《The Journey of The Other World》 Prologue ¡°Hey, listen to me. I have to ask you something,¡± Aeron whispered, his voice barely above a whisper as he stepped closer to the shadowy figure of the young assassin. The air grew thick with fog, swallowing the world in an eerie, ghostly embrace. ¡°Who are you? Why do you always appear in my dreams?¡± Aeron asked, his voice tense with urgency. Suddenly, the scene around him shifted. The fog vanished, replaced by a suffocating darkness. The world became pitch black. Then, a voice¡ªweak, trembling¡ªcut through the silence. ¡°Help me, Aeron¡­¡± Aeron¡¯s breath caught in his throat as he saw a bloodied figure before him¡ªhis father, wounded and pleading for help. A cold shiver ran down his spine. His body trembled as fear gripped him. And then¡ª The sharp, jarring sound of his alarm shattered the vision, yanking him back to reality. He jolted awake, gasping for breath, his heart pounding in his chest. He stared at the ceiling, exhausted, his body drenched in sweat, his heart pounding. ¡°Who is that person? Why do I see him in my dreams every night? What does Dad have to do with this? Why was he asking for my help? Why was he injured? And why does he always appear after that mysterious assassin? What is the connection between them?¡± If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Aeron¡¯s mind raced with a hundred unanswered questions. It had been more than three years since the portal to the new world opened, and, coincidentally, he had been seeing these strange dreams ever since¡ªvisions of his father and that enigmatic assassin. Just as he was lost in thought, his phone buzzed. A message flashed on the screen: "You have been accepted into The Aether Strike Corps." Aeron took a deep breath. ¡°Three years ago, a portal to an another world appeared on Earth. It¡¯s nothing like our own¡ªit¡¯s a place filled with monsters, demons, sorcery, ancient weapons, dragons, mythical beasts, and powerful kingdoms. The geography is diverse, like something out of a fantasy tale. So we call it the Other World. People from that world came seeking our help to fight against the Demon King that is trying to take over the world, killing innocent lives, bringing chaos. At first, every military organization refused, fearing how dangerous a Demon King could be. But some private companies saw this as an opportunity. In exchange for the rare goods of that world, they offered aid. They offered protection from the demon king¡¯s Army not defeating him. Better than nothing, the dwellers of the Other World accepted the offer." His heart raced as memories washed over him. ¡°I lost my mother when I was little, and my father vanished shortly after. I grew up alone, always wondering where he could be. Ever since the portal appeared, that strange man has haunted my dreams, and my dad... he asked me for help. Maybe if I go to the Other World and find this man, I can uncover the truth¡ªand find my father. That¡¯s why I joined Aether Strike Corp¡ªa private organization renowned for its success in that realm.¡± Aeron entered the ASC Earth headquarters, glancing around. A young female scientist appeared in front of him, smiling. ¡°Are you ready to go to the Other World?¡± Aeron took a deep breath, noticing the other new recruits¡ªsome were excited, while others looked nervous. ¡°Yes, Miss Daisy. I¡¯m ready,¡± he said. ¡°My name is Aeron Carter. Unlike most others, I was born with a special ability¡ªthe power to slow down time for all living beings around me for a brief moment. This power gave scars, but I will use this power to reach my goal. ¡± ¡°Today, I¡¯m joining ASC in hopes of finding answers. This is the beginning of my adventure in the Other World.¡± Chapter 1: Lost in the fog ¡°On your feet, maggots!¡± Commander Luth¡¯s voice boomed across the training grounds, sharp and commanding, causing several cadets to flinch. ¡°From today, all twenty of you are cadets of the 4th Batch. Get to know each other. In a short while, we¡¯ll head out for your first training mission¡± Aeron felt a surge of nerves as the commander¡¯s words echoed in his mind. He glanced around at the others, most of them standing awkwardly, unsure of what to do. The crisp air of the Other World felt different¡ªheavier, like it carried the weight of a thousand unseen eyes watching them. He took a deep breath and turned toward the nearest cadet, determined to shake off his anxiety. ¡°Hey there, I¡¯m Aeron,¡± he said, offering a smile that he hoped came off as confident rather than forced. ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± The guy turned to face Aeron, his sharp, angular features set in a serious expression. He was head taller than Aeron¡ªwith a strong, muscular build that hinted at a life of discipline and physical training. His dark brown hair was cut short, almost military-style, and his piercing green eyes glinted with intensity as he sized Aeron up. There was something about him that commanded respect, as if he were no stranger to combat. ¡°Ruth,¡± he replied in a low, gruff voice, nodding once. ¡°Nice to meet you.¡± Aeron gave a small nod in return, slightly thrown off by Ruth¡¯s intensity but not wanting to show it. ¡°So, what do you think of this place?¡± Aeron asked, trying to make conversation. Ruth glanced around the barren training grounds, then at the dense forest beyond. ¡°It¡¯s... different. I was a soldier back on Earth, but this world? Feels... off,¡± he said, his voice thoughtful. ¡°Like something¡¯s always lurking. Can¡¯t quite explain it.¡± Aeron nodded, understanding. He felt it too¡ªthat unsettling energy. ¡°Yeah, I know what you mean. Nothing feels right here. Like we¡¯re constantly being watched.¡± Before Ruth could reply, a cheerful voice interrupted them. ¡°I¡¯m Emma!¡± a girl said brightly, bouncing up beside them with a wide grin. She has long blonde hair and yellow eyes. Her energy was almost jarring compared to the tension that hung in the air. ¡°I guess we¡¯re in the same squad, huh?¡± Aeron smiled at her enthusiasm. ¡°Looks like it,¡± he said. ¡°Wow, this place is wild, isn¡¯t it?¡± Emma said, looking around with wide eyes, as if she were on an adventure rather than a dangerous mission. ¡°I mean, look at that forest! I¡¯ve never seen trees like that. I wonder what kind of creatures are out there!¡± ¡°Probably ones that want to kill us,¡± Ruth muttered, crossing his arms. Emma¡¯s smile faltered slightly, but she quickly recovered. ¡°Yeah, well, we¡¯ve got guns, right? I¡¯m sure we¡¯ll be fine!¡± She gave Aeron a playful nudge. He couldn¡¯t help but chuckle at her optimism. ¡°I hope you¡¯re right,¡± Aeron said, but deep down, he wasn¡¯t so sure. ¡°Everyone, stand at attention!¡± Lieutenant Zei¡¯s sharp voice sliced through the air, silencing the chatter. The group immediately stiffened, falling into formation as they faced the lieutenant. His eyes swept over them with a cold, calculating gaze, as if assessing their worth. ¡°We¡¯re heading out on patrol into the forest,¡± Zei continued, his tone authoritative. ¡°You¡¯re not here to sightsee or make friends. This is the Other World, and if you don¡¯t pay attention, you won¡¯t survive. Stick together, keep your heads down, and learn everything you can. We won¡¯t hold your hands out there.¡± Aeron felt a shiver run down his spine at the lieutenant¡¯s words. He stole a glance at Emma, whose earlier enthusiasm had dimmed slightly. Her lips pressed into a thin line, but she quickly gave him a small, reassuring nod, like she was determined not to let fear get the better of her. As they began marching, Aeron felt the weight of his gun on his shoulder, an unfamiliar weight that reminded him just how unprepared he was. The forest loomed ahead, dark and mysterious, its towering trees casting long shadows on the ground. Each step felt like they were walking into the unknown. Seeing Aeron like that, Emma shot him a quick smile. ¡°Come on, where¡¯s the excitement? This is what we signed up for, right?¡± Her voice was light, but there was a slight tremor underneath that betrayed her nerves. ¡°Yeah, I guess,¡± Aeron muttered, trying to focus on the path ahead. The forest was getting thicker, the air cooler. The ground beneath their feet turned uneven, covered in fallen leaves and moss that made every step uncertain. As they trudged deeper into the forest, the eerie stillness was broken only by the sound of their footsteps and the occasional rustling of leaves in the distance. Aeron could feel the eyes on them again, that same unsettling sensation he¡¯d felt since stepping into this world. ¡°Do you think the stories are true?