed behind Kazuki, muffling the sounds of the bustling town outside.

    Kazuki offered a nod, his expression cold and detached. ¡°I came for advice,¡± he stated flatly.

    ¡°Sit down.¡± The old man motioned to a rickety chair beside the counter, his voice softened. ¡°You look worse than before.¡±

    Kazuki sank into the chair, the wood creaking under his weight. He glanced around the shop, filled with trinkets and oddities collected over the years. ¡°You know my situation,¡± he said, his tone barely above a whisper.

    The old man sighed, his face creased with age. ¡°I¡¯ve been watching you train, pushing your limits. But you need to think about your future. It¡¯s dangerous here. You should hide or go to other kingdoms.¡± He paused, gathering his thoughts. ¡°Listen, Kazuki. There are places out there that could help you.¡±

    Kazuki leaned forward, interest piqued but cautious. ¡°Which kingdoms?¡±

    ¡°The first is Eldoria,¡± the old man began, his hands gesturing as he spoke. ¡°Known for its ancient, mystical forests and magical creatures. The inhabitants are skilled in nature magic and druidic rituals.¡±

    Kazuki¡¯s gaze remained unfaltering. ¡°And the others?¡±Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

    ¡°Drakoria, a rugged land dominated by towering mountains, home to fierce dragons and expert blacksmiths known for enchanted weapons. Then there¡¯s Luminaris, a kingdom of eternal twilight with glowing crystal caves. Its people excel in light magic and have a rich tradition of art and music.¡± The old man continued, his eyes sparkling with the memories of each place.

    ¡°Valoria is renowned for its military prowess, while Aqualis is an island kingdom with a vibrant underwater city, adept in water magic and sea trade,¡± he said, gaining momentum. ¡°Umbrae is a shadowy realm, and Florentia is famous for its herbal alchemy. Ignisara is volcanic, with masters of fire magic and geothermal engineering.¡±

    Kazuki listened intently, though his expression remained stoic. ¡°And the ones I should avoid?¡±

    ¡°Malvora is filled with greedy nobles and a king who doesn¡¯t care for his people,¡± the old man said, his tone turning serious. ¡°And then there¡¯s Nocturnia¡ªdark magic is revered there, but tread carefully.¡±

    Kazuki felt a chill run down his spine at the mention of Nocturnia, but he kept his composure. ¡°What would you recommend?¡±

    ¡°Valdoria is your best bet for combat training,¡± the old man said firmly. ¡°It¡¯s where warriors are made. But if you¡¯re interested in cursed magic, Nocturnia has its appeal.¡±

    Kazuki nodded, his resolve hardening. ¡°I¡¯ll consider it.¡±

    Just as he turned to leave, the old man called out, ¡°Wait! I have something for you.¡±

    Kazuki paused, turning back to see the old man approach with a green coat adorned with white fur. ¡°This belonged to a mystical beast called the Frostbane Lycan. It¡¯s said to have protective qualities,¡± he explained, handing it over with care.

    Kazuki accepted the coat, his fingers brushing against the soft fabric. A small spark of warmth ignited within him, but he quickly extinguished it. ¡°Thanks,¡± he said coolly.

    The old man¡¯s eyes narrowed as he studied Kazuki. ¡°Remember, kid. You¡¯re something special. Don¡¯t forget that.¡±

    Kazuki simply nodded, the weight of the coat resting heavily in his hands. As he stepped out of the shop, the bell above the door chimed softly.

    Ding!

    The chill of the evening air wrapped around him like a shroud, but Kazuki felt a flicker of determination rising within. He would train harder, grow stronger, and seek the power he needed.

    As he walked away, the old man stood in the doorway, watching him disappear into the twilight. ¡°I hope you find your path, Kazuki,¡± he murmured, a hint of worry shadowing his face.

 Grimvale

    Kazuki stepped out of the old man¡¯s shop, the cool night air greeting him as the village of Grimvale lay under a dark blanket of stars. He pulled the fur-lined coat tighter around him, his mind still heavy with thoughts of Sato.

    "It''s already night," he muttered, glancing up at the moonless sky. "I¡¯ll need to find a place to stay."

    His feet carried him to the local inn, its windows dimly lit with the warm glow of firelight. He pushed open the door and walked in. The innkeeper, a stout man with a greasy apron, glanced at Kazuki and sneered.

    "You again? What do you want?" the man spat.

    "I need a room for the night," Kazuki replied coolly, his eyes cold and unbothered by the man¡¯s tone.

    The innkeeper barked a laugh. "A room? You don¡¯t have any money, do you?" He leaned in, his breath smelling of ale. "Don¡¯t come to Grimvale Village Inn again if you¡¯re broke!"

    Kazuki¡¯s face remained emotionless, but he whispered under his breath, ¡°This place is called Grimvale?¡± A memory suddenly flashed in his mind¡ªthe nights he and Sato spent in this very inn, sharing drinks, laughing, making jokes.

    His chest tightened. Sato¡­

    Then, another thought struck him¡ªhe had once asked Sato how they always had money for the rooms, and Sato had replied with a smirk: ¡°We do quests from the guild.¡±

    Kazuki¡¯s eyes sharpened. The guild¡­ He scanned the village streets, but the realization hit him quickly. Grimvale was too small for a guild. Guilds only existed in larger cities or kingdoms.

    "Tch," he clicked his tongue, irritated by his misfortune.

    With no other choice, Kazuki turned and headed out of the village, his steps silent against the dirt road. After walking a few miles, he stumbled upon a large cave entrance, its dark maw looming ahead.

    "Guess this will have to do," he muttered, stepping cautiously inside.

    The cave was cold and damp, and as Kazuki moved deeper into the darkness, the air grew thick with silence. His breath echoed in the narrow space, the only sound accompanying him.

    Drip. Drip.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    The occasional drops of water hitting the stone were the only sign of life. It was pitch black; he couldn¡¯t see anything.

    "One wrong step, and I¡¯m dead," Kazuki said, his voice low.

    But as he carefully walked forward, the ground beneath him suddenly gave way.

    CRACK!

    Kazuki plunged into a hollow abyss, tumbling down into the dark.

    THUD!

    He hit the ground hard, groaning in pain. ¡°Ugh¡­¡±

    The darkness was suffocating, but before he could even stand up, something massive slammed into him with brutal force.

    BAM!

    Kazuki was thrown back, hitting the cave wall. ¡°What the¡ª¡±

    A deep growl echoed through the cavern. Kazuki¡¯s eyes widened as he realized what was before him¡ªan orc, but this one was bigger, stronger, and regenerating its wounds almost instantly.

    "I can¡¯t see a thing..." Kazuki whispered to himself, gritting his teeth. With no sight, he had to rely purely on instinct.

    The orc charged at him again, its weapon swinging wildly in the darkness.

    SWOOSH!

    Kazuki barely dodged, his body moving out of pure muscle memory. He lashed out with a punch, his fist connecting with the orc¡¯s thick hide.

    THWACK!

    But then, the orc¡¯s weapon came down, smashing into his legs.

    CRUNCH!

    Kazuki collapsed to one knee, gasping in pain. "Damn it!" he hissed, gripping his leg. His body trembled as he tried to stand, but his legs were damaged¡ªseverely.

    The orc loomed above him, its grotesque form visible only through the faint outline of movement. Kazuki¡¯s heart raced, fear creeping into his chest. Am I... afraid?

    His breath quickened. "I can die right here¡­ but..." Kazuki¡¯s thoughts were racing. He saw flashes of Sato in his mind, their laughter, their friendship. "I have to avenge Sato before I die."

    He clenched his fists, ignoring the pain. "I can''t... lose."

    Kazuki took a deep breath, forcing his mind to focus. "Let go of the fear... Trust yourself." His voice was cold, as if talking to someone else entirely.

    The orc swung its massive weapon again, but this time, Kazuki was ready. His body moved with lightning speed, dodging the attack and countering with a powerful punch.

    BOOM!

    The impact echoed through the cave as his fist collided with the orc¡¯s side. The creature roared, staggering back, but it began to heal almost instantly.

    Kazuki¡¯s eyes narrowed. Regeneration...

    He struck again, another punch fueled by 20% of his strength.

    CRACK!

    The orc roared once more, but its wounds closed as quickly as they appeared. Kazuki¡¯s breaths were heavy, his body aching. "If I keep doing this¡­ nothing changes. I won¡¯t kill it."

    His mind raced. He knew he could unleash 100% of his power, but that would destroy him too. His right arm was all he had left¡ªif he lost it, there would be no recovering.

    A cold realization set in. "I can''t use all my strength... but..." His eyes flashed in the dark, the flicker of a strategy forming.

    The orc lunged at him again, swinging its weapon with brutal force. Kazuki sidestepped, barely avoiding the blow. He could feel the raw power behind it, but this time, he didn¡¯t panic.

    He let out a slow, controlled breath, feeling his heartbeat steady. His body was weak, but his mind¡ªhis instincts¡ªwere sharper than ever.

    "I¡¯ll break you," Kazuki whispered, his voice barely audible over the sound of the orc¡¯s growls.

    And with that, Kazuki lunged forward, ready to end the fight.

 The Spark of Survival

    Kazuki stood, panting heavily, his eyes locked on the orc, now barely phased by his current attacks. Each punch, each blow, seemed like a drop in an ocean compared to the brute¡¯s endless regeneration.

    ¡°If I keep this up... nothing will change,¡± Kazuki muttered to himself, frustration creeping into his voice. His cold eyes darted across the pitch-black cavern, searching for any possible solution. I can¡¯t use 100%. I¡¯d destroy myself. There¡¯s no other choice... I need a plan.

    But thinking in the heat of battle wasn¡¯t easy. Just as his mind drifted, the orc¡¯s massive club swung towards him, grazing his head.

    WHOOSH!

    Kazuki ducked, barely dodging the blow. He scowled, retreating to regain his composure. "Tch, no time to think... I need space."

    He backed up, scanning the area for a higher ground where he could rest and think without getting overwhelmed. As he moved, his foot slipped on loose stones, and before he could react¡ª

    CRACK!

    Falling debris from the cave ceiling struck his shoulder, forcing him to stumble. ¡°Damn... it¡¯s too dark to see anything.¡± He clenched his fist, his body screaming in pain.

    His cold eyes glinted in the darkness. I have no choice... I¡¯ll have to use magic.

    Kazuki raised his hand, attempting to summon both his dark and lightning magic. His mind reached out, but...

    Nothing. No spark, no shadow. His brow furrowed in annoyance. ¡°I don¡¯t... know how to use it.¡±

    Gritting his teeth, he closed his eyes and forced himself to focus. The air around him buzzed faintly, a faint crackle of energy forming around his fingertips.

    Then, a flicker of light appeared in his fist¡ªa fragment of dark and lightning magic, weak and unstable. He narrowed his eyes, concentrating harder.

    ZZZT!

    Electricity coursed through his hand, the lightning magic taking shape, but the dark magic remained elusive. ¡°It¡¯s not perfect,¡± Kazuki whispered, staring at his lightning-clad fist, ¡°but it¡¯ll have to do.¡±Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

    Determined, he charged toward the orc, his fist coated in crackling lightning. The creature saw him coming and swung its weapon in a wide arc.

    SWOOSH!

    Kazuki sidestepped, dodging the swing just in time. His enhanced speed surprised him, and he closed the distance in an instant.

    THUD!

    His electrified fist slammed into the orc¡¯s massive body, but to his shock, the damage was minimal. The orc merely grunted, the blow barely more than an irritation.

    Kazuki''s eyes widened. "Just... a little sting?" But then, he realized something¡ªthe speed. His punch had been much faster, almost blindingly so.

    He smirked coldly, his voice low and detached. ¡°So... the lightning enhances my speed. Interesting.¡±

    He flexed his fist, feeling the raw energy flowing through him. ¡°In that case... I¡¯ll just hit faster.¡± His voice remained flat, as though he were stating a fact rather than issuing a challenge.

    Kazuki surged forward again, this time unleashing a barrage of punches, each one charged with lightning.

    BAM! BAM! BAM!

    Fist after fist landed, each blow faster and more precise than the last. The orc howled in pain, its body brutally battered. With each strike, Kazuki pushed his strength to 30%, the attacks tearing through the orc¡¯s thick hide until bones and organs were exposed.

    Yet, despite the damage, the beast continued regenerating, though slower than before.

    Kazuki¡¯s cold eyes narrowed. ¡°Still regenerating...¡±

    His body moved with deadly precision, calculating his next attack. His fist clenched tighter as he decided to push his power further. ¡°Fine. Let¡¯s finish this.¡±

    With a final push, Kazuki threw his fist forward with 50% of his destructive strength.

    CRACK!

    His punch shattered through the orc¡¯s chest, and for the first time, he saw it¡ªthe creature¡¯s heart. Without hesitation, he plunged his hand into the orc¡¯s chest cavity and crushed the pulsing organ in his grip.

    SQUELCH!

    The orc let out one final, gurgling roar before collapsing in a heap, lifeless.

    Kazuki stood over the corpse, his breathing steady, the faintest hint of satisfaction flickering across his otherwise emotionless face. "First win..." he muttered under his breath, staring at his bloodied hand.

    The cave fell into silence, save for the faint crackle of electricity still coursing through Kazuki¡¯s palm. He looked around, realizing the darkness had once again swallowed him.

    ¡°I need light,¡± he murmured coldly.

    Kazuki focused all his remaining lightning magic into his open palm, attempting to form a ball of electricity. His brow furrowed as he concentrated, and after several failed attempts, a small, glowing orb flickered to life in his hand.

    ZZZZT!

    A faint blue light now illuminated the cavern, casting eerie shadows on the walls. Kazuki examined his surroundings carefully, walking toward the edges of the cave in search of an exit.

    But after several minutes of scanning the area, his realization hit him hard. The walls were steep, and the hollow floor seemed to stretch on endlessly.

    ¡°I¡¯m... trapped,¡± he whispered, his voice echoing faintly through the cavern.

    With no visible way out, Kazuki leaned against the cold stone, his glowing lightning orb still buzzing quietly in his hand. He stared at the ground, his cold gaze unblinking.

    "I¡¯ll get out of here," he said softly, his voice as cold and detached as ever. ¡°No matter what.¡±

 The Cave of Lost Souls

    Kazuki leaned against the cold, jagged cave wall, his body trembling from exhaustion. He had just defeated the orc, but in the aftermath of the battle, another harsh reality sank in¡ªhe was trapped. The crushing weight of the situation hit him, knowing he had no way out, no food, and no allies to call for help.

    As the hours passed, the silence of the cave became unbearable. Each minute felt like an eternity. Two days had gone by. His body was drained, weakened, and his mind raced with thoughts of desperation. The cave was cold, filled with the stench of rotting orc flesh. He held his stomach, the gnawing hunger growing unbearable.

    "No one''s coming," Kazuki whispered to himself, his voice hollow. "Why did I even expect someone would save me?"

    He leaned over the orc''s corpse, staring at its decaying flesh. The sight made him sick, but starvation clawed at his insides. He tried to resist, but the hunger pangs were too strong. He knelt down beside the putrid body, hesitating before tearing off a piece of its flesh. "This is what I''ve come to... eating the remains of my enemy."

    With a shaking hand, he brought the foul meat to his mouth, but as soon as he took a bite, memories flooded back. He remembered the simpler days back on Earth, despite the pain his parents caused him. Even then, he could eat warm, proper meals, sleep in a bed. He remembered Sato¡ªthe nights they spent at inns, drinking and laughing, not knowing what their future held.

    "Sato..." Kazuki whispered, tears welling up in his eyes. "If only I hadn''t stayed... if only I hadn''t met them..." His voice cracked as he blamed himself. "You''d still be alive."

    He clenched his fists, slamming them down onto the orc''s lifeless body. THUD! THUD! Over and over again, each punch harder than the last, his fists covered in blood¡ªhis own and the orc''s.

    THUD!

    "Stop remembering! Sato is gone!" He screamed, hitting the corpse again and again, his knuckles bruised and battered.

    But in his fury, something shifted. He stopped. His breath heavy, his body shaking, Kazuki realized something. There was no one left to trust, no one to save him. He couldn¡¯t afford to rely on others any longer. From now on, it was just him. His anger and despair melted into cold determination. "If I want to survive... if I want revenge... I have to be stronger."Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

    Kazuki wiped his tears, his expression hardening. He tore into the orc¡¯s flesh, forcing himself to eat despite the rotten taste. As he swallowed the raw meat, he felt something change within him. His small wounds began to close, his body slowly healing.

    "Regeneration..." Kazuki muttered. "It¡¯s not as strong as the orc¡¯s, but it¡¯s something." He gritted his teeth and forced himself to finish the meal, channeling what little lightning magic he had left to cook the rest of the meat. But it barely made a difference. The taste was still foul.

    When he finally regained some energy, Kazuki stood up and began searching the cave again. His mind was sharper now, more focused. He knocked on the walls, hoping for some clue to an exit. THUD! THUD! The hollow sound echoed through the cave. One section of the wall sounded different. With a clenched fist, he struck the wall hard. CRACK! A hidden entrance appeared.

    "Hmph," he smirked coldly, stepping through the passageway.

    The air grew even colder as he walked deeper into the hidden part of the cave. His footsteps echoed through the stone corridor. After a few minutes, he found himself in a room filled with prison cells, the rusted bars barely holding together. Inside each cell, only skeletons remained¡ªremnants of those who had long been forgotten.

    In one cell, more heavily secured than the others, Kazuki found a skeleton clutching a diary. Curious, he picked it up and began reading. The words told the story of knights from the Kingdom of Malvora¡ªpeasants who had once formed an alliance to overthrow the corrupt monarchy. But they had been betrayed by one of their own, a member consumed by greed who had sold them out to the king. The knights were imprisoned here, tortured, and left to rot.

    Kazuki clenched his fist as he finished the diary. "The king of Malvora... this entire kingdom is rotten to its core. Those knights, the demi-humans... they were betrayed. And that traitor..." His eyes darkened, a cold fury rising within him. "I¡¯ll make sure their deaths aren''t in vain."

    As he searched the remaining cells, Kazuki stumbled upon a hidden button in one of them. It revealed yet another secret passage. Stepping through, he could feel something strange¡ªan ominous energy lingering in the air. Suddenly, a voice echoed through the passage.

    "Please... kill the monarchs!"

    Kazuki turned sharply, his eyes widening as ghostly figures materialized before him¡ªsouls of the fallen knights, the peasants, and the demi-humans who had been trapped here. Their translucent faces were filled with anguish and fury.

    Kazuki''s cold eyes met theirs. "I promise," he whispered. "I¡¯ll avenge you. I¡¯ll make sure the king and his nobles pay."

    The spirits faded away, leaving Kazuki alone in the darkness. He continued down the passage until he finally found the exit, stepping out into the cold night air. His next destination was clear¡ªNocturnia. He needed help controlling his dark magic, and from there, he would begin his path of vengeance.

    As he walked away from the cave, Kazuki¡¯s expression remained cold, his eyes set on his goal. "No one will stand in my way again. Not the orcs, not the nobles, and definitely not the monarchs."

    End of Chapter

 The Burden

    Kazuki trudged through the forest, each step growing heavier as the memories of the cave weighed on his mind. He was drained, his body still recovering from his brutal escape. But when he stumbled upon the familiar path, he knew exactly where it led¡ªGrimvale Village, Sato''s resting place.

    The village seemed eerily quiet, almost lifeless. As Kazuki approached Sato''s grave, he knelt, his hands trembling slightly as he placed them on the cold stone.

    "I''m sorry... Sato," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "I couldn¡¯t protect you."

    He stood in silence for a moment, eyes narrowed. The air was thick with the tension of something looming, and as he turned to leave, he noticed the villagers in a frenzy, evacuating in haste.

    Kazuki approached the old shopkeeper, his voice cold and sharp. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±

    The old man¡¯s face was pale, his hands trembling as he spoke. ¡°Monsters... a group of fools activated a trap in one of the dungeons nearby. Now... the monsters are coming here, and there¡¯s nothing we can do but flee!¡±

    Kazuki''s eyes widened for a brief moment, but then his expression hardened. "Tch." He turned his back to the shopkeeper and muttered to himself, "Not my problem... I should get out of here before things get messy."

    As Kazuki walked toward the edge of the village, his footsteps slowed. A voice echoed in his mind, Sato¡¯s voice.

    "I''ve saved this village multiple times! And when I''m old or gone, you''re the next one to save it!"

    He clenched his fists, scowling. "Why should I care? This village never did anything for me!" His voice grew colder, as if trying to convince himself. "It''s not my problem... it''s not my fight."

    Just then, a desperate shout rang through the village.

    "PLEASE, SOMEONE HELP US!"

    It was the innkeeper¡ªthe very man who had mocked Kazuki for not having enough money to stay at his inn. Kazuki¡¯s eyes darkened, his lips curling into a bitter smile. "Look who''s begging now." His voice dripped with disdain.

    He turned to leave once more, but Sato¡¯s voice echoed louder in his head. "You''re the next one to save it!"

    Kazuki grit his teeth, shaking his head. "Damn it!" His frustration boiled over as he turned back toward the village. He shouted to the fleeing villagers, his voice like ice. "Go! Run to Malvora, ask the knights for help. If I die fighting these monsters, you¡¯ll need them!"

    The old shopkeeper approached him again, offering armor and weapons. "Here, take these. You''ll need them to¡ª"

    Kazuki cut him off, his tone sharp and dismissive. "I don¡¯t need your equipment." His eyes glinted with cold resolve. "What I have is enough."This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.

    The shopkeeper backed away, nodding. "Kazuki Takashi... will save us."

    As the villagers hid in their homes, Kazuki stood alone, staring down the path where the monsters would soon arrive. His body was still battered, his muscles aching from his previous ordeal, but there was no turning back now.

    THUD. THUD. THUD.

    The ground trembled as the horde of monsters appeared on the horizon. Giants, zombies, orcs, and deceased knights. Kazuki clenched his fist, charging it with his lightning magic, the air around him crackling.

    "BOOM!" His fist collided with the foot of the first giant, knocking it off balance and causing it to crush several other monsters beneath its weight. The ground shook as the giant fell, sending a shockwave through the horde.

    But the zombies and deceased knights continued to rush toward him, their rotting bodies moving unnaturally fast. Kazuki grinned coldly, stepping into a boxing stance, his memories of Earth flooding back.

    "I joined that gym to fight off bullies. I guess... it¡¯s time to put that training to use."

    With rapid movements, Kazuki unleashed a flurry of punches, each one crackling with lightning magic.

    "JAB! JAB! JAB!"

    His fist tore through the undead, his speed too much for their decaying bodies. "SWISH!" A roundhouse kick sent a deceased knight flying into pieces, but Kazuki felt a sharp pain shoot through his arm. His body wasn¡¯t fully healed. The friction burns from his lightning punches were scorching his skin, and every punch sent searing pain up his arm.

    But he didn¡¯t stop.

    "WHAM! WHAM! WHAM!"

    He fought relentlessly, but soon, his mana began to fade. His breathing grew labored, and there were still 17 monsters left. His fists were blistered, his vision blurred.

    "I... can¡¯t... stop..."

    In his mind, memories of his childhood resurfaced. The bullying. The abuse. The nights he came home covered in blood, only to be scolded by his parents for ruining his clothes. Every punch, every kick, every moment of pain sharpened his resolve.

    He got back into his stance, fists raised. "I¡¯ve been through worse..."

    Suddenly, a dark aura began to form around his fist. Kazuki¡¯s eyes widened. "What... is this?"

    He backed away from the fight, clenching his fist, trying to summon the dark magic again. "Come on..." His voice trembled with desperation as he closed his eyes, focusing on every painful memory. When he opened them, his fist was coated in a swirling dark energy.

    He charged at a giant, delivering a single punch to its leg. "BOOM!" The giant howled in agony as its leg crumbled under the impact.

    Kazuki¡¯s eyes gleamed. "So, this dark magic... increases my strength and regenerates my mana..."

    A wicked grin spread across his face. "I can use lightning again..."

    He lured the remaining zombies toward the giants, forcing them to crush their allies in their frantic movements. Then, with dark magic swirling around his fist, he finished off the two remaining orcs in just three devastating punches.

    The last of the giants fell, but as Kazuki stood victorious, his body gave out. He collapsed to the ground, breathing heavily. His vision blurred, and in the distance, he saw a colossal figure approaching.

    THUD. THUD. THUD.

    His body screamed in agony, but he forced himself to stand. "Get up... GET UP!" he roared, his legs shaking as he faced the oncoming threat.

    As the figure came into view, Kazuki¡¯s eyes narrowed. "A... Cyclops?"

    The beast towered over him, its single eye glowing ominously. Kazuki charged his feet with lightning magic, desperate for speed. "SWISH!" He darted forward, dodging the Cyclops'' deadly laser.

    "AIM FOR THE EYE!" he shouted, clenching his fist as dark and lightning magic intertwined.

    "I won¡¯t betray their trust... the villagers... the old man... they believe in me!" His voice was hoarse but filled with cold determination. "I CAN''T FAIL THEM!"

    With a final burst of energy, Kazuki unleashed his combined magic, "BOOM!" His fist collided with the Cyclops¡¯ eye in an explosion of power.

    The Cyclops roared in agony before collapsing, dead in a single blow.

    Kazuki fell to the ground, his body utterly spent. His vision darkened, his breath shallow.

    But he forced himself to smile, whispering softly to himself as everything faded to black. "I... I did it..."

 The Hero of Grimvale

    Kazuki¡¯s body slumped to the ground, lifeless and battered after the intense battle with the Cyclops. His body lay still, the once fierce warrior now unconscious amidst the ruins of Grimvale. The villagers rushed out of their homes, their hearts racing as they gathered around the fallen hero. The old shopkeeper knelt beside Kazuki and pressed two fingers against his neck, searching for a pulse.

    "He''s still alive!" the shopkeeper shouted. "Rush him to the inn! We must heal him, quickly!"

    The villagers sprang into action, carrying Kazuki''s limp body to the inn. Inside, healers worked furiously, their hands glowing with magic as they tried to mend his injuries. After a long hour of effort, one of the healers, Mary, stepped forward, her face pale.

    "We tried our best," Mary said, her voice trembling. "But the wounds on his fist... we couldn¡¯t heal them. They''re too severe. However, he is safe. We just need to wait for him to recover."

    The old shopkeeper nodded solemnly. "He deserves more than just healing. We¡¯ll have a feast tonight to celebrate him, our savior!"

    The villagers, grateful and eager to honor their hero, began to prepare the feast.

    In the Depths of Kazuki¡¯s Mind¡­

    Kazuki drifted into darkness, his consciousness slipping into a dream that felt all too familiar. He stood in the house he grew up in, his childhood self huddled in the corner, bruised and shaking. His "parents" loomed over him, their faces twisted with fury. The sharp crack of a slap echoed through the room.

    "You¡¯re worthless!" they yelled.

    But as Kazuki¡¯s younger self endured the torment, a shadowy figure appeared behind him, placing a hand over his eyes. Everything went black.

    When Kazuki opened his eyes again, he found himself in a dark, eerie landscape. Shadows stretched endlessly, and towering mythical creatures and devils stared down at him with gleaming eyes.

    Suddenly, he woke up.

    Kazuki¡¯s eyes snapped open. The dim light of the inn greeted him, the smell of herbs and incense thick in the air. He was surrounded by the old shopkeeper, Mary, and other villagers, their faces filled with relief.

    "I... I''m awake," Kazuki muttered, his voice cold and detached as he pushed himself up.

    "You should rest," the old shopkeeper urged. "The villagers are preparing a feast in your honor. Stay a while longer."

    Kazuki blinked in surprise. A feast? For me? He looked around, noticing the grateful faces of the people. For the first time in his life, he was being treated as something more than a failure or outcast. He had never expected to be praised or thanked for anything.

    As he stepped out of the inn, the sight that greeted him was surreal. The entire village had gathered, the air filled with the warmth of celebration. The villagers looked at him with admiration, calling out to him as they offered their thanks.A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

    "Hero!"

    "Savior!"

    Their voices rang in his ears, but Kazuki remained expressionless. He wasn¡¯t used to this¡ªaccepting praise for his actions felt foreign. His cold eyes swept over the crowd, his lips barely moving as he nodded in acknowledgment.

    The old shopkeeper stood beside him, smiling kindly. "You¡¯ve earned it, lad," he said softly. "Stay at the inn for as long as you need. Everything is on the house."

    Kazuki''s lips curled slightly into a faint, almost imperceptible smile. "Thank you," he said, his voice still low and emotionless. The old man, after so many months of knowing him, finally saw something in Kazuki he hadn¡¯t before¡ªa glimpse of humanity, buried deep beneath the cold exterior.

    The Journey Continues

    After the feast, Kazuki left Grimvale early the next morning, his heart weighed down by conflicting emotions. The villagers'' trust and admiration clung to him, but he quickly cast it aside. As he walked down the winding road toward Nocturnia, he murmured to himself, "This isn¡¯t my problem anymore."

    His journey, however, was soon interrupted.

    Kazuki spotted a group of bandits lurking near a carriage. It seemed they were planning to rob a noble''s daughter who was traveling along the same road. The bandits noticed him, and with greedy smiles, they approached.

    "Oi, traveler," one of them sneered. "Why don¡¯t you join us? We¡¯re about to score big by holding that noble hostage!"

    Kazuki stopped and turned his cold gaze toward the bandits. "I have nothing of value, no items, no money. You can¡¯t take anything from me."

    The bandits were taken aback by his blunt response. One of them scratched his head. "Well, you could always join us¡ª"

    Kazuki interrupted, his voice like ice. "I have no interest in your schemes. Good luck." He turned to leave, his coat billowing behind him.

    The bandits, bewildered, handed him a map as a parting gift. "Here, traveler. You look like you¡¯re not from around here. Take this map as a token of goodwill."

    Kazuki¡¯s eyes narrowed at the map, and he gave a faint nod before walking away.

    A Hidden Threat in Aldoria

    Upon reaching Aldoria, the capital city of Malvora, Kazuki kept his hood drawn low, wary of his classmates who might recognize him. His heart raced as he passed through the bustling streets, careful to avoid unnecessary attention.

    A guard stopped him near the gate, suspicious of his foreign attire. "Where are you from?"

    Kazuki met the guard''s gaze with cold indifference. "Another country," he said flatly.

    The guard seemed unconvinced but ultimately let him go after finding no reason to detain him. Kazuki wasted no time heading toward the local guild to register as an adventurer. As he stepped inside, the atmosphere was thick with the stench of alcohol, sweat, and old adventurers shouting over each other.

    His gaze shifted toward the far end of the room, where he saw two familiar faces: Taro Suzuki and Sato Takumi¡ªformer classmates. They were drinking and laughing, unaware of Kazuki¡¯s presence due to his hood. Their conversation caught his attention as they casually spoke about someone he once knew all too well¡ªAiko Shimizu.

    "Aiko''s a prodigy, but she can¡¯t control her magic properly," Taro slurred, his words laced with drunkenness. "She still cries every night... especially after Kazuki was banished."

    Kazuki''s fists clenched under his coat, the mention of Aiko stirring a deep, unshakable rage within him. His expression remained cold, but beneath the surface, the wounds of the past had been ripped open again.

    He approached the guild counter. "I want to register as an adventurer," he said, his voice void of emotion.

    The guildmaster eyed him carefully. "What¡¯s your magic type?"

    "Lightning," Kazuki replied curtly.

    The guildmaster nodded and took him outside to test his strength. Without hesitation, Kazuki obliterated twenty trees with a single punch.

    "Goodluck beginner! ," the guildmaster announced upon their return, offering Kazuki his first set of rewards, including 10 gold pieces. The room fell silent as the other adventurers watched in awe.

    Kazuki returned to the guild bar, ordering himself a drink. As he sipped, he overheard more of Taro and Sato¡¯s drunken chatter, their words about Aiko cutting deeper with every mention. His cold eyes lingered on the exit as he prepared to leave.

    But just as he stood to go, the door to the guild swung open¡ªand there stood Aiko Shimizu.

 Cursed Power, Hidden Secrets

    Kazuki''s eyes widened slightly as Aiko entered the guild hall, her presence instantly recognizable. But she wasn''t alone. Walking beside her was Yuki Mori, her best friend of 14 years. Yuki, a striking figure with raven-black hair and sharp red eyes, was known for wielding blood magic, a fearsome and rare power that made her a Palladium rank adventurer¡ªone step below the elites.

    As Aiko and Yuki passed Kazuki, he noticed something glinting on the ground. Aiko''s adventurer card. Without hesitation, Kazuki picked it up and called out, "You dropped this." His voice was cold, almost detached.

    Aiko turned, her expression softening as she saw what he held. "Oh, thank you!" she said, her voice filled with gratitude. "Let me get you a drink as thanks." She smiled warmly, oblivious to the storm brewing within Kazuki.

    As she ordered, Kazuki stood silently, his mind racing. Should I tell her? The thought of revealing his true identity¡ªof telling her he was Kazuki¡ªwarred in his mind. What if she tells the others? What if Sako and Taro overhear and spread the word that I''m alive? And those rumors he overheard... Is she really crying because I was banished, or was that just another lie?

    His internal conflict was interrupted when Sako and Taro, two of his former classmates, stumbled toward him. Taro sneered, "What''s with the missing arm and eye, huh? Not so tough now, are ya?"

    Sako, smirking, joined in. "Hey Aiko, how about ditching this half guy and having a drink with someone who''s actually whole?"

    Kazuki felt a flare of anger rise within him, but before he could react, Aiko stepped in front of him, her eyes cold. "That''s enough," she said sternly.

    Yuki''s eyes narrowed, and without a word, she raised her hand. Blood-red energy crackled from her fingertips. "Blood Bind!" she hissed, and in an instant, Sako and Taro''s bodies froze. They couldn''t move, their limbs paralyzed for ten minutes.

    Aiko glanced at Kazuki, concern flickering in her eyes. "Let''s get out of here."

    The three of them left the guild together. Once they were outside, Aiko turned to Kazuki, her gaze curious. "Where are you from? You don''t seem like a local."

    Kazuki''s voice was calm and distant as he answered, "Grimvale. It''s a small village."

    Aiko smiled. "Grimvale? I''ve never heard of it. I''m actually from another world. Yuki and I both are."

    Hearing this, a small warmth sparked in Kazuki''s chest. "She hasn''t changed." The Aiko he once knew¡ªthe Aiko he admired¡ªwas still the same, even after three years in this strange world. He found himself smiling slightly, though he quickly hid it.

    Soon, it was time to part ways. As Aiko and Yuki left, Sako and Taro re-emerged from the guild, their pride still wounded. They shouted after him, "What''s so special about you, huh? We''re better than you in every way!"

    Taro struck first, aiming a magic-infused punch toward Kazuki. "Dust Spike!" But Kazuki easily dodged the attack. Sako, not missing a beat, created a thick cloud of smoke with his magic. "Smokescreen!"If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

    The air around Kazuki filled with swirling gray mist, obscuring his vision, but it didn''t matter. He rushed forward, driving his fist into Sako''s gut with a sickening THUD.

    "These guys..." Kazuki muttered, his voice laced with disdain, "...are weak."

    Taro wasn''t done, though. Summoning his magic, he conjured a swirling sandstorm. "Sandstorm!" The air grew thick with grit, but again, Kazuki rushed through the storm without hesitation, landing a hard punch directly into Taro''s stomach.

    Sako and Taro struggled to their feet, ready to cast more spells, but Kazuki grabbed a large rock and hurled it at Sako, knocking him back. Taro, distracted by the sight, left himself wide open. Kazuki closed the distance in an instant, slamming another punch into his gut. "These guys... are weak... compared to what I''ve faced."

    Kazuki stood over their unconscious forms, breathing steadily. "I won''t kill them. Not yet." He paused, looking at their lifeless bodies sprawled on the ground. "Not yet." He could feel his heart pounding in his chest, the thrill of the fight still fresh in his veins. "If they''re all this lazy... surpassing them won''t be hard. But if these two are the weakest... how strong could the others be?"

    Kazuki turned and walked away, the tension slowly fading. His thoughts turned to Aiko. "Aiko... I can''t do anything if she''s around. She''ll only hold me back." His steps faltered for a moment. "But... when the day of my revenge comes, will I be able to hurt her? If her kindness... if what we shared on Earth holds me back... then this revenge is pointless." He clenched his fists, feeling the rage building inside him again. "But I have to avenge Sato''s death. The only way I can do that... is to rid myself of all emotions."

    His journey continued until he stumbled upon a small hut in the middle of nowhere. The hut belonged to an overseer, a figure known for possessing great knowledge. Kazuki decided to ask the overseer the question that had been gnawing at him for some time.

    "Why is dark magic considered a curse in this country?" Kazuki''s voice was as cold as ever, but there was a trace of curiosity in it.

    The overseer, a withered old man with a long white beard, looked up from his desk and smiled knowingly. "Ah, I see. You must be a dark magic user yourself, no? Very few ask about such a dangerous subject."

    Kazuki remained silent, waiting for the explanation.

    "Dark magic is considered a curse for many reasons," the overseer began, leaning forward. "First, allow me to explain the concept of magic awakening. When one masters all the subtypes of a magic, they can evolve it into something far more powerful. For instance, flame magic can awaken into solar magic¡ªblessed by the gods¡ªor inferno magic, a reflection of the flames of hell. It all depends on the user''s deeds."

    Kazuki''s eyes narrowed. "And dark magic?"

