《Our Second Reincarnation》 CHAPTER 1: JONAS CHAPTER 1: JONAS Year 2456 in the Darson Calendar, in a small house nestled in a quiet, remote area, the stillness of the night was suddenly torn apart by the loud cries of a tiny being. ¡°Ow, ow, oooooo...!!!¡± The dim oil lamp cast shadows on the old wooden wall, where a woman lay, breathing heavily on a rough bed. Sweat drenched her forehead, her face pale, but her eyes gleamed with a mixture of happiness and exhaustion. Beside her, the old midwife, with calloused hands, gently wiped down the newborn child, her warm voice ringing out: "It¡¯s a healthy boy." The middle-aged man standing nearby trembled as he approached. His eyes were red from emotion. When the midwife placed the baby in his arms, his heart skipped a beat. The baby was small, with rosy skin, hair as red as the setting sun, and his eyes still tightly shut. "Welcome to this world, my son." Mikeson, the father, choked on his words as he held his child. His rough hands gently cradled the fragile life, feeling the warm but delicate presence. Though exhausted, the mother managed a smile, her eyes full of infinite tenderness. ¡°Jonas¡­ our son¡­¡± ¡­.. The Continent of Darson and The Card Magic The vast continent of Darson is home to four great nations: Hayer, Oscarn, Livier, and Troys. For two millennia, civilization has continuously evolved under the influence of a mystical magic known as The Card¡ªa supreme power that has shaped this world since its inception. Every individual is born with the abilities of four destiny cards: Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs, and Spades. Each suit grants a unique power: The strength of each card is not fixed but depends on the magical prowess of its wielder. However, a person can only use one suit at a time, forcing them to carefully choose their strategy to maximize their power. The fusion of The Card and various weapons has turned all four nations into war-driven machines, endlessly invading and plundering each other¡¯s resources. After centuries of conflict, the balance of power among Hayer, Oscarn, Livier, and Troys remains at a perfect stalemate¡ªno one nation can completely dominate the others. The Four Great Nations of Darson
  1. Hayer ¨C The Kingdom of Restoration (Hearts ??)
A land of vitality and regeneration, Hayer wields the supreme power of Hearts, specializing in healing magic and endurance. With the ability to heal wounds instantly and maintain physical stamina, their army can endure prolonged battles, exhausting their enemies before they themselves weaken.
  1. Oscarn ¨C The Empire of Lightning Speed (Diamonds ??)
Renowned for its speed and agility, Oscarn dominates the power of Diamonds, allowing them to move faster than anyone on the battlefield. With divine acceleration, their army can launch swift, decisive strikes, eliminating opponents before they can react.
  1. Livier ¨C The Empire of Destruction (Clubs ??)
A kingdom of absolute power, Livier masters the Clubs'' magic of destruction, capable of firing deadly beams of light that can incinerate an entire battlefield in an instant. Home to the strongest mages in Darson, Livier believes that absolute strength is the only truth.
  1. Troys ¨C The Impenetrable Fortress (Spades ??)
A symbol of resilience and unbreakable defense, Troys rules with Spades, summoning impenetrable barriers. Their army is the shield of the continent, where walls never fall, and warriors never kneel. ¡­.. The Great War of Aras ¨C Year 2484 in the Darson Calendar In the year 2484 of the Darson Calendar, on the vast Aras Plains, the most brutal war in the history of the continent had entered its second year. Millions of lives had been swallowed by the vortex of death¡ªfrom the valiant soldiers of the four great nations to the innocent civilians caught in the crossfire. On the Southern Front, the armies of Hayer and Oscarn clashed fiercely. Hayer, with its invincible knights and powerful healing mages, relentlessly sustained their strength on the battlefield. However, opposing them was Oscarn¡¯s high-speed mechanized cavalry, striking like lightning¡ªdelivering fatal blows before vanishing without a trace, leaving their enemies with no time to counterattack. To the North, Livier rained down waves of destructive firepower, enhanced by Mana Cannons¡ªa supreme weapon possessed only by Livier. Their destruction mages stood atop massive arcane towers, casting spells so powerful that they could obliterate entire battlefields in the blink of an eye. Yet, their adversary¡ªTroys, the Impenetrable Iron Wall¡ªwould not fall so easily. The undefeated warriors of Troys, combined with their Spades'' barrier magic, rendered Livier¡¯s attacks useless. Their mobile fortresses stood firm, their war machines counterattacking without pause, holding the line against Livier¡¯s relentless onslaught. The war had raged on for so long that even nature itself seemed to scream in agony. The land was torn apart by endless barrages of magic, the sky was dyed red with the blood of the fallen, and the battlefield echoed with the desperate cries of warriors¡ªa never-ending symphony of death. From atop a distant mountain, far removed from the carnage, a young man stood in silence, watching. In one of his eyes, the chaos below was reflected¡ªdestruction, lives crushed into nothingness, nations driven mad by power and ambition. He smirked. A long recollection surfaced in his mind... ¡­.. Two Years Ago, Year 2470 in the Darson Calendar "Fuck, Dad, don¡¯t leave like this... Just hold on a little longer." ¨C Jonas "You¡¯re using those strange words again. What the hell does ¡®fuck¡¯ even mean, son? Hahaha..." ¨C Mikeson, Jonas¡¯s father, forced a laugh despite the unbearable pain. His last bits of strength were slipping away. "Shut up , and just focus on staying alive!" ¨C Jonas shouted, his eyes bloodshot with fear. The choking sobs of his mother echoed through the room, hammering into his ears like a painful reminder. In desperation, Jonas unleashed every healing spell he could think of, pouring all his power into them. But no matter what he did¡ªit was useless. With the last remnants of his strength, Mikeson gripped his son''s hand and whispered weakly: "I don''t know how... but a thought suddenly came to me... and I want to tell you this... If you wish to return to Earth... you must be the victor of the upcoming Great War..." And with those final words, Mikeson closed his eyes, let go of Jonas¡¯s hand, and passed away. "The Great War? Return? What the hell are you talking about?!" ¨C Jonas screamed, shaking his father¡¯s lifeless body. "Say it again! Don¡¯t just go silent! Wake up!!" Jonas stood still for a moment, his mind blank. Then, a sudden realization struck him¡ªreturning to Earth might be his only goal now. But what exactly was the ¡°Great War¡± that his father spoke of? Every battle in this world seemed equally chaotic and brutal, so how could he possibly know which war was the one that mattered most? When his father¡¯s funeral ended, Jonas returned to their simple wooden house¡ªthe place that had once been filled with warmth, now a silent reminder of what he had lost. He also came to a cruel realization¡ªhe did not possess the power to revive the dead. As he packed his belongings, each item he touched seemed to whisper memories of the past. "Jonas, where are you going?" ¨C His mother¡¯s voice trembled with worry. "Perhaps this will be our last time together... before I leave." ¨C Jonas continued packing, his voice distant, his eyes fixed on the objects he was placing in his bag. "Leave? What do you mean? Speak clearly¡ªwhat are you talking about?" ¨C His mother pressed on, her face full of fear. Her hands clutched his arm, as if holding on could somehow stop him. "I am simply fulfilling my duty in this life, Mother." ¨C Jonas responded slowly. His words were quiet, but his determination was unshaken. "You¡¯re abandoning me like your father did?" ¨C His mother¡¯s voice cracked. She trembled, unwilling to let him go. She had already lost her husband¡ªshe could not bear to lose her only son as well. "I''m sorry, Mother... We''ve always known that I''m different from this world. Thank you... to you and Father, for hiding my abilities." ¨C Jonas turned to look at her, his gaze filled with gratitude and