¡± Emma suddenly whispered, breaking the silence. ¡°About the creatures here? The ones that no one has ever survived meeting?¡± Aeron exchanged a glance with Ruth, who looked unfazed. ¡°Does it matter?¡± Ruth said flatly. ¡°Whether they¡¯re true or not, it doesn¡¯t matter.¡± "That was cold," Emma said, glancing away with a slight frown. Aeron smiled at the exchange but felt the tension between them. Emma¡¯s optimism was refreshing, but there was a harsh reality lurking beneath the surface that none of them could ignore. They weren¡¯t here to sightsee¡ªthey were here to survive. ¡°Just stick close,¡± Aeron said quietly. ¡°We¡¯ve got each other¡¯s backs.¡± Emma nodded, her smile returning, though this time it was softer, more genuine. ¡°Yeah, we do.¡± After an hour of walking, a squad member groaned, ¡°How long are we going to walk like this?¡± ¡°In our missions, we walk for days,¡± Lieutenant Zei snapped. ¡°Stop whining and keep moving.¡± ¡°It¡¯s getting dark. Are we staying out here on our first night?¡± Aeron asked, glancing around nervously. Aeron started sensing danger as he was already sensing someone keeping eyes on them, suddenly, a pack of mysterious wolves charged at them from the shadows. ¡°Everyone, pick up your guns!¡± Commander Luth ordered. ¡°These wolves are called Shadowfangs. They¡¯re fast¡ªkeep your distance and take them down!¡± ¡°Yes, sir!¡± the cadets shouted, scrambling for cover behind the trees. Everyone started fighting against the Shadowfangs. Someone fought of themselves while some tried to protect others. If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Aeron crouched behind a fallen log, his heart pounding in his chest. He aimed his rifle at one of the Shadowfangs as it closed in on Ruth. ¡°Get down!¡± Aeron shouted. He squeezed the trigger, the crack of the gunshot echoing through the night. The wolf dropped with a yelp, skidding to a halt just inches from Ruth¡¯s feet. "Nice shot!" Ruth called out, rolling to the side as another wolf leaped toward him. He fired, landing a clean shot between its glowing eyes. Emma, just a few feet away, was huddled behind a tree, reloading her gun with trembling hands. She glanced up in time to see a Shadowfang charging straight for her. Her breath caught in her throat, her body frozen for a moment. "Emma, move!" Aeron yelled, sprinting toward her. At that moment time started moving slow while Aeron was running at his normal speed. Aeron¡¯s ability to slow down time had activated without him realizing it. Just before the beast reached her, Aeron arrived just in time, moving Emma and unleashing a barrage of gunfire that sent the creature crashing to the ground. ¡°Thanks¡­but how did you moved so fast¡± Emma gasped, her face pale but her resolve steady. Suddenly, a thick fog rolled in, colder and darker. It swallowed the trees, the sky, and the entire squad. Visibility dropped to nothing, and the air felt heavy with something sinister. ¡°What the hell is this?!¡± Ruth shouted through the mist, his voice distant. Aeron waved his hand through the dense air, barely able to see his own fingers. ¡°I can¡¯t see you guys¡± the fog grew thicker swallowing everyone in its haze ¡°Where am I?¡± Aeron muttered as he woke up to find it was now night. He struggled to his feet, searching for clues. In the distance, he spotted Emma lying unconscious. He rushed over. ¡°Are you alright?¡± Aeron gently shook Emma until she began to stir. ¡°Where am I?¡± Emma murmured, slowly opening her eyes. Before Aeron could answer, he heard rustling in the bushes. ¡°Don¡¯t move. Stay right here,¡± he whispered to Emma. ¡°Where are you going?¡± Emma asked, worry in her voice. ¡°I heard something in that bush,¡± Aeron replied, gripping his gun tightly as he cautiously approached the bush. Suddenly, two Shadowfangs lunged at him. He quickly shot them down, but another one leaped from behind. ¡°Look out!¡± Emma screamed. A shot rang out from the other side. Aeron turned to see two cadets from their squad emerging from the trees. ¡°Are you okay?¡± one of them asked. ¡°Yeah, we¡¯re fine,¡± Aeron replied, relieved. ¡°Do you know what happened?¡± ¡°No clue,¡± one of the cadets said, shaking his head. ¡°After that fog rolled in we don¡¯t know what happened. We woke up and found ourselves in a bush over there.¡± ¡°Something¡¯s not right,¡± Aeron said, frowning. ¡°Firstly, that many Shadowfangs attacking us, and then this strange fog appears? Shadowfangs hate other creatures¡ªthey wouldn¡¯t normally work together like that. And there¡¯s no way they could summon a fog like this unless there is a beast tamer hiding here.¡± ¡°And why would the fog separate us?¡± Emma added, concerned. ¡°Exactly. There has to be another explanation,¡± Aeron said. ¡°We need to find the others and the commander.¡± A scream pierced the night from deeper within the forest. Without hesitation, Aeron and the others ran toward the sound. They arrived just in time to see a boy being attacked by Shadowfangs and a girl standing at a distance trembled in fear. ¡°Don¡¯t shoot, you might hit the boy. Both of you flank them from the sides! Emma, keep her safe!¡± Aeron commanded, pointing to the girl near the boy. ¡°Hey, Shadowfangs, you like blood, right?¡± Aeron taunted, cutting his hand with the edge of his gun. Blood dripped to the ground. ¡°Come and get it.¡± The Shadowfangs, drawn by the scent, left the boy and charged at Aeron. ¡°Now! Take them down!¡± Aeron shouted. The cadets opened fire, killing the wolves. ¡°You idiot! Why did you do that?¡± Emma scolded Aeron, rushing over to bandage his hand. ¡°It was the only way to distract them,¡± Aeron said with a grin. ¡°Idiot,¡± Emma muttered, but there was relief in her voice. ¡°Is he okay?¡± Aeron asked the cadets, nodding toward the injured boy. ¡°He¡¯s alive, but he needs medical attention soon,¡± one of the cadets replied. ¡°We¡¯ve stopped the bleeding for now, but he won¡¯t last long without proper care.¡± ¡°Thank you for saving us,¡± the girl said softly, still shaken. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. It¡¯s our duty to protect each other¡ªwe¡¯re a team now,¡± Emma reassured her. ¡°We need to find the rest of the squad,¡± Aeron said, determination in his voice. ¡°Which direction is the way out?¡± Emma asked, her voice tinged with concern as she scanned the dense forest around them. ¡°We¡¯re in the middle of an unknown forest, filled with Shadowfangs,¡± Aeron replied, his tone serious. ¡°Teleporting all twenty-two of us to a further distance isn¡¯t something a beast tamer could do easily¡ªunless they¡¯re of supreme level. We have to keep moving until we find a clue.¡± Aeron¡¯s words hung in the air as the group trudged forward. ¡°Can you two carry him?¡± Aeron asked, his voice steady but commanding as he looked at the two cadets. One of the cadet looking hesitant, asked, ¡°Why do we have to¡ª¡± Before he could finish, the other cadet interrupted, ¡°We¡¯ll carry him,¡± he said firmly, silencing any further questions. As they continued walking, the forest seemed to close in around them, the trees tall and foreboding, casting long shadows in the fading light. The air was thick with tension, each step echoing the uncertainty in their hearts. Emma broke the silence. ¡°Back there, how did you move so fast?¡± she asked, curiosity evident in her voice. ¡°Can you walk properly?¡± Aeron replied ditching Emma¡¯s question Emma paused, her eyes narrowing. ¡°Are we walking in circles?¡± she asked, glancing at Aeron. He looked around, noticing the familiar broken branches and the claw marks on a nearby tree. ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± he said grimly. ¡°This is the place where we killed those two Shadowfangs.¡± ¡°We should try the other direction,¡± one of the cadets suggested, his voice betraying a hint of frustration. ¡°Yeah, let¡¯s go,¡± Aeron agreed, though doubt began to creep into his mind. They turned and walked in the opposite direction, the minutes stretching into another hour. But when they stopped again, the sight before them was all too familiar. ¡°Hey, we¡¯re back in the same place again!¡± the cadet exclaimed, panic rising in his voice. Aeron¡¯s heart sank. ¡°We might be cursed by a looping spell,¡± he said, trying to keep his composure. ¡°Does anyone here know how to break a curse?