    The overseer chuckled softly. "Dark magic is unique. During the war between the gods and devils, most of the devils wielded dark magic, and they were unstoppable. It uses so little mana, yet the damage it can deal is immense. And when dark magic is infused into weapons or melee attacks, your mana regenerates with every strike." The overseer''s eyes glinted. "It''s a dangerous power, one that''s difficult to control. That''s why it''s feared."

    Kazuki absorbed this information silently, his mind working through the implications.

    The overseer continued. "There are three subtypes of dark magic: night magic, shadow magic, and an unknown subtype. No one knows what the third is because no humanoid has ever unlocked it. But I will tell you this, young man¡ªwhen you awaken dark magic, even if you''ve led a life of virtue, it always evolves into void magic. Pure darkness. That''s why it''s a curse."

    Kazuki didn''t say a word. He simply tossed the overseer three gold coins as a tip and turned to leave.

    As he walked away, the overseer called after him. "I pray for your success on your journey, dark one."

    Kazuki''s hand clenched around the handle of the door. He stepped outside, the weight of the overseer''s words hanging over him like a shadow. "Void magic... pure darkness."

    He looked up at the sky, a mixture of emotions stirring within him. "I''ll master it... and then, no one will stand in my way."

 The Dungeon of Ancient Stones

    Kazuki woke up early, his body aching from the bed in the Aldoria inn, but he paid it no mind. Pain had become as natural to him as breathing. After a brief moment of reflection, he began his morning with a "simple" training regimen, though it was far from simple by most people¡¯s standards. Sweat poured down his brow as he muttered to himself, ¡°Even if I don¡¯t have a proper home, my body must always be ready... what if a stronger enemy appears?¡±

    He pushed through his intense workout, each movement precise and powerful. The echoes of his strikes and the sounds of his exertion filled the small room.

    BAM! BAM! His fists collided with the stone floor, shaking the room slightly.

    After finishing his training, Kazuki wiped the sweat from his face and geared up. His mind drifted to the previous day, wondering if he had gone too far with Sako and Taro. Though, in truth, he couldn¡¯t find it in himself to care. They were weak, and he had no time for weakness.

    Kazuki made his way to the guild hall. Upon arrival, he scanned the room. To his surprise, neither Sako nor Taro were present.

    ¡°Maybe I did go a little far,¡± he thought briefly, but the idea quickly left his mind as he approached the quest board. His gaze fell on a particularly dangerous-looking quest: ¡°Conquer the dungeon and report any findings. Reward: 3,000 gold coins.¡± The task was meant for high-ranked adventurers, but Kazuki didn¡¯t hesitate. "This should be enough of a challenge", he mused.

    Just as he reached for the quest slip, a familiar voice called out to him.

    ¡°Hey!¡± Aiko''s voice rang out with an unexpected cheer. She stood there with a wide smile, her companion Yuki beside her. Yuki''s expression was less enthusiastic, but there was no mistaking her strength. Her eyes gleamed with confidence, an aura of danger surrounding her.

    Kazuki tensed. "Aiko... and Yuki..."

    ¡°Wanna take on this quest together?¡± Aiko continued, her eyes twinkling. Yuki added, ¡°You can really help us, you know?¡±

    Kazuki remained silent for a moment, contemplating. He knew joining forces with them could be risky, but at the same time, it would give him a chance to gauge their power. "This is the perfect opportunity to figure out how strong they are. I can''t pass this up."

    After a few seconds, Aiko interrupted his thoughts again. ¡°If you don¡¯t mind me asking, what¡¯s your name?¡±

    Kazuki¡¯s heart skipped a beat. He couldn¡¯t reveal his real name to her¡ªnot yet. Thinking quickly, he answered, ¡°Zuki.¡±

    Yuki¡¯s voice broke the tension. ¡°Come on! We promise not to hold you back.¡±

    After a moment of hesitation, Kazuki nodded. ¡°Alright, let''s do this together.¡± Inside, though, his thoughts churned. "I''ll take this chance to observe them... and if they¡¯re weak, I¡¯ll handle it all myself."

    The trio accepted the quest, heading toward the dungeon. When they arrived, it was exactly as Kazuki had imagined: a massive stone structure guarded by monstrous creatures. As Kazuki prepared to strike, Yuki stepped forward, her eyes glowing crimson as she muttered an incantation.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

    SPLASH! Blood magic swirled around her, controlling the monsters like puppets on strings. Within moments, the beasts turned on each other, tearing themselves apart.

    But Yuki¡¯s face paled as her mana dropped significantly. ¡°We need to move fast,¡± she said breathlessly.

    Kazuki noted the strain in her voice. "Half her mana gone already..." Aiko quickly suggested, ¡°Let¡¯s split up. I¡¯ll handle things solo, while you two stick together. That way, if Yuki runs out of mana, someone can support her.¡±

    Kazuki agreed, though he would have preferred to go alone. As the group parted ways, Kazuki and Yuki moved deeper into the dungeon. They passed through dark, narrow corridors, coming across ancient cells that seemed to have housed prisoners. Oddly enough, there were no remains.

    ¡°Strange,¡± Yuki muttered as they searched the area. Kazuki nodded, but his focus was elsewhere. "This place feels off."

    Meanwhile, Aiko had found her own path, stumbling upon a room covered in ancient writing. As her fingers traced the symbols on the wall, a hidden mechanism activated, revealing a throne room. And seated upon the throne was a massive stone figure, its eyes glowing with eerie light.

    ¡°I am Ragnor, the Shattered Guardian of Ancient Stone,¡± the figure boomed, rising from its seat.

    Aiko instinctively prepared a spell, but Ragnor moved faster. CRACK! The dungeon¡¯s very walls responded to his will, trapping Aiko in an instant. With another wave of his hand, Kazuki and Yuki were dragged from their position and thrown into the throne room, trapped within a stone arena.

    BANG! The walls of the arena shifted, turning the room into a colosseum. Ragnor¡¯s voice echoed ominously, ¡°Which of you dares to rob my domain?¡±

    Without a second thought, Kazuki sprang into action, his body moving at blinding speed. No time for hesitation, he thought coldly. He darted toward Ragnor, lightning magic crackling around his legs and dark magic enveloping his fists. He aimed for Ragnor¡¯s legs, BOOM!, smashing one apart with a single hit.

    But Ragnor barely flinched. With a simple motion, he regrew the shattered stone. ¡°A cheap trick, mortal,¡± he sneered.

    Kazuki¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°I wasn¡¯t aiming to break you,¡± he muttered, his voice icy. ¡°I was giving her time.¡±

    From the corner of the arena, Aiko was gathering her strength. She raised her hand, channeling both solar magic and gravity magic into one devastating attack. ¡°Full Force of the Sun!¡± she cried.

    WHOOOOSH! The arena was bathed in a blinding light as Aiko¡¯s spell exploded, releasing the searing power of the sun itself. The heat was unbearable, even for Kazuki. Ragnor screamed in pain as the spell obliterated his right arm, melting the stone so thoroughly that he could no longer regenerate it.

    But the attack had cost Aiko dearly. She collapsed to the ground, unable to stand.

    Ragnor roared in fury, raising his remaining arm to strike down the defenseless Aiko and Yuki. But before his blow could land, Kazuki appeared before him in a blur of motion.

    ¡°I''ve seen their ultimate attacks now. It¡¯s time to end this.¡±

    He crouched low, his feet crackling with lightning magic as he prepared for a final strike. ZAP! He shot into the air, his fist charged with dark and lightning magic.

    As Kazuki soared towards Ragnor¡¯s head, he muttered coldly, ¡°Disappear.¡±

    CRASH! His fist connected with Ragnor¡¯s skull, shattering the ancient guardian into dust. The sheer force of the attack obliterated Ragnor completely, leaving nothing but remnants of his feet.

    As the dust settled, Aiko and Yuki stared in disbelief. Kazuki stood still, his body tense, his fist trembling from the pain. His knuckles were raw and bleeding, a result of the brutal training he had undergone.

    Yuki¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Zuki... you...¡± But the words failed her. All she could do was stare at him, awestruck by the monstrous strength he had displayed.

    Kazuki clenched his fist, ignoring the pain as he whispered, ¡°These hands... they are meant to destroy.¡± He turned away, his voice colder than ever. ¡°Let¡¯s leave. There¡¯s nothing left here.¡±

    As they walked out of the ruined dungeon, Kazuki¡¯s thoughts drifted to Aiko and Yuki. "They¡¯re strong", he admitted to himself. "But not strong enough."

    And as they continued through the dark corridors, one thought lingered in Kazuki¡¯s mind: "I will surpass them all... even if it means destroying everything in my path."

    ¡°THUD, THUD¡± His footsteps echoed through the halls, a reminder of the weight he carried¡ªboth the burden of his past and the unrelenting drive toward his future.

 The Price of Power

    After Kazuki delivered the final blow to Ragnor, the once fearsome guardian beast crumpled lifelessly to the ground. The air was thick with tension, the scent of blood, dust, and sweat swirling around them. Aiko and Yuki, still trembling with adrenaline, could barely process what they had just witnessed. Their eyes darted between the fallen monster and the figure standing tall before them.

    Kazuki stood silently, his back turned to them, as if unaffected by the carnage around him. His body was riddled with scars, his fists stained with blood from the brutal fight. Aiko was the first to speak, her voice shaky and filled with a mix of fear and awe.

    "J-Just who the hell are you?!"

    Her words were sharp, cutting through the silence like a blade. Yuki, standing beside her, was equally bewildered, her wide eyes glued to Kazuki. She had seen him fight, but the power he displayed was beyond anything she had ever imagined. Was this really the same person they knew?

    Before anyone could respond, a loud rumble shook the dungeon. RUMBLE! The ground beneath them trembled, and in the center of the room, a mysterious stone slab slowly rose from the floor. It emitted an eerie glow, casting long shadows across the walls. Kazuki, Aiko, and Yuki turned their gazes toward the slab, their hearts racing.

    ¡°What¡­ is that?¡± Yuki whispered, her voice barely audible.

    The slab held an ancient book, and as Kazuki approached it, he noticed the familiar characters etched onto its surface.

    ¡°It¡¯s¡­ Japanese?¡± Kazuki murmured, narrowing his eyes. ¡°So¡­ there were others. Other people who got summoned to this world. It wasn¡¯t just our class.¡±

    He read the inscription on the slab aloud. ¡°¡®For whoever defeats this guardian, consider this a gift from a fallen warrior who almost defeated a god.¡¯¡±

    Before either Aiko or Yuki could say anything, Kazuki reached out, placing his hand on the book. The moment his fingers touched the cover, a surge of blinding light engulfed the room. FLASH! A searing pain shot through his body, and a scream tore from his throat.

    ¡°AAAAAARRRRRRGHHHH!!¡±

    Kazuki clutched his chest as the pain intensified, spreading like wildfire through every fiber of his being. His knees buckled, and he collapsed to the ground, writhing in agony. The pain was unlike anything he had ever experienced¡ªsharper, more excruciating than any injury from his battles. His vision blurred as the edges of his consciousness began to fade.

    "Zuki!" Aiko shouted, rushing to his side, but she couldn¡¯t get close as the pressure emanating from his body was overwhelming. Yuki, too, was rooted to the spot, her face pale with horror.

    Kazuki¡¯s hair slowly began to change, turning from its usual dark shade to a ghostly white, like ash falling from a dying fire. His left arm, once scarred and missing, began to regenerate at an inhuman speed. His eye, lost in a past battle, returned to life, and he could feel it¡ªevery nerve, every cell healing, but with each second, the agony grew.

    ¡°GAAAHHHHH!!¡± He screamed again, clutching his head as the transformation continued, his voice raw with pain.

    It felt as though his entire body was being torn apart, only to be stitched back together again in a cruel, agonizing loop. But after what felt like an eternity, the pain finally subsided. Kazuki lay on the cold stone floor, panting heavily, his body drenched in sweat. His breaths came out in ragged gasps, and he slowly, shakily, pushed himself to his feet.

    Aiko and Yuki watched in stunned silence as Kazuki examined his regenerated arm and eye. His white, ashen hair fell over his face, giving him an eerie, almost spectral appearance. The wounds on his fists, however, remained, deep and unhealed. He clenched his hand, feeling the monstrous strength coursing through him¡ªand the terrible cost that came with it.If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    "So... this is the price of power."

    Aiko, who had finally found her voice, collapsed to her knees in front of him, her eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Zuki," she whispered, her head bowed. "If it weren''t for you, we... we would have died in there."

    Yuki, still in shock, hesitated but eventually followed Aiko''s lead, kneeling as well. "I... I can''t believe this. You... you saved us." Her voice quivered, torn between disbelief and relief.

    Kazuki looked down at them, his expression cold and distant. "Stand up."

    His voice was low, almost emotionless, and it sent chills down their spines. "I don¡¯t need your thanks. You two did your best, and you damaged Ragnor. Don¡¯t give all the credit to me."

    He turned away from them, his ashen hair swaying slightly as he walked toward the dungeon exit. The sound of his footsteps echoed in the cavernous space. Aiko and Yuki exchanged a glance before hurriedly following after him, unsure of what to make of this new, colder Kazuki.

    As they left the dungeon, they stumbled upon a massive trove of gold, jewels, and treasures piled high in the chamber before the exit. Kazuki barely spared it a glance, but Aiko and Yuki''s eyes widened at the sight.

    "Wow," Yuki whispered, her fingers trembling as she reached for a handful of gold coins. "This... this could make us rich."

    When they returned to Aldoria Kazuki, Aiko and Yuki parted ways. Kazuki headed to the Aldorian inn and Aiko and Yuki heads to the Aldorian hospital.

    While Aiko was in the hospital recovering from her injuries she said. "Kazuki... could it really be him?" she muttered under her breath. "The way he fought, the way he saved us... it felt like... like..."

    Yuki snapped her head toward her. "Like what? What are you talking about?"

    Aiko hesitated before speaking. "I felt it. When that guy, Zuki, saved us there¡­ I felt the presence of Kazuki."

    Yuki''s face twisted in disbelief. "Are you serious? That guy?! Kazuki?! No way he''s that powerful! The Kazuki we know would never be like that... he''s not that... cold." She shuddered, recalling the coldness in Kazuki''s voice and the detached way he spoke to them.

    When Kazuki returned to the inn, walking silently through the dimly lit streets, his mind focused on nothing but rest.

    In the Aldorian hospital, as Aiko was being treated for her injuries, Yuki took the opportunity to inform the rest of their classmates about what had happened. The news of Kazuki¡ªor at least someone they suspected might be him¡ªspread quickly. One person, in particular, was more intrigued than the others: Ryohei Nakamura, the most popular guy in their class, and a Diamond-ranked magic user. With his mastery of light and time magic, Ryohei was well-known and respected throughout the kingdom. The moment he heard Aiko''s story, he knew he had to meet Kazuki face to face.

    Meanwhile, Kazuki collected his reward from the guild. The guildmaster raised an eyebrow at Kazuki''s drastically altered appearance but wisely chose not to question him. The cold air that surrounded Kazuki felt different¡ªdangerous. After collecting the reward, Kazuki returned to the inn, his body weary from both the battle and the painful transformation he had undergone.

    Kazuki fell onto the bed in his room, the mattress creaking under his weight. His eyes drifted shut, and for the first time in a long while, he allowed himself to sleep.

    The next day, after Aiko had recovered, she and Yuki met with Kazuki to split the rewards from their dungeon expedition. Kazuki handed them their share without a word, his face expressionless as ever.

    "Are you sure?" Aiko asked, hesitating as she took the pouch of gold. "You... you earned most of this."

    Kazuki shrugged, his voice devoid of emotion. "I don¡¯t need it."

    They stood in awkward silence for a moment before Aiko spoke again. "So... I guess this is goodbye?"

    Kazuki nodded slightly, turning his back to them. "I have things to do," he muttered, beginning to walk away.

    As he made his way down the street, the wind blowing gently through his white hair, a sudden flash of light caught his attention. FLASH! A powerful, magical aura filled the air behind him, and he heard a voice call out.

    "Wait!"

    Kazuki stopped in his tracks, his eyes narrowing as he slowly turned around. There, standing a few meters away, was Ryohei Nakamura, flanked by several of their classmates. They stared at Kazuki with wide eyes, some filled with awe, others with fear.

    Kazuki''s gaze locked onto Ryohei''s, cold and unflinching. The tension in the air was palpable. He could feel it¡ªthe curiosity, the fear, the admiration radiating from his former classmates.

    Without a word, Kazuki turned his back on them once more and walked away.

 The Catalyst of Power

    Kazuki had been walking for days since leaving Aldoria, and the journey had been uneventful. His new appearance¡ªashen hair and regenerated arm and eye¡ªwas enough to make most people keep their distance, but he preferred it that way. He had no time for idle conversation or useless pleasantries. His destination was Florentia, but he had to pass through Malvora first.

    As he reached the borders between the two territories, the endless walking began to weigh on him. His body, while enhanced with inhuman regeneration, still needed rest. Finding a large, ancient tree, Kazuki decided to take a break. He sat in its cool shade, the thick branches overhead providing a welcome escape from the relentless sun.

    THUD! He dropped his gear beside him, resting his back against the rough bark. The wind rustled softly through the leaves, creating a calm, tranquil atmosphere. For the first time in days, Kazuki closed his eyes and let himself relax.

    Four hours passed.

    Kazuki opened his eyes and stared at the horizon, his body feeling refreshed. He hadn''t planned on resting for so long, but it was fine. After gathering his things, he resumed his journey, his cold, emotionless expression back on his face.

    As he continued walking, something caught his eye in the distance¡ªa ruined house, standing alone in the vast, empty landscape. Curiosity sparked within him, though only briefly. Still, it was something to investigate. He approached the dilapidated structure, cautious but unconcerned. If anything posed a threat, he would simply crush it.

    Upon entering the house, Kazuki found piles of dust-covered books scattered across the floor and shelves. Most were rotting, their pages yellowed with age, but one in particular stood out. It was bound in worn leather, the title faint but readable: Tale of the Hero from Another World.

    He narrowed his eyes. Another world? Was it possible that someone like him had been summoned before? Intrigued, Kazuki picked up the book, tucking it under his arm. "Might as well read it during my next break. Could be useful."

    Leaving the ruined house behind, he began walking again. As he journeyed on, he opened the book, flipping through its pages. The tale was somewhat familiar¡ªthe story of a hero summoned from another world to defeat a great evil.

    "Keh... typical," he muttered under his breath, his eyes scanning the text with disinterest.

    But as he read more, his gaze darkened. The hero in the story was the fallen hero he had encountered before, the one whose slab had appeared after he defeated Ragnar. The revelation piqued his curiosity, and he began reading with more focus.The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    Hours passed as Kazuki walked, his eyes glued to the book. The more he read, the more disillusioned he became. "The hero, this so-called fallen hero, had been nothing special. In fact, the story painted him as weak, barely able to stand against the challenges thrown at him." Kazuki scoffed, snapping the book shut.

    "What a joke. And here I thought I had gained something useful from that god."

    He was about to toss the book into the dirt and leave it behind when a thought struck him. Wait... the last page. His instinct told him to check, so he flipped to the final page, expecting nothing of value.

    What he found sent a chill through him.

    The last page contained an important detail: when Kazuki had touched the book on the slab in the dungeon, he hadn''t received any divine power at all. Instead, the book had simply unlocked his latent potential, boosting what was already there within him.

    "What...?" Kazuki''s voice was barely audible, but his eyes were wide with realization.

    The pain he had felt, the rapid regeneration of his eye and arm¡ªeverything made sense now. It wasn''t the power of the fallen god that had enhanced him; it was his own mutation. The book had merely accelerated the process, amplifying his potential to terrifying levels.

    He recalled the moment when his hair turned white and his regeneration became unnaturally fast. It was all because of the orc''s flesh he had consumed back in the hollow cave. The mutation had begun there, but the book on the slab had pushed it to its peak.

    "So that''s it... It wasn''t a gift. It was just a catalyst."

    Kazuki''s lips curled into a cold, bitter smile. His regeneration now rivaled that of a mythical beast, but it came with a price. The wounds on his hands and fists remained, never fully healing, a constant reminder of the cost of his newfound strength.

    THUD! He slammed the book shut and tossed it to the ground, the leather cover kicking up a cloud of dust. "Useless," he muttered, turning away from the discarded tome.

    As he walked on, Kazuki''s mind was a storm of thoughts. He hadn''t been given anything by that god. His power was his own, born from the darkness inside him and the torment he had endured. The thought brought him no comfort, only a cold sense of inevitability.

    The world was cruel, and so was he.

    The wind picked up, whistling through the barren landscape as Kazuki continued his journey toward Florentia. His steps were steady, but there was a weight behind them now¡ªa knowledge that he had only scratched the surface of what he was truly capable of.

    In the distance, the border of Florentia loomed. His destination was close, but his path remained uncertain. Kazuki clenched his fists, feeling the sharp sting of his unhealed wounds. The pain was constant, but he welcomed it. It reminded him of what he had become, of what he had lost.

    "I''ll make them all pay," he whispered to himself, his voice cold and devoid of emotion. "Gods, heroes... it doesn''t matter. I''ll tear it all down."

    With that, he continued onward, leaving behind the ruined house and the useless book, his eyes fixed on the horizon. The winds howled around him, as if in mourning for the fate of those who would cross his path.

    And so, the journey continued.

 Mask of Shadows

    The cold wind brushed against Kazuki¡¯s face as he trudged along the worn road to Florentia. His footsteps echoed in the stillness of the wilderness, accompanied only by the faint rustle of leaves and the distant calls of birds. His mind, however, was far from serene.

    The events of the past few days still lingered in his thoughts, like shadows he couldn¡¯t shake off. The faces of Aiko and Yuki, kneeling before him, haunted his memory. The look in their eyes¡ªa mixture of fear and awe¡ªwas something Kazuki was growing far too accustomed to.

    As he walked, his eyes scanned the horizon, and he began to think aloud to himself.

    ¡°If I reach Florentia,¡± he muttered coldly, ¡°I¡¯ll need to get a mask. I can¡¯t afford to have anyone recognize me, especially if the authorities get involved in any future fights. They¡¯d know exactly who to arrest.¡±

    Kazuki''s voice was calm, but beneath that surface was the weight of everything he''d endured¡ªeverything he''d become. He was no longer the same person who had been summoned to this world with his classmates. Now, he was something far more dangerous. The wind howled, a sharp gust, almost as if it was agreeing with his dark musings.

    He pressed on, walking for days, barely resting. Each step brought him closer to Florentia, the country renowned for its herbal medicine. A place known for healing. Yet, Kazuki was painfully aware that no herb could heal the scars¡ªboth physical and emotional¡ªthat he carried.

    Finally, the gates of Florentia loomed in the distance. The clang of metal armor sounded as two guards stood at the entrance. As he approached, one of them raised a hand.

    "Wait!" the guard barked, his voice firm. "State your name and where you''re from."

    Kazuki''s cold eyes met the guard''s gaze. He hesitated for a brief moment, then spoke.

    ¡°Kazuki. From Aldoria,¡± he said, his voice emotionless.

    The guards exchanged glances, but after a few questions and a long pause, they let him pass.

    As he entered Florentia, Kazuki couldn¡¯t help but think, "This place reeks of false serenity," noting the peaceful atmosphere that starkly contrasted his inner turmoil.

    Now inside, he murmured to himself, ¡°Just need to pass through here... then Nocturnia awaits.¡± Nocturnia, the land of cursed magic, was his true destination¡ªa place far removed from the herbal calm of Florentia.

    He walked for hours, his body aching from the long journey, but his resolve unyielding. As the sun began to set, casting an orange hue over the horizon, Kazuki arrived at a city called Veridonne. The distant murmur of bustling crowds and the sound of market bells ringing welcomed him.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

    Veridonne was massive¡ªalmost as large as Aldoria itself. Kazuki¡¯s eyes flickered with slight surprise, though his face remained expressionless. He quickly made his way to an inn, paying for a room with the few coins he had left.

    The moment his body hit the bed, he let out a low, tired sigh. The bed creaked under his weight, and the darkness of sleep took him in an instant.

    The next morning, Kazuki awoke with a renewed sense of purpose. He needed two things: a mask to conceal his identity, and money to continue his journey.

    His first task was simple enough. After washing his face and donning his tattered cloak, he set out into the city to find a vendor selling masks. The chatter of the market filled the air, mixed with the clinking of coins and the laughter of children. The normalcy of it all seemed so foreign to him now.

    Kazuki approached a vendor, his eyes scanning the various goods displayed.

    ¡°You got any masks?¡± he asked, his voice as cold as the steel of his blade.

    The vendor, a portly man with a wide grin, nodded eagerly. ¡°Oh yes, lad! We¡¯ve got all sorts of masks. But judging by the look on your face, I think you¡¯re after something... unique.¡±

    The vendor rummaged through his collection and pulled out a white mask. It had a sleek, smooth finish, but what caught Kazuki¡¯s attention was the neon red pattern etched across it¡ªa striking, almost unnatural design.

    ¡°This one,¡± the vendor said, his voice lowering conspiratorially, ¡°is special. One of a kind. No one else in Veridonne has a mask like this.¡±

    Kazuki reached out, running his fingers across the mask¡¯s surface. There was something about it that resonated with him¡ªa sense of danger and mystery, much like himself.

    ¡°I¡¯ll take it,¡± he said flatly, tossing a few coins onto the vendor''s counter.

    As he walked away with the mask in hand, he could feel the weight of the eyes around him. People glanced at him curiously, but none dared approach. There was an aura around Kazuki that kept them at bay, an unspoken threat that hung in the air.

    Once the mask was securely in his possession, he knew it was time to deal with his dwindling funds. He made his way to the local guild, a place where adventurers took on quests for rewards. As he entered, the heavy door creaked open, revealing the boisterous atmosphere inside. Adventurers of all ranks filled the hall, exchanging stories of their latest conquests.

    Kazuki walked to the quest board, his sharp eyes scanning the papers pinned to it. Most quests offered meager rewards¡ªescort missions, hunting basic monsters¡ªbut none of them caught his interest. He needed something that would yield real profit.

    Then, his gaze landed on a poster.

    ¡°Raid this mysterious dungeon that appeared a few months ago!¡± it read in bold letters.

    Kazuki¡¯s lips curled into a slight smirk as he tore the poster from the board. A dungeon raid meant treasure, and treasure meant money. But more than that, it meant a chance to grow even stronger.

    He approached the guildmaster¡¯s desk, slamming the poster down. The thud echoed across the room, drawing a few eyes toward him.

    ¡°I¡¯ll take this one,¡± Kazuki said, his voice cold and resolute.

    The guildmaster, a grizzled old man with a scar running down his face, raised an eyebrow. ¡°Alone? That¡¯s a dangerous quest for one person.¡±

    Kazuki¡¯s eyes darkened as he put on the white mask, hiding his face. The room seemed to drop a few degrees in temperature.

    ¡°I¡¯m not just anyone,¡± he said, his voice now muffled behind the mask, but no less menacing. ¡°If I find any loot, it¡¯s all mine. This time, no one will hold me back.¡±

    With that, Kazuki turned, his cloak billowing behind him as he left the guild. He was ready. Ready to face whatever awaited him in the dungeon.

 The Mysterious Dungeons Call

    Kazuki stood at the edge of the forest, gazing at the mysterious dungeon before him. The eerie silence around it caught his attention. There were no monsters guarding the entrance¡ªno traps, no obvious signs of danger. Just an old, decaying structure draped in thick vines and moss, as if nature itself was trying to conceal it from the world.

    With a cold glance, he muttered, ¡°Strange... too quiet.¡±

    He adjusted the white mask he had purchased earlier in Veridonne, the neon red patterns reflecting faintly in the dimming light. With his hood up and mask on, he looked nothing like the Kazuki of the past¡ªhis aura exuded danger and unpredictability. He moved forward, his boots crunching softly against the moss-covered ground.

    Rustle.

    The slight sound of his footsteps echoed through the emptiness. The dungeon seemed to absorb every noise, making even the smallest movement feel unnerving. As he entered the dungeon''s maw, a stench of decay hit him, though it was nothing new to him. He had walked through worse.

    Inside, the air was thick, damp, and musty. Green moss lined the stone walls, crawling in every direction. A low, oppressive hum filled the dungeon, as if something deep within awaited him. Yet, Kazuki remained unfazed. His cold, calculating mind was already preparing for the worst.

    Suddenly, he saw them.

    Skeletons¡ªundead soldiers from long-forgotten wars, their bones rattling with every step they took, their empty eye sockets glowing with faint blue light. They shuffled aimlessly around the room, carrying rusted weapons and broken shields.

    Kazuki narrowed his eyes behind his mask and whispered to himself, ¡°Pathetic. This will be easy.¡±

    He clenched his fists, a low hum resonating as dark tendrils of magic danced across his knuckles, intertwining with crackles of lightning. The magic crackled against his skin, sending small jolts through the air as his hands began to glow.

    CRACKLE!

    A bolt of lightning surged through his fists as he moved into a familiar stance¡ªa boxer¡¯s stance, firm and poised for combat. The dungeon¡¯s faint light reflected off the electricity surrounding him, creating a sharp contrast to the eerie darkness of the room. Without wasting another breath, Kazuki charged forward.

    The first skeleton barely had time to react before Kazuki¡¯s fist collided with its skull.

    SMASH!

    The skeleton shattered instantly, its bones scattering across the floor. He didn¡¯t stop. Another punch sent another undead flying into the wall, its bones disintegrating upon impact.

    More skeletons rushed toward him. Kazuki remained still, his breathing steady, eyes cold and calculating. The lightning around his fists flared, dark magic swirling in a deadly dance.A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

    WHOOSH!

    A skeleton swung its rusted sword at him. Kazuki dodged with ease, moving like a shadow in the dimly lit room. In an instant, he delivered a series of rapid punches to the creature''s ribcage, each blow amplified by the magic coursing through his fists.

    CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!

    The bones snapped like twigs, collapsing to the ground in pieces. Kazuki turned his gaze toward the remaining undead, his eyes burning with a cold intensity behind the mask.

    ¡°These things are nothing,¡± he muttered to himself, his voice devoid of emotion.

    One by one, the undead fell, unable to even touch him. His fists moved faster, each punch laced with dark magic and lightning. The room filled with the sounds of bones shattering and the occasional hum of his magic.

    But as Kazuki fought, something deep inside the dungeon stirred. A low growl reverberated through the walls, causing even the undead to hesitate for a moment. Kazuki stopped, his cold gaze scanning the area.

    ¡°What now?¡± he whispered, his voice low and steady.

    The ground trembled beneath his feet, and from the shadows emerged a much larger figure. A massive undead knight, its armor rusted and broken, but its strength undeniable. It carried a massive sword, one that seemed far too large for any normal human to wield. Its glowing eyes locked onto Kazuki, and without a word, it raised its sword and charged.

    THUD! THUD!

    The ground shook with each step the knight took. But Kazuki remained still, unflinching. He didn¡¯t back down.

    As the knight swung its massive blade, Kazuki darted forward with inhuman speed, dodging the blow by mere inches. The sword struck the ground with a deafening CLANG, sending debris flying in every direction.

    In an instant, Kazuki closed the distance, his fist coated in crackling lightning.

    CRACKLE! BOOM!

    His punch landed squarely on the knight¡¯s chest, the force of the blow sending a shockwave through the dungeon. The dark magic surged into the creature, its armor denting and cracking from the impact. But the knight didn¡¯t fall.

    Kazuki clicked his tongue in mild annoyance, his cold demeanor unbroken. "Stronger than the others... but still not enough."

    The knight swung its sword again, but Kazuki was too fast. He sidestepped the attack effortlessly and unleashed a barrage of punches, each one precise and deadly.

    CRACK! CRACK!

    With each hit, the knight¡¯s armor crumbled, its body unable to withstand the force of Kazuki¡¯s strikes. The final punch shattered the knight¡¯s skull, the glowing eyes dimming as it fell to the ground with a heavy THUD.

    Kazuki stood over the remains, his fists still glowing with dark magic and lightning. He took a deep breath, the sound of the knight''s fall still echoing in the chamber.

    ¡°Too easy,¡± he muttered, turning his back to the fallen creature.

    He continued deeper into the dungeon, his steps echoing through the now empty hallways. The air grew colder, the magic around him simmering down but never fully fading. As he ventured further, he could feel something¡ªan unsettling presence lurking within the dungeon¡¯s depths.

    Kazuki smirked beneath his mask. ¡°Let¡¯s see what else this place has to offer.¡±

    The deeper he went, the more the moss-covered walls seemed to close in on him. But Kazuki¡¯s resolve never wavered. His mind was focused, his body tense, ready for whatever awaited him.

    As he moved further into the dungeon, he couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that this was no ordinary quest. The eerie stillness, the faint growl from earlier¡ªsomething was wrong. But Kazuki had come too far to turn back now.

    His eyes narrowed as he saw a faint light in the distance¡ªa soft, eerie glow that beckoned him forward.

    ¡°I guess the real challenge begins now,¡± he whispered coldly, his voice barely audible in the oppressive silence of the dungeon.

    And with that, Kazuki pressed onward, ready to face whatever lurked in the darkness.

 Krakens Jewel

    Kazuki stood amid the crumbled bones of the defeated undead, his fists still crackling with faint traces of dark lightning. The air in the dungeon felt heavy and damp, the eerie silence only broken by the occasional drop of water echoing from the distant walls. He took a deep breath, eyes narrowing as he scanned his surroundings. His cold demeanor never wavered, even as his pulse steadied after the battle. But something told him the real challenge was yet to come.

    He pushed deeper into the dungeon, his mask hiding any trace of emotion as he explored the ancient, moss-covered hallways. The further he went, the more peculiar the atmosphere became. It was as if the dungeon itself was alive, its oppressive energy seeping into every corner.

    As he turned a corner, a faint glimmer caught his attention. He stopped, eyes locked onto a faint blue light emanating from a nearby crevice. Walking closer, he found a small, bluish gem lying in the dust. The gem pulsated with an odd energy, as if calling out to him.

    Kazuki crouched down, staring at the stone for a moment. Without hesitation, he picked it up, the cool surface sending a strange shiver through his hand. "What is this...?" he thought, but he didn¡¯t dwell on it for long. He slid the gem into his bag, the mysterious object hidden from view as he continued his exploration.

    The dungeon led him to a large chamber, and as Kazuki entered, his footsteps echoed in the cavernous space. At the far end of the chamber stood a massive structure, its intricate carvings worn by time. In the center of the structure was another large, bluish gem¡ªthis one far bigger than the one he¡¯d found earlier.

    Kazuki''s bag began to tremble. He stopped in his tracks, his eyes shifting to the bag as it rattled violently. Confused, he opened it and saw the blue gem he had just picked up glowing brightly, almost as if it had a life of its own. Before he could react, the gem shot out of his bag and flew toward the larger gem in the structure like a magnet.

    WHOOOSH!

    The smaller gem collided with the large one, and as soon as they connected, the air in the room changed. A low, ominous rumble echoed through the chamber, the ground beneath Kazuki''s feet vibrating with power. He stepped back, his eyes narrowing as he watched the blue energy swirl around the structure.

    "The hell..." Kazuki muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

    Suddenly, blue tendrils of energy started to emerge from the massive gem, snaking through the air like ethereal tentacles. They twisted and writhed, growing larger with every passing second until they took physical form¡ªmassive, water-like tentacles that seemed to distort the space around them.

    One of the tentacles shot toward Kazuki with blinding speed.

    SWISH!

    Kazuki¡¯s reflexes kicked in, his body moving in sync with the threat. He dodged to the side just as the tentacle crashed into the stone where he stood, the impact sending chunks of rock flying through the air.

    The tentacles then slithered along the ground, spreading out in all directions. As they made contact with the stone floor, the dungeon began to shift. The ground beneath Kazuki¡¯s feet transformed, turning from solid rock into what looked like a deep, endless ocean. The water surged upward, quickly enveloping the entire chamber.Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

    Kazuki felt the cold water rise around him, submerging him completely within moments. His eyes widened beneath the mask, and he quickly realized he had no choice but to fight underwater.

    The tentacles thrashed wildly in the dark depths, now fully at home in their natural environment. Kazuki gritted his teeth as he focused, his gaze locking onto the source of the threat. Emerging from the dark waters was the massive form of a kraken, its body grotesquely large, its eyes glowing with an unnatural blue light. The giant blue gem was embedded in its head, pulsing with an eerie glow. And within the gem, Kazuki could just make out the faint shape of a girl, unconscious and suspended inside the crystal.

    Kazuki clenched his fists, dark magic and lightning surging through his fists. His muscles tensed as he adopted his boxing stance. He knew the underwater environment would slow his movements, but he couldn¡¯t afford to hesitate. He couldn¡¯t reach the kraken¡¯s head directly¡ªnot without getting tangled in its tentacles. So he would have to wait for the right moment, biding his time for the perfect counterattack.

    The kraken roared, its tentacles thrashing violently. One of them lashed out, cutting through the water with terrifying speed.

    Kazuki¡¯s eyes flickered with cold determination as he dodged, narrowly avoiding the strike. The force of the tentacle sent a shockwave through the water, but Kazuki was already moving. He slipped into the gap between the tentacles, his body flowing through the water like a shadow.

    BAM!

    His fist connected with one of the kraken¡¯s massive limbs, the impact sending a pulse of dark lightning through the creature''s body. The kraken let out a deafening roar, but Kazuki didn¡¯t stop. He moved in close, slipping past the thrashing tentacles and delivering another crushing blow to the creature¡¯s side.