love. But deep within those eyes, there was an unshakable resolve. "...That difference... It''s time, isn''t it? You''re going to use it to change this world?" ¨C His mother looked at him, her eyes brimming with tears. But there was no blame in them¡ªonly understanding. A silent farewell. "Yes, Mother." ¨C Jonas answered gently. Yet, his voice carried an unbreakable conviction. He turned back to his packing. There was nothing left to hold him back. The next morning, as the first light of dawn crept through the wooden window, Jonas stood before their small home. Behind him, the door closed with a quiet finality. A chapter of his life had ended. A new one was about to begin. He turned back one last time. His mother stood there, watching him. She did not say a word. But in her eyes, there was everything¡ªhope, sorrow, and an unwavering belief in her son''s decision. "Jonas..." ¨C She choked out his name, but the words died in her throat. Jonas stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her. A final embrace. Her tears fell onto his shoulder, but they were not tears of weakness. They were tears of love. Tears of acceptance. And then¡ªhe walked away. His footsteps never turned back. ¡­.. From that moment, Jonas became a phantom of war. Every battle he stepped into, whether large or small, he ended them. Day after day, Jonas continued moving from one land to another while wars raged around him, but he never felt satisfied. Each victory brought him one step closer to his goal, yet each triumph only made him feel... empty. The small wars, even though they ended, could not fill the void in his heart, where his father¡¯s dying words echoed, never fading. The Great War that Mikeson had mentioned, a war unlike any Jonas had ever seen, still had not appeared. Meaningless conflicts repeated themselves, fought by nameless enemies in battles that brought no significant change. When he realized this, a vague feeling rose in his heart¡ªdid the "Great War" his father spoke of truly exist, or was it merely a legend he had left behind for Jonas to chase? Jonas always appeared at the right moment, in the bloodiest moments, when war was at the peak of its devastation. He was not an outsider, nor was he merely an observer. He joined the battle at the most decisive moments, when lives were on the verge of being severed by swords, spears, and waves of violent magic. With the skills he possessed¡ªthe ability to wield all four card suits simultaneously¡ªJonas stepped into battle like a phantom. The screams, the gunfire, the hammering of steel against steel on the battlefield did not faze him. The armies of Hayer, Oscarn, Livier, and Troys¡ªthe mighty warriors, the brilliant generals¡ªwere all taken by surprise by his sudden arrival. Jonas never stayed for long. He came, ended the war, and left as if he had never existed. Those who witnessed these battles never knew that it was Jonas who had changed the course of war. The following battles, the relentless offensives, all played out the same way. He entered at the last moment, dismantled everything in silence, and left when all was done, like a passing wind. However, no matter how many wars he ended, Jonas still felt empty. The Great War his father had mentioned still had not appeared, despite him traveling through countless battlefields, ending brutal wars without anyone knowing of his presence. Each time he entered a battle, it felt like a random choice in a grand strategy game: ending one, then moving on as if nothing had ever happened. But... perhaps these were merely small wars. Jonas had realized that. The Great War his father spoke of was not a small war, not a battle that could be measured by the number of lives lost. It was a war that transcended all others, a war filled with mysteries yet to be explained, a battle that only true victors would come to recognize. But to claim victory, Jonas had to keep moving, stepping into invisible wars he had yet to see, and search for what was truly meant to be the Great War. From that moment, the title "The Phantom" or "The Destroyer" began to spread, referring to him. As he slowly lost his patience, Jonas gradually faded into seclusion... ¡­.. Caryon Town, Livier ¨C A Small Tavern Inside a rundown tavern, the dim glow of an oil lamp flickered over the wooden bar counter, where Jonas sat slumped over the table, his body weighed down by exhaustion, as if the entire world had become meaningless. His messy red hair covered half of his face, his disheveled clothing and the faint scars on his arms painting the picture of a wanderer who had long abandoned everything. The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. ¡°How long are you planning to stay here, Jonas? It¡¯s been two days already.¡± ¨C The tavern owner, a middle-aged man with sunken eyes, sighed as he wiped a glass clean. Jonas didn¡¯t bother to respond, lazily raising his hand and sliding the empty glass toward him. ¡°Stop talking¡­ just pour me another drink.¡± ¡°¡­Haizz.¡± ¨C Another sigh echoed through the tavern, but the owner still complied. At that moment, a voice rang out from a corner of the tavern, breaking the lethargic atmosphere. ¡°Have you heard? The Aras outpost was wiped out yesterday. In just five hours, over a hundred thousand people died.¡± Jonas flinched slightly. Even in the bloodiest battles he had ever witnessed, that number was beyond horrifying. "Only five hours?" ¨C he thought. Two men dressed in red military uniforms stepped into the tavern, their Clubs insignias gleaming under the oil lamp¡¯s light. They pulled up chairs right beside Jonas, completely unaware that they had just drawn the attention of someone extremely dangerous. ¡°So what do we do now?¡± ¨C A blond soldier with glasses muttered. ¡°We¡¯re being sent as reinforcements tomorrow morning. I don¡¯t want these next few days to be the last of my life.¡± ¡°Shut up.¡± ¨C The brown-haired soldier snapped. ¡°You know how Livier¡¯s army deals with deserters. Don¡¯t be stupid enough to say things like that out loud.¡± Right beside them, Jonas was now fully alert. He tilted his head slightly, pretending to still be drunk, but his mind was completely focused on their conversation. ¡°From what I¡¯ve heard¡­ in two days, a real Great War is going to break out.¡± ¡°Huh? What do you mean?¡± ¡°All four sides have taken too much damage already. It looks like this time, they¡¯ll throw everything they have into one final battle to end the war.¡± ¡°But¡­¡± ¨C The brown-haired soldier hesitated. ¡°I heard it¡¯s only been nearly two years, right? Compared to the Great War of Irata, this is nothing. That war dragged on for four years before it was finally put down.¡± ¡°Exactly¡­ If it weren¡¯t for that Phantom, it could have lasted even longer.¡± Jonas smirked slightly at that nickname. ¡°Now that you mention it, it¡¯s been five years since he last appeared. He hasn¡¯t shown up at the last moment like he used to.¡± The brown-haired soldier continued, ¡°But forget about that. The bigger issue is¡­ Daner, the prophet of Hayer, has predicted that soon, an enormous Mana Storm will descend upon the Aras Plains. If any nation seizes control of that land, they could shift the entire balance of the war. And with spies everywhere, it wasn¡¯t hard for this information to spread across the continent.¡± ¡°Soon? Did she say exactly when?¡± ¡°No. Just that it will happen soon.¡± CRASH! The sound of a shattering glass echoed through the tavern, silencing the entire room. Jonas rose to his feet, his gaze as sharp as a blade. He muttered an incantation in his mind: ¡°Diamonds, Diamonds, Diamonds, Diamonds.¡± Instantly, he vanished from his seat and reappeared right behind the two soldiers. Before they could react, Jonas¡¯s hands had already settled on their shoulders, radiating an icy chill. A wave of killing intent surged through the air, freezing both soldiers in place. "What the hell¡­ he''s too fast¡­" ¨C Both men thought as cold sweat dripped down their backs. ¡°Repeat. Every. Single. Word.¡± ¨C Jonas¡¯s voice was low, dangerous. Faced with the overwhelming pressure, the two soldiers had no choice but to spill everything they knew. After listening, Jonas lifted his hands from their shoulders. ¡°¡­Thanks.