《The Sovereign's Retribution》 Chapter 1: The Sovereigns Awakening Chapter 1: The Sovereign''s Awakening Yuki Tanaka opened his eyes. At first, he thought he was still dreaming. The bright colors around him felt strange. He blinked a few times. Where am I? He stood up slowly. The ground was soft and warm under his feet. Weird trees stretched high into the sky, their leaves shimmering with light. Birds chirped happily, and he could smell fresh flowers nearby. This was nothing like his old world. Yuki remembered everything. "The betrayal." His so-called friends had left him behind to die during their last quest. They wanted all the treasure for themselves. He felt his heart ache with anger. He had trusted them. How could they do this to him? Suddenly, a glowing screen appeared in front of him. It looked like a game interface, full of bright symbols and strange words. *Welcome to the Realm of Althoria!* *You have awakened your System.* *Your journey begins now.* ¡°What is this?¡± Yuki whispered to himself. He reached out and touched the screen. The symbols shifted, and new information filled his mind. "SYSTEM FUNCTIONS:" 1. *Status* 2. *Skills* Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. 3. *Quests* 4. *Inventory* Yuki¡¯s heart raced. This was just like the games he loved to play! But this was real. He could feel the energy flowing inside him, ready to be used. He opened the *Status* menu. His current level was *1*. He had *100 HP* (Health Points) and some stats next to it¡ª*Strength, Agility, and Intelligence.* He was weak, but he could get stronger. ¡°I need to figure this out,¡± he said to himself, determination burning in his eyes. He had a mission now: find out how to use this system and become powerful. Yuki looked around. There had to be monsters or challenges here. He wanted to test his strength. After a few minutes of walking, he found a small clearing with a brook bubbling gently. Suddenly, a noise broke the peace. A creature burst through the bushes. It was a small wolf, its fur dark and scruffy. It looked hungry and angry. Yuki¡¯s heart sped up. This was his chance to fight! ¡°Come on!¡± he shouted, feeling adrenaline rush through him. He took a fighting stance, ready to dodge and strike. The wolf charged at him, teeth bared. Yuki focused on the creature, remembering the training he had from his old world. He sidestepped and kicked the wolf away. It yelped in surprise before turning back to him. He winced but pushed through the pain. Then, he felt a warm light surround him. A new skill appeared on his screen. *Skill Unlocked: Basic Combat Techniques* *Using this skill will improve your fighting abilities.* ¡°Awesome!¡± Yuki exclaimed. With renewed energy, he rushed at the wolf. This time he punched, and the creature staggered. With a quick follow-up, he delivered a powerful kick, sending the wolf tumbling back. After a few more strikes, the wolf fell to the ground, defeated. Yuki stood over it, breathing heavily. He had won. *Congratulations! You have defeated a Beast!* *You gain 50 XP (Experience Points).* *You are now Level 2!* Yuki couldn¡¯t believe it. He felt stronger already, a rush of excitement coursing through him. ¡°I can do this!¡± he cheered, raising his fist in victory. The anger from his past surrounded him. Here in Althoria, Yuki would grow stronger. He would find the ones who betrayed him and take back what was lost. With a determined heart, he began to walk deeper into the forest. This was the start of his journey of revenge Chapter 2: Beast Tamer? Chapter 2: Beast Tamer? Yuki moved through the forest, driven by both excitement and anger. The realm of Althoria was vast, and he could sense the power flowing within it. He had to learn everything he could to survive. As he walked, he glanced at the status screen floating before him. His new level was *2*, and he had gained some skill points. He quickly decided to access the *Skills* menu to see what he could choose. *Skills Available:* 1. Basic Combat Techniques (Level 1) 2. Agility Boost (Unlock for 5 points) 3. Strength Enhancement (Unlock for 5 points) 4. Healing Light (Unlock for 10 points) Yuki remembered how hard the wolf had hit him. His body still ached from the fight. Healing Light seemed valuable, but he wanted to be stronger first. Everyone in his old party used to say that strength was the best way to survive. He allocated *5 points* to *Strength Enhancement*. *Skill Upgraded: Strength Enhancement Level 1 Unlocked!* *+2 Strength points added to your status.