    Each punch sent a shockwave through the water, and though the strikes injured his fists, Kazuki¡¯s regenerative abilities quickly healed the damage. He knew he couldn¡¯t afford to hold back¡ªthis was an all-or-nothing battle.

    The kraken, enraged by the attacks, lunged forward, its massive jaws opening to devour him whole. But Kazuki was already anticipating the move. He shifted his weight, dodging to the side and delivering a powerful punch directly to the kraken¡¯s head.

    CRACK!

    The force of the blow sent the kraken reeling, and Kazuki¡¯s eyes locked onto the glowing gem in its head. Through the fractured light, he could see her¡ªthe girl trapped inside the crystal. Her face was peaceful, eyes closed as if in a deep slumber.

    "Who...?" Kazuki whispered, his voice muffled by the water.

    The sight of the girl momentarily distracted him, and in that instant, another tentacle shot toward him.

    WHAM!

    The tentacle struck Kazuki with brutal force, sending him crashing into the stone wall of the dungeon. The impact knocked the air from his lungs, but he recovered quickly, his body healing almost as fast as it was injured. His eyes narrowed as he focused back on the fight.

    The kraken roared again, the gem in its head glowing brighter. Kazuki knew he had to act fast¡ªhe had to break that gem. But first, he had to deal with the relentless tentacles.

    Kazuki took a deep breath, steadying himself in the cold, dark waters. He coated his fists with more dark and lightning magic, the energy pulsating around him like an aura of destruction.

    "I don¡¯t have time to play around with you," he muttered, his voice a cold whisper in the depths.

    The kraken lunged again, but this time Kazuki was ready. He slipped through the gaps in its strikes, each movement precise, each punch delivered with calculated force. The water slowed his attacks, but Kazuki was relentless, focusing his power into every blow.

    And as he closed in on the kraken, his eyes locked onto the gem once more. He could see the girl clearly now¡ªunconscious, but alive.

    This fight wasn¡¯t just about survival anymore. Something deeper was at play.

 Fight Beneath the Waves

    Kazuki stood in the vast underwater chamber, the pressure from the ocean weighing on his body as he stared at the massive creature before him. BOOM! The kraken¡¯s tentacle slammed into the ground where Kazuki had just been standing, narrowly missing him as he dashed to the side.

    ¡°Dammit,¡± Kazuki muttered under his breath, water swirling around his feet as he steadied his stance. The massive creature loomed above him, its blue gem shimmering in the faint light filtering through the murky waters. That gem. It had drawn in the smaller blue stone from his bag, and now the entire chamber was an aquatic battlefield. A girl, trapped inside the gem, seemed to pulse with the kraken¡¯s movements, her unconscious form glowing faintly.

    The beast''s tentacles writhed with dangerous speed, cutting through the water like blades. Kazuki clenched his fists, dark magic and crackling lightning surging around them. He prepared for the next attack.

    WHOOSH! Another tentacle came crashing down, but Kazuki was already moving. He slipped into the narrow gaps between the tendrils, evading their strikes with a cold precision. His body moved like a shadow, barely leaving any trace of his presence. When one of the tentacles lashed out again, Kazuki saw his opportunity.

    He lunged forward. CRACK! His fist slammed into the side of the kraken¡¯s massive head. The dark and lightning magic exploded upon impact, sending a ripple of force through the water. The kraken roared, a deep guttural sound that reverberated through the chamber, but Kazuki felt the cost immediately. His hands burned, the skin tearing from the immense pressure of the strike. Blood seeped into the water, but the pain was fleeting.

    His eyes flicked to his hands¡ªalready, the flesh was knitting itself back together, his regenerative abilities kicking in. "No matter how strong... I¡¯ll outlast you." His voice was cold, a low whisper in the vast silence of the water.

    The kraken reared back, its tentacles flailing in the water, creating waves that nearly knocked Kazuki off balance. But he stood firm, his gaze never leaving the beast.

    Kazuki''s breath slowed, focusing on the massive gem embedded in the kraken¡¯s forehead. The girl inside¡ªwhy was she here? What did the kraken want with her? These thoughts, however fleeting, didn¡¯t distract him from the fight. He could worry about answers later.

    The kraken struck again, this time with three tentacles aiming to crush him all at once. Kazuki narrowed his eyes, dodging the first two strikes with ease, but the third caught him by surprise. THUD! The tentacle slammed into his chest, sending him spiraling through the water, crashing into the chamber''s stone wall.Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

    For a moment, everything went silent. The force of the blow knocked the wind out of him, and the water seemed to still. His vision blurred, the weight of the ocean pressing on his chest. But Kazuki wasn¡¯t the type to stay down.

    He planted his feet against the wall, pushing off with all his might. As he shot through the water toward the kraken, his fists began to glow once more. Dark magic surged from his core, mixing with the lightning to form a deadly combination. His eyes locked onto the kraken¡¯s head, aiming for the weak point¡ªthe gem.

    The kraken saw him coming, swinging its massive arms to block his path, but Kazuki was too fast. He ducked under one of the tentacles, slipping past its defenses with practiced precision.

    BAM! Kazuki¡¯s fist connected with the gem, sending a violent shockwave through the creature¡¯s body. The gem cracked slightly, a faint line appearing on its surface. The girl inside the gem twitched, her eyes fluttering momentarily before she fell back into unconsciousness.

    Kazuki gritted his teeth, feeling his knuckles bleed again. ¡°Damn thing¡­ how hard is this gem?¡± His thoughts raced. There had to be a way to shatter it. He couldn¡¯t afford to drag this fight on much longer.

    The kraken roared in fury, its tentacles whipping through the water with renewed force. Kazuki could sense the creature¡¯s anger. It was desperate now, flailing its massive body in an attempt to crush him. But desperation made it sloppy.

    Kazuki exhaled slowly, his breath steadying. "One more hit."

    He closed his eyes for a brief moment, focusing all the power within him. The dark magic and lightning around his fists intensified, swirling together until they became a brilliant black-and-blue flame. His heart pounded in his chest, and his eyes snapped open, cold and focused.

    The kraken lunged again, but this time Kazuki didn¡¯t move. He waited, timing the strike perfectly. When the tentacle came crashing down, he sidestepped at the last second, bringing his fist down with everything he had.

    CRACK!

    The gem shattered.

    In an instant, the water around him began to swirl violently, the kraken¡¯s body spasming uncontrollably as it let out a final, ear-piercing roar. The creature¡¯s massive form collapsed into the water, its tentacles going limp as its life force drained away.

    Kazuki floated in the water, breathing heavily. His body ached, and the wounds on his fists were deeper than before, but they were already healing. He glanced at the shattered remains of the gem, the glowing fragments slowly sinking to the ocean floor. The girl was free, her body floating gently in the water.

    Kazuki swam toward her, grabbing her unconscious form and pulling her close. He studied her for a moment, his cold gaze lingering on her face. Who was she? And why had the kraken trapped her here?

    There were too many questions, but no answers¡ªat least not yet. Kazuki shook his head. This wasn¡¯t the time for that. He needed to get out of the dungeon.

    With the girl in tow, he began swimming toward the surface. The weight of the battle was heavy on his shoulders, but his mind was already shifting to the next step. He would figure out what this girl¡¯s connection to the kraken was. And if she was dangerous... he wouldn¡¯t hesitate.

    As Kazuki reached the surface, breaking free from the water, he took a deep breath. The fight was over, but something far more complicated was just beginning.

 Girl in the Gem

    Kazuki stood over the motionless body of the kraken, its tentacles now limp and lifeless, floating aimlessly in the water that had flooded the chamber. He looked up at the glowing blue gem embedded in the creature¡¯s head. Behind the shimmering surface, the silhouette of the unconscious girl was clear.

    He reached up and grabbed the gem, dislodging it from the kraken¡¯s skull with a sharp crack. As soon as the gem came free, the water in the chamber began to recede, vanishing as quickly as it had appeared. The dungeon¡¯s eerie glow faded, leaving only the dim light filtering in from the dungeon entrance.

    Kazuki cradled the girl in his arms, her body cold and still. Her strange purple hair flowed loosely down her back, and as Kazuki began the long walk back to Veridonne, he couldn¡¯t help but notice how different she looked. He caught a glimpse of something glinting from her neck¡ªa pendant. He tilted her body slightly to get a better look.

    A name was carved delicately into the silver pendant: Selena.

    "Selena..." Kazuki muttered under his breath, his voice low and distant, more to himself than to anyone else. "Must be her name."

    His eyes narrowed slightly. Purple hair wasn¡¯t a color he¡¯d seen often, if ever. Perhaps she was from a different race, but he didn¡¯t dwell on the thought for long. She was unconscious, and his goal was simple: get her to the hospital and leave. She wasn¡¯t his responsibility. His mission had been the dungeon raid, and this was just a side effect of that quest.

    After a few hours of walking through the forest surrounding Veridonne, the gates of the city came into view. Kazuki, with his masked face hidden from curious eyes, stepped past the gates without trouble. The city bustled with life, merchants shouting over the crowd, and the clinking of armor as guards patrolled the streets. Yet even in this noise, the weight of the girl in his arms made everything feel distant.

    He arrived at the hospital, its stone exterior weathered but sturdy. Without a word, Kazuki carried Selena inside, where a few doctors stood in shock at the sight of the girl in his arms.

    ¡°She¡¯s unconscious. Take care of her,¡± Kazuki said coldly, his voice low and emotionless as usual.

    One of the doctors hesitated, but before they could ask questions, Kazuki tossed a hefty bag of silver coins on the table, the clink of the coins echoing in the room. ¡°That¡¯s payment,¡± he added, not waiting for their response.

    The doctors, though still in shock, quickly moved to take Selena from him. ¡°Sir, will you be returning to check on her?¡± one of them asked as they carried her to a nearby bed.This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

    Kazuki shook his head. ¡°No,¡± he replied bluntly, turning on his heel. He didn¡¯t look back as he left the hospital. He¡¯d done his part. Whatever happened to her now wasn¡¯t his concern.

    His mind shifted to more pressing matters¡ªlike collecting his reward for the dungeon raid. As he made his way to the guild, the streets seemed noisier than usual, but it was likely because of the mask he wore. People stared at him, whispering among themselves.

    ¡°Who¡¯s that guy with the mask?¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s with the mask? Is he hiding something?¡±

    Kazuki ignored the murmurs, as he always did. Their words didn¡¯t matter. His thoughts were already on the next steps. He pushed open the heavy wooden doors of the guild, stepping into the bustling hall. The guild master, a burly man with a grizzled beard, glanced up from his desk. His eyes widened slightly as he saw Kazuki walk in.

    ¡°You... you did the dungeon raid alone?¡± the guild master asked, half in disbelief.

    Kazuki nodded silently, placing the quest poster on the table.

    The guild master scratched his head. ¡°I¡¯m surprised you made it out, kid. That dungeon¡¯s been giving everyone trouble for months. What happened down there?¡±

    Kazuki¡¯s voice was as cold as ever as he recounted the events¡ªthough he left out any mention of Selena. ¡°Undead. Kraken. Fought it. It¡¯s dead now.¡±

    The guild master raised an eyebrow but didn¡¯t press further. ¡°Well, a job¡¯s a job. You¡¯ve earned your reward.¡± He handed Kazuki a pouch filled with gold coins. ¡°I don¡¯t know who you are under that mask, but you¡¯ve got skill. Might be worth your time to take on some bigger jobs if you¡¯re up for it.¡±

    Kazuki didn¡¯t respond, only giving a slight nod before turning and walking out of the guild. He pocketed the gold, his mind already moving on. As he walked back to the inn, a sense of detachment settled over him. He had saved someone today, sure, but it wasn¡¯t out of compassion. It was just... part of the job.

    ¡°I saved someone today... but that girl... why was she in that gem?¡± Kazuki muttered quietly to himself, his cold eyes narrowing beneath the mask as he recalled the strange events in the dungeon. The sight of the girl trapped in the gem, the kraken guarding her... none of it made sense. But in the end, it didn¡¯t matter to him. ¡°She¡¯s not my responsibility.¡±

    As he reached his room at the inn, he pushed the door open and stepped inside. The walls were dimly lit by a single flickering candle, casting long shadows that danced across the wooden floor. He closed the door behind him with a soft click and sat down on the edge of the bed.

    For a moment, Kazuki let the silence settle in, his gaze drifting to the window where the night sky was beginning to darken. He clenched his fists, feeling the strain in his muscles. Despite his powers, he was still feeling the toll of the battle, the wounds, though they could heal, still ached slightly.

    He stared at his hands. "What am I even doing?" he thought, though his expression remained unreadable. The question lingered for only a second before he brushed it aside. He wasn¡¯t someone who overthought things. There was always a next step, always a next fight.

    And yet... that girl¡¯s face, her name¡ªSelena¡ªstuck in his mind. He shook his head and stood up. It wasn¡¯t his problem.

    BOOM!

    Suddenly, a loud explosion echoed in the distance, shaking the inn slightly. Kazuki¡¯s eyes snapped to the window, but he didn¡¯t move. Whatever it was, it wasn¡¯t his concern.

    At least, not yet.

 Thieves at Town

    Kazuki stood by the window, his eyes narrowed as he focused on the distant chaos unfolding outside. The explosion had been loud, reverberating through the streets of Veridonne, and it was quickly followed by the shouts of panicked citizens. He felt an inexplicable pull to investigate, though he kept telling himself that it wasn¡¯t his problem.

    But as he listened to the rising clamor outside¡ªthe screams, the hurried footsteps, the crackle of flames licking at the night air¡ªhe couldn¡¯t help but feel a surge of urgency within him.

    ¡°Damn it,¡± he muttered, grabbing his mask and sliding it back over his face. He had saved someone today; perhaps he should see if others needed help too. With a sense of purpose ignited in his chest, Kazuki left the inn and stepped into the chaotic streets.

    As he emerged, the atmosphere was thick with fear and confusion. People rushed past him, some crying out in distress, while others shouted for help. In the distance, he could see flames rising into the sky, casting an orange glow across the rooftops.

    CRACK!

    Another explosion, this time closer. The ground trembled beneath his feet. Kazuki pushed through the crowd, determination etched on his masked face.

    He arrived at the town square, where a small crowd had gathered, eyes wide with shock. In the center, a building¡ªa tavern¡ªwas engulfed in flames. The walls creaked and groaned, the fire dancing with a life of its own.

    ¡°What happened?¡± Kazuki asked a nearby villager, who was pale and trembling.

    ¡°A group of bandits! They attacked the tavern! We thought it was a safe place!¡± the villager stammered, pointing to the chaos. ¡°They¡¯re demanding gold and valuables! Please, someone do something!¡±

    Kazuki¡¯s expression remained cold, but his fists clenched involuntarily. ¡°Where are they?¡±

    ¡°Inside the tavern! They¡¯ve got hostages!¡± the villager cried, desperation lacing his voice.

    Kazuki didn¡¯t need to think twice. With a quick nod, he turned and dashed toward the inferno. He could hear the shouts of the bandits, their laughter mingling with the terrified cries of those trapped inside.

    As he approached the tavern, a figure emerged from the flames, silhouetted against the fire. A bandit, grinning wickedly, brandished a sword. ¡°Who dares challenge us?!¡± he bellowed, his voice dripping with arrogance. ¡°You¡¯ll regret crossing our path!¡±

    Kazuki didn¡¯t waste time with words. He sprang forward, fists charged with dark and lightning magic, his resolve unshakeable. WHOOSH! The wind whipped around him as he closed the distance, the power crackling with energy.

    The bandit barely had time to react before Kazuki delivered a brutal punch to his gut. THWACK! The force of the blow sent the bandit sprawling to the ground, gasping for air. Kazuki didn¡¯t pause to relish the moment.

    He darted past the fallen bandit, moving toward the entrance of the tavern. The air was thick with smoke, and the heat was unbearable, but he pressed on. Inside, the scene was chaotic. Tables were overturned, and terrified patrons were huddled in corners, some bound and gagged.

    ¡°Get out!¡± Kazuki shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos. ¡°I¡¯ll handle the rest!¡±

    As the terrified civilians scrambled toward the exit, Kazuki turned his attention to the remaining bandits, who were now aware of his presence. Their faces twisted in anger, one of them brandished a dagger.

    ¡°Another fool trying to be a hero!¡± he spat, lunging toward Kazuki.

    Kazuki sidestepped, his movements precise and fluid. SWISH! The dagger barely missed him. In an instant, he retaliated with a powerful backfist, coated in dark magic. BAM! The bandit was sent flying, crashing against the bar.

    ¡°Enough!¡± Kazuki¡¯s voice resonated with authority as he faced the remaining bandits. ¡°You picked the wrong place to mess with.¡±

    One bandit, larger than the others, stepped forward. ¡°You think you can take us all on, kid?¡± he snarled, raising his weapon.

    Kazuki''s expression remained cold and unwavering. ¡°I don¡¯t think. I know.¡±

    With that, he charged forward, his fists igniting with a surge of power. ZAP! Bolts of lightning arced around him as he moved, a storm contained within flesh and bone.

    The fight that followed was swift and brutal. Kazuki moved like a specter, dodging blows and striking with lethal precision. THUD! A kick here, a punch there¡ªeach blow fueled by the desire to protect those who couldn¡¯t defend themselves.

    One by one, the bandits fell, their arrogance shattered by the onslaught of Kazuki¡¯s fury.

    After the last bandit lay defeated on the floor, Kazuki stood amidst the wreckage, his chest heaving slightly from the exertion. The tavern was quiet now, save for the distant crackling of flames outside. He turned, surveying the scene, and felt a sense of satisfaction wash over him. He had saved lives today, even if only a few.This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

    The patrons began to emerge from their hiding places, wide-eyed and trembling. A few whispered their thanks, while others simply stared at Kazuki in awe, their fear giving way to gratitude.

    ¡°Is everyone okay?¡± Kazuki asked, his voice steady, though he still wore the mask.

    One woman stepped forward, shaking slightly. ¡°We... we¡¯re all right. Thanks to you. Who are you?¡±

    Kazuki didn¡¯t answer, his mind already racing ahead. He needed to leave. The authorities would arrive soon, and he had no intention of being caught up in their questions.

    Without another word, he turned and stepped back outside, where the flames danced in the darkness, flickering against the night sky. He walked away from the scene, the grateful voices fading behind him.

    The streets of Veridonne were quieter now, the chaos from the earlier attack fading into the night. Kazuki, hidden behind his mask, moved through the shadows. His mind kept drifting back to the mysterious figure who had spoken to him, their words lingering like an echo in his thoughts.

    "Fate," he muttered under his breath. He had always dismissed such notions. Fate was something for others to believe in, not him. He had fought for every inch of ground he stood on, relying on nothing but his strength and determination. But still, the encounter had unsettled him.

    The thought of the girl¡ªSelena¡ªcrossed his mind. He hadn¡¯t planned on saving her. It was simply a matter of being in the right place at the right time. Or perhaps the wrong place, depending on how one looked at it. Yet, something about her presence still gnawed at him. That gem... her hair... the name carved on the pendant. None of it made sense, but Kazuki wasn¡¯t one to waste time dwelling on what he couldn¡¯t understand.

    He had his mission. He had no time to get caught up in the lives of others. Yet, why did he feel the weight of responsibility tugging at him?

    Kazuki¡¯s thoughts were interrupted when he arrived at his destination: the local blacksmith''s shop. He needed to repair some of his gear after the fight with the kraken in the dungeon. As he stepped inside, the familiar clang of metal on metal greeted him, along with the smell of burning coal and molten iron.

    ¡°Ah, Kazuki!¡± the blacksmith greeted him, a burly man with a broad grin. ¡°You look like you¡¯ve seen better days. Heard about some commotion at the tavern. Was that your doing?¡±

    Kazuki said nothing, merely nodding as he pulled out his damaged gauntlets from his bag. The blacksmith chuckled as he took the equipment from him. ¡°You really do know how to put your gear through the wringer, don¡¯t ya?¡±

    Kazuki watched as the blacksmith inspected the damage, his mind drifting once again. He thought about Selena lying unconscious in that gem. Why had she been trapped? And more importantly, who had done it?

    ¡°I¡¯ll have these fixed up in no time,¡± the blacksmith said, pulling Kazuki from his thoughts. ¡°Give me an hour or so.¡±

    Kazuki nodded again and stepped outside, deciding to take a walk while he waited. The streets of Veridonne were peaceful once more, but the unease in his chest remained.

    As he wandered, his mind returned to the mysterious girl. Purple hair, a pendant with her name, and trapped inside a gemstone. It all seemed too strange, even in this world of magic and danger. Why would someone seal her away? And more importantly, who had done it?

    Lost in thought, Kazuki found himself back near the Veridonne hospital. He paused outside the building, staring up at the windows. He had already done what he needed to. The girl wasn¡¯t his problem anymore. He had paid the doctors, given them enough money to care for her without issue. There was no reason to get involved further.

    Yet, his feet carried him toward the entrance.

    The hospital was quiet, the soft murmur of doctors and patients the only sound as he made his way through the halls. He approached the room where they had taken Selena, peering through the small window in the door.

    She was awake now, sitting up in the bed with a perplexed expression. Doctors surrounded her, asking questions, but she seemed confused, uncertain of her surroundings.

    Kazuki''s hand hesitated on the door. He didn¡¯t want to get involved¡ªhe had told himself that. But something in him wouldn¡¯t let it go.

    Steeling himself, he opened the door and stepped inside. The doctors turned to face him, surprised to see him again.

    ¡°Ah, it¡¯s you,¡± one of the doctors said, the same one who had taken his payment earlier. ¡°We didn¡¯t expect you to return.¡±

    Kazuki ignored him, his gaze focused on Selena. She blinked, her purple eyes locking onto him for the first time. For a moment, neither of them said anything.

    Finally, one of the doctors spoke up. ¡°She¡¯s just woken up, but it seems she doesn¡¯t remember much. She did tell us her name¡ªSelena Darkheart¡ªbut beyond that, she¡¯s... disoriented.¡±

    Selena shifted in the bed, staring at Kazuki. ¡°You... are you the one who saved me?¡±

    Kazuki didn¡¯t respond at first. He wasn¡¯t sure what to say. Finally, he gave a curt nod. ¡°I found you in the dungeon.¡±

    Her brow furrowed. ¡°The dungeon...? I don¡¯t remember... I was... in a gem?¡±

    Kazuki nodded again, keeping his answers short and to the point. ¡°Yes. You were sealed inside a gem. I don¡¯t know why or how.¡±

    Selena¡¯s expression turned to one of confusion and frustration. ¡°I... I don¡¯t remember anything before that. Just darkness.¡±

    The doctors exchanged glances, uncertain of what to do or say.

    Kazuki, on the other hand, felt a growing sense of unease. ¡°Why were you in the dungeon? Do you know anything about who did this to you?¡±

    Selena shook her head slowly, her hands trembling slightly. ¡°I... I don¡¯t know. I don¡¯t remember.¡±

    Silence settled in the room, heavy and thick. Kazuki¡¯s mind raced, trying to piece together the fragments of information. Something wasn¡¯t right, but he couldn¡¯t figure out what. Selena¡¯s memory loss only added more layers of mystery to the situation.

    ¡°If you don¡¯t remember anything,¡± Kazuki said, his voice low, ¡°then there¡¯s nothing more I can do.¡±

    He turned to leave, his footsteps heavy as he moved toward the door. But before he could exit, Selena spoke up again, her voice filled with a quiet desperation.

    ¡°Wait,¡± she said. ¡°Please, don¡¯t go. I... I don¡¯t know what¡¯s happening, but I feel like... like you¡¯re the only connection I have to anything. I don¡¯t know why, but I think... I think I¡¯m supposed to go with you.¡±

    Kazuki froze, his hand on the door handle. He didn¡¯t look back, but he could feel her eyes on him, pleading silently for answers he couldn¡¯t give.

    ¡°I¡¯m not your savior,¡± he said coldly. ¡°I saved you because it was convenient. That¡¯s all.¡±

    ¡°But¡ª¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not my responsibility,¡± Kazuki cut her off, his voice harsh. ¡°You¡¯re safe now. Stay here, recover, and figure out your own path.¡±

    Without another word, he left the room, the door closing softly behind him. He couldn¡¯t allow himself to get involved in her life. He had enough burdens of his own.

    As he walked away, however, he couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that this wasn¡¯t the last time their paths would cross. The weight of her presence lingered in his thoughts, even as he tried to push it away.

    Outside, the night was still and quiet once more, but Kazuki couldn¡¯t help but feel that something larger was at play. Something he couldn¡¯t yet understand.

 Rise of Conflicts

    Kazuki stood atop the walls of Veridonne, his figure silhouetted against the fiery orange glow of the setting sun. The tranquil warmth of the fading daylight did little to ease the tension building within him. His gaze was fixed beyond the walls, scanning the vast plains that stretched toward the horizon, when suddenly, a creeping sensation stirred within his chest. He could feel it¡ªan ominous presence approaching.

    His eyes narrowed as he focused on the distance. The land beyond the city blurred slightly as the last rays of sunlight bent at the horizon. Then, just as he feared, movement caught his attention. An army of monsters, countless in number, marched toward Veridonne like a black tide rolling across the earth.

    For a moment, Kazuki remained still, the sight of the monstrous horde bearing down on the city not affecting him outwardly. His face was hidden behind his mask, as ever emotionless and detached. "Brrrrm... Brrrrm!" The sudden blare of the siren echoed through the air, snapping him out of his quiet contemplation.

    ¡°PLEASE, ALL ADVENTURERS ASSEMBLE AT THE FRONT GATE!¡± the siren announced, its tone commanding urgency.

    Kazuki remained still for a moment, watching the chaos begin to unfold around him as adventurers and city guards hurried to the front gate. He contemplated his next move, his mind as sharp as ever. But ultimately, he turned away, walking calmly toward his inn. He didn¡¯t feel the need to join the others. The adventurers could handle this. They always did. This wasn¡¯t his battle.

    His boots echoed softly against the cobblestone streets as he made his way back, indifferent to the looming threat. His thoughts, however, couldn¡¯t shake the nagging question that lingered in his mind. "Who sent that army of monsters?" he whispered to himself, suspicion creeping in.

    As he opened the door to his inn, he halted suddenly, his thoughts racing back to the girl he had saved earlier. "Selena," the name echoed in his mind. Was it possible...?

    Without wasting another second, Kazuki pivoted sharply and sprinted toward the hospital. His breath was steady, his heartbeat calm, yet the urgency in his steps betrayed his composed demeanor. As he reached the entrance of the hospital, a doctor emerged from the building, recognizing him instantly.

    ¡°Sir, the lady you brought here is now okay,¡± the doctor said with a respectful nod. ¡°She just left right before you arrived.¡±

    Kazuki¡¯s jaw tightened under his mask, but he said nothing. He turned and left immediately, the thought of Selena''s connection to the army of monsters dismissed, though not entirely forgotten. "It couldn¡¯t be her..." he thought, trying to push the suspicions away.

    Hours passed as the city¡¯s adventurers fought off the monstrous invasion. The sounds of battle¡ª"Clang! Thud! Roar!"¡ªrang throughout the streets as adventurers, mages, and knights alike fought valiantly to defend their home. Kazuki observed from the distance, unphased and uninterested. As expected, the adventurers eventually prevailed, clearing out the horde.Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

    Meanwhile, outside the city gates, Selena walked silently, her purple hair catching the dim glow of the setting sun. She had recovered quickly from her ordeal, and now, she sought answers. There was something strange about this world, something that tugged at the edges of her consciousness, but she couldn¡¯t quite grasp what it was.

    Just as she neared the city gates, a voice called out to her.

    ¡°Wait.¡±

    Selena turned around, her eyes meeting the figures of the Arcane Knights standing behind her. Ryohie, their leader, stepped forward, a calm yet authoritative presence surrounding him. His long black hair flowed gently in the evening breeze, and his piercing gaze locked onto her.

    ¡°I feel it,¡± Ryohie said, his voice steady. ¡°You¡¯re a light magic user, aren¡¯t you? It¡¯s rare to find one of your kind.¡±

    Selena remained silent, her eyes narrowing slightly as she assessed the situation. Ryohie continued, undeterred by her lack of response.

    ¡°Join us,¡± he offered. ¡°Become an Arcane Knight. You¡¯d be a valuable addition to our ranks.¡±

    Selena shook her head, her voice calm but firm. ¡°I¡¯m not interested.¡±

    Behind Ryohie, Jiro, one of the more impulsive knights, scowled. His short temper flared instantly, and he stepped forward, grabbing Selena¡¯s shoulder roughly. ¡°Who do you think you¡¯re disrespecting?¡± he spat, his voice laced with arrogance. ¡°We¡¯re the Arcane Knights.¡±

    Selena¡¯s gaze flickered to his hand on her shoulder, her expression unchanging, but a quiet storm was brewing within her. She spoke softly, her voice calm yet filled with warning. ¡°Let go of me.¡±

    Jiro sneered, tightening his grip. Before he could say another word, "WHOOOSH!" a powerful gust of wind burst from Selena¡¯s direction, forcing Jiro to stagger back and release his grip.

    ¡°YOU DISRESPECTFUL WHORE!¡± Jiro shouted, his face contorting with rage. With a snarl, he raised his hand, casting a spell. ¡°LEAF FURY!¡± he bellowed.

    "SHHHHHH!" Razor-sharp leaves materialized from the air and shot toward Selena with terrifying speed, their edges gleaming in the fading light. Selena¡¯s eyes narrowed, and in an instant, she summoned a spear made entirely of light. The weapon glowed with a radiant brilliance as she swung it effortlessly, slicing through the oncoming leaves with precision.

    "SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!" Each attack was neutralized, the leaves disintegrating into harmless fragments of magic as they met the spear¡¯s edge.

    Ryohie, who had been watching silently until now, stepped forward, raising a hand to stop Jiro. ¡°Enough,¡± he said firmly, his eyes locking onto Selena¡¯s glowing spear. ¡°You¡¯ve made your point.¡±

    Selena lowered her spear, the light dissipating as quickly as it had formed. She stared at Ryohie, her expression calm but determined. ¡°I told you I¡¯m not interested,¡± she said evenly. ¡°I have no desire to join your ranks.¡±

    Ryohie sighed, his gaze softening as he regarded her. ¡°You¡¯re strong, there¡¯s no denying that. But strength without guidance is dangerous. The Arcane Knights can help you control it, hone it. You could achieve greatness.¡±

    Selena shook her head. ¡°Greatness isn¡¯t what I seek. I have my own path to follow.¡±

    Ryohie regarded her in silence for a moment before nodding. ¡°Very well. But remember, the world is a dangerous place, especially for someone like you. If you ever change your mind, you know where to find us.¡±

    With that, he turned and began walking away, his knights following him. Jiro shot Selena one last venomous glare before turning on his heel, his pride wounded but his anger subdued for now.

    As the Arcane Knights disappeared into the distance, Selena let out a quiet breath, her shoulders relaxing slightly. The encounter had unsettled her, but she couldn¡¯t afford to dwell on it now. She had a purpose, even if it was still unclear to her. With renewed determination, she continued walking toward the gates of Veridonne, ready to leave the city behind.

    Unbeknownst to her, Kazuki watched from the shadows, his expression unreadable beneath his mask. He had seen the entire confrontation, his mind piecing together what he had witnessed.

 Bound by Blood, Broken by Choice

    The night air in Veridonne was thick with a creeping stillness, broken only by the occasional echo of footfalls along the cobblestone streets. Kazuki walked silently, his gaze set ahead, but his mind replaying the day¡¯s events in relentless loops. The monsters¡¯ attack, the strange army, the whisper of danger¡ªeach detail gnawed at him with a sense of incompletion. By the time he reached the inn, the familiar weariness had settled in, wrapping around him like a cloak.

    He reached his room, his hand instinctively lifting to his mask. Just as he was about to remove it, muffled voices drifted down the hall, pulling his attention. Thud. Thud. Heavy footsteps echoed outside his door, and Kazuki stilled, tilting his head to listen as he carefully removed his mask.

    "Did you see how strange those monsters acted?" one of the men outside muttered, his voice low but tense.

    "Yeah, it was like¡­ something was driving them here. Almost like they were being forced," the other replied, his tone uneasy. A moment passed, then he added with forced optimism, ¡°Oh well, what matters most is we won!¡±

    Kazuki frowned, leaning back against the door. Forced? Driven here by something? he wondered. The words resonated with a nagging sense of dread, though he couldn¡¯t quite place why. Another thought drifted unbidden to the surface, like a whisper he couldn¡¯t silence: Selena.

    ¡°Why¡­ why is she still in my head?¡± Kazuki muttered to himself, frustrated. He didn¡¯t have the answers, and somehow, even with all the pieces he had gathered, the picture only seemed to get blurrier. Exhaustion was a kind of solace, a way to let his thoughts blur and fall silent, if only for a moment. Without another word, he lay back, letting sleep draw him under.

    Outside the city walls, under the cloak of night, Selena walked alone, her steps steady and unhurried despite the biting chill. The moon cast an eerie glow over the fields stretching out from Veridonne¡¯s gates, and the cold bit into her skin, pricking with an ache as sharp as her thoughts.

    She hadn¡¯t been alone for long when a low, mocking voice sliced through the silence. ¡°Seems like you¡¯re in a hurry¡­ sister.¡±

    The word made her freeze, her spine stiffening. Slowly, she turned to find a figure in white perched above her, seated on a drifting cloud. He looked down at her with eyes like molten gold, a sickeningly familiar smile gracing his face. His princely attire was pristine, all white and gold embroidery, a picture of otherworldly arrogance.

    Selena narrowed her eyes. ¡°Don¡¯t call me that. I¡¯m not your sister.¡±

    ¡°Oh? Not anymore, is it?¡± he chuckled, brushing off her words with a flick of his wrist. ¡°Still holding a grudge, I see. Are you that mad that our dear Father and Mother kept you sealed away in that crystal? You should be grateful, you know. Thanks to them, you got to live for centuries untouched by time. That¡¯s quite a gift.¡±

    Her anger rose, hard and unyielding. ¡°Enough.¡±

    He continued as if she hadn¡¯t spoken. ¡°By the way, how exactly did you manage to escape that little prison of yours? I heard the dungeon was especially well-guarded. You had to pass the kraken¡¯s lair, did you not?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s none of your business.¡± She turned sharply, preparing to leave, but his laughter made her halt.If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.

    ¡°Oh, come now,¡± he taunted, floating down from his cloud to stand before her. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you got out of there on your own? You, dear sister, were always a weakling. So¡­ who rescued you? A party of adventurers? Maybe an entire army?¡±

    Selena¡¯s silence only seemed to embolden him. His eyes gleamed with a sinister curiosity, his lips curling into a cruel smile. ¡°Ah, I see. You¡¯re not going to talk. That¡¯s fine¡ªI¡¯ll just look for myself.¡± He raised his hand, forming it into a half fist, and his eyes began to glow an eerie, pale blue.

    ¡°Stop!¡± Selena hissed, quickly casting a barrier of light, but it was too late. The probing tendrils of his magic wove into her thoughts, plucking the memory from her mind like a treasured possession stolen by an uninvited guest.

    ¡°Oh my, how interesting¡­¡± he said, his tone dripping with feigned awe. ¡°A lone warrior, shrouded in mystery and darkness, wields both dark and lightning magic. Now he sounds like a rare find.¡± He laughed, the sound cruel and biting. ¡°This Masked guy of yours¡ªhe would be a perfect addition to the family. Imagine, a child born with lightning magic to continue the bloodline. Father and Mother would be so pleased.¡±

    ¡°Stop,¡± Selena said coldly, the anger in her voice barely contained.

    ¡°Oh, don¡¯t be so quick to dismiss it,¡± he continued, his voice now venomously smooth. ¡°Just convince him to marry you, and after he¡¯s fathered a child with lightning magic¡­ well, we can always dispose of him before he passes on that dark magic curse of his.¡± He leaned closer, his breath ghosting over her cheek as he whispered, ¡°It¡¯s what any dutiful daughter would do, for the family.¡±

    Selena¡¯s fury ignited, her voice rising to a sharp crescendo. ¡°ENOUGH! I have no intention of reuniting with any of you. Do you think a single apology could erase all you did?¡±

    Her so-called brother¡¯s expression soured. His mouth twisted, his eyes narrowing to slits. ¡°What you do or do not want is irrelevant, Selena. No matter how far you run or how much you deny it, you cannot escape the blood in your veins. Divine blood flows within you, just as it does in me. You will never be able to erase that. We are gods and goddesses¡ªwhether you accept it or not.¡±

    As he spoke, his image began to flicker, fading in and out as if he were some apparition summoned by her hatred. He lingered for a moment longer, his mocking smile searing into her memory before he vanished entirely. The wind shifted, cold and biting, howling across the fields as a sudden blizzard swept down over the landscape.

    Selena gritted her teeth, pulling her cloak tighter around her shoulders as she braved the biting cold. It felt fitting, in a way. Her heart was colder than any winter storm, hardened by the weight of betrayal and the loss of innocence. She stood there, unmoving, letting the icy wind claw at her face and whip her hair into wild strands. Every moment spent in her brother¡¯s presence, every word he spoke, reminded her of the gulf that now lay between her and her so-called family.

    Far behind her, nestled within the walls of Veridonne, Kazuki stirred from his uneasy slumber, feeling a distant, inexplicable chill creep into his dreams. The night continued its march toward dawn, cloaking all in shadows. But even in the darkest corners of the city, a strange and relentless tension lingered, pressing down upon Veridonne as if waiting for something¡ªor someone¡ªto break.