¡± ¡°None of us are mage,¡± another cadet replied, his voice filled with worry. The trembling girl who had been silent for most of the journey finally spoke up. ¡°I can try breaking it,¡± she offered, her voice shaking with uncertainty. She stepped forward, closing her eyes as she began to whisper an incantation. Her hands trembled as she reached out into the air, her fingers tracing invisible symbols. The others watched in tense silence, the forest seeming to hold its breath. Suddenly, a sound like shattering glass echoed through the trees, and the air around them shifted. ¡°She¡¯s a genius!¡± one of the cadets exclaimed, relief flooding his voice. The girl gave a small, modest smile. ¡°I¡¯m not that good,¡± she said, though the pride in her eyes was unmistakable. ¡°Wait, do you hear that?¡± Emma hushed the group, her ears straining to catch the faint sound. ¡°Yeah, I hear someone talking,¡± Aeron said, his senses on high alert. ¡°Let¡¯s check it out.¡± They moved cautiously toward the source of the sound, every rustle of leaves and snap of twigs setting their nerves on edge. When they reached the spot, they froze as a gun was suddenly pointed in Aeron¡¯s direction as he was in the front. ¡°Yo, yo, take it easy! We¡¯re in the same group,¡± one of the cadets said quickly, raising his hands in a gesture of peace. The boy holding the gun lowers the gun. He gestured for them to follow him. Without a word, they complied, their footsteps barely making a sound on the forest floor. After a few tense moments, the boy motioned for them to stop and crouch behind a bush. ¡°Look there. What do you see?¡± he whispered, his voice low. Looking through the leaves, they saw a young boy in a ritual suit, standing in a clearing. His voice was low and guttural as he chanted in a language none of them understood. The eerie glow of the moonlight cast long shadows across his face, making him look almost otherworldly. ¡°He¡¯s been like that for over an hour,¡± the new boy whispered. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you shoot him? He doesn¡¯t look good,¡± one of the cadets asked, his voice tinged with fear. ¡°I wanted to,¡± the boy replied, his voice grim. ¡°But look beside him.¡± The group¡¯s eyes widened as they saw five cadets lying motionless on the ground next to the sorcerer. Their faces were pale, their bodies unnaturally still. ¡°Are they alive?¡± Aeron asked, his voice barely audible. ¡°I¡¯m not sure,¡± the boy admitted, ¡°But shooting him might not be a good idea. He¡¯s a sorcerer¡ªwe don¡¯t know what he could do if we provoke him.¡± ¡°What do you think, Emma?¡± Aeron turned to her, but received no response. ¡°Emma?¡± he called again, a note of urgency in his voice. Suddenly, a shadowy figure emerged from behind him as he turned back, striking Aeron on the head with a dull thud. Pain exploded in his skull, and the world around him faded into darkness as he fell to the ground, unconscious. Chapter 2: The test of survival [An hour ago¡­] ¡°I¡¯m out of ammo!¡± Rico shouted, his voice strained with panic. ¡°This is my last round,¡± Milo muttered, gripping his weapon tightly. ¡°There¡¯s too many of them... At this rate, we¡¯re gonna be dinner,¡± Theo groaned as the Shadowfangs inched closer, surrounding them from three directions. ¡°Someone, please! Help us!¡± Gareth cried out, falling to his knees, tears streaming down his face. "Please, just spare us!" he begged, voice trembling. Milo shot him a scathing look, ¡°Are you really a soldier?¡± The fangs closed in on the group of cadets, sharp teeth gleaming in the dim light. Just as all hope seemed lost, a glass bottle fell from the sky, crashing to the ground in front of them. The bottle shattered, releasing a strange scent into the air¡ªthe smell of antibiotics As soon as the Shadowfangs caught a whiff of it, they recoiled, yelping and fleeing as fast as their limbs would carry them. ¡°That¡­ stuff sure scared them off,¡± Theo said, breathing heavily. Above them, perched on a tree branch, a young boy with a mischievous grin stared down at the cadets. ¡°For saving your sorry lives, you owe me a lifetime of service,¡± the boy declared. His voice was cocky, almost playful. ¡°What the¡ª?¡± Milo blinked. ¡°Who the hell are you?¡± The boy jumped from the branch, landing gracefully despite the height. As he stood before them, the cadets couldn¡¯t help but wonder. ¡°Are you even human?¡± Before the boy could answer, Gareth lunged forward, grabbing his foot and crying out, ¡°Thank you o great savior. You saved us!¡± He sobbed, clutching onto the boy¡¯s leg like his life depended on it. ¡°Okay, okay, I¡¯m not that great,¡± the boy said, ruffling his own hair, clearly enjoying the attention. ¡°Stop that, Mihon,¡± a deep voice rumbled from behind the cadets. They jumped, spinning around to see a tall, muscular figure emerge from the shadows. He seemed to appear out of nowhere, his presence sending a chill down their spines. ¡°When did you get there?¡± Theo stammered. ¡°I¡¯ve been here the whole time,¡± the muscular boy¡ªKael¡ªresponded nonchalantly, his voice low and calm. ¡°I swear I didn¡¯t see him¡­¡± Milo whispered to Rico, who nodded in agreement. ¡°Did you find anything, Kael?¡± Mihon asked, eyes narrowing. Kael gave a firm nod. ¡°I saw that boy leading six others¡ªfour boys and two girls¡ªto that exact spot. One of them was injured though. That¡¯s the second time he¡¯s done it. He¡¯s planning something.¡± Mihon¡¯s brow furrowed in thought. ¡°Then we should go check it out.¡± ¡°Do we really have to?¡± Gareth whimpered, still shaken. Mihon grinned wickedly. ¡°You owe me, remember? Better stick to your word.¡± ¡°Wait, when did we even agree to that?¡± Rico protested. ¡°Do you want to get eaten by the fangs again?¡± Mihon retorted. ¡°He¡¯s got a point,¡± Theo admitted, sighing in defeat. ¡°I guess we¡¯re following him.¡± Mihon playfully patted Theo on the head. ¡°Who¡¯s a Good boy,¡± he teased. ¡°Hey! Cut it out!¡± Theo growled, brushing Milo¡¯s hand away. ¡°Focus, Milo,¡± Kael ordered, his voice stern. ¡°We¡¯ve got an objective to clear.¡± ¡°You take everything so seriously¡­¡± Milo muttered, rolling his eyes. ¡°Let¡¯s move,¡± Kael said, ignoring the banter. He turned and led the group forward, Mihon trailing behind with an ever-present grin on his face. Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. [Present Time] Aeron struggled to open his eyes, his head pounding. As his vision cleared, he realized his hands were tied tightly with ropes. He scanned his surroundings frantically¡ªEmma, along with two other cadets, was also bound to poles. ¡°What the hell is going on?¡± Aeron muttered to himself, tugging at his restraints. ¡°You can¡¯t escape,¡± a boy¡¯s voice echoed eerily from behind him. ¡°No matter how hard you try.¡± Aeron craned his neck to see the boy standing there, his back turned. ¡°What are you talking about?¡± Aeron demanded, confused and disoriented. The boy didn¡¯t turn around. ¡°No matter how much you struggle, you won¡¯t escape,¡± he repeated, his voice growing more unsettling by the second. Aeron¡¯s hands brushed against the boy as he shifted in place. His skin was cold¡ªunnaturally cold. ¡°Hey, what¡¯s wrong with you?¡± Aeron asked, but as soon as he touched him, the boy¡¯s head twisted sharply, turning 180 degrees with a grotesque crack. Aeron recoiled in horror. The boy was no longer in front of him. He was standing beside a cultist now. ¡°You woke up sooner than I expected,¡± the cultist said, his voice rasping as he moved toward Aeron. The cultist was young, but his face was riddled with scars. ¡°Who are you? And what do you want?¡± Aeron asked, trying to make sense of the situation. ¡°To bring peace to this world, I must kill all who come from the other world,¡± the cultist replied, his expression unreadable. Without warning, the cultist and the boy began tying up the other cadets. ¡°Stop it!¡± Aeron shouted, struggling to free himself. He finally managed to loosen his ropes, leaping to his feet and pulling a pistol from his side pocket as his original gun was missing. He pointed it at them, his hands trembling. Before he could react, two shadowy figures emerged behind him, their movements swift and silent. Aeron barely had time to notice before one of them swung at him with a heavy stick. Instinctively, his powers activated, slowing time. He dodged the blow but immediately felt the strain. His ability to slow time wasn¡¯t under his full control yet. His body couldn¡¯t handle the energy drain. The second figure lunged at him, and Aeron barely managed to block with his knife, slashing at the figure only to find¡­ fog. The shadowy figure grinned menacingly as Aeron realized he was surrounded. ¡°Kill him,¡± the cultist ordered, his voice cold and detached. As the shadow figures closed in, Aeron¡¯s body gave out, exhaustion from overusing his powers setting in. Just as the final blow was about to land, a smoke bomb exploded between him and the cultist, enveloping the area. Out of the smoke, Kael charged in, grabbing Aeron and tossing him over his shoulder. ¡°Hang on!