¡± ¨C He muttered, before turning and walking out of the tavern. For the first time in years, a glimmer of excitement flickered in his eyes. His years in hiding had nearly made him give up, had left him feeling disconnected from this world. Information on ongoing wars had become increasingly difficult to obtain. As Jonas¡¯s silhouette faded beyond the tavern doors, the two soldiers remained frozen in their seats, still trembling from the killing intent he left behind. The blond soldier swallowed hard and turned to the tavern owner, his voice hoarse. ¡°¡­Who the hell was that guy?¡± The tavern owner silently poured another drink, not even bothering to look up. ¡°Just a drunkard.¡± ¨C He replied, though the sharp glint in his eyes suggested he knew far more than he let on. ¡­.. The Aras Plains ¨C The Final War Council Hayer¡¯s Headquarters Inside a large, well-fortified tent at the center of the military camp, General Alfonse, a battle-hardened warrior of Hayer with long silver hair and golden armor, stood before a vast map spread across the table. Red markers dotted the map, representing the troop positions of Oscarn, Livier, and Troys, and in the very center¡ªthe Aras Plains, where all forces were about to throw everything they had to seize control. His eyes narrowed, and his deep, commanding voice rang out: "Reports from our scouts have confirmed it. Livier and Troys are locked in fierce combat to the North, while Oscarn has deployed all reinforcements to the South to face us. They want to hold their position, but we will strike directly at the center." A younger officer, Reiner, Hayer¡¯s knight commander, tapped the table lightly. "But sir, Oscarn has the fastest army on the battlefield. If we engage them head-on, I fear we won¡¯t be able to close in before they retreat to a defensive stance." Alfonse nodded but remained firm. "Then we will not let them retreat. This time, we will cut off Oscarn¡¯s escape routes. We have the most powerful Hearts mages, so we will use our superior healing to outlast them in combat." A battle mage stood up¡ªVelka, Hayer¡¯s chief healer. Her voice was cold and calculating: "If we are to engage them head-on, I will need at least 48 hours to erect a large-scale healing barrier over the entire frontline. But if Livier and Troys finish their battle early, I fear they will turn their focus on us before I can complete it." Alfonse clenched his fist, eyes scanning the map once more. "There is no other choice. This is our last chance to secure Aras. Prepare yourselves¡ªwe launch a full-scale assault at dawn." Oscarn¡¯s Headquarters General Viktor, a seasoned war veteran of Oscarn, quietly tapped his fingers against the metal table before him. Unlike the other leaders, he did not wear heavy armor¡ªonly a simple commander¡¯s uniform. "Hayer is planning to encircle us. They are betting everything on their healing magic to prolong the fight. But they forgot one crucial thing." His second-in-command, Enzo, an expert in high-speed tactics, smirked. "Right. They forgot that we are faster than them." Viktor nodded, his sharp gaze reflecting over 30 years of battlefield experience. "I don¡¯t need to claim absolute victory. I just need to wear them down, prolong the fight for a few more days. And when everyone is exhausted¡­ we will finish it." Enzo tilted his head. "You mean¡­?" "We will hit and run. No direct confrontation¡ªonly ambushes, then retreat. They want to hold the Aras Plains? Fine. I¡¯ll let them keep it¡ªat the cost of their own blood." Livier¡¯s Headquarters Inside the Grand Hall of the Sacred Fire Fortress, where Livier¡¯s high-ranking mages gathered, Marshal Marcellus stood before his assembled generals, his cold gaze sweeping across the room. "My patience has run dry. Troys refuses to fall, and meanwhile, Oscarn and Hayer are preparing for a decisive battle in the South. Enough. We will crush Troys tonight." Another commander, Cornelia, a powerful battle mage, raised an eyebrow. "But Troys has the strongest Spades barrier magic. If we want to break their defenses, I need the mana cannons enhanced to maximum power." Marcellus turned, gesturing toward the Mana Artillery Cannons lined up below the fortress. "Then enhance them. No need to conserve mana. I want Troys obliterated beneath the power of our light." Troys¡¯ Frontline Unlike the other factions, General Thorus of Troys had no war councils, no elaborate plans. He stood alone in the midst of the battlefield, his heavy cloak billowing in the wind, his gaze locked onto the ceaseless bombardment striking against Troys¡¯ defensive barrier. A soldier approached, voice laced with worry. "Sir, Livier has prepared high-tier mana artillery. If they go all out¡ª" Thorus raised a hand, silencing him. "I know. But they cannot break Troys¡¯ defenses with magic alone." The soldier clenched his fists, his bloodshot eyes filled with tension. "But our forces have been fighting non-stop for an entire week. If we don¡¯t receive reinforcements¡ª" Thorus turned, his eyes unwavering. "Reinforcements? Troys does not need reinforcements. Troys needs warriors who do not retreat." The soldier swallowed hard before bowing his head, unable to argue further. Above them, the night sky lit up with the blazing fire of Livier¡¯s mana artillery. But even as the storm of destruction rained down, Troys¡¯ unyielding defenses stood tall¡ªlike an indomitable shield of steel. The Aras Battlefield ¨C An Endless Nightmare Blood, screams, and magic tearing through the sky. To the North, hundreds of flaming spells from Livier fell like a burning storm, transforming the battlefield into a blazing hellscape. But Troys held firm¡ªSpades warriors conjured unbreakable shields, enduring each devastating strike without faltering. To the South, Hayer and Oscarn clashed in a battle of sheer ferocity. Hayer¡¯s knights advanced like a raging flood, while Oscarn¡¯s lightning-fast units darted between them like streaks of lightning, dodging and countering with deadly precision. Explosions. The clash of steel. The agonized cries of the fallen. The Aras Plains had become the graveyard of thousands. ¡­.. Morning of the Third Day ¨C The Bloodiest Phase of the Battle Begins Northern Battlefield ¨C Troys vs. Livier On the northern front, where Troys and Livier clashed, the sky had turned into a sea of fire. ¡°Fire!!¡± ¨C The thunderous command of Marshal Marcellus rang out, and instantly, a barrage of colossal mana cannons from Livier rained down upon Troys¡¯ defenses. Massive orbs of energy spiraled through the air, forming dazzling pillars of magic light before crashing down like devastating lightning bolts upon Troys¡¯ defensive lines. BOOOM!! A portion of Troys¡¯ frontlines collapsed instantly. Dust, fire, and bodies ripped apart by magic scattered across the battlefield. But when the storm of death finally settled, the radiant shields of the Spades mages still stood strong amid the thick, black smoke. General Thorus, the leader of Troys, cast his cold gaze at the enemy forces. "Push forward! Do not give those mages any chance to recover!" Immediately, tens of thousands of Wall Guardians charged ahead, their fortified magic shields held high. Some were incinerated instantly by Livier¡¯s magical beams, but those who survived did not stop moving. They only needed one chance to close the distance. ¡°Hah! Idiots! Do you think charging straight at us will guarantee victory?