    Kazuki woke before sunrise, his mind still a muddled haze from the previous night¡¯s rest. He sat up slowly, his fingers brushing over his mask where he had set it beside him. The voices of those men still echoed in his head. Why would someone¡ªor something¡ªsend an entire army of monsters here? And more importantly, who could possibly wield such power?

    As he rose to his feet, the faintest sliver of light broke over the horizon, casting a dim glow over Veridonne¡¯s rooftops. Kazuki walked to the window, gazing out at the quiet city below, the soft dawn light warming the stone and wood, painting it in a gentle, ephemeral gold.

    But the peace was an illusion. He knew that the shadows cast by dawn¡¯s first light were just as treacherous as those that came with night. Somewhere, lurking beyond the city walls or perhaps even within them, was a force far more dangerous than anything Veridonne had ever faced. And somehow, Kazuki couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that he was connected to it¡ªthat this was merely the beginning.

    And as the day broke, so did a quiet resolve within him. He would have to confront these mysteries, whether he wanted to or not. The city might have won one battle, but the true war was still far from over.

 Unexpected Proposal

    Kazuki woke up to the chill of the early morning, the remnants of a cold night lingering in the air. Sunlight filtered through the narrow window of his inn room, casting a soft golden hue that barely warmed the room. He sat up, stretching his arms above his head, and felt the familiar stiffness in his muscles from his rigorous training. With determination etched on his features, he began his daily warm-ups, each movement precise and methodical.

    Thud! Thud! Thud!

    The sound of his feet hitting the wooden floor echoed in the stillness as he practiced his strikes and stances. After completing his routine, he reached for his mask, the cold material a stark contrast to the warmth of his skin. As he secured it over his face, he let out a heavy sigh, the sound muffled by the mask.

    ¡°This is my last day in Veridonne,¡± he whispered to himself, the weight of his thoughts pressing down on him. ¡°This city is great, but I don¡¯t want to stay here forever. I still need to get stronger for my revenge.¡±

    With resolve, Kazuki stepped out of the inn, greeted by the bustling streets of Veridonne. The lively atmosphere was in stark contrast to his internal turmoil. Merchants shouted their wares, children laughed and played, and the smell of freshly baked bread wafted through the air. But Kazuki¡¯s mind was elsewhere, focused on his goals.

    As he wandered through the market, a voice broke through the noise, calling out to potential customers. ¡°For the adventurers who need quick transportation, come here and buy a sturdy horse!¡±

    Kazuki paused, contemplating the offer. His journey to Mirkdusk was ahead, and he would need reliable means of travel. The thought of a horse seemed practical, and he made his way to the merchant''s stall.

    ¡°Ah, a fine choice, my friend!¡± the merchant exclaimed, his eyes glinting with enthusiasm. ¡°This horse has never failed anyone! Strong and swift, perfect for an adventurer like yourself.¡±

    Kazuki examined the horse, a sturdy creature with a glossy coat. As he finalized the purchase, the merchant leaned in, curiosity evident in his voice. ¡°Sir, are you not going to buy a carriage? Surely, as an adventurer, you have a party to transport!¡±

    Kazuki, still masked, replied coolly, ¡°Don¡¯t need one.¡±

    ¡°But you¡¯re an adventurer, aren¡¯t you? You must have a party!¡± the merchant persisted, trying to gauge Kazuki¡¯s intentions.

    ¡°I don¡¯t have one,¡± Kazuki said flatly.

    ¡°What if you meet someone in the future? You¡¯ll need a way to carry all your party members!¡± The merchant was persistent, but Kazuki¡¯s resolve remained unshaken.

    ¡°Don¡¯t need one,¡± Kazuki repeated, his tone leaving no room for further discussion.

    The merchant shrugged, whispering to himself as Kazuki turned away, ¡°An adventurer without party members, huh? Interesting¡­¡±

    Kazuki returned to the inn, tying his new horse outside before heading to his room. He spread out a map on the table, tracing the route to Mirkdusk with a gloved finger. Mirkdusk was a city where wearing masks was not uncommon, a place that held the annual ¡°Carnival of the Forgotten Faces,¡± where everyone would remove their masks once a year. The thought intrigued him, but the distant echoes of his revenge quest filled his mind once again.

    After a brief search, he found a pharmacy nearby and purchased medicine for his horse, ensuring it would remain healthy for the journey ahead. Satisfied with his errands, he returned to his room, reflecting on his time in Veridonne. Memories of the past few days washed over him¡ªencounters with fellow adventurers, the sights of the city, and the constant reminder of his singular goal.

    A knock at the door jolted him from his thoughts. He opened it cautiously, surprised to find Selena standing there, her purple hair framing her face, eyes filled with urgency.

    ¡°I need your help. Please help me!¡± she implored, her voice trembling slightly.

    Kazuki hesitated, a wave of reluctance washing over him. He tried to close the door, but Selena blocked it with her hand, desperation etched on her features. ¡°Please! You¡¯re the only one who can help!¡±

    Before he could respond, her body crumpled to the ground. Instinctively, Kazuki reached out to catch her, feeling the coldness of her skin against his gloved hands. He had no choice but to let her in, lifting her gently and placing her on his bed. He grabbed a chair and sat down, waiting for her to regain consciousness.

    After what felt like an eternity, Selena stirred, her eyes fluttering open. Kazuki leaned forward, urgency in his voice. ¡°Why are you here?¡±

    ¡°I need your help, as I said earlier,¡± she replied, her voice steadier now.

    ¡°Why do you need my help?¡± he pressed, curiosity mingling with caution.

    ¡°You¡¯re the only one that is available,¡± she said, her gaze unwavering.

    ¡°What do you mean available?¡± Kazuki challenged. ¡°And what do you expect me to do?¡±

    ¡°Your name is Kazuki, right? How old are you?¡± she asked suddenly.

    Kazuki narrowed his eyes. ¡°How did you know my name? And why would I tell you my age?¡±

    ¡°Just answer the question,¡± she insisted.

    ¡°Fine! I¡¯m seventeen,¡± he replied, irritation creeping into his tone.

    Selena¡¯s eyes widened slightly, and a blush crept to her cheeks. ¡°So young, huh?¡±

    Kazuki furrowed his brow, his patience wearing thin. ¡°Answer my damn question now! What do you want me to do?¡±

    Selena hesitated, biting her lip, and then took a deep breath. ¡°I¡­ I need you to marry me.¡±This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

    Kazuki¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. ¡°What? Why do I need to marry you? And even if I did, what benefits would I gain?¡±

    ¡°I need you to marry me so that my mother and father will accept me again and to have a strong grandchild with lightning magic!¡± she exclaimed, her voice filled with a mixture of hope and desperation.

    ¡°What benefits will I gain? How do you know my magic attributes?¡± Kazuki asked, crossing his arms.

    Selena fell silent, her expression unreadable.

    ¡°And what are you? Some kind of royal princess or noble?¡± Kazuki pressed, curious yet skeptical.

    ¡°I have divine blood!¡± she declared, her tone firm.

    Kazuki raised an eyebrow, incredulous. ¡°What the hell is ¡®divine blood¡¯?¡±

    Selena looked taken aback. ¡°I¡¯m the daughter of a god and a goddess!¡±

    Kazuki¡¯s face remained impassive. ¡°You¡¯re telling me this like it¡¯s supposed to surprise me,¡± he said flatly.

    Selena looked perplexed. ¡°How are you not surprised?¡±

    ¡°Why would I be? I¡¯ve seen my fair share of strange things,¡± he replied.

    She sighed, her shoulders slumping. ¡°I told you because you¡¯re going to be my husband,¡± she said, a smile breaking through her previous anxiety.

    Kazuki shook his head, his voice low and firm. ¡°I didn¡¯t agree to marry you, and you still haven¡¯t answered my question. What will I gain from this?¡±

    Selena leaned forward, her eyes intense. ¡°What are your goals?¡±

    Kazuki hesitated. ¡°I want to be stronger and have my revenge.¡±

    Selena¡¯s expression shifted, surprise evident on her face. ¡°I can give you information about them! I could also help you! Just marry me!¡±

    Kazuki considered her words, feeling the weight of her desperation. ¡°Why is she so desperate?¡± he thought.

    He leaned back in his chair, contemplating. ¡°I¡¯ll think about it, but don¡¯t expect anything,¡± he finally said, his tone final.

    Selena nodded slowly, understanding washing over her. As she turned to leave, Kazuki felt a twinge of something¡ªa flicker of doubt or perhaps curiosity.

    Once she was gone, he blew out the flame from the candle, plunging the room into dimness. He lay back on his bed, staring up at the ceiling, his thoughts racing.

    ¡°She will help me, huh?¡± he mused. ¡°But what will I do after I¡¯m done with my revenge? That¡¯s the only thing that keeps me motivated every day. To get revenge!¡±

    His mind wrestled with the idea of a future beyond his singular focus, a life that could be devoid of purpose. ¡°I think I will have a boring life here after my revenge, so I might agree,¡± he admitted to himself, feeling an unexpected weight settle in his chest.

    ¡°But why does she sound so desperate? I know she isn¡¯t going to stop asking me.¡±

    Kazuki closed his eyes, surrendering to the pull of sleep, contemplating the swirling thoughts in his mind. As darkness enveloped him, he whispered softly to himself, ¡°I¡¯ve made up my mind¡­¡±

    And with that, he drifted off into a restless slumber, the shadows of his past and the uncertainty of his future entwining in a delicate dance.

    The sun peeked over the horizon, casting a golden hue across the landscape as Kazuki woke up early that morning. He saddled his horse and set off in search of the merchant who had sold him a cursed item. When he finally found the merchant''s stall, he dismounted with determination.

    ¡°I¡¯m returning this,¡± Kazuki declared, his voice steady.

    The merchant''s eyes widened in surprise. ¡°Why? I¡¯m not offering you any refunds!¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t ask for a refund,¡± Kazuki replied, tying the horse outside the merchant¡¯s shop. ¡°Do what you want with it. I won¡¯t need any of that.¡±

    With that, he turned away and headed toward the guild. Inside, he enjoyed a simple breakfast, savoring the warmth of the food. Once he finished, he made his way to the inn, climbing the stairs to his room. To his surprise, he found Selena waiting for him, arms crossed and an expectant look on her face.

    ¡°So, what¡¯s your answer?¡± she asked, raising an eyebrow.

    Kazuki sighed, contemplating the weight of his decision. ¡°I¡¯ll do it, but I¡¯ll only marry you after I get my revenge. And when the child is born, I¡¯ll be leaving. I don¡¯t want to be part of this gods and goddesses crap!¡±

    Selena tilted her head, curiosity piqued. ¡°Where will you go?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s none of your business,¡± he replied curtly, moving toward the door.

    ¡°Wait!¡± Selena called after him. ¡°I¡¯ll agree to your deal, but can I come with you? I want to help you get stronger and assist you in your quest for revenge.¡±

    Kazuki paused at the door, weighing her words. ¡°I won¡¯t held you back, I promise,¡± she added, her voice firm.

    ¡°Fine,¡± Kazuki said reluctantly. ¡°But no crossing each other¡¯s personal boundaries or digging into each other¡¯s lives.¡±

    Selena nodded, a determined smile spreading across her face as she fell in step beside him.

    As they walked outside the inn, Kazuki felt an unfamiliar emotion bubbling within him¡ªa sense of joy or happiness that he hadn¡¯t experienced in a long time. Together, they made their way to the guild.

    Upon entering, murmurs filled the air. ¡°It¡¯s that guy again!¡± someone hissed. ¡°Get rid of the mask already! And he has a girl following him!¡±

    Selena leaned closer to Kazuki and whispered, ¡°Do you hear this every time you enter the guild? What are we doing here?¡±

    ¡°Since you¡¯re following me, become an adventurer so we can earn more money,¡± he suggested, gesturing toward the counter.

    They settled down at the bar, waiting for the guild master. Just then, Kazuki heard a familiar voice.

    ¡°Damn, this is the guild in Veridonne?¡±

    Kazuki turned to see Aiko and Yuki approaching. He chose to ignore them and ordered, ¡°Bartender, give us two drinks and please call the guild master.¡±

    As the bartender served their drinks, Selena mused aloud, ¡°Is he nervous?¡±

    Before Kazuki could respond, another voice cut through the chatter. ¡°Oi, Ryuhie, come drink with me!¡±

    Kazuki turned to see Ryuhie and Jiro, old acquaintances he had hoped to avoid. Memories of their past friendship flashed through his mind, mingling with the bitterness of betrayal.

    Selena stiffened, recalling the day the Arcane Heroes had tried to stop her. Jiro locked eyes with her and sneered. ¡°It¡¯s you again! The girl we stopped days ago!¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t start another fight, Jiro,¡± Ryuhie interjected, placing a calming hand on Jiro¡¯s shoulder.

    ¡°But she still didn¡¯t apologize for disrespecting us!¡± Jiro shot back, frustration bubbling over.

    Selena merely took a sip of her drink, ignoring him.

    ¡°Ignoring us, huh?¡± Jiro shot back, rising from his seat.

    Ryuhie squeezed his shoulder, urging him to calm down. ¡°Remember, we must control our temper as Arcane Knights!¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I know,¡± Jiro grumbled, brushing Ryuhie''s hand away. ¡°But she¡¯s still disrespecting us!¡±

    At that moment, Kazuki felt a surge of anger welling up inside him. Jiro stood to confront Selena, grabbing her shoulders with force.

    ¡°Apologize to us!¡± he demanded.

    ¡°Please let go of me!¡± Selena protested, panic creeping into her voice.

    Jiro sneered, ¡°What if you apologize to us first?¡±

    ¡°Why would I? You¡¯re the one who got offended. It¡¯s not my fault!¡± Selena retorted defiantly.

    Kazuki¡¯s heart raced as he witnessed the confrontation. Memories of their past friendship flickered through his mind¡ªhappy moments overshadowed by Jiro''s betrayal. In a flash, he stood up and punched Jiro squarely in the face.

    The force of the blow sent Jiro to the floor, blood trickling from his nose and eye. As he struggled to stand, he glared at Kazuki, bewildered. ¡°Who are you?! Why are you wearing that weird mask? Are you some kind of her protector or boyfriend? That won¡¯t be enough for me!¡±

    Kazuki, fueled by anger, replied, ¡°I¡¯m no one you need to concern yourself with.¡±

    Jiro, undeterred, began to chant a spell. ¡°Leaf bla¡ª¡±

    Kazuki, quick as lightning, activated his magic, coating his feet in energy. He dashed forward, grabbing Jiro¡¯s arm and delivering a powerful kick.

    Yuki jumped to her feet, raising her hand in protest. ¡°Stop! Or I will force you to stop!¡±

    Ignoring her, Kazuki stepped back to the bar, watching as Jiro collapsed unconscious. Ryuhie sighed, shaking his head at the mess.

    ¡°Sorry about the damages,¡± he said to the bartender before ushering Jiro out.

    Moments later, the guild master emerged from his office, eyeing Kazuki and Selena. ¡°What do you want?¡±

    ¡°I want to become an adventurer,¡± Selena stated firmly.

    The guild master handed her a registration card. ¡°Fill this out,¡± he instructed.

    After she completed the form, the guild master smiled, handing her the adventurer card. ¡°Welcome, newbie!¡±

    With a new purpose, Kazuki and Selena stepped out of the guild, ready to face the challenges that lay ahead.

 Masks of Mirkdusk

    Kazuki and Selena stepped out of the guild and headed toward the gates of Veridonne. Murmurs drifted around them as they passed, whispers filled with curiosity and disdain.

    "Finally, that weird guy with the mask is leaving!" one person muttered. Another added, "Leaving already? Wonder what he looks like without that mask."

    Kazuki ignored them, his gaze fixed forward. Selena glanced his way. "This is normal for you, huh?" she asked with a wry smile. He didn¡¯t respond, simply walked on as they left the city behind.

    After five hours of trekking, they came upon a sign at a fork in the road. "Left for a shortcut to Mirkdusk, but dangerous. Right for a safer, longer route."

    Without hesitation, Kazuki turned left. "I¡¯ve got no time to waste. Come with me if you want," he said. Selena sighed but followed, her pace matching his as they ventured down the more perilous path.

    Not long after, they reached a dense forest. A faded sign at its edge read: Beware: Jungle Hounds.

    Kazuki read it silently, while Selena explained, ¡°Jungle hounds are like wolves but deadlier. Their bites are poisonous, they attack in packs, and they¡¯re hard to spot. They¡¯ve also got an alpha that can control the vines around him.¡±

    ¡°Any weaknesses?¡± Kazuki asked.

    ¡°Fire seems to work best against them,¡± she replied.

    Kazuki nodded. ¡°You can fight, right?¡±

    Selena just gave a determined nod. They entered the forest, pushing through webs and brushing past insects that buzzed and crawled around them. After nearly two hours, Selena slipped on something. She looked down¡ªand let out a horrified gasp.

    A decayed skeleton lay partially hidden under leaves, insects crawling over it. Kazuki covered her mouth to stifle her scream, studying the remains. ¡°It¡¯s fresh. This guy died just days ago.¡±

    Before they could say anything else, a rustling came from the bushes. Kazuki tensed, eyes narrowing behind his mask. ¡°Get ready,¡± he whispered, shifting into a boxing stance. Dark and lightning magic crackled around his fists.

    Selena extended a hand, casting a strong gust of wind that parted the bushes, revealing a pack of jungle hounds with eyes glinting hungrily. One lunged toward her, and she fired a concentrated light bullet from her fingertips, hitting it squarely.

    More hounds appeared, surrounding them. Selena quickly conjured a spear made of light, while Kazuki called out, ¡°You can get up to those trees, right?¡±

    ¡°Yes!¡± she replied.

    ¡°Then go!¡±

    Kazuki stomped the ground with a burst of energy, forcing some of the hounds to leap back. He then charged forward, fists crackling with dark and lightning magic, landing a devastating punch on one of the hounds. It vanished in a blink, but his own hand bore the strain of the impact. The rest of the pack attacked in unison, their poisonous bites sinking into his arms and legs. Vines shot out from the trees, wrapping tightly around his limbs.

    Selena glanced down from a tree branch and saw a massive hound¡ªthe alpha, wrapped in thorny vines. It tightened its hold on Kazuki, forcing him still. He gritted his teeth, fighting to break free.

    ¡°Kazuki!¡± Selena called, her face pale. ¡°I could try a bigger blast, but it might hit you, too!¡±

    Kazuki grimaced through the pain. ¡°Do it! Just¡­ make it count!¡±

    Hesitant but determined, Selena aimed her hand at him and the jungle hounds surrounding him. "Radiant Burst!" she shouted, releasing a massive beam of light. The blast hit Kazuki and the hounds, scattering the pack and singeing Kazuki''s right side in the process.This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

    The alpha still loomed, its vine control intact. Selena leaped down from the tree, firing a light bullet that startled it, forcing it to release Kazuki. She gathered her power for one final attack, her hands glowing with intensity. ¡°Radiant Burst!¡± she yelled again, sending a searing beam directly at the alpha¡¯s head, obliterating it.

    The forest grew quiet as she turned to Kazuki. He was covered in bites and burns, but somehow, his wounds were healing rapidly, disappearing before her eyes.

    ¡°Your wounds¡­ they¡¯re gone!¡± Selena stammered, her voice filled with amazement.

    Kazuki looked down at his unharmed skin, his brows knitting in confusion. ¡°I don¡¯t know what¡¯s happening to my body,¡± he muttered, still trying to make sense of it. After a moment, he glanced back at the remains of the man they¡¯d found earlier. ¡°Let¡¯s give him a proper burial.¡±

    Selena nodded, and together they carried the skeleton to a clearing. Kazuki dug a small grave, and they buried the stranger with a few quiet words.

    For the next three days, they journeyed on, finally reaching the gates of Mirkdusk as the sun dipped low over the horizon.

    Kazuki and Selena arrived at Mirkdusk under the cover of night. As they wandered through the winding streets, Selena noticed the unusual crowd of masked figures passing them by.

    ¡°Kazuki, look! So many people here are wearing masks, just like you,¡± Selena remarked, her eyes darting from one masked person to the next.

    Kazuki glanced at the crowd but didn¡¯t respond. He simply continued walking, his gaze focused on finding a place to stay. After a few moments, they found a quaint inn with dimly lit lanterns hanging by the door, casting a warm glow.

    ¡°Sit at the counter while I get us a room,¡± Kazuki instructed as they stepped inside.

    While Kazuki negotiated with the innkeeper, Selena overheard him saying, ¡°Two rooms, please.¡± She leaned over and interrupted, her cheeks tinged with a soft blush. ¡°No, make it one room. We can share, besides¡­¡± She trailed off shyly. ¡°You¡¯ll be my future husband, anyway!¡±

    Kazuki nearly choked on his words, his voice firm. ¡°No. We agreed on ¡®no invading each other¡¯s privacy,¡¯ remember?¡±

    ¡°But¡­ it¡¯s not that personal,¡± she mumbled, looking away but with a mischievous smile.

    With a reluctant sigh, he conceded, ¡°Fine. One large room with two beds, please.¡±

    The innkeeper nodded and replied, ¡°How many nights?¡±

    Kazuki thought for a moment. ¡°Two weeks should be enough.¡±

    ¡°That will be 20 silver pieces.¡±

    Kazuki counted out the coins and handed them over. After the innkeeper led them to their room, Selena immediately began organizing her belongings, while Kazuki slipped outside to get some fresh air. The night was cool, and the streets had quieted down, save for a few travelers and townsfolk lingering under the stars.

    A young boy approached him, his eyes shining with admiration. ¡°Mister, that¡¯s a cool mask! What¡¯s your name? I¡¯m Carlos!¡±

    Kazuki crouched down slightly, meeting the boy¡¯s gaze. ¡°Zuki,¡± he replied, keeping his tone soft. ¡°Just call me Zuki.¡±

    Carlos chuckled, tilting his head. ¡°Zuki? That¡¯s a funny name! Are you an adventurer?¡±

    Kazuki nodded. ¡°Yeah, I am.¡±

    The boy¡¯s eyes sparkled with excitement. ¡°Will you be here for the Carnival of Forgotten Faces next week?¡±

    Kazuki nodded again, a faint smile hidden beneath his mask. ¡°I will.¡±

    ¡°Then show me your face when you come!¡± Carlos laughed, darting back to a woman standing nearby.

    She stepped forward and offered a warm smile. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry for my son¡¯s curiosity, sir. I hope he didn¡¯t bother you.¡±

    ¡°Not at all,¡± Kazuki replied. ¡°He¡¯s a good kid.¡±

    ¡°Oh, thank you. I¡¯m Lucy, Carlos¡¯s foster mother,¡± she introduced herself, bowing slightly. ¡°It¡¯s nice to meet you, Zuki.¡±

    Kazuki nodded in acknowledgment, watching as Lucy and Carlos disappeared into the night.

    He eventually made his way to the guild, surprised to see the number of adventurers who also wore masks. After ordering a meal to take back to the inn¡ªgrilled chicken, corn cobs, and a bottle of beer¡ªKazuki returned to their room to find Selena carefully placing her belongings around the space. Without a word, he set the food on the table.

    ¡°The food¡¯s here. If you¡¯re hungry, eat,¡± he said, grabbing a corn cob and taking a hearty bite.

    Selena sat down across from him, picking at her own meal. ¡°What took you so long?¡± she asked with a slight pout.

    Kazuki merely shrugged. ¡°None of your business.¡±

    They ate in comfortable silence, the events of their journey catching up to them. After finishing his food, Kazuki twisted the cap off the bottle of beer and took a long drink as he settled onto his bed. Selena, watching him with interest, crossed her arms.

    ¡°Where¡¯s mine?¡±

    Kazuki looked at her over the rim of the bottle. ¡°Didn¡¯t know you drank.¡±

    Selena narrowed her eyes at him. ¡°I do.¡±

    ¡°Fine,¡± he smirked. He held the bottle out to her. ¡°It¡¯s half. All yours.¡±

    Selena hesitated before taking the bottle, her cheeks turning slightly pink. ¡°You didn¡¯t even wipe it off!¡± she huffed.

    Kazuki raised an eyebrow. ¡°Grow up. It¡¯s just a bottle. Drink it or give it back.¡±

    With a small laugh, Selena took a sip, finding herself pleasantly surprised by the rich flavor. She savored it for a moment before setting it down. Kazuki, already feeling the fatigue from their travels, lay back on his bed, arms behind his head as he drifted into a half-sleep.

    Selena, glancing over at him, whispered to herself, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect any of this from him. He may act rough, but¡­ he¡¯s kinder than he seems.¡± She allowed herself a small smile as she lay back, closing her eyes with a newfound sense of contentment.

 Scars Behind the Mask

    Kazuki stirred awake, his eyes landing on Selena, who was still fast asleep, her face peaceful as she breathed evenly. Glancing toward the window, he saw the world outside was still cloaked in the soft, muted tones of early dawn. With a quiet sigh, he murmured to himself, ¡°Might as well take a bath while it''s quiet.¡±

    He reached over, picked up his mask, and left their room quietly. Descending the stairs, he approached the innkeeper, who was polishing a glass behind the counter. "Excuse me. Where¡¯s the bathhouse?" he asked.

    The innkeeper nodded, pointing down a narrow hallway. ¡°Just through there.¡±

    Kazuki made his way to the bathhouse, stripping down to his mask and undergarments. He peeked inside and, to his surprise, saw a handful of other men already there, chatting quietly as they washed up. ¡°So much for being early,¡± he muttered, entering and feeling the weight of their eyes shift to him as he stepped into the steamy bath area.

    As Kazuki settled into the water, he became uncomfortably aware of the curious gazes fixed on him. The scars that marked his arms, torso, and hands were hard to ignore¡ªeach one a painful memory, a battle hard-fought, a narrow escape. But these strangers didn¡¯t know that. They just saw the hardened, damaged surface.

    After about an hour, Kazuki returned to the room, feeling slightly more refreshed. When he opened the door, he found Selena already awake, humming to herself as she organized their belongings. She turned around, and her eyes widened, taking in his unmasked face and the array of scars that crossed his body. She opened her mouth, clearly taken aback. ¡°Kazuki¡­those scars¡ªwhere did they come from?¡±

    Kazuki¡¯s face hardened as he averted his gaze, memories flashing through his mind. His fists clenched involuntarily as he recalled moments he¡¯d rather forget: the grueling training, the cruel betrayal of his friend Ayane, and, worst of all, the death of his friend Sato¡ªa death Kazuki hadn¡¯t been able to prevent.

    He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself, and answered in a low voice. ¡°The past isn¡¯t something I want to dig up,¡± he said, his words curt as he disappeared into the next room to change.

    When he finally reemerged, Selena had finished preparing a simple meal for them both. She motioned to the small table, a bright smile on her face. ¡°Come on, sit down! I made us breakfast,¡± she said, trying to lift the atmosphere.Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

    They ate in relative silence, but after a while, Kazuki looked at her and said, ¡°There¡¯s something we need to get for you.¡±

    ¡°Hmm? What is it?¡± Selena asked, curious.

    ¡°A mask,¡± he replied, his tone steady and serious. She was about to protest, but he interrupted, his voice calm but firm. ¡°We¡¯ll be safer if our faces are hidden. Enemies might recognize us, and the last thing we need is unnecessary attention. Besides¡­¡± he paused, giving her a sideways glance, ¡°didn¡¯t you say you wanted your family to accept you again? I¡¯m guessing things aren¡¯t exactly...resolved with them. Keeping a low profile might help you handle that.¡±

    Selena nodded, her face dropping slightly at the reminder of her family. She didn¡¯t say anything, but the quiet, troubled look in her eyes spoke volumes. Her mind raced with doubt¡ªWould they even accept her back after everything that happened?

    Kazuki watched her, a spark of understanding in his gaze, before he gave a slight nod toward the door. ¡°Come on. Let¡¯s get it over with.¡±

    They left the inn and wandered through the streets of Mirkdusk. The city was lively, with vendors setting up stalls and announcing the upcoming festival. After a few minutes, a loud voice caught their attention.

    ¡°Get your masks here! Perfect for the Carnival of Forgotten Faces, coming next week!¡± a vendor bellowed, his hands gesturing grandly toward an array of colorful, intricately designed masks.

    Kazuki turned to Selena. ¡°Go on. Find one that suits you.¡±

    Selena carefully examined the selection, her fingers grazing over the different patterns and colors. Finally, she picked a mask¡ªa soft, greyish white with delicate purple lines that swirled across the surface like a gentle mist. She paid the vendor and walked back over to Kazuki, holding it up with a proud smile.

    ¡°This is the one,¡± she said, showing it to him. Kazuki nodded approvingly, a faint smile hidden beneath his own mask.

    Meanwhile, in a dark room in the city, a group of masked figures gathered, shadows flickering around them in the dim light. One figure, wearing a tattered scavenger''s cloak, whispered to the man at the head of the room, ¡°Hey, Roberto, are we sure this year¡¯s festival is the right time?¡±

    The leader, a tall man with a prominent scar running across his face, rose slowly from his chair. He raised his hand, a glimmer of fiery light igniting in his palm, casting an eerie glow over the masked figures kneeling before him. ¡°Yes,¡± he said, his voice filled with quiet determination. ¡°This year¡¯s Carnival of Forgotten Faces will be our moment of redemption.¡±

    With a flick of his wrist, the small flame burst into a roaring blaze, illuminating the room and the masked figures surrounding him. Each one wore an expression of grim resolve, their gazes locked onto Roberto as he declared, ¡°Prepare yourselves. When the festival begins, we¡¯ll show this city who we really are.¡±

 Testing Grounds

    Kazuki and Selena finally reached their inn room. Kazuki pulled off his mask and sat down heavily on the bed, eyes lost in thought. After a moment of silence, he lay back, staring at the ceiling as if searching for answers in its dim patterns.

    Selena soon entered the room, looking around before asking, ¡°So¡­ what now? Are we just going to sit here, waiting for the Carnival of Forgotten Faces to pass by?¡±

    Kazuki didn¡¯t respond immediately. Her words echoed in his mind, reminding him of his one driving purpose¡ªrevenge. He sat up abruptly, resolve hardening in his gaze. ¡°Let¡¯s go outside,¡± he said.

    Without another word, Selena nodded and put on her mask, following him out into the open field just beyond the city limits. The night air was thick, and the stars above seemed to watch as they walked into a wide, grassy area where they could train in peace.

    ¡°Show me what you can do,¡± Kazuki commanded, his tone firm. ¡°I need to see the extent of your abilities, both with light and wind magic.¡±

    Selena took a deep breath, mentally preparing herself. ¡°I have both Light and Wind magic, inherited from my parents,¡± she explained. ¡°If I awaken my Light magic, it will evolve into Star Magic. I¡¯ll be able to interact with celestial objects¡­ possibly even control aspects of the sun. As for Wind, it would become Storm Magic, granting me control over the weather.¡±

    Kazuki nodded, focused. ¡°Show me your current spells.¡±

    ¡°Alright,¡± Selena said, raising her hand and forming her fingers into a gun shape. She smiled slightly. ¡°You¡¯ve seen this one before, but I¡¯ll show it again. Light Bullet!¡±

    A sharp beam of light shot from her fingertip, cutting through the air. She followed up by spreading her hand into a wide, open palm. ¡°And this one. Radiant Burst!¡± A broad beam of light erupted from her hand, illuminating the field with a brief, intense flash.

    Kazuki watched each spell closely, nodding in silent approval.

    Selena moved on, raising her arm once more, palm open as though summoning something from the air itself. ¡°Light Barrage!¡± At her command, multiple spears of light appeared, hovering around her. With a sweeping motion, she directed them toward a distant tree, the spears trailing across the field like comets.

    ¡°I have a final technique, but it could be dangerous to use here,¡± she admitted, glancing at him hesitantly.

    Kazuki nodded, understanding the need for caution. ¡°Then show me what you can do with Wind Magic.¡±

    Selena waved her hand, gathering wind around her in a powerful gust that swirled leaves, grass, and petals in her direction. She concentrated, pointing at a nearby tree. ¡°Aerial Fang!¡± A focused drill of wind shot forward, twisting and cutting through the air, slamming into the tree with a faint roar.

    ¡°Wind magic is less refined for me,¡± she admitted, lowering her hand. ¡°But I can use it for support¡ªlike flying or revealing hidden enemies.¡±

    Kazuki¡¯s gaze remained sharp. He was processing everything he¡¯d seen, contemplating something.

    ¡°Why are we doing this, Kazuki?¡± Selena asked suddenly.Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

    He clenched his fist, his expression serious. ¡°I need to learn how to use magic myself. Right now, I can only coat my fists and feet with Dark and Lightning magic, but it¡¯s not enough.¡±

    Selena¡¯s eyes lit up with an idea. ¡°I can teach you, if you¡¯re willing.¡±

    Kazuki shook his head. ¡°I need a technique I can use without chanting. Something fast, without casting words.¡±

    She thought for a moment, then demonstrated by sweeping her hand in his direction, sending a harmless breeze his way. ¡°Some spells don¡¯t need words, but they¡¯re usually less effective in combat,¡± she admitted. ¡°Chantless spells are good for support, though.¡±

    Kazuki¡¯s eyes narrowed, an idea forming. He held his palm open, focusing on a single point. Mana surged, condensing into a small, crackling ball of lightning that sparked and pulsed in his hand. He squeezed it, testing its resistance.

    ¡°Maybe,¡± he murmured to himself, ¡°there¡¯s a way to make it work.¡±

    Selena watched him with admiration, sensing the fire in his determination, even as he struggled. The beginnings of a new skill were forming in Kazuki¡¯s mind¡ªan idea, untested, but filled with potential.

    Kazuki had an idea. Stepping away from Selena, he lifted his hand, focusing his mana into his palm. A swirling mass of black energy pooled there, drawing in the air around him like a vacuum, twisting and pulling as though forming an unseen vortex.

    Selena observed, intrigued. ¡°Dark magic was originally wielded by devils during the Great War,¡± she explained. ¡°It¡¯s powerful¡­ and one of its strengths is acting like an invisible force.¡±

    ¡°An unseen force, huh?¡± Kazuki muttered. He raised his hand and aimed it at the ground directly beneath Selena¡¯s feet. ¡°Alright, just an experiment,¡± he warned, channeling his mana again. Yet, the energy he produced seemed to consume everything around it rather than focusing where he wanted.

    "Dark magic is tricky," Kazuki admitted with a frustrated sigh.

    Selena tilted her head, offering a hint. ¡°You can control where the magic comes from. For example, you could focus it through your eyes instead of your hands.¡±

    Inspired, Kazuki narrowed his gaze, focusing intently on the ground beneath Selena. He pushed mana through his eyes, widening his focus. A force stirred beneath her, and the ground trembled as if bound by an invisible weight.

    ¡°Try moving,¡± Kazuki challenged.

    Selena attempted to lift her feet but struggled against the unseen force. With each second, the pressure intensified until she was forced to kneel, her movements completely restrained.

    After a moment, Kazuki released the spell, letting her stand again. Selena dusted herself off, a grin spreading across her face. ¡°That could be a huge support in battles! A quick way to pin down an opponent.¡±

    Kazuki nodded but frowned slightly. ¡°It¡¯s useful, but I have to keep looking at my target, which limits my own movements. It won¡¯t be easy to attack and use this at the same time.¡±

    ¡°Dark magic takes practice,¡± Selena encouraged. ¡°What¡¯s next?¡±

    ¡°Lightning magic,¡± Kazuki replied, channeling mana into his palm. A crackling bolt of lightning sprang to life, sizzling in his hand. He toyed with the electricity, weaving it around his fingers like strands of a web. As he condensed the energy, it took the shape of a long, thunderous spear, blazing with fierce energy.

    ¡°Interesting,¡± he murmured, hefting the spear in his hand. ¡°I think this could work as both a melee weapon and a projectile.¡±

    With a quick throw, he hurled the spear at a nearby target. The ground exploded with a loud crackle and a burst of sparks as it struck, leaving charred earth in its wake. Satisfied, Kazuki summoned another lightning spear, testing its weight as he twirled it like a weapon.

    Selena watched, clearly impressed. ¡°You created this technique on your own. What will you call it?¡±

    Kazuki thought for a moment. ¡°A name¡­ This reminds me of Zeus¡¯s thunderbolt¡ªone of the gods of lightning in the myths I read. I¡¯ll call it Hand of Zeus.¡±

    ¡°Hand of Zeus?¡± Selena repeated, a puzzled look crossing her face. ¡°Who is Zeus?¡±

    Kazuki chuckled. ¡°A legendary figure from books¡ªnothing you need to worry about.¡±

    He thought for a moment, realizing she wouldn¡¯t recognize Earth¡¯s myths. So, this world has no tales of gods or heroes from Earth¡­

    Selena shrugged. ¡°Well, I suppose I¡¯ve been in that crystal too long. Maybe I missed a lot of stories.¡± She glanced at the darkening sky. ¡°It¡¯s getting late. Let¡¯s head back.¡±

    They returned to the inn, their steps quiet as they navigated the sleepy halls. Once in their room, they each settled into their beds, minds buzzing with new ideas and possibilities.

    In the quiet of the night, Kazuki¡¯s thoughts turned to what lay ahead. New skills, new techniques, and, perhaps, new paths toward his goal.

 Secrets Beneath the Carnival

    In a dimly lit chamber, a group of masked individuals sat around a long table. The atmosphere was thick with tension, their shadows dancing on the stone walls. A man at the head of the table, his presence commanding, slammed a map of the city onto the surface. ¡°Is this the plan, Roberto?¡± one of them asked hesitantly.