¡± Kael yelled as he sprinted away. Once they were clear, Mihon appeared, crouching down next to Aeron. ¡°You alright?¡± Mihon asked, his tone unusually soft. ¡°Thanks for saving me,¡± Aeron muttered, trying to sit up but failing as his body gave out beneath him. ¡°Don¡¯t try to move,¡± Mihon advised, his voice steady but concerned. ¡°You¡¯ve passed out twice in just a few hours, not to mention all that fighting. Your body¡¯s reached its limit.¡± ¡°I need to save my friends,¡± Aeron said, his frustration visible as he fought against his exhaustion. ¡°We need to save our comrades too,¡± Mihon replied, his expression darkening. ¡°But something¡¯s not right... it''s been a while, and that cultist still hasn¡¯t done anything yet.¡± ¡°He said he needed to kill everyone from our world to make this place ¡®peaceful,¡¯ but I don¡¯t think that¡¯s his real motive or something is hidden beneath it,¡± Aeron said, trying to make sense of everything, his brows furrowed in thought. ¡°That guy¡¯s a psychopath,¡± Kael added bluntly, his voice cold and flat. ¡°If he really wanted to kill us, he could¡¯ve done it by now. There¡¯s got to be something else driving him,¡± Aeron said, still trying to fit the pieces together. ¡°That¡¯s not our only problem,¡± Mihon interrupted, his expression grim. Aeron looked at him curiously. ¡°What do you mean?¡± Mihon nodded. ¡°Remember that fog that teleported us here? That wasn¡¯t just any ordinary fog. It came from a Queen Shadowfang.¡± Aeron¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°You¡¯re serious?¡± Mihon nodded. ¡°I sensed something stronger during that patrol attack. I confirmed it. It¡¯s nearby, and it¡¯s hunting us.¡± ¡°But Queen Shadowfang doesn¡¯t even have the ability to create fog,¡± Aeron said, his voice tinged with confusion. ¡°That¡¯s not the only thing,¡± Mihon replied, frowning. ¡°It can¡¯t see either. Something about this whole situation feels... off.¡± Aeron¡¯s brows furrowed in frustration. ¡°None of this makes any sense. Firstly Queen Shadowfangs in this area, secondly it can¡¯t see And lastly the fog came from the Queen Shadowfang?... it¡¯s like we¡¯re missing a piece of the puzzle.¡± Mihon glanced at him, his face serious. ¡°Exactly. It feels like there¡¯s something else going on¡ªsomething we haven¡¯t figured out yet.¡± ¡°But there¡¯s a silver lining,¡± Mihon added, ¡°it hates the smell of antibiotics.¡± Aeron took a deep breath, trying to process everything. ¡°What about that creepy boy with the twisted head? How did he¡ª" ¡°He¡¯s an imposter,¡± Mihon cut him off, his voice firm. ¡°How do you know?¡± Aeron asked, frowning. ¡°At the training ground assembly, I memorized everyone¡¯s faces. I¡¯m certain he wasn¡¯t there.¡± ¡°More mysteries... this is too much,¡± Aeron muttered, frustration boiling over. ¡°You¡¯ve got a sharp mind, Aeron,¡± Mihon said with a grin. ¡°I could use your help to deal with that cultist.¡± A plan began forming in Aeron¡¯s head. ¡°Looks like I¡¯ve got something cooking. You in?¡± Mihon¡¯s eyes gleamed with interest. ¡°I¡¯m listening.¡± Chapter 3: The cultist of the forest A moment later, ¡°Hello there, Mr. Cultist. How are you doing, Sir?¡± Aeron called out with a grin as he casually strolled toward the cultist. ¡°How dare you return here, you filthy child?¡± The cultist¡¯s voice dripped with venom, his eyes narrowing in confusion at Aeron¡¯s uncharacted entry. ¡°Hey now, wasn¡¯t I a good boy?¡± Aeron smiled wider, almost taunting him. ¡°All who came from the other world must die!¡± the cultist snarled, his anger intensifying. ¡°Why do you hate us? Is there any particular reason?¡± Aeron asked, his expression serious now as he sought answers. ¡°Duck!¡± a voice echoed in Aeron¡¯s head. Without hesitation, he activated his slow-motion power, ducking just in time to avoid a fatal blow aimed at his head. A shadowy figure loomed behind him. ¡°Hey, I just wanted to talk,¡± Aeron said coolly, looking the cultist dead in the eye. "You don¡¯t see it, do you?" The cultist spat, his voice trembling with rage. "Your kind... your world... it''s poisoning everything! You think you can just come here, traipsing into our land like it''s your playground, like you have a right to be here!" He stepped closer, his scarred face twisting with fury, pointing at Aeron with a shaking hand. ¡°Keep your guard up,¡± the voice warned in Aeron¡¯s mind again. Aeron drew his gun with his right hand and gripped a knife in his left, prepared for whatever came next. "Look around you, outsider!" The cultist''s voice turned manic as he gestured wildly. "The trees, the rivers, the very ground beneath your feet¡ªthey¡¯re all suffering because of you! Ever since your people crawled through that cursed portal, this land has been dying! The animals¡­ they''re withering away! The air grows foul, the water tainted¡­ everything I once knew, everything that was pure and sacred, is rotting because of your foul presence!" His voice softened, almost deranged, as he shook his head in twisted pity. ¡°And you don¡¯t even realize it, do you? You invaders think you''re here to help, to explore, to conquer¡ªlike everything in this world is just another frontier for you to claim. But all you bring is destruction. Corruption follows in your footsteps like a shadow! The moment your kind set foot here, the balance was shattered. The natural order, the harmony of life¡ªit all began to crumble!" ¡°Two enemies at 4 o¡¯clock and 8 o¡¯clock,¡± the voice whispered urgently. ¡°Got it.¡± Aeron rolled swiftly to a safer distance, activating his power again. He fired two shots, but the bullets sailed right through the shadowy figures. ¡°Just like you said, they¡¯re immune to physical contact,¡± the voice said. ¡°But we have a solution, right, Miley?¡± Aeron asked with a sly smirk. "In the name of light, I call the dawn, Through shadow''s veil, be thou withdrawn. Darkness creeping, take thy flight, Return to nothing, banished by light. By flame, by star, by sun¡¯s decree, Let shadow fall, and set us free!" Stolen novel; please report. As Miley finished reciting the spell, a brilliant light erupted from the sky, flooding the area and banishing all the shadow figures in an instant. Aeron recalled the moment he regained consciousness from the blow from the shadowy figure. He had noticed Miley''s eyelids twitch, just barely. The faintest flicker of movement beneath them betrayed her act¡ªshe had been pretending to be unconscious. ¡°So that was your plan to defeat those shadow figures? Not to mention, she was faking it the whole time,¡± the voice in Aeron¡¯s head remarked. ¡°Nice thinking.¡± ¡°Now, only these two remain,¡± Aeron said, focusing back on the cultist and his eerie companion. ¡°For your information, we came here to help you from the Demon King. And these ecological disasters? That¡¯s not our doing. We brought guns, but nothing more,¡± Aeron shouted, his voice rising with frustration. ¡°Do you think mere humans like you can defeat the Demon King?¡± the cultist growled, his eyes blazing with fury. ¡°And as for the other talk, what about your people taking our resources?¡± Aeron¡¯s confidence faltered as the weight of the cultist¡¯s words hit him. He looked down, deep in thought. Were they really to blame? ¡°Move to your right, quick!¡± the voice urged desperately. Snapping out of his thoughts, Aeron tried to dodge, but it was too late¡ªan invisible blow struck him, sending him stumbling. ¡°Sorry, my bad,¡± Aeron muttered, struggling to his feet. Miley launched a fireball at the cultist, but the strange boy leapt in front, deflecting it effortlessly. The fireball crashed into a nearby tree, setting it ablaze. ¡°Look at what you''re doing!¡± the cultist shouted, glaring at Aeron. "See the destruction you bring?" ¡°And you?¡± Aeron shot back, ¡°What about you killing those innocent cadets?¡± ¡°They¡¯re still alive. But not for long,¡± the cultist replied coldly. ¡°Something feels wrong,¡± the voice said in Aeron¡¯s head. ¡°I feel it too,¡± Aeron whispered, eyes darting around. ¡°Jump to the right!¡± the voice commanded, and Aeron obeyed, narrowly avoiding another invisible strike. The strange boy charged at Aeron with a knife. ¡°Die!