¡± ¨C Cornelia, Livier¡¯s battle mage, sneered. She raised her staff, her eyes glowing ominously. "High-tier Clubs Formation! Wipe them out!" BOOM! A blinding explosion of light erupted, swallowing hundreds of Troys warriors in an instant. But at that very moment¡ª RUMBLE!! A massive war machine of Troys burst out from underground, shattering through Livier¡¯s defenses. Survivors immediately stormed into enemy ranks, their weapons glowing with raw energy, slashing down Livier¡¯s mages before they could even react. The war was no longer a battle¡ªit had turned into a full-scale slaughter. Southern Battlefield ¨C Hayer vs. Oscarn On the southern front, where Hayer fought Oscarn, the battle was just as brutal. Hayer¡¯s army maintained their steel-tight formation, their Hearts knights surging forward, their healing magic radiating in waves of golden light, allowing their bodies to instantly recover from any wounds. "Attack! Do not give them a chance to counter!" ¨C General Alfonse roared, spurring his horse forward into the fray. From high ground, General Viktor of Oscarn observed the scene, smirking. "Fools. They still think they can defeat me by brute force?" Just as Hayer¡¯s forces were about to clash with Oscarn¡¯s troops, a signal flashed across the battlefield. "Now¡ªretreat!!" ¨C Enzo, commander of Oscarn¡¯s high-speed army, shouted. Instantly, Oscarn¡¯s entire army vanished from their positions, retreating in the blink of an eye with their super-speed magic formations. And before Hayer¡¯s soldiers could even react¡ª BOOM!!! Hundreds of magic traps detonated across the battlefield. Flames erupted from beneath the earth, engulfing entire squadrons of Hayer¡¯s knights in an instant. Those who survived only had enough time to scream in agony before being caught in the chain explosions. Hayer¡¯s army was completely trapped within Oscarn¡¯s magic minefield. Alfonse clenched his fists, his eyes burning with fury. "Damn you¡­ Viktor! This time, I will crush you!" But Viktor had already disappeared. Only his mocking laughter echoed from a distance, as Oscarn¡¯s forces continued their guerrilla tactics, forcing Hayer into a defensive nightmare. ¡­.. At first, the war unfolded like any other large-scale conflict¡ªHayer clashed with Oscarn in the South, while Livier fought against Troys in the North. But none of them could have predicted that a single event would throw all four nations into absolute chaos. That event was the "Mana Storm." The prophet Daner of Hayer had foretold that a colossal mana storm would descend upon the Aras Plains, granting limitless power to whichever nation controlled its core. But no one expected her prophecy to come true at this very moment. Northern Front ¨C Livier vs. Troys Livier and Troys had been slaughtering each other for hours, but when Livier¡¯s mages sensed the surge of mana in the air, they instantly knew¡ªthe Mana Storm was about to begin. "Report to Marshal Marcellus immediately! The storm is starting!" ¨C A mage shouted as he detected the shift in magical energy. Marcellus narrowed his eyes before barking his next order: "Send the entire main force to the center! No matter the cost, Livier must seize the core of the Aras Plains!" But Troys would not be left behind. "They¡¯re retreating?" ¨C General Thorus of Troys muttered, watching smoke rise from Livier¡¯s camps. A soldier quickly reported: "No, sir! They¡¯re not retreating, they¡¯re moving toward the battlefield¡¯s center!" "Then we move as well. If Livier wants it, then Troys will claim it first." ¨C Thorus roared, raising his sword, ordering his entire army to advance. Southern Front ¨C Hayer vs. Oscarn At the same time, both Hayer and Oscarn sensed that something was wrong. Alfonse of Hayer was locked in fierce combat against Viktor of Oscarn when suddenly¡ªa massive pillar of light erupted from the central plains. A swirling violet vortex of mana twisted across the sky, cascading downward like a storm of pure energy. The Mana Storm had begun. For one brief moment, the entire battlefield fell silent. Then, in the blink of an eye, every army changed their objective. "General Alfonse! The mages report that the central mana is surging! If we don¡¯t seize it now, we¡¯ll lose our chance!" Alfonse gritted his teeth, his eyes sharp as steel. "All Hayer forces¡ªmarch to the center! Crush anyone who stands in our way!" Viktor of Oscarn reached the same conclusion. "Enzo! Move the entire army toward the center! If Hayer wants it, we¡¯ll take it before they do!" Chaos Erupts In less than thirty minutes, all four great nations¡ªHayer, Oscarn, Livier, and Troys¡ªhad thrown their entire armies toward the heart of the Aras Plains. The vanguard units had already begun clashing head-on. As Hayer¡¯s cavalry met Troys¡¯ heavy infantry, Livier¡¯s artillery fire rained down upon them both. As Oscarn¡¯s speed troops ambushed Livier¡¯s mages, Troys¡¯ suicide squads attacked from an unseen angle. The war had completely collapsed. There were no more factions. No more strategic battle formations. Only a bloody free-for-all. Central Aras Plains ¨C The Chaos Begins Magic artillery shells tore through the sky, beams of destruction reducing entire sections of the battlefield to ash in mere moments. Fire and blood merged together, turning the ground into a swamp of corpses. "ATTACK!!" Hayer¡¯s warriors roared, charging forward, their healing magic radiating in golden waves, keeping them alive despite their fatal wounds. "WE WILL NOT RETREAT!" Troys raised their massive defensive barriers, their unbreakable walls of magic absorbing wave after wave of attacks, standing like immovable fortresses in the storm. "THEY CAN¡¯T BREAK THROUGH! MAGES, PREPARE YOUR SPELLS!" Livier¡¯s forces unleashed their mana cannons, beams of pure light incinerating entire platoons in seconds. "LEAVE NO SURVIVORS!" And Oscarn¡ªtheir speed troops weaved through the battlefield, dodging attacks, striking from the blind spots. "REMEMBER! OUR GOAL IS TO SEIZE THE CENTER!" ¡­.. Mountain Peak Overlooking Aras The wind howled across the mountain peak, carrying with it the scattered remnants of war from the Aras Plains below. Jonas stood there, his sharp eyes fixed on the chaos unfolding beneath him. Fire, light, screams. A storm of magic and blood. The four great nations were tearing each other apart, like wild beasts locked in a mindless battle with no escape. "This is it." This was the war he had been searching for all along. His fingers curled into a fist, his eyes flashing with a dangerous glint. "I don¡¯t care who¡¯s right or wrong. I don¡¯t care who wins or loses. But if this is the Great War I need to find my way home..." That thought echoed in his mind¡ªbut then, an image surfaced. Her. Soft, flowing hair. A gentle smile. Eyes so pure, filled with the most untainted love. "It¡¯s been so long... since I last thought of you." But her image blurred, drowned by memories of blood, of death, of this unforgiving world. "If this is the only path back..." "If victory in this war is the only way..." "Then I will crush everything that stands in my way." BOOM! Jonas activated "Diamonds x4", teleporting directly into the center of the battlefield. A blazing red streak tore across the sky, so fast that not a single soul had time to register where he had come from. The familiar rush¡ªabsolute speed, supernatural agility¡ªJonas was like lightning itself, weaving through the storm of magic that rained across the battlefield. And then, the moment his feet touched the ground, a terrifying killing intent erupted across the war zone. "Clubs x4." BOOOOMMM!!! A devastating pillar of destruction rained down from above, so blindingly bright that the entire battlefield was swallowed in an explosion of annihilation. An enormous section of the warfront was erased in an instant. The soldiers caught in the blast never even had the chance to scream before their bodies were reduced to dust. The mobile fortresses, the chanting mages, the warriors locked in combat¡ª all were obliterated, leaving not a single trace behind. For a moment, the battlefield fell into absolute silence. Every remaining soldier turned their heads toward the source of the devastation¡ªtoward the one figure standing in the midst of this burning hellscape. Jonas¡¯s gaze swept across the survivors. "It¡¯s time¡­ The opening act to my victory." ¡­.. Year 2460 of the Darson Calendar Jonas jolted awake, taking a deep breath as if he had just escaped from a nightmare. He sat up abruptly on the old wooden bed, his hand instinctively rubbing his face. His eyes carried a deep, pensive look, filled with unease. His breathing was still unsteady, as if something had latched onto his mind, refusing to let go. "I don¡¯t remember the exact moment. I don¡¯t remember what happened, nor who took my eye. There is only one thing that lingers in my memory¡ªdarkness." "I once asked my mother about it¡ªabout the day I woke up with only one eye left. But her answer didn¡¯t help me understand anything better. ''Jonas, when I found you, you were lying unconscious in the forest. Blood from your left eye had soaked the ground, but¡­ you were still alive. You didn¡¯t cry, you didn¡¯t scream¡ªyou just opened your eyes and looked at me as if nothing had happened.'' " "I tried to press her for more, tried to recall something¡ªanything. But it was useless. I don¡¯t know who did it. I don¡¯t know why. All I know is that when I woke up, it was already gone." "I had touched my face, running my fingers over the bandages that covered my left eye, waiting for some kind of pain. But there was none. I felt nothing." "No pain. No fear. Only emptiness¡ªan absence that was invisible, yet more present than any wound I had ever suffered." "Why am I still alive?" "Who took my eye?" "I don¡¯t know. I have no answers." CHAPTER 2: THE WAR ENDS After his grand and devastating arrival, Jonas stood in the middle of the battlefield, his cold eyes scanning the fortunate few who had survived. The soldiers¡ª**bruised, battered, gasping for breath¡ª**couldn¡¯t believe what they had just witnessed. Jonas lifted his gaze, his expression as sharp as a blade. Every word he spoke cut deep¡ªeach syllable a dagger that pierced the minds of the weaklings still standing before him. "You all know that the power of card suits can only be used at levels 1 to 10, depending on one¡¯s mana. But do you truly understand what happens when one reaches Rank K?"