    ¡°Yes,¡± Roberto replied, his voice cold and deliberate. He waved his hand over the map, and flames sprang to life, engulfing the marked outline of Mirkdusk. The light from the burning map illuminated his hardened features. ¡°This is the plan that will give us what we¡¯ve always wanted¡ªvengeance.¡±

    Another man, Roa, leaned forward, his voice uncertain. ¡°Could you repeat the plan? I need to announce it to the others.¡±

    Roberto¡¯s gaze darkened. ¡°Roa, weren¡¯t you listening? This plan is everything! It¡¯s what we¡¯ve been fighting for. Vengeance. And you forgot?¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t forget,¡± Roa replied quickly, his tone defensive.

    ¡°Fine,¡± Roberto growled, exasperated. He pointed at the map, tracing the city¡¯s layout with his finger. ¡°Listen carefully this time. First, some of us will infiltrate the city and camp in the center. The rest will position themselves at the gates. The Carnival of Forgotten Faces will ensure there are no guards. When night falls, the team at the gates will attack, drawing the city¡¯s defenses outward. With their attention divided, the infiltrators inside will spread chaos, forcing the people to scatter.¡±

    He clenched his fist, his voice rising with fervor. ¡°Then, the outside team will join the chaos inside, and we will make our move. We will announce to the people of Mirkdusk: it¡¯s either they die or work for us. They¡¯ll choose survival. They¡¯ll submit. And once we control the city, we¡¯ll make them pay for everything they¡¯ve done to us.¡±Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

    Roberto reached up, removing his mask to reveal a jagged scar running across his face. His voice dropped to a menacing whisper. ¡°We¡¯ll make them suffer. They underestimated us, but we¡¯ll correct that mistake.¡±

    The room erupted in murmurs of agreement, their determination palpable.

    <hr>

    Meanwhile, in the dead of night, Kazuki lay awake in the quiet of his inn room. He turned on his side with a groan. ¡°Damn, I can¡¯t sleep,¡± he muttered. Staring at the ceiling, he recalled the upcoming Carnival of Forgotten Faces. Two days to go. Something feels off about this city, he thought.

    Unlike Aldoria and Veridonne, where the air bristled with toxicity and drunken revelry, Mirkdusk was eerily quiet. The people were friendly, almost too perfect, but at night, the streets were deserted, and even the innkeeper rarely showed his face. Kazuki¡¯s brows furrowed. No shouting. No late-night guild gatherings. It¡¯s... unnatural.

    Unable to shake the unease, Kazuki sat up. ¡°Maybe a midnight walk will help clear my mind¡ªor at least make me tired.¡±

    He grabbed his mask and slid it into place. As he crept down the stairs, the creak of the wooden steps echoed in the silence. Just as he reached the door, a voice startled him.

    ¡°Where are you going? Shouldn¡¯t you be asleep?¡±

    Kazuki turned sharply to see the innkeeper standing in the shadows, his face obscured by a mask. Kazuki narrowed his eyes. ¡°None of your business. And since when did you start wearing a mask?¡±

    The innkeeper tilted his head, his movements unnatural. ¡°I¡¯ve always worn a mask.¡±

    Kazuki stiffened. His mind raced. He wasn¡¯t wearing a mask when we first arrived. Without another word, he opened the door and stepped out into the cool night air.

    As he walked through the empty streets, he stuck to the shadows, scanning his surroundings. The city was silent, almost unnervingly so. ¡°No one¡¯s walking around,¡± he murmured. In Aldoria and Veridonne, the streets would still have life at this hour. But here? Nothing.

    Then, something caught his eye¡ªa building with its lights still on. He frowned. ¡°That¡¯s the only place with lights on at this hour. Maybe there¡¯s more to this city than meets the eye.¡±

    Kazuki adjusted his mask and approached cautiously, his instincts sharpening as unease prickled at his senses.

 An Icy Encounter

    As Kazuki stepped into the dimly lit building, an uneasy feeling washed over him. The flickering light above seemed out of place, the only source of illumination in an otherwise silent night. His instincts screamed danger, but he ignored them, his curiosity driving him forward.

    The air inside was thick, the silence almost suffocating. Kazuki cautiously walked through the room, his footsteps echoing against the wooden floor. Furniture, covered in dust and shadows, filled the space¡ªbut no sign of life. He narrowed his eyes, whispering to himself, ¡°Why is this place lit but empty? Something doesn¡¯t add up.¡±

    Deciding to leave, he turned towards the exit when something caught his attention¡ªa lone book on a shelf, precariously balanced as if on the verge of falling, yet stubbornly refusing to drop. Intrigued, Kazuki approached and reached for it. He pulled gently, but it remained fixed. Suddenly, a soft grinding noise echoed through the room.

    Kazuki tensed, scanning the area. His eyes widened as part of the wall slid open, revealing a hidden passage. Without hesitation, he stepped into the dark corridor beyond.

    The passage was narrow, the air colder. He pressed forward, the darkness around him deepening until a faint purple glow emerged ahead. Moving closer, he saw them¡ªa group of people, standing motionless, each wearing identical masks. The masks glowed faintly, their embedded gems casting eerie reflections on the walls.

    ¡°What... is this?¡± Kazuki muttered, his voice barely audible. He turned and noticed more masks, carefully arranged on a table, their gems pulsating like tiny hearts. A cold realization struck him¡ªthese people were being controlled.

    Suddenly, the group began to move, filing through a large, ornate doorway. Kazuki followed at a safe distance, the passage leading back outside¡ªto the fountain at the heart of Mirkdusk. His eyes widened. ¡°So that¡¯s why the city is so lively during the day... but who¡¯s controlling them?¡±Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

    He slipped away unnoticed, making his way toward the city gates. The guards stood rigid, their eyes vacant beneath the same glowing masks. Approaching cautiously, he confirmed his fears¡ªthey, too, were under control. Without wasting a moment, he scaled the wall, landing softly on the other side.

    ¡°What is happening here?¡± he whispered, his mind racing.

    Suddenly, a powerful gust of wind whipped around him. Kazuki looked up, eyes narrowing. A figure descended from the sky, seated on a cloud that shimmered like spun silk. His golden hair glowed under the moonlight, eyes gleaming with an unnatural light.

    The man smirked, his voice echoing with an arrogant confidence. ¡°My apologies for not introducing myself.¡± With a wave of his hand, a freezing blizzard swept across the city, snow blanketing everything in a matter of moments. ¡°I am Nolan Van Darkheart. God of Frost, firstborn of Aetherius, God of the Skies, and Solara, Goddess of Light.¡± He leaned forward, his gaze piercing. ¡°And I am Selena Darkheart¡¯s brother.¡±

    Kazuki¡¯s eyes narrowed behind his mask. ¡°What do you want?¡± he demanded. ¡°She told me she wants to be accepted again.¡±

    Nolan laughed coldly. ¡°So, that¡¯s her plan? She really believes she can earn acceptance by marrying you?¡± His golden eyes glowed brighter, the blizzard intensifying around them.

    Kazuki stood his ground, fists clenched. ¡°What¡¯s your point?¡±

    Nolan¡¯s expression hardened. ¡°I know you seek answers, mortal. You¡¯ll get them... if you can knock me down.¡± He raised his hand, and the snow swirled around them, forming a colossal, hollow sphere of ice. ¡°This will be our arena. No one will hear you scream.¡±

    Kazuki shifted into his fighting stance, dark magic enveloping his fists, lightning crackling at his knuckles. ¡°Then let¡¯s finish this.¡±

    Nolan smiled, a predator ready for the hunt. ¡°Show me what you¡¯ve got.¡±

    TBC

    NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR!!!!: Hey everyone! I''m sorry for not uploading this week. School has kept me busy, and I''ve been brainstorming ideas for the upcoming chapters. Thank you for your patience. I really appreciate it!!!! :)

 God of Frosts Challenge

    Kazuki¡¯s fists crackled with dark energy, his stance firm, eyes locked on Nolan. He didn¡¯t waste a moment; he dashed forward, his feet barely touching the snow-covered ground. The air around them was thick with frost, and the eerie silence of the arena heightened the tension.

    Nolan stood on his cloud, watching Kazuki approach with a calm, almost amused expression. He swung his hand casually, and an icy spike erupted from the ground. It shot forward, piercing Kazuki¡¯s torso and leaving a gaping hole.

    Kazuki''s eyes widened as pain exploded through his body. He screamed but didn''t falter. Gritting his teeth, he grabbed the icy spike with his bare hands, shattering it into pieces. As the ice melted away, the hole in his body began to close, flesh knitting itself back together. Nolan¡¯s golden eyes narrowed in intrigue.

    "Regeneration?" Nolan mused, stepping down from his cloud. "Interesting... But impressive tricks won¡¯t defeat me."

    Kazuki didn¡¯t respond. Instead, he charged again, his dark magic surging around him like a storm. This time, he was faster, stronger, his movements more precise. Nolan barely dodged, slipping to the side as Kazuki¡¯s fist slammed into the snow wall. His arm sank into the soft, powdery surface, the impact sending tremors through the arena.

    "You¡¯ve got an interesting body," Nolan said, a smirk playing on his lips as he landed lightly on the ground.

    Kazuki pulled his arm free and locked eyes with his opponent. "I¡¯ve faced worse."

    Nolan¡¯s smile didn¡¯t fade. "Then prove it."

    He raised his hand, and his body shimmered, dissolving into a liquid state. Kazuki froze, eyes darting around. "What the...?"

    A chilling presence materialized behind him. Before Kazuki could react, a solid form emerged from the liquid¡ªa perfect replica of Nolan. He struck Kazuki in the neck, sending him sprawling across the arena. As Kazuki tried to rise, huge spikes of ice erupted from the ground, encircling him like spears.

    Kazuki¡¯s wounds began to heal again, but his clothes were in tatters. He forced himself upright, his eyes blazing with determination. Nolan stood amidst the ice, his arms crossed. "Show me more, Kazuki Takashi."

    Kazuki clenched his fists, memories of his new move flashing through his mind. Sparks of lightning danced around his hands, merging with dark magic. He formed a spear of pure energy, the shape crackling with power. "Let¡¯s see how you handle this. Hand of Zeus!"

    He hurled the lightning spear. Nolan''s eyes widened, and he barely dodged, the spear sizzling past him and striking the snow wall, leaving a smoking crater.

    Kazuki didn¡¯t wait. He coated his feet in lightning, propelling himself forward with blinding speed. The moment Nolan dodged, Kazuki closed the distance, transferring the energy back to his fists. He swung, his dark magic-coated fist connecting squarely with Nolan¡¯s face. The impact sent Nolan flying, snow scattering in all directions.

    Kazuki didn¡¯t let up. He sprinted to where Nolan''s body was falling, sliding across the icy surface. He positioned his fist low, preparing for an uppercut. "This ends now!"

    He released the punch, but just as his fist connected, Nolan''s body shimmered again, dissolving into liquid. Instead of reappearing behind him, Nolan reformed on his cloud, floating above the arena.

    Kazuki¡¯s punch struck empty air, but the force of the blow caused the entire snow arena to tremble. A massive shockwave of lightning and dark magic exploded outward, shaking the ground and sending waves of snow flying. Kazuki¡¯s eyes darted around, searching for Nolan.

    A slow, deliberate clapping sound echoed through the arena.

    Kazuki looked up. Nolan was seated on his cloud, now transformed into a throne of ice, his golden eyes gleaming with amusement. "Impressive. If that punch had landed, it would have done some serious damage. But..." He spread his arms wide, the air around him shimmering. "A deal is a deal, right?"

    He leaned back into the throne, his posture regal. "You¡¯ve managed to knock me down¡ªor at least, you came close. So, I¡¯ll honor my promise. Ask me three questions, Kazuki Takashi."

    Kazuki¡¯s breathing was heavy, but he stood tall, his mask concealing the fierce glare beneath. "Why are you doing this? Controlling the people of Mirkdusk?"

    Nolan¡¯s smile faded slightly. "Power. Influence. Mirkdusk is just a small piece of a much larger plan. You¡¯ll understand soon enough."

    Kazuki clenched his fists. "What happened to the real people here? Are they still alive?"

    "Of course." Nolan waved a hand dismissively. "They¡¯re merely... asleep. Dreaming my dreams. Once I no longer need them, they¡¯ll wake¡ªif I allow it."

    Kazuki¡¯s dark energy flared. "And Selena? What do you know about her? Why does she want to be accepted again?"

    Nolan¡¯s eyes gleamed with a mixture of curiosity and something darker. "Selena always wanted to belong. Our family... let¡¯s just say it¡¯s complicated. She thinks you¡¯re her key to redemption."

    Kazuki¡¯s heart pounded. The pieces were falling into place, but the full picture remained elusive. He didn¡¯t trust Nolan, but the information was valuable.

    "Your time is up," Nolan said, standing. The cloud-throne dissipated. "Remember, Kazuki this is not the only time we''ll meet!."

    With that, he vanished, leaving Kazuki standing alone in the snowy arena, the echoes of their battle fading into silence.

    Kazuki¡¯s fists crackled with dark energy, his stance firm, eyes locked on Nolan. He didn¡¯t waste a moment; he dashed forward, his feet barely touching the snow-covered ground. The air around them was thick with frost, and the eerie silence of the arena heightened the tension.

    Nolan stood on his cloud, watching Kazuki approach with a calm, almost amused expression. He swung his hand casually, and an icy spike erupted from the ground. It shot forward, piercing Kazuki¡¯s torso and leaving a gaping hole.

    Kazuki''s eyes widened as pain exploded through his body. He screamed but didn''t falter. Gritting his teeth, he grabbed the icy spike with his bare hands, shattering it into pieces. As the ice melted away, the hole in his body began to close, flesh knitting itself back together. Nolan¡¯s golden eyes narrowed in intrigue.

    "Regeneration?" Nolan mused, stepping down from his cloud. "Interesting... But impressive tricks won¡¯t defeat me."

    Kazuki didn¡¯t respond. Instead, he charged again, his dark magic surging around him like a storm. This time, he was faster, stronger, his movements more precise. Nolan barely dodged, slipping to the side as Kazuki¡¯s fist slammed into the snow wall. His arm sank into the soft, powdery surface, the impact sending tremors through the arena.Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

    "You¡¯ve got an interesting body," Nolan said, a smirk playing on his lips as he landed lightly on the ground.

    Kazuki pulled his arm free and locked eyes with his opponent. "I¡¯ve faced worse."

    Nolan¡¯s smile didn¡¯t fade. "Then prove it."

    He raised his hand, and his body shimmered, dissolving into a liquid state. Kazuki froze, eyes darting around. "What the...?"

    A chilling presence materialized behind him. Before Kazuki could react, a solid form emerged from the liquid¡ªa perfect replica of Nolan. He struck Kazuki in the neck, sending him sprawling across the arena. As Kazuki tried to rise, huge spikes of ice erupted from the ground, encircling him like spears.

    Kazuki¡¯s wounds began to heal again, but his clothes were in tatters. He forced himself upright, his eyes blazing with determination. Nolan stood amidst the ice, his arms crossed. "Show me more, Kazuki Takashi."

    Kazuki clenched his fists, memories of his new move flashing through his mind. Sparks of lightning danced around his hands, merging with dark magic. He formed a spear of pure energy, the shape crackling with power. "Let¡¯s see how you handle this. Hand of Zeus!"

    He hurled the lightning spear. Nolan''s eyes widened, and he barely dodged, the spear sizzling past him and striking the snow wall, leaving a smoking crater.

    Kazuki didn¡¯t wait. He coated his feet in lightning, propelling himself forward with blinding speed. The moment Nolan dodged, Kazuki closed the distance, transferring the energy back to his fists. He swung, his dark magic-coated fist connecting squarely with Nolan¡¯s face. The impact sent Nolan flying, snow scattering in all directions.

    Kazuki didn¡¯t let up. He sprinted to where Nolan''s body was falling, sliding across the icy surface. He positioned his fist low, preparing for an uppercut. "This ends now!"

    He released the punch, but just as his fist connected, Nolan''s body shimmered again, dissolving into liquid. Instead of reappearing behind him, Nolan reformed on his cloud, floating above the arena.

    Kazuki¡¯s punch struck empty air, but the force of the blow caused the entire snow arena to tremble. A massive shockwave of lightning and dark magic exploded outward, shaking the ground and sending waves of snow flying. Kazuki¡¯s eyes darted around, searching for Nolan.

    A slow, deliberate clapping sound echoed through the arena.

    Kazuki looked up. Nolan was seated on his cloud, now transformed into a throne of ice, his golden eyes gleaming with amusement. "Impressive. If that punch had landed, it would have done some serious damage. But..." He spread his arms wide, the air around him shimmering. "A deal is a deal, right?"

    He leaned back into the throne, his posture regal. "You¡¯ve managed to knock me down¡ªor at least, you came close. So, I¡¯ll honor my promise. Ask me three questions, Kazuki Takashi."

    Kazuki¡¯s breathing was heavy, but he stood tall, his mask concealing the fierce glare beneath. "Why are you doing this? Controlling the people of Mirkdusk?"

    Nolan¡¯s smile faded slightly. "Power. Influence. Mirkdusk is just a small piece of a much larger plan. You¡¯ll understand soon enough."

    Kazuki clenched his fists. "What happened to the real people here? Are they still alive?"

    "Of course." Nolan waved a hand dismissively. "They¡¯re merely... asleep. Dreaming my dreams. Once I no longer need them, they¡¯ll wake¡ªif I allow it."

    Kazuki¡¯s dark energy flared. "And Selena? What do you know about her? Why does she want to be accepted again?"

    Nolan¡¯s eyes gleamed with a mixture of curiosity and something darker. "Selena always wanted to belong. Our family... let¡¯s just say it¡¯s complicated. She thinks you¡¯re her key to redemption."

    Kazuki¡¯s heart pounded. The pieces were falling into place, but the full picture remained elusive. He didn¡¯t trust Nolan, but the information was valuable.

    "Your time is up," Nolan said, standing. The cloud-throne dissipated. "Remember, Kazuki this is not the only time we''ll meet!."

    With that, he vanished, leaving Kazuki standing alone in the snowy arena, the echoes of their battle fading into silence.

    Kazuki¡¯s fists crackled with dark energy, his stance firm, eyes locked on Nolan. He didn¡¯t waste a moment; he dashed forward, his feet barely touching the snow-covered ground. The air around them was thick with frost, and the eerie silence of the arena heightened the tension.

    Nolan stood on his cloud, watching Kazuki approach with a calm, almost amused expression. He swung his hand casually, and an icy spike erupted from the ground. It shot forward, piercing Kazuki¡¯s torso and leaving a gaping hole.

    Kazuki''s eyes widened as pain exploded through his body. He screamed but didn''t falter. Gritting his teeth, he grabbed the icy spike with his bare hands, shattering it into pieces. As the ice melted away, the hole in his body began to close, flesh knitting itself back together. Nolan¡¯s golden eyes narrowed in intrigue.

    "Regeneration?" Nolan mused, stepping down from his cloud. "Interesting... But impressive tricks won¡¯t defeat me."

    Kazuki didn¡¯t respond. Instead, he charged again, his dark magic surging around him like a storm. This time, he was faster, stronger, his movements more precise. Nolan barely dodged, slipping to the side as Kazuki¡¯s fist slammed into the snow wall. His arm sank into the soft, powdery surface, the impact sending tremors through the arena.

    "You¡¯ve got an interesting body," Nolan said, a smirk playing on his lips as he landed lightly on the ground.

    Kazuki pulled his arm free and locked eyes with his opponent. "I¡¯ve faced worse."

    Nolan¡¯s smile didn¡¯t fade. "Then prove it."

    He raised his hand, and his body shimmered, dissolving into a liquid state. Kazuki froze, eyes darting around. "What the...?"

    A chilling presence materialized behind him. Before Kazuki could react, a solid form emerged from the liquid¡ªa perfect replica of Nolan. He struck Kazuki in the neck, sending him sprawling across the arena. As Kazuki tried to rise, huge spikes of ice erupted from the ground, encircling him like spears.

    Kazuki¡¯s wounds began to heal again, but his clothes were in tatters. He forced himself upright, his eyes blazing with determination. Nolan stood amidst the ice, his arms crossed. "Show me more, Kazuki Takashi."

    Kazuki clenched his fists, memories of his new move flashing through his mind. Sparks of lightning danced around his hands, merging with dark magic. He formed a spear of pure energy, the shape crackling with power. "Let¡¯s see how you handle this. Hand of Zeus!"

    He hurled the lightning spear. Nolan''s eyes widened, and he barely dodged, the spear sizzling past him and striking the snow wall, leaving a smoking crater.

    Kazuki didn¡¯t wait. He coated his feet in lightning, propelling himself forward with blinding speed. The moment Nolan dodged, Kazuki closed the distance, transferring the energy back to his fists. He swung, his dark magic-coated fist connecting squarely with Nolan¡¯s face. The impact sent Nolan flying, snow scattering in all directions.

    Kazuki didn¡¯t let up. He sprinted to where Nolan''s body was falling, sliding across the icy surface. He positioned his fist low, preparing for an uppercut. "This ends now!"

    He released the punch, but just as his fist connected, Nolan''s body shimmered again, dissolving into liquid. Instead of reappearing behind him, Nolan reformed on his cloud, floating above the arena.

    Kazuki¡¯s punch struck empty air, but the force of the blow caused the entire snow arena to tremble. A massive shockwave of lightning and dark magic exploded outward, shaking the ground and sending waves of snow flying. Kazuki¡¯s eyes darted around, searching for Nolan.

    A slow, deliberate clapping sound echoed through the arena.

    Kazuki looked up. Nolan was seated on his cloud, now transformed into a throne of ice, his golden eyes gleaming with amusement. "Impressive. If that punch had landed, it would have done some serious damage. But..." He spread his arms wide, the air around him shimmering. "A deal is a deal, right?"

    He leaned back into the throne, his posture regal. "You¡¯ve managed to knock me down¡ªor at least, you came close. So, I¡¯ll honor my promise. Ask me three questions, Kazuki Takashi."

    Kazuki¡¯s breathing was heavy, but he stood tall, his mask concealing the fierce glare beneath. "Why are you doing this? Controlling the people of Mirkdusk?"

    Nolan¡¯s smile faded slightly. "Power. Influence. Mirkdusk is just a small piece of a much larger plan. You¡¯ll understand soon enough."

    Kazuki clenched his fists. "What happened to the real people here? Are they still alive?"

    "Of course." Nolan waved a hand dismissively. "They¡¯re merely... asleep. Dreaming my dreams. Once I no longer need them, they¡¯ll wake¡ªif I allow it."

    Kazuki¡¯s dark energy flared. "And Selena? What do you know about her? Why does she want to be accepted again?"

    Nolan¡¯s eyes gleamed with a mixture of curiosity and something darker. "Selena always wanted to belong. Our family... let¡¯s just say it¡¯s complicated. She thinks you¡¯re her key to redemption."

    Kazuki¡¯s heart pounded. The pieces were falling into place, but the full picture remained elusive. He didn¡¯t trust Nolan, but the information was valuable.

    "Your time is up," Nolan said, standing. The cloud-throne dissipated. "Remember, Kazuki this is not the only time we''ll meet!."

    With that, he vanished, leaving Kazuki standing alone in the snowy arena, the echoes of their battle fading into silence.

    TBC

 Winters Arrival

    Kazuki stood in the midst of the relentless blizzard, his clothes tattered and torn. The icy wind bit at his exposed skin as the snow piled up around his legs. Every step felt heavier than the last, his body aching from the battle he had just endured. The ice reached up to his lower torso, and the cold seeped into his very bones. His breath came out in visible puffs, a stark reminder of how cold the world had become.

    His mind drifted back to Nolan¡¯s words: "Key to redemption..."

    Kazuki clenched his fists as he trudged on, determined to make his way back to Mirkdusk. The city, now covered in snow, seemed so different in this quiet, frozen state. The streets that once bustled with life were now eerily silent, as if the snow had swallowed them whole.

    The inn was just ahead, its warm light cutting through the darkness of the night. Kazuki''s steps grew heavier with each stride, the weight of the world pressing down on him. He entered the inn quietly, not wanting to disturb anyone, but he couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that something wasn¡¯t quite right.

    Inside, the innkeeper was still awake, sitting at a small table near the hearth, the fire crackling softly. Kazuki couldn¡¯t help but notice the mask he was wearing. It was identical to the one he had seen on the people in the city¡ªsmooth, unyielding, and cold. A strange sense of unease washed over him, but he pushed it aside.

    "It seems like it''s already winter season," the innkeeper said, turning toward Kazuki with a small smile. The mask glinted in the firelight, the purple glow from within casting an eerie light on the room.

    "Sit and warm yourself," the innkeeper offered, his voice calm, almost too calm.

    Kazuki nodded silently, settling into a chair by the fire. As he did, his gaze fell upon a small statue resting on the table. It was a figure of Nolan, the god he had encountered the previous night, holding a cold, imposing presence even in miniature form. The innkeeper was worshiping it, his hands clasped together in reverence, his eyes closed in silent prayer.

    Kazuki¡¯s heart skipped a beat. This was the same statue he had seen in the city¡ªeverywhere he looked, people had been holding these statues, their faces hidden behind those glowing purple masks. Something was wrong. Very wrong.

    He tried to shake off the feeling, but the sense of foreboding lingered, gnawing at the back of his mind. He stood up slowly and made his way back to their room. When he opened the door, he saw Selena still fast asleep in the bed, her peaceful expression a stark contrast to the storm outside.

    The night passed without event, the storm continuing its relentless assault on the city.

    Morning came, and with it, the same cold, heavy snow that seemed to have blanketed Mirkdusk in a never-ending winter. Selena slowly woke, blinking at the soft light filtering through the curtains. The snow outside had piled up, covering the ground in a thick, pristine layer of white.A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

    She rubbed her eyes, disoriented for a moment before she heard something unsettling.

    A strange, muffled sound. It was coming from downstairs.

    Curious, Selena slipped out of bed and made her way downstairs. What she saw stopped her dead in her tracks.

    The innkeeper and the other people in the inn were standing motionless in the center of the room, their bodies stiff and unmoving. Each of them wore the same mask, the same eerie purple glow emanating from beneath. It was as if they had become statues, their eyes vacant, their postures unyielding.

    But it wasn¡¯t just them. Everyone in the inn, including the innkeeper, was holding a small statue, the same one Kazuki had seen last night. The figure of Nolan.

    Selena¡¯s breath caught in her throat. Brother!?

    The word echoed in her mind, though she knew better than to believe it. She had to make sure Kazuki didn¡¯t know what was going on. She had to keep him in the dark, for his safety, for her own.

    She closed her eyes for a moment, trying to gather her thoughts. Then, with a deep breath, she stepped back, leaving the room behind her.

    This can¡¯t be real. Maybe Kazuki doesn¡¯t know about Nolan yet. He couldn¡¯t.

    Her mind raced as she headed back upstairs, her footsteps soft against the cold floorboards. She reached the door to their room, hesitating for a moment before she pushed it open. Kazuki was still asleep, his breathing slow and steady. For a moment, she thought he might wake, but he stayed still.

    Selena closed the door gently behind her, the weight of the situation sinking in. She sat on the edge of the bed, watching Kazuki as he slept, his face peaceful in contrast to the turmoil she felt inside.

    Kazuki awoke slowly, blinking against the dim light of the room. His mind was foggy, his thoughts scattered. He could still feel the lingering chill from the night before, his body aching in places where he¡¯d been wounded. But that wasn¡¯t what occupied his thoughts now.

    He stared at the snow outside the window, watching it fall gently, blanketing the world in white. The peaceful sight seemed out of place, too serene for the chaos he¡¯d experienced. Then, the words of Nolan echoed in his mind: "Key to redemption."

    Kazuki shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. He turned over and saw Selena sitting at the edge of the bed, staring out the window. Her expression was unreadable, and for a moment, he wondered if she was hiding something from him.

    "Selena¡­" Kazuki said softly, his voice hoarse from sleep.

    Selena turned to him, her face the picture of calm. "It¡¯s still snowing," she said quietly, her voice distant.

    Kazuki nodded but couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that something wasn¡¯t right. The innkeeper¡¯s strange behavior, the masks, the statues¡ªit all felt like a bad omen. But what could he do? He was already in too deep.

    "Did you hear anything strange last night?" Kazuki asked, his eyes narrowing slightly.

    Selena hesitated, her gaze flickering briefly before she shook her head. "No, nothing. It¡¯s just the snow¡­ It¡¯s always like this this time of year."

    Kazuki didn¡¯t buy it. There was something off about all of this. The city, the people, the masks. He had seen the worshipers downstairs, the eerie silence that had taken over the place. He knew Selena wasn¡¯t telling him everything, but he wasn¡¯t sure how to press her without making her uncomfortable.

    Kazuki closed his eyes, his mind whirling with the mysteries he had yet to solve. He had to find out what was going on in Mirkdusk, and why Nolan¡¯s influence seemed to be everywhere. The pieces were all there¡ªhe just had to put them together.

    But for now, all he could do was wait.

    TBC

 Confession

    Kazuki sat quietly on the bed, staring at the cold wooden floor of their rented room. The muffled sound of the snowstorm outside seeped through the walls. His mind raced as he replayed last night¡¯s events.

    "Selena¡¯s hiding something about her brother," Kazuki thought to himself. "This town¡¯s messed up¡ªcontrolled people, that insane blizzard, and Nolan. But... why should I care? I¡¯m not here to play hero. I¡¯ll act if it benefits me. First, though, I¡¯ll make Selena spill the truth about Nolan."

    Breaking his train of thought, Kazuki turned to Selena. "Oh yeah, the Carnival of Forgotten Faces is today. But with all this snow, it might be canceled."

    Selena looked up from where she was sitting. "The Carnival happens every year. The people here won¡¯t cancel it so easily," she replied, her voice calm but distant.

    Kazuki stood up and stretched. "I¡¯ll head downstairs," he said casually, heading toward the door.

    "Wait!" Selena¡¯s voice stopped him. "I have something to tell you."

    Kazuki paused, his hand resting on the doorknob. "Bingo," he thought smugly. "She¡¯s finally going to talk." He turned back to her, keeping his expression neutral. "What is it?"

    Selena hesitated, her lips trembling as she searched for the right words. "The people... the people of this town are being manipulated," she admitted finally.

    Kazuki raised an eyebrow, feigning ignorance. "By who?" he asked, his voice laced with curiosity.

    Selena took a deep breath, her voice barely above a whisper. "By my brother. Nolan."

    Kazuki let the words hang in the air before stepping back and closing the door. "Who is he, and what does he want?" he asked, his tone sharp but controlled.

    Selena lowered her gaze. "He¡¯s the oldest of the five of us. The god of frost. He¡¯s the reason this town is buried in snow and why the people are acting like this." Her voice grew firmer, anger and guilt mingling together. "He¡¯s slowly draining their life force to strengthen his power."The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

    Kazuki leaned against the wall, crossing his arms. "And? Why does that matter to you?"

    Selena¡¯s hands clenched into fists. "We can at least try to save them!" she said, her voice rising.

    "Save them?" Kazuki¡¯s tone turned cold. "I thought you wanted to be accepted again. Helping these people will only slow you down¡ªor worse, ruin your chances entirely."

    Selena flinched at his words but stood her ground. "But it¡¯s the right thing to do! These people don¡¯t deserve this. I don¡¯t care if I¡¯m not accepted anymore. If saving them means defying my brother, so be it!"

    Kazuki stared at her, his mask hiding his expression. For a moment, silence filled the room, broken only by the sound of the wind outside. Finally, he spoke. "If we help them, Nolan might show up. You¡¯ve seen what he can do. I¡¯m just human. I can¡¯t fight a god that easily." His mind flickered back to the memory of their battle. He could still feel the cold, the pain, the overwhelming power Nolan wielded.

    Selena¡¯s eyes softened. "We don¡¯t have to fight him. We just need to save the people," she said. "He¡¯s too busy with his plans to notice us right away."

    Kazuki sighed, rubbing his temples. "Fine. But if things get out of hand, we¡¯re done. I¡¯m not risking my life for these people." He pointed at her. "And don¡¯t expect me to care if we fail."

    Selena nodded, her determination unwavering. "That¡¯s enough for now," she said quietly.

    <hr>

    Meanwhile, at the top of the towering structure in the center of Mirkdusk, a group of masked figures moved stealthily through the shadows. Among them was Roberto, their leader, his expression tense as he barked orders to his men. "Hide properly!" he snapped, his voice barely above a whisper. "We endure this cold for one reason only¡ªrevenge. Stay focused!"

    One of his men shivered, adjusting his mask. "Boss, are we really going to¡ª"

    "Shut up," Roberto cut him off, glaring. He approached the frost-covered window, his eyes scanning the streets below. His expression twisted in confusion as he spotted something unusual.

    A horde of townspeople moved through the snow, each one clutching a small statue of Nolan. Their movements were slow, almost robotic, as they marched together in eerie silence.

    "What the hell?" Roberto muttered. "What¡¯s going on down there?" His confusion deepened as he noticed the absence of the usual Carnival festivities. "Did they cancel the Carnival? No way..."

    He shook his head, trying to focus. "Doesn¡¯t matter," he said firmly, turning back to his men. "We¡¯ll carry out our plan, no matter what¡¯s happening out there."

    But even as he spoke, unease crept into his mind. Something wasn¡¯t right in Mirkdusk, and whatever it was, it felt far beyond his control.

    <hr>

    Back at the inn, Kazuki and Selena prepared themselves for what lay ahead. The blizzard outside howled like a warning, but neither of them flinched. Their paths were set, and whether they succeeded or failed, the truth about Nolan could no longer be avoided.

    TBC

 The Carnival of Forgotten Faces

    Kazuki and Selena sat inside the inn, peering out through the frosted window as the controlled villagers knelt in unison, worshiping small statues of Nolan. Their eerie chants echoed faintly through the blizzard, blending with the howling wind. Kazuki broke the silence, his voice low but firm.

    "Any ideas on how we can stop the controlled villagers? Or at least snap them out of it?"

    Selena furrowed her brow, her fingers tracing invisible patterns on the table. "I don¡¯t know," she admitted. "But there¡¯s something about that fountain¡ªit¡¯s radiating a strong presence of mana. Last night..." She hesitated, glancing at Kazuki.

    "Last night?" Kazuki prompted, his gaze sharpening.

    "I entered the fountain," Selena confessed. "There¡¯s a hidden path leading to an underground base. It was filled with controlled villagers, all coming out of an entrance that connects back to the fountain."

    "So, the fountain¡¯s the source," Kazuki mused, crossing his arms.

    Selena nodded, determination sparking in her eyes. "If we destroy whatever¡¯s down there, we might be able to stop this madness!"

    Meanwhile, atop a towering structure overlooking Mirkdusk, Roberto stood with his subordinates, their breaths visible in the icy air. The weight of anticipation hung heavily over them.

    "There¡¯s something strange happening in this city," Roberto muttered, his eyes narrowing as he surveyed the scene below. "We¡¯ll strike early, before anyone expects it."

    Raising his hands, he began casting a spell. "Blaze Cannon!"

    A massive fireball erupted from his palms, soaring into the sky. Moments later, Roberto clenched his hand into a fist, causing the fireball to explode into fiery sparks like a signal flare.

    Roa, waiting outside the city walls, saw the blazing signal. A grim smile spread across his face. "So, it¡¯s time."

    He turned to his troops and roared, "CHARGE!"

    The soldiers responded with a thunderous cheer, unleashing their magic to tear down the city walls. Yet as they breached the defenses, they found no resistance. The city lay eerily still, its only occupants the controlled villagers, who moved in unison toward the fountain.

    Roa frowned. "What¡¯s going on?" he muttered. "Is this part of Roberto¡¯s plan? Either way, nothing¡¯s stopping us now."

    In a grand white castle far from the chaos, Nolan lounged on his ornate throne, a sly smile playing on his lips.

    "How entertaining," he said, snapping his fingers.

    The villagers near the fountain suddenly turned toward the invading troops. Their faces blank behind their glowing masks, they raised their crude weapons and charged.

    Back at the inn, Kazuki and Selena were jolted by the sound of explosions outside. Selena rushed to the window, only to recoil as the second floor of the inn was blasted apart by a massive rock.

    Kazuki shielded his face from the debris, peering through the broken walls. Below, he saw scarred men wreaking havoc on the city, destroying buildings with ruthless efficiency.

    "What the hell?!" he exclaimed.

    Selena clutched his arm. "Who are they?"

    Kazuki shook his head. "I don¡¯t know, but they¡¯re clearly enemies."

    Selena hesitated. "What about the controlled villagers? They¡¯re victims too. We should help them!"

    Kazuki smirked grimly. "Fine. But I better get something out of this." Without another word, he leapt down into the fray.

    Selena hurried downstairs, determined to check on the innkeeper and others. But as she reached the ground floor, the innkeeper turned on her, swinging a longsword with frightening speed.

    She dodged narrowly, her heart pounding. "What¡¯s going on?!" she thought.

    As the innkeeper lunged again, Selena noticed something. The mask he wore glowed faintly with a sinister purple light.

    "It¡¯s the mask," she realized. "That¡¯s how Nolan is controlling them!"

    Summoning a sword of pure light, Selena kicked the innkeeper to the floor. As he scrambled to rise, she sliced the mask in two. The fragments clattered to the ground, revealing a small crimson crystal embedded in its center.

    Selena picked it up, studying it closely. "A Crimson Veil Fragment," she murmured. "So this is how he¡¯s doing it."

    The innkeeper groaned, rubbing his head as he regained consciousness. "What... what happened?"