¡± he screamed, his voice filled with malice. Aeron blocked the attack with his gun, slamming the butt of his knife into the boy¡¯s chest. With a powerful kick, Aeron sent the boy flying a few feet away. ¡°There¡¯s another one coming from your left,¡± the voice warned. ¡°How many of them do I have to dodge?¡± Aeron growled through gritted teeth. ¡°Then kill the cultist first,¡± the voice replied calmly. ¡°But this boy is a pain!¡± Aeron countered, frustration creeping into his tone. Scanning for the boy, Aeron noticed he had vanished. ¡°Where did he go?¡± he asked aloud. ¡°Behind you!¡± the voice echoed in slow motion as Aeron¡¯s power activated instinctively. Time slowed as he grabbed the boy¡¯s hand mid-swing, throwing him to the ground with force. ¡°That was quick,¡± the voice remarked, impressed. The cultist suddenly realized something was wrong. He turned to Miley, noticing her chanting a spell. ¡°Oh no, he¡¯s noticed,¡± the voice in Aeron¡¯s head sounded worried. The cultist charged toward Miley, but a sudden burst of gunfire erupted from the forest¡¯s shadows. ¡°I¡¯ll keep him busy!¡± Kael shouted, firing relentlessly at the cultist, though his bullets did no harm. ¡°... and be free from all the curse upon you,¡± Miley finished her spell. A misty smoke rose from the cultist¡¯s body as his strength visibly drained. Seizing the opportunity, Aeron rushed forward and struck the cultist¡¯s head, knocking him unconscious. ¡°That was awesome!¡± The voice¡ªrevealed to be Mihon¡ªcalled from a tall tree branch where he had been hidden. He leapt down with a grin. Miley screamed in surprise. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, he¡¯s human. Just a little... unhinged,¡± Kael said calmly. ¡°Hey, man, that¡¯s not cool!¡± Mihon protested with mock offense. ¡°By the way, Aeron, using my senses with your reflexes? Brilliant plan,¡± Mihon said excitedly. ¡°That¡¯s nothing¡ª¡± Aeron began, but Mihon¡¯s face suddenly turned serious. ¡°Everyone, draw your weapons. We¡¯ve got a problem,¡± Mihon said, his voice low. They looked around, realizing they were surrounded by hundreds of Shadowfangs. ¡°Is that the Queen Shadowfang you mentioned earlier?¡± Aeron asked, gripping his gun tightly. ¡°Yes,¡± Mihon nodded gravely. ¡°And it¡¯s the most dangerous one. The one that can¡¯t see.¡± Chapter 4: The Wounded Shadowfang Queen Queen Shadowfang, mother off shadowfangs that can breed thousands of them. She was larger than the rest, towering over the group with a body covered in thick, shadowy fur that seemed to ripple like smoke. Her head, elongated and sleek, had no eyes¡ªjust empty, smooth hollows where eyeballs should have been. The absence of sight did nothing to diminish her terrifying presence. The sockets, its covered with blood. ¡°Don¡¯t be fooled by her eyes. She can¡¯t see, but her senses are far sharper than mine,¡± Mihon warned, his voice tense as his gaze remained fixed on the Queen Shadowfang. Aeron, narrowing his eyes at Mihon, couldn''t shake the suspicion. ¡°You seem to know a lot about them.¡± Mihon hesitated for a second, then replied, ¡°It¡¯s barely speculation.¡± ¡°We need to get out of here¡ªnow!¡± Mihon¡¯s urgency cut through the heavy air. ¡°But there are cadets back there, unconscious! We can¡¯t just leave them,¡± Aeron snapped, frustration simmering in his voice. Mihon¡¯s expression tightened. ¡°We can¡¯t save everyone.¡± ¡°I can hold them off long enough for you to escape,¡± Kael offered, his voice steady. ¡°But I won¡¯t last much longer.¡± ¡°As he said, we have to move,¡± Mihon urged, desperation creeping into his tone. Suddenly, the Queen Shadowfang let out a bone-chilling screech, and all the shadowfangs surged toward them. Mihon quickly tossed a bottle of antibiotics in a specific direction. ¡°Run this way!¡± he shouted. The sharp scent diverted the shadowfangs, clearing a temporary path for them. They bolted, but it wasn¡¯t long before the shadowfangs picked up their trail and gave chase. ¡°I¡¯ll hold them off!¡± Kael declared, coming to a sudden halt. ¡°We¡¯re not leaving you behind!¡± Aeron protested. Kael¡¯s face hardened. ¡°Not everyone has to die here.¡± ¡°Mihon! Get up high!¡± Aeron ordered, his voice rising above the chaos. ¡°We won¡¯t make it if we fight here!¡± Mihon argued, doubt flickering across his face. ¡°Just do as I say!¡± Aeron barked, his tone leaving no room for discussion. Without another word, Mihon darted up a tree like a shadow, his movements swift and nimble. ¡°How many of them are coming?¡± Aeron asked, his breath heavy. ¡°Almost all of them, I¡¯d guess,¡± Mihon called down, unable to count them in the madness. Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. ¡°Kael, Miley, head over there and hide. When I give the signal, grab as many cadets as you can and get them to safety,¡± Aeron instructed, his voice calm despite the storm brewing around them. ¡°What¡¯s your plan?¡± Kael asked, his brow furrowed in concern. ¡°You¡¯ll see,¡± Aeron replied with a determined glint in his eye. Kael and Miley ducked into a nearby bush, disappearing from sight. Aeron took a deep breath, bracing himself. ¡°This might be my final fight,¡± he muttered under his breath. Suddenly, a vision flashed before him¡ªthe Shadowy Figure of the Assassin appeared, taunting him with a cold, echoing voice: ¡°It won¡¯t be your last battle.¡± A smirk tugged at Aeron¡¯s lips. ¡°Even you want me to live... and find you.¡± As the shadowfangs closed in, Aeron reopened the cut on his arm from the previous battle. Blood trickled down, and with renewed vigor, he bolted into the forest, the creatures hot on his heels. ¡°That idiot,¡± Mihon muttered under his breath. ¡°You two go help those cadets. I¡¯m going after Aeron.¡± Mihon sprang from branch to branch, pursuing Aeron with quiet fury. Aeron ran until he reached the edge of a towering cliff. The shadowfangs followed blindly, not realizing the danger. Without hesitation, Aeron leapt off the cliff. The shadowfangs followed him in a deadly cascade. For a moment, Aeron believed he would fall to his death along with them, but his hand found a rope just in time. He clung to it desperately while the creatures plummeted to their deaths. Climbing back up, Aeron was met by an angry Mihon, his eyes blazing with frustration. ¡°What were you thinking?!¡± But before Mihon could scold him, Aeron¡¯s instincts flared to life. The Queen Shadowfang hadn¡¯t followed the others. She struck from behind, her claws aiming for a fatal blow. Aeron¡¯s power activated just in time. He shoved Mihon out of the way, blocking the Queen¡¯s claw with his knife. The force of the impact pushed the creature to the cliff¡¯s edge. Desperate, the Queen clung to the rocky ledge, but Aeron kicked her off, sending her plummeting into the abyss. ¡°Now we¡¯re even,¡± Mihon said, his voice catching his breath. ¡°Who¡¯s even counting?¡± Aeron retorted, a smirk pulling at his lips. They both stood there, panting, trying to steady their breaths. ¡°I don¡¯t think she¡¯s dead yet,¡± Mihon said, his eyes narrowing at the cliff¡¯s edge. ¡°Let¡¯s make sure,¡± Aeron replied, gripping his knife. But before they could move, Aeron¡¯s head suddenly throbbed with pain. He clutched his skull, letting out a pained scream. ¡°Are you alright?!¡± Mihon asked, panic flickering in his voice. ¡°Yeah... I¡¯m fine,¡± Aeron replied, his breath ragged, but the pain still coursing through him. ¡°Don¡¯t push yourself,¡± Mihon warned, worry etched in his expression. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I can handle it,¡± Aeron insisted, though his voice was weak. ¡°Let me help you,¡± Mihon offered, draping Aeron¡¯s arm over his shoulder. As they descended the cliff, they were greeted by an unexpected sight¡ªRuth stood over the Queen¡¯s corpse, bloodied but victorious. ¡°I didn¡¯t know soldiers could be this tough,¡± Aeron taunted, smirking at Ruth. Ruth, covered in fresh scars from the battle, merely turned his face away, irritated by Aeron¡¯s jabs. ¡°I found the way out of the forest,¡± Mihon announced, his tone lighter. ¡°The training ground.¡± ¡°How¡¯d you figure that out?¡± Aeron asked, surprised. ¡°I have super senses,¡± Mihon replied with a grin, trying to lift the mood. ¡°Everyone¡¯s already there. Let¡¯s move.¡± Ruth extended a hand, ¡°Let me help you too.¡± Aeron glanced at Ruth¡¯s injured form and scoffed, ¡°Look at yourself. You¡¯re as banged up as I am.