** His piercing stare bored through each soldier, as if stripping away the fragile facade of lies they clung to. One soldier, his face pale as a corpse, trembled as he stuttered: "...No... That¡¯s impossible¡­ J, Q, K are nothing but myths. No one has ever¡­ ever been able to wield them¡­ How could this be¡­?" Jonas did not answer. Instead, he simply smirked. There was no warmth in that smile. No emotion. Only cold, mocking amusement. "Ha¡­" ¨C He let out a derisive chuckle. "You will not only witness Rank K. You will witness what happens when Rank K is used with all four Clubs at once." One soldier, his face drained of all color, had yet to grasp the nightmare about to unfold. Then, Jonas¡¯s voice rang out like a thunderclap. "CLUBS x4 ¨C RANK K!" At that moment, a colossal beam of light erupted from the sky, consuming everything in its path. This was not merely light. This was absolute annihilation. A maelstrom of pure destruction that left nothing alive within its reach. The beam crashed down upon Livier¡¯s army, a tsunami of devastation, ripping apart everything in an instant. The moment the beam detonated, the entire battlefield fell silent. The wind ceased to blow. The screams of warriors vanished, swallowed by the deafening explosion. The remaining soldiers, eyes wide with unspeakable horror, stood frozen, unable to comprehend what had just happened. Jonas stood there, silent, motionless. As if he were **not the one who had unleashed such destruction¡ª**but merely a witness to it. Every movement he made carried the presence of a god of destruction, a force beyond comprehension. And his power¡­ no one could predict its limits. "Look." Jonas¡¯s voice echoed across the battlefield. "This is true power. And you¡ª you are nothing but pawns in this game." ---------- Marshal Marcellus of Livier had barely escaped death after the devastating attack that had wiped out nearly his entire army. Standing amidst the burning wreckage, he was frozen¡ªhis eyes hollow, staring at the few remaining soldiers, the last survivors of what was once a mighty force. Just moments ago, they had been a powerful army. Now, only a few hundred broken, terrified men remained among the ashes. Cornelia, once the pride of Livier, stumbled toward Marcellus. Blood covered her entire body, her pale face drained of all strength. Her right arm was gone. And yet, her eyes still carried a faint glimmer of resilience, though it was quickly fading. "Marshal..." ¨C Cornelia¡¯s voice was weak, but she forced herself to remain composed. Marcellus clenched his fists, desperately trying to hold onto the last shreds of his reason. He lifted his gaze toward the sky, where the Mana Storm¡ªonce a beacon of hope¡ªhad now become a sign of death. "Is this divine punishment?" ¨C Marcellus murmured, his voice trembling with rage. "They lured us in with the storm, only to wipe out anyone who dared to reach for it?" Cornelia weakly shook her head, her face dark with fear. "No¡­ sir¡­ This is not the work of the gods¡­" ¨C She lifted her head, her lips trembling. "¡­ This is the Phantom." Marcellus closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath to steady himself. "How much firepower do we have left?" ¨C His voice was calm, steady. Cornelia hesitated, then answered: "Only about 200 soldiers¡­ and two mid-tier mana cannons." Silence. Then, Marcellus tightened his grip, his voice now devoid of hesitation. "Focus everything on him." "...Understood." ¨C Cornelia whispered. But she knew. They all knew. This was nothing but a desperate struggle against the inevitable. Livier¡¯s Final Counterattack A desperate battle cry erupted from the few remaining soldiers of Livier. Everything they had left¡ª200 men, two mana cannons, and every surviving mage¡ªwas aimed directly at Jonas. Cornelia, with only one arm remaining, did not falter. She was the only mage in Livier capable of wielding Clubs at Level 10. And even if using this spell would cost her life, she would not stop fighting. "CLUBS¡ªLEVEL 10!!" ¨C Cornelia roared, summoning a blinding pillar of pure energy¡ªthe strongest attack Livier had left. At the same time, the two remaining mana cannons fired, their devastating beams blazing toward Jonas. The battlefield fell into absolute silence. Everyone held their breath. This was Livier¡¯s final attack. Jonas calmly watched as it all unfolded. His expression did not change. There was no fear. No concern. He knew. This was everything they had left. A desperate counterattack born from absolute hopelessness. "They actually think they still have a chance?" ¨C Jonas thought. He closed his eyes. Then, in a low, quiet voice, he spoke: "Clubs x2, Spades x2 ¨C Rank J." At that instant¡ªA colossal magic barrier of light materialized around him, as immovable as a fortress. But defense was not its true power. Its real ability¡ªwas reflection. Everything Livier had poured into this final attack¡ªWould now be turned against them. BOOOOM!!! A blinding explosion consumed the battlefield. Livier¡¯s strongest warriors, their most powerful spells, their greatest firepower¡ªNow became the blade that ended them. No one could comprehend what they had just witnessed. "Impossible¡­ That¡¯s Spades¡¯ defensive magic¡­ but how did it reflect the attack like that?! Impossible¡­! There¡¯s no way that¡¯s possible¡­!" Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. Whispers of fear and disbelief filled the battlefield¡ªbut only for a few seconds. Because in the next instant¡ªThe reflected destruction rained down upon the last remnants of Livier. Marcellus, still standing in the ruins of his army, had completely lost the will to fight. He had done everything. He had given everything. And in the end¡ªall he had left was death. Slowly, he reached for his sword. His hands trembled. But his eyes¡ªheld no hope. "¡­So this is how it ends?" ¨C He murmured, his voice barely audible over the cold wind. Without hesitation¡ªHe raised his sword¡ªAnd plunged it into his own chest. Marcellus collapsed without a final word. And with him¡ªthe army of Livier ceased to exist. Jonas glanced at Marcellus¡¯s corpse. Then, he swept his gaze over the battlefield, now void of any trace of Livier¡¯s forces. With a quiet sigh, he muttered indifferently: "That takes care of the most troublesome faction." Livier had been erased from the war. -------- General Thorus of Troys, watching from afar, could not accept reality. A surge of rage and terror swelled inside him. Never in his life had he witnessed such a devastating storm of magic. Never had he imagined that a single entity could erase an entire army with just a flick of the wrist. "He''s a demon! He must die!" ¨C Thorus roared, his voice thundering across the battlefield like the desperate howl of a beast cornered with no escape. "Kill him!" Thorus''s order was absolute. The entire Troys army, despite their heavy casualties, immediately reformed their battle formation, all weapons aimed at Jonas. Archers nocked their arrows, their tips infused with The Card¡¯s magic, locking onto Jonas. Mages began gathering massive amounts of mana, preparing to unleash their strongest spells. Cavalry and