* Feeling a surge of energy, Yuki smiled. He could feel himself getting stronger already. Now, he wanted to find more creatures to fight and level up, but he also remembered the importance of caution. He had to be smart. As he walked deeper into the forest, he heard sounds of rustling leaves. His instincts kicked in. He approached quietly, watching for any movement. Suddenly, a group of rabbits hopped by. They were cute but not what he wanted to fight. Instead, he kept moving, ready to find something challenging. Minutes later, he stumbled upon a small clearing bathed in sunlight. In the center lay a crystal-clear pond reflecting the sky. ¡°Looks peaceful enough,¡± he said quietly. Just as he relaxed, a loud roar echoed nearby. Yuki¡¯s heart raced. It was a beast, much bigger than the wolf he had fought. He cautiously approached, ducking behind some bushes. Peeking through, he saw a massive bear with black fur. It was digging through the dirt, looking for something to eat. Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. ¡°Okay, that¡¯s a little too big...¡± Yuki whispered. But then he remembered why he was here. He needed to grow stronger. If he could defeat this bear, he would gain a lot of experience. Taking a deep breath, Yuki decided to observe the bear for a moment. It was busy, scratching at the ground. He noticed that it was focused on its task, giving him a chance to prepare. Yuki opened his status screen again. This time, he chose to equip a small dagger from the *Inventory* menu he had received earlier. It was a basic weapon, but he felt it would help him in this fight. Feeling ready, he silently crept around the bear, making sure not to make any noise. When he was in position, he waited for the right moment. The bear stood up briefly, sniffing the air. Yuki felt his heart race. Now! He dashed forward, aiming for the bear¡¯s side. With all his strength, he lunged, slashing the dagger across its fur. The bear growled angrily, turning to face him, eyes fierce and full of rage. Yuki backed up quickly, barely avoiding a swipe from its massive paw. He knew he had to be quick. The bear was much faster than he expected. ¡°Come on, you can do this!¡± Yuki yelled to himself. He had to keep moving. As the bear charged, he sidestepped and struck again, landing another hit with the dagger. This time, he felt more confident. The bear roared again, and Yuki could see it was getting angry. *HP Decreased: 80 ¡ú 70* *You have dealt damage to the Wild Bear!* He was on the right track. Swinging his dagger, he focused on dodging the bear''s attacks while looking for openings to strike. Each time he avoided a hit, he felt more alive. With each attack, he got a little better. He noticed the bear was starting to slow down. Was it getting tired? Yuki summoned all his strength and planned to end it. He dashed in one last time, dodging under its huge paw as it swiped at him. He leaped up, aiming for its shoulder. With a swift and powerful strike, his dagger found its mark. *Critical Hit!* *Wild Bear HP: 50 ¡ú 20* The bear roared in pain, turning to face him again, but Yuki was ready. He dodged to the side and struck again, using all the speed and strength he had gained. Finally, after a fierce struggle, the bear collapsed to the ground. Yuki stood over it, breathing heavily. *Congratulations! You have defeated a Wild Bear!* *You gain 200 XP.* *You are now Level 3!* *You have gained 1 Skill Point.* Yuki Smiled. He had done it! The defeat of the bear brought him another step closer to his goals. He felt a rush of excitement. He took a moment to catch his breath before opening the skills menu again. Now he had a choice. *Skills Available:* 1. Basic Combat Techniques (Level 1) 2. Agility Boost (Unlock for 5 points) 3. Healing Light (Unlock for 10 points) 4. New Skill: Bear Tamer (Unlock for 10 points) ¡°Bear Tamer? That sounds cool,¡± Yuki said. But he remembered how hard the bear had hit him. He wondered if he should wait for now. Yuki thought about his next move. He would keep training, defeat more powerful beasts. The path ahead was filled with challenges, but he was ready to face them all. With a new skill point to think about, he decided to keep moving, knowing that each fight brought him closer to revenge and power. Chapter 2.5: A Friend in the Forest Chapter 2.5: A Friend in the Forest After defeating the wild bear, Yuki felt a mix of exhilaration and fatigue wash over him. He took a moment to gather himself, wiping sweat from his brow. He knew he couldn''t linger too long. The forest was full of dangers, and he needed to stay focused. As Yuki moved