¡± ¡°I¡¯m strong enough to handle it,¡± Ruth shot back, his voice gruff but steady. As they made their way through the forest, the first rays of dawn began to break through the canopy, casting a soft glow on the path ahead. At the forest''s edge, Emma rushed towards Aeron, relief washing over her face. ¡°I¡¯m glad you¡¯re safe,¡± she said softly, her eyes filled with unspoken emotions. She glanced at Ruth, ¡°And you too, Ruth.¡± Before they could exchange more words, Lieutenant Zei appeared. ¡°Congratulations on passing the final test.¡± Aeron blinked, confused. ¡°What test?¡± Zei looked around, nodding to the twenty survivors. ¡°Woo This is the first time all twenty cadets have survived the final test.¡± Chapter 5: So it was a test? ¡°Attention!¡± Commander Ruth''s voice boomed through the courtyard, snapping everyone into a rigid formation. The tension in the air was thick, and the cadets stood still, their faces a mix of nervous anticipation and exhaustion. ¡°For every batch,¡± the Commander began, pacing slowly, his eyes cold and piercing as they scanned the group, ¡°we conduct a final test. A test to see if you¡¯re truly worthy to be part of this team.¡± His boots crunched on the gravel as he continued walking, his voice filled with authority. ¡°We captured Queen Shadowfang, blinded her, and lured her deep into the forest.¡± Commander Ruth''s pace quickened as he walked the line, his tone growing sharper. ¡°Every six months, we bring new cadets, sent them into that forest for their final trial to bring out the strongest, the most resourceful one.¡± Aeron raised his hand, ¡°Commander, that cultist we fought¡­ was he part of the test?¡± His voice wavered slightly, though he tried to keep it steady. The Commander stopped abruptly, turning his head towards Aeron, his expression hard as steel. ¡°No,¡± he replied in a low voice. ¡°He infiltrated the area.¡± A murmur rippled through the formation. The Commander¡¯s gaze sharpened. ¡°He tried this before,¡± he said, his voice now cold. ¡°Last time, half the cadets didn¡¯t make it because of him. But this time... this time we enchanted all of you with a protective spell. That¡¯s why the cultist couldn''t kill any of you.¡± This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. Aeron, Mihon, and the others who had faced the cultist realized why the cultist could kill them and what the ritual was about. At the same time Aeron realized the feeling of constantly watching was for the spell. ¡°But,¡± the Commander¡¯s voice cut through the murmur, ¡°some of you showed real courage. You captured him alive, and now we can interrogate him. We¡¯ll get the answers we need.¡± Aeron¡¯s mind raced. He thought about the boy who disappear after the fight. ¡°What about the boy with him?¡± he asked. ¡°The one who disappeared after the fight?¡± Commander Ruth''s expression darkened. ¡°We believe he¡¯s one of our own. A cadet from the last batch who disappeared during the final test. It¡¯s possible he¡¯s been possessed or cursed.¡± A tense silence settled over the group as the weight of the situation sank in. The cultist, the cursed boy¡ªit all felt too close, too real. Seeing their exhaustion, the Commander softened his tone slightly. ¡°You¡¯ve all fought hard through the night. You¡¯ll have the rest of the day to recover. But remember,¡± his eyes narrowed, ¡°tomorrow, your real journey begins.¡± ¡°Before that I want everyone to head to the medical center to do a checkup and heal yourself.¡± Commander added. With a sharp salute, he dismissed them. ¡°You¡¯re dismissed.¡± As the cadets relaxed, the tension in their shoulders easing, conversations broke out among them. Aeron stood lost in thought, the events of the past night still replaying in his mind. After the medical Test¡­¡­ A senior cadet approached him. ¡°Aeron,¡± he said, a little out of breath, ¡°there¡¯s a call for you at the Information Center.¡± Aeron looked at him, surprised. ¡°Who¡¯s it from?¡± The senior cadet said, ¡°It¡¯s from Miss Daisy.¡± Chapter 6: Day of the entrance exam At the Information Center, Aeron entered a room. The space was dimly lit, with a large screen at the front. On the screen, Miss Daisy appeared via video conference, her face stern. As Aeron stepped inside, Miss Daisy¡¯s voice greeted him. ¡°Welcome, Aeron. Have a seat.¡± Her tone was rough, a little grumpy, which made Aeron feel a flicker of anxiety. He quickly sat down, feeling his nerves prickling. ¡°How¡¯s your body doing?¡± Miss Daisy asked, her eyes fixed on him through the screen. ¡°Looking at your medical reports, it doesn¡¯t seem like you¡¯re fine,¡± Miss Daisy said, her tone sharp yet laced with concern. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen anything like this¡ªyour heartbeat is highly unusual.¡± She turned on Aeron¡¯s report on the screen. ¡°Take a look at your heartbeat,¡± she said, her eyes narrowing slightly. Aeron leaned forward, his brows furrowed. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with it?¡± Miss Daisy tapped the screen. ¡°The average resting heartbeat of a normal person is around 72 beats per minute. Yours dropped to 28 bpm during the test.¡± Aeron froze for a moment and realized that he accidently activated his powers during the test. ¡°Maybe it was just a mechanical error,¡± Aeron said, forcing a casual tone into his voice. Miss Daisy wasn¡¯t buying it. ¡°All the machines were double checked,¡± she replied, her tone firm. ¡°There¡¯s nothing wrong with the equipment.¡± Aeron quickly countered, ¡°During the entrance exam, my simulator malfunctioned too.¡± Miss Daisy¡¯s expression darkened slightly. ¡°It¡¯s strange, Aeron. Among all the cadets, it¡¯s always your equipment that malfunctions. Every single time.¡± She paused, her voice dropping to a more serious tone. ¡°It¡¯s very suspicious.¡± Her words made Aeron¡¯s stomach twist. He thought to himself, Am I drawing too much attention to myself? Feigning nonchalance, Aeron replied, ¡°It really is just a coincidence. I don¡¯t know why this keeps happening.¡± Feigning a lighthearted response, he said, ¡°It¡¯s just a coincidence. I don¡¯t know why this keeps happening.¡± Miss Daisy sighed, her expression softening slightly. ¡°Fine. You¡¯ve been through a lot¡ªthe fight and these tests. You¡¯re probably exhausted. You¡¯re free to leave for now.¡± ¡°Thank you, Miss Daisy,¡± Aeron said with a small nod, trying not to show his relief. As he was about leave the room, Miss Daisy¡¯s voice stopped him. ¡°Aeron,¡± she said, her tone less stern now. ¡°If you ever need anything, don¡¯t hesitate to reach out. I¡¯m here to help.¡± Aeron hesitated, then gave her a faint smile. ¡°I¡¯ll keep that in mind. Thanks, Miss Daisy.¡± Aeron left the room. It was getting dark; Aeron walked to a quiet place near the forest, sat down and muttered to him, "I can¡¯t let anyone at ASC know I have this power. How I got this power. How my failure to master this power gave me a scar of terrible memories, and the event that took away her life¡± Aeron forced a bitter laugh. ¡°Why am I thinking of her now, it¡¯s already been 4years.¡± Aeron stayed quiet for a moment and thought of the incident few months ago in the entrance exam, was that broken disk intentionally inserted into my simulator? The thought sent a shiver down his spine. And if it was... He clenched his fists, his expression hardening. Who did it? The question lingered, heavy and suffocating, as Aeron replayed the events of the entrance exam in his mind. Every detail, every face, every word¡ªwas there something he¡¯d overlooked? At the Entrance Exam¡­ The exam hall was sleek and full of advanced technology. Dozens of candidates stood at the testing ground, their faces a mixture of nerves and determination. ¡°Welcome, candidates!¡± A loud, booming voice echoed through the speakers, pulling everyone''s attention to the front. ¡°Today, you¡¯ll prove yourselves worthy to join the Aether Strike Corps. Prepare yourselves for a series of tests that will challenge you physically and mentally.¡± The tests began¡ªphysical endurance, IQ assessments, and written exams. Hours passed as Aeron and the other candidates pushed themselves to their limits. Finally, the announcer¡¯s voice returned. ¡°This is your final test. You¡¯ll be placed into a virtual simulation where you must survive for one hour. Be warned: if you get hurt in the simulation, it will hurt as if it were real life.¡± Aeron felt a chill run down his spine but kept his composure as he stepped into the machine. ¡°Do your best,¡± Miss Daisy¡¯s voice buzzed in his earpiece, steady but distant. ¡°Yes, Miss,¡± Aeron replied before the machine whirred to life. Inside the simulation, Aeron found himself facing wave after wave of monstrous creatures. It was exhausting but manageable, and soon, he found himself thinking, ¡°This is too easy. I could do this all day.