    Selena grabbed him by the collar. "Who gave you this mask?!"

    "Chill, chill!" the innkeeper stammered. "It was a woman dressed like a priest. She wore a long white robe and said the mask would bring us good luck."

    Selena dropped him, her thoughts racing. "Stay here and keep safe," she instructed.

    Before the innkeeper could respond, three more controlled villagers burst through the door, weapons raised. Selena dodged the first attacker and swiftly sliced his mask. The second swung an axe at her, but she countered and destroyed his mask as well.

    The last villager hesitated, but Selena didn¡¯t. Forming her fingers into the shape of a gun, she cast a spell.

    "Light Bullet!"

    A beam of radiant energy shot from her fingertip, shattering the final mask.

    She turned to the innkeeper, who stood frozen in awe. "Lock the doors and defend yourself. Protect the others too."

    Back at the tower, Roberto watched his troops storm the city. From his vantage point, he saw the villagers turning on the invaders, their masks glowing eerily.

    "It¡¯s begun," he said, rising from his seat.

    The soldiers around him stepped forward, raising their hands in unison. Together, they unleashed a barrage of spells, raining destruction down upon the chaos below.

    The battlefield was in chaos, with Roberto and his troops bombarding the controlled villagers with a relentless barrage of spells. Blasts of fire, ice, and lightning illuminated the darkened city, their intensity matched only by the cries of the possessed and the relentless determination of the attacking forces.

    Meanwhile, Kazuki stood amidst the carnage, locked in combat with three of Roa¡¯s elite troops.

    One soldier hurled a shield at him with deadly precision. Kazuki raised his arm, deflecting the spinning projectile with a sharp clang, only to block a kick from another soldier with his forearm. A third combatant joined the fray, wielding twin daggers and casting a spell mid-charge.

    ¡°Rock Step!¡±

    Kazuki¡¯s feet became ensnared in jagged stone, anchoring him to the ground. The other two soldiers capitalized on his immobilization, their voices echoing through the chaos.

    ¡°Smokescreen!¡±

    ¡°Aqua Pump!¡±

    A dense fog enveloped Kazuki, and a high-pressure blast of water slammed into him. The force nearly knocked the wind out of him, but Kazuki remained defiant.

    He crossed his forearms over his chest, sparks of electricity crackling between his fingers. "You think this will stop me?" he growled.

    ¡°Hand of Zeus!¡±

    Two jagged bolts of lightning erupted from his palms, cutting through the smoke and striking the water and smoke-wielding soldiers with a deafening crack. They collapsed, their bodies convulsing from the electric shock.

    The dagger-wielding soldier smirked, undeterred. ¡°You¡¯re good,¡± he admitted, dashing forward, ¡°but not good enough!¡±

    The soldier slashed Kazuki across the chest, his twin blades leaving a crimson X carved into his torso. Blood dripped from Kazuki¡¯s mouth as he staggered back, his breaths shallow and labored.

    The soldier stepped closer, confidence brimming in his voice. ¡°It¡¯s over for you.¡±You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

    Kazuki¡¯s lips curled into a grin. Slowly, he straightened his posture, his injuries vanishing before the soldier¡¯s astonished eyes. ¡°Not quite,¡± Kazuki replied, his tone icy.

    In a flash, Kazuki assumed a boxer¡¯s stance, his fists raised. He lunged forward with blinding speed, landing a gut-wrenching punch to the soldier¡¯s abdomen. The impact sent the man airborne, his body hurtling toward the sky.

    Kazuki closed his eye momentarily, focusing his mana. When he reopened it, a magnetic force pulled the soldier back toward the ground at terrifying speed.

    ¡°Rock Armor!¡± the soldier shouted in desperation, encasing himself in stone as he plummeted. The sudden increase in weight caused him to crash down faster than expected.

    Kazuki swung too early, missing his mark. The armored soldier landed atop him, pinning him to the ground.

    The soldier stood, smirking. ¡°Seems like I underestimated you. But that¡¯s not a mistake I¡¯ll make twice!¡±

    Kazuki spat out a mouthful of blood and laughed. ¡°Maybe you¡¯re just weak.¡±

    The taunt enraged the soldier, who lunged again with his daggers. Kazuki caught him mid-strike, gripping his head with ironclad hands. With a savage roar, he smashed the soldier¡¯s face into the ground, the impact splintering the cobblestones beneath them.

    He wasn¡¯t finished. Kazuki hurled the soldier¡¯s body toward a nearby wall. The man¡¯s back slammed into the stone, and before he could recover, Kazuki was already upon him. He grabbed the soldier by the head once more and dragged it along the wall as he ran, leaving a bloody smear in his wake.

    Kazuki finally released him, flinging the lifeless body to the ground. He stood over his fallen foe, breathing heavily, blood dripping from his knuckles.

    Two more soldiers emerged from the shadows, their expressions a mix of rage and disgust.

    ¡°You bastard!¡± one of them shouted. ¡°Do you have any humanity? You killed him brutally and didn¡¯t even feel sorry for it!¡±

    The other pointed his blade at Kazuki. ¡°Prepare to die, you fucking monster!¡±

    Without hesitation, they charged.

    The battlefield shifted back to Roa. Standing amidst the chaos, his lips curled into a cruel smirk as he barked orders to his troops.

    ¡°Defend me, idiots!¡± he commanded, his voice cutting through the chaos.

    Four of his loyal soldiers formed a protective circle around him, launching their attacks on the approaching controlled villagers without hesitation.

    ¡°Hydra''s Poison!¡±

    ¡°Steel Spikes!¡±

    ¡°Undead Ooze!¡±

    ¡°Electric Shock!¡±

    The soldiers¡¯ combined spells unleashed a devastating torrent of magic, cutting through the horde. Roa sneered as he watched, clearly unimpressed by their efforts.

    ¡°There are so many of them,¡± he muttered before leaping into the air. He raised a hand, sliding his palm in an elegant arc as a translucent, blue glass-like platform materialized beneath him.

    Standing on the glowing surface, he glared down at the chaos below and roared, ¡°JUST GIVE UP!¡±

    He raised his hand high before slamming it downward. ¡°Barrier Squeeze!¡±

    A massive blue barrier appeared above the controlled villagers. With a simple motion, Roa brought it crashing down, crushing them in a brutal display of power. The ground trembled under the force, leaving behind a mangled mass of bodies.

    ¡°That¡¯s a faster way to clear the way,¡± Roa said coldly as more villagers surged toward his position.

    Meanwhile, Selena darted through the streets, her destination the fountain where the chaos had begun. Her sprint was interrupted by a horde of controlled villagers blocking her path.

    Without hesitation, she summoned a radiant sword of light, its blade shimmering with divine energy. She charged into the crowd, slicing through the enchanted masks with precision and speed.

    One of the villagers¡ªthis one unmasked¡ªstepped forward, a sinister grin spreading across his face. ¡°Why bother with the masks?¡± he taunted, stomping a villager¡¯s head into the ground with a sickening crunch. ¡°Why not aim for the head?¡±

    Selena¡¯s gaze hardened. ¡°Are you the one behind this madness?¡±

    The man chuckled darkly. ¡°So what if I am? It¡¯s not like you can stop me!¡± He crushed another person¡¯s head underfoot, blood pooling around him.

    Selena dashed forward and delivered a swift kick, sending him staggering back. ¡°I don¡¯t know why you¡¯re doing this,¡± she said, her voice firm, ¡°but I won¡¯t let you hurt anyone else!¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s nothing innocent about them!¡± the man snarled, charging at her.

    ¡°Bone Summon!¡±

    The ground beneath Selena erupted with jagged bone-like spikes. She leaped away just in time, narrowly avoiding impalement.

    ¡°Bone magic,¡± Selena muttered to herself. ¡°I can¡¯t let him touch me.¡±

    The man lunged, his fists aiming for her face, but Selena sidestepped his attacks with graceful ease.

    ¡°It¡¯s rare to find a girl who can fight like this,¡± the man said, grinning. ¡°It¡¯s a shame you¡¯re not one of us!¡±

    ¡°Are you saying that because you can¡¯t catch me?¡± Selena retorted, effortlessly dodging another blow.

    The man¡¯s grin twisted into a snarl as he drove her into a corner. ¡°Prepare to die!¡±

    Selena raised her hands, her fingers glowing with radiant energy. ¡°Radiant Burst!¡±

    A blinding explosion of light erupted from her hands, engulfing the man. When the light subsided, his lower left torso was mangled and bloodied, forcing him to the ground.

    Not giving him a moment to recover, Selena raised her hand again. ¡°Wind¡¯s Wrath!¡±

    A powerful gust of wind surged forward, slamming into him and hurling him through the air. As he landed, another force struck him mid-fall, leaving him sprawled and gasping for air.

    The man gritted his teeth, clutching his wound as he staggered to his feet. ¡°This girl is stronger than I expected,¡± he thought. ¡°But all I need is one touch to control her bones.¡±

    He straightened, forcing a smile. ¡°Before we continue, at least tell me your name. Mine¡¯s Lucan. What¡¯s yours?¡±

    Selena didn¡¯t respond. She was already charging her next attack. ¡°I need to end this quickly,¡± she muttered.

    ¡°Lightspeed Dash!¡±

    In a flash, she disappeared, reappearing before Lucan faster than he could react. Her blade slashed across his chest and up to his head in a single motion, leaving a deep, fatal wound. She followed through by severing his head from his body with one final strike.

    As Lucan¡¯s lifeless body collapsed, Selena stood over him, her voice calm but icy. ¡°Fools like you don¡¯t deserve to know my name.¡±

    The two goons charged at Kazuki, determination etched into their faces. One of them clenched his fists and thought to himself, "I will avenge my comrades!"

    Kazuki, undeterred, dashed toward them with equal resolve. As he closed the gap, his mind raced. "The longer I stay here, the more enemies will show up. This is a waste of time¡ªI need to find the boss!"

    His fists ignited with dark and lightning magic, crackling with raw power. He shifted into a boxing stance, his focus locked onto his targets. Kazuki feinted with a series of quick jabs, forcing one of the goons to dodge. But it was a trap. Kazuki¡¯s right fist powered through, landing a devastating hook that sent the goon flying into a nearby wall.

    The other goon¡¯s eyes widened, his confidence faltering. "He''s too strong in close combat! I¡¯ll keep my distance and fight him from afar!"

    Summoning his magic, the goon chanted, ¡°Expand!¡±

    A massive tree erupted from the ground, lifting the goon high into the air. Perched on the rapidly growing branches, he aimed down at Kazuki and shouted, ¡°Nature¡¯s Deadly Bind!¡±

    Thick vines shot out from the tree, whipping toward Kazuki in an attempt to entangle him.

    Kazuki noticed the attack and narrowed his eyes. ¡°Hand of Zeus!¡±

    Twin lightning bolts materialized in his hands, crackling fiercely as he wielded them like daggers. With swift, precise movements, he sliced through the approaching vines, severing them before they could reach him.

    Without hesitation, Kazuki leaped into the air and dashed toward the goon atop the tree. The speed of his assault left the enemy stunned. Before the goon could react, Kazuki¡¯s blade-like lightning slashed through his arm, severing it in one clean strike.

    The goon let out a scream of agony as he tumbled from the tree, hitting the ground with a heavy thud. Blood poured from his shoulder as he clutched the stump where his arm had been.

    Kazuki landed smoothly and approached him, his expression cold but composed. ¡°I¡¯ll give you one chance. Take me to your boss, and I¡¯ll let you live.¡±

    The injured goon groaned, trembling as he tried to steady himself. His voice quivered as he spat out the words, ¡°He¡¯s... at the top of that tower!¡±

    Kazuki glanced in the direction the goon had indicated, spotting the imposing silhouette of a tower looming over the chaotic cityscape. Without another word, he sprinted toward it, leaping across the rooftops with agile precision.

    As he reached a higher vantage point, Kazuki paused briefly, surveying the city below. The once peaceful streets were now overrun with chaos¡ªcontrolled villagers rampaged through the alleys, and the remains of magical destruction scarred the buildings.

    Kazuki¡¯s fists clenched as he muttered under his breath, ¡°What the hell is going on here?

    Kazuki sprinted toward the towering structure ahead, his focus unshaken. But before he could reach it, Roa and his troops appeared, blocking his path.

    ¡°Not so fast!¡± Roa sneered, his troops stepping into formation behind him.

    Meanwhile, Selena raced toward the fountain at the center of the city. A powerful surge of mana radiated from it, pulling her closer. But just as she was about to reach it, a massive boulder came crashing down, shattering the fountain into rubble.

    Back at Kazuki¡¯s location, Roa and his troops unleashed their combined magic.

    ¡°Special Spell Combo!¡± they shouted in unison.

    A devastating blast struck Kazuki, sending him hurtling through the air. He landed hard, right near the destroyed fountain, where Selena stood.

    ¡°Kazuki!¡± she called out.

    Shaking off the impact, he quickly stood and faced her. ¡°Selena, we need to take them down together!¡±

    ¡°On your mark!¡± she replied with determination.

    The two charged at Roa¡¯s troops side by side, their movements perfectly synchronized. Selena gracefully dodged attacks from two opponents, weaving between them with agile precision. She retaliated with a swift kick before summoning her radiant sword of light. In one clean motion, she sliced through a soldier¡¯s arm, disarming him both literally and figuratively.

    Kazuki, on the other hand, confronted a group of attackers head-on. His foot slammed into the ground with immense force, creating a shockwave that sent Roa and his lackeys flying. Using the airborne debris to his advantage, he leaped forward, finishing off the scattered troops with rapid, brutal strikes.

    Selena, not missing a beat, aimed her hands at the remaining goons. ¡°Light Bullet!¡± she shouted, releasing concentrated rays of light that pierced through their defenses.

    With Roa¡¯s troops eliminated, Kazuki shifted his focus to the man himself.

    But Roa wasn¡¯t finished yet. ¡°Invincible Prison!¡± he bellowed, conjuring a cube of glowing blue glass around Kazuki.

    ¡°Behold the power of barrier magic!¡± Roa smirked as he began shrinking the prison, intending to crush Kazuki inside.

    Selena, having dealt with the remaining soldiers, rushed to Kazuki¡¯s aid. She dashed forward and landed a powerful kick on Roa, breaking his concentration and shattering the barrier.

    Kazuki emerged from the broken prison, his dark aura crackling with restrained fury. Selena, not letting up, aimed her spell at Roa.

    ¡°Light Bullet!¡± she shouted again, firing a beam of light that struck Roa¡¯s shoulder and pinned him down.

    Before he could recover, Kazuki charged forward, grabbing Roa by the neck and lifting him off the ground. His voice was low and menacing.

    ¡°Why are you doing this?¡± Kazuki demanded.

    Roa, defiant even in defeat, spat back, ¡°For revenge, you bitch!¡± He attempted to cast another spell, but Selena swiftly interrupted him with another kick, leaving him sprawled on the ground.

    Kazuki tightened his grip but then loosened it, his expression hardening. ¡°Spare him,¡± he said firmly.

    Selena hesitated, about to protest, but Kazuki cut her off. ¡°I said, spare him!¡±

    Leaving Roa in the rubble, Kazuki muttered to himself, ¡°Revenge, huh? I guess we¡¯re all the same.¡±

    As they sprinted away, Selena called out, ¡°I know how to stop the controlled villagers!¡±

    ¡°How?!¡± Kazuki asked, his eyes sharp with urgency.

    ¡°There¡¯s a crimson veil fragment embedded in the forehead of their masks!¡± Selena explained.

    ¡°What¡¯s that?!¡±

    ¡°No time to explain!¡± Selena replied. ¡°If the fragments exist, there must also be a crimson veil core somewhere, linking the controller to the villagers!¡±

    Kazuki nodded. ¡°Fine. You find the core. I¡¯ll take care of the ones without masks!¡±

    With a quick nod of understanding, the two split up, each heading toward their respective targets.

    TBC

    NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: LATE HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 The Carnival of Forgotten Faces 3

    Roberto sprinted down the wall, his movements fluid yet menacing. He pulled both hands back, his palms glowing with fiery energy. A sharp grin spread across his face as he thought, "DIE!"

    ¡°Blazing Force!¡± he roared.

    A massive beam of fire erupted from his hands, roaring through the air like a raging inferno as he descended.

    On the ground below, Kazuki reacted swiftly, crossing his arms in an X-shape to block the attack. The searing flames struck his defense, forcing him to dig his heels into the ground to maintain his footing.

    But Roberto wasn¡¯t done. Mid-slide, he extended his right hand, forming an open palm within the blazing beam. He clenched his fingers into a fist, causing the beam to erupt in a fiery explosion.

    Kazuki gritted his teeth, the sudden cloud of smoke enveloping him. ¡°A smokescreen?!¡± he thought, his senses on high alert.

    Before the haze cleared, the scene shifted to Kazuki catching Roberto¡¯s fiery fist mid-swing. Sparks flew as their clash sent a shockwave through the air.

    Kazuki countered with a powerful punch aimed directly at Roberto¡¯s torso. Roberto saw it coming and thought, "I saw that!" Just before impact, Roberto slapped Kazuki¡¯s face with his free hand and followed with a swift kick to his side.

    ¡°How¡¯s that?!¡± Roberto jeered, stepping back.

    Kazuki retreated momentarily, wiping a trace of blood from the corner of his mouth. ¡°He must be the boss,¡± Kazuki thought, assessing Roberto¡¯s strength.

    ¡°Why are you guys doing this?!¡± Kazuki demanded, his voice sharp with frustration.

    Roberto sneered. ¡°Why, you ask? One thing! Revenge!¡±

    He lunged at Kazuki, flames flickering around his hands. Kazuki raised his arms in an X-block again, bracing himself as they skidded across the ground from the force.

    ¡°You might wonder why we want revenge, don¡¯t you?!¡± Roberto shouted, his voice echoing with anger.

    Kazuki leapt into the air, summoning twin lightning bolts into his hands. ¡°Hand of Zeus!¡± he yelled as electricity crackled around him.

    Mid-air, Kazuki growled, ¡°I also want revenge¡ªfor those who wronged me! Those who betrayed me!¡±

    Roberto smirked and shouted back, ¡°Then why don¡¯t we work together? We¡¯ll achieve our goals together!¡±

    Kazuki¡¯s eyes narrowed, his voice cold. ¡°Pass. Those citizens you murdered were controlled. I don¡¯t know why, but I don¡¯t like it. Maybe because of morals. I¡¯m sure you have your reasons for hurting and killing controlled innocent people.¡±

    Roberto¡¯s face twisted with rage. ¡°INNOCENT?!¡± he bellowed. ¡°There¡¯s NOTHING innocent about them!¡±

    With a feral scream, Roberto charged, flames swirling around him. As he neared, he conjured a fireball and surrounded his fist with its blazing energy.

    Kazuki sidestepped the attack, dodging the fiery punch and countering with a precise strike. He slashed Roberto¡¯s torso with the lightning bolt in his hand, electricity surging through his enemy. Without missing a beat, Kazuki hurled the lightning bolt at Roberto, using it as a feint to close the distance.

    Roberto caught the thrown lightning bolt, his smirk returning as he charged at Kazuki. The two clashed violently, their strikes sending shockwaves through the battlefield.

    Kazuki seized the moment, grabbing Roberto¡¯s face with his hand. With raw strength, he attempted to smash Roberto¡¯s head into the ground, but Roberto reacted swiftly, landing an uppercut to Kazuki¡¯s chin.

    Kazuki staggered, his body falling backward, and Roberto capitalized on the opportunity. He drove the captured lightning bolt into Kazuki¡¯s back, stabbing him deeply.

    Roberto stepped back, his expression triumphant as he aimed his hands at the wounded Kazuki.

    ¡°Blazing Plumage!¡± he roared.

    Flames erupted from Roberto¡¯s back, forming a fiery trail that intensified his speed. A blazing aura surrounded him as he charged forward with unstoppable momentum, his target clear.

    Roberto''s speed was overwhelming, a blur too fast for Kazuki to track. Before he could react, Roberto''s flaming punch connected with his face, unleashing an explosive burst of fire that sent Kazuki flying.

    Kazuki skidded across the ground, flames licking at his skin. As he staggered to his feet, his burned face began to heal, his regenerative abilities restoring his features to their usual state. He surveyed the battlefield, now engulfed in flames, and his gaze shifted to the towering structure nearby.

    At the top, figures moved¡ªa group of people. Kazuki narrowed his eyes, his thoughts racing. "They might be supporting him," he thought. Without hesitation, he leapt toward the tower, intent on eliminating the threat.

    Roberto noticed Kazuki¡¯s intent and cursed silently. "He''s going after them! I can''t let that happen!" Determined, Roberto followed close behind.

    As the two ascended, Kazuki summoned his magic mid-air. ¡°Hand of Zeus!¡± he shouted, conjuring a lightning bolt and hurling it toward the figures above. The bolt struck its targets, leaving Roberto too late to intervene. He landed on the tower¡¯s peak, his face shadowed with fury.

    ¡°All of your deaths will not be in vain,¡± Roberto muttered, clenching his fists. His memories surged to the surface¡ªvisions of Mirkdusk. The rejection, the abuse, the cruel laughter.

    He saw the townspeople¡¯s faces twisted in disgust, mocking him for his weakness. He remembered being kicked out, shunned by guards and townsfolk alike, left to wander aimlessly. It was during this exile that he met others¡ªchildren like him, cast out by a society that deemed them worthless. That was the moment the flames in Roberto¡¯s heart began to burn hotter, fueled by his pain and anger.

    Snapping back to the present, Roberto let out a furious roar and charged at Kazuki with blinding speed. ¡°Blazing Plumage!¡± he shouted, flames trailing his every movement as a fiery aura enveloped him.

    Kazuki barely had time to react before Roberto struck him mid-air, his fiery kick igniting another massive explosion. Kazuki was sent crashing into a nearby building, rubble scattering around him.

    Groaning, Kazuki stood once again, his body regenerating. His thoughts raced. "He''s too fast!" He scanned the battlefield and locked eyes with Roberto, who stood below, glaring up at him.

    Kazuki leapt down, his voice sharp and demanding. ¡°Tell me, what makes these people not innocent?!¡±

    Roberto¡¯s expression darkened, his voice filled with rage. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t understand!¡± he shouted, charging at Kazuki once more.

    Kazuki braced himself. "This move again! Think! Think!" His mind raced, and then an idea struck him.

    Widening his right eye, Kazuki unleashed a gravitational force that began pulling Roberto upward. Despite the immense pull, Roberto pushed forward, his flames roaring defiantly.

    Kazuki stomped the ground hard, shattering it. "If I''m right, this will change his direction¡ªsending him up instead of toward me!" he thought.

    His plan worked. Roberto¡¯s trajectory shifted, propelling him directly above Kazuki. Seizing the opportunity, Kazuki delivered a powerful body blow that sent Roberto flying.

    As Roberto soared upward, Kazuki widened his eye again, manipulating the force to reverse Roberto¡¯s direction, slamming him downward.Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.

    ¡°Hand of Zeus!¡± Kazuki roared, summoning twin lightning bolts into his hands. He hurled them at Roberto mid-air, the electricity surging through him before he crashed to the ground.

    Roberto groaned, struggling to rise, but Kazuki gave him no respite. Lightning magic surged around Kazuki¡¯s feet, enhancing his speed. In an instant, he closed the distance, grabbing Roberto¡¯s head and slamming it into the ground repeatedly.

    As his head hit the ground over and over, Roberto¡¯s memories resurfaced¡ªflashes of happier times with the other outcasts he had met. Roa, Lucan, and the others. He heard their voices, their laughter.

    ¡°We¡¯ll have our revenge, right?! We¡¯ll succeed, right?!¡±

    The echoes of the past ignited something in Roberto, and he roared, ¡°ENOUGH!!!¡±

    A massive wave of heat exploded outward, scattering flaming embers into the air and forcing Kazuki to release him.

    Roberto¡¯s memories continued to flood back¡ªhis teenage years, talking with his friends about their future awakenings. He had boasted about gaining inferno magic, but they had teased him, saying he¡¯d likely awaken solar magic instead. ¡°Because you¡¯re always so good to us,¡± they had said.

    Back in the present, flames consumed Roberto¡¯s shirt, leaving him bare-chested, his body radiating with fiery rage. He strode toward Kazuki, his burning eyes filled with unrelenting fury.

    Flying burning embers and fire crackling surrounded the battlefield. Roberto walked through the chaos, his heavy breathing cutting through the dense, smoke-filled air. His breath formed visible puffs of vapor as he exhaled. Ahead of him, Kazuki struggled to stand. His legs trembled, but he pushed himself upright, adopting a boxing stance. Lightning crackled around his fists, while dark magic swirled alongside it.

    The two warriors charged at each other, meeting in the middle of the battlefield with a thunderous clash. From a distance, their exchange looked like a relentless barrage of punches, each strike radiating sparks of lightning, dark energy, and fire. The air sizzled as their magic collided, creating a deadly spectacle.

    Roberto suddenly caught Kazuki¡¯s left hand mid-punch.

    "What?!" Kazuki thought as Roberto hurled him into the air and followed in a blazing leap. Their battle continued mid-air, leaping from building to building as they exchanged blows.

    Atop a crumbling house, Roberto swung his right hand wide, creating a massive opening in his defense.

    "An opening!" Kazuki realized, his mind racing. "This is my chance! GOOOOO!"

    Kazuki funneled all his strength and magic into his right hand, delivering a devastating punch to Roberto¡¯s face. The impact was immense, a brilliant explosion of lightning and force erupting as Roberto was sent hurtling through the air, his body crashing into the ground below.

    Kazuki descended, his fist still tingling from the impact as it healed.

    "I¡¯ll ask once again! Why are you people doing this?" he demanded.

    Roberto lay sprawled on the ground, but his mind was elsewhere. He saw an image of his past¡ªthe people of Mirkdusk, slashing his face and leaving a deep scar. He recalled their laughter, their mocking words:

    "You can¡¯t be here if your only magic is flame! Such a common magic! Most wielders of that magic are weak or just commoners!"

    Back in the present, Roberto screamed, "IS THIS WEAK?!" A massive vortex of flames erupted around him as his voice roared across the battlefield. His gaze burned with fury.

    "Do you know why I have this scar on my face?! These people did it to me! Even my own family rejected me! Do you know why?!"

    His voice cracked as he screamed, "It¡¯s because I¡¯m WEEEAAAAAKK!!"

    Kazuki¡¯s mind flashed with his own painful memories¡ªhis abusive adoptive parents, the classmates who ignored him, his closest friend Jiro¡¯s betrayal, and the loss of Sato. "This guy¡­ he¡¯s just like me," Kazuki realized.

    As Roberto charged at him, Kazuki dodged, creating distance. Roberto stopped and stared, his voice trembling with rage.

    "Do you know what I did?! I formed this organization to get revenge and prove them wrong! As we grew, I found I wasn¡¯t the only one who suffered like this. That¡¯s why all of us wanted revenge! You might say we could start over in a new city, but they¡¯re all the same!"

    Kazuki, already prepared, put all his strength and magic into his right hand again. As Roberto got close, Kazuki delivered a devastating uppercut, launching Roberto skyward. A thunderbolt crashed down from the heavens as Roberto flew. Seizing the moment, Kazuki leaped after him and delivered another blow, sending Roberto hurtling back to the ground.

    The battlefield was in ruins¡ªcracked earth, deep dents, and roaring flames. Kazuki landed with purpose, his eyes fixed on Roberto¡¯s broken figure. But Roberto, driven by sheer will, got up and charged once more, screaming.

    As Roberto moved, another memory surfaced in his mind. Roa, Lucan, and Roberto as children. Roa had asked, "What if we don¡¯t succeed and get our revenge?"

    Roberto had replied confidently, "We will not fail, you idiot!" Lucan, ever thoughtful, added, "If we fail, maybe someone else will take our place. Someone who will avenge us or, better yet, stop the hatred towards weak children entirely. So no child will experience what we did."

    Fueled by these words, Roberto¡¯s flames intensified. He charged at Kazuki, his fist colliding with Kazuki¡¯s chest, engulfing him in a fiery eagle-shaped inferno. As they skidded across the ground, Roberto screamed, releasing even more mana and heat, burning away Kazuki¡¯s upper clothes.

    Kazuki emerged, his burns healing rapidly. He punched Roberto again, thunderbolts streaking across the battlefield. In the distance, Selena watched from the evacuation site, her heart heavy. "Please be safe, Kazuki," she whispered.

    As Kazuki delivered punch after punch, Roberto saw another flash of memory¡ªLucan¡¯s words echoing in his mind: "Maybe that guy will change everything."

    Roberto¡¯s strength faded as Kazuki landed the final blow. But instead of finishing him off, Kazuki stepped back.

    "I¡¯ll show mercy," Kazuki said, his voice heavy. "I feel bad because I stopped you from having your revenge. I want revenge too¡ªfor those who rejected me, betrayed me, and killed Sato." Kazuki thought

    Kazuki stared at Roberto, his voice softening. "You know, people can change. Maybe those who hurt you are gone, replaced by better people. And you can change too. Who knows? If you¡¯d moved on, maybe you¡¯d be living a better life now."

    Roberto¡¯s eyes widened. "Maybe Lucan was right. This guy¡­ he can change everything."

    With great effort, Roberto spoke, "Can I ask you a favor?"

    Kazuki turned, listening.

    "Tell me your name," Roberto said weakly.

    "Kazuki Takashi," he replied.

    "I¡¯m glad I met you," Roberto said, his voice breaking. "But it¡¯s too late for me. I have one more favor¡ªcan you give me a painless death?"

    Kazuki hesitated, then gently held Roberto¡¯s neck. "I¡¯m sorry," he said, and with a swift motion, he ended Roberto¡¯s life.

    The battlefield lay still, silence replacing the chaos of moments ago. Kazuki stood motionless, his breathing ragged, his shirt torn to shreds, though his body bore no injuries. In his arms, he carried Roberto''s lifeless body, his steps slow and heavy as he made his way toward the evacuation site.

    When he arrived, the scene was bustling. Adventurers were tending to the wounded, casting healing spells over the injured citizens. As Kazuki approached, many turned to him with suspicion. One adventurer, eyes narrowed, demanded, ¡°Who are you?!¡± Others followed suit, readying spells in case he posed a threat.

    Before Kazuki could respond, Selena appeared, rushing toward him. ¡°Stop! He¡¯s an ally,¡± she declared, her voice firm. The adventurers hesitated, then lowered their hands. Selena reached Kazuki¡¯s side, her eyes shifting to the body he carried. ¡°Why are you carrying a dead body?¡± she asked, confusion and concern lacing her voice.

    Kazuki didn¡¯t answer. He continued walking, his eyes set on the makeshift graveyard near the site. Rows of freshly dug graves marked the resting places of citizens lost in the battle. Finding an empty spot, Kazuki gently laid Roberto¡¯s body in the hole. Without looking up, he addressed the nearby citizens. ¡°Bury him.¡±

    The villagers exchanged uneasy glances but obeyed without question, silently stepping forward to cover Roberto¡¯s body with earth. Selena touched Kazuki¡¯s arm lightly. ¡°You look exhausted,¡± she said softly. ¡°You should rest.¡±

    The weariness overtook him. Kazuki swayed, his body giving way to exhaustion as his vision blurred. Selena caught him before he fell, gently lowering him into her arms. ¡°You¡¯ve done enough,¡± she whispered as she carried him to a tent nearby.

    Three days passed.

    Kazuki opened his eyes, unfamiliar surroundings greeting him. He noticed the soft fabric of the clothes he wore and the faint scent of herbs in the air. The sound of a door creaking open drew his attention. Selena entered, a small smile on her face.

    ¡°You¡¯re awake,¡± she said, relief evident in her tone.

    Kazuki sat up slowly. ¡°Where are we?¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re still in Mirkdusk,¡± Selena explained, sitting beside him. ¡°After you defeated Roberto, the villagers knew it was over. They returned to clean up the city. Some buildings were destroyed during the fight, but they¡¯re resilient. They didn¡¯t even ask for payment. Oh, and you¡¯ve woken up just in time.¡±

    ¡°For what?¡± Kazuki asked, confused.

    ¡°The Carnival of Forgotten Faces,¡± Selena replied. ¡°They¡¯ve finally been able to perform the real one. It¡¯s the last night of the celebration. You should see it for yourself.¡±

    Kazuki tried to stand, but his legs wobbled. Selena rushed to his side, slipping her arm around his. ¡°Take it slow,¡± she urged, guiding him to the balcony.

    The cool night air greeted them as they stepped outside. Kazuki looked down at the streets below. Lanterns lit the city, and villagers danced joyfully to lively music. Selena left for a moment, returning with a plate holding a slice of cake.

    ¡°Here,¡± she said, holding up a fork. ¡°You haven¡¯t eaten in three days. Say ¡®ahh.¡¯¡±

    Kazuki blinked at her. ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t make me repeat myself. ¡®Ahh,¡¯¡± she insisted.

    Reluctantly, Kazuki opened his mouth. ¡°Ahh.¡±

    Selena placed the cake in his mouth with a satisfied grin. ¡°It¡¯s delicious, isn¡¯t it? The villagers made it for us as a gift.¡±

    Kazuki chewed slowly, savoring the sweetness. ¡°I¡¯ve never felt this feeling before,¡± he thought. Then, as the memory of a distant summer surfaced, he corrected himself. ¡°No, I have felt this before¡ªwhen I was five, during the Aomori Nebuta Festival with Mom and Dad. That was the last time I felt this... happy.¡±

    He turned to Selena, his voice soft but sincere. ¡°I haven¡¯t felt this way in a long time, but... I¡¯m happy.¡±

    Selena¡¯s golden eyes widened, glistening under the soft light. She blushed, a warm smile spreading across her face. Before either could say more, a loud crack echoed through the sky. Adventurers cast spells that burst into brilliant lights, mimicking fireworks.

    The explosions startled Selena, causing her to lean slightly toward Kazuki. She quickly turned her gaze back to the colorful sky, awestruck by the dazzling display.

    Kazuki watched her, his heart unexpectedly light. ¡°I¡¯ve never felt this happy before,¡± he thought again, his eyes lingering on Selena¡¯s smile as it lit up the night.

    TBC

 Goodbye Mirkdusk

    Kazuki stirred awake in a large, unfamiliar bed, the soft sheets tangled around him. As he lay there, images from the previous night played vividly in his mind. He saw himself and Selena standing together on the balcony, gazing out over the Carnival of Forgotten Faces. The fireworks, created by magic spells, had illuminated the night sky in vibrant bursts, their light reflecting in Selena''s golden eyes.

    He clenched the sheets slightly, his chest tightening as he remembered what he had said aloud that night.

    "Last night, I felt something that I haven''t felt in a long time."

    Shaking off the lingering warmth of the memory, Kazuki swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood. The morning air was crisp, and the quiet hum of activity from the streets below faintly reached his ears. He walked to the large window across the room, its thick curtains drawn shut. Grasping the heavy fabric, he pulled the curtains apart. A blinding streak of sunlight streamed in, forcing him to squint as his eyes adjusted.

    Through the glass, he could see the city of Mirkdusk awakening. The streets were alive with movement as the townsfolk worked tirelessly to clean up the remnants of the carnival and repair the damage left behind by the battle.

    Drawn by a sense of familiarity, Kazuki opened the nearby door and stepped onto the same balcony from last night. The cool breeze brushed against his face as he leaned on the railing, watching the people below. Their determination and resilience reminded him of something he had long since buried¡ªa fleeting sense of peace.

    The sound of a door creaking open behind him made him turn. Standing in the doorway was Selena, her purple hair catching the light. She offered him a soft smile.

    "You''re awake," she said, her tone light but warm.

    Kazuki nodded in acknowledgment, but as Selena stood there, her mind wandered. Memories of the night before flashed before her¡ªKazuki¡¯s quiet words still echoing in her ears.

    "I haven¡¯t felt this way in a long time, but¡­ I¡¯m happy."

    A faint blush crept onto her cheeks as she looked away, quickly regaining her composure.

    Breaking the silence, Kazuki spoke. "It¡¯s been three weeks since we arrived here." He turned back to the balcony rail, his voice steady. "I think it¡¯s time for us to leave."

    Selena stepped closer, concern flickering across her face. "I agree, but¡­ are you sure you¡¯re okay? You haven¡¯t fully recovered since your last fight."

    Kazuki walked back into the room, sitting on the edge of his bed. He offered her a reassuring glance. "Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m fine now. You don¡¯t need to keep fussing over me."

    "If that¡¯s what you say," Selena replied, a hint of reluctance in her tone. She turned to leave, pausing briefly at the doorway. "Let me know if you need anything."

    As she disappeared down the staircase, her footsteps fading into the distance, Kazuki sat in silence. The quiet hum of activity outside filled the room, but his thoughts were elsewhere.

    Clenching his fists tightly, he whispered to himself, his voice filled with determination.

    "We have to move fast¡­ so I can reach Nocturnia. I¡¯ll train, become stronger than any of them, and¡­ have my revenge."

    His gaze hardened, the weight of his resolve settling over him like armor.

    Kazuki stood in his room, letting out a quiet sigh before stepping out into the spacious halls of the manor. He wandered through the grand house, searching for the bathroom, his footsteps echoing softly on the polished floors. As he passed, a parade of maids greeted him warmly.Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

    ¡°Please feel free to do whatever you want.¡±

    ¡°Ask us if you need any help!¡±

    ¡°Thank you for saving our city!¡±

    ¡°Hello, Hero!¡±

    Kazuki¡¯s expression remained unchanged, though their words lingered in his mind. "Don''t worry," he thought. "We¡¯ll leave today. I just know it. Staying here any longer will only feel like we¡¯re imposing."