away from the bear''s fallen body, he couldn''t shake the feeling that he was being watched. The trees around him rustled gently in the breeze, but there was something different about this movement. Cautiously, he glanced around, scanning for any signs of danger. Just then, a flash of movement caught his eye. From behind a nearby tree, a small figure emerged. Yuki''s heart raced again as he prepared for another encounter, recalling the ferocity of the bear. But as the figure stepped into view, he was taken aback. It was a small girl, perhaps no older than ten, with bright green hair and golden eyes. She wore a simple tunic made of leaves and looked like she belonged to the forest itself. A small, fox-like creature with fluffy tails closely followed her, its eyes trained on Yuki with curiosity. "Who are you?" the girl asked, her voice soft. "You hurt the bear." "I¡ªuh, I was just defending myself," Yuki stammered, unsure how to explain his actions. The girl tilted her head, her expression neither angry nor sad. "He was protecting his territory. But you are strong. I can see that." Yuki felt a mix of pride and guilt. He had come to this world to become powerful and seek revenge, but he didn''t want to be seen as a heartless monster. "I didn''t mean to hurt him. I need to get stronger, but I want to protect the forest too." The girl smiled brightly, and Yuki felt warmth spread through him. "You are a good person, then. My name is Liora. I take care of this part of the forest. And this is Nix," she said, nodding at the fox-like creature, who wagged its tails playfully. Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author. "Nice to meet you, Liora and Nix," Yuki replied, feeling relieved. "I''m Yuki. I just arrived in Althoria." "Althoria?" Liora''s eyes sparkled with interest. "You must be very brave! Not many outsiders make it here." "Brave or foolish," Yuki joked, trying to lighten the mood. "I''m here to get stronger, but I don''t want to hurt anyone who doesn''t deserve it." "Good. The forest needs more good people," Liora said, her expression serious. "There are many dangers here, and not all creatures are kind." Yuki nodded, understanding. He had already faced a bear, but he sensed there was more to this place. "Would you help me understand the forest? Maybe show me how to protect it as well as myself?" Liora looked thoughtful for a moment before smiling again. "Yes! I can show you many things. You can learn from me, and I can learn from you too." "Learn from me? What do you mean?" Yuki asked, curious. "You fought well against the bear," she replied, her eyes gleaming. "And you have the magic of the System. Show me." Yuki hesitated but then recalled the interface that had guided him so far. "I could teach you some fighting techniques, but I can also share information about leveling up and skills." "Skills?" Liora echoed, her face lighting up. "I want to learn! Can you teach me how to be strong like you?" Yuki couldn''t help but smile. This was an unexpected turn of events. "Sure! Training together could be beneficial for both of us." "Follow me!" Liora said, leading him deeper into the forest. Nix trotted alongside them, weaving in and out of the trees. As they walked, Yuki listened to Liora talk about the forest, the creatures that lived there, and the balance of nature that was so important to her. They stopped at a small clearing filled with colorful flowers and sparkling butterflies. Liora knelt down, showing Yuki how to interact with the plants. "These flowers have healing properties. If you mix their juices, you can heal wounds." She picked a few petals and handed them to Yuki, who stored them in his inventory. "Wow, I didn''t know plants could do that," he said, feeling grateful. Liora grinned. "There are many secrets in this forest. I want you to help me protect them. In return, I will teach you to be a better fighter." As they practiced together, Yuki trained Liora in basic combat techniques, while she shared her knowledge of the forest''s magic. He watched as she learned to move gracefully, dodging and striking with newfound confidence. As the sun began to set, Yuki realized he had found something important in Althoria¡ªa friend. He smiled at Liora, feeling inspired. "Thank you for helping me today," Yuki said sincerely. "I couldn''t have done this without you." Liora beamed back at him. "Thank you for being my friend, Yuki Chapter 3: Cruel World Chapter 3: Cruel World The forest was quieter now, the gentle rustling of leaves replaced by the eerie stillness that often accompanied