¡± The hour was almost up when something shifted. The air grew cold, and a heavy darkness began to creep into the edges of the simulated world. ¡°What the¡­ Is this part of the test?¡± Aeron muttered, squinting as a shadowy figure darted past him. His pulse quickened. As the environment dissolved into thick, dark smoke, he saw horrific scenes¡ªmemories of people being killed, homes burning, swords slashing through bodies. His mind reeled. This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. Among the chaos, he saw a familiar face¡ªhis father. ¡°Find me, Aeron,¡± his father said, his voice echoing in Aeron¡¯s mind. ¡°Dad! I¡¯m right here!¡± Aeron shouted, rushing toward the figure. But as soon as his hand touched his father, the world went pitch black. A shadowy assassin appeared before him, their face hidden in darkness. ¡°Who are you? Why do you always come in my dreams? What did you do to my dad?¡± Aeron demanded, his voice trembling. The shadow figure remained silent for a moment, and then let out an eerie, blood-curdling scream. Without warning, it plunged a long sword into Aeron¡¯s chest. Back in the Real World¡­ Outside the simulation, an assistant monitoring the machines furrowed his brow, staring at the screen in confusion. Something was off. The machine linked to Aeron¡¯s vitals was showing an anomaly¡ªtwo vital signs, as if there was someone else inside the simulation with him. ¡°Miss Daisy!¡± the assistant shouted, his voice laced with panic. ¡°There¡¯s something wrong with candidate 2971¡¯s machine!¡± Miss Daisy rushed over, her expression stern. ¡°Let me see,¡± she said, her voice firm but controlled. She leaned over the console, her eyes narrowing as she scanned the data on Aeron¡¯s machine. After a tense moment, her face darkened. ¡°This can¡¯t be right¡­¡± she muttered, her fingers flying over the controls. Then, she paused, eyes widening as she opened the device and found a broken disk lodged inside. ¡°Who used this broken disk?!¡± she demanded, her voice sharp with alarm. Suddenly Aeron started shaking, screaming out of pain Without waiting for another moment, she gaze snapped back to the assistant. ¡°Get Aeron out of the simulation, now!¡± she ordered, her voice tight with urgency. Aeron jolted awake from the simulation, disoriented. The world around him seemed to move in slow motion, but his head was spinning. He stumbled forward, crashing into tables and knocking over equipment, but no one seemed to react quickly enough. His screams of pain echoed as he pushed past people, their movements sluggish, unable to keep up with him. Each step was a struggle, his vision blurring until, finally, his body gave in. Collapsing to the floor, everything went dark. Later¡­ ¡°Where am I?¡± Aeron groaned as he tried to open his eyes. ¡°You¡¯re at the medical center,¡± Miss Daisy¡¯s voice came through softly, standing beside his bed. ¡°What happened to me?¡± Aeron asked, his voice weak. Miss Daisy sighed, ¡°The simulation malfunctioned. After you were pulled out, you walked out on your own. Everyone said you were walking at lightning speed, they couldn¡¯t stop you. No one really sure what happened after you got out of the simulation.¡± ¡°It seems someone altered your simulator and inserted a broken disk filled with virus. We¡¯re extremely sorry for what happened back there. We reviewed the footage¡­ and it appears a man covered with black clork swaped your disk. We were unable to identify him. Our men are searching for him¡± Aeron couldn¡¯t make sense of anything; it all felt like it was going over his head. His mind was in a haze, and his head continued to throb, as if struggling to keep up with the whirlwind of confusion. ¡°Boo!¡± A sudden voice echoed right into Aeron¡¯s ear, jolting him out of his spiraling thoughts. His heart skipped a beat as he snapped back to reality, only to find Emma standing beside him, her face lit with a mischievous grin. ¡°Emma!¡± Aeron exclaimed, his hand instinctively moving to his chest. ¡°You nearly gave me a heart attack!¡± Emma burst into a laugh, her yellow eyes sparkling with amusement. ¡°You looked like you were lost in thought, I couldn¡¯t resist,¡± she said, trying to stifle her giggles. Aeron shook his head, a reluctant smile creeping onto his face despite his earlier tension. ¡°You scared the life out of me,¡± he muttered, his voice still carrying a hint of surprise. Emma playfully nudged his shoulder. ¡°Well, someone had to pull you out of whatever Evil sceme you were planning.¡± ¡°What gave you that idea?¡± Aeron asked with a smile She paused, her expression softening. ¡°You okay?¡± Aeron glanced at her, his smile fading slightly, and gave a small nod. ¡°Yeah¡­ I¡¯m fine.¡± ¡°You didn¡¯t eat your lunch. Sure you¡¯re okay?¡± Emma¡¯s voice was soft but filled with concern as she leaned forward, trying to meet Aeron¡¯s eyes. ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Aeron replied quickly, his tone dismissive as he glanced away, avoiding her gaze. Emma frowned slightly, not convinced. ¡°You¡¯ve been missing all day, and now you¡¯re skipping meals too? And now you look pale, lost in thought. That doesn¡¯t seem fine to me.¡± Aeron sighed, his shoulders slumping. ¡°I just¡­ I¡¯m tired. I need some rest.¡± Rising to his feet, he added, ¡°I¡¯m heading to my tent. See you tomorrow.¡± Without waiting for a response, Aeron walked away, leaving Emma behind. Emma stood still, watching Aeron walk away. Concern flickered in her eyes as she whispered, ¡°Why won¡¯t he just say what¡¯s bothering him? You¡¯re like a different person from back then.¡± Hidden deep within the shadows of the bush, a pair of watchful eyes watched interactions between Aeron and Emma. The figure went to the dark as soon as Aeron left. From the next day forward, Aeron and his comrades threw themselves into rigorous training with unwavering determination. Mornings began under the sharp whistle of their commanding officer, their breaths visible in the cool dawn air as they sprinted across the training grounds. Sweat dripped from their brows, muscles strained, and lungs burned, but none of them relented. Each push-up, each lap, and each sparring match was a step closer to survival in the harsh unknowns of the Other World. Afternoons brought them to Professor Verdane¡¯s geography lessons. The classroom was filled with the scratch of chalk against the board and the shuffling of maps across desks. The professor¡¯s booming voice painted vivid pictures of vast diversity of that world. Aeron couldn¡¯t help but feel a mix of awe and apprehension as the intricate geography of the Other World unfolded before them. His fingers traced the map¡¯s contours, imagining the uncharted terrains they¡¯d soon navigate. Every evening, their exhaustion was etched on their faces, but their eyes held a spark of determination. The camaraderie between them grew stronger with each passing day, forged through shared hardships and the weight of their mission. Each night, Aeron lay in his tent, staring at the stars above, his mind racing with thoughts of the challenges ahead and the lingering mysteries of his power. As the days turned to weeks, weeks turned into months, the cadets realized they were becoming stronger day by day. And so, six months swiftly passed. ¡°Attention everyone¡± Commander barked ¡°You¡¯ve been training very well.¡± Commander started walking left and right ¡° But training along won¡¯t be enough, you need practical experience¡± ¡° So, We will give you assignment¡± ¡°We will divide you into group of four¡± ¡°Ruth, Max, Oren, Finn¡ªyou are Group 1,¡± Commander Ruth announced, his tone sharp and deliberate. ¡°Your duty is to retrieve the stolen relic of Sandspire Town in the Zalaris continent.¡± His eyes scanned the group, ensuring they understood the gravity of the mission. ¡°Leo, Jace, Elliot, Sirius¡ªyou are Group 2,¡± he continued, his voice unwavering. ¡°Your task is to scout Shadowmere Town in the Dravathis continent.¡± ¡°Rico, Milo, Theo, Gareth¡ªyou are Group 3,¡± Commander Ruth barked. ¡°You will assist in the dock operations at Wavecall in the Azorath continent. Stay sharp.¡± ¡°Mihon, Joy, Joey (Two cadets who helped Aeron from Shadowfangs), Lira¡ªyou are Group 4,¡± he said with authority. ¡°Your duty is to deliver the supplies to a client in Moltenforge Town in the Dravathis continent.