infantry stood ready to charge, all of them prepared to execute their finest battle strategies. "Kill him!" ¨C Thorus shouted once more, but this time, his voice carried pure desperation. He could not be allowed to live. The battlefield resonated with this unspoken truth. Commanders from both Hayer and Oscarn immediately understood¡ªthey all had to unite against a single target. "Form ranks immediately!" ¨C A general from Oscarn barked, his voice hoarse from the tension. "We need to show that monster we won¡¯t be crushed so easily!" Hayer and Oscarn soldiers began organizing their formations, while Troys forces prepared to break through. The atmosphere grew heavier, as if the entire continent was holding its breath for what was about to unfold¡ªa final, decisive clash. --------- The Battle Ends Jonas sat atop a pile of broken weapons, tools of war now reduced to mere scrap metal. He pulled out a bottle of liquor, flicked the cap off with his thumb, and took a long swig. "Not a bad taste¡­" ¨C Jonas murmured, his voice calm, as if he were simply enjoying a drink after a long, exhausting day. Around him lay heaps of corpses, shattered technological weapons, mobile fortresses, and war machines now reduced to ruins. This battlefield had become a graveyard¡ªand Jonas was the one who caused it all. He felt nothing. Just an emptiness. A vague sense of guilt. A dull indifference to everything that had just happened. For 28 years, he had waited, doing everything he could to return home¡ªto go back to Earth. Now that the war had ended, Jonas remained seated, waiting for something¡­ anything. A teleportation gate, sudden death, or perhaps a black hole¡ªwhatever could take him back. Suddenly, a few surviving soldiers approached. One of them was about to activate The Card, while the other gripped his weapon, preparing to strike Jonas from behind. BOOM! A light trap suddenly activated¡ªan intricate combination of Spades x2, Diamonds, and Clubs at Level 5. In the blink of an eye, the two soldiers disintegrated into nothing. Jonas didn¡¯t even bother to turn around. The fastest way to end this war was to utterly cripple the armies, and Jonas believed this was the best way, no matter how brutal it seemed. He had no regrets¡ªbecause he knew that if he didn¡¯t do this, the endless cycle of war would never end. He let out a deep sigh, tilting his head back to gaze at the devastated battlefield. "Looks like I¡¯ve become a demon, haven¡¯t I?" ¨C Jonas muttered, his voice quiet, as if seeking comfort in meaningless words. But no matter how much he tried to ignore it, the truth remained¡ªhe had become a true destroyer. "It¡¯s been quite a while, hasn¡¯t it?" ¨C Jonas mumbled, his voice breaking the eerie silence. "An hour has passed¡­ and nothing has happened?" ¨C A creeping unease began to settle in. His usual composure wavered. "Could it be¡­ this wasn¡¯t the Great War after all?" Panic suddenly seized him. His eyes widened, desperately searching for an explanation. He grabbed his head, fingers digging into his scalp, as the fear inside him swelled uncontrollably. --------- Time passed, and still, nothing changed. Every second felt like a century, each moment pressing down on his shoulders like an unbearable weight. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA..." ¨C Jonas screamed, his voice echoing across the battlefield. "I''VE DONE EVERYTHING!!! LOOK AROUND! MILLIONS ARE DEAD BECAUSE OF ME! I CAUSED ALL OF THIS!!! WHAT ELSE DO YOU WANT ME TO DO?! DESTROY THIS ENTIRE PLANET?!" His voice roared with fury, flooding the battlefield with unrelenting rage. "CLUBS X4 LEV¡ª" Jonas was about to unleash one of his most devastating destruction spells, but before the incantation could even leave his lips¡ª A blinding golden light suddenly burst from his left eye¡ªthe one that had been blind since he was four years old. The radiant beam shot straight into the sky, shining brilliantly like a newborn star. Magical constellation circles began forming around him, glowing with an otherworldly brilliance. The ground trembled, as if some unseen force was awakening. "Could this be¡­ the moment I return?" ¨C Jonas thought, his mind torn between hope and fear, unable to tell whether this was his chance to go home or just the final illusion of a man pushed beyond his limits. And then¡ª Everything vanished. The light, the circles, the trembling earth¡ªall extinguished in an instant, like a dying flame swallowed by darkness. Jonas, too, disappeared without a trace. ---------- THUD¡­ A magic circle appeared, and Jonas crashed onto the rooftop of an unknown building. He stood up, dusted off his clothes, and lifted his gaze, scanning his surroundings. "Everything¡­ looks familiar," Jonas thought, his eyes sweeping over the towering skyscrapers and the modern architecture surrounding him. "This era, this technology, these buildings¡­ Could it be? Have I finally returned to Earth?" Out of habit, he instinctively glanced down at himself, examining his own body. "What the hell!?" Jonas screamed internally. "Why!? Why am I still in this form!? Where is my original body!?" Confusion struck him like a hammer, panic and fear creeping into his mind. "I¡­ I made it back to Earth, but¡­ no, this can¡¯t be happening!" Jonas lifted his head once more, scanning his surroundings again. "It seems like I¡¯m standing on a fairly modern skyscraper, one likely built for high-income residents¡­" he thought, eyes moving across the structural details. "Wait¡­ something feels off. The architecture¡­ it looks mixed. Isn¡¯t that a billboard in Chinese?" He paused, eyebrows furrowing. "Why is there Vietnamese here too? And¡­ Spanish!? What the f*!?"** A creeping sense of unease swelled within him. Then, his eyes landed on something truly absurd. "What the actual f*!? Isn¡¯t that Mount Fuji? But¡­ it should only exist in Japan!"** Jonas couldn¡¯t believe his eyes. The scene before him was beyond bizarre. "I really don¡¯t want to test this, but¡­" he muttered to himself before quickly casting a spell to help him land safely. "Diamonds x2, Hearts, Spades Level 2." The spell activated, allowing Jonas to descend effortlessly from the rooftop. "What the hell!? My powers¡­ I still have them!? But then¡­ where am I?" His mind swirled in confusion as he looked around, feeling more and more unsettled. "Everything looks like Earth, but¡­ something¡¯s wrong. Could this be another world? But why does it resemble Earth so much?" Jonas cautiously walked through the streets, his eyes scrutinizing everything around him. It all looked exactly like Earth in 2024, yet there was no denying the strange mix of cultures in everything he saw. The skyscrapers around him were ultra-modern, but their designs blended elements from different parts of the world. One high-rise had the glass-heavy style of American architecture, its wide panels seamlessly connecting each floor. Yet, upon closer inspection, the decorative carvings on the pillars resembled intricate Chinese classical patterns. "Could I be in a different place altogether?" Jonas wondered, but the eerie feeling inside him only grew stronger. Everything seemed normal, yet something was undeniably off. As he ventured deeper into what seemed like a commercial district, the contradictions grew even stranger. A French-style caf¨¦ sat right next to a Korean electronics store. Massive LED billboards flickered between Italian, English, and Arabic advertisements. "Is this some kind of¡­ blended reality?" Jonas murmured. But then, something even more unsettling struck him¡ª There wasn¡¯t a single person in sight. He looked up at the towering buildings. Their windows were tightly shut. No lights flickered from inside. No movement on the streets. A chilling silence blanketed the city. "Am I in an alternate version of Earth?" The question replayed over and over in his mind. But the more he thought about it, the more lost he felt. No people. No voices. Just the sound of his own footsteps echoing through the empty streets. A city filled with architectural diversity, yet devoid of life. Jonas pushed forward, walking down the wide streets, passing skyscrapers and what looked like once-bustling marketplaces. Everything appeared familiar, but¡­ There was no one here. Shops were shuttered. Cars sat abandoned. And not a single