dusk. Yuki and Liora had spent the entire day in the clearing, training and sharing knowledge. He felt stronger, more confident, and grateful for her companionship. As they prepared to head back to Liora''s home, the atmosphere shifted. A weight settled in the air, and Yuki glanced around, feeling a sense of foreboding creeping over him. "Is something wrong?" Liora asked, noticing his unease. "I don''t know... I just feel like we''re being watched," Yuki admitted. Her expression turned serious. "The forest can be unpredictable. There are creatures that lurk in the shadows, and not all of them are friendly." Suddenly, a horrific screech echoed through the trees, chilling Yuki to the bone. The sound reverberated through the clearing, making the hair on the back of his neck stand up. "What was that?" he asked, gripping his dagger tighter. "It''s the call of a Shadow Lurker," Liora replied, a flicker of fear in her eyes. "They are drawn to fear and chaos." Yuki''s heart raced. He had heard stories about these creatures before, beings that existed in the dark corners of the world¡ªpredators that hunted anything they could find. "We need to leave. Now!" But before they could move, a massive creature burst into the clearing, its form almost blending with the darkness around it. It was hulking and covered in shadowy fur, with glowing red eyes that pierced through the gloom. "Stay behind me!" Yuki shouted, positioning himself in front of Liora as the beast advanced, snarling menacingly. The Shadow Lurker lunged, and Yuki barely managed to evade its claws, instinct kicking in as he rolled to the side. He struck back with his dagger, finding purchase on the creature''s side. *You dealt 10 damage to the Shadow Lurker!* *Shadow Lurker HP: 100 ¡ú 90* The creature howled in pain, but it was not deterred. It turned its attention to Yuki, swiping furiously with its massive claws. Yuki dodged again, calling upon every ounce of his training. "Liora! The plants! Use your healing magic!" he yelled, hoping she would remember the skills he had taught her. But as he turned to look, he saw terror etched on Liora''s face. She was frozen, watching as the Shadow Lurker lunged towards him again. "Liora!" he shouted, his voice echoing in the clearing. In that moment of distraction, the beast''s claws sliced through the air, catching Yuki across the shoulder. Pain exploded in his body, but he gritted his teeth, forcing himself to focus. *HP Decreased: 100 ¡ú 80* Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. "Yuki!" Liora finally snapped out of her trance and summoned her magic. A glow enveloped her hands as she prepared to cast a spell. But the Shadow Lurker was quicker. With a swift movement, it turned its attention to her, lunging forward with a deadly speed born of pure rage. "No!" Yuki screamed, launching himself forward to intercept. He felt like he was moving in slow motion¡ªbut it was too late. The beast''s massive paw struck Liora with brutal force, sending her flying back against a tree. She crumpled to the ground, the light in her eyes flickering as she gasped for breath. "Liora!" Yuki''s voice broke, panic rising within him as he rushed to her side. He could see the bruises forming on her skin, the sharp cuts from the impact. "Yuki... run," she managed to gasp, her voice barely above a whisper. "Please... save yourself..." "No! I won''t leave you!" His heart raced, panic threatening to consume him. "Liora, please!" But even as he held her, he knew the truth. The heavy darkness was closing in around them, and the beast was still advancing, hungry and relentless. With desperation fueling his actions, he quickly glanced at the plants nearby. "I can use the healing flowers!" he said, grabbing the petals Liora had shown him earlier and crushing them in his hands. "Yuki, no..." she breathed, struggling against the pain. "Don''t waste your strength on me. I''m... too far gone." Before he could retort, the Shadow Lurker let out a deafening roar, its eyes fixated on them. Yuki''s heart raced as he realized he had to make a choice. Liora was strong¡ªshe had taught him so much¡ªbut if he didn''t act fast, they both could end up dead. In a moment of sheer desperation, Yuki took a deep breath, summoned every ounce of strength he had left, and turned to face the beast, dagger raised high. "Get up, Liora! I need you!" he shouted, injecting as much conviction into his voice as he could muster. But she lay still, her golden eyes dimming. "Yuki... you''re strong... you can do this. Fight..." The beast charged, and Yuki barely had time to react. With all his strength, he launched himself at the Shadow Beast, his blade glowing faintly as if responding to his determination. *You dealt 15 damage to the Shadow Lurker!