¡± His tone grew heavier, as if emphasizing the risks involved in their journey. Finally, the commander¡¯s eyes landed on Aeron and his group. ¡°Aeron, Emma, Kael, Miley (The girl who broke the looping magic)¡ªyou are Group 5,¡± he said, his voice growing somber. ¡°Your mission is to uncover the truth behind the mysterious disappearances in Riverbranch Town, also in the Zalaris continent.¡± A sense of unease lingered in his words, making it clear that this mission was no ordinary task. He straightened, his hands clasped tightly behind his back. ¡°Each group will be escorted by someone from this world. They know the terrain, the people, and the dangers better than anyone. Rely on them, but do not falter in your duties.¡± The commander paused, surveying the cadets as if committing their faces to memory. ¡°You are dismissed,¡± he said firmly, turning on his heel and walking away without another word. Chapter 7: Morgra- the flash eating monster In the bustling market of Riverbranch Town, Aeron, Emma, Kael, Miley, and their escort, Leo, strolled through the cobblestone streets. Vibrant stalls lined the pathways, brimming with fresh produce, colorful fabrics, and trinkets unique to the region. The gentle murmur of the river in the distance mingled with the lively chatter of merchants and townsfolk. ¡°This town is beautiful,¡± Emma said, her eyes sparkling as she admired the quaint charm of the place. ¡°It¡¯s the only town in this continent situated right by the river,¡± Leo explained with a proud smile. ¡°The grass, the trees, the flowers¡ªeverything you see here is unique to this land.¡± ¡°Even the people seem nice,¡± Kael added, glancing at the lively marketplace around them. ¡°And the air¡­¡± Emma took a deep breath, closing her eyes for a moment. ¡°It¡¯s so fresh. Unlike the polluted air back home.¡± Leo chuckled. ¡°You¡¯ll enjoy it here.¡± Aeron, who had been deep in thought, finally spoke up. ¡°Hey, mind if I ask you something?¡± Leo turned to him. ¡°Sure, ask me anything.¡± Aeron¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly. ¡°There are a total of eleven continents, right? How come we can only travel to eight? What¡¯s on the other three?¡± Leo¡¯s smile faded a little, and his expression grew serious. ¡°I don¡¯t know much about them myself,¡± he admitted. ¡°We were taught to never go there.¡± ¡°Why?¡± Emma asked, her curiosity piqued. ¡°They say that¡¯s where the Demon King originally came from. That place is said to be crawling with thousands of his kind¡­ but for some reason, they never leave,¡± Leo explained, lowering his voice slightly. A chill ran through the group. The weight of his words lingered in the air. Emma shivered. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ terrifying.¡± ¡°It¡¯s just a myth, though,¡± Leo quickly added, trying to lighten the mood. ¡°At least, that¡¯s what most people believe.¡± Aeron, however, wasn¡¯t convinced. His expression remained firm as he asked, ¡°What do you know about the Demon King?¡± As they were talking, Emma noticed Miley stayed silent the entire time. ¡°You¡¯re awfully quiet,¡± Emma said, turning to her with a gentle smile. ¡°Say something to proof your existence¡± ¡°I-I don¡¯t know what to say,¡± Miley replied, her voice barely above a whisper, her shoulders tense. Emma¡¯s face lit up with enthusiasm. ¡°Just say whatever comes to mind! It doesn¡¯t have to be anything fancy.¡± Miley hesitated, biting her lip as she gathered her thoughts. After a moment, she asked, ¡°Why does every Demon King have to be evil?¡± Her voice was soft and trembling, but the question hung in the air, drawing their attention. Kael raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. ¡°That¡¯s the first thing you decide to say? What a silly question.¡± ¡°They¡¯re called demons, Miley,¡± Emma replied with a chuckle. ¡°It¡¯s kinda in the name! Evil is part of the job description.¡± Stolen novel; please report. Kael shook his head, his smirk widening. ¡°Looks like you¡¯re catching Mihon Virus,¡± he teased. ¡°Right now, he¡¯s probably out there making his entire group laugh in the middle of some serious situation.¡± Aeron turned to Kael, his curiosity piqued. ¡°Were you friends with Mihon before coming to this world?¡± Kael shook his head. ¡°No, we met for the first time in that forest during the test.¡± The conversation continued, their voices mingling with the lively ambiance of the marketplace. Each word they exchanged carried the weight of their shared experiences and the growing bond between them, as they walked deeper into the heart of Riverbranch Town. Among the bustling crowd of Riverbranch Town, Aeron''s eyes caught a shadowy figure that made his breath hitch. His heart raced¡ªit was him. The mysterious assassin who haunted his dreams. Without thinking, Aeron bolted, weaving through the throng, his eyes fixed on the fleeting figure. He didn¡¯t stop to explain or call for his comrades. All that mattered was catching him. The assassin moved quickly, disappearing around corners with the ease of a phantom. Aeron pushed himself harder, his pulse pounding in his ears, but after several twists and turns, he found himself alone. The assassin had vanished into thin air, leaving Aeron standing in an unfamiliar part of town. His chest heaved as he realized the unsettling truth¡ªhe was lost. As he strained his ears for any sound, a faint, pitiful sob reached him. A child¡¯s cry. Aeron turned toward the sound, his instincts on high alert, and cautiously followed it to a dimly lit alley. There, huddled in the corner, was a little girl, her shoulders shaking as tears streamed down her face. ¡°Hey, little one,¡± Aeron said softly, crouching down to her level. ¡°Why are you crying?¡± The girl wiped her nose, her small frame trembling. ¡°I¡­ I lost my mommy,¡± she replied, her voice breaking with sorrow. Aeron¡¯s heart ached for her. ¡°Do you know where your home is?¡± he asked gently. The girl nodded, her teary eyes filled with a glimmer of hope. ¡°Alright,¡± Aeron said with a reassuring smile. ¡°Let¡¯s get you home, okay?¡± The girl extended her tiny hand, and Aeron took it, his grip firm yet gentle. She led him through winding streets, her steps small and hesitant. They left the town behind, the comforting noise of the market fading into the quiet rustle of leaves as they entered the edge of a dense forest. The sun was dipping below the horizon, casting long, eerie shadows that stretched across the path. Aeron¡¯s unease grew with each step. ¡°Are you sure this is the right way?¡± Aeron asked, glancing down at the girl. ¡°Yes,¡± she said softly, her tone unwavering. ¡°This is the way.¡± After what felt like an eternity, they arrived at an old, rusted house hidden deep within the forest. The house seemed to groan under the weight of time, its broken windows and warped wood radiating an unsettling air. Aeron hesitated, his eyes narrowing as he studied the decrepit building. ¡°Are you sure this is where you live?¡± he asked, his voice tinged with concern. The little girl stopped in her tracks and slowly turned to him. A smile spread across her lips, but it wasn¡¯t the innocent smile of a child. It was something far more sinister. Her voice dropped an octave, chilling and mocking as she replied, ¡°Why would I lie to you? Can¡¯t anyone live here?¡± A wave of dread washed over Aeron. His grip tightened on the hilt of his knife as the girl¡¯s body began to twist and shift. Her limbs elongated grotesquely, her once-small frame growing monstrous. Her soft features melted away, replaced by a hideous, otherworldly flash eating monster named Morgra. Morgra, a flash eating moster is tall and gaunt, with pale, mottled skin that seems to writhe as if alive. Veins pulsate beneath the surface, glowing faintly with an eerie green hue, and patches of flesh appear rotted and peeling. Her face is perhaps her most terrifying feature. It is partially human, partially skeletal, with elongated, jagged teeth that seem too large for her mouth. Black, soulless eyes void of pupils reflect a predatory hunger, and her hair is a tangle of oily, thread-like tendrils that move as if they have a life of their own. When she speaks, her voice carries a chilling resonance, echoing with malice. It¡¯s takes the form of human, lures them to isolated place and devours them. Aeron stumbled back, his heart hammering in his chest. ¡°What the hell are you?¡± he demanded, his voice steady despite the icy fear gripping him. The creature let out a low, guttural laugh, its voice echoing in the darkening forest. ¡°I¡¯m just a little girl who lost her mommy.¡± Before Aeron could process anything, a sharp blow landed on the back of his head, rendering him unconscious.