sign of life remained. "I can¡¯t just keep wandering like this. I need to figure out what¡¯s going on." Jonas muttered to himself, uncertainty and dread gnawing at him, yet his curiosity about this place kept pushing him forward. A world that looked like Earth¡­ But where had all the people gone? -------- As Jonas continued walking, a soft yet playful voice called out from behind him: "Yohh! Greetings, No.1 Jonas Harson!" Jonas froze, instantly spinning around. Standing before him was a young woman with short blonde hair, around 1.6 meters tall. She wore a sleek, form-fitting black outfit, designed for agility in combat. A short-sleeved jacket and weapon straps crossed over her torso, complementing her tight black pants that hugged her frame, allowing for maximum movement. In her hand, she held a katana¡ªits razor-sharp crimson blade emanating an unmistakable aura of danger. "Who¡­ are you?" ¨C Jonas muttered, momentarily stunned, unable to comprehend what was happening. The girl¡¯s cold gaze locked onto him as she smirked. "Do you want to hear my name from back when I was on Earth, or the name I go by now?" CHAPTER 3: SWORD AND LIGHT From atop a building, three figures silently observed Jonas and the girl. "Do you think she''ll win, Sasaki?" ¨C The large man spoke in a deep voice, his gaze still fixed on the battle. "It will be tough, but she knows this place better than anyone." ¨C The young man with green hair replied, his eyes full of contemplation. "Hahahaha, she''ll definitely win." ¨C The girl in military attire smiled confidently, her tone unbelievably self-assured. "Indeed." ¨C The large man nodded slightly, unable to hide his trust. ..... ¡°Do you want to hear my name from when I was on Earth, or my current name?¡± ¨C The girl asked. ¡°Could it be¡­ are you like me?¡± ¨C Jonas asked, his voice tinged with confusion, the question echoing with unease. ¡°Yes.¡± ¨C She replied softly. ¡°I am Jonas Harson.¡± ¡°That I already know, No.1. Misao Watanabe is my name from Earth and also the name I have after my reincarnation.¡± ¨C The girl said. Her words left Jonas filled with doubts and a sense of missing information. ¡°Why do you call me No.1? What do you mean? And you kept your name after reincarnation?¡± ¨C Jonas asked. ¡°You are one of the twenty-five people brought here, and if you want to survive, you must kill me and the other twenty-three. They will hunt you down just like I¡¯m doing now¡­¡± ¨C ¡°That¡¯s all I can tell you, to be fair.¡± ¡°With that name, she¡¯s definitely Japanese, and she was also from Earth, like me.¡± ¨C Jonas thought. ¡°So, you¡¯re going to kill me?¡± ¨C A trace of arrogance crept into Jonas¡¯s voice as he asked. ¡°Yes.¡± ¨C Misao answered, her gaze unwavering. Swish¡­ As soon as the words left her lips, Misao suddenly moved like a flash of lightning, leaping forward to strike Jonas with a swift, powerful horizontal slash. "Too fast..." ¨C Jonas thought, clearly sensing the danger in the girl''s movements. ¡°Spade x3, Diamond x1, level 10!¡± ¨C Jonas immediately cast his spell, a sphere of light surrounding him. Not only did it shield him from the incoming slash, but it also exploded, pushing Misao back. The explosion was powerful enough to send Misao landing with ease, but without missing a beat, she shot toward Jonas once again, her sword poised for another rapid strike. ¡°Don''t be so reckless, girl!¡± ¨C Jonas said with a hint of playful mockery, then swiftly cast his magic. ¡°Heart x2, Diamond x2, level 5!¡± ¨C He disappeared, and in the blink of an eye, two versions of Jonas materialized beside him. ¡°Spade x4, level 10!¡± ¨C Jonas unleashed a powerful attack, using the full force of Spade x4, level 10, similar to the move that had wiped out the remnants of Livier''s army in the Aras Plain battle. This time, however, it was combined with his two clones. With this technique, the power of Spade x4, level 10 was split evenly across all three versions, allowing for attacks from multiple directions at once. Misao didn''t hesitate. With graceful movements, she dodged all three beams of destructive light, beams that, if they hit, would tear apart any opponent. ¡°Spade x1, Diamond x3, level K!¡± ¨C A small beam of light appeared, so fast it was nearly impossible to track, heading straight for Misao. She couldn''t avoid it, but with lightning-fast reflexes, she raised her sword to block the blow. Though she managed to deflect it, the attack still struck her with enough force to make her spit blood from her mouth. Her sword plunged into the ground, and she collapsed to one knee, clutching her abdomen with her left hand. ¡°Impossible that you are still alive after taking that hit at full strength¡­¡± ¨C Jonas said, his voice filled with admiration. ¡°Normally, that attack would wipe out multiple people in its path.¡± Misao didn¡¯t respond. She only exhaled softly, the pain subsiding for a moment as she regained her strength, preparing for the next phase of the battle. Misao mumbled something under her breath before darting toward Jonas, preparing for a powerful downward slash. ¡°Diamond x4, level 5!¡± ¨C Jonas immediately cast the spell, using the speed of Diamond to evade Misao¡¯s sharp strike. But something strange happened. Jonas remained rooted to the spot, unable to move in time. Before he could even show his confusion, Misao¡¯s blade was already nearly upon him. ¡°She¡¯s using it¡­¡± ¨C The young man with green hair, watching the battle from the top of a building, murmured. Suddenly, the piece of wood beneath Jonas¡¯s feet slid unexpectedly, causing him to slip and fall, but the sudden movement worked in his favor, as it allowed him to narrowly dodge Misao¡¯s direct strike. He quickly recovered and, without hesitation, retaliated by launching five beams of light at Misao. Misao, with her excellent reflexes, leapt into the air, dodging all the beams of light, and immediately rushed toward Jonas once more, preparing another high-speed slash. ¡°Activate second magic lock.¡± ¨C Misao¡¯s muttered words finally reached Jonas¡¯s ears just as she got closer. A direct strike landed on Jonas¡¯s abdomen, causing him to collapse in pain, his body overwhelmed by the force of the blow ¡°Fuck, what the hell? I can¡¯t use my magic... So that damn muttered spell of yours works like this?¡± ¨C Jonas thought in pain, blood starting to spill from the wound in his abdomen. ¡°I won¡¯t let you recover, activate the final magic lock.¡± ¨C Misao drove her sword into Jonas¡¯s chest before he could activate Heart x4, level K to heal himself. ¡°Damn...¡± ¨C Jonas could barely summon the strength to fight after that strike. A deadly punch straight to the heart. Misao sheathed her sword, turned her back, and walked away without a glance. ¡°Goodbye, No.1.¡± ¨C Misao said coldly. ¡°Damn it...¡± ¨C Jonas thought, his eyes still following her in despair. His mind knew Misao had won, but then a glimmer of light sparked in his eyes¡ªhe couldn¡¯t give up. This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. But before Misao could get far, Jonas used the last of his strength to summon Joker, the celestial being of destruction, which he could only call upon in his desperation. ¡°Joker!¡± ¨C Jonas gritted his teeth, struggling through the pain. In an instant, a celestial being with massive wings appeared. Light blazed from its body, the surroundings trembled as though signaling an unstoppable destruction. The being charged toward Misao without hesitation, its speed like a flash of lightning, its power so immense it overshadowed everything around it. ¡°What?¡± ¨C Misao didn¡¯t have time to react, and she was struck by the full force of the destructive light from the entity. The light was terrifyingly powerful, its energy like a storm crashing down upon her. Misao barely managed to dodge and block with her late reflexes, her hands trembling as she felt the terrifying power from the celestial being. Jonas remained motionless, unable to rise to his feet. The continuous waves of destructive light from the celestial being relentlessly shot toward Misao, leaving her with no choice but to defend herself with every ounce of strength and endurance she had left. ¡°Damn it, my only option now is to find a way to stay alive before that thing finishes him off and this damn spell ends.¡± ¨C Misao thought, the exhaustion rising within her. ¡°If I don¡¯t manage, he¡¯ll...¡± ¨C She kept taking hit after hit, feeling her body weaken, as though she were on the verge of death. With the relentless barrage of attacks, Misao was pushed back step by step, but she continued to swing her sword to defend herself. The destructive beams of the angelic entity tore through the air, heading straight for her, forcing her to dodge and defend. A strike from afar was launched by Misao, causing the entity to hesitate for a brief moment before resuming its assault on her. "I think I should step in..." ¨C The large man watching the battle said, his face filled with worry. "No need, she¡¯ll be fine." ¨C The young man with green hair pulled the large man back, trying to keep calm. "This is just a battle between a sorcerer and an assassin, like in a game." ¨C The girl in military uniform said, her tone cheerful, yet unable to hide her underlying concern. KENG, KENG, KENG¡­ ¨C The sound of sharp clashes echoed through the battlefield as Misao continued to dodge the blows, slashing her sword to deflect the beams of light aimed at her. The entity did not relent. This time, instead of attacking from a distance, it charged at Misao, delivering a powerful punch that sent her flying across the battlefield. It then followed up with another beam of destructive light aimed directly at her. Misao took the hit head-on, her body nearly exhausted, her clothes torn, and blood seeping from her numerous wounds. A final destructive beam raced toward Misao. "It¡¯s over." ¨C Misao thought, as the beam closed in on her. But suddenly, it vanished completely into thin air. ¡°No.1 is dead.¡± ¨C Misao said, her strength almost entirely gone, before she collapsed to the ground, completely exhausted. "I only knew he had a trump card. If he used it and didn¡¯t finish his target according to the rules of this world, he¡¯d die from using it." ¨C Misao thought to herself, a feeling of regret rising in her chest. "I was so foolish to think I had finished him off." "I won¡¯t be so careless again." ¨C Misao silently vowed, knowing she hadn¡¯t yet paid the price for her own overconfidence. ..... ¡°JONAS, JONAS, JONAS!¡± The voice echoed like a wave, pulling him from the depths of darkness. Jonas slowly opened his eyes, and the soft light of a new day illuminated his face. The familiar scene unfolded before him: the small wooden house where he had lived for so many years, with its gently aged thatched roof, the scent of raw wood filling the air. This was the place where Jonas had been reborn, where he had found a new family, so different from the life he had known before. ¡°So this is what they call a memory?¡± ¨C He thought to himself, a faint smile briefly crossing his exhausted face. He slowly sat up, his vision blurry as he saw his parents, the ones who had sheltered and loved him unconditionally for all these years. His father entered the room with the same gentle smile as always, and as soon as he saw Jonas awake, he spoke: ¡°Get up and come have breakfast.¡± That voice, soft and full of love, etched itself deeply into his heart, making it impossible for him to forget this feeling of peace, even as everything else around him seemed to fall apart. Jonas smiled weakly, then slowly rose from the bed. The weariness still lingered in his body, but as he saw his mother, busy with breakfast in the kitchen, the fatigue seemed to fade a little. Her long hair was still glossy, and the lines around her eyes spoke of the years she had lived. This simple, ordinary scene¡ªone he never thought he¡¯d have after reincarnating¡ªhad become a part of his life, even though it was never truly complete. ¡°Good morning, Mom¡­¡± ¨C Jonas whispered, then sat down at the dining table. The simple breakfast, just bread and eggs, seemed perfect in that moment. The smell of freshly baked bread and the scent of coffee lingering in the air made him feel like he was in the safest place, a place where nothing could harm him. His father sat down across from him. "Is something wrong, Jonas?" ¨C His father looked into his eyes, those eyes seemed to understand that he was going through a silent pain, but he didn''t speak it out. Only his hands, placed on the dining table, silently waited, giving him time. Jonas looked at his mother, who was smiling gently, her hands preparing the meal. Memories of family, of love, flooded his heart, bringing a deep pain, but also a sense of gratitude. He had once had everything ¨C a family, a peaceful life. But he had never truly considered this life as his own. "Mom, Dad... I will always remember you." ¨C Jonas thought, as his eyes gradually blurred, drowning in deep regret and love. These images would never be erased, even if he were to leave. This family, this love, would always remain in his heart, even when he was gone. For a brief moment, he thought, "Maybe after 28 years here, I truly belong in this place." And then, "Lukas, Lukas..." The voice echoed in the warm space, like a beloved call from a past time Jonas hadn''t heard in so long. Lukas¡­ That name felt like a part of his life, a part that had been lost in another world. A strange feeling surged in his chest as his eyes opened again, and once more, he found himself there, in a world he once lived in. Jonas opened his eyes once more, the Christmas scene unfolding before him, and the girl beside him, Sophie ¨C the one he had considered his whole life. It was Christmas in Germany, where snow gently fell across the streets, and the sparkling lights of the old houses blended with the warm atmosphere of the holiday season. He stood there, beside Sophie, the girl he loved more than anything. Sophie smiled, her eyes shimmering under the night lights. Lukas felt his heart beat faster, loving her more than ever. "Do you think this Christmas will be the best one?" ¨C Sophie asked, her voice soft and gentle. She looked up at Lukas, her gaze filled with love and trust. "Yes... this Christmas is the best, and the ones to come will be too. Because I''ll always have you by my side, Sophie." ¨C Lukas smiled, feeling that everything was perfect. No matter how many challenges the world threw at him, he didn''t feel scared as long as she was beside him. But in that moment, amidst the snow-covered streets, Lukas felt an unsettling fear. He had everything, but there was a strange sensation, as if everything could disappear at any moment. "I love you, Sophie... I will dedicate my whole life to you." ¨C Lukas whispered, squeezing her hand tightly. But at that very moment, a cold gust of wind blew through. Sophie didn''t respond immediately, only smiling and lowering her head, walking beside him, her eyes gazing up at the snowy sky, as though she understood everything. They walked on, not saying another word, but in those unsaid words lay a feeling of a future so near, so beautiful, yet impossible to predict. "Lukas, we will have a small family, you and me, children, a house with a garden full of flowers. What do you think?" ¨C Sophie said as they passed Christmas stalls, the jingle of bells and the laughter of people around them blending into the atmosphere. "You make me believe we can have it all... We will have everything together." ¨C Lukas smiled, but in that moment, an inexplicable sadness welled up inside him. "Sophie..." ¨C Lukas whispered, her name was the only thing left in him, even though he knew he couldn¡¯t stop thinking about what had been lost. Sophie stopped, turned back to look at him, and her smile sparkled again under the lights and the snow. "You will always be the one I love the most, Lukas. I will always be with you." She said, and then they continued walking, as if time would never stop. Jonas no longer felt the pain, he had returned to Lukas''s memories, where Sophie was, where love was, where he felt that even if this life lost everything, at least he had lived a life full of meaning. "Sophie, you''ll always be in my heart, even if this life ends..." ¨C Jonas thought as his eyes closed once more, and the feeling of peace from those memories slowly enveloped his soul, like a farewell full of regret and love. ..... Jonas lay still, breathless, abandoned amidst the wreckage after his battle with Misao. And in the end, Misao was the one who stood as the victor.