* *Shadow Lurker HP: 75 ¡ú 60* But it was still standing, roaring in anger, the darkness around it swirling in a violent storm. In that moment, Yuki felt a surge of adrenaline. He couldn''t rely on Liora anymore; he needed to end this fight now. As the beast lunged again, he slipped to the side and, with a swift motion, aimed for its exposed flank. *Critical Hit!* *You dealt 30 damage to the Shadow Lurker!* *Shadow Lurker HP: 60 ¡ú 30* The creature staggered, snarling in pain, but it wasn''t enough to stop its assault. With desperation coursing through him, Yuki struck once more, his dagger finding its mark deep in the creature''s side. *Final Blow!* *You dealt 35 damage to the Shadow Lurker!* *Shadow Lurker HP: 30 ¡ú 0* With a final, anguished roar, the Shadow Beast collapsed into a pile of shadow and dust, its essence dissipating into the night. Yuki fell to his knees, breathing heavily, the adrenaline leaving his body in waves. It was over. He had won¡ªbut at what cost? Turning back to Liora, he felt his heart sink. She lay still, her eyes closing as if she were drifting into sleep. "NO... NO, NO, NO!" he screamed, rushing to her. He could feel tears pricking at his eyes as he held her small frame in his arms. "Liora, please!" Her breath was shallow, and he realized in horror that he was too late. "Yuki," she whispered, her voice faint. "It''s okay... you have to go on... protect the forest..." "No! I won''t leave you! We can fight together! I can save you!" he said, but deep down, he knew it was futile. "I believe in you," she said, her voice breaking. "Be strong... for both of us..." With one final, shuddering breath, Liora''s eyes fluttered closed, and the light faded from her face. In that moment, Yuki felt a piece of his heart shatter. The weight of his failure crashed over him like a tidal wave, and he couldn''t contain the anguish as he cried out into the night. "Why?, WHY MUST THIS WORLD PUNISH ME?" he yelled ,The forest stood silent around him, the only witness to a brutal lesson. Strength meant nothing without the ones you cared about, and sometimes, the darkness could not be fought. With grief heavy in his chest and rage burning in his veins, Yuki knew he would not let Liora''s death be in vain. He would honor her memory by becoming stronger, by learning from this painful loss. He would become the protector she believed he could be. Darkness awaited him with the strength of a warrior forged in tragedy. Chapter 4: The Path of Strength Chapter 4: The Path of Strength The pain of loss hung over Yuki like a heavy shroud as he knelt in the clearing where Liora had breathed her last. Time seemed to stand still around him. The vibrant colors of the forest dulled in his eyes, replaced by a monochrome landscape of grief and anger. For a moment, all he could hear was the echo of his own heartbeat, drowning out the sounds of the forest. But as the realization of his surroundings began to creep back in. He gritted his teeth, wiping the tears from his face, and slowly stood up. Liora''s words echoed in his mind: "Be strong... for both of us." He had promised her. He wouldn¡¯t let her memory fade into nothingness. If he was to honor her, he would become stronger¡ªstronger than ever before. With brutal clarity, Yuki understood he couldn''t stay in the clearing any longer. The forest was teeming with beasts and dangers lurked around every corner. He needed to level up, to gain skills and power enough to ensure that he would never again feel so helpless. Yuki pressed forward, determined to confront every creature in the forest. Every monster would bring him closer to his goals, closer to avenging Liora¡¯s death. *Time Skip: Several Days Later* Yuki had transformed into a relentless fighter. The once timid boy who had hesitated to engage with any hostile creature had become a fierce warrior. He roamed the forests daily, utilizing his growing skills and knowledge against monsters of all shapes and sizes. His first few encounters had been grueling, testing the very limits of his endurance. He had fought off aggressive Goblins that attacked in packs, relying on his newfound agility to dodge their crude weapons. He learned quickly how to exploit their weaknesses, using guerrilla tactics to defeat them. *You defeated a Goblin!* *Gained 30 XP. Current Level: 2* He felt stronger, but it was never enough. Yuki ventured deeper into the forest, seeking out tougher opponents. He faced off against vicious wolves that hunted in packs and even underestimated an enormous wild boar that charged him without warning. Each encounter hardened him, sharpening his instincts and refining his combat skills. *You defeated a Wild Boar!* *Gained 50 XP. Current Level: 3* After days of relentless training, Yuki''s skills began to expand. He unlocked new abilities through his battles and the system he had begun to familiarize himself with. He could now focus his energy to increase his speed for a short duration, dodge attacks more effectively, and strike with precision that could land critical hits. The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation. But even as his strength grew, he also faced many true horrors of the forest. Strange creatures began to emerge as he pushed further; like the haunting Chimeras that roamed the shadowy underbrush, combining the forms of various predators into one terrifying beast. One evening, under a sky tinged with the light of sunset, Yuki found himself surrounded by a pack of these fearless Chimeras. Each one was an amalgamation of animal traits¡ªscaly skin, razor-sharp claws, and the eyes of different beasts glinting with predatory hunger. His heart pounded as he faced them, adrenaline surging through him. The creatures circled him, snapping their jaws and growling ominously. ¡°Let¡¯s see what I¡¯ve learned¡­¡± Yuki muttered. He gripped his dagger tightly, focusing on the energy he had built through pain and loss. As the first Chimera lunged, Yuki sidestepped and struck, feeling exhilarated when his blade bit into its flesh. *You dealt 20 damage to the Chimera!* *Chimera HP: 80 ¡ú 60* The beast howled in rage, backing away as Yuki prepared to counteract the other two. His thoughts were clear, his movements fluid¡ªevery ounce of training paying off. He dodged a claw swipe and retaliated, using his speed skill to increase his agility. *You dealt 25 damage to the Chimera!* *Chimera HP: 60 ¡ú 35* The fight raged on, each moment an exhilarating dance of life and death. He felt alive, truly alive for the first time. Each beast he faced strengthened his resolve and honed his abilities. As he fought with ferocity, Yuki noticed that the Chimera was beginning to falter, its movements slowing. Feeling emboldened, he pressed his advantage, diving between its swiping claws and delivering precise, deadly blows. Then, with one final strike, he pierced the heart of the beast, ending its screeching roar and sending it tumbling to the ground. *You defeated a Chimera!* *Gained 100 XP. Current Level: 4* *You have unlocked a new skill: ¡°Brutal Strike¡± - A powerful attack that deals double damage but requires a cooldown.* Breathless and exhilarated, Yuki stood among the fallen beast, adrenaline rushing through his veins. As dusk settled around him, he couldn''t help but feel a sense of accomplishment¡ªsomething had changed within him. He was evolving, not only in strength but in mindset. He took a moment to gather himself, absorbing the victory. But even as he relished it, a pang of grief struck him. ¡°This strength is for you, Liora,¡± he whispered to the breeze. His journey was far from over. Yuki knew that he had battles yet to fight and many challenges ahead. But he was ready to face them all. With a clear purpose and heart ablaze, he pressed on deeper into the forest, determined to ensure that no sacrifice would ever be in vain again. As he ventured into the unknown, he encountered more monsters¡ªElementals of fire, serpentine Wyverns, and even a massive, menacing Troll that guarded the entrance to a hidden cave. Each fight tested his limits, pushing him to the brink, but he fought through the pain and fatigue, his resolve unwavering. *You defeated a Forest Troll!* *Gained 250 XP. Current Level: 5* *Skill Points Gained: 3* As he rested at the end of another exhausting day, Yuki reflected on how far he had come. His skills were growing, and he had become a force to be reckoned with in this treacherous world. But now he understood that being truly strong was about protection¡ªdefending those who could not defend themselves. Looking up into the stars above him, he whispered, ¡°I will protect this forest, and I will find a way to rid it of darkness.¡± He clenched his fist. With each monster he defeated, he solidified his promise. The path ahead was harsh, but it was one he would walk with purpose, fueled by the strength of his memories and the desire to protect not just himself but the world around him.