    Spotting one of the maids nearby, he approached her and asked, ¡°Excuse me, where is the bathroom?¡±

    The maid smiled brightly. ¡°It¡¯s just around the corner. You¡¯ll see a door there¡ªbehind it is the bathroom.¡±

    ¡°Thanks,¡± he replied, forcing a polite smile.

    As he turned away, his fake smile faded, returning to his usual stoic expression. Soon, he found the door and stepped into the enormous bathroom. The sight that greeted him resembled a private hot spring¡ªa large, luxurious bath, almost like a small pool.

    Kazuki removed his clothes, leaving only his undergarments, and slipped into the warm water. He let out a sigh as the heat soaked into his muscles, leaning back with his head tilted up toward the ceiling. Yet, his mind remained restless.

    "After my revenge... what comes next?" he thought, the question echoing in his head. "Will I even be able to hurt her?"

    An image of Aiko flashed in his mind¡ªhis former classmate, the only one who showed him any kindness after his banishment from the kingdom. He clenched his fist beneath the water, the memories bitter and unresolved.

    Thirty minutes passed before Kazuki rose from the bath. He grabbed a towel, drying off his scarred body. Despite the water¡¯s soothing warmth, his old wounds remained as visible as ever¡ªscars that time and battle had engraved onto him.

    He stepped out of the bathroom wearing only a towel. The maids in the hall stopped and stared, their gazes lingering on the battle-hardened warrior before quickly averting their eyes. Kazuki ignored their reactions, walking back to his room to change into his usual clothes.

    Meanwhile, in another room, Selena was busy packing her belongings. As she folded her last tunic, her thoughts wandered.

    "Why are we leaving so early? Is Kazuki running away from something?"

    She sighed, crossing the room to change her clothes behind a partition. "There¡¯s so much I don¡¯t know about him," she thought as she adjusted her purple hair in the mirror. "I want to ask him, but... I can¡¯t force him to tell me."

    Once dressed, she returned to her bed and sat quietly. A knock came at her door moments later.

    Opening it, Selena found Kazuki standing there in his familiar attire, his face as unreadable as ever.

    ¡°It¡¯s time,¡± he said. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±

    Selena held the doorknob, tilting her head. ¡°Okay, but... where are we going next?¡±

    Kazuki replied without hesitation, ¡°Aurelith.¡±

    Selena¡¯s golden eyes widened with excitement. ¡°Aurelith? The city inside a hollowed-out mountain?¡±

    Kazuki gave a small nod, and together they left the room.

    The two stood before Mirkdusk¡¯s massive gates, ready to depart. As they walked, Selena glanced at Kazuki, noticing something. ¡°Why aren¡¯t you wearing your mask anymore?¡±

    Kazuki turned his gaze toward her. ¡°It got destroyed during the fight with some of those goons back there.¡±

    ¡°Oh,¡± Selena said softly. She didn¡¯t press further, and the pair continued their journey in silence.

    Far away, the Arcane Knights, Kazuki¡¯s former classmates, were battling a wave of goblins in a dense forest.

    Ryohie raised his hand, chanting, ¡°Shining Beam!¡± A brilliant ray of light erupted from his palm, burning through the charging goblins.

    As the last goblin fell, Aiko approached Ryohie, holding a letter. ¡°We just received this from the King of Malvora. It says, ¡®Stay away from Mirkdusk. We¡¯ve received reports that the city is being controlled by someone.¡¯¡±

    Ryohie furrowed his brow. ¡°Controlled? If that¡¯s the case, we have to protect it! Besides, we¡¯re near Aurelith, and Aurelith is close to Mirkdusk!¡±

    Yuki, standing beside Aiko, shook her head. ¡°Didn¡¯t you hear what the king said? It might be dangerous!¡±

    Jiro scoffed, his voice rising with frustration. ¡°You think we¡¯re weak? Are you underestimating us? We¡¯re the Arcane Knights! We¡¯re not just random adventurers!¡±

    Sako crossed his arms and smirked. ¡°Exactly. Let¡¯s go! That city needs saving!¡±

    Aiko and Yuki exchanged uneasy glances, but the rest of the group was already rallying to move out. Reluctantly, the two followed as the Arcane Knights began their march toward Mirkdusk.

 Unknown Outpost

    Kazuki and Selena walked along a vast, empty road. The morning sun bathed the path in a soft glow, yet a lingering silence hung between them. After a few minutes of walking, Selena finally spoke up.

    "Kazuki, tell me about your past."

    Kazuki suddenly stopped. His expression darkened, his gaze distant. A fragmented memory surged into his mind¡ªa memory he had long buried.

    ¡ª

    A dimly lit apartment. The stench of cigarettes.

    A woman in her twenties, a cigarette dangling between her fingers, sat on the couch, frustration twisting her face. She exhaled a cloud of smoke before slamming her hand against the armrest.

    "Shit! We''re running out of money, and gambling¡¯s not helping either!"

    Her gaze snapped toward a young boy¡ªKazuki, barely seven years old, standing motionless.

    "Ever since we adopted you, everything went wrong! Bad luck follows you like a damn curse!"

    Without warning, she lashed out, striking Kazuki across the face. The force sent him crashing to the floor. A sharp pain pulsed through his mouth as he coughed up blood¡ªa lone tooth rolling across the wooden floorboards.

    The woman¡¯s eyes flared with fresh anger.

    "You even have the nerve to dirty my floor?!"

    She grabbed a towel and threw it at him.

    "Clean it up!"

    At that moment, a man entered the room¡ªher boyfriend. He rubbed his eyes groggily and sighed.

    "Why the hell are you screaming so early?"

    "This brat ruined my floor!" the woman snapped, pointing at Kazuki.

    The man¡¯s indifferent gaze fell on the boy before scoffing.

    "What was your name again? Whatever. Just clean it up."

    The woman leaned closer, a cruel smirk twisting her lips.

    "Maybe you''re the reason your real parents died. A walking curse¡ªthat¡¯s what you are."

    Kazuki gripped the towel tightly, his small fingers trembling. His vision blurred with unshed tears, but beneath it all¡ªsomething else boiled within him. Rage.

    His fist slammed against the floor.

    The woman¡¯s smirk vanished.

    "You ungrateful little¡ª"

    She raised her foot to kick him again, but before she could, the man grabbed her shoulder.

    "He''s just a kid. No point in beating him."

    She scoffed, shoving his hand away.

    "Whatever."

    With a final look of disgust, she spat on Kazuki before slumping onto the couch.

    ¡ª

    The memory shattered, bringing Kazuki back to the present.

    "Kazuki?"

    Selena¡¯s voice was distant at first, then more urgent.

    "Kazuki, are you okay?"

    He clenched his fists. His voice was cold, sharp.

    "Don¡¯t ask me that again."

    With that, he started walking forward, not sparing Selena another glance.

    Selena remained still, watching him. His entire demeanor had changed in an instant. A pang of guilt stirred in her chest.

    "Did I just remind him of something painful?"

    She said nothing more and simply followed.

    ¡ª

    Meanwhile, the Arcane Knights sat inside a large carriage, riding toward Mirkdusk.

    The conductor, an old man with a rough voice, called back to them.

    "Everyone Buckle Up! Were entering the Duskwither Grove! rumors say a powerful beast is living in here!"

    The carriage creaked as they crossed the threshold into the dense forest, unaware of the terror lurking within.

    The Arcane Knights rode through Duskwither Grove, their carriage rattling along the uneven forest path. The dense canopy overhead cast eerie shadows, allowing only slivers of light to seep through. The deeper they traveled, the heavier the air became, thick with a strange, foreboding energy.

    After a while, boredom crept in. Some knights gazed outside, hoping for anything to break the monotony.

    Taro, sitting by the window on the left side, suddenly perked up. His eyes widened in excitement as he spotted something in the distance.

    "Guys, there¡¯s a structure out there!" he exclaimed, pointing beyond the thick trees.

    Jiro raised a brow. "What?"

    Sako, always eager for action, pushed Taro aside to get a better look. "Move over!"

    As he squinted through the dense foliage, his breath hitched. "He¡¯s right! There¡¯s definitely something there!"

    The conductor, an old man with years of experience traveling these roads, overheard their conversation and frowned.

    "That place is bad news," he muttered. "No conductor ever dares to go near it."

    Jiro, now fully invested, shoved Sako aside. "Let me see for myself!"

    Aiko, sitting calmly beside Yuki, tilted her head. "I¡¯ve never seen a structure in this forest before¡­"

    Yuki, sensing something odd, turned to the conductor. "Why does no one go near it?"

    The conductor exhaled heavily, gripping the reins tighter. "Rumors say a powerful creature guards that place. No one who¡¯s gone near has ever come back."

    Jiro¡¯s eyes gleamed with excitement. "Then that means there¡¯s good loot!" He grinned. "We should check it out!"

    Taro and Sako immediately agreed. "Yeah! Who knows what kind of treasures are hidden there?"

    Aiko frowned. "What if it¡¯s a trap?"

    Yuki nodded. "We should go to Mirkdusk first. People are waiting for us. We can always return later."

    Jiro waved them off. "Come on! Someone else might take the loot if we wait!" His eyes turned to their leader. "What do you think, Ryohie?"

    The entire group fell silent.

    Ryohie, the strongest among them, crossed his arms, considering their options. Finally, he smirked. "We¡¯ll stop and loot it¡ªfast. Then we head straight to Mirkdusk."

    The knights nodded in agreement, though Aiko and Yuki exchanged uneasy glances. They had no choice but to follow.

    Ryohie turned to the conductor. "Stop the carriage. We¡¯ll be quick. If anything happens, retreat without us."

    The conductor hesitated but eventually pulled the reins. The carriage came to a slow halt.

    The Arcane Knights stepped out, their boots crunching against the forest floor as they moved toward the mysterious structure. The closer they got, the more details came into view¡ªthe structure was in ruins, its once-proud walls crumbling under time¡¯s weight.

    Sako let out a whistle. "It¡¯s a broken outpost. You can tell from the remains."

    Aiko and Yuki walked side by side, carefully stepping over fallen debris.

    As they moved further in, Ryohie¡¯s keen eyes caught something unusual¡ªa massive hole beneath the outpost, gaping like a mouth waiting to swallow them whole.

    "Everyone, there¡¯s a large hole here!" he called out.

    Stepping closer, he examined the opening. His mind raced. "Could this be an underground dungeon? Or even better¡­? Heh, I really am the best."

    The others gathered around, peering down into the darkness.

    Jiro nudged Ryohie. "Hey, bro, can you use that light thing of yours? Let¡¯s see how deep it is."

    Ryohie smirked. "As you wish."

    Opening his palm, he conjured a small orb of light and tossed it into the pit. As the glowing sphere descended, it illuminated the underground chamber¡ªwalls lined with unknown carvings, signs of past battles, and remnants of something long forgotten.

    But then¡ªthe light abruptly vanished.

    Jiro blinked. "Huh? That was fast. Guess it¡¯s not that deep."

    Taro grinned. "Then what are we waiting for? It¡¯s an underground dungeon! We should check it out!"

    Aiko sighed. "Let¡¯s just rush in, take whatever we can, and leave."

    Ryohie nodded. "Agreed. If there¡¯s a lot of loot, we¡¯ll need all hands to carry it."

    Just as they prepared to descend¡ªthe ground trembled.

    A deep, thunderous BOOM-BOOM-BOOM echoed through the air, shaking the earth beneath their feet.

    The Arcane Knights froze.

    A massive gust of wind slammed into them, nearly knocking them off their feet. But this wasn¡¯t just the wind. It was something else¡ªsomething alive.

    Then, they saw it.

    A towering silhouette emerged from the trees, its heavy footsteps making the ground quake with every step. Its breath came in deep, guttural pants, steaming against the cold air.

    And then¡ªglowing red eyes pierced the darkness.

    The knights stood frozen in place, their hands slowly reaching for their weapons.

    From the creature¡¯s massive mouth, two jagged horns curled outward, its presence exuding an overwhelming sense of primal dominance.

    A monster stood before them.

    And it was watching.

    The Arcane Knights stood their ground as the massive beast roared, its glowing crimson eyes cutting through the thick steam that cloaked the battlefield. The sheer force of its roar sent a devastating shockwave in all directions, shaking the very earth beneath them. Cracks splintered across the ground, and the Arcane Knights were thrown backward like ragdolls, slamming against the debris of the ruined outpost.

    From a safe distance, the carriage conductor watched in horror. His hands trembled as he gripped the reins. "So¡­ the rumors were true." His mind raced. He had been tasked with ensuring the safety of the Arcane Knights, but this was beyond anything he had ever seen. His duty was clear¡ªbut so was his fear. If I stay¡­ I¡¯ll die. I have a family waiting for me.

    Clenching his teeth, he made his decision. With a final glance at the battlefield, he gripped the reins tightly. "I¡¯m sorry," he muttered under his breath before turning the carriage around, retreating toward Mirkdusk at full speed.

    Back in the battlefield, Jiro gritted his teeth and pushed himself off the ground. His body ached, but there was no time to rest. He stretched his right hand forward and cast a spell.

    "Leaf Blades!"

    A flurry of razor-sharp leaves materialized beside him and shot toward the towering beast like a hailstorm of green daggers. The attack struck true, but instead of piercing the creature¡¯s hide, the leaves merely bounced off, scattering harmlessly to the ground.

    Jiro¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°What the hell?!¡±

    Before he could process what had happened, the behemoth slammed its foot into the ground. A thunderous BOOM erupted as the impact sent out another powerful shockwave. The lingering steam from its body was blown away, revealing its true form¡ªa colossal silver-skinned mammoth with iron-like hide, its massive trunk curling as it exhaled.

    Taro didn¡¯t hesitate. He stepped forward and stretched out his palm, forming a golden-brown magic circle in the air. "Sand Slash!"

    A blade of compressed sand shot forward at high speed, slashing against the behemoth¡¯s thick skin. A shallow cut formed along its leg, barely more than a scratch. But it was enough to enrage the beast.

    With terrifying speed, the mammoth charged at Taro, its movements causing the entire battlefield to tremble. The sheer force of its approach sent loose stones and debris flying through the air.

    ¡°Shit¡ª!¡± Taro turned and bolted, his instincts screaming at him to run.

    The behemoth plowed through the steam like an unstoppable force, closing the distance in seconds.

    "STOP!"

    A voice rang out as Sako dashed forward. His hands were clenched into fists, a faint, smoke-like energy trailing behind him as he built up power. He leaped at the mammoth, his right fist engulfed in thick, swirling smoke.

    "Smoke Punch!"

    His fist connected with the behemoth¡¯s face, and an explosion of dense smoke erupted upon impact, momentarily shrouding the battlefield in a thick, suffocating haze.

    For a second, the battlefield was silent.

    Then¡ª

    A massive force surged through the smokescreen.

    A WHIP-LIKE SWIPE from the behemoth¡¯s enormous trunk struck Sako with devastating force. His body shot through the air like a broken doll, tearing through his own smokescreen before crashing into a jagged rock formation. He hit the ground hard, groaning in pain.

    ¡°Sako!¡± Taro shouted in alarm.

    Aiko and Yuki rushed to his side. Aiko knelt beside him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Can you stand?"

    Sako coughed, trying to sit up, but his arms trembled.

    ¡°Yuki, I need a hand!¡± Aiko called.

    Yuki knelt down and pressed her hands over Sako¡¯s wounds. "Blood Bind." A crimson glow pulsed from her palms as the bleeding slowed. "This should hold for now. Rest here¡ªwe¡¯ll take care of the rest."

    Taro jogged over, his face tense with concern. "Is he okay?"

    "He¡¯ll live," Yuki replied, standing up and turning toward the behemoth.

    The beast let out another deafening roar, the sheer force of its voice blasting away the lingering smoke in an instant. Its glowing red eyes locked onto them once more.

    Taro clenched his fists in rage. "You bastard¡­ I¡¯ll kill you!"

    He stretched his hands outward, summoning another magic circle. "Sand Storm!"

    A powerful gust of wind howled through the battlefield, carrying sharp, high-speed grains of sand. The storm engulfed the behemoth, and within seconds, it began thrashing violently as sand lodged into its eyes, forcing it into a blind, enraged rampage.

    "Nice one!" Ryohie yelled as he leaped into the air, his palm glowing brightly.

    "Shining Beam!"

    A concentrated beam of light shot from his hands, aiming for the behemoth¡¯s exposed head.

    Meanwhile, as the conductor raced toward Mirkdusk, he spotted two figures approaching the forest¡ªa white-haired young man with a tattered green coat and a purple-haired girl at his side.

    The conductor pulled the reins, bringing the carriage to a sudden halt. "Are you guys adventurers?!"Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

    Kazuki narrowed his eyes. ¡°So what if we are? You planning to rob us?¡±

    The conductor frantically shook his head. "No, no! I need help! There¡¯s a group of adventurers trapped in the forest ahead¡ªthey¡¯re fighting a massive creature, and it looks like they¡¯re losing! I can give you a free ride to their location if you help!"

    Selena turned to Kazuki. "Tak¡ª"

    But before she could finish, Kazuki cut her off. "What¡¯s the reward?"

    The conductor hesitated, caught off guard by the response. "I¡ª"

    "Forget it," Kazuki interrupted.

    Without waiting for a reply, he and Selena continued walking toward the forest.

    Selena frowned, crossing her arms. "Why did you cut me off?"

    Kazuki didn¡¯t even glance her way. "It¡¯s none of our business. For all we know, this could be a trap."

    Selena sighed. "I swear..." She followed after him, glancing back once at the conductor, who simply shook his head before riding off toward Mirkdusk.

    In the distance, the battle raged on.

    Kazuki and Selena walked through the misty depths of Duskwither Grove, the eerie silence of the forest broken only by the distant echoes of battle.

    ¡ª

    Back at the battlefield, the Arcane Knights fought desperately against the monstrous silver-skinned mammoth. Ryohie, still mid-air, unleashed his spell.

    "Shining Beam!"

    A massive ray of light erupted from his palm, surging toward the beast. But as soon as it struck, the silver hide gleamed¡ªthen reflected the attack.

    "What the hell?!" Ryohie barely twisted his body in time, dodging his own spell as it ricocheted past him, scorching the treetops.

    Jiro¡¯s eyes widened. "What?! It bounced back?"

    Taro, witnessing the unexpected deflection, shouted, "What just happened?!"

    Aiko clenched her fists. "That silver hide¡ªit¡¯s reflecting magic!"

    Jiro gritted his teeth. "Then how the hell do we damage it?!"

    Amidst the chaos, Yuki narrowed her gaze, analyzing the beast¡¯s movements. Then, with a spark of realization, she shouted, "We can! That silver isn¡¯t its true skin¡ªit¡¯s armor! If we concentrate our attacks on a single point, we can break through!"

    Ryohie smirked as he landed. "A little help, Yuki?"

    He dashed toward the mammoth while the others quickly prepared their spells, focusing on a single weak spot. Meanwhile, Aiko stood back, observing.

    Yuki raised her hand, her eyes glowing crimson. Ryohie glanced at her, his thoughts racing.

    "Blood Magic¡­ A terrifying art. It grants complete control over the blood within any living creature. That¡¯s why people fear it¡ªit can turn anyone into a puppet. And now¡­ she¡¯s about to prove why it¡¯s so powerful."

    Yuki¡¯s fingers clenched into a fist.

    "Control: Freeze!"

    The moment she spoke, an invisible force wrapped around the mammoth. A sickening crack echoed as its massive body stiffened, the very blood in its veins freezing in place.

    The beast groaned in confusion, unable to move.

    Seizing the opportunity, Ryohie slid between the mammoth¡¯s legs, pressing his palm against its hide.

    "Time Seal!"

    A faint golden glow pulsed beneath his fingers. As he slid past, he smirked.

    "Time Magic¡ªanother feared ability. Even in its weakest form, it allows me to freeze objects in time for a few seconds. But if I fully awaken it¡­ I¡¯ll be able to suspend anything permanently."

    He leaped back to his feet. "Everyone, aim for its eye! Fire¡ªnow!"

    Jiro raised his hands. "Leaf Blade Surge!"

    A storm of razor-sharp leaves materialized around him, slicing through the air toward the mammoth¡¯s eye.

    Taro followed up instantly. "Dust Spike!"

    The ground trembled as a massive spike of compressed sand launched forward.

    Both attacks struck true. The force shattered a portion of the silver armor covering the beast¡¯s face, exposing the soft flesh beneath.

    Ryohie drew his sword. His movements were swift¡ªlike a flash of light.

    In one clean motion, he drove his blade deep into the mammoth¡¯s exposed eye, dragging it downward in a devastating slash.

    He landed smoothly, blood dripping from the edge of his sword. He turned to the others.

    "It¡¯s done."

    The mammoth remained frozen in time, unmoving.

    Ryohie flicked his sword to the side, shaking off the blood. "Even if it still has a beating heart¡­ it¡¯s brain-dead."

    ¡ª

    As Yuki released her magic, her body trembled. Her right arm shook violently before she collapsed to one knee, breathing heavily.

    Ryohie glanced at her, his expression unreadable.

    "Even though Blood Magic is feared¡­ it has its limits. It drains mana far too quickly."

    Aiko rushed to Yuki¡¯s side, supporting her. "Are you okay?!"

    Jiro exhaled, still processing what just happened. "Did¡­ did we win?"

    Taro clenched his fists, looking at Sako¡¯s unconscious body. "That¡¯s payback, you damn beast!"

    Ryohie sheathed his sword. "Let¡¯s loot it. Even if it¡¯s alive, it can¡¯t move or fight back."

    Aiko nodded. "Fine, but we need to get back to Mirkdusk immediately. Sako needs medical attention."

    The others agreed, taking a moment to catch their breath.

    What they didn¡¯t know¡­ was that the mammoth was no ordinary creature. It had been genetically modified.

    ¡ª

    Meanwhile, Kazuki and Selena continued their journey through the grove.

    Selena glanced at him. "If we run into that adventurer group, we should at least observe them in case something goes wrong."

    Kazuki didn¡¯t even look at her. "We only engage if that creature tries to attack us."

    Selena frowned. "What if they need our help?"

    Kazuki suddenly stopped, turning toward her. His golden eyes burned with something fierce.

    "Did they help us when we needed it?"

    Selena hesitated.

    Kazuki continued. "Back in Mirkdusk, when we were struggling, no one lifted a damn finger. Even those so-called adventurers abandoned people and ran. What if it¡¯s the same group? What if this is a trap?"

    Silence hung between them.

    Selena averted her gaze and kept walking.

    Kazuki followed.

    The battlefield was still. The towering beast, frozen in time by Ryohie¡¯s spell, finally succumbed as the magic faded. With a thunderous crash, the mammoth¡¯s colossal body collapsed onto the ground. Dust and debris filled the air, and for a brief moment, the Arcane Knights thought it was over.

    Jiro exhaled in relief, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Alright, we¡¯re looting it now!" he announced, stepping forward toward the fallen behemoth.

    But in their ignorance, none of them realized the truth¡ªthis creature was no ordinary beast. It had no brain, no pain receptors. Each injury it suffered only made it stronger. And above all, it had only one purpose: to protect the outpost, just as it had been commanded to for centuries.

    As Jiro''s hand reached for the mammoth¡¯s armored hide, the monster unleashed a deafening ROAR!

    The force of its bellow sent violent shockwaves through the air, splitting the ground beneath them. Trees swayed, cracks snaked across the battlefield, and the sky itself seemed to tremble at its fury.

    Kazuki and Selena were walking through the dense forest when the tremors reached them. The violent quake made the trees rustle, and the echoes of the roar sent a chill down their spines.

    Selena¡¯s eyes narrowed. "What was that¡­?"

    Kazuki barely reacted. "Probably the creature¡¯s final scream. Looks like they managed to take it down."

    Selena frowned. "You worry too much."

    Kazuki simply kept walking, his expression unreadable. Selena matched his pace, though her instincts told her something wasn¡¯t right.

    When they finally arrived at the spot where their carriage had stopped, Selena turned toward the direction of the tremors. Her sharp eyes squinted against the distance, spotting small figures struggling against the towering silhouette of a beast.

    Then, it hit her.

    A memory resurfaced. A vision of the past¡ªof the Great War. She saw the God of Mammals shaping a mighty guardian, one that would never die, one that would obey only his will. A beast that existed solely to protect the outpost from the devils.

    Her heart pounded.

    "We have to go!" she blurted out and sprinted toward the battlefield.

    But before she could get far, a firm hand grasped her wrist, halting her in place.

    She turned to see Kazuki, his grip unyielding.

    "Let go!" she snapped. "That thing will kill them if they don¡¯t end it quickly!"

    Kazuki met her gaze with calm indifference. "We wait."

    Selena struggled, but Kazuki moved swiftly, covering her mouth with his hand and guiding her behind the cover of a thick bush. From the shadows, he watched the battle unfold.

    Then, his eyes widened slightly.

    He recognized them.

    The Arcane Knights.

    His grip loosened, his hand slipping away from Selena¡¯s mouth. She took the chance to study his face¡ªhis blank, almost detached expression. It wasn¡¯t concern, nor was it anger.

    It was something else.

    Fear? No¡­ something deeper.

    A bitter silence hung between them.

    Selena¡¯s mind raced. "He¡¯s different. Just like before. Emotionless, like he¡¯s seeing something that¡¯s haunted him for years."

    She clenched her fists. "Kazuki¡­ we need to help them! That monster grows stronger every time it¡¯s hurt!"

    Kazuki didn¡¯t respond.

    His body was still, but his mind was in turmoil. Memories crashed into him like an unforgiving tide.

    The day they were summoned.

    The moment he awakened his magic.

    The betrayal.

    Darkness and lightning¡ªthe elements he was given. Considered a curse and a blessing. The fear in their eyes when they saw him.

    Jiro¡¯s mocking laughter.

    Ryohie¡¯s sudden attack.

    Yuki¡¯s disgusted glance.

    Taro and Sako¡¯s taunts.

    Aiko¡­ the only one who didn¡¯t react, simply turning away.

    His fingers curled into a tight fist, trembling with rage.

    "This is it¡­ I can take my revenge early."

    "Kazuki?"

    Selena¡¯s voice was softer now, almost uncertain.

    "Kazuki¡­?"

    But he didn¡¯t answer.

    His eyes were locked on the battlefield, his mind somewhere far darker.

    Taro was down. Blood stained the earth beneath him as he gasped for breath.

    Ryohie hoisted Taro¡¯s injured body over his shoulder, sweat trickling down his forehead. "Why¡­ why won¡¯t this thing die?!"

    Jiro gritted his teeth and raised a trembling hand. "Leaf Bla¡ª!"

    But before he could finish his incantation, the mammoth¡¯s trunk slammed into him, sending his body flying like a ragdoll. He crashed into a nearby tree with a sickening thud.

    Yuki tried to stand but collapsed, her body too drained from the previous spell.

    Aiko stepped in front of her. "I¡¯ll protect you!" she declared, her voice unwavering.

    Ryohie set Taro down gently before charging toward the beast. "We need time to use the trump card!" he shouted, leaping toward the mammoth. "I¡¯LL DISTRACT IT!"

    He jumped, slashing at the air to keep the beast¡¯s attention.

    "Aiko! NOW!"

    Aiko spread both hands forward, her eyes burning with resolve. Energy swirled around her fingertips, forming a radiant orb of molten mana. Flames roared, turning the night into day.

    "Wrath of the Sun!"

    A brilliant beam of fire shot toward the mammoth.

    But her inexperience showed. Most of the attack missed its mark, scorching the ground instead. Only a small portion grazed the beast¡¯s thick hide.

    Yet, even that minor hit was enough.

    The mammoth turned its attention away from Ryohie, its gaze locking onto Aiko instead.

    The ground trembled as it reared back, then lunged forward with terrifying speed.

    Aiko¡¯s eyes widened. She tried to cast another spell, but it was too late.

    The mammoth charged.

    Ryohie saw it, panic flaring in his chest. He sprinted after the beast, desperately trying to reach Aiko in time.

    "I¡¯M HERE!" he shouted, hoping to redirect the monster¡¯s attention.

    But the mammoth didn¡¯t even glance his way.

    It simply swung its trunk¡ª

    CRACK!

    The impact sent Ryohie flying.

    And Aiko was next.

    Behind the Bushes

    Kazuki clenched his jaw.

    His fingers twitched.

    Selena turned to him.

    "...Kazuki?"

    And in that moment¡ª

    Something in him snapped.

    Kazuki watched in silence as the massive mammoth charged toward Aiko, its colossal form blotting out the sky above her. Time seemed to slow, and for a brief moment, the battlefield faded from his vision.

    A memory resurfaced.

    ¡ªA distant past, when he was just eleven.

    His face had looked fine back then, normal even. But beneath his clothes, his body was littered with bruises and scars, a testament to the abuse he suffered at the hands of his adoptive parents. No one knew. No one even suspected. To the world, Kazuki Takashi was just another ordinary kid with an ordinary life.

    But there was one person who saw through it all.

    Aiko.

    She had found out during gym class when he was changing. Her eyes widened when she saw the scars lining his back, the bruises on his ribs.

    "Kazuki¡­ these¡­ who did this to you?"

    He had stayed silent, refusing to meet her gaze.

    Over time, however, Aiko became the one person he could trust. She checked on him every day, watching for new wounds. Then one day, she couldn¡¯t hold back anymore.

    "Why don¡¯t you report them?! The police! The school! Someone has to stop them!"

    Kazuki had shaken his head, his expression blank. "I can¡¯t."

    "Why not?!"

    "Because¡­ I deserve it."

    Aiko froze.

    "I bring bad luck to everyone," he had muttered. "I was the reason my real parents died. I¡¯m useless. I¡ª"

    Tears welled up in his eyes before he could finish. He had turned away, trying to wipe them before she could see.

    But Aiko didn¡¯t let him.

    "That¡¯s not true!" she had snapped, her own voice breaking. "You¡¯re believing a lie! If you accept that, you¡¯ll just prove them right!"

    She pulled him into a hug, her warmth melting through the cold isolation he had wrapped himself in for years.

    That was the first time someone had ever truly fought for him.

    ¡ª

    Kazuki¡¯s mind snapped back to the present.

    Aiko.

    She was the only one who truly understood him back then. The only one who didn¡¯t look at him with scorn or pity.

    And now, she was about to die.

    "Not again."

    Lightning surged through Kazuki¡¯s body. He dashed forward with such force that the ground cracked beneath his feet. The mammoth loomed above Aiko, its massive foot descending like an executioner¡¯s blade.

    She squeezed her eyes shut.

    Then¡ª

    BAM!

    A thunderous shockwave exploded through the battlefield as Kazuki¡¯s fist met the mammoth¡¯s foot. The beast staggered back, confusion flashing in its hollow eyes.

    Then, another figure rushed in.

    Selena.

    With a burst of speed, she launched herself into the air and delivered a powerful spinning kick to the side of the mammoth¡¯s head. The impact sent a ripple of force through its colossal body.

    From a distance, Yuki watched in disbelief.

    "That guy¡­" she thought, her heart pounding. "It¡¯s him. The one who saved us in the dungeon!"

    ¡ª

    Back on the battlefield, Selena landed gracefully beside Kazuki.

    "Why did you charge in without telling me?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

    Ignoring her, Kazuki turned to Aiko and Yuki. "Are you two alright?"

    Aiko hesitated, still processing what had just happened. Then she nodded.

    "There are others still down!" she said urgently.

    Selena followed her gaze, taking in the unconscious bodies of Taro, Sako, and Jiro.

    Aiko clenched her fists. "I want to fight with you! That thing¡­ it¡¯s stronger than anything we¡¯ve faced!"

    Selena smirked. "Then let¡¯s take it down together."

    Kazuki, however, remained silent.

    He clenched his fists, feeling an overwhelming urge to get his revenge right then and there. The people who had abandoned him¡ªmocked him¡ªstood battered before him.

    But another part of him resisted.

    "Not now. Focus."

    He took a deep breath and turned to Selena. "Let¡¯s go."

    Selena nodded, and the two of them charged at the mammoth once more.

    The beast roared, swinging its massive trunk at them. Kazuki dodged, weaving through its attacks with precision. Selena leaped into the air, her sharp gaze locking onto its weak spot¡ªits unarmored eye.

    "The armor is too tough," she called out. "We need to aim for the gaps!"

    She conjured a shimmering blade of pure light in midair. With a swift motion, she slashed at the mammoth¡¯s exposed eye.

    The beast bellowed in agony, its body trembling as a surge of power coursed through it. Instead of weakening, it became even stronger.

    Kazuki grit his teeth.

    "Damn it, this thing doesn¡¯t feel pain¡ªit thrives on it!"

    Selena didn¡¯t hesitate.

    She raised her hand. "Aerial Fang!"

    A spiraling drill of wind materialized in her palm, whirling with enough force to tear through solid stone. She launched it toward the mammoth¡¯s injured eye.

    Kazuki saw his opening.

    Lightning crackled around his hands. He formed two bolts of pure energy¡ªone in each palm.

    "Hand of Zeus!"

    He hurled the first bolt, striking the mammoth¡¯s trunk. Then, using the moment of distraction, he jumped into the air and drove the second bolt straight into the beast¡¯s eye.

    The battlefield erupted in a blinding explosion of wind and lightning.

    As the smoke cleared, Selena landed beside Kazuki.

    She glanced at him, noticing something.

    "He¡¯s not using his dark magic."

    She frowned. "He¡¯s holding back¡­ but why?"

    From the sidelines, Aiko and Yuki watched in awe.

    Yuki¡¯s eyes widened. "They¡¯re amazing."

    Aiko¡¯s heart pounded. "Yeah¡­ that¡¯s him. The one who saved us before. Zuki¡­ was that his name?"

    Meanwhile, Ryohie, who had been struggling to stand, observed them in silence. His fingers trembled.

    "Creating weapons from light magic? I¡¯ve never seen that before."

    His gaze shifted to Kazuki.

    "And that guy¡­ his combat abilities are unreal. If we fought them, they¡¯d probably wipe us out. I tried to recruit that girl before, but Jiro refused. And that boy¡­ I tried to recruit him back in Veridonne."

    His fists tightened.

    "These two together¡­ they¡¯re monsters."

    Selena took a quick survey of the battlefield, then began dragging the unconscious bodies of Taro, Sako, and Jiro over to Aiko and Yuki.

    She then walked up to Ryohie and offered him a hand.

    "How?" he muttered.

    Selena tilted her head. "Huh?"

    "How can you summon weapons with light magic?"

    She smiled. "Oh, that? Takes practice."

    As Ryohie finally managed to stand, he took a deep breath. Then, to Selena¡¯s surprise, he suddenly knelt.

    "Thank you for saving us."

    Selena blinked. "Huh? That¡¯s a bit much, don¡¯t you think?"

    Ryohie shook his head. "We¡ªThe Arcane Knights¡ªwere completely defeated. You two saved us, and we owe you our lives. Please, accept an invitation to Malvora. The king will reward you personally."

    Selena hesitated. "Malvora¡­?"

    She glanced at Kazuki, but he wasn¡¯t looking at her. He was staring at the sky, lost in thought.

    Ryohie continued.

    "We are the Arcane Knights¡ªheroes summoned from another world. We were brought here to protect Malvora from monsters and war."

    Selena¡¯s eyes widened.

    "Summoned heroes¡­? Another world¡­?"

    She clenched her fists.

    "I¡¯ve been trapped in that crystal for too long."

    Ryohie looked at her expectantly.

    "If I may ask¡­ what are your names?"

    A deep, thunderous roar tore through the battlefield, shaking the ground beneath their feet. The sheer force of the sound sent tremors through the air, carrying with it an overwhelming sense of dread. The massive mammoth loomed before them, its crimson eyes burning with primal fury.

    Selena turned toward the group. "We¡¯ll talk later," she said sharply, her gaze fixed on the monstrous beast.

    Kazuki, unfazed by the mammoth¡¯s display of power, stood firm. His eyes locked onto the creature, his expression unreadable. The mammoth stomped forward, its massive feet cracking the earth beneath it, until it stood directly across from him.

    Ryohie tightened his grip on his sword. "I¡¯ll help!"

    Selena spared him a glance before refocusing on the enemy. "Fine. Stay at a distance. He¡¯ll handle the close combat."

    Aiko stepped up beside Selena, determination in her eyes. "I¡¯m in, too."

    Selena nodded in approval. With a swift motion, she raised her hand, and in an instant, a gleaming sword of pure light materialized in her grasp.

    Yuki, panting and visibly drained, shook her head. "I¡¯m out of mana... I¡¯ll support the others!"

    Ryohie unsheathed his sword, the steel glinting under the eerie light of the battlefield. "Then I¡¯ll take the front lines. We¡¯ve got too many ranged attackers as it is."

    Another earth-shattering roar erupted from the mammoth as it swung its head, its massive trunk lashing sideways like a wrecking ball. Then, without hesitation, it charged.

    "Hand of Zeus!"

    A voice cut through the chaos as bolts of lightning coiled around Kazuki¡¯s hands, illuminating the battlefield with crackling energy. He shot forward, the ground beneath him scorching with every step.

    Ryohie¡¯s eyes widened in shock and thought. "Zeus...? But that¡¯s from our world! There are no Greek myths in this one... Just who is this guy?!"

    Kazuki reached the mammoth first, dodging its wild swings with fluid precision before launching himself into the air. His fist, wreathed in lightning, connected with the beast¡¯s head in a devastating uppercut.

    Selena seized the opening.

    "Light Barrage!"

    A rain of luminous spears materialized around her before launching toward the mammoth¡¯s unarmored eye. The spears struck true, embedding deep into its flesh. The beast bellowed in agony, its rage intensifying.

    Aiko, standing beside Selena, extended her hands. Fiery energy crackled at her fingertips as she channeled her power. "I can only use this spell twice per day...!"

    Selena turned to her. "Do it."

    Aiko clenched her teeth. "Wrath of the Sun!"

    A massive beam of searing heat erupted from her palms, colliding with the mammoth¡¯s armor. The thick plating sizzled and warped under the immense heat, melting away in streams of molten metal.

    Aiko staggered, sweat dripping down her face. "I... I hit it!"

    The mammoth, its body steaming, reeled in pain.

    Ryohie took the chance. "Glowing Slash!"

    His sword shimmered as he swung it, releasing a crescent-shaped arc of energy that raced toward the beast, striking its exposed flesh.

    Nearby, Jiro stirred, groaning as he pushed himself up.

    "Take it easy," Yuki urged. "You need to rest."

    Jiro scowled, rage flashing in his eyes. "Shut up!" He forced himself to stand, his fists clenched. "I won¡¯t sit here while you all fight!"

    The mammoth roared once more¡ªthis time, stronger. The ground quaked beneath them, and a deafening shockwave sent dust and debris flying.

    Selena¡¯s expression darkened. "We have to end this before it gets any stronger!"

    Ryohie turned to her. "What do you mean?!"

    Selena¡¯s grip on her sword tightened. "The more damage it takes, the stronger it becomes. It has no brain, no will¡ªjust an undying loyalty to its master. We can¡¯t afford to drag this out!"

    She stepped beside Kazuki. "Can you finish this quickly?"

    Kazuki cracked his knuckles, his expression unreadable. "I¡¯ll try."

    The mammoth charged once more, but this time, Selena moved in sync with Kazuki, their speed perfectly matched.

    Ryohie turned to the others. "We have to be useful! Everyone, we¡¯re doing a combo spell!"

    The Arcane Knights gathered, focusing their energy into a single point. "Special Spell Combo!"

    A colossal magic circle formed beneath them, its inscriptions glowing brightly. A beam of concentrated white light shot forward, racing toward the mammoth with blinding speed.

    The beam struck the beast head-on, lifting its massive body off the ground.

    Selena dashed forward, trailing golden light as she accelerated. Closing the distance in an instant, she reached the airborne mammoth and delivered a powerful kick, sending it hurtling back toward Kazuki.

    Kazuki¡¯s stance shifted. He clenched his fists. Jab. Jab. Hook. Uppercut. Straight.

    A brutal barrage of punches rained down on the beast.

    The mammoth thrashed wildly, but Kazuki leapt onto its back, his fists hammering down on its exposed spine.

    Selena raised her hand. "Radiant Burst!"

    A blinding beam of energy erupted from her palm, hurtling toward the mammoth.

    But the beast was not done.

    It roared, shaking its body violently. Kazuki lost his footing and fell, plummeting toward the ground.

    Selena¡¯s eyes widened. "Kazuki...!"

    Thoughts raced through her mind. Most regenerating creatures, like orcs, have a core or heart that needs to be destroyed to stop their healing. Could Kazuki be the same...?

    The Arcane Knights saw it too.

    "Shining Beam!" Ryohie shouted, firing a blast of light.

    "Leaf Blades!" Jiro followed, summoning razor-sharp green projectiles.

    But they were too late.

    The mammoth¡¯s foot came crashing down.

    THUD. THUD. THUD.

    Blood splattered with every impact.

    The battlefield fell silent.

    Selena¡¯s breath hitched. "NO!"

    She dashed forward, but the mammoth roared again, releasing a devastating shockwave that sent her stumbling backward. The Arcane Knights froze in terror, their bodies refusing to move.

    The beast lifted its trunk and flung Kazuki¡¯s mangled body into the air.

    Then, with terrifying precision, its massive horn impaled him straight through the chest¡ªthrough the heart.

    Selena¡¯s eyes widened in horror. "KAZUKI!"

    Rage surged through her veins, burning hotter than the sun.

    Golden light exploded from her body as two swords of pure energy materialized in her hands. Her speed surged, shattering the ground beneath her feet as she shot toward the beast.

    The Arcane Knights were frozen in shock.

    Aiko¡¯s eyes filled with tears. "Kazuki...? He¡¯s alive...?!"

    Jiro¡¯s mind reeled. "No... That can¡¯t be him! He was weak three years ago! And why isn¡¯t he using his dark magic?!"

    Yuki¡¯s breath caught in her throat. "Did I hear that right...?"

    Ryohie paled, memories flooding back¡ªthe day he humiliated Kazuki when they were summoned.

    And Kazuki¡¯s broken body slid down the mammoth¡¯s horn.

    TBC

 Adrenaline

    Selena surged forward, twin blades of radiant light crackling in her hands. Her speed shattered the air, leaving golden streaks in her wake. The mammoth, sensing her relentless charge, turned its massive head and unleashed a deafening roar. The sheer force of the sound sent shockwaves tearing through the ground, fracturing the earth beneath them.

    The Arcane Knights barely had time to react, throwing up their arms to shield themselves from the devastating force. Dust and debris swirled around them, blinding their vision.

    ¡°So much power¡­!¡± Ryohie gasped, shielding his face.

    But Selena didn¡¯t waver. Her focus was razor-sharp, cutting through fear like her blade cut through the mammoth¡¯s ear. The beast bellowed in agony, its blood spraying into the air, and in that split second, Selena twisted her body mid-air and delivered a thunderous kick to its skull, launching it away from Kazuki¡¯s lifeless form.

    The moment her foot touched the ground, memories flooded her mind¡ªvisions of a past long buried.

    She was just a child, standing beside Aetherius, the God of the Skies, her father. The world around them was in chaos, the aftermath of the Great War between gods and devils. On the edge of a vast cliff, an army of devils marched toward them, their grotesque forms twisting against the red horizon.

    Aetherius turned to her, his golden eyes piercing through the storm.

    ¡°My child, do you want to see what you can become?¡±

    Selena, a mere girl at the time, nodded eagerly. ¡°Yes, Father!¡±

    Aetherius raised his right hand toward the approaching army.

    ¡°Behold the power of a god.¡±

    The moment his hand swung downward, the sky answered. A cataclysmic gust of wind erupted from nowhere, tearing through the devils like invisible blades. Pillars of golden light rained down, piercing the earth and incinerating everything they touched.

    But the wind¡ªit wasn¡¯t normal.

    The devils screamed, their bodies shredded repeatedly as if the wind itself was alive, punishing them for their existence.

    Aetherius smiled. ¡°I¡¯ve saved some for you, my child. Now, you do it.¡±

    Selena stepped forward, lifting her small hand. She mimicked his movements, and¡ª

    WHOOSH!

    A violent gust of wind roared to life, smaller than her father¡¯s, but still unnatural for a mere child.

    Selena¡¯s eyes sparkled. ¡°Father, look! I can do what you can!¡±

    But Aetherius was frozen in disbelief. His mind raced.

    ¡°How¡­? How is this possible?! She is just a child¡­ yet she can already mimic my divine arts?¡±

    Even the mere thought of conjuring such a force required immense mana. For Selena to do it so effortlessly¡ªit terrified him.

    Aetherius forced a smile and patted her head. ¡°You did well, my child.¡±

    But deep inside, a decision was made.

    ¡°I must seal her potential.¡±

    As his hand rested on her head, divine energy seeped into her, weaving a seal¡ªa limit to her true strength. Not for her sake, but for his and the gods¡¯.

    Selena gasped as the memory faded, her heart pounding.

    ¡°Father¡­ what did you do to me?¡±The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

    Shaking off her thoughts, she turned back to Kazuki¡¯s motionless body. In an instant, she was beside him, falling to her knees.

    ¡°Kazuki¡­! Kazuki, stay with me!¡±

    Her hands trembled as she gripped his blood-soaked coat. His wounds¡ªtoo deep. His body¡ªtoo cold.

    ¡°What do I do?! What do I do?!¡±

    She pressed her hands against his chest, desperately trying to stop the bleeding, but it was endless. The reality of it clawed at her mind.

    He can¡¯t die.

    Not like this.

    Tears blurred her vision, her hands tightening around him. And then¡ª

    A surge of light erupted from her body.

    BOOM!

    The ground trembled. Golden flames of raw divine energy spilled into the air, crackling like the wrath of the heavens themselves. The air around them burned, the temperature skyrocketing. Everything the light touched turned to ash.

    Ryohie staggered backward, eyes wide in horror.

    ¡°This energy¡­! We can¡¯t stay here!¡± He turned to his team. ¡°Everyone, fall back! If we stay, we¡¯ll be incinerated!¡±

    Yuki clenched her fists. ¡°We can¡¯t just leave him¡ª!¡±

    Aiko¡¯s voice broke through. ¡°What about Kazuki?!¡±

    Ryohie¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°¡­We can¡¯t do anything about it. I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    Jiro, watching from the side, gritted his teeth, jealousy gnawing at him. ¡°Can¡¯t you see it?! He¡¯s dead! Accept it! You¡¯re all acting like fools!¡±

    Yuki¡¯s glare turned sharp. ¡°That¡¯s enough!¡±

    She grabbed Aiko¡¯s wrist. ¡°We have to go.¡±

    But Aiko jerked her arm away, her voice cracking with emotion. ¡°NO! Why do you guys never listen to me?! Why do you never take my side¡ª¡±

    THUD.

    Before she could finish, Ryohie¡¯s hand struck the back of her neck. Aiko¡¯s eyes widened in shock before her body collapsed into unconsciousness.

    Ryohie caught her before she hit the ground. ¡°¡­You left me no other choice.¡±

    Without another word, he lifted her into his arms.

    ¡°We¡¯re leaving.¡±

    Jiro, carrying the unconscious bodies of Taro and Sako, followed behind.

    The golden inferno raged on, swallowing the battlefield whole.

    And at the center of it all¡ª

    Selena held Kazuki¡¯s lifeless body, her scream of pure agony swallowed by the burning sky.

    A searing light consumed the battlefield, its brilliance swallowing everything in sight. The air shimmered with unbearable heat, turning the once-lush grass beneath into a sea of blackened ash. At the heart of the storm, Selena trembled, her arms wrapped tightly around Kazuki¡¯s lifeless body.

    She could feel it¡ªhis warmth fading, his breaths growing weaker.

    Her fingers dug into his torn coat as she hugged him tighter, desperate, trembling. "Kazuki¡­ please¡­ wake up!"

    But there was no response.

    Tears blurred her vision.  Grief twisted inside her, an unbearable agony clawing at her soul. And then¡ªsomething broke.

    It was more than sorrow. More than pain. It was rage.

    A surge of golden-white energy erupted from her body, warping and twisting into something untamed, something unrelenting. The battlefield trembled. The wind howled like a beast unchained, and the light that once flickered gently now burned with merciless intensity.

    The Arcane Knights had retreated to a safe distance, but even from afar, they could feel the sheer force of her presence.

    "This power¡­" Ryohie muttered, shielding his face from the scorching radiance. "It''s unlike anything I¡¯ve seen before."

    Jiro scoffed, folding his arms. "Tch¡­ what does it matter? Kazuki¡¯s gone. She¡¯s just wasting her strength."

    Aiko, barely conscious after Ryohie¡¯s earlier strike, forced her eyes open. Her heart clenched at the sight before her. "Please¡­" she whispered, though her voice was too weak to reach Selena.

    But Selena refused to accept it.

    The light surged, crackling violently, growing ever brighter¡ªuntil suddenly, something changed.

    A twitch.

    Selena¡¯s breath hitched.

    Her grip on Kazuki¡¯s body tightened. "Kazuki¡­?"

    The world fell silent.

    The roaring winds ceased. The violent glow softened. And for a moment¡ªjust a single moment¡ªit was as if time itself had stopped.

    Then¡ª

    Kazuki inhaled sharply.

    His fingers curled.

    Selena¡¯s eyes widened in shock. ¡°Kazuki¡­!?¡±

    A deep, shuddering breath left his lips as his body tensed. The gaping wound in his chest¡ªone that should have been fatal¡ªwas closing. Slowly, but undeniably, his flesh began to mend itself.

    Impossible.

    Selena watched in disbelief. Kazuki had gained healing abilities after consuming an orc¡¯s flesh to survive, but he wasn¡¯t an orc. He was human. Healing at this rate shouldn¡¯t have been possible. Yet, there he was¡ªhis body mending, fueled by sheer will and the rush of adrenaline surging through his veins.

    Kazuki exhaled, his gaze flickering toward her. Weak. Dazed. But alive.

    Selena nearly collapsed, her emotions overwhelming her. A tear slipped down her cheek as she clutched his hand tightly. ¡°I thought I lost you¡­¡±

    Kazuki, still dazed, stared at her for a long moment before finally muttering, "What¡­ happened?" His voice was hoarse, raw from pain and exhaustion.

    But before Selena could respond, he felt it.

    A foreign sensation coursed through his veins¡ªsomething new, something¡­ powerful. He flexed his fingers, feeling raw energy swirling beneath his skin. His body, once broken, now felt different. Stronger.

    Ryohie, still watching from afar, clenched his fists. ¡°Kazuki¡­ is not normal.¡±

    Jiro narrowed his eyes, his expression darkening. ¡°No way. He was dead. How the hell is he standing?¡±

    Kazuki slowly pushed himself up, testing his strength, feeling the raw power crackling within him. He didn¡¯t understand what had just happened¡ªhow he was still alive, how his wounds had closed..

    TBC¡­

 Confrontation

    Kazuki¡¯s breath steadied, but something inside him still felt¡­ off. His body, though healed, carried a strange sensation¡ªan unfamiliar surge of power, like embers smoldering beneath his skin. His fingers twitched as the lingering energy from his near-death experience coursed through his veins, leaving behind an eerie warmth.

    The battlefield, once a raging storm of light and destruction, had fallen into an unnatural silence. The scent of scorched earth lingered in the air. Selena remained kneeling beside him, her grip on his hand firm, her body trembling slightly. Even now, even after he had come back from the brink of death, she refused to let go.

    ¡°¡­I¡¯m fine now,¡± Kazuki muttered, his voice low but steady.

    Selena let out a shaky breath and nodded, though she didn¡¯t loosen her grip. It was as if releasing him meant he¡¯d vanish again. He couldn¡¯t blame her. The weight of what had just happened still clung to them like a heavy fog.

    Her gaze shifted across the battlefield, and her eyes landed on the charred remains of the mammoth. Its massive form was unrecognizable¡ªits once-intimidating stature reduced to nothing but blackened husks of burnt flesh. The ground where it had stood was scorched beyond repair, cracks spiderwebbing out from where Selena¡¯s outburst of power had incinerated it.

    Kazuki¡¯s gaze snapped up, his instincts flaring.

    The Arcane Knights stood a few meters away, their expressions unreadable¡ªyet their guilt was palpable. The weight of their betrayal, their hesitation, their abandonment¡ªit all reflected in their eyes. Ryohie stood at the front, his usually confident posture slightly stiff. Even he wasn¡¯t sure what to say.

    Behind him, Jiro had his arms crossed, his jaw clenched, but his usual arrogance was nowhere to be found. Aiko was awake but still visibly shaken, and Yuki knelt beside the unconscious bodies of Taro and Sako, gently nudging them in an attempt to rouse them.

    Taro stirred first, groaning as he sat up. His eyes darted around, taking in the destruction, the expressions of his comrades, and finally¡ªKazuki. His brows furrowed.

    ¡°What the hell happened?!¡± he demanded, his voice sharp with confusion. His gaze then fell on Kazuki and Selena. ¡°And who the hell are these guys?!¡±

    Nobody responded. The silence stretched too long, too heavy.

    Taro¡¯s frustration deepened. ¡°And what¡¯s with you guys?! You look like you just saw something terrifying as hell!¡± His gaze flickered across their faces before landing on the scorched battlefield. ¡°¡­And where¡¯s the mammoth?! Did you guys defeat it?!¡±

    Kazuki didn¡¯t bother answering. He didn¡¯t care.

    He turned his back to them, his voice cold and detached. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±

    Selena hesitated for a moment before nodding and following him without a word. She didn¡¯t look back either.

    That was when Aiko finally spoke.

    ¡°¡­Kazuki,¡± her voice was quiet, almost hesitant. ¡°Can we borrow some of your time?¡±

    Kazuki stopped. He didn¡¯t turn around, but he could feel their stares boring into his back.

    If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

    For a moment, the only sound was the wind whispering through the broken battlefield.

    Kazuki¡¯s steps were firm, his body still recovering from battle, yet the weight of his presence was undeniable. The Arcane Knights stood behind him, hesitation thick in the air. The battlefield, once a storm of divine light and destruction, had now fallen into an eerie silence. Selena walked beside him, her twin swords still humming faintly with the remnants of her power.

    Neither of them looked back.

    Not at the charred remains of the mammoth.

    Not at the people who had once stood against them.

    Not at the ones who had left Kazuki to die.

    There was nothing more to be said.

    But then¡ª

    Aiko¡¯s voice was quiet, uncertain. But it was enough to make him stop.

    Kazuki exhaled sharply, his head tilting slightly as if considering. A long silence stretched between them, the only sound being the faint rustling of the wind through the charred battlefield.

    Behind Aiko, Taro stirred, his confusion evident as he looked around. His groggy mind tried to piece together what had happened, but when his eyes finally landed on Kazuki, his expression twisted in disbelief.

    Kazuki turned.

    His , once filled with life and determination, now held only a chilling . His eyes scanned the Arcane Knights, noting every tense posture, every unspoken regret. Ryohie stood firm, but Kazuki could see it¡ªthe guilt weighing on him like an iron chain. Jiro averted his eyes, crossing his arms. Yuki bit her lip. Even Taro, still confused, could feel the shift in the air.

    Selena narrowed her eyes.

    Ryohie took a deep breath, stepping forward.

    He hesitated. Words failed him. The weight of their sins pressed down on him like a mountain.

    Kazuki said nothing.

    He only stared.

    Jiro scoffed, arms still crossed.

    The words didn¡¯t come from Ryohie this time.

    It was Aiko.

    Her usual warmth was gone. Instead, her voice carried something raw.

    Kazuki raised a hand. His fingers trembled slightly, but his voice was steady.

    His words cut through the air like a blade.

    Silence.

    Ryohie clenched his fists.

    Jiro snapped.

    His voice grew sharper, venomous.

    Jiro¡¯s voice cracked.

    Selena¡¯s eyes widened in shock.

    Kazuki¡¯s jaw tightened.

    Ryohie flinched.

    Jiro gritted his teeth.

    Selena stood frozen.

    Yuki lowered her head.

    Aiko took a shaky breath.

    Her voice wavered.

    Kazuki¡¯s  burned with something unreadable. Anger? Disappointment? Or something else entirely?

    He turned his back to them.

    His voice was like ice.

    Without another word, he walked away.

    Selena followed, but not before casting one last glance at the Arcane Knights. Their faces were a mixture of regret, frustration, and silent suffering.

    They  the weight of their sins would never leave them.

    And Kazuki?

    He would  be the same.

    TBC¡­

 Hello Aurelith

    Kazuki and Selena walked away, their figures growing smaller with each step.

    The Arcane Knights watched in silence.

    Then¡ª

    ¡°Please, wait!¡±

    Aiko¡¯s voice cracked as she reached out, taking a step forward. Her fingers trembled. Her heart screamed at her to not let him go¡ªnot like this.

    But before she could move any further¡ª

    A firm grip caught her wrist.

    She turned. Ryohei.

    He shook his head, his expression unreadable. But his eyes¡­ his eyes told her everything.

    "Let him go"

    Aiko¡¯s throat tightened, but she didn¡¯t resist. Her arm slowly lowered, and she watched¡ªwatched as Kazuki Takashi, the friend they once abandoned, walked away without a shred of hesitation.

    The moment stretched, heavy and suffocating. Then¡ª

    ¡°Ugh¡­ my head hurts¡­¡±

    A groggy voice shattered the silence.

    All eyes turned.

    Sako¡¯s damaged body was still sprawled on the ground, but his eyes had finally fluttered open. With a grunt, he pushed himself up, his limbs aching, his vision spinning.

    He blinked blearily. ¡°The hell happened¡­?¡±

    His gaze darted around, trying to make sense of his surroundings. The battlefield was wrecked. The once-mighty mammoth? Burnt to nothing. His teammates? All tense. All silent. And the atmosphere¡­

    Wrong.

    Taro¡¯s brows furrowed. ¡°Oi, what¡¯s with those faces? You guys look like you¡¯ve seen a ghost.¡±

    No one responded.

    A pit settled in Sako¡¯s stomach. His memories were still jumbled, but he could tell¡ªsomething was off.

    He stood up fully, ignoring the pain in his ribs. His eyes scanned the area once more¡­ and then¡ª

    He noticed.

    Two people were missing.

    Kazuki. Selena.

    His eyes widened. ¡°¡­Wait. Who the hell were those two?¡±

    His confusion grew deeper when nobody answered.

    Jiro clicked his tongue and looked away. Aiko clenched her fists. Ryohei¡­ simply closed his eyes.

    Sako''s heartbeat quickened.

    Something was wrong.

    Something was very, very wrong.

    And then it hit him.

    Like a puzzle snapping into place, his mind pieced together the fragmented memories¡ªthe battle, the mysterious warrior, the sheer overwhelming power he radiated, and then¡­

    Yuki said the name.

    "Kazuki."

    Taro froze. His breath caught in his throat. His mind screamed at him, telling him it wasn¡¯t possible¡ª

    Because Kazuki Takashi was dead.

    Wasn¡¯t he?

    The king himself had declared it. The reports had confirmed it. They had all believed it.

    And yet¡ª

    That man. That overwhelming, terrifying man¡­

    You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

    It was him.

    The realization sent chills down his spine. He turned to his teammates, his voice unsteady. ¡°¡­Kazuki¡¯s alive?¡±

    Silence.

    Then, Ryohei spoke.

    "...Not the Kazuki 3 years ago¡±

    Taro swallowed hard. ¡°What the hell does that mean?¡±

    No one answered.

    But deep inside, he already knew.

    Because the moment Kazuki had turned his back on them¡ªhe was gone.

    And he wasn¡¯t coming back.

    -----------

    Kazuki and Selena continued their journey to Aurelith. The road stretched endlessly before them, the only sound being their footsteps against the dirt path. The towering peaks of Aurelith loomed in the distance, bathed in the golden light of the late afternoon sun. Yet, the radiant city was the last thing on Selena¡¯s mind.

    Her fists clenched at her sides, her thoughts spiraling. The words from earlier still echoed in her head.

    "Heroes¡­ from another world."

    Kazuki had kept this from her. He never told her.

    She stopped walking.

    ¡°Kazuki,¡± she called, her voice sharp.

    He kept walking.

    ¡°Kazuki,¡± she called again, louder this time.

    Still, he didn¡¯t stop.

    That irritated her.

    ¡°Damn it, Kazuki, stop walking and talk to me!¡±

    Kazuki exhaled through his nose but finally halted. He didn¡¯t turn around immediately, but when he did, his crimson eyes held something cold, distant. ¡°What?¡±

    Selena stepped forward ¡°You never told me you were a summoned hero from another world.¡±

    Silence.

    Kazuki¡¯s jaw tightened. His gaze flickered to the horizon, as if the mountains held some answer he didn¡¯t want to give. ¡°¡­And?¡±

    Selena scowled. ¡°What do you mean ¡®and¡¯?! That¡¯s something important! Why did I have to find out from them?!¡±

    Kazuki turned fully to face her now, his expression unreadable. ¡°Because it doesn¡¯t matter.¡±

    Selena¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter?! You¡ªYou were summoned! That means you¡ª¡± She paused, the realization hitting her like a crashing wave. ¡°Wait¡­ if you¡¯re a hero, then why¡­ why are you not with them!?¡±

    Kazuki looked at her for a long time, as if debating whether to tell her. Then, finally, he spoke.

    ¡°¡­I never wanted to be in this world, I didnt even want to be a hero.¡±

    His voice was quieter than she expected. There was no rage, no bitterness¡ªjust something hollow.

    ¡°When we were summoned¡­ the kingdom rejoiced. Heroes, they called us. Chosen ones brought to save Malvora.¡± His lips curled slightly in something that wasn¡¯t quite a smile. ¡°Everyone got their attributes. Time. Leaf. Sound. Light. All magic expected of heroes.¡±

    Selena listened, her chest tightening.

    Kazuki¡¯s eyes darkened. ¡°Then it was my turn. My attributes were tested¡­ and I was given Lightning and Darkness.¡±

    Selena stiffened. Lightning. A god¡¯s magic. Darkness. The power of devils. A combination that no kingdom would ever accept.

    ¡°The moment my magic was revealed, the entire room went silent. The king¡¯s face twisted in disgust. My classmates¡ªmy so-called ¡®friends¡¯¡ªlooked at me like I was filth.¡± His voice grew lower. ¡°They called me a curse.¡±

    Selena felt angry hearing this

    ¡°The king declared me an abomination. A disgrace among the chosen. And my classmates? The people I had trusted?¡± Kazuki let out a hollow chuckle. ¡°They sided with him. They attacked me. Drove me out. I barely survived. And when I woke up, I was in the Wastelands of Malvora.¡±

    Selena''s fists tightens as she listens to Kazuki

    That place¡­ no nobles lived there. It was a land of outcasts, criminals, and exiles.

    Kazuki crossed his arms. ¡°I thought it was over for me. That I¡¯d die in those wastelands.¡± His voice softened, just a little. ¡°But I didn¡¯t.¡±

    Selena listened as he continued.

    ¡°I found a small group of adventurers. They weren¡¯t nobles. They weren¡¯t powerful. But they¡­ they took me in.¡± He let out a slow breath. ¡°They became my family.¡±

    A brief silence.

    Then¡ªhis hands curled into fists.

    ¡°For three years, I lived with them. I was happy. I thought I had finally found peace.¡± His crimson eyes glowed with something unreadable. ¡°And then¡­ one of them sold me out.¡±

    Selena¡¯s breath caught.

    ¡°The king never forgot about me. He sent men after me. Some of my family betrayed me. The others fought to protect me.¡± His voice turned bitter. ¡°Three stayed on my side. Three turned against me. And in the end¡­ they all died.¡±

    Selena stared at him, her heart pounding.

    ¡°My closest friend¡­ the one I trusted the most¡­ he was mortally wounded. With the last of his mana, he teleported the two of us to a village far away.¡± Kazuki¡¯s voice dropped, as if the weight of those memories pressed down on him. ¡°I woke up 2 days later and found out he only had a hour left before he dies....... I was the one that buried him.¡±

    A heavy silence fell between them.

    Selena swallowed, her throat tight. ¡°¡­Kazuki.¡±

    His gaze lifted slightly.

    She took a deep breath, then asked, ¡°If you¡¯ve wanted revenge all this time¡­ why didn¡¯t you kill them back there?¡±

    Kazuki blinked. For the first time, there was uncertainty in his eyes.

    He had wanted revenge. He had sworn to destroy them. But when he saw them again¡ªsaw their guilt, their hesitation¡ªhe didn¡¯t act. He could have ended them. But he didn¡¯t.

    ¡°¡­I don¡¯t know.¡±

    Selena studied him. His expression was unreadable again, but there was something different now¡ªsomething conflicted.

    She sighed and looked up at the sky. ¡°¡­You¡¯re really complicated, you know that?¡±

    Kazuki let out a dry chuckle. ¡°Tell me about it.¡±

    The tension between them eased, if only slightly.

    Then, Selena smirked. ¡°Still, you could¡¯ve told me you were a guy from another world. Would¡¯ve saved us a lot of trouble.¡±

    Kazuki sighed. ¡°Would it have changed anything?¡±

    Selena grinned. ¡°Probably not. But it still would''ve been nice to know.¡±

    Kazuki shook his head, exhaling. He wasn¡¯t sure what to feel anymore.

    But before he could think on it further, the path before them widened, and a breathtaking sight greeted them.

    Aurelith.

    A city hidden within a hollow mountain, its towering walls shimmering under the golden sunlight pouring from the massive hole above. Waterfalls cascaded down the stone walls, feeding lush gardens that clung to the cliffsides. At the city¡¯s heart, crystalline lanterns glowed with the radiance of captured sunlight¡ªSunshard Crystals, the city''s prized treasure.

    The entrance was hidden behind a vast waterfall, the rushing water forming a natural barrier. Only those who knew the way could pass through.

    Selena¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Whoa¡­¡±

    Kazuki, for the first time in a long while, felt something other than anger or sorrow.

    ¡°¡­It¡¯s beautiful.¡±

    And for now, that was enough.

 Vampire

    Author: I tried a new way of writing I hope you guys like it!

    Kazuki''s POV

    Aurelith¡ªa city unlike any other. Built inside a hollowed mountain, the golden sunlight filtered through the massive hole at the peak, casting an ethereal glow over the bustling streets below. Waterfalls lined the inner walls, feeding lush hanging gardens that cascaded downward like emerald waves. It was a sight to behold, yet my mind was elsewhere.

    Selena and I made our way through the city, eventually stopping at an inn. As we stepped inside, the scent of roasted meat and ale filled the air. The innkeeper, a burly man with a thick beard, greeted us with a nod.

    ¡°A room for two. We¡¯ll be staying for a few weeks¡­ or days,¡± I said, tossing a few gold coins onto the counter.

    The innkeeper grabbed them, his fingers moving deftly as he retrieved a key. As I observed him, my mind flashed back to Mirkdusk¡ªthe vacant expressions of those controlled by that cursed magic, Roberto and his group attacking the city. Was there something off about this place, too? No¡­ nothing seemed out of the ordinary. I let it slide.

    Selena and I ascended the wooden staircase in silence. My thoughts drifted to our earlier confrontation¡ªher questioning me about being a hero from another world. Why did she ask that? Why did it bother me so much?

    Reaching our room, I unlocked the door and stepped inside. Selena turned to me, her golden eyes glinting with curiosity.

    ¡°So¡­ what was your life like before this world?¡± she asked.

    I hesitated. ¡°It was fine,¡± I lied, forcing a small smirk.

    In truth, there was nothing good to say about my past. A world that rejected me. A kingdom that banished me. A life filled with betrayal. I refused to relive it. Before she could press further, I turned toward the door.

    ¡°I need some fresh air.¡±

    Selena¡¯s POV

    I watched as Kazuki left, his expression unreadable. I merely nodded and smiled, not wanting to pry further. But deep down, I wondered¡ªhow much was he still hiding? How much pain did he plan to shoulder alone?

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    With a quiet sigh, I lay down on the bed, closing my eyes.

    Kazuki''s POV

    Stepping outside, I shielded my face from the golden sunlight streaming through the mountain¡¯s peak. I walked aimlessly, my mind plagued by a single question: What did I truly want?

    Revenge. That was the answer, wasn¡¯t it? My classmates, the kingdom of Malvora¡ªthey all deserved retribution. But then why? Why hadn¡¯t I struck them down during the mammoth attack?

    Lost in thought, I found myself in front of a strange shop. Dust covered its wooden sign, and the windows were clouded with age. Something about it felt¡­ odd. I pushed the door open, the bell above ringing dully.

    The air inside was thick with dust. Shelves lined the walls, filled with trinkets and relics that seemed ancient. A man behind the counter, presumably the shopkeeper, looked up in surprise.

    ¡°Apologies for the dust,¡± he chuckled. ¡°Not many customers these days.¡±

    My gaze wandered. ¡°Why¡¯s that?¡±

    ¡°Most of these items come from the Abyssal Realm. People tend to avoid things they don¡¯t understand.¡±

    The Abyssal Realm. The name alone sent a shiver down my spine. I had heard of it before¡ªa forbidden land, one of the seven that humans were not meant to tread.

    My eyes landed on a pair of daggers. Their dark steel gleamed under the dim light.

    ¡°Those,¡± I pointed. ¡°What are they?¡±

    The shopkeeper followed my gaze and nodded. ¡°Duskpiercer. Not from the Abyssal Realm, but effective against vampires.¡±

    Vampire-killing weapons, huh? I didn¡¯t think I¡¯d need them, but something told me they might come in handy. I paid for them without hesitation and stepped out of the shop just as the sun began to set.

    ???''s POV

    A carriage rattled down the dirt path toward Aurelith, its wooden wheels creaking under the weight of its passenger. A girl with long black hair sat atop it, legs swinging idly as she strummed a guitar. Her crimson eyes gleamed with amusement as she played a slow, haunting tune.

    The carriage halted at the city¡¯s entrance. The driver¡ªhis once-light blue eyes vacant and clouded¡ªstared blankly ahead.

    With a snap of her fingers, the glow faded. The driver¡¯s eyes widened, fear overtaking him as he realized where he was. He turned to look at her, horror spreading across his face.

    ¡°I¡¯ll give you ten seconds to run,¡± she purred, licking her lips as sharp fangs peeked from beneath her smile. ¡°Go on. Call for help.¡±

    The driver bolted, his screams echoing through the alleyway. But he never made it far.

    In a blur of movement, she was upon him. Her fangs sank into his neck, warm blood spilling into her mouth. Ecstasy. She had missed this taste.

    A moment later, she snapped her fingers. Her guitar shimmered, morphing into two sleek daggers. Without hesitation, she grabbed one and slashed. The driver¡¯s head fell limp.

    She sighed, wiping her lips with the back of her hand. ¡°Humans really are fragile.¡±

    Glancing around, she stepped into the shadows, her body dissolving into black smoke. Moments later, she reappeared atop a building, her sharp eyes scanning the city below.

    That¡¯s when she saw him.

    A boy exiting a shop, two daggers in hand¡ªDuskpiercer.

    Her lips curled into a sinister smile.

    ¡°This city just got interesting.¡±

    To Be Continued¡­

 Vampire 2

    Kazuki''s POV:

    Stepping out of the strange shop, I glanced down at the daggers in my hands. Duskpiercers... A weapon designed to kill vampires. Useful, maybe. Or just a waste of gold? I sighed and tucked them away. My gaze wandered around the streets of Aurelith, scanning the glow of the Sunshard Crystals that lit up the city like a golden dream. But I needed one more thing.

    A mask.

    I walked through the bustling streets, my eyes searching. Then, I saw it¡ªa small vendor stand displaying an assortment of masks. Some plain, some ornate, some that seemed to stare right back at me. My fingers traced over a black and silver mask with intricate engravings. Simple, but enough to hide my face. Tossing a few gold coins to the vendor, I took it and slipped it on.

    Then, a murmur in the air caught my attention. A small crowd had gathered in a dark alley, whispering amongst themselves. Something was off. My curiosity got the best of me, so I approached.

    As I neared, the first thing I saw was the body.

    A man lay sprawled on the ground, his head severed from his neck. A carriage stood behind him, still and silent. The people turned as I stepped closer.

    "You''re an adventurer, right?" one of them asked.

    I gave a small nod.

    "Can you check the neck?"

    Check the neck? Strange request, but I crouched down and rolled the body slightly. My breath hitched as I noticed it¡ªtwo small, precise puncture wounds on the man''s neck.

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    The crowd gasped.

    "A vampire," someone whispered. "It was a vampire."

    A vampire? I frowned. Aurelith was supposed to be peaceful, free from this kind of horror. Yet, here I was, staring at proof that the peace was about to be shattered.

    One of the men bolted. "I''m telling the mayor!"

    I watched him go, then turned away from the scene. This wasn¡¯t my problem. Not yet. But deep inside, something gnawed at me.

    Am I cursed?

    Memories flooded back¡ªmemories I wished I could forget. My time on Earth, before all of this. When I was just a kid, shuffled from one home to another. The couple that adopted me had been the worst. The woman¡¯s sharp slap, the man¡¯s harsh words. The way they tossed me aside like I was nothing.

    Maybe I was the problem. Maybe danger followed me. Maybe Aurelith was next.

    I kept walking.

    <hr>

    8 Months Ago ¨C ???''s POV:

    Darkness. Silence. Then, pain.

    I woke to the feeling of cold metal biting into my wrists and ankles. Chains. My vision blurred, adjusting to the dim candlelight. Voices murmured around me.

    "She¡¯s awake."

    A man stepped closer, his grin twisted and cruel. "Look at you, princess. Fresh meat."

    I tensed. I knew where I was. I knew what they were planning. My captors had dragged me from the Abyssal Realm to this wretched human land, thinking they could own me. Control me.

    "Before we sell her, let¡¯s use her first," one of them sneered.

    I stayed silent, my expression blank. No fear. No weakness.

    A hand grabbed my jaw, forcing me to look into his disgusting face. "What¡¯s your name, princess?" he asked, his breath reeking of alcohol and filth.

    I ripped my head away, but he gripped tighter. "Tch. Playing hard to get?" He chuckled. "I don¡¯t know you yet, but I¡¯ll call you mine."

    His friends laughed, clinking their beer mugs together. "I¡¯ll buy her for 200 gold!" one of them cheered.

    I smirked.

    Without hesitation, I sank my fangs into the man''s forearm.

    He screamed. Blood filled my mouth, warm and sweet. Strength surged through me. With one sharp movement, I snapped the chains binding my wrists, then my ankles.

    "What the¡ª!"

    I lunged. My claws tore through flesh, my fangs sinking into throats. The room filled with the scent of blood and the sounds of dying men.

    When the last body hit the ground, I licked my lips and exhaled.

    "It''s Luna